November 6, 2010: Moving the Appliances Inside

Eric spent the morning implementing all his plans and schemes to get that 1/4 ton+ refrigerator up those six steps, around the lanai, and over the threshold into the house. Special hand trucks, special friends, and special ramps all came into play.

Two views of his ingenious ramp over the threshold.

And here they go... at first I was hoping to get play-by-play of the process...

But at this moment right here... I was prompted to replace the memories with active, fervent prayer!

And the results...

Between Eric, Roger, Bennett, Michael, Eric's friend Pila, and Pila's older friend, and some good old-fashioned supernatural help, both the refrigerator and the oven unit made it into the house without accident or injury (as long as you don't count Eric's pre-prayer scrape as an injury!).

Ah! David arrived just in time to admire the work instead of help! You gotta live in Kaimuki to know that the first Saturday in November is Celebrate Kaimuki Day, and NO ONE gets around quickly. Oh well...

Thank you, Pila, for your strong back!

Time to position temporarily...


And time to begin moving stuff into the guest bedroom in preparation for Monday's breakthrough.

November 5, 2010: Finishing the Guest Room

Quiet day today. Only Eric, by himself, putting the finishing touches on the guest bedroom. The corner rounds were milled by him and painted by painter Mike back when they were painting the interior.


Eric temporarily placed the chimney over the stove hood so we could see how it looked. The dishwasher is also temporarily in place. None of the appliances will actually work until the electrician and plumber return to connect them, and that won't take place until after the counter tops are placed. Soon, though!


The doc came by on his way to help Wally prepare the orchids for the KCC Farmer's Market tomorrow.

Happy to see progress once again!

Tomorrow! The big appliances, including the 640-lb refrigerator, will be making their way into the house tomorrow. Now THAT will be an adventure in ingenuity!

November 4, 2010: Mirror, Mirror

Eric worked on the closet shelving so that we can move into the guest room this weekend... the hole is going into the wall on Monday!


The Aloha State Sales estimator came by to take the measurements for the kitchen cabinets. And, no, to my shame I didn't get his name. He was leaving when I arrived :(. I was thankful to get his photo!


UPS Freight dropped off the mirror for the master bathroom. I wasn't here for that either! However, I CAN say that I was in one of my favorite places: Beckie's house, studying the book of Esther! Trade-offs...

I think we may sand the mirror so that it closer matches the vanity... sort of a whitewashed wood look.

We had a visitor this afternoon: Kiha! Stopped by between Palolo appointments.

November 3, 2010: Stove Hood Installation

The kitchen tile is finished except for the sealing, which Bennett will do tomorrow.


Eric and Bobby began installing the stove hood, starting off with my favorite tool--the laser level! The white stuff on the chimney is caulking to seal it.


The sheet metal to conceal the chimney will be put on Saturday.

Eric also began installing the shelves into the spare bedroom closet, using HIS new favorite tool--the puka making jig!


We're beginning to see the end... it's even fun relaxing on the lanai!

November 2, 2010: Indonesian pieces finally arrive!

Eric and I spent the morning picking up the Indonesian pieces ordered from Simplicity Imports (thanks, Kama!). Amazing how difficult shipping cargo has become. And picking it up as well! But we were finally allowed into the hallowed grounds of Aloha Air Cargo, where the guy who helped us load was very nice.


The materials used to pack the furniture are amazing! The wood is balsa, which is extremely light (important for shipping) and very easily broken, but when used like the above holds up very well. And inside the crates, each piece was wrapped in lots and lots... and LOTS! of lightweight corrugated paper. Filled up my recycle bin!


If you have ever been to Bennett's office, you have seen pieces similar to these. They are made of reclaimed exotic wood from old furniture. The old paint is sometimes still visible, as with a couple of our pieces. So with that in mind, here are the new pieces:

This first piece is the entertainment center which will go in the "Grand Room." It still has some blue paint on the boards on the top.


This second piece is the vanity for the guest bathroom. The latch on the front is fun to play with! The top looks odd mostly because there isn't one. Both of the vanities will have Silestone countertops.


And this piece is a "white-washed" vanity which will be cantilevered to two walls and a pony wall in the master bathroom. The "Blue Sahara" Silestone countertop really pops with the whiteness of this piece. I know they all look a little odd by themselves, but when they are in their places in their new home, they are going to be perfect!

As for the rest of the day, Eric grouted the kitchen tile and played host to architect Jeff.



Landscaper Mike was also over testing the water pressure. We were laughing at what was currently growing in the yard:

A variety of weeds...

The triple pikake (again!) and the pakalana that used to be part of grandma's garden (excited about these!)...

...and even on the shady side of the house, grass seems to be able to survive... although I think it's nutgrass, so it better enjoy it's short life while it can! Looking forward to the time when the whole yard is full of green!

November 1, 2010: Finishing the Pantry

Eric put on the facings and the post in the pantry. Very detailed work!