Year in Review

The year is almost at an end, so it's time to review my to-do list for 2011. Some things got done. Many things didn't. Some projects, like the Concord House, had to get done so that we could sell it. Some things I hadn't planned on, like the gutter for the deck side of the house, got installed. Originally, I hadn't expected to have our concrete stairs poured this year, but the old steps became so hazardous, we just had to have it done, and we're really happy we did. The new stairs are awesome.

More on the gutter -- we replaced the sliding glass door after finding that the original one was still leaking. I didn't get my French doors that I wanted, but taking the space into consideration, another slider was really the best choice, as well as being almost half the price of French doors. However, we discovered after a heavy rainstorm that the new door was also having a leak problem. Ugh! I decided that the only way to avoid leaks was to prevent splash-back from water pouring off of the roof and landing on the deck. We went with Byers' Leaf Guard gutters because they have really wide downspouts, and best of all, a zero maintenance guarantee. If anything ever breaks or the gutter needs to be cleaned, they come out to deal with it free of charge. We've had one rainstorm and so far, the gutter seems to be working. Thank goodness! The new slider has a great Energy Star rating, so even though it didn't fix the rest of the leak problem, it was a good purchase.

All completed projects are in green. There's not much of it. I'm going to go hang my head in shame now.

1. replace dry-rotten siding
    The most important project of the year.
2. paint outside of house
    I think I've finally decided to do gray with blue trim.
3. build a clothesline
    I have the plans. I just need to do it.
4. build a firewood holder
    We got more than we needed for this winter, so we'll    
    need to create something to store it for next winter.   
5. purchase a storage shed
    We don't have a garage or basement, so this is very
    important.
6. purchase a carport
    Our cars take a beating in this weather.
7. build a fence around 1/4 of our property
    Bodie needs more runnin' room.
8. install baseboards in my office
    Can you believe I haven't done this yet?
9. build the built-in shelves in my office
    How I'll finally finish my office space.
10. paint bathroom
    The previous owners painted it matte without any mildew
    resistant additives.
11. repaint trim throughout the house
    Again, the previous owners painted it matte.
12. repaint living space
    We haven't actually changed any of the paint in the
    house since we bought it.
13. purchase a new, Energy Star refrigerator
    This is a must -- both for efficiency and for storage space.
14. replace the deck
    This may not happen this year, but it needs to happen
    soon.
15. build a pergola over the front door for shade
    I just couldn't get into the sunshade look, and a pergola
    will fit the style of the house as well as giving some
    architectural interest to our box of a home.
16. purchase a new water heater
    It's original to our '77 home.

and for my Charles' dad's house:
17. finish removing the rest of 35+ years of accumulation
18. gut & replace both bathrooms
    Since we live 3+ hours away, we'll hire out for this.
19. replace carpet throughout house
    Same as #18.
20. paint inside of house, including kitchen cupboards

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