Week 5

Monday

One huge decision was purchasing the new master bath toilet. I wanted to splurge on a wall-mounted system (the tank is hidden inside the wall), and since it's not very common to use these here in the US other than in commercial properties, this was a big challenge! Doing the research on product ratings and deciphering green building codes (especially in dry California with stringent water use restrictions), has taken a huge amount of my time and given me a lot of anxiety. After many hours of online searching, reading online reviews and personal recommendations, I am so glad to have finally placed my order. If you are unfamiliar with this type of system, you have to get all the pieces separately. Here's what we got: Toto Aquia with matching Toto soft close lid, and Geberit dual-flush tank and frame, and Geberit Sigma 1 flush plate.

Now I have to decide on shower systems. I stopped in at the plumbing supply showroom. Pretty... shiny...!

Then I went to the house to throw some clothes in the machine to find a lovely, airy, open-plan laundry area, although I am sad that they took out the big shelf my dad had put in for us when we bought our house.

Area where the new door from house into garage will go,
located next to the water heater and former workbench area.

Old wall had to be removed to provide frame for new roof.

View from family room.
The big opening is for French doors leading to the patio.

View from garden into family room.

Master bedroom - another set of French doors.

And here are my reasons for coming to the house every night: to feed and check up on the two feral cats who adopted us 7 years ago: Otto's mama Rose and Otto's auntie Rhynose (yes, the kids named them).

 Tuesday

The framing continues...

Starting to build up now, the roof.

The ridge which will be visible from the front.

Thursday

We have a hatch and ladder for the attic access.

The builders have made themselves a temporary drafting table.

Friday

It smells really good now, all the fresh wood joists overhead.

And now we have a 4 x 2 window in the family room as well.

We went to look for bathroom vanities and are still looking for the right kind of patio doors at a fair price.  Our architect came by for her first site visit and approves of the work so far. I have made an appointment with the Department of Water and Power so they can direct where the new electric meter will go.