April 11-13

Floor sander, finer-gauge than the last round. Note the canister partially full of dust.

Final sanding before urethane. These guys are the only subcontractors who wore ear protection -- good for them!

Jon Blackburn details the hardwood threshold next to bathroom tile

The urethane is applied with paint rollers

First coat of urethane just applied in family room. It was hard to grab these shots because the hardwood guys don't want folks wandering around, tracking in dust and grit.

Front hall after first urethane coat has dried overnight

First urethane coat + 24 hours

First urethane coat + 24 hours

First urethane coat + 24 hours

The saved topsoil gets moved one last time

Placing topsoil for grading up to the patio

Each bucket is carefully placed

Jeff breaks up topsoil

Fine gravel that will be blended into the topsoil

Henry and Dad

Henry taking gravel out of his shoes

Loading the next soil component

Landscaping areas are taking shape around the patio

Henry perched in the Bobcat

That broom was heavier than he expected!

Broom now under control

Jeff and Roger brought more of the good stuff the next day

Rocks and roots picked out in the grading process

The SW corner bed has been out of control for a number of years. It will soon be an orderly landscaped area. Perennials of any value have already been transplanted. Next step: apply herbicide to everything that's left.

In 2009 I found this little remnant of white Bleeding Heart in the SW corner bed, and transplanted it to a shady spot next to the house. We forgot it when moving plants from there to front of house in 2011, just before the area was torn up for construction. What a happy surprise to find this tough little plant had survived being dug around, mashed and forgotten. It's even ready to bloom!

Kyle of Absolute Theater tests the universal remote programming