We had a tornado come through the region. Worst, most intense storm I've ever seen.

I got lucky, though. Minimal damage. Lost the fence...

... and the flashing on the soffit ripped out, ...

 ... panels in the soffit also ripped out.

That was Sunday.

On Monday the island went in as well as the counter under the TV set.

Both unfinished but at least it is now functional.

The bathroom is almost done! 

Electrical work is done!

Plumbing hooked up today!

As you can see here I am tearing apart the decking that backs up to the house. Lots of debris as well as poison ivy growing underneath the decking.  I also had the pool pump moved over to the corner. This means I can now tear off the back of the house, re-side it as well as attach ledger boards for the deck leading out from the kitchen.

Howell Concrete Lifters. 

They spent all day pumping cement under the cement apron around the pool. Filled in huge holes/gaps between the wall of the pool and the ground. Also leveled several huge pieces of concrete. Now the cement around the pool is secured, level and no critters living under/around the pool that could chew piping.

 

  In the pictures below you can see the drilled holes in cement
where they pumped the slurry in.

 

 The view from putting in the bird spikes. There is a reason I did not pursue lighting design: I was afraid of walking on the grid over the stage. Heights and me, not good!

I've now, hopefully, fixed the issue with the birds nesting inside the soffits on the back side of the house. As  you can see here, I used "Nixalite Bird Control" birds spikes. After EXTENSIVE research I learned that fake owls, snakes, or bouncing balloons with black eyes drawn on them, mirrors and a hundred other goofy ideas, do not work. Nixalite is not cheap. The spikes are stainless steel and incredibly needle point SHARP!!! (I have the bloody hands to prove it).

The below is the first I did. Took a long time and I was covered in bird shit. No way around it. 

Used high-end respirator, gloves, the works. I also removed all the nasty chicken wire that was nailed around the eaves. So, it looks better.

The second eave/soffit. Didn't take as long. But still messy. 

Third of three bird nests; sucked up the sheet metal, more spikes, and done!

This is the part of the roof on the back you can't see. I'm thinking enough of it is exposed to the elements and run off that they birds won't nest here. I hope. 

Sadly, there are birds nests in the front and on the sides of the house, so more bird spikes and bird shit, as well as dealing with high places are, in my future. 

: (

Here is the new fabric I'm thinking about for the living room. The room is too dark and needs brightening; these colors work very well with everything else I have. 

 

All new plumbing and electrical work in the bathroom (which started the rehab in the kitchen which also has all new plumbing and wiring). 

 

The window is being replaced with double pane tempered glass as per code. This will do two things: keep the room warm/cool but also the new window eliminates the old rot and leaking from the previous window from some years ago.

New wiring and where the new vanity will go. 

Insulation! Now there is insulation in the bathroom which should also keep the room cozy in the winter and much cooler in the summer. Hope to see a big drop in the heating bill!

 

 Shower wall boards (above) and river rock pebble shower floor (below).

 

 

This is the porcelain tile for the shower walls and bathroom floor.

 This is the vanity for the bathroom with faucet. Going for a "Japanese" influence with the line and trying to bring natural, organic ideas into the room. This should work in the house as the arts and crafts movement enjoys an "eastern" influence.

This the quartz counter top, it's called "sugar loaf"and much warmer than in this photograph.