We’re officially so done with the mess.
Dust and dirt still seem to appear everywhere, no matter how much we clean, but we’re hopeful that relief is finally in sight. A deep construction clean is scheduled for this week, and we’re counting the minutes until every surface gets the kind of attention only a professional crew can give.
A table for five again
One of the happiest updates this week is the new breakfast table installed off the kitchen island. For the first time in what feels like ages, all five of us can sit down together for a meal again. The table turned out even better than we expected—the size, the placement, the way it connects the kitchen to everyday family life. It already feels like it was meant to be there all along.
Taking back the outdoors
Outside, we decided it was time to take control of the chaos. We cleaned everything up, reorganized the spaces, and started making the yard feel welcoming again. The cold snaps finally seem to be behind us, so we cleared out plants that didn’t survive the winter and began resetting the garden beds.
Spring has arrived (along with the pollen)
Of course, spring also brought its own challenge: pollen season has officially arrived. Furniture we had been storing in the garage started getting coated in yellow dust, so anything with fabric quickly got relocated indoors. Not ideal, but it’s better than trying to scrub pollen out of cushions later.
The dogs approve
One unexpected bright spot in this phase has been watching the dogs adjust to all the activity. Annie has happily taken on the role of official greeter, always ready for a scratch behind the ears from the workers. Moira Rose prefers a more generous approach, regularly bringing them her toys as an offering. At this point, the construction crew has definitely been accepted into the pack.
The waiting game continues
The one lingering frustration remains the coordinating wood flooring we ordered to match the existing floors. It’s still on a ship somewhere headed our way, which means that part of the project is still on pause.
In the meantime, we’re exploring alternative flooring options for the upstairs rooms so we can finish those spaces in time for upcoming guests. Renovations have a way of forcing you to stay flexible, and sometimes the timeline makes the decisions for you.
Almost there
Despite the dust, delays, and constant rearranging, it’s starting to feel like the house is settling back into itself. And with a deep clean on the horizon, we’re hoping the next update might finally feel like living in the finished home.
