The noisiest, dirtiest, most critical piece of the renovation puzzle is done. We now have a a drain tile perimeter in our basement, and a really snazzy, high-tech sump pump in place to pump out anything that seeps into the drain tile perimeter. Here’s hoping the pump never/hardly ever kicks on. It’s a relief to know it’s there when needed. Because let’s face it, the weather isn’t going to get milder during the next few decades. Better to be over-prepared than unready.

We’ve also had the Major “pick fixtures, trim styles, paint colors, door knobs shapes etc” for the upstairs remodel. DEEP tub. 17.5” soaking depth. Really spiffy light and fan for my office. And y’know, paints and stains blah-blah. I may have to forego my shoji doors, they’re evidently impossible to source and the glass-pane alternatives are not wowing me. I’d rather just go with a nice Craftsman-style frame around the opening than have doors I don’t absolutely LOVE. We’ll see. The awesome amazing designer is taking a second stab at it, given compromise on a possible “barn door” top rail for the sliding panels.

I am skeptical but willing to be convinced. She’s looking into a few more options on a couple of minor choices (like toilet paper holders, of all things) that always feel so small except that they really domake a difference.

But in the overall _how do I feel after making a ton of decisions in 2.5 hours” the answer is, “I am beYOND excited at the idea of the nice custom sink we picked out, with an indestructible stone-look top atop a neat dark green cabinet, and the built-in bookcases+window seat is going to be effing AMAZING, and nice doors, and new light switches, and-and-and!”

<incoherent exuberant flailing>

BUT ANYWAY.

I’m also nigh-giddy with relief to be done with the big scary “if this runs into any problems or delays, the rest of the scheduling falls apart fast” part of this whole month of overlapping construction projects.

I actually slept well last night for the first time since the roadwork began.

In other fun news, yesterday I learned there are over 100 different ways to tie shoelaces for optimizing different shoe uses. Also shoe manufacturers routinely use none of them when shipping new shoes.

And on that note, ta until later!

But wait, here’s one last pic for the algorithms!