December 6, 2008
We meet with a sales associate about adding a central vacuum to the house. He said when the walls are open, as ours are, that this is the easiest and least expensive time to install a central vacuum. We include in our plans a “vac pan” in the kitchen, which is like having the vacuum on standby in the kitchen at all times. To make clean-up easy, you sweep crumbs near the base of a cabinet where the vac pan is installed, turn it on with the tap of a toe, and the suction takes the crumbs directly to the vacuum canister which will be located in the basement. We are assured that this will improve the air quality in the house. We’re going with a NuTone (www.nutone.com) system. I love the idea of easy clean-up! Plus having the power unit in the basement means the sound will be muffled and I’ll be able to clean in the evenings after the kids go to bed.

December 16, 2007
Kevin installs the new wood door from Pella (www.pella.com) and it’s wonderful. Couldn’t be happier! Next up, a cottage-inspired railing at the back entry.

December 29, 2007
Kevin tries to stay busy despite not having any subs. Today he built the railing at the stoop from cedar and leftover bits of fiber cement siding that he crafted into posts.

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