Day 63-69 (December 23 - January 6)

We have made significant progress over the holidays which I did not expect.  Our new project manager has been instrumental in ensuring that the pace continued over the holidays.  There were a couple of setbacks which I will discuss below.

First, the exterior stucco is completed.  I was curious about how the shells are embedded in the coquina, but I was surprised by the technique.  Once the wet finish coat is in place, the shell pieces are simply thrown at the siding sort of like rice at a wedding.  Not what I envisioned, but the effect is eerily similar to that on the original structure.

The electrical finishing is 99% complete.  The ceiling fan is up.  This one is nice in that there are no operating pull chains.  Everything is remote control--capable of being operated from our iPads.  All of the ceiling lights are up and working.  The new security system is in and tested.  The blinds are on order.  We have transitioned our home phone from the land line to another cell phone (no number change).

The flooring is complete.  It has been difficult getting all of the haze and dirt of the floor.  I suspect that this will continue to be a battle until the final day.  The medallion that we had put in the floor came out well.

The niches that we had put in to display small items also came out well

Nonetheless, we did have a couple of aw shits.  Last Friday we were scheduled to install the shower enclosure.  Shortly before the appointed time, the glass company called to inform me that they did not have all of the parts and that there would be a three working day delay.  No real impact on our lives.

Today, the electrician was having trouble getting continuity and voltage to some of the outlets.  We pulled out the prints to find that the drywallers had drywalled over two of the outlet boxes that were now behind the stone wainscoting.  Fortunately, I had pictures of the all phases of the construction process, and we were able to locate them.  Unfortunately, this meant breaking into the stone.  Initially we had hoped to clear all work permits tomorrow, but this will delay the process until Friday.

The new blinds are scheduled to arrive on the 13th.  They will be installed shortly thereafter.  That we leave only the AV system to be installed.  We are targeting the week of the 20th for that effort.