Smooth as glass...

Even though the weather has been quite gloomy, things are a bit brighter over on the construction site. Lisa and I were over there on Wednesday taking pictures, and it certainly looks like they are getting things done.

In the old building taping is almost complete. After that, they will start painting the walls. What color will they be? Your guess is as good as ours! We haven't seen the paint colors yet, but since our color scheme is supposed to follow the beautiful colors of the landscape, it should be peaceful and soothing (we hope!). The ceiling grid support wires are being installed as well. All the downstairs offices are ready for painting, and it's a bit surreal looking at the unfinished spaces, and imagining ourselves working over there. After a year and a half spent with nine of us crowded into one very small room, it will feel like we are working in a palace.

In the new part of the building, framing is almost completed. The insulation, however, is finished and we are looking forward to inhabiting a building with good insulation. We have discovered that it is nigh to impossible to type accurately wearing bulky gloves! The electrical and HVAC systems are almost done, and while that's been a bit of a bugger for us, now it is completed and ready to rock. Also this week, the plumbing is being tested. Let me tell you, we consider plumbing extremely important. If I never have to plunge another public restroom it will be entirely too soon! (TMI you think?)

The other bit of news is that the asphalt subcontractor was on site this week doing some cleanup work. The first asphalt pour will follow once the sub grade is dry.

Over here in the temp space, we are getting more and more questions about the new building. When will it be done? What are you doing with all the stuff over here? Are you getting all new material? To answer the most important first, we don't exactly know WHEN we can move in, but we are speculating that it will be sometime this summer. The sooner the better as far as we are concerned, but mid-summer is our best guess. As for the furniture and shelving that we are leaving behind, stay tuned for more info on that. We are not sure what we CAN do with this stuff, but as soon as we know, we will let you know. And no, we are not refinishing this furniture and bringing it back. The chairs will all be new chairs. After 30 plus years with the same furniture, it is time to get some new (clean!) furniture. Trust me -- you will appreciate it! We are not getting rid of our books and DVDs etc... they will all be making the move back to the building. However, we are going to try to have an "Opening Day" collection ready for when we reopen with lots of brand new books and movies and music to choose from. We are all very excited about this, and look forward to reopening with loads of new choices!

Stay warm-

Theresa