New Doors

Chris and Frank came back today to install the Florida Room door and the new double doors in our main entrance. We really like the results, although the light streaming in the front of the house now from the setting Western sun is almost overwhelming.

My new central vacuum system! Sometimes
Rick's work really sucks!

I have to back up to yesterday when I could not get my husband to quit for the day.  We ended up installing my central vacuum until quite late in the night.  We still have to pick up some wire to make final connections, but the vac is now safely installed in the garage, complete with an exhaust pipe that reaches into the rafters.  The exhaust pipe probably will just look like a convenient place for geckos to hide in, so this could be an interesting venture unless we buy some screening to go over the end!  If nothing else, one must always keep the critters in mind when living in Florida.  I have not  really had a chance to try it yet, both because of the missing wiring and because the instructions clearly state that plaster dust will ruin the motor.  At the rate we are going with Gladys, I may be stuck using the shop vac for the rest of the decade.

We set the alarm for early today because Chris and Frank were set to arrive by 8:00 a.m.  They told us that to load our new double doors onto the truck took four men and a lot of muscle power.  When they unloaded it, they actually had to take the doors out of the frame and unload it in three component parts. I will say that then we close the door now, it makes a really reassuring thud!

During the day Rick and I took turns walking down to the barber shop around the corner from our house to get much needed haircuts.  We cannot believe the prices here.  While building materials and groceries are higher than Wisconsin's prices, haircut prices are not.  I usually pay 30 for a haircut in Wisconsin, and here they charged me $12 for just as good of a cut.  At that rate, I could even afford a good tip.

The new Florida room door with a stunning view
of our garbage can in the back yard!

I went first, so when I got home the Florida door was already installed. The Florida room door has a half-light in it with internal blinds.  The old door was solid and was rusting out, and the new one now is fiberglass (no rotting or rusting) and seems to "fit" the room better.  The opposite side of the room (south side) has two windows, so the north side wall with the one window and now a windowed door better balances the room.  I hope someday to have a lanai out this door rather than a wonderful view of our garbage can!

The new front doors completely transform the front of the house.  The doors seem to be a grand entrance to a wonderful home, so I hope that when people enter they are not too disappointed in the interior of Gladys. She is coming along nicely, and we are happy that the living room now seems to be filled with as much light as the Florida room.  Gladys is now secure on all fronts and hopefully will be a delightful, sunny, inviting place to call home.

Our new front doors!

Looking from the inside out.  Unfortunately, we cannot remove
the red tags in the doors until after the inspector approves
them.