Kirby in Retirement

When we first decided to move off the boat and sell it I was somewhat concerned about what Kirby would do to occupy himself. I had my job but he didn't have the boat to work on anymore. Well, I really should not have worried. He has spent the last 18 months working his little fanny off on the house. He turned it into a Project Boat!

It is almost finished now and the pressure is off to work on it everyday to get it ready for - company for dinner, friends coming to stay, me needing (wanting) my bathroom back, me wanting my closet back, me wanting to be able to cook a dinner..... I think you get the idea.

I have been thinking about all that Kirby has done on the house and I get amazed at his talent. He hired 3 jobs out. The kitchen granite, the glass shower stall and the carpet installation. Other than that, he did it all himself.

And in the meantime he learned to make sourdough bread and the best ale around. He also attended H&R Block Tax School, cleaned the yard (including the doggie poo), cooked dinner, cleaned the floors, paid the bills.......

So, in a way, Kirby is not retired at all. Just look at all he has done in the list below and you will be just as amazed as I am! And you know that I could never remember everything he has done and besides, some of those things I didn't even realize he was doing because I wasn't there!


Removed flooring in hall, bath 1, kitchen and dining
Tiled floor in hall, bath 1, kitchen and dining
Painted the whole house inside
Painted all the baseboards
Painted cabinets in bath 1, installed new doors on cabinets
Installed new granite top in bath 1
Installed new faucet in bath 1
Installed new toilet in bath 1
Painted all interior doors and replaced all hardware
Painted front door, installed new hardware and new kickplate
Installed new porch lights – 2
Remodeled 4 bedroom closets with custom shelves
Painted all closet doors and installed new hardware
Sanded and painted the kitchen cabinets
Installed new pulls and hinges on kitchen cabinets
Remodeled kitchen pantry with custom shelves
Removed stove and dishwasher
Installed new stove and dishwasher
Removed old countertops and prepared for granite
Installed new plumbing and faucet in kitchen
Installed new water heater
Installed venting in the attic (after making access available!)
Installed new under-cabinet lights in kitchen
Installed new window coverings (blinds and curtains) throughout
Re-designed and remodeled the fireplace, tiled the hearth
Refinished dining room table
Built living room accent table
Removed old shower, flooring and toilet in bath 2
Tiled shower and countertops in bath 2
Installed new faucets in shower and tub in bath 2
Painted cabinets in bath 2
Installed new sink and faucet in bath 2
Installed new toilet in bath 2
Installed new window AC in bedroom
And on and on and on……………

So, before you ask, NO, I DO NOT HIRE HIM OUT! It is time for him to spend a little more time playing with the dog and making ale. (Well, he can cook me dinner sometimes too and it will be OK!)