The Ever-Lovin' Punch List

Our punch list reproduces like rabbit and stray cats, growing to the tune of two steps forward, one step back.  We are tempted to shut down the project and not let anyone else in to do work, for fear that they will UNDO previously finished work in some way. I really should fess up that our punch list is largely theoretical at this point.  We keep adding items to it, so we know it's long and unwieldy, but we haven't actually committed pen to paper.  Much like the noise a tree makes when it falls in the woods, the punch list exists in excruciating detail despite the lack of physical form.

Looking at a final room-by-room To-Do list at this point would just be depressing and overwhelming and would likely freeze our progress in our tracks.  A few examples of how this list reproduces itself:

Walls painted, check
Stairway banister stripped, check
Item for punch list:  touch up all the stripping splatters on the hallway wall

Walls painted, check
Downstairs hardwood floors installed, check
Item for punch list:  repair all the drywall dings in the walls and ceilings from the floor installation
Additional item for the punch list: touch up all the paint on all of the repairs

You get the idea.

It's a natural fact of renovation and having so many different and talented people working on our house that dings, spatters, chips, cracks, and spills will occur.   We get it, we really do, but when we've completed a project to perfection (since that IS Rob's standard for EVERYTHING, perfection) and it gets damaged or slightly undone as other work is being done, it still adds to our angst...and our punchlist. 

Despite the growing punch list that I refuse to give physical form, we have made progress - the study is really coming together.  It will be the only room with stained woodwork and coffers in the ceilings and we are awaiting the arrival of the specially ordered metal ceiling:

The below window will be where the original larger stained glass window (saved from the house, repaired, and carefully stored until it is time to install) will be mounted:

Built-in bookshelves will be added to both of these insets next to the fireplace.

Progress was also made in the upstairs main bath - Rob installed the smaller original stained glass window.

 

Here it is painted and complete - we can take this item off the list!

And a quick hello from Tosha, official renovation dog:

She's exhausted, too!

All three of us look forward to triumphing over the ever-lovin' punch list!