Moving back in

We moved out of the Bogk House on October 19th, 2025. (see this post)

Our very generous hosts are starting renovations of their own, and needed their carriage house by June 13th.

Doreen was in Houston and Austin from June 10th to the 16th, so after moving the final little bits and bobs (more than you can count) out of the apartment, we were able to hand it back to them on Friday, June 12th.

Texas State Capitol Building

I had a great time in Madison with The Bechles, Doreen had a great time in Houston with her momma, and in Austin with the City Parks Alliance, but then we had to come back to Milwaukee.

Wisconsin State Capitol Building

And the Bogk was not ready for us. The main issue blocking our return was the upstairs floor. We had elected to remove all the wall to wall carpet that had been laid on the quarter sawn oak floors over 60 years ago, and then have them gently finished.

This takes longer, and uses more noxious materials than you can imagine.

Our loquacious floor guy (Kenny) was on it as quickly as he could be. But that was not quickly enough to get us back into the House by June 16th.

Milwaukee, and specifically the East Side, takes care of its own. So we have moved (for a very short stay, we hope) into another neighbor's "Granny Flat" on their top floor. Again, very generous, especially since we know they can hear us going up and down the three flights of stairs, with our dog. Their house is across the street from the Bogk, so just as convenient from a geographic context.

Kenny told us the floors would be "move in ready", but not totally cured, by this Friday, June 19th, exactly nine months after we moved out. I like that coincidence.

Upstairs floors, protected for 60 years by wall-to-wall carpet

Staying in the Bogk will not be without its problems. The kitchen cabinets are also being delivered on Friday, and will be installed next week. The kitchen floor will need to be sanded and sealed after the appliances are installed, which will be after the countertops are cut and installed, which will be another couple of weeks. So we will be cooking on an induction cooktop in the basement for a while.

But this makes me very happy. It means that the end of the process is in sight, and really pretty close. I had hoped to be in by my birthday (July 6th) and we will make the date, but not with everything in place.

I am very happy.

Lots going on. Take a look.

The kitchen floor is in.

These are the installers. The one in front talks a lot, the one in the back does not talk at all.

I like both types.

In Process

Done. except for the final sanding and finishing. It should stay about this color.

Bathroom Cabinets are installed. This is the Primary. We are waiting for the kitchen countertops so the countertop folks only need to come out once

They look great

Back yard - framing and pouring the patio:

Doreen directing the pour:

Finishing:

Washing the top of the concrete off so you can see the aggregate. I think I was saying "Fascinating!"

Looks great!

Refinishing Tub and Finishing Bathroom:

These guys do a great job.

This window was painted. Now look at it!

The colors are not quite true, but this is the living room. I will get better photos later.

We uncovered the wood floors upstairs. They are in surprisingly good shape! This is the twin bedroom (the boy's room)

This is the Primary bedroom. A little polish and wax, and they will be done.

We saved a touch of the historic pink plaster. 

We are moving in in about a week and a half. The kitchen will not be done, but we will make do.

More soon.

Back in Milwaukee, and things are looking good!

 The trip was mostly uneventful, which is the way we like it.

We are getting into a routine with this trip - first stop in North Little Rock, Second stop in St Louis, then Milwaukee. It is mot a bad drive.

We've discovered that the halfway point is the Black River Overlook Park in Pocahontas, AR. We stop and get food somewhere in town (Green's BBQ if they are open, but they are not open on weekends. So we try something else. I think we had Taco Bell (really!) this time)

Lulu is ready to be in Milwaukee:

We are well on our way to completion. You can see some of the progress here.

This is the original primary shower. The fur down there made it very difficult for me to stand up and take a shower. The shower head hit me in the chest.

This is the same shot. We took out the tub and the fur down, replace the tile, and raised the shower head. So now I can wash the top of my head.

The tile looks nice.

You can see the new bedroom color (actual, not AI!) below;

Here is  the original:

I like it!

More later, but I have to scoot to meet family for an early dinner.