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.