Update #6:
Painting is done except for touchups, and major activities begin

Things are happenin' now. We have counters in, the backsplash almost all up, and flooring starting to be laid. The upstairs carpeting comes next week.
This has been a big week of big changes. Even some of the post-construction cleanup has started. Tuesday completes week four, so we're getting close to the end. It's odd how easily living in this small space has become a comfy routine.  

See a few other  photos of progress inside and reality outside of the house.

We're pleased with the way things look and the quality of the work. Ray says the kitchen counter should be impressive as folks round the corner into the room. The contractor is picky and has a glitch in the process, isn't happy with the way the wood floor looks, and is going to redo a portion. We have a new hobby of finding little things we need to buy (stairway banister supports, metal kickplace for the front door) that mean a weekly trip to Lowe's and/or Home Depot to give the credit card a little exercise.

The best part of life right now is we've augmented in a couple of ways what was already a shared healthy positve attitude. Not only do we see multiple reminders every day that things are all working according to our plan, and we're happily enjoying the current moment, but we're also already enjoying the feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment that we plan for the future. Why wait till it occurs when we can live that happiness now every day. Sweet. 

It's been a startling cold week, which is bigger news in some ways that the construction. Even the cat doesn't want to go out -- astonishing. Give us those 90s over these 40s anytime, some of us say.  I won't thaw until we're back to the 80s mid-week.