Movin' on up

One would think that I, being a blogger and all, would have taken some pictures on moving day.  Alas, I am not a very good blogger...because I did not take ANY pictures. But here's what I can tell you about our move, we lucked out. We started moving on Wednesday, Jan 27.  Deserving extra special thanks are mom and dad. Between them and Alex and I, we basically moved all boxes, clothes, pictures and other misc items over the next 3 days.  The only items that remained for the big move Saturday, Jan 30th were furniture, large/heavy items and outdoor items (i.e. patio furniture, riding mower, etc).  We had several friends and family come do the heavy lifting. The crew (who deserve special shout outs) consisted of Alex, Shawn, Kristina, Boots, Gump, Cam, Cuddles and Tom. Also, Mary Beth and my mom who held down the fort at the new house, getting items to the right rooms, opening boxes, helping to arrange all our stuff and wrangling the kiddos. As if moving wasn't stressful/hectic enough, we got a call around 10 that an agent wanted to show our old house to a prospective buyer at 1:15. Fortunately the guys moved really quickly. They started at about 7:30-8 so the inside was basically done by noon.


25' Uhaul truck=about $75
Home/pre-made lunch (sloppy joes) in the crock pot, some chips and cookies =about $20
Friends and family=Priceless
So, now you know why I said we lucked out.

Usually when you move into a new home there is that unique feeling of newness. And I am not saying that I wasn't excited. But building your house and moving into it has a whole different feel that buying a house and moving into it. Because this house already felt like home since we had been spending practically every day here overseeing or working on something. I liked that feeling. It is exactly how I imagined our new home to be.  Comfortable. I only hope now that others will find it just as inviting and welcoming.

The next morning we woke up, not too early (7ish) and Pali doggy wanted out. Since we don't have a fenced yard anymore she now requires walks around the property. The recent winter weather has been pretty mild, so these walks have not been too bad. In fact, Pali has forced me to re-acquaint myself with the full 5 acres of the property. And it is awesome! She loves pulling me down the driveway and then back up so she can sniff the big pile of chopped logs. While she agilely navigates the buckthorns and burs I duck and weave the best I can. I find myself looking for the best trees, for future climbing and treehouses. She 'discovered' the neighbor's horses, but mostly she's just on the hunt for some- bunny. I love that she is making the Triple V her home now too.

The end is near...

Where do I begin? Ahh yes, the big reveal. At long last the siding and gutters are complete!

And to top it off, we got this little gem in the mail for the OB:

 

For those of you that haven't been to The Triple V, here is the view as you approach. Gives you a better idea of the proximity between the house and the outbuilding.

But now, for a quick story, or two...
Last week we scheduled our final building inspection. Apparently the inspector did not like our attempt at blocking off the patio and balcony sliding doors. He did not think the 2x2s would keep a 200 lb person, or a small child from getting through. So, that, along with a few other minor fixes became the weekend 'to-do' list. As you can see from the 2nd picture, we went with adding steps out the back (might as well make it functional, as well as safe) and in the 3rd picture, you can see we blocked the balcony off the master much more securely. Not a very romantic view, but all in due time.

You can also see here all the touch up paint. 

And not to be outdone by the other exits, the front door also failed inspection because without the final grading the step up (or down) was too high. So....nothing says 'welcome to my beautiful new home' like some pallet steps! Temporary, of course.

And on that note, after a re-check today, we have PASSED inspection.

There is one minor detail to take care of. Well, major actually. But since it can't be done til spring, my inspector agreed to accept the below letter (which I am hand delivering to county tomorrow on lunchbreak). Upon receipt, he will issue us our CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.

 And in keeping with the pain-in-the-ass theme of all utilities, AT&T has decided to join in the fun.
I called a couple weeks ago and tried to explain to them that our new home would require a crew to come out and do overhead line, to our private utility pole, which we had already ran underground line from to the house, at which point they could connect. But I was advised that a crew could not be sent without a work order to install new service. Since we intend on keeping our same phone number, that meant setting up a date to shut the service off at the old house. But I didn't really want to wait for moving date, because I knew as soon as they showed up at the new house, there was no way they were going to be able to do all the work necessary in one day. And I was right. God, I hate being right. Well, easy enough, the installer called the other crew, who came and did the overhead service and connections. And told me to reschedule the install. Upon arriving home that evening I realized they had not turned my service back on at the old house. I spent the next hour trying to get help, only to be told that the particular office I needed was closed for the evening and NO ONE could do anything. The next morning I promptly called and spent the next 2 hours talking with someone (offshore) who I finally convinced to ask a manager for help. At long last, my connections were restored and my install for the new house was rescheduled for the Friday before moving day. But that one night and 2 hours without internet, well, that was rough.  Here's the pic that goes with the story. I'm learning to love this utility pole....

 Finally, today, great progress was made AND we did not burn the house down. So, what more could you ask for?
Mary Beth and I successfully measured and previously purchased all the shelving for the walk in pantry, kids closets and his/hers closets. Today was installation day.

 

Below we have the pantry. As if I didn't have enough reasons to eat more, now I have to fill this up.

And here we have my (Hers) walk in closet. Let the drool begin ladies!




















So, to round it up this evening, don't be sad, we still have this weekend, to do more work, which includes finishing the fireplace. I still owe you an entry on our lighting fixtures and the carpet goes in next Wednesday. After that, it's moving time! And what better way to enjoy the antics of The Triple V, then to join in the fun!
What's that you say? Oh yes, I will feed you pizza and beer. See you soon!

Happy New Year

How was New Year's Day spent? Why by going to Menards and Home Depot, of course!
And how about January 2nd? Why by going to Home Depot and Mendards, of course!

Last week we were ready for a FINAL plumbing inspection!!!!! And we failed!!!!  After a quick fix to the T and P on the water softener install we are ready for a re-check tomorrow. We will also be having our first try at the FINAL building inspection. I am fully expecting a re-check for Friday.

I will share some additional pictures soon, but for now, check it out, our first piece of mail!

Burn baby burn, some finishing touches & A story about my Hero

Well, I've been waiting for this day for awhile now. And it finally came. Between getting all the scrap material and burnable garbage  and cardboard boxes ready, waiting for water on-site and getting a less windy day, it all had to be timed up perfectly. But alas, the huge pile in our backyard is gone! It doesn't look like such a big pile in the picture, but it took me 2 weekends to go through it. I had insisted that we couldn't just light it up where it was because I thought the pile was too big and too close to the house. But... on weekend #2 I was so sick of carrying pieces to the burn pile and I got the pile small enough that I finally just lit up the rest right where it was at. So then I had TWO bonfires!

Before

 During

 After

I am so glad I won't have to look at the pile of garbage in the backyard after we move in. I know it would have bugged me all winter.
And I feel better knowing it's one less hurdle when we call back the excavator in the spring to do the final site grading.
 
Another project that took 2 weekends was the porch. And in case you were wondering...I GOT MY BEADBOARD CEILING!!!! The columns and painting will have to wait til spring.

 Another finishing touch that happened this past week was our masterbath shower glass partition. I'm pretty happy with the way this turned out though I have already been given several (unasked for) opinions on how we should close it off.  I am a little worried that I'm going to freeze my butt off, but we'll have 2 shower heads and the floor is heated. And the option to close it off if we need to!

 

In other VERY exciting news, our granite installation went right on schedule Monday, despite the crappy weather. I just LOVE the way it all turned out. Thank you MGT Inc!

The kitchen granite color is Colonial Cream.   The master bathroom granite color is Piracema.

The boys bathroom granite color is Cielo de Marfil.

Last but definitely not least, the story behind this picture:

 

Last Wednesday we were told by our carpenter that he could not get his guy to come help install our banisters. No big deal, we knew it would be tough on a holiday week.  Monday came and again, no help. The excuse this time was the weather. Ok. I can accept that. Today, Tuesday, I headed over in the morning to check in and make sure all was on schedule. Nope. No help again. I finally had it.  The carpenter and I proceeded to have a (not so) nice chat. Given there were just a few little items on his list, I suggested (told) him to just leave for the day and come back when he had the help he needed. And he wouldn't. So, unfortunately for Alex, who had just got home from working all night plowing, I called in reinforcements. Alex also had a chat with Mike. Finally the conclusion came. He would not leave, but neither would Alex. They would install the banisters together. And that is how Alex became a finish carpentry apprentice. And that is why he is asleep in the picture. And that is why he is my hero.

By the way, I am really happy with these banisters. I had done the stain work myself and Mom helped me with the first coat of paint. They'll get another coat now that they are up. Note, the actual stair/treads will be carpeted.

It's all coming together....next up, finish plumbing/fixtures and an entry on all our lighting fixtures.

Watergate

I'd been meaning to post this one for awhile but just kept forgetting to take an after picture of the water.
The water project (aka Watergate) was not complete until we had our water softner and reverse osmosis system installed by Huemann Water Conditioning.
The water in our home was tested before the system was installed to ensure we would get the best result after. Turns out our iron was off the charts 3.5 (and will stain at .3), so given we had the tubs and toilets installed it was crucial we get the water conditioning system in ASAP, so we didn't get rings around bowls.

Picture of water before-yuck

The Kinetico K-2060 Water Conditioner

The Kinetico K-5 Reverse Osmosis

Picture of water after-much better!

We gave it our all

Pete the Cat says:
"Give it your all, Give it your all. At Christmas you give, so Give it your all."
Well folks, it's time for an update, we will NOT be moving in by Christmas.
Even though we gave it our all.

As you can see from the pictures below, the flooring is down (and mostly covered in cardboard to protect it), the cabinets are in and the appliances were delivered. Alas, the granite will take probably close to another 2 weeks. Not to mention that, as hard as our carpenter tried to finish the trimout, it's difficult to do when you don't have all the doors. The driveway was re-surfaced, and has far fewer potholes, but the picture not included here is the view of the house as you approach. That is because our siding still is not done. So...we gave it our all, but we have moved on to a New Year's Resolution...to get it all wrapped up just after the 1st. And we're doing it for you...because we know you don't want to help us move in the bitter cold and snow. See, we're always thinking of you.

My future home office, where I can blog about the next adventure....

Our long and winding road

 Well, of course you know that I couldn't not put up some holiday decor, to get those contractors in the spirit. We've got an itty bitty tree in the corner of the great room, some plastic jumbo ornaments hanging from a couple trees along the driveway and the below message on the sliders overlooking the backyard.

That being said, stayed tuned. The end is in sight and I feel a flurry of blog entries coming on. Afterall, I can't keep the list of what needs to be done in my head..
Get HVAC back to hang condensers, Push Mike to finish siding job, paint doors and add all door knobs, paint stair sides of risers, paint stair rails, finish painting lights-so Jim can hang them, install fireplace stone (figure out mantel), figure out porch ceiling (I want beadboard), design and hang all the closet & pantry shelving, hang the mailbox on the post, add stair railings for 1st to basement, hang guestbath shower doors, oversee installation of glass partition in master shower, figure out vanity mirrors-hang, add all vanity hardware, hang all towel bars/tp holders, get Mike to finish trimout (he's waiting on doors and vanity cabinets that came damaged and had to be re-ordered), add all cabinetry hardware, finish installing appliances, oversee granite install and get Rob back to finish the plumbing trimout, add garage door openers, touch up all walls, ceilings, trim, etc, CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN, PACK, PACK, PACK, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE, UNPACK, UNPACK, UNPACK.

I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Still Married

Everyone says when you are building a house, it really tests your marriage.

They are right.

But here we are, 1 year later, still building, and still married.