November 13, 2014

Better throw some updated info out for posterity sake (sorry the pics you really want aren't coming for a little while).  Saturday the 8th was move day.  Supersonic thanks to Joey, Ann, Nick, Matt, and Claire, along with Erika and Eric.  We would have been out of luck without them.  Due to Joey's back issues, Joe, Nick and Eric moved most of the really heavy stuff.  But there was plenty of other normally heavy stuff for everyone else.  We started at about 7am and finished by about 7pm.  Green Mill pizza, Blacksmith fish and chicken and some favorite beverages helped all to continue moving forward.  And we got everything safely in the new house garage, couches and mattresses actually in the house.

Despite a shoplifter from Target hanging out in the kids playhouse in our old backyard and the police eventually getting him two days before we left, it was still a little emotional leaving the old house.  Lot of memories there.  Katie had 12 years there, Mary 11, Anthony 9, and Andrew 6.  So, slightly emotional.  From there, we stayed with my dad for two nights.  Then the winter storm blew in on Monday morning.  We did close on our house, all went smooth.  And we were so grateful that everything was in our new garage. 

As of last night, the car officially fit in the garage and everything except a few book boxes are in the house.  The boys room is completely set up thanks to Anthony's persistence.  The kitchen has a good chunk done, worked on that all day yesterday.  And I love the kitchen.  I couldn't be happier with it.  My plan is to have the house pretty well organized by Saturday except for all the books, as I have no shelves for them as of yet.

The fireplace is awesome and I finally got paper blinds up last night, so that is MUCH better.  And I am slowly learning how to use all the new appliances.  We have really nice Packer fan neighbors across the street who already came over to help Joe with their snow blower.  They have a 1 year old and I think they were eyeing up the girls for babysitting.  There is a lot of opportunity for that around here.  Mary also wants to hold craft classes for kids and cut kids hair.  She does great with Anthony's hair.  Anthony is not happy that the roads are glare ice because he really wants to bike down them despite it being 18 degrees.  Katie loves the study and doing here school in there, much better than the dark dungeon mudroom at the other place.  And Andrew goes out multiple times a day just to run around and play in the snow.

So, it didn't take long to adjust to this dream come true house.  We will be very happy here, I have no doubt.  Front door and service door won't get painted until spring because of the weather.  Otherwise, they really did get most everything done.  Pictures will be coming.

October 30th

First glimpse at "my" kitchen. 

First glimpse at "Joe's" fireplace.

 

Lights are on!

 

 Basement pic for those who care.

 

Mechanicals

 

In-floor heating manifold had to be posted.  Thanks Uncle Steve!!

 

Spice Rack (It will be painted eventually.)

 

Garbage and recycle bins

 

Tray Divider

 

My Grandpa Weimann made this bread board for me.

I had them make the cabinets to fit this in.



They seem to have done a good job repairing after the "little water issue".  Circuit is fixed.  Gutters fixed.  I am grateful that for the most part they have handled all issues that we have had. 

October 20, 2014

The pictures are coming.  Things are getting crazier by the second.  Today is the walk through for this house before we close on it tomorrow.  And we have had some issues at the house we are trying to get resolved, oh yah, and here is how it came about . . .

Tuesday night we arrived at our new house at about 7pm, lights are on, hmm . . . no cars around.  Went in to find the plumber there (car was in the back of the house) and were greeted with "We had a little problem with the water today."  Really? I thought to myself, looking at all of the brand new appliances packed in the middle of the kitchen waiting to be installed.  Apparently, he was turning on the water to check everything and the guy that installed one of the sinks in the master bathroom, DIDN'T TIGHTEN IT ENOUGH, and unbeknownst to this guy, water was flooding the bathroom.  He was in the kitchen and heard dripping.  Yep.  It flooded into the master bedroom (on the edge), and through the ceiling in the kitchen, had buckets to collect the water as it fell, recessed lights were removed.  He had to cut a 2x3 foot out of our master bedroom floor so that he could crawl in there to sop up the water.  I kid you not.  Then the plumber in his calm voice says, "You better call the gutter guy, I have been listening to the down spout hitting against the house all night."  And I wanted to say "And I think you better find a new profession."  Then we went in to make sure they had supported the soaker tub with ample spray foam only to find out they just lined the front (like for looks), so if you got down with a flashlight, the whole back side was not done.  Then we had the wise idea to turn on the fan in the master bedroom in hopes of aiding the drying out process only to blow a circuit.  Did I mention yet that there were a few tears on the way home that night?  Joe was extraordinarily calm.  I think we figured out that we both can't lose control at the same time.  One of us always has to be the calming forcing while the other goes berserk.  I was the one going berserk on Tuesday.

October 27th

I am sure you are all just sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for more pics.  I know, probably just me, myself and I waiting for those pics.  Joe should have them on tomorrow.  But I can at least record the latest in writing. 

Two weeks from today, we will be closing on this house.  Miraculous, surreal, and unnerving, all come mind at the same time leaving a weird mixture of emotions.  God's hand has been on this since the beginning, so we will go forward in faith trusting that this is just one more piece of the puzzle of our lives being put in place.

In regards to packing, I haven't really moved that much and Joe has, so after his "You really aren't a very good packer are you?" comment, he has now been assigned the packer of all breakable items, which makes my job way easier.  And he really is a good packer.  He packed all our crystal glasses and I feel pretty confident that I could roll that box into the garage and it would still be okay. 

But on to the house and what is going on.  Tomorrow the appliances are all coming, dishwasher, stove/oven, microwave, refrigerator, washer and dryer.  Granite is in and looks awesome.  All lighting is in (except puck lighting in the upper cabs) and looks great.  I almost died twice when I flipped the switch for the undercab lighting for the first time.  Yes!!  All faucets/sinks/toilets are in.  Gutters are put on, flooring (except carpet) is in.  Handles/knobs etc are in. 

But with all that said, there is still a lot to be finished in two weeks.  Here is the list that I can think of:  all stone work (front of house and fireplace), all painting (crazy I know, they cover everything up), heating/air conditioning, racks in the closets, carpeting put in, water actually running, big garage doors put on, screens on, shower door installed, switch out wrong door on mudroom, paint and install front door. . .  Hmmm.  Hope this gets done . .

What do we have to do other than pack, school, and run to Chisago City for Katie's basketball practices all the time:  get towel racks, tp dispensers, mirrors, window treatments, organizers for drawers, organizers for showers, organizers for pantry, organizers for all of Mary's crafts, and more organizers because for once in my life I am going to be ORGANIZED!!!   Or so the hope goes.  I can see that I have now passed into that obnoxious phase that one gets too when they are overtired.  Off to bed with me!

October 17th

October 14th - Front Siding

Joe and I went tonight and were just so wonderfully happy as we looked at the front of our house almost done.  The pictures really don't show what we saw.  It was so great to be happy with such big decisions.  Tomorrow the front stone is being put on and probably the siding being completed.

 

 

 

Never in a million years could have pictured the way they stain the wood, paint the enamel and do the wall paint.  It would have taken me a year to do all this, not a week or two.

 

October 12th - Stain and Concrete Work

The stain in done.  I love it!  I spent so much angst and time having 15 different pieces of wood stained and trying to figure out which would be the one that I love and I hit the bulls eye!  I am so grateful.  This is not the thing you would want to hate in a new house.  It is absolutely what I wanted.  Yes, Joe was happy, too!  So here is my absolutely favorite cabinet in the entry to the master bath (on the right) and walk in (on the left).

The deck is done pretty much, just a small thing to finish by the concrete at the bottom of the stairs.  Would have preferred a railing that matched the trim, but overall no biggie.

They finished under the entry, along with all of the peaks.  Tea Chest is the Sherwin Williams color.

The sidewalk and apron under the garage are in.  Driveway is suppose to be in this next week.

I am not sure I mentioned yet, how much I LOVE this paint color, Burnished Walnut at Sherwin Williams.  This is the door in the school room.

The flash on this pic, makes the stain look lighter than it actually is.  This is the kids bath.

And here are the peaks which are all done, but again this pic is the pits.  What is happening with my camera!!

I have learned a few things in this process and one is that they put the stain on after the wood is on, then they do the enamel on the kitchen cabinets, then the floor goes in AND THEN THE PAINT GOES ON!  I was looking at the painter as he was telling us this like a deer in headlights - really??? So, you cover the floor up?  Duh, obviously.  I think the stone is going on this week and hopefully finishing the outside up.  Still seems pretty surreal.  So grateful.

October 4th - Cabinets, Trim and Doors Installed

Warning:  The lens on my camera is terribly dirty, maybe rain?  But I still wanted to post these.  Keep in mind that all of this trim, cabinets, and doors were put up in two days.  And it all looks so beautiful.  Joe and I were surprised that they actually put the paint and stain on after all the trim is on.  Seems strange, but like many things we just trust that they are the experts, right???

I am so excited about this cabinet.  It came out exactly how I had hoped.  This picture is taken from the Master Bedroom.  As you walk through, there is a walk-in closet on the left and the master bath on the right.  This cabinet will have lighting coming in on the top.  It is so beautiful.  I love it.

I

 

This is the picture of the Master Bath.  Sinks on the left, shower on the right, bath in the back.

This the kids bath.

This is at the top of the stairs.  Girls room behind Anthony.  Laundry room behind Joe.  Master bedroom on the right of the picture.  School room to the left of me.  Boys room behind me.  Kids bathroom to the right behind me.

The kitchen cabinets look amazing.  The spice cabinet is incorrect and not in yet.  The tops will have glass and lights.  The door is with rain glass and opens to the pantry.  The window overlooks the backyard.  The cabinet in the middle will be the island. 

The fireplace mantel is so well-done.  We were just amazed at the craftsmanship of these men.  The guy that made this mantel at the cabinet shop has been doing these mantels for like 40 years or something and they are all hand crafted.  You can tell. 

French doors to the study which is right off of the foyer.  This will be our "library" of sorts.

This is right off of the garage in the mudroom.  They are all claiming their cube.  Joe and I get the closet that is to my right.  I am actually standing in the half bath taking this picture.

 

This is the only pic I could get of our siding.  It is about 1/3 done, but has been halted because of the rain and muddy ground.  It is absolutely perfect, so glad that we got this right.  That would be an expensive "oops".  The other thing I hope we right is the stain.

My Head is Spinning!

We were just at the house on Sunday, cleaning, again very normal for Joe and I.  We went again tonight after just three days and so much had happened that it made my head spin, I almost couldn't take it all in properly.  Joe had the glazed over look.  Seriously, first I was skiing through the mud in my nice tennis shoes just to get to the house.  The kids were laughing their heads off.  We made them stay in the car.  All of the cabinets have been delivered and look great.  I was so excited to see that the bread board that my Grandpa made me fit perfectly into the cabinets, plus I have another breadboard they made.  All of the trim was there ready to be stained.  Ceilings done, walls primed, along with having all of the wall trim on the top by the ceiling done with the proper colors.  The deck stairs were done, and get this - THEY HAVE 1/3 OF THE SIDING DONE!!  They seem to be really ahead of schedule.  We didn't expect that for another week or two according to the schedule.  It looks awesome.  We both love the color.  A couple of the paint colors are a little iffy, but I would much rather feel iffy about 2 bedroom paint colors than the siding.  But we will see.  I told the girls that if this color is just the pits I will repaint it.  And Joe very quickly said, "No, I will repaint it."  ;-)

Now, I am starting to really panic as I realize how much work needs to be done packing.  We have been so focused on the house, not much has gotten done here.  But first we need to finish the buying of the 29 lights for the house.



 

A lot has happened since I was there on Tuesday.  The front pillars were put on, which we love.  Stone will be surrounding the bottom and the top will be painted.  The stairs in the garage were done nicely.  And the biggest surprise was the deck.  WE LOVE THE DECK!!  It felt so good to be out there, unlike here were we can wave to neighbors on either side.  Everyone is pretty far away.  Unfortunately, most people don't take pride in their work and they put two screws through the skirting but missed it and came out the front.  So, they will be replacing that.  They also put the wrong color railing, but Joe and I like this color too.  And something with a red handle got dropped on my beautiful tub!!!  We will see how all of that is resolved.

 

 

Going there is always a mix of emotion, both excitement with all that has been done, but frustration with the workers and the little things they can't seem to quite get things right the first time around.

 

 

Last Sunday, I finally submitted the paint colors, stain color and enamel color.  It was a bit torturous for sure, but I did hit the lottery as my aunt and uncle were in town.  She is one of my many talented aunts.  So, with her help we got everything figured out including the colors for the kitchen table that we ordered.  Yes, my Grandma and Grandpa's kitchen table that we use is going to be retired to the basement for Mary's crafts, along with the folding chairs that we had.  We will now actually have room for a huge Thanksgiving feast and I will be able to invite anyone sitting alone on that day.  Joe said "We are running out of room," a couple years ago.  Not anymore.  Bring it on!

We were thrilled to see that the four concrete issues were all handled last time we went.  We are down to a window that won't stay up and an incorrect window.  The window above the front door should have grids.  So, not too much so far.

Our last venture is picking out about 30 lights, 29 to be exact, for the house.  We went to Menards last night and Home Depot tonight to simply look and figure.  Then we have to purchase them all and deliver them.

They moved the big pile of dirt around the house and it all looks so perfect.  We really can't believe we will actually be living there.  They are just finishing up the sanding and spraying for all of the walls.  The fireplace insert in in.

After the lights are done, I will need to switch my attention to this house!!!

Sept. 19th