Small Victories

We have new toilets! This is so exciting, because our master bath toilet had a problem. The disclosure form said it "squeaked." What we found out later was that it squealed, or whistled, whenever someone used a faucet, anywhere in the house. The only way to stop the squealing was to flush the toilet. It seemed like we were spending half the day running to the bathroom to flush the toilet to stop the obnoxious noise. But thanks to Mike Pizzello (an excellent handyman), we have new toilets, and the noise is gone! Mike also installed the stove and the dishwasher, and snaked the drain for the washing machine. I had a bucket hanging off the drain before that, to catch the overflow.

Marco and I have not had a dishwasher or washer and dryer the whole time we've lived together, so this was a very exciting day. We're still waiting on the floors. My mom had to push back the installation date due to a sudden rush of business in her store...she owns Knight's Carpets and Interiors in Paso Robles, CA...but that's good news for her! We're hoping for floors next week. We're getting carpet and laminate, and I can't wait! It will be so clean!

We cleaned the kitchen and I actually cooked. Well, I heated. But the stove and oven worked!

Eric Krebs, our realtor, took the electrician out there, and our AC is now fixed, along with the broken light switch. Eric has certainly gone above and beyond for us, and we truly appreciate it.

Remember to appreciate it all!

Poco a Poco!

Poco a poco is an expression that I will have to used to for the next month or so.  We are working hard on getting this house ready for paint this weekend, and our goal is to have the inside completely done.  Its coming along, hit a couple of snags here and there, still need painting, floors, electrical, and plumbing work done so its about a month away from being able to comfortably have guests over.  Its not quite the disaster that you saw in the Tom Hanks movie "The Money Pit" but I can relate to that movie a whole lot more now.

However as my mom's says "poco a poco" meaning, little by little and we will get this thing done!  Here are a few more pictures of our progress although it still looks the same...there are some improvements.  I would also like to thank everyone who has helped us with the renovation of our home and can't wait to have our housewarming party.  Thank you all...ERIC, Kelly, GEOFF, Aunt PATTY, Sheryl, Gordon, Betty, Eileen, Libby, Andrew, Matty Mo, Klammster, Bennett, Justin H., Pizello, Maria (Mom), Mari, and Carrisa, who is a workhorse, she never stops, comes home from work and is always sanding, spackling, cleaning, flushing, every night!
If I left anyone out, my sincere apologies, you are not forgotten here's some more pics, hopefully the next set of pics will have some paint on the walls! 

Where our Flatscreen will be mounted.

Future Man Cave, current storage room.

My Kingdom for One Clean Room

This week has been rough...must keep reminding ourselves that this is a good investment, and someday we will enjoy living in it. If only there was one clean room. The floors just refuse to be clean! We sweep and mop, over and over again, but the tile is just as grungy as the first time we saw it. The hardwood is covered with ceiling texture. We wear shoes and slippers constantly, and we get dressed sitting on the bed, to prevent our clothes from touching the floor. I spent last evening spackling, sanding and texturing the walls. I hope we can get everything painted this weekend, and the new floors (carpet and laminate...free from mom!) next week. Equity, here we come!

From the people who brought you "Dude where's my lunch?"

I would like to take this time to welcome you to our new blog.  We will be posting pictures and videos of our progress, and any problems that arise and how we learn from them.  So just to refresh your memory or to show you for the first time.  Here is a slideshow of our pad before we got our keys.  The pictures after that will show you some of the stuff we have done to create our canvas and build our masterpiece. 

Here is the converted garage, possible man cave?

If you need any closet doors let me know, I have two of them I would love to give to you!!!

This strapping young gentleman above is our realtor and good all around best damn dudes in the world.  I mean, how many realtors get down and dirty with you and practically project manages your progress while you are at work.  I love this man like I love my own smell, no seriously a lot more than that actually.  But seriously, if you need a good realtor, let me know and I will get you in contact with Mr. Eric Krebs.  He will also be doing a blog of his own and you can follow it at:  http://erickrebsrealty.blogspot.com/

Hard work...but worth it!

I'm so excited to be starting this blog with my husband. I believe this is a way for both of us to voice our joys and our frustrations with home ownership, but it's more than that. It's also a way for us to celebrate the changes we are making in our life together, and to appreciate all that we have.

My New Year's Resolution this year was to take time every day to appreciate it all. I don't think Marco knows that...but he does now! This is a charmed life, and Marco and I have many good things that have happened to us lately. We feel very fortunate, and very grateful.

The frustrations we will face with remodeling and gardening are small things in the grand scheme...I just hope we can keep that in mind.

Tomorrow we will move, officially, and begin our new life in the new house. The drywall and texturing is not yet done, the kitchen and bathrooms need to be renovated, and the floors need to be done, so it will be an adventure! At least we know the furnace is brand new!

I hope the cable gets installed on Friday, so that Marco will be able to relax in the new house with a good movie or game.

Did you know New Year's Eve was a blue moon? I think it's a good sign. We are starting a new year with a new life, with the full moon smiling down on us.