Today is Halloween and we are into the fall season. Today, we have to finish cleaning the floor to prepare for hardwood to be installed on Monday. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?), we've had a lot of rain in the past few days. The water running off the roof above the master bedroom is over flowing over the gutter, hitting the deck, and some how coming inside under the wall or door. We have to get the floor dry before the hardwood is installed. I'm glad this is happening now BEFORE the hardwood is installed and then having to be repaired.
The deck railing is started, but the rain has delayed it's completion. The hot tub was to be delivered this week, but has been put off due to the rain. Some brick work has been delayed due to the rain. This has delayed the start of our drive way, too.
We are scheduled to close November 25, which is the day before Thanksgiving. Just over 3 weeks away. We have a lot of work to do and the weather isn't helping.
In the adoption world, we are not through review. That means our paperwork as been reviewed by the Chinese and there were no problems or questions with our application. So, we are still waiting. Still no speed up, but there is still hope.
Gas prices have jumped up to just over $2.50 a gallon. Unemployment is still terrible. And the public insurance option is back on the table.
Happy Halloween,
Tide Gal
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Let's Play Some Football
Yesterday, I forgot to mention that Alabama is undefeated again this year. So far it has been a great year. We have junior quarterback and this is his first season as a starter. Right now we are ranked #3 and it looks as if we could be headed to the SEC Championship game again. We should be in a great bowl game, too. We already have room reservations in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game, and rooms in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl and Pasadena for the National Championship game.
Yesterday, the tile guy said he could easily fix the pot filler. However, if we could find some kind of extension to change the filler so that it unfolds below the rather than above, it would be easier, quicker, and less expensive. Of course, we've looked and the company doesn't offer that option. Luckily, we do have enough extra materials to redo the area without having to buy more tile. He also has about 3/4 of the tile around the master tub now.
The builder finished the mantel in the master bedroom and both mantels are now ready for primer and paint.
Tide Gal
Yesterday, the tile guy said he could easily fix the pot filler. However, if we could find some kind of extension to change the filler so that it unfolds below the rather than above, it would be easier, quicker, and less expensive. Of course, we've looked and the company doesn't offer that option. Luckily, we do have enough extra materials to redo the area without having to buy more tile. He also has about 3/4 of the tile around the master tub now.
The builder finished the mantel in the master bedroom and both mantels are now ready for primer and paint.
Tide Gal
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Happy Fall
I think it is now officially fall even though it is still 80 degrees during the day. The leaves are falling and scarecrows are going up.
Our house is going, but going slow. Our tile guy is working on the tile around the master bath. Once he completes this, he would be done. Yes....would be. Turns out our plumber plumbed the pot filler in the kitchen too high. We didn't realize it until he installed the faucet. It is about 1/2 inch below the vent and so high it would look like a waterfall if we used it to fill a pot. It looks like the placement it wasn't planned well and obviously it wasn't. We want to change it so it is actually usable. So, we want our tile guy to chisel out the back splash, move the pipe, and redo his work. Two steps forward, one step back.
We are waiting on the counter in the bonus room to be completed. The cabinet guy will then order the granite top for that, the mudroom, and the laundry room. The plumber told us this week he needed that sink installed in the mudroom before he could turn on the water. We've been waiting for weeks for him to turn on the water. Now, he tells us he needs that done first. Of course, the counter top won't be in for about 3 weeks. Unfortunately, we thought the water would be on by now and had the port-a-potty removed. Perfect.
Our retaining wall is almost complete. In fact, it may be complete. My brother dug the trench for it last weekend and now it is done. We are so glad we hired that job out. It would have take us weeks to do what they did in 3-4 days.
In the adoption world from China, the rumor of a speed up has not happened yet. There is still a little hope that it will happen but there just isn't any way to know for sure. And we won't know until it happens or doesn't happen.
In national news, gas is running about $2.17 or maybe a little higher. Unemployment is still in the tank. Layoffs are everywhere in every aspect of the job market. The stock market has leveled out at the bottom. And the President just won the Nobel Peace Prize. He was nominated a few weeks after he was elected for the work he WILL do. Seriously? Seriously. When his name was announced as the winner, there was an obvious audible gasp in the audience. There was one in my house, too. He couldn't even get the Olympics to come to Chicago. In fact, Chicago was eliminated in the first round.
Ready for fall.....and to move into the house
Tide Gal
Our house is going, but going slow. Our tile guy is working on the tile around the master bath. Once he completes this, he would be done. Yes....would be. Turns out our plumber plumbed the pot filler in the kitchen too high. We didn't realize it until he installed the faucet. It is about 1/2 inch below the vent and so high it would look like a waterfall if we used it to fill a pot. It looks like the placement it wasn't planned well and obviously it wasn't. We want to change it so it is actually usable. So, we want our tile guy to chisel out the back splash, move the pipe, and redo his work. Two steps forward, one step back.
We are waiting on the counter in the bonus room to be completed. The cabinet guy will then order the granite top for that, the mudroom, and the laundry room. The plumber told us this week he needed that sink installed in the mudroom before he could turn on the water. We've been waiting for weeks for him to turn on the water. Now, he tells us he needs that done first. Of course, the counter top won't be in for about 3 weeks. Unfortunately, we thought the water would be on by now and had the port-a-potty removed. Perfect.
Our retaining wall is almost complete. In fact, it may be complete. My brother dug the trench for it last weekend and now it is done. We are so glad we hired that job out. It would have take us weeks to do what they did in 3-4 days.
In the adoption world from China, the rumor of a speed up has not happened yet. There is still a little hope that it will happen but there just isn't any way to know for sure. And we won't know until it happens or doesn't happen.
In national news, gas is running about $2.17 or maybe a little higher. Unemployment is still in the tank. Layoffs are everywhere in every aspect of the job market. The stock market has leveled out at the bottom. And the President just won the Nobel Peace Prize. He was nominated a few weeks after he was elected for the work he WILL do. Seriously? Seriously. When his name was announced as the winner, there was an obvious audible gasp in the audience. There was one in my house, too. He couldn't even get the Olympics to come to Chicago. In fact, Chicago was eliminated in the first round.
Ready for fall.....and to move into the house
Tide Gal
Monday, September 28, 2009
It's been a while!
I'm back. We've been so busy with the house, I haven't had any free time to update the blog.
The house is coming along, but it seems the closer we get, the harder it is to get the workers there. We got our appliances last week and the installation of the central vacuum was completed today. The mantle in the living room was installed last week and it is amazing. He did such a great job and the finished product is incredible. The deck is also coming along and also looks great. The jacuzzi tub was FINALLY installed and the fixtures went in today.
Alabama is having a great year for football this year. As of now, we are 4-0.
Gas is down to about $2.29 or less.
Much more later!
Tide Gal
The house is coming along, but it seems the closer we get, the harder it is to get the workers there. We got our appliances last week and the installation of the central vacuum was completed today. The mantle in the living room was installed last week and it is amazing. He did such a great job and the finished product is incredible. The deck is also coming along and also looks great. The jacuzzi tub was FINALLY installed and the fixtures went in today.
Alabama is having a great year for football this year. As of now, we are 4-0.
Gas is down to about $2.29 or less.
Much more later!
Tide Gal
Monday, September 7, 2009
Roll Tide & Happy Labor Day
I cannot believe it is football season! We spent the weekend in Atlanta for the Bama game against Virginia Tech. What a game. We arrived Friday and were surprised at the number of VA Tech Fans there. Many Bama fans could drive within a few hours, so we were hoping to catch up to their numbers. Of course we did. The Georgia Dome was electric. Once again, Bama fans were on one side and the other team on the other side. Our new quarterback did good and our defense is amazing. We struggled a little and got behind a few times, but never gave up. The fourth quarter finally went our way and the team showed why we were ranked #5 in the preseason. The final score was 34-24.
Our tile guy has finished the fireplaces and bathrooms. The tile for the kitchen back splashes have been ordered and could be here tomorrow. Once that is completed, our appliances can be installed.
We have all of the recessed lights installed. I will paint a few of the trim pieces today so they can be installed today. The white trim pieces are cheaper, so we bought those and I can paint them black within a few minutes. We also have a few light fixtures installed. We think we have all of the light fixtures and the electrician should get them all up this week. I have painted all of the medallions for the four chandeliers and they really look great.
I had a hard time finding mirrors for the bathrooms but was able to find one for the guest bathroom. We will have to have a beveled mirror in the Jack and Jill bath due to an outlet on the wall. The outlet is located in a space that takes away from the width of a mirror. So, we will have a beveled mirror and cut out a hole for the outlet. For the mudroom, I am distressing an old window frame that came out of a house in our historic neighborhood. Once I finish it today, I'll have a mirror installed and put it in the mudroom. I have ordered frames from a frame shop for the master bath and powder room. For the powder room, I picked a bamboo frame to go with the Asian-theme room.
Today, Tide Guy is working on the deck support. We are still waiting on the builder to get the columns up. Ugh.
Not much going on in the adoption. The wait hasn't sped up yet. This is the time frame when the speed up was predicted, so we will see.
Gas prices are down to about $2.39 and lower in some places.
Have a nice day off on Labor Day. We will work all day at the house!
Tide Gal & Tide Guy
Our tile guy has finished the fireplaces and bathrooms. The tile for the kitchen back splashes have been ordered and could be here tomorrow. Once that is completed, our appliances can be installed.
We have all of the recessed lights installed. I will paint a few of the trim pieces today so they can be installed today. The white trim pieces are cheaper, so we bought those and I can paint them black within a few minutes. We also have a few light fixtures installed. We think we have all of the light fixtures and the electrician should get them all up this week. I have painted all of the medallions for the four chandeliers and they really look great.
I had a hard time finding mirrors for the bathrooms but was able to find one for the guest bathroom. We will have to have a beveled mirror in the Jack and Jill bath due to an outlet on the wall. The outlet is located in a space that takes away from the width of a mirror. So, we will have a beveled mirror and cut out a hole for the outlet. For the mudroom, I am distressing an old window frame that came out of a house in our historic neighborhood. Once I finish it today, I'll have a mirror installed and put it in the mudroom. I have ordered frames from a frame shop for the master bath and powder room. For the powder room, I picked a bamboo frame to go with the Asian-theme room.
Today, Tide Guy is working on the deck support. We are still waiting on the builder to get the columns up. Ugh.
Not much going on in the adoption. The wait hasn't sped up yet. This is the time frame when the speed up was predicted, so we will see.
Gas prices are down to about $2.39 and lower in some places.
Have a nice day off on Labor Day. We will work all day at the house!
Tide Gal & Tide Guy
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Updates....
Okay..the paint is done except for touch ups when everything else is done.
The tile guy has finished putting the granite tile on one fireplace and half of the other. He will probably finish tomorrow, then be able to grout on Monday. He is about halfway done with the master shower and will then grout.
The plumber/electrician started this week and has put in outlets and covers this week. He has quite a bit to do, but he is at least on the job. We bought the toilets Friday night and they are sitting outside the bathrooms ready for installation. Of course, we had to buy oil rubbed bronze handles. No silver handles for us. I think we have all the light fixtures with one on the way.
The granite caps for the brick columns under the deck were ordered on Tuesday and delivered on Friday. Tide Guy picked up the columns today. I can't wait to see them finished. The completed project outside the basement will be five 3 foot tall column of bricks, a 4 inch granite square slab on top of each, and a white column on top of the granite that will help support the deck.
The builder has also started installing our iron railing. It is gorgeous and looks amazing! He needs a part that is going to have to be ordered or, with any luck, found in another store. I think it will probably have to be ordered and it may take a week or more to be delivered.
More later.
Tide Gal
The tile guy has finished putting the granite tile on one fireplace and half of the other. He will probably finish tomorrow, then be able to grout on Monday. He is about halfway done with the master shower and will then grout.
The plumber/electrician started this week and has put in outlets and covers this week. He has quite a bit to do, but he is at least on the job. We bought the toilets Friday night and they are sitting outside the bathrooms ready for installation. Of course, we had to buy oil rubbed bronze handles. No silver handles for us. I think we have all the light fixtures with one on the way.
The granite caps for the brick columns under the deck were ordered on Tuesday and delivered on Friday. Tide Guy picked up the columns today. I can't wait to see them finished. The completed project outside the basement will be five 3 foot tall column of bricks, a 4 inch granite square slab on top of each, and a white column on top of the granite that will help support the deck.
The builder has also started installing our iron railing. It is gorgeous and looks amazing! He needs a part that is going to have to be ordered or, with any luck, found in another store. I think it will probably have to be ordered and it may take a week or more to be delivered.
More later.
Tide Gal
Sunday, August 16, 2009
More House News
Well, since we had so many problems with the sheet rock and the semi-gloss paint showing all the imperfections, the painters took longer than two days into this week. However, they finished yesterday but will have to return at a later time to do touch-ups and such. Finally!
The tile is getting close to completion and what is done looks amazing. Our tile guy is finishing the master bath and has started the shower. Once he is done with the floor in the bath, our plumber can install all the toilets and finish the rest of the plumbing. I took off one day this week and ordered the granite for the fireplace. It arrived from Nashville the following day. Tide Guy will pick up the granite tomorrow and hopefully the tile guy will be able to complete the fireplaces this week. The builder has completed the mantle and he should get it installed within a day or two.
Yesterday, Tide Guy worked on steps and landings for the deck yesterday. I did a lot of clean up, sweeping, picking up trash, etc. I also painted the medallions for the ceilings above the chandeliers.
We are getting there. Hopefully within 6-8 weeks we should be in.
More later,
Tide Gal
The tile is getting close to completion and what is done looks amazing. Our tile guy is finishing the master bath and has started the shower. Once he is done with the floor in the bath, our plumber can install all the toilets and finish the rest of the plumbing. I took off one day this week and ordered the granite for the fireplace. It arrived from Nashville the following day. Tide Guy will pick up the granite tomorrow and hopefully the tile guy will be able to complete the fireplaces this week. The builder has completed the mantle and he should get it installed within a day or two.
Yesterday, Tide Guy worked on steps and landings for the deck yesterday. I did a lot of clean up, sweeping, picking up trash, etc. I also painted the medallions for the ceilings above the chandeliers.
We are getting there. Hopefully within 6-8 weeks we should be in.
More later,
Tide Gal
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