Contaminated...

Since the move - 

MMB had the five day stomach bug. 

Jesse had nasty congestion for 48 hours. 

It has rained all day, every day for three days now - no exxageration. 

MMB had a reaction to her new sheets which left her completely covered in hives until we showered and scrubbed her. I guess she is going to be a high maintenance 100% egyptian cotton child. 

And as of 5am I am on first day of what I am hoping is a short lived stomach something. 

Housewarming gift suggestion: Lysol and a medical kit. Oh yeah, and rainboots for all of us.

Day One of Moving!

We took two loads last night - living and dining room furniture.

We took three loads today - boxes, beds, and stuff for the dumpster. 

Beds are put together. We are sleeping at new house! 

Sunday I may do a run of closets and a run of kitchen, but its supposed to rain all  day... So I see more rest and less work in our future. Plus, today is Trudeau Thanksgiving! 

A couple things we have learned so far. One, our den furniture is too big. Our chair and ottoman now chill in the guest room. Two, MMB has too much stuff! This is the first time in life she does not have a playroom and it sure is noticeable! 

Thanks, Mr Wayne, for helping Jesse with the loads. Thanks, Dad, for being the bed installer!

I need to pinch myself. This is real. We sure are blessed and thankful.

The House is Ours!

Maybe the reason I can't sleep tonight is because we were handed keys to our house today! Did you hear me? The house is ours! 

We did our final walk-thru with the builder this afternoon. He has a short list of things to still do. Those things will trickle and happen over the next week. But, it is done! 

CO happened Thursday. Pieces fell into place for our dream timeline!

Now the moving starts. I will post room pictures as we unpack and as these rooms begin to evolve over the year.

This blog is not over. Our home still has a story. I would also like to get guest bloggers to share their home buying/building experiences as well as some DIY or before and afters from those we love. Want to guest blog?! Email me! 

The End is Near - Catch-Up

Sorry. I've been busy. I've thought about blogging plenty, but just haven't had the free minute to sit and type. A sick child with a NASTY stomach bug has allowed me a down minute to sit.

There's a lot to catch you up on.

I haven't ordered or found a rug yet for the living room. We are debating on size and an appropriate amount to spend on a rug. I believe I'll hit Home Goods soon and take the plunge. We did, however, order a couch yesterday for the living room. The one we wanted isn't available until Christmas. We ordered a second choice - if we don't like it, they'll exchange it. Here's a photo:

This is the color and style - however, the one we got is an L-shaped 3-piece sectional.

The master shower got a glass door. 

 The mailbox is up and stickered. After Jesse gave the mailbox stickering an honest try, I called in some friendly reinforcements and stickered the mailbox a bit fancier!

Choosing a color for the front door was just as exhausting as choosing a siding color. This picture looks a bit more bright than what it really is... the door is a big sager in person. I'll attempt a better photo soon.

 Closets were installed. We went basic rod and shelf everywhere. When we get in and decide what our master needs, that closet will get a revamping - one day.

Pantry.

One corner of master closet - this goes across three walls.

Under the stairs closet - I will use these shelves for small kitchen appliances and Sam's Club size purchases.

MMBs closet - and yes, that door leads to her finished hide-out.

Guest closet. The door goes to attic where water heater and such is. 

The laundry room has a light now, so you can see in a bit better. My cabinets are hung and knobbed.

Washer and Dryer are delivered today. 

We went for CO on Monday. We did not pass for two things - carpet was not installed (some say you can pass without carpet, depending on the inspector) and the fireplace needed one more inch of brick before the mantle began. One inch. Here's a photo of the fireplace before and the fireplace now. It should be mudded this morning. 

Jesse and I walked the house last weekend with a big huge light. We marked the walls and made a punch list for the entire house. The punch list is getting worked through. The painters are at the house today finishing their things. I HIGHLY recommend using a huge light when you walk your home to create a punch list, the light lit things I would have never seen or caught. 

Carpet was installed yesterday. The bedrooms, den, and stairs are carpeted in the home. 

Den. 

Master.

MMB showing off on a ladder. You can see stair carpet behind her. 

Top part of stairs. She wanted to model last night - pre-stomach bug.

Jesse used extra brick to make a stomping pad at the front doors. The top still needs to be cleaned, but you get the idea. 

MMB's bench seat/toybox is complete. We are trying to figure out how to keep it open because the lid is quite heavy. I'm thinking we leave the lid open until we need it closed or hidden. She can't lift it. I still need to get a bench seat made or ordered - if you have any leads on this - email me! 

Jesse decided to stucco the base of the house. This doesn't have to be done before CO, so they should come within the week I'm guessing. It will help the house look complete. The form board look wasn't exciting to us. 

Jesse planted to huge trees in the yard last week. He planted a river birch and a crepe myrtle. One in the front, one in the back. I'm thinking hydrangeas across the front of the house... not sure yet, though. He also through out rye grass seed last week. He plans to get rye started through the winter and then throw seed down appropriately in the spring - so we'll have a dirt-y winter! He's working his butt off for us. Thanks, Jesse!

Have you seen the mirrors hung? Here's a picture of our master bath mirrors. 

I think that is all. We go for CO again today. Cross your fingers! Send up a prayer or two. 

Right now the hopeful schedule is: CO today, painters finish today, cleaners come tomorrow, final walk-thru at 4pm tomorrow, MOVE IN STARTS THIS WEEKEND! Couch comes Monday. Hoping to get cable and phone and internet to come out on Monday, too. I'm off next week. Perfect week to move. 

Cross your toes! And, have I mentioned that packing sucks?! 

The Stress of the End

Not a good day. Stressful day. 

Packing. 

Cleaning. 

Connecting. 

Disconnecting.

Deposit.

Withdraw.

Money.

Loan.

Draws.

Inspections.

Reselling construction loan.

Walk-thrus. 

Punch lists.

I could keep going.

D.O.N.E.

15 Days, But Who's Counting?

Today's progress: shoe molding, plumbing fixtures, kitchen appliances, I think that's all.

Enjoy Jesse's blurry photos!

Kitchen with appliances! Dishwasher is in the island, you can't see it in this photo. 

Half-Bath. Love the shape of the pedestal sink - but damn that thing is small! 

Master Bath shower with fixtures. 

MMBs bathroom fixtures. 

I can't wait to get in there with my real camera and take for-real photos when it's all done and clean! I'll go picture happy on my phone this weekend during the day to get better shots.

Tomorrow I'm hoping for paint to get/be 100% finished - lots more to still paint. Electrician has more work. Closets needs to be installed and mirrors, too. Carpet needs to be installed. Washer and Dryer need installing. No clue as to what else needs to happen that I don't know about.

I Need Help - as in choosing rugs help...

Area rug for the living room. Pine floors. Brick fireplace. White mantle. The plan is to get a leather sectional (chocolatey brown). Which one do you like?

This is the tv console I got this weekend to go to the left of the fireplace. It's a greeny gray color. 

These are all of the patterns of the rugs I like so far online that won't break the bank... Any appeal to you? 

HELP! 

I Haven't Forgotten About You!

I need to start updating again each day, because a lot is happening these days. I apologize for my absence. I've been in packing Haites (sp?) for the past couple weekends.

Here are some photo updates. I will attempt to get to the house tomorrow before the sun goes down to get better, updated photos. See the captions for the information of what is happening in the photo!

Madalynn's chandelier from her nursery that is now in her big girl room! The walls appear to be a weird color here - they are a light purple in person. 

My stairwell chandelier. It's like a birdcage. It's a rustic/beat up white color. Love it!

Master bath. Notice cabinet hardware. Notice faucets. 

Master bath potty. See the tile? It looks dirty here. In person it looks like gray wood grain tiles. 

Master shower with shelving. White subway tile with gray grout. Tile goes to the ceiling. P.S. I'm getting the shower door I wanted! I think I blogged about this before...

Standing in dining looking into the kitchen. Notice Jesse's pine floors. Notice gray island. Sink hardware is on. Cabinet hardware is on. Door to the left is storage closet under the stairs - where I will store small appliances to keep them out of my few cabinets and off counters. 

Another view. Standing in living room, looking into dining and kitchen. Notice the dining chandelier - it won't normally be that high. It's a rustic/beat-up brown color. I'll get a better picture in the day. Stair rail on the left isn't stained yet. Stairs will be carpet. 

Standing in dining looking into living. Jesse got surround sound. I need to blog about the speakers/system he put in this house. Oy vey. Door to the right is a coat closet. I bought a tv console to go to the left of the fireplace last weekend. I think it will work well! 

Daylight photo of the fireplace from the other day. 

Front porch with primer. Gutters were installed. Front porch galvanized light! :-)

Front of the house. See the chandelier in the front windows?! Don't mind the paint samples on the front door. It took us a while to decide. We went with a dark green. Let's pray I like it... Or else I'm not afraid to tell 'em to redo it. I'm actually pretty good about that these days. 

Okay. I need you:

1. Where else can I look for area rugs that don't cost a mortgage payment? 

2. I want roman shades in the kitchen, I think... Do you have any? Like them? Where do I find good patterned ones? Or should I just do blinds?

3. Where can I find good deals on outdoor cushions in the fall/winter? 

Hope you like it! Final walk-thru is scheduled for the 21st at 4pm. We could potentially get keys at this walk-thru. PRAY. Pray hard. 

This Week in Photos

Mirrors I found at Home Goods for Master Bath.

 Mirror I found at Home Goods for Half-Bath.

Master Shower. Photo isn't good. Tile is white subways. Grout is gray. 

Same. Photo doesn't do it justice. 

Two A/C Units.

Fireplace Mantle. (Brick still not complete)

Master Bath tile and shower.

Front Porch. 

Front Porch. 

Laundry Room tile. 

Kitchen Countertops

*Disclaimer - Photos are hard to get in the home because there are no lights.*

Kitchen counter tops were installed on Monday.

Still covered in plastic, but counter tops added.

Close-Up!

Counter on island, gray cabinet, pine flooring sample.