"Dollhouse"

We are in the process of selling our construction loan to a mortgage. This is a normal procedure. Our experience has been anything but normal, however. (Another story for another day.)

One part of this next step is another appraiser coming out to do another appraisal. This time the company appraised the interior and exterior of our home. Five minutes and $470 later... The lady says as she leaves... 

"Your home is absolutely adorable. I love it. It's like a dollhouse."

What did she just say? This two year long project resulted in a dollhouse? Is she serious? That was so not what I was going for. Southern Cottage. Quaint and chic. Clean and classic. Something. Anything. Dollhouse?! 

So cross your fingers she does some magic at her desk and appraisal my said "dollhouse" higher than I could have imagined! It is the only shot at redemption she has.

The Dust Really Settles

I know they say that the dust in a new house settles, but let me tell you - IT IS NO JOKE. As soon as I put away the broom or the vacuum I find more! You can dust a windowsill and come back in a minute and it needs to be redusted.

Luckily I haven't minded. When your home is brand new, you don't mind cleaning repeatedly so you can keep it all fresh and new. I have a feeling this may wear off, so I better keep cleaning while I like it.

Part of the reason I don't mind is the amazing Dyson we got right before the move. I'm obsessed. If you don't have one, get one. If you're looking for a nice housewarming gift for someone you love, get one. It lives up to the hype and is worth every penny. I use mine to vacuum carpet, tile, wood, dust windows, reach under couches, dust fans, vacuum stairs, everything. E-ver-y-thing. Here's the one I have (on sale at Bed Bath and Beyond right now):

Dyson DC40

The Burnt Smell

I burnt the macaroni. 

The smell was horrid! The smell lasted that entire afternoon and into the night. I laid in bed that night with the smell haunting me.

I turned to Google and Pinterest to find ways to remedy a burn smell from your home. Here is what worked for me:

1. Lysol. I sprayed it across the house every couple hours until the smell was for sure gone.

2. Baking Soda. The microwave held the most stink. I mixed baking soda and water and microwaved it for three minutes at a time. After each cooking session I would thoroughly wipe out the microwave.

3. Vinegar. I boiled water and vinegar on the stove the entire day yesterday. Like allll day. 

4. Wiped everything down in my kitchen. 

5. Windows stayed open in the kitchen the entire day. 

I think it is safe to say the smell is 90+% gone. Phew!

That Time I Almost Burnt the House Down

Yesterday MMB asked for macaroni for lunch. While I make a mean homemade mac (Thanks, Dad), our quick go-to is 2% Velvetta microwave bowl. I took the top off, took out the sauce packet and threw the mac in the microwave for 3min.

About 2min later, I smelled burning but had no idea where it was coming from. At the same time a puff of colored dirty smoke came out of my brand new microwave. I told MMB to go outside in case alarm went off - she dislikes home alarms. I took out the mac. We got all the doors opened. I opened kitchen windows. I brgan fanning the smoke with a cookie sheet.

The alarm did not sound. Phew! 

Here is what I pulled out of the microwave:

Looks tasty, right? 

I didn't put water in the mac.

#naturalblonde #amazingmother #winning

When It Comes Down to Money

The final weeks of building a house are hell. I say this for many reasons.

As the home builders we were anticipating move-in date and just wanted everything to be done and us be in and settled. It gets really hard to wait weeks and days when you can see the end in sight.

The contractor gets to the end and is ready to move on to their next project. Don't get me wrong, our builder gave our home 110% until the final day, but they have a plan for how the last pieces should fall into place and they get just as upset as we did when things were delayed for one reason or another.

The touchiest subject at the end of the building process is money. Your bank approves your budget at the very beginning of your building process. What they approve is what you have and that is all. Toward the end every change or decision will be followed with the home builder asking for an update on the budget. Everyone's goal is to come in on or under budget.

Your bank also approves your draws. Each time the contractor asks for money from the bank, the bank sends an appraiser to come to the house and decide how much percentage of each item on your itemized budget have been completed. Based on that appraisal, the bank then writes a check for that amount (pending home builder approval) to the contractor. Following me?

Well... when it comes down to the very end, the appraiser tells the bank that the home is 100% complete. This is where things get sticky. As the home builder, you know your house appears 100% complete to the bank, but you and your builder know that their is still a punch list that must be completed. Your builder will want the full amount from the bank. As the home builder, however, you need to decide what you feel comfortable giving the builder for work completed. As the home builder, you also decide if you hold any money until the final punch list is complete. For us, we held 10% of our budget until CO was received. We then held a final $5K until punch list is/was completed.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. This is your home. You have final say in everything as it is YOUR money the bank and the contractor are using. Your banker will/should coach you through these ginormous decisions. Consult your family and friends in the field if you feel you need to, as well. We did.

Before you sign a contract with your builder, read the entire contract and see what is stated about final draws and amount withheld for CO and final punch list completion.

Things become walking on egg shells at the end in regard to money. I felt like the bitch in the process... but now I am happy with our decisions and glad we did what we did. Follow your gut. Do what feels right, fair, and just to you.

It's not about trust. We never lost trust in our builder. Never. It's about rights. Money is the only thing you can withhold from your contract to ensure job completion.

Moving Went...

like this...

We got CO from the inspector on the Friday before Thanksgiving. We did a walk-thru with our builder that afternoon. He gave us the run-down on a few things that had not yet arrived (window screens, new cooktop since the first one was scratches, etc.). We made a complete punch list with him. Nothing on the list we created with him hindered us from moving in.

So... What did Jesse and I do?! Headed to the old house and got a load of furniture! We loaded his truck and a pull-behind trailor of his Father's. :-) Between our loads that night and a handful of loads Jesse and his Dad brought over, we had furniture in and placed.

Then the rain came. Thank goodness we took loads that night and the next morning because the rain started and didn't stop for five days!

I still had a good bit at the old house that was not yet packed, but luckily I was off of work that next week and could make trips back and forth loading and unloading.

Everything went downhill that next Tuesday. The stomach bug haunted me. Five days straight. Finally got myself an IV and two meds to put me on the mend that next Saturday. FIVE DAYS. I was down for the count. No thanksgiving. No family time. No moving. No packing and unpacking. Nothing.

Thank God for my amazing husband (he also took that week off to move) and his family. They did most of the moving between houses and even helped with cleaning the old house. It was done!

We were in boxes for about another week but quickly our house started feeling like a home once we had health and life.

Now, if you come to the house - one month later - everything has a home and is placed minus the "boy room" (another topic for another day) and the guest room (which is home to tons of boxes I need to go through and place or store in the attic).

Moral of this story: with nice weather and health, you can move on your own with a little help from the ones that you love!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

I am alive. I haven't forgotten about blogging. I have a LIST of things I want to blog about to catch you up on how our move went/is going. My promise is to blog each day in the month of January to catch you up! Yayyy!

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.