Now that our interest rate is officially locked in I am getting excited about the actual move. It will be so nice to not have to 'pack' anything since all our belongings are already boxed away in our storage unit. All we'll have to do is pick our stuff up from the storage unit and drive it to our new place!
I am visioning myself putting the baby in her jumperoo in the family room while I put stuff away in the kitchen and wash all the towels and linens in the laundry room - it will be glorious! Both Scott and I took the entire week after we get the keys off of work, but I am seriously considering taking the following Monday off as well, since I haven't taken any days off since I went back to work in February.
#33 belongs to something i've sincerely missed since being in my apartment - a sliding glass door.
When I lived in my apartment I was on the third floor and had a gigantic sliding glass door. I loved having the door open, especially in the evening when all the cool summer and crisp fall air would flow in. In my single days, I looked forward to my Monday nights when i'd get home from work and make myself dinner, shower, pour myself a glass of wine, open the door, and watch the Bachelor. It sounds completely ridiculous that i'd be excited about a sliding glass door - but it is a really nice thing to have.
In other news, yesterday I went in our neighbors house that just got framed and it is gigantic! It seriously makes my house look dinky, as it is nearly 3500 square feet! The main floor is mostly the same concept as ours, in terms of how the kitchen goes into the breakfast room goes into the family room - but that is just about the only thing that is similar. Their house has a split staircase, a vaulted family room ceiling, and it looks as if they are going to have the optional 'bonus' room upstairs as well, although I can't tell for sure yet.
Sometimes I wonder, "what would you even do with a house that large?" Then I think "oh, I know what i'd do!" lol
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
OMG - We did it!
Okay, so technically we didn't do anything - but we officially locked ourselves in at 4.25%!!!!! OMG, OMG, OMG! That is 2% less than what our first mortgage was at, and it makes or mortgage payment sooo much lower than previously calculated at the original 5%. Now I could dwell on how we should have taken full closing costs rather than locking in our rate right away, but I am SO HAPPY that we got the 4.25%!
When the lender called me she initially stated 4.5% was the best she could do, but since i've been doing my due diligence in the matter I got her to come down to 4.25%. The only think we have to do is bring an additional 1% of our mortgage to the table on August 3rd. It's fine by me! BIG savings, huge, actually.
Can you tell I'm completely excited right now? I am so incredibly happy!!! :)
When the lender called me she initially stated 4.5% was the best she could do, but since i've been doing my due diligence in the matter I got her to come down to 4.25%. The only think we have to do is bring an additional 1% of our mortgage to the table on August 3rd. It's fine by me! BIG savings, huge, actually.
Can you tell I'm completely excited right now? I am so incredibly happy!!! :)
#34 & 35- My new fridge!
Last night we bought our fridge! We decided on the Samsung 28 cu. ft. french door with the flex-drawer - it is beautiful! I am so in love with it that it makes me feel 'okay' with the fact I had to leave my other fridge at my old house.
Here it is in all its' glory:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+28.0+Cu.+Ft.+French+Door+Refrigerator+-+Stainless-Steel/9790988.p?id=1218175547555&skuId=9790988
I love the fourth door (drawer in the middle) as it's counter-height so all the things you use the most can go in there so you're not constantly opening the main part of the fridge letting out all the cold air. In the drawer you can actually stand cans of pop upright, lay bottles of wine flat, and nothing will roll since there is a flex bar that creates four compartments of size that is your choice! It is also on a separate temperature as you can program the drawer custom for wine/cheese/deli trays, etc.
The freezer is equally as glamorous, as there is actually a "pizza door" - a vertical slot expecially for frozen pizzas! Ahhhhh....Samsung must've known my constant dilema of where to put a frozen pizza!
Our fridge arrives on August 6th, the Saturday after we get the keys - and I almost want to start a countdown just for the fridge...I am so excited for my kitchen! :)
Here it is in all its' glory:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+28.0+Cu.+Ft.+French+Door+Refrigerator+-+Stainless-Steel/9790988.p?id=1218175547555&skuId=9790988
I love the fourth door (drawer in the middle) as it's counter-height so all the things you use the most can go in there so you're not constantly opening the main part of the fridge letting out all the cold air. In the drawer you can actually stand cans of pop upright, lay bottles of wine flat, and nothing will roll since there is a flex bar that creates four compartments of size that is your choice! It is also on a separate temperature as you can program the drawer custom for wine/cheese/deli trays, etc.
The freezer is equally as glamorous, as there is actually a "pizza door" - a vertical slot expecially for frozen pizzas! Ahhhhh....Samsung must've known my constant dilema of where to put a frozen pizza!
Our fridge arrives on August 6th, the Saturday after we get the keys - and I almost want to start a countdown just for the fridge...I am so excited for my kitchen! :)
A small gripe
Well, it's official - our builder has done something wrong. I know they'll fix it, but it's just so upsetting to go over to the house and see something very wrong.
Our hardwood flooring is in the foyer, hallway, closet, half bath, breakfast room, kitchen, and mudroom. Since it is an open floorplan the hardwood flooring connects the entire house except for the family room and office (those are carpeted). Anyway, when I showed up yesterday I was so excited to see the brown paper over the floor in the foyer - that is, I was excited. I looked further and low and behold they didn't connect the flooring from the breakfast room to the hallway. Instead, there is a five foot span where carpet would go. Don't even get me started on how rediculous that is. It doesn't even make sense!
Needless to say anything else, we will be calling the builder today to let him know that it needs to be corrected.
On a positive note, the slate tile was put in around the fireplace and it looks absolutely divine. The vinyl flooring also looks great in the upstairs bathrooms and the laundry room. I was a bit concerned that it wouldn't look good up against the cabinets in the bathrooms, but actually I think it compliments the cabinetry quite well.
Today will be a busy day for me though, so I opted to work from home the entire day instead of half the day. We've got family coming in town, and so I want to get cleaning and laundry done while working. I am in desperate need for this long weekend coming up - and it's getting harder and harder to not take vacation days prior to getting our keys!
Our hardwood flooring is in the foyer, hallway, closet, half bath, breakfast room, kitchen, and mudroom. Since it is an open floorplan the hardwood flooring connects the entire house except for the family room and office (those are carpeted). Anyway, when I showed up yesterday I was so excited to see the brown paper over the floor in the foyer - that is, I was excited. I looked further and low and behold they didn't connect the flooring from the breakfast room to the hallway. Instead, there is a five foot span where carpet would go. Don't even get me started on how rediculous that is. It doesn't even make sense!
Needless to say anything else, we will be calling the builder today to let him know that it needs to be corrected.
On a positive note, the slate tile was put in around the fireplace and it looks absolutely divine. The vinyl flooring also looks great in the upstairs bathrooms and the laundry room. I was a bit concerned that it wouldn't look good up against the cabinets in the bathrooms, but actually I think it compliments the cabinetry quite well.
Today will be a busy day for me though, so I opted to work from home the entire day instead of half the day. We've got family coming in town, and so I want to get cleaning and laundry done while working. I am in desperate need for this long weekend coming up - and it's getting harder and harder to not take vacation days prior to getting our keys!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Feeling better, great update!
Yesterday after work Scott went to the gym and I went to the house. I honestly wasn't expecting much else to be done since Scott's update to me was that this week they were going to paint and put the counters in. Clearly either the builder or Scott left some other "small" details out.
When I pulled up to my house there were three conversion vans parked outside, and about fourty contractors in my house. Some were hauling stuff into the house, some into the garage, some were painting, and some were getting ready to install the vinyl flooring in the laundry room and bathroom upstairs. I was blown away by how much is apparently getting done this week. Not only is all the painting done, and the vinyl flooring being installed, but the appliances are all in the garage as well as all our light fixtures. My jaw is still dropped!
I wasn't planning on going to the house every day this week, but considering it's going to be locked up soon I don't think i'll miss a day!
So while the later part of my evening got hectic, it was a great day for progress around the house :)
When I pulled up to my house there were three conversion vans parked outside, and about fourty contractors in my house. Some were hauling stuff into the house, some into the garage, some were painting, and some were getting ready to install the vinyl flooring in the laundry room and bathroom upstairs. I was blown away by how much is apparently getting done this week. Not only is all the painting done, and the vinyl flooring being installed, but the appliances are all in the garage as well as all our light fixtures. My jaw is still dropped!
I wasn't planning on going to the house every day this week, but considering it's going to be locked up soon I don't think i'll miss a day!
So while the later part of my evening got hectic, it was a great day for progress around the house :)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Really? REALLY?!?!?!?!?
Tonight is starting out awful. Miserable, actually.
Apparently 9pm is when you climb on the roof to blow all the $hit off of it, and starting mopping the kitchen f-ing floor. They don't care. I am 100% convinced that they don't give two f-ing cents. I'm sure they'd like if the baby stayed asleep for us, but I really don't think they're about to help us out by being courteous and not doing chores at 9 at night.
I can't freaking wait to move out of this nightmare, and sadly I am the only one in it. Scott didn't do anything to help the matter this evening, and instead decided to be on some stupid, juvenile sports skype show for some kids to make himself feel important. I am so incredibly sick of all of this right now.
I want to go home.
Apparently 9pm is when you climb on the roof to blow all the $hit off of it, and starting mopping the kitchen f-ing floor. They don't care. I am 100% convinced that they don't give two f-ing cents. I'm sure they'd like if the baby stayed asleep for us, but I really don't think they're about to help us out by being courteous and not doing chores at 9 at night.
I can't freaking wait to move out of this nightmare, and sadly I am the only one in it. Scott didn't do anything to help the matter this evening, and instead decided to be on some stupid, juvenile sports skype show for some kids to make himself feel important. I am so incredibly sick of all of this right now.
I want to go home.
Sweet Deal - I love Kohls!
I meant to mention this in my earlier post today, but I found and purchased a bench for our mudroom/entry room from the garage into the house.
Thursday, my mom and I went up to Kohls in search of new jammies for my chubby little princess. While I didn't find any jammies for her, I did end up finding a "storage bench" that would look and fit perfectly in the space that I have for it. It was $159 though, and I wanted Scott to see it first before I bought it. I did have an extra 20% off coupon though, so it would have cost me $127 - which I thought was a fair price.
The very next night, Friday, Scott and I went up to Kohls and I went to show him the bench and it was on a "power hours" special for $79!!!! I also took my MIL's coupon, which was 30% off, so I ended up getting the bench for $55 :)
Thursday, my mom and I went up to Kohls in search of new jammies for my chubby little princess. While I didn't find any jammies for her, I did end up finding a "storage bench" that would look and fit perfectly in the space that I have for it. It was $159 though, and I wanted Scott to see it first before I bought it. I did have an extra 20% off coupon though, so it would have cost me $127 - which I thought was a fair price.
The very next night, Friday, Scott and I went up to Kohls and I went to show him the bench and it was on a "power hours" special for $79!!!! I also took my MIL's coupon, which was 30% off, so I ended up getting the bench for $55 :)
#36, 37, & 38 with a small update :)
I have decided that I sort of enjoyed grouping countdown dates together when it came to my countdown, so here is another multi-date countdown entry. The number 36, 37, & 38 all belong to my kitchen.
Words cannot possibly express how excited I am for my kitchen. It is one of two rooms that we did not skimp on any upgrades, and I am so glad we didn't. My last kitchen was updated, but no matter how much updating you do you can never (without tons of money) make it bigger or change the structure or layout. I have always had small and very dysfunctional kitchens (with the exception of when I lived at home). In our apartments we were constantly working in a small space with no counter space, or in the worst cases didn't have a dishwasher or garbage disposal - so that should give you a better idea as to how ready I am to have a gorgeous kitchen.
By no means is our kitchen gigantic, like one of those kitchens on 'biggest bang for your buck,' but it is huge to me! As mentioned before, this was one of the two rooms in our house where we didn't settle for anything that came standard. Since we decided against having a dining room we extended the breakfast room another foot, so our breakfast room is 13'10" by 10'6", which if you have no idea how to compare that, it's a huge breakfast room. We upgraded the flooring in both rooms (since they are essentially one huge space) to have hardwood flooring. Not laminate, not vinyl - hardwood. We also upgraded the lighting package so the kitchen has recessed lighting, and the small chandelier above the kitchen table is the dark oil rubbed bronze finish. The countertops were upgraded to granite, the sink was (automatically upgraded) to an undermount deep extra wide stainless, then we upgraded the faucet to match. We also chose a higher-end stainless appliance package, the island, upgraded cabinets with the hi-lo option and crown molding, above the cabinet lighting and also added a few extra outlets on top of the twenty-some that come standard. I mean, really - we did not skimp.
I don't think my choice to upgrade everything in these rooms needs an explanation, but having a nice kitchen is a must these days - especially for those who love to cook and entertain - and even more so for those who love to cook while entertaining, which is me! At our old house it was a constant issue where i'd be upstairs cooking/preparing/getting things ready while everyone else was in the (downstairs) family room having a good time. No more of that! From August 3rd on there will be a buffet on the island, drinks on the counter, and ME, in the same space as everyone else! Can't August 3rd come a litter faster?!
Okay, I think ya'll get the drift that I'm excited for my kitchen. In other news, the interest rates are still low, so I am hoping that since July 3rd happens over the weekend that they'll let me lock in on Friday. We shall see! Also, countertops go in this week - hooray!
We are going tonight to check out a few refridgerators at Best Buy. There are a couple that we are interested in, but I am being kind of picky and want the best for the cheapest, so it's taking me a while to find what i'm looking for! Hopefully we will get a good deal on whatever it is we choose to go with!
Words cannot possibly express how excited I am for my kitchen. It is one of two rooms that we did not skimp on any upgrades, and I am so glad we didn't. My last kitchen was updated, but no matter how much updating you do you can never (without tons of money) make it bigger or change the structure or layout. I have always had small and very dysfunctional kitchens (with the exception of when I lived at home). In our apartments we were constantly working in a small space with no counter space, or in the worst cases didn't have a dishwasher or garbage disposal - so that should give you a better idea as to how ready I am to have a gorgeous kitchen.
By no means is our kitchen gigantic, like one of those kitchens on 'biggest bang for your buck,' but it is huge to me! As mentioned before, this was one of the two rooms in our house where we didn't settle for anything that came standard. Since we decided against having a dining room we extended the breakfast room another foot, so our breakfast room is 13'10" by 10'6", which if you have no idea how to compare that, it's a huge breakfast room. We upgraded the flooring in both rooms (since they are essentially one huge space) to have hardwood flooring. Not laminate, not vinyl - hardwood. We also upgraded the lighting package so the kitchen has recessed lighting, and the small chandelier above the kitchen table is the dark oil rubbed bronze finish. The countertops were upgraded to granite, the sink was (automatically upgraded) to an undermount deep extra wide stainless, then we upgraded the faucet to match. We also chose a higher-end stainless appliance package, the island, upgraded cabinets with the hi-lo option and crown molding, above the cabinet lighting and also added a few extra outlets on top of the twenty-some that come standard. I mean, really - we did not skimp.
I don't think my choice to upgrade everything in these rooms needs an explanation, but having a nice kitchen is a must these days - especially for those who love to cook and entertain - and even more so for those who love to cook while entertaining, which is me! At our old house it was a constant issue where i'd be upstairs cooking/preparing/getting things ready while everyone else was in the (downstairs) family room having a good time. No more of that! From August 3rd on there will be a buffet on the island, drinks on the counter, and ME, in the same space as everyone else! Can't August 3rd come a litter faster?!
Okay, I think ya'll get the drift that I'm excited for my kitchen. In other news, the interest rates are still low, so I am hoping that since July 3rd happens over the weekend that they'll let me lock in on Friday. We shall see! Also, countertops go in this week - hooray!
We are going tonight to check out a few refridgerators at Best Buy. There are a couple that we are interested in, but I am being kind of picky and want the best for the cheapest, so it's taking me a while to find what i'm looking for! Hopefully we will get a good deal on whatever it is we choose to go with!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Awesome Update!
I'm not going to lie - I kind of forgot what my house was going to look like. It's one of those things, where we looked at the model home almost five months ago, and I kind of forgot just how gorgeous the house is! As we get further and further into the 'finishes' though, it is all coming back. Now I remember what the cabinets look like (because they're in the house), now I remember how sleek and sexy those pillars are in the office and family room. Now I remember how gigantic and gorgeous our master bath is. I LOVE our house - I honestly love, love, love everything about it!
Next week they are finishing the painting, and by the end of the week we will have all our countertops installed! Seems like once that drywall goes up they really start flying. Every day is something new, and that is so exciting.
Since we are officially at the weekend now, we have successfully made it another week at the low interest rate of 4.25%. I am hoping, praying that it can just stay that low for another eight days and then i'll be the happiest girl ever :)
Also, I realized yesterday that without buying a bedroom set, I do not have a dresser to put clothes in. This is an issue that needs a well thought out solution prior to us moving into our house. I was able to get away with not having a dresser at our last house because we put in a built-in closet system with drawers, but since we have a massive walk-in closet this time around we aren't doing the closet system thing. So, looks like I might have to get the bedroom set before the kitchen table, which I can't say i'm too happy about. Oh well, one thing at a time!
Friday, June 24, 2011
#39 & 40 - Who Has Dirty Laundry?
Somehow I managed to forget doing my countdown post yesterday, but that's alright because the next thing is completely worth two days worth of posts. Keep in mind that although these items are numbered, they aren't in order of what I am most excited about - I'm simply working my way through the house.
With that being said, numbers 39 and 40 belong to my first floor laundry room! I'm sure the novelty will wear off after a few months but I am feeling very hopeful that I will "like" to do laundry with it being on the main floor. HA - right, I know? I felt the same optimistic feeling about liking to do laundry when we first got our new washer and dryer. I washed everything in the house, even if it was clean - and two weeks later I had laundry piling up!
On the "home" front with the roomies, the same issues still exist. When you're not a parent (of small children) you just don't get it. I keep telling myself that we only have 39 more days until we get our keys, and at that point I really don't care if i'm sleeping on the floor - i'm going to stay at MY house! I can't believe we only have 39 days left though, I've never typed it out like that and it feels really good!!! I also can't wait to be off of work for a while - i'm in desperate need of a vacation, but am saving my days off for the move, my daughters birth-day, the day after Thanksgiving, and a couple days around the holidays.
This is sad, but I actually just looked at my leave days, and realized I have more than I thought! I also realized that my daughters birthday is on Tuesday, Thanksgiving is on Thursday, and I plan to take off on Friday (the day after), so maybe i'll just take off from Tuesday through the end of the week!!! Oh, wow - I think I just got too excited, hahaha :) I <3 days off, what can I say?
Okay, time to get some stuff done - cheers to the weekend being here!!
With that being said, numbers 39 and 40 belong to my first floor laundry room! I'm sure the novelty will wear off after a few months but I am feeling very hopeful that I will "like" to do laundry with it being on the main floor. HA - right, I know? I felt the same optimistic feeling about liking to do laundry when we first got our new washer and dryer. I washed everything in the house, even if it was clean - and two weeks later I had laundry piling up!
On the "home" front with the roomies, the same issues still exist. When you're not a parent (of small children) you just don't get it. I keep telling myself that we only have 39 more days until we get our keys, and at that point I really don't care if i'm sleeping on the floor - i'm going to stay at MY house! I can't believe we only have 39 days left though, I've never typed it out like that and it feels really good!!! I also can't wait to be off of work for a while - i'm in desperate need of a vacation, but am saving my days off for the move, my daughters birth-day, the day after Thanksgiving, and a couple days around the holidays.
This is sad, but I actually just looked at my leave days, and realized I have more than I thought! I also realized that my daughters birthday is on Tuesday, Thanksgiving is on Thursday, and I plan to take off on Friday (the day after), so maybe i'll just take off from Tuesday through the end of the week!!! Oh, wow - I think I just got too excited, hahaha :) I <3 days off, what can I say?
Okay, time to get some stuff done - cheers to the weekend being here!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Cabinets, Bernanke, and Ten More Days
I am in such a great mood today, because I have absolutely nothing to be in a bad mood about. When we pulled up to our house yesterday I immediately noticed that the garage was completely empty. So either someone stole all our cabinets, doors, and molding - or, it was all installed. Fortunately it was the latter option. Yes, our cabinets are hung! Yes, our molding and baseboards have been put up! Yes, all our doors are in! I am hoping that our builder calls today to let us know what the next step is, because I'm getting all crazy excited. There is nothing better than being able to see our house be built - and in some ways I can't even believe that it really is our house. Eek!!!
In other news, yesterday Ben Bernanke resigned. That name may not even ring a bell to some, but you can thank him for all the ridiculously low interest rates we are currently able to lock in at. With him resigning I am feeling nervous about our interest rate, even though it is only ten more days until we can re-lock in. The next ten days will be very tense for me - fortunately I don't think (Bernankes) replacement will do anything crazy in the next ten days, and it isn't really ten days because of weekends and the holiday. Oh, so nerve-wrecking!
In other news, yesterday Ben Bernanke resigned. That name may not even ring a bell to some, but you can thank him for all the ridiculously low interest rates we are currently able to lock in at. With him resigning I am feeling nervous about our interest rate, even though it is only ten more days until we can re-lock in. The next ten days will be very tense for me - fortunately I don't think (Bernankes) replacement will do anything crazy in the next ten days, and it isn't really ten days because of weekends and the holiday. Oh, so nerve-wrecking!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
#41 - The Roof
This is probably the last thing anyone would say they are looking forward to about their new house, but I am here to say I am looking forward to my roof a great deal. More often than not when you purchase a home the roof has already been on the house for quite a while - sometimes the roof is even nearing it's lifetime. With a brand new home though, you get a brand new roof - which in turn means no need to be spending up to $10K on a new roof anytime soon! Our old house had a nine year old roof on it when we purchased the house, and although at the time we bought it I didn't think anything of it, by the time we sold the house it was thirteen years old and shingles were already beginning to fall off.
A standard roof typically lasts anywhere between 15 and 20 years, and the three-dimentional roofes are said to last about 18 to 22 years. We didn't opt for the higher end one, but if we get a full 15-20 years out of the one we chose I'll be happy.
The "big things" in a house are so expensive, and I am so glad that we *shouldn't* have to replace any of it for at least 15 years. Things that are really important to make sure are new(er) in a home are:
-Roof, including the flashing and gutters
-Furnace
-Central Air Conditioning
-Hot Water Tank
-Driveway, including walk-ways and porches
-Siding
-Brick/Stone facade - made sure none of the bricks or stones are beginning to crumble
All of those things are insanely expensive, and if possible try and look for a home with all of those items that are updated. If they aren't updated, and you really like the house, try to negotiate those item to be replaced in the contract. It's not uncommon for a buyer to offer on a home, but add a disclaimer that the owner is to replace the furnace, repair the driveway, etc. I know from experience that I wish we had requested to have a new roof put on our garage (at our last house).
A standard roof typically lasts anywhere between 15 and 20 years, and the three-dimentional roofes are said to last about 18 to 22 years. We didn't opt for the higher end one, but if we get a full 15-20 years out of the one we chose I'll be happy.
The "big things" in a house are so expensive, and I am so glad that we *shouldn't* have to replace any of it for at least 15 years. Things that are really important to make sure are new(er) in a home are:
-Roof, including the flashing and gutters
-Furnace
-Central Air Conditioning
-Hot Water Tank
-Driveway, including walk-ways and porches
-Siding
-Brick/Stone facade - made sure none of the bricks or stones are beginning to crumble
All of those things are insanely expensive, and if possible try and look for a home with all of those items that are updated. If they aren't updated, and you really like the house, try to negotiate those item to be replaced in the contract. It's not uncommon for a buyer to offer on a home, but add a disclaimer that the owner is to replace the furnace, repair the driveway, etc. I know from experience that I wish we had requested to have a new roof put on our garage (at our last house).
Sharing things, and other frustrations
Just when things started improving on the home-front, reality set back in. I went home last night with full intentions of doing laundry after swim practice. That didn't happen. See, when you live with other people you have to share - and that includes time with the washer and dryer.
I typically squeeze our laundry in between when all the rest of the folks use it, but lately it seems they use it every hour of every day. Even when they aren't using it, they tend to leave undies and white's in the machines and I don't exactly feel comfortable moving those types of things around.
So I decided not to get too worked up about it, and thought i'd do laundry today when I get home this afternoon - guess what?! They're doing more laundry today!!! I actually think it was easier doing laundry at my apartment, even though I had to share with multiple families. I can't wait to have my own washer and dryer again, this sharing business is unreal.
Furthering my frustrations last night, my husbands mother decided she would create a very awkward scene. When asking what we were doing the following night (tonight), we responded "going to the Indians game." Which led to her saying that she would watch the baby. We like taking the baby to games though, as it's family friendly and she enjoys being out and about, so we politely declined but made sure to say 'thanks anyway.' A mere two minutes later she said "you really should leave her here - we'll be home and I can watch her." Finally I was left saying "we want to take her, really, but thanks anyway." I mean, do I have to spell it out? I think she was mad, because when I was trying to put the baby to bed about 15 minutes later she made sure to be very loud while walking around in the kitchen.
If I said no thanks the first time, it's not going to change when you ask me a second time! Ugh...how many more days?!
I typically squeeze our laundry in between when all the rest of the folks use it, but lately it seems they use it every hour of every day. Even when they aren't using it, they tend to leave undies and white's in the machines and I don't exactly feel comfortable moving those types of things around.
So I decided not to get too worked up about it, and thought i'd do laundry today when I get home this afternoon - guess what?! They're doing more laundry today!!! I actually think it was easier doing laundry at my apartment, even though I had to share with multiple families. I can't wait to have my own washer and dryer again, this sharing business is unreal.
Furthering my frustrations last night, my husbands mother decided she would create a very awkward scene. When asking what we were doing the following night (tonight), we responded "going to the Indians game." Which led to her saying that she would watch the baby. We like taking the baby to games though, as it's family friendly and she enjoys being out and about, so we politely declined but made sure to say 'thanks anyway.' A mere two minutes later she said "you really should leave her here - we'll be home and I can watch her." Finally I was left saying "we want to take her, really, but thanks anyway." I mean, do I have to spell it out? I think she was mad, because when I was trying to put the baby to bed about 15 minutes later she made sure to be very loud while walking around in the kitchen.
If I said no thanks the first time, it's not going to change when you ask me a second time! Ugh...how many more days?!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
#42 - The Mailbox, and a worthless update
I warn you this will be a boring post. #42 on the countdown goes to the mailbox numbered 734 Nola Drive. I do realize that most people would not even fathom putting their mailbox on a countdown of things they are excited about, but it absolutely delights me!
At our previous home, we had a mailbox that was attached to the front of our house. Everytime it rained or snowed the mail would also get wet or snowy. Prior to our house we had apartments, where you shared a "wall-o-mailboxes" with everyone and their mothers, and had to carry around a key just to access your mail. It was even worse when you'd open the darn thing up and all it was was junk. Nothing about our experiences with mailboxes was pleasant, and that is why I am so excited for a real mailbox.
On the update front, there is nothing to report. I was very underwhelmed yesterday when we visited the house. Absolutely nothing further had been done - the cabinets, molding, and doors were all still sitting in the garage. I'm not concerned in the least about the house not being ready by August 3rd - they've committed to that date, but it still would have been nice to see some progress.
Tonight is going to be a little hectic, so i'm not sure if we'll be popping over for a check-up. Scott has some sort of softball tryout for corporate challenge day, and I have swim lessons with my little lady. It will be a nice evening for certain (if the rain stops), but if time permits I will definitely be taking a drive over!
At our previous home, we had a mailbox that was attached to the front of our house. Everytime it rained or snowed the mail would also get wet or snowy. Prior to our house we had apartments, where you shared a "wall-o-mailboxes" with everyone and their mothers, and had to carry around a key just to access your mail. It was even worse when you'd open the darn thing up and all it was was junk. Nothing about our experiences with mailboxes was pleasant, and that is why I am so excited for a real mailbox.
On the update front, there is nothing to report. I was very underwhelmed yesterday when we visited the house. Absolutely nothing further had been done - the cabinets, molding, and doors were all still sitting in the garage. I'm not concerned in the least about the house not being ready by August 3rd - they've committed to that date, but it still would have been nice to see some progress.
Tonight is going to be a little hectic, so i'm not sure if we'll be popping over for a check-up. Scott has some sort of softball tryout for corporate challenge day, and I have swim lessons with my little lady. It will be a nice evening for certain (if the rain stops), but if time permits I will definitely be taking a drive over!
Monday, June 20, 2011
#45, 44, & 43 - the Attached Garage!
So apparently I feel that the weekends don't count as countdown days, which I guess is a good thing since I realized today that we only have 43 more days left until we get our keys! Since today's countdown post covers three days I figured I would make it about something that really excites me, which is why I chose the attached garage.
Anyone who has ever a detached garage, or had to park outside and scrape off their cars, or lug groceries up and down the driveway or stairs could most definitely relate to how I feel about my attached garage. I've been through it all - I parked outside at my parents house, I parked outside at my apartment, I had a detached garage at my first house, I've lugged the groceries up and down the driveway, and up the staircase two flights. I'm ready. I'm ready to pull into my garage as It's pouring down rain or snowing two feet, and being dry, never having to "run into the house," or try catching a break in the storm. Never again will I be dreading grocery shopping because I have to carry all dozen bags up the stairs or down my driveway. This is a big deal to me - a huge deal, actually. Which is why it deserves a three day span on the countdown.
I will never take for granted having an attached garage, because it is something that I've never had before, and know just how much it means to have.
So, tonight I am going to drop off an anniversary card at my parents house (it's their 30th!), and then I'm going to swing by the house to check out any progress. I must admit, going there every day does get depressing - especially when little or no work gets done, but I just can't help myself! I'm crossing my fingers for a huge production day!
Anyone who has ever a detached garage, or had to park outside and scrape off their cars, or lug groceries up and down the driveway or stairs could most definitely relate to how I feel about my attached garage. I've been through it all - I parked outside at my parents house, I parked outside at my apartment, I had a detached garage at my first house, I've lugged the groceries up and down the driveway, and up the staircase two flights. I'm ready. I'm ready to pull into my garage as It's pouring down rain or snowing two feet, and being dry, never having to "run into the house," or try catching a break in the storm. Never again will I be dreading grocery shopping because I have to carry all dozen bags up the stairs or down my driveway. This is a big deal to me - a huge deal, actually. Which is why it deserves a three day span on the countdown.
I will never take for granted having an attached garage, because it is something that I've never had before, and know just how much it means to have.
So, tonight I am going to drop off an anniversary card at my parents house (it's their 30th!), and then I'm going to swing by the house to check out any progress. I must admit, going there every day does get depressing - especially when little or no work gets done, but I just can't help myself! I'm crossing my fingers for a huge production day!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Successful Fathers Day and Exciting Week Ahead!
Today was the first extremely successful Fathers Day in the history of Fathers Days since Scott and I have been together. My dad was really happy with his shorts and polo we bought him (very nice Izod golf wear), and Scott's dad is absolutely in love with the tea pot we bought him. Sounds silly, but he loves his tea in the morning and the pot he was using was so poorly designed that you couldn't take it off the burner with your bare hands. He has thanked us about half a dozen times - and he doesn't do that unless he really likes something. Yay!
As for the house this week, it's going to be a very busy and exciting week. The doors, molding, cabinets and paint all takes place this week! I am so excited that it's starting to look more and more like a "real" home every time we go by. Unfortunately, I am not quite sure when I am going to be able to get there aside from tomorrow evening. Tuesday we have swim class, Wednesday the tribe game, Thursday we might be going to the rib burn-off, and then before we know it, it'll be Friday! On second hand, maybe that's not something to complain about!
As for the house this week, it's going to be a very busy and exciting week. The doors, molding, cabinets and paint all takes place this week! I am so excited that it's starting to look more and more like a "real" home every time we go by. Unfortunately, I am not quite sure when I am going to be able to get there aside from tomorrow evening. Tuesday we have swim class, Wednesday the tribe game, Thursday we might be going to the rib burn-off, and then before we know it, it'll be Friday! On second hand, maybe that's not something to complain about!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A busy day, a relaxing evening
Today was extremely busy, but turned out to be enjoyable none-the-less. We woke up a bit earlier than we would have wanted to, but we all know that sleeping in isn't exactly our decision anymore. I am hoping that tomorrow we are allowed to sleep in a little longer!
The day was great though, I made breakfast and then we got ready for the day while the little miss took a nap. Then we headed out to Bed Bath & Beyond and bought my FIL's fathers day gift before heading to Target for a few items. Our trips to Target have turned pretty much become all about the baby. In fact I can hardly remember what we used to spend our money on at Target before she was born. For example, today we needed: formula, bottle liners, baby food, makeup, floss and a graduation card. Let me tell you, formula is just insanely expensive. I was going to switch her from Similac to the Target Up & Up brand, but felt guilty since I still have a few Similac coupons left. So I just sucked it up and spent the ungodly amount. I have a few more coupons left, which should get us to the beginning of August, and then i'll switch her to the store brand. I know it's probably the same exact stuff, but I just can't make the switch.
Anyway, after going to Target we went to Macy's for the other Fathers Day gift, and then decided to take a nice long walk in the Metroparks with little miss. She absolutely loves cruising in her stroller. I think it's super cute how she looks like she is in charge when she's getting pushed in her stroller.
After our walk we came home and got ready for the graduation parties. We didn't stay very long at the first one, probably only about an hour, and then the second one for about three hours. Both were very nice and relaxing. I can't believe tomorrow is Sunday - how come the weekends go so fast?!
I am looking forward to this week though especially in regards to the progress on the house. Paint, cabinets, doorframes, molding and flooring definitely sounds appealing to me! I am ready for the "five weeks of finishes!" YAY!
The day was great though, I made breakfast and then we got ready for the day while the little miss took a nap. Then we headed out to Bed Bath & Beyond and bought my FIL's fathers day gift before heading to Target for a few items. Our trips to Target have turned pretty much become all about the baby. In fact I can hardly remember what we used to spend our money on at Target before she was born. For example, today we needed: formula, bottle liners, baby food, makeup, floss and a graduation card. Let me tell you, formula is just insanely expensive. I was going to switch her from Similac to the Target Up & Up brand, but felt guilty since I still have a few Similac coupons left. So I just sucked it up and spent the ungodly amount. I have a few more coupons left, which should get us to the beginning of August, and then i'll switch her to the store brand. I know it's probably the same exact stuff, but I just can't make the switch.
Anyway, after going to Target we went to Macy's for the other Fathers Day gift, and then decided to take a nice long walk in the Metroparks with little miss. She absolutely loves cruising in her stroller. I think it's super cute how she looks like she is in charge when she's getting pushed in her stroller.
After our walk we came home and got ready for the graduation parties. We didn't stay very long at the first one, probably only about an hour, and then the second one for about three hours. Both were very nice and relaxing. I can't believe tomorrow is Sunday - how come the weekends go so fast?!
I am looking forward to this week though especially in regards to the progress on the house. Paint, cabinets, doorframes, molding and flooring definitely sounds appealing to me! I am ready for the "five weeks of finishes!" YAY!
Friday, June 17, 2011
What kind of blog is this, anyway?
It's a Friday night and I should be out tonight. Unfortunately a chain of events led to me not being out tonight. Instead I am blogging for the third time today about the same stuff I've already said. I'm coming to terms with the fact that this is becoming less and less of a home building blog, and more into a new age diary for me. I'm also coming to the terms that I am just fine with that.
Scott got home from work extremely early today, so we had dinner at 5:30, and then went to the house. We were told that the only thing that got done was the primer on the walls, but when we walked in there was actual paint! I actually think it's just the first coat of paint, and then they did the ceilings, so that's why they didn't say painting was done. Whatever - it looks like a real house now, that is just really empty with no flooring. Either that or a foreclosed home that was owned by a family of thirty Indians.
After visiting the house we went to Divits so Scott could hit a few softballs to practice for his corporate challenge softball series next weekend. He hasn't participated in four years, so I know he is excited for it. Afterwards we went to the ice cream place for a snack before heading home. It was at that point that my lady parts began hurting. Hurting may not actually describe the pain - it literally felt like someone was punching me down there repeatedly. Anyone who knows me knows I never, ever take any sort of Advil, Ibuprofen, etc., and I took TWO. It has been fifteen minutes and I am just starting to feel better.
That isn't why I didn't make it out tonight though. Unfortunately, another prime example of how life changes after having a baby - someone had to stay home with her and get her to bed. That someone was me. It's okay though, she's worth it ;) Actually, things would have been very different if it was two months from now and we were in our house. I would have just had my mom come over and put her to bed and she could watch TV at our place for a couple hours, BUT, I live here. So that wasn't about to happen. In addition, my mom just got home from Florida this late afternoon, so i'm sure she wouldn't have been up for it.
Are you beginning to see how this blog is turning more and more into a diary? It's actually kind of sad, that I can't just write about one thing.
Okay, enough - time for me to figure out what else is on TV now that the baseball game is almost over.
Scott got home from work extremely early today, so we had dinner at 5:30, and then went to the house. We were told that the only thing that got done was the primer on the walls, but when we walked in there was actual paint! I actually think it's just the first coat of paint, and then they did the ceilings, so that's why they didn't say painting was done. Whatever - it looks like a real house now, that is just really empty with no flooring. Either that or a foreclosed home that was owned by a family of thirty Indians.
After visiting the house we went to Divits so Scott could hit a few softballs to practice for his corporate challenge softball series next weekend. He hasn't participated in four years, so I know he is excited for it. Afterwards we went to the ice cream place for a snack before heading home. It was at that point that my lady parts began hurting. Hurting may not actually describe the pain - it literally felt like someone was punching me down there repeatedly. Anyone who knows me knows I never, ever take any sort of Advil, Ibuprofen, etc., and I took TWO. It has been fifteen minutes and I am just starting to feel better.
That isn't why I didn't make it out tonight though. Unfortunately, another prime example of how life changes after having a baby - someone had to stay home with her and get her to bed. That someone was me. It's okay though, she's worth it ;) Actually, things would have been very different if it was two months from now and we were in our house. I would have just had my mom come over and put her to bed and she could watch TV at our place for a couple hours, BUT, I live here. So that wasn't about to happen. In addition, my mom just got home from Florida this late afternoon, so i'm sure she wouldn't have been up for it.
Are you beginning to see how this blog is turning more and more into a diary? It's actually kind of sad, that I can't just write about one thing.
Okay, enough - time for me to figure out what else is on TV now that the baseball game is almost over.
The forecast for next week
Our builder, Dan, called Scott a bit ago. He wanted to let us know what is being done today and what they plan on doing next week. Today they are priming the walls. I don't know if it's really worth us going over there today, but maybe we'll go tomorrow morning, and take a walk around the neighborhood?
Next week the plan is to put up all the baseboard molding, the doors to all the bedrooms and bathroom, hang the cabinets in the kitchen and baths, and paint the house. Phew - that's a lot of stuff!
Every week further into this process our house looks more and more like a home. Seeing the cabinets hung next week will make me so happy. One of the things I am most looking forward to is the kitchen - I absolutely cannot wait to have my own kitchen again. Cook my own food again. Jeeze, the list goes on and on. I think the kitchen is the the room with the most upgrades, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The kitchen really is where everyone gathers these days, and the finishes can make or break it.
I'm not going to keep droaning on and on, but I was happy to hear the update and the plan for the coming week!
Next week the plan is to put up all the baseboard molding, the doors to all the bedrooms and bathroom, hang the cabinets in the kitchen and baths, and paint the house. Phew - that's a lot of stuff!
Every week further into this process our house looks more and more like a home. Seeing the cabinets hung next week will make me so happy. One of the things I am most looking forward to is the kitchen - I absolutely cannot wait to have my own kitchen again. Cook my own food again. Jeeze, the list goes on and on. I think the kitchen is the the room with the most upgrades, but I wouldn't have it any other way. The kitchen really is where everyone gathers these days, and the finishes can make or break it.
I'm not going to keep droaning on and on, but I was happy to hear the update and the plan for the coming week!
#46 - the Driveway, and a short update
#46 on my countdown of things I am looking forward to is the driveway. At our first house the driveway was quite bizzare. It was a single car width near the street, and by the time it reached the garage it was 2.5 cars wide. I definitely didn't mind it, but it will certainly be nice to have a double wide driveway from start to finish! Plus, it will be brand new concrete - so no different elevations, cracks, etc. for the forseable future!
My only update on the house is that all of the paint has been delivered and is waiting for the painters in the kitchen. I was hoping to see cabinets hung when we walked in yesterday, but I guess that the paint goes on first, then the cabinets. I keep telling myself to be patient - that our final date is final, so no matter the order of the building process it WILL be ours on August 3rd, but it's very difficult to be so calm about it - I want it now!
In other news, our friends Eric and his wife Deanna just bought a house. Their first home experience is quite similar to that of our first home. They bought a year before us, and it was also a small, cramped house that they will never recoup the money put into it. The house they bought is a very nice cape-cod style home, with an open floorplan, a beautiful kitchen, and two bedrooms on the first, and second floors. I am so happy for them, even though I know they are probably hoping their first house sells quickly now. They probably saw interest rates and couldn't pass it up! lol, speaking of...
Rates are still at 4.25%, so I only have 16 more days of crossing my fingers. I do have to say, that part is stressful. I know we locked in at 5%, but that .75% equally a ton of money in our monthly mortgage payment!
Well, folks, that's all the update for now. I am hoping Scott hears from the builder today about what to expect next weeks' progress to be!
My only update on the house is that all of the paint has been delivered and is waiting for the painters in the kitchen. I was hoping to see cabinets hung when we walked in yesterday, but I guess that the paint goes on first, then the cabinets. I keep telling myself to be patient - that our final date is final, so no matter the order of the building process it WILL be ours on August 3rd, but it's very difficult to be so calm about it - I want it now!
In other news, our friends Eric and his wife Deanna just bought a house. Their first home experience is quite similar to that of our first home. They bought a year before us, and it was also a small, cramped house that they will never recoup the money put into it. The house they bought is a very nice cape-cod style home, with an open floorplan, a beautiful kitchen, and two bedrooms on the first, and second floors. I am so happy for them, even though I know they are probably hoping their first house sells quickly now. They probably saw interest rates and couldn't pass it up! lol, speaking of...
Rates are still at 4.25%, so I only have 16 more days of crossing my fingers. I do have to say, that part is stressful. I know we locked in at 5%, but that .75% equally a ton of money in our monthly mortgage payment!
Well, folks, that's all the update for now. I am hoping Scott hears from the builder today about what to expect next weeks' progress to be!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
#47 - The Front Yard
The front yard is something that most people take for granted. If you want to get my perspective, well then buy a really small house on a really small lot with no front yard, live in it for three or four years, and then you should understand why I am writing so much about the yard(s).
I am really glad that we have a large front yard, not only does it give me more real estate to put holiday decorations on, but it gives us space from our neighbors. The space from our neighbors really bothered me at our last house. I constantly felt like we were all living on top of one another.
Since today is Thursday I am hoping for a status update call from the builder (either Bill or Dan). They call on either Thursdays or Fridays depending on their schedules, and I am hoping to hear that maybe next week some of the flooring goes in. I know (from looking at other homes go up), that the hard flooring surfaces (laminate, tile, wood, etc) goes in pretty early, so maybe it will be next week! I love seeing the finishes we picked out go in the house!!!! Here are some of the finishes I am most excited about:
-The granite in the kitchen
-The slate around the fireplace
-The hardwood floors
-The light fixtures
-The master bath faucets
Words cannot possibly express how excited I am about our house - I am in love with it!
I am really glad that we have a large front yard, not only does it give me more real estate to put holiday decorations on, but it gives us space from our neighbors. The space from our neighbors really bothered me at our last house. I constantly felt like we were all living on top of one another.
Since today is Thursday I am hoping for a status update call from the builder (either Bill or Dan). They call on either Thursdays or Fridays depending on their schedules, and I am hoping to hear that maybe next week some of the flooring goes in. I know (from looking at other homes go up), that the hard flooring surfaces (laminate, tile, wood, etc) goes in pretty early, so maybe it will be next week! I love seeing the finishes we picked out go in the house!!!! Here are some of the finishes I am most excited about:
-The granite in the kitchen
-The slate around the fireplace
-The hardwood floors
-The light fixtures
-The master bath faucets
Words cannot possibly express how excited I am about our house - I am in love with it!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Today's update and a few randoms...
Tonight was actually okay on the homefront. The roomies didn't get home until much later than I did, and the hubby and I had some time where it was just the three of us (including our bambino), so all was good. That being said, I don't really know why i'm in a grumpy mood.
There was some super loud walking in the kitchen, along with the word "butter" about half a dozen times, but honestly I don't know what else could possibly be making me feel so irritable. Oh well...so here is the house update:
Scott and I took the babes and went by the house tonight. It appears that the contractors used today to sand all the walls, and also drop off more stuff into the garage. So now there are all our cabinets, all the doors to the bedrooms and such, and all the baseboard molding - all just sitting inside an unlocked house! I'm not concerned in the least bit, but it definitely seems kind of odd to me. Hopefully all that will be IN the house by the end of this week. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
In regards to my little miss, who is nearly seven months old but has thighs of a teenager, she is now in size 4 diapers! It seems so unreal to me, but it's true - no more size 3's! So I finally decided that since Pampers doesn't make the Swaddlers beyond size 3, that I would finally switch to Luvs. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised. I was expecting the diapers to be ugly, and feel and perform cheaply, but they are actually quite nice. (I am aware that this is completely off-topic, but I figure i've probably lost any readers I could have possibly had, so why not at least make myself happy, right? )
On yet another completely unrelated topic, my job got the best of me today - I ended up signing back on for a good 20 minutes or so to get a few things taken care of. I really don't like signing on after i'm technically done for the day, but since I have the luxury of working from home half the time I feel it is justified. I am so incredibly fortunate to be able to work from home part-time, so I make sure to never take advantage of it.
Okay, I think that just about sums up my night. I'm going to bed!
There was some super loud walking in the kitchen, along with the word "butter" about half a dozen times, but honestly I don't know what else could possibly be making me feel so irritable. Oh well...so here is the house update:
Scott and I took the babes and went by the house tonight. It appears that the contractors used today to sand all the walls, and also drop off more stuff into the garage. So now there are all our cabinets, all the doors to the bedrooms and such, and all the baseboard molding - all just sitting inside an unlocked house! I'm not concerned in the least bit, but it definitely seems kind of odd to me. Hopefully all that will be IN the house by the end of this week. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
In regards to my little miss, who is nearly seven months old but has thighs of a teenager, she is now in size 4 diapers! It seems so unreal to me, but it's true - no more size 3's! So I finally decided that since Pampers doesn't make the Swaddlers beyond size 3, that I would finally switch to Luvs. I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised. I was expecting the diapers to be ugly, and feel and perform cheaply, but they are actually quite nice. (I am aware that this is completely off-topic, but I figure i've probably lost any readers I could have possibly had, so why not at least make myself happy, right? )
On yet another completely unrelated topic, my job got the best of me today - I ended up signing back on for a good 20 minutes or so to get a few things taken care of. I really don't like signing on after i'm technically done for the day, but since I have the luxury of working from home half the time I feel it is justified. I am so incredibly fortunate to be able to work from home part-time, so I make sure to never take advantage of it.
Okay, I think that just about sums up my night. I'm going to bed!
Another thing I miss....
My front-loader washer and dryer. I am doing laundry right now, using the in-laws "old school" style washer and dryer, which are not high efficiency and it feels so mechanical. I never thought much about having high efficiency appliances, but now that I am stuck using the old fashioned kind again I am realizing how much I enjoy the newer models.
With the high efficiency front load machines, each load takes quite a bit longer to wash, but it is worth it! These old machines take so much detergent!!!
Anyway, that was my mini-rant for the day, aside from the growing awkwardness with the in-laws while living here...
I am basically realizing that if things aren't done to my FIL's standards, they just aren't done. To be honest, I don't really think that "his way" is the best, but he seems to think that his way is the only way. I have control issues myself, but at least I am aware that there is more than just one way to do something. Like i've said several times before, I just can't wait to be in my own house again. I think at that point things will resume their good standings.
For the next 48 days though, I have to play by the rules and pick up ever spec of dust I leave behind ;)
With the high efficiency front load machines, each load takes quite a bit longer to wash, but it is worth it! These old machines take so much detergent!!!
Anyway, that was my mini-rant for the day, aside from the growing awkwardness with the in-laws while living here...
I am basically realizing that if things aren't done to my FIL's standards, they just aren't done. To be honest, I don't really think that "his way" is the best, but he seems to think that his way is the only way. I have control issues myself, but at least I am aware that there is more than just one way to do something. Like i've said several times before, I just can't wait to be in my own house again. I think at that point things will resume their good standings.
For the next 48 days though, I have to play by the rules and pick up ever spec of dust I leave behind ;)
#48 - The Side Yard
So as you may have noticed, I apparently couldn't count and we are really only 48 days away from getting our keys at this point! At least I was pleasantly surprised instead of disapointed!
#48 is definitely the side yard - it's huge! From the side of our house to where our property line ends is almost 55 feet, and is probably about 200 feet or so deep. Like I said in my last post, our previous house barely even had a yard, so this is very exciting stuff for us. I plan on this being where we eventually put a swingset for our daughter, as well as where we play cornhole in the summer. It's definitely a very nice amount of green space, and I plan to take full advantage of it!
One thing we will need to buy is a lawnmower, which is not a fun expense. We left our lawnmower at our old house because it was a hand-me-down from the owner of the house before us, and was a piece of junk. I don't plan on buying anything super fancy, but a nice new lawnmower with a bag will be glorious to me!
Last night I drove over to the house with Brooklyn. I noticed the garage door was shut, so I had to use the front door, no biggie. I walked in and noticed all of the drywall is done, and even better - all the cabinets are in the garage!!! For once I am beginning to feel like things are coming along. Now that the drywall is up it actually looks like a "real" house, and the cabinets are the first of many steps in the "finishing" process.
It will be good for me to see where the cabinets actually are in the kitchen. The bathrooms I'm not concerned, but the kitchen is key for me. I remember thinking in the model "this kitchen is so big," but now i'm thinking....hmmm....is it small? I don't think our kitchen is small, I just think it's hard to tell where things go when you're just looking at an empty space. I have serious issues with thinking everything is small, but it's very difficult for me to visualize the space allocation.
I'm not really sure why, but yesterday I decided to look at the dimensions of the model home in North Royalton. The houe is much larger than ours - at 3500 square feet, but the difference is that the home has a formal dining room and office. Our master bedroom is actually 50 square feet larger, and bedrooms #2,3&4 are all the same size as our spares. Same size bathrooms, same size family room, we have a bigger breakfast room, and the model has a slightly (very slightly) larger kitchen. I'm very happy with what we selected. To me it wouldn't be worth another $75,000 to have a formal dining room and office. JEEEEZZEEE....I'm too excited about having our own place again, I think i'm willing to sleep on the floor the first couple nights if needed!
#48 is definitely the side yard - it's huge! From the side of our house to where our property line ends is almost 55 feet, and is probably about 200 feet or so deep. Like I said in my last post, our previous house barely even had a yard, so this is very exciting stuff for us. I plan on this being where we eventually put a swingset for our daughter, as well as where we play cornhole in the summer. It's definitely a very nice amount of green space, and I plan to take full advantage of it!
One thing we will need to buy is a lawnmower, which is not a fun expense. We left our lawnmower at our old house because it was a hand-me-down from the owner of the house before us, and was a piece of junk. I don't plan on buying anything super fancy, but a nice new lawnmower with a bag will be glorious to me!
Last night I drove over to the house with Brooklyn. I noticed the garage door was shut, so I had to use the front door, no biggie. I walked in and noticed all of the drywall is done, and even better - all the cabinets are in the garage!!! For once I am beginning to feel like things are coming along. Now that the drywall is up it actually looks like a "real" house, and the cabinets are the first of many steps in the "finishing" process.
It will be good for me to see where the cabinets actually are in the kitchen. The bathrooms I'm not concerned, but the kitchen is key for me. I remember thinking in the model "this kitchen is so big," but now i'm thinking....hmmm....is it small? I don't think our kitchen is small, I just think it's hard to tell where things go when you're just looking at an empty space. I have serious issues with thinking everything is small, but it's very difficult for me to visualize the space allocation.
I'm not really sure why, but yesterday I decided to look at the dimensions of the model home in North Royalton. The houe is much larger than ours - at 3500 square feet, but the difference is that the home has a formal dining room and office. Our master bedroom is actually 50 square feet larger, and bedrooms #2,3&4 are all the same size as our spares. Same size bathrooms, same size family room, we have a bigger breakfast room, and the model has a slightly (very slightly) larger kitchen. I'm very happy with what we selected. To me it wouldn't be worth another $75,000 to have a formal dining room and office. JEEEEZZEEE....I'm too excited about having our own place again, I think i'm willing to sleep on the floor the first couple nights if needed!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
50 Days and Counting - FOP Pond
While yesterday's post was about our retention pond, today's post is about the much larger pond that is beyond the first layer of woods that our backyard has a clear view of. The much larger pond is the length of the entire street, and is owned by the FOP, whose lodge is in our backyard. The lodge is not visible, but their beautiful pond is. It is so serene and peaceful, and with no doubt in my mind will I spend many a nights just gazing at it from my master bath.
One of the reasons we chose the lot that we did was because of the wooded backyard with multiple ponds, which is all owned by the FOP. They have owned the land since the beginning of time, and according to our builder, the land is unable to be developed because of the dips and ponds. What does this mean you ask? Well, it means that we will never have people living behind us!
Although both my husband and I enjoy having neighbors, we both agree that after living in our old house, where the neighbors are only two feet away (literally), we needed space in our new house. We needed space from neighbors, and if we didn't have visibility of neighbors in every direction that would be even better.
I'm straying from the real feature of this post though, which is the large and beautiful pond. Ahh...peace and quiet - I am dreaming of having all my windows open, a breeze running through the house, carrying with it the fresh scents of spring and fall, and being able to enjoy all the views!
One of the reasons we chose the lot that we did was because of the wooded backyard with multiple ponds, which is all owned by the FOP. They have owned the land since the beginning of time, and according to our builder, the land is unable to be developed because of the dips and ponds. What does this mean you ask? Well, it means that we will never have people living behind us!
Although both my husband and I enjoy having neighbors, we both agree that after living in our old house, where the neighbors are only two feet away (literally), we needed space in our new house. We needed space from neighbors, and if we didn't have visibility of neighbors in every direction that would be even better.
I'm straying from the real feature of this post though, which is the large and beautiful pond. Ahh...peace and quiet - I am dreaming of having all my windows open, a breeze running through the house, carrying with it the fresh scents of spring and fall, and being able to enjoy all the views!
Is it intentional?
I am beginning to think they do it intentionally. Take your d@mn shoes off when you're walking in the kitchen!!!!! Why is it so freaking hard to be quiet when the baby is sleeping?!?!? I have never, ever seen (or heard) people walking in their kitchen back and forth, and opening every single cabinet and drawer so much!!! Aaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!! They really should stand down there while I go in the kitchen and pace around while pulling the trashcan out a zillion times, maybe at that point they'd get it!
As it may be quite obvious by this point, I am going crazy. I am so tired of not having my own space, my own kitchen, my own everything. August 3rd cannot come fast enough for me, even if it means that the summer will nearly be over - 50 days from today (stay tuned for the countdown post).
Last night Scott took the infant carseat out (sob), and installed the convertible seat for our bambino. I am so proud of him - as he didn't have his dad do it. I think that he's beginning to see that his dad is always crabby, so instead of pestering him, he just did it himself. You know, he didn't do a bad job! I'm really impressed the past few days, he's capable of a lot more than I give him credit for at times.
We didn't go by the house yesterday, but tonight Scott is going to be at a dinner and I'm going to be taking our little punkin' to swim class. Maybe after swimming we'll drive by the house before picking something (healthy) up for dinner. The nice thing is that we'll be coming home to an EMPTY house, since everyone is going to a concert tonight.
Can't wait to see my house, I think I will cry when I get those keys in my hands!
Monday, June 13, 2011
51 Days and Counting - Retention Pond
Tomorrow is a big day for us - we will officially be at the "50 days til we get the keys" mark! I was planning on starting the 'counting' posts at 50 days, but I figured that one extra wouldn't hurt anyone.
I'm going to start with things outside before working my way inside the house. So my #51 thing that I am looking forward to is - the retention pond.
We own approximately half of the retention pond. It's more like a retention basin, but to glamorize it a bit i'll call it a retention pond. It's a huge pond, which is the reason we only own half of it (the other half is technically in our neighbors yard). The pond doesn't have fish or any other livestock in it, and by the city's rules we can't put any in there, either.
At our last house we had a man-made pond - and after having a pond my husband said he wouldn't want a house without one, and I said I wouldn't want one ever again. I think the retention pond is the perfect compromise. He gets to have a pond, and I don't have to pay any money to keep it up. Instead we pay an association fee for people to maintain the "greens," which includes the ponds. Hooray! I also like the idea of having the pond for run-off reasons. Our backyard slopes downward towards the pond, therefor if we were to get heavy rain the water would run away from the house.
There aren't many reasons to be excited about the pond, which is why it is #51, but I do like how we can see it from all the windows in the back of the house. It makes the house feel like it's on a heavily wooded and private lot, which is exactly what I as looking for when we were "house-hunting."
I'm not sure if we're going to go by the house after work tonight since we have so much other stuff to get done, but if not tonight, then for sure i'll go tomorrow night. I love seeing progress, and hopefully by the end of this week i'll see some cabinetry. Hopefully!
I'm going to start with things outside before working my way inside the house. So my #51 thing that I am looking forward to is - the retention pond.
We own approximately half of the retention pond. It's more like a retention basin, but to glamorize it a bit i'll call it a retention pond. It's a huge pond, which is the reason we only own half of it (the other half is technically in our neighbors yard). The pond doesn't have fish or any other livestock in it, and by the city's rules we can't put any in there, either.
At our last house we had a man-made pond - and after having a pond my husband said he wouldn't want a house without one, and I said I wouldn't want one ever again. I think the retention pond is the perfect compromise. He gets to have a pond, and I don't have to pay any money to keep it up. Instead we pay an association fee for people to maintain the "greens," which includes the ponds. Hooray! I also like the idea of having the pond for run-off reasons. Our backyard slopes downward towards the pond, therefor if we were to get heavy rain the water would run away from the house.
There aren't many reasons to be excited about the pond, which is why it is #51, but I do like how we can see it from all the windows in the back of the house. It makes the house feel like it's on a heavily wooded and private lot, which is exactly what I as looking for when we were "house-hunting."
I'm not sure if we're going to go by the house after work tonight since we have so much other stuff to get done, but if not tonight, then for sure i'll go tomorrow night. I love seeing progress, and hopefully by the end of this week i'll see some cabinetry. Hopefully!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Random thoughts
Tonight I am feeling very anxious to get into our house, and for once it isn't being i'm super impatient. Living with people who just don't understand being quiet at night is getting very difficult.
Our friends who just moved back to Cleveland are living with her parents, and are expecting a baby in another month. For the longest time I thought, "just wait, you'll understand why you want to buy a house of your own in no time." That was until I saw the house (today). Her parent's house is beyond gorgeous in every way, shape, and form. On nine acres of land, this house is the perfect mix of newer and older all in one. Their furniture, flooring, and wall covering is distressed in the perfect way. I felt pings of jealousy every minute of every hour that I was in there. Apparently our friends have the entire third floor - and no, I didn't mean second floor - I mean, third floor. It makes me cringe just typing that. I can't believe that their set-up is so glorious. Oh well, I suppose that is how the other half lives! Haha!
On the way home from their house I stopped by our new house, and all of the drywall is hung, mudded, taped, and is now drying. It looks fabulous, although not nearly as fabulous as the mansion I had just come from. In all seriousness though it really did look great - I cannot wait to come home to it.
When you become a parent you get excited about different things than when it's just you and your significant other. Don't get me wrong - I still get excited about those things, too, but when you become a parent you get excited about the little things in life. It's weird - and if you're not a parent, don't judge!
I am excited about using my diaper genie again. Since my daughter started eating solid foods her poop diapers have become ferocious. I am also looking forward to giving her a bath in her own bathroom, so I don't have to keep worrying about leaving her tub, towel, and soaps out.
On a positive note, while I was busy at a baby shower today, my hubby cleaned our place and actually did a very good job. From now on when he gives me the famous "I don't know how to" when I ask him to clean, I'll know it's sheer bull, and will tell him "remember when...." yea, he knows how to clean!
Okay, time to folder yet more laundry while watching the tail end of the NBA finals game - Mavs vs. Heat. Being a Cleveland fan, I am definitely not cheering for the Heat... ;)
Our friends who just moved back to Cleveland are living with her parents, and are expecting a baby in another month. For the longest time I thought, "just wait, you'll understand why you want to buy a house of your own in no time." That was until I saw the house (today). Her parent's house is beyond gorgeous in every way, shape, and form. On nine acres of land, this house is the perfect mix of newer and older all in one. Their furniture, flooring, and wall covering is distressed in the perfect way. I felt pings of jealousy every minute of every hour that I was in there. Apparently our friends have the entire third floor - and no, I didn't mean second floor - I mean, third floor. It makes me cringe just typing that. I can't believe that their set-up is so glorious. Oh well, I suppose that is how the other half lives! Haha!
On the way home from their house I stopped by our new house, and all of the drywall is hung, mudded, taped, and is now drying. It looks fabulous, although not nearly as fabulous as the mansion I had just come from. In all seriousness though it really did look great - I cannot wait to come home to it.
When you become a parent you get excited about different things than when it's just you and your significant other. Don't get me wrong - I still get excited about those things, too, but when you become a parent you get excited about the little things in life. It's weird - and if you're not a parent, don't judge!
I am excited about using my diaper genie again. Since my daughter started eating solid foods her poop diapers have become ferocious. I am also looking forward to giving her a bath in her own bathroom, so I don't have to keep worrying about leaving her tub, towel, and soaps out.
On a positive note, while I was busy at a baby shower today, my hubby cleaned our place and actually did a very good job. From now on when he gives me the famous "I don't know how to" when I ask him to clean, I'll know it's sheer bull, and will tell him "remember when...." yea, he knows how to clean!
Okay, time to folder yet more laundry while watching the tail end of the NBA finals game - Mavs vs. Heat. Being a Cleveland fan, I am definitely not cheering for the Heat... ;)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Randomness
Well, it's Friday night at about 11pm., and we didn't make it to our house to check on the progress. It's okay, we were busy - but we will definitely have to get out there sometime this weekend to check things out! Our builder called late this afternoon to let us know that some contractors may actually be working tomorrow, I am assuming taping and mudding the drywall. Yay!
Our official close time is 9am on August 3rd, I am so excited about closing. I miss having my own place, doing my own things, having the freedom to do whatever, whenever, however. It will be so nice when we can put the baby in her nursery for the night and then have a couple glasses of wine while relaxing for the rest of the evening. Can't. Freaking. Wait.
On another note, I am so happy to be a mom. Not sure why I am feeling like a super sap right now, but I am so grateful to have such a happy and healthy baby. She really does mean the world to me - and I just love being able to hold her, squeeze her, and cuddle with her whenever I want.
After getting off of work today I was super tired, and it had been a couple hours since her last nap, so I was hoping she's take a nap with me. We went into the bedroom, cuddled together and slept for an hour and a half! I just love, and I mean LOVE taking naps with my babycakes. I LOVE MY DAUGHTER!!! :)
I am so thankful everyday for my lovely little family ~ and can't wait to share so many wonderful times in our new house!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Off topic, but it's on my mind...
This post is mainly just for me to get some feelings out, but is completely non-house related. This post is about my Grandpa, who is near the end of his life.
My mom's parents moved down to Florida (from Ohio) just a few short months before I was born, so 27 years ago. It was what they had always wanted to do after retirement and the kids were all married, on their own, and had families of their own.
For the first 15 years, they lived their dreams out - went dancing, golfing, traveling, cruising, and to all the shows their hearts desired. They were having the best times of their lives, and for our family vacations we were lucky to be a part of their dreams. I'll never forget all the times the five of us piled in our small car, and drove the twenty-some hours down to North Ft. Myers, Florida. I will always remember the games we played, like "who spies the first palm tree," while singing "100 bottles of beer." Those days were the greatest, and quite possibly some of my best childhood memories.
When we were down in Florida my grandparents were always so much fun - we'd always be going out to dinner, swimming, playing shuffle-board, riding the cool three wheel bikes, and shopping. They always had the biggest hearts and welcomed all of us with open arms when we'd come down. They truly are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. I am not looking forward to the day when I have to write "they were some of the nicest people..." That day unfortunately, is coming very soon for my Grandpa.
My Grandpa, Ed, is a wonderful man. He suffered a heart attack a couple years ago, and since then hasn't really recovered. Now, about two years later he is near the end. A month ago he fell, and apparently since then has been bleeding from the brain. You don't need a doctorate to know that isn't a good thing.
He is ready for the end - in fact, I think he's been ready for quite some time. He didn't even want his bypass surgery a couple years ago, but went through with it for my Grandma. I can only hope that in fifty-some years Scott and I will be in their shoes. They lived a true love story.
Their story is so beautiful and inspiring to me, it just makes me thankful everyday to have my husband and my daughter in my life. Family is what life is all about - no amount of money could ever replace family.
I don't really know where i'm going with this, I guess I just needed a place to write my feelings down - and this is the only place I really have.
I pray for my Grandma, my mom and aunts, and most of all - my Grandpa. I pray that he isn't in pain, that he can say "I love you" just one more time to my mom, and that he is welcomed into Heaven and can watch over my Grandma to help her get through the days that lye ahead.
I'll miss you Grandpa, and I wish you could have met my daughter - but I know that you'll be watching over. We had some great times, and I'll always remember you as a wonderful Grandpa, the man I made a cane with, the cane that you ended up having to use. I'll miss you, I love you, and I wish...well, I wish the end never had to come.
I love you, Grandpa <3 xoxo
My mom's parents moved down to Florida (from Ohio) just a few short months before I was born, so 27 years ago. It was what they had always wanted to do after retirement and the kids were all married, on their own, and had families of their own.
For the first 15 years, they lived their dreams out - went dancing, golfing, traveling, cruising, and to all the shows their hearts desired. They were having the best times of their lives, and for our family vacations we were lucky to be a part of their dreams. I'll never forget all the times the five of us piled in our small car, and drove the twenty-some hours down to North Ft. Myers, Florida. I will always remember the games we played, like "who spies the first palm tree," while singing "100 bottles of beer." Those days were the greatest, and quite possibly some of my best childhood memories.
When we were down in Florida my grandparents were always so much fun - we'd always be going out to dinner, swimming, playing shuffle-board, riding the cool three wheel bikes, and shopping. They always had the biggest hearts and welcomed all of us with open arms when we'd come down. They truly are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. I am not looking forward to the day when I have to write "they were some of the nicest people..." That day unfortunately, is coming very soon for my Grandpa.
My Grandpa, Ed, is a wonderful man. He suffered a heart attack a couple years ago, and since then hasn't really recovered. Now, about two years later he is near the end. A month ago he fell, and apparently since then has been bleeding from the brain. You don't need a doctorate to know that isn't a good thing.
He is ready for the end - in fact, I think he's been ready for quite some time. He didn't even want his bypass surgery a couple years ago, but went through with it for my Grandma. I can only hope that in fifty-some years Scott and I will be in their shoes. They lived a true love story.
Their story is so beautiful and inspiring to me, it just makes me thankful everyday to have my husband and my daughter in my life. Family is what life is all about - no amount of money could ever replace family.
I don't really know where i'm going with this, I guess I just needed a place to write my feelings down - and this is the only place I really have.
I pray for my Grandma, my mom and aunts, and most of all - my Grandpa. I pray that he isn't in pain, that he can say "I love you" just one more time to my mom, and that he is welcomed into Heaven and can watch over my Grandma to help her get through the days that lye ahead.
I'll miss you Grandpa, and I wish you could have met my daughter - but I know that you'll be watching over. We had some great times, and I'll always remember you as a wonderful Grandpa, the man I made a cane with, the cane that you ended up having to use. I'll miss you, I love you, and I wish...well, I wish the end never had to come.
I love you, Grandpa <3 xoxo
Furniture, and a way to make country contemporary!
Our first house had a really nice master bedroom simply because there was an addition to it, making it possible for it to become a master suite. The bedroom and the sitting room were virtually the same size, and the bathroom off of it was new and clean, but definitely small. We turned the sitting room into a walk-in closet, and therefor never had a real reason to buy a bedroom "set." We decided it would be better just to buy a bedframe, and then in our next place we would buy the glorious bedroom set.
Well, here we are...almost in our new house, and so I am beginning to get ideas of what i'd like. If you know me, this isn't a chore - I practically thrive on researching furniture and decorations. What is a chore for me is figuring out how to make country "contemporary". At my last house I think I did a pretty good job of it, mixing wood finishes with straight black lines, contemporary accents with country decorations, etc.
Now that we're talking furniture though, I am beginning to have visions of old world, cottage, and contemporary - and THAT my friends, well that will not be an easy task.
Believe it or not, one of my favorite furniture collections is that of Paula Deens! Yes...she has a furniture collection - and I am over the moon about pretty much all of it! Only problem, is that it is boo-koo bucks. I did however, find a place that sells her collections for much lower than other retailers, such as Thomasville Furniture (happens to be the only place that sells her stuff around here).
So, for our bedroom I am thinking this collection fits the bill:
http://www.bedroomfurniture.com/Paula-Deen-Home-9322-PDH1146.html
Now onto the next room....the kitchen. When we bought our first house, the kitchen was so stinking small that we had a really hard time finding a table that worked with the space. After shopping at several places and continuously have difficulties finding a table, we finally bought a basic table from Value City Furniture. I still think it's a nice table, but am no longer crazy about it (not that I ever really was, actually). Anyway, I've been looking more at round tables, that with a leaf can become oval shaped, and can accomodate several people. The one that I am practically drooling over is this:
http://www.bedroomfurniture.com/Paula-Deen-Home-932655-TAB-932655-BASE-PDH1156.html
It's another Paula Deen collection, but I am in love with everything about it. I've done my online shopping at a few other local places to see if they have anything similar, but so far these are the two furniture sets that are really hitting the spot.
I am sure that I won't be able to get both at the same time, so i'll probably get the kitchen table first and the bedroom set down the road. As per usual I am opting to go with the thing everyone can use instead of it being soley for me! Why can't I just be rich - hahahaha!
Well, here we are...almost in our new house, and so I am beginning to get ideas of what i'd like. If you know me, this isn't a chore - I practically thrive on researching furniture and decorations. What is a chore for me is figuring out how to make country "contemporary". At my last house I think I did a pretty good job of it, mixing wood finishes with straight black lines, contemporary accents with country decorations, etc.
Now that we're talking furniture though, I am beginning to have visions of old world, cottage, and contemporary - and THAT my friends, well that will not be an easy task.
Believe it or not, one of my favorite furniture collections is that of Paula Deens! Yes...she has a furniture collection - and I am over the moon about pretty much all of it! Only problem, is that it is boo-koo bucks. I did however, find a place that sells her collections for much lower than other retailers, such as Thomasville Furniture (happens to be the only place that sells her stuff around here).
So, for our bedroom I am thinking this collection fits the bill:
http://www.bedroomfurniture.com/Paula-Deen-Home-9322-PDH1146.html
Now onto the next room....the kitchen. When we bought our first house, the kitchen was so stinking small that we had a really hard time finding a table that worked with the space. After shopping at several places and continuously have difficulties finding a table, we finally bought a basic table from Value City Furniture. I still think it's a nice table, but am no longer crazy about it (not that I ever really was, actually). Anyway, I've been looking more at round tables, that with a leaf can become oval shaped, and can accomodate several people. The one that I am practically drooling over is this:
http://www.bedroomfurniture.com/Paula-Deen-Home-932655-TAB-932655-BASE-PDH1156.html
It's another Paula Deen collection, but I am in love with everything about it. I've done my online shopping at a few other local places to see if they have anything similar, but so far these are the two furniture sets that are really hitting the spot.
I am sure that I won't be able to get both at the same time, so i'll probably get the kitchen table first and the bedroom set down the road. As per usual I am opting to go with the thing everyone can use instead of it being soley for me! Why can't I just be rich - hahahaha!
Drywall, dates, and interest rates - oh my!
We drove over to the house yesterday to check out the progress on the drywall. The drywall was started on Monday, so we figured three days worth of work, we should see major change - we were right! The entire house is drywalled!!! All of the rooms look so much bigger now that there is drywall, but the rooms that look especially large are the great room (kitchen, breakfast room & family room), and the master bedroom. The master truly is what dreams are made of. I can hardly believe that we have walls, and by this time next week all of the drywall will be "finished," meaning taped, mudded, and smoothed. Eek!
Our new builder, Dan, called Scott yesterday to give an update on all the dates and timelines. We will have our final walk through on July 27th at 9am, and we get our keys on August 3rd!!! I was really hoping for the end of July, but maybe since we aren't going to get the keys until August 3rd, we won't have a mortgage payment until October??? That's how it worked when we bought our first house, but I'm not sure if it's any different when building a house.
Regardless, in approximately 20 days we can elect to "re-lock" our interest rate, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they stay super low. When we locked in back in Februrary we got 5%, which at the time was the lowest you could get - but now the rates are in between 4.25 and 4.5, which doesn't sound like much lower than 5%, but when you calculate your mortgage it ends up being a good amount of money per month. For us personally, each 1% lower calculates as over $200 lower per month. I kind of can't believe the interest rates are as low as they are. When we bought our first place we were happy that we got 6.25%! Everyone should be taking advantage of the rates right now - whether it be to buy a home or to refinance, these rates are unreal.
I will be writing again later today since I have exciting news about potential furniture...stay tuned!
Our new builder, Dan, called Scott yesterday to give an update on all the dates and timelines. We will have our final walk through on July 27th at 9am, and we get our keys on August 3rd!!! I was really hoping for the end of July, but maybe since we aren't going to get the keys until August 3rd, we won't have a mortgage payment until October??? That's how it worked when we bought our first house, but I'm not sure if it's any different when building a house.
Regardless, in approximately 20 days we can elect to "re-lock" our interest rate, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they stay super low. When we locked in back in Februrary we got 5%, which at the time was the lowest you could get - but now the rates are in between 4.25 and 4.5, which doesn't sound like much lower than 5%, but when you calculate your mortgage it ends up being a good amount of money per month. For us personally, each 1% lower calculates as over $200 lower per month. I kind of can't believe the interest rates are as low as they are. When we bought our first place we were happy that we got 6.25%! Everyone should be taking advantage of the rates right now - whether it be to buy a home or to refinance, these rates are unreal.
I will be writing again later today since I have exciting news about potential furniture...stay tuned!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
An unexpected day off...
When we pulled into the sitters' driveway yesterday we knew right away that she had a rough day. I suppose that statement could go for both our daughter and the sitter, but obviously we were far more concerned about our daughter.
Turned out that she didn't poop all day, and since she hadn't pooped the day before either, she was constipated. Let me tell you - a constipated, crappy, and uncomfortable baby is the worst to deal with. Fast forward to right now (the next morning), she still hasn't pooped, and is still sleeping. I couldn't bring myself to wake up a tired, constipated baby - I just couldn't do it, she needs her sleep more than I need to sit in four meetings and conduct a desk audit.
I figure i'll use today to get caught up on laundry, as well as go up to Babies R Us and buy a shower gift for a friend of mine. I'll probably also go by the house and see if anyone is there. If no one is, then i'll probably poke my head in to check out the progress.
What a crazy day...hopefully it will be a nice day out weather-wise so it'll be worth it! ;)
Monday, June 6, 2011
Outdoor Living!
Something I am looking forward to a great deal is having an outdoor living space. Although Scott and I have owned a single-family home before, we really never had an outdoor space where we could have a deck, lawn chairs, or even space where we could grill out and eat comfortably. I won't even comment on how we could never have company over during the summer months, because we had no yard.
Now that summer is almost here, and people are starting to grill every night, I am beginning to have serious jealousy issues of all those who get to entertain outdoors. With a big yard, and a big grill.
My mission is to find and purchase a nice grill and lawnmower by the time we move in. I've had my eye on a grill from BJ's for a couple months, and there is a nice lawnmower at Lowe's for a good price. I really don't like the idea of spending a ton of money on a lawnmower, but since they tend to last a long time I don't want to buy a piece of garbage. I am hoping that I can score both those items for $450 or less. Money doesn't grow on trees, ya'll!
Now that summer is almost here, and people are starting to grill every night, I am beginning to have serious jealousy issues of all those who get to entertain outdoors. With a big yard, and a big grill.
My mission is to find and purchase a nice grill and lawnmower by the time we move in. I've had my eye on a grill from BJ's for a couple months, and there is a nice lawnmower at Lowe's for a good price. I really don't like the idea of spending a ton of money on a lawnmower, but since they tend to last a long time I don't want to buy a piece of garbage. I am hoping that I can score both those items for $450 or less. Money doesn't grow on trees, ya'll!
Frustrations and Excitement
This morning I am feeling both frustrated and excited. Frustrated because my "roomates" are making zero effort at being quiet during the nighttime, resulting in my daughter feeling exhausted as she can't sleep. My daughter typically needs about 10-12 hours of sleep, and since she went to bed at 8:30 and was up at 5, she definitely did NOT get her required amount. She's fast asleep in her swing now, but I really hate doing that to her since it's not the same as continuous sleep in her crib. Poor baby :( Never mind poor mommy!
My excitement is because our drywall will be hung today!!! I have been looking forward to this step for what feels like forever. The drywall is estimated to take about a week to a week and a half. This is to hang the drywall, mud it, sand it down and make it smooth and pretty, and then prime it. This stage will make me really happy - my house will begin looking like a home.
Once the drywall is complete then it's time to begin the finishes. The finishes of course include the cabinets for the kitchen and baths, and then the flooring, lighting, and all the other fixtures like the faucets.
I am ready for this process to be over, really, I am just so, so ready....
My excitement is because our drywall will be hung today!!! I have been looking forward to this step for what feels like forever. The drywall is estimated to take about a week to a week and a half. This is to hang the drywall, mud it, sand it down and make it smooth and pretty, and then prime it. This stage will make me really happy - my house will begin looking like a home.
Once the drywall is complete then it's time to begin the finishes. The finishes of course include the cabinets for the kitchen and baths, and then the flooring, lighting, and all the other fixtures like the faucets.
I am ready for this process to be over, really, I am just so, so ready....
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Old house and daydreams
This morning Scott went to our old house to meet up with a handyman. Since the people who bought our house went FHA, we had to comply with certain rules and one of them was that we had to fix the garage for the buyers. We weren't too happy about having to do it, just because we had already lost close to $25,000 on the sale (that includes the real estate commissions), but we knew we'd have to do it for any buyer, so we eventually agreed.
The process required we put $1200 in an escrow account, and with that we'd have the garage treated (it's wooden), and then replace the front boards. The new owner would then be responsible for painting it.
Anyway, we haven't a clue as to how to replace boards, let alone the time, so we finally hired a handyman. I wish we would have done this sooner - he is charging $50 for labor. Yes, $50. I'll give him $100! I cannot believe we've waited this long, but it makes me feel like we should just hire a handyman for everything.
Needless to say anything else, we *should* be getting the majority of the escrow money back - and it will be more than enough to cover a super nice grill and lawnmower for our new place! WooHoo!
Speaking of our new place, I can't stop daydreaming about it. I am so excited to be there, painting the back wall a warm pumpkin color, placing my furniture just right, decorating it like it's a model home - with all my fabulous Fisher Price decor' ;) LOL!
Now back to dreaming about all the parties and cookout's to come! Can't. Wait!
The process required we put $1200 in an escrow account, and with that we'd have the garage treated (it's wooden), and then replace the front boards. The new owner would then be responsible for painting it.
Anyway, we haven't a clue as to how to replace boards, let alone the time, so we finally hired a handyman. I wish we would have done this sooner - he is charging $50 for labor. Yes, $50. I'll give him $100! I cannot believe we've waited this long, but it makes me feel like we should just hire a handyman for everything.
Needless to say anything else, we *should* be getting the majority of the escrow money back - and it will be more than enough to cover a super nice grill and lawnmower for our new place! WooHoo!
Speaking of our new place, I can't stop daydreaming about it. I am so excited to be there, painting the back wall a warm pumpkin color, placing my furniture just right, decorating it like it's a model home - with all my fabulous Fisher Price decor' ;) LOL!
Now back to dreaming about all the parties and cookout's to come! Can't. Wait!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Pre-drywall meeting and more confessions
Yesterday morning we had our pre-drywall meeting which was less glorious than I had anticipated. We got to the house at 9am and were greeted by a builder whose name was not Bob. He was a nice enough guy, but was not the builder we were working with this entire time. Whatever, he seemed to know quite a bit about our house so I guess I'm not complaining.
We walked through the house room by room, while one guy was putting in the insulation and another was doing some inspections. Neither of those jobs seems too fulfilling to me. Anyway, as we walked through the house we were mostly happy with everything, but here is a short list of things that are being fixed and/or changed:
The thing I am looking most forward to is putting together my daughters nursery. She had a nursery in our old house, but since she only lived there for three months it feels like it never existed. Those first few months just feel like one big blur, which may be because I was at home that whole time and each day seemed just like the last. Either way, I absolutely cannot wait to finally be able to decorate her room and make it special for her.
As mentioned in the title of this post, I do have a couple more confessions to mention. The first being that I am going crazy living with my husbands family. They seem to think we've never had our own place before, never had our own routines and habbits, never our own lives - but guess what?! We did! For years we lived on our own, payed our own bills, had our own schedules, managed to get by (and even do pretty well).
Small things, like giving my dog a treat everytime he goes outside when we don't do that - that bothers me. I guess I should also say that he's not your typical 50 pound retriever, he's a six pound weak-stomached-fusspot, that goes outside almost hourly. He's a good dog, and sweet as could be - but he doesn't need a treat every stinking time he goes outside.
The second thing that I must confess is that I miss mowing the lawn. This is a really weird one, but I honestly enjoy cutting the grass. In my opinion there is no better way to exercise and get a tan - all while making your lawn look pretty! At our new house the lawn will be about 50 times the size of our old one, but even so i'll still enjoy it.
Well, that's all I've got for now. Let's proceed to the next stage!! :)
We walked through the house room by room, while one guy was putting in the insulation and another was doing some inspections. Neither of those jobs seems too fulfilling to me. Anyway, as we walked through the house we were mostly happy with everything, but here is a short list of things that are being fixed and/or changed:
- The foyer chandelier and the upstairs hall light are on the same switch, meaning everytime we had the chandelier on, the hall light would also be on. Doesn't make sense, right? So they are fixing that.
- The walkway to the front door has a small step, so we are requesting that they make this step the entire width of the the doorway, not a stubby little block of cement.
- They need to be sure to grade and rough-landscape our property up to the point where all we have to do is plant grass. This is a must, because the last thing I want to do is spend $10K on landscaping. Not happening!
- They are putting the thermostat in the hallway instead of the front living room (office). The thermostat would be affected by direct sunlight if it remained in the front room.
- The electrician missed an outlet in the master bedroom on the plant ledge. Doesn't he know that I'm the queen of decorations that need to be plugged in?! Hahahaha!
The thing I am looking most forward to is putting together my daughters nursery. She had a nursery in our old house, but since she only lived there for three months it feels like it never existed. Those first few months just feel like one big blur, which may be because I was at home that whole time and each day seemed just like the last. Either way, I absolutely cannot wait to finally be able to decorate her room and make it special for her.
As mentioned in the title of this post, I do have a couple more confessions to mention. The first being that I am going crazy living with my husbands family. They seem to think we've never had our own place before, never had our own routines and habbits, never our own lives - but guess what?! We did! For years we lived on our own, payed our own bills, had our own schedules, managed to get by (and even do pretty well).
Small things, like giving my dog a treat everytime he goes outside when we don't do that - that bothers me. I guess I should also say that he's not your typical 50 pound retriever, he's a six pound weak-stomached-fusspot, that goes outside almost hourly. He's a good dog, and sweet as could be - but he doesn't need a treat every stinking time he goes outside.
The second thing that I must confess is that I miss mowing the lawn. This is a really weird one, but I honestly enjoy cutting the grass. In my opinion there is no better way to exercise and get a tan - all while making your lawn look pretty! At our new house the lawn will be about 50 times the size of our old one, but even so i'll still enjoy it.
Well, that's all I've got for now. Let's proceed to the next stage!! :)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Siding can be crossed off the "to-do" list!
As we do most evenings after work, we drove by the house. I was trying my best not to get too excited or hopeful of the progress, but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw all the siding was up and about 95% of the electrical is complete! Woop woop!
So today I am thinking that the brick and shutters will be done, the electrical will be finished, and then the insulation will get shoved in. It is a great feeling to know that our pre-drywall meeting is tomorrow, because I don't know how much longer I can feel good about seeing a house with no walls.
I would be lying if I said that I think the builders are always paying attention and trying to make progress on our house. There have been stretches of two to three days at a time where we go by and nothing has been done. Our neighbor, Linda, is very honest about the process - and has even said herself that they are not always the most efficient when it comes to time. I knew that that was one of the downfalls of going custom, but (long term) I'd rather have the quality than for the process to be rushed.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, time to get some work done!
So today I am thinking that the brick and shutters will be done, the electrical will be finished, and then the insulation will get shoved in. It is a great feeling to know that our pre-drywall meeting is tomorrow, because I don't know how much longer I can feel good about seeing a house with no walls.
I would be lying if I said that I think the builders are always paying attention and trying to make progress on our house. There have been stretches of two to three days at a time where we go by and nothing has been done. Our neighbor, Linda, is very honest about the process - and has even said herself that they are not always the most efficient when it comes to time. I knew that that was one of the downfalls of going custom, but (long term) I'd rather have the quality than for the process to be rushed.
Okay, now that I got that out of my system, time to get some work done!
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