House updates

So we had the long awaited baby and have slacked for awhile with the house. Cowboy got back in the swing of things during the last few weeks; and all the light fixtures upstairs have been subbed out with newer ceiling fixtures--except for the ceiling fans--they aren't in yet. He also took down the yellow hood above my stove and put the new white one up. There isn't a trace of an orange/yellow appliance anywhere now! Dad and Ryan also got the woodburner put into place with some additional manpower last weekend. We still need to get the chimney pieces installed and Cowboy needs to do some tweaking with the chimney before he'll be happy. However, Dad did a great job painting the woodburner and getting it cleaned up for us. We are recycling it; as it used to be in my parent's house in town. My job was to get it started when I got home from school when I was in junior high and high school; and this stove makes it easy enough I can do it! I grew up in a house with this stove and running around in tank tops and shorts most of the winter because it puts out some heat.

On the Paige and Cooper side of things; they are doing well. Preschool was very successful last week. It was nice on Friday to be the one to drop her off and there were no tears--just a hug and she ran off. Paige, Cowboy and I attended the PRCA rodeo held in Bowman on Friday night and Cooper got to hang out with Gramma for a few hours. I was a nervous mom when I realized my cell phone didn't work in the metal building and didn't like the idea of a starving baby who had a mom that couldn't be contacted. I only stayed away about 1.5 hours; but was needed within 10 minutes of getting home. We also had company on Sunday; as Keith and Sandy came and met Cooper. He was a good boy for them; but didn't want to be awake for them very much.

I have a hard time keeping clothes on my daughter. Wondering when this phase will run out.

Cooper on 9-20-10--he's starting to fill out and get some cheeks!

He's also starting to stretch out and unfold--I giggle when babies start to do this. Most mornings in his crib he sleeps with his arms above his head like this.

Done. Done. Done.

This last weekend some big projects got done. Such a good feeling. Cowboy worked on his bricks/woodburner area during the week and got the big pavers down. He also got some sconces up in the dining room; I really like them--they are simple but do a really nice difused light. Then Holmes on Homes, aka Dad, was over and installed my laminate flooring in the dining room. Its amazing what flooring does when you are used to subfloor. Then he and Mom were over again on Sunday and Dad and Cowboy attached the bricks. Not an easy task or a fun one. But they look great and are done. Mom was busy getting the toy room in shape as well as helping me set the crib up and find baby stuff. Thanks to both of them for all the help. I told Dad someday he can come to my house and leave his tool truck at home!

Hard working guys putting up bricks under the super hot work light.

Paige on the Candyland float on Sunday morning for part of the county fair. We hear our float got first--but no confirmation yet.

A sconce--goodbye wires poking out of the walls!

The completed bricks on Sunday evening--they should be proud.

My dining room floor--someday to be extended into the kitchen.

Kitchen

So this is a progress picture of my kitchen. Progress?!? It has minty green countertops and pink cabinet parts! But note the clean while paint inside that is covering up icky old peachy/pinky stuff and is now clean and bright. That lovely mulberry pink--its tinted primer. The nice beige on the back is a final color that will complement my new countertops that are called 'bella noche'--meaning dark brown and black swirls. But oh wait, found out today those don't get delivered until the 25th. Oh well, guess that gives me a few more days to get all the red on the cabinets. Hopefully "Holmes on Homes", I mean Dad, can get the countertops installed relatively fast since I wanted to move on the 26th/27th. Oh how I wish it was all done and July 1st! I had a dr. appt yesterday and we are at 29 weeks prego--probably should get to quit working on the house and start rounding up some baby gear! That's the July project.

Day 10

Day 10 of home ownership. Day 10 of huge mess and chaos. Wouldn't be so bad if I weren't so pregnant and could like bend over or do something. Sigh. That's my pity party. Anyway, a lot has happened, especially last weekend when we had a 'crew' working. We had 6 extra adults in the house at one point and they got stuff done. The carpet is out of every room upstairs, except the kitchen. That's too new to get rid of just yet. Panelling is gone, sheetrock up in the living room. Rick was a painting fool and there is paint everywhere we'd let him go. The basement play area is completely done--painted, cleaned, chunk of carpet warming up the tile floor, etc. Bless Mom & Jane for doing the icky thing they did yesterday to it. All I will say is I definitely owe them. There was dead mice involved. Ewww. But its all good; and we'll start hauling toys in gradually for miss Paige.



Paige and I stayed home this lovely Friday as some pregnant girl learned the definition of overdoing it last night and hurt really bad this morning. No contractions or anything--but I knew enough to take it easy and nap all day with my feet up. The cantelope size ankles are gone and I feel better. As Ryan said this morning, "What did we learn from this?" I hate it when he's right.



Here are a few photos from the last week.

Paige napping about 5pm last night---in the future master bedroom. Remodeling is hard work! It is fully painted (Yay, and is a few minor things away from being done.) No major issues with this room other than it needs carpet.

This is a view of my bathtub; isn't it lovely? Won't even go there. Yes, that is a hole to the basement and you can see into Paige's room--there is supposed to be a wall there.

Photo by Paige last night--didn't she do good? No, I am not painting my cabinets pink. Tinted primer for the lovely dark yummy red they will be.

Living room starting to look less orange--carpet gone and now downstairs as it was usable.

Hey Cowboy; someone stole your orange woodburner! Ha ha ha. Oh wait, its just moved about 20 feet and in the corner of the picture. Dang. But its out of there after it gets disassembled and will fit out the door. But that's a lovely sheetrocked wall and he has now acquired 'mudding' experience. Its not all the way done yet; but maybe by the middle of the week we could be painting. He's been an absolute rock star and working his butt off. He was on horseback for about 20 hours the last two days; and then goes into the house and gets stuff done. I think he's going to take tonight off and have a much deserved break in his comfy chair. Last time he said that, he didn't do it. But he's been awesome and is a great 'fixer.' I am very lucky to have him and our family and friends who have been so generous with their time and talents helping us with our little project.

Panelling gone

What should appear under the panelling? No glue and sheetrock on 3 walls. I think Cowboy and Justin could have shrieked with joy. The one wall had some glue on it; so its not as pretty. . .

However the decision to rip the carpet out has happend and that will be done this weekend. We are going to be conservative and try to leave it for a while; but then decided its in the way and will be filthy, even if its covered; so goodbye shag carpeting. Its getting pulled in the bedrooms, and living room/dining room. Who hoo!

New house

So we closed yesterday afternoon and here are a few before pictures. Its a nice house; kind of dated with some 70's orange curtains, paint, etc. but nothing a little paint and Cowboy labor won't fix. My hubby is very handy. There will be more pictures later and in process; but this is all I have time for now. I need to get supper to my 'crew' at the other house!

Dining room wall--a lovely sherbert orange. Panelling--check. Green shag carpet--check.

Dining room. Got great windows but lovely orange curtains.

Bathroom--green shag carpet that is already gone. Thank you Cowboy. I have the new linoleum already in my vehicle to go in.

Living room. Nice windows and sexy orange woodburner. I expect Austin Powers to come flying out of it. Its going to be gone before we move in as will the panelling. Carpet may wait as brown I can deal with for a while to save some money.

6 Days!

The countdown is on! 6 days and Cowboy and I can count ourselves as homeowners! Whoo hoo. I am sure my time of coming home and resting/playing on the computer is coming to an end as I have started the massive to do list and its not looking very short. We close on Wednesday afternoon. So if anyone wants a glimpse of the sexy orange woodburner or some nasty shag carpeting, stop on over.

In the meantime I am trying to pick out paint, countertops, etc. so I can get them ordered and we can get a ton of stuff done in the next few weeks so its done before we haul all of our stuff over. I think its going to be a blessing that we can stay in our current home for a month and work on the new one. I've been around sheetrock dust and paint fumes; and I'll pass on living in it if possible.

97% there

So the saga goes. . .



Find house. Check

Make offer. Check

Talk to bank. Check

Wait for appraisal. Check (took to damn long, but its done)

Re-negotiate price. Check

Get estimate from trencher. Waiting

Sewer man. The 28th

We get to move. Closing on the 2nd or 3rd.



So we are about 97% there and it ends up being more in our favor. Yay! Not going to shriek too much, I am sure there is still something to go wrong. But Cowboy says I can at least pack a box or two now :)

Anxiety

So I have decided that being anxious about something is one of the worst feelings in the world. I'd rather just be angry or happy--those are clear cut emotions. But the anxiety I have had the last few days has made me crabby--how fair is that? Not fair to the poor hubby who has to live with me. Throw in a few pregnancy hormones, and wow, not a happy wife. I also hate things that are completely beyond my control in any way--control freak? That is me. Those of you who know me and read this, you love me anyway :) Anyway, I am supposed to hear the answer tomorrow that will make my anxiety go away. I am not holding my breath, but we'll see. So just a little online venting. I am sure there will be a big post if things work out correctly. Mr. Appraiser better be kind. . .