Green Thumb

After my last post, on ripping out the wall and fireplace, Tige and I were getting a little frustrated at the fact that we had all these semi-started projects, and nothing actually complete.  So, we decided to fully finish the backyard.  We are a bit stuck on the wall/fireplace situation, because we have to wait on Karl to come look at the damage before we can move forward.

So, we took Sunday to really spend some time in our teeny yard and with the help of my green thumb of a father, it start to take shape nicely.  Tige and I started our Sunday off bright and early, renting a roto tiller from Home Depot.  We rented a medium sized one, and for the most part, it worked out.  We probably could have gotten the job done a lot faster with the largest one, but then it wouldn't have fit into some of the tight spaces.  Overall, it only took about 1.5 to 2 hours anyway, with the medium sized tiller.

Once the tilling was done and the new soil was mixed in, we sloped everything, for drainage and headed off to Armstrong for some plants and a tree.  I really wanted to do a silver sheen tree, they are one of my favorites; little did I know, they came in bush form too!  I was so excited, we snatched those babies up right away!  We started off with 4 for the time being, due to the fact that there were no more, and we wanted to see about spacing.  We'll need 3 more to finish off the planter.  

As far as the tree goes, that was all Tige.  And I love it!  It's a Japanese Maple tree (I'm partial to Japanese Plum trees, but the maple is quickly becoming a favorite for me too) and the contrast of the purple and the green is just lovely!  Here's some progress pictures:

Here's Zoe, exhausted after all her hard work, LOL!

As you can see, we still need to sod; I've ordered sod for delivery for this weekend, and we can finally say we are almost there!  After the sod comes the outdoor furniture, which needless to say, will not be purchased for a long time, but it's always fun to browse!  We'll also be putting a decorative cap on the box planter, so it looks more decorative and less like a cement form.

Until then...

What did we get ourselves into!

The title pretty much sums it up.  We always knew we were going to rip out the paneling above the fireplace, but I sorta pushed that it get done last weekend.  We started by taking the mantle down, then ripping the paneling down (luckily, it was one big sheet).  Then, since there wasn't much reason to keep the rock, we tore it out too! Unfortunately, after the drywall came down, we found out it was going to be a lot more work...but then, isn't that how everything goes.  There was a lot of termite damage and rotted wood underneath.  Luckily, we did find out that the tenting really did what it was suppose to do!  However, this means that many of the boards, including the header, will have to be replaced/reframed.  We'll then drywall, tile (we'll most likely do Black Pearl granite tiles, to match the granite in the kitchen), hang a mantle and mount the television.

As Promised....

PICTURES!  Oh yeah, and Happy Valentine's :)

Last weekend, Tige and my pops put a drainage system in the backyard and although I sat on the couch all day (hey, I unpacked and organized the whole house by myself, I deserved a break :) I didn't snap one shot of them working :(  I'm absolutely terrible when it comes to pictures!  But, here's the after picture...

Not really exciting, but in reality it is.  There was a horrible open ditch that the former owner put in as a solution for drainage.  Well, she obviously never used her backyard; it was a horrid tripping hazard and eye sore.  This also means we are that much closer to being able to sod and plant greenery!  Because the yard wraps all the way around the house and not one large space directly off the back of the house, I'm hoping the greenery will make the space feel larger then it looks.  Also, the concrete pad was poured kinda wonky, so that also makes it feel smaller; just makes it that much more important we don't clutter up the backyard and keep it open looking!

Today is our contractor's last day;  I feel very bitter sweet about this.  Why you ask?  Well, it finally means our kitchen (and some other small fixes around the house) are done, but it also means he leaves with all our money, LOL!  I think I've gotten used to all the construction all the time, but am thrilled to finally not have to move everything off the kitchen counters every morning before he gets there :)  I wish I remembered to take more pictures during the process, like at the granite yard when we picked out the slab and at Home Depot for 4 hours trying to decide on a back splash; but I didn't!  So, here's the after effect......please excuse a couple things...1. our studio size fridge (we still haven't looked at new ones yet) and 2. the dishes in the sink.  I was in the hurry this morning and didn't empty the dishwasher :)

 I was trying to showcase the brushed nickel can lights, but it didn't really come out.

 

So, Karl should be done grouting today, and I think he may put up the moulding in the light box.  And that's it!  I still have yet to find roman shades for the nook windows and something to fill that space (I'm thinking an industrial looking kitchen cart like this one: 

Then, I guess the yard will be the only project left for a while, until the bathrooms get a make over!

Until then......

Pictures a plenty

I just wanted to send a quick post to apologize for not posting more pictures of the progress.  We had the worst move of our lives last Saturday, and I have spent a week...yes, 1 whole week, putting away everything.  And for me, that is really sayin' something, since I am one of those people who is moved, unpacked AND organized in 1 day.  It really was a terrible experience with the movers.

Anywho....I'll have many "after" photos for you guys in a few days.  Currently (and looking toward the future), we've:
 1. Ripped out the garage innards  and completely organized it.  We hope to drywall it in the future, but that's definitely not at the top of our list.
2. Tige has started working on leveling the backyard; hoping to lay drainage pipe, cover drainage pipe, lay sod and put in some solar lawn lights in the near future.  Probably one of the most important projects we are working on.  On the same note, I need to get my booty in gear and start working on the front landscaping.
3. Tige has experimented with the gutters on one section of the house, the rest need to be installed.
4. Rip out the weird paneling above the fireplace, drywall, install a new, more modern mantel and hang the television.  I would say this project, and the backyard are at the top of our list.
5. At the bottom of the list (need to save money for it) is remodeling the bathrooms.
6. Buy new couch...this is not even on the list if you ask Tige, but I'm hoping to woo him with my ways and see if he'll give in and buy one :)

Putting the house to the real test this weekend...having the families over for a housewarming :)  Have a great weekend everybody!

Inspector Gadget

No, this post is not about cartoons from the 80's, it's actually about the importance of a good home inspector.  And not just any home inspector, the home inspector that does the inspection so that your home can close escrow.  Why am I writing such a boring post?  Because we have come to find out, we had a very s*&#@y inspector.

After we moved in, we were so excited, we just started talking about all the cosmetic things we wanted to fix.  And now, we are over our budget.....but not because of the cosmetic things.  It's because of all the things we found when we were getting ready to do the cosmetic things.  We found holes in the roof, in the stucco, in the garage...holes, holes, everywhere were holes!  When we went back to look at the inspection report, only one small hole in the stucco was mentioned.  So, we ran to the store to get some expandable foam, until we could have our contractor fill the holes.  It was a messy job, but someone had to do it ;)  Oh yeah, that someone was Tige!

When we finally moved in, we were minding our own business, plugging in all our goodies, when we come to find out, we have no electrical to the back of the house.  So, currently, we have a large orange electrical cord running across the whole living room floor to the opposite side of the house, so we can watch television.  1 day later, I go to dry my hair, pop in the little button on the GFI (those plugs you have in your bathroom and kitchen) to get my hairdryer a started, and...pop!  The electrical is working to the back of the house.  So, let's get this straight, the electrical to the back of the house is wired so that when the GFI is working properly in the BATHROOM, then the electrical outlets work.  That's just wrong.  But, when we went to then plug our television into the correct outlets (not the outlets ACROSS THE ROOM), it popped the GFI in the bathroom.  SIGGGGHHHHHH....

So, we have to get an electrician out....oh wait, we are over budget....we'll have an orange cord running through our living room for a while :)

Next on the list, is our pilot light that goes out....every.single.day.  And usually at night, so we get a nice freezing cold shower in the morning.  Although our pilot was not lit when the inspector came, there were other things he could have done to ensure we would have a constant, steady flame.  He could have checked the thermocouple, check our draft hoods (so the wind wouldn't blow it out), etc.  But he didn't, so, we'll probably have to replace the thermocoupler, which isn't expensive, but just another hassle.

For now, we'll end this list there, but unfortunately, I have a feeling we'll find more stuff in the near future.  As much as we are trying to enjoy our home, we are frustrated that we didn't do a more thorough inspection on our own, or hired a second inspector.  You learn something new everyday, and this will be an experience we'll no doubt never forget.