Friday, July 25, 2008

New Layout

Told you I didn't want to pack.

Moving...


We are moving most of our stuff out of the apartment tomorrow.
The house is not packed up.
Do you think this will be a problem?
If not, what about the fact that the house we're putting it in isn't finished either? Problem?
NAH!
Today I pretty much finished the bedroom! HURRAY! I just need to sand and mop the final coat of poly-going-to-kill-you-thane and the floors will be beautifully done!
We would have the middle floor done by now but sander after sander keeps breakin' down. So, when we finish sanding the edges I'll be all over that floor with stain, like white on rice... but it'll be dark brown.
The kitchen is as ready as it's going to be for a while b/c the floor in there is low priority and there's no need to get the island just yet b/c we have to have some where to put all these boxes!
The front room....well... yea. It's there.
No, we did clean up the floors and they need another sanding and then will be ready for stain also, but we aren't staining them until we get the drywall up and painted... oh yea... about that....
We are thinking now we will connect the two front rooms around the fireplace... more demo! hurray! wait.
No, we are going to get an estimate from some contractors and probably hire them to do the demo and drywall... or atleast the drywall. We could do it but since we are going to be moved in, it would be nice to have some one do it who could finish it in a day or two!
The upstairs is also pretty ready to go but needs a floor... we are also looking for a good deal on having carpet installed with very little luck.
So... that's all....pretty much done aye? hmm

What do I want for dinner?
Drew's in Lexington setting up for the sale tomorrow and I should be packing but no thanks.

There is no food in the apartment b/c it's all packed away for or at the house.
So I've been trying to figure out what sounds appealing since I never get to go out to eat by myself.
Chick Fil A has always been my default but it doesn't sound appealing right now... I might just eat grilled cheese and then give the puppy face to Drew to take me to ice cream when he gets home.
We haven't really had a minute together. And, Graeters (local awesome ice cream that is similar to Braums in Texas but has better ice cream...sorry) is making up FRESH PEACH these days... I'm hoping it will taste like the peach that we got as a family on vaca sometimes from that peach stand that had all things peachy including soft serve peach icecream... I was like 8 and I have never forgotten that awesome cone of peachness!!! (and I dont even really like ice cream that much... I'd much rather cake or brownies..) So far, I haven't found anything that compares. If this does, I'll have to take my parents when they come in town..... speaking of... THEY ARE COMING TO VISIT!!!!
It's going to be crazy, but I'm so glad they are coming!!
They'll be here just in time for my mom to help me deep clean, put in shelf paper (which she is amazingly good at and I royally stink at) and unpack!! Luckily for them, they aren't staying with us so they will not have to be faced with the craziness all the time. I'm hoping it will be a good time to relax for all of us since Drew and I have not stopped since we closed on this house. Seriously, I don't think we've had a whole conversation since then.... but he just called and agreed to ice cream without the puppy dog eyes... this is a very good sign.

So, grilled cheese and zucchini... here I come!! Oh and I am going to get busy so Drew thinks I've been productive this whole time... JUST KIDDING... I just told him the same thing.... but I do need to get a few boxes packed!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Progress

I need to start this post with some praise.
Praise the Lord that he has provided us with friends who have selflessly given lots and lots of time to help us on our house. We had a couple that spent pretty much just as much time as we did in the house this weekend and it blessed our socks off. We couldn't do this without these people. Not to mention the fact that we don't know what we're doing and many of these people are semi-experts on home repair and all that jazz. We even had some guys who came by during the DAY when they were off work to keep sanding the floors. WOW. I can't believe these people and how they have loved us. It can only be the Lord because all good things and all provision flow from him... and why else would these people damage their brain cells and lungs for us?!
Thanks to each and every person that has helped in the house, given us food and drink, encouraged and packed along side of us... and for all of you who are praying for us as well! It's being answered!
That said, here are some photos.... it's been a slow process but after a longggg weekend you will see the progress. It's definitely not where we wanted it to be by now, but we were unrealistic because we didn't know that the floors would have hundreds of miniature staples and nails the pull up, that the sander would break (though we didn't get charged for that day..whew), that stain took a day to dry, that the doors wouldn't fit, that the plumbing leaks and that all that debris would be that nasty and heavy to get rid of... you get the idea! (now you know why I started with PRAISE!!)




These (above) are the pictures of all that was accomplished by Friday: appliances, more painting, cleared out a lot of rubble and cleaning up in general





This is pretty much how it looks right now. All the floors are sanded down, the bedroom received its first coat of stain (not as dark as it looks), we finally got out 99% of the junk in the front room and installed the front door and the kitchen it painted!! Things are coming along!! Tonight I'm staying home to pack while Drew and his peeps finish up any more sanding, stain and install stuff.
It definitely won't be ready by Saturday when we begin to move in... or by the 31st when we will completely move in... but I am learning not to have expectations. Everything will get done in time and any inconvenience is very minor considering the living conditions many millions of people live in around the world every day. It's been hard for me mostly because I begin to feel overwhelmed or let down by all that needs to be done and I miss having Drew all to myself and taking walks and relaxing. We haven't really let ourselves relax except for those precious hours of sleep at night.
Speaking of which, blogging is way to relaxing... and I have things to put on Craigslist and messes to clean up before my friends get here to help me... they will think this place is bad enough even after I tidy up! haha, this has all been a very humbling experience and also the best blessing.
Thanks again every one who has helped (like handyman and jack-of-all-trades Chris pictured above) and prayed for us! We couldn't and can't do this with out you!!!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Too Long

It's been too long my friends, too long.
Many a thing has happened since we last chatted and I am now here (thanks to an allergy attack that cancelled my morning run) to give you the update.

First of all I got a new job and then another and so now I'm working two jobs, which has really cut into my blogging time. With house renovations and a new semester of school, any extra cash is nice so I am working as the assistant I think I already told you about and I am filling in back at my old job at a cafe downtown. It's really not been too bad, especially since I already know the people and the ropes of the cafe and so even though it makes for a long day, it has been enjoyable.
We went to Duxbury, Massachusetts for the fourth of July where Drew's great aunt and her extended family live. It's just outside of Boston. Things you should know, she is 97 and you can be praying for her b/c she has a tumor in her jaw and is trying to regain strength at rehab to move back home. She lives in the house her parents built around 1900 right on an ocean inlet (is that a word?). It's an amazing place. She and her sister never married and travelled the world all their lives and so walking into their house is better than any antique mall I've ever been in.







Secondly, we closed on our house Tuesday!!! We have many many awesome friends who piled into the house that night and basically helped us destroy the inside of the house! haha. It really, literally, looked like a war-zone you see on CNN. In all the rooms they ripped out carpet and in the front room they also ripped out wood paneling, a dropped ceiling, and lots and lots of plaster (that we didn't know what there until face to face with it). They had the front door open and so much dust and junk was constantly billowing out of the door you couldn't even see in! The men that worked in here were black from head to toe, even though they wore masks. One friend in particular, Brandon, walked up to his wife, who was painting in the next room, and when she saw him she screamed and jumped! It was hilarious!!! These guys are so great and I am so thankful to them and for them because they diligently did the grosses job ever! (though I think many of them loved getting to destroy some one else's stuff! haha. Our other friend, Brian, has been telling us for weeks he is ready to tear down anything we will let him get his hands on! haha. All of us ladies (and some men) primed and painted the rooms. We got so much done in just the first day, it was amazing! Last night a lot of the same folks came out and helped us finish up the paint.... well, except in the front room... we are pretending it's not there until we know what to do with it... you'll see what I mean....
I thought about waiting and doing before, during and after pics all together, but that's too easy... you need to see it now I think so you can hold your breath with us to hope for great "after" pics in the weeks to come! This weekend we're sanding and re-staining floors....
**WARNING**
Some of the pictures that follow may be upsetting/worrisome to certain parental units... look with caution! =)




before







during (at least we found the fireplace?!)