Measure twice....

Last week we worked everyday for 10 hours and saw little progress.  That's how it is at the end of construction.  All of the teeny tiny ticky tacky stuff that HAS to be done before move in and takes FOR ever.  Things like caulking, peeling stickers off of windows, cleaning door tracks, closet rods, vacuuming up the dirt and sawdust (again) etc etc.

I spent an entire day drilling holes and installing cabinet drawer knobs and pulls.   The first few times I aimed that drill at those beautiful cabinets was a little intense.  You know how every shop teacher in history gives these instructions at the beginning of a project?  "measure twice cut once" Well here is how my instructions would go...  Measure , mark, walk away and visit to avoid drilling, repeat this step 7 times, check the previous marks, remeasure, start to drill, get the template back out check the markings, start to drill, decided it looks funky so get the level out and level the markings (again) then get the knob out and check the spacing, wait for Shaun to come around the corner to see my progress and say...YES it is exactly the same width as the last 7 times you measured it....just drill the darn thing!  Drill...install... breathe

            Pretty much says it all, don't you think?

We did have some progress over the weekend.  Shaun started the hardwood floors, I finished up all of the door and closet knobs.  They are easy to install...the holes are already drilled!
The boys came over Sunday and we  moved our new appliances into the kitchen.  We also got the washer and dryer and our spare refrigerator out of storage and into the house.  Everything looks great and is in place and ready for the plumber to install them on Monday when (if) he comes.  We did have one minor catastrophe...the spare refrigerator that came out of the Lindale kitchen is 3/4 of an inch too big for the cabinet.  Not sure how this happened since the specs were given to the cabinet maker months ago. {sigh} We are hoping when (if) they get here tomorrow,, they can do a little trimming and make it fit.

Moving in the new refrigerator.  How many May boys does it take to move a refrigerator? Turns out it's three! Thank heavens I have the perfect number of them on hand. *wink*

The new Range!  I will put the grills on after the plumber installs it tomorrow.  OH! and I FINALLY finished the kitchen tile back splash, yeah....

The spare refrigerator being loaded onto the skidsteer to take over to the new house.   Gotta LOVE equipment that makes things easier and saves everyone's back.

 Back for another load.  This picture cracks me up.  Jeremy is driving the skidsteer Robert is riding on the forks on a pallet.  I guess they didn't think the skidsteer could handle the load so Robert brought out the BIG RED dolly.... Work smart not hard...LOVE  my funny boys.

Last week had so much rain we cancelled some of the people scheduled to work on the house.  It was SO muddy it just wasn't worth it.  SO this week we should see the electricians for their final, the plumbers for all of the finish work and appliances, the cabinet guys to adjust and trim for their final, and the semi truck with the stone for the columns and the front of the house. 

Our weather has been amazing!  Warmer than normal with cool mornings. 

We are hoping to be moved in sometime in the next two weeks.

Love and miss all of you
Jeanne
 

 

Growing up

Well, the house is starting to come together. While I have been laying tile I have had a lot of quiet time to think. After we have moved in and settled it will be time for me to get a little more serious about what I want to be when I grow up. What is next for me? I would love to have a photography studio incorporating period costumes and a live photo booth. BUT do I really want to be tied to a retail business????
Can I make location and prop photography work full time? It is SO much fun!



Of course there is the choice of re entering the real world and getting a real job with a real paycheck. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
I have taken the last 2 years off and have come to one conclusion, I am lazy!! I have enjoyed cleaning, cooking and puttering around, enjoyed time to do the yard work. I am looking forward to having a garden and preserving things for the coming year.
The thought of getting a real job is depressing to me BUT the reality is no one is going to pay me to putter around my house and yard. Who knows how long I can putter before I die of boredom?? Who knows!!! SO I guess I better suck it up and decide what I want to be when I grow up. Geez

I LOVE to share the things in my world through the camera lense...What to do?
I know....I know...... I need to focus..... literally!!! HA!

I have found a name for my new photo adventure, Brick Road Photo, and have even started a photo website with some of the photos I have taken. (I know, cart before the horse) www.brickroadphoto.smugmug.com Why Brick Road Photo? I adore bricks! Kind of weird huh? The area of Texas we live in used to be the home to several brick foundries. In fact several of the roads in some areas are still red brick. These brick roads are still being preserved and cared for. There is a romance, a nostalgia if you will, for me about these roads and the people who used them to build this part of Texas. I should also mention that I am a HUGE Wizard of OZ fan! That yellow brick road just begs me to follow it, AND take pictures of what I see along the way!

  I have decided I might just adopt this saying as my own! I only have to hang in there until August. Hmmm ....decisions... decisions

Love to all of you
Jeanne

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Puddles

What is it about puddles that create an unexplainable urge to JUMP IN THEM!  Today in East Texas the puddles are numerous and huge!  Depending on the news channel you listen to we have gotten anywhere from 1.8 to 2.75" of rain since midnight, with more expected through tomorrow.  Of course our puddles are filled with red muddy water, they aren't pretty city puddles. 

Annie was the only smart one today.  She found a spot on the window seat and watched Riker playing outside......
IN THE PUDDLES!

See that nice concrete sidewalk next to the puddle??? Apparently Riker doesn't have the same appreciation for clean concrete to walk on that we do.   It must be a boy thing.  It required a bath to get him house ready.  He got washed off, had dinner, went out and went straight for the puddle!  AAhhhhh! WE NEED GRASS!

So far this week we have finished the kitchen, master bath and guest bath tile back-splashes.  All of the door knobs have been installed and some of the cabinet knobs installed. Shaun has almost finished the shower tile in both bathrooms.  I think he has about had all he can stand of the tile business for a while.  They delivered our appliances yesterday.  Maybe this weekend we can get them installed. It is getting closer!  EXCITING!!!   After we get moved in, grass planted and settled, it will rain again and then WE can spend some time outside jumping in our new puddles!

Love and miss all of you

Jeanne