Game changer closet

I have been wanting to redo the closet in the kitchen for a LONG time now.  And finally found almost the exact thing I wanted at Home Depot and on sale.  Ryan said he would make it fit so I ordered it.

A week later it arrived... it was like Christmas!  I went and picked it up by myself.  Helped the team get it to all fit in my car - good thing it's BIG. 

Brought it home and unloaded it in the garage by myself.  Then had to patiently wait for Ryan to give me the go ahead that we could build it.  I think it was a day.

Ryan spend the morning prepping and getting ready while the girls and I went to soccer. Then went we got back the whole family worked to build it in the closet.  We actually had to build it in there - it's going no where!

And the result!  I LOVE IT!  It works so great.  I feel like it opens up the kitchen a lot.  I'm still working on getting thing where I want them but it's close.  And the girls know right where all there stuff goes.  Perfection!

Freezing Temps and no power

So it has been down right frigid here... No joke.  Like 0 or below in the morning and then a high of 10 if that during the day.  And it just figures that we would loose power on the coldest of days.  3:00 am - lights start to flicker, followed by this horrible buzzing sound and then dim lights and low voltage.  A brown out.  Basically the same thing because we have to kill the power to the house so everything doesn't get fried. 

Well since we'd been talking about buying a generator since this summer when we lost power, I decided we had to this time or drive to Mary's and pick up there to borrow.  Thanks to Sam's Club who came through.  Normal open time is 10:00 am... well I called at 7:00 am when they have these special hours and asked if there was anyway we could come buy a generator as we had been without power all night.  And a wonderful nice lady asked the manager who said it was okay.  They even had the generator I requested waiting for Ryan to pick up.

A couple hours later... generator hooked up... a couple hours after that... power back on.  But oh well - we now have one for next time.

SOLD!

Finally after 9 long months... we have sold the lake house.  After a very drawn out process with the buyers, yesterday, everything went smoothly.  Very long, but smoothly.  We were there 2 hours!  The new owner is very nice and seemed to genuinely love the new place and kept complimenting Ryan on all his work - which made him feeling a little better about selling it after all the sweat, time and money he put into it.  So we are happy to say (finally) that we are the proud owners of 1 house!  What a great feeling!

House Closing Take Two

New word on the street... we are closing on the lake house on Friday at 5:30 pm.  Can it really be true this time?!  Let's hope so!  Here's to praying that we only own one house this weekend.  How great would that be?!!

Geyser in my basement

One of my my normal weekly chores is laundry.  Now typically I don't mind doing laundry, but tonight brought about a new issue.  Not stains or missing socks or no laundry detergent... not tonight I made a geyser!  Literally.  I was upstairs working on wedding craft, and I thought I heard water.  Well I did.  It was spraying about 4 feet high out of our septic pump in the basement.  Not good.  Picture this! Well it probably wasn't that bad, but in my mind this is what it looked like.

And of course, where is Ryan?  He's at golf, so it' s just me and Joey (the dog) and he was no help.  So I try to turn the water off, by turning the knob... nothing happens.  So I run upstairs, grab the phone, call Ryan hoping he answers on the golf course... and luckily he does.  In a panic, I try to describe what's happening... I think it went somethign like this... Me: There is water spraying everywhere and I can't get it to stop.  Ryan:  From where?  Me: The hole in the basement floor, the pump, septic, you know that thing.  Ryan: From where?  Me: You know the thing where the water is... it's spraying all over the place.  Ryan: Unplug the pump from the wall.  Me:  Okay.  And immediately it stops the spraying... really that's all I had to do.  Me:  How do I fix it?  I'm in the middle of a load of laundry?  Ryan:  Just wait until I get home.  Oh dear!

Well he got home, checked it out and the check valve just came off.  Hopefully tonight he can fix it and I can finish that load of laundry. 

Lost another buyer

So after receiving another offer on the lake house which was way better than the first, we should have known that something was up.  After negotiating and going back and forth for other a month, the buyer walked after we wouldn't agree to giving her almost $14K off her initial offer after we already gave her a new garage roof and upgraded the electrical. 

So frustrating, but I'm hoping a better buyer is out there and they should be quite happy since the house is almost completely redone from 8 months ago.

To end with a quote I saw on Facebook... "Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end."

I love home

You realize when you've been gone for a few days how nice it is to just be at home.  I got back from Louisville Saturday night after my flight was delayed 2 hours.  Ryan picked me up from the airport and we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Rooster in Belleville and then headed home.  I was ready for bed.

Then Sunday morning, we woke up bright and early and headed to church and then met with Pastor Tom about joining the church and if he would marry us.  And he agreed!  We feel that we have developed a strong relationship with him and then he knows us a lot better than Paster Rob who has only met us twice.  I think Pastor Tom will do a great job!  This Sunday we will officially become members of Christ Our King and Ryan will also be confirmed.  Such wonderful times and I'm so glad we are going through it together.

After church, it was back home to spend some quality time outside working.  We raked leaves, cut the ornimental grass, mowed some grass, cut branches, and cleaned up by the barns.  Ryan had finished rolling the yard on Saturday.  The yard is looking pretty good!

Spring... is that you?!

Sunday... what a beautiful day!  Started the day by losing an hour, but not to worry - I made sure to maximize my time awake.  Up at 7:00 for church (let Ryan sleep in after tearing off the roof and re-roofing in 2 days).  After church, our new member class - Ryan joined me for that.  Then off to Walmart and tanning... yes I went tanning. I know I'm not supposed to but I don't want to be a ghost for the wedding.  Then home to do some work outside because the thermometer says 65!!!  Yes... that's a 6 and a 5... and to top it off - it was sunny!  So I rake branches.  We had one tree that first lost all it's leaves and then decided to shed branches... not just a couple... a lot!  Here's the pile.

Then I decided I'd be nice and pick up Joey's presents that he leaves up.  Ryan usually does it, but he worked so hard on the lake house roof that I figured it was the least I could do.  And main there was a lot!  But all cleaned. 

Next, I tackled the leaves.  We still have like 8 trees that haven't lost any of there leaves.  I'm pretty sure they are waiting until like a week before wedding to let them fall, but oh well.  Lots of leaves had collected around Joey's kennel so I raked then all up. 

Lastly, moved to the house and decided to wash a few windows.  I stopped after 6 because I realized I should probably be washing the window sills and all at the same time.  Didn't want to be counterproductive.

Ryan came home and had invited a few friends over... Mike and Jullee and their sweet daughter Ava.  So we walked the lane with them and then played catch with Ava and talked outside for a bit.  Had to take in as much of that sun and warmth as we could.

Spring... I hope you are here to stay!!

Offer... Accepted

We received some great news on Saturday - very unexpectedly too.  Our realtor called us Saturday afternoon and asked if we were going to be home so she could bring over on affer we got.  WHAT?  An offer!?  No way!  We were so excited.  Ryan, so much that he couldn't stop pacing after we got the call.  Our realtor showed up and presented the offer... low, but workable.  We countered, and they countered and agreed.  We had accepted an offer.  OH MY! 

So now more praying that the inspection and appraisal goes through and we have no glitched.  Here's hoping!

No cold water... WTH?

So for the past few days, we really haven't had much cold water.  Yes, I said it.  Cold water.  You turn the water to cold and it's lukewarm, and sometimes it just hot.  Really?  Is that possible?  So Ryan calls up the water people and have them come out.  We are worried that something is broked.  So after lots of pipe tracing and examining.  They find the cause.  It turns out that our air conditioning that runs have circulating cold water through the pipes, has a valve that needs to be turned off.  So in nutshell, we were actulaly cooling the water first, and then circulating it through the pipes and making it hot.  Sounds real effiicent, huh?!  But we turned the valve off and now we have cold water again.

Valentine's Day

So our first Valentine's Day!  And it was perfect.  We decided to not get each other gifts and instead bought an awesome new chandelier for our kitchen.  Yes, we finally replaced the hideous light that had been there.  I laugh because I swore that was the first thing I was going to replace and here - 6 months later it was still there.  But now it's gone and our kitchen is complete!

After work, I headed home to make our Valentine's Day dinner.  I was greeted with beautiful red roses and a card and a fire.  Great thing to come home too. Then I made a yummy dinner of filets (thanks to Dad's gift of Omaha steaks) with a rich balsamic glaze  and lemon risotto with asparagus.  We were so full that I totally forgot about the cheesecake in the freezer.  Oh well - we'll save that for another day.

Wood burning fireplace

So after having a not functioning gas fireplace for a couple months... Ryan took on the challenge (per my request) and converted the fireplace to a wood burning one.  And the best part... it has gas ignitor.  So you turn the key, light the gas burner, which then lights the logs.  No more working to get it lit.  It's so great to have the fireplace back and the best part it doesn't cost us money to run it!  Nice work Ryan!

Bathroom Update

Well after a really early morning for me (had to teach at 6:00 am) - first morning class in over 2 weeks.  Ouch!  I forgot how early 4:55 am comes.  But I digress.
This is a bathroom update... and I'm happy to report that the new faucet is in place (a picture here probably would have been nice, but I was so excited I forgot to take one)!  And then I declared last night - a night to relax!  And it was much needed.  Let's just say I feel asleep again on the couch about 8:00 pm.  Tonight, we go back at it and I will be staining the toe kicks for the hutch and Ryan it going to hang the mirror and a few other hardware items in the bathroom.  Oh and maybe put the toilet seat on!  Please!

Operation Put the House Back Together

After another busy weekend, we are sooooo close to being completely finished.  We are having the Ewald Christmas at our house this Saturday so there is motivation to finish everything.  Really the only things left are so small finish work.

Weekend Wrap up:
Thursday night - finished sealing the tile!  Finally! 

Friday - We took the day off to give ourselves an extra day.  "Operation Put the House Back Together" had begun!  Ryan started by measuring for the trim in the closet, I started cleaning the tile and a little bit around the house, and then after making our list, we were off to Home Depot to get the supplies. While there we also get the towel bars, toilet paper holder and other bathroom hardware, a few paint samples for the kitchen (which I didn't like) and who knows what else. 

Also while out, we discovered the most awesome little deli that is only a few miles from the house - Bread Basket.  It should totally be featured on Man vs. Food for their enomous sandwiches - so yummy!!

Things completed

-Trim painted

-Stove back in place

-Closet doors hung

-Drywall work in the bathroom

Saturday - I started with painting the bathroom - a bright blue - looks awesome.  Ryan cut the trim and put that into place - all the closets done.  We put the frig back into the kitchen and get the water hooked back up.  (I love that water thing on the frig).  Mary stopped over aftter her shopping trip to AA and was the first person to see the finished tile job - and gave it the thumbs up.  More cleaning and organizing. 

Then around 2:00 pm, I decided that we should paint the kitchen... red!  Well roasted pepper to be exact and it turned out to the great choice! 

Sunday - a day of rest - yeah right!!  I went to church and Ryan started working on the bathroom.  Our goal was to get everything back in so that this week he could hook the new faucet up.  And mission accomplished.  All the trim and shoe molding is up.  The vanity back in place with the new countertop.  Toilet is set.  And the shower curtain is back up.  Go Team RAD!

A before and after of the kitchen

Before

After

Before

After

Kitchen Tiling Project - Day 8

Woo hoo! Bathroom tiling project is done!!  Ryan finished sealing the floor tonight.  Next step - paint and then move the vanity and toilet back in.  Oh and put the door back on!  Can't wait for that!

More good news!  Half of the kitchen is finished too!  Ryan sealing the appliance side of the kitchen tonight and tomorrow we are moving the appliances back in.  So so so very happy for that.  The refrigerator in the hallway is driving me crazy because you can only open the door so far.  Also not having the dishwasher means that one half of the sink can't be used anymore because it floods the cabinet underneath.  And my stove... yeah!  I can actually start making dinner again!

Kitchen Tiling Project - day 7

Another step complete! Ryan finished grouting the kitchen! Woo hoo! Now we are one step closer to being finished. Hallelujah!! Progress is being made.

I finished the laundry and did some serious cleaning around the house. Progress but still a disaster. Once the kitchen gets put back together all will be good.

It's back to work tomorrow... Loved this time off. Good news it is a short one!

Kitchen Tiling Project - Day 6

And on the 6th day, he rested.  Oh no wait! That's not how that goes.. but that is what I did today - rested.  Ryan - well not so much!  He's a hard worker and he did not rest.  He started grouting the bathroom about 5:30 pm and finished before 7:00 pm.  Then decided to keep going since he still had lots more grout made.  Was planning to only grout part of the kitchen (the appliance area), but about 10 minutes go, said he's going for it.  Not sure what that means, but I think it means he's on a mission.  Go honey go!

Bathroom grout drying - then we buff it tomorrow and seal it Tuesday

Grouting the kitchen

We also had some more visitors - Mom and Dad and Jacob came down and did give us a nice break in the afternoon and took us to lunch.  So nice!  They were the first ones to see the finished tile job - and it got rave reviews (not that we were worried, but nice to hear).

Kitchen Tiling Project - day 5

One more day of tiling! WE CAN DO IT! We finished tiling the eating area of the kitchen and the 2 closets. It looks awesome!

We also got a nice little break and visit for Alicia, Bill, Lyla and Will. It was quick but so happy we got to see them. 

Back to tiling, a quick trip to Lowe's and then Meijer for some supplies... then home to finish the project - hopefully before the new year (or at least that was our goal).  And we made it... 9:08 pm we laid the last tile! 

Final tile laid!

Kitchen Tiling Project - Day 4

Oh my... It's the never ending tiling project! Today we started tiling the kitchen... We started back where the stove goes and worked our way out - but not before lots of measuring and laying out. Wanted to make sure we didn't end up with an odd piece at the end.

Start time (after we got everything set up and measured) : 12:08 pm

End time: 10:30 pm (after laying over 100 pieces of tile).

We just keep saying how much bigger it makes the room look.  And so far - we are loving it!! And that's good because we are never ever changing it! Oh how I love tiling!!!!! 

The progress before and after...

Before

After

Tomorrow we finish tiling the kitchen and then grout the bathroom.  Happy New Year to us!

Kitchen Tiling Project - Day 3

Day 3 - a full day of work. In the morning we finished putting the Durock down in the eating area and kitchen - that took until about noon.

Next we taped up the seams with some fiberglass tape and then I spread more mortar over that to hold everything together. After that we were ready to tile!

Finished and ready for tile

Bathroom first - smaller job so we could practice before tackling the huge kitchen. We set up the tile saw in the garage because it uses water to cut - would have really saves time if it was much closer but worked great. Ryan was the measured and cutter. Then once the tile was ready to lay- I buttered it with mortar (really that's what it's called) and Ryan spread mortar under it and then set it and put the spacers in. Okay so really - there is mortar under the Durock, screws holding the Durock in place, tape and mortar holding them together, more mortar on each tile and under the tile... If this stuff moves at all - we must have had an earthquake!!

Ready...

Half way

Finished!!

So after 3 days... Durock put down and seamed together - Check; Bathroom tile down and ready for grout - Check; Ryan and I still talking and as happy as when we started - Check!

Tomorrow we start the kitchen - oh my!