And, of course, are in chaos trying to get our current home ready to sell!
But first, the fun stuff! We chose an agent and bought a house in the same day. Yup - nice, easy paycheque for them, however they DID come through with some great finangling for us to allow us to get the place (and having cute twin babies show up on the doorstep when the current owners were still there MAY have helped too)! On a home that had already had two offers, one above asking, and with another SIX agents asking to be notified if an offer comes through so that their clients can have a chance to respond, we somehow managed to secure this home for 6K less than asking, with washer and dryer included, and not have any other offers (i.e. 2 hour window, so no time to let the others know).
Yah, I know. I'm lucky. This is the second house I have gotten in this manner, when it easily could have gone to competition. I can't explain it, and I don't ask questions. Just know that we are ecstatic, the house is gorgeous, is in a primo location, and will make us very, very happy for a long time!
In other news, we now have to focus on selling our home quickly. Gah. With two little babies at home (and knowing the very reason we are moving is because there is no space for anything anymore), ya gotta know that means a LOT of work to clear the home, clean the home, and get it 'showing ready'. In short order too because if we don't list next weekend, the following weekend is the May 2-4 weekend, and THAT isn't any good for selling. So this means chaos, and a lot of urgent work. In fact, I shouldn't be writing a post at all.
But I had to share.
More details to come. Inspection on Monday and I'll take lots of pictures to share!!!!
Showing posts with label Home Improvement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Home Improvement. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The military brat in me is VERY EXCITED
This is because, my friends, we have decided to call it quits on our little home oasis in lieu of a more spacious bigger, fatter cousin. Loyalty has been there for a number of years now, but with the surprise of two new little sweethearts at home, we have quickly outgrown the limited space.
And that, my dear, makes this military brat a very happy camper indeed. Given that I have moved around all my life, and adapted constantly to new environments, it is simply not in my nature to endure the same living environment once it has become stale. This is by far the longest I have ever lived in one home, one space, and I am frothing at the mouth in anticipation of the excitement of the hunt for the best next option!
So tonight we meet with agent option #2, as last night was agent option #1, and soon - oh so very soon - we will launch into the hunt, list our house, and have some renewed adventure in our lives (because, ya know, it's been rather dull the last couple of years...). Oh goooodie!
We've already started to purge in anticipation, and my stove, thanks to grandma? Spotless.
More to come on this very cool endeavour...
And that, my dear, makes this military brat a very happy camper indeed. Given that I have moved around all my life, and adapted constantly to new environments, it is simply not in my nature to endure the same living environment once it has become stale. This is by far the longest I have ever lived in one home, one space, and I am frothing at the mouth in anticipation of the excitement of the hunt for the best next option!
So tonight we meet with agent option #2, as last night was agent option #1, and soon - oh so very soon - we will launch into the hunt, list our house, and have some renewed adventure in our lives (because, ya know, it's been rather dull the last couple of years...). Oh goooodie!
We've already started to purge in anticipation, and my stove, thanks to grandma? Spotless.
More to come on this very cool endeavour...
Monday, September 20, 2010
Am I in the Amazing Race for Preggos?
You'd think, with all the 'stuff' we've already had to deal with, that at the very least, I could get my home in order. You'd THINK.
I feel like thee must be hidden cameras and a host in the background of my life tuning in at all time to listen to my ideas for what we need, following me around from store to store, and each time I head in one direction, the producers are calling ahead to the store to remove items from their shelves, place out of stock stickers on their hooks or otherwise trip me up with lack of service or lack of product to fit my needs. Then, as I somewhat contentedly pull into my parking spot, struggle to get out of the car without groaning, and waddle toward the front doors, the host voiceover must say something along the lines of "We've placed another roadblock in her path. With her babies due very soon, and her house in shambles, let's see how she handles this latest setback..."
No well, my friends, not well. Patience is wearing extremely thin these days. As of Friday, I will be at 33 weeks. Yes, that's still 7 weeks to term for a normal pregnancy, but folks...nothin' about this pregnancy has been normal.
Oh, and although the drywallers were supposed to be here taping and mudding today, of COURSE they were on another job and didn't show. Of course. Each day that passes, I grind my teeth down further and look at the chaos around me with growing anxiety. I hate living like this!
Sorry, sorry...what brought this on? The discovery of the best way to hang the nursery photos, and trips to three separate stores to get the number of hanging apparati necessary. Got enough to hang about 30% at one store, then ran out, and the other stores are out of stock. Just like the floating shelves I wanted were out of stock at IKEA, and just like the backup floating shelves I wanted at Home Depot were out of stock. And the list goes on. Sigh.
But I'll get over it, and in the meantime, I am sure I won't win the race, 'cause I just don't have the disposition right now, but once they edit the footage, it'll be a highly amusing show, to be sure. Once I find out who's producing the show and when it will air, I will let you know when to tune in...
I feel like thee must be hidden cameras and a host in the background of my life tuning in at all time to listen to my ideas for what we need, following me around from store to store, and each time I head in one direction, the producers are calling ahead to the store to remove items from their shelves, place out of stock stickers on their hooks or otherwise trip me up with lack of service or lack of product to fit my needs. Then, as I somewhat contentedly pull into my parking spot, struggle to get out of the car without groaning, and waddle toward the front doors, the host voiceover must say something along the lines of "We've placed another roadblock in her path. With her babies due very soon, and her house in shambles, let's see how she handles this latest setback..."
No well, my friends, not well. Patience is wearing extremely thin these days. As of Friday, I will be at 33 weeks. Yes, that's still 7 weeks to term for a normal pregnancy, but folks...nothin' about this pregnancy has been normal.
Oh, and although the drywallers were supposed to be here taping and mudding today, of COURSE they were on another job and didn't show. Of course. Each day that passes, I grind my teeth down further and look at the chaos around me with growing anxiety. I hate living like this!
Sorry, sorry...what brought this on? The discovery of the best way to hang the nursery photos, and trips to three separate stores to get the number of hanging apparati necessary. Got enough to hang about 30% at one store, then ran out, and the other stores are out of stock. Just like the floating shelves I wanted were out of stock at IKEA, and just like the backup floating shelves I wanted at Home Depot were out of stock. And the list goes on. Sigh.
But I'll get over it, and in the meantime, I am sure I won't win the race, 'cause I just don't have the disposition right now, but once they edit the footage, it'll be a highly amusing show, to be sure. Once I find out who's producing the show and when it will air, I will let you know when to tune in...
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Fantasy and reality - the week ahead
Just back from a late-nite jaunt to IKEA. Hmmm...the evening of the first day school, university and other educational institutions = not the best night to go! But that's okay, 'cause this Mommy to be has been scoping out her purchases for a while now. Where did I get the energy? From my afternoon NAP. That's Z-Z-Z-Z folks, and it felt great.
Being off work is an odd feeling, but there is so much to do that I have a lot of distractions. It was funny though that my first fully-formed thought this morning was of work and something I forgot to mention before I left! I successfully avoided emailing and diving back in, though. They will figure it out, right?
So this week. I am thinking of it as a mix of fantasy and reality. Part of my week (see IKEA note above) will be spent in the dreamy, fun, highly expectant planning of the twins' arrival. As I decorate the nursery and buy little odds and ends to finish things off, I will be imagining what it will be like to have them here, home, cuddling against me, blinking and waving their little fists...you know...the best of the best of times.
I will also be immersed in no less than three trips to the hospital for a barrage of tests and appointments. This, of course, the reality.
This morning was super fun....the dreaded glucose test. And not the first one, nooooooo.....I FAILED that one, necessitating a second, more in depth and uncomfortable test (can I just say that throughout this pregnancy, I have failed more tests than in the rest of my life combined?) that requires 12 hours of fasting, then drinking a sickeningly sweet 75g of glucose orange syrup, then sitting for an hour, nauseous with the sugar, followed by a blood test, followed by another one hour wait and another blood test. And no, you are not allowed to drink water, walk around or otherwise do anything other than sit. I finally got to eat at about 12:45pm today.
The other appointments? Our regular 2-week ultrasound and doctor appointment on Thursday, and then an in-depth fetal echocardiogram ultrasound at CHEO Friday to look for any issues with either of the twins' hearts.
On the menu for Thursday is a discussion about induction, scheduled c-sections and all the planning to come. After our meeting with the neonatologist last week, we discovered that it MIGHT be adviseable (contrary to the word that we had gotten from the doctors up to now) to schedule an induction. This would guarantee all hands on deck at the precise moment we need them for Baby B's care. While the 'on call' system is apparently excellent, it would be best not to take chances. BUT the dilemma for me is that I want to take both babies as far as possible in gestation, so...when to schedule this? Toss in the fact that these two little goobers have been breech for most of the last three months, and the focus on inducing labour might be a moot discussion, and a scheduled C necessary. I'm resigned to this possibility (while still hopeful that vaginal delivery could still happen) and see the potential pluses to this, not the least of which being the fact that a scheduled C would be the least tiring of the options, allowing Mom and Dad to cope a bit better with the stress of what is to come after the babies arrive. So...yeah...I want to have a good discussion about what we might wish to do moving forward.
The echocardiogram is being conducted both as preventative but also because babies with CDH can often have issues with their heart, due to displacement and pressure. From what I understand, having all those organs squished up there in that small space means the heart is pushed to the side to make room, and it can affect the blood pressure/flow and also the development of the heart. We are hopeful that nothing is amiss...
Aaaaand....basement renos continue. On the menu tomorrow/Thursday is framing to prepare for the electrician. Looking forward to having this come together also. Kinda tired of living in chaos in various parts of the house. Will be nice to have double the living space soon...when this is done, I can have some fun decorating and designing the playroom space down there. More fantasy and imagining...
And meanwhile? The babies continue to play trampoline with my bladder and paddy-cakes through the belly with Mommy.
Love.
Being off work is an odd feeling, but there is so much to do that I have a lot of distractions. It was funny though that my first fully-formed thought this morning was of work and something I forgot to mention before I left! I successfully avoided emailing and diving back in, though. They will figure it out, right?
So this week. I am thinking of it as a mix of fantasy and reality. Part of my week (see IKEA note above) will be spent in the dreamy, fun, highly expectant planning of the twins' arrival. As I decorate the nursery and buy little odds and ends to finish things off, I will be imagining what it will be like to have them here, home, cuddling against me, blinking and waving their little fists...you know...the best of the best of times.
I will also be immersed in no less than three trips to the hospital for a barrage of tests and appointments. This, of course, the reality.
This morning was super fun....the dreaded glucose test. And not the first one, nooooooo.....I FAILED that one, necessitating a second, more in depth and uncomfortable test (can I just say that throughout this pregnancy, I have failed more tests than in the rest of my life combined?) that requires 12 hours of fasting, then drinking a sickeningly sweet 75g of glucose orange syrup, then sitting for an hour, nauseous with the sugar, followed by a blood test, followed by another one hour wait and another blood test. And no, you are not allowed to drink water, walk around or otherwise do anything other than sit. I finally got to eat at about 12:45pm today.
The other appointments? Our regular 2-week ultrasound and doctor appointment on Thursday, and then an in-depth fetal echocardiogram ultrasound at CHEO Friday to look for any issues with either of the twins' hearts.
On the menu for Thursday is a discussion about induction, scheduled c-sections and all the planning to come. After our meeting with the neonatologist last week, we discovered that it MIGHT be adviseable (contrary to the word that we had gotten from the doctors up to now) to schedule an induction. This would guarantee all hands on deck at the precise moment we need them for Baby B's care. While the 'on call' system is apparently excellent, it would be best not to take chances. BUT the dilemma for me is that I want to take both babies as far as possible in gestation, so...when to schedule this? Toss in the fact that these two little goobers have been breech for most of the last three months, and the focus on inducing labour might be a moot discussion, and a scheduled C necessary. I'm resigned to this possibility (while still hopeful that vaginal delivery could still happen) and see the potential pluses to this, not the least of which being the fact that a scheduled C would be the least tiring of the options, allowing Mom and Dad to cope a bit better with the stress of what is to come after the babies arrive. So...yeah...I want to have a good discussion about what we might wish to do moving forward.
The echocardiogram is being conducted both as preventative but also because babies with CDH can often have issues with their heart, due to displacement and pressure. From what I understand, having all those organs squished up there in that small space means the heart is pushed to the side to make room, and it can affect the blood pressure/flow and also the development of the heart. We are hopeful that nothing is amiss...
Aaaaand....basement renos continue. On the menu tomorrow/Thursday is framing to prepare for the electrician. Looking forward to having this come together also. Kinda tired of living in chaos in various parts of the house. Will be nice to have double the living space soon...when this is done, I can have some fun decorating and designing the playroom space down there. More fantasy and imagining...
And meanwhile? The babies continue to play trampoline with my bladder and paddy-cakes through the belly with Mommy.
Love.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Movin' right along!
Finally.
Finally, the carpet installers got here and reinstalled new carpet in lieu of the botched job on the entire upper floor of our house. What does that mean for me? It means we have furniture again, and a spare bedroom again, AND we can FINALLY work on the nursery! I will be snapping photos along the way in order to create a before and after photo album to come soon.
So, moving forward, we have a custom closet 'solution' we are working on, we have chosen some fabric and a friend of my parents' will be sewing curtains and crib skirts, and we have repainted a lovely wood dresser to prepare it to be both storage and the change table. We have both cribs (one is together and the other to be assembled, likely tomorrow) and then from there, it's the little details. Lights, wall hanging (I have a great plan for this, but will surprise you), etc.
Of course, we also have to get the contractor in to tear up the entire basement and rebuild from ground up before October, and create storage solutions in our garage to accomodate the reduction in storage space in our home. So. Lots to still do.
Glad to be able to start!
Got cool reno albums? Took photos of your nursery creations? Would love to see them...!
Finally, the carpet installers got here and reinstalled new carpet in lieu of the botched job on the entire upper floor of our house. What does that mean for me? It means we have furniture again, and a spare bedroom again, AND we can FINALLY work on the nursery! I will be snapping photos along the way in order to create a before and after photo album to come soon.
So, moving forward, we have a custom closet 'solution' we are working on, we have chosen some fabric and a friend of my parents' will be sewing curtains and crib skirts, and we have repainted a lovely wood dresser to prepare it to be both storage and the change table. We have both cribs (one is together and the other to be assembled, likely tomorrow) and then from there, it's the little details. Lights, wall hanging (I have a great plan for this, but will surprise you), etc.
Of course, we also have to get the contractor in to tear up the entire basement and rebuild from ground up before October, and create storage solutions in our garage to accomodate the reduction in storage space in our home. So. Lots to still do.
Glad to be able to start!
Got cool reno albums? Took photos of your nursery creations? Would love to see them...!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Where's my sense of accomplishment?
Right. I forgot. It's being held up by others not doing their jobs.
Yes, folks, my list is getting longer and nothing is moving forward, all thanks to people either doing shoddy jobs, or others just not getting their gears shifted into drive to enable me to move on things. Isn't that just the way?
Meanwhile, I am DEFINITELY gaining inches and weight, and having issues even getting up off the couch, so that later these things get pushed, the worse for me. Not a good recipe. You'd think they would take pity on me, and put me to the top of their list of "People to eventually help out". Harrumph.
So the venting is done. Thanks for your patience.
On another note, I had a great long weekend and got to a friend's cottage for some sun, space and relaxation floating on the lake. That shit is good for the soul, my friends!
What about you? What does it take to take you away from it all? A sandy beach? A hammock and a novel? A patio and cold beer?
Stay thirsty, my friends...
Yes, folks, my list is getting longer and nothing is moving forward, all thanks to people either doing shoddy jobs, or others just not getting their gears shifted into drive to enable me to move on things. Isn't that just the way?
Meanwhile, I am DEFINITELY gaining inches and weight, and having issues even getting up off the couch, so that later these things get pushed, the worse for me. Not a good recipe. You'd think they would take pity on me, and put me to the top of their list of "People to eventually help out". Harrumph.
So the venting is done. Thanks for your patience.
On another note, I had a great long weekend and got to a friend's cottage for some sun, space and relaxation floating on the lake. That shit is good for the soul, my friends!
What about you? What does it take to take you away from it all? A sandy beach? A hammock and a novel? A patio and cold beer?
Stay thirsty, my friends...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The calming influence of chaos - who knew?
The 'transition' has begun. It's sheer and utter chaos in our home right now. We've torn up, torn down and moved around everything in order to start all the renos necessary to prepare for the twins. What's best is that the vast majority of the chaos is being led by my baby-boomer generation parents, who know no end to the energy stores needed to work towards tackling even the most massive projects. Where others intimidate, my fabulous parents dive in. God bless them.
So what do we need to do? We are painting the entire upper floor, including all bedrooms (and the nursery of course). We have ripped out the two closets in the two spare rooms to make way for some custom solutions - can't wait to make a cool cubby-rich option for the twins with little bars for the occasional dress and lots of great solutions for storing their little socks, toys, etc. We have ordered the new carpet and the thickest underpad possible for the entire upper floor and stairs, so the painting has to be done, then we will rip out the carpet and get ready for that installation.
What else? Well, we are having a great friend of ours, a master custom carpenter Tobias create a wall storage, entertainment unit and bookshelf solution for our main floor that will hug three walls spanning the living room to the dining room - if we gotta stay in our great little home for a while longer, we need STORAGE!
We totally have to clean and organize our garage and buy some shelving solutions - it's gonna become a massive storage and workshop area - it never did fit a car in it anyway (stupid builders)...
Oh yeah - and we have to fully renovate and redo the basement to make room for an office/entertainment area and playroom for the twins. We CANNOT have the big toys etc. on the main floor - no room. So, we are gonna try get this done before they arrive. Any great suggestions for awesome contractors? Please feel free to recommend!
Ah yes, and BTW, I will be creating a photo album for the nursery transformation. Can't wait to see THIS...
...become a lovely, fun, vibrant nursery with white and bright stunning photography and colours.
And yes, the chaos means that things are getting done, and that makes Mommy start to relax, because that list above? ... is long, and Momma don't have much time left!
So what do we need to do? We are painting the entire upper floor, including all bedrooms (and the nursery of course). We have ripped out the two closets in the two spare rooms to make way for some custom solutions - can't wait to make a cool cubby-rich option for the twins with little bars for the occasional dress and lots of great solutions for storing their little socks, toys, etc. We have ordered the new carpet and the thickest underpad possible for the entire upper floor and stairs, so the painting has to be done, then we will rip out the carpet and get ready for that installation.
What else? Well, we are having a great friend of ours, a master custom carpenter Tobias create a wall storage, entertainment unit and bookshelf solution for our main floor that will hug three walls spanning the living room to the dining room - if we gotta stay in our great little home for a while longer, we need STORAGE!
We totally have to clean and organize our garage and buy some shelving solutions - it's gonna become a massive storage and workshop area - it never did fit a car in it anyway (stupid builders)...
Oh yeah - and we have to fully renovate and redo the basement to make room for an office/entertainment area and playroom for the twins. We CANNOT have the big toys etc. on the main floor - no room. So, we are gonna try get this done before they arrive. Any great suggestions for awesome contractors? Please feel free to recommend!
Ah yes, and BTW, I will be creating a photo album for the nursery transformation. Can't wait to see THIS...
...become a lovely, fun, vibrant nursery with white and bright stunning photography and colours.
And yes, the chaos means that things are getting done, and that makes Mommy start to relax, because that list above? ... is long, and Momma don't have much time left!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Finally! Our kitchen Reno pix
For everyone who has been asking to see the tranformation, and for anyone who wants ideas or a look-see on kitchen design, take a look at the Before & After presentation deck I did up showcasing our new kitchen. This redesign gave me storage and functionality as well as style that I needed to stay in our little house for a while longer and not have me go insane....
So...what do you think? Show me yours - send links to your transformations too!
Happy Sunday everyone!
The Kitchen Reno
View more presentations from Pamela Stewart.
So...what do you think? Show me yours - send links to your transformations too!
Happy Sunday everyone!
Monday, October 12, 2009
True multi-tasking!
FINALLY. Tomorrow, while at work, I will have a handyman at home, putting up the backsplash and our lights and various other great finishing touches on our kitchen. We took issue with poor execution on our granite counter install, and so it has set our timelines back quite a bit. Now, finally, the finishing touches can be completed, and the vision I originally had will come to fruition. Can't wait.
And all this while I am at work!
Love it.
Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. I have a lot I could say on the topic of thanks, but let's keep it simple. I am thankful for my health, above all else. It's pretty damn precious.
Here's to health and happiness for everyone I know for the coming year and beyond!
And all this while I am at work!
Love it.
Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. I have a lot I could say on the topic of thanks, but let's keep it simple. I am thankful for my health, above all else. It's pretty damn precious.
Here's to health and happiness for everyone I know for the coming year and beyond!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Time and inclination
I haven't been writing much. I have been exploring another addictive social media tool, Twitter. It's quite the powerful play area, I must say! I have found top chefs who tweet about their days or food they are making. I have found winos who tweet about wine cellar resources (BTW www.winecellar.com...? COOL.)
But if I am honest, I am mostly not writing because I don't feel well. I keep sabbotaging my efforts to lose weight and get healthy again. I keep looking for things to do to be happier. I keep just kinda 'going through the motions' of my days, waiting for the next time I can try to get pregnant again. If I am really and brutally honest, I am unhappy. But it's hard to come to terms with that, when you look around and life is no different now than it was before the miscarriages, and in fact, we have more money and are in a better financial position. We have a new kitchen (almost) and our health, which jeeeez....seems like a MASSIVE blessing these days.
This week will be good though. Finally getting the kitchen moving again (granite on one side being replaces, plus the final touches on the cabinets and handles, etc.) and soon we will be able to get our handyman in again and we will then be able to tile the backsplash, replace the plug plates (bought some cool stainless steel ones), paint, install the new light fixtures, and then the only remaining item will be left - whatever solution we figure out for the patio blind/sun block. We have a major challenge because the kitchen design and the high cabinet on the left only clears the patio door frame by 1/8 of an inch. So. We need a solution to mount inside the frame and it will be interesting to see what we figure out. And believe me, with sunshine streaming in from the back of the house, we can't go long without something there. But the rest will be done, and THAT is exciting.
But it is a fleeting, external source of happiness. There's only one thing that will truly make me happy again. Being pregnant again.
Wish me luck.
But if I am honest, I am mostly not writing because I don't feel well. I keep sabbotaging my efforts to lose weight and get healthy again. I keep looking for things to do to be happier. I keep just kinda 'going through the motions' of my days, waiting for the next time I can try to get pregnant again. If I am really and brutally honest, I am unhappy. But it's hard to come to terms with that, when you look around and life is no different now than it was before the miscarriages, and in fact, we have more money and are in a better financial position. We have a new kitchen (almost) and our health, which jeeeez....seems like a MASSIVE blessing these days.
This week will be good though. Finally getting the kitchen moving again (granite on one side being replaces, plus the final touches on the cabinets and handles, etc.) and soon we will be able to get our handyman in again and we will then be able to tile the backsplash, replace the plug plates (bought some cool stainless steel ones), paint, install the new light fixtures, and then the only remaining item will be left - whatever solution we figure out for the patio blind/sun block. We have a major challenge because the kitchen design and the high cabinet on the left only clears the patio door frame by 1/8 of an inch. So. We need a solution to mount inside the frame and it will be interesting to see what we figure out. And believe me, with sunshine streaming in from the back of the house, we can't go long without something there. But the rest will be done, and THAT is exciting.
But it is a fleeting, external source of happiness. There's only one thing that will truly make me happy again. Being pregnant again.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Nuthin to say
Well, obviously, that's not true. I'm typing actual words here! But really? I am engrossed in television and wine drinking and digesting a nice lovely Wednesday meal, and thinking about a tough day of work ahead, juggling all the things I want to get done, and what the heck I can squeeze into my weekend. I am also happy to have had a house full of people this morning at 7am. Yup. I was making coffee, and THEY were studying the mistakes they made on my granite kitchen counter, planning to fix them at no cost to me. Great. Let's make it happen so that I can GET ON with the rest of the kitchen already!
But I am not feeling poetic. I am not feeling philosophical. I am not feeling unique, or possessing of anything all that terribly scintillating to say. I am feeling, as I have said before, in a state of limbo, repetition, process.
I am in process.
Hey.
I like that.
I actually had something to say.
I am a woman currently in process.
But I am not feeling poetic. I am not feeling philosophical. I am not feeling unique, or possessing of anything all that terribly scintillating to say. I am feeling, as I have said before, in a state of limbo, repetition, process.
I am in process.
Hey.
I like that.
I actually had something to say.
I am a woman currently in process.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Curiosity did not kill that cat - I guarantee it
So I love my new kitchen, I really do. BUT.
(There's always a but, isn't there???)
I have learned the hard way that no matter how ORGANIZED you are, you MUST be hyper curious and double check everything. And I mean even the stuff that just seems 'duh'-like. For example. The granite installers came this morning, then said...did you know that you were supposed to put the support beams in for the suspended granite section of your kitchen nook? (Well, they kinda said that, but in broken english and some french - a Quebec company...) Nope. Didn't know that. Apparently neither did Home Depot realize. It was on the installation notes, but apparently this company won't do this. So. Did I confirm, and or think to ask if they knew for sure that this company would take care of this 'little' step? Nope.
Thankfully, we got it resolved within the day, but.
and there's always a but,
I am ever so slightly disappointed with the depth of my new added nook. the granite is EXTREMELY skinny. So much so that a full size plate won't fit on it. It LOOKS great, and from the design makes sense, but, uh, it doesn't function quite as much as I want it to, but AGAIN....I didn't think to ever ask the question - just how thick will this be? And since it wasn't on any of the cabinet design forms, it was really the granite measurement guy that I need to ask, and of course, I didn't. Should he have discussed it with me? Maybe, but then again, they also should have confirmed with me that they expected me to get the counter supports in before they arrived too....!
so yeah...that cat, if it was curious, was brilliant, and got the PERFECT kitchen, without flaws or hiccups. That, I guarantee.
(There's always a but, isn't there???)
I have learned the hard way that no matter how ORGANIZED you are, you MUST be hyper curious and double check everything. And I mean even the stuff that just seems 'duh'-like. For example. The granite installers came this morning, then said...did you know that you were supposed to put the support beams in for the suspended granite section of your kitchen nook? (Well, they kinda said that, but in broken english and some french - a Quebec company...) Nope. Didn't know that. Apparently neither did Home Depot realize. It was on the installation notes, but apparently this company won't do this. So. Did I confirm, and or think to ask if they knew for sure that this company would take care of this 'little' step? Nope.
Thankfully, we got it resolved within the day, but.
and there's always a but,
I am ever so slightly disappointed with the depth of my new added nook. the granite is EXTREMELY skinny. So much so that a full size plate won't fit on it. It LOOKS great, and from the design makes sense, but, uh, it doesn't function quite as much as I want it to, but AGAIN....I didn't think to ever ask the question - just how thick will this be? And since it wasn't on any of the cabinet design forms, it was really the granite measurement guy that I need to ask, and of course, I didn't. Should he have discussed it with me? Maybe, but then again, they also should have confirmed with me that they expected me to get the counter supports in before they arrived too....!
so yeah...that cat, if it was curious, was brilliant, and got the PERFECT kitchen, without flaws or hiccups. That, I guarantee.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Controlled chaos and the excitement of a new kitchen
It's a new feeling for me, just watching something like this unfold before me. I have never had the money to afford to pay others to do home improvement jobs before, and I have to say, I am both excited and bored, patient and impatient, happy and kinda unhappy (I guess - just bummed that I am sitting here while it is happening). I am off for a week, but stuck here at home. Not truly motivated to do anything big, but getting a few little things done...just kinda waiting. (And heading to a workout shortly, of course - gotta beat Kerry and Leslie in the waist-loss challenge!)
but boy, is it looking good! Just wait until you see. There will DEFINITELY be before and after pix coming along shortly, but I will wait to post them.
I will cook some SEXY food in there, let me just say...
but boy, is it looking good! Just wait until you see. There will DEFINITELY be before and after pix coming along shortly, but I will wait to post them.
I will cook some SEXY food in there, let me just say...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The mixed bag day
You know what I am referring to, don't you? The day that has some really great moments and some crapulous ones. The day that makes you feel like life is sometimes just a roller coaster and now that you are on it, you just have to hold on and if necessary, close your eyes (or ignore what you are seeing)...
So what was good? Lovely sunshine. Time on the deck with a glass of wine while I water the lawn and my now lovely garden. Getting some errands done, including freeing up credit on our Home Depot card in preparation for our very exciting kitchen reno. Getting an invitation out to good friends for a full-day social and sport day we have planned on Saturday that starts out on the beach volleyball courts and ends with drinks and food at a friend's home - very much looking forward to it. Great stuff, right?
Then there's the tough moments. Unhappy coworkers and a tough work environment. Taking a multitude of busses to get around town because I didn't have a car today, but I DID have an appointment. Which brings me to the really tough moments. Any time I now go to my doctor's, I face kids. Babies. Pregnant ladies. Lots of them. It's not a fun environment for a woman who has had two back-to-back failed pregnancies. And then the big moment, when my doctor calls my name out, and I look up, and SHE is pregnant. So pregnant that while I was suffering miscarriage, she was happily pregnant. Jeeeeeez. C'mon people! Ya gotta stop! Every day on Facebook - pictures of babies, pictures of growing bellies, status updates about baby heartbeats...and then....visiting babies at work in the hallways...it's a steady stream of reminders. All. The. Time. Over. And. Over.
Okay. I'm done. I am fine. I am sure that we will eventually have a family. I have lots of hope.
And sunshine, a garden and a new kitchen to enjoy and/or look forward to.
So what was good? Lovely sunshine. Time on the deck with a glass of wine while I water the lawn and my now lovely garden. Getting some errands done, including freeing up credit on our Home Depot card in preparation for our very exciting kitchen reno. Getting an invitation out to good friends for a full-day social and sport day we have planned on Saturday that starts out on the beach volleyball courts and ends with drinks and food at a friend's home - very much looking forward to it. Great stuff, right?
Then there's the tough moments. Unhappy coworkers and a tough work environment. Taking a multitude of busses to get around town because I didn't have a car today, but I DID have an appointment. Which brings me to the really tough moments. Any time I now go to my doctor's, I face kids. Babies. Pregnant ladies. Lots of them. It's not a fun environment for a woman who has had two back-to-back failed pregnancies. And then the big moment, when my doctor calls my name out, and I look up, and SHE is pregnant. So pregnant that while I was suffering miscarriage, she was happily pregnant. Jeeeeeez. C'mon people! Ya gotta stop! Every day on Facebook - pictures of babies, pictures of growing bellies, status updates about baby heartbeats...and then....visiting babies at work in the hallways...it's a steady stream of reminders. All. The. Time. Over. And. Over.
Okay. I'm done. I am fine. I am sure that we will eventually have a family. I have lots of hope.
And sunshine, a garden and a new kitchen to enjoy and/or look forward to.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Shopping on a grand scale
It's a uniquely energizing and slightly anxiety-laden experience to spend big-time dollars on big ticket items. Like cars. Like houses. Like NEW KITCHENS! It's a unique feeling, and it is soooooo goooooood!
Husband and I had a hot date with our kitchen reno sales gal (woooohooo, a threesome for my hubby finally!) tonight to see the 3D design of the new kitchen, and go over to confirm all that we were visualizing. Not only did we love it, but it was much less than we expected to pay - and if the idea of a new kitchen feels good, spending less than you thought you would pay is simply orgasmic! Everything was so little, that we chose to upgrade further to thicker granite even. AND, it is all another 15% off right now...
Gosh... this is the best date night I have had in a long time!
Good start to the weekend - hope you have a great one.
Husband and I had a hot date with our kitchen reno sales gal (woooohooo, a threesome for my hubby finally!) tonight to see the 3D design of the new kitchen, and go over to confirm all that we were visualizing. Not only did we love it, but it was much less than we expected to pay - and if the idea of a new kitchen feels good, spending less than you thought you would pay is simply orgasmic! Everything was so little, that we chose to upgrade further to thicker granite even. AND, it is all another 15% off right now...
Gosh... this is the best date night I have had in a long time!
Good start to the weekend - hope you have a great one.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Selling the farm
Well, no, not really. But we ARE selling old (but good) furniture to make way for the new. We have lots of great little pieces (and other, not so great items) that were for the most part either hand-me-downs or donations scattered here and there in our home, and the way I see it is that we are a two-income professional home with more than enough to afford some nicer damn furniture! So yeah...time to transform our home bit by bit, and I am excited.
And did I mention that the work week is almost over and I will be at the Nordik scandanavian spa at this time tomorrow night? That's what I am talkin' about, people!
And...I got more of my gardening done tonight, which also feels good. I can see the spinach, the beets, the beans, the snap and snow peas, the cucumbers, the shallots, the onions all coming up, and already have great tomato and pepper plants (Of any and all variations) on the go. And lettuce! I have planted a pot with arugula and mesculin mix that are coming up alongside all my herbs. Coolness. Will take pictures soon of the garden and post. Should have taken some before shots!!!
And did I mention that the work week is almost over and I will be at the Nordik scandanavian spa at this time tomorrow night? That's what I am talkin' about, people!
And...I got more of my gardening done tonight, which also feels good. I can see the spinach, the beets, the beans, the snap and snow peas, the cucumbers, the shallots, the onions all coming up, and already have great tomato and pepper plants (Of any and all variations) on the go. And lettuce! I have planted a pot with arugula and mesculin mix that are coming up alongside all my herbs. Coolness. Will take pictures soon of the garden and post. Should have taken some before shots!!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Goals and Dreams - A DIY Update
So here it is, the eve of my return to work, and I can happily report that our pantry shelves are in (and look so good, they look custom) and the garden is DONE - D-O-N-E, Done! The fence still isn't completed and the house is SUCH a mess, but it feels good to have some major projects done.
I have been doing a bit of soul searching to try and figure out what snapped and why I have been obsessively working on my To Do list, and I think I have got it. Here it is:
All my life, when I have had a goal/dream, I have been able to work toward it and achieve it. I have had control over that destiny, and have rarely retreated or taken a step backwards. It's not my style. So it has occured to me that the reason I have had SUCH a hard time accepting my miscarriages is because it is a HUGE step backwards in my goals. It has felt, both times, as though I am moving backwards and having to start again, and it has not only unnerved me, it has been VERY hard for me to accept! THUS, the most cathartic response for me has been to do what I can CONTROL, and tackle the home improvements to feel like I am still moving forward with my life, with my plans, and moving towards achieving my dreams. It makes sense, doesn't it? It sure has made me feel better...
And on that note, it is time to clean up the mess from yesterday's garage sale (sold a few big items and all told, took in about $75...not bad, eh?) and go downstairs to our gorgeous new pantry to start organizing and STORING all the items in this house that have never had a place to rest. It is going to feel great!
Not as great as some heat and sunshine would, though - where is our warmth?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Now get out there and SELL, SELL, SELL!
So here I sit, in the time honoured tradition of homeowners everywhere, trying to sell my junk and old furniture outside on my driveway. Some of what I got is junk, admittedly, but some of it is memories, great furniture, and solid value-added material, but still not a bite!
Admittedly, it only stopped raining about 1/2 an hour ago, and the weather isn't exactly ripe for this, but it is an annual community event, and so I thought that maybe that would help....but perhaps I should have put up signs too....
All I know is that I do NOT want this stuff back in my house, so what's a woman to do?
NONE of this is going to be allowed back into my old workshop and onto the new pantry shelves, that much is certain.
Hope my hubby gets here with my Timmy's soon. I'm lonely!
Admittedly, it only stopped raining about 1/2 an hour ago, and the weather isn't exactly ripe for this, but it is an annual community event, and so I thought that maybe that would help....but perhaps I should have put up signs too....
All I know is that I do NOT want this stuff back in my house, so what's a woman to do?
NONE of this is going to be allowed back into my old workshop and onto the new pantry shelves, that much is certain.
Hope my hubby gets here with my Timmy's soon. I'm lonely!
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