While there is plenty going on here at the rental house – a-hem…

 

 

…There’s a flurry of activity happening at the new house too!

Have entered the longest stretch in which I haven’t been at the house. Am itching to be there in person to snap progress photos. Alas, I have to rely on the various contractors to send me cell phone shots. Thankfully, they understand how crazy i am that I write a blog and have happily signed up to share pics with me. They also didn’t know they had signed up for daily text messages from me asking how it’s going.

Oh yea – they loooove me.

So, my friends, these will have to do for now. My apologies. But next week – next week! – I’ll be back with high quality images for you!

Yes, that would be next week….When I’m LIVING in the house. eeekkk!

Let’s start with the roof. Let’s start at the top and work our way down, shall we? During the home inspection it was determined that a new roof was on the agenda. Much to my checkbook’s horror. There is quite a bit of dry rot, it had a few leaks, other misc repairs, and is generally old. The roofer showed up last week with his trailer…

And his crew thoroughly stripped the roof down to nothing…

With the roof exposed, the first inspection from the county happened Tuesday. Material is showing up today and any dry rot or other repairs will take place. Then – a new roof!

Paint! Our painter is quickly working his magic on the right side of the house. The kitchen is done, but I’m waiting for updated photos with cabinets back in place. we stuck with the original doors, but sanded, primed and painted them…And added new hardware. The kitchen remodel is months away so we just needed a clean-up to get us through until then. Here’s where we were end of last week…

 

 

The brick over the range needed a major de-greasing before primer and paint. Before…

after de-greaser…

after primer and paint…

The brick section between the kitchen and living room is also primed now…

Dining area…

Living room…

Walls are finished and the fireplace is primed…

Can’t wait to share the fireplace color. Went a little bold for even my own taste. But I could stand to take the risk, because chances are this fireplace will go during the kitchen remodel…

The family room/playroom is done…

 

The laundry room is done too. They are currently working on the master suite and will end this big job in the garage. Can’t wait to share the full paint run down, with much better photos, next week. Many of you have emailed to request paint colors. I do reply to e-mails so if you can’t wait and have a paint job in the near future, e-mail me and I’ll share the list.

Moving back outside, the french drains are completed. After weeks of the house perimeter looking like this…

 

 

Wow, so pretty!…

 

I can officially say we have a drainage system that should be fail proof. This property better look as beautiful as Augusta national after the first official downpour. 😉

The pool. Oh, the pool! Sadly, we are still looking like this…

The gunite is watered twice daily…

 

 

Waiting for the coping to arrive so we can get going on the pool finishes. Safe to say this baby will not be ready by move-in. Can’t win them all, I suppose. But I have to admit, I’m sorta happy there is a delay. Because that means I’ll be there for the finish install and I want pictures of that! 😉

Tree trimming is taking place over several days. Sadly, many of the trees around the house are in their twilight years or have already died. Or larger trees are dwarfing otherwise healthy trees by stealing the sunshine. So, the property is getting a good clean up. Before I left the house on my last trip, they conquered the driveway.

Before…

 

 

During…

 

After…My heart sank a little, but it needed to be cleaned up (and the moving truck needs to fit) and they assured me it will grow back much better…

 

 

 

Sewer line cleaning. Don’t worry, I won’t be sharing pictures of this job. During the home inspection we found out a line needed some clean-up and work. It’s a line that runs from our house and onto a neighbors property. Happy to say I met a new neighbor…Over a sewer line. What a way to break the ice. Next up – “hey, do you mind splitting the fence cost with me?”. Good thing I picked up some southern charm while living here. 😉

Anyway, that job takes place this week. And works really well considering the yard is ready for more holes and more dirt production. *Insert sarcasm here*

Other jobs coming up soon (this is just the beginning of the list, people!)?

* Install of deer fencing in the front yard – between the house and the walking trail. Not familiar with deer fencing? I wasn’t either until introduced by the fence company. Since the kitchen window faces the trail, I’d like the fence to appear as invisible as possible, but still have a fence up for security and to keep critters out. Here are some great examples…

 

 

* Addition of a mechanical gate at the house end of the driveway. This is for added security since we are living on the trail and have a child on the spectrum that wanders. Something similar to this or wood, not sure yet. But I will definitely add pillars and lights during the front yard landscape work…After I win the lottery that is…

 

* carpeting will be installed in the kid’s bedrooms next week before the moving truck arrives. Whew, just in time! Chose a tigressa grandiose carpet in gateway arch…

Appears much lighter in person than the swatch I found online.

* Swing set – I scored an awesome (way over the top) swing set for 25% off! It was a floor model and they needed to clear space to display a trampoline. Sign me up! Install will be 2 days before the kids arrive. So while the pool likely won’t be ready, at least there will be something for them to do at home while mom finishes unpacking boxes…And until school starts a couple weeks later – Ha!…

p.s.  Dad, you’re off the hook and won’t need to help build us a fort after all. 😉

Back to packing over here. Tomorrow I’ll share some progress pics from box land. Have some great news though – it appears we may be done packing and loading by Thursday night or Friday morning. Which means this lady (plus a cat) may be California bound on Saturday afternoon, instead of Monday!

Back soon!