If the house is rockin, don't bother knockin...
If the house is rockin, don't bother - just come on in. (Cause we could use the help, people.)
Get your mind out of the gutter! I'm 5 months pregnant. The only reason our house is rockin' these days is that there has been a never-ending parade of construction activity for the last two weeks. You may remember that we'd started a remodeling project that will transform my craft room into a half bath, laundry room, and pantry. We figured while we're at it, might as well follow through with our plans to re-do our kitchen. And you know, while you're ripping out cabinets, might as well clean up the 1950's wiring while you're at it, right? Oh and those old cast iron pipes? Those should probably go too. And I hear those tankless water heaters are nice. What? We we would need new plumbing lines for the entire house in order to accommodate the tankless water heater? No time like the present! The multiple layers of linoleum representing each decade from the 1950's to the present gotta go. But I hear those old tiles might have asbestos in them. Now where to get asbestos testing done?
And so it goes. We've done a fair amount of remodeling prior to this project. I can sweat a joint (really!) and Derek has learned some pretty impressive carpentry skills along the way. And those past experiences taught us one rule ... that a project costs 50% more than you budget for and takes 3 times as long as you think it should. This project has been no exception. Plus there's the fun of trying to keep a toddler out of the mess. I know, I have a very strange sense of "fun."
But it's going well so far. We passed our electrical inspection, and plumbing/structural inspections should happen this week. Cabinets have been delivered and are filling our living room (floor to ceiling!). My favorite part? The GIGANTIC drill that the electricians used last weekend to drill through the studs. It looked something like this:
Then, today the plumber brought out one that was EVEN BIGGER! He used it to drill through the brick to fix our outdated outdoor spigots. (I'm still wondering how that's connected to the kitchen/half-bath project, but I quit asking questions.) These dudes do not play around with their tools. Tim the Tool Man Taylor would be proud. Arr, Arr, Arr.
Check back in at Christmas ... the goal was to be completely and totally done by then. If we can have Christmas Dinner at our house, I'll be pleased. If that Christmas dinner is another bowl of soup in the microwave & grilled cheese on the George Foreman grill, I will not be pleased. Cause Jan 1, we got to get crackin' on another nursery.
Posted at 08:48PM Oct 24, 2009 by Jen Foster in General | Comments[7]
I can totally relate to this posting. And guess what! It is time again for us to do it all again, too. If only things would never need updating or better yet, never wear out. So, in another 15 - 20 years if your still there......
We will have to pop over sometime to see the remodel. I bet it is looking super. You have done such a great job with making that house a home, I bet it looks great.
Posted by Aunt Ali on October 25, 2009 at 02:46 PM EDT #
Hi there! Got your blog off of Facebook. Having the house under construction is tough, especially with kids! We just went through a kitchen upgrade and was without a cooktop for 3 weeks! Hope all goes well and the project turns out just how you wanted!
I am TOTALLY counting on Christmas dinner at the Fosters!! What a challenge this has been for you guys but what doesn't kill ya only makes you stronger!!Who makes up that kind of stuff.....?? Love, AJ
Posted by AJ on October 30, 2009 at 12:00 PM EDT #
Please post pictures of the progress!
Posted by Bethany Watkins on November 01, 2009 at 07:46 AM EST #
I hear ya cuz! We have been dealing with our 1947 home... painting the outside which has only made the cracks in the concrete more noticeable... fixing our broken heater, which of course broke when the high was 27 degrees... cleaning up the flood from our water heater... it is always something with these houses! At least our only toddler is our dog, and she doesn't cry when you make her stay in the other room! Good luck! I cannot believe how busy you are. It makes me tired just to hear about what all you are doing! See you in 3 weeks!
Posted by Aunt Jamie on November 01, 2009 at 08:35 PM EST #
PS. your last post about your anniversary made me think of a baby boy name "Sullivan" after the place where you guys met! You could call him Sully or Van for short! :-)
Posted by Aunt Jamie on November 01, 2009 at 08:37 PM EST #
