What a wonderful weekend! I got to spend good quality time with my girlfriends and then return home to my husband and project! The weather was perfect for both events.

Yesterday, I planted bushes in the front yard while Dave tore down the ceiling in the living room. We spent the rest of the afternoon clearing the debris and cleaning the mess. He looked like a coal miner he was so dirty! Not that I was anywhere close to clean.

The electrician is there today running some wires. I think we need to purchase a toilet and a sink this week so that once the tile comes, it can be laid and the fixtures can be installed! So ready for a full bathroom. So over showering at the gym. I think we're still about 3 weeks away.

Memorial Day Weekend

Well, the kick-off for white wardrobe is here! Like that makes a difference. Come on! There's work to be done in a dirty house---no place for white clothing.

Last night we ordered our tiles! I'd like to send a shout-out to the most helpful sales associate I've ever met: A Guy named Chris. He sat with us until well after the store closed and processed our order. AND gave us a discount. He rocks. His Karma count is high.

We're going to use a black slate for the bathroom floor and accent it with white subway tiles on the walls. In the kitchen, we went w/ a 20x20 tile, pretty neutral color. I think maple cabinets will complement them well. Of course, it's going to take some time for the tiles to be delivered, so we are not as close to a finished bathroom as I thought. It's OK! A couple more weeks won't kill us. I was told that the place is 'uninhabitable' which I promptly and viciously disputed--we've been inhabiting it for weeks now and we're still alive. I rest my case.

This weekend I was granted time off for good behavior. Dave is sending me on my way to the Eastern Shore with my girlfriends, and a clean bathroom w/ shower. He's going to demo the rest of the main floor ceilings. Something I guess we should have done in the first place. We know, we know...

This week, the electricians came and wired up the kitchen. I have high hats! Recessed lighting is awesome. The place is so bright. I can't wait to see it when it's done. I hope I haven't forgotten how to cook.

Mid-May

Here we are. It's May 17th. Where did this month go? About to pay our first mortgage payment on this place. I like how they wrap the real first mortgage payment into your settlement day...Doesn't hurt as much when the number is so big.
Last night we measured the newly framed kitchen. I suggested we expose the brick in the eating area. I have to admit, I hate the idea of more demolition. What? The Demo Diva doesn't want more dust? Impossible. Yeah, it's true. I just want to build now. But, that wall is U-G-L-Y as is, and I think it would be a nice touch, and very Cap Hill to expose the brick. We'll see where we stand at the end of the weekend.

Poison Ivy---who knew?

Well, it was in my 5x5 front yard. Yeah, I got it. No, it ain't pretty. No, I'm not happy about it. Yes, it itches. I'm looking at a two week sentence of having this thing on my body. Not easy for a Diva to deal with.

Not too much to report on the house. We need to head to a store to layout measurements for cabinets. I think that may happen tonight. We'll see.

The Hole Sha-bang

So Friday finally came. I was a happy girl by the end of last week. I had woken up on Tuesday and was sure that it was Thursday...signs of a long week to come. But Friday came and I was more than happy to get back to the house and finish my window well. Yes, it wasn't a one day project. No, that didn't bother me one bit. Went to the Depot and found the metal 'ring' for the well, and I brought it home to install it. Low and behold, I had dug the hole too big. Who digs a hole too big? Why is digging a hole so much more involved than I had thought? Lesson: everything takes longer than you think it's gonna take.

Either way, it's finished and I could move onto other yard projects. I took down the old white-ish picket fence that was there, then the Hubby came out and suggested we get rid of the chain link. Then I decided I didn't want the box hedge anymore, so that came out (I got to use the saws-all for that one). And the next thing you know, neighbors were commenting on how beautiful the house looked! And we haven't planted a single thing :)

The weekend produced brand new plumbing, a framed out kitchen and bathroom, and a backyard full of debris. I'm so happy with how the place looks. It's really a home . . without a kitchen or full bath, but STILL---really a home.

Morning Repairs

Simple tasks don't seem to be so simple in this house. This morning:
We're preparing for the plumber and the pending water 'shut off' which will have to take place for him to do his work. We thought we'd fill the laundry tub so we could have water for flush, etc. We've got this problem SOLVED! What problem? NO PROBLEM!

6:15am--filling the laundry tub, things are going swimmingly (pardon the pun), until I hear, "oh sh*t" and look to see my husband standing over a puddle in the laundry room. A leak! Lovely. It was really no big deal---I think the tub had a crack. Add that to the list of things that need to be repaired. Home ownership. Ain't nothing like it.

On another note--my better half finished demoing and cleaning out the bathroom. It looks AWESOME. I can't wait to see it when it has drywall, and a toilet, and a tub, and a sink, and a mirror. . .

Mental Health Evening

Last night no work was done. Absolutely none. Actually, that's not true. I did make it to the store to pick up beer. We looked at our load-bearing wall and decided it's time to bring in a carpenter to work on it. I think it's the smartest decision we've made yet.

Talked about tile design, and bathroom layout. I'm so excited to see what this place is going to look like. I can imagine it, I just can't wait to live in it!!!

Window Wells and the Inaugural Hole

I've dug a lot of holes in my life. Sometimes several in a day. I'm pretty sure my childhood was a boot camp, but my Dad calls is a 'benevolent dictatorship' so the jury is still out on that one.

But the hole I dug last night was an exciting one. I was moving my own earth. A prideful moment, I'd say. We have to install a window well around the front basement window. I guess it keeps water out (the #1 destroyer of homes). So I got myself a shovel and started to dig. I don't know why I'm so happy with this hole; it's not even that deep. Country girl--I like to be close to the soil, I guess. I wouldn't really call this 'soil' though. It's definitely city dirt. Give me a year or two...I bet I can make things grow there.

Haven't picked up said window well yet. Can't seem to find one. Back to the Depot we go. I better do it before it rains...

A Sunday at Home

Great weekend. Hard work happening all over the place. The bathroom is completely gutted. The clawfoot is now sitting in the hallway. Plumber came on Saturday to give the firm accounting of what it's really going to take to outfit this place. We're MOVING! This project is on a roll.









Sunday was spent in the house, all day! Our first full day of nothing but being at home. Lots of measurements were taken and we got the chance to go to Home Depot and speak with a kitchen consultant. He was great -- it was nice to finally get someone who was willing to help.

The First Week

So, we moved in on Saturday and went away on Sunday and Monday. It was a needed break. I brought the kittens home last night. Baxter loves the front window; the foot traffic and birds are more than enough to keep him occupied. Mr. Boots has moved back into my dresser drawer. I think he'll come out soon.

We had our first home cooked meal last night. My better half grilled and I used the microwave. Who needs a kitchen? Not us, not yet at least.

This week we have electricians, and security, and comcast, and plumbers coming in. The project is on the move. Slow and steady progress. We have done no work this week. Save me sweeping the floor and the patio and the front porch. It's all I have the energy for.

Hopefully we'll get some building done this weekend. Sunday, perhaps.