Monday, July 25, 2011

Floors? Check!

One of the remaining major components, the flooring, is finally in!  Can I get a Whoo Hoo?  Throughout most of the first floor we decided on wood flooring, and carpet upstairs.  A few months ago I was using the Google on the Internet machine looking for our particular floor to remind myself of choice number 4,002 that I made at the design center in April,  and I came across the little known fact that our 5 inch hand-scraped Nottoway Hickory in Weathered Saddle planks are actually distressed by prisoners.  We will save that issue for another post, but I thought I would share.



No I am not a crappy photographer, usually, there is just a ton of airborne dust hanging around the house.


I think it really completes the room now that the floors are in, I might be biased, though.


So the carpet is nothing special, but at least it is done!  I am guessing that you are wondering why all of our stuff is spread out on the floor.  Well we were trying to find furniture to fit the odd-sized media room, so what do an accountant and an engineer do in such a situation?  Of course they mark it off so they know exactly what it will look like, duh!


Then Houston's leading fitness and nutrition expert showed everyone how to successfully complete a DWI test.


I don't know why, but the logs in the fireplace make me happy.  Guess it goes back to when I was little and always wanted a fireplace.  Now I have one, complete with logs.  Santa can officially come and visit me.


Can you spot the 2 changes in this picture?  Ok I know not everyone cares as much as I do, so I will just tell you.  They shutters are finally stained and the front door is in.  Not too much longer and I will be bombarding you with endless pictures of paint choices and curtains.  I bet you can't wait!


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

12x12

For those of you who do not know, we recently sold our house in town at then end of May and moved into our temporary quarters while we await the completion of our new house in August.  Since I keep getting questions about our current living conditions, I thought I would give you all a glimpse  into what it is like to live in a 12 x 12 cubicle, essentially.

Let me start by saying that despite it's appearance we really do have a great situation.  The Nutrition Nazi's mom and Pat were nice enough to let us move back into NN's old bedroom for 3 months.  For those of you who know my Type A level of organization, you know the chaos is slowly eating at me, though.  The pictures below are just a snapshot, but do not include the organized chaos of our stuff that is stashed in random corners of the house.


We managed to get our king size bed into the room, but it takes up a huge chunk of space.  It also serves as a desk, couch, or whatever is necessary at any given time.


We have also had to improvise with closet space.  Hanging racks are great if you have minimal needs, but these cheap ones are borderline crap and sometimes fall over with the amount of clothes that we have hanging.  Also notice the nice TV with no cable.  I think I have watched Sherlock Homes approximately 432 times.  We also do not have internet, other than my Ipad.


Look closely or you may miss the closet, and yes you are seeing that correctly - a third rolling rack.  The really sad part is all of our winter clothes are packed in storage.  I am going to so appreciate the new house and all of its closets. 


This is one of our landlords.  You would never know that this sweet-looking woman is half responsible for the Team Leader having fat rolls over her collar now.  The dog loves it, though.




Monday, July 18, 2011

One month

One month is all we have left until we close on the house.  One month left of living in a 12x12 cubicle (more to come on that later this week).    Don't get me wrong we have a really nice set-up, but we definitely miss having our own space and furniture. 


The front of the house is basically done, with a few minor items.  I think we may ask if they can throw in the nifty yellow portable potty.  It brings some color to the front, don't you think?


Because I know you were losing sleep over not seeing the landscaping up close.


Not that I am biased or anything, but this is definitely a kick-ass backyard view.


The handrail stain is finally in!!  Unfortunately they have very little attention to detail and it is now a few more places than just the handrail.  Can you say touch up?


Again I might be a little biased, but I love this shot.  You will too once you are at my house eating one of the 4,000 desserts I am going to make for you.


This is such a huge upgrade from the last house where you could soap up the shower walls, turn around once or twice and be totally clean.


From one of the upstairs bedrooms, no further comment necessary.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Let there be light

Yes I know it is cheesy, but at least now I can finally see what the media room looks like inside.  As I mentioned last week, this post is full of what I consider major steps forward.  It will not be too much longer before we leave our cozy 12 by 12 cubicle that we share with the Team Leader, and my clothes and shoes.  Any takers on helping unpack????  There might be dessert involved, if we can find the baking stuff!  Have a great Monday!

More shiny new stuff for the formal dining room.

Check out the candy corn faux candle sticks in the chandelier.  I think I may have to find a fix for that.

Light fixtures for the Master Bath so that Nutrition Nazi can stand and admire himself.

Yay for the media room!!
It is starting to look like a kitchen.  Now I just need the motivation to cook something.

Granite close up since I know you can't really see in the pic above.  Giallo Ornamental is the name.

Redneck butler's pantry.

Crap!  Something living that we have to take care of.

Maybe this will help us not kill our landscaping.

These two might require a little more than a sprinkler system to keep them alive, though.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Where We Stand

I would like to state for the record that I am not a patient person, which is why building a house is great in an economy like this one.  They are constantly trying to hustle to keep the process on schedule so that they can hold us hostage for the next 30 years with a mortgage and albeit a beautiful house. 

In the past week things have kept moving along, but not without issues, which are not unexpected, but still not tolerated well.  Did I mention I also do not have tolerance for incompetence, such as ordering the cabinet for my vanity at the wrong height, or not installing the 110 outlet for the wine fridge.  Clearly they missed the memo about who is top priority.  :)  

And since I have a need for instant gratification and because I am little late with this post, I can tell you all that the next house post will reveal major changes, so check back early next week.  Have a great weekend!



Ooooh shiny new paint to go with the coffee spiced cabinets.

The most used area of the house - the butler's pantry.
More shiny new paint.  Hopefully the handrail stain is coming soon.
Nifty new tile in the laundry room.  Like it to some degree, but somewhat indifferent.  I personally fault the design center for this selection since it does not really go with the wall color.

Like the tile in the master shower.  I could be partial, though, because it was my selection!

Guest bedroom bath, or the Cedric Suite bathroom depending on who you ask.
Thank goodness! Now you all have a sidewalk to use when visiting us in the country after turning off the paved road to get to where we are moving.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A Blair 4th of July

Many thanks from the three of us to the extended Blair Family for hosting us over the 4th of July party weekend!  We had a blast as you can see from the pics below, although I think our Team Leader had the best time out of all of us!  Great friends and great times are irreplaceable!


Happiness and a beautiful view

For Bailey and Millie life does not get too much better than this.


Get it Gurl!!  Maddie loves bubbles!

This is the best group shot, but still got a lot of the happy people!

Meg, Mandy, Bailey (child), and Millie relaxing!

Having fun with Daddy!

 
Jordan played with all the dogs all weekend!  I think she needs a dog!

Shhh!  The Team Leader is getting well-deserved sleep after chasing the ball relentlessly for 2 days.


CREAMY JALAPENO RECIPE

As promised here is the recipe for the dip from this weekend. 

32 oz Sour Cream
2 Pkgs Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix
7 oz Can of Sliced Jalapenos
1 Bunch of Cilantro
2-3 Cloves of Garlic, peeled and rough-chopped

Add the sour cream and dip mix to blender or food processor along with 2/3 of jalapenos, cilantro and garlic.  Blend/ Mix/Chop until everything is combined.  At this point, taste the recipe and continue adding remaining ingredients until the dip reaches desired taste.  I usually make it a day ahead so that it can set-up, but the heat from the jalapenos develops too, so be careful!  Good Luck!