And then it snowed . . .

The past two days have been very productive. All of our patios are heaps of cement piled in the snowy front yard. We officially have one way to enter our home--every other door has a "death drop." Pictures tell a thousand words, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Week 2, Day 3--A surprisingly quiet day.

I left the house at 8:30 am this morning, expecting another day of loud construction, came home at noon to quiet. No work today--I'm sure that made Tyler happy. The noise is already starting to bother him, so I suppose we really ought to get out of the house tomorrow when they plan to jack-hammer away the cement on our porch and back patio. I'm taking down pictures and some of my decorations in fear that the vibration will cause things to fall. I'll be sure to post pictures tomorrow evening. On Friday, I look forward to the gas line being changed, so that on Monday of next week, they can begin digging the new foundation for the library/office and new cold storage. My house looks like its been hit by a tornado, but I don't mind! Its exciting to see the changes. I'm writing that down now, as I anticipate that as the project goes on, I may have my days of frustration! Its always good to write down the good days, to help you remember on the not so good ones! Happy remodeling!

Day 2 and 3 of Remodel

After a 3 day start on our remodel, we are less a deck, the southside of the house has been torn apart and rocks delivered for the new patio/walk-out basement, 2 large trees are gone and the stone is stripped from the front pillars. At this stage of the project, I've realized how much destruction has to occur before the project will be done. The sprinkling system will be completely destroyed in our yard and since we've opted to do this project in phases, I need to think through how we want to do the yard. Should we replace as we go or begin work on the landscape layout to save money in the long run? We'll see how that goes.

The timeline so far, the next two weeks will be demolition while we wait for the permit. Our water line and gas line need to be moved, so there are definitely items to think about as we go. Once we can start the actual construction project, the builder thinks we'll be about 3 1/2 to 4 months to finish this part of the project.

Here are some photos of what's taken place in the last 2 days (the trees coming down where the first day).

Day 2: The deck comes down





Day 2/3: South side of House is going to be a walk-out to the yard. The stone stairs were delivered and the rock removed to make a larger patio area.




Day 3: The stone from the front pillars is removed and put on pallets to be reused for chimney's, wainscot and possibly patios.

Let the Remodel Begin!

Day 1

Today begins the actual physical part of our home remodel. We have been working on plans with an architect since last April. I've gone from extremely elaborate, to finally scaling it down to a reasonable remodel without sacrificing the space I desired. Our permits were submitted last week, and should take another couple of weeks to be approved. In the meantime, the builders are going to change a gas line and waterlines, dig out a walk-out basement area, and tore down our giant pine tree in front of our house. Although I love the tree, it blocked light and access to our house, so it had to go. Anyway, here are the first photos of the trees coming down and the before pictures of the front of the house.

In this first phase we are adding an office space with a fireplace, a walkout basement door, and a basement exercise room and cold storage. Phase two will give us a new, two level deck off the back of our house and french doors from the dining room to the back yard.

I am so excited. Here's to happy remodeling!!

Thanksgiving Day Pie Recipes

Real Estate Infidelity!

I've decided there is a name for my illness of house looking . . . its called "real estate infidelity." Here I am, with a perfectly good, affordable home, happy, but not content. My eye tends to wander. Sure this house is good enough, but what if . . . What would it be like to live somewhere else, with a different floor plan and community? What are the possibilities at a different address? Is there something out there that I'd like better? I'm not sure this illness would be considered a sin, since I haven't officially acted on it, but the temptation has definitely been there. I have almost traded in this house on 2 different occasions, only I got cold feet at the last minute. Blessing in disguise or would a move cure me of future real estate infidelity? Do we owe loyalty to our homes? I'm not so sure, but I do know that the most important part of a home are the people who live there. Loyalty to the people we love is an absolute must. So, the problem is the lack of desire to move on the part of the other inhabitants of the said home. If they too desired to mix things up a bit, change the landscape, explore the possibilities, moving would be a good choice.

That doesn't seem to be the case in my circumstance. Do mother's know best in all cases? I didn't move as a kid, but I always wanted to. My kids have moved several times and really like where they are. I like where we are as well, I just wouldn't mind living closer to Peter's work. I'm not sure if this longing is legit or merely signifies a lack of something somewhere else in my life. Maybe I should get a job. I don't know. The other possibility is that the idea of putting all of the money and changes into this house has lost some of its appeal after a bad experience working with a builder this past summer. I had been really excited about the plans we came up with, I still think they're fabulous ideas, but its a huge hassle finding a builder you can trust and its very expensive. I also have this crazy desire to live in Holladay. I know, its dumb, but I can't seem to shake it. I know, I know . . . how would it be to have such silly problems? I think I'll sleep on it and continue my thoughts on this matter at a later date.

To move or not to move . . .

That is the question! I'm beginning to wonder if wanting to move is a kind of illness. A house I've liked since I was a kid and dreamed of buying when we lived in Michigan, is up for rent, though the owner says he would consider selling for the right price. I love the neighborhood and the house, although in some ways, I like my current house better. Mostly because of the changes we've made that are so very me! Pete hates moving . . . my fault since I've encouraged moving 11 times in our 14 1/2 years of marriage. So I thought I'd write out my pro's and con's list.

My house: great schools, great house, kids and husband are happy, great ward, great plans in the works with architects. The downside: I feel a necessity to add onto this house, and frankly, had a very negative experiences with a builder this summer that makes me hesitate in moving forward with our plans.

That house: great house, swimming pool, great location for Pete's work, structurally it doesn't need any additions or changes. The downside is expense and its older and quirky in some respects, although quirkiness can be charming in my mind. I also love that its in a neighborhood, opposed to my one lane (that's great, don't me wrong), but that's accessed from a busy road. Its also in the neighborhood Pete grew up in, so he's not sure he'd want to move back.

I suppose I should be thankful that these are the types of decisions I have to make versus looking for a job or dealing with a terrible illness. I know, I know . . . its just a house, but is it so bad to want to move? Maybe change is a good thing, you know, mix it up a bit! Problem is, I think my husband likes life just how it is! I'm jealous . . . how would it be to be content?

Well, there it is in a nutshell!