Reservations accepted

Nuff said.

The Longest Week EVER!

The Toaster parked in the garage for the first time!

I'm down to counting 'sleeps' - like we taught the kids when they were very young and looking forward to a big event. If we get the Certificate of Occupancy today we will be almost home (literally).

The power washer was at the house for several hours yesterday. Everything is sparkling and clean, at least on the outside. The house cleaners will have their work cut out for them later this week!

Carpet was installed in the two guest bedrooms and all closets.

Mr. Cabinet, Mr. Electric, Mr. Trim & Mr. Floor all returned to make final adjustments.

Mr. Paint is due to stain the front door one more time and do some touch ups inside.

The back ordered kitchen faucet was installed.



The yards continues to intrigue us. The landscaper has provided a great beginning.

As soon as the weather allows, you will find us outside working!

Drainage,Carpet,Touchups..Moving Van!

January 11, 2009 - Front yard

Backyard with fire pit & bench - another one bench is on the opposite side. Can't wait to have a fire out there! Wine and marshmallows anyone?

Just a few things left to do on the house this week. From what we've been told, one of the biggest hurdles is the drainage inspection. That is due to take place this morning. After the floods of 2007, the city is a little more strict on what the approve.

Fingers crossed, we are ready for them & they will like what they see!

Bob's playroom with the infamous elevator sign. Found in a building due for demolition in downtown Los Angeles about 35 years ago. The sign has travelled with us for years, mostly living in our bedroom closet. It was subjected to a foot going through it several years ago. We had it rewired, a back plate put on it & it is now hanging in its newfound glory!

There are still things missing - various hardware backordered or not hung yet, the 'real' kitchen faucet (a temporary one is in place) is due today, a mirror in one bathroom is not in yet. Yesterday when admiring all of the space in the laundry room - we realized the two hanging rods are not there. Not only that, it looks like someone forgot about them! The painters will return this week for touch ups and to finish painting & staining. Carpet will be installed Wednesday. The propane tank will be installed today. After the drainage is approved, the landscaper will continue with his work.

The pool bath - as it is called on the plans. We have no bath in that room and no pool but like name! The mirror for this bathroom is backordered.

Certificate of Occupancy will be the next step. We are hoping to have that on Thursday.

If the stars align and we get our CO, we will begin moving boxes by the end of the week.

The kitchen!

The moving van is set to arrive a week from today...............WOW!

We are Moving.....This Year!

As the calendar turned to 2009, we know for certain we are moving this year. We hope sometime within the next few weeks.

There is a lot to be accomplished to finish this project although it appears that most of the major work is done.

Accomplishments this week include the hardwood floors that have had the first two of four coats that they will get before they are finished. The sawdust is a thing of the past & we have had to get used to the dark finish. It is quite different from the raw wood that had no color. The more I see it, the more I like it.

Living room

Sprinkler installation began on Friday. Depending on weather they will finish up early next week. The landscaper should be on site next week to begin his work.

Trenching for sprinkler installation

Plumbers were on site last week to move the well to its correct location & make a few other changes. The kitchen faucet is due to deliver next week.

The trim hardware is slowly being installed. A few items did not come in, a few of the items were wrong, the person installing has not been there consistently. A little frustrating but we are confident it will be resolved easily.

Glass and mirror installation will begin Monday.

Appliances are scheduled to deliver next week.

As a full work week resumes on Monday I think we will see a lot of people working hard to finish up.

Floors and a Firepit!

Yesterday we met the man who will clean the house before we move in. The house is a mess and it will be quite an undertaking! But, if he was there looking at the job, it must be getting closer!

We have approved the stain color for the hardwood floors. The first coat of color will go on today. Yesterday we arrived to big wood chips all over from the hand scraping. Don't think it's a look we are interested in keeping for the dining room floor although it does lend itself to a casual dining atmosphere - sawdust floors.

Wood chips (sawdust) covering the dining room floor

Living room after being scraped

The HVAC is in place, all the vent covers are installed in the house.

The kitchen faucet that was on back order should be installed this week.

The fan for the kitchen nook (also on back order) arrived yesterday.

The trenching for the well to be moved was done last week. It will reside on the north side of the house, along with the propane tank. Niches were built into the wall to accomodate them and also to disguise them a little. Great idea on the part of the landscaper.

Glass & mirrors are scheduled to install early next week.

The sprinklers should be started this week.

The brick thresholds were installed in the doorways & look really good.

The fire pit and the backyard!

The most exciting thing in the last few weeks has been the transformation of the backyard. It is cleaned up & trimmed, ready for the landscaper.

He returns from vacation next week and will get to work.

The firepit is finished & really looks nice.

Can't wait to sit out there with a glass of wine & a fire!

It's all in the Details!

As we watch the details come together the end is so close, but seems so far away!

Tile and granite are complete. Kitchen faucet on backorder!

Fans and lighting -almost complete!

Retaining wall on the north side of the house

And.....a mail box!

More Pictures!

Backyard

Laundry room with newly laid tile

Master bath with newly installed plumbing fixtures

Master bath with tub & plumbing fixtures

Kitchen backsplash - in progress!