tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59066743800042161922024-03-13T07:32:35.300-07:00The Winklersupermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-71096790582774155172010-08-09T14:22:00.000-07:002010-08-09T14:23:00.182-07:00Slight RearrangementI hate to clean, but I love being the hostess. So my house suddenly transforms from blechiness into beauty when I know I have people coming over.<br />
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We had some folks over for the First Cowboys Pre-Season game last night. I had to move the furniture around to make enough room in here. Nothing major, but here it is:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfgqVm9kOfEsGVE5DTPLrfqkWvSAd9ZEYP5f9jUjagqjNNAOgAs6yBywr6lFwerxuIJ9Z00iN0veECjx4QtOoip5_2FTjrnfdygtJ5TUrYtjE5qJW3ZTVQIDT7QF76MASyXiIuMmyws-R/s1600/new+arrangement2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfgqVm9kOfEsGVE5DTPLrfqkWvSAd9ZEYP5f9jUjagqjNNAOgAs6yBywr6lFwerxuIJ9Z00iN0veECjx4QtOoip5_2FTjrnfdygtJ5TUrYtjE5qJW3ZTVQIDT7QF76MASyXiIuMmyws-R/s320/new+arrangement2.jpeg" /></a></div>So that more people could see the tv, I pulled the love seat further out from the wall and put the end table on the opposite side. There's a big storage tub behind the love seat and it's making due as a table for the extra dining chair.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtR5KDviFWxh3GXqZX0iGCAoUlgeUFgmh5308naGnG_M8u4j-7wJ2i-atDgl_5RzEzx1T03OqVtRYLNtkDKy7zrlFLpRHQZwY6H8CDSF4vXPlbHI8X9EbG4H8HELSOT6PSQ5Ptv-OKBn4/s1600/new+arrangement1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtR5KDviFWxh3GXqZX0iGCAoUlgeUFgmh5308naGnG_M8u4j-7wJ2i-atDgl_5RzEzx1T03OqVtRYLNtkDKy7zrlFLpRHQZwY6H8CDSF4vXPlbHI8X9EbG4H8HELSOT6PSQ5Ptv-OKBn4/s320/new+arrangement1.jpeg" /></a></div>Moving the love seat out narrowed the passage into the seating area, so it's angled back a little. Not a big deal, but it feels different in here. :)supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-42430155704565785072010-07-29T13:31:00.000-07:002010-07-29T14:57:31.121-07:00Yard WorkI've been tootling around in the yard a lot lately. I removed all the black widow hidey-hole cacti on the side of the house yesterday.<br />
I recently found myself with $20, so off I went to Home Depot. Here's what I came up with today:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGZTzNl5GsMEaYdgsMLN50y7JSvVWkeUpvFIq7a0QJuykJgj7cYCed3pLeuLdF-4rrfiUhLhmLsw872IWI5rdMGZ_9-wAT7upvmBYbxqnCfp2P5jcf0Mt0grxdaeTXWeEFnKDsxEtDMia/s1600/path.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGZTzNl5GsMEaYdgsMLN50y7JSvVWkeUpvFIq7a0QJuykJgj7cYCed3pLeuLdF-4rrfiUhLhmLsw872IWI5rdMGZ_9-wAT7upvmBYbxqnCfp2P5jcf0Mt0grxdaeTXWeEFnKDsxEtDMia/s400/path.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>I set the last of my stones, then dug a shallow trench around them all. Next I poured decomposed granite in the trench. It has a nice golden sparkle to it. What's left of the mulch from last year is sun-bleached and sparse. A new layer of black mulch (in the skinny part of the yard) really jazzed it up a notch. Click <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsieTkagZ2gfcr8jCPdUnuPJgh5E1QY8ERu2GIMWxwO1ZJnNyAvtJ1arDyJVdqoOOdc9yn3_pJG_jWhS4K5IuvKtjBz0M4RoqTglRqxq-ItZSh5kyNrewg6p9sNM7YlvCPBWGEGXGkoKL/s1600/rocks+2.jpeg">here</a> to see what it looked like last week.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitjo4m7TG8-cHi25c4bJjBtqrhUki_gpZohhxja793bw2ML7qTq77k_6daYDGcYYdS0JH_AYsiYntIPOpITenL4Ob4tQnfP_oaH8n9kr1hFmVbO_Kmsb-QedJNXeLj3Rjg1URwp1KMKYW/s1600/path+from+porch.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitjo4m7TG8-cHi25c4bJjBtqrhUki_gpZohhxja793bw2ML7qTq77k_6daYDGcYYdS0JH_AYsiYntIPOpITenL4Ob4tQnfP_oaH8n9kr1hFmVbO_Kmsb-QedJNXeLj3Rjg1URwp1KMKYW/s400/path+from+porch.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>The small space between the path and the corner river rocks was just screaming to be a flower bed. The front yard faces East and gets hours upon hours of direct sunlight. Plant requirements: low-lying, minimal-water, 6+ hours of sun. It was slim pickins. I bought <a href="http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1260&bih=734&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=stonecrop&aq=f&aqi=g2g-m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=">stonecrop</a> (perennial) and <a href="http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1260&bih=734&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=moss+roses&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=">moss roses</a> (annual.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdyAvdji6f5uUMPGNjLtWFmgte11pPN3yDpt7z2f6Ccd5OE383ALaWrkzLgG4LnTshDJjAWK5WBd_VgcZA5tK6wEq9BV0ZGAAM5foVGeZWaNTtemLe7wGXEBQXKxDHOF7YR8hxvbCHBfM/s1600/path+and+yard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdyAvdji6f5uUMPGNjLtWFmgte11pPN3yDpt7z2f6Ccd5OE383ALaWrkzLgG4LnTshDJjAWK5WBd_VgcZA5tK6wEq9BV0ZGAAM5foVGeZWaNTtemLe7wGXEBQXKxDHOF7YR8hxvbCHBfM/s400/path+and+yard.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>I used the rest of the mulch on the larger part of the yard- sort of made a flowerbed at the front around my rock rose sproutlings. I probably need three more bags to complete the yard. I'll need to get some edging to border the path so the granite doesn't wash away, and I need a few more river rocks to stop the erosion problem. All in all, it's really starting to come together.supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-16278558989484603322010-07-20T16:37:00.000-07:002010-07-22T09:45:09.568-07:00Happy House-iversary!We became home owners about a year ago! Woo Hoo!<br />
My posts have been fewer and further between, but I guess that comes with the territory. There's less to report the longer you live somewhere.<br />
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I think today I'll just do some (overdue) updates:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf8G6H3FPklVwjnDtf9fgfbr6zeWGF2JuuvXSm6hSyfbUnM3_Wf4spqyZHlKI0qyeJS9BtqaN-xDj8kXHutg4r9hNbyKm6GOcmKicW4gf8EazuQFLHIdtswjFJAVrhZaNHM7tz4TL0k9B/s1600/bathroom+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf8G6H3FPklVwjnDtf9fgfbr6zeWGF2JuuvXSm6hSyfbUnM3_Wf4spqyZHlKI0qyeJS9BtqaN-xDj8kXHutg4r9hNbyKm6GOcmKicW4gf8EazuQFLHIdtswjFJAVrhZaNHM7tz4TL0k9B/s200/bathroom+2.jpeg" width="200" /></a><b style="color: #45818e;">Master Bathroom </b><br />
They finally finished the shower. I bought new bath mats to celebrate: muted turquoisey colors- super soft. Someday I'll paint in there- it amazes me how much paint can change a room.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmulI2cNV2v0td2txpouDoa6j52oEaGw5gWtYtpKctLSr7w1L_v_dxqqcOEI9JLo4X88dl6lMUY7GpcwhOvzBUOtSwKuiXK3j2q06xa6Ggmp9txK-VYDD1_bIovt9aIGDcam42TMESXj9F/s1600/bathrrom+rug.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmulI2cNV2v0td2txpouDoa6j52oEaGw5gWtYtpKctLSr7w1L_v_dxqqcOEI9JLo4X88dl6lMUY7GpcwhOvzBUOtSwKuiXK3j2q06xa6Ggmp9txK-VYDD1_bIovt9aIGDcam42TMESXj9F/s400/bathrrom+rug.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYYGKv09CMY1H-MfZ2APNR8S1ODbgHH8CoBo_oT6gSBJFdPC2G1ZgG7ojIwepUetyfSqFVMeXdS7BwGqvdqdMD2OmEcZvoC6lI0biDLxRLJAO2FRm7OkrFVp6xOvlvDTBtB-sBknq27fM/s1600/bathroom+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYYGKv09CMY1H-MfZ2APNR8S1ODbgHH8CoBo_oT6gSBJFdPC2G1ZgG7ojIwepUetyfSqFVMeXdS7BwGqvdqdMD2OmEcZvoC6lI0biDLxRLJAO2FRm7OkrFVp6xOvlvDTBtB-sBknq27fM/s200/bathroom+3.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>Eventually I want to get some shallow cabinets to set into the wall behind the door (given that there's not any plumbing/wiring issues in there.) I'd like to do a floor to ceiling built-in cabinet, and an additional "medicine cabinet" on the short part over the counter. Nothing fancy, no mirrors, just a simple wood cabinet. I'll probably paint it whatever color we do on the walls. It's a small room and I don't want it to feel crowded. The bathroom door really gets in the way- as does the closet door, which is in the hall just out of view- plus our bedroom door opens into the same area. We want to replace the bath and closet doors with pocket doors- the kind that slide into the wall. But we'll only do that if we end up staying here a long time, seeing as building the walls out to allow for door clearance will come with a hefty price tag.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #45818e;">Kitchen</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHFsG8me3iuC8VfNXlVoji4Eh7G9RPa0okbsMFb0vkFw3TfXyHDhEpUUvwbABrKr5QhLWqhIfzLiU7sOX1Si1_IZhdFcFNe_hlVOACOgJ-LTpzxyFG13LthvsLhsleGeG7JFcQY-5yISq/s1600/new+sink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHFsG8me3iuC8VfNXlVoji4Eh7G9RPa0okbsMFb0vkFw3TfXyHDhEpUUvwbABrKr5QhLWqhIfzLiU7sOX1Si1_IZhdFcFNe_hlVOACOgJ-LTpzxyFG13LthvsLhsleGeG7JFcQY-5yISq/s400/new+sink.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>In the months of negotiating our shower repair, they offered us a new faucet for the kitchen. We decided on this extra tall curvy one- the spray head pulls out of the spout so my 8 year old can conveniently fill the dog bowl... Went with a similar style in the built in soap pump- even though we don't use it.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #45818e;">Master Bedroom</span></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxr7x0-pi91Kt-NPXQl_En732u0QRH0L8aIIVRJi2eEdMQTAWy0ZQtnm1NdkWgjUdmSfecMa-euzDRKoEMYG6AVPRe_mFf2sdIBT-RMxkLsi50K1djeu-qLwJgeOjf2EPERjZ9MWo6-YK/s1600/bedroom+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxr7x0-pi91Kt-NPXQl_En732u0QRH0L8aIIVRJi2eEdMQTAWy0ZQtnm1NdkWgjUdmSfecMa-euzDRKoEMYG6AVPRe_mFf2sdIBT-RMxkLsi50K1djeu-qLwJgeOjf2EPERjZ9MWo6-YK/s400/bedroom+1.jpeg" width="400" /></a>We haven't purchased bedroom furniture yet. All our foldables are stored in laundry baskets. This works rather well, but tends to look unsightly when I'm showing off my house. This week I'd had enough of the clutter in there...<br />
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I did some rearranging- now it feels more like a bedroom than an attic. I finally hung our painting, put away the excess music equipment, and did the best I could with the odds and ends. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLG5EErlb4qg8CID0y9pr4n_IxQ9zTQap3g5mT6pbpmNMx3PiX9mfzNnSeVXAuLMjZW6S7-1a7YNMSd8D23zj1en-oYRNDyb9CHENJ-VA8iN4Qldp5E7UC6h0jAHcj3aBnLHuw4gmtl6P/s1600/bedroom+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLG5EErlb4qg8CID0y9pr4n_IxQ9zTQap3g5mT6pbpmNMx3PiX9mfzNnSeVXAuLMjZW6S7-1a7YNMSd8D23zj1en-oYRNDyb9CHENJ-VA8iN4Qldp5E7UC6h0jAHcj3aBnLHuw4gmtl6P/s200/bedroom+3.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2Yl0AvfSPB3sFQFZ5ZQmpvOmurYtrLAxKk7ig6yPTlGbbs-vKsC8T-F_tkr23znVxNOf1MuvYSFrj-ntGYWoiz75Ko4Xn0QitGKIIn3IBiEabLf2Ol_9xLHYCEZbFkOdoDYgs2XOdnnX/s1600/bedroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2Yl0AvfSPB3sFQFZ5ZQmpvOmurYtrLAxKk7ig6yPTlGbbs-vKsC8T-F_tkr23znVxNOf1MuvYSFrj-ntGYWoiz75Ko4Xn0QitGKIIn3IBiEabLf2Ol_9xLHYCEZbFkOdoDYgs2XOdnnX/s200/bedroom+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b style="color: #45818e;">Exterior</b><br />
Here's what the yard looked like a year ago.<br />
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We were having an issue with the rain- it puddles up big time where the front steps meet the walkway- made it difficult to get into the house during a storm. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsieTkagZ2gfcr8jCPdUnuPJgh5E1QY8ERu2GIMWxwO1ZJnNyAvtJ1arDyJVdqoOOdc9yn3_pJG_jWhS4K5IuvKtjBz0M4RoqTglRqxq-ItZSh5kyNrewg6p9sNM7YlvCPBWGEGXGkoKL/s1600/rocks+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsieTkagZ2gfcr8jCPdUnuPJgh5E1QY8ERu2GIMWxwO1ZJnNyAvtJ1arDyJVdqoOOdc9yn3_pJG_jWhS4K5IuvKtjBz0M4RoqTglRqxq-ItZSh5kyNrewg6p9sNM7YlvCPBWGEGXGkoKL/s400/rocks+2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div> My solution was to lay a stone path from the porch to the higher part of the walk, next to where I park. I got the stones for free from the mountains where my mother lives. Laying them was excruciating! I think I need some pea gravel to lay between them.<br />
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The puddle that forms on the sidewalk is often very muddy, due to the erosion of my yard. Elsewhere in the neighborhood there are river rocks to help divert water, so I set about laying some near our walkway. Appears to be helping, though we could use a few more.<br />
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Our entire yard could really use another round of mulch and some flowers to spruce it up, but other than that it looks pretty good. Animals seem to like it...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-2lzt5N7eN4LZha7ZY46ROVcf5hLNNPDOFbdTMYbEy0jaAAQcltfy3oHy1_GqlWgrDVH8zfCxn9L_vuZ9iNMn09InzIULODf_d41PuPMP2nGeA6FKO3uN3R6uyiFuMyOT0dk-qg4YEk9/s1600/bird+nest.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-2lzt5N7eN4LZha7ZY46ROVcf5hLNNPDOFbdTMYbEy0jaAAQcltfy3oHy1_GqlWgrDVH8zfCxn9L_vuZ9iNMn09InzIULODf_d41PuPMP2nGeA6FKO3uN3R6uyiFuMyOT0dk-qg4YEk9/s320/bird+nest.jpeg" /></a></div>Here's some itty, bitty, little sparrow hatchlings. I snapped the pic in a rare momma-less moment. I was terrified she'd swoop in and destroy me any second. This is the little stick tree in the back by our driveway. There's also a sparrow family living under the one of the front eaves of the house. I found one of their babies in our yard last month, squawking for his mommy. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSa4YCQhT0WG7OHal52G4-PWKrUi7xPaHN74dz6eZoCY6bhzAfULQrf-snIRI1krxVNy5NBQo29YISTiQsEH8zfQ_UZPFs7NztO9wyBCxgncz6IBQdwGvkEUqwONDMgOZF-n3canS9JFH/s1600/cocoon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSa4YCQhT0WG7OHal52G4-PWKrUi7xPaHN74dz6eZoCY6bhzAfULQrf-snIRI1krxVNy5NBQo29YISTiQsEH8zfQ_UZPFs7NztO9wyBCxgncz6IBQdwGvkEUqwONDMgOZF-n3canS9JFH/s320/cocoon.jpeg" /></a></div>This is a HUGE cocoon in my rose bush. Our front porch has been covered in chrysalises all month. We've also noticed the return of the hummingbirds.<br />
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As for unwelcome guests, we've got a rather large population of these guys:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk83HXxIO0_Nqawhx8WYiGyMNjKmQ8gXnyRnqVODQ2-VoEsX0D1ZJfBeOlDQCAfWju-ZevKG1106QSxPpQMaakyZZOpJKCxCWc4C-cCkyf8vDNYXfaKasDA5q7_lDxr4OK-1_FySaorcL/s1600/black+widow.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk83HXxIO0_Nqawhx8WYiGyMNjKmQ8gXnyRnqVODQ2-VoEsX0D1ZJfBeOlDQCAfWju-ZevKG1106QSxPpQMaakyZZOpJKCxCWc4C-cCkyf8vDNYXfaKasDA5q7_lDxr4OK-1_FySaorcL/s320/black+widow.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Black Widows*.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just thinking about it gives me the willies- but I was gardening last month and felt something on my arm. I looked over, and up near my shoulder there was a big black widow. She was promptly flung from my body and pulverized with a rock, but it started a fear in me I've never known. Thankfully, she did not bite me. I immediately set to researching them and have since found their creepy little nests in numerous locations around the exterior of the Winkler. They will all be sought out and destroyed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">*No, this is not a photo I took. Anyone who takes the time to get out the camera rather than KILL KILL KILL is a lunatic. Though healthy adults rarely die due to the bite (usually just a lengthy illness,) for little kids and old folks it can be fatal. And there's a chance you might not even feel the bite. Scary!<br />
<br />
Well, other than a few minor bumps in the road, it's been a great year (house-wise.) Our Warranty just ended- but thankfully I filed the last of our claims last month. Looks like we're on our own now, but I'm up for the challenge. Long live the Winkler! <br />
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</div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-33140143557954686232010-04-16T16:10:00.000-07:002010-07-22T09:47:49.951-07:00Sink and ShowerA long post, sorry...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMWCLZO9ScKn6KDJsBpAX8P7YWzcLmHK-tkXFDf9sL4kyGKqC2-ktXpgA5yKl0xo3XqKBpcSfBs5o636AUjuYckfmWJwhzry1UPqJIq8IKwUxp1McwqyhGrohhaqpGSJ_sfqTrUlF5-ii/s1600/winter+2009+wall.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMWCLZO9ScKn6KDJsBpAX8P7YWzcLmHK-tkXFDf9sL4kyGKqC2-ktXpgA5yKl0xo3XqKBpcSfBs5o636AUjuYckfmWJwhzry1UPqJIq8IKwUxp1McwqyhGrohhaqpGSJ_sfqTrUlF5-ii/s320/winter+2009+wall.bmp" /></a></div><br />
In November I reported to, umm, "WarrantyCo." that the wall in my master bathroom was somehow being damaged by my super-awesome-giant shower. They asked if the doors on the shower worked. I said yes, and they responded that the damage must be my own fault for showering with the door open. Gee... I'm supposed to <span style="color: red;">close the doors</span> when I shower? Idiots. Of course I close the door when I shower.<br />
<br />
A few weeks later, the door fell off the track and onto me while I was showering. I called WarrantyCo. again and they sent a glass guy out to fix it. He noticed the deteriorating drywall next to my shower. I told him what I'd been told. He said "No way. That's a leak." So he called WarrantyCo.and of course they listened to <i>him.</i><br />
<br />
Then they started sending various vendors out: plumbers, glass guys, the builder, etc. None of them actually did anything other than look at it with their eyeballs.until the end of March... They finally decided to take the shower wall out and see what was going on.It was discovered that the walls were never caulked to the base- something that should have been done at installation. The water has just been channeling straight onto my wall, eating it up for almost a year now.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU_n_PStrssBPrtiYGtHkQeObm5wGJMjG5VtsMjEqBtCcYmd0KKNiCdDPSXzpUs7B5F7sqsfrApIvmdhFHVf0qqk165XgaqCrAGPkzbqkQ8Djwq9tW3HBaAQXxByZd67fgkiy9BZ7xRfY/s1600/march11+2010+wall.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU_n_PStrssBPrtiYGtHkQeObm5wGJMjG5VtsMjEqBtCcYmd0KKNiCdDPSXzpUs7B5F7sqsfrApIvmdhFHVf0qqk165XgaqCrAGPkzbqkQ8Djwq9tW3HBaAQXxByZd67fgkiy9BZ7xRfY/s320/march11+2010+wall.bmp" /></a></div>They tried to get the old shower walls out of the stairs, but got the back panel stuck. It wouldn't fit down the stairs. Then they suggested replacing my fiberglass surround with ceramic tile- an option I hate due to the impossibility of cleaning grout with absurdly hard water and the complete lack of shower shelves. My fiberglass shower had 6 shelves. The tile one would only have a soap rack. Boo!<br />
<br />
Anyway, the tile man came to take measurements and I chatted him up. The two of us had a brilliant idea- we turned the too-big panel <b>on it's side</b>, which made it short enough for us (me and a little old man) to get it down the stairs and out of the house.So then they had to make a special order to get my new fiberglass shower in stock. It arrived yesterday morning. The boys opened up the box, and GUESS WHAT? It was broken. I laughed. When it rains, it pours, I guess.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwPRxv9mzKX_DFJLoBv7rz_G1-JVdqx6Dv1i7mOKUFMSuXsVA7N-YzqwFVtzBg0ipLtmRigYnRM1IgyN7e6XGSsQiNhiTKEHLxHuO4P4VIY1mDRfRZ9uCXRaOmhsIRO9k0szR-PvD0fSO/s1600/april+shower.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwPRxv9mzKX_DFJLoBv7rz_G1-JVdqx6Dv1i7mOKUFMSuXsVA7N-YzqwFVtzBg0ipLtmRigYnRM1IgyN7e6XGSsQiNhiTKEHLxHuO4P4VIY1mDRfRZ9uCXRaOmhsIRO9k0szR-PvD0fSO/s320/april+shower.bmp" /></a></div>I've been complaining about my shower leak for over four months. My master bathroom hasn't had a shower in it for a couple of weeks now (it's wood beams, insulation, and the back side of siding in there.) And now we have to wait another week for another new shower to be shipped in from Wisconsin.<br />
<br />
To make up for this nonsense, the company that installs the shower- the one that did it wrong the first time, couldn't figure out how to get the old one down the stairs, and showed up with a broken shower- well, they called me up apologizing again. But this time, they told me to go to the Moen website and pick out a brand new kitchen faucet.<br />
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Well, okay then! My sink basin is stainless steel, so we've chosen that finish for the faucet. I picked one that has a high arc- meaning the dog bowl won't be difficult to get out of the sink once it's full of water. In fact, the arc is so high, I think it will be visible from the living room over the bar height counter-top. But I don't really care. <br />
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Our sink is a 4 hole variety. Typically, there's the faucet, a hot knob, a cold knob, and a sprayer. The new faucet's spout detaches and is actually the sprayer. The knobs are on the faucet as well, but it has a base that will cover the knob holes. That leaves us with one more sink hole to fill. We're going with a soap pump.<br />
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The website only has a few options. We've whittled it down to 2. The website doesn't provide the dimensions for the pumps, but one of them looks taller. I like it because it is tall, like the faucet. The other option looks shorter, but has a curved dispensing spout, like the curves of the faucet. What to do?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL6bIjXF5WONEdXMoI68ui-e3XXEKrurLLJKnzPYp1ahQJrzc8sXWN3GNaDWDeiHF-jRyoMxnSP1AnYeljM0JNvbJv30mDzocm0yrVdjNj_emPufGPrpwmiJv6WbT9v1S_Fqs5nn7N93z/s1600/faucet.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL6bIjXF5WONEdXMoI68ui-e3XXEKrurLLJKnzPYp1ahQJrzc8sXWN3GNaDWDeiHF-jRyoMxnSP1AnYeljM0JNvbJv30mDzocm0yrVdjNj_emPufGPrpwmiJv6WbT9v1S_Fqs5nn7N93z/s400/faucet.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br />
So, what do you think? Which should we go with, the taller, straight pump, or the shorter, curvier one?supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-14549955463914125022010-01-28T22:52:00.000-08:002010-07-22T09:49:42.780-07:00Pillows!Dear Target,<br />
<br />
Thank You!<br />
love,<br />
me<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">------------------------------------------------------------------</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zzVP7x-wuBcWmt5wv1MXa5SZox7_oWF0ACOGmALMeuXnEW8ccqf_jpYprwXTGDW0J_BlZ2d1jaR_OLdeZvNcFtola3K8tUzFnkux_UvYZ00HATlnGKMHmGTc4QsY8Eo8XILp8EvLb14-/s1600-h/DSC00020.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432051218515589762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zzVP7x-wuBcWmt5wv1MXa5SZox7_oWF0ACOGmALMeuXnEW8ccqf_jpYprwXTGDW0J_BlZ2d1jaR_OLdeZvNcFtola3K8tUzFnkux_UvYZ00HATlnGKMHmGTc4QsY8Eo8XILp8EvLb14-/s400/DSC00020.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxSy_8jilTMpVrLEUgDiKgln45F_JpZhyEqbsvw0gPGFQqgknRyzS6Th984nOm_C7KFufZQJd2GwBPG6vN995tqpL5FTpOE9lMBIiNc-4zQ9N8ivkn8dMZZTLQi_uc5oAy4kp4hwQKAEs/s1600-h/DSC00019.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432051216001302850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxSy_8jilTMpVrLEUgDiKgln45F_JpZhyEqbsvw0gPGFQqgknRyzS6Th984nOm_C7KFufZQJd2GwBPG6vN995tqpL5FTpOE9lMBIiNc-4zQ9N8ivkn8dMZZTLQi_uc5oAy4kp4hwQKAEs/s400/DSC00019.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
When I bought my adorable <a href="http://thewinkler.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-got-new-placemats.html">placemats</a>, I noticed target also had coordinating pillow covers for just $5 each. I only had ten bucks then, and I chose to get the placemats, but tonight I had some extra money in my pocket- and we all know how money HATES being in pockets and much prefers the company of more money in a cozy cash register drawer.<br />
<br />
AND the pillow covers were on sale for $4 each. I scored 5 of those bad boys for the same price I would have paid to buy one decorative throw pillow. Score!<br />
<br />
I have hated my couch's pillows since we bought the darned thing, and have been quite obsessive about the patterned side always facing the couch. I didn't want to look at it! But now I have 5 lovely "new" pillows!<br />
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We technically only have 4 couch pillows- and only 2 of my dining chairs had cushions. One of them got lost in the move, so I stuffed the remaining one inside one of my new covers. The only style of the cover I didn't buy was the striped one. It's my least favorite, but I may go back to get it for when I stumble across that missing dining cushion. Or maybe I'll buy a repeat of one of the solids- I don't know. I have a lot of bold blues and greens in the room. Another pattern might be too much. There is a solid tan option. I need advice. I know I'm bordering on over-kill. It just occurred to me that I could also buy some more to do dining cushions. Dining cushions are so rarely washable- and my kids wipe their hands all over them.<br />
<br />
We always like to have bed pillows on our couch as well. My husband flat out refuses to <b>sit</b> on the couch unless we have company. He always lays down on it. We have a stack of blankets near the couch as well. And he stacks all the pillows under his head. It's Snuggle Central.<br />
<br />
I want to find some inexpensive pillow shams for 2-4 bed pillows that match the covers I bought. Target's usually pretty good about carrying a pattern across departments- the floral pillow matches my<a href="http://thewinkler.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-got-new-placemats.html"> </a><a href="http://thewinkler.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-got-new-placemats.html">placemats</a>- but I didn't see any shams today. Keep an eye out for me!<br />
<br />
Additionally, I bought a new utensil holder ($7 on the clearance end-cap) in my favorite color! The florescent lights give the counter a heavenly glow, and you know what? It <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">is </span>heavenly. Look at my lovely new utensil holder! How well it matches my Scentsy warmer and the frame on that adorable picture of my daughters!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPGdDziTRkWar09Wy0UQfJCskhuqyXRYzRZVFoFCa4VcB6nfoyIQJBdj9U9THd6ECrb2S-bxMyPZiMtg6zxmTyAq2Cm-X7W8EDC3xcxLSEzS-yf8zqe3owyqb3WTGRs-WWD2MJ-Onss0F/s1600-h/DSC00021.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432098925960723922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPGdDziTRkWar09Wy0UQfJCskhuqyXRYzRZVFoFCa4VcB6nfoyIQJBdj9U9THd6ECrb2S-bxMyPZiMtg6zxmTyAq2Cm-X7W8EDC3xcxLSEzS-yf8zqe3owyqb3WTGRs-WWD2MJ-Onss0F/s400/DSC00021.jpeg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>They also had a matching cookie jar for $7. I wanted it, but couldn't justify it, seeing as cookies these days come in their own resealable packages. I'm now sitting here trying to think up something I could store in a tall, narrow, air-tight kitchen container just so I can go buy it. And that just reinforces the fact that I don't need it. I'm also eye-balling a fabulous turquoise retro-styled metal breadbox. However, due to counter constraints, it would probably get tucked into the pantry. So why bother? OR I could put it on my "junk" counter, to shove the junk inside. My guests will think "what an awesome bread box" and I will think "thank goodness they can't see my big pile of junk!"supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-18844969665336234432010-01-23T22:56:00.000-08:002010-01-23T23:01:08.625-08:00I got new placemats!A lame thing to be excited about, but what can I say? I love them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIIrwbDTbV5dIuHYW6ScqE9j0dLu2qTZsa97LIxPjxpOB3jTDXxTEfNFS0qt-ElQtHjldmKEAtH-St1iXY8Ly648FJy7srEl0HPEuNTDgS03d8ppmqwXyQe9_BiQv_rl3pWN0JMEW13Zq/s1600-h/1.14.10+196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIIrwbDTbV5dIuHYW6ScqE9j0dLu2qTZsa97LIxPjxpOB3jTDXxTEfNFS0qt-ElQtHjldmKEAtH-St1iXY8Ly648FJy7srEl0HPEuNTDgS03d8ppmqwXyQe9_BiQv_rl3pWN0JMEW13Zq/s400/1.14.10+196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430197097136763362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOP4w4tOtYCyXxJQYE2KWmcEYfDOCJdUbKXlCisPXYSyG7zS78f68foJZNOTfGNRR4fwPZ6n2PbeVTPNhWSTkCSK6-lXl6OikiIOx9UCvH5uL_YY1WSnrrLhoOZl74oWzWIOyyQ1lEEtz/s1600-h/1.14.10+278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOP4w4tOtYCyXxJQYE2KWmcEYfDOCJdUbKXlCisPXYSyG7zS78f68foJZNOTfGNRR4fwPZ6n2PbeVTPNhWSTkCSK6-lXl6OikiIOx9UCvH5uL_YY1WSnrrLhoOZl74oWzWIOyyQ1lEEtz/s400/1.14.10+278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430197101606957202" border="0" /></a><br />Target, if you were wondering. And I do believe I'll be going back for the coordinating polka-dot ones as well- whenever eight dollars finds its way into my pocketbook again.supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-69030004230907254872010-01-04T11:35:00.000-08:002010-01-06T23:22:52.162-08:00New Idea!There's still a remote possibility, from my understanding, that we can stop the gravel company from digging a mine ACROSS THE STREET. (shudder...)<br />and you can help!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact the <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/">White House!</a> </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>( And/Or any of the officials listed below.) It takes less than 5 minutes and just might make a difference!<br />Here's what you do:<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Click on the link above. Include your name and such, whatever required information they ask of you. Under "subject," choose non-policy, in the additional box, choose "other." Then leave a message.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Say you have friends (or family, whatever the case may be) living in East Austin, and that the city is allowing TXI to put a 10-15 year gravel mine project in our residential area.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-If you feel up to it, you can also copy your message and send it to these guys, too. Again, it only takes a few minutes and has a massive amount of potential for us making an impact and getting the answers we need:<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist14/dist14.htm">Texas Senator, Kirk Watson </a>(Scroll down for the e-mail form.)<br /><a href="http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=46&rep=dawnna.dukes">Texas House of Representatives, Dawnna Dukes </a><br /><a href="http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/email.php?dist=51&rep=eddie.rodriguez">Texas House of Representatives, Eddie Rodriguez</a><br /><a href="https://forms.house.gov/doggett/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm">Congressman Lloyd Doggett</a><br /><a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/connect/email_leeleffingwell.htm">Mayor Lee Leffingwell</a><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Here are some ideas for other things you might mention:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;">The land on which TXI intends to dig presently contains 2 graveyards and the historic <a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/outside/hunters.htm">Hunter's Mansion</a>- which, I might add, is listed on the city's very own website as "an Austin Treasure." What was once a completely rural area now has many new subdivisions, a new elementary school, a new middle school (under construction), and a huge toll-way. It is no longer just fields and cow pasture ( although we do retain a bit of those.)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">The area in question is less than a mile from the Colorado River.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Two, new, never before seen species have been discovered in the area- one plant and one animal.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">The city denied a charitable organization the rights to the land, which they had wanted to use for building homes for low-income families.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">TXI says they expect 200+ trucks to be going in and out of the area on a DAILY basis. The mine will be less than a mile from the neighborhood elementary school. Additionally, there are only two roads that come into my neighborhood, the same two roads that will be accessing the mine.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">TXI has repeatedly failed to meet the city's requirements. Now, all of a sudden, it is rumored the city will be changing the requirements, lowering their standards so that TXI will get a passing grade.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Members of our community have been going to county court meetings for months and have walked away with very few of our questions answered.</span><br /></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Ask if there are any further steps we can take. Then click the little box that says you would like a response.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-Takes less than 5 minutes and means so much to me. I"m hoping to just get some feedback on whether or not there is actually anything to be done about this mess. Thank you, thank you, thank you!<br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-36769257855850696572009-12-29T12:20:00.000-08:002009-12-29T13:09:07.064-08:00What's Happening?I have no idea what's going on with that darned gravel pit mine thing. The latest gossip includes these gems:<br /><ul><li>Two never-before-known-about species (one plant and one animal) have been discovered along the banks of the river at the edge of the property in question. This could put a stop to the whole smelly business if it's true.</li><li>TXI continually failed to meet some city requirement. Now it's said the city's standards are being lowered so that TXI automatically passes.</li><li>My attempts at getting historical societies involved may have gotten us somewhere.</li><li>A second cemetery is said to lie somewhere within the property.</li><li>The city denied Houses for Urban Development's access to the property, but is looking to pass TXI's. We're hoping to get HUD just as upset about this as we are.</li></ul><br />I don't know if any of those things are true. There was a local meeting last night- just the neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity. I didn't go, but my neighbor is going to report back to me with what he learned.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">On a separate note...</span><br />I recently learned that all the new houses will be getting whole-house water softening systems at no additional cost.<br />WHAT THE HOO-HA!!?<br />There are presently only three streets in our neighborhood, a total of 100 houses. The projection plan for the neighborhood includes 500 houses. (The first three streets also happen to be the ones closest to the TXI mine.)<br /><br />When we first moved in we noticed the water was weird. The dishwasher can't get anything clean, everything is coated in white gunk. The shower's sliding glass doors look horrible. We has had a water softening company come out and test our water. From what I can remember, "normal" water is around a 6 or 7 on the scale, hard is an 8-10. The water in my house tests at a 17. SEVENTEEN!<br />There are a few different types of water softening systems. One of them softens the water as it comes out of the spout. This still allows the minerals to deposit themselves in your pipes, eventually building up to the point of major plumbing problems. The ideal system is a whole-house water softener. It cleans all the water that enters your home. This system costs about $6,000.<br />And it's the kind of system now being installed in all the new houses- for free.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">-----------------------------------------</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />So the general consensus amongst me and my 99 neighboring houses is that we're being majorly gypped. We get to have a gravel-mine eyesore, breath in the destructive garbage produced by the mine, and drink water with visible contaminates. Hooray!<br /><br />If anyone knows any lawyers willing to look into any rights we may have, PLEASE let me know.<br /><br />There's still a possibility that TXI will be denied and we won't have to worry about any of that. And once we get a water-softening system our water situation will be fine. I love my house, I just want the rest of this stuff to runs its course. BLAH!<br /></div></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-74935513551765997342009-11-25T01:11:00.000-08:002009-11-25T01:35:36.571-08:00County Commissioners Meeting Nov. 24I went to the County Commissioners Court meeting this morning. <a href="http://www.co.travis.tx.us/commissioners_court/agendas/2009/11/text/vs091124_05.asp">Here's the link for the minutes</a>. The video is there, too, but I couldn't get it to play.<br /><br />The saleslady for our neighborhood was there. She was quite passionate about what she had to say, but part of it in particular caught my ear. She is now required to give paperwork to potential home buyers about the proposed mine. She said it's already deterred several families. We closed on the house in July, but TXI was having community meetings in April. Of course<span style="font-style: italic;"> we</span> didn't hear anything about this stupid gravel pit until the week <span style="font-style: italic;">after</span> we closed. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm wondering, perhaps, if we're entitled to something because it was kept quite while we were building our home. </span><br /><br />Here's the transcript from my part of the forum:<br /><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay.<br />can you hear me?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> yes.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> first of all, I apologize for my kids wandering around.<br />my named is _____________.<br />i live in _________________.<br />i have a bunch of questions and it would be nice if we could have answers.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> that will be new and different.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay.<br />i understand that t.x.i.<br />might have the legal right to be there.<br />if so, if they do get approved, which way will the trucks be going?<br />will they just be going back and forth between the site or accessing 969 and going to the highway.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> [inaudible].<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> so they will be going because -- thank you.<br />there is an elementary school there.<br />so how many trucks will be passing the schools?<br />like if there's 710 total, do you know how much the traffic is going to be in front of the school?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> according to the information provided by their traffic consultant at their peak of operation they estimate 710 vehicle trips per day, traveling up down dunlap across 969 to the driveway at the webberville processing facility.<br />so -- </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> so that statistic doesn't include any of the going over to the highway is this.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> that's truck traffic up dunlap road to the intersection with 969 and turning right, east on 969 to the webberville processing facility.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay, so that statistic does not include going to the highway.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> post processing, t.x.i.<br />would haul that material to the proposed construction sites where it was planned to be used.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay.<br />will the trucks be going just up and down hunters bend?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> there's no proposal for that.<br />dunlap road -- </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> just for our piece of mind if we see trucks, what are the actions we're supposed to take as neighbors?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> I believe from the public meetings that I have attended with t.x.i.<br />is they have given contact information for the site operator and, number one, I would expect that you should immediately notify t.x.i.<br />that that's occurring.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay.<br />for the t.x.i.<br />people, I keep seeing this map, but it's always shaded different and so I would like to know -- I'll show you where I live and what my main concern is.<br />i've contacted the local historic societies and they've asked you guys to postpone your decision until December 9th because it isn't -- the mansion that's there, I wanted to know if that is in part of your property that you've purchased for the proposed mine.<br />who are t.x.i.<br />people?<br />are they all gone?<br />he's right there.<br />so is hunters mansion and the graveyard, is that part of it?<br />because according to all the things I've seen, it looks like it is part of that.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> [inaudible].<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> so it will remain intact?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> could you come up so folks can hear your response.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> and also for the record.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> yeah, we need to get that response.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> the hunter mansion and the graveyard are a part of the real estate deal, but that area is not a part of the mine area.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> so you won't be doing anything with the mansion?<br />it is not a part of the mine area.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> what are your plans for it?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> we have not reached any decision on what our plans are for that area, but it is not included in part of the mining process.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> that's not an answer.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> I would like to point out for the Commissioners that the hunter mansion and its graveyard are on the city of Austin's website and noted as an Austin treasure.<br />i have the website if you want it or you can look on your own city website.<br />i have pictures of it on my camera, if you want to look.<br />it looks really neat.<br />it's right outside of my house.<br />beautiful.<br />hopefully if you all do go ahead and build a gravel mine there, you won't do anything with it.<br />but I've driven past the other -- what is it, the east site.<br />you can't see it from the road.<br />so I'm wondering with dunlap will you be able to see the mine from the road because there are 1,000 acres.<br />is it going to be pushed back or right up on top of it?<br />where are you proposing to put the eyesore part of it?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> the limits of construction including both uplands and the fema.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> what does that mean?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> that means there are parts of that construction activity that will be next to dunlap road and that there are parts of it that will be off in the bottom that you won't be able to see from the road.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay, so on the hunters bend side of it, the property that you own there, are you all not putting anything on that side of dunlap road?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> I'm sorry, on which side?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> your property isn't shaded on here and I've seen several maps.<br />i've seen several where it's on the eastern side of dunlap and that it also comes down to the western side of dunlap.<br />no, on the other side.<br />underneath hunters bend.<br />that's the area I'm questioning.<br />are you putting anything in that part?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> [one moment, please] </p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> so this you're if they want -- a gravel pit is bad enough, but if they wanted to bring in a pig rendering plant we don't have the authority to say know based on it being a pig rendering plant.<br />as staff pointed out, the only avenues of questioning the state gives us the authority even to ask are with regard to drainage and a very limited species of transportation questions.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> which is -- it's -- I -- I think everyone of us up here would say that is a frustratingly short list of authorities when you are faced with these kinds of circumstances.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> okay.<br />well then my last note patty hanson of the Travis County historic commission has contacted all of you and has asked that you I guess postpone your decision.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> did she do it last night?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> she did.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> because I don't know anything about it.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> she's got all of you listed plus barry hutchinson and mae smith.<br />they would like the opportunity to look into the mansion's historic significance because it meets all the qualifications for city, county, state historic and possibly some of the acreage surrounding it because it is still an operating farm, so to say.<br />i would like that to be considered.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"><strong>>></strong> thank you.<br /></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">>></strong><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);"> [applause]</span> </p><br />I didn't stay for the whole meeting- I had the girls with me and they were rather sick of being in the courtroom.<br />I came away with the overall feeling that TXI will be digging massive holes across the street and spewing toxins into the air by early 2010. Other than continuing our community efforts, I think the best we can do is buy an air purification system...<br /><br />I also got a follow-up e-mail from one of the neighborhood activists. Here's part of it:<br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><blockquote><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">There were many(25 or so) residents there and many good speakers. TXI as usual was misrepresenting the facts and saying as little as possible. </span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">In the end since TXI was not even ready with all the requested information action was postponed at least until the meeting on Tuesday December 8th. At that time people should be able to speak out again or others can speak(I believe)</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">The biggest surprise for us was the "Road improvement agreement" (that was also on the agenda) and the fact that Dunlap Road will have to be widened and the intersection of Dunlap and 969 will have to be improved (I think at TXI's expense...someone correct me if I misunderstood.)</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">For those that were there today...after lunch, they revised their figures about the number of trucks per day that will be on Dunlap Road.</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">She changed the 710 down to only 250 on Dunlap Road per day during full capacity. That means 125 trucks per day leaving the mine full and 125 coming back empty in a day. The 710 total was actually the estimated number of 18 wheelers that will go through the intersection at 969 and Dunlap Road. This includes the 250 going from the mine to the gravel processer East on Webberville Rd and the current and new trucks going from Austin to the Webberville plant and back to get gravel.</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">With just 250 a day, thats still over 10 per hour, 24 hours a day. If they only work 12 hours a day, it would be 20 trucks per hour driving on Dunlap rd Imagine that intersection with trucks pulling out of Dunlap, pulling in to Dunlap and going past bothways up to 700 times a day.</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">If those drivers get tired of the traffic, I am sure they will go to Hunters bend light and drive through the neighborhood rather than wait.</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">They told us to call TXI if that happens??</span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div> <div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">My next question for the county is: If the permit hinges on the agreement between TXI and county about road improvements, how can the county enter that agreement and issue the permit if Travis County, the City of Austin and TXDoT all have jurisdiction over any improvements to that intersection(which is in the Decker Creek Critical Water Quality Zone)???</span></div></blockquote><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It was totally absurd when they told us to expect 710 trucks per day. The road they'll be driving on is roughly the length of one residential street.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm glad they reduced their estimate to 250, but that's still ridiculous. I also found out today that TXI's property covers more thatn 1,000 acres. sheesh. Perhaps there are some endangered species living in there...<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><br /></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-79650755219871068812009-11-23T15:24:00.000-08:002010-07-22T10:00:08.162-07:00Hunter Mansion in Jeopardy<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuBdNAjowpgRZ5OC_Ceo1sJx7DeouC2icypdjKp_zP1UGsORrhTKSosTIHskkjuekcGDk7wOzV0fSAFmhfGsqr1HWver38NeEyjsOUsbZyI3Ff0HI7X-42T6XT71yksbVQJgTKEiZH0yR/s1600/hunter+mansion+then.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407447510860713298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuBdNAjowpgRZ5OC_Ceo1sJx7DeouC2icypdjKp_zP1UGsORrhTKSosTIHskkjuekcGDk7wOzV0fSAFmhfGsqr1HWver38NeEyjsOUsbZyI3Ff0HI7X-42T6XT71yksbVQJgTKEiZH0yR/s320/hunter+mansion+then.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 258px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dnwRw2xrxrq25QjV6Lxaz_qFzm31PGoQuqUyPZ4OLBogr0Eh46uc9tZZ1h_tc-mXlUpIaPje4dCFPMIjiGYpdvnMWoTq5gjPDLRDZ_xCT3E87tn89ienvrzxCR3LqOv5JfgsKWjxgNe-/s1600/hunter+mansion+now.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407447625844593794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dnwRw2xrxrq25QjV6Lxaz_qFzm31PGoQuqUyPZ4OLBogr0Eh46uc9tZZ1h_tc-mXlUpIaPje4dCFPMIjiGYpdvnMWoTq5gjPDLRDZ_xCT3E87tn89ienvrzxCR3LqOv5JfgsKWjxgNe-/s320/hunter+mansion+now.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<br />
</div><br />
Recently I wrote about the TXI gravel pit (see <a href="http://thewinkler.blogspot.com/2009/10/gravel-pit.html">here</a>.) Tomorrow morning the Commisioners Court has allowed a (very) last minute open court meeting. I imagine it will be just as unproductive as the last meeting, but I've made an effort to contact local historical preservation societies in the hopes of saving at least part of the land.<br />
<br />
Here's an edited copy of the e-mail I sent:<br />
<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>"Hello,<br />
<br />
I live<span style="color: red;"> (where I live)</span>. A gravel company called TXI is attempting, for the ump-teenth time, to build a 786.5 acre gravel pit mine at <span style="color: red;">(proposed address.) </span>This massive gravel pit will surround my neighborhood on two sides and will apparently be tearing down <a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/outside/hunters.htm" target="_blank">the Hunter Mansion and graveyard.</a><br />
<br />
My home, in particular, has a fabulous view of the historic mansion, it's remaining grounds, and graveyard. We had our home built this summer and specifically asked for the house to sit the way it does so that we may enjoy the beautiful view. One week after we moved in, there were signs and fliers all over the community about this gravel pit- our first notice aboout said project. Needless to say, it came as quite a shock.<br />
<br />
My subdivision is just one of the many protesting the building of this pit. The proposed location covers the entirety of William Dunlap Hunter's plantation, as well as invading the space of a local Tree Farm and a functioning pecan grove. (The pecan grove also looks to be of historical significance with it's massive trees.) These 786.5 acres sit on the northern banks of the river, just eleven miles from downtown.<br />
<br />
The site plan information is available here: https://www.ci.austin.tx.us/devreview/a_queryfolder_permits.jsp<br />
CASE number SP-2008-0515D<br />
<br />
We are asking for your help, or insight, in combatting TXI. There is a Commissioners Court open meeting this <span style="color: red;">(date, time, address.)</span><br />
I apologize about the short notice. We have only recently found out about this meeting ourselves, as the city officials have been quite dodgey about this ugly business.<br />
Even if members of your organization are unable to attend, we would greatly appreciate any help or information you could provide on protecting the historical significance and beauty of our community.<br />
<br />
Thank you!<br />
<span style="color: red;">(me and my contact info)</span>"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">-------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
</div>I found the link about the mansion particularly interesting so I'll post it again: <a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/outside/hunters.htm">check it out</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">-----------------------------------------------</div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-1658273642209093852009-10-03T02:24:00.000-07:002009-10-18T11:07:02.307-07:00Weird Plants Interest MeWhen I was in high school I bought a giant vase and filled it with <a href="http://weeds.hotmeal.net/weeds/Taurian_Thistle.jpg">purple thistle</a> I collected from the side of the highway and gave it to my mom on Mothers' Day. Another time I gave her a single <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.solefarms.com/assets/flowers/Thumbnail/8.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.solefarms.com/Flowers.asp&usg=__8fadlWEBmwsEU9nXaO4TBFiYD6I=&h=159&w=240&sz=11&hl=en&start=30&um=1&tbnid=q_yQhuIDLLn0wM:&tbnh=73&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dspider%2B%2Bmum%2Bvarieties%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D21%26um%3D1">spider mum</a>, or what I had always thought was a spider mum. That picture is not as spindley as the thing I gave her.<br /><br />Unique plants intrigue me.<br /><br />Earlier this week I made a trip to the farmers' market. There was a nursery stand, where I purchased three small strawberry plants. When I was very small and my family moved into its first house, my parents bought me a few to plant in the front flower bed. Seven years later, when we moved again, the entire bed had been taken over by strawberries- my favorite fruit.<br /><br />I've been fascinated with cacti for a while now. The scenic drive out to our aunt's house is lined with a beautiful blooming prickly pear variety which I have always enjoyed. As of late, I've been collecting dismembered cactus lobes and planting them along the side of my house.<br /><br />Sitting on the table at the nursery stand there was a strange looking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succulent">succulent</a>, similar to a small cactus. It had one giant pod-like thing coming off of it- which I was told was a flower bud. I asked the lady what the plant was and she simply said it was a "carrion."<br /><br />"Like meat?" I asked.<br />"yep."<br /><br />Here is a picture of what it looked like on Tuesday:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2GOMnt0R_myJCp_Y6XYn80CUUQCiNx-w0JXyd7X3wz_rd69w3l5uKYSoufyRM1TS-2OgnCozcM9vaGLnYhBbU_viRZGmiLKwXQ3iOja6heyR669b7AzTTHE4Pa-FRH6VrpCIPmi-JJFm/s1600-h/tues+carrion.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2GOMnt0R_myJCp_Y6XYn80CUUQCiNx-w0JXyd7X3wz_rd69w3l5uKYSoufyRM1TS-2OgnCozcM9vaGLnYhBbU_viRZGmiLKwXQ3iOja6heyR669b7AzTTHE4Pa-FRH6VrpCIPmi-JJFm/s320/tues+carrion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388308175501886754" border="0" /></a>On Wednesday, I took it out of the planter and put it in a (temporary) pot on my front porch. On Thursday it looked the same.<br /><br />Friday, I was startled by what the plant looked like:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikuJ4ZRoMizhsSJX_Ei9CKHIOnUP3MVVNts5fY8AtSSuzWwbDz56EP5sescWAIrK9zRRkqiJYW4jDDE-jXLAv0U-M2ZQrAyz1dacrif1vm1HCHsvbBx5XwOOquaaeUSY0dvB12DDzesvH/s1600-h/carrion.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikuJ4ZRoMizhsSJX_Ei9CKHIOnUP3MVVNts5fY8AtSSuzWwbDz56EP5sescWAIrK9zRRkqiJYW4jDDE-jXLAv0U-M2ZQrAyz1dacrif1vm1HCHsvbBx5XwOOquaaeUSY0dvB12DDzesvH/s320/carrion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388308881422707154" border="0" /></a><br />The flower is HUGE. It was also covered with flies. weird, weird, weird.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgjFu1fm1kGrDeFYUmyMz9Twia1IL5DZoqDvv2qQJ6BmORWevlRvLU42P4eWdP9loCrXyFkYuSq-3HrFcUiTzSnp4_RzqNjHf4jPXdE5uHQK4eLsx6Ub2w6HY3i0ZTX_7ITkSqhWlQC92/s1600-h/carrion+closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgjFu1fm1kGrDeFYUmyMz9Twia1IL5DZoqDvv2qQJ6BmORWevlRvLU42P4eWdP9loCrXyFkYuSq-3HrFcUiTzSnp4_RzqNjHf4jPXdE5uHQK4eLsx6Ub2w6HY3i0ZTX_7ITkSqhWlQC92/s320/carrion+closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388308956473209202" border="0" /></a>I was so taken aback that I immediately came inside to google my new plant. This giant, hairy, striped, oddly fragranced fly attractor is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrion_flower">carrion flower</a>. More specifically, the one I have is in the<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stapelia">Stapelia</a> family.<br /><br />Carrion are unique in that they are not pollinated by bees or butterflies, they depend on flies. And they attract these flies by producing a foul odor- that of decaying meat... carrion. The flowers also have a sort of marbled, fleshy look to them.<br /><br />WEIRD!<br /><br />The odor of this particular one is not overwhelming- I hardly noticed it at first. However, I do not want flies gathering at my front door or to greet guests and have them say "What's that smell?" So I need to move my funky plant to a less prestigious location.<br /><br />Now go look at the link above for the carrion flower and check out the photo of the<i><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Amorphophallus titanum</i> in<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>Wilhelma Botanical and Zoological Gardens in Stuttgart, Germany. Holy Magoo!<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-29468593762522504222009-10-02T12:58:00.000-07:002009-11-23T15:39:21.882-08:00Gravel Pit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARv2YmGmutbmrzGm9SSklIyzTFYeCAo8l6tUehwoJHhDk9YE2MqzYYIIyjng9HOP2XqxwUsFU6SiBpqhsgNdWyb3u85bwxeMxVrGUlyam6jTiXmYcxSH5K5Dv0oMp6_lXtwIbJc7uyfh6/s1600-h/mansion+dark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARv2YmGmutbmrzGm9SSklIyzTFYeCAo8l6tUehwoJHhDk9YE2MqzYYIIyjng9HOP2XqxwUsFU6SiBpqhsgNdWyb3u85bwxeMxVrGUlyam6jTiXmYcxSH5K5Dv0oMp6_lXtwIbJc7uyfh6/s320/mansion+dark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388130183936190082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A week after we closed on the house we rented a moving van and brought all of our furniture over. On a stop sign in our neighborhood there was a giant poster: "SAY NO TO THE GRAVEL PIT!"<br />It also had details on a community meeting to be had later that week. I dragged my husband to a ridiculous and crowded meeting room, full of city officials, crying women and ranting men. Nothing productive came of the meeting, other than our gaining the knowledge that a gravel company wants to put a huge pit (and accompanying mounds of rocks and dirt) right across the street from the Winkler.<br /><br />The projection plan covers many, many acres of land and surrounds our neighborhood on two sides. People from all over the community and the numerous subdivisions affected by this project are convinced that, in addition to being a giant eye-sore, the gravel pit will drive down the value of our homes, destroy our local water supply, infest the air with dust particles, destroy our neighborhood streets (with the work trucks), and cause major safety concerns for the children in the area: increased traffic, tempting mounds of dirt to play in, no fence around the work zone, etc.<br /><br />From what I've heard, the gravel company has legal rights to build in said location. The people were being pretty ridiculous and yelling and scoffing at the city representatives- who were being very honest about the whole scenario. I understand my neighbors' complaints- I sure as Hell don't want a gravel pit less than 500 feet from my home- but I'm sure the people who live in the mansion across the street didn't want to stare at my subdivision either.<br /><br />We don't yet know what the outcome of this will be, as there is a lot of red tape the gravel company has to crawl through to get all the permits needed to" build" their pit. Our community will continue it's protests and maybe we'll be able to discourage the project. Who knows?<br /><br />Anyway, I figured I should go take some pictures of the area before it becomes heaps of rocks and dirt. Enjoy:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXs8l7ERf754rxgXjAfD4kVhwDZRzbf8yiXzliyIOlGvvUQsss3RCW-UTlS0TDymHe57x8j8MOT211hK7uo6EoOLIubJvgX6krkgx9yufdnqSOjd9iFGyybX8z4D3St5sTqSwGv9jVPas/s1600-h/pecan+grove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXs8l7ERf754rxgXjAfD4kVhwDZRzbf8yiXzliyIOlGvvUQsss3RCW-UTlS0TDymHe57x8j8MOT211hK7uo6EoOLIubJvgX6krkgx9yufdnqSOjd9iFGyybX8z4D3St5sTqSwGv9jVPas/s320/pecan+grove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388124228299896514" border="0" /></a>Just down the road from us, tucked back near fields of hay, there's a pecan grove. Rows and rows of pecan trees run down one side of a gravel lane. The other side of the lane has a small country house that has a large personal vegetable garden.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJM7ok7nJ5ft59WXM5fEpPg0iYDqUa9akyL5Jh_-FawjnkPX1DxREc4u7gJOlMnCc6TxE38y06O56A_bNdbmbsFAAelou2gcXflga6acU3pvVnJOPwIRutasu0MEVyY5_Q9vo47Pfk8Ow/s1600-h/sunset+crops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJM7ok7nJ5ft59WXM5fEpPg0iYDqUa9akyL5Jh_-FawjnkPX1DxREc4u7gJOlMnCc6TxE38y06O56A_bNdbmbsFAAelou2gcXflga6acU3pvVnJOPwIRutasu0MEVyY5_Q9vo47Pfk8Ow/s320/sunset+crops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388125360274775138" border="0" /></a>This hay field is adjacent to the pecan grove and stretches up the road, behind a couple of ancient, hidden, forgotten houses, and up behind the property line of the mansion visible from my house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSM1equmKCDgLlxEY4K8e2-pXNZQCFEFGo6fJKjDw0AidROWX-2Kvr8Cmlw4i8FTkRC8BWAR_ZS9HYmSlooO03suLolBVI1avG8Sti0GZdzDBESIG5ofObw2khV-ME5ReYfNKMxIJ8H42/s1600-h/dilapidated.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSM1equmKCDgLlxEY4K8e2-pXNZQCFEFGo6fJKjDw0AidROWX-2Kvr8Cmlw4i8FTkRC8BWAR_ZS9HYmSlooO03suLolBVI1avG8Sti0GZdzDBESIG5ofObw2khV-ME5ReYfNKMxIJ8H42/s320/dilapidated.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388126728158188866" border="0" /></a>A nice shot of one of the dilapidated houses. There are about four of them on either side of the road that runs behind our neighborhood, back to the pecan grove. It's a street rarely used by anyone, as it's access to the main road is in the middle of a deadly curve. One of the houses has trees growing through it, or have fallen on it- you can't really tell. The two that are in front of the hay field pictured above still have toys in the yard and other scattered personal belongings, making me wonder what happened to the families that lived there and why they left so much behind. The windows are busted and the houses are caving in on themselves, so they vacated some time ago...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptG-GQIXX3EN1WlyqKUSIt16EtvECdnmoUa62hrGShzgJ5h7yVn4ihuDoF71BhoC5dQJhQ5QjB5R1KJW6FKN4AYJZsk6tGcDF6fxKjkGDBoWKks-hvi0Ml5N0kJ1uyZiJkBQLoU6S-AzK/s1600-h/mansion.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptG-GQIXX3EN1WlyqKUSIt16EtvECdnmoUa62hrGShzgJ5h7yVn4ihuDoF71BhoC5dQJhQ5QjB5R1KJW6FKN4AYJZsk6tGcDF6fxKjkGDBoWKks-hvi0Ml5N0kJ1uyZiJkBQLoU6S-AzK/s320/mansion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388128094510657682" border="0" /></a>This is the mansion at the edge of my subdivision. It looks like a plantation home. I think there's a historical marker in the yard, but people still live there and it might be odd if I walk up their driveway to snoop on them. There's a huge shed and what resembles an airplane hangar on their property. To the right (the area off camera, but that is visible when staring out one of my bedroom windows) is a field with some sort of old fashioned gas pump and several old cars. They are parked all in one short row, along with some giant tanks that sort of look like propane tanks. Aged from the years of exposure, all these things have rust and flaking paint, but with the tall prairie grasses growing up around them and the hay field, tree lined road, gorgeous sunsets and the one building we can see in downtown, it's actually a beautiful view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y7Wpzrq3UFL_p-dv9xP9cSC_nW5ZC3ursajAVCamo0E-LC_r5kLrvXdxExEJkzfCPllBEGm6qCRpZABNsAoW8WsaxEDLYsUR3hTDL_dFi6x_dX-2Blu-x6nC3nxXV0EpPoCXJKaaoT_9/s1600-h/mansion+graveyard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y7Wpzrq3UFL_p-dv9xP9cSC_nW5ZC3ursajAVCamo0E-LC_r5kLrvXdxExEJkzfCPllBEGm6qCRpZABNsAoW8WsaxEDLYsUR3hTDL_dFi6x_dX-2Blu-x6nC3nxXV0EpPoCXJKaaoT_9/s320/mansion+graveyard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388130301039562050" border="0" /></a>The mansion also has a family graveyard out front, which makes me even more curious as to whether they will be selling their property to the gravel company. I often see strange work trucks going to and from the mansion, but they could be trucks used for harvesting hay. I'm unfamiliar with what gravel and hay equipment looks like... I hope they don't sell. I rather like having a historical piece of land to look at, even if I have no idea what it's significance is.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWmNuX7piTlImQ-6mPn7zObtlwHQN9FRXtIgPTSISN1s8nRVvH1OxLCdmFgoctiOBTUPzdhfdmv56Qqw8F4xgUw0vgXSPp1H-LUc9jeOvM6FuW33WpnZZpi6i9MeVxya6QFISNfOasCc_/s1600-h/blue+bluff+sky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWmNuX7piTlImQ-6mPn7zObtlwHQN9FRXtIgPTSISN1s8nRVvH1OxLCdmFgoctiOBTUPzdhfdmv56Qqw8F4xgUw0vgXSPp1H-LUc9jeOvM6FuW33WpnZZpi6i9MeVxya6QFISNfOasCc_/s320/blue+bluff+sky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388125638830285682" border="0" /></a>This is actually a view on the other side of the toll way- about a mile and half from the Winkler. I guess I didn't notice the sky as much before we moved, due to all the buildings and such of actual suburban life, but out here the sky stretches all the way across your line of sight and the clouds always look so beautiful. Every time I have to "head into town," my annoyance with the drive is relieved by the gorgeous country* scenery.<br /><br /><br />*We live just twelve miles from downtown...supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-69077944833996262782009-08-19T12:51:00.000-07:002009-08-20T21:22:45.937-07:00House Warming Party And SuchHere are some pictures from our house warming party and the days surrounding it. FYI, I organized them (mostly) by the flow of the house, not chronologically. Like always, clicking on pictures gives you a larger view.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQoArbwSOK6JAjZeCpPOX0hEuhfSu2Uw1kuV_QENUgbFeMlKwGEIxCi9hQLWmg9pYmBP1f02g7HErco9zKOIjzCv_gDQ4VAMhR4-k3IEbUgAKsbwhQmLTFd5bRDcARL3gLEDLXqi2YI0m/s1600-h/invite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQoArbwSOK6JAjZeCpPOX0hEuhfSu2Uw1kuV_QENUgbFeMlKwGEIxCi9hQLWmg9pYmBP1f02g7HErco9zKOIjzCv_gDQ4VAMhR4-k3IEbUgAKsbwhQmLTFd5bRDcARL3gLEDLXqi2YI0m/s320/invite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371781273437239746" border="0" /></a>The invitation I made.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kaL_8O6l5XpQ6IIRByUs0a_1aZKTOUCd2JxjOMSwOtUJV-td9_pbq64h0Hm_yOCaMi6SfLOJNOARxG8JjGiDDbruQtrKtqMFUOqV9a34q6-eVPI9CwWw5xUqLMBX2APv3IEqVkKZaWCo/s1600-h/family+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kaL_8O6l5XpQ6IIRByUs0a_1aZKTOUCd2JxjOMSwOtUJV-td9_pbq64h0Hm_yOCaMi6SfLOJNOARxG8JjGiDDbruQtrKtqMFUOqV9a34q6-eVPI9CwWw5xUqLMBX2APv3IEqVkKZaWCo/s320/family+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371774085000709442" border="0" /></a>A nice family shot.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUghKzZJcXp5iBU1kYdZsd7yS9d9YQO6ydBkEqt_8uatJuRNnCz5g_-WlzqOU5z0WD48JnM12nQH8998rAmMuBowI4OIEIFRhAQ-nFQKHxGqkBOvP2K7RtsNAzjmjVG38U0NB2LqdVAg6-/s1600-h/porch+flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUghKzZJcXp5iBU1kYdZsd7yS9d9YQO6ydBkEqt_8uatJuRNnCz5g_-WlzqOU5z0WD48JnM12nQH8998rAmMuBowI4OIEIFRhAQ-nFQKHxGqkBOvP2K7RtsNAzjmjVG38U0NB2LqdVAg6-/s320/porch+flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371780914414479090" border="0" /></a>Pretty hanging basket I got for three bucks- and the lovely blue flowers I planted in it.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUJpNmv76OGNttm9NSMViepkTuyctR0XnUtOHWnwKybLHz5Tc0-rqiyIWsyX845p7Xr1IHw7XmrER4t8wVGVxUany9hJozQpIiDro05WOF9uif877CXIybibI8guCCZGaWlEtfppx98FO/s1600-h/foyer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUJpNmv76OGNttm9NSMViepkTuyctR0XnUtOHWnwKybLHz5Tc0-rqiyIWsyX845p7Xr1IHw7XmrER4t8wVGVxUany9hJozQpIiDro05WOF9uif877CXIybibI8guCCZGaWlEtfppx98FO/s320/foyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371773459380830818" border="0" /></a>The front foyer- my husband, his brother,and their aunt.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9ItdWozVQXg1FXA-Guz6370KCQUIXGFAkKMZauB0mFqeZv80byNs7y_CJguCS7CmvHuDRHCcZllVLxPczwnk5kkFB_eu_ZvZ2Jj-GacqNCwmevUXXSfcKvqcvKZQDnVkt1AN-oL25zVO/s1600-h/nook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9ItdWozVQXg1FXA-Guz6370KCQUIXGFAkKMZauB0mFqeZv80byNs7y_CJguCS7CmvHuDRHCcZllVLxPczwnk5kkFB_eu_ZvZ2Jj-GacqNCwmevUXXSfcKvqcvKZQDnVkt1AN-oL25zVO/s320/nook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371773376263131186" border="0" /></a>The area I call the "nook," outside the half bath and utility rooms. It's also the area the little one's play kitchen is housed.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBBSA1NNs0dYLKykXjveYgOON8d28G2xIDtp5VHPaoqA7vCZuq9h8qMYWY_mHcXNp9xzzepbJk6oQ_CiH5jKwyXfKtsnO8e9XsE0voiivJlU9utifAmqn7jWil5yxh15uUbmn824NBqNf/s1600-h/bookcase+and+painting2"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBBSA1NNs0dYLKykXjveYgOON8d28G2xIDtp5VHPaoqA7vCZuq9h8qMYWY_mHcXNp9xzzepbJk6oQ_CiH5jKwyXfKtsnO8e9XsE0voiivJlU9utifAmqn7jWil5yxh15uUbmn824NBqNf/s320/bookcase+and+painting2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371773278232443602" border="0" /></a>Finally got Starry Night hung. It's a little crooked, so it's back on my to-do list. Here, you can also see the gigantic atlas we received from an uncle as a house warming gift. He called it a coffee table book, but if it had legs, it could BE a coffee table. :)<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jHxcoQfO5uenhyphenhyphendJpyIggaKPFzSBCoRrH4gvFvTK0GnZOxU-6oDaoSwk9VS20Dolra05w9shUTRFYZD9DQhaIe8E5X9rZyNajDbIDxs5bvBKCKUwrOVAKn1xTtQG8KLC6YPii-fqvuPX/s1600-h/bookcase+guitarist2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jHxcoQfO5uenhyphenhyphendJpyIggaKPFzSBCoRrH4gvFvTK0GnZOxU-6oDaoSwk9VS20Dolra05w9shUTRFYZD9DQhaIe8E5X9rZyNajDbIDxs5bvBKCKUwrOVAKn1xTtQG8KLC6YPii-fqvuPX/s320/bookcase+guitarist2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371772730477608466" border="0" /></a>Behind the love seat we hung The Old Guitarist. Eventually we'd like to get a better copy of this. It's my husband's favorite painting. I really like how the blues in it and in Starry Night play off our kitchen walls.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmn6i4IFJfU4HKMrPljbGwl53-_rGrSaE2ln8sNnzfG3-FoHZl9bmycR6ZgwbzqRkP2sFXp1MjWqv89yhyphenhyphen4wCHF73MCv9QvAMf6jvVUuESteGmjewQNKOvP9GWs-KJtytt9-8bXmGR5aS/s1600-h/couch+boys.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmn6i4IFJfU4HKMrPljbGwl53-_rGrSaE2ln8sNnzfG3-FoHZl9bmycR6ZgwbzqRkP2sFXp1MjWqv89yhyphenhyphen4wCHF73MCv9QvAMf6jvVUuESteGmjewQNKOvP9GWs-KJtytt9-8bXmGR5aS/s320/couch+boys.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371772373562697698" border="0" /></a>Having fun at the party.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoXBjtwE9jBEsWdzzzvkN4kMGcEF2VTZto9326mG_CaCwaWOaN8QNpe7NBfCM7L-CD_37VM5HbpMtcS33HsOfWHVtmJ5G6zwjz1UfOwbahbxykZvr09DzKk3QQC85Auk7p9lYYvniVkHo/s1600-h/guitars2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoXBjtwE9jBEsWdzzzvkN4kMGcEF2VTZto9326mG_CaCwaWOaN8QNpe7NBfCM7L-CD_37VM5HbpMtcS33HsOfWHVtmJ5G6zwjz1UfOwbahbxykZvr09DzKk3QQC85Auk7p9lYYvniVkHo/s320/guitars2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371772306649050498" border="0" /></a>With the help of several family members, we got two of the guitar brackets mounted. The darned stud finder didn't like me one bit! Hopefully I'll find the third bracket soon so the wall will look more balanced.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Nf2ooj1fcCWJgA1IuM48d1aEKBI-taNl29qBdlpUXuihqQiFxeUhtmte8KJ3xFtluUNy1R6Ck3FSc92IjekQmKcdcV82HgMMUmqrKkGTVV2amFIFARQisauUZ0LMnnSmB1D0znweCxAN/s1600-h/kitchen+ladies+again.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Nf2ooj1fcCWJgA1IuM48d1aEKBI-taNl29qBdlpUXuihqQiFxeUhtmte8KJ3xFtluUNy1R6Ck3FSc92IjekQmKcdcV82HgMMUmqrKkGTVV2amFIFARQisauUZ0LMnnSmB1D0znweCxAN/s320/kitchen+ladies+again.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371768884255294210" border="0" /></a>Family at the party.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsdRC03HqEXfEWUGkSNzewHGfVOeYJDsufQUSqP-UqHj0vegEHwzZUiMPoWmslzRU2b3wqSbgQnkxTg3rfCkiukrm67mJ5JAT3qPzrAF4Tpa-lp868kJ026E0pQPTBfpbCOa12d7fwl4g/s1600-h/dining.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsdRC03HqEXfEWUGkSNzewHGfVOeYJDsufQUSqP-UqHj0vegEHwzZUiMPoWmslzRU2b3wqSbgQnkxTg3rfCkiukrm67mJ5JAT3qPzrAF4Tpa-lp868kJ026E0pQPTBfpbCOa12d7fwl4g/s320/dining.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371781281045765938" border="0" /></a>I've had this rug for some time now. I've always liked it and am glad it finally has a place to go, even if it is a bit small for a dining table rug. The colors and pattern are also on the throws on our couches, so with the open floor plan it looks great. I'm so glad to finally have an obvious decorating scheme/theme in my home!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa-QQdt6Dky0eUpn8Oy0o-ikIrMrIIfPoX83MnbWthmpi6h8eEG7cks9oJVs3odpKBqGm7Y3D8-UyrSqUbTYXrFzNLCRFJr03nj9541S0YlPAkG03dysq5ReFaJw0FnKAJ5w1oQR9QziB/s1600-h/kitchen+side+view2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa-QQdt6Dky0eUpn8Oy0o-ikIrMrIIfPoX83MnbWthmpi6h8eEG7cks9oJVs3odpKBqGm7Y3D8-UyrSqUbTYXrFzNLCRFJr03nj9541S0YlPAkG03dysq5ReFaJw0FnKAJ5w1oQR9QziB/s320/kitchen+side+view2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371787542457345954" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">View of the kitchen from the dining table. The light blue sun used to be orange, but with a fresh coat of paint, it's seeing new life. Eventually that spot will house our freezer, but for now the suns look nice. You can also see our brand new toaster. (Thanks, Tortilla!) It's a black 4 slot with a fancy retractable cord.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IjvmptgG3KNzVmrLGndvFA7QagTo6xWi0MHjvTU2usNSuq_k7u-AC-D_9pBqEWpB5Ei_B29eCg91VqFbMNwwhkQmP17zXgc6YUXGVdnCV8-Y5sYHhZqTwiR_wrUdELJXoFZE91w8oFgF/s1600-h/dead+lady2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IjvmptgG3KNzVmrLGndvFA7QagTo6xWi0MHjvTU2usNSuq_k7u-AC-D_9pBqEWpB5Ei_B29eCg91VqFbMNwwhkQmP17zXgc6YUXGVdnCV8-Y5sYHhZqTwiR_wrUdELJXoFZE91w8oFgF/s320/dead+lady2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371769592325766642" border="0" /></a>This is the top of our fridge- not the permanent home for any of these items. The white candle holders were favors for the girls in our family from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/04949135596695787724">Paisley</a>'s wedding. The sculpture, which is either a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calaca">calaca</a>, or a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Calavera_Catrina">catrina</a> (I'm unsure), was a house warming gift from my aunt. The two of us have been bonding a great deal over the past year and- boy, did she hit the nail on the head with this one! I LOVE it! The colors perfectly match the walls in the kitchen/living/dining, and I have always thought the Day of the Dead sculptures were amazing (odd, but amazing none the less.) Some time ago I bought some <a href="http://www.ahfabrics.com/frontpage.html">Alexander Henry</a> Folklorico Fabrics ( <a href="http://www.ahfabrics.com/products.php?cat_id=204">Virgin of Guadalupe</a>, <a href="http://www.ahfabrics.com/products.php?cat_id=418">Paseo </a><a href="http://www.ahfabrics.com/products.php?cat_id=418">de los Muertos,</a> and maybe <a href="http://www.ahfabrics.com/products.php?cat_id=203">Calaveras</a> ) from Joanne's. They're in one of my craft boxes. I've always wanted a Mexican themed kitchen, so after I get my sewing machine fixed, I think I'll make a table runner or some place mats. I also own a vintage apron with little guitars and maracas embroidered on it, and two little dancers at the bottom. I used it as a window valance in our old town house, but now I need to repurpose it.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-xpQGdjs7XmE-JqGUm7yal-Qz10wxOH-twIggRpgVU8jZWHzWA3C97p_hy7OChq8YcLUl4rBuZvLtVdqGEtuta6vGffzQUOxLNH26OxOP8ydPq61zgqo-yD0hhib34dTPGgREZ79fQDD/s1600-h/cards2"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-xpQGdjs7XmE-JqGUm7yal-Qz10wxOH-twIggRpgVU8jZWHzWA3C97p_hy7OChq8YcLUl4rBuZvLtVdqGEtuta6vGffzQUOxLNH26OxOP8ydPq61zgqo-yD0hhib34dTPGgREZ79fQDD/s320/cards2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371774005836673650" border="0" /></a>This is my greeting card display. It's on the bar top between the kitchen and living room. I want to get some wood and some clips and build a double sided display to set out during Christmas and Birthday months.<br /></div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyIPBrui-F2B6XrnDmty4CAuSAFbpM0PiaIYY4zj9Ub6V7bUgTU8u2AHPV6J60X9NW-km-CqqYSzJiSQHjyTiYOa1fYylyMVHC7HZFP3nA9PloClXGEBizTdlq97fwYiGGxASYN_JfEf_/s1600-h/playroom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyIPBrui-F2B6XrnDmty4CAuSAFbpM0PiaIYY4zj9Ub6V7bUgTU8u2AHPV6J60X9NW-km-CqqYSzJiSQHjyTiYOa1fYylyMVHC7HZFP3nA9PloClXGEBizTdlq97fwYiGGxASYN_JfEf_/s320/playroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371767043489935106" border="0" /></a>Playroom- have it organized now. Definite computer area, home-school supplies, book storage, a movie watching spot, play area with table and seating...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zay2ogociNNiN8mI72XHXhV9Gmh9GHXK0x-wljYqptfLOxcibig0OvJASL6keMaDZwe6x48uSqLL1FvdYRR4heO32AJ73umbTBNSFRVCyKevRaKEqvFw2j0wq90DWF9UXLrqfRWS59Lu/s1600-h/playroom+again.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zay2ogociNNiN8mI72XHXhV9Gmh9GHXK0x-wljYqptfLOxcibig0OvJASL6keMaDZwe6x48uSqLL1FvdYRR4heO32AJ73umbTBNSFRVCyKevRaKEqvFw2j0wq90DWF9UXLrqfRWS59Lu/s320/playroom+again.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371814172982676274" border="0" /></a><br />and lots of toy storage!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> We've decided this room will also get painted blue (of course!) My husband wants to put Dallas Cowboys collectibles in here, but as of yet the only thing he has is an enormous Game Day Flag for the front porch- another house warming gift. I, on the other hand, just so happen to have a collection of superhero items- and seeing as I'm the one doing all the hanging and decorating and such, I have every intention of blue walls and red shelves. I also have a frame built in my head to display my Supergirl comic books. I've already adapted the fan pulls- the one for the light is a small Batgirl action figure, and the fan pull is the Bat symbol. I'm thinking of using one of my old Supergirl capes as curtains...<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUgv8FP8gaNbPKsyN8x4Q7Pxstq9Xlem8nG6stH5npPG0L9pKG0fWoz0fAp4iusasi25X-p9bqvNvtm9tAPWewfldt_QljN-qd_bNwU-PtEYNhc_Lj5PGykTYRYa-d5AbD6zlHW-D4W-z/s1600-h/girls+bedroom+wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUgv8FP8gaNbPKsyN8x4Q7Pxstq9Xlem8nG6stH5npPG0L9pKG0fWoz0fAp4iusasi25X-p9bqvNvtm9tAPWewfldt_QljN-qd_bNwU-PtEYNhc_Lj5PGykTYRYa-d5AbD6zlHW-D4W-z/s320/girls+bedroom+wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371767026821593202" border="0" /></a>This is part of the girls' bedroom. Here's their display wall. Looks better in person...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylPYiUvcqscZkpC3d2lbG0d1fIZY78p9X0OoK8ewFkt-3AHxf4g6OPHQiSKozj1Wjr3gySBdYAtvr7t-lvnqhahscr7NHWsvW8VreewUPbTYGy0vpjIDe3r6n3OAu7Lv2cybisS4QphJN/s1600-h/girls+bedroom+painting2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylPYiUvcqscZkpC3d2lbG0d1fIZY78p9X0OoK8ewFkt-3AHxf4g6OPHQiSKozj1Wjr3gySBdYAtvr7t-lvnqhahscr7NHWsvW8VreewUPbTYGy0vpjIDe3r6n3OAu7Lv2cybisS4QphJN/s320/girls+bedroom+painting2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371771758646276962" border="0" /></a>I finished this painting last week. My daughter and I started it two years ago!<br /></div><br />My favorite part of their room is the window. I don't have a photo to post, so I'll describe it. They had a lavender mesh canopy that used to hang over their bookcase. I cut it into sections and used the sections as curtains- one long piece hung all the way to the floor on each side, with the final piece draped acrosss the top. It's supported by a beautiful mermaid hook at the center of the top, and a dried starfish in the middle. I'll post more pictures of their room after we get them a bed frame.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF6CGQDSzKyoamgSpHN8eX3K0Todgk4gp2MqiBQmn8CWwfPK_SQ0lrDsc6UdtW8Sju8kvFFSUhFVRjZIIm78EQ-kKZCKY5USdER0CMXWb9QiKDL5aZFNawUIjUYm54kFN3bEfDXwogLCZ/s1600-h/girls+bath.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF6CGQDSzKyoamgSpHN8eX3K0Todgk4gp2MqiBQmn8CWwfPK_SQ0lrDsc6UdtW8Sju8kvFFSUhFVRjZIIm78EQ-kKZCKY5USdER0CMXWb9QiKDL5aZFNawUIjUYm54kFN3bEfDXwogLCZ/s320/girls+bath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371766803184914050" border="0" /></a>Girls' bathroom. This room will either be a light blue or green. I also want to get them a<a href="http://www.target.com/Rickrack-Stripe-Shower-Curtain/dp/B00113JQY6/sr=1-1/qid=1250721235/ref=sr_1_1/180-4546043-2982434?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3ARickrack%20Stripe%20Shower%20Curtain&page=1"> new shower curtain</a>.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIcteMbwrYuGTBDj8rxX0YYlA9W8_Nm9380faQMHIh-w6Ii4TQ6RIqMcItUvwbiDzd7TYk3uOKNBW42ewTJfXMZS5jQ14_Si6rZy-jQLE0UyMU9Yr2aZnFYjJZ5T7knvgujz0o2tMoXxl/s1600-h/master+bedroom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIcteMbwrYuGTBDj8rxX0YYlA9W8_Nm9380faQMHIh-w6Ii4TQ6RIqMcItUvwbiDzd7TYk3uOKNBW42ewTJfXMZS5jQ14_Si6rZy-jQLE0UyMU9Yr2aZnFYjJZ5T7knvgujz0o2tMoXxl/s320/master+bedroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371766798729780178" border="0" /></a>Master bedroom. I love the wall color. I only had one can of paint at the time, so it's a little thin in places, but one of the Home Depot housewarming gift cards we received afforded us another can (among other things.) Add "second coat in bedroom" to my to-do list!<br /><br />We don't have any other bedroom furniture yet. Sometime down the line we'll get a dresser and at least one night stand. I may want a vanity on my side- or perhaps a night stand and a jewelry armoire?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgiy7PXrXu3X521qch1auwV-6OtZ-oHyZ9X6C8ifim0c_CPbTUC1jlkiisrWgzWTgQsyFohgbh4WJRS3IigUjm7qYhCIK7mUz6rs9mmvL_EB2tGEvltv8HtjNRYASYQdRvHB3uKGe-tTa/s1600-h/bunny+hutch2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgiy7PXrXu3X521qch1auwV-6OtZ-oHyZ9X6C8ifim0c_CPbTUC1jlkiisrWgzWTgQsyFohgbh4WJRS3IigUjm7qYhCIK7mUz6rs9mmvL_EB2tGEvltv8HtjNRYASYQdRvHB3uKGe-tTa/s320/bunny+hutch2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371771080404229842" border="0" /></a>My mom and step-dad got a bunny hutch! After the boys assembled it, I drove out to our old apartment to retrieve the bunny. We put it in what we've determined to be the shadiest spot. The only issue is that it's on the side with the rain run-off,so the ground tilts heavily here. Fortunately, we kept most of the pieces to the girls' old bed frame. One of the planks was the exact width of the rabbit hutch, so now it's level! The only problem with the hutch itself is that whoever designed it forgot that rabbits are burrowing animals. The lower level is open to grass for nibbling and digging. I purchased some supplies and built a framework for the bottom of the hutch. The last thing on my to-do list is to finish disassembling her old cage so I can use the wire screens to cover my framework. Then I will set the hutch on top of the screen and we can open the trap door for good, so she can hop down the ramp and enjoy some fresh greens.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyAL12X10zTBbS7ZQnabc4tZB51zXkCNIph4mvPsTUEEOsjtUXmD-ypurDC12mxQ2YImcz5_T2T47R0n13hjrhQJa7j6Xgnx4OhRYrE_mcAp-NF_-lDLVirg-P54iLt-vh_QUGrwqMNX-/s1600-h/porch+dogs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyAL12X10zTBbS7ZQnabc4tZB51zXkCNIph4mvPsTUEEOsjtUXmD-ypurDC12mxQ2YImcz5_T2T47R0n13hjrhQJa7j6Xgnx4OhRYrE_mcAp-NF_-lDLVirg-P54iLt-vh_QUGrwqMNX-/s320/porch+dogs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371781131431444674" border="0" /></a>Here are the kids on the front porch with the dogs that live behind us. I don't really know what the deal is, but these two are never in their own yard. My dog starts whining whenever they come up the street and I recently noticed that the beagle-y one hangs out on my shady porch during the hottest parts of the day. I put a bucket of water out there for them. I know her name is LaLa, but I don't know the little one's name, so I call her Scruffy. They are both friendly and very sweet.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">-------------------------------------------------<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodVVdlbMmwP1RurIpWH6YRH9Sb4urXUt3EO5NNQPRwGWCNMPEt4z9Qli9a8an66RCPDSCU3uzXY7tnNFRyW3qWarvc1WdYn_JwVvCoq4AMCsICXBFs17MyT-qluI57PvhL_QpqQpATDVf/s1600-h/family+shot+again.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodVVdlbMmwP1RurIpWH6YRH9Sb4urXUt3EO5NNQPRwGWCNMPEt4z9Qli9a8an66RCPDSCU3uzXY7tnNFRyW3qWarvc1WdYn_JwVvCoq4AMCsICXBFs17MyT-qluI57PvhL_QpqQpATDVf/s320/family+shot+again.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371766310912607778" border="0" /></a><br />Well, that's all the pictures I have for now. Things are coming together nicely, and it's quite livable now that I've crammed the remaining boxes into every inch of closet space... Thanks to everyone who came out last weekend! And if you didn't make it, call us soon so you can come visit!supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-81751317519679832352009-08-06T23:15:00.000-07:002009-08-08T21:00:22.517-07:00House Warming Party!Our house warming party is set for Saturday, August 15th. Should be a pretty packed house! Hooray! I can't wait to see all your beautiful faces. Call us if you need directions, have questions, or when you figure out if you can make it (so we can get a head count.)<br /><br />Don't feel obligated, but if you'd like to get us a gift, here's a list:<br />We need some big budget items, like a water softening system, a new bed frame for the girls, and a freezer. We've already shopped around for the best deals on the ones we want, so we will gladly welcome<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">gift cards to Home Depot, Lowe's, Ikea and Sears</span></span>.<br />For smaller things, <a href="https://www.target.com/registry/wedding/LPJAFI8U6UUA"><span style="font-weight: bold;">we registered at Target</span></a>- bath towels, kitchen stuff, odds and ends, and a couple of "fun" items. Our registry is under Club Wedd because I didn't realize I had other options.<br />We also need those<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14996273"> </a><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14996273">clear plastic things</a> </span>that cover the knobs on the oven/stove, to keep the little one from burning the house down. They have them at <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51); font-weight: bold;">Bed, Bath, and Beyond</span> and "baby" stores.<br /><br />The run down on our decorating scheme:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Living Room</span>- deep tan walls and couches with green and blue accents, large painting of Starry Night, brownish black furniture with straight lines<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kitchen/Dining</span>- deep blue walls, dishes in shades of blue, green, and brown (mainly plastic due to the kid factor) black appliances, dark brown tile and countertops, medium shade wood cabinets<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Half Bath</span>- presently unpainted, deep red accent pieces. I'd like to get a collection of Mexican punched tin hearts to hang on the wall- I bought one the other day- a red heart with silver flames coming out the top. We might want to hang them over the cabinets in the kitchen. Hmmm...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Girls' Room</span>- turquoise walls, purple furniture, under sea/mermaids<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Girls' Bath</span>- blue and lime green, puppies and kitties, with a few frogs<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Master Bedroom</span>- blue walls, brown and blue bedding, dark wood bed frame<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Master Bath</span>- presently nothing, hoping for brown and deep orange color scheme<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exterior</span>- forest green front door, green door mats and flower pots<br />(Pictures of what we've done so far are available in the previous post- August 5th.)<br /><br />The new light fixtures my husband installed are all dark brown/bronzish, with slightly yellow frosted glass. The carpet is a light tan with brownish speckles. All hanging picture frames are black.<br /><br />Candles are also great- I love it when my house smells like Thanksgiving baked goodies: pumpkin pie, hazelnut, cinnamon, maple.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">____________________________<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">OK, well I guess I have two weeks to finish painting and get unpacked... Don't forget to RSVP!<br /><br /></div></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-532401751404047772009-08-05T23:46:00.000-07:002009-08-07T00:28:40.730-07:00What I've done so far...Special thanks to my most fabulous friend for bringing us Sonic, helping me paint, and letting me use her camera.<br /><br />Here's my cacti on the front porch:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV42yGDG9ry4pG8MRzA_kQ1Pxe79DWfT7Q2fadvvKnsBW8j2AXriQ3qtNoulLMl6qGReeuXS9fEZ4g-9E_gLlICnJupZs9G_wFcn9w28Q_80R-CUFLyH2G1_UqFHnYUGvh-AdhpWvXVTeu/s1600-h/cacti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV42yGDG9ry4pG8MRzA_kQ1Pxe79DWfT7Q2fadvvKnsBW8j2AXriQ3qtNoulLMl6qGReeuXS9fEZ4g-9E_gLlICnJupZs9G_wFcn9w28Q_80R-CUFLyH2G1_UqFHnYUGvh-AdhpWvXVTeu/s320/cacti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367110289592347682" border="0" /></a><br />The baby's kitchen fits perfectly in the nook outside the laundry room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvUQyzROFLWnFNUQrlC2yXsU8IX-mf5g_iaoLVP6NzW0u5GhxekgM-30EECMiV0aTpLwkpWJWeW7Qaw3rf2_EJFB2JDCKPL3RUGFllvF1emVG3BL1-87QWWFY6dIQIluLKy44Y62U-0GH/s1600-h/beanies+kitchen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvUQyzROFLWnFNUQrlC2yXsU8IX-mf5g_iaoLVP6NzW0u5GhxekgM-30EECMiV0aTpLwkpWJWeW7Qaw3rf2_EJFB2JDCKPL3RUGFllvF1emVG3BL1-87QWWFY6dIQIluLKy44Y62U-0GH/s320/beanies+kitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367110278961331010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I painted my sun to match the kitchen wall. Then I hung it over the pantry.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BO6r6tMhS4M2G70nXKNAV6dySRzWzQizpeVaz9dHyamOxF3be8mSfM0dPVFDeL5i4JGkO2AMcy9oHToIQILGLeGcRa7_vSJzInE2IlL0tBVivAyN8uKErwdFrwHSj1gZ_bmbpnr-CkYW/s1600-h/pantry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BO6r6tMhS4M2G70nXKNAV6dySRzWzQizpeVaz9dHyamOxF3be8mSfM0dPVFDeL5i4JGkO2AMcy9oHToIQILGLeGcRa7_vSJzInE2IlL0tBVivAyN8uKErwdFrwHSj1gZ_bmbpnr-CkYW/s320/pantry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367111354674925602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Blue kitchen walls and island- new chandelier hung by my hubby.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_5QKuqMVAxWlacv2_RugB-_n1sDLTUKA6Hm6ODmbFdUImG5NZwlILDrvnJl5046Ut3jxl1hoF09snPFwIHy6ARGNgz_XxO23GIoo_pMH4aIjunXLLDvuLxb5btPpYnGFCs7bU9AR7Qup/s1600-h/dining+room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_5QKuqMVAxWlacv2_RugB-_n1sDLTUKA6Hm6ODmbFdUImG5NZwlILDrvnJl5046Ut3jxl1hoF09snPFwIHy6ARGNgz_XxO23GIoo_pMH4aIjunXLLDvuLxb5btPpYnGFCs7bU9AR7Qup/s320/dining+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367110699283591042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My lovely couch, with one of the fabulous blankets my aunt gave me.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg2x3x5X3Fc56Bj4N836MHzfCWukQ_HijmLoe-BnehUic24TzpE3M7KFC3FBcbHFWVQLASyNe8ez0UgxoEdN0KWdhMeNB5IJZ9_OMXRavJ3OaQ7RrjOMp6576Q9MgFwI0xQ2ALAyEq0Tm/s1600-h/couch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg2x3x5X3Fc56Bj4N836MHzfCWukQ_HijmLoe-BnehUic24TzpE3M7KFC3FBcbHFWVQLASyNe8ez0UgxoEdN0KWdhMeNB5IJZ9_OMXRavJ3OaQ7RrjOMp6576Q9MgFwI0xQ2ALAyEq0Tm/s320/couch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367110695199368882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bookcase and loveseat. Check out our awesome new ceiling fan! Still need to hang the painting... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-QxtH2NO7KWdgfvV2mGWUS7qCOs2WnEvC2l1Z3N1N2Cr1S6aGXzb2E8uqmDdI2HceoJAsKfjqy-mD1x6nej7yHcH9bjQJ_oW9_mgnUo4WENZc3y_k6UKgsWwAssfRzHjm8EWtCRg_tgt/s1600-h/bookcase.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-QxtH2NO7KWdgfvV2mGWUS7qCOs2WnEvC2l1Z3N1N2Cr1S6aGXzb2E8uqmDdI2HceoJAsKfjqy-mD1x6nej7yHcH9bjQJ_oW9_mgnUo4WENZc3y_k6UKgsWwAssfRzHjm8EWtCRg_tgt/s320/bookcase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367110280862230738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Family pictures in the staircase- new light fixture here, too.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBIWhxOwKzS2xX-sDuYDJn6V4t9xWYpnMGa8AKI83k6QYKST_LrtIXaUP0_cfiIb1TnYQhY2aKEcF0EPFtrjIna_zZwFm8snSH2M_bpZSOXLrLIwHjarB8sv2gn3wOCp4pt84JY-ilfxp/s1600-h/staircase.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBIWhxOwKzS2xX-sDuYDJn6V4t9xWYpnMGa8AKI83k6QYKST_LrtIXaUP0_cfiIb1TnYQhY2aKEcF0EPFtrjIna_zZwFm8snSH2M_bpZSOXLrLIwHjarB8sv2gn3wOCp4pt84JY-ilfxp/s320/staircase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367111371784967730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More family pictures at the top of the stairs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvaYjc0lq7YIx5M1gZUjB-8Bxo_xlC3rCV92mTWq36PpU5XLNjrVc4_V90BQZ6CLNRVsuEZ8-WQVJLEvS8amZ4-A5AOvyJ3zBn14Po6zazdh7quhq0E_ihXlWK8UATFJFxtZkys9MF01-/s1600-h/pictures.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvaYjc0lq7YIx5M1gZUjB-8Bxo_xlC3rCV92mTWq36PpU5XLNjrVc4_V90BQZ6CLNRVsuEZ8-WQVJLEvS8amZ4-A5AOvyJ3zBn14Po6zazdh7quhq0E_ihXlWK8UATFJFxtZkys9MF01-/s320/pictures.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367111363689510706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Started painting the girls' bedroom, with the help of a friend. Ceiling fan salvaged from my aunt's attic.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHXsT7p35BUM8nkKOWimbsHeAT8e96oOdSwjR5C-U8x6MZZ2Gf8OmgW6nv79S_8QyZ_zoSinoCDCWIlB26h636jB39Td5vzMpH_ni78DGNsuYF0yj1T31Snpl2306Lffmh2B5PgYoS5LZ/s1600-h/girls+room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHXsT7p35BUM8nkKOWimbsHeAT8e96oOdSwjR5C-U8x6MZZ2Gf8OmgW6nv79S_8QyZ_zoSinoCDCWIlB26h636jB39Td5vzMpH_ni78DGNsuYF0yj1T31Snpl2306Lffmh2B5PgYoS5LZ/s320/girls+room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367111351157385202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's it so far. Lots of unpacking and rearranging left- also a little more painting. The apartment is still a disaster. I hope to be done out there soon, but it's difficult to get anything done with the kids there, especially with the apartment being empty. At least the Winkler is feeling more and more like Home.supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-39483541393732503772009-07-16T02:44:00.000-07:002009-10-03T02:19:06.263-07:00Living Room Paint<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnfgzWPPideqhm2Oo6VVHbFcCi6KHuifncu0oCsjH0wcE3y4W2-LzeOMO-9gE5KbMNHP4ZJAbn8ae8_hB_siMY-VGKxsOtqSPJ4LBHpHtq8Lr_J1btew1vCuPWwjKYyww85fbENoZ4xsb/s1600-h/0715092158-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnfgzWPPideqhm2Oo6VVHbFcCi6KHuifncu0oCsjH0wcE3y4W2-LzeOMO-9gE5KbMNHP4ZJAbn8ae8_hB_siMY-VGKxsOtqSPJ4LBHpHtq8Lr_J1btew1vCuPWwjKYyww85fbENoZ4xsb/s320/0715092158-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358960510302172946" border="0" /></a><br />Got to make this post quick- I'm supposed to be throwing some things in the truck and letting the dog out to pee. It's 2:35 am, I've not done much packing, and I am a good hour or so from the house- blah!<br /><br />Last night, as I pulled into the driveway, my husband found a stray beagle/basset dog outside. We brought her in the yard. A few minutes later, we found a black lab puppy. Neither had tags and we assumed from their friendliness that they belonged together.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKvCYltIklfbE0pSoVUTYcRnq3pLBUSyTpkphJI_xec9XHYhyfppJpTBrntnRmMIGZ3myeOvqFFYFpjWRr5tONBb_w4Wa38Dkat8fPbDkIeGg7Iceqi4lNa203lMyA1HciOaVkEFVbVa3/s1600-h/0714092035-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKvCYltIklfbE0pSoVUTYcRnq3pLBUSyTpkphJI_xec9XHYhyfppJpTBrntnRmMIGZ3myeOvqFFYFpjWRr5tONBb_w4Wa38Dkat8fPbDkIeGg7Iceqi4lNa203lMyA1HciOaVkEFVbVa3/s320/0714092035-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358958568265694178" border="0" /></a>Later, the people who live behind us came home. The beaglish dog is theirs. The other is a stray. We let it eat Chinese food (our first meal in the Winkler) with us and gave it some water. This morning I came out to find it had a dug under the fence and gone on it's merry way. For those of you wondering, we won't be bringing our pets over until we get the furniture in- and we need to go buy a rabbit hutch. The bunny's just had free reign to the bathroom for the past 8 months and has outgrown her cage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t5W-_0yI515os4d0Vxht1DdeEBKVcj8OkUo_0q7kzjkyQnkpJmM6w5HT392340D83AegNJ01FChv7i722uzcwGU644GLUYcYXmmO1cd1ZFk5cbQZaAT_YsgxAMW4gEVX3t9dPVJ4k4nq/s1600-h/0714092055-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t5W-_0yI515os4d0Vxht1DdeEBKVcj8OkUo_0q7kzjkyQnkpJmM6w5HT392340D83AegNJ01FChv7i722uzcwGU644GLUYcYXmmO1cd1ZFk5cbQZaAT_YsgxAMW4gEVX3t9dPVJ4k4nq/s320/0714092055-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358958652238634386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YplVza5Tnrv_Y3GXMxXI9hf7lGQXq9yvgau4Q8tcT_B9QHqVIToopcSpRR3HEsQWgHTBNARrk94DxSTvD_tlp2bpPHE4cFoy12iG535B2hvXdQXA8N8sMnBaDU1nA_XrWlYqABboROg0/s1600-h/0714092128-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YplVza5Tnrv_Y3GXMxXI9hf7lGQXq9yvgau4Q8tcT_B9QHqVIToopcSpRR3HEsQWgHTBNARrk94DxSTvD_tlp2bpPHE4cFoy12iG535B2hvXdQXA8N8sMnBaDU1nA_XrWlYqABboROg0/s320/0714092128-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358958734051499506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My little one, covered from head to toe in sweet and sour sauce. She likes to dip her lo mein- which she eats without utensils...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN5b8une2quF7VR2sYYUcotgvGa-fMmoaQHU0jo-I5s4BsH3nDvfn7HfjfHXlSuZWLNNkeLu6OSOPAQRjYjeCOw_EJUQ9YF_PxM7nBR_u4P6HqMTzpsowfTzgXU8WqP3qnDmphUAGx3a6/s1600-h/0715091653-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN5b8une2quF7VR2sYYUcotgvGa-fMmoaQHU0jo-I5s4BsH3nDvfn7HfjfHXlSuZWLNNkeLu6OSOPAQRjYjeCOw_EJUQ9YF_PxM7nBR_u4P6HqMTzpsowfTzgXU8WqP3qnDmphUAGx3a6/s320/0715091653-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358960423148147746" border="0" /></a>My daughters, keeping themselves entertained.<br /><br /><br />Painting the living room:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LWeCcSEbTLZ5-EBjabTQbk4J46EBIIXTy-4hyphenhyphen7poO6-wyUumteJy2uQU3Qt4yC16CGxH4CtyXuqRs4xnm9NXkJ6jyOqed2ARCrp3vHVlCnLY-opHMlaCCO5fvtXl3tZa4EcZ-9Feg4-B/s1600-h/0715090141-01.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LWeCcSEbTLZ5-EBjabTQbk4J46EBIIXTy-4hyphenhyphen7poO6-wyUumteJy2uQU3Qt4yC16CGxH4CtyXuqRs4xnm9NXkJ6jyOqed2ARCrp3vHVlCnLY-opHMlaCCO5fvtXl3tZa4EcZ-9Feg4-B/s320/0715090141-01.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358959146549181602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdHhlI3E0pDNAgT6UkstzpGqMPA2LsJLW98m5pq2YmY54AZpqiIMOfrdjuEKBZtycHdk3gkW7TWwmJmk0KUtoLwRLm_ZzvGZD5lx33kTGIE6YkNhkEvQQUAdwCuYzo7mX7LN80OR6wT_f/s1600-h/0716090037-01.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdHhlI3E0pDNAgT6UkstzpGqMPA2LsJLW98m5pq2YmY54AZpqiIMOfrdjuEKBZtycHdk3gkW7TWwmJmk0KUtoLwRLm_ZzvGZD5lx33kTGIE6YkNhkEvQQUAdwCuYzo7mX7LN80OR6wT_f/s320/0716090037-01.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358960674259301250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyI2S4zt9nf3N5jtpoFTr2l4PolhL1DvEAzZWWN9Oxi3HTtvWtR7A757cdXkMT14C1mLIEqPgRITpatDbLe2A72koZSuVgqB1lgVsOz9fR1p0gP-aX9S0sThkwA5unGhdH_9RNf3eREz1/s1600-h/0716090037-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyI2S4zt9nf3N5jtpoFTr2l4PolhL1DvEAzZWWN9Oxi3HTtvWtR7A757cdXkMT14C1mLIEqPgRITpatDbLe2A72koZSuVgqB1lgVsOz9fR1p0gP-aX9S0sThkwA5unGhdH_9RNf3eREz1/s320/0716090037-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358960593088597570" border="0" /></a>My husband's new fancy-pants tv. (It's not hooked up yet.)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Fridge story, short version: Saleslady forgot we were supposed to have one, gave us a promisory note that it would arrive the day after we closed. It was supposed to be a basic black refrigerator. It did not arrive. Was rescheduled to come the next morning- it did not. Called our builder and our saleslady. Extremely accomidating team pulled the super upgraded fridge from the just-built house next door and installed it my house this afternoon. Hooray!<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZNn5Q1FEh1fkOdSyJTPIi6feZn01bM_CXukjWRsDma3mFKXt_uw9smSG9vgmCX7tHHRs-boclrum4Ov65mZhSPXrRboOvdKc_3E2yopzwnUuluEki3_aORFRkpGXqZGmGwDLzgaH3zrw/s1600-h/0715090141-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZNn5Q1FEh1fkOdSyJTPIi6feZn01bM_CXukjWRsDma3mFKXt_uw9smSG9vgmCX7tHHRs-boclrum4Ov65mZhSPXrRboOvdKc_3E2yopzwnUuluEki3_aORFRkpGXqZGmGwDLzgaH3zrw/s320/0715090141-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358959002414415778" border="0" /></a>empty, painted nook, waiting for it's fridge<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPnpU-9G0fxSCSSOV0DolPGSdnpD8ftiPD27ZvSYZlBbnsccowy3AXWrz9wX-raRv01NksuzeUpVwDjXEQJGAnuasOoM5FJ9egoYwMGp2eTYahEeZfCjDkFOzVWUCBszSHyit9Mi2f0n5/s1600-h/0715091618-00.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPnpU-9G0fxSCSSOV0DolPGSdnpD8ftiPD27ZvSYZlBbnsccowy3AXWrz9wX-raRv01NksuzeUpVwDjXEQJGAnuasOoM5FJ9egoYwMGp2eTYahEeZfCjDkFOzVWUCBszSHyit9Mi2f0n5/s320/0715091618-00.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358960034329903586" border="0" /></a>Appliance guys had to remove our front door to get it in. It's enormous!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWREZuGHVSAnzhJ_1fXzJ6AJQFQ4UInSdUC3YGwd_-VrkHKr5o3VYKvn-rRwG_nUWFnuiC9cE_BcSpemhn-J84uJBIoDn1-lgYiFuSc5T0yE6QpxIhVEjvth8CtR0tp9jaSk1PODGI8g9b/s1600-h/0715091640-00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWREZuGHVSAnzhJ_1fXzJ6AJQFQ4UInSdUC3YGwd_-VrkHKr5o3VYKvn-rRwG_nUWFnuiC9cE_BcSpemhn-J84uJBIoDn1-lgYiFuSc5T0yE6QpxIhVEjvth8CtR0tp9jaSk1PODGI8g9b/s320/0715091640-00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358960338972409026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ-HXm3_JJccpGdoi85emVxdFCG9C77ynq7GGLsHanUaVlz3MY6lYzZpWZz3yNcR78S6-bvsEtIwKzzahy-MHpx2Xoeu_KqrvVs1YdHtmYwkppxR4J-GsnpGBAUe48GuF_Wyg2o9m6KTj/s1600-h/0715091639-00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ-HXm3_JJccpGdoi85emVxdFCG9C77ynq7GGLsHanUaVlz3MY6lYzZpWZz3yNcR78S6-bvsEtIwKzzahy-MHpx2Xoeu_KqrvVs1YdHtmYwkppxR4J-GsnpGBAUe48GuF_Wyg2o9m6KTj/s320/0715091639-00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358960265714317170" border="0" /></a>I went shopping grocery shopping after this.<br /><br /><br />Current verion of the front room:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8iErWuczQ2Yc1qGunw-F9GIYu5_LachQ0wKRhK0GQyGwlxGKl87pvgO8AAbStvVcJyp_WiFTEGMcSFFpfLByMKAEiSof960-2-5D0HCueD1pjOI-EHTGVscCuRHjXxi7eyhgwmIAl_D5/s1600-h/0715091427-02.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8iErWuczQ2Yc1qGunw-F9GIYu5_LachQ0wKRhK0GQyGwlxGKl87pvgO8AAbStvVcJyp_WiFTEGMcSFFpfLByMKAEiSof960-2-5D0HCueD1pjOI-EHTGVscCuRHjXxi7eyhgwmIAl_D5/s320/0715091427-02.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358959652855623298" border="0" /></a>egg-crate covered with throw blankets, empty card board boxes<br /><br /><br />Girls watching a movie in their room.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSNTaRaVMHHES4uBCaKy0_T9m4XVR_tpaGN253waHlFf0ugZIjSEF8g5RM7dJ24sST7oAFMtRlHDCCxlwTOoyuctEq75zJjfm62mv_GnUumggfRxXDoATI8_hTyOBY1nY628e1NJgyvZ8/s1600-h/0715091427-01.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSNTaRaVMHHES4uBCaKy0_T9m4XVR_tpaGN253waHlFf0ugZIjSEF8g5RM7dJ24sST7oAFMtRlHDCCxlwTOoyuctEq75zJjfm62mv_GnUumggfRxXDoATI8_hTyOBY1nY628e1NJgyvZ8/s320/0715091427-01.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358959278456605010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-63611133104297938872009-07-14T15:22:00.000-07:002009-07-14T15:59:24.012-07:00First Night In Our Own PlaceLast night the title people dropped off our keys at the model home office in our neighborhood. I had gone back to the apartment for a load of goods- met my husband at the Winkler.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Had to make it official:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLhVShdHW5t2RSt9Vlc4g20W14dT6MHGeMOPQZG_Ym_htUJSA8yi155-FHvERyTE0PZ0OLsmvZbmbY41pbHjFRzEG5qqaE8uEgmy9ZOgGx_Ob8YQQSFc-BGv8phUai7AVCVG6z_Qt5-3l/s1600-h/threshold.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLhVShdHW5t2RSt9Vlc4g20W14dT6MHGeMOPQZG_Ym_htUJSA8yi155-FHvERyTE0PZ0OLsmvZbmbY41pbHjFRzEG5qqaE8uEgmy9ZOgGx_Ob8YQQSFc-BGv8phUai7AVCVG6z_Qt5-3l/s320/threshold.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358445864044227970" border="0" /></a>He carried me over the threshold.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">(Apologies- my camera is still acting up, so the pictures are from a camera phone, and they were taken by my seven year old.)<br /><br />Our To-Do List started with Stain Gard-ing the carpet and sealing the grout. We ran out of product for both projects, so today I bought more. Last night I also started on the painting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AvWRoF5g8BpcdGA_HKFeH4gCRs7Bo8vgiprCnpoAZmQTD7ZzzNIYNEP6TxLhq6J758hpMex7dJmQ8QsRvRUL742c73kI4HXqSU9GtRP0zopeLEGfOLtWTAbf3juKZ8WB2OX034iPfnME/s1600-h/painting.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AvWRoF5g8BpcdGA_HKFeH4gCRs7Bo8vgiprCnpoAZmQTD7ZzzNIYNEP6TxLhq6J758hpMex7dJmQ8QsRvRUL742c73kI4HXqSU9GtRP0zopeLEGfOLtWTAbf3juKZ8WB2OX034iPfnME/s320/painting.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358447042865478402" border="0" /></a>My shirt has a turtle on it- and it says "Speed Kills," <span style="font-weight: bold;">AND</span> it glows in the dark! heeheehee (I bought it when I was 19.)<br /><br />If I could start a new club, it would be the <a href="http://www.cooksboulevard.com/Blog/image.axd?picture=BluePaintersTape.jpg">I Hate Painter's Tape Club</a>. I only painted the 5 little angular walls that make up the refrigerator nook and pantry walls. I did the stop lines for the ceiling by hand and thought they looked darn good- until I got the idea that placing painters tape across the ceiling line would make my lines perfectly straight... I put the tape around the pantry door frame as well. BLARG! Once it was dry, and I removed the tape. To my horror, little tiny bits of paint had oozed under the tape, so my formerly pretty straight hand-done lines, now had many, many, many paint blobbies- all around the ceiling edge and actually on the caulking around the pantry door!<br /><br />At this point I had already cleaned up my painting supplies and moved on to other chores- so I had to get the paint back out <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> the drop cloth and go back and do the lines <span style="font-style: italic;">again</span>, making them go even higher than I had intended. poo.<br /><br />At least it was just on the tiny walls. Now I've learned not to second guess my handiwork, so tonight's round of painting should run much smoother.<br /><br />So, for now, the fridge nook and pantry corner are painted Gentle Fawn- the color of a warm cup of cocoa.<br /><br />The fridge was delivered to our builder late today, so he'll install it early tomorrow. I plan on painting the dining room walls tonight. I went to Home Depot today and got a gallon of Behr's flat enamel paint in Neptune Blue570F-6. It's in the middle, one row up from the bottom. You can enlarge the image by clicking on it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.materials-world.com/paint-colors/behr/behr-colorsmart/images/behr-colorsmart-29.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 176px;" src="http://www.materials-world.com/paint-colors/behr/behr-colorsmart/images/behr-colorsmart-29.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Well, it's back to packing!<br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-45068729740330968552009-07-13T14:29:00.000-07:002009-07-13T14:47:03.141-07:00Day 71: Closing!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>We were supposed to close last Friday- I'm not sure why we didn't. But they rescheduled us for today at noon, then moved us to one o'clock. The house is technically in my husband's name, so he had to do most of the signing. I did get to initial a few things. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKuCb1tcbzmWOuEhi-bREajWiUd0qPLZCTeA-mEEG5hsYX1C88bhI4bpvERP7VLGSlvEmykAUBI51U5gXp0qgZFbSTRK08iaU2f3Pp-Cvn2zFSBsmaNQuDQXIlJVWS1sZOv-jz_xNvGSN/s1600-h/closing.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKuCb1tcbzmWOuEhi-bREajWiUd0qPLZCTeA-mEEG5hsYX1C88bhI4bpvERP7VLGSlvEmykAUBI51U5gXp0qgZFbSTRK08iaU2f3Pp-Cvn2zFSBsmaNQuDQXIlJVWS1sZOv-jz_xNvGSN/s320/closing.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358060249036800578" border="0" /></a>This page made me laugh- it's a "Certificate of Achievement."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We gave them some money, they gave us copies of everything. All we're missing now are our keys... the courier hasn't arrived yet. blah!<br /><br />So now I'm at the apartment, loading some stuff for tonight. The plan is for my husband to pick up the keys when he gets off work- hopefully they'll be there!<br /><br />If not, we're hoping the saleslady will let us in- seeing as we have the documentation proving it's now OUR house... we're officially home-owners!<br /><br /><br /></div></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-457006870416800672009-07-11T22:55:00.000-07:002009-07-12T00:15:07.461-07:00Day 69The USDA paperwork came in yesterday- we're definitely approved! Unfortunately they couldn't fit us in yesterday over at the closing place. They have scheduled us for Monday at noon!<br />Yeah!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">____________________<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Did I post about my cactus? I can't remember, so I will just tell you now. I have wanted a prickly pear cactus for some time. So pretty- and I think they'd be a great theft deterrent if planted under our windows.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I love the drive to our aunt's house. The road is lined with them- sprawling green teardrops with lovely yellow blossoms. I enjoy the red variety, as well. I'm also curious about the prickly pears themselves. I saw some in the produce department the other day. I think I'll buy some next time. The stem part of the cactus is also edible. You can buy it in jars at the grocery store- they are called nopales. Tasty in scrambled eggs.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Prickly_Pear_Closeup.jpg/180px-Prickly_Pear_Closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 240px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Prickly_Pear_Closeup.jpg/180px-Prickly_Pear_Closeup.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Cactus ripe with pears- also called figs. (image from Wikipedia.)<br /></div><br />I stopped at Lowe's a few weeks ago to look in the garden center. They have several ornamental mini cacti, but no prickly pears. I asked the sales clerk and he told me I could just put on some heavy duty gloves and go find a wild one, lop off one of the segments and go from there.<br /><br />Last week I had to run an errand on the square, and there- in an enormous flower pot, was a massive prickly pear cactus, yellow flowers basking in the sun. And laying on the sidewalk were two segments! I grabbed a bag from my car and brought them with me. One segment is the standard size, the other is so tiny! I stopped at the library and checked out a few cacti books.<br /><br />Prickly pears are in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Opuntia</span> family. Members of the opuntia family have two types of spines- the big obvious ones, and little tiny, nearly invisible ones called glochids- which hurt severely I must say. You have to carefully peel prickly pears before you eat them- injesting the glochids will cause severe discomfort. Opuntia varities are easily propagated by simply placing a severed segment in the proper type of soil. I've planted mine in a pot for the time being. After they have sprouted roots I'll transplant them to our yard. Oh, joy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Opuntia_robusta1GEHU.jpg/180px-Opuntia_robusta1GEHU.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 135px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Opuntia_robusta1GEHU.jpg/180px-Opuntia_robusta1GEHU.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Another Wikipedia image- hopefully our flowers will be this pretty.</div></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">____________________<br /><br /></div>Today we took a trip to Home Depot. We had a gift card. After brainstorming everything we might possibly need immediately upon move in, we bought the following items:<br /><br /><ul><li>2 emergency escape ladders for our bedrooms- they have hooks at the top for placing over the window ledge, and drop down rope ladders for escaping in case of a fire.</li><li>vacuum cleaner- I've not had one for the past year. yuck!</li><li>fire extinguisher</li><li>drop cloths for painting</li><li>oven cleaner- to clean the apartment's oven</li><li>Murphy Oil- to care for our cabinets<br /></li><li>hose, sprinkler, spray nozzle, hose mount</li><li>Scotch Gard for carpets</li><li>broom</li><li>hand-held vacuum with pet hair removing feature</li><li>grout sealer</li><li>paint guide, tape, brushes, rollers, paint tray and liners</li><li>2 door mats, green and tan striped<br /></li><li>small nails and pictures hangers</li><li>tan paint for living room (will deepen leftovers to dark brown for master bathroom)<br /></li><li>blue paint for master bedroom (wiil deepen leftovers for dining accent wall)<br /></li><li>light turquoise paint for girls' room</li><li>purple paint for girls' bathroom</li><li>Pur faucet mounted water purifier</li><li>extension cord</li></ul>Here are the paint colors we bought:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaQTkvpu_m9qkkpgsRbdiaGPGkttV_8lOYln-slT4eRNiWEqyWqOplXmb4tjXWnt8BfkRWJOGntT1R0OtZG5iu5dbliPDgPNarIHHC_5OMSed6Nr1JeFATUe8mEEjgmMatGWO050JJuJ5/s1600-h/paint.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaQTkvpu_m9qkkpgsRbdiaGPGkttV_8lOYln-slT4eRNiWEqyWqOplXmb4tjXWnt8BfkRWJOGntT1R0OtZG5iu5dbliPDgPNarIHHC_5OMSed6Nr1JeFATUe8mEEjgmMatGWO050JJuJ5/s320/paint.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357464080470793922" border="0" /></a>It's all Glidden paint in a flat finish, except for the purple- we got it in a satin finish because of it's improved mildew fighting abilities.<br /><br />We bought one gallon of Tropical Lagoon GLB20, one gallon of Steel Blue GLB21, a quart of Lilac Bouquet GLV09, and 2 gallons of Gentle Fawn GLN02.<br /><br />After I've finished those rooms, I'll take any remaining Gentle Fawn back to have a chocolate brown and some mildew repellent added to paint our master bathroom, and some dark blue added to the Steel Blue to do the accent wall in the kitchen/dining.<br /><br />We're having conceptual issues at this point. The archway in the living room presents an issue- the corners there are also rounded so there's not a defined "stop painting here" line. Should we even paint that wall? Or will we have to continue the paint into the entry way so it doesn't look weird. And I really want a blue accent wall in the kitchen. So that big room would have one blue wall, two tan walls, and if we don't paint the archway wall- it'd also have a cream colored wall. Isn't that too much?<br /><br />Also, I want our powder room to be a deep red- but it's a small room. Would that be overwhelming? I already have the towels and rug for in there... Help!supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-61089759141558683502009-07-09T22:42:00.000-07:002009-07-10T03:51:45.250-07:00Day 67: Walk Thru #2Went out sans husband (he was at work) for the final walk thru today. Just about everything from the list was fixed.<br /><br />This is what was lacking:<br /><ol><li>Mutant ants were still there. The exterminator was scheduled to come at 5- I was there at 4. He's supposed to leave a slip on the counter as proof that he did his thing.</li><li>The fridge will arrive on Tuesday.</li><li>The light above the powder room sink will be fixed tomorrow. The guy was there trying to do it during my walk thru but was missing something and will come back tomorrow.</li><li>The back sidewalk was repaired, but it is quite obvious. Supposedly, they stained it to match after I left today.</li></ol><br /><br />Here's what our door and post look like now that they are the right color. The door looked a little streaky- maybe because they just painted it? It's an olivey- forest green.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZGHtAlKgJYLfRLE7yGnAAcxFxs96MIRcn0HNFG0nuvvQ5Xdp6tc-58LLh8HlxDMNmGyyWBli0CmfbNswSwAyM24UaXa1AZK-nTwelv0AhJWYypTBqNY4bSYnYBrgs_k72wtc2b40PWjo/s1600-h/july+9+5.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZGHtAlKgJYLfRLE7yGnAAcxFxs96MIRcn0HNFG0nuvvQ5Xdp6tc-58LLh8HlxDMNmGyyWBli0CmfbNswSwAyM24UaXa1AZK-nTwelv0AhJWYypTBqNY4bSYnYBrgs_k72wtc2b40PWjo/s320/july+9+5.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356751190956542018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQnwJb1WaX-_6p7Z5mXzFy80pnIH_d2tbI-NRzeCOC3_ZpKOqTLkxZfJm4m1mzFJq8cdQ4Zn95boJaJgXjtQOx3vrbjZxaK-kyDE6Frh6HhSE1I42WpQrepg2OO_MIN3Zf-XLHJAahYMy/s1600-h/july+9+4.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQnwJb1WaX-_6p7Z5mXzFy80pnIH_d2tbI-NRzeCOC3_ZpKOqTLkxZfJm4m1mzFJq8cdQ4Zn95boJaJgXjtQOx3vrbjZxaK-kyDE6Frh6HhSE1I42WpQrepg2OO_MIN3Zf-XLHJAahYMy/s320/july+9+4.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356751108594268978" border="0" /></a>I tried to get a shot from further back to give you the over-all effect, but it was just too sunny for my camera phone. (My actual camera has lost it's mind. Or it's eye-sight I should say. It keeps saying "lens error" and won't take any pictures.)<br /><br />The shelf in the master bedroom's walk in closet is a thing of the past. The new shelves in the front room's closet nook look fabulous. (There was no charge to rip them out and relocate them. Am I supposed to tip someone?)<br /><br />Our blinds are in! Reuben, our builder, was the guy who did this walk thru with me. He's in charge of all the ordering and such. He had ordered the blinds for our house prior to the paperwork for us being turned in 2 months ago. He thought it was going to be a "spec" house- and they always do lots of upgrades in those. Therefore, we got faux wood blinds instead of the crappy metal ones. They close with an overlap, reducing your A/C's struggle to heat or cool you home. Awesome- especially because our blinds were free. When we were doing our upgrades, the saleslady talked us into some pretty cool stuff and then felt bad when we hit our budget cap- which is why she threw the blinds in for free. (An A/C note: we only have one unit, but it has some sort of a switch on it so we can set the upstairs and downstairs to different temperatures.)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEX9QrwmRn9bdOKKBVtmpeDl2Jeaq_XnOev4fr87hp_98Jiwo8M-_PWYdeMylTR8jqN81Y6UhNb3cQEX_T0GGl7djCZKX1sFVgUnQDqT0E2st8X3l5KMMi_Nu974A7pka446mnhnqNceU/s1600-h/july+9+2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEX9QrwmRn9bdOKKBVtmpeDl2Jeaq_XnOev4fr87hp_98Jiwo8M-_PWYdeMylTR8jqN81Y6UhNb3cQEX_T0GGl7djCZKX1sFVgUnQDqT0E2st8X3l5KMMi_Nu974A7pka446mnhnqNceU/s320/july+9+2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356750932761835234" border="0" /></a>This is the front window- the front door is on the left and the coat closet on the right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXTI0Bs4VJkIf_KIeHtipGRvgPZG8DQnDjoyT90_692cY4B4M9wschInWbh3pqbfT4Eo8y33gKkKYGPYUhKTJTgK-K_TTsi4PB3YaEw0eam2eykV4lyMpuj0ow2Letv79oxQq1dmxO0qT/s1600-h/july+9+3.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXTI0Bs4VJkIf_KIeHtipGRvgPZG8DQnDjoyT90_692cY4B4M9wschInWbh3pqbfT4Eo8y33gKkKYGPYUhKTJTgK-K_TTsi4PB3YaEw0eam2eykV4lyMpuj0ow2Letv79oxQq1dmxO0qT/s320/july+9+3.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356754014986894546" border="0" /></a>dining/living rooms<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Reuben gave me a reference sheet for the house- when to clean things and with what, how to care for the tile and how often to treat the cabinets. He said builders don't seal the grout on tile- it's the home owner's job. So he told me what to buy at Home Depot and how to do it. Sounds easy enough.<br /><br />He also said that during our first week, if we need anything, to call him instead of the warranty company. They still have about 400 houses to build in the neighborhood so he'll be around. One example he gave: When we move in furniture, it's likely that we'll hit the wall and corners by the stairs which can chip the texture off the wall or scuff the paint. Instead of using our patch kit, we can just call him and he will touch it up for free.<br /><br />He gave me a typed up paper from our saleslady promising that our fridge will be in on Tuesday, and have an icemaker. Reuben ordered it- he confirmed that it will be black. I had him write on that sheet that the light will be fixed and that the exterminator is supposed to come.<br /><br />When I was leaving I met the neighbor that lives directly behind us- another police officer. (A constable lives a few houses down from us. Anyone know what a constable is?)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Closing</span><br />We were supposed to close tomorrow. However, we applied for a USDA loan. The paper work has net yet returned. There is a possibility that it could arrive some time tomorrow and we can go close, but if not, we'll have to wait til sometime next week.<br /><br />(The USDA gives loans to get people to move out to farm land-type areas. Our house is on the furthest edge of town, by goat farms and cows. Fortunately, it's also only 10-15 minutes away from downtown.)<br /><br />After closing we'll have two days to get all our utilities switched over. Reuben said the first thing we should do after closing is head to the house with our keys. Apparently the house has magic locks on it! The builder and sales key work until the home owner keys are inserted. At that point, some little metal thing inside flops down and locks out any other keys. Neat-O.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">______________________<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We went to Ikea last week and I found a large area rug on clearance for $125. My husband scoffed at the price, but I've been in the market for some time now and know that's an excellent price for a rug of that size. It's actually the perfect funky shade of green to match our existing living room pieces. And I'm insisting on an area rug because our carpet is just so lovely. I want to protect our high-traffic areas. If that rug is still there after we close, it's as good as mine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This isn't the rug- although I like this one- but it's in that color family.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/0087548_PE216906_S3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/0087548_PE216906_S3.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'd also been searching for a train table for my daughters. They are very pricey new ($100+) , so I was hunting Craigslist. None of the people I contacted got back with me. Their loss- as I went to the Pottery Barn Outlet and found my own version. Technically it's a media base, but it'll certainly work in the playroom. Found it in the clearance section for $40 plus everything in the store was an addition 10% off for the holiday weekend. The outlet sticker says $149.99 and the Pottery Barn website has it listed for over $350!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/pkimgs/ab/images/p2/products/200927/0018/img75m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 338px;" src="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/pkimgs/ab/images/p2/products/200927/0018/img75m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is what it looks like, but the one I bought is red. It's a little scuffed up on one side, but I can paint it. I got it for less than I would have paid for a <span style="font-style: italic;">used</span> play table, so I won't complain. Lots of storage space with the drawers and cubbies. As a bonus, we can still use it when my girls have outgrown trains and doll houses. Score!<br /><br /><br />I realize this bedding is pretty youthful looking, but I still like it. It's my favorite colors, so it's my inspiration for the down stairs color scheme. Plus it has such a nice worldly pattern, reminds me of those Mexican tiles I love. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mn9DFh2JC2KXNbDZ8OOp-C-s790MbE_Qi_Dk0r8LHXhXvphx0IA-poEj4egIVD8mYfx52zcELH-553mvzTJjonLmtwV0BlJk5wgmeW7UN7p44RdkiF1uMKJyb4yoUAlgn3xDhXaJ1nun/s1600-h/kitchen+inspiration.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mn9DFh2JC2KXNbDZ8OOp-C-s790MbE_Qi_Dk0r8LHXhXvphx0IA-poEj4egIVD8mYfx52zcELH-553mvzTJjonLmtwV0BlJk5wgmeW7UN7p44RdkiF1uMKJyb4yoUAlgn3xDhXaJ1nun/s320/kitchen+inspiration.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356766116526913234" border="0" /></a>This is part of the back-to-college collection at Target. And now it's my kitchen inspiration. I tried to find pictures of the things I bought, but no dice. So I will simply tell you. There's this fabulous little 4x6 picture frame- I think I want to mount it on my pantry door. It's white, with turquoise and brown bloopies around the glass, and green flowers with blue dots along the edge. Lovely. I might go get another one. I also bought the case for one of those huge body pillows. Originally, I was going to make pillow covers for my couch pillows. I hate the ones we have. However, I don't want my living room to be too feminine. I took it out of the package and it is nearly the perfect size to be a table runner. After I get my sewing machine fixed I think I'll remove the back and line it with a nice contrasting fabric. Then I might take the back piece and turn it into a couple of place mats for the bar top. I also like the idea of buying a few more and making chair cushions- but again I don't want to overwhelm the eye with flowers and bloopies, so maybe just solid cushions with pops of color on the table tops.<br /><br />I also bought a package of kitchen towels at Target. There's a yellow one in there that I'm not too keen on, but I really like the brightly colored one. It's blue and white, with yellow and I think some green. It's one of the few things I've already packed...<br /><br /><br />My daughters' bathroom will be shades of blue, green, purple, and white- with a puppy and kitty theme. I found this frame at Target on clearance for $2. I <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">LOVE</span> this picture of my girls, fresh from the tub, wrapped in their puppy towels! I want to install a shelf in their bathroom to showcase it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbb0ZneDg9jaYeblBtcZ9Uxncr7LDcC868JAiCnjQtS85o_6aNA-QMkIN-aR8m0bUG5s3vSjdDjc7A2er210BF9ETWy-hRQogPLi1JgRwW5v20dK_Gkp8AWNTi8j7ODK6-GJRilZ3eVj5/s1600-h/frame.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbb0ZneDg9jaYeblBtcZ9Uxncr7LDcC868JAiCnjQtS85o_6aNA-QMkIN-aR8m0bUG5s3vSjdDjc7A2er210BF9ETWy-hRQogPLi1JgRwW5v20dK_Gkp8AWNTi8j7ODK6-GJRilZ3eVj5/s320/frame.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356777035621590514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />An extended member of our family recently moved and has an abundance of boxes. We went by their house last weekend and loaded up the truck. My dining room table is covered in them. Now if I can just muster the motivation to pack! This will be <span style="font-style: italic;">our <span style="font-weight: bold;">3rd</span> move in less than a </span><span style="font-style: italic;">year</span>... and hopefully our last for some time!<br /><br />What a bundle of nerves I've been. Well, it'll all be over soon.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><br /></div><br /></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-68886523480764391492009-07-07T17:32:00.000-07:002009-07-10T03:44:33.996-07:00Day 65 : Walk Thru #1Today we went out and met with our representative from Warranty Pro. I believe his name was Ken. Warranty Pro is a 3rd party company, hired by our builder. Ken gave us a Home Orientation and did a home inspection.<br /><br />Together, we did Walk Thru #1 and compiled our Pre-Close List- the official "fix list." The list will be submitted to the builder, who will fix whatever we've pointed out. Then -without the warranty guy- I'll go back for Walk Thru #2, also known as the Acknowledgment of Completion inspection.<br /><br />We also went around with little circle stickers and marked things- blue for paint touch-ups, orange for drywall repairs. The baby went around behind us, peeling them off...<br /><br />There might be some items on our Pre-Close List that won't be taken care of. They'll explain those things to us then.<br /><br />Walk Thru #2 is set for Thursday at 4, which gives them just one day to complete everything, or give us written statements that the remainder will be taken care of. I've transcribed our "fix list," and added a description beneath it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This is what our Pre-Close List looks like:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Home Orientation List, Attchment "A"<br /></div><ol><li>Bath (2nd/hall) - cabinet- repair/adjust (cut off nails of the toilet paper holder)<br /></li><li>Bath (2nd/hall) - floor-vinyl- loose at tub<br /></li><li>Bath (2nd/hall) - tub-repair (slow drain)<br /></li><li>Bedroom (2nd/middle left) - outlets- mount (secure/1)<br /></li><li>Hall (2nd) - attic pull down - repair, too long<br /></li><li>Bath (hall) - cabinet- reapir/adjust (shelf not installed left of oven, needs clips)<br /></li><li>Bath (hall) - light (toilet) center over sink, aprox. 1" off<br /></li><li>Bath (master) - cabinet trim (toilet paper holder screws)<br /></li><li>*Bedroom (master) - rod closet repair (buyer wants shelves removed, rod extended Buyer Issue<br /></li><li>Hall (foyer) - door (hall) adjust (strike plate/latch does not engage)<br /></li><li>Hall (foyer) - DW/texture- over cut at door>1/2" on both sides of the door on the closet side<br /></li><li>Hall - door (closet/exterior/linen) hardware ALL 1st floor strike plates have been painted<br /></li><li>Hall - Thermostat repair (not cooling/ very little air flow)<br /></li><li>+House - blinds- install [complete only if in contract]<br /></li><li>Kitchen - appliance- dishwasher- repair EL (door will not latch)<br /></li><li>Kitchen - appliance- oven- install anti-tip<br /></li><li>+Kitchen - appliance- refrigerator- missing [complete only if in contract]<br /></li><li>Kitchen -door (exterior) adjust strike plate/ >18" of excessive daylight is visible upper right)<br /></li><li>Kitchen - door (exterior) clean (threshold tape residue)<br /></li><li>Kitchen - door (exterior) weather weather stripping improperly installed in jamb, not in the groove<br /></li><li>Stairs - first riser>1" wide gap, right side of riser and the wall</li><li>AC Cond. - Repair, out of level >1"<br /></li><li>*Door (entry) - inspect- wrong color, so is column [Buyer Issue]<br /></li><li>Flashing (right) - missing (cornice return, left and right side of home)<br /></li><li>Flat Work (walkway) - edge damaged (rear 2nd panel from home, corner repair is detaching)<br /></li><li>*Landscaping (front) - buyer wants red ant nest killed [Buyer Issue]<br /></li><li>Address -incorrect<br /></li></ol>+indicate an item that is contractual and WarrantyPro has no information or opinion<br />*indicate an item which WarrantyPro does not see as an issus but the home buyer does<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Explanation of our list:</span><br /><br />(1,2,3,8) The screws that hold the toilet paper holder to the cabinet poke into the cabinet- they're sharp! It's the same in all the bathrooms. In the girls' bathroom the flooring near the tub is curling up and the tub has a slow drain.<br /><br />(4) There's an outlet in the girls' bedroom that is not tight enough- it wiggles.<br /><br />(5) The ladder on the attic's drop down door is too long and makes climbing up awkward and probably dangerous seeing as it's at the top of our regular staircase.<br /><br />(6) It's actually one of the cabinets in the kitchen. There's some sort of pipe coming out of the wall in the cabinet, so the shelf is just laying inside. They'll attach it high inside so that I still have storage.<br /><br />(7) The light over the powder room sink is off-center.<br /><br />(9) After we made an issue about having the shelves installed in our master closet, we decided we don't want them. They had to take out most of the closet rod to get them in there. So now there's not really mush closet space. My husband said that because it was my idea in the first place, I had to tell the builder to take them out...Instead, we'll have shelves put in the playroom closet. There's a nook in there, perfectly suited for shelves- not costing us any closet rod space.<br /><br />(10, 11) The door to the under stairs storage closet does not close all the way. Also, they had to rip out the wholr door frame to reverse the door from when it was hitting the archway. It looks fine on the outside, but it is a large walk in closet- from the inside it's a mess. There's a huge gap in the drywall all the way around the door.<br /><br />(12) Not a big deal to us- My husband HATES that the door knobs and locks are all silver, but the hinges and banister supports are gold. Apparently that's standard in our subdivision. We asked to have the gold hardware painted. The WarrentyPro guy said they're technically not supposed to do that so he had to add it to the list. The paint on the door latches is already scratching off- but that's on the inside of the door frame- not something you typically look at.<br /><br />(13) MAJOR ISSUE. The AC doesn't work. It was faintly blowing air- but the house registered at 90 degrees during our walk thru. It was set at 72. The baby was all sweaty and moody. blah!<br /><br />(14, 17) The blinds haven't arrived yet. I don't have written confirmation about them yet. We've been told by the saleslady we'll have faux wood blinds. I also do not yet have written confirmation about the black fridge with ice-maker.<br /><br />(15, 16) The dishwasher doesn't close all the way. When you open the oven, the whole stove tips over.<br /><br />(18, 19, 20) The back door has a few issues. Light pours in around it when it's closed. There's gunk on the floor by the door, and the weather stripping is not on the right way.<br /><br />(21) At the very bottom of the stair case, to the right of the first stair, there's a gap between the stair and the wall.<br /><br />(22) Outside, in the backyard, the air conditioning unit tilts to one side.<br /><br />(23, 27) They painted our front door and post, but they painted them the wrong color. Presently, they are what I'd call a burnt sienna color. They are supposed to be forest green- and when they took down our house numbers to paint the post, they put them back up in the wrong order.<br /><br />(24) I don't know what flashing is, but he pointed to the place where it's supposed to be and there's a big yellow blob of hardened liquid insulation type stuff there. Looks yucky. It's between the two stories of the house. Apparently the flashing will cover it.<br /><br />(25) The back sidewalk that leads from the driveway to the back porch was broken at some point. The repaired section is now pulling away.<br /><br />(26) Those giant ants are still there. They've ripped all the leaves off the shrub in the front yard. I don't know if they bite, but they are at least as long as one of the letter keys on a computer keyboard. They are huge!supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-5514424964411458442009-07-04T16:50:00.000-07:002009-07-08T17:33:54.567-07:00Day 62: Carpet<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We got the call that our carpet had been installed. It's lovely! A soft, mild shag in a tan color, with dots of brown throughout. Still lots of minor things to finish, but it actually looks like a house now.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjacDZPNM-Ly8hRNrOAghzMTDvCZ3mTjOvPQnTzypKD16KE3shBXx0BdV7A2RXEmzjiiFgZslpt2xWthLUlWZWw6exbpiurirQWa8t51U1ThRYJG-SaqN2gEq9Qho4IsfktegIpu1u_4z5/s1600-h/july4CIMG1008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjacDZPNM-Ly8hRNrOAghzMTDvCZ3mTjOvPQnTzypKD16KE3shBXx0BdV7A2RXEmzjiiFgZslpt2xWthLUlWZWw6exbpiurirQWa8t51U1ThRYJG-SaqN2gEq9Qho4IsfktegIpu1u_4z5/s320/july4CIMG1008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241815884656930" border="0" /></a>The windows have all been installed. The fence is up.<br /><br /></div>There's a sold sign in front of the house next door, but the one on the other side of it is still available. It's a two bedroom, mortgage is estimated at about $670 a month- beats an apartment! Come be our neighbors! Now back to pictures of our house:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetOTkIeyykkmr9Mx7IbNIVXu7RG3Z84DDCv-aiB2kLNIqNRCsIWSb5DMrFd57F_5032lJN5kI_knMVppTg5KNkRO9S52G5Y1gJ4j5gKguCsxU7zmO4AN5t9t2l8E_jcBXkdh-KwmQJJ0U/s1600-h/july4CIMG1000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetOTkIeyykkmr9Mx7IbNIVXu7RG3Z84DDCv-aiB2kLNIqNRCsIWSb5DMrFd57F_5032lJN5kI_knMVppTg5KNkRO9S52G5Y1gJ4j5gKguCsxU7zmO4AN5t9t2l8E_jcBXkdh-KwmQJJ0U/s320/july4CIMG1000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241210132591154" border="0" /></a>right inside the front door, looking to the back of the house<br /><br />The door frame to the under-stairs storage closet needs to be painted. They reversed the door for us because it was hitting the archway.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFol2JDM2VQcc0uhHDK76M7Q69awRDXx7nvTQOr5ViTYre_7pgPeO0ioVhFsI3V9dFVJ7BVm9edM5HioPb8rgsdxU1QCEF9lhUxjIOB8Va59-lLKsMYpPP1kmZh1Ongpgwrg62MPRaA0tr/s1600-h/july4CIMG1004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFol2JDM2VQcc0uhHDK76M7Q69awRDXx7nvTQOr5ViTYre_7pgPeO0ioVhFsI3V9dFVJ7BVm9edM5HioPb8rgsdxU1QCEF9lhUxjIOB8Va59-lLKsMYpPP1kmZh1Ongpgwrg62MPRaA0tr/s320/july4CIMG1004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241528527244130" border="0" /></a>standing on the stair landing, looking down<br /><br />The hardware is still a mix of silver and gold- a major offense to my husband. They'll be painting the gold white- like on the banister supports. Eventually we plan on replacing all the painted hardware with silver.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP6frUhWLPyWBwku0ZjaF-tQHACnsOyqagIfdRQgjyDGIIts85w_M4KFl8R-eetab942GdYZSTFHAfecliCxB1UTAJtOXl5-qITgZufvg_MZaVu5RPY7ikQb514qgwCWeUiRrxhuucORH/s1600-h/july4CIMG1005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP6frUhWLPyWBwku0ZjaF-tQHACnsOyqagIfdRQgjyDGIIts85w_M4KFl8R-eetab942GdYZSTFHAfecliCxB1UTAJtOXl5-qITgZufvg_MZaVu5RPY7ikQb514qgwCWeUiRrxhuucORH/s320/july4CIMG1005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241647955391938" border="0" /></a>standing on the stair landing, looking up<br /><br />The attic door needs to be painted. Also the ladder for it is too long. It's on our fix list.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_CC9nbJ09OlJKLhEFRJpfjPXtIS111NF28S-fvID5zrTA0RRu7GUeEffdKlN8DGgh_ez9CSFrhwlREMcrWYrmfvzO-PSn-v0RWeJ61WvNWKdwhS4VtpPO8b2Wle73AVoh4yiHrEaS9Cn/s1600-h/july4CIMG1003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_CC9nbJ09OlJKLhEFRJpfjPXtIS111NF28S-fvID5zrTA0RRu7GUeEffdKlN8DGgh_ez9CSFrhwlREMcrWYrmfvzO-PSn-v0RWeJ61WvNWKdwhS4VtpPO8b2Wle73AVoh4yiHrEaS9Cn/s320/july4CIMG1003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241407485638946" border="0" /></a>walking into the kitchen<br /><br />We got a bonus with our island top. The other neighbors with the Winkler model complained to the saleslady that the bar top was barely deep enough for a dinner plate, so she had our builder put in supports and make the counter deep enough to be a functional eating area.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn75IdELuo0oSaFehAGWDJWawR8eH1Zrg78em3GHZgh8Sbt-_aZQULgH2luyH9yKGK2KPLxGuB0oNmEL16Yess7V4PHNal6eOeO8eM2VF04QQjbaHD-IuACgrjG_RVIsIBMmNEBDcllWug/s1600-h/july4CIMG1002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn75IdELuo0oSaFehAGWDJWawR8eH1Zrg78em3GHZgh8Sbt-_aZQULgH2luyH9yKGK2KPLxGuB0oNmEL16Yess7V4PHNal6eOeO8eM2VF04QQjbaHD-IuACgrjG_RVIsIBMmNEBDcllWug/s320/july4CIMG1002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241336866776594" border="0" /></a>standing in the dining room<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm pretty non-confrontational - and I know the house is still incomplete, so I was hesitant to just come right out with what I was thinking. Instead I said "So all that's left is our blinds and refrigerator?"<br /><br />The saleslady said "blinds? refrigerator?" We reminded her that we were promised them for free during the initial meeting. She said she needed to go back to the office and look through her paper work. Later she called and confirmed what we had said. Another bonus- instead of the basic metal blinds, we'll be getting the faux wood blinds.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zEovCzaTXV95oWqDljP3Z_NkYydHGnrHkuPO9JWZ0_duMafD5aw3NKKUgT1XJXa3dEjMvUsx1mVM7WSsGSEAT-ffIOGb5a9XrfyNbFtn9-Y2Ke2nKRPOxUzA8h-5ZL32qzHcXjjQLwUT/s1600-h/july4CIMG1001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zEovCzaTXV95oWqDljP3Z_NkYydHGnrHkuPO9JWZ0_duMafD5aw3NKKUgT1XJXa3dEjMvUsx1mVM7WSsGSEAT-ffIOGb5a9XrfyNbFtn9-Y2Ke2nKRPOxUzA8h-5ZL32qzHcXjjQLwUT/s320/july4CIMG1001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241267047203010" border="0" /></a>standing in the living room<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The fridge goes in that hole to the left of the pantry. It is supposed to be black and have an ice-maker. It worries me that it isn't here yet because the black fridge in the model does not have an ice-maker, and we are scheduled to close on the 10th.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93G110d0-pdJT1DSK309hHJI35bXjeN7JSQj2LRITvqA2_dqC_YXLzfBHg7WD9s-GNmGxgMkilfWmcyXGbSDigvLyFJAABgPaqg-h4AYWtmsn8KDyddp2AAmcio5zocWsd8-V2XFooe90/s1600-h/july4CIMG1006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93G110d0-pdJT1DSK309hHJI35bXjeN7JSQj2LRITvqA2_dqC_YXLzfBHg7WD9s-GNmGxgMkilfWmcyXGbSDigvLyFJAABgPaqg-h4AYWtmsn8KDyddp2AAmcio5zocWsd8-V2XFooe90/s320/july4CIMG1006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241702080761634" border="0" /></a>upstairs, in the play room<br /><br />This was one of the last windows to be installed. Prior to having the electricity turned on, this window was the main source of air circulation, hence the nails and strips of plastic hanging from the top- remnants of the sheeting that kept out the rain.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrkwxRUz_my3uAkMwHa3ULb8YTz3b3Sj8AFoTBipSSSe6oIgNPQBoe7v8FtoO1xzf-uzwSUooWhSN_IbI8JLS23wqq_8_H_Nb1NFFdbL5EKZvkm8EuF4gWd7DS40FcdB-gjX4I55jpRcv/s1600-h/july4CIMG1007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrkwxRUz_my3uAkMwHa3ULb8YTz3b3Sj8AFoTBipSSSe6oIgNPQBoe7v8FtoO1xzf-uzwSUooWhSN_IbI8JLS23wqq_8_H_Nb1NFFdbL5EKZvkm8EuF4gWd7DS40FcdB-gjX4I55jpRcv/s320/july4CIMG1007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356241762530520434" border="0" /></a>master bedroom<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">You can see one of the many air return vents on the ceiling. Every room has one. They keep the air in each room moving. The filters inside should be replaced every few months, with the main filter for the A/C being replaced every month.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-27309625087550003602009-06-27T16:52:00.000-07:002009-11-23T12:44:56.084-08:00Day 55<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3ZyxD3s8Aw-sN4TCYjgPntqiHC3ajcYicXxPMpzHCqsmADy0hFlcvLKct8GzIoz0IR3cd3A0u11oRV9gVFi_5t7hEkN92jg58fe4GmVwk3-bbB_HHKzfaaaoQFozWZZvJ51lFjzFbF2Z/s1600-h/june+27up+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3ZyxD3s8Aw-sN4TCYjgPntqiHC3ajcYicXxPMpzHCqsmADy0hFlcvLKct8GzIoz0IR3cd3A0u11oRV9gVFi_5t7hEkN92jg58fe4GmVwk3-bbB_HHKzfaaaoQFozWZZvJ51lFjzFbF2Z/s320/june+27up+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352903815584817298" border="0" /></a><br />Our lovely landscaped yard! Close to the front porch there's a red flowering plant, then a pink one. There's also a pink one on the other side of the steps. Close to where the steps meet the front walk, there's some yellow Lantana- a flower that butterflies love. In the middle of the yard there's a green shrub that those giant ants are eating. I called the saleslady so they can get rid of those little guys before they eat all the plants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJD9p7HwNxOoX7Pth3AqdHhPu72I24ukRSXbHdwamQlH8Wzos6booUrJ3_qjtCb2DXpy_A73bwJYBFbPCozg1y-iWtQpEQhJT4-HMJeEEzETWRVJdzckL3WsgcgZlsoqFrXg6Vu-ArtNO/s1600-h/june+27up+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJD9p7HwNxOoX7Pth3AqdHhPu72I24ukRSXbHdwamQlH8Wzos6booUrJ3_qjtCb2DXpy_A73bwJYBFbPCozg1y-iWtQpEQhJT4-HMJeEEzETWRVJdzckL3WsgcgZlsoqFrXg6Vu-ArtNO/s320/june+27up+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352901983285349986" border="0" /></a>I just noticed that our house numbers are up. However, they haven't painted the post that they are mounted on. It's supposed to be forest green.<br /><br />The water run-off has been laid- that's the strip of river rocks between each house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAIGji-2H9S8yd2nvUJfjl6qR_wS3ATQhSNmw7Ne4Xdn2SAXQMhRbC080nBMRdxBajgpOljEhw_bhnwMCEJLdYTQd-HSUH8h_yuxRFTaFfq5N_GMrn5yrhiZg4KitjFJIbIAJTIUvSQ0g/s1600-h/june+27up+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAIGji-2H9S8yd2nvUJfjl6qR_wS3ATQhSNmw7Ne4Xdn2SAXQMhRbC080nBMRdxBajgpOljEhw_bhnwMCEJLdYTQd-HSUH8h_yuxRFTaFfq5N_GMrn5yrhiZg4KitjFJIbIAJTIUvSQ0g/s320/june+27up+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352902118491784914" border="0" /></a><br />Here you can see the fence posts. The fence will be straight from the neighbor's porch to the center post, then angle back from the center post to our front porch. That will add a little more privacy. My husband noticed that we have a doorbell. Funny, because none of the other houses have them. We asked about that in our initial meeting with the saleslady. Perhaps it's a new feature. Or maybe they only do them on the two-story plans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlroXFetIOJKzWMtp64ccwp0ZJqiDez-yjfg4GzzHRJh0Oi7YvRS9i7yyoFhyoR5cYrSc89bJcH1HTF_kg_i4ebtlauNvoZIUv00LyrNzQYlxBTY9tFfNiMdeVRBk8MuwnvhKR18atL7ql/s1600-h/june+27up+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlroXFetIOJKzWMtp64ccwp0ZJqiDez-yjfg4GzzHRJh0Oi7YvRS9i7yyoFhyoR5cYrSc89bJcH1HTF_kg_i4ebtlauNvoZIUv00LyrNzQYlxBTY9tFfNiMdeVRBk8MuwnvhKR18atL7ql/s320/june+27up+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352902231358304194" border="0" /></a><br />On this side of the house we have three Red Yuccas. My daughter had really hoped we'd have some. The odd thing about Red Yucca is that the flowers are actually pink and the plant isn't really a member of the yucca family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg8ViITYr8unadszPs8oBFd0mYjVmDKs-1zrDFNOjOaBnnC0buRSrOB5ZDMtFhK6hlhBvDP48pLHfoBRZd4Yu9jct5VSu3jpA3Ho7DXK5hsULPop2P2bav5noKN8tm-oCRtbsJksW0I59/s1600-h/june+27up+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOg8ViITYr8unadszPs8oBFd0mYjVmDKs-1zrDFNOjOaBnnC0buRSrOB5ZDMtFhK6hlhBvDP48pLHfoBRZd4Yu9jct5VSu3jpA3Ho7DXK5hsULPop2P2bav5noKN8tm-oCRtbsJksW0I59/s320/june+27up+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352903511143997250" border="0" /></a>They had originally installed the under-stairs storage door where it opened into the archway. You couldn't open the door without smashing into it. They've removed the door frame. You can see the water heater. It's in a silly place. The space under the lower part of the stairs is also open for storage- the water heater interupts the free space. The tubes coming out of it run into the exterior wall. We think it would make more sense for it to be under the landing for the lower half of the stairs, allowing for more sensible storage space. I suppose they had their reasons.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Utility Room<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4UahXdFhaPGSUieiC8PWKuudnE_L5JK1HZzVW3u9o3BmZ56PGoifFV50pu2VA-Edjbs2P23sAAgSuk6UHib18F3xPNeXw4xLTqkT4jtVmjFBSWIxDVr9RLqIO6l2l3j8BhZOMWEZan8z/s1600-h/june+27up+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4UahXdFhaPGSUieiC8PWKuudnE_L5JK1HZzVW3u9o3BmZ56PGoifFV50pu2VA-Edjbs2P23sAAgSuk6UHib18F3xPNeXw4xLTqkT4jtVmjFBSWIxDVr9RLqIO6l2l3j8BhZOMWEZan8z/s320/june+27up+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352913251959398722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kitchen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NAKseLlYG0CQv4y8F_at-u5mX4lfaDrClNb3YLvx4_a05ZLZQcYE_QbAvr7pQJ7n_S1c7mDzxe3EzBNfoNb9WHORqi38jEQXCCz1Garov7Ywd8WD6ynLgvd0VJNGZiBM9r_qEQf2ky3m/s1600-h/june+27up+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NAKseLlYG0CQv4y8F_at-u5mX4lfaDrClNb3YLvx4_a05ZLZQcYE_QbAvr7pQJ7n_S1c7mDzxe3EzBNfoNb9WHORqi38jEQXCCz1Garov7Ywd8WD6ynLgvd0VJNGZiBM9r_qEQf2ky3m/s320/june+27up+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352913912309262722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Dining Room<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGNkEEWIVbkXtlcegTjgCEtju6oWQ9y7dGRIuhwOkaMHnD7AXxsAgSZ19bzQlxNDeRUVbIfnXxht9QcaoaMLm5rCKlBP8tBWtNx9sKamViy9fnX_Vqsrt4o56LSsVaEfBqgtYZPFdU4tR/s1600-h/june+27up+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGNkEEWIVbkXtlcegTjgCEtju6oWQ9y7dGRIuhwOkaMHnD7AXxsAgSZ19bzQlxNDeRUVbIfnXxht9QcaoaMLm5rCKlBP8tBWtNx9sKamViy9fnX_Vqsrt4o56LSsVaEfBqgtYZPFdU4tR/s320/june+27up+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352913815267644258" border="0" /></a><br /></div>The light fixtures have been installed. My husband hates them. Good thing he works in lighting...<br /><br />He does have another major compaint. The fixtures and the door knobs are all silver, but the door hinges and the banister hardware is all gold. It doesn't match. The doors especially look bad. We'll have to add that to out list.<br /></div><br />This is the phone jack in the kitchen. They either hung it crooked or cut the tile unevenly. It's already on our repair list.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQRc6ovfb-H4bCSVbEy6UYHCJ52PNPJHWAJ8p6CqwV-W3stLZ-gxKQqqaNKXUWLGAHHw_OEohWocGPO3zj7GbMRLjbdgZ_TP9E13TeODIina3lF9nJQoyldWP_-CVj2Q04LA-hZquBTF0/s1600-h/june+27up+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQRc6ovfb-H4bCSVbEy6UYHCJ52PNPJHWAJ8p6CqwV-W3stLZ-gxKQqqaNKXUWLGAHHw_OEohWocGPO3zj7GbMRLjbdgZ_TP9E13TeODIina3lF9nJQoyldWP_-CVj2Q04LA-hZquBTF0/s320/june+27up+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352913330714785010" border="0" /></a><br />This is the master bathroom sink. I don't care about the saw dust in the sink. The problem here is the big blue chip on the right. This has also been added to our repair list.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq2Eo1d4hU7qp3qldzf-gll2nrIgHAPFpaNm5xOgGhuiHvrzfaUyMsTY9ezhMq0m3y8I0YnsyvlU95L_RGfTDJe1pv-y9fHodh7UXiryjQNAucGWzz7cnKMLnbVh9OHqqQCmFrmFPfxsV/s1600-h/june+27up+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq2Eo1d4hU7qp3qldzf-gll2nrIgHAPFpaNm5xOgGhuiHvrzfaUyMsTY9ezhMq0m3y8I0YnsyvlU95L_RGfTDJe1pv-y9fHodh7UXiryjQNAucGWzz7cnKMLnbVh9OHqqQCmFrmFPfxsV/s320/june+27up+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352913522438522834" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the view from the back. We have a large shrub to the left of the driveway, and a tree on the right.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSmTPxy61ro31mLKNLn6BADlUshG0UiJ-W9A7GsOcOkeLXpjbiWw9KIWfhKT4fh3pPK0-cCiW2YEm35hBra1Le9-FKt_kz-Rl-jfpvp1Hwf4ce15SLsmw-wWtAdwB0kRIGC4rMLboVS1C/s1600-h/june+27up+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSmTPxy61ro31mLKNLn6BADlUshG0UiJ-W9A7GsOcOkeLXpjbiWw9KIWfhKT4fh3pPK0-cCiW2YEm35hBra1Le9-FKt_kz-Rl-jfpvp1Hwf4ce15SLsmw-wWtAdwB0kRIGC4rMLboVS1C/s320/june+27up+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352913725195877202" border="0" /></a><br />I took another one from further back because the display screen on my camera is acting up. I wanted to be sure I got all of the plant-life. You can also see the street light. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNuaZm6TLEwzSWu8NCvqTbTu24v22U3qnxIMSONWuY_bHPmxiK-P4y6-Z_dv2dvIh32tg3Nm3Uak-4MhVuMQKTJGkQwHVff4edPwj4dlZm67kAwNIKVOfL7IRwgFRpVVGpKxylAdF0zEZ/s1600-h/june+27up+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNuaZm6TLEwzSWu8NCvqTbTu24v22U3qnxIMSONWuY_bHPmxiK-P4y6-Z_dv2dvIh32tg3Nm3Uak-4MhVuMQKTJGkQwHVff4edPwj4dlZm67kAwNIKVOfL7IRwgFRpVVGpKxylAdF0zEZ/s320/june+27up+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352913611944890082" border="0" /></a></div><br />The saleslady let me know we'll have two walk-throughs before we move in. I don't know if we have them before or after closing. On the first walk-through, we'll have a an independent inspector person walk with us and they'll make a list of all the things we want fixed. Then they'll give the list to the builder's team who will correct the issues. Finally, we'll have the second walk-through to be sure everything is perfect before we move in. As of right now, closing is set for <span style="font-weight: bold;">July 10 (Day 68.)</span>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-2290371137263028432009-06-26T16:34:00.000-07:002009-06-29T18:07:01.379-07:00Day 54: Lots of InstallationsMy husband went out to the house today, then back again this evening. He took the pictures with his phone, so the ones in poorly lit parts of the house are kind of blurry. You can still click on them to enlarge.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Utility Room, shelves installed<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dEY7iAyx5SxMW5R5BV7IYT4ciJt7zzivGV5FDFMoq-47ulwZDAMbour2YwM5VUHWqsAgnZI2Vs0-dsJeCcvb6CAIN_mKX1aCpNI1zInc81cbK8J5Zojpd0ejs61l8tLP97qBydsvP_rN/s1600-h/june+26+4.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dEY7iAyx5SxMW5R5BV7IYT4ciJt7zzivGV5FDFMoq-47ulwZDAMbour2YwM5VUHWqsAgnZI2Vs0-dsJeCcvb6CAIN_mKX1aCpNI1zInc81cbK8J5Zojpd0ejs61l8tLP97qBydsvP_rN/s320/june+26+4.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897609098807762" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Powder Room, mirror, toilet and sink installed<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxxFIpNvEy6lLY85myZi0O0gJLINfhm3mOdllnsQudWLWxwnLO7geb98zD7Owk01NnyGrCLPhO3l2a916e0wriqwzyhzge2UPKZnPEauCUA2cw1TLncswy4LDROg8Av8jL6M2iWWXpWXM/s1600-h/june+26+5.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxxFIpNvEy6lLY85myZi0O0gJLINfhm3mOdllnsQudWLWxwnLO7geb98zD7Owk01NnyGrCLPhO3l2a916e0wriqwzyhzge2UPKZnPEauCUA2cw1TLncswy4LDROg8Av8jL6M2iWWXpWXM/s320/june+26+5.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897711532734642" border="0" /></a><br />Kitchen (tile being installed)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G-bYxtV0TWeXFvEUcHFTPQvWPOu609rHd1ok7PjB8h49n4lSZEgCH0WcV6FhyTYfe2dR5l5CbI-Enn3w7qDpeINfwyTVDXhKOcjhFyapAi0yCLnQPKGgMDZyYYNYQgVmGuR-vAMThVYS/s1600-h/june+26+6.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9G-bYxtV0TWeXFvEUcHFTPQvWPOu609rHd1ok7PjB8h49n4lSZEgCH0WcV6FhyTYfe2dR5l5CbI-Enn3w7qDpeINfwyTVDXhKOcjhFyapAi0yCLnQPKGgMDZyYYNYQgVmGuR-vAMThVYS/s320/june+26+6.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897883138343250" border="0" /></a><br />Microwave mounted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJo2ve4hBBIb6ywEWZsf5bew9wy1EFwAcnNR5YRQ9Cs6jMJJXQo6hXMkzsiGIgtRtzTRIlLKleS3Ul-7qL2XQ4-QCRklaT0pHAt1PU4xEljWX62HDyHfM1rNZjPF1dcGViR42p_O4FDJx/s1600-h/june+26+8.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJo2ve4hBBIb6ywEWZsf5bew9wy1EFwAcnNR5YRQ9Cs6jMJJXQo6hXMkzsiGIgtRtzTRIlLKleS3Ul-7qL2XQ4-QCRklaT0pHAt1PU4xEljWX62HDyHfM1rNZjPF1dcGViR42p_O4FDJx/s320/june+26+8.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898115700587330" border="0" /></a><br />Dining, tiled, with upstairs closet doors leaning on wall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAwECtJ66iniQ5lBXYHII-4JMXBGOIVWcX8JlFg3V3aGIHbozYkVdlUFzrlJmxPiKF3pSTrf91TMTt__Xj_-aH5A9Ylq3IqcC1Ryg_ok-yAH1QMTdmPd-zPXoxDPlu5cRH-gVCt4TGyex/s1600-h/june+26+7.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAwECtJ66iniQ5lBXYHII-4JMXBGOIVWcX8JlFg3V3aGIHbozYkVdlUFzrlJmxPiKF3pSTrf91TMTt__Xj_-aH5A9Ylq3IqcC1Ryg_ok-yAH1QMTdmPd-zPXoxDPlu5cRH-gVCt4TGyex/s320/june+26+7.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898012640180578" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Girls' Bathroom, mirror, sink and toilet installed<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ84nBv2Ya29kwFIIs3VSnfKFZ0ahN_j04NUzlRQioNv7gzAJq8fj4nUSEzC0d2_g0TJCwPFTdJnIm8mJld7MAdwjVVTlWaOE9tfNGihbyjjn3tohfgiZEsmacH4HduHzUj-9R4SOeC5vT/s1600-h/june+26+1.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ84nBv2Ya29kwFIIs3VSnfKFZ0ahN_j04NUzlRQioNv7gzAJq8fj4nUSEzC0d2_g0TJCwPFTdJnIm8mJld7MAdwjVVTlWaOE9tfNGihbyjjn3tohfgiZEsmacH4HduHzUj-9R4SOeC5vT/s320/june+26+1.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897293855959138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Master Walk-In Closet, racks installed, but missing shelves<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WNlG7Y2DScJYT59uWkrVWIuRsXMloAjIBUz6vCRHZn6Xc813bQ4EhqLxCjW9xKWMU9w_1eu-LRvPTEEz4vbEWhKQPQP8MdIVhAd5V7TJIIvbGXpxXa2LhUq7oNE_HbqDe9wmbxV4hNej/s1600-h/june+26+3.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WNlG7Y2DScJYT59uWkrVWIuRsXMloAjIBUz6vCRHZn6Xc813bQ4EhqLxCjW9xKWMU9w_1eu-LRvPTEEz4vbEWhKQPQP8MdIVhAd5V7TJIIvbGXpxXa2LhUq7oNE_HbqDe9wmbxV4hNej/s320/june+26+3.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897511223611474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Master Bathroom, counter top, sink and mirror installed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVp5TX-lJOo6Z63ub3L92UD3FhsKVsm4xEJcOaH0kE0hcxzxuhWufeTDvi_x4fJKAGVaTOcwW4AcoBpNV8Yim3-o6s1tFoAG01uYbRaGaO-nI_FF2jaxVLoiHWjMAVmoJqEy17jC7Sf_I/s1600-h/june+26+2.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVp5TX-lJOo6Z63ub3L92UD3FhsKVsm4xEJcOaH0kE0hcxzxuhWufeTDvi_x4fJKAGVaTOcwW4AcoBpNV8Yim3-o6s1tFoAG01uYbRaGaO-nI_FF2jaxVLoiHWjMAVmoJqEy17jC7Sf_I/s320/june+26+2.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352897408147674626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He came back in the evening. They've done our landscaping,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnhmgP37hoN19GkVHuWjoovDkYmJX1fosTew-7XS0A2Beviy0KCEQTAXRvQghdHh_AXTS2joz6ZXurtB1c-usA_3gGigfFbCQ-fYkV5MQFCBILa5Mx0S2dfdYl_O3pjmfuYAiXFttnJk4/s1600-h/june+26+10.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnhmgP37hoN19GkVHuWjoovDkYmJX1fosTew-7XS0A2Beviy0KCEQTAXRvQghdHh_AXTS2joz6ZXurtB1c-usA_3gGigfFbCQ-fYkV5MQFCBILa5Mx0S2dfdYl_O3pjmfuYAiXFttnJk4/s320/june+26+10.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898424827848946" border="0" /></a><br />laid out the grass, and put up fence posts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozmfWHWRjHzOamdwZrs_-dPpgsdVxLRyNc9kOtawNxQ5CCL6WEscqNOueST7O7glyfBWLn8urtrMtGNB96RL6brGHIkMN_gD8_yWN27C4s9K_MBnmMe4anbUP7gjm7q1WMH5pJP42yQvL/s1600-h/june+26+9.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozmfWHWRjHzOamdwZrs_-dPpgsdVxLRyNc9kOtawNxQ5CCL6WEscqNOueST7O7glyfBWLn8urtrMtGNB96RL6brGHIkMN_gD8_yWN27C4s9K_MBnmMe4anbUP7gjm7q1WMH5pJP42yQvL/s320/june+26+9.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352898249643119346" border="0" /></a>The day the front steps were laid, they also did the back side walk and poured the driveway.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5906674380004216192.post-9615956847564801592009-06-21T16:20:00.000-07:002009-06-29T18:07:40.628-07:00Day 49<div style="text-align: center;">They laid the front steps,<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4s_nSzC5_qca6F7p-98jG6oVhHs0nhVtmrnV5OBo56cJLzx4nPpAqUa2bEKQcVwHftzUCX2SOxC_SnkQ-6J4N9eIYhxbc8dTLTiwXnfkXo-4VUfzLGoJYmUmMgudJq9QBhSRTQT_lGbj/s1600-h/june+21+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4s_nSzC5_qca6F7p-98jG6oVhHs0nhVtmrnV5OBo56cJLzx4nPpAqUa2bEKQcVwHftzUCX2SOxC_SnkQ-6J4N9eIYhxbc8dTLTiwXnfkXo-4VUfzLGoJYmUmMgudJq9QBhSRTQT_lGbj/s320/june+21+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894035233263730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">installed the coat closet rack,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxtYq451L94DpOUqN6g2AWrl9EOa1whVGh9WBdXKFOFp3KI7PyDucC9_F-NkEnFD-nJbZXTUvBQ0kgEi4XFvEb1uwJWaCjb2Ko0gbmeBupfEYR1N_Zis5LcGCPdOO5xdgpwwEsuIQF8PQ/s1600-h/june+21+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxtYq451L94DpOUqN6g2AWrl9EOa1whVGh9WBdXKFOFp3KI7PyDucC9_F-NkEnFD-nJbZXTUvBQ0kgEi4XFvEb1uwJWaCjb2Ko0gbmeBupfEYR1N_Zis5LcGCPdOO5xdgpwwEsuIQF8PQ/s320/june+21+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894727796343778" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">put up the pantry shelves,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIgrdkEZfmYMlIJRUUcbyDyYQxvgx0z940FrCK8J75UL4po0U2N_BCJwUsjhkgpzNrGMlqDUrRAPCDaX89zuaSdWOi6-l2NuNexoryO1ixmPssJNm3FuokwMdHHgCjsJWcJqBvNTyn83N/s1600-h/june+21+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIgrdkEZfmYMlIJRUUcbyDyYQxvgx0z940FrCK8J75UL4po0U2N_BCJwUsjhkgpzNrGMlqDUrRAPCDaX89zuaSdWOi6-l2NuNexoryO1ixmPssJNm3FuokwMdHHgCjsJWcJqBvNTyn83N/s320/june+21+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894486091985362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT_n2y1cx4ozAO9ow6229TbyJAr8cHJwrf1wuzgO6apvVPf1ctD-JaSBFQCy0wB_l7FKiHYCLKJqGauZ8GesxbB5VGK6TO8HPdSLLUGu_wAcND0ACiu1o9zUXvr3MT4ayEe4X2oZOfqu4/s1600-h/june+21+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT_n2y1cx4ozAO9ow6229TbyJAr8cHJwrf1wuzgO6apvVPf1ctD-JaSBFQCy0wB_l7FKiHYCLKJqGauZ8GesxbB5VGK6TO8HPdSLLUGu_wAcND0ACiu1o9zUXvr3MT4ayEe4X2oZOfqu4/s320/june+21+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894654979713202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjq1ivAhcq8ALpMOIIuiniTkJxuqzbYcC-FKMseHOfruYMXxgIfIygepa1OfpL7KbpuMK50aOkv3UoXSPWvAIC4KUxjjBrs-57FVEnDVTgF0c6iADHyYVTKNjInGMibVpxUSOvqHE4wePz/s1600-h/june+21+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjq1ivAhcq8ALpMOIIuiniTkJxuqzbYcC-FKMseHOfruYMXxgIfIygepa1OfpL7KbpuMK50aOkv3UoXSPWvAIC4KUxjjBrs-57FVEnDVTgF0c6iADHyYVTKNjInGMibVpxUSOvqHE4wePz/s320/june+21+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894597923302930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />hung the rack in the girls' closet,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGBDskr1R2x0xlHj81yCF9qB0Bps0d5sLLgoq1PaRbjrcbjka3xTPUwMYxgwmiINdqToDqzCyrR7gOafIyzjwmWfPRmKWgYAbaowPrpguZbjLCms3Pz14zgTMiK-cThlz3YSNYf3FlgGK/s1600-h/june+21+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGBDskr1R2x0xlHj81yCF9qB0Bps0d5sLLgoq1PaRbjrcbjka3xTPUwMYxgwmiINdqToDqzCyrR7gOafIyzjwmWfPRmKWgYAbaowPrpguZbjLCms3Pz14zgTMiK-cThlz3YSNYf3FlgGK/s320/june+21+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894409573230770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />put in the girls' bathroom counter top,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzsb8QdQwwxPZ8UmQFJ6Ju6mq2x8dWg5Mmzd909py-JNJwuDvNLJGIMVgkjAm3BUQx4RnIZjbcXZLLHvJyVkhjtVHAbI6FTr9ytg6IEfHMzYFk87LA34tkXBDrnVwkwd5sUqlumRfZKTW/s1600-h/june+21+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzsb8QdQwwxPZ8UmQFJ6Ju6mq2x8dWg5Mmzd909py-JNJwuDvNLJGIMVgkjAm3BUQx4RnIZjbcXZLLHvJyVkhjtVHAbI6FTr9ytg6IEfHMzYFk87LA34tkXBDrnVwkwd5sUqlumRfZKTW/s320/june+21+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894335956756034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and installed the cabinet in the master bathroom.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJzE_1KLm1WCpYl59ril_vWJkWgScUXcgVkiKG0nwd93WthieaU-aYbgX41LpSbI4cKALKjx_F067v4zhgVkFJASFxLBvEUlFg427RP3Hcvgw4i-p0vX7Yx15jSynTX8K7Kku5BnMB3fb/s1600-h/june+21+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJzE_1KLm1WCpYl59ril_vWJkWgScUXcgVkiKG0nwd93WthieaU-aYbgX41LpSbI4cKALKjx_F067v4zhgVkFJASFxLBvEUlFg427RP3Hcvgw4i-p0vX7Yx15jSynTX8K7Kku5BnMB3fb/s320/june+21+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894262798577090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnko_-Q6ZzWbxPzeSLCEG1A-ngdGKuVo-A8fwxkgyCyc6OyPxES_hmzvQKUA0lrVe9HgAmR3JWdGjZ4CWu8wEX4uTXyxgdhTOX159SNKazQOOxd5SCA5wJI_MQQD5u3QtKHfM4NdZErIK/s1600-h/june+21+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnko_-Q6ZzWbxPzeSLCEG1A-ngdGKuVo-A8fwxkgyCyc6OyPxES_hmzvQKUA0lrVe9HgAmR3JWdGjZ4CWu8wEX4uTXyxgdhTOX159SNKazQOOxd5SCA5wJI_MQQD5u3QtKHfM4NdZErIK/s320/june+21+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894105819249922" border="0" /></a><br />Here's what the paint and trim look like in the master bedroom.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGcifvX8yBHTVXO-rLQ0pOtxbTcAUsO7RqOsJ4EdQ3GKNQi9QiLwdOycwUAxynqHAiOv-XQ7Z4oAUlEPfzwpys0xwOWVEVqnsXFkTbuNP_TGtilP4woxmyyZLxI5x5XYwEkazs4hv4L5l/s1600-h/june+21+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGcifvX8yBHTVXO-rLQ0pOtxbTcAUsO7RqOsJ4EdQ3GKNQi9QiLwdOycwUAxynqHAiOv-XQ7Z4oAUlEPfzwpys0xwOWVEVqnsXFkTbuNP_TGtilP4woxmyyZLxI5x5XYwEkazs4hv4L5l/s320/june+21+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352894195292761202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I had thought that the counter tops throughout would look like the ones in the kitchen, but apparently the standard is that cream color.<br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>supermandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15754354517511719710noreply@blogger.com0