Bones to Beauty

Well as you know, we planned to move to all of our outdoor projects as it is finally the perfect weather here. However, this was a rainy weekend, so nothing happened outside beyond ordering the new fence (which we plan to do on Black Friday). We instead worked on the extra bedroom closet. It is almost done, but will not be completed, completed until we tear out the AC unit (most likely this spring). The closet ‘houses’ the AC unit for the upstairs and even though they put in a new one, it just is not right. Instead of fighting with them or having to tear down a whole wall section, we are going to install multi-split units upstairs. More to come on all that fun this spring. However, we did get all of the old shelving out, painted and got the new shelving put in. On the one wall with the AC unit, we will end up putting up a rack to hang clothes, but again, that will be this spring.

Before (yes, more drwall fixing). Initially where it is blank was a small shelving unit.

Behind the brown doors is the AC unit. No idea why…I can only shake my head as to why this made sense when they built the house.

Painted and prepping for shelves. I had this old cubbie that I decided to use and build around.

Just need to paint the shelves and it will be done until this spring!

Well, we were back at it this weekend. Chad’s company gave them Veterans Day off, so I took it off as well so we could try and get a few more things done. For the most part you will see us doing things that are outside as for us, this is coolest part of the year (Nov-Feb) so the best time to knock out the outside stuff. We put in the new front door, started the outside landscaping and I need to order the stair parts, so worked a little on the step that goes down into Ciera’s room to make sure what I think should work really works before I order everything for the main staircase.

We also took some time for fun and went to one of Chad’s co-workers BBQ cookoff. The food was great Dylan!

The front door we knew would be fun as one of the previous owners tiled under the threshold and outside of the door. They did this as the tile was taller than what must have been down (thinking linoleum) and they cut the door to match the door opening. We knew we were going to do things right, so a normal 2-hour project was more like 4 as we had to cut out the tile then grind off all of the tile glue. Fun story, for the little bit we had to grind there was dust EVERYWHERE and the smoke detectors went off. I cannot wait to see what kind of mess we have when we tear it all up along with the bricks in the living room. Fun awaits the minute it warms up again – so March!

This week you do have to do some imagination, as some things don’t “look right” as we need to paint, but one step at a time, so read the captions and go back to your childhood and imagine….

Old door is OUT

So much glue!

Back to concrete…

Imagine… white walls, gray trim and black marbled floor

Imagine… a white, with a smidge of cream on the siding

Front landscaping brick. We have the lights and will plant some very unique flowering bushes, not going to spoil it!

This weekend was low-key for the most part. Chad and I got our flu shots and Covid booster, so we did plan for not doing much. However, the HOA had their fall fest and asked that I do a table and activity for the kids to trick-or-treat at. That was more fun than I had thought and now that I know what to expect can take it to a higher-level next year.

I’m always nervous to throw my first Halloween party in a new house/town. Will people come, will they have fun, and will they like the food? I know I shouldn’t care, but I do. Since it was party weekend, we did NOTHING but focus on the party. I’m not quite sure what the plan will be for next weekend. I know originally, we were going to use October to do all of the landscape brick and lights (outside stuff). We ended up using the flower beds to as the area for the tombstones, so it will be a surprise on what we do or don’t do next weekend. I’m sure we will figure it out. Here are the party photos…

I thought of just saying Halloween as that is all this blog entry is about this time but opted for October 2022 as by this time next year, I hope I’m sharing all of the before and after photos as we will be 100% complete. We spent last year working on the outside of the house for Halloween and a little inside. This weekend we finished the inside. Yahoo! I will post next week photos from the Halloween party as there are few things that only come out on party night. We will be taking it a little easy this month as I do not want any construction dust/debris on the Halloween stuff. Enjoy the fall and Halloween season!

This weekend was pulling out the carpet in Ciera’s bedroom and starting the wood flooring. The only carpet left in the house is what is on the stairs and the master bedroom. Those won’t get ripped up until after Halloween as starting next weekend, work things will move outside or be only painting inside as all of my Halloween decorations will be up and I definitely do not want to be cleaning construction dust off of everything! You will see below that the original paint color was a blue/green. Ciera did paint the room herself, but Chad it going to give it one more coat (he is WAY OCD with his painting). Anyway, her room is coming along very nicely.

Let me answer that for you… TOO MANY! I’m sure Chad would disagree, but I swear we have multiples of all (roofing, brad, finishing, and I’m sure there are others). I think he thinks up new things to add as we go just so we can go get another nail gun. He claims that the brad nailer he had was one from Iowa and doesn’t work, but I really thought we bought another one of those about a year ago. Whatever, he has another one regardless. Naturally, this was needed to put the trim up around the door and windows in Ciera’s bathroom, so a purchase that was needed (as we know there are MANY more trimming to be done in this house). I think this bathroom is the never-ending project, I’m going to blame Ciera for moving out and taking Mr. Binx as he would keep Chad moving (it was opening NFL weekend, so I was very little help – or nagging)?

If you didn’t have to wait for tile to set and grout to dry, Ciera’s bathroom would be done. The positive, the end is in sight!!! Ciera’s shower tile is all up and grouted, tile is down in the shower area (just needs to set and then we can grout). After that, just put up the fixtures, the door frames, crown molding and a good cleaning – which means that is easy-peasy for next weekend. We did discover a trick that I wish we had found many tiling projects earlier. For anyone who has done tiling, it is pretty easy, but the worst part is removing the excess grout and getting all of the haze off. This is black tile, and the haze was ridiculous. In a moment of “what the heck do we have to lose moment” (for those who know us quite well, yes add in the colorful language and a few more phrases). I pulled out a paper towel and said, “try it”. Well damn, it works FABULOUS – pics below!

This weekend was meant to be low-key, but we did get a little work in there. Chad got his cortisone shot on Friday, so we purposely try not to do much as the meds need to do their magic. Chad did get the rest of Ciera’s shower tiled, now we need to grout it. We did find a ‘new’ way to do this for showers and going to try it out on Ciera’s. Fun ahead for next weekend. Chad also put up another garage light. We had one up when we first moved in and the other side of the garage did not have a light box, so we just did the one. After a year of thinking it was still too dark, we finally added the 2nd box and light. As for the fun, it was probably only fun for me… Halloween shopping started. I got a few things bought, a few things sitting in online carts and best of all…. invites and cups have been ordered for this year’s Halloween party!!!

Psych, we aren’t moving, Ciera moved! Ciera moved back out on her own this weekend. Most of the weekend was helping her move, but Chad did get a little bit more of the tiling of the shower completed. All I can say, is when we redo our master bathroom, there WILL NOT be subway tiles! It is looking fabulous, but so time consuming. Since it was moving weekend, not much more to report this week but next weekend should be a lot better!