Day by Day » House

Stained

Janene — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:28:02 +0000

Earlier this month we received a note on our door from our HOA requesting we stain our deck if we haven’t stained it recently. Last summer we were planning on staining our deck but the weather did not cooperate (it rained a lot) so we put it off for another time and then with the expense of having a baby, we weren’t planning on doing it this summer until we read this:

“On September 1, 2010 the Association will have the decks inpsected. Decks not maintained will be subject to being done by Associations contractor at the owners expense (cost billed to owner will be $550).”

How nice of them to not even give us 30 days notice!

Here is what our deck looked like last year:

Here is what it looked like after day one of staining. We spent 7+ hours and only finished around the railing:

Day two we spent ~3 hours and finally finished:

So it took us a total of 2 days and ~10 hours to stain our deck for a $125.00. Not $550!

New Blinds

Janene — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:19:40 +0000

I have been wanting new blinds for the windows for a while and we were finally able to spend the money and get some nice ones. Well, actually, I convinced Joey to let me spend part of our tax refund on new blinds.

One of the families I see referred me to a guy that does free estimates and installs the blinds for a pretty good price so I gave him a call. He did a great job and even cleaned up after himself. If you are looking for someone to do your blinds (and you live in Utah), I can get you his information.

Here is a before picture of our windows downstairs:

The blinds stayed closed all the time because I had such a hard time reaching the wand to tilt them open. Plus, light still came through the blinds so it wasn’t a big deal if they stayed closed. Kind of a sad looking room.

And here is what they look like now:

They are easy to open and they really shut out light when you close them. I couldn’t be happier! Joey even said that he likes them

We also replaced the ugly curtains in the stairwell with venetian blinds since our cats like to sit in the windows. Here is a before picture:

And here is what they look like now:

It will take the cats some time to get use to them but it really makes the stairwell look better.

Now that the blinds are done I can start working on the nursery!

Day 2 of Construction

Janene — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:14:37 +0000

After talking to the construction workers and our HOA, we learned that they are putting in a secondary water line (irrigation water). The HOA apologized for not thinking to call us. I am just glad I know what’s going on.

They should be done by Wednesday.

What the Crap?

Janene — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:51:19 +0000

I came home from work today and found this in my front yard:

Seriously HOA? No other town home on my street had construction happening in their front yard. Why didn’t you (HOA) let us know this was going to happen in our yard? It’s not like we pay you monthly or anything.

I just called and left them a message. I am very interested to hear what’s going on AND how long this will take since we aren’t going to have nice weather for very much longer.

Rearranged Living Room

Janene — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:02:40 +0000

Last night Joey helped me rearrange our living room – with some coaxing of course. The main reason I wanted to rearrange the furniture was because I couldn’t watch TV while I was in the kitchen. Silly I know but sometimes I spend a lot of the time in the kitchen AND my favorite shows are cooking shows.

Here is a before picture:

Here is an after picture:

Now I can watch TV and cook in the kitchen at the same time! I really like the new arrangement. What do you think?

With the nice spring weather, our next project will be to clean and stain the deck. The joys of home ownership.

The Bathroom

Janene — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:29:14 +0000

When Joey told me he would be going on a business trip for 6 days in March, I started thinking about what I could do while he was gone to keep myself busy. So, I decided to upgrade the vanity light and mirror and paint the guest bathroom upstairs.

Joey left on Friday and that’s when the work began. My dad helped me rip the mirror off the wall because it was STUCK to the wall with adhesive. After he got it off the wall and I saw how bad it looked, I said “Is it to late to turn back now?” Here’s a picture of what I am talking about:

Then my dad took the light fixture down and we continued to prep the room to paint.

I spackled the spots where the adhesive was and sanded them down but I could still see the black so I painted them white before painting the bathroom “Morning Sunlight” yellow.

Painting a bathroom is not easy. My sister, Kathlene, was my assistant and I couldn’t have done it without her. She handed me what I needed and made sure I didn’t fall and break my neck. Thanks, Kathlene! I am also grateful for my dad’s help. The new light and mirror look great. Thanks, Dad!

Here are some before and after pictures:

Here you can see all of Joey’s stuff on the counter. That is why I wanted to get a medicine cabinet.

What do you think? Can you see the yellow?

I have to say that after $300 (thanks tax refund) and 3 days of work, I am happy with the results. The master bathroom needs to be done next but I think I will wait. Maybe Joey can join the fun of painting a bathroom next time. Next year.