Sliding Into Finish!

We have now been in our house for two weeks (a week before the goal of Valentine's Day) and we literally slid into the house carrying boxes and furniture with the challenge of slick, solid ice on our roads and walk ways as well as piles of snow. I've never seen the schools have so many snow days, but we were able to keep the boys busy helping us.

Brian came over one evening for dinner and then helped Bob put together our new TV stand. We are very happy with it, but it was like a giant puzzle to assemble. I just left them to it and between the two of them, they did great!

Our heating guy, Bill stopped and finished his jobs with lots of good advice. Then our cable guy came and stayed quite a while teaching us how to use everything. He was so patient and took it slowly. He must work with a lot of seniors.  Everyone is so nice.

Chad came over and helped Bob clean and seal the tile in the walk in shower in our master bathroom. That was a job made a lot easier with two.

Brian came back with Brad, Kathy and the boys to start moving furniture in. Kathy was in charge of shower curtains in the two full baths.

Our pets are happily settled in. Barney loves sitting on the stairs keeping an eye on activities below. Minnie loves all of the nooks and crannies and has learned to come to the porch window to be let in and out.

Every day it becomes a little more settled and feels more and more like home. The kitchen took the longest with the number of boxes. I thought I had done pretty good downsizing, but was amazed at all we still have. A spring garage sale might be in our future. I'm sure it will all be a work in progress for some time.

Other than the new TV stand, we just pretty much moved all of our old stuff in with the thought that we can gradually replace things as we see the need. However, the goal is comfort and the absence of worry about hurting any furnishings. We can enjoy the kids and pets with a smile.

Our first guests, my Nephew Mike, his wife Cindy, and their kids Todd and Jodi and their friend, Emeris are coming next week. We have plenty of room and it will be fun to see how it all works. I already have jobs lined up for them as they can help us move our Christmas decorations and boxes of pictures in from the garage to organize in our huge basement. Some good dinners and piles of cookies should do the trick for pay.

Our yard remains a pile of sand that changes from slick ice to mucky mud depending on the temperature. Spring will bring lots of jobs there. I'm sure I'll post more as the weather clears and we can use the many porches and add some plants and shrubs. For now, thank you so much for following us on this journey. I sure wouldn't recommend it for everyone. I am proud of us for making it through (with the support of family and some very dear friends) and....we still like each other!

Bless you all! Here's to life!!

So Close and Yet....

New things happen every day that makes our new house seem more like home. The carpeting is in and knobs and handles are on almost all of the cupboards. It looks so close, but there is a long list of little things that have to be done to gain the occupancy permit.

Last Friday, after the carpeting was installed, several of our kids showed up with our four youngest grandchildren. One thing led to another and we had our first pizza and beer gathering. The kids ran in the wide open spaces and played exactly how I had pictured. It put smiles on our faces and warmed our hearts as we start the memories of our new home.

The two biggest attractions other than wide open room to run were the window opening from the stairs to the kitchen and the little reading nook in the upstairs guest room.

Butch and Bev came over both days of the weekend and helped us clean plaster dust and clippings from the floor, shelves and woodwork. Bob was worried about our beds sitting out on the cement floor of our garage, so with Brian's added help Sunday, they moved the beds in and got them set up.

That really made things seem real.

Our son, Chad, installed the light fixtures and fans as well as all of the switches and hook ups for our computer and televisions. Our plumber, Chad Hamlin, got faucets and toilets in place. Bob put in our cute new vanity in the powder room. It fits well with our farmhouse theme.

Now to get the water heater hooked up and the water connected. Then we can take a water sample in and we're a little closer to qualifying for occupancy.

Our appliances were delivered and Bob got those put in and leveled.

Our outside doors were finally painted and put back in adding more light and windows.

Mike finished our closets and the rods are in and ready for clothes. 

Meanwhile, Barney loves the height of our windows. They are perfect for watching all of the squirrels and we often see him just sitting staring. At least he is entertained.

There is still a list of little detail things that need to be done. Bob is working on sealing the shower today. Our plumber is on his way and hoping to finish. Comcast is coming Friday to hook up our internet and cable. 

It is hard to stay patient and wait for all to be done to get that permit. I sit and stare deciding which piece of furniture will go where but we aren't allowed to start until the township gives their approval. I'll probably move everything a dozen times, but it's fun to have a starting plan. 

Meanwhile, an ice storm is due to hit tonight and may slow the whole thing down again. This has been a crazy year for weather as it started so mild, then big snow, then record setting cold with wind, then spring temperatures with mud to our knees, and now here we go with everyone preparing for power outages due to heavy ice. Happiness right now sounds like some degree of being settled and our own bed.

Stay safe everyone!