Friday, May 30, 2014

Two Months Post-Move - Exterior Happenings.

So hard to believe, but I've now been moved in for 2 months!  I love this house.  The neighborhood is wooded and beautiful and peaceful.  I've pretty much settled in and am just taking time choosing final touches: window coverings, prints, etc.  I've added a vanity upstairs and desk downstairs and still have organizing to do.  I'll add some interior photos when enough has changed; however, for now, it's all about the outside! 

I've collected all my progress photos over the past several weeks and uploaded them below.  After such an unusual winter, things are really backed up this spring with sub-contractors who do exterior work - so: landscaping is in progress, pool is nearing completion and drive is just starting.  We'll look to do steps and the screens for the porch after all other exterior work is done.

The front yard, all graded and beautiful - can't wait for grass!

 The front rock wall.

A view from the front yard.


Here are Mark's new signs - love them!





These little bushes are already so much bigger!  They'll grow up to be Bridal Wreath Spirea, which is one of my all-time favorites.

Back of the garage - Mark made this darling little step for me!

Back of the screened porch.


Steve dug out the trunks of these trees, which are outside the kitchen windows, and put in a rock wall, just started here.  It's such a great little space!




These are the colors the pavers will be for the front walk.  They're delivered but can't be installed until after the drive is finished.

The pool was moved up in the schedule, as another client wasn't ready - yay!  The digging started first of May.

The digging only took a few days, then walls started going up.






 Next comes pool bottom.

Then liner.

The air under the liner is vacuumed out to remove all the wrinkles.

 Then ... the WATER!  This was a fun day - the kids came over and watched it fill.


So beautiful!  Hard not to want to jump right in.

Angi & Ava checking the temp.

Brrrr...not quite ready!

It only took about 10 days from beginning of the dig to this point.  Then, we have to wait a month for the earth to settle.  Concrete is ready to be poured after that period of time - that's happening tomorrow!

We've had some beautiful days!  This pic was taken last weekend - the water temp was 74 degrees without the heater, which is not yet running - almost warm enough, but I was just brave enough for feet.

Had to put this photo in - I just got my Dad's toolbox from Mark - such a surprise.  He's been using it all these years and I had no idea.  I love having it and now it's the most fun planter for my patio table!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Two Weeks Post-Move.

Here we are, two weeks post move-in and I thought it was time for an update!   Thanks to Angi for taking the photos.

To back it up a few weeks, Angi orchestrated the movers on March 26th while I worked - huge thanks to her!  LOTS of challenges that day, but at the end of the day, all my stuff was here.  For the next several days, I moved and unpacked boxes till I couldn't move or unpack one more thing.  At 9:00 the night before I went back to work, I had unpacked my last box and had the entire main floor, screened porch and garage all organized!

Over that first weekend, the kids all came over and helped get things set up and settled.  We had the first family dinner on paper plates, sitting amidst boxes - and I realized the best thing about this house: it's going to be a really good space for the family.  Lots of space for the adults and space for the kids to be kids downstairs and just really good energy all around.  Outdoors will be a great space as well, once I get some grass :)

The photos below are 'interim', as there is still plenty to do inside (a few pieces of furniture, window coverings, rugs, etc.) in order for me to feel completely finished.  But it's good to see the progress we're making along the way.  And, I'm enjoying taking my time making the remaining selections.

Next up for me: set up shelves and get the storage space downstairs organized, get an office / sewing space set up, etc.  For Mark, just the steps and a few things to wrap-up outside.  We're looking for the landscaper to come and do some dirt moving, so the steps can start.  I probably won't have lawn, or other fun landscape-type things, until May.  And...we're anxiously awaiting the weight restrictions to be lifted, so I can get a driveway!

There will be lots of updates in the coming weeks and months - I'll be sure to post progress photos!