We are one week until move day, people! And, I must say that my semi-vocalized frustration had quite the impact on our contractor, apparently. (I say semi-vocalized because I didn't have to vocalize much before he realized that I wanted him to get on the ball and get this house move-in ready.) After our phone conversation last Thursday, Noel and I drove up to the homestead that day and, there were ten (yes, ten!) cars parked up there 'getting shit done!' You couldn't wipe a smile off my face with and eraser. The framers were back and had finished our screened-in porch (minus the screen). The flooring dudes had finished tiling our shower and were in the process of grouting tile. Jose and his compadres were completing our interior bamboo steps, and while we were there, the stone masons appeared and got to work on our front porch steps.
Oh, now we can sit out on the porch and sip our mimosas!
So Soxy won't fall.
These gorgeous steps are really made from a grass. I really hope I don't run into a panda bear one day munching on our stairsteps. Pretty awesome!
The improv HGTV crew -- post mailbox installation.
Since last Thursday (aka the GSD day), the balusters have been put into place and the handrails stained on the staircase and overlook. The final round of painting was completed today. Carpet has been installed in our master bedroom. The hot water heater has been placed under the house. The plumber has been hard at work installing fixtures in our bathtubs and shower. A few of the contractor's men (if I knew your names I would thank you, but I do not) routed the gutter downspouts into the ground with corrugated plastic pipes to irrigate the yard while directing water away from the house. They also backfilled much of the area around the garage with dirt from one of the massive dirt piles that was created when the footers were dug. The electrician has installed the under-cabinet lighting, raised the pendant lights, and installed dimmer switches. Today, he was in the process of installing our speakers, TV mounts, and rope lighting. This is his last day on the job at our house, and we truly appreciate the work he has done. (Thank you, Jon!) The dishwasher would have been installed today if the cabinet people (ahh, the headache reappears) had actually made the slot large enough for a standard size dishwasher, but they did not (surprise, surprise). Alas, they must return to correct their mistake, but their return did not occur today (and we were ensured by them that it would).
Gutter engineering.
After the mounting frustration on Thursday, I typed out lists for the electrician, Indy, and the plumber (although the plumber's list was extremely short). We wanted them to know what we noticed needed to be done. Apparently, they expect lists...like lists. If only I had know that this was kosher earlier in the process, I would have been like Santa...lists for everyone! We, of course, kept a copy of each person's list so we can walk through and around the house and check off what has been completed. Lists give the A-type personality something tangible. Makes me feel a bit more in control of the situation. Not to mention, we always forget to mention things to Indy. To make a list, we analyzed each room as to not miss anything.
Today, Noel met with the closet shelving elf (get it...the shelf elf...ha!) to tell him how we wanted each closet set up. The cleaning ladies are coming tomorrow to rid our house of dust and trash. The area around the house still needs some tending. The burn pile in the back needs to be scooped up and hauled off. The yard needs to be free of rocks and adorned with a fresh coat of topsoil. Backfilling needs to occur around the house. And, we need a screen for that screened-in porch. The driveway, good grief, the driveway needs a couple of culverts installed, needs to be graded, and desperately needs crushed gravel. Of course, as this has kicked into high gear, monsoon season has fallen on Lynchburg. I didn't think I would say this (in a time when we so desperately needed rain), but rain, rain go away come back again when we've moved in and need a lazy, rainy day.
The interior of the house is so much closer to completion than the exterior, but we just need this thing to be livable in seven days. We might just make it. Come on Indy!
Parting shot: The muffin (our wonderful wiggling muffin)
No comments:
Post a Comment