Friday, November 19, 2010

The House Tour Continues. Follow me this way......

to the master bathroom. The old layout only had a sink and toilet and a water heater closet. That handy Jace moved the water heater across the hall to make room for a tub/shower. Still tiny but much more functional.

Master Bath Before:
Master Bathroom After:

Master Bedroom Before:

Master Bedroom After:

The king size bed barely fit. Less carpet for me to vacuum.
Laundry Space Before:

The original fireplace in the front family room became more closet space for our master bedroom closet and a water heater stand in the laundry space.
Laundry Space After:

This space has officially become the mudroom as well. Jackets, purses, backpacks, shoes, and dirty clothes all come off here. One family sized dirty clothes basket on wheels resides here.

I hope shelves will eventually adorn the back wall and my iron will stop wiggling to the front and hopping to the floor every time I wash a large load.
Hall Bath Before:
Yes, that hole in the floor was there when we purchased it. Jace and I are always amazed at the conditions people will live in and tolerate.
Hall Bath After:

The only linen storage in the house. Custom built by my Uncle Lamell.
Girls Room Before:

Our children were horrified that their parents would buy a house that had writing all over the walls. You'd think they'd have a little more faith than that. This ain't their first remodeling rodeo.
Girls Room After:

Artwork on the walls is coming soon. A lot of my walls are what some would call "bare." It takes me a while. I really only buy and/or hang things that I LOVE. And what I love is "Junk". The more unique the better. And they don't sell that at the local Wal-Mart.
Boys Room Before:
Boys Room After:

Who is in love with the vintage picture of the chin-up competition? Noah and Ezra are. I bet.
That concludes our tour today. Thanks for stopping by. We are offering attractive financing packages, if you will step this way, we can show you how affordable home ownership can be.
Oh wait, this house isn't for sell. Not yet.
Not that I know of anyway.
We are about 1/2 way done on the Show Low project. Can't wait to show you that one. Jace just called and said the garage that was framed today is big. Really big. Like we should of gone smaller big. Crap. Does he think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight with that news? I'm this close to driving myself there to see this BIG garage in person.
I have a disease. I have had it my whole life. I studied Better Homes and Gardens as a child (and adult). Just stepping into Home Depot makes my heart race. I love the smell of cut lumber and hardware stores. When I go anywhere I'm studying people's homes. And yes, I have probably studied yours. What do I love about your house? That goes into my mental "love that house" folder. What would I do different? Would I tear out that wall and paint the siding a different color? Maybe. I lull myself to sleep at night dreaming of what pictures on the wall or trusses I could rearrange. I dream of houses I haven't built yet. I am sometimes jealous of Jace's work. He gets to talk about houses all day long with contractors and homeowners (he also gets to snake out toilets and other glamorous things). If I could have any job and get paid for it - it would be making the world a prettier place - one house at a time.
Jace loves to make a buck and doesn't mind moving. He knows I would follow him to the end of the Earth. Throw these facts about him and my above mentioned disease into a pot and there you have our life. Or as I sometimes call it.....our predicaments.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Even though you've probably already driven by....

I am documenting the largest project we have accomplished yet this year, aside from Miss Mikael. We bought this small house in the middle of town for a song - with no intention of moving in. The 1st day of school was coming fast. And a new baby was headed our way. We had to make a decision. This was to be our new home - our tiny, new, and probably temporary home. We had 8 weeks to make it work. And of course my Jace pulled it off......


Before:
And after:
New siding, landscaping, windows, roof, driveway,and a framed in garage.

Kitchen Before:

Kitchen After:
Most of the cabinets were salvaged. Painted and rearranged.
Dropped ceiling was tore out and new lighting installed. Ikea butcher block counter tops. I'm loving them.
Dining Area Before:

Dining Area After:

Entry/Office Area Before:

(as you can see most of the before pictures were taken after a lot of demo. sorry about that. blame it on the heat. and the pregnancy.)
And After:

Two small closets were tore out to make room for my office.
Family Room Before:
We tore down a wall that separated the family room from a very narrow hall way. See the hanging light switch box? The wall ended there. We tore out a fire place. See the new framing on the back center wall? It was there. We also replaced the large window with french doors, they open onto a newly poured patio in the back.
Family Room After:


Want some more?
Come on back for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry pictures. We will have a lesson on how to fit 6 people under a roof this size. Not a easy task. My garage could furnish another home. How do I keep ending up in these predicaments? We'll talk about that tomorrow as well.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Blessing Day



Her Dad gave her a sweet little blessing this morning in front of our families and congregation.



Her dress was a hand-me-down from her cousin. I forgot the headband at home.


Today I was relaxed. I was happy. I was extremely grateful. For her. For family. For gospel. And a loving Heavenly Father.


It is unfortunate that my other children's blessing days were not as cheerful and relaxed. I am just now learning to be relaxed and grateful for what I am and what I have.
Dang it.


Mikael,
You should know that today was that is was a happy day for our family. We publicly thanked Heavenly Father for you. Your Grandpas and Uncles stood in. We ate Cafe Rio tacos and pumpkin cake. Everyone agreed you are positively plump. Growing fast. You slept all day. Never messed your dress. And smiled at your Mother approximately 13 times day. Your Father can no longer pretend he does not notice that I am positively your favorite.

Love,
Mom