10.29.2009

Loose Ends

So if you check below we had a leak when we returned from our trip. And I don't know if you are keeping up but our contractors are a son and father team. We started the project with Jehovany and then he brought on his dad. But basically through most of the project we've been dealing mainly with Don Jesse ( the father). Jehovany came by the other day with Bill. Now Bill is the guy that recommended TBG Construction to us. Bill happens to be a roofing expert and knew exactly what the problem was and knew exactly why the leak happened. Jehovany is going to wrap up the remainder of what needs to get done, including fixing the leak, and is going to come by today. We will keep you updated.

10.26.2009

Check Check Check

Load of laundry? CHECK
Grilled whole chicken with an arugula strawberry mint salad? CHECK
A good movie on the tube? CHECK

Couldn't be happier!
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Washer Dryer

This is the washer and dryer home when they are not in use!
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Washer Dryer

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Take A Load Off

So our power finally got turned on this past Thursday. That means we finally get to use the washer and dryer. After reading the instructions, (yes I do that) we had to do a test run on them before we put a load in. The machine itself is a tank. Tonight we are doing something I have been dreaming about for years. We are popping in a movie, eating dinner in front of the tv while we have a load going in the washing machine. I will never take anything for granted. We are very blessed. So here's to our first load. Have a good night.

Thank You


I wanted to say thank you to my mom and dad who gave us a wonderful housewarming present, AKA appliances. We absolutely love our kitchen and it is so nice to have appliances that work and that are pretty fantastic. We were living in a place where the appliances weren't ours and not only were they not ours? They never really worked. The fridge never kept the food cold and the oven had a mind of it's own. So we are in heaven. Thank you thank you. Every time we are in that kitchen we think of you, so thank you so very much.

Opposite kitchen view

I love my kitchen!
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Kitchen stove view

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Kitchen Update

I just realized I had not posted in a while and our kitchen is pretty much done. I wanted to post some pics to show you how it turned out. All there is left to do in there is to seal the floors which we will do once we no longer have people working in the house, add window coverings, and touch up some paint. Oh and our contractor is switching out some of out lighting in the kitchen. Oh, Oh and we still have to put in glass on our top cabinets although between you and me, I kind of like not having the glass. Check out some of the pics in the posts below!

Kitchen Shots

Cabinets with knobs and pulls!
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10.22.2009

Taking a leak

We got a leak. We returned from our trip and had a surprise. We're
actaully happy because the old roof held up pretty well. J came over
with a roof expert and the said it might be something with the
flashing. We get our power turned on today for our washer- dryer and
ac!!!

10.09.2009

Final Inspection



So our last inspector was harping on an air gap for our dishwasher and wouldn't sign off until we got it. After showing him tons of documentation from the manufacturer that our Miele dishwasher did not need one he still asked for it. When we showed him documentation that LA does not require an air gap for our model he responded that although we were in LA county we were not Los Angeles city. Then he asked if we wanted hepatitis and e-coli (yes he actually said that) because apparently that is what not having an air gap causes. I guess everyone with our dishwasher in Los Angeles must have hepatitis and e-coli. Watch out.

So we called our granite guy to come drill a hole. He was swamped and we didn't have time to wait. We needed this done quick so we found a local granite contractor and he came over to drill the hole. I had something up my sleeve though. I had read online that other people were frustrated at having to drill an extra hole for an air gap they didn't need and so once they passed inspection they switched the air gap for a soap dispenser. We went to the WDC to pick on up. They happened to have one in stock that was the same brand of our faucet and matched perfectly. Sweet!

So today we had the final inspection. We have had the same inspector each of the 14 inspections but today a different inspector came. The new inspector was surprised that all he had to sign off on was an air gap. He was in and out in less than 5 minutes and he left us with a signature. A signature that means we are done! We asked him why our inspector didn't show up. Turns out our old inspector had to serve jury duty. God has a sense of humor. And we aren't stuck with an ugly air gap. High Five!

10.08.2009

I hope this shit works-You gotta be shitting me

Now this is a shitty situation. Last night while showering we noticed a leak. It seemed that it was coming from behind the wall. I called Don J, and he told me he would be at the house first thing in the morning. Every time we would flush, the water would rise up in the shower. Don J, had in installed 4 clean outs around the house that lead to the main line. Genius. We checked the clean outs and the one leading to the main sewer line was backed up to the brim. I went to home depot and rented a 40 dollar 100ft snake. I rolled up in my pimped VW and didn't realize how big and heavy this thing was. I felt like a moron trying to get this 200lb piece of machinery in a VW Jetta. A young day laborer offered me some help, and thanks to him I got it into my car. I take back whatever i said about guatemalans. THEY ROCK. On another note I need a truck, but i love the mpg of my diesel car. that's another story.

NOW THE GOOD STUFF. FISHING FOR TURDS.

For some reason people think that pipes are like going to a David Copperfield show. "Now you see it now you don't." Everything you put down there has the risk of clogging it up. We pulled out chunks of white hair, floss, roots, more hair, even old toilet paper from years ago. The best part was learning how to use the machine. It spins a cable around that has a blade at the end of it. It is dangerous. You have to really get a feel for it, and at the same time it spins off the poopoo water. So be prepared, it's some dirty ass shit. Still while doing it i had no chance of picking up breakfast and all i could think of was, damn i really want a burrito. My forearms were burning from the 100 yards but we did it 4 times. 100 yards in . 100 yards out. that is 800 yards of line. It sure as hell beats paying 400-500 dollars to rooter man. Plus i am a pro at fishing out turds. I will be taking the show on the road.

The water finally went down and the pipe was un blocked. ABRAKADABRA


10.04.2009

Drumroll Please



We washed all of our clothes and as we folded everything, we both began to mourn what we would have to give away because there was no way we were going to fit the mound of clothes and shoes into those closets.

We put away and put away and put away until we were done. Surely there must have been a bag missing because when we were done putting away, we still had room left. But there were no bags missing so the Verdict? It all fit (insert happy dance)!

Elfa System by Container store has once again saved our lives.

I admit I was skeptical because our apartment had two full size closets that were about 6'ft each and we also had three dressers that were filled to the brim. We were spoiled. So when we bought two 4'ft closet systems, I did not think we could fit everything into those things.

Below is what our closets look like now! They still need to be organized a bit more but it sure is a whole lot better than what we had. This beats trash bags any day.

Mom, Dad, you can stop cringing now. xoxo

10.03.2009

CLOSETS!!!!




Ok, so you all know that for the past month we have been living out of bags and I do mean that literally. Every item of clothing we own has been stored in bags, big hefty bags and our shoes have been in boxes. Remember that list we posted? Off all the things we need to get done? Well we decided that before putting in a fence, or putting up blinds or doing any of the other major things, closets were in order. Closets are the key to organizing this house. It's like a domino effect. If we don't get closets, we can't get the bags of clothes out of the office, and if we can't get the bags out of the office, we can't move the office boxes out of the dining room. Catching on?

Our options once again were IKEA and Container Store. Ikea had wardrobe frames that you add drawers and clothing rods to. Their frames have doors which is nice because you don't have everything exposed. We found one that was beautiful but we weren't sure how sturdy it was. We compared that to the Elfa system at the Container Store and chose to go with that instead. Eventually we want to have closets framed out and we want to add doors but for now we just needed somewhere to put our clothes. Because the Elfa System is attached to the wall we can build a frame around it when we are ready to do that.

When we had had closets drawn up at the container store, they told us that when we were ready to buy them to give them a call and they could pull up the drawings and have them ready for us to pick up. In the last two weeks, we have made an almost daily trip to the Container Store. Most of those trips are to price things out mind you, but when the staff knows you by name... well you know.

So I call and I am trying to disguise my voice because I recognize Ivan, (Ivan designed our linen closet) but I have to give him my name so that he can pull up the order. When I give him my name he knows exactly who I am. I felt like I had been caught looking at porn. Oh the shame! But I was so excited that we were getting closets that I got over it real fast. He got our order together for the closets that Randy designed for us and we picked them up. We started late in the evening last night and had them up and running in just a few hours. Today we do laundry to fit everything in. So far though, we are each having more than enough space for our clothing. We will let you know how it goes. Below is the finished closet system. One for me, and on the opposite wall a duplicate one for The Mister.