A Second Story
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Finally! An Update!
Ok, so this stupid house should be done, but when you hire a stupid contractor, that is what you get. It has been 8 months now, and for the past 2 months we have been waiting for them to make and install a chimney cap. Idiots. IDIOTS!!!
So anyway, we are trying to be productive and finish what we have to do, which is mostly painting. We have basically finished the bonus room (mom and dad finished their area a long time ago!). We put up shelves for liquor, bought a little bar, hung pictures (I still have to paint a series of martini glasses to go on one wall, will put up a pic when they are done), hung the ugly light, and the dartboard. We need to paint trim around the windows, but need scary ladders for that, and we are going to incorporate that with the downstairs painting.
While I had surgery, they boys built a deck downstairs, which is very very cool.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Beggars Can't Be Choosers
Well, we asked if our friend at Columbia Distributing could get us a pool table light, and he came through. For $25, we are proud owners of this beautiful MGD bottle on ice.
The lamp reminds Derek of the leg lamp from the movie A Christmas Story.... (scroll down the link to see other cool Christmas Story items, like the action figures and the Christmas lights!). This thing is just ugly enough to be funny.
Friday, July 09, 2004
Big Money Goes Around the World
We just dropped a fortune on the most important feature for the bonus room - the tv and stereo system. We bought a 50" Optima rear projection DLP tv, two Paradigm tower speakers, a subwoofer, a center channel, a receiver, a dvd player that supports super audio cd's and dvd audio discs, and ceiling speakers to complete the surround sound experience. We have yet to buy the two outdoor speakers for your listening pleasure on the deck. Kee-razy.
The stairs are finished to a point... we need the special drywall fixer guy to come and repair all the broken spots. He is apparently in high demand, so who knows when he is coming. The stairs can't be completed until this guy puts up some metal bits and finishes it, so Steve can then screw in and glue in the banisters and stuff. It is sturdy, for now.
We were able to move in the bed, couch, tv, table, and other random furniture to the upstairs, so it is taking shape. Apparently you can move in before the final inspection. It is 8pm on friday night, and the mason for the chimney is here putting up scaffolding and getting ready to do his work tomorrow. The deck is nearly finished, just needs handrails and banisters... funnily enough, our contractor said that Jeff would be done with it "tommorrow" (this was on tuesday). Today they suddenly need more materials before they can even finish. Someone needs to take remedial estimating....
They did deliver the cabinets for the bathroom sink and the utility sink today. For some reason, it takes longer to make the drawers and doors, so they will be out sometime. (imagine me inserting my favorite smiley here - :rolleyes:) At least they delivered them half finished, because now the plumber can come out and put in the sinks, and hook up the toilet and the bathtub. Yippee!
Friday, June 25, 2004
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Coming together
Things are really looking nice. We had a talk with the contractor, and told him we'd really like things done by July 5th, as I should be having surgery soon after and will have more people coming to stay with us. We want S & J to be able to move in!! Seemed like a reasonable request. I think they will have the inside done by then, but still have some stuff to do outside (like the chimney, the deck, and putting our property back together like they found it).
The "hardwood" floors are almost all in, and they look really nice. We liked the place we bought the flooring from, but they sent us to their distributor to pick up the supplies. Those people (Cronin) are a peice of work. Unfriendly, unhelpful and completely stupid. We had to go back 3 times... an hour drive each way!! It was truly unbeleivable.
The railings are in also, so Owen can run around upstairs now. Once the floors are finished they will put in the baseboard and trim around the doors, and finish the stairs.
They also started painting the outside of the house. Should be cool!
Monday, June 07, 2004
Finished!
Carpentry that is. That is what is going on. We met with the finisher, Steve, over a week ago, and chose trim and railings and banisters and newels and stuff. They finally came out friday with materials (after our delivery was accidentally shipped to the coast). Two guys worked all day (we heard saws and hammering anyway!) but it didn't look like much was done. Today they put the trim around the windows and the freedom doors. It looks purty.
I can't wait until this is done! It seems like two steps forward, 25 steps back with these people. The electrician came two weeks ago and said he would be back 4 days later, could we have all the light fixtures available? We say sure, tell the contractor, he says sure. Neither fixtures nor electrician ever show up. The fixtures were then coming with the lumber order. They didn't. Maybe they are enjoying a relaxing time at the beach. I have no idea what is going on. The painters were here 2 weeks ago to caulk and prep, then didn't show again. We were told they were finishing a job last week, would be here this week. Mmmmm, no painters yet. They are probably waiting for the chimney to be finished, and who knows what is going on with that. After many conversations with the contractor, he should know we JUST WANT TO BE INFORMED!!! I don't care if the painters can't come until next October, JUST TELL ME! Honestly, these people are goofballs. Why draw out finishing a project? They have to drive 1.5 hours to get here! Just get it done already. There are so many little things for them to finish, I fear it will never be done, we will always be waiting for someone to be able to come out for a day or two put a fence back, pour some concrete, etc. I don't know whether to hound them (which doesn't actually seem to help), or just let it go (which means we will probably never get finished!).
Monday, May 24, 2004
Color My World
We powered through painting this weekend. We are all sore. Here are most of the results of our hard work. I'll post the picture of the beautiful bathroom when I remember to take the camera upstairs.
