Granite Update

My PM came to the rescue. He sent the granite company that installed the kitchen out to look at my granite. They removed the stain and resealed it!

Since they were out, I had them do the first floor bath. I also switched out the sink for a square one. LOVE IT!!

Fixtures will get installed this weekend. I will post a finished picture after it's done!

Granite

I know...it's been a long time. I have a bone to pick. I knew we had to seal the tile in the bathrooms but was never told to seal the granite in the bathroom. My granite has oil stains and that shouldn't happen if it was properly sealed. I'm hoping that I can get the stains out. I just ordered a product and will let you know. Glad I only had Ryan install granite in one bathroom.

I will have Metro Stone & Granite (company that installed kitchen granite) put Santa Cecelia in the first floor bathroom. I like the thickness of the kitchen granite vs. the bathroom granite. It's lower on the priority list but will definitely be done.

Happy Building and Decorating!!

Anonymous

Has anyone figured out how to keep these ANNOYING anonymous jerks from writing on the blogs? I would hate to put the encryption code feature on.

A Few Pics

I know you guys have been asking for a few pictures. Of course, things are coming along slowly. I am enjoying the house and the neighborhood. My daughter loves the pool! Here are a few pictures

Existing Dining room table with new light fixture. I know...I need wall art!!
You can't really tell from the picture but Vaguely Mauve is on the walls in here.

New informal table for morning room (sorry the picture is dark)
Undecided on window treatments for this room

Pictures are from old house...You can see the SW Dhurrie Beige color that I LOVE. It's throughout the main areas.

The princess loves her room (and the colors).

I am still waiting on her chandelier from Pottery Barn. It won't be available for another MONTH :-(.

She found this at Garden Ridge this weekend. I had to get it for her! It's so hard to say NO to that child.

And the winner is....

I finally went through my mail today. My first and future payments will go to....drumroll.....WELLS FARGO!! Yay! I'm glad about that since I bank with them. I get special deals when I have a mortgage with them too. They KNOW ME!!

Sorry about being MIA on the blog scene. I switched to a new role and things have been CRAZY!! Hopefully things will become a little more normal soon. I need a VACATION! I need to regroup and decompress. It's been too much with work, moving, unpacking, shopping, life!!!

Happy Building and Decorating!

Furniture

We sold our old bedroom set and just purchased the Broyhill set that I love. Hubby put it together Saturday (only the bed had to be assembled).




I have searched at several stores for a quality dining room table for the morning room. I have not found one that I like that is the right size and color. Therefore, I am left with no choice but to have one custom built to the size that i desire and stained the color that I so choose. I have priced it at one store. My manager just told me about another store where all the furniture is made by the Amish. They will also make custom pieces as well. I want SOLID WOOD ( no veneers)! I will make my decision after I visit this last store (tired of looking at this point). Either way, it will take 6-8 weeks for them to make it. I'll keep you posted.

10 days in

The boxes have cleared enough that the space is becoming livable. I hate that I wasn't able to take a week off to get everything together.

I have never lined so many shelves before in my life. I have been back and forth to the Container Store for my organizational needs (Of course, you want everything organized in your new home).

We still have the hard woods covered until we are done moving all the big stuff.

Here is what we've done thus far:
-main areas painted (which I LOVE the color), daughter's bedroom and laundry room
-ceiling fans put up in living room and master
-chandelier for formal dining room changed out
-blinds are all installed
-pink chandelier ordered for daughter bedroom (patiently awaiting the arrival since its on back order until July)

To do....a whole lot!!

Laundry Room

Here is a pic of the laundry room I painted on Sunday. The color is SW Watery. I love the brightness. It kind of makes me want to go in the room and do some laundry.

Busy

As you can imagine things have been very busy since Friday. We are trying to get use to everything (it's so many light switches).

Here is the breakdown:
-the POD is unloaded except for the armoire and formal dining room table. It is NOT unpacked
-I painted the laundry room SW Watery and love it. Pics will come soon.
-Blinds are getting installed today in the rooms that are not getting painted
-The painter is painting the main areas for the next few days
-Cable get installed tomorrow

I received the signed CO this morning as well. We are all set!

Closed

We closed this morning! It took about an hour. The only problem we ran into was that the CO was approved but not signed yet. In this county only one person has the authority to sign. He was on vacation.

NVR had to get an exception to allow us to close. Delaying close to Monday was not an option for me. Luckily, they handled all of that prior to us arriving (getting approval to close and confirmation the CO was approved by the county). The CO will get signed Monday morning.

A Few Pictures

Here are the pictures:

Landscaping done 

Foyer

Foyer facing family room

Inspection

My inspection went very well!! The Only issue found was that the AC unit was not
getting cold enough. They were working on that already. The only other thing is that we need a valve on the gas line on the back porch. That was it!

The house was cleaned yesterday. It went through the external quality check and received a 98.6%. That's pretty good!!

Everything is coming together!

Inspection/Landscaping

Inspection

We have our final inspection today. I can't wait to get the results. Do you all see that clock...I am counting down!!

Landscaping

The landscaping went in yesterday. My DH went out there to make sure all the debris was picked up before the sod went down. It was a lot of rocks in the front yard when we visited Sunday. The landscapers were already on it.

When we visited on Sunday, the wood floors were showing and the granite was uncovered. I am LOVING it! No, I didn't take pics. I was running around that day and had more errands to get to. I will be sure to take  pics at our final walk through on Thursday.

NVR

I can't believe that we are less than 4 days away from closing. I got my HUD statement today.

NVR has been AWESOME! They get a 10 from me!! I made copies of everything knowing they would ask me multiple times for the same docs... But not the case.

I love, love, love Michelle and Terri. The loan process has been painless and very simple. I would buy a Ryan home again just to use them.

Colors

We have been busy this weekend trying to finalize our color selection. We have been back to SW to pick up more samples. We have decided on most of them except the accent color wall for the living room. I am hoping that I  can work backwards (find a pillow or lamp and then pick the color). We will see. I would hate to paint it the main color and then pay someone to come back later to paint it again.

Main Areas (foyer, living, kitchen, stairs, hallways)

Dhurrie Beige

 Morning Room (to pull out the gray tones in the granite)

Grayish

Formal Dining Room?? I will wait to purchase the color selected until my POD is delivered. I haven't seen my formal dining room set since Aug and I can't recall the exact color of the fabric.

Princess Room

In the Pink

Enchant

Disregard the horrible paint job. It was for sample purposes only. I am a CPA not a painter, LOL!

Something I picked up at Marshalls today. It will go over her bead (on the pink wall)

Laundry Room/Guest Bath 2nd floor

Celery

Paint Samples

I picked up 6 samples of paint this evening (for various rooms). I painted them on poster board. I can't wait to see how they look when they are dry in the morning.

I had two choices for the main areas.  I am definitely leaning towards one. We will see which one hubby chooses. For someone who claims they don't care, he is quick to give his 2 cents about not liking a color, SMH.

I haven't been by the house all week. I plan to stop by tomorrow with the poster board to confirm color selection and check on the progress. Closing is right around the corner.

Pink Chandelier

I just went online to order the pink chandelier for my daughters room. I am so mad it's on back order! It won't be available until July. So I have to decide whether to wait on it or find something else. I really haven't seen anything like it elsewhere.

BTW- let me know if anyone comes across a Pottery Barn Kids coupon. Every little bit helps!

Close Date Changed

My close date was moved to April 19th. I will take it! That gives me the weekend to unload the POD and have it ready for them to pick up on the 23rd (before they charge me again). Can't believe I am 9 days out!!!

Early Close Request

I have requested that we close early so that I can return the POD before we are charged another month. My girl Terri said the loan is a go, YAY!  Now I am just waiting for what is the earliest date they can accommodate us. I would love to do the walk through and close the same day. We will see! They have to confirm with the PM prior to changing the date.

I am EXCITED. The clock is dwindling down.  

Color Consultation

I went by the house today since I had appointment with the color consultant. One of the windows in the master bedroom was broke. My cabinet door is still broke. There was also blue tape throughout the house for places that need to be touched up.

The color consultation went well. We picked out the colors throughout the house except the bonus and office. Those are my hubby places so he can decide those colors. The secondary guest bedroom upstairs will hopefully be a nursery so we didn't choose colors for that room either.

Next steps is getting the samples painted on poster board. The color consultation came with buy one quart get one free. She gave me plenty of coupons to pick up my samples. SW is having a sale on paint next week so I have little time to solidify my choices. Plus i need to get the paint for the main areas that will be done prior to moving in. I will take pics this weekend to share!

Blinds

How could I forget to add that yesterday I purchased all the blinds for the house (except for the morning room)? We have 20 windows. This is why I didn't add any extra windows (didn't want to cover them, LOL). I went with the supplier that provides for Ryan. He really had the best rate for what I was looking for. I am VERY particular about the valance on my blinds. It only takes half down to order them but I took care of the full amount. That way I can budget what I have left for towels, linen, etc.

The morning room will either get cellular shades or roman shades. I'm not sure yet. I have to figure out the color scheme first for that room. He will put paper shades on these windows for free (which he should with the money that I am spending). I really can't complain because in my last house I spent the same on blinds and my house was smaller.

Purchases/Paint/Chandeliers

Purchases
After a wonderful service on Resurrection Sunday, we stopped by Home Depot to purchase a new formal dining room chandelier (hate the existing fixture). We also picked up a ceiling fan for the family room (we had already purchased one for this room but will put it in the master bedroom instead since a chandelier in the MB is NOT going to fly with hubby).

Paint
We had the painter come out today and give us a quote for painting the main living areas (foyer, family room, kitchen, stairs, hallway) and daughter's bedroom and bath. Quote was good, now for the hard part....deciding on colors. I have two weeks to make a decision. I will have to paint a few large swatches on poster board before deciding.

Chandeliers
Well I am trying to decide on which chandelier for my baby girls room. I have to figure out if I want pink or purple. I might let her decide but I really like the pink one (she will  probably choose the purple one)! Thanks Summer (http://buildingourlancaster.blogspot.com) for turning me on to the purple chandelier.

Easter Egg Hunt/Progress

Easter Egg Hunt/Chili Cook Off

The family had a ball at the easter egg hunt today. My daughter bounced for SO long, she was very tired once she got in the car (went fast to sleep after she ate all the candy from her easter eggs). I didn't taste any of the chili for the cook-off (not even my DH's). He didn't win and was very disappointed.

Progress

I haven't been by the house all week. Here are some requested pictures. This week the following took place:

• Garage Doors
• Power On
• Wood (foyer, kitchen, morning room)
• Carpet
• Staining of stairs
• Appliances (except Fridge)
• Faucets

Stain on stairs matches the floors

I wonder what MOFO broke my cabinet door. I am sure my PM already has another one on order. You know I will be on his phone Monday morning.

LOVE the floors!!

The first thing I am replacing are those darn WHITE outlet covers...HATE IT (especially the one on my peninsula)!

Master Bath

Guest Bath

Another thing that I thought I could live with but must replace immediately is the formal dining room chandelier. I plan to shop for lights tomorrow. I will add this chandelier to the list.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Good Friday

It's Friday!!! I am looking forward to the weekend. My new community is having an Easter Egg hunt and Chili Cook Off tomorrow. My husband is entering the chili cook off. It will be nice to meet some of our soon to be neighbors. They community always have a lot going on and love getting together. I missed movie night last weekend. Can't wait to close and get settled.

Speaking of closing, my MIL closed yesterday on her new house in Las Vegas (see picture below). So excited for everyone who has finished their building journey!

Moving along

My hardwoods go in today and carpet tomorrow. They are also staining the bannister this week. I can't wait until the power is turned on!

I called the painter to line him up for the week of closing. Now it's time to schedule the POD delivery.

The SUZE in ME!

I watch Suze Orman often. I love her advice and I find it hilarious what people will spend their money on (when they don't have it). I am now having a battle with the Suze in me! I know that I don't NEED anything but I WANT everything NOW! Trying to decide what items will be purchased first is the hardest part. Here is my battle with my inner Suze:

Me: I could use my emergency fund and go ahead and get the rest of the items that I want to purchase
Suze: It's not an emergency!! You don't even NEED it!

Me: I could use my credit card!
Suze: Why go into debt over something you don't NEED. Plenty of people move into a house that is NOT fully furnished. It's not like you don't have the stuff from your old house. So what is the rush?
Me: I know I have furniture from my old house but this house is bigger which requires more furniture.  I want it NOW cuz I am a spoiled (ask my dad)!

Me: What about.....my 401K? I'm not retiring soon.
Suze: Are you out of your MIND? Absolutely NOT!! Your 401K is for retirement so unless you absolutely NEED it...which you don't...NO WAY!
Me: I know SUZE, you are right! I had to throw it out there.

I know many of us are dealing with the issue of furnishing and decorating our house as soon as we move in. I have to heed the advice of my inner SUZE and just do it slowly. My first house wasn't furnished and decorated overnight and this house won't be either. It SUCKS, but it is... what it IS!!

It's a blessing to be purchasing this house and I will ENJOY it whether it is fully furnished or not.

Progress

Things are moving right along. Here is update on the progress:

• The driveway was poured earlier this week (Tuesday)
• Lights are in
• Granite installed (and I LOVE IT)!!
• Dishwasher and Range in the house but not yet installed. They accidentally dropped the microwave and refrigerator off as well but will have to come back and pick those up until the floors are installed
• Vinyl is put down in the secondary bathrooms (will be changing out as soon as we move in)

We have received our appraisal and everything is good. I stopped by the SR office today and was informed that another price increase took place today (3K). The base price is now 9K more than the base price when I signed in Dec.  

Patio poured today

My next door neighbor (James Joyce)

Neighbor across the street house is already framed

Coach lights in

Closing Date

I received my letter today. We are scheduled for pre-settlement on April 18th and closing April 23rd. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. So close, yet so far away :-)! Lord willing, things will go smoothly.

Progress/Slab

Progress

I went by the house yesterday. A lot has happened this week. The house has been primed, the cabinets are in, tile has been installed on the bathroom walls, railings and they were putting in the baseboards during my visit. Here are a few pictures:

Slab

I went to pick out my slab yesterday. They had already pulled one for me to view...it was a ...NO! Then they pulled another slab with less vein but it was still a...NO! Finally, the third slab was a winner. See pics below:

Their original pick (see that large vein flowing through it)

The slab I chose, you don't see any veins.
She called it the light version of the St. Cecilia

My choice