We moved mom and Christy on Tuesday. It was an 11 hour day. And it was HOT. This is the day the countertops went in and the cable guy did his thing.
Wednesday (can that just be yesterday?) the plumbers came to hook up all the sinks. Two plumbers for 4+ hours each is not a cheap deal but what are you going to do? There was unpacking and cleaning the duplex to fill the day. Steve and I both went back at 7:00 PM to help Chris with the fence building.
Today, 6 weeks from the day we closed on the house, we have about finished 'combat' operations. (That's what Steve called it.) We put up a wall of shelves in the garage and got the last of the pile off of the floor and in some semblance of order. The washer and dryer are hooked up. This afternoon I helped Chris with the fence.
The house is on a slope so the fence is not a straight run. It looks really good. Here's a better shot of Chris, the fence-maker:
Inside the fence feels nice (below). The backyard feels bigger rather than smaller. I didn't promote the change from the original chain link to this fence, but I was wrong. This is better.
Do you see that tall light pole in the photo? I've never seen it before and I've lived in this neighborhood for 18 years! Tomorrow I'm going to have to figure out where it lives.
Don't know what's going to happen with the stump/table. My guess is that the pink and blue paint is going to have to go when the weather is cooler.
The other thing that is happening is that the sprinkler system is going in. They are having to hand dig the trenches in the back because the electric, gas, cable, and who knows what other cables are buried in the back. It's slowing the crew down but that's OK. Mom and Christy are in no shape to drag hoses around and Texas summers require more watering than I could keep up for them.
I should have taken a photo of some of the dying trees in town. Big ones, little ones, natives and exotics - there are a lot of brown leaves. I don't know if any of the trees will be coming back in the spring.
Tomorrow I may be moving some boxes so they can unpack but I think my life is coming back!
This whole transformation has been just amazing! I live in Austin and the heat has turned me into a hermit this summer. I can't imagine completing a tenth of what you guys did! Amazing job & kudos!
Posted by: Rebecca | 08/11/2011 at 09:52 PM
I am exhausted just reading about all the work that has been done. lol
You are an awesome daughter and sister!
Posted by: loretta weaver | 08/11/2011 at 11:34 PM
Your mother is reaping the benefits of the good work she did in raising you! Your sister is also a beneficiary.
Posted by: LaVaughn Bye | 08/11/2011 at 11:50 PM
You mean Steve doesn't do plumbing? Slacker! ;-) I'm still both exhausted and amazed at what you've accomplished.
Posted by: Bernie | 08/12/2011 at 01:30 PM
Nope, Steve avoids plumbing whenever he can. Hes happy to employ the plumbers!
Posted by: Becky | 08/12/2011 at 01:39 PM
The house looks beautiful, all that work in so few weeks , amazing.
Now that you are all finished, how about coming here Montreal Canada. The floors are fine, kitchen needs overall, painting,I only need one stretch of fence. The weather is beautiful, no more heat waves, and I don't need references I saw the pics.....
Your Mom and Sister sure are lucky.
Posted by: Barbara Lehman | 08/12/2011 at 01:53 PM
I have noted some of your comments about the previous owner's "yard decor" and have seen your interior "before" photos...but now that I have seen the table/stump, I am so curious about the entire exterior "before." You and your husband are people of vision to have seen what you could do with the place.
I have been painting a piece of unfinished furniture for my kitchen this week, and I need a break. I can just imagine the determination you and your husband have shown over the last six weeks!
Posted by: Becky | 08/12/2011 at 02:53 PM
Bernie: I have done both plumbing and wiring on this project, but as Clint Eastwood said, a man has got to know his limitations. There are times when I have to call the professionals, and as Becky said, I am glad to pay for their expertise.
Posted by: Steve | 08/12/2011 at 09:29 PM
Steve, I didnt know you HAD limitations! My husband is also quite the handyman (for a CPA). He's torn down walls, and ceilings, framed an rebuilt them, done major carpentry,flooring, wiring, plumbing, car repairs etc....but next week we are having a kitchen back splash (4 kinds of marble and glass tile)professionally installed. I was kind of surprised where HIS line was drawn! I hate doing drywall.By the way, I have been sewing for almost 50 years, and I will do anything to avoid hemming...as is evidenced by my 15 year old bedroom curtains, without hems.....
Posted by: Bernie | 08/13/2011 at 08:06 AM