Laura's Renovation Adventure

We've started working on the house again. It kind of started when the hot water heater started leaking. All under my Pergo flooring in my hallway and carpet in my living room. Of course, it molded. Then I got pneumonia, which, for me, is almost always triggered by allergies. So Todd took up the Pergo and cut out the moldiest part of the carpet. That was wonderful of him. However, there was then a huge swath of cement floor exposed in all its nastiness. The cement had drywall compound on it as well as other surface irregularities. We almost stained it anyway, but ultimately, having to move out of our house for the three days it would take to stain and seal the concrete was more than we felt that we could handle.

We ended up buying light duty commercial flooring from Sam's Club. It is really thick, so it doesn't feel as "clicky" as some laminate. Obviously, it is not hard wood, but we are pretty pleased with it. We still need to finish up the trim and the thresholds, but we're really pleased with how things have turned out.

I've decided that we need to paint a couple of room. Our bedroom, for one. It is a pumpkin orange color, and is depressing. I'd like to paint it something lighter, like Purple Lace.

Also, I want to paint the bedroom that my son had before he moved out. It is a really dark brown with patches in the wall because our son is not exactly careful. But even if the paint were in perfect shape, the dark brown kind of makes it feel like a cave. I am thinking about a light teal or pale green for that room. Maybe one like this? Or I could take the coward's way out and paint it Montgomery White like we did our youngest daughter's room. Regardless of what color I paint it, I'd like to turn it into a craft room. To that end, I've been collecting images on Pinterest to inspire me.

Well, we move anyway. We are moving into our new house tomorrow. We can't paint, or rip up carpet or build walls. But we can move our stuff in.

And just for fun, AT&T is providing fresh hell. I can't get internet service until 8/30.

And I have class on Tuesday & Thursday. Those days are before the 30th.

So I guess I can have class here while we live in the other house.

Fun AND exciting.

I replaced my driver's license today. It disappeared last week when I got pulled over. Why did I get pulled over? As nearly as I can tell, because I pulled out in front of a cop. But the cops seemed to have been thinking that I was that I was drinking with my underage friend (Mea). They were being jerks, generally, and harassing us. But then they got another call. And I think they jacked my driver's license. It was going to have to be renewed in November anyway, and they went ahead and renewed it while they were replacing. So at least I don't have the trauma twice in three months.

Tomorrow, my dad and brother are coming to help us move. Not that we are actually packed, but we are moving the furniture anyway. Oh, and the house will not have water turned on until Monday. So, we will move all our stuff, and sleep here Sunday. And we will move our mattresses on Monday. Cable will be installed on Tuesday. Phones on Friday (along with Internet). Now all I have to take care of is natural gas. I think the hot water heater uses natural gas, which means it can't wait until winter.

Two classes are done. Done. Done. Done.

We looked at a house yesterday, in my favorite neighborhood in town. The price is really reasonable, and they put in a covenant so that no one is allowed to rent out home there. The house is big-- nearly 2000 sq. ft.-- but still only has three bedrooms/two bathrooms. But it has a nice living room, and a big den. The laundry is in a hall closet, which I hate, but it is really a lovely house. The price is a little more than we're comfortable with (more than twice what this one is), but depending on what this appraises for, may be a possibility. I just hope this appraises for more than we have put in it! It would be depressing for all our work to be worth nothing.

We are making a full-out press to get the house ready for the appraiser tomorrow. I think we have every surface painted, which is the biggest thing. Everything has to be "finished" and I think we have managed to coat every surface with paint and to fill every hole. Todd wants to paint the living room next week. I am ambivalent about that. On the one hand, the house will be in order tomorrow, and I hate to take it apart again. On the other hand, my life will only get busier after next week.

I had coffee today with Becky. Really, it was more of a mad dash through Target while we drank our coffee. I found some cool toys on sale, that I put up for W's Christmas, along with a few assorted birthday gifts to put away.