Our new Verona

Our new Verona

Monday, January 28, 2013

MOVING IS A....

January 28, 2013
Ok, where do I begin? We've spent the weekend packing and loading up the PODS in my driveway.  My hips, back, hamstrings, neck and feelings are all rebelling this morning.  Moving is the PITS and I hope and pray to the Lord above that this is the last time we have to do this. I am too old and jaded to have to do it again so please Lord, be merciful, Amen.  Thank goodness for family and friends who came over and helped haul furniture and hundreds of boxes.  Oh and news flash...Snow and ice are not optimal conditions for carrying heavy things. Haha.  Also, say what you want about craigslist, I put my bedroom on there before I went to bed and had over 8 inquiries the next morning and sold it around 3pm.  Less furniture to haul, hallelujah.

Sore, jaded and tired but trying my best to stay positive throughout it all.  Now for an epsom salt bath...ouch

Thursday, January 24, 2013

GROUT CORRECTION

Thursday, January 24, 2013

My husband spoke with the SR and PM's supervisor today about the awful grout color and hallelujah, they're going to fix it. They were really concerned about our happiness and whether or not we were misrepresented by either the PM or SR. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our experiences with Ryan Homes so far has been exceptional. Huge sigh of relief. We are now waiting for a color wheel so we can choose our grout color. Feeling so much better...off my prior tizzy of packing more boxes and bags. Weeeeeee!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

DATES AND GROUT

Wednesday, January 23, 2013
So far most of our flooring has been installed. Carpet went in yesterday and ceramic tiles last week. My husband is really not feeling the grout color of the kitchen/morning room tile and I am inclined to agree. We have the fresco caffe tile but this was installed with a light brown grout...ugh! In some areas its only slightly darker than the tile but in others, there's more of a contrast. We don't want it to be white but lighter than it is now. Now it looks like its already dirty or to my husband...moldy. Eeek! The PM and SR know we aren't happy but I don't know what can be done at this point. Who knew? We never had a "grout" discussion when we selected the tile at the model. If it ain't one thing, it's another. We'll have to wait and see.
We've gotten a February 15th walk through date before our February 19th settlement. Things are creeping up fast. This will be our last weekend in this home before we move everything out and into storage.  I'm very anxious/nervous about so much transition especially when school starts back next week. I'm afraid I won't have the time nor space to breathe and or think. I have to keep my spiritual armor on and pray for the best. 

Sunday, January 20, 2013

CAW!!

Congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens the 2012 AFC Champions. The game was amazing and the Super Bowl (Harbaugh/Brother Bowl) will be epic.  WooooHoooo

COME ON RAVENS!!!! CAWWWW!!

IT STARTS....LOCKED OUT and FIRED UP!

Saturday, January 19, 2013
We are exactly a month from closing and things are moving along very well. On Thursday my older daughter and I went to the house.  All the tile and plumbing fixtures had been installed.  It was growing dark so we did our best with the flash.  The Guardian guy was there too installing cable and security systems.  When we returned on Saturday with most of the family, we were locked out!! HAHA, it begins.  There was a gentleman digging a 2ft trench around the parameter of the house where the rainwater would drain back to the well wall in the back of the house.  It seemed like a pretty extensive operation but he seemed to be having fun :)  Also, as we were resigned to peek in the windows, WE ARE FIRED UP, all the lights are on.  


I guess we have to now coordinate with the PM a good time to come out to see the house. Things are really happening.  We have to move out of our current home in 11 days and hopefully into our new home in 30. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed for a smooth transition.  Thankfully the 2 older ones won't have to do the shuffle because they're in college; lucky them.

Columns are up





Hallway lights




MB Tub






MB Shower


2nd Bath Tile




2nd Bath light fixtures made luminous in the dark with my and my daughter's flash



2nd Bath




Master Bath





Kitchen sink



SECURITY!!!





Thursday, January 17, 2013

TILE AND GRANITE SEALER

Thursday, January 17, 2013


Now that the tile has been installed I'm wondering...does anyone know what's the best sealant to apply to tile grout and granite before moving in? Thanks everyone!

Friday, January 11, 2013

DRIVEWAY AND GRANITE

Friday, January 11, 2013
We now have our granite installed and the driveway paved.  The kitchen was extra saran wrapped so I couldn't take pictures of the granite the way I would have liked.  The guys were putting another coat of high gloss paint on the trim and baseboards while I was there.  Tomorrow, they should finish the fireplace stone and maybe even put a final cement coat over the front of the house. Next week ceramic tile, plumbing and more electrics....It's going DOWN! :)

















Thursday, January 10, 2013

A STONE FACE

Thursday, January 10, 2013
Today we were delighted to hear from the PM that the stone was going up. There were only 2 gentlemen working on the project and I have to say...I'm impressed.  The fireplace will be worked on day after tomorrow, but at least it's been prepped.  The stencil for the countertops was taken on Monday and the granite should arrive tomorrow.  We should also have the driveway poured tomorrow.  It's goin' down!!!

admiring the craftsmanship



Fireplace prepped



Almost there

FINI!


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

ALL THE TRIMMINGS

Tuesday, January 8, 2013
All the items that were in the garage during the last post have been installed in the house! Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are up, all doors, floor board, window and door trimming as well.  Moving right along.  Hopefully we will have the stone installed on the front of the house. I actually saw the stone in the front of the house which is a good sign. The template for the granite counter tops will be taken any day now. Tiling may start at the end of the week too.


2nd bathroom cabinets

Stair railings looking sweet!!

Kitchen cabinets!!

Family room

Office with all the trimmings

Porch ready to pour

Kitchen

Stone in the front yard

Awaiting the brick front

Kitchen


Master bath


Sunday, January 6, 2013

PAINT AND STUFF

Saturday, January 5, 2013
We stopped past the house today. We have one coat of paint on all walls and ceilings...and we had lots of goodies in the garage. Cabinets, banisters, wall trim etc.  It's going down. The stone face should begin on Monday into Tuesday. That should complete the external color scheme; we are a little anxious to see what the final product will look like from the outside. The porch should be poured this week as well.


Cabinets and banisters and trim...oh my!


Doors


Kitchen with one coat


Bonus Room




Dining Room


Fireplace





A very large compressor

Siding looking good back here

We have utilities which can only mean one thing...BILLS

Hose bib








Just checking the cabinet color...correct!

Archway