Update:June 28th & 29th

Dustin and Dad Hobbs installed the kitchen tile this weekend. The linoleum was ripped out and boy did it smell when Dustin removed it. The floor was then scraped several times and washed a couple of times. Here are some pictures of it being laid.

Dad Hobbs thinking about the next step... He didn't get through the project without scraping his head. I couldn't believe we actually found he bandaids. Dustin worked tirelessly on the floor. He was up late several nights as he prepped the floor then laid the floor. He has been working on a project every night after work. It's been such a priveledge to watch him work with such determination, yet he's always pushing me to take it easy and rest. He was quite a mess by the time he finished. I think I've decided just to toss his clothes. I'm not sure what the mortar will do to my washing machine. Bev helped me sand the bathroom cabinets and we painted them too! It was a good trial run for the kitchen cabinets which I also plan to paint all white.

And....The exciting part about today, Monday, June 30th is that we finally have air conditioning. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was a challenge last week with the smoke filled northern CA air. We had to keep the windows shut, but it was quite warm.

Making Progress- Weekend of June 14th-15th

We've accomplished quite a bit of work in the last couple of weeks. The renovations are coming along. We are still living out of boxes and have yet to begin unpacking, but progress is definately happening.

Before we officially closed on the house Dustin, Dad Hobbs, and Casey were busy painting it. In order for the real work to begin on June 14th the house had to be painted first. This is the main living area.

This is the trail that was left from the kitchen to the front door. It carpet cleaners did a great job removing it. We plan to remove the carpet in the living/dining and hallway and replace with bamboo flooring, but I felt like I needed to have the carpet clean for the time we are living on it.


This is the stand that the water heater was on. We were worried that if we breathed on it that it would collapse. Dad Bino spent Saturday replacing the water heater and stand.

The master bathroom countertops were broken and removed.

Dad Bino hung all of the light fixtures and replaced most of the outlets and light switches.
The new countertop being installed. That was Dad Hobbs' project for the weekend. He cut the granite and worked on the plumbing.

Weekend of blessing!

I promise to post pictures just as soon as I can locate the camera cord, but until that time I can tell you about the last 4 days. We have been so incredibly blessed over the last few days by our friends and family. Dust and I really felt loved this weekend. There was no way we could have made it through the weekend without the help of both sets of parents, Casey, Grant & Elizabeth, and Grandpa and Mary Barkley. Everyone worked so hard at helping us and we greatly appreciate all of their hard work, long days, and enduring the heat.

Jamie

We signed...barely

Well, we were told to head to Roseville around 2:30 this afternoon to sign papers. The email didn't arrive and by the time it did the title company that was supposed to work with us backed out since it was almost five and everyone was going home. We magically got a call from a notary that said she was on the way to Roseville with our papers. The escrow company in So. Cal set it up when it started to get late without telling anyone. We sat down to finally sign papers at 5:30 and finished at 6:30, arriving at the Overnight Express box at 6:45 just in time for the 7pm pickup and the last pickup of the day. We were too late for Fed Ex, UPS, and DHL, but Dustin happens to use Overnight Express at work and he had a package in the car that we hadn't mailed, so we used that envelope and printed a new slip. Unbelievable, but they're on their way.

I should be packing our extremely messy house at the moment, but this is way more fun. Dustin and Casey are at the new house painting the living room and I just got done taking them McDonald's for dinner. Happy Birthday meal to me!!!

Ridiculous

Escrow was oringinally supposed to close on June 2nd. We used that date along with the fact that we needed to be out of town for a few days last week for Jay & Janelle's wedding, and also figured in a few extra days at the end for repairs when we decided to give our landlord the date of June 16th to be out of the rental. Well, apparently that was wishful thinking. I'm now sitting here after 1pm on Wednesday, June 11th and the escrow company still hasn't received the papers for us to sign. We're told that if we don't sign by today, then we won't be in the house by Friday. Which means that we won't be in it until Monday. Granted, all of our belongings are going into storage for a few months, but I at least want a house with a shower that doesn't leak, hot water, and a working toilet.

My Dad tells me that these things are always a pain and always get delayed, but that isn't great consolation right now. I'm so out of control at the moment, and it is driving me crazy.

I'll keep you posted and let you know what happens. Maybe we'll sign today, maybe we won't.

Jamie

Some 'Before' Pics

Hey all - we just got back from SoCal - congrats to Jay and Janelle on their wedding! We spent the day washing the walls, removing old fixtures and generally getting ready for the week ahead. Dad Hobbs is supposed to help prime and paint this week, and we hope to officially close escrow mid-week. Dad and Mom Bino are coming up on Thursday or Friday for a fun-filled weekend, as well as many other friend and family, incluing Grant and Elizabeth and Casey! Before we start ripping up the old, we thought we'd show you some 'before' photos. Take a gander:

Here is our new home - Jamie is really excited about the roses! After we first got the go-ahead from the bank on the home (over a month ago!) we've been working to save the roses, which were infested with aphids. We bought a bag of ladybugs and turned them loose, and now the roses appear to be hanging in there! Don't be fooled by that green grass either - since this photo, the grass has gotten a lot browner, but as soon as we get that 'For Sale' sign out of the way, we can get the front yard lookin' good! Here are some other photos of what it looks like today:

family/dining room - plenty of space and a new fireplace to boot!

kitchen - yes, someone purposefully stained (apt choice of words) these cabinets green...this is where most of the work will happen...

guest bath - we'll totally gut this too!

One of the spare bedrooms - should be ready for any visitors very soon!

Master bedroom - these previous owners apparently really liked green!

Master bath - new countertops on the way!

Master bath - Jamie says 'goodbye gold' and broken toilet!

Stayed tuned as now that the work is about to begin, we'll start posting some photos more regularly.

Our new blog!

Ok, so we finally broke down, joined the 'internet age' and started a blog. We've got quite a bit going on in our lives right now, and we're apparently too lazy to personally call our friends and family and let them know what's happening, so we utilizing this new tool that allows us to avoid the guilt of not keeping you all up to date!

In brief, and for those who don't know, we've had quite a few blessings lately - we opened escrow on our first home about a month or so ago, and on the same day found out Jamie was pregnant! We couldn't be happier and are very thankful that the Lord has provided us with so much good news.

We'll provide some updates on how Jamie is doing, but for the next few weeks, we'll highlight the transformation of the new house. Wait - I must have forgotten to tell you - we purchased a bank-owned home that hasn't been occupied since November of 2007, so while the 'bones' of the house are great, its going to need a lot of elbow grease and updating! We'll post 'before' photos here in the next few days, and as we make changes, we'll post photos as well. After watching an excrutiating amount of HGTV and TLC in the past few months, we apparently feel like we need an audience for our home renovation!

That's all for now, but stay tuned for updates soon!

Dusty