Opps!

Obvious that I did not preview my post before I hit the post button.....sorry, but a couple pictures are out of order.  I did mention I am tired....right? :)  figure you are all a smart group and can figure it out!!

We are in and seeing slow but sure signs of progress

My apologies for not posting to this blog sooner.  The good news is that I think the worst part of the move is behind us and we are now getting through the MANY boxes and working hard to get out of the chaotic phase. It's a real process and it takes time.  I'm trying to be patient and look forward to the "fun" stuff....just not there yet.

It's often easy to look at all that still needs to be done, especially when you are still living with a mess.  However today, I want to give an update on what has been accomplished.  That should make me feel better, right?? :)
 

 The after shot of the new "non weed" bed and walkway - what an improvement!

With the trees now all trimmed and cleaned, this is our beautiful view of the golf course:

Before the tree crew started, this was a look at the overgrown trees that totally blocked our view.

Front of house now with all the trees trimmed, wild hedges and overgrowth removed.

Mind you I am not a tree and yard kind of gal (that would be my mother and sister)....but even I am pleased with what spending a small fortune on a good tree crew can accomplish.  I just wish I could have spent the money on something much more "fun".

Stay tuned to more progress - there is now a written list of projects to be done asap.  Despite the fact it's a VERY long list, my goal will be to get it done as soon as possible.....so I truly hope to send you regular posts from this point forward.

OK....what's been done:

 

• LR painted
• DR (painters just recently finished because the ceiling had to be repaired first)
• FR/office - had to replace the ceiling because it could not be repaired, but that's done and the room is painted and ready to be furnished
• Microwave installed above range
• W/D installed
• Maya and Firas' rooms painted (note: all painting includes ceilings being painted)
• Blinds installed in every room.  Window treatments are planned to go up next and I am a firm believer in the difference fabric treatments can make.  Plus I am using many from previous homes, so most are already custom made, which wil save a boatload of money.
• Interior doors replaced
• Exterminator came and did the entire once-a-year service (in the walls), which will take care of the bug issue guaranteed.....while this may not sound like a big deal, I'm SO glad it's checked off the to-do list.
• The window washers came and the filthy windows now look fabulous!  What a difference it made.
• Yard - really deserves an entie post - but suffice it to say I had SEVEN tree/yard guys here for 2 days and I am now a BFF with the TT City Tree Arborist! Oiy....still tons more to do but it looks so much better already.  The bid started out at $8600 - and I negotiated it WAY WAY down.  how's that for bargaining :)  honestly I don't think the trees had been worked on for many many years and they needed alot. 
•  AC replacement and upgrade now completed.
•  Electrician also came to do a partial upgrade, however more electrical work is needed.

So, when I write it all down, I do know that this project does show progress, but for those that really know me - they also know I always want "completion" and until it's done, I have a hard time sitting idle.  It's an OCD issue for sure!  So....Next up, a plumber for water tank replacement, which is on hold until I get more quotes from other plumbers.  first one came in too high.  Also, rods/hardware and curtains all need to be installed and hung, art needs to be hung, interior closet doors need to painted, 2 more BR's need to be painted, chandeliers need to hung in LR and office.....the list truly is pages long.  Ramadan has my workers taking a week off, which has allowed me to do much of the unpacking. 

 

So far what I love most is the view from every window in the front of the house (now that the tree work is done), what I like least - there is a snake issue.  I have yet to see one, but my workers keep telling me they are out there.  I have consulted on what to do and am working on that.

 

Can't close without showing a few pics:

 

First up - moving day.  Yuk!  Since the painters were in the DR and office, much of the furniture was just thrown in the LR.  Grrrr....

 

and since I had 7 Tree Guys here for 2 days, this post would not be complete without some before and afters of the trees in the front yard. 

The unkept walkway/flower bed (well, more like a weed bed) before shot:

 

Moving sucks!

OK....NOTHING fun to report.  The last 6 days have been filled with non-stop packing, details related to getting out of our former home, movers, workers (behind schedule and irritated with the movers!), 1M boxes (ok maybe not 1M, but it feels like it) and last but not least, not enough hours in the day.  In the past 3 days, I have slept about 13 hours and am seriously running on empty.  Guess the best thing I can say is that I finished the moving out part today, am finally out of our former home and we are closing tomorrow.  Despite complete chaos, the next best thing I can report is that the twins came back today and both were very excited to be "home".  Not that it feels like home yet, but my dear friend and I worked hard today to finish at the other house, deal with the grumpy movers, the workers irritated by the grumpy movers, etc., to find the time today to at least try to somewhat pull their rooms together, in hopes that they were pleased to come here.  It worked.  Both ran in very excited to see the new digs and are now sleeping in their new rooms. 

With a million and one things still to do, I feel like Scarlett who is too tired to care and will "think about it tomorrow".  Will just close by saying that words cannot express how grateful I am to the one person who was here to help me through this horrid week.  Only the best of friend would fly from Atlanta, spend a week packing, sweating (did I mention our heat index has been over 100 degress during this move) and be sore, bruised and exhausted.  Thank you my dear friend....I could have NEVER done this without you.

Packing, paint samples and a glass of wine...

My closing is a go, which means I have 8 days to pack all my worldly belongings and 2 children and get the heck out of here.  Needless to say, packing and moving is never a joyful experience and I am knee-deep in packing boxes and bubble-wrap.  Have I mentioned how boring packing is?  OK, 20 boxes down and about 70 more to go!  It's hard to get the house packed with children out of school for the summer.  How nervey, but they still want to eat, have outings and do fun things ..... and just about anything qualifies as fun, other than watching me pack.  I am offering "extra cash" for helping me pack and ok, only 1 of the twins is into the offer - but I figure it's better than none.  care to guess which twin?

So, about 5 pm I have had enough of the packing routine and the realization has set in that I have a very LONG way to go to get it all done before the movers arrive.  Hmmmmm.....I think I'll take a break.  what to do?  what would make me happy and improve my mood?  ahhhhh.....a trip to p/u my paint samples.  so off I go like a happy camper with paint chips and colors selected in tow.  Nothing like a trip to the paint store to restore my faith in the fact that once I get packed/moved the creative process can actually begin. 

I get stuck in after-work rush traffic but even that can't dampen my spirits.  I get home and think, yes, I do believe I truly am in a better mood.  so...let's just keep it going.  On goes my fav CD mix (thank you Connie!) and I pour a glass of wine.  Paint samples go on sticks for a test run and I think I love the colors.  Must admit that I have selected some paint samples from expert Bloggers much more well known than me, but hey, I feel no need to reinvent the wheel or go through 10 samples of gray, when I can look at their results and they share their magic colors.  So thank you to the Bloggers I follow for your excellent suggestions:

and in the upper right corner, you might spy the selected colors for the twin's rooms.  Care to guess which color pallette is for which twin? :)  Clue: One is my opinionated wild child and the other my more subdued, quiet/reflective child. 

Ok and just because so many of you asked for a peek at a couple of interior shots, I attach my soon-to-be new LR and my one of my very 50's retro bath.  Remember to keep the faith....there is a vision brewing.

and now for the bathroom (mind you this is the best of the 3 that await)

Back to my packing and ok, maybe one more glass of wine just to ensure my good mood lasts! :)

T

My first good look....oh my!

The renters are completely out and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they left the house reasonably clean.  In other words, not OCD clean, but I'm happy to report it was in much better shape than I thought I would find it in.  Having all of their mess out of the house and removing all the dark heavy window treatments made a tremendous difference.  "Let there be light" never seemed more appropriate and I was thrilled to see the natural light in all the rooms.

Camera in hand, I thought .....hmmmmm.....no better time than now to take a few before shots.

Exterior of MUD (My Ugly Duckling) below:

A shot of the front door....aka the dirtiest door in the entire city, maybe state.....maybe in the whole world!

A shot from one corner of the very large lot.  It's a mess, but has promise.  Beautiful old trees, that are just begging to be cleaned and trimmed , and hedges and a modge-podge of very odd shrubs that all need to go to shrub heaven. Thank goodness my mother, our matriarch gardener, visits every winter and brings all of her vision with her.

May the Design Gods be with me!

Today is the day the renters are out and we can get in to begin mapping out our plans.  Although we have had initial discussions of items at the top of the list that HAVE to be done first:

• new enegry efficient AC system, relocated to a better space with redirection of ducting system
• removal of ancient hot water heaters and installation of energy efficient tankless system
• electrical upgrades needed for new equipment
• insullation - boring, but desperately needed
• a complete interior scrub down - planning on at least a week to clean the place!
• interior painting......must nail down the best interior color pallette, once I can remove all the dark window treatments and see the rooms in good daylight

Cha-Ching!  Now any sane person would be quite happy to have these basics covered in the first couple weeks, have the house more energy efficient and well.....at least, squeaky clean.  Not me.  I just see the big cha-ching needed for these expensive but much needed items.  The only thing I am excited about is having it CLEAN (ok, can you tell I could be a tad bit OCD about the cleaning bit!) and being able to pick the paint colors.  Ahhhhhh.......swatches of colors on the walls......the smell of fresh paint......sort of like being a kid in a candy store.