Construction Update #13 | Week 16ish

I’m not going to lie…I’ve sorta, well…lost count of where I’m at with my construction update posts. While you think that it would be easy to figure out just by looking back on previous editions, the thing is…

I started off posting on Mondays…
…and then I missed a Monday and started posting on Wednesdays…
…and then came a Thursday or two…
…but then I missed last week…
So now we’re here. Week 16.

…ish.

First, the big news this week is that our cabinets {mostly} are in!

Dark, right?! Seriously awesome…and they will look even better with the hardware we picked out on our trip to Ikea.

However, if last week we learned to “measure twice…and then measure three more times…before you buy,” this week’s lesson is that that things look a lot different on plan than they do in real life. Take, for instance, our kitchen island:

A few weeks back I spent some time with our carpenter going over the components of our island. Which drawers would go where, the angle of the sink cabinets, and final location of the dishwasher. We even made a mock-up before I gave the final OK.

Yet when Missy and I walked through our pad last week, it was a lot bigger than what we had expected. It stuck out too far into the adjacent spaces, limiting the amount of room we would have for couches in the great room, bar stools, and (most importantly) the dining table. So after some internal deliberation that even involved a physical Styrofoam model held together with masking tape…

…we called an audible to have the island moved. It will now be tucked back into the kitchen. While we could have lived with the original layout, I think that this will give us much more space and piece of mind in the end. Every inch counts!

Here are a few other interior update pics for you! My favorite arch…

…and Missy’s corner whirlpool bathtub…

…which hopefully she will let me use once in a while as well

Also, here’s a much better {read: less blurry} picture of our handmade dutch door:

Outside, our city water line has finally been trenched into the house…

…and permanent power, including a brand new pole on our property…

…and transformer across the street…

is being connected as we speak! I know…exciting stuff, right? Well, apparently these were both fairly contentious issues with the city planners of West Des Moines…which is why it has taken them so long to be installed. Thanks for going to bat for us, Steve!

Meanwhile, Missy and I have been super busy planning the interior décor, which includes some incredibly crafty things that we’ll reveal once the house is complete. Be patient…I promise it’s worth the wait!

Up Next:  We met with Steve Saturday to discuss budgets as well as some other minor finishing details. Missy and I have finally settled on paint colors (!!), and a crew is scheduled to arrive tomorrow (Tuesday) to start priming the walls. Flooring will then begin once the painters finish up, which should hopefully be in about a week!

We’re also trying to figure out a unique but crazy-awesome backsplash that will fit the style we’re going for…more on that once we’ve narrowed down our choices.

Non-Construction Update:  A nasty “stomach” virus recently made its way through the house, and our girls were left in seriously a bad way most of last week. Thankfully, they started eating and drinking again by Sunday night and were well enough to attend their first Story Time at the West Des Moines Public Library Monday morning.

Sunday night also marked “Bottling Night” for my first batch of home brew, “Tom’s Ace the PE Amber Ale“…

 

…and if in two weeks we (well…I) discover that my beer is palatable and actually tastes somewhat decent, you can bet that there will a full report on the entire process. Fingers crossed!

One quick housekeeping note: I’ve added East Coast Christmas 2011 to our travel page…I didn’t realize that we’ve written no less than seven posts detailing our journey, but what can I say? It was a grand adventure that needed to be shared in full!

Finally, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day! Although Missy and I won’t exactly be heading out for a fanfare evening of dinner, movies, and what have you…we hope to at least steal away to Orange Leaf (a new fro-yo joint in WDM) after we put the babes down for the night.

You guys, it’s soooo delicious…we cannot wait to indulge!

Previously >

The Rest of the Story

Last night’s post has me feeling nostalgically fuzzy inside…and it was definitely a big hit with the fam back east! Anyway, writing it brought back a flood of memories from our trip that I have not had a chance to share with you yet. But rather than crank out another 1,000 word post for the second night in a row…what better way to recap the rest of our legendary Christmas adventure east than through amazing pictures (by the always fantastic family photog Hannah G!

{Wait…it’s February already?! Well, never you mind that…}

Oh, and on a more serious note…just wanted to let you know that my sibs are as awesome as they come…we (all five of us) miss them terribly.

Well…semi serious anyway

Cousins Night

I’ve been staring at a this title and blank page for over two weeks now trying to come up with some way to explain to you the awesomeness that is Cousins Night. I don’t know if I will be able to do it justice here, but I can sure try…

Blood is always thicker than water as they say, but growing up in the Wallace/Hardinge/Pottorff clan it always felt like more than that. Family gatherings that lasted well into the night were almost a weekly occurrence and the line between cousin and sibling became fuzzier with each passing summer; we were basically inseparable.

That is…until we were separated. High school happened. Significant others happened. College happened. Not that we ever completely lost touch (some stayed closer than others), but it was never quite the same again.

Now-a-days, we’re everywhere. Although my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandma have never strayed far from western Maryland, us cousins have spread our wings and put down roots across the country…and globe:

• Aubrey & Hotan – Mt. Airy, Maryland
• Michelle – Raleigh, North Carolina
• Tommy & Missy – West Des Moines, Iowa
• Hannah & Chris – Frederick, Maryland
• Addie – Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Robert – Blacksburg, Virginia (Junior at VA Tech)
• Brent – Air Force vet, currently living in South Carolina
• Matthew – Globetrotter who recently spent 2+ years living and teaching Japan before travelling throughout southeast Asia
• Justine & Jenna – Leitersburg, Maryland (youngest of the bunch, still living at home with their ‘rents)

So as you can imagine, it’s a pretty big event anytime most of us are in the same room together.  And when we’re all in the same room together, well…it’s cause for celebration. And that’s how Cousins Night was born. Usually held at Aubrey (the oldest of the cousins) and Hotan’s place, Cousins Night is basically an adult sleep over with games, stories, laughs, memories, and even a few adult beverages now that most all of us are “of age”

This year, it started with a party. Not that we needed another excuse to gather during the holidays, but this time it was extra special: Aubrey’s daughter Lily was turning two. With friends and family town for the holidays, it was perfect time to celebrate. And with all the cousins in town (and I do mean all), it seemed like the perfect time for Cousins Night 2011.

Missy and I showed up early (three Pack-n-Play’s in tow) with the girls for some private play time with Lily and Collin (Lily’s big brother; Aubrey’s oldest) before the guests began to arrive…yet soon the party was in full swing. The spread was enormous…

(mmm…homemade eggrolls….om nom nom…)

…and the smiles were contagious

Then of course there was the cake, presents…

…party tunes…

…and pictures.

Lots of pictures.

It’s not very often when the three generations are in one place at one time

Now that’s one good looking crew!

As the evening wore on, the guests began to filter out. We put our girls down for bed {their first sleepover!} in one of her spare bedrooms before Missy and I finally let loose, and soon our Cousins Night after-party fun was in full swing.

After talking and hanging out for an hour or so, it was time for the main event. Hannah taught us “Bowl ‘O Nouns”; a Taboo/Charades combo game that (depending on your level of inappropriateness…ahem…Missy…) resulted in many hours of hilarity.

The game did if fact last hours, and ended with most of us all on Aubrey’s massive couch laughing and chatting about anything and everything.

Missy and I turned in by 1:00AM, while a few others continued their banter well past 3:00 in the morning.

Of course, the girls were up at their usual time the next morning. While we were able to keep things isolated and quiet for an hour or two with Aubrey, Collin, and Lily, we finally let them loose to rouse the rest of the house (to their dismay) by 9:30.

As a consolation, Aubrey prepared a massive pancake and coffee buffet for everyone as they awoke…so all was soon forgiven!

Wanting to get on the road and back to Hagerstown before naps (a 45 minute drive), we pack up our gear and loaded the wagon. But of course, we had to snap a few last minute shots (using the Peekaboo technique)…

…with Lily and the girls, who definitely became fast friends (with matching PJ’s to boot)!

And they turned out to be some of the cutest of the whole trip.

But all too soon we soon strapped the girls into their car seats and hit the road…and all too soon another Cousins Night was over.

Matt left for India (!!!) a few days later, and Michelle was homeward bound to North Carolina by morning. It was definitely a sad drive home…I have a feeling our girls would be best pals with Lily, and would definitely hang out a lot more together if we lived closer

It’s hard to say when the next Cousins Night will be when all of us are together again, so it’s a good thing we made enough new memories to last until then.

Construction Update #12 | Week 15

First rule of carpentry: measure twice, cut once. First rule in designing your Ikea kitchen with their online 3D kitchen planner: measure twice…and then measure three more times…before you purchase. Then you won’t end up stuck with a plan that shows a kitchen 10” wider than what was actually built.

Hmmm…yeah…

After a frustrating week and some creative scrambling, thankfully all isn’t as bad as originally feared. We did end up with one extra 24” wall cabinet and one extra 12” base cabinet (which will both now be incorporated into the laundry room), but those were minor casualties in what could have been a very expensive change order (wall extensions, door alterations, etc.).

In other news, trim carpentry is absolutely flying along…

…most of our doors are installed, including our scha-weet dutch door…

…but Missy and I are still struggling to finalize our paint colors. Hopefully we’ll make our selections soon!

Up Next: So… We thought that we had our flooring selections all figured out, but the final numbers just came in over budget. Looks like it might be back to square one in that department. Things are obviously moving quickly, so we need to grit our teeth and make some tough decisions this weekend so that we can keep this project on schedule. We may have to start recruiting volunteers if we decide to self-install…so consider yourselves warned .

We also have yet to pick out countertops, appliances, and of course…those dang paint colors.

The list goes on and on…

Non-Construction Update:  It’s still warm here in Iowa! And our kids are still outside getting filthy falling in the dirt, galloping on chopped trees…

…and exploring old tractors on the farm!

However, our first major winter storm is expected this weekend, so maybe we’ll be outside in boots and suits playing in the snow rather than the mud by Super Bowl Sunday.

In BG4 news (baby girl four) the great name debate has begun, and although Missy is operating in the “we still have three months to decide” mode, it’s driving me crazy that we haven’t figured this out yet! I don’t even think we have a consensus top five…so we’re open for suggestions! At least…I am…

Mama is still holding up well, but seems to think that there is a tiny ninja growing inside her. There was plenty of movement with the girls, but she reports that it was nothing like this. Also, despite some disconcerting heart rate/blood pressure issues early last week, things seemed to have calmed down and returned to normal. Although she’s not worried about preeclampsia yet, our specialist just asked that we keep a constant eye on Missy’s BP…which includes using the portable cuff we have at home and frequent visits to the school nurse when she’s at work.

Your continued thoughts and prayers for the health and safety of all would be greatly appreciated!

Previously >

Dirty Girls

Take four cabin-fever-stricken ladies, add one part 66 degree January day, mix with two parts general lack of snow cover that typically graces Iowa with its presence all winter, and what do you get?

Well, just see for yourselves…as I did upon arriving home from work last night:

To quote Missy: “I was outside with the girls this afternoon when all the sudden I had a split second to decide what kind of parent I was going to be, and well…here we are.”

Wait, it gets better. There’s video!

I mean…how can you say “no” to those faces and their overwhelming cuteness?!

After our fun it was into the kitchen for a full strip down…

…and straight upstairs into the bath.

Just another day in the life of the Hardinge triplets .

Construction Update #11 | Weeks 13 & 14

I know.

I know! We were on such a good streak, too! I just couldn’t justify asking Missy to run across the street, snap a few pics, and e-mail them to me while I was away on top of everything else she had going on. Even though I’ve posted from afar in weeks past, well…I figured that missing one week wouldn’t hurt. Plus it turns out that I picked a pretty good week to skip, ’cause not much at all changed while I was away, actually.

The floor is a little messier, and the drywall tape and spackle has been…drying? From the walls…

…to the ceilings…

…the garage…

…and everything else in between.

Ok, so I guess that’s still just a shot of more walls drying, but…you get the idea. I will say though that it was great to walk inside a warm building. We actually had to take our gloves and hats off when walking through the house!

Outside, there is a new giant hole in the front lawn:

…which the plumbers had recently dug so that they could connect the water line from the street to the house. Their backhoe fits in nicely, doesn’t it?

Up Next: Our baseboard, trim, and interior doors just arrived at the house on Tuesday, as well as our fully assembled kitchen cabinets (whoomp!). Those will all be be installed soon, which leads us to our next big item: paint!

Missy and I spent Monday night pouring over chips and samples (and fried chicken at the Highlife Lounge), trying to figure out which colors we’d like best for our new digs.

Decisions, decisions! We’re already second-guessing our choices…so I’m willing to bet that a few more trips to Sherwin Williams will be made this weekend…

Non-Construction Update: Things are slowly returning to normal here on the Florer farm. That is…as normal as things can be while raising three 20-month old girls. We’ve managed to get back into our routine pretty quickly, and Missy sure appreciates having the extra help in the mornings…and evenings…and every minute in between that I’m home again.

Yeeeep, so other than that…not much new to report. Oh, but here’s a picture of Rowan finger-painting with her ketchup!

Goodnight!

Previously >

And…we’re back.

If you’ve been following along on my Facebook page, you probably already know that for the last seven days I’ve been in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Saturday through Wednesday was a planned ski and snowmobile trip that I was invited (through work) to be a part of.

Which, by the way, was nothing short of sensational.

However Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday ended up being one long extended travel delay in which over 36″ of snow fell throughout the Teton Range…

…canceling all flights into and out of town, thus trapping myself and the group I was with over one thousand miles from home.

I had intended to spend this extra time away relaxing and blogging, but once we realized that we were in it for the long haul, every minute on the {extremely slow} internet was spent trying to keep up with e-mails from the office, updating the ever-worsening weather forecast…

…tracking flights and listening in on live Air Traffic Control…

…and trying my best to maintain sanity after packing, unpacking, and going through airport security in Jackson no less than three times in 48 hours.

None-the-less, I made it home safe an sound early Friday evening. Missy and the girls greeted me at the airport…and a running hug from Rowan immediately turned me into a puddle of mush on the terminal floor.

For the most part, things have returned to normal operations here on the farm and I’ve been trying my best to relieve Missy from her overextended Mommy duties since returning. I still fully intend to publish posts on my ski trip (the non-travel delay parts), continue filling you in on our epic road trip east, and finally post a long-overdue construction update.

So anyway. It’s good to be home, and if I see another airport again…it will be too soon.