Moving on up...

 

Today marks one year since we  became homeowners, its been a wild and crazy year..

 

Starting in the livingroom we:

• jacked up the floor
• removed the stoop
• put in new windows
• painted
• new ceiling fan
• new electrical outlets

and then on to the master bedroom

• Removed old carpet/tile that was underneath
• evened out the floor with plywood
• lay carpet
• Closed in two doors
• closed in one window
• replaced two windows
• built a closet
• painted
• new base boards
• new ceiling fan
• new electrical outlets
• painted

Moving on to the hall way

• painted
• new light fixture
• patched some "stuff"

Next comes the guest room

• pealed wallpaper
• replaced windows
• new base boards
• ripped out closet
• repaired another closet
• closed in two doors
• painted with textured paint (no easy job)
• new ceiling fan
• tore out part of a wall insulated, and repaired
• new electrical

Our fancy bathroom

• tore out the entire  bathroom..to the ground
• Also tore out the kitchen pantry as well as the guest room closet in order to make a bigger bathroom
• Rebuilt the bathroom- 50% bigger-new floor joists, walls, window, etc.
• Lay tile on floor, tub surround, as well as the vanity
• New plumbing
• new electrical, lighting
• custom vanity
• custom closet
• Put up wainscoting
• new molding
• painted
• new doors
• refinished tub
• New toilet/sink
• and a million other little things

and now the kitchen..a work in progress

• replaced all the appliances
• replaced part of the hardwood
• new light
• painted/patched
• ripped off wall paper
• removed pantry
• closed in door
• new base boards

The man room

• ripped out old carpet
• new carpet
• painted
• patched
• new fan
• new molding
• new windows
• new door

last but not least our laundry room

• ripped out half of it..rebuilt
• floated new floor
• new flooring
• built a closet
• sheet rocked walls
• new electrical
• new hot water heater
• new plumbing
• took out yet another door
• painted

Exiting to the outside

• new exterior lights
• new siding
• half painted (working on it lol)
• new shed
• cut down trees

and we still have a mile long list of things to do..

Within that year a lot of things happened both good, and bad..

• Moved from Gordon ave, to the plantation
• Worked day and night on our house
• Mum came to visit
• Jannae came to stay
• Tillie our kitten died
• William was born
• Mum was diagnosed
• went to VA Beach for six weeks
• Wayne visited two times.
• Family came over from Scotland
• Mum passed away
• we moved into our house half unfinished
• Teagyn's three year anniversary
• Got engaged
• Wayne's Mum came to visit
• Pete ran away
• Carrie was born
• Found another kitten..
• Went to the beach with my sisters
• Nicola and Jaxon came for a visit.
• Celebrated mums birthday as well as Mothers day without her.
• went to ATL
• Got married

All this while Wayne has been working two jobs, and attending school.  I've been working a lot of over time, and dealing with the death of my Mum.   Oh what a year it's been..

Today has been another one of "those days". I am feeling sorry for myself, and for my siblings.  Just wishing we could have our parents back.  I am sad because my Mum isn't here to share in my wedding joy, and that my Dad wasn't here to give Wayne permission to marry me.

I feel guilty, because my sisters have spent the last few days going through our Mum's house, trying to decide what to keep, and what can be donated.  I am unable to be there to help.

I am getting nervous about my trip to Virginia.  Once I am there I will no longer be able to pretend. 

Monday will be Jeff's 40th birthday, while visiting my house last July my Mum told me to mark my calendar as she was planning a big bash.  Right now I should be in VA Beach celebrating his birthday along with my Mum, and sisters.  Instead Jeff is preparing to move, and we are morning our Mothers death.

It seems like no one understands, it isn't something you just "get over".  The feelings are there everyday, there are constant reminders of what I have lost, and it sucks..

Are you kidding me?

 

My husband Wayne is in school to get his master degree in architecture.  He currently works part-time on a plantation, and also does residential design on the side.

He met with a client a few months ago, to go over what she wanted, her budget with between 350K-400K.  Wayne designed the house as she wanted, making several changes along the way to meet the ladies needs.

In April he drew up her bill, and sent it on it's way.  A few weeks later he got a phone call, she was upset because she didnt except the bill to be "so high".  Wayne explained the changes over again, she seemed content. 

Their conversation ended with "your check will be in the mail tomorrow"  Fast forward to the month of May, still no check. Time to send out another bill.  This time we get a phone call from one of the ladies friends, she's upset yet again about her bill.

Since Wayne is not a licensed architect, he offers his services as a draftsman at 60% less than what an architect would charge.  Apparently Wayne's talent, isn't worth what he thinks it is, and this lady is going to send a check for what she thinks his services are worth.

No big deal, as Wayne has already decided to write it off as a business loss at the end of the year. Sure Wayne could take her to court, but with small town living, things get around town. By taking her to court it could turn out to be bad for business..

It makes me angry that this lady has 400K to drop on a house, but she can't shell over the $2,000 that she owes to Wayne, we were counting on that money. 

 

Quote of the Day:
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.
--Anonymous