Monday, December 15, 2014

The fence fiasco!

When we bought this house, we wanted the fence to be
the first project that was started and completed....because we have 2 dogs that need a yard with a fence!
So we got a few estimates from local companies,
We also asked for a specific timeline 
(knowing that contractors will wait as long as possible before starting the work)

We decided to go with Lowes because they gave us the lowest estimate and they also gave us the shortest timeline, with the soonest start date......

Well, that timeline they gave us, has come and gone....
and yes, they sent us the bill and required it be paid about a month ago!

The posts have yet to be dug or set!

Last week they came to drill the holes for the wrought iron gate that would go across
the porch....it took them over and hour to drill 2 little holes , 4 inches deep (using our electricity and water, which ran the whole time).

Later that evening I went to get the laundry form the basement, to find that the basement corner of the home closest to the parts where they drilled, now had standing water (only about an inch, but still)

I than spent the next few hours trying to find someone I could complain to about this nightmare process, that was supposed to be over "by about the 2nd week of November"-Lowes Contractor
I spoke with the Lowes Manager, and the Lowes Fence Contractor....Neither one was sure why this happened.

They also had to custom build the wrought iron gate because they did not listen the first time
they came out....when I said we had a 5 lb dog that can squeeze threw tiny gates.
When they came to remeasure for that new "custom gate", I said the gate needed to be less than 2 inches off the ground....his reply "you have a 2 inch dog?"

They than called us a few days later to tell us we would have to pay a few more hundred dollars because the gate was going to be "custom",  we than told them that this fence was supposed to be installed weeks ago, and that it was their fault for not telling us that from the beginning...etc etc,
ps-we ended up not having to pay that extra amount!!

Lesson learned....always add more $ and time to the original quote you are given by a contractor!


There will be a fence dividing the driveway from the yard

There will be a fence with a gate here

They will reset the post in this corner because it is leaning

our messy yard...it was 80% garden when we moved in, but we ripped out everything except the raspberry bushes

This is where the wrought iron gate will be set, across the top step of the porch

cannot wait to clean up the yard this Spring

The fence will also be placed in part of the front yard so we can use as much grass for "play area"

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Merry Christmas 2014

With a large roll of ribbon (bought at 75% off),
oversized Christmas ornaments (from my grandma),
and some push pins...me and the boys decorated the front porch!











This is the "side porch", and we didn't have enough oversized ornaments
to do the same thing we did to the Front porch....so we used garland and bows instead!


The Christmas Tree we found on the side of the road with a "free" sign 2 years ago!
We put this one in the dining room, because that is where the largest bay window is located.



The fireplace doesnt have a mantel...so we hung all the stockings together
on a screw that was already there....I like it, it's different!

The wreath was from my Grandma, she had it above her fireplace last Christmas,
She was diagnosed with cancer last Christmas Eve, and 
passed January 15th.
Miss her everyday, but I am happy I have so many memories
and things like this Christmas wreath to keep
her Joyful feeling around us, especially this time of year!

The christmas trees in the living room...
Caden decorated the little one all by himself!!






The kiddos got to see Santa at USU...
They wore their matching sweaters that I got at H&M
last year on Clearance!
I paid 2.50 for each sweater!


May your Holidays be Merry and Bright....Healthy and Happy....full of laughter and Joy!
(And lots of good food!)

Monday, December 8, 2014

Hallway Makeover...the "before"

This is the 1st floor main hallway in our home...
It has a yellow/cream color paint and a tiny little light on the ceiling.
The ceilings are 9 feet tall, and the wood trim is huge (as for most old homes).

The color, and lighting are all WRONG 
for this hallway!

So I have electrician coming out to install a larger light that
I picked out at Lowes,
and I am still deciding on a color that make the large trim "POP" (aka become more noticeable).
The color will be from the blue/gray family....and I will buy it as soon as Sherwin Williams
has another sale.
They have the best quality paint, 
and we have had a lot of experience with paint in our last home,
where every single wall needed to be painted!

Anyway, here is the before......

looking west down the hallway

looking East down the hallway