Friday
Jun012007
(Mostly) Joys & (a few) Pains of HoMoanership
06.1.2007
In the last couple months, we’ve spent some time doing various house projects. I had mentioned previously the landscaping work we had done. I’ve subscribed to Real Simple magazine to learn how to get organized and put things away, but I haven't had a chance to actually READ the magazines. I've got a long way to go in the ways of decorating skills, so in the meantime, I printed some photos I had taken, bought some frames, and re-organized the built-in shelves in the living room like so.
We also purchased a lamp for the living room (orange, of course, as that is my favorite color), and I framed it with photos of the dogz, Maggie (left) and Molly (right), as shown here:
The week between Christmas and New Years was spent building shelves and a workbench for the garage from scratch. That was a ton of fun. Saws and power tools and cool weather.
The drainage issue has been the biggest (and most expensive) project we’vedone hired someone else to do. It required a sump pump system. Prior to the installation, when it rained, the perimeter/yard would be saturated and/or have standing water all around it, like these pictures show.
Now, there are little catch-boxes and drain hats and rain gutters going directly to underground pipe that pumps water out of the yard, leaving our yard nice and dry (and allowing us to take the dogs out immediately after a rain, instead of sending them off in an ark). Of course, all this ditch-making left the postage-stamp backyard/landscaping a muddy mess.
Our yard is very small, so I didn’t think it would take that long to re-sod it and plant some plants to hide the sump cover. Boy was I mistaken! I do believe the yard expanded underneath my feet. And speaking of which, we also put some flagstones in between the ‘porch’ and the area where we keep the grill. I went to Home Depot and Houston Home & Garden Center no less than six times. I think the guy at plant place thought I was stalking him. Our little project took us all weekend. But the kind of sleep you get after that kind of work is absolutely scrumptious. Here is an after pictures of the back. Those brown spots to the right of the oak tree are where we put down topsoil to even out the terrain. And those little black squares are catch boxes that take water to the sump pump hidden behind the butterfly iris at the bottom left. We've had no shortage of rain since putting the sod down, so here's to hoping the grass takes hold.
And while I’m at it, I might as well show you the work we had done in master bathroom after the ceiling cracked in the bedroom beneath it. Apparently there was a leak. I’ve sorta blocked the experience since it’s what put me on cruise control to my depression. Well, that, a laparoscopy, and six unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. But here’s some before and after’s of that. 
I even changed out a light switch all by myself! (Of course, now the fan won't come on unless the bath light is ALSO on, but whatever.) Next, I hope to install dimmers in the living room. And we also need to have the ceiling fan replaced.
The last project we have is the second guest bedroom, we soon hope to be the nursery. It used to be a junk room, but now all that is either thrown out,or stuffed in drawers, or put away. Not wanting the room to be too bare, we’ve left some bookshelves with some kid trinkets. Hopefully, we’ll be pressing forward with this room by fall. Yep, there it is. Our hopes right out there in the open.
We also purchased a lamp for the living room (orange, of course, as that is my favorite color), and I framed it with photos of the dogz, Maggie (left) and Molly (right), as shown here:The week between Christmas and New Years was spent building shelves and a workbench for the garage from scratch. That was a ton of fun. Saws and power tools and cool weather. The drainage issue has been the biggest (and most expensive) project we’ve
Now, there are little catch-boxes and drain hats and rain gutters going directly to underground pipe that pumps water out of the yard, leaving our yard nice and dry (and allowing us to take the dogs out immediately after a rain, instead of sending them off in an ark). Of course, all this ditch-making left the postage-stamp backyard/landscaping a muddy mess.
Our yard is very small, so I didn’t think it would take that long to re-sod it and plant some plants to hide the sump cover. Boy was I mistaken! I do believe the yard expanded underneath my feet. And speaking of which, we also put some flagstones in between the ‘porch’ and the area where we keep the grill. I went to Home Depot and Houston Home & Garden Center no less than six times. I think the guy at plant place thought I was stalking him. Our little project took us all weekend. But the kind of sleep you get after that kind of work is absolutely scrumptious. Here is an after pictures of the back. Those brown spots to the right of the oak tree are where we put down topsoil to even out the terrain. And those little black squares are catch boxes that take water to the sump pump hidden behind the butterfly iris at the bottom left. We've had no shortage of rain since putting the sod down, so here's to hoping the grass takes hold.And while I’m at it, I might as well show you the work we had done in master bathroom after the ceiling cracked in the bedroom beneath it. Apparently there was a leak. I’ve sorta blocked the experience since it’s what put me on cruise control to my depression. Well, that, a laparoscopy, and six unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. But here’s some before and after’s of that. I even changed out a light switch all by myself! (Of course, now the fan won't come on unless the bath light is ALSO on, but whatever.) Next, I hope to install dimmers in the living room. And we also need to have the ceiling fan replaced.
The last project we have is the second guest bedroom, we soon hope to be the nursery. It used to be a junk room, but now all that is either thrown out,
Reader Comments (5)
The yard looks great. And I laughed at the changing the light switch part and the fan only coming on if the bathroom light is on. I've tried doing some of my home improvement stuff. I switched a light in the kitchen and wired it all in, it didn't work, undid it and redid it a couple of times before I remembered that 2 of the light bulbs from the old light fixture were burned out and that maybe I had taken one of the burned out lights from the old one to test the new one. Oops. It did work fine after I put a light that worked in.
It's good you have had productive things to keep you busy. When your baby comes you won't have to do all that work, you can just enjoy your beautiful home and yard.
Your home and yard look very beautiful! And you said you didn't have a green thumb...hmmmmm. looks like ya'll have been quite busy over the last couple of months. I think the only thing missing from the house is a sweet little baby, but good news is you are working on that issue!!! Won't be long now til you have a baby in your baby room!
Don't get me started on all things we've "learned" to do (and you can tell we were learning.) Your place looks cute!
To all my faithful blog readers, I thank you. I am currently having family issues with my side and am cutting off all commincation ties. I just cant take the drama and crap and how everything seems to be my fauly even though I have not seen them in over 5 years, some 15 years +. I just cant take it. My husband is in Iraq, I just miscarried, I have a lot on my plate and I dont need it. I tried and tried and tried to make things ok but it always fails and I cant take it. So, my blog and my myspace are now set to private and can only been seen if I invite you to read and see.
So, PLEASE email me, if you would like the invite to continue to read my blog.
Thank you for following my journey on my blog.
nicksboo824@yahoo.com