I just eck..can't..ack...say..eck, ack,ugh, eh, ack, ack...a durn sentence...yack, ech, ah, without coughin' my lungs up. This is the worst coughin' sickness I've ever had. Just lately, I had thought to myself, man, I haven't had a coughing sickness since I was 10...sure nuff, here we go. Gosh, it's terrible, and I was sick the entire time I was at CES, and been working everyday, and very late, because I have so much stuff to do. I bet I'm going to infect everyone in my office. I have a virus infection and I'm highly contagious. But I can't leave work hanging - too much to do. So I just hang in there, and hack up bloody loogies, (wow that was graphic).
Anyway, I'm just tired, very tired, and i just can't get enough sleep for some reason.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Kitchen Reno Update - #1
Okie dokie - Last I mentioned was that they started on the reno. Yesterday and today, they finished the demo and cleaned up all the debris. Today they put in a new window for the kitchen, fixed the plumbing, and tested all the receptacles to make sure they all work.
- New Window - I don't know how happy I will be with this, but it's almost sort of, we had no choice but to do this...the window is smaller than the old one, but the old one was not the original, so they messed up and got a much smaller window that the hole alotted...meaning that the outside looks messed up with a window smaller than the hole its made to go in. Well, on the inside, if we put a giant window, the original size "6ft wide" our cabinet layout would look pretty much, just messed up. We'd have this giant window, and almost no upper cabinets, because it takes up so much room. The new window is 48" wide I believe. It'll make the inside look better, but the outside will still look funny. I just can't win, so I have no choice but to have a small window.
- Plumbing - they cut out alot of the old plumbing so that the fixtures will be set behind the wall and not sticking up through the floor. I feel like I have to compromise on this alot, because we're just so new at total renovations...like I didn't think about having extra plumbing for a laundry room sink...and I think it's too late to add it now, also, the roughing for the half bath sink/toilet...anyway, I'm sure it'll be ok. We're not living here forever.
- Electrical - I'm trying my best to think of where every receptacle needs to be, but I forgot the OTR Microwave's plug today, and the undercabinet lighting switch...a novice mistake.
- Demo - they demo'd the hell out of the kitchen. Busted walls all the way to the other side, I was upset, but mistakes do happen, I just know that Scott and I would have been much more gentle.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Holy crap! The kitchen just got started!
Can you tell I'm excited? I'm so sick of take out, fast food, restaurants, other peoples food, and eating on the couch!! The one grown up thing I do is I enjoy eating at a table. Unfortunately, we have not had a kitchen in almost six months so far, and it's looking like it'll be another 4 weeks before we will get a kitchen that will have stuff in it. So far, there is absolutely nothing in there.
Today was day one for the start on the kitchen, and it definitely smells like demolition.
Kitchen Timeline:
7 days - sheetrock, electrical, tile, plumbing, and lighting
3 days - cabinets & appliances
2 days - granite & fixtures
Thats the timeline for what the contractors/installers are going to do. We are going to put in the trimwork, door pulls, light fixtures, backsplash, and a few other things ourselves to help us save money on labor costs. But for the most part, the big things will be done, and we'll be able to use the kitchen once again.
Sometimes, I think to myself, maybe I should just flip houses for a living. I just love construction.
^^ view of the half-bath and pantry room w/fridge
^^ view of the kitchen into the laundry/mud room
^^ view of the kitchen w/window
^^ view of the pantry/fridge room
^^ chimney stack in the kitchen area
Today was day one for the start on the kitchen, and it definitely smells like demolition.
Kitchen Timeline:
7 days - sheetrock, electrical, tile, plumbing, and lighting
3 days - cabinets & appliances
2 days - granite & fixtures
Thats the timeline for what the contractors/installers are going to do. We are going to put in the trimwork, door pulls, light fixtures, backsplash, and a few other things ourselves to help us save money on labor costs. But for the most part, the big things will be done, and we'll be able to use the kitchen once again.
Sometimes, I think to myself, maybe I should just flip houses for a living. I just love construction.
^^ view of the half-bath and pantry room w/fridge
^^ view of the kitchen into the laundry/mud room
^^ view of the kitchen w/window
^^ view of the pantry/fridge room
^^ chimney stack in the kitchen areaFriday, January 1, 2010
Pictures of the Exterior Renovations
I just realized that the exterior renovations have been completed for weeks and I didn't post any pictures. Well, these renovations were the ones we had the contractors do - new roof, new gutters, and new siding.
You can see the rest of them here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2258440&id=38403848&l=384b9bbb43
You can see the rest of them here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2258440&id=38403848&l=384b9bbb43
Happy New Year! 2009 came and went in a flash...
On new years eve, Scott and I stayed home, watched District 9, (well, I fell asleep after 15 minutes) then watched the ball drop, gave each other a quick kiss, then went to bed. I'm anxious to see what 2010 holds for us. It'll be quite a year - Scott finds out where he gets into residency, graduation, he starts working this summer, we get married (again) this spring/summer (wait, I didn't mention that before, guess I'll explain in another post), supposedly go on a European tour this summer, and finish renovations on the house sometime this year. Sounds like it'll be a busy year. JB should be quite a feat at the rate we're going. Just have to be patient, and diligent. Yep, I'm looking forward to it. It'll be another mile stone year for us.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas has not been so stressful this year...
Our families decided we needed to cut down how big we do Christmas this year, and I'm actually quite thankful, because Christmas should not be about how much money you spend, or how many gifts you get someone. It's about being with your family, friends, and loved ones, and giving more than just material things.
This year is hopefully a much more practical year for all of us with the recession, and job losses. Hopefully, we'll all realize that in the end, the toys, fancy shoes, Ed Hardy designer t-shirts, etc. is just stuff.
This year is hopefully a much more practical year for all of us with the recession, and job losses. Hopefully, we'll all realize that in the end, the toys, fancy shoes, Ed Hardy designer t-shirts, etc. is just stuff.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Past few months, and my New Years Resolutions
Oh brother - that's been my favorite phrase lately.
1. The house - the exterior renovations pertaining to the front gable, siding, roof, and gutters are done. My house now has green siding with white trim. I think it goes great with the red brick. We didn't plan on replacing the roof, but we did. It looked horrible, and our bathroom ceiling was leaking. Anyway, that was a budget buster, but I'm incredibly happy that we did it. It looks great. Last I mentioned was the master bedroom - it's done along with the office...well, when I say done, I mean it's cleaned and painted, and can be moved into. The finishes, such as electrical sockets and wall plates, crown molding have not been added/replaced, and floors have not been refinished. But that stuff has to be done all at the same time, so we're waiting on that for now.
Starting on the kitchen next. We found our granite, cabinets, and the contactors, purchased a range, still need a couple of appliances. Best case scenario - renovators come in and prep the site mid January - finish in 10 days, cabinet installers take about 1 to 5 days, and granite in about 1 week. By Feb, we'll have a brand spankin' new kitchen. My fingers are crossed. My wallet is getting thinner.
2. Work - We've been in business for almost 3 months now. We are trucking along. Purchased DealMutt.com, and will be starting developments in late January, early Feb. IHTHT has sustained it's growth - and 13Deals is growing faster than we can handle. We hired a guy that worked for Razor in CA - he's been more than we could ever ask for. He is definitely on the same wavelength as the rest of us. We are blessed to have survived these past few months, I know 2010 will be a much better year for us.
Going to CES in Vegas this year again - taking husband with me. I don't feel so guilty leaving the office if it's work related.
I feel like we're outgrowing our new office. We just moved in it last June, and since the first pallet rolled in, I immediately knew we'd outgrow this one fast. Looks like that time is coming soon.
I hope to double in size by this time next year - employees, revenue, everything.
3. Fun Stuff - I did a little bit of traveling this last quarter - visited Boston, Philly, took a trip to Memphis with my mom, and Charleston for a weekend. Ate my first canoli in Philly - anytime I go back up that direction, I'm always going to scour for pastry shops. Its my new favorite thing. It used to just be ice cream, but I'm diversifying my interests.
4. Family - I kinda told my mom that Scott and I are interested in entertaining the idea of trying to have a child next year during Thanksgiving weekend...well, this morning she called me and told me that she doesn't think it's a good idea, and that I should wait til at least 2011. She says I'm too busy right now, and I need to focus on work for at least 1 more year, and that Scott should work at least a year first. I thought about it, and she's right. My house is a hot mess, I still drive my beater, and Scott will have just started working so it will sort of be very inconvenient for us, because he'll be an intern and will be on call every 4th night. We need to finish renovations on the house and buy a new car next year, then we'll be set for a child.
5. New Year's Resolutions -
a. Ack! I always say this, but I need to lose 15lbs BAD! I can't believe I put on 10 in the last 3 months. I tell ya, not having a kitchen is disasterous for my diet. I severely dislike eating out. I prefer to cook my own meals.
b. Finish the last 3 rooms in the house by April. Then the house is done! And I can have dinner parties and stuff here without cringing when someone asks to use our bathroom.
c. Become an American citizen!
d. Visit Europe in the summer.
e. Get a marriage license (long story).
f. Buy a new car (I severely dislike this activity).
g. Go sea kayaking.
h. Change the way I view alot of things.
i. Play more mafia.
j. Throw more parties.
k. Make new friends.
l. Visit old friends.
m. Have no babies.
n. Pay off more debt.
o. Run a 5k (this should be easy, but for some reason it's not for me).
p. Send my parents off to Cambodia for a month.
q. Spend more quality time with my brother.
r. Limit my work hours to 55 hours per week.
s. Do more outdoor activities with my dog.
t. Be more precise.
u. Be more honest with myself.
v. Create more meaningful relationships.
w. Put more thought into my actions and words.
x. Wear cardigans.
y. Get a pair of Toms Shoes.
z. Be more attentive to Scott.
1. The house - the exterior renovations pertaining to the front gable, siding, roof, and gutters are done. My house now has green siding with white trim. I think it goes great with the red brick. We didn't plan on replacing the roof, but we did. It looked horrible, and our bathroom ceiling was leaking. Anyway, that was a budget buster, but I'm incredibly happy that we did it. It looks great. Last I mentioned was the master bedroom - it's done along with the office...well, when I say done, I mean it's cleaned and painted, and can be moved into. The finishes, such as electrical sockets and wall plates, crown molding have not been added/replaced, and floors have not been refinished. But that stuff has to be done all at the same time, so we're waiting on that for now.
Starting on the kitchen next. We found our granite, cabinets, and the contactors, purchased a range, still need a couple of appliances. Best case scenario - renovators come in and prep the site mid January - finish in 10 days, cabinet installers take about 1 to 5 days, and granite in about 1 week. By Feb, we'll have a brand spankin' new kitchen. My fingers are crossed. My wallet is getting thinner.
2. Work - We've been in business for almost 3 months now. We are trucking along. Purchased DealMutt.com, and will be starting developments in late January, early Feb. IHTHT has sustained it's growth - and 13Deals is growing faster than we can handle. We hired a guy that worked for Razor in CA - he's been more than we could ever ask for. He is definitely on the same wavelength as the rest of us. We are blessed to have survived these past few months, I know 2010 will be a much better year for us.
Going to CES in Vegas this year again - taking husband with me. I don't feel so guilty leaving the office if it's work related.
I feel like we're outgrowing our new office. We just moved in it last June, and since the first pallet rolled in, I immediately knew we'd outgrow this one fast. Looks like that time is coming soon.
I hope to double in size by this time next year - employees, revenue, everything.
3. Fun Stuff - I did a little bit of traveling this last quarter - visited Boston, Philly, took a trip to Memphis with my mom, and Charleston for a weekend. Ate my first canoli in Philly - anytime I go back up that direction, I'm always going to scour for pastry shops. Its my new favorite thing. It used to just be ice cream, but I'm diversifying my interests.
4. Family - I kinda told my mom that Scott and I are interested in entertaining the idea of trying to have a child next year during Thanksgiving weekend...well, this morning she called me and told me that she doesn't think it's a good idea, and that I should wait til at least 2011. She says I'm too busy right now, and I need to focus on work for at least 1 more year, and that Scott should work at least a year first. I thought about it, and she's right. My house is a hot mess, I still drive my beater, and Scott will have just started working so it will sort of be very inconvenient for us, because he'll be an intern and will be on call every 4th night. We need to finish renovations on the house and buy a new car next year, then we'll be set for a child.
5. New Year's Resolutions -
a. Ack! I always say this, but I need to lose 15lbs BAD! I can't believe I put on 10 in the last 3 months. I tell ya, not having a kitchen is disasterous for my diet. I severely dislike eating out. I prefer to cook my own meals.
b. Finish the last 3 rooms in the house by April. Then the house is done! And I can have dinner parties and stuff here without cringing when someone asks to use our bathroom.
c. Become an American citizen!
d. Visit Europe in the summer.
e. Get a marriage license (long story).
f. Buy a new car (I severely dislike this activity).
g. Go sea kayaking.
h. Change the way I view alot of things.
i. Play more mafia.
j. Throw more parties.
k. Make new friends.
l. Visit old friends.
m. Have no babies.
n. Pay off more debt.
o. Run a 5k (this should be easy, but for some reason it's not for me).
p. Send my parents off to Cambodia for a month.
q. Spend more quality time with my brother.
r. Limit my work hours to 55 hours per week.
s. Do more outdoor activities with my dog.
t. Be more precise.
u. Be more honest with myself.
v. Create more meaningful relationships.
w. Put more thought into my actions and words.
x. Wear cardigans.
y. Get a pair of Toms Shoes.
z. Be more attentive to Scott.
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