Well, in about about 59 minutes Husband will be applying to several residency programs that will determine the next phase in our journey thru life. Although I'm just along for the ride, I don't really look forward to the new people I have to get to know, the new ways of the new city, and the new jobs that we'll have. Scott could totally hate the program he gets into, and I could hate my boss or the company I work for, we could hate the neighborhood we moved into, we could end up being really poor compared to everyone else if we moved to expensives places like New York, Boston, Southern California...which would make me really sad and unhappy.
It's taken me a bit of heartache, crying, and adjusting to get used to Johnson City, and now after I've figured everything out, and finally feel comfortable where I am, its time to move again. This time next year I am not 100% certain where we will be. We expect to be in JC for at least his intern year, but that also gets decided in the match - unlike what I originally thought.
So, I sit there everyday, and I stress out about how long its going to take to get this house finished so I can just relax and shift focus to other important things.
I think this is just what life is.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Appalachian Fair
Yes, we decided to visit the Appalachian Fair this year and see what all the fuss is about. Scott had gotten back in from Knoxville to spend the weekend at home, so he met us out at the fair. We met up, and got some fair grub. Of course, I can't resist the turkey legs. That's the reason why I even go to the fair. Some go for the rides, the expos, and maybe even the demolition derby, but no, I ONLY go for the turkey leg. So I almost overdose on tryptophan, then we get up and walk around aimlessly viewing some of the wildlife expos, and end up at the demolition derby. Spent quite some time there, saw a man with a really good mullet cheering for his favorite derby car.
Then we mosy onto the livestock and saw some really fat cows, like REALLY FAT. Like so fat and full of milk, the sac looked like it was gonna burst. I'm glad they are dairy cows, cause they had names...I can't eat animals that, I knowingly, was named. I don't mind drinking Daisy Cow's milk, but I can't eat her.
Ah, the rides, we did a couple of the rides, then I was done. Tryptophan and fast spinning rides don't mix. Not to mention I scream like a little girl on everything.
These sheep were really loving - we even saw one try to mount another.
A HA! The mini-horse!!!
The "cheepest" chicks you'll find!
Do you see what's wrong with this photo???? Poor, poor sheep!
Cow butts!
Little piggies!
And of course, the amazing mullet I told you about!!! Can't go to a fair and not see one of these!
Then we mosy onto the livestock and saw some really fat cows, like REALLY FAT. Like so fat and full of milk, the sac looked like it was gonna burst. I'm glad they are dairy cows, cause they had names...I can't eat animals that, I knowingly, was named. I don't mind drinking Daisy Cow's milk, but I can't eat her.
Ah, the rides, we did a couple of the rides, then I was done. Tryptophan and fast spinning rides don't mix. Not to mention I scream like a little girl on everything.
These sheep were really loving - we even saw one try to mount another.
A HA! The mini-horse!!! 
The "cheepest" chicks you'll find! 
Do you see what's wrong with this photo???? Poor, poor sheep!
Cow butts!
Little piggies!
And of course, the amazing mullet I told you about!!! Can't go to a fair and not see one of these! Kitchen is completely empty
Ok, so it's empty. This is getting scary, I'm doing two projects at once... Obviously, the kitchen won't get done first. The bad part about redoing the kitchen is that it involves 4 spaces: kitchen, half bath, butler's pantry, and mud/laundry room. We are going to attack all of those spaces at the same time, because they share the same flooring almost.
Surprisingly, we discovered that there are hardwoods underneath the linoleum, so we're going to have that refinished. I think hardwoods in the kitchen looks amazing - it's like an upgrade for potential homebuyers.
Shockingly, the plaster underneath the wood paneling is in incredibly bad shape. As bad as you can possibly imagine. The plaster is crumbling as we take down the paneling. There's no repairing it, but that was a cost we had budgeted in, because we didn't want to keep any original plaster in the kitchen anyway. Also, the laths are bad - that's going to come out and new framing must go in. I'm actually going to reuse the existing framing 2x4's that was used to cover the beautiful original beadboard and lower the ceilings on the front porch. It's in good shape, and it would be a shame to waste good solid pine wood.
Another challenge with the space(s) is electrical/plumbing work. The electrical wires for the appliances are coming out of the floor - which means there will be holes in the hardwoods, but fortunately, the cabinets will be covering them. All of the switches/outlets must be realigned and retested to make sure they all work. New electrical work must be done to add a light fixture in the butler's pantry (which will be renovated to relocate the fridge and surrounded by built-in cabinets for more storage - storage is the biggest issue in this house).
As for plumbing, it's coming out of the floor again, so we're going to see if we can get some advice from a plumber on how we can build the cabinets around it so it won't be so obviously retarded looking.
Here are some not-so-tasty photos of the current state of the kitchen.
^^View into the mud room: They wood-paneled this kitchen to DEATH. I can't wait to rip that crap down, and get drywall up. This wall will have a pantry cabinet, sink, dishwasher, and more cabinets.
^^View into the butler's pantry: This location will house the range, and otr microwave, also a peninsula countertop over some cabinets to store pots and pans.
^^This is what the plaster looks like when we tore off part of the paneling. I picked off some of the plaster by hand.
^^What the plaster looks like from a distance.
^^Scott wanted to see the chimney stack and the condition it was in. Definitely not good, so we're going to drywall over the paneling.
Surprisingly, we discovered that there are hardwoods underneath the linoleum, so we're going to have that refinished. I think hardwoods in the kitchen looks amazing - it's like an upgrade for potential homebuyers.
Shockingly, the plaster underneath the wood paneling is in incredibly bad shape. As bad as you can possibly imagine. The plaster is crumbling as we take down the paneling. There's no repairing it, but that was a cost we had budgeted in, because we didn't want to keep any original plaster in the kitchen anyway. Also, the laths are bad - that's going to come out and new framing must go in. I'm actually going to reuse the existing framing 2x4's that was used to cover the beautiful original beadboard and lower the ceilings on the front porch. It's in good shape, and it would be a shame to waste good solid pine wood.
Another challenge with the space(s) is electrical/plumbing work. The electrical wires for the appliances are coming out of the floor - which means there will be holes in the hardwoods, but fortunately, the cabinets will be covering them. All of the switches/outlets must be realigned and retested to make sure they all work. New electrical work must be done to add a light fixture in the butler's pantry (which will be renovated to relocate the fridge and surrounded by built-in cabinets for more storage - storage is the biggest issue in this house).
As for plumbing, it's coming out of the floor again, so we're going to see if we can get some advice from a plumber on how we can build the cabinets around it so it won't be so obviously retarded looking.
Here are some not-so-tasty photos of the current state of the kitchen.
^^View into the mud room: They wood-paneled this kitchen to DEATH. I can't wait to rip that crap down, and get drywall up. This wall will have a pantry cabinet, sink, dishwasher, and more cabinets.
^^View into the butler's pantry: This location will house the range, and otr microwave, also a peninsula countertop over some cabinets to store pots and pans.
^^This is what the plaster looks like when we tore off part of the paneling. I picked off some of the plaster by hand.^^What the plaster looks like from a distance.
^^Scott wanted to see the chimney stack and the condition it was in. Definitely not good, so we're going to drywall over the paneling.Office Update
Well, I've started on it. The hodge podge of random stuff is out of there and sprinkled all through the house. We sold the super-dusty ceiling fan at the yard sale, so we haven't had overhead light in awhile...which makes us even more anxious to get this room up and functional.
A few things we're going to do:
1. Remove the crumbled plaster in the closet. The plaster is so bad that while we were removing the hanging rod, we heard plaster keys crumbling on the inside, which is not a good sign that this plaster is in good shape. So, we're going to knock it out, leave the laths and put up quarter-inch drywall over it. Then we're going to install a shelving solution so it can store more stuff.
2. Prepare the wall and trim surfaces by patching any holes, cracks, gashes, peeling paint, and other ugly stuff. Then paint it a cool earthy green.
3. Install a new light fixture.
4. Refinish the original 1920's hardwood floors.
5. Replace all switchplates and covers.
We can't wait to get our office ready for stuff, because the space holds all of our books (and we have a lot!) art, filing cabinet, media cabinet, TV, desk, 2 bookcases, a large comfy chair with an ottoman, lamp, side table and decorative stuff. We used this room alot at our last house, so we hope we can get it up to par.
A few things we're going to do:
1. Remove the crumbled plaster in the closet. The plaster is so bad that while we were removing the hanging rod, we heard plaster keys crumbling on the inside, which is not a good sign that this plaster is in good shape. So, we're going to knock it out, leave the laths and put up quarter-inch drywall over it. Then we're going to install a shelving solution so it can store more stuff.
2. Prepare the wall and trim surfaces by patching any holes, cracks, gashes, peeling paint, and other ugly stuff. Then paint it a cool earthy green.
3. Install a new light fixture.
4. Refinish the original 1920's hardwood floors.
5. Replace all switchplates and covers.
We can't wait to get our office ready for stuff, because the space holds all of our books (and we have a lot!) art, filing cabinet, media cabinet, TV, desk, 2 bookcases, a large comfy chair with an ottoman, lamp, side table and decorative stuff. We used this room alot at our last house, so we hope we can get it up to par.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Starting on the Office
Ok, I figured I needed some distractions so I think I'm going to start on the office. I'm going to get this room ready hopefully in 2 weeks (that's working only nights and weekends.)
Wish me luck. When I get all of this stuff out then I'll take some photos of the space. It's a decent sized room. It's going to be painted green (my favorite color!)
Wish me luck. When I get all of this stuff out then I'll take some photos of the space. It's a decent sized room. It's going to be painted green (my favorite color!)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Alone. Microwave. Ice Cream.
Today, Scott left for his Knoxville Radiology rotation. He'll be there for a month, then he'll be in Charleston for the following month for another Radiology rotation. So for the most part, I'll be at home by myself for the next couple of months. He'll make it back into town on weekends while he's in Knoxville, but probably not at all while he's in Charleston. It kind of sucks, but that's what it takes.
As you know, our kitchen is empty at the moment. The only thing that is in there is the fridge. Thank goodness we at least have a fridge. We haven't had a microwave since we left our other house, so we went to Target and bought a microwave so that I may eat at home instead of at McDonald's every day. I seriously hate fast food especially the way it makes me feel after I eat it, but it's convenient and cheap. We were hesitant to buy a microwave for many reasons because of the renovation. We didn't want to purchase a free-standing microwave now because we were going to purchase an over-the-range later when we start on the kitchen. I'm kind of at the mercy of my health and my wallet. More so my health - my acid reflux/heart burn has been incredibly intense in the last few months. And I've put on a few pounds since the move, so I'm going back to the frozen dinner diet. I also renewed my gym membership so I'll try to hit that at least 3 to 4 times a week again. I like being busy, but home is supposed to be where I relax, and it's not been quite relaxing here at the Embry House lately.
While Scott is gone it will be difficult to get many tasks done. I'm just going to focus on some overlooked details and perhaps a room or two.
Guess I can go shopping for some frozen foods! Yay! More ice cream!
As you know, our kitchen is empty at the moment. The only thing that is in there is the fridge. Thank goodness we at least have a fridge. We haven't had a microwave since we left our other house, so we went to Target and bought a microwave so that I may eat at home instead of at McDonald's every day. I seriously hate fast food especially the way it makes me feel after I eat it, but it's convenient and cheap. We were hesitant to buy a microwave for many reasons because of the renovation. We didn't want to purchase a free-standing microwave now because we were going to purchase an over-the-range later when we start on the kitchen. I'm kind of at the mercy of my health and my wallet. More so my health - my acid reflux/heart burn has been incredibly intense in the last few months. And I've put on a few pounds since the move, so I'm going back to the frozen dinner diet. I also renewed my gym membership so I'll try to hit that at least 3 to 4 times a week again. I like being busy, but home is supposed to be where I relax, and it's not been quite relaxing here at the Embry House lately.
While Scott is gone it will be difficult to get many tasks done. I'm just going to focus on some overlooked details and perhaps a room or two.
Guess I can go shopping for some frozen foods! Yay! More ice cream!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tasty Windows courtesy of IKEA
Well, they aren't that tasty just yet, but I do have some treatments up. Just a taste of the progress that's coming along on Locust.
Dining windows:
Some lamp shades we bought from IKEA: 
Living room window:
Storage boxes from IKEA:
View of the dining from the living:
Our first ceiling fan we've purchased for the house:
Dining windows:
Some lamp shades we bought from IKEA: 
Living room window:
Storage boxes from IKEA:
View of the dining from the living:
Our first ceiling fan we've purchased for the house:
Yea I know we need some crown - waiting on finding the right person to put it up.
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