Working at the House Today

The cabinet drawer slides that need to be replaced

 Today we went to the house (Me, hubby, Max, and my mom) with the intention of putting up the new outside lights and shower heads, but without a ladder or a proper wrench, we had to switch gears.  We focused on removing the tile in the kitchen and the master bathroom instead, and I removed the broken cabinet drawer slides.  We got it all done and even had time to talk about decorating ideas for different areas of the house.  I still have some stuff to figure out!

Our drywall guy will help with the two things we couldn't do today. 

Almost done! Stay on Target!

 Our drywall guy got the water lines hooked up.  Now he's working on connecting the electrical wires under the house, fixing the chimney flashing, and hooking up the septic.  He's also going to make sure the siding looks good.  He should be done by Sunday.  

We are still waiting to hear from the tree guy about the last of the trees he has to trim.  He's trying to get permission from the neighbors up the road.  Hopefully he will be able to finish this week. 

We have some outdoor light fixtures to install and we have to make sure the HVAC is done and the underbelly holes are patched up.  Then we should be ready for the movers to come inspect everything!

Trees, trees, and...wait there's more! TREES!

 The water line has been installed and hooked up!  Can't tell you how good it feels to have the one thing I thought would take FOREVER done first!  

Now we are dealing with the annoying task of clearing more trees and branches for the electric poles.  Yes, we thought we got them all...apparently not!  Our new tree guy is out there now meeting with the electric company to make sure they are all taken care of this time.  We don't want anymore guesswork.  We want this done and over with!

I called a new septic company this morning to see if they could help us, and they said they could probably get out there to look at our place tomorrow, if not today.  I got an email from the first company I've been playing phone tag with this morning, but their quote was for the WHOLE septic install, so I told them we just need the tie-in price.  Waiting to hear back...if that ever happens.  If either company wants more than $400, our drywall guy said he would do it for us because it shouldn't cost more than that.  We're also at the tail-end of our budget so we can't be agreeing to pay much more.

Then I talked to the movers who have to come and inspect our house, but only after EVERYTHING is hooked up - water, septic, electric meter base, etc.  So we have to hook up everything first.  Almost done!

On a happier note, I took some time yesterday afternoon to go and help a neighbor up the street with some log cutting.  I got myself a new mini chainsaw and tried it out on the logs she has in her yard that she needs cut and moved so she can put up a fence.  She is such a sweet lady!  We're really blessed to be moving to a neighborhood with so many nice people!  I can't wait to meet in person the lady who has kids around Max's age!

Now I have something I can use for firewood at our place!

Water line ditch digging

 Yesterday was a big day!  We rented the ditch digger for the water lines and our contractor got it dug for us.  We also assembled our mail box and our new shower heads, but I will have to bring my tools next time so I can use a wrench to remove the old ones.  

I got our address recognized by the 911 Admin office, so now I have to ask the post office where to put the mail box (I think I already know).  

We also met with our HVAC guy to finalize some details about how to finish up his work.  

I've been playing phone tag with the plumbing/septic company so I'm reaching out to a different company to see if they can do it faster.

Electric Meter Base!

Electric Meter Base

 I got home about 45 minutes ago after spending literally ALL day driving around!

Max and I took my sister to an appointment in the morning and I was called by 3 different people on the way there:  the septic company, who still needs to call me back; the electrician, saying he was starting on the meter base; and the insurance company, to tell me they were reinstating our policy for the new house.  Then we came back down to town to get food, gas, and drop her off at home.  On the way out of her neighborhood, I got a call from the electrician who let me know that he was finished with the meter base.  I drove out there and paid him for the work, let the movers know it was set up and ready to be inspected, and then Max and I finished eating the food I hadn't eaten yet.  Then we drove down the road to check on the HVAC neighbor, who said he still had a little work to do and we could pay him on Saturday when we come back to do the water lines.  Speaking of the water lines, I'll be buying the supplies tomorrow night.  I've got some more stuff to bring out to the house too!

Getting closer!

 Proof the water meter is in place!

Max and I went out to the house and got there before the chimney guys.  They did a thorough job cleaning it and checking over every part of the chimney and fireplace.  Everything looks good except the flashing and tape that was used.  They are going to email me a quote for that this week so we can get it fixed.  I plan to use our fireplace a lot and I like that this company checks them yearly.  Gotta make it safe!  

Then we had lunch at the house and waited for the electrician to arrive.  We decided to cancel the order for the meter base that was placed before so that he could bring the right stuff we'd need.  He called me later in the day with a quote and told me he'd be there Tuesday morning to get it built!  So then I can tell the electric company to come out and get our poles up.  

I called the septic company to see when they'd be out our way, but couldn't reach them.

Also need to meet with our drywall guy to figure out the water line and get that hooked up. 

Getting closer!

Big Day Tomorrow!

On Sunday, I received word that the lady we were hoping to buy an Expedition from was unable to find another car to suit her needs, so we set up a time to look at another one that I found on Facebook Marketplace.  Turns out it was just a few minutes away, and had 181,000 miles on it, which is 118K less than the other lady's.  The transmission was just newly replaced and it had been really well maintained.  Thankfully, it was only $500 more than we were planning to spend so it still fit in our budget!  We drove it home and got everything squared away on Monday so I had a vehicle to drive to Max's appointment on Wednesday and for our big day at the house tomorrow!  

 Introducing Beast!  He's got 4WD, back seats that fold with a button press, even a sun roof!  Just a few minor things to address (a broken actuator in the back, which I am going to fix myself), a non-working cigarette lighter in the front (but there's one that works in the 2nd row), and a CD stuck in the CD player.  But he drives great and makes me feel like the queen of the road!  I also ordered new key FOBs for him and our Escape, Belle, since her's is breaking and he doesn't have one.  (See what I did with the names there?  :D)

I also heard from our drywall guy last night about the electric meter base.  It's due to arrive tomorrow!  I've got an electrician lined up to come out and see what all we need to do to hook it up...if not tomorrow then Monday.  
Speaking of tomorrow, we have our chimney inspection in the morning and I'm also planning to help our drywall guy work out the water line hook up details and we're also having our new washer and dryer delivered!  I found a nice set with a removable agitator (which I really need and haven't seen many used ones with it, so I had to pounce on them) for big bulky items like our comforter.  Our HVAC and dryer vent is all hooked up so I gotta pay for that while I'm there.  It's so nice having neighbors who can help!

I've also gotten a few things for the house, like our mailbox, post, and address numbers, outdoor water hoses, and a new outlet for the dryer!  Next on my list is the whitewash paint for the cabinets!

Siding, skirting, and stairs, oh my!

Replacing the rotten board

Scabbing the floor joists

 The rotten wood under our back door has been replaced, the siding has been put back on, and the skirting has been installed. The stairs were put in place too.  Now that the water line and meter tap are in place, we can get them hooked up!  We've ordered the electric meter base too so we're expecting that to be here Friday.  Friday is going to be a busy day with the chimney inspection, the washer and dryer delivery, and figuring out some other details.   Then we'll have to get the septic hooked up this month!  We are also still trying to find a new vehicle!

The front side of the house

The back of the house

The front of the house with stairs