Nearing the end
Robyn and I were in Lowe’s earlier today to pick up a (final) few things for the house in Smallville: a ceiling fan for the computer room to replace the one that got wet because of a leak in the flashing around the upstairs dormer, a new light for the spud’s bathroom, and some foam tape which I’ll explain later. It took us no time at all to get these things because I’m a Lowe’s guru now and know where everything in the store is.
Just as I thought we were about to leave, Robyn decided she wanted to detour through the “home organization” section to see what they had in the way of shelving for her closet. We looked at a few things, had a discussion about the various things we could do, and after a couple of minutes she said she was ready to go.
She started toward the front of the store and I fell in behind her. I had to move the cart at a pretty good clip to keep up with her. I high-stepped it.
And then, in my excitement to be leaving, I had the sudden overwhelming urge to lean my weight into the cart and take a big leaping, soaring step. Two months shy of forty and I’m still a six-year-old kid when I’m behind a cart in a store.
So I leapt into the air, one leg flung gaily out behind me like, well, like this guy.
When I landed, I realized what I’d done and spun around.
To find a woman at the other end of the aisle standing there and watching me.
After a little over five months, the renovation is Smallville is virtually complete. I’ve spent a lot of time bitching, moaning, complaining, and hurting myself, but it’s been a blast. It’s been a lot of money, too, but worth it all. We have big plans for our life out there: baby chickens are ordered, plants are seeded and growing (especially the sugar snap peas), movers are scheduled. Everything is coming together.
I’ve even just about convinced Robyn we need some goats.
We’re so excited we just about can’t stand it. Here’s hoping it’s everything we believe it’ll be.
For the last month or so, work has been piecemeal. A little time on the bathrooms, some time working on the stairs. Fixing this, painting that, trimming out some other thing.
So how about some pictures of the things you haven’t seen yet?
Last time I showed you the stairs, they still looked a little scary. They’re finished now, and of everything I’ve done in the Smallville house, I think I’m most proud of them.
From the landing, looking down
From the bottom, looking up
From the landing, looking up
Newel, banister, balusters
Several weeks ago, during a mighty storm, water started dripping from the ceiling of the front room. That part of the room was under attic with no access, so I had to make an emergency hole in the spud’s cedar closet to get out there and find out the source of the leak.
As it turns out, the water was getting in around the fireplace. We had that repaired, and I took care of the spud’s closet this weekend. That foam tape I mentioned before? I need it to seal the small gap around the door so that any bugs that get into the attic won’t be able to get out into the house.
Probably it won’t stop any attic monsters or ghosts, though.
Note to the spud: I sure am glad I don’t have a big scary hole into the attic in my room.
The bathrooms are almost completely done. They’re done enough to share, anyway. They still need some caulk, and the shower rods aren’t here yet, but you can see how they’ve turned out.
The tile guy did a kick ass job, and for several hundred dollars less than the other guys wanted. Matter of fact, we had both showers tiled in AND got the floor in the spud’s bathroom tiled for less than the other guys wanted just for the showers.
That kicks ass.
Before…
…and after
After, view #2
Downstairs bathroom, before.
And after.
View #2
Apple trees, peach trees, tomatoes, peas, collards, cabbage, spinach,
brussels sprouts, peppers…all waiting to go into the ground next month.
It’s been a most excellent ride.
Most excellent you two!
WOW!
Everything looks beautiful! Fred, that story cracked me up… I had to read it to my hubby and show him the pic! How funny!
Fred you and Robyn have done an awsome job! We all knew you could do it though, even when you had doubts! That tile and color really brighten the second bathroom up don’t they? Holy Cow, night and day difference. It looks a ton bigger too! Good choices and colors. When you first started the remodel I wasn’t in luv with the wood walls ya’ll have throughout the house. Now, I’m in Lurrrrve.
The house is gorgeous!
Oh and BTW… never, ever, EVER say you are making a Final trip to Lowes! You jinx it and the Gods of THE Homeowners Universe will hear you and make your bathtub pipe explode and flood the bathroom, making you have to redo the floor that you just did, then when you get that one perfect and you are in Love with the new tile and have spent another two hundred dollars on THE PERFECT TILE and have fixed the tub, arms and back aching, bruises all over your knees… then, you stupidly say “surely we are finished now.. what else could go wrong in there?” And the Gods, they hear you again and laugh their Godly Asses off while they fiddle with the hot water heater and then the next thing you hear is…
“Mom, is the bathroom floor supposed to be floating?” from the nine year old who apparently thinks we put in a slip and slide on purpose and you go running for every towel, blanket, pillow slip and even the cats to dry the bazillion gallons of steaming hot water from the bathroom floor while you are crying so hard you can’t see. The brand new tile is snapping with every step you make…. and you are insanely thinking that when they made this new “floating floor” tile stuff, you are sure that they didn’t intend that literally!
So….. Lesson number one in the guide to finishing your remodel…
Never say you are done, never say you are glad you wont be going to Lowe’s twenty times a day anymore and never, ever, ever say, “nothing else can go wrong”.
*Twitch, Twitch, Jerk, Spasm, Sigh*
Carol - it definitely wasn’t the final trip. Just “a” final trip before we declare it finished enough to live in.
(given my list of things to do out there, my life will most likely end before it does)
Congratulations! It all looks fabulous, but you should be careful! My parents bought an old (100+ years) farmhouse right after I was born and renovated the hell out of it. It’s been almost 30 years and they’re still finding new things to do to it. I don’t think they know how to stop.
Congratulations you two-it looks great!
The house has really come together! It looks wonderful inside and out!
A question..did the cop really tell you the “nigger” comment when you called or are you saying that’s the way he said it? It doesn’t really shock me in one way but then again..it does! Do you think it’s a major problem in that town?
You did a great job on the steps. Do you intend to tile the downstairs bathroom floor? It looks great the way it is. You and Robyn have really worked hard on the house and it shows. I hope there are not any tall trees really close to the house, I would hate to see one blow over on it and destroy all the hard work you guys have done. There is a couple here in my town had a tree blow over on their house it took a live electric wire with it and it electrocuted the whole house. It blew out everything that was plugged into the electricity. It wiped out everything in their home.
PS Love you guys!!
Thanks, all.
Shannon: No, he didn’t (it was outside the quotes of what he was saying). That was an homage in writing style.
Shirley: We have lots of big trees. Hopefully they’ll keep standing.
The after photos of the bathrooms look SO much better! Definately worth all the work.
My husband is 36, & when we leave the grocery store he takes a running start & then puts both feet on the bottom of the cart & rides it as long as he can. And he doesn’t care if anyone sees him. He’s my little boy. BTW, the house looks great! If I ever need any work, you’re hired!
Your place is absolutely gorgeous– a dream coming true for you and Robyn and I enjoy reading everything you guys have accomplshed over the years….have a great holiday season!!