The Busyness of Homeownership

This first week is definitely keeping me on my toes with all that is still going on with my new home. A third-party building inspector stopped by for final inspection. KB guys came by to install the bullnose that was missing in the 2nd bathroom and by the stairs in the entry.

 

I've had my electricity, water, cable, internet and phone installed. New furniture (kids' beds and a new couch) has been delivered and assembled. I've registered all of my appliances for their warranties.

Now, today, the garage door company is coming to install my opener. My security system company is coming to activate my service and walk me through how NOT to set it off. I can already see that happening. And David, my handyman, is coming to go over a slew of things I have asked him to help me with. 

 

All that and it's only Wednesday morning!

 

It makes me so happy when people come in and comment on my home. It's nice to hear what other people think, and to be affirmed in my choices. Afterall, if I ever had to sell, at least I can be assured people would like my home.

 

I've starting making trips. I have so much to do, yet Im really looking forward to setting up my new home.  This is probably my final posting on this blog, since it was mostly about the building of my home. If you'd like to follow me from here on, please check out my new blog at www.gracingignacia.com, where I'll be posting about decorating, some cooking, a little gardening and just family life in general.

 

Thanks for reading my blog! I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. See you on the new one!

Day 157: Four Days Til Closing!

This is the last week (or few days) before I close on Friday. Hopefully things will start rolling at the house. There are a couple of major things that need done still, like my kitchen! I look forward to seeing that punch list knocked out. Four days til closing!

Day 156: Five Days Til Closing!

Still haven't seen anyone working on the house since early last week when the counters went in. Not sure if everything will be done before I close.

 



 

 

 

Day 155: Six Days Til Closing!

Morning shade on the front porch. That will be lovely for my plants. Six days til closing!

 

 

Day 154: Seven Days Til Closing!

Yesterday I went thru the house and made some notes for Raymond of things that need attention in the home. Seems like a lot to do before closing.  Still no backsplash. 

7 days! One week from today I close!

Day 152: Nine Days Til Closing!

Today the countertops were installed. I chose the Eco by Cosentino tops in Polar Cap. They look wonderful! The plastic wrap was still on them until the backsplash gets installed tomorrow. I peeled back a corner tho so I could see them. Pretty! The white looks super clean and gives a nice bright contrast into the room. I'm thrilled with them!
 

Nine days til closing!

 

 

Day 144: Prepping The Railings

Today the guys who installed the railings were back, prepping them for staining which they advised would start tomorrow. So, not to be in their way, we opted to just look quickly. The one thing I noticed was that caulking in the bathrooms was getting done, too.

 

Can I just say how much I love this house?!

 

Four Forty-Day Periods

I heard from both Chance and Raymond on Friday and they both said that my new countertops should be going in on the 26th of March (week 21) and that my closing date is projected for Friday, April 4th. I couldn't be happier if that's the closing date because that will be Day 161 in this journey, marking the very end of four full 40-day periods.

Forty days is a significant time period in the bible and its made its presence in the building of my house, too. Not surprising, a time period of 40 (days, weeks, years) is significant in that each is related to a time of testing, probation or being tried either by lesson, virtue or punishment. Also notice each period ends with a time or item of blessing.

Perhaps you caught my posts on Day 41, 81 and 121, all the days after a 40-day period had ended, and a new one beginning. Each part was a whole process in the building of my house. Each period led to something greater, the blessing, if you will.

For the first forty days, all I saw when I drove by my homesite was land, an empty field with a sold sign. During that time, my mortgage loan officer and everyone who works on that side was getting my paperwork in line for final approval. The anticipation was building each day.

Then, the on Day 41 (the beginning of the 2nd forty days), the framework for the slab began. We watched it go from a wood frame to having piles of dirt, pipes installed, sections made and post tensioning rods put in place. Each day was only a little different from the one before. That same 40-day period ended with my slab being poured on Day 81.

With the 3rd forty days, my house started going up-- being framed, the walls insulated and sheet-rocked, siding and roofing was in place, and basically the exterior was all complete. Every day brought something new to see and explore.

Now we're in the 4th forty days, and the fence and yard were installed and the interior is being finished. Everyday is a joy to go by the house and see what's new, and even if nothing is new, it's exciting just being at the house. If only for 5-10 minutes, it's a happy end to the day. It's starting to feel like ours. The girls cant wait to move in and have their first sleepover, they are so proud of their new home and cant wait for their friends to see. As a single mother, it makes me so very happy that I could give this to them to experience. Who knows, perhaps one day they, too, will build a house and share that experience with their own children.

So for Day 161 -- the beginning of the next forty days -- to be my closing date, I would be thrilled! Because in that 40 days, I will officially be a first-time homeowner and will get to move in!

Day 137: Peace

Yesterday was hard. With the last week's stress of lamenting over the granite, and making a new choice so quickly yesterday, I have to say that Im mentally exhausted. I did spend last night staring a the lousy pictures I took of the Eco countertops. I do adore it and am eager to see how it looks in my new kitchen. I know it will work well with my kids and all of the wonderful things we intend on using that huge island for. I can breathe easy knowing that they cant stain it. It doesn't have to be sealed or use any special cleaners on it, which will be easier for me, too. So, overall, I think this whole thing happened for a reason and is working out for the best.

Jennifer called this morning to check and make sure I was happy with the new selections I had made yesterday. I could honestly tell her I was. And am!

This morning I headed over to the house to select where Id like my new trees to be placed. With a blank slate of a yard, tree placement is important as they will eventually give me shade, if I place them in key spots. However, because of the direction my house faces (west-southwest), mostly my neighbors trees will shade my house in the afternoon. My trees will at least help shade my front sideyard. However my beautiful house will give my whole backyard its afternoon shade, which will be incredibly nice in the summertime.

While I was placing bricks where Id' like the trees to be, I found a heart-shaped rock in the dirt.

And last piece of granite was being wheeled out and put onto Summit's truck. Goodbye granite!

 

 

 

Believe it or not, after reading about my new countertops, Eco by Cosentino, Ive learned about how granite can expel radon, an invisible odorless gas which is a Class A carcinogen and a cause of lung cancer. Remember when I said perhaps God knows best? I sure don't need anything like that around my daughter who has asthma. The Eco tops will be much healthier for her and all of us. 

Also, there was a worker there working on the leak in the master bath/kids bathtub area.

When I picked the kids up and stopped by the house today, we noticed white stuff on the floor, so we didn't walk around or look at much. I would take a guess that its in preparation for the wood flooring. I cant wait to see that! In all of the houses Ive ever rented, none of them have ever had anything other than vinyl linoleum and carpet. It will be a wonderful change to have a earthy element in my new home.

I did notice that our nook lower cabinets were installed. Uppers were still not there. Upstairs, in the master bathroom, the leak has been repaired and the wall put back into place. Also, the entry hole to get into the attic now has a cover.

My littlest, who has the best eyes in the family, noticed on our way out that the shingles are finally complete (above the front patio). The house from the front now looks almost finished.

What a good lookin' house!

 

 

 

Last, on our way out of the neighborhood, we met a new neighbor, David, who is building down the street towards the pool. He was checking out his lot. I remember those days! He'll be where we are in no time.

 



Day 134: Finally Fenced

Today, we took off out of town to go antiquing for my birthday and didn't get to see the house until very late. Of course we still swung by. What did our headlights show us thru the dark and misty rain? A fence!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 133: Happy Birthday!!

Look at this amazing surprise on my birthday! My door! It is absolutely beautiful! It really makes a statement and adds so much to my house's curb appeal. I couldn't be happier!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 132: Fence Posts, Shower Surround & Mom

Today I brought my mom out to see the house. She was amazed at all that had been done since her last visit. While we were there, a worker was testing out the lights and smoke detectors. It was the first time Ive seen the house go "live". That's been a long awaited day. Sharing it with my mom made it a fun moment. 

We got to see lots of other little things: outlet covers and switch plates have been put on, the A/C was installed outside, our water heater was put in, and the fence posts were set. Talk about a day!

Mom loved it. We walked thru and she looked at everything, commenting on the colors and we chatted about the future. She agreed that she thought the granite was completely off from what we had seen (and I ultimately picked) at the KB Home Design studio. I was glad to hear her opinion.  

I'm looking forward to hearing what corporate office says about it. Maybe I'll get some good news tomorrow for my birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 131: Bring On the Railings and Lights!

Today our stairway railings got installed. And wow! They look amazing so far!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 130: Drip. Drip. Drip.

Today the girls and I stopped by for what I thought was going to be a quick visit. As usual, they ran in ahead of me, pointing and shouting out about the new things they found. "Faucets!" "Our dishwasher is in!" "Come see!"

And, I do. As I entered the kitchen I made note of the granite, again. I keep trying to like it, but my gut keeps reminding me that this isn't what I ordered. *sigh* I'll have to speak to Raymond and Jennifer about that.

Before I could appreciate the new things installed, I heard a dripping. Drip. Drip. Drip. I checked the faucet. No, it wasn't dripping. I walk towards the sound of it and quickly discover my laundry room ceiling is leaking! 

I immediately call Raymond. Then Chance. Then Raymond again, trying to get anyone out there to help. 

Raymond comes put and checked the shut off valve. It's off. Guess the lines weren't bled and they froze over night, busting. Raymond assured me it would get fixed and any replacements done if need be. Thank goodness!

In all the commotion, I didn't have time to snap pictures of the new fixtures so I'll try go get those taken soon. 

Day 129: Patio Railing

Today we discovered that our back patio railing had been installed. It sure accents how large of a patio we have! The only bad thing was that they installed it wrong, damaging the siding. Grr!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 128: Granite

So it appears I'm unsettled with the granite. At first when I saw it, I was surprised because it was not how I had envisioned or designed. I had my heart set on the sample that I had picked out and ordered at the design studio, and the colors it entailed. I picked out other things based on my kitchen centerpiece--the granite. I chose espresso cabinets to match the chocolate sparkles that Delicatus is known for. I liked the contrast between dark cabinets and white countertops. I chose a sleek, pure white back splash to go with it as well. 

And after lamenting, pouring over pictures, going to see it in person more than once this past weekend, and doing a lot of research, I know this is *not* Delicatus.  

I am convinced this granite is Arctic Cream. I can find plenty of pictures of that and it all looks like what I have installed. It features a beige-ish, latte-colored background with dramatic, striking black lines. It's not white at all.

I have found no other pictures anywhere--not on granite websites, not on blogs, not on home building websites, not on pinterest or Houzz, not even on Summit Stoneworks' website (the granite company who installed this) -- not once have I found a picture of Delicatus that looks like this.

Im definitely going to have to talk to Raymond and Jennifer about this.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 127: More Brick and a House Number

I know I had a hard time choosing a brick that I loved (after not being able to order Kennewick brick), but this brick is really making me happy. I love its unconventional tumbled style where as most of my neighbors have completely rigid, squared off bricks. Mine looks old and has a lot of character. In the sunshine (see last picture), it looks amazing! And that's something we don't run short of here in Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 126: Brickwork is Almost Done!

The house is almost done getting her brickwork. This is sure a messy process! Isn't she looking grand?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 125: Granite

Today granite was installed. I was sort of surprised by it because the look of it was different than I imagined. Turns out it's not *my* granite. This, I am almost certain of, is called Arctic Cream. I ordered Delicatus.

 

Now I have to decide whether to love it or have it removed.