House Updates!
Time for a hodgepodge of house updates!
We purchased a used mower! This was exciting for Steven to research. He had a lawn mowing business in high school, and wanted to get something similar to what he had then. And he found it on Craigslist from a nice farmer south of the city (of Chicago). Next up… building a shed to put it in.
Hola, toro.
Part of the FHA 203k Streamlined work on our house was replacing the sliding glass doors in our dining room and living room, because they were rotted. The new doors were installed when we were in Dallas (thank you, Bobbi, for taking care of Data!!!) and it was nice to come home and see them – they’re gorgeous! And it’s been so nice to use them! Next up… we’ll get a new door like this in our bedroom, too! W’e’re just waiting for it to come in in the next couple of weeks. This wasn’t part of the original scope of work, but they did so much less work on the roof, we asked for more work to be done on other things.
No photos, but also, as part of the FHA 203k Streamlined contract, we’ve had parts of our roof and attic worked on. And redone, over and over again, because the contractors aren’t very good at communication. Fun times. Next up… fixing up the attic and putting insulation in it ourselves, since the contractor wouldn’t clean it out as well as we wanted before putting insulation in. Sure, put insulation right on top of spots soaked with animal urine (?!?!).
We had a different water treatment system installed (by a separate contractor, outside of the FHA 203k Streamlined work). The aerated water treatment system didn’t work, so we had that one taken out, and the hydrogen peroxide one installed. So far, so good! We’re drinking the water again, my baths don’t stink like sulfur, and my clothes are… less smelly. That clear tank in front of the two black tanks in the system below is the hydrogen peroxide, which we have to fill when it gets to a certain low point (not yet). Next up… keep track of how much of it we use/how much we spend on it (beyond this initial install).
New smaller system on the left, next to our water heater, on the right.
We had been waiting on the downstairs bathroom to be mostly done to get matching hardware for it and the upstairs bathroom. We ordered that and started installing it yesterday. It’s so nice to have the toilet paper on a bar! Like, really nice! Ha ha. Next up… get more drywall anchors to finish the upstairs install!
Best photo on my blog, ever
And! We hung up our first picture! Just three months after moving in. Ha. Next up… hang up more around the house!!!
Themocracy
I like your toilet paper holder, for real! Haha, can you tell that I’m a homeowner? There’s a time when you really notice details like that!
And in reading your water trials and tribulations, I’m reminded to be grateful that I just have to turn on my faucet and get decent water…we have a R/O system for drinking but that’s because our tap water is naturally salinated. No issues for bathing/laundry, though.
Your new sliders look really nice. The house is coming together so well!
Thank you! Ha! It tells me you’re a homeowner and someone who pays attention to detail in ALL they do 😉
Yeah! I never thought the water would be an issue! And now I really tend to notice the taste of it when we go places – everywhere is so different!
Thanks! 🙂
Every time you write about your house, I’m so amazed by how much work you have put in…and how much more there is to go! Do you think you’ll ever feel like you’re finished?
All the new updates look good, especially the doors! Do you have problems with birds running into them? This was always a problem at my in-law’s old house in a woodsy area, unfortunately.
Thanks! We’ll never be finished! Steven loves working projects all the time and will always find something to do! 🙂
Not yet, thankfully! I hope it doesn’t become an issue!
Loving the finished bathroom!
You have a really nice lot, looks nice and quiet around you. That is a great deck.
Thanks! It IS nice and quiet and we love it! I hope we can get some deck furniture at some point! Maybe during fall clearance 🙂
You’ve put so much great work into the house! That must really make it feel like it’s yours. Though the disagreements with the contractor don’t sound fun 🙁
Thanks! It does!
Ugh, yeah. We just want it over with! 🙁
Everything looks amazing! I need to see it!
Thanks!
Yeah! A lot has changed since you first saw it!
Things are looking good – you’ve done a lot of work in your house! It’s a good thing you both are so knowledgeable!
Thanks! It’s all Steven with the knowledge (and doing all the research) – I just help where I can! 🙂
This is making me feel both super anxious about how much we still have to do to our house, AND helping me feel like we’re on track / will get it done eventually – you guys are taking it project by project and it’s all happening! we can do it too! maybe/hopefully! 🙂
And keep in mind, when you read this, that this is what Steven wanted – projects A LOT of the time. He loves it. So, if you are going at a different pace, that totally works, too! 🙂 We have a priority list we are chipping away at, and some things are more crucial than others. But we have the same attitude – lots of projects over a LOOOONG time 🙂