tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11462579000002639352024-03-19T08:59:10.077-04:00Adventures in HomeownershipWe are 2 thirty-something first time home owners. We purchased a foreclosure on September 10th 2007 and are working to turn it into our dream home. Join us on the trials and travails of homeownership and do it yourself rehabilitation of a 100 year old home with a 10 year old addition.Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-64418589309070750752008-12-06T20:29:00.002-05:002008-12-06T20:37:18.602-05:00Deck the hallsIt's been just two days under a year since we moved into our home. In that time we have lived in a construction zone, without a kitchen, sometimes without water, many nights without heat. We have installed a new furnace, a new kitchen, hooked up the washer and dryer, leveled the floor in the upstairs hallway, installed a bathroom, finished the master suite, created a home.We decorated for Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-61477750652921925962008-11-17T15:28:00.003-05:002008-11-17T15:33:00.784-05:00Minor improvements and major snafu'sSo since W2 has no time (due to working 7 days a week) and no motivation do to BURN OUT I have been striving to finish the little things that need finishing. Last week I installed/hung the hand towel ring in our bathroom, but it wobbles. Yesterday I tried to hang/install the hand towel ring in the guest bathroom but couldn't figure it out and the instructions were virtually non existent. TodayRehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-69438608608699175752008-11-15T11:19:00.002-05:002008-11-15T11:32:15.150-05:00The gardenI had decided now was the time to prepare a spot for next years garden. I had not done one this past summer because we were planning on doing some major excavation and would be tearing everything up. I planted in what will be flower beds around the house. But the excavation didn't happen due to a lack of funds and I want a garden next year so it will just have to be put in a place out of the Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-92085880238925744882008-11-08T08:48:00.002-05:002008-11-08T08:58:16.594-05:00It's been even longerI've been trying to figure out how to use this blog. We've had no activity on the house. We essentially pushed ourselves into oblivion on that last push to finish in time for the housewarming. W2 is burned out. Or shall I say BURNED OUT! He refuses to work on the house. Won't install the lock sets, won't hang the towel bars or toilet paper holders. I've continued to paint the things that Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-55063605494785992812008-09-05T12:09:00.002-04:002008-09-05T12:10:35.731-04:00It's been a long time....So we had the housewarming, we survived it! We didn't kill each other in the week the preceded it. And we haven't done a damn thing on the house since then.We are getting ready for a much earned vacation out to Moab Utah for the land rover National Rally. W2 is an enthusiast and I have turned into one.We will start work again once we return.Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-39576048043718447932008-07-14T17:06:00.003-04:002008-07-14T17:13:45.583-04:00Stairs on the deck, level hallway and grout on the floorMuch has been accomplished since I last typed. Last weekend W2 managed to build the stairs to the deck. We had planned to build a ramp but when we realized it would need to be 16 feet long, which would block the view of the bay window in the dining room, I said NO! loudly and repeatedly. W2 was not happy and it was a very long and frustrating day, but the stairs are done and absolutely lovelyRehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-43803607975115449262008-06-30T16:08:00.002-04:002008-06-30T16:14:28.080-04:00bathroom floorW2 being the master shopper that he is had found the tile I craved for the kitchen floor on clearance at Lowe's in a quantity that would allow us to do our bathroom floor. Or so we thought. Until we started laying out the floor on Saturday. Of course we couldn't lay out the floor until we had ripped up the rotten subfloor, made a trip to the evil orange box, laid new subfloor, laid cement Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-55836864068160064812008-06-26T15:32:00.002-04:002008-06-26T15:38:27.860-04:00Master bedroomWe are closing in on finishing the master bedroom. The one thing we absolutely must do in the next day or two is to choose a flippin' carpet. This is the one thing that we will not and can not do on our own. This means we have to be fit into someone else's schedule. This could be a problem if we don't make a decision soon. The housewarming party is scheduled for August 2nd. The evites haveRehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-50121933338800875022008-06-25T16:23:00.002-04:002008-06-25T16:32:04.075-04:00Tools!!W2 bought me/us a weed whacker over the weekend, much to my delight and glee. You see, I find myself tickled with owning a home with a yard. I have waited anxiously/patiently to be able to design and plant the flower beds, herb garden and vegetable garden. I had thought I would be able to do so this year, but not so. We still have to tear up the yard in order to deal with the septic system, Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-26184465000264879732008-06-19T17:00:00.002-04:002008-06-19T17:04:54.451-04:00Just when you think you're doneAll went smoothly with the refinance and all the checks have been written so that we can pay off the evil Wells Fargo and be done once for all. Today W2 gets a call from the rep. he's been dealing with and she tells him that they are not going to accept the payment as it is not in their best interest.NOT IN THEIR BEST INTEREST?! They have done nothing that was in our best interest and now they Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-77333114507178376162008-06-18T16:48:00.003-04:002008-06-19T17:00:14.658-04:00Father's DayWe celebrated Father's Day at our house this weekend with both of our families. It was bizarre to have everyone there and not for work...what a concept?! My folks arrived Friday night, Team Smart arrived Saturday morning, W2's folks along with Team Burger arrived Sunday afternoon. It wasn't the easiest of days, but it was nice not to feel like we had to choose one family over the other.My Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-31996064853172227172008-06-09T15:24:00.003-04:002008-06-19T16:51:28.418-04:00It's been a whileThings got really hectic on the work front and as that was the only access I had to a computer there was no time to blog. I am no longer on the work front and am currently searching for new work, this does allow time for a quick catch up blog.We barrelled ahead as is our way from the last I wrote. The furnace is in the attic, the deck is built and has railings, it even has decorative stained Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-3068927296563967512008-05-19T17:19:00.003-04:002008-06-19T16:48:11.742-04:00One Day...and the frame for the deck is up!!Team Burger was out Saturday to help get the posts up and W2's folks came out to get the scaffolding set up. We were able to get everything prepped on Saturday which saved us 3 hours on Sunday.We started work at 9 a.m. and W2 and I attached the last joist supports at 7:30 pm. It was a very long, but very productive day. We had the help of 6 extra guys, plus W2Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-72649185254952599062008-05-17T11:44:00.002-04:002008-05-17T11:46:56.155-04:00Up goes the deckSo the decking got delivered on Thursday and we start construction today. I'm headed home to pull down the last of the ceiling in the hallway to our bedroom and haul away doors prior to Team Burger arriving this afternoon. Once again we are blessed by family and friends pitching in to help get it done. I find myself with a new friend from work, Rasta, who will be pitching in today and tomorrow.Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-30036961009505002422008-05-15T08:40:00.002-04:002008-05-15T08:52:42.238-04:00Plumbing frustrationsW2 has been pushed outside his knowledge and comfort zones time and time again as we have travelled the path of rehabilitation on our home. He thoughtfully ponders challenges, reads the stack of home improvement books we have acquired and ultimately figures out how to move forward. He is amazing. Many of us when presented with the challenge of installing a bathtub and plumbing it, or Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-8640993986111134452008-05-14T08:43:00.002-04:002008-05-14T08:49:56.147-04:00The deck was deliveredW2 ordered the supplies for the deck yesterday at 3:00 p.m. When we got home last night at 5:30 it was there. All of it. It was rather impressive. Curtiss Lumber has definitely done right by us on this one.I continue to fight with Home Depot over the poor design for the kitchen. The refrigerator door can't open all the way because it hits the molding to the door into the dining room and onceRehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-21257841492594572952008-05-10T11:42:00.003-04:002008-05-10T11:53:10.666-04:00Team Bright and the bathtubI put out a panicked call to my sister on Thursday when my father in law started saying that he might not be able to help with the deck if it rained on the weekend between then and May 18th. I was in a panic because he is the only one that knows how to build a second story deck. My brother in law built their deck, so grasping at straws, I called in the hopes that they might be available to helpRehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-67541223582780318872008-05-09T13:27:00.002-04:002008-05-09T13:38:31.709-04:00Magic Closet be goneWe at Casa Su Rehab have called the little closet in the offisery the magic closet since we purchased the house. It was named this as it is the door that allows you entrance to the upstairs part of the addition. Without opening the door, you would not know that there was more to the house than meets the eye.Last night W2 and I tore out the Magic Closet as well as the closet that was at the end Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-70639896498149900812008-05-08T11:53:00.002-04:002008-05-08T11:56:17.518-04:00it's been a whileThings at Casa su Rehab are insane. The bank has basically told us that regardless of giving us the extension, they have no intention of giving us anymore money because they don't think we are working fast enough. The root of the problem is that they want us to do the bare minimum to make the house habitibal. We are trying to do things right, not the bare minimum. This is a major difference Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-30259200109970997112008-04-25T13:36:00.002-04:002008-04-25T14:06:49.956-04:00Hate the bank, hate the bank, hate the bankIt doesn't seem to matter what we get accomplished, it is not enough. The bank, although extending our Rehab loan, is now giving us a hard time about inspections and engineers drawings, which we do not have and are not required to have in our town for the work we have done. The addition was on the house prior to our purchasing it. If the owners at that time did not get the appropriate permits,Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-30297797069981628842008-04-23T14:50:00.002-04:002008-04-23T15:34:11.450-04:00FinitoI know I've said this before, but now it is the truth, 100%. The siding is completely finished, bump out window and all. It took W2, who really should be W1 since I don't do nearly as much as he does, 20 hours total to get the siding and detail on the big bump out window off the dining room. It is beautiful. I am often in awe of my husband and this is definitely one of those times. I just Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-75907898159816732212008-04-16T12:15:00.003-04:002008-04-16T12:17:03.755-04:00Aaahhh!I cannot describe the great glee this image gives me. I will not be taking it for granted any time soon, that's for sure!Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-63708248176031283012008-04-14T10:27:00.004-04:002008-04-14T10:58:47.716-04:00We have cabinets and water!!!We have cabinets!! and I have photos! how wonderful is that?! My folks came up this weekend to help us. Mom to help me unpack boxes into the cabinets and dad to help W2 plumb water to the kitchen sink. 16 hours and $400 later we have water. I nearly pee'd my pants I was so excited to be able to do dishes, on the first floor.For any and all out there with plumbing in your future...pex pipe and Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-55965312532682284352008-04-10T09:51:00.002-04:002008-04-10T10:00:15.413-04:00UpdateSince I last wrote a ton of stuff has happened.1. We bought the kitchen floorwe had planned to install it until we learned that you had to install the cabinets before the floor.2. We called for cabinet installation3. The cabinets are being installed today4. W2 and his dad worked on the bump out window5. Rigger from MA was here to help for the weekend. He and W2 worked on wiring in our Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1146257900000263935.post-33159981330432306812008-04-03T15:37:00.002-04:002008-04-03T15:47:08.904-04:00FlooringWe've reached the stage of needing to choose and install the floor in the kitchen. Sheerah finished the taping, priming and painting yesterday. W2 and I had picked out a cheap vinyl sheet flooring last Saturday and set up a measure for estimate for yesterday. I left work in order to meet the contractor and got there 2 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment.He had already been to the house,Rehab Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772571557573275813noreply@blogger.com0