Out of Hiding...

Hi RH Blog Family!  I know I am such a bad blogger but the past few months have been crazy busy for me.  The new year is always a very productive time for me at work and with a new home to look after, trying to get into a new routine with the house and being a little further away from things like my son's preschool, my gym, my office - it takes quite a bit of adjusting. 

So far we are enjoying the house.  We had quite a few mishaps out of the gate (which I will share later) but all and all we are really enjoying the space.  Everyone told me it would be a lot of work keeping up with the new place and in the words of some of the kids I coach "You ain't never lied" :) 

We hosted our House Warming which we deemed an open house so friends could come and go all day long as well as a Graduation Party for my sister who recently graduated from George Mason University with a BSN.  This place has been a revolving door with friends and family here just about every weekend since we closed of 3/15... but I'm happy to have a place to entertain comfortably. 

The to-do list is much bigger than the done list - but I'm looking forward to the summer because things slow down a bit for me at work so I'll have a little time to focus on the things I'd really like to accomplish around here and finish the DIY projects that I've started. 

One of the items that was at the top of our list was completing our son's room first so that 1) he moved out of the convertible crib to toddler day bed contraption 2) he felt like he really had his own space in this new house 3) he felt more like a big boy as a 3 almost 4 year old.  He is so proud of his "big boy room" and shows it to everyone that comes by... more than once.  

Here are some pics of his room; before and after. 

Before - And I soooo regret not having ceiling fixtures installed.  That is on the to do list.



He insisted on helping us paint... In his Christmas PJs

After - Ikea Brimness Four Drawer Dresser in Black

Ikea Malm Platform Bed in Black & Target Circo Bedding & Rug
Ikea Lack Side Table in High Gloss White & Mammut Chair

Robot Portraits from Google Images - and enlarged at Kinko's with Ikea frames. 

 

I'm gathering more photos of the place and will be back soon to share our experiences from closing, the 30 day review and everything in between.  I have so much catching up to do and look forward to reading your posts as well. 

Closed!

Keys in hand and oh so HAPPY!  Just wanted to say thank you all for the constant encouragement and well wishes.  Today is a good day.

Last Rant (I hope)...

One word that would have made this experience totally different for me.....Communication.

I totally get that my case was a differenct case (in terms of loan approval & having to jump through a few more hoops than most buyers).

I get so annoyed by having to seek information.  If you tell me that you'll be in contact on Wednesday or Thursday... and it's Friday.  I expect to hear from you on Friday explaining why I didn't hear from you on Wednesday or Thursday and when you expect to have some "good" information for me.  I don't like to have to ask what happened? It's stressful. 

As an IT Business Analyst, working on multi-million dollar application development projects, if I don't make a deliverable deadline, I make sure that my PM and Developers are aware ahead of time.  I can't wait until a week after a deliverable was due and apologize that I didn't deliver.  I say "this is why I can't deliver on X date, I am awaiting information from X, here are the dependencies, and here is when I expect to deliver".  That is what is expected of me in this line of work. 

Is that too much to ask for????

Having to seek information when I'm sitting here on pins and needles waiting to hear some god news makes my blood boil.

Sincerly,
Ready to Close, Over it, Never Again

:)

Counter Depth vs. Standard Refrigerator

I was just curious to know if any of my fellow bloggers purchased Counter Depth refrigerators vs. Standard?   Was it aesthetics that lead you to do so?

I was in H.H. Gregg yesterday, shopping for the best deal and I came across a pretty good one.  Well when I gave the Salesman the fridge nook measurements he told us that we'd have some serious counter to fridge over hang if we went with the Standard fridge (something I'd never even thought about) so we might want to consider Counter Depth. 

Are measurements are:
Height = 71 1/4"
Width = 40 3/4"
And to give us an idea of depth my PM said that counter tops are 25 1/4' off of the wall. 

The Salesman showed us a Counter Depth Fridge against a cabinet that was pretty close to our dimensions.. and I did love the look of it being in linewith the Cabinets and Counters but of course it was almost double the price of the fridge we were looking at & much smaller for the price. 

I'm a fan of clean lines so I wanted something Standard like the one pictured. below (French Doors without the ice maker or water on the outside)

Now I'm wondering if Counter Depth is the way to go, or if the overhang will be something I can live with.

I Didn't Think It Would be This Hard!

I just want to close already.  I don't even want to see the house until I have the keys to unlock the door.  Last I spoke with the LO, they were awaiting the appraisal.  3/15 seems like a year from now. 

I'm praying that I get a call this week that I'm good to close. 

Rate Locked, Door Locked, and Now We Wait!

The past couple of months have been so stressful but it seems it's finally coming to an end.  A little upset about the late loan application but hey, as long as the deal is sealed I am OK. 

My PM has been awesome in the past few weeks.  Had my courtesy  "blue tape" walkthrough on Tuesday and my Final walkthrough on Thursday.  I felt bad because I pointed out so many things I wanted fixed, but honestly.. my PM had a better eye for errors because he taped way more items than I did.  Mostly minor things like drywall nick, seams, scrapes & paint but a few poor handling mistakes like scratches in the bathroom vanities & the kitchen cabinets.  I took my mom with me for a second set of eyes and of course she had to nudge me to tape some spots.. I just felt so bad that so many cabinet doors and drawers had to be replaced but hey.. for the amount of money we paid for them.. the installers or whoever damaged them should be more careful.

I also had some pretty deep scratches in my foyer hardwood that will have to be replaced.  PM is on it.  Kudos to him.   

We locked in at 3.25% yesterday and my LO hopes to close on 3/15 or earlier.  I hope so because I just  cant stand to see the house sit not that it's 98% complete. 

Next I'll be compiling my list of things to do in order of priority.  I can't wait to get in and start to decorate. 

I'll upload pics when I'm officially closed.  :)

Furniture Choices..

We finally selected the Living Room & Basement Furniture.  It was such a blessing to win $2,000 from Rooms to Go.. Here is what we chose.

Going for a Gray & Yellow Color Scheme in the Living Room.  I couldn't get with the purple pillows but I really loved the Gray so I'll have the pillows reupholstered once I find a print that I really love.

Here;s my Inspiration for the Living Room

Here's the Basement Section & Ottoman.  We're going for a Modern Twist since this will more than likely be the area where we hang out the most. 


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