It's been a few weeks since we officially moved into the new house and it's finally feeling like we're settling into a routine.
We only have a few boxes of "random stuff" to unpack and a little more painting to do. Stuart finished up the office today, so all we have left is the upstairs play room, family room and maybe the basement. While we'd love to get that all done soon, I have admittedly lost my drive for painting. I would be happy if I didn't have to pick up a paint brush or roller for months.
The biggest news is that we got the "old" house officially on the market this week. After lots of hard work and late nights, we got all the holes filled, paint touched up, cabinets wiped down and floors washed and polished. We've already had a handful of showings and have our first open house tomorrow. While the market certainly isn't where we would like it to be, we are still hopeful that we'll be able to sell the house at a price we can live with. Definitely a different experience from selling our house in Los Angeles 5 years ago. Ahhhh...I still remember the days of the southern California housing bubble fondly.
So while our "to do" list remains fairly long, the pace has slowed a bit. The next challenge on our horizon is what to do with what will soon become the mud field known as our yard. Maybe it's spring fever, but I actually look forward to figuring out the landscaping and to getting my hands dirty with planting.
Happy spring everyone! We look forward to having everyone over for a visit soon.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Remembering why
We've officially made it through our first week in the new house. The adventure certainly continues as we finish moving out of the "old" house and getting it ready to put on the market. I can honestly say that the thought of more painting makes me sick, but alas, ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do to get a house sold these days.
On the more positive side, I've had some wonderful moments over the last week that remind me why we did this. Just some of the highlights...
Watching the sun rise through the trees across the river valley from our bedroom windows. (We don't have shades yet, so morning tends to come early in our house.)
Woke up Saturday morning to find 6 deer lounging in our backyard. They just sat there, relaxing and munching for a few hours while our family ate our breakfast and started the day. I wonder if seeing deer in our backyard in St. Paul will ever get old.
Enjoying a week without TV. All these beautiful trees spoiled our plans for DirecTV, so now we're on to cable...but without a cable line to the house. While I've missed watching any of the Olympics, it's been really nice to not have the kids...or me...get sucked into vegetating in front of the tube.
Seeing the special lighting we installed wash over the stone wall and redwoods walls in the hallway at night. I wish I had a better camera that could capture the look, but here's a try...
Well, that's enough blogging for one night. Back in the routine of getting a little work done before heading off to bed. Good night one and all!
On the more positive side, I've had some wonderful moments over the last week that remind me why we did this. Just some of the highlights...
Watching the sun rise through the trees across the river valley from our bedroom windows. (We don't have shades yet, so morning tends to come early in our house.)
Woke up Saturday morning to find 6 deer lounging in our backyard. They just sat there, relaxing and munching for a few hours while our family ate our breakfast and started the day. I wonder if seeing deer in our backyard in St. Paul will ever get old.
Enjoying a week without TV. All these beautiful trees spoiled our plans for DirecTV, so now we're on to cable...but without a cable line to the house. While I've missed watching any of the Olympics, it's been really nice to not have the kids...or me...get sucked into vegetating in front of the tube.
Seeing the special lighting we installed wash over the stone wall and redwoods walls in the hallway at night. I wish I had a better camera that could capture the look, but here's a try...
Well, that's enough blogging for one night. Back in the routine of getting a little work done before heading off to bed. Good night one and all!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Move
It's the morning after and I'm not quite sure what to think. I'm sitting here in the new house, watching the sunrise, surrounded by nature. It's just so different than any morning I've had for a long time. But, I'm also experiencing exactly why we bought this house.
I suppose I should back up a sec. It's Sunday morning and we spent our first night in the new house last night. Yes, we finally made the move yesterday. And what a full day it was.
It started out with the movers coming around 9am. We hired a company called Localmotion to do the move. They'd been recommended by our realtor and we were only asking them to move the big stuff. They estimated a three hour job (with three guys and one truck) and ended up being almost spot on. I have to say that these guys were great. Not only did they do a good job (no dings or damage), they were personable and funny and polite.
During that time, we started to do our thing. We continued our packing. While at the new house, we started to paint the kitchen and we just continued with all this until the movers were done.
A
After some lunch back at the old house… yes, I used that term for the first time yesterday. I had to! Since we're not living there any more, it's now the "old house".
Anyway, after lunch Ann and I came back here to paint, while Jake and Cheryl took on moving. My mom also came over to help paint as well. I've said it before and I'll say it again that my fam has been a huge help with the painting. Lauren was here three days in a row and then again this past Thursday night. My dad came Th and F and did a great job with that hallway. And my mom came and took the task no one wanted, which was painting the music room…and then she stayed while we had dinner and painted the kitchen! Wow, awesome!
While that was happening, I painted the guest bath, repainted the loft ceiling and the front closet…which I didn't even know needed to be painted. Ann and her parents concentrated on moving and setting things up for the kids. I think they got through a full load of the Tahoe Jake rented, which ends up being a pretty big load.
Six o'clock came and we headed out for a dinner. We did D'Amicos and enjoyed our bottomless glasses of wine. It was nice to sit back for a while, but the work also finally caught up with everyone. Afterward, I went back to the old house to finish packing up the kitchen, while the rest came back here to get the kids and themselves to bed.
I have to admit that I didn't just pack the kitchen. I had to rock out a big too. With an empty house, I turned the stereo up a bit while packing and then plugged the guitar in, turned the amp up and jammed for a while. That felt good although I could tell I haven't been playing much as my fingers turned to mush pretty quick. More practice, I guess!
And that leads me back to here. It's the morning after. It's really, really bright in this house w/out shades. But, the kids seem to be surviving without their morning TV. Evan woke up a couple times, but was good after 2am. I think he had the hardest time adjusting. Everything was just too new and he was looking for some comforts after a long busy day.
I think I might head out and go for a run. Got to get some exercise in before getting to work.
I suppose I should back up a sec. It's Sunday morning and we spent our first night in the new house last night. Yes, we finally made the move yesterday. And what a full day it was.
It started out with the movers coming around 9am. We hired a company called Localmotion to do the move. They'd been recommended by our realtor and we were only asking them to move the big stuff. They estimated a three hour job (with three guys and one truck) and ended up being almost spot on. I have to say that these guys were great. Not only did they do a good job (no dings or damage), they were personable and funny and polite.
During that time, we started to do our thing. We continued our packing. While at the new house, we started to paint the kitchen and we just continued with all this until the movers were done.
A
After some lunch back at the old house… yes, I used that term for the first time yesterday. I had to! Since we're not living there any more, it's now the "old house".
Anyway, after lunch Ann and I came back here to paint, while Jake and Cheryl took on moving. My mom also came over to help paint as well. I've said it before and I'll say it again that my fam has been a huge help with the painting. Lauren was here three days in a row and then again this past Thursday night. My dad came Th and F and did a great job with that hallway. And my mom came and took the task no one wanted, which was painting the music room…and then she stayed while we had dinner and painted the kitchen! Wow, awesome!
While that was happening, I painted the guest bath, repainted the loft ceiling and the front closet…which I didn't even know needed to be painted. Ann and her parents concentrated on moving and setting things up for the kids. I think they got through a full load of the Tahoe Jake rented, which ends up being a pretty big load.
Six o'clock came and we headed out for a dinner. We did D'Amicos and enjoyed our bottomless glasses of wine. It was nice to sit back for a while, but the work also finally caught up with everyone. Afterward, I went back to the old house to finish packing up the kitchen, while the rest came back here to get the kids and themselves to bed.
I have to admit that I didn't just pack the kitchen. I had to rock out a big too. With an empty house, I turned the stereo up a bit while packing and then plugged the guitar in, turned the amp up and jammed for a while. That felt good although I could tell I haven't been playing much as my fingers turned to mush pretty quick. More practice, I guess!
And that leads me back to here. It's the morning after. It's really, really bright in this house w/out shades. But, the kids seem to be surviving without their morning TV. Evan woke up a couple times, but was good after 2am. I think he had the hardest time adjusting. Everything was just too new and he was looking for some comforts after a long busy day.
I think I might head out and go for a run. Got to get some exercise in before getting to work.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Painting the kids rooms and kitchen coordinating
It's already been a busy week and it's only Wed night. I've probably said that before, but this time it's a little different. With no subs running about the place, it's been the Johnson team in action.
It started out this past weekend with closet building, painting and some moving. And it's only continued. Lauren not only started to paint the striping in Evan's room on Sunday, but she came over Mon and Tues night to finish. Thanks Steve! Actually, she's done a great job. These pics are only after two days of painting and so it's only gotten more detailed since then.
Btw and I could write a whole blog post on this, but wow is the price of "Green" paint expensive. To keep with our LEED certification, we're using Benjamin Moore Aura paint. It's low VOC and according to consumer reports is a high quality paint. But even after a contractors discount, it's like forty some dollars a gallon. gulp.... yuck.
We also finished up Cailin's room. Cailin helped, although it was guided help, picking out her colors. You can stand outside both kids doors and see both rooms at the same time and wow, all that color....
We've of course been moving stuff as well. I've taken loads over every day. Mostly it's been about getting stuff into the kitchen and trying to figure out where everything will go. In some ways, it's a bit of a shift. Instead of stuff in the kitchen, in the dining room and outside the back door, we've now got room for most everything to be simply in the kitchen.
I will say that I'm already regretting not having more pull out shelves in the lower cabinets. I'll see if I can fix that myself or maybe we'll have Joe the cabinet maker come back out.
Well, Ann's parents are here as of tonight and with Ann taking the next couple of days off, things are really going to start in earnest. Ann's at the house now painting... it's 11pm. Lots of moving tomorrow and Friday. The movers come on Saturday to move the big stuff and by Sunday we should be waking up in the new place. Wow....it'll be a long week, but exciting and probably stressful too.
It started out this past weekend with closet building, painting and some moving. And it's only continued. Lauren not only started to paint the striping in Evan's room on Sunday, but she came over Mon and Tues night to finish. Thanks Steve! Actually, she's done a great job. These pics are only after two days of painting and so it's only gotten more detailed since then.
Btw and I could write a whole blog post on this, but wow is the price of "Green" paint expensive. To keep with our LEED certification, we're using Benjamin Moore Aura paint. It's low VOC and according to consumer reports is a high quality paint. But even after a contractors discount, it's like forty some dollars a gallon. gulp.... yuck.
We also finished up Cailin's room. Cailin helped, although it was guided help, picking out her colors. You can stand outside both kids doors and see both rooms at the same time and wow, all that color....
We've of course been moving stuff as well. I've taken loads over every day. Mostly it's been about getting stuff into the kitchen and trying to figure out where everything will go. In some ways, it's a bit of a shift. Instead of stuff in the kitchen, in the dining room and outside the back door, we've now got room for most everything to be simply in the kitchen.
I will say that I'm already regretting not having more pull out shelves in the lower cabinets. I'll see if I can fix that myself or maybe we'll have Joe the cabinet maker come back out.
Well, Ann's parents are here as of tonight and with Ann taking the next couple of days off, things are really going to start in earnest. Ann's at the house now painting... it's 11pm. Lots of moving tomorrow and Friday. The movers come on Saturday to move the big stuff and by Sunday we should be waking up in the new place. Wow....it'll be a long week, but exciting and probably stressful too.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Music Room Doors
I have to say that I don't know what kind of mood to be in on these mysterious music room doors. I've finally got some pictures because our artist/fabricator/?? Mark started to put the doors in this past week. They look great and they're really going to be the show pieces we're hoping for. But, they're not done. I don't know... it's always "back at it tomorrow" type of thing. Well, who knows now. I mean it's not that big of a deal and it's only been a few days, but man, I wish we'd just get these done.
Here's where we're at.
I'll post more pics once these are done. Essentially, we've got two sliding doors, both of which are installed, and a fixed panel (in the third picture), which hasn't been installed yet.
Each panel is made up a combination of oil rubber Doug Fir (panels from the old house), frosted Plexiglass and Lumicor panels. I have to give a big shout out to Ryan, our architect for pulling together the design on these. We talked a lot about how to create an open room that would be inviting, but also incorporate something that could close the room off and dampen the noise. We considered drapes, but ultimately chose this sliding door design. Ann and I choose the specific Lumicor panel (silver spun) that we thought resembled guitar string running through the plexiglass. Ryan then incorporated the wood and plexiglass for a nice contrast and design where each panel is different, but the same.
Well, after many months, it's come together and it's nearly there. I'm hopeful it will be complete in the next couple days. We'll get some paint on the walls and the guitars hung (got the hangers ordered tonight) and we'll have a pretty kick-ass room.
Here's where we're at.
I'll post more pics once these are done. Essentially, we've got two sliding doors, both of which are installed, and a fixed panel (in the third picture), which hasn't been installed yet.
Each panel is made up a combination of oil rubber Doug Fir (panels from the old house), frosted Plexiglass and Lumicor panels. I have to give a big shout out to Ryan, our architect for pulling together the design on these. We talked a lot about how to create an open room that would be inviting, but also incorporate something that could close the room off and dampen the noise. We considered drapes, but ultimately chose this sliding door design. Ann and I choose the specific Lumicor panel (silver spun) that we thought resembled guitar string running through the plexiglass. Ryan then incorporated the wood and plexiglass for a nice contrast and design where each panel is different, but the same.
Well, after many months, it's come together and it's nearly there. I'm hopeful it will be complete in the next couple days. We'll get some paint on the walls and the guitars hung (got the hangers ordered tonight) and we'll have a pretty kick-ass room.
Starting to Move
It hasn't been mentioned before in this space, but we'll officially be moving this next weekend. We've got some movers coming on Saturday to move the big stuff. Yep, so this time next week, we'll have woken up in the new house. It really is amazing that after all this time and effort, its finally here. So long, but so quick.
I have to say that as much work as I see in front of us, it really is exciting. The house looks great and except for a few things left to do, it's basically done. Except for the big stuff (couches, beds, etc), we'll be moving everything else. Actually, it's already started. I made a run of about five boxes today and rather than just drop them in the appropriate rooms, I actually unloaded them into shelves. It was kitchen stuff and half the reason was to just start seeing how things might fit together before I just start shoving everything into shelves.
Speaking of shelves, my dad and I installed the master closet system this weekend. I have to say that even though I'd done two of these prior and kind of new what I was doing, it was a big help just from a time saving standpoint to have my dad lending an extra pair of hands. Well and frankly, he had some good ideas in some tough spots...i.e. how to mount against a wall with a pocket door.
He was also nice enough to haul over furniture (my old furniture!) from Hamel that will go into Evan's room.
We also got a big helping hand from my sister and mom today painting. Lauren took Evan's room where we're doing this cool racing type stripe with orange and blues. My mom and Ann took on Cailin's multi-color purple and green. So, slowly but surely, the painting is coming along.
I throw out a big thanks in advance to everyone who helps this week. I know we'll get more help from Lauren, my mom and dad. Cheryl and Jake arrive Wed for a week full of moving and I'm hopeful we'll get a few more helping hands.
So, here we go. One last crazy house week? Nah, there will be more.
I have to say that as much work as I see in front of us, it really is exciting. The house looks great and except for a few things left to do, it's basically done. Except for the big stuff (couches, beds, etc), we'll be moving everything else. Actually, it's already started. I made a run of about five boxes today and rather than just drop them in the appropriate rooms, I actually unloaded them into shelves. It was kitchen stuff and half the reason was to just start seeing how things might fit together before I just start shoving everything into shelves.
Speaking of shelves, my dad and I installed the master closet system this weekend. I have to say that even though I'd done two of these prior and kind of new what I was doing, it was a big help just from a time saving standpoint to have my dad lending an extra pair of hands. Well and frankly, he had some good ideas in some tough spots...i.e. how to mount against a wall with a pocket door.
He was also nice enough to haul over furniture (my old furniture!) from Hamel that will go into Evan's room.
We also got a big helping hand from my sister and mom today painting. Lauren took Evan's room where we're doing this cool racing type stripe with orange and blues. My mom and Ann took on Cailin's multi-color purple and green. So, slowly but surely, the painting is coming along.
I throw out a big thanks in advance to everyone who helps this week. I know we'll get more help from Lauren, my mom and dad. Cheryl and Jake arrive Wed for a week full of moving and I'm hopeful we'll get a few more helping hands.
So, here we go. One last crazy house week? Nah, there will be more.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Getting Closer: Countertop Installed, Punchlist and a New Table
We're really in the home stretch now. We've got all our permits finalized, so it's now a matter of punchlist items. The past few days have seen the electrician out making adjustments to switches that weren't set up right or hanging the kitchen pendants
or the plumber finishing up a few items like replacing a defective kitchen faucet or installing the laundry sink and faucet or our cabinetmaker finishing up some of his odds and ends such as installed pulls, adjusting doors or adding missing trim pieces.
Speaking of the laundry sink, we did finally get the laundry countertop installed on Friday. We went a with a gray/blueish marmoleum (can't recall the exact name) that would withstand the traffic of a laundry / mud room, but wouldn't carry the expense of granite. I couldn't get a great shot, but here's a couple views of the countertop portion of the room:
Last time I posted, I had just completed the closet system for Cailin's room. I had also ordered systems for Evan and the master closets. All 27 boxes showed up last Friday, which ended up being a lot of heavy lifting for a bunch of us. We needed to paint the master closet walls before installing there, so Ann took that task while I installed Evans closet. This install went a fair bit faster now that I new what I was doing. We'll see what the more complicated master closet holds this upcoming weekend.
Ann continued her painting into today so that we can get our doors installed in the music room. This has been the hardest thing to describe, but trust me when I say that these doors will be almost art piece like when they're done...hopefully. :)
Anyway, the guy is installing them tomorrow, so we needed to get some finished paint up on the wall where they were going in.
Last thing is that we had our first piece of furniture delivered today. We decided to buy a new dining table, since our existing one not only didn't fit aesthetically, but it's also grown a bit unstable over the years with it's post cracking a couple years back. We ended up choosing a Parson's style table with a white oak top and dark metal base. It actually looks pretty good up against the oak floor. We did find some chairs, but those are still a ways off.
or the plumber finishing up a few items like replacing a defective kitchen faucet or installing the laundry sink and faucet or our cabinetmaker finishing up some of his odds and ends such as installed pulls, adjusting doors or adding missing trim pieces.
Speaking of the laundry sink, we did finally get the laundry countertop installed on Friday. We went a with a gray/blueish marmoleum (can't recall the exact name) that would withstand the traffic of a laundry / mud room, but wouldn't carry the expense of granite. I couldn't get a great shot, but here's a couple views of the countertop portion of the room:
Last time I posted, I had just completed the closet system for Cailin's room. I had also ordered systems for Evan and the master closets. All 27 boxes showed up last Friday, which ended up being a lot of heavy lifting for a bunch of us. We needed to paint the master closet walls before installing there, so Ann took that task while I installed Evans closet. This install went a fair bit faster now that I new what I was doing. We'll see what the more complicated master closet holds this upcoming weekend.
Ann continued her painting into today so that we can get our doors installed in the music room. This has been the hardest thing to describe, but trust me when I say that these doors will be almost art piece like when they're done...hopefully. :)
Anyway, the guy is installing them tomorrow, so we needed to get some finished paint up on the wall where they were going in.
Last thing is that we had our first piece of furniture delivered today. We decided to buy a new dining table, since our existing one not only didn't fit aesthetically, but it's also grown a bit unstable over the years with it's post cracking a couple years back. We ended up choosing a Parson's style table with a white oak top and dark metal base. It actually looks pretty good up against the oak floor. We did find some chairs, but those are still a ways off.
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