Sunday, September 23, 2007

The House (continues)

Some of you regular readers out there have been asking (and rightly so) what is the deal with the house. As it is, after all, the big reason why Ellie and I are stateside at the moment, I figured it was time for an update.

The good news is when you've abandoned all hopes and expectations, things are a lot less stressful. On previous visits, I arrived expecting progress. After all, the house has been a couple of months away from completion since February! Only two or three weeks away from completion in May! I had intended to come back in July to see it finished. But more delays and more excuses were reported, and I began to realize (and accept) that nothing was EVER going to be done without my being here. So, here I am again, this time without hopes or expectations and therefore slightly more sane than could be imagined. Thank goodness I arrived with these thoughts, because (surprise surprise) nothing much had been done since I left in May. I'm happy to report that now, however, we are much closer to the (apparently unattainable) goal of a finished house. The tile for the downstairs arrived last week and installation began. Once the downstairs is done, the kitchen cabinets and countertops will be installed (the cabinets are ready and waiting), and the bathrooms should be finished off (though I haven't seen any supplies for that as yet). Carpets are scheduled for installation upstairs tomorrow (but as rain has moved in, my faith in that has moved out).

On my end, I've had six trees felled (one VERY fortunate choice there; I had one relatively small one taken out because I didn't like its proximity to the roof, only to discover upon removal that it was completely rotten on the inside and could have fallen at any time). I found and paid for a landscaper for the front yard, and that work will happen at the end of October (by which time one could reasonably assume the house could be finished at long last!). The house has been treated for termites and pests, and yesterday I ordered a houseful of appliances that should be delivered and installed on Tuesday. We're getting there, people. Now all that's left is to show you some pictures, so here they are.




7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the pics...it already looks good and will be beautiful when it's finished! Hooray on finding a landscaper too...glad that worked out for you on this visit :)

Karly

Jennifer said...

Thanks, Karly! I'm sorry you won't get to see it this time around! I hope we can work something out before too much longer, although the thwarted visit is just as well given the turn in the weather. We hope Sam will be back to his happy, busy self in no time (though for your sake, I'll keep my fingers crossed the fever-induced naps might remain even after the fever is long gone). :)

quinn said...

The house does look very nice, thanks for the pictures. I know you've told me before, but where in OS is it? What will you do once it is all finished with it's makeover?

Anonymous said...

You hit the nail right on the head! No expectations= no stress! But it sure does take forever to get things done...and you're also right...if you're not there, nothing gets done!
Your progress looks great! Godd job sticking to it, girl! (and I love the hokey pokey!) Brenda

Anonymous said...

The house looks good. That tile was an excellent choice. The work that has actually been done looks very good, it's just actually getting the work done. At least take solice in the fact that you aren't the only one to suffer the never ending house finishing project fate. I still many a people who are having the same issues, and they live stateside! Are you having anything done to the porch? Can I come see it person?

Anonymous said...

Shoot, I hit the wrong button and my comment was published without being able to fix it... Rats.... The one part should read "I still KNOW many people...

Computers, Sheesh!

Jennifer said...

Thanks, everybody! The positive feedback really helps keep my energy up. My contractor is behind yet again (no carpet in sight!), but it's helpful to remember that someday, somehow it will be a beautiful house (in Heron Bayou, Quinn). And Azure, come on by! After the expansion we put on, the back porch remains the best part of the house! Brenda, thanks for checking in! It's good to see you here. :)