holidays

Happy Chanukah!

I found this funny photo of "reindeer cat" online

Candelabra in the fireplace

                                                              

What's the latest?  Rusted gutters is what.  I'm getting some estimates on new gutters and a new layer of composition asphalt shingles to be added to the other two roofing layers.  It's cheaper than getting a whole new roof...but we shall see.  California is having a dry rainy season...we're in a drought.  Rain has entered the walls however, so roofing is a must.  The zen of house maintenance.

Happy Holidaze!

The latest . . .

Hello Lincoln Log Roofers?  Will you give me a good deal on a new roof, please?  Photos from my recent babysitting experience!

I actually purchased mini lincoln logs for my at-home playing.  You can never have too many toys.

      With real estate prices on the rise, you can do what I did -- build your own log cabin using mini lincoln logs!  You can never be too old to play with toys.  Speaking of toys . . . thanks for the new LCD TV, mom and dad, it fits in nicely in the new home (see progress below)

new wooden window blinds from Home Depot

living room, dining room, bedroom from top to bottom.  

What would it be if my bathtub didn't back up with water and then the bathwater leaked into my garage?  New pipes to the rescue. . . there was a nice antique pipe just removed (think it's worth anything?)

The windows got new blinds...

 

Updates and Upgrades

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Upgrade!  Bathroom tile backsplash,

new medicine cabinet & sink vanity 

Yes, those are fish you are seeing in the

reflection of my mirror.  There were mushrooms

already engraved in the tub tile (mushrooms...in

the bathroom?)  I mentioned somewhere that my

goal was to bring the house out of the 70's and into

this century and I kept my word).  Anyways, the mosaic

sticker fish seem to go well with the mushrooms.  I brought

the fish over from my last apartment, which was

very-white and I wanted to add some color.  They sell

them at Target.

dry rot inside of wall in garage BEFORE

re-stuccoed and no more dry rot AFTER

Garage entry way

Single paned dining room window BEFORE

Dining room window - dual-paned AFTER

Hallway window before - single paned

New hallway window - white vinyl, 

dual paned

stainless dishwasher!  New windows

for better insulation.

The dishwasher never worked well, home warranty services to the rescue....and I upgraded to a stainless dishwasher.  The house got most of it's windows replaced.  Window blinds are on the way.  Next project:  Rain-proofing the house; installing gutters that were never there and replacing roof shingles that have air pockets.  Last week, ants have invaded the hot tub and they seemed to have actually jumped into the hot tub, which is always nice to see.  Not fun!  A removeable air mattress in the office makes it into a 2nd bedroom.  Mom to come visit to see the house and to enjoy San Francisco.

Before / After - Makeover!

Living room BEFORE!  Pre-hardwood refinishing;

old baseboard color

Living Room - AFTER!

Living Room - After!

Dining area - BEFORE

before hardwoods got refinished; with the old windows

and old baseboard color

Dining Area - AFTER! 

Dining area - AFTER; new windows.  Blinds on order.  The bar chairs were 

purchased at a garage sale! 

Dining area - AFTER

Bedroom - BEFORE! 

Only one window opened; and it cranked open only

on one side.  They were single-paned!

Bedroom - old popcorn ceilings which were removed;

old lighting fixture (ceiling fan is in it's place)

Bedroom - AFTER!  Double-paned windows.

Let the sun shine....

Front screen door - BEFORE; it did

not have a secure locking feature and the

screen mesh was broken
 

New metal screen front door

     

Office Windows and Living Room Windows before and after (look at that photo of the old deck!) Old Photos on top, followed by new photo below.

Office -- before!

Office - after!

Bathroom - before!

Bathroom - after!

Laundry room - before!

Laundry room - after!  Drainage issues repaired!

I'm in!

kitchen (new lighting - umm, none of the lights

worked in the kitchen previously - either the

bulbs were out or the wires needed repair)

living room

The bathroom got a makeover

bathtub got "refinished" from 1960's baby blue

to glossy white for little money

                                    * * * * * 

Well, I'm finally living at the house -- my first night at the house was Sun. August 10th.  My sofa (from my rental) got moved that day, and well, since I had nowhere to sleep, it was off to the new house I go!  I had to wait for the decking to be repaired as access to the house was limited.  The deck repairs took two weeks in total.  I would be working with a handyman at the house and then going back to my rental to clean, clean, clean.  So it was busy for a while.  Currently, I'm still unpacking boxes and having handyperson work done to add finishing touches like new light fixtures, etc.  There are some housing repair issues such as outdoor drainage and a small   foundation job are next on the list before the california rains come in the fall.   What is small?! It is an area where stucco meets the ground and this is not good for rain season.  The hot tub got a new part installed and a thorough cleaning.  The hot tub is very nice and relaxing.  The house was purchased with the understanding that the dishwasher didn't work, so it will get repaired this week via home warranty services.  Yahoo.  It is also nice to enjoy summer and get outdoors.  And of course, SCHOOL starts soon.  Good timing because I'm out of money! Here are some updated photos.

Pretty house

Moving Day is here!

Office

View from dining room towards kitchen

and hallway

view from dining room towards hallway

kitchen wall got a fresh coat of white paint

bathroom

kitchen - looks good enough to cook

food in

view from the kitchen looking into the office

the office - looking toward door

bedroom -- hey, I just moved in!

I'll make my bed a little later...like when

I locate the sheets, the pillows, etc....

bedroom

bedroom closet got a new coat of paint

bedroom wall

bathroom got a new paint color

living room

living room

living room 

from the living room looking into the dining room

from the dining room looking into the hallway

trex decking

when you step out of the front door this is what

you see....better not step out of the front door just

yet!

the front stairs (the landing is being re-built

with TREX)

the view from outside the front door

the view from outside the front door

a partial view of the yard from the deck

a view of the new deck landing from the office

door