Keep Calm & Close in 9 Days!

Yep, you read that right - we're coming down the home stretch in this process!  We received word about a week ago that our closing is set for Friday, July 10 at 11am.  To say we're excited is an understatement!  Of course, like with everything else, there are challenges before we get those keys but the end is definitely in sight.

It's been a really hectic few weeks (noticing a pattern here?  Us too!) what with getting everything out of J's old house, preparing this one and some other projects too.  We successfully unloaded 1 mortgage payment last Friday - J's Cranberry property is off the books!  The closing was pretty easy from the sellers' side - show up, sign a bunch of forms (but not as many as the buyer) and receive a check.  Score!

We have also started to pack up my house - not quite as big of a concern because we aren't forced out by a certain date BUT I'm not hiring movers just for furniture - they can carry the boxes too.  I just need to get things INTO the boxes.  There's no sugar-coating it, and it's no surprise, but moving royally sucks.  Our goal is to have the upper 2 floors finished this weekend.  That means paper plates and takeout for 2 weeks.  Eh, whatever.  It'll work.

Just a few pictures this time - I really need to go check on the place but I have, ahem, other things keeping me busy after work.  Like...

Meet Harrison, the original Toy Boy!

Duck is as big as Harrison!

Proud Parents!

#notimpressed

That's right, we took the plunge and added a puppy to our little family!  Harrison is a 9-week old Labrador Mix (they tell us Collie...maybe like 2%?  He's pretty diluted on the "mix" part) that we rescued from Ohio.  We closed on J's house and hauled you-know-what to Ohio to make the 3pm pick-up.  He's adorable and full of puppy mischief.  A ton of work, to be sure, but totally worth it.  

We've already decided that we will buy a little set of temporary steps for our back door & a 10 x 10 patch of sod for his to use while the grass comes up - since we plan to install a stone patio next spring, who cares if the "real" grass grows right there??  I'd rather have a non-muddy area for potty training!

We DID get a chance to visit on Sunday - we're at the point now where we would need to either go during "visiting hours" and get the key or roll the dice that the morning room door is still unlocked and J can climb up and let himself in.  Upper body strength must be nice.  I just wait near the garage until he lets me in.  They've made more progress inside - we now have a dishwasher, sink, stove & our backsplash looks pretty sweet!  That being said, a TON of work remains.  Still need to change out the 3 broken windows, the broken drawer front in the kitchen, final coat of paint, deep clean everything, etc. But I'm going with the mindset that it'll get done & we shouldn't worry!

Yep, I LOVE my backsplash!

Who has a basement with natural light??  WE DO!

I just love the stone!  And the colors do work together.
Now about that blah door...

The light pole & curved sidewalk are just cute!

Final note - remember my venting about our worthless SR, the guy who's trying to make it right and MORONS at NVRM?  Well the new SR continues to really save the day here.  I like this guy & just wish that he had been our original SR.  I'm still thinking I'll be venty on the comments section of the survey but he gets good marks - no fair making him pay for the sins of the Worthless.  As for NVRM, seriously, people, you're pretty much incompetent.  Why on earth do I have to KEEP sending the SAME document over and over?  Do you not have the ability to save a file to a location you can remember?  Bah.  Underwriting can kiss my grits.  The final straw was when we had to turn in pay stubs within 30 days of closing.  Mine was dated 6/17.  Qualifies, right?  Nope, apparently the pay period ended 6/9.  Really?  Really?  REALLY?  Our processor guy was all put out that I didn't get paid again until today.  It's not my policy, bub.  Deep breaths, we're almost done with this incompetence...

So, we'll continue to pack my place, spend time with our new puppy and LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!!

You & Who's Army?

At our Pre-Construction meeting, J & I made a point to ask our PM & SR if we needed a babysitter when we wanted to visit our site.  Mainly because we are not able to leave work in enough time to make it to the model before it closes but also to get a feel for how much freedom we would have.  The PM stated "no one likes paperwork - just be careful."  To me, that implies that we are able to visit the site as long as we stay out of the workers' ways and aren't morons.

(Hint:  we aren't morons.  We are both licensed civil PEs, he's a certified bridge inspector and I'm cleared to be on all company sites where live gas is involved as well as major construction projects, including compressor stations.  We can handle a home construction site.)

Last Friday, we received a group email stating that "safety is RH's #1 concern" and that any site visits had to be with a RH rep and that he was "sorry for any confusion."  I want to know who was the moron who managed to mangle something or someone and ruined this for everyone.  Seriously, whoever you are, you're a clown.  We shall just see if we listen to this directive - after all, we've signed all of the paperwork given that makes this ours, paid 5% of the purchase price AND I highly doubt that anyone's going to stick around until 7 when we can visit the site.  I'd love to know how they intend to stop a homeowner from visiting, especially when we were given the green light.

Amid all of this excitement, we did get to show off the house to J's parents and my dad (again).  This time we came armed with a level and a square.  We were very pleased to see that the house is quite level, plumb and reasonably square.  Since we're going to install chair rail and crown on our own, that's a big deal.  All of the parents love the house & are looking forward to nicer quarters when they come to visit.  We also drove out to the Palermo model so they would all have a good feel for the finished product.  Positive reviews all around :)

Our other discovery this weekend was what we had initially indicated we would like for cable placement vs what we ultimately decided.  We made quite a few changes...it was inevitable.  I was able to email a detailed description of the new locations to our Guardian rep & he confirmed that he would remark and all would be well.

We did send some questions regarding the framing to our PM - he was the one who marked everything in orange.  We were curious about the function of the poorly fitting wood "spacers."  Apparently there are many purposes, including drywall support, nailers and stiffeners at door openings.  Ok, but I'm not buying they're serving any purpose when they're free to move on one end.  Kind of defeats the point but I'll ask more questions at our next site meeting.  We did have one of the most experienced framing crews which was pretty evident - our level doesn't lie!

Not too many pics today - I was more interested in other peoples' reactions than operating a camera.

This tub & I are gonna be great friends!

Not even close.  Our PM is going to see what he can
do about my request to add a 2nd stud since this
will be our tv wall in the master.  And it's just sad.

Not at all a fan of the surround.  And did you know they don't
install the cement backerboard behind the fiberglass walls?
I get it's impervious to water but that's quite a corner to cut.

Always nice to know where the supply & drain lines hang out.
Since these are on the exterior, let's hope they're VERY well insulated.