Today was very overwhelming for me. Yesterday we went and worked on the house some. Primed the "blue room" aka the office aka the future nursery and prepped some more for painting. Today we woke up and headed over aroun 10 am. When we got there the subflooring in the office was torn up and we were sanding, cleaning and more prepping for painting. The pipe fix didn't work so now more earth is needing to be dug up and that section of pipe will need replaced. It was all just a little much for me so I had a little cry and then Max and I went into the backyard and kicked around a ball a bit. The backyard really calms me down at this point, even though it too needs a lot of work. I think it gives me something to look forward too with playing with doggies, parties, playing with our babies, drying cloth diapers, gardening, etc.
Anyway, we got a lot done today. The office floor is solid again and ready for padding and carpeting. I have some more cleaning and priming to do before we can paint and then carpet but it's getting there! The kitchen and laundry area linoleum and wafer board below that was removed and ready for new boards and linoleum. All the door knobs (indoor), light fixtures, etc are down and going to be replaced after we paint.
Max and I might go tomorrow and do more prep for painting i.e. filling in nail holes, caulking, cleaning/sanding the woodwork, taking down the cabinet doors and everything else. Hopefully Thursday the floor in the kitchen and laundry area will be prepped for linoleum and ready for us to paint and the water main will hopefully be fixed then too. Then the cleaning lady needs to come back and clean up and then we can PAINT! I'm so excited! As soon as we paint it should only be a couple more days for carpet and linoleum to go in and then we can move in!
There is still a lot of things outside that need done. The water pipe is under the walkway that I posted about before so they had to tear up part of it. Our landlord read my mind and will be tearing up the rest of it and putting down some railroad ties and putting in gravel for a pathway. I hope he puts down pea gravel, I love that for walkways! I still need to go in the backyard and clean up all the doodie that the previous tenants left and of course put down the bug barrier and flea spray. We also talked with the landlord about painting the exterior of the house but with the horribly job done by the previous owners it would cost a lot of money so we will be holding off on that for now or may just end up putting up new siding.
There is talk of our landlord selling us the house in a couple years. That'd be awesome! The house is small but in a really nice neighborhood in good school zones and there is plenty of room for us to expand when we need to. It's an older house built in 1949 so it has lots of old charm, exactly what I love in houses! I can't wait to take pictures of the finished product for you all too see! I might take some tomorrow when it's just Max and I there and post them once I have pictures of the finished house as well. We'll see though!
Ok, I'm off to do homework! It's finals week! Then a month off until fall term! YAY!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
New Puppy!
Yesterday we got a new puppy! Here's Ms. Carley (was Marley)
She is a patterdale terrier who may or may not become a permanent member of our family. She is settling in well though and is such a sweet girl with great manners! More pictures, posts and information about her on Eva's blog.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Experiences
Today was a very long day. We went and spent the day at the new house and helped work on it. Basically today they tore out the carpet and we cleaned windows and prepped for painting. The yard was also mowed and it looks so much better! We aren't going to plant any grass at this point, just put down some fertilizer and water it and see what happens.
There is a broken pipe under the walkway so it looks like that may have to come up anyway, which is good and bad news. Good news because I want it repaired/replaced anyway since it's slanted but bad news because it tacks on more time before we can move in. Tomorrow Max has a meeting all day for work so we won't be there tomorrow but the broken window should be fixed tomorrow and the kitchen and bathroom will be professionally cleaned. Hopefully this weekend or early next week we will go in and help prime the hosue and then paint all the rooms. Our landlord loves the colors we picked out! The livingroom, kitchen, laundry area and hallway will be mostly a beige color. The living room will have an accent wall of a green-ish brown that will also go in the bathroom (I think). Our room will be a green as well and the office will be a lighter green so that when we have to turn it into a nursery it will be gender neuteral but not to babyish for it to be Max's office for now.
I took the camera today but forgot that the memory card was sitting here at our apartment in my computer. Oops!
Our landlord said today that because we are helping out and putting custom paint up and since it will look nice he's going to do us a favor and replace the other flooring in the house too! He said if we weren't replacing the carpet already and painting beyond just white walls, he would just leave flooring in the kitchen and bathroom, but it will have to look nice like the rest of the house!
There is a part of the floor in the office that needs a new support put in and also a corner in the livingroom ceiling is bowing down like it is damaged. So one of the people there helping take out carpet today pushed up on it and said there was something heavy pushing down on it. (No worries, it will be fixed before we move in.) After our landlord left and we were working on prepping for painting more, we decided we wanted to see what was pushing down on the ceiling. So we looked up in the attic, fully expecting a simple crawlspace. Much to our surprise there is a room up there! So we are going to put in one of those attic ladder things and make it my craft/homework room! Max crawled up there to see what was pushing down on the ceiling because it was behind the wall and it turns out there is a large cast iron christmas tree stand up there! Not sitting on beams, just sitting on the insulation and sheetrock! It's a good thing that didn't fall through as it would cause even more serious damage!
Our landlord also said that there is a rock patio in the back against the house that the people didn't maintain so it's covered in weeds right now but they will be taking care of that. He also said we can replace it with brick when we want :-) Max said by next summer we will need to put an awning up which I am all for! The doggies will have lots of room to run and play and explore! We considered replacing the giant dog door with a smaller one because we don't feel secure with the current one since anyone could fit through it! But our neighbors across the street are old family friends and the husband today took the cardboard cover and tacked a piece of wood to it so it can't be opened from the outside! It also works out since with puppy raising you never quite know what size dog you'll end up with!
We went out and saw the golden retriever mix today but she has a hold on her so hopefully she gets to go home with her family soon! Max and I have decided that we will keep our eyes open for the right dog to join our family and it doesn't matter when that is. We just feel that Rizzo needs a friend since she is so bonded with Eva. So if we get another dog before Eva passes or after, it is fine either way.
So it looks like at this point that we will be moving in next weekend, we really hope!
Ok, I'm gonna head to bed.
There is a broken pipe under the walkway so it looks like that may have to come up anyway, which is good and bad news. Good news because I want it repaired/replaced anyway since it's slanted but bad news because it tacks on more time before we can move in. Tomorrow Max has a meeting all day for work so we won't be there tomorrow but the broken window should be fixed tomorrow and the kitchen and bathroom will be professionally cleaned. Hopefully this weekend or early next week we will go in and help prime the hosue and then paint all the rooms. Our landlord loves the colors we picked out! The livingroom, kitchen, laundry area and hallway will be mostly a beige color. The living room will have an accent wall of a green-ish brown that will also go in the bathroom (I think). Our room will be a green as well and the office will be a lighter green so that when we have to turn it into a nursery it will be gender neuteral but not to babyish for it to be Max's office for now.
I took the camera today but forgot that the memory card was sitting here at our apartment in my computer. Oops!
Our landlord said today that because we are helping out and putting custom paint up and since it will look nice he's going to do us a favor and replace the other flooring in the house too! He said if we weren't replacing the carpet already and painting beyond just white walls, he would just leave flooring in the kitchen and bathroom, but it will have to look nice like the rest of the house!
There is a part of the floor in the office that needs a new support put in and also a corner in the livingroom ceiling is bowing down like it is damaged. So one of the people there helping take out carpet today pushed up on it and said there was something heavy pushing down on it. (No worries, it will be fixed before we move in.) After our landlord left and we were working on prepping for painting more, we decided we wanted to see what was pushing down on the ceiling. So we looked up in the attic, fully expecting a simple crawlspace. Much to our surprise there is a room up there! So we are going to put in one of those attic ladder things and make it my craft/homework room! Max crawled up there to see what was pushing down on the ceiling because it was behind the wall and it turns out there is a large cast iron christmas tree stand up there! Not sitting on beams, just sitting on the insulation and sheetrock! It's a good thing that didn't fall through as it would cause even more serious damage!
Our landlord also said that there is a rock patio in the back against the house that the people didn't maintain so it's covered in weeds right now but they will be taking care of that. He also said we can replace it with brick when we want :-) Max said by next summer we will need to put an awning up which I am all for! The doggies will have lots of room to run and play and explore! We considered replacing the giant dog door with a smaller one because we don't feel secure with the current one since anyone could fit through it! But our neighbors across the street are old family friends and the husband today took the cardboard cover and tacked a piece of wood to it so it can't be opened from the outside! It also works out since with puppy raising you never quite know what size dog you'll end up with!
We went out and saw the golden retriever mix today but she has a hold on her so hopefully she gets to go home with her family soon! Max and I have decided that we will keep our eyes open for the right dog to join our family and it doesn't matter when that is. We just feel that Rizzo needs a friend since she is so bonded with Eva. So if we get another dog before Eva passes or after, it is fine either way.
So it looks like at this point that we will be moving in next weekend, we really hope!
Ok, I'm gonna head to bed.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Preparing to move
We got to go see the outside of the house today since the previous tenants are officially out. They really left the house a mess and it's gonna take a lot of work on our part to get the outside the way we want it. The inside of the house is pretty bad too, the carpet needs replaced, so while the carpet is out we are going to go meet our landlord at the house and help paint the colors we've chosen for the house! Here's a picture of the backyard from my cell phone today.
Don't worry about the fencing on the sides, it has chainlink fencing behind it. We're gonna see about taking it down or replacing it in the future. At this point, we will be tilling the backyard and planting grass seed next month once it cools down a bit. We will be putting in a small vegetable garden for next year and planting flowers and what not. There is a slight slope in the backyard so near the house where it is lower we will be putting in a brick patio to have a seating area and fire pit.
The people who lived there before us had a bull mastiff and a rott/dobie mix so there is a HUGE dog door in the side door. The fencing along the carport is just lattice and it looks like one of the dogs tried to get out so we're gonna have to make it "doxie" proof.
Beyond that, it'll be a lot of cleaning, weeding, raking, watering and just general care and attention to get teh yards where we want them. We would like to pain the exterior of the house (hopefully in October/November) and the front walkway and step is uneven and needs repaired/replaced. We'll see what our landlord wants to do about that or wants us to do about it. The driveway also needs a patch on one side so that the car goes down even.
I know it sounds like we are putting a lot of energy and work into a rental for no reason, but there is a good reason we are doing all of this. Our landlord is amazing and we don't want to have to switch landlords. We will stay here until our family outgrows the house or until we are in a position to buy a home, whichever comes first. We can have our dogs there and are looking into possibly fostering a golden retriever for Golden Bond golden retriever rescue that is at our local shelter. More on that later! It would be a great way for me to use my cravings for a new dog before our next PIT comes and I would be helping out dogs that need it. We're going to go meet her tomorrow and send up our foster application tomorrow as well if we choose not to adopt her. Max says he doesn't want to since he wants a pitbull but we'll see after we meet her!
Ok, I'm off to go do some more packing and hopefully talk Max into going to an event this weekend for the rescue group. It's the same rescue that rescued, placed and have real concern for Eva's brothers/nephews that were turned in. I would love for them to get a chance to meet Eva and for me to get to meet the people I spent lots of time on the phone with worrying about those little puppies.
The people who lived there before us had a bull mastiff and a rott/dobie mix so there is a HUGE dog door in the side door. The fencing along the carport is just lattice and it looks like one of the dogs tried to get out so we're gonna have to make it "doxie" proof.
Beyond that, it'll be a lot of cleaning, weeding, raking, watering and just general care and attention to get teh yards where we want them. We would like to pain the exterior of the house (hopefully in October/November) and the front walkway and step is uneven and needs repaired/replaced. We'll see what our landlord wants to do about that or wants us to do about it. The driveway also needs a patch on one side so that the car goes down even.
I know it sounds like we are putting a lot of energy and work into a rental for no reason, but there is a good reason we are doing all of this. Our landlord is amazing and we don't want to have to switch landlords. We will stay here until our family outgrows the house or until we are in a position to buy a home, whichever comes first. We can have our dogs there and are looking into possibly fostering a golden retriever for Golden Bond golden retriever rescue that is at our local shelter. More on that later! It would be a great way for me to use my cravings for a new dog before our next PIT comes and I would be helping out dogs that need it. We're going to go meet her tomorrow and send up our foster application tomorrow as well if we choose not to adopt her. Max says he doesn't want to since he wants a pitbull but we'll see after we meet her!
Ok, I'm off to go do some more packing and hopefully talk Max into going to an event this weekend for the rescue group. It's the same rescue that rescued, placed and have real concern for Eva's brothers/nephews that were turned in. I would love for them to get a chance to meet Eva and for me to get to meet the people I spent lots of time on the phone with worrying about those little puppies.
Monday, August 16, 2010
As Time Goes By
It just keeps going faster and faster! Eva is almost off house-arrest, let me tell you, Friday can't come soon enough! I'm dieing to get her out on some walks! Eva has been doing well, her weight seems to have stabalized (although it is still low for a healthy golden) and she had a nasty ear infection but with some daily cleanings and medication, it is clearing up. Her skin looks good at this point with no sores!
Rizzo just turned three years old on Saturday! I can't believe my little ugly doxling is three! Seems like just yesterday we were introduced to a 14 week old dapple doxie puppy named "Leann" and only a couple days later she came home with us. I love my baby girl and although she often times drives me bonkers, we are slowly teaching her manners and I really think that the upcoming move will help her settle down.
Charlie is now 16 months old and it looks like we'll be driving him down October 8-10, 2010. October 8 is the day he turns 18 months and since CST pups turn in at 18 months, it works out perfectly for us to take him down that weekend. Although it will be a very busy couple of weeks!
As far as moving, we drove by the new house today and it is a mess. The people were spossed to be out yesterday but there is boxes in the front yard, garbage and equipment in the carport and just stuff everywhere. Hopefully we'll be moving in next weekend though. Our landlord told us that he's going to have to replace the carpet and some other flooring and some cabinets and doors because the previous tenants dog was destructive.
Summer term is coming to a close and fall term starts in about 5 weeks. Max is very excited to start college and I'm excited to start the actual accounting program finally! Ok, I'm off to do homework. I'll leave you with a picture of Eva, Charlie and Galaxy playing the other night while she was visiting for a couple days.
Rizzo just turned three years old on Saturday! I can't believe my little ugly doxling is three! Seems like just yesterday we were introduced to a 14 week old dapple doxie puppy named "Leann" and only a couple days later she came home with us. I love my baby girl and although she often times drives me bonkers, we are slowly teaching her manners and I really think that the upcoming move will help her settle down.
Charlie is now 16 months old and it looks like we'll be driving him down October 8-10, 2010. October 8 is the day he turns 18 months and since CST pups turn in at 18 months, it works out perfectly for us to take him down that weekend. Although it will be a very busy couple of weeks!
As far as moving, we drove by the new house today and it is a mess. The people were spossed to be out yesterday but there is boxes in the front yard, garbage and equipment in the carport and just stuff everywhere. Hopefully we'll be moving in next weekend though. Our landlord told us that he's going to have to replace the carpet and some other flooring and some cabinets and doors because the previous tenants dog was destructive.
Summer term is coming to a close and fall term starts in about 5 weeks. Max is very excited to start college and I'm excited to start the actual accounting program finally! Ok, I'm off to do homework. I'll leave you with a picture of Eva, Charlie and Galaxy playing the other night while she was visiting for a couple days.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Under New Management!
This blog will be pretty quiet until things settle down as in we're done moving, Charlie returns for training, Eva gets out of heat, etc.
At this point we are just working on getting packed for the move, watching little Galaxy when she needs a puppy-sitter, loving on Eva and Charlie and have some plans in the works for a potential new (canine) member to join our family. I haven't heard back from her temporary home yet but we are hoping Maggie, an 8-year-old bi-colored (black and white) sheltie joins our family. Although I prefer male dogs, I always wanted a female sheltie and we are really wanting to rescue a doggie and she is the only referrance the Oregon sheltie rescues have at this pont. There are seldom shelties in rescue in Oregon, probably because it is a *rarer* breed and most people who buy/adopt shelties know what they are getting into. I was told of a 4-month-old pup and a litter of sheltie puppies, but I really really want to rescue an older dog. Once Eva passes, we will be looking for a sheltie more seriously (if things don't work out with Maggie) and we may end up buying an older pup from a breeder since a lot of times breeders sell pups that they kept for a potential show dog that grew pass the size restrictions. I don't want three pet dogs when we get a puppy but there is little chance that Eva will be here when we get a puppy, her body seems to be failing her little by little and she seems to be getting more and more uncomfortable. We are back to the drawing board to come up with a plan to keep her comfortable as long as possible as we really really want her to see her second birthday (Oct. 24). We are hoping a puppy will be in our home late 2010 or early 2011. News on Maggie and puppy will come on this blog or Eva's once we get some!
At this point we are just working on getting packed for the move, watching little Galaxy when she needs a puppy-sitter, loving on Eva and Charlie and have some plans in the works for a potential new (canine) member to join our family. I haven't heard back from her temporary home yet but we are hoping Maggie, an 8-year-old bi-colored (black and white) sheltie joins our family. Although I prefer male dogs, I always wanted a female sheltie and we are really wanting to rescue a doggie and she is the only referrance the Oregon sheltie rescues have at this pont. There are seldom shelties in rescue in Oregon, probably because it is a *rarer* breed and most people who buy/adopt shelties know what they are getting into. I was told of a 4-month-old pup and a litter of sheltie puppies, but I really really want to rescue an older dog. Once Eva passes, we will be looking for a sheltie more seriously (if things don't work out with Maggie) and we may end up buying an older pup from a breeder since a lot of times breeders sell pups that they kept for a potential show dog that grew pass the size restrictions. I don't want three pet dogs when we get a puppy but there is little chance that Eva will be here when we get a puppy, her body seems to be failing her little by little and she seems to be getting more and more uncomfortable. We are back to the drawing board to come up with a plan to keep her comfortable as long as possible as we really really want her to see her second birthday (Oct. 24). We are hoping a puppy will be in our home late 2010 or early 2011. News on Maggie and puppy will come on this blog or Eva's once we get some!
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