New And Improved Cute Little Farm House...

Now With Door Bell.

Yes, that's right, we you visit us you can now ring the doorbell and we will answer if home. Well, if we are home and want to see you that is. Just kidding!

Yes, it's been a hardship not having a doorbell in a house that is 3x as long as many of the houses around here. More than once I've been up in the laundry room and caught the glimpse of a car driving out of the drive way. Which is a disappointment. Though, if I was logical about it I would realize that the car was probably a vacuum salesman or something. Everyone we know knows the door bell doesn't work and walks right in and yells up the stairs.

The actual door bells and wiring have been installed for quite awhile now. The problem was I couldn't find a door bell I liked. I was briefly excited when Rejuvenation came out with door bells, but none of them really tipped my trigger either. So I asked the electrician if we could just install the insides of one and I'd build a box to go over it (You should have seen the face of my electrician when I was telling him this, you could tell he was thinking, "I sure am glad I'm not married to you!"). Which he did. So now I just have to go see my step-dad about getting something made. He has a woodworking shop and a carving machine that I think I might use. Although it might take me a while to decided on a pattern!

Along with the doorbell we now have the downstairs bathroom, dining room, and all the upstairs wired. They even put the fan and ceiling fixture in the downstairs bathroom for me. They offered to put the wall sconce in too, but I explained to him that I hadn't found one I liked. And at this point I think his wife owes me for showing how difficult "some women" can be.

Downstairs Bathroom Faucet Arrives

That last post was so boring that I had to add another one today since we got the faucet for the downstairs bathroom.

It's a story of how houseblogging saved the day once again. The sink above was in the house when we bought it. Not actually attached to a wall, but just lying on the floor. I really liked it. Tim says because it is square and I have a affinity for all things square.

The only problem was Tim wasn't happy with the old faucet and your normal big box store faucet wasn't going to cut it with the openings it had. So one day I was reading a post over at House In Progress about their bathroom. I clicked on their link to Chicago Faucets just for fun and just happened to run across the link to our new faucet. It's apparently called a shelf and angle back lavatory faucet. Who knew? So now the sink is a go.

Thank you Aaron and Jeanne!

Punch List Revisited

Back in 2006 I made punch lists to go along with my anniversary posts. Now I am setting up the nifty project tracker bars on Houseblogs so I need to revisit those lists. Would you care to join me? Note: It ain't gonna be pretty.

Exterior:

• new roof -major leaks have been replaced
  install peak shingles
  touch up paint
  re-do north porch
  fill animal hole
  build stairs
  install trim work on porch bottoms -DONE, see post
  landscaping -started, see post, and post
  finish siding
  screen doors -two purchased and partially installed

Kitchen:

• refinish windows
  refinish doors
  clean up door hardware
  seal doors
  hang curtains -done

Pantry:

• refinish window
  install door hardware
  hang curtain -done

Dining Room:

• install trim
  fill nail holes
  refinish windows
  find swinging door hardware
  clean-up door hardware
  prime and paint
  refinish floor
  install light fixture
  hang curtains
  install outlets

Downstairs Bathroom:

• install trim -done
  fill nail holes
  refinish window -done
  refinish doors -they are refinished, but not hung
• clean up door hardware
  purchase and install light fixture
  install wall tile -just some touch-up work to do here
  install outlets

Foyer:

• prime and paint stairwell
  install trim -about 75% finished
  fill nail holes
  seal window/build storm -ended up buying a storm
  clean up door hardware
  wall paper
  order door chimes
  refinish exterior door

Living Room:

• install trim -done, see post
  fill nail holes
  seal windows/make storm -ended up buying a storm
  refinish exterior door
  clean-up door hardware
  wall paper -done, see post
  install light fixture

Master Bedroom:

• fill nail holes
  refinish windows
  refinish doors
  clean-up door hardware
  touch up paint

Master Bathroom:

• order curtain
  install missing trim
  fill nail holes
  refinish windows
  refinish door
  clean-up door hardware
  touch up paint
  attach shower plate

Laundry Room:

• install missing trim
  fill nail holes
  refinish window
  refinish door
  clean-up door hardware
  touch up paint

The Girl's Room:

• fill nail holes
  refinish windows
  refinish doors -all that is left is the closet door
  clean-up door hardware
  touch up paint
  install light in closet
  install outlets

Guest Bathroom:

• install missing trim
  fill nail holes
  refinish window
  refinish door
  clean-up door hardware
  touch up paint
  fix shower head

Up-stairs Hallway:

• refinish windows
  refinish doors
  clean-up door hardware
  install missing trim
  fill nail holes
  touch up paint
  install outlets
  install register

Guest Bedroom:

• refinish window
  refinish doors
  clean-up door hardware
  install missing trim
  fill nail holes
  touch up paint
  install outlets

Hobby Room:

• refinish window
  refinish doors
  clean-up door hardware
  install light fixture
  touch-up paint
  install outlets

Back Stairwell:

• patch walls
  prime and paint
  install light fixtures
  install outlets
  install missing trim
  refinish stairs
  fill nail holes

Mudroom:

• refinish doors -all that's left is the exterior door
  clean-up door hardware
  install shelves
  install sink

Office:

• install threshold plate -it is purchased
  hang curtain -DONE
  clean-up door hardware

And of course the past couple of years have added more projects to these lists. However, if you look at the big picture, compare what we've done with what we have left, like I have when doing my project tracker it doesn't seem quite as bad.

Is Privacy Over Rated?

So I was catching up on some blogs and I noticed Greg over at the Perch house put a "deadbolt type lock" on his bathroom door. That got me thinking. Should I have locks on my bathroom doors? People who have visited is that a concern? Did you leave saying to yourself, "Gee, I'm going to remember to use the bathroom before I get to her house next time." Just the thought of this leaves me slightly panicked and embarrassed. What would Martha say?

I grew up in a farm house with one bathroom that was directly off the kitchen. I remember brushing my teeth in front of company, and it never even occurred to me to be embarrassed that someone might hear me pee. The door did kind of have a lock on it. A hook and ring sort of deal that was about six foot off the ground. Most of my time living there I wasn't tall enough to even reach it.

So in the spirit of democracy here's a poll for everyone out there with a burning desire to make your opinion known (i.e. the four people who still read the blog since I've stopped posting so often: Doug, Em, my mother, and my crazy sister Mary).

Do we need locks on our bathroom doors?
	No, I'm a risk taking dare-devil.
	Yes, I'm a nervous prude.
	Don't care, just get the stinking down staris bathroom done so you have something better to blog about.
Free polls from Pollhost.com

On Eating and Toilets

The offical due date has now been decided. July 30th at 7:30 AM. I've been taking my mind off the fact that they are once again going to slice me open and for a while my guts will be outside of my body (OK maybe it's not so off my mind- if you can think of anything better for me to obsess over right now I'm VERY open to suggestions) by reading a really cool book Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma.

It's about the food chain and it gives you tons of things to think about. What really hit me is the sustainable ag farmer he followed said that it's not about starting a movement, but giving people who want a choice that choice. You need to read this book! And if you do and want to see a local couple's attempt at keeping things local visit Tim's cousin's web site- Sugar Creek Farm.

And on a related note, what goes in must come out.

This afternoon we went toilet shopping. We had actually been before and picked out which toilet we wanted for the downstairs bathroom. Unfortunately that toilet was $600+ dollars and now that we are a one income family that wasn't going to fly. So back we went.

Kohler's Iron Works Tellieur elongated toilet

I really wanted a Kohler. That's what we have in our master bathroom and I'm really happy with it. I don't remember what brand we have in the guest bathroom upstairs, but it's a dud. So I think this is what we are going to settle with. Although it's always hard to say until the thing is purchased and sometimes you still can't say even when it's in place.

Kohler's Devonshire elongated toilet

And to make mom happy (and maintain the plumbing theme) here's Molly a couple of months back helping load the dishwasher. She's so helpful it's annoying.

Downstairs Bathroom Update

So here are photos of what the down stairs bathroom currently looks like. You'll notice that it did not get finished by Molly's birth or even her first birthday. No one is surprised.

We had the tub refinished. Unfortunately, I cannot find any before pictures, but trust me those of you who didn't see it. It was bad. The little spots you see now are lady bugs. 8 months pregnant=don't bend unless absolutely necessary.

We are very happy with how it turned out and would recommend it to others. But in the back of my mind there is still that little voice that reminds me of the horror stories I've heard about it all falling off one year later. So maybe I will wait a few more months before singing its praises. I am no longer the optimistic/trusting person I was four years ago because of certain run-ins with contractors on this house (can't talk about it yet-should be resolved soon though -sigh-).

Houseblogging- Dangerous to the Wallet

So not only have I not really posted since Molly was born, I hadn't really read the post of my favorite bloggers either. So I am trying desperately to catch up on their lives (note: only 56 more pages w/20 entries per page -sigh-). And to make matters worse since I have dial up and it takes forever for a page to load I'm searching some of the "new" blogs. I just found Bare Hill Barn House, and am excited to start that one because as a little girl I always thought it would be cool to fix an old barn up into a house.

On page 56 I came across an entry by Kristin at 1902 Victorian: Criminal for Hire. WHY!!! Why must I learn things like this exist? Why must I have such excellent taste? Why don't I have a money tree? Why, why, why?

I know I haven't gotten around to posting the progress on the downstairs bathroom, but our next step is finding a toilet.

Isn't it beautiful!

Three Year Anniversary - the Downstairs Bathroom

March 2003

March 2004

March 2005

March 2006

Punch List:

• install trim
• fill nail holes
• refinish window
• refinish doors
• clean up door hardware
• purchase and install light fixture
• install wall tile
• install outlets

Three Year Anniversary - the Master Bathroom

March 2003

March 2004

March 2005

March 2006

Punch List:

• order curtian
• install missing trim
• fill nail holes
• refinish windows
• refinish door
• clean-up door hardware
• touch up paint
• attach shower plate

Three Year Anniversary - the Guest Bathroom

March 2003

March 2004

March 2005

March 2006

Punch List:

• install missing trim
• fill nail holes
• refinish window
• refinish door
• clean-up door hardware
• touch up paint
• fix shower head

Down Stairs Bathroom Woodwork is Up

Dale has the woodwork that is going back (we are making new baseboard out of tile for most of the room) in place and now we just have to bite the bullet and start the wall tileing job. We've done lots of tileing projects in our illustrious house careers.

It all started back in the little bungalow in Waverly (yes, I need to get pictures posted someday of that cute little house) with a marble tile insert in front of the fire place. We thought it was the greatest tile job in the world. In hind sight it was pretty crappy. The tiles were very un-level and we cheated here and there with a little black caulk. Now with our final project of the down stairs bathroom floor you couldn't tell it from a professional job if I do say so myself. Ask Tim, I'm VERY critical. It's level, no gaps, and no cheating with caulk. Yes, as much as Tim HATES tileing he's become pretty damn good at it.

Still, the thought of tileing on a vertical plane is kind of daunting.

More Tiny Tiling

Here's the tile boarder of the downstairs bath.

Next is the grout.

After spending roughly 45 minutes in the Lowes grout isle contemplating grout color we've decided to go with white. I'm very leary. I'm picturing myself Cinderella style on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor.

So I hear by institute House Rule #1: Absolutely NO shoes in the downstairs bathroom.

Tiling Tiny Tiles

Here's Tim starting to lay the tiny tiles for our down stairs bathroom floor. Don't worry, he didn't do the whole floor at that funny angle. I made him turn for the picture to avoid a butt-crack shot.

Don't ask what the rolling pin is for. I don't know and it's probably a trade secret that's better left a secret. How much you want to bet my next batch of cookies will have a funny crunch to them :)

The Downstairs Bathroom Floor (Kind Of)

Here's the floor for the downstairs bathroom. It's cut out and ready to be installed.
The black tiles in the corners will be a boarder that runs along the entire white cut out section.

It's Not Pink

My lovely mom read the post about the lack of progress in the downstairs bathroom and volunteered to come over and paint it for us.

I had been gushing about the lovely pink color I picked out to everyone for weeks.
But it turns out it's not pink.

We don't really know what color it is. It's not really an orange or tan. Or a purple or blue. And it's definitely not pink.

Tim loves it. He thinks it's a very Victorian color. I'm just disappointed. I had really gotten my hopes up for this pink.

Please Dear

Reverse psychology has always worked well with Tim. Unfortunately I forgot to use it this time.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY want the downstairs bathroom finished by the time the baby comes.

I plan on putting a changing table in here one the one long unused wall. Also, once the kid gets big enough that bath time on the kitchen counter is no longer feasible I'm going to have to break down an kneel in front of a tub. This tub would be so much easier to deal with than the clawfoot upstairs.

I made the mistake of explaining this to my husband. Who was at the time trying to decide what project to do next. After that discussion he cleared out the room and got the tile board on the floor.

Then it happened. He decided that the living room was much more of a priority. And so here the poor bathroom sits with out even a coat of primer for modesty.

Tim if you read this I really would like you to wait until hell freezes over to finish that down stairs bathroom. Please.

Happy Birthday, to Me

There's a charged battery in the camera (thanks mom!) so check out my surprises from my lovely husband.
I just finished hanging these. I can now actually hang coats in the coat room.
And now Tim's hats have their own place so I don't have to find them in the bathtub anymore.
Here's a close up of the hooks. They are numbered 1 to 6 and each number has a different color. I got two sets for a total of 12 hooks, one set for each wall.
This is my other present. A vanity for the master bathroom to hold all of my treasures.

This caught my eye in the September issue of Country Home. It is tile wainscot. We had planned on using subway tile for the bathroom downstairs, but this is an intriguing new option.

I love the way it looks, but I worry that once I get it up it will look to modern for my tastes.

I visited the web site in the magazine, http://www.klaffs.com/, but couldn't find any information on this specific tile type. The blurb in the magazine says it's $92 for the three tile section (8 in. wide x 45 in. tall).

Our First Overnight Guest

Ok, so technically Tim's sister Angie stayed with us for a few days a year ago. But that didn't count because she had to sleep on a mattress on the floor of our bedroom.

There's a bug run here in northern Iowa so one of Tim's spraying buddies stayed with us Tuesday night. I wasn't really expecting him so I was completely freaked out by the little things:

• He's a tall guy so the smaller more comfortable guest room bed wasn't an option. I haven't wanted to pony up the money for a feather bed topper yet so he was forced to sleep on the piece of plywood that someone tired to pass off as a mattress. Oh, that got the guilt running.
• Both the guest bedroom and bathroom had doors, but neither had handles. I managed to quick run upstairs and get a handle on the bathroom before he headed to bed, but there still isn't one on the bedroom.
• There are no plug-ins in the guest bathroom or bedroom. In fact, there isn't even a working light fixture in the guest bath. We had to plug in one of those floor lamps so he could shower.
• We have no TV/place you can sit and relax. At first he was kind of concerned it was a religious thing, but we explained to him that we actually do own a TV we just can't get to it/hook it up anywhere.
• And of course the ever present over friendly house cats. Norm took up residence on the bed and wasn't going to move. I had to go drag him out only to find Oliver sneakily hidden under the bed.

He was very nice about the lack of decent hospitality and even convincingly said that the bed was comfortable. But I know that Martha would not be impressed.

Spent A Little Quality Time with the House Plants Yesterday

First the Linda plant got a larger home to accommodate her ever growing roots. She had gotten pretty cramped in that little plastic container she was in.

My mom figures she'll go crazy and grow to the ceiling. I have a plan for just that event. I'll just get a couple of song birds to set up house in her branches and spend my evenings soaking in the tub under the Linda plant listening to the music.










This huge planter was from my grandfather's funeral. I was the one that ended up with it because I was the only one with a house large enough to keep the beast.

Originally it had the two types of ivy, the Lilly below, and a couple of outdoor flowers. The flowers died last fall and slowly the ivy had taken over. It's incredible... I've never had luck with ivy before and I can't keep up with the stuff in this pot.

So instead of letting it lay in a dejected heap on the floor I bought this obelisk to train it up on. Eventually I'll move it downstairs to one of the bigger rooms.

I just didn't know what else to do with it.




This Lilly was originally in with the ivy. Isn't the pot the cutest thing ever! It was painted by Tim's aunt Mary and she gave it to me for a shower present. It's just one of those things that makes you smile every time you see it.