Has it really been nearly a month???

Goodness gracious, I can't believe it. It's literally been nearly a month since I last posted. Sorry to those of you who actually read my blog. So many things have happened, so many that it would probably take about a gazillion posts to explain it all. So I'll just skim the surface.

Our house is just about done. We're ready to start putting the interior walls in. We've got all the insulation we need, that's exciting. Chance seems to think that we'll be done in a couple of months. That's even more exciting. {actually it makes me giddy to think about it.} I'm more ready than you can possible imagine to cook in my own kitchen, to do laundry in my own washer, to sleep in my own room, to be able to sit on my couch, in my living room. I could go on for days, but I won't.

I've been having some unexplained health issues lately. The "ever-capable" doctors of our town have no idea what's going on. I've had 4 full blood work panels, an ultrasound on my gallbladder, and a HIDA scan. Next on the agenda are a 2-d echo, and a stress test. I'll let you know the results as soon as we figure out what the heck is going on.

As you may or may not have seen in my last post; I'm a complete Twilight nerd now. I've read all the books, including the first 12 chapters of Midnight Sun {posted here.} I was so addicted that I read all four books in four days. I'm actually re-reading them because I went through them so quickly the first time that they all kind of blurred together. I'm on my second round with New Moon as we speak. I bought the movie on Blu-ray, and I think I've watched it at least 50 times. I'm not exaggerating. And I can't seem to take the soundtrack out of my car stereo to save my life. I'm not entirely positive that I can wait until November. To all of you women out there who I criticized for your love of the books, I owe you one heck of an apology.

I bought this fabulous pillow from an even more fabulous woman. I love it. I can't wait to see it in the house! Isn't it perfect??

My best friend graduated in May from WKU. We're so proud of her.

My little sister also graduated in May from high school. I'm so excited for her that it's probably unhealthy.

Chance is still un-employed, and it's starting to get to me. He's trying very hard, I know, but it's just so frustrating.

No fun.

No fun for me today, it's a gross rainy day. I hate rain! Tyler, who is usually game for anything, doesn't enjoy this weather either; he doesn't like to get wet. Breaking news on the house: Chance went and picked up our heating and air conditioning unit last night {in the pooring rain, it took him 4 hours to make a 2 hour trip.} It was a craigslist find, we got it for like $350.00. I was amazed. Chance checked it and everything is in working order. So now we just need to go to Lowes {our second home}, buy the tub, toilet, and the sink for upstairs and we'll have everything we need for the next step in this process- plumbing! I rearranged all of our boxes yeaterday, pulled out what I wanted to put in the half bath downstairs, and kind of re-prioritized things. I'm seeing a massive upload to eBay in my very near future! I don't know where all that stuff came from, and that's what it is-- STUFF. How do two people accumulate so much??

Never a dull moment.

To say the least we had a very interesting day yesterday. I should have known I just needed to go back to bed when it began. As always I started my day off with a sit down at the good ole' computer. So I sat there minding my own business, quietly stalking everyone on my google reader. When the silence is abruptly punctured with a series of very loud thumps, followed immediately by the sound of a little girl screaming "Nik" {I later found that little girl to be my husband, Chance.} Of course I shot out of my chair and rushed over to my dog lying at the bottom of a very steep flight of stairs. He was unable to stand up and didn't have any control over his own body. Then all of the muscles in his body tightened and he completely locked up, he was splayed out across the floor, Chance and I completely paralyzed in our fear. He began to drool all over the place and stumbled in a feeble attempt to walk. We immediately called the Dr. Everett {We might as well have him on speed dial.} He told us that Nik had a seizure and that there was no need to bring him in, unless he had another one. That was just the beginning. A few hours later in the middle of the wind storm we were having yesterday, the shingles on my brand new roof began flying off. Luckily the contractor was coming today anyway to take a look at what had been completed, since he hadn't been here since the groundbreaking. But that's a blog for another day. In Chance's walk through of things we still want done, things we want fixed and things that should have never happended {the workers left soda cans and candy wrappers all over the place} Chance discovered that one of our doorways in 32" across at the top and 34" across at the bottom. How do you not notice that when your putting up a 2/4 that it's completely diagonal???

In happier news, we now have electricity. And I have a new shiny garage door opener for my car!

An apology.

Dear Mr. Construction Worker,

Hello, my name is Sarah Bendel. I owe you an apology. Sit down, because I don't do this often. I'm very sorry that I wrote such nasty things about you last week, I was wrong. Because as it turns out you came the very next day! And my hopeful concrete slab turned in just a week and a half into a home, of course there are no interior walls, no electricity, and only half of the siding is up. But I am so thankful for that little (I guess it's not so little anymore) beackon of hope everything I look out the window. It's beautiful. Thank you so much for the gorgeous front door, with those pretty windows on either side I asked you for. Boy did you deliver mister! Who knew that something as simple as a front door could be so beautiful. OOh, and you put in my windows too, they're so nice. I have to confess that I may or may not have gone back there and opened one of the windows, just to day I did it. It made me very happy. I can't wait to see the roofing company come next week and for the rest of the siding to be put up. Then the fun starts. Working on the interior, and even though Chance want's to do that on his own, I'm pretty sure that you'll only be a phone call away if I need you. Please accept my sincere apology for writing such nasty things about you, and saying even nastier things. I'm so sorry. Maybe I'll bake you some cookies to show my appreciation, eh maybe not.

My sincerest apologies,
Mrs. Bendel

Should have known.. part 2

Of course, the contractor and his employees never showed.

So we {and by we I mean Chance} called to find out where they were.

No answer.

Never returned our call.

I'm angry to say the least.

How can you run a business like that?

The same contractor did work on our neighbor's house and they didn't have any problems. But with our house he has done nothing but drag his feet.

Already, they have procrastinated over a month. They were supposed to start in November; we see where that got us.

Should have known.

11:39 am and no utility trucks in our driveway. I thought something might be off yesterday when a local lumber company {who was supposed to deliver all the supplies} only left the glue and nails - no lumber. That being said, it's raining. The contractor has backed out everytime when it has rained. He's never called and told us they wouldn't be coming, just didn't show {frustrating to say the least.} Maybe he's made of sugar and will melt if he gets wet, maybe. I don't think I've ever endured something as aggravating as this process has been. I can't imagine taking a deposit {a rather large deposit I might add} from someone, telling them you would report for work on certain days, not showing, and not keeping them in the loop. As if it's not stressful enough living with Chance's parents during this process, but getting the run-around from the contractor just adds insult to injury. So for now I have one very expensive concrete slab. Oh, and 65 tons of red gravel.

I'm soooo excited!!

They're starting construction tomorrow!
We spoke with the contractor this morning.
They're dropping off the supplies this afternoon.


I'm so excited. Words cannot express how anxious I am to be able to decorate my own place. I've been tinkering with my mother-in-laws, moving her things around almost daily. But nothing replaces making something completely your own. I've been searching the web for months now gathering ideas an color schemes. I thought I'd share some of my favorites.

Many thanks to the Nester for all of her wonderful ideas. (Many of the photos came from her blog.)

Da Da Dum...

The ever feared, anticipated, planned for, maybe prepared for BRIDAL CHRISTMAS is upon us. To clarify for you we at the shop define bridal christmas as: the first quarter of the year when ridiculously huge masses of girls get engaged over the holidays and then they {and by they I mean their consultant - me} try to get their wedding planned by the pending date of her choice, usually May or June. That all sounds great right? Loads of people to sell wedding gowns to, but there's a catch; sometimes it takes up to 8 or 10 or 15 or even 30 weeks to get dresses in and we get 5 months to prepare the bride for the big day. It's interesting. So the dreadful bridal christmas is here, it starts today actually. I know I'll handle it just fine {I've done it for a couple of years.} what I'm concerned about is the 3 constultants that we have who've never seen a busy day. Pray for us.. pray for ME!!

In other news, I hear that beautiful sound again. More gravel. Yay for driveways!!

The most beautiful sound in the world.

And it's right outside my window RIGHT now. It's the sound of progress, gigantic trucks with only God knows how many pounds of rock coming to lay the foundation of our driveway. They've already dug the perimeter and are now laying the red gravel {they'll then lay the white gravel on top of that, followed by the black top.} We discussed for the gazillionth time last night how we're going to layout the laundry room, we've yet to completely agree. I'm pretty sure since I'm the one that will be doing the laundry- I'll be the one to win. We do however agree on one thing- the closet. I'm super excited about my closet, it's going to be huge. Actual construction should restart on Monday weather permitting. We shall see.

Stalled...

We have a concrete slab. With pipes coming out of it. That's it. For 2 weeks.

Aggravating? Yes.

Here's why: Our contractor is vacationing in New Mexico. Two of his workers were in a car accident, one of which is in a coma (we are praying for his recovery.) Weather, lovely December weather. The holidays.

The good news: They will be starting work again Jan. 5, 2009. Two crews will be working on our home, instead of just one. The work should be done in half the time.

The reality: Chance isn't at all happy, and says that he refuses to pay the full amout that we agreed on since it's taking longer than promised. That'll save some money. Maybe I can get a better bathtub, maybe one with a whirlpool. I know I'm dreaming.

In happier news, I've chosen colors, cabinets, flooring and countertops - and I LOVE them!

Breaking news....

As I type this right now, I can hear the sound of progess outside.

The footer is done, the plumber has laid his pipes, the termite guy has sprayed and pretreated and then sprayed again. And now ladies and gentleman... I give to you CONCRETE.
They are pouring the concrete slab and the driveway. Hopefully they will get done before the rain starts (there's a 70% chance of rain today) because it's supposed to rain all week.

Pictures to follow later, God Bless.

Two guesses...

Any idea? It's a footer. Webster says that a footer is: a basis or foundation. Chance has had to explain all these silly construction terms to me about 9 gazillion times. I know, it's pathetic. They cut the footers on Tuesday. Now we're waiting on the termite inspector to pre-treat the area and the plumber to do his "thing" whatever that may be. Then on Monday the contractor will be back to poor the concrete slab. It's so exciting now that we can see the process in front of our eyes, instead of just on paper and in our heads.

Our home:

In recent news...

A few updates on what's going on with our latest adventure. We met with the contractor last night and signed the papers. We met at the court house this morning to get our building permit. The contractor will have the footers cut in a week and at that point the termite inspector (to pre-treat the wood) and the plumber will come out. Then next Monday they will pour the concrete slab. This is all happening so quickly which is wonderful, but a bit overwhelming.

Please keep us in your prayers as we go through this process.

Our newest adventure...

This should be interesting.