My friend said she noticed I haven't posted for a while and figured we must not be settled in our house yet. She hit the nail square on the head. This is NOT a joke: I have not completely unpacked a single box. That's right folks, we've lived here for almost 3 months and we're not settled. So Audra: congratulations on unpacking and feeling like you've been in your new place forever. Maryam: sorry your B-day card is STILL late. It'll be there before Christmas, I promise. I did actually buy one the week before your B-day.
But, we have good excuses!
A few weeks after we moved in we noticed that the kitchen sink was draining slowly. We stuck a drain king (high pressure attachment for hose) in there and tried to see if we could clear the line. Then water started dripping down the basement wall under the kitchen. Then the subfloor that we could see from the basement was wet under the kitchen. Then we determined that we would have to remove the cabinets to take care of the drain situation. So we did. We found where the pipe had broken in two places. Seemed a little strange for a drain pipe. So we put the drain king in the clean-out downstairs. After 30 seconds water started seeping up through the basement floor. This was a really special moment in our house owning experience. Roto Rooter wanted $6,000 to fix this problem. We fixed it our selves for under $500. And that $500 includes hiring 7 Mexican guys to cut and remove an 18 inch wide, 30 foot long hole in our basement floor. My husband is awesome.
Anyway, to go along with the drain issue, we had a moldy floor in the kitchen issue. So we got all that taken care of, along with removing the moldy cabinets. Much debating brought us to the conclusion that we might as well do our kitchen re-model now rather than wait. So, here we are, working on getting the last layer of flooring out of the kitchen (1975 asbestos filled linoleum) so we can start installing our new cabinets.
I'm so grateful that my husband doesn't mind working on stuff like this. The only thing we've had to hire someone to do was put in our new windows. So, the two of us (along with Ryan's dad sometimes...thanks Brent) have been able to get a lot done in the last few months. We did know we would have a lot to do to get the house in good shape, and we really don't mind the work. It's nice to have plenty of space, and know that it will all be how we want it...some day.
Lady Jane
12 years ago
4 comments:
Some pictures might tell a thousand words -- especially that 18 inches of solid sludge blocking the line in a rotted, falling apart 2" sewer line.
You guys are doing an awesome job -- and doing it right the first time willing to tackle the tough stuff. It's going to be great and we're going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving there -- and many other memories to come.
Last, all that with Ellen mimicking the gals from tool time (but getting a little dirtier) while being mom (with no kitchen, boy will that room be appreciated when done) to two rambunctious, curious little ones who still get stories read to them... while sewing our Elisha's wedding dress and dresses for three bridesmaids as well a something very beautiful for little Becky the flower girl...
So the blogging is missed, but you've been busy. You're doing great!
I'm impressed with what you ARE accomplishing. I'd be in tears with the drainage problems - though I'm thankful to have a handiman hubby, too. It was very nice to see your post, though. You know, Rachel can always come over on a weekend and watch the kids for a few hours while you guys work on stuff if you need her to. She can make it a service project. Just a thought. BTW, it was really nice running in to you. I miss seeing you at church.
You are so awesome Ellen! The only reason we are done is because Tim is a complete Nazi! He never stopped! I am not ashamed to admit that I just mostly sat and watched him work. I am sorry, I just didn't see the point in killing myself to get unpacked!!! But I didn't want to disappoint Tim either!!! And I didn't have a kitchen remodel to do! Although, we come home tonight to find a pipe of some kind burst in our front yard. Had to turn off the water to the whole house to get it to stop. We are spending the night at the in laws because we don't have any water!!
You married a fix-it guy. Congratulations!! I married a guy whose DAD is a fix-it guy, so I get fewer points.
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