let's revisit that timeline

Let's get right to the point: We are getting nervous that we are not going to make our May 31 deadline.

We really, really want to be in our slo house by the end of May, because we don't want to pay an extra month of rent. (The house we are currently living in is a rental.)

John made a schedule of what needs to be done in the next few weeks.

I'm not sure if you can see it clearly in the photos but it's:

• Electric
• Plumbing
• Roofing
• Stucco
• Insulation
• Sheetrock
• Flooring

Everything has to go in order, and therefore, one thing can screw up and stall everything that follows. It's the domino effect.

You can see from the calendar that we are cutting it close. A little too close for comfort.

I can't waste time and energy, worrying if we're going to make it or not. Right now, the 'strategy' is to push forward, and we'll decide our game plan on April 30th. April 30th because we need to tell our landlord if it's our last month or not.

As I've mentioned before, we don't anticipate being 100% finished by May 31st. We don't mind living in a work-in-progress, but we need to be at a certain stage where the house is *okay to occupy.*

I'll have more details on April 30th. Stay tuned...

shut the front door

Over the weekend, John got his stain on.  



french doors



On Monday, the contractors hung the front door, and John attached the hardware.



Gorgeous, no?

the DIY balance :: riding without training wheels

I began writing posts on finding the DIY balance because I felt like we were spending too much time on the renovations and not enough time doing family-things. ha! Now, between renovation projects and Little League, it has become a weekend challenge to squish in a little time for other things.

This weekend, the little one and I spent some time on the hard sand, learning to ride a bike without training wheels. Two 15-minute sessions, and she almost has it. I can't wait, because frankly, I'm pooped. Running back and forth across the sand, while stooping over, providing gentle support... yeah, I'm pooped. But we're almost there. I couldn't be more proud of her.

On another note, although I mentioned that we are now proud owners of an Airstream trailer, I have yet to post photos of the beauty. Why? Because I haven't been able to get good photos of her.

The previous owners cleared most of their belongings out, but they left a few things behind: spices, a few plates, glasses,... They also left behind pillows and bedding. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll keep the salt & pepper, but the bedding is gone.

I hope to get some good shots of the Airstream when we take it camping for the first time, Easter weekend. For now, the above image will have to do.

By the way, I would welcome any and all tips you have for trailer-camping! Please share...

This post has been shared with The Good Life Wednesday linky party at A Beach Cottage.

throw out 50 things :: items 11 - 16

I made some progress with the 50 Thing Challenge this week.

Item #11
Decor from when I used to stage homes. This was the last stuff I used to stage my own home.
-- saving for garage sale

Item #12
A whole lotta chick lit
-- planning on trading it in at the used bookstore

Item #13
John's old clothing
-- donated to Goodwill

Item #14
John's collection of what??!
-- recycled

Item #15
John's old socks
-- donated to Goodwill

Item #16
Bag full of 4's old clothing
-- donated to Goodwill







How about you? Have you managed to get rid of a few things this week?

a referral :: door maker

unstained

We were inspired by the front doors made at Urban Front, so we had a similar one made locally.

We were extremely happy with our door maker, and we highly recommend him to anyone in the area. He was professional, highly-skilled, and had reasonable prices.

His contact information is
John Alvarado
(805) 235-1411
Los Osos, California




He also made our french doors.



inspiration :: a mash up

Since the very beginning of the renovation process, I have been asked what 'style' we are going for. Are we going for a 'Pottery Barn aesthetic'? Shabby chic? What? This is my best attempt, via a post, to show what 'style' we are trying to achieve.

The following is a mash-up (hello Glee fans!) of all our inspiration photos and images. They are a good representation of 'the look' that we are going for.

Click on the links to read the full post. 



a new front door

read full post



a new perimeter

read full post


window seat + lighting

read full post


a new kind of dining room table

read full post


Do you get a sense for our style?

framing :: they took the wall down

Last week, the contractors took the wall down that separates the new part of the house from the original house structure.



the view from the front door

Just a few months ago, it looked like this.

I believe that the contractor is 99% finished with the framing. John has a few extra things for him to do around the house, mainly leveling the floors. Other things on the To Do list are:

• electrical + plumbing
• hang doors and windows
• insulation + sheet rock
• wood flooring throughout

And oh yeah... we're on a bit of a timeline, with 57 days to go.