23
Oct, 13

Temporarily Without Internet

I have so much to share on the last and final week of the building process, but we won’t be able to get internet, cable or phone until Oct. 30th.  That was the soonest that Comcast could get us in.  So, I will be sharing the {Life Lately} Week 25 post next week when I can upload my photos to the blog.  Until then, I’ll be busy unpacking and trying to get settled.  I can’t wait to get my studio space in working condition.  Especially since my mom and I have a craft show coming up in about two weeks!  After I get the kitchen and our closet situated, I’ll focus on my studio so that I can get in there and work, work, work.  I have so many fun DIY projects and posts to share once most things are in order.  Have a great week and I’ll see you on Instagram, Twitter, FB and Pinterest (through my iPhone – since I’ll have no internet) until then!

16
Oct, 13

{Life Lately} Week 24

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This week Ron was in Pagosa Springs, so I took my family to see the final touches on the house before we close on Friday.  Friday night I took my mom and one of my brothers to see the inside.  Then on Sunday I took my dad and my youngest brother to see the outside (as it was locked).  It was so helpful to have my family look at it and find little things that I had over-looked.  There were a few windows and things that needed to be sealed better.  Our representative assured us that these things will be taken care of by closing.  They also plan to have our landscaping in, too.  I wasn’t able to go inside this Sunday, because they had it all locked up, but that allowed my dad to focus on the exterior details.  He’s a painter by trade, so he knows what to look for.  I’m so blessed to have such a supportive family.  Anyhoo, here are a few photos from week 24.

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Our baby tree in the front yard is in.

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Our AC unit is in and they still need to fix that window well… looks like someone ran over it with the Bob Cat.  Eep!

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My dad pointing out a few things.

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This Saturday we have so many of our family and friends that will be helping us move our things from my parents’ and from both of our storage units (which are of course at separate locations – sheesh).  Then, this Sunday will mark week 25 (the final week of this adventure) and we will officially be moved in to our new home!

 

 

09
Oct, 13

{Life Lately} Week 23

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Week 23 has brought us the most change in the shortest amount of time.  The crew is really wrapping things up, and quickly!  Monday, Ron and I met with our amazing contractor and he did the final walk-through of the house with our Realtor and us.  He explained how everything worked, from the furnace to the care of the granite countertops.  We also went through each room with red, green and blue dots to mark what needed to be touched up by the carpenters, drywallers and painters.  This step really made me very appreciative of the time and care that the contractor and his crew put into our new home.  It showed that they wanted to make it perfect for the day that we move in.

What day is that you ask?!  We close on Friday October 18th at 11am (squeal)!!!  We’re beyond excited to finally see everything in its place.  After all is said and done, this whole process will take 25 weeks to complete.  That’s a long time, but well worth the wait.  I really want to thank my parents for being so supportive in this process.  My dad opened up his home to us and our three fur babies for 25 weeks!  I don’t know how he could stand having us that long, but he made us feel welcome the whole time.  My mom was so kind to let us store a lot of our stuff in her garage and on the side of her house.  I’m sure it was in the way, but she never complained!  This process would have been very unpleasant without the both of them there to support us.  Thank you beyond words!

Below are some photos that I snapped during our final walk-through.  Enjoy!

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Moving day is coming!  I’ll be taking more photos this coming Sunday.  We hope to see the landscaping put in this week and that might be the only other change that we really see.  P.S. I love how the new iPhone 5s takes better photos when the camera is switched to face you, however this photo of me could have been fuzzier and I wouldn’t have minded… hahaha

26
Jul, 13

Big things are brewing for the Roblin’s

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For the past month now, I’ve been working on a new project for my Roblin’s.  I’ve been working so hard, that I filled up my last idea book, so I had to go to the store and buy a new one last night.  I’m really excited about this project and want to share more, but I need to wait.  I need to wait until it all comes together.  It will be wrapped up and ready to roll this Fall, so I’ll update you along the way.  Until then, I’ll keep working hard.

On another note, the house is still progressing.  I’m excited to see what’s new this Sunday, and don’t worry, I’ll be sure to share!  I’m curious what’ll be next.  Will the outside be close to done, or will they have focused their efforts inside?  The excitement is almost too much to handle!

22
Jul, 13

{Life Lately} week 12

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It’s week 12 of the build already.  Things are continuing to progress at a steady rate.  This week we were able to see the moisture barrier and siding go up, as well as the electrical casings.  So, we are able to visualize where each light switch and outlet will be.  This phase and the next are where our pictures will come in handy for future reference, because we’ll know where every stud is and where the wires are running.  It’s just a good thing to know.

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This is my view from the Kitchen nook looking towards the front entry.

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The secondary bathroom upstairs already has the tub installed, so I imagine that the plumbing will follow here in the next few weeks.  Our jacuzzi tub and shower are also installed in the master bath!  I can’t wait!

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Gotta love my braces in this photo.  That’s also a work in progress!  haha  As always, thanks for sharing in this adventure with us.

01
Jul, 13

{Life Lately} week 9

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This past Saturday we ventured over to Arizona Tile in Denver to pick out our granite slabs for our countertops.  What an adventure!  Their warehouse is huge, complete with a breathtaking gallery and massive warehouse that extends out to a huge courtyard.  I’ve never seen anything quite like it.  We had to wear cute little hard hats for safety reasons, but I have to admit, if one of those slabs fell on me – well, let’s just say that I would need more than a hard-hat.  Eek!  We chose the Barcelona because the coloring and pattern was clean and even.  It’s going to look wonderful paired with our dark espresso cabinets and floors.

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After we chose our granite countertops, we grabbed some lunch, ran a few errands and then went to go see the progress of the house.  We usually go on Sundays, but after leaving Arizona Tile, we were just too excited to wait!  The top story is framed and more walls are starting to take shape.  I found our front door in the garage, and hope to see it up soon!  I forgot what color it’ll be painted, but I don’t think it will stay that tan color.  It also looks like they plan to put in the staircases this week, too, so I look forward to see that!

 

27
Jun, 13

{Life Lately} Week 8

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This is our future staircase… a bit dangerous at the moment, but it should be in soon.  I’m hoping by this week.
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And the pantry is located perfectly in the corner of our kitchen.  I’m so excited to stock it up for the winter!
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Here is a view of the staircase from the basement.
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Wow, I can’t believe that we are already into week 8 into the build.  It’s amazing to see the house go from a hole in the ground to having the main floor framed.  We still have a long road ahead of us, but we are well on our way to our new home.  Smiling from ear to ear.  In other news, I’ve been managing to squeeze in some more social time with friends and family.  I get so caught up in work, that I have to remind myself to go play once in a while.  This week I’ve met an old and lovely friend for coffee, had a mom-daughter night, had a father-daughter night, and have a girls night planned with some lovely gal-pals.  I’m so blessed by the people in my life.  Next week I plan to get busy and work my tail off again, so I’m enjoying this time off.  How has your first week of Summer been treating you?

20
Jun, 13

{Life Lately} Weeks 6 + 7

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Weeks 6 + 7 of the build have come and gone so fast.  I haven’t seen tremendous progress from week 6 to week 7, but I know it’s coming along fine.  The garden level basement is being framed, along with the floor boards for the main floor.  Above is a view of the north side of the house.

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And here is a view of the back of the house.  Can you see those nice big garden-level windows?
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Although not the best quality of iPhone photos at times, I love that we’ve been taking a picture together each week!
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Pulling up last Sunday (week 7) we found our two staircases laying in the front yard.  We also noticed that all three fences are up now, too.
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I know we’re going to love the 9-ft ceilings in the basement!  Ron plans to put a dojo down there to train, while I have plans for a lighting studio.
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When we go back this Sunday for week 8, I hope to see even more progress!  Oh, and we got the call to go to the gallery to pick out our granite countertop slabs – complete with hard-hats and all!!!  We hope to do that this coming week, so I’ll share when we go.

08
Jun, 13

Work With What You Have

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As I was packing last week, I was thinking about how I’ll adapt my blogging and crafting to my new atmosphere.  The majority of my studio is packed into boxes and stored away, including my lighting kits, supplies and desks (yes, I have more than one – ha!).  I’ve made a plan to pack everything from my studio in the front of the storage unit, so if I need something, I can easily access it.  Originally I wanted to take my entire studio to my dad’s house, but later decided that it would be better to keep things as simple as possible.  I have all of my computers, Wacom tablet, and cameras with me so that I can continue blogging – of course.  I’m guessing that this experience will make me be even more creative and force me to work with what I have.

Now that I’m settled, I plan to focus more on blogging both about Chickiedee and this new adventure that we’re on.  Ron and I have made it a Sunday tradition to go and visit our new home site.  Why Sunday, you ask?  Well, we signed on the house on Sunday May 5th – Cinco de Mayo!  We took our first photos of the site right after signing and have been back every Sunday since to capture the progress.  Within the first week it went from a shallow dirt hole to a concrete foundation.  Two Sundays ago they filled in the large holes around the foundation and filled the garage floor with dirt.  This last Sunday they laid the pipes and filled in the garage floor and basement with concrete.  Then I snuck over on Wednesday and saw the framing supplies in the front yard!!! It’s making progress.

I’m also excited to work on a few projects that I’ve had to put on hold when we started this new house venture.  One is just about ready to launch with the exception of a few minor details.  It was scheduled to launch in April, but when the house selling and buying fiasco picked up faster than expected; I chose to push the launch date.  I didn’t want to launch knowing that it wasn’t completely ready.  Quality is the most important part.  I’ll give you a hint on what it is: it’s a website that once was private and now will be open to the creative small business community.  Are you excited?!  I know I am!

07
Jun, 13

{Life Lately} Week 5

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Well, we’re wrapping up week 5 on the home building process.  I drove by this week to find all of the framing materials out front.  How exciting!  I’m hoping when I go check it out this Sunday that the framing will have already started.  It’s pretty exciting to watch the process, but it makes me wish it was built so that we can move in already!