Movin' on up

[Ghoulish Delight]

The Happy Haunts are now 30 days away from having a new haunt!

After an offer, a counter, and another counter, our real estate agent (a lovely and talented agent that you may know by a name that rhymes with "Morigoon") will be receving a signed acceptance any minute now.

It's a lovely condo in move-in condition (it's actually beautifully painted and finished as-is, there's very little we want to alter) in Orange. Easy access to Main Place Mall, the Block, Old Town Orange, Anaheim Stadium, and, of course, Disneyland (assuming we renew our AP's...).

The price is, of course, obscene for a 1200 square foot condo. But when you account for the condition it's in, and the price at which comparable places in the same complex and neighboorhood have one for, we got ourselves a very good deal.

We're, as you might imagine, insanely excited.

Oh hey, there are photos (http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4201551&a=32276221&f=) Note the tile on the patio, it's fabulous. And we love the livingroomg, which goes w/out saying. We'll likey repaint the kitchen cabinets and the upstaird bathroom (whcih is a horrid shade of purple). The photo of the bedroom makes it look awful pink, but I don't recall it being that color so it's either a bad or old photo. If we're ambitious, we'll replace the kitchen counters. But that's pretty much all we have to do.

It's got a garage and carport right off the back patio. It includes the washer and dryer. They said they'd include the fridge, but we wrote into our offer to exclude it, 'cause ours is better :D

Ummm, what else can I ramble about? Hmm, I'll put another good word in for Morigoon. We've been her first buyers, and she's done right by us. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! :D

Okay, off to decide how to celebrate.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Congrats! :)

[scaeagles]

That's awesome. Property ownership is the best feeling. Congrats!

[Snowflake]

Fantastic! Congratulations to you both and to Morrigoon!:snap:

[Moonliner]

Assuming?

What the hell does that mean?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Assuming?

What the hell does that mean?
That means we just agreed to a loan an obscene amount of money and we're going to have to evaluate our budget to see if it still makes sense for us to be renewing, especially considering how much we've been spending on food and snacks at the parks. At the very least, a bit of a lapse will do us good.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Damn. Should have titled the thread "Gonna buy me a Cuisinart".

[Moonliner]

I'm shaken to the core...

However it is a swanky pad. Congrats. I'm sure Munchkin will have fun marking his new territory.

Oh and if you get offered a new home warranty, skip it, those things never work out...

[mousepod]

Sweeeet. Congratulations!
Housewarming meet?

[belleh5]

Congrats!!:snap: :snap:

[Motorboat Cruiser]

That is really awesome. I'm so happy for the both of you!

Munchkin gots some new digs. :)

[Scrooge McSam]

Woot!

Awesome news there, haunts!!!!

Congratulation to you too, Morrigoon:cheers:

[DisneyFan25863]

I just looked at the bed pictured and then at mine...they are identical!

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/9620/5657st3.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=5657st3.jpg)
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/8408/21ug8.th.jpg (http://img224.imageshack.us/my.php?image=21ug8.jpg)


Congrats on the new condo!

[CoasterMatt]

Sweet!!!

Congrats :D

[Prudence]

Yay! On the first rung of the ladder! Congrats!

[MouseWife]

I remember when you guys were talking about looking into doing this years ago...

Congratulations on your new home!!!!!

:D

oh!! I just saw the pictures...I love it!!!

[wendybeth]

Very nice, you two!:snap:
I'm thrilled that Morrigoon is your agent- congrats all around!

[scaeagles]

I really like the hard wood flooring....it's beautiful. And the stairs are beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures of it.

Looks like a great property.

[RStar]

Hey. Hey, Hey! You guys are on your way! Congrats!

May the move be as easy and problem free as possible.

~Bob

[lashbear]

Congratulations !!!!! I hope you enjoy the Hot & Cold Running Chills ! :D


Don't forget to do what we did - Buy a bottle of Champagne on the day you move in, and drink it one year later !!

So pleased for you both. :cheers:

-Rob.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I really like the hard wood flooring....it's beautiful. Here's where I get too honest - it's Pergo flooring. Looks totally like the real thing though, and it's brand new.

I just looked at the bed pictured and then at mine...they are identical!Hehehe...I'm glad it's not our bed, that'd be kind of weird :)

I told my brother in Alaska how much this will cost us and he was flabbergasted...but once again, he lives in Alaska.

Munchkin loves laying on the linoleum so I figure the Pergo is a dream come true for him....except that he can't run on the linoleum. No paws means no traction. Don't worry, we're totally going to get a rug so he'll have something to Ka-Chow on (but hopefully not chow on).

I'm looking online at things but I refuse to hit a Home Depot until at least after the inspection.
Housewarming meet?You betcha...it may be a short while as we'll swankify it a bit more first. :D

News as it breaks during escrow...

[tracilicious]

Congrats!!!!!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Great news! Congrats!!!!!

[Morrigoon]

I'm shaken to the core...

However it is a swanky pad. Congrats. I'm sure Munchkin will have fun marking his new territory.

Oh and if you get offered a new home warranty, skip it, those things never work out...
Actually, we wrote into the offer that the seller has to buy them one :snap:

Congrats you guys! :)

[Gemini Cricket]

Congrats! How exciting!

When's the big housewarming party? :)

And you must renew your AP. You must!

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Congrats! We particularly love your bannister... mmm, wrought-iron!

Our floor is pergo too, and it's easier to manage than wood flooring but looks just as nice. Welcome to condo living! We like it. Did you talk to the home owner's association at all (do you have one)?

[innerSpaceman]

MaZeL-toV :D

[Stan4dSteph]

Congratulations. I love the living room. :)

[libraryvixen]

Congratulations!! :)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Did you talk to the home owner's association at all (do you have one)?We'll be investigating the HOA during escrow. We already like the fact that the fees are relatively low, and includes gas and water.

Speaking of gas...we'll have a gas stove!!!!!! OMG do I miss cooking with gas.

[scaeagles]

Speaking of gas...we'll have a gas stove!!!!!! OMG do I miss cooking with gas.

My cooking produces gas. Not exactly the same thing, though.

[Scrooge McSam]

OMG do I miss cooking with gas.

:( So do I!

[€uroMeinke]

Congratualtions!

Welcome to the World of Home Ownership and equity!

:cheers:

[Not Afraid]

CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm so glad they accepted your counter offer. It's a beautiful place all around. You're going to have so much fun fixing it up!

Congrats Morrigoon!!!!! You're on your way as well.

So, when do your current passes expire? How much longer do we have your presence at DL?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Our passes expire in September...but it's ocurred to us that we'll likely renew for MA, so, umm, yeah. Cost cutting will have to come from other avenues. Mmmm, addiction.

[BarTopDancer]

Our passes expire in September...but it's ocurred to us that we'll likely renew for MA, so, umm, yeah. Cost cutting will have to come from other avenues. Mmmm, addiction.

They do sell these things that will let you in for a day. I think they are called day tickets? That terms seems vaguely familiar.

Of course MA is on non-blackout dates so you could get the cheapie passes and just 1 parking pass.

Look at me, going on about DL passes before congratulating you on your new place!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks amazing. Welcome to the world of home ownership. May it be everything you've dreamed it would be.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Congratulations! That place looks great!

[Disneyphile]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! :D

I LOVE the living room!!!

Heck, the whole darned place is just awesome!

I can't wait to see it.

[RStar]

Speaking of gas...we'll have a gas stove!!!!!! OMG do I miss cooking with gas.
Me three! I haven't had a gas stove in over a decade. I think I'm finally use to electric, but the cost is getting sooo not worth it!

I think I might finally be able to join in on this MA, too! So I will see you there!!

[JWBear]

Congratulations!

[Gemini Cricket]

Sometimes I feel like a gangster's moll:

Me: Greg and Jennie just got a condo.
Ralphie: They did?
Me: Yep, see here's the pictures. Ain't they got a nice house?
Ralphie: Yes.
Me: How come we don't have a house?
Ralphie: Here we go.
Me: Other people's always so lucky. What about us?
Ralphie: Someday.
Me: Someday came early for them... They's younger than us. We can't wait until we don't have a lotta somedays left.
Ralphie: I hear you, I hear you. Here, have some more chocolates...

:D

[Nephythys]

oooo, purty! Very!

Congrats- to you and to Goonie! It looks amazing!

[katiesue]

Congratulations! Looks beautiful.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Thanks to everyone. Funny how it looks great but all I can think of is getting my hands on the kitchen.

Question for the ages: If one hates blinds and one hates drapes, what do the two of you do? (Yes, I know, both on each window - but we're on a budget here.)

[Mousey Girl]

First of all CONGRATS!!!

Second, what about wooden blinds? That is what The Old People have. They are the oak ones, wider and thicker than regular blinds.

[Gemini Cricket]

Shutters?

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Question for the ages: If one hates blinds and one hates drapes, what do the two of you do? (Yes, I know, both on each window - but we're on a budget here.)

Figure out which of you feels the most strongly about it. I remember in an earlier thread where people matched their feelings to a number value between 1-10, the one with the higher number wins. If you both pick 10, arm wrestle.

Do you have to have a covering? Does the window look on the backyard, or a public space? Our kitchen window doesn't have any covering at all.

[Gemini Cricket]

Cover the windows in foil?

Tinted windows?

Stained glass?

Colored Louvers?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Eh, I'll probably just deal with curtains since. In the end, I do actually prefer the look of curtains. I just happen to prefer the functionality of blinds.

[Gemini Cricket]

If you get thick curtains, you can get the same effect as blinds of making the room darker. It's the cheapo curtains that let all the light in...
:)

[BarTopDancer]

Thanks to everyone. Funny how it looks great but all I can think of is getting my hands on the kitchen.

Question for the ages: If one hates blinds and one hates drapes, what do the two of you do? (Yes, I know, both on each window - but we're on a budget here.)

Flip a coin?

Some rooms have blinds and some have drapes?

[Ghoulish Delight]

If you get thick curtains, you can get the same effect as blinds of making the room darker. It's the cheapo curtains that let all the light in...
:)That's not the issue, it's the opposite for me. I like that you can gradullay lighten a room with even light with blinds, vs. the annoying strip of light you get with curtains when they're open a crack. I know we can get sheers as well, but that's still too quantized for me. But I can deal.

[Alex]

Do you hate both vertical and horizontal blinds? I'm not a fan of horizontal blinds but like vertical ones (which are also immune to inevitable destruction by cats if ever there is one in the house).

[Ghoulish Delight]

Do you hate both vertical and horizontal blinds? I'm not a fan of horizontal blinds but like vertical ones (which are also immune to inevitable destruction by cats if ever there is one in the house).
We both hate vertical blinds. I like horizontal/venitian blinds, she does not.

[Gemini Cricket]

That's not the issue...
Ah.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

If you get thick curtains, you can get the same effect as blinds of making the room darker. It's the cheapo curtains that let all the light in...
:)Actually, that's the reason I like curtains. GD likes blinds because you can let light in evenly. We'll figure it out. :)

[mousepod]

Go for the Lutron™ (http://www.lutron.com/shadingsolutions/totallight.asp?s=19000&t=0) solution. I'm sure it's affordable.

[Gemini Cricket]

I hate the clacky noises vertical blinds make when the wind hits it. I also hate the buzzing noises horizontal ones make when the windows are open behind them.

[Alex]

Well, I say don't cave in to the arbitrary social pressure that you have windows. Brick them all in, install natural lighting with dimmer switches.

[Gemini Cricket]

Or you can get some of those diagonal blinds.

But there's also Alex's dungeon solution...


:D

[Not Afraid]

There are about 100 different window solutions.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Or you can get some of those diagonal blinds.

I think you need to live in the Mystery Shack for the diagonal blinds to work.

[JWBear]

I think you need to live in the Mystery Shack for the diagonal blinds to work.
Nah.... Just get a set where the string on one side is stuck. You'll have diagonal blinds! (We have a set like that in our office.)

[SacTown Chronic]

Congratulations all around!

[Prudence]

What about the Roman shades or whatever they're called. The curtains that go up and down like blinds.

[Gemini Cricket]

I'm so excited for you both. I can only imagine how much fun it would be to have your own place and do with it what you like. Decorating, painting, home theatre set up, themed rooms, installing an aquarium into a wall... it's countless how many things you could do.
Fun!
:)

[Morrigoon]

The answer is two curtain rods. You put sheers behind and curtains in front. If you want full light, you open all, partial light you close the sheers (good for during the day privacy w/out blocking too much view), then at night for privacy you close the curtains.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Curtains are also harder to keep clean. I prefer blinds, and while I like the horizontal ones better than the vertical, the vertical are really the only good solution for sliding glass doors that open onto balconies--but you don't have that, at least, I didn't see anything like that in the photos.

[CoasterMatt]

I agree with Morrigoon - we use dual curtain rods in our living room, and it looks wonderful.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Curtains are also harder to keep clean. I prefer blinds, and while I like the horizontal ones better than the vertical, the vertical are really the only good solution for sliding glass doors that open onto balconies--but you don't have that, at least, I didn't see anything like that in the photos.
There's a sliding door onto the back patio. That's gonna be the hardest. I can live with curtains+sheers everywhere else, but that sliding door is right next to the kitchen. And if you think curtains in general are hard to keep clean, consider curtains + kitchen. Ick. But we both dispise verticle blinds. Grrrrr.

[Morrigoon]

Well, on the bright side, your back door is viewable only to your patio because the garage blocks it from anyone else. So, technically, if you don't mind the sunlight, you can get away with not covering it.

If you hate vertical blinds (and I have a growing animosity for mine over the slider), you're probably going to end up caving and at least putting a sheer there to filter the light. Nice thing about curtains is at least when they're pulled all the way back, they still look attractive.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Congratulations, you two!!!!

[Stan4dSteph]

I like the sliding vertical panels that Ikea sells now. Much cooler than regular vertical blinds.

[Morrigoon]

steph: linky?

[Stan4dSteph]

steph: linky?http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&catalogId=10103&langId=-1&topcategoryId=15594&parentCats=15594*15828*16168&categoryId=16168&cattype=sub

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Yeah, there are plenty of options....as many as there are swankers, at least. :)

[Prudence]

My personal favorite method is to wait until my mother redecorates and then get her old drapes. And furniture. And Christmas dishes. And so forth and so on. I'll be getting like-new sheers any day now.

[Morrigoon]

Neat panels, Steph!

[Babette]

Whoo-hoo! I am so happy for you two.

(I can't wait to come over for potato pancakes and churrizo pizza!)

[innerSpaceman]

Enough about decorating already!!!


When are we going to talk about the Unit Number ....?


... and ALL THAT THAT IMPLIES! :evil:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Hehehe, "unit". Hehehheheheh, "69".

We stood in front of the door waiting for Morigoon to open it. I turn to GD and say in my best B&T impersonation, "Sixty-nine, dudes!"

Makes me wonder what'll happen at our housewarming party...

[BarTopDancer]

Makes me wonder what'll happen at our housewarming party...

If it's anything like the Halloween party I was at... hide the bottles and the twister. :evil:

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Hehehe, "unit". Hehehheheheh, "69".

We stood in front of the door waiting for Morigoon to open it. I turn to GD and say in my best B&T impersonation, "Sixty-nine, dudes!"

Makes me wonder what'll happen at our housewarming party...

I was going to guess 69.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I don't get it.

[Morrigoon]

Hehehe, "unit". Hehehheheheh, "69".

We stood in front of the door waiting for Morigoon to open it. I turn to GD and say in my best B&T impersonation, "Sixty-nine, dudes!"

Makes me wonder what'll happen at our housewarming party...

Ah yes, you mean after you "blow your wad" to get "unit 69"? :evil:

Remind me to gift you guys some paper towels, LOL

[€uroMeinke]

and breath mints

[Ghoulish Delight]

So today was the inspection. The results were...interesting.

For the most part, the news is good. Considering it's a 33 year old property, it's in fairly good shape. Some miner dings, drips, gaps, and such, but nothing unexpected (except the blinds that are installed in a way the prevent the front window from opening :rolleyes: )

There are really 5 items at the top of our list that we'd like dealt with in some way (either fixed, or price reduced to allow us to fix) for sure. Ranging from trivial to, well, wtf?

1) Smoke alarms. This is the easiest, and it's required. They'll slap a couple battery smoke alarms in the bedrooms and voila

2) 2 of the 4 stove burners don't light automatically. The gas runs, but it's got electric start. The spark plugs are probably toast, easy fix.

3) Here's where it gets weird. This one we found in our last walk through. The button to open the automatic garage door...has been replaced by a computer speaker. You know, the cheap speakers that come with the system...push the speaker's power button and the door opens. It works, and they definitely get style points, but it's obviously a self-patch job and we'd like to get a professional fix on that.

4) Master bedroom has a light switch...but seemingly no switched outlet attached to it. That's a big one, I don't want to have to stumble across the room to turn on a lamp. Most likely, it's hidden behind the built-in desk. Grrr.

5) This is the oddest, and likely hardest to deal with. They had coax cable running all over the place. For the most part, they ran it along the corners of walls/ceilings and painted them or covered them. No biggie. But last time through, I noticed one was feeding into the a/c intake vent on the first floor ceiling. Odd. So we looked closer today. It comes out of the wall in the master bedroom. Hmm, the only way that could happen is if...no, they wouldn't have poked a hole in the a/c ducting would they? Sure enough, the inspector could feel air coming from the hole in the master bedroom. :rolleyes:

So yeah. We'll have a nice list, with estimated costs (figuring out estimated costs on those last two will be interesting). If they don't accomodate at least those major ones...well, we'll see what happens. I'm willing to play hardball.

Meanwhile, interest rates keep dropping. Hooray!

[CoasterMatt]

Just don't get them any Boston Pancakes... :eek:

definition of Boston Pancake (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=boston+pancake): This is TOTALLY NSFW - you've been warned

[Morrigoon]

Wow, CM, I SO did not need to read that. That's worse than a filthy sanchez or a pearl necklace!

(Why do so many kinky things have to do with degrading the woman?)

[€uroMeinke]

and Boston

[Ghoulish Delight]

Just don't get them any Boston Pancakes... :eek:

definition of Boston Pancake (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=boston+pancake): This is TOTALLY NSFW - you've been warnedDamn, now we have to completely re-write the offer.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

3) Here's where it gets weird. This one we found in our last walk through. The button to open the automatic garage door...has been replaced by a computer speaker. You know, the cheap speakers that come with the system...push the speaker's power button and the door opens. It works, and they definitely get style points, but it's obviously a self-patch job and we'd like to get a professional fix on that.

Wow, that is ingenious, and probably took more effort than getting a new switch at home depot. Doesn't sound like the inspection found any show-stoppers, but all things that should be fixed. You are sure getting your money's worth out of the home inspection.

I'm glad to hear interest rates are going down.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

For the most part, the news is good. Considering it's a 33 year old property, it's in fairly good shape.

Does the condo have popcorn ceilings? Did the inspector check for asbestos? That makes it more difficult (expensive) if you ever decide to remove it.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Does the condo have popcorn ceilings? Did the inspector check for asbestos? That makes it more difficult (expensive) if you ever decide to remove it. The inspector didn't have that ability. I noticed that it's got popcorn upstairs, but it seems to have been removed downstairs.

So, I've now heard 2 people who think the light switch thing in the bedroom is a code violation (as in, there must be at least one switched light or outlet). I'll have to do more research, but if it is, that makes it much easier to insist on action as it would then be required.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

The inspector didn't have that ability. I noticed that it's got popcorn upstairs, but it seems to have been removed downstairs.

So, I've now heard 2 people who think the light switch thing in the bedroom is a code violation (as in, there must be at least one switched light or outlet). I'll have to do more research, but if it is, that makes it much easier to insist on action as it would then be required.


I think they are right (http://www.ci.stanton.ca.us/pdf/ResPlanRevConFram.pdf#search=%22At%20least%201%20( one)%20wall%20switch-controlled%20lighting%20outlet%20shall%20be%20inst alled%20orange%20county%20ca%20%22) (although this is from Stanton, probably close by):

90. At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room, in bathrooms, hallways, stairways, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, and at outdoor entrances or exits.

There are many local labs (http://www.latesting.com/Index.cfm?nav=Lab_Details&LaboratoryID=27)that check for asbestos, and the cost for testing is reasonable. Normally you scrape some popcorn into a ziploc bag and take in in for testing. We recently had our popcorn ceilings removed. We took the sample in for testing and found out that the popcorn contained about 6% asbestos, so we had to have a qualified contractor remove it. They do the whole chain of custody thing and it went to a special landfill in AZ.

If you detected any asbestos in the ceiling, it might help you in your negotiations.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I think they are right (http://www.ci.stanton.ca.us/pdf/ResPlanRevConFram.pdf#search=%22At%20least%201%20% 28one%29%20wall%20switch-controlled%20lighting%20outlet%20shall%20be%20inst alled%20orange%20county%20ca%20%22) (although this is from Stanton, probably close by)It is close, we used to live there. But I need to figure out if that's a city ordinance, county, or state. It seems California building codes are published and sold, so I can't find and online version.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

It is close, we used to live there. But I need to figure out if that's a city ordinance, county, or state. It seems California building codes are published and sold, so I can't find and online version.

What city is it? I'd check their website, or call their building department. If they don't know, I'm sure they could tell you who would.

[Alex]

Here's (http://municipalcodes.lexisnexis.com/codes/orange/) the building code for the City of Orange.

[Alex]

Looks like they just incorporated by reference the Uniform Housing Code, 1997 edition.

You'd have to buy a copy or go down to city hall and look at their copy to find the specific rule, I think.

Though looking around it seems that the switch controlled outlet in every room rule is pretty standard.

[Morrigoon]

We should get together early next week to write up requests. I'm just waiting for them to get the disclosures out to you (those idiots.... they were all, "We're waiting for escrow to get us the natural hazard disclosures" - which technically escrow can do, but they don't do it automatically as it's not their job!)

My guess is that the switch-controlled outlet is probably behind that desk, and the plug in the desk is probably run from a single plug in the wall, leaving the switch-controlled one empty.

Just remember that not all requests will be fulfilled, pick your battles. I'd be a little more concerned with the lack of conduit around the wires in the garage (and their fancy "switch" :P ), and the a/c vent/coax issue.

[RStar]

Wow, I should have checked in this thread. Boston Packakes (I can't belive anyone would do that on PURPOSE!) and speaker switches. When you open the garage does it play AC/DC?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

When you open the garage does it play AC/DC?That's if you buy CoasterMatt's place :cool:

I'm going to do some CA/City of Orange building code research at work tomorrow.

[RStar]

Well, I'm sure you wont find a code that allows speaker switches operating garage doors, that's for sure!

I just drove past CosterMatt's place and thought of you when I heard "Dirty deeds- done dirt cheep" emitting from his abode at about 40 decibles. That's the way they repaired that place, me thinks!

Good luck!

[Not Afraid]

Damn you RStar and the song you put in my head. :p

[Moonliner]

Damn you RStar and the song you put in my head. :p

Oh I can help. Don't think about that.. Just focus on: "Someone left my cake out in the rain and I don't think I can take it cuz it took so long to bake it...."


Problem solved. ;)

[Not Afraid]

By Mennen.

[CoasterMatt]

How'd my house end up mixed up with AC/DC?

We've got memorabilia from plenty of other bands, and love to blast anything good, but nothing from those guys.

[RStar]

How'd my house end up mixed up with AC/DC?

We've got memorabilia from plenty of other bands, and love to blast anything good, but nothing from those guys.
Really? Must have been your next door then!;)

[RStar]

Damn you RStar and the song you put in my head. :p
[Pumba voice] Sorry... [/Pumba Voice]

[Cadaverous Pallor]

How'd my house end up mixed up with AC/DC?

We've got memorabilia from plenty of other bands, and love to blast anything good, but nothing from those guys.Oops, I thought they were part of your repetoire.

My post should have read, "Change the song to Eat the Rich and you're buying Coaster Matt's house." :D

[Ghoulish Delight]

Okay, took a bunch more photos during the inspection visit. Here (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v246/gdiddy/Palmyra/) they are. Turns out, the bedroom is indeed pink. Definitely pink.

[BarTopDancer]

Okay, took a bunch more photos during the inspection visit. Here (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v246/gdiddy/Palmyra/) they are. Turns out, the bedroom is indeed pink. Definitely pink.

It says we need a password.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oops. Okay, try this (http://www.jenniegreg.com/palmyra.html) instead (thumbnails are clickable for larger pics).

[JWBear]

I'm loving the swanky light fixture over the built-in bookcase thing.

[RStar]

Cool pics, dude!

I'm sure you guys will be very happy!

Of course the first thing I'd do is put up a shower door- I hate shower curtains!!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Cool pics, dude!

I'm sure you guys will be very happy!

Of course the first thing I'd do is put up a shower door- I hate shower curtains!!Not in the budget for now, but definitely something to think about in the years to come.

[Disneyphile]

Wow, that place is Swank-y!!!! :snap: Me likey!! :D

I did notice the house number though...... and, it gave me a schoolgirl chuckle. ;)

[Gemini Cricket]

Some miner dings...
Darn those miners that lived in your house before you. With their pick axes and shovels dinging the walls. :D

Dang! Why it gotta be called Boston Pancakes?! :D

Cool pics. I like the slate.
:)

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Such a groovie place that is. I'm so happy for you two.

And plenty of room for Pier One stuff too! ;)

[jdramj]

Congrats! I love Orange! By the way you were describing the condo (the first set of pics weren't opening for me) I thought you might have moved into the complex I used to live in. But I found the last set of pics and they are not the same place. Are you close the the plaza (aka the circle)? That would be mighty cool to get to the street fair easily.

Enjoy it here! Orange is great. My DH will never leave, he will live and die here. I thought 13 months in an aprtment in Anaheim was going to kill him, and we could walk accross the river bed into Orange. It just wasn't close enough.

ps if you are cable type people PM me, I have a cable contact for you.

[Morrigoon]

Speaking of which... street fair is this Saturday, and the Poxy Boggards will be doing a free one-hour set as part of the entertainment!

[Ghoulish Delight]

We'll be between the plaza and main place (a little closer to main place). We will not have moved in by this weekend for the street fair, but we'll likely get there one evening after CP gets off work to grub.

eta: actually the street fair is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

[RStar]

Not in the budget for now, but definitely something to think about in the years to come.
Of course. Besides, that's just my preference-or pet peeve (yes, it belongs in another thread ;) ). I went to Home Depot and got the cheep one for $50, and installed it myself. That was 5 years ago and it is still serving us great! I just can't stand having a shower curtain ride up my side while I'm washing! UG!

But that's just me.......

[Morrigoon]

I hear ya there, rstar. Particularly bothersome when taking a bath, because all I can think of is all the mold and mildew that might be soaking in my bathwater with me.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yes. Little did CP know that a shower door (self-installed) was already on my preliminary budget that I threw together today. The purple curtain's going for sure, might as well replace it with something worthwhile.

[wendybeth]

It just kills me when I see what things cost down in the Orange. Up here, you literally could buy a mansion for the same. Of course, you'd have to live here.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It just kills me when I see what things cost down in the Orange. Up here, you literally could buy a mansion for the same. Of course, you'd have to live here. Did I mention that within 10 minutes will be 1) a thriving old town, 2) a full mall, 3) an open air entertainment mall, 4) a major league baseball stadium, 5) NHL hockey stadium, 6) Walt Disney's family fun center, or something like that?

Yeah, still not worth it. But think of the equity!! :rolleyes:

[Morrigoon]

Hell, you could WALK to the mall if you were so inclined! And isn't the discovery science center there? The Cube, or somesuch.

[CoasterMatt]

I'm in staggering distance of 2 bikini bars, 4 7-11s, a Carl's Jr. - and literally in throwing distance of a church (well, balloon slingshot distance anyway). This would be an AWESOME bachelor pad ;)

[RStar]

Yes. Little did CP know that a shower door (self-installed) was already on my preliminary budget that I threw together today. The purple curtain's going for sure, might as well replace it with something worthwhile.
Oh, goodie, goodie!:D

Good luck with that!

[MickeyD]

Hey congratulations you guys!

Unit 69......that's awesome!

[wendybeth]

Did I mention that within 10 minutes will be 1) a thriving old town, 2) a full mall, 3) an open air entertainment mall, 4) a major league baseball stadium, 5) NHL hockey stadium, 6) Walt Disney's family fun center, or something like that?

Yeah, still not worth it. But think of the equity!! :rolleyes:

I would love to have all that going on- all we have are trees. Lots and lots of trees. Wheat fields and trees. And basalt rock. Did I mention the coyotes and neighborhood mountain lion?

[Drince88]

Cool pics, dude!

I'm sure you guys will be very happy!

Of course the first thing I'd do is put up a shower door- I hate shower curtains!!
The first thing I did when I moved into my first house was take OUT the shower door. VERY first shower in that place, I'm getting out, and WHACK the top of my head on the top rail. Not a pretty thing. At least with a rod I could put it up higher and not have that issue (I'm 5'10" - not so tall that basic things like a shower door should cause major pain)

'Grats on the new digs, by the way!

[RStar]

Unit 69......that's awesome!

Het I didn't see that! :snap:

At least it's not unit "Boston Cream Pie"!!:eek:

[JWBear]

The first thing I did when I moved into my first house was take OUT the shower door. VERY first shower in that place, I'm getting out, and WHACK the top of my head on the top rail. Not a pretty thing. At least with a rod I could put it up higher and not have that issue (I'm 5'10" - not so tall that basic things like a shower door should cause major pain)

'Grats on the new digs, by the way!
I hate shower doors on tubs, but I also hate shower curtains. In fact, I generally hate shower/tub combinations altogether.

My dream bathroom would have a huge walk-in shower.

[CoasterMatt]

My dream bathroom would have a huge wade-in mud pit

[katiesue]

I hate shower doors on tubs, but I also hate shower curtains. In fact, I generally hate shower/tub combinations altogether.

My dream bathroom would have a huge walk-in shower.

I'm all for the seperation of tub and shower as well. My mom has a really great bathtub, old so deeper and wider than standard. So what does she do in her latest remodel/destruction of my inheritiance? Puts a shower in the tub. I'm more than excessively annoyed.

[Prudence]

The Willow Lodge has one of those fancy digital showers. VERY nice! I definitely want one.

[RStar]

The Willow Lodge has one of those fancy digital showers. VERY nice! I definitely want one.
But does digital water actually get you clean?

[Prudence]

But does digital water actually get you clean?

Who cares? It's nifty!

[JWBear]

But does digital water actually get you clean?
Amazing what they can do with computers nowadays.

[RStar]

Who cares? It's nifty!
I think I saw one on Star Trek once.....

[jdramj]

Did I mention that within 10 minutes will be 1) a thriving old town, 2) a full mall, 3) an open air entertainment mall, 4) a major league baseball stadium, 5) NHL hockey stadium, 6) Walt Disney's family fun center, or something like that?

By the way that thriving old town area is getting some awsome resturants :snap: :snap:

I think a sports complex type thingy is going in around said major league baseball stadium with hopes of a NFL team someday.

You really should check out that Disney family fun place...I here it's pretty fun ;)

[MickeyLumbo]

this is very exciting news, you guys! I am so happy for you. a place of your very own ... of course you'll need a pink flamingo out front!

uhh, have you decided what color to paint the nursery?;)

and way to go Morrigoon!

i had no idea your an agent. i'll have to keep that in mind:snap:

[Matterhorn Fan]

I got a catalog in the mail yesterday called "Country Curtains" and I thought of you guys. It's in the trash already, but if you really want it, I'll see about digging it out . . . it's COUNTRY!!! ;)

[Ghoulish Delight]

I got a catalog in the mail yesterday called "Country Curtains" and I thought of you guys. It's in the trash already, but if you really want it, I'll see about digging it out . . . it's COUNTRY!!! ;) Oooh! Where there roosters?! And Gingham!! And gingham roosters!!!!!

[Matterhorn Fan]

Gingham, roosters, puffy valances, they have it all.

[JWBear]

Oooh! Where there roosters?! And Gingham!! And gingham roosters!!!!!
You all heard him... GD & CP want rooster decor... And gingham! :evil:

[Prudence]

Oh super! Now I have somewhere to ship all that country kitchen crap the old bat left here when she moved.

[Ghoulish Delight]

You all heard him... GD & CP want rooster decor... And gingham! :evil:I think it's common knowledge how much CP loves...roosters.

[RStar]

I don't know.....is Gingham swanky? Sure, it's retro, but is it swanky?


:evil:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

*pulls out a bowie knife*

If any of you fvckers come near me with a decorated tin watering can or a wooden sunflower with "Bless this Mess" painted on it, I'll cut you.

*jabs with knife* I'm not screwing around.

[Scrooge McSam]

Whew!

I mean, gingham roosters? I'd have to consult my sister.

*shudder

[Matterhorn Fan]

CP, put the knife away....I threw that catalog out!

[RStar]

*pulls out a bowie knife*

If any of you fvckers come near me with a decorated tin watering can or a wooden sunflower with "Bless this Mess" painted on it, I'll cut you.

*jabs with knife* I'm not screwing around.

It's ok, just breath. That's it, in...and out...in ...and out. Good.

Don't wory about it, it's just the hormones....

;)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

*steps back* So we're cool then? As long as we're cool, it's cool. *puts knife back in hidden sheath*

[wendybeth]

So now we know the real reason librarians insist on perfect quiet. They're just a bit...tense.;)


(I concur with the housecraft crap, CP- I get ****loads of it, and it all goes in a closet and eventually finds it's way to the Goodwill).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We spent an hour signing papers this morning. Not reading them - just signing them. :eek:

On Sunday we have a final inspection. Escrow ends Monday. Yay. :D

[RStar]

We spent an hour signing papers this morning. Not reading them - just signing them. :eek:

Don't worry about it. Most of those won't hold up in court if they are shady anyway!;)

[Morrigoon]

Don't worry, you just agreed to hand over your firstborn to your lender as collateral ;)

I hope you guys at least read some of it!

...It really is a monstrous stack of dead trees, isn't it? You shoulda seen it by the time escrow was done making copies for all the concerned parties, holy cow, I think it was 3 inches high!

It took us 3 hours to go through ours (of course, Alex HAS to read every single page...) I was really shocked when you guys were out in an hour (that's why I didn't get to pop by and say goodbye)

[€uroMeinke]

In our last place our paperwork included an easment for errant golf balls. Our current place included an aknowledgement that we were in a potential tsunami inundation zone.

[Nephythys]

Thanks to everyone. Funny how it looks great but all I can think of is getting my hands on the kitchen.



Heh- now that I have bought a house I totally relate! Last night I was getting distracted by commercials for kitchen stuff at Lowe's. :) I can't wait to get in there!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Holy crap. Finaly walkthrough yesterday went great. They fixed everything we asked them to and more. So today, it's official. We get the keys this evening.

We're desparately trying not to panic as we come to grips with the fact that we somehow have to simultaneously spend all of our time packing and all of our time prepping the place.

We spent about $4K over the weekend and walked away with nothing but receipts. Highly unsatisfying. But in theory, we own a countertop, a new dishwasher, and a reallyawesome bedroom set. We kinda broke our budget on that one, but we're under budget on the counter, and this set was totally worth it. It's beautiful, buy a good manufacturer (Broyhill) and really good quality (dovetails on the drawers and everything). We got a dresser, a bed w/head and foot boards, and 2 night stands for $1600. Couldn't possibly pass on that.

We're almost packed, sort of. At least, we'd better be because we're running out of places to hide boxes from the bunny.

[Moonliner]

Holy crap. Finaly walkthrough yesterday went great. They fixed everything we asked them to and more. So today, it's official. We get the keys this evening.



Tonight? What no soft openings?


Congrats. I hope you enjoy your new hobby.

[Not Afraid]

Hobby. Yes, that's a good name for it. It's the job that never gets completed. But, it's a fun project.

Congrats! What will you do first?

[Strangler Lewis]

My best advice on homeownership is that it helps to have a good relationship with the super for when there's a problem. My relationship is bad. I pick up the phone. I call and call. He never comes.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hobby. Yes, that's a good name for it. It's the job that never gets completed. But, it's a fun project.

Congrats! What will you do first?
The schedule is something like this:

Week 1: Prime/paint master bedroom. Prime/paint master bath. Install shower door (may be put off), have kitchen counter measured and demo'd

Week 2: Pick up living room furniture from Ikea, kitchen counter installed (that's a finger crosser there), sand/prime/paint kitchen cabinets, install sink, have bedroom furniture delivered, move on Oct. 1.

The new dishwasher should arrive shortly thereafter. If there's time, installing a shower door and a new kitchen light fixture will be squeezed in there, otherwise those can wait.

On some level, it's totally manageable. I've written and optomistic daily schedule, and there's about 3-4 days of buffer should things slip. The only real issue will be whether we can schedule the kitchen counter work in a timely fashion (and whether it goes smoothly on the first attempt), 'cause we don't want to start other work in the kitchen until that's done.

[Nephythys]

wow- we move on the same day. I will not be doing much work until after the move in though.

Good luck on all that- and congrats!

[lashbear]

I hope it's all ready for our Royal Visit... :p

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hell. So much for that schedule. Coutnertop people called to set up times. Turns out...they suck and are only available M-F during business hours. How lame is that? And the earliest they can do it is Oct. 2 for tearout and Oct. 13 for install. :mad:

So new we have to decide whether we're going to put off painting the kitchen until after the installation, or paint it now and hope they don't damage it too badly.

[Capt Jack]

So new we have to decide whether we're going to put off painting the kitchen until after the installation, or paint it now and hope they don't damage it too badly.

personally and from past experience, wait to paint.

trust me on this. THE most careful folks in the world WILL mess up your nice clean paint job, especially doing counters, cabinets and/or floors.

IMO...just wait, you'll be glad you did.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yeah, I know that's the smart thing to do.

I guess, then, the deicssion is, unpack stuff into the cabinets now only to have to repack it all later, or just live out of boxes in the kitchen for a couple weeks.

[BarTopDancer]

Unpack the stuff you will use on a daily basis and live out of boxes otherwise.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Yeah, I know that's the smart thing to do.

I guess, then, the deicssion is, unpack stuff into the cabinets now only to have to repack it all later, or just live out of boxes in the kitchen for a couple weeks.

I'd wait to paint. I'd also unpack the stuff into the cabinets, that's easier than hunting through boxes.

[Prudence]

Although if you're going to paint the ceiling, do that now. It's the worst part of the job and the less you have already in place the better. Personally, I'd paint now and plan to touch up after because that would shorten my time between counter install and functional kitchen, but that's me.

[Ghoulish Delight]

No, just painting cabinets.

I'm now going to accept this as a blessing in disguise at it significantly simplifies our time management crunch over the next couple of weeks.

[Not Afraid]

WELL, YOU CAN SAND & PRIME BEFORE THE COUNTERS.



Hey! some litle fuzzy thing truned on mr caps lock.

[Morrigoon]

Well, I'd just unpack a couple items to get you through the next couple weeks. Or live off paper plates for a bit ;)

[CoasterMatt]

I think we've been living off paper plates for about 4 1/2 years now :D

[Ghoulish Delight]

WELL, YOU CAN SAND & PRIME BEFORE THE COUNTERS.
Yeah, I'm considering it. Don't know if I want to take the doors of the hinges twice though.

Actually the biggest problem is going to be the 11 days in between during which we will not have a kitchen counter/sink/dishwasher. Should still be able to use the stove though.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

GD, CP
When do you start the house blog? (http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/09/20/house.blogging.ap/index.html)

[NirvanaMan]

Congrats! May your home be blessed with the joys of 1,000 boobies and 1,000 tacos....

[Ghoulish Delight]

GD, CP
When do you start the house blog? (http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/09/20/house.blogging.ap/index.html)
What, you haven't been obsessively refreshing my livejournal for updates? I'm insulted.

Quick updates: The bathroom is painted. It's not purple anymore. Now it's...dark. Very dark. But we've decided we're okay with that. The color is beautiful and definitely not your ordinary white or blue bathroom. But while we've confirmed that it matches the paint chip, it really seems sooo much darker than anticipated on the wall. But we're digging it and may just look at getting a better light fixture to compensate.

Bedroom is primed after a loooong evening yesterday. Bedrooms are big, lots to do. Tonight's session of putting color on the walls should go faster as CP has the afternoon off to prep, plus it's JUST the walls, no trim/doors/window sills/closet doors.

The nice thing is, looking at my two week schedule above, we're right on target for week one, while everything in week two has been delayed due to things beyond our control. That's a bit frustrating, but it does mean that we have some time to relax and to finish packing the old place.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Crap!

So, CP's been at the condo since 1 waiting for the cable guy to show up (the ol' "between 1 & 5 routine). This was a wonderfully convenient day since she's got every other Friday off work.

A little bit ago I decided to give her a call to see how it was going. I reached for my cell phone. It wasn't there. Hmm, I wondered, where could it be. Oh yeah, I was charging it in the car this morning, better go get it. Wait a minute, the cable company only has my cell number, how are they going to reach CP? Wait a minute, my phones been sitting in my car, if they got there and tried....aw crap!!

Yup, missed 'em. So now we had to reschedule for next Satruday...with the oh-so specific time window of "between 10AM and 7PM". :rolleyes:

Isn't there some law about the maximum size time window for such things?

[Stan4dSteph]

I arranged to have them call me once. Not sure if yours will do that. They just call when they're about 30 minutes out or so. It works as long as you're close enough to get home in time.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I arranged to have them call me once. Not sure if yours will do that. They just call when they're about 30 minutes out or so. It works as long as you're close enough to get home in time.It shouldn't be a big deal, our schedule has at least one of us home all the time that day anyway. I'm just angry at myself for blanking out on my phone.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm really starting to dig this home improvement thing. I may have just found the solution to a perplexing installation roadblock with the purchase of longer nipples. If only all of life's problems could be sovled with longer nipples.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I'm really starting to dig this home improvement thing. I may have just found the solution to a perplexing installation roadblock with the purchase of longer nipples. If only all of life's problems could be sovled with longer nipples.

I prefer close nipples.

[JWBear]

I'm really starting to dig this home improvement thing. I may have just found the solution to a perplexing installation roadblock with the purchase of longer nipples. If only all of life's problems could be sovled with longer nipples.
They have techniques for that. I know some guys who could teach you.... ;)

[Ghoulish Delight]

A word of advice...

Never move. Ever.

[JWBear]

A word of advice...

Never move. Ever.
I second that advice!

[Motorboat Cruiser]

A word of advice...

Never move. Ever.

I learned this when I had the misfortune of having to move 4 times in three years. And at each place I moved to, sans one, it was with the expectation of staying there for at least 3-4 years. Nothing sucks more.

[Ghoulish Delight]

And our hell has just begun.

We are living in a pile of boxes. We can't unpack half of our kitchen stuff because the lower cabinets must remain empty until the counters are done. The range is in one corner of the dining area, the fridge in the other, and the dishwasher is on the patio (we're tossing that). That won't be back to normal for another 2 weeks (though I suppose between now and the day the counter is installed, we can put the fridge and range back in their places). During that time, we'll be without a counter or sink in the kitchen.

Our second bedroom is stuffed to the brim with boxes. I don't even know where to begin. I tried to re-hang the bedroom blinds last night and had to give up due to exhaustion/frustration, so we taped a sheet over the window. I haven't located half of my clothing.

The bunny can get up the stairs. Down is...and adventure. If he doesn't figure out the coordination soon, we may have to go find a stair runner so he doesn't slip, 'cause I don't want to live with a baby before we have a baby.

But the TV, stereo, cable, and DVR are primed and ready. Internet's active, I just gotta fight my way through the mountain in the 2nd bedroom to 1) find our wireless router and 2) connect it to the modem before we have access.

Ugh.

[Alex]

A word of advice...

Never move. Ever.
My policy (at least until I got married) was:

Move frequently. Just don't take any of your stuff with you when you do. Of course, this is why when we moved to the Bay Area we slept on the floor for the first four years.

[wendybeth]

Just make Munchkins a little slide for the stairs. Fun for him, entertaining for you two.:D

I know well the horrors of moving, and I empathise.

[JWBear]

And our hell has just begun.

We are living in a pile of boxes. We can't unpack half of our kitchen stuff because the lower cabinets must remain empty until the counters are done. The range is in one corner of the dining area, the fridge in the other, and the dishwasher is on the patio (we're tossing that). That won't be back to normal for another 2 weeks (though I suppose between now and the day the counter is installed, we can put the fridge and range back in their places). During that time, we'll be without a counter or sink in the kitchen.

Our second bedroom is stuffed to the brim with boxes. I don't even know where to begin. I tried to re-hang the bedroom blinds last night and had to give up due to exhaustion/frustration, so we taped a sheet over the window. I haven't located half of my clothing.

The bunny can get up the stairs. Down is...and adventure. If he doesn't figure out the coordination soon, we may have to go find a stair runner so he doesn't slip, 'cause I don't want to live with a baby before we have a baby.

But the TV, stereo, cable, and DVR are primed and ready. Internet's active, I just gotta fight my way through the mountain in the 2nd bedroom to 1) find our wireless router and 2) connect it to the modem before we have access.

Ugh.
I feel your pain. We've been here 7 months now and there are still un-unpacked boxes piled in the office. And we won't even discuss the garage....

[Alex]

If it has been more than six months and you haven't yet found reason to unpack the box then you can safely just throw it away.

[€uroMeinke]

I feel your pain. We've been here 7 months now and there are still un-unpacked boxes piled in the office. And we won't even discuss the garage....

Hmmm - I think we're getting close to year 7 and that garage is still a scary place - it's the storage unit I will refuse to discuss...

[Ghoulish Delight]

Theoretically, considering that this place is ~200sq ft bigger than our last, has a garage, and we ditched some bulky furniture replacing it with smaller furniture with more storage, there should be room for everything and then some.



Theoretically. It's not helping that the kitchen shelves are about 25% narrower. Good thing our barware is pretty because it's no going to live on display in the living room.

[Snowflake]

Been here 2.5 months, still boxes unpacked and when I moved, there were boxes from the move East in the closet (those got 86'd)

I can feel your pain, but I think the homeownership will make it all worth it in the end!

[Disneyphile]

The bunny can get up the stairs. Down is...and adventure. Too funny!! :D

Although, I'm with Wendybeth on this one - make him a slide. :snap:

[JWBear]

If it has been more than six months and you haven't yet found reason to unpack the box then you can safely just throw it away.
No, it's stuff we need and want. We just haven't finished fixing up the office enough to unpack it and organize it.

Personally, I can’t understand throwing stuff out just because you haven’t used it for a few months. To me that’s just as silly as never getting rid of anything at all. By your criteria, we should all throw out our holiday decorations – they only get used once a year, after all!

[Matterhorn Fan]

I have a few boxes, but they're books. Some of them I can let go of, some are things I need to keep. They may still be in boxes after 3 years, but that doesn't mean I haven't been in and out of those boxes in the meantime. I just don't have enough bookshelf space.

But this isn't my "forever" residence. I'm in a somewhat crappy apartment. If I have books in boxes in an office in a real home I own for 3+ years, then I'll be thinking more seriously about dumping (or finally having custom shelving built).

[Alex]

Personally, I can’t understand throwing stuff out just because you haven’t used it for a few months. To me that’s just as silly as never getting rid of anything at all. By your criteria, we should all throw out our holiday decorations – they only get used once a year, after all!

Actually, the rule I use is usually a year (and in pracitce really works out to longer than that) and there are exceptions (we haven't used what few Christmas decorations we have since 2001 but we still have them). But after a move, if I haven't used it in six months I think it is generally safe for me to assume I probably shouldn't have moved it in the first place.

All of this only kicks in once the official storage locations are overflowing. If everything can properly be stored away then I don't really care (which is why we still have the Christmas decoratoins; they're inside a coffee table where I don't really have anything to put in there anyway).

[innerSpaceman]

I have a five year rule. And it applies to throwing things out before the move, not for unpacking.

[RStar]

(which is why we still have the Christmas decoratoins; they're inside a coffee table where I don't really have anything to put in there anyway).
Ok, I have to laugh at this. My Christmas decorations are in dozens of large boxes, each the size of a coffee table.

Have you seen Christmas Vacation? They don't call me Sparky for nothin'!:cool: And yes, you need the sunglasses when you come over!;)

[Prudence]

I have a lot of family heirloom kinds of things that I can't safely display at the moment. I will someday, but for now boxes are the safest places for them. But they're still accessible, and I still have moments when I go through the boxes, look at things, and remember. Which reminds me that I need to take a look at my grandmother's wedding dress and see what preservation steps I can take now - I haven't checked it out since she died.

[Ghoulish Delight]

The good news is that the 3rd time was the charm and Munchkin has successfully figured out how to get down the stairs without accidentally sliding to his doom.

The bad news is that the 3rd time was the charm and Munchkin has successfully figured out how to get down the stairs purposefully scaring the crap out of his mommy and daddy by making dare-devil leaps from height.

Meanwhile, I went through nearly 2 hours of hold/getting cutoff/getting brushed off hell with Time Warner last night only to finally learn that all I had to do was push one button to fix my internet connect (why...WHY would a cable modem have a "Don't connect to the internet" button?!?!?).

[JWBear]

The good news is that the 3rd time was the charm and Munchkin has successfully figured out how to get down the stairs without accidentally sliding to his doom.

The bad news is that the 3rd time was the charm and Munchkin has successfully figured out how to get down the stairs purposefully scaring the crap out of his mommy and daddy by making dare-devil leaps from height.

Meanwhile, I went through nearly 2 hours of hold/getting cutoff/getting brushed off hell with Time Warner last night only to finally learn that all I had to do was push one button to fix my internet connect (why...WHY would a cable modem have a "Don't connect to the internet" button?!?!?).
Because they're evil!

[wendybeth]

Munchkins is a stunt-bunny.:)

[Disneyphile]

We need video of the stunt bunny!!! :D

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Note: Unless you enjoy having a mini fantasmic water screen demonstration in your kitchen, and you have a dishwasher, remove the dishwasher knockout plug for any new garbage disposals that you install. Don't ask how I know this.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Note: Unless you enjoy having a mini fantasmic water screen demonstration in your kitchen, and you have a dishwasher, remove the dishwasher knockout plug for any new garbage disposals that you install. Don't ask how I know this. 1) We're reinstalling the old one

2) By "we" I mean a plumber. I took a crack (heheh) at unhooking everything last weekend. It didn't take me long to remember why I earn money...to pay other people to do things I can't do. What would have taken me a couple hours of swearing, banging, injuring, crying, sacrificing, damaging, etc. took the boys from Greg's Good Ream Plumbing (I am NEVER handing CP a phone book to find a service again) about 15 minutes while I sat on the couch. Money well spent (even if it did mean having to write a check to "Greg's Good Ream" :mad: ).

[Moonliner]

1) We're reinstalling the old one

2) By "we" I mean a plumber. I took a crack (heheh) at unhooking everything last weekend. It didn't take me long to remember why I earn money...to pay other people to do things I can't do. What would have taken me a couple hours of swearing, banging, injuring, crying, sacrificing, damaging, etc. took the boys from Greg's Good Ream Plumbing (I am NEVER handing CP a phone book to find a service again) about 15 minutes while I sat on the couch. Money well spent (even if it did mean having to write a check to "Greg's Good Ream" :mad: ).


Ahh grasshopper you have done well. You have learned the first lesson of home-ownership. Your best tool is the yellow pages.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Money well spent (even if it did mean having to write a check to "Greg's Good Ream" :mad: ).
Worthy of quoting for no apparent reason than that I got a good laugh.

I hope you continue to hand CP the phone book to look things up.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Wow am I glad these last few days are over. A lot of good and a little bad, but all very draining.

The good: We have our bedroom set and it's gorgeous. We have our kitchen counter and sink installed, the dishwasher is in and not leaking (yay me!) and there might even be space to get it out in an emergency. The dryer has been fixed.

The bad: Getting the counter installed turned into an 11 hour day. Seems one of the install crew called in sick so they were running late...but did they bother to call me about it? No. So I waited through my 3 hour window, and they didn't show up. After calling the company (which at one point couldn't even get in touch with the crew), they finally showed up 2 hours after the window. And then, being one man short, took 6 hours to do the install. I complained to Home Depot...they gave me a $50 gift card :rolleyes:.

More bad: the dryer is currently working, but the repair guy said that the vent is clogged and that if we don't get it cleared (~$200 service call), the dryer will continue to break down. Grrr. Maybe we'll find someone who has a plumbers snake we can borrow.

Bad: The plumbers we called in to install the sink (yeah, I could have done it myself, but it would have probably taken a week and energy I just don't have with all the other crap I need to do) were kinda lame. Fist off, they tried to sell me a brand new disposal even though we kept the old one. Which wasn't too bad, 'cause it is a really old disposal, but what pissed me off is that the guy said, "Why not, we're just going to charge it to Mr. Sloan." :eek: I AM Mr. Sloan, you jerk. Seems he was under the impression that "Mr. Sloan" was a landlord and I was just renting from him. As if that's justification to just start charging anything they want to him. Of course, the good news is that the guys who pulled the sink out (from the same company) managed to lose part of the disposal, so it couldn't be reinstalled...so they gave us the new one for free. Yay.

Bad but good: After everything got installed, we moved the old range back into place. It's old, it's sticky, it's ugly...but it cooks our food. Except, the ignitor switch (electric ignition) for the oven seems to be jammed, so while all the burners are fine, the oven is out of comission. We took the switch apart yesterday to see if we could fix it oursevles. No luck. So we're looking at this, realizing that getting it fixed is easily a $200 service call, while a brand new one is about $300. A quick look at the budget...and we're off to buy a new range today. Yay!

But anyway, things are progressing. Next up is painting the kitchen cabinets. The new sink and counter are absolutely perfect, but we can't wait until it all comes together with the new paint. It will be heaven.

[wendybeth]

Doesn't €uro have a plumber's snake? I seem to recall an episode where he was terrorised by one, but perhaps that was a hired snake.

[€uroMeinke]

Doesn't €uro have a plumber's snake? I seem to recall an episode where he was terrorised by one, but perhaps that was a hired snake.

Indeed, with our semi-annual plummbing calls, we ought to just buy one - but we're talking Dryer vent here right? so you've an abundance of lint? Ordinarily I'd think this an easy job to do, but I know in a condo, such vents might snake it's way through a building and have numerous twists and turns to navigate through. Considering the several hours I spent under our house one summer to make an "easy" repair on our dryer vent - I'd call a professional.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The vent is built into the concrete under the building and comes out on the patio. There's no "underneath" for us to crawl into. I glanced at a book detailing how to clean out a dryer vent using a plumber's snake the other day - I'm going to have another look and weigh our options.

[MouseWife]

Hee hee...I say keep handing CP the yellow pages. :D

Ya know, in all of the years of renting, no repairman has ever said that to me. I wouldn't appreciate it if they had and I KNOW you definitely did not.

Well, karma on them when they had to give you one for free....

It all sounds so nice. Even the crappy stuff.

An ignitor switch costs how much???? Damn. Well, a nice new stove is on the way. :)

[MouseWife]

The vent is built into the concrete under the building and comes out on the patio. There's no "underneath" for us to crawl into. I glanced at a book detailing how to clean out a dryer vent using a plumber's snake the other day - I'm going to have another look and weigh our options.

Would a blower work? Or is it too long of a space?

[Not Afraid]

Maybe we should invest in a LoT plumbers snake and just pass it around as needed.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Maybe we should invest in a LoT plumbers snake and just pass it around as needed.

Once it got to Leo, we would never see it again.

[Not Afraid]

I thought he got his pipes cleaned fairly regularly? ;)

[MickeyLumbo]

oh no you dint! LOL



GD, it is exausting reading these adventures. but, i am glad you are sharing them and so happy for you two to find your xanadu.

i also used Home Depot for a variety of my projects... and a general contractor with a team of workers for each specific project.

one thing that worked well, when things ever developed a kink, was to contact the Home Depot manager (he knew me well eventually) and ask to get a message to the District Manager. that usually got things popping fast without the DM ever hearing about it.

continued good luck and best wishes on your new home:cheers:

[Kevy Baby]

One thing that worked well, when things ever developed a kink, was to contact the Home Depot manager (he knew me well eventually) and ask to get a message to the District Manager. that usually got things popping fast without the DM ever hearing about it.It is sad that this is what it takes to get things accomplished.

[katiesue]

If it's the way the vent is designed, have any other neighbors had similiar issues? Maybe someone has the "in" on a fix. Homeowners association maybe?

[Ghoulish Delight]

An ignitor switch costs how much???? Quiet, you!

Yeah, yeah. We could just go buy the part and install it without calling a repair guy (that would be the $200 I guessed, which seems to be about the standard minimum to get anyone to your house to do anything). But screw it, it's a 20 year old piece of crap that doesn't match our kitchen. This was a good excuse to find room in the budget.

What we're finding as we go through doing the few little improvements that we had planned is...the previous owners were lazy turds. Everything they did was done half-assed. Things like the new floor just being slapped over the old floor. Or the fact that anywhere that should have 2 screws holding something on only has 1 screw. Most of the stuff is cosmetic, so it's not a big deal, but stil. So I'm really glad we're doing such a complete overhaul on the kitchen so at least one area of this place will have been done with an entire ass.

[Not Afraid]

They usually put down flooring over existing flooring.

[scaeagles]

Once it got to Leo, we would never see it again.

Could save me abou $100 every tiume I have to go the GI doc. Not a bad idea.

But if MBC had it before me.....who knows where that thing would have been.

[Scrooge McSam]

They usually put down flooring over existing flooring.

Roofing too, apparantly. There's 3 layers that have to come off my house when I redo the roof.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

They usually put down flooring over existing flooring.
Roofing too, apparantly. There's 3 layers that have to come off my house when I redo the roof.Totally. I think there's a limit to this regarding flooring though. When you put down mock hardwood flooring that will obviously require a rug (and non-slip mat underneath said rug) and suddenly you can't open a door over it because there's 2 additional flooring layers underneath, it's just silly. It's workable in our downstairs area but the bath mat in the upstairs bathroom stops the door cold. Very aggravating, as the mat keeps having to be moved.

[Drince88]

I'd be happy to lend you my plumbers snake, but I think the shipping would be as much as buying a new one!

I doubt a blower would work, as, due to moisture and temperature differences/condensation, the lint tends to STICK really good to the vent pipe. Though a long hose on a shop-vac might be partially effective in combo with the plumbers snake.

And yea for the new range. You do know that this means Turkey day is at your house!

And cookies. Much easier to bake good cookies in a well-working oven without hot spots!

[MouseWife]

...so at least one area of this place will have been done with an entire ass.


I'm a notta gonna toucha that one! :D

But I hear ya, I would have done the same. Start new. Always nice.

[RStar]

Totally. I think there's a limit to this regarding flooring though.There's regulations for this in roofing as well due to the wieght. I don't know anyone that has put a new roof over an old one. But depending on the material I suppose it can be done. And it would add insulation. But three layers is a bit much!!

[€uroMeinke]

I know it's common in the case of linoleum, I imagine not so with tile, or pergo

[Strangler Lewis]

I'm telling Jorge.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

But if MBC had it before me.....who knows where that thing would have been.

I'm unable to recall at this time.

(gee, maybe I could become a politician)

[DreadPirateRoberts]

The vent is built into the concrete under the building and comes out on the patio. There's no "underneath" for us to crawl into. I glanced at a book detailing how to clean out a dryer vent using a plumber's snake the other day - I'm going to have another look and weigh our options.

If the vent is built into the concrete, it probably doesn't have many twists and turns. I'd get the plumber's snake and give it a try. Do you see lint at the outlet? I wonder why so much lint would be getting in the exhaust vent, sounds like the lint screen isn't doing its job. Maybe the lint screen doesn't fully seat?

[DreadPirateRoberts]

What we're finding as we go through doing the few little improvements that we had planned is...the previous owners were lazy turds. Everything they did was done half-assed. Things like the new floor just being slapped over the old floor. Or the fact that anywhere that should have 2 screws holding something on only has 1 screw. Most of the stuff is cosmetic, so it's not a big deal, but stil. So I'm really glad we're doing such a complete overhaul on the kitchen so at least one area of this place will have been done with an entire ass.

Good for you. My grandfather always told me, "If it's worth doing, do it right".

[Ghoulish Delight]

Maybe the lint screen doesn't fully seat?Could be a few things. Mostly I'd bet it's the previous owners being lazy and never having the thing cleaned out. Probabloy 33 years worth of crap in there. Secondly, in a bit of idiotic design, the vent outlet is on the patio at ground level, so I'd imagine a lot of crap gets in there from the outside.