Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!
Time has absolutely flown... and I have let it slip by. There are a myriad of things that have kept me from sitting down and posting... but I apologize for not making the time!
So... with all of the "stuff" going on, you would think I would have something to report. But I don't. In fact, most of my time has been spent getting the "final" kitchen in order, getting ready for tax season (for my household and for my aunt's final returns), figuring out what I should do is reactivate my real estate sales license (more later), finally getting around to seeing doctors I have avoided for over a decade (!), and just trying to clean out paperwork in the filing cabinet that needs to be shredded and gone!!! Whew!!! I apologize for the delay in posts... but I hope you can relate to the insanity of daily life that has kept me away from the computer.
Alright. The one thing that might be of interest is my decision to reactivate my real estate sales license. Yep. After submitting large quantities of online applications for employment, I realized that was getting me nowhere. One interview wasn't a good return on the time invested! LOL!! So... with the Waco market booming right now, I chatted with a gal who has lived here nearly forever. She pointed me in the direction of a sales agent she knows who is encouraging her to obtain her license. I contacted him, met with him and his manager, and found myself 'invited" to join the brokerage firm once I had my license reactivated! Oops! Time to get in high gear! After conversing with TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission), I obtained the two 30-hour courses I needed, finished those in short order, then submitted my application for reactivation. I received the acceptance letter from TREC quickly along with instruction to get fingerprinted (ridiculous, in my opinion, but we all have to do it) and take the National/State exam... again. Remember, I took this and was licensed previously. Sigh. So... I am now reviewing the exam prep course I obtained and have scheduled the exam for this Wednesday, 4/11/18. I am comfortable the outcome will be fine so will likely be a licensed real estate salesperson in the lovely state of Texas once again soon.
So... that is what has been going on... or at least a very quick synopsis of what has happened to this point. I am looking forward to getting back into real estate as it was the best "job" I ever had and never really felt like "work." The brokerage has been great and allowed me to sit in on some of the sales meetings they have each week in anticipation of my license being received by them.
I hope after reactivation, tax season, and finally clearing my desk, I will have more time to share some things of interest with you.
Until next post...
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Sunday, February 18, 2018
LAST BUT NOT LEAST... THE KITCHEN
Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!
My apologies for the delay in finishing up the house reno tour. A few things have slowed me down... but we will knock it out today.
Remember, you can see the entire house in its original state by clicking here.
After dealing with the stress of a remote renovation for the majority of the house, I was glad I waited to truly finish the kitchen until we were here. Although three+ weeks living in a house without a kitchen was a little challenging at times, that spousal-unit was SO on top of it!! It was begun in early September meaning perfect weather for outdoor grilling. He set up a couple of long tables in the den, had the refrigerator moved into the den, and set up a work/washing table outside. It was amazing. He actually managed to make the whole thing work with only a couple of "extra" meals out... but very few in total! In fact, it was really no problem at all. That guy is GOOD!
Okay. Enough. If he is reading this, I will have to admit to his fabulous abilities. Sigh. Oh well. :)
Now then... I am going to try to limit the photos per area. If you have been following the reno, you already have a good idea of the layout and what was in place. With a lot of pics to show you, I won't be typing much else.
Without further ado...
I will spare you the excessive amount of photos of the work being done. :) It won't help you... but I do want to show you most of the items that were done after they were finished. It is a substantial change... and we are enjoying it immensely.
Okay. You have seen it now. This was the final piece to put the house in shape. Are there still things to be done? Yes... but they are minor and can be done over time. No more rampant insanity without a kitchen or bathroom!!! Hooray!! Plenty of time now to decide on area rugs, a couple of remaining lighting fixtures, where to hang the art... all that stuff. No hurry.
So... I do hope you have enjoyed the journey. I assure you it was a MUCH longer and MUCH more challenging one than you have had to work through. LOL!!
Thank you for bearing with me... and staying with me! Hopefully future posts will be more about Waco itself than about our living situation! There is a lot to see here... and a lot to do. We are enjoying it.
Until next post...
My apologies for the delay in finishing up the house reno tour. A few things have slowed me down... but we will knock it out today.
Remember, you can see the entire house in its original state by clicking here.
After dealing with the stress of a remote renovation for the majority of the house, I was glad I waited to truly finish the kitchen until we were here. Although three+ weeks living in a house without a kitchen was a little challenging at times, that spousal-unit was SO on top of it!! It was begun in early September meaning perfect weather for outdoor grilling. He set up a couple of long tables in the den, had the refrigerator moved into the den, and set up a work/washing table outside. It was amazing. He actually managed to make the whole thing work with only a couple of "extra" meals out... but very few in total! In fact, it was really no problem at all. That guy is GOOD!
Okay. Enough. If he is reading this, I will have to admit to his fabulous abilities. Sigh. Oh well. :)
Now then... I am going to try to limit the photos per area. If you have been following the reno, you already have a good idea of the layout and what was in place. With a lot of pics to show you, I won't be typing much else.
Without further ado...
WHERE WE STARTED... THAT PENINSULA HAS GOT TO GO!!!
THIS IS WHERE I WANT THE ISLAND!
PENINSULA GONE!
ROUND ONE - ISLAND IN - OLD CABINETS AND APPLIANCES REMAIN.
COMPLETE KITCHEN TEAROUT!!!! TO THE WALLS!!! IT IS GOING TO GET SO MUCH BETTER SOON!!
I will spare you the excessive amount of photos of the work being done. :) It won't help you... but I do want to show you most of the items that were done after they were finished. It is a substantial change... and we are enjoying it immensely.
THE SOAPSTONE TOPPED ISLAND WITH BAR SEATING AT THE DEN END.
NEW CABINETS, REFRIGERATOR, AND A BEVERAGE COOLER INSTEAD OF A DISHWASHER! (THANKS, JEAN... LOVE THAT IDEA!)
NEW RANGE, VENT HOOD, AND BACKSPLASH.
NEW BUILT-IN PANTRY... AND IT IS GREAT TO HAVE!!! GOOD IDEA, SPOUSAL-UNIT!!
NEW SLEEK FRIDGE... WITH NO HANDLES!! LIKING THAT.
BEVERAGE COOLER HAS HANDLES... BUT WE AREN'T PUTTING THEM ON!
NEW "ICE GREY" SINK OF GREAT WIDTH AND DEPTH. MAKES THOSE BIG ITEMS SO MUCH EASIER TO WASH!
REALLY LOVE THE NEW RANGE... THE OVENS CAN BE USED AS ONE LARGE OVEN... OR JUST AS A TOP OVEN FOR THOSE SINGLE ITEMS AND BAKING SHEETS.
THE VENT HOOD CAN NEARLY PULL ONE'S BODY OFF THE FLOOR!! KIND OF SCARY!!
Okay. You have seen it now. This was the final piece to put the house in shape. Are there still things to be done? Yes... but they are minor and can be done over time. No more rampant insanity without a kitchen or bathroom!!! Hooray!! Plenty of time now to decide on area rugs, a couple of remaining lighting fixtures, where to hang the art... all that stuff. No hurry.
So... I do hope you have enjoyed the journey. I assure you it was a MUCH longer and MUCH more challenging one than you have had to work through. LOL!!
Thank you for bearing with me... and staying with me! Hopefully future posts will be more about Waco itself than about our living situation! There is a lot to see here... and a lot to do. We are enjoying it.
Until next post...
Monday, January 8, 2018
DEN AND POWDER ROOM
Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!
Alright. Let's move forward and get this house reno thing finished!
Remember, you can view the entire house Before by clicking here.
The Den and Powder Room got freshened up a bit. Neither had huge work done... but I think they do look better now.
Powder Room Before...
... and After a little freshening up...
The Den was spruced up a bit. Before and During:
And now... After! (Keep in mind there is still furniture to be purchased and decor to be added. Still a work in progress!)
So... progress was made. But the Kitchen was still not completed. It got some things done... but was not fully reno'd during this time. I have kept it for the last post about the reno as it will be quite long with three sections... Before, Partially Done, and Finished!
I hope you are getting a feeling about how much work was actually done. It was a mess for quite a while! But, if a house has good "bones" and is in a good location, I can tell you it is worth the effort.
Until next post...
Alright. Let's move forward and get this house reno thing finished!
Remember, you can view the entire house Before by clicking here.
The Den and Powder Room got freshened up a bit. Neither had huge work done... but I think they do look better now.
Powder Room Before...
... and After a little freshening up...
The Den was spruced up a bit. Before and During:
And now... After! (Keep in mind there is still furniture to be purchased and decor to be added. Still a work in progress!)
So... progress was made. But the Kitchen was still not completed. It got some things done... but was not fully reno'd during this time. I have kept it for the last post about the reno as it will be quite long with three sections... Before, Partially Done, and Finished!
I hope you are getting a feeling about how much work was actually done. It was a mess for quite a while! But, if a house has good "bones" and is in a good location, I can tell you it is worth the effort.
Until next post...
Friday, December 22, 2017
MASTER BATH
Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!!
Today, we will cover the Master Bath reno the same way we did the Master Bedroom. The pictures will show the "before" followed by the "after." Hopefully it will all make sense!
Remember, you can see the entire house in its "BEFORE" by clicking here.
Without further ado...
The granite chosen for this bathroom has what is called a "leathered" finish. It is definitely not polished (smooth and shiny). It is definitely not honed (smooth but not shiny). It actually has a texture you can feel running your hand across it. It is great for a more "rustic" feel in a particular area so was perfect here.
One of the things I really love are the "floating" vanities in the bathrooms. Nothing touches the floor. The ease of cleaning beneath them is wonderful. No toe-kicks to jam a bare foot into when not paying attention (yes... I have done it many times)! I found a lot of different types of the "floating" vanities on Pinterest. While it can be overwhelming, you can also find a LOT of great ideas there. Just set aside some time to browse!!
So... that does it for the "formal" living spaces as well as the bedrooms/bathrooms wing of the house. Stay tuned for the den/kitchen... the real showstopper in the house.
Have a FABulous Christmas!!!
Until next post...
Today, we will cover the Master Bath reno the same way we did the Master Bedroom. The pictures will show the "before" followed by the "after." Hopefully it will all make sense!
Remember, you can see the entire house in its "BEFORE" by clicking here.
Without further ado...
The granite chosen for this bathroom has what is called a "leathered" finish. It is definitely not polished (smooth and shiny). It is definitely not honed (smooth but not shiny). It actually has a texture you can feel running your hand across it. It is great for a more "rustic" feel in a particular area so was perfect here.
One of the things I really love are the "floating" vanities in the bathrooms. Nothing touches the floor. The ease of cleaning beneath them is wonderful. No toe-kicks to jam a bare foot into when not paying attention (yes... I have done it many times)! I found a lot of different types of the "floating" vanities on Pinterest. While it can be overwhelming, you can also find a LOT of great ideas there. Just set aside some time to browse!!
So... that does it for the "formal" living spaces as well as the bedrooms/bathrooms wing of the house. Stay tuned for the den/kitchen... the real showstopper in the house.
Have a FABulous Christmas!!!
Until next post...
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
MASTER BEDROOM
Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!! Welcome back!
Today we are going to take a peek at the Master Bedroom. While it really didn't have much done, I think the difference just due to new flooring, new paint, and removing curtains is worth doing it!
Without further ado (and remember you can see the whole house BEFORE by clicking here)...
... this is going to just be pictures posted with a "before" picture followed by an "after" picture (or maybe two). You will be able to follow it easily. The bedroom was not "staged" for photos... so don't judge!!! (You know who you are!) :)
Today we are going to take a peek at the Master Bedroom. While it really didn't have much done, I think the difference just due to new flooring, new paint, and removing curtains is worth doing it!
Without further ado (and remember you can see the whole house BEFORE by clicking here)...
... this is going to just be pictures posted with a "before" picture followed by an "after" picture (or maybe two). You will be able to follow it easily. The bedroom was not "staged" for photos... so don't judge!!! (You know who you are!) :)
A little detail...
So... while this was not an "exciting" change... nothing major... it is the last bedroom to view before we explore the new Master Bath. Now THAT has had some changes! In all fairness, I will tell you the Kitchen is the showstopper and the biggest change. Saving that one for last. :)
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until next post...
Saturday, December 9, 2017
SECONDARY BEDROOMS AND THE JACK-AND-JILL BATH
Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!
Today we will cover the secondary bedrooms (3 of them) and the Jack-and-Jill bathroom between two of them.
So... down this hallway lie all bedrooms. There are two on the front (left side from this view) that have a Jack-and-Jill bath between them. A third is on the back side of the house after turning right at the end of the hallway. Before... and after.
First bedroom on the left (now the guest room). Before... and after.
Second bedroom on the left at the front corner of the house (now my "dressing" room!). Before... and after. (Don't judge... still a work in progress!)
(Ikea has some very helpful items!!)
The third bedroom that sits on the back of the house. It is now the "Man Cave" and where the spousal-unit has his "man stuff", desk, and whatever else. Before... and after.
Finally, there is the Jack-and-Jill bath between the two front secondary bedrooms. It is not really a true Jack-and-Jill as it is essentially a single bathroom with access from either side. It is tight... but has all one needs! :) It did have a major transformation! Before... and after.
RIP THAT OUT!!!!
AND FINALLY!!!
Whew! So there you have it. The funny thing is... this wasn't the "big" part of the reno!! Amazing, though, how some simple changes can really improve the look of a room.
Thank you for joining me today! There is a lot more to come. Stay tuned!
Until next post...
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