Renovation and Makeover

We knew there'd be problems before we moved in.  I didn't get that the discoloration on the floor meant water damage.  We called the insurance company who sent a crew out June 28 and stayed with us until July 6 and disappeared.

The insurance company had wired money to our bank in addition to paying Service Master.   okay, additional expenses like the plumber, electrician . . . but wait.  We still need more than just a sub floor. . . Installation 

We finally heard back from Service Master on August 11, I believe.  It was by phone on Friday and they said they'd be out on Monday.  They weren't.  Roland received a call after 6:00 pm on Tuesday.  A representative came to give an estimate, which Roland tore apart and ended up agreeing to dry wall only.  Oh, and let's not forget the furnace that has been in our kitchen the last 6 weeks.  And please return our daughter's possessions!

Dry wall put in.  Furnace installed but not connected.  Jenna's belongings didn't arrive until Friday.  To save ourselves some money, we decided to paint and install the floors ourselves. Some pictures I have posted already.  But here is a synopsis of our lives June 28 through today.

June 27 water damaged floor

floor ripped up and fans dry out

furnace lived in the kitchen along side our dining table

I did try to liven it up a little

didn't always work out though

this would be Jenna's room June 29

Roland on cat walk fixing breaker switch Jun 30

we had pulled out 5 drawers of clothes and 

stored them in the tub - it served as a temporary closet

washer and dryer lived outside

July 3,  Jenna's room

furnace hole, Jenna's room, washer and dryer space

July 6 subfoor

July 6  Jenna's room

furnace still not hooked up

this one appears to be out of order . . . . hmm. 

wall connecting to laundry wall  July 1 probably

washer disconnected Aug 16

Aug 16 wall in Jenna's room

sorting through clothes that Kylee gave her

Aug 16

cutting drywall in our carport

Aug 16 Roland spackling laundry/hall

Aug 16 spackling Jenna's wall

Aug 18 Jenna picked out a really loud paint

August 20, finally set up for moving back in

August 22 quite proud of her green wall

Aug 22, start the flooring project

our back porch during renovation

Aug 24

our kitchen seems to have taken a dive as well

Aug 25 All done.

Cool on the Coast

My mom would often tell us that when my brother Patrick was younger, his absolute favorite story (book) that he enjoyed reading was Joan Heilbroner's "Robert the Rose Horse"

I would guess because it was a book he could follow and repeat as it was being told "His eyes began to itch, His nose began to itch. And . . .  ACHOO . . "

            I was thinking about that last night as I was taking a shower trying to wash the itch away from the rest of my body.  I probably should not have gone to the pool yesterday.  The air temperature was about 10-20 degrees warmer than it has ever been (since I started taking classes anyway) though the water itself was a nice temperature.  I think I breathed in too much nasty air. 

            I had come to Oregon to get away from nasty air. I think I have used more eye drops this summer than I have during the winter seasons I was in Salt Lake.  First there were the winds during our traveling in June.  Fireworks actually didn't bother me this July as it has most Julys.  And now the smoke and whatever other chemicals have been reported to be in the air.

            That and going from the temperature of the house from a/c to desert heat (and I don't live in the desert anymore) hasn't helped any either.    Up until two weeks ago, I was sleeping with the windows opens and not using the A/C at night.  This week the A/C was on nearly 24/7.  Even when it had cooled off (back to under 60) I don't want to invite the smoke.

            Today we went to the coast in honor of Sand Castle Day (here).  Once we passed Ten Mile, the skies were overcast and not smoky. 

            We spent a few hours on the beach. 

Jenna was the only one who braved the water - but not even all the way in.   

The water was cold. 

Theoretically it should have only taken an hour to get there, but a road was closed and we had to go around - which made the trip longer.  Still overcast for the entire return.  It appears to have lifted the haze.   I'm grateful for that.