My First Week!

In keeping with my song title themes, this week is properly titled...

“Nothing as it Seems” (Pearl Jam)

I’ll start out by saying that my intentions to do a daily post are very unreasonable! Sorry to those who have been waiting for the next post. This past (almost) week has been an extremely stressful, challenging, informative, enlightening, fabulous learning experience! The major lessons this week have been:

1. Until you are in it, you have no idea what to expect :)
2. When you think something is going to take an hour, it really takes two or more
3. Hiring contractors is not as easy as it looks on TV
4. Actually, doing anything is not as easy as it looks on TV
5. You’ll need a prescription for vicodin if you plan to rip out carpet tacks...My back is STILL on fire!!!
6. All little jobs lead to bigger jobs
7. and...just when you think you had a budget and it was realistic, you realize YOU ARE WRONG :)

Posted below are the photos after I got the keys once all of the previous owners belongings were out. And this will be the last memory of the place as it was when I took possession. Everything from this point forward will bring a little piece of me to the space :)

Seriously tho, I love my new adventure! And if I had a money tree in my back yard, this whole adventure would even be more fun! But, reality has set in and as much as I think I have a money tree, I DON’T :) So, its time to be responsible and lower the bar a few notches.

So, top “BIG” priorities are:

1. Popcorn ceiling removal
2. New kitchen sink + faucet
3. New bathroom...YEP, the whole damn thing! Vanity, sink, tub, tile, fixtures, mirror, etc.
4. New carpet in bedrooms

The other items on the TO DO LIST are:

1. Painting! and lots of it! The entire condo + the kitchen & laundry room cabinets
2. New lighting fixtures throughout + patio
3. Wireless doorbell
4. Buy washer & dryer
5. Closet organizers

Items that fall somewhere in between:

1. New front door + screen door
2. New garage door

And finally, items on the HGTV Wish List (someone get me a show :)

1. New kitchen
2. New hardwood floors throughout

So, last Thursday & Friday involved a short parade of contractors coming in to give me quotes on the popcorn ceiling removal. I must say that having done a bit of homework, made the process all that much easier. I actually knew what they were talking about and knew what questions to ask.

By the end of the day on Friday, 5/6, I had hired my first contractor! And here I sit, on the eve of 5/10 and the job is done and it was done right!!! Gotta love it when a plan works out the right way! Ceilings are done and look fabulous! Here are some pics of the transformation taking place.

The other fabulous news to report is that my Dad (& Mom) have just arrived from Chicago to help pitch in and manage all the projects! If anyone can help me get all of this done in three weeks its my Dad! Having spent the greater part of his life in the building & construction industry, he knows a ton and has taught me well! I’m looking forward to the next few weeks and I cannot wait to share the AFTER pics with everyone!

Now, to quote another favorite...from Jay-Z...”On to the next one”

And let it be so...on to the next group of contractors parading thru...this time, its bathroom contractors! Wish me luck!