New Furnace

Well, gas for the truck may bankrupt us, but the costs to heat the house sure won't!

Today we got our new super efficient gas furnace and water heater installed. It should be a HUGE savings compared to the old one. I almost wish is was still colder so we could really see the difference in the next few months. Its a good feeling to know that we aren't being wasteful anymore too.

Here are the contracors we used.. http://www.greenhomesamerica.com/

I need to win the Lottery.

Two things came back WAY over what I want to spend today. I got the first bid on the patio.. 3700.00 EEK! Well, I guess we move on down through the yellow pages because that contractor is on crack. Then I priced a cushion for the window seat.. 175.00! Damn, I own the seat, I just need to pad my butt. Its foam wrapped in some fabric, its not spun gold fleece! I guess I was feeling rich and hoping to do both these things with as little work for me as possible. Wrong... I'm back to sweat equity and breaking out the sewing machine.

Time for a new patio!

I've got guys coming this weeks for bids. We weren't really planning on doing this for a while, but its falling apart. Its actually to the point that its dangerous because some of the big chunks are loose. We also have concerns that its not draining the right way and we definitely don't need any future foundation damage.
Right now its 29 x 8, but I think we'll take it out a little farther to make it 29 x 12. 8 feet is a little tight, and we'd like to get get a table for 6 out there. I don't know if we'll stamp it or just pour a new slab... opinions????
If you look on the driveway side out neighbors put up a killer fence. I'd like to redo our gates to kind of coordinate. Might as well take advantage right? I don't think we'll go 6 ft though, 4 is probably fine. Wow... looking at this picture gives me MAJOR spring fever.

Window Bench Seat Insanity

In our dining room I have this window and its making me insane. I am now on my 4th set of window treatments and have hated them all. The ones in the picture are the ones that were in the house when we moved in minus the fru fru satin eyebrow that went over the top. YUCK. I took those down and went to a different valance, hated that. Then I spent 2 weeks making a sweet cornice and drapes only to get the dog and come to the realization that she likes to sit up there and watch the world go by when we are gone. Bad Dog. This has also forced me to realize that it's time to sew a cushion and lose the blanket that's been there since we moved in. I guess the dog is motivating me not only to go for more walks, but to spend millions at the fabric store as well.

Finding the right thing to go on these windows is making me crazy. With this style of house they really should be drapes, but with the seat it just doesn't work. Anything else just doesn't go with the character of the house!!! To make it even more difficult it also has to look just as good from the outside as in because that's the window you walk past to the front door on the porch. At this point I'm ready for good old fashioned roll down shades. Grrrr.. Who knew that window treatments could make one so mental. Its so bad we were even out to dinner and I was trying to figure out if the blinds in the restaurant would work in our house.

I need Mom, she rocks at this stuff.

My new office

Ahhh, my space. I've wanted an office all mine for a long time. This was done on the cheap, but its my favorite place in the house. I tore out the old carpet, painted the walls and ceiling and redid the lighting. The desks are 2 hollow core doors with a base that I made (thanks google) I've got tons of room now to spread out and work on whatever I want. Or just to hide and plan on how to redo the rest of the pit. If you ever can't find me.. I'll be in that chair.

Stairs DONE

This is on the bottom landing, and was a pain in the butt.

I think it was worth the work. I did all the new trim myself!

Not what I envisioned at first, but for now I like them...

We may do a runner later. For now I'm happy they are presentable.