Home projects in the mid atlantic forum- May 2015

Speedie, I couldn't help but noticing that the Holly does an awesome job of blocking your view of your neighbors' house. What are you going to put in its place?

Gulp- that is the way it seems to go, more $ than hoped for! I was curious too about what's going to happen when the holly goes.

Yeah, you're right, it does provide really nice privacy, and that is something we've talked about... something to do a couple months from now once our depleted funds start to build back up again. He's got me on another 'project', deciding what could go there, AND the 2 specimen trees for out back. One will replace that 'copse' (heehee), and one will go to the right of the shed. (in the current pic, the placement would be to the LEFT of the 3-tier benches). And yes, the benches will have to go as well.

I was thinking about a crape myrtle (not sure of variety), or maybe even a couple Photinia... but we might want something evergreen. Golden Privet, maybe? Y'all got any ideas? =) Any and ALL ideas would be most welcomed, I have started a list, and would love to make it grow!

Thankfully it's not too too much over the budget, but for what we're paying, we'll get ALL the areas that we want with poured concrete done, and that will be WORTH IT! :)

We're home!!!! Yes, indeedy we DID take a dip in Lolo hot springs. There was an indoor pool they keep open in the winter and an outdoor pool heated by the hot spring. Very refreshing!
We stayed a couple days with our dear friend who is like a mother to us in Michigan. We were glad to get there when we did. She has dementia and was brought back to her house from visiting her son the day before. Her daughter came up from Indiana to be with her for a few days and to see us. We discovered that she had no water pressure. Her daughter found someone to talk Jeff through a temporary fix until he could come out the next day. They are looking for someone to be a live-in caregiver. The previous one had to leave to take care of her own mother.
It's good to be home.

Wow! Speedie, what projects you have planned.

We have a few feet of flooring to finish in the one bedroom and put in the rods in the closet so we can move back in. Better get to work.

Welcome back sweet, refreshed Jan and Jeff!

Speedie, The Emperor (Japanese maple) may still be looking for a home......

welcome home Jan, got a 'slide show' for us? It was always a big show when we got the slides out!

I vote yes on Japanese maple over crepe

YAY, Welcome Home Jan and Jeff!!!!!!! =) So glad you are home safe and sound, and that you had a great trip (for the most part, at least). ;) That is perfect timing, to show up at your friend's house the way you did... His timing is always perfect, huh? =)

Ooooh Judy, that's a wonderful thought, I will add it to my "List", thank you!! =) (I've been commissioned to put together this list for DH's perusal at a bit of a later date... like, when all the 'construction' is done). heehee

Jan so nice to have you and Jeff back. What great adventurers you are becoming, Wasn't it nice of your children to find jobs and homes all over the US so you can get all this traveling in. LOL Looking forward to seeing some of those pics, too.

It WAS rather nice of the kiddos to spread out like that all over the country. I was a BAD girl and didn't take many pics with the iPad. Jeff was the camera guy. There must be a way to access some of them to share with youse guys. Jeff is thinking we'll fly to Oregon next summer. Hehehehe

Yes, speedie, God's timing is perfect. We were very thankful we could help her out. She really needs a live in, otherwise she needs a facility. Her daughter would love to have her, but her hubby doesn't. Difficult situation. Being around our friend makes me very thankful that my mom's mind was sharp.

Our dear neighbor mowed for us while we were gone. He's 86 and is the janitor at the firehouse. He used to be fire chief for many years. He likes to keep busy. He was his wife's caregiver for ten years. The grandies like to visit him cuz he has a train set-up and a slot car track in his basement. That keeps him busy in the winter.

Glad you're back and safe Jan.

Welcome back, Jan!

How nice of your neighbor to help out while you were gone.

The yurt at the coast in Oregon

The kitchen area inside the yurt. The doorway to the right led to a huge bathroom with a large tub and a separate shower. The other house on the property we had was a 3 bedroom house plus our camper. Oh, and we set up two tents. Great times!!!

Campsite on Lake Marian on the upper peninsula of Michigan. Reminds us of the Adirondacks in NY

I really should have taken more pics with the iPad. I don't even have any of the family reunion. They are all on Jeff's camera.

What a pretty area. I think that kitchen is nicer than ours..LOL

That sure is a nice relaxing setting there on the lake. Makes me want to travel the US. When I was 16, my family did a month long cross country camping trip. I never forgot it, and always had in mind that I'd do it again when I could. Did you see the camp sign in the kitchen - "Camp Run-A-Muk" lol.

The yurt was LOVELY!!! The DIL's wanted to wrestle for it. Hehehe. Not really. The other half of it had a huge bed and lounging area with two leather sofas. We did notice the sign in the kitchen. She had a large (about 2 1/2' in diameter) drum that the kids had fun playing. It had a large padded drum stick. Maybe Jeff and I will go back there sometime by ourselves. One drawback, it was by a stone quarry. Only one morning we were woken up by a dump truck being loaded.

The campsite by the lake was also lovely. We had been there two years ago and said we would go back. It is in a national forest campground. There also were some private camps on one side of the lake. It was very calm.

Our son that also drove cross-country did about 8000 miles in 3 weeks. He had gotten the nat'l park yearly pass for $80 bucks and really got his money's worth. Considering the daily fee for a car at Yellowstone is $25. I don't know how many parks he hit. The kids really liked being at the Oregon coast with their cousins, but also the Redwwod forest.

WOW, you actually stayed in a yurt, that is so cool!! It's really lovely too, I had no idea! I've found that word on a word game I play on my Kindle and have thought "Yeah, who would ever use that word in a regular conversation!?" HA, Jan, that's who!! =D

Well, the trees got removed today, WooHoo!!!

1: The back, "before".
2: The back "after".
4: The front "before" (that holly)
5: The front "after" (that holly)

They even cleared out that little scrubby garbage that was around the holly without being asked to. I dunno about where you guys live, but around here, that kind of customer service is hard to come by!

I've never even seen a yurt in person. What an adventure, Jan!

Speedie, what a difference!

We stayed in the RV. The youngest son and family stayed there. Methinks his brothers would say he is spoiled. It really was cool.

You never played tag?

You're the first person I have ever known to use the word 'yurt' in casual conversation. That is so cool! =

Our Jan is so cool, she has a great sense of adventure.

Oh, you guys!!! Hehehe. All that adventure gets in the way of gardening, though.

TAG, yurt!!!!

LOL

David, LOL LOL!!!!!!!!!! It took me a minute. HAAA!!!

Yes, Jan is so cool, you could keep a side of beef in her for a month!! =)

Alrighty then, The Dirt Man is scheduled to do the light excavating next weekend, and The Concrete Man will be here the following weekend to pour all the concrete areas that we want.. at a very reasonable price! I saw the shed guys this morning and signed the contract and made the down payment, so that's set in motion as well. Wheee!!

WooHoo!!!!! It's coming together for you.

Okay, need input. Once we get to the bathroom we both have seen and like an idea, BUT, it isn't for everybody. In the shower area we have seen sheets of metal as the walls instead of tile. The idea of no grout lines appeals to me. We've seen the corrugated as well as smooth used. We lean toward the smooth. There are tiles that look like grayish wood for the floor on most of the bathroom and there is a mosaic tile that could be used for the shower floor. With the hanging sink I think that would look good. Not sure what to use on the walls in the rest of the bath. Maybe horizontal wood like will be in the guest room. My question is ...would this be something that would appeal if we resell? Or should we go plain vanilla to appeal to a buyer?

It's sometimes tough to decide between what you really like and will enjoy, and something that's not weird to unknown future buyers.

Think about how long you plan on staying in this house. If you think you may move in the next year or so then thinking about resale is smart but if you think you will stay in the house another 5 years or so then I would put in something you will like.

If you both like the way it looks, I say go for it. I personally would find it tough to pull off that kind of look because I think it would require a special decorating touch to make it look chic rather than industrial, but I have no doubt that you could do it.

Thanks for the input. Hehehe, who knows, by the time we're ready to focus on the bathroom I might find something else I like and then ask you all again.

I'd have to see it. I am afraid it sounds too far out for me to commit to.

I have though seen cool new sinks in several places, the kind with a bowl sitting on top of the counter? In restaurants.

That is what I want. I love the bowls so many pretty designs out there.

I looked at houzz for ideas. A fun place to browse.

Some of those vessel sinks are beautiful.

I can get lost for hours in the Houzz website.

Lowes carries a line of light fixtures with LED hardware and the rest looks like standard light fixtures- no bulb to change, ever (if all goes as intended)

http://www.lowes.com/Lighting-Ceiling-Fans/Bathroom-Lighting/_/N-1z10fjb/pl?goToProdList=True#!&N%5B%5D=1z0uw6k&N%5B%5D=1z10d2u&N%5B%5D=1z10fjb&utm_content=kenshoo&cm_mmc=search_google-_-Lighting+General+Bmm+Brand-_-Lighting+Vb+Kichler-_-%2Blowe's+%2Bkichler&k_clickID=_kenshoo_clickid_

OH, we put a few of those up at my Mother in Law's house when we were visiting in the Spring Sally!! So far so good, and WOW do they put off some really beautiful light! My legally blind Grammy in Law (cataracts and macular degeneration) is the one who does their laundry, and when we put one up in their "laundry room", she CRIED 'cause she was so happy that she could actually see the washer and dryer finally!! =) Those are some really really really fabulous light fixtures!

Ooops! Edited to apologize for my Polishness -- I forgot to reply to Jan! Jan, I'm with... Teri, was it? It all depends on how long you plan to stay there that determines whether or not you do that metal in the tub/shower, in my humble little opinion. For my personal taste, that would be a big PLUS to me as a new buyer, but it's a very stand-out kinda thing. Bathrooms and kitchens are biggies, and when it comes to selling, you want a nice 'WOW' factor without being too extreme. Again, just my own little opinion.

P.S. Nothing really new to look at in my yard.. the grading was done last weekend to make way for the concrete, and the concrete should start this Saturday morning. The fence goes up next Tuesday, if their schedule is still flowing along. Stay tuned... ;)

This message was edited Aug 20, 2015 4:31 AM

Jan's deciding on metal bathroom walls.
I am deciding (for hours) on which shade of beige for bathroom walls.
This may say something about my personality, that I am not sure I like! lol

Oh Sally don't paint them boring beige. Make your bathroom a fun color!

ARRRRGGGGG

Lol Sally! I think you should do your bath in birch bark with a moss and lichen floor and shelf fungi soap dishes!

now that is my style -Natural!!