Starting with the tile and laminate flooring this weekend!
Nate
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Gift For You
I was shooting some pics around our church building today of the Christmas decorations that were put up a few days ago (it's awesome to have professional decorators and lots of helping hands in the church body). My goal was to find a few shots that I could use for graphics for church marketing stuff in December.
Below are a few of my favorite shots, and because it's the giving season, I thought I'd share them with you. They'd make great desktop backgrounds, Christmas postcards, or even a seasonal blog header. If you'd like, feel free to download them to your computer and enjoy!
Nate
Below are a few of my favorite shots, and because it's the giving season, I thought I'd share them with you. They'd make great desktop backgrounds, Christmas postcards, or even a seasonal blog header. If you'd like, feel free to download them to your computer and enjoy!
Nate
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Mission Accomplished!
The house is painted! A few touch-ups, and some trim and a few doors, and all of the paint will be done! I'll shoot some video tomorrow.
We move onto flooring this weekend!
Nate
We move onto flooring this weekend!
Nate
Monday, December 1, 2008
House Update
I thought I'd address a few concerns that many readers have expressed about our house renovations.
> The popcorn ceiling did not contain asbestos. When you've got a professional drywaller removing the popcorn ceilings, you can bet that it's being done safely.
> Three coats of red seems to have done the trick. The number of coats of paint (especially when working with red) really depends on several factors, including the condition of pre-existing walls, the type of primer used, the brand of paint used, and the finish used (flat, semi-gloss, etc.). When you've got a few professional painters advising, you can rest assured that they know what they're talking about (their guess was three coats).
> The kitchen paint looks great and the remaining wallpaper underneath is not causing any problems. Again, knowing what you're working with and having a professional wallpaper hanger (the same guy who hung that same paper in that same room 20 years ago) advising you goes a long way.
Needless to say, my advice is, if you don't know how to do something right, find somebody who does...and, you'll learn a lot of new, handy-man things along the way.
> If you'll watch This Video again (especially around 3:19), you should notice that the toilet drain is plugged.
> Tricia can't spend more than a few minutes at a time in the house right now...lots of dust and fumes. It doesn't bother her any more than anyone else, but long-term exposure could cause issues. Once everything is dry and clean, she'll be able to spend more time at the house as we finish up.
Every room in the house now has paint, except for the two baths and a few closets. Also, about half of the trim around the windows and doors has been painted.
The cabinets in the master bath and the kitchen have been cleaned from top to bottom.
A friend and professional lighting expert met with me this morning to help figure out how to best light the dark living room and kitchen.
And, within the next few weeks, the air handler and heat pump will be replaced and an air filtration system installed to help keep the air as clean as possible.
I'll film another video tour sometime this week and post a few more pics.
Thanks!
Nate
> The popcorn ceiling did not contain asbestos. When you've got a professional drywaller removing the popcorn ceilings, you can bet that it's being done safely.
> Three coats of red seems to have done the trick. The number of coats of paint (especially when working with red) really depends on several factors, including the condition of pre-existing walls, the type of primer used, the brand of paint used, and the finish used (flat, semi-gloss, etc.). When you've got a few professional painters advising, you can rest assured that they know what they're talking about (their guess was three coats).
> The kitchen paint looks great and the remaining wallpaper underneath is not causing any problems. Again, knowing what you're working with and having a professional wallpaper hanger (the same guy who hung that same paper in that same room 20 years ago) advising you goes a long way.
Needless to say, my advice is, if you don't know how to do something right, find somebody who does...and, you'll learn a lot of new, handy-man things along the way.
> If you'll watch This Video again (especially around 3:19), you should notice that the toilet drain is plugged.
> Tricia can't spend more than a few minutes at a time in the house right now...lots of dust and fumes. It doesn't bother her any more than anyone else, but long-term exposure could cause issues. Once everything is dry and clean, she'll be able to spend more time at the house as we finish up.
Every room in the house now has paint, except for the two baths and a few closets. Also, about half of the trim around the windows and doors has been painted.
The cabinets in the master bath and the kitchen have been cleaned from top to bottom.
A friend and professional lighting expert met with me this morning to help figure out how to best light the dark living room and kitchen.
And, within the next few weeks, the air handler and heat pump will be replaced and an air filtration system installed to help keep the air as clean as possible.
I'll film another video tour sometime this week and post a few more pics.
Thanks!
Nate
Your Gift
Well, because CFHusband was leading by over 400 votes when voting closed at 9pm last night at DevineCaroline.com, I'll assume that we'll be awarded the $250 gift card (I'll wait until the official results are revealed to be sure).
Although the gift card won't be presented until early next year, Tricia and I will set aside a few hours sometime soon to take a trip to purchase $250 worth of toys to deliver to our local Toys for Tots (see This Post for the back-story)!
Thank you so much for helping to make our blog known to more people, and especially for giving us this opportunity to be a blessing to local children who may otherwise not experience the joy of opening a gift on Christmas morning. Consider this your gift to these kids.
It goes without saying that my blog readers are the best!!!
Nate
Although the gift card won't be presented until early next year, Tricia and I will set aside a few hours sometime soon to take a trip to purchase $250 worth of toys to deliver to our local Toys for Tots (see This Post for the back-story)!
Thank you so much for helping to make our blog known to more people, and especially for giving us this opportunity to be a blessing to local children who may otherwise not experience the joy of opening a gift on Christmas morning. Consider this your gift to these kids.
It goes without saying that my blog readers are the best!!!
Nate
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Cucumber Salad Recipe
Since a few people asked (and Tricia told me to post this)...
1 cucumber (I like to slice it not-too-thin)
3 tbs mayo
2 tbs milk
1 tbs vinegar
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
The sugar and salt are optional.
I quadrupled the recipe for Thanksgiving, which fed 17 people with a little left over. Even though I found this on the internet with a quick google search, I'll take all the credit if you try it and like it.
I wonder if this is what it feels like to be The Pioneer Woman? ;)
Nate
1 cucumber (I like to slice it not-too-thin)
3 tbs mayo
2 tbs milk
1 tbs vinegar
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
The sugar and salt are optional.
I quadrupled the recipe for Thanksgiving, which fed 17 people with a little left over. Even though I found this on the internet with a quick google search, I'll take all the credit if you try it and like it.
I wonder if this is what it feels like to be The Pioneer Woman? ;)
Nate
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Perspective (at 11 months)
Although Gwyneth is growing and developing well, she's still a former preemie, which means she's incredibly small (most people still think she's a new-born when meeting her). Gwyneth has several new friends that have come along in the past few weeks...below is a pic of Gwyneth (pale skin on the right, at just under 11 months old) and L-K (who was born a little over a week ago).
Nate
Nate
Friday, November 28, 2008
Our Thanksgiving
Lots of family...the Lawrensons, Kirchners and Sanchezes...I think 17 of us all together. Everyone was in charge of making a bringing at least one dish. Tricia's mashed potatoes were the best, and my cucumber salad was a hit. Here are a few pics of the day together.
Nate
Nate
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thankful
I started to write a list of all of the things I have to be thankful for, but I quickly realized how impossible that would be because we have so much to be thankful for.
We have learned this year to be thankful for every day that we are given to live this life together...a year ago, it was difficult to imagine that the three of us would be spending this Thanksgiving together with family.
We have also learned to be thankful for the "bad" things that come to us as well as the good things...God has used each moment of this past year to bring us to where we are.
So, we encourage you to take time today to not just be thankful, but to say "thank you" to those who have blessed your life. We pray that you have time today to enjoy family and friends, and that you'll experience God's love, grace and peace in your lives.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nate
We have learned this year to be thankful for every day that we are given to live this life together...a year ago, it was difficult to imagine that the three of us would be spending this Thanksgiving together with family.
We have also learned to be thankful for the "bad" things that come to us as well as the good things...God has used each moment of this past year to bring us to where we are.
So, we encourage you to take time today to not just be thankful, but to say "thank you" to those who have blessed your life. We pray that you have time today to enjoy family and friends, and that you'll experience God's love, grace and peace in your lives.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nate