Showing posts with label update. Show all posts.
Business in the middle of nowhere
- On Nov 15, 2008 at 12:06 am
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What business do we have here? Eh... the state. Can't get away from it. I've traveled with Laurie up to Pierre again, probably for the last time in quite a while. I have to help someone out with a small application installation task that's fairly important for them. We decided to couple it with a visit to Community Bible and to visit a few friends. It's incredibly inconvenient since we're trying to move, but otherwise it's been quite nice. We got up early, and got up here in time to be at the office for a few hours, and I'll finish up tomorrow morning. *yawn* For now, I'm going to bed.
John Hancock Day
- On Oct 31, 2008 at 12:02 am
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Well, today was officially "John Hancock Day" for Laurie and I. That basically means I signed my name on enough forms for my signature to lose all meaning to me. Actually, despite what many will say, it was easy. It only took 30 minutes (I've heard some say 2 - 4 hours, pssht!). After it was all over, we thanked our realtor John Lytle (give him a call if you're buying), and drove over to our new home!!!
First, it needs raking and yard cleanup. The owners weren't around this summer, so the yard was entirely neglected (along with the rest of the house). It's probably getting embarrassing for neighbors too, so if my new easterly neighbor is as domineering as my westerly neighbor claims, then he'll be bugging about the time we pull up with rakes. Also, the siding needs to be cleaned, and the garden brick cleaned up, tidied or just plain replaced. The fallen walnuts in the yard will go with the leaves to the curb.
Secondly, there's a bug problem in the window and door screens. Word on the street is this happens everywhere, so we'll get some fog and raid and knock them out quick.
Next is the preliminary decor. This means painting. There will be plenty of time to paint each room, since we won't immediately fill up the entire space. However, the master bedroom will get painted first. Also, we'll experiment with painting the trim, as it's fairly cheap wood with old stain, and it could use a modern update. Along with that, we'll put up $75-100 worth of crown molding and some new blinds. The carpet can stay for now.
Moving on, the fun part will be putting in furniture. Thrift stores will help with the initial expense. Decorative and accent tables, focusing on rustic or antique style wood will give our rooms the perfect flare. As for the furniture itself, primary seating will be a problem. Thrift stores are hit or miss, so hopefully we'll get lucky with enough furniture to fill the living room, and our couch can go in the basement for our entertainment room. Our current table will be getting touched up, as dings and scratches from the move have marred it slightly. It will be a beautiful addition to our empty dining room.
Still, we have the future projects to think about to give this house a truly unique feel.
We need to update the stain on the cabinets in the kitchen and master bathroom, possibly resurfacing them with a minor bit of sanding first. Once finished, we'll be adding backsplash above the sink in the kitchen, and of course eventually adding a new counter top. That can wait a while as the current counter is nice looking generic laminate, but brand new. The sink the previous owners chose is perfect, and will stay either way. Also, to add counter space, we'll remove the nook table and seating, and put in either more counters, an island or both. The pantries in this kitchen are to die for, and won't go away.
Out back, we're going to add a brick patio or a low profile deck and construct a basic outdoor kitchen. Either one will be doable myself, so I'll save bucks that way. I can't wait to get my construction hat on for that. I'm confident I can do it.
Next will be the sub-basement finish. Now, we've been told it's not likely to raise the value of the house. Granted. It will raise the value for us, however. We don't plan on spending lots of money on this though. Plywood ceilings with a nailgun, I can do myself. Paint it a beatiful color with stain, and we've got an afforable solution. The ceiling is already beamed and insulated, so we won't have to worry about that. Even framing basic walls and wiring a few electrical outlets is no problem. Drywalling will probably be contracted. Laying down more plywood or a more sturdy but affordable material to level the floor, and covering it with carpet is also doable for me. The toughest job--still doable but something demanding great care--is ripping out the entrance wall, installing an archway, and building grand stairs. We'll add wall sconces for a beautiful lighting solution, too. We may even be able to put in a really basic bathroom, but who knows for sure. All in all, I think it's doable in about 3-5 years.
And last but not least, the crowning achievement, the most achievable, and probably the highest priority item to get done in the next few months is a bar! I don't think I'm up for building one, so I'll pick one up. However, I may build or buy a cheap buffet and shelving to put up behind it, as well as a mirror and more glassware space. We'll add barstools and a small cafe table, and viola! I can't wait for that one!
Home Owners
- On Oct 05, 2008 at 8:32 pm
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And to add to my previous blog post, we are now officially home owners!!! The house in Quail Creek is officially ours! We close on October 30th if all goes well. Inspections, appraisals, and loan paperwork follow.
House Hunters
- On Sep 30, 2008 at 11:06 pm
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If some of you haven't heard, I'd like to take a moment to update you about a pivotal time in our lives which is transpiring now. We are currently shopping for a house!!! We have seen 30 houses in the last month, and 20-25 of them in the last 9 days. There are some real downers in the bunch, considering we are purposely lowering our price range to one that is reasonable, not frivolous. However, there are a few beautiful houses in the lot as well! We're really encouraged.
After some discussion and thought, we have had an interesting full-circle experience. One of the first houses we saw, when we visited Omaha before moving was in Quail Creek, Bellevue. After viewing many other houses in open house showings, and making a run with our realtor, we came right back to the Quail Creek house. Even our realtor loved it! We saw a few more open houses, and went for a showing in Happy Hollow to see older homes.
After it all, we're more than convinced we know which house is right for us. The house is perfect just as it is, and it's in a beautiful quiet neighborhood, has a huge wooded yard, and is tucked into the end of a dead end street (similar to a cul-de-sac but without the lack of parking). The house would need zero work up front, but has the potential for us to add numerous things to it, including a home theater with stadium seating in the bonus sub-basement! The floor plan is a tri-level house, which they don't make anymore, making it a fairly unique house. Combined with the customisations we've envisioned, this house could have over 2600 square (it has 2250 now), and worth considerably more than we'll end up paying for it. Not to mention, the housing market is slumping, which means cheap houses!
I'm pumped!!! See it here!
The Truth Project
- On Sep 20, 2008 at 2:34 am
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Hey hey! It's me again. I haven't posted in a while, because I've been busy havin' fun meeting new people and hanging out with family and friends. Who has time for blogging?
Anywhoodles... er, stuff! Laurie and I were fortunate enough to be able to purchase The Truth Project DVD set, which we went through at Community Bible Church in Pierre, SD with pastor Harvey Friez. We will be embarking on a new journey, potentially of leadership or giving, or whatever it is God has in mind for us. We will be hosting a small group either in our apartment, or at a church, depending on the interest.
With that, I've put together a CD with all the files available from the support website (which is available only to group participants, along with the DVDs). Also, I'll open up a simple pre-registered site for all the group members, using either WordPress, phpBB, or both (Joomla takes too long to be worth a dime).
I feel God is moving me into a role of behind the scenes leadership, at the moment. To me, that means that I am being strongly called to help others around me see what God has in store for the body of Christ. However, I don't feel like that calling is leading me to stand in front of people and teach them. My passion, convictions, love for Christ, and adoration of the Father is being focused in a very specific ministry. I am so fired up for spreading God's word, but also in witnessing to lukewarm, backslidden, weak, disheartened, dry, and tired Christians, desperately needing a spiritual kick from behind. For some reason, God has seen fit to bless me with perspective and clarity I never knew I could possess. I have been given insight into ideas for reviving those around me that is clearly not originating from my own person. I see a hurting world, I see a hurting, malnourished, a failing church, and my heart breaks. We need to heal ourselves before we can effectively heal the world. The Truth Project is one of a few solutions for this disease. The Church needs a worldview check. And by check, I mean the hockey kind, where your face is smashed against the glass until you see stars, or nothing at all.
Well, that's all for now. Peace!
First Day, Sept 02, 2008
- On Sep 03, 2008 at 8:29 pm
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Well, my first (and second) day is over at Solutionary. It seems to be going quite well. I'm doing no web development. Instead, I'm just involved in backend programming. I actually think I'm going to like it! The company has a strict policy on divulging details, since they do the security thing. So, yeah. Just... just come closer.. closer.. *whisper whisper whisper* So yeah, now I get to kill you!
Moved In At Last
- On Sep 01, 2008 at 10:44 pm
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Well, finally we're moved in. Not only are we moved in, but we're actually unpacked (mostly). Several boxes are organized into the corner of our tiny apartment, but all the important things are unpacked. The TV, DVD player/Theater system, modem, router, etc. are unpacked and set up. We eventually picked up a new tv stand to put our tv on, as the rotating wall mounts are $400. My X-Box 360 is still packed, but in a box next to the tv. As soon as I have time, I'll open it up!
Moving sucked! Big time. But, at the same time it went as well as could be expected. Dwight was here to help, as well as the Browns, my parents, and Laurie's parents also.
Sunday, we headed over to Laurie's parents' house to do an offline draft for our fantasy football league. It was ok, but the sandwiches were great, and the company was good too! Stacey gave me the final piece of the present from the wedding/birthday/house warming gift, four medium sized hurricane glasses. Because of that, Laurie decided she won't unpack my Mall of America Rainforest Cafe glasses... I'm sad.
Tomorrow is my first day of work at Solutionary, Inc. We'll see how it goes.
Still Packing
- On Aug 27, 2008 at 1:26 am
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Yes, it is true. We are still packing. But now we're really close. We've spent part of today cleaning the two bedrooms in the apartment. Now that those are spotless, and all the miscellaneous items are getting packed, it's starting to come together. The big challenge was moving all the heaviest boxes down to the basement, and continuing to haul junk to the dumpster... I'm tired of junk, so I'm glad we're getting rid of ours.
Several people have offered to come help tomorrow, including Steve Valland, Ty, Jason, and possibly Tyler and Aaron Propst. It'll be cake, since we've done a fairly nice job packing, IMO.
On another note, we forwarded our address, canceled our utilities, and ordered Cox Digital Cable and High Speed Internet in our Omaha apartment. This ensures no interruption in access. If that fails for some reason, I will hack into the Thomasville free wifi in the clubhouse, and set up a string of wireless routers to our apartment... well, maybe not, but it sounds fun!
Packing Up
- On Aug 25, 2008 at 12:57 pm
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Well, we're almost done packing. Things are still not quite looking bare because we haven't moved the furniture, but virtually everything is in a box, bin, or tote of some kind. My desk is clean!
Tonight, there will apparently be a little get together at Steamboat Park in our honor. Ty and Amber Margheim have contacted a few people from church and asked them to show up. I'm not sure what's planned though. Unfortunately, I won't be able to do my final lessons with my young students but that's ok. I'll just have to come back and visit them.
Moving Time is Here
- On Aug 20, 2008 at 12:49 am
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Well, we're back in Pierre. It's that time... yep.. moving time! We'll be spending the next week seeing some close friends, getting a few stern looks at church from those who couldn't dream of anyone wanting to live anywhere other than Pierre, and finishing packing. There's at most one item in that list that will be pleasant. Can you guess which?
Seeing Chris and Karen was nice, as usual. I'm glad Laurie was able to see little Jonathan, finally. Chris alternated between gushing over his baby (which is quite respectable), and speaking (and encouraging me to speak) geek-ish nonsense that caused Laurie and Karen to promptly ignore us.
And naturally, eating lunch with the in-laws was nice also. It was nice to see them feeling over the rush of craziness involved in the wedding. Once we're back in town, we'll have them over and treat them to some grilled food.
