Lookin' Like a House

We made a quick trip up to the house today to check on the progress. The insulation guy was finishing up in the garage. The siding is almost complete. The shake siding has been installed and it looks wonderful. The drywall should be going in soon, and after they do the wall texture, it will be time for Chris and I to tackle the painting. Chris is looking at purchasing an airless sprayer. He just likes to play with power tools. It's going to be so much work to paint the whole interior ourselves but the builder is crediting us back SO much money that it's totally worth it.

A couple weeks ago we picked out our lighting. I had to get to work and we didn't have much time so we quickly decided on something and that was that. Well a few days later I decided that I hated everything that we'd picked. Chris was rolling his eyes I'm sure, and called the consultant back to tell her that we were coming out to look again. As soon as we walked in the door, I saw THE lights I wanted. They were this pretty bronze color and very ornate, and the glass was this amazing amber color with the most gorgeous etching. I looked at the price tag and my heart sank. The chandalier alone cost the same as our entire lighting allowance. We spent an hour pouring over catalogs trying to find something of the same caliber and were unsuccessful. The pretty amber lights were beginning to grow on Chris as well. and he finally said "screw it, we're getting them, who cares what they cost". In fact, we learned that the prices that were listed were retail and we actually get a discount since we're contracted through a builder. So while we still paid quite a bit to upgrade the lights, they were not as expensive as we feared. They will go great with the old feel that we are trying to create. I've included a couple of pictures, which in no way do the lights justice. They are much more gorgeous in person.

Another fun upgrade was my bath tub. I asked for a jetted tub with a built-in heater so the water stays warm. We went out to this place in Auburn to look around and as usual I became overwhelmed. Apparently there are jetted tubs AND air baths (little bubbles). Well how am I supposed to decide between the two? Then we learned that they make combination tubs that have both. But they are expensive. I picked the jets and Chris blurted out "nah we'll just get the one with both." SWEET. It's only fair...he is getting his garage extension!

In other news...My sister seems to be enjoying her Holland America job. She is currently on week 4 in Alaska. So far I've been able to see her each Saturday when the Oosterdam has been in port. The first week my mom and I were able to board the ship for a while and wander around. The second week her friend brought her to the house so we got to visit for several hours. Last Saturday I met her at the pier and we went out for breakfast. She didn't have much time as she was due back to give a group tour, but I enjoyed the hour and a half we got to spend together. She saw the Northern Lights last night and expects to see them tonight as well. She said the glaciers are this amazing teal blue color as opposed to the white that I would have expected them to be.

Well that's about it for now. I'm off work for several days and am fighting boredom. I'm helping my mom out with various projects around the house to keep busy.