WE'RE BACK!!

Where do we begin? It's been over six weeks since anything has been posted and much has been going on. Let's begin with the most important news...WE'VE MOVED INTO THE HOUSE!! Yes, after being "homeless" for more than 16 months, we finally are back home.

Saturday, April 11th was the date of the blessed event. After getting the necessary CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY locked-in on Friday, we rented a large truck and moved most of the stuff in on Saturday. After a very long and hard day of moving (and once the bed was set-up), we decide to stay the night. Though the gas had not yet been turned on (hence no hot water for those much needed showers), we stayed the night and woke up Easter morning in our very own house...and haven't left since!! We celebrated our first Easter in our new home!!

Yes, the chain-link fence and the green porta-potty are gone!! Aside from that and the behind the scenes activities (city and bank foolishness), you'll note numerous exterior details when you compare the above picture with that from the last posting. How many can you find? Note that we now have a driveway, stairs and walkway to the front door, sod, wrought iron on the second floor deck and last but not least, the ever important house number...so we don't get lost?

Here's the driveway-side of the house. Yes, very soon (once the concrete dries and a sealer is applied), we'll be able to park our cars in the garage.

Though not 100% complete, here's our walkway, stairs, front porch and oh yeah, our grass!! It's appeared like magic. The city said we needed grass before they'd approve our habitating the place and "poof", it mysteriously appeared.

In an attempt to retain the look of the streets we found while in Lucca and Venice (Italy NOT California), we went with this European Fan pattern for the driveway. It turned out very cool and it's quickly become our pride and joy.


Miraculously, the dining room table and chairs that we purchased over a year ago, actually fit in our dining room area. Sometime being lucky is better than being good!!



Here's where most of the eating will be happening. Once we install the gas barbeque, we'll be eating like kings. After more than a year of eating out, home cooked meals of any type sound fantastic!!

Here's a shot of the copper tiles we found for the area around our fireplace. The picture on the right is a shot taken from the outside deck into the kitchen area. Note the Windex. We'll be buying this shit by the 55 gallon drums to keep all these damn windows clean!! We're waiting for the first bird to plow into this big glass door.

Here's our final shot for this session. The cinderblock wall will soon be stuccoed with a finish and color that'll match the house. We also have more landscaping (citrus trees, bushes, etc.) and stone sills for the windows planned. We then need to address the three columns needed outside along with the ones inside the house. Though we're actually living at the house, Gina may still be contemplating jumping. The minutia and contractor crap that she has to put up with, never seems to stop!!

This ain't over yet. Though we're moved in, there's still more construction, endless amounts of detailwork...and postings, to be done. Once some of the wounds have healed, I'll also share with you my opinion about contractors and building your own home...but until then, goodbye and good night to all!!

...just in case you're interested, we now have gas!! We've taken showers, Gina's cooked meals and with the exception of not being able to park our cars in the garage (yet), we have a fully-functional house!!