Consumed by the Condo

It's taken me awhile to get back here for a few reasons, but I think the number one reason has to be avoidance.  Not avoiding the blog, but avoiding thinking about the condo.  Now that we've been here for a little over a month, the condo seems to have taken on a life of its own.  It's a being that taunts us with all its issues and baggage.  We are trying our best to make it feel like home, but I think we've gone from a 2 year plan to a 5 year plan.  As you can imagine when we are not in the condo, or talking about the condo, or at work making money to do things to the condo, writing a blog about the condo has been the last thing on my mind.

None of the rooms are completely done and from what I've heard from other people they may never really ever be done, but at least we are making progress.

One of our new favorite things that we think everyone should have is our Schlage door lock with the LINK system.  Sean had to drill a hole in the door to install it and he was a bit nervous since it was his first time installing a deadbolt.  Really a big hole in the wrong place couldn't be covered with our new best friend, Spackle, so it's was good everything went ok.  Good think to live by "measure twice, cut once."  This is an awesome lock, I don't have to carry a key anymore, don't have to make extra keys for people we want to be able to get in, don't have to worry about locking ourselves out and we use the same system to control other things in the house.  Once we get other things set up with the system we will be able to control lights, thermostat and web cameras.  Imagine punching in your code, the door unlocks, the house lights up in the rooms you want while the thermostat adjusts to the temperature you are comfortable in.   I love technology.  You can even give different people different codes that work only when you set them to work.  It will be great when we finally get that maid we've been talking about ;).

On A Positive Note

It's been awhile since my last update and when I have time, I will give more details on how things have been going, including pictures.  However, since most of our time between working and sleeping has been trying to get this place to resemble a home, I haven't had much time.

I have been trying to find the positives of living in this place and so far I've come up with the following:

1)  We don't have to worry if we have a parking space or not when we get home.

2)  The Meijer by our new place is cleaner and easier to get around.  Also, everyone seems really friendly.

3)  I don't have to carry the groceries up a flight of stairs to get them to the kitchen.

4)  If we want to paint a room a funky bright color we can and there's nothing in the lease that says we have to cover it up before we move.

5)  We sort of have a back yard.  The cats are seeing animals they've never seen before, I swear the big guy saw a squirrel for the first time and thought is was a small, weird looking cat.

6)  I love my new washer and dryer.

The Beat Goes On

As the weekend arrived, we got on our game faces and prepared to return to the condo.  After a stop at Tim Horton's, Lowe's and Best Buy were ready to take on the day.

I have to admit, the condo itself gives me the heebie jeebies, I always expect something bad when I walk in.  Maybe I should take the advice a client gave me and have an exorcism for the place.  Or I could just hope that a coat of primer and cleaning it will help.  However, if you have any advice on getting bad energy out of a place I'm open to ideas, just no burning things that will smell up the place.

Luckily the door opened and nothing was out of place, anymore than it already was.  We each took our positions and got to work.  Sean worked on the garage door opener and I tackled the kitchen.  I had already discovered that when you removed the contact paper, all that was left was particle board.  That's fine, I was going to recover them anyway and down the road we are replacing.  Next up the dishwasher.  I wanted to let it clean itself, so I bought this cleaner from jet dry that you just place in the dishwasher, turn on the hottest setting and let it go.  Super easy and it needed it, I don't know if you can tell by my "before" picture.

Loaded and locked it set off on it's cleaning journey.  

Now I have to mention that the previous resident of this condo was a nail happy woman.  I decided not to keep count as I removed them, but I was tempted to see if a record had been set for most unusual nail placement.  I walked around from room to room with my nail removing tool, working my heart out.  At some point I set it down somewhere before starting the dishwasher.  Now I couldn't figure out where I put this essential tool.  I looked in the garage, room to room and then down in the basement.  

I need to preface this with a side note.  We currently live in a townhouse with open trusses, all heating/cooling and pipes exposed.  I've gotten desensitized to the sound of running water.  

So, when I walked down to the steps to look for my tool, it took a minute or two before my brain registered that sound of pouring water wasn't a good sound.  I picked up my pace, peaked around the corner to find a not so calming water feature pouring into the basement.  As I ran upstairs to turn off the dishwasher, I yelled for Sean.  Dishwasher off, Sean found and the tears began.  

When we looked for the leak, it seemed small at first and then with a little light a sad reality hit.  I guess a refrigerator was not the next appliance I was going to get to pick out.  After a little investigation it looked like this was far from the first time this had happened.  Thank you so much (explicative) ex wife for letting us know that you never fixed anything in this place.  This situation at least gave me greater understanding of why Sean had to have a shop vac before we moved in.  Which by the way I have named R2-D2 and I love my little helper.

I did try to shake down the guys delivering the washer and dryer for a dishwasher when they arrived, but they didn't have any extra on the truck, shucks.  Research has begun on dishwashers and I'm taking votes on best brand and best feature to make sure I get, feel free to post a comment if you have any input. 

SUNDAY

Never a dull moment at Casa Sucky.  This is short and sweet, although I would like to note and thank Sean for installing the new deadbolt.  I know he was nervous, but it looks great and it works.

As we got started Sunday, Sean stood on the other side of the pass through in the kitchen working on something while I continued in the kitchen.  At some point I went to turn on the faucet, while not really watching what I was doing.  Next thing I knew there was a geyser in the kitchen, water shooting straight up from where the hand sprayer used to be.  I quickly turned off the water and looked around as Sean stifled a laugh.  The sprayer was half way across the kitchen, there was water on me, the ceiling, the floor, my phone, well you get the point, everywhere.  I unknowingly did an impression of Lucile Ball starting to cry and Sean tried to stop laughing until my cry turned into a cry/laugh "I hate this place" moment.  

I did finish the contact paper project and wondered why I ever thought contact paper was "fun."  Sean patched every last nail hole in the place and we called it a night.  

The condo has been on hold for the last week while Sean traveled for work and I packed up the apartment. We head back tomorrow.  I can't wait to see the state of the banana we left behind, gross.

To get a good visual

Below are pictures to help give you an idea of what we found.

Pass the Xanax

After much prodding, we finally got access to the condo a week ago.  Delay after delay started to creep in on our available hours to work on the place so we just said we would clean the place and clean out the bit of garbage she was going to leave behind.  There is plenty of back story of why someone who doesn't have a job can't get a condo cleaned out in a month, but I choose not to digress.

I was the first to get there and was hoping that I wouldn't find any holes in the walls or anything else my "friends" suggested I might find.  She had left the garage door unlocked and unlatched so we didn't need the remote to get in.  Why we didn't just get the code, I couldn't figure, but we figured the battery was dead.  So I lifted the garage door and started to look for the hidden key.  It really wasn't hidden, but oh well, I opened the door and started to explore.  

I was greeted with a laundry room with what looked like some water damage under where the washer was.  No big deal, that is the first room we want to remodel.  Moved quickly past the stairs to the basement, I was waiting for Sean to arrive to take that on.  I'll admit, I'm afraid of basements, it may be unreasonable, but that's the least of my issues.  Entering the kitchen I got a clear picture of what I was in for, a house that has not been cleaned in a long time.  Ok, fine, bring it on, I planned on cleaning anyway.  Next was the cabinets full of dishes and some food, sweet, toss food and donate dishes.  The rest of the house was sprinkled with crap left behind,  stuff on the floor and dirty walls.  The master bedroom's window was left a little open, but I figured it was just overlooked when she left, but even better reason not to enter the basement alone.  

Soon after Sean arrived with lunch I got him to explore the basement with me.  I bravely hide behind him with a can of air fresher, ready to take on anything we would find.  I couldn't find anything else to defend us, so I figured I could just blind someone if there was someone down there (I already stated I was unreasonable).  The only scary thing in the basement was the mess.  It was like it rained packing peanuts at some point and well the thaw never came or a person with a broom.

After eating lunch we got another look at the place and I started working on the clean up and Sean went to re latch the garage.  At first it just seemed like it wasn't attaching back to the trolley correctly, we looked and looked and moved things around, but it still wouldn't lift the door.  Then it hit us, the chain wasn't moving.  We were given a warning that it had been acting a little funny and when the weather got a little colder it was supposed to be worse.  Well, it wasn't really cold on this day and it wasn't even trying to move.  The cover to the opener was pulled off to find it filled with shredded curls of plastic.  Upon closer investigation, Sean found a chewed up gear.  This thing had died, not sure when, but it was dead on arrival, our arrival.  

So add that to things that needed to be purchased, the state of the condo and the fact we never really wanted this and I was done for the afternoon.  Sean returned to work and I went to my parents house to cry.  Yes, I needed my mommy and daddy and then some retail therapy.

We purchased a new opener and loaded the truck with a couple other things after Sean got home from work and headed back over.  As the sun started to set, we arrived to a garage door that re latched itself.  I'm all for a self starter, but not so much in this case.  So we tried the front door, which we had found an old key for while going through things at the apartment. We weren't sure if she had the locks changed, but we decided to try it and all it did was spin in the lock.  

This really shouldn't be a big deal, but the new washer and dryer were supposed to be delivered the next day and we needed a secure place to put it.  Sucking it up, Sean had to call the ex and ask for a key.  Although she wasn't able to meet us that night, she agreed to meet him in the morning with the front door key.

The next morning arrived and a text from the ex that she left the key between the screen door and front door, security is a high priority for this women. Sean arrived at the condo at 6 am to find another key that just spinned, probably close to what his head was doing.  So he gave up the fight and headed back to the office to reschedule the delivery and call a lock smith.  Yep add that to the cost too.

By that evening, we had a front door that locked, a garage door opener that was being put together and I started to clean the kitchen.

Don't worry, this is just where the fun begins, more to follow........

And the winner is…..

It may have started off Home Depot vs. Lowe’s, but neither of them can claim a win.   I have to say that Home Depot would win for location and hot dogs, Lowe’s has better selection of products (with the exception of not carrying LG products), but Best Buy wins for deals on washers and dryers. 

Home Depot was offering $250 off the LG washer and dryer and free delivery; I think the attitude was included at no charge.  Best Buy had a total of $227 off the two, free delivery and a $150 Best Buy gift card for each appliance.  Sa-weet!  Plus the associate who helped us was friendly and knowledgeable, can’t beat that deal.

Sean is still in shock that we spent more on a washer and dryer then he spent on his first two cars.  However, we are both happy to have our first new washer and dryer as adults.  Now we can finally stop throwing a damp towel in the dryer when we’ve forgotten clothes in there to long, the dryer has a steam function.  Once we get them in place I will post a picture.  We still have to tile the laundry room, buy cabinets and paint before we can hook them up.

This experience made me feel like a grown up, not sure if that is a good or bad thing.  My idea of a hot date on a Friday night did end up being a big appliance purchase and dinner at Red Robin.

Lowe's Vs. Home Depot

Today I finally decided to see the difference between Lowe's and Home Depot.  I have to disclose that I obviously have been to both chains in the past, but this time was different.  This time I actually was looking for something more than a key to cut or a plant to kill (this kill is always by accident, I swear).

Before I go any further let me express my want for a locally owned stored that I can purchase these things at, but it's really hard to find and narrow these things down.  Ooh, new idea after all this is done, helping locally owned stores market their services and products in one place, by location.

Ok, focus, focus, focus.

Funny thing is, I picked a Lowe's location that shared a parking lot with a Home Depot.  So if they were going to show me what they had, I figured this would be it.  As I entered the store I realized that it was very similar to Home Depot and decided to walk around a bit.  Wandering the aisles I could tell I picked a lucky day, inventory day.  Therefore not only are there a bunch of people that looked like they worked there that didn't, but the employees were distracted by the event.  No big deal, I've been through inventory, I can sympathize.

I was tempted by a half off outdoor carpet for the deck.  You should see that poor deck, it needs to be dressed. Then off to the bathroom vanity area where I found a great vanity, with a laundry wash tub and faucet.  The price was great, but I couldn't find anyone to tell me the width (I really need a tape measure in that mammoth purse I own).  I stood around awhile until an employee finally approached the desk in the bath area.  I guess he was busy, he picked up the phone, looked around and then walked away.  I guess me standing staring at him, then the vanity, then back at him, didn't really give him the hint.  Since the tag on the display lead me in the wrong direction, I was just happy to accidentally stumble upon the box only to find that it was not going to fit into our laundry room.  No big deal, I kinda had a feeling that it was too good to be true.

On to washer and dryers, only to confirm that Lowe's does not carry LG.  Well, sort of.  I asked a friendly employee that approached me if they carried LG and much like many people that try to provide customer service, she was not really trained in it.  Simple rule, when you don't know the answer, don't make it up, just say you need to ask.

Now my favorite part, paint colors.  I have to give Lowe's props for having a much larger selection of paint colors.  I was very excited to spend some quality time trying to figure out how there could be two hundred shades of yellow.

Last stop, front door handles.  We are looking into the ones that have a keypad and still had some questions.  Sean already knew the answer, I had the questions.  Winner, winner chicken dinner, a person that approached me, offered me some input and loudly chewed gum the whole time.  Ok, two out of three isn't too bad.

Bubble wrap and two magazines is what I left with.  That's fine, I'll have to try a Lowe's closer to the condo so I'll know what caliber of employees I'll be dealing with.  Plus, Sean found a fabulous deal on the washer and dryer we want and I won't have to buy it from Home Depot.

Tile Class

The theme of renovation must be "getting up early on your day off."  This morning Sean and I got up and sent ourselves to "Tile Class" at The Tile Shop in Sterling Heights.  We arrived a little late, it starts at 9:30 am every Saturday morning, but at least this time I had coffee in hand.  Our tile consultant was Steve Arcuri, and I would recommend making sure he is the one teaching the class if you are going.  Given I haven't observed anyone else teach this class, but he was great!

Now, we may have not watched him show us how to lay a single tile, but he did something so much more important, he taught us all how to get started.  There was about 6 people that equaled 4 different projects and he addressed each project in detail.  I personally was a little overwhelmed.  Yea, I thought that we would just pull up the vinyl flooring and just lay those babies down.  Good to know that my husband was a number of steps ahead of me and the instruction that we were getting wasn't a surprise to him.  But, you can imagine my surprise when I realized the samples on the wall would pertain to us.

I had no idea that there was that much work involved.  Good thing we are starting with a small room and have some time.

Really the thing that impressed me the most was Steve, he is the guy I would have loved to have met when I was discussing cabinets at Home Depot.  This guy loved talking about tile, how to tile things and was excited that you wanted to try to do it yourself.  As we walked around a little after the class we saw him with the young couple that was in our class, giving more personal attention to them, knowing they were working on their first house.  That is what made me decide that we are going to buy our tile from this guy.  He likes what he does, he understands where were coming from and he really wants to help, not just sell us tile.

I guess this class really got Sean in the mood to tile.  As we are now watching a Black & Decker video on tiling.  He must be really into the tile thing because this is painful to watch and after our class this morning, I'm realizing all the things this guy is doing wrong.  I would almost rather sit here while Sean watches the Matrix, again.  Well,almost.

Home Depot, by appointment only

So last night I dragged my poor husband once again into Home Depot.  This time we were there to get something done, a quote on cabinets for the laundry room.  We wanted to get an idea of price and quality of one of their basic lines of cabinets and compare them to the Ikea cabinets we've found.  After watching a designer help another couple for awhile, we thought we were being obvious that we needed a little help.  This designer even stood right next to me showing the other couple some options.  Still not a nod of I'll be with you soon or anything.

Finally another employee asked if we needed help, I explained why we were there and he basically told me he couldn't help us and the designer with the couple was going to be at least 2 hours with them and then she had another appointment.  Ok, I sort of understand the appointment thing, but when I talked to one of the other designers a month ago, maybe he could have passed on this little bit of valuable information.  We were asked if we would like to make an appointment and I really just wanted to leave, some how I ended up with a 9:00am appointment today.  After all this hard renovation work, we rewarded ourselves with dinner from the WAB (half off all food on Mondays nights).

I arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed at Home Depot at a little before 9:00am.  I have to confess, I wasn't thrilled to drag my butt out of bed early on my day off and I neglected to properly medicate myself with some caffeine, but still, I was there.  I walked back to the kitchen area to find my "designer."  As I found him approaching the area I started with a cheery "Good Morning," which I personally wasn't feeling, but mustered it up anyway.  I got a quiet hello back and then I had to announce that I had an appointment with him this morning.  He didn't seem to know that someone had sneaked in an early appointment with him this morning and didn't seem to appreciate the gesture.  Still, trying to keep my head up I sat down and started to explain what I was looking for, as I was quickly cut off to have information demanded from me.  Some of which I had and some I had to call my husband for.  I apologized and explained I needed to call my husband for more information and glad that I did.  See, if it wasn't for the fact that my husband could hear grumpy pants barking questions at me, I might have just thought that I was clearly unprepared and unworthy of laundry room cabinet information.

We tried to continue, I was determined to find the nice old guy that I knew was in there somewhere.  He had a picture of him and his granddaughter on his wall, so I know he must have some niceness somewhere or small children would run from this man.  I gave him all the info I had, and in the end he gave me a quote for cabinets that were more than I would be willing to spend. Especially knowing that I would be working with this man.  Just an FYI, cabinets with glass in the door are wicked expensive!  As we ended our little lovefest, he handed me a quote, tried to talk me into just purchasing the cheapest cabinets they keep in stock, explained that I was basically screwed on the space left for the sink and told me he wouldn't be calling me.  In fact, he would be deleting the whole thing out of the system.  I'm sure it was so it didn't count against him when I didn't end up purchasing the cabinets, but really I think we both knew that I wasn't coming back.

Two steps forward, one step, well ya know

Looks like our move in date is going to be pushed out further.  As you can imagine with our situation, things can go from everything is fine and heading in the right direction to oh crap, within a few minutes.  It did inspire me to find a quote to explain how I felt about dealing with these circumstances:   I trust everyone.  I just don't trust the devil inside them.  ~Troy Kennedy-Martin, The Italian Job

Never hurts to ask

Once I realized the real cost of remodeling, I started to look into salvaged and re-purposed materials.  As luck would have it, the owner of the business I work for purchased a building that had some great wainscoting.  All it took was a request, a little sweat and a promise to show the final results of using the salvaged wood.  This is what I started with:

I'll let you know how it translates into our "Pub" main bathroom.

Cheap therapy

What better way to deal with something you didn't plan, didn't want and didn't expect to ever happen, then to write about it.  I'm not sure if this will make things better, point out more things that I didn't realize or just be a place to vent, but I'm willing to try it for now.

As it currently stands my husband's ex-wife decided to give up alimony (whoo-hoo) a few years early.  This is where I do a little dance and have a big sigh of relief.  However, she also decided to walk away from the condo that she was given the rights to in the divorce agreement.  Being that his name in on the mortgage, guess who will end up with the foreclosure if we don't take responsibility?  This is where I cry.

I completely understand that there could be much worse problems to have,  I am realistic.  Still, the fact that we have already made a home of our own, in a city we love, in an apartment we adore that is close to work and friends, this is not easy.  Our commute gets longer, our living space gets smaller and our free time will now be used to update a home we would have never chosen for ourselves.

I have never been a part of renovating anything in a home and we plan to renovate just about everything.  Needless to say I'm overwhelmed and excited all at the same time.  In the last few weeks I've learned more about counter tops, washers and dryers, flooring, tile, building structure and every other aspect of a full home renovation.  I think it actually makes it more confusing than helpful, but time will tell.

Starting today, I will be documenting the journey of a new home renovator, turning our newly acquired condo from "Sucky to Swanky."

Did I mention the condo has pink counter tops?

Compared to our current kitchen......