Coming Up For Air

I survived the closing and moving into our new condo. But not without some drama along the way. I certainly have plenty of material for my 365 Challenge Quilt now that I can start it. I could write lots and lots, but I will try to keep it short and sweet.

Thursday - first up was the final inspection. We quickly learned the washer and dryer were not included in the purchase because they belonged to the renters. Our own fault for not asking the question sooner. No big deal. After the closing we went to the local appliance store and purchased a new washer and dryer. Our broker had called ahead and told the saleswoman he was giving us a $100 credit towards our purchase. How cool!

From the store we went to the new place. Our broker offered to come up while we were shopping to let the city in so they could take a final water bill reading. However, no one knew the door lock didn't work. So he was locked out of the place. We didn't know the door was broken so when we showed up we couldn't get in. We waited for him to call us and tell us he had called a locksmith to let us in at his expense.

Friday morning the movers arrived two and a half hours late. They were supposed to be there at 7 am and didn't arrive and start until 9:45. At least they brought an extra man with them and had us moved in four hours. Once we were at the new place the parade of people began: the cable man, the contractor to look at the basement for finishing and our computer man to set up the wireless network.

Saturday brought us the new washer and dryer and the island for my sewing room, plus a visit from DS #2. And, of course, more packing and cleaning at the old place. We even took the time for our first visit to the big box hardware store for some home improvement items. I also got my first official mail in the place: five Australian quilt magazines from Treasured Threads. Thanks, Shannon, for making my day.

Sunday morning I had to work at home so DH and his brother went over to the old place to do some more cleaning and packing. Then that evening DH and I went back over to do the deep cleaning of the kitchen.

Monday morning we met with the landlord to sign off on the old place. While we were there the contractor called to tell us he has his plumber's attention and wanted to bring him up to our place so he could work up the estimate for us. Then in the afternoon our friend who is in the window treatment business stopped by to talk about window treatments for the main floor. And last, but not least, another friend who is a painter and handyman came over last night to talk about paint colors and other odd jobs we need/want done.

What have I learned so far about the new place?

• We get great morning light in the kitchen and in my sewing room. The afternoon light floods the front room.
• I hate my kitchen sink. It's a double basin sink with normal fixtures. Soon it will be a single basin sink with a high faucet.
• I may have a larger kitchen in square footage, but less cupboard space. I really miss my six and a half foot tall pantry closet. I'm still trying to figure out where to put the food.
• We will be painting every room in the house, except for my quilt room.
• The shower and bath water gets very hot! The water in the old place was lucky to reach a lukewarm temp.
• We have four different kinds of light bulbs in the condo.
  
• The nearby grocery store is excellent. We love it.

Here's a couple photos of the state of my quilting studio. The first photo is looking straight into the door. Eventually that table will be out of the studio as it will be replaced with the island. The second photo is looking across the room. You can see I started putting away items in the closet. The big boxes are the unassembled island. I hope to make progress in here this weekend as I have to make my apron for the Sassy Apron Swap.


Tonight DH is out with the guys and I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of the new place. I'm relaxing, catching up on emails and blogs and happy that no one is coming over. I'm so far behind in blog comments it will take me some time to catch up. So if I usually leave comments on your blog don't think I've forgotten about you, I'll be back soon.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading. Soon I should be back to my normal quilting entries.