19^th WEEK

THE LIFE OF A CONTRACTOR!

House Projects/Operation Deco:

In an earlier post, I mentioned “operation deco” stating I’d elaborate later.  I think I’ll use this week 19 update to give you the scoop.

With Baby Guillot a’ brewin’, we have decided to give ourselves a deadline for getting all sorts of projects complete.  Deadline = AUGUST!

By everything, I mean everything – mainly a wish list of to-dos and décor stuff that have been 3 years in the making, with some new editions thanks to our upcoming “new addition.”  For those of you who really know Michael and I, you know that when it comes to stuff around the house, we are…how do you say…a lil lazy!  I think a deadline is going to help keep us on task as well as the sense of accountability created by sharing our mission with all of you!     

THE LIST

Patio extension – size, design, vendor, press ‘go’, be patient waiting to furnish until next year (or later this Fall when Summer stuff goes on sale!).  

Landscaping – design decision, complete the job, plant final 3 trees after patio slab is poured

Breakfast nook - decide to refinish existing table and get new chairs OR do built-in seating.  (Leaning towards built-in seating because it’s unique, had a brainstorming session with a carpenter today at my lunch break in fact. Waiting on his feedback/quote).

Keeping room – design, chairs…find and pick fabric, server table or hutch, deco accessories, panels, light fixture…purchase and hang, throw pillows, decorative

accessories, coffee table, rug

Nursery – window covering decision and installation, crib-buy and assemble, shelves, dresser, bedding, glider, lamp, side table, decoration accessories, organization (after shower)

Living room – paint color selection (after two years of debate!), schedule painters (finished last round this morning and I am VERY pleased!!!!), refinish antique mirror (in the works, it was picked up early this morning before I went to work!), entrance light fixture*, foyer light fixture*, dining room light fixture* (*probably next year*), throw pillows, decorative accessories, figure out what the heck to do with the gallery wall above the sofa!, media storage for right side of fireplace, piece for left side of fireplace (picking up after work today with Megan!)

Gutters – Find a vendor, schedule to get ‘er done.

Garage – shelves and organization (thanks, Michael!), 2^nd freezer

{stay tuned for BEFORE and AFTER pics}

Lagniappe for Aug deadline:

~ Holiday decorations – Plan for holiday decorating and battle plan (keeping it overly simple this year with basically no travel!)

~ C’mas gifts – including wrapping.  The good news here is that I bought the first official present of the season last week (for one of the 7 nephews, John Carter. He’s always an easy one because we share a fun common interest)!)  WooHoo!  One down, a bunch more to go and LOVE scratching things off my list so far in advance!

~ Tailgate and football weekends organized (inc’l plans for tickets we won’t use this year)

We are going to try our best to stay busy knocking all these things out this summer so that come the Fall, when I’m nice and huge and uncomfortable, all will be done and we can hopefully use that time to 1. relax and 2. deal with last minute stuff that is bound to pop up.  Some of you may think I’m crazy, but those of you who know me, know that this is actually the best way for me to avoid getting stressed.  The more prep work I do ahead of time, the more relaxed I am when it’s ‘go time.’

Hopefully the next time I post an update on all of this, there are many many more items scratched off the list as well as some good lookin’ “after” photos for your viewing pleasure!

Let the games begin!

Wish us luck!