Slowly Moving Along

Our amazing seam filler was able to get two coats on the ceilings....and repair & patch the areas that required fixing.  He was due to finish yesterday, but unfortunately he was sick...but hopes to finish the job today.  

If he is able to finish....Mr. Seventies will be in painting mode....it will be so great to have the ceilings done.  Then we can concentrate on painting the walls.  I've tentatively picked out paint colours....hopefully the new rug will arrive today....(according to tracking it is due to arrive today)...and I can see it's true colours....

My dinnerware sets arrived!  I'm obsessed with them....look at all that awesome colour!!!  We just ran them through the dishwasher & placed them in the cupboard...like ducks in a row!  My green thrift store mugs go perfectly!  And the red mugs are Pioneer Woman from Wal Mart...I hung on to those...

I placed the Pioneer Woman dishes on FB Marketplace...and they sold within a couple of hours!  

I had ordered a heart shaped braided rug on Amazon...and it was placed on back order...for .months.  Wal Mart online....has such an amazing array of goods that our store never carries!  I found this rug...and with free shipping to our store....I quickly ordered it for the back entry....

I was pretty bummed when I missed out on a Windsor deacon's bench on FB Marketplace....but luckily found this one!  It will go in the family room...(this is a stock photo).....I've been wanting one for eons!!

Remember this awesome basket....to hold toilet tissue & a dowel to hang a roll?  It sells for around $85 on Pottery Barn (Canada).....but also on Amazon for a bit less.  Since I had over $100 in air miles....I used them for Amazon e-vouchers & ordered the exact same basket - and it cost me nothing.  It is on back order...but apparently they have more coming in....fingers crossed!  

These are the garden flags I ordered from Temu...this one had a price tag of $2.39.......it's hung along the back walkway....

And this one hanging at the front walkway....was a whopping $3.97!  The quality is exactly the same as the ones selling here for $14.99.  I probably should have pressed it...but wanted to get it out of the way...and the wind & rain will likely take care of any wrinkles....

I've ordered a couple of table runners from Temu at great prices & have been pleased with them....I'm going to be ordering a lot more home goods from them in the future!  Everyone says how reasonably priced Home Sense is....I find just the opposite....I prefer Temu prices...

The sun is out & it's going to be beautiful the next few days.  Mr. Seventies plans to open the pool...it just needs to be running....and get the water clear.  He will put the water hose in to bring the water level up to the right level...and turn on the pump.  Once it runs for 24 hours....I will take a water sample in for testing...and we're up & running for the season!   All outside work has come to a full stop for the time being.

Our lilacs are out!!  Usually they don't bloom here til the middle of June...but things are early this year!  (early for us).  And I'm loving it!  

That's the update from our "job site" - or we think of it as "camping".  (did I mention I do not enjoy camping??)

Have an awesome weekend.... til next time....

 

Contractor Woes

The guy we hired - I let go yesterday!  (as in fired).  He was only here two days last week - and in those two days - he might have scraped the kitchen ceiling for 6 hours - for both days.  He'd show up at eleven o'clock...take an hour and more for lunch & numerous smoke breaks.  Mr. Seventies ended up scraping as well to move things along.

He started to seam fill - and had no idea we realized very quickly - to repair any damage.  And his seam filling - well let's just say...I could have done better.  He could not give a timeline for job completion & claimed he would make no money on this job.  When he left on Friday....I knew we were done with him.  

When he showed up yesterday....right on the dot - at eleven o'clock - I advised Mr. Seventies would be completing the work.  (after all he scraped the family room, front entry & hallway...and replaced damaged gyproc in the hall.)   And then the guy stood in awkward silence for 3-4 minutes!

This was last evening....Mr. Seventies cutting out the cracked gyproc & putting new....

I agreed upon a price to pay the guy (way over priced) - but to get clear of him I agreed - and requested an invoice.  He emailed the invoice to me...with an additional $200 charge for "cancellation of job"!  Um, no.  There is no cancellation policy stated on the quote he had given for the job...I advised we would not be paying anything more than we agreed upon.  He replied "ok".  So..we are done with him.  A valuable lesson learned...and the contractor that Mr. Seventies putters with...said we dodged a bullet. 

We currently have an awesome seam filler here working his magic...Mr. Seventies knows him well...and he is the only seam filler our contractor friend will hire...

Talk about drama!

Mr. Seventies plans to paint the ceilings....against my objections.  But he is stubborn...and will start in the kitchen when the time comes.  I'm treating our home like a job site....keeping the dust and debris to a minimum & have two vacuums working overtime....

The walls will all need to be painted...and I absolutely despise picking paint colours!  I'm going to the Benjamin Moore store today-  there is a gal there who is amazing...I will pick her brain & get a number of paint chips for starts.  

The new rug should arrive tomorrow....it will be great to have that for some colour inspiration!  The replacement lamps were just delivered -  fingers crossed they work!  If not...I am done with that also. 

That is an update from here!!  

Things Just Got Real--Ceilings Update

To say we're living in upheaval is an understatement!  Removing stucco from the ceilings has been intense - white dust everywhere!  And I mean everywhere!  But we fully expected it to be a mess!

What we didn't expect was a contractor working only a few hours a day!  Don't get me wrong....he is a super nice guy...but just isn't going to be able to finish this job.  He was expected on Thursday morning..."somewhere between 9-10 am" - he didn't arrive until almost 11 am.  Then he "forgot something"...and left for an hour.   Also when asked how long this process would take - "he had no idea".

When he finally got started....the most he put in was about 4 hours - with over an hour for a lunch break (I'm assuming as he was gone over another hour).  The removal was much harder in places...lots more sanding & scraping (in the kitchen)....and he commented he wasn't going to make any money on this job - he'd never had the stucco so difficult to come off.  (I truly suspect he has not done this before).

It isn't easy reaching over the kitchen cabinets...I'll agree.  Mr. Seventies decided to chip in & help..and on Friday (after an early 10 am start with more than an hour for lunch.....and smoke breaks)....the kitchen ceiling was finally fully scraped....

Over the weekend....Mr. Seventies scraped the family room, front entry and half the hallway ceilings clean!  It took him only about 6-7 hours!  Is it difficult in some places?  Yes. 

This morning...we plan to let our guy go.  We will definitely pay him for the hours he has put in...but this work needs to get done efficiently...we cannot live in this mess indefinitely.  He seemed very discouraged when he left Friday...and with no timeline in sight...it just isn't going to work out.  And I assumed there was more than him coming.  He kept saying "we"......I thought he had workers...but it's just been him.  

We know an excellent seam filler...(we weren't aware he has extensive experience removing stucco ceilings).  He has done work for us in the past....and is an excellent worker & does amazing seam filling.  He dropped in...and offered to skim coat all the ceilings...it will take him less than two hours.  

There is gyproc damage in the hallway...(from walking between the trusses in the attic)....long cracks...Mr. Seventies will put new gyproc up & then it can be seam filled....along with a couple of other places that are damaged.  Gotta love this seventies split!!

The plan today is to have a chat with our current guy....and hopefully come to a friendly, parting of ways.  We want this work done...sooner rather than later.

And we will need to repaint at least two maybe three of the rooms....the kitchen, family room & possibly the hallway.  So, the ceilings need to get done first.

Here is where we are currently at....the kitchen ceiling is nekkid!!  Such a beautiful thing!

This area in the kitchen, in between and the family room needs to be repaired....same on the other side wall in the family room...

The family room & front entry...Mr. Seventies did run into a couple of areas that were difficult to remove...where the stucco was applied thinly.   The thicker spots were much easier to scrape off....

Welcome to our mess!  It will be so worth it in the end though...to have smooth, beautifully painted ceilings!  Oh and when the stucco is put into bags....you wouldn't believe how heavy it is!!

Not sure if we had Sasquatch drop by to help or not!  Mr. Seventies hand prints....he was fully covered in white dust!!  Looks like foot prints!!

That is where we are at this morning!  I picked up some paint chips for the walls over the weekend...going to look different in the rooms when done!  The new area rug is due to arrive Thursday!  We'll set it aside until everything is completed.

I decided it was time for new dinnerware....and ordered a couple of sets of this pretty stoneware...I am obsessed with it!   Love the bright colours!!

Have you seen these baskets for storage...with a toilet tissue holder?  Absolute genius!  My metal storage stand is showing signs of rust....moisture from showers I suspect....I'm definitely ordering one these....they come in a couple of colours.   I love this one...

Oh....and the pollen has arrived!  Everything outside is covered.  The deck staining has been put on hold...due to the pollen....and our attentions have turned to inside for the next couple of weeks.  And we will be spending days & days cleaning & getting rid of white dust!  Not rushing to open the pool....still cool single temperatures overnight.  And the June bugs need to go back to hell where they came from!!  

Join me later today at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday!  Always great to catch up with other bloggers!

And tomorrow I'll be sharing at https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday and https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays.

Til next time.....be sure & stay tuned!!

Removal of Popcorn Ceilings

I'm so excited the removal of our popcorn ceilings begins tomorrow!!  The kitchen will be the first room tackled!!  We spent yesterday removing what needs to be out of the way....this is how things are looking currently....

Took down my Gripstand bowls, removed everything from the counter tops....cannot stress how happy I will be to have smooth, freshly painted ceilings!  Ugh....when & why did we think this was a good idea?? That was the 90's for ya...

Other than large pieces of furniture....the family room is pretty much gutted....my dish cabinet was emptied & pieces packed up safely in boxes.....(Liesel is somewhere under those blankets)....

Our neighbour came to help Mr. Seventies remove the television from the wall over the pellet stove....not that we ever watch it.  I put various screens on it during summer, fall & Christmas.....other than that...it is never is turned on.  We've debated putting it back up....but there is a huge outlet on the wall for it...and we don't want to remove it.  So it's either put the television back up....or hang a large canvas.   Leaning towards keeping the television....

Wall decor and my hooked rug were removed from the front entry.......

Most of the light fixtures can be wrapped and remain up during the process....with the exception of the hall fixture....

Since the fixture in the hallway is close to the ceiling....Mr. Seventies will take it down the day before....

Again with the walls looking green!  I assure you they are not (with the exception of the main bath)...but in photos the walls look green to me....

And....a new wool area rug has been ordered!!  I spent hours & hours shopping on line and narrowed my choice down to six contenders!!  Then sat with Mr. Seventies and narrowed down the choices!  And....he chose the exact one I was feeling strongly about!!  I wanted to be 100% certain I was in love with the new rug....as I don't want to make the same mistake I made last time.....

I should know myself now!  If I don't love something immediately.....it's not for me.  I should have listened to my gut when I picked the last area rug in February!  I am not an indecisive person...and 99.9% of the time I am rock solid on my choices....when I listen to my inner voice!  I am that way with just about everything...

Also...the previous rug was too big...it measured 12 x 15 ft.   This is the one we both chose in a 10 x 14 ft size!

The description calls the colours "gray & red"...but I'm thinking the red is more a rust colour....

A bit of a close up....again we have gone with a 100% handmade wool rug....you cannot beat the wear & durability of wool.....oh I love the pattern & can't wait to pull the colours out for throws & cushions...

This photo is showing up close the texture....if you've never had a handmade wool rug....they have beautiful texture and depth....and wear forever....

We vacuumed the previous rug really well & were able to roll it up & fold it over......Mr. Seventies set it in the downstairs family room....it might just fit in either our SUV or our daughter's....we will measure to see.  If not,  our son-in-law will arrange for a friend with a truck to retrieve it....the rug will be beautiful in their lower level family room....(the kitchen shutters are being stored downstairs until the ceilings are done)...

Tentative date of arrival for the new rug is May 29th....once all the work is completed & everything has gone through a thorough cleaning....we will lay it down....

It was such a beautiful, warm day yesterday....I picked a beautiful bouquet of pink tulips..".my ladies in pink"....(they now sit on the kitchen counter)....

And the Azalea, in all its scraggly beauty is blooming.   Sort of...it has to be 30+ years old...and has received nothing but tender, loving care!  Some we see are absolutely stunning...with mounds of blooms.   Such is ours...

I cannot wait to share the transformation once the ceilings are completed and our house is "righted" again....

Til next time....

Catching Up

Happy Victoria Day & Happy Memorial Day!  Another Monday has rolled around!  Mr. Seventies has a repair & painting marathon happening on the pool deck!   I reminded him this chore is not a marathon...

He started out strong getting the deck floor scraped and stained....with a few boards needing replacement.  Somehow he got into replacing a number of boards on the pool deck walls!  Which required a few trips to Home Depot for lumber.  It's been sixteen years since the pool, decking & privacy walls were built & over the years.....due to Mr. Seventies great maintenance only a few boards have needed to be replaced.  So it came as no surprise a few more than expected have needed new boards.  

He has all the pool deck walls needing replacement done...and a fresh coat of stain....and one coat on the floors.  There are also a couple of steps needing new boards.  The weather for the next couple of days is looking agreeable...so he will continue staining...

I found this amazing crock on the junk/antique shop's FB page (located in Summerside)....and decided I had to have it...

The shop owner's daughter works at a facility not far from our home...she brought it with her a few days ago.  I retrieved it from her vehicle....and am loving it!  I had hoped to put it on top of my kitchen cabinets...along side a Gripstand bowl....but it was too tall!   Second choice place....on top of my dish cabinet....

A little update on the lamps I ordered...they arrived and I absolutely love them!  

While they are not as tall as my previous lamps....we don't read in bed...and they are seldom on...so they will suffice....

However.....there is a snafu!  They won't turn off!  Go figure.  There is a button to tap to turn them on....then tap again for the dimness or brightness needed.  And that's where the issue lies.  Rather than turn off....they just keep going from dim, bright & brighter!  The only way to turn them off...is to unplug them!  What is strange...,it occurs with both lamps!  The seller is sending a new set....fingers crossed they work properly.   Not sure what I will do with the first set....

I picked a beautiful bouquet of tulips...every day there are more & more coming up!!

It's wonderful to see the gardens come alive...every day things are opening up.   I couldn't help but take in the amazing cloud cover one morning while on my morning walk with Liesel.....

I set out my sunflower tiered tray....added a few "faux" treats....

We enjoyed our first feed of fiddleheads!  Growing up...these were a staple in our house every spring!   They are not as popular here as in our home province of New Brunswick....but the local grocery stores bring them in each year...they are delicious.  I think in the US they are called fiddle ferns.   I think they are to us what lobster is to Islanders....

We spent a wonderful afternoon with grand daughter....hitting up a few favourite greenhouses & shops....and of course a stop along the way at a wonderful park for some serious play time!  We had a great time....one stop was at our favourite bakery...where our little one enjoyed a cake pop...

And against my better judgement....I picked up a few cream cheese covered cinnamon buns....(for the occasional morning treat)...

Join me today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday!  And again tomorrow with Joanne at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays & https://www.astrollthrulife.net/ for Inspire Me Tuesday....

Til next time....

Spring Sprucing Up

The weather has been amazing the past few days....and looks to continue into the long Victoria Day weekend...

Mr. Seventies plans to get started staining both decks & steps...starting with the pool deck.  Once both decks are done & thoroughly dry....we will be able to put out the wicker furniture!   Hopefully, in the next week or two we'll get the pool opened & up & running for the summer...it's a lovely shade of green currently....

I discovered when getting Liesel out of her safety seat in the SUV...(we call it her "bucket") .....hers is covered in dark brown washable canvas material like this one in the photo.    It's secured using a seat belt fed through the seat,  as shown here...

Then....this happened...the tether used to secure her....ripped apart.  Now, somewhere in this Seventies Split....I have an extra tether.  And therein lies my issue....we have searched high & low....and cannot find it!  

I was pretty certain I should be able to order a replacement.   One would think it would be an easy fix.  It isn't.  Firstly, the brand name of the seat ....has changed.  It is no longer known under the name Sol Vit...(when I purchased it eons ago)....but now under Pet Safe.   After falling down the google rabbit hole...I found I could order a new tether... the design is a bit different. 

Then I remembered we have a great leather/shoe repair shop here...I took the tether in & it's going to be glued & sewn back together!  It's still sturdy enough for repair....and ready for pick up tomorrow.   Issue resolved. 

As I was cleaning & puttering in the main bedroom....I inadvertently cracked a table lamp on a night stand....twice.  Because smacking it once just wasn't enough!  I set it on the floor while I dusted...and well...when I went to put it back on....I smacked it against the night stand.  Hard.  I set it down to check the damage....and did it again attempting to set it back on the second time.   And they are very noticeable cracks!  

These ones are being delivered today...I like how they have charging ports!   I listen to music...all night...either on my phone or lap top...having the ability to charge at the same time...is such a bonus.  And they are easy lamps to turn on...as you can see in the photo....and I will be more careful this time when cleaning....

I spent three hours the other day out & about running errands....and while it felt great to be mobile again....I was a hurting unit by the time I headed for home.  Between my ankle, my knee and back....I was barely shuffling around!  

I did purchase this pretty crotchet cardigan....this green is my new go to colour...

And a throwback to my teenage years....who doesn't love a granny square crotchet tank?  Looks amazing with a pair of denim shorts.....

I'm obsessed with this little bag....cannot wait to use it!  I love that it's roomy enough to hold my cell phone, wallet & more!  So easy to open and close...my favourite feature.   Have you noticed crotchet anything is so in this summer?  Or maybe it's just me...

I plan to make a quick run & do a couple of errands I didn't get done the other day....then stay off this ankle.  The bruising has lessened...but if I'm on it for any length of time....it tends to ache & swell a bit.    Liesel & I will be supervising Mr. Seventies today!   Every job needs a couple of supervisors!

Til next time....

Let's Catch Up

Happy Monday!  I hope all Mom's had a beautiful celebration yesterday....my day was lovely!  We shared delicious home made pizza & Mother's Day cupcakes with our youngest daughter & family.  My daughter in Nova Scotia...(had to work part of her day)....was delighted to receive the beautiful flower arrangement from us to brighten her day. 

She spoiled me with a custom perfume, mixed just for me, bath bombs & bath salts...all greatly appreciated.  Daughter here gifted me an Amazon card (she knows her Mama too well).....and Liesel gave me a gift certificate to the hair salon I visit.   And, of course a few heartfelt cards....

Quick update Liesel's ultrasound revealed thickening (inflammation) in the stomach lining.  Usually caused by a combination of food allergies & irritable bowel syndrome.  Her system is unable to process protein...she is now fed a hydrolyzed diet (protein is broken down so small her body doesn't react or recognize it).  She has prescription kibble, canned & treats....and no other food of any sort.  Not that she is accustomed to human food...but we keep tight control of what she consumes...in eight weeks if she has greatly improved we will continue on this path....if not...further investigation & biopsy will be required. 

She was shaved on her belly, from behind her front paws to her groin!  That is going to itch when it starts to grow back...but necessary for the ultrasound.  She was very sleepy & unsure on her feet afterwards....but after a good night's sleep...was back to her old self the next day.....

I took a quick visit around Inspired Living (home decor)....they had a variety of new items in...these pretty faux flowers greeted shoppers at the door...

These plaques are a huge hit....with a wide variety of places on the Island....a bit pricey at $60, but were selling quickly for cottages and Mother's Day....

What do you think chances were this came home with me?  Pretty good, I'd say....

I'm crushing hard on this faux floral arrangement.....not sure if you can see the pussy willows....my favourite....had to find real ones here...

Love, love, love these canisters!  Could find a dozen uses for them....

These "real flame" candles are popular....they come in a variety of colours.....gray, green, white & red...and a few different sizes and shapes...they truly do look like real burning candles....but work with batteries....

Dough bowls are another of my favourite...of any size...and this one was no exception....

And the fishy mugs are back in stock!!   I have one in this colour....they are just so darn adorable....

In other news....Mr. Seventies gifted me with a beautiful peony!  (we gave daughter an identical one for Mother's Day).....this makes a total of six peonies now in our gardens....this is a new colour for us...it's a dark eggplant colour....

And our beautiful forsythia shrub is blooming!  It is the first bit of colour we get here in spring!  The tulips are starting to show off as well....

Mr. Seventies hung my dragonfly....I purchased last year...and one for my friend as well....

And my baskets arrived!!  I am so happy I ordered them....they are worth every penny!  I left them sitting on the dresser where I unpackaged them....and decided to leave them there!!

I've been putting pretty tv art on...these pretty lavender I chose the other day.  Not sure why the wall looks green....it certainly is not....

And speaking of wall colour....we suspect when the stucco is removed & the ceilings are painted....most of the walls will need new paint as well.  When painting previously....because of the rough texture on the ceilings....you could only get a small paintbrush up under the stucco....when it's removed and the ceiling flat...there likely will be a small area around the perimeter that will be visible.  We might have leftover paint for some walls....be definitely not for all the rooms....Mr. Seventies might be into a painting marathon....we will see....

And....remember the new rug?  To refresh your memory.....this one....

I've been living with it now for three months.....long enough to determine I really, really don't love it!  Or even like it for that matter.   Yup...call it buyer's remorse...or stupidity on my part....but I just can't live with it any longer!  And when Mama ain't happy....ain't no one happy!  Mr. Seventies had suggested I keep it for one year and decide then....but three months is about all I can handle!  It will fit perfectly in daughter's downstairs family room....so that is where it will be going!  

I'm going to take my time & make sure to choose an area rug I absolutely love this time!  Same with wall colour paint.  The ceilings will likely be started within the next couple of weeks....once the carpet is rolled up....it will not be going back down!

The kitchen is likely where the ceiling scraping will be started....not much has to be removed there....

Make sure you join me later today over at https://betweennapsontheporch.net/ for Metamorphis Monday and again tomorrow with Joanne at https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Talking About It Tuesdays and https://www.myslicesoflife.com/ for Inspire Me Tuesday....

Til next time....