New AC

We have known since our first summer in this house that our AC unit wasn't long for this world. We had it repaired a couple times under the home warranty and then tuned up and repaired once on our dime. Every technician that has looked at it told us it had problems. Some parts were pieced together while other parts were missing (like the plenum). The wiring was weird and we had too many tons for our square footage which meant we were wasting a lot of money on our electric bill. So we decided to be proactive and get it replaced before it died on us in the middle of a hot AZ summer.

We got a few estimates and we learned things from each guy that came. In the end, we chose the company that seemed the most thorough and creative. This guy did a heat load calculation to figure out what size AC units we need. We had two 4 ton units - one on each side of the house. The heat load calculation showed we were in good shape as far as exposure to the sun, number of windows, etc. so he recommended dropping down to two 3 ton units or maybe even one 5 ton unit.

We were intrigued by the idea of only having one unit to maintain, but wondered how that would work with a larger house. The AC guy suggested using the one unit, but creating 3 or 4 zones in the house with separate wireless thermostats. That way each zone could be set with a programable thermostat and could run simultaneously or independently of each other. The unit would be variable speed which would increase efficiency as well.

We decided that was the best option for us. The only down side was the cost. We had planned to replace one unit this year and then save up to replace the other next year. Going down to one unit would cost less than two but we'd have to pay it all now, no saving up for an additional year. After some discussion and budget review we decided to just go for it. So we signed the paperwork and they put in the new unit May 1st.

The new unit is huge!

 It took a lot longer than I thought, two full days. The second day they were here well into the night. A lot of the work they had to do was on the kid's side of the house, specifically in Annabeth's room where the access door is so that meant she skipped nap for two days. She was a good sport about it and wasn't too fussy. We were without AC while they worked and, fortunately, we had mild enough temps that it wasn't too bad.

The new unit compared to one of the old units.

Technically, they still aren't done. There are a few loose ends they need to tie up (patch a few holes, run a few wires), but we'll be leaving on vacation in a few days and those things will just have to wait until we get back. It will be interesting to see how are utility bill changes in the next couple months. We're hoping to save a bit of energy and money!

Update 8/7/14: Our utility bills have definitely decreased! Our July utility bill this year was about $200 lower than the July bill last year. Should be about the same for the August bill too!

Underground Leak

4/28/14 Need to post

Like a Ton of Bricks

When the pool was built we had to remove some of our brick paver patio to make room. Knowing we were going to have it fixed after the pool was done we had the demo guy save the bricks. He dumped them in a pile in the back lot. Back in January, the kids (including Roz - she was here visiting) and I spent a warm, sunny winter morning stacking them neatly on a pallet.

We knew we wanted the patio fixed before swimming season really got rolling so we made a few calls to get some estimates. It wasn't a big job. Just fixing a few bricks, straightening the brick line by the pool, and then adding a little bit to one corner to even things out. We didn't think it would cost too much since we had the bricks. We just needed the labor.

The first guy came. Jerry didn't like him. I didn't like him either when I saw his estimate! It was almost $2000! No thanks, we'll pass. The next guy was better. Jerry liked him. I liked his estimate. It was almost a quarter of the first guy's, but he said he was busy and wouldn't be able to get here for about 3 weeks. We said that was fine.

When it had been three weeks and we hadn't heard from him, Jerry called. "Thursday or Friday" is what we were told. No one came. Another call. Another answer. Another no show. Ugh. Then it was Spring Break and he went on vacation. Then another week passed. I was seriously ready to start calling around for more estimates when we were told "someone would be out today". Let's just say I wasn't too optimistic. But, I was also pleasantly surprised, because they came! Finally!

Unfortunately, the three man crew came without instructions. I told them what we wanted and they got to work. They had gotten here late in the day Thursday and didn't work long. I was a little concerned when they left that they didn't understand what I had said. (We had a slight language issue.) When they showed up on Friday morning, I asked them if they understood and they said they did. At that point there was really nothing to do but wait and hope they truly did.

They were done by lunch. And they did just what I said.

So here are a few "before and after" photos.

This first one is on the way to the guest house. We called it the "fiscal cliff" because Annabeth would stop and request assistance to cross it. The pool guys had to dig the bricks up here to run the electrical. Last summer I just laid a few bricks in the gap to make do until we got it fixed.

You can see the line along the pool fence needed to be straightened. Then we wanted to add a few bricks in the far corner to even things out.

Here are the after photos! No more "fiscal cliff"! But I still step funny when I walk here. It will take me awhile to stop that.

We now have a nice straight edge along the pool fence. This line actual runs at a funny angle so each of those bricks had to be cut to fit inside the brick "frame".

 

The corner was filled in as well. It is a little bit lower than the rest of the patio but it looks like it was always that way.

They had to cut a lot of bricks around the little piece of pool decking here as well. Jerry and I might have been able to lay the bricks but we would never have been able to cut them like this! Which is why this was not a DIY project we wanted to take on.

Here is the view from the back patio now. You'd never know it wasn't always like this!

One more thing of our checklist!

New Room by Room Tour

Want to tour our new house? Here's the new room by room tour! The tour isn't complete but the house isn't either! You'll get the idea and I'll update as things change. In the future you can find the tour under the "Tour Our House" tab at the top of the page.

You'll notice a few things are unfinished... like... we don't have closet doors. Jerry says the door man's kids have no doors, just like the cobbler's kids have no shoes! They are on the way though (finally!). We ordered them this week. The original closet doors were mirrored and I'm not a fan of those so we took them down before we moved in. We've been living (closet) door-less lives for several months now and I can't wait until they get here!

You'll notice other things like sparse decor and furnishings... no curtains or valances... these things will be changed/updated as money and time allow. Lots of progress has been made since I posted the first peek. We got all new carpet and the whole interior painted before we moved in. You'll see our lovely new stainless steel appliances including french door fridge and double oven in the kitchen. Those things and the soon-to-be-built pool took priority over a new couch and curtains.

The guest house interior is missing from this tour for now. I'll update as things get more settled out there. Right now it's a major work in progress. If you want to see "before" pictures of that (or the main house) you can go back to this post.

Below each photo you can see a short description, just in case you're not sure what you're looking at!

Ready? Good. Here's the tour...

Enjoy! Come see us in person sometime! :)

The New House

Today was the day! After a month of nail biting and paperwork we are finally the owners of a new house! I do have to say the real estate business in Arizona is a LOT different than in Wisconsin, but I'll tell you all about that later.

I'm all about pleasing the people and I've had lots of people asking to see photos of the new house. So here you go. The following pictures aren't the best (quality-wise) but you'll get the idea! Some were taken with Jerry's cell phone and some I didn't take at all... the ones where you see furniture are from the real estate listing. I'll take more to share with you in the days ahead.

We won't be moving for a few weeks. We want to get new carpet and paint and we figured that would be easier without all of our stuff in the way.

FRONT

EAST SIDE (GARAGE)

BACK PATIO (North side)
with outdoor fireplace

GUEST HOUSE
and guest house driveway

YARD (grass area)
Future pool??

BACK PATIO

FRONT ENTRYWAY

LIVING ROOM
(That paint is even worse in person!)

KITCHEN

KITCHEN (dining area)

PANTRY

MASTER

MASTER BATH

MASTER CLOSET

BEDROOM #1
(Say good-bye to the beach scene, it's coming down!)

BEDROOM #2

BATHROOM

BEDROOM #4

GUEST HOUSE (Living area)

GUEST HOUSE (Kitchen)

GUEST HOUSE (Bathroom)

GUEST HOUSE (Bedroom #1)

GUEST HOUSE (Bedroom #2)

Well, that's the quick tour for you! What do you think?

Virtual Christmas Tour 2010

Welcome to the 2010 Virtual Christmas Tour. For the past few years I've had a little fun by sharing a "virtual" Christmas tour of our house. If you are new to the blog or just want to look you can click here to see my 2008 tour and here to see my 2009 tour.

I'm not sure why but when December rolled around this year it just didn't seem possible that it was already time for Christmas again! Maybe I'm getting old, or time is speeding up, but it seems like we just did this. Last year I didn't go all out because we were going to be leaving on vacation right after Christmas. This year I didn't go all out because I just didn't feel up to the challenge! :)

Here is the 2010 Christmas tree:
My favorite decoration again this year is the stockings hanging by the fireplace. I think it's because we've only had a real fireplace in our own home since we moved into this house about three years ago.

You can see the train beneath the tree in the picture above. I have had this train for many years but haven't put it out either because I didn't have room (at the old house) or had too many little hands that would constantly be messing with it (the past few years). This year the boys (including Jerry) talked me into getting it out. They were all under strict orders not to mess with it or turn it on without help. I'm happy to report they have stuck to their end of the bargain.

Jerry telling the boys:
"If you mess with this train Mom is going to put it back in the box
and you won't see it again until you are 23!"
Just kidding... They were watching it go around on the track.

As usual Roz helped me assemble the tree and put up the lights while she was home on Thanksgiving break. Then all the boys "helped" with the decorating. I use the term "help" loosely. I will say one thing about decorating a tree with lots of helping hands... it sure goes quickly. It seems each person hangs about 10 ornaments and we're done.

It's a long standing family tradition to give the kids an ornament each year. Last year I made these little crocheted stocking ornaments (but never got around to posting a picture).
This year instead of making an ornament I found a really great deal on porcelain photo ornaments (only $1.99 each). They turned out better than I expected for the price! Here is what JD's looks like:
This next ornaments is one of my favorites. Made extra special because the person who gave it to me passed away this year. Annie Boersma was a long time family friend and wife of my godfather. Over the years, even when we lived across the country, she always took time to keep in touch at Christmas. I received this Christmas ornament from her and Rog the year Jerry and I got married.
I always hang it on the tree where a yellow light can illuminate the holy family. One of my favorite Christmas books is a wonderful "treasury" of Christmas stories, thoughts, and poems given to me many years ago by Rog and Annie. It is now out of print and I was so upset several years ago when one day our old dog (Lucky) uncharacteristically took it off the shelf and chewed it up. (She only did that one time in her whole life!) Last year, thanks to PaperBack Swap, I was able to get a new copy! (Two actually... want a copy? See below for details.)

Speaking of dogs, we lost our dog Buck this year. The vet kindly gave us this little miniature schnauzer ornament that wasn't really my style, but the boys insisted we hang it on the tree. So we did.

My mom found this nativity for me at a rummage sale this year. I put my (unbreakable) wooden one down in the school area and put this one in the living room. A few times JD has put the camel or shepherd in the stable attic or moved the wise men around but thankfully nothing has been dropped or broken. I have also found JD's play cell phone and a matchbox car in the stable. I'm sure Mary and Joseph appreciate his assistance.

Another special addition to our Christmas decor (although it's up year round so I'm not sure it's technically a Christmas decoration) is this beautiful handmade wooden cross from Jerusalem. It was sent to us by our friends the Scharpf family who spent most of last year (2009) living in Israel.

A few years ago I found this window cling nativity. I put in on the mirror in the boys bathroom so they could contemplate the reason for the season while they brush they teeth each morning and night. That's one way to fulfill the command of Deuteronomy 11:19!

We are in our third year of working through a month long daily Christmas devotional called a Jesse Tree. We love it! This has been the best year yet as far as the boys sitting still, listening carefully, and really soaking in the Bible stories we discuss.
A view of the whole living room from entry way to fireplace (Click on any photo to enlarge it.)

A few recipes I have posted in the past that you might want to try this Christmas:

• Candy Cane Cookies - my childhood favorite.
• No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies - if you don't have much time and need a yummy treat, try these.
• Snow Cocoa - a delicious alternative to regular hot chocolate, not very healthy but so very good! If you're making it for a crowd... make a double batch.
  
• Make-at-Home Kettle Corn - a new spin on an old fashioned snack.
• Christmas Potpourri - This isn't a recipe you eat, but it will make your house smell like Christmas.

And a new recipe for this year. I found this recipe in a Gooseberry Patch book several years ago and it was an instant hit! Several of these in a Christmas tin would be a great gift for anyone you know who loves to eat cookie dough.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1-1/2 pounds chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped

In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour, alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Shape into 1-in. balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

In a microwave bowl, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip balls in coating; allow excess to drip off; Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. If desired, remelt remaining candy coating and drizzle over candies. Store in the refrigerator.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now it's YOUR turn! Let us see your house. Just take a few pictures of Christmas decorations in your home (the tree, a favorite ornament or two, outside lights, stockings, nativity, etc.). Post them on your blog with a short explanation if you'd like and maybe include a favorite Christmas recipe OR if you are interested in sharing some photos but don't have a blog, post them to a photo sharing site (Shutterfly, Snapfish, etc.) or use the public link to share an album on Facebook (at the bottom of any album). You could even share a recipe by taking a photo of it!

TO JOIN THE TOUR: Just leave YOUR tour link in the comments so we can all take a peek. (For those of you who have done this before, I am not using a link widget this year, just leave your link in the comments.)

WIN THE BOOK: If you are interested in a copy of the "My Christmas Treasury" book I mentioned above just leave a comment saying so and I'll draw a name. Brownie points to those of you who leave a tour link and a comment saying you'd like the book. :)