Monday, July 30, 2007

Bathroom Conversion: Part One

PERMITS

As we prepare to move overseas, there are many decisions to be made. Currently, one of the largest decisions is whether we should sell or rent our condo. The list of pro and cons goes on and on. We have all but come to the conclusion that we are going to sell it. If this were a place large enough for us to eventually return to, we would keep it. With a growing family 1242 sq ft just is not enough.

On June 1st, a pipe burst in our house and we have spent the past 2.5 months trying to get it back together. Now we are moved back in and are an afternoons worth of work away from finishing the bathroom. Here is what it looked like before the damage:



Unfortunately for my sanity, we are always thinking of ways to increase our property value. And... what better way to do that than add an additional bathroom? As you can see, there are already two door and a half wall that extends between the bath and the existing vanity. Here are our proposed plans:



We are now in the process of obtaining permits, which we tried to do on our own and quickly realized that it would be nearly impossible. Now we have these drawings (including many more) from and architect who regularly works with the permit office. To do this remodel, it will require a mechanical permit for the venting system (required to bring it to current building code), plumbing permit, electrical permit, and a building permit for the 4' extension of the already existing wall.
They say it will all be worth it in the end... but for now it just feels overwhelming. We'll keep you posted!

Friday, July 13, 2007

The joy of hotel living...

So it have been 7 weeks today since a pipe in our house burst. I was on vacation and Steve was traveling for work. He came home for the weekend to find our house covered by an inch of water. Who knew that after 7 weeks it still would not be finished.

So here I am, I woke up this morning with hope that today would be the final day of rennovation. They are schedule to be done in 70 minutes and there are still days worth of work. How does this happen? Don't you think that after haviing drywalled hundreds, maybe thousands of walls, they would know how long it takes? In the meantime, they will all go back to their homes tonight and enjoy their weekend, while we are once again in the hotel. :(

Abe and Peyton have been CHAMPS! I am not sure that they are convinced that they will ever get their beds and toys back, but here is to hoping that it is all over soon...

Monday, June 25, 2007

Saturday Lunch at Pei Wei


Steve at Pei Wei
Originally uploaded by CaptureMyMemories
We love Pei Wei! For the past couple of months, we we have gone nearly every Saturday afternoon. It was our special treat when Steve was home.

It is perfect for families! You can enjoy fantastic food from P.F. Chang's and yet refill your own drinks. No waiters, just busboys. Each dish comes out as it is ready, so the kids don't have to wait for everyone to get their food.

Also, there is more backround noise than most other restaurants, so we don't have to worry as much about our children being too loud for the couple sitting next to us. It is all about the right environment. For the kids, there are "Fun Chops" and unlimited fortune cookies and orange slices.

According to Steve, there are few dishes better than the Kung Pao (add Bean Spruts, minus Snap Peas). He gets the same thing every single time! For me, I like to add a little variety, but I always come back to the Pad Thai as my default.

Our doors are always open (for a few more months in DC), so come and enjoy some Cool Lettuce Wraps with us!

And so we begin...

We have started this blog in an attempt to stay more connected to our family and friends. The next few years will take us around the world to expected (and surely unexpected) destinations! We are highly anticipating the change and time for growth, but will surely miss our "normal" life in the States.

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