I Need A Schedule

I have been horrible about doing this blogging thing. One of my goals for the second half of this year is to blog once every two days. So far I am failing because this is the first blog since february. So let's catch up shall we. I have done some renos, I have paid off some debts, I have incurred some debts. I have to block off some time to update the account amounts because they are way off.

I traded in my old vehicle for a brand new shiny truck. I figure I deserve one brand new vehicle in my life and this just felt like the right time. My other car needed about $2500 worth of work and I wasn't going to keep it long enough to make spending that kind of money worthwhile soooo - new truck. It is exciting. Everything that goes wrong with this vehicle will eith er be my or Chevy's fault. I LOVE IT. I love everything about it, well almost everything. Now I want to trick it out. I want a locking tailgate. That should be happening next week. I want a cool tonneau cover. I also want some other bling that the bling will wait until I install command start. Winters are harsh and I am a suck. My baby needs to be warm when I get in. We also have a name - Rufus. I know it's weird but it works.

What else? I installed a new exterior back door. I wanted the whole pre-hung dealy because I am not so good at the door business. It was either $500 for a door with 3 inches cut off or $150 and I cuty the 3 inches off the house. So I cut my house. Grrr, it was awesome, sparks and sawdust everywhere. It looks awesome and finally the door swings the right way. It used to swing to the right and block off the storage area in the porch. Now it swings to the left and opens flat against the wall. Right on!

I have 6 weeks off. (And will still be getting paid - schweet!) I have high hopes. I want to

(1) build my mom a new fence

(2) build a fence between me and my crappy neighbours to the west

(3) visit the relos for two weeks - we got a wicked deal on tickets

(4) Soffit / fascia / eaves

(5) hire someone to grind 3 stumps in my yard

(6) get into the habit of blogging regularly

and then I will be broke.

Stay tuned!

It's Done!

So I chose to redo my mortgage early to lock in at a low rate. I locked in at 5.55% for 10 years. I wanted the longest time period possible because when the rates do start to creep up, I don't think they will be coming down for a long time. I also took out a line of credit based on home value to get some work around here done. This summer I want to get the roof done, it isn't a want, it's a need. There is a hole and I have a little water damage on my living room ceiling. The range of estimates for the roof is from $4250 to $8300. Crazy huh?! I am going with a long time established company that gave me a very detailed quote of $6300.

I also want to get the soffit, fascia and eaves done. The eaves are also a necessity. It is like having none - they are so old and holey and I think redoing them will ease up some dampness issues in the basement.

I also want to get the three windows done upstairs. The cost will surely offset the decrease in hydro costs in the winter.

I am debating on replacing the super inefficient window in the back addition with a patio door in anticipation of the deck that will be out there. That door would also ease some hydro costs.

I am also going to replace and slightly increase the size of the little deck in the back. I have been buying the essentials piece by piece but for the wood, I will have to borrow someone's truck. Eventually a bigger deck will be adjoined to it (hence the back door). This I plan on doing myself. I have never built a deck but I think it is pretty straight forward. I will post before and after pictures once it is done.