CHAPTER TEN .. WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE VILLA???

No new pics of the Villa today .. the days are flying by so fast  Ken and I decided we'd best stop doing so much running around and start getting some stuff done around here .. moving day will be here before we know it!!!   So we have not been to Sawyer's Ridge since I snapped those pictures in the rain Friday!!!  Yesterday we worked in the basement ..  I unloaded all the totes and boxes off the storage shelves because Ken was going to take them apart so they could be moved to the new basement .. I even swept several years worth of dust bunnies and sawdust off those shelves .. then after much fussing and cussing and faunching because taking the screws out that hold the things that hold the shelves together was tearing up the screws and messing up the holes .. sooooooo he finally came to the conclusion it might be best to put the screws he had finally gotten out back and leave the shelves for the new guy!!!  Soooooooo ... all those boxes and totes went back on the shelves until we are ready to move!!!  I also took big white labels and a red marking pen and made labels for all the boxes .. STORAGE AREA, WORK SHOP, OFFICE, KITCHEN .. ETC.  so it will make it easier to know just where each box should go when we do the moving. 

We decided today would be a good day to get everything nailed or screwed to the wall taken down so he could patch and repaint the holes.  Sooooooooo ... down it all comes .. then since we took all those "pretties" down and boxed up  Liz decided she might as well start boxing up all the other "pretties" too .. 

 You noticed the patched nail holes in Raggedy's place, right?????  Taking that stuff down was very traumatic for me .. but it had to be done sometime!!!  I could go ahead and put the stuff that was sitting on the old dresser back in it's place but decided while I had it all down .. pack it away.  So Ann and Andy are all packed up and ready for their journey to the Villa .. except for the one I left hanging on the front of the dresser.  Would you believe I still haven't figured out where I'm going to my Raggedy's in the new place????  However, I assure you, I WILL find a place for them!!! 
 

 Besides the huge mess we .. mostly ME .. have made it's looking pretty weird with absolutely nothing on the walls or the fireplace or the Hoosier Cabinet .  We need to get some bigger boxes before we pack up the stuff on top of the cabinets so we still have a few things to look at .. LOL!!! 

We have a meeting with the builders tomorrow morning to clarify our wants and not-wants .. the meeting is at Sawyer's Ridge so of course I will get new pics .. so .. see ya' tomorrow evening .. LOL!!! 

CHAPTER NINE .. RAIN .. RAIN .. RAIN!!!

Not much luck getting pics at Sawyer's Ridge yesterday afternoon .. pouring rain!!  When we drove through on the way into South County they were still working on the vinyl siding .. didn't take any pics because there was equipment everywhere and it didn't look much different than it did the day before. We had hoped to be going by late enough in the afternoon / evening that the builders would be gone and we could walk through and get pics in the back and inside .. instead we ran into pouring rain .. and I do mean pouring!!!  Some of the workers were still there .. sitting on stacks of wall board in the garage of the villa attached to ours .. I took a pic of course but you can't see them very well!!!  They probably think I am crazy .. LOL!!! 

You can barely see a blob of red on the left side inside the garage .. the T shirt of one of the builders .. there are a couple others sitting in there too!!! 

We thought perhaps we would have papers telling what the house inspector who visited our house found but there was none there.  However, there were things hanging on the knobs of the outside doors .. they are doing a Radon test so do not leave doors or windows open until this test is done .. open only to enter and exit and close immediately.  And papers for us to sign giving them permission to do the Radon test.  Says they will pick the equipment up Monday .. so guess they'll be back again Monday!!!  

I got this picture yesterday morning .. Thanks to Ken giving me a shout!!!  These are the things we will miss when we are no longer living here at Raintree!!!! 

CHAPTER EIGHT .. IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS!!!

We made a trip to Illinois to visit and were gone a couple of days .. we could hardly wait to get back to Festus to see what the builders had  been doing to our house so of course we took time to drive through Sawyer's Ridge before heading on to Hillsboro!!! 

The roof shingles are finished .. the front windows and some of the back windows are in  .. AND they're starting on bricking the front!!!! 

Electric wires have been ran .. 

And the water lines are being ran .. 

The double doors from the kitchen to the deck have been installed .. BUT .. someone would rather the door opened from the center .. and she wanted grids in ALL the windows and the doors!!!!  

Thursday, the 28th .. made a run to Sawyer's Ridge to talk to Ashley in the office about the windows and double doors on the kitchen.  

 Lo and behold .. look what's happening now .. the brick is on and they're adding the vinyl siding .. WOW!!! 

We got a call from Ashley shortly after we got home .. as it turns out the door and windows for this unit were ordered before we signed a contract to buy it and they didn't know that we wanted the grids .. she has set up a meeting between us and the builder for Monday morning to discuss the windows and the kitchen double doors. 

We have been working like little bees getting our house in shape again for the buiding inspector and the buyers will be out this morning for the big inspection to see what all is wrong with it .. will let you know how that went later!!!! 

CHAPTER SEVEN .. A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY SUNDAY!!!

Sunday, the 24th of May!!  We had plans to go spend this afternoon and evening with our friends Gini and Mike but of course before we could go to their house we HAD to go to Festus to check things out .. plus .. I had a few questions for Butch AND I wanted to get some pictures inside the display home for you all to see!!!  

We were very very surprised to discover the roof had now reached the front of the house!!!  When we talked to Butch yesterday the builders were not at the house and he had thought they had the 3 day weekend off .. guess not!!!  

I had some things I wanted to talk to Butch about and their was a couple already with him in his office so I had my chance to take some pics of the inside of the display home .. 

The door on the left leads to the laundry room and the garage .. the one on the right is a small pantry!! 

 

Laundry Room

 

We are having a brick fireplace with a hearth built and the living room, foyer and breakfast area will be hardwood but the kitchen cooking area, laundry room and bathrooms will be vinyls and the bedrooms carpeted.

The Master Bedroom 

Master Bath

Hall bath

And then we were off to Gini and Mike's house for a fun afternoon with Gini n Mike, Gini's brother Jimmy, Simone, Irene, Mary and Caroline.  Caroline said the builders were up there pounding on the roof at 6:00 this morning .. Bless their hearts!!!  And we thought they were getting a 3 day weekend!!

This very cute pump and birdhouse was sitting in the corner of Mike and Gini's deck .. I think this would be a great project for my dear darling husband when he gets his workshop all set back up .. what do you think?????  Would look very cute in bright little flowerbed located some place in the yard of our new home!!!!  

CHAPTER SIX .. VISITORS AT THE VILLA!!!

Sunday, May 24th .. Ken's daughter, Elizabeth, and her son Wyatt came to pay us a visit yesterday and we took them to check out the villa!!! 

First thing Ken and I noticed was that they had gotten started putting the shingles on the roof at the back of the house!!!

Of course we went inside to check things out too ..

This is the entry into the house from inside the garage.  You will walk through a laundry room with a small closet on the right .. into the kitchen.

We were surprised that the tubs were in place!!!  This is the hall bathroom!!!  Nice picture of my thumb .. LOL!! 

We were also surprised to discover that they had put in the stairs to the basement!!! 

Ken is standing in what will be the living room .. the kitchen breakfast area is to the left by the walk-out door and window.

The Master Bedroom .. looks pretty small here but is actually very large!! As you can see they have also been running the electric lines for the outlets!!

Breakfast area once again!! 

Master Bathroom .. it will have a huge shower with glass doors .. we could have had double sinks but chose to have one sink and a linen cabinet to the side of the sink. 

Ken is standing at what will be the breakfast bar waiting for a cup of Coffee .. I think it will be a while Ken!!!  

The view from the French doors in the kitchen going out onto the deck!! The deck will be 10' X 12'!!

The front door is installed .. the garage doors are installed also!!!  And the cement garage floor has dried!!! 

Elizabeth was very impressed with what will be our new home .. and was very happy that her Dad would be moving someplace where he would no longer be out working in the sun doing yard work and power washing the house .. not to mention all the other things that a man has to do to keep his "castle" in shape!!!! 

CHAPTER FIVE .. WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW????

Friday, the 25th .. Ken was scheduled for an MRI at 8:30 in the AM!!!  No time to go by Sawyer's Ridge .. but we did have time to stop and rescue a turtle that was in the middle of the road .. LOL!!!

We went to the Bread Company after the MRI and our friends gave us a big cheer and many hugs of Congratulations for the sale of our house .. they know how stressful the house selling / house hunting months have been and our happy for us that hopefull that is all over!!! 

We had a few errands to run and then we decided we would go to Farmington, Mo to check out a place called "The Factory" and a couple of Antique Stores there.  But first .. we headed for Sawyer's Ridge to see what was the latest with our home of course!!

Looks like they are still working on the roof .. pounding was being done on the backside .. and someone was working on the inside of the house .. Butch had called to clarify a few things about what we wanted regarding plug-ins and lighting and said they would be running electric lines.   Still moving right along!!! 

I'm trying to decide whether to fill you in on our visit to Farmington then decided I might as well .. so here you go ... off to Farmington.  I owed Ken a lunch / dinner for last month's Kings In The Corner wins and had told him I would buy at "The Branding Iron" .. they used to have the most delicious and fall-off-the-bone tender BBQ Ribs . Yummmmmm!!! 

We found our way to "The Branding Iron" .. or rather where "The Branding Iron"used to be .. the building looked the same outside and inside .. but it is now "Dexter's BBQ"  .. food was Okay .. BUT the Ribs were not fall-off-the-bone tender like they were when the other people had it!!!  However .. you do get FREE Ice Cream now!!!  AND Ken got the meal I owed him .. LOL!!! 

After the meal we found "The Factory" .. I had been there a few years ago too .. the building looks like an old school house .. and way back then there were various shops in the rooms of the building .. sad to say .. this was a disappointment too!!!  There are now a couple of restaurants and one shop that was closed and one other shop to go through .. several empty rooms!!!  Unless maybe we went through a wrong door and all the stores were elsewhere in the building????  We looked through the one open store and took off!!! 

OK .. Antique Store here we come!!!  Let's hope it's not a disappointment!!!  "Forever Antiques" was NOT a disappointment!!!  Whoops .. forgot .. Hefner Furniture is a HUGE furniture store and we decided to stop there before going antiquing!!!  We are actually looking for a table for the Breakfast area of the kitchen .. our bigger table and chairs will go in a dining area and there will be a small area for another table.  Looking for the Country / Farmhouse / Rustic look!!

So .. Hefner's .. Hmmmmmm ...

This is one very unique furniture store .. it's worth going in even if you don't find what you're looking for .. surprises everywhere!!! 

Can you tell that's Elvis in the balloon??????

We didn't find anything we're looking for at Hefner's Furniture but we had a great time looking!!!

Next stop .. Forever Antiques ..

I liked this enamel topped table .. it would look great with my Hoosier cabinet if I decide to set it up in the breakfast area???

I also took pics of the tags so I would know what booth number they were in and the price!!!

Ah Oh .. I like this one too!!! 

Oh wow .. I like this old cabinet too!!!  I know some of you will think I'm crazy but I just really like this old stuff!!!!!

Hmmmmm .. Ken says we need the mirror below for the bathroom ... thank goodness it's not for sale .. LOL LOL LOL!!! 

This frame I took a picture of because I thought it was a terrific idea for hanging olllldddd pictures!!! 

I THINK I would like a white wicker or resin-type wicker set for the deck off the kitchen .. this wicker rocker is a great price compared to prices on the internet .. I'm thinking about it!!! 

Another table I kinda' like ..

These are the kind of chairs I like .. but the ones I found in this store seemed much lower than regular chairs ..



Ahhhhh ... this picnic table!!!  I had a set like this many many years ago .. when my kids were kids!!!  I liked it because I could move the benches and the table out of the way very easily when I mowed the yard!!!  The one I had wore out a long time ago and for years I looked and looked trying to find one at a yard sale / resale store / wherever .. this is the first one I have seen anywhere!!!

Only $65.00 .. I'm thinking I just might be talking Kenny into rousting Betsy (my poor little blue Escort Wagon) out of the garage and heading down to Farmington to purchase this treasure!!!  If we'd been driving Betsy Friday this would be mine and would be sitting on the patio below the deck in back right now!!!

Hmmmm .. what do you think of the set below?????  Don't pay any attention to the goofball sitting there with his tongue out .. just the table and chairs .. LOL!!!

I kinda' like it too!!! 

Is this IT .. is this the table I should buy?????? 

Ken told me what this thing was .. let me see .. a manual grinder maybe??????  I don't want it but it sure is a unique looking thing!!!!  That's why I love antique stores .. you never know what you're going to find!!!! 

We had a great time looking at the many treasures at "Forever Antiques" but the store closes at 5 and I looked at my watch and it was 10 minutes until closing time AND we were the only customers in the store .. and the couple running it seemed to be following us so we decided perhaps it was time to go .. LOL!!!  Funny story .. I had never noticed a posting from them on Facebook before .. but the next morning when I got on Facebook .. Lo and Behold .. I hadn't scrolled very far before I saw it .. a posting from "Forever Antiques" and one of the pictures they had posted was of the picnic table set I had taken a picture of!!!!  Funny but a little bit creepy!!!!  LOL LOL LOL!!! 

OH .. I almost forgot to tell you another funny story!!  Remember the turtle Ken rescued at the beginning of our day????  At some point during the day Ken realized he did not have his hat on .. and could not find it in the car anywhere!!!  He usually always opens my car door .. and reaches in and buckles my seat belt for which he gets a kiss (could that be why he does it????) anyway .. when he does this he often takes his hat off his head and puts it on the hood of the car while leaning in to fasten the belt.  One day this happened and we found it in the road right in front of our house when we got back home.  He was hoping that was what happened on this day .. however .. we did watch the sides of the road when we drove back through the area where he rescued the turtle but .. no hat!!!  Sure he would then find it in the garage .. driveway .. or in front of our house .. we drove on home.  Sad to say .. NO HAT!!!  I talked him into going back where we saw the turtle and pulling off at the side of the road and getting out to look ... guess what .. WE FOUND IT!!!  It had landed or been blown off into the grass at the side of the road .. that's why we didn't see it when we went through earlier!!!

He was very happy to have found it because it was a hat his daughter Beth had given him a few years ago!!!  What's the orange thing on the end of his nose you ask?????  A yard sale sticker .. we had stopped at a yard sale and bought a few "treasures" and he was wearing one of the stickers .. LOL!!!  I know .. he's a goofball .. but he's a lovable goofball .. LOL!!!