From land...to house...to HOME

The M's could play on my lawn...

2008-03-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Many of baseball's best outfielders have blessed the field that is Safeco. From Griffey...to Buhner...to Ichiro...to the future great of Adam Jones. And that is just naming Mariners! Not to mention all of the visiting teams who have made the trek to the rainy city.

All of them have walked, ran, and played....won and loss...and experienced the game on the grass at Safeco. And well, they could do the same in my yard if they so choose :)

Because the grass at Safeco is the same that is in my yard....straight from Country Field Turf Farm.

If only I cooked!

2008-03-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

Beyond the delicacies of mac & cheese and top ramen, my kitchen time over the past six months has pretty much been slim to none :)

But now I have a reason to venture back into the realm of the unknown: The Kitchen!

From my new dishes, to gorgeous cabinets, to stainless steel appliances, and the "bling" (as my dad likes to call it) on my backsplash, I should have no excuse not to spend as much time as possible in my new kitchen. Maybe I'll be adventurous and whip up a bagged meal ;)

My Dad's own Sistine Chapel...

2008-03-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

For over 4 and a half years, Michelangelo painted the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. He spent that entire time up on the ceiling to perfect his pristine and intricate masterpieces. About this work, Giorgio Visari said, " anyone who is a painter no longer needs to concern himself about seeing innovations and inventions, new ways of painting poses, clothing on figures, and various awe-inspiring details, for Michelangelo gave to this work all the perfection that can be given to such details."

Like Michelangelo, my Dad had his own Sistine Chapel; though luckily it did not take him four and a half years to complete! He created a cedar masterpiece on my ceiling, and gave to this work all the perfection that can be given to such details.

"Painting is very easy when you don't know how..."

2008-02-11T12:37:00.001-08:00

"...but very difficult when you do." ~Edgar Degas

It's a very good thing that we didn't really know what we were doing then ;) A couple weeks ago I had a painting party, since there definitely was not a shortage of walls to paint. I'm lucky enough to have such great friends, who were willing to spend their Saturday doing manual labor and enjoying my wonderful company!

Thanks to Amanda, Brett, Mandy, Goby, John, Raina, and Amy!

Risking life and limb to prime the media center :)

Amanda is painting the sky blue...ok, she's painting my ceiling sky blue.

Latte goes on the wall upstairs, and coffee downtstairs!

My room is a nice and relaxing jade green

And my bathroom is a serene blue...

Of course, the house wouldn't be complete without some crimson (Tibetan Red to be exact!)

The writing is on the wall.

2008-02-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

If you have ever seen the HGTV show Color Splash, you know that Designer, David Bromstad creates at least one custom piece of art for each room/episode he undertakes. While painting, I channeled my inner David, and created a custom piece of art for my dad. It's a piece titled "Thanks!!" and it will live on my fireplace until covered up by tile here shortly :)

Thanks Dad!

Brick by brick...

2008-02-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

Earlier I wrote an entry titled "board by board..." and this in contrast is aptly titled "brick by brick." This project was truly the largest and most complex puzzle I have ever seen!

European Castle Stone: Chardonnay

We placed this stone along the two front pillars and on the Great Wall of Small. While one of the most tedious of tasks (I'm speaking for my Dad here), for me personally, it was one of the most rewarding to see. While each brick/stone was a piece of this puzzle, the colors also consisted of another puzzle. Each item was picked seperately and individually...and as everything was purchased, every finger was crossed in hopes that I made the right choice.

Fears of clashing colors and tacky decor filled my dreams!

But as I saw the pillars progress upwards, I was also able to see how the stone tied everything together. From the grey trim to the almond siding...the crimson hardie planks to the crimson-flecked roofing. Everything came together so perfectly and beautifully, that I knew this house was meant to be. Because I for sure don't have superior interior/exterior design skills! It was a touch of luck and a lot of love and faith that brought this all together.

Kevin Arnold was so wise...

2008-01-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

Since I work online, as I scouring the web I came across content for the show "The Wonder Years." As one of my childhood favorites (I'll be honest, I had a huge crush on Kevin Arnold and wished I was Winnie Cooper!) I took some time to look around and reflect back. One quote greatly resonated with me...

"Growing up is never easy. You hold on to the things that were. You wonder what's to come. But that night, I think we knew it was time to let go of what had been, and look ahead to what would be. Other days. New days. Days to come."

I wanted to put this up here, and write about my thoughts because it seems so applicable to where I am today. Growing up is definitely not easy...making your own decisions, and having others trust in the decisions you make. But growing up is also fun and exciting! I've been able to figure out who I am over the years, and be comfortable and happy with the person I've grown into. I've had horrible jobs and great jobs, but all of them laid the foundation for a successful career. And I get to look ahead of what can be. Other days. New days. Days to come...

I get to look ahead to the days when I'm officially a home owner. Days when I get to unpack in my new home and live my life there. Make memories there. And one day look back as I am now, and think about how my time building the house and living my life in that house further shaped my path. And when I've done that, the cycle can continue as there will always be other days, new days, and days to come...

“We think in generalities, but we live in the details” ~Alfred Whitehead

2008-01-29T14:19:00.000-08:00

In music, you have general notes/choruses/rhythms which provide the overall tone of a score, but it is in the minor details which truly make the song. As such is the case with a house. The beams, boards, and structure form the shape and design of the house, but it is in the little details which truly make it my home.

One of those details was a mandatory component: Adding a touch of crimson to the purple Seattle skyline. The final touches of exterior crimson elements were completed.

Another detail was a complete surprise to me...a custom built arbor for my deck!

Direct Quote: "OMG! It's a house!"

2008-01-29T14:09:00.000-08:00

Recently, more walls went up in the house; except this time these walls helped make my house look and feel like a home...

Sheet rock began going up in early/mid January, and it was one of the few moments that I truly freaked out. Being able to touch the walls, walk thru hallways, actually "be in" a room, was such a surreal feeling for me, because I was finally able to take in the fact that this house will be mine. It became more than just beams and wires. I was able to see rooms. Envision where I would sit to do my work, fold laundry, watch tv, and eat dinner. I was able to imagine memories in the making.

That isn't to say that I was not able to see and feel those same emotions before, but now it all seems real. So unbelievably, and amazingly real.

Looking back...

2008-01-09T10:40:00.000-08:00

As we near closer to completion of the house, I wanted to look back and reflect on the transformation of a field to a house, and the progression we've made along the way.

Hi Mom!

2008-01-04T10:58:00.001-08:00

I've always wanted to be on TV shouting "Hi Mom!" but since my chances of TV stardom are very slim, I'll resort to making my call-out here. A couple weeks ago we got my mom up to Seattle to view all of the progress on the house. Needless to say, she was completely blown away! It's not often that she is able to come, so I was so very happy that she was able to see the work my dad has done.

Here a few pictures from her visit:

Summer is in the air...

2008-01-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

And no, Seattle has not been experiencing an unusually warm and dry winter. In fact, our winter has been as gray, wet, and dreary...what you would expect for this city in this time of year. But despite the conditions, I still feel a sense of summer in the air. Maybe it's because football season is coming to a close, or that we are getting an extra minute of light each day...or maybe, just maybe, it is because I have an amazing, gorgeous, beautiful deck that was just recently completed :)

Looking at I can already imagine my summer: weekend BBQ's and dinner parties, evenings on the deck watching the sunset over the Olympics; days laying out basking in the sun; and on the cool summer nights warming up by the fireplace.

Behind the walls

2008-01-04T10:12:00.000-08:00

Most of us are fortunate enough to be able to spend a portion of our days at home; whether it be an apartment, house, or condo; or you rent, own, or live off of others. However; how we define "home" is different and personal to each individual, but what is common amongst all are many of the actions we make inside our dwellings. We sleep, we wake, we cook (or microwave), we eat, we relax, we stress, we cry, and we rejoice...the list is virtually endless, but the end result is we make memories in our home.

Each day we go about our routines, and rarely have I stopped to think about how my home came to be. I take for granted what is inside the walls because I am able to see/touch/experience it on a daily basis, but never thought to appreciate what is behind the walls. Until now...

A couple weeks ago, the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical were completed on the house. Each day I went by, I was in awe at the complexity and intricacy of this work. Behind the walls, and under the surfaces lies a complex maze of pipes, wire, and ducts. It truly does take great skill to see a mass of walls and understand how to lock each piece together to complete the perfect puzzle. And having seen how this the three separate puzzles were able to conjoin into one, I now have a much greater appreciation and respect for what is behind the walls.

Board by Board...the pieces continue to come together

2007-12-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

Every single second; of every single minute; of every single hour; of every single day I am truly AMAZED at how the house is coming together. With each visit a new feat has been accomplished, and there is something new to see/experience/and take in.

Over the last two weeks, my Dad, John, and Jerry, have been fervishly working on completing the siding on the house. Board by board, and wall by wall, they continue to work their way up...and you can clearly see the fruits of their labor. My house looks like a home. Afar, up close, from the front, back, and sides, it is clear that there is beautiful home being built on 2110 Beacon Ave. And it takes my breath away every time I am able to say that home is mine.

(I mentioned in a previous post that WSU would be taking over the City of Seattle, and as you can tell it's now happening shingle by shingle! Crimson hardie planks will be put into the peaks of the house to compliment the gray siding that is already in place!)

Is my dad...Superman???

2007-12-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

To those not in the know, people have questioned the identity of Superman for many years. To the average human, he is a man of mystical strength, saving the world one damsel in distress at a time.

To those who believe they are in the know, it is common knowledge that Superman's everday identity is that of Clark Kent. A (slightly geeky) journalist by day, and hero by night.

Well, au contraire mon ami!!! In recent weeks I have come to discover that the true identity of Superman is Mr. Doug Small, aka SuperDad!!! If you don't take my honest and truthful word for it, then I'll pose to you the evidence I have gathered over the last couple weeks.

A. He overpowered the evil forces of the City of Seattle (you villians know who you are!) to allow us to finally break ground in August
B. He helps this damsel in distress (aka; me!) every day
C. In a mere 3.5 months, he took of field of nothing, and turned it into something: a home
D. Lastly, he moved a ton of bricks (with the help of his trusty sidekicks) in under 24 hours!

Evidence of item D noted below:

Each of these bricks weighed 70 pounds!

Rub a dub, dub...I got a tub :)

2007-11-29T16:58:00.000-08:00

In the words of Mr. Ernie from Sesame Street...

Rubber Ducky, you're the one,

You make bathtime lots of fun,

Rubber Ducky, I'm awfully fond of you;

Woo woo be doo

Everyday when I Make my way to the tubby

I find a little fella who's Cute and yellow and chubby

Rub-a-dub-a-dubby!

I got not one, but two tubs! So I guess that means I'll need two duckies :)

Master Bath

Downstairs Bath

New Career: Window Washer!

2007-11-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

Day by day we continue to make so much progress on the house...actually, I should rephrase that and say, my dad continues to make so much progress on the house! Every day that I go by, there is something new to see and be amazed with. The latest feat was all of the doors and (many, many, many) windows were put in! And all I can say is, "Boy, there are a lot of windows to wash!"

Wax on. Wax off :)

Go Cougs!!!

2007-11-29T09:37:00.000-08:00

In the city that bleeds (blech) purple and gold...I am going to try and inject a little crimson and great into it! As a loyal coug, and girl who just also happens to adore the color crimson, I am adorning my house with touches of cougness. The first step was putting up the "granite grey" trim, AND more will definitely follow! Stay tuned to see how this coug plans to take over Seattle :)

In over my head?

2007-11-06T17:56:00.000-08:00

I define myself to be a rather intelligent person...I graduated high school with a virtual 4.0 (3.98 if you want to get into specifics), got my B.A., and have a good job in Advertising. But I've learned very quickly that being smart in one field does not necessarily carry over to the next, and before entering a project you should have a basic understanding of what it entails.

I scour Google, do research, look up definitions, in an attempt to better understand what it takes to build a house. But that time spent on those activities can never amount to the many years of experience my dad had physically doing the work. In my world, it would be like someone engaging in interactive advertising though they have never turned on a computer!

I can type, but I can't hammer (very well). I can lead a meeting, but I don't know how to pour cement. I can spam the world with banner ads, but couldn't tell you if plumbing comes before mechanical :) Teaching is MUCH more difficult than doing...it's frustrating...and it's time consuming. And for all those reasons, I want to thank my dad for putting up with my relative ignorance on the subject, for listening to my endless array of stupid questions, and thru it all still loving me enough to continue on. So THANKS DAD!

Sweet Dreams

2007-11-05T17:48:00.000-08:00

When beginning this project, I had doubts the day would come when we would finally be able to break ground. Luckily, with much patience that day came, and we (or more like my dad) has been working at the most hectic pace to wrap this up. When we began excavating, I didn't think we'd pour the foundation so soon after. And when we poured the foundation, I didn't think the framing would begin so quickly. Yet it all has, and NOW I have a bedroom. And better yet, this bedroom came with a hidden suprise of an even greater view! From ground level, we knew the view was amazing...the sound, the stadiums, AND THE STADIUMS! As we built onward and upward, this view got even more amazing, as it extended to the east on over to the mountains. All I know is that I am very grateful that I have parents who are willing to help me achieve my dreams, and I will definitely have sweet dreams in this room!
View from the bachelor pad

Walking upstairs

In my room!

The great wall of Small, from down the street!

Views on a beautiful Seattle day

Board + Board = House!

My bedroom from outside

Movin' on up!

2007-11-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

When writing this I was torn between using the title of "Movin' on up" or "UP, UP, and Away!" because both so perfectly embody the work being done during this phase...and that would going up! The second floor walls and roofing went up, and it is AMAZING to see how quickly packages of lumber suddenly (and very laboriously) turned into a house!

While a dad may be Superman to the eyes of a daughter, I think others would agree if they saw my dad flying around on the roof! Mom, if you're reading this, I swear Dad was very safe up there :)

It's wood...it's framing...it's a HOUSE

2007-10-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

After weeks of digging and digging and digging...we finally got to start framing. And lo and behold, it is finally starting to look like a house rather than a desolate field!

Floor Joists

This crane was needed for the picture below!

The Great Wall of Small :)

It's a house!!!

Thank you!

2007-10-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

"A house is made of walls and beams; a home is made of hopes and dreams."
~Anonymous

As I enter the month of my birth, and the second month of my home building process I wanted to stop and take time to thank my parents! I feel so lucky everyday that I have a mom who is willing to part with her husband for 4 months; and a dad willing to part with his wife and home. A mom who still cooks enough food for the family every day, and a dad who has to eat every meal out of a microwave. A mom who will watch my dog, because my evenings are spent travelling from work to the house to visit my dad who is working way too late. I truly am blessed to have a family willing to sacrifice all this to help me achieve one of my hopes and dreams.

Thank you.

Photo's of Foundation Pouring (Sept)

2007-10-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

The photo's go in reverse order :)

Foundation's poured!!! My dad admiring his work.

Finished product

Custom duct work, from non-other than Mr. Simply Service!

After the boarding was complete!

I was obviously dressed for working on the house!

Cement Truck

Photo's From September

2007-10-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast this is all coming together! In September we have:

Cleared the land

Removed brush & view-blocking trees!

Drainage

Poured the foundation!

The Bachelor Pad

2007-10-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

"Anyone can be a father...but it takes someone special to be a Dad."

I have been very fortunate during this situation to be blessed with my dad (and of course, my mom too!). But he is not only acting as my Dad now, but my contractor as well! He has put his life on hold, to help move mine forward. He is taking a break from his business, to start a new "job" as a contractor in Seattle. And he has left the comforts of our wonderful home in Lacey, to live in a Bachelor Pad in Seattle!

Almost one year later...

2007-10-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

And we have finally received approval to build!

In November 2006, I closed on the land, and now here in August 2007 our construction permit has been issued, and we have been cleared to well...begin clearing the land and start building! This has been a crazy 9 months for me, filled with many mixed emotions: doubt and hope; and fear and joy. There were many times when I questioned whether or not this would actually happen, and along the way I tried to never lose faith that my land would one day become a house, which would then become my home.

Well, I've cleared the first hurdle, and now I have to finish the race!