Week One Updates

We really like it here, in our little hideaway in the woods.  We have been busy, though!  Well, mostly N has since I've been at work all week.  In addition to massive amounts of unpacking (I really do have lots of shoes), we've done a few maintenance items so far:

• Swapped out the kitchen light switch for one with a dimmer because with the lights on all the way the kitchen gets hot.  It's still pretty toasty when we're cooking and the whole kitchen/living room combo needs an overhead fan, but it's more pleasant now with the dimmer.  N succeeded in not electrocuting himself and was rather proud of the fact.  I am not in the least bit surprised since he is thoughtful that way and remembers to flip breakers first.
• Replaced the dining room dimmer switch because it was broken and made the lights occasionally flicker on and off randomly as if we had ghosts. I forgot to flip the breaker and N had to intervene on my behalf and take my equipment away.  To be fair, it is not fully my fault as I was on the phone with a coworker at the time.  Lesson learned: no distracted electrical work.  Check.
• Hung a hanging basket for fruits and veggies in the kitchen near the sink.  N finally got to use his drill. There will be much more drilling soon, since today we purchased floating shelves for the living room and a curved curtain bar for the master bath.

We've also learned a couple of things about this house:

• The washing machine is pretty darn noisy.  We are thinking of having someone come take a look at it to make sure there isn't a problem with it.  It works fine, but for a new washer it's awfully loud, and that doesn't seem quite right.
• Electric panel on the front of the freezer for ice and water is broken.  Hello. home warranty!
• There is a tiny leak under the sink when we run the dishwasher.  Easily contained, will need to be addressed eventually but isn't really major.
• One of the original owners years back must have been a smoker, and we think they chucked their butts into the fireplace.  The far corner of the living room smells faintly of cigarette smoke when it rains, which it's been doing on and off for days now.  We think that once we swap the natural gas fireplace to a wood-burning one, the lovely smell of woodsmoke will obliterate any faint cigarette remnants.  Not really major; I'm sitting 4 feet from the corner now and I can't smell it.  But I did put a diffuser there just in case.

Still haven't found the camera charger, but here are a couple of shots taken before the battery died...

The tea and coffee cabinet.  After years of not having any good place to store all of our teas, I am overly-excited about this.  Just below the cabinet is the breadmaker, as well as the various coffee and tea-making accessories (French press, electric kettle, sugar bowl).

The hall bathroom, all laid out.  To the right are beautiful paper flowers recycled from their original use as a wedding centrepiece (not mine - I'm not that talented), and a basket full of lotions and bath things for guests.  Yes, there is lotion in the basket.  Don't go there.  My makeup and hair styling products are also in here for now until I have a vanity.  My husband wants to buy me a vanity table  - he's so sweet!

Last but not least, I think the boys are settling in.  Don't you?