Another Rummer in the news

This is a short, but good article in todays paper about a Lake Oswego Rummer kitchen re-do. They didn't do a historic restoration or anything, but I think they did a nice job making it work better for their family (breakfast bar, much more open to accommodate more people) with a few nice design touches (FADO ball lights from IKEA, polished concrete countertop). I'm quite taken by their cabinets made from Applewood plywood. They look really nice. Anywhoo...enjoy.

http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/01/_headline_rummer_redo_deck.html

2008: A Year in Review

Here's a quick executive summary on the projects we tackled this past year. It's exciting to see all the progress we've made, yet a teeny bit overwhelming with what's still to be done.

Spruced up the atrium.

Gutted the kids' bathroom

Cleared out the backyard

Installed new exterior lights

Planted bamboo

Installed new house numbers

Fixed downspouts

Installed more exterior lights

Painted exterior

Built new flower beds

... and nearly finished the bathroom! The drywall is done, cabinets are ready to install, tile is up. Just need to get the floor installed so we can put it all in.

Flat Roofs + Snow = Oh, No!

Update 12/24/08: Yup, it started snowing on the 14th and we're snowed in. Still. 3 more inches fell yesterday. No mail in 7 days. No garbage service in 2 weeks. Cars are encased in snow cocoons. Chains are required everywhere. Our town is still under a State of Emergency (the National Guard rolled into town and Haley's on the roof hoping to signal helicopters and get a ride to the mall via a HumVee and I'm expecting a Home Depot Gift Card from FEMA. It's my right!!). Cars can't make it up our hill without 4-wheel drive AND chains (I only know that because I got to the office on Monday with a Suburban driving co-worker... had meet him at the bottom of the hill). Can you imagine how much worse it would be if we didn't have Global Warming?!! Thank YOU Al Gore.

But never fear, since it's Christmas Eve and we're big believers in Christmas Miracles we're bundling up and marching about 1-2 miles to the nearest strip mall. Ho Ho Hum. (Christmas this year is brought to you by Ross Dress 4 Less, GI Joes, Teriyaki King, and Craft Warehouse!) It WILL be fun.

Actually we're expecting the thaw to begin over the weekend... I'll send you a flood update on Monday. -Steve

We are slowly digging out of the snow. This is the snowiest December for our area in recorded history. About 2 feet with some drifts chest high. It's crazy.

It has been beautiful, but all this snow needs to go somewhere when the temperature climbs. Our roof has a lot of snow on it (2 feet in some areas) and it needs to come off. We have no idea about the best way to remove it, so we're just planning to climb up there with shovels and brooms. Wish us luck!


UPDATE: We just cleared the snow and ice out the downspouts, downsized the drifts and cleared out the run off trough things (scuppers?). It was 45-degrees today and the thaw is staying outside the house. I think we're fine. -Steve

Merry Holidays!

Snowed in for 5 days... and we're a little punchy. Had to get a little creative with the Santa hats! Have a safe and happy holiday.

'Tis the Season... to decorate.

We've put up the tree, the lights and the plastic figurines. Decorations... are done.

Snow Day!

UPDATE 12/17/08: We hardly ever get snow here... and any snow that doesn't melt immediately is quite the novelty. We have about 4" from last Sunday's storm... and it's been snowing all morning on Wednesday. Should get another 4-6" by tomorrow, and more (possibly another 12") is expected this weekend! I know this doesn't sound like much to you mid-western folks, but there's a layer of ice under all this white fluff. I can't get off the hill (I might be the only person in East County that doesn't have 4-wheel drive!) It's so beautiful, but I'm getting a little cabin fever. I'll post more pictures after the storm passes.

What am I thinking????

I'm still pining for summer and window shopping for the back patio. Steve found this darling set on Craigslist and I'm just obsessing over it. I NEED IT!!! I think I might have a sickness for patio and pool sets... but this one is really cute.


Let's hope it's still there after Christmas. Then I can seriously consider it... the holidays and bathroom remodel are sucking the life out of my pocketbook. Sigh! Pain!