A Thankful Heart

Yesterday a contractor came by our house to check out our roof. Last spring we noticed that it was leaking a little in some parts, but the timing just wasn't right. We contacted a contractor online (there's no local one) to visit us to give an estimate on the renovation, but he was in the vicinity during our holiday abroad, so we couldn't meet and he didn't contact us again afterwards. 

After that we tried to use an online calculator to get a rough estimate on how much it would cost and thought that it'd probably be better to start saving for that purpose before contacting another contractor. We figured that by now we should have more or less enough money for the renovation to commence without having to get another loan from the bank ('coz we still have to pay out our house loan each month anyway). 

Anyway, yesterday the guy measured the roof and checked out everything that he needed to check. It was tough to go up to the roof and measure the roof because there's still plenty of snow up there. After that, we discussed the options and he showed us the kinds of things that he'd do and stuff like that. When he was calculating the cost, I was really anxious and worried. I HOPED that it wouldn't be over budget he he he he...and my hope came true!!! I wanted to shout out in JOYYYYYYYYY right then and there, but I kept quiet LOL!!! 

After he left, R2 and I were both smiling happily 'coz we realize we can get a new roof without having to get a loan from the bank. 

HALLELUJAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! :-D

It's gonna be interesting to see how the renovation is like (we were shown pics on what would happen) he he he...

Next project is saving money to change some of the old windows. Some of the windows of this house were still based on the original house design back in the 50's, so we want to change them as well because it's much easier to clean the new type of windows compared to the old ones. :-D 

I just want to THANK GOD for everything - for this house, for our jobs, for enabling us to save money...
 

glitter-graphics.com

Super Wet Autumn

Of the 5 autumns I've experienced here in Sodankylä, this one is the wettest of all. It rains daily (sometimes not during the day but during the night), but every time I look out it's almost always grey and wet. We haven't even had a chance to rake the dead leaves in our yard. There are so many of them covering each part of the grass. I guess we're going to have to wait till spring before we can clean them up. That's also one reason why I haven't been taking autumn photos.

Anyway, the other day I had a surprise guest. Someone rang the doorbell and she introduced herself as the neighbour. Actually she lives in Rovaniemi, but the house next door is her mother's house. Her mother passed away and the kids decided not to sell it yet, but because the old house had never been renovated, they decided to do some major renovations to it.

R2 hadn't come back home from work by then, so I invited her in and she explained everything to me. This is all new to me! She even brought the maps of the house and showed me everything that would be done to the house (adding a door here, adding a window there, creating another bedroom upstairs, etc.). Turns out that she has to tell all her closest neighbours about all this and each neighbour has to sign a piece of paper to show that we give her permission to do the renovation, which will start next spring and hopefully will end in autumn. Each neighbour is also allowed to write a note or comment or ask anything concerning the renovation. 

glitter-graphics.com
Luckily not long after that R2 came back from work, so he could also hear from her directly what would happen during the renovation. We're also thinking of changing our roof, though first we need to save lots and lots of money for it and then get a quote on how much it's going to cost. We shall see about that. We did actually ask a company already to check it out, but they called us when we were in Vienna and after that they hadn't called us back. Oh well...

My Mom is leaving to Taiwan soon with her friend. I'm VERY excited about it. I hope the weather's good (not too cold 'coz she can't handle too cold weather) and she can stay healthy throughout the trip. I'm sure it's gonna be SO MUCH FUN for the both of them! :-D

Anyway, life's been going back to normal pace. Several customers have asked me where I had been going 'coz they hadn't seen me in a long while. Told them how sick I was with flu he he he he...it's nice that some people really notice my absence from work. THANK YOU, people!!! :-D

I've been using my light therapy lamp again every day to "recharge my brain". LOVE that lamp!!! :-D Can't wait for the first permanent snow. It's gonna make everything look brighter. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!


glitter-graphics.com

Still Renovating

A friend of mine is still undergoing house renovation right now. She's sent us some sofa pictures. She says that it's not easy to pick the right type of furniture for her house. Whether you like classic or modern furniture, what's important is that the things you buy don't go over your budget and they should look good when they're put together in a room (especially if your house has a unique colour combination). Definitely not an easy task to do, especially if you have to buy many things!

I've never been good at designing, so I think if we'll ever own a house, I'll let hubby do the hard work HA HA HA HA HA...I know he'll also ask for my opinion, but I know he has a better ability to view everything in 3D inside his mind prior to buying any furniture.

Speaking of furniture, what type of furniture do you like best? Do you also like modern furniture like I do? Do you like leather or corduroy or any other fabric for your sofa? I actually prefer leather sofa. And one thing I love the most is that when a sofa is comfortable enough for me to take a nap there, don't you agree with me? (Yeah, I'm such a sleepyhead, am I not? HE HE)