Weekends are great. Ben is home and we can get some house work done. Nothing happened in the bathroom because we have a few other projects to deal with. Currently, the mountain house has a geothermal system, but the compressor is broken. Furthermore, the previous owner insisted on installing the unit in the garage. We (and the installers) prefer it in the utility room (the rooms are back to back). Last week a geothermal guy gave us a bid for a new unit and moving it in the utility room.
Where am I going with all this? We ordered the unit and are waiting for it to get here. In the interim, Ben had to pull out two old water heaters and install a new water heater to make space in the utility room for the geothermal.
Here are the two old water heaters. The big guy in the back was used in conjunction with the solar panels to heat the pool water. When we re-roof, Ben will pull out the non functioning solar panels, making the heater obsolete. The littler one is a standard water heater, but we loved out tankless one at the other house. Running out of hot water when you’re half way through your shower is never fun.
Ben installed a tankless Rheem heater from Home Depot (this one, if you’re wondering), which was part of our bathroom buying binge. Once the new heater was running, Ben started the process of removing the other two tanks. Disconnecting lines, emptying the tanks, and shimmying the heavy things through the door and into the garage. We’ve got so much more space in the utility room now. And we’re ready for the new geothermal, just in time for AC season.
While Ben was working on mechanical problems, I was working on design problems. Every last light fixture in this house is gaudy and overly traditional for our taste. Like the large, you better duck or you’ll hit your head light fixture in the dining room:
Is no longer, though the glued in medallion still is.
I couldn’t take it any longer. It had to go, even if we didn’t have a replacement light. If you’re wondering, the folding table is what I’ve used for my sewing projects, like the striped curtains.
And a smaller, not quite as low but still low chandelier over the breakfast nook table:
We launched an attack on those fixtures over the weekend. It all started when I found this at a thrift store for six bucks.
No, it’s not real copper. Just steel painted a copper color. I liked it, especially for the price. So I bought it, thinking Ben would hate it and knowing our thrift store has a 7 day return policy. Surprisingly, Ben actually liked the fixture. Sure it’s a little beat up, a few scratches and dents, but for $6, I can work with it.
I did what most self-respecting DIYer would do. Hauled out my spray paint. Before I could start painting, I filled the socket with a paper towel to protect the inside.
While outside, between coats, I discovered a cute colony of hen and chick succulents.
Along with a few teeny tiny hostas. Seriously, these are small. The largest leaf is about 2 1/2 inches long.
Both the hostas and succulents are planted around this large rock.
For reference, the door in the background leads to the wet bar of the pool room. Along the back edge of the patio, I found what I’m assuming to be Day Lilies, though they look more like grass clumps right now. But there are old flower stems, so I’m hopeful we’ll have some color (and life!) back there soon.
You’ll have to wait to see the refinished light because I’m waiting for paint to dry and I’ve got nuts and bolts to buy. I’m excited to add a modern/industrial touch to the house.
How was your weekend? Did you do any landscaping? Or spray painting? Or changing of light fixtures?
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
You guys are such the great team. And the amount of work you get done is absolutely amazing. I wish you guys were on TV so I could tune in to the progress each night. Lol!
Ditto Emily! I do wish y’all were on TV, too!
You two are insane. I don’t know how you get so much done, but I love it!
My mom is currently growing mini hostas. They’re so cute and don’t overtake like my larger ones! I left some in pots over the winter and they’re still coming back!
Very smart choice on the geothermal unit, spend a bit more to get new on a major system instead of a bandaid on the old. Yeah for tax rebates!
In spring or fall, dig up those day lillies and split them to: 1. get more plants and 2. they will revive and flower more.
Kit, USA
It’s amazing how many house projects need to get done just to keep the house running. Sounds like you guys got a lot done!
We spent the weekend finishing up a landscaping project. It’s so rewarding to see the before and after pics. I just want to sit in a lawn chair and stare at it:)
Hey Emilysunffer! Aww, that’s such a sweet compliment! I don’t think I could do TV though. I HATE the way my voice sounds.
Hi Stephanie! You guys are so sweet. 🙂 We’re loving the progress, too. It’s nice to make some changes, even the small ones.
Hi Nora, They are cute, but I think these ones are too small for the space they’re in. Though a lot of the back yard might change down the road so I’m not in a rush to make any changes. 🙂
Hey Kit, We just feel better about spending a little more on a new unit, getting a warranty than nickle and diming {yes, real word ;)}our way through the current one. And, that’s a great point about the lilies. I’d love to add more life to other places on the property. Does anyone know if lilies do well in planters?
Hey Meghann! So true, right?! We’ve got several projects that hinge on another being done, so we’ve turned our focus there. Your yard is looking great! I love that satisfaction of another thing checked off a to do list. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
It’s crazy how much stuff you guys get done! You are busy bees!
LOVE reading your blog! Would love to know how you balance renovations with 2 kids. My husband and I just purchased our 3rd reno, but this time we have 2 little ones! I am really struggling with getting anything done… how do you find the time/balance all of this?!
We have a blog (not a pretty one though, strictly functional for family/friends to check progress). http://youngoldhomes.blogspot.com/
Can’t wait to see what your new house has in store – it has LOADS of potential. Congrats on the new place!
Hey Suzanne, That’s such a tough one to answer, because there’s no magical solution. But, our boys love to play together, often alone. They entertain themselves, but we try to let them ‘help’ or watch projects we’re working on. Of course, that’s when it’s safe for them to be around. Vincent watched and handed Ben tools while installing and removing the water heaters over the weekend. Recently, he has started to like projects. Also, I try to give the boys something to do while I’m working on a project. If I’m spray painting something outside, they love to dig in the yard. When I painted our closet, I brought books and games into our bedroom where they played. If Ben has a project, I’m taking care of the kids. Of course, there are plenty of times I want to work on something but crabby, sleepy boys don’t allow that. And it can be annoying, but there’s nothing else to do about it.
Sorry, that’s not a great answer, but distractions are great. Save cool/special things for desperate times. (My kids love to paint, play with Play-Doh, etc.)
Hope that helps!
Amanda