Mission Accomplished

Since we decided the Singapore trip was just us, sisters, I left Denden with some tasks to do at home. After all, it was a two-day Holiday, thus, the four day long weekend.

I thought that it would be the best time to change the laminate flooring in our bedroom, into tiles. I knew I wouldn’t be too good in handling laminate flooring because of the water spills, the unwaterproofed firewall during the first few months, and windows that I always forget to close during rainy season. So the solution was to change them into tiles. I knew this will be hardwork that I wouldn’t mind missing. The “walk-in closet system” had to be removed, our bed had to be disassembled, baseboards removed, then the laminate flooring. We chose the wood-looking rectangular tiles from Mariwasa with a darker color. After the installation, everything should be brought back to its old place.

I had to give Denden three-stars because it was a mission accomplished for him. Thus our bedroom looks brand new.

A-L-M-O-S-T

What’s left to finish on the other rooms are the grilles for the windows. We needed to have them installed for added security. But aside from that, the floor tiles are finished. The ceiling and the walls are painted with its final coat. We decided to use blue-and-white alternately for the four walls of the room. And I was amazed with the outcome. Nice.


While on our room, aside from the grilles, what's left to finish are the laminated wood flooring. The grilles for the sliding door need to be installed first before the laminated wood. The color is supposedly Salmon—but ended up on a light Salmon with a touch of yellow. And a white MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) door with a good type of knob. I didn't even know that these door knobs/locks have classication. Our room was not that big so we decided not to have side tables with the bed. And instead, we asked the carpenter to make side-cabinets on the two sides, a combination of closed and open shelves with different sizes, from floor to ceiling. It has been painted as well. I’m not very good with mixing and matching colors, most ideas aren’t mine. But so far, so good.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed --- that we get the funds before the week ends.

Lenten Weekend

During the Holy Week, Tatay Pransing, the master painter, decided not to take a vacation and worked on the initial preparations and base coat painting. They say it was part of his penance and sacrifice. And so, taking our part for the Lenten Season, he let us help him and we spent a day getting our hands and arms white with paint.

Lights were installed by Jose the electrician. This one on the picture are Ikea Lagra spotlight gifts for the closet area.

And before I forget, the Pearl Series for the ground floor bathroom were installed. Plus the bathroom fixtures that are actually useable at this time. Thanks to Daniel the plumber.

The family visited and had a preview of the house last Sunday. Papa Rene and Mama Helen seemed satisfied. We’ve set our deadline, three weeks, we transfer. Finished or not.

The Carpenter

Bamba’s uncle, Father, as we call him, is a priest in Vigan who knew a furniture maker there. We had them build our customized dining table and bed, made of Mahogany. This will be shipped and delivered by end of May. Due to budget constraints, we didn’t ask them to build the other woodworks, cabinets for the dining room and the bedroom. I just wished we could find a carpenter who’d be able to make the cabinets.


Then came Simpleng one day. He said he's the carpenter and worked the installation of the door jams. Then he mentioned the cabinets. We gave him a draft of our designs that matched his name, simple. In a few days time, he requested for the materials. And after a few more days, it was assembled and installed. Now we wouldn’t have to worry about the kitchen base and wall cabinets for they’ll be built with good hands, soon!

Bathroom Tiles

For the bathroom tiles, it took many tile shops from the streets of Binondo, to different home depots and tile centers before we ended up on the official distributor of Mariwasa Tiles in Pasig, Rey Marketing Inc. (Thanks to Sir Bong!) Luckily, they also have a branch right here in Sucat. It was easier to mix and match designs because of the variety of choices. Plus they offer good discounts even when you pay using your credit card. It was fun picking the colors, matching the upper wall and lower wall designs with listels in between. Not to forget, another matching pattern for the floor. Obviously, the pastel blue colored bathroom was my idea, it was called the Linea series.


For our bathroom, we got the brown-themed tiles, the Twill series. Does this reflect maturity? Somebody thought it would so he chose these.

Did I mention we are so fortunate that I have a sister who lent us a nice big pick-up to load and transport all the tiles?

This week, Mike the tile-man expert, started the installation of the tiles on the second floor bathrooms. He almost put the wrong listel on the other bathroom. Good thing I noticed just in the nick of time. And so, we are happy of the outcome.

Soon to come, the Pearl series for the ground floor bathroom.

Painted Walls

Fencing at the back is almost finished. One could imagine the backyard space that would be allotted for “inuman sessions.” Still debating though, if it will be completely concrete or if it will be more of a garden, with grass. Fencing on the other lot has also started. Mama and Papa approved of this so that the both properties will be secured, as one. Thus, we have more space for parking… and parties.

It is workweek fifteen already, almost four months since we've started. We're running out of funds once again, so I am hoping the bank would release the next set. For the finishing.

Based on our visitors last weekend, the house looked bigger with the painted walls, inside and out. This is just the base paint though. But the color, eventhough it's just white, gave life to the house. Ikoy said, “Ganda, bahay nuni.” Then later on, changed his mind and owned the house, “Bahay Ikoy, ganda!”, with a smirk on his face. He is looking forward to spending sleepover weekends there soon. Could he be more excited than I am?

Two Floors

Two floors were finished today. The first one isn’t really “our” floor, but the street floor—the road. It has been a while since they’ve started the excavation and finally, they have poured cement on our side of the street.
The second one is my-long-awaited-for—flooring on the ground floor.

ALL-except-TWO

All the windows are installed. Except two. The first one is the big window located on the kitchen. Why? Because the dimensions are too big and we couldn’t return it to the supplier. Roger the Foreman, will be the one to do the adjustments. The second one is a small bathroom window. No reason why, maybe it’s just the one beside the big kitchen window.

ROOFed!

The roof is a basic part of a house. Because this will be your guard from the heat of the sun during day time, and this will keep you warm during night time.

We got a lot of quotes from different agents and we chose the cheapest. Supplier is MBA Steel. We decided to go for the simple rib-type long-span panels, and added a little for the stainless gutters and two layers of insulation. After a few days, it was installed. Thanks to Alex.

Counting Blessings

I will start with one unfortunate event. I got a text message from one of the workers that the water tank, the first thing we bought for the house way back November, broke, because of an accident. We went to the site later that afternoon, we saw the almost Php 12,000.00 water tank. My heart broke. We can’t repair it and we’d have to buy a new one. We didn't think it could be covered by warranty. All the workers were in a sad mode and they were awfully quiet. I paused for a while then I said, “Huwag na kayong malungkot, ok lang yun.” If I knew myself better, I’d really be angry and disappointed. This time, I genuinely meant that it was alright. Denden and I talked on our way home and agreed that we’ll just arrange that with our contractor. But we need not let them pay for anything. It happened and nobody wanted it to happen.

That was just one unfortunate event versus that many blessings that we have received, and we are receiving. The second release of funds were approved and transferred. We got a memo that our whole street will be constructed so the road will be brand new at about the same time the brand new house is ready. It was actually one of the worst roads on the subdivision. Plus, plus, plus the stones and soil fillings from the road excavation was given to us free of charge. We badly needed about four load-full of dump trucks for our leveling and now, it's just literally on our doorstep, (that was almost a doorstep without the door).

Our contractor was so very kind and generous. Almost finished with the third level/attic. Started on the roof framing. And with the fencing of the two lots as well. The PVC windows that we ordered (for a very discounted price), were delivered today. Two more weeks passed and here is where we are so far.

So you see, counting your blessings is better than dwelling on the not so good things.

Two Months

After two months, minus the two weeks of holiday vacation, here is our home: front and side view. I have to control myself because I am so excited... very happy.

Thinking Out of the Box Part 2

Our second out of the box experiment are the 3-D panels. Instead of using typical CHB’s as walls for the second floor, we decided to use the 3-D panel. Funny as it might seem at first installation because of the Styrofoam sandwiched between wire meshes, it is said that these panels are stronger and more durable than typical raw materials. And it is cooler because of the insulating effect.

Somebody went to Costa Rica and missed the sight and view of the metal deck and the panel installation. I liked going up the wooden stairs to the second floor and watching with amazement on how it is done.

Thinking Out of the Box Part 1

For the first floor ceiling/base of the flooring for the second floor, we decided to go a little out of box and use the metal deck. It has a ribbed design, interlocked with screws. Metals bars are placed and then concrete slab is poured over. Our supplier is Puyat Steel Corporation. We weighed over the advantages and disadvantages and though it is bit more expensive, I liked the overall outcome. Now the second floor is on it way.

Work Week Two At A Glance

How do you get a good view of a house that’s being constructed? With all the soil diggings, cement and sand scattered around and piled up concrete hollow blocks. For me, the sight of it is beautiful, in any angle.

I just have some rants on the building permit. It’s been more than a month since we passed the papers but we haven’t got feedback yet. And because of this, we couldn’t get electricity connection. And the funds because of the loan. And we’re running out of that, almost. Just hope the engineer contacts us soon.

So it starts...

Had a week off from work and I was glad I was able to spend it fruitfully. This was the first week that we started to build the house. I got to meet the work force behind the construction, watched and learned a bit. Also arranged papers for the water and electricity supply, and canvassed for the cheapest raw materials.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed. And hope it will turn out okay.