Now this is why we moved out to the sticks.

(Click here for a more closely cropped – albeit much blurrier – version.)

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Tagged: my first place fox wildlife flickr photos

Don’t ever hire this dude for your roofing needs:

Dave Sanders Contracting

www.davesanderscontracting.com

13180 County Road 334
Savannah, MO 64485

1024 Sylvanie
Saint Joseph MO 64501

I’d warn y’all not to use Rick Williams and Almighty Roofing too (see the complaint we filed with the BBB, below), but I think he’s in semi-retirement, so it’s moot.

Honestly, we’ve been trying to get our roof fixed for nine months now; after at least a dozen canceled appointments (and a few outright no-shows)…well, I just don’t understand how “normal” people conduct business like this. Luckily for the husband and I, we both telecommute at least part-time, so scheduling in-home appointments isn’t terribly inconvenient (assuming people actually keep their appointments, ahem). How the hell do regular working couples manage this shit?

In any case, nine months is beyond ridiculous. We didn’t have this kind of issue with the locksmith, or the HVAC people, or even the plumber. (The chimney sweep remains to be seen, I ‘spose.) I mean, WTF!?

A word to the wise: if you’re negotiating to buy a house, and it needs some repairs before closing (particularly repairs that will be warrantied) – don’t let the current homeowner use the contractor of her own choosing. Most likely, you’ll regret it.

On the flip side, if you live in the Kansas City area and need some concrete work done – specifically, decorative concrete – check out Big Red Decorative Concrete. Kevin and his crew patched and stained about 90% of our interior floors last summer (basically, anything that wasn’t tiled over), designed and implemented a faux Spanish tile effect on our back patio, and laid down some industrial grade epoxy in our garage. They rock. No, really – go see for yourself!

Keep reading for the BBB complaint…

(More below the fold…)

So true, says this HGTV junkie:

When she says these things it calls to mind those reality TV shows whose central myth of transformation centers on the home. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” “Trading Spaces,” “Flip This House” and so on. These programs are the new pornography of the landed middle class, and they are, in their own way, as cruel as the old pornography. Just as the libidinal 13-year-old will someday discover that not all naked women look like Playboy centerfolds, so too, the first-time homeowner will have to learn that refurbishing your den, even on national TV, does nothing to heal the cracks in your foundation.

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Tagged: my first place home improvement home ownership hgtv

Finding small wastebaskets that fit recycled plastic grocery bags: cool.

Finding small wastebaskets that actually encourage you to use recycled plastic grocery bags as opposed to their overpriced “liners”*: way cool.

Finding out – ahead of time – that your local locksmith is a flaming godbag**: totally teh coolest.

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* Just a fancy word fer garbage bags, really.

** While he offers common key-n-keyhole services such as

# Safe Sales and Service
# Bank Vault & Teller Station Service
# Safe Deposit Box Service and Keys
# Master Keying, Standard & Multi-level
# Mechanical & Electronic Access Control
# Keys by Code – Lock Installations
# Door Closer Installation & Maintenance
# Security Hardware Consulting Service

The Lamb Locksmith, Keyman to teh Gods ™, helpfully cautions, “The Key to Eternal Security is Jesus Christ”.

RAmen.

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Tagged: shopping online the internets godbags recycle wastebaskets garbage locksmiths simplehuman

Originally posted @ www.kellygarbato.com/blog/2007-09-23/
Filed under: Consumerism — Kelly @ September 23, 2007 9:15 pm

Shane & I went up to the house yesterday to check out some test patches of stain (dye, really) that our concrete contractor had laid down in a few of the closets. Fucking. Awesome.

Even if he went with the “bad” test patch,

it’s a huge improvement over the stained carpet and cheap wood laminate that was in the house. Hell, they could polish the grey concrete and seal it as-is, and I’d still be happy. Hate carpet.

Plus, when the GC tore up the laminate, he found some faulty wiring that posed a serious fire risk. Bonus.

I’ve got hundreds (literally) of pics up at Flickr, but since my photostream has been designated “naughty” by the Flickr Gawds, you need to register (and adjust your account preferences accordingly) to view ‘em. Yahoo sux ballz.

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Tagged: home improvement concrete stained concrete dyed concrete concrete staining concrete floor kansas city kansas missouri home renovations your featherhead flickr

Originally posted @ www.kellygarbato.com/blog/2007-08-16/
Filed under: Your Featherhead — Kelly @ August 16, 2007 11:40 am

Reno starts on our new house today!

Oh, built-in 8-track deck…

…I hope they tear you out first!

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Tagged: your featherhead new digs retro flickr

Originally posted @ www.kellygarbato.com/blog/2007-06-26/
Filed under: Your Featherhead — Kelly @ June 26, 2007 8:56 am