It’s been over a week since HOA, and I’m just now realizing how much has gone on that I haven’t talked about — especially around the house. So let’s get caught up. First, we have a new washer and dryer!
We bought it during the Labor Day sales at Best Buy and had it delivered in October. The reason for the delayed delivery was that we had to make the opening in the wall larger to fit the new washer/dryer. The previous owners had installed the units and literally build the wall around them — a custom, but very tight fit. We had no idea what to expect, but given the complicated, messy nature of most of the work done by the previous owner, had to expect the worst.
Some pics Neil snapped of the work:
We were very fortunate that Erica’s husband Adam is super knowledgeable in the area of drywall, so he helped us take out the section of wall, and upgrade the connections to be more straightforward. We were relieved to find the area was in much better shape than we thought.
We LOVE the new washer and dryer — then again it’s impossible not to love them when your previous models were poorly rated mid-90s models with few options and constantly molding parts. And Neil and I have never really had new appliances. Heck, my parents finally got rid of the refrigerator and chest freezer they had when I was born last year. I’m absolutely in love with all the customization options, and the little music they play when they are done with their cycles. I also like that there is a drawer to pour the detergent in, rather than pouring it right onto the clothes.
So that’s awesome, another checkmark on the list. But our latest dilemma? Half of our stove just went out! And it was the better performing half, which isn’t saying much because it was pretty awful. We know we’ve been on borrowed time with it, but we were really hoping it would last into next year. We had hoped to replace it with a Wolf, but unfortunately, it’s passing is a few months early, so we’re going to make do with something a little less expensive. The ultimate goal was to convert to gas and install a hood, and we still plan to achieve both.
So if you’re keeping up, in the span of a year we will have replaced our refrigerator, water heater, washer and dryer and now stove. Knock on wood — the only things we have left are the furnace and air conditioner. Oh and the decks.
Fingers crossed we find a good holiday deal in the next few weeks. Until then we’ll be challenging ourselves to new feats in Crock Pot cooking.
Did our twitter convo about renting vs. owning prompt this post? 😉 Either way, I love the new washer and dryer! They’re so sleek and modern looking. And I’m sorry about the stove! My oven was broken for six months once and the toaster oven and I became very close during that time, so I sort of know what you’re going through.
I didn’t post the gnarliest of the photos, that will be coming in part 2 wherein we paint the closet (because it’s the color of flesh) and the bathroom — because it’s turning a weird shade of yellow 🙂
Have you tried looking on Craiglist or shopping for a used appliance? That might be able to tide you over until you can afford your desired range.
We were really hopeful at first that we might be able to find something used — but nothing has panned out so far. You either get the $150 white 8 year old stove or something that’s pretty crusty that used to be in a restaurant around here. So we’re going to go with a somewhat entry-level gas, and hopefully not go that far over the $800 mark.
I also kind of want something new just because it’s cooking my food, and the idea of getting someone else’s old stove kind of skeezes me out (I totally get that may make me sound like a b*tch).