Back to the Drawing Board

Well... it's back to the drawing board....again! Two weeks of hard work, not to mention the money involved and well....it's all for NOT. We worked so hard to keep the prices down on building our house. In doing so we had such a great idea. Actually, it still is a good idea. Because it's just way too expensive to use tile to hide the concrete floors, we tried to save money and just use the concrete but stain it. I researched the internet to learn how to do it. It involves quite a bit of chemicals that aren't available here. Upon further research I happened to find home made "recipes" using local chemicals we can find right here at the pharmacies and agriculture stores. Our goal was to go for a rustic, worn leather look with a rust tone to it. The final product was wonderful. We loved the old map kind of look to it. The problem came when we put the varnish down. The concrete looked dry to the eye and to the feel. However, to our horror, what upon finishing looked absolutely incredible and inspiring, turned out to be a disaster just two days later. There must have been trapped water down inside the concrete from the staining process. Tho we thot it was thoroughly dry it wasn't. The water rose to the top, being trapped by the varnish, caused white cloudish blotches and bubbles all over the place. The varnish literally pulled off like old nail polish. I couldn't believe it. Soooooooooo disappointing. Now we have to entirely re-think and do it over. So, our effort to save money has turned out to be a waste. I'm so bummed about that. Our only reasonable option is to sand down the varnish and paint the concrete. The cost of chopping up the concrete to lay new concrete or tile is just too much money. I go this week to look at paint color. I'm sure it will be fine I just have to shift my thots that way.

On the up-swing... the good news is we should be in by November. Our hope is to have Thanksgiving in our "own" house..our new house. We are very blessed to have our teammates house to use while they furlough. They come back in Jan so it's essential we finish before then. I don't think they want 5 roommates crowding them in. :-)

So, the weekend is here..... no worrying about building costs, materials, etc. Ahhhhh....just a little r and r. It feels so good. Now we're sitting as a family to watch a movie and just chill on this wonderful, restful Saturday. Don't wanna miss out on all the cuddling that awaits me. So, until next time.....