My pink house is officially no longer pink, but rather, a gorgeous soft Tuscan yellow-gold exterior stucco, applied with expert care by Jim Croxton and his crew. Do you remember that week when it was so freezing-ass cold? That’s the kind of weather Jim and his guys worked in, even at night, to get the job done.
Inside the house, Keith the Painter white-washed all the walls and ceilings with primer, and should wrap up the painting by the week’s end. For sentimental reasons, I asked Keith to leave one small portion of pink paint inside the guest room as a reminder of its previous colorful state. Not that I’d ever forget the hot pink, the bright orange, the dazzling yellow, and the flaming purple walls. A moment of silence for those dearly departed hues. <sniff, sniff> Even so, I will forever refer my home as “the pink house.” Its name stuck.
Alan Ernesto Phillips, being the great photographer he is, stopped by the house every few days to snap some new shots for the slide shows. You can see some of his work, below.
Being the deadline-driven gal I am, I must admit I felt kind of bummed each time a move-in deadline passed. Now, I’m kind of numb to the idea of actually moving in. I know I can’t control others’ deadlines and delays and things beyond anyone’s control, like the weather, or late orders, or flu, or whatever.
So I’m trying to stay in a Zen place, where I take each day as it comes, and not stress about when I’ll be in my own house. (Which will be strange. I’ve never lived alone.) I’m still living with my twin, who was so kind to take me into her home as a guest after my marriage fell apart. Well, it’s been more than a year now. Even as compatible as we are, and even though we’re identical twins, we’re grown women with our own ways of doing things, and our own ways of living. It’s a miracle we’ve not killed each other yet.
But back to the pink house. It did suffer a setback. The pink house was robbed Christmas weekend by some jerk(s) who pried open a side garage door (I’ve learned that’s among the No. 1 break-in spots) and helped themselves to anything not nailed down. Note to self: Install a deadbolt only in a solid door; not a hollow-core door.
Once inside the garage, the thieves entered the house and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of tools that belonged to Best Choice Home Improvement contractors, Ron and Dave. Yes, they were insured, but with a $500 deductable, that really hurts.
I didn’t file a claim with my insurance company, because my financial losses were relatively small: just the broken side door, and a number of bottles of wine from the garage refrigerator. (So weird. They left the beer but took the wine.) For the record, I now have a BRAND NEW, VERY LOUD security system, but it wasn’t installed when the robbery took place. Yes, we called the police and filed a report, more for a formality.)
This is probably a good time to mention some good news, like grandson Austin, born Dec. 1, who’s getting stronger and cuter and more alert by the minute. Here’s a photo of him with his beautiful mother — my daughter-in-law — Kat Domke. (Adorable hat knitted by friend Judy Smith; photo by Tammy Reed.)
Other good news. Since I last wrote, the house has been stuccoed (that’s just the first mud coat shown below — which I actually liked) an old-world-looking “imperfect smooth” finish by James Croxton Lath and Plaster. Inside the house, Justin Barker and his crew from Empire Drywall implemented the same imperfect smooth technique on all the walls and ceilings, which meant that twin Shelly and I were off the hook and didn’t have to finish the job we started and abandoned because it was too dang difficult. (If the guys thought I was a picky client for wanting that imperfect older plaster look, they never said it aloud.)
Throughout this major remodeling project that began last summer when I bought the pink house, I’ve been so fortunate to have such a high caliber of craftspeople and professionals to help me along the way. Not a dud in the bunch.
And my neighbors! These people deserve sainthood status. They’ve been so patient about my eyesore front yard, dotted with the leaning porta potty and sawhorses and various free things (currectly there’s a sad-looking ceiling fan there), and they silently tolerate the noise and dust and a revolving collection of construction trucks that park in front of their houses. I owe these good people cookies for life.
Just a little longer, my dear Garden Tract neighbors! By the end of next week, the countertops by Pacific West Granite will be placed. My “beast” of a commercial stove will be delivered by the strong guys from Newell’s Restaurant Supply. (I don’t know if you’ve ever been in there, but for foodie types, it’s heaven. You’ll find it on Railroad Avenue in Redding; a warehouse packed with every possible thing a cook might want.) Oh, plus, my one-car garage door should be in. And Ron and Dave will complete my bathroom tile and install lights and switchplates and tie up all those little finishing details. I’m happy to say that since this project began, they’ve been in hot demand, so they’re anxious to move on. But even when they do, they’ve become the kinds of friends who’ll be around long after I’ve moved in.
Photos by Alan Ernesto Phillips
The next big push will be for the start of Phase 1 of Karen McGrath’s landscape design, which is basically the front of the house, and a few exterior details that need absolute attention sooner than later. (I hope you’re catching articles that detail the pink house garden project, which is full of tips for those of you who don’t have pink houses. This evening she was measuring the yard in the dark to confirm a few numbers. Talk about dedicated.) And son Josh will build some fences where absolutely necessary (oh, like the ones that are missing boards and leaning over and threatening to fall). The rest of the fences, Josh will repair enough so that come summer or fall or when my next ship comes in, I can tackle those, too.
Soon, oh happy day, I’ll be hauling my dishes from Igo and placing them in their new Garden Tract cupboards (made by Wolf’s Fine Quality Cabinets in Anderson). I’ll call upon the advice of friend Chris Carter, who has an incredible gift for organizing kitchens in the most practical way possible. I’ll share his tips with you, of course, too.
In the meantime, Alan will keep taking photos for our final slideshow. And Austin will continue to grow. And soon, he’ll be napping in his own little bed at Noni Doni’s Garden Tract house.
Independent online journalist Doni Greenberg founded what’s now known as anewscafe.com in 2007 with her son, Joe Domke of the Czech Republic. Prior to 2007 Greenberg was an award-winning newspaper opinion columnist, feature and food writer recognized by the Associated Press, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and E.W. Scripps. She lives in Redding, CA.
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment.
