2011 Muddy Buddy: Low Down and Dirty emerge from The Mud Pit

May 30, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

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Alan and Uncle Brian have emerged from the mud pit as victors because they have placed in their age group at this year’s Austin Muddy Buddy. The intensity has paid off. Onward to morning beer and partying in the beer garden.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

heather and alan

Restoration Hardware house numbers and mailbox

May 29, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

I asked the builder if I could select the house numbers and mailbox.  I knew what I wanted.  Alan had some sales points (dollars) which I used to buy the house numbers and mailbox at Restoration Hardware.  I picked out the Oil-Rubbed Bronze to coordinate with the patio railing, front door (eventually) and window mullions and sashes.

I noticed that the house numbers were put on the post crooked at first. The builder fixed them at a later date.

1937 remodel

2011 Muddy Buddy: Low Down and Dirty

May 28, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

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Animated. That is the first word that comes to my mind whenever I see Muddy Buddy snapshots of Alan and Brian. Alan smiles for the camera. He is my ham. Uncle Brian is intensely dedicated to the sport.

Alan and Brian make a great Muddy Buddy team. Low Down and Dirty is their team name and it is fitting.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

heather and alan

The entertainment center has been successfully completed

May 27, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

The Entertainment Center finally got completed. Similar to the exterior painting, the entertainment center caused conflict. The builder and the carpenter had several misunderstandings on how wide the individual compartments should be. Alan brought over his receiver and subwoofer one day which allowed the carpenter to visually see how the bookcase needed to be finished. Thank goodness he did.

The entertainment center not only looks good, but it is functional. Functional is important. It would have looked silly to have Alan’s stereo components sitting on a small table outside of the entertainment center.

1937 remodel

2011 Muddy Buddy: Before The Event

May 26, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

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Alan and his Uncle Brian have been teammates in the Muddy Buddy for many years – I forget how many. I have been teammates with Alan, Kathleen, and Joe. I have not done the Muddy Buddy as often as Alan. At least one year, I got to be a spectator with Alan’s Aunt Vicki and Cousin Megan. Perhaps Megan and I could do the Muddy Buddy together one year? Or how about Aunt Vicki and me?

Each team selects its team name. Alan and Brian are Low Down and Dirty each year. Joe and I picked Michigan Mud, having both graduated from The Univerity of Michigan. Go Blue!

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

heather and alan

Odd and ends during Week 7 under contract

May 25, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

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Many little things got accomplished throughout the remodel process. These little things are important, but are often ignored. Having visited the remodel on a regular basis during construction, I noticed when things changed. For example, (1) the sewer access pipe was cut down to be even with the ground, (2) dowels were added to the master closet, (3) the builder labeled the electric meters after I bought and provided the stencils to him, and (4) the grass died in the corner next to the master bedroom sun porch deck.

For the dead grass, the builder adjusted the sprinkler head and replaced the dead grass near the master bedroom sun porch deck.

1937 remodel

SXSW Dirty 6th The Beauty Bar

May 24, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

Funny… Dirty 6th was one of those places popular to me (1) when I was an out of towner coming to Austin from San Antonio and (2) in my early 30s when Alan and I were first dating. Once I reached my mid-30s, except for the occasional bachelorette party, many years passed and I did not go to Dirty 6th Street.

Renewed interest? I can see the appeal again. Dirty 6th is a high energy street to take out of towners and people watch (and be careful of who is around you!!!) I feel it has gotten raunchier over the years and/or I am more observant today.

Joe had some friends in town from Mexico and after spending the early afternoon and evening at the Spring condo pool area eating and chatting, the entire group hopped into two taxis and headed to Dirty 6th Street.

I had a fabulous photo of all of us, which I accidently deleted during the start of The Big Photo Project effort. Maybe somebody saved it to their own personal drive after I distributed it? Sometimes in an effort of organization/reorganization, I overorganize/overpurge. Oops!

After spending a couple hours at The Beauty Bar dancing and hanging out, the group walked to a Polish food cart and tried Polish food at Joe’s request.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

heather and alan

The stainless steel stove, ventilation hood, and dishwasher are installed

May 23, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

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The builder chose a stainless steel stove, ventilation hood, and dishwasher. A white stove and white dishwasher would have been perfectly acceptable to me! At our suburbia house, I learned that stainless is more upkeep. I think now, Why Stainless? I still don’t get it. Although one person told me, “When it is clean, it looks really sharp.” I do know it sells a house fast.

Brand new stainless applicances before fingerprints! Enjoy!

1937 remodel

SXSW St. Patrick’s Day The Strokes

May 22, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

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In 2011, St. Patrick’s Day was on a Thursday. Alan and I felt like going to the FREE SXSW concert at Auditorium Shores and met up with our friend Joe at the concert. That evening, The Strokes played.

After listening to the music for a bit, Joe, Alan and I ventured over to Zax’s for more beer and basketball.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

heather and alan

The decks are stained and the stairs are tiled

May 21, 2012 by Heather Lucier Stanley 0 Comments

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The painters finished staining the back decking. The builder could not build a big deck because the progressive Austin law to protect the heritage trees prevented it. Alan wanted a larger deck, but it ain’t gonna happen here.

The builder intended to tile over the concrete stairs. I liked the idea, but before he started, I asked, “Are they going to be slippery?” He said, “No.” Our inspector felt differently and suggested that we put adhesive strips on the stairs. I did not like this idea at first because I felt the adhesive strips would take away from the aesthetic beauty of the stairs. However, as I look at the stairs today, I realize that they are not beautiful. Or I could say and think, The stairs are beautiful in their own way. Aren’t we all?

1937 remodel
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