and so it begins....

and so it begins....

again.

Another renovation project commenced this morning. Seriously, I thought we'd at least finish up a few of the ones in progress before moving on. I had hoped to get the living room and dining room painted. The bathroom counter repaired. We did actually get most of the craft room done. Hubby finished trimming the window on Monday and as soon as I find the time, I'll finish painting the trim and that will be good. Yay! Almost there.

I was thinking we'd be spending this week puttering about with little things, enjoying some family time, relaxing.....

until he broke the news to me.

We're redoing the family room.

Yes it needs done. It is ugly. UGLY in capital letters ugly. You just can't imagine how ugly. Dusty rose walls, UGLY gas fireplace with even uglier brick surround. The crowning touch is the ceiling. A lovely stucco ceiling. The previous owners had installed too-thin drywall on the ceiliings too far apart on center and it was bowing. And my favorite feature...the lovely hole where my 19yo fell through last year when redoing the roof. Don't worry. It's all good and he just ended up with a few bruises.

I'm not sure if you'll believe me but this room was actually improved when we moved in. The windows were almost non-existent slits in the walls and the seals on them were cracked giving a nice view of condensation in between and not much else. The walls were dark, dark, dark paneling which hubby covered over with drywall. We ran out of time before moving in and with an old house, there is only so much you can do at one time as there is always a project.

I have to admit, I'm thrilled to finally be getting this done. It's just the process I'm not so thrilled with. And I'd wanted to spend some family time. I guess we'll be doing more bonding through dust and dirt and hard work.

I seem to be a little long winded this morning. Perhaps it's because I'm trying to avoid the major demolition going on upstairs. I know my 19yo is actually thrilled all of a sudden to be on night shift this week as he can sleep through most of it! My job is actually just to keep the little boys out of mischief (full time job there!), provide food and try my best to keep up with the demolition and construction dirt and keep it from the rest of the house...easier said that done to be sure. The reason I gave in and we're actually doing this now...hubby needs at least 4-5 days in a row to work on this and doing it now is much better than giving up our week at the beach next summer.


So.

I can't quite believe I'm actually showing you this but it will make for some good before and after photos.

Mostly emptied of stuff
my crafting area used to be that tiny corner where the desk is

the north wall...a little more to move out but hubby has covered the hardwood with plywood to protect it

Isn't this a lovely hole? I only had to put up with it for about 15 months lol

anyone want an ugly gas fireplace?

yesterday the drywall arrived
via a crane truck lifting it through an upstairs window
we have interesting features in this old house...the family room is upstairs above the kitchen!


ceiling is coming down


our interesting garbage chute...out the window

Where's the beauty in this? I can't wait to find it. If it turns out how we envision...it's going to be beautiful when done and I can't wait.

Stay tuned! and wish me luck...

Julia