A Happy Ending...

Last week I had to give up my beloved laundry shoot and the worker men removed it. The laundry shoot was actually going to be one of the columns holding up the beam, but we found out that the "column" would actually be about 22 inches wide and would look like a small wall part. So, after much contemplating, we had to let it go. I was so bummed. THEN...one morning my contractor (I love saying that - it sounds so important!) and builder were talking about another issue and one thing lead to another and ta da...my laundry shoot is back!

I shared with the worker men that I was going to make the spot by the stairs an "entryway" type area with a bench, etc. Well, we talked and bounced ideas and now we are going to have an entryway "alcove" built in...with one side being the laundry shoot! (plus it solved another problem for the builder, which he was elated about, too!)

Here is a straight on shot of the framed alcove and where the laundry shoot will be hidden. Below is a picture of what we based our idea on...

This pictures gives you an idea on what out new entryway piece will look like. There are 2 sections in this photo, but we will only have one section. It will not have a shelf on the top, but will go all the way to the ceiling. I am so happy!! So after no air conditioning, no bathroom electricity and no water one morning...the week ended on a happy note (with all the above fixed, too!)

My New Kitchen...

Let me show you my new kitchen...

Here is my refrigerator...tucked nicely below the basketball hoop , next to my car....

The microwave looks nice beside the worker men's raising lumber equipment...

Our kitchen plates, cup and bowls are located to the right of the library card catalog and the table fits nicely by the sliding glass doors...

The rest of our food is located at the bottom of the stairs. Jason and I will fix something and then ask for, maybe, salt and pepper. This is the conversation:
J: Where is the salt and pepper?
K: ummmm...I think it is downstairs. Yep, it is down stairs.
J: Oh. I guess I can go without slat and pepper.
K: yep, me too.

Now I just need to put all the sugar and snacks down in the basement...I could possibly lose 10 pounds!

A Few Other Jobs Done...

We finally got a roof and lining on the fort...along with windows and doors you can actually see and walk through!

The back step had finally been demolished! The only things leaving under there were humongous, unidentifiable spiders. Jason was very brave. Now only to move it all...

Monday...

It's always nice to come home to these signs posted in your house...this one was found in the boys' bathroom.

This one was blocking our master bathroom...

On a good note, the closet is framed. It looks large in this photo, but it really isn't. The door has plenty of room to swing open!

This is the beam that will hold up our kitchen island...yep, it's huge. It will be interesting to see when it is completed... right now the entire family can belly-up!

Beginning of Week 4...

I cannot believe this is the beginning of week 4 of our remodeling process. Here is a update...

This is our front door and entry way. I still "birth" myself by going through the plastic doors.

Here's a picture from the front door...labeled where things were before the gutting. We are not putting up any walls, but leaving it wide open. There will be two columns holding up the support beam. Right now, I am not sure why there are three.

This is the view from standing in the old dining room. You can see the front door and walk way to the sunroom.

And this is from the old kitchen. This week they will finish the framing, electricity, and dry wall! This is the messiest week with the dry wall. After this week, noisy, but not so dusty! Please cross your fingers!

Off to College...

Before the gutting (that is really starting to sound like "before Christ") we had to empty all the furniture out of the min level. It left it wide open for the boys' imaginations. They decided to go to college. (I had to drive the bus.) They used the couch cushions for their beds and packed small bags of items they would need to go to school.

The college of choice was Drake. Sam played football and Jack was a "runner" or went out for track. We had to stop the bus one time so Jack could practice his in-place running. Sam pulled his hat down over his eyes and slept the entire trip.

After some workouts and equipment hand-outs (Jack ran in circles and Sam got his helmet and shoulder pads from upstairs) they decided it was time to go to a college party. They changed into their nice clothes and headed out. But not before a picture by the goal post. I told them to be responsible at their party and no drinking. Sam, of course, told me not to worry. As they were going to the basement (to meet friends to play cards) Sam told Jack, "Well, it looks like we will have to stick to root beer and Roy Rogers tonight!"

The entire thing lasted about an hour and was SO funny to watch!!!

Balls and Walls...

The night before the gutting was to start, we decide to have some fun with the walls...let the boys do something that they are always told NOT to do...we told them to get some markers and "make art" on the walls. They were so excited and had a ball!!

Jack drew our family and Sam drew a favorite teams helmet (and Favre has not announced yet announced that he is retiring!)

A friend of ours was over and he use to play baseball, he asked Sam if he had a baseball. We all took turns throwing the ball at the wall. We played, who can hit the alien...the baseball player did his first try...

You can see our other attempts at hitting the alien. Our baseball friend then tried to throw the ball through two layers. He made it through one and the ball dropped in between the walls. Game over. We had to leave a note for the builders. We are happy to report, that the ball was rescued.

What a Mess...

This is what greets me when I walk through the front door...the metal thing is my laundry shoot...I knew it was going to be messy and inconvenient...but wow...

This is our old kitchen. The yellow paint is where the stove use to be.

I am standing by the fireplace and looking at the old living room area. The worker men put up plastic (thank goodness!) to keep the dust etc. from entering the sunroom and from going upstairs. You zip it open and close. It feels as if you are being birthed every time you push yourself through.

Our air conditioning was fixed yesterday afternoon....thank goodness! The upstairs had gotten very warm and that plastic also keeps the heat in. It took some time to get the boys' room cooled off. I finally ripped back the plastic by the banisters and put a fan on the step to help the cooling process. I know the worker men won't be happy (my mom tripped and ripped the one by the sunroom) but nothing a box of doughnuts won't fix!! Off to Casey's....again!

Another Interesting Day...

No pictures today, because I am writing this from my parents. We stayed at their house last night because they have air conditioning and we don't! The worker-men gutted the entire kitchen, dining room and living room area. There are no cupboards, appliances, carpet or walls. To remove one of the walls, they had to take the air-conditioning controller off the wall. Well, when they went to put it up...no go. Called Bell Brothers to come and fix it and they did not come yesterday or last night...great customer service! So, I packed up the boys and headed into town. Will post pictures later of the gutting! Stay cool!!