Monday, April 27, 2009

All in a days work...

or should I say "weeks " work, or better yet "two years work".



We bought the house that I grew up in when I was pregnant with Emerson. We moved into it this coming weekend, 3 years ago. We had a plan, it sounded like a good plan. Our plan was simple, or could have been very simple. But with us nothing ends up simple.
(before)

We were going to fix it up. How hard could a few simple renovations be...

Well, simple is...

not for us "high strung", "always looking for a project", and "willing to try anything" type people that we found out that we are.


This last week, Ryan took the whole week off to wrap up some of the projects.

This last week has about killed me...
We poured a little concerete...

yea, I said we. As in my husband and I. I think that the concrete truck driver got a chuckle out of it. Me, in my irrigation boots running around helping him screet the concrete, smooth the edges, and shovel concrete into spots that were low. And after he was gone, Ryan informed me that when I was bent over you could see my crack. Pretty sure the driver had a good story to tell.


We worked on laying the brick in the front. Yea, again I said we. I mixed the morter (by hand) while Ryan layed the brick.
(Almost done with brick)


We finished siding. Okay, he finshed the siding while I cleaned up the yard, went to a PTO meeting, and shuttled kids back and forth to school.

We finished the bathroom. Which still needs a little paint touch-up and a new fan installed, but it is considered done in my eyes.



And to finish off the week with a big bang. We finished our hardwood floors. That is a project of gigantic propotions.

We moved all of our furniture (and all appliances) out in the garage, we sanded, we filled in holes, we sealed, and then we varnished. We had to follow a time frame, which made it hard to do much of anything. Thankfully, my mom let the girls spend the weekend with her. While they were having fun watching movies and getting pedicures, I was home having to crawl through windows to use my own bathroom.

But the end result is beautiful...

So during this process of "fixing Up the house,"

We have moved the front door.

We have moved the stairs from the kitchen to the living room.

We have finished the basement.

We have built a garage in the snow. And on the same day made a quick trip to the ER after Ryan shot himself in the leg with a nail gun, and then despite the Dr. advise to go home and rest, we finished standing up 2 walls.

We have put in new windows.

We have sheetrocked, painted, and refinished about every surface in the house.

I got pnemonia and was in the hospital after the garage incident.

Our kids have learned how to go to sleep to the sound of power tools.

We have cut down one massive tree.

But despite all the hard work and mess we have had to endure, it really hasn't been that bad. My husband and I have spent so much time together. I have done things that I never thought that I could do. And I have a new appreciation for my home.

Hard work really does pay off!

19 comments:

Dani said...

How awesome everything is. We remodled about a year ago so I know the chaos you are living in. Only we didn't do all the work ourselves. Way to go!

Tanya said...

WOW! That is a lot of work! I love the wood floor! It is so pretty! I am impressed with all your hard work.

Tanya said...

Oh..P.S. I would L-O-V-E to scrap some of your beautiful pictures! (it is so much more fun to scrap "good" pictures) If you really want me to then send me an email. I think it would be SO FUN! tanyaharward@hotmail.com

Autumn said...

That looks great! I can't believe how much of a change it is, great work.

Shadoe said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!! We did our hardwood floors about a year ago. You are amazing and have great taste. Keep up the great work and stay out of the hospital!!

Meesh said...

OMG! That looks amazing. Next time I am in Salina I am coming over to see the whole thing. If I ever come back to Salina you are my girl to put all my ideas into action!!! GREAT JOB you two.
Aunt MiShele

Brasher family said...

Wow! It all looks fabulous!! Great job on all the hard work, it definitely paid off!!

You did get my email about making your pictures big, didn't you?

Well, I think your new nephew was a better trooper than mine, he hated my camera. I was so excited too! Oh well, just another excuse to make a visit out again soon! :)

Busy Bee Lauren said...

Oh my gosh! What an amazing job you guys did! I am sooo impressed!

Dawn Rae said...

Inspiring and amazing. It is like watching HGTV.

Trinia said...

WOW! I'm jealous, your done. It looks so good! You two are quite the team.

Bree Bastian said...

I can't believe how different the house looks. I love it! Do you hire out?

Tatum said...

At least you get to live back on good old Cobble Street! I loved growing up there. This is Tatum Camp by the way...I just came across your blog through Brittney Jolley's page. You guys do good work-Way to go! We are looking at a few homes in SLC right now that need some work and it is overwhelming to me.

Britania said...

I love it, its nothing like I remember as a child. You have always been the girl who could do anything. I am glad you are my sister.

Tweeb and Danyette said...

Holy cow!! It looks sooo different! I wish I would have driven by when we were in Utah. Amazing! Way to go. I love the bathroom shower and vanity :)

Talbots said...

So are you ready to hire out? Looks Great!

Jenn said...

Wow you guys are so ambicious!!!
I'm so impressed-- you're house(or what I think of as your mom's house) doesn't look the same at all.

Amber Baker said...

Holy cats! I'm not complaining anymore about having to paint my laundry room cabinets. Your hubby must be super handy...is he for hire?j/k :)

Stephanie said...

Holy crap! First off....I didn't realize you gusy had moved back into that house. How cool is that? Second....I am amazed at everything you guys have done. We painted our whole house and I didn't know if our relationship would survive. lol We are good at doing projects together. After that we learned we need to hire the work out if we want to stay married. lol

Unknown said...

WOW!!! It looks so different. It looks really good. YOu guys are so handy at just about everything. Be happy that Ryan can do those things (and you), some people have no idea how to do things like that. Can't wait to see the burpies, I'll get your bands made and mail then to you. Love ya!!!!