Windows are IN! Honestly, we just can't believe how quickly everything is moving. With Adren coming home at the end of May or beginning of June, we are on a bit of a time- crunch. But after that frame job, we're feeling real good!
Tyrel came and helped Jon with the big slider and bedroom window. So nice!
The room looks so neat all lit up from the other part of the house!
Zeke is pulling some real sweet grades his Sophomore year. He's a smarty. And he really cares about getting good grades. He's still in Portuguese Immersion and doing so well. I really appreciate having the youngest so on top of this area!
Things are movin' and shakin'!
Next up is electrical! Manny is the guy. He was so kind and funny and listened to all of my concerns and when I requested things he never gets- like an outlet in the floor- he nods and says in his soft accented voice, "Yes, we can do that for you". When he asked me how many can lights I wanted and I told him I don't want any cans at all- in fact, I want him to remove an existing can above my fireplace, he nods and says, "Ok, if that is what you want". When I told him I want to be able to turn all of my lamps on with one switch but not any other lights in the room, he nods and smiles. Our contractor, Trent is so on top of everything and so great at suggesting things we didn't think of. Early on when I told him lighting is very important to me, he said, "Oh, then you will like my guy, Manny." He was right!
Trent and Manny were both concerned about the lack of overhead lighting. I waved a hand around my home and said, I'm not opposed to 8 lamps in one room. I got this!
I snapped these photos off of Google Earth while it still shows pics of our old house.
Life goes on in the middle of all of this madness. Sweethearts arrived and Paisley looked so darling. She wanted to look very "Valentine-y" and sweet. I thought she nailed it!
The group came back to our place for treats and a movie so I set up some sweetness.
I listed our little electric piano on Facebook marketplace. It made me a little sad, the kids have sure enjoyed it. It was a hand-me-down, a Christmas present. I painted it and the kids have sat for hours making up tunes, practicing lessons and goofing off, like you do. At times I could tell a friend was over because someone was playing and it sounded real good :)
But alas, no one has sat at it for quite some time and it just doesn't make sense to keep. I even asked Adren if he'd be sad if it was gone. I listed it dirt cheap and it was gone in an hour. A sweet BYU student came and picked it up. He first asked if he could play on it for a minute. I was thrilled he was thrilled. - And that it finally somehow fit in his hatchback! Yikes!
Guys- the wall is coming down!!! This is so exciting!
Of course, Zeke asked if he could graffiti it. It was sweet!
The morning of I grabbed my work bag and headed out. I didn't really want to be there for all of that banging. And, all those dudes in my house!
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| AHHH!!! |
This closet under the stairs will be changed as well!
When we all came home that evening...
OH MY WOOOOOORD!!!It was a shocking sight to behold! We all just walked around and marveled at this view of our home we have never seen before!
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| Ahhh... The dissaray... |
We felt we were in an audience looking at a stage. Doesn't it look like a set of a sitcom?
Trent said when the wall came down he was mortified to see the biggest cloud of dust hovering over the room. Of course, there wasn't much to do about containing that. Even still, he sent his personal housekeeper, Rosa over to get things dusted, vacuumed and polished. I didn't realize she was coming and was working at the kitchen table. She just bustled around and we chatted while we both worked. She told me all about her boys, her daughter-in-laws, grand-kids, family traditions etc. She's been working for Trent for years and told me funny pranks he's pulled on her. After she would polish something, like the fridge water dispenser, she would excitedly call me over to see. I was shocked at how clean she got everything, and so quickly! She was so sweet and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed being there while she worked! (Little did I know things would get much dustier and I would be wiping things down on a regular basis until deciding to just wait until the next phase was done. Sheesh!)
It is so exciting to pull up and see the light filtering into the new room! Of course, there is no power, we're using light sources with extension cords, but it is neat to see how it will look one day, all glowy inside!
Here's the state of my front room. Everything that was in that closet is now living here. On the bright side, I don't have to keep pulling everything out from under the stairs so that workers can get in the crawl space!
Under the stairs has a new opening!
Plastic sheeting is up! This contains the dust a little better, provides us a
little privacy from the workers, and surprisingly keeps the heat in pretty well. But it's a bummer to not see the room now that the wall is down!
Happy Valentines Day! Ha! We may as well celebrate in the madness!
I planned on making dinner that evening like I normally do, since going out on this night is too bonkers. As I started cooking, the kids kept leaving, off to other plans. Finally, it was just me, Jon and Trent. The three of us shared a nice little Valentines pasta dinner together in a dusty room.
Just a week later, it was time to celebrate Jonny turning 51! Whoot! He planned a fun Birthday trip that included most friends who also have birthdays in February. Trent even took a break and joined. They hiked all over somewhere in southern Utah. As the guys were all gathered on the driveway heading out, I told them to give my Jonny a good birthday smooch on his actual day. Sounds like they did!
We celebrated him real good when he got home.
This is a cute pic of Josie, Paisley and Esme. I love these three girls, I love that they have been friends since they were born. I love their moms. Josie is about to send in her papers, so these little moments are numbered. Lifelong friendships are the best!
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EEEEEEEK!
Next on the list is INSULATION ! We took as many photos as we could before the 2x4's and wiring were covered up. Then all of the sheet rock was delivered! Eeeeeeeee!!! The drywall guy is Tony. This was my one job: get bids and hire someone for drywall. I found Tony, he lives nearby and has good reviews. He is super friendly and has a very small team. He says he can get this done in a little over a week. I hosted Book Group in February. I figured, why not? I know we are under construction, but I can get things polished, add some fresh flowers and put out a yummy spread. That is all that is needed. Jon has started replacing old windows 1 by 1. This is going to be a lot of work :) But drywall is in the houssssse!!!
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