Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Before & Afters: Two Years In

Last week on "Money Pit Monday" we celebrated 730 days in our house! An epic milestone for two mermaids turned landlubbers. A space in time to be acknowledged, pondered, and celebrated.  

Turns out, neither of us saw it coming. That's the thing about time. It passes without warning. And yet its also the thing that heals all wounds, changes our lives, and keeps us moving forward. 

In some ways these two years have flashed like big bolts of lightning - memories created and just as quickly gone into the memory bank.  Other times it seems like everything has progressed at a snail's pace.  Have we really looked at an open wall in the downstairs bathroom for 700 days? Funny, I don't even notice it any more...

But then we look back at pictures and think "WOW"! How in the world have we done all that?!?! While also holding multiple jobs, seeing friends, getting married, hosting parties and just living life (as my friend Lauren says, isn't that a full time job in itself?!).  

So here it is folks. The "Before & Afters". The "oohs and ahhs". The proof thats in the pudding. 

Perspective in two years time. 


OUTSIDE

DINING ROOM

DEN


LIVING ROOM


UPSTAIRS HALL

MASTER BEDROOM


GUEST ROOM


OFFICE


Behind these photos were the long nights after our day jobs, installing can lights and wiring; the Saturday's spent digging footings and carrying 20 sheets of sheetrock up the stairs; the groundhogs caught; the tears I cried at the overwhelming moments and chaos this house added to our lives; and the pure joy of putting the final coat of paint on the moldings.  

Every inch of this house we have transformed. Ourselves. Not many people can say that.   

And I am grateful for this experience, this opportunity, this overwhelming pride. 

Two years never looked so good. 

Monday, May 18, 2015

730 days

It suddenly dawned on me last night. May 17th. I know that date. It's important to us. How did it sneak up on me? It never crossed my mind that the day had any more meaning than a beautiful Sunday with blue skies, 80 degree temps and chirping birds.

But it was MORE than just a Sunday to us. It marked 2 years on Middle Ave! Two whole years have passed in the blink of an eye.

May 17, 2013 we joined the homeowner's club.

Andrew and I look back fondly on that day. We were SO naive. SO in love. SO grateful and overwhelmed all at the same time. SO eager to make this house our home.

We also look back at pictures and think…what the hell were we thinking?!?!

1 French Door...
4 Dumpsters…
5.5 Rooms…
7 Windows…
20 Can lights...
36 Gallons of paint…
43 Rolls of Insulation…
56 Sheets of Sheetrock…

730 days later…

Countless blood, sweat & tears (many tears!)...

Last year we were here.  This year, I can proudly say that we have transformed this house into our home.


Check out the blog later this week for Before & After pictures! 
                               
                       

Monday, May 11, 2015

Demolition Derby


For most people, last weekend was about big hats, preppy bow ties and sundresses, and Mint Juleps with just the right amount of mint. The Kentucky Derby signals the start of summer and is as good a reason as any to throw a party. 

We threw a party, but it looked a bit different! We raised the bar high with crow bars, dust masks, dumpsters and bottles of beer! Demolition Derby was rockin'

We rolled out the red carpet with our 4th dumpster in 2 years. Parked it right below the bathroom window and started ripping. I couldn't get that sledgehammer into those walls fast enough. In less than 4 hours we had an empty space. 






Goodbye nipple light. Goodbye red laminate, awkward cabinets. Goodbye speckled floors. Goodbye moldy, cheap shower.




After 2 years of construction, we've come to not only anticipate problems, but expect them. The bathroom project had a few little surprises and one big inconvenient, no pun intended "oh shit" - evidence of mice and a cracked waste pipe. 




This Demolition Derby was a success! Big stuff is happening around here and we are open to any ideas! Find out next week how we plan to fix the waste pipe problem and what the new layout might look like!

 
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