We woke up Saturday to bagpipes. First, in the distance, then closer and closer. We walked out our front door to the above picture. Apparently a tournament was going on and the bagpipers kicked it off. Fun!
Boone sits between the new evergreens on the front stoop (thanks Connors!) and pretty mum from Mom and Dad. It's starting to look more like home!
Brooke wipes on the first coat of stain.
And now the taping begins...we were literally doing square roots to figure out how to tape off these squares. I'm sure glad Brooke knew what he was doing!
And, the maze of painter's tape. We'd never done this, just came up with the idea and were praying that none of the ebony stain would bleed into the natural stain.
Hey, not too bad! Actually, I think Brooke could get paid the big bucks for doing this for other people. Maybe he's got a new career!
And, looking back into the breakfast nook...
After 10 hours of work, the floors are done!
Brooke puts in the LAST piece!
I think he would have stayed in this position for a week had he not had to get up and go to work!
Brooke finished the sheetrock on Friday. This is the passway into the living room.
The first few rows of the hardwoods go down! Had to rent a nailer and compressor, but that sure made the job easier.
Progress! The floors ACTUALLY look fairly straight!
My job---find the next piece to fit, tap the plank into the groove and wait for Brooke...
...to come nail it in place. Our knees and backs were sore. Guess we're getting too old for this! Ha ha!
My big project for the weekend---pulling carpet stripping. A crow bar, needle nose pliers, and a screwdriver. Certainly my idea of fun!
The MOST important part of the kitchen---decor! The top fabric is the main fabric, striped fabric is the complimentary fabric, and the paint chip is the wall color---Medieval Times. We're doing a warm gold/beige in the living room and coral in the dining room, so I think the green will go well with those.
Hanging sheetrock---it's finally starting to look like a room again. Do they have any idea what they're doing!?!
Dad was a HUGE help this weekend. We can't thank him enough for taking off a long weekend to spend working, working, working. They finished all of the kitchen wiring, and most of the sheetrock. Thanks, Dad!
Our new appliances came this week. Here they sit---in the dining room, ready to move to their permanent spots. The fridge and sink should be here this week!
A new doorway! Dad and Brooke finished framing out the passway from the kitchen to the living room. It really opens things up and creates a better flow through the house.
Another look from the living room into the kitchen. Dad's working on wiring in the background.
Dad and Brooke work on the wiring---Brooke's putting in new recessed lighting and Dad's working on an outlet. Only a few shocks for each of them (and one for me!) this weekend.
Brooke being goofy!
From the kitchen side. Notice the little head through the cut out. I didn't realize Boone was in the shot until later. He's actually stretched out on our screened porch. Maybe his new spot.
Standing in the breakfast room looking into the kitchen. Only the cement backer board left to pull. Then sheetrock, and new flooring will come next.
Looking from the corner of the kitchen into the breakfast nook and door out to the mudroom/laundry room.
This one's for Mom. She said we didn't have a full view of the house. Obviously, it needs landscaping, among other things.
