Day 12

Charis and I took James to the "motorcycle doctor" to FINALLY pick-up his bike. He was thrilled to be riding again. He headed to the house to continue unloading the sheds. Since the dumpster got picked up yesterday, most of the big items went to the curb, where they stayed for only a matter of hours, before some bargain shoppers took them away to a better life.

Charis and I headed to Kirsten's for some girl time and then to TARGET. New shoes for Charis at Target -- does it get any better than that??

Charis went home to join Gwyneth and I finally got to work. Mom and Dad met me there to help out. Mom put shelf paper in the kitchen, while I painted a second coat on the living room and hall walls. Dad helped James do some repair on the roof. Hard work for both of them. Yuk. G&P showed up with more cookies, and stayed to remove all the blue tape.

I headed home to spend some time with the girls and get them in bed. Thanks to all who stayed to work...

Before and Afters

Thought it was about time for a bit of encouragement. Enjoy this "Before and So Far" pics...

Day 11

The girls went to Haley's today -- on a personal note, it's been hard to leave them somewhere most days. I miss them! But there's no way I can get anything done at the house if they're there, especially with Gwyneth being so fond of paper products and wood chips. She would be enjoying quite a feast...

Anyway, I made a couple of phone calls, and promptly decided to go back to bed. I had reached the end of my rope. Body aching, brain exhausted, baby going crazy. Yes, Sleep, I need you. I slept until 2pm today, when the ONG man called to meet me at the house.

He was full of good news -- the furnace doesn't come on, the thermostat for the upstairs furnace is downstairs in the dining room, and "I wouldn't pay a nickel for that Essex Valve." -- as if I'm supposed to know what that is. But since he's "been doing this for 37 years," I took notes and passed them along to my more-knowledgeable husband, who was thoroughly under-impressed. :-)

After Ryan and Haley brought the girls home and James got home, our little family spent the evening at home. together. playing. vegging out in front of the TV. giggling. squealing. wrestling. Much-needed downtime. Good for all. Now back to work tomorrow...

Day 10 -- POD Party

When I got dressed this morning in my painting clothes, Charis pulled on my shorts and said, "Momma, we need to get loo some clean shorts." Hilarious...

Kenna took the girls for a play-date today. I stopped by Home Depot for weed-killer and paint cups and joined Haley at the house for painting the bedrooms. I rolled, she trimmed, we laughed. It was quite a fun morning. Jan and Jerry joined us for ceiling painting. They work fast!

I left for a shower and then headed to Crest for dinner supplies. The POD/Paint Party filled our evening. The James Family, Collette, Kenna (G&P kept Molly-girl), Ryan & Haley, and Mom & Dad joined us for a BUNCH of work. The guys pulled up the carpet from upstairs, removed the wallpaper border -- much too easily for my tastes, then started on the POD. Charis and I positioned ourselves in the garage at a desk, directing and noting where all the boxes were going. Poor Ryan. Every box he picked up was not only heavy, but headed upstairs. He kept a smile on his face most of the time, but I sure felt terrible. Jeff (who spent the evening tediously nailing in carpet tack strip) joined Dad, Ryan and James for moving a couple of the heavier items. Mom took the girls to the Browns and picked up Arby's for all of us. 20 roast beefs for $20! WOW! We added that to chips and cookies. What a feast.

While the guys were unloading, the girls were inside getting the entire living room and hall painted. They also cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. Ryan and Dad removed the gutters, really improving the appearance of the house -- if only the bright yellow horrible siding was gone... :-) Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Day 9 -- The Painting Starts

Mom and I met at the house after church to start the painting process. James has "Kilzed" the "starry night" bedroom, so the ceiling is ready to paint. I've never rolled paint before, but I did what I could -- surely I'll be an expert by the time this is all over... Mom scrubbed down the laundry room. So clean!!!

Day 8

I spent the day sleeping after work, then back to work early for an ill-scheduled work dinner. Sound like a fun day???

James and Jeff headed to the house for some sheetrock work. That's about the extent of the housework today. More tomorrow!

Day 7

The POD got moved today from the Brown Homestead to the Bellaire Estate. Charis went with me to make sure it ended up in the right place. She was very excited to see "my POD!"

James did some more Kilz-ing tonight and Jeff did some sheetrocking. I decided to take the day off from housework and spend it at home with my girls. After a very busy weekend, we all needed a "normal" day. It was great to just hang out (and take NAPS!) Off to L&D again I go...

Day 6 -- U2!!!!

It's the much-anticipated concert day.

U2, here we come!

(James did some Kilz-ing this morning in the master bedroom)