Remodel update

A lot of progress has been made on the house since my last entry. Unfortunately the progress doesn't show up as well in pictures, but I've still got some good ones to show. My last update showed the workers finishing up the roof structure. In looking back at where we were a month ago, it certainly makes me realize how much progress has actually occured! In my last post, we were praying for no rain so that the roof wouldn't leak until it was dried in. Well...as typical...it rained at 3am, no less!! I woke up to hearing drip from the new roof to the old roof and inside the fireplace. I woke Damon up (who could sleep through a tornado) and he had to brave the storm and try to get a tarp over the section of roof that wasn't protected. It only rained for an 1 hour or 2, but it was a harsh way to wake up out of a dead sleep, I promise you. That day the men finished drying in the roof with tar paper and we felt VERY relieved!

The next hurdle that occurred again involved an inspection. Apparently the shingles could not be placed until the framing inspection was complete which includes walls framed out, plumbing and electrical. I'm not sure why there needs to be inside walls in place in order to put a roof on, but those are the rules. Well, supposedly a framing inspection also includes the windows being in place and our windows were very late arriving. After about a week and a half delay the windows arrived and were installed and the roof was FINALLY shingled. The next step was stucco and hardy board. It was really neat to drive home and see the exterior finished out to look like one house instead of 2 houses connected. We had them remove the 'decorative' boarders from around the windows because we didn't like it. I don't think stucco and a ranch style house really go together but by removing the boarders around the windows and adding the hardy board accents I think it looks AMAZING!

Stairs to bonus room over garage

Bonus Room over garage

Trusses over old roof and MORE STORAGE SPACE!!

There will be a door across from bonus room entering new attic space.

Stucco in progress and removing window boarders

Stucco application and windows

Front view after stucco and hardy board

Garage side view

Rear View

Other side view

The next week was Thanksgiving, so we had insulation added and all the finish work to get ready for sheet rock this week. This week they have already put most of the sheet rock on the ceiling and will be starting on the walls soon. Now that will be exciting. They also officially started 'invading' the inside of the house. We are having 5" baseboards placed in the new part of the house and so we are having them replace the old baseboards so the house will match and look uniform. That has been an ordeal because we are having to move a lot of furniture and are starting to live with boxes stacked up everywhere. Luckily I'm pregnant, so I've been able to leave most of the hard work to Damon. LOL! We got a 'PODS-type' trailer brought to the yard to store some stuff in too. That will make it easier, I think. In my mind, I feel like we are going to have soooo much more room, but seeing what Damon is pulling out of every nook and cranny that I've been shoving stuff in I think I'll be surprised how fast we fill up the new house! The good part is that we are getting there, the bad part is that I'm realizing how dirty my house is!! The carpet has taken a serious hit since the construction started. We sweep loads of dirt every day from the front and back door and it is visibly starting to show on the carpet. Luckily all the carpet in the main part of the house is being replaced, but it is starting to be UGLY to look at. The baseboards have been in serious need of repainting for years and the dust behind furniture that hasn't moved in 8 years is horrifying. Hopefully the workers don't think we are too disgusting because I'm beginning to wonder myself.

In my mind I was thinking that the last month wasn't super productive but it is quite amazing to look back and see the actual progress. When I look at the photos we've taken and how much work has been done each week it really is a lot. I know it feels like an eternity because we are soooo excited to be finished and to have some peace and quiet, but the few months of headache will totally be worth it!