House Update: Floors

Progress is still taking place and this week has really helped us see some light at the end of the tunnel!

Our focus last weekend was on refinishing the original hardwood floors.   Let me emphasize the word original because I am pretty sure the floors are the only thing we haven't had to replace completely. 

This isn't our first go around with a refinishing floors.  We also redid my father-in-laws floors last October which was a good learning experience for us.  Thanks for being the guinea pig Kenneth! 

  At Kenneth's we used a belt sander and had a few small issues with it so Nathan was convinced this time that a vibrator sander would do the trick, even though it might take more time.  Needless to say, after about an hour of using the vibrator sander, we headed back to Home Depot (don't tell my good friends at Lowe's...they would be so disappointed!) to rent the belt sander as well because we were hardly making a dent!

Here is what we started with...

The old linoleum left the kitchen floor in pretty bad shape.

Living Room before & during sanding process...

These would be the disgusting bathroom floors...

Left: Small Bedroom Before                                                           Right: Hallway going in to "master"

Master: Before Sanding                                                                           Master: After Sanding

House Update: Cabinets & Drywall

I am well aware that I say, "I know it has been a while" on every post I do lately...

We are working as fast as we can if that counts for anything?!?

These pictures were taken a little over a week ago.  I would have taken more this weekend but I highly doubt you would be able to notice a difference since I spent 12 hours straight on Saturday caulking, sanding, and wiping down trim to prep for paint. 

 

They aren't very noticeable changes so my Mom & I had to keep reminding ourselves that prep work pays off when the paint goes on. Sometimes you just have to give yourself pep talks to get you through the not so fun stuff...or dessert works just fine too :)

Cabinets are now installed, sanded, caulked, and ready for me to prime!

Crown moulding is up, walls are textured, primed, and windows are trimmed out.

If it makes anyone feel better, I did finally take all the stickers off this door this weekend too!

  

The bathroom is now framed up in the garage.

Bathroom is now textured, primed, bathtub is installed, and boards in the floor have been replaced.

Hooking up all the plumbing for the shower was/is the ultimate marriage tester...

   We survived (so far) but I'm not sure we enjoyed it and Nathan swears we will hire someone next time.

Concrete is poured and stained in laundry room.  Unfortunately there was no attempt to keep the floor clean while they textured, taped & floated.   Hopefully it all comes up with no problems!

All the finish work is done of the gable.  It looks much cleaner and finished now than it did before. And for those of you that the symmetry of the front windows is bothering, it bugs me too.   But I wasn't willing to give up the space inside on that wall and to be quite honest I didn't notice it until it was too late.   Nothing a little landscaping can't fix!  Anyone know a good landscaper?!? ;)

 

 

Plans for the coming week(s):

• We sprayed all the ceilings tonight so we can at least say something is finished being painted!
• Tomorrow we are planning to spray all the trim with oil-based primer...not too thrilled about that.
• Going to Ikea on Thursday to get the butcher block counter tops!
• Refinishing the wood floors is on the agenda for this weekend.
• Then, I can start painting walls & installing fixtures!

It's all starting to come together---praise Jesus!! 

I told Nathan we were finally getting the fun part. 

His response, "Yeah, the end!!"

Mother's Day

Couldn't move past Mother's day without ackowledging my wonderful mother!
We had a fun fiesta on the back patio at our house to show Mom & Memie how much with love them!

 

Mom loved her garden markers!  Although, Nathan was bitter that I didn't let him make them himself!  
They wouldn't have turned out that cute...

Dad being Dad...

Delicious Orange Mousse Tart with Blackberries from The Muffin Top!

Nathan picked us some fresh carrots from the garden....
The sad part is, those "huge" carrots have been growing since last fall. 

And...I'm going to nerd out on this but I have been watching these baby birds for a while now on the back porch and I am loving it!   For someone who is not a big animal person, it amazes me how excited I get about these 3 baby birds.
The momma bird was not happy that we were intruding into her territory for our lunch but it was fun to watch!

I may nerd out some more and do a post on the 5 baby birds that hatched on the front porch this week too! 

Someday, I hope to be half the woman that my wonderful Mom is! 

What a Godly example she is to all who know her.  I am so blessed!

{Paige Meyer Photography}

 In high school, I really enjoyed Art with Mr. Parker which encouraged me to major in Graphic Design in college.  I wasn't sure where exactly that would take me...Web Design, Photography, Graphic Design...who knows?!  The possibilities were endless. Unfortunately, on the first day of school, I sat through a computer programming class and was lost in the whole "HTML/computer lingo" and immediately ran from the classroom to change my major to Business Administration.

I am kicking myself for that now...it sure would have helped with all my "I know there is an better/easier way to do this" questions! 

Instead, I have taught myself to do web design...

I have been completely and utterly frustrated at multiple points in the blogging world with html...

And now, I have been learning Photoshop/Lightroom with the help of of Youtube videos, photography blog stalking, trial & error, and my wonderfully gracious and patient photographer friends, Natalie & Robyn, who I have been asking TONS of questions.

Yeah, now that I just put that on paper I am really wanting to kick myself...

So, without further adieu, I have decided to take on the challenge of doing portrait photography on the side. You know..since we have nothing better to do!  It's not like we are renovating a house of anything ;)

Check out Paige Meyer Photography Blog or better yet, give me a call to book a session!

Renovation Update {Sheetrock}

I'm proud to announce that we have made a significant amount of progress lately!

  Goals Accomplished:

• Roofing is complete
• Sheetrock has all been hung
• Everything is taped, floated, & textured
• Concrete floor has been poured/stained in the Laundry Room 
• Insulation is installed in Ceilings of Garage/Man Cave/ Laundry Room
• We sprayed primer throughout the ENTIRE HOUSE!!!

You don't even know how excited we are that painting is starting!!

 It finally feels like the end is in sight and that we are making real progress!

Easter Weekend

Easter may have been a 1 1/2 weeks ago but better late than never, right?!?

Natalie put the pressure on when she said I would have pictures up so I had to follow through!

Enjoy---there were so many fun moments to capture with so many sweet little ones running around.

Luke's first Easter Egg hunt....he kind of got the gist of it.  Maybe next year he will figure out how to open them...

Not sure Arabelle knew what to think about her new tattoos from Haley!

I think the Robinson Clan was glad Owen survived his day playing with Nathan!

How sweet is she?!?

I think he enjoyed the party while it lasted....