Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back

We have all of these ongoing renovation projects and then what happens? The hvac unit in the attic leaks (clogged condensation line) into and upstairs bedroom and suddenly i have an unplanned project.  Like I needed something else to do.

An Evening of Relaxing...Well, Sort Of.

This evening, while the girls went to "The Jonas Brothers" concert, I took it easy.  Corbin and I went to dinner at On The Border (OTB has changed its menu, it is much better than it was in the past and worth a try) and then I spent some time watering our new gardens and potted plants. Sounds kind of cheesy, but it is very relaxing, especially in a large and green backyard...that we created.  Oh, and by the way, I hung a couple of window blinds and did some caulking.  So, I didn't quite relax the entire evening.  Typical.

Patio Finished

The flagstone patio is finally finished!  I will put pictures up later.  This was supposed to be a fairly simple project, but it turned into a massive project.  It really looks good and fits the overall look of the backyard.  

An Obsession

When you buy a fixer-upper, you need to remember that in the midst of all of your projects, you must take some time to enjoy what you have created.  It is very easy to fall into a habit of spending all of your free time starting, and occasionally completing, projects since they never end.  Uh, ... I gotta go I need to finish the patio.

A New French Door

Several months ago, i was walking through Lowes and found a French door that had been returned.  I bought it and saved about $700.  I wasn't quite ready for it so it sat in our garage until this weekend.  I finally started work on the installation of the door.  After having some electrical outlets moved (by an electrician, not this weekend remodeler), I was ready to start demolition.  Fortunately, Corbin was around to help.  We began by chiseling the bricks from the house.  While the majority of the bricks come out fairly easy, it get difficult around the edges.  Keep in mind, only selected bricks are removed on the edges because you have to re-mortar bricks when you got finishing the project.  We got the bricks out and tackled the old window.  Of course, we were too impatient (well I guess I was, since Corbin was just following my lead) to try to ascertain how the window would easily come out.  We just forced it and showered ourselves with glass.  Corbin had suggested putting a tarp on the ground so it wasn't too much of a mess.  Once we had the window out, we cleaned up the mess, removed the old 2x4 studs, installed spacer studs and inserted the door.  With the insertion of just a few shims, we had it leveled.  The installation has completely changed the look of the back of the house and given us quick access to and from our bedroom.

The Purchase

We bought this house in April 2008.  I have wanted a fixer-upper for quite a few years and found this opportunity in November 2007.  We looked at it for several weeks and then in December 2007 the Ice Storm devastated the magnificent oak trees and birch tree in the backyard. The backyard was such a draw to the house, we had to have the vision to see past the debris and sheared trees and see what could be.  The entire area looked like the "trufala trees" in Dr. Suess's tale.  Nevertheless, in April we sold our previous house and bought our last residence.  We have been remodeling it ever since, and I expect that we will be remodeling it the remainder of our lives.  I now know how my dad always had projects ongoing in the garage and around the house.  Clearly, that kept him happy as it does me.  Like our Home, this blog will be a work in progress and hopefully improve as I get better at "blogging"...and typing.