While a lot of progress was made on Demo Day, the real work was just beginning.  First each room needed to be wiped clean, including all the walls and woodwork, before it could be painted.  Michael and Lisa’s plan was to begin room by room.  So since September they have been working every weekend, and Michael working almost every evening after work and dinner.  Dennis and I (especially Dennis) have helped out a lot. Siblings and others have pitched in occasionally – any help was greatly appreciated.  Michael’s mom has often watched the baby so Lisa could help.

Painting was slow but steady. The original plan of moving in by December was shelved,  although they did hire painters to do the two story entry, which helped speed things up. Dennis laid the tile in the laundry room and all the bathroom floors, but professionals were hired to do the master shower.  All the tile work turned out beautiful!

Then the upstairs was carpeted, so some bedroom furniture could be moved and set up.  This was a great idea, because the kids could play upstairs while work was being completed on the first floor.

One step closer to move-in day.

Next, there was a structural issue.  The old homeowners had cut through some of the joists in the basement, so an engineer had to be consulted.  The joists had to be reinforced.  So on Christmas break, Dennis, along with some  help from Jack, Douglas, and Aaron, fixed the joist issue.

Finally, the end of the remodeling journey is in sight – the wood floors are ready to be installed.  Michael and Lisa chose a gorgeous,prefinished, stressed, dark bamboo flooring from Lumber Liquidators.  Immediately, we had nail issues.  We had borrowed a nail gun from a friend, but it was the wrong gauge for the nails,  so Michael had to purchase a new nail gun.  In spite of the rough beginning, the floors went down smoothly.  It is mid-January and the floors are finished.

Michael has his punch list.  He has been finishing installing light fixtures and bathroom fixtures, and as I write this he is working on the quarter round that runs along the baseboard.  Appliances were delivered today, and a move-in date has been set for January 29th.

Praise the Lord – it is just like a brand new house!  A great place to live and for the kids to grow up (close to Grandpa and Grandma)