The porch, and the second bedroom, Part Two

Before ...

At inspection

In July (and basically through November)

And after:

Here's the porch -- cleaned up at last. It's a really cute space, and someday, we'll replace the windows, paint, get new blinds and curtains (because now? Ew), and tile the floor. Until then, we're keeping it simple.

Woody, hanging out on his favorite chair.

Upstairs, the alcove is cleaned up, and a litter box is behind a screen. Benny couldn't help but be curious.

And while we haven't painted our bedroom yet, I figured I'd put up the curtains and get some books in their proper spot to make it cozier in the meantime.

And the progress on the second bedroom is, to be modest, amazing. Not that it would take much (getting up that pet-stained carpet was huge), but still, I'm thrilled.

Bed pieces are just waiting for a mattress. 

The second bedroom, Part One

Before ...

On inspection day

In July

And after:

More and better pictures to come.

Long-overdue update

Yeah, yeah, I know. Bich disappeared. I blame tailgating weekends, upheaval in the career zone (all good) and, well, a lack of getting anything done.


Thank goodness we have family and friends who save our asses.


An update on the last to-do list, plus a few extras:


1. Get a water heater before I have a panic attack. This is an ongoing disaster of epic proportions, but that's really all I can say about it, other than ... oooooh, glorious hot water, how I missed you!

2. Fix the boiler before I have another panic attack. See above explanation. On the bright side, the plumber AND the oil man said our boiler is in fine shape, and will just need some maintenance in the future.

3. Finish the second bedroom. Tonight or tomorrow, I'll get the second coat of poly on the floor, then let it dry for a few days before painting the trim and moving stuff back in there. You know, make it an actual bedroom. Mom and Aunt Connie saved my sick-as-a-dog self when they came to visit, and they painted the trim for me. Holy cow, did that help. It looks great.

4. Rent a truck and get my mattress out of the Quinns' garage. Um ... this weekend, perhaps?

5. Use said truck to get the mess out of the backyard and take all that sand to the dump. Um ... this weekend, perhaps?

6. Finish hanging up the few pieces -- mail/key organizer, signs and mirrors, etc. -- that really need a home already on the walls. This is sort of done. Still have a few things that haven't found their homes yet.

7. If I'm feeling really frisky, finish painting the upstairs hallway and get started on painting the risers. HA HA HA HA HA HA.

8. Call a landscaper. This one's currently up for "discussion." But that big circle of dirt in the backyard isn't going to seed itself. So I didn't call a landscaper, but Billy saved the day and seeded for us, along with mowing and edging and trimming. Our yard looks a million times better. And I'm no longer stressed about it. It also means I was happy to see rain in the forecast today so Rich won't have to water it tonight.

9. Call a housecleaner. Not up for discussion. Yep. Hired me a housecleaner. She's good and she's cheap, so if you're local and you need one, lemme know and I'll pass the info along.

10. Maybe, perhaps, get the baseboard heat installed in our bedroom. Otherwise, Rich will keep sleeping with a knit cap on his head and I'll have to continue surrounding myself with small furry animals. Done! Yay! We have heat everywhere!


11. Once the floor and trim were done in the bedroom, it meant we could clear out the porch -- which no longer looks like a book bomb went off in it. We've got grand plans for the space, which will probably wait until we decide to install new windows there, but as they say in real estate, it has tons of potential.