Let there be light!

I am fortunate that my husband is an amatuer electrician. He is really very handy with the little things that make a BIG difference. Example: He moved the switch (that was on the wall we demolished) to a different wall and he changed it to a rocker switch! :)

He also put in a triple rocker switch in the guest bathroom. The first one is the light, the second is the fan and the third is........A new light in the 'soon to be' linen closet! Fabulous!

A Big thanks to Nick and Rob for all of their hard work! Next Post- the acoustic 'popcorn ceiling' comes out next week! Yay!

50 years

This past weekend the whole family gathered in northern Illinois for a celebration of my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Yep, 50. Here is Mom and Dad on their big day:

And 50 years later with all their grand kids:

Fifty years of marriage is definitely something to be celebrated! I really enjoyed seeing the whole family together, watching the cousins play, and catching up with all my brothers. Mom and Dad raised some great kids (if i do say so myself) and they taught us a lot about the value of family. Kudos Mom and Dad! :) In honor of the event I am posting my own Top Ten list of "quotes from our family":

10. Go to your room and wait till your father gets home! (doesn't every family have this one?)

9. Burn, Burn, Crispy Bacon! (courtesy of brother Dennis)

8. Dad: "What have you boys been doin?"

Andy: "Nothin"

Tom: "Nothin"

Dennis: "Nothin"

Dan: "Eatin' Melon!"

7. Use credit cards for convenience, not for credit.

6. Different Strokes for different folks!

5. Kid: "Dad can I have a ____________?"
Mom/Dad: "Save your allowance!"

4. I hate this family! (step, step, step, SLAM!) (this was me in my tormented adolescent days!)

3. I may not always be right, but I am never wrong!

2. An apple pie without the cheese, is like a kiss without the squeeze!

And number one.......

(drum roll please)

1. Don't like it? Can't eat it? Eat it anyway!

Congratulations Mom and Dad!

"Who takes care of your Pool?"

ME! I'm the "pool guy".

Our new house has a pool! I look forward to using it when we finally move in, (which may not be until I'm 87 at the rate were going!) We've never had a pool before, so there's been a bit of a learning curve on how to care for it. Rob and I went to 'Pool School'- a free class at the local pool store. That gave us some basic knowledge, but we're still learning. I've been put in charge of pool maintenance for the duration of the remodel. Our sand filter:

Yesterday I back washed my filter for the first time! All by myself! Ok- I had a little coaching from our friend Mark. But I cleaned it successfully and my filter is happy. Little did I know you need to back flush once a week in the summer. Here's our pretty pool: (The kid fence is removable, but it will stay up for the duration of the remodeling just in case!)

Hope you are all staying cool and enjoying the summer! Pool Party at my house next summer!! :)

Pluggin' along

I've been working a bunch lately and I haven't had much time to spend on the remodel. The good news is we have plans and permits!! Let's hope for a ground-breaking soon! There was also the small matter of our pool turning GREEN this week. Ick! After a visit to the pool store, we are back to a beautiful sparkling blue! :)

Here is my progress on the fireplace stripping. I'm having trouble with the stripper sticking to the sloped areas - it slides right off. Here's the latest:


I plan to do the hearth tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Happy Independence Day!

Have a SAFE and Happy 4th of JULY!! Please don't drink and drive.