operation side porch

Well, we told the kids that today was Labor Day and that meant you were suppose to "labor" harder than any other day of the year.  They didn't buy it but we did all work very hard today.  David and Jonathan got most of the side porch attached to the back and front porches and so the wrap around porch is starting to take shape.  I am just a little bit excited!  I have added a photo from when we first bought the house so you can compare.  The only thing we had done was dig the holes and mow the grass.  Such a difference!  

operation siding and porches

The race is on to get the house both sided and roofed before winter gets here.  You never know how soon that is these days so we are working every spare moment on those two projects.  The kids and I work on other things during the day when we have a chance too but for the most part, it is siding and roofing.  Jonathan put up a wall by the utility sink one day.  He did a great job on it and it is so much brighter now over there.  I uploaded both before and after photos for you to see the difference.  I love it! The day after that he put some much needed shelving under the steps.  They were made from the backs of some old church pews we had taken apart a couple of months ago and stored in the shed. They came to good use once again!  He and I also worked on the pool deck a little.  That is really not a priority right now but nice with each new board we put on.  We did a little dirt work too a couple of days ago.  Getting it ready to plant more grass.  Other than that, it is siding, siding and more siding.  We have ordered the red steel for the roof and plan on doing half the roof in a couple of weeks.  Can't wait!  Enjoy the pictures.  It will not let me upload them in order for some strange reason so enjoy anyway!

shelving under steps

new addition to the half bath

after a hard days work

hillbilly clothes line

working on the deck

porch overhang

siding getting started

sliding doors

before

after

starting on the side porch

dirt preperation

operation hillbilly basketball hoop

We had some company in July and the boys looked around until they found enough stuff to construct a basketball hoop.  By the time they were done, it was almost too dark to play but they had fun anyhow.  So glad for children who can improvise and make due with what they have.

operation indoor plumbing

It amazes me that the time goes by so fast!  I guess a lot has transpired since our last visit here including a trip to Alabama to great the newest grand-daughter.  Time sure does not stand still for any of us.  

We have been busy this month, mostly the man of the house as we have been gone for 10 days.  We have so much to tell you but I think the most exciting part of this month's progression is the presence of our very own toilet upstairs!  Yeah!  Indoor plumbing!  Now I know that is exciting but imagine for a minute walking in the door from a 14 hour drive only to find that yes, you have indoor plumbing but it is out in the middle of the room and there are no walls!  Not bad for the man of the house when here alone but now we are all home!  YIKES!!!  The next morning was spent putting in makeshift walls (some of them being fabric) so it would be just a little more private in case someone came up the steps without warning.  :-) We did another wall of siding.  One wall left until we start of the roof! We started on the pool deck.  It is so nice to be able to clean the pool from the deck where you can actually see what you are doing.  The deck is not a priority but we are working on it when we get a chance here and there.  The way time is going by, winter will be here before you know it and the goal is to have the outside of the house finished, an indoor shower, insulation and the furnace working. David was able to get my duct work in for the vent to the stove so now I can bake and cook without making the house so hot. He also got the first piece of duct work put into the bathroom walls that will lead to the upstairs bathroom.  Speaking of bathrooms... I almost called this operation bath tub.  We were able to find this incredible bath tub on Craigslist for an incredible price.  It is just what I have always wanted. The color may not be as great as I would have chosen but you watch and come back here and see how we design our bedroom around that awesome bath tub!  Complete with solid brass faucets!  Then there was the garden.  When the produce is ripe you have to pick it.  We came home to lots of green beans ready to be canned.  Thirty-six quarts and 6 gallon bags frozen later, I gave the rest to our son.  What a long day after driving 14 hours the day before.  We had our first "real" company last month too.  I actually think it was the hottest evening of the whole month but we had fun anyway playing yard games and eating outside.  The boys put up a real live hillbilly basket ball hoop but that deserves a post all its own so I will post that next!  Enjoy the photos!

back of house

siding the back

first piece of duct work

stove vent

bathroom off livingroom

first plumbing

small vanity for a small half bath

"my" incredible tub

working on the deck

deck

this is the way to dig fence post holes

first produce

operation windows

The windows have now been put in on three sides of the house and waiting for siding which should be done this weekend on those three sides. I refuse to purchase anything not on sale for this house so those sliding glass doors need to go on sale...SOON!  Jonathan tilled the center rows in the garden today and the girls cleaned out the pool.  I will try to upload the video that I took of the girls.  It was only 66 degrees outside when they did that cleaning!  LOL  Crazy girls or sure! 

The garden is looking good!

Quite a change from when we purchased it!

 

operation pool set up

Finally got the pool set up and working.  This morning it is even crystal clear!  Our advise to anyone who would care to ask....DO NOT EVER get a used pool and set it up yourself!  NEVER again!  Now that it is up and ready to swim though, it is a huge blessing.  Thanks to the Lessen's for giving it to our children.  They will enjoy it as soon as the weather is warm enough to swim!  We are going to rebuild the deck into a 6' round deck all the way around the pool next.  Exciting!  David also put some real water lines into the outdoor shower.  Now we can turn it on and off out there and not have to run a hose to the kitchen sink.  I also finished the flower garden on the side of the house.  Waited long enough that my bricks were half off!  YEAH!!!  It is finished for this year.  Next year I will add to it but for now it is done.  Thanks for stopping by to see how we are doing.  We enjoyed your visit.  Come back soon and see the updates.

Almost ready to swim.

Jasmine's underwater camera photo.

Just a little vacuuming to do.

Outdoor shower controls