A Dead Mouse, Where?

Against my staunch lecture about safe and proper attire, Amanda felt it was time to retire her hazmat suit. Feeling more courageous, she decided a simple t-shirt and jeans woud suffice for tearing down the walls. Well, the old adage, mother knows best, should always apply. But Amanda had to learn this lesson the hard way. As she was ripping out the bathroom wall, something tumbled down and landed inside her shirt...her cleavage to be more precise. Yep, you got it...mouse bones. Poor thing was white in the face for a few hours...and she didn't talk much at all (very unusual for her). Amanda didn't share her experience with us until she was 3 minutes from her shower. It was then that she could finally bring herself to talk about it. Ewwwwwww!

Ready...set....TACKLE!

Okay, so the renovation continues as we strive to organize our schedules, material purchases, grandkid wrangling and, oh yeah, employment, in which to sustain ourselves. It gets a little complicated.

Our daughter, Amanda, dreaded our construction projects when she was a teenager...we had built two complete houses; one in Fairplay and one if Larkspur. Her enthusiasm, in those days, was seriously lacking and it seemed it was her hobby to try and sabotage our efforts to finish those houses. Today, she's grown and I suspect, feeling the effects of guilt...Now, she jumps in and wants to do it all, regarding fixing up this little house. She won't even let her husband help...he gets to stay home with the kids. Her first task...tearing out walls. This house is over 50 years old and has sat vacant for 3 years. It has acquired, let's say, some added character along the way. So, to prepare for this heroic venture, she put together her own impressive hazmat suit, which includes duct tape, trash bag and respirator. Let the walls come down.

The Adventure Begins

After beginning our renovation project 7 weeks ago, I've had many requests to blog the ordeal...did I just type ordeal? I really meant to say, "share our wonderful experiences in the home renovation process". It all began while perusing Craigslist and Cohomefinder in search of a house. After searching two years for a house that would suit my wheelchair, a little house appeared on my screen, inviting me to consider it. It was worn and torn and abandoned...needing much work, but another offer went in on it so I had to dismiss this little cottage that had spoken to me. My heart hurt a little when it was gone, but I knew there would be something better coming along soon. A few months later...this little cottage returned, beckoning me once again. Apparently, the previous offer had fallen apart...Aha! I still had a chance! So, with very strategic maneuvers executed by my dear brother-in-law, Bob, along with his wife, Cindy, we were able to acquire this little diamond in the rough. Let the renovations begin! Our first task...tearing out a wall to make one large bedroom. Bob, who is an Executive by day, became macho construction man by weekend. We moved in with our daughter, Amanda and her husband, Greg, along with our two adorable grandchildren, Lilly and Jason for seven weeks while the reconstruction continued. And on May 15th, we moved in to the little house. This is where the adventure begins...