Slow & Steady .....and Happy Easter!

No one has ever accused me of being too speedy! 

The columns looked so much better without the aluminum - that we just couldn't stop there. 

Or - I should say,  the boys couldn't stop there! 

Steve & John attacked Woodrow with pry bars  while I looked on cringing - worried that they were going to find a big rotten mess under the thick aluminum.  

Well - these two were gloating for days! 

There was no rot - the wood was in great shape, and just like with the columns - it looked 100x better once it was free from it's mustard colored armor!

Ta Da!

We had to replace a few pieces of trim that had been removed when they installed the aluminum - but other than that it was all in perfect shape. 

Sonny has been busy working on the small carpentry jobs around the house. Last week he built new front steps for us. 

I picked up a copy of the approved color chart for historic properties within the City of Richmond. I figured that would be a good place to start for our new porch ceiling color. 

I decided not to go back to this vibrant teal - and revert to something more in keeping with Woodrow's true age. 

Sonny was also able to get the exact match for these ceiling boards @ Siewers. 

We are so lucky to have such a great source for lumber and custom millwork. 

Their window specialist, Alan, has been working tirelessly to get me just the right match to make sure that we are following all of the historical guidelines. 

The back porch finally has a railing, and it looks SO nice! 

I think I already mentioned that we were going to have the ceilings covered with sheetrock. 

This was just to clean them up - and smooth them out. 

They look so much better already. 

Now to get them all painted! 

My favorite ceiling color - Glass Slipper 

Both upstairs bathrooms will have B&W basket weave.

I am so glad to get to the tiling phase. I love to tile!  

I might actually be the Queen of the tile saw. 

Or - if I am not, I should be. 

I love this thing. I could cut tile all day. It is so fun. 

Grout done in one bathroom - only 2 more to go. 

While I was tiling, the boys were busy cleaning up the yard. 

They were annoyed by my choice for the HVAC placement - because there was a fence in the way, but ...

That fence had to go anyway. 

Of course - I had no idea how hard it would be for them to remove it. 

I definitely didn't think it would take all three of them. 

After all - it was just a little tiny section of fence. Right?!?

Oh my goodness. 

I don't think I can describe my relief that all three of these guys survived - injury free - the fence post removal. 

You would have thought they had delivered a baby - they were so pleased!

I was too :) 

Now that that was done...
I figured I would leave them a note for the next task! 

Time to cut up the basement floor so that Rick, our plumber can get everything in place for the new bathroom. 

They were ready for some reinforcements!
George and Colin were thrilled to be called in! 

Especially for such a fun job! 

Before anyone starts feeling bad for them... 
John used the Jack hammer for most of it. 
So pretty much the boys were shoveling and hauling away dirt. 

Considering the little house projects go 100% toward tuition - I'd say that is not so bad. They can pitch in every once in a while - and trust me ....they will be reminding me of their "hard labor" for a week when they want a few dollars to go out! 

That's all I've got.

Slow & Steady. 

I'll update soon - as the pace will increase from here on out. 

Have a very Happy Easter!
xo