the (WO)man cave.

Well...after a solid two weeks in, I realize my lack in patience. I so wish I could just close my eyes, snap, twirl around a few times...and WOOSH...the rooms would be painted, decorated, and I would by laying on my (nonexistent) couch. Not happening though. We finally got to the place where we could mask everything off and start to PAINT!! Wahoo!!!!!! Little did I know how much energy was required to do even that. This week, I've learned how to hang dry wall, spackle, caulk window seals, paint cabinets, epoxy the garage floor, and put in a lock. I would say that I didn't ever think that would interest me, but shockingly, I am kinda enjoying myself. The garage looks FANCY...the males in my family love it. It does nothing for me...my heart doesn't pitter patter when I look at the nice grey floors and pristine white walls, but I do appreciate its cleanliness.The employee's at Lowe's are still getting their quality "CT time." I went four times today...FOUR folks. I can even tell you where the wall patches are. Who, in their LIFETIME, really needs to know that the wall patches are located on aisle?? I DONT. Anyways...lots of moving. Unloaded my storage unit into the garage. It was decided that "the wall" in all its glory would just be covered. We put dry wall over it, and I must say...the house is sadly not as exciting. And let the picture journey commence.

Cabinets in my brothers room BEFORE paint

A little paint sure goes a long way...

This has NOTHING to do with my house. I just think my dogs are SO stinkin' cute!!

The drywall to hide the wallpaper

Who knew drywall dust was SO disgusting???

Oh...you know...just taking some muriatic acid to my garage floor in hopes it will etch the concrete.

Still etching away...

After the epoxy!!

Handles PRE paint...

This is what the water looked like AFTER i just put the handles in. GROSS.

Post paint.

This is the store that I have spent so much time in.

Just painting the garage...NO MORE PINK. Just your regular ol' white.

Dad getting the primer ready.

Taping up the house for PAINT!! YIPPPPPPEEEEE!!!!

Still working...

Goal for tomorrow...GET UP THE PRIMER. Home Depot comes Monday to measure for carpet in the three bedrooms. That's when it will get real. Woo!!!

Pioneers lived such the life.

Well hey guys!! It's been a few days. Why, you might ask?? Oh...I don't know. This whole "remodel"  thing has finally hit...blisters and all. I continue to face "the wall" as its lovingly been called. I've developed quite the ADHD approach to it. I'll peel for a few minutes...wander around and knock a few things down...sadly walk back and realize the hole hasn't gotten any bigger, and peel again. I know realize that people PRE wallpaper must've lives such glorious lives. I mean, that stuff is literally of the devil. I'm even convinced hell is COVERED in it. I have now made seven (count them) trips to Lowe's. The employees graciously continue to smile at me, but two of them literally run the other way. Who knew my questions could be so overwhelming?? Tomorrow, I tackle the beauty that is the garage floor. That's right folks...I'm "epoxying" it ALL by myself. Dad...if you're reading this, PLEASE meet me at the house around 9. AM. On the dot. Don't be late. I've decided to tell the last few days via pictures. Words just dont seem to do this train wreck justice. Continue below...

Spencer spent HOURS trying to knock that thing down...

Crossing off the first item on my "list". So productive.

Alison diggin up the trellis in the back.

The neighbors decided they wanted our awning...so we just transported it.

Luke and Spencer taking down the fence.

Don't worry. I knocked over the ENTIRE trellis with my bare hands. You can be scared.

Luke and Spencer. Woosh.

Luke getting his "Suzy Homemaker" on. I have good friends :)

Mom...still working on "the wall"

Oh...no big deal...just wearing our protective masks. Saving our lives.

Who know that Springdale was so cool?? In my city, you just pile your junk on the curb and THEY COME GET IT!!

This is what I did on Saturday INSTEAD of home stuff. So worth it :)

And here it is folks...the first blister of the day. Man.

SHOUTOUT to these lovely ladies who have become kinda my "project coordinators". they ROCK.

Welp...thats all for tonight. Obviously, I'm going to need my beauty rest if I expect the guys at Lowe's to continue answering my endless, STUPID questions. Check back soon!!

Much love,

CT

carpet sucks.

Welp. Today, my brother and I tackled the carpet in the rest of the house. Last night, my new neighbors so graciously helped by taking out all the electrical covers, doors, and blinds. We also ripped out the carpet in the living room. Today, Spencer and I tore out the carpet in the three bedrooms and the kitchen/dining room area. Woo. It was heavy, it left gross little specks all over your legs, and you left feeling as though there was NO WAY you hadn't inhaled thousands of toxins. After pulling out the carpet, we took out the tile and swept away. The home already smells better and I dont feel as though I am walking across someone elses life. As I stared at the carpet in the home originally, I couldnt help but wonder at all the mysterious stains around the room. One in the master bedroom looked awful sketchy. After letting my mind wander a bit too far, I realized ripping it out was the way to go. As you can see, this has become quite the community project. I think people take pity on me, realizing that I have NO CLUE what I'm doing so they offer to pitch in. I went to Lowe's twice in one day and at one point, after five minutes of rambling/verbally processing what I was trying to say, I looked up to find both employees staring at me with this look like "they let HER buy a house??" Needless to say, I now have a great new relationship with several of their department heads.

Lilly, my new neighbor, helping out by sanding my wood paneling

The neighbor cat apparently has found a new home?

The neighbors helping by ripping up some carpet

I figured I could throw in a "hand"

Notice now TWO cats asleep on my back porch

Yippee!! Moldy carpet. YUCK.

My growing "to do" list. On the right, the assignments for the "amateurs"...on the left, the list for those who have "been around the block." Good thing I have talented help arriving soon...(HURRY UP JON AND GORDON!!)

My dog stopped by for a visit.

Carpet, tile, and TAH DAH, concrete!!

Spencer ripping up carpet

This is what's underneath my floors...a mysterious black "floor"

Washing the walls with chemicals tends to show just how dirty they originally were

Before...

Midway...

AFTER

Looks so much nicer with no flooring :)

Hallway.

Pile o' junk.

And there goes "the wall"

All my visitors had to take a picture in front of "the wall"...OBVIOUSLY.

Mom and sister

Family friends.

Not sure how you can have phosphate-free TRI SODIUM PHOSPHATE...hmm. Works miracles though so no complaints.

So many germs right there.

I couldn't resist.

Dad and brother.

Neighbor Aaron.

So...as you can see, we have LOTS ahead of us but this is still kinda fun. As I said, I find myself sometimes wandering around because I genuinely don't have a clue what to do next. I'm the most excited about decorating. That's the moment I'm waiting for. I think once we have some paint on the walls, the house will look MUCH different. My goal is to have "the wall" gone by tomorrow night. We shall see.

SHOUTOUT to my neighbors, parents, brother, and friends who have already been so encouraging and helpful. I don't even think I could have found my way in the front door without you!!