jbrown-family: Enough R&R...Back to Work!

When we returned to Kansas, we had about two weeks before my mom came up to visit us. Then the following week, we would have four adults coming to stay with us. So, my mom planned to visit us to help watch Garytt while we tried desperately to finish up some home projects that would make the house a bit more comfortable for guests. So, in the couple of weeks before my mom arrived, we were supposed to change out a window in the bathroom, rip out the tile and convert the bath to a bath/shower combo. Unfortunately, the window was on backorder and didn't come in with enough time to complete all of that. So, rather than have a half way torn up bath, we left that project for another time. So, our guests would either have to take a bath upstairs or a shower in our unfinished basement where there is a pretty industrial type hook-up. I've showered down there, it's not too bad really, it's just not pretty at all.

As you can see in this picture, the whole bathroom really will need to be remodeled...it will come in stages. We have already taken down the horrible curtains and we use the tub as a shower with a hand wand from Wal-Mart as a temporary fix...it was the best $10 we spent.

Since that project was scratched, we decided that we would do a few smaller projects. One of which was to replace the garage door opener. Our old one was one of the original sears models and we were having problems with it and it didn't have any safety features. So, Justin spent a weekend day doing that. I am happy with the change and feel safer with G outside.

We also decided to tackle the removal of the wallpaper in our dining room. That was a process, as most of the wall paper removal has been. We were able to get it down and patch the wall and have it ready for painting.

Justin removing some wallpaper

Patching the wall...we found a cuby that also had to be covered back up.

We also did random odd jobs like removing some of the shelf supports they had left in our family room. While Justin was doing that, Garytt decided he needed to climb up on the step stool. He has become such a monkey these days!

We did try to take some time to relax and play with Garytt. His favorite thing to do is to "show me your muscles." Then he flexes his arms and makes a funny face. We have been trying for months to get a few good pictures of it. These are the best we've gotten.