Finally The Repairs Begin

Yucca in the snow.

It’s been a long winter here in Indiana. Thank goodness it hasn’t been too cold this year. As some of you know we underwent some major life changes at the end of last year. Tweetchat and the Blog Talk Radio Show has been put “on hold” for now – but never fear – we intend to reinstate these two items soon.

Jerry laying tile on top of the cabinets.

While we have been waiting for the money to start construction on the roof, we worked on other areas of the house using materials we already had on hand or using materials given to us. For example, we had to remove the tops of the old countertops. They were old and cracking. We thought we were going to sand them down and stain the countertop but the glue that held the backing was not coming off. A friend suggested we try using floor tile. She had a box, so we did. Eventually we will replace this, but for now it is clean and we can use our countertop once again.

Jerry texturing the ceiling with drywall mud.

Another area we worked on was the downstairs bedroom where my dad was staying. The walls are old in this house and like most old walls, are full of hairline cracks. I really hate looking at cracks in walls, so we are trying to fill those cracks in with drywall mud. Sometimes just rubbing a light coat into the cracks works well and sometimes texturing is necessary – or just a fun way to give a room a unique look.

This is how the room was when we started.

This is the room now.

One wall of the room needed to be left open for easy access to the staircase. It seemed like something was always being shoved against that wall, or the pictures were always being knocked off when people walked past, so I can up with an idea of my own. I decided to create a mural on that wall using a wood doll I bought at a garage sale, some mirrored butterflies I bought on clearance and a flowering tree. Here is what I came up with.

This wall mural - including a gallon of paint - cost less than $50 to create.

The next big project we are tackling is the roof and the three rooms that will be protected by that roof. The materials to put the roof back on the office and greenhouse area are ordered. We have a wonderful contractor working on this. We chose Estate Grey for the roof and Victorian Grey for the siding. The materials are expected to arrive on Monday and once they are here, work will begin.

The office area will have a vaulted ceiling as well as a “kitchen area” where I can do videos. It will be larger than my actual kitchen. The cabinets for this area are being donated by a dear friend who is getting new ones in her kitchen. They will be put to good use, that’s for sure!

I hope the room is large enough to handle my desk, floor loom and both spinning wheels plus give adequate space for the woodburner.

The large greenhouse must wait a few more months before repairs will begin, but the small one, right off my office will be ready for plants once the roof is on.

Jerry’s office will also be ready for him to move into once the roof is on. YAY! I will be glad for him to have his own space – and I am sure he will too. Every life change has required him to pack up his things and move them from room to room to make space for whatever we need to do. That won’t happen again!

Things are looking up. We have made it through thanks to the love and support of many dear friends and family. Thank you all for your prayers and concern during this time. I’m looking forward to spring. I’m looking forward to a large garden and having plenty of produce to share – again this year – with the less fortunate in our community who need it! This is our way of giving back.