5.25.2011

There's A Hole in the Ceiling Because I'm Fixing It...

...thanks for asking, Kendra. I did start out this project as simply covering an air return between the bathroom and the playroom. One I got on the ladder and started checking things out, though, I realized we had some old water damage to the bathroom ceiling. I got to removing the damaged plaster, and soon my 12"x10" hole was now about 3'x2'. So, in all, your typical old house project that starts out small and gets bigger and bigger.

In any event, the hole has been patched with drywall, taped, and has a coat of joint compound on it. By the weekend, it should be ready to paint, which is the whole reason I was up on the ladder in the first place.

With the ceiling painted, we can move to the walls, then the trim. Except I'm pretty sure I'm going to pop all that trim off the wall, strip it, and repaint it. Stay tuned.

5.24.2011

Why is there a hole in my bathroom ceiling?

So sometime in the last 24 hours, Joe decided he needs to close up the unnecessary vent between the play room floor and the downstairs bathroom ceiling.  Perhaps he is tired of Max peeking down at him and saying, "DAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDY!  I SEEEEE YOOOOOU!" while he's getting into the shower.  Perhaps he is worried that same thing may happen to an unsuspecting guest.  Or perhaps he is truly hell-bent on NEVER finishing this bathroom project  Did I mention he's also taken off about half of the bathroom trim to try his hand at paint stripping? That's a post for another day...

Anyway, now there's a large hole in the bathroom ceiling where the vent used to be, pieces of plaster all over the floor, and some sort of horrible power tool screaming from behind the bathroom door.  I'm hoping it doesn't wake the boys.  I'm hoping he has enough drywall and/or whatever else he needs to get it patched tonight.  And I'm hoping Joe is documenting this to blog about later.

Good night, Peaches readers.

5.13.2011

What we've been doing instead of working on the house (and blogging)

Life is moving fast.  Max wrapped up soccer last night and his last day of preschool (for this year) was yesterday morning.  All of the sudden, Charlie is seeming less like a baby and more like a little boy - eating table food with his 4 (almost 5) teeth, trying to crawl, and even pulling himself up to standing at the coffee table a couple of times.  I decide it's time to update the blog, and realize we haven't been on for almost a month.  Wait a minute - didn't I just post that bit about landscaping, like, yesterday?!?  Slow down, time!  Honestly, there's not been much to post as far as the house goes.  Our lives have been too busy for home improvement and blogging.  So here's all the non-house related stuff we've been up to (in no particular order):

1. Baseball-ing

The boys in blue are off to a good start.
Is this the Royals' year?
The now annual Gagnon-Bryant-Meyer
Easter backyard baseball game.
Max perfects his home run swing.
2. Easter-ing

Max carefully dyes his eggs.

The Easter bunny was generous this year.  The boys must
have been good!
All dressed up and ready for church.
Charlie "hunts" Easter eggs.

3. Swinging

A new back yard swing = hours of fun!
Max loves to push his little brother at the park.

4. Bike riding

Max with his new set of wheels.

5. Golfing

Charlie's first trip to the course.  I did not let him drive.

Is the next Tiger Woods in this picture?
Not if they take after their parents.

6. Camping

Max's first camping trip.  I've never seen him so excited.

Joe and his boys by the campfire.
7. Marching (for Babies)

With the help of our family and friends, we raised
over $1500 for the March of Dimes in memory of Lucy.
Me and my "angel Mom" friends.

8. Soccer-ing

Ready to take the field.
Goal!

9. Spending lots and lots of time with family.

Max and Charlie with their three cousins.
They love their Nanni!
Charlie and Paw-Paw share a smile.

Time may be flying by, but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Our lives are so full, and these boys just keep getting bigger and better every day.  

Lucky them.  

Lucky us.