The Work Begins...

So we have finally started to get to work on the laundry list of home improvements that we would like to do. Here's a short list of what we would like to accomplish this summer:

1. Remove Barber Shop - remodel new entry way.
2. Fence the Backyard
3. Paint various rooms around the house
4. Flip the Washer/Dryer out of the kitchen and into the mudroom on the other side of the wall.
5. Rework some of the basement plumbing - its old 3/4" Galvanized pipe and is probably really corroded on the inside; its killing our pressure.

I know the list is a lot and I don't want to sound like the naive new homeowner who expects to completely remodel a house right after the new purchase so I am remaining realistic about accomplishing everything...one day at a time. We would like to have some other kinds of fun this summer!

The last couple of days we were fortunate enough to have Connie come by and help Tiff with painting the kitchen. This was a big step in covering up the large amount of old school wood paneling that is in the house. The kitchen is now a warm ginger color and looks clean and renewed. The girls did a fantastic job! Tiff also learned how difficult something as simple as painting a kitchen can be. She said she learned a lot from her mom and that will certainly transfer over into the many places in the house that will need paint.

For those of you who didn't get to see the kitchen BEFORE the new paint job, here it is in all it's groovy 70's glory:

I am finally starting to feel the stress of settling into our new life. Between the new house, still relatively new job, and new baby on the way, I am having to learn to step back and look at everything individually. All these new changes have me feeling overwhelmed at times and I find that I am trying hard to get out to the river for a little downtime...I just don't know when that will happen. I know that things will continue to change and that I have to learn to adapt because it will only get crazier once the baby comes. It is certainly a growing time for all of us...but I'm not too worried, we've been through crazy times before and everytime we come out stronger and wiser.
-Jase