First Day of Spring

We, like other fools in Atlanta, got spring fever on the first day of spring, and spent the day working and planting in the yard.  Mark cut down the old holly bushes in the front, which we've hated forever, and planted some new shrubs.  We didn't get a "before" shot, but you've probably seen them in some of our older posts.  Here's what they looked like all cut down.  We added a lot more to this pile by the end of the next day.  Unbelievably, they picked all this stuff up the following Monday.  We have great service in Decatur!

 

Here's a couple of pictures of Melanie "taking care" of Lucy while we worked.

 

 

While Mark was out picking up mulch, etc., I had to watch Melanie while trying to continue working.  It turns out that Mark's truckbed is a pretty good playpen. 

 

We didn't get finished with getting everything planted by the end of the weekend, so we had to take a "finished" shot on a different day.  Here's what the new shrubs look like.  We would like to plant some low, creeping flowering plants near the front for some color at some point, but this is a start, for now.

"Homework"

For a while this summer, people kept asking us if we had Melanie's room ready.  Well, a big part of getting her room ready was finding a place for all the stuff that was in there already.  We were using that room as an office.  We had a large desk with our computer stuff on it and a huge rolling bookshelf that dominated the room.  Luckily, for Christmas we got a laptop.  So, we were able to get rid of the desk and the desktop computer pretty easily.  The next thing we needed was a place to put all of our books.  We've always had this weird space in our bedroom that no furniture would really fit in.  So, Mark decided to build a built-in bookcase there.  It took a while to finish, but it really turned out great.   

   

A few weeks ago, we also decided to take the plunge and get our bathtub fixed, once and for all.  Pretty soon after Mark bought this house, we could tell that the previous owners had tried to "re-finish" the bathtub by putting this glaze stuff on the tub to make it look new.  The glaze started chipping off, and really just made the tub look even worse that it did before.  There were also places where the grout had worn out of the cracks, and it looked like dark moldy lines.  It really bugged me, since I'm the one who likes to take baths.  With Melanie coming, we wanted to do something to fix the tub for her as well.  The main problem with doing anything in the bathroom, is that it's our only one.  If we went through a renovation, like we did with the kitchen, we would be without a bathroom for quite a while.  We could not think of a way to make that work, so Mark contacted Re-Bath, and the guy came out to the house to tell us about it.  Well, after hearing about the product, Mark and I were sold.  One of the biggest selling points was that if  they found any water damage in the walls, when they went to install the new walls, they would cover the cost for any repairs.  Also, the work that was done was guaranteed for the life of our house.  So, if there ever is any water damage, leaks, etc., then they would come out and take care of any repairs.  Finally, and most importantly, their work was guaranteed to be finished in one day.  So, we wouldn't be without our shower at all.  It cost more than we had hoped to pay, but we're really happy with the results.   

 

Shutters Are Up on the Front

Mark got the shutters up on the front of the house.  We really love the way it looks!  We have gotten complements from several of our neighbors.  I think we're even inspiring some of them to want to do some home improvements of their own!  Now we need to decide what to do about the base.  For now, we want to paint it.  Originally, we thought we wanted to do the base a really dark brown, almost black color.  Now, we're having some doubts.  Should we just paint the base the same color as the house?  What would help the house look better?  In the future, Mark would like to put stacked stone around the base.  That would really give the house a nice look.  That option is a little pricey, though.  It's something I think we should consider after we remodel the kitchen. 

   

Aye Shutter!

.......getting there.  We mocked up the new black shutters that came in today.  I think we're getting there.  The color has really mellowed out and it's not so ARMY green anymore.  We're putting the shutters up on all the windows around the house.  Hopefully it will add something to the otherwise simple exterior.  Black is the only color that really breaks up and contrasts well with the other two on the house.  Now, all we have to do is hang them!..........err  Now, All I have to do is hang them! 

'till next time on this really old house........

With Gutters

Here's a picture of the house with gutters.  The paint color is definitely looking better now that it's all dry, and with the gutters up, it's starting to look pretty good!  The shutters are ordered, and they should be here in about a week.  Then, we'll get the base painted, and it will all be done!  Sometime (soon?), we'd also like to get those sticky bushes out and do some prettier shrubs/landscaping out front.  Then, hopefully, our house will have some "curb appeal"!

 

High Tea

Today, the painters came!  Things are starting to shape up!  We're still missing gutters,trim paint, and shutters.  We're also going to paint the bottom part of the house a darker brown/black color.  We may paint the shutters may be the same dark color.  It was getting pretty dark when I took these pictures, and the paint isn't completely dry.  The color may look a little different tomorrow.

Progress

Here's more progress on the house.  We can't wait to get color up on those boards!

Under Construction

So, this is our (or should I say my) first post.  I'm off work all this week while I'm in between jobs.  Monday, I will start working for Hewitt Associates.  I'm really excited about the career change.  It sounds like my hours are going to get a lot tougher and longer, but I think it's the right decision for me in the long run.  It is a great company, and there seems to be a lot of opportunity for growth.

Today, the crew started in stalling our new windows, Hardie Plank siding, and gutters!  Yay!  It will be so nice to have  windows that actually open.  Now, we can truly enjoy the spring weather!  Our house is all in pieces right now, but it's going to be worth it!  Here's a picture of some of the colors we're choosing from.  None of them are exactly what we're looking for, but some are close.