Something's Afoot.

A lot of things are, actually. I love being crazy busy. I don't love being crazy, though. Just busy. My new M.O. is Too Many Projects.

Project 1: Finish a basement bedroom for Preslie

Framing. The whole basement was already framed. Then I had a brilliant idea to put in another closet in the bedroom (2 closets?! great on so many levels) Then I had another brilliant idea to rip out the 1st closet and move it opposite the 2nd closet on the other side of the window. Then when my patient, loving, wonderful Father-in-law and wonderful, loving and patient husband were loading up their tools, I told them to frame in a window seat between the two closets. They didn't think it was so brilliant at the time, but I just knew it was the right thing to do. And I'm SO glad I asked them to do it! They did a great job with no complaining and only called me crazy ONE time. I deserved way more.


double closets with window seat in the middle!

This is after drywall. Same closets/window. My anxiety and guilt about asking the guys to do extra work is paying off! 

Same bedroom, different window-


Same window, now with drywall, trim, and primer-

This shot shows trim, baseboards, lighting, shelves in closets, paint, and floor.

 Doors added!

 The floor deserves its own chapter. I STRUGGLED with what flooring to do. I really wanted wood or pergo. Then I changed my mind and decided to do a stained concrete floor (awesome btw- google it). To stain the concrete, I had to strip all the paint overspray off. I scrubbed and scraped for days. I was exhausted and my husband was tired of my "brilliant" ideas. THEN I stumbled across a decorating blog and the gal had painted the concrete floor in her daughter's bedroom. I knew that was the answer to my unspoken prayers. I patched the couple of holes that were in the concrete from when I had the boys rip out the first closet. Then I cleaned the floor really well and then painted it with special floor paint. I then painted a seal overtop that gave it a shine and durability. That was the most painless and easy part about it-actually DOing it. The thought process and decision making and the SCRAPING were torture!

 Here is a before/after looking from the family room into the hallway to Preslie's room. You can see through the doorways the window seat in the distance!

before drywall

after drywall

My genius husband did all the finish plumbing for the shower and all the finish electric work (wired all the plugs and switches). He also installed more lighting in Preslie's bedroom. It was a lot work; he has no training in this field but he did it and saved us a TON of money. While this was all going on, we began finishing our backyard and had the sprinkling system put in. Then I decided mid-projects to go to Hawaii! I totally AM crazy. I admit and embrace that fact.

Another project to add to the pile: refinish Preslie's furniture. Here it is in all it's gaggy glory. Cream and gold! We decided to paint them bright white. We changed the handles also. SO much better.

Here's a tiny peak of Preslie's room that has been in the works and still not done! But at least she got to move in; and oh was she excited! She's not had a real bedroom since November 2012. Her stuff has been strewn all over the basement (see above pic) since we drywalled in February. She's been sleeping in the office or on the basement floor or in an unfinished bedroom with no door for 7 months. I sneaked in while she was sleeping tonight to get this pic so it's not great but it gives an idea of the vibe.

 It is coming along and looking so fun. I still have some way cool stuff I'm going to do. Finish the window seat is on the list!