Time to Paint

About two weeks ago Dustin asked "What are we doing next weekend?" After answering that we were free Sunday, I immediately felt a cringe when he responded with "Good, you can help me paint."

I have mixed feelings about painting. On one hand, it's exciting to reach the point of painting in a flip because it means you're on the other side of the hypothetical "flip hump." It's when you begin to see the project that you have been visualizing materialize into a tangible result. However, on the other hand, I think of painting and my shoulders hurt, my elbows hurt, my neck hurts, my back hurts, and I anticipate paint staying in my hair no matter how many times I wash it.

Last Sunday, we began priming. Fortunately we have a massive roller to help get the job done.

We spent most of the day painting; we got the house primed and we also painted all the ceilings. I feel like I got off easy as Dustin has since been spending his week nights painting the house color. (Pictures to come). Here's what the house looked like last week.

Here is a before and after of the downstairs drywalled (before painting).

This is another view of the downstairs from the kitchen.

This is the front bedroom. The doorway was moved and the closet was added.

This is one of the biggest changes. The wasted space is now a huge bathroom! This was shown in a previous post when it was framed, but the drywall certainly solidifies the floor plan.

The back bedroom hasn't gone through any substantial changes. It has a new closet (not seen in this picture) and is getting a face lift with patching and fresh paint.

The 3rd floor is turning into a functional and appealing space with walls and paint.

Aside from paint, here are some other improvements.

Remember the whole in the cement in the basement? Now there's a toilet.

The two pictures above are the front porch. Certainly, this isn't an improvement.... yet. The improvement is well on its way.

Currently, the second and third floors are painted, the tiling will be going into the bathroom this week, the stairs and second and third floors are going to be carpeted on Wednesday. After that, the first floor will get the final coat the paint, the kitchen will be assembled and flooring will go in. After this, we'll be on the home stretch! Stay tuned....

Meet Riley

You've met Grayson. You've seen how silly Grayson is. Now, let's meet Riley.

As I looked through my pictures of "Where's Grayson," I was unable to ignore the overwhelming amount of pictures I have taken over the years of Riley. A vast majority are of him sleeping. Why would I take so many pictures of a sleeping dog? Let's take a look...

Yes, he put the bear there himself.

Yes, he positioned the pillow himself.

Found this in the middle of the night.



No, he's not allowed on this chair.



No, he's not allowed on the bed in the middle of our pillows.

Yes, he positioned the toy and pillow himself.

"Uh oh, Mommy caught me."

Quick, where's his head?

Riley's version of downward dog.

My poor pillows!

Clearly pictures speak a thousand words. Need I say more?



Other pictures I found were of Riley and Grayson together. Dustin and I are regularly asked "do they get along?" Well...

They were promptly kicked off the bed after this picture was taken!



Grayson believes that these dishes and the dog food are his. He needs gentle "reminders" that he's a cat.

The answer is yes, they get along.

However, they also "play" like brothers.

And, what Riley post would be complete without pictures of his naps with Daddy?

I don't believe Dustin stretching his back was an invitation, but the kids took it as one anyway.

So, there you have it. These pictures depict our sweet puppy in a nutshell. Although, don't let them fool you; he's a very high strung, clumsy dog. Just another reason we love him!