Monday Memories...doesn't even look like the same house

This photo is from Christmas 2004. Just over 4 years ago. And it was taken in my house--not that you'd know it if you came over today!

My husband loves projects. He almost always has a 'project car' he is working on, as well as some home-remodeling project going.

In this photo, alone, there are many examples of his remodeling/projects. I could tell you, but it is easier to just take a photo...


of how this same exact corner looks today!The molding on the door on the left in the photo is the only thing that has not changed. The wood stove and brickwork was beautiful, but in early 2005, Gabby was walking along the bricks, slipped and fell right onto the wood stove. Fortunately, she reached out to catch herself, so the burns were only on her hands--but they were severe enough that Daddy immediately tore out the stove!

Well, since he was going to have to match tile on the floor for where the bricks had been, and was going to have wall to fill in--he decided to do downstairs in all hardwood and add a window.

and that's just one corner! currently he is splitting our bonus room upstairs into two rooms: a bedroom for Evie, and a small office for himself. I'll post pics of that another day.

(yay! for Monday Memories...gives me another day before having to post more on my progress...er...not so much progress...on my mess clean-up)

The Mess Evolves...

Almost everything is now out of the room, and the holes are spackled. (there were so many holes in this room--we had installed MANY shelves and railing--as well as an elevated play castle--in the room at one time) Now that it is all patched, I am going to go get some paint!

I got rid of a trashbag full of stuff from here! yay! and I now know what all is on the shelves--still more to get rid of...and I haven't begun digging below, but it sure feels good to have started.

Any of you considering posting your own messes yet?! It is really motivational knowing that you all are checking in on my progress!

My House Mess

Upon reading this post by Beckie at Infarrantly Creative this afternoon, I wondered if posting pictures of my own messes would inspire me to get them organized/cleaned/finished. Upon receiving an email from her later this afternoon, I decided to actually do it! (thank you, by the way, for that--just the kick in the pants I needed!)

The first mess...and the one that actually bugs me the most. My scrapbooking supplies. or at least some of them.

The cabinets below are hiding a multitude of sins as well.

The rest of my scrapbooking stuff is hidden here. in the garage. a ridiculous amount of stuff for someone who doesn't even really scrapbook anymore, eh? (I say REALLY because, of course, I still plan to someday finish certain albums and projects...someday...)

My goal is to seriously reduce the amount of stuff first, and then organize the small amount of stuff that is then left.

The next mess...the middle kids' former bedroom, now semi-playroom/guest room (cozy looking bed, eh? want to come stay?)...and *sigh* I DO actually have a guest arriving next week--sorry, dad, if you are reading this...hopefully it will look better by then!

My goal for this room is to paint it a color that is less 'welcome to Toontown' --add some shelving for toy storage (the costumes are going in the bedrooms upstairs) and, to either get a mattress for the bed frame I have, or (preferrably) to find a futon that will fit in the other playroom--which would free up space in here for my treadmill.

so there you have it. my messes. ack! I'm going out on a limb here and saying that I will post pictures by tomorrow evening of each of these locations again (even if they haven't changed) to update you on my progress--I am feeling inspired!!!