Sunday, November 30, 2008

Deconstructing and Reconstructing


While many of you are putting up your Christmas trees and holiday decorations, we are instead tearing our basement up! Remember last May when we had torrential downpours, tornadoes, simply terrible weather here in the Midwest and the resulting flood in our basement? Yes, it is a distant unhappy memory for me too. But finally, tomorrow we are having drain tile and a sump pump installed. So, we (and by we I mean Mr. Tennis, Connor and me) are cutting 2' feet of drywall, insulation and whatever else is there around the whole front and one side wall of the basement. It's a much larger job than imagined! I'm assisting by carting drywall pieces to the trash, sweeping the floor, pulling up carpet -- the easier jobs! Yes, there goes the rest of the carpet that had not been destroyed by the flooding. OY!! Cboo had no idea what he was getting himself into when he volunteered to assist. Maddy and I moved toys and other items to the dining room -- my neat, uncluttered dining room is no more. After the drain tile and sump pump are put in, we need to have someone come in and re-insulate and drywall. The project just gets bigger and bigger as we will also need to have tile installed on the floor -- no more carpet -- not gonna do that again! Fun times people, fun times indeed! :)


16 comments:

Missy said...

Poor Boo's : ( I'm sorry you guys are having to endure all of the deconstructing and then reconstructing. However, I know you will love the finished product!

Good times, for sure!

Lisa said...

Poor Boos! But it will be beautiful when it is done. Hang in there.

fleur de lis cottage said...

It's not fun while you're doing all the hard work but it will be so nice when it's done. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Kate said...

Well...while I hate the in between stages...it feels so darn good to get one of those projects done...just keep your eyeon the prize...and disengage fromt he clutter for the time being!!! I am anxious to knock a few walls down or something after Christmas...ready to get moving on some of our planned projects....tomorrow marks one year since we signed on our house...and gosh...we don't have much to show for our year in terms of improvements...you have inspired me!! (And Jim will be thrilled I feel certain!! :-))

Good luck!

Kate

Jodee said...

Jan -- You poor thing! You may be ready to go back to work after this home improvement project! I can't wait to see what tile you pick out!

Bridget said...

It doen't sound too festive - but sometimes things just have to get done. We are in the middle of a big re-model project right now and I am so ready for it to be over. Unfortunatly it won't be for a while. The bad thing is I was not a good planner and moved lots of things from storage in front of all of my Christmas decorations - I have a lot of rearranging to do this week if I want my tree up:) Oh well there are worse things. Hope you had a great weekend!!!

- Bridget

Christy said...

Holy cow!!! That is a production!! I cant imagine all that work but good thing you are able to do it yourselves and not have to pay a contractor-- save tons of money!!

Cant wait to see the finished product!

Christy :)

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

What a project!! I am sure it will be worth all the blood, sweat, and tears when it is done!!

I remember that post....that was right after I started coming to your blog....just think, you won't ever have to deal with that mess again!!

I am sure it will be absolutely beautiful when you are done...can't wait to see the end result!!

Nancy Nurse said...

We flooded last year, too! Had to rip out all of the carpeting which then had tile under it which had lifted and had to come out, too! Ken said the next time it flood he is going to get in the car and keep driving .... never to be seen again! It was a nightmare. Our basement is 1/2 above ground and one of the boy's rooms is down there as well as the family room and the laundry room (where the flood started from a malfunctioning sump pump). I will keep you in prayer - it is a big project.

Jennifer said...

Sounds like a huge project. It will be great to have it done.

Keep us posted on progress.

Jen

Erin said...

Oh my... I feel completely worn out just reading this. Keep thinking about the beautiful new room that awaits you! It is back-breaking to riip stuff out. We've done it several times (most notably a concrete shower pan that was never tiled--- I changed my mind about the size just AFTER the concrete was poured. My husband was less than enthusiastic!)

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Oh wow, you guys are brave! I am sure it will be just awesome when it is all finished though! :)
Carrie

Shell in your Pocket said...

Oh...it is so hard being in the middle of construction..just keeping thinking of the finished product..well worth it all..even the dust!
-sandy toes

Doug and Terrye said...

My heart goes out to you! WE just went through redoing our house after the dishwasher leaked! Barely made it in time for Thanksgiving :)

Terrye in FL

Lisa said...

Wow! You guys are working hard! I can't wait to see the final results! Great job so far!

Heather said...

I would love to say, "Looks like fun." But, I am married to a contractor - not so much! Hoping hte project finishes beautifully, quickly and in time for the holiday festivities. Thanks for keeping us up to date - cannot wait to see the afters:)

Have a great week.

Hugs,
Heather