First two weeks

Since Closing Day two weeks ago we have spent many, many hours in Maynard since then. Our days have been "go to work, to go work at the house, come home and collapse" which is why there hasn't been any updates here or many even on Facebook! I'd like to say I'll do better over the next few weeks but... well, we'll see. 

We've had a lot of support which has made what could be daunting work quite fun. We really appreciate all of the friends and family who have stopped in and got their hands dirty. So here is a glimpse into the progress we've had.

 Week 1: Demo

The first order of business was removing the carpets. The immediate progress was a great way to jump start all of the work that we have ahead of us.

Surprise! There was hardwood under the downstairs carpet. The  ugly piece is left over from where a closet used to be when this was a one floor house and this was used as a bedroom. Luckily the hardwood that Scott pulled out of his kitchen matches perfectly and we'll be able to patch it.

Upon inspection, the upstairs tub had to go. Dad started the demo, Mat and Justin tossed it off the balcony into the backyard, and Maynard came around to take it all down to the studs.

Mat & Justin did a number on the downstairs bathroom, reducing it to nothing but studs.
(insert your own stud joke  here)

This bathroom may remain in this state for a number of months but at least it is gone!

The cast iron tub didn't last on the curb long before the scavengers came around.

Scott, looking to demo something, went after the Octopus room. Despite many guesses about what a white tiled, insulated room with florescent lights might be used for, I'm going with Scott's explanation: a room for the plumbing, etc for a large fish tank and possibly breeding tanks.

 Week 2: Painting & Cleaning

At the Painting Party this past weekend Lara and Mila got rid of the red room. It seems so much larger now! 

In each of the bedrooms we tore up carpet, peroxide washed the subfloors, and painted it with Kilz in an effort to get the smell out and prep for carpets. This is Justin in the master room. Is it the great progress or the Narraganset that is making him smile? 

Dying to help paint, I outfitted Anna and Luke in old C-21 shirts and let them at the subfloor in the future playroom.

We'll always know that Anna and Lucas have their names written on the subfloor beneath the carpet. Decades from now someone will tear up the carpet and wonder who they are.

The basement has been made into a safe play space for the kiddos which has helped a lot! Last week Sue Maurice  helped wrangle 9 kids down here while their folks lent a hand upstairs.

We managed to fill a 15yd dumpster without any trouble. And Justin and Mat found out that the driveway went all the way to the fence once the debris was shoveled off.

Next: Pool removal, install of the new bathtub, patch hardwood floors, and continue painting.