Before / After

One month past move in weekend we are really starting to feel at home! We have fallen head over heels in love with Maynard and the neighborhood. And although we still have much work to do (and will have for decades to come!), I wanted to share some before and after pics to memorialize some of the work that we've done to date. We certainly couldn't have done it without all the support, heavy lifting, and skills provided by all of our family and friends. Much love to everyone!

Only Mother Nature can take credit for this metamorphosis but it sure is spectacular!

November 2011

May 2012 - Check out that Dogwood!

The back yard is the most dramatic change visually and one of the best decisions we've made to date. 

With the broken down extra large pool there was no safe place for the kids to play.
And the fence kept out the world.

Now it is a welcoming, safe place for everyone - including bunnies, ducklings, squirrels, and more!
And they've stayed out of our gardens so far.

The bedrooms upstairs were nearly inhabitable when we closed on the house (I only say "nearly" instead of "totally" because there had been people living there recently.) We tore up carpet, deodorized the floor, kilz-ed everything possible, painted, and scrubbed every surface repeatedly!

The kids have two rooms - one for sleeping and one for playing. As they get older they'll each get their own space. But for now, a play space is fun for all. 

The kitchen doesn't look too bad in this picture but what you don't see is the moldy fridge that is missing drawers and shelves, the smashed glass stove top, the light fixtures that don't work, and the microwave that doesn't cook or vent.

With hand-me-down appliances from generous co-workers, a new counter and place for a dishwasher, and part of the cabinetry removed, it is now workable for the next few years until we decide to undertake a renovation project of larger caliber. 

The half bath upstairs was supposed to be the "easy win". But... it was much more work than we had anticipated. The extra primer, the torn up floor, the priming of the floor, and it goes on. Boy was I delighted when that project was done!

Stay tuned. The journey has just begun on Third Street!