Two days ago I heard the words: "You have a choice - the washing machine or the dishwasher."

A no-brainer really, especially with teething twins who have teething-styled diapers. My folks never saw this one coming. It's so great to see you! I love you! Hey, how're your plumbing skills?

The builders are ahead of schedule - we didn't anticipate them coming into the house until May, but they're ahead. We shouldn't complain about this, it's better this way, but God the frenzied activity the past few days is staggering. The builders are taking off half of the roof and demolishing half the kitchen and living room, so we've been frantically trying to get things moved and a temporary kitchen set up, which is why I've basically been off-line the past several days. We finally succeeded in moving everything either out to storage or into the front half of the house.

I give you the before pictures, of our house in July 2007:

(What you can't see is the outside of the house, that white color? It's not paint. It's hideous pebble-dash rendering done to hold some of the bricks in place instead of repairing them. And there's no insulation there. Not anywhere.)

Back of house:

And the photos now:

And the back of the house:

And of course the stunning kitchen:

Why yes that is a stroller in our kitchen! And yes - that is a painting table being held up by wooden sawhorses that support our sink! So fashionable, isn't it?

Now if you'll excuse me, we lose half of the entire downstairs in less than 12 hours and I have to go drink heavily pack things up as fast as possible.

-H.

Posted by: Everydaystranger at 01:07 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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1 Wow, you're really moving along! The brick already makes the place look so different. Sounds like everything is going well though. Best of luck getting through the next few hectic and crazy months! Just think how relaxing and easy life will seem afterward

Posted by: geeky at April 23, 2008 01:23 PM (ziVl9)

2 Holy shit. You weren't kidding. It is good that they're ahead of schedule - but wow. Talk about overwhelming. Drinking and packing go hand in hand if you ask me.

Posted by: Lisa at April 23, 2008 01:32 PM (EcHBm)

3 Wow!! things really are moving along quickly...Hope they stay ahead of schedule. Hope you manage to finish packing and enjoy your drink. I think you deserve it!

Posted by: Suzie at April 23, 2008 01:35 PM (weSjv)

4 I have always wanted to live in a brick house, so I am extremly jealous. Not of the mess and stress of renovations mind you, but I will be green with envy once it is finished. And your kitchen? Looks like mine on any given day. I swear to god, I don't know how half the shit that ends up in my house gets there.

Posted by: Teresa at April 23, 2008 02:12 PM (Blfet)

5 That is like Sophie's Choice on the appliances. But starting sooner, they will be done sooner. Your house looks so English. It is making me nostalgic.

Posted by: Jen at April 23, 2008 02:33 PM (FYm8s)

6 As usual, I'm the weird commenter. I'm not jealous of the renovations, or the exposed bricks, or how great it will look when done. I'm more than a bit jealous that your house is actually in the UK, which you know I'd love, but the thing I'm most jealous of? The all in one washer/dryer, which I think is the WORLD'S COOLEST AND GREATEST INVENTION! Someday, when I'm making the money I deserve to be making and can actually have a savings account and buy a house and stuff, I'm totally going to be getting one of those things. Hang in, babe.

Posted by: amy t. at April 23, 2008 02:53 PM (3dOTd)

7 OMG Helen- July of 07 you say? You dont look like you are 3 months from delivering twins. Just how tall are you? Glad that things are ahead of schedule- I laughed at your title, I am sure the cowboy would approve. Good luck with all of this.

Posted by: Christina at April 23, 2008 03:26 PM (J6Yo6)

8 Yikes!! Keep breathing, girl. You will get through this. (As if you have a choice at this point!!) *wink*

Posted by: Lauren at April 23, 2008 03:42 PM (iUfJz)

9 Good grief! I knew you must be swarmed over, but that is a bit more than I expected. Hang in therem I cannot wait for the glorius after photos!

Posted by: sophie at April 23, 2008 04:20 PM (JT8dg)

10 My eye was drawn to the stash of wine!

Posted by: BeachGirl at April 23, 2008 05:45 PM (+JxG2)

11 I am anxiously awaiting the "after after" photos.

Posted by: Margi at April 23, 2008 05:45 PM (d5oKp)

12 The way they've been cooking, I had a feeling they might be ahead of schedule. I'm thinking you may have found...no...I won't say it out loud. Musn't jinx it.

Posted by: ~Easy at April 23, 2008 09:41 PM (XD24A)

13 Hooray for progress! Are there two different bricks on the front?

Posted by: Andria and Co. at April 23, 2008 10:21 PM (Oo4k1)

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