The thrill of a new roof.

 So in May, after much deliberation and cray cray saving, we dove feet first into our roof repair, extension, and our first contractor paying renovation. We were told it would take ten days. A month and a half, no more wood burning fire place, a cars worth of cash, and a stupid amount of rain and hiccups later, we have a covered porch, new soffats, and a no longer leaky roof. Huzzah!
Please enjoy the highlights.

 The first two are before pictures.

 Work begins.

 They stripped the old shingles in 2 hours with 4 guys, it was spectacular.

 

 Initially we were going to keep the wood burner chimney. However as soon as we opened it up we realized it was a totally wacky size and not at all safe. So, we made the quick decision to nix the fireplace and eventually swap it for a gas version that vents out the side of the house.

 And after all the headache, and stress, and fun too, we have a BEAUTIFUL 500 sq ft covered porch that we use constantly. It was exactly what I envisioned when we purchased this house and I could not be happier with it. No more leaky roof. No more beautiful, but rather unusable, frying pan of a deck. And most importantly, a beautiful space for the family to use, and we do, all the time. 

It's wondrous how much better a junky morning is with a cup of coffee on the deck.

A conversation on a Saturday morning.

*open scene* 

Me drinking coffee, leisurely, on the couch reading a historical romance novel about an English Duke and a Colonial merchants daughter, while Mr. T sleeps and all three boys playing together upstairs.

"Mom, did you get the Halloween decorations out yet?" MAT

"No bud, I'll get them out on Tuesday." Me.
 

 "Soooo, that isn't a toy bat on my floor?" MAT

"Get you brothers out and everyone wash hands! It didn't bite anyone, anyone touch it?" Me, said as I race up the stairs. 

"Don't worry mom, I touched it, it's dead." RAT

"Wash hands, right now, HOT water and lots of soap!" Me, as I disposed of the poor brown bat.
  

*end scene*

P.S. It was in fact dead, but didn't look crunched by Morgan or Watermelon, cause of death unknown, also, point of entry unknown. Now I have terrible visions of bats living in the attic cause I don't know where it came from.

So this is my life. It is wonderful, often gross, and never ever dull.

(I will try to post more tidbits like this on the regular. Loads has happened over the last 11 months and I hope to tell the tales to you all and resume regular posts, but it's me, so let's hope for more posts than once a year. And no, no new babies, though I could have made a whole new one in the time I've been gone. Happy Saturday!)