When we invited Gage and Sarah to live with us temporarily, we were expecting them to be neat, non-trouble-making, exemplary housemates.
Unfortunately, it has not turned out that way.
They have just been going around the house, ripping things up, and making enormous messes. Sigh. Whatever shall we do with them?
Fortunately, when they aren’t engaging in mess-making, they do the dishes so I guess we’ll keep them around a little longer.
The disaster zone is not limited to the bathroom. Our living room has also been in an uproar recently while Steve has been painting. Yes, that is a paintbrush in his mouth.
In addition to painting, he also removed the chandelier that has been in the dining room since 1965. It was actually a little bit sad to see it go, picturing the thousands of family meals it has lit up through the decades. A chandelier going on to its reward.
(By the way, the ladder belonged to his dad and is fifty years old.)
Steve replaced the old light with a new one accompanied by his wife, aka Official Chandelier-Replacing Assistant. I never cease to be amazed that Steve knows how to do all this stuff.
After the painting was done (well, the wall to the right isn’t done yet), and the chandelier and curtains were hung, it was time to put a few leaves in the table for a pending birthday party. Both of Steve’s brothers and Dana’s girlfriend, Angie, have birthdays in December. We invited Angie’s sister, Amy, and also Joan, who was Vernie’s best friend and is an honorary member of the Smith clan.
It was nice hosting a dinner party again–doing something familiar in an unfamiliar and unsettling season.
On the morning of the dinner, the living room looked like this.
At 4:30 p.m., it looked like this.
We were especially excited about this gathering because it was the first time the family members would see the renovations. When Jeff came in, he immediately turned around and left, joking on the way out, “Sorry. I think I’ve come to the wrong house.” (He did come back in.)
Joan’s take on the renovation was, “I think Ken and Vernie would be so pleased with all the changes you made. It is really lovely.”
It’s such a joy to take a house filled with old memories and spruce it up–honoring the past, embracing the future, and picturing Ken and Vernie smiling as their family continues to gather together in the spaces they created.
What about you?
What’s going in your week? Something you’re excited about?
Something you’re anxious about?
Regular ol’ stuff?
It’s taken some work for y’all to get the house updated – and they would be so happy (on all accounts that you mentioned). We did the same thing with our parents’ house – only we didn’t move in to use the newly renovated home…. love this!!!
Beth,
Yes, this house updating may last another couple of decades but we’re making progress. 🙂
I know you have a good idea of what it’s like to sort through memories and move a house into the future. Not always an easy task but a very precious responsibility.
Really love how you have updated the house!
Karen,
Thanks. Since you’ve seen it in its original state, you can REALLY appreciate it!
Dear Becky, while I can understand the shock and dismay of seeing the mess that your young house guests have created, I encourage you to consider the beautiful results that they have achieved. I am guessing that they have learned a lot from you and Steve about properly preparing the house for renovation. The accomplishments that your family has accomplished in your “new house” in such a short time are wonderful! We hope that your Christmas holidays are merry and bright.
Fred and Lucy,
Thanks for your encouragement. A very merry Christmas to the two of you!
Wow! You got a lot done the day of the party. Everything is looking great. How nice that Sarah and Gage are able to stay with you temporarily as well as lend a hand in the renovations.
My week consists of getting the house decorated for Christmas. I decided to get a smaller tree this year. It’s only 4 1/2 feet tall so I don’t have to get on a step stool to decorate it. The tree is up and a few decorations are out. I still have other decorations I want to put out.
I also want to get groceries bought for a couple candies I plan to make. I’m going to make peanut clusters to take to the staff at the nursing home where my parents are so I wanted to get everything bought this week so I can work on it next week. I also promised my nephew that I would make Reindeer Crack so wanted to get everything bought for it so I can make it the week of Christmas.
Phyllis,
So sweet of you to take a treat to the staff of the nursing home. They work so hard all year; I know they will be thankful to be remembered.
Happy baking/cooking!
Wow! The house renovations look beautiful and so much like YOU! It’s fun to see the transformations and I’m so thankful you have such good helpers!! What a blessing for ALL of you to be able to share this time together.
Just status quo for me this week.
Suzanne,
Glad you’re liking the changes to the house; it’s been quite the adventure to work on it.
Hope your status quo week was a good one!
The changes are looking wonderful!! I’ve felt a little “off” the past week or so, but just trying to get through two more weeks of school before Christmas break. I did get started on the tree last night, so that’s progress. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Sue Ellen,
Just ONE more week till Christmas break. Keep holding on!
Yes, it looks like those two young folks are definitely keepers – at least for a while. Such hard workers. In the before and after picture I was fast forwarding it in my mind, hearing the running of feet and the moving of items. Love the end result!
Sharyn,
Yes, there was plenty of running and moving going on in the space of those few hours of prep. So nice to have the living room mostly set in place. Now to get some pictures up.
All of your renovations look so wonderful! You’re so lucky to have Gage and Sarah helping with that wallpaper. That is one nasty job pulling that stuff off! I speak from lots of experience! 😉
Our plans for this week are to replace the old steps going to the basement (they used to be carpeted) with new ones that I have stained and sealed and are ready to go. It’s going to be beautiful! Then we leave on Saturday to go to Denver with some friends for the Kansas City / Denver Bronco football game on Sunday. Should be lots of fun and I will get to see my dad and brother as well. Bonus!!
Lee Ann, as a transplanted Kansas Citian now living in NC, GO CHIEFS!!! I’m very disappointed NBC chose to switch the televised game from the Chiefs/Broncos to the Chargers/Dolphins…..have a great time.
What great helpers you have to make the space your own. I love how Steve is using his “3rd hand” to hold the paintbrush. Can’t wait to see all the end results, but the progress is looking good.
My week holds my last craft show this year-until Spring. Happy to be done and can do some new projects this winter. We also have my husbands step-kids Christmas party to attend. Will get to see a bunch of grands and our great grand, so that is extra exciting. I was able to get some snuggles from him last Sat as I attended a shower for great grand #2. Fun times.
It looks wonderful, as if the furniture has been there for years! I am sure making this your home brings some sad moments, but the happiness outweighs the sad.
My Mom recently moved to the same city where my sister and her family live, she told me recently that she doesn’t miss the family’s home she lived in for 65 years. She recently got a kitten she is enjoying immensely.
All your time, talents and efforts have certainly paid off. The final picture is lovely. Great chandelier. Ken and Vernie would be very pleased with the results.
Yvonne,
That means a lot to hear words of affirmation from Vernie’s dear sister. Thank you for your encouragement. (And the Trader Joe’s salad was a hit!) 🙂
Kudos to all you handy, creative, mess making/ mess unmaking people!
I love how open and bright everything looks. Just beautiful.
So nice you could host such a special gathering in your new/old beloved space. Great reviews from your guests on all you’ve done so far! 🙂
So proud of all of you–so much has been accomplished!
Love, Deb
Deb,
I liked your “mess making mess unmaking people” phrase. That sums up perfectly what we’ve been doing around here!
Yes, it was a special gathering for sure, the confirmation that Smith gatherings will continue even after Ken and Vernie’s passing. They were such a strong glue to our family; we miss them! And miss my own parents who were glue-y, as well. Grateful for good parents.
Looks so nice! So good to get it done and enjoy the room!
Ruth
Ruth,
Oh, I am truly enjoying the room. After so many weeks of chaos, the peacefulness is unspeakable.
You’re doing such a beautiful job! You have an amazing eye for beatty in multiple areas of life.
Jenna,
You are so sweet to give such a beautiful compliment. Thank you, friend.