Happy New Year!

I hope that 2010 is off to a good start for everyone. I haven't posted anything lately, but I have been doing a lot of work.

I took the week after Thanksgiving off and I worked on the wallpaper in the front hall and the living room. (I hate wallpaper.) I am not completely done, but I have made a lot of progress. I also started on the dining room. (While waiting for the steamer to heat up.) I keep pecking away at it. One of these days it will be all done.

I have also had someone come back to work on the front porch and back porch. I did find something today that I thought was pretty amazing. As I was looking at the bead board on the back porch I noticed this:

It says "Ma Settle" That is my great Grandmother. I think that it so cool that it has lasted all these years. I called my mother to let her know and she thought it was cool as well.

I will share some other photos later.

ttyl

-A

Front Steps After

Here are my front steps after. This is such a great improvement.

However, while have the front steps replaced I uncovered more work that needs to be done on the porch. I guess that is all part of working on an old house.

I think I may try a paint removal product this week. I'll let you know how that goes.

-A

Front Steps Before

Here is a before picture of my front steps. They had seen many many years of use and where just falling apart. To me they were beginning to become a safety issue and I wanted to fix them before anyone got hurt. (that someone would probably be me) I will take a picture of the new steps tomorrow, once the caution tape is removed.

-A
PS
I think I inspired the guy across the street to fix his steps. I don't even think that he could use his.

Paint Removal Question

Has anyone had any luck with any paint stripping products?

The woodwork in this house is beautiful, but there are many coats of paint. I would like to salvage it if I can. Some of it does have lead paint.

-A

I am clueless...

When I came home from work today I only noticed that my pile of branches was missing. I thought the neighbor took them, which is what I was hoping for. Then I noticed that my front steps were a little more done. I was home for 45 minutes before I noticed that the big pine tree in my front yard was removed. Now that the tree is gone the yard looks 100% better. The big bonus is that I can actually park at the top of my driveway and I don't have to worry about the pine sap. The tree guy also took down some branches on the other side of the house. That makes a big difference too. I wish he could have taken the trees down, but sadly they belong to my neighbor.

It is a small step, but it goes a long way to making this house feel like my own.

-A