Demo Day 1

When we bought our house we had ideas of tearing down the wall the separated the kitchen and living room. After eating in it with more than just the two of us, we realized that it would be much more enjoyable with the wall removed. So, we began the search for a contractor. On Facebook I stumbled across one of my friend's pages and it said their "location" was Glen Carbon (if you're not familiar with the area, Glen Carbon and Edwardsville are indistinguishable) AND her husband has a contracting/renovation business. Our search was quickly over. We called him up, had him come over and give us an estimate and it was within our budget! So here we are, beginning renovations! Check out Stuehlmeyer Renovations to see all the good stuff they can do!

Before

After Day 1: the wall is (almost) gone! View from the living room. 

After Day 1: The wall is (almost) gone! View from the kitchen. 

I'll do my best to keep you posted on the changes! 

Thirty Thursday's {15}

We're half way through this blog series, this week the topic is: If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Abby: 
I would be a puppy. Almost everyone loves puppies, they're so cute and cuddley  I'd (hopefully) be adopted, loved and treated as well as we treat Moose. 

Alex: 
I would be a sea turtle. Because, in finding Nemo they were really cool. I don't know the food chain well enough to know what eats a sea turtle, but they don't seem too appealing or tasty to me. 

Installation Station

I am not high maintenance, but I'm not low maintenance either. Our new bathroom is not palatial but it suits our needs. However, our 18 inch wide, no drawer, one door, blah bathroom vanity was not doing it for me...there was an inch on each side of the sink basin for "counter space." So, an upgrade was on my mind.
As Alex and I strolled the isles of Home Depot I spotted a vanity that wasn't out of our budget, it would fit the space and it had drawers- not one drawer, but three! Alex, being the fantastic man that he is, said we should get it and install it while his parents were visiting. So, without hesitation, we bought it and hauled it home.
After a few hours of removing, assembling, plumbing and 2 trips back to the Depot, we have a gorgeous new vanity. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for Alex's brother, dad and mom's hard work. Thank you Greg, Eric and Sue (and Alex too)!!

Our new vanity! I didn't take a good picture of the old one, so you'll have to take my word for it...

Sunday was a busy day, not only do we have a new vanity but, we also have a new microwave!! It too was a family event! It was an early Christmas present from my mom and dad and Alex, his grandpa, brother and dad installed it for us! There was only one trip back to the store for it's installation. :) Home Depot is going to know us by name. Four trips in one day...good thing it's close by!

We've Moved!!

Alex and I are now homeowners!! We've purchased a 1946 ranch-elow. It's a cross between a ranch and a bungalow. It's cute, charming and we love it! It needs a few updates and changes, but nothing that we're not excited to tackle! We moved on Friday and my parents came to help us. They did so much and we really appreciate them working so hard. Becky also came down to surprise us with Ethan and Nora! They were a lot of help and good entertainment. Ethan helped remove the movers plastic wrap from the furniture and even carried a box or two! Moose loves his new yard and slowly getting to know his way around the house. He's been pretty nervous because of the changes but he's starting to settle out and be the same little Moose he's always been. I'm working on change of address/Christmas cards, so hopefully you'll know our new address soon!