Mission Complete??

Is home improvement ever complete? I'm starting to think N-O.

In spite of that, Mission Home Improvement was pretty successful. As I mentioned on Friday, the water heater was put in Thursday night. After my family got in, took some measurements, planned things out a bit, and unpacked tools, we got to work. My dad and I left (I think it was close to 8 pm) to get the water heater, but since I hadn't been able to price out heaters ahead of time, we stopped a 3 different stores! Thankfully they were in close proximity to one another. We ended up going back to the first store for the heater, since they had the best price. Go figure. I knew my mom and brother would be making some preparations while we were out, but I wasn't expecting this when I got home:

My mom and brother managed to get the door-shaped hole cut, plus some, drained the water heater, and dug out some old carpet and crap that was in the tiny space behind everything (left by the previous owner). Whoa. 

 

{Note: the above picture is terrible and wobbly and I'm mildly embarrassed to have it on here, but it does illustrate the full extent of the wall carnage. Oh, for those of you who haven't been IN my basement, I have low ceilings, the door isn't really 8 feet tall.}

Soon after we came home, Dad and my brother got the old heater moved and the new heater installed and running. I ended up moving paint and shelves and pulling out soggy carpet and helping where I could, which included ordering a pizza for a late night snack (actually my dinner). :)

Friday morning I helped make some lists before I left for work. Apparently my crew had another productive day without me! They got the door to the "green room" rehung, 

my bedroom door removed - sorry, no pic...like I'm going to show you my not-so-tidy bedroom!! They also dug out the door in the garage rafters so I can start sanding it.

They got the lattice put on the deck, though apparently my silly Lilly managed to squeeze under the small hole left under the deck steps...so a couple pieces were added later.

But this was the scene when I pulled in the driveway on Friday after work...

my mom and brother hacking away at the gianormous lilac bush/tree/monstrosity. It had been damaged in the blizzard this winter and has never been the same since and I was worried a overhanging branch would fall on my neighbor's car in a storm, so it needed to be yanked out. 

This was what was left when my brother's saw battery died. Poor Mama Bird flew over and sat on one of the remaining branches and seemed confused. Aww. Although I don't have a picture, trust that there's now nothing left but a freakish stump.I'm sure Mama Bird is really confused now. 

No picture, but my brother put some caulk on the outside of the patio door, which will hopefully take care of the leak.  Also, the easily accessible cold water pipes in the basement were insulated! No more drips!

Aside from all of these projects, some other things came up that needed attention...

*my front porch light went out at the most inopportune time (i.e., right after ordering pizza) and is quite tricky, so my brother also took care of that, 

*my AC had a clogged hose somewhere, which also contributed to the watery mess in the basement {still don't understand all that, but it seems better now, so I'm OK with that}. My dad and brother removed the rubber hose and replaced it with PVC pipe, which won't kink and will hopefully not clog,

*the old-school metal weather strip that was on my balcony door was removed and the door planed so it closes (and opens) more easily,

*air vents were cleaned, filters replaced, 

*sewer cover...or plug...or whatever it's called, was a rusty, gross mess and fell off when we were pulling carpet off the basement floor. Now replaced!

Whew. What a busy weekend. My crew worked really hard and I am very grateful for their help and expertise. Much to my brother's chagrin, we {Mom & I} were already planning more projects. I feel like I drove around a lot, spent a lot of money, and helped where I could, but my crew did the tough stuff while I was gone, it seemed! Thanks again, y'all!