Demolition Day (no more foolin' around)

Everything is pretty much ready to go, the day we have been anticipating is almost here. The dumpsters are in place, portable toilet is on site (a very important detail), the house is empty, electricity is off and the family home is set to begin demolition at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.  We have worked very hard to get to this day.  The boys (especially the older ones) are tired, excited and maybe a bit nervous as they lay their heads down for the night.  We pray for safety and guidance as we enter the next phase.

Sharing a Bathroom with Boys

We recently did some room rearranging getting my parents into our rental with us.  This is a great place!  It has four bedrooms, including a master bedroom.  We gave our master bedroom to our parents and moved in to the largest of the other three rooms.  It fits us great!  Only one real downside....I have to share a bathroom with all the boys.  I realized recently that I have never shared a bathroom with my kids on a regular basis.  I wouldn't see it for days at a time and then I would be horrified when company would come over and want to use it.  I am trying to look at the bright side of this arrangement and think "what a great opportunity to teach my boys better bathroom cleanliness"!

In the meantime.....I really don't want to risk the chance of them using my towels or washcloths.  Am I selfish, or just sane?  I don't know....but here is my solution:

There is something about pink that frightens my boys.  To the point that they don't really want to touch it. This works to my advantage!  I went out and purchased some bright pink towels that they are sure to not defile.

An EPA Regulation that Probably Makes Sense but Doesn't Come Free

Following is a summary of State and Federal regulations regarding  asbestos ;  General contractors (including the owner) ….are responsible for any sub-contractor who disturbs asbestos-containing materials……..  Prior to demolition or renovation ……. the building material likely to be disturbed must be sampled in accordance with EPA guidance documents to determine whether the material contains asbestos………

This process requires that you have a licensed inspector inspect the structure and take samples of material that might contain more than 1% asbestos.  Things like insulation, roofing, mastics, glue, caulking and linoleum. The inspector takes 20 to 30 core samples and sends them to the lab for analysis (for a “modest” fee).

Well, our inspection came back “positive” in the area between the vinyl and the sub-floor in the kitchen and utility room.

On Monday March 24^th the contractor sealed off these rooms, set up vacuum pumps and removed the materials containing asbestos (for a "modest" fee).  We hope to receive an “ASBESTOS FREE” certification soon which will allow us to discard our demolition materials at the local landfill.

The Great Coffee Debate

The Thompsons and the Lattins LOVE coffee!  And we are all extremely opinionated about it (of course we know who has the right opinion, but that is for another blog).  Grandma and Grandpa Lattin like their tea, I mean coffee, extremely weak.  Kinda looks like dirty water.

Mr. Thompson likes his a little stronger (but still kinda wimpy).

Well, I like my coffee stout.  Why waste time drinking extra cups when you can get more caffeine in one cup rather than 4?

You shouldn't be able to see through coffee!

Our solution?

Not a huge supporter of Starbucks, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do!

No Turning Back (Demolition Phase 1)

It's been a busy week preparing for demolition day on the old homestead!  We moved our parents in to our rental early in the week.  Can I just say....I love living with my mom again?  The house even smells better with one more woman living here!  She helps with laundry, cooking, dishes and is always ready for a boy in need of a band-aid or a cough drop or a hug.  The boys are ecstatic to wake up every morning to their grandparents (ok, Grandpa.  Grandma sleeps a little later than everyone else, but that's ok, we can't all be early risers).

On Friday my dad and a few of his spry young buddies helped him removed the kitchen cabinets so we could have a sale on Saturday.  It was a crazy, busy and tiring day.  But we are another step closer to the reality of a new home, fit for all of us.  

Saturday was a bit emotional for me.  A lot has been going on this week.  A lot of significant changes in my life and anticipation for what the future holds.  It was bitter sweet seeing the house all torn up on the inside.  My brother and sister were also there to help which was a huge blessing!  I have to say I am feeling very blessed to have such a supportive family who is willing to pitch in and help us with this process.  We share a lot of memories in this old house.  Pulling up part of the floor reminded me of flooring I hadn't seen in 30 years or so.  We had a good childhood.  No, not perfect, but very good!  

A view of what used to be the kitchen

My sister's room (old wood floor that could not be reclaimed)

Building Permit!

Friday was a big day!  We received our much anticipated building permit from the City of West Richland.  Which was good timing since demolition is set to begin next week!

Demolishing to Rebuild

A lot of people have been asking me how it is going to feel to tear down my childhood home. The answer is, I am not sure yet. This home has many memories for me. I was essentially born in this house. This is the home that I was given physical life and also spiritual life. My most significant memory in this home was receiving Christ as my Savior at a very young age. I crawled underneath my mom's sewing machine cabinet, acknowledged myself as a sinner and asked Christ into my life. I took many detours along the way, but He made good on His promise to keep me and to bring me back to Him. What better memory could there be?

I love this old house, but tearing it down means rebuilding it so we can continue to grow as a family. If we left it in tact, we would eventually sell it to a stranger who couldn't possibly love it like we do (we being my parents, brother, sister-in-law, sister, husband, kids and 5 nephews). Rebuilding this home, where my parents and my family can live means so many things. It means:

• Securing my parents future. In the event that they need our help, we will be right there to assist them. If there is an illness or a surgery, we can all pitch in doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping, and just being close for emotional and physical support.. 
• Teaching our boys the value of work.  This project alone has already taught them about work and how we all need to pitch in together to make this happen.  They aren't always happy about it, but in the end it is essential for them to grow in to men that can work with their hands.  And yes, to sweat.
• Securing my boys' future. We will have extra space for our boys in the event that they move and want to come back and visit, or if they need a place to live as they start out into adulthood.
• Being able to grow some of our own food.  We are getting a couple of steers this month and also plan to grow a nice sized garden.  I am spoiled with home grown beef.  Nothing tastes better in my opinion!
• A place for family gatherings. My hope is that Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays and other special events will be at our house. Mom and I work well together and I love to host events at my house. My brother, sister and their families live within 1 mile of this house and I look forward to getting to spend the holidays with them as well and my husbands family.

This week we are moving my parents in to our rental.  The boys are especially excited to have Grandma and Grandpa living with us!  Next week demolition begins.  All of our plans are coming together and becoming a reality!

Reality Check

Up until now I have been occupied with designing the new house, talking to contractors, obtaining bids, etc., all fun things for me.  But there is one “minor” issue that stands between our current situation and construction: DEMOLITION.  Because our design requires tearing down 95% of the present house prior to building, we need to vacate. Dale and Stacy have moved into a 1700 square foot rental located about 7 minutes from where we currently live.  It is a four bedroom rambler and our plan is to move in with them before demolition begins (in less than 3 weeks).  The reality of getting ready to move after 46 years in this home is beginning to set in.  Thankfully, I don’t have to move out of my two garages (shh, don't tell my son-in-law)!

Grandma has been sorting “stuff” by throwing some things away and boxing up the things we need to keep. Our plan is to separate the things we need for daily living and pack the things we want to keep for the new house.  I’ve been hauling boxes out to the car for charity and others to the garage for storage.  Grandma has been going through a lot of emotions with this process.  She expressed to Stacy that it is a strange feeling knowing that at age 74, there are some things she will never use again. 

Today I began removing the sprinkler heads around the construction area, removing flower barrels and the chain link fence next to house.  Now this plan is starting to touch my emotions.  The memories of installing them in the first place and the “pain” of getting rid of things (will I ever need this again?) bring back memories of when my parents passed away and the process of getting rid of their “precious belongs”.  Sometimes thoughts like- I wish I could keep all this stuff until I pass away and let the kids deal with it enter my mind.  But we need to do this, if nothing else, for the kids' sake. 

Working with my grandsons today reminded me how much I look forward to getting them involved in the construction phase.  I plan on working them really hard because we are going to need the help.  And I know it will provide lasting memories that they will cherish forever (even if they don't think so right now).  For now I will try to concentrate more on how much we will enjoy the future, and less on the emotional strain of the process of getting there.    

Getting Bids and Picking Subs

In the last few months we have been busy getting estimates and choosing subs for the construction of our new home.  What a task!  It has been both exciting and overwhelming.  I started thinking the other day "why don't I know what I want?". There are so many decisions that I am still unsure of (colors, trim, molding, windows, appliances, sinks, faucets, fixtures, siding, roofing, etc, etc, etc).  It hit me then that we haven't been planning to build this house for years or even one year.  We only started talking about the idea of new construction  about 6 months ago.  And at that time we didn't even know if was going to be a reality. You see, the idea of building a new home is still a relatively new one for me.  I don't know what I want because I haven't been thinking about it for very long at all. Thankfully I have some excellent teachers who are willing to explain all these details to me!  I am trying to make the best, most educated decisions that I can and also doing a lot of praying that the Lord will lead us each and every step of the way!   

Also, I am happy to hear your advice on appliances and where to find the best reviews.