D.I.Y.

Well, Joe had to leave for St. Paul yesterday and I had to get the fireplace tiled.

We have the new insert coming in the morning- yea, and yikes!

So as all remodeling projects go, we ran into some challenges. The biggest one being Joe's departure and the immediate need to get it done! Getting the backer board onto the brick was a crazy ordeal since it had been painted with about 12 buckets of paint and the bricks were soooo brittle, but alas nothing a few new tools, help from a friend, and a lot of hammer wielding wouldn't cure. (I truly think that we are keeping Lowe's in business right now!)

We will just say that it was an excessively long day. I love that my husband has such great confidence in my abilities- he was just sure I could do it, and do you know what I did- though I am as slow as mud! I really don't mind the actual projects, it is just we always underestimate just how long each project will take and we are always working on them during times with other stresses weighing down on us; but truly that is what life is, isn't it?

Thanks to David for helping me get the backer board started and Shelly for the late night chat and help with keeping me sane- and my kids who all took a turn at helping with the process. And Joe for all the tips, good advice and support over the phone!