Matt and I spent a few days cleaning up and organizing the stuff that we wanted to keep. I was also able to sell a lot of items on the classifieds we have at work. My dad helped us plan for the materials we would need as well as what the estimated cost of the job would be. It's so nice to know someone who can give you the details without having to worry if they are trustworthy or telling the true cost of things.
My dad definitely deserves a shout out on my blog for the time and effort he spent during the past few months on our basement. He came several days after work. His job is physically demanding and I'm sure the last thing he felt like doing was working up to 4 more hours. But he never complained. And I think he secretly wanted to come over to see Cole so he could brag to my mom :o) He also worked almost every Saturday for the past few months. We really appreciate the time and energy that it took to get the basement done. I also think Matt did a wonderful job of being the apprentice. When I met Matt he knew nothing about using tools. But over the years he has gotten better and has learned a lot from my dad. I know Matt put a lot of pressure on himself when working on our basement. He wanted things to be perfect because he knew that is how my dad would do it. He worked very hard a lot of nights after my dad left our house and also on weekends to get the tasks finished. I think putting so much effort into it has made him take even more pride in the finished product.
Yesterday we got the carpet installed in the basement. That was the last big step to being able to use the room. We still have a few minor things that need to be completed, but all in all the room is done! It looks amazing and we are so excited to be able to take Cole down there to play often. Last night my parents and my sister and her husband came over to see the basement and to have dinner. It was so much fun to see their reaction to the space and to be able to sit and relax for a bit after all of the hard work that was put into it.
I am so glad that the painting is done, I think I may have gone over the brick wall a hundred times with a brush. I am also glad the drywall is done as it was causing some kind of allergic reaction in my eyes. But most of all I'm so glad we will have a place in this house to create fun memories with Cole as he grows.
Thank you sooooo much dad for all of your hard work! We love you so much. The room is even more special b/c you built it for us.
Here are the pictures:
Before:
During:
After:
I realized that through all of this process I never got a picture of my dad and Matt together. Probably because most of the times they were working I was taking care of Cole. But I do need to get a picture of them together relaxing in the finished space :) I'll try to get a pic next time dad is over and then post it.
