I Surrender!

I finally admit it ...
I can't scrape and paint anymore.

As you can see, it is past due for care. No matter what I looked at, getting it prepped was a monumental task. And stain or paint, it was only for a handful of years at best.

We decided to get it sided.
This shabby appearance was banished from the neighborhood!

Try clicking on picture. On my computer it opens it LARGE. Then use the back button to go back to the blog page.

They pulled up Friday to drop the dumpster. Tuesday they brought the supplies. These two fellows hand stacked every box and piece.


It was the entire truck load.
Now we are ready for the installers.


They too arrive on Tuesday morning and begin by stripping the old siding and gutters from the house. Then they wrap it in Tyvek. One of my pet peeves is that they wrap it with the print upside down. I know it will soon be covered; but, I will always know it is upside down!

The end of the day Tuesday they had done the front and both sides. The back was still untouched.


Wednesday the installers strip the back and begin hanging siding. This is the first time we have seen the color. It looks as I expected it to look. I'm not happy with the appearance of siding. I've never liked the J-channel around windows and doors or the corners. But, in the long run the house will look better for many years. People are used to seeing siding today. It is the norm rather than the exception.


The shrubs and flower beds take a beating. They are oblivious to plantings. I hope they will recover!

The rest of the yard is gorgeous this spring.

Just since Easter ...

Cora and Julieanna came to visit while Geoff wandered off to Denver. He had a presentation at a conference and claims not to have skied, partied or enjoyed it. (My words not his)
We enjoyed the visit. I took pictures of Julieanna too but they were not done well and I don't want to defame her with my lack of skills with my new camera.


Mean while Spring finally arrived in early April. The snow drops had appropriately come up and bloomed under the snow. Now the crocus have arrived and gone. They were thick and beautiful this year.


When Geoff returned and got a weekend Julieanna and he went out to eat and we baby sat. She was a doll. Drools a ton! I am thinking that she will dehydrate. Notice the soaked bib.


Then came Logan. Her parents needed a bit of time and we were lucky enough to sit for her. She is gorgeous too. It reminds us to enjoy all four of them in the moment. They grow up so incredibly fast. Logan is a good eater. She can suck down a bottle like no one's business.


The red bud is budding! It is about ready to pop.


The daffodils are stunning in their simplicity. Though the color is monochrome, the shadows give subtle details.


The maple trees have flushed their buds of red. When I came home from work the drive, sidewalk and porch were covered. They track in terribly.
Also notice the shabby appearance of the house. We have plans to remedy the appearance.


The back yard is coming to life. The rhododendron in full bloom is from our friends when I had my heart attack. It has remained the strongest and most beautiful of the five. I think it is because of the nurturing nature it was given in.


I will update again when the house looks better. We are replacing the last five old windows. They are single glazed, loose and rattle in every breeze.

We are also having it sided. We will be out of the external painting world after all these years. It will be good to not think, every time we go out of town to see friends, that we should have stayed home to scrape or paint.

They dropped the dumpster this morning at 7:15 am. They will start Monday to remove the old siding. Then they wrap the house and side it. and replace the windows.