only backgroundI'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.
Fifteen years ago last month, my husband built an addition to our home that turned into a major renovation. Rather than simply tying the addition into the existing house, he tore down the existing house and rebuilt it. Seriously. You could stand on the sidewalk and look down into the basement. That’s all we had left of our house.
And speaking of sidewalks, those ended up destroyed in the process. We lived in our garage for 8 months while Brian rebuilt the house well enough to move into just 10 days before Christmas. It was another year before the brick was complete, six months after that before I got a side porch/deck and 2 more years before I had a back porch. I’m still waiting for sidewalks.
Well, I was waiting. When Brian returned from Hawaii, I told him I really want sidewalks. He didn’t say much at first so I asked him how much money we’d need to pour the concrete. He told me. I told him I had that much saved. Man, did his ears perk up and his eyes pop out! He knew I’d been blogging for PayPerPost and a few other companies but he didn’t think I was earning more than enough for a gallon of gas here and there. He had no clue.
So now we’re doing the preliminary work for our sidewalks. Except Brian can never do only what we set out to do; if he builds it, he must overbuild it. Not only is he putting in sidewalks, he’s also torn off my side porch/deck. The purpose of this is so that he can replace it with a closed-in laundry room/mud room. He’s also going to replace the chain link fence between our house and Tammie and BJ’s house. (Although I’ve requested a gate between our yard so we can go back and forth in our jammies without the neighbors seeing. 
) Yes, this is a wonderful idea. No, I did not budget for this. And remember, we’re also not completely done with Nick and Brit’s apartment out back. ~Sigh~
Since Tammie already posted a picture of my missing side porch/deck, I’ll add a few other angles. First, the heavy equipment in front of the house.
And then, what was left of my deck when I finally opened my front door to look outside. 
I know when it’s all done it will look fantastic. My husband does unbelievable work and the mess is always worth it in the end. Ijust have to keep reminding myself that it won’t be long until it’s all done. 
That is great! I love the idea for the gate between you and Tammie’s house.
i think that your house will look fantastic too
I LOVE your house!
LOL. I know the feeling. Just think of how nice it will be when its done. Plus, it will add some value to your home in the long run. Since its dug up, if you want any additional outlets or water faucets now is the time to tell him!
Yeah, but I’m not sure if Brian will actually do that for us. He just smiled when I asked for it.
I’m sure it will. My husband is pretty good.
Thanks! I designed it on graph paper and Brian built it from my drawing. That always amazes me.
I just didn’t think I’d be going through this again so soon. I guess every 15 years isn’t too bad, huh?
Boy, the view sure is different from your angle than it is from mine! Here’s the best part, though — Brian says I get to run the track-hoe!! YIPPEE!!!
Let the games begin! Hey, now I have a great picture to go by. I’ll be at your house on Monday!
Oh, now I know you’ll be giddy with excitement. Tammie on heavy equipment=happy neighbor.
Can’t wait!
There’s only a handful of brick houses in my neighborhood. And Brian bricked several of those.
Don’t worry, Tammie and I will be standing in the street waving you down.
[...] we mostly use our front door now because Brian tore off the side porch when he poured concrete this past summer, I was worried about putting the tree in its usual place in the foyer. I always [...]