It's Done!!!

As I assembled the before/after pictures of our exterior renovations, I'm not surprised at the unremarkable difference. The difference is very apparent to those who have walked through the renovation process though.

It feels absolutely marvelous to be sheltered by our new shingles. I watched our new gutters and downspouts in action during a heavy rainfall and was thrilled. I often find myself gazing at our new soffit (lots of memories about that after a week with open access for the birds to start moving into the attic). The fascia seems like it was always there and the peeling paint is all but a memory. Then came the paint. And we are done!!

This picture was taken in the midst of soffit removal and after the shingles and foundation parging were done.

After ALL is said and done. Voila!! You have it - our renewed home! One side bonus you don't really appreciate in the after picture is the removal of all the low hanging branches on the fir tree in the front yard. We can now mow the grass without ducking under the branches and feeling like you are covered with creepy crawlies afterwards. P.S. And yes, that is a new front door you see there. I love it!!!

Before

After (the deck is in the process of being stained, so you can see an in-progress before/after there as well)

Before

After - many almost invisible to the naked eye, but oh-so-appreciated differences here. The bottom row of siding was replaced by a durable aluminum type of siding which will withstand the whipper snipper and replaces some of the rotting boards on the playhouse/shed. There is now casing around the windows on said playhouse/shed. The gutters are now seamless and do not leak - yay!! And Mom's wind chimes hang on the eave between the garage and playhouse. 

My handy dandy son extraordinaire took care of replacing old outlet covers and replaced the front door light, numbers and mailbox. It is the little things that bring it all together and make it a home.

All we need now is a railing for our front door. Then the bank is closed for business. Home renovations are not for the weak of heart.

The change is subtle but it is very, very real.

It feels SO good to be done.