Yes, we were crazy and decided to rip up the dining room too. Luckily it’s just a big rectangle, without the ins and outs of the kitchen, so it went fairly quickly.
iMatt got into the action again, carrying boards outside. Z-Man couldn’t stand the smell of the flooring and particle board so he stayed outside and stacked up the debris iMatt handed to him.
Angel Face was disappointed that she’d been at work and hardly got to help in the kitchen, so she was super-excited to work in the dining room.
Teacher started chipping away at the particle board. We’re pretty sure there’s original flooring underneath, but what shape will it be in?
So far it’s looking pretty good. I hope we don’t have any nasty surprises before we’re done.
Oops! It looks like Jo-Bear got a little too aggressive with the crow bar.
That’s OK, Jo-Bear, we can fix it, just keep working. And by “we” I mean Teacher can fix it.
Meanwhile, Princess and I cleaned the walls and cupboards where the appliances had been in the kitchen. Seventeen years of accumulation is pretty gross. We need to pull the appliances out and clean around them more often.
Soon the guys had made enough progress that Princess and I could join Angel Face in pulling out nails.
Oops! Angel Face got a little carried away. Never underestimate the strength of a determined woman.
Look at that floor – I think we’ve got a winner!
It’s so pretty, and in really good shape too. Most of the damage is where the particle board was nailed down.
Just one more corner to go.
Not counting the clean-up. I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s all cleared off.
Teacher cleaned up around the vent.
Jo-Bear pulled up the nails the rest of us couldn’t get out.
Punkin thinks we’ve lost our minds. She may be right.
You got it, Angel Face!
Why is it that the clean-up takes longer than anything else?
Of course Kippy couldn’t resist checking it all out. Considering how much cats hate change they’re doing great with all the craziness of this week. On the other hand, it’s always crazy here so they’re probably used to it.
Almost done. I’m just thrilled with the floor – every time I look at it I can’t help grinning like an idiot.
I swear these nails multiply like rabbits. Just when we think we’ve got them all someone finds another one.
There was another probable floor vent in the dining room, but that shouldn’t be hard to patch in.
Wait… An idea popped into my head as I was typing “patch in.” I wonder if we could get 1920s style floor vents and install them over subfloor painted black, just for decoration. I wonder if that would be easier or harder than patching in that area. I wonder what Teacher will think of the idea…
Anyway, back to the topic at hand.
Teacher’s face says it all – we’re exhausted. Time to wrap it up and get something to eat.
But it’s so beautiful we all agree that it’s worth all the hard work.
To be continued…
