Or in this case, our addition. If you have read this blog or know us, you remember that we bought a 1979 rancher back in September in order to have a bigger yard for the kids. The house is around 2000 square feet currently and has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. They had converted the garage into a back hallway, laundry room, office and bonus room. Jason and I put the kids in the 3 bedrooms and have been existing in the office. No closet, no bathroom. It has been a challenge, but after going to Africa in February, not one that I let myself feel sorry for, or at least not very often!
When we bought it, we knew we wanted to add on a master bedroom and bathroom off of what was the garage. We really debated back and forth about a carport or garage. After much research, discussion and advice seeking, we decided to add on a garage. So, 9 months later, we have finally started our addition.
The first order of business was to remove a huge maple tree that just happened to be where our garage was going to go.
Here is the tree that we knew had to come down. SO sad to lose a big, old tree! But, I want a garage, so there you go.
We knew this tree needed some TLC, but when the tree guy looked at it, he recommended we cut it down because of extensive damage done to it by a WOODPECKER of all things. I was so upset at this. I loved this big Sugar Maple, the shade it gave the deck and how it framed the back yard. But, one big storm and we could have this puppy on our roof, so it was a no brainer.
Bye, Bye pretty tree.
It was amazing to watch how quickly this tree fell. The tree guy, just hacked at it with a chainsaw, one limb at a time until all that was left was the trunk. It reminded me of how long it takes to build something that matters, like a reputation, trust, love, a marriage, friendships…. and then with a careless word, action or inaction, it is stripped down until all the health and growth is gone. What was once beautiful, is now just a shadow of what it once was. It took a mere fraction to take down what had been growing for over 30 years.
And boy, what a mess was left behind. At least until they picked it up and put it in the massive mulcher.
The next day, our concrete guys came to prepare the footers. Just know that my lack of construction lingo knowledge will leave me using words like “guys” and “stuff” and “mulcher.”
HGTV I am not.
Needless to say, the kids have been glued to the action in the back yard. Here is a picture I saw repeated continually throughout the day.
You may notice that Bradley is ready to help. He has on his safety goggles and all 112 tools and tool pieces have been brought from his room into the playroom. I had to stop them, MORE THAN ONCE, from hammering on the windows! 
Bradley is sporting the SAFETY PATROL orange helmet that we wore for our 6th grade trip to Washington DC in 1986. Signatures and everything! We are all about the safety here at Casa Stewart! Why LuLu kept this hat for over 20 years is beyond me, but the kids have loved adding it to the dress up bin!
I could seriously sop Emery up with a biscuit, she is so stinking cute! Except I don’t really like sopping, but you get the picture!
Isn’t she lovely?
These poor men worked in the 95 degree weather for hours. I must admit I had no idea if I was supposed to offer them drinks, let them use our facilities or bring out cut up oranges. What is proper construction worker at my home etiquette? I am southern for heaven’s sake so I don’t want to offend!
Here is the outline of the addition. We are roughly adding about 1100 square feet with the garage. We, as in Jason, is our general contractor. We are subbing out all the work, to save a few dollars. Or to bring about as much chaos as possible, you decide! I am not making any predictions as to how long this will take. I am praying for October.
You can also see the tree is gone. We lost some serious shade in the middle of the day, which makes me so sad.
I will be updating the progress of our little ol addition. Riveting stuff, I tell you!
