Dreaded, Expensive Home Repair

Gary and I had decided to re-finance our house due to lower interest rates. We thought it would be a perfect time to get some money and do some much needed "home repairs." So, we filled out the paper work, had the house appraised and thought we were ready to "close" on our loan. I went in to talk to Marcie and see where we were and she told me that we HAD to have the repairs done BEFORE we could close.
( We were on a time crunch if we didn't want to go through all the application process again.)

Gary was planning on starting the deck by himself while I took the kids to the city for a concert and to school clothes shop. The day before we were to leave, Amelia got called to babysit. She decided that she would rather baby sit than go shopping so I decided to let Garrison take the other kids out. That way I could stay home and help Gary.

We started with the deck.
We were able to get the base of the deck built and the planks measured for the floor.
On Monday we were working on putting the railing on when Lori and Randell came by to check things out. They visited for a while and then Randell and Gary decided to work on the railing. Later Sha and Mike (our backdoor neighbors) came over to help too.
We were able to get all the rail finished by about 10:00pm.
Lori and I cut and drilled, the guys measured and placed the slats.

Gary took Friday off to work on the roof but by time the shingles were delivered, it was way too hot. He was able to finish the stairs on the deck while we waited.
(what a relief to have that done!)

(Richard, his boys, Gary and Mike)

Saturday- Gary and Garrison started working on the roof. Mike saw them working and jumped right in to help. (He stayed all day until it was finished) The weather was perfect for roofing....cool with a little breeze. Although at one point it rained so hard that they had to come in (they were only about 3 row away from finishing)

Amelia was thrilled that she got to get up on the roof and hang out with her dad!

Amelia, Gary and Mike

The Deck

We had so many people offer to help or even just offer us their tools so a big THANKS goes out to.............

Mike Nielsen
Randell Mills
Lori Mills
Lee Stewart
Richard Henderson
Shane Lance
Eldon Walton

and anyone else who stopped by or honked while driving by.

Good news----Everything is done, the appraiser has cleared us to go.
Now maybe we can get some of that money back !!! :)