From 1977 to 2013

The first picture is rolled up carpet that Travis took out of the upstairs bedroom that we are redoing.  The second picture is of the sanded birch floor which was underneath and the third is the finished product.  The final coat of finish will be put on next Saturday.
As we moved into the house in 1977 every birch floor was covered with indoor, outdoor rubber backed carpet.  Most rooms downstairs had green carpet on except for the kitchen which was adorned by orange!  Upstairs the pattern was more fancy with gold/green and yellow!  By 1979 all of the carpet downstairs was removed and the floors were done.  The west bedroom carpet was taken out in 1998 in the fall of Cynthia's senior year of high school.  The green stairs were uncovered in 2011 and yesterday the last of the major carpet was send to carpet heaven.  What is left?  Only the stairs leading down to the basement have carpet now.  Why?--the carpet is glued to the stairs and the stairs are made of old wood so that will be a project for another day. 
In the coming days the ceiling, the walls and all the woodwork will be painted in the bedroom and with the final coat next Saturday the room should be ready to be put back together.  It needs to be done as we may have 10 people sleeping over in less than two weeks.  Travis worked on the ceiling and walls in the room this last week.  He did an amazing job and when they get painted this week much of the credit will go to him.  There were days when the temp in the room was in the 90s and Travis was willing to sweat through for the final result.  The only problem was it is always difficult to know when to stop patching and sanding.  Plaster that is 100+ years old just is not at a place to look perfect BUT as we looked at the rooms downstairs that we done by professionals there are imperfections all over the place but one does not see them when the finished product is viewed. 
Now the room really needs a headboard for the bed.  There never has been a headboard so it will have to be a brand new one fresh out of the Niles Ave wood shop.  It seems that it may be walnut and maple laminated with fabric and copper making up the color.
We are still waiting for that latest Lee baby to arrive in South Bend.  The due date was July 11 and here we are July 21 and no arrival.   Maybe today but then I have said that for the last 2 weeks.
With all our projects it almost seems like time is running out for things to get done before we leave on our WEST camping trip.  We will get things done that need to be done but I guess there will be no down time for a while.  As I say that I am thankful to be busy.  A friend who is a year younger than I has been in the hospital for the last week.  I seems like he is in the last days of his battle with cancer which has been going on for many years.  We pray daily for a healing and for sure God can that that any time but!  Brother Dave is recovering from heart surgery and is doing well but I am guessing he is not concerned about projects.  I use those examples to say that I am busy, maybe too busy, but I am thankful for being that way.
I have a finished wood project on the dining room table.  I can not say what it is as it is intended for people who may read this but I have wanted to make this item for maybe 20 years and now it IS.  Not a major item but never the less a dream come true.
With our house turned up side down I happen to be sitting in the den looking out the window as I type and we are getting a light rain.  It is greatly needed as the weather this last week certainly dried things out. 
No more FP coffee.