THE FUN BEGINS

Because we have opted to take up the laminate on the floor, Steve decided to make a start on the stairs last night.

He didn't get much done as it was rather hard going.  

ABOVE:  There is a DOUBLE layer of laminate on the stairs, because when they were done two years ago they stuffed it up the first time, and rather than take off the first layer and do it right, they just laid a new lot on top.

So, we have to rip up two layers of the bloody stuff.  Well... I say 'we' ... but I really mean the men!

I expect to help upstairs as it won't be hard at all once we get the first planks up.

Getting rid of it all is going to be a right pain though.  We will probably have to hire a trailer and take it all to the tip.

One thing I noticed walking down the stairs last night was how much 'deeper' the steps were that had no laminate on them.  Two layers sure made them shallower.   I can't wait for the carpet, no more dust on the stairs staring me in the face all the time.  Yaaaa!
And no massive dust bunnies under the furniture either. 

I really don't get why people like wooden floors.  I know I will never have them again if I can help it.

I'm dragging Stew out this morning...  looking at fence materials.  I've gone off the aluminium panels and now want something more funky.  The guys will have to build the fence from scratch now.  Poor buggers.

We are expecting Kelly and Rena after lunch. Kelly has a little surprise to give someone in the house.  I won't say more than that right now... just know for that person it will be HUGE, and I will have my camera handy to catch the reaction!  *smiles*  It should be good.

ONWARD...

*squeals*... I just bought an old wrought iron gate for our fence.  Off Trademe.

ABOVE:  funky!

Plans change.  Kelly isn't coming up till tomorrow now, so no surprises today after all.

ABOVE:  Stew and Griffin toiled for a few hours today and got all the laminate up.

We formed a human chain and got all of it downstairs and into my car (it fitted!), and then Stew started working on the stairs.  Steve got about 3 steps done last night.

Stew worked on those stairs for about 2 hours, and got 3 more steps done... then Steve got home and ripped up the last few in 35 minutes flat!  

He just WENT FOR IT!

ABOVE:  That's it, the last one off!  What an amazingly crap job.  BUT, we saved ourselves almost $2,000 by doing it ourselves.

SCORE! 

I have thought about what to do with our naughty little Tallulah in relation to our rugs.

This is what I came up with:

ABOVE:  If she's in the lounge/family room, she's in the pen.  It's all I can do to stop her from chewing the rugs, short of locking her out of the family rooms.  

I can't put a muzzle on her, it's too cruel.  The repellent spray didn't work... she loved the stuff!  So, until she outgrows the chew everything in sight stage, this is it for her.  

Dante liked being in there too obviously.

Talking of Dante.  It shall be a quiet evening/Sunday for us as Steve, Bex and Dante have gone to Hamilton till tomorrow night.

End of Day:  a big day ... got heaps done.
Now we just have to wait a week or so until we have to move all the furniture again so the carpet and vinyl can be laid.
Time for bed.  
nite nite