Welcome to the Tales of the Traveling Totes, where my fellow travelers and I share our latest adventures, projects, and current events. At the end of my post you will find links to visit our other members and learn about how to register for our giveaway. I'm so glad you've stopped to visit.
Well, I think we all have to admit that the first quarter of 2020, has been quite the experience for everyone of us. Few of us have ventured far from home, and last week I went to the grocery store for the first time since January. Sweet Mister has been my knight in shining armor. He has been very protective of my asthma and chronic bronchitis; he has done just about everything that involves leaving the house. That's not to say that I've been lackadaisical. Come see what's been going on since last September and continues to go on at our house . I call it "An Anatomy of a Renovation. A bit heavy on pictures, I'll try to keep my gab to a minimum. Come on in and take a look at our latest adventure...
Well, I think we all have to admit that the first quarter of 2020, has been quite the experience for everyone of us. Few of us have ventured far from home, and last week I went to the grocery store for the first time since January. Sweet Mister has been my knight in shining armor. He has been very protective of my asthma and chronic bronchitis; he has done just about everything that involves leaving the house. That's not to say that I've been lackadaisical. Come see what's been going on since last September and continues to go on at our house . I call it "An Anatomy of a Renovation. A bit heavy on pictures, I'll try to keep my gab to a minimum. Come on in and take a look at our latest adventure...
It had been an easy going summer, and September found everything slowing down for just a moment.
Miss Carrie Ann Hall and I had made just about our last run for the lovely blooms to be used on our summer tablescapes. And then Sweet Mister came up with an idea. We had been looking at property to buy a new home for months, and we had found a house just a little over a mile from us. We decided to make an offer. The night before we planned to make our offer, Mister said, "When I think about spending that much money on a house, I get sick at my stomach. What would you think about trying to do the things that you'd like to see done at our house, and we'll just stay here?" "Fine by me; let's do it," I said. And that's how our latest adventure began. Come on in and take a look at a few of our projects...
The last of our giant trees was at the end of its life. It had been losing limbs out of the center of the tree, and it was also leaning more and more toward our home.
I shed more than a few tears, but it needed to be done.
The root ball left quite a hole! Just kidding. This became...
...This.
This comfortable old porch where I entertained so many friends...
Started anew like this...
...and is still on its way to its final destination as our new back porch.
The area I had always envisioned as my lovely sunken garden and lawn...
...is now our new Pickle Ball Court. I have to admit that there has already been a whole bunch of fun take place here, and we're not even through with our project. There's more going on in the front yard, and I now call the inside of our home "Pandemonium City. We've totally moved out of our master bedroom and bath and currently reside in a guest room and the hall bath. One of the guest rooms and the living room have also been emptied. It's crazy, but we have a saying in our family, "No sympathy for self-inflicted wounds." We have the typical POD in the front drive and the ubiquitous porta potty on the curb. I asked Sweet Mister if he thought that should we have a new appraisal, would those count as an extra bath and bedroom?
So although much of our world seemed to come to a stop, the action at our house has not stopped at all. In our city, construction work was deemed essential. The work has continued all the way through from September, and it continues today. At least I have had something of a show to watch outside my windows. It definitely hasn't been boring...messy, but not boring! We anticipate completion in the next 30-60 days. I'll invite you back when all is back in order. "Back in order?" That should take a bit longer.
Just leave a comment with Linda of Life and Linda for a chance to win a four piece set of Feather Canape Knives from MacKenzie-Childs.
This comfortable old porch where I entertained so many friends...
Started anew like this...
...and is still on its way to its final destination as our new back porch.
The area I had always envisioned as my lovely sunken garden and lawn...
...is now our new Pickle Ball Court. I have to admit that there has already been a whole bunch of fun take place here, and we're not even through with our project. There's more going on in the front yard, and I now call the inside of our home "Pandemonium City. We've totally moved out of our master bedroom and bath and currently reside in a guest room and the hall bath. One of the guest rooms and the living room have also been emptied. It's crazy, but we have a saying in our family, "No sympathy for self-inflicted wounds." We have the typical POD in the front drive and the ubiquitous porta potty on the curb. I asked Sweet Mister if he thought that should we have a new appraisal, would those count as an extra bath and bedroom?
So although much of our world seemed to come to a stop, the action at our house has not stopped at all. In our city, construction work was deemed essential. The work has continued all the way through from September, and it continues today. At least I have had something of a show to watch outside my windows. It definitely hasn't been boring...messy, but not boring! We anticipate completion in the next 30-60 days. I'll invite you back when all is back in order. "Back in order?" That should take a bit longer.
Now for our giveaway!
Just leave a comment with Linda of Life and Linda for a chance to win a four piece set of Feather Canape Knives from MacKenzie-Childs.
You'll want to be sure to see what's been going on with the rest of the ladies of the Traveling Totes. Click on each of the links below, and you'll find posts from each of my lovely fellow travelers. You're going to love all of them!
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women
I'll look forward to seeing all of you again in September. It will be interesting to find out where all of the tote ladies head, once travel becomes more realistic. I know they'll all have some amazing things to share with you once they're let loose to travel!
Tablescape Thursday w/ Susan @ Between Naps on the PorchI'll look forward to seeing all of you again in September. It will be interesting to find out where all of the tote ladies head, once travel becomes more realistic. I know they'll all have some amazing things to share with you once they're let loose to travel!
We'll hope to see you when the Tales of the Traveling Totes publishes our next adventures. Please, come again often.
This week I'll be joining:
Tablescape Thursday w/ Susan@Between Naps on the Porch.
I was telling hubby all about your ambitious remodel and pool during this crazy time. It is so fun to see it. What a bunch of projects. I am sure it has kept you very busy, but how fun that the pickle ball court has already been seeing some action. I have never played. I will have to give it a try. They installed two courts right outside our place here in St. George and it does get a lot of action.
ReplyDeleteCherry Kay you certainly have a great way to stay busy during the Quarantine! You are going to enjoy the new back for entertaining and I know how you love to set a table. I know it was hard to make the decision to say goodbye to the tree, it was glorious. I have a hard time with those decisions. I have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree on my veranda I cannot say goodbye to, it has a few live branches. Glad you've been home staying safe. I'll look forward to seeing your tour when you finish the remodel...........
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see your ambitious project! Our remodel is much less exciting! I love the idea of your new outdoor spaces. With the grands there in OK City, they will have a great time! Sorry about that big old tree. I know it hurts to have to cut down a tree, especiall one that is that old and that large.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your travels.
Wow...what a beautiful pool and court and I am sure it will be enjoyed by the family and friends!! This is taking quite a bit of time, but will be worth it in the end! I cant wait to see it all completed. Enjoy your little getaway!!
ReplyDeleteYour home is like a resort! I love your pool and porch. I haven't played pickle ball yet, but our neighborhood at the lake now has them! :D
ReplyDeleteWhat are you doing to the inside of your home? I want to see when you're finished!
xo,
Ricki Jill
That's what my 7 year old granddaughter said. Made me smile. I think you'll love pickle ball; it's the fasting growing sport in the world and in the USA. We're reconfiguring our master baths, and I'm getting a lovely larger walk-in closet. Hal's walk-in will be larger, too. I can hardly wait for my new footed tub to be installed. I plan on many long soaks. We're replacing crown molding in the den and hallways. We're doing some new floors, but the budget is blown-up, so some of them may have to wait for a Phase 2. We're in the oil business, which means that since January, our revenues are 1/3 of what they should be...cinch that belt another hole smaller. It will all be fine, and I'm elated with what we've been able to accomplish. The fireplace on the back porch should be finished by the time I return, and the trim carpenters should have completed their work. The tile man has started all the prep work for the new Master Baths. I'm beyond grateful for all of this, and when I get everything back in place, I'll be happy to share it. Thanks for asking. CherryKay
DeleteI was just showing my hubby your "An Anatomy of a Renovation", and we both agree that it has been a very ambitious project. When I was growing up, the neighbors had a tennis court at their camp and we loved that idea. You will have so much fun with your pickle ball court. I love the idea of your new outdoor spaces. Ooh that big old tree must have been a tough decision. Have fun on your trip!
ReplyDeleteWow Cherry Kay, you are building a resort right in your own backyard! I know it must have been hard to cut that beautiful tree down, but having a pool instead is a bonus you will LOVE! And a pickle ball court, so fun and the new porch will be fantastic for entertaining! I know you are beyond ready to be finished and cleaned up, but what perfect timing when you had to stay home anyway and could oversee...not to mention make your days interesting! Safe travels, I'm glad you got to go on your trip! Looking forward to the finished tour~
ReplyDeleteJenna
I love your pool. Enjoy it.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
What an amazing addition. You will really enjoy your pool and the outdoor area. How grand it all is. Love the colors you chose for the pool. So sorry losing a beautiful tree, but you have an added bonus.
ReplyDelete