My sister Becca and I had such a fun email exchange last week.  She asked how Sean was recovering from knee surgery (they scoped him and removed some torn cartilage), and I told her that he was up and moving around without crutches.

I was worried that he would push himself too quickly and that recovery would take even longer.  I went on to describe the many ways that our house projects are gaining momentum and all the different people who are helping us make it happen.

She has been renting the Little House on the Prairie series for her girls and my comment reminded her of the episode where Pa breaks a rib and has to finish stacking the bags at the mill to pay the mortgage. Mary and Laura try to do it for him, but of course the men of the town swoop in and stack the bags and save the day.

I vaguely recall the episode… I remember the tape wrapped around Pa’s ripped abs.  Well, maybe he wasn’t THAT ripped.

Anyway, she said that it sounds like our house project is coming together Walnut Grove style.

I like that.

I’m cheesy that way.

The latest project includes a new staircase to replace the steep farmhouse steps we ripped out last week.

Our skilled friend Chad brandished a tape measure, saw, and nail gun to make it happen.  It was amazing to witness the process.  It started with a TON of measuring and dividing and marking on the walls.  Apparently there are more rules for stairs than just about any other place in a house.  A few cuts into the first boards and we had a platform:

Once the boards dry out well and the roof is fixed to prevent more water (and the resulting mold) problems, we will be able to finish treating the mold, and then insulate and sheetrock the walls inside the staircase hall.

Here’s our hero of the day!  A million thanks Chad!  If anyone out there is looking for a contractor to hire for a remodel job, I know of a really great guy…

We still need to cut into the ceiling to make more headroom.  For now, the opening is perfect for munchkins.

C has decided that the platform is a stage.  What a surprise. Like mother, like daughter.

There will be finished southern pine boards for the skirt along the wall and the edges of the steps, and we will install a carpet runner in the center of the steps.

This last one makes me smile.

Geez, maybe someday we’ll look back at all this and say, “We were crazy.”

I’m sorta basking in it for the moment.