So, I am back after a several day hiatus (from blogging, that is). The fact is we have been up early and out late pretty much every day since I last posted. We have made great progress, again, only because of scads of help. Neighbors, family, friends, and conscripted children have rallied to rid our former family home-turned-rental of the layers and layers of dirt and scuzz applied and deposited by its latest occupants. The most recent tallies account for over six cubic yards of rubbish and tenant leftovers  hauled away to the local landfill, and a large deposit of carpet and underlay waiting its turn for a one way trip to the dump.

I’ve included a couple of the pics to show you what we’re up against.

The kitchen appliances have been hauled away and the damaged trim removed. A thorough top-down cleaning has begun as well as the various and sundry pre-painting prep work–all  in an effort to prepare the house for its date with its painting destiny.

That’s an overview of the inside, now for the outside…..

Suffice it to say that any gardening implement (both manual and internal combustion powered)  has been used in the combined 50+ man hours to return the yard to something resembling anything close to its pre-tenant state. Our crew has hacked, cut, weeded, whacked, sawed, and mowed. We have pulled and grunted and scratched, nicked and abraised and chainsawed and maybe even cussed in an effort to bring order to the overgrown chaos that was the yard.

There has been visible progress … but there is still much left to accomplish. We are grateful for Grandpa Art who has arrived to pitch in and stand guard.

So, Day 4 of our frenzied flip has come and gone and at least 40 man hours of yard clean up and maintenance were carried out in a quarter of that time.

We weeded, hoed, raked, mowed, trimmed, and chainsawed our way to a new level of self discovery. It can be overwhelming when you are standing looking up at such a huge task but the opposite is so true when, at the end of the day, you are able to gaze at such tangible results. It was a true testament to teamwork and camaraderie.

Only a couple of hours into our work day (Arlyn, kids, and myself), our former neighbors showed up with all the right tools, “Tim the Toolman Taylor” kind, and a can-do attitude. We  were a yard renovating force to be reckoned with!

We have attacked the yard first for a couple of reasons:  1) the weather is currently in our favor, 2) there is a short delay before the painting contractor can do what he does, and 3) it will provide a sense of accomplishment and inspiration as we pull into the driveway on the many days yet to come.

We ended the day with a bonfire and a semi-sentimental journey down memory lane. Tim rediscovered his first BB gun in the shed out back, Arlyn uncovered the kids’ small handprints set in paving stones under the weeping cherry tree, and the kids enjoyed the swing in the old oak tree once again. As night fell and the stars lit up the sky, we were serenaded by the frogs (or should I say inundated by the sound of the frogs) and I was reminded why we chose this spot to raise our family. Great memories!

Well, Day One of our frenzied flip is over and what a day it was. I am sure you have heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  It is safe to say I found no treasure but I sure found a lot of the first half of that saying and I mean a lot. The dumpster arrives tomorrow and Spanaway will be minus one small mountain.

I met with the painting contractor, chatted with a couple of our former neighbors (good people), and began the process of gathering up and removing the etc., etc., etc….

A special shout out to my middle daughter who made the trek out to the house to lend a hand today.

Tomorrow we meet the flooring contractor and will continue the clean up process.

Stay tuned!