We’re still plugging along with the remodel, in case you were wondering. I think it’s hard to see significant progress until the work is nearly done. So, it’s challenging to keep up the momentum when there is little pay-off at each step.

In fact, we may be at one of the more demoralizing stages in the process right now. We’ve moved all of the children’s belongings (other than beds) into the dining room to make the final wall rehab and painting easier. So, we no longer have access to the dining room; and the chaos of kids rummaging through boxes to find clothing, books, and other precious items is reminiscent of photos I’ve seen of refugee camps. Well…refugee camps in tastefully decorated dining rooms, that is.

Thankfully, we’ve had a real boon of forward momentum with Gilad having been on “vacation” for three weeks. Between the occasional sci-fi movie, he framed and sheetrocked frelling shiploads if wall and ceiling. And all at warp speed.

Special thanks to friends who have also recently pitched in to help shlep materials, hang sheetrock, or do math homework with the kids so we could continue working in the evenings! There’s some of your blood, sweat and tears in these walls, too.

So much for the blogging this morning. Today’s tasks begin with extending heating ducts. Wish us luck!