Our second week of renovation began with the end of demolition. The back half of the house was removed and the crawlspace cleared out to make way for excavation of the back foundation wall.
Week 2: Excavation
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Our First Weekend in Shantytown
Electricity Comes to Shantytown
Today was a big, big day in Shantytown. This first week in the RV we have been running off the generator and battery power. That works great on the road, but not so much in the back yard. With limited power, we have to do most everything during the daylight hours. We have to do all the computer work/homework together while the generator is running and be sure to charge all the electronics at the same time.
There is something undeniably simple and good about having to lay down your head as soon as the sun goes down. But even so, we need power to pull this thing off.
Today the electrician came to install the temporary pole in the front yard and to run a line down to the campers.
Running an electric cable from the temporary pole to the back yard.
The power company switched us over to the temporary pole just before the end of the day, and we rejoiced! Now we have light throughout the campground, heat, refrigeration, a microwave, power for the computers and printer. Now to figure out how to restore the internet…
Day 5: The Second Floor Is Gone
Today marks the end of our first week. The second floor was completely removed. It is kind of cool to stand in the house and look up at the open skies.
Day 4: The Roof Comes Off
Today the roof shingles and decking were removed.
It is amazing how quickly this house is coming apart.
Day 3: Daylight in the Old House
Ellie takes in the previous day’s work.
It was quite amusing to watch the girls wander through the house on their way to school this morning, stepping through walls, and absorbing the amount of destruction.
Where the kitchen used to be.
The remainder of the interior walls were stripped to the studs today, and the brick veneer in the back was knocked down.
Day 2: Interior Demolition and Moving Out
Today we officially made the move to the backyard, where we will live for most of the next half year. Our move from the house to the RV today was strongly encouraged by the continual swing of sledge hammers and crash of sheetrock throughout the day.
Rooms turning into piles of rubble helped to quickly shuffle us and the remainder of our stuff out the door for good.
We moved the remaining furniture to storage. This consisted of five mattresses, a table, six chairs, and a desk.
As the walls came down, we piled what was left in the house into the living room and then off to the storage unit.
Our Last Night in the Old House
Tonight we ate our last meal in the house and spent our last night sleeping on our mattresses in our old bedrooms. Tomorrow the real demolition begins.
Our last meal inside the house.
Day 1: Back Porch Demolition
The work crew arrived today for their first official day on our renovation job. They wasted no time, pulling what was left of the deck off the back of the house and completely dismantling the screen porch, roof and all.
Gravel
A truckload of gravel arrived today to lay a pad from the driveway down to the RV.
Spreading out the gravel