Home Repairs

When we purchased our first home on the other side of the country, it was (at that time) only 5 years old. It was owned by a bachelor with a live in girlfriend. The owner's best friend lived down the street with an identical house. So, I have a feeling that there was some healthy competition between each other. This house on the other hand, was lived in by a family of at least 5. Along with a huge dog, birds and an iguana. This house has been lived in... literally. And this house is only 6 years old. This new house is infested with mice and cockroaches (even if slightly -- it is). There are holes to be patched from the tiny visitors and traps to be set. Ken has been ever so busy since we moved in to make this home one that we can grow our family in the coming years.

• He started by vacuuming the carpet floors (after they were professionally cleaned). He vacuumed for five hours. Each room was vacuumed three times (horizontally, vertically and then diagonally). Why so much vacuuming, you ask? Even after being professionally cleaned, the floors were imbedded with loads of dog hair and dirt. The amount of hair and dirt that he was pulling out, was unbelievable.
• After this job was complete, next it was on to cleaning under the appliances. The fridge was first, where we found our first welcome home guest... a dead mouse. Under the stove/oven, was lots of grease and caked on dog hair and miscellaneous items that had rolled under the oven. Not to mention the pathway of mouse droppings that were back behind the cabinets. He took the oven apart and cleaned each part individually to rid it from all the grease that was around the door hinges and front window.
• He then worked to blow out all of the mouse droppings, dust and debris from the basement. During this adventure he found the entrance of the mice as well as the nest behind the furnace.
• He fixed both the basement door and the front storm door (which didn't close easily) and put wd40 on ALL the doors throughout the house, as they all squeaked!
• His weekend project has been to scour the kitchen, laundry and half bathroom vinyl floor (after I've cleaned both twice). He spent several hours cleaning them on his hands and knees, and has now been "finishing" them with a special sealant. They look completely new. Totally amazing!
• I have painted the living room and kitchen with primer (it's almost done).
• I've cleaned the glass cook top stove that was caked with grease around each burner.
• He's purchased our washer and dryer as well as a new lawn mower and trimmer with coupons and saved a slew of cash!

Basically, my husband is amazing!! He's done more, waded through more, and taken on more projects than we knew this home needed. And all without a gripe or complain. And completed all to the fullest and completely. More home repairs to come and hopefully we'll make this house into our home real soon!!