Painting....

 takes central stage in the remodel this week, although the fireplace surround was installed as well as the hand rail for the stairs.

Jena's new blue room.  It reminds her of the blues inside the Bentonville Arkansas Temple.  How sweet is that.

Her bathroom is a couple of shades lighter of the same blue family....

The sweet yellow of the front room or "library" as Gary calls it now...

And although this is very close to the same yellow we had before, it has been covered with primer for a few weeks.  When I came upstairs and saw it painted this bright yellow, it made me smile!  I love yellows, because they are bright and really make me smile.  We will be staining these walls again (with what Gary describes as dirty water) although it is a bit trickier these days because it isn't a popular style any more so there a fewer products to consider.  Fortunately, our contractor had done it in his home 15 years ago and is familiar with the technical aspects of it and we think we have it figured out.

Our railings got their first coat of stain.  It is a pretty cherry wood like our cabinets and I love it.

Yesterday was spent getting this part of the house ready for paint.  Things were all wrapped up and primer applied on the walls.  Our stove is now out of commission. 

This is our new fireplace surround--taken from a picture on the internet.  The sides and under the mantel are white, but on top (covered with paper in this photo) is a cherry wood mantel.  I can't wait to see the tile go in!  It should be beautiful.

Fortunately, they ran a power cord to the fridge so we can still use it for food.  Our washer and dryer were all wrapped up, so we unwrapped them this weekend to do laundry and we were also able to use the utility sink still for washing dishes.  However, that is likely to be removed tomorrow as part of the process of prepping the laundry room.  Our contractor and workmen have done such a great job in allowing us to use things for as much as possible during a remodel.  It has been inconvenient, but not impossible to continue to live here during the remodel.

Getting excited to have things done and to move back in.  I am loving everything so far.