Preparation Is Key For Handyman Peepaw

Preparation is sometimes overlooked by DIY folks. But not by Peepaw.  He knows that proper preparation is what ultimately makes the finished project a success.

Our OBX makeover timeline meant we had about one week before Nick would return to tackle another huge project. So in the meantime Peepaw got to work to prepare for his return.

An Anniversary Like No Other

By this time April was already half gone. And that meant we would be spending our 51st wedding anniversary in the middle of a total work zone.  So when that special Sunday rolled around we decided to head out for breakfast. And we found the perfect place.

The Broken Plate Kitchen is a delicious little eatery in Corolla. I sipped my early morning coffee while I enjoyed my view of the famous Currituck Beach Lighthouse in the distance. 

Our anniversary breakfast even included tater tots. (Delicious!)

After our morning breakfast break we returned to the house to get back to work. But before we changed our clothes I grabbed Peepaw at the front door to snap an anniversary selfie. (And yes…I am truly vertically challenged.)

Where oh where have those 51 years gone?

It wasn’t long before Peepaw hurried back inside where he continued his interior painting project…this time in the first floor bathroom off the game room. 

That game room had become the staging area for all deliveries that were scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks. 

I busied myself  in the kitchen (as usual) where I decided to cook a comfort food dinner that evening. Nothing fancy. Just a rib sticking anniversary dinner that would appeal to hard working Peepaw.

Baby It’s COLD Outside!

As I puttered around in the kitchen I was feeling chilly, so I headed to the new, high tech thermostat Nick had installed on his first trip to Corolla. I couldn’t figure out how to change the setting so I texted Nick in Indiana and I asked him to make it warmer in the house. I literally laughed out loud as I watched the setting on that thermostat change…all the way from Indy!

The “Smart Technology” our kids have added in that house? Incredible! So if any of our guests need help? It’s LITERALLY a click away!

Peepaw painted non stop all day. And those chilly outdoor temps made this old fashioned roast beef dinner with roasted carrots the perfect choice.

Of course I needed to make my famous garlic mashed spuds to go with the gravy I knew I would make from those flavorful beef drippings.

It was a delicious day for sure.

Preparation Next? Floors!

The next day it was time to tackle the back breaking item on Peepaw’s preparation check list. It was time to tackle those FLOORS.

Since Nick was scheduled to return about a week later, we needed to have carpet and the ceramic tiles removed by then. So it was time for Peepaw to retire his paintbrush and pick up a box cutter and a crowbar! UGH. That’s what I call back breaking hard work. (My old knees hurt just thinking about that task.)

First, the carpet.

LOTS of carpet. And staples.

LOTS of staples.

And next? Those thick ceramic tiles.

LOTS of tiles.

Those tiles were a beast to remove.

But Peepaw never gives up.

He even uncovered several layers of interesting vinyl in his flooring adventures.

I did spend some time crawling around on the floor to pull some staples, but I will give Peepaw ALL the credit for the difficult and back breaking work that week.

Let The Deliveries Begin

Also that week Nick and Sarah told us to expect the new flooring to be delivered. And since our long, circular driveway winds beneath the low branches of the beautiful live oak trees I wondered how that flooring would be delivered. Especially when I saw a huge flat bed semi arrive in front of the house.

But fear not. That driver quickly unloaded a skid loader…

and he wheeled the heavy pallet right to the game room sliding door.

Right to the door!

The guys made short work of unloading all the boxes.

(Just one more bending exercise for Peepaw that week!)

He was sure glad when “FLOOR PREPARATION” was finally checked off of his “to do” list.

A Beautiful Break From Work

Now even though these OBX posts are all about our beach house makeover, we DID make time on several evenings to celebrate and explore nearby. (And God knows Peepaw deserved a break now and then!!!)

Like the night we took a 15 minute walk from our front door to Timbuck II. Click on that link and check it out. It’s an incredible assortment of great restaurants and shops…all housed in cute little cottages. And after our dinner and drinks there we absolutely LOVED our short walk home.

I’ve never before stayed in a place with so few street lights to pollute the night sky. It was a chilly but gorgeous evening…and the huge houses on our peaceful street glowed in final rays of the setting sun.

The Outer Banks is a truly unique and magical place….and it should certainly be on your bucket list.

And Speaking Of Water…

And speaking of buckets…that made me think of water. Here is a BEFORE photo of our house and decks…

When it comes to preparation, the one OBX makeover area we didn’t dabble in? The water works! The pool and hot tub and the lawn sprinklers. LOL! Nick and Sarah hired talented local companies to handle all of those tasks before the house makeover was complete.

After this photo was taken, the pool company resurfaced the pool and added a pool heater too…for those chilly days in Spring and Fall. And the hot tub got a new cover.

The lawn care company reprogrammed the sprinkler system, plus they treated those live oak trees with tender loving care before they cleared out all the leaves from the half acre lawn and the flower beds.

Two great companies to handle those specialized details. And the finished projects were worth the wait. You’ll see.

Now…about all those FLOORS…