And Bye-Bye Carpet!

So, remember how we were only gonna empty the house last week-end? But then we ended up taking down the wallpaper too?

Well, it gets even better!

Miss g.'s room has quite the odor. Every time we go into the house, the smell of cat pee overwhelms us, and it is the worst in the back bedrooms. But especially in g.'s room and we wanted it gone.

While Melissa and I were happily tearing down wallpaper, Steve asked, "Where's Brad?" and just as he said that we hear this, Rrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiippppppppppppppppppppp from the back bedroom. We all walk back there and sure enough my sweet hubbie had jumped in with both feet and was ripping out the carpet. Turns out he wanted that smell gone NOW not later.

I started helping and just like the wallpaper, turns out that 40 year old carpet comes up pretty easy. We got it out of that room and onto the back porch in no time. We filled a sprayer with water and bleach and sprayed the floor in hopes that the smell would go away and were so thrilled with our progress.

We had motivation so we called to check on g. She was still asleep so we decided to do the living room too!

It made such a huge difference and it's actually looking like a construction zone! We started to take some of the tack strip up but didn't really have the right tools so we called it good for the day.

Sunday morning we headed over as soon as I put g. down for her first nap...around 9. We were eager to get the house empty and get some more work done. Everything was happening so quickly and we were having so much fun! So once Steve and crew left around 11, we got started on doing more carpet. Now don't get me wrong, fun is a strange word to use because this stuff was disgusting. The smell and the dust and the filth that covered the carpet was enough to make me never want to step on anyone's carpet barefoot, like ever. It was gross. 

But, getting it outta there was what made it fun! The relief of it being gone and the vision of the blank slate slowly appearing made it exciting!

Here is Brad demonstrating out we did it.

First you cut at the edge of about a 2.5 foot strip and tug. I would usually have to put my full weight on the edge to hold it down so he could get a good rip going.

Then you pull...

And pull...

And pull with all your might before looking at your wife triumphantly...

Then we would roll up the section and throw it on the back porch in disgust. I would pull up the (pad because that was way easier and throw it out too and before you knew it...the room would look like this!

We did the dining room, hallway, the boys' room, the master bedroom AND bathroom, and the office all in just a few hours. And yes, the master BATHroom did have carpet. Even on the front face of the tub!

We made two HUGE piles on the back porch that will eventually have to be moved again to the dumpster, but at least it's out of the house!

Check out that dark, dreary office already looking better!

We did this room last because we thought it would be the worst, but honestly they were all bad. I will forever have the smell of cat pee singed in my brain.

Can you believe how much we got done in one week-end!?