Largest Puzzle

The day finally came when we could lay our floor. We were so excited to be living on something other than sub-floor, but we were unaware of how much work it would be to put the floor in. We have spent so much time gluing and cutting things just right, not to mention the measuring to line everything up. But more than anything I felt like we were putting a large puzzle together and the more we got done the more I was thrilled about this particular puzzle. The last month or so Mr. G and I have quit our Dish Network and have spent our evenings reading or working on a 1000 piece puzzle. This is our masterpiece. If you notice the only pieces really put together are the outside ones and the barn in the middle. We aren't making a whole lot of progress, but I am sure that this is the reason our floor reminded me of a puzzle. It also made putting the floor together even more exciting since it was like a game to me.

To start we first laid out some pieces of the floor and then worked on lining them up. We used a chalk line and were able to line up where the first piece should go. Many people through out the morning reminded us that being an 1/8 of an inch off to start could make us 2 inches off at the end which is a big deal. That was good advice but a bit scary to hear before we started.

Because of all the glue we were about to put on the floor we had to put the dogs up. Marley wasn't too upset about it, but Mickey had a fit...the ENTIRE time.

Marley seemed have some affects of the glue smell that was radiating through out our house. Poor guy ended up making himself sick. Doesn't he just look pitiful.

Finally, after starting at 9 in the morning we laid the first piece of flooring around 1:00pm. That was an exciting moment. At this point we thought for sure that we would be done laying the floor sometime next June.

But once we got the hang of things we were able to lay the pieces a lot quicker. Mr. G showed up after work and started helping out which made things go even faster.

You can't tell but we are both high on glue at this point. That left us with some nice headaches to end the evening. We ended up finishing most of the living room around 9:00 that night.

The next day my dad and I started on the hallway and entry way. We were able to get all of that done and a little more by the end of the day.

We aren't finished yet but it is looking amazing. We believe that we will always remember the wonderful days of laying our floor puzzle piece by puzzle piece.

Right now Mr. G and I are sitting on our new floor in our bare living room watching the DVD of The Little House on the Prairie Season 1. It might be a bit hard on the rear but we are completely happy because at least we have a floor to sit on. Funny how we have come to appreciate something as simple as a floor. We are so thankful for God in allowing us to do this renovation to spruce up our house and for all that we have learned along the way. Renovating can change someone, and I feel God has used it to change me. If only I could keep this appreciation I have for all the many blessings that God gives us. That will be my goal.

Now I am off to work on my puzzle...wish me luck!!

"Oh Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."

--1 Kings 8:23