It's official...WE ARE CRAZY!!

Last Sunday as Neil and I were discussing how we could make the most of our upcoming Memorial Day weekend, we quickly came to the conclusion that painting the exterior of our house was the best option (yes, we are crazy). Since the day we moved in we've H-A-T-E-D the color. Okay, I've hated the color, and Neil has agreed that it's ugly. Only one other house in the entire neighborhood is the same color scheme, if that gives you any idea of how awful it is. Unfortunately other house projects have taken priority up to this point. But this weekend (finally) seemed like the best time to tackle this one, and here's why:

• We are almost ready to landscape the backyard - yay! (just have to install sprinklers), and we figure it's much smarter to paint now rather than after we've laid sod and planted bushes and flowers right up against the house.
  
  
• We have a paint sprayer (yet another amazing Craigslist find)! We actually bought it for the sake of painting the basement, but made very good use of it yesterday and will once again crank it up tomorrow! What a HUGE difference it has already made for us!
  
  
• I have re-gained my energy, am not awkwardly large (yet) and can still maintain my balance. Don't worry, Mom, I haven't gotten too high up on the ladders.
  
  
• The weather is perfect - warm, but not HOT! My only wish is that the wind calms down a bit tomorrow!

We got our colors approved through HOA last week, and I picked up paint Friday. That same afternoon Neil pressure washed the house. Then all of Saturday we were outside painting away (thank you, Molly and LeAnne for helping out with Chloe). We made more progress than we'd planned to, and hope to be finished with the main color by noon tomorrow (have I mentioned how handy a paint sprayer can come in?). All that will be left then is the front door, shutters and trim. Yes, we are crazy! But any of you who know Neil really can't be that surprised by this undertaking. He's fearless when it comes to projects.

Speaking of Neil, here he is in action yesterday! More pictures to come...

On a side note, if any of you are around tomorrow and want to drop by with some fresh lemonade, we'll gladly welcome it (clear of throat... STELENE!, WHO LIVES RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET)! Only kidding, unless you really are feeling charitable! :)