Tis the season to be flooded

As luck would have it, our basement flooded.  I say this because our family theme for the year is "Be Positive!" Our basement was finished, but needed some love.  It was on "the list."  See?

1.  kitchen back splash
2.  convert fireplace to gas
3.  gas fireplace on the patio
4.  family room furniture
5.  basement remodel

and here's the new list-

1.  basement remodel

Jesus was barely in the manger, when the torrential rains arrived and our basement was floating.  Packed away was the playroom Christmas tree, all of the toys, and all of my crafting goodies.  Having paid professionals to float the carpet THREE times in the past five years, this time we decided to go it alone. We had watched them haul in their fans and water-sucking-up machines.  Fun date night - Bart and I in the basement - armed with my new Hoover Carpet Cleaner (I call her Heidi) and the super Shop Vac - both just filling and filling and filling up with water.  12 or so gallons of water in, we pronounced the time of death for our carpet.

Back to the lucky part - Bart was off for a week!  Nothing says relaxation than ripping up carpet, tearing down a wall, putting in recessed lighting and building a new wall.   Because just like if you give a mouse a cookie.......if you are changing out your flooring, then you might as well change that wall you were thinking about, and put in those lights, and replace those well windows that caused the flooding in the first place.  

And because the kids were off from school - we had more free labor and free babysitting!

In the end, we will have a new TV room and a new craft/homework room.  You heard me right - MY CRAFT ROOM WILL NO LONGER BE IN A CORNER OF THE WOOD SHOP!    

Shout Hallelujah!   The Magi have arrived.  Baby Jesus and a craft room are born!!