2 Teachers still learning & chasing their dream
The "Live-In" Renovation Reality Check If you read a construction manual, they’ll tell you to hang drywall first, then install the lights. We did the exact opposite. Because we are actually living in this cabin while we renovate (and we like being able to see in the dark), the lights had to go up early.… Continue reading Drywall & Dates: Our DIY Valentine’s Day Disaster (The Reality of Living in a Renovation & a Bathroom Update!)
To be fair, in that year we literally knocked the cabin down and had it rebuilt. We didn’t even have a structure to start the "actual" renovation until July. So, while we’ve owned the property for a year, the house is technically only seven months old. When you’re living in a construction zone and working… Continue reading One Year and ZERO Finished Rooms (part 1)
In Year One of our cabin renovation journey, we embraced challenges and developed new skills. Major milestones included installing in-floor heating, siding the house, and electrical work, guided by a supportive community. Our experiences transformed our approach to home improvement, and we're excited for the next phase of our adventure.
We thought we were crossing the finish line. It was right before Christmas. The cabin finally had heat and hot water. We were staying in it as we renovated (a messy choice, but the only way we could keep working). The bathroom was functional, and we were just working on the drywall and trim to… Continue reading The Nightmare Before Christmas: Why We Tore Out Our Brand New Shower
"Just buy stock cabinets. It will be so much easier." That’s what our experienced reno friends told us. "You need to think of the cost of your time and the materials to refinish them." Those were great words of advice from seasoned veterans. And we searched, tried to envision layouts, used cabinet design software, and… Continue reading The $5,000 Savings: Why We Saved Cabinets Instead of Buying New
The Bucket Toilet That Saved the Day(s) We all love the glamour shots of power tools. The shiny red Milwaukee drills, the chop saws, the nail guns. Those are the tools that build the house. But what about the "tools" that keep you running while you build it? When we started this renovation, we weren't… Continue reading The Unsung Hero of Our DIY: The Bucket Toilet
Project Phase: Pre-Demo March 2025 Before we knew the house was a total teardown—and before Frank ever said the words, “For only $20,000 more...”—we were still thinking this was a renovation situation. However, Frank had called with an update- After he cut a hole in the bathroom floor to look under the “addition”, he said… Continue reading We Named Him Bernard