Roofs, rooms, and window treatments

We've had a lot going on around our house the last few weeks.  As you saw from my last post, the month of October was completely consumed with garage sale preparations.  Just a week later, we were in the midst of another huge project...replacing our roof.  When we bought our home, we knew the roof needed replacing.  Our house is just about 20 years old, and the old roof was the original.  Generally, roofs in this part of the country only last for 15 years due to extreme heat in the summer and hailstorms.  We went in knowing we'd soon need a replacement, which is why the previous owner was willing to pay our closing costs.

So, during the month of October we began to get bids.  We must have had 6 or so different companies come to bid for us.  We had some money set aside, so the main priority was to find a roofer who would bid what we had.  The lowest bid came close, so we hired him.  The first week of November, they worked on our roof.  I couldn't believe that it only took 2 days, and I also couldn't believe that my daughter could nap through all the noise!  Now the roof is completely finished and looks great.  One project down!

This past week, we began a project inside our house.  Our home is a 2 story, 3 bedroom home, with the master on the first level.  We also have a family room upstairs, which we are currently using as my hubby's office and a playroom for Juliet.  Many of you know that we are in the process of adopting from China.  When we bring our new daughter home, we want to put her and Juliet in the same room.  Juliet's current room is quite small, so we decided to have the family room closed off and made into a fourth bedroom.  That room is quite large, and the two girls should fit nicely in it!  Here is a photo of the room before.

Here are a couple of the *nearly finished product.

This doorway was added.  There was not a frame for a door before.

Pretty purple

The work is not quite complete.  Our contractor is coming Monday to put a few finishing touches on it, including installing a door.  Also, since this room doesn't have a closet, we plan to buy a couple of wardrobes and some shelving from Ikea to install for the girls.  We're going to wait until the spring to make those purchases though.  Getting this room completed is making us even more ready to bring our daughter home!  We can hardly wait.  

Finally, today I was able to mount the boards for my Roman Shades.  Hubs actually mounted them and attached the pulleys.  I hung the shades on the mounting.  Here's how they turned out.  

BTW...I love my crafter's staple gun!!!   Best.Tool.Ever!

They're still not in "working" order.  I have yet to sew the lift rings on the back yet, but that's my next project. At least now the neighbors behind us don't have a full view straight through our house at night any longer.  Yes, our house is beginning to feel like our home!