Before we go any further...

We get how lucky we are to have this home.

We bought it from an elderly lady who has lived here for almost 50 years. She and her husband raised a large family in this house, and in the end it was just her. 

Sometimes it feels like these days of driving kids to hockey and swimming pools, hosting sleepovers and helping with homework will last forever.  But I know it goes in the blink of an eye.  So... before I continue with the home reno horror stories, it's good to remind myself it is good to value this home and the lives lived here before us.