We had to chisel off the cap stones.

Then it was mixin’ time.

Turns out we had some serious past life stuff going on. Armand was instantly good at this as if he’d done it before.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was thorough, and we’ll be covering it anyway.

We only had 2/3 of a course done by the end of the day, due to a morning of discussion, internet research, and prep.

To be continued…

Here’s what the wall looked like when we bought the place:

We’ve since sold the gates for scrap, so here’s what it looks like now:

Well, Fenny was in that corner, trying to figure out a way to jump down. A 9 foot drop!

Well, today, we will fill in the gaps with concrete block. It will eventually get stuccoed over so that it doesn’t look like poop.

We will take plenty of picks to show you! So happy to be doing something after such a long period of inactivity.

Armand and I had a very candid and realistic discussion about the reno and where the baby makin’ fits into that plan. It’s become clear, financially, that adding a second floor to the house is a long ways away and if we scrap that plan then we’ll be able to renovate the house proper sooner. This means being okay with not having an office and not living here forever. I can be okay with that. We’ve also set a deadline. We’re going to get as much done as we can, hoping to finish, but at this certain point it’s baby time, ready or not. We’re not getting any younger. For realsies.

This means that the end result will be a two bedroom one bath house with a one or two room guest house with bath. Kiddies will share a room till one of ‘um is a teenager – then we move.

That’s all I’ve got for now. Still waiting till there’s enough cash for our perforated drain pipe, 1″ washed gravel, tiller rental, river rock, and grass. Sigh.

I’ll keep you posted.

Good news – Armand booked a national network commercial for Lexus! So, knock-on-wood-fingers-crossed there might be more money for home improvements around here.

In other news, check out the 4th of July Parade in El Sereno.

I tend to withdraw from my friends when I’m going through something tough, and I’ve been doing the same here. Maybe it’s what I do for a living creeping in, but I do need to remind myself that I don’t have to entertain. I can also connect, which is the most important part of what I do. I can do that by making this a completely honest account, troubles and all. Hopefully, you’ll be with me.

We’re getting back to work here at The LOH this week. This time, although lean, has been productive. We made a feature film (a drama called Take Care), I wrote and put up my first show (Disney’s Silence of the Lambs – the Musical at Upright Citizens Brigade), I did another sketch show with my team, The Space Program, at Upright Citizens Brigade, I shot a music video for new singer/songwriter Cazz, and I’m learning the ukulele. So there’s all that.

Thank you for reading, and we’ll have some home news soon.

:) Brooke

We’ve got lots to show and tell about – we’ll be back soon!

Having The LOH on camera in such a “before” state will be a wonderful thing to look at once we get to some actual “afters” on this reno. Of course, it is a lil’ bit like when I played a serial killer on Law & Order: Criminal Intent and made my network television debut with not a bit makeup on my face and hair color soaking my melon. Stuff looked rough.

If ya don’t feel like sittin’ through the vid, here’s what I’m talking about:

Also, face in lettuce:

Both The LOH and I are looking forward to some more glam camera time.