Anyone Like a Good Before and After?

So, these photos are almost embarassing to post...but at the same time they are too good NOT to post...so here goes!

On Tuesday, Mike left for a business trip at circa 4 am.  With Father's Day fast approaching, knowing that his idea of a great gift is something that doesn't cost much, and with our garage being the most disgusting hell-hole....it wasn't hard to figure out what we were going to do when he was gone. 

I know.  I called the garage a hell-hole.  That is because that is what it was.  No other more "gentle" words can describe it accurately.  Maggots.  I found MAGGOTS in there.  When your child lifts a bag of trash that he finds under a pile of clothing intended for Good Will and says, "Mommy!  I found lots of worms.  Can we go fishing with them?"  That is NOT good.  'Nuf said.

So, the biggest challenge was deciding where to start.  This is the view from the door- the view I had when I decided to start this project.  I wanted to turn back, but knew I couldn't. 

A couple of other "Before" shots...

The pile that greeted us when we came in the door.

Shelving-- intended for storage and organization.  Being used for anything BUT that.

The side where Mike would have liked to park his car...

And the side where I would have liked to park my car.  And an arm.  Might have lost a child in there somewhere!

So, since the next day was trash day-- I started with clearing out as much trash as I could- and as much recycling as I could.  I ended up filling 6 cans.  Three of mine and three of my neighbor's (who was out of town and had two empty cans and some extra space in her other one-- Thanks, Lisa!)  I also ended up with the most impressive pile of recycling I have ever seen.  The men were at my drive for quite a while before they drove away in their trucks on Wednesday.

With the trash out, we went into organizational mode.  It seems like at some point there were good intentions of organizing, because as I cleaned I found lots of empty storage bins!  I put them and our label maker to good use.  Painting supplies.  Preserving supplies.  Electrical. Plumbing.  Aquarium.  Camping.  All of these things and more got homes- and got labeled so they are now easy to find.  Tools all made their way from every nook and cranny to the work bench-- which got cleared off and scrubbed. 

Finally...the floor was cleaned- and it got washed.  The kids and I hosed it down with soap and scrub brushes.  I could serve dinner out there...but I won't.  I do remember what was out there just the day before...the fishing worms....ew.

So, now- after 18 hours of labor (of just mine) and many hours of the kids helping.  The garage is looking really good.  I think when Mike gets home he is going to open the door and think he is at the wrong house.  And, I can post this without ruining the surprise now because he is on the plane.  No access to internet until he gets home.  : )

The after pics...

See that?  Space two park two cars!  Imagine...having a three car garage and being able to park at least one of your cars in it!  : )

Shelves with order...things labeled.  Everything has a place.  Pets.  Garden.  Automotive.

The hockey area.  I even went as far as to wash all of the contents of my husband's stinky hockey bag.  Does your husband play hockey?  If so, you know the aroma of a bag left in the summer sun with dirty jerseys, socks, and more....that is LOVE for you.

Coming into the door....less to trip over for sure. 

Neatly labeled bins.  Everything in its place.  Ah, it makes me happy.  See, my house is usually pristinely cleaned....now my garage looks like it belongs with my house.

The workbench.  Ready for projects!

Even cleaned out all the drawers and shelves to the fridge...and organized it.  I also took an inventory of my Mike's Hard Lemonades.  ; )

The new view from the stoop....I think Mike will be pleasantly surprised.  I hope so at least-- cause he is the best husband I could have ever imagined...and the most amazing father to our children.  He is totally worth doing this (and more) for-- and we hope that this just shows him how much we love him and miss him when he is gone.  Happy Father's Day, Mike-- and also to the other dads (like my own!) who might read this.  : )

Comments

[Jessica Ewald]

This is Nate, I just love this. I am so impressed, and inspired. (But we can't clean out our garage, cuz it's not our stuff!!) Lisa, this is hands down one of the best father's day endeavors I've ever seen. You're an awesome wife and are part of such an excellent family.