Hi there- Kevin here.
Layla’s Grandpa Richard passed away last night, so while my bride takes a couple days off, I thought I’d share a little bit about him and what we’ve been up to here at TLC lately.
(Layla and Grandpa Richard, September 2010)
Grandpa Richard was in the Army from 1941-1945. In just four short years, he became a Master Sergeant- and before tonight, we had no idea he received 10 different medals of conduct throughout that time. (One of which was the Bronze Star!) Layla said he didn’t talk about that part of his military days. “Humble & heroic” seem like the perfect words to describe him.
After the Army, he built houses for a living. As a matter of fact, he built the house he and his wife, Evelyn, lived in from the time Layla was born- ’til some time in the early 90’s…
I snapped that photo of her in front of it last month when we went up to Minnesota.
She hadn’t seen the house at least 10 years, but she has dreams about it all the time.
I know she wanted to go inside.
I know she wanted to tell me about show me all the memories they made there.
I wish I could buy it for her, so that she could go in whenever she wanted.
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I’m pretty sure she gets her love of renovating from her Grandpa.
They built a club house together in the woods behind their farmhouse one Summer when she was a kid. It had bunk beds, and real windows, a shingled roof, and even a screen door.
I hope to be able to do that for my grandchild(ren) one day. Which is sort of funny because when I met Layla, I hadn’t even tackled one home improvement project. I didn’t own any tools, and I thought when something broke- you called a handyman to fix it.
Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how to DIO (Do-It-Ourselves) with her by my side. She’s taught me to embrace the home improvement unknown, and to not be afraid to get my hands saw-dusty. I love her for that. Well, I love her for lots of reasons, but I love her for that too.
Last week, she and I invested in our first, real deal, scary/awesome power tool- and started working on one of the soon-to-be wood-clad walls in our master bedroom.
But before we start cladding, I wanted to fix up the trim around the windows in the room.
I started by removing the yucky trim that was previously around them…
(Can you believe someone used this stuff?)
…and re-trimmed it with some nicer (less threatening) looking trim.
We shot this little video to document our reno-venture…
(Here’s a link to the YouTube version.)
Fortunately, I got the rest of the new trim up without incident- so, out went the rough/wimpy trim…
…and in came the smoother/chunkier trim…
As Layla would say, Pretty “luscious”, huh?
(Oh- before I forget: pay no attention to the dark gray painted wall. I just did that so if any color showed between our white-painted, wood planks, it would be dark- not light yellow.)
I plan to start Cladfest 2010 tomorrow- so wish me good luck!
(Or at least good aim this time- LOL!)
PS-
Great news! THREE of our readers (Miss Mustard Seed, Rachelle, and Mike) wrote and told us that they made it into the Top 10 of True Value’s Design SOS contest! If you’re interested in voting for your favorite entry- head on over to StartRightStartHere.com. You can vote once a day, every day, from now ’til November 5th.
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The winner of the Perfectly Imperfect Restorations end table is…Commenter #49!
Congratulations Jill!
Drop me a line at [email protected] and I’ll put you in touch with Shaunna.
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So sorry to hear about your grandfather, Layla.
I can’t believe that y’all have done all that work on your house and only just now bought a nail gun!!! Those things are such a time-saver. I have a cheap one…bought the brad nailer and the compressor for $99 at Lowe’s. It’s served me well. One thing I do when installing trim is use a bead of Loctite Instant Grab construction adhesive before nailing the trim. It just makes me feel more confident in the finished product.
Can’t wait to see the progress on your walls!!
my favorite part of this entire post was when you said you wanted to buy the house for Layla so she could go in it whenever she wanted…
so hard to lose our grandpas…my thoughts are with you
To the best blogging couple ever:
So sorry to hear about your Grandpa, Layla. I’ll keep you in my prayers. God’s comfort and peace be with you and your family.
Kevin: How exciting about the nail gun! Perhaps I’ll let my husband get one now. They’re just so SCARY!
As always, I admire your willingness to tackle new projects. So as much as Mr. Layla admires Ms. Layla’s passion for home improvement. We, as readers, admire your willingness to share it with us so we can learn from you.
Thanks AGAIN! And again. And again. And again…
Layla & Kevin, so very sorry for your loss. It sounds like you have some wonderful memories and were blessed to have such an amazing man in your life. I’m sure he influenced the beautiful person you’ve become today. BTW, Kevin’s post is really great. Nice way to share your grandfather with all of us 🙂 (You should do a little tribute to him like an initial or a little photo or trinket, in your project!) Good luck with the latest project – we’ll be following along!
Sweet Layla, I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing my grandpa was hard, and I had so many great memories with mine too. Praying peace over you today. 🙂
Kevin, I love how you love your sweet bride. She is precious, and I can’t wait to see the end result of the cladding. Good luck!
Blessings,
Sasha
Layla, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so glad you have so many happy memories and I pray that God will comfort you and your family as you grieve. Kevin, amazing post – you two are so blessed to have each other!!
Sending warm thoughts to you and Layla.
Hi Kevin,
I wish you both fond memories of Layla’s grandpa, so sorry for your loss.
You did a great job reporting! Can’t wait to see the wood clad walls in your Master Bedroom.
Karen
I’m sorry for your loss, Layla and Kevin. This was a wonderful tribute post, Kevin.
My deepest sympathies for your loss. It’s so hard to let go of someone who means so much & made a big impact on ones life. Blessings.
Sorry to hear about your grandpa. You guys and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Kevin, that is so sweet of you to take over the blog. Your such a great husband. Good luck on your new project!
xo,
Kelly
Sorry for your loss…thinking of you both
Looking forward to the next instalment of the bedroom makeover
Nail gun looks awesome
Hugs x
You are so lucky to have each other.
These are the times when love and compassion matter the most.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. There is nothing like a wonderful Grandfather…
Your memories will be a treasure.
Sending sincere sympathy…….
Layla, you were truly blessed to have such a wonderful grandpa. Both of mine passed before I was born. My heart goes out to you and I will keep you in my prayers. On a lighter note, the video was too funny. I know the first time I used a nail gun, I was intimidated too. Luckily, my dad taught me never say can’t and made me learn how to use power tools in my teens! I’ve never looked back, I think it’s actually addicting!
Such a special post! My heart and prayers go out to you and your family…. Hold all of those special and dear memories close to your heart, as I know you will, and this will help you heal!!! Take Care and know you both are so cared about!
Michelle Torres
[email protected]
Kevin, What a lovely, lovely tribute to Layla’s grandfather and to Layla also. You two are such an indomitable team. And, today, it was wonderful to hear from the other side of the partnership. You two ARE and HAVE something very special.
Layla I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear about you grandpa Richard, what a beautiful tribute you wrote about him.
~**~Im so sorry about your loss Layla…my heart goes out to you during this time. My grampa passed 7 years ago and still miss him soooo much. A BIG HUG to you my friend. Your hubby did a great job posting btw!! Hugs,Rachel~**~
Aww, come on Kevin. Not fair.
I dropped in for a quick fix of lifestyle beautifyin’ and I end sniffling through a Kleenex or three. What a perfect tribute to your sweet wife and her mentor. I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. I miss my Irish farmboy gardening grandpa all the time but especially when I’m tilling the “turf.”
Grandpa Richard lives on in your hearts and minds and in the creative mark your both set upon your daily actions. Be well.
Layla-my heart goes out to you…I’m betting you were very close to your grandpa. Grandparents are a treasure!
Kevin-that nail gun is probably going to become one of your favorite tools. My husband can’t remember what life was like before them!
I will add my condolences regarding Layla’s Grandpa. Kevin…you did a great job with the post.
Oh, Layla – I’m so sorry! I lost my grandmother over the summer and there’s absolutely nothing that can prepare you for that loss. That being said, he sounds like he was a wonderful man. I know that you’ll treasure all those memories you’ve shared with him… And he will continue to work through you in your future design ventures. Hang in there and I promise it will get better!
And I’m sure you already know, but I’m going to point out that you are one lucky gal to have such a sweet guy! I cried when I read what he wrote today… I can tell just in what he wrote and how he wrote it how much he loves you!
Oh bless her sweet heart! Loosing my grandfather was one of the hardest things I have had to go through. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Oh, so sorry to hear about Layla’s grandfather. I know what it’s like and I have sniffles thinking about it. You are a great, loving husband. Plus I think I need to rent you for household projects for a while…
Layla and Kev.
What a great post. What a great love you have together and with your families.
What a wonderful gift being able to see your granpa in Sept.
It is such a special bond that you have with a grandma and grandpa.
Nothing can take that place.
You were every special to him as he was to you from Kev’s great stories.
Special prayers, & hugs to you both and a toast to your Grandpa with love.
Prayers and blessings to you and Layla as you mourn your grandfather’s passing. May you find peace and comfort in God’s loving arms……
xoxo laurie
Layla- I’m so thankful that you’ve got such wonderful memories of your grandfather….they will carry you through.
Kevin-
“I know she wanted to go inside.
I know she wanted to tell me about show me all the memories they made there.
I wish I could buy it for her, so that she could go in whenever she wanted.”
So much love….you’re a gem!!
Love to you both-
Carolyn
So sorry to hear about the loss of your grandpa. Sending you a ((HUG)). God Bless.
Such wonderful memories of an amazing man. Hugs to both of you!
Kevin, you are a keeper!
Tell Layla that I am thinking about her and praying for her. Grandparents are wonderful. My Mawmaw and Pawpaw passed away one month apart in 2005 and there has not been a single day since then that I have not thought about them. Honestly, that is what made me want to start my blog. They were such a big part of my life that I wanted to tell the world about them. I dream about them more than I dream about anything else and I don’t think it is a bad thing. I don’t ever want to stop remembering them, no matter how sad it may make me sometimes. The memories I have of them will forever influence my life and how I live it.
We will be moving in to Mawmaw and Pawpaw’s house (The Little House) in a few months when I graduate. There isn’t much to the house besides it will be a roof over our head (with no rent or mortgage). To us it will be so much more. It holds so many memories and it will be like a gift from them. …A gift with no right angles or levels floors… and everyday I will think about them, laugh about them, miss them. I really hope you will one day be able to buy that house for Layla.
With much love,
Becky
so sorry about your loss, but what great memories you have of him and his place in this world and your family. thank you to him for his service. Kevin – use earplugs!
Oh, I’m so sorry about Grandpa Richard. This post got me a little choked up. My grandpa was a home builder, too, and built the house I grew up in. That’s such a sweet thought – that you wish you could buy the house for her so she could go in whenever she wants. I dream about my old house, too (and my grandparents’ old house also – they lived next door to us). Anyway, thank you for sharing!
I’ll certainly be praying for Layla, the entire family and for safe travels. :o)
What a great post, Kevin. I can see why the two of you work so well together!
So very sorry for your loss, Layla. I never had a grandpa (mine died when I was just a baby) but yours sounds just like the one I’d want if I could have one. ((hugs))
I’m so sorry for both of your loss. Even though he was Layla’s grandpa, he has a big part in you too Kevin! After all, if he hadn’t inspired Layla, she wouldn’t have passed that love of renovating onto you! I hope one day Layla does get to go back into that old house he built.
Love and hugs to both of you!
So sorry about Layla’s grandpa. I pray that God will comfort your family during this time of loss. Kevin, I loved this post. You guys are awesome and I admire your spunky attitude that you can do anything-together.
Sorry to hear about your loss, I will pray that you will find comfort in your memories that have become so precious.
It just amazes me that you are both SOOOO multi-talented. When I read you and your lovely brides words, it sends chills through my body. I even get chills when it’s about a fire place re-do…heehee. Great post…what a thoughtful hubby!!
xo, Meredith
The Weathered Bungalow
Layla & Kevin…My sincere condolences on the loss of your grandfather. Hold tight to your wonderful memories of him. Nothing in this life is as important as the relationships we have with our family.
You two are always an inspiration!
xoxo
Wendy
what an amazing man your Grandfather must have been!!!! How precious and blessed you are to have had him for these many years!!!!
I have so enjoyed your blog site today… I stumbled onto it thru Southern Hospitality!!! so glad that i did!!!!
Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents …. I WILL BE BACK!!!! Terri
Grandparents are the best! Everything I love about decorating and designing came from my grandparents……what a gift! God bless you! Love the post!
Desiree
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear of Layla’s Granddaddy passing. He certainly looks like a sweet fellow in that photo! I teared up when I read that you wish you could buy the house he built so she could go in anytime she wants. That was really sweet and thoughtful!
sending hugs to you both from across the miles –
Polly
Layla, I lost my grandmother several months ago at age 96. Isn’t it great all of the lessons we learned from them? Big hugs to you and your family.
Kevin, are you the sweetest husband on the planet wishing you could buy Layla’s grandparent’s house? You guys have a precious relationship.
I saw on Facebook when Layla mentioned her Grandpa’s passing and meant to get over here to send my condolences along with all the others. It’s a joy to see a family legacy passed on through the generations and it’s such a treat to follow along with your adventures on/at the Lettered Cottage, knowing Richard was such an influence on Layla’s life and passions. My late dad also was a Master Sgt in the US Army, stationed in England during WWII, so I know how extraordinary those members of, as Tom Brokaw put it, “the Greatest Generation” were and how their service so strongly affected their lives, and ultimately, ours. May you continue to honor Layla’s Granpa’s memory with your kind hearts and good work. Thanks for sharing it, and him, with all of us.
I am so very sorry to read about your grandfather, Layla!
{{Big Hugs}}
Cathy
So sorry to hear about your grandpa Richard. 🙁 It sounds You have some really great memories of him. I’m sure he was a wonderful man. God Bless.
Layla~
So sorry to hear of the loss of your grandfather. The memories and legacy he passed on to you are wonderful. Thank you to Kevin for his sweet post, and for sharing the memories with us.
Keivn What a great man you are to your wife. If only there were more like you.So sorry about your loss.
for you and lyla.
My best,
Linda