This past weekend we tackled our "tearing the wall down" project in between the living room and dining room. We had a load of help from my parents, my grandmother, my brother and Aaron's parents.

Saturday 15th: 8am
Here are what the rooms looked like before it all started.

Saturday 15th: 10am
Aaron and my Dad have taken off the moldings and started to ripe out the wall board.


Saturday 15th: 10:15am
They have now gotten almost all the wall board off and are ready to start removing the studs.

Saturday 15th: 10:30am
Here go the studs.


Saturday 15th: 11:00 am
Here is what the project looked like by the time that they broke to take the debris to the dump and eat some lunch.



Come back tomorrow for Tear Down the Wall, Day 1: Part 2.

I thought I would take a break and participate in a Blog Hop hosted by Kelly at Kelly's Korner. The blog hop is called Show Us Your Life: Your Favorite Vacation Spot. My favorite vacation spot is Paris, France, I have only been there once but day dream all the time about the going back there soon.

Here are some photos that we took on our honeymoon in Paris.

Last weekend Aaron and I went and purchased two new double hung windows that will be replacing a old picture window that does not open. We purchased Anderson windows from J.B. Sash and Door in Chelsea, MA, the staff there was very helpful. We were looking to make sure that the windows that we purchased qualified for the Federal Tax Rebate.

I thought I would share some helpful facts about the Replacement Window Tax Rebate for any of you that are thinking about replacing windows.

• The rebate is valid through 2010
• The windows have to be purchased for your primary residence
• The credit is for 30% of the product cost (it does not include installation)
• You can claim up to $1,500 in credit on all of your home improvement upgrades per year (so this includes solar panels, upgrade in heating system, insulation, etc...)
• Only certain window glass is eligible for the rebate so check with your salesman on which products are available for the credit.
  

Nina Willdorf has compiled a great book of helpful tips for the modern girl looking to save money. She interviewed tons of women to find out ways that they save money and live well, covering subjects from groceries to home decor and more.

In the home and garden section, she has a talent in simplifying everything that you need to know when purchasing furniture including price guides and whether or not you can purchase the item at a yard sale or not. There are also helpful websites at the end of every section and stores where you can score the best deal.

Go ahead and check this book out at your local library, it will not cost you anything and may end up saving a lot of money.