Some people will go to great lengths in order to avoid stripping old paint off the woodwork...

A week ago we received greatly appreciated help from our brothers. In about one hour, Dave & Chris had the old staircase out on the front lawn, all three remained in one piece. Then Dave's brother Dan & friend Brian arrived. They built a new landing, put up the new staircase and Dan framed in a new wall for us, all at a leisurely pace, it took about 2 1/2 hours.

While the boys toiled, the most I did was exert my right index finger photographing the event for posterity.

You've seen this before....old stairs and heat duct.

The electric was moved out of harm's way.

Plan of attack.

Demolition is FUN!

Success!

 Crooked 2nd floor.

Lawn ornaments.

New staircase going in.

New landing, staircase & wall.

A huge sigh of relief. Many thanks to Chris, Dan & Brian.

Happily, a friend of ours took the old stairs to use in a barn - much better than throwing them in a landfill.

Dave spent most of one day this past weekend on his knees at the top of the stairs, tearing up the old floor and planing down the floor joists to level off the floor. Now that's done, time to run the heat!