We finally got the plans finalized, the permits issued, and the contractors lined up.  Well, most of them anyway.  And the noise started today.  First step?  Build a temporary staircase (pun intended).  It was so noisy, even the dog was nervous.  But it is very quiet right now.  I love silence.

In the next couple of days, they are going to start taking up parts of the foundation and putting down new pads and footers to support the new load distribution for the first and second floors.  Important stuff since we are taking down the entire back (load-bearing) wall - all 25 feet of it.  Oh, yeah, and the major interior wall that holds up the second floor is going away too.  And we started by simply envisioning a kitchen remodel.  This has definitely gotten MUCH bigger as the planning progressed.

When the concrete saws show up, I'm trying to think of how to put noise canceling earphones on the dog and the cats.  I don't know what would annoy them more - the noise or the earphones.

Anyway, wish us luck.  I'm stocked up on Aleve and my favorite anti-anxiety medication.  I'm good to go.