My officemates are planning out-of-town trips this month and early next year. They've been asking me if I'll go with them. I declined because of two reasons: (1) we are saving up for a number of home improvement projects in the  months of November- December, and (2) we are re planning to go to my hometown in April 2014. 

As the kids are growing up, we want to re-create our humble abode into a safe, kid-friendly, and relaxing one. 

To tell you more about our home improvement plan, I'd like to share the following list which include the portions of house that need to be repaired / renovated / re-organized. I made this list while I'm on leave, after my gallbladder operation last May. 

notice the different shades of varnish/paint in the stairs which is also included in the plan

this photo was taken during Thea's 5th birthday.  

Our target is to accomplish  items 2 to 4 by the end of the year.