Last night I decided it was a good time to start ripping out the hallway carpet
The kids are coming over to rip out the rest, today. This stuff has been down for 50+ years. It was good, sturdy but very ugly and I tolerated it for longer than I should have. It was put down for my aunt, from whom I inherited the house. She had epilepsy so they thought it best to put a thick carpet with equally thick padding throughout the house. EVERYWHERE but the bathrooms and laundry room. Yes. the kitchen is carpeted. Hopefully not for much longer.
I won't say it was easy, but it also wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I watched a video where the guy used a shovel to pry up the tack board and it works, beautifully. Especially if someone stronger than me is doing it. I suffered one pinch from the pliers I used to remove staples but zero puncture wounds from the tack board and/or nails.
This is probably the biggest of the renovation projects. When the house was built they did not protect the floors while painting the walls and ceiling so there's LOTS of work to be done, there. However, the sanding and sealing of the floor can wait until Springtime. Meanwhile I'll be buying some area rugs.
So, a major step towards bringing this Brady Bunch era home in to the 21st Century.
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Is watching the furballs race down the polished floors and then realize they have zero traction to turn the corner. 
Worth the price of admission.
The kitties are going to LOVE the throw rugs!