A few weeks ago we decided Io paint (油漆) the outside of our house. To save money we decided Id do it ourselves. One Saturday morning. we went to tile shop and bought some paint and a number of brushes. We alrmdy had a ladder (梯子). so we were then ready Io start. We began that afternoon with the back of the house. The next Saturday I went to a foothall malch while my wife painted the front of the house. On Sunday we found that we could not open any of tile front windows. We got them all open in tile end but I broke three and they were very expensive to repair. Next gme when we try to save money. I shall certainly pay somne to do the work.

"So we were then ready to start. " means we ______