tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19837828142129558052024-03-13T13:43:32.900-04:00The Duper DwellingAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-53224788634592853772017-01-18T20:38:00.001-05:002017-01-18T21:05:34.836-05:00Demo Days Have Found Us<h4>
The constraints: </h4>
Three day weekend, 30 cubic yard dumpster, four rooms.<br />
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The participants: </h4>
Mike and I, my dad, and two friends who pitched in for a day.<br />
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The challenge: </h4>
Tear out all plaster and lath (including ceilings), cabinets, fireplace, and non-original framing for closets and doors. Remove all of the nasty ancient carpet. Fill the dumpster to the very top.<br />
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The results:</h4>
Dining room (those of you who have visited may recognize this room as our bedroom from when we lived downstairs):<br />
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Dining room looking into the pre-demo living room. Look at how big the doorway is with the framing removed!<br />
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Living room:<br />
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Our "fireplace" plus a hidden duct. More on the fireplace/chimney in a later post, but let's just say it's half the size it appeared to be and never seems to have been used for actual fire.<br />
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Living room looking into the <strike>light </strike>dining room.<br />
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First floor bathroom. with secret hidden doorway. More on that later as well, but we discovered that the first floor full bath was likely at some point a scullery.<br />
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First floor bath with the true ceiling height revealed. So yeah, there was a second ceiling. Not a drop ceiling - just an extra ceiling.<br />
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Kitchen. Note the revealed doorway to the first floor bath on the left behind the lamp.<br />
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Kitchen, including bonus giant houseplant that lives outdoors in the summer and doesn't fit anywhere upstairs in the winter. So it will live there for now since it refuses to die.<br />
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My poor tortured hands after day two. I'm still trying to scrub the grime out four days later.<br />
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The lath that came out of the kitchen. That's right - only the kitchen made that huge pile. And the guy who pitched in tremendously to create that pile (hi Dad!).<br />
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And last, but most certainly not least, a terrible through-the-window-screen, I'm-too-tired-to-do-real-photography shot of a completely full dumpster.<br />
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Coming soon to a blog near you - a closer examination of the fireplace situation and an exploration of the first floor bathroom/scullery/pantry. Until then, I'm going to bed.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-89649968257309367112017-01-07T14:02:00.003-05:002017-01-18T20:37:14.821-05:00And So It Begins AgainWell, it's about that time again. Our lives have been entirely too neat and orderly. So it's time to break some things. As we wait for an upcoming long weekend, we're starting the pre-demo work on the first floor.<br />
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That means dismantling lights and outlets. Look at this super sketchy wiring we found! Yes, that's brown speaker wire and knob and tube running the ceiling fan we used for seven years.<br />
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We're also taking down the pretty Victorian casing and woodwork that is patterned so that we can strip and refinish it. This time, we'll pay someone else to strip the paint. I've had enough with that.<br />
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While Mike does the finesse work on the casing, I play with the five-pound sledgehammer in the kitchen. Those cabinets didn't stand a chance.<br />
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We've made some discoveries, too. Like our fireplace. There was no bag of gold inside. Instead, we discovered that the chimney is actually only 2/3 the size it appeared. Note the hollow section on the right. It's brick behind plaster on the left. So we're going to have to figure out what to do with that.<br />
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Next Thursday, we're having a dumpster delivered. And then the ceilings will come down, the walls will come out, and if we have time, the floors will come up. Onward!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-29244413181554013412016-08-06T07:19:00.000-04:002016-08-06T07:19:49.787-04:00Second Floor - Before and AfterWell, today is the day. We're moving upstairs. We've officially "finished" the second floor remodel.<br />
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I put "finished" in quotes because, of course, we have a few things left (baseboards in the closets, hanging up the hallway light, paint touch up, installing a stair runner). But that's OK. We can live upstairs and do those things.<br />
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More than anything, both of us are looking forward to living somewhere with color after seven years of "landlord white."<br />
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"Seven years!" people exclaim when I tell them. Yeah, well. We never really had much of a formal timeline. And in addition the remodeling the second floor, we replaced the windows, front door, front porch, fence, roof and siding, front walkway, landscaping, and HVAC.<br />
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And we fixed assorted things that broke all over the place - sinks, toilets, ceilings that came crashing down.</div>
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And we enjoyed life. We went on vacation - including two times overseas. We got bikes and rode them all over the place. We celebrated weddings and birthdays with our family. We had friends over and went to see movies and concerts. </div>
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So with all of that, seven years doesn't seem too bad to me. </div>
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Now for the pictures.<br />
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Front Room - Before </h2>
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<div>
<h2>
Front Room - After</h2>
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<h2>
</h2>
</div>
<div>
<h2>
Bedroom - Before</h2>
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<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Bedroom - After</h2>
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<h2>
Bathroom - Before</h2>
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<h2>
Bathroom - After</h2>
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<h2>
Hallway/Stairs - Before</h2>
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<h2>
Hallway/Stairs - After</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKPdDBnsueXWpNEXygmrtVQPk0vkfvCGNX1nt7b71kQuUR364Jw6M0MckdOB_M8cbqK3OL-1LWLYbgbKKhbmgPUbw73ZhSt5GckbU0_RkF8001wyFn7tR_RV1n212HlTK5xXSJkURK8Y/s1600/20160806_071624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKPdDBnsueXWpNEXygmrtVQPk0vkfvCGNX1nt7b71kQuUR364Jw6M0MckdOB_M8cbqK3OL-1LWLYbgbKKhbmgPUbw73ZhSt5GckbU0_RkF8001wyFn7tR_RV1n212HlTK5xXSJkURK8Y/s320/20160806_071624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-50751481852087896692014-12-20T12:34:00.002-05:002014-12-20T12:35:44.523-05:00Amazing.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_to7dayaI_4252yRfodqkDO2CmcGlFtlGsCcKYMO7m1dhpzUU9TNGZ43o1R6uUQ1GBecnZ02TvEA3BDGfcomaciPzrxq1DcKUzhgnlJ5U8H45Ykyn9-uI8KEXrKgS4KuqAzSSGUl5xMs/s1600/20141217_170622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_to7dayaI_4252yRfodqkDO2CmcGlFtlGsCcKYMO7m1dhpzUU9TNGZ43o1R6uUQ1GBecnZ02TvEA3BDGfcomaciPzrxq1DcKUzhgnlJ5U8H45Ykyn9-uI8KEXrKgS4KuqAzSSGUl5xMs/s1600/20141217_170622.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a> </div>
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It doesn't get much more amazing than these before/after photos of our floors. But first, I'll extend the suspense by writing a bit about them.<br />
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The floors in our house are just planks of old growth pine. There's no subfloor. And while old growth pine is much harder than new pine, it's still a soft-ish wood.<br />
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Additionally, all of the floors had been covered with tile, linoleum, carpet, and more. They had been through water damage and leaks. They had a gazillion nails and staples pounded into them (<a href="http://duperdwelling.blogspot.com/2012/07/patching-and-pulling.html" target="_blank">remember this from 18 months ago?</a>).<br />
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Our expectations were pretty low. We knew there would be irregularities in the wood. We thought parts might turn out OK. But wow. Just wow. We hired a terrific contractor, who is EPA certified for all of that nasty old dust (maybe there was lead, maybe there was asbestos). Three days later, it was like magic.<br />
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So here are the pics. Amazing.<br />
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Stairs before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPk0Cu2TNNaFxmMreTvesqn9jYxO-lY2BfJGuItf0c50ll13JVVmNgXo-WQqgBcnrwM-C6jn5i14noosPStiJ2fnSWkpiLD8EGfMTvRTmMwOc2oqe1z9_8LYC_0D8WXVymBknx2mbxgwk/s1600/IMG_5488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPk0Cu2TNNaFxmMreTvesqn9jYxO-lY2BfJGuItf0c50ll13JVVmNgXo-WQqgBcnrwM-C6jn5i14noosPStiJ2fnSWkpiLD8EGfMTvRTmMwOc2oqe1z9_8LYC_0D8WXVymBknx2mbxgwk/s1600/IMG_5488.JPG" height="320" width="213" /> </a></div>
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Stairs after: </div>
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Hallway before: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF1qtw6xT1MEasQhUlKZ23peIPAUPikL-Xyg6aT93RfXla_6T2SxIH0pkuL6U5tBbz9uVzftWMkQ32mdjtcpcyfcB3o13L6VQak6dGZKaBJa0Z-jBJSiP4Cz_QWwUC_B4VpGeccN9fZM/s1600/IMG_5490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF1qtw6xT1MEasQhUlKZ23peIPAUPikL-Xyg6aT93RfXla_6T2SxIH0pkuL6U5tBbz9uVzftWMkQ32mdjtcpcyfcB3o13L6VQak6dGZKaBJa0Z-jBJSiP4Cz_QWwUC_B4VpGeccN9fZM/s1600/IMG_5490.JPG" height="320" width="213" /> </a></div>
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Hallway after: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXCad3JReopOv8kMee24RuiCfe828Ru4RhacbNvG4ofTidnOUe6Em0JqnEIXX4fcN2x1d9Na0par9bAtPyb4eLJcZVBv_8vfw1-34aZ07GzD4tGqrZFtmbAIJBIhvs18pmOs6CxacxjM/s1600/IMG_5499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXCad3JReopOv8kMee24RuiCfe828Ru4RhacbNvG4ofTidnOUe6Em0JqnEIXX4fcN2x1d9Na0par9bAtPyb4eLJcZVBv_8vfw1-34aZ07GzD4tGqrZFtmbAIJBIhvs18pmOs6CxacxjM/s1600/IMG_5499.JPG" height="320" width="213" /> </a></div>
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Front room before: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxw-88hgcRhGZpU8qblKQAOFLBXiwYWfZXQwqF04Ura85t8Q7vnzzMbY3m7ZzBZAQgJyy0qQErhmslN2p9P11Ijw1p9zp69fIwnzA28YfLKJPz3B2pedZXs3AmDoSIv_lEZgSm1czxb0/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxw-88hgcRhGZpU8qblKQAOFLBXiwYWfZXQwqF04Ura85t8Q7vnzzMbY3m7ZzBZAQgJyy0qQErhmslN2p9P11Ijw1p9zp69fIwnzA28YfLKJPz3B2pedZXs3AmDoSIv_lEZgSm1czxb0/s1600/IMG_5491.JPG" height="213" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Front room after: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlKhkzX6TB2x3ivnHHVmEi5z64KuAnWCuMp2wf1Z9tIqZ12qZVvpggtE2QqMNqouTRcYjlJpkZRS5vlO3NGcjBktx0FvkQcPawQj-LRW-gcbMzO2rB_pZut_9tKNE8I6s6nm6rdmy1CU/s1600/IMG_5496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlKhkzX6TB2x3ivnHHVmEi5z64KuAnWCuMp2wf1Z9tIqZ12qZVvpggtE2QqMNqouTRcYjlJpkZRS5vlO3NGcjBktx0FvkQcPawQj-LRW-gcbMzO2rB_pZut_9tKNE8I6s6nm6rdmy1CU/s1600/IMG_5496.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Master bedroom before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yo6XFj5r-LFc1QFEuS0M7cTjC1Zs-OfTELiHEIcckPOC3DObND2VHg7uEdoFnOCfIqRs6gQ9Wwlvh07dLgUh_R07QZHp_Mp21ZBUdFtX8YHc6fQ_RcOZMPpnzovb5sz77zsAruZk10Q/s1600/IMG_5493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yo6XFj5r-LFc1QFEuS0M7cTjC1Zs-OfTELiHEIcckPOC3DObND2VHg7uEdoFnOCfIqRs6gQ9Wwlvh07dLgUh_R07QZHp_Mp21ZBUdFtX8YHc6fQ_RcOZMPpnzovb5sz77zsAruZk10Q/s1600/IMG_5493.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Master bedroom after (with bonus Mike!):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbNrDQChtyShNxLZd0knJnTpYhMbxUnfXepBrx8f05dqK_w0kUhy4lFtdJOeOpVUyq57CktoNBEuMhbapCe4Da0puIj2Pk5WKcywN-c37wYYJ4HzkCTYvCbMPUZxd7CAxnMANJbE_FRQ/s1600/IMG_5497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbNrDQChtyShNxLZd0knJnTpYhMbxUnfXepBrx8f05dqK_w0kUhy4lFtdJOeOpVUyq57CktoNBEuMhbapCe4Da0puIj2Pk5WKcywN-c37wYYJ4HzkCTYvCbMPUZxd7CAxnMANJbE_FRQ/s1600/IMG_5497.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next up: lighting and trim!<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-45692537803158871132014-08-01T09:04:00.000-04:002014-08-01T09:04:13.926-04:00New roof! New siding! New fascia! New soffet! New gutters!Sorry everyone. You can't use exclamation points today. I've already used them all in the title of this post. There's not much more to say about it, so here are the before/after pics.<br />
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Front of the house before: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5eoC2D2ZJ2j6hNH1CLli30ptgSSna6wWuYVTqr1W3WQIuCWIjA4er4lDgmJrvztCz4wnj3jMJs0elhZ7DOGmKeul-WE4_SjZ9CTGNWwBTs9wOARKbEwEnaHs4A7F6Z_sHf_CflO4rsg/s1600/frontbefore.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5eoC2D2ZJ2j6hNH1CLli30ptgSSna6wWuYVTqr1W3WQIuCWIjA4er4lDgmJrvztCz4wnj3jMJs0elhZ7DOGmKeul-WE4_SjZ9CTGNWwBTs9wOARKbEwEnaHs4A7F6Z_sHf_CflO4rsg/s1600/frontbefore.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Front of the house after: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqSBf-hmPSHRw3GGp_v62QNmtIpvCgaSBtZWMJAJEPi2vwP_OUXfEFhf-86e90ozsZd0a9hpRbmiackDsHifRfiqc-evPeUSZr8Pb3rXFUI5ZR1_q77jke3hpX_7M2lRqpF8hcKBcnUc/s1600/frontzafter.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqSBf-hmPSHRw3GGp_v62QNmtIpvCgaSBtZWMJAJEPi2vwP_OUXfEFhf-86e90ozsZd0a9hpRbmiackDsHifRfiqc-evPeUSZr8Pb3rXFUI5ZR1_q77jke3hpX_7M2lRqpF8hcKBcnUc/s1600/frontzafter.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Detail
on
the roof decor. We had the contractors hang PVC rosettes to replace our
old ones, which was one of the Victorian styling details we loved about
the house from the get go. But unlike the turned wood rosettes that were
originally on the roof, these never need to be painted or maintained. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5ny4vhtnvv8xjN-_rlh4F_tC87JYQBe0uYeoBqbFLzlx5Z6koDs3IpwOPfg4Wg-NAY3AOtSlr3xrbb_mnqzeJHaw0hyphenhyphenc0bOibQypP-T0xCatPJryWoy_FEjMuxMi0nqt3yzOq010lRI/s1600/topdetail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5ny4vhtnvv8xjN-_rlh4F_tC87JYQBe0uYeoBqbFLzlx5Z6koDs3IpwOPfg4Wg-NAY3AOtSlr3xrbb_mnqzeJHaw0hyphenhyphenc0bOibQypP-T0xCatPJryWoy_FEjMuxMi0nqt3yzOq010lRI/s1600/topdetail.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back of the house before (note the wonky gutters): <br />
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Back of the house after:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9UvYXyilJ3xzYa27HDI9MHch7vdo1vmD6oXVsXxAv3PwUrd59ZWNrvUHYnfgR6j_2Dbo_4WDjgx1qXd-uQqjshiYMLdups5CaB-6WBd97RQDdi69YKTobnivEYLYNo8vrsFqtszuKjE/s1600/back2zafter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9UvYXyilJ3xzYa27HDI9MHch7vdo1vmD6oXVsXxAv3PwUrd59ZWNrvUHYnfgR6j_2Dbo_4WDjgx1qXd-uQqjshiYMLdups5CaB-6WBd97RQDdi69YKTobnivEYLYNo8vrsFqtszuKjE/s1600/back2zafter.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lack of soffet and fascia on the left, before. Work in progress on the right.<br />
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All done and tidied up:<br />
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Side of the house before. Admire the missing piece of siding. Click to make it bigger and see the rotten wooden fascia:<br />
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Side of the house after: <br />
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Garage view from the house before:<br />
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Garage view from the house after:<br />
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Garage before:<br />
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Garage after (it doesn't look all that different, but note the functioning-looking gutters):<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-54301061562485523412014-07-20T17:19:00.001-04:002014-07-20T17:19:09.454-04:00A Whale of a ProjectTime for my annual blog update.We'll take it from the top - the roof.<br />
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Oh the roof! What do you do with a beautiful slate roof that is 124 years old and has completely destroyed box gutters, rotten fascia and soffet, and approximately 20 bird nests in it?<br />
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We didn't know either. Since we bought the house, we've mostly annually hired a slate roofer to patch up the tiles and do basic maintenance. Since slate roofing is a true artisan occupation (and not artisan like the description of fast food lately, but artisan as in "requires someone with skill, expertise, and an artistic sense), that got pricey after a few years.<br />
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Additionally, our roof had box gutters that were completely rusted out, filled with tar, and not working at all. That was exacerbating our rotten fascia/soffet issue, causing drainage issues that could be damaging our foundation, and generally not working.<br />
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So we got a bid a couple of years back for the box gutters only. It was roughly what you'd pay for an entire asphalt shingle roof. And it did nothing for our fascia/soffet situation. And putting that kind of money into it assumed that the slate was worth saving for at least another 25 years, which it likely wasn't. It was a risky option.<br />
<br />We talked about just ripping the whole thing off and doing asphalt shingles. But we hesitated to do that for a few reasons.<br />
<ol>
<li>The very best asphalt shingles last 40 years. That puts us around age 75 when it's time to replace them. Not something we want to do. </li>
<li>When you've come this far with a really special old house with a cool roof, it's a shame to replace it with the same style of materials being used on brand new construction.</li>
</ol>
We were both really intrigued by metal roofs. The new style of metal roof is EnergyStar rated, efficient, and hailproof, fireproof, and windproof. They come in cool colors. And they last 80 fricking years.<br />
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After we decided to go after this giant project, there was time spent getting bids. There was time spent looking at other metal roofs the contractors had built. We decided to throw in the siding - bite the bullet and just do the entire exterior of the house.<br />
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Then there was WAY TOO MUCH time spent negotiating with banks (Kiss off, PNC. Your customer service during this made me close my account of 20 years.)<br />
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And now? After working towards this since roughly February? Roof work is underway.<br />
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Here's the garage, with siding, fascia, and soffet: <br />
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Here's the garage roof and siding and dog (now we have to do something with that crap door and window). </div>
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Here's the house with metal on the back and the last bit of slate on the side: <br />
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Here's the side with the new siding, fascia, and soffet:<br />
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We're probably 75% there. We've had some weather delays lately. So cross your fingers for dry days. Maybe I'll even post all of the "after" pictures before 2015.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-6637405236513310432013-04-13T15:40:00.000-04:002013-04-13T15:44:12.145-04:00Stripping.I never posted pictures of my garden last, oh, July. Because I haven't updated the blog since then.<br />
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But here's this year's garden-in-training!<br />
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If I had a dollar for every time I was asked the question, "So are you guys still working on the house?" I'd have enough dollars to pay someone else to do it. Alas, people are good at handing out questions, not dollars.<br />
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Prep for doing those floors continues. We're in a bit of a paint stripping quagmire. It takes SO long. As I told Mike's parents the other day, it's the reverse of watching paint dry, and just about as exciting. <br />
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But here's what it looks like.<br />
This is the hallway as of my last blog post:<br />
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Here it is again, this morning. <br />
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Since last summer, we've (I think) perfected the paint stripping process to safely take off the paint without harming ourselves or the 120-year-old wood trim.<br />
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First, we use heat guns on the low setting to peel the paint up off of the wood. You have to be super careful when doing this - the wood can scorch, and things can catch on fire if you're not careful. You can also burn the bejeezus out of yourself, as the scars on my hands show.<br />
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After the paint is mostly gone, things in our house look like this:<br />
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There are some dark spots, some paint left over, and a whole heck of a lot of old shellac. Now shellac can be stripped using nothing but denatured alcohol (like rubbing alcohol on 'roids), but since we have paint in the mix, we have to break out the nasty stuff.<br />
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Here are my implements of destruction:<br />
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In that picture, you'll see paint stripper, two types of steel wool, a scrubbie pad, a paintbrush, a Dremel multi-tool, a coffee can, a brush, a spackle knife, and - do you see them? - dental picks.<br />
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That's right. Dental picks. Because our woodwork looks like this, and there are ten layers of paint (color: Landlord White) in each of those little tiny carvings. And all of that paint needs to be picked out.<br />
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To make it even more complicated, the paint stripper is horribly nasty toxic shiz. If it touches your skin, it burns like heck. If it goes in your eye, your eyeball probably boils or something. You absolutely must have ventilation when using the stuff, unless you want to wake up dead. And the stripper's fumes are extremely flammable. So you have to open the windows, but you can't use a space heater or anything that could spark.</div>
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So, all of you hypothetical people who are giving me dollars, it was a cold winter. I bundled up as best as I could, but when it's 20 degrees and windy, it's pretty miserable work. It got put off a lot, I fully admit.</div>
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It's <u>on</u> now that the weather is warming up. That makes it sound exciting. Let me reset your expectations. </div>
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Today I worked on stripping the shellac/paint from about 10:30 until 12:30. I took a break for lunch, and then worked again from 1:00 until about 3:00. So that's four hours. </div>
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See the difference? </div>
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No? You can't tell? Jeez.<br />
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See the curlicue thing on the left in the picture below? And the upside-down newel post thingie? That's the grand total of what I accomplished in four full hours of stripping.<br />
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So we're getting there. But it's slow going.<br />
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Thankfully, since we started this crazy house project, we've both grown<strike> older </strike>wiser and more patient. So stay tuned, though not with your breath held. <br />
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We have ambitions of doing something with our roof soon (yikes) and fixing our drainage situation so that we don't get basement flooding. But until then, we're stripping paint and taking it day by day.<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-87260449361147958332012-07-08T20:18:00.002-04:002012-07-08T20:20:20.707-04:00Patching and pullingCurrently on the project list: refinishing the second floor's floors.<br />
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Before we can do that, however, we have a list of things that need(ed) to be accomplished.<br />
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1) Remove the rest of the railing and spindles. These stairs are officially super scary now - no railing. Use them at your own risk, and please take care to fall toward the window if you must fall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhRgeQ9itlruX0zOFpJmKrawwNXYMbfDJU82UqsD6jatTJ6fPdDjR5AL_LddJQlAkaYRZG18f5_KJO-vEHY7tUDyPQmMFpjZSq6PeUrp60nitY1kX0RouvzXKeTcYxGWxf3nYT_G1DyI/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhRgeQ9itlruX0zOFpJmKrawwNXYMbfDJU82UqsD6jatTJ6fPdDjR5AL_LddJQlAkaYRZG18f5_KJO-vEHY7tUDyPQmMFpjZSq6PeUrp60nitY1kX0RouvzXKeTcYxGWxf3nYT_G1DyI/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" width="213" /></a> </div>
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2) Pull about a zillion nails, staples, and screws out of the floors. I guess someone wanted to make sure the old carpet wouldn't move - ever.<br />
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This is me in action, with Daisy the construction mascot. Pulling the nails meant hours of being on the floor, vacuuming up drywall dust so I could see the surface, with a headlamp in the hopes that the nails would shine enough to be visible. Dirty, hard, back aching work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrQNJsRg4nLHbtPHTYFNnauZZesDFMFvFMJxfdKHgY4G4R47-qm2Hi8Nz7sq8KsfbyIdmT9RZyrKagFyD3XQi6lI-q0FbZxLFG-dzrdYpAdhZ5fFhHJkTvCIzb5c6RcXH1I2nGftnmz0/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrQNJsRg4nLHbtPHTYFNnauZZesDFMFvFMJxfdKHgY4G4R47-qm2Hi8Nz7sq8KsfbyIdmT9RZyrKagFyD3XQi6lI-q0FbZxLFG-dzrdYpAdhZ5fFhHJkTvCIzb5c6RcXH1I2nGftnmz0/s320/IMG_1262.JPG" width="213" /></a> </div>
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And this is what the floor looks like close up. Purty. Note how many holes are in just one board.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOO4npJfRPMhIYqmjwIm4DMGJmKd8at8QJcjQHoU33zfYH1nZtWXFHmPt-LTmkN-s3g_KQCTm84HxA8Jq_Rt80qVOY77DkBWLJt86wfwX6pEOe3YqonWK-sPrvTr6uJxSES9xCzEPUi0/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOO4npJfRPMhIYqmjwIm4DMGJmKd8at8QJcjQHoU33zfYH1nZtWXFHmPt-LTmkN-s3g_KQCTm84HxA8Jq_Rt80qVOY77DkBWLJt86wfwX6pEOe3YqonWK-sPrvTr6uJxSES9xCzEPUi0/s320/IMG_1263.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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2) Patch the holes. There are a number of places where there's been some water damage that was never actually repaired. Some holes need to be patched, and some need to be cut open and then patched. This is also dirty, dusty, hard work.<br />
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Before (after the rotten stuff was cut away): <br />
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Before:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nmy-ILYy4N4FcsP60qJ2WGBIenlxr2zRe7u5pe678rYo8FObnTLIAfGiiCpGrui5GcDuGgp-jCDW_i_pm1OxM41dsva6EU8_a32KJNoEcD_jX6lX0Mbg75TMyYrTx0g9PsiADlYILSw/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nmy-ILYy4N4FcsP60qJ2WGBIenlxr2zRe7u5pe678rYo8FObnTLIAfGiiCpGrui5GcDuGgp-jCDW_i_pm1OxM41dsva6EU8_a32KJNoEcD_jX6lX0Mbg75TMyYrTx0g9PsiADlYILSw/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two weekends ago, we also took some time to patch our siding. It doesn't match exactly, but it looks a heck of a lot better than the plywood covered in plastic that we used to have in this spot: </div>
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And Mike rebuilt an old bike. Caliente! </div>
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Other than that, we've been doing a fair amount of weekend visiting of family and friends. And my garden is kicking total ass right now. I'll post pics of it next time.<br />
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Next up, finish the patching and rent a big floor sander!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-57729796206570425882012-05-11T16:15:00.002-04:002012-05-11T16:17:50.777-04:00HousekeepingNo, this won't be a post about my utter inability to do housekeeping (guests to our house should come prepared to see lots of dust, dog hair, and dog drool). This is about the blog.<br />
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I have some cooking blogs that I like to read. And one of the bloggers from that rotation has been really busy - she's getting married, and writing something crazy like two books, and doing lots of things. That's fine, but I've noticed that all of her updates lately start like this, "I know it's been x weeks since I posted, but I've been so busy doing xyz..."<br />
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It's getting tiresome to read. I imagine it's getting tiresome for people who read our blog to see that too. So new rule: from now on, no matter what is going on, I will no longer justify my lack of posting. I'm sure you all get it - Mike and I both work full-time. I just started a new job, and he's kicking butt on a new project team for a big thing for < insert some tech words with letters like IEU or SOFA or something ><insert here="" lots="" of="" tech="" words="">. Plus sometimes we like to have fun and go away for weekends. </insert><br />
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The house is coming along, one project at a time. But we're not going to break any crazy Extreme Home Makeover records here. So posts will come as the projects move along, and I'm going to stop feeling guilty for being a deadbeat blogger.<br />
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Instead, I'm going to enjoy riding my bike some weekends. And making weird faces when caught on camera.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-30347218241360633132012-05-11T16:04:00.000-04:002012-05-11T16:04:07.147-04:00Enough of the drywallThe front room (which will first be a living room, but eventually will be an office) is now mudded and sanded.<br />
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I've had it up to <i>here</i> with stripping paint. It was taking way too long to make any real progress, so we priced out having someone else do it. Well, that wasn't really even close to affordable, so we're looking at investing in some fancy router bits to recreate the simpler pieces of trim. That way I can focus on harder things like the floral patterns and stairway.<br />
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I also planted my garden (which will not be shown here because our camera apparently no longer autofocuses, and I don't know how to work it in manual mode). This year we'll have strawberries, peas, beans, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, shallots, horseradish, berries, zucchini, and luffas. Yep - <a href="http://www.luffa.info/luffagrowing.htm" target="_blank">luffas</a>.<br />
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For fun, I also started some asparagus from seed. They won't provide edible asparagus for a couple of years, so I figure now's the time to get them started.<br />
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Next up on the house, patching and refinishing the floors. This is going to be...interesting. Neither of us has ever done floor sanding before, but heck, we never did drywall or plumbing before buying this place. Wish us luck! <br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-78256571714558517102012-03-08T18:02:00.003-05:002012-03-08T18:02:34.556-05:00And mudding and sandingand stripping paint.<br />
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The hallway is ready for paint. <br />
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This doorway no longer has paint.<br />
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And here's a cute but very spoiled dog to break up the monotony.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-42643208133897333952012-02-18T14:20:00.001-05:002012-02-18T14:20:14.598-05:00Mudding and sanding and stripping paint and mudding andsanding and stripping paint and mudding and sanding and stripping paint.<br />
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That's what we've been doing. It feels like the winter blahs of home renovation. That's not to say there hasn't been progress - there certainly has. <br />
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The master bedroom drywall work is finished, except for a couple of spots that need light touch-ups. <br />
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The chimney has been scraped clean of plaster and is ready for a scrubbing with water.<br />
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Yet another doorway is free of 15 layers of dirty white paint.<br />
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And the mudding of the hallway has been started.<br />
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Next week's plans? Mudding and sanding and stripping paint. Maybe we'll get crazy and throw in some chimney brick cleaning.</div>
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<br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-73950072106847768012012-01-09T20:23:00.001-05:002012-01-09T20:23:45.925-05:00Week of calamity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh what a week the Dupers had last week! We're starting 2012 off the right way. This is going to be a long post, so sit back and enjoy our misadventures.</div>
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On Tuesday, I was doing dishes and reached under the kitchen sink for a new sponge. Bad idea. Under the kitchen sink was very wet and in some places had a nice layer of fuzzy mold growing. Yay! Leaks and mold!</div>
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While I finished cooking dinner using the bathroom sink, Mike found that the problem was pretty simple. The twisty thing on the right side of the drain trap was loose. He cleaned it up, tightened it all, and we were set. </div>
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We proceeded to congratulate ourselves on being the kind of homeowners who can handle problems. Pride goeth...</div>
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I then walked into the first floor bathroom and found a puddle on the floor. Thankfully it was a clean puddle. But the puddle was on the uphill side of our downward sloping bathroom. Wondering if water runs uphill in the Duper Dwelling, I showed it to Mike. </div>
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It was almost bed time, and we were pretty worn out. We agreed to play it safe by turning off the valve that supplies water to the toilet. Valve off, we turned in for the night.</div>
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Wednesday after work, we had to run <a href="http://duperdwelling.blogspot.com/2009/02/meet-bessie.html" target="_blank">Bessie </a>over to the Chevy dealer since her speedometer has stopped working (another story for another day). Because the Chevy dealer is across town, we had agreed to play the valve game until Thursday.</div>
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We got home from the dealership Wednesday night, and Mike went to turn the valve to turn the toilet water on. Well, it was on alright. On as in leaking all over the bathroom floor. And it was late enough that our local hardware store was closed.</div>
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McGyver Mike kicked in to action. From downstairs I heard a lot of clomping around and bangs and crashes. McGyver Mike reappeared downstairs 10 minutes later with a valve from the scraps from the upstairs bathroom, a tub of plumber's putty, and a couple of wrenches. </div>
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He cleaned it up, tightened it all, and we were set.</div>
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Again, we proceeded to congratulate ourselves on being the kind of homeowners who can handle problems. Pride goeth before...<br />
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Thursday morning the water company was scheduled to come between the convenient hours of nine and noon to install a new water meter. I ate half a day of precious vacation time to sit around and wait.<br />
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Now let's talk about our water setup in the basement. Like my MS Paint diagram? Good. I have Photoshop but since I used it all day at work today, I just didn't feel like it. And I've just been informed it's not 100% accurate, but it'll do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38CqmJLF1nYVcJuyUlkqWNiAUE9Z04i7oqCdMDrQjOL9s0ERp8bQckvtahDGD3cERl1CijqKidQMVqEDRSuAfCsjgTpdGngoaCm1gHFVhrSDPI2chtO5bjjQi_KL6RS0cQuHMkTtGWQY/s1600/diagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38CqmJLF1nYVcJuyUlkqWNiAUE9Z04i7oqCdMDrQjOL9s0ERp8bQckvtahDGD3cERl1CijqKidQMVqEDRSuAfCsjgTpdGngoaCm1gHFVhrSDPI2chtO5bjjQi_KL6RS0cQuHMkTtGWQY/s320/diagram.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The main water line comes into our basement wall. Then it hits the main shutoff valve (red circle). A small pipe goes from the main valve to the water meter (gray box). Then it hits the internal shutoff valve (green circle), turns vertical and hits two more valves. Why the extra valves, you ask? Heck if we know.</div>
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The green circle valve has had a slow leak for a long time. And the two blue ones are worthless and offer only opportunities for more leaks. So it's been on the list for a long time to rework this whole shebang. </div>
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So on Thursday the water people came and gave us a new meter. In doing so, they shook the whole assembly around a bunch, leading green valve to leak even more. Because of that, Mike decided Thursday night would be "fix stupid valves" night.</div>
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I was at my mom's for dinner when my phone rang.</div>
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Mike: "Hi babe."</div>
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Amy: "Hi honey."</div>
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M: "We have a problem."</div>
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A: "Oh yeah?"</div>
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M: "The water company will be here within a half hour to do an emergency shutoff at the curb."</div>
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A: "..."</div>
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M: "..."</div>
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A: "HAHAHA! How much will that cost?"<br />M: "$30"</div>
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A: "Wow, that's cheap."</div>
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When Mike had gone to fix the green valve, he turned the red valve to turn off the water. And well, the red valve snapped off in his hand. So there was no way to turn off the water from the house.</div>
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By the time I made it home, the water company had determined that the outside valve was broken, too. So they were going to bring in a backhoe to dig it up. They and the other utility companies spray painted a bunch of lines all over our sidewalk and street. I went and bought a few gallons of water. Then I took a prescription sleep aid and went to bed. Sometime when I was hanging out with the floaty green butterfly, they did indeed get the valve to turn without digging. </div>
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Mike and my dad spent much of Friday tracking down a new main valve (not for sale to homeowners - only to professional plumbers) for the low price of $70. </div>
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They installed it, the water company finally made it back to turn the water on, and at 6:30 on Friday we had full water pressure with not a single leak. Yay!</div>
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Yet again, we proceeded to congratulate ourselves on being the kind of homeowners who can handle problems. Pride goeth before a great embarrassment. </div>
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We hadn't had enough fun, so on Saturday we worked upstairs. I was on the stilts stripping paint out of this doorway. Mike was in the stairwell to the left using a plunge cutter to trim out some drywall details. </div>
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Suddenly my dad heard a noise. "Is that an alarm?" Yep. See the red thing? Under there is the sensor for our hardwired smoke alarm. But we didn't have the red thing up at the time, and the combination of dust and heat and paint fumes triggered it. </div>
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Mike bolted downstairs to call off the alarm company. By the time he made it back upstairs, I could hear the Crafton VFD alarm going off. We hoped it wasn't for us.</div>
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I glanced out of the window from my extra tall vantage point, and whooee here came the fire truck. Though it was a false alarm, the VFD makes a point of checking things out just in case things really aren't under control. Thankfully everything was fine, and they left us to wrap up work for the day.</div>
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Sunday, Mike and I sat on the couch and watched football and played video games. Sometimes you have to quit when you're slightly ahead.</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-82685144207677716232011-12-30T13:47:00.000-05:002011-12-30T13:48:20.134-05:00Second floor drywall is done!Done done done!<br />
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Check out the finished stairwell:<br />
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I like the math magic shown in the last picture. You can tell Mike has a minor in mathematics, right?<br />
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So we close out 2011 with all walls up, and with mudding and sanding next on the list. It's a pretty good feeling. This year, we've rebraced the attic stairs, insulated all second floor walls, hung ceilings and walls, added a new garage door and opener, replaced our fence, grown and harvested a lovely little garden, stripped paint, cleaned plaster off of brick, and done our best to maintain social and professional lives.<br />
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The pictures below are a good indicator of our progress.<br />
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Drywall pile when it was delivered:<br />
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Drywall pile today:<br />
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See ya, 2011 - bring on the mudding and sanding in 2012!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-8233854548860134222011-11-20T08:02:00.001-05:002011-11-20T08:47:48.549-05:00Drywall-a-palooza: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Found the camera. It was on the third floor, on Mike's desk. Of course!<br />
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Before I show off the finished bedroom walls, I want to share some of the work that has to happen before drywall goes up.<br />
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Modern construction follows a set of strict rules and measurements to ensure that the building process is ultra-efficient, from both a time and materials standpoint. For example, modern studs are generally spaced 16 or 24 inches apart, to ensure that sheets of drywall that measure 4 x 8 feet will fit evenly.<br />
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In 1890, the whole house was made of plaster and lath, so it didn't matter if the studs were irregularly spaced. But since we're using modern 4 x 9' sheets of drywall, we have extra work. See the extra piece of pine that's screwed to the stud on the right side of this picture?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWTrw7JPo2Shfi_G3cLuBtR-9PwxlnJ85WpJ0qosxDrpFpVs7Zq20LulkwhS3_ojmx2kmQwiOXQ5je9RhoKW7Kwru0Fex7QtGs0QHpfYc11XjGUBiJYYowpLs1MAKLKitkjCzi7wdFeg/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWTrw7JPo2Shfi_G3cLuBtR-9PwxlnJ85WpJ0qosxDrpFpVs7Zq20LulkwhS3_ojmx2kmQwiOXQ5je9RhoKW7Kwru0Fex7QtGs0QHpfYc11XjGUBiJYYowpLs1MAKLKitkjCzi7wdFeg/s320/IMG_0904.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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And the pieces on the third and sixth (from the left) studs? Yep - those are extra pieces we need to add to make sure there's something that will hold the drywall. <br />
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For our next lesson in old ass house construction, take a look at the next image. That's new insulation hung on an interior wall. Wondering why we'd ever do that?<br />
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Here's the deal. Plaster and lath construction is incredibly heavy, durable, and thick. It's very soundproof. That's one of the main reasons that old houses feel "solid" while modern McMansions feel hollow and echo-y. Most home restorers try to keep the plaster around and have it repaired.<br />
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That wasn't possible for us given the thirty or so fist-sized holes in each ceiling, and the scary wiring, and the lack of exterior wall insulation. So we're using insulation around the master bedroom to bump up the soundproofing. <br />
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Once all of that extra work is done, the actual walls can be added. Look! Our bedroom!<br />
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Last topic for the day: paint stripping. I may have mentioned earlier that all of the woodwork in the entire house has been painted. While Mike and my dad hang walls, I've been stripping paint. Here's the bedroom doorway so far. The next picture represents about 5 hours of work with the heat gun and putty knife.<br />
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And sometimes the painted woodwork is hard to reach. So I get to use the stilts! </div>
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Next up, hallway walls and more paint stripping.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-72717531701328177292011-11-20T06:28:00.001-05:002011-11-20T06:48:48.557-05:00Drywall-a-palooza: Part 1For the record, the radio silence on the Duper Dwelling blog does not translate into lack of work on the house. It's a pretty busy time for both of us at our actual jobs (the ones that pay money that we spend on supplies for working on the house). At home, we've stepped up the pace on the drywall work and paint stripping. That translates into less time for blogging. But I'm awake before dawn on a Sunday morning, so here we go.<br />
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First, one sheet of drywall went up in the front room: <br />
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That sheet became a wall:<br />
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And the wall became a room:<br />
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It's pretty weird to not be able to see through the walls anymore. Particularly because we <a href="http://duperdwelling.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-cleaned.html" target="_blank">tore out the walls</a> in 2009. Sheesh.<br />
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The pictures above are from the room we call the "front room." It's actually a bedroom, but our plan is to make it the living room while we live upstairs, and the office when we're in the whole house. That way we can keep the third floor set up as a guest area, which provides a little more privacy for visitors.<br />
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Next up: Drywall-a-palooza: Part 2. Coming later this morning when Mike wakes up and I can ask him where he put the camera. Finding things in this <strike>workzone </strike>house is a never ending challenge. Particularly since we sleep in the dining room and our dining room set is in the garage. Confused about the floor plan yet?Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-9067554783530616012011-09-17T15:48:00.000-04:002011-11-20T06:49:11.380-05:00New fence!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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New fence! New fence! New fence!<br />
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It's pretty exciting. Today we did clean-up - cleaned up the yard mess, and cleaned up the 2nd floor to prepare to drywall the actual walls. But first, the new fence. </div>
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I don't have a "before" picture for the next one, but this area behind our garage has traditionally been a place to dump extra dirt and rocks, and for the dogs to poop. We've made it the compost area, and it's fenced off from the dogs until the new grass comes in. <br />
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The dogs approve of the new fence.<br />
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Most of our drywall work has been put on hold because of the state of the second floor. Since we can't throw away building materials in Crafton, we were saving them all for another <a href="http://duperdwelling.blogspot.com/2010/04/photographic-proof-of-dumpster-week.html" target="_blank">dumpster week</a>.<br />
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Turns out a 15 cubic foot dumpster is a little big for what we needed this time, but at least things are cleaned up now.<br />
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Wonder what the phone number is for the dumpster company?<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-63031504599569043242011-09-07T20:46:00.001-04:002011-09-07T20:46:38.402-04:00Mike's wrong trousersMike got stilts!<br />
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They remind me of this:<br />
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He says they're going to help with the drywall mudding and sanding. But he seems to be having a lot of fun with them in our kitchen and living room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovEGvvvUdd2kYOWi_pieMQdao08Ska-pLl9joLgjLy-PGuxG1FN13JKBq69kWTMVFa0yGhYqtxt93Qx_BfMAkKHm8KkIK3tI9E2W0W1vWesy5Xr1wIz6x-2gO1Q-1dHCwNDqdJPG2ECE/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovEGvvvUdd2kYOWi_pieMQdao08Ska-pLl9joLgjLy-PGuxG1FN13JKBq69kWTMVFa0yGhYqtxt93Qx_BfMAkKHm8KkIK3tI9E2W0W1vWesy5Xr1wIz6x-2gO1Q-1dHCwNDqdJPG2ECE/s320/IMG_0830.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Coming soon: new fence! Here's a preview.<br />
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Before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNka5iD5ohuESWCIISSd1fa1gmvvtlevCsgLlMhlu5KzHNY8g4SxAZagkGq1ukEtk2p3JJ4fjTRYRgNI7R6hWuZbFqcldxBub682xu6LjU8NcBvIdWTRhV5b8jYxpygi7vSihDSXPDSfc/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNka5iD5ohuESWCIISSd1fa1gmvvtlevCsgLlMhlu5KzHNY8g4SxAZagkGq1ukEtk2p3JJ4fjTRYRgNI7R6hWuZbFqcldxBub682xu6LjU8NcBvIdWTRhV5b8jYxpygi7vSihDSXPDSfc/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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During:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1cZ1aElf4Itf1NdbmNBDUBxrFv4c4XCZCLIV8-443Cu6QmcAsShSqGyZnYtY2ZBDzF0Fjn5KC_Ez74zgboVM5LF-LsKrHdR6mr7UEQ3ue9gem5qh5pZyDeGG1dQpJwhbDOdORY_2B6U/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji1cZ1aElf4Itf1NdbmNBDUBxrFv4c4XCZCLIV8-443Cu6QmcAsShSqGyZnYtY2ZBDzF0Fjn5KC_Ez74zgboVM5LF-LsKrHdR6mr7UEQ3ue9gem5qh5pZyDeGG1dQpJwhbDOdORY_2B6U/s320/IMG_0823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two days into the fence process, the old one is down, and our yard looks like hell. Looking forward to the new one going up to hide the mess.<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-35005829672021518662011-08-29T19:09:00.010-04:002011-08-29T20:47:05.232-04:00Blog guilt: I haz it"Amy..."
<br />"..."
<br />"Aaaamyyyy..."
<br />"...what?"
<br />"AAAAMYYYY!"
<br />"What, who, who are you?"
<br />"I'm the ghost of Blogmas past."
<br />
<br />Yup. That's my not-so-witty way of saying I keep thinking of updating the blog. Generally I think of it in the middle of the night, when I'm not sleeping anyway. But since using a <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5798884/end-your-insomnia-snoring-and-other-common-sleep-problems-with-these-expert-tips">lit screen at night isn't recommended for insomniacs</a>, and I'm not my sharpest at 3:00 in the morning, I never seem to make it to post about our house progress. Excuses. I haz those too.
<br />
<br />I've been up and around off of crutches for awhile now. I've been able to tend the garden that Mike planted for me this spring. Isn't it gorgeous?
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTwDvZZ8H3AvBDMDKWes9dOOEBchhSClZ0eK8ySfvgHqWf6lK_6rdnDkPCttW-PsICtjmjkcGA0F1KG-q5D_bB7Mx9sxNvPQFuvHKllJhW1mpXhhgtGytKLWuvishpfu6HJCBRjq96KM/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTwDvZZ8H3AvBDMDKWes9dOOEBchhSClZ0eK8ySfvgHqWf6lK_6rdnDkPCttW-PsICtjmjkcGA0F1KG-q5D_bB7Mx9sxNvPQFuvHKllJhW1mpXhhgtGytKLWuvishpfu6HJCBRjq96KM/s320/IMG_0805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646426020594205586" border="0" /></a>
<br />We've had lots of cucumbers and tomatoes, and I've been canning the extra.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmRm6El4ezrXcGibcN5AFR27FvPM6JamRObTuHY_o_JybOMtijHTiuBGVriLBGMGv_Uv6belwpAAeCIT8GpQ92cyMJYjkWgzf8LpNXg1Aet6whxkp6VS1INsj9Da2Sh43kKARbZoFlTU/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmRm6El4ezrXcGibcN5AFR27FvPM6JamRObTuHY_o_JybOMtijHTiuBGVriLBGMGv_Uv6belwpAAeCIT8GpQ92cyMJYjkWgzf8LpNXg1Aet6whxkp6VS1INsj9Da2Sh43kKARbZoFlTU/s320/IMG_0376.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646426660950946402" border="0" /></a>
<br />With the help, hard work, advice, and company of Mike's dad and my dad, we've finished hanging the drywall for all of the 2nd floor and hallway.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc_EJD-1wgplqeyXUH54X91Yby9dXNaCdWOJosXZY2GonHmaN1_m1hD2wLVL2CPVkcLHr0RjDxyaW7GFL_NyPw52FBtVeIwOBQSDZdS5f94I5wIKRCSBZA4vBggJ6lD4573i8FXZ2spM/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc_EJD-1wgplqeyXUH54X91Yby9dXNaCdWOJosXZY2GonHmaN1_m1hD2wLVL2CPVkcLHr0RjDxyaW7GFL_NyPw52FBtVeIwOBQSDZdS5f94I5wIKRCSBZA4vBggJ6lD4573i8FXZ2spM/s320/IMG_1128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646443796596330178" border="0" /></a>
<br />I could take lots of pictures of my beautiful ceilings, but this one showcases the challenges of drywalling an old house:
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3LgN4AV0AfDaQhxAIM3N3Rf7mAzJ1efqvu_eLFKVrKqnqzGqbkcPcH0B6UISh5NYe23YEOdjx3Mki2-nKhakArJ_jGV3s1GeHADDEd5pzxHExAI5SJG1YxnadJDoEa_X9WxSvV6uQQg/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3LgN4AV0AfDaQhxAIM3N3Rf7mAzJ1efqvu_eLFKVrKqnqzGqbkcPcH0B6UISh5NYe23YEOdjx3Mki2-nKhakArJ_jGV3s1GeHADDEd5pzxHExAI5SJG1YxnadJDoEa_X9WxSvV6uQQg/s320/IMG_0801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646425881959816530" border="0" /></a>
<br />Other summer projects have included planting lots of flowers and resealing our front porch. It was hard enough to get that thing built - we don't intend to let it rot back off.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTNKClaRHYKMIxZjrTZJAObMZC0_kgwvwahyphenhyphen6gtBVE1F48RhAIqlwD_kowW23bpbPSErX1GkkcUgPEs4uoaLnd2FxeGe2Ljkeq0sNImSOmzvM17Xu7DMy514LEnkGGWl_0MrFrsNUxrs/s1600/IMG_0803.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTNKClaRHYKMIxZjrTZJAObMZC0_kgwvwahyphenhyphen6gtBVE1F48RhAIqlwD_kowW23bpbPSErX1GkkcUgPEs4uoaLnd2FxeGe2Ljkeq0sNImSOmzvM17Xu7DMy514LEnkGGWl_0MrFrsNUxrs/s320/IMG_0803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646426189420731010" border="0" /></a>
<br />So what's next? Walls and a new fence. That's right - new fence!
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-55786853192576821412011-05-14T14:54:00.008-04:002011-05-14T15:27:51.808-04:00Spring sprang sprungAnd then 6 weeks went by without a post.<br /><br />We've been kind of busy. First, Mike and my dad hung half of our bedroom ceiling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXZCXKmUyi97-WUh93sy0eysYBJEQl_BycY3XWbUy_UOkL1prasdyHdX9M5XJBjbjWLR1-czGvsJAEHGiaD5LQTMNHwJjzhe3rMVKB3R-CdP10yMxlF_77Y3U-I1KNuedEfs3rwnWntw/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXZCXKmUyi97-WUh93sy0eysYBJEQl_BycY3XWbUy_UOkL1prasdyHdX9M5XJBjbjWLR1-czGvsJAEHGiaD5LQTMNHwJjzhe3rMVKB3R-CdP10yMxlF_77Y3U-I1KNuedEfs3rwnWntw/s320/IMG_0227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606649847659310370" border="0" /></a><br />Then there were some small structural fixes to make:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl-U__-nqpWSiQv52TaRTNab1m9KxRE4CKONahMQJWr0ecnnxX6WG0bC4oUiilSgqxM2N43M51hxEwg2p4esb0KQ7jDi_5-kmhcASs3dWoYCg7jryYcVhf6VeRuPsjkpVUbocRQtoAo0/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOl-U__-nqpWSiQv52TaRTNab1m9KxRE4CKONahMQJWr0ecnnxX6WG0bC4oUiilSgqxM2N43M51hxEwg2p4esb0KQ7jDi_5-kmhcASs3dWoYCg7jryYcVhf6VeRuPsjkpVUbocRQtoAo0/s320/IMG_0252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606650686605858274" border="0" /></a><br />Then, we went on our "last hike":<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2gtkcuwni8QJxR8vDaGG_33hH9TFGz9fTjdJ2DPYHu9ESBB_9ijxgzSIBM3-1KIyEm8ajMqqwIXJEViEcvjq_k1qXO-GhMyZtoFv7sTLdz3BAxAQ_vNaDS5MOoXW-Os_A-WPOyHQ9MA/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2gtkcuwni8QJxR8vDaGG_33hH9TFGz9fTjdJ2DPYHu9ESBB_9ijxgzSIBM3-1KIyEm8ajMqqwIXJEViEcvjq_k1qXO-GhMyZtoFv7sTLdz3BAxAQ_vNaDS5MOoXW-Os_A-WPOyHQ9MA/s320/IMG_0246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606650262220148690" border="0" /></a><br />Last hike? I wanted to get out in the woods before I ended up with this bad boy on my foot:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMatu5yIw3DmzaOty2ru7EeAYxpoh2yFu8KjPyUacuh54A_7KdX-8NrLsNT_0h1oTwcMIH-j5gEPuRUU3kMUliRqDB8mRpxBVFhGrKHkZqvadvr6aCej5S7uXYv4h9aA6poEMXQKYws-Q/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMatu5yIw3DmzaOty2ru7EeAYxpoh2yFu8KjPyUacuh54A_7KdX-8NrLsNT_0h1oTwcMIH-j5gEPuRUU3kMUliRqDB8mRpxBVFhGrKHkZqvadvr6aCej5S7uXYv4h9aA6poEMXQKYws-Q/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606651063503807634" border="0" /></a><br />Work on the house stalled, as Mike's been spending most of his time taking care of me and the regular house stuff (laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning). We're both still working full-time (thankfully in this economy), so that takes up some time too. Just a couple of weeks ago, we came home from work to see this beside the house:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCgmIfGX4RUeFRkfzXmVP0OQw0dVs0K9wQqBiXdNKhqnR5MWiN5pr7SBJXI6Zn06YVvJnjDsAwmMbQ7pG4B19LV7lbuzm4IXhzj3oMA9e7WFt_NU_CobZB2Dl90j5AXyiRbZD4C4wE5E/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCgmIfGX4RUeFRkfzXmVP0OQw0dVs0K9wQqBiXdNKhqnR5MWiN5pr7SBJXI6Zn06YVvJnjDsAwmMbQ7pG4B19LV7lbuzm4IXhzj3oMA9e7WFt_NU_CobZB2Dl90j5AXyiRbZD4C4wE5E/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606651926016562114" border="0" /></a><br />This conversation followed.<br /><br />Mike: Do we have water?<br />Guy in hole: Yeah you have water.<br />M: Oh good. What's wrong?<br />GiH: Is this your house?<br />M: Yeah, we live here.<br />GiH: Do you ever smell sewage inside?<br />M: Not really.<br />GiH: You were tied in wrong. You were tied in to a broken pipe, so your liquids were getting through but your solids were backed up.<br />M: ...<br /><br />Exciting! More that I ever wanted to know about our sewage!<br /><br />Our bedroom and 2nd floor hallway now have full ceilings hung. As I write this, Mike and my dad are upstairs pounding on things and banging things around. That sound translates to prep work on the front room's joists.<br /><br />I'm not much help lately, but now that I traded in Big Foot for Das Boot, I can help with normal household chores, like hanging out with Chester the guinea pig while Mike cleans his cage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRCsue1aYH3VYvKwjTzIdCfOmT67PG9vwSzwM162Cr4GUbSQ65-YNE-EQKLLKySBCh-TyH65cUCHxZPmT3m3y5QbPrI2H6dhVBPSOmpMP7sUaIcgVJfbyv7gTTGXD8Uvr-PiuBdcSYpo/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRCsue1aYH3VYvKwjTzIdCfOmT67PG9vwSzwM162Cr4GUbSQ65-YNE-EQKLLKySBCh-TyH65cUCHxZPmT3m3y5QbPrI2H6dhVBPSOmpMP7sUaIcgVJfbyv7gTTGXD8Uvr-PiuBdcSYpo/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606653850106752946" border="0" /></a><br />I'm still not really up for carrying drywall, though. We're still accepting volunteers!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-40844556298005414402011-03-27T15:35:00.011-04:002011-03-27T16:11:51.657-04:00Now we can start a garage bandRemember our <a target="_blank" href="http://duperdwelling.blogspot.com/2009/06/im-not-sure-why-we-call-it-garage.html">garage door</a>? Since I last wrote about it, we broke a window (and patched it with plywood) and had problems with it. Sometimes it would get stuck up. Sometimes it would get stuck down. Both are bad.<br /><br />A couple of months ago, the automatic opener finally sh** the bed. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGyEdJadkbdQkVke6P8Prl8WOXz2GVMGnQcFWt246bjMfAsLQt_6G0IjLTbzlu5bH38E6jGvNWza-FI4KJeL3P9zqNhu9r3QmdN5VLO1t75Wr7ndSGB087MaUlICuqdCfQaiI5QHaXE4/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"><br /></a>Good riddance! That thing was probably the original garage door opener ever in the entire world. See?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGyEdJadkbdQkVke6P8Prl8WOXz2GVMGnQcFWt246bjMfAsLQt_6G0IjLTbzlu5bH38E6jGvNWza-FI4KJeL3P9zqNhu9r3QmdN5VLO1t75Wr7ndSGB087MaUlICuqdCfQaiI5QHaXE4/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGyEdJadkbdQkVke6P8Prl8WOXz2GVMGnQcFWt246bjMfAsLQt_6G0IjLTbzlu5bH38E6jGvNWza-FI4KJeL3P9zqNhu9r3QmdN5VLO1t75Wr7ndSGB087MaUlICuqdCfQaiI5QHaXE4/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588847985613262354" border="0" /></a><br />So it was time to order a new one. The door was getting increasingly bad - the bottom was rotting out, and it weighed ten million pounds (my estimate). So we went for it - new opener and new door.<br /><br />The new door is awesome. The picture here doesn't do it justice because I didn't feel like moving the cars. But you get the idea.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hggy1vw8LGgSqrgR3z-7gjRsfdvRnF5RF6ZXngUkO4KGwRyYY6Raw5gRdDcoicyiy8EXBWHJcdr8090VlKAW6IQpimebRyUY17ZnQQcT50tjUiY58BloWzsgwOPBp0xZaXxKYWS2bvI/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hggy1vw8LGgSqrgR3z-7gjRsfdvRnF5RF6ZXngUkO4KGwRyYY6Raw5gRdDcoicyiy8EXBWHJcdr8090VlKAW6IQpimebRyUY17ZnQQcT50tjUiY58BloWzsgwOPBp0xZaXxKYWS2bvI/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588851868359049938" border="0" /></a><br />Even better? We got a keypad for the opener.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyLDQHs5cPKrwdzaTdez3u0oxftHFcepq6ILQjKDtZh9kNLpwb1JA44IQ_1YfqvNEQrx7E3urLZDtLQ8qpOPrKyxzg55uZzqaX0YSeWfu6YlbaVuMu0qBGVKfVfo0EWQ8cd2A1DljITA/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyLDQHs5cPKrwdzaTdez3u0oxftHFcepq6ILQjKDtZh9kNLpwb1JA44IQ_1YfqvNEQrx7E3urLZDtLQ8qpOPrKyxzg55uZzqaX0YSeWfu6YlbaVuMu0qBGVKfVfo0EWQ8cd2A1DljITA/s320/IMG_0219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588852969003252402" border="0" /></a><br />That means when I'm out in the garden, and I need a shovel, I don't have to track down the single garage door opener that we formerly owned. I can use the keypad, or the car's opener, or the truck's opener, or the keychain opener we keep in the house. Options!<br /><br />Here's the new opener for anyone who wants to house geek out with me:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jcmudKvdx0Nobmy5fRx6daJ7_87i_Z175PXWYuvqbfAyF80VWznz_IRYdKpJ4Sdf7Pj4JWm3R55wTbiFl6S1Z6smn6WxvS4-TRyS9wNqwVXpKF7S1OcNPXKslwqegjKa7-oU8RXYtiw/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jcmudKvdx0Nobmy5fRx6daJ7_87i_Z175PXWYuvqbfAyF80VWznz_IRYdKpJ4Sdf7Pj4JWm3R55wTbiFl6S1Z6smn6WxvS4-TRyS9wNqwVXpKF7S1OcNPXKslwqegjKa7-oU8RXYtiw/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588853158015875874" border="0" /></a><br />And well, it's a damn good thing we got the garage all spiffy and ready to go. Because two days after the door was installed, the drywall for the second floor was delivered.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgph_oRW2-Jkgx3xEymVwE6FqOIUf96vzFHE1UkRJJN5WkTWaCGhOu4cQq38iqplEYYYpUFFaQm20j3Vh_LXlRxIuNmCqTARRGlDZyqJYK5as1UzCePFpSVwvZ38R-5-AJoYRCResQXU/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgph_oRW2-Jkgx3xEymVwE6FqOIUf96vzFHE1UkRJJN5WkTWaCGhOu4cQq38iqplEYYYpUFFaQm20j3Vh_LXlRxIuNmCqTARRGlDZyqJYK5as1UzCePFpSVwvZ38R-5-AJoYRCResQXU/s320/IMG_0222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588853438719766850" border="0" /></a><br />If I remember correctly, you're looking at 55 sheets of 4 x 9', 1/2" wall board, and 25 sheets of 4 x 8', 5/8" sheets for the ceilings. Plus some sound insulation and a box of contractor bags.<br /><br />Who wants to help carry it? Anyone?Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-34481671216005819922011-02-22T20:38:00.012-05:002011-02-22T21:06:36.103-05:00Found: 3 pieces of tan carWe live on a corner. Not just a corner property but also in the apex of a bend in the road.<br /><br />Our house has the "A" over it:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOERCw7vnTFomWyLd52KOOzkbbWpOn2KEdiSOpraNfFQTVjtbDtZt2m_qS5yLzrtZk2NK5AyZTkra2fMPxJTQDTGAMFoBmx1V6qKDOTgHzYp3g_nzb2s3F5QJFTB2t41nKKQXH7yYFa4/s1600/noarrow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOERCw7vnTFomWyLd52KOOzkbbWpOn2KEdiSOpraNfFQTVjtbDtZt2m_qS5yLzrtZk2NK5AyZTkra2fMPxJTQDTGAMFoBmx1V6qKDOTgHzYp3g_nzb2s3F5QJFTB2t41nKKQXH7yYFa4/s320/noarrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576695203019393074" border="0" /></a><br />Now, see the white car on the map that's heading for our house? If that car is going too fast, or if the roads are slick, or if drivers are not paying attention to what they are doing, well, this shows what could happen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wzt6r1pdEPKo-SD2J04FlhPNFdX-d3cKi63r9mAYJWzRXnAAnWl7LmrxZ6ThU_QSPvHeSViXVCXPLrI5H8UoTOIYxdQoG0U-timIII__oIvAL0NJDzkEmT5dMRP4iBgRjGnkPgyJyPs/s1600/arrow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wzt6r1pdEPKo-SD2J04FlhPNFdX-d3cKi63r9mAYJWzRXnAAnWl7LmrxZ6ThU_QSPvHeSViXVCXPLrI5H8UoTOIYxdQoG0U-timIII__oIvAL0NJDzkEmT5dMRP4iBgRjGnkPgyJyPs/s320/arrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576696087004417954" border="0" /></a><br />See how the arrow points RIGHT at our house?<br /><br />We've heard countless cars blow out tires and rip off pieces of fender on our curb and the curb by our next-door neighbor's house. Two summers ago, a couple of underage drunk girls did this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7TBU6qoEE4knpjCkOv1TtsO0mKtcyO-RC6g0ObtZ9Urx6MuDyx6WyM212kMGPaJubjTFnKP5OSe8RTaW1FjxOXwTZypFUZIR6GNPYnE9hpGKPcyqQDsb0zXoyIDlGjPQdGr_c-1QeJk/s1600/0717090212-00.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7TBU6qoEE4knpjCkOv1TtsO0mKtcyO-RC6g0ObtZ9Urx6MuDyx6WyM212kMGPaJubjTFnKP5OSe8RTaW1FjxOXwTZypFUZIR6GNPYnE9hpGKPcyqQDsb0zXoyIDlGjPQdGr_c-1QeJk/s320/0717090212-00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576696784918274690" border="0" /></a><br />They came up the street, hit the curb, somehow ended up airborne, sliced a telephone pole in half, landed on the street upside down, and slid over 50 feet on the roof of the car. Everyone was unhurt except the pole.<br /><br />Today, some jackass went too fast in the snow around our bend and drove into our yard. Now I know it was slick, but keep in mind that dozens of other cars managed this maneuver without crashing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1VgMOXQIo4lSfTuAOR1xIJ3sWea8hINou4jsEAy_82uItroPzaUFdTTRLvteB7GXcbH8s1pQSw6wrmFkb9FYry74WyeKkXRg5AV5zb5c1WIFVHNhbme5_j5F2YUaAGHXmVA6aakRc9Y/s1600/IMG_9906.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1VgMOXQIo4lSfTuAOR1xIJ3sWea8hINou4jsEAy_82uItroPzaUFdTTRLvteB7GXcbH8s1pQSw6wrmFkb9FYry74WyeKkXRg5AV5zb5c1WIFVHNhbme5_j5F2YUaAGHXmVA6aakRc9Y/s320/IMG_9906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576697224140428130" border="0" /></a>Yep. That's a tire track leading directly to the rock wall. Thankfully somebody was thinking ahead a hundred years ago and built a rock wall in front of our house. We've talked about replacing it with a real retaining wall, but I'm starting to think the rocks are a little more car-proof. Think the rocks were put there to be buggy-proof back in 1890?<br /><br />I get upset about this kind of thing because <rant>[begin rant] I just don't understand what is so hard to figure out about 1) a 25 m.p.h. speed limit 2) a sign that says TURN and 3) what is so #*%&# important in your life that you are willing to risk your life and that of others to go faster to the traffic light that is almost always red. What if one of the neighborhood kids had been on our sidewalk? Or if one of us had been shoveling snow?</rant> [end rant]<br /><br />We know for a fact that at least one car took out the front porch in the past. Hey Crafton drivers, let's try to avoid doing that again - please? Oh, and random driver who ended up in our yard: we have some pieces of your car. I'll trade them for an apology.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-74640808076064619052011-01-30T13:50:00.007-05:002011-01-30T14:02:24.646-05:00Brace yo'self fool!Over the last couple of weeks, Mike and my dad and I worked to rebrace the attic stairs. <a target="_blank" href="http://duperdwelling.blogspot.com/2010/12/jacked-up.html">Remember that project</a>? Well today, after adding new stringers to the stairs, we removed the floor jacks. Slowly...sloooowly...and the house creaked for a moment and sat still. Success!<br /><br />Here's a small sampling of the new support system for the stairs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe5ZjT4GbKWpr_HiFKF6us40GTtg20pVJeelWZ_b_xYFGSVCJyz8RVPmAXfjCBwuW4Ksr_Zt7kvPGeJl5QgerVynKag8vjdLTGIGKXjWRkPzXQ5X-Ud0IKyhHFIbvmkUSW4LB43sl0Fg/s1600/IMG_9895.JPG"><br /></a>New stringers:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFOEeW7Ew8HPBmHxc6ksL_eixmQZonwnz8sdBSaNUEMI3O8t8r7eH2aLaxDrWGyjUjV2Gcd8Q3pqo0YemCaKEkL7dchru7t-exCOwsrsW1vf0ziBvZvQsclwSFpYCuwoHEwNitgJZPoY/s1600/IMG_9894.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFOEeW7Ew8HPBmHxc6ksL_eixmQZonwnz8sdBSaNUEMI3O8t8r7eH2aLaxDrWGyjUjV2Gcd8Q3pqo0YemCaKEkL7dchru7t-exCOwsrsW1vf0ziBvZvQsclwSFpYCuwoHEwNitgJZPoY/s320/IMG_9894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568055132232142402" border="0" /></a><br />Notice that the stairs still aren't level - we'll level out the drywall to make it look square. But this is a huge improvement:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRyqeQTH9PzucNqbcPv0_IqhWKUP75BuGY2PTfZPUFslUC78YQ_gTlTyynwXrosMJRGNhC91Ehcimg6ob7Vmw8Q-j4Tz6j-E6_FQNg_JQhtzHJV4g1YpsU9t_-LhFnzUJTEaQs8JcSPY/s1600/IMG_9893.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRyqeQTH9PzucNqbcPv0_IqhWKUP75BuGY2PTfZPUFslUC78YQ_gTlTyynwXrosMJRGNhC91Ehcimg6ob7Vmw8Q-j4Tz6j-E6_FQNg_JQhtzHJV4g1YpsU9t_-LhFnzUJTEaQs8JcSPY/s320/IMG_9893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568055048498483602" border="0" /></a><br />Big bolts and one of the 8 or so 2x4 pieces bracing the stairs from the side:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKnISVUgkeCEKckIXq2hsXvM1ptiYksRhaNz9kLWvtQHBXsIoo2Rm3LSkzYvKdLgTdHvsxmgprMUgEoJzQqTJce9VcaEYXVN49uH8Psislv4G6iZ8qJcLgENIdA15AvTmFIIKwneQzlY/s1600/IMG_9892.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKnISVUgkeCEKckIXq2hsXvM1ptiYksRhaNz9kLWvtQHBXsIoo2Rm3LSkzYvKdLgTdHvsxmgprMUgEoJzQqTJce9VcaEYXVN49uH8Psislv4G6iZ8qJcLgENIdA15AvTmFIIKwneQzlY/s320/IMG_9892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568054942552089090" border="0" /></a><br />Proof that the attic door closes completely now:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe5ZjT4GbKWpr_HiFKF6us40GTtg20pVJeelWZ_b_xYFGSVCJyz8RVPmAXfjCBwuW4Ksr_Zt7kvPGeJl5QgerVynKag8vjdLTGIGKXjWRkPzXQ5X-Ud0IKyhHFIbvmkUSW4LB43sl0Fg/s1600/IMG_9895.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe5ZjT4GbKWpr_HiFKF6us40GTtg20pVJeelWZ_b_xYFGSVCJyz8RVPmAXfjCBwuW4Ksr_Zt7kvPGeJl5QgerVynKag8vjdLTGIGKXjWRkPzXQ5X-Ud0IKyhHFIbvmkUSW4LB43sl0Fg/s320/IMG_9895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568055213530480738" border="0" /></a><br />Next up: finishing the insulation and behind the wall odds and ends. Then we get a whole bunch of drywall. Does anyone deliver?Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-36275316403114591632010-12-22T07:14:00.003-05:002010-12-22T07:22:27.504-05:00Merry Christmas from the DupersFrustration is a primary emotion felt by home rehabbers. We read all about it before we bought the Duper Dwelling. We've felt it through some rough patches - the dishonest porch contractor, the frozen and exploding pipes, the nonworking furnace. A couple of weeks ago, we had a disagreement with our electrician that sparked my creativity. I present to you a Christmas poem about our house:<br /><br />Twas the night before Christmas<br />and through the money pit<br />not a creature was stirring<br />in our big pile of s**t.<br /><br />The Dupers shivered under blankets in bed<br />while thoughts of insulation danced in their heads.<br />The fuse box sat, sprouting odd wires<br />while they carefully watched for signs of electric fires<br /><br />When out on the lawn there arose such a pow<br />I sprang from the bed to see what was happening now.<br /><br />The streetlight shining right in my eyes<br />lit up our big Christmas surprise<br />when, what to my wondering eyes should appear<br />a code violation for the end of the year.<br /><br />The well-paid electrician, one of my gripes<br />did not move the fusebox away from the pipes.<br /><br />Now plumbing, now electric, now HVAC and gas!<br />On fixtures, and drywall, and busting your ass!<br />To the end of the yard and down the rock wall<br />Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Now the good news here is that we came to a good agreement with the electrician on how to best handle the situation. So for now the frustration is gone and I'm having that feel-good feeling about our accomplishments. 2010 has been a big year for the house - the landscaping work, new HVAC, insulation, wiring, roof work, and front walkway come to mind. Here's to 2011 bringing us walls and potentially a move upstairs.<br /><br />Merry Christmas and happy 2011!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983782814212955805.post-88902571629379595222010-12-12T11:19:00.004-05:002010-12-12T11:38:11.789-05:00Jacked upOur house is crooked. I think that's pretty normal for a structure built 120 years ago. But since we are taking out the walls, we have the opportunity to try to straighten things out a little.<br /><br />Remember what the attic stairs looked like back when we had walls? No? OK, <a target="_blank" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE45Zbz_LWu1xDfBIKXhxN0RrgV-ZlxhO5a5xJB8uPmaZsY2Al1yOhQ8Yrr_2ttd449aoFCrwlKdxzaXyLnEW0nM0TUIYfyVaRLECuEQ3a0hKDID6GiynTo94gKOBfRjwpegaxOYrxH4/s1600-h/First+Day_43.jpg">here.</a> See how the angles aren't really 90 degrees in that doorway? That's because the attic stairs are sagging over the front hallway. They're so crooked that the attic door does not close.<br /><br />So we got out the floor jacks.<br /><br />This one holds the first floor hallway up and braces the whole contraption from the ground (basement) up.<br /><br /><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Wy3MF_lsvzVNH61APdcBPyEkL8qFyg6RaJ-uV2Iu74tlx0-OFo_bBFgsUsDdseUzexr9rwpvd9rgVCtygqRo7WeQbCw4nU9gR2ZwWYgPmX61Fb6zUR1kkGuafrHOY_8r-J1wZ1tGOs/s320/IMG_9651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549831902875305490" border="0" />Then this one sits on top of that. This is the jack that does the lifting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4xtYuvlNFXZTu342qgLuPXETCzTJYA60IS6nWw0Oe_uSnTE-YxjCt1js1ScpM9zrimMrS4LVCyWYe5JMWmXBEqGJFYjVIYc8uIA-DV6ikMG8x1B0NG_Dgljhl_A00cnBMukva1GK6lo/s1600/IMG_9653.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4xtYuvlNFXZTu342qgLuPXETCzTJYA60IS6nWw0Oe_uSnTE-YxjCt1js1ScpM9zrimMrS4LVCyWYe5JMWmXBEqGJFYjVIYc8uIA-DV6ikMG8x1B0NG_Dgljhl_A00cnBMukva1GK6lo/s320/IMG_9653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549831680296041586" border="0" /></a>The next image shows exactly what we are lifting - the attic stairs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsa9Vzb1N6YenA09cBQauDsngssaPmLsY6FGc4As5SGhWuISoayEoucgf8rB4Nb_x5Zr0rH1f_GU_iwqEWKRLS-oGh-atgtKYd8QJCMazPFNN6nFAKJ80Yk-zRK-Kdnz_TFgqIGF3FAk/s1600/IMG_9652.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsa9Vzb1N6YenA09cBQauDsngssaPmLsY6FGc4As5SGhWuISoayEoucgf8rB4Nb_x5Zr0rH1f_GU_iwqEWKRLS-oGh-atgtKYd8QJCMazPFNN6nFAKJ80Yk-zRK-Kdnz_TFgqIGF3FAk/s320/IMG_9652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549831799043664674" border="0" /></a>And this last one shows how crooked they were on Day 1, when we set up the jacks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHb3UKIjVehQ3JV6AlOI13_p1i1cNwdXqkzrZWk77Yhz0m8o3qf7moorRkRhrpQygoX5avb27P3DoJTumX1GVU4PCXMJSHU_WIXzE-WB0ZIgNhj47nQdcfFuyxcoE0UPQy3lwhgW1Q1M/s1600/IMG_9654.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHb3UKIjVehQ3JV6AlOI13_p1i1cNwdXqkzrZWk77Yhz0m8o3qf7moorRkRhrpQygoX5avb27P3DoJTumX1GVU4PCXMJSHU_WIXzE-WB0ZIgNhj47nQdcfFuyxcoE0UPQy3lwhgW1Q1M/s320/IMG_9654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549831538364652418" border="0" /></a>The above pic also shows some of the dozens of rolls of insulation we've added to the house's exterior walls. It's my hope that we can turn the furnace up past "frigid" to "tepid" once we have the house insulated.<br /><br />So every couple of days, we've added an inch or so to the first floor's jack. We're now to the point where we can close the attic door - it won't latch, but I don't think it ever will. But there's a definite improvement.<br /><br />Next up? Bracing the stairs so that they stay in their new upright position.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15832619697472054163noreply@blogger.com0