Colorado mountains, 7200 ft elevation.
Enter At Your Own Risk
- Thread starter GoodEnuff
- Start date
So yesterday, the man came to remove the snow dams from the roof and patch the screw holes. He couldn't find anything that indicated a leak in the area where I heard dripping during the rains last week. He did say that some of the screws were placed at an angle so they did not have a good seal. Just in case, he also ran a bead of the roof sealant around the bathroom roof vent. Rain is predicted next week; if the drip I am hearing continues, he said he will go into the attic. Yuck.
The snow dams were installed about 18 months ago. They did not help with preventing ice dams, hanging icicles, etc. What they did do is keep the snow on the roof and make it difficult to remove. Pine needles, leaves, etc., also built up behind those dams. Perhaps that is the source of the leak? IDK. So off they came; $400 wasted.
He is coming back this evening to do a few minor things that are winter related. When that is done ( probably take 10 minutes), we will discuss the finishing of the formerly hot tub room. Once snow falls, his work schedule will slow down and this will be inside work. That will be the last major project on this winter's agenda, other than replacing some carpet in the extra bedroom (no big deal).
The snow dams were installed about 18 months ago. They did not help with preventing ice dams, hanging icicles, etc. What they did do is keep the snow on the roof and make it difficult to remove. Pine needles, leaves, etc., also built up behind those dams. Perhaps that is the source of the leak? IDK. So off they came; $400 wasted.
He is coming back this evening to do a few minor things that are winter related. When that is done ( probably take 10 minutes), we will discuss the finishing of the formerly hot tub room. Once snow falls, his work schedule will slow down and this will be inside work. That will be the last major project on this winter's agenda, other than replacing some carpet in the extra bedroom (no big deal).
The contractor said he can schedule finishing out the ex-hot tub room in February! I may try to find someone else to do it before then.
Meanwhile, I decided to pull the weeds that grew up over the septic leech field. Most of it came up fairly easily; a few had to be dug out and a couple not even that worked. Those will be chopped off. After a couple of hours, I stopped and left the rest for later. I suspect some of these are "tumble weeds". Will work on it again today. The now grassy area in the back that was cleared last spring could use cutting down. Maybe I'll do that first; it's much easier and once it snows, it will be packed down and very difficult to do.
The weather has been glorious; sunny, blue sky, cool in the 50's/60's. Perfect weather to be outdoors. The deciduous trees have donned their fall wardrobes and are beautiful. I managed to move the tomato plants to the south side of the house; they still have dozens of tomatoes on them and am hoping the sunshine will ripen them before the next freeze. One of them did get some frost damage but it is hanging in there.
Today's To Do List includes repairing the gate on the temporary fence, water the transplanted lambs ears and lilies in the small front garden, pull weeds, place the fertilizer spikes around/under the Blue Spruce tree in front and maybe cut back the grass mentioned above. That won't all get done but it will still be there tomorrow.
Meanwhile, I decided to pull the weeds that grew up over the septic leech field. Most of it came up fairly easily; a few had to be dug out and a couple not even that worked. Those will be chopped off. After a couple of hours, I stopped and left the rest for later. I suspect some of these are "tumble weeds". Will work on it again today. The now grassy area in the back that was cleared last spring could use cutting down. Maybe I'll do that first; it's much easier and once it snows, it will be packed down and very difficult to do.
The weather has been glorious; sunny, blue sky, cool in the 50's/60's. Perfect weather to be outdoors. The deciduous trees have donned their fall wardrobes and are beautiful. I managed to move the tomato plants to the south side of the house; they still have dozens of tomatoes on them and am hoping the sunshine will ripen them before the next freeze. One of them did get some frost damage but it is hanging in there.
Today's To Do List includes repairing the gate on the temporary fence, water the transplanted lambs ears and lilies in the small front garden, pull weeds, place the fertilizer spikes around/under the Blue Spruce tree in front and maybe cut back the grass mentioned above. That won't all get done but it will still be there tomorrow.
Spent a good part of yesterday pulling those weeds and amazingly that is finished. Decided to wait until today to bag it all; then I saw the weather forecast for rain and went back out there. Managed to get most of it bagged but then just had to quit. Sure enough, it rained during the night so may have to wait until tomorrow to finish that part. The local waste management company will take them for an extra $3/bag.
I think today I will take a break from such hard physical labor as this morning my back is complaining a little bit. Glad for the rain, lol.
I think today I will take a break from such hard physical labor as this morning my back is complaining a little bit. Glad for the rain, lol.
Managed to get all the pulled weeds bagged and out to the curb to be picked up on Wednesday. 11 heavy duty 55 gallon contractor bags. Ouch. Maybe tomorrow I will do some grass trimming out back, or leaf raking. Add to those bags.
Can't decide whether to rake leaves twice, or wait until they have all fallen and it will probably be more difficult. Hmmm...
Can't decide whether to rake leaves twice, or wait until they have all fallen and it will probably be more difficult. Hmmm...
Yesterday, I managed to bag five bags of leaves. The good thing is that even when packed down, the bags aren't very heavy. I need to get more bags. There are now 16 bags sitting on the roadside to be picked up today. This is the first time I tried using the leaf blower in that area; didn't think it would work very well because those leaves/pine needles settle down into the vinca (vinka?) ground cover and are hard to get out. It worked pretty good. I have decided perfection isn't always required. It just has to be good enuff, lol.
The 26F/-7C temps finally killed the two cherry tomato plants. There were still a LOT of green tomatoes on them so I picked them all (about 2 quarts) and made green tomato salsa. It turned out...ok. It'll probably just sit in the fridge/freezer for a month or two, then get thrown out. Oh, well. At least I tried.
I have an appointment this afternoon for a haircut. Will pick up a few things while in town, like leaf bags.
The 26F/-7C temps finally killed the two cherry tomato plants. There were still a LOT of green tomatoes on them so I picked them all (about 2 quarts) and made green tomato salsa. It turned out...ok. It'll probably just sit in the fridge/freezer for a month or two, then get thrown out. Oh, well. At least I tried.
I have an appointment this afternoon for a haircut. Will pick up a few things while in town, like leaf bags.
The haircut is way too short. Oh, well. It'll grow back.
The far off mountains now have snow on them. We haven't had any snow yet. Stepped outside yesterday and the creek is down to its winter trickle. It happens overnight; this water is levee'd and they close the gates in winter, open them in early summer for irrigation for the farms down below. It's so quiet outside now. I should get out there and clear out the branches, etc., that tend to get stuck between rocks and such. Maybe wait a day or two to let the now exposed rocks dry out; they can be very slippery.
Went to town yesterday for a few items. It was pretty quiet, not much traffic, although comparatively there is never much traffic like in the cities.
I was a bit concerned because of all the internet talk about looting and such. I cannot imagine that happening here. All was calm. I have mixed thoughts about all of this shutdown business.
There was a time, long ago, when I was a working single mother of two and had no money, I called about food stamps but was told it would take more than six weeks to receive any benefit; all I needed was enough to get through a week or two. If there were food banks back then, I didn't know about them. We managed; it wasn't easy. The thought of stealing never occurred to me.
The far off mountains now have snow on them. We haven't had any snow yet. Stepped outside yesterday and the creek is down to its winter trickle. It happens overnight; this water is levee'd and they close the gates in winter, open them in early summer for irrigation for the farms down below. It's so quiet outside now. I should get out there and clear out the branches, etc., that tend to get stuck between rocks and such. Maybe wait a day or two to let the now exposed rocks dry out; they can be very slippery.
Went to town yesterday for a few items. It was pretty quiet, not much traffic, although comparatively there is never much traffic like in the cities.
I was a bit concerned because of all the internet talk about looting and such. I cannot imagine that happening here. All was calm. I have mixed thoughts about all of this shutdown business.
There was a time, long ago, when I was a working single mother of two and had no money, I called about food stamps but was told it would take more than six weeks to receive any benefit; all I needed was enough to get through a week or two. If there were food banks back then, I didn't know about them. We managed; it wasn't easy. The thought of stealing never occurred to me.
Election day. I will go vote in person.
A friend has sold her house and is in the process of packing/purging/clearing out. She called me and said she has four 2x4x8's and asked if I wanted them. I said, "Sure!" Her response: "Half-price." What? I helped her build this house! Have given her a lawn mower (which she is giving back after using it for six years), housed/fed her when needed during her building process, and she wants to SELL me these four boards? So I told her, "Oh, I thought you were offering to give them to me. Never mind." Then she asked to borrow a tool. I said okay. Now that I am thinking about it, I think I will tell her I can't find it.
I also said I would help her move, bringing my hand truck which would make things much easier. Gee. Is that a twinge in my back, signifying a few weeks of down time?
A friend has sold her house and is in the process of packing/purging/clearing out. She called me and said she has four 2x4x8's and asked if I wanted them. I said, "Sure!" Her response: "Half-price." What? I helped her build this house! Have given her a lawn mower (which she is giving back after using it for six years), housed/fed her when needed during her building process, and she wants to SELL me these four boards? So I told her, "Oh, I thought you were offering to give them to me. Never mind." Then she asked to borrow a tool. I said okay. Now that I am thinking about it, I think I will tell her I can't find it.
I also said I would help her move, bringing my hand truck which would make things much easier. Gee. Is that a twinge in my back, signifying a few weeks of down time?
Not much happening; trying to get over an attack of The Lazies.
Today, I plan to go to town. I want to downsize the dining table; it is just too big for this space. Found one on Wayfair that would probably work but will take a look at the local furniture store which carries very high quality stuff with prices to match. Much of my furniture is from there. The problem is how to get rid of the current table. Advertise in the local weekly paper? I hate to invite scammers with an on-line advert. Maybe donate it to a local thrift store, the proceeds of which would go to the local animal shelter. I lean towards that. They probably have someone who could come get it as it is very heavy.
Today, I plan to go to town. I want to downsize the dining table; it is just too big for this space. Found one on Wayfair that would probably work but will take a look at the local furniture store which carries very high quality stuff with prices to match. Much of my furniture is from there. The problem is how to get rid of the current table. Advertise in the local weekly paper? I hate to invite scammers with an on-line advert. Maybe donate it to a local thrift store, the proceeds of which would go to the local animal shelter. I lean towards that. They probably have someone who could come get it as it is very heavy.
The dining tables at the local furniture store were all just too large. I found a place on line, located in Ohio, that will make a dining table just like I want. 30% down payment when ordered, won't be ready until February. I am okay with that. I need to know one measurement that isn't shown so will call them today; if it is okay, then I will order it. The thrift store requests pics of the table I want to donate before accepting it. They no longer have anybody to come pick it up. That creates a bit of a problem; it will fit in the back of my mini-van but is way too heavy for me to get it in there. I may ask a neighbor to help me with that.
Yesterday was spent putting things away, tools and such. Today I am going to begin purging, starting with the clothes closet. Went through a few drawers yesterday. There is something about doing that which feels good. Like an enema, lol.
Yesterday was spent putting things away, tools and such. Today I am going to begin purging, starting with the clothes closet. Went through a few drawers yesterday. There is something about doing that which feels good. Like an enema, lol.
gruntlabor
Well-known Member
- Location
- Last Frontier, Age 83
I have a different opinion of an enema.
John cycling
Healthy Person
- Location
- Central Coast California
@GoodEnuff - You have an interesting diary.
Last edited:
Thank You. I think, lol.
Called the table place and spoke to the carpenter. During the conversation, I realized what I wanted to do, how I wanted to arrange the chairs, will not work. Sigh. Seemed like a good idea at the time. So on to Plan B, which is get rid of two (out of six) chairs. I have never used all six, well, maybe once in the last seven years. These are really good chairs, even if I never use most of them. Sigh.
Meanwhile, I called a different contractor to take a look at the formerly hot tub room project. He came at the end of his work day and actually impressed me with his ideas. Very nice, cheerful, upbeat person. Problem is, he can't get to it until the end of January. He did say if he had a cancellation or some such, he would squeeze me in since he can get this done in one day. I said okay.
The next morning (yesterday), the young man who has been doing a LOT of the work here called and said he could come now and do this project. Huh? He told me a couple of months ago that it would be February. So I cancelled the new guy (who was actually thankful to be off the hook, I think). Yesterday morning it was started by the original man and today he will be back to finish it. I have to run to the lumber yard early to get a particular board. This person lives next door to me and I think he must have seen the other guy's van parked in my driveway. A little competition goes a long way, perhaps.
The floor and walls are closed in now, hooray! Today, he will box in the lower part of a wall, which used to be an outside wall, composed of local stones. It was painted years ago and is just ugly. It will be boxed in with a shelf on top. I will then do all of the finishing work, paint, trim, patch small areas of the drywall, etc. Not looking forward to that but will be glad to have this room finished. It is the last interior major project, except new carpet in a couple of areas. I don't see that as a "project". No construction required. Just $$$.
Well, not quite. The laundry/store room awaits but that isn't high on my list. It will include plumbing and electrical and removing the haphazard interior walls, and who knows what else. I choose to ignore that for now.
Meanwhile, I called a different contractor to take a look at the formerly hot tub room project. He came at the end of his work day and actually impressed me with his ideas. Very nice, cheerful, upbeat person. Problem is, he can't get to it until the end of January. He did say if he had a cancellation or some such, he would squeeze me in since he can get this done in one day. I said okay.
The next morning (yesterday), the young man who has been doing a LOT of the work here called and said he could come now and do this project. Huh? He told me a couple of months ago that it would be February. So I cancelled the new guy (who was actually thankful to be off the hook, I think). Yesterday morning it was started by the original man and today he will be back to finish it. I have to run to the lumber yard early to get a particular board. This person lives next door to me and I think he must have seen the other guy's van parked in my driveway. A little competition goes a long way, perhaps.
The floor and walls are closed in now, hooray! Today, he will box in the lower part of a wall, which used to be an outside wall, composed of local stones. It was painted years ago and is just ugly. It will be boxed in with a shelf on top. I will then do all of the finishing work, paint, trim, patch small areas of the drywall, etc. Not looking forward to that but will be glad to have this room finished. It is the last interior major project, except new carpet in a couple of areas. I don't see that as a "project". No construction required. Just $$$.
Well, not quite. The laundry/store room awaits but that isn't high on my list. It will include plumbing and electrical and removing the haphazard interior walls, and who knows what else. I choose to ignore that for now.
Today, I'm headed to the property tax assessor's office to question the new assessment on my house. Long story but I will see what can be done. I am not looking forward to it.
I will start work on the ex-hot tub room (which really needs a new name, lol) on Monday. Patching, painting, etc. Hopefully, it can be finished in a week or so. Not looking forward to it but then again, usually once I get started, it's not so bad.
The little spaniel's behavior has me a bit worried. Suddenly, she has calmed down. Huh? I considered taking her to the vet yesterday but she is eating, drinking, eliminating, and playing. What worries me is that this change has occurred almost overnight. Keeping a close eye on her for now. I have changed the way we interact. Now, when she is quiet, laying in her bed, I walk over and pet/praise her. I also choose that time to take her for a walk.
In addition, the older guy is sleeping more and more and she sometimes tends to copy his behavior. For instance, they sleep in the bed with me. The older guy sleeps in; when he is ready to get up, he stands at the edge of the bed and barks, a single "bark", and I go in and take him down from the bed. It is too high for him to jump off. Recently, the spaniel has started doing that. She is a little athlete and jumping onto and off of the bed is sometimes a game she plays. Now, it's more a "do me, do me" thing. It's kind of funny. None of my other dogs did this, though.
I will start work on the ex-hot tub room (which really needs a new name, lol) on Monday. Patching, painting, etc. Hopefully, it can be finished in a week or so. Not looking forward to it but then again, usually once I get started, it's not so bad.
The little spaniel's behavior has me a bit worried. Suddenly, she has calmed down. Huh? I considered taking her to the vet yesterday but she is eating, drinking, eliminating, and playing. What worries me is that this change has occurred almost overnight. Keeping a close eye on her for now. I have changed the way we interact. Now, when she is quiet, laying in her bed, I walk over and pet/praise her. I also choose that time to take her for a walk.
In addition, the older guy is sleeping more and more and she sometimes tends to copy his behavior. For instance, they sleep in the bed with me. The older guy sleeps in; when he is ready to get up, he stands at the edge of the bed and barks, a single "bark", and I go in and take him down from the bed. It is too high for him to jump off. Recently, the spaniel has started doing that. She is a little athlete and jumping onto and off of the bed is sometimes a game she plays. Now, it's more a "do me, do me" thing. It's kind of funny. None of my other dogs did this, though.
First snow last night...only two inches or so, which will probably melt away by the end of the day since it is now 35F. This is late in the year for snow.
Today is the first day of finishing off that "new" room, starting with patching small holes, etc., in the walls. It shouldn't be difficult or take very long; the dry time slows things down, though. On one of the window sills, the wood has softened from years of condensation dripping down from the window glass. To replace that sill would require removing the entire window frame and maybe even the window itself. Nope. I will use a wood hardening product on it first, then patch it. I have a product new to me that is called Wood Weld, which is an epoxy product that reportedly dries hard as steel. Fingers crossed.
In other areas, mostly outside, where wood trims, etc., show signs of water/snow damage, I have replaced those parts with PVC instead of wood. Some of the baseboards are now PVC; it's a joy to work with, easily cut, bends slightly, doesn't need to be painted if you don't mind white, and wears quite well. I will use it for trim/baseboards in this room. The local lumber yard doesn't carry it so a trip to the city is in order, maybe next week. Yuck.
This room is the strangest one of all. Five walls, not four, with a slanted ceiling. Three walls have windows, another has the sliding glass door into the hallway. Strange corner angles with a slanted ceiling at the top? I asked the contractor if he would install the trim/baseboards when everything is ready for that. He agreed to do it. I know I wouldn't be able to get those angles right. The trim pieces where the walls meet the ceilings differ, they don't match all the way around. I think that is why. There is NOTHING standard in this Crooked House, lol.
Today is the first day of finishing off that "new" room, starting with patching small holes, etc., in the walls. It shouldn't be difficult or take very long; the dry time slows things down, though. On one of the window sills, the wood has softened from years of condensation dripping down from the window glass. To replace that sill would require removing the entire window frame and maybe even the window itself. Nope. I will use a wood hardening product on it first, then patch it. I have a product new to me that is called Wood Weld, which is an epoxy product that reportedly dries hard as steel. Fingers crossed.
In other areas, mostly outside, where wood trims, etc., show signs of water/snow damage, I have replaced those parts with PVC instead of wood. Some of the baseboards are now PVC; it's a joy to work with, easily cut, bends slightly, doesn't need to be painted if you don't mind white, and wears quite well. I will use it for trim/baseboards in this room. The local lumber yard doesn't carry it so a trip to the city is in order, maybe next week. Yuck.
This room is the strangest one of all. Five walls, not four, with a slanted ceiling. Three walls have windows, another has the sliding glass door into the hallway. Strange corner angles with a slanted ceiling at the top? I asked the contractor if he would install the trim/baseboards when everything is ready for that. He agreed to do it. I know I wouldn't be able to get those angles right. The trim pieces where the walls meet the ceilings differ, they don't match all the way around. I think that is why. There is NOTHING standard in this Crooked House, lol.
Great News! The dry wall guy called me last night and he will be here tomorrow to do the finish work in the ex-hot tub room. AND he will paint, too! Not sure if he will do the window sill repair but that shouldn't be too difficult if I have to do that. I know this man's work and it is beautiful; he did the bathroom, which was a total mess, and it looks sooo gorgeous. He skimmed the entire walls with a hand troweled texture. Will do the same thing in this room.
I am so excited to get this done. I hope to have the inside of this house completed by Spring. Then it will be back to the outside, which includes some windows, fencing, garden, shoring up the creek banks, rebuilding the gazebo (or tearing it down and just having a patio), taking out some large dead/dying trees. I try not to think about all of that.
My parents owned this place from 1965 to 2021. It was a one room cabin with bathroom when they bought it and over the years, they added on a couple of times, doing most of the work themselves on a shoestring budget. Daddy died over 30 years ago; when Mom died in 2021, the house was sold to an older couple. A few months after they moved in, he caught covid, had a massive heart attack, and had to stay on oxygen at this 7200 ft elevation. I had sold my house in town and was looking for a smaller place when they called me and offered to sell me the house for what they had in it. I jumped on it.
I knew it needed work. I knew it had been neglected for years. I didn't know the extent of the damage. When I first got started, I discovered that Dad had done some "strange" things in the way it was built. Really, Dad? But now I see why, with the difficult topography, the winter climate with snow snow snow for months, the creek so close to the house, their lack of money. What did I know about all of this? Nothing. It has been such a challenge.
Will it ever be Finished? Will I become lax, like my Mom did, about getting these things done? Will it ever be...Good Enough? Worst yet, will I run out of money? I am beginning to understand so much about my parents.
I am so excited to get this done. I hope to have the inside of this house completed by Spring. Then it will be back to the outside, which includes some windows, fencing, garden, shoring up the creek banks, rebuilding the gazebo (or tearing it down and just having a patio), taking out some large dead/dying trees. I try not to think about all of that.
My parents owned this place from 1965 to 2021. It was a one room cabin with bathroom when they bought it and over the years, they added on a couple of times, doing most of the work themselves on a shoestring budget. Daddy died over 30 years ago; when Mom died in 2021, the house was sold to an older couple. A few months after they moved in, he caught covid, had a massive heart attack, and had to stay on oxygen at this 7200 ft elevation. I had sold my house in town and was looking for a smaller place when they called me and offered to sell me the house for what they had in it. I jumped on it.
I knew it needed work. I knew it had been neglected for years. I didn't know the extent of the damage. When I first got started, I discovered that Dad had done some "strange" things in the way it was built. Really, Dad? But now I see why, with the difficult topography, the winter climate with snow snow snow for months, the creek so close to the house, their lack of money. What did I know about all of this? Nothing. It has been such a challenge.
Will it ever be Finished? Will I become lax, like my Mom did, about getting these things done? Will it ever be...Good Enough? Worst yet, will I run out of money? I am beginning to understand so much about my parents.
Dry wall is all patched, taped/floated. It looks sooo much better already. Today he is texturing the walls. Tomorrow paint, if it all dries enough.
Meanwhile, now I remember why I don't like this guy. I keep the dogs gated in an area where he doesn't need to be. This morning, he needed to come into this area and the little spaniel jumped all over him. He knows she is a jumper and usually I crate her when anybody comes over, for that very reason. So he took it upon himself to tell me that "You need to use a firmer training technique on her." Well, I replied, you are the first person to be here in the past two months. How to train her not to jump on others (she doesn't jump on me) when nobody ever comes over?
And he tells me every single detail of every single crooked, bumpy, gap, whatever. Right. I know that. It's why YOU are here and I am not doing it. He criticizes the build, all the add-ons, "nobody would ever buy this house", etc etc etc. "It should be torn down and rebuilt." With all of the work that has been done, not anymore. Every wall has been opened, every bit of mold found has been treated or replaced with new whatever. I can't stand this guy but ... his work is premiere so bite my tongue and get it done. Argh!
Meanwhile, now I remember why I don't like this guy. I keep the dogs gated in an area where he doesn't need to be. This morning, he needed to come into this area and the little spaniel jumped all over him. He knows she is a jumper and usually I crate her when anybody comes over, for that very reason. So he took it upon himself to tell me that "You need to use a firmer training technique on her." Well, I replied, you are the first person to be here in the past two months. How to train her not to jump on others (she doesn't jump on me) when nobody ever comes over?
And he tells me every single detail of every single crooked, bumpy, gap, whatever. Right. I know that. It's why YOU are here and I am not doing it. He criticizes the build, all the add-ons, "nobody would ever buy this house", etc etc etc. "It should be torn down and rebuilt." With all of the work that has been done, not anymore. Every wall has been opened, every bit of mold found has been treated or replaced with new whatever. I can't stand this guy but ... his work is premiere so bite my tongue and get it done. Argh!
Texturing the walls was finished just after noon yesterday. Today he will be painting. I have the paint. I also offered him the use of my painting tools but he prefers to use his own. Okay.
I will repair the window sills after he is finished. We discussed ways to do that and his way was "do it this way and again every couple of years". No. My way should be permanent. I have done this before in other areas. Will start that tomorrow, along with some detail work: the ceiling light fixture, some caulking here and there, that kind of thing. Then I will have the electrician come to finish the electrical outlets, have my regular contractor install the baseboards, then the flooring company to install the carpet. I will be so glad when this project is finished.
There will be more drywall work, probably in a few months. I cringe at the thought of having him back here. There is another guy, whose work I do not know, that I may call. It's just a hallway.
Sometimes, I think of what a sad life this is. It seems everything centers around fixing this place. Not decorating, but that will be fun when all this other work is finished. Next year, I hope, if I'm not flat broke by then, lol.
I will repair the window sills after he is finished. We discussed ways to do that and his way was "do it this way and again every couple of years". No. My way should be permanent. I have done this before in other areas. Will start that tomorrow, along with some detail work: the ceiling light fixture, some caulking here and there, that kind of thing. Then I will have the electrician come to finish the electrical outlets, have my regular contractor install the baseboards, then the flooring company to install the carpet. I will be so glad when this project is finished.
There will be more drywall work, probably in a few months. I cringe at the thought of having him back here. There is another guy, whose work I do not know, that I may call. It's just a hallway.
Sometimes, I think of what a sad life this is. It seems everything centers around fixing this place. Not decorating, but that will be fun when all this other work is finished. Next year, I hope, if I'm not flat broke by then, lol.
Painting is finished so the walls are done. I am not thrilled with the results. The texture isn't as 3-dimensional as in the other areas he has done; either that, or it doesn't show as much since we used flat paint versus the gloss like was used in the bathroom. Maybe I will do another coat with a satin finish but probably not. It is fine, just not what I was hoping for. Oh well.
Got a lot done yesterday. Caulked the seams in a lot of the acoustic ceiling tiles. Patched the window sills, cleaned up the mess, and then started removing the carpet on the five steps leading up to the hall outside this room. Ugh. Discovered that the stair treads are a dark stained wood with white painted risers. I love the look of it but the treads are so worn and damaged, I don't think they can be restored to good condition. Replacing the treads with maybe maple ? but that will probably be pricey and damage the walls, creating more work.
I am also concerned about the safety of the stairs. I have slipped on bare stairs before and gone down. Ouch! Carpet seems to give better traction. And I discovered yesterday that the dogs have the same problem. In addition, the hall floor at the top of the stairs is poorly done concrete. It slants down in such a way that if it is "leveled", there will be a drop of one to two inches at the threshold leading into the bathroom -- a definite tripping hazard. I dislike carpet and after seeing what was under it, even more so now. I don't know what else can be done, though. Will talk with the floor people and see what ideas they may have.
Got two loads of laundry done with a third running now.
Today, I will sand, paint and caulk the window sills (had to let the epoxy wood filler dry overnight), mount a piece of trim, and remove the rest of the carpet in the hall. That should be easy, except it'll be filthy underneath. Will need to clean the filter in the shop vac.
Got a lot done yesterday. Caulked the seams in a lot of the acoustic ceiling tiles. Patched the window sills, cleaned up the mess, and then started removing the carpet on the five steps leading up to the hall outside this room. Ugh. Discovered that the stair treads are a dark stained wood with white painted risers. I love the look of it but the treads are so worn and damaged, I don't think they can be restored to good condition. Replacing the treads with maybe maple ? but that will probably be pricey and damage the walls, creating more work.
I am also concerned about the safety of the stairs. I have slipped on bare stairs before and gone down. Ouch! Carpet seems to give better traction. And I discovered yesterday that the dogs have the same problem. In addition, the hall floor at the top of the stairs is poorly done concrete. It slants down in such a way that if it is "leveled", there will be a drop of one to two inches at the threshold leading into the bathroom -- a definite tripping hazard. I dislike carpet and after seeing what was under it, even more so now. I don't know what else can be done, though. Will talk with the floor people and see what ideas they may have.
Got two loads of laundry done with a third running now.
Today, I will sand, paint and caulk the window sills (had to let the epoxy wood filler dry overnight), mount a piece of trim, and remove the rest of the carpet in the hall. That should be easy, except it'll be filthy underneath. Will need to clean the filter in the shop vac.
All carpet on the stairs and hallway is removed. I was pleasantly surprised that the concrete floor underneath isn't as bad as I thought it was. The stairwell walls are in not-so-good condition, maybe that's why the carpet was installed up to a chair rail on those two areas. I can think of several really cool ways to redo this stairwell; it would mean tearing out walls, rebuilding the stairs themselves, and who knows what will be found underneath them. Expensive and much work; this house isn't worth that much so decided to just recarpet everything the way it was.
Went to the floor place and brought home some carpet samples. Decisions, decisions.
The walls need re-texturing. Previous owner had started doing that but didn't finish so now there are two different textures. I may have to have the dry wall guy back. Ugh.
I ordered two new ceiling light fixtures for that upstairs hallway and the bedroom. The lighting up there is another story. Anyway, the new fixtures should be delivered today. The electrical outlets in the new room need to be finished, too. So a visit from the electrician is in order.
Went to the floor place and brought home some carpet samples. Decisions, decisions.
The walls need re-texturing. Previous owner had started doing that but didn't finish so now there are two different textures. I may have to have the dry wall guy back. Ugh.
I ordered two new ceiling light fixtures for that upstairs hallway and the bedroom. The lighting up there is another story. Anyway, the new fixtures should be delivered today. The electrical outlets in the new room need to be finished, too. So a visit from the electrician is in order.
Spent a few hours yesterday blowing/raking up leaves. Nice weather, 40F's and sunny, although I was working in the shade. Only one and a half bags filled, put out for the trash pickup next week. A little muscle soreness today, as I haven't been doing the PT exercises for the last few weeks. It makes a huge difference. Back to that!
Winter is very slow in coming this year. We have had only one snow, about 4" and it lasted only a few days. Temps have been mid 30's to low 50's, also unusually warm. The big winter storm in the midwest/northeast areas of the US has not touched us here, west of the Continental Divide.
My little spaniel needs more mental stimulation. We use two of those small yellow "tennis" balls to play fetch. She can carry both of them, side by side in her mouth and it always makes me smile to see that. It takes her a few seconds to get them both in her mouth, holding the second one down with her paw. Anyway, yesterday I started teaching her to "find" the ball underneath one of those disposable plastic cups. She hasn't quite figured out how to knock the cup over to get the ball but we are working on that. I can see a noticeable change in her hyperactivity, calming down some. Fingers crossed.
Winter is very slow in coming this year. We have had only one snow, about 4" and it lasted only a few days. Temps have been mid 30's to low 50's, also unusually warm. The big winter storm in the midwest/northeast areas of the US has not touched us here, west of the Continental Divide.
My little spaniel needs more mental stimulation. We use two of those small yellow "tennis" balls to play fetch. She can carry both of them, side by side in her mouth and it always makes me smile to see that. It takes her a few seconds to get them both in her mouth, holding the second one down with her paw. Anyway, yesterday I started teaching her to "find" the ball underneath one of those disposable plastic cups. She hasn't quite figured out how to knock the cup over to get the ball but we are working on that. I can see a noticeable change in her hyperactivity, calming down some. Fingers crossed.
