Sunday, October 30, 2005
What a difference a month makes
The slideshow of the House: Before, During and After is finally loaded
You can click on the photo above to be directed to the set at Flickr, which is not organized and does not have descriptive captions, or you can click HERE and be directed to the snapfish album that is in order and captioned. Your choice.
The slideshow of the House: Before, During and After is finally loaded
You can click on the photo above to be directed to the set at Flickr, which is not organized and does not have descriptive captions, or you can click HERE and be directed to the snapfish album that is in order and captioned. Your choice.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Halloweenie
Ok, ok... originally this weekend was to be our spooky Halloween themed housewarming party, but we are not ready for throwing a party yet, so our housewarming gala has been delayed until spring, probably around St Patrick's Day.
This leaves us in a quandary -- what to do for Halloween weekend? Anyone have anything cool to do this Saturday? Oh, and it has to be dirt cheap, too, as we just made our first gi-normous mortgage payment.
Ok, ok... originally this weekend was to be our spooky Halloween themed housewarming party, but we are not ready for throwing a party yet, so our housewarming gala has been delayed until spring, probably around St Patrick's Day.
This leaves us in a quandary -- what to do for Halloween weekend? Anyone have anything cool to do this Saturday? Oh, and it has to be dirt cheap, too, as we just made our first gi-normous mortgage payment.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Magic Number
For the past two and half years John and I have lived in an apartment that not only had rent low enough to leave us with a hefty disposable income every month, but also included all utilities. Before that we lived in New Orleans, where you ran your heat for about a month each winter, if that.
For the past two and a half years, we have lived in a blissful, climate-controlled environment with the central air and heat set permanently to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot in mid-August? Come to Daniella and John’s place – it’s always 72. Freezing in January? Come to Daniella and John’s place – it’s always 72.
Now, we live in a drafty 1930’s cottage with natural gas radiators and a mortgage that we can afford on a hope and prayer (and every other week with a diet consisting of ramen and water). Radiators??? I had never even seen one until I moved to the northeast. As the mercury continues its nosedive into the frigid temperatures, John and I are faced with a decision—how cold can we stand it? How cold is too cold? We did a cost/benefit analysis based on a misery index (as in how miserable I would be as we moved progressively down the thermostat) and decided that we will spend the winter with a thermostat set to 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
We’ll see how long I can stand that.
So, what’s your magic thermostat number?
For the past two and half years John and I have lived in an apartment that not only had rent low enough to leave us with a hefty disposable income every month, but also included all utilities. Before that we lived in New Orleans, where you ran your heat for about a month each winter, if that.
For the past two and a half years, we have lived in a blissful, climate-controlled environment with the central air and heat set permanently to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot in mid-August? Come to Daniella and John’s place – it’s always 72. Freezing in January? Come to Daniella and John’s place – it’s always 72.
Now, we live in a drafty 1930’s cottage with natural gas radiators and a mortgage that we can afford on a hope and prayer (and every other week with a diet consisting of ramen and water). Radiators??? I had never even seen one until I moved to the northeast. As the mercury continues its nosedive into the frigid temperatures, John and I are faced with a decision—how cold can we stand it? How cold is too cold? We did a cost/benefit analysis based on a misery index (as in how miserable I would be as we moved progressively down the thermostat) and decided that we will spend the winter with a thermostat set to 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
We’ll see how long I can stand that.
So, what’s your magic thermostat number?
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
High School Redux -- for a good cause
You remember that movie with Tom Cruise from a few years ago? The one where he's a futuristic detective and crime has been eliminated because there's these empaths who can see the future and you get arrested before you actually commit a crime? I can't remember the name of it and I don't care enough to google it to find out. It's completely irrelevant to what I am about to write about except for one part of it...
There's a few scenes in the movie where Tom Cruise's character has to access a mainframe database and the way they do it in the future (according to this movie, anyway) he sees a blurry screen and he reaches into it with special gloves and pulls forth the information that he's looking for. As he pulls out the info that he needs, the image becomes clear.
Well, that's kind of how I feel about high school. I loved my high school and I loved my high school years, but the whole experience is somewhat blurry to me now. Occasionally, something will trigger a memory and it will appear in the ether of my brain, in stark relief--bright and crystal clear. Then, it disappears again into a sort of haze of happy feelings.
Last night, I went to a benefit called "Saving NOLA" organized by some people with whom I went to high school. The event was held at Movida, a nightclub owned by "that sweet kid" a year younger than me. Time Out New York called him a 'financial whiz'... There was a fashion show by that "nice girl I used to play soccer with" and a video by that guy my best friend dated briefly. I ran into another girl who now owns the restaurant listed as Best Tapas Bar by New York magazine. I ran into so many other friends and acquaintances. Some of these people I hadn't seen in 15 years or more. Everyone is successful, everyone is interesting and unique. I had a phenomenal time.
Why do I tell you all of this? I guess because among them, I was me again. I was comfortable, I was secure. It was like some sort of linguistic shorthand. These people knew who I was. I didn't have to start from scratch. I guess I'll always feel that way around my ex-pat New Orleans co-horts and I'll never feel that level of comfort around anyone else. I always thought I would get there again, but I don't think it's ever going to happen up here. It's just not the same.
Thanks goodness there's so many New Orleanians around this area!
You remember that movie with Tom Cruise from a few years ago? The one where he's a futuristic detective and crime has been eliminated because there's these empaths who can see the future and you get arrested before you actually commit a crime? I can't remember the name of it and I don't care enough to google it to find out. It's completely irrelevant to what I am about to write about except for one part of it...
There's a few scenes in the movie where Tom Cruise's character has to access a mainframe database and the way they do it in the future (according to this movie, anyway) he sees a blurry screen and he reaches into it with special gloves and pulls forth the information that he's looking for. As he pulls out the info that he needs, the image becomes clear.
Well, that's kind of how I feel about high school. I loved my high school and I loved my high school years, but the whole experience is somewhat blurry to me now. Occasionally, something will trigger a memory and it will appear in the ether of my brain, in stark relief--bright and crystal clear. Then, it disappears again into a sort of haze of happy feelings.
Last night, I went to a benefit called "Saving NOLA" organized by some people with whom I went to high school. The event was held at Movida, a nightclub owned by "that sweet kid" a year younger than me. Time Out New York called him a 'financial whiz'... There was a fashion show by that "nice girl I used to play soccer with" and a video by that guy my best friend dated briefly. I ran into another girl who now owns the restaurant listed as Best Tapas Bar by New York magazine. I ran into so many other friends and acquaintances. Some of these people I hadn't seen in 15 years or more. Everyone is successful, everyone is interesting and unique. I had a phenomenal time.
Why do I tell you all of this? I guess because among them, I was me again. I was comfortable, I was secure. It was like some sort of linguistic shorthand. These people knew who I was. I didn't have to start from scratch. I guess I'll always feel that way around my ex-pat New Orleans co-horts and I'll never feel that level of comfort around anyone else. I always thought I would get there again, but I don't think it's ever going to happen up here. It's just not the same.
Thanks goodness there's so many New Orleanians around this area!
Friday, October 21, 2005
Another New Orleans Update from My Mom, also known as the Refrigerator Wars
One week later.
It seems that things are moving along, but only superficially. Once you start looking at everything carefully, nothing is the same.
Our area (Uptown between St. Charles and the river), some sections of Metairie, West Bank and Kenner are the least affected. Still a lot of debris, refrigerators have not been picked up, blue roofs everywhere (tarps as temporary measures), etc. Streets appear different with so many trees gone.
But other areas are completely devastated. It is especially hard to see friends’ homes that are no more, with roofs gone, full of mud and mold. I met a friend the other day who owns a diner uptown. Her house was flooded on the 1st floor, but the restaurant is undamaged. Unfortunately, all of her staff is not here. And that is a huge problem at this time. Most low wage earners are gone. Who knows if they’ll come back since most housing is gone, rentals are at a premium, driven up by all the out of town workers. She told me that she most likely will not come back to New Orleans. Her daughter is at school in Georgia. And as she put it “once you start going to a good public school elsewhere, why come back?”
The lack of people in service positions is evident at every place that opened. Everybody has shorter hours, fewer employees and long lines. Yesterday I went to Dorignac’s (for those of you “in the know”). The store is very clean and fully stocked with everything, but so few workers! I was waited on by a very old man with trembling hands (probably a member of Dorignac family or an old retired soul called to duty). It was so hard for him to wrap my beautiful tuna steaks that I was tempted to leap over the counter and help him.
At the same time the city is full of various out of town contractors and all kinds of fortune seekers. Every other vehicle has some kind of “Disaster Relief” sign on it. They all wear badges and many behave like they own the city. The restaurants are full of hard drinking happy outsiders. Or maybe what they see during the day in those devastated areas makes them drink?
There is all manner of advertising posters and signs on the neutral ground and along sidewalks. Since mail and newspapers are not delivered in most areas or delivered sporadically in others and cable TV is not yet back in most homes, the streets are littered with slogans like “Clean-up and Debris Removal”, “Let us De-mold your House”, “Help with Your Insurance Claims”, etc.
We already started the REFRIGERATOR WARS – see this article. Remember my question, “how long will this last?”
So here we are, back for a couple of weeks, living this interesting life, something we’ve never seen before. I will continue keeping you posted.
One week later.
It seems that things are moving along, but only superficially. Once you start looking at everything carefully, nothing is the same.
Our area (Uptown between St. Charles and the river), some sections of Metairie, West Bank and Kenner are the least affected. Still a lot of debris, refrigerators have not been picked up, blue roofs everywhere (tarps as temporary measures), etc. Streets appear different with so many trees gone.
But other areas are completely devastated. It is especially hard to see friends’ homes that are no more, with roofs gone, full of mud and mold. I met a friend the other day who owns a diner uptown. Her house was flooded on the 1st floor, but the restaurant is undamaged. Unfortunately, all of her staff is not here. And that is a huge problem at this time. Most low wage earners are gone. Who knows if they’ll come back since most housing is gone, rentals are at a premium, driven up by all the out of town workers. She told me that she most likely will not come back to New Orleans. Her daughter is at school in Georgia. And as she put it “once you start going to a good public school elsewhere, why come back?”
The lack of people in service positions is evident at every place that opened. Everybody has shorter hours, fewer employees and long lines. Yesterday I went to Dorignac’s (for those of you “in the know”). The store is very clean and fully stocked with everything, but so few workers! I was waited on by a very old man with trembling hands (probably a member of Dorignac family or an old retired soul called to duty). It was so hard for him to wrap my beautiful tuna steaks that I was tempted to leap over the counter and help him.
At the same time the city is full of various out of town contractors and all kinds of fortune seekers. Every other vehicle has some kind of “Disaster Relief” sign on it. They all wear badges and many behave like they own the city. The restaurants are full of hard drinking happy outsiders. Or maybe what they see during the day in those devastated areas makes them drink?
There is all manner of advertising posters and signs on the neutral ground and along sidewalks. Since mail and newspapers are not delivered in most areas or delivered sporadically in others and cable TV is not yet back in most homes, the streets are littered with slogans like “Clean-up and Debris Removal”, “Let us De-mold your House”, “Help with Your Insurance Claims”, etc.
We already started the REFRIGERATOR WARS – see this article. Remember my question, “how long will this last?”
So here we are, back for a couple of weeks, living this interesting life, something we’ve never seen before. I will continue keeping you posted.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Overheard
Me: I’m not feeling well
Him: Why don’t you schedule a doctor’s appointment?
Me: eh… I’m too busy at work to take time off to go to the doctor
Him: well, okay
Me: I’ll just die and then you’ll have all that life insurance we got when we got engaged
Him: yeah
Me: YEAH??
Him: well… I promise I’ll use the money to decorate the house the way you would have wanted
Me: I’m not feeling well
Him: Why don’t you schedule a doctor’s appointment?
Me: eh… I’m too busy at work to take time off to go to the doctor
Him: well, okay
Me: I’ll just die and then you’ll have all that life insurance we got when we got engaged
Him: yeah
Me: YEAH??
Him: well… I promise I’ll use the money to decorate the house the way you would have wanted
Friday, October 14, 2005
One year ago
One year ago today was Thursday, October 14, 2004. It was the day that our extended families and friends met for the first time. My parents had met his parents and my friends had met him and his friends had met me. But it was the first time we’d be mixing them all up together.
We were nervous and excited and happy and in love. It was two days until our wedding.
The “meet and greet” reception went phenomenally well. Our friends and families mixed effortlessly, as if they’d all known each other for years. After the happy hour reception, a bunch of us went out for dinner and dancing at Vaughn’s in the 9th Ward. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers were doing their thing. We danced until the very late hours before dawn and fell into bed excited. It would be the last time we shared a bed as engaged people. The next time we lay down together, it would be as husband and wife.
I wish I could say that this past year has been as effortless as the days leading up to and including our wedding, but it hasn’t. Not because we love each other any less, in fact, if possible, I think we love each other more, but because it’s just been a hard year.
None of it matters. I wouldn't trade a minute of this very hard year for a thousand hours of any of the preceding in my life. So, on Sunday, when we celebrate our first anniversary, I will sit back in my perfectly imperfect house, with my perfectly imperfect husband and feel very, very lucky and very, very happy and in love. Cause that’s just how it is.
One year ago today was Thursday, October 14, 2004. It was the day that our extended families and friends met for the first time. My parents had met his parents and my friends had met him and his friends had met me. But it was the first time we’d be mixing them all up together.
We were nervous and excited and happy and in love. It was two days until our wedding.
The “meet and greet” reception went phenomenally well. Our friends and families mixed effortlessly, as if they’d all known each other for years. After the happy hour reception, a bunch of us went out for dinner and dancing at Vaughn’s in the 9th Ward. Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers were doing their thing. We danced until the very late hours before dawn and fell into bed excited. It would be the last time we shared a bed as engaged people. The next time we lay down together, it would be as husband and wife.
I wish I could say that this past year has been as effortless as the days leading up to and including our wedding, but it hasn’t. Not because we love each other any less, in fact, if possible, I think we love each other more, but because it’s just been a hard year.
None of it matters. I wouldn't trade a minute of this very hard year for a thousand hours of any of the preceding in my life. So, on Sunday, when we celebrate our first anniversary, I will sit back in my perfectly imperfect house, with my perfectly imperfect husband and feel very, very lucky and very, very happy and in love. Cause that’s just how it is.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Riddle me this, Batman
Who's a new homeowner, completely broke and has a flooded basement?
If you guessed me, you're right!
Wanna buy me some new basement carpet, sheetrock and trim?
Who's a new homeowner, completely broke and has a flooded basement?
If you guessed me, you're right!
Wanna buy me some new basement carpet, sheetrock and trim?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
New Orleans Update: My Mom Can Write Better Than I Can
An email from my mom:
We came home last Friday after the power was finally restored. Our area is looking better with every passing day. But now instead of lovely trees dotting the landscape there are taped refrigerators in front of almost every house. Most traffic lights are out, so each intersection is a 4-way stop. Still a lot of debris around, driving is a "serious affair". Most businesses are closed, but every day something opens up. The few restaurants that are open have huge waiting lines. Everybody has reduced hours of operation, and everything closes early at about 5 or 6 PM. For essential needs (food, gas, stores) we still have to go to Metairie. My second phone line that I use for fast Internet is out until November, so I'm using slow dial-up and can't use the phone at the same time. What a pain! But at least I have a phone; many neighbors still do not have it. As you can see, we are learning to appreciate small conveniences.
A few days ago some trees and leaves were picked-up, hopefully next week the garbage will be gone and then maybe "the smell situation" will improve. Water is not good for drinking or brushing teeth or washing dishes. But yesterday it was announced that the test was ok and we can start using it.
On the first night back B----(my dad) grilled a roast, I made a salad and we invited a few neighbors that came back that day to have dinner at our house. It was very streamlined - paper plates and disposable silverware. But I think everybody was happy to get together. By today almost all neighbors in our block are back (except two houses that had trees fallen on their roofs, they will have to do extensive repairs). We had another party on Thursday at Mike's house. Definitely needed that!
In the beginning we were all walking around like cockroaches that have just been sprayed and are not quite dead. A bit bewildered and starting to do many things simultaneously, but not finishing anything (everywhere you'd look, something needed to be cleaned or fixed). Now we are a little better organized and much more tired. In addition, B---- works long hours and has to be at work weekends since he was designated "essential personnel". Plus, we do not think he'll be paid for the extra time (it's payback time for the first week of missed work after Katrina).
Every task takes longer then before (what we call "normal life" before Katrina), because phones do not always work, people are not here, infrastructure gone, etc. Sometimes you just have to get in the car and go "see people" to get things done. 2 days ago was a milestone event - we could go to the post office and pick up our old "before" mail.
Contractors are the most important people, especially roofers, next - appliance salesmen and delivery people. Our insurance adjuster came. It became immediately obvious that we'll be screwed. They will not reimburse us for the ruined refrigerator nor will they pay for a tree in the back yard, because it did not fall completely and is only threatening to fall in the future (then they will pay). So we are waiting, hopefully they'll pay for the roof repair since we have more damage then initially thought.
Lots of banners with "welcome home!" on stores and other establishments. Everyone is extremely nice, reminds me of how people behaved after September 11th. How long will that last?
I will post before and after pictures of the house soon, stay tuned
An email from my mom:
We came home last Friday after the power was finally restored. Our area is looking better with every passing day. But now instead of lovely trees dotting the landscape there are taped refrigerators in front of almost every house. Most traffic lights are out, so each intersection is a 4-way stop. Still a lot of debris around, driving is a "serious affair". Most businesses are closed, but every day something opens up. The few restaurants that are open have huge waiting lines. Everybody has reduced hours of operation, and everything closes early at about 5 or 6 PM. For essential needs (food, gas, stores) we still have to go to Metairie. My second phone line that I use for fast Internet is out until November, so I'm using slow dial-up and can't use the phone at the same time. What a pain! But at least I have a phone; many neighbors still do not have it. As you can see, we are learning to appreciate small conveniences.
A few days ago some trees and leaves were picked-up, hopefully next week the garbage will be gone and then maybe "the smell situation" will improve. Water is not good for drinking or brushing teeth or washing dishes. But yesterday it was announced that the test was ok and we can start using it.
On the first night back B----(my dad) grilled a roast, I made a salad and we invited a few neighbors that came back that day to have dinner at our house. It was very streamlined - paper plates and disposable silverware. But I think everybody was happy to get together. By today almost all neighbors in our block are back (except two houses that had trees fallen on their roofs, they will have to do extensive repairs). We had another party on Thursday at Mike's house. Definitely needed that!
In the beginning we were all walking around like cockroaches that have just been sprayed and are not quite dead. A bit bewildered and starting to do many things simultaneously, but not finishing anything (everywhere you'd look, something needed to be cleaned or fixed). Now we are a little better organized and much more tired. In addition, B---- works long hours and has to be at work weekends since he was designated "essential personnel". Plus, we do not think he'll be paid for the extra time (it's payback time for the first week of missed work after Katrina).
Every task takes longer then before (what we call "normal life" before Katrina), because phones do not always work, people are not here, infrastructure gone, etc. Sometimes you just have to get in the car and go "see people" to get things done. 2 days ago was a milestone event - we could go to the post office and pick up our old "before" mail.
Contractors are the most important people, especially roofers, next - appliance salesmen and delivery people. Our insurance adjuster came. It became immediately obvious that we'll be screwed. They will not reimburse us for the ruined refrigerator nor will they pay for a tree in the back yard, because it did not fall completely and is only threatening to fall in the future (then they will pay). So we are waiting, hopefully they'll pay for the roof repair since we have more damage then initially thought.
Lots of banners with "welcome home!" on stores and other establishments. Everyone is extremely nice, reminds me of how people behaved after September 11th. How long will that last?
I will post before and after pictures of the house soon, stay tuned
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Progress is Progressive. Or Something
We're almost done. There are just a few more things to do. Last night we pulled up all of the carpet downstairs. Man, was it nasty! If you see the underside of carpet that's been down since the late seventies, you will never, ever want to have carpet in your home again. It's covered in a mold and you can see every spill and doggy accident. The carpet pad has disintegrated into a sticky green dust that we had to scrape up with gardening hoe and then scoop up with a snow shovel. Yeah, you gotta have the the right tools for the job, as they say.
All that's left for today is to get up the staples and clean, clean, clean. The hardwood floor is going to look beautiful when we finish. The painting is done (wales green in the living room and hall, pale yellow in the kitchen, pale grayish blue in the master bedroom, denim blue above the chair rail and cream below the chair rail in the dining room); the yard work is done, the garage is done, the linen closet shelves replaced... The dishwasher is being delivered and installed today, as is the cable and internet.
This afternoon, we start packing and bringing stuff over.
Maybe then it will start to feel real.
We're almost done. There are just a few more things to do. Last night we pulled up all of the carpet downstairs. Man, was it nasty! If you see the underside of carpet that's been down since the late seventies, you will never, ever want to have carpet in your home again. It's covered in a mold and you can see every spill and doggy accident. The carpet pad has disintegrated into a sticky green dust that we had to scrape up with gardening hoe and then scoop up with a snow shovel. Yeah, you gotta have the the right tools for the job, as they say.
All that's left for today is to get up the staples and clean, clean, clean. The hardwood floor is going to look beautiful when we finish. The painting is done (wales green in the living room and hall, pale yellow in the kitchen, pale grayish blue in the master bedroom, denim blue above the chair rail and cream below the chair rail in the dining room); the yard work is done, the garage is done, the linen closet shelves replaced... The dishwasher is being delivered and installed today, as is the cable and internet.
This afternoon, we start packing and bringing stuff over.
Maybe then it will start to feel real.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Peeling
You know that satisfying feeling that you get when you peel sunburned skin and it comes off in big sheets? Am I the only one who gets a weird thrill from that?
Well, yesterday, I lifted up a little corner of the ugly floral wallpaper in the office/guestroom--just to see how easily it would peel up. I was only going to check, I swear. We have neither the money, nor the time to deal with that room right now. It was going to be a project in the spring.
It felt so, so good, though.
By the time John got back upstairs from the basement where he was washing the paint brushes that we had used to paint the trim in the master bedroom (it looks so much cleaner and brighter now), I was standing in the office/guestroom, with a stupid grin on my face and the vast majority of the wallpaper at my feet.
eek.
The walls, which are old plaster, need some serious patching (well, they actually need to be ripped out and replaced with new drywall, but remember that no time/no money thing?) and we have no money left for paint. We're going to pray that there is some leftover paint from either the living room, dining room or our bedroom. Or maybe those of you who plan to come visit us won't mind four mismatched walls.
Ahem.
You know that satisfying feeling that you get when you peel sunburned skin and it comes off in big sheets? Am I the only one who gets a weird thrill from that?
Well, yesterday, I lifted up a little corner of the ugly floral wallpaper in the office/guestroom--just to see how easily it would peel up. I was only going to check, I swear. We have neither the money, nor the time to deal with that room right now. It was going to be a project in the spring.
It felt so, so good, though.
By the time John got back upstairs from the basement where he was washing the paint brushes that we had used to paint the trim in the master bedroom (it looks so much cleaner and brighter now), I was standing in the office/guestroom, with a stupid grin on my face and the vast majority of the wallpaper at my feet.
eek.
The walls, which are old plaster, need some serious patching (well, they actually need to be ripped out and replaced with new drywall, but remember that no time/no money thing?) and we have no money left for paint. We're going to pray that there is some leftover paint from either the living room, dining room or our bedroom. Or maybe those of you who plan to come visit us won't mind four mismatched walls.
Ahem.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Tougher than I thought I was
The former owners left the house filthy. Apparently, they never did anything to it. The previous owner before them had done a lot of remodeling (in the early eighties!) and they had not done anything since.
Including cleaning it.
You wouldn't believe the caked-on grime.
I learned some new things about myself the past two days. I learned that, while I may not be handy or know anything about home repair, I am a whiz at brute force. With a grunt and a moan, I can do things I never dreamed that I could do. Here's what John and I have done in the past two days:
Cleaned out the sump pump (John)
Removed a whole room of carpet, including the nails and staples (me, all by myself)
Removed about 15 years of weeds from the garden (both)
Pruned the overgrown crab apple tree in the backyard and cleaned up all the rotting, fallen crab apples (both)
Lifted a 50 pound log and hauled it to the curb (me)
Cleaned the bathtub until it is white--it had a good 15 years worth of grime on it to the point where we had thought it was gray (me)
Disassembled and bleached the refrigerator and freezer, including removing all the drawers, shelves and the door (me)
Cleaned, organized and hauled away about 100 pounds worth of trash from the garage (John)
Shop vac'ed up 15 years worth of dirt and spiderwebs from behind the washer and dryer and the whole unfinished part of the basement (John)
Cleaned brown toilet to discover that it is actually white (me)
Replaced broken shower head (John)
We have worked from sun up to sun down for two days straight and there is so much more to do. Plus, we have to pack and actually move by next Saturday! Eek.
On the agenda:
Patch, spackle and paint master bedroom
Remove carpet and clean hardwood floors in the living room, dining room and hallway
Dust and wash all windows and window sills (I don't think they have been cleaned in 15 years)
Paint linen closet
Replace bathroom sink (if we can scrounge up the money)
Remove nasty, sewer smelling water filter on the kitchen sink (it doesn't appear to have been used for 15 years)
Sweep and clean up after the contractors, who have replaced the sagging living room ceiling, removed the wallpaper downstairs and are going to paint the living room, dining room and kitchen (these guys are like machines, 7 AM to 7 PM, with no discernible breaks)
Anyone wanna come over and help?
The former owners left the house filthy. Apparently, they never did anything to it. The previous owner before them had done a lot of remodeling (in the early eighties!) and they had not done anything since.
Including cleaning it.
You wouldn't believe the caked-on grime.
I learned some new things about myself the past two days. I learned that, while I may not be handy or know anything about home repair, I am a whiz at brute force. With a grunt and a moan, I can do things I never dreamed that I could do. Here's what John and I have done in the past two days:
Cleaned out the sump pump (John)
Removed a whole room of carpet, including the nails and staples (me, all by myself)
Removed about 15 years of weeds from the garden (both)
Pruned the overgrown crab apple tree in the backyard and cleaned up all the rotting, fallen crab apples (both)
Lifted a 50 pound log and hauled it to the curb (me)
Cleaned the bathtub until it is white--it had a good 15 years worth of grime on it to the point where we had thought it was gray (me)
Disassembled and bleached the refrigerator and freezer, including removing all the drawers, shelves and the door (me)
Cleaned, organized and hauled away about 100 pounds worth of trash from the garage (John)
Shop vac'ed up 15 years worth of dirt and spiderwebs from behind the washer and dryer and the whole unfinished part of the basement (John)
Cleaned brown toilet to discover that it is actually white (me)
Replaced broken shower head (John)
We have worked from sun up to sun down for two days straight and there is so much more to do. Plus, we have to pack and actually move by next Saturday! Eek.
On the agenda:
Patch, spackle and paint master bedroom
Remove carpet and clean hardwood floors in the living room, dining room and hallway
Dust and wash all windows and window sills (I don't think they have been cleaned in 15 years)
Paint linen closet
Replace bathroom sink (if we can scrounge up the money)
Remove nasty, sewer smelling water filter on the kitchen sink (it doesn't appear to have been used for 15 years)
Sweep and clean up after the contractors, who have replaced the sagging living room ceiling, removed the wallpaper downstairs and are going to paint the living room, dining room and kitchen (these guys are like machines, 7 AM to 7 PM, with no discernible breaks)
Anyone wanna come over and help?
