Unexpected problem

We can’t open our rear door; it’s swollen shut.  The problem was caused by plastering–some of the water in the plaster soaked into the pine door frame, causing it to swell.  I never even thought about this beforehand.  Whoops.  Now let’s just pray that everything dries out soon and gets back to normal.

We’re in the wrong business!

We got a bill from the plumber the other day–about $500 to put in about 15′ of line and a new outdoor hose bibb.  The charge was probably reasonable, but the detailed bill showed that most of the charge was labor:  $175 per hour, to be exact.  Emily remarked that that’s more than the best car mechanics make.  That’s about $350,000 per year.  I wonder how much the plumber himself took home relative to the business owner?

Rod and Darby

Ok, I have no idea what a “rod and darby” is–but I know it’s related to age-old plastering techniques.  Can anyone shed light on this?

Here’s our new rear stoop light:  http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100467890&N=502722+4294965815+90043 (notice the energy-efficient fluorescent bulb and photo cell.  Yes, it will be on all the time at night–keeping boogeymen out of our stoop).

 

Here’s our new rear porch light:  http://www.barbecues.com/1/1/18843-progress-lighting-motion-sensor-outdoor-wall-sconce-p5854.html

 

Here’s our new chrome bathroom light/fan combo:  http://www.thelightco.us/Bath_Fans-Progress_Decorative_Bath_Fan_Light_Polished_Chrome.html.  You’d be surprised how hard it is to find this light in chrome.  The “satin nickel” ones are readily available and $100 less expensive–but wouldn’t go as well with our new chrome fixtures.

 

Meanwhile, brother Greg and family did a great job cleaning up the kitchen so I would have room to work.  I’ve sheetrocking the powder room and applying the second coat of plaster.   Anyway, Greg sure was surprised when he removed one of the pipe plugs, thinking it empty, only to be soaked by gallons of water the plumber had used to pressure treat the system.

 

 

 

Steve’s guide to weight loss

Want to lose weight?  It’s easy:  work 15 hour days–lifting things, going up and down stairs, sweating–and hardly eat anything.  Drink lots of fluids, though.

 

Following this diet, my weight dropped from about 185 to 179.    Try it; you’ll like it.

Bathroom Gods, 1; Steve and Emily, 0

Ok, ok, my millions of readers have been screaming for a new post!  Here you go:

Despite a valiant effort, we were unable to finish our small bathroom in time for company (Greg, Sheri, Hawkins, and Cheyenne).  While you were enjoying Memorial Day, I was working 15 hour days insulating, drywalling, taping, mudding, sanding, priming, and painting the small bath.  Everything was lined up at the end:  Tuesday, the tile was to be laid; Wednesday, the tile was to be grouted; Thursday, wainscot installed; and Friday final plumbing fixtures installed.  Despite a lot of work and progress, it was not to be:  our carpenter (who also lays tile) said the hexagonal pieces were askew; the joints weren’t regular.  Since we didn’t want irregular joints, we cancelled the project for another day.  Oh well.  We were sooooo close.

Anyway, here are some other highlights of the last month:  Jay built a new door frame and installed the salvaged door that we had rehabbed; Bob the electrician spent about two weeks with us, wiring the kitchen and laundry room; Jay and his son Chris framed out the powder room; the plumber roughed in his work; Jay promptly shot a nail through the plumbing minutes before the inspector arrived (we passed anyway–and also passed electrical and framing inspections); I have started applying base coat and finish plaster to the walls; Jose has cut rigid board insulation to fit in the spaces between the cabinet hangars; the flooring guy has replaced some rotten wood by the kitchen pocket doors.

It’s been a very busy month!  I’ll post some pictures soon.