tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21009942133980338282024-03-05T16:39:15.071-05:00Independant's SourceSorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-77314899487496805902011-06-17T23:08:00.001-04:002011-06-17T23:09:11.476-04:00AND, THEY'RE OFFFF..... Silly Season Begins! Kettle, Hey, kettle. Hey, kettle.... Ya, Pot?<br />
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This week Congressional Republicans, through their fearless leader, the mild mannered man from the very middle American town next door to where I sit at this very moment, accused Obama of violating the War Powers Resolution (WPR) by committing troops to Libya for over 90 days.<br />
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http://jonathanturley.org/2011/06/15/boehner-accuses-obama-of-war-powers-violation/<br />
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I guess they are hoping we are all too brain addled to remember when Bush INVADED Iraq in violation of the WPR and of what limited authority Congress had given him for military actions there. An excellent argument is here which parses the language of HJR 114, giving Bush limited authorization for military force in Iraq, and demonstrates Congress never meant this resolution to authorize the invasion. Then <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">House Speaker John </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Boehner</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"> called the WPR “constitutionally suspect.” </span></span><br />
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http://www.impeachbush.tv/args/noiraqauthority.html <br />
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If Speaker Boehner (whose name originally rhymed with loner but was recently changed to rhyme with veiner, which is NOT the same as Weiner) were truly concerned with a WPR violation, he would have raised this complaint May 20th when the 60 day deadline passed for Congressional notice. However, that would have defeated the purpose of keeping public attention on the party candidates; Boehner and buds took advantage of an exception under which the President could have sought (but didn't) a 30 day extension for Congressional notice so they could issue this complaint by letter dated Tuesday, June 14th, the day after the June 13th Republican candidates' debate in NH. Wonder of all wonders.<br />
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On June 15 President Obama submitted a 32 page explanation for his authorization of military force in Libya which is now the debate of every constitutional lawyer and scholar, including the President's advisors. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Jeh C. Johnson, the Pentagon general counsel, and Caroline D. Krass, the acting head of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, had told President Obama they believed that the United States military’s activities in the NATO-led air war amounted to “hostilities.” Under the WPR, accepting this interpretation would have required the President to scale back "hostilities" until Congress authorized them. The President chose to reject these opinions in favor of those from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">White House counsel, Robert Bauer, and the State Department legal adviser, Harold H. Koh — who argued that the United States military’s activities fell short of “hostilities” and therefore required no Congressional approval. </span><br />
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http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/world/africa/18powers.html<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">So now House members are trying to figure out how to punish the President but his biggest problem is perhaps himself. When a senator, President Obama argued that Congress must have the "backbone" to stand up to presidents when they want to send troops to battle. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-17/dispute-over-libya-nags-president-who-wanted-congress-to-have-more-power.html</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Whoops, there it is. A big old bite on the butt. </span></span>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-902375919625223222011-06-06T16:49:00.005-04:002011-06-06T20:47:05.082-04:00Anthony's Troubles Seem to Be Expanding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Chapter II for this Saga:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been asked whether it was wise to mock this man's behavior given the terrible time his wife will now have and the fact that this just gives the Republicans reason to bash Dems. I confess my mockery didn't come from a place of deep reflection but after a firm foundation of torture from Prissy, the teaching of the nuns, and my own experiences being mocked, I trust my instincts. Here's basically why I thought this public humor fair: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1) He had the chance to tell the truth and he lied. No one caught him off guard. He did these things and knew they could surface some day and he chose, "I cannot say with certitude that the picture is not me." 2) He was tweeting young college women, not women his own age. He thought that was acceptable behavior because ???? Once those tweets went into cyberspace, he risked that they would go public. What made him think they wouldn't go public? 3) He is, by his own choice, a public figure. Nuf said. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is it fair to mock his stupidity? I think it's absolutely required. And now we should acknowledge that he has done the right thing and it will hurt a lot. I feel awful for his wife. Also, I would much rather have a man who likes to Tweet pix of his body parts represent me than a woman who doesn't know seventh grade history, social studies or geography. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mary Kay</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>What was he thinking sending these off to college aged girls?</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy910ptqqB1loaSvydvSs5x2W1A2T812FtjsE8WpWJBc21TfiuICdRTES2pshMxPIf5U5JovWmFZLYN8SOlQZ9S5f4o98gj9hyphenhyphen4eQA2_bWCrqqjglW2-Dp-8G-GKfTzj_1b_nDRXiCPTc/s1600/Weiner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy910ptqqB1loaSvydvSs5x2W1A2T812FtjsE8WpWJBc21TfiuICdRTES2pshMxPIf5U5JovWmFZLYN8SOlQZ9S5f4o98gj9hyphenhyphen4eQA2_bWCrqqjglW2-Dp-8G-GKfTzj_1b_nDRXiCPTc/s320/Weiner1.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I don't know about you but I was always convinced this was the Congressman and now we have his word for it. Looks like there was some serious manscaping done here. There were other pix but they just were not that interesting. See Wednesday's post for prior news. I liked his approach ("I lied to myself") and am glad he didn't resign. He is, after all, a politician and chances are good his replacement could be worse. This way the voters can decide.</div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-35557237440224551942011-06-06T12:15:00.000-04:002011-06-06T15:19:09.021-04:00Brain News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulzc3Io0e3QbVzlz1hxQRAgH0T5cLLDBvxWvny3g4MdaLbGhCTaDXy4O40HX7ena0xlniwHJ7LMsL0CKWMlseEmPXDfeH-KArPegCtke9SYUGEGIi25Kq_p9WW7X3WI3IdH4yHHk_1eg/s1600/iCloud.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615185968079913058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulzc3Io0e3QbVzlz1hxQRAgH0T5cLLDBvxWvny3g4MdaLbGhCTaDXy4O40HX7ena0xlniwHJ7LMsL0CKWMlseEmPXDfeH-KArPegCtke9SYUGEGIi25Kq_p9WW7X3WI3IdH4yHHk_1eg/s200/iCloud.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Apple's 2011 Worldwide Developer's Conference Announcement</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Here's the big pic: iCloud will store all your info and push it down to each device wirelessly as you connect. Everything else Apple will be just another device, your Mac, iPhone, and iPad. This sounds like the next step in computing but it also adds layers of charges for the iCloud and the service where I don't pay the charges now. Also, it releases the data beyond my desktop.<br /><br />Apple has been describing its iOS5 (available in the fall) at the 2011 WorldWide Developer's Conference and it seems like, if they can make it work without frustrating glitches, they'll have a win - win. First there will be the iCloud storage necessary to make it work (and all the charges necessary to maintain the cloud) but then...I'll be in line to buy an <strong>iPad and a new iPhone</strong>. Why? The number one reason: <strong>THEY WILL OPERATE WITHOUT COMPUTERS!</strong> Frankly, they should have done that to begin with but bygones. A reviewer commented, "They're knocking them down today. This is starting to feel like that scene in the Godfather where all old business is taken care of in a single bloodbath. All outstanding feature gripes are being whacked." Ten of the most significant changes iOS5 will offer: </div><br /><br /><br /><div>1. Notifications - all on one screen and manageable<br />2. Newstand - like iBook for periodicals<br />3. Twitter - with photos integrated to contacts<br />4. Safari - integrated and tabbed<br />5. Reminders - can be geotagged so they can pop up when you come or go to a place<br />6. Camera - w/ digital zoom, auto focus lock and editing<br />7. Mail - with touch and move capability<br />8. PC Free - Will open and setup from each device, updates will be small files<br />9. Game center<br />10. iMessage - same for all devices, encrypted, w delivery and read receipts<br /></div><br /><div>for a transcript of the announcement with comments: <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/">www.pcworld.com</a><br /></div><strong></strong><br /><br /><div><strong>Secrets of the Brain</strong><br /><br />The committee in my head has been reporting gloom and doom for months now and I am sick of it. Committee, you ask? Yes. I have constantly dueling opinions in my brain regarding my behavior and I AM NOT SCHIZOPHRENIC. Before I decide to do something, my brain sends arguments from all different points of view and I usually end up doing what I wanted to do in the first place, only acting after a tortured thought process instead of on impulse. Prissy used to say, "You sure do make life hard." I thought, <em>is there any other way? </em><br /><br />Lately with many from generation Y embracing and openly discussing their whole selves – bless their hearts, they were listening after all - I’ve learned maybe my quirks aren’t as abnormal as I thought. But, now there’s empirical evidence. In his new book, <em>Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain</em>, neuroscientist David Eagleman explains how the subconscious brain is “like a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr-9YJRwuh2y-IXe4iqpe1JRXnVd-bAhMI_8NOrB4bJZM2u5UHnMY6EbqW59G0u30lLYusXIsbN-G-MHKJtl13KHsffUKz6sdSt5Z75MB5IPaHVUN1JYIDlnn0axC3FmDpHSQVRrBu5I/s1600/incognito.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615143393601107858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLr-9YJRwuh2y-IXe4iqpe1JRXnVd-bAhMI_8NOrB4bJZM2u5UHnMY6EbqW59G0u30lLYusXIsbN-G-MHKJtl13KHsffUKz6sdSt5Z75MB5IPaHVUN1JYIDlnn0axC3FmDpHSQVRrBu5I/s200/incognito.jpg" /></a>conflicted democracy engaged in civil war.” Evidently it is supremely normal to have your brain send conflicting messages before you consciously decide. The fact that this is happening in my brain is just another example of business as usual and, I would be better off acting without thinking, just letting my subconscious take control.<br /><br />Eagleman proffers that almost everything in our mental lives is not under our conscious control. This is demonstrated when you begin to duck from a snapping tree branch before you are aware it is coming toward you, or when you close your eyes before you consciously think something is about to hit them. Evidently, as I read this book, I will learn how much of my life is determined by behaviors that are hard-wired, unconscious, and beyond my control, how it is possible to get angry at myself, and how free will affects my view of blameworthiness and credit. That's the part that interests me the most right now.<br /><br />Despite stating a scientific hypothesis, this book is very readable. I recommend it as an easy and enlightening read. This book may prove scientifically that I have fewer chinks in the armor than I thought. All I can say is this man better not be thinking he can tell me I’m totally normal and then fade into the sunset patting himself on the back. What will I do with all my complex defenses and finely crafted excuses? Would this mean I would have to learn to live without any or set about developing new ones? Maybe that’s why I’ve been depressed.</div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-73484477311815905492011-06-03T20:26:00.000-04:002011-06-03T23:08:24.273-04:00Gotta Air the Whine Before You DrinkIt's Friday. I really miss the shore. And, of course, my Baby. But here's an intro into my everyday ongoing three year frustration with Time Warner Cable (TWC) (Is it coincidence that it rhymes with AT&T? I think Not!) and a most hilarious complaint letter. Enjoy and maybe even get inspired. Customer service sucks because we let it. Speak when you are unhappy - Loudly, Effectively and as often as possible. Am I right? <br /><br />I need my TV! I can't control my fingers, I can't control my brain, Oh no no no no no.... <br />Problem is zoning out is defeated without transmission. There's no TV in Cincy without a provider and settle-light isn't really a choice; it doesn't work in thunder and lightening. Weather in this area is downright menopausal - up, down, swirling around and all with light and sound. (still rhyming) I have to check the f'in radar before I leave for a run to make sure I have a solid 30 min window. Ah, but that's a whine for another day. BTW, what did the grape say when he got stepped on? Nothing, he just let out a little wine.<br /><br />At my house, the TWC box just quits working at least once a month or more. TWC is on speed dial on all three phones. After I call a technician, get a new signal, and wait 30 min or more for the reboot, I have reception. For a while. So it didn't seem odd right away that I had to call TWC ten times in two weeks only to have them tell me to return the box for a new one - twice. Finally a young lady in India took pity (after two just hung up) and sent a technician THE VERY SAME DAY who showed me where someone had opened the locked hookup box on the OUTSIDE of the house and disconnected the cable coming in. So that's what the "Check Cable In" message on the very first box meant. Mess with the services so my technicians will have business? <br /><br />Dear Ohio, this disconnect is mighty strange dealing for the land of the polite. Someone might think you were aspiring to be like one of your larger sister cities on the East Coast. Seems I'm not the only one with her panties in a bunch.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.greenpointnews.com/news/3354/an-open-letter-from-eugene-mirman-to-time-warner"></a><br /><br /><blockquote>An Open Letter from Eugene Mirman to Time Warner Cable<br />May 19, 2011<br /> <br />May 19, 2011<br />Eugene Mirman<br />Brooklyn, NY 10217<br />Time Warner Inc.<br />One Time Warner Center<br />New York, NY 10019<br />Dear Time Warner Cable,<br />On April 23rd I moved and had an appointment with Time Warner Cable to come and install cable, Internet and phone service and no one showed up. When I called, I was told my appointment was entered wrong and moved to May 4th, without anyone calling me. No big deal, why would a company check with someone to see if they are home on a Wednesday afternoon? Of course they are. Everyone is. Name one person who isn’t home on a Wednesday afternoon? You can’t. It’s impossible, because everyone is home. It would be a waste of resources to call and talk to him. Did Stalin ever call people before he arrested them and sent them to die in Siberian work camps? No! Why should Time Warner Cable have a policy that is any different from Stalin’s?<br />Did you know that on Yelp, Time Warner Cable has one and a half stars? That’s less stars than Jeffrey Dahmer — who killed and ate people, maybe even had sex with their skulls (I don’t really know). Obviously what I’m saying is untrue, because Yelp does not review serial killers, but if they did, his babaganoush would be better than yours, if you both made babaganoush, even if his drugged and murdered people. Sorry that got weird. F**k you. I just made you read that confusing thing.<br />To give you an idea of how much I dislike your company, I have come up with plagues I hope God smites your board of directors with. I know He’ll only do this if you enslave the Jews, but considering you might have a monopoly inNYC, you sort of already have:<br />1. Awkward. Every board member’s cell phone ring loudly announces their weight and also the day they’ll die.<br />2. Bathroom. The constant feeling that you have to go number two, but completely forgetting how.<br />3. Improv. Your first-born will want to be a short form improviser.<br />4. Popcorn. Your second born will smell like hot buttered popcorn. It’s not that bad at first, but eventually I bet it will be maddening.<br />Sincerely,<br />Eugene Mirman and probably everyone of your customers<br />P.S. On May 4th I called you and got an automated message saying my appointment was moved to May 10th, but spoke to two representatives who assured me it was still on May 4th. Twenty minutes later, I got a call saying the technician called and couldn’t reach me and my new appointment would be on May 12th. An hour later I got a call apologizing and saying my appointment was moved to May 6th. Why does your company act like a controlling, abusive husband on an episode of Law and Order?<br />P.P.S. On May 6th a very nice, professional man came, rang my doorbell and installed everything. I would feel remiss to not mention that a handful of other employees were also very helpful. However, overall your company is run like an ill managed Soviet factory. I bet if Ayn Rand was still alive, she’d write a fun to read, but poorly argued book about how appalling and inefficient your company is. Please cut it out. Thank you.<br /></blockquote>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-66128866547267736422011-06-01T20:43:00.000-04:002011-06-06T15:31:04.258-04:00Observation on the day - strange happenings everywhere.JUNE! New day, month and intention. Hoping to keep updating with what's what. You are now forewarned or, if I were a writer, foreshadowed, but since I'm a lawyer, this is disclaimer <i>de minimus, </i>cause I can. :-P Be thankful. It could be disclaimer Significante, which probably isn't a word or could be a Latin language.
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<br /><b>FML 6/1/11</b>
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<br />Day 32 of training and maybe one or two pounds GAINED !?!?!?!? I started this to boost my metabolism because it was stuck. Now it's stuck again at a higher number. Even after a huge involuntary deposit to the porcelain goddess, I weighed more than when I began.
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<br /><b>Weiner's Weiner</b>
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<br />Ok, I know it's almost totally outside my universe but Could NOT Be Ignored. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D, NY) has been unable to deny that the tweeted pic of a man's engorged and clothed
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<br /><b>Groupon Frustration</b>
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<br />No, this is not a reference to a huge pile-on of frustration. Groupons? You know. You buy them at half price and let them sit unused until, Oh, I don't know, the last two days they are valid? I can take solace in the reassurance that at least 30 others at the same place I went to did also. Mei Japanese Restaurant in Montgomery tonight was a zoo and I'd hate to see the place Friday, the very last day. Three servers scurried the floor like squirrels scooping up and laying down, talking quicker than even I could fathom, and I didn't want to spend ANY time talking. I picked a bad day to save my appetite for dinner. Of course, it wasn't voluntary. I ran, I got sick and I couldn't eat but decided dinner would be safe because it was just rice and protein and hours away from the crisis. I arrived at 6:30 and saw no food until 7 and didn't get up to leave until 8. Although the food was unobjectionable, all the hubbub about how hard they were working and how patient everyone had to be ruined dinner. Message: If you can't take the heat, literally stay out of the kitchen. Don't participate in Groupons if you can't keep up with the business. They are meant to introduce folks to your place so they will want to return after you make a Good impression. Am I asking too much, folks?
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<br />Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-29571457994697385562011-05-16T10:56:00.001-04:002011-10-22T14:49:22.865-04:00Yes I Know It's I-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t.I know, I should have been suspicious when the title for my blog was available, given that the whole world was already online. But, I have this amazing blind spot that follows me, my own personal practical joke, and it will. not. go. away!<br />
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I have tried everything. Yoga. Exercise. Meditation. Meds. I even tried conquering it with prayer and alcohol when I was young and dumber. New age types might say I should try celebrating it. Just how would a person do that when subterfuge is absolutely necessary to effective sabotage? So, yes, the title of my blog wasn't a word until I made it one.<br />
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If you stop by to visit, leave a note. If you have nothing to say, just let me know you were here. Then, when the shit hits the fan, I'll be, "All these people looked and didn't see a problem either!" and, "See, it wasn't so freaking obvious." Thanks.<br />
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--MKSorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-5785846308230502342011-05-14T11:58:00.000-04:002011-05-14T12:26:48.889-04:00The Rainforest That Is My Backyard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHeec_A2R24YwO4ar__oU3lpCq5xB1nsUjDS6zG2gTFH6RHu6eo_hIscnzDYBT_lTFmlT2yeYzYj99Bp1DZz11EZAp49ennTbrsx2V_W7RhfLysO8hyzfN3feXIDzeMveV26-ld3o4iQ/s1600/Hedgetrimmer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHeec_A2R24YwO4ar__oU3lpCq5xB1nsUjDS6zG2gTFH6RHu6eo_hIscnzDYBT_lTFmlT2yeYzYj99Bp1DZz11EZAp49ennTbrsx2V_W7RhfLysO8hyzfN3feXIDzeMveV26-ld3o4iQ/s200/Hedgetrimmer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606609078539910098" /></a>
<br />Meet my little friend, the Black and Decker HT012. If it stands, we will fell it; if it lays, we will kill it. I haven't thought too much about what I'll do next because the weather here blows so bad it's nearly impossible to plan but there will be some serious yard waste - heart attack serious. Took before pix and will post with the after. I am expecting miracles! - and hoping my back holds out.<div>
<br /></div><div>Trouble is last time I met up with poison ivy, my face ballooned up and the rash was a sight for no eyes. The ground I'm clearing is at least six inches of ivy; most of it is normal but those damn poison leaves are poking up here and there. It's not good. And, there's the rain. Seems like every day has it's dose and the trick is to figure how to work around it and work fast enough to beat the new growth. I am not comfortable operating electric power tools in rain.</div><div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8">
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<br /></div><div>Wanna bet that whatever I do plant here dies? Eh, one problem at a time. Sounds like I need to have a talk with my attitude. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm going back in. If I don't come out, send help.</div><div>
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<br /></div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-38482770647986243292010-11-23T21:47:00.000-05:002010-11-23T22:12:53.483-05:00My Bathroom<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriWQMzrC6Xfwzgqg60RVnJHf6n779ANe_1KLTCBK02Ul82lmoWo8UPMd3ODlvkMA0F_f79zt7m_-XIyDrYzM1x3ofrlyiJL2KRfm5-9qQ7jfErNCLG9RclXrEsO_J4amZ9ZGV7t4lC78/s1600/bath+window+rawj.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542944561009969042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriWQMzrC6Xfwzgqg60RVnJHf6n779ANe_1KLTCBK02Ul82lmoWo8UPMd3ODlvkMA0F_f79zt7m_-XIyDrYzM1x3ofrlyiJL2KRfm5-9qQ7jfErNCLG9RclXrEsO_J4amZ9ZGV7t4lC78/s200/bath+window+rawj.JPG" border="0" /></a> So, the second floot bathroom is where all the mischief began. The water source to the toilet came loose from the wall the day after I tiled the floor, flooding the second floor, first floor and basement. A month later, after the dry-out contractor took his last fan away and I got past t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMWtgIB-DTh_pwhojd10VNWhg3HquJnJIHRHzjvo0MOUNDg04RctVF54FarXuA6GDPeO8w7NIe3A8a536FpsZBGzqhyphenhyphen4_FWfWqTbM48RokGlMLm_ISq_ehfpmRkOeJWAReM2wW4_yL4E/s1600/bath+window+donej.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542945116465745890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMWtgIB-DTh_pwhojd10VNWhg3HquJnJIHRHzjvo0MOUNDg04RctVF54FarXuA6GDPeO8w7NIe3A8a536FpsZBGzqhyphenhyphen4_FWfWqTbM48RokGlMLm_ISq_ehfpmRkOeJWAReM2wW4_yL4E/s200/bath+window+donej.JPG" border="0" /></a>he funk, I was able to get back to work.<br /><div><br /> </div><div>After glazing the tub, I stripped the window so I could finish it. It looked really good, hard to tell from these pix. I took them with my iPhone. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnTl1L6801rHR17SiYHU7oYmN26h8TIZ3K4qQblTvn2gEw1h2qYRlIPWGtyG_djWDerMG9UUdLO9P2fpR7E9o-gmeFpnghMVnlUm5Vr7AcMewxYmkVGWde4pAeMIkBhHwLgAgyP7tHAA/s1600/bath+wood+trim+raw+j.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542943802171999234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnTl1L6801rHR17SiYHU7oYmN26h8TIZ3K4qQblTvn2gEw1h2qYRlIPWGtyG_djWDerMG9UUdLO9P2fpR7E9o-gmeFpnghMVnlUm5Vr7AcMewxYmkVGWde4pAeMIkBhHwLgAgyP7tHAA/s200/bath+wood+trim+raw+j.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next I stripped and finished the wood trim for the doorway. I said strip. He he he. Notice, there's a whole lot less paint, etc left over on the wood. Getting better with time.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiN9rRk0xlNNOeKIHmztn9eqURiONIImdrrZ54UCI7LlK4XHrGxcp4Ws17FdzLSMNSY6oJRKXBhRrrR7uhTzhrgYiXSEM2qMscOJA6XVopyIxnOZ-XgYE9HyrouUD5sO8bwgxXb_-_hA/s1600/bath+wood+trim+finishedj.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542944162668569170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiN9rRk0xlNNOeKIHmztn9eqURiONIImdrrZ54UCI7LlK4XHrGxcp4Ws17FdzLSMNSY6oJRKXBhRrrR7uhTzhrgYiXSEM2qMscOJA6XVopyIxnOZ-XgYE9HyrouUD5sO8bwgxXb_-_hA/s200/bath+wood+trim+finishedj.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Diane noticed the missing face plate. Details, details. Guess I'm not perfect. </div><div><br /><br /><br />Here are views of the other three walls when finished: the medicine cabinet, the window wall, and the mirror wall.<br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-ra-E9BcLdDzPFsUD_L-SceWTW8Y523136X3cXzBgw4M9lruwqn6O920ZdKW_O57STa7B18jowLfzqNwuuY33JYAXLLt5g06ZvUI33R8xtxivzYdf96Ydzk4PWKezCD-FAWT9qfYlJ8/s1600/bath+mirror+wall.jpg"></a> </div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5JdwQbklpTWwoF-cl3NgOQJA4N66qOdibNCbuMOy7xMbL3yw60aWpqTSYNmMZDzKgIIyEuDQ5sIY5rM7cwoXSrebeo3OiuBvMlgjU6rgR8QzzDL19l07qm_esewvIM17rDTbNIYuXYE/s1600/bath+medicine+cabinet+wall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542942971646427042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5JdwQbklpTWwoF-cl3NgOQJA4N66qOdibNCbuMOy7xMbL3yw60aWpqTSYNmMZDzKgIIyEuDQ5sIY5rM7cwoXSrebeo3OiuBvMlgjU6rgR8QzzDL19l07qm_esewvIM17rDTbNIYuXYE/s200/bath+medicine+cabinet+wall.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-ra-E9BcLdDzPFsUD_L-SceWTW8Y523136X3cXzBgw4M9lruwqn6O920ZdKW_O57STa7B18jowLfzqNwuuY33JYAXLLt5g06ZvUI33R8xtxivzYdf96Ydzk4PWKezCD-FAWT9qfYlJ8/s1600/bath+mirror+wall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542943500596787234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-ra-E9BcLdDzPFsUD_L-SceWTW8Y523136X3cXzBgw4M9lruwqn6O920ZdKW_O57STa7B18jowLfzqNwuuY33JYAXLLt5g06ZvUI33R8xtxivzYdf96Ydzk4PWKezCD-FAWT9qfYlJ8/s200/bath+mirror+wall.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542943098555281154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8FBCVi27YYClD4NGRcJrNZXrnErD-HRCN1U_-sK4BCmSuFdijcEReGL4BBHGBPhQnt5iZ1T_hZ70-J-MFVhnRHjzrjqFR6KP4sbpQkR7Dn-DsbawcLunte-IZScvUbpNDl4RK0Xx0DU/s200/bath+tub.jpg" border="0" />Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-5022521663498990242010-04-25T21:22:00.000-04:002010-11-23T16:51:31.400-05:00Glazin the TubGlazin the tub is nothing like praying the to the porcelain God; it's painting a new face on an old appliance. I did this myself with a brush-on epoxy paint. The tub was glazed once before the flood but, with moving it, the dry-out stirring up a lot of dust and dripping paint on it, the tub needed a new coat after the flood damage was fixed. <div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464253696474493234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZsXas3P9-_1cFztJcgnKMhJ9zpqq_FpHsidYyBD9eaJRs6EqXK4Cc08tJkq7JOjS5AeKQYrfIWzttUXMuJK2ZENyzb6YBquOIwznqlT2_MmG9mCH8qznOntpWvR3GXMJgCIswShTidc/s200/tub+2.jpg" border="0" /> <div>So, this is the final product. It doesn't have a perfect surface. If you could see this up close, you'd see brush strokes. If I were a perfectionist, I'd have a professional do this with a spray machine; it's the only way you have a chance at an even surface. And the fumes, forgetaboutit! But, this tub has never looked so good and, after all, I'm not going to serve dinner on it. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464253698037880450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNHvEFyQ375ccBU5fkbmn_GCL3Wjy-9Db5fiempd64NwcVgMZ-XLHqQk_TBh7IkLE9fjAhJY_9LGDT6ee9bZyT5DIQmFHeqwGxR3jt0FxhxTVTIonIsepzKXKQTr0NhatgI1q8SAbHqk/s200/tub+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-59540521173428446022010-03-14T15:52:00.001-04:002011-10-22T14:55:57.168-04:00What a Waste!Through some stroke of luck, my contractor put piping for the third floor laundry, toilet and sink at the top of his list. It might have something to do with him wanting to use the room to edit a tv show he's producing for cable - a cooking show. I am surrounded by genius! <br />
<div><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg692xSjareShR197RWSrZIA7ocK9XBk7IxOavcg71eSFuo9WQqaw6ZygDdFYpqQ-HHEu1_orLHiNj2CaRU64miHRGpfNHQ8WBo0m0DIH1WGBNhcCQ5yWyJtOXakPCCLklm9llS06Pm5Yc/s1600-h/old+waste+stack3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448598247543076818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg692xSjareShR197RWSrZIA7ocK9XBk7IxOavcg71eSFuo9WQqaw6ZygDdFYpqQ-HHEu1_orLHiNj2CaRU64miHRGpfNHQ8WBo0m0DIH1WGBNhcCQ5yWyJtOXakPCCLklm9llS06Pm5Yc/s200/old+waste+stack3.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 108px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AL5jR_ZxNJuz5FmJmq4cyKxLsmL9MdC_odorQ9pCCZ5XJTRZimtzKndGL-IsnBqD4AJZF9FX6uWclHRVCW-vnMEY-MttVannfGk_dA4RgkqD0S7qmgPug3d5BuZhsJfD0aprUunaLwk/s1600-h/old+waste+stack2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448598549532009970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AL5jR_ZxNJuz5FmJmq4cyKxLsmL9MdC_odorQ9pCCZ5XJTRZimtzKndGL-IsnBqD4AJZF9FX6uWclHRVCW-vnMEY-MttVannfGk_dA4RgkqD0S7qmgPug3d5BuZhsJfD0aprUunaLwk/s200/old+waste+stack2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>Anyway, he broke through the stairwell to access the second floor bath pipes and this is what the waste stack looked like, crack, hole and all. Right there in my wall was this time bomb spewing gas! Here are the rest of the pieces from the wall. Just look at that joint! </div><br />
<div></div><div>Jamieson to the rescue: he not only ran all the plumbing from the second floor to the third, he replaced the whole waste stack. I was particularly impressed with his labels. What a nifty idea, anticipating someone would have to tear out that wall again to access the pipes. It better not happen while I'm here, though.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0XDealMMmUne3Xp1B89x3GHaBIatF4kNXDQYxS_LYhhcZ_Q3HhduBTKjB-SK59Y6TLmNuWFEht3SG0No0q_sSjO4v8vj4MJLG1xrL2gMDN9D3aqmf6nahQMsrATl0NxiJ3SlF3WTSJY/s1600-h/up+to+3rd-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448596906516746706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0XDealMMmUne3Xp1B89x3GHaBIatF4kNXDQYxS_LYhhcZ_Q3HhduBTKjB-SK59Y6TLmNuWFEht3SG0No0q_sSjO4v8vj4MJLG1xrL2gMDN9D3aqmf6nahQMsrATl0NxiJ3SlF3WTSJY/s200/up+to+3rd-2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8WD5J5g0HXutrYnzadte2ql0cTprk8ME50ljlJ0GSQW_C2gsDmuyyOI8YPoPTu4tZ2agrTnx0MnfpcZ6VNpQz2ZP6SEb4DlgrXyTMAggk_iXnMNL2voGEIPu1pdQzi1Zh7j0fnjVtMo/s1600/up+to+3rd.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542867695981575810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8WD5J5g0HXutrYnzadte2ql0cTprk8ME50ljlJ0GSQW_C2gsDmuyyOI8YPoPTu4tZ2agrTnx0MnfpcZ6VNpQz2ZP6SEb4DlgrXyTMAggk_iXnMNL2voGEIPu1pdQzi1Zh7j0fnjVtMo/s200/up+to+3rd.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 166px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 124px;" /></a></div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-77039530782801176082010-02-08T22:57:00.000-05:002010-02-08T22:59:28.838-05:00The Before Photos are HereGo here to see pix of the house as it looked when I took possession:<br /><a href="http://twitpic.com/12632e" title="Garage on Twitpic"><img src="http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/12632e.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Garage on Twitpic" /></a>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-13875164710751699742009-10-12T14:56:00.000-04:002009-10-12T15:04:56.652-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvk3t99ztov_t1cjdqpmmdGeDELJLa3CV3em9m8DaZBEt9sd2wM72yhT7vvrC2U2SRtyfs1ul9isTa-k9wGGYm070u4rMfhGEnqmyGYIwCOv-rTARBZTjUcWrV1S895RL5EVb_JEOml6c/s1600-h/139.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvk3t99ztov_t1cjdqpmmdGeDELJLa3CV3em9m8DaZBEt9sd2wM72yhT7vvrC2U2SRtyfs1ul9isTa-k9wGGYm070u4rMfhGEnqmyGYIwCOv-rTARBZTjUcWrV1S895RL5EVb_JEOml6c/s200/139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391791184198023250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9Dx9YofCq2OFZO7SagehgavwGdFHxZwS_tjIutiLoNeofsFOyzKu1F7utSldEGmk2CPmDy4MImADDRp31eVa72BU9c_FBbPBa9W4E6acm6RHlLDNkdQ0m_DmXcrG2yP0pNjtcAzH4Y/s1600-h/136.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcm9Dx9YofCq2OFZO7SagehgavwGdFHxZwS_tjIutiLoNeofsFOyzKu1F7utSldEGmk2CPmDy4MImADDRp31eVa72BU9c_FBbPBa9W4E6acm6RHlLDNkdQ0m_DmXcrG2yP0pNjtcAzH4Y/s200/136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391791170606340994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8B_nQcfmUJyM1BF9XoCLLzthDnEDoI0Jpdu2XMM2TUDbDz0dk8Pqk-qstkb-NoMFK6eKFDZbrHubK1iXehx1P2v-OjDsVaWtHl6oJKIlgjs_qDwKFMFlmmsV0zcfJ9XAHts-I-JZwFc/s1600-h/143.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8B_nQcfmUJyM1BF9XoCLLzthDnEDoI0Jpdu2XMM2TUDbDz0dk8Pqk-qstkb-NoMFK6eKFDZbrHubK1iXehx1P2v-OjDsVaWtHl6oJKIlgjs_qDwKFMFlmmsV0zcfJ9XAHts-I-JZwFc/s200/143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391790777473941842" /></a><br /><div>New Floors,Ceilings and Walls!</div><div><br /></div><div>The work began a few weeks ago but the biggest change has been this week. I moved out so Bluford-Jackson could recreate the original floors. They are doing a great job and boy, is it a lot of work. When I thought I was going to have to do it myself I was ready for the tedium but not for the amount of up and down and routing and sawing. Whew did I dodge a bullet there! </div><div>The second floor is completed and ready for sanding while the half-finished work is on the first floor. </div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-40612571668500838092009-08-01T14:45:00.000-04:002009-08-05T09:34:19.675-04:00Water - The Silent Killer<div> First, postings slumped during work. I was making progress and just couldn't justify taking time to write. Then, when it looked like there was only one or two weeks before the first floor would be finished, the water pipe to the second floor toilet burst flooding the entire second floor, first floor and basement in hours. Damage everywhere! We were gone only three hours for dinner and perfectly good plaster ceilings were vertical when we returned. The edges of floor boards were turned up making each a perfect little trough for water to flow from the one side of the house to the other. The water was lapping at each of the baseboard outlets. That's a sight I won't soon forget! Here's some post-flood floor pics: <div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqzUdTD276JtKsA_-cHi7BLxi4OWE3w_A76wuYqvNMuovRx0pEUZ-b-bRhVFXmukYQwt8PJRHMdR2uhFNb1HbmlbUD_wFLeScR0bpSbu9eTB1Y-theyLXg-viw5J3BEywyrKZbi6Mndw/s1600-h/2d+floor+dining+room.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366470314281242610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqzUdTD276JtKsA_-cHi7BLxi4OWE3w_A76wuYqvNMuovRx0pEUZ-b-bRhVFXmukYQwt8PJRHMdR2uhFNb1HbmlbUD_wFLeScR0bpSbu9eTB1Y-theyLXg-viw5J3BEywyrKZbi6Mndw/s200/2d+floor+dining+room.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwVP_zKJoTIYO6PFulQIXHZIcOWGpuBeFrXJmc0jy9PCMTVkGKdZ2WS7w3AjhD8EoPVifCTg1lxaXyjODVaKD1A7b8mhJYQdVJfxMlxk_xzQlUniIbhAnyCJ5HtnjZUVjcrgcnLD5Fmw/s1600-h/2d+floor+hall.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366470046051253330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwVP_zKJoTIYO6PFulQIXHZIcOWGpuBeFrXJmc0jy9PCMTVkGKdZ2WS7w3AjhD8EoPVifCTg1lxaXyjODVaKD1A7b8mhJYQdVJfxMlxk_xzQlUniIbhAnyCJ5HtnjZUVjcrgcnLD5Fmw/s200/2d+floor+hall.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4qTnufeNIkyGO4Oiy5IdkiX9uYY97FhBZUP27FZOJHOPyJ6dWblPRsLjQXUT3CmS_Z8Q4m6BgbwWbuX4rOtOLrvuWsHym9Lqh7qbNWKaoExBC2IM4B00b1wVKuoNTTc8LdUvpUQ4-rU/s1600-h/1st+fl+dining+ceiling+stains+060809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365078975825467586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4qTnufeNIkyGO4Oiy5IdkiX9uYY97FhBZUP27FZOJHOPyJ6dWblPRsLjQXUT3CmS_Z8Q4m6BgbwWbuX4rOtOLrvuWsHym9Lqh7qbNWKaoExBC2IM4B00b1wVKuoNTTc8LdUvpUQ4-rU/s200/1st+fl+dining+ceiling+stains+060809.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Hired a contractor for dry-out. He said that on a scale of 1 to 10, the damage was an 8. I thought he was exaggerating until I moved back in. Amazingly enough, the place looked even worse after being dried out and stripped. I could see damage where you'd never think to look for it, in the trim, in the outer walls, etc. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ2ccp6wNIYt0syE3X08jxCYvJxx0RlvW9wVo3DmYug8p4a5snPtfhP23keVNQ-n3dTWwWBUq0hyphenhyphenwQ-gz_xLgbcmn6vcZmWuh0M7H7UyQvyCIlhY58mkThglscXZpyeCGXeebebWw5LA/s1600-h/Bath+1+door+n+floor.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366470851315021474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZ2ccp6wNIYt0syE3X08jxCYvJxx0RlvW9wVo3DmYug8p4a5snPtfhP23keVNQ-n3dTWwWBUq0hyphenhyphenwQ-gz_xLgbcmn6vcZmWuh0M7H7UyQvyCIlhY58mkThglscXZpyeCGXeebebWw5LA/s200/Bath+1+door+n+floor.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Been living in the tear-out eight weeks now while my insurance agent and contractor squeeze my repair discussions into their vacations. If I weren't so busy at work, I'd be furious and would have taken care of this already. When the contractor called and delivered the final quote, it was less than $2,000 more than the quoted amount before he started negotiations. I asked him to get a quote on the flooring from the company that originally installed it - Bluford Jackson. The rep assured me he would. The manager or owner said they never did. The quote allows over $15 sq.ft. for them to lay and finish the new floors (the original flooring is all removed. I asked them to save the pieces I could re-use but they didn't). I can have Bella or similar installed for $9 sq. ft. I'm thinking they have a deal with the flooring person and don't care what I want.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Should I fire the contractor or have a very</span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> serious discussion with him?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />These pix show damage from the bedroom and bath pictured in prior posts. The bedroom ceiling I worked so long and hard to strip and paint is now half gone along</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> with the baseboard on the one wall (to allow air flow). There are also numerous holes in the walls because of the demo and need for air.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMTBxjcBWBWVtoX4tx6ORBX6k_9B2tgxSmWT0o69QhRPRjU0SKMpz8SRAemHm9VjRp4u7yD1ZhpsgExmjEFl7WlnQL7hSZ_DnZBJj0aZvTMdVVpo0XjDBmj7NdSqJSmZNU63N3-gge1c/s1600-h/1st+fl+bath+2.jpg"></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHOd5k2g87NF1yM-0gZaAZhmHkYf3co6eeK50-hpKO5nX0bPsREomCmjgOnVrUqTb0d8jTxTFBoH6ZUV0okO9R91ZXkWlpsPbuaUdQGjrg3mycn9mZHm7jatWVVyLugPlGDQAYws1Ky4/s1600-h/1st+fl+hall+walls+060809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365082673615809650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHOd5k2g87NF1yM-0gZaAZhmHkYf3co6eeK50-hpKO5nX0bPsREomCmjgOnVrUqTb0d8jTxTFBoH6ZUV0okO9R91ZXkWlpsPbuaUdQGjrg3mycn9mZHm7jatWVVyLugPlGDQAYws1Ky4/s200/1st+fl+hall+walls+060809.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Water flowed down <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tvFtzGwp4rME2IwX_9QKIAU6txNyKQ7v5YtcxLp-aIUNdlgqJLGDOIXqRCGIoNvDTHzxWsMR_eACJ8BNtHWDQr8p35iKve2KYbkApgOWCpnEf_ZeAxv79_wMPCkaOdd-IA1DUnxzWMM/s1600-h/1st+fl+ruined+towels+061409.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365077370802039810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tvFtzGwp4rME2IwX_9QKIAU6txNyKQ7v5YtcxLp-aIUNdlgqJLGDOIXqRCGIoNvDTHzxWsMR_eACJ8BNtHWDQr8p35iKve2KYbkApgOWCpnEf_ZeAxv79_wMPCkaOdd-IA1DUnxzWMM/s200/1st+fl+ruined+towels+061409.jpg" border="0" /></a>all of the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNS6moLtxyEgzJtsDAaeIZgK4XD-08g4puoBZLI1wy1rMaQ95Ydk-xoDBlpuQoGUqTRwYewCYMOVTvRv6agnIPtbJzP-8zx-Z8Hu5AYJYJJ5PwRKnuw91VNp5aqZvpk_Hhv__N3rKmdg/s1600-h/kitchen+chairs+ruined.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365078982676707122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNS6moLtxyEgzJtsDAaeIZgK4XD-08g4puoBZLI1wy1rMaQ95Ydk-xoDBlpuQoGUqTRwYewCYMOVTvRv6agnIPtbJzP-8zx-Z8Hu5AYJYJJ5PwRKnuw91VNp5aqZvpk_Hhv__N3rKmdg/s200/kitchen+chairs+ruined.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvW0cohHox63Wz4c-vDSfnem88aQaRKN8I_G5tcD6uC_BWvPKma33aeuBKDytSRs0Mn2JJwrAnk6iQrORjrB4_AR8SzWT0b2X2LN8lbjOiCLMztI9lqzrnW5lGGNeWfdTxogxt6BTfRg/s1600-h/1st+fl+bath+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365077368461323474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvW0cohHox63Wz4c-vDSfnem88aQaRKN8I_G5tcD6uC_BWvPKma33aeuBKDytSRs0Mn2JJwrAnk6iQrORjrB4_AR8SzWT0b2X2LN8lbjOiCLMztI9lqzrnW5lGGNeWfdTxogxt6BTfRg/s200/1st+fl+bath+3.jpg" border="0" /></a>bathroom walls warping the "drywall" that we had just hung and staining the tile and grout. The picture of the closet is two days after the flood; the towels however showed much more damage a</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMExUpCjCWu3ZIe4at3QP1vz0E8VdgWR9qlBfsOQB8Z3fRZgkO44DJgmM20qOiN7AcZmMOzD6tq3mbku-_2ublL5jfsEwzjzVq7u6mw_pdKy60JQ4r4VHX2z5lhLEjL7wAAhjf8YrMwY/s1600-h/1st+fl+bedroom+ceiling+060809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365077383486526370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMExUpCjCWu3ZIe4at3QP1vz0E8VdgWR9qlBfsOQB8Z3fRZgkO44DJgmM20qOiN7AcZmMOzD6tq3mbku-_2ublL5jfsEwzjzVq7u6mw_pdKy60JQ4r4VHX2z5lhLEjL7wAAhjf8YrMwY/s200/1st+fl+bedroom+ceiling+060809.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> week later as the water and mold came through</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> the walls and settled in. The chairs you see here</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> still look much like this eight weeks later. The blue machine is a hepa filter. Let's hope it did the trick. The red ones were giant fans and there were even larger dehumidifiers all around.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHgem0pLjzkp4O_xj2fHX4ZO4MIMOCJBTvUnu6w8BIIvuQtWOcT009MQ2MnQkI7kTKmEeXwcbvTeu_AockRLDwaaPd7MpJaGfjdPNiDa2KdQFKwMGCkURq2zGlArzcc9PrDjs7-qHmG8/s1600-h/1st+fl+west+bedroom+wall+060809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365078971063018306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHgem0pLjzkp4O_xj2fHX4ZO4MIMOCJBTvUnu6w8BIIvuQtWOcT009MQ2MnQkI7kTKmEeXwcbvTeu_AockRLDwaaPd7MpJaGfjdPNiDa2KdQFKwMGCkURq2zGlArzcc9PrDjs7-qHmG8/s200/1st+fl+west+bedroom+wall+060809.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghibLuLmJjlmEUMarv4VfSDJ31qsrh2udZII247mV7LslwgRSYogdtnrDmdk8tCsPa6gT_3-ezMzH2HSCMm4TwtWk4yaNzX_JfcbThcsg8RMAG0qGiOdO5Y39yTn3By82zA5VQh1aj9ZY/s1600-h/1st+fl+hall+060809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365078970820748370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghibLuLmJjlmEUMarv4VfSDJ31qsrh2udZII247mV7LslwgRSYogdtnrDmdk8tCsPa6gT_3-ezMzH2HSCMm4TwtWk4yaNzX_JfcbThcsg8RMAG0qGiOdO5Y39yTn3By82zA5VQh1aj9ZY/s200/1st+fl+hall+060809.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5sIAA1wh4OejrHQaqKjvS_-eCkd_STVXMuhaLXRUqlZIDAWyb3FwU3C0dd1pTOI2N0tnMCdmYWVX1D7xta3_kxrQx8nAuiwWecgiIbT7BfBKlo26hixrr7CIFS5IT9jGM2bnmQRLEec/s1600-h/1st+fl+hepa+filter+060809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365078967949604626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5sIAA1wh4OejrHQaqKjvS_-eCkd_STVXMuhaLXRUqlZIDAWyb3FwU3C0dd1pTOI2N0tnMCdmYWVX1D7xta3_kxrQx8nAuiwWecgiIbT7BfBKlo26hixrr7CIFS5IT9jGM2bnmQRLEec/s200/1st+fl+hepa+filter+060809.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-25831969629351867982009-04-12T21:47:00.000-04:002009-08-05T09:40:57.713-04:00Bath in Progress<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6U_HeBoNTiKWeizhtWSekoWrDw-vXl4spAdzo0IGPzkIlMxR2xUF67DqcmXbve5Ptb25EoJahN2vH0M4zbnYIVRPEkbYYSXme9-B-6nJD9fZBJT7ChHeZYwi99TgzQWskpqYmenfnVA/s1600-h/bath1+before.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323994295132840994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6U_HeBoNTiKWeizhtWSekoWrDw-vXl4spAdzo0IGPzkIlMxR2xUF67DqcmXbve5Ptb25EoJahN2vH0M4zbnYIVRPEkbYYSXme9-B-6nJD9fZBJT7ChHeZYwi99TgzQWskpqYmenfnVA/s200/bath1+before.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mLJZnfeWP22iMeL9yYvdYsMxN4h5feTK7cgt4xIzhpRLHasCZeAI33srD5KEpgmJbxVDKpeoIMR39Das3eDVGGpSsnySyWoOBb_d6B7D1xF1e1gHqFk95X8KInViY3-ab0TyzBil0ws/s1600-h/bath1+041209.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323988589415020482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mLJZnfeWP22iMeL9yYvdYsMxN4h5feTK7cgt4xIzhpRLHasCZeAI33srD5KEpgmJbxVDKpeoIMR39Das3eDVGGpSsnySyWoOBb_d6B7D1xF1e1gHqFk95X8KInViY3-ab0TyzBil0ws/s320/bath1+041209.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Too busy working at the house and at the office to stay current. Never thought I'd see the light but it's looking close to finished. This bathroom was gutted six weeks ago. After the plumbing and electric were moved, we sistered all the joists and put in a new subfloor. It was great walking on it afterward. There was a world of difference; it felt so solid! Plumbing is not connected but the sound of a constant drip running through the pipes is driving me nuttier because I can't find it, the water is turned off, and it is not getting slower. Ghost water. So, now that the floor is laid, after the grout, all that's left is the rest of the plumbing and the trim. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ahcBgTKTxy0UpsC2OJo5bHjc6qHfekS5p2zeKkA9dZ56rJ35VcrtZGNt4uAg0fRan4g4d5N5z8BuyJ-6WjUGb_ANiqfT4Kje33NETIrCl3gyG5y0p62lE2d3_11WrQMdYB1Ioyk8mx0/s1600-h/bath+1+more+floor.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366473971496198802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 112px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ahcBgTKTxy0UpsC2OJo5bHjc6qHfekS5p2zeKkA9dZ56rJ35VcrtZGNt4uAg0fRan4g4d5N5z8BuyJ-6WjUGb_ANiqfT4Kje33NETIrCl3gyG5y0p62lE2d3_11WrQMdYB1Ioyk8mx0/s200/bath+1+more+floor.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>YAY. We can pee!</div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-51319264932388656272009-01-11T18:45:00.000-05:002009-04-13T09:51:05.246-04:00Fun With A Lot of Hot Air*<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OayYVXlixncZjhIJ7Xxg_M0N2CL_BD2va0mKKmayrpaPMQ9hJaAyoZyuN4wKRLpUb7Q6qb8kYNyQKFs7nDsSGKPdRFT6iZWsWfVcBoRvzMN8Da05hrN1N2tw5ee1SRvv_o8PaAljYWE/s1600-h/BR+wall+010909+at+10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290187483558961906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OayYVXlixncZjhIJ7Xxg_M0N2CL_BD2va0mKKmayrpaPMQ9hJaAyoZyuN4wKRLpUb7Q6qb8kYNyQKFs7nDsSGKPdRFT6iZWsWfVcBoRvzMN8Da05hrN1N2tw5ee1SRvv_o8PaAljYWE/s200/BR+wall+010909+at+10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Did I tell you? I didn't have electricity or heat so I was working in daylight and somewhat tolerable weather. Here's what the wall looked like when I started on Friday, Jan. 9th with the putty knife. See the shadow on the wall from the window? Honest, no light.<br /><br />After scraping five hours, and BTW, thanks for the ladder Rob and Tina, here's what I was able to finish in 14 hrs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRdia8VkbwIxk0Ntnf5o9R8UmkSRU6_o7XZ8Ar3GNhiY5FL3mPnYSUkdSEQ5xnK1SNjZxhivyz-OW2kmbsIH0aPg1c3H_GQPI1O01kPGa_YFJhavF3IzYp3omzTPFNpMJpSZHwJ1gDG0/s1600-h/BR+wall+011009+at+10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290187702381387666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRdia8VkbwIxk0Ntnf5o9R8UmkSRU6_o7XZ8Ar3GNhiY5FL3mPnYSUkdSEQ5xnK1SNjZxhivyz-OW2kmbsIH0aPg1c3H_GQPI1O01kPGa_YFJhavF3IzYp3omzTPFNpMJpSZHwJ1gDG0/s200/BR+wall+011009+at+10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The BEST thing that happened Friday was that Duke Energy came and turned on the electricity and gas. The furnace doesn't work (of course) but I had light and POWER.<br /><br />Saturday I brought my heat gun. What a tool! Everyone recommends renting a steamer to remove paper. The heat gun did the same thing and for what? $25. It took me 14 hours scraping to clean this wall; I did the adjacent wall exactly like this in only five hours with the heat gun. <span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br />Please note times are approximate; I don't do anything for five hours straight unless it promises to pay a lot of money or a very happy ending. I stopped for food and whatnot; I'm not twenty.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">* - Dedicated to the Honorable Peter B. Scuderi whose laugh and wry sense of indignation are permanently stuck in my head. He was also fun with a lot of hot air.</span>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-11696442236929888572009-01-03T19:29:00.000-05:002009-01-29T12:25:42.262-05:00Day 1 - Who Knew Stripping Could Be So Fulfilling?Well, I've done small stuff since closing three weeks ago because holiday travel and work kept me too busy. Jan. 3rd, 2009 was my first full day of work.<br /><br />Thought I'd start with the bedroom walls. They have about three coats of paint on top of at least three layers of paper on top of painted plaster. Read a lot online about removing wallpaper and restoring wood trim last night. So, I started the day with a brand new scorer, a paper scraper (stick with a wide razor blade at the end), gel paper remover, and putty knives for wood scraping. When I scored the paper, I knew I was in trouble; the scorer didn't leave a mark. The paint was tough as plaster. I soaked an area with gel remover and started working in the yard to let the remover do its work. An hour later, I couldn't get the paper scraper to cut through the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ik5TlbCD6ZuKPDy5LPlK6NmL1V-Kj6PonLtZaYy5hITnVs3y1w9Mm-t3LsWxJxbR7Oqg3cmURdC_u8ec5PlmkvZs1Bp7XR1xKQhkfipfAmCKipF1wYda_R6WSgCP5_NN_g2liWP3U0I/s1600-h/BR+wall+010309+at+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ik5TlbCD6ZuKPDy5LPlK6NmL1V-Kj6PonLtZaYy5hITnVs3y1w9Mm-t3LsWxJxbR7Oqg3cmURdC_u8ec5PlmkvZs1Bp7XR1xKQhkfipfAmCKipF1wYda_R6WSgCP5_NN_g2liWP3U0I/s200/BR+wall+010309+at+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290184218042781490" border="0" /></a>paint let alone the paper. The seam was bumpy so I got the blade through the upper layer and this gave me some leverage. After 30 minutes I had cleared a circular area about 2 ft. diameter and was bummed by the lack of progress.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbCU4IEDLMikU5K8BosZCgoPm3fF6X3wOetU9MKGkID6qJTeltccQT1H5d_VRsD3Ik7HsxyRRpEVsDa9V3MvoFdmwdeTu7vtc-WQ4OxOZ43YvvgHd79NXlCCEE65pWGvpeQOiA_EU6p8/s1600-h/BR+wall+0103+at+2-30.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbCU4IEDLMikU5K8BosZCgoPm3fF6X3wOetU9MKGkID6qJTeltccQT1H5d_VRsD3Ik7HsxyRRpEVsDa9V3MvoFdmwdeTu7vtc-WQ4OxOZ43YvvgHd79NXlCCEE65pWGvpeQOiA_EU6p8/s200/BR+wall+0103+at+2-30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290183053876339730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">This was the tool and the size of the area it cleared. Don't waste your time or money. It is too bulky to lay at the right angle for stripping. As you can see, in spite of having a razor blade, it left a layer, too.</span><br /><br />So, I did the smart thing and walked away and took a break. I don't often do the smart thing; usually keep going until I'm thoroughly frustrated and can't think straight. Must have been a good night. Anyway, I decided there had to be an easier way so I got all my sharp flat tools together. Trial and error and Voila! I borrowed the perfect method from the wood refinishing blogs. The putty knife worked like magic.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwPdrRhy-knrQuiFQcPdRllH555PQTXIKdTjqxap_M1PuSXxNdSqgKx0Z-4ClqUi8NOTIgmomxxQ6Gc15oay5fFnDIW32_otwdeeJ6ESulyn2rZHH9EdBsupcGrVzjsQSvVVclUSQ4L8/s1600-h/BR+wall+0103+at+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwPdrRhy-knrQuiFQcPdRllH555PQTXIKdTjqxap_M1PuSXxNdSqgKx0Z-4ClqUi8NOTIgmomxxQ6Gc15oay5fFnDIW32_otwdeeJ6ESulyn2rZHH9EdBsupcGrVzjsQSvVVclUSQ4L8/s200/BR+wall+0103+at+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290183581023287570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The magic putty knife. I tried a lot of others with wider blades but this one could not be beat.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Here's the area I was able to clear over eight hours (two days) after using just the putty knife and a lot of elbow grease. You can see I was able to get down to the final paint layer (gray) in a lot of spots. This covered about two-thirds of a wall.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf5nhoZhhWK76sPErimrS2Cub54mVx6zvjl9xCUKG_cextYPdWXrZuoqPbDkKpaTtCrqZO_YYjvpVxXE81ODLiTMCbMjBHI5ZFbxL_3nPwZpTGFPLkKBI4B51BaizhJ1oJEjmGw8ofks/s1600-h/BR+wall+010909+at+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf5nhoZhhWK76sPErimrS2Cub54mVx6zvjl9xCUKG_cextYPdWXrZuoqPbDkKpaTtCrqZO_YYjvpVxXE81ODLiTMCbMjBHI5ZFbxL_3nPwZpTGFPLkKBI4B51BaizhJ1oJEjmGw8ofks/s200/BR+wall+010909+at+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290185311247801666" border="0" /></a>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2100994213398033828.post-36039023087055009352009-01-02T16:29:00.000-05:002009-01-29T12:25:42.528-05:00My First Demolition and Renovation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mquekh-0Tc4TY5A0r84Dl2doIbGQ_48TBxXSiyPtZRcG2pIDFnpjdbv8nraoWbEn6Wm0ypL807KHQ-8pTEGBblQkXitM1ZHN6bdGj7f3I7VZHZ4cxlKGCcGTnTCvKq_Y9J6cuAJzlzQ/s1600-h/entrance+from+inside+DR+n+LR.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKenjdxt0VqgjssEB8iW96nnkElbBVyS5wFWWPJRoALdBFVvzw5t_teywy1QCExdP5-5r_sVwZ8XUsgcnrMv8M8HJqn9Mg2aJpOJ1qojvCm7SKSgsO9Mk831bictwpojyCrh9v4IQD_8/s1600-h/front.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286817910044340194" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 251px; height: 201px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNKenjdxt0VqgjssEB8iW96nnkElbBVyS5wFWWPJRoALdBFVvzw5t_teywy1QCExdP5-5r_sVwZ8XUsgcnrMv8M8HJqn9Mg2aJpOJ1qojvCm7SKSgsO9Mk831bictwpojyCrh9v4IQD_8/s320/front.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I just bought a duplex from HUD. I've never owned a house before, I've always wondered about having one, and I could finally afford to buy. What I wanted I couldn't afford so this building, big and solid, was the best deal I could get for the money. BTW, if you plan on buying from the agency, poke me. I've learned a lot about the HUD bidding formula over the four solid months it took to finalize this deal. There's an agency with problems!<br /></div><br /><div></div>This house is a duplex. The two bathrooms have squishy floors from leaky plumbing and a basement full of mold that could have come from the moldy bathroom sub-floor or moisture incursion or both and then some. The kitchens are empty with the except of the ceiling light fixtures and some 1980's cabinets that are also moldy from the leaks. There's also mold climbing the first floor wall in one corner and I can't tell if it's coming up or going down. And the furnace to the first floor doesn't work. Oh, yeah, workers saw a racoon leaving the basement. But, it could be worse.<br /><br />The woodwork - and there is a lot - in the public areas has never been painted. The pocket doors work (somewhat). There's enough of the original floor to refinish. The windows won't need to be replaced immediately. It still has all it's original stained glass. Once I get it finished, I'll be looking for some nuns in long habits to complete the look.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I paid cash - most everything I have in this world. Drained my IRA and, considering I just turned 60, I'm a little nervous. So this is me putting my feet to the fire. I've big plans, no credit and wondering where I'm going to get the time, strength, & money. What do you think? </div></div>Sorethumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944428775615113878noreply@blogger.com2