It's a Hot Mess

We're in...sort of. We have a toilet and a sink but I forgot to have the gas turned on so we only have cold water in the sink. Durp, durp.

Boxes are everywhere and we have our mattress on the floor. It's like glamourous camping. Lol!

I made a makeshift kitchen for the next couple of weeks too. So fancy! There's chicken gyros in the making in that crockpot. Woot woot!

We have internet though and we all know that's what really counts, right?! This technician was late and was really nice. Not quite Bobcat nice but nice enough. He dropped new line and didn't drill into my precious millwork.

I got a security system installed yesterday morning too! Complete with fire, 3-way entry, motion detection and glass break capabilities. I love technology!

Rub-a-Dub...a Chick in THAT Tub

You remember THAT tub, right???  I had the old tub for sale on Craigslist and a local Facebook group sale page and had several opportunities to meet weirdos interesting people.

Sunday was the best!  A friend gifted several day lily and monkey grass plants for the new place from her own garden, so the Bobcat and I spent the morning temporarily planting them.  I hope it rains enough to keep them healthy until I can find a more permanent home for them.

While digging in the dirt, another tub-interested party arrived in their big ole' Jeep.  They seemed normal.  I was skeptical, but paraded them through the house to the tub anyhow.  The husband was fascinated with the house and we all know I love a fellow rehab geek!  He and I continued to bro out while his wife decided if the tub would work for her.

He called his buddy with a pickup and she asked him to run her to the ATM for the cash I requested.  Yes!  They were taking it!  No more poop tub!  What?  You'll take the toilet too?  Sure, I'll throw it in for free.

This couple was an awesome hoot!  He asked if I would take his wife to the ATM while he and Bobcat used his Jeep to pull out a shrub root or two.  Uh, yeah.  Have at it, dude.  I liked this group so much!  His buddy and buddy's wife showed up and we all went at loading the tub and toilet in the truck.

We ended up drinking beer on the porch, laughing it up and planning the exterior paint job that his buddy (tub picker upper/professional painter) could do for me.  We joked about loading up the girls in the back of the truck in the tub and sending them down the road like that.  Then this happened:

Ooooo, gurl!  She classy.

What a sport!  She hopped right up there and posed for me.  I can't wait to hang out with these guys!

FOLLOW UP:  This week, Nick and I decided to turn this mess...

...into a NEW bathroom!  YES! Two bathrooms!!!  That door is from the back bedroom and it'll have a full shower, toilet and sink.  Perfect!

I plan on keeping that door and frosting the glass for a kitschy retro look.  Here's how it looks after Nick's demo magic:

Look 'ma!  I got a straight roof line!

The footers and foundation should be started Monday.  All the plumbing demo is done.  Stay tuned for more!

Welcome to the Jungle!

In the beginning, there was this:

Tree Monster

More overgrown mess

Alley

After killing Tree Monster

Every two feet, along the alley side of the property, there are fence posts.  These aren't just regular ol' posts.  We're talking 10 inch diameter, five foot long logs that are concreted a foot and a half into the ground.  This house may look wimpy but it's solid.

Over two full Saturdays with the help of ten people, countless shovels, a few chainsaws and two trucks with several tow chains, we managed to do this:

Wow...there's a house there

Fun stuff for the city to haul off

Still have posts to dig out 

Don't judge our filth...still smiling!

Yard work is hard without a working bathroom--I'm told that peeing behind the dumpster with a lookout is preferred to the gas station's facilities across the street.  Note:  This week Nick and I decided to add a second bathroom to the project list.  More to come on this topic!

Lots of neighbors came by to meet me and they are all thrilled with the progress.  How awesome to have a great community!

I really can't imagine how I thought I'd be able to do any of this alone!  My friends are truly amazing. I didn't capture everyone in one pic, but I want to say thank you.  There isn't any way I know to really show my appreciation.  I will attempt to earn this help with home cooked meals, adult beverages and super fun company (me)!  Just give me a bit to get this place in order.

Love you guys!

Tree Monster!

I remember that I bought a house.  I just couldn't see it...

Straight Up Tree Service to the rescue from this massive, mistletoe and ivy swathed monster:

There's a fence in there...promise!

Brandon and his crew of magical, sword-wielding (chainsaw) knights had this monster slain AND removed and were off to their next job in under two hours!!! I was thoroughly impressed. 

Did I mention their estimate was $800-1700 less than the other five I got?! SCORE ME!

You can almost see Beauty peeking out now!

Stay tuned for the next adventure...in the basement.