Two Become One

I got is weird image text from Nick yesterday

 Me: ??? 

Nick: That is your new kitchen window

Me: What?

Nick: Really

My thought:  You ordered used windows for my house?  That doesn't look like the argon-filled, interior mullion, vinyl, double-hung, white lovelies we discussed...WTH, Nick???

Nick: We closed in the one window that was next to it

(Did I mention that Nick doesn't use punctuation in his texts?  Is he too busy?  Who's too busy for grammar?!  Oh, wait...he's building my house.  Big picture, Chrissy.  Big picture.)

Ahhhhhh!  Now I get it!  He's a genius!  He used siding from where the bathroom was framed up and matched it to a T.  That window looked like this yesterday morning:

Stinkin' awesome!  You can't even tell that isn't original construction.  There'll be a single hung French door to the left of the now-just-one-window.  It's gonna be great!

The electricians and plumbers were there yesterday too.  The electrician geeked out with me about lighting in the kitchen and suggested three more recessed can lights.  I talked him down to two.  He also LOVES outlets--they're all over the kitchen.  <happy face>  He's great!

View in the kitchen into the new bathroom
Who knew water supply lines are color coded now?!

The drywall should start August 4.  Wheeee!  My project for this weekend is to restore these bad boys:

One of two original wall scones in the living room

I bought new switches yesterday evening and I'll probably change out the bulbs to Edison bulbs.  Stay tuned for that!

She's a Brick House...

Are you singing with me yet?

There's so much work going on at the house this week! 

They demoed all the plumbing and roughed it in throughout the house, including adding the new bathroom plumbing and moving all the kitchen jazz for the new configuration.

The new tub's installed and toilet plumbing was moved over for concentration elbow room. 

They dug out and blocked up the footer for the new bathroom.  

They also excavated and blocked up the BFH (big freakin' hole)!

New steps are formed and poured, too. 

I'll have a driveway and new sidewalk when the interior is closer to being finished. 

Monday, Nick will frame up the bathroom!

Christmas in July!

Nick called yesterday to tell me he'd received everything I ordered for the bathroom and kitchen (minus cabinetry)!  Wheeee!

Next, he said there's no room for the wall sconces I picked to flank the oval medicine chest.  I'd have to get the three light bar instead.  Boo!

He also said the pendant I picked for above the kitchen sink was too large.  I didn't look at measurements; I just did a search for MINI pendants.  Mini pendants can apparently include something 13 1/2" wide.  Oops!

Oh well.  On to other things.  The chimney guy came today to tuck point it.  I ran over to the house to meet him after work.  He was no where to be found so I commenced to opening ALL treasures Nick had left for me!  CHRISTMAS!!!

Stuff!

Cast iron tub (poo free)

Mirror..mirror on the wall

Lights!

More stuff!

He had put together the pedestal sink so I pretended I was washing my hands using the faucet.  Then I primped in front of the mirror and admired the can lights he already installed in the bathroom and kitchen.  I tried to pretend I was installing the giant pendant in the hallway but the nine foot ceilings impede that without a ladder.  Double boo!

From no where, I hear the clink of what I imagined as reindeer feet and the tinkling of none other than--dubstep--coming from above.  Santa???  You're so hipster!

Nah, it's the chimney guy.  He was really sweet and quiet.  Not who I expected to be a Skrillex lovin', chain smoker.

Here's his work:

 

 

Note:  I do not have a fireplace.  The chimney is to vent the furnace heat.

 

Up next: The footers and other concrete work should start this week, along with plumbing!



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!

Salvage Says What???

Do you guys shop construction salvage?  I'm talking Craigslist, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army...these places are GOLD MINES for inexpensive, quality, used architectual elements, cabinets, lighting, furniture, you name it!

Here's the poop holder cast iron claw foot tub I'm selling on Craigslist.

Fecal Free $300

I drug two girlfriends to Habitat for Humanity's ReStore on two separate days this week.  I needed two 30 inch matching, 1920's period, doors for my new seven foot closet.  You read right.  Seven glorious feet of floor-to-nine-foot-ceiling, closet.  In my bedroom.  In the Highlands.  Boom.  <insert your extreme jealousy here>

Nick, the contractor, had asked me twice if I'd been by the house yet.  That's so unlike him.  He never gets sups excited or fired up.  Ever.  What's up with that?  Leave me alone, Nick!  I'm TRYING to shop...gah.

After a near death, Highlands driving experience, my friend (remains nameless) and I, in her trusty pickup toted home my new treasures: two doors $25 each...with hardware!

This is why Nick is pseudo-Chrissy excited!!!

Framing for the NEW pantry.  Icky fridge used to be here.

Guest room closet; waaaay bigger than the previous one.

Angelic new bedroom closet & fab doors to boot...he's modifying the opening for the doors, don't be skeerd.

Framing in bathroom.  Look at that chimney!

What a delightful surprise!  Speaking of surprises...I have one for you all!  Check out my post tomorrow.  It may, or may not, also involve fecal matter.

Demolition Derby

I think I hit the jackpot with picking my contractor!  I was averaging three contractor meetings a day for about three weeks and my return of written estimates was a measly one per week.  The people I was meeting were either witless faux craftsmen or 'consultants' that wanted to gouge me with Taj Mahal pricing.  We all know by now that my Beauty bungalow is humble and classic, not gold plated Game of Thrones material.

Prepare yourself for the shameless plugs that follow:

When I was at my wits end, I finally used Angie's List.  I also signed up using my Ebates account and got a $20 cash back incentive!  If you haven't found the joy of Ebates, do it now.  Seriously.  Stop reading and click Ebates.  It's CASH for stuff you're already buying online and usually great discounts too.

Okay, back to the story...

Angie's List lead me to Nick Rhodes of Nick's Remodeling (watch his YouTube video, it's adorbs!).  He's quiet, calm and humble.  The exact opposite of me--poor Nick.

Nick has been spectacular about following up, getting things done and giving wonderful suggestions and feedback.  He's also really nice when I'm showing him seven different Pinterest boards of ideas I have.

He and his crew started work Monday, mid-morning.  Check out what they did by Tuesday afternoon:

Kitchen 1 During

Kitchen 1 After

Kitchen 2 During

Kitchen 2 After

Old Fridge Space/New Pantry

The bathroom is huge now, but taking the right angle of picture is turning out to be a challenge.  Here's a look at my favorite feature in the space right now:  an exposed brick chimney!  I'm going to leave it as is, minus the plaster bits.  What do you think?

Bathroom Chimney

Bathroom Water Damage

So far, the tears and bashing of teeth with terrible "contractors" to find this one was totally worth it.  Don't let me down, Nick!

Crappy Scrappers & Just Plain Crap

In the dark basement corner sits this little gem:

Giant furnace oil cistern--full of oil

I placed an ad on Craigslist in hopes of getting some toothless aggression, scrap lovin', hustler to get it out for me.

Boy, did I luck out! Like the unwritten rules of Craigslist dictate, first come, first serve.  The first kid came with a rust bucket pickup.  Alone.  Without tools.  The conversation went as follows:

Me:  "Hi there!  Do you have help coming?"
Scrapper:  "I'z real strong.  I got dis.  Where's yo' drain?"
Me:  "My drain?  For what?"
Scrapper:  "I'z gots to get dis oils out."
Me:  "You...want...to put furnace oil down the drain?!"
Scrapper:  "Uh, yeah."
Me:  "Get out." (Okay, so I may have said, "Go get something to drain into and dispose of this oil and tools and help.  Call me when you're ready."  Get out would have been a better choice.)

Another sketch guy showed up to "check out this job".  He, at least, had a plan of attack to return later with the right tools and such.  This time I begged my friend and her husband to come wait with me while he crept around in the basement.  He was late but was kind enough to text me every mile he got closer in traffic.  Seriously.

I'm three miles out...I'm a mile out...Traffic is bad...I'm a few blocks away...I'm 'bout pulled up...I'm in front of your house.

It was a different guy.  I still haven't figured out how I crossed wires and forgot the second weirdo, but there was this man with his three helpers, ages 13, 11 and 7.  I admire your use of child labor, sir!

He started by draining the oil and asked if I needed anything else hauled away.

Well, don't mind if I do!

We found cooked spaghetti on the wall behind this medal delight!

CSI: Louisville...dun, dun, dun.

I guess the cloth was a modified humidifying device?

Those kids were Hauses!  Dad ran around and they jumped when he barked.  They even swept up the crumbly messes left when they pulled out the A/C unit.  I'm impressed!

When the truck was full and the oil was still draining, he asked to come back the next day.  Sure, why not?  He clearly had his crap together!  See you mañana, sir!  He lifted the hood, wire started his loaded down pickup and drove away.  This was Wednesday.  He never came back.  <sad face>

Anyone need a furnace oil cistern?

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.