Big Wheel Keep On Turnin'

It's been a busy week! I'm sitting outside the store waiting for the Bobcat to pick me up. We bought two new bicycles and accessories. Yay! Two bikes don't fit into a Camry. Boo!  Bobcat is taking bike #1 home and (hopefully) coming back to get me.  Guess I could trek home if he doesn't show up...

The back bathroom is complete and the front bathroom will be finished as soon as the evil Tile Shop gets my order in.

The driveway was poured this week. It's 10x44 and will fit our cars nicely!

They're supposed to come back today to dig out all the brush and posts. Double yay!

We spent the morning in the laundromat. It was a filthy place that charged $2.50 for cold wash only and another 25¢ per 10 minutes of drying.  After killing our second unsavory bug, I promptly ordered a lovely set of Samsung front loading machines on my iPhone while we waited.  They're scheduled for delivery today. Whew!

The kitchen cabinets have been ordered and the flooring has been delivered too!

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!

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.