We had a great time this Thanksgiving weekend! There is much to thank God for.
Especially when we walked into the house yesterday evening and were greeted by a bunch of improvements that we hadn't had a chance to enjoy yet. Wainscoting's painted, floor's swept, tools're put away, and mousetraps're clear. We're talking nine mousetraps, and no signs that our two thieves from last week had any brethren.
I feel like I'm rambling. Smile big so I feel better about myself!
That's the ticket! Thanks!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Transformation...Go!
Today's post is almost like a flipbook!
First, when the carpet was torn off, the floor in the [airquotes]hallway[/airquotes] looked like this:
Then, once the floor was put back together, we stained it like this:
After that, we put on the polyurethane, like so:
And now, with trim, it looks like this.
If you asked me this instant what I'm thankful for, I think this would definitely make the list. The long list. I have a lot to be thankful for!
I Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
First, when the carpet was torn off, the floor in the [airquotes]hallway[/airquotes] looked like this:
Then, once the floor was put back together, we stained it like this:
After that, we put on the polyurethane, like so:
And now, with trim, it looks like this.
If you asked me this instant what I'm thankful for, I think this would definitely make the list. The long list. I have a lot to be thankful for!
I Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What does caulking do?
Behold, Exhibit A.
Behold, Exhibit B.
Thus, the case is proven that caulking is good. Okay, perhaps the case needs better proof than that. Suffice it to say, though, that the whole place looks better now that it has been caulked. Again, a big THANK YOU to Mark and Stephanie for helping us with that end. Annie and I finally finished all the touch-ups and nitpicky bits, and we're beginning to unpack the garage room a little. The TV is not set up, but that isn't what we yearned for...the books are out again.
Now we need to get the place serenitous again so we can leave for Thanksgiving with a clear conscience.
I Timothy 1:19 - Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
Behold, Exhibit B.
Thus, the case is proven that caulking is good. Okay, perhaps the case needs better proof than that. Suffice it to say, though, that the whole place looks better now that it has been caulked. Again, a big THANK YOU to Mark and Stephanie for helping us with that end. Annie and I finally finished all the touch-ups and nitpicky bits, and we're beginning to unpack the garage room a little. The TV is not set up, but that isn't what we yearned for...the books are out again.
Now we need to get the place serenitous again so we can leave for Thanksgiving with a clear conscience.
I Timothy 1:19 - Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Residents
Me: It's like having pets!
Annie: Except you don't love them!
This exchange occurred this weekend, regarding some unwelcome residents in the Claim Shanty. What are the requirements for a pet?
1) Shelter it. - These animals have apparently been sharing our abode for a little while.
2) Feed it. - If they weren't finding food somehow, they wouldn't stick around. We wash dishes and wipe counters after every meal; I guess they're eating drywall?
3) Clean up after it. - This is how we knew we had been invaded. I will say no more.
I have a rule. I have often said that if I have to house it, feed it, and clean up after it, that I would expect it to thank me when it came of age. Many of you may consider me hard-hearted, but I really don't go for pets, especially mammalian ones. So I have been enforcing my rule this weekend - lethally. Two corpses later, we may have thwarted the takeover.
I have never washed my hands so often in my life.
Leviticus 11:26 - [The carcases] of every beast which divideth the hoof, and [is] not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, [are] unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
This whole post may have been hard to follow. Forgive me for speaking in riddles!
Annie: Except you don't love them!
This exchange occurred this weekend, regarding some unwelcome residents in the Claim Shanty. What are the requirements for a pet?
1) Shelter it. - These animals have apparently been sharing our abode for a little while.
2) Feed it. - If they weren't finding food somehow, they wouldn't stick around. We wash dishes and wipe counters after every meal; I guess they're eating drywall?
3) Clean up after it. - This is how we knew we had been invaded. I will say no more.
I have a rule. I have often said that if I have to house it, feed it, and clean up after it, that I would expect it to thank me when it came of age. Many of you may consider me hard-hearted, but I really don't go for pets, especially mammalian ones. So I have been enforcing my rule this weekend - lethally. Two corpses later, we may have thwarted the takeover.
I have never washed my hands so often in my life.
Leviticus 11:26 - [The carcases] of every beast which divideth the hoof, and [is] not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, [are] unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
This whole post may have been hard to follow. Forgive me for speaking in riddles!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Goal of the Weekend
Goal of the Weekend:
Do enough spectacular stuff to provide witty entries for the whole of next week.
Peace!
Do enough spectacular stuff to provide witty entries for the whole of next week.
Peace!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Touch-ups...?
Man, we need to do touch-ups. That is, we need to finish the caulking, and paint the filled nailholes. Then we can unpack some BOOKS. ...and the television, which I guess is exciting. But...BOOKS.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 - And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh.
Can one be a book glutton?
Ecclesiastes 12:12 - And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh.
Can one be a book glutton?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
In the Trenches
We're not in the trenches now, but we probably will be soon. This will involve recruiting a crew of strapping young men who will work all day, digging a 2-foot wide trench 40 feet long, for pizza.
It's a drainage issue, and we'd need to get a huge amount of gravel for this, also. I have not begun my calculations, but the scale is just immense.
One item that is helpful to note: we heard that the guy who installed our septic tank actually lives down the street, and he is a pastor. We really need to meet that guy.
Proverbs 27:10 - Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: [for] better [is] a neighbour [that is] near than a brother far off.
Thanks for reading this stream-of-consciousness post!
It's a drainage issue, and we'd need to get a huge amount of gravel for this, also. I have not begun my calculations, but the scale is just immense.
One item that is helpful to note: we heard that the guy who installed our septic tank actually lives down the street, and he is a pastor. We really need to meet that guy.
Proverbs 27:10 - Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: [for] better [is] a neighbour [that is] near than a brother far off.
Thanks for reading this stream-of-consciousness post!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Caulk is Wonderful
So, I gotta tell ya, caulk is pretty nice. Touch-up painting is still required, however.
When we first started living at the Claim Shanty, we agreed that we would not set up the TV until the trim was done. This rule has expanded so that a large range of items that are currently stacked in the garage room haven't been unpacked. Once the trim is really done, we can start unloading that room, which will be a big step. And having a TV again won't be too bad, I suppose, since we still won't have any ability to watch broadcasts of any kind.
Perhaps we'll get completely finished this week, and then have the weekend for digging a huge trench a la WWI.
Or watching movies.
Proverbs 24:30 - I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
[twinge of conscience] Okay, probably not watching movies.
When we first started living at the Claim Shanty, we agreed that we would not set up the TV until the trim was done. This rule has expanded so that a large range of items that are currently stacked in the garage room haven't been unpacked. Once the trim is really done, we can start unloading that room, which will be a big step. And having a TV again won't be too bad, I suppose, since we still won't have any ability to watch broadcasts of any kind.
Perhaps we'll get completely finished this week, and then have the weekend for digging a huge trench a la WWI.
Or watching movies.
Proverbs 24:30 - I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
[twinge of conscience] Okay, probably not watching movies.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Caulking Success!
We had the caulking party this weekend, and it was a success!
Here's some trim in a pre-caulked state. We totally filled in the cracks at each joint! The hardest parts, in my opinion, were the door frames. It's good that we had help! Stephanie and Mark came over, and our friend Terry, who is a pro, literally, showed us all the proper technique. Thanks, you guys!
We have a little more to do before it's done, but that's mostly touch-up painting.
Peace!
Here's some trim in a pre-caulked state. We totally filled in the cracks at each joint! The hardest parts, in my opinion, were the door frames. It's good that we had help! Stephanie and Mark came over, and our friend Terry, who is a pro, literally, showed us all the proper technique. Thanks, you guys!
We have a little more to do before it's done, but that's mostly touch-up painting.
Peace!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Caulking Party!
Last weekend, we also put up the window trim.
Adding that to last night's progress, all of our trim is up, except for the bits that interface with the kitchen. Where does that leave us?
With a lot of nail holes.
If you have a caulking gun, please come and help us caulk up our trim! We will have a short caulking tutorial, followed by caulking craziness! We provide the caulk, but we need each of you to bring your own caulking gun. In exchange, dinner will be provided!
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time: 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Give us a call if you're interested!
Adding that to last night's progress, all of our trim is up, except for the bits that interface with the kitchen. Where does that leave us?
With a lot of nail holes.
If you have a caulking gun, please come and help us caulk up our trim! We will have a short caulking tutorial, followed by caulking craziness! We provide the caulk, but we need each of you to bring your own caulking gun. In exchange, dinner will be provided!
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2009
Time: 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Give us a call if you're interested!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wainscoting.
So, after affixing one panel to the wall, I would generally have to cut another one. I didn't have a large table saw at my disposal, so the edges were a little jagged. This didn't matter on the shorter wall so much, because the panel abuts a large piece of trim that will hide the edge when it's caulked. However, there is another piece on the longer wall that may not hide so easily. (You'll need to zoom in on these.)
There is a reason it looks a little icky. Instead of trying to put the joints on studs, where I could nail the edges into solid wood, I opted to try a location where I could cut out a hole from the edge that would open for the electrical socket. THIS WAS A MISTAKE. Always try to get your joints to match up at a stud.
Tonight, I have to try to fix this. It's not too, too bad, but you want it to look flawless, you know? Without blemish.
Lev 4:23 - Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish.
I WANT MY PANELING TO BE LIKE A KID OF THE GOATS.
There is a reason it looks a little icky. Instead of trying to put the joints on studs, where I could nail the edges into solid wood, I opted to try a location where I could cut out a hole from the edge that would open for the electrical socket. THIS WAS A MISTAKE. Always try to get your joints to match up at a stud.
Tonight, I have to try to fix this. It's not too, too bad, but you want it to look flawless, you know? Without blemish.
Lev 4:23 - Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish.
I WANT MY PANELING TO BE LIKE A KID OF THE GOATS.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Post 101!
Hi, All,
This is post number one-hundred and one. I don't believe I have ever kept up anything like this kind of reliability in anything like a correspondence. I am swelling with pride.
The wainscoting story has gotten ahead of itself. I forgot to mention that before we glued or nailed anything, we used a chalk line and a level to mark the top line of our panels. Since the chair rail rests on this line, it needed to be as straight and level as possible. Also, the 5-inch-plus baseboards would cover up any unevenness on the bottom side.
Once a panel had glue, I placed it and used a finish nailer to lock it in place. The studs had been marked, so I was able to put nails in the top and bottom at each stud. I also put nails in the halfway points between studs to keep the panel flush with the wall. That way, the panel wouldn't give when you pressed on it.
That's a lot to read at once, and it's only the beginning! Hasta mañana!
This is post number one-hundred and one. I don't believe I have ever kept up anything like this kind of reliability in anything like a correspondence. I am swelling with pride.
The wainscoting story has gotten ahead of itself. I forgot to mention that before we glued or nailed anything, we used a chalk line and a level to mark the top line of our panels. Since the chair rail rests on this line, it needed to be as straight and level as possible. Also, the 5-inch-plus baseboards would cover up any unevenness on the bottom side.
Once a panel had glue, I placed it and used a finish nailer to lock it in place. The studs had been marked, so I was able to put nails in the top and bottom at each stud. I also put nails in the halfway points between studs to keep the panel flush with the wall. That way, the panel wouldn't give when you pressed on it.
That's a lot to read at once, and it's only the beginning! Hasta mañana!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Did I do this right?
Behold, images of me applying construction adhesive to a panel!
The instructions were to apply it in a zig-zag pattern, leaving an inch or so on the sides.
Also, the tube was very specific about 16" spacing between zig-zags.
This stuff lets out some fumes, though. I opened a window so we would not expire. The vapors continue to flow, however, until the adhesive actually dries. Which I hope is soon. It does get hard to breathe.
Joshua 11:11 - And they smote all the souls that [were] therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying [them]: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.
I guess invisible adhesive fumes are like being destroyed with fire.
The instructions were to apply it in a zig-zag pattern, leaving an inch or so on the sides.
Also, the tube was very specific about 16" spacing between zig-zags.
This stuff lets out some fumes, though. I opened a window so we would not expire. The vapors continue to flow, however, until the adhesive actually dries. Which I hope is soon. It does get hard to breathe.
Joshua 11:11 - And they smote all the souls that [were] therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying [them]: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.
I guess invisible adhesive fumes are like being destroyed with fire.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Wainscoting...
Did you know that wainscoting has three acceptable pronunciations?
Did you know that our walls do not even closely approximate flatness?
Did you know that there is a lot to tell about how we finished putting up our trim?
Now that it's up, we have to go back and caulk, fill holes, etc. I hope this whole trial is over this week so we can start unpacking into these rooms. More tomorrow!
Proverbs 3:28 - Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Did you know that our walls do not even closely approximate flatness?
Did you know that there is a lot to tell about how we finished putting up our trim?
Now that it's up, we have to go back and caulk, fill holes, etc. I hope this whole trial is over this week so we can start unpacking into these rooms. More tomorrow!
Proverbs 3:28 - Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Friday, November 6, 2009
WAINSCOTING!!
For the record, I got through step 5.
Tonight, perhaps the rest!
When we move the paneling away from its months-long resting place, we once again saw the large gaps in the floor where we can look down inside the concrete blocks of our foundation. Perhaps a little drainage is in order. Also, maybe I should fill those blocks with rebar and concrete. And maybe there should be some kitchen renovation fast, 'cause we're expecting some company to be staying with us in late December.
Maybe we should build a renovation schedule to handle that...but our schedules don't really stand the test of reality very well.
Isaiah 2:19 - And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
It applies if "they" means concrete and rebar, and "rocks" means concrete block in the foundation.
Tonight, perhaps the rest!
When we move the paneling away from its months-long resting place, we once again saw the large gaps in the floor where we can look down inside the concrete blocks of our foundation. Perhaps a little drainage is in order. Also, maybe I should fill those blocks with rebar and concrete. And maybe there should be some kitchen renovation fast, 'cause we're expecting some company to be staying with us in late December.
Maybe we should build a renovation schedule to handle that...but our schedules don't really stand the test of reality very well.
Isaiah 2:19 - And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
It applies if "they" means concrete and rebar, and "rocks" means concrete block in the foundation.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
WAINSCOTING
All right, this is it. Annie has a teaching gig tonight, so I have the house to myself. It's time to get that paneling cut and nailed/adhered to the wall. I think I have everything I need, except a 9 volt battery. Here's the plan.
1) Purchase at least one nine-volt battery.
2) Measure the paneling.
3) Set up the table saw.
4) Cut the paneling.
5) Place the paneling, verifying correct dimensions when level.
6) Locate construction adhesive and get the caulking gun ready.
7) Prep the compressor and finish nailer.
8) Put nine-volt battery into studfinder.
9) Locate and mark the studs.
10)Slather adhesive onto each panel, then place it and nail it.
11)Nail in corner trim for the baseboards.
12)Measure and cut the baseboards.
13)Nail the baseboards in place.
14)Measure and miter the quarter round.
15)Nail the quarter round in place.
16)Measure and miter the chair rail.
17)Nail the chair rail in place, using a scarf joint to connect the two pieces required for the longer wall.
18)Measure and cut the vertical trim pieces for the corners.
19)Nail the vertical trim pieces into place.
Voila! That simple!
Here's an oldie but a goodie:
Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
I'll let you know what step I got to tomorrow.
1) Purchase at least one nine-volt battery.
2) Measure the paneling.
3) Set up the table saw.
4) Cut the paneling.
5) Place the paneling, verifying correct dimensions when level.
6) Locate construction adhesive and get the caulking gun ready.
7) Prep the compressor and finish nailer.
8) Put nine-volt battery into studfinder.
9) Locate and mark the studs.
10)Slather adhesive onto each panel, then place it and nail it.
11)Nail in corner trim for the baseboards.
12)Measure and cut the baseboards.
13)Nail the baseboards in place.
14)Measure and miter the quarter round.
15)Nail the quarter round in place.
16)Measure and miter the chair rail.
17)Nail the chair rail in place, using a scarf joint to connect the two pieces required for the longer wall.
18)Measure and cut the vertical trim pieces for the corners.
19)Nail the vertical trim pieces into place.
Voila! That simple!
Here's an oldie but a goodie:
Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
I'll let you know what step I got to tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wainscoting
Sometimes, you end up changing your wife's oil instead of cutting wainscoting. Tonight is date night, so I'm not sure if I'll get around to cutting the wainscoting. I did, however, nail in almost all of the quarter round. So, all of the baseboarding is done except some walls that interact with the wainscoting or the kitchen. I even finished the closets. What will we accomplish tonight? Stay tuned for the gripping details!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wainscoting
Last night, I cut all of the trim for the windows. It's probably painted by now, because Annie is AWESOME.
Today, I hope to at least cut and piece together the wainscoting. Probably I'll nail in the window trim and a bunch of quarter-round. Maybe we'll get some pictures.
The issue with wainscoting is the adhesive, really. Maybe I should watch a how-to video or something...
Exodus 25:9 - According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it].
Today, I hope to at least cut and piece together the wainscoting. Probably I'll nail in the window trim and a bunch of quarter-round. Maybe we'll get some pictures.
The issue with wainscoting is the adhesive, really. Maybe I should watch a how-to video or something...
Exodus 25:9 - According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it].
Monday, November 2, 2009
Trim, Triminee, Trim Triminee, Trim Trim, Cheroo...
We cut and painted and installed a great deal of trim this weekend. We purchased window trim, which I'll probably be cutting this evening. Also, the wainscoting still needs to be cut. I wonder who's going to do that...
Annie's been a trooper about painting all the pieces and getting them ready for installation. She's also a pro when it comes to caulking. She is a little nervous, though, about the possibility of messing up our beautiful trim with a potentially imperfect caulking job. I think it'll look great, as long as I don't get involved.
The chances that I will get involved with the caulking are nearly one-hundred percent.
Annie's been a trooper about painting all the pieces and getting them ready for installation. She's also a pro when it comes to caulking. She is a little nervous, though, about the possibility of messing up our beautiful trim with a potentially imperfect caulking job. I think it'll look great, as long as I don't get involved.
The chances that I will get involved with the caulking are nearly one-hundred percent.
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