The further Kentucky adventures

Last year's thread:

Brambly Ridge 2019 - more sunshine, more rain, more blackberries

This thread started June 28, 2020.

Walk through Saturday morning on the house under contract.

I had been keeping an emotional distance on buying this house. It was just a logical transaction. Now I’m getting excited. I’ve never owned a house that didn’t have multiple needs to make it livable. But I got mighty sick of walking into houses for sale at $100,000 and having the floors squish or sag or sway. What is with Kentucky builders? Don’t they know how proper foundations work? So I moved up in the price range a bit and struck it right. This house has been lovingly cared for by someone who knows what he’s doing.

There are multiple reasons for me to live in town. But I will keep my ridgetop parcel for now, and see how things go. Being nearer and more involved in the community may allow me to move forward on ridgetop projects. Or my attention might turn to focus on this new property. Who knows?

There are three main features of this house that made it right.
1. The living room is generous in several ways, floor space and natural light, especially. It has 5 windows!
2. The back deck runs the entire length of the house, is under roof, and has a hot tub.
3. There is a full and dry basement.

There are other nice features beyond, but those really drew me. And there are shortcomings as well. I told the sellers that their choice of grey for walls throughout was a factor. It’s the exact shade I always had in the back of my intentions. Not a real issue, I know, but add it in as a psychological point.

So, move in ready. Nothing needed.

But opportunity to imprint my personality, especially out front.

There are no garden plants anywhere in the yard. There is a huge silver maple in the back; and an elaborate playhouse there too, with two slides and a trampoline that Theia already checked out and approved.
The back yard is freshly fully fenced. Perfect for tending grandchild.

The front yard is completely bare. Nobody even uses the front entrance – the side door is just off the carport.
So I can add curb appeal quickly just by planting anything at all. **rubbing hands together**
The property slopes. The high back yard has been crudely terraced, with a zig-zagging bike path up to the playhouse area and lined with creek stone. Perfect outline for plantings, I’m thinking. The back of the property needs something, but I can’t visualize what yet. There are trees beyond, in the yards that back to mine. So lots of shade.
The front yard is lumpy-flattish and gradual slope, and then drop slopes the last couple of feet to the sidewalk. I’m planning on a two step terrace there for perennials. Cottage garden plantings up in front of the house; perhaps a water feature. My neighbor suggested cherry trees, as the address is Cherry Road. I’m already on it.

Met my new next door neighbor over the backyard fence. She was out inspecting her gardens. She looks to be about my age, and I love her already. I bet she’s even a tea drinker.

This is going to be my celebration house.

A really sweet feature is that both daughter and son-in-law are genuinely pleased to have me moving in so close. I asked SIL if he knew of a carpenter I could hire to build some bookshelves for me. A sly grin and he said he’d be glad to do that for me.

The house was built in 1957; so slightly younger than me. A bit of brick on the façade, but mostly white clapboard siding. But not wood, plastic or aluminum. Knock, knock – good solid steel. Remarkable! Metal roof, two small skylight windows in the upstairs bedroom. Modest closets and bathroom. But a linen closet! A feature I’ve always lusted after, but never had.

Almost original kitchen - cheap wood, nothing special. New granite tile countertops though. I’d like to IKEA the kitchen, but I may just paint the cabinets a nice moss green. Fridge is already promised to daughter. It’ll be an upgrade for them, and I’ll bring my almost new Haier that stands flush with the cabinetry. I don’t need the family sized model. I intend a dorm sized fridge out on the deck to hold beverages. ; ^)
……….
Out on the ridgetop, the woods are invading yard and meadow. I did a partial mowing last month, and my neighbor seems to have run over it again where I mowed. Bless him. But all sorts of brambles and saplings have been aggressive this spring. No fruit on any of the trees. We had frost in mid-May, and lots of die-back, even in the blackberries. They will ripen later than usual this year, and a much smaller crop.
I have trees to chop up at the bottom of the meadow. Power company came through and aggressively cleared their right-of-way. The chestnut and fig trees I bought earlier this spring don’t look well. One chestnut has a frost split on the main trunk. Chestnuts cross fertilize. My neighbor removed hers, so that left just my young (but beginning to produce) specimen. I hope these two recover.

After the walk through, we stopped at the farmers’ market. One vendor of potted plants offered an array of perennials for only $10 each. Came away with a deep purple buddleia and two novel hydrangeas – Mini Mauvette and Firelight. They will go in the ground up here for now.

I met another lady there who is a gardener and lives on daughter’s street. She’s also a seamstress and works from her home. Good to know.

My bee friend invited me to join a newly forming women’s prayer group. That fits nicely into my plans. We certainly need lots of prayer this year.
……………
I collect stuff for daughters in Rubbermaid bins for transport. As I carried it in to her house this time, Theia grinned up, expecting “more bears!”
……
It’s a rainy gloomy Sunday. I’ll put those three plants in the ground and head back to West Virginia.

The floor plan of the house.

Tiny entrance hall. Tiny! One person fits. But it does have a coat closet.

Leading into the living room; a bank of three windows to the front, and two on the side wall. Bookshelves to be built across that front wall under the windows.

Wood floors in good condition throughout the main level. Kitchen has ceramic tile floor. The uneven kind.

To the left is the shotgun or corridor kitchen. Dining area under a window there and then sink and cabinets along the front. Small window at the sink. Two windows straight ahead, and the side door out to the carport. That door is in line with the basement door and stairs, making transport to that floor simple. But all other bulky materials must come through that small front hall or the newly installed door to the back deck. Thank gosh for that new door!

Stove and fridge are on the right wall, with accompanying cabinets and a corner desk space. Stove is an old electric, with coil burners. It will not stay. The house has gas service; now only used for water heater. Probably originally had gas furnace as well, but switched to heat pump in 2007. There may already be a gas line to the kitchen. If not, easy enough to install. My Kenmore gas stove is epically beautiful, and it comes with me.

The wall between LR and kitchen is very 50s and also very modern. Frosted glass panels from hip height to ceiling. See, I see another opportunity for book shelves below and open shelving above for plants and decorative items.

Standing at the front door, you walk straight back through the LR to a narrow hall that serves the two bedrooms and the bathroom in between. Master BR to the right, bath right in front of you. If you turn left, there is a door to the left that opens to stairs to the attic bedroom. Let’s not go up there quite yet.

The second downstairs bedroom seems to have been used in different ways over the years. A doorway has been added that allows access from the kitchen, going past that side entrance and basement door. So, possibly used as a dining room at some point. This is where the door to the deck has been recently installed. So both those doors reduce the privacy component. It is furnished now as a guest bedroom/TV room, with a convertible couch/bed.

The bathroom is too narrow for a vanity sink. The tub is original, but the tile, floor and wall, have been updated. The floor tile is a loud black & white pattern. I’ll lay down a rug. New pedestal sink and toilet.

I’m thinking there is some waste space hidden between the linen closet in the hall and the second BR closet. I’ll have to poke around. That might provide a welcome space to drop the sink plumbing back two feet. That would greatly enhance the bathroom. Yeah!

Okay, let’s go up to the attic. It’s a long narrow room with built-ins on the back wall. You know the style – pine cupboards and drawers built into the space under the eaves. It’s the children’s room just now, so I didn’t poke much. This will be my guest room and play room for Theia; once she’s old enough to manage the stairs safely. My other grandchildren will love it as well. There is room for three or four twin beds. There is a built-in bookshelf in front of the stairwell. My collection of children’s books will fill that space nicely.

So, do you want to check out the basement? Typical 50s open stairs, but not too bad. The owner had a clothes chute installed from attic and main floor. For some reason, this encourages envy. I’m much less impressed than most people. The washer and dryer stay. That’s good, as I don’t have those. I’ve been a laundromat-er for decades.

Ceramic tile floors – an odd improvement. One I don’t really appreciate. I’d much rather have smooth, even concrete. I’ll be adding IKEA storage down here for seasonal items, collections and craft supplies. This will be my winter workroom. It may even contain a working sewing machine. This space is such a luxury!

The walls have been studded and finished with cheap old paneling. I will probably remove it at the back wall, so that I can have a better view of critical issues like water or insect infiltration.

There is no ceiling. The floor joists are open and sturdy. The utility lines are all visible and easily accessed. There is a sump pump in the front corner and the owner reports no water in the basement since they dug up and replaced the old sewer line. See – no worries. He’s also voluntarily installing a radon gas removal system. With that solid floor, I would not have guessed radon as an issue, but he had recently tested for it.

It’s a small town and they are buying up the hill, a bigger house with a better view. So I’m so glad we have established trust between us.

Left a small bottle of blackberry cordial for them.

The porches.

The front porch is tiny. The original concrete slab, and those decorative metal posts holding up a metal roof. Not even large enough for a chair. I may expand it's width and take out those awful metal posts, replacing with good solid wood. Something I can add color to. It will take some thought.

The back deck is triumphant. The roof soars up in two tiers. I brought a tape measure, but neglected to use it. 10 feet deep? Maybe 12? Runs the length of the house. The edge begs for potted plants, perhaps a shallow pool, ferns, etc. I will immediately install a wooden swing and a dining table. Later, I may build a platform bed hung from chains. There is nothing sweeter than a swing bed.

The hot tub is the center of attention, and will likely be a favorite draw for guests. I got a quick lesson on operation and maintenance. It was never on my wish list. But, hey. I'm not averse to it.

My main neighbor on the ridgetop has decided he wants to dispose of the final 12 acres at the end of the driveway. (That's after he sold an acre to Jody, whose construction project has been disastrous. The little cabin still sits precariously on slipping block piles. The acre she pretty much ruined by gravelling most of it is trying to re-wild.)

Anyway, I might have been tempted to expand my holdings.

There is a level building spot and two sheds and a meadow full of fruit trees. (Not much fruit though) Electric power can be brought in fairly readily, but water is much less feasible. It's a looong way from the supply line down at the road, and the slope is opposite what you'd hope for good pressure.
The rest of the property is steep woods, even precipitous at the very north part, I've been told.

I inquired his asking price. $30,000 he sez. That's nearly what I paid for 5 acres and a mostly done house. The market hasn't changed in the 10 years intervening. Good luck with that.

The appraisal came back supporting the purchase price.

Waiting for title opinion and a closing date.

Sellers will need several weeks to close on their deal and get moved.

Technically, I've got the whole month of July off, but I will check in at work a few times. Big transition happening, and I might be able to ease it along. Turning in my gear and keys on the 31st.

The rear deck is the first space to be furnished, don't you think? Comfy chairs and a dining table out there make the most sense for now.

The appraisal says the deck is 13 feet deep and the house is 35 feet long. I think he needs a new tape measure. Well, the depth is probably correct, as the deck boards are framed at the house and the edge with a perpendicular board. But surely the house is 36 feet long.

I Zillowed all 4 of the comparable properties he used. Ugh! Except for a sale from last year, I certainly got the best of the bunch.

I envision the ground along the edge of the deck in low growing perennials, pots of herbs and a shallow water feature for the grandbaby to splash in. I will probably try to introduce frogs from out on the ridgetop as well next spring. My pond out there always has egg clusters I can gather.

I'm envious of that porch/deck. You could probably guess the length based on a count of the boards. Assuming the deck boards are the fairly standard 6" -- it looks like 73-75 boards. That's ~36.5 - 37.5 feet.

Yeah, daughter has a deck similarly sized. It used to be a great party spot. But then husband began using it for his carpentry projects. It's hopeless at this point. They just refinanced their mortgage to get cash enough for him to build a decent shop. So, they may get their deck back.

I'm guessing this new project is one of the reasons SIL is glad I'll be nearby. At present, he mostly stays home with Theia while Rose goes off to the factory. He fits in projects evenings and weekends. They were going to start her in day care, but the virus has put the kabosh on that for a while. He's a great daddy, but its got to be frustrating to have a whole list of work that can't be got to in a meaningful way.

What a lovely place, hope the closing goes without a hitch.

Thanks for linking this thread. 😁

This image by Dutch artist, Rudolf Bremmer, evokes what I want my property to be. I don't have a creek; that would be perfection.



I do have a shed that is more decrepit than his.

>11 2wonderY: I'd want the creek to be downhill from the house, in case of flooding.

I have stayed so close to home this year, that I fear I will not like to get out in the heat and the brush anymore and work and sweat.
But I'm headed to the ridgetop and my intention is to pick and process gallons and gallons of blackberries.

I'm loading the car with a few items I will want immediately upon possession of the house.
- a chair to sit in
- a teapot
- my collection of classic children's books; mainly because there is already a spot for them and it will give me joy.

Dragged the mower out as soon as I arrived and took down some of the wild. Other parts are hopelessly overgrown, with groves of trees taking over some yard areas - locusts and sumac mostly.

Went berrying Saturday morning and brought in a mere 2 quarts. We are way behind the normal season. Some plants are still in the tiny green fruit stage. Sheesh! A good harvest is looking doubtful this year. I worked hard cutting up a fallen tree and forging paths through the brambles; but I didn't continue the mowing. I am not in shape. Cleaned inside and took old guy naps.

A scarlet tanager (!!) came and checked me out in the brambles. That was a superb highlight. Well, that and the awesome night sky and the incredible stillness.

Oh! And daughter requested that I secure my basement door with a slide bolt. It just occurred to me what that implies. She DOES expect that Theia will be spending time with me there. YAY! We talked about the need to block off the back of the carport with something as well, as that's the remaining opening from the back yard. I have a plan...

Identified a couple of plants yesterday; will record here so I can remember them.

Peterson identifies a modest lavender colored meadow flower as Rough Ruellia. Various online botanical sites call it Hairy Wild Petunia.


(not my photo)

Also, as I was looking for ripe berries along the driveway, a familiar leaf at eye level caught my attention. I have an elm tree! It will never be a majestic specimen, as it sits awkwardly on the bank and stretches its branches out to catch the morning sun from the edge of the woods. But it's associated with morel mushrooms! Must remember to look next spring.

>14 2wonderY: I love tanagers, don't see them very often. We used to see them when I was a child growing up in New England.

Pretty flower, and good news about the elm tree! The Dutch Elm disease took out too many of those beautiful trees.

This is my plan for backyard entry. Waddya think?

>17 2wonderY: Lovely!

Will I jinx it if I whisper that the closing may happen on Monday? There's nobody here to share this with and I'm so ready!

>17 2wonderY: Love it! Looks just right for the house!

And fingers crossed that all goes smoothly on Monday!

>19 2wonderY: Your gate plan looks lovely, there's no other word that firts.

I'll cross my fingers as well on the closing, and think of nothing but good fortune for you on Monday.

I just saw that there are three of us planning on crossing our fingers, and wishing you good fortune. I think you're set for Monday. :-}

Thanks all. I knew I could rely on you!

Closing is set for Monday. Sellers will need a few weeks for their closing. They will pay me rent. I have my eye on a tumbled rack of brick nearby. Looks abandoned. I may stop and see whether they are free for the picking. They would be excellent for the stepped planting beds at the front sidewalk.

Dreaming in color. Moss green kitchen cabinets. Teal front door. Other dark furniture pieces will probably get a color treatment before placement.

I do have a climbing rose that would love to be moved. It's too shady where it is, and has declined.

Started taking iron supplement. I hate feeling too tired to get stuff done. Waited too long today to pick berries and it was too hot. Stayed in the shade as much as possible; brought back 1 1/2 quarts.

I need a couch and an area rug for the new living room, and thought I’d begin looking. Restore and yard sales only; though I’m open to spending money on new. I spent $2 on a folding card table, but this is rectangular. I’ve never seen one like it before. Handy and light. I was able to spread out my upholstery fabrics to decide what will go on the oak rocker.

I did pull the mower out after the sun went over the ridge top and the yard started having shade. Did more in a couple hours than I thought I would. Resting in between, I gazed at the house and realized why the upstairs feels stuffy. I hadn’t opened the dormer windows. My routine is all screwed up. Did one immediately and the fresh air rushed through. Just as designed, thank you!

Resisting going to bed so early; sun’s not down yet.

Slept very well last night! Went out with buckets at around 7. Came in at 10am with not quite a gallon of berries. Finally found some brambles where handfuls are ripening; but forging access to them takes some time. I think I’ll be in much better shape next year, as I’ll have all the time I want to spend clearing paths. Gonna invest in an aggressive brush cutter too.

I remember the year our son's MIL joined us in England. There were several places where we had Jerry steer the boat right into the blackberries for us to pick. Then onto the next group of bushes. There was no access to those clumps from the land side.

Of course, the boat kitchen was not a good place for making jam, even if we hadn't had to jump off at irregular intervals to work locks. But there is a great cake recipe using the yoghurt cup to measure with that is greatly enhanced by adding a cup of blackberries.

Oh! I’ve always fantasized about that kind of vacation!

We started doing canal holidays back when our youngest was a baby, and at first did it alternate years with US holidays. But once we no longer got paid 'home leave' we went every year until I couldn't do the locks any more. Even last year, long past being able to be on a boat, we spent a good deal of time at canal centres and on on the tow path.

Well that was an interesting sales closing. The bank had all of the paperwork for me to sign; but they forgot to wire the loan funds to the attorney. Attorney didn’t notice till sellers signed the deed, apparently. Buyer and sellers in separate conference rooms.
It will all be sorted out tomorrow, we’ve been assured.

Sellers need several weeks for their purchase and move, so I wasn’t getting a key anyway.

Did get together with mrs. seller and we had a good chat. I like her a lot.

>28 2wonderY: glad it's done, sort of. My only concern is about them renting, and will they move out as promised...

They are just as eager as I am. They were emptying the basement contents on to the carport today. They are moving just up the hill.

The berry picking yesterday morning was slightly better, but I had to do the entire route to come back with a gallon in more than 3 hours picking. Exhausting. The harvest will possibly get a little better before it declines again. Best berries from the upright varieties at the bottom of the slope. Nice, round, plump things. Top slope varieties have a bewildering mix of tiny green and also ripe going to seed, which are not worth picking.

Sixteen quarts.

But I thought I'd be most productive back in WV for a couple of days. I may go back with another small load of stuff tomorrow for a few days and pick some more. Rapidly running out of floor space in the cabin though.

Mowed the lower road on Tuesday evening. That's a job and a half if not done at least once earlier in the year. Not even tackling the south side of the house and the other side of the shed, as there are already too many locust trees and 8 foot tall thistles there. I'll wait till fall and wade in there again.

>31 2wonderY: I understand the locust and 8' tall thistles. Here it's dog fennel, poke weed, mimosa, and other trees that pop up into major removal jobs within a few months.

On the other end of the meadow is a new grove of Sumac where the power company cut a few down earlier. They left not only the tree mess, but trunks standing 12 inches up in the mess. Again, mowing won't be possible without lots of in-the-weeds work.

And the remarkably non-productive plum tree the previous owner planted is now throwing up babies from the roots.

The babies from the roots will belong to the root stock rather than the grafted variety.

Yeah. Oh! Maybe they’d be worth letting grow. The mama tree is worthless and coming out when I have the time.

Note: the back yard has two maples, both of a respectable size, but the one on the right is more majestic and prominent. The left hand tree visually stands back from the playhouse. The branches are too high to get an up close look at the leaves, but I did peer closer and I think I was wrong identifying them as silver maples; which is a relief. I know from personal experience how that variety can rot and catastrophically fail from the inside. Here’s hoping for fall colors.

Don't overdo in the heat!

I'm stuck here in WV doing vital clean up, and lamenting the berries that are not being picked. Just another year, it seems.

I did find a couple of packages of frozen berries in the freezer compartment. I may make a cobbler for my retirement party on Thursday.

Today, I took care of the grated squash that I had frozen. It's not ideal, as I'm sure there is texture lost, but I put up half a dozen jars of relish. It tastes pretty good, I think, just from licking my fingers. I'll do one more batch tomorrow morning before the heat rises.

>38 2wonderY: we drove through eastern WV this week, almost all state roads. I loved the up and downhill winding, the road surface leaning to one side or the other, kind of like a roller coaster!

If it weren't for the winters...

Did you come across US Rt. 50? I always had to stop in Clarksburg to let my stomach catch up.

We stopped first night in Lewisburg, then in Moundsville. I think we did US 219 and US 250, some others that escape me.

I had FUN, much better than interstate driving.

Addendum: the state roads were 11 and 7.

I had typed most of a report last evening and it irritatingly disappeared; so I went to bed.

Granddaughter has been with me for a few days, and we've been productive. Beginning the great toss. Finding old treasures; which prompt telling her stories that my daughters probably never heard.

We have great sympatico. She's telling me stories about herself as well. And we have similar tastes in books. She loved the first book I recommended and is willing to try all my suggestions - after she completes reading the Young Wizards series.

We've been to KY once and will turn around and return today or tomorrow.

We picked the very last of the blackberries. After using up berries in the freezer (post three cobblers) I think I count 23 quarts.

The escrow balance check from the attorney bounced, so I'm having to fuss with that issue. It was an imaging problem, and will be fixed, but geez!

Sellers' closing possibly Friday. I could have keys by Sunday or Monday.

Liv's got a dentist appointment Thursday, so a trip to Cinci will probably incorporate a visit to IKEA to pick up shelving for the basement. I want a wall of KALLAX.

We've transported some living room and deck furniture which is taking up space in the cabin now. And a box of primary kitchen gear so we can prepare meals and dine. Al fresco, if you please.

I think some music will come with us this trip, so we can start the party home right.

Oh, and besides berry picking, we had enough energy for a nature walk and encountered a couple of nice new items.

Horse-gentian has inconspicuous flowers, but the seed packets are striking orange pillows paired up the stem. Fortunately, one of my field guides admitted so. All of the others failed miserably.



We also found a fungus in the woods that grows up the base of annuals; some broadleaf, some grasses. It surrounds the stem and flairs out to a fan shape. It is translucent white. Striking! Probably Jelly fungus.

And we found hickory nuts on the ground! They are still slightly green. The nut is forming inside, hard at the edges, still gelatinous at the center.

IKEA here often has at least one item out of stock on the list I want. If you know what you want you might want to order to pick up.

I'm so excited for you! There's something about a new house that appeals. And I don't mean new-new; just one that is new to you. I think it's the equivalent to a blank canvas or a fresh coloring page. All those possibilities!

And this time that Liv has with you is precious. She will remember the stories and the connections to you.

I'm more concerned that my vehicle is too short. I want the 6 foot talls, but I can only fit 5+ foot packaging. Perhaps I can switch vehicles with daughter temporarily.

>45 lesmel: Exactly right on both points! She's 16 and going into her Junior year; with an actual work at the zoo component. She's fine now if it is delayed because it will give us more time together.

The sellers still occupy the new house; kinda stuck till their own closing next week. We hope and pray. I've told them I need possession on the 20th. It would be so ungracious of me to make them move belongings to storage and then their new home.

It's giving me an opportunity to do some clearing in WV.
I'm making a mess of it. Boxes everywhere, some packed with books and buttons - you know; the important items.
They have cleared the basement and I am free to occupy that space. So looking around for furniture destined for that space, I have a cheap chest of drawers for my sewing and craft notions, and a forms filing unit that perfectly holds the trays of buttons. They will both fit in my car. Gotta sort the drawer contents. I promised myself.

Chaos on the ridgetop. Without any notice to me, Jody had ripped up the driveway to trench a waterline to her property.
Then she called and said the electrical conduit I paid for her to bury across my yard needs to be dug up, because (oops!) she installed conduit which is too small. My choice was having her hang an overhead line or dig it up and do it again.

This is the sort of nonsense that began me looking for another place.

Wrestled both pieces into the car. Replaced most of the drawer contents with shoes and clothing, as loose stuff won't stay in place as I tuck the drawers in from above. There is still box room behind and smaller spaces on the sides and the rear. It's a start.

Sweating! Managed to roll them through the upstairs hall, down the stairs and out to the car by myself.

>48 2wonderY: your neighbor would really tick me off.

Got a set of keys to the new house. Yippee!

>51 2wonderY: yes!!!!

>51 2wonderY: Congratulations! I have to admit that I'd change the locks in a few weeks. Better safe than sorry.

Way back in time (in >6 2wonderY:), you posted a photo of your new home. I hope to see another, once you've had time to settle in. New homes can be wonderful. :-)

I’ve taken possession. Sellers have not dropped off the keys, though they did something weird to the toilet seat when they removed a portable bidet. I can’t figure out how to lift the lid. Hmmm. I’m sure I’ll figure it out, but bother!

Brought my rocking chair in, hung a picture, draped some English ivy, made a pot of tea, plugged in the stereo and slipped in Grand Canyon Suite. Unpacked the children’s classics. Photo in my profile gallery. (Using my phone)

Found a tutorial online to unlock the mysteries of the too smart thermostat. Discovering what all the switches do throughout. Solved a plumbing emergency. No, not the toilet; the refrigerator defrost pan overflowed.

Started my modification of the front yard. Laid an old carpet out defining the first flower bed and to kill the grass. The sidewalk down to the steps and street sidewalks tips instead of offering a step at one point; noticed when walking Theia out to the car. Plan a short railing just there for added safety.

Planning furniture placements and colors. Several pieces will need painted to lighten their impact. I’ve started a collection of the shades of green and magenta.

This process seems to be helping me organize the cabin as well. Shifting some items and disposing of a few and space and time to sort other things.

One mystery remains : How to unlock the Kenmore washer lid.

>54 2wonderY: did you figure out the locking toilet seat?

My washer's lid remains locked until after the entire cycle is not only finished, but the computer turns off.

The washer has a sticky lock. Have to feel like you’re breaking in. I wonder if I could just break it off or if that would render the machine inoperable. Just started my first load. It’s weird. Water efficient model. Spends a lot of time just contemplating.

Solved the toilet lid problem by replacing with a brand new one. Upon reflection; that just seems like a good general policy.

Back when we used to travel to the US, I never felt that our clothes were really deep down clean. A load in my machine takes about an hour. A lot of that is turning over a bit, then sitting a bit while the water heats. But the soaking means that dirt down inside the fabric gets cleaned, and not just the superficial stuff.

Of course, having the machine take cold water and heat it to the desired temperature is wonderful on things that could stain (like blood). They first get worked in in cold water, then in hot. Nothing's perfect, of course, we do get stains in things, but it does work better than a quick run through.

>58 MarthaJeanne: That must be what it's doing. I'm all for doing things slowly. The laundry area used to have one of those lovely stone double sinks, but the sellers broke it up and removed it, without replacing it. So, faucets coming out of the wall, but no basin or drain. I already miss one, wanting to soak a couple of things.

We tried online ordering from IKEA, but everything came up not in stock. So we went to the Cincinnati store. Sure enough, their warehouse section was weirdly bare. One employee explained that deliveries from Chicago ports have been disrupted; and they are exploring training their own staff to drive trucks up there to collect. What does dribble in, is snatched up in the first hour.
So my KALLAX wall will have to wait.

I've got a whole Pinterest board for kitchen upgrade ideas. This kitchen is adequate and strangely resistant to changes. For instance, I was thinking about toe kick drawers at floor level. I think that's genius. But my toe kick area has been tiled along with the floor. Kind of immovable. Still mulling paint colors for the now white cabinets.

On the ridgetop, Jody has disappeared again. She wrote that the electric cable ditch would be promptly tackled; and since the machine was already there, I believed her. I cleared all my stuff from the path; but nothin'.

The driveway is now a rough farm-style track rather than the smooth drive it used to be. Uncertain where the water will go when it rains again. We now have a mound instead of a ditch on the high side.

Neighbor Joe is getting sucked into Q-Anon. Dr. Fauci is plotting to turn us all into zombies.

On the whole, I'm glad to have invested in Plan B; though I still sleep better up there. The new house is NOISY and harder on my legs, for some reason. And the street light blares into my living room at night. I knew it would; and accepted it as a cost. Considering drapes.

>59 2wonderY: removing a sink is a no-no. It's not like a stove or washing machine. 😒

No. It was there when they bought the house. They took it out before listing for sale.

>62 2wonderY: that's too bad.

It is. I can always install one of those plastic units, but they are so less functional, imo.

Another couple of oddities. What with building the deck out back, they addressed two plumbing issues without grace. The dryer vent has been discontinued, and it vents into the basement. Probably accounts for the condensation on the air ducts. Duh! Must fix.
Secondly, the outside hose bib now sits below the surface of the deck. So, instead of raising it, they left a door in the deck floor and one must lie down to attach a hose inside the little cubbyhole.

They also managed to add electric and water for the hot tub (obviously a priority for them) but no other electrical outlets outside; at least that I've discovered. There is a receptacle in the carport, but it is served by an extension line plugged into a ceiling light.

Spent a while walking the property just picking up trash and examining details. Several fungal colonies, some growing on ground leveled tree stumps. A couple of invasives at the back of the property, along the west side of the house, and growing up one of the maples. Carpet scraps should take care of the narrow strip along the house. It's merely a path between house and fence where the HP outside unit is sited. Neighbor and I have already examined what is volunteering there on her side of the fence. One appears to be a young elm. (!) Must bring my leaf identifier from the ridgetop.

>64 2wonderY: Have you considered a free-standing stainless double sink, instead? You might be able to find one at a restaurant supply or resell store.

>65 lesmel: I might rig something up like that. I built a functional frame for a double sink at the cabin. Shouldn't be too hard if the drain line is still in the wall.

>64 2wonderY: venting under house? Oops! We have a bathroom fan that vents into the attic, but as we rarely use it we've not gone to any expense to add a vent pipe.

The hose thing is just...weird. Why cut a hole in your deck?

When we were house-hunting 14 years ago there was one house that was just full of weird stuff like you are describing. The main bathroom had been converted into a laundry room, and they put the hot water heater INSIDE the shower stall. They also filled in the toilet area with cement so there was no way to easily add it back. That meant only bathroom in the place was the master bath!

Enjoy your new surroundings.

>67 fuzzi: Those are weird renovations.

I went shopping yesterday for the right mower. Front yard had gone wild in the week I was gone. Lots of rain! Found a cheapish and light battery powered mower and got the front done last evening. Some tricky spots where the yard dips to the street. Helps me evaluate the reconstruction plans. Soil must be moved! Planting beds established!

Daughter and Theia came for supper. Theia trying to take whatever pleases her back to her house. She’ll soon understand that she can play here as often as she wants.

Mattress and rug collecting today.

Pier 1 stores are closing and selling fixtures. Very pleased with the couple of wheeled shelves I bought. Already assembled and holding cordial and other canned goods under the basement stairs.

>68 2wonderY: both my grandmother and my mother had a section just off the kitchen where books and toys were shelved. It's a nice concept, and if we are ever closer to the grands I might do it as well.

I've been doing some contemplation about retirement, myself. We're going to need a smaller or less invasive yard 🤔🤔

My Nana’s spot was inside the front hall closet; which itself was large enough to be a room, in my memory.

I brought a bookcase specifically for toys and books in the living room, for now. I think I’m going to tear out a wall upstairs, so keeping things a bit spare up there at present.

But it was an antique fabric horse that caught her attention yesterday. Not strictly a toy, and on a high shelf in my bedroom. It was already shedding beads and tassles as she got in her car seat.

The Cincinnati branch came down today to inspect. They liked; they stayed! The grands claimed the playhouse and began immediate improvements. They splashed all over the deck; and are sleeping on the trampoline tonight. Celebration house indeed.

The Cinci consensus is all thumbs up for NeeNee’s new house. Volunteers to come and stay for a week at a time as soon as I get reliable internet service. For school work, of course. Their puppy is not yet adequately trained and is only reluctantly welcomed in the mix. But we did take her for a long walk today and used the excuse to check out the larger neighborhood. We are veteran property critiquers and there were mostly good things to be said. All very charming. Lots of majestic old trees and interesting yardscapes.

I could have built in bookcases by the end of next week. SIL has begged off, and I stumbled across a commercial cabinet maker. He gave me an incredibly reasonable bid on building the cases, and can start right away. I will install and trim them up. Because it’s such a long wall, I’ve determined to top it with tiles rather than hire a custom countertop or have a wood top with seams. I happen to have the perfect tiles. Will take pictures.

Bought my first perennial from a local lady who sells at the farmers market. A guara. Planted it in the weed filled tub left behind at the corner of the house and carport. It’s already a nice grace note.

Struggled with adding a J at the bottom of a downspout so that rain will be directed away from the foundation. Managed to disconnect it at the top as well. Exasperation! I think I got it back firmly in place; SIL will stop by to add his muscle power. He had a light bulb moment. I saw it in his face. Theia will be with him; and I can watch her while he attends to the task. Neither of us has the right ladder handy yet, but I think I can remedy that soon. Benefitting us both.

>73 2wonderY: sons in law can be wonderful!

I will be waiting impatiently for your photos...

>73 2wonderY: - I love gaura! It's not a perennial here but I've used it as an annual in planters and it's so pretty.

Downspouts are super annoying. We have grills on the eavestroughs on the house to keep leaves and stuff out of the troughs and downspouts, but the ones on the garage still have to be cleaned out periodically, and it always involves a screwdriver and easily-lost screws. Very bad design.

Looked up Gaura. Yes, I have several plants of that this year. Some are doing well, and are rather too big for where they are. Others didn't like where I put them. Looks like we may be about a zone 6 in recent years, so I may still have the ones that survived the summer.

Most of the interesting plants I bought this year were probably raised to sell in May or early June. But I bought them in July. So they were really to big to transplant well.

I pulled the bedroom together yesterday before heading back to WV. Daughter lent me an antique bed frame that has been stored in her shed. I assembled it on the back deck first to give it a good scrub. I found a beeswax/ carnauba/orange oil product to rub on and buff. The wood glows and it smells good too. There are several bed placements possible, but I went with the boring logical one. The others would limit floor space too much. I might switch it around just once with another set of hands just to be sure. Hung light window treatments. This room is in the southwest corner of the house, but with the covered deck and neighbor’s holly, stays shaded all day. Grandchildren’s art is already up on a convenient shelf. Slender oak dresser already in place.

I will add one large bookcase once transported and painted.

That bookcase just barely fit into my vehicle. Very proud I was able to get it there all myself. Went about measuring boxes that fit within the shelf spaces. Thank goodness for Pampers boxes at 9.5"

First stab at living room décor:


Sun hung on a nail already there. Will raise it. The column is an old porch post. Intent was to wire an old ceiling globe to the top.

Serendipitously, found a unique lamp constructed with an upside-down fabric shade:


Quick shot of the bedroom:


Need some pictures on the walls. Packing those this trip.

Oh, and here is the children's classics shelf upstairs:



The wall to the left is the one I propose removing and building more shelves between the studs. That crawl space has insulation between the floor joists and in the short wall studs, but nothing to keep the roof heat (black metal!) from coming through; and no ventilation. Thus, the attic has two window ACs that have to run to keep the space liveable. I can fix that!

Rolled up the living room area rug here in the old house. It's a floral and wool. Yes, Penneys used to have an outlet nearby for all their returned items. It's still marked $99.99 on the back. Shopping nowadays, wool doesn't seem to be an option. Polyester and triexta.

This will go in one of the bedrooms.

There was still a rug on the floor afterwards, as I had left the previous one as an underlayment. It's a modern cubist pattern, and not my style. It'll do for now to keep from chilly feet.

>79 2wonderY: love those shelves.

You going to install an attic fan, or paint the roof white, or?

Insulation between the roof timbers and possibly end wall vents should help a lot. I’ve done this work in every house I’ve owned. Sent my 6 year old up a skinny area to help once. Maybe she’d volunteer to help.

>82 2wonderY: volunteer, eh?

*chuckling*

Got back to KY just in time to unload before it stormed. Interesting observations re: gutters and downspouts. They are not working properly. Water cascading over the sides and very little coming out at the downspouts compared to the neighbors. Must acquire a decent ladder so I can diagnose and fix.

Brought my Grace Richmonds and Louisa May Alcotts. They will be temporarily housed in a case bought just for the task until I can get the big cabinet down here and painted.

Priced a U Haul; now need to recruit the labor.

First night’s sleep in the new bed. Not bad. Still balancing thermostat, ceiling fan action and blanket use for the best thermal comfort. This is my first experience with air conditioning ever; except in a hotel room. I’m finding my comfort level at 74 - 75F.

Got on the IKEA website and ordered five Kallax units. Estimated delivery (to daughter’s house) is Sept. 22! I’ve got some painting to do. Giving the basement wall of cheap paneling a coat of bright color - I was reaching for amethyst, but I think it’s nearer to raspberry. The white shelving in front of that and the contents will moderate the eye impact.

Here is my temporary case, see >84 2wonderY:



I'm growing fond of it's lines though. It may win out over some other cases.

I man-handled this one into the house today, as I was just too tuckered to pull it out of the car last night after it stopped raining. The back panel came free because I'd laid heavy boxes inside it for the journey. That's fine; will make the painting much easier. Have to do the work in place, as the deck is not a waterproof area. I built this a kajillion years ago, mimicking a neighbor's handiwork.

Ha! I’ve been wanting wall mounted pencil sharpener and can opener. I finally have a convenient just around the corner spot behind the door to the basement. Both installed and tested. *Sigh of satisfaction.*

Removed the knob assembly on the attic door. I thought I had spare hardware, but not for this problem. The latch bolt no longer moves when the knob is turned. I inadvertently managed to lock it once and had great difficulty getting it open again. Wouldn’t want that to happen with a child up there.

TMI? Too bad. I’m sharing my minutia here.

>88 2wonderY: I hope that no one said anything to you privately. You're one of my favorite reads, and I've followed along for a few years now. I retired in Feb 1, 2006, and followed a similar path to what you're going through. Trust me in this; it slows down, but it never ends. Not for me, in any case.

I'm lucky you live so very far away from me, though. You keep discarding things that I want to acquire, even though I have no need for them.

Minutia brings me joy; keep right on sharing it. :-}

What >89 Lyndatrue: said. I love hearing your adventures, big and small!

Well, good! Thanks for reassuring me. What with no longer going to the office; I’ve lost the main outlet for small talk I had. And though I’m keeping a journal of sorts; it’s much more fun to share with friends.

Never TMI! I enjoy reading your thoughts and tasks, thought I don't always comment...or even manage to read your posts daily.

Bookshelves installation should rank immediately after bed installation, I agree!

The first thing I do once I move to a new residence is go get a library card. :)

On the ridgetop, Jody has replaced the underground cable and left my yard in reasonably good order. Just two problems for me to address. Better than last time.

Gave the cabinet maker the final measurements. Had to go measure a sample of the books intended there so they would fit comfortably. 25 feet of shelf space in one swoop takes my breath away.

Started trimming the neighbor’s holly where it brushes my house and possibly fills my downspout. The city comes by once a month and takes branches. Nice!

Poked a hole in the wall down the basement stairs. Nice clean cavity. I will install narrow shelving boards between the studs for holding canned goods convenient to the kitchen. Saves space in the kitchen cabinets. Sort of a pantry. The drywall is 3/4” thick.

>93 2wonderY: nifty idea re: shelves between the studs.

Didn't you do that on the ridgetop?

No; I did a whole wall in my WV house when we shifted the basement stairs and door. Created what we called a ‘back hall’ in my parents’ house.

These all-day jaunts out and about wear me out. I got a fill-in appointment to get my KY drivers license. (Their online calendar is full through the end of the month. Security guy at the courthouse recommended I call Monday mornings hoping for a cancellation. It worked!) I very nearly missed it, having gone on to Lexington in pursuit of a couch. I think I found a good compromise with quality and price. Also finally found an outlet that sells wool carpet/rugs. Looking at the color "plum."

Discovered this vehicle can accommodate 10 foot lumber in modest amounts; from top of dash, across the front passenger seat and to the back hatch. Very useful.

Got my temporary Little Free Library up and operating last evening.

First customer. She took one, with a smile.

>97 2wonderY: an aquarium? Clever.

Can’t spend time and effort yet on building one from wood. Knocked around for something already the right shape and waterproof. It was either that or a toolbox; and the toolbox is opaque, needs to be handled, and more likely carried away. 🤔

My cases are here!!! Pictures later, as I’m not fully ready for them. I put up one pic on my profile gallery that’ll give you a sense of the project. I had already removed the window skirt and found the matching paint can. Sellers had switched paint can lids so we both grabbed the wrong color at first.
Busily removing the baseboard and will have to scape and paint there before final assembly. But you know I’m going to put it in rough first just to gloat.

Okay, here's the sequence

Here's the wall in question. I'd started minor prep, but thought I had another day. The bookcase in view is an ancient IKEA model. It will retire to the attic or the ridgetop.


Custom sized cases delivered today


Baseboard removed. Clean-up, scraping, paint, etc. needed


HAD TO test position


*pause for gloating*

And the top will be tiled, so plants can live there safely. Besides, I don't want the expense of a custom made top, I already had the tiles, and don't they harmonize well?

>102 2wonderY: beautiful! I like the tiling especially.

I think the lower shelf will hold most of my large books - art, history, geography, costume, etc. The top shelf can possibly hold a double row of normal sized books; making my disposal task slightly easier. They are 11 inches deep.

This is the wall between lr and kitchen. (from an old listing). It’s not the next project, but it’s on the list for development.



Cases below, possibly with doors, and open shelves above for plants and teapots and such.

Hmm let me try that another way.

One of the problems Jody left for me on the ridgetop was the removal of a brace from my electric pole. (Yes, still temporary service; hoping to fix that this coming year.) I tracked down my come-along, to pull the pole back closer to plumb. But I couldn’t get it to unroll. Grrr. Braced a heavy ladder on the low side, climbed it and pushed the pole back to where it should be. Then attached the new brace. Actually easier than I had anticipated. Yay me!

>106 2wonderY: you are a Wonder, indeed.

WTH! 39F ! I grabbed a light quilt from the attic last evening but had to dash up there again middle of the night for something heavier - BRRR. Heat is not on yet. Where’s my wool blanket?!

Working in my sister’s yard this morning, in Pittsburgh. My parking space is next to an overgrown privet and I asked permission to cut it back. Got serious with it. Chopped, barreled and tied the big stuff, all ready to toss into the neighborhood abyss. Dog, Rudy, got tired of waiting for me inside the fence and began working on the hedge from that side.

>108 2wonderY: I love chilly mornings like that.

Rudy did it again on Saturday. When I took down an unwanted mulberry at the corner of the garage, Rudy trimmed a bush at another corner. It was so cute.

I’m back in KY; but probably heading back to WV. I brought a mattress back from PA, so had little room for other stuff. I did manage a slender shelf that now holds a collection of antique dolls of the world. Some from my mother’s childhood collection; others I’ve picked up, with an emphasis on couples. Can’t wait to share them with Theia.

Returned the Ryobi battery “powered” lawn mower. Haven’t replaced it yet; and I really need to.

You mean like these? I must have bought them in the 1970's, but they represent late 19th century Vienna.

Yes, exactly. I’ll try to load a picture if wanted.

Those are so sweet!

A project that has moved up the list is insulating under the roof. With the change of season, I am already feeling cool air from the attic space. Finding the correctly sized batts is a bit challenging; but I found a helpful employee at Home Depot, who found the right stuff, way up high in the stacks, and I took a picture of the barcode info that was within arms reach. I can calculate how many I'll need now.
Not a fun project, but necessary.

Rudy's yard work:



He quit as soon as I did.

>114 2wonderY: I see Little Red Riding Hood and wolf...

I had a Madam Alexander version of that character. At five I was too young to appreciate it. Eventually all her clothes disappeared, and before I reached adulthood so did the doll.

Mine is nominally a Madame Alexander, made for McDonald’s. **ew face**. All four of them in the row are. The wolf came from somewhere else.

I’ve got Theia! Don’t know why her dad had such little confidence; wanted me to go there, where he could intervene if need be. (He’s got a crew siding their house.). I doubt he’s got a clue my lifetime child care experience.

We’re having a great day. She knows not to mess with me and I know just will please her. For some reason, she expected a cat in the upstairs closet. She kept going back for another look.

>119 2wonderY: woo! Happy for you.

Get a cat doorstop and hide it in your closet for her next visit 😁😁😁

Daughter recalls there was a cat up there in June when the three of us did a walk through.

I just got a royal appreciation from son-in-law. Not only did his siding project go super well today, he’s chowing down on the chili I sent home with them. I get her tomorrow too!

Yesterday was even more fun. Theia was determined to overcome her fears of the playhouse height which meant I was right behind her the entire time. Up the ladder, down the slide, over and over again.

For some reason, I can shortstop her tantrum with just a firm word. She keeps teasingly questioning “Are you Mamaw?” That’s her other grandma.

Afterwards, I finished mowing the steepest section, cleaned out the gutters and trimmed back the holly tree. Slept really well after dealing with joint and muscle aches.

A neighbor stopped and introduced himself as a fellow West Virginian. Invited me to stop by for a glass of wine and talk about our connections.

This baby watching is exhausting, but so rewarding. Doing it again today.

Theia helped me cart the holly branches down to the curb. I carried the longer ones and they dragged on the driveway, making an interesting noise. She made sure hers dragged as well. We took a walk ‘round the neighborhood and were joined by a lovable kitten she named Angel. We met Bandit and his person, and a lady who knew where to find tiny pine cones for Theia’s basket of treasures.

Her dad’s appreciation has grown so much that he volunteered to help with the planned UHaul trip later this month. Yay!

>123 2wonderY: I carried the longer ones and they dragged on the driveway, making an interesting noise. She made sure hers dragged as well.

I love kids! 😁😁😁

I’m keeping notes to share with her mom.

Apple cider= apple slider

Me: I think I’m hungry.
Theia: Can I be hungry too?

ID stickers from fruits, like on bananas, belong on her belly in their second lives.

She asked for her own notebook, so that she could take notes herself.

>125 2wonderY: we used to put banana stickers on our foreheads...I'd forgotten.

Yesterday Theia got herself tangled (on purpose, I think) in some twine I was recovering from the yard. So I reeled her in, brought her inside, put her in the frying pan, salted and peppered and ate her right up.
We had moved on to other activities, but she rushed to tell her mom all about that story when she came to pick her up. It was a high point for Mama Rose. Theia had never done that sharing before.

I'm cleaning up the chainlink fence at the back of the yard. It's got volunteer saplings growing up through the links; but more importantly, wintercreeper. I've got bruises on my arms from reaching through the links with the clippers. I'm going to have to knock and introduce myself to my neighbor, now that I've figured out which house it is. Their backyard is wooded, so identifying the house was a puzzle. I'm betting they won't object to me working from their side of the fence.

Inside, I'm trying to stay focused on necessary first steps. That means basement tasks. I'm removing old cables strung up across the joists, so I can label all the pipes and wires and prepare for new lines.
Also, insulating the tops of the exterior walls before painting and installing permanent storage that would obstruct this task.

Pulled a piece of paneling away to see what's behind it. A bit of powdery mildew. Hmmm. Do I want to remove all of the paneling?

>127 2wonderY: might be a bit of a Pandora's Box if you do remove it. Sometimes it's better to leave things be.

We lived in an old colonial (circa 1811) when I was a young girl. It was in poor shape when purchased, and my parents did a lot of restoration themselves. My mother wanted to remove some old wallpaper in the kitchen, my father thought the old plaster wall would crumble if he did. They compromised, and he took down a small section of wallpaper...and was proven right. The open lathes remained as a conversation piece and a reminder of what can happen when messing with things that are better left alone.

SIL agreed with you. I might explore replacing just the wall I want to paint at this time. Might cost $100.

I’m in WV preparing for the big haul next week.
Daughter and SIL will come up and load a small UHaul with range, fridge and six or seven pieces too big to fit in my vehicle. And probably bins from the attic and some boxes of books.

My kitchen here was unfitted; meaning no built-in cabinets besides the sink. When I bought the house, the kitchen was fitted with hideous homemade plywood shelving. We tore those out and did a major reconfiguration. Over time, I removed a chimney, three walls, turned the basement entry 90 degrees, installed a rear door and three windows. I used furniture for kitchen storage. Two of those pieces will go in my new basement for a different sort of storage. A thin oak glass front cabinet will hold books and rest behind the sofa in the new living room. I believe I picked up this last piece for $10 at a yard sale. The seller had just torn it out from his home; it was a lovely built-in, probably from the living room, flanking a fireplace. No accounting for taste.

Oof! There was one remaining largish bookcase in my bedroom. In order to facilitate it getting on the truck, I strategized.
The smaller shelving in the upstairs hall was unloaded, as was this one. I switched the smaller one into the bedroom and stuffed it full of books that must wait their turn (though I saw some all-time favorites.). Then I very carefully manhandled the larger one down the stairs and rested it near the front door. Easy peasy.

I’ve done similar to the long chest of drawers that the microwave rested on in the kitchen; pulling it out and putting smaller shelving behind it for the microwave and toaster; which remain here. Keeping the kitchen minimally functional till next year.

Haven’t yet done any significant work in the dining room today.

>131 2wonderY: tired muscles will need a hot shower/bath tonight.

Middle of the night inspiration. I found another spot for built-in shelves. In the attic bedroom, there are shelves at the butt end of the stairwell, but just simple open railing along the side - just over 9 feet. I’m thinking a narrow, 6 inch set, tucked in under the top rail. Three shelves; that’s another 27 feet for my tattered collection or paperbacks.
Calling Gene this week.

Or maybe next week. Habitat is coming to take kitchen appliances tomorrow and U Haul is this weekend. And I’ve got Theia this week.

I think I’ve mentioned the leg fatigue at the new house. Adding rugs in various places breaks up the unrelenting hardness. Wearing socks helps too.

First unpacking left some flattened cardboxes in front of the kitchen sink; and I left them there, as it was so comfortable on the feet. Upgraded today with a pretty yoga pad. Neighbor tossed it and I rescued it.

Did the same in front of the washer/dryer in the basement.

The house we built in Deutsch Wagram had tiled floors downstairs. Lots of good reasons for that. We had floor heating, easy to clean, looked lovely, cool in the summer, ... But oh, were they hard on my legs. It's amazing how much less hard this house's wood floors are.

>133 2wonderY: hehehe, another dastardly plan for more shelves! 😉

Does your new house have ceramic tile floors? I've had both vinyl and tile before, and I prefer the former, as it's so much easier on feet and joints.

Ooh, in-floor heat is what I’d love to have; but it is not the norm here. I only know one person with it. Yes, kitchen and bathroom are ceramic tile. The rest of the main floor is oak. I think the oak, too, is harder than I’m used to. My floors in the old house are pine.

I’m only able to peck away at projects, what with other commitments. With this last trip, I think I hit my clutter threshold. Enough stuff until I get storage squared away! I only brought some of the misc. to clear room for making it easier for the big items. And, I hate to travel with a half load.

Looking at closets this morning for more efficient use of space. Adding overhead shelving is an easy one.

Theia and I are working on eating out the still pretty empty fridge. There is a quart of strawberry ice cream that needs to go.😀

>137 2wonderY: ice cream? What a burden, but I know you two are willing to sacrifice!

And - done. The truck is loaded and on its way back to Kentucky. It took about four hours including lunch and visit with an old friend. I’m staying the night; will fill my vehicle and head back tomorrow morning for the unload.

Ha! What a day!

Drove back to Berea myself, getting in at 11am. Thought Rose and Nathan would bring the truck over and complete the project promptly. Nope. They were involved with their own projects. I dithered, emptied my vehicle, cleared space in the basement, put together a shelf unit. Kept checking my phone for word from them. Finally asked Nathan to park the truck in my driveway so I could start unloading. He did and went back to his project. Rose eventually came over and we emptied the truck except for the four largest items. Nathan returned with only an hour of daylight and they got the last piece in as dusk came on.

Unexpected woes - the appliances don’t fit!!!
Well, the stove squeezed in after N leveled the feet. I wouldn’t have thought to do that. I was all set to dismantle cabinetry. The fridge, though smaller in capacity than most, stretches too wide and too tall by an inch or so. I will have to make some changes in the cabinets set-up.
But it’s plugged in and set cattywonkis for now. To my shock, Nathan volunteered to work the remodel. Whoa! I think he’s appreciating me!

Both oak pieces in the living room need renovated. One a lot more than I had thought. Luckily, I like projects like that.

Did manage to empty a few boxes of books onto shelves. I am so tired!

The wood furnishings I’m bringing in seem to have significant wobbles and leanings. I would tend to blame the furniture, except that when Theia and I were playing with marbles last week, they all rolled in one direction. I’m shocked!

Up in #137 I mentioned adding shelving in closets. Well, I hauled the disassembled pieces from a chipboard IKEA unit. Guess what? They exactly fit in the guest room closet. At 23.5” I don’t even need to trim them. Scrounging stringers now. The first one is already in place.

>141 2wonderY: glad you finally got it all in, even if some adjustments will be necessary.

I SO understand being tired. I hate moving, it's exhausting. And I never correctly estimate how much stuff I have until I've run out of boxes for the 4th time...

See how useful those old Ikea things are. I have lots of pieces of IVAR(?) in the basement that I don't need in my current configuration. But maybe next time.

No no NO! Don't even think of another move!

That's what I said the last time, too. Heh-heh.

Not waiting for Nathan to start the kitchen remodel, I did it myself.


Now, in previous incarnations, that'd be the end of it. I'd live with the functional, but unfinished set-up. I'm hoping I can follow through and bring the nice finished look back this time. My cabinetmaker is coming over tomorrow to consult on the attic project. (Don, not Gene. I used to take my old van for body work at Don & Gene's.)

And here are the two oak pieces in the living room. The one to the left is a built-in torn out of someone else's house. So it lacks a proper base and sides. I need to do that work this time around. The sofa will sit in front of it, with only top shelf and top surface visible. Lower shelves - more book storage,
You've seen the black piece before, loaded up with classics and tchotchkes. It's too dark for this room, so sand and paint are planned.

>147 2wonderY: love to see it shaping up!

Hey, next time you come north, I’m just off of I-75 now. Plan your route accordingly.

>149 2wonderY: I'll plug that in. I think we're tentatively revisiting cousins in Alabama next summer, will see what routing options I can come up with.

I’ve been sleeping very well. And tucking in at absurdly early evening. Got 11 hours of solid sleep Tuesday night and still conked out at 6pm last evening; which has me up and ready in the middle of the night. Theia is high power toddler.

I’m not sure I’m comfortable with central heating as a concept. I’ve had zonal heating from necessity before. Seems so wasteful to maintain the entire house at one temperature just for my comfort.

The thermostat lives on the wall just outside my bedroom. And this one has an annoying tic. It flashes whenever it senses movement. So I get a light flash every time I get up to use the bathroom. This is proven to be a health hazard. The light breaks the body’s nightly repair cycle. Cancers, especially breast cancer, are tied to this. I couldn’t find where the sensor is, so I finally taped a face mask over it. Problem solved!

>151 2wonderY: I love your problem solving!

>153 Muchislover: Hate these spammers.

Gah! I had stashed 8 boxes of books on the carport in what I thought was an adequately sheltered corner. Not sheltered enough; the concrete gets damp there. Rushed them inside and emptied the bottom three. There was some absorption wetness, but nothing significant. Old books seem more resilient than newer in this case. My kitchen counters featured propped books airing out yesterday. All is well.
I had not wanted to bring them inside because their home is not ready yet. And who wants to repeatedly move book boxes, eh?

Next time I want to store stuff in that spot, I will use a pallet.

Gutters are full again; and I will need to get creative accessing the rear. The deck roof design makes it nearly impossible. I will have to install hardware and climb that roof with harness. Checking on a permanent solution as well.

Water! I wrestle with it wherever I am.

>155 2wonderY: disaster averted! I've lost too many books due to damp.

Ran out to the ridgetop yesterday to get some stuff. Must get mowers out before the snows come!

Neighbor Joe presumed and cut down a plum tree I was considering removing. He must have thought he was doing me a favor, but he left a huge pile of branches for me to clean up before I can mow. Geez Louise!

Haven't had T since Saturday, so I've been able to move forward on several projects.

Got the new shelves installed in the guest bedroom, as mentioned above. Struggled with the right side, because someone installed a metal pipe through one shelf to add an electric line to the attic. I could have cut it out, but instead decided to raise it to be the high shelf. That involved beating it from below, as it was a very tight fit and the wall is slightly uneven cedar boards.
That closet is now much more functional; but there is still room for more improvements on the facing wall. Will need to use different style brackets.

I have a kitchen chair that folds steps out from below. It doesn't fit in my kitchen, but it has found a home in this closet. Perfect match!

I took baseboard off the Kallax wall in the basement, and it is proving an excellent shape for shelf supports.

There was a heavy storage piece made of rough plywood that I brought from WV. Rose and I managed to get it off the truck and onto the carport. Nathan and friend were supposed to put it in the basement; but he kept forgetting. I finally flipped it on it's head and slid it down the basement stairs. Very proud of that feat; nearly lost it once. It now holds the paints and spare floor tiles collection.

Organizing tools and hardware in another spot.

Got almost all the basement stuff out of transport boxes and into permanent storage units. There will be much more coming, eventually. It's nice that my vision of how to organize it is beginning to take shape.

Sofa has been a big question. Neighbor was discarding a small sleeper sofa, and she managed to get it out to her front porch. This was the other item Nathan was supposed to move. It is HEAVY! And my entrance would be a very tight squeeze.

I finally bought a LazyBoy from their clearance corner and it will be delivered next week. The fact that they will deliver and bring it through the door weighed into my decision.
I was changing my plans for the neighbor's piece; putting it in the guest room/library. But then she decided she kinda likes it on her covered porch.
The new sofa is not a color I would have picked if I'd ordered it custom made. I had chosen a deep green called Juniper if I went that route. This one is greige. But it is very comfortable and I can spruce up color in a couple of ways.

The big bookcase sitting in my bedroom has been in the midst. The back board is finally a color I like, a happy medium blue. I may have made a mistake trying to paint the rest of it white. The paint I used was too thick and didn't go on smoothly.
I unearthed my old palm sander and collection of sanding paper. The sander died when I plugged it in; probably suffering from internal rust. I buried it with honors. I loved that machine. Replaced it with a new Makita and tried to start sanding. Oops. Old sandpaper can lose it's sand. Probably something to do with the damp as well. Off to the hardware store today.

>158 2wonderY: busy busy!

My grandmother had a couple of those kitchen chairs with steps, wonder what happened to them?

::puts on Christmas list::

I don't move couches anymore. We have a sleeper sofa that nearly killed four of us lifting it, so it stays even if we move. It's great in that a 6' person can sleep on it without even opening up the bed portion. My father slept on it after his THR surgery, was comfortable and safe for his recovery.

Throw an afghan over the back of your new sofa to add color, though you probably already thought of that!

Be careful, don't hurt yourself my friend.

So, what do people do with window ACs during the winter? I took one out so I could close the window. Now it sits in the way on the floor. If it comes down the attic steps, it’s gone for good. Lordie! It was heavy! It nearly tipped the other way and would have crashed through the carport roof if I hadn’t expected the move and counter-grabbed.

>160 2wonderY: we usually left ours in the windows, with a plastic cover inside and out.

The smaller ones we put in a large trash bag (to keep dust/dirt out) and took out to the shed for the winter, but the huge 20K btu stayed IN the window until we got the HVAC replaced and no longer needed the window unit. I gave it to a friend whose sister lives in a single-wide and needed an AC.

I solved the question. Called a local used appliance dealer and repairman. I have no idea if he spoke truthfully about the non-functioning washing machine but I didn’t have a stake in it. He agreed to take it for salvage and gave me some cash. He bought both ACs at the price I thought was fair. And he removed them!

Nice guy. We talked about everything under the sun, except for religion. We even talked politics. I think he admired my books. He told me his favorite book is The Great Gatsby, re-read after hating it in high school. I gave him a sample bottle of my cordial.

I’m back in WV beginning the hard part. What to leave behind...

Still several loads of old book friends, but waiting for shelving. Picking through the attic; will take just a couple boxes of Christmas items this year. Will probably take the television, but pack it away. Here it just provides a temptation for a break-in.

Clear the rest of the kitchen gear. No stove, no need for much in the way of tools and utensils.

May start digging perennials to move them.

>163 2wonderY: I now take perennials with me when I move. I discovered that in every place we lived the new tenants/owners plowed my gardens under and created a lawn :rolleyes:

The weather this weekend was perfect for digging in the garden. But I focused more on random inside stuff. No books this time. I found an oversized Noah’s Ark at the thrift store and couldn’t pass it up. That took up a chunk of car space. I did bring a short load of lumber that will be used quickly for a couple of small projects and glad to have it. Lumber got expensive all of a sudden!

Brought the good china preparing to have Thanksgiving here.

>165 2wonderY: I was told by my repairman that lumber was more expensive right now due to the housing boom.

I think I would have also bought an oversized Noah's ark...

The clerk agreed to halve the price as the box appeared to contain no animals. It wasn’t until I pulled it out this morning and read the little brochure that I discovered there is a subtle door into the lower decks where they were all crowded. Some sighs of relief when they were released.

Strictly, it’s not a toy, but meant for decor. The animals are breakable and some are missing limbs and mates. Fortunately, those factors have never bothered us. Looking forward to voyages with Theia in charge.

>167 2wonderY: wonderful for both of you!

A horrid thought just occurred to me as to the forced confinement and the missing limbs and animals! But a thorough examination of the under deck revealed no bones. Whoo!

>169 2wonderY: whew!

Perhaps you can make the ark into an animal hospital. Theia can be a nurse and wrap gauze around animals as needed 😂

Tracking the truck’s progress for sofa delivery. Driver is avoiding the interstate and may even be going up a creek bed.
When I got the text, the oak cabinet wasn’t quite ready for business; still sitting upside down waiting for the last repair. Rushed around looking frantically for drill bits and finally ran screws in without a pilot hole. Only one minor mishap. Rolled it upside right again and filled it with lovely books.

Picture later.

>171 2wonderY: waiting anxiously for picture!

It’s in my profile gallery. Don’t know how to bring it to the thread from my phone.

A bit of a mix up when the truck arrived. They brought in a different couch. Same fabric, different style. Fortunately, it was just a matter of their papers being in the wrong order, and mine was further back in the truck.

This one?



The ark is really cute.

That’s the one. Those books should eventually go into the cases under the windows; but that project has been on hold for other priorities.

My area rug came in and I picked it up, dragged it inside and switched it out. Another heavy task. Just now I’m resting on the new couch, admiring the room I’ve always wanted.

>174 MarthaJeanne: love it!

And here it is all put together.

>177 2wonderY: very nice!

Is there access to the book shelves behind the couch?

Sort of. Because this piece was a built-in, it never had sides. I was going to add panels there this time around, but I’ve decided it’s not necessary. So some items can be pulled out that way.
This floor plan was a workaround to fit this cabinet into the new house. There is no other place it could go. The couch is light enough to be moveable easily too. Actually, i just realized it is very reminiscent of my parents living room, with a bookcase behind the couch. Huh. When I get fully situated, books with less visual appeal and less need for access will be switched in. Or perhaps storage for something else that doesn’t need frequent access.

Rose and Theia came over last evening to lounge with me. T approved of the coffee table, which she hadn’t seen before. Lounged all over it.

>179 2wonderY: you could always put "movers" under the couch legs, too.

There's no wall between our kitchen and family room, so we placed the couch in the open, to create a barrier with its back to the kitchen of course. It works well for us.

I'm glad T approved of your table ;)

Right. I bought some. Now where did I stash them?

The weather changed to cool and wet. No more bonus sunshine. I decided to tackle two areas. Cincinnati family will come for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks. (Yeah, I know... But they will have been isolating, as school is going back to virtual.) So it was time to shake out the attic a bit. I've been dumping up there just a little bit.



Two beds. I might be able to manage a third in the meanwhile. Remember the dismantled IKEA bookcase? Shelves moved into the guest closet. Uprights now used for mattress support on a cheap frame.

The other project was beginning the rip-out of the wall between LR and kitchen. I'm doing it in little stages. Removed the lower wall panel on one side today, and the short old BILLY tucks in their nicely, but not perfectly. The bottom 2x4 was a real bitch to take out. It was heavily nailed to the floor. Had to saw and chip it out a bit at a time. Fatiquing. Good thing I have a ready couch to rest on.

Oh, and moved a few books down to behind the couch. Nobody used Encyclopedias anymore. But I'm still holding on to the set my parents bought when I was small. LOTS of good memories associated with them.

>182 2wonderY: wow. I'm impressed.

And I love the room views, the windows in the living room, the attic guest room.

What year was your house built? It looks older.

The data says 1957. Not my favorite architectural era. But I’m working with it.

I’m resting on one of the beds considering the opposite wall. Some handyman built in two closets and four banks of drawers against that wall. Made with knotty pine and recently painted white. It offers a lot of storage. I just measured the drawers and calculate it’s 77 square feet of inside space. That’s a lot.

If I took out one closet, I could fit another bed against that window wall. Not being serious about putting that on the list; just considering. There is actually enough room for four beds as it lies now.

I’ve got an old framed sign hung up there: “Furnished Rooms For Rent.”

>184 2wonderY: anything before the 1970s works for me, though I especially love the inside design of houses from the 1920s.

Somewhere in the 1970s builders started slapping down wall to wall carpeting instead of installing hardwood floors. 🙁

Okay, the gardening begins today. Spent the morning harvesting leaves from the curb. Some homeowners see them as a bother; others see treasure. The city comes around and gathers up yard debris on some kind of schedule; but I haven’t fathomed it yet. It’s cold but sunny; so off I go. Putting them under my carpet scraps when possible, as I don’t want them blowing away. That first carpet scrap on the NW corner of the house has bloomed with serious wood fungi. There is a huge stump cut even with the ground and only hidden by turf. I won’t be able to put anything in the ground there until it rots some more.

>186 2wonderY: sounds like fun! I run over the leaves with my push mower that has a bag. All ground-up leaves and grass clippings go in a pile by my compost bin, and are used as needed. I love seeing it steam!

I've not used carpet, but have used layers of cardboard to kill grass and mulch.

At one point I had layers of cardboard with a 60cm high raised bed on top over a patch of not very nice mint. For two or three years I had to carefully pull any mint from around the edges, but I was successful in killing the mint off. The mint I planted myself is all in buried units that seem to be succeeding in keeping the mint roots under control if I keep the stems from rooting.

I pretty much collected the one pile from down the street and then spent the rest of the day running errands with R and T. Pulling back onto my street, the pile that was pretty much gone is now twice as big as originally. !!!

>189 2wonderY: you struck gold!

In one of those drawers in the attic, I’ve stashed my accumulation of jewelry. I don’t collect, but just like a crow, whatever sparkles attracts me.

It reminded me of yearly visits to my Nana’s house. The bedroom we slept in also had built-in drawers. They contained my grandpa’s collection of rough jewels. It was a modest collection, but enough so that each grandchild got a piece set in jewelry at high school graduation. (Mine was a scarab.)

We rummaged quietly in those drawers. Now my grands can do the same.

I searched the address and the house hasn’t changed much; still lovingly cared for.

At 1 pm, it feels like the day should be done.

I’ve been waiting for the right day to use the spray foam insulation Great Stuff, because once you start you need to finish. Awful stuff! It gets everywhere and is hard to control. Filled gaps in living room, kitchen and attic crawl. It is much improved from previous experiences.

Then I went on to another dreaded task. Insulating the attic crawl. The Corning fiberglass is not itchy. How ‘bout that! I did find a virgin N-95 mask in with my sanding supplies, so good lung protection too. I did half the front of the house. Though needed great effort, it went smoother than anticipated.

I think that’s enough for the day.

>192 2wonderY: not itchy? How did that happen?

We had a can of Great Stuff for years, bought but never used.

I recently discovered a gap in our bathroom between the drywall and the bathtub. It had been covered up with a thin skin of caulking for years. I used some Moretite that I had on hand to plug the gap.

A google search describes a new method fusing two types of fiberglass; which makes the fibers curl. So they aren’t poke-y.

Finished the day with a trip to Lowe’s to buy two more bundles. That might be nearly enough to do the back. They do take up a lot of room till put in place.

For a while, it was an annual event in the old 100+ year old house to note all the new air gaps and critter holes and use at least one can of Great Stuff in the late fall to tighten the shell of the house. What with insulating walls and roof and replacing a quarter of the windows, it got quite comfy in the winter.

So today I will trim the cured foam and finish the re-touch painting behind the new living room shelves and put them permanently in place. Yay!

I may also further the roof insulating project. As in the siding project on the ridgetop, once I’m comfortable in tight spots, it’s best to forge on. Even with the mild chill outside, the attic is cooler than I want. Once winter sets in... I’m shocked the last owners put their small children up there. Not that it was dangerous; but today’s parents are typically much more protective. Growing up, my sisters and I slept in the unconditioned attic all year round. We spooned to stay warm.

With a nice chunk of the day taken up with Rose and Theia, I managed to forge forward with the insulating project before and after. Rafters are 24” apart, so the batts have to be stapled, as gravity wins over friction fit. I’m doing the work crouching, sitting, and on my back, as the high spot in the crawl is 4 feet. I guess I’ve never used the staple gun this long. I’ve got an emphatic thumb bruise. Another couple of hours work and I can move to the south side.

Before changing or removing my mask, I also spent time in the basement filling rim joist cavities with insulation. I’m using old old fiberglass batts there and making a mess tearing them apart.

Well earned shower and beer this evening.

Found water dripping from the tips of roofing nails this morning. I hadn’t noticed that before, but there is significant rust and corrosion. Which just means that inside moist air condensed on the very cold nails on a regular basis. Putting the fiberglass over the nails should stop this from happening, but it’s worth keeping an eye on it. Will have to attach a few strips without stapling so that I can pull them away for examination. Screws and wire perhaps.

I'm impressed with your efforts and knowledge.

>197 2wonderY: Have you got a vapor barrier on the warm side of the insulation?

Just the Kraft paper. I have put plastic barrier up in other houses. That’s always an option, though annoying.

>200 2wonderY: Plastic vapour barrier is required by the building code here, but of course it's much colder than where you are. It really is a pain to work with, though. The sealant around the edges just gets everywhere. So sticky! Our house was built in 1947, and had waxed paper for vapour barrier, which was state of the art at the time :) As we've renovated rooms, we've upgraded both insulation and vapour barrier. It's made a huge difference.

Yeah, the north is beautiful, but I’ve suffered from the cold all my life.

I finished the north side yesterday and began moving the walking boards to the other side. Jumping right back into the job this morning and have the west end well started. Must give my brachia a rest. The N95 mask shows all the dust not getting through. Not sure it can be cleaned, so I switched to a less effective mask for a while yesterday and paid for it. Will try to vacuum the front surface of the better mask. It is still working fine. I’ve got a second one, but I think I’d better save that for Covid related issues. It’s likely not replaceable for quite some time.

The morning cold was strikingly different from one side of the attic to the other. Patting myself on the back.

During my break I went down to the basement to continue removing defunct wiring and move a flexible water line (installed for fridge water and ice, which I don’t have) to make it simpler to put in the gas line to the kitchen stove. I’ve got a plumber coming in a few weeks to do that.
There is a powerful amount of cable and telephone wiring laced in the floor joists. Phone wire can come out entirely. I’m rolling up cable to where it enters, just in case it’s needed for WiFi service. I followed a line I had cut to where it was bundled with wiring out to the heat pump outside unit. Oops! Was that essential? Did I cut the thermostat line? Appears not. Whew! Furnace seems to be operating fine. But I did trace all the wiring from the inside heat pump and located AND LABELLED the thermostat line.

Okay vacuuming the mask works well! I’m using it for particle protection, not germs.

>203 2wonderY: labeling is so helpful! Our circuit box is labeled, fully, but incorrectly. Argh.

I have three aquariums with lots of heater/filter/light cords, and have them ALL labeled. It makes such a difference when a quick disconnect is needed.

Way back in >133 2wonderY: I mentioned getting Don to give me a price for bookcases at the top of the attic stairs. It’s been hit or miss and I think his boss doesn’t like small projects. He gave me a price much higher than I thought it should be, comparing it to the first job. Don offered to do it on the side from his home shop for a much better price. We shook on it today.

Just added another project to the list. The main floor walls are comfortable; but opening the coat closet by the front door lets in a blast of cold air. Two exterior walls in there need the drywall taken down and insulation added. Perhaps not this year. But I will refrain from making other improvements in that space until done.

>207 2wonderY: cold storage? 😁

Right! That’s where I’ll store my fur coats. 😎

>209 2wonderY: or turn it into a root cellar...?

That’s a thought. But, nah. Closets have always been precious. In the other house, a coat tree by the front door was what we had; and no good place for things like vacuum cleaners.

I didn’t get the attic done today; interrupted by a visit by T and her dad. They were out for a walk and she insisted coming over here. Dad took advantage of her preoccupation with my great toy collection and went off for a while, with my blessing. When he returned, he found us and all the dinosaurs in the midst of a wild tea party. Picture later.

In the attic, I’ve got all the pissy work done and 8 or so bays to staple up tomorrow. And then off to WV to check on things there.

>211 2wonderY: closets are a good thing. Last night my father (92yo) said he's gotten slack with working out, and wanted to know if I had any hand weights. I went digging through my master bedroom step-in closet and found sets of 10# and 3# dumbbells. It made me realize how much stuff could be removed or better organized...tomorrow perhaps?

You’re reasonably organized if you remembered where they were in general.

>213 2wonderY: bwahaha! Thanks. I often have a vague recollection of where something is located.

The 10# weights were in the closet, the 3# weights were under a folding bookshelf, next to the closet. Sometimes one has to be creative with storage, especially living with three other adults in a 1100 sq foot house...

I am so ready for the insulation project to be done. I started off trying to wear the same clothes from one day to the next, but couldn't face that. So, that special growing pile of clothes need washed separately. Although the new fiberglass is easy to work with, there are at least two older generations of batts; one very nasty. And then there is the loose cellulose that wants to track everywhere.

BTW, I am posting pictures on Instagram. Y'all are welcome to find me there. My user name there is twowondery.

>215 2wonderY: LOVE LOVE LOVE the tea party!

Nice to see some things don't change.

Oh, cute!

The attic crawl insulation project is DONE!! Weary body gonna take a loooong shower

>218 2wonderY: congratulations!

For a short while, I was going to inherit a sofa bed and had decided to put it in the second main floor bedroom. So Rose and I hauled the twin bed up to the attic. Theia had claimed that bedroom for midday rests (she no longer naps) and now didn’t have a bed to lie down. Planning for company at some near point, I went ahead and ordered another twin mattress and picked up a basic frame at Ollie’s. Other daughter has helped me online order these other mattresses. The first was for guests on the ridgetop. It was a non-brand and turned out to be super firm. The second was for my dad in his last months. It was a Tuft&Needle and much more comfy. So that’s what I ordered again. It arrived today and I released it from it's wrappings. I think it is mid-range in give. So now I have a Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear bed. Looking forward to Goldie visiting. 🤗

I spent a few days picking through the remaining WV piles and packed the car full. Still no room for plants though.

I’ve noticed that the mask over the thermostat also inhibits the furnace from cycling on. That’s a good thing, because it and I still wrestle on the settings. I’d rather have it slightly cool than warm usually. And just flipping the mask up activates the heat pump when desired.

The four of us had a lovely sit down dinner yesterday with best china and a tablescape with candles. Cordial for toasting, and a special decanter of red koolaid for Theia. Their napkin holders are wooden African animals, so we had fun with them while setting the table.

>221 2wonderY: glad to hear you had a lovely dinner with family.

Just read this. You AMAZE me! Love the updates on your celebration home.

>223 MrsLee:. SO good to see you here! Welcome!

Well, it’s snowing. I’ve been enjoying watching it since 4:30am. And thinking how nice that my car is in the carport. Nope. I had pulled through yesterday so that a disabled friend wouldn’t have to climb the driveway. We sat on the deck yesterday and noted the weather forecast; but the first snow usually melts on contact. Not today. It’s draped on all but the pavements. Very pretty.
I think I’ll stay in today and move some furniture, or go through some papers. Not going to the ridgetop, as I had half a thought.

The great news is the attic is just as cozy as the downstairs. I may put a table up there and begin Christmas cards. Now where is my Muppets and John Denver seasonal music?

>225 2wonderY: I love watching snow. That's it. :grin:

Well, I got into some bigger projects. Mostly kitchen.

Remember the cheap chest of drawers I painted raspberry last year? It sat in my entry in the old house and functions as an office. Notepaper tape rubber bands stapler envelopes old eyeglasses and on and on. I parked it at the end of the kitchen here, but it was slightly too big for there. So today I unloded drawers, hauled it to the attic and finally painted the top. I was going for dark grey, but again, I think the sellers had mixed up paint can lids. It turned out to be a mid-grey and matches the walls up here. I suspect there was some custom mixing after the cans were brought home, too. I think darker will look better, so will rummage some more later.

Since that end of the kitchen was cleared, i decided now was the time to remove the dishwasher. I’ve never used it, and never will. I’d much rather have the cabinet space. In fact, might mount the microwave there, as it hangs too low over the stove.
Anyway, fussed with three lines - water supply, drain, and electric power. Huh. It was hardwired into the circuit box. And the old wiring was very much frayed just where it crossed the flexible metal water line. A hazard just begging to happen.

There. Is that enough for the day? Let me see what other trouble I can get into...

One house we lived in in the sixties, my mother wanted to get rid of some very ugly wall lamps. An electrician looked behind one of them, old wiring, bad insulation, wires just stuck in the walls. He stuck it all back in, closed it up, and said he hadn't seen it. Because if he had, the whole house wiring would have had to be replaced. As I recall, that wasn't a great feeling.

But then, there were a lot of things wrong with that house. We took down a mirror to paint behind it. The old paint had only been brushed part way in without taking the mirror down. And the wallpaper back in there was little upside down boats.

Oh, and at one point the house had been moved, and the house drain hadn't been connected to anything, just lead into the old cellar hole. Which hadn't made trouble when only a couple lived there, but we were a family of six. The front lawn was somewhat aromatic, but bright green.

Bah! Daughter is Covid positive. I’m in her pod, so hunkering down even more. I personally know half a dozen people who are positive now. Kentucky has been vigilant; but I think it’s gotten away from us.

>229 2wonderY: A friend's sister tested positive a few weeks ago. She said it felt like she had a bad sinus infection or upper respiratory infection. It could have been so much worse. Hopefully your daughter recovers quickly with a minimum of symptoms!

>229 2wonderY: sorry to hear it. Does that prevent you from checking your ridgetop property?

No. There’s nobody close up there.

Yesterday’s snow eventually disappeared. This morning there is more; and this time the pavements are covered.

I found my car hatch open 🤬 this morning. Have not tried the key yet.

>233 2wonderY: argh. I've done that...

Do you have one of those jumper boxes (not sure of the technical name) that can jump your battery? I've thought about getting one.

No problem. Car started right away. Somewhat fortunately, opening the hatch doesn’t seem to trigger a light. It might on some settings, but I have never mastered all the settings on this car. Too complex!

>234 fuzzi: We had one for years - while we had a garage, and certainly used it more than once. Here the car is out at the street, quite a ways from the house so there is no place to keep one. But we certainly could have used it a few weeks ago.

Actually the auto club was here very quickly, and things worked out, but on a cold winter's day with important places to be at a certain time, it can really be very helpful. Doesn't replace getting a new battery, but can make putting it off for tomorrow more feasible.

They’re much more compact nowadays. I bought one for granddaughter and tried it out on the Mazda getting it ready for her. I was going to stow it in her vehicle, but her dad had the same thought. I returned the one I had bought.

I keep getting stymied on the under windows cases, with a continuing series of irritating tiny problems. I need a piece of wood 6” longer than I have. I need an Allen wrench which sets are both at the other properties.

So I’m chipping away at the kitchen re-muddle. Both cabinet walls are topped by bulkheads; a complete waste of space. I want that space open for storage. So I’m slowly disassembling one corner where I’ve already had to remove cabinets. (See refrigerator issue above.). Trying to come up with a plan to reconfigure, rather than remove wholesale.

It’s gonna be a long winter, I think.

On another note, the snow is proving the insulation project. Minor melt along the edges and the eaves. One spot obviously leaking air and forming an icicle. Will need to go back in and plug that hole.

>238 2wonderY: I enjoy reading your journal of sorts, and admire your willingness to tackle projects singlehandedly.

It feels good to see your work proved, doesn't it? I recall how my electric bills went down after we had a new roof installed. I chose "white" shingles (actually light gray) which apparently do reflect enough sunlight to reduce heat in the attic. :)

Argh! I forgot! When I removed the dishwasher, I left the drain connection uncapped, because I don’t have a cap for it. So when I drained the sink this morning, it poured out under the cabinet. What a pain! Now I have to do a full disassemble of the cabinet floor to allow it to dry out. That involves removing granite tiles dry set over a plywood floor, which also should come out to clean underneath that. I will take the opportunity to replace that old frayed wiring with modern wiring AND a receptacle box.

Okay, not as bad as I feared. The plywood is wet, but not but a splash underneath that.

I need to go to the hardware store, but I’m in quarantine. Do they deliver?

I had dragged the dishwasher down to the curb where it sat for a few days. This morning, while it was still dark, two men wheeled it away balanced on a bicycle. Love this community.

Went out to the ridgetop to drop off and carry stuff back into town. Found some spare 2x4 studs, both sets of Allen wrenches, hole saw bits, a rubber cap for my under sink drain, and lots of other treasures.

Jody has pulled a trailer up and placed it visible to me. Joe came and filled me in on the most recent QAnon jabber. Sigh. He did offer me his goat.

Finished drilling the hole through the kitchen floor for the new gas line. Plumber is scheduled for next week. Doing as much prep work as possible to cut the bill.

I’m finding evidence that I had bought a Porter Cable palm sander. I see the box, the owners manual, and a small collection of sandpaper, all from the cabin. This post-dates the one I found and had to toss from my WV basement. So it’s somewhere in the cabin...

>243 2wonderY: did you accept the goat?

Still not in a position to take animals.

I did thank him for taking down the plum tree and he said he’d come back and cut it up some more.

For future contemplation. I took some rags out back to hang them on the line this morning. It is sunny, and the temperature is around 40F. The metal roof of the deck has enough moisture collected on the underside that it is dripping great big drops onto the deck. Where is that water coming from?

Yesterday, I got to the end of my patience with this bookcase sitting in the middle of my bedroom.

Previous incarnation:


I built it almost 40 years ago, copying what a neighbor had built. I had decided that it needed lightened up to look good in it's new surroundings. But I'm a beginner at painting furniture, and used the wrong paint, sanded it partially off, painted the backboard 4 times before finding what I liked, waited weeks for SIL to cut the trim piece to size, found a tiny drill bit and finish nails to install the trim. It went on and on...

So finished it in a couple of hours and put it in place and emptied some boxes.

Here it is now:


It's got lots of flaws, but I no longer care. It's done!

>248 2wonderY: nice. And I like "stuff" along with the books on the shelves.

Well shoot! The gas line plumber came; he saw; he said all the lines inside need replaced. They are too small for today’s code. $$$$$$

>250 2wonderY: argh.

I spent a few days in WV and came back with a load of mostly books. Don will deliver their new home early in the week, he sez.

Also unearthed a wool blanket with a label “Orr Health” made in Piqua, Ohio. Googling tells me this was made sometime in the first half of the last century. I’d guess 40s. It’s heavier and stiffer than my other wool blankets and I spread it out on my bedroom floor for now. It feels good on the feet.

Stopped in my favorite hardware store and they cut a few inches of black pipe for me so I could size my pipes here. The plumber lied. What he identified as 3/8” is really 1/2”. I wasn’t certain because it’s the inside diameter that’s described. I plan to speak my mind to him on Monday.

>252 2wonderY: At least you did some due diligence with the pipe sizing!

The plumber didn’t lie. I should know better than to look at things in dark tight places after having packed, driven and unpacked all day. After a full night’s sleep, it was still a bit difficult; but I confirmed that my pipe is the smaller diameter. Double confirmed it with a vise grip tool. Sigh.

>254 2wonderY: well, bummer.

Rose begged me to come play with her child yesterday. Theia is in a stage where she needs another person to cooperate in her make believe and Rose is exhausted with her illness and demands of the baby. I was glad glad to finally see them again. I sat in a box on the kitchen floor for several hours while T navigated us to the moon and the library for groceries and adventure. She’s a zoomer. Tried to FaceTime her cousins, but we had technical failure.

>256 2wonderY: love it. I imagine you enjoyed it immensely.

Sure did. She’ll be coming over again this week. Yay! She really needs another toddler, but that’s not possible at the moment. I’m the substitute toddler.

Today is overcast, and a challenge to my eyes. But I’ve got lights blazing and today I will finally fasten the bookcases together and to the wall in the living room. And start filling the shelves.

Filling bookcases is always a good moment.

It's just I keep on filling them after they are full.

Having them out and in a new configuration will allow me to think again whether I need them. I’ve been pretty good about winnowing this year and last. But I did acquire a few last week because the store that took a bunch offers credit, not cash. I went in looking for Christmas gifts, but failing that....

I did pick up an odd conversation piece - a child’s biography of Louis Braille, and the text is repeated in Braille on translucent plastic interleaves. A Picture Book of Louis Braille.

>260 2wonderY: ooh. Sounds like a nice find!

Finally unloaded books into the living room cases.

https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/a7/96/a7964cd270c7ae1637343537767434...

Despite my repeated efforts, there are still imperfections on the wall behind, making the tiling project less than straightforward on top. Working on Plan B+.

>262 2wonderY: oh, I LIKE. Nice touch with the greenery around the windows.

>263 fuzzi: it’s a decorative device I’ve used extensively. These Ivy garlands are much too uniform though. I need to break it up. I had done so with fall leaves and want to hang some ornaments, but I recall I took my hook collection to Cincinnati last year and left it there. Must hunt up some paper clips.

>264 2wonderY: maybe hang some fruit, or birds?

I went to the Dollar Tree and bought hooks. Hung various red toned ornaments in small clusters. Luckily, I have a short three step ladder that can come out for this kind of job. (Yard sake find)

Went to Cincinnati yesterday and met both daughters and families at the Zoo for the Festival of Lights. Some important species were missing; polar bear and big cats, but we got very close up to others. Almost face to face with the giraffes while they were being fed. The penguins were huddled near the glass; they looked sad and miserable ☹️

Got to catch up with the older grands and exchanged gifts. We mostly shopped from our own homes; just passing treasures around. Family photos, journals and stationary, vintage clothing.

Remember the IKEA shelving? The cartons were delivered to their house months ago and sat in their garage. We packed it all in my car and Nathan’s truck. We’ll unload to my basement; but assembly is now a post-holiday project. Gotta have something to do this winter, eh?

Don delivered the bookcases. Didn’t notice the details till he’d gone. He got a couple of things wrong. Primarily, he built them with two shelves, not three. So, it’s 18 feet, instead of 27 feet. 😒 Trying to get past that error. I probably will once the stink of new paint disappears. There is some nudging and poking needed to get them installed right. Uneven floor, imprecise facing material, that sort of thing.

I had invited daughter and SIL for Christmas Eve dinner, dress up. Rose impetuously invited a couple with a new baby to come too. They don’t have nearby family. But now it’s a mid-day event. But everyone is bringing a dish; so I expect we’ll have a nice spread. Theia helped me make the dessert today, by licking the spoons and spatulas. She did a very good job of it. It was the kind of day I’d been dreaming of having with a grandchild; just the two of us messing about in the kitchen.

Here’s hoping I get to dandle the baby!

>267 2wonderY: frustrating, I know. So many places I've lived in were quite uneven. I now hang pictures by sight, and save the level for hanging wall shelves. 😉

>268 2wonderY: I want to mess around with my granddaughters...but they're too far away. Maybe weeklong visits can be arranged when they're a little older.

I did get to hold the baby for a little while. Boy that feels so good! And I got the solemn little thing to laugh while pictures were being taken.
We had a lovely meal and visit. And it snowed the whole while. Perfection.

Merry Christmas, my dear friends on LT!

Yesterday’s dinner party was a proof of concept experiment. I have one cabinet in the basement organized with the holiday china, glassware, silver serving pieces (some with mother-of-pearl handles), candles and such that I’ve been collecting. It was a pleasure not to have to hunt up the different components.
The kitchen was a perfectly adequate area for prep and staging. The table is compact, but we managed quite a nice and diverse buffet spread.
I’m glad I put beverages and dessert in a corner of the living room. Plenty of occasional tables for drinks and plates, and a couple of chairs added. The coffee table is generous enough to hold bowls of fruit and crudités without sacrificing the central display - Santa adoring the baby Jesus.
Clean up afterward was eased by using a couple of plastic wash tubs to organize the dishes, and the wash and air dry went very smoothly. (Remember, I tossed the dishwasher). Everything is put away except for the roaster.
We’ll have a breakfast casserole with ham and veggie chop this morning. Along with the traditional cinnamon rolls.

Have a very blessed day!

That Christmas Eve snow had ice under it and I slowly slid down the driveway yesterday morning on my way to daughter’s house. Parked on the street after. It was 15F last night but should be mid 40s today, so it will all melt. I thought I had a container of ice melt, but danged if I can find where it is stashed.

Even the smallest projects are getting done nowadays. That trunk between the beds up in >182 2wonderY: had lost a fabric handle during the UHaul move. There is a booth in a local antiques mall that sells leather; and I found a roll of strapping the correct width. I had to drill the holes on either end where a bolt runs through for attaching to the trunk. Who knew a drill bit would work on leather? But I lack the proper hole punch tool. So a very slow speed with the leather resting on a wood scrap worked well enough. Another job done; check.

The day after Christmas is almost always the laziest day of the year. It was so here. The only thing I accomplished was assembling one of the Kallax units in the basement. Still haven’t painted that wall and there is still insulation to stuff along the perimeter. I hate insulating though it must be done. The basement is cooler than it should be and I’m noticing cold floors on the main floor along the outside walls.

Hope you have a safe and enjoyable New Year's!

I’m in West Virginia working in the project/junk room. Daughter wants a sewing table; so I’m giving her the components. Beginning to sort all of the craft supplies. Not moving it yet; just taking rough inventory.
It’s a relief to realize that most of the piles of boxes in several rooms are actually empties.

Had to repair a window in the dining room that is far gone rotted and was gaping open at the top. Oddly, this house is so well insulated and heated that didn’t notice the cold air coming in till I stood next to the window.

>275 2wonderY: whew, three homes, three times the repairs...

I'm in! Holy cow, Ruth, have I been gone so long? Your house is beautiful and I would kill for a skylight. I rented a house for a year in DC that had one and the light from it always seemed magical to me. I'll set up a thread on my new house- it's my first! I've always rented and now I'm a land baron! OK, a .34 acre baron, gently sloping with a red barn for a tool shed and about a hundred bird feeders. I close on 1 Feb and will even leave some!

Yay! Larry’s here! The party warms up a few degrees. I can’t wait to hear and see about your grand adventure. Wow! That’s a nice chunk of land. You’ll have to manage it to avoid getting caught behind a mower all the time.
Skylights. I do so love them too. I’d like to replace these tiny ones with larger; but realistically probably won’t. When my SIL and crew replaced the cabin roof, I was in the bedroom reveling in the sunshine while the old roof was gone, and asked if they could just leave it open like that.

>277 SomeGuyInVirginia: woo! I'm a 1/3 acre baron too, but in NC.

I want to see your house and bird feeders; I only have 8 (bird feeders, not houses).

I’m back with another load from West Virginia. Found the box containing my favorite picture books. T can help me unpack it today.

The clean up of the old house is progressing satisfactorily. But I am finally realizing that it contained enough furnishings for two households and several lifetimes. My storage wall in this basement will go a good way toward handling what I keep; and I’m already proving that I will utilize some of what has been stashed for good deeds and fruitful projects. Just have to develop some restraint and discrimination. I’m thankful I have the luxury of doing this move my way.

Shortly after posting yesterday’s report, i was busily putting the last of the new stuff away when I popped something in my lower back. Immediately disabled. Aleve and heat made quick improvements and a Theia hug helped as well. I was able to take her for the day and we did quiet activities. I have a “plague box” from Sunday school skits that is full of frogs and other reptiles that we dumped out. They had all sorts of adventures, playing leapfrog and dancing to Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks

We read Paddiwak & Cozy multiple times.
We lounged on my bed and went through my jewelry box.

I later switched to ibuprofen and found more relief. Almost all better.

Oldest daughter brightened the day, sharing the news that Viennetta ice cream cake is returning!

>281 2wonderY: Wishing you a speedy recovery! I dread any pop in my back now...even the ones that turn out to be benign. I've learned the hard way that instant rest and a heating pad is the fastest method to recovery. Working from home makes that so much easier now.

Yikes! I'm glad you feel better, back pain is the worst.

Still doing the ibuprofen once a day and heat pack frequently; but I’m not feeling crippled now.

Hey, I’ve got gas!

Or, I’m cookin’ with gas. The plumbers just left after re-plumbing the lines to hot water heater and kitchen stove. Three nice young men. I gave them a bottle of cordial as they were leaving. And then I warmed some soup. Hey, it’s way past my bedtime. Too late to get fancy.

>284 2wonderY: glad you're feeling some better. And that you've got gas!

Still babying my back, but back to babysitting regularly. Ha! I just re-read that sentence.

Just doing small projects, finding ways to tuck items away. I put a floor in the cabinet above the stove. It had been butchered when the microwave was installed. That gives me some nice space for spice bottles and measuring cups (and a package of Oreos.). Also judiciously hanging tools on the sides of the cabinets.

>286 2wonderY: Oreos should always have their own place in the kitchen!

One year when travelling in the US we checked how many different kinds of Oreos each supermarket had. I believe some had a dozen - not counting different size packages.

And except for the double-stuffed, they’re all garbage. Give me the original please! And the knock-off versions are no good either.

T keeps me right to heel most of the day. But her dad mentioned yesterday morning that he was headed to Lowe’s. Hmmm. What could I have him pick up for me? 🤔💡Please bring two full sheets of pegboard! They don’t fit in my vehicle, but he has a truck. Half a wall in the basement will be pegboard storage. !!! Exciting. He admitted today that he’s jealous of my basement.

I’ve also been scratching a winter itch from childhood, assembling jigsaw puzzles. Fond hours spent with my dad hunched over the card table. This last one has been a bear, spread out all over the attic floor. I believe the itch is satisfied.

The other fussy task I’ve been up to is sorting my collection of beads, particularly seed beads. It’s fairly large; having picked up collections at yard sales. I’ve got three repair projects (two sweaters and a pillow cover) and I’m chagrined that I don’t have what’s needed.

>289 2wonderY: You want some jigsaws? I have a huge collection! I can post pics to my Flickr of everything (I might already have them posted just hiding) and you can choose.

>289 2wonderY: Seed beads reproduce once you have reached a certain population. But you never, ever have the one you need. They mutate.

You both are hilarious!

>291 MarthaJeanne: It's true! Same for spools of thread.

>292 2wonderY: Soooo, that's a yes? ;)

I’ll peek. I’m now curious.

T just got herself tangled in my box of threads. Came looking for me to help her unwind!🤪

This is the one I’ve been working on

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/qbsAAOSwtEpfMZVx/s-l400.jpg

Unlike most puzzles, starting with the edge pieces doesn’t work well. Gotta do them in blocks.

I like that one. I have a half finished one of shelves of wine bottles. It now is buried under 20-30 cm of needlework bits and pieces. It was horrible! If I manage to work down to it I will throw it away.

>296 2wonderY: I like that!

It’s yours if you want it.

Did I mention the oven door handle broke during the move? Turned out the mounts were chrome colored plastic, not metal. Harumpf. This is a 30 year old kenmore, black and steel (I thought) and it’s been an awesome appliance. Daughter wants to inherit it, it has that much class.
Well, Sears no longer exists and no one makes replacement parts and the internet records a sale several years ago for $98. For 2 inches of plastic! I asked my cabinetmaker to make replacements, and he just delivered them; made of maple. How snazzy is that? Now I just need to disassemble the inside of the door and screw them on.
I’ve already roasted a turkey without having a door handle on. The insulation properties are fine, so there was no danger; it was just a little awkward.

I finally got to the basement painting job.



That wall is 32 feet long. There will be three Kallax units that size centered on the wall and flanked by two more that are 5x5 rather than 4x4. The larger ones wouldn't have fit under that hvac pipe and the windows.

Better lighting is also on the agenda.

The other project I’m starting is the rehab of two matching oval picture frames with convex bubble glass. It’s amazing that they have survived being propped in a corner for years and then the move. Hoping that handling them is not bad luck. Working on reconstructing the backs. Do you know how hard it is to faithfully trace and cut on an inside curve? The frames themselves are fairly plain, with a bit of knocked about damage. Not sure whether to paint them or just leave them be. Will use them to display some of my favorite antique buttons.

Caught up, enjoyed reading about your industriousness (word?) and your continued resourcefulness.

Another trip to WV. Most of what is left is purely optional. If I bring it back just a little bit at a time, perhaps I can let go of it. T and I played with a set of Bob & Doug McKenzie figures today. The dogs we usually play with stole the burger/steaks off the grill and there were some random squirrels and turtles milling about too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_and_Doug_McKenzie

I brought one of the last good rugs and replaced the junk rug in the 2nd bedroom. The replaced rug ( picked up for $5) was awful for collecting debris and not wanting to let it go when vacuumed. It’s down in the basement at the moment helping to cushion projects from the tile floor and will join others in the yard later this year for garden making.

>304 2wonderY: Bob and Doug action figures? Who knew? Well, obvs some people, but not me! There are statues of them in downtown Edmonton - google "bob and doug mckenzie statue" for pictures :)

Ha ha! They haven’t changed!

The day is mine. I’m being completely lazy and blaming it on the outside temperature - 16F. Lounging on an electric heating pad and enjoying the backyard view of a snowy maple tree and brilliant sunshine.

>307 2wonderY: my mom used to call that a Mental Health day!

I’ve only had T half a day this week, but continued to laze for a few days and even (gasp!) read a whole physical book. Eyesight is beginning to make that tiring and a challenge. Cataract in the right eye is progressing.

Yesterday I went to Lowe’s though for fresh supplies. Today I buckled down and finished re-mounting the oven door handle. It was a bit tricky, and I’m so glad I went slowly and measured, measured, measured. Now I want to bake cookies.

I had a freaky rapid-progression cataract in my left eye that only took about a year and a half to ripen completely. I got it taken out, had no complications, and now the eyesight in my left eye is perfect. I've worn glasses all my life so having perfect vision, at least in one eye, still amazes me.

>310 SomeGuyInVirginia: Oh wow! That’s reassuring. I do need to switch my eye care soon to KY. I have the paperwork stashed in the closet... And I know which practice I want to use in Lexington.

You know how old bedframes sometimes sag enough to allow a slat or two to fall out? I got sick of that happening today and tore the bed apart enough to insert a couple of brackets to prevent it from ever happening again.

Sun is out, but bitter cold is forecast for later in the week. I should go check on the other house, as the heat is on, but low, and manually controlled.

Worked a part of the day in the basement, going back to insulating the perimeter (abandoned earlier at less than half way) and mounting strips for the pegboard wall. I will need a second pair of hands to hang the pegboard itself. The basement is a wreck at present, but the master plan is still ruling.

>312 2wonderY: which house, the WV one?

I wasn't sure if you'd ever gotten a heating system installed in the ridge top home.

Yes, WV. And you are right. The ridgetop still has no heat.

Today I got the pegboard up and T helped me organize and hang tools. There is still an awful lot that needs shelved rather than hung.

>315 2wonderY: I'm enjoying your organization activities vicariously. :)

Me too! I'm in Lynchburg today through Thursday morning and it was in the '60s here. Being the fresh air fiend that I am I opened up all the windows and doors. It was really nice.

Here’s Larry very soon:

https://natedsanders.com/ItemImages/000032/48563j_lg.jpeg

I’m in WV to check on the house and sort more piles. The decisions get harder, as there are still several cases full of best beloveds and no more room!
A power transformer blew this morning and I happened to be in my car charging the phone when the repair guy came. I caught the second half of his operation on video and posted it on Instagram. Very impressed. No ladder; just a telescoping pole to replace the part.

>319 2wonderY: safe travels. I heard that central VA was hit by an ice storm, not sure how WV was faring.

I’ve been hunkered down. Today would have been a good day to travel, but I’m not quite ready. And besides I ordered a bunch of 3 Little Pig books from the Ohio library and can’t pick them up till at least Tuesday. IF the library opens that day. We’re expecting another two waves of snow and ice and 5F later this week. So planning to stay here a few more days. T is getting restless not able to come visit but we’re FaceTiming.

I do have to try recording our TLP story act. It is quite hilarious.

Happy Valentine's Day!

>322 SomeGuyInVirginia: Thanks and back atcha!

I’m thinking I maybe haven’t shared the delight of Theia with the Three Little Pigs story. I have a large collection of doll house sized animals and they rotate on the shelves depending on the season. The main farm animals live in the barn that stays out. The polar bears have been playing on a shelf of ice and snow recently. The brown bears have their own box upstairs. You’ve seen the wolf standing next to Red on the doll shelf. There is a pack of dogs that get into all kinds of adventures.

An example pic:

https://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/6c/73/6c73b728c304648636e69727841415...
(That’s Gentleman Jim, btw.)

Well, I gathered up three pigs from various places and we found or built the straw, wood and brick houses, and I introduced T to the story. In our story, the wolf is never satisfied. The piggies always manage to scurry to the next house. We’ve played it so many times I’ve had to hide the wolf when my voice gives out. T’s part is “Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!” and run, run, run while the Wolf pursues. I can nearly hear her heart THUB THUB during this action, along with hysteric laughter. It’s the best time ever!
I promise to try to get photos and a video next time we play.

The microwave refused to re-set after the power outage; which made the next few days less comfy. I took advantage of today’s sunshine and clean roads to drive back to KY and got here just in time before the next snowstorm blew in. There is 2” of ice on walks and stairs. I parked on the street and laid bath towels out so I could walk back and forth safely. It’ll be at least Saturday before I leave the house again. It’s really coming down. Beautiful hazard.

>324 2wonderY: glad you made it home safely!

Spent a couple of hours sledging away at the ice from porch, steps, walk and more steps down to the car. There was 6 inches of snow to shovel off from last night first and then 3 inches of ice on the steps. Didn’t get them cleared entirely, mostly the front halfs so that one can at least side step up safely. Got a few things unloaded but gave up when the snow flurries returned. Hot cocoa time.
Praying for those without heat or shelter. What a mess!

I had T today for about 11 hours while her parents went to TN to buy a car. We had a good day and I discovered she is willing to cuddle and look at books towards bedtime; which is sweet. But, I’m lounging in the living room on a heating pad; too drained to get up and go to bed.

>327 2wonderY: whew, 11 hours...

Amen sister. I made the mistake of packing all my stuff myself, and I'm in Lynchburg this weekend having loaded up a van full of fragile stuff to bring down. And unload. My knees and left hip ache so badly that I've got a reminder on my telephone to take a Motrin every 5 hours. I called the mover today and said that I'm just going to turn absolutely everything over to them, including packing up the food storage and the kitchen. I'm just going to sit in my car with Parker and watch the world go by while they do this.

The painter came over today and I went over how to put the metallic paint on the ceiling without getting flashing lines from the roller. We only worked on it for about 30 minutes when he asked how long it would take, and I said 'Quinton, to do it right it's going to take you 5 more hours to do the ceiling'. He's going to come back on Sunday to finish while I'm not here. But even smearing a thin layer of paint over what he had done has helped. With metallics, after you've covered the surface thoroughly, you have to put a very little amount of paint on the roller and then go over the surface in a w pattern until you're not pushing any more paint around and your dry rolling. God bless him, he's determined. he says he's never worked with anything like this before and doesn't know anybody who has, so I've taught him a new skill at least. He's a talented painter but getting him to see that there's more to putting paint up than rolling it back and forth or using a sprayer has been like pulling teeth.

Mend quickly, Ruth!

So where will you stay tomorrow? Isn’t your apartment all packed up? I’ll bet Quinton is tickled to learn a new technique and be paid as well.

I did sleep well last night and Rose and T brought me breakfast and a tour of the new vehicle - a Forrester (sp?)
I should be working in the basement, but it’s too chilly for now. Insulating is what needs done. And the only heat is a duct overhead, and that’ll never be effective. Looks like we’ll have an early spring though.

Up above somewhere (>252 2wonderY:) I gave history of one of my wool blankets. I pick them up at yard sales for a dollar apiece. I think they’re treasures.

North Star Blankets were made in Minneapolis Minnesota from 1864 to 1959. Well, the plant moved to Ohio in the later years. So my blanket is at least 60 years old. Not a bad record.
Chatham AirLoom blankets have been made since 1877, and were a major military supplier through WW2 and continued through 1988. The company was based in North Carolina.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-chatham-blanket

I like the part where the wool providers were paid in finished goods.

I knew I had at least one more here and at least another in WV.

I found two identical weaves in the big trunk, but one had to be cut down because the top and bottom were so threadbare. Esmond Slumberest was made from 1906 to 1948 in Springfield, Rhode Island.

https://www.valleybreeze.com/2017-05-24/observer-smithfield-west/esmond-mill-int...

Mine are blue and white weave like this:

https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images4/1/1015/08/vtg-genuine-esmond-slumbere...

They made some beautiful jacquard weave patterns.

Well, Worthpoint is stingy and won’t let me share the picture.

My dh used to work in a woolen mill, Warren of Stafford. I wish we still had the blue/black and red/black buffalo check stadium blankets he received as bonuses.

ETA: story about the mill here... https://tinyurl.com/y4shkw66

Now that the freeze is over, we’ve got the rain. Flash flood warnings. Despite the work last fall, none of my gutters are draining properly. I did go out during a lull and add a connector that keeps one downspout from dumping water down my foundation; and the sump pump is already running less frequently. Looks like a full replacement of gutters is in the cards.

Hahahahahaha

Yeah, the sump pump quit entirely. Basement filled to 6 or 7 inches before SIL returned from Lowe’s with a replacement. If it had been 20 minutes later, store would have been closed.
And of course my waders are not here.

>336 2wonderY: ack. I'm sorry.

Glad I was here when it happened, and very glad for SIL! The floor is not even and there are areas that will need a wet vac tomorrow, but there was much less damage than I expected.

Gah, Ruth I am so sorry. You face adversity the way my brother faces his neurological pain. When he gets a particularly bad jolt he'll start laughing and say "Oh man that was a good one!"

Ok, in going to try and get back to sleep. B I'm glad the damage was mitigated.

The house stayed comfortable last night without the furnace running. But T is here today and I got tired of waiting for the insurance adjuster to come and advise from much more experience. So I flipped the breaker and it all came back online, with just a cough from the condensate pump. Last evening, it was trying valiantly to clear the floor by itself. The thermostat was grumpy at the time gap, but reported it’s 64F inside, and working to bring it up to 68.

It occurs to me that the picture book I recently bought and have on display, Water is Water lacks any reference to the hazards of water. A defect?

Ye cannae dew tha', Captain, yewl overload the thingies and blew us all ta the Galactic Barrier!

I'm really glad that the damage was kept 'at bay'.

Garden weather! I had brought a chunk of daffodils from the old yard, but feared they weren’t protected enough from the frigid weeks in a bag on the carport. They are fine! T helped me spade up a clump of lambs ears for her mom (T called them bunny tails all on her own, before I named them for her.). And we filled the resulting hole with the daffys. Then we decided to float boats along the curb. We were in the gutter when her mama came to get her.

Still doing cleanup in the basement. Found a cardboard box full of plastic boxes of sorted buttons. Only the bottom two layers were wet, but buttons had to be rinsed and dried, so plates full are staged around the house. Buttons are meant to get wet, but some are more delicate. Antique horn buttons shouldn’t soak. They might delaminate. Old metal buttons sometimes have a layer of cardboard under the decorative face. And then rust is a hazard too. So we were using the hair dryer to dry them and T would recover the ones that felt liberated enough to fly away.

On a more serious note, there is a section of paneling that got more soaked and is starting to mold. Thinking about removing some of it before I put the space back together.

Damn Ruth, I'm really sorry. My mom collected buttons so it's a thing. Was it wood paneling that got soaked? Can you hit it with a bleach solution?

It’s the ugly cheap kind, so no great loss. I had already contemplated removing it, but everyone seems to value a “finished basement” no matter how cheaply it’s done. The appraiser did so. Now it’s just complicated by storage pieces and work table already in place. Daughter helped me move one set away yesterday. It delays the end of the project, but may offer opportunities for improvements as well.

>344 SomeGuyInVirginia: Oh! Was she a member of a state club or NBS? We may have two degrees of separation going?

No, nothing like that. I think she got a shoebox full from my grandmother and just started buying them when she found them. She had a great big glass container and kept them in it and on a shelf in the living room. There is a slim chance that I've got them and if I do I'd be happy to send them to you. But it's a slim chance and if I do it's just because I kept the glass canister. If it's there, it's with the stuff that's been in storage for so long.

All of which should be here in about an hour....

That’s how my sister and I got started. It was a fatal attraction for me.

Have a great hazard-free day!

I’m in WV to check up on things here. No problems. I’m still struck by the temperature comfort level in this 100+ yo house compared to the 60+ yo house. But it must be the wall insulation I’ve added here. Contemplating having blown insulation added in KY at some point. Will work all the other angles first though.
I did buy a portable AC unit for upstairs because it was such a good price at Ollies. It is stashed on the carport, (on a pallet!) in its carton. If it turns out it’s not needed, because of the insulation work already done, I can return it, or pass it on.
I had thought I wouldn’t be moving more stuff just yet, because of the basement pause. But this gives me opportunity to move garden and deck stuff instead; which had been lower on the list.

Still way too many books here!

>349 2wonderY: interesting about the insulation differences.

Ollies often has good stuff. I have four three gallon buckets that I bought there, of very sturdy plastic with metal handles. I use them for aquarium water changes (I have three tanks).

I don't recall, do you have a shed at the new house?

Nah. Just a small tool closet on a corner of the carport. It’s not even big enough to house the lawnmower, which has sat on the back deck all winter. Gotta remedy that, but very little space for it, what with narrow lot and slopes.

Where do you get the energy?! I don't think you even drink coffee, do you?

Parker is practically his old self now just like you said he would be.

It’s good genes. I’m 66 and can work rings around most people. No coffee, but gallons of tea.

Packed a rolling cart for the basement, and a double washtub stand for the yard. By the time I had packed around them I’d forgotten to leave room for the wash tubs.
I need plywood for flooring that under eave space so I can tuck Christmas decorations back there. Aha! I have a stack out in the garage. Poked around out there just a little bit. Lots of treasures still.
Then the hard work. Digging up perennials for transplanting. The most valuable is a climbing rose that used to be stunning, but has declined the last couple of years. I’m hoping it’s just a matter of better sun. It’s irreplaceable, as the parent plant no longer exists. Peonies, lily of the valley, another bulb the name escapes me now, and a couple of baby hollies.

Oh, and the birdies are finding aggressive ways to nest in siding and soffits. Fiberglass insulation strewn all over the lawn. I finally looked up in the right place. Had to get a ladder and improvise a barrier.

And nearly lost my best pruners because I set them down in stupid places. Finally found them on my last gasp look on top of the trash barrel.

Cut a huge armful of forsythia wands for forcing.
I smell like spring.

Scilla.

Drat! The car is all unpacked; and my electric heating pad seems to have been left behind. **grumble**

T cracks me up. She notices everything that is newly added. I brought out a few spring and Easter decorations. (Yay SPRING!) She handled each piece, but she attached to an artificial clump of grass. Something like this:



She carried with her all day.

>356 2wonderY: gotta love young children!

A high grammar lesson from T today: “No, I am’t.” Didn’t know this was proper English, but it is.
She also said her mother was in the gallery. (It overlooks the living room, according to T.)

Rose is planning to bring her tiller over Saturday to start a bed in the front yard.

Today we played on the back deck. I made repairs to the porch swing I brought last fall, got the ladder out and put hooks in the beam and hung the swing. Ah!!! I love lounging on a porch swing. T loves swinging high and screaming.

I've always loved the porch swing too, but I don't see them very often anymore. I have a small porch and, while I could fit a rocker out there, there really isn't room and it would just look stupid. Which is too bad because I really like to see what the neighbors are getting up to. And by 'looking stupid' what I really mean is 'looking like I'm sitting on the porch to spy on my neighbors'. the first rule of spying on your neighbors is to not look like you're spying on them.

>359 SomeGuyInVirginia: What are you doing up in the middle of the night? Restlessly pacing out the new territory; gloating and planning?

Started digging spots for peonies and rose, etc. still not prepared with a master plan, but these babies need set in soil. The first thing, my neighbors across the street hailed me and told me what might be coming up on my front bank and then gave me a tour of their decorative yard. Then she gave me armfuls of plant starts and he brought over a barrel of shredded leaves.
Also kept catching another neighbor’s rambunctious pup who keeps slipping his leash.
The city has big noisy trucks working in the underground lines right in front. A bustling neighborhood today!

>361 2wonderY: what's coming up on your front bank?

All I’ve seen is lambs ears, but supposedly decorative grasses and cactus too; none of which suit my taste. I was taking out the clumps of lambs ear to put in peonies. I do need to come up with a terracing plan, as it was difficult to keep my footing. Daughter can bring scrap iron from her workplace, and panels of that might work if anchored properly.

Lamb's ears and peonies can co-exist. The lamb's ears will not bloom (if you let them) until after the peonies are gone. Great companions.

>364 Tess_W: These are purely disreputable looking. I’ve got a hole in the backyard that is a convenient spot for some disposals, but I want them gone. So bin composting them or giving them away.

Or, hey, there might be money in them!:

https://www.bergdorfgoodman.com/p/john-richard-collection-lambs-ear-topiary-prod...

>365 2wonderY: These are what mine look like, about June and the bees love them! If you don't like the tall spikes, you can cut them off and then the soft silky ears are just ground cover. I will say that they want to take over whatever area they are in.

It was a cool cloudy morning here, but some friends came to sit on the back deck and drink tea. All of a sudden we were treated to a wealth of bird song. I may need to learn to identify them in this fashion, as my eyesight diminishes. A couple of scout Canadian geese flew by.

I’ve been wanting to remove the paint from the top surface of my kitchen table ever since I moved it here. Attempted today, with an old, but never opened jug of Safest Stripper. It was so safe, it did nothing. I looked it up and found an old review from 1989. Yep. That was the reviewer’s conclusion too.

As I shared with my children:

“I have found my favorite spot in the universe. Porch swing on the back deck.“

>368 2wonderY: mine is on the stone bench by my ponds. The mosquitoes aren't out in full force yet so I can sit there in the early morning or at dusk. It's relaxing, listening to the water.

>368 2wonderY:. That does sound like paradise. Jeez, I haven't seen a porch swing and I don't know how long.

I was up at 2:30 a.m. planning world domination. Like always.