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September 4, 2004

just over a year

In which we recap some accomplishments towards building further enthusiasm.

By necessity, we started with the yard. We've taken the outside from being a crazy, overgrown, abandoned haven for spiders and prostitutes to something almost nice. We've pulled down sprawling oversized bushes and weed-trees and pulled out that awful dog pen and a chainlink fence. We've also removed a giant pile of refuse. The front and back yards are better for us and our neighbors, and in the process has become a safe haven for small herd of fixed cats ([1][2]).

We have mostly sealed the exterior of the house. The new windows have proven to be good insulation agianst the weather and the neighborhood noises. The roof was mostly repaired, but still has some issues. As part of the ongoing roof experience, I've learned how to get up there on a ladder (which scared the piss out of me in the begining, to the point that I just could not climb up). We've started pulling off that awful shingle that covers the house. We've also learned about replacing siding and doing smalll repairs to the actual structure.

We've torn out kitchens upstairs and down, and rebuilt the downstairs kitchen into something nice. We learned something about drywall and tile and cabinets and just 'how to get started' while doing that.

Most of the downstairs has had the plaster and lathe pulled out out, and some insulation and rewiring has taken place. We've learned where the termites were, and have taken steps to prevent their return. We still need to finish getting the plaster out of the house and to repair some of the termite damage. Then we'll need to finish the wiring and insualtion and then put up drywall (or blue board?!?)

We've actually bought the house and started the process for tax abatement. We're also looking into some more tax credits that we've heard about.

We're looking now for a contractor to rebuild the porch out back. Getting the porch solid will work towards getting the last of the roof issues taken care of, and will immensely improve our feelings about the back of the house. It will also help in getting rid of the pigeons by removing one of their favorite perches.

We're also looking for someone to deal with the old ductwork under the house. We need to get that tight before it gets cold again... We spent an incredible amount last winter staying 'not cold'. The insulation and more efficient delivery should make a big difference this winter.

Our old house has weathered a hurricane, an earthquake, and a tropical storm in the past 12 months and has come through just fine.

So -- a certain stage of completeness is in sight, even as we are finding it difficult to make the time to get anything house-related accomplished. We're both looking forward to seeing more of this through and apprehensive about the coming winter.

We'd also like to thank everyone that has sent an encouraging email or posted a comment. Getting a question and being able to answer it gives us that 'wow, we have learned something' feeling. And, knowing that this kind of thing is interesting to other people helps re-ground us when it gets to feeling ridiculous and/or overwhelming. Stick around, we have big plans for the next year or so...

Posted by john m at September 4, 2004 7:45 AM

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