tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67227051667114588102024-02-20T22:22:08.901-08:00This Effing HouseHome improvement empathy for the DIY'er.Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-47723391002062492832011-03-18T18:31:00.000-07:002011-03-18T18:48:39.734-07:00The kindness of strangersI'm really not amazed by the generosity of people. In the news biz, despite all the bad news, we encounter lots of good people, doing good deeds, without much of a reward.<div><br /></div><div>So it's nice that a good deed has helped me complete the laundry room. I asked a colleague where I could get a butcher block countertop from IKEA cut into two pieces. He suggested a friend at his church who is a cabinet maker.</div><div><br /></div><div>He took the pieces to his friend and returned them, in beautiful condition.</div><div><br /></div><div>A week later, I'm adding these pieces and helping put finishing touches on my room. My cost? A batch of cookies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-47493440789710353762010-11-25T07:16:00.000-08:002011-01-26T07:06:08.557-08:00How to paint a ... oh look! A puppy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_-7BsViNBe4uO1cihPb5YrdoYNkJDFzmbjEH4t3a2Q4lKcKw-ISGLBHpKt4CxAZ-bHN4hgW8FIaQew_M_Kse_RTuCAOcDAAnq_79bsY3-Al3befIxl-Qk1hrKL9C44VlOGWu9SvMev8/s1600/IMG_0430.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_-7BsViNBe4uO1cihPb5YrdoYNkJDFzmbjEH4t3a2Q4lKcKw-ISGLBHpKt4CxAZ-bHN4hgW8FIaQew_M_Kse_RTuCAOcDAAnq_79bsY3-Al3befIxl-Qk1hrKL9C44VlOGWu9SvMev8/s200/IMG_0430.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566511041139500530" /></a><br />In the midst of about half a dozen home improvement endeavors, another aftermath of layoffs at work, two night classes and more responsibilities with my professional group, I got a puppy.<div><br /></div><div>Never had one before. I am a cat person, who was living quietly with two overweight and lethargic felines. But a few months ago, I saw this litter of puppies that were rescued by a colleague.</div><div><br /></div><div>One stood out, because she looked like a miniature St. Bernard. When another colleague decided she couldn't take the dog, I volunteered instead. This dog had to be a part of my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>She's a lot of work. And her presence has halted almost all the work on my house. I was adding insulation to exterior walls in my laundry room. I had to hire the rest of the work out -- but it was drywalling and adding trim, work best left to a professional anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had a dog door added as well, so Da Puppee can find shelter in colder weather during the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>But that's pretty much halted the rest of my projects -- exterior painting, more insulation and the bathroom.</div><div><br /></div><div>My life has become a bit more complicated, I'm losing sleep, I'm not concentrating at work and Da Katz aren't exactly crazy about this new companion. Yet I'm in love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slowly, I'm working away at outstanding DIY -- my goal in 2011 is to get the 2010 projects done.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-9262225059506199812010-10-11T18:56:00.000-07:002010-10-20T17:43:32.244-07:00Home gawking -- Florida<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi600Akx4RqNx9nJ5vqynTkUNL0JT7_vsEX65SxxLN4BOPrpeDO1ujNpmMYMifNSIhBDQj-NK62mGXEPVULLc9MuKbOk6i0c4Sboto65lwBvXL2iRCrbsu2cr_GstyOUL6CuWB4yWZ96Yk/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi600Akx4RqNx9nJ5vqynTkUNL0JT7_vsEX65SxxLN4BOPrpeDO1ujNpmMYMifNSIhBDQj-NK62mGXEPVULLc9MuKbOk6i0c4Sboto65lwBvXL2iRCrbsu2cr_GstyOUL6CuWB4yWZ96Yk/s320/IMG_0180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526974904770201122" /></a><br />Newest batch o' <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bguzior/sets/72157625207636440/">Flickr photos</a> shows some photos of homes taken in St. Augustine and the Old Northeast neighborhood of St. Petersburg. Beautiful, beautiful structure of the homes -- Victorian and Craftsmen style.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-3981214196343069522010-09-27T21:05:00.000-07:002010-09-28T05:01:47.642-07:00Google search: "window locks with uneven windows"Have you ever just gone bats over how to get the details right on a project? For three days, I have been studying window locks, in search of some eternal answer to the question: How do you put them on right?<div><br /></div><div>Flashback: Redoing laundry room; disassembling single hung windows, stripping them of old paint, dislodging upper panes so air won't leak out, putting them back in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that they don't have decades of paint sealing them, I'm in need of window locks.</div><div><br /></div><div>I go buy window locks. Let's try this type. Hmm, not many instructions. Let's dry-fit it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nope, won't work. The ledge of the upper pane won't quite meet with the ledge of the lower pane, giving an uneven surface for the lock installation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Buy different window locks, one that might provide a little "give" for an uneven surface. I screwed two in, but one only locks halfway and other pulled out a screw when locking. As my father would say, "pretty Polack." I would say, McGyver gone wrong.</div><div><br /></div><div>I then found myself at a home improvement show, eyeballing the perfect locks on some vinyl windows. Salesman swiftly is aside me like a vampire in Louisiana. Damn, perfect factory window locks. To appease him, I stuff a brochure into the complimentary bag (provided by a law firm that is growing leaps and bounds over foreclosures).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, the Goggle search, as titled above</div><div><br /></div><div>First up, mrs. fix-it, or something like that:</div><div><br /></div><div><table width="640" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color:#009999;">1.</span></b> Remove the broken lock (making sure that your window is closed tightly so that you get a good fit).</span></td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><table width="640" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color:#009999;">2.</span></b> Take your replacement lock and put it on the window sash directly in the center, with half of the lock resting on the outer sash and half on the inner sash.</span></td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><table width="640" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color:#009999;">3.</span></b> Using a sharp pencil, trace the lock and mark the holes where the screws should be.</span></td></tr><tr><td> </td></tr></tbody></table><table width="640" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><b><span style="color:#009999;">4.</span></b> Remove the lock and drill holes for the screws. Put the lock back on the window frame and tighten the screws.<br /><br />Did all that, Missy. they meet unevenly. Let's modify the search...adding the word "sash."<br /><br />OK, this from a Virginia energy website: </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;">Properly installed window locks should pull the sashes together tightly and should hold them firmly against the window frame. Re- placement locks are available in most hardware stores.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;">no shit.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, aurora88, on the historichomeworks blog discussion board, certainly was obsessing about this very thing. In 2007, he sought help, and got a bit of it -- although he rejected some of it because he wanted something "refined." </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Me, too. aurora88, me too.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Jade is helping, very helpfully, but here comes Johnleeke, (Site Administrator) who's now posted some 1886 patent on a window sash tightener. Surely available at your nearest Amish Home Depot.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; color:#1a1a18;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nobody else is buying your 19th century bags of goods, mister johnleeke. </span></span></span></p><p color="#1a1a18" style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p color="#1a1a18" style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">eHow don't know how you want to do that when you can buy nice windows from someone. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Finally landed on a book excerpt from Terry Meany, who wrote a book called "Working Windows." Seems to think like the masses. I will either scout down the book or find the author.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And tomorrow morning, I will peek over again to those windows and see I can't find my own way. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Suggestions welcome!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-62107045307152357952010-09-02T18:23:00.000-07:002010-09-02T18:40:11.279-07:00DIY DNAMy father died when I was 10 years old. Today is the anniversary of his death.<div><br /></div><div>I don't dwell upon this much -- most years I don't even think about it until a couple of days later. I have few fond memories; few memories, actually. His death sent our family into a financial hole that he could have prevented with better insurance. He was older, had heart trouble, and, as they say, was pretty emotional unavailable - a product of his day.</div><div><br /></div><div>When he died, he had just finished rehabbing the attic of our home. We bought it two years before, and he tackled the reno with gusto. I remember him using hand saws. Stuffing insulation into attic eaves. Putting up drywall. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dad updated a half bath, created a back room and put in a drop ceiling. I helped a lot as a nine-year-old would: grabbing tools for him, running up and down the stairs and watching him as he measured and planned.</div><div><br /></div><div>Flash forward. Here I am, stuffing insulation, using hand saws, and measuring (although probably not as successfully). Not a bad legacy.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, just a little bit, I envy the friends whose fathers are around to help them with a renovation</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-6250957942704979462010-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:002010-07-31T20:16:40.760-07:00Get this party started?I'm hosting a post-nuptial party for some good friends next week. So how will I explain my unfinished projects? Or should I?<div><br /></div><div>I mean, people know me. They know I'm constantly working on my house.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now, the walls of my laundry room are partially exposed as I tear down siding for my exterior painting project (currently on hold until summer ends its simmering). And there's the slightly disassembed post in the bathroom. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's the repairs unrepaired: the siding still unpainted, the eave that's rotting away along the back porch. The low spots in the yard. I notice all these things, everyday. Will anyone notice them during an evening's festivities?</div><div><br /></div><div>How do you entertain while remodeling?</div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-29539876244718820942010-07-05T17:44:00.000-07:002010-07-05T18:10:56.553-07:00Tarred and weathered<div style="text-align: justify;">After painting of a third side of my house, I wanted to take a breather until I did the finishing touches. Time to inhale.</div><div><br /></div><div>The mid-summer weather in the South makes it forgivable to neglect work outside. When the humidity is 90 percent and it's about 95 degrees, you huddle inside as if a Nor'easter was roaring through.</div><div><br /></div><div>But last weekend, it was in the 80s during the day, and even a bit chilly at night. Glorious. I split the difference outdoors as a result. I spent one lazy afternoon in the hammock, catching up on reading that wasn't a requirement of my night classes. Then, this morning, I shimmied up a ladder and installed a drip edge near the roofline.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NOh4d_C8gZ6PGSOBY_xiZUt90gLVTsWvwzCsQXwdXd-95cYiR6ja04RQldb7R2Yw5ZtVtdoU_WnHwLPadhmxy-gjQiRwo4XZ2AXIKypqv8L2gbcO-sJtci85V-tMgY7BQMN3r80BSOo/s320/dripedge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490593818204037362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Why didn't I do this before? The L-shaped channel is designed to direct water from the roof to a gutter, but, in my case, it's a perfect solution to keep my rafters in good shape and even protect a few vulnerable spots. It also improves the look of an older roofline.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was easy to put up. The thin aluminum makes the drip edge flexible -- you tuck it in between the bottom shingle and the roof. Adhere it with roofing cement (with a caulk gun) by running a bead over the channel and pressing the shingles to the channel. Be careful pulling up the shingles -- if they're older they'll crack a bit (I used extra roofing cement to repair those tiny cracks). </div><div><br /></div><div>This break in the weather was just a break. It'll be 100 degrees here by Wednesday. Time to head back inside.</div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-11046552691454637792010-06-14T22:38:00.000-07:002010-06-14T22:45:46.918-07:00TA-DA! Three sides re-painted.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhNIKTSeQDcDkRtWxncQoa2D6ow1h83GVRtoo0eq_vbs6Kg-dWShqtIyVSjWuNPBhF72mM5Z6B2U-OvcRGlmd6m6qVSjQHgsO7j56W9kFA8GJLa3NkvG8zDOZ-_zy6sBTWzJD2rUSISE/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhNIKTSeQDcDkRtWxncQoa2D6ow1h83GVRtoo0eq_vbs6Kg-dWShqtIyVSjWuNPBhF72mM5Z6B2U-OvcRGlmd6m6qVSjQHgsO7j56W9kFA8GJLa3NkvG8zDOZ-_zy6sBTWzJD2rUSISE/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482872035162222098" /></a><br />The next side of the house is (technically) finished. Just some touch-ups and such. <div><br /></div><div>The siding transplant was a success -- in that I didn't screw much up. Now, a break for a long hot summer. Might start repairing the gaping holes I made in interior walls in the laundry room.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-41314255362222010772010-05-26T17:25:00.000-07:002010-05-26T17:42:53.040-07:00Not so level-headed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZedDRupycv6aYTEic-OMYenVb6Sbt8eOKbOgcXGED9EMGgNBlWAJO-rdI-eWeAZWGLD-9XrB4eOtius7_9IsXjdVgulwN9W0nUBFMzcfWBktsw2lhQn_e3fYVXJmpn3X2Ne2drNehQSc/s1600/slidingdoor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZedDRupycv6aYTEic-OMYenVb6Sbt8eOKbOgcXGED9EMGgNBlWAJO-rdI-eWeAZWGLD-9XrB4eOtius7_9IsXjdVgulwN9W0nUBFMzcfWBktsw2lhQn_e3fYVXJmpn3X2Ne2drNehQSc/s320/slidingdoor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475743449172865554" /></a><br />Been celebrating my 50th birthday over the last couple of weeks -- I call it Betseyfest -- so I haven't been as diligent about projects. <div><br /></div><div>My brother and sister visited prior to my birthday. Part of their gift was to help me with one little project -- installing new closet doors.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sliding doors, from Lowe's, check.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tools, check.</div><div><br /></div><div>Level framed opening? Not so check.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My brother was determined to make it work. So out came the shims. A few (six, seven, who's counting?) shims later, we leveled the top frame. He fudged the bottom by cutting it at a small angle, and I provided the know-how to plug the bottom of the hollow doors (thank you, DIY Network!).</div><div><br /></div><div>I just need to put a piece of wood to cover the framing, but it looks pretty good.</div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-53082990024876538902010-05-07T19:00:00.000-07:002010-05-07T19:54:50.489-07:00Operation Siding Transplant: Update<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7PA_bE1ZET8IyoYVhhV0VlG2ecQ3xCMxb7rDBkOBju-CxzopIcaDXM-5PlsmThsPArBIog8wZKo2aqmfbP3l6zCRsKpsZoIEncvXld9wwCFzIIAMvSyqmAVzWz2QpZfWRMwznBooMQs/s1600/insulate8"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7PA_bE1ZET8IyoYVhhV0VlG2ecQ3xCMxb7rDBkOBju-CxzopIcaDXM-5PlsmThsPArBIog8wZKo2aqmfbP3l6zCRsKpsZoIEncvXld9wwCFzIIAMvSyqmAVzWz2QpZfWRMwznBooMQs/s200/insulate8" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468719774635137586" /></a><div>I began Operation Siding Transplant last week. So far, so good. So good, that in fact, I decided to add Operation Insulation, MacGyver style.<div><br /></div><div>A couple of nights ago, I started peeling away some damaged siding, and I dutifully began fitting the donor siding in the empty space. Thankfully, they fit, but I didn't nail them in just yet.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>I was thinking, Hey, while I've got the outside cavity open, why don't I look at the options of adding insulation? A couple of minutes on the Internets, and I had a plan.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning I called the insulation company I used to blanket my attic. The salesman said they didn't do retrofit work, but explained how to get it done.</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1-fRg4BiI9wV08tXYMURR2hgOeaGvxipkZDCDW9wwY-7wFl5vaLET-YlSAS2j6FG1hDzf7sPhZldOV_mqiF7j-fFZBKD-FLF03VIEehB9CLEPsCnkuB0LJqGBhxCS1zFyEc6C3FtKpw/s1600/insulate6"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1-fRg4BiI9wV08tXYMURR2hgOeaGvxipkZDCDW9wwY-7wFl5vaLET-YlSAS2j6FG1hDzf7sPhZldOV_mqiF7j-fFZBKD-FLF03VIEehB9CLEPsCnkuB0LJqGBhxCS1zFyEc6C3FtKpw/s200/insulate6" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468719663725977762" /></a><br /></div><div>First, I peeled away a few more boards of siding to reveal some of the framing toward the top and the bottom.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next, I unfurled the insulation (kraft paper backed, 23 inches wide, and 3 1/2 in depth) and began cutting to size. I got the right size by fishing my measuring tape into the cavity. After cutting the insulation to match the cavity, I slowly stuffed it in. On the full lengths, I stuffed them in increments, so I didn't have too long of a piece to navigate through the hole.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOCdDrr7Gh3Xpx8uW2_AiVlNAQ4El9HNkGDwmPL3zRS1zzkJMbAJwBsW4WaN1xKJo3YkA4WAyHlqcr-Uza-szACrua75WoA3DmhKtYN3I2VjuDoyKrbP4db9osIMmY8j5fPzDinKiwPs/s200/insulate9" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468722124564683474" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></div><div>I'm about finished -- still have to stuff the space above the windows and figure out how to get into spaces that now are obstructed by pipes (such as a kitchen vent), but I'm pretty confident I can finish this up, button up the holes with the donor siding, then prime and paint. And <i>voila,</i> I will have three sides of my house painted.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some tips: </div><div>-- I'm in the South, but the insulation folks recommended that I buy insulation with a vapor barrier, and face that toward the interior walls. </div><div>-- I hope the wood studs don't sweat and cause condensation within the cavity. </div><div>-- Don't work on insulation when it's 90 degrees out. Oy.</div><div>-- Take a break, so you don't make mistakes out of sheer exhaustion.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-60930882719970927642010-04-04T10:11:00.000-07:002010-04-12T19:37:16.087-07:00Carpenter bees!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZXAMrmOZAuQm7S50Bpx-Q7ZbxpshPga9ZnQ4PPGNKQ01ctHXRLWzcSMayPBrjC94a7kSDX-X-9tvWLTxCFvB_q7kxj7wZv1RECwvcdeVjVzPksji2UOGWlxgSiIC7hHVsDx2teObSsY/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZXAMrmOZAuQm7S50Bpx-Q7ZbxpshPga9ZnQ4PPGNKQ01ctHXRLWzcSMayPBrjC94a7kSDX-X-9tvWLTxCFvB_q7kxj7wZv1RECwvcdeVjVzPksji2UOGWlxgSiIC7hHVsDx2teObSsY/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459445555783441282" /></a><br />Spring is in full force here. Azaleas blooming, hosta shoots peeking, and bees buzzing. Unfortunately, the bees are of the carpenter kind.<div><br /></div><div>I learned this after two random observations: a bee staying put near my hydrangeas, even though they weren't blooming yet. And little piles of sawdust under my railing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was enchanted by watching the bee just hover near the bush, but then I began to suspect it was protecting something -- especially when other bees would come near. It's a hive, I thought, built under the siding that's curled away from the building, damaged from all the Southern sun.</div><div><br /></div><div>A consultation later at work, followed by some Internet research, revealed the world of carpenter bees. They burrow into exposed wood, use the sawdust for nests, and thrive inside a round hole that they create.</div><div><br /></div><div>I found a perfectly round hole, but I also suspect they just had an open door -- or siding -- policy. I'm sanding and prepping the siding, exposing patches of bare wood. And the railings? I don't know how they did it, but they're hollowing out the bottom of the rails.</div><div><br /></div><div>I reluctantly bought some insecticide (I believe we use way too many toxic chemicals in this world) and shot it through any opening I can find. The bees should be gone in two days. Or onto another part of my house.</div><div><br /></div><div>To prevent them, I'll have to paint and caulk and replace some of the siding boards. They don't like painted wood. I'm on that, as soon at the pine pollen stops dusting everything in sight.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-16452796719429250982010-03-21T10:10:00.000-07:002010-03-21T10:31:36.777-07:00Operation siding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGBqm4tNiWxuA5FNdpnmIovKMATXhpDw5T2cGvuqmlh97syje1w8QmYbMHoi3L5gzBQ0GOFYeHrFJSfd_f_uN94dpwO29y-VqPh3KQLsdqO_davIzBWYzLm7MUDtXvuCj-JZyi6LCC7U/s1600-h/siding2"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGBqm4tNiWxuA5FNdpnmIovKMATXhpDw5T2cGvuqmlh97syje1w8QmYbMHoi3L5gzBQ0GOFYeHrFJSfd_f_uN94dpwO29y-VqPh3KQLsdqO_davIzBWYzLm7MUDtXvuCj-JZyi6LCC7U/s200/siding2" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451140570544247058" /></a><br />Success. Figured out how saw works, cut, pulled and extracted seven boards. All while wearing my pajamas.<div><br /></div><div>Now I can come back and add insulation and look for some wallboard so I can hang organizers.</div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-62271140900630069982010-03-16T16:52:00.000-07:002010-03-16T17:29:47.440-07:00Siding transplant<div style="text-align: justify;">The exterior painting job is moving along -- as long as my latest scheme will work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am transplanting siding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The south side of the house has some really warped boards -- split and pulling away from the frame.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZT1cMVlejbJaB7KqFM_XIJv9xUgc7IuKIshE-S7QKP4WVml5IX10sIoJkUldOAU0hocAJKqzWJ0uAsPBSuvUkTUFjvGgVXmrP2RRDZU95EZl_LwgTGtEHUF3I5LKMibDgEdYHGPnl8I/s200/siding.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449391680913799298" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a 1939 house with its original siding, so I can't get any boards with that profile without paying for custom work. That's when I realized I might have some pristine siding tucked away somewhere else.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My enclosed back porch has the "donor" siding.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I pulled off some crappy paneling off one wall the other evening and found it in excellent condition. Now I have to figure out how to extract it.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXBzlFzSsXfih5vutthrUoRZpnMfI3AH4Pra4rdTTAG8kmAIXq4gkIiKW2L2ywGLqOCuiopOgwN78GhTvTN5YN2_QTyMfVyDg1eSOahxLm8isEINzR9am9RACGafzUYP9_Js189149o4/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXBzlFzSsXfih5vutthrUoRZpnMfI3AH4Pra4rdTTAG8kmAIXq4gkIiKW2L2ywGLqOCuiopOgwN78GhTvTN5YN2_QTyMfVyDg1eSOahxLm8isEINzR9am9RACGafzUYP9_Js189149o4/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449389838346798802" /></a><br /><div><div><br /></div><div>It's old, dry and nailed firmly into the wall. I started to tug at it, and some of the wood split.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's my plan: With a skinny and flexible saw, I'll get under the reveal, cut the nails, then use either a reciprocating saw (something I've never used before) or a hand saw to cut away swaths of siding. I need to have long enough planks to replace about four or five areas on the south side and more on the equally weather-worn west side.</div><div><br /></div><div>But this opens another DIY can of worms. I'll be pulling apart the back porch walls. I can use this opportunity to install insulation (glory be!) and put up proper drywall. That also means moving the laundry unit, displacing my tool storage and potentially finding more problems in those old walls.</div><div><br /></div><div>Any advice on siding transplants?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-13295527984249838882010-02-26T18:47:00.000-08:002010-02-26T19:10:04.844-08:00The DIY Winter Olympics scheduleToday<div>Preliminaries in exterior painting (taped delay due to inclement weather)<div>Live streaming: Lowe's slalom (clearance bins obstacle course)</div><div>Nordic snowblowing large hill event (15km)</div><div>Pairs raking (long program)</div><div>Halfpipe plumbing</div><div>Roof jumping</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-26944396841528022322010-02-19T20:29:00.000-08:002010-02-19T20:34:37.607-08:00Winter view<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFncsUqkHWD2CSyPGLlhyphenhyphen6tssLFhqH7qMIu4q17sQjWj5r-fk-beaEc5_TvYMNWvStgzmxFcNJV1xhNf_U50tVdG7eyIDG0j6FfOBoqtDqDxyYAHiG5k4Eok1t9lAQ6HnKXC2KeB2x9GI/s1600-h/securedownload-6.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFncsUqkHWD2CSyPGLlhyphenhyphen6tssLFhqH7qMIu4q17sQjWj5r-fk-beaEc5_TvYMNWvStgzmxFcNJV1xhNf_U50tVdG7eyIDG0j6FfOBoqtDqDxyYAHiG5k4Eok1t9lAQ6HnKXC2KeB2x9GI/s200/securedownload-6.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440179098915494066" /></a><br />I grew up in Chicago, and experienced many a big snowfall. But, in the South, a storm yielding 8 inches is akin to a blizzard. And it made everyone about 15 percent more happy. Our newspaper Web site got more than 400 photos from readers -- all frolicking in the snow -- and it was delightful. Pardon me if I sigh a bit over our winter, which lasted all of 36 hours.<div><br /></div><div>Here's my contribution:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-30870130023620270962010-02-19T19:50:00.000-08:002010-02-19T20:01:06.990-08:00The leapI have rearranged my finances to get enough money for my bathroom remodel to begin. Tell me what mistakes I'm bound to make.<div><br /></div><div>Getting the check soon. Added to my tax refund, I should be able to finance it and start in the next few weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>I plan to:</div><div>-- Add a pocket door to the space, adding about six square feet to the space.</div><div>-- Replace my crappy old window with a glass block window.</div><div>-- Add a heated tiled floor. Yep, I live in the South, but I love me some heated floor.</div><div>-- Rearrange the bathroom fixtures (requiring some toilet and bath moving -- plumbing work!)</div><div>-- and build a custom vanity to fit the space, and carve in a vertical shelf unit.</div><div><br /></div><div>My trusted kitchen guy, Pee Wee (yep, his name) will work on this. I'm calling him next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>What mistakes shall I anticipate? And how shall I avoid them?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-42034366338162490182010-02-11T20:53:00.000-08:002010-02-11T21:04:03.509-08:00Cabin fever!Haven't done a thing outside in three weeks -- traveling, crappy weekends, crappy weeks at work -- and I've got some DIY cabin fever.<div><br /></div><div>So I'm distracting myself in the usual ways: knitting, watching the endless parade of Jenny Sanford appearances on television, and trying to stay warm.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's all Drafty McDraftpants here. I dream of blown-in insulation in the walls. But until then...</div><div><br /></div><div>I have hardwood floors above a crawl space, and while I've put plastic on some of the ground, it's not everywhere, and an insulation job a few years ago fell apart pretty easily. A friend suggested tacking tar paper to the floor from below. What do you think of that? Another wasted effort? Or economical solution?</div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-83317135543920213752010-01-19T20:10:00.000-08:002010-01-19T20:35:20.641-08:00Prime timeBefore I began prepping my exterior for painting, I read a long article on <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,202236,00.html">thisoldhouse.com</a> detailing the steps. Scrap, clean, scrap again, sand, fix, prime and paint. <div><br /></div><div>I was determined not to take any shortcuts.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm taking shortcuts.</div><div><br /></div><div>My confession comes as I finish priming the north side of my house. It's the least damaged part, and is mostly hidden from public view. So I figured I could learn from this and not mess up the other parts of my exterior.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hand-scraped, but some of the paint was embedded in the wood. I sanded, but I couldn't feather the surface enough. I cleaned, but I didn't use any TSP, since I don't want to damage any plants nearby. And I fixed minimally, but I can't replace any wooden boards.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm priming with an oil primer -- oh the joy of getting that out of my hair. I'm kinda sloppy about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now I have to decide whether to begin painting, or go back and start over.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I'll paint. I need to have something finished, my chosen color on my house, or else I'll go mad with inertia.</div><div><br /></div><div>It'll be OK. I'm learning. Help me -- how can I keep my momentum without shortcutting the process? Any tricks, gadgets or tips?</div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-47114770546406010752009-12-31T14:14:00.000-08:002010-02-19T20:12:05.546-08:00And the color is (drum roll...)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19RdMBA-Hi-PMQSoDaGIwxqxtcqZwov9xFJO7TawuK3v1D_OreucXQBx4FxjPgExLEXSPm0NCNdH6Kgr2hmcp6xpRPbvzaUpOOvwz4Ye7MHQGB_YZnFvvVEL6mz522AOBo0rr1gYX2Iw/s1600-h/securedownload.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19RdMBA-Hi-PMQSoDaGIwxqxtcqZwov9xFJO7TawuK3v1D_OreucXQBx4FxjPgExLEXSPm0NCNdH6Kgr2hmcp6xpRPbvzaUpOOvwz4Ye7MHQGB_YZnFvvVEL6mz522AOBo0rr1gYX2Iw/s200/securedownload.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440173366299004082" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JTGcbCXQdRQ4F6Q3ehuVPTJO6bg83BaUnsnc9xVW3GJthFGhdXTpCez5lGyeqLM-AjXuWqTw0MrD1xRUdOAnlbo6R5n5YumUHpGTGyYW30_tELj1XoL1BdnGOEU-e1qpyvHwcHTR1Go/s1600-h/blue.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421528475197831010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JTGcbCXQdRQ4F6Q3ehuVPTJO6bg83BaUnsnc9xVW3GJthFGhdXTpCez5lGyeqLM-AjXuWqTw0MrD1xRUdOAnlbo6R5n5YumUHpGTGyYW30_tELj1XoL1BdnGOEU-e1qpyvHwcHTR1Go/s200/blue.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>...Indigo Batik from Sherwin-Williams.<br /><br />It makes me swoon.<br /><br />A friend agrees, saying it's a good color for a South Carolina home. And, "it's got enough juju to scare away the haints."<br /><br />Fine by me.</div><br /><div>And, drum roll.... This is part of the north side of my house. Shot during the Southern Great Storm of 2010, which blew 8 inches through South Carolina in one day. (And melted in 36 hours). I peeked inside a wall inside my laundry room, which has the original siding in older colors, and found that this dark blue might have been the original color of the house. Good color karma.</div><div><br /></div><div>i likee.</div><div><br /></div></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-89567161943921350812009-12-18T22:37:00.000-08:002009-12-19T08:13:31.763-08:00House color help!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmsAV-2bXPV2HtAkqBhHjDuWImZ6tlwQYwrlrVnpeM_QMujVFUFsdsmbbBtfSDH2XvQSXma2RyqxegfftLBGIh9gYfMfeOziPICCbu71woajhA-Jq_ou_mVRATU4mHWKHlr9FKo5IHzc/s1600-h/SherwinWilliams.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmsAV-2bXPV2HtAkqBhHjDuWImZ6tlwQYwrlrVnpeM_QMujVFUFsdsmbbBtfSDH2XvQSXma2RyqxegfftLBGIh9gYfMfeOziPICCbu71woajhA-Jq_ou_mVRATU4mHWKHlr9FKo5IHzc/s200/SherwinWilliams.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416979828166824850" /></a><br />Looking for a good dark gray -- a saturated color that still is warm....for the exterior of my house. Want to mimic those beautiful Portland, Ore. arts and crafts homes. <div><br /></div><div>I have a gray now, with darker trim, but want to change to white trim.<br /><div><br /><div>I used a color application to mimic one of these colors -- this is Olympic Range from Sherwin-Willliams, sloppily on the left, with white trim.</div><div><br /></div><div>Any other suggestions?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-16251778411833311502009-12-02T20:20:00.000-08:002009-12-08T19:39:01.681-08:00Impressions<div>I'm tidying up, clearing some space, taking out the garbage. It's a big day, and I want to make a good impression.</div><div><br /></div><div>The plumbers are coming tomorrow to install a new faucet and kitchen sink.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why am I so concerned with what these contractors think? After all, I pay them to do work.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe it's that little hint of smug superiority when someone discovers that my big problem has an easy solution.</div><div><br /></div><div>The heating guy was all full of himself ("This is a story I'm going to tell the guys in the office," he said, with a slight swagger in his voice) when he found out my programmable thermometer was wired wrong, triggering the heat AND the air conditioning, freezing me out of my home for THREE SEASONS.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last week, another plumber pulled out a teeny black washer from my bathroom faucet and declared it fixed. Months ago, I dutifully replaced a cartridge (see "Drop by drop, draining" blog entry, if you care) but left an extra washer in the handle. It didn't take him five minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm all grateful and that after a problem -- like the heating -- is fixed, but it reminds me that this home improvement thing is a lot more overwhelming, and I need a lot more help. And money to pay for the help.</div><div><br /></div><div>UPDATE: Post-plumbing. "That sink don't fit." My bargain sink is going back, and an expensive one will take its place. Damn you, superior beings!!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-44504870370544965092009-11-16T19:21:00.000-08:002010-01-19T21:04:11.410-08:00All you need is love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmHcLGtp5Mh-ZAB2a3VxIkumAmieJRyT8jizdHzp_XmSce2-gdRBCvAgtB5zs-h6l88LL3c8MNKmi8lA473aTqPSRBh-tlg3JjVkZ-oFQvUj1UU8OOwY-K5cV_dXTV1mCTmrR-B3H1uM/s1600/sideyard"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmHcLGtp5Mh-ZAB2a3VxIkumAmieJRyT8jizdHzp_XmSce2-gdRBCvAgtB5zs-h6l88LL3c8MNKmi8lA473aTqPSRBh-tlg3JjVkZ-oFQvUj1UU8OOwY-K5cV_dXTV1mCTmrR-B3H1uM/s200/sideyard" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405677555510412066" /></a><br />Am I in love with my house, or am I holding back real emotional attachment until the house is all fixed up? Why can't I just love it the way it is? Why is home improvement like falling in love?<div><div><br /></div><div>Let's not turn this in a "Sex and the City" episode.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've been experiencing incredible weather, for November and for the South. So I've been unfurling my hammock and chillin' in the back yard.</div><div><br /></div><div>From the hammock, I get to see the back of my house from a new perspective. It's still not repainted (although I've made headway on prep work on the north side) but it looks a bit lovely in the fading fall afternoon light. My garden is bursting with beauty, almost as it was taking one deep, final breath before exhaling for winter.</div><div><br /></div><div>And for a few hours, I can let go of my inner to-do list -- remodel my bathroom on a budget, get a driveway done, or, now that my heating is fixed, finish installing storm windows.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's like I've been dating for four years, but think: he might not be The One -- If only he would just dress up more, drive a little better car, or not laugh so loud. </div><div><br /></div><div> Instead, I start thinking that way about myself. I'm Bridget Jones, often dumbstruck that someone would want me -- My life is beginning to show its age, and work is getting worse.</div><div><br /></div><div>Love this house the way it is? Every project -- completed -- makes me feel a little more comfortable about being proud of this house. Maybe I really want this house to love me.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-43598350101016609722009-10-31T14:23:00.000-07:002009-10-31T14:42:50.057-07:00Dear Ms. Home Improvement MannersI am scraping the first part of the exterior of the house, and I just realized how loud and annoying it is.<div><br /></div><div>Am I bothering the neighbors? Did you ever think all your home improvement activities were the equivalent of putting a car up on blocks in the front yard? I'm beginning to suspect so.</div><div><br /></div><div>The scraping reverberates between my house and next door. I try to do it on late Friday morning, when I suspect no one is home. I spend about an hour scraping before I get tired, and by then someone has come home. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also self-conscious about leafblowing. I bought an electric leafblower, and at least it's a little less loud. I don't use it until after noon on weekends -- I live around a lot of younger people and they don't even emerge from their homes until noon.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you do to mind your manners?</div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-59837561344479135542009-10-16T15:52:00.000-07:002009-10-25T10:08:30.148-07:00From fixer upper to historicWhen does an old home transition from vintage to historic?<div><br /></div><div>I pondered that as I learned the neighborhood association is chronicling a history of the older homes, and mine is among them. </div><div><br /></div><div>My house was built in 1939. It sat in the middle of bunch of farmland owned by the same family that built my house. My neighbor, who is 95 years old, is the original owner of the house. I learned my house had a tin roof.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, for the first time, I told someone I lived in an historic home. And I closely examined whether I was restoring it or rehabbing it. I'm not tearing down any walls, nor messing with the floors or the layout. I added a railing on the front porch, which takes a bit away from its Lowcountry charm. But the roof lines are more cottage/arts and crafts anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>I live in an historic home. How about that?</div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722705166711458810.post-39008834376519461992009-10-16T15:39:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:51:56.721-07:00It has been..Fifteen days since I've been to a home improvement store. The last time was to buy products for a photo shoot; I went to a conference, then had a week's furlough, which I spent at the beach.<div><br /></div><div>Fall to me is cuddling time. That means switching from DIY mode to "buy fall clothes" mode. And, boy, have I. I headed to a department store the other day to check out a sale on boots, and the store was crowded. I had to wait in line to buy my boots; I laughed when the clerk apologized. "I don't care. I can't believe there's a line. The recession's over. Wo-hoo! Let's all buy shoes."</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not abandoning my house makeover. This weekend, I start planning to paint the exterior of my house. My first task is to head to a real paint store and get some samples -- and some decent advice. I want to paint the house a darker gray, with a hint of brown, to make it look like those beautiful arts and crafts homes in Portland, Oregon.</div><div><br /></div><div>But before that -- prep. Pressure washing a 1939 home might mean trouble. I might sand a few areas, but the wood's so old I'm afraid it might break off. </div><div><br /></div><div>Any suggestions on good prep? Should I try to master a sprayer, of will a good ole paintbrush work instead?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Betsey Guziorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830667853584376413noreply@blogger.com2