In My Defence...

[Yeah, I know, "defense".  Bad puns are my life.]

So the fence got done with the exception of the gate opener which I am leaving for the future when time is less hectic.  We, Kathy and I, have painted floor of the Main Hall- two coats, thank you very much.  It was actually a real ordeal just getting the paint.  Who knew floor paint was so hard to get?!

We've started (finally) painting the kitchen cabinets (another paint based ordeal)  When that's done I'll sand the floors and we may move on in and do the rest at our "leisure", as if either of us have any of that.

The flood set us back on time and money.  Then the HVAC system at our current home died a horrible yet painless death.  $$$$$  {see next post for more on that}  Kathy's car had to have an engine transplant; it's engine froze up...on the highway...in the middle of nowhere...on the way to Dallas.  The GEM (electric car) was in the shop in Tyler. The Prius in the shop in Dallas.  Charley's Scion in the shop in Denton.  Three vehicles- three counties- $$$$$$$  But I digress.  The estimate from the contractor to fix the basement was $60k if they do it all.  Nearly $15k just for materials. *heavy sigh* 

Did I mention I'm a retired teacher?  in a small town? in Texas?

We have just enough liquidity to install the HVAC in the Hall.  I'll do the prep work myself and save a few bucks. By the end of next week, we'll be cool with that. I'm also installing a shower in the restroom. Yoga classes can then begin.  We have a rental in two weeks. +$  Hectic time.

Drive Gate Picture

Just a quick posting of a couple of pictures of the drive through gate and the wall repointing in progress.

Brute Force and Ignorance Ironwerks (Ogre Myers)

Finshed, hung gate

Vernon and Kathy repointing (after some instruction)

Progress isn't over-rated

Okay...since last I posted much has been accomplished.

Posts for the gate have been set.

A wedding has been hosted in the back patio area.

An A/C window unit has been wired and installed.

The enclosure for the living quarters access stairs has been framed, sheet-rocked, and a door hung.

The basement wall on the corner has been repointed and sealed. (Thanks Brandon and Malick)

And an access panel was cut in the upstairs ceiling and a cupola built to cover the roof access hatch.

Lots has been done.  Summer is a time when I can really get things done if i stay on task... and I have.

I was Framed!

Not a long post tonight.  Having trouble sleeping, but just as I began typing, I started getting drowsy.

Life has been a speed bump in the road to complete the Nickel Manor.  Health, work, family, financial reality all have had their feet on the brakes.  But we're moving again.

The now hoisted and nailed bathroom wall.

I have finished framing in the kitchen, and I have nearly finished the the two upstairs bathrooms' framing.  I am to have some help on the plumbing (which I never finished), and then I shall tackle the wiring.  Sometime before the end of time (or December 31) I will hopefully get moving on the kitchen cabinets with Mike R's help.  There will be an ending, Bonarotti! (movie quote, so sue me)

Baby it's cold out there.

Okay, so I've been pretty lax about working down at the Manor for a bit.  It gets really cold in there!  Freezy fingers get smashed and slashed and gashed pretty easily.  Boy's gotta be careful.

Once I got my propane heater back from the "Grinch's Lair" (Jeremy Janz, Sonia Martinez, and Ian Warmke), I am able to work pretty well.  I've done some down there, but it's hard to find the time.  So much to do- so little time.  There are three upstairs windows I need to rebuild, one ground level window to finish rebuilding, and most of the basement windows to redo.  After that, rehang the garage/basement "barn door" and work on sealing it.  Those are the next things on the agenda.

After that, plumbing to the upstairs.  It shouldn't be too hard to rough it in since we will have a  "wet wall".  (Am I over-using quotation marks today?)  I want to get this done before spring break in March.  I am NOT on track for a July move-in so I must get myself in gear.

It's Just a Frame of Mind

This has been a busy busy week.  Along with all the other things listed earlier, I have framed in the walls around the cellar stair opening and reinforced the basement doors for security.  It is now several times stronger (burglars will not be able to just kick through it like before).  I have also rebuilt the window and frame in the bell-tower.  I've got it boarded up right now, but I'll get glass in it soon.  I have also been continuing to clean and re-organize the place.  Progress is being made.  Now back to school for a while.

Entropy Schmentropy

I have made great strides this week.  Some of those strides have been backwards and sideways, but still...great strides.  I have done a lot of cleaning and organizing.  Much needed, I must say.  Among the many things I have tackled is the glass (or lack of) in the windows.  Many windows have glass that is broken or cracked.  While working to prep one of them, I took off the thin plywood that covered the hole where the glass should be.  When I did, the whole window fell to pieces.  Even the base plate under the window was rotted.  I now have to rebuild this window.  I suspect that there are others in a similar condition (two of which I already know).  This will slow down the overall process of sealing the building against the cold wind.  Damn.

Speaking of cold, I am doing something I shouldn't.  I bought a kerosene heater... the "jet" type.  Makes a lot of noise, but puts out a lot of heat.  Thing is, it's supposed to only be used in "a well ventilated place" like outside.  I'm using it in the great hall.  Have to remember to ventilate now an again.  But boy does it keep the work space warm and dry.

I did finish hanging the door I wrote of, and put in the mortised door latch and lock.  Looks good.  Tomorrow I must finish re-building the windows and try to cut the glass to re-glaze them, otherwise I'll have to hire the work done.  I can't afford that.  More pictures coming tomorrow.

Constructive destruction

OK, I know, long time gone. Back from Kenya and working on a show (The King and I) @ PCT. While I've been off the air we've gotten a lot done.

While releveling the street-level floor, we found extensive termite damage to the pillars holding up the joists. I replaced the worst ones and marked the rest of the damaged ones. I'm going to eventually have to replace all of them- maybe with steel or concrete pillars. In the meantime, I have contracted Chasten Pest Control to terminate the termites. Their process and warantee are the same but half the cost. They will commit mass termicide this week.

The roof repair is another big issue. The first bid I got was way out of line, so I'm getting another. Again from a local business. I'm a big believer in keeping your money local when possible. When I got into the attic to check its condition, I found a couple of a surprises. First- clean and dry except in one little spot. Second- the roof was partially constructed with recycled BURNED wood! That's right- wood from the 1910 fire that destroyed the church the first time! The roof joists are fine; ceiling joinsts-fine; ridgeline- no problem. Braces- all burned...but interestingly not dropping any carbon in the attic. Maybe they are "flame hardened".

We also undovered some buried steps...six of them...under 14 inches of dirt. I really think there has been little to no maintenance for many years. I'll post some more pics of all this tomorrow.