Day 7 - Missouri Parents come delivering gifts

Mom and Dad Shoemaker made the trip from Lebanon to Saint Louis to deliver some gifts as well as view the house for the first time. We unloaded some of the plastic boxes in the basement and the baby's crib went into the nursery.

I got it together without instructions after studying it for about 10 minutes. Looks real nice in the room now. Thanks Brandon and Rae!

So two images with the top bar down.

Here with the top bar up, and locked into place. Just needs pad and Noah.

Day 6 - When there is work to be done, get a second pair of hands

I asked Mark Riley today for some assistance with the garage since the shelves were not coming apart with just a drill gun. He is a good bit taller than myself (not hard to accomplish), so I figured he would be excellent help. He brought some of his tools and we got to work, with two of us, Mark doing most of the dismantling we got the rest of the shelf down in 30 minutes. Just in time since dinner at Emily's grandmas was @ 6 o'clock.


Here is the result of Mark's helpful and willing hands.

Yay, two cars will actually be able to fit in the garage now. There is still a lot to be done, but this was a major piece for what was left. I am not going to show the entire garage until more is done, you will be amazed how large it looks now.

Funny part, Mark was unscrewing every screw we could spot so it would be easy to remove all the wood. Some had been painted over and required a little more strength (sludge hammer, and rip hammer). We ended up with over 6 different types of screws. A quarter of which were designed for drywall. It appears whoever built this was doing it on the whim and used whatever was available. There were screws in places that did nothing for the structure and then overkill for other locations. It would not have came down easily by itself ever.

While Mark was getting his tools together, I was working on our master bedroom, I wanted to get the closet ready for when I order the new storage organizer. I did all the measurements, sadly there is this awkward space in the closet where part of it is hidden by a 1 foot wall. I figured out why this was done. The opening is 62 3/4" wide, most standard doors are 31" and with the hinges is will be just right. So even though the wall is not supporting, I should not be trying to take it out to make the space more efficient. Alas, I can manage with this small weirdness. I only think it took 15-20 minutes for me to clear the closet once I figured out how the sliding doors came off without dismantling all of it. The side supports were nailed in 3 or 4 times each side but not done well. It will need some touching up, and possibly a little paint, but I think it will look wonderful.

On the right is where this abnormality is presenting itself and my mind was racing on how to correct.

I cannot wait to see how this turns out, I think this will be extremely useful for Dawn and I once it is completed with our bedroom set added. I have to wait until the bed actually gets here, but I believe there is plenty of room to swing both doors open without any interference. I really do not want sliders back on here.

Day 5 - Quick yet effective

With a second straight day of sun and no rain I was able to get lots of work in progress.

Found my second gutter nail.

The birds and bees stayed quiet which allowed me to bag away! I picked up the rug for our bedroom last night, we have a little over a foot on each side of play from where the bed and dresser will sit. I measured, this will be close to where it will lay.

I put in about 3 1/2 hours yesterday, here is the results.

Day 4 - Bees suck

For three hours of work I actually felt I did some clean-up. I knocked out the 2nd bush excluding the stump. I believe I have found 12 bird nests so far in these bushes. While cleaning up around the first two bushes however I noticed carpenter bees (bumble bees for my PA folks) apparently nesting in the ground around the first bush. I was able to clear most of the debris around it, but noticed at least 3 hovering and then going in the ground. I was hoping to dig the stumps up, but I have been stung way to many times in my life already I am not quite fond of going through it again. I have some bee spray the owner left, I may try that first; but since they are in the ground, I am not sure how that works or how to get rid of them when they are more hidden from me.

I bagged a ton of brush yesterday, I am allotted 10 bags of yard waste a week. I currently have 11 and plan to have 20/25 by the end of the weekend. I am averaging 3-4 bags per bush, however, the Japanese Maple will take a bit more. I had 1 whole bag that was just leaves, and not even from my tree. It was all the debris around the bushes collecting for years.

I also cut two big junks of metal from that border stuff. Thanks dad for your recommendation, but I was not able to get the blade back out. So I went with it, might as well kill it first anyway. I have another section to cut yet and then I need to get them into manageable sections. Mark Riley recommended I take them to a metal recycling and try to get some money. I might do that when the weather is not so favorable.

My neighbor to my left stopped by and talked for a few minutes. He told me he could see the difference, I was beginning to wonder so it was nice to hear that.

I think all this work makes the house look bigger and nicer than having it covered all the time. I guess we will see shortly. While cleaning up the debris against the house, I have found some interesting things. I found an aluminum bolt for the gutter, this must have been repair work, I do not see any missing. Then I found the following yesterday.

For the end of a hose to spray plants with food. Plants must have liked this so much they kept the bottle.

 
 This was only half used, I am starting to wonder how you just leave this out in different locations and forget about it.

I thought this was funny, somewhat older, but looks like it could still work, sprinkler system, it is very rusted and will be added to the recycling.

My collection for next Wednesday.

What it looks like as of Friday evening.

Day 3 - There is a sun?

I was actually able to get back to work on the front yard last night. Sorry forgot the camera, this will be a non-visual post. The only tree is now cut to the stump, should be a lot of fun to get that out. I was also able to cut down and mostly remove the first bush to the right of the door.

I started grinding the metal fence that holds the mulch in place, that does not cut easily. I have two pieces done, figure another 14 to go. I figured I better start cleaning up the brush before I get a letter or even worse a fine from my subdivision for the junk in the yard. It took 4 bags from Lowes to cleanup one bush and then part of another. I have 51 bags, 4 down, I am hoping I do not need more than that.

I swept the front slab, nice to see it cleaned up. Measured it also, 7" tall, 8' long, and 51" wide. Planning on getting major progress today and Saturday on the front as well as getting that shelf in the garage knocked out. That is my goal for the weekend.

Day 2 - Rain delay

So the weather has been less than cooperative lately. I was planning on working on the front and getting some good progress. On to task #2 the garage.

Before - You can click on any of them to get a full size view.

I spent about an hour and a half dismantling and finding the hidden screws. The shelving was build to last, so it going to be a little more difficult than I would like. At least I know what needs done. Mark Riley let me borrow his awesome 19.2v Craftsman screw drill with light. I have a new found appreciation for Craftsman now. Thanks Mark!

After

Tomorrow appears promising to be windy and no rain, sounds like some shrubs may die tomorrow. One can only hope.

Day 1 - House Transformation Begins

So I am planning on updating this each day that I do some work on the house that visible changes are present. I may not always have pictures so forgive the lack of visual aids sometimes.

After 4 straight of rain and a few tornadoes, it is finally sunny and warm enough to start some 'yard work'. Dawn and I do not completely agree on all the work that should or need to take place but we will work that out as time moves on.

Today I decided the overgrown forest in the front yard must go. If you have ever listened to Dave Ramsey talk about curb appeal. This is exactly the message I got from him. Our house lacks it badly! I want to be able to see the actually nice brick work that is to the right and left of our front door.

For day 1 with the day light left and the few borrowed tools I had to use (thanks Mr. Boehmer!), I began learning what the thrills and love of being a homeowner are all about. (Please note this is mostly sarcasm)

Here is the before picture, please don't misunderstand me, I like the house and it has its own good looks. I just don't believe this is one of them. Sweetheart, I know this may look bad until it is completed, but just trust that I have an ounce of skill to do this right.

So 2 1/2 hours later, I only took 1 break to talk with my neighbors about the vole problem in the area that is also effecting my lawn. If you think you read incorrectly, that was Voles! Here is what they are.
Voles - The deadliest creature known to lawns!

Now that the sun has started setting and my arms feel like spaghetti, and yes mom, I do miss your spaghetti. Here is Day 1 final image.

If it does not rain tomorrow, who knows really?, I will be out here to bag up the debris and to start more trimming (pulling). Next project garage.......to be continued.