Cosy

We've made quite a few purchases already for this house, but I have a favorite. Especially when it is 38 degrees IN MY KITCHEN as it was this morning. I spend a lot of my time - like right now - sitting on the floor in front of this thing with my computer on my lap, or standing in front of it, or with my folding chair scooched right next to it. We have the TV working near it, and we have a temporary floor, though that changes from time to time, . We can run the central heat, and without ducting installed yet, it warms upstairs really well, since the unit is up here, BUT give me my little gas log heater any time!

Jack of all trades

The last couple of days Mike has spent playing carpenter, electrician and plumber. He got a door hung and the locks put on - each job a lot harder than it looks! That means we now have two doors - front of the rental and back of our side - working and lockable! Today, after coming home from the work, he did some floor leveling (carpentry) and checking and rewiring some outlets, and then installing some more pipes for upstairs. Progress!

Last one

This final window is the only one of the original french windows that we've been able to use. I really hate to get rid of the others because they're obviously part of the true history of our house. Makes me wonder all the things they've looked on, all that others have watched from them. The new windows that were made for the house will bring in lots of light and be better for heating and cooling - but I'm glad we have at least one of the old ones.

Final windows

Things may slow down considerably since Mike has begun to work on a day job, but up through now, he's been working to get the windows finished. The last two were the ones I like the best. First, his brother, Terry and nephew, Ben came to help put in the bathroom window. We took two of the transom windows that were over the old doors, and used them on top of each other. It's different but I love it. You can see over the scrap wood and AC units that the two windows are different from each other.

A door that locks

Well, it took two days, but we got a door yesterday and handles and locks today. When I checked at 7 PM it was 44 F in our ground floor; Mike worked all day in that but at least was mostly out of the rain.

Light in the house

It's been a week of windows. Yesterday, after necessary paperwork, a friend from out of town came by and stayed until we went to lunch. So, after a 1:30 PM start, it was a nice surprise that he was able to finish a window. Today, with a full day of work, he got TWO done - though he did end up working a little late. We have only two more windows and two doors left!

Briainard St. house - before

Remember this house? We posted it early on our blog; it was one we looked at when we were house shopping.

Brainard St. house - after

This photo and an article were in the paper yesterday. Well, maybe we made the right choice. BTW, not to be too tacky, but what was Frances THINKING when she let the press photograph her dressed like that?!?

After - stove

This is the stove (see post below) now!

Before- stove

Well, the craigslist ad said it was a commercial type stove made in a standard household stove size - for $49. Heavy cast iron, full of rust and what looked like some animal fur (I DON'T WANT to speculate!) I still wanted it for the really cool burners. All the web info says that what I've done with high-heat and appliance paint won't hold, but for now, I love this thing!

Week One, 2007

After a late start on the week due to travel, Mike hit the ground running. Though the windows were made to fit the openings in the house, installation is definitely NOT just “plug and play”. First the old windows must be removed, and then nothing fits just right. So, it’s basically been one day for one window. First, he began with the rental unit’s master bedroom. The first window he did, he realized that those windows were original to the house - as evidenced by finiding more square, hand-made nails holding on the window facings!

Which one hit the falling board?

Thursday – the day after LSU’s victory in the Sugar Bowl – Mike had help from Jake again, so they got a window done AND the final large beams removed from the last room.

Saturday January 6

Today, Saturday, January 6th, 3 of the 4 windows on one street side were finished. So many people enjoy walking by and commenting on the progress and that’s always encouraging. With the house being on a much-traveled corner, many people are watching it daily. Between homeless guys who want to work - but always "tomorrow" - and others who are amazed that we're doing this ourselves, it's always an interesting day when there's work visible from the street.