The ceiling

We made a choice to bring down the old sheetrock ceiling and go back to the wonderful bead-board and beam ceilings that were there originally. Great look! HUGE amount of extra work! It will be worth it, but it has been the main source of the slow speed of work. Here Mike takes down some more extra wood that was there to hold up the sheetrock. They used things that look like railroad spikes for this, so it's been a real battle. Building those muscles! Here's Mike at it in another room!

Slowly but surely

There are days when it feels like we're moving really slowly despite the fact that Mike keeps working 10-12 hour days and I help as I can. We've had a bit of help from a man who has returned after Katrina and doesn't have a real job. And one morning Mike had help from some volunteers for a couple of hours. Today it's my great-nephew-in-law - and he really is GREAT! Here's some stuff that's been done - like real WALLS for when we go away and leave the house!

The latest

Today we have a couple of volunteers coming to help pull down old ceiling joists so I'll have more pictures to post soon. In the meantime, both families have visited - see Mom Edens and Mike's brother Terry - and we blacked in the small bedroom in the rental side and got things closed up before we made a trip last weekend. No photos on that yet, but they, too are coming. In the meantime here we are in front of the restored corner.

Raising the roof

Well, yes, Mike really raised the roof today - literally. We have decided to keep HALF of the "unfortunate 20th century addition" but must tie its roof in with the existing roof of the big house. When Mike said he was going to saw the roof in half and then use the car jack left by the previous owner to JACK UP THE ROOF, I thought he was crazy. Crazy like a fox! He'll be sore - but back at work tomorrow. You can see the red car jack in one of these shots.

Final shots

He finished nailing down felt paper about 7:30 after a long, hard, dirty day. As I write this, he's "reading" in bed. Yeah, riiiight.

Quick turn-around

Saturday was supposed to be leaving day for Buck, Mike G., and Fred - and Fred really had to get back. But since things were not finished to the degree that Mike G. and Buck wanted, they decided to work things out to stay another day - even though we already had lights in every room - for the first time since we got the house! Soo . . . early Saturday morning Fred got into the SUV and drove back to Tampa - 10 hours or so. As soon as he arrived, Vicki got into the vehicle and drove right back - giving the two guys all day Saturday and most of Sunday to work. Then they got back into the truck and she drove back to Tampa. Now THAT's love! But I got NO pictures of her! What you see here instead are pics of the clean-up after everyone left.

How time flies . . .!!

From day two on with Buck's crew, it all became a blur; I didn't even take many pictures. Life became a hodge-podge, so that's what you'll get from that time. Plumbing and electrical work kept going, and with Colin's arrival Friday, he and Mike G. made a great team on the electrical work and we were able to have hot water!!

Day two Sands' Contracting

Today began with Fred carefully deconstructing - as opposed to demolishing - the shop door corner. It's the first step toward getting the original corner back in place.

See, no shop door

The door is gone and they've started to work on the base of the restoration.

Working away

See, a brick chain wall (a term I learned) and the frame for the new floor is there.

Still going strong

At 9 PM they're still working away, laying floor in the new corner they created, and "wire man" Mike (Iraqi for electrician) is still crawling under the house.

More day one

Fred & Mike wreaking havoc in OUR kitchen.

Day one (continued)

I went out to pick up a few things and returned to find LOTS of work done. Fred had torn down lots of walls and many of the ceiling joists and here's another picture of the rental-side kitchen. The big high ceilings have made it such a great room, even though it's small. Mike & Buck look at door options. Note the level of dirt NOW.

Sands' Contracting - Day One

Let's survey the situation. Notice how clean and fresh they all look. Mike, Mike and Buck look over electrical work and Fred and Buck survey the stuff in the back yard. Let the fun begin!!

Before the crew

The last few days Mike has been working hard to get things ready for Buck and a couple of his construction crew. He mostly tore down ceiling sheet rock to expose the high old original ceilings. We were left with the studs from which the sheet rock hung, and lots of wires, vents and pipes - all of which were the reason the sheet rock was put there in the first place. It's hard, hot work and he was glad to have a nephew come help with the kitchen. The picture on the left is the rental-side kitchen after clean-out.

Your turn again

While Mike & I travel, we have constant conversations about this house and some questions have come up on which we need your input. We're trying to decide which things might be worth the investment.

Given that we are renting out half of this house, and that it will be in a rather upscale rental district (yes, some people really do want to live in or near the French Quarter!) please weigh in on these choices:

1. a) Regular tub and shower.
b) Jacuzzi type tub - and shower, of course.

2. a) Granite countertops (probably granite tiles)
b) Fake stone (like Corian or Silestone)
c) Tile
d) Good formica

3. a) Off-white paint throughout
b) Light mocha or beige with white trim

4. a) Gas stove
b) Electric stove

5. a) Side-by-side fridge-freezer
b) Fridge with top freezer (cheapest alternative)
c) Fridge with bottom freezer

6. a) Stainless appliances
b) Black appliances
c) White appliances

7. a) Blue and gray stone-look tiles (bath and kitchen)
b) Beige "travertine" tiles

8. a) Gas fire in the old un-used fireplace
b) None

Just a bit

It's sorta hard to wait to get started. And it's sorta hard to show you what I've done in the last few days. Changing locks, moving things in the house, getting utilities and canceling some others, are all things that are pretty boring - though necessary. So have a look at our wonderful woodwork that's waiting to be painted and placed. After a couple of weeks, we'll get started. Mike has a very ambitious schedule worked out, and I'll be learning fast. Sounds like fun!!

Mike's truck

I guess most guys want a truck - and Mike now has a legitimate need for one. This one's shiny, cheap, looks like it will do the work - and we won't have to worry about no AC for many months!

How's this one?

While I get utilities switched over and try to learn how to get around, (while Mike is away for over a week) I've looked at more houses. So what do you think of THIS paint scheme? I kinda think I like rose & green.

Sweat equity

So this is what the term sweat equity, means! Yeah, he gutted that first room by himself!