Just Plodding Along...

Hey there!  Tank and I are still hangin' in Mayberry, having decided to head back to the coast tomorrow instead of today.  We met with an electrician and a siding guru today, so despite the fact that it is Sunday, we were still able to check several things off the seeminly endless list of to-dos.

I really liked the electrician and am deeply afraid of his estimate for the necessary repairs to the electrical system.  In addition to moving some ceiling fixtures and adding more in rooms that don't have overhead lighting, I'm also hoping that we can afford to change the closet pull-chain lights out for more convenient switch-and-fixture setups.  It's a silly thing, but will make a huge difference in the liveablility of the house, at least that's what I'm thinking.  We're also going to add some outdoor receptacles, since there aren't any now and convert two old 220v plugs (for window-unit air conditioners) to 110v standard outlets.  All in all, it's really just a hundred little jobs, but all of them will help us live more happily and comfortably when we are at the Taj.

The siding dude came to give an estimate on adding fascia board between the vinyl siding and the roof.  The Taj had gutters which had rusted through and when we removed them, we found that the vinyl siding had been installed around them, leaving big gaps at the top for rain to run down behind the siding and rot our house out from under us.  That's bad.  The estimate on the fascia all around the house is $450.  Due to my intense fear of heights, I am thinking that is a bargain to keep my happy arse off a tall ladder.

We're still struggling with where to put the washer and dryer, but I have high hopes that a solution is going to come through!

In the meantime, here are photos of the DESTRUCTION of the kitchen and den ceilings. Illegal child labor provided courtesy of Farm Maven's older two kids, Beck and Two Bears. Big shout-out to my helpers, who bravely withstood rat feces and dust falling in their faces!

Two Bears taking a rat-poop shower.

Beck is not sure this is in the best interest of our health.

Beck takes a break from sweeping up debris while Two Bears discovers the location of the old (demolished) chimney.

Well, that's about it for exciting news on this end.  I had hoped to make more progress, but  am learning that renovation runs on its own time table and getting upset about that doesn't change a thing.