The night tempers flared

DH and I had our first big tussle of the remodel last night. It was bound to happen sooner or later although later would have been better. We've had a few minor skirmishes along, but this was a dandy.

Hanging sheet rock on the ceiling is hard work and it's not any easier when the guy you're working with has to stop and admire each and every screw he puts in. Just get the danged things in so I can feel my arms again.

Unfortunately, tempers flared when he opened his mouth and said some pretty ugly things. I didn't make it any better when I threw the tape measure at him and hit him. Definitely not one of my finer moments. We had to go to our respective corners and calm down before continuing.

In the end we kissed, apologized to each other for being asses, and finished for the night.

The first thing I did today was call about a sheet rock lift. I picked it up and for $30 a day it's going to be a big help. DH says he's signing me up for a ball team.

We've been doing...stuff

Where were we? Oh yes, grumping about the weather.

I'm proud to say we did indeed get snow and even prouder that it stayed outside and didn't come in the house.

Thursday night DH helped me by sistering boards that needed it. We also finished insulating and changed out all of my plugs and switches. Previous owners had painted over plugs and half of them wouldn't work. Silly people. DH also hooked the thermostat back up so we could have heat. What a dear man.

Friday was a bust. I think there's only so much dirt, plaster dust, and insulation a person can breathe in before it catches up with them. That's where I was Friday. I felt lousy and didn't do a blamed thing.

Saturday we finished with the vapor barrier, cut down the fireplace a little bit, and hauled some of the stuff out of the living room so we can work.

That brings us to today. We've been to Lowe's to return insulation and pick up sheet rock. DH has been in the attic trying to figure out the saggy ceiling in the living room, but hasn't come to any conclusions. I thinks it's because it's 79 years old and well, at 79 I plan on sagging a bit too. Why would I expect any more from a piece of lumber?

Tomorrow I'm taking out the rest of the baseboards and door trim so we can get ready to hang sheet rock.

I hope everyone is having a glorious day.

I have to come clean

About the clean comments that is. I'm afraid I gave the impression that I'm a neat worker. Actually, it's just the opposite. Just look at the conditions I'm working in.

See the plaster dust, dirt, and gritty stuff on the carpet. Yuck! Wait though, it gets worse.Those buckets are full of plaster. The trashcan has plaster, tack strip, and 79 years worth of dirt that has been vacuumed out of the walls. The table is a flat spot and so is piled with all manner of junk. I have to keep the insulation off the floor or the cat tries to eat it. Please note the box of books and my black sweater that are covered in dirt.This is the treacherous side. The lathe to the left of the long white baseboards is to be put up where we need it. The pile on the right side is kindling for future fires. The dining room is tetanus waiting to happen if you're not wearing shoes. So see, I'm really not a neat-nick. I can't stand tripping over stuff and so everything gets shoved to the side I'm not working on at the time.

DH also commented on my bang-up insulation job. He thinks I should hire out and forget biology. Unfortunately, I'd end up being a gopher for a construction crew and delivering coffee isn't my idea of a career.

Dirty four-letter word

Stinking weather. They're predicting snow later this week and the only thing between me and the snow is a bunch of boards and the exterior siding. I've been busting my butt trying to get insulation up so I can use the heater if we need it. I refuse to heat the outside.

Monday we had a very loud, but much needed, thunder storm. I couldn't tell you how much rain we got because the new rain gauge is laying here next to the computer. It'll be handy if I get a sudden down pour in the office. We also celebrated our anniversary although celebrating was a stretch. DH ended up working from 1-4 AM on a lightening-struck well and nobody got much sleep.

Tuesday morning bright and early Mom and I ran to Lowe's and picked up insulation. Poor Mom had to ride home with a bag in her lap. One of these days she's going to disown me.

Anyway, here's where we are now. This is the dining room. The blank spots have been filled in and a vapor barrier installed. Mom helped until nearly 10:00 last night and I wouldn't have gotten this far without her help. Thanks Mom!Now I'm working in the living room and it's going to take forever.

We have some 2 x 4's that need sistered because of old termite damage and DH wants to work on re-routing his cable wire.I bought myself a new friend and Stanley and I are loving each other. I'd never get this done without him. He's been a big help with the insulation and vapor barrier. I'm sure we'll have a long and satisfying relationship.I don't think I'm going to introduce DH to Stanley just yet. There's the small matter of letting me use the router. DH is stingy with his toys and I'm not inclined to share until he does. We're adults after all and that's how adults act. LOL!

Away from the dust, dirt, and debris

DH came in and asked me if I knew the bush was blooming. Which bush? It's not like we only have one. So, I had to get out of here for a little bit today and see what was going on outside. He was talking about the magnolia. It has one lone bloom on it right now.The lilac bushes are blooming too and the snowball bush is beginning to put out leaves. I have paperwhites by the front door and they're beginning to bloom. This is the first time I've tried those and I love them.

How about some flower pictures? Red tulips in the front bed.Orange tulips in the same bed.The Redbud tree is just about to pop.Housewise, here's where we're at. This is the dining room window. The lathe is gone. Well, for the most part. If I can talk Mom into pulling nails tomorrow while I take down the rest of the living room lathe maybe we can go get insulation on Tuesday and get it put up on Wednesday. This has been the fast part of the process. It's a whole lot easier to tear stuff up than it is to put it back together.

Hey, Honey!

I need the truck. Please come home soon.

All of the plaster is down that's coming down at this point. Other than a few little spots along I'm ready to start taking down lathe. I just need to get this plaster out of here and for that I need the truck.

The walls are coming down.

Remember this wall?
This is what it looks like now.Today I'm tearing out the lathe and plaster so we can insulate the outside walls. None of the walls are insulated, but being built in 1930, I don't expect many homes were at that time.

If you don't hear from me for a day or two I'm probably laying under a pile of plaster somewhere.

Have a great weekend. :)