April 18, 2005
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What A Week!
It has been amazing. I have never been so dusty, dirty, tired or happy in my entire life.
OnMyWay2Paradise came with me last Tuesday when I took possesion of my new home. Suprise, suprise, the previous owners were still there! And so was alot of their stuff unfortunately. We managed to unload my tv and computer which needed to be there for the cable man the next day. We then did some shopping at Home Sense and Home Depot. (One store for fun, the other for practicality!). About nine pm the interlopers had left and the house was mine.
There was (and still is) a huge amount of junk left here. We filled about twenty garbage bags that night alone and there is much more to be done in clearing out their stuff before I can clean properly and start or organize my own things. Still, it was good to be "home". After our cleaning we shared some wine and went to bed. The air mattress was a bit of a puzzler until we figured out how to inflate it. Not the comfiest thing in the world to sleep on, but better than the hard floor.
Next morning we went for breakfast at the local pub up the street from me called the "Down'Omer". On the way we dumped two bags of perishable garbage into their dumpster that I removed from my fridge. So much for taking posession of an empty house!
We then headed back for Toronto. I met up with the old hound and we went to Home Depot to rent the machines for refinishing the hardwood floors. Unfortunately I lost my cel phone while I was there, but fortunately when we were finished with the machines two days later I checked their customer service and it had been turned in. Very lucky indeed.
Floor sander, hand sander, ear plugs, masks, sandpaper. This is a huge job and I am thrilled with how great it turned.out. I have no experience in renovations so this is all very new to me! It was a hard, long, dirty, dusty, fume filled job but with the old hound's help I probably saved over a thousand dollars by doing it ourselves.
There were some glitches along the way. His vacuum gave up so I bought a new one. It didn't pick up, so I had to return it (in a very dusty condition too). I bought another vacuum that worked much better. Sanding took a long time. Once all the dust was swept up for the final time we could start applying the varethane. We decided on water based instead of oil. Three coats were applied. After each coat the floor had to be sanded by hand and then hand washed with a damp rag. All in all it took five days to do three rooms. I think it was a remarkable undertaking and couldn't be happier with the results. The floors are 75 years old so are never going to look perfect, but the character of the wood is lovely.
During our breaks we sat in the back yard and enjoyed the solitude. We also spent some time at the above mentioned pub, "The Down'Omer". The food was good and they even had live entertainment. Everyone I have come into contact with here has been very friendly. It really does have a different "small town" feel to this area that I like alot.
Today the old hound helped me remove the wallpaper from the dining room. This was a huge job that took all day. Layers of paper and glue all had to be scraped off of the walls.We used a paper "tiger" to score the walls, then soaked them with a removal solution. Some parts came off, some parts had to be coaxed. I mean really coaxed! Next I will repair the damaged part of the walls, wash them and paint them with primer. That will have to wait awhile though.
The old hound worked so hard this week and I do appreciate it. I could not have done it without him, and had much more fun doing it with him!
Trish dropped in while we were in the midst of our mess and said hello. I'm sure she'll notice a big difference next time she comes over.
I don't get my things in here until Wednesday, but already it feels like home. I am becoming quite the handywoman now - I am the proud owner of a ladder, a toolbox and am acquiring a collection of tools. I have taken lots of photos of the progress so I will have a record of how it looked before during and after.
Now, I am going to stop typing because the computer is sitting on the floor and this is killing my back! I am also dead tired. I am going to have a hot bath, crawl into my air mattress bed and dream about the future!
Comments (3)
Welcome back! This handywoman adventure is turning out to be quite liberating and much bonding is taking place between you and your home. Talk about knowing something inside out! I am soooo very proud of you. Have an "airy" rest on the air mattress. I can't imagine the "coaxing" that went on for that wallpaper, but at least you'll be able to teach me when it's my turn...lol! This house is your baby for now and you seem to be a pretty darned good mother to me. When you're done, the house will think, "I have never been so disciplined and well loved and cared for as I am today."
It truly does become a labour of love and you feel great pride with each accomplishment. I'm tired, but it's a good tired!
Holy Moly - you've been keeping really busy! Nice of the owners to leave what they didn't want behind for you (sarcasm). Can't wait to see the floor. Sounds like a lot of work was put into it but it's totally worth it; it'll last a lifetime. I'm writing this on Thursday - you must be up to your armpits in moving boxes - what fun(again, sarcasm). At least this time it's the last time you'll be unpacking! When you're done with your place, you can come and do mine - ha ha! Have fun! Miss you!
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