Basement progress

I still have some metal to add to the walls and fix the window. But adding insulation to the old windows has really helped the 'basement smell'. 

Ryan's Room

Goal: turn a 10x20 into an office that includes our video game collection, action figures, DVD's/VHS and Legos.

Challenge: nasty gross-gross, uneven floors, drywall on the ceiling, unfinished window, window to hell, plumbing

The biggest question I had before starting this project was if it could actually be livable. It is a basic 1925 basement with cinderblock walls and a concrete floor. There are three large window's (two covered up by the addition) so I assume that it was built to be livable. And there was evidence that it was considered 'finished' in the 1970's remodel. But it is not livable anymore and hasn't been for decades.

I had a concrete guy come over and asked his opinion. He said everything looked excellent. So I got to cleaning. I bought a $100 pressure washer and went to town on the walls and floor. I was so disgusted. It was like a sludge. But it was getting done.

After I got everything clean, I took down the remaining walls and drywall that was screwed to the ceiling. I suspect that the previous owners tried to make it a little more livable by using left over drywall as a ceiling. That lead to me uncovering that there is another large window that was covered up. I knew about one in the laundry room, but not this one. As soon as the dry wall came down I smelled what I call 'basement'. I went and grabbed my mask and covered it up as much as I could. I will fix it for reals later.

I had to scrub the mold off the walls and floor with some nasty cleaner. Then I filled in the gaps, primed and painted. There are a couple seams in the floor that have settled about an inch off. I know the only way I could get the floor level is by having new concrete poured and I don't have that money. So I evened them out so it is easier to clean. And painted. I'll put down a couple rugs.

Next step is to address the upper walls, window and plumbing. Once all that is done, we can see if we have enough space for all our stuff. The kicker - I know the whole house will need to be re-plumbed. So I have to wait to finish things until I get that plan. So 3-4 weeks!

Foshay jacket

2007is - a super old woman gave me this jacket. She said she bought it for a party when the Foshay was brand new and talked about how you could see the same design elements. Super cool, but super moldy. 

I didn't know what to do with it at the time so I packaged it up and put it in a "deal with it later" box. Since I done quit meh job, I'm forcing myself to deal with those boxes now. 

Good thing I spent some time working at a museum so I know the basics of preservation. I learned them while preparing a private showing of possibly the world largest collection of vintage electronic vibrators. The jacket was super gross. Still needs like 2 more baths, but I can finally touch it with out feeling itchy. 

Goals - 1. Make wearable. 2. Get invited to party at the Foshay Towers. 3. Wear jacket. ***aim for late fall/winter cause it is wool and will be warm. 

Craft cart

I got this for $2.99 at a thrift store. I needed something on wheels that I could put my tools on and not care about ruinin it. But I came to like it so I pimped it out. The purpose is to contain the mess of a Craft project in a small area. 

Yard update

Once I am all done ill do good before and after pictures. But basically I have taken all the dirt from this area:

30 x 30. Leads to the garage. But drainage problems. The whole reason for the project. I shoveled about a foot down. It was all crap grass and fire ants (yes in Minnesota). 

I moved that dirt about 40 feet away to build up the other side of the house. It sloped and you couldn't walk on it. It turned into neat little tiers. I want a Shire, god damn me. 

I have no idea what I am doing, but now I can walk on it. And I'm finding use for the slate and weird piller things.

I keep finding them in different parts of the yard they are not pretty, but someone put a lot of energy in to moving them up here and I will not be moving them out (I have 15 stairs in the front and back. They yard is no accessible.) I'm thinking of painting them. 

So the side of the house I just tilled. So much till. But it's flat. And yes, that is a bookcase in the yard. I have some that I am not using and I think they would make neat planters. 

Tomorrow is attacking this area:

T-shirts

I had a boss that always said, "dress for the job you want, not the one you have. My response was, "then I would always be wearing t-shirts. I have enough of them. Now I can see all easily

Sir Beasley Bear

Jewelry project - beads on strings

I have taken apart all the the broken jewelry and put them on indivual strings for sorting. Now they are in this box. I don't know what is next. 

Dandy rocks

Stuff I found in my yard

Friends as South Park

Br Bear in a box

Bedroom closet

Adult playing house

Ryan gets mad when I organize. He can't find anything. I totally get it. But e doesn't always trust the end result. 

Ca tree

Breakfast cats

Actually got up early enough to make to go breakfast and enjoy motioning cats. 

Worry people migration

A random work/friend conversation got out of contol as I ended up buying a dozen boxes of worry people. I also decided their homes were better for sorting. 

Turkeys!

My neighborhood is overrun with the little jerks.

Bedroom Light

I got this for $5 at the ReUse store


And got this from Unique Thrift:


Took the guts from the thrift light and put it in the outside light. I still need to make it more sturdy, but the problem we were having in the bedroom was that the lamp hurt my eyes so I would put a scarf over it. Ryan hated that. Not a fire hazard, just annoying because it was dark and hard to see.

Perfect for tea lights

The tube for the incense I bought from the Asian store. Perfect for storage. Moved the incense to a Pearl Jam mug

I got my hair caught in a button

Baking soda

Love me some baking soda. Use it for everything. But it always gets clumpy. Found theses at the dollar store. Perfect.