tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23309942585492444222024-03-04T22:57:30.202-08:00Pekema ProjectsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-49166663357570774992018-08-28T22:14:00.002-07:002018-08-28T22:14:35.617-07:00Shabby Shower Glass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPQhj5NLWOQH_immiU8JB2TuEvSiWLZPMBkLkU7EirOKdpb3UYwxV-yklPqMj5ZPCEwCjom0Kt8QqbREHjsj-_BPe00KKHBk9IMU-x1kqCqdKOLXRhZ_KPtsEQHlfJ-75TjFjlaehOgo/s1600/IMG_20180621_164628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPQhj5NLWOQH_immiU8JB2TuEvSiWLZPMBkLkU7EirOKdpb3UYwxV-yklPqMj5ZPCEwCjom0Kt8QqbREHjsj-_BPe00KKHBk9IMU-x1kqCqdKOLXRhZ_KPtsEQHlfJ-75TjFjlaehOgo/s640/IMG_20180621_164628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our shower glass had lost its seal and was starting to harbor mold. I installed a beautiful bead of caulk and our troubles are now behind us.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-58032607448866843792018-08-01T14:01:00.001-07:002018-08-01T14:01:40.863-07:00Spiteful Spouts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44zlebK-PJIdX-O0qFzcdPDP56MbXkw62IZoC8ABUvhB0h0qfkWhkaKOwmoiytSKd8wGzUnRtJMp-Hvo2XC8MbRO4aaqDZh4kaP8bKRWo7T4mfFIpcPfAe4tQFW28KN_HVh8NDReos0Y/s1600/IMG_20180716_090648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44zlebK-PJIdX-O0qFzcdPDP56MbXkw62IZoC8ABUvhB0h0qfkWhkaKOwmoiytSKd8wGzUnRtJMp-Hvo2XC8MbRO4aaqDZh4kaP8bKRWo7T4mfFIpcPfAe4tQFW28KN_HVh8NDReos0Y/s640/IMG_20180716_090648.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before/During</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tub spout in our guest bathroom was showing its age. In the photo above you can see how the metal was eroding from the outlet.<br />
<a name='more'></a>We tried replacing the spout with <a href="https://www.lowes.com/pd/Danco-Nickel-Bathtub-Spout-with-Diverter/3130609" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this one</a> because that's what the guy at Lowe's gave to Chrissy and it turned out to be an abysmal piece of crap. It was a nightmare to install, damaged the copper pipe, and it leaked. Three strikes. We returned it and got a <a href="https://www.lowes.com/pd/Mixet-Chrome-Tub-Spout-with-Diverter/1000330381" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mixet</a>, which is what the old one was. It's installation was effortless and it didn't leak. That's all I can ask for.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9Cb7GonWeiA-MD4Po36Eq02Rca9YLLSG1-_u8WdeTSEglc0jcb06h7AyTydN5q5A5qKoXasClVzUsEaO2HAcz71vXB9k6gCRYOi5cinDxzxJfYRXN5yx3wZ-kBCrLz1KAHNnBh9gxSY/s1600/IMG_20180727_140842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9Cb7GonWeiA-MD4Po36Eq02Rca9YLLSG1-_u8WdeTSEglc0jcb06h7AyTydN5q5A5qKoXasClVzUsEaO2HAcz71vXB9k6gCRYOi5cinDxzxJfYRXN5yx3wZ-kBCrLz1KAHNnBh9gxSY/s640/IMG_20180727_140842.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-4709261679788940582018-07-27T14:07:00.001-07:002018-07-27T14:07:20.111-07:00Unloved Light<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQLuIEcgEgY5Wd7FhR_lGboBBOOBpY6AJDFRGVGzC-r0xIwPqA-Q_yczbkCluvrT-5Rhro3KSVROOF8b_7rWedb-nu4VtkYlN2UeNBbwSWDhHzW6Md1PjF6c4hpXgDVqKs5RO7n7vnUk/s1600/IMG_20180617_091622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQLuIEcgEgY5Wd7FhR_lGboBBOOBpY6AJDFRGVGzC-r0xIwPqA-Q_yczbkCluvrT-5Rhro3KSVROOF8b_7rWedb-nu4VtkYlN2UeNBbwSWDhHzW6Md1PjF6c4hpXgDVqKs5RO7n7vnUk/s640/IMG_20180617_091622.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our kitchen had a light over the counter that Chrissy hated. I didn't mind it, so I resisted replacing it. We also couldn't find anything we liked to replace it, so until now, we did nothing.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Chrissy finally came up with the idea to replace the fixture with a recessed light. Since I occasionally hit my head on the light, I approved of the plan. I also liked that it would be very affordable.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After some quality time in the attic wedged behind the furnace removing the old light receptacle, the new fixture went in relatively easily.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizihv1ZvDdENsFaYKfHgTpl0L3B-kxwGYDtXnOAHLFQydHM0IQZ4Tei0h0PGW62KTybfEHGm_VzZOBO9Oldi2kSt7bUCXUGJ1HEM5yIe2mLQI4uo1d785gA1xJQ4mPp95M2uJGGPxdDm4/s1600/IMG_20180617_102632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizihv1ZvDdENsFaYKfHgTpl0L3B-kxwGYDtXnOAHLFQydHM0IQZ4Tei0h0PGW62KTybfEHGm_VzZOBO9Oldi2kSt7bUCXUGJ1HEM5yIe2mLQI4uo1d785gA1xJQ4mPp95M2uJGGPxdDm4/s640/IMG_20180617_102632.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not a good project unless you make a mess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We thought about adding a second fixture, but decided to start with one, since adding another one later would be relatively simple. In order to give the single light a chance, I bought an extra bright, "high lumen" unit, and it worked out great.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A second light might technically be better for symmetry purposes, but you don't really notice the fixture, so it isn't a big deal. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4SLCCW9BXkHdC1xkTnRUOECuJcrDvsTHm85aA-z7dT9-GempVSl7eUNkd6FERQewXdE4oW9ozEAZHiVQqKnE56ln38QWLgzxY9h9zDOLz0iSqe4QhvYB-rkrhBjWwkKtWXythYcjBco/s1600/IMG_20180617_140215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4SLCCW9BXkHdC1xkTnRUOECuJcrDvsTHm85aA-z7dT9-GempVSl7eUNkd6FERQewXdE4oW9ozEAZHiVQqKnE56ln38QWLgzxY9h9zDOLz0iSqe4QhvYB-rkrhBjWwkKtWXythYcjBco/s640/IMG_20180617_140215.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-46196458211470747142018-06-25T13:48:00.001-07:002018-06-25T13:48:16.217-07:00Crappy Can Lights<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEd79ApAKQL6Qbx4vdGS_UsB0k55Q55pirlo_ZtHxW_Q-b13xML0QsP8KpvreBE27KJVPtrHcBip9yw0KAEP5bWio-MmfEn2MvKg8_HWVqFkbCT9h5FaVGlxX9p8dJYwBNgmujsfdezU/s1600/IMG_20180616_154839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEd79ApAKQL6Qbx4vdGS_UsB0k55Q55pirlo_ZtHxW_Q-b13xML0QsP8KpvreBE27KJVPtrHcBip9yw0KAEP5bWio-MmfEn2MvKg8_HWVqFkbCT9h5FaVGlxX9p8dJYwBNgmujsfdezU/s640/IMG_20180616_154839.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have two recessed lights in our living room. I previously installed LED bulbs in them, but for some reason I left the ugly black and beige shades in them.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
My intention was to buy new shades and keep using the same bulbs, but I found a couple clearance lights that replaced everything for less than the cost of the shades. Best of all, they have better light distribution than the bulbs I bought.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WeNJZjqbYFIq0-wiobJkhUf7R8WFEEoN20a7kTUpczVh1d9u1HcicSnn4UQsKGDLHxh8pbF8Gg8RRDirJ1hyphenhyphen0uWAWdbnh4y6doedd6uAHljv27a46bIVrmnqDqQp1NNbeiv4gsgRD9M/s1600/IMG_20180616_155350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WeNJZjqbYFIq0-wiobJkhUf7R8WFEEoN20a7kTUpczVh1d9u1HcicSnn4UQsKGDLHxh8pbF8Gg8RRDirJ1hyphenhyphen0uWAWdbnh4y6doedd6uAHljv27a46bIVrmnqDqQp1NNbeiv4gsgRD9M/s640/IMG_20180616_155350.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-36026038662183769072018-06-23T12:48:00.001-07:002018-06-23T12:48:13.510-07:00Faulty Drip Fitting<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3qlg8M27dEv6lIeI6hyfPj2jJ8Ir2INGChpyUVAc3l3qACNWKz_fNHcdEFinonOcA6AmFO5alD6PJ2Z6BerybS_sDIFnkPmjFhi33R2k4iQy7E198ms2FG9oNwGvaJbvmKKaFrlusdQ/s1600/IMG_20180616_135112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3qlg8M27dEv6lIeI6hyfPj2jJ8Ir2INGChpyUVAc3l3qACNWKz_fNHcdEFinonOcA6AmFO5alD6PJ2Z6BerybS_sDIFnkPmjFhi33R2k4iQy7E198ms2FG9oNwGvaJbvmKKaFrlusdQ/s640/IMG_20180616_135112.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the fittings in our front yard drip system had a bad habit of coming apart and gushing water for extended periods. I tolerated it for too long because I wasn't sure I could easily find the appropriate fitting, but a recent blowout was the last straw.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
I went to Lowe's and realized they carried the part I needed, although I bought one with the wrong threads the first time, which was enraging.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7oIRMU8Vjoq5ilFjqAP3P29BfcucvCTWfR_yBhP7HM6pmTDcnuVKOc_koXgOKQZMSU8gVEYAcY__hnTeYKjZFP-mdxIJetR9cFb9nM0cXgXu0sWfRzTF218EfYXqkqes5sF2t_BtR0w/s1600/IMG_20180618_092612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7oIRMU8Vjoq5ilFjqAP3P29BfcucvCTWfR_yBhP7HM6pmTDcnuVKOc_koXgOKQZMSU8gVEYAcY__hnTeYKjZFP-mdxIJetR9cFb9nM0cXgXu0sWfRzTF218EfYXqkqes5sF2t_BtR0w/s640/IMG_20180618_092612.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-63559372708938231022018-06-11T11:35:00.000-07:002018-06-11T11:39:12.292-07:00Tree + Tire = Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BaxyfzgmxMVEBvfRC4McNDY1DCedAmNwgL6LfOwuK9SJ5GkgscWnnWP4XAx02Bo_wkixKBOIagen3he2y3Enu_vXUHatJrFQFcy6ucLnZhyphenhyphenf4myv13v1BsG1_iFktU2DSNeeK4HrkX4/s1600/IMG_20180606_115338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BaxyfzgmxMVEBvfRC4McNDY1DCedAmNwgL6LfOwuK9SJ5GkgscWnnWP4XAx02Bo_wkixKBOIagen3he2y3Enu_vXUHatJrFQFcy6ucLnZhyphenhyphenf4myv13v1BsG1_iFktU2DSNeeK4HrkX4/s640/IMG_20180606_115338.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I determined some time ago that we needed a tire swing in our back yard, but I was waiting until Hope was old enough to ride it without dying. I'm happy to say, that time has finally come.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I managed to get a free tire from some friends, but I spent way too much on chain, stainless steel hardware, and a super duper swivel. I tried to cheap out and just wrap the chain around the tree, but it was immediately clear that wasn't good for the tree, so I bit the bullet and bought a strap on Amazon. However, I didn't get an the official swing hanging strap, which were all rated at 2,000 pounds or less; I bought a <a href="https://amzn.to/2MexqZg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tow/winch strap</a> that's rated at 30,000 pounds, and cost less than the swing straps.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CGvePQatqZApMx65A8oDdyE6W1Aiab99GZnWpoksH3hR3c25WCiES6suPdr0ThyphenhyphenZe0sOjK1iWQ8weXBTKDFMi4-S1hAxBi-ojpAP204sjpvbL_PybqsAUVSgkfQVsOmXGviWiadojXg/s1600/IMG_20180604_194303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CGvePQatqZApMx65A8oDdyE6W1Aiab99GZnWpoksH3hR3c25WCiES6suPdr0ThyphenhyphenZe0sOjK1iWQ8weXBTKDFMi4-S1hAxBi-ojpAP204sjpvbL_PybqsAUVSgkfQVsOmXGviWiadojXg/s640/IMG_20180604_194303.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before I got the strap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can see the swivel in action here. I'm not really sure how long it would spin if I let it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4OGgS0N54bI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4OGgS0N54bI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-51403944781358483542018-06-10T13:39:00.001-07:002018-06-10T13:39:26.210-07:00Preventing Door Damage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPYNfmaDP63-htULHMfq8qY-eHpdiERA9DOyDdfX-qEgsza0irSLioe47RkPBt27aOspUKVtkjkUKa0HT5JgB0-N03LiEdLgsvocDy7KKoxj87fgJsUZywXKLNhTjk8Eueh9wL8K_Qmo/s1600/IMG_20180604_114152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPYNfmaDP63-htULHMfq8qY-eHpdiERA9DOyDdfX-qEgsza0irSLioe47RkPBt27aOspUKVtkjkUKa0HT5JgB0-N03LiEdLgsvocDy7KKoxj87fgJsUZywXKLNhTjk8Eueh9wL8K_Qmo/s640/IMG_20180604_114152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I bought and installed three doorstops because our house didn't have any on certain random doors. Unfortunately, I just found another door that needs one.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-52028110021098939192018-05-31T11:31:00.001-07:002018-05-31T11:32:37.140-07:00Luxurious Latch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCg8KQrZr6PmM8gRqIRD22cOWOG81R7LN7cQzIw6Rt3mZg2I0aUwvuW8hc1aYmoN7kH5BXfs8NZVk9QmACZIFe7TJ31rfhyphenhyphenLmxvR6-hClr37pJcmx_fAnhKZjWn7kYGjUzQebWsAzWKk/s1600/IMG_20180531_101703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCg8KQrZr6PmM8gRqIRD22cOWOG81R7LN7cQzIw6Rt3mZg2I0aUwvuW8hc1aYmoN7kH5BXfs8NZVk9QmACZIFe7TJ31rfhyphenhyphenLmxvR6-hClr37pJcmx_fAnhKZjWn7kYGjUzQebWsAzWKk/s640/IMG_20180531_101703.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Latch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I upgraded the latch on our side yard gate from a standard U-style (upon which a rivet previously failed and I had to repair with stainless steel hardware) to a fancy self latching unit, which was generously given to me by my dad.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I had to do a little finagling to get it to latch properly, but it's working well now.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_23mPhn7uZHl-PGTxm22YXJDE8nbI1GnlG8kJDCi-uqUaQwgAsvfO9KHjhcTdjudPB7_hxbPYpQk3Fzep9rC3u5M6_A2VmMIOypoAcKEXWBIRvLLaH92AqM6V19mnl4Px0BhELNMJrak/s1600/IMG_20180531_101744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_23mPhn7uZHl-PGTxm22YXJDE8nbI1GnlG8kJDCi-uqUaQwgAsvfO9KHjhcTdjudPB7_hxbPYpQk3Fzep9rC3u5M6_A2VmMIOypoAcKEXWBIRvLLaH92AqM6V19mnl4Px0BhELNMJrak/s640/IMG_20180531_101744.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Latch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-45467737336792879982018-05-29T20:05:00.001-07:002018-05-29T20:05:52.671-07:00Truck Trials and Tribulations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimC8L6NqrlYz_wr-LVX__xeANJJ6sA259VQqij8cw-DXX7aLBXSIrBUFvVHv1RjUS46Lal-c416YLjhQDuUYc7k7tasMu7tE_YIUK161bm4bYoXU_C8IDt0v9K3NeLJ-gOXD5pfeWwI4/s1600/IMG_20170817_091912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimC8L6NqrlYz_wr-LVX__xeANJJ6sA259VQqij8cw-DXX7aLBXSIrBUFvVHv1RjUS46Lal-c416YLjhQDuUYc7k7tasMu7tE_YIUK161bm4bYoXU_C8IDt0v9K3NeLJ-gOXD5pfeWwI4/s640/IMG_20170817_091912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We bought our trusty Ford F-350 before we moved to Paso, and it proved to be a good decision. As great as the truck has been, it had 232,000 miles on the odometer when we bought it, so it has needed a little work. Here's the projects I can recall from our year and a half with the truck.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bare Bed</b></span><br />
One of the main reasons we got a truck was to carry a camper, so I had to get the toolbox and fuel tank it came with out of the bed. Both were sold on Craigslist with minimal effort.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlwIQfvlQow5L02eQ1yvAcV3g-gSbpx1LFdeNpS0QVB1XWnqLgmnu0r6L31vAr-rDf_i7ijVqvcAPZveLyO9dc9dK_eCz54raxZUVlMQpJb-gU9VSb5yD9pRgIGlk2Q0bYwdNQAb81GA/s1600/IMG_20170307_133425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlwIQfvlQow5L02eQ1yvAcV3g-gSbpx1LFdeNpS0QVB1XWnqLgmnu0r6L31vAr-rDf_i7ijVqvcAPZveLyO9dc9dK_eCz54raxZUVlMQpJb-gU9VSb5yD9pRgIGlk2Q0bYwdNQAb81GA/s400/IMG_20170307_133425.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pitiful Plug</b></span><br />
The seven-pin trailer connector was broken and dangling, so I replaced it. I messed up the installation the first time and had to do it again. I also painted the bracket and hitch receiver.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHZCSsTPhxF31OenOQbP4kvltQ1edLhcj48H9KiOOr38PgD7P1PyUn7GlRGWkiVWtsGhQeWpxptuRKwwUO7pEVfeNM-3-3wIAIrNg6n3TdjaY4b1vPrOFosH9J5ZDuAMP2umS7M4OYBc/s1600/IMG_20170403_165328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHZCSsTPhxF31OenOQbP4kvltQ1edLhcj48H9KiOOr38PgD7P1PyUn7GlRGWkiVWtsGhQeWpxptuRKwwUO7pEVfeNM-3-3wIAIrNg6n3TdjaY4b1vPrOFosH9J5ZDuAMP2umS7M4OYBc/s400/IMG_20170403_165328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2aW_ACRsBkXmI8AZUJYbjN8ygD-WkQUz0BG1QBqLlU85KVCT1lX03Bo6I4RY2lBlDUmJiZlCj5D2slu2fERt8969GVpyG6ccMGhBvtvJfLQXHgW6INc48PWeBHfNv5QZASBrIRDxbRk/s1600/IMG_20180516_143823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2aW_ACRsBkXmI8AZUJYbjN8ygD-WkQUz0BG1QBqLlU85KVCT1lX03Bo6I4RY2lBlDUmJiZlCj5D2slu2fERt8969GVpyG6ccMGhBvtvJfLQXHgW6INc48PWeBHfNv5QZASBrIRDxbRk/s400/IMG_20180516_143823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Terrific Tiedowns</b></span><br />
In order to safely carry our camper, I needed to install tie downs on the truck. I bought the front tie downs because they were pretty involved, but I had my buddy help me make custom ones for the back. The rear tie downs slide into the sides of the trailer hitch receiver and are held in by some spring loaded trickery.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AGe1bLykcaUPddfyQsz6ArJziINEibYA0WRnjgLoNW9KdKqpXwYq5CaNkKDztvpSAx1lC3Vry5JkqwwJ-0X2LwY-mWIXns36qrPDrJlXtM7YP2Q3szSRJFaLIXXMu9xDEgCektXwfwo/s1600/IMG_20170410_193037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AGe1bLykcaUPddfyQsz6ArJziINEibYA0WRnjgLoNW9KdKqpXwYq5CaNkKDztvpSAx1lC3Vry5JkqwwJ-0X2LwY-mWIXns36qrPDrJlXtM7YP2Q3szSRJFaLIXXMu9xDEgCektXwfwo/s400/IMG_20170410_193037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front tie down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I0Z3uKibvezaRlkaYxOwCC0VQG1aXddYQ35AYM4uVfZEp7_1CI9fnvdZ9ndDKBxNx9tKCybRJbvUEKAlCuNrkEbtwlv8UuUro2mvXoBya2YmM4zykOpGJrr8cdy_p7c6XeiRiJZ8pb0/s1600/IMG_20170413_095441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I0Z3uKibvezaRlkaYxOwCC0VQG1aXddYQ35AYM4uVfZEp7_1CI9fnvdZ9ndDKBxNx9tKCybRJbvUEKAlCuNrkEbtwlv8UuUro2mvXoBya2YmM4zykOpGJrr8cdy_p7c6XeiRiJZ8pb0/s400/IMG_20170413_095441.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear tied own.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bqLQbUw2FPnjPZnop4ICwELhxmOXbb1RzxnjJwPDQ4A_17MKqLDZLTKqLYsJ8XxiLeGJZJhY4z6hpePnZL7aULdsFqM9kAGr0poTSsnt8a4r9MklCy50Q7rmoXxjEGkoY6o7th6EkcA/s1600/IMG_20170414_125056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bqLQbUw2FPnjPZnop4ICwELhxmOXbb1RzxnjJwPDQ4A_17MKqLDZLTKqLYsJ8XxiLeGJZJhY4z6hpePnZL7aULdsFqM9kAGr0poTSsnt8a4r9MklCy50Q7rmoXxjEGkoY6o7th6EkcA/s400/IMG_20170414_125056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy spring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Flapping Fender Liner</b></span><br />
One of the rear fender liners was hanging on by a thread, so I got some clips and fixed it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0RUVN0HG8QnAAOUQvDQHuvx7AH3T5QgODe7TgP1Z97z0v2iAF-CJc9FicLyI9alrGB8p1BoYqjnBW2X7LvShnD3cGmA7InzWGAdrrqFOuTEPvrDA0dfJeR3m194lkDuLBa84L74bWvU/s1600/IMG_20170416_140509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0RUVN0HG8QnAAOUQvDQHuvx7AH3T5QgODe7TgP1Z97z0v2iAF-CJc9FicLyI9alrGB8p1BoYqjnBW2X7LvShnD3cGmA7InzWGAdrrqFOuTEPvrDA0dfJeR3m194lkDuLBa84L74bWvU/s400/IMG_20170416_140509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX7hkvxXapMe940u2rXntuSbZ9g5T4_VbBg1QvfEqjiD1y7ul_hHT6znOWyLdIIfscptWSMBg-9gJTW9edOQgtA3M_cGOckjWLzekPnw4ZVaG3VUzGlPDH7n62IJquvepDvLWJ5z7L-I/s1600/IMG_20170416_140645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX7hkvxXapMe940u2rXntuSbZ9g5T4_VbBg1QvfEqjiD1y7ul_hHT6znOWyLdIIfscptWSMBg-9gJTW9edOQgtA3M_cGOckjWLzekPnw4ZVaG3VUzGlPDH7n62IJquvepDvLWJ5z7L-I/s400/IMG_20170416_140645.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Busted Blinker</b></span><br />
One of the front blinkers was broken, so I bought a replacement on eBay for $11 and received it the next day. I have no idea how anyone made money on that sale. Installing the new blinker was more difficult than expected due to some body damage on the fender. It required some gentle massaging with the dead blow hammer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsiptdYgAicLS40dV4ryHtX3HDQSI1WbLiTdT-S7rJT7MRhUu4SivkssOoShoZvye3R4Epdcg5thN0vzmXjMjVndSDx9uo0gOu75Rn1P4qLDMWdlj0_Az3UPaVzRrIGESUqULYUfSwIw/s1600/IMG_20170721_171450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsiptdYgAicLS40dV4ryHtX3HDQSI1WbLiTdT-S7rJT7MRhUu4SivkssOoShoZvye3R4Epdcg5thN0vzmXjMjVndSDx9uo0gOu75Rn1P4qLDMWdlj0_Az3UPaVzRrIGESUqULYUfSwIw/s400/IMG_20170721_171450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2O96WsiGjKHkE0XVht6hz42xAT8Wl98SLqoQtAO_AQSe3sqLQ6Iox6sPPkXpZHdCHPozpNMG7qzhQpBO7lntMG4unbZ4Hupsdz9bYPzObAfhYIFtEhRMJjUrBwB8vSPnWCttBeT8tKQ/s1600/IMG_20170721_171737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2O96WsiGjKHkE0XVht6hz42xAT8Wl98SLqoQtAO_AQSe3sqLQ6Iox6sPPkXpZHdCHPozpNMG7qzhQpBO7lntMG4unbZ4Hupsdz9bYPzObAfhYIFtEhRMJjUrBwB8vSPnWCttBeT8tKQ/s400/IMG_20170721_171737.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi_5rr5hNHySyLqpqGSYtzZh3hWIefm6DwtXJppTdETw4ZCKGyCfcqAHz9M2zVoe9Ry7S6OuajMW2tx-K75rvYGNsZMEKIZkL38AjEUhaVUVyC5LIJ3RYZBDFv0XRCGVY9xHS549Zxqg/s1600/IMG_20170721_195738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi_5rr5hNHySyLqpqGSYtzZh3hWIefm6DwtXJppTdETw4ZCKGyCfcqAHz9M2zVoe9Ry7S6OuajMW2tx-K75rvYGNsZMEKIZkL38AjEUhaVUVyC5LIJ3RYZBDFv0XRCGVY9xHS549Zxqg/s400/IMG_20170721_195738.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sloppy Steering</b></span><br />
The truck had some serious play in the steering system when I got it. The first step to correcting that was replacing all the tie rods.<br />
All my work on the Miata did not prepare me for the scale of truck parts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBdxHAmX2Fo_gwm682cg1BNxYph4rt8fgLDHcS3BZxl3XUnmGATLZD9PEj65UJ0QxqPblwoaDUP7ProTnfajhYOV2Y5MNjNrZ_B7IoDbKjcK9EfX4YqEOJfqey-h-GJf7eyvfqZ_fjcc/s1600/IMG_20170803_122247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBdxHAmX2Fo_gwm682cg1BNxYph4rt8fgLDHcS3BZxl3XUnmGATLZD9PEj65UJ0QxqPblwoaDUP7ProTnfajhYOV2Y5MNjNrZ_B7IoDbKjcK9EfX4YqEOJfqey-h-GJf7eyvfqZ_fjcc/s400/IMG_20170803_122247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Humble Headache Rack</b></span><br />
After initially trying to get rid of it, I decided to keep my headache rack when I realized our camper would fit over it. I just had to clean it up and give it a fresh coat of hammered black paint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvvxFOEA22vGSGhkn56wvSgMiS_THLMF7_31TACX3ly6qNZb1CL3291K7-COttp10gSURK8Z3z2b-POzo2n9AhZFJW15Ue3t74fhblM5ebMj2M0dfePPB8xo9jkPqURzOGo8IbmbWbtk/s1600/IMG_20170925_163510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvvxFOEA22vGSGhkn56wvSgMiS_THLMF7_31TACX3ly6qNZb1CL3291K7-COttp10gSURK8Z3z2b-POzo2n9AhZFJW15Ue3t74fhblM5ebMj2M0dfePPB8xo9jkPqURzOGo8IbmbWbtk/s400/IMG_20170925_163510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Healthy Headlights</b></span><br />
The headlights that came with the truck didn't actually produce much light, so I installed some prettier ones that actually work. I'm still working on getting them aimed just right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DfMOhPak7II48Dpa0TOUWWNUJiiciRPe7Fmu4lCpM7E9GUUUczQ0Mb_YbtLVs8PEkFdytQ60LgxOBOQvXx1ucPcsJc29Lwyw306m_rRq3d_pfHid2I7uQmhhmChuY_mGJDRJNeh9ARU/s1600/IMG_20171225_132850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DfMOhPak7II48Dpa0TOUWWNUJiiciRPe7Fmu4lCpM7E9GUUUczQ0Mb_YbtLVs8PEkFdytQ60LgxOBOQvXx1ucPcsJc29Lwyw306m_rRq3d_pfHid2I7uQmhhmChuY_mGJDRJNeh9ARU/s400/IMG_20171225_132850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cup Launcher</b></span><br />
The cup holder in the truck was toast, so I installed a new and improved part from Ford.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwq5eVy6Rt190QU7ZUe6gNfc5rW9_3PcqoM9TKAFBnyMYEiPX5PmhihRxK-SVWB0EMdrcnZZ7rfOYfSDtFwnndkoeJDk-FQgDeAmprt1-374hHFiby_6S2QtaNNvhVsEwLZA3GuJ20eY/s1600/IMG_20170412_093754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwq5eVy6Rt190QU7ZUe6gNfc5rW9_3PcqoM9TKAFBnyMYEiPX5PmhihRxK-SVWB0EMdrcnZZ7rfOYfSDtFwnndkoeJDk-FQgDeAmprt1-374hHFiby_6S2QtaNNvhVsEwLZA3GuJ20eY/s400/IMG_20170412_093754.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjlLH7z_F9PYdHkyoFhzyadP4pJi7RlXto9qjc_2UZ9hrFiOerGu54Wp9s6Xo0MoKcpVKFxLyDQt3ArxNsrGORgignZSGkZZ10nt29sD_7yCx2kGi7eu6Khr3-HTc_Ekl-hnXmT8WEiQ/s1600/IMG_20180117_141120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjlLH7z_F9PYdHkyoFhzyadP4pJi7RlXto9qjc_2UZ9hrFiOerGu54Wp9s6Xo0MoKcpVKFxLyDQt3ArxNsrGORgignZSGkZZ10nt29sD_7yCx2kGi7eu6Khr3-HTc_Ekl-hnXmT8WEiQ/s400/IMG_20180117_141120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Super Steering and Meticulous Maintenance</b></span><br />
In order to fix the steering once and for all, I needed to replace the steering gear, and I decided to do a bunch of preventative maintenance while I was in there. I did all of the following at the same time:<br />
<ul>
<li style="border: none; color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Replaced power steering (and power brake) pump, high pressure line, and flushed the system</li>
<li style="border: none; color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Replaced the steering gear and the pitman arm</li>
<li style="border: none; color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Replaced the water pump, thermostat, thermostat housing, radiator hoses, and flushed the cooling system</li>
<li style="border: none; color: #333333; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Replaced the serpentine belt</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333;">I had one small issue when the power steering line let go on my first drive. A new hose fixed it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXucDJzqcIpFbIgJ1PYtGeJdgrWfRz_Psx0aSLia9hH9yWjqOfFcunZCvah2_FZ4QM5gaFzo33USbbGKGFTztUCWlE-a3jnOhuJ65TOYKm3bjc9t7-aNfDQPlFGU7-0sUTY3QI8T3iZg/s1600/IMG_20180121_143446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXucDJzqcIpFbIgJ1PYtGeJdgrWfRz_Psx0aSLia9hH9yWjqOfFcunZCvah2_FZ4QM5gaFzo33USbbGKGFTztUCWlE-a3jnOhuJ65TOYKm3bjc9t7-aNfDQPlFGU7-0sUTY3QI8T3iZg/s400/IMG_20180121_143446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1SBocLUTK72OGJN1D4RRKUhh_NNpY_YP_Cxb3aFlbFcNWFCvFPUYRNZNO9Z7-4d43es3WmpOLnqNfnuNSsDAl4N5-D5wgZVo2s4xf-jDroWNYA8zBjaEXPBCAxEJq9CHmNVRtauOPi0/s1600/IMG_20180127_192108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1SBocLUTK72OGJN1D4RRKUhh_NNpY_YP_Cxb3aFlbFcNWFCvFPUYRNZNO9Z7-4d43es3WmpOLnqNfnuNSsDAl4N5-D5wgZVo2s4xf-jDroWNYA8zBjaEXPBCAxEJq9CHmNVRtauOPi0/s400/IMG_20180127_192108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rad Ramp</b></span><br />
In order to load pianos in our truck, I bought a <a href="https://amzn.to/2ILly1O" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ramp kit</a> and put it together. After one quick tests I determined it wasn't quite sturdy enough, so I added some extra square tubing to reinforce it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyhWij1YHPc4JtdfECQdLfvEFf87JyeV4JhJKpkEGtzZxfM4rHr8YWvPakxjXm0jeyi-6BxLlROow5ZqKJ-BbRFyKYxokDj-CwK8njJ5QHLRS_2H9moNBk8thNPS7TjuzyEPMjl_9_Xs/s1600/IMG_20180223_170636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyhWij1YHPc4JtdfECQdLfvEFf87JyeV4JhJKpkEGtzZxfM4rHr8YWvPakxjXm0jeyi-6BxLlROow5ZqKJ-BbRFyKYxokDj-CwK8njJ5QHLRS_2H9moNBk8thNPS7TjuzyEPMjl_9_Xs/s400/IMG_20180223_170636.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8Vx4xOrTac5EV_vdqiS4n0wFE6SIH8zv044zntoFL79gykz4iNCPjP2lDckB-mgFM3XfEz40xNEG9M0Hlu3pYX2WahLM-DKKww3Wqv5ISg8j2GDxyoUCd8CGfmCgasvZ3Imro2Bn408/s1600/IMG_20180424_123620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8Vx4xOrTac5EV_vdqiS4n0wFE6SIH8zv044zntoFL79gykz4iNCPjP2lDckB-mgFM3XfEz40xNEG9M0Hlu3pYX2WahLM-DKKww3Wqv5ISg8j2GDxyoUCd8CGfmCgasvZ3Imro2Bn408/s400/IMG_20180424_123620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wicked Winch</b></span><br />
I bought a <a href="https://amzn.to/2IR3NLi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cheap winch</a> to pull pianos up the ramp. I modified the mounting plate so it quickly slips on the headache rack.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF99bsJXY92f0tiMvYcDR-yBVHrYRLf-uc9jgAJIZHzf7F0boxjjt1cDZXoIa4GurZqgUtWt8611BDfQypanyuT1anHnHa9HMsMrVIXFXMsYKjaQwyr15YF2jTQcpk2E3LYnQTp1HH4uA/s1600/IMG_20180516_143529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF99bsJXY92f0tiMvYcDR-yBVHrYRLf-uc9jgAJIZHzf7F0boxjjt1cDZXoIa4GurZqgUtWt8611BDfQypanyuT1anHnHa9HMsMrVIXFXMsYKjaQwyr15YF2jTQcpk2E3LYnQTp1HH4uA/s400/IMG_20180516_143529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtKm5LeV7EjKZoJmHLvlTH6NDnBqUcSHrh_6Bthi19-faPdJ766WsskyzBka2YyO04G_cWQw9M7AcrZCcuwcvIXPibVLjHJeBIwu0H0J3SPaIHkpXIOSE1B_vdMTQp_XVruDBlpRx-1I/s1600/IMG_20180303_142448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtKm5LeV7EjKZoJmHLvlTH6NDnBqUcSHrh_6Bthi19-faPdJ766WsskyzBka2YyO04G_cWQw9M7AcrZCcuwcvIXPibVLjHJeBIwu0H0J3SPaIHkpXIOSE1B_vdMTQp_XVruDBlpRx-1I/s400/IMG_20180303_142448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Handsome Headache Rack</b></span><br />
To make sure the winch worked properly, a couple small modifications were also made to the headache rack. Those included gussets and a couple locating tabs. Along with those winch related modifications, I added some tie downs along the side rails.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7bFWB2bjAl6da4xkJSxbE9EUiBUSKYY6v0gcWDjoO5JTr4mCpiZtI54AuYW9k3ge7e3i_HN0YG6bz4z-RVbrJ3ELqu5Lyi0irb_jrWPJx0nyd1qLC_Ll_6lGQ9zOrCumBCLmAzyYejg/s1600/IMG_20180516_143734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7bFWB2bjAl6da4xkJSxbE9EUiBUSKYY6v0gcWDjoO5JTr4mCpiZtI54AuYW9k3ge7e3i_HN0YG6bz4z-RVbrJ3ELqu5Lyi0irb_jrWPJx0nyd1qLC_Ll_6lGQ9zOrCumBCLmAzyYejg/s400/IMG_20180516_143734.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0QlwuSiqm9iFmIlHuj2a5TcLzCalIbVjzPilFH-i_RnpPkmTFpHx10WaLBtGO7AeEQu_WF48Mz5dDCsXf8JeioP0l1djoTVzFoZQukCCLOkhdZKzARA6M4iak7Q_mKjSalP1AFCPvkk/s1600/IMG_20180516_143758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0QlwuSiqm9iFmIlHuj2a5TcLzCalIbVjzPilFH-i_RnpPkmTFpHx10WaLBtGO7AeEQu_WF48Mz5dDCsXf8JeioP0l1djoTVzFoZQukCCLOkhdZKzARA6M4iak7Q_mKjSalP1AFCPvkk/s400/IMG_20180516_143758.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifce5ZCcHCmyDEJeTuGDp6eDVH03Cnv46UpeNvLzHIC4u7wW5hlN8fRhH_JwWd2dD9Vd9Eyb8vVrGN5zFn75g4ABBqhUsHpeepduyXtAPV-afwOot2eQ7Bs9NyA-mVzGPsfZxDF28spdA/s1600/IMG_20180515_150112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifce5ZCcHCmyDEJeTuGDp6eDVH03Cnv46UpeNvLzHIC4u7wW5hlN8fRhH_JwWd2dD9Vd9Eyb8vVrGN5zFn75g4ABBqhUsHpeepduyXtAPV-afwOot2eQ7Bs9NyA-mVzGPsfZxDF28spdA/s400/IMG_20180515_150112.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Glow Plug are Go</b></span><br />
The truck has always struggled a little bit when starting in cold temperatures, which did not inspire confidence. Once I decided to try and figure out the problem, I quickly determined the glow plugs weren't functioning. I traced the problem to the glow plug relay, so I installed a <a href="https://amzn.to/2L5SZuj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">heavy duty replacement</a>. The truck now fires right up every time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWPz-ur2t672ysPuHSv_vs2rzt3pNQg8Z1FmIbaPdgEXrAWPYM03641nLGnvp_piYSC88jBzyRfd5EvZ9V3awOPp2xlfQ-AEnhCVCDGuXUCh9kriY1M3wdPW4-yqW1kQZPwJWncIxV3k/s1600/IMG_20180322_105140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWPz-ur2t672ysPuHSv_vs2rzt3pNQg8Z1FmIbaPdgEXrAWPYM03641nLGnvp_piYSC88jBzyRfd5EvZ9V3awOPp2xlfQ-AEnhCVCDGuXUCh9kriY1M3wdPW4-yqW1kQZPwJWncIxV3k/s400/IMG_20180322_105140.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfmilKopoW062_zvXUPQRky0v1MvxcZOKFBP7UjbIvId9xDaCQhpyLiDhO3Fh6o3xiy8c_cjLye7wTEgUQpyr8p06RIWPEa6-z7U7EjF5WVbFiHtnqXYLJ4H4n6slawL7FUBcxKsjmgI/s1600/IMG_20180323_141843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfmilKopoW062_zvXUPQRky0v1MvxcZOKFBP7UjbIvId9xDaCQhpyLiDhO3Fh6o3xiy8c_cjLye7wTEgUQpyr8p06RIWPEa6-z7U7EjF5WVbFiHtnqXYLJ4H4n6slawL7FUBcxKsjmgI/s400/IMG_20180323_141843.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1XCFXprrZ-fCGYJImKGGFe59Zua9UKnSkgLAl1kPs-Ar7L6AR9YgOj-bLJDVOVcG3DIRt38M4mVRdJ360PtnsRamcIWcVMRMjf2u08C42s8cadqOzED0ImMo91JbNUGsBBdkbVLXntk/s1600/IMG_20180322_115030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1XCFXprrZ-fCGYJImKGGFe59Zua9UKnSkgLAl1kPs-Ar7L6AR9YgOj-bLJDVOVcG3DIRt38M4mVRdJ360PtnsRamcIWcVMRMjf2u08C42s8cadqOzED0ImMo91JbNUGsBBdkbVLXntk/s400/IMG_20180322_115030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wrecked Running Board</b></span><br />
We noticed the passenger side running board was a little squishy, and a quick inspection revealed one of the support brackets appeared to have been violently removed. After some vigorous massaging of the body, I was able to bolt up a new bracket.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsjdtcNapquZ6N4E8OouDQr62YD5yMsIug8ue8zYSbRJK_1DlX0hjRDadoDH2Vwep-suwW5kKZFjiDZHkCFrcHa7afchimXuqdu4HrXzeqO_ygDLmS3GVaYrsb_NdJZPKyRq2jngBgL4/s1600/IMG_20180506_091303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsjdtcNapquZ6N4E8OouDQr62YD5yMsIug8ue8zYSbRJK_1DlX0hjRDadoDH2Vwep-suwW5kKZFjiDZHkCFrcHa7afchimXuqdu4HrXzeqO_ygDLmS3GVaYrsb_NdJZPKyRq2jngBgL4/s400/IMG_20180506_091303.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was after I straightened everything.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEier4B-8lk0w5vUYjYXX9iGBZhU8g8dbshc6wXUXOy-6V93VflWS0ayXE9XXey0DyIVcePQCxcHxPZq-zhFQoNyY9UL442keq95dAaNJzvitFEUTvpmo2CXtkgZhQZ5WkvGQtpSz6EQnRE/s1600/IMG_20180506_104549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEier4B-8lk0w5vUYjYXX9iGBZhU8g8dbshc6wXUXOy-6V93VflWS0ayXE9XXey0DyIVcePQCxcHxPZq-zhFQoNyY9UL442keq95dAaNJzvitFEUTvpmo2CXtkgZhQZ5WkvGQtpSz6EQnRE/s400/IMG_20180506_104549.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mind the unused hole. This bracket originally had only two bolts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Busted Sway Bar Bushing</b></span><br />
The truck had a little more body roll than I would like, especially with the camper in it. The first thing I've done to try to reduce the roll is replace my worn out rear sway bar bushings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XaznD7vxjcT8WTXeHsifiXCTrxTw8RgW7r2IyPTMzDys0VDlh-H7EJwFeDA4q7xt4gSV4m3hapMduDQb8YQEB4SASoJYKJjdcfmKcNLxcoWdoXWdS8tKhfFSF-hq42CzuUxQiINB_LM/s1600/IMG_20180515_150202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XaznD7vxjcT8WTXeHsifiXCTrxTw8RgW7r2IyPTMzDys0VDlh-H7EJwFeDA4q7xt4gSV4m3hapMduDQb8YQEB4SASoJYKJjdcfmKcNLxcoWdoXWdS8tKhfFSF-hq42CzuUxQiINB_LM/s400/IMG_20180515_150202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Beneficial Backup Camera</b></span><br />
After nearly backing our camper into a light pole, I installed a <a href="https://amzn.to/2Iq7Spu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">backup camera</a>. It looks nasty because I rubberized it to try and improve its water resistance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmlewQE0EmD8MrMq6j-6kCvbSBb97UZpeitkKuEb3vSEm8UxObIJcP9IjuYnl1nQ7XKdG83kQQnNyS11uHn6AWJQ9Em0jOqg9x2syS-jn14J7fiK2GjusWMuoeaMnnv3XzP2aXdBYJCA/s1600/IMG_20180516_143715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmlewQE0EmD8MrMq6j-6kCvbSBb97UZpeitkKuEb3vSEm8UxObIJcP9IjuYnl1nQ7XKdG83kQQnNyS11uHn6AWJQ9Em0jOqg9x2syS-jn14J7fiK2GjusWMuoeaMnnv3XzP2aXdBYJCA/s400/IMG_20180516_143715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Beautiful Tailgate Bushing</b></span><br />
I take the tailgate off the truck pretty often, and usually struggled to put it back on. It turned out the <a href="https://amzn.to/2k0a78q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">little plastic bushing</a> on the hinge was causing my issue, so I replaced it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHXmaEaVlBhTaeTu-3jyC1LB4xeHQ5LRUkHY6J7bL8-tlD8XFhh24M32iJOc-ZFId6acLgwG1KS_CQEsFnc6sqMCiobJGY3FKRVCvfEGf6nSK0li0m7vimQ0ZeGJuLtsMqjgCQBrI6Gc/s1600/71jmbfEbamL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHXmaEaVlBhTaeTu-3jyC1LB4xeHQ5LRUkHY6J7bL8-tlD8XFhh24M32iJOc-ZFId6acLgwG1KS_CQEsFnc6sqMCiobJGY3FKRVCvfEGf6nSK0li0m7vimQ0ZeGJuLtsMqjgCQBrI6Gc/s400/71jmbfEbamL._SL1500_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dripping Differentials</b></span><br />
Both the front and rear differential covers were leaking, so I resealed them. I also repainted them while they were off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzXMjRUr5NaEPPCt5RcxAsq6poND1Gt2mapK9Woqs5rQYrIwwNhG8CpkdOQaWacACjmszwzfPPhJNQWnbjENawwKWD1OgIeyBZXEabqRWoesKqLea3qYQG8owFMTgjObsncNZpM1NhC8/s1600/IMG_20180516_143643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzXMjRUr5NaEPPCt5RcxAsq6poND1Gt2mapK9Woqs5rQYrIwwNhG8CpkdOQaWacACjmszwzfPPhJNQWnbjENawwKWD1OgIeyBZXEabqRWoesKqLea3qYQG8owFMTgjObsncNZpM1NhC8/s400/IMG_20180516_143643.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-20422251379298941432018-05-15T13:32:00.002-07:002018-05-15T13:41:27.988-07:00Previous Paso Pekema Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUWgF31aOlJMLsxNPUASZ-YeYQ_cW6b2WFrn98QP80yCIiXVoSu4HZ93Y0ecQ7LA5fYvB60UKD4zKxqPtalT70MajX-FjgdfoGJNVlG_QgaM6ZPuBdC99WNMpFLRHoGeYgX1_oEkJY3E/s1600/Welcome+to+Paso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1380" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUWgF31aOlJMLsxNPUASZ-YeYQ_cW6b2WFrn98QP80yCIiXVoSu4HZ93Y0ecQ7LA5fYvB60UKD4zKxqPtalT70MajX-FjgdfoGJNVlG_QgaM6ZPuBdC99WNMpFLRHoGeYgX1_oEkJY3E/s640/Welcome+to+Paso.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I was kind of feeling like we were really slacking on projects since moving into our new house, but after completing this post, I realize we've been staying pretty busy. Anyway, here's a quick recap of all the projects I can remember completing in our new house in Paso.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Disgraceful Doorknob</b></span><br />
The handle/latch on the front door of the house wasn't secured properly, because it didn't really fit the holes in the door. We bought a new latch for Paso, but took the old one to <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2017/01/front-door-facelift.html" target="_blank">Torrance to replace the gold unit there</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gIGvof4wXEzZ7vT6itAjejj2r7Mdo4cWahJD8TXHrrw0I86xJr5b15pRYWHjWoXo_QaG62ak2_H0HTJRtdzkgbCCi-K2rLsN3BbuYd7vuwgEHulvNRN_NQ5Ib4Y4hiCOl1Bp37fxBuQ/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gIGvof4wXEzZ7vT6itAjejj2r7Mdo4cWahJD8TXHrrw0I86xJr5b15pRYWHjWoXo_QaG62ak2_H0HTJRtdzkgbCCi-K2rLsN3BbuYd7vuwgEHulvNRN_NQ5Ib4Y4hiCOl1Bp37fxBuQ/s400/upload_-1" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig08o_eRONq-MsKXx7-L_n5JTTLf1FBEH12cQ-5q3AcPARKqBLZJeRHrAbbFliLBJO5S7A_gW9MnrOy-ivfL8FrVnpNUpCOrWM52HO_U8phio-Vkpxl1cDfFw4e0N_nl85ouxPMgpKZ08/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig08o_eRONq-MsKXx7-L_n5JTTLf1FBEH12cQ-5q3AcPARKqBLZJeRHrAbbFliLBJO5S7A_gW9MnrOy-ivfL8FrVnpNUpCOrWM52HO_U8phio-Vkpxl1cDfFw4e0N_nl85ouxPMgpKZ08/s400/upload_-1" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Worthless Water Softener</b></span><br />
I'm not convinced we needed a water softener, so I got rid of it. It was also in the way of the project below. I initially just looped the water lines using a small brass nipple, but eventually I soldered in a smaller, cleaner loop.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6ceJ64G6Ow/WEzTUgjN4pI/AAAAAAAAzX4/DeqyViBJkHonxQ7_CJA9yzJVGvSHSxpoACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161123_120248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E6ceJ64G6Ow/WEzTUgjN4pI/AAAAAAAAzX4/DeqyViBJkHonxQ7_CJA9yzJVGvSHSxpoACPcB/s400/IMG_20161123_120248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7MuusuM4y4/WEzTUjalKOI/AAAAAAAAzX4/rEzBj6LcB7sAvE6pqfpismK-Jm4ro3z-gCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161125_091119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I7MuusuM4y4/WEzTUjalKOI/AAAAAAAAzX4/rEzBj6LcB7sAvE6pqfpismK-Jm4ro3z-gCPcB/s400/IMG_20161125_091119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKWuh3OSMI_kzqyDsGt_pUfKI8lu28QUGkGEkMDN8Vrln3zf_eeF30iq4xhY8xRLSZr-P6crMYWJ3ie6JPCzfNMu2KbSHI6EgV9c_J34cn42J8WOeITCdRhVLYOcozItTZBWaKncxSrw/s1600/IMG_20180514_140542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKWuh3OSMI_kzqyDsGt_pUfKI8lu28QUGkGEkMDN8Vrln3zf_eeF30iq4xhY8xRLSZr-P6crMYWJ3ie6JPCzfNMu2KbSHI6EgV9c_J34cn42J8WOeITCdRhVLYOcozItTZBWaKncxSrw/s400/IMG_20180514_140542.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Glamorous Garage Floor</b></span><br />
We put an epoxy coating on our garage floor before moving in. It was quite a bit of work, but it turned out great. Here's the basic steps we followed: struggle to find the epoxy you want for a reasonable price because it can't be shipped to California, eventually find over-the-hill epoxy on ebay from questionable seller, fill a giant gap in the floor, rent a giant grinder and grind off the top layer of concrete, use an angle grinder to grind down the edges, sweep up and mop for days until the floor is clean, fill small cracks with sealant, wait one+ week to dry, turn on heater and blow into garage to keep temperature high enough, apply epoxy, sprinkle color chips, apply clear epoxy, throw away used supplies, enjoy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9UxvISEm6o/V-M5yysdgcI/AAAAAAAAvSk/_t52tvw3rCAolubKU7JQE0m4DLrvmF2OwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9UxvISEm6o/V-M5yysdgcI/AAAAAAAAvSk/_t52tvw3rCAolubKU7JQE0m4DLrvmF2OwCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TizIz_o2abpeSHGqS6eDgSnGlTHV0LnRStT-FAIWZsatoeRKdWoVqocyOBle9IfDW_v-N_0s6_UAet0COK9jAIFiCsj8e8i-PB8k4RVYWsc6Q1Mvw6Z4E9Uciy_r1LLaukMOg2fvVoE/s1600/IMG_20161123_125748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TizIz_o2abpeSHGqS6eDgSnGlTHV0LnRStT-FAIWZsatoeRKdWoVqocyOBle9IfDW_v-N_0s6_UAet0COK9jAIFiCsj8e8i-PB8k4RVYWsc6Q1Mvw6Z4E9Uciy_r1LLaukMOg2fvVoE/s400/IMG_20161123_125748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ6zcs7fKQs/WEzTUiMzWxI/AAAAAAAAzX4/LouZO79RGDcfNr0wlaX4fd6UpdV7KPxKwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161123_213614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ6zcs7fKQs/WEzTUiMzWxI/AAAAAAAAzX4/LouZO79RGDcfNr0wlaX4fd6UpdV7KPxKwCPcB/s400/IMG_20161123_213614.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmkHsDayeWs/WEzTUnZqC8I/AAAAAAAAzX4/X1SKwSryBd8YO6CLeTWhL36EFKkxI5TYACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161123_221042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pmkHsDayeWs/WEzTUnZqC8I/AAAAAAAAzX4/X1SKwSryBd8YO6CLeTWhL36EFKkxI5TYACPcB/s400/IMG_20161123_221042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nlX7nZYWDo/WEzTUrHnFjI/AAAAAAAAzX4/3_HKsgkGki0X7GtRuM6vKgn4OJoTioybgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161203_000229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_nlX7nZYWDo/WEzTUrHnFjI/AAAAAAAAzX4/3_HKsgkGki0X7GtRuM6vKgn4OJoTioybgCPcB/s400/IMG_20161203_000229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGDchfihsHA/WEzTUmUk0VI/AAAAAAAAzX4/7o__K2RxN9Yki_x1Cmy13nn1GkoP_Ph8ACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161203_075405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGDchfihsHA/WEzTUmUk0VI/AAAAAAAAzX4/7o__K2RxN9Yki_x1Cmy13nn1GkoP_Ph8ACPcB/s400/IMG_20161203_075405.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADeox5fCgXY/WEzTUhpB7QI/AAAAAAAAzX4/AlVS9J4MPF0obIKATMvnnOJf9CJA5mWigCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161203_113953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADeox5fCgXY/WEzTUhpB7QI/AAAAAAAAzX4/AlVS9J4MPF0obIKATMvnnOJf9CJA5mWigCPcB/s400/IMG_20161203_113953.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcMK8M90sR0/WEzTUoXmqfI/AAAAAAAAzX4/21Fggz2baGQQGsGe6HFRS6WomL2VFR-FQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161204_130049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcMK8M90sR0/WEzTUoXmqfI/AAAAAAAAzX4/21Fggz2baGQQGsGe6HFRS6WomL2VFR-FQCPcB/s400/IMG_20161204_130049.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dBppJ0IImM/WEzTUk1ElyI/AAAAAAAAzX4/8jUfZUQIkC4Yum5WiLGm3qDe2vj7Q1c8QCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161204_130112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8dBppJ0IImM/WEzTUk1ElyI/AAAAAAAAzX4/8jUfZUQIkC4Yum5WiLGm3qDe2vj7Q1c8QCPcB/s400/IMG_20161204_130112.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6iSlCp0X4o/WEzTUmjrQcI/AAAAAAAAzX4/8ZgkxcCfMzwenta_JARlqP2ZA_kS50D1gCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161204_130131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6iSlCp0X4o/WEzTUmjrQcI/AAAAAAAAzX4/8ZgkxcCfMzwenta_JARlqP2ZA_kS50D1gCPcB/s400/IMG_20161204_130131.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smBRMohd0b0/WEzTUpAiirI/AAAAAAAAzX4/XykPYnab73gC7439KE7RZuZ9W84WKpBpACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161204_132016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smBRMohd0b0/WEzTUpAiirI/AAAAAAAAzX4/XykPYnab73gC7439KE7RZuZ9W84WKpBpACPcB/s400/IMG_20161204_132016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Heavenly Hammock</span></b><br />
Getting our hammock hung was a very high priority.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC7BOJXhTWm-rzsoraLaTBaQwXgZ3BK5cp0E7qFWJUkJzs6x0zTCYICi4UdaDqfnPEvw6r0MJ3wyggd_z-qGdS9AmkfKlGUN0zLY7nbe53lslIZM1yW2cNFUedkA4n2nzeB3_At5lHWY/s1600/IMG_20170329_135303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYC7BOJXhTWm-rzsoraLaTBaQwXgZ3BK5cp0E7qFWJUkJzs6x0zTCYICi4UdaDqfnPEvw6r0MJ3wyggd_z-qGdS9AmkfKlGUN0zLY7nbe53lslIZM1yW2cNFUedkA4n2nzeB3_At5lHWY/s400/IMG_20170329_135303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Light Swap</b></span><br />
Since we loved <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2015/01/ditching-dim-dining.html" target="_blank">the chandelier we put in our Torrance dining room</a>, we decided to bring it with us. We actually swapped it with the one that was in the new house. It only seemed right, since the barrel light was made here in Paso.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSTM1UT7mLzWXUaUocwClRa_l2lEO0LvcsrGiKT8EWI93NTvAN9Nfd-5Eywb4IEmPnrX_JHbMG4jl2u-em8MJxgcxMFj_kEdskmak98iUm7_d3XRirQmT3Jxh842uYTGobsG764w_Ang/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSTM1UT7mLzWXUaUocwClRa_l2lEO0LvcsrGiKT8EWI93NTvAN9Nfd-5Eywb4IEmPnrX_JHbMG4jl2u-em8MJxgcxMFj_kEdskmak98iUm7_d3XRirQmT3Jxh842uYTGobsG764w_Ang/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1lYGlFRgfMgp38JSCtevME1srvWUXXI1BngIL04WmYwDPpOCA7DOcWebl6TUBpF5TVkYkEuWMhtjSI0Bv4kl75aNlUk_OtvWffM0fgXO6MjLqy4wDwcB3mCi-Qz1HqFqrotIOwBxjZ8/s1600/IMG_20180515_091004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1lYGlFRgfMgp38JSCtevME1srvWUXXI1BngIL04WmYwDPpOCA7DOcWebl6TUBpF5TVkYkEuWMhtjSI0Bv4kl75aNlUk_OtvWffM0fgXO6MjLqy4wDwcB3mCi-Qz1HqFqrotIOwBxjZ8/s400/IMG_20180515_091004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Coax Cleanup</b></span><br />
Since we don't feel the need to have a TV in the kitchen, we removed the ugly coax cable that ran there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P28ID4F9PrfdtTHKF6HOMkcOatyHu0bY7ga4pVXzgNzPdHhqdR42B_p9CPNrKsB5gX-EUxxPOhchddvz5bk34_5sgHdoJ7GMi0uZmfKV47KrFeu-jDGu2q_yDFFgRO9G4YQCRZ5279c/s1600/IMG_20170308_082141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P28ID4F9PrfdtTHKF6HOMkcOatyHu0bY7ga4pVXzgNzPdHhqdR42B_p9CPNrKsB5gX-EUxxPOhchddvz5bk34_5sgHdoJ7GMi0uZmfKV47KrFeu-jDGu2q_yDFFgRO9G4YQCRZ5279c/s400/IMG_20170308_082141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gas Gremlin</b></span><br />
Little did I know, there are different size gas lines for dryers. Of course this house and our old one were different and, according to Lowe's, they don't make convenient adapters, so the easiest and annoyingly expensive solution was to replace the whole valve.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtWmsC5V2_j8X3UzAN3ENLHJXynsuWVVgeyV32_MU90pTScfFSbGDmTNZzP0zDomzMfHdB7sL5cPX9mTiuqAb5PF8_rc4BZVG1F2474Dqq9qSI-gzNJfuYM-4a3plYsqKQ3f6UZN1Br4/s1600/IMG_20170312_135714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtWmsC5V2_j8X3UzAN3ENLHJXynsuWVVgeyV32_MU90pTScfFSbGDmTNZzP0zDomzMfHdB7sL5cPX9mTiuqAb5PF8_rc4BZVG1F2474Dqq9qSI-gzNJfuYM-4a3plYsqKQ3f6UZN1Br4/s320/IMG_20170312_135714.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Frustrating Faucet</b></span><br />
This house came with a pretty absurd kitchen faucet. The two knob design is inefficient and it could barely reach the right hand sink basin. We replaced it with a much more functional unit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQD4Bg9L1mLEAu5utC9CIdkxF9Kox7vywFQjzG6qPOkRCfjqpdKTNbYJzKUtGwSEIGm6BfZplN61zvo6S6xnbFdIV7hBTFl1sV1yXkkGWu1H4TGdlI0mS4wyqKf0GG9xgbsnXireW6HM/s1600/IMG_20170312_153835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQD4Bg9L1mLEAu5utC9CIdkxF9Kox7vywFQjzG6qPOkRCfjqpdKTNbYJzKUtGwSEIGm6BfZplN61zvo6S6xnbFdIV7hBTFl1sV1yXkkGWu1H4TGdlI0mS4wyqKf0GG9xgbsnXireW6HM/s400/IMG_20170312_153835.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDr6KqUZP0VKAy1YosXsjNc4N3n2sAFKeSFfM2ZKni-3rbIElstiH-pSIQ_CRSXaXq4lUrx-IdWwjYi7w5KGTvIS4QQ8hQldGXCPW1Cl7n4o9vvnaiCPSy6i5EJJu7kUFEkxiRvF0otc/s1600/IMG_20180514_140642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDr6KqUZP0VKAy1YosXsjNc4N3n2sAFKeSFfM2ZKni-3rbIElstiH-pSIQ_CRSXaXq4lUrx-IdWwjYi7w5KGTvIS4QQ8hQldGXCPW1Cl7n4o9vvnaiCPSy6i5EJJu7kUFEkxiRvF0otc/s400/IMG_20180514_140642.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gutter Grief</b></span><br />
The gutters and valleys on our roof were full of debris, so we did a serious cleaning. I handled the gutters but I had Chrissy clean the valleys since she is much lighter and less likely to crack roof tiles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UVCqv5705DpGMuzxuQXfRyiIoWrt-tLZXIEB4EpvBQDBBPYGbvQaJ7rn0MRyuVhojZHaf3jAw6SNTdVRaLbx4ou-gQ6PSw5NIS7wlB4zSvvPuVxkmT_xvswPTu3VHOlBVks8w45LvpM/s1600/IMG_20170316_130258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UVCqv5705DpGMuzxuQXfRyiIoWrt-tLZXIEB4EpvBQDBBPYGbvQaJ7rn0MRyuVhojZHaf3jAw6SNTdVRaLbx4ou-gQ6PSw5NIS7wlB4zSvvPuVxkmT_xvswPTu3VHOlBVks8w45LvpM/s400/IMG_20170316_130258.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dish Delete</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2012/10/a-little-lower.html" target="_blank">Once again</a>, we removed a non-functional satellite dish and cable from the house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpxlbNdttANqj4kmDI1uQVxIfXVQflmyLHDRDciAhPt_iZtFNxaFa_N-EMWIlhgM50SDc6GCaaq3ZhNBMpoXBf2jlGepOLU3fYBBTl7nW3dbp8fxbHesAyYcUx57A9oLKuvXEMez9-so/s1600/IMG_20170316_144006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpxlbNdttANqj4kmDI1uQVxIfXVQflmyLHDRDciAhPt_iZtFNxaFa_N-EMWIlhgM50SDc6GCaaq3ZhNBMpoXBf2jlGepOLU3fYBBTl7nW3dbp8fxbHesAyYcUx57A9oLKuvXEMez9-so/s400/IMG_20170316_144006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3yL9Nl8DdW-e83NGPwWj5Bkjj7iJwkF0IhrWwSDadGsHx2-xPlm7OSs24PEsXtpZGlTLh6pKumtm-uX66A3yyO-6uMUAyQQyhqzBKMVPbtr6i7PA7ne9QYVnH6GMkrILOWob0Ad91jQ/s1600/IMG_20170316_145845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3yL9Nl8DdW-e83NGPwWj5Bkjj7iJwkF0IhrWwSDadGsHx2-xPlm7OSs24PEsXtpZGlTLh6pKumtm-uX66A3yyO-6uMUAyQQyhqzBKMVPbtr6i7PA7ne9QYVnH6GMkrILOWob0Ad91jQ/s400/IMG_20170316_145845.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Delightful Doorbell</b></span><br />
In our quest to remove all the 90s gold from the house, the first thing to go was the old doorbell.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoap-HjmVIExd4Nyj5jFmLtSzena-O3Mqs5_6Z1AwGKWkX1v68iPxWgz0VFNo2S5Uw-HZJsRNPtR3fZxdIY9XMKhO5KlrxlTX9IROiwzBiKhyphenhyphenOpVpASfOi_SpFsD_uNxErLd_EdaX26zA/s1600/IMG_20170316_150455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoap-HjmVIExd4Nyj5jFmLtSzena-O3Mqs5_6Z1AwGKWkX1v68iPxWgz0VFNo2S5Uw-HZJsRNPtR3fZxdIY9XMKhO5KlrxlTX9IROiwzBiKhyphenhyphenOpVpASfOi_SpFsD_uNxErLd_EdaX26zA/s400/IMG_20170316_150455.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ5Uu3IoOeTty2X-nAYPbLlMgaP_eR4CvcWcSub3mHKFAuhZQovdb6jthm0amnWErq799-FdQLc-3IehUdUVBTwhV9DUZ-owHI9ilAQslZRB2ZfRSDwnK4_BA87fb1wsBRnD_5li5WfM/s1600/IMG_20170316_151806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQ5Uu3IoOeTty2X-nAYPbLlMgaP_eR4CvcWcSub3mHKFAuhZQovdb6jthm0amnWErq799-FdQLc-3IehUdUVBTwhV9DUZ-owHI9ilAQslZRB2ZfRSDwnK4_BA87fb1wsBRnD_5li5WfM/s400/IMG_20170316_151806.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Perfecting Porch Lights</b></span><br />
After replacing all the porch light bulbs with LEDs, they started flickering, so I bypassed the light sensors in all four fixtures and all was well again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUWrfm15EGvW_jmpGYdHtyx5Kv6lf0xHtpHyOs91Bev-Er6YfCRlngFLmthfHV5HhLKWKwice_uVPmQby-zDyoqqucqISHskUmaol7AmZqh8vIHQkj8s0EJ1AIwt0L0eeZkfMOlf_a3M/s1600/IMG_20170316_162248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUWrfm15EGvW_jmpGYdHtyx5Kv6lf0xHtpHyOs91Bev-Er6YfCRlngFLmthfHV5HhLKWKwice_uVPmQby-zDyoqqucqISHskUmaol7AmZqh8vIHQkj8s0EJ1AIwt0L0eeZkfMOlf_a3M/s400/IMG_20170316_162248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Super Switch</b></span><br />
Just <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2014/04/switching-switches.html" target="_blank">like in Torrance</a>, we got a fancy switch to control our porch lights. <a href="https://amzn.to/2IgWHUe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This one is even better</a> because we put in our latitude and longitude so it automatically adjusts based on when the sun sets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIAqI8yTCTpkE-MKsUHitWH7YiLVMtDNWqTyG00HVidYXOwASg-ypTqsRyUGFLnnxMgca_F8AnHZGpKhYtaNLjBEbiyu5nAEG7gf6qD3tzctnE3_EZZtGGLl9nF0phfhyphenhyphenfAR2t7xk6jc/s1600/IMG_20170320_094230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIAqI8yTCTpkE-MKsUHitWH7YiLVMtDNWqTyG00HVidYXOwASg-ypTqsRyUGFLnnxMgca_F8AnHZGpKhYtaNLjBEbiyu5nAEG7gf6qD3tzctnE3_EZZtGGLl9nF0phfhyphenhyphenfAR2t7xk6jc/s400/IMG_20170320_094230.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Accessible Attic</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We built a couple shelves in the rafters of our attic to create some more convenient storage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jzF5O9I7ysHtbpIv6IOeCsvvqpOn-MNaVHcI6p11tTArwL2FdeKSOEDXxF01OxC9B3eBvFyzY61AuETCs65ItLIFdo6eRs9vbyPC771z88BXIq0dJRepPZTKIyLz1iGDuQ71PnWka5M/s1600/IMG_20170323_113555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jzF5O9I7ysHtbpIv6IOeCsvvqpOn-MNaVHcI6p11tTArwL2FdeKSOEDXxF01OxC9B3eBvFyzY61AuETCs65ItLIFdo6eRs9vbyPC771z88BXIq0dJRepPZTKIyLz1iGDuQ71PnWka5M/s400/IMG_20170323_113555.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDKlVL1qROQBoPvZeHK1yBlDN-NrcssxFU_6pDty-ysSTGPdCNzrxTktqv4HnL1TC-ym0bugwf4rV4ArIS8tgfd2XrDnBkwaltEAkqLYn3coXvEwYb8sXVspoYmd4qDQJugrutg40_b8/s1600/IMG_20170323_120840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDKlVL1qROQBoPvZeHK1yBlDN-NrcssxFU_6pDty-ysSTGPdCNzrxTktqv4HnL1TC-ym0bugwf4rV4ArIS8tgfd2XrDnBkwaltEAkqLYn3coXvEwYb8sXVspoYmd4qDQJugrutg40_b8/s400/IMG_20170323_120840.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Crap in the Closet</b></span><br />
We put some shelves in the closet of our "office." The space was very difficult to utilize before the shelves went in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuib3FuZgpAeUsgOQqTuTR3Mwupv_hBzzqjfDKH6iveLOpqUXu323HrQBhEmqWAsyENmoLfNc6uohpe6_8clibgpCMvE_neHVTm7w891lt1UgPkPF20UHHeScbU6WGs7SU-SWKO6HGG0/s1600/IMG_20170324_085631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuib3FuZgpAeUsgOQqTuTR3Mwupv_hBzzqjfDKH6iveLOpqUXu323HrQBhEmqWAsyENmoLfNc6uohpe6_8clibgpCMvE_neHVTm7w891lt1UgPkPF20UHHeScbU6WGs7SU-SWKO6HGG0/s400/IMG_20170324_085631.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c2LjSmgItmUBEdWzb3sGQb9ZTz0ZkHRAcaDVZRKkaZakncAmahjVbi3hyphenhyphenoTeGHbMB6C6gJKt3phDLvZ1-FHX0glFKOOl-mhEPm5dDYkexvE-Oso-JYglwpVZG00ZJBtjIGw3qLqGByA/s1600/IMG_20170326_192345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3c2LjSmgItmUBEdWzb3sGQb9ZTz0ZkHRAcaDVZRKkaZakncAmahjVbi3hyphenhyphenoTeGHbMB6C6gJKt3phDLvZ1-FHX0glFKOOl-mhEPm5dDYkexvE-Oso-JYglwpVZG00ZJBtjIGw3qLqGByA/s400/IMG_20170326_192345.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Warmer Water</b></span><br />
Our water heater is in the far corner of the garage, so it took forever to get hot water in the house. We installed a recirculating pump to help. It requires a valve under a sink to function.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM1iPUPELy9RW9FXBomNWpAfubqeTFAsClP4VFbUo7DXtNqAUY8hKjOrpTK8HIYbQLfQ_mEdQIVF7FopY72hzo0o5_MB55M1nxAKylTl_wK8pbgsG5kFiWM15QTEjKWTNbgkI8BrqEas/s1600/IMG_20170327_194116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM1iPUPELy9RW9FXBomNWpAfubqeTFAsClP4VFbUo7DXtNqAUY8hKjOrpTK8HIYbQLfQ_mEdQIVF7FopY72hzo0o5_MB55M1nxAKylTl_wK8pbgsG5kFiWM15QTEjKWTNbgkI8BrqEas/s400/IMG_20170327_194116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxQOrn9UcQwUnZM8uOtF39c7RLB-Aq_nUEXxtmyC15rk4jRzzstHQPjKlIlq7fVi5DdOY8W9GUw2J9HQApdmxuMlu4WtOi19icem30AYHcIB50sOylgQiFY5MtIY91LOyPnUFfqY-d_U/s1600/IMG_20170327_194344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxQOrn9UcQwUnZM8uOtF39c7RLB-Aq_nUEXxtmyC15rk4jRzzstHQPjKlIlq7fVi5DdOY8W9GUw2J9HQApdmxuMlu4WtOi19icem30AYHcIB50sOylgQiFY5MtIY91LOyPnUFfqY-d_U/s400/IMG_20170327_194344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Functional Fan</b></span><br />
We raised the fan in the office so I wouldn't hit my head on the lights.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_Rh5blssAS6KhSIWeNeU1lPxMnIrljgg1-NGTv0a7trBCRzua9evCCpqquog4soYtfiRm1-cLwhBWbWXaQmGG9x_dc3870FXHktvxUK-UY7Ei4Vt4Ip1_U5rtvNSC-2DSMWL9iVKrvs/s1600/IMG_20170328_102738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_Rh5blssAS6KhSIWeNeU1lPxMnIrljgg1-NGTv0a7trBCRzua9evCCpqquog4soYtfiRm1-cLwhBWbWXaQmGG9x_dc3870FXHktvxUK-UY7Ei4Vt4Ip1_U5rtvNSC-2DSMWL9iVKrvs/s400/IMG_20170328_102738.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hBDfE4FTuYjii6b26DPdh8wrpuSkWt6858wuyI6ht5hz4YoBtPNcSX8WPLr0OKZ1QzMRGBH4JggxffBmQZanC42NXahCZm7VRzyCrhMdLkfsKL4eRIYhasxrNbIPwf22YSLfLcPqVaQ/s1600/IMG_20170328_110410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hBDfE4FTuYjii6b26DPdh8wrpuSkWt6858wuyI6ht5hz4YoBtPNcSX8WPLr0OKZ1QzMRGBH4JggxffBmQZanC42NXahCZm7VRzyCrhMdLkfsKL4eRIYhasxrNbIPwf22YSLfLcPqVaQ/s400/IMG_20170328_110410.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Clean Clothes</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2013/07/the-high-line.html" target="_blank">Just like we did</a> a <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2013/04/line-dry-redux.html" target="_blank">couple times</a> in Torrance, we installed our clothes line in the back yard.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCv9HqPV0ulp5OWh21yuBXTSZbfVBFuDzrjlTvDwIYz9ai-CLnmNcclwWHNYZzK9lFX7IRg96JMwXfb_9U5AEG6Sgp5hLxAZDdbhMiDzFaG_zXrma6yABHjY7s0N7K3Z6Qd5_1DHj4yE/s1600/IMG_20170329_180222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCv9HqPV0ulp5OWh21yuBXTSZbfVBFuDzrjlTvDwIYz9ai-CLnmNcclwWHNYZzK9lFX7IRg96JMwXfb_9U5AEG6Sgp5hLxAZDdbhMiDzFaG_zXrma6yABHjY7s0N7K3Z6Qd5_1DHj4yE/s400/IMG_20170329_180222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Garage Door Insulation</b></span><br />
Since we do lots of work in the garage, we wanted to make it a little more comfortable, so I insulated both garage doors with 1.5" foam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvX4yAPQK4s-0QA4UWUXCMhhXpiS3dngb-plVnz3EKHfbag4ioQsPDYoueZu6rzx2XG17m12hEsH0fLAx44sLAApuAq-DpU9ggqq5Ovu3M1MGU_O0k5FeYHU-2Pizyxgjhzj5R1DdVkg/s1600/IMG_20170330_155144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvX4yAPQK4s-0QA4UWUXCMhhXpiS3dngb-plVnz3EKHfbag4ioQsPDYoueZu6rzx2XG17m12hEsH0fLAx44sLAApuAq-DpU9ggqq5Ovu3M1MGU_O0k5FeYHU-2Pizyxgjhzj5R1DdVkg/s400/IMG_20170330_155144.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Polished Knobs</b></span><br />
This was the most effective and annoying project to get gold out of the house. I replaced approximately 600 gold door knobs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWCJYDDRY1IbAeQLhLn78Cp2YI3rqe3TrLWSAtNnzR1UuWkRH3H6VPu2hsA26gZgqdDB5ZoEu5wXHdeJsr5HPiNg4-5uxW4wA5ZZ2gjeJCYB4LOwHwzNO9Y77bQ-XLE8nFPYDreGLt28/s1600/IMG_20170331_092639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWCJYDDRY1IbAeQLhLn78Cp2YI3rqe3TrLWSAtNnzR1UuWkRH3H6VPu2hsA26gZgqdDB5ZoEu5wXHdeJsr5HPiNg4-5uxW4wA5ZZ2gjeJCYB4LOwHwzNO9Y77bQ-XLE8nFPYDreGLt28/s400/IMG_20170331_092639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1xpizoQayUnhDmWDnCVgji2J1MK8O_bmJG7WdxBaxCn3W7Oec92MZouWd426kpOPReYfaA4qYdA8ZYaD8F7a5Bn2AWYwvcsGHhPHv4qFOp2MNZNU5s-Wj34AuiKhCQ64jlB5CGu_YWU/s1600/IMG_20170331_094040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1xpizoQayUnhDmWDnCVgji2J1MK8O_bmJG7WdxBaxCn3W7Oec92MZouWd426kpOPReYfaA4qYdA8ZYaD8F7a5Bn2AWYwvcsGHhPHv4qFOp2MNZNU5s-Wj34AuiKhCQ64jlB5CGu_YWU/s400/IMG_20170331_094040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wicked Wagon</b></span><br />
Now that we have a baby, it was time to put the side rails on <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2013/06/12-inches-of-extra-length-to-my-handle.html" target="_blank">our wagon</a>. Unfortunately, I lost the hardware to install them, so I spent ~$40 on stainless steel hardware. I have subsequently found the original hardware; d'oh.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkuqFlOhySWewyHYWs0_2UfBnQ_4xGBYxcktqzmvtyK2ud7ZIVQH1ijWkkcvKGoPagIHRvILn1wcRrM52LEE9J7PkE_FO5C8kUd6SUvLE251sxh7abAwEvkUPRC9D2YEy8_gN_yl2sak/s1600/IMG_20170402_101846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkuqFlOhySWewyHYWs0_2UfBnQ_4xGBYxcktqzmvtyK2ud7ZIVQH1ijWkkcvKGoPagIHRvILn1wcRrM52LEE9J7PkE_FO5C8kUd6SUvLE251sxh7abAwEvkUPRC9D2YEy8_gN_yl2sak/s400/IMG_20170402_101846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi146n_XUL-z4s2GsIxgrTlXagg2al_giSdFaJb0vq8Or1br-h0lTHFGjfJ5TK1eqs_w4ekI_GbbqlEMdFAUlgu20RBZ94dmmQmk5K79kDRE-X_99ENCjny8UWnY-1sJcxNHNqcEF5R0Pg/s1600/IMG_20170402_132532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi146n_XUL-z4s2GsIxgrTlXagg2al_giSdFaJb0vq8Or1br-h0lTHFGjfJ5TK1eqs_w4ekI_GbbqlEMdFAUlgu20RBZ94dmmQmk5K79kDRE-X_99ENCjny8UWnY-1sJcxNHNqcEF5R0Pg/s400/IMG_20170402_132532.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wonderful WiFi</b></span><br />
To improve the WiFi coverage throughout the house, I installed our router in the attic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e75VSuylFnBgFwo2-bR7GGtaQ7SyyDvGJc7RBurN09jUhIzwq0JmlJEKDDWpBFo1706Xx2B2YTnJNG_U8aYlTdYbGgq1we4OMrfSN7_Q09A2jvx-_k20kD_sxEt12SuDYQ16zEwcr3o/s1600/IMG_20170403_122855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e75VSuylFnBgFwo2-bR7GGtaQ7SyyDvGJc7RBurN09jUhIzwq0JmlJEKDDWpBFo1706Xx2B2YTnJNG_U8aYlTdYbGgq1we4OMrfSN7_Q09A2jvx-_k20kD_sxEt12SuDYQ16zEwcr3o/s400/IMG_20170403_122855.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Invisible Valves</b></span><br />
In another <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2013/08/sprinkler-valves-dont-rock-until-now.html" target="_blank">deja vu project</a>, I installed a <a href="https://amzn.to/2IiuJra" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fake rock</a> over the sprinkler valves in front of the house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQD2Bj1MGopj8evqyAmO7wLGBpt5I_J8l155VNFSUjIXTvbQq-lYMtZkIou-d-hW-DHz8wJlJ5BAGqq7TypgQzmV8i3JQPYYln0eKOLZzB_t3SBGJ7jv71JJtdlPAMu5ujSE9gmNrfnA/s1600/IMG_20170404_111845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQD2Bj1MGopj8evqyAmO7wLGBpt5I_J8l155VNFSUjIXTvbQq-lYMtZkIou-d-hW-DHz8wJlJ5BAGqq7TypgQzmV8i3JQPYYln0eKOLZzB_t3SBGJ7jv71JJtdlPAMu5ujSE9gmNrfnA/s400/IMG_20170404_111845.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Crack Caulk</b></span><br />
The kitchen backsplash in this house is just beadboard. It was getting destroyed behind the sink, so I applied a thick bead of caulk to slow the decay.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3XsT1MWbBAv-1ImgBJ8W76ZxNuU0xkV3i1XA7ikYZHh5iY1SkJqe-r406S7l2uKMEBFnBCkybyCa1GrXL7_QadovS5K7fi6OE9Tn1EwjYEd-q7h0nkL2ZGO-17bEX7wns3ivSQ9NcYY/s1600/IMG_20170408_112513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3XsT1MWbBAv-1ImgBJ8W76ZxNuU0xkV3i1XA7ikYZHh5iY1SkJqe-r406S7l2uKMEBFnBCkybyCa1GrXL7_QadovS5K7fi6OE9Tn1EwjYEd-q7h0nkL2ZGO-17bEX7wns3ivSQ9NcYY/s400/IMG_20170408_112513.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before caulk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Shorter Stools</b></span><br />
I should have done this project years ago, but I finally shortened our bar stools from bar-height to counter-height. I even put fancy feet on them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwTuu1RTT2cnSKqgbGrCvrIMSP-efu17hEJ2IuzJvtKUXNAiqDi2ywnCxQEeYk542VZjL1kOA0BsnYIKTJyVpqaAa2UKWRugbgWgBFfN3hx9el-M84eZbW4s8d6yJO63h9i04nLtP8lc/s1600/IMG_20170408_115938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwTuu1RTT2cnSKqgbGrCvrIMSP-efu17hEJ2IuzJvtKUXNAiqDi2ywnCxQEeYk542VZjL1kOA0BsnYIKTJyVpqaAa2UKWRugbgWgBFfN3hx9el-M84eZbW4s8d6yJO63h9i04nLtP8lc/s400/IMG_20170408_115938.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAKKcCHXEpZDfXlNksO1a8LSaznBAVDD8mfQdK5hz_oSftaKk9fJc1GXrRCNJVN_HTP5yM_Yz8GY1kyrlqivn7XWUsZtAIz_cO9Mb2uKVLiiVenOQlwcgJ4LDfVNw6mQk7qW302zlHSE/s1600/IMG_20170408_122230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAKKcCHXEpZDfXlNksO1a8LSaznBAVDD8mfQdK5hz_oSftaKk9fJc1GXrRCNJVN_HTP5yM_Yz8GY1kyrlqivn7XWUsZtAIz_cO9Mb2uKVLiiVenOQlwcgJ4LDfVNw6mQk7qW302zlHSE/s320/IMG_20170408_122230.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tree Trimming</b></span><br />
Our half-acre property is littered with trees, so I spent a couple days trimming all the dead branches out of them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU0_N6iTbmfG1S_9qCYtxAIZQ9RDEUjb6Z3qs4EJTS08ls2m1ATq1F9nNgQ8A9K-shXM4QuzZeCv7aNJlyjn9mp0_7j1NG9dXD-N2modxRcx9l2fhz1FBYDwMg9YAnSTjAJfog3A3ZYg/s1600/IMG_20170408_151529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU0_N6iTbmfG1S_9qCYtxAIZQ9RDEUjb6Z3qs4EJTS08ls2m1ATq1F9nNgQ8A9K-shXM4QuzZeCv7aNJlyjn9mp0_7j1NG9dXD-N2modxRcx9l2fhz1FBYDwMg9YAnSTjAJfog3A3ZYg/s400/IMG_20170408_151529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Funner Fan</b></span><br />
The ceiling in our craft room is really low, so its low hanging fan was extra annoying. We replaced it with a flush-mount version to maximize headroom. The old fan was moved to Hope's room since it didn't have a fan.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr1Y3iDTX0KAEumT49slpb0_3LoEzuVNIGYAhMH_NyNiOvYxxOrKfrMkXdei_PwfssbPTts5C4jZ_ueWbIObvoha-sdl-yJUzg3oMk7lx1QzRWio_k9uTHvvKxCPohwaEmPK5anxLiQo/s1600/IMG_20170409_102349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr1Y3iDTX0KAEumT49slpb0_3LoEzuVNIGYAhMH_NyNiOvYxxOrKfrMkXdei_PwfssbPTts5C4jZ_ueWbIObvoha-sdl-yJUzg3oMk7lx1QzRWio_k9uTHvvKxCPohwaEmPK5anxLiQo/s400/IMG_20170409_102349.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyTZdxvwcRj0zwYOm6WV9FwBU48CWSZIVTXlHa6Rx-vBq1QbpyvfM8Mx54Mbrx1TExesE_v9xxa3hS_B0754CBDGjh1TqwQ8BBcYXwt98GMZcmjQ0YcevHhg_nqYgZ-QNnpFXe-hd7Fw/s1600/IMG_20180514_145207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyTZdxvwcRj0zwYOm6WV9FwBU48CWSZIVTXlHa6Rx-vBq1QbpyvfM8Mx54Mbrx1TExesE_v9xxa3hS_B0754CBDGjh1TqwQ8BBcYXwt98GMZcmjQ0YcevHhg_nqYgZ-QNnpFXe-hd7Fw/s400/IMG_20180514_145207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pretty Patio</b></span><br />
We bought a new (used) patio set while we were camping in southern California. The table got strapped to the roof of our camper. Chrissy re-covered all the cushions that came with the set.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoe2_bO5Seb9LKDehPfdXSb1-KjgDutjsgvQiitYyKws1-R-kp-LAplFZ3GMyHkA5ToWjmwLkcSL32AwnILDv-O_qBv0pDO5YaJBCqsKDfVkuDiDp8IC97bXPgKH1HrXaX4a-L1Q4SQw/s1600/IMG_20170423_113235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoe2_bO5Seb9LKDehPfdXSb1-KjgDutjsgvQiitYyKws1-R-kp-LAplFZ3GMyHkA5ToWjmwLkcSL32AwnILDv-O_qBv0pDO5YaJBCqsKDfVkuDiDp8IC97bXPgKH1HrXaX4a-L1Q4SQw/s400/IMG_20170423_113235.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Best Buffet</b></span><br />
We also bought a buffet in So-Cal. It replaced a hand-me-down buffet that didn't work in the new house. The buffet rode in the camper along with the patio chairs and cushions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySlSlRQ-eRx2ATb3c9wWBTrBKK8HojOpoiyE_p5Z0EB0d2Qh9v2ODQeR0rhMP41I7brAWxa4a5yZBEFhTYh8aOOovN42IbZIp9vXhrDexl8CKgF1RmEpifIJi8ha7tyrDIQ0xyFi3XXI/s1600/IMG_20170424_183307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySlSlRQ-eRx2ATb3c9wWBTrBKK8HojOpoiyE_p5Z0EB0d2Qh9v2ODQeR0rhMP41I7brAWxa4a5yZBEFhTYh8aOOovN42IbZIp9vXhrDexl8CKgF1RmEpifIJi8ha7tyrDIQ0xyFi3XXI/s400/IMG_20170424_183307.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Little Light</b></span><br />
In yet another gold removal project, we ditched four gold "boob" lights and replaced them with something better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5pHWlTGUJSzhBJk0RaG5CJEQimpJ4Kh0-Ey99NAiTRVN03manbDaSKBzeR2QUca-ci10Dzoy3ALiTHwlrSaMAXGEqFSL4soi2s34u4nH4wSouK1hDpZF-8mNoGqoMyj6OMMhrON1qdE/s1600/IMG_20170425_143630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5pHWlTGUJSzhBJk0RaG5CJEQimpJ4Kh0-Ey99NAiTRVN03manbDaSKBzeR2QUca-ci10Dzoy3ALiTHwlrSaMAXGEqFSL4soi2s34u4nH4wSouK1hDpZF-8mNoGqoMyj6OMMhrON1qdE/s400/IMG_20170425_143630.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdcdr1jWu4fB7VtdFsXB3wNhCoB9SSYpf3wR_GSILoh_To1NsjJ7g4aS8rgMfTuAvKSI_J6EcXb5B1RztRN9gtC4UqzStE4EYAqex89u8DSR6UDzJIuVomtJAYEcefWDK_09_cpIlAZc/s1600/IMG_20170425_152012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdcdr1jWu4fB7VtdFsXB3wNhCoB9SSYpf3wR_GSILoh_To1NsjJ7g4aS8rgMfTuAvKSI_J6EcXb5B1RztRN9gtC4UqzStE4EYAqex89u8DSR6UDzJIuVomtJAYEcefWDK_09_cpIlAZc/s400/IMG_20170425_152012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8RJO4yx2ojNDWvgbOCitU5qGYyB_ejYQQj-jOiXPw7KjGdHg5RaQCn5TChsLmAaRYic4n8SP0xfcV2vM5gJjnfmThEjL61AC1SC5GFs-K_f3qfm7M77IgPuNJDNwDgG933luuCfpn8w/s1600/IMG_20180514_145936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX8RJO4yx2ojNDWvgbOCitU5qGYyB_ejYQQj-jOiXPw7KjGdHg5RaQCn5TChsLmAaRYic4n8SP0xfcV2vM5gJjnfmThEjL61AC1SC5GFs-K_f3qfm7M77IgPuNJDNwDgG933luuCfpn8w/s400/IMG_20180514_145936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Laughable Lighting</b></span><br />
We replaced the giant, gaudy foyer light and the ceiling fan in the living room. Not only did they look terrible, they produced virtually no light.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfHG9r8WHEI7de3nwa9rSc1WSTNqew8wSV8b9W2SdHQTLICOL4QFZUoqCE6npwqijB23EqzywyHmaP798q-yFWQ4yby-BsGpL6ETWK4-LjkJ9z9dls-wCTjfj_06bwpHT9WGIUFLLam4/s1600/IMG_20170425_152204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfHG9r8WHEI7de3nwa9rSc1WSTNqew8wSV8b9W2SdHQTLICOL4QFZUoqCE6npwqijB23EqzywyHmaP798q-yFWQ4yby-BsGpL6ETWK4-LjkJ9z9dls-wCTjfj_06bwpHT9WGIUFLLam4/s400/IMG_20170425_152204.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk_f10h8gz6_XPQ3WZugU9eqsejydSU2iq3npZO4q8xAfPh5DpEgiHW3XEWT3VqNo1bxKWUkkJqZWhRzBzx26O4kbLki_8JV8Jx179aYQQ5UkwEBHQJY5c7XUjEGYB68lXZrL6mNTZf0/s1600/IMG_20180514_150053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwk_f10h8gz6_XPQ3WZugU9eqsejydSU2iq3npZO4q8xAfPh5DpEgiHW3XEWT3VqNo1bxKWUkkJqZWhRzBzx26O4kbLki_8JV8Jx179aYQQ5UkwEBHQJY5c7XUjEGYB68lXZrL6mNTZf0/s400/IMG_20180514_150053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Endless Interior Painting</b></span><br />
After agonizing over colors, we painted most of the interior of the house, banishing as much of the buttercream as we could. Luckily, my dad and uncle helped with this, because it was a big project. Most of the ceilings were painted the wall color, so we had to paint them too. We even had to repaint the vents.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENvPgdORdvsSSiZGQ9VxU_NRd4Gue-IOfp71nLlE9LGPS9EXZkKlC48U1GzdO1M1HvTTaI42vOkhqzkAIFG0JPI5Kfg7PV6Clzp2zd9s15M5ggcUdQ6iCJ3oAsvQvNQyvNus5T37GJ3M/s1600/IMG_20170428_102710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENvPgdORdvsSSiZGQ9VxU_NRd4Gue-IOfp71nLlE9LGPS9EXZkKlC48U1GzdO1M1HvTTaI42vOkhqzkAIFG0JPI5Kfg7PV6Clzp2zd9s15M5ggcUdQ6iCJ3oAsvQvNQyvNus5T37GJ3M/s400/IMG_20170428_102710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P-92VfhhdBSn_gRRrZ3ZAp63LQfY5N2vnUCQRZ9NUNOvM8SLYBq9MXH88_FDnGNRVmU2voRLDlUfGMQ0KplqA97fDQNuDSTKWfm6sCWeAZ-5AZE2hZM1w8j7i0g9AlBAyoHf7AHLJ58/s1600/IMG_20170502_103417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3P-92VfhhdBSn_gRRrZ3ZAp63LQfY5N2vnUCQRZ9NUNOvM8SLYBq9MXH88_FDnGNRVmU2voRLDlUfGMQ0KplqA97fDQNuDSTKWfm6sCWeAZ-5AZE2hZM1w8j7i0g9AlBAyoHf7AHLJ58/s400/IMG_20170502_103417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tasteless Trim</b></span><br />
The master bath had some ridiculous trim around the windows. It was very well attached, so it wrecked the drywall, requiring annoying repairs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRyk0YD-9PDuS4neeG3828HuQ0zRhe7KU4bHHZlFwGuhwxHJfjv31s6zFRero8HPHIZuqg-Mf9pQB3JVVt0iMyLkNMi73-H3duOFrS_Aed2oCVMYcnTVEivu8sFXEG3xk5udg3u6J7TM/s1600/IMG_20170429_073704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRyk0YD-9PDuS4neeG3828HuQ0zRhe7KU4bHHZlFwGuhwxHJfjv31s6zFRero8HPHIZuqg-Mf9pQB3JVVt0iMyLkNMi73-H3duOFrS_Aed2oCVMYcnTVEivu8sFXEG3xk5udg3u6J7TM/s400/IMG_20170429_073704.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cv1jyJFwCJRzs8HXZVvrajTg7NIFbB_F01dgdbs1F8W_Vlra9hQY09_6D6ZUgHhCE6-J0uEATp6WkvVmB2o4cVrW02lj7ltTspsdiWBfAsYsbwKpB36-VIheXtnzXWUAkmxZRjAXB6Y/s1600/IMG_20170429_080743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Cv1jyJFwCJRzs8HXZVvrajTg7NIFbB_F01dgdbs1F8W_Vlra9hQY09_6D6ZUgHhCE6-J0uEATp6WkvVmB2o4cVrW02lj7ltTspsdiWBfAsYsbwKpB36-VIheXtnzXWUAkmxZRjAXB6Y/s400/IMG_20170429_080743.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stainless Stove</b></span><br />
We found a stainless steel stove on the sidewalk, so we snagged it and replaced the white apartment-grade unit that came with the house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxminrcwLPedck6quRWI4i5E5eYRMQQCupAZYvJb81Xso1dtbJ-2Owi2LHq0yLcHlMb3cHi2a0SIl6VKgfswvx1qhfg7gWGxclsVd5T1tahyf-f7_D20RZCV9aJWnxxT42k_u0Odwl4qI/s1600/IMG_20170521_090556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxminrcwLPedck6quRWI4i5E5eYRMQQCupAZYvJb81Xso1dtbJ-2Owi2LHq0yLcHlMb3cHi2a0SIl6VKgfswvx1qhfg7gWGxclsVd5T1tahyf-f7_D20RZCV9aJWnxxT42k_u0Odwl4qI/s400/IMG_20170521_090556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Glorious Garage</b></span><br />
In order to store my massive junk collection, we needed some storage in the garage, so we built some serious shelving.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwyxIndS1U6XrUPu8Tet7gBw9boyEYhI5iNgMHXR1AKCMprpaS1FoWBBl7K0WM9obsaLJO-LzSDpuaPIhyziF8KzRTcNUkv6rMQadLFVkShi21zG6zQHIDuvuPE0_3lFUEweyVhiuaRg/s1600/IMG_20170510_121729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwyxIndS1U6XrUPu8Tet7gBw9boyEYhI5iNgMHXR1AKCMprpaS1FoWBBl7K0WM9obsaLJO-LzSDpuaPIhyziF8KzRTcNUkv6rMQadLFVkShi21zG6zQHIDuvuPE0_3lFUEweyVhiuaRg/s400/IMG_20170510_121729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_wz2oIxEEufZaqIlYjjI_DteJQg9mll1seVWo2tdmP1-Ly_c4yp2qjbSUIdqbWYeLisFRMOZKb0ELXpgnfecYu4McjS99x8lhjEAIriW7iRYqiOR5jW8oiJNAJ-4mpxDqwh7E9tz3iY/s1600/IMG_20170616_113940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_wz2oIxEEufZaqIlYjjI_DteJQg9mll1seVWo2tdmP1-Ly_c4yp2qjbSUIdqbWYeLisFRMOZKb0ELXpgnfecYu4McjS99x8lhjEAIriW7iRYqiOR5jW8oiJNAJ-4mpxDqwh7E9tz3iY/s400/IMG_20170616_113940.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWZVYilpK6ylSv4qnfSZOAjyQdXTy3CHFD9FxmZGqVsh4vAukoRZtH00vl0S-6fyIGBOrh_1J1kDLjGHc-DOjEyrgjKX21e3kaBwESIuLOiREp-ToY5rEpI8NV2kofwO2nbYCRuUMDmk/s1600/IMG_20170618_112408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWZVYilpK6ylSv4qnfSZOAjyQdXTy3CHFD9FxmZGqVsh4vAukoRZtH00vl0S-6fyIGBOrh_1J1kDLjGHc-DOjEyrgjKX21e3kaBwESIuLOiREp-ToY5rEpI8NV2kofwO2nbYCRuUMDmk/s400/IMG_20170618_112408.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv_1fS79ZOfrVGboZnfDZMcMALf0PbeWRpJs2_hsDKbx1P5nNPFa4tFg1AtWg_9ChNxATcKNv4aWilW5P3hyphenhyphen_9hrdhIYsJM-24Hs_vGYVl4-zDT9vRZS6cloIZPr9-zdQWMlX4hEbHbI/s1600/IMG_20170618_200522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv_1fS79ZOfrVGboZnfDZMcMALf0PbeWRpJs2_hsDKbx1P5nNPFa4tFg1AtWg_9ChNxATcKNv4aWilW5P3hyphenhyphen_9hrdhIYsJM-24Hs_vGYVl4-zDT9vRZS6cloIZPr9-zdQWMlX4hEbHbI/s400/IMG_20170618_200522.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguelZoOvD8i9XlVkPV4xrqwXCtpFJh1KM5ZlLe_G5dIkuvmVnHk4FGZez8WmslqR6Vcejx3D7AkIE_hTv82caaq1H1JiJwg-W-GWUJYC9ExEK247UVPe9KYRLdwwAAyc_CmJtT_YX5t94/s1600/IMG_20170621_153428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguelZoOvD8i9XlVkPV4xrqwXCtpFJh1KM5ZlLe_G5dIkuvmVnHk4FGZez8WmslqR6Vcejx3D7AkIE_hTv82caaq1H1JiJwg-W-GWUJYC9ExEK247UVPe9KYRLdwwAAyc_CmJtT_YX5t94/s400/IMG_20170621_153428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Loose Lock</b></span><br />
I utilized my contacts at <a href="http://www.kingcityglass.com/" target="_blank">King City Glass</a> to get a screw for a loose window lock.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaaNTSgU3v1TLa1_B93fHkGFRtRmRVu9iP1Zoe7rPDcWuIalfvjmQ8O4bX2fT7rEBOpqgcAXlf7Q-kvIxoqu6hmutelvmDEq5Tt_WwZt_5iKIGaYXvIXsxZehzX3qwsWlB8q-tNuHK6w/s1600/IMG_20170622_092849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaaNTSgU3v1TLa1_B93fHkGFRtRmRVu9iP1Zoe7rPDcWuIalfvjmQ8O4bX2fT7rEBOpqgcAXlf7Q-kvIxoqu6hmutelvmDEq5Tt_WwZt_5iKIGaYXvIXsxZehzX3qwsWlB8q-tNuHK6w/s320/IMG_20170622_092849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Spa Spot</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After much deliberation, we decided where our hot tub should go, so we prepared the spot and got the tub in place. Now I just need to wire it up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDliNiJoGmx6kw8F85tonFJVcPMyrzJ-LhIUdhJno8DoA2Is2pn2iJ3w7q_FDs-8digOKh4uSZF4qVYLn_hacbQU1DrY0cncP93i1kw-JFfkJT50bSxy3IZMBC_xJJfqaIlJBISgFwgkQ/s1600/IMG_20170623_145204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDliNiJoGmx6kw8F85tonFJVcPMyrzJ-LhIUdhJno8DoA2Is2pn2iJ3w7q_FDs-8digOKh4uSZF4qVYLn_hacbQU1DrY0cncP93i1kw-JFfkJT50bSxy3IZMBC_xJJfqaIlJBISgFwgkQ/s400/IMG_20170623_145204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPMRRGEM0MXwbhXIIhUF25s1QbmJujWZJBiaif32C-k5z0wT3u2RJUrkXEL0txKjUklZCHZYgykTRb-Q-O0wm9p74RiHQ5BExfb7QWdIkafI-Ioja5sXWe94gj53biIVa5x3oXmdQBiE/s1600/IMG_20170623_184231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPMRRGEM0MXwbhXIIhUF25s1QbmJujWZJBiaif32C-k5z0wT3u2RJUrkXEL0txKjUklZCHZYgykTRb-Q-O0wm9p74RiHQ5BExfb7QWdIkafI-Ioja5sXWe94gj53biIVa5x3oXmdQBiE/s400/IMG_20170623_184231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWM_Xi54Uao1vGSbmtqh8phppMun3laiX1A_VFL5hmOtcWXgfjeobKNOzY3SQgWnK3XhJ5nuhiv978Bjf4tiq9huAOM3ZeIhV88b4dS4Vqc0S9NVQRFLaYwTCbxVRGeESalQ09QeOJNk/s1600/IMG_20180210_145020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWM_Xi54Uao1vGSbmtqh8phppMun3laiX1A_VFL5hmOtcWXgfjeobKNOzY3SQgWnK3XhJ5nuhiv978Bjf4tiq9huAOM3ZeIhV88b4dS4Vqc0S9NVQRFLaYwTCbxVRGeESalQ09QeOJNk/s400/IMG_20180210_145020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhml3Cf0zu2WeNF2rwQ46xX4DKaERAoG5Pb7GJHdnoUCoPm7XnP_BoCwGsqLjgpWBizcuorR20YfrEsa76Edq64ZB5OuGiYsfV7B1e07y6Ey1REldo6-Y1t6EFBAElF25vBAe7bNDbQQs/s1600/IMG_20180515_085443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhml3Cf0zu2WeNF2rwQ46xX4DKaERAoG5Pb7GJHdnoUCoPm7XnP_BoCwGsqLjgpWBizcuorR20YfrEsa76Edq64ZB5OuGiYsfV7B1e07y6Ey1REldo6-Y1t6EFBAElF25vBAe7bNDbQQs/s400/IMG_20180515_085443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pekema Path</b></span><br />
There's a nice pedestrian path at the bottom of the hill behind our house, but it was difficult to access, especially with a stroller or wagon, so I cut a sweet path, complete with switchbacks, all the way down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt-_6OTqafh70RqIHSReb9mpU5f-Sg3GgSX9KwSFqCVsh6b1DvYq4uZDfMzVC4podDA9PkbTWvM9Lg0HrzGK7r31iDWhlv-JFHOkIe4UsktviXt95zZpNlw40by_RL1TF8434IhT_hjA/s1600/IMG_20170714_153255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt-_6OTqafh70RqIHSReb9mpU5f-Sg3GgSX9KwSFqCVsh6b1DvYq4uZDfMzVC4podDA9PkbTWvM9Lg0HrzGK7r31iDWhlv-JFHOkIe4UsktviXt95zZpNlw40by_RL1TF8434IhT_hjA/s400/IMG_20170714_153255.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWIWZo6F4ArzampiQrNuOEJ_pXQOG1A4R5iEor41AOSlAX-wm3r0UcYstDhjjSb7hTW2Lf86L4nl2hsgXMZ2EJreMtOcChMLqTVJ5MsMR5HmWEFTCyEYGh78JyebZFdswgWudllNM9cY/s1600/IMG_20170717_105205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWIWZo6F4ArzampiQrNuOEJ_pXQOG1A4R5iEor41AOSlAX-wm3r0UcYstDhjjSb7hTW2Lf86L4nl2hsgXMZ2EJreMtOcChMLqTVJ5MsMR5HmWEFTCyEYGh78JyebZFdswgWudllNM9cY/s400/IMG_20170717_105205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-OzeC33D3vycZyAX_UN4eqrWXPm9zOxJkUWnRKWeaMz3DN8W9YXalHbneYV9sZAOsmtaeFjTFD4a3KFsuacxDNWr3q35Z-bPiQ8DgB1Y5VIv-oMAHrrGvS3wgiMQrsHTyDSUphVT2xg/s1600/IMG_20170714_185328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-OzeC33D3vycZyAX_UN4eqrWXPm9zOxJkUWnRKWeaMz3DN8W9YXalHbneYV9sZAOsmtaeFjTFD4a3KFsuacxDNWr3q35Z-bPiQ8DgB1Y5VIv-oMAHrrGvS3wgiMQrsHTyDSUphVT2xg/s400/IMG_20170714_185328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInewyd_dJ2lor-Ob7pi2bUwXrw1ObxLeplzQc4Rp2BZs9Yd5AtBRF1-09AjCXXag3eayoniDWWbQ-Fr1-e6UciO7q0pBs1U2g7QYS2bgo9cIfN8cUwt1pLDTuTk-U53mD_aZVHVkf29o/s1600/IMG_20170714_201202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInewyd_dJ2lor-Ob7pi2bUwXrw1ObxLeplzQc4Rp2BZs9Yd5AtBRF1-09AjCXXag3eayoniDWWbQ-Fr1-e6UciO7q0pBs1U2g7QYS2bgo9cIfN8cUwt1pLDTuTk-U53mD_aZVHVkf29o/s400/IMG_20170714_201202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Path Protection</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We "adopted" the pedestrian path mentioned above, which means we get to pick up litter along it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SkEILlYheOchKVUMS75tVQDGX831_A4wfamRhzJwvVRK3sgGfkLheE0A0Bl3guxYdbRYCBl3ZS6X1NYsqmE5IS8KMHKb7TV0k_x10fgAcBZMoIW5Kc31XR51ORCEocpHzcfsaiyZf2M/s1600/IMG_20180514_161649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SkEILlYheOchKVUMS75tVQDGX831_A4wfamRhzJwvVRK3sgGfkLheE0A0Bl3guxYdbRYCBl3ZS6X1NYsqmE5IS8KMHKb7TV0k_x10fgAcBZMoIW5Kc31XR51ORCEocpHzcfsaiyZf2M/s400/IMG_20180514_161649.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rickety Rocker</b></span><br />
Chrissy's mom gave Hope a tiny rocking chair, but it needed a little reinforcement, so I screwed all the seat slats down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaLPHaNchXsZ9rsKG7mKXHTiG_bMSN8QcHf98wEPi0NecYzQC2B7ju9G1_6Br37QkMgJVIwJvya77-SGSUkuzY4ZMW1D3dMkp7uuBA3cqiPiBnLLO9Gvu7V69qxoUcF8-6F_itCX9pEY/s1600/IMG_20170718_174426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaLPHaNchXsZ9rsKG7mKXHTiG_bMSN8QcHf98wEPi0NecYzQC2B7ju9G1_6Br37QkMgJVIwJvya77-SGSUkuzY4ZMW1D3dMkp7uuBA3cqiPiBnLLO9Gvu7V69qxoUcF8-6F_itCX9pEY/s400/IMG_20170718_174426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tall Table</b></span><br />
Once the garage was clear enough, I moved the Miata inside. It took up a lot of space, so I built a table to straddle the car and reclaim some of my lost space.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN5gmSASUcaMw2dTLoX-1bWkADooVlktIbXcleq69cE65_mc9dyP_VU0HQODgZfbnJidiYiUkyPUI5EhIFRyu1Vps6rAaWDOJAThzgkwWNyevFM5pOIXenO7x8CqSs414GLOOLAe9k7M/s1600/IMG_20170731_220341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSN5gmSASUcaMw2dTLoX-1bWkADooVlktIbXcleq69cE65_mc9dyP_VU0HQODgZfbnJidiYiUkyPUI5EhIFRyu1Vps6rAaWDOJAThzgkwWNyevFM5pOIXenO7x8CqSs414GLOOLAe9k7M/s400/IMG_20170731_220341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Crazy Creek</b></span><br />
We wanted to beautify the area beside our new path, as well as improve the flow from a couple drains, so we installed a bunch of rocks to form a creek bed. Loading/unloading rocks by hand is no fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnnxaiUB4Yv3O_n-T43yiuTLBnpmsoTW9psQN7kvTfKeZilYKa6Ry4WSsjz2wbaMZsD04Fie83-ugY417BO625sMYPCISdGqvthqoqvB1mMFeqd4dQkBN5v1zSrk7cp9znFDGp45BMTA/s1600/IMG_20170807_083547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnnxaiUB4Yv3O_n-T43yiuTLBnpmsoTW9psQN7kvTfKeZilYKa6Ry4WSsjz2wbaMZsD04Fie83-ugY417BO625sMYPCISdGqvthqoqvB1mMFeqd4dQkBN5v1zSrk7cp9znFDGp45BMTA/s400/IMG_20170807_083547.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB9yiEJVshxRjCpbV6a4iNJDCh9Di02jaW72xwK4JXZEVuPpnnEK4awxzCX5OnkzPBkX3a6Dj5Xzjyv5xRY-LjBNaq1r6dhzaXtkApAFvzf3EnQKvqypBG1I0cujmFbpOOZji7hQz_vg/s1600/IMG_20170921_115327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB9yiEJVshxRjCpbV6a4iNJDCh9Di02jaW72xwK4JXZEVuPpnnEK4awxzCX5OnkzPBkX3a6Dj5Xzjyv5xRY-LjBNaq1r6dhzaXtkApAFvzf3EnQKvqypBG1I0cujmFbpOOZji7hQz_vg/s400/IMG_20170921_115327.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWHKfiM3IOkGVn0sXlIG7CL069rKoAMGmy5qKnhq7laRz5Zbv2QoVZXhgctkcf5rWN3Ex43j8k76cNKdnsPFaH5Xy9Vkv6299BKmdkVvUJQ1nBIMxEXgcRy2mH2IRHenjpcr7QohLQ0g/s1600/IMG_20180515_085423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWHKfiM3IOkGVn0sXlIG7CL069rKoAMGmy5qKnhq7laRz5Zbv2QoVZXhgctkcf5rWN3Ex43j8k76cNKdnsPFaH5Xy9Vkv6299BKmdkVvUJQ1nBIMxEXgcRy2mH2IRHenjpcr7QohLQ0g/s400/IMG_20180515_085423.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Camo Fence</b></span><br />
I painted all the posts in our back yard chain link fence in camouflage colors so it would blend in better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80EzTOya3dAu8DMxQuNSapJAbJMzsOCMHOsRDvX69P9sYxcrvWytARekkMZwvlBY21FeBDt3CRZA_xz8d8r0hz27ESD68bnCXH41_DYulG0sffdoh-Ux9PRsksfVfcP7KqOBb0RcqrVY/s1600/IMG_20171006_115528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80EzTOya3dAu8DMxQuNSapJAbJMzsOCMHOsRDvX69P9sYxcrvWytARekkMZwvlBY21FeBDt3CRZA_xz8d8r0hz27ESD68bnCXH41_DYulG0sffdoh-Ux9PRsksfVfcP7KqOBb0RcqrVY/s400/IMG_20171006_115528.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Grass is Gone</b></span><br />
We took advantage of a city and state rebate to remove grass and re-landscape our front and side yard. Loading/unloading even more rocks was even less fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgDqa6Z33ZYBzG_UgBRPIkzjCr79YuSv256lWq0G8HOwgoy0mgcGfD8Pw9Old60jlOmh9UPDRWIz23AikbwWg_K_iWFfAYWN3Cjdb2dGvB-hb-mxXtiHsXvLwZe7xuFUAfMq7DhQDtDI/s1600/IMG_20170929_082521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgDqa6Z33ZYBzG_UgBRPIkzjCr79YuSv256lWq0G8HOwgoy0mgcGfD8Pw9Old60jlOmh9UPDRWIz23AikbwWg_K_iWFfAYWN3Cjdb2dGvB-hb-mxXtiHsXvLwZe7xuFUAfMq7DhQDtDI/s400/IMG_20170929_082521.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VtOnaGsQr9g-tVvak8ZCcMsE-6H5_3A77jn1yJV2cNQpphXDfCG23RYkU-0JuBwu5eoIVlBidJtLFx6vasF25QTzWnamnb1S7y8-lP50OgaQ9kDMPdX-1c50R_53qqFCUsrh32kuBak/s1600/IMG_20170926_092149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VtOnaGsQr9g-tVvak8ZCcMsE-6H5_3A77jn1yJV2cNQpphXDfCG23RYkU-0JuBwu5eoIVlBidJtLFx6vasF25QTzWnamnb1S7y8-lP50OgaQ9kDMPdX-1c50R_53qqFCUsrh32kuBak/s400/IMG_20170926_092149.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRqo0lYQhMfEEIOjmwIDoKT9hsaBuHe4JD_prrP_76F5ibzfDWQANEyGpyZmvs3pc32oof2oOqPY6-oYXMIfpMwRDnn3dTw5i2vWUdhKXaipQaUIsYXcHjSz_8u6FXCnDdS8cOrrq8k0/s1600/IMG_20171021_090930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRqo0lYQhMfEEIOjmwIDoKT9hsaBuHe4JD_prrP_76F5ibzfDWQANEyGpyZmvs3pc32oof2oOqPY6-oYXMIfpMwRDnn3dTw5i2vWUdhKXaipQaUIsYXcHjSz_8u6FXCnDdS8cOrrq8k0/s400/IMG_20171021_090930.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJncYDAr0yxXocYID9m_MGSZJgm9QxNV8PmYDLMGqEzAShyOyO1XecHji31Oovs3MazP2RxchtfyOipAhP-VTSAXWz4UsymjPjtAA5qOkERt7hb2eZvco-wBxv9zlaerK4F7f7HGsAfY/s1600/IMG_20171022_134031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJncYDAr0yxXocYID9m_MGSZJgm9QxNV8PmYDLMGqEzAShyOyO1XecHji31Oovs3MazP2RxchtfyOipAhP-VTSAXWz4UsymjPjtAA5qOkERt7hb2eZvco-wBxv9zlaerK4F7f7HGsAfY/s400/IMG_20171022_134031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_eip7t9cA7D5ySPqFvDWrKzMkmSdcLnbkZ5C_2tvm5GrCF1xszu9hJxWJ_m2sUQWw3a8KJ6aYaxPlSkuS9vQHjBvBAKgxY1CSK2sO3Qy37pY5uJae1t4_vix5Zde6AhyphenhyphenzL3Bty3TcvM/s1600/IMG_20171028_162010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_eip7t9cA7D5ySPqFvDWrKzMkmSdcLnbkZ5C_2tvm5GrCF1xszu9hJxWJ_m2sUQWw3a8KJ6aYaxPlSkuS9vQHjBvBAKgxY1CSK2sO3Qy37pY5uJae1t4_vix5Zde6AhyphenhyphenzL3Bty3TcvM/s400/IMG_20171028_162010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHg2JaOtHhhrXORGNFjHccnpHScgk1QQLlfhhIsU8BMR3wFlJ_MjqoNm1l9JuNwah0wP7aGgV4AJHKB-9wAzvj3kP-0XgeyuSI4BYQs6R1N1Vd4VoEF14lJPKOvVPxN2AN1CGpeXbI7wM/s1600/IMG_20171024_090149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHg2JaOtHhhrXORGNFjHccnpHScgk1QQLlfhhIsU8BMR3wFlJ_MjqoNm1l9JuNwah0wP7aGgV4AJHKB-9wAzvj3kP-0XgeyuSI4BYQs6R1N1Vd4VoEF14lJPKOvVPxN2AN1CGpeXbI7wM/s400/IMG_20171024_090149.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I managed to destroy an indestructible shovel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL4FgIP2sRFFyeysuoDXcemHcdY_7sbGFPhH9dDLTupmPKmpVOFWtTxwlCakAKSjg1D_Xe665TNIF1-L_v4JLMRpgOzuiZXRuv2Jiq3ULxTOtVtVxpvHorXCEY1kwUuPCo_M_9RM2i2U/s1600/IMG_20171101_132827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL4FgIP2sRFFyeysuoDXcemHcdY_7sbGFPhH9dDLTupmPKmpVOFWtTxwlCakAKSjg1D_Xe665TNIF1-L_v4JLMRpgOzuiZXRuv2Jiq3ULxTOtVtVxpvHorXCEY1kwUuPCo_M_9RM2i2U/s400/IMG_20171101_132827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTru8LWwbd7uyytkIhfsqbZI9IzKiC_B_q3KK8iGf9Jr5eUVVwJjWbGgCDNBKcHBkfXGUtdOT09hzxRiH9yV1qjwuxfOZe76mcZUd06gn2H6YqBHId6TNBwPXJdNKHVrMf4-Jv0pGbtM/s1600/IMG_20171101_155519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTru8LWwbd7uyytkIhfsqbZI9IzKiC_B_q3KK8iGf9Jr5eUVVwJjWbGgCDNBKcHBkfXGUtdOT09hzxRiH9yV1qjwuxfOZe76mcZUd06gn2H6YqBHId6TNBwPXJdNKHVrMf4-Jv0pGbtM/s400/IMG_20171101_155519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQOwqHbBlwo21Jpfx4w-C8OYT2PTQdCB2ct7Ed1L5rhw7OcxlF7Fi37VmGMpyeCXxqC9zEeu92p0fkirn4gmXUpzqhx86r7Z8uFQtSrZw8EM7tqfIoKhIJ11Y2v36hS2W9N4xlbsyDnY/s1600/DSC03333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQOwqHbBlwo21Jpfx4w-C8OYT2PTQdCB2ct7Ed1L5rhw7OcxlF7Fi37VmGMpyeCXxqC9zEeu92p0fkirn4gmXUpzqhx86r7Z8uFQtSrZw8EM7tqfIoKhIJ11Y2v36hS2W9N4xlbsyDnY/s400/DSC03333.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVSca-L57fChBMJOIjncvlt9LG8iYf975-mTr0BVa0CF9VGwLBE1LLb762APKPHoV86T_prlvNBuuPkdOq_Ufiydzl4zPn1yxoeGatT1BBHzsQgCMqWuowPaqeSw716MVaSXXKR8taEE/s1600/DSC03337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVSca-L57fChBMJOIjncvlt9LG8iYf975-mTr0BVa0CF9VGwLBE1LLb762APKPHoV86T_prlvNBuuPkdOq_Ufiydzl4zPn1yxoeGatT1BBHzsQgCMqWuowPaqeSw716MVaSXXKR8taEE/s400/DSC03337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Decent Dishwasher</b></span><br />
I swiped a lightly used stainless steel dishwasher from a remodel I was helping with and put it in our kitchen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y5AVHe5z2mAupoCamsD0CZ_2-H4w6Vv9aac-JH2cky-8aeheMnMZHElAqZFCDGkuc2mmtUFYs_YGIQZNkCZchzr76hDD5chWVyKruijgBif8xOIvfXicWnDCq_mg63UEuw2Fr03c2uI/s1600/IMG_20171122_092723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y5AVHe5z2mAupoCamsD0CZ_2-H4w6Vv9aac-JH2cky-8aeheMnMZHElAqZFCDGkuc2mmtUFYs_YGIQZNkCZchzr76hDD5chWVyKruijgBif8xOIvfXicWnDCq_mg63UEuw2Fr03c2uI/s400/IMG_20171122_092723.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Super Swing</b></span><br />
The park right by our house doesn't have swings, so I hung one from our big pine tree. The ropes supporting it are ridiculously long, so Hope gets some serious pendulum action.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MldyZa1BSOhfmDRFPFHoOvz59cGhL5WU9h2GHzQbaLTmo1nm0B3TMurewgsk3jeg_W_BsltcLB60It7Bam76zr9r15uRFfNqHOFuCTyZwfeo9emXUDPQMEMcANvuwtuvGEGZ4LAay_U/s1600/IMG_20171129_084816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MldyZa1BSOhfmDRFPFHoOvz59cGhL5WU9h2GHzQbaLTmo1nm0B3TMurewgsk3jeg_W_BsltcLB60It7Bam76zr9r15uRFfNqHOFuCTyZwfeo9emXUDPQMEMcANvuwtuvGEGZ4LAay_U/s400/IMG_20171129_084816.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Brick Border Bummer</b></span><br />
We removed the tacky scalloped brick boarder around a planter in our back yard.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfNsFNktqbDUheIaKQWCkg2oSIznNpuhrdmKRbbAwc7Jm0LlcXQiOrvhdZSTptA-QWa-kCNXPU-L2LlcsF0v-BdUwt0yccI8_JHJIS5G26RxyfyyrRmmUQs30mk3R36XAyShkDWLNMLE/s1600/IMG_20171201_160903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfNsFNktqbDUheIaKQWCkg2oSIznNpuhrdmKRbbAwc7Jm0LlcXQiOrvhdZSTptA-QWa-kCNXPU-L2LlcsF0v-BdUwt0yccI8_JHJIS5G26RxyfyyrRmmUQs30mk3R36XAyShkDWLNMLE/s400/IMG_20171201_160903.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbEsjtRtXF66-slIxR3OHWQ_4w4pQntbefIgnZILDVVujfj1x1V36X44IW_3zy5pvZaJv7K9vAvwNsXOSQfXf2zQr6RTFrBYGlvRHGK2DjTJSqRY2ZaoT2GZTm10nKkVBjteiVmGKAzQ/s1600/IMG_20180515_085353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbEsjtRtXF66-slIxR3OHWQ_4w4pQntbefIgnZILDVVujfj1x1V36X44IW_3zy5pvZaJv7K9vAvwNsXOSQfXf2zQr6RTFrBYGlvRHGK2DjTJSqRY2ZaoT2GZTm10nKkVBjteiVmGKAzQ/s400/IMG_20180515_085353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Gorgeous Garage Doors</b></span><br />
In an attempt to tone down the salmon/peach/pink exterior color of our house, we painted the garage doors white. It was a big improvement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgUmwkU8S5k3R4raGdkKOSeouonOuYGoQYMPhOGlSCNuRnb16g068UQsRJTuNB7-3v_wVCyDNRnY4rR71Tp2wiw-_KgDeSg7UJRITlagQ4EDD6baJNEV5iymnVTHG0lxCjli89X6QS_c/s1600/IMG_20171209_090228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgUmwkU8S5k3R4raGdkKOSeouonOuYGoQYMPhOGlSCNuRnb16g068UQsRJTuNB7-3v_wVCyDNRnY4rR71Tp2wiw-_KgDeSg7UJRITlagQ4EDD6baJNEV5iymnVTHG0lxCjli89X6QS_c/s400/IMG_20171209_090228.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKNVcY41TdsG9iSFSNV14i7auajKuCH3Ws_99Hk7QWhufV3kDvunaZnpynO9dUKQXVixccKf90LOrZbfvn75WOTYjztw7tkzPnzx1CG6vwz0ufXsJD2_MYMNuN77mmimUvFPDiUhb0I0/s1600/IMG_20171210_143940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKNVcY41TdsG9iSFSNV14i7auajKuCH3Ws_99Hk7QWhufV3kDvunaZnpynO9dUKQXVixccKf90LOrZbfvn75WOTYjztw7tkzPnzx1CG6vwz0ufXsJD2_MYMNuN77mmimUvFPDiUhb0I0/s400/IMG_20171210_143940.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Saw Safety</b></span><br />
In preparation for wet-cutting some granite, I replaced the plug on my circular saw, which was missing the ground prong.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aLs03-Hhxu-Dc31ERUcXEGD1qwYHyBgkt0cxaccNECHtqrkfj5-rqfmtf9_tzhg3VDDEM74gN7JVCJpEI2TkLwNzY0xswcMRJvpSh6fqzXI2joNBW_c5WJNYqKMp8JEalCyArhAgYfI/s1600/IMG_20171218_135534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aLs03-Hhxu-Dc31ERUcXEGD1qwYHyBgkt0cxaccNECHtqrkfj5-rqfmtf9_tzhg3VDDEM74gN7JVCJpEI2TkLwNzY0xswcMRJvpSh6fqzXI2joNBW_c5WJNYqKMp8JEalCyArhAgYfI/s400/IMG_20171218_135534.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Super Spices</b></span><br />
After struggling with spice storage for years, I discovered the spice drawer and implemented it in our kitchen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QL_yRIYFy35iIkBWwQDe_sSkxCi1n7Ylf0XpYGkOxqh0Q9ah2mTF6ovU5ptpXDItT9QpCFPRENKP4t3pxb5pf4GDhM_nadWdOa2DBi1fYKtDOI77KJ6L4bYJS2B-UKxGSORDHwlBoV0/s1600/IMG_20180111_111054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QL_yRIYFy35iIkBWwQDe_sSkxCi1n7Ylf0XpYGkOxqh0Q9ah2mTF6ovU5ptpXDItT9QpCFPRENKP4t3pxb5pf4GDhM_nadWdOa2DBi1fYKtDOI77KJ6L4bYJS2B-UKxGSORDHwlBoV0/s400/IMG_20180111_111054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Perfecting Piano Bars</b></span><br />
We completed our <a href="https://www.amendmentdev.com/2018/04/for-sale-hauschildt.html" target="_blank">second piano bar</a>, which is much more complex than the first one. It includes a custom granite top, cabinets, and wine rack, along with a wine glass hanger and color changing LED lighting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJJJqsQJjFwTGSSEREXCrJkc-oh93qB__8HIDp4B_7gl9LAae-F5gVQ_R0zco_Y4rvFMk8zSJJF8UzStjt8ATb7XHQ8QDp_ZSXeLnaMQq5gyBoMixIOef2mm84JqbwvDHYAHgiqnrsk8/s1600/DSC03635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJJJqsQJjFwTGSSEREXCrJkc-oh93qB__8HIDp4B_7gl9LAae-F5gVQ_R0zco_Y4rvFMk8zSJJF8UzStjt8ATb7XHQ8QDp_ZSXeLnaMQq5gyBoMixIOef2mm84JqbwvDHYAHgiqnrsk8/s400/DSC03635.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmPp0Kki4CC2ahJWo176D_JamJRKcUZgJadjZuj6VhHugKnjWxc2T6UoqnlU-1T98P_Ui4OF66b8vIY7eTDMJb7hWJb139Kmkr5z2NMWVtnfS2YuMyZQkK_imDePlyGAfeetlsdweyHg/s1600/DSC03622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmPp0Kki4CC2ahJWo176D_JamJRKcUZgJadjZuj6VhHugKnjWxc2T6UoqnlU-1T98P_Ui4OF66b8vIY7eTDMJb7hWJb139Kmkr5z2NMWVtnfS2YuMyZQkK_imDePlyGAfeetlsdweyHg/s400/DSC03622.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Valve Victory</b></span><br />
One of our sprinkler valves leaked, so I tried to cheap out and bought a replacement on eBay. Its threads were stripped out, so I got a refund. I decided to try and use it anyway, so I crammed a metal pipe in and went from there. So far, it's working.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDVXuOmmnlelIJwgQko-IIxntv9DFvDA1dv4q0vibpy6FwQ4mcYj0sYLuTdyG09oo4M5czy2my8k4nUMsthTNhNI9KnOW1MJZiNjRpv9EaXCPj8EBtZs2ri_NoxJcRqWH3wYj36F0xrM/s1600/IMG_20180301_090515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDVXuOmmnlelIJwgQko-IIxntv9DFvDA1dv4q0vibpy6FwQ4mcYj0sYLuTdyG09oo4M5czy2my8k4nUMsthTNhNI9KnOW1MJZiNjRpv9EaXCPj8EBtZs2ri_NoxJcRqWH3wYj36F0xrM/s400/IMG_20180301_090515.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxpdUmY1xQvofEdiVrqel2v8QZ8AS26-y8zEMtJJorvjKsAd52DJiX0VuzNc31OcViFva2Of48HxApk_dcg2WHBTpwKpJPdHqj8M9ap-ZGak42cqKRF4plSEfSAD00Lb-pIbKQ-GzOZ0/s1600/IMG_20180506_145645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxpdUmY1xQvofEdiVrqel2v8QZ8AS26-y8zEMtJJorvjKsAd52DJiX0VuzNc31OcViFva2Of48HxApk_dcg2WHBTpwKpJPdHqj8M9ap-ZGak42cqKRF4plSEfSAD00Lb-pIbKQ-GzOZ0/s400/IMG_20180506_145645.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pekema Potions</b></span><br />
Chrissy has started making lotion/body butter, body wash, and deodorant for us. They are pretty great and don't have any questionable chemicals in them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygmiLqRk3mnEY8aqkTKxs7poaehZUjLK1BGYQJDMuxKAO58aQdo29Ho3kFGOs_MdV6OwEpLRI_ELU1mtgRpRxUg3kvm2a4A0JRGux8Gksz2MMuqnXJ5qhFJXBpdTAbLqAbomhk0bWOiU/s1600/IMG_20180309_151239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygmiLqRk3mnEY8aqkTKxs7poaehZUjLK1BGYQJDMuxKAO58aQdo29Ho3kFGOs_MdV6OwEpLRI_ELU1mtgRpRxUg3kvm2a4A0JRGux8Gksz2MMuqnXJ5qhFJXBpdTAbLqAbomhk0bWOiU/s400/IMG_20180309_151239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Living in a Barn</b></span><br />
After lots of procrastination, we installed barn doors between our master bedroom and bathroom. We bought old doors from the Habitat ReStore and spent way too much time stripping, sanding, lengthening, and staining them. This picture really doesn't do them justice. They look amazing in person, and they are much more functional than the old doors, which blocked the light switches in the bathroom when open.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz25akwdr6NIwN4y9zQqkhnrBcgmTl7pjFvFb0_0yTDViChu_3SuEg4GKHq40XlksNX0cWIPMqZfQq4IDqjE_C3iyKTlPNYFabGzQ4unGCi-bRu9y3th8ilS0P8X_RWNPnvXM1XMbDIvA/s1600/IMG_20180417_111739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz25akwdr6NIwN4y9zQqkhnrBcgmTl7pjFvFb0_0yTDViChu_3SuEg4GKHq40XlksNX0cWIPMqZfQq4IDqjE_C3iyKTlPNYFabGzQ4unGCi-bRu9y3th8ilS0P8X_RWNPnvXM1XMbDIvA/s400/IMG_20180417_111739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Terrific Toilets</b></span><br />
This is another project I procrastinated on. I bought dual flush valves for every bathroom right after moving, but didn't install them until recently. I also replaced the shut-off valves on the walls because they were an old, leak-prone style. This project proved to me that having more bathrooms is not always a good thing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDbS4NOyQ37D1AKP5gJdNnZcQtx6QqL7XmIyJaNKfsKhBPNkWRYqkjyACYUYLvolxjxkMfKkD5eAFX_BJUMul8DNe-9P_hKwAf9OtT9EsfaqkOUKdh5lgehjip9ChhOufi6TUkGh_u2Y/s1600/IMG_20180420_110922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDbS4NOyQ37D1AKP5gJdNnZcQtx6QqL7XmIyJaNKfsKhBPNkWRYqkjyACYUYLvolxjxkMfKkD5eAFX_BJUMul8DNe-9P_hKwAf9OtT9EsfaqkOUKdh5lgehjip9ChhOufi6TUkGh_u2Y/s400/IMG_20180420_110922.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
That concludes our 50+ house projects. Stay tuned to for the upcoming catch-up post on truck projects.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-88343791162617475322018-05-10T11:25:00.000-07:002018-05-10T11:25:04.176-07:00Pekema Projects Returns(!!!) - Torrance Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVr_TnQNPyvL0RqGPv7sn9TP6Pmht7HIrY3FeziZFLPUvghd4iXITDLZqXb0COHZAbYBT5yP9ev9mSltHhKhUxhuafz-T6nBPd4H-zn-_UntRgZftZv6J2ANFY7GRjnIOS91DQDcHI0E/s1600/20170116-VMB_4431_2_3HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVr_TnQNPyvL0RqGPv7sn9TP6Pmht7HIrY3FeziZFLPUvghd4iXITDLZqXb0COHZAbYBT5yP9ev9mSltHhKhUxhuafz-T6nBPd4H-zn-_UntRgZftZv6J2ANFY7GRjnIOS91DQDcHI0E/s640/20170116-VMB_4431_2_3HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
As you may have noticed, this site has been pretty quiet for a while. It's actually been over a year since our last post, but we have a good excuse. Between raising a crazy baby, starting a business, moving, and settling into our new house/town, we've been pretty busy. However, things have started to settle down just a bit, so it's time for Pekema Projects to make its triumphant return. The posts will probably be a little more concise than before (we are still busy) but we'll do the best we can.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Here are the projects I can remember completing before we left our Torrance house:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fridge of Folly</b></span><br />
I bought a kegerator setup off Craigslist to make sparkling water. Of course the fridge stopped working immediately. I tried replacing a couple parts, but it wasn't meant to be. Fortunately, our new house came with an extra fridge, so we're back in business and I'm enjoying gallons of virtually free sparkling water every day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqV8mSr0NcmGznTMNok5dLl75ySu4_z35ptA12nWz65STIVArqLTAVbCY8q6rRgecs9c6jngHatRLRbtomOi2BGN9yVGYUGlreDim0R1uFYO2lWkXSdqesweZVefHPhjbblr_WxvGVMGU/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqV8mSr0NcmGznTMNok5dLl75ySu4_z35ptA12nWz65STIVArqLTAVbCY8q6rRgecs9c6jngHatRLRbtomOi2BGN9yVGYUGlreDim0R1uFYO2lWkXSdqesweZVefHPhjbblr_WxvGVMGU/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLzhVXjciCCu8INR2vRUr6f-4vhRW10EAcLaSjUhzRJNPXc0fOzMV3gbBR7PqbBc96WEq43Eib8D_2GUHQ9ouJXNncRiTLrOx7hysD_xikSflvbrfe0vpiatwPNrSkhaSUSu8c4Jct8o/s1600/IMG_20180510_105332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLzhVXjciCCu8INR2vRUr6f-4vhRW10EAcLaSjUhzRJNPXc0fOzMV3gbBR7PqbBc96WEq43Eib8D_2GUHQ9ouJXNncRiTLrOx7hysD_xikSflvbrfe0vpiatwPNrSkhaSUSu8c4Jct8o/s400/IMG_20180510_105332.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Piano Bar</b></span><br />
We finished our first piano bar, which inspired our new business, <a href="https://www.amendmentdev.com/" target="_blank">Amendment Development</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOnHZRYSydtADlnuc6fFgpoDlrHBDe0MR2rhifDFg2BvXDjD6ThEaVWInkyKbE0R6enuAFR6ykyCzHjNFehUv6gPvXAtZvKld2fXIxI2l2BrJClPXoe0yNmCtpu7fBdwMjUauPUuWOn4/s1600/_SC00078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="1600" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOnHZRYSydtADlnuc6fFgpoDlrHBDe0MR2rhifDFg2BvXDjD6ThEaVWInkyKbE0R6enuAFR6ykyCzHjNFehUv6gPvXAtZvKld2fXIxI2l2BrJClPXoe0yNmCtpu7fBdwMjUauPUuWOn4/s400/_SC00078.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCi11nn7RxF270EDS0KR0nzm8H_4CgQtZxW4o8rnzcKl9JNLaMhWb7BDSnYIbRDE-JAGDIUOhyphenhyphenH5x_zZCUxPZSKeMGqqnqGHDbSTGZxTtNTMhtARkO-cUyJB8QJuk-QjPyhSI5DUFFQk/s1600/20170116-VMB_4424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCi11nn7RxF270EDS0KR0nzm8H_4CgQtZxW4o8rnzcKl9JNLaMhWb7BDSnYIbRDE-JAGDIUOhyphenhyphenH5x_zZCUxPZSKeMGqqnqGHDbSTGZxTtNTMhtARkO-cUyJB8QJuk-QjPyhSI5DUFFQk/s400/20170116-VMB_4424.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sad Side Door</b></span><br />
When selling our house, the inspectors didn't like the garage's side door. I was planning to just paint it, but the damage was much worse than I realized. The termite people offered to replace if for $600, but that seemed a little rich to me, so I bought a new door and installed it myself for about $100.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s8GwA6sq0wJE7g71aJdyFmM6AIswX3Uoh9a3m7eSozQaSoWaa-4dkwmU6leZn3lEE7S1z7Rs_bwsWHCUWwFa2D75ckH-DpyQzMfytmEy_4XbiVbvSKqgZLD0ZjRbp7aTAtsZcVCPwE4/s1600/IMG_20170121_073040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s8GwA6sq0wJE7g71aJdyFmM6AIswX3Uoh9a3m7eSozQaSoWaa-4dkwmU6leZn3lEE7S1z7Rs_bwsWHCUWwFa2D75ckH-DpyQzMfytmEy_4XbiVbvSKqgZLD0ZjRbp7aTAtsZcVCPwE4/s400/IMG_20170121_073040.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxavgDBWRuC0cLNiB59tGQWn61aP1K0icSnBViReORBe0I-o6b1-KrszMt1z-_IvVhSbSFU7BvkoHWbA44LfjerGFZljntExyACbxJ2r6XcA6xFmTPQSF4gOx0ZbaaPoyKmN99S4h3ASs/s1600/IMG_20170211_085317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxavgDBWRuC0cLNiB59tGQWn61aP1K0icSnBViReORBe0I-o6b1-KrszMt1z-_IvVhSbSFU7BvkoHWbA44LfjerGFZljntExyACbxJ2r6XcA6xFmTPQSF4gOx0ZbaaPoyKmN99S4h3ASs/s400/IMG_20170211_085317.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxavgDBWRuC0cLNiB59tGQWn61aP1K0icSnBViReORBe0I-o6b1-KrszMt1z-_IvVhSbSFU7BvkoHWbA44LfjerGFZljntExyACbxJ2r6XcA6xFmTPQSF4gOx0ZbaaPoyKmN99S4h3ASs/s1600/IMG_20170211_085317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy Hooks</b></span><br />
As a thank-you to our friend for taking some great listing photos of our house, we made this coat hanger for his daughter/wife.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMKgC_vtEJzZrlbeY5LNm7ZpWlP0UmXmOsv67CMmzRLf7Fr_U6pfhDDHOp75l2HjcFs80vE2148MnWM0ghWSKBdsjDpRudJpJxOpqFbT7XUIE3jCWOrKaq3qx6shiKMxeRHgduiVNIGw/s1600/IMG_20170116_180603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMKgC_vtEJzZrlbeY5LNm7ZpWlP0UmXmOsv67CMmzRLf7Fr_U6pfhDDHOp75l2HjcFs80vE2148MnWM0ghWSKBdsjDpRudJpJxOpqFbT7XUIE3jCWOrKaq3qx6shiKMxeRHgduiVNIGw/s400/IMG_20170116_180603.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Concrete Cracks</b></span><br />
As part of the purchase agreement on the house, I caulked between the concrete and stucco <i><b>all the way</b></i> around our house. It was unpleasant.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UCm5Ri7fRHInYJE_PZWku-tRzRMPTBWqDXf6ckLPnJMuIOe1FPhLlpn1-yDNjP8MB5JW_YoArvIueFlr-MmDQPB5_FUBSiTYaqZ-RrdM18tZ5_0zMel4K5GQwCr7b4Mn9Vhs40LOLns/s1600/IMG_20170310_164032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UCm5Ri7fRHInYJE_PZWku-tRzRMPTBWqDXf6ckLPnJMuIOe1FPhLlpn1-yDNjP8MB5JW_YoArvIueFlr-MmDQPB5_FUBSiTYaqZ-RrdM18tZ5_0zMel4K5GQwCr7b4Mn9Vhs40LOLns/s400/IMG_20170310_164032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hide the Hot Tub</b></span><br />
We took our hot tub with us, so I decided to clean up the electrical as best I could, so I added a closed box and terminated the wiring in it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHVfXGZNAJL3MQroUcQ_U7nOW_pzD63yC3BJLISjilXB1giiKXyDL3h4XIIT1UKaOmnnvd7RniiiGG9SlfLtP5QQO7UZcZfybw4mtApax22FYZyWTRnFTj-k8zuIPmjARsYqYnRc_h_I/s1600/IMG_20170310_124206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHVfXGZNAJL3MQroUcQ_U7nOW_pzD63yC3BJLISjilXB1giiKXyDL3h4XIIT1UKaOmnnvd7RniiiGG9SlfLtP5QQO7UZcZfybw4mtApax22FYZyWTRnFTj-k8zuIPmjARsYqYnRc_h_I/s400/IMG_20170310_124206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Manic Moving</b></span><br />
As expected, moving was stressful. Ours was more stressful than normal because we (mostly Andy) have way too much stuff. It didn't all fit in the biggest U-Haul, so we got to make a few trips. On the final trip, my dad and I arrived in Paso at around 3 AM.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LsDb7tRxE1xDVjnXKR26hahn4FThKMlj7qDFgKp5d8Vkxn3X31wi6O9BjTuvqmV-0Qg2oYbSGcxSytwjnvW3eCyM2qujVUVFXK77SbwS34HdWUz0UhviwoXkpUw00FG9t1C9LVUyHWk/s1600/IMG_20170305_103228%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LsDb7tRxE1xDVjnXKR26hahn4FThKMlj7qDFgKp5d8Vkxn3X31wi6O9BjTuvqmV-0Qg2oYbSGcxSytwjnvW3eCyM2qujVUVFXK77SbwS34HdWUz0UhviwoXkpUw00FG9t1C9LVUyHWk/s400/IMG_20170305_103228%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBWxqBZysJJsmtWrppM170Yo7ZnvfZX79eO3f47Am87siffN_Rv1ia1MZoSTIB9gposH9OSHkD-Go_nxe8lQmranuM8IfpzTLVJsQSXFrPWZ_RSnIGUyn90BBHDWeUs3XLxr_HKACyHo/s1600/IMG_20170304_125732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBWxqBZysJJsmtWrppM170Yo7ZnvfZX79eO3f47Am87siffN_Rv1ia1MZoSTIB9gposH9OSHkD-Go_nxe8lQmranuM8IfpzTLVJsQSXFrPWZ_RSnIGUyn90BBHDWeUs3XLxr_HKACyHo/s400/IMG_20170304_125732.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wn6wryYIU1niAdmb9gpQYQ1u58S125NKJ2XdhEWFSJUdxWaIRfQEDVDgC6Ob25MdF_-2LQfTF66CexvKTn-6ugP3LEy1GCygf8WdpDWaOmzcEkwtPrBbV1w-0oy-Gfdg6lVuDfXDb-M/s1600/IMG_20170310_232310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wn6wryYIU1niAdmb9gpQYQ1u58S125NKJ2XdhEWFSJUdxWaIRfQEDVDgC6Ob25MdF_-2LQfTF66CexvKTn-6ugP3LEy1GCygf8WdpDWaOmzcEkwtPrBbV1w-0oy-Gfdg6lVuDfXDb-M/s400/IMG_20170310_232310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As far as I can recall, that wraps up our Torrance projects. We really loved that house, neighborhood, and all our friends in the Los Angeles area, but it was time for a change. Stay tuned to see what we've done to our new house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-51277290804720292902017-03-19T18:45:00.000-07:002017-12-24T10:37:02.564-08:00Stumbling Stool<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lHYKkhguUs8/WIWUotIDjNI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/gzN_hNFdsu4DRpos10Imj9cpqXqZ3lYRgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170114_203126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lHYKkhguUs8/WIWUotIDjNI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/gzN_hNFdsu4DRpos10Imj9cpqXqZ3lYRgCPcB/s640/IMG_20170114_203126.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2012/11/miracle-product-rolling-stool-with-tool.html" target="_blank">beloved garage stool</a> recently fell on hard times. It lost one caster quite a while ago, but I was still able to use it if I was careful. It recently lost a second wheel and I was thinking it was time for a new one until I happened upon a random comment online that talked about replacing casters just like these. I had considered that before, but I assumed the cost of new casters would be more than a new stool, so I didn't pursue it.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Anyway, I decided to see how much new casters would cost and discovered they were quite reasonable, with a two-pack of the appropriate casters costing something like $4 at Home Depot. I wasn't sure they would be the right size, but I decided to give them a shot. Shockingly, they are almost exactly the same height as the existing casters. They're a tiny bit shorter, so there's a slight rock to the seat, but it's totally usable. I suspect I will eventually have to replace all the wheels with these, so they will all be even someday.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KX121Mqvpg8/WIWUoq7tPxI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/Ee1YJqI6bYUtgOcF_dsZkkPMICccR5sSACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170114_203911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KX121Mqvpg8/WIWUoq7tPxI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/Ee1YJqI6bYUtgOcF_dsZkkPMICccR5sSACPcB/s640/IMG_20170114_203911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Check out our new project, <a href="http://www.amendmentdev.com/" target="_blank">Amendment Development</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-40063033685483107562017-03-01T19:50:00.002-08:002017-12-24T10:33:17.289-08:00Concrete Crevice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uN7nbY96P70/WIWUoq1AO7I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/cqTxqOqQTVw7CUaUXbszgHVEn3FbeMNgQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170117_143658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uN7nbY96P70/WIWUoq1AO7I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/cqTxqOqQTVw7CUaUXbszgHVEn3FbeMNgQCPcB/s640/IMG_20170117_143658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
When the <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2013/04/hot-tub-wiring.html" target="_blank">wiring was run for our hot tub</a>, they had to cut a channel in the sidewalk next to the house. Ideally, it was supposed to be the width of a brick for an easy repair, but it was just barely too narrow. We just filled it with dirt and moved on, but the time finally came to fix it correctly.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
My dad gave me an opened bag of concrete to fix this a long time ago, so I finally pulled that out of the garage and mixed some up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fqdr--3K1E/WIWUol6Qf6I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/qjht5RjRW5gwmz-VrlX0zKbK4PA9p843gCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170117_144410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fqdr--3K1E/WIWUol6Qf6I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/qjht5RjRW5gwmz-VrlX0zKbK4PA9p843gCPcB/s400/IMG_20170117_144410.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I dumped it into the crack and smoothed it out with a putty knife. The finished product looks pretty much exactly like this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v565J2VDtyQ/WIWUogPTpBI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/5uCq1ZLOEk0QNhQhTMM9TYTH_IHxBEmmgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170117_150545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v565J2VDtyQ/WIWUogPTpBI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/5uCq1ZLOEk0QNhQhTMM9TYTH_IHxBEmmgCPcB/s640/IMG_20170117_150545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was a very satisfying project because it made a pretty noticeable difference and was really fast and easy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Check out our new project, <a href="http://www.amendmentdev.com/" target="_blank">Amendment Development</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-83407809552791356622017-02-11T08:08:00.001-08:002017-12-24T10:37:47.051-08:00Bright Ideas and Clear Thinking<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7dCanvmyvE/WHWwVF9BKQI/AAAAAAAA0ng/OkYvFOhikZQqmqOMY-FawJJoElwWL9bwACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170106_184305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7dCanvmyvE/WHWwVF9BKQI/AAAAAAAA0ng/OkYvFOhikZQqmqOMY-FawJJoElwWL9bwACPcB/s640/IMG_20170106_184305.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not everything from the 70s in our house was awful. There are a couple light fixtures in the hallway that are actually pretty cool. As you can see above, they are mostly clear with a crackled glass look. The only problem was the ugly CFLs inside. We lived with the lights like this for far too long.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
A trip to Home Depot and $2 later, we had nice, clear bulbs installed. We also cleaned the globes for good measure. They aren't the most efficient bulbs, but they are halogen, so they're allegedly 30% more efficient than standard incandescents, and those lights aren't actually on that much. It's a small change, but it was well worth the effort.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPle80LVUXs/WHWwVNd1-5I/AAAAAAAA0ng/-1Ei6YREII0F7HmuE8wpX60NZNiTesESQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170108_141733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPle80LVUXs/WHWwVNd1-5I/AAAAAAAA0ng/-1Ei6YREII0F7HmuE8wpX60NZNiTesESQCPcB/s640/IMG_20170108_141733.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Check out our new project, <a href="http://www.amendmentdev.com/" target="_blank">Amendment Development</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-19374670551532098282017-02-09T20:46:00.001-08:002017-02-09T20:46:25.394-08:00Valance Victory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc9cg0qN5qo/WHWwVH8QGsI/AAAAAAAA0ng/ItrJTKAWwT47CJItKpmURyvYgFQMCpU2gCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170106_141047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rc9cg0qN5qo/WHWwVH8QGsI/AAAAAAAA0ng/ItrJTKAWwT47CJItKpmURyvYgFQMCpU2gCPcB/s640/IMG_20170106_141047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We have a very complicated relationship with the vertical blinds in our dining room. We recognize that vertical blinds are generally terrible, but we didn't have a better solution for blocking the glaring sun in the morning, so we kept them. Deep down we knew we should get a valance to cover the ugly rail for the blinds, but we could never decide exactly what it should be like, so we did nothing. That all changed when we found a giant valance sitting on the curb down the street from our house.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
At first I was skeptical it would fit our extra wide door, but it did look pretty long, so we measured and it was about half an inch short. I knew I could make it work.<br />
The valance was also pretty ornate when we found it, with some serious molding. We thought we might use it as-is, but it really didn't fit in, so we stripped off the molding.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1-zMLAx1bM/WHWwVDWoh4I/AAAAAAAA0ng/ficmOJsW5cgcv9qbw62phI5YtHTda-NSACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170106_141702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1-zMLAx1bM/WHWwVDWoh4I/AAAAAAAA0ng/ficmOJsW5cgcv9qbw62phI5YtHTda-NSACPcB/s640/IMG_20170106_141702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
That revealed a striped pattern, which we eventually accentuated with paint, but before we could do that, we reduced the depth about an inch, which made it fit the space much better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X97ALUUxPJQ/WHWwVMH9j1I/AAAAAAAA0ng/VulhLGoBTxwB_jq9ml-psbcstoHlN-xjACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170106_151914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X97ALUUxPJQ/WHWwVMH9j1I/AAAAAAAA0ng/VulhLGoBTxwB_jq9ml-psbcstoHlN-xjACPcB/s640/IMG_20170106_151914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once it was cut to size and sanded we started painting with some primer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XD-Hb6Fi1_w/WHWwVLNXzLI/AAAAAAAA0ng/PerTG3TkyVwjbQV6iiK_jbhTKQaf7JP8gCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170110_091156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XD-Hb6Fi1_w/WHWwVLNXzLI/AAAAAAAA0ng/PerTG3TkyVwjbQV6iiK_jbhTKQaf7JP8gCPcB/s640/IMG_20170110_091156.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we moved on to the final coats. The top and bottom are white with a thick stripe that matches our cabinets. It's subtle, but adds a little interest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEnet9ANir4/WIWUohyHU7I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/V77xpEbicigqOsoZgRrT79GJeBK2mol-ACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170110_214020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEnet9ANir4/WIWUohyHU7I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/V77xpEbicigqOsoZgRrT79GJeBK2mol-ACPcB/s640/IMG_20170110_214020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I wanted to make sure it was mounted securely, so I used four L-brackets to mount it. Snapping a chalk line made this part much easier. I also shortened the rail the blinds hang on so it would fit in the valance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-16TafZNno/WHWwVHEE14I/AAAAAAAA0ng/NF3s1Uu3Th4PYtn08DdAi8QU2wW7x1ExwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170110_161441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-16TafZNno/WHWwVHEE14I/AAAAAAAA0ng/NF3s1Uu3Th4PYtn08DdAi8QU2wW7x1ExwCPcB/s640/IMG_20170110_161441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's what it looked like before:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TW9a8Ih4xw/VMWXAMT9FUI/AAAAAAAANvw/tRgl5IXr5_EYKJP6dW7bH-djoliYpisTACPcB/s1600/IMG_20150122_174208" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TW9a8Ih4xw/VMWXAMT9FUI/AAAAAAAANvw/tRgl5IXr5_EYKJP6dW7bH-djoliYpisTACPcB/s640/IMG_20150122_174208" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And here's the finished product.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_3tmD_89vw/WIWUohEDR-I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/EKoHZDD_9oEUL3O537_zyXLQ3gstEssewCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170111_175954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_3tmD_89vw/WIWUohEDR-I/AAAAAAAA1Lo/EKoHZDD_9oEUL3O537_zyXLQ3gstEssewCPcB/s640/IMG_20170111_175954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-9767987097378409012017-01-24T10:08:00.002-08:002017-01-24T10:10:25.212-08:00Front Door Facelift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foFYV91IFro/VSMc-F3cOhI/AAAAAAAAOfY/jv4anYKFpmgCo4DmWt9IPXlw65s7CtrYACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foFYV91IFro/VSMc-F3cOhI/AAAAAAAAOfY/jv4anYKFpmgCo4DmWt9IPXlw65s7CtrYACPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="300" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbvrgF4bbY4/VSMcyUKpZNI/AAAAAAAAOfI/ALqN7x1YCSM-xZZECRMmuEPGjs7nHsmBQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbvrgF4bbY4/VSMcyUKpZNI/AAAAAAAAOfI/ALqN7x1YCSM-xZZECRMmuEPGjs7nHsmBQCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This post has been a long time in the making. As you can see in the photos above, the front doors on our house were in pretty sad shape on the outside, and very golden on the inside. We wanted to do something about that for quite a while, but replacing them would be very expensive and refinishing them would be very unpleasant, so for a long time we did nothing. That changed in March of 2015 when I finally pulled the doors off the hinges and started sanding.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
Here's a couple closeups of the sad state of the door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Lo4G7S8AQ/VSMdEElhtJI/AAAAAAAAOfg/24khl6KRDYgapwszs9DR9nKkcMheEOJkwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Lo4G7S8AQ/VSMdEElhtJI/AAAAAAAAOfg/24khl6KRDYgapwszs9DR9nKkcMheEOJkwCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFNQqhCJM5k/VSMdK2VjRNI/AAAAAAAAOfo/nM4itlTLq5sYc_fawn0HW9eA34Q6kVoEACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFNQqhCJM5k/VSMdK2VjRNI/AAAAAAAAOfo/nM4itlTLq5sYc_fawn0HW9eA34Q6kVoEACPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzuB4J8P8Kw/V8JHb86Br-I/AAAAAAAAuQQ/ZAPdCZev-tg0viC06LqG26dOFVigUfoOACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzuB4J8P8Kw/V8JHb86Br-I/AAAAAAAAuQQ/ZAPdCZev-tg0viC06LqG26dOFVigUfoOACPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQnLnHIYc1c/VSMdQyphOPI/AAAAAAAAOfw/NXgv2efuHsw6HuSwU6_1avqmDQuIyofNQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQnLnHIYc1c/VSMdQyphOPI/AAAAAAAAOfw/NXgv2efuHsw6HuSwU6_1avqmDQuIyofNQCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I sanded the flat parts as best I could and used a brass brush on my Dremel for the molding, which worked shockingly well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsN4l3VPemc/VSMdi59QYwI/AAAAAAAAOgI/aONU-yXRO8sgCivC17OL6YvW898bmdTwACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsN4l3VPemc/VSMdi59QYwI/AAAAAAAAOgI/aONU-yXRO8sgCivC17OL6YvW898bmdTwACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The veneer on the bottom of each door was so damaged, I ended up scraping it off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15tl-_61wh0/VSMdw0ZktoI/AAAAAAAAOgY/VxDB2_orkdwobADExhfb-8zBv2qc0tLKQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15tl-_61wh0/VSMdw0ZktoI/AAAAAAAAOgY/VxDB2_orkdwobADExhfb-8zBv2qc0tLKQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After a long day of sanding, I reinstalled the doors and forgot about them for 17 months, when we finally resumed the project.<br />
<br />
The problem was, they still weren't stripped enough to stain, and we didn't want to do any more sanding or stripping. We also didn't want to cover up the beautiful wood with paint. Luckily, we discovered a nifty product called gel stain. It can go on over other finishes without miserable stripping, like we did on <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2015/07/doors-for-days.html" target="_blank">all our interior doors</a>. So in August of 2016, we finally got back on the project and applied some of the gel stain on a couple test areas after a light sanding.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCihKwPtP-g/V8JHTDUdNBI/AAAAAAAAuQQ/1E5d4V2AF8oL7Yfjx24WkmrXORwAMzanwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCihKwPtP-g/V8JHTDUdNBI/AAAAAAAAuQQ/1E5d4V2AF8oL7Yfjx24WkmrXORwAMzanwCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGm8cHm4wOA/V8JHXxjfDJI/AAAAAAAAuQQ/cYfpTd-ChAQAzLBQZDv808GmqUcvYVacACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VGm8cHm4wOA/V8JHXxjfDJI/AAAAAAAAuQQ/cYfpTd-ChAQAzLBQZDv808GmqUcvYVacACPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Satisfied with the test areas, we proceeded to stain the rest of the doors. Unfortunately, the first pass came out a little uneven. The gel stain is a little tricky to use, so don't judge us.<br />
We eventually knocked down the dark areas with steel wool to even things out.<br />
We also put a couple coats of exterior rated clear finish on the outside of the doors to help protect them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icpjEdpJ58o/V8ZLFjLO0vI/AAAAAAAAujE/0Uy_W3w0iCo127tyqwV9KvkFsASxwIpvQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icpjEdpJ58o/V8ZLFjLO0vI/AAAAAAAAujE/0Uy_W3w0iCo127tyqwV9KvkFsASxwIpvQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We were also without hardware for a few days, so we came up with a creative way to keep the doors closed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEg-xJUuSxI/V83GKXn6bYI/AAAAAAAAuyA/3AafHr5CBWoB73ye6R95T1PEF_MJpij6wCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qEg-xJUuSxI/V83GKXn6bYI/AAAAAAAAuyA/3AafHr5CBWoB73ye6R95T1PEF_MJpij6wCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High security.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the same time we stained the doors, we also spray painted the hinges, center "astragal," and bottom pieces flat black. We weren't sure that would work, but it seems to be holding up well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7ORET-s6yo/V8ZLBrBChYI/AAAAAAAAujE/CVSutLvn3vUsXxgH5I1Lsf6nZMmaWm9hQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l7ORET-s6yo/V8ZLBrBChYI/AAAAAAAAujE/CVSutLvn3vUsXxgH5I1Lsf6nZMmaWm9hQCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The final piece to be updated was the "knob" and deadbolt. We just now got the new pieces on, so after almost two years in progress, our front doors are finally done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-18R0QiEVkm4/WH41nxQYGPI/AAAAAAAA0zA/VvorUO8sqK0U7T_jZHkfpKEMEh27gr2wQCPcB/s1600/20170116-VMB_4435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-18R0QiEVkm4/WH41nxQYGPI/AAAAAAAA0zA/VvorUO8sqK0U7T_jZHkfpKEMEh27gr2wQCPcB/s400/20170116-VMB_4435.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHzMrNcMc50/WH41nzOEVRI/AAAAAAAA0zA/Pu6HMx7Yl_0c6GDetpxdHljkM5Nl_E3gACPcB/s1600/20170116-VMB_4437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHzMrNcMc50/WH41nzOEVRI/AAAAAAAA0zA/Pu6HMx7Yl_0c6GDetpxdHljkM5Nl_E3gACPcB/s400/20170116-VMB_4437.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Last but not least, the interior trim was also updated to something more sensible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WaqQeBdhPoc/WIWTR12k8cI/AAAAAAAA1Lg/jJ3Py2sAfHs6EdFVnDuhL3nTKWcV0tBlgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170122_205350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WaqQeBdhPoc/WIWTR12k8cI/AAAAAAAA1Lg/jJ3Py2sAfHs6EdFVnDuhL3nTKWcV0tBlgCPcB/s400/IMG_20170122_205350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's one more Before and After.<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foFYV91IFro/VSMc-F3cOhI/AAAAAAAAOfY/jv4anYKFpmgCo4DmWt9IPXlw65s7CtrYACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foFYV91IFro/VSMc-F3cOhI/AAAAAAAAOfY/jv4anYKFpmgCo4DmWt9IPXlw65s7CtrYACPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="300" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-18R0QiEVkm4/WH41nxQYGPI/AAAAAAAA0zA/VvorUO8sqK0U7T_jZHkfpKEMEh27gr2wQCPcB/s1600/20170116-VMB_4435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-18R0QiEVkm4/WH41nxQYGPI/AAAAAAAA0zA/VvorUO8sqK0U7T_jZHkfpKEMEh27gr2wQCPcB/s400/20170116-VMB_4435.jpg" width="266" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-21369207898671692192017-01-17T19:11:00.001-08:002017-01-26T10:22:49.242-08:00Kitchen Construction Conclusion (Part 9)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw5rP_UyhPY/UHzRdlvw5eI/AAAAAAAA0zM/Va2bcu2h2eUh9Bxo6w2Q5EPQZ3QM_C76gCPcB/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw5rP_UyhPY/UHzRdlvw5eI/AAAAAAAA0zM/Va2bcu2h2eUh9Bxo6w2Q5EPQZ3QM_C76gCPcB/s640/kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - This is the photo from the listing when we bought the house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our kitchen renovation is finally complete! This post will be a summary of everything we've done to the kitchen since buying the house, along with a cost breakdown of the recent major renovation.<br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2012/10/compressed-garbage.html" target="_blank">Winter 2012 - Removed Trash Compactor</a></span></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVgV43phFNw/UjTT610fz_I/AAAAAAAAL8c/zh022vxWgY47ugiiP654CIgFbUrNziDrwCPcB/s1600/IMG_7425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVgV43phFNw/UjTT610fz_I/AAAAAAAAL8c/zh022vxWgY47ugiiP654CIgFbUrNziDrwCPcB/s640/IMG_7425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Replaced trash compactor with recycling bin. Had plans to turn it into a cabinet. Never happened.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2013/09/coated-kitchen-and-dining.html" target="_blank">September 2013 - Painted Kitchen and Dining Room</a></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLqR5BGnIl8/UjTT9mWbvDI/AAAAAAAAL8s/tem5OnMSnakye618A1wVOh5iha1X56NrgCPcB/s1600/IMG_7427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLqR5BGnIl8/UjTT9mWbvDI/AAAAAAAAL8s/tem5OnMSnakye618A1wVOh5iha1X56NrgCPcB/s640/IMG_7427.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2014/07/cutting-cabinets_6.html" target="_blank">April 2014 - Shortened Overhead Cabinets</a></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D3dfz1lpNc/U7nqZ_ihWhI/AAAAAAAAMxA/ha8cVoMOCY0e-rf0V4ynLAuqZ1uUIZKWgCPcB/s1600/100%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9D3dfz1lpNc/U7nqZ_ihWhI/AAAAAAAAMxA/ha8cVoMOCY0e-rf0V4ynLAuqZ1uUIZKWgCPcB/s640/100%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2015/01/kitchen-illumination.html" target="_blank">December 2014 - Updated Ligting</a></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIynVCoGCgkdJdEuNaz9UbDCryE5-PgPktP16HF3EldoJTzFf0kpgAVrVpBbvYgIEoIBxK8aodFRMiBgbdndsFTlQkswPXiI-A842q3WBBg8ORDOUYTr7iLQhChISQOzMQ054rRUus4A/s1600/134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIynVCoGCgkdJdEuNaz9UbDCryE5-PgPktP16HF3EldoJTzFf0kpgAVrVpBbvYgIEoIBxK8aodFRMiBgbdndsFTlQkswPXiI-A842q3WBBg8ORDOUYTr7iLQhChISQOzMQ054rRUus4A/s640/134.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2015/12/cooktop-cutting-countertops.html" target="_blank">December 2015 - Upgraded Cooktop and Refrigerator</a></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byTo7Pz6uxM/VnIg7jaLrnI/AAAAAAAARgA/dtWNYqarW98GuYajG7dadfTh5ojRHt_ngCPcB/s1600/IMG_20151215_222955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byTo7Pz6uxM/VnIg7jaLrnI/AAAAAAAARgA/dtWNYqarW98GuYajG7dadfTh5ojRHt_ngCPcB/s640/IMG_20151215_222955.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKKqZJjuLY/VnIg7iPHtWI/AAAAAAAARgA/8d5ev4jAOY4Zk229qbOtCnoxtOtSugeoQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20151215_182709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKKqZJjuLY/VnIg7iPHtWI/AAAAAAAARgA/8d5ev4jAOY4Zk229qbOtCnoxtOtSugeoQCPcB/s640/IMG_20151215_182709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">August 2016 to January 2017 - Major Renovation</span></b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/09/kitchen-construction-part-1-hangin-hood.html" target="_blank">Step 1 - Remove Cabinets and Hang New Hood</a></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrPd9WVvbHs/V8JGGpxAv-I/AAAAAAAAuQQ/eRBv-aI-ElQuJZtjXWLtHYbheC_U0KiXQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrPd9WVvbHs/V8JGGpxAv-I/AAAAAAAAuQQ/eRBv-aI-ElQuJZtjXWLtHYbheC_U0KiXQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHgcdYe-cI8/V-M4bAm0xeI/AAAAAAAAvQw/xopfZlbm4lkLO6L6U3D86qAacJSPINd-QCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHgcdYe-cI8/V-M4bAm0xeI/AAAAAAAAvQw/xopfZlbm4lkLO6L6U3D86qAacJSPINd-QCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/09/kitchen-construction-part-2-crushing.html" target="_blank">Step 2 - Install New Countertops</a></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzVfarBtLR8/V-M5FNF9deI/AAAAAAAAvSM/tmy5h76raKA_BkDRMH3_DWnqGMHmdWLEwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzVfarBtLR8/V-M5FNF9deI/AAAAAAAAvSM/tmy5h76raKA_BkDRMH3_DWnqGMHmdWLEwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_980964385"></span><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/10/kitchen-construction-part-3-cabinet.html" target="_blank">Step 3 - Shorten Cabinet and Reinstall</a><span id="goog_980964386"></span></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9LJbTysFDA/V_ppevi--lI/AAAAAAAAv_g/nQ-Kos-ieQEaq_rNCpdHlg9JVMKOql8aQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9LJbTysFDA/V_ppevi--lI/AAAAAAAAv_g/nQ-Kos-ieQEaq_rNCpdHlg9JVMKOql8aQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/11/kitchen-construction-part-4-casing-joint.html" target="_blank">Step 4 - Add Trim to Walkway</a></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiGNY4l8xqo/WBaZ1SGA_BI/AAAAAAAAw_Y/fvv7Z2mfGUkMN1n_CoKVpa9YXbBEYc9egCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiGNY4l8xqo/WBaZ1SGA_BI/AAAAAAAAw_Y/fvv7Z2mfGUkMN1n_CoKVpa9YXbBEYc9egCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/11/kitchen-construction-part-5-backsplash.html" target="_blank">Step 5 - Install Backsplash</a></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxcs/hMBFj7bxsPcVgvqnhLaunCVaVApqeSRQQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxcs/hMBFj7bxsPcVgvqnhLaunCVaVApqeSRQQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the new wine cooler as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2017/01/kitchen-construction-part-6-fabulous.html" target="_blank">Step 6 - Lay New Floor Tile</a></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ji3P5Iqsiw/WGtB3YSvSlI/AAAAAAAA0Us/nmudlj7G4hUyQNXgXeHBMvruFGtduowHwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170102_221605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ji3P5Iqsiw/WGtB3YSvSlI/AAAAAAAA0Us/nmudlj7G4hUyQNXgXeHBMvruFGtduowHwCPcB/s640/IMG_20170102_221605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2017/01/kitchen-construction-part-7-one.html" target="_blank">Step 7 - Install New Window</a></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxb2Rm8zUiU/WG0SB17Ge5I/AAAAAAAA0aQ/NNZFR2a7aW4Ius9EvdozluCLzlAanJVbwCPcB/s1600/DSC02442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxb2Rm8zUiU/WG0SB17Ge5I/AAAAAAAA0aQ/NNZFR2a7aW4Ius9EvdozluCLzlAanJVbwCPcB/s640/DSC02442.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2017/01/kitchen-construction-part-8-coating.html" target="_blank">Step 8 - Paint Cabinets and Add Hardware</a></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMUxslNl5bA/WHWw91XdwmI/AAAAAAAA0n8/TOrcmReJPM0lDgT9HVZ04UuFLhEEvDomwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170110_201244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DMUxslNl5bA/WHWw91XdwmI/AAAAAAAA0n8/TOrcmReJPM0lDgT9HVZ04UuFLhEEvDomwCPcB/s640/IMG_20170110_201244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Step 9 - Behold the Finished Product</span></b><br />
Here's the 'Before' photo one more time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw5rP_UyhPY/UHzRdlvw5eI/AAAAAAAA0zM/Va2bcu2h2eUh9Bxo6w2Q5EPQZ3QM_C76gCPcB/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xw5rP_UyhPY/UHzRdlvw5eI/AAAAAAAA0zM/Va2bcu2h2eUh9Bxo6w2Q5EPQZ3QM_C76gCPcB/s640/kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Before</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4Un3OfJ1gU/WH41n2-re6I/AAAAAAAA0y4/Z2ZR2kgf6lgNvuHohLfxZHOzJiRWIRNuACPcB/s1600/20170116-VMB_4333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4Un3OfJ1gU/WH41n2-re6I/AAAAAAAA0y4/Z2ZR2kgf6lgNvuHohLfxZHOzJiRWIRNuACPcB/s640/20170116-VMB_4333.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOOHeslvHVU/WH41nzIJYxI/AAAAAAAA0y4/Yg76JFuGf_Y9v5sSK_6Z_1grpvR-VuejgCPcB/s1600/20170116-VMB_4379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOOHeslvHVU/WH41nzIJYxI/AAAAAAAA0y4/Yg76JFuGf_Y9v5sSK_6Z_1grpvR-VuejgCPcB/s640/20170116-VMB_4379.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see this was just a slight upgrade. The most impressive part is we did almost all the work ourselves, with the help of friends and family. The only thing we didn't do were the counters.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Cost Breakdown</b></span><br />
I'm sure some of you are curious what it costs to renovate your kitchen like we did. Apparently, the average kitchen remodel costs a little <a href="http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/kitchens/remodel-a-kitchen/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">over $20,000 in America</a>. Ours cost quite a bit less than that. Here's the tally of the recent renovation, including the cooktop (but not the fridge, since we're keeping it):<br />
<ul>
<li>Counters: $4,300</li>
<li>Cooktop: $850</li>
<li>Backsplash: $473</li>
<li>Hood: $300</li>
<li>Window: $283</li>
<li>Flooring: $233</li>
<li>Wine Cooler: $200</li>
<li>Tile Accessories: $155</li>
<li>Molding/Trim: $142</li>
<li>Paint Sprayer: $129</li>
<li>Hardware: $123</li>
<li>Paint: $93</li>
<li>Outlets: $35</li>
</ul>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Total: $7,318.15</b><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<div>
We think it was worth every cent (but maybe not every back-breaking hour - Haha).<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-58569629056647647082017-01-10T20:59:00.000-08:002017-01-10T20:59:37.149-08:00Kitchen Construction, Part 8 - Coating Cabinets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKKqZJjuLY/VnIg7iPHtWI/AAAAAAAARgA/8d5ev4jAOY4Zk229qbOtCnoxtOtSugeoQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20151215_182709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKKqZJjuLY/VnIg7iPHtWI/AAAAAAAARgA/8d5ev4jAOY4Zk229qbOtCnoxtOtSugeoQCPcB/s640/IMG_20151215_182709.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The final step in our kitchen renovation was revamping the cabinets. They were covered in the original 70's lacquer and were showing their age. It didn't help that the cabinets had no handles, so they've been touched by dirty hands for the past ~40 years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since the cabinets themselves were in relatively good shape, and we didn't want to spend a fortune, we decided to just paint them and add new hardware. It took quite a bit of doing, but they came out very nicely.</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We started by labeling all the cabinets and drilling holes for the new hardware. We drilled them in place to make sure we didn't turn them around and accidentally drill the holes in the wrong corner.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-KuaU-Z28E/WEzTUvGrEhI/AAAAAAAAzX4/_KM0TyfeVt0vR9ye9phh2gqlfkUTRbQ9gCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161208_202119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-KuaU-Z28E/WEzTUvGrEhI/AAAAAAAAzX4/_KM0TyfeVt0vR9ye9phh2gqlfkUTRbQ9gCPcB/s640/IMG_20161208_202119.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another utility onesie makes an appearance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We removed the doors and the old hinges next.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF_-tkgFmZs/WEzTUpzgY7I/AAAAAAAAzX4/AqsZFiP7tbso2FFjIpXa1oYdk5I0huDQQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161208_210028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF_-tkgFmZs/WEzTUpzgY7I/AAAAAAAAzX4/AqsZFiP7tbso2FFjIpXa1oYdk5I0huDQQCPcB/s400/IMG_20161208_210028.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After that we washed all the cabinets to removed decades of grease then gave them a light sanding. I recruited my brother and parents to help over Christmas. Thanks, family!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S6JF5-e1Ac/WGXbvS48NeI/AAAAAAAA0KA/g96x_JED170sM7ZZeHfsJGYGyFGrVaNmQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161224_104644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S6JF5-e1Ac/WGXbvS48NeI/AAAAAAAA0KA/g96x_JED170sM7ZZeHfsJGYGyFGrVaNmQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161224_104644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After sanding we primed and applied two coats of "Creamy."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xZWEtVc97w/WGXbvaPZatI/AAAAAAAA0KA/ZHU1B4AcQUs2qaU7JYFi4Nb_nrLNNPI2wCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161227_163934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3xZWEtVc97w/WGXbvaPZatI/AAAAAAAA0KA/ZHU1B4AcQUs2qaU7JYFi4Nb_nrLNNPI2wCPcB/s640/IMG_20161227_163934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We debated whether or not to paint the interiors of the cabinets, but we decided it would look really bad if we didn't, so we bit the bullet, emptied the cabinets, and put a thick coat of primer on the inside. We bought a paint sprayer for the task and it worked quite well. It applied the paint faster than a roller would have and allowed us to do only one coat. It made a bit of a mess, but I think it was worth it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nX3IoyGmCg/WGxqHWPLBNI/AAAAAAAA0ZQ/D36p9ENf8wsqu5UjGm-35vQ71j2Syc5RACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170103_093351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nX3IoyGmCg/WGxqHWPLBNI/AAAAAAAA0ZQ/D36p9ENf8wsqu5UjGm-35vQ71j2Syc5RACPcB/s640/IMG_20170103_093351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We loaded the cabinets back up and painted the frames.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbjRXeLhMag/WGxqHeIiAhI/AAAAAAAA0ZQ/TQPAe5r4VQ4OW2cAPbXVYKAdZOzqJxYcACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170103_134008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dbjRXeLhMag/WGxqHeIiAhI/AAAAAAAA0ZQ/TQPAe5r4VQ4OW2cAPbXVYKAdZOzqJxYcACPcB/s640/IMG_20170103_134008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Reinstalling the doors and the new hardware took a full day, but it came out beautifully. The photos are deliberately cropped to keep the suspense for the full kitchen reveal in the next post.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMUxslNl5bA/WHWw91XdwmI/AAAAAAAA0nc/mNfzIVGIbgkf_En_vtlYpkx6r00YzAvGgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170110_201244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMUxslNl5bA/WHWw91XdwmI/AAAAAAAA0nc/mNfzIVGIbgkf_En_vtlYpkx6r00YzAvGgCPcB/s640/IMG_20170110_201244.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yn8LdPYKl8/WHWw94D7-YI/AAAAAAAA0nc/R6_54gHTF0AUz9xI6ceTXKYQ8Fly5moOwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170110_201221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2yn8LdPYKl8/WHWw94D7-YI/AAAAAAAA0nc/R6_54gHTF0AUz9xI6ceTXKYQ8Fly5moOwCPcB/s640/IMG_20170110_201221.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><div style="text-align: left;">
Here's that Before shot again.</div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKKqZJjuLY/VnIg7iPHtWI/AAAAAAAARgA/8d5ev4jAOY4Zk229qbOtCnoxtOtSugeoQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20151215_182709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKKqZJjuLY/VnIg7iPHtWI/AAAAAAAARgA/8d5ev4jAOY4Zk229qbOtCnoxtOtSugeoQCPcB/s640/IMG_20151215_182709.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Before</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We also painted the shelf and linen cabinet in the hallway, which banished the last of the 70's lacquer from the house. Good riddance.</span></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIHvXU0fHfw/WHWyXUHUaVI/AAAAAAAA0n4/zM2sINhTy4Y6Qs8qlD6a6TWOZfsifIwiQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170110_201913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12.8px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIHvXU0fHfw/WHWyXUHUaVI/AAAAAAAA0n4/zM2sINhTy4Y6Qs8qlD6a6TWOZfsifIwiQCPcB/s640/IMG_20170110_201913.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-43959376934554279112017-01-04T07:35:00.001-08:002017-01-04T07:35:35.157-08:00Kitchen Construction, Part 7 - One Wonderful Window<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxcs/hMBFj7bxsPcVgvqnhLaunCVaVApqeSRQQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxcs/hMBFj7bxsPcVgvqnhLaunCVaVApqeSRQQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most of the windows in our house are the original black (why?) aluminum, single pane units from the late 70's, including the kitchen window. They also have no frames or real sills of any kind, making them look pretty sad. However, they still function acceptably as windows, so it's hard to justify replacing them, especially here in temperate SoCal where the insulating properties of double pane windows aren't so important.<br />
Since we were updating everything else in the kitchen, we figured we should go ahead and replace that window now.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first step was deciding what kind of window we wanted to get. We settled on a white vinyl replacement style window, which allows you to avoid any annoying stucco work. Our opening was just barely under 3' x 6', so we couldn't use a standard replacement.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first quote we got for a custom window was from the glass shop in my home town, <a href="http://www.kingcityglass.com/" target="_blank">King City Glass</a>, just to get an idea of pricing. We then got quotes from several local shops, but they turned out to be significantly higher. We went ahead and ordered the window in King City and made arrangements with my parents to deliver it on their next visit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We were told it would take about six weeks for the window to come in, but it took significantly less. My parents brought the window down shortly after it came in and we were ready to install.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first step was removing the old window panes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g08OGYMSh1o/WEzTUpJVJ0I/AAAAAAAAzX4/YUHv-4LEHOISVsMsokYh5IZS6z_ketzxwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_084142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g08OGYMSh1o/WEzTUpJVJ0I/AAAAAAAAzX4/YUHv-4LEHOISVsMsokYh5IZS6z_ketzxwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161120_084142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lm5sfTJRys/WEzTUotJX6I/AAAAAAAAzX4/3YfQcuFMGnA226523idmzmIHUNeHX3tnwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_091416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lm5sfTJRys/WEzTUotJX6I/AAAAAAAAzX4/3YfQcuFMGnA226523idmzmIHUNeHX3tnwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161120_091416.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone's happy to see the ugly old window go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I then marked the high spots in the stucco around the window and chipped them off. That would allow the flange on the new window to cozy up to the wall better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmL0oT2QNaw/WEzTUie0UqI/AAAAAAAAzX4/csWrZU2fpC8a0TJsjM8ZKD3l8SiXUm86ACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_091529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmL0oT2QNaw/WEzTUie0UqI/AAAAAAAAzX4/csWrZU2fpC8a0TJsjM8ZKD3l8SiXUm86ACPcB/s640/IMG_20161120_091529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I applied a bunch of the sealant provided by King City Glass and we slid the new window into place. I used some bar clamps to hold it in place (thank you, internet, for that tip).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy_pNy08qu0/WEzTUm0wP8I/AAAAAAAAzX4/vlmbR6nDRc4U1KBR8KYiLlPf80j4Yau6QCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_102351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jy_pNy08qu0/WEzTUm0wP8I/AAAAAAAAzX4/vlmbR6nDRc4U1KBR8KYiLlPf80j4Yau6QCPcB/s640/IMG_20161120_102351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I then went inside and pre-drilled my screw holes, with two different sized bits and screwed the window to the house with some special screws.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPmNZWsBzHY/WEzTUgMB2CI/AAAAAAAAzX4/Z5ODm6Myr1IOdCu3s1jnnOZ2O0yrWSvgQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_113333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPmNZWsBzHY/WEzTUgMB2CI/AAAAAAAAzX4/Z5ODm6Myr1IOdCu3s1jnnOZ2O0yrWSvgQCPcB/s400/IMG_20161120_113333.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I then installed spiffy little caps over the screws.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxhydNejhUA/WEzTUg6I08I/AAAAAAAAzX4/orEJtcw-KlYJ5YyNG5LHnqSBwGDQvP-dgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_114326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qxhydNejhUA/WEzTUg6I08I/AAAAAAAAzX4/orEJtcw-KlYJ5YyNG5LHnqSBwGDQvP-dgCPcB/s400/IMG_20161120_114326.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next I went outside and installed a nice bead of sealant around the entire frame.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7bw0oMfHQw/WEzTUql4soI/AAAAAAAAzX4/oc3E6BT6LCsMyJLIVbCKKXiLghshzrsrACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_112759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7bw0oMfHQw/WEzTUql4soI/AAAAAAAAzX4/oc3E6BT6LCsMyJLIVbCKKXiLghshzrsrACPcB/s400/IMG_20161120_112759.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And that pretty much wrapped up the actual installation of the window, but not the project.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UthaMhduiiY/WEzTUqqDSmI/AAAAAAAAzX4/SR4juWs977ArzONtcdLQbff8d5rPzqvsACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_112807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UthaMhduiiY/WEzTUqqDSmI/AAAAAAAAzX4/SR4juWs977ArzONtcdLQbff8d5rPzqvsACPcB/s640/IMG_20161120_112807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We still had to trim it out on the inside. As you can see, it looked pretty rough in there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSTIbtXS6T0/WEzTUvPD_XI/AAAAAAAAzX4/Hs46VMhkFmcIuGWwgOls4qwWaIMLeqpeQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_120058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hSTIbtXS6T0/WEzTUvPD_XI/AAAAAAAAzX4/Hs46VMhkFmcIuGWwgOls4qwWaIMLeqpeQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161128_120058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I started with my favorite activity (NOT!), painting trim...so much trim.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jd57L-DfDHo/WEzTUvtI0GI/AAAAAAAAzX4/hanPI1TF1qMSNPh15iZIqgjVu9ZdzOdeACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_100711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jd57L-DfDHo/WEzTUvtI0GI/AAAAAAAAzX4/hanPI1TF1qMSNPh15iZIqgjVu9ZdzOdeACPcB/s400/IMG_20161128_100711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SaKg9IN_QmE/WEzTUrVv1dI/AAAAAAAAzX4/gYumT9VgJ00o5ziWVxmovL27wH9gsBTpwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_100719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SaKg9IN_QmE/WEzTUrVv1dI/AAAAAAAAzX4/gYumT9VgJ00o5ziWVxmovL27wH9gsBTpwCPcB/s400/IMG_20161128_100719.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Next I glued down the quartz sill piece that was cut when we got the <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/09/kitchen-construction-part-2-crushing.html" target="_blank">new countertops</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sODsVEAXGAc/WEzTUnWSF2I/AAAAAAAAzX4/I_Q4nnag3sgnrJ5EoD9U_smWBmYgOvUsACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_122249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sODsVEAXGAc/WEzTUnWSF2I/AAAAAAAAzX4/I_Q4nnag3sgnrJ5EoD9U_smWBmYgOvUsACPcB/s640/IMG_20161128_122249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I then installed most of the trim and things started looking pretty good. We were only missing the top and bottom pieces, which we thought we had under control, but actually didn't.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABblELbPTTM/WEzTUs50MEI/AAAAAAAAzX4/9PHdeeWKbFkk0FpoVriRifiXAvEB3zj4wCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_185408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABblELbPTTM/WEzTUs50MEI/AAAAAAAAzX4/9PHdeeWKbFkk0FpoVriRifiXAvEB3zj4wCPcB/s640/IMG_20161128_185408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After acquiring and painting the correct trim, the top piece was nailed in and the bottom piece was glued in place (didn't want to try nailing into quartz or vinyl).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPs4XU1gXoo/WGXhTe4R5iI/AAAAAAAA0Kg/fJPv8UqHVJQCSRynX68mOyZcUwj4XoOjACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161229_201553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jPs4XU1gXoo/WGXhTe4R5iI/AAAAAAAA0Kg/fJPv8UqHVJQCSRynX68mOyZcUwj4XoOjACPcB/s400/IMG_20161229_201553.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As a reminder, here's the old window again:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxcs/hMBFj7bxsPcVgvqnhLaunCVaVApqeSRQQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxcs/hMBFj7bxsPcVgvqnhLaunCVaVApqeSRQQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And here's the finished product. It's just a slight improvement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxb2Rm8zUiU/WG0SB17Ge5I/AAAAAAAA0aE/JosjhlEARXEl-zPHdwCRYdmC02Mro96FwCPcB/s1600/DSC02442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxb2Rm8zUiU/WG0SB17Ge5I/AAAAAAAA0aE/JosjhlEARXEl-zPHdwCRYdmC02Mro96FwCPcB/s640/DSC02442.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A big thanks to <a href="http://www.kingcityglass.com/index.php" target="_blank">King City Glass</a> and my parents for getting us the beautiful new window at a surprisingly low cost.<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-19458511247264251772017-01-02T22:32:00.001-08:002017-01-02T22:32:39.268-08:00Kitchen Construction, Part 6 - Fabulous Flooring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMP4RbtZ4RI/V-M36mJAcxI/AAAAAAAAvQU/RI3QH1MeVwQ2rMGxkz8YPJYsyMnMvBKcACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMP4RbtZ4RI/V-M36mJAcxI/AAAAAAAAvQU/RI3QH1MeVwQ2rMGxkz8YPJYsyMnMvBKcACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our kitchen had terrible tile floors. It was a crappy design with a super glossy finish that showed every speck of dirt. It had to go.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I started the demolition with my trusty hammer, but it was slow going.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v69Q6Y0_B_8/WBaYqElWprI/AAAAAAAAw-c/G9DV5DYr9lEMCY31jaiG09f0m26M5EcLwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v69Q6Y0_B_8/WBaYqElWprI/AAAAAAAAw-c/G9DV5DYr9lEMCY31jaiG09f0m26M5EcLwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I quickly switched to a "landscape bar" and things went much faster.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wDereUHg44/WBaYlsCfcHI/AAAAAAAAw-c/1cDo09CVd2ILd7c3unR7Z8l7muIZb9RvACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1wDereUHg44/WBaYlsCfcHI/AAAAAAAAw-c/1cDo09CVd2ILd7c3unR7Z8l7muIZb9RvACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
You can see I took precautions to contain the debris and protect the fridge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twXHdJF3POA/WBaY3yAGc6I/AAAAAAAAw_M/cvYAlH_aTNsDOkObab95ul4OTDzEbHxcACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-twXHdJF3POA/WBaY3yAGc6I/AAAAAAAAw_M/cvYAlH_aTNsDOkObab95ul4OTDzEbHxcACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After some extensive cleanup, we had a beautiful concrete floor, which we lived with for quite some time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRfJnfLEtRo/WBaZIxhZ0CI/AAAAAAAAw_M/qHef2gCGb1s_0gltFX02w49flRvfyMmAwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRfJnfLEtRo/WBaZIxhZ0CI/AAAAAAAAw_M/qHef2gCGb1s_0gltFX02w49flRvfyMmAwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After filling the trash can with as much weight as was advisable, we had a nice pile leftover for subsequent weeks</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNAaqNr-pDs/WBaZWdgZFcI/AAAAAAAAw_M/NWnkiGu-Vhwnczq_DIalEeYMKoABbrbJgCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNAaqNr-pDs/WBaZWdgZFcI/AAAAAAAAw_M/NWnkiGu-Vhwnczq_DIalEeYMKoABbrbJgCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The tile and thinset came up surprisingly cleanly, but there were some rough patches that I marked as I found them and eventually ground down with my oscillating tool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pL22vH10Lx8/WBaZNrlQtbI/AAAAAAAAw_M/L80Oi-LF9Fgla6TKLgpS_GuR4-a0eshngCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pL22vH10Lx8/WBaZNrlQtbI/AAAAAAAAw_M/L80Oi-LF9Fgla6TKLgpS_GuR4-a0eshngCPcB/s320/upload_-1" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Whoever installed the tile put a thin row of tile on the toe kick under the counters. I ripped that off, along with a thin sheet of plywood underneath.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gETnqvlUhR8/WB_NII501HI/AAAAAAAAxc0/iDBCPpxeb98iLfKdegFTmrIYWVjGHQ35QCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_195358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gETnqvlUhR8/WB_NII501HI/AAAAAAAAxc0/iDBCPpxeb98iLfKdegFTmrIYWVjGHQ35QCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_195358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I then primed the toe kick, which was a ton of fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA_5wUzyuQs/WB_NIJa5iEI/AAAAAAAAxc0/t7jAeXEPmS4HplSkdlk6Gp14fM_eyEKawCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161106_110938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AA_5wUzyuQs/WB_NIJa5iEI/AAAAAAAAxc0/t7jAeXEPmS4HplSkdlk6Gp14fM_eyEKawCPcB/s400/IMG_20161106_110938.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Once we finally got around to laying the tile, we did a fairly intense dry-run to make sure we got the layout right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjBga_IaDbg/WB_NIJTEXzI/AAAAAAAAxc0/swcKVp8D7vwidYwAMYVE-ruqbYibIgoUACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161106_124638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjBga_IaDbg/WB_NIJTEXzI/AAAAAAAAxc0/swcKVp8D7vwidYwAMYVE-ruqbYibIgoUACPcB/s640/IMG_20161106_124638.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is what our living room looked like when we were doing the tile. We actually got used to having the fridge there and would walk into the living room to get ice even after everything was back in place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdvEQGZYcJQ/WB_NIEX791I/AAAAAAAAxcs/QTsVc78q4AU0zDHwZHtPOXsGiLS3NmnHgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161106_124124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdvEQGZYcJQ/WB_NIEX791I/AAAAAAAAxcs/QTsVc78q4AU0zDHwZHtPOXsGiLS3NmnHgCPcB/s640/IMG_20161106_124124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Laying the tile proved to be more difficult and time consuming than expected, but we did our best.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZUdv48aTBc/WEzTUrEaL2I/AAAAAAAAzX4/CqdXPtUhSLsXsFJeNErUnkhbJdLC8Hc9ACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161114_180020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZUdv48aTBc/WEzTUrEaL2I/AAAAAAAAzX4/CqdXPtUhSLsXsFJeNErUnkhbJdLC8Hc9ACPcB/s640/IMG_20161114_180020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We worked late into the night, until everyone was exhausted. I have to give a huge THANK YOU to my buddy Tai, who helped a ton, and also lent us the tile saw.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrhA2pJvxE8/WEzTUheAMbI/AAAAAAAAzX4/VyqX4FmOFFIVw4yOoawf1CcHB1hVaQoKACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161114_180304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrhA2pJvxE8/WEzTUheAMbI/AAAAAAAAzX4/VyqX4FmOFFIVw4yOoawf1CcHB1hVaQoKACPcB/s640/IMG_20161114_180304.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCD2DHeN4cE/WEzTUizI_eI/AAAAAAAAzX4/vBiVrvAqamUCWuKXj7-A0GjKnB67RIlUwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161114_180034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCD2DHeN4cE/WEzTUizI_eI/AAAAAAAAzX4/vBiVrvAqamUCWuKXj7-A0GjKnB67RIlUwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161114_180034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-0JLeQ3q6c/WEzTUlN6jsI/AAAAAAAAzX4/ngCS7bOc2AM52xjfuvJ0wZiQcTT7UviSwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161114_184650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-0JLeQ3q6c/WEzTUlN6jsI/AAAAAAAAzX4/ngCS7bOc2AM52xjfuvJ0wZiQcTT7UviSwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161114_184650.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Eventually, we laid the last tile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXXn-bGa2-Y/WEzTUrluGZI/AAAAAAAAzYI/bYsrheKpfpUAyvxTxFmKbzCVt0JoSVutQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161114_204412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kXXn-bGa2-Y/WEzTUrluGZI/AAAAAAAAzYI/bYsrheKpfpUAyvxTxFmKbzCVt0JoSVutQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161114_204412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And the floor was done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Tf_2Uct1s/WEzTUtFzV6I/AAAAAAAAzX4/qXM9DvEDsk4Rwbkqn7rSxy6Ls64AryDWgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161114_222127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Tf_2Uct1s/WEzTUtFzV6I/AAAAAAAAzX4/qXM9DvEDsk4Rwbkqn7rSxy6Ls64AryDWgCPcB/s640/IMG_20161114_222127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fv6NFzzdOJc/WEzTUuQ62jI/AAAAAAAAzX4/HtXhdPDgDCA3f7CNv5WXCLZXgB1NYmm1ACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161114_222133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fv6NFzzdOJc/WEzTUuQ62jI/AAAAAAAAzX4/HtXhdPDgDCA3f7CNv5WXCLZXgB1NYmm1ACPcB/s640/IMG_20161114_222133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After a little cleanup it looked pretty good. All the tiles aren't quite as even as we would like, but it's good enough.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uCy2EVq5A4/WEzTUiS0K7I/AAAAAAAAzX4/FBesTuU1wdUO-Di9Hkn2fRvlHj_rqdACACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161118_171414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uCy2EVq5A4/WEzTUiS0K7I/AAAAAAAAzX4/FBesTuU1wdUO-Di9Hkn2fRvlHj_rqdACACPcB/s640/IMG_20161118_171414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately, we weren't careful enough about cleaning out between the tiles where thinset came up. That would have created a problem for the grout, so I got to go along every crack and grind it out. I used the oscillating tool with the diamond blade for the first pass, then held the blade in my hand and smoothed everything out on the second pass.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tVbuBdMCUf0/WEzTUuuzuEI/AAAAAAAAzX4/jLBwQynJppgNi58omzrPbe5EHuJ-pj2JwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161118_171608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tVbuBdMCUf0/WEzTUuuzuEI/AAAAAAAAzX4/jLBwQynJppgNi58omzrPbe5EHuJ-pj2JwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161118_171608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh0yFHvVq9o/WEzTUt-GkFI/AAAAAAAAzX4/dfTvZSDATW0i5ZSP1vHec6Wu6Xnj8JBKQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161119_094314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mh0yFHvVq9o/WEzTUt-GkFI/AAAAAAAAzX4/dfTvZSDATW0i5ZSP1vHec6Wu6Xnj8JBKQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161119_094314.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once that was done, it was time for grout. Applying the grout was very satisfying. Sponging off the excess--not so much.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n0AZZvZ4U4/WEzTUhMMHAI/AAAAAAAAzX4/eHQskRInoLMcUur1IG1zx7O_5nA_zN6YgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_165811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n0AZZvZ4U4/WEzTUhMMHAI/AAAAAAAAzX4/eHQskRInoLMcUur1IG1zx7O_5nA_zN6YgCPcB/s640/IMG_20161120_165811.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After the grout dried we applied a sealer, which finished off the tile work, but not the flooring project.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nkxeiQJmYeE/WEzTUmGWXTI/AAAAAAAAzX4/y1qJ8ZxIGToofOZvdhhl5-DlIVmleWapwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161127_191101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nkxeiQJmYeE/WEzTUmGWXTI/AAAAAAAAzX4/y1qJ8ZxIGToofOZvdhhl5-DlIVmleWapwCPcB/s400/IMG_20161127_191101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There was still a lot of trim to be installed. I started with some quarter round under the cabinets to cover the 1/8 inch gap we intentionally left all the way around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ8-90S4DlE/WEzTUgClu_I/AAAAAAAAzX4/g7FjfyotsY4GoSIgiIwgva2lrxvXZSr0wCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_162606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ8-90S4DlE/WEzTUgClu_I/AAAAAAAAzX4/g7FjfyotsY4GoSIgiIwgva2lrxvXZSr0wCPcB/s640/IMG_20161128_162606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were also unsightly gaps between the tile and laminate, which I filled with real wood T molding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AqPQre-n6E/WEzTUri4LHI/AAAAAAAAzX4/ipOnWCXMD0EqM5TiYjQTxzFmLNOicb0bgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161128_140327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AqPQre-n6E/WEzTUri4LHI/AAAAAAAAzX4/ipOnWCXMD0EqM5TiYjQTxzFmLNOicb0bgCPcB/s640/IMG_20161128_140327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xrW-5hc0kc/WEzTUuWkLQI/AAAAAAAAzX4/9ahYbCFWan4-K9dEJaxrBVBmOmx4eWwPACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161129_211151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xrW-5hc0kc/WEzTUuWkLQI/AAAAAAAAzX4/9ahYbCFWan4-K9dEJaxrBVBmOmx4eWwPACPcB/s640/IMG_20161129_211151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoKGWC_xlQM/WEzTUpEPAhI/AAAAAAAAzX4/xn9590PE9tAM3wQiWoYfpgBHFTK6lQYhgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161207_181546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yoKGWC_xlQM/WEzTUpEPAhI/AAAAAAAAzX4/xn9590PE9tAM3wQiWoYfpgBHFTK6lQYhgCPcB/s640/IMG_20161207_181546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I got to make some nice custom cuts to pieces that go above the T molding.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1BH8KTXk40/WGXbvfgiDeI/AAAAAAAA0J4/nj2xxGSo-cUYOS9T1qWXplWrbywhLm0bwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161224_113422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1BH8KTXk40/WGXbvfgiDeI/AAAAAAAA0J4/nj2xxGSo-cUYOS9T1qWXplWrbywhLm0bwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161224_113422.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The last step I performed was adding a bead of clear silicone between the T molding and the tile.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0UbhrKE5lU/WGXbvQTKyqI/AAAAAAAA0J4/RuiRZaZPL-Iugz9PdtG0iOu2cENqXbxwACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161228_100120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_0UbhrKE5lU/WGXbvQTKyqI/AAAAAAAA0J4/RuiRZaZPL-Iugz9PdtG0iOu2cENqXbxwACPcB/s640/IMG_20161228_100120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaJXmQCCmNg/WGXbvdQ8AyI/AAAAAAAA0J4/Wngc9yBKCw48UiWSjGnylOfXyfFI-zBvwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161228_104012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaJXmQCCmNg/WGXbvdQ8AyI/AAAAAAAA0J4/Wngc9yBKCw48UiWSjGnylOfXyfFI-zBvwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161228_104012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This isn't the best photo of the finished product, but you get the idea.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ji3P5Iqsiw/WGtB3YSvSlI/AAAAAAAA0Uo/7eNYCwbsWuUeOOdaIL8UIXnP94OpcX0wACPcB/s1600/IMG_20170102_221605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ji3P5Iqsiw/WGtB3YSvSlI/AAAAAAAA0Uo/7eNYCwbsWuUeOOdaIL8UIXnP94OpcX0wACPcB/s640/IMG_20170102_221605.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you thought that was the end of the story, you are sorely mistaken, because we also replaced the entryway tile at the same time, which was a lovely shade of green.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QiRLkaUSUJI/WB_NIA5IJEI/AAAAAAAAxc0/pVDTX4qOt24gF5-f8vM5OHLpCcOfKj5pACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161106_135405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QiRLkaUSUJI/WB_NIA5IJEI/AAAAAAAAxc0/pVDTX4qOt24gF5-f8vM5OHLpCcOfKj5pACPcB/s640/IMG_20161106_135405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I smashed it out just like the kitchen, but it didn't come up as cleanly. It took a lot of extra work to get it all smoothed out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sf-iy2baVjk/WB_NILtsujI/AAAAAAAAxcs/IkbahWQzY4AhPki7vcZxN3Lc5yIuRui_ACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161106_144850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sf-iy2baVjk/WB_NILtsujI/AAAAAAAAxcs/IkbahWQzY4AhPki7vcZxN3Lc5yIuRui_ACPcB/s640/IMG_20161106_144850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5UbZ_Oe9pw/WB_NIK4hLcI/AAAAAAAAxc0/Hn2zQsQlpWo-Wzv1PLjqsTAFAFfOZNMMACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161106_152146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d5UbZ_Oe9pw/WB_NIK4hLcI/AAAAAAAAxc0/Hn2zQsQlpWo-Wzv1PLjqsTAFAFfOZNMMACPcB/s640/IMG_20161106_152146.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
One of the pieces of tile shrapnel actually cut my leg. It bled a lot more than expected.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUqYrvxj_g4/WB_NIHAnjSI/AAAAAAAAxcs/lI6dUjaYABINqA5xCw2ck9mLgq6XsfUrwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161106_155253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iUqYrvxj_g4/WB_NIHAnjSI/AAAAAAAAxcs/lI6dUjaYABINqA5xCw2ck9mLgq6XsfUrwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161106_155253.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We laid the actual tile the same day we did the kitchen. It was really late when we finished the kitchen, and we were so relieved, until we remembered we still had to do the entryway. But we finished it and it looked pretty good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTls7bMSET8/WEzTUhDSUsI/AAAAAAAAzX4/OsZUm770sIMP4-T0PLlqgkPX6VOlUcFPACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161120_153604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTls7bMSET8/WEzTUhDSUsI/AAAAAAAAzX4/OsZUm770sIMP4-T0PLlqgkPX6VOlUcFPACPcB/s640/IMG_20161120_153604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I put down the same T molding as in the kitchen, along with some quarter round along the wall and under the door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXtCMJHU2c/WEzTUgaiWjI/AAAAAAAAzX4/HoMUgl6VmzMUUm12F78aDJEQrwO9fDShQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161210_104924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXtCMJHU2c/WEzTUgaiWjI/AAAAAAAAzX4/HoMUgl6VmzMUUm12F78aDJEQrwO9fDShQCPcB/s640/IMG_20161210_104924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
For the trim under the door, I had to remove 5mm of material to clear the door. That was a fun cut on the table saw.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ceA3TNV8eY4/WGXbvY9iNwI/AAAAAAAA0J4/3y8UCn1GGVUk9mUGIu7CStrsO4_Xfs3owCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161224_115702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ceA3TNV8eY4/WGXbvY9iNwI/AAAAAAAA0J4/3y8UCn1GGVUk9mUGIu7CStrsO4_Xfs3owCPcB/s640/IMG_20161224_115702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the end it came out beautifully. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-aIuYpLUOM/WGtB3dx0PPI/AAAAAAAA0Uo/4FfHF6ztEegL0neofsdpLWrJtwQa_VcVQCPcB/s1600/IMG_20170102_221538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-aIuYpLUOM/WGtB3dx0PPI/AAAAAAAA0Uo/4FfHF6ztEegL0neofsdpLWrJtwQa_VcVQCPcB/s640/IMG_20170102_221538.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-43549763815634602872016-12-31T11:53:00.002-08:002018-06-23T12:53:09.915-07:00Our First Year<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMZlhSYafhJIgEf38RkXaz29nHcB6gdqDRwAurIuJNC0TPL-Ul6HJVd0gfGYCJ06Vv2ScXrJsrssZCfERvgHYJ6_LFbJlVWJ0pf6Ciyb88JCtM3shkndhfy_2_mO9jCiWGc1trBbN924d/s1600/DSC02152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMZlhSYafhJIgEf38RkXaz29nHcB6gdqDRwAurIuJNC0TPL-Ul6HJVd0gfGYCJ06Vv2ScXrJsrssZCfERvgHYJ6_LFbJlVWJ0pf6Ciyb88JCtM3shkndhfy_2_mO9jCiWGc1trBbN924d/s640/DSC02152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to ride a water taxi into NY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is the last day of 2016 and all I can think about is how tomorrow morning I will wake up in my baby's birth-month. My little, tiny, swear I just had her, baby is turning one soon. I have been trying to wrap my brain around it since we entered the end of the year Holiday rush but it just won't sink in, so I woke up inspired to share a little about this first year hoping it would somehow slow time down just a smidgen.<a aria-label="Photo - Landscape - Dec 16, 2016, 4:01:58 AM" class="p137Zd" href="https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPK8hLLRt42cxF2nXb2ZfXh4TsDHrep9lv3UW55" jsaction="click:eQuaEb;focus:AHmuwe; blur:O22p3e;" tabindex="0"></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oh, the Places She's Been</b></span><br />
San Diego<br />
King City<br />
Tehachapi<br />
Paso Robles<br />
New York (Traveling with an infant post coming soon)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Parties She Couldn't Resist</b></span><br />
Countless BBQ's at Eric W's<br />
Lunches with Jack V.<br />
Play time and swimming with Joseph K.<br />
A concert in the park with Ryan and Courtney<br />
Rebecca L's bridal shower<br />
Brunches and Dinners at Crazy Uncle Dave's<br />
Ornament Decorating at my Uncle D's.<br />
Naples in LB with the Veis Family<br />
The Martelaro Christmas Party<br />
(Countless other events I couldn't help but take her to)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Places She Breastfed Unexpectedly</span></b><br />
The outside courtyard at the mall<br />
Inside dressing rooms<br />
On a bench in front of BJ's Brewhouse<br />
In the car countless times<br />
On a random bench in a parking lot<br />
The airport at the gate<br />
The airport in a nursing room (Virgin Terminal has one!)<br />
The bathroom of the Guggenheim<br />
The stairs inside the NY MoMA<br />
In a water taxi<br />
<br />
The number of times I was harassed/reprimanded for breastfeeding my kid in a weird place: 0 (Hope doesn't allow nursing covers, so good job world!) I've never even got side-eye! I feel terrible for the mothers that are harassed about nursing and I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to nurse anywhere, anytime without a single incident. In fact, the only comment I ever heard was a woman walking by that said to her friend "you gotta do what you gotta do". <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/12/boobies-please.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">If you are curious about the very real details about breastfeeding (mine specifically) you can check out my post here</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What I Learned as a New Mom</b></span><br />
I LOVE being a Mom; it is more fulfilling and satisfying than I ever imagined (Except the first few terrifying months where you are in a hormonal state of sleep deprivation and pure anxiety. Luckily it passes.). Now I get anxiety if I am away from her (OMG where is my baby anxiety; it's actually kind of funny once it passes).<br />
Babies are nearly indestructible, mine crashes into her face on the daily like it ain't no thang.<br />
Poop isn't a big deal, neither is vomit or pee. Nothing phases me anymore.<br />
Baby nails and teeth are the sharpest things on this planet.<br />
Sleep training at just the right age is a freaking life saver. When baby is ready there is very little crying and we have all slept significantly better ever since.<br />
Watching photos of her circulate on our TV is our favorite pastime when she is sleeping.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What I Haven't Learned as a New Mom</span></b><br />
How to keep my baby from smashing her face.<br />
How to keep my baby from eating things off the floor or things she isn't supposed to eat.<br />
How to get my baby to sleep in a stroller/car.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Ways She has Surprised Us</span></b><br />
She is allergic to peanuts, hazelnuts, and pecans and we have to tote around an epi-pen.<br />
Severe farsightedness that has resulted in corrective lenses (and lots of stupid questions from strangers "Are those real glasses???" Seriously?).<br />
Chronic baby eczema that is only kept at bay by twice a day being coated in Vaseline.<br />
She had her television debut on CBS2NY while we were vacationing, the weather broadcast hasn't been the same since. (I haven't been able to acquire the footage unfortunately)<br />
<br />
Watching Hope learn, process, and mimic is so immensely satisfying. She loves to try and copy me when I speak, her "words" are just sounds but she follows my pitch and timing when she "repeats" what I have said. She also mimics actions. Her chronic eczema requires being rubbed down in Vaseline twice a day so when I am rubbing one of her legs, she rubs the other. It kills me how well she mimics my behavior. I must proceed with great caution.<br />
<br />
The responsibility of parenthood is vast and twofold. I owe it to my daughter to be a good role model and to raise her to be strong, confident, hard working and intelligent but I also owe it to the world to raise her to be decent, humble, giving, and loving. With such a huge responsibility on our shoulders I am so grateful to my husband for having the courage to take paternity leave and change his routine so he can be just as influential in our daughters life as I am. He got some push back from his company about taking an entire month off to help bond with and raise his daughter the same way any woman gets that same guilt trip. While I completely understand the corporate side of this flack I think some things are more important than profits, earnings, and the bottom line. The time where Andy is home with us is something you can't buy, you can't replace it, and you can't capture it to save for later. Hope is only little right now, I need help with her right now, we need time as a couple right now. Not next year, not a few days at a time, RIGHT NOW. SO, companies who fight paid family leave, get over it.<br />
<br />
We are going to soak up our quickly passing time with our baby as a family. And with this full heart of mine, I tread into toddler hood with fear and trepidation. I'm sure the challenges and successes will keep me on my toes and just as crazy happy as I am today.<br />
<br />
I'm off to snuggle my baby.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638895759491786535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-13125641103484604122016-12-31T11:52:00.005-08:002017-01-02T21:37:48.594-08:00Boobies PleaseWhen I was younger I wasn't exposed to people breastfeeding, I don't think I ever saw anyone breastfeed in person. I knew women did it but my lack of first hand exposure set me up for a big shock when I finally educated myself on the subject while pregnant with little miss.<br />
I took the breastfeeding class offered by Kaiser (3hrs of nothing!), I read the literature, and I even checked out websites so I could get some idea of what I was in for. Unfortunately, NONE of that prepared me even a little bit. All I heard a billion times was how good for my baby it was, which clearly I knew, I was in the freaking class trying to learn HOW not WHY. They droned on and on saying "breastfeeding shouldn't hurt" and "latch" but without any in-person demonstration the pictures and talks didn't help me understand. I should have hit up YouTube, I'm sure they have helpful tutorials, I just didn't think of it at the time. They also failed to mention anything remotely useful:<br />
1. Tips<br />
2. Problem Solving<br />
3. Funny anecdotes about what it is really like<br />
4. Time commitment (I asked questions about this repeatedly and was only given vague answers)<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
What I should have done was talk to my fellow mom's who had some breastfeeding experience, not only did they understand the learning curve but they are the types of women who won't sugar coat/lie to you. So, I will share with you all what I have learned as if you were asking me while drinking tea in my living room.<br />
<img alt="Image result for Old Fashioned tea" src="http://www.wallyhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/high-tea-ladies_thumb9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Not having any first hand experience made what I have now learned shocking but it also gave me a ton of perspective about choices we have as parents. I was formula fed, so was my husband, and tons of my friends were as well. I don't think it impacted us negatively in any way, not even a little bit. So, you want to know how I decided on breastfeeding? Simple, the experience of making bottles. I helped make bottles for my younger siblings and it sucked. There always seemed to be a bottle that hid, somehow, with just enough milk in the bottom to stink up a whole room. Add in the mixing formula, making the right amount for their tummy size, and washing/disinfecting them, carrying around the ingredients on outings...whew! I'm exhausted just listing that stuff! The second reason? I'm frugal. You already knew that one right? That is pretty much all that went into my decision, cheap and lazy. But, remember how I told you I was in for a shock? Yeah...it turns out breastfeeding is not so easy either, at first, and then there is a short window of easy and then your baby is too distracted all the time.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Initial Breastfeeding pain:</u></b><br />
What the classes say: It should NEVER hurt.<br />
What the reality is: It hurts in the beginning and can for a little while (for me it took 6 weeks before it was comfortable, I've heard similar time frames from my breastfeeding friends) Without anything being "wrong" breastfeeding CAN HURT. Like CRAZY HURT even when you aren't nursing. Want to know why? Because a newborn eats every 2-3hrs (sometimes more frequently) and that clock starts at the BEGINNING of the feeding. So, if your little one nurses for 1 hour, then in another hour your baby will likely be hungry AGAIN. So, imagine your nipples being sucked really hard for several hours a day. Yup, you are damn straight that hurts! It takes some serious getting use to. You also have to adjust to your breasts feeling full and achy. Do those stupid classes and literature tell you how to cope with the adjustment period? NO. They just preach how breast is best (whatever) and leave you to feel incompetent when you struggle, jerks.<br />
<br />
<b><u>My Advice:</u></b> Have ibuprofen and nipple cream in abundance. My list of suggestions/links at the bottom can help with almost any issue.<br />
<br />
<b><u>11 Months later: </u></b>Breastfeeding pain is non-existent and has been for months and months even on days when my little hungry hippo eats every hour.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image result for achy boob cartoon" src="http://imageserve.babycenter.com/2/000/052/JkuMQEMNWfvl58FfbRmygu75bmaIv6UO_lg.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Supply:</u></b><br />
Breastfeeding class: your body will produce the exact right amount. They tell you nothing else.<br />
Reality: There are medical conditions that can inhibit milk production (genetic and physical) and some women produce too much milk. In fact, it takes about 3 months for your body to regulate and your boobs feel normal again (not engorged and achy). But if your super lucky like me, it takes a little longer...in fact, I'll let you know when my milk supply figures out that I only have one little baby to feed.<br />
<br />
<b><u>11 Months later:</u></b> I only get engorged after a full night without feeding her (those are rare, sorry). My oversupply was severe so it took until 5-6 months before it slowed. The issues with oversupply: Having engorged breasts through the whole day, your boob violently spraying your baby when they go to nurse, and finally my least favorite, having to wear little cups to catch the milk (on the non nursing breast) while feeding baby to keep from getting soaked. I hated wearing those cups because I would bend over to set the baby down and milk would pour out everywhere. I know, I'm a genius. BUT, now, I don't have those issues at all.<br />
<img alt="Image result for engorged boob cartoon" src="https://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/BFB-Engorgement-Cartoon.jpg" /><br />
<b><u>Time commitment:</u></b><br />
Breastfeeding class: They glossed over this one nicely, they just say "feed on demand"<br />
Reality: Feeding on demand is important (feed your baby when it is hungry, duh) but they don't tell you that your baby NEEDS to be fed quite frequently in the beginning and may sleep through feedings if you let them which can lead to a low supply of milk and poor weight gain in the baby. They also fail to mention that the baby can demand food every 2-3 hrs with no end in sight.<br />
<br />
<b><u>11 Months later:</u></b> Little miss still eats every 2-3 hours or so (except after bedtime) and on hot days she likes to eat every hour. I wouldn't be able to keep up with her had I gone back to work, I fully understand how lucky I am to be home with her to meet her demand and be shirtless. Luckily the more solids she eats the less boob time she demands and as we approach a year of this crazy party, that is just fine. I'm just going to follow her lead.<br />
<img alt="Image result for engorged boob cartoon" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/f1/03/6f/f1036fbd09d60a2d7d2a353ff8bce557.jpg" /><br />
<u><b>Reality of nursing in the beginning</b></u>: little miss thinks that whenever she is awake it is time to party, this has led to "distracted" nursing, ripping off the nipple without releasing suction, fussing about nursing because she is getting sprayed in the face, and my favorite, nipple pain from a poor latch caused by an oversupply of milk that makes my boobs giant over-inflated beach balls. I very rarely feel like the beautiful peaceful mom gazing down at her precious baby while nursing in a meadow. I'm usually covered in milk, one boob spraying frantically while little miss nurses on the other and I'm desperately trying to limit the spray zone as she rips off to smile and coo at me. I can't help but laugh at what a disaster it is most of the time. Plus, no one can feed your baby because she won't take a bottle and you struggle alone with no booze to comfort you.<br />
<br />
But, here I am, 11 months later still nursing my little one. Lazy and frugal win. I no longer have beach ball boobies. Little miss can latch on with no trouble from any angle without getting sprayed in the face. And best of all, I am not constantly drenched in milk. Added benefit, I can grab just my diaper bag and bolt out the door. No bottles, or containers of formula or wondering if I'll have enough food for her while we are out. Given how much she changes her own feeding time and frequency I can only imagine the headache this saves me.<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>The remaining issues:</b></u><br />
1. Distracted nursing, if she hears anything interesting (daddy in the next room, a garbage truck driving by) or if she sees anything interesting (everything) she pops off and goes for it. It is annoying and messy.<br />
2. Nursing while on the go, yeah, I may not have a bottle but it means pulling my breasts out in public. I'm not opposed to this. I will absolutely whip out a boob and feed my baby, but if you refer back to issue number 1, there are so many distractions in public. I usually can't feed her in a crowded restaurant or very public place because she wants to play. And, there are VERY FEW clean comfortable places you can feed a baby with ANY privacy or quiet. I mostly just need somewhere distraction free.<br />
<br />
A few places I can nurse peacefully in public: dressing rooms, my car, Nordstrom seating area, the Honest Co nursing room in the food court.<br />
<br />
That being said, I have nursed my baby in absurd places. A church parking lot (no car), in a park in the middle of an outdoor concert, on the couch in the middle of a JCrew store, on a bench in front of a BJ's Brewhouse, in numerous restaurants while I was also eating...the list goes on but I won't. Hey, if she is hungry enough there is no distraction in the world that can interrupt her meal! Also, I have never been approached before, during, or after a feeding session by a stranger with an opinion of any kind so if you are feeling nervous about that behavior I'd say it is uncommon from my own experience.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here are my tips and the products I swear by if you are also not a meadow nursing, perfect supply, nursing goddess.</b> (<span style="font-size: x-small;">Please note, these are purely endorsed out of usage/experience, these companies have no idea who I am and are absolutely not paying for my recommendation</span>.)<br />
<br />
1. Ibuprofen (it helps with the achy in-between feedings and nipple tenderness) I took the full recommended dosage of prescribed (800mg) ibuprofen over 24hrs.<br />
2. Lactation consultants can help, Kaiser offers them for free-Use them, it is hands on learning with your baby.<br />
3. <a href="http://amzn.to/2hF0JbF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nipple cream</a>, it helps so much. I used Lansinoh and it is great it worked better than ANYTHING.<br />
4. <a href="http://amzn.to/2ijB7jE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nipple shields</a>: if it gets real (and it may) these are lifesavers to allow continued healing<br />
5. <a href="http://amzn.to/2iQgB7o" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Breastfeeding pillow</a>, I used the "brestfriend" it helped to position for a good latch even in the middle of the night. Plus it saves your back, keeps baby off c-section incision.<br />
6. <a href="http://amzn.to/2iQsHNH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soothies Gel Pads</a>, these help SO SO SO SO SO much, I wouldn't have survived without them. SERIOUSLY. They were cooling, allowed my nipples to have zero friction between feedings and helped heal. Toss them in the fridge for extra magic healing. (Note: you have to wash your nipples after using them before feeding the baby)<br />
7. <a href="http://amzn.to/2iQlXzv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Medela Soft Shells</a>-These are so good (I used them for 5~6 months), they catch the extra milk spraying from your other boob while baby nurses. Plus they are a dome around the nipple so again, no friction!<br />
8. A pump of ANY kind -If your supply is low, pump after feedings (nurse baby, then immediately pump for a few minutes each side). If you have an oversupply and your little one can't latch, pump just a smidgen to soften the breast a little and viola! no nipple pain, no fire hydrant spray in your baby's face and we are both better off for it. I have a small hand pump for the middle of the night and an electric pump for making bottles she won't take. I've frozen all my milk immediately after pumping and since my freezer is full, I am looking into donating it. (Many insurance companies include a pump rental right after birth, use this! it is medical grade and really helps during those supply forming days)<br />
<br />
I have used ALL of the above to get me to this point and I'm glad I stuck with it. I know, hard to believe right? I actually enjoy feeding her now, it's the only time of day she isn't trying to take over the world. Plus, I get to play with her cute little feet. It turns out feeding a baby, no matter how you chose to do it, has its ups and downs. Do whatever it takes to survive parents. I feel your pain, I know your burden and I know the pure bliss of a happily fed baby no matter how they eat. Feed on people.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08638895759491786535noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-25410963724265630022016-11-06T19:33:00.000-08:002016-12-29T20:01:47.081-08:00Kitchen Construction, Part 5 - Backsplash Beautification<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f351-nB1Kw8/V-M4Fkrm97I/AAAAAAAAvQw/9LCdTG5DPU4UAOUKm7EaZFvy8Yq96x_9ACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f351-nB1Kw8/V-M4Fkrm97I/AAAAAAAAvQw/9LCdTG5DPU4UAOUKm7EaZFvy8Yq96x_9ACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The backsplash in our kitchen was the same awful tile as the countertops. It had to go. It was <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/09/kitchen-construction-part-2-crushing.html" target="_blank">ripped out along with the counters</a>, so we can jump right to the construction.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Fun fact: a Toyota Prius is perfectly sized to haul 3' x 5' sheets of backer board.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Cqh9eC6BPQ/V_Az8zDQq6I/AAAAAAAAv0k/G9qtD9o3c1wE0q6iItkVwGM2DiQKBkDKgCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Cqh9eC6BPQ/V_Az8zDQq6I/AAAAAAAAv0k/G9qtD9o3c1wE0q6iItkVwGM2DiQKBkDKgCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Unfortunately, the backer board had a slight bend in it, so I used our new floor tiles to flatten it out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0WKyCjoMmA/V_Az6M5dYNI/AAAAAAAAv0k/RCYQ2iR9rKsK-I5StfnOja9abVrsc7FSQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0WKyCjoMmA/V_Az6M5dYNI/AAAAAAAAv0k/RCYQ2iR9rKsK-I5StfnOja9abVrsc7FSQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The first step in the installation was taking some detailed measurements.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erxqhoSyIHA/V_ppRw_zUaI/AAAAAAAAv_g/Ou7PjTMolyUQhReNsWkrmBlkz7tMrCsZQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erxqhoSyIHA/V_ppRw_zUaI/AAAAAAAAv_g/Ou7PjTMolyUQhReNsWkrmBlkz7tMrCsZQCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I then transferred those measurements to the backer board.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HXSRQJEjwyo/V_Azi90E_FI/AAAAAAAAv0g/DeKAWOim8dUd3s_p90x2kmi62QlXnuIWQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HXSRQJEjwyo/V_Azi90E_FI/AAAAAAAAv0g/DeKAWOim8dUd3s_p90x2kmi62QlXnuIWQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the crucial knee pillow, which makes working on the floor bearable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's the most complicated piece. Luckily, my measurements and cutting were accurate and it fit perfectly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGZwoSPqSEQ/V_AzeS1WqOI/AAAAAAAAv0g/tUG-14HOb0cDb5XtHnTT8iK1ugtDeaUIwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGZwoSPqSEQ/V_AzeS1WqOI/AAAAAAAAv0g/tUG-14HOb0cDb5XtHnTT8iK1ugtDeaUIwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
With everything screwed in place, it started to look like we were making some progress. I made sure to use the specific screws meant for this material. They have barbs on the back that help countersink the heads without stressing the backer board.<br />
We were told we didn't really need to use backer board, but I was skeptical the tiles would stick to the painted drywall. The backer board also made everything more sturdy, which I liked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhLk8_hxOeQ/V_ppLLdo6-I/AAAAAAAAv_g/_XWYPceXurEkv-QgXAZT3OqbXsehEGdJgCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhLk8_hxOeQ/V_ppLLdo6-I/AAAAAAAAv_g/_XWYPceXurEkv-QgXAZT3OqbXsehEGdJgCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As you may recall, we <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/10/kitchen-construction-part-3-cabinet.html" target="_blank">installed a cabinet</a> on top of the backer board in one corner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9LJbTysFDA/V_ppevi--lI/AAAAAAAAv_g/nQ-Kos-ieQEaq_rNCpdHlg9JVMKOql8aQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9LJbTysFDA/V_ppevi--lI/AAAAAAAAv_g/nQ-Kos-ieQEaq_rNCpdHlg9JVMKOql8aQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Before laying the tile, I knocked down the high spots that were created around each screw. A wire brush worked perfectly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8meqetpT0yQ/WB_NINs53yI/AAAAAAAAxck/qszy_iUKC1wKV60d3WJGhdxQOE3CLc_FACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_080354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8meqetpT0yQ/WB_NINs53yI/AAAAAAAAxck/qszy_iUKC1wKV60d3WJGhdxQOE3CLc_FACPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_080354.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For the more complicated areas, we made cardboard templates that we used to pre-cut all the tile for that area. It allowed us to take our time instead of rushing and trying to beat drying mortar.<br />
We selected a natural stone that was probably the most difficult possible material for beginner masons, but we were careful and things went OK.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxUrScPRwUY/WB_NIAsx-II/AAAAAAAAxck/gC6Xt1qqfLQGjb4xTuheh3MGUNfTVMYbwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_104823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxUrScPRwUY/WB_NIAsx-II/AAAAAAAAxck/gC6Xt1qqfLQGjb4xTuheh3MGUNfTVMYbwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_104823.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tevS-KTWnbc/WB_NIEMD5OI/AAAAAAAAxck/ohqpmJTm164GOmiaKTxb_6oexPMTSXd9gCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_115109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tevS-KTWnbc/WB_NIEMD5OI/AAAAAAAAxck/ohqpmJTm164GOmiaKTxb_6oexPMTSXd9gCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_115109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I used the diamond blade in my angle grinder to do intricate cuts and a big tile saw borrowed from a friend for simple cuts. We were lucky to have my (shirtless) brother's help. It would have been tough without him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3c8a37_Kgc8/WB_NIBGtiYI/AAAAAAAAxck/QEZsCqdVolEE52LKeFwAeT5GndnAVf00QCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_110704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3c8a37_Kgc8/WB_NIBGtiYI/AAAAAAAAxck/QEZsCqdVolEE52LKeFwAeT5GndnAVf00QCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_110704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjjYL0pEWWI/WB_NIPdsGqI/AAAAAAAAxck/3tkXYxNCpL8c9VQL-4kEVxoFjrSrpoB5QCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_121520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wjjYL0pEWWI/WB_NIPdsGqI/AAAAAAAAxck/3tkXYxNCpL8c9VQL-4kEVxoFjrSrpoB5QCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_121520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once the tricky sections were all cut, we mixed up the thinset and started putting it on the walls.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9yRQBzATTo/WB_NIPtOoOI/AAAAAAAAxck/maixb0MzYc0pFKyVrR27nMxd39zWa2v6ACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_134505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9yRQBzATTo/WB_NIPtOoOI/AAAAAAAAxck/maixb0MzYc0pFKyVrR27nMxd39zWa2v6ACPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_134505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Tiles followed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zikV2rTBKLs/WB_NILG3ohI/AAAAAAAAxck/Zde7h8Ab7_8PiIRCzPDxMSSBRCTV6l3PACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_142540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zikV2rTBKLs/WB_NILG3ohI/AAAAAAAAxck/Zde7h8Ab7_8PiIRCzPDxMSSBRCTV6l3PACPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_142540.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8c73_vRd-18/WB_NIN0wpRI/AAAAAAAAxck/3pDnzmv6Wj8TVIS2NZVZdjbLN0c9oz_3QCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_165936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8c73_vRd-18/WB_NIN0wpRI/AAAAAAAAxck/3pDnzmv6Wj8TVIS2NZVZdjbLN0c9oz_3QCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_165936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the last piece being installed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1k1j2u_E5kA/WB_NIN3uSMI/AAAAAAAAxck/UUelDVIeEqY-jP2BdJu2LpYtLX9xEhmFgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_183309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1k1j2u_E5kA/WB_NIN3uSMI/AAAAAAAAxck/UUelDVIeEqY-jP2BdJu2LpYtLX9xEhmFgCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_183309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And here's the finished product. We are VERY pleased with how it came out. There are still a few finishing touches to be done, but I wanted to get this post up ASAP.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxck/XSBL-4rOJJQnqC26sShHbYSggOqxcIS7wCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECD9oLBE3No/WB_NII__zVI/AAAAAAAAxck/XSBL-4rOJJQnqC26sShHbYSggOqxcIS7wCPcB/s640/IMG_20161105_185549.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>UPDATE:</b><br />
<div>
The trim has been added to the right edge.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgbNP4ia3to/WEzTUoJz7nI/AAAAAAAAzXo/RuLO8dnlwREXe-HH4-vAYkpOy5v1xWgMgCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161121_171425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgbNP4ia3to/WEzTUoJz7nI/AAAAAAAAzXo/RuLO8dnlwREXe-HH4-vAYkpOy5v1xWgMgCPcB/s640/IMG_20161121_171425.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I actually thought ahead and masked off the areas I didn't want to get construction adhesive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AnjLKhRQ2FE/WEzTUi0wOfI/AAAAAAAAzXo/9cfcvzrhtFILzBnEMMZ2rjG67MfPTK7HACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161121_172622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AnjLKhRQ2FE/WEzTUi0wOfI/AAAAAAAAzXo/9cfcvzrhtFILzBnEMMZ2rjG67MfPTK7HACPcB/s320/IMG_20161121_172622.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The trim pieces were cut with exacting precision.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llX3TqxVUQY/WEzTUm-MtmI/AAAAAAAAzXo/hQmCMCz7G9goq-S4rUOsiElHuTMY1OTPwCPcB/s1600/IMG_20161121_175922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llX3TqxVUQY/WEzTUm-MtmI/AAAAAAAAzXo/hQmCMCz7G9goq-S4rUOsiElHuTMY1OTPwCPcB/s640/IMG_20161121_175922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm very glad we thought ahead about how we were going to finish off this edge, because it came out very nicely.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fERqX4u_SM/WEzTUoqPmsI/AAAAAAAAzXo/ocfnPBkhP8o6N3NHaCNeL9I3HQhAiPtTACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161121_182027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fERqX4u_SM/WEzTUoqPmsI/AAAAAAAAzXo/ocfnPBkhP8o6N3NHaCNeL9I3HQhAiPtTACPcB/s640/IMG_20161121_182027.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Update #2 (12/29/2016):</b><div>
We finally completely wrapped up the backsplash by running a thin bead of clear silicone along the joint between the counter and the backsplash and replacing the electrical fixtures mounted within the backsplash.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5bDddw_6I4/WGXbvZNPtdI/AAAAAAAA0J4/H6ipDcvgTVoHSIz42ffVr465zfuKPh_QACPcB/s1600/IMG_20161229_110837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5bDddw_6I4/WGXbvZNPtdI/AAAAAAAA0J4/H6ipDcvgTVoHSIz42ffVr465zfuKPh_QACPcB/s640/IMG_20161229_110837.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UbHwZoUraIp1D_tjtPbfYLKG8ZEqiEX3Ua1Vm2m50dhRrHt0COCYtk9UlHmk-y5x-PcASmmCMicJyuLHe7oHJ3e4bOAq22nCjLSb8O_0SaSzrk2MvD4cnPHm_wfcCNXwCjVEuQ0o6T8/s1600/IMG_20161229_114142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UbHwZoUraIp1D_tjtPbfYLKG8ZEqiEX3Ua1Vm2m50dhRrHt0COCYtk9UlHmk-y5x-PcASmmCMicJyuLHe7oHJ3e4bOAq22nCjLSb8O_0SaSzrk2MvD4cnPHm_wfcCNXwCjVEuQ0o6T8/s640/IMG_20161229_114142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-17932884224352038482016-11-04T22:33:00.004-07:002016-11-04T22:34:46.755-07:00Kitchen Construction, Part 4 - Casing the Joint<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GKoDnzZ0uXI/WBaYReb7AgI/AAAAAAAAw-c/annzYwQFbk0Q75nauF9a0ge51oiTYoAvwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GKoDnzZ0uXI/WBaYReb7AgI/AAAAAAAAw-c/annzYwQFbk0Q75nauF9a0ge51oiTYoAvwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next step in our kitchen renovation was framing out the walkway from our living room to the kitchen to create a "cased opening." Chrissy has been asking for this for years, but I was too lazy to do it until now. It turned out to be a pretty satisfying project, although painting the trim pieces was annoying, as always.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ww2tknupxpk/WBaYThW6meI/AAAAAAAAw-c/qXMWTEtlvNkeklrgic6GSWYwOiUz07pYQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ww2tknupxpk/WBaYThW6meI/AAAAAAAAw-c/qXMWTEtlvNkeklrgic6GSWYwOiUz07pYQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before - The walkway looked pretty unfinished.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first step was to remove baseboards that would be in the way. Since whoever installed the tile floor was lazy or didn't know what they were doing (or both), that meant I had to cut the grout away from the baseboards to be able to remove them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDuZPMGqjnI/WBaYYL71c-I/AAAAAAAAw-c/JFpi_dqW-xI3v_iUrPpAMBtSTNN5IDXywCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDuZPMGqjnI/WBaYYL71c-I/AAAAAAAAw-c/JFpi_dqW-xI3v_iUrPpAMBtSTNN5IDXywCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
My <a href="http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2.0-amp-compact-a-c-multi-tool/p-00923465000P?plpSellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">oscillating multi-tool</a> worked great for this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-fJReG3MSI/WBaYeuf7TwI/AAAAAAAAw-c/mYbuhgSSxtwnNPqHSZm7Q4HYkKKNRH4XwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-fJReG3MSI/WBaYeuf7TwI/AAAAAAAAw-c/mYbuhgSSxtwnNPqHSZm7Q4HYkKKNRH4XwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Of course the opening wasn't remotely square, so I did some scraping to minimize the problem.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75gkrWO3xWQ/WBaZhy1kR8I/AAAAAAAAw_M/THvfMignwVA70xAJA-JtClTK85axfZ2QwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75gkrWO3xWQ/WBaZhy1kR8I/AAAAAAAAw_M/THvfMignwVA70xAJA-JtClTK85axfZ2QwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next step was to prep all the trim. I had to rip down the main boards then soften the corners with some sand paper. After that all the trim got a couple coats of bright white paint.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nl4REf0A1s/WBaYK1e0-pI/AAAAAAAAw-c/E7e4AKkAHG8Iz4ykuKa4iAGwoHohB23jwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Nl4REf0A1s/WBaYK1e0-pI/AAAAAAAAw-c/E7e4AKkAHG8Iz4ykuKa4iAGwoHohB23jwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The top board went in with a couple shims to level everything out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDTXJ4I4yVE/WBaZmnKC7fI/AAAAAAAAw_M/brGsV0E7oao_j4JEfbMs6Z2Qbn8t3s9UQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDTXJ4I4yVE/WBaZmnKC7fI/AAAAAAAAw_M/brGsV0E7oao_j4JEfbMs6Z2Qbn8t3s9UQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The side boards followed that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WcfMgfYGkQk/WBaZktFIFRI/AAAAAAAAw_M/cR2J9xXNF_Uha4-0TSMrTKo-3pxfuUXzACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WcfMgfYGkQk/WBaZktFIFRI/AAAAAAAAw_M/cR2J9xXNF_Uha4-0TSMrTKo-3pxfuUXzACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Next came the actual trim boards. After everything was nailed up we filled the nail holes and touched up the paint.<br />
We were able to find a perfect match for all the other trim in the house thanks to <a href="http://www.moldingsunlimited.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moldings Unlimited</a>. In the end, it looks much better. As usual, Chrissy was right all along.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lV0GsKL8EE8/WBaZtMUd6eI/AAAAAAAAw_M/-KT11Iyi_NglZKiKLLbKnX_tMTTEtEQIwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lV0GsKL8EE8/WBaZtMUd6eI/AAAAAAAAw_M/-KT11Iyi_NglZKiKLLbKnX_tMTTEtEQIwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiGNY4l8xqo/WBaZ1SGA_BI/AAAAAAAAw_Y/fvv7Z2mfGUkMN1n_CoKVpa9YXbBEYc9egCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KiGNY4l8xqo/WBaZ1SGA_BI/AAAAAAAAw_Y/fvv7Z2mfGUkMN1n_CoKVpa9YXbBEYc9egCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I definitely planned for the closet door to just barely clear the new trim.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v8Y1QKUpnJo/WBaZvG7S53I/AAAAAAAAw_M/sIbvZvknEHg2FewWDH3VynlYzwksQtibwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v8Y1QKUpnJo/WBaZvG7S53I/AAAAAAAAw_M/sIbvZvknEHg2FewWDH3VynlYzwksQtibwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In the final photos you can see some fodder for a future post. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2330994258549244422.post-49998159116361004412016-10-17T20:30:00.001-07:002016-10-17T20:30:47.229-07:00Kitchen Construction, Part 3 - Cabinet Cutting Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZUj-ebCB3Q/V8JFy0A3YRI/AAAAAAAAuQQ/lz3BruBrEE8K3VexL5mWS6ZEPGWSSP66wCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZUj-ebCB3Q/V8JFy0A3YRI/AAAAAAAAuQQ/lz3BruBrEE8K3VexL5mWS6ZEPGWSSP66wCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
The next step in our kitchen renovation was to regain some of the cabinet space lost in the transition to <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2016/09/kitchen-construction-part-1-hangin-hood.html" target="_blank">the new hood</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9H20xHbqng/V8ZL_kN0JiI/AAAAAAAAujE/NXONUZnLFNIi5ZGBK_8dORRM-28aIBw4wCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9H20xHbqng/V8ZL_kN0JiI/AAAAAAAAujE/NXONUZnLFNIi5ZGBK_8dORRM-28aIBw4wCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The plan was to reduce the size of the old cabinet and place it on the wall next to the window. It is somewhat similar to the <a href="http://www.pekemaprojects.com/2014/07/cutting-cabinets_6.html" target="_blank">last time we shortened this cabinet</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvkNaZurJHs/V8ZMDq7fVOI/AAAAAAAAujE/-PsCEvbSdTsuNap0cEL0r2zU_31OlGilgCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvkNaZurJHs/V8ZMDq7fVOI/AAAAAAAAujE/-PsCEvbSdTsuNap0cEL0r2zU_31OlGilgCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I started by cutting out the section we wanted to keep. Unfortunately, the space available only allowed us to keep a single little cabinet. We would have liked to keep a section with two doors for the additional space.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwIw1VSFdOk/V8ZMHpVllYI/AAAAAAAAujE/Gg1V10ADVfMGZBvfpFcWMvmCF1yOvhijwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwIw1VSFdOk/V8ZMHpVllYI/AAAAAAAAujE/Gg1V10ADVfMGZBvfpFcWMvmCF1yOvhijwCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKUH2BsBHdM/V8ZMQAYL-xI/AAAAAAAAujM/3vLFgBEtA4MXsX_ZdaRASEZIKXBuiUx1ACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKUH2BsBHdM/V8ZMQAYL-xI/AAAAAAAAujM/3vLFgBEtA4MXsX_ZdaRASEZIKXBuiUx1ACPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MExUetEjvOY/V8ZMMBiR8CI/AAAAAAAAujM/nJ-dVeg2gwgAnKhPdz2m7dB5tn5edaKtgCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MExUetEjvOY/V8ZMMBiR8CI/AAAAAAAAujM/nJ-dVeg2gwgAnKhPdz2m7dB5tn5edaKtgCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Next I pried the same end board off the old cabinet that we re-purposed once before and cut a notch along one side so it would clear part of the structure of the cabinet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CaMBttC4XI/V8ZMhIxD7XI/AAAAAAAAujM/0MkwQfNVD5oqXiC6F4aK8qdbB10XAmomACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CaMBttC4XI/V8ZMhIxD7XI/AAAAAAAAujM/0MkwQfNVD5oqXiC6F4aK8qdbB10XAmomACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After that I used my oscillating cutting tool to shorten the shelves a bit, allowing the end board to recess in.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRgZJUw6xSM/V8ZMZPplUZI/AAAAAAAAujM/W6Vl4e2UWVQhqvHTZk9QGCRW21ysyZGaQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRgZJUw6xSM/V8ZMZPplUZI/AAAAAAAAujM/W6Vl4e2UWVQhqvHTZk9QGCRW21ysyZGaQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grCzicmgM1E/V8ZMmcID9WI/AAAAAAAAujM/jrscSN5eaLI7u91z434A94_ARum5oocaQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grCzicmgM1E/V8ZMmcID9WI/AAAAAAAAujM/jrscSN5eaLI7u91z434A94_ARum5oocaQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After that I attached the end board, filled the nail holes and sanded everything smooth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nygEzPDb5So/V8ZMdNmdXhI/AAAAAAAAujM/Su2r1W8xKH4NV-I2Wxtp_ZQpf5d8n6BLQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nygEzPDb5So/V8ZMdNmdXhI/AAAAAAAAujM/Su2r1W8xKH4NV-I2Wxtp_ZQpf5d8n6BLQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Next up was paint. Primer and two coats of the finish color. I made a lot more work for myself by choosing to paint the inside of the cabinet.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mf_4I-OtyGM/V_Az30Az0eI/AAAAAAAAv0k/ot37hGkbbNgpR4QvzN3LSWEfhzM0aBEuwCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mf_4I-OtyGM/V_Az30Az0eI/AAAAAAAAv0k/ot37hGkbbNgpR4QvzN3LSWEfhzM0aBEuwCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When all the painting was done I wrote a little message on the back that someone will discover if they ever remove it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abVaGKr-8xs/V_ppWEx_JpI/AAAAAAAAv_g/MUmOfM18Ixga1WREf3_qq9AMiq_lFSn7wCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abVaGKr-8xs/V_ppWEx_JpI/AAAAAAAAv_g/MUmOfM18Ixga1WREf3_qq9AMiq_lFSn7wCPcB/s400/upload_-1" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I had an expert assist me with mounting it on the wall.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9BID1GGGTE/V_ppaBIYjoI/AAAAAAAAv_g/AiKmfy1bro8og-r2C2fipYE4sEYkTB90ACPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9BID1GGGTE/V_ppaBIYjoI/AAAAAAAAv_g/AiKmfy1bro8og-r2C2fipYE4sEYkTB90ACPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
And that was it. The door will be painted and mounted later. There will also be some trim to finish it off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9LJbTysFDA/V_ppevi--lI/AAAAAAAAv_g/nQ-Kos-ieQEaq_rNCpdHlg9JVMKOql8aQCPcB/s1600/upload_-1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9LJbTysFDA/V_ppevi--lI/AAAAAAAAv_g/nQ-Kos-ieQEaq_rNCpdHlg9JVMKOql8aQCPcB/s640/upload_-1" width="640" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0