The Dash to the (first) Finish Line
Sorry, sorry everyone. I have been dry and boring and punky lately as I'm hauling myself to the finish of the second floor.
Not that the second floor will be finished in days or even a week, but it is closer than ever. Somehow I feel like a high school senior who is one month away from graduation...I know I have only weeks to go, but GAH! I've been working for so long, and I'm so tired...can't I just quit here? Of course, the answer is "no". I officially have "senioritis." What would that be called for old house people? "Renovation-itis?"
Aaron tried to "re-spark" my energy by stripping one of the basement windows so we could paint it in the colors we are thinking of...
This is the old paint job...
And here is the window after being attacked with the silent paint remover.
(He took all of the proper precautions for the possibility of lead paint, never fear.)
Of course, the very predictable principle of Old House Scope Creep took over as soon as the paint was off.
What? You've never heard of Old House Scope Creep? It is the phenomenon that drives the work that we do on old houses. Work to correct one problem and you uncover three or four more related problems. Quite simple really. The scope of the project expands in opposition to the amount of time and money you've allowed for the project.
So, before I can prime this, I'll have to repair some of the glazing and the wood and caulk it in a few spaces. Which means I need more DAP Window Glaze
And so it goes.
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Comments
Yes, yes renovation-itis, I believe I'm suffering it, too. Baseboards and trim are all that's left to finish our year-long attic renovation and yet we're making little progress. It's disheartening, I tell you!
(Of course, it hasn't helped that we've had much more fun things to tempt us away. Like time with family. And friends. And movies. And the Rose Festival. And Serenity pre-screening tickets -- twice!)
BTW, your window looks lovely, despite the OHSC (another condition with which I'm sadly familiar). The lintel (? piece across the top) is unusual, I've never seen one shaped like that before.
Posted by: Brittney | June 11, 2005 6:02 PM
Ooh! Brittney! Another Portlander! I hope to be doing what you've done as of next year in something close to the same neighbourhood. I'm already starting to stock up for 'camping with a mortgage'... ;)
Posted by: Karl | June 12, 2005 2:19 AM
Karl -- glad to hear there's soon to be another Stumptown DIY alum! When you say the same neighborhood, do you mean Portland generally or St. Johns/North Portland specifically?
I'm blogging for the Oregonian so check it out for our travails. It might give you reason to reconsider your decision to camp with a mortgage. ;)
Posted by: Brittney | June 12, 2005 10:37 PM
I've been looking at North portland because there's still bungalows up there that are semi-affordable, and I love Portland bungalow architecture. I've been a kid camping with my parents mortgage for most of my life, and ... strangely, I miss it. The rule I learned is *ALWAYS* get a bedroom and bathroom done first at the expense of all else so that you have a place to retreat to.
Posted by: Karl | June 13, 2005 12:22 AM
We had a house inspection but unfortunately weren't told about the OHSC. It's ramapant here! I love the silent paint remover guys. Wow, I've never seen anything like that over here. It's like a heat gun with more power? Very envious!
(sorry to have interrupted Brittney & Karl...please carry on ;)
Posted by: chrisc | June 14, 2005 1:55 AM