Deidre had asked me to delay starting the renovation of our Master Bath until after Adam's family visit March 20th to 24th. But because of THE VIRUS the visit has been postponed and so now I can start!
First job was to lay down a plastic path from the Master Bath to the back stairs so that I would not destroy the carpet as I carried down all the rubble. Done!
Deidre had her first eye "done" yesterday, and so far she is doing great
Wednesday March 18, 2020
Started demolition. Made steady progress until I hurt my back. So I took a hot bath and drove up to the shops and bought a new bottle of vodka. Further progress will now have to wait until my back recovers a bit. Went to the chiropractor Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Friday morning took a full load of rubble to the dump in the Jeep. We had the kids from Friday afternoon until after dinner Saturday.
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| All the tiles around the bath - gone! |
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| Removing the drywall around the shower |
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| I am having fun! |
Sunday March 22, 2020
I was feeling a lot better today, so work resumed. Turned off the water and capped the two supply lines to the shower (so I thought) and the supply line to the old toilet.
While I was waiting for the glue to cure on the pipes, I cut the old shower up with my grinder and tossed the pieces off the balcony in preparation to moving to the dump.
Turned the water back on when Deidre got home from making a delivery to Kylie's. Deidre immediately reported that water was flooding out of the kitchen ceiling. Not good. So made some adjustments to my plumbing arrangement, and now the water does not leak into the kitchen ceiling, but we have no water in the kitchen and just one working toilet.
Unfortunately our kitchen ceiling is now a bit of a mess. Add another job to the "home improvement" list.
Monday March 23, 2020
Took another load of rubble to the tip this morning. Popped into Lowes (like "Bunnings") on the way home and bought materials to build a few headers so that our roof does not collapse.
Dismantled the old shower wall, VERY careful not to damage any of the old pipes. Got into the roof and put some plumbing back together, and now we have hot and cold water in "most places". Hammered out the rest of the floor tiles in the main bathroom.
Adam, our Aussie electrician called in and promised to return by Friday and start moving wires.
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020
Broke out the tiles in the old toilet room. Took another load of rubble to the dump. Attacked by "no-see-ums" at the dump like never before. Miserable. Starbucks takeout on the way home.
Started cutting holes in the floor for the plumbers. Stood in my first hole and caused the ceiling to fall into the kitchen, almost crowning Deidre. Oh dear. Continued to remove parts of the bathroom floor, pretending that nothing had happened.
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| Now we have skylights in the kitchen. Cool! |
The master bathroom floor is now ready for the plumber. The ceiling is now ready for the drywall guy. We only have cold water in the kitchen. Swept up.
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| Access for the plumbers |
Wednesday March 25, 2020
We had the two nippers all day to give Kylie a rest. It was fun.
Thursday March 26, 2020
The one good thing about the Pandemic is that its easier to get trades people. "My Drywall Guy" came today and repaired the kitchen ceiling. "My Electrical Guy" turned up and did the preparatory electrical work in the bathroom. (His name is Adam and he is an Aussie from Adelaide, and a Dockers fan. He is fun and talks like a married magpie.)
I got hold of the plumber and he was delighted to get my call. He is sending around "his best man" to have a look. Things are speeding up. Amazing, tradespeople are even a little responsive..
Friday March 27, 2020
The plumber wanted to start today but I put him off till Monday because I still have to re-enforce the roof and ceiling structure where I plan to take out a wall. I don't want to have to work around a lot of new piping. Another visit to the "back-cracker". We took another load of rubble to the dump, and the no-see-ums were murderous. Picked up another pair of 2" by 6" beams at Lowes. My back is still sore.
Saturday & Sunday
Back felt a bit better today and I need to get ready for the plumbers, so I was in the roof. Using the two 2" by 6" boards to create a "box beam" over the wall that we are removing. In SC the roof has to be held "UP" (for obvious reasons) and "DOWN" because of hurricanes. Its now Sunday evening and I am happy with the result. Used an entire box of 3" construction screws.
This evening we are meeting Kylie and Mason at Walmart to buy Mason a bike for his upcoming birthday.
Monday March 30, 2020
The plumbers arrived this morning, all 3 of them. (If I knew their ages I could have added all three and the total would have been about 1/2 my age.) I had prepared a series of detailed instructions, drawings and diagrams in an attempt to avoid the need for face to face conversation. I met them in the street when they arrived, gave them the notes, told them their route in and out of the house, which bathroom to use and where we would be "hiding".
They were back in my office 10 minutes - "We do not understand your written directions". "What is the problem, I asked ?" Their answer: "There is a sewer pipe where the toilet goes and a drain pipe where the shower goes! What do you want us to do?" Turns out no-one had passed on the scope of work to them at all. So I briefly told them the overall plan, then went and found a copy of their company's quote that explained the basic deal. So much for minimal contact.
They worked until about 6 PM without many more questions. But they did use the wrong bathroom, and the water was turned off all day.
Tuesday March 31, 2020
Baby sitting day. We picked up the kids about 10:30 AM and gave them back, fed and bathed by 6:30 PM. Fun day, but tiring.
Ky's company "Belk" has closed the store and furloughed all the hourly employees. The Managers are working at the store 11:00 AM till 6:00 PM fulfilling internet orders. Ky says they are quite busy. The whole state is now under a "stay at home" rule, so things are quiet. (Except at our house)
Wednesday April 1st, 2020
This morning I removed the one remaining wall - the one holding up the roof! I held my breath as I cut out each of the studs, but the roof did not budge! With the wall out I can now repair the floor then install the new header. I worked until 7 PM!
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| The floor open and the one stud holding up the roof. I did not believe that it needed to be there, but it was easier to sleep with it in place |
The new floor pieces had to fit perfectly and have diameters cut in them for the two drainage pipes. For some one as dyslectic as me, that's quite a challenge. Anyway, they went in OK. I "glued and screwed" the new floor pieces in place. "No squeaks in my bathroom!"
Today was also exciting in that we picked up our second online grocery order. We placed the order a week ago. We received everything we ordered except fresh met and bread! But we will not starve.
Friday April 3rd, 2020
The header went in today. Looks perfect. It IS perfect!
The "header" is the (pair) of very white horizontal 2" by 6" boards. I am very proud of my "header".
Saturday April 4, 2020
In case you have figured it out yet, progress with me is quite slow - but steady. Today's task was to sort out the spa-bath. The current situation with the bath is a bit of a mess. First job is tofigure out how to raise the bath an inch or so and chip out the rest of the tiles surrounding it.
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| Here the bath has been elevated a bit allowing access to chip out the old tiles. |
This afternoon we called Ky and suggested she came to dinner. (The kids are up "at the Creek" with dad - small d - but really with Jean and Nelma.) She declined "too tired". So I suggested, "How about we bring dinner over, serve it, clean up, and leave?" That worked, and we had a good visit and let her go to bed. She looked tired and stressed. I feel a bit helpless.
Deidre and I are not too stressed about the Corona virus as yet. The reports only show 1,900 cases in South Carolina, but we all know that is BS because they don't test you in SC until you die, and only then to see what you died from. (I am kidding, but just a little bit.)
As usual in the USA with anything bad, the virus is mostly affecting poor and old people. We "can't afford" universal health care, but when the rest of us are threatened, the government can come up with a couple of trillion dollars in a week or so. We live on an island, and inside a gated community, so feel safe. The virus does not know that, but we do.
Sunday April 5th, 2020
Bit of a slow day. We were in our PJs until 1 PM. I mowed the grass. Its starting to green up again, at last. Daily high temps are now in the 70's and 80's. South Carolina corona cases are still only about 2,000, but its meaningless because we just are not testing.
Arranged a neighborhood get together at 5:30 PM. Fourteen people attended. We sat in a circle on our driveway, all couples were at least "a few feet" apart. Brought our own food and drink.
Monday April 6th, 2020
First thing today Deidre and I visited Ky's place for breakfast and to assemble Mason's birthday new bike. When we got home I placed an order for a folding shower seat.
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| Oh, my aching back |
Today was "noggin day". I installed noggins for the shower seat, the shower grab bar (if we need one), the shower slide bar, the main valve and I stiffened up a couple of the studs. All the new bathroom faucets arrived. We chose and ordered the new toilet. Kylie had cleaned out her garage so we drove over and sprayed it for bugs.
Tuesday, April 7th, 2020
Another perfect Spring day. Not hot, not cold, breeze and no tourists. And I had a productive day.
1. Back in the roof, removed all the obstacles to installing new ceiling - exhaust fan, light, A/C duct.and etc
2. Finally worked on leveling the bath with some success. Its not gong to be perfect, but much better than its been for the last 25 years.
3. Started building the knee wall. Will integrate the toilet roll holder and some "fancy magazine storage" into this wall.
4. Purchased the toilet and the toilet roll holder
5, Called the drywall guy and the tiler and the plumber.
Meanwhile things are pretty quiet around this part of SC. Kylie is busy at work fulfilling online orders. We picked up our third online grocery order today, and received about 90% of what we ordered. Gasoline is down to about $US 1.65 a gallon - but there is nowhere to drive.
We have a contract on Euclid Partners, and amazingly the Buyer is still hanging on. We gave all the tenants a 50% rent reduction, and that was received well.
Wednesday, April 8th, 2020
The drywall guy does not want to come until the new lights are set.
Thursday, April 9th, 2020
Mowed Kylie's front yard.
Friday, April 10th, 2020
The plumbers came today and finished the rough-in. Tried to buy all the tiles but all 3 types are out of stock! Probably a corolla virus issue.
Saturday, April 11th, 2020
Mowed Kylie's back yard.
Another tiler came to quote.
I installed a 4' by 8' perspex panel in my workshop to keep out some rain.
Sunday, April 12th, 2020
Installed the knee wall. I feel that I am working, but have little to show.
Monday, April 13th, 2020
Lots of storms in the region Monday morning. Ten tornadoes touched down in coastal SC, one about 20 miles from the IOP. Its very unusual to have tornadoes so close to the coast. Lots of damage up-state.
The Corona Virus "seems" pretty subdued in SC, but who really knows? Not much testing in SC (we have the pleasure of living in a Trump state) and without testing no-one really knows the danger. We are keeping inside except for tile hunting!
Saturday April 18th, 2020
We seem to have spent the whole week looking for tiles. The Corona Virus issue has messed up supply lines and each time we find a good combination of colors etc the supplier cannot get all the pieces. We did get the vanity cabinets ordered this week.
We only had the kids one day this week - Thursday.
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| She is growing out of all her cloths! |
Sunday April 19, 2020
Better day today. Tore out the Master Bath plumbing/basins/cabinets. The rubble is in the Jeep ready for a visit to the dump tomorrow. Pancakes for afternoon tea!
Monday, April 20, 2020
Good progress today. Sorted out the tiles issue with the supplier in Canada and handed it back to the local sales person. He called when we were on our way to the dump - they have found enough tiles in Texas and they will transfer them over here.
Took a good load to the dump. Popped into see Ky on our way back and had a strategy session with her re Ryan. We are hiring a new attorney. Ryan has failed on just about every requirement in the divorce agreement.
The EP deal is still alive. Amazing, but making work for me.
There is talk about re-opening SC for work etc. I suspect that oldies like Deidre and I will be sheltering for a year or so, maybe until a vaccine is available. That's OK, we have had a good run for 70+ years. Almost all of our "old friends" are carrying a variety of conditions that make them more vulnerable.
Sunday May 3, 2020
Deidre and Mason's big day. Kylie hosted a lunch and Mason opened his presents. We ate outside in her back yard.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The tilers are here! Today they just about covered all the area to be tiled with the "underlay" sheeting and "mudded" the shower base. Nice guys, cleaned up before they left. Happy with progress.
Thursday May 7, 2020
We have the two nips today and tomorrow. The tilers are here and I thought the kids would be interested, but no dice.
Mason is finding riding a bike a bit of a challenge. He received a new bike for his birthday but just cannot manage it. So last weekend I bought a very used "small kids" bike on the internet for $10 that he could sit on the seat and touch the ground with his feet - so he could "skoot" along and get used to the balance. The bike is rather "beat-up" and the seat was damaged, so I bought a new seat, so now its a $20 bike. I introduced it to him today, no pressure - he has not sat on it yet. There is always tomorrow!
Friday May 8, 2020
The tilers are making good progress. The shower base has been "mudded" and sealed. The floor is both rooms is finished, awaiting grout. The vertical tile in the shower is 80% done. The boss came in today for a check and estimated that the job would be completed by Wednesday.
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| Coming along |
Monday May 11, 2020
Looks like we came to terms with the EP Buyers, so "all we have to do now" is get it on paper and executed. Once its executed, "all we have to do"is get it closed.
Only one tiler today, and all he did was grout the floor and the part of the walls that is complete.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
We have the two kids today. Deidre and I are spending more time on Mason's online education efforts.
Only one tiler again today. He set a row of tiles around the bath and set the mosaic tiles in the shower pan. Tomorrow I will try and move the bath tightly into the corner. The cabinets will not be delivered until June 22, 2020. That's a drag.
Friday, May 15, 2020
The tilers finished today! But they are coming back to drill holes in the new tiles so I can install the folding seat, a grip bar and the slide for the hand held part of the shower. I was delighted by the quality of their workmanship, and I don't say that very often.
Thursday May 21, 2020
Early this morning I caught the only remaining direct flight to Chicago, Midway. There was only one row of parked cars in the parking lot, and 31 people on the flight, all nicely spaced out. Midway airport in Chicago was empty, all the restaurants and stores were closed except "Hudsons" the newspaper store. There was only one employee at Budget (car rental). All very strange.
I flew back on Friday afternoon - this is a long weekend (Memorial Day) and there were a few more travelers, but still nice and relatively quiet. When I got home Deidre made me undress in the garage and go straight to the shower!
The Euclid Partners deal seems to be on track, with the Closing scheduled for May 29, 2020. If this goes thru, then I go from 90% retired to 95% retired.
Sunday May 24, 2020
This weekend I installed the folding teak seat, the slide for the hand held shower, the grab bar, and I started working on the knee wall "facilities". The drywall guy is coming tomorrow to "have a look" at the remaining work. Delivery of the cabinets is still June 22,
Friday May 29, 2020
The Euclid Partners deal closed today. We "Seller Financed" the deal so all we got to keep is the 10% deposit, but by the time all the vultures got to pick at that we kept about about 2%. But the interest rate on the note is 4.75% so IF THEY PAY the extra bit of income will be nice.
Wednesday June 1st, 2020
Adam and family turned up late yesterday after driving from Cleveland. They are planning to stay for 4 nights. Kylie and the two kids turned up for dinner last night so we had quite a family event. Good fun. Adam had not seen this house since the late 90's!
Adam and I took a long walk this morning, they are now all down the beach. Deidre and I are resting.
Curtis finished the drywall work today, so all we need now is plumbing and paint in the shower/bath/toilet room.
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| In Kylie's back yard |
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| On the beach with Leo |
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| Cousins |
Monday June 8, 2020
Two plumbers came today to complete the plumbing in the shower/tub/toilet room. They had problems with the toilet - "bad design". I was quite unhappy with the result and emailed the boss fter they left.
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| I would hate to slid off the toilet at the wrong moment. |
Tuesday June 9, 2020
The boss came with a helper today and after a bunch of cussing got the job done correctly. I continued the painting.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
The shower enclosure and door was installed today. We can now take a shower! Deidre was the first to try, so I sneaked a photo. (I don't know why she wore her nickers, maybe she suspected that I was going to take a photo?)
I had arranged with the shower glass people to also remove the mirror and cut 4" from its depth. They did this in our bedroom and then carried it back to the bathroom and taped it to the wall awaiting the arrival of cabinets and counter tops. Its a huge mirror, I think I will ask them to come back and install when we are ready. I am scared of it.
There was a lot of glass in the carpet after they were done. Not impressed!
Wednesday June 24, 2020
The new cabinets came today. I paid the kid next door $20 to help me carry them upstairs. The cabinets installed easily enough, although I had ordered 108" of cabinets knowing that the space was really only about 107 7/8", and so it was a bit of a "tight fit".
Later in June - Caulking
I have been putting off the caulking of the bath. Because the room is not square (and the bath is) we have a substantial "gap" along the back wall - tight at one end and about 5/8" at the other. I am not good at caulking, so the idea of tooling a 60" gap with that condition was intimidating. I experimented with making my own "self leveling" caulk by diluting silicone caulk with NAPTHA and that seemed to have potential. Then I found a caulk product that is used for cracks in driveways that is "self leveling" and tried that. Its grey (rather than white) and that actually helped as it blended in with the grey and white tile.
Later in June - Counter Tops
We only need about 18 sf of counter top and the minimum seems to be about 25 sf so we have been looking for a place that had some leftovers/off cuts. We discovered that actually looking at leftover granite and quartz is not easy, and a good way to crush some finders. But we were eventually successful and the new counter tops and sinks will be installed tomorrow! (July 13th)
July 1st, 2020
The first payment from the EP Buyers arrived today. One down, 59 to go. Their organization is not impressive as yet - they still have not invoiced the tenants for July rent!
So far in July - Painting
All our doors and wood trim needs repainting so I have been keeping myself busy taking two doors off at time for sanding, painting and reinstalling. I am set up on the top balcony with a view of the street with my new Amazon speaker device listening to rock and roll and talking to Alexa!
The new counter tops arrive tomorrow (July 13, 2020). I get my first eye done in 8 days.
Plans for Morningdale Drive.
Kylie needs more room in her house! I have started to plan an addition - sun room and office. I have decided to be the "general contractor" and get it done this year. That will a) save some money and b) keep me busy while the Corona Virus passes through. I seem to have found a few good trades people, all I need is a good concrete guy. So the future of the BLOG is safe for a while!
Tuesday July 14, 2020
Yesterday the new "quartz" counter top was delivered and installed in the master bathroom. Today I will install the plumbing.
