House Updates

Tom came and the work got done! It was great to have some one here who had the knowledge and skill to train me! and the hacker mentality. Tom was not afraid to tackle any project.

The original plan was to tackle the master bath but that project looked bigger than the day and a half he had to help us so we, with his encouragement, decided to re-build the wall we took down the first week we were here. The wall separated the dining room from the living room and really closed in the house. We took the sheet rock out but left the studs because it was a support wall. We decided to put half of it back up. The width was decided based on the window in the dining room. I love symmetry so we put the wall on the right up matching the 51 inches of the outside wall.


We got the wall framed, sheet rocked, taped and corner boarded with Tom. We also moved all the electrical, cable, sound system and phone line. The highlight of this room for Mike and I was the dimmer switch and switch for the light and fan. Previously we had to find the remote to get the light to come on. It also was really bright and had low watt bulbs in the 4 sockets.

I learned a great deal in completing this project: how to use a circular saw and jigsaw, how to test an electrical wire for "liveness", how to measure exactly where the box needs to be cut out on the sheet rock (grape jelly lining the box, in our case homemade raspberry) and lastly that I can do this! That is the best knowledge, and encouraged me to continue with out hiring anyone.

Mike and I ran to the store for, I believe, the 4th time and came back to Tom tackling the master bath. He knew this was the project that I really wanted done and he knew we could finish the mud ourselves.

Down to the basement we head to cut off the water to the house. Tom had just finished re doing the plumbing in his bath and was ready to work on ours. He was more confident with electrical than plumbing but had no fear in trying. He and Mike added a shut off valve, capped the old pipes that were moved to the opposite side of the shower area, and re plumbed the new location.

Awesome, new push on fittings!

We ripped out walls, the surround shower, and insulation. We put in the new insulation and will finish the rest soon.

You can see the small hole where the plumbing use to be.

I am so confident that I framed this wall all by myself. I measured out the length, cut the studs, and jammed them in place, 16in on center. Mine our the lighter colored ones. The others will be removed when Mike declares I did it right!

Onward we continue. Thanks Tom for the knowledge and confidence and Julie for the use of your husband for the weekend. We got all that we hoped for and more accomplished. When you coming back?

House Updates

1. Tom came and the work got done! It was great to have some one here who had the knowledge and skill to train me! and the hacker mentality. Tom was not afraid to tackle any project.

The original plan was to tackle the master bath but that project looked bigger than the day and a half he had to help us so we, with his encouragement, decided to re-build the wall we took down the first week we were here. The wall separated the dining room from the living room and really closed in the house. We took the sheet rock out but left the studs because it was a support wall. We decided to put half of it back up. The width was decided based on the window in the dining room. I love symmetry so we put the wall on the right up matching the 51 inches of the outside wall.



We got the wall framed, sheet rocked, taped and corner boarded with Tom. We also moved all the electrical, cable, sound system and phone line. The highlight of this room for Mike and I was the dimmer switch and switch for the light and fan. Previously we had to find the remote to get the light to come on. It also was really bright and had low watt bulbs in the 4 sockets.


I learned a great deal in completing this project: how to use a circular saw and jigsaw, how to test an electrical wire for "liveness", how to measure exactly where the box needs to be cut out on the sheet rock (grape jelly lining the box, in our case homemade raspberry) and lastly that I can do this! That is the best knowledge, and encouraged me to continue with out hiring anyone.


Mike and I ran to the store for, I believe, the 4th time and came back to Tom tackling the master bath. He knew this was the project that I really wanted done and he knew we could finish the mud ourselves.



Down to the basement we head to cut off the water to the house. Tom had just finished re doing the plumbing in his bath and was ready to work on ours. He was more confident with electrical than plumbing but had no fear in trying. He and Mike added a shut off valve, capped the old pipes that were moved to the opposite side of the shower area, and re plumbed the new location.

Awesome, new push on fittings!

We ripped out walls, the surround shower, and insulation. We put in the new insulation and will finish the rest soon.

You can see the small hole where the plumbing use to be.

I am so confident that I framed this wall all by myself. I measured out the length, cut the studs, and jammed them in place, 16in on center. Mine our the lighter colored ones. The others will be removed when Mike declares I did it right!

Onward we continue. Thanks Tom for the knowledge and confidence and Julie for the use of your husband for the weekend. We got all that we hoped for and more accomplished. When you coming back?

Holland

Happy Birthday Mike!

We arrived safely at Newman's in Holland after our 2 hour flight to Houston, 2 hour layover, 10 hour flight to Amsterdam, 8 minute train to Leiden and 20 minute walk to her flat. What a b-day present! Ugh, traveling is exhausting. I cannot wait until we can be beamed up instead.

Leiden is a quaint town in the south of Holland with about 120,000 people, half being University students.

The two branches of the Old Rhine, which enter Leiden on the east, unite in the centre of the town. The town is further intersected by numerous small canals.

We walked around the market square, grabbed some fruits and veggies and then lunch. We went for a walk and climbed up the Burcht te Leyden- Fortress of Leiden. A circular medieval structure built in the 12th century as protection against French and Spanish invaders, Leiden's fortress has spectacular views of the city.

These are some views of the city.