Floor Work: Saturday

So with the wall removal, comes the dust. So we decided, let's just do it. We'll do all the dusty main floor projects now and be done with the dust, once and for all... on the main floor, anyway: new walls, finish the floor, and new doors and windows.

So, first, we have to get the rest of the old tile up. You remember... THIS tile.
The tile that's about an inch tall, with the backer board, glue, and floor- leveling compound.

My husband "started" a corner at which for me to chip away.

I don't mind a little hard work.

Neither does Obama, who preached safety throughout the project... safety glasses, ear plugs, and a Michael Jackson mask. Also known as a Mt. St. Helens mask to us northwest kids.

The crowbar is one of the top five inventions of all time. Really, really clever.

These are black plastic contractors' bags. We should buy them by the case, and not just the box...

The Last Snow of January!

Snooooow! It never stops being exciting. I run outside in my bathrobe every time. I take my camera and snap a bunch of pix every time. I make my husband listen to snow updates every 15 minutes. I love it!

This snowing actually got pretty thick!

These two remind me of Sesame Street characters. :)

The Oscars!

Well! How about those Oscar announcements this morning? This 10 movies in the Best Picture category is just plain ridiculous. I was pleased to see Jeremy Renner nominated for his role in The Hurt Locker. I like that the directors of Avatar and The Hurt Locker are great at making movies, but not at staying married to each other. The academy sure liked Inglourious Basterds. Can you believe Star Trek got so many nods? If I have only one recommendation this year, I'm still going with "Up."

My Oscars viewing list can be found here. Happy viewing! :)

Good Morning!

The sky this morning. Makes me wanna hop in the truck and drive into the Owyhees. Or go to work... I'll definitely do one of those two things.

Mom's Polycatylism

This is Polly, one of mom's three cats, and one of the two that are sisters.

She's named Polly because she's polydactyl. Which makes it seem like she might be a winged dinosaur. But no, it just means she has extra toes.

Polydactylism is called a genetic mutation, but I think it's more of a genetic superiority. I think she does too, which is why she sometimes makes foreboding faces like this one.

We did not stack these crazy paws like this, she did it... with her crazy superkitty powers.

Look at all those toes wedged in there! Polydactyl cats are often call "mitten cats." Their spare digits make it look like they are wearing tiny kitty-cat mittens.

They are also sometimes called Hemingway cats. If you ever wanna visit mitten cat mecca, head on down to Ernest Hemingway's estate in Key West. Not only is the tour awesome, the place is crawling with mitten kittens.

This is Polly taking a nap in the afternoon. She's sleeping like this!! Again, we didn't place her giant paw there, she did. That thing's so big she uses it to block out daylight!

She also has super catbrows. I don't think there's a scientific term for catbrowdactylism. Yet.

Her poor sister Patience is normaldactyl, and must resort to feigning paralysis and dragging herself around the house with one paw just to get some attention.

Stacey's Under-age Mac-n-Cheese Factory

Well, I regret to report that the abuse hasn't stopped. This time her pit of slave labor is being forced to produce vats of delicious mac-n-cheese. Everyone knows the tiny hands on these laborers are the secret to the best black market mac-n-cheese money can buy.

I jest! In actuality young Addison likes helping in the kitchen.

"Yes, yes... just a touch more... cheese powder... and it will be perfect!"

We all waited patiently for our delicious orange lunch treat.

The mighty Willamette... taken from the train, of all places!

Two Doors!

So, now I had two doors to stain, instead of just the one. I'm always so thankful we have this basement work room for door staining, deer dismantling... whatever we need!

My friend Oprah helped out by holding the stain for me.

So while waiting for the new door frames to arrive, and the stainer to finish her work, "The Shoulder" did some demo in the hall. To remove the dreaded textured walls that were there before. After my doors were covered, I did some demo too.

I "demo" like a girl.

The texture was dated, but not the appropriate 1939 they should be.... and mostly gross. Don't you agree?

Even the smallest demo job puts a lovely sheen of sheetrock dust on EVERY SINGLE FLIPPIN' THING.

But the new walls go up pretty quickly. And nothing makes a new space feel real like new sheetrock.

Sigh.... (That was the house, not me. :)

Remodel: Project No. 8 of 483

The holidays are over and our lead project manager got a clean bill of health on his shoulder... so back to remodeling!

This house can't breathe. You could almost hear its relief when we removed the last wall that was hindering its airflow.

So, next up: bust out the dining room. You may have seen this room looking something like this. Yes, Miss Ginger is allowed to watch the Dog Show if she's completed all her chores. The arrow points to the "marked" wall.
Or you may have seen it looking like this, slightly more dining roomly.

So while I was a the coast, my sweet laborer busted out the wall!! It's great!! He then installed the frame that would allow us to install this pocket door. Here it is in the "open position."

But after some consideration, we decided one pocket door isn't as good as two exposed doors, where the breatheability of this house is considered.

So we took down his hard work to prepare for the new plan! Here's the new view from the kitchen sink!! SOOO much more open!!

The River!

It was as lovely as ever on the Oregon coast, despite the frequent rains.

The river was really high. From all that rain, no doubt. The flora loved it though.

As did the fauna. Who came up pretty close to the house... before being chased off by... the vicious... chickens.

Did you know they still make these little fellows? I hadn't seen one in years. According to mom, his narrow orange band indicates a short winter.

Or maybe just that he's an OSU fan.

Back at work, I was snacking in the afternoon. What did this remind me of...

Ah yes. :)