Last night I could not sleep. At 4:30 a.m. I finally drifted off, only to awaken at 7:30 a.m., not because I had to, only because my being decided not to sleep. I am feeling overwhelmed by this renovation. I arose, opened most of the windows, then hopped in the shower. After puttering around until 9:45, it was past time to awaken Attila so that the day’s work could begin; he worked until 11:00 p.m. last night. Rain is forecast for Friday night, and Saturday, which adds some pressure to the enterprise.
His day began with a cigarette and a coffee on the back porch, then a change into street clothes and a trip to the building centre to buy more Sawzall blades. I was sent yesterday to buy them, but the type he requested were not in stock, and I dared not choose a substitute.
He is doing a terrific job on the garage roof. The project possesses him, he lives and breathes it right now, as I knew he would. There is no room here for relaxed conversation, and even finding time for a shared meal some days. The project will not be completed by the end of Attila’s vacation, although I fervently hope that by Sunday night he has the metal roofing in place on the roof, to keep things dry.
Once the roof is secure, then all the items in the garage need to be sorted through, and what needs to be discarded can go into the dumpster before it is picked up. A lot of items that were once viable are now completely destroyed by water and mould and mildew. I will be involved with this aspect of the project, because some of the articles in the garage are/were mine.
There is much to do after the roof is secure from the weather. New sections of wall near the peak of the roof must be constructed, siding installed. New wiring needs to be installed to supply the garage with electrical power. A window needs to be installed. I am sure there is more I am not aware of yet.
And then there will be animal eviction. Already chipmunks are in the garage, coming in through the open roof. I will have to use a live trap once the dumpster goes, and I have purchased more mouse traps. There is an opening from the garage into the new shed, so the animals will have infiltrated it as well, more time using the live trap and the mouse traps. It might even be necessary to remove all the items from the shed to make sure we get all of the animals out, a big job. None of this is avoidable under the circumstances.
I have always found renovations challenging. Attila prefers to work alone, team work isn’t his thing, and communication over what needs to be done can get sticky at times. The renovations also seem to take much longer than anticipated, Attila felt only a week was needed for this new garage roof, but I know that it will be the focus of life here until the snow flies. The expense is challenging as well, I do the juggling, the borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, and any worrying that comes into the administrative side of things. This is not something I enjoy, but it is necessary to move forward towards a home that is warm, dry, and free of animals, mould, and mildew. When this project is complete the house will be almost there!
The wildlife are finding the project interesting. Chipmunks have invaded the garage, and probably mice too, although I haven’t seen them. Birds land on the newly installed rafters. This morning, as I opened the window closest to the dumpster, I watched a little rabbit peeking through the crack at the door, probably wondering if there was any food in there!
Just to note, the funding program, through which we received assistance in paying for the desperately needed new windows, and attic insulation, has been discontinued, as anticipated; due to the new right wing government in Ontario. All environmental programs are now cancelled. For our own good, we are told. Thank goodness I found the program when I did last winter, and that I pursued it to completion. Otherwise, the windows and attic insulation would be huge jobs that Attila would have taken on by himself, over the coming years. The other program I was applying for is a non-starter, the call for the energy audit did not come as promised, nor any explanation. Of course, I know what happened, another cancelled energy program courtesy of right wing politicians.
As I write the whine of the Sawzall fills the air, the smell of hot tar reaches my nostrils through the open windows. Attila is hard at work demolishing the second half of the garage roof. Go Attila go!
Oh, adding a few images of the day’s work, forgot them when I first posted!
Worldly Distractions
Weather
18 C
Date: 11:00 AM EDT Wednesday 20 June 2018
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.2 kPa
Tendency: Falling
Temperature: 17.9C
Dew point: 14.9 C
Humidity: 82%
Wind: S 18 km/h
Visibility: 24 km
Quote
“Everything in the world may be endured except continued prosperity.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
1749 – 1832
I’d like to try it for myself to find out!
Don’t you love the smell of all that fresh lumber? -Kate
Kate, you know it! Nothing else like it, looking forward to it being the dominant smell, which will mean the roof joists will all be up!
What a project! It is frustrating to be the one who is charge of all the fiddling, fudging and fretting without any of the relief of hands-on doing. Good for you, too.
Wendy, exactly, it is frustrating not to be part of the hands-on aspect of the project. I have always been active in that way, but I am getting older, my knees are shot, and a lot of this work is pretty strenuous. I built a cottage from the foundation up, when I was in my 20s, my first husband and I did it just the two of us. I was the one who read the plans, orchestrated the work, and did a lot of the heavy work. Those days are gone, and I do miss them. But I am super happy that the work is getting done. I don’t think I’d take on another home that needed such extensive renovations. Fingers crossed I will never need to consider such a thing again!
Wow! I’m amazed by how far Attila has already gotten. Good job, Attila!
I know how you feel with just having to watch. My DH doesn’t play well with others when it comes to renovations, either. Oh, except with his brother. For some reason he if his brother is helping he can get along with him.
Very frustrating, having the experience and the drive to help but not being able to.
Thanks Teri, he is a force when he gets going.
Yes, it is hard to watch and not participate. I keep busy, making sure the administrative end of things is covered and that good food is always available. I’ll be very glad when this particular project is done and dusted though, it is truly miserable. Hoping the rain holds off until Monday, rain will add unwelcome work to the project.
I look at the NOAA forecast for advanced info. Looks like Saturday will be okay but maybe rain on Sunday. Hope everything is covered over for you by then!