House is noisy again :-) Kids are back home after spending a week with Rubi's parents. We missed them, but enjoyed the quiet time together.

Shameless Self-Promotion

Thanks to an idea from my mother-in-law, I've added another CafePress Store with items themed around kids inadvertently seeing inappropriate words around them.

Buying from this store helps support The Bayer Family.

Way Off Topic

Back in April, after working with the wonderful crew at The Signal Podcast for a little over a year, I opted to resign my position as one of their audio editors. My personal and work life keep me too busy to commit the time necessary to work on regular bi-weekly podcast. I don’t regret the decision, I do miss doing the work. I enjoy audio production and would still like to do so occasionally.  I miss the fun of it from The Signal, and from way back when I worked in Radio.

 

…So here’s me, on the raggedy edge of audio editing.

 

If you run a podcast or otherwise need occasional, sporadic, or one-off audio editing (or maybe even voice work) that won’t keep me away from my family for too long, keep me in mind and shoot me a note; we’ll see what we can work out.

 

 

 

 

Lessons from Remodeling

Here are some things I've learned about remodeling rooms:

-It's a pain in the neck - literally. I've had a kink in my neck for over a week and my shoulders are sore. I fell the other day and still hurt; and I also stepped on a nail.

-Let your kiddos help knock out walls and stuff. They're also good at carrying things to the trash and bringing you things when you need them, or finding tools you've misplaced.

-You might be surprised what you find behind the walls in an old house. When we first moved in and did some work on the home, we found a giant hand-drawn R2D2 on one of the walls in the Master Bedroom. This time around, we found an old Bingo ball behind one of the walls in the closet. We also found really nice, though poorly maintained, hardwood floors under all the carpeting.

-It's a good idea to wear sunscreen while standing outside on a hot summer day painting doors and trim.

-It's a bad idea to wear your only really good pair of jeans to paint.

-Cheap face masks should have an integral place in every tool box, and are a must when sanding or installing blown-in installation.

-Paint rollers never EVER rinse clean.

-When you purchase carpet to install in two rooms at separate times, it's a good idea to get the carpet cut into two separate rolls. It's much easier to carry that way.

-Apparently, previous owners that did all the additions and remodeling before us believed in the addage "you can never use enough nails".

-They also had problems with straight lines, squared corners, and keeping everything level. (Maybe they subscribed to my remodeling ethic: "GAH! Let's just get it done! Who cares if it's perfect!"

-And for some reason, they really liked pink: Pink on the walls in the bathroom, in a closet; I actually think they used pink as a primer... And this really nasty shade of green in places inside and on the shutters outside.

-They also wired the house so that just about whatever breaker you throw, something in each room turns off.

-During remodeling, someone will inevitable curse in front of the children. Cursing during remodeling is, in itself, inevitable.


Our current project, Alexander's room, isn't finished yet. I may have more tidbits once that's finished.

Too. Funny! My local PD rocks! http://ping.fm/HONOh

Glad this week is over!

While Elizabeth was off at camp this week, Rubi's parents offered to help us remodel the room she and Catherine share. We planned it as a surprise for Elizabeth. She didn't know anything about it.

I've included some pictures taken during the past week.

First off - you can see why we decided to remodel:

 

We found some sticks in our driveway and thought they might be useful.

Rubi decided to nail them to the floor.

So I locked her in a closet, but she tore her way out.

The little kids helped her escape.

And they put me to work.

But I tried to escape through the ceiling.

They found me though.

And put both me and Rubi to work.

Rubi's dad tried to get away too, but Alexander stopped him.

Rubi didn't want to help, so they punished her.

Finally! The room was finished!

At least, I think that's how the week went.

It has been a long but industrious week. Rubi and I both are sore and tired, as are her parents. And the kids are finally settling back in after having the house in a major mess for a week.


When Lizzy got home yesterday afternoon from camp, the family surprised her with a sideways video!
(I was at work though).

Our next project is Alexander's room!

Oh the Pain! Currently remodeling a room. I stepped on a shiny nai this afternoonl. IT HURTS! I have to get a tetanus shot tomorrow.