Random Mid-Century

Little Red and Yellow House

2009-12-06T21:20:00.004-06:00

It's been quite a while but I have attached the house with red paint photos. There is still a lot of work to be done but until the temperature returns to at least 47 degrees, the exterior painting is done. As you can see - the door trim, window trim, and awnings remain in need of paint

Before:

After:

But I miss the Ghosties!

2/3 of the way there...

2009-10-20T08:31:00.004-05:00

Hello All:

I know that posts have been few and far between for much of this very busy summer but now I have exciting progress to report! After a weekend of hanging off a ladder to mask windows, doors, and facia, this:

has turned into this:

Now to take all the roofline masking down and add new plastic and tape for the peek colour. (Red like the door)

Photo Blog

2009-09-05T22:17:00.005-05:00

I started a private photo blog. Send me your email address if you would like to access it. It will be primarily of sun. Any home photos will appear here.

Also, check out this photo. I think it is beautiful!

http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house-landscape/tiny-house-in-a-landscape-13/

Thanks!

2009-07-25T21:52:00.001-05:00

Mildred E. Jacoby, of County Road KW in Belgium, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 22, 2009 at her residence. She was 94 years old. Mildred was born October 28, 1914 in the town of Fredonia, the daughter of Michael and Annie Kultgen Schneider.

She was united in marriage with John A. Jacoby at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Dacada on November 21, 1936. The couple farmed in the Town of Belgium until they retired. John preceded her in death in 1986. Mildred was a long time member of St. Nicholas and the Christian Mothers group, of which she had been a previous president, as well as being a quilter for the mission group. She was also a past member of the Luxembourg Society and a sewing leader for 4H, and had enjoyed gardening and cooking.Mrs. Jacoby is survived by her seven children: Vernon (Marie) of West Bend, John and Mark, both of Belgium, Janice (Daniel) Stoneberg of Princeton, Joan (Ted) Block of Tifton, GA, Betty (Francis) Kleckner and Rita (Roger) Noll, both of Belgium. She is further survived by one brother, Michael Schneider of Random Lake and one sister Alice Jacoby of Random Lake, nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband John, grandson Michael Block, great-grandson Foster Noll, her brother Joseph Schneider and her sister Irene Mueller.

Cabinets and Dressers

2009-05-26T18:35:00.005-05:00

Have you noticed that part of the mission of moving was to reduce?

Perhaps my only hope is to reduce the flow of items into the house... Fortunately/unfortunately, I recently acquired the following items that I love and fit well with little house:

Dresser for Sun's room. Cedar Grove Rummage $10. Very few signs of wear:

Dresser for me. One handle is missing a piece of decorative plastic and the top has slight damage but otherwise spectacular - especially when it if free:

My most coveted and essential addition - Metal Cabinet for the kitchen. Hopefully Polly will find time to sandblast it for me and I will paint it all black. In the meantime - a kitchen life saver for $10. Thanks to the Champagne Tuesday crew!!

An now for the most expensive ($40) piece and second most coveted:

I have been lucky enough to find some great pieces for the house. Perhaps only I would call my self lucky but I guess that's all right for now. (Catch that Al?)

Living Room Pictures

2009-05-22T21:49:00.003-05:00

OK, it's not really a separate room - just a separate area, but here are the photos so far:

I got this couch eight years ago at a Gibson Girl Estate Sale - apparently, my "unusual" taste is not something that has developed recently.

The ottoman and rug are both Target purchases. The brown ottoman after Christmas and the rug about five years ago on clearance. I wonder why on clearance...

It will probably take me a long time to be satisfied with any drapes I may find. Luckily, I don't mind not having window coverings right now. Sorry, Barb.

In April we got digital TV

2009-05-21T21:31:00.011-05:00

It is not that the TV was not digital, it is just that the antenna did not pick up signal. So, Polly got a new antenna and went to work on the roof. In fairness, he did indeed test it before he put it up.

1) Get the old antenna down from the ridiculous tripod that holds it:

2) Get the new antenna on the roof and into position:

3) Completely extend yourself, reach to the top of the tripod while balancing an antenna and yourself on both sides of the top of a ladder that is positioned to straddle the roof with nothing on which to brace oneself except that same rickety tripod fastened to the roof (by a man who could not hang a curtain rod) with 55year old roofing nails:

4) When the pipe is finally through the top hole, spend another 10 minutes jamming it into the second (larger) hole below when - inexplicably - it does not fit correctly.

5) Act as if it is inconceivable that anyone word worry about your physical safety during your project or be concerned that they would actually be taking a picture of your death. Laugh when you are asked about how that headline would read.

6) Take a two hour nap to recover from almost falling to your death.

Fish don't fry in the kitchen, Beans don't burn on the grill - But check out my kitchen table!

2009-05-20T22:25:00.009-05:00

So I can not believe how long it's been since I have posted. But rejoice! (or not) I have found my camera cable!

We've been in the house regularly for over a month, and I have a lot of catching up to do to properly chronicle the chaos!

On the last episode we had finished the bathroom and were ready-ish to move more stuff in. I am moving everything here but in pieces. We didn't get this house to crap it up. The intent is to have a place that is set up to make a dyslexic home-maker as successful as possible! To that end, I am trying to take everything at a reasonable pace (the opposite of the first 3 mos of this year) while at the same time not being lazy.

One very recent addition is a table and chairs that I am ECSTATIC about - thank you Craigs list. I will let the pictures speak for themselves:

Table and chairs:

Table top

Chair and Leg Details

Perhaps Polly is right and I don't even really like nice things. Perhaps this is the 1982 VW truck of tables. Regardless, I love it and I think it is a work of art.

Enough! I don't want to send anyone into shock by posting too much. I hope to have more tomorrow!

To the same old place that you laughed about...

2009-03-25T21:55:00.003-05:00

Welcome Back!!

Today I have added multiple posts so please continue on to the bathroom post. I have a brand new hard drive and - while I love it - I am mourning the loss of the old one. I feel like the blue screen of death has taken my soul along with everything after December 13th - My last back up. Christmas - Gone. Little House - Gone. Guess it's lucky I blog... Or is it?

Finished Bathroom

2009-03-25T21:37:00.005-05:00

So, the bathroom is D-U-N (pretty much). I have attached before/during/after pictures...

Day one (you may have seen this before):

Begining of floor removal:

This was a really difficult period for me...

Progress :)

Flooring 1 and 2:

Tada! I can tell that Polly is unsure of the finished project because of the colour. I am pleased and feel it is accurate for both the era and myself. I would appreciate feedback so leave a comment if you have time - this is our riskiest room yet!

2009-03-18T08:12:00.001-05:00

Just a note... The house computer is down and I am unable to update much until we get the computer back.

Additional Kitchen Photos

2009-03-08T15:44:00.002-05:00

Below are photos of the kitchen today (w/o dishwasher and the microwave will move):

Counter Tops

2009-03-05T21:04:00.006-06:00

I have been working on the kitchen cabinets and today we got new counter tops. I am extremely pleased with both the counter tops and the progress Polly and I have made (along with a cast of characters). I have added some photos below:

Remember these? Old counter top and original condition cabinets:

New counter top and refinished cabinets:

Old counter (close-up):

New counter top pattern (close-up):

It is very import to me that (within reason) we could keep any contractor hiring local. Accordingly we went with Random Lake's own:

I will add photos tommorow of the second counter top we had installed.

btw, I updated the to do list...

To Dos

2009-03-01T16:49:00.005-06:00

This is my to do list for the house. I will update it periodically. I would like to be in by 3/15/09. Will that be possible for two people with full-time (and then some) jobs?

Bathroom floor

2009-02-28T15:40:00.001-06:00

Just found out the bathroom floor tile that we special ordered is in at Menards - whoo hoo!

Bathroom Snapshot

2009-02-21T22:13:00.005-06:00

I haven't posted in a while because we do not have a project completed. But who cares, right? We have at least one "in progress" at any given time.

I loose track of time but I think it was two weeks ago that Polly Anna put in the tub surround.

This is the bathroom on Day 1:

This is after removal of personal items and floor tiles (thank you Gandalf):

Work in progress:

This is the new surround:

The Rise of the Kitchen Floor

2009-02-16T22:30:00.006-06:00

These are two photos of the kitchen floor when we bought the house:

Polly pulled up the floor tiles to reveal this:

He chiseled and scraped his way to this:

Then added black and white Armstrong vinyl tiles. Below is the mostly finished product:

Job well done Polly!

Happy F*ing Valentine's Day Home Depot!

2009-02-14T18:28:00.003-06:00

Or - How Home Depot tried to screw me again...

I got three gallons of Behr paint on Tuesday at the HD in Kohler. I specifically asked if paint would go on sale soon. If so, I would wait until a sale to get my paint. I was assured that paint would not go on sale. The employee even indicated that, as head of the paint department, she "would know".

So, Thursday paint went on sale - a five dollar mail in rebate per gallon.

I went back to home depot and explained the situation the the box of rocks behind the service desk. She responded, "I would have to return your paint and then re-ring your paint". The statement was delivered with a look and tone of voice which clearly indicated how crazy I was. At that point, I said, "Yes. That is what you will have to do".

After 7 (I counted) sighs, I received my newly dated receipts. Thanks a lot, HD!

And the Beat Goes On...

2009-02-06T22:00:00.004-06:00

Sun's room:

Drum Keeps Poundin' Rythmn to the Brain

2009-02-05T21:48:00.003-06:00

More Before and Afters:

Big Bedroon -

How Home Depot Tried to Screw Me - Today

2009-01-30T22:09:00.003-06:00

Polly and I went to Home Depot to pick up our Armstrong flooring tiles for the kitchen. At that time we also special ordered 1bx of Armstrong flooring tiles (45) for the bathroom ($124.01).

On the way home, sun fell asleep. We decided to drive to Menard's in SheVegas - mostly because he needed some sleep. We met Mr. and Mrs. Michaels and their lovely in the aisles and, because of a remark they made, we checked the price on the Armstrong tiles at Menard's. We special ordered 1bx of Armstrong flooring tiles (45) for the bathroom ($42.30) and cancelled our order at Home Depot.

FU HD!

But Not Least

2009-01-27T21:50:00.002-06:00

So, among the cool stuff and the not so cool stuff, there is this, an actual Speed Queen - not the laundromat or the BBQ...

Not to Toot

2009-01-26T21:52:00.001-06:00

Just FYI... This house sold for $10,000 more than we paid for smelly house. Rumor has it, there is no working electric in that fabulous second floor. :)

Great Finds II

2009-01-26T21:41:00.004-06:00

I love this steel wool package

I threw out the cushions but I love the shape of the chair

Just fun for a 50's BBQ

Can you have too many wash water basins?

My silverware will be in style!

Check out the fab door handle:

Love these!

Great Finds

2009-01-23T21:22:00.004-06:00

Smelly House was not without its great finds. I have included photos of some below:

The kitchen - mostly my way...

2009-01-22T22:01:00.009-06:00

As the existing kitchen cabinets were actually made by Polly’s grandfather (sun's great), they stay... and in their current configuration.

I will not lament this decision. I believe it to be a good one. These cabinets are the sort of plain but well built ones that we could not afford to buy in this day and age. Sun could easily hang off one of the shelves with no danger of it collapsing. I don't know if I have ever had such well built shelving.

However, they have also been sorely mistreated. I have had success with a product called “Paso”. Unfortunately, some areas will still need to be sanded. Below are some photos:

Drawer front before:

Drawer front after:

Cabinets Before:

Refinished front piece (on right)

Reflections on Smelly House

2009-01-18T22:07:00.009-06:00

Because E4H (my HEART to greater loyalty) recently reflected on his 100 posts, I too, shall reflect on Smelly House:

The hardest thing to believe is that we have been “in” for only 17 days. The first seven days were spent cleaning and packing RN’s belongings. On the 9th, we closed on Smelly House. That is only 10 days! 10 days to a completely different house.
So different, in fact, that Sun has decreed that we are no longer allowed to call it Smelly House. He suggested that we name it “Smells Really, Really, Good House”. We compromised with “Little House”, as it is the name of one of his favorite books.
All of the bedrooms are painted (touch-ups needed in the mint coloured room), the living room and hallway are painted (ceiling touch-ups needed), The bathroom floor is ripped up, and the windows have been cleaned (on the inside).
Polly is mudding the unfinished closets - yes, in 55 years, no one got around to finishing those.

My thanks go out to:

Mo, Wonderland, and Gandalf – My absolutely unflappable catering/painting/cleaning/demo crew.

Polly Anna – thusly named because he seems to live in "Glad Town" where everything is lollypops and gumdrops - not because he is a little girl.

Below are some recent photos of the newly painted living room.

Before

After

petite ode à une araignée (small ode to a spider)

2009-01-18T13:46:00.003-06:00

Displaced spider don’t look at me so,
It’s my home now you’ve got to go.

Disclaimer: The most common side-effects of prolonged exposure to paint fumes can
include eye, throat or lung irritations, headaches, dizziness, visual changes or
mild hallucinations.

Ways your toddler can help you with your remodel

2009-01-14T23:32:00.002-06:00

Close the door every time you leave with a load of garbage,
Use the shop vac to suck up your piles of dirt,
Use a rag to clean up paint drops, and
Bring you the sandpaper.

Blast off!

2009-01-13T22:44:00.002-06:00

We have hot water and a programmable thermostat! Polly Anna is my hero!

The Garbage Pile:

2009-01-12T21:29:00.006-06:00

I wanted to take a photo showing the large pile of garbage outside smelly house. Unfortunately, during the time lag between taking loads to the curb, someone took the best (worst) chair and book shelf.

I feel so bad for whoever took that chair and put it in their house; they will wake up to the smell of body odor and illness. Worse than a night at the bar.

On that note, below are photos from each end of our line of garbage:

More Before Photos

2009-01-12T20:45:00.006-06:00

Bedroom #3:

Bedroom #2

Bathroom:

Living Room:

Kitchen

Basement:

What the hell does it look like?

2009-01-08T22:01:00.012-06:00

It took two weeks to get to view the house but we put in our offer the next day; as did the second person who looked at it. The two offers were accepted with our offer being primary. The secondary offer was for more $ but required a longer closing. We won the race - and still paid below list price!

Below are photos from the street and from google earth. Note: outline shows double lot.

The worst part is, they haven't done anything in 55 years...

2009-01-08T19:43:00.028-06:00

So, in my first post you saw the new house when it was new. It is no longer new.

The first owner raised his family in this home and lived out his life in this home. His wife also lived her life in this home - thanks to the assistance of their youngest son: RN.

What follows is reported with no judgment. I encourage readers to reserve judgment as well. From all accounts, RN was an incredibly smart and kind man who faces his challenges in a non-traditional manner.

In the 7 or 8 years that has elapsed since RN's mother passed away, the house has fallen into a state that one may describe as "abandoned, with occupant". RN himself seem to have been bereft of hope. Cleaning and repairs suffered and the smell of the house was compounded by illness. That illness drove him to call 911 and he will not return to his house. RN is convalescing on ole Rocky Top.

Announcement: In case you were unsure, you are hard-down in half empty!

My small sun (the spelling is on purpose - light of my life and junk...) has named our house "Smelly House" and I have adopted the name as well. The dirt and grime are indescribable and probably unbelievable, although I have attached photos.

To be bleached: Everything!!!!
To be replaced: bathroom floor, bathroom faucets, shower head, tub surround, kitchen floor, counter top, refrigerator, oven, front door, door knobs/deadbolt.
To be repaired: one light switch, kitchen drain, water heater, wall gouges.
To be moved: all of RN's requested personal belongings and the financial paperwork of roughly a dozen local business and individuals for whom he worked.
To be disposed of: anything fabric that RN doesn't want - plus so much more...
To be added: water softener, washer, dryer, life, love, hope, commitment, and strength.

Kitchen cabinets

Piles of crap

Bathroom sink

Bathroom floor

Little house on a small planet

2009-01-07T22:16:00.018-06:00

World's as big as a dime (as my dear friend Margie W. would say) and so is my new house. These are photos from 1953 - the year the house was manufactured/delivered/assembled. The photo on the left is taken from the front of the house and the photo on the right (forgive the quality) was taken as you approach from the east:

The house was built by M. Capp Manufacturing Company in MN. Capp-Homes were delivered in partially finished sections which were assembled on the site to form the roofed and enclosed shell of a house. Prefabricated materials to finish the interior of the house were supplied with the package. In other (hyphenated) words, mid-century, pre-fab.

Capp Homes was one of the largest packaged home businesses in United States. When the housing market became volatile in the early 80’s, Capp Homes left the industry and closed their doors never to reopen.

Below is the final bill for my home.

The Concrete walk, parking pad and drive were poured for an additional $30.00. They did not go "all out" for black top - at the sky-high price of $199.00.

A 1-1/2 car garage of unknown cost was erected (tee-hee) in 1966.