Reflections on Smelly House

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

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

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