No, I thankfully did not find a body buried at my home last night. Had I done so it would have immediately been the last-straw for this abode.
Today’s Daily Challenge
Eat a food high in lycopene, such as tomato, red pepper, watermelon, grapefruit, or asparagus.
Lycopene is an antioxidant, so it has a protective effect on our body’s cells. Studies suggest that it is effective in warding off heart disease and fortifying bone health. Lycopene also shows promise as a way to prevent prostate cancer.
Moving Man
After stopping off at Lowe’s last night to pick up a t-bar, one that I will be returning soon since it is identical to the one I found in the basement while cleaning and moving things last night, I got home and started “The Plan.”
Figuring that I probably didn’t want to shut the water off in the house until today “The Plan” was to move many of the things that would do nothing more than get in the way today (and get ruined if they got wet) got moved upstairs (and above the potential water line).
The other part of last night’s plan was to mentally map the path of my pipes. Getting into the heads of 1956/1957 house builders can be a tricky thing (shit, in their minds we’d be using atomic power in our flying cars by now), so I was cautious not to make assumptions. I popped a few of the basements (gawd-awful ancient) drop-ceiling tiles to find nothing more than three black widow spiders whose lives ended with the suck of a shopvac, but alas no water pipes. After feeling a bit down I moved to another part of the house with a little more success. I think that I found the main inside cutoff point (and today need to move the pile of wood that makes getting to it nearly impossible) and think I understand the path of the cold water to the kitchen and water heater (Under the foundation? Really, what that a great idea?) as well as the path of the hot water to the kitchen and to the main bathroom. Today need to understand how the cold water gets to the two bathrooms.
I’m bummed to have not made it to the gym yesterday nor today but I the amount of sweat that I produced meant that I at least did some physical exercise.
ITP Flickr Pic
“Nostalgia”
Back in the “early days of blogging” I stumbled upon a blog called “Romanlily.com” (not the official website for the then-open restaurant). If memory serves me right I found it via Google (yes, it was the dominant search engine even back then) search for a local salon called “Salon Red;” I think I was trying to find their phone number so that I could make an appointment. I was not a blog reader back then, but the trials and tribulations of “Grace” and her (then) husband reeled me in. I believe it was at the blog’s end I learned that “Grace” was a nom-de-plume for someone that I have now met and am happy to know IRL today.
What you see above is a print out I made nine years ago today (holy shit!) containing a recipe for Confetti Stuffed Burritos that I came across while cleaning out my briefcase over the weekend. The only thing crazier than realizing that I printed this out nine years ago today is that I have been carrying this paper nearly daily since then and have only made this delicious recipes a few times.
Demolition Man
Also on today’s agenda is turning off the water to the house so that I can take out the closet ceiling that has been collecting the water drips. From my investigative work last night I am fairly certain that the leak is occurring along the hot water line that takes water to the far bathrooms (main and basement). My hope is that the leak is a direct leak from the area that I demolish today, and that it is not running down the pipe from somewhere else.
My main goal prior to the plumber’s scheduled arrival some time this afternoon is to have the leaky area completely ready for repair without having one of those DIY disasters that I have seen so many times while having playing on DIY Network on my TV at work.
Today’s Personal Project
Start thinking positively in hopes of steering the rest of my life in the right direction.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – nervous
Current Music – listening to this week’s “Sound Opinions” podcast
Website Of The Day – My morning reading — How Stuff Works’ “How to Fix Pipes”.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – n/a
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – sadly, 212.6 pounds
Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0.0 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0.0 miles
Gym Visits – 4 (2 cardio)
Days Of Bed-Making – 0
Vegetarian Meals – 15
Carnivorous Meals – 9
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
April Goals
– not get sick
– lose two pounds
– walk/run no fewer that 50 miles
– lift weights at the gym no fewer than eight times
– finish at least two of the books I am reading
– take at least one box of things to Goodwill
– post at least ten photos in the blog
– drink a lot less alcohol
– prepare a house repair plan and budget
– return ITP-Reader Martha’s coffee percolator to her
– return ITP-Terri’s crutches to her
2013 Goals: Measurable
– Get my weight down to 190 pounds so that I can wear a 36″ waist pants comfortably
– Completely read ten books, audio books permissible
– Dissolve Sharpened Stone
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Completely run at least one 10k
– Fix all (or at least most) of the things which are wrong with the ITP Estate
2013 Goals: Unmeasurable
– Simplify, simplify, simplify
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
– Start, and continue, to make my own bread using my bread machine as well as using the technique outlined in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
– Read and discard magazines during the month in which they arrive (even digitally)
– Take two real vacations, perhaps one abroad
– Take a more proactive approach to meeting women (read “stop being such a pussy”)
Books I’ve Read/Heard In 2013
- Pages 1.7 for iPad (Timestompers Guide) — by Sean Wells
- 60 Mountain Lion Tips — by David Sparks and Brett Terpstra
- The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business — by Charles Duhigg
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
I had planned to include a music review for a band called The 4 on the Floor whose CD “Spirit of Minneapolis” drops today. I think you might understand why I’ve been a little preoccupied and couldn’t produce the review.
Please go fill some buckets with water in order to be able to flush the commodes. You’re welcome.
Started watching the B-ball last night. While not having a dog in the fight, it was still a very interesting, back and forth game. At the start of the second half, Michigan pulled away rather convincingly, so I turned it off (I knew no matter what I wasn’t watching to the end). I was suprised to hear this morning that Louisville had won. Well done.
Previously in this space, I mentioned the possibility of getting a foster boxer named Bunny. Well Bunny will be arriving today! Hopefully, she will get along with all the other residents and we can keep her until her forever home happens.
Paulie, I’m sure she’s a sweet girl- just what you need to go along ith the second tray on the roof rack. 😉
-FP
Good plan, two buckets filled.
I am still in the preparatory stage, ceiling still intact.
Getting to the indoor valve involved moving a bunch of wood, which then caused me to vacuum up a mess.
In that process I decided to Freecycle an old (once installed?) attic ladder, assuming the I probably won’t install it before I try to sell this house. This precipitated cutting back a bunch of branches (necessary for water heater installation — taking old out, bringing new in).
I put stuff out on the curb last night, some of which was taken by this morning. Whoops, the garbagemen just arrived taking away what had not been claimed. So much for me donating/recycling what didn’t get claimed today…
Another non-plumbing problem discovered today. A temporary fix has been employed, long-term solution to be investigated soon.
Must. Sell. House.
I was too busy yesterday to get here, but yeah, the Ira Glass outing was a blast! Plus, we were in the front row! Ira ASKED ME A QUESTION! *Drool.* Thanks again, Paulie.
Too busy to read the blog? In-con-CEIVE-able! Litrally, it is.
It was my pleasure, especially since you have an appreciation for Ira Glass and his work. Thank you for joining me, buying me dinner and beer, and navigation us the last mile.
Timing is everything. I just about finishing branch management when the trash department responsible for yard waste arrived and took away my mess.
A few minutes of rest, consultation about the usage of this air filter/respirator I purchased at Home Depot last week, and then I must take the demolition plunge.
DANGEN! The valve on the City’s side of the water meter doesn’t want to budge, and I don’t want to force it. I guess I will test the indoor valve, and if all else fails, pray.
Let the professional do it- that way, if he breaks it, he fixes it.
Been a busy morning, and I’m going to a focus group thing this afternoon, so I need to leave at 3:15. OF COURSE I’ll be right near Paulie’s office again on a day he isn’t there.
GOOD LUCK with the plumber – I really think this guys should take a load off your mind, getting things fixed (even when it costs money) is such a good feeling.
Allan got the garden all tilled last night, we plotted out some of the locations for planting, so tonight I get to plant veggies! Its seems a little late, but with the crazy weather we’ve had, who knows.
what Steve said, just get out of the way and let the professional do his job. Get a laundry list of everything you want/need done and negotiate (better to make a deal now when it isn’t an emergency).
Yeah, a new doggie…I’d love to start fostering again. Maybe when we finish with the house…
She’ll be a welcome addition. I know Satchmo can be a pill when it comes to other dogs, so he might be the deal breaker.
Focus group? Was ist das?
Nibbles is beyond a pill…but thankfully at 10 pounds she doesn’t do much damage.
Anyone got an extra set of flat bike pedals?
Laundry list? Is that a jab? 🙂
I will be discussing all things plumbing today with the plumber, who I have been informed is on his way.
I took Steve’s advice (prior to reading it) and gave up trying to stop the water. I am fairly certain that the valve I have found is the master intake, but turning it all the way to the right (tighty?) didn’t stop the water. So, I cranked it half-way back and gave up.
Demolition is done! There was a “sub ceiling,” aka plywood above the sheetrock. Hilariously, or suspiciously, one corner of the plywood was cut large enough to fit one’s head. I used the portal to assay what was above and went to town. All of the wet sheetrock and wood are outside. I now have to check the leak, which is conveniently right were I opened up — or so it seems.
Ah, I am an imbecile. What I thought was a main cutoff valve I just realized is a cutoff valve for the outdoor spigot near it.
Still searching for where water enters the house from the main. Could it be underground and emerge somewhere in the house?
I still don’t understand how a standard copper pipe gets a pinhole no where near a fitting. I’ve felt around where the water is dropping and confirmed that it is not running to this spot to drip, the hole is right there.
Also, having that closet ceiling ripped out has been mega informative, and in at least in one instance disturbing as I might have identified another project…
Ugh, this is getting expensive and we have yet to seriously talk about the outgoing plumbing problem. I am currently up $2k. Why? Because the house was built by 1950s technology. We can’t locate the main line (it appears to run underground into the house, emerging at a few different locations. The plumber tested my water pressure and it is too high (somewhere near 90-100, not the required 60 — I assume psi), so he is going to have to dig out front, find where the City’s line ends, and then install a pressure regulator and master shutoff valve. This is in addition to the new water heater, fixing the leak I uncovered, and potentially repairing the sink in the basement bathroom. Oh, and if he can open the cast iron where the leak has been (once my “only” major plumbing problem) he will try and run a camera in it.
FUN!
I think I am looking at this year’s vacation vanishing, unless an attractive, interested female convinces me otherwise.
The line from the street would most certainly be coming into the “South” wall at about head height (a couple feet below ground level).
This must be done… bite the bullet.
Bullet has been bitten. He’s working on it now. What scares me is that this *still* doesn’t concretely address the outgoing water issue (read “Ye Olde Plumbing Woe”).
What’s $2k to a Wealthy International Bachelor like myself anyway.
Answer: $2k
Yes, again Steve is correct (boy you’re on a roll today), if you don’t fix it now, it’s only going to get worse, possibly cost even more down the road.
Houses cost money, even one built in this decade needs repairs and maintenance. The good thing is they really knew how to build homes back in the day, I bet the bones are in great shape (inspector said my house could stand another 50 years)…give her a little TLC and she’ll pay you back double 🙂
Just got an email from Mango, bike night is next Wednesday, anyone going?
focus group – market research group….. I answered some questions on line & they decided I answered correctly enough to go sit in a room for an hour & get asked questions, and I will get paid $75 or $100 cash for it.
Paulie – yes – plumbing is expensive, but think how NICE it will be to have some stuff working again. did you ask him about working on any of this as a “side” job? Price might come down some if it is going directly into his pocket.
Haven’t inquired about “side” work. I was thinking about it at the end. He’s already cutting me “a deal” (not his words exactly) since I am having so much done together.
And in case you want to do it on the side, I have experience with concrete saws and jack hammers!! Having broken up part of the driveway in Tucker once upon a time.
“Will work for beer.”
Somehow I missed all the stuff he was doing (squirrel!). A camera would be a good start on fixing that existing drain problem. And the high pressure caused the pinhole leak. Old copper pipe will do that.
A whole lotta banging going on downstairs. I can’t bare to go down and look.
I may take you up on that offer, Steve. The three hardest parts of the drain-pipe job are chopping up the concrete, loading into a skiff (or whatever those are called), and digging the trench. Many hands make light work. I’d expect doing the actual plumbing as well as putting in a new carport/driveway would be turned over to the professionals.
I think that’s the thing with me and this house. Most of the projects have been fairly monumental. Over the years I’ve done (some) of the minor shit — interior painting, electrical outlet / light switch replacement, etc.
I will tell you that the most sore I have ever been in my life was after the upper body workout with the jack hammer on the driveway. But I’m in!!
Round 1 of ??? is done. It shall be blogged about tomorrow.