Bringing New Meaning to the Word "Ghetto"

It has been cold here. We're hoping the -30 degree nights end so we don't have to wake up to this in the morning:

The propane heater in the kitchen is only slightly more civilized than a burning barrel of trash.

Yes, that is ice in the toilet tank (above)

... and ice where the dishes were "drying" overnight. (Above)

Yesterday evening it was ice in the bath tub and the toilet. We thawed out the bathroom with the propane heater, then thought we needed to snake the bath tub drain. Which is right about the time we realized that the drain was frozen. And so we've been wet-vacuuming the water out of the tub after we shower and dumping it in the toilet... the Projects have heat, right?

The Most Awesome Sewing Machine, EVER!

This post is in dedication to the most awesome sewing machine ever: the Bernina 217. Thanks to Sean and Inger for giving up this beauty! So here are a few photos of her for those out there who are interested:

complete with personalized decal...

The Used-to-be Kitchen Ceiling Mid-vault (demo fest)

Let the vermiculite rain down!

Half way there!

Book around the bay!

Latest renovations

The removal of lathe and plaster from our second floor is nearing completion. The dust is about to settle. There was also time for book across the bay. They bay did not really cooperate as there were a few too many slush holes from our warm weather last week making going across the bay bad for a race course. It was a great event!

False Spring

We are experiencing a 48 hour reprieve from a cold winter, and shoveling snow was fun in the sun and 30 degrees F. I have shoveled a path for the dumpster man who hopefully will bring a 20 yard can into our yard this coming week. Tomorrow I will begin on walling off the bottom of the stairs making a temporary door and space to further encase the demo that is about to begin upstairs. Tomorrow will also include the construction of a chute that will feed from the second floor out through a window and into said dumpster. It is still winter, so there will be a fair amount of sealing this all off to keep old man winter out. Then it is time to rock. Speed metal and heavy rock will be playing as I prepare to spend what could take a full week of lathe and plaster removal. The dust will be flying. Thanks to "Tony the Townie" we have some substantiated plans for the vaulting project.