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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Charging Station

BF decided he needed a charging station for the construction zone.  No, not a charging station for your cell phone, digital camera, MP3 player, etc.


He needed a charging station for his power tools.  [Insert caveman chest thump] It's manly, practical, convenient and his words, "Genius!"
I wonder how irritated he would be if I set my cell phone charger on top of his Bosch drill charger. 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Kilz & the Theater Room

I’m sorry to disappoint those who are heavily involved in the arts, but our Theater Room is gone.  The previous tenants decorated the upstairs bedroom with flat fuschia and black paint.  Call me judgmental, but I thought it looked awful.

At one time there may have been a projector to watch movies.  The previous tenants installed the black border frame and painted the white screen. 
The only positive remark I can make is how the room didn’t have popcorn ceilings, however the smell was still terrible. 
BF primed the walls with Kilz.  What a difference!  It’s a completely different room.  I did a little dance when I saw how Kilz transformed the Theater Room.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Four in a Row


Why on earth would you install four vertical light switch panels in a row? Why?!?!?

These four wall switch panels will be replaced by a SINGLE rocker switch panel in the future. 

   


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Three-Way Lowe's Conversation


BF, “I need you to go to Lowe’s for me.”
TMF, “Are you sure you want me to go to Lowe's for you?”
BF, “I’ll give you a list.”
TMF, “Um, okay.”

The list consisted of contractor’s bags, electrical tape and a spigot for an outside leaky pipe. I think Lowe’s employees can spot a helpless shopper from across the store.  I hate to call myself a damsel in distress, but I honestly have no idea what I’m looking for.

I wandered around the plumbing department until I found what I think attaches to a garden hose.  Then I took a step back.  Whoa, too many choices. 

Thankfully a Lowe’s employee came to my rescue.

Lowe’s Guy, “What kind of valve do you need?”
TMF, “Uh…Is a valve the same thing as a spigot?” 
I can’t imagine what the Lowe’s Guy is thinking in his head,
“Yes ma’am, it is.  What size do you need?”
TMF, “Um...Can you hold on a second?”

I call BF on his cell phone.   
TMF, “What size valve do we need?”
BF, “3/4 inch.”
TMF to Lowe’s Guy, “3/4 inch.”

Lowe’s Guy to TMF, “What material?  Brass, bronze, copper, nickel…?
TMF to BF, “What material?  Brass, bronze, chrome, nickel…?”

At this point I considered handing my phone to the Lowe’s Guy, but I felt it might have been awkward for both of them.  I wonder how many three-way conversations the Lowe’s Guy has experienced.

BF to TMF, “Whichever one is cheapest.”
TMF to Lowe’s Guy, “Whichever one is cheapest.”

Lowe’s Guy to TMF, “Do you want a hand wheel, quarter-turn, T-handle?”
TMF to Lowe’s Guy, “Really?”
TMF to BF, “Do you want a hand wheel, quarter-turn, T-handle?”

BF to TMF, “Whichever one is cheapest.”
TMF to Lowe’s Guy, “Whichever one is cheapest.”

The Lowe's Guy grabs a 3/4 inch brass, t-handle valve from a box directly in front of me.  I feel as if I finished a marathon as I make my way to the registers.







Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Mother-in-Law Plant

My parents recently visited the construction zone for the first time.  I was explaining our backyard plans when my mom pointed and said, “Oh look, you have a mother-in-law plant.”
TMF, “What is it called?  What kind of plant is it?”
Mama M, “A mother-in-law plant.”
TMF, “Hmmm…I never noticed it before because the nasty carpet was thrown on top.”
Mama M started laughing when she said, “They call it a mother-in-law plant because IT NEVER DIES!” 
Poor BF. 
This section was squashed by the carpets, but it's still alive!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Sinking Deals

BF and I love pulling into the Lowe’s parking lot and seeing the clearance racks located outside of the store’s entrance.
Before the home renovation project, most items were fairly useless because we were renters.  Since we bought our fixer-upper, we make a beeline from the car to the rack. 

A few weeks ago, we discussed the kitchen sink.  There was a dispute between topmount versus undermount.  I prefer undermount sinks because I’m lazy.  I like wiping up food debris directly into the sink.  Then the discussion moved to single versus double basin.

After a few minutes of arguing, I said, “I don’t care anymore!  Let’s pick whichever one is cheapest.”  Who knew a married couple could argue over something as simple as the kitchen sink?

Although the undermount sink I chose wasn’t the cheapest on the rack, it was still pretty darn cheap.  It was originally priced at $250, on sale at $155 and we paid the $40 clearance price.  Not too shabby! 

Monday, February 6, 2012

2x4 Lies

Did you know that 2X4 lumber pieces aren’t really measured at 2 inches by 4 inches?  They lied to us. 

They measure more closely at 1 1/2 by 3 3/4.  I asked BF why?  He guesses they (the collective "they") were lazy and rounded up. 
BF has an aunt who taught high school English in Gaffney, South Carolina.  Aunt Linda is famous for telling her students and misbehaving nephews,

“I carry a 2X4 in my purse and I'm not afraid to use it!” 
To this day I’m not sure whether it’s the truth or just a threat.  I guess it wouldn't have the same impact if she said,

"I have a 1 1/2 by 3 3/4 in my purse and I'm not afraid to use it!”