Stinky Black Hole

TMF, “Ugh, it is really stinky out there.”
BF, “Where? And what do you mean by ‘stinky?’”
TMF, “The sidewalk area where the puddle is forming.  It’s just stinky.”
BF sighs, “I think we have a sewage issue.”
TMF, “NO!”

Adding to my list of home improvement ignorance is plumbing.  Anything dealing with plumbing scares me A LOT.  There are many unforeseen issues behind walls and underneath floors.  Many of these issues are stinky, gross and expensive.

For the past few weeks, every time we took showers, washed dishes, washed clothes or used any water, an awful smell would surface from a specific area in the front yard.  As if the smell wasn’t bad enough, a large puddle would form but then disappear. 

During Tropical Storm Debby, the smell and puddle became worse.  BF decided to investigate.  He dug a large hole around the offensive smell and puddle.  More and more water continued to fill in the hole. 

After consulting with several plumbers, BF figured out the sewer pump was broken.  I called JEA and they sent a technician to see whether this was a customer or company issue.  Unfortunately they concluded it was a customer issue.  Fortunately they pumped out the nasty grey water and moved the extremely heavy concrete covering of the black hole. 

We could have hired a plumber to resolve the stinky problem, but BF is extremely handy and cost-conscious.  After two hours of labor and $250 worth of materials, BF installed the new sewer pump.

 

Although we didn’t ask for a price quote, we estimate BF’s work saved us nearly $1,000. 

BF, “You should stick your head in there.”
TMF, “Absolutely not!”
BF, “Why not?”
TMF, “It’s nasty in there!”
BF, “Well, it’s probably good that you don’t.”
TMF, “Why?”
BF, “I don’t want to scare you, but I saw some ‘things’ swimming around.”
TMF, “WHAT?”
BF, “Why are you running away?”

Is That a Car Jack?

TMF, “Is that a car jack you’re using?”
BF, “Yup.”
TMF, “Hmmm…”

After BF ripped out the offensive Stairway from Hell, he became really excited.  What guy doesn’t become excited with the prospect of busting holes in drywall?  He explained his method of installing a piece of wood inside the walls to hold up the sink cabinet in the master bathroom.

I sighed because I didn’t like the idea of another drywall hole.  I guess there’s some logic to BF’s reasoning.  The whole section will have to be repaired because of the ripped out staircase.  Another hole won’t make much of a difference. 

After moving the classy but supportive 2 X 4, BF cleverly used a car jack to help hold up the cabinet. 

As I walked into the bathroom, I’ll admit I found the car jack odd-looking.  After thinking about it, it makes sense.  Why not use a car jack in the bathroom?

Please keep your fingers crossed for us.  Every day we anxiously glance at the cabinets to see if the drawers are slanted. 

Revisited: Stairway from...

The Stairway from Hell is finally gone!

A few days after BF and friends installed the newly painted spiral staircase, BF couldn't wait to tear down the eyesore. 

There were lots of hammering, impact wrench vrooms! and discarded wood chunks flying across the living/dining room. 

Although the current refrigerator is temporarily taking the place of my future piano, the foyer has dramatically changed.  It's now an open space!  That darned Stairway from Hell is finally gone!

Stairway to Heaven Installation

BF and friends recently installed the newly painted spiral staircase while I was traveling to the Pacific Northwest and Midwest.

 

The spiral staircase was so large, BF temporarily removed the sliding glass doors.  Although the moving of the sliding doors was very tedious, it allowed BF to switch the way the door slide open.  I wanted to switch the openings to allow the staircase to sit as close to the wall as possible. 

I'm not sure how the logistics worked, but BF managed to move the staircase from the carport to his truck.  He then drove the truck to the backyard. 

BF affectionately named the spiral staircase "The Stairway to Heaven."  With the pale blue-gray wall colors, the sunlight shining through and the decorative flourishes, the staircase has an etheral look. 

IKEA: Round #3

I bet you're wondering, "How many times can that crazy girl drive to Orlando to shop at IKEA?"

The answer is, "As many times as it takes!"

Round #3 took place all by myself and on a Friday.  IKEA Shopping during a weekday was heavenly.  I took my sweet *ss time browsing through the showroom.  I was able to travel against the directional arrows and relocate items I placed on the "maybe" list. 

I even noticed the catchy music playing throughout the store.  Then again, how can you miss hearing Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" when it's being hummed by fellow shoppers?

I bought curtains, curtain rods, trash cans, towel rails and wardrobe accessories.

There were high hopes in attempting to lift the boxes for my new Expedit Workstation.  I laughed at myself when the smaller box barely moved after I pushed and pulled it around the shelf.  Oh well, next time.

The IKEA gods must have been kindly looking down at me because I managed to manuever BF's new Malm dresser onto a flatbed card. 

Then IKEA gods started to have fun as I pushed the cart in the parking lot.  I noticed an IKEA employee climbing into his car.  I assumed he was taking a break at the same time I unloaded the dresser.

The employee had a first row seat in seeing my struggle with the heavy box.  Oh my, I lost count as to how many times I tried to lift and push the box.  I kept thinking, "This is SO embarassing having this guy watch me!"

As soon as a sympathetic shopper asked if I needed help, I miraculously lifted the box and slid it across the truck bed.  Sheesh, great timing.

I'm not sure Bailey enjoys the new dresser as much as BF.  We previously used boxes to store BF's clothes. 

Bailey used the boxes as hidey places for his toys.  Now those boxes are gone...

Tin Man

TMF, "Oh my gosh, you look like the Tin Man."
BF, "Really?"
TMF, "Look at your hands and feet.  They're covered in paint!"
BF, "Oops."


When I prep and paint walls, BF lectures me on wearing protective gear.  Gloves, masks, painting suits, blah blah blah.

I'm not sure if he was excited to paint the staircase or perhaps he completely forgot, but he didn't wear any protective gear.  The metallic paint clung onto everything. 

He walked into the house and I gasped.  He probably thought I was overeacting when I lectured him on wearing protective gear.  Then he looked at himself in the mirror. 

BF, "Oh wow, I am the Tin Man."

TMF, "See?"

The camera doesn't catch all of the metallic paint, but trust me, it was everywhere.

Slanted Drawers

TMF, "I know I'm not crazy, but I think the bathroom sink cabinets are shifting"
BF, "Let's take a look."

TMF, "See how the drawers are slanting together?"
BF, "Hmmm...you're right."

After an adjustment, the cabinet drawers are perfectly aligned. 

After a few days, the drawers are slanted again.  I point out the issue.  BF hangs the bathroom cabinet with stronger wall anchors.

After a few more days, the drawers are slanted again. 

TMF, "Um, I think the drawers are moving again."
BF, "Are you kidding me?  Again?"

BF investigates and gives a long sigh.
TMF, "Did you figure it out?"
BF, "Yup.  The left side is attached to a stud, while the right side isn't."

TMF, "I know!  We can buy those IKEA legs!"
BF, "We might have to."

Unfortunately there are only two options
A)  GODMORGONLeg, round, stainless steel
Min. height: 16 1/8 "Max. height: 17 3/8 "

B) GODMORGONLeg, round, stainless steel
Min. height: 8 5/8 "Max. height: 9 7/8 "

At my request, BF hung the cabinet 12 inches from the floor.  The counter top sits at my waist level.  I detest low counter tops.  When applying eyeliner in the bathroom of our old town home rental,  I always felt as if I was a giantess hunching over the counter.  Also I wanted enough room to keep storage baskets underneath.

 

As of now, there is an out-of-place 2X4 holding up the cabinet.  I don't want to raise or lower the cabinet's height. 

I'm not sure how BF will solve the slanted cabinet issue, but I'm sure it'll look great.