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| MY FIRST HOUSE AND SECOND HOME. NORTH MASSAPEQUA, NEW YORK, 1956. |
Much of the damage done to the building was caused by water leaking through cracks in the grout and old ceramic tile on the terraces. So now begins our own home-improvement projects — new ceramic tile on the terrace, new wood floors inside. New doors. And more.
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| MY SISTER DALE IN PINK AND THE DOWAGER DUCHESS IN RED, NOT GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY. |
Yesterday, I spent a few hours at Bricomart with Santi, our contractor extraordinario. Bricomart is Spain's version of the USA's Home Depot or Lowe's. I believe B&Q is the British equivalent. We spent more than two hours at Bricomart placing the complete order. I told Santi I could live there. Santi told me he could not. I suppose if I did this for a living, I'd feel the same.
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| DALE, STILL IN PINK (AND GETTING HER HANDS DIRTY), ME IN RED, WITH COUSINS. ANOTHER FAMILY CONSTRUCTION SITE. SHEEPSHEAD BAY, BROOKLYN, 1956. |
Everything was delivered this morning and, Santi, while managing and organizing the delivery, removed all the old skirting tile on the terrace. He doesn't waste any time. Monday morning, the work begins in earnest. I'm 'just a little excited' while San Geraldo and the cats are 'just a little stressed.' That's if you call bouncing off the walls "just a little excited'; or if you call hiding in a bedroom closet (the cats) or the aforementioned bedroom (San Geraldo) 'just a little stressed.'
I'm with the kitties and Jerry ~~ hide me, go for a long walk or just pretend it ain't happening ~~ not my cuppa cuppa but hey it's your world and your creation. I sure hope it goes smoothly and looks mighty fine at completion!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see!
Ron:
DeleteIt's wonderful how perfectly Jerry and I sometimes balance. I am so excited I can barely stand it. He wants to check into a hotel, with the cats, for the next month. We'll definitely want a hotel room for a brief period, but I'd rather sleep amid the construction. I can't stop wandering the house and looking at all the supplies!
I'd be bouncing off the walls with excitement as well! Partly, well mainly, because I wouldn't be doing it myself! Do let us see the results, please. =)
ReplyDeleteCranky:
DeleteI told Santi early on that Jerry and I would not lift a finger. He laughed (and I think he was relieved). I have lots of before pictures. Can't wait for the progress and "afters."
My cup of tea, for sure! I could learn to put in those tiles. Now as far as those wood floors....been there and done that and it almost caused a divorce!! lol But managed to get three rooms done....by hand!! Another story...
ReplyDeleteGood luck and enjoy the process. Soon all will be brand new and Spic n' Span!!
Great old photos to have, Mitch. The first one looks like a house my family had built in the mid 60's.
Jim:
DeleteI would love to know how to do all these things that Santi is expert at. But I'll just stay out of the way. It figures we would have had a similar childhood home. We lived there from '56 to '64. A split-level in suburbia.
Oooh, great! I can't wait to see photos! :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my Sears House friends discovered a few streets of Sears houses in Massapequa, NY :) Nice ones, too-- still in good shape. He wrote about them here, and here .
Judy:
DeleteThe Sears houses you share are so charming. These in Massapequa Park, especially so. Our neighborhood had been mostly woods with a few quaint old houses scattered around. Then our subdivision went in. Fortunately, they saved a big portion of woods, which is now a preserve. Massapequa Park was about 10 minutes south of us (by car), separated from us by Massapequa Preserve.
I had a roommate at Michigan State who was from Massapequa Park. Surprisingly, he now lives in Madison, just a few miles from where Tom and I live. Small world!
ReplyDeleteMichael:
DeleteRight near us, but a separate town. I never had any friends from Massapequa Park until I was college student!
Looks like an extensive project.... I have a feeling we'll be doing the same kind of stuff this coming winter.... but we don't have cats to appease so it will be easier ;-)
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteI LOVE this kind of stuff. But, yes, the cats will be a challenge.
The fun begins, Mitchell! We have been living in our construction site for more than 2 years now. I'm sure yours will go much faster. How nice to have a Bricomart; I am envious. Can't wait for the after shots. Did you take before photos? Cheers!
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteIf our construction takes a MONTH, Jerry might lose it. I was so excited when Santi told me to check out Bricomart. I didn't know about it until recently and the other stores are much more limited.
I'm a bit confused; have you mentioned this project before. I need to check some of your previous posts to see if I missed something.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteDon't worry. We've been talking about it for a while but I haven't told about it here. You'll hear ALL about it from now on.
I hope you're taking photos, because you know we're expecting "before" and "after" shots. Right? ;)
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteOh, there WILL be photos. I just hope I have enough decent "before" pictures that will align with the "after" pictures!
I imagine the kids will be loving all the indoor and outdoor activities!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for the Before and After shots!
Bob:
DeleteDudo and Moose will I'm sure get used to Santi, but we'll probably move out with them for about a week during the major flooring installation!
I completely understand stressed and feel for San Geraldo and the kitties. How long is the project taking? I was so happy to see the backside of the last contractor - hate having them in the house. We are homebodies so it was very tiring and stressful.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteThe terrace will take 4 days, so should be done this-coming week. I don't know how long the rest will take and we're hoping to get a projection from Santi this weekend. He had hoped to have everything done before Semana Santa (Easter Week), but he then came down with bronchitis and was out of commission for a week (I would have been laid low for 3).
filling cracks and holes is dear to my heart. I have quite the aversion for holes.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteUm...OK... I'll just chalk that up to an obsessive-compulsiveness and I won't let my mid wander where it shouldn't.