the old element next to the new element-there is 2x as much length as you see in this view

There was a knock on the door-the first I ever heard since being here..."UPS". It was my special water heater element. The thing is full of curves-squeezing 5500 watts of element into a space normally reserved for less. The old one had come out reluctantly and it's original shape was unknown- but now I suspect it was just like the new one. The new one went right in and is working fine...and no leaks in any of the hot water lines either. So, I cleaned the tub and took a bath and then shut the water heater off with the switch in the closet after giving the water time to heat up fully. Fifty gallons of hot water is such over kill for me but the heater was free so I figured I'd go with it for now. It's so nice having running hot water- next, a washing machine please.

removing the old wood- and insulation

A nice easy pace today. Heavy humidity haunts us this day and some rain-the heavy stuff to come tonight. Gasoline near the house here is down to $2.829. The rotted and warped tongue and groove lumber on the bottom of the kitchen and bath bump-out was dealt with today. I cut out quite a bit and removed lots of old rock wool insulation. The cantilevered joists were all in good shape and just needed decent wood to cover them and keep out the weather. Over the years, numerous plumbing leaks took a toll. I used salvaged 3/4" plywood on the joists and will go back and insulate later. Gradually the house gets sealed up for a better chance at surviving winter. Also, a helper came buy and started digging post holes for the new fence that will separate the drive/parking area.

pushing up the old wood I will save and secure w/screws

the ply in place

nice cap but the chimney needs some pointing

A rain day here on Bennett. I was out early collecting some dry kindling and some wood to burn but then turned my attention to the chimney just as the rain started. I had bought a new cover to fit the clay pipe protruding out the top-mostly wanting to keep rain out, and now it was time to install. It went right on and will also keep critters out and help break up any sparks that may escape. The rest of the day was spent indoors-no big projects. I made a deer stew that turned out well and used the last of the pumpkin puree I had made from a pumpkin a year ago to make a pumpkin bread. I also turned about a dozen pears into sauce, like apple sauce, to use in future breads.

ready for multiple meals

the kitchen window weight pocket gets opened up

A fine fall day here in the middle of the country, like 60 degrees or so and lots of blue in the sky. The last replacement window went in today and I will celebrate the fact that I don't have to walk around it leaning against the wall anymore. This small house just keeps getting larger. The water is on proper now and I have full pressure-no more wondering if my supply pipe is almost blocked from build-up.

large fern now in 3 pots

A huge fern gifted me gets cut up and potted in smaller pots I can better fit in the house- a little green to mix with winter blues.

the switch in closet so I can turn on/off water heater

water heater all hooked up

this is how the element came out-what a PAIN!

I finished the water heater installation yesterday but the story grows longer. It's all hooked up but when attempting to replace the single element with a "universal replacement element" I discovered that "universal" means more like "pretty much universal". My water heater takes an element with a bit larger thread diameter and the local stores I went to didn't have one. I found one on line and ordered it, so it'll be a few days to test it all. Oh, while out and about-at Manchester and Dickson (in Kirkwood area) gasoline was 2.839 and only a penny more at the QT at Manchester and McKnight- this is like the old days.

these will be used only till I re-model the kitchen

outdoor storage box repair

basement entry on side

The basement door is primed and ready for some weather strip. The last of the kitchen cabinets were cleaned and had knobs installed - so now I can put more things away, emptying boxes. I repaired the outdoor storage box given to me- it had a few cracks I repaired with a metal plate and some roof mesh and tar.

I'm also designing a shed to build so I can hopefully have some maker space soon. I'm wanting to build 2 the same and they would act as a privacy fence for the side yard so neighbors don't have to view my odd and ends of scrounged lumber and such.

I'd like to sand off the green paint from the Redwood

Here on The Edge...the edge of the Ozark Mountains- the ones that once rivaled the Rockies, till they wore down...well, it was cold this morning. Our first official frost of the season- upper 20's they say. The stick built house on Bennett Court saw a little progress on the water heater install- till I had to stop , realizing I had no solder flux after getting back from the store. Some nice salvaged wood got de-nailed and stored in the basement. Western red cedar boards and some sweet, precious redwood someone chucked in  the alley-5 2x6's from a red wood pic-nick table.

The CX 500 had it's rotor transplant today. It was quick and easy AND fixed the pulsing brake issue! I took a chance with the used rotor off Ebay for $15 but it turns out it was a great buy. I took the bike on a test drive and the rotor spun true like a new one.

alley find-but I think it's a good one

the chain saw worked great on the quite heavy duty pool liner

The weather has been chilly in the mornings- I think 36 this a.m. Winter temps are around the corner. The exterior work will loose priority soon and I'll be able to focus on the inside again. I moved the water heater into position and planned the hook-up(electric and water lines). Soon my hot water will flow from the pipes and not from a scoop from a large blue granite ware pot. The apple, peach and plumb trees went in the ground today after the huge, stiff 32' above ground pool liner abandoned on the property was drug out of the way and cut up. I finally found time to box in and insulate around the toilet pipe on the side of the house, below the bathroom bump out. I also sanded on the bottom of the basement door so it closes just right now.

the toilet pipe gets insulated from the cold and boxed in

 In the evening I did some baking to help warm the house up. I adapted a pumpkin bread recipe I found on line to make an apple bread with raisins as I wanted to used the apple sauce I made from the church yard apples. The sauce is good and so is the bread- with a can of beans, sweet potatoes and broccoli... it's dinner.

...in a blue Pyrex dish I found at the thrift store the other day

Redbud trees go in the ground

The Bennett estate is being warmed with odd bits of 1/2 rotted wood found in the old pile under the cedar tree. I figure I'll burn it while we're having mild temperatures. Some mice moved in -they got used to me leaving the door open all night for Petra. I took care of 2 on my 2nd night of having traps set. The two Redbud trees were set in their new homes in the front yard today. I also got to the basement door jamb work- lifting one corner some and stripping old paint and weather stripping so door closes properly and easily. While at it I removed the cheap paneling plywood someone had put over bead board- one area of rot to fix but no big deal.

the old paneling debri

rot in corner- just the bead board really

secret window found under paneling- only a little vinyl siding over it

 The wood stove repair done with Harvey's Furnace Cement worked out well-no cracking. I'm not sure how well it would have done without adding the silica sand- maybe just fine. The black stuff I used last year (from lowe's?) did not last beyond the first fire. Harvey's is white and I found it at Home Depot.

The old gas natural gas grill left with the scrap guy- and a nice hole remains where I'll put one of the fruit trees.

Petra helps remove the grill

the floor has a coat of paint

 

the other new window goes in

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's like not the same house. Here at Bennett the bedroom is usable! I so needed the additional space to help clear re-hab supplies and tools and other miscellaneous from the kitchen so the place could be a little more liveable/functional. Today the floor received the first coat of paint and the 2nd replacement window is installed. It was a beautiful day of about 70 degree temps- perfect for drying paint and airing out the room. It will be a multi-purpose room for now, used as a place for clothes, desk, bicycle, boxes and supplies, etc. The closet still needs to be painted and the floor needs a second coat too after the 1/4 round goes back down and the trim needs prep and paint- but that can all wait, no rush.

more dried apples from the church yard in Maplewood

stew for later

Also I bagged another batch of dried apple slices and started a stew in a recently found crock pot-some deer meat, a few onions, several potatoes, some green beans, left over pasta sauce and some raisins and vinegar for additional flavor...just whatever I could find around the place.

not good lighting-but the bedroom walls are done

(10/19/2013 post-I couldn't snatch wi-fi to post)

The Bennett project moved along today. I focused on the bedroom wall work and painting. The walls are now painted as in the living room- with a home mix of off white. Next I will see about getting the floor painting done so I can finally make use of more space here. With the cooler temps the house needs to be more closed up but with tomorrows predicted 71 degrees I will try and start early and get the floor ready for paint so I can dissipate the fumes before evening- even water base needs not be in my brain. Also today- two fine persons each gifted me firewood...and delivered, so my stack has grown a bit.

some cut and split gifted wood

another decent load dropped off

The Bennett House:

heater installed

The wood burner (# 151 REX coal stove) is in! The first fire of the season is burning now and it's done a fine job of taking the chill out of me. I mixed some furnace cement from a tube of caulk(Home Depot) with some white silica sand to make a cement mix to patch a few gaps and then put the stove in place. Next I cut and installed the 6" flue pipe. I was missing, for sure, my crimpers for making the male end on the last piece but managed. I used a piece of 3' x 4' tile backer/cement board on the floor under the stove. The chimney is drawing real well.

my wood supply is  almost non-existant

The bedroom received a 2nd and final coat of paint on the ceiling and a wall crack was secured with a few drywall screws then mudded after fiberglass joint tape.

What else...the CX 500 motored home between my legs, so maybe this weekend I will at least start the front rotor swap. Oh, while at home depot, I saw trees and shrubs were 50% off so ended up buying all their fruit trees (all were semi-dwarf; 2 peach and an apple) and 2 good size Red Bud trees.

5 trees for about $60

A truck load from Rt. K

I'm trying working off line. I can get on line pretty much anytime it seems if I'm on the freezer on back porch-but that be a not comfortable place to splash and surf. If I go to a page then I can come back to the front room/living quarters here at Bennett and tickle the keys.

The front door goes green

Rex wire brushed and some veggie oil+a fire

Today was a road trip to Route K to see garage service cable up and sending electrons to me space there and to gather a load of belongings long ago missed. It's like Christmas in July...only, it's not July. I now have bedding and pots, pans, dishes and such. I also have my much desired vacuum to help keep the one room here clean(ish). I brought Rusty Rex back also and wire brushed him and gave him a coat of oil I am burning off now as he sits on the truck bed. Tomorrow I will bring the wood burner inside and try and come up with something for a base/floor protector. Unfortunately, while at Rt. K, I did forget my stash of winter hats/caps. I have been wanting a cap the past few mornings before the chill burns off- I'll have to go to the thrift store.

Oh, and surprise-my first package delivered to Bennett-a "new" rotor for the CX 500 I found on Ebay for 14.99.

Petra figures there must be something in there for her

the bedroom ceiling gets paint

The bedroom at the Bennett house is finally getting some attention. The ceiling took on a coat of paint and the 1/4 round and old floor tile came up from the floor. I tested a few different paint options for the old glue covered floor boards and settled on the plan to paint with 2 coats of water base floor paint I have left over from a previous house. One coat will go down before the walls get prepped and painted- then a finish coat after wall work.

the old floor tile comes up and goes away

the brown ("rustic cedar")test patch will be the finish color

New computer. I'm trying to to get a feel for Windows 8-nothing is where it "should be" or works as if I'm not all thumbs...left handed thumbs. Here's a photo of the gate to/from side yard at Bennett(and other ongoing projects): I did manage to find a way to rotate the image from being sideways-but not sure how I got there or how to get back-It's not just a right click as in Windows xp.

basement windows getting putty and primer



The 46" gate-no latch yet

The side yard-lots of brush removed but still much remains

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Ok-I've figured out the photo thing with Windows 8. Here's a photo of the front with the foundation and railing with fresh coats of paint. The foundation really looks nicer not being white like the siding and trim- thanks to 2 gallons of miss-tint concrete/foundation paint I bought about 8 years ago.

Hmm...I finally got to a place I can plug in my laptop so it will get on line-the internal wi-fi card seems not to work...or needs a driver- as if I just installed it. Anyway-Bennett is getting more new windows and exterior painting here/there and the #10 wire is now to and through the handy switch in closet and to the water heater area. There's new glass and putty in the basement sashes that had broken panes. There's a new kitchen light fixture and the railings outside are now all painted black. The arch/flue opening is done except for maybe some tile work I want to do. The broken washing machine is hauled out as well as the old pool pump/sand filter and all the old storm windows. The yard is coming along-brush getting cut down and hauled off. Red dog is too playful in this cooler weather/temps...and a bike ride to Food Truck Fridays at Tower Grove park proved to use up only 12 minutes of my oh so valuable time.

Kitchen ceiling light

Rails all black now-so much nicer than the rusty white

The flue arch w/a piece of slate I cut for "sill"

The water heater switch in the closet