Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Fence

The fence has been a long-standing source of frustration, ever since the previous neighbors knocked out numerous slats. (Before that, a random teenager running through backyards also destroyed half a dozen slats.)

But we're on the move! New neighbors bought the previously condemned crack house and have spent the last couple months working around the clock on it. They essentially gutted the interior - save for the gorgeous hardwood floors and woodwork - and are replacing just about everything, including the plumbing, electrical and roof. Though they'll keep it a four-unit for now, they'll live in a couple of the units and thus have a vested interest in screening tenants when they're ready. I talked to them about the fence, and they assured me they value their cars too much to slam into our fence.

So I started watching for sales and tried to figure out the logistics. My sister called and asked what we planned to do with the old fence, then offered to haul it away to use in a bonfire. I took her up on the offer, and came home one day to find her with a crowbar, pulling down the old slats. The old stringers were so rotted that they crumbled into dust as soon as you pulled on them.

Since then, we've had an army of solitary posts left, which is just odd. Upon further inspection - and confirmation from our jack-of-all-trades neighbor, who witnessed the original installation - the posts are fine. They're still solid in the ground, no signs of rot or decay, and the concrete beneath is fully intact. So we decided to just replace the panels themselves.

Three weeks ago, Menards ran a sale, which I price matched at Home Depot (to get the extra 10% off). Originally my sister had thought we could fit the new panels in her pickup, but we quickly realized that while we might fit 3 or 4, hauling 17 required either multiple trips or renting a HD truck. We went with the rental.

Since then, we've been plagued by a ton of rain (October was one of the wettest in history!), illness and the logistics of trying to remove the evil mulberry tree. When we removed the old fence, we discovered metal stakes long the property line - and the tree proved to be 100% on our side. I signed the death order that day.

All 17 panels are still stacked up against the garage, ready to go. Our neighbor has said he's happy to loan us his nail gun to speed things along.

We'll get the new one installed very soon, especially given some crime in the house behind us last week.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Super Sunday

I had a really good Sunday. For the first time in weeks it wasn't raining (nor was the ground freshly soaked) and after a week being stuck inside with a cold, I was craving some fresh air.

After experimenting and making apple cider pancakes for breakfast, I planted about 75 bulbs that I had bought on clearance at Meijer. They're a mix of purple tulips, striped tulips and stock generic multi-color surprise tulips, and a handful of crocuses. I basically put them in bags by their height, dug all the requisite holes, then plopped them in at random. Can't wait to see what sprouts - or doesn't. Though I've learned my lesson about proper coverage to avoid feeding the squirrels.

Next, I whipped up some hydraulic cement (eerily similar to whipping up pancakes, only the directions do call for a mask and eye protection) and fixed a couple of the small cracks where the AC slab meets the foundation. This is exactly where we've had the minor basement leaking problem (much better lately), so a bit of extra sealant can't hurt. And this time, I didn't give myself chemical burns!

Then, while gingerly carrying my cement materials back to the garage, I spied a small, hairline crack beginning elsewhere in the foundation. I was able to scrape enough cement out of my bucket (though it was hardening rapidly) to patch it thoroughly. Preventative maintenance!

I ended my day by spending approximately 3 hours raking, raking, raking all the leaves that fell on a very blustery Friday. I realized I wasn't going to get them all, so I settled for "good enough" as I raked after the 5 PM sunset.

It was a really productive day. I needed a day like this.