I love building and fixing things, anything washing machine, storage shed, trailers, picnic tables, the house...I have a passion for building... Sorry I don't know how to add a photo.

Our house windows get jammed from the heat, they probably aren't exactly square either..?
I wish you could come fix them..?   

I used to like it more than I do now, but I can still get a lot of satisfaction for doing something myself.


Here was my house a few days after a hurricane flooded it, the stuff under the tarps is furniture from inside that got wet.





And then here is the house a few years later after elevation and a full remodel with me doing most of the work and all of the design changes.

Quote from: Jaime R D on September 07, 2014, 09:55:30 AM
I used to like it more than I do now, but I can still get a lot of satisfaction for doing something myself.

And then here is the house a few years later after elevation and a full remodel with me doing most of the work and all of the design changes.

Nice mitigation and remodel Jaime, I like hands-on can-do girls!

Really, that flood is what led me to decide to actually transition finally. So I started everything while I was doing all that work.

Quote from: Jaime R D on September 07, 2014, 10:20:11 AM
Really, that flood is what led me to decide to actually transition finally. So I started everything while I was doing all that work.

Strange how a hurricane can become such a life changing pivotal event!

Quote from: Shantel on September 07, 2014, 10:29:03 AM
Strange how a hurricane can become such a life changing pivotal event!

More like, everything I had was under salt water, so what else did I really have to lose.  that kind of moment.

Quote from: Jaime R D on September 07, 2014, 10:32:38 AM
More like, everything I had was under salt water, so what else did I really have to lose.  that kind of moment.

That's what I refer to as an epiphany, or road of damascus moment, kind of like a light suddenly went on  for you huh?

Me too.

I designed the remodels of my master bed/bath, den/wet bar and kitchen and acted as general contractor for my kitchen remodel.  I also used to build guitars.

The kitchen remodel required a lot of physical labor and must have made my testosterone levels go haywire, because my dysphoria went through the roof and it caused me to face who I really am for the first time.

Remodel house, remodel self.  I also turned my Mr. Potato Head on my nightstand into a Mrs. Potato Head as I began transitioning.

Quote from: Jill F on September 07, 2014, 01:24:53 PM
I also turned my Mr. Potato Head on my nightstand into a Mrs. Potato Head as I began transitioning.

Absolutely always an important item that should never be overlooked!

Mark I would definitely come and help if I lived closer, although the sunshine state is on my list as a possible place to relocate, I love the west coast of Florida
.
Jill, I think the design stage is the most important, sometimes I can see the project in my mind and get a very clear picture of what I would it to be. I have always wanted to add a coffered ceiling to my kitchen with white painted trim and oak panels.

Jamie, the house looks great! I love it, seems you are very good at remodeling, kudos! on both remodels.

Shantel, "Road to Damascus moment" I love it, may I borrow it?

I have a 2010 model mobile home sitting on 16 acres. I have built my own tool/wood shed, my own firing range, I have also added solar and windmill power (I didn't wire them because I suck at electrical) I have also added my own water trapping and filter system, added a hand pump to my well, and have built a cabin on my property that still needs finished. Considering when I first bought my property it was weeds 5ft tall, minus my 6 acre pond and about an acre leading up to a natural gas drying station, it has really come a long way thanks to leftie and rightie.

Quote from: paula lesley on September 12, 2014, 07:38:07 PM
I use to repair most things. I just build Motorcycles now.

I can not lift large things. It is strange to remember laying under a lorry ( semi ) in the snow at the side of the road  @ night 

I would watch my dad and I just followed his way 

I also make clothes which is just the same as welding  You make a shape and you fix it together 

It is very much cleaner and not as smelly 

Yes it is sweetheart, I can relate completely!

  I still do the heavy lifting and fix-ups. I did some maintenance at my Aunt's cabin that was not done since my uncle was alive 20 years ago. The 24" deep old bench was removed and replaced with three 32" deep fold down laquered tables I made from scratch on one side of the cabin. 10" of extra potluck space along the 12' length. That was filed up quickly at the family Labor Day gathering. The attic was cleaned of the old carpet, mattresses, pillows and rat feces. The crawlspace was removed of old junk that was taken down and thrown away. The attic was cleaned and disinfected by yours truly in a tyvex suit and respirator. Flooring going in soon with 8' long sheathing going through the hole in the ceiling to cover the rough hewn planks. I managed to get on the roof and removed the old cover on the 11 yr old solar array, despite the pain in my feet. I left the thing off and cleaned the dust off of the solar array, output is back to normal. Altitude of the cabin is above 10,000 ft, you can wear out easily there. The aspens are turning now.

  Joelene

Quote from: Joelene9 on September 13, 2014, 12:09:47 AM
  I still do the heavy lifting and fix-ups. I did some maintenance at my Aunt's cabin that was not done since my uncle was alive 20 years ago. The 24" deep old bench was removed and replaced with three 32" deep fold down laquered tables I made from scratch on one side of the cabin. 10" of extra potluck space along the 12' length. That was filed up quickly at the family Labor Day gathering. The attic was cleaned of the old carpet, mattresses, pillows and rat feces. The crawlspace was removed of old junk that was taken down and thrown away. The attic was cleaned and disinfected by yours truly in a tyvex suit and respirator. Flooring going in soon with 8' long sheathing going through the hole in the ceiling to cover the rough hewn planks. I managed to get on the roof and removed the old cover on the 11 yr old solar array, despite the pain in my feet. I left the thing off and cleaned the dust off of the solar array, output is back to normal. Altitude of the cabin is above 10,000 ft, you can wear out easily there. The aspens are turning now.

  Joelene

Good job Joelene, you must be worn out! I always seem to require a week to recover after a thrash like that. The old bod isn't as resilient and doesn't spring back overnight like it used to.

Whoa, you ladies are amazing! Lots of talent here.

I'll join the "building gang"...

Always loved building things pretty much since I was 6 years old. So far, I have gutted and fully renovated two apartments and in the past seven year fixed up a little house:
Upgraded all electrical starting from the meter to the last outlet (Electrical is still my favorite)
Added Home Automation
Completely gutted and rebuilt kitchen including moving a load bearing wall
Completely gutted and rebuilt living room, hobby room for my wife, dining room
Re-done half of the plumbing
Swapped all pool equipment
Swapped water heater
Countless hours of small fixes and repairs

Things have been slowing down recently but it is still my most time consuming hobby..

Two times I hired a contractor: To renovate the pool and to swap the AC. AC is not really my thing..

Next projects up: Downstairs bedroom, install a solar system...

Working on and fixing old cars is how I pass my time too. Its funny seeing what people do in their spare time :')