Gina's journey

[Gina P]

   I was always a firm believer in exercise over diet. I used to eat anything and not gain weight. Now I work a bit slower and the hrt changes everything. Stottie girl, that's a very low calorie diet! I don't think I could survive on that! 
  

[Gina P]

  There are bug days and there are windshield day. Today, ok yesterday included, is definitely a bug day!  A young girl, 27 years lives next door with her 5 year old in a camping trailer. No job. No drivers license. She has nothing and is depressed about her living predicaments. So my part in this. I had a card for human services that I gave her and said, may be they could help. She gets an interview with a social worker and askes me for ride. On the way in, there is a dog out directing traffic. So I stop and let him in my car hopping to find the owner. No luck. Shelters are full and not taking anything. Now I don't need another dog and couldn't re-dump him.
  Add that to that, the tax accountant called and finally got my taxes done. We had paid the usual withholdings throughout the year. Sent in $10k with the extension and now he says we owe an additional $11k. Splat!
  There is terrible heat wave going on, even in the apartment with the AC running full blast, its still in the low 80's which is better than the high 90's outside. Started out today with a migraine aurora and bad back ache. I am still determined to try and make some progress on that house.
  On a good note. At least I'm not living as a man!

[ChrissyRyan]

Gina,


Could the dog belong to someone near and it is just wandering around?

I wonder if a pet shelter or a vet would do a free chip scan to see if the owner may be identified that way.

Those were nice things you did, helping the young woman and her daughter and the dog.


Stay cool!

[Gina P]

  I was invited to an independence day celebration, redneck style. Mud bogs, food, and fireworks. Looks like fun and I will get to meet more of the locals. The sister of the gentleman that invited me works with animal rescue. She has agreed to help me find a home for the new dog. Possibly out of state. She has partners throughout the country.

[ChrissyRyan]

Gina,


Have a fun outing today!

That is good news for the dog.


Chrissy

[Gina P]

  We found the owner of the dog. Gus is his name, and his owners had been looking for him since last Monday. He had disappeared about 30 miles away. Anyone's guess of how he wound up here. It was a happy reunion. Much thanks to my friend Meghan for finding them. Meghan is also the president of our Pride group.

  Had a good time with the locals, celebrating the 4th. Mud bogs were crazy. Over 100 people there and probably 20 or more trucks running. Mind you these are all lifted trucks with 48" tires, and most could not make it through the quagmire, they created. There had hamburgers and hotdogs for every one. Then we went to another hill top at dark to watch their fireworks. What a site, probably 30, 4x4 side by sides lined up to watch. The show went on for at least 45 minutes and rivaled most town displays I've seen. Then they went back to their shop(toy box) for more partying. I'm not sure if they know I'm trans or not, but I was welcomed in!

[Gina P]

Hired a crew to hang and finish all the drywall. They start in August. Now I just have to finish the plumbing and electric rough in. Add in some framing to finish. As you can guess, I'm going to have to work my but off!

[Maid Marion]

I installed two extension cords in the basement, attached to the ceiling,  terminating in electrical boxes with a switches and GFCIs.

[ChrissyRyan]

I always wondered how drywall crews could so precisely cut the holes for the outlets and switches that are in place on the walls to be covered.  Could be an issue if the walls were not straight up and down or the ceiling is not straight.

Then there are cutouts in the ceiling for lamps and fans, etc.

Seems like a hard job and drywall is heavy too.

[Finally Anna]

I always wondered how drywall crews could so precisely cut the holes for the outlets and switches that are in place on the walls to be covered.

How it works over here: You put a circular magnetic piece with a hole in the center, in the electrical back-box, mount the drywall and then there's a finder piece that you place on the drywall. It has a corresponding hole that centers magnetically. Then you drill through that hole with a hole saw, and Voila!

drywall is heavy too

Lightweight drywall is an option. Costs more but is nice for roofing etc.

[ChrissyRyan]

How it works over here: You put a circular magnetic piece with a hole in the center, in the electrical back-box, mount the drywall and then there's a finder piece that you place on the drywall. It has a corresponding hole that centers magnetically. Then you drill through that hole with a hole saw, and Voila!
Lightweight drywall is an option. Costs more but is nice for roofing etc.

Thank you for information.

Chrissy

[Gina P]

I always wondered how drywall crews could so precisely cut the holes for the outlets and switches that are in place on the walls to be covered.  Could be an issue if the walls were not straight up and down or the ceiling is not straight.

Then there are cutouts in the ceiling for lamps and fans, etc.

Seems like a hard job and drywall is heavy too.

I have done many drywall jobs, including several complete houses. We always measured out the switches and boxes with a tape measure and cut. The reason I hired it out, is with my 'girl' muscles, it is difficult work, to carry the 150+ sheets and hang them. Much less finishing, with the spackling and sanding. This will be a big time saver. I am getting burned out on this project and want it done!

[ChrissyRyan]

I have done many drywall jobs, including several complete houses. We always measured out the switches and boxes with a tape measure and cut. The reason I hired it out, is with my 'girl' muscles, it is difficult work, to carry the 150+ sheets and hang them. Much less finishing, with the spackling and sanding. This will be a big time saver. I am getting burned out on this project and want it done!

Impressive!

[Gina P]

  I worked for a couple hours on the house yesteday, then went to the community center and played bingo most of the afternoon. I wore the new dress that my neighbor had given me. Felt good to get out of those work clothes, if even only for a few hours. My wife won $100, and I won $10. 
  Then finished the day mounting electric boxes in the house. We are at an impasse. She doesn't want ceiling fans and I do. So i am going to mount fan boxes in the ceiling incase she changes her mind.
  Finally have the drain lines in the basement done. Now I must connect the vents together through the attic and out the roof. I can't wait for this to be over.

[ChrissyRyan]

Someone told me that they run heating ducts (rolled up sheet metal to look like pipes if you will, or clothes dryer ducting) with NO vents in the garage to give off passive heat in the garage during the winter. 

This is because it is against code and unsafe to make put in vents, even if they can be partially closed or covered.  That prohibition is because dangerous gases and fumes may enter the house that originate in the garage.

That person said he did this to keep the refrigerator and freezer in his garage from operating outside of their normal temperature range, although he said one of them is a "garage ready" model.

He also insulated the inside side of his garage doors (not putting insulation inside his solid wood garage door, just on the side that faces inside.)

[Stottie Girl]

I worked for a couple hours on the house yesteday, then went to the community center and played bingo most of the afternoon. I wore the new dress that my neighbor had given me. Felt good to get out of those work clothes, if even only for a few hours. My wife won $100, and I won $10.
  Then finished the day mounting electric boxes in the house. We are at an impasse. She doesn't want ceiling fans and I do. So i am going to mount fan boxes in the ceiling incase she changes her mind.
  Finally have the drain lines in the basement done. Now I must connect the vents together through the attic and out the roof. I can't wait for this to be over.

You are doing brilliantly though Gina. It will be finished soon enough and then you can sit back and be rightly proud of what you've built. You've brought an old property back from the brink and turned into a loving home for you and your wife. It's a pretty amazing achievement!