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Project pix and Robbie

The complicated ceiling:

CeilingInProgress-SMALL_0815

And here’s what the old beadboard ceiling looked like when the roof above it collapsed last year:

EnclosedPorch_CeilingCollapsing-SMALL_091914

The roof peak I painted and trimmed this week:

DiningRoomExteriorandNewlyPaintedandTrimmedPeak_SMALL_082715

The peak behind it still needs doing, but that’s a job for a pro — and a job that probably won’t get done until 2017.

Here’s a before pic. Or rather, a “during” pic. This was taken while the not-a-garage was being torn off and I was just trying out my first paint samples. Sorry I don’t have one taken from a similar angle as above, but I think you can see the difference, anyhow.

Not-a-Garage_SecondStageofCleanup-02_SMALL_070214

Yeah, parts of the house were pretty much at shack level when I bought the place. That back corner where the not-a-garage used to be is still unfinished even now (2016 project, if all goes well), but those multiple bizarre roof extrusions have been removed and — thanks in large part to you — the roof both looks and is good.

Bonus. My sweet baby boy at 14 years old:

RobbieAt14-Summer2015-SMALL_0815

Old, sick, and weary. But he was so happy in the sun that day. I had to take pictures, knowing they might be the last ones.

12 Comments

  1. Rose Kelley
    Rose Kelley August 27, 2015 6:17 pm

    Oh my goodness, what a difference. Looks great.

  2. Shel
    Shel August 27, 2015 6:21 pm

    Wow. Looks like a silk purse.

    Yes, Robbie. Today is all we have.

  3. Bob
    Bob August 27, 2015 7:07 pm

    What a difference! Very nice!

  4. UnReconstructed
    UnReconstructed August 27, 2015 7:52 pm

    I love Robbie. Give him some pets for me, please.

  5. Joel
    Joel August 27, 2015 8:31 pm

    Wow, what a beautiful difference you’ve made with that old wreck. The neighbors must love you.

    And how old Robbie has gotten since I last saw him. Tell him that Ghost, who used to beat him up with such glee, is also getting old and unsteady and not being happy about it at all.

  6. LarryA
    LarryA August 27, 2015 10:54 pm

    Way cool, and much readier for winter.

  7. Pat
    Pat August 28, 2015 3:54 am

    You’re doing a great job, it’s going to be a beautiful home! I like the “complicated ceiling” – it brings character to the house. The color for the roof peak is perfect, a nice quietly-bright accent that contrasts well.

    The article in BHM is very nice. I can’t imagine buying the house myself, but more power to you for guts and imagination.

  8. MamaLiberty
    MamaLiberty August 28, 2015 7:45 am

    Just wonderful! I can’t imagine being able to do that stuff and stand in awe… 🙂

  9. mary in Texas
    mary in Texas August 28, 2015 2:36 pm

    Was really impressed by the pictures in BHM. What a difference all of your hard work made! Even to be mortgage-free I’m not sure I would have had the courage.

  10. Claire
    Claire August 30, 2015 9:53 am

    Mary — Thank you, but I’m not sure it had anything to do with courage. Ignorance was a big part of it; I knew the house was bad but didn’t really know how bad until it was too late!

  11. turtle
    turtle September 1, 2015 8:43 am

    Just lost one of my furbabies at 12 yrs old, cat developed kidney failure,just all of a sudden. Hope Robbie enjoys the sunshine, and give extra everything!

  12. Claire
    Claire September 1, 2015 9:51 am

    Oh, turtle, I’m so sorry. And 12 is so young for a cat to die.

    Robbie’s doing great and is definitely getting much extra spoiling and cuddling.

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