Zoo of Death: the early days (retro-posted)

(originally drafted 27 april 2009, 3 days after closing, 3 days before moving in)

so it's done. i guess. i mean, after all the drama, there was no ribbon cutting ceremony. nobody even brought us keys - save the ones we stole from the realtor's lock-box. correction: OUR lock-box (we also own a very nice white post and "for sale" sign that will make a nice clothes line anchor).

as with any newly acquired house, there are problems. i knew i was a home owner after the 3rd time i fixed the toilet; i had it all sussed out after the 4th repair mission. we had lots of fun demolitioning the dry-wall off the stupid bedroom modification of what was once most certainly a wonderful porch. we're pretty upset about the galvanized concrete "snoop" nails driven into the exterior wall (see The Wire, S4), but like most problems, i think there is a saws-all solution. we found a great floors-guy, so the hardwood floors are sanded and finished. they will be beautiful. rebecca has done wonders with paint-brush and rollers.

but that's all normal stuff. ours house, i would guess, rates above average on the interesting scale. for example, after we clear out the "zoo of death" coridor in the garage (half of the dozen or so black widow and brown recluse spiders we've killed have come from the ZoD), we'll need to figure out how to bring electricity back to the garage. i've got half the outlets grounded now, but i feel the electricity in the bathroom should probably be:
1) grounded
2) gfi protected
3) securely attached to something

so we'll get the bathroom and kitchen as soon as we get half a break.

the good news is that this weekend, we'll be able to move our belongings out of the garage and into the house where they belong. we will have operational guest facilities by next weekend almost certainly. all are welcome to visit and contribute; we will be seeking counsel on wood, demolition, reconstruction, electrical, and landscaping related topics.