At this point, the green house is about as naked as it’s gonna get, and we’re almost at the turning point to start putting it back together again. We’re 13 days in — 18 to go. Seems to be right on schedule, riiiiiiiiight??? We’re definitely tired and sore, but spirits are high and humor is intact.
It’s been four FULL days – mostly dedicated to our obsession with making these walls less ridiculous. I think we’ve mastered the technique now: we apply a thick layer of paint remover, then use a garden mister to keep it wet for awhile – even up to two days. The water seems to help us get through to the bottom layer of paint/mud and has made most of the scraping pretty easy. Just time-consuming! There have definitely been moments when we’ve wondered if we’d ever get past this stage and why we were so crazy to do it in the first place. But, seriously, that texturing was SO heinous – I just can’t in good conscience own something that looks so ridiculous. Plus, I think we’ve each come to a similar realization this week: Matthew’s quote is “These houses weren’t built to be special, but they ARE special.” And I’ve grown to think of myself as trustee of sorts – as though these houses have a storyline of their own, and we’re just here during this moment in their history to help them realize their potential.
Meanwhile this week, we also managed to remove the final layer of linoleum flooring, pulled out the hot water heater (we’re switching to an on-demand unit!), and got rid of most of our personal belongings that we’re not moving or storing.
Next week we’ll be getting some help with installing tile backer board in the bathroom and a professional mudding crew to get the walls/ceiling in shape for painting.
This last layer of linoleum was laid with some pretty strong glue! 
Check out those awesome lazy Susans! Those are definitely going back into the cabinets. 
Long staples were used to hold the multiple layers of flooring together. We must have pulled at least 50 of these suckers out! 
We pulled together a little rummage sale in the bedroom. 
Getting advice on fixing rot. 
The paint remover appears pink, and is also removing purple paint from our brushes, leftover from the exterior paint job next door! The combo is like a confetti bubble gum ice cream. 
Keeping things wet for easier removal. 
Draining that beast of a hot water tank! 
Well, well, well … more interesting carpet layers to remove.
Dag nabit, I wish I were not so busy being a tourist tout, I even did the impossible and lost out of my hands $120, that I thought went into my shirt pocket, but alas when he, that is me, Jeff got home it had vamoosed. If you see $120 laying on Lincoln, please let me know. Nice photos and story line. Thank you. Aloha, Jeff b
I had to chuckle a little–mostly at myself–when you mentioned Matthew’s comment about these houses not being built to “be special. . . but they ARE special”. In Norwegian we use the adjective “spesiell” too, but it has a *slightly* different connotation. It’s less positive and precious, it’s more odd and differently weird, sometimes charmingly so. Which it sounds like these houses are–special AND spesiell–both precious in the English sense and a little differently odd in the Norwegian sense. Keep at it, you two! From someone who’s been there, done that (but with less of a time crunch), I’m sending you strength!
That’s perfect: special AND spesiell! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 And thanks for sending your strength — that will certainly boost us through!
I bet these rooms are looking better and better by the minute. Love that you are “helping these houses reach their fullest potential”. Sending you continued good humor and fortitude!