At this year-end time, we looked back over all of the projects we tackled in 2018. We sort of neglected the blog, but we did not neglect our projects!
1. Finished the kitchen
This has been documented in many posts.
2. Installed new window treatments
We opted for cellular shades to replace disgusting old miniblinds. The new shades actually help with drafts!
3. Tuckpointing: done
This was a hired-out job. The contractor we booked last year never showed up, so we got our money back and sat on this chore for a year. Glad to have this finished at last!
4. Reconfigured heating and ventilation ducts
At one point in the recent past, we had basically no cooling air being delivered to the upstairs where our bedroom and the office are located. We hired a contractor to fix our problems, which included building new ductwork to push cold air to the second floor. This was about $8,000 cheaper than what the first consultant suggested, which was adding an A/C unit to service only the upstairs. The cheaper solution was the better one and we are SO HAPPY that the upstairs is habitable in the summer!
5. Built new windows for the kitchen
The kitchen windows had started rotting after 90 years of service. I built new windows and added metal weather stripping to help improve energy efficiency.
6. Tried out a robotic mower
I brought home a robot from work and tried it out this year. The neighbor boy nicknamed it Zyrpee. It was the talk of the block!
7. Repainted metal railing
Layers and layers of paint were flaking off the front metal railing. It was simply time to recoat. After a day with wire brush and angle grinder to remove flaking paint, a fresh coat of hammer-finish copper RustOleum covered everything.
8. Grew Romanesco successfully
A fun experiment this year! We tried to grow Romanesco...and we were successful!
9. New couch!
We came home from our trip to Denmark and Germany completely ready to shove out the old stuff that we didn't like anymore. Goodbye, schlumpy old couch! Hello, orange beauty! (We went with the Nomad from burrow.com.)
10. New water heater
Is a new water heater ever a planned purchase or one to get excited over? One rule was proven here: water heaters stop working either a) on a holiday, b) on a weekend, or c) some combination of both.
Ours stopped working on December 23. It was either fix it immediately or spend Christmas with no hot water. We rapidly decided to fast track it! After a trip to Menards and three trips to Home Depot, we were back in business. I took this opportunity to add a circulating pump to provide instant hot water everywhere in the house too. Boring stuff, sadly, and the least exciting Christmas present. At least we wrapped a bow around it.
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