I think I found my new home! [Archive] - Page 2

frau kaleun

04-24-13, 10:10 PM

Whew. That was an ordeal. But guess what I have?

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8108/photo016dl.jpg

My agent ended up calling the title agency because she couldn't get anyone at the bank to answer her calls. They said just to get a check for the amount on what they sent her, since if there was any discrepancy after the bank reviewed things it would be a very small amount and whoever was coming up short because of it would just have to write a personal check to make up the difference.

So at 4 PM I was finally able to go to the bank and get the check. Then I went to the condo to meet my agent for the final walkthrough, and guess what? WE CAN'T GET IN because the key is not in the other agent's lockbox or whatever. My agent calls the other agent who says the key should be there, but then remembers that the seller was stopping there one last time to check on things and probably took the key to give to me at the closing. So we can't do the walkthrough. However the only real concern is the dishwasher, which was repaired and has been run every few days since then without a problem plus they have a receipt for the repair. So fine, whatever, we skip the walkthrough.

Finally get to the title office about 15 minutes late by which time the seller has signed all of her stuff. So I start signing my first round of stuff which the dude from the title company has to fax over to the bank because they have to have it on file and confirm and approve everything - again - before he can collect and disburse any funds. So he goes to fax stuff and then I sign a bunch more stuff and about half an hour later he has to go call the bank to verify they got the fax and we're good to continue, because surprise! Nobody there has responded to the fax.

Anyway that gets taken care of and the rest goes fine and so now I own a condo. The upside:

1) IT'S OVER.

2) My monthly payments, including homeowner's insurance and taxes, are $20 less than what I pay in rent, which didn't include what I was paying on the side for renter's insurance, so YAY.

3) I'm still unclear on how this happened but what I had to pay them today was over $300 LESS than what my downpayment should have been, not to mention what I thought I would be paying in settlement charges. Okay I know I paid $300 in earnest money at the start which got deducted from what I had to pay today, but after they figured up everything that had to be paid from the seller's side, plus what I'd already paid for the appraisal and credit check and other small items, I ended up paying no closing costs today at all and actually got a few dollars of what I'd paid back somehow. But all the math on the settlement papers added up correctly so... and there was prorating done on the money that had to be paid into escrow for property taxes... but when I looked at the closing costs on the estimate and did the math based on what I knew the seller was going to pay, it still looked like I'd be paying something towards closing costs myself. However far be it from me to question why I now have a couple thousand more dollars left over in ready cash than I originally expected. :O:

Anyway I went to my sister's after and had some dinner after she got home and picked up their carpet cleaner while I was there. Already been back to the condo and dropped that off and made sure all the keys worked in the right doors and the garage door works. I'm taking a vacation day tomorrow so I plan to go and give the carpets a once over, maybe take my stereo and CDs over there and set it up so I can at least have the radio and music to listen to when I'm in there working on stuff. And whatever other stuff I can think to take over there to get started on cleaning and whatnot. Probably as much as I can fit in the car, lol.

Already called the electric company from my sister's and got the service switched into my name so there will be no disconnection tomorrow, which was when the seller had told them to cancel the service in her name. Should be able to set up the online account and paperless billing for that tomorrow. And I can write my last rent check for the apartment and send that and my one month's notice as well. Oh and my first mortgage payment isn't due until 6/1 so I won't even be paying on both places for May, lol. :rock:

Sailor Steve

04-24-13, 10:12 PM

WOOHOO!!!

:rock: :sunny: :cool: :yeah: :woot::D :/\\k:

Congratulations! We'll be expecting to see regular updates with pictures showing moving-in-and-setting-up stuff!

However far be it from me to question why I now have a couple thousand more dollars left over in ready cash than I originally expected. :O:
Time to go shopping again!

[edit] We'll be expecting those updates after you recover from the tension, after you recover from the adrenaline rush and following depression, after you recover from partying, and after you recover from recovering.

Herr-Berbunch

04-25-13, 02:19 AM

Congratulations on owning your own home. You had us all worried for a while.

Now get on to the nearest animal shelter and get a dozen cats delivered, treat yourself.

kranz

04-25-13, 05:12 AM

I feel invited for the housewarming :woot::()1::Kaleun_Salivating:

Mork_417

04-25-13, 05:15 AM

Yes, Congratulations!!! :woot:

Herr-Berbunch

04-25-13, 05:18 AM

Whew. That was an ordeal. But guess what I have?

Only 3½ fingers by the looks of it. :O:

frau kaleun

04-25-13, 06:14 AM

Thanks guys!

I turned off my alarm last night before bed but I woke up at 6:30 anyway, dang it. But I have a lot to do so I guess that's okay.

http://wallpaperfreehd.com/thumbnails/large_woman_fighting_a_dragon_789.jpeg
Frau buying a house....

...in Skyrim! But it was so much easier there. I mean look - do YOU see any bankers in that picture? Well - DO YOU?

No. No you do not. Advantage: Skyrim.

Congratulations! We'll be expecting to see regular updates with pictures showing moving-in-and-setting-up stuff!

I still haven't broken the news to my sister that the formal dining room will not be a formal dining room. What I think I really want to do somewhere down the road is buy a nice, used & reconditioned upright piano - we have several good dealers nearby - and make it into a music room. I had lessons when I was younger but haven't had any real access to a keyboard in over 20 years. I might have to take some lessons again to get my facility back with playing, but we'll see. I never thought I would miss it but over the past few years I've realized that I do.

But that's a future project, first I've got so many other things that MUST be done.

go shopping again!

I know! If I have time today I'm gonna go look at a couple desks again. I even have a piece of cardboard cut out to match the size of my monitor so I can make up my mind on the one I think I want. If that won't work for a computer there's another one at IKEA that I saw online yesterday so I might go with that. Of course with the extra money I didn't think I was gonna have, I can not worry about the price so much.

Only 3½ fingers by the looks of it. :O:

:O:

Onkel Neal

04-25-13, 07:37 AM

Yay! So glad to hear you leveled up. It's a lot more fun cleaning and working on your own place. :up:

Someone should nominate this for Thread of the Year. :yep:

Wolferz

04-25-13, 09:05 AM

Phew! I think most of your cheering section here feels nearly the same level of relief that you do, Frau Kaleun.

Three cheers for Frau Kaleun...

Hip Hip Hooray

Hip Hip Hooray

Hip Hip Hooray

:up::rock::D

Jimbuna

04-25-13, 09:09 AM

Someone should nominate this for Thread of the Year. :yep:

Sorted :sunny:

And congratulations once again young lady :yeah:

The Enigma

04-25-13, 01:49 PM

...in Skyrim! But it was so much easier there. I mean look - do YOU see any bankers in that picture? Well - DO YOU?

No. No you do not. Advantage: Skyrim.

First of all:
Congratulations Frau!! :woot:
It was a bumpy ride, but you finally succeeded.

And about that image.
I DO see bankers. They are all inside the dragon.
It's Ok though, your mind was occupied. With what, I don't know. :smug:

AVGWarhawk

04-25-13, 02:45 PM

Congratulations!

It is a long pain in the butt road in getting the deal done but once your in it becomes a distant memory. Enjoy your new home. :up:

vienna

04-25-13, 05:19 PM

Congratulations on the closing, Frau. I hope you have many, many happy days and time in your new abode. Just one little bit of advice, if you haven't already heard it or know of it: It is always a bit of a wise move to change all the existing locks on your new home before moving in; you never know who might have copies of the key(s) other than the former owner. It generally is not a problem, but past experiences of others has proven otherwise. In fact, my first ex was somewhat unnerved when she came home to her new place, after our divorce, and found the former tenant's son sitting in her living room. I had to do one of those super-rush, kick-out-the-bounder type scenes and replace the locks. I also wound up having to stake out her place for a few nights in case the fool came back again. Just a bit of advice to the wise...

<O>

u crank

04-25-13, 05:43 PM

Congrats on your new home Frau.:woot:

When's the first SubSim BBQ? :O:

Wolferz

04-25-13, 05:52 PM

Change the frequency on the garage door opener too.

frau kaleun

04-25-13, 07:08 PM

Yeah, I've thought about the locks issue. The seller was an older lady with no children who lived alone and has moved out of state but... you never know. I got no idea how to do the thing with the garage door but my brother-in-law probably does.

Man, I got some things done today but not as much as I wanted. Okay, I got a lot done but not the things I thought I was gonna get done. I did get my stereo moved over there and hooked up... only had a small bit of speaker wire from one speaker since the other speaker's wire was wound all the way around the room behind furniture so I just disconnected the speaker and took that. But since I was only setting it up in the kitchen on a makeshift shelf on top of an upturned box, with the speakers sitting right next to it on either side, I was able to cut the one speaker's wire in half and use it for both of them. Now at least I can have some "company" while I'm in there by myself.

Spent way too much of the day running around, getting some extra cleaning supplies and looking at stuff I might need in the future. But I did get most of the carpet vacuumed and cleaned the carpet in the den... by the time I finished that it was 7 PM and I just didn't have the energy to haul the machine upstairs to do the bedrooms. But at least the den is done and I'll be able to start setting up office stuff in there in a few days, maybe this weekend.

Really good news for me is that I went back to look at the corner computer desk I wanted to make sure it would work with my monitor and it should do fine. :yeah: Sadly there is no way on earth I can get the box in my trunk, much less get it out again by myself. So I'll have to take my brother-in-law up on his offer to pick it up in his truck. I'm hoping we can do that this weekend. I did get the matching file cabinet which was small enough to manage.

You know you're a geek when your first concern on moving into a new place is where to put the computer and how soon you can get everything ready to set it up. And I won't even be moving it until I start staying over in the place every night - actually LIVING there - but I can't really do that until the computer is there too, so... lol I guess you know you're *really* a geek when the idea of sleeping on a mattress on the floor and dressing out of a box because you don't have bedroom furniture is not a problem, but you can't possibly think of moving in until you have a proper desk to put your computer on. :haha:

Anyhoo... I'm SO tired. But it's a good tired!

Oh and here's the desk I want:

http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/officedepot/475877_scene7?$OD%2DLarge$

and the lateral file cabinet I got today:

http://media.webcollage.net/rwvfp/wc/cp/7826297/module/vod/_cp/products/1334183865366/tab-981a9baf-7123-44ca-8b04-31be3300b767/resource-cfa887f7-3b87-4fc1-8300-0591d01e88fc.jpg.250x.jpeg

and the printer/tech station:

Wolferz

04-26-13, 07:27 AM

Very nice Frau. :up:
The "I'm gonna pull my hair out" stage is complete.
Now it's on to the heavy lifting.

Your garage door opener should have what's called a dip switch in the motor housing and the remote. This is merely a discrete component with a row of numbered switches. resetting these to a matching configuration should be a piece of cake. the only tools you may require will be a step ladder and a screwdriver.

Slow and steady wins the race

So, you have at least a month to get out of the apartment.
Take your time.

Uh oh, here comes the fatherly advice...

Never leave your garage door opener in the car while it's parked in the driveway. I'm guessing that there is a portal in the garage that leads into the abode?
If a burgurgaler is familiar with your ninja skills you won't be bothered. If not, the burgurgaler will rue the day.:03::haha:

Moving in Skyrim can be a real pain without the bottomless back pack mod.

swamprat69er

04-26-13, 07:45 AM

Congratulations, Frau. Welcome to the homeowners club.

We need pictures.

ninja turtle

04-26-13, 03:01 PM

You know you're a geek when your first concern on moving into a new place is where to put the computer and how soon you can get everything ready to set it up. And I won't even be moving it until I start staying over in the place every night - actually LIVING there - but I can't really do that until the computer is there too, so... lol I guess you know you're *really* a geek when the idea of sleeping on a mattress on the floor and dressing out of a box because you don't have bedroom furniture is not a problem, but you can't possibly think of moving in until you have a proper desk to put your computer on. :haha:

I've moved to different abodes soooo many times over the years and my priorities have always been: kettle and computer. I can always buy a take away and sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag. But to not escape in my cyber world? Outrageous!! :yep:

Sailor Steve

04-26-13, 06:22 PM

I'm the same. I've been in this apartment almost two years. The first several months were spent on a air mattress, because I couldn't justify bying a bed when there were other things to save up for. My beloved modelbuilding was shoved aside because the building table had to be a computer desk for months. Now I can do both, but the computer seems to always come first.

Jimbuna

04-26-13, 06:35 PM

Sailor Steve

04-26-13, 06:38 PM

I know you Americans often do without the letter 'u' in writing terms but surely not in buying :hmmm:

:O:
You're absolutely right. Just a typo, but since I didn't catch it first, it stands for all to see. :sunny:

Of course this means war, and you're never going to get away with "your" again.

u crank

04-26-13, 06:45 PM

I know you Americans often do without the letter 'u' in writing terms but surely not in buying :hmmm:

Sharp eye Jim. I read it but didn't see it. Where's my glasses? :O:

Jimbuna

04-26-13, 06:54 PM

Of course this means war, and you're never going to get away with "your" again.

That's what I thought/feared :)

Sailor Steve

04-26-13, 07:02 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBml1XZDg3w

:D

Jimbuna

04-26-13, 07:30 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7UhaeWFX8I :)

frau kaleun

04-26-13, 08:31 PM

Yay! The carpet in the room that will be my office should be dry by tomorrow. And my brother-in-law is going to go with me to get my desk and bring it back. My sister says they'll be there about 11, she thinks if we can work this so we're finished unloading it around noon she'll be able to "suggest" that they should just stop somewhere and have a nice lunch on the way home.

My best friend is coming over to start cleaning the kitchen while I work on the carpets some more, but we might get sidetracked into putting the desk together since I'm sure it will be a two person job - I'll need someone to help hold the pieces in place while working on getting the hardware in place.

So the sum total of the first few days might be 1) one clean bathroom, 2) stereo set up and working, and 3) computer desk put together and moved into place. Nothing like keeping your priorities straight! :haha:

On the plus side if I get the office "computer ready" all I will need to do is get a mattress in there and have the intertoobz hooked up and I can start moving clothes and other essentials over and actually start living out of the place. Oh, and I'll have to clean the master bathroom so I have a place to shower. But still!

Sailor Steve

04-26-13, 11:21 PM

Sounds like it's going well so far. Before you know it, it'll seem like home. At that point it will be home. :rock:

Jimbuna

04-27-13, 02:56 AM

Brings back a few distant memories...great times indeed.

Enjoy.

AVGWarhawk

04-27-13, 06:11 AM

The joys of moving. Boxes, tape, truck and ten containers of Clorox wipes! I know the drill well. It's all fun though. Once settled it is all worth the toils and trouble. :up:

Wolferz

04-27-13, 06:56 AM

Moving is such a pain! I'd rather take a beating after making a forced move while sick.:down: I won't bore with the details.:D

The Enigma

04-27-13, 10:42 AM

Moving isn't something I like to do either.
But sometimes you need to do things like that and when these matters are at hand, I prefer to do them as quick as possible.

Wolferz

04-27-13, 01:14 PM

:sign_yeah:

Nothing like a whirlwind move.:down: Moved my apartment in one evening while running a 102 degree fever. When I had finished, I collapsed in my bed.:dead:

frau kaleun

04-27-13, 08:10 PM

Got the desk around noon and that was rather amusing... understand that I was in and out of Office Depot three times within a couple hours on Thursday trying to decide when and how I was going to get the desk home, was there any possibility that the box might slide into my trunk if I was able to tie the trunk lid down, would I be able to get it out again without any assistance when I got it home... answer was "no" on both counts and the guys there actually carted the box out of the back so we could look at it and decide, they were so nice about it. I promised them I would indeed be back with adequate transportation and assistance.

So we're driving over there today and the place is on the other side of a large parking lot from a Hobby Lobby which is a store that my sister absolutely loves. First thing she says is, "Oh, look, a Hobby Lobby!"

Sister, I love you... but we are not going to Hobby Lobby.

"Where are we in relation to TJ Maxx?"

We are nowhere near TJ Maxx. We will not be passing TJ Maxx on our way to Office Depot. You will not even be able to see TJ Maxx from anywhere in the vicinity of where we are going.

So my brother pulls up in front of Office Depot and says they'll just wait there while I go in and buy the desk. I go in and the same guys are working that were there on Thursday and I say, "I'm back for my desk and this time I have a truck!" And I gesture towards the long front window of the store and as I turn I see my brother-in-law's truck disappearing into the distance at top speed (for a parking lot, anyway). "Well... er... I had a truck... where the hell is he going?"

Sure enough he was swinging around in front of the Hobby Lobby where I watched him drop off my sister. Because she couldn't just NOT go to Hobby Lobby. :haha:

Then he comes back and we load up the desk and call my sister on her cell to tell her we're done but she's got all her calls going to voice mail so I have to go into the huge Hobby Lobby store to find her. She's in there looking at these absolutely horrible (by which I mean painfully cutesy) little plaques that say "Home Sweet Home" and other folksy crap like that (sorry if that's your taste, different strokes and all that, whatever floats your boat, but... not for me, no, no thanks, lol). Because she wants to buy me something for the condo.

I told her under NO CIRCUMSTANCES was she to buy me a plaque that says Home Sweet Home on it or anything similar. "But can I just get you-"

NO.

"But what about-"

NO. Please do not buy me any cutesy, heartwarming homilies engraved on anything, thank you very much. Honestly. HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU KNOWN ME?!?!? :haha:

We finally agreed that she could get me a welcome mat for the front door.

"With a cat on it?"

YES IT CAN HAVE A CAT ON IT.

And so everyone was happy.

My friend and I did get the entire kitchen cleaned, so now I can start moving stuff in there and unpacking it and putting it away.

Also the ugly almond colored dishwasher that looked really old and didn't match any of the other appliances? Turned out to be white. It just needed a good cleaning. It's not even that old and looks really quite good now that it's clean. So it's dropped way down on the list of things I would consider replacing soon, and the fridge has moved up. Just have to wait until I see something I like on sale or, even better, on clearance somewhere. It's a very nice fridge on the inside but really too small for the space it's in, and on the outside looks really old. Because it is. But it works and is clean so not a priority. It'll do for a while.

Couldn't put the desk together because by the time we finished in the kitchen the sun was going down and with no overhead light in the would-be office and no lamps, it was just too dark in there to work on it. I did get it unboxed and all the pieces laid out. I may try to work on some of it myself, heaven knows I put the desk I have now together myself and it's got pieces that are just as big. I do need to find a way to punch a couple of nice clean holes in the backing of the shelves for wire management, but I'll have to get it partially assembled before I know where those should go.

Oddly enough I don't think I'm going to put it in the corner after all, I think I'm going to put it against the wall right between the two windows. I put the top of the desk in that spot and it fits perfectly and the sides won't stick out into the room as much as I thought they might, and it will make it a lot easier to get to the back of the computer and deal with cables and whatnot when I need to do that. It will also put the place I'd be sitting more in the center of the room, which would be unused space since most everything else in there will be bookshelves and storage up against the available walls. And there will be more available wall space for that with the desk between the two windows.

Just talked to my sister again and they think they will have enough vinyl flooring left over from what they've got on hand to put down in their kitchen, to put down in my little storage room between the garage and kitchen which really does need a new floor. Since it's a completely closed off storage room I really don't care about the color or pattern but as my sister said, if it wasn't nice to look at she wouldn't be putting it in her kitchen. So that's taken care of. One nice thing about having a bro-in-law who installed flooring for 20+ years is, he knows how to do that stuff and knows where to get flooring... all he has to do is go around to one of the places he used to work and ask if they have any remnants they're looking to get rid of. Most of it he gets for free and if it's something he's not keen on installing himself, like tile, he knows somebody who'll do it as a side job for a fraction of what it would cost otherwise.

All in all, things are coming together quite nicely!

Wolferz

04-27-13, 08:42 PM

If ol' Murphy can keep his nose out of it you're golden.:03::O:

WernherVonTrapp

04-27-13, 08:48 PM

If you have a friend or relative who has an adjustable "hole-saw", that will work on poking clean holes through the desk. You just pop it on the end of a cordless drill. Works like a charm.

frau kaleun

04-27-13, 08:51 PM

If you have a friend or relative who has an adjustable "hole-saw", that will work on poking clean holes through the desk. You just pop it on the end of a drill. Works like a charm.

Cool, I'll have to check with my brother-in-law. I know he's got a drill and a bunch of different stuff that goes with it.

Come to think of it a power drill is probably something I should think about getting for myself. :hmm2:

Wolferz

04-28-13, 10:21 AM

Cool, I'll have to check with my brother-in-law. I know he's got a drill and a bunch of different stuff that goes with it.

Come to think of it a power drill is probably something I should think about getting for myself. :hmm2:

DeWalt makes a good one.

frau kaleun

04-28-13, 06:00 PM

DeWalt makes a good one.

So I've heard. But I bought a Bosch. :O:

Actually looked online last night and this morning, found a small but highly rated one at Lowe's that was in stock with a price that had dropped from $149 to $99. There was only one left when I got there so maybe it was something that was being discontinued, I don't know. Anyway it looks quite sturdy and works but is small and light enough that it will be very handy for lots of jobs around the place. They also had a set of compatible screwdriver bits on sale, so I got that since that's likely the thing I'll end up using it for the most.

Then I found some 2" desk grommets and a hole saw for the drill to make the necessary 2" holes. And checked with the guy in the tool department to make sure everything in my basket would actually work with everything else. So now all I need is someone to show me how to do the job without destroying the desk, my condo, or myself. I don't think I should be making my first foray into the wonderful world of power tools without adult supervision. :haha:

That was my early morning taken care of, then I headed over to the condo with a carload of stuff I'd packed from the kitchen and started unpacking that and putting things away. Decided to give the old dishwasher a try on the utensils and some other stuff I was unpacking and that was... interesting. My best friend and I went to the store yesterday and got stuff for it but apparently the little "pods" of premeasured detergent I bought are just too much for the thing. I loaded it and started it up and then was standing right next to it at the sink handwashing some other things when I started feeling rather damp in the foot department. I thought to myself, what a slob you are, can't wash a few dishes without slopping water out of the sink and down onto the floor...

...but then I looked down and saw that what I was standing in was a growing puddle of suds that was overflowing out of the dishwasher. :timeout:

I turned it off and put some towels down and called my sister, who told me it was probably just too much detergent in the machine since, thankfully, it wasn't water gushing out - just suds!

So I had to turn it back on and just let it overflow and sop it up until it stopped and the machine finally drained. Now I don't know what to put in there as far as detergent, I'll guess I'll try cutting one of the little "pods" in half and try again and put some towels down just in case.

I also got all the parts and pieces of the desk and file cabinet laid out and made sure I had everything. Was gonna start putting some of it together but then it got overcast and rained all afternoon so, again, I didn't have enough light in that room to work by without it being a strain.

But I did my first loads of laundry in my new place! Yay! No more hoarding quarters to make sure I've got enough to do laundry every week. :woot: I debated lugging my laundry over there but it turned out to be a good thing, if I hadn't I wouldn't have had the big towels on hand to deal with my dishwasher mishap.

And I got the carpet cleaned in the big bedroom and part of the upstairs hallway. So all in all, it was a good day.

Onkel Neal

04-28-13, 06:15 PM

WernherVonTrapp

04-28-13, 06:15 PM

Decided to give the old dishwasher a try on the utensils and some other stuff I was unpacking and that was... interesting. My best friend and I went to the store yesterday and got stuff for it but apparently the little "pods" of premeasured detergent I bought are just too much for the thing. I loaded it and started it up and then was standing right next to it at the sink handwashing some other things when I started feeling rather damp in the foot department. I thought to myself, what a slob you are, can't wash a few dishes without slopping water out of the sink and down onto the floor...

...but then I looked down and saw that what I was standing in was a growing puddle of suds that was overflowing out of the dishwasher. :timeout:

I turned it off and put some towels down and called my sister, who told me it was probably just too much detergent in the machine since, thankfully, it wasn't water gushing out - just suds!

So I had to turn it back on and just let it overflow and sop it up until it stopped and the machine finally drained. Now I don't know what to put in there as far as detergent, I'll guess I'll try cutting one of the little "pods" in half and try again and put some towels down just in case.

:D That happened to me once, sort of. Early morning, wasn't fully awake, accidently put clothing detergent in dishwasher, sit down to watch the morning news, see soap suds rounding the corner into the living room. I spent the whole morning mopping up and sopping up.

frau kaleun

04-28-13, 06:34 PM

Nice, I love the writeups, this is very exciting.

BTW, I am sure you know this, but if you use anything other than dishwasher detergent in your dishwasher, the results will be similar to what you described. You may want to try some plain old dishwasher detergent.

http://metropolitanmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/products_image_complete.jpg

Well, that's the brandthat my best friend recommended so Cascade was what I bought but I had to go all high tech and get the fancy little premeasured things. :O: I am gonna try cutting them in half, most of the loads I'll be doing in the near future will be to wash all the new dishes I have and give stuff that's been packed a quick cleaning before putting it away. So I won't mind having *less* detergent going in there, nothing I'm washing will be dirty from actual use.

And yes, my sister's already reminded me of the time she got a similar call from my brother-in-law who decided to run the dishwasher when he was home alone and, finding that they were out of the "usual" stuff they put in it, filled the little dispensing chamber all the way up from the bottle of Dawn sitting next to the kitchen sink. Suds ahoy! :har:

I'll have to remember to start taking pictures as things develop. I still haven't gotten used to the fact that my newish phone has a halfway decent camera on it, lol.

Onkel Neal

04-28-13, 08:46 PM

Too late, I wanted to see the floor with the suds.... :O:

Wolferz

04-28-13, 10:08 PM

:haha: Frau Sudsy:haha:

We use the Finish brand of dishwasher detergent. Those come in a rock solid form with a booster in the middle. Sort of looks like a marble in a bar of soap. You may also want to get some dishwasher cleaner to clean out all the inner workings... Pump, drain etc etc. Food particles tend to build up in those parts if the old lady was too lazy to scrape her dishes before washing them.

Armistead will probably recommend a flash light attachment to go with your new drill.:03::O:

magic452

04-29-13, 12:31 AM

A kitchen full of suds :/\\!!:/\\!!:D:D

I though that only my brother made mistakes like regular dish soap in the dishwasher but I now see he is in very good company.

His comment was "dish soap is dish soap."

frau Sounds like you are having a good time with all this. It's defiantly something different and an interesting experience.

Magic

frau kaleun

04-29-13, 07:59 AM

Armistead will probably recommend a flash light attachment to go with your new drill.:03::O:

The drill has an LED light that comes on when it's running and shines right on whatever you're drilling. :yep:

But that's not very useful if all you need is a flashlight. They had a nice little portable Ottlite tasklight at Lowe's that I would've gotten but there was only the display and none on the rack to buy and I didn't feel like asking and waiting to see if they had any in the back somewhere. I really should get some kind of portable light over there.

Too late, I wanted to see the floor with the suds.... :O:

Well, I'm gonna have to run the thing again later this week when I get more of the new dishes over there so you may get your wish. I'll make sure to have the camera ready. :O:

Wolferz

04-29-13, 11:42 AM

I really should get some kind of portable light over there.

A standard drop light should do the trick.:salute:

frau kaleun

04-30-13, 07:52 PM

Went over tonight to get some more unpacking done in the kitchen. Here is my dishwasher. It is running. Notice there are no suds coming out of it. :O:

http://imageshack.us/a/img198/9715/nosuds.jpg

I know you're all terribly disappointed, honestly I did my best to recreate Sunday's faux pax but I don't know what happened. As an experiment I put a whole "pod" of the premeasured stuff in there again and fired it up and... nothing. All the suds stayed in the machine this time. Sorry! I even put towels down in front of it just in case for about the first half hour.

Maybe I screwed up something the first time since I basically didn't know what I was doing, or maybe there was some residual detergent in there from when the previous owner and/or agent ran it after it was fixed. Don't know.

Of course I started a second load after the one that was running when I took the picture, and left when it was about a half hour into it... so who knows what I'll find when I get back there. It could be a troll dishwasher that only overflows when you're not standing there watching it.

Also, the current state of my office:

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/8754/office1m.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img18/1101/office2f.jpg

You'll notice that I finally remembered to take a lamp over there - we had one in the lounge at the office that wasn't even plugged in and never gets used, so my boss suggested I just take the shade off and use that until I get some other lighting in place. :yeah:

Didn't get anything put together as by the time I finished unpacking all the kitchen stuff and casting nervous glances at the dishwasher, it was getting on to dinnertime and I was feeling a very distinct rumbly in my tumbly. Tomorrow I'm not going to haul any more stuff over there, I'm going to concentrate on getting started on the office furniture and sorting out all the empty boxes and packing material that is scattered around.

Another good thing, the ceiling along one wall in the office is dropped down for about a foot out from the wall, I assume that's for the ductwork for the heating and cooling. Well, I want to put bookcases there and I was worried about them fitting but I measured and the ones I want to get eventually will fit under the drop down with an inch or two of clearance. :woot:

Now I just got to get all the stuff off the floor and put together so I can start hauling some books over there and get those boxes out of my apartment.

Sailor Steve

04-30-13, 09:27 PM

YAAAAAY picatures! :rock:

Looks like a start to me. :sunny:

Onkel Neal

04-30-13, 09:42 PM

:up: subscribed

frau kaleun

04-30-13, 09:52 PM

Oh I just had a wonderful idea, I should find something here (in the apt) that I plan to throw out, like a beat up old bookcase, and take one of the shelves off it and take it over to the condo and practice with the hole saw! That way I can get a feel for it before I actually use it on something I care about.

One question though, should I drill down from the finished side of the piece I'm working on, or drill up from the unfinished side? Does it make a difference? There will be a grommet going in the hole so rough edges won't be a big deal, but I don't want to crack or mar the finish on the finished sides so far out from the hole that the grommet won't cover it. Seems like it would be "cleaner" to start from the finished side and come out on the unfinished one, but I don't know. :hmm2:

Sailor Steve

04-30-13, 10:46 PM

I'd say drill from the finished side. Exit wounds are always messier.

Wolferz

05-01-13, 07:25 AM

I'd say drill from the finished side. Exit wounds are always messier.
Zactly!

Drilling through a piece of wood will blow out a chunk on the exit side.

Try it on your test board and you'll see. Same thing will happen with certain drywall materials no matter which side you start drilling on.

That's a big desk.:up: Is it made of pressed wood and laminated veneer?

You will be needing an extra set of hands to assist in assembly. Big pieces can be quite awkward.

frau kaleun

05-01-13, 07:48 AM

I'd say drill from the finished side. Exit wounds are always messier.

Zactly!

Drilling through a piece of wood will blow out a chunk on the exit side.

That was my reasoning too.

That's a big desk.:up: Is it made of pressed wood and laminated veneer?

It's this one:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/475877/Realspace-Magellan-Collection-Corner-Workstation-63/

But not all the pieces in the pics are for the desk, the semicircle just inside the doorway (where I was standing) is an unassembled file cabinet. I'll put that together first as I should be able to do that one without any assistance.

You will be needing an extra set of hands to assist in assembly. Big pieces can be quite awkward.

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/33714393.jpg

:O:

I should be able to get the base of the desk together by myself. Getting the desktop in place will require help, unless the instructions involve laying the whole thing on its side and sliding the desktop up against the supporting panels. I'm pretty sure that's how I put my last desk together, lol, although I doubt the instructions called for it.

There is no way I can pick up the top and put it into place by myself, that's for sure. I'll just do what I can until I need help and then... wait for some help. :haha:

Wolferz

05-01-13, 08:27 AM

A girl with common sense is rare.:up:

At a buck-fifty it's definitely wood chips and glue assembled under high pressure and then laminated with veneer. Be extra careful when drilling any part of it. Slow light and even pressure on the drill should do the trick.
I prefer solid wood furniture. My desk was in the $700.00 range. Marked down from $1200.00. Gotta love a clearance sale.:up:
Yours should get the job done for many years to come. Enjoy.:woot:

frau kaleun

05-01-13, 09:04 AM

A girl with common sense is rare.:up:

At a buck-fifty it's definitely wood chips and glue assembled under high pressure and then laminated with veneer. Be extra careful when drilling any part of it. Slow light and even pressure on the drill should do the trick.

Yeah, the main thing will be not doing anything to bust it up when all I want to do is make a nice clean 2" hole. Fortunately I have a wide variety of similar things on hand that I will not be keeping, which means lots of stuff to practice on until I get a feel for how to do it right.

I prefer solid wood furniture. My desk was in the $700.00 range. Marked down from $1200.00. Gotta love a clearance sale.:up:
Yours should get the job done for many years to come. Enjoy.:woot:

I prefer solid wood too, but I have a habit of "customizing" my workspace to suit my own preferences which often means things get tacked, nailed, clamped, or otherwise added on over the course of time... so I'd rather go with something cheaper that I won't feel bad about throwing out and replacing in a few years if it gets too banged up or my needs and preferences change. Altho I will say that the configuration of this desk will probably make a lot of customization unnecessary, aside from the cable management thing.

One thing I like about this desk is that I'll be able to sit my computer, UPS units, and subwoofer on that bottom shelf down at my feet and have them handy but off the floor and easily accessible when I need to tinker with something.

AVGWarhawk

05-01-13, 10:48 AM

I had a desk almost exactly to what you have there. It was a great desk with a lot of shelves to display items as well as housing the computer paraphernalia. I would still have it but our basement was flooded by a 3 day nonstop heavy rain. Particle board being what it is.....does not like water. Looks like you are enjoying your new home. That is excellent. :yeah:

Penguin

05-01-13, 11:04 AM

I think Frau Kaleun's new crib looks like it has enough room for the next subsim meeting... :Kaleun_Party:

The desk looks pretty similar to the one in my cave, tons of spare space, though mine is from ikea:

http://www.dmainman.com/31/Ikea%20Goliat%20Corner%20Desk.jpg

frau kaleun

05-01-13, 11:22 AM

I think Frau Kaleun's new crib looks like it has enough room for the next subsim meeting... :Kaleun_Party:

Well unless you guys like paddle boats and river cruises, there's not much around here of a waterfaring nature. :O:

The desk looks pretty similar to the one in my cave, tons of spare space, though mine is from ikea:

http://www.dmainman.com/31/Ikea%20Goliat%20Corner%20Desk.jpg

I looked extensively at Ikea here locally but didn't see anything like that. A couple corner desks but the hutches wouldn't accommodate my monitor and in some cases weren't deep enough to provide any real decent storage space. I could have bought a lot of components and pieced something together, I guess, which I considered until I saw the desk I ended up with. Getting that one meant I had to buy a file cabinet and drawer unit separately anyway but that meant I could put them where I wanted them instead of having the desk dictate where those things went.

I will get the drawer unit from Ikea as I've already picked out this one:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/galant-drawer-unit-on-casters__0132683_PE287545_S4.JPG

It's more expensive than both the desk and the file cabinet, lol, but the top will accommodate my printer/scanner completely without anything hanging over the edge. :yeah:

Wolferz

05-01-13, 01:33 PM

Well unless you guys like paddle boats and river cruises, there's not much around here of a waterfaring nature. :O:

I'm from a river city, so river cruises on a paddle boat are passe'

I'll bring the slip and slide and we'll break the yard in right with a nice sippy hole.:03::D

Bring your own 4x4

frau kaleun

05-01-13, 02:03 PM

I'm from a river city, so river cruises on a paddle boat are passe'

I'll bring the slip and slide and we'll break the yard in right with a nice sippy hole.:03::D

Bring your own 4x4

Well that should get me in real good with the condo association. Always wise to make a positive first impression! :O:

AVGWarhawk

05-01-13, 02:06 PM

Well that should get me in real good with the condo association. Always wise to make a positive first impression! :O:

I only care what they say when I enter a room. Not when I'm leaving. :O:

Wolferz

05-01-13, 02:07 PM

Well that should get me in real good with the condo association. Always wise to make a positive first impression! :O:

We can invite them to the first annual Frau Kaleun barbecue and mud run. As long as we have the heavy equipment needed to fix the yard, it'll all be good.:up:

I'll bring my RV and we can sit around and quote NL vacation movie dialogue... while I empty the holding tank.
"Can I refill your beer for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?"

Yes ma'am!

frau kaleun

05-01-13, 02:29 PM

I only care what they say when I enter a room. Not when I'm leaving. :O:

That's all well and good when you're not the person who has to stay behind and explain things to The Man. :O:

We can invite them to the first annual Frau Kaleun barbecue and mud run. As long as we have the heavy equipment needed to fix the yard, it'll all be good.:up:

I'll bring my RV and we can sit around and quote NL vacation movie dialogue... while I empty the holding tank.
"Can I refill your beer for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?"

Yes ma'am!

And you were doing so well, right up until the movie dialogue part. :nope: I've only seen one of those, and probably not that one all the way through. Now if you'd said Star Wars, or Jaws, you might've had a shot. :D

AVGWarhawk

05-01-13, 03:37 PM

http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/26700000/Jabberjaw-whatever-happened-to-26799930-216-346.jpg

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080309103705/starwars/it/images/0/02/Jawa.jpg

Wolferz

05-01-13, 03:44 PM

And you were doing so well, right up until the movie dialogue part. :nope: I've only seen one of those, and probably not that one all the way through. Now if you'd said Star Wars, or Jaws, you might've had a shot. :D

I'll work on it.:D The quote was from the Christmas Vacation movie but I replaced Egg Nog with the word beer for clarity.:03: In that flick, cousin Eddie and his family show up in a beat up old RV and at one point he's emptying the sewage holding tank into the storm drain in front of Clark and Ellens' house while chewing on a cigar, holding a beer and dressed in his boxers and an old winter hat with the ear flaps. Now picture that scene in front of your new abode. I dare ya.:arrgh!:
Looks like I'll need to watch my complete Star Wars collection... again.:D

I still have fond memories of the first Star Wars movie experience. The scene where Han and Chewie kick the Millennium Falcon into hyperdrive and head for Alderaan...

Some guy behind us, probably drunk or stoned or both yells out "OH WOW BOOK MAAAN!"

"Using a slip and slide ain't like dusting crops, girl. We could fly into a super nova or bounce off a mailbox. That would end our fun real quick"
__________________

Jimbuna

05-01-13, 04:23 PM

I only care what they say when I enter a room. Not when I'm leaving. :O:

Most definitely :03:

Wolferz

05-01-13, 05:44 PM

Did you ever notice the grope a princess scene in The empire Strikes Back?:haha: Han was literally abreast of the situation after Lea gets shot in front of the shield bunker.

frau kaleun

05-01-13, 08:23 PM

I still have fond memories of the first Star Wars movie experience.

So do I. Saw it in the theater back in '77, the very first matinee on the day it opened in our little podunk cinema in what we then referred to as "uptown" Hamilton, Ohio. Of course this was after it had already become a phenomenon and I'd been looking forward to it for a long time anyway thanks to a heads up from one of my teachers the previous school year. I'd already read the novelization and almost worn out the soundtrack. :yep:

"Using a slip and slide ain't like dusting crops, girl. We could fly into a super nova or bounce off a mailbox. That would end our fun real quick"

:rotfl2:

Most definitely :03:

I've always secretly wanted to be rich enough to have entrance music played every time I walk into a room. Either "Ride of the Valkyries" or the Imperial March from Star Wars. I never could decide which. :hmm2:

But on to this evening's festivities, AKA "I Can Haz File Cabinet?"

First, there was hardware. So. Much. Hardware. Where does it all go?

http://imageshack.us/a/img713/6751/filecab1.jpg

Ah. That's where. Hmm... okay, now we're getting somewhere...

http://imageshack.us/a/img46/6273/filecab2.jpg

And then... what? MORE HARDWARE?!? But look! Progress!

http://imageshack.us/a/img708/2217/filecab3.jpg

And so we find the answer to the burning question of the hour is: yes. Yes, I can haz file cabinet!

http://imageshack.us/a/img27/3011/filecab4.jpg

It was almost 8:30 by the time I finished so I didn't get started on the desk at all, but at least I'm getting something done in there. That's at least 1.5 million items no longer scattered around on the floor, anyway. :O:

Sailor Steve

05-01-13, 09:54 PM

Congratulations on a project done and out of the way. You don't need no steenkeen' handyman!

Star Wars: I don't remember what movie I was watching in December '76 when I saw the first trailer. I remember the scene in which R2D2 is sucked up into the jawas' machine was immediately followed with Luke falling into the trash compactor. That was enough to make me want to see it. I was there opening day. No lines, no hoopla, no fame yet. The theater was only about half full. It was great.

frau kaleun

05-01-13, 10:01 PM

Congratulations on a project done and out of the way. You don't need no steenkeen' handyman!

You should've been with me at Office Depot when I was talking to the guy there about buying that thing and the desk. He tried to get me to buy their "assembly service" because, as he started to say, "Most women don't really..."

I'm not sure what it was that made him stop right there. Could've been that the ensuing eye roll knocked the rest of the sentence right back into his mouth. :O:

Sailor Steve

05-01-13, 10:07 PM

Makes me wonder if anyone has ever been foolish enough to call you "little lady".

Wolferz

05-02-13, 06:45 AM

:Kaleun_Applaud:

Common sense
Good with tools
Loves Star Wars movies
Able to silence chauvinists with The Force
Is there anything you can't do Obi Wan Kaleun?:03:

I can picture you with the OD associate now. "Most women Ack!" Hand raised with an invisible choke hold...
"I find your lack of faith disturbing"
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/2012-08-05_00001-1.jpg (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/Wolferz_2007/media/2012-08-05_00001-1.jpg.html)

frau kaleun

05-02-13, 08:24 AM

Wolferz

05-02-13, 08:40 AM

Still not as good as when I was at Best Buy pricing a new hard drive for my first computer and some guy there thought he could close a sale by letting me know they would send someone over to install it for an extra fifty bucks. :har:

You know what they say about making an assumption....:rotfl2:

Worst Buy is not the best place to obtain computer parts. They're over priced junk mostly. You must have been in a pinch.:03:

frau kaleun

05-02-13, 08:44 AM

You know what they say about making an assumption....:rotfl2:

Worst Buy is not the best place to obtain computer parts. They're over priced junk mostly. You must have been in a pinch.:03:

I said "pricing"... not "buying." :03:

Unless, as you say, you're in a pinch and need something immediately - Best Buy is just a really big Amazon showroom. :haha:

And even if I need something immediately, there's a Microcenter about five minutes from Best Buy. Definitely would go there first for anything tech-related. :yep:

Wolferz

05-02-13, 08:51 AM

Noted.:doh:

I'm devastated. My last Star Wars reference didn't even raise an eyebrow.:wah:

frau kaleun

05-02-13, 09:28 AM

Noted.:doh:

I'm devastated. My last Star Wars reference didn't even raise an eyebrow.:wah:

I'm still trying to figure out the screenshot. :O:

I scrolled down expecting to see Vader and then realized it was someone in what looks like Nightingale armor and a Dragon Priest mask, with an ROTJ-era Death Star hanging in the night sky over Skyrim. Photoshop or mod?

Herr-Berbunch

05-02-13, 09:52 AM

I'm not sure what it was that made him stop right there.

Were you in your karate gear? :hmmm:

Or were you surrounded by cats? :hmm2:

frau kaleun

05-02-13, 10:05 AM

Were you in your karate gear? :hmmm:

I've never tried shopping in my karate gear. Maybe I should. I'm pretty sure it helped get me out of a speeding ticket once.

Or were you surrounded by cats? :hmm2:

That was it! Khajiit had my back. :up:

Wolferz

05-02-13, 10:38 AM

I'm still trying to figure out the screenshot. :O:

I scrolled down expecting to see Vader and then realized it was someone in what looks like Nightingale armor and a Dragon Priest mask, with an ROTJ-era Death Star hanging in the night sky over Skyrim. Photoshop or mod?

Deathstar Mod.:D

Pretty cool, huh?
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/deathstar.jpg (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/Wolferz_2007/media/deathstar.jpg.html)

vienna

05-02-13, 12:30 PM

Been away from the forum for day and a half or so, so just catching up. Sounds like the whole project is going well, so far. I have a perhaps helpful household drilling hint: to minimize the tearing on the exit surface when using a hole saw, fasten or clamp a scrap board to the exit side of the piece. When you drill through, the scrap piece will prevent the tearing and ripping when the saw cuts through. If you can't fasten or clamp a board to the piece, lay the piece on top of the scrap board, make sure it won't shift, and drill through that way. I'm not one of those "This Old House" guys, but I do have a bit of experience having had to drill through a few desk and credenza backs when PCs first made their way into offices...

Even a little lady like you could do it... :D

(runs for cover...)

<O>

Jimbuna

05-02-13, 12:39 PM

Congratulations on the assembly job...your certainly no stereotype.

Wolferz

05-02-13, 01:36 PM

Congratulations on the assembly job...your certainly no stereotype.
The fairer sex is just as capable of doing what their counterparts can do... except maybe writing their name in the snow with water based yellow ink and a natural appendage.:rock:

frau kaleun

05-02-13, 01:43 PM

Jimbuna

05-02-13, 01:48 PM

The fairer sex is just as capable of doing what their counterparts can do... except maybe writing their name in the snow with water based yellow ink and a natural appendage.:rock:

Don't be so sure on the above example...I once saw it done and was so amazed they got a verbal caution instead of a free nights bed and breakfast at the taxpayers expense :03:

Wolferz

05-02-13, 01:55 PM

Don't be so sure on the above example...I once saw it done and was so amazed they got a verbal caution instead of a free nights bed and breakfast at the taxpayers expense :03:
Say whut?:huh:

Jimbuna

05-02-13, 02:15 PM

Say whut?:huh:

Yep I actually saw it with my own eyes but the funny thing was I had a female colleague sitting in the car next to me and she said it should have been impossible :)

vienna

05-02-13, 02:20 PM

Yep I actually saw it with my own eyes but the funny thing was I had a female colleague sitting in the car next to me and she said it should have been impossible :)

The female in question was a belly or hula dancer perhaps?... :hmmm:

<O>

Jimbuna

05-02-13, 02:27 PM

The female in question was a belly or hula dancer perhaps?... :hmmm:

<O>

A young female barely past legal drinking age and a bit the worse for having consumed more alcohol than her body could tolerate.

I doubt any different to most cities in the UK and elsewhere but gone are the days when you'd only find males urinating in back alleys.

Wolferz

05-02-13, 02:57 PM

Yep I actually saw it with my own eyes but the funny thing was I had a female colleague sitting in the car next to me and she said it should have been impossible :)

So the freak was flying her freak flag with her larger than normal urethra?

Could of been a cross dresser or transvestite or some experiment that went horribly wrong.

Baaaaarrrrf!

We now return you to This old house.

Jimbuna

05-02-13, 03:52 PM

So the freak was flying her freak flag with her larger than normal urethra?

Could of been a cross dresser or transvestite or some experiment that went horribly wrong.

Baaaaarrrrf!

We now return you to This old house.

Thank God!!

frau kaleun

05-02-13, 07:52 PM

TONIGHT ON THIS OLD CONDO: Frau Kaleun goes to Ikea!

So, I bought a mattress. And after having a lie-down on pretty much everything there that wasn't designed for poor college students with far more resilient bodies than mine, the one I picked out was about $500 less than the one I thought I was going to want. :yeah:

So to celebrate the fact that I was saving so much on the mattress, I decided to go ahead and get the drawer unit and two bookcases for the office. It was a flat delivery fee for everything, so I figured if I'm paying for a delivery and I was expecting to spend the extra money anyway, I might as well get some other things I want now and have them bring it on over all at one time.

Anyway the guy looked up all the items I wanted and printed me out a list and told me it would be $59 for delivery if I went to the self service area and got them all on a cart myself and paid for them and just took them to the delivery counter.

"But will I be able to get the mattress on the cart and take it up to the checkout?"

"Oh sure, that should be no problem. Just ask someone up there for assistance if you need help lifting it onto the cart."

Well, okay, some of their mattress DO come rolled up. And he's the expert from the mattress department. At least he didn't try to sell me their home assembly service. So on to the self service aisles I went with my little list in my sweaty, eager hand.

Now I don't know if you all are aware of this, but a queen size mattress that is not rolled up is FREAKIN' HUGE. Guess what my mattress wasn't? ROLLED UP is what it wasn't. There I am with my little cart, already loaded down with seven boxes containing a slatted bed base, two six and a half foot high - or in this case, long - bookcases, and what felt like an 800 lb. drawer unit, staring up at a fully unrolled queen size mattress.

Suddenly I remembered going to Kennedy Space Center when I was a kid, and seeing the giant transport thing they always used to haul the Saturn V rockets from the vehicle assembly building out to the launch pad. I looked at the mattress. I looked at the cart. And I thought to myself, if we can put a man on the moon, dammit, I CAN DO THIS. :arrgh!:

And then I thought a far more sensible series of thoughts and went to get some help. We had to get another cart and it took both me and a very nice Ikea dude to shift the mattress and get the two carts up to the checkout, where the Ikea dude left me to my own devices. Getting the carts from the checkout over to the delivery counter was an even more terrifying ordeal, since I was on my own trying to pull two very heavy carts - one of which really wanted to do endless donuts in front of the exit doors, and another that was struggling valiantly against the mattress's overwhelming instinct to assume its natural position of lying flat out on any surface available.

Thankfully no blood was shed, although I think I came *this* close to knocking a poor small Asian woman clean off a couch in the furniture pickup area. Everyone else was very understanding and kept as far away from the Frau Kaleun Ikea Juggernaut as possible. :haha:

Anyway all the stuff is being delivered to the condo on Saturday. After getting that set up I went back into the Marketplace section and bought a set of sheets since I have no queen size bedding at all. For blankets and a comforter if I need one I can just use what I've got now until I find something else I like. I don't have a bed over there yet so the mattress will be on the floor anyway.

But with the mattress in place, all I need is to get the master bathroom clean and functional and get the office set up and get internet service over there and I can start moving in what I need to actually stay there! Maybe by next weekend if all goes well.

I also need to get a forwarding order on file with the post office, I had mail at the condo today with a big "?" on it next to my name cuz I guess the mail carrier is questioning if the addressee actually lives there. And I need to start changing my home address with all the places where I do business... none of them send me snail mail that really matters, but I guess they should have the new address on file as soon as I can get to it.

By the time I got out of Ikea it was after 7 PM so I ended up just going to the condo and leaving the stuff I'd bought and coming on home. Too late to get started on any projects tonight and I was SO tired. Tomorrow I want to get over there and do the carpets in the spare bedrooms and maybe get started on the desk altho that may have to wait until the weekend. I'll need to be over there early on Saturday anyway waiting for the delivery so I'll likely have all day to work on it.

Sailor Steve

05-03-13, 03:44 AM

Now I don't know if you all are aware of this, but a queen size mattress that is not rolled up is FREAKIN' HUGE.
Nine feet high 'n' six feet wide 'n' soft as a downy chick, the last I heard.

No, wait. :88)

But with the mattress in place, all I need is to get the master bathroom clean and functional and get the office set up and get internet service over there and I can start moving in what I need to actually stay there! Maybe by next weekend if all goes well.
Good! Then maybe you'll stop thinking in terms of...
...leaving the stuff I'd bought and coming on home.
and thinking in terms of "getting the stuff from the old apartment and bringing it home with me".

Anyway, thanks for a lovely descriptive and hilarious story of the misadventures of a maiden mired in moving mountains of miscellaneous mishmash from molehill to mansion. We'd like to wish you smoother sailing, but your struggles are our entertainment, so we'll just keep watching and laughing. :O:

Jimbuna

05-03-13, 04:43 AM

It should all be worth it in the end and besides, what a great collection of stories to entertain everyone at your house warming :cool:

frau kaleun

05-03-13, 07:29 AM

and thinking in terms of "getting the stuff from the old apartment and bringing it home with me".

Home is where my internet is. :O: Once I get the condo hooked up to the intertoobz and move the computer over there, my perspective will change.

I did go to the USPS website and put in a forwarding order for my mail, which costs a whole dollar to do online and saves me a trip to the post office. :yeah:

My sister gets her schedule for the rest of the month today, so we'll be able to decide which weekend we're gonna move the furniture and other big items that will require a truck of some kind. That should light a fire under me as far as getting the smaller essential stuff (and myself) moved in.

AVGWarhawk

05-03-13, 07:36 AM

Yes, the trials and tribulations of moving. We are still waiting on a new dining table set for our new humble abode we ordered 6 weeks ago. I guess they are swimming it over from Bangladesh. :doh:

Sailor Steve

05-03-13, 10:05 AM

My sister gets her schedule for the rest of the month today, so we'll be able to decide which weekend we're gonna move the furniture and other big items that will require a truck of some kind.
Only one weekend? I assume there is no TH Maxx or Hobby Lobby along the way. :O:

frau kaleun

05-03-13, 10:21 AM

Only one weekend? I assume there is no TH Maxx or Hobby Lobby along the way. :O:

No, but there IS a giant antiques mall. We may have to put blinders on her or something. :hmmm:

I hope to be living out of the condo already and have most, if not all, of the smaller boxable stuff moved over. So if we're lucky it'll just be the furniture and maybe a few heavy items that I can't move by myself.

When they moved into their current home the three of us moved everything in one day, and that was a lot more furniture than what will be going to the condo. The couch, mattress, box springs, my current desk, and probably a couple of the more beat-up cheap bookshelves will go straight to the dumpster at the apt complex.

And there will be very little if any furniture to haul up to the second floor of the condo - since I plan to buy new bedroom furniture I'm not even putting what I have now in the master bedroom. It'll get stowed in what we'll continue to refer to as the "dining room" when my sister is listening, until I can figure out what I'm going to do with it. I may try to sell it or I may just donate it to whatever reputable charity is willing to come haul it away.

frau kaleun

05-03-13, 12:32 PM

Just scheduled a "move of service" with the local phone company, which is also my ISP. Was able to do it all online which was nice, then someone called me within 30 minutes to confirm everything and verify that I did not want home phone service in the new location.

I get the first month free, except for the 2.99 monthly rental on the router/modem - used to be the basic modems came free with the service, but now they make you pick a wired or wireless router and make you pay for it. I got wired as I already have a good wireless router and will just use that if I want wireless for streaming to the TV or whatever.

Sadly even though I requested a self-installation I still had to schedule a time for an installer to come out, I confirmed the necessity of this with the rep who called me... apparently that place never had internet service through the phone company so they have to do something to enable it or so they say. Whatevs, at least there'll be someone there to make sure I do have internet when I'm supposed to. Service at the apartment will be disconnected at the same time it's activated at the condo.

Scary thing is - I know from the previous owner that she never had cable service at that address, which means she didn't get internet from Time Warner. Now I know that she wasn't getting it from the phone company either, unless she was still on dialup. :huh:

Anyway - just the internet will cost me about $20 less a month than what I've been paying for internet + phone service at the apartment so that's good. That will make up for the extra $20 in cable box rentals if I decide to add a couple TVs to the condo somewhere down the line. :haha: Altho I think my "promotional" rate for digital cable is about to expire so who knows what that bill is going to be. OTOH I might get in on another promotion when I move the service. Better yet I should just see if I can start fresh with a new account at the new address and pretend to be a new customer, lol. Then I can just cancel the old service outright and return those boxes, one of which needs to be replaced anyway.

The downside with regard to internet service is that the soonest they can get a tech out there to activate it is on 5/18. Well, they could've done it sooner on a weekday and it would be no problem to leave the office and run down there - it's only about 5 minutes away - but I'd rather do it on a Saturday when I'm going to be there all day anyway, it's just less stressful that way.

frau kaleun

05-03-13, 08:44 PM

Whew - didn't get home til almost 9 but I did get a lot done! But first things first:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2051048&postcount=36

Now it's really starting to look like MY place. :O:

Finished cleaning the carpets upstairs, finally, so that's out of the way. Then I got to work on the desk. And I thought the file cabinet had a lot of hardware! But the instructions for the desk were much better so it went pretty well. Sides, bottom and desktop ready to assemble in no time.

http://imageshack.us/a/img259/7215/desk3a.jpg

Rear "leg" and sides for lower middle shelf attached to bottom shelf:

http://imageshack.us/a/img33/7665/desk4ai.jpg

And by the way, THIS is how all hardware for home assembly products should be packaged. No sorting through a bunch of different stuff looking for the three or four different bits you need for a particular part of the job. Instead the exact items needed for every step were packaged like this:

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/8496/desk5a.jpg

That in itself probably shaved a half hour or more off the assembly time. And now for the big side panels and desktop!

http://imageshack.us/a/img259/5858/desk6a.jpg

But, you are asking yourselves, can our wee little Frau possibly get this behemoth standing upright all by her lonesome?

Pffffffffft. Of course she can.

http://imageshack.us/a/img507/1571/desk7a.jpg

Just the smaller, lighter pieces of the hutch to finish now, along with the keyboard drawer and backing for the shelves.

http://imageshack.us/a/img200/2044/desk8a.jpg

I stopped there because even with the lamp it was getting too dark to work any more, and I didn't want to attach the hutch pieces - I just want to see exactly where they are going to fit onto the desktop so I know where to put the grommets for wire management. Also didn't tack on the back panel for the lower middle shelf - I'll want to put a hole for wires in that as well because I plan to sit my subwoofer there.

All of which means that our next episode of This Old Condo might very well be...

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/1756/theholesaw.jpg

HW3

05-03-13, 10:24 PM

Looking good frau kaleun!:up:

:subsim:

Wolferz

05-04-13, 05:40 AM

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/1756/theholesaw.jpg[/IMG]

>GASP!<
>cringe<

I'm on the edge of my seat. I hope there isn't blood. I hate when there's blood.:O:
We have faith in you, Frau.:up:

Sailor Steve

05-04-13, 07:58 AM

grommets for wire management.
Wire management? What's that? :O:

WernherVonTrapp

05-04-13, 09:28 AM

Wire management? What's that? :O:That's what zip-ties and colored electrical tape are for.:O:

Sailor Steve

05-04-13, 09:32 AM

That's what zip-ties and colored electrical tape are for.:O:
You practice torture and incarceration on poor defenseless cables? :o

They were born to run free! To tangle themselves with joy and abandon. One of the highlights of my life is swearing at the tangled mess, trying to get one wire free without dumping the entire system onto the floor.

WernherVonTrapp

05-04-13, 09:36 AM

You practice torture and incarceration on poor defenseless cables? :o

Actually, I should practice what I preach. I once had a very neat and clean set-up. Now, after moving, I kind of rushed to get everything set up and now I have a lump of spaghetti laying behind my desk.:88)

Wolferz

05-04-13, 10:19 AM

Our resident Frau is probably working feverishly today.

All I can say is..

May the 4th be with you.:salute:

Jimbuna

05-04-13, 11:56 AM

That's what zip-ties and colored electrical tape are for.:O:

Bloody right :)

Coming along nicely :cool:

Onkel Neal

05-04-13, 09:41 PM

Loving it :yep:

Frau Kaleun Ikea Juggernaut

Would make an awesome name for a band!

frau kaleun

05-04-13, 10:54 PM

So, the stuff from Ikea came. The delivery guys (from some third party company) could not have been nicer or friendlier, they were just awesome. Jumped down from the truck and introduced themselves by name, shook my hand, and then got everything in the condo in nothing flat with lots of entertaining banter on the way - I could tell they probably worked together a lot and had their "system" down pat.

Now I have a mattress:

http://imageshack.us/a/img9/8733/mattressj.jpg

And a beautiful drawer unit which will also serve as a printer stand next to the desk:

http://imageshack.us/a/img90/5400/drawers.jpg

Didn't get everything put together, though, as can be seen from the current state of my living room:

http://imageshack.us/a/img507/3168/bookcases1a.jpg

The four unopened boxes in the center of the pic are the first of what will probably be two solid walls of bookcases. Once I get them all I plan to get something like this...

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/grundtal-cabinet-lighting__0088341_PE219209_S4.JPG

(http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50143582/ if the picture doesn's show up) to put lighting on top of each case. There won't be much clearance under the dropdown over the one wall where the ductwork is, so I may have to rethink the choice later... but I would love to have cabinet lights for each case and string them together and plug them in the outlet controlled by the room's light switch. Since there's no overhead light, hitting the switch would then illuminate all the bookcases and should provide plenty of light for the room in general. I'd have a work lamp of some kind on the desk and would probably use just that most of the time, but since I probably wouldn't use the light switch for anything else it seems like a cool idea.

Since the delivery wasn't coming until 1 PM or after, I used part of the morning to look at and price some new glassware and flatware at a couple nearby shops. Found what I wanted but just checked a few other places online and Amazon and, as expected, Amazon had the best prices. I save a few bucks, get triple the points on my Amazon Visa, and Neal gets a cut. Everybody's happy! So I ordered the flatware:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RY1G7A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and a buttload of new glasses. The coolers are a nice big 20 oz size and look like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012M81V0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also got the matching glasses in juice and "old fashioned" sizes, and some big all-purpose goblets which can hold just about anything and should be nice if I ever decide to break out the good china someday. :O:

Finally I will have some really good flatware and an entire set of glassware that actually MATCHES instead of the mix'n'match I've had for years, things I picked up here and there and the remnants of cheap sets I bought which didn't last any time at all. Now I can set a table without one person getting the Harry Potter glass, one person getting the Notre Dame beer stein, one person getting the Gold Star Chili Pepsi glass, and some poor sod getting stuck with the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 1997 commemorative plastic cup. :haha:

But enough of that nonsense. I know what you're all thinking:

"But but but... FK... what about...

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/1756/theholesaw.jpg

Well, I hate to tell you, but there was no drilling done today. And there won't be any done tomorrow, either. Oh, the drill works fine, the batteries have all been duly charged, I've got my practice boards all set up and ready to go... there's just one problem.

See, when I picked out the drill and the accessories and the hole saw and asked the tool guy about them, it seems I wasn't quite specific enough.

"Will these all work together?" I asked. And the answer was yes... in the sense that all the things I bought are compatible with each other. But when it comes to the hole saw and the drill, they won't actually work together without this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMI1MA/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1), which I discovered after spending several minutes scratching my head over how to attach the hole saw to the drill chuck. :doh:

When I checked the fine print on the hole saw packaging, I found a little piece of info stating "to be used with" the item linked to above. Which of course I did not have. :/\\!!

Did a search for that when I got back to the apartment tonight, and naturally it's not in stock at the local Home Depot, from which I could've gotten it for next to nothing with what's left on a gift card I have there. It's also not in stock at Lowe's unless I want to drive to the local equivalent of BF Egypt to get it. Amazon.com to the rescue! I can get it from there in a couple of days, for $7 cheaper, and no tax or shipping. :yeah:

So the drilling will have to wait, probably until next weekend. Which is fine, since I won't have internet at the condo until the weekend after that, and after talking to my sister today it turns out we won't be moving the "truck required" stuff out of my apartment until Memorial Day weekend. (That's Saturday the 25th for those of you in heathen furrin lands where the good Lord has seen fit to deprive you of the appropriate holiday.) The other choice was next weekend, which would mean rescheduling the visit from the phone company and probably taking more time off work, otherwise I'd be a week in that place with no internet which... no. Especially since I don't know when I'll get the cable hooked up.

soopaman2

05-05-13, 01:20 AM

The Enigma

05-05-13, 02:35 AM

It's looking good Frau.
Work is in progress.

There is no bed with that mattress? :timeout:

Jimbuna

05-05-13, 06:10 AM

Matters certainly appear to be coming along nicely :cool:

frau kaleun

05-05-13, 06:44 AM

Last two times I went to the Ikea place, on the docks in Elizabeth NJ, shady area to be honest.

I got a wall sized TV stand/bookshelf, and it was missing most the screws!

The next time was buying a mothers day present for my mother, and once again, missing fasteners from the kit.

Mind you I drove 1 hour each way. With tolls, yeah we got road tolls here!

Not to be a party killer, or fun wrecker, but check your fasteners!
Fasteners be real important and stuff...:shifty:

Nevermind the other crap I have from them that is perfect, this is all about the negatives!:O:

No missing fasteners so far. :woot: And I have to say, putting that drawer unit together was one of the easiest assembly jobs I've ever done. :)

You would love the Ikea showroom there, it is like a maze and it takes an hour to walk from start to finish. :P

Ours is the same, I would imagine they all are. It's very easy to get lost in there especially if you don't go there often. But I'm getting the hang of it now.

It's looking good Frau.
Work is in progress.

There is no bed with that mattress? :timeout:

The bed I have now is still in my apartment, but I plan to buy new bedroom furniture at some point. Not from Ikea, I've already picked some out but the store is located about 45 minutes away in the town where my best friend lives... so I'll have to drive over there again and decide exactly what I want and make arrangements to have it delivered. In the meantime I can sleep on the mattress on the floor once I get moved in. I do have a base for it, it's just not put together yet.

We'll move the bedroom furniture into the condo but I'm not gonna haul it up the stairs if I don't plan to keep it. The dining room won't be furnished at all for a while so I can stow it there until I decide what to do with it. We do have a couple local charities who take donations of furniture and will come pick it up so if I don't sell it I will donate it.

Matters certainly appear to be coming along nicely :cool:

Thanks!

Wolferz

05-05-13, 09:25 AM

A burning question ATM..
Where to put the Rancor beast?

I think the guy at Home Depot should be the first meal for the critter for selling you everything but the most important part of the Hole Saw.:stare:
I'd loan you mine but there's a bit of distance between us.:yep:

You'll soon need a bigger tool box.

frau kaleun

05-05-13, 09:37 AM

A burning question ATM..
Where to put the Rancor beast?

Dude... building a proper dungeon takes time. And it'll probably be at least a couple months before I get permission from the condo association to start digging down from that closet under the stairs.

I think the guy at Home Depot should be the first meal for the critter for selling you everything but the most important part of the Hole Saw.:stare:

Well, it was Lowe's that did that, but to be fair I didn't ask if I needed anything else. I guess I looked a little too much like someone who knew what they were doing, lol. Sometimes you think that whole "being a girl" thing is gonna pay off, and then you run into salesman who's not a flaming male chauvinist. :O:

You'll soon need a bigger tool box.

Box? Pfffffft. I got a garage now. I'm seein' a whole tool cabinet. My daddy raised me right. :yep:

Wolferz

05-05-13, 11:41 AM

Box? Pfffffft. I got a garage now. I'm seein' a whole tool cabinet. My daddy raised me right. :yep:

OOO RAH!:rock:

Good man your papa.:up:

Onkel Neal

05-05-13, 11:44 AM

Box? Pfffffft. I got a garage now. I'm seein' a whole tool cabinet. My daddy raised me right. :yep:

Now we're talking, can't wait to see the garage build :yep:

Madox58

05-05-13, 12:01 PM

Now we're talking, can't wait to see the garage build :yep:

Watch it frau! Neal's only looking for a place to park his Suzuki while in Ohio!

I got one of these to solve that kind of problem.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n12/privateer_2006/Bike%20Stuff/british-only.jpg

:D

Onkel Neal

05-05-13, 12:09 PM

:har:

How deep is the mud? :)

Wolferz

05-05-13, 12:37 PM

:har:

How deep is the mud? :)

That would depend on the saturation level of the honey pit.:03:

Madox58

05-05-13, 02:17 PM

:har:

How deep is the mud? :)

:hmmm:
Not sure.
No one has ever come back from there to tell me.
:haha:

frau kaleun

05-05-13, 08:20 PM

OOO RAH!:rock:

Good man your papa.:up:

I spent a significant portion of my early childhood in the basement and/or garage and/or mechanic's pit with him. Did I mention he had a mechanic's pit? Yeah, he built a second detached garage at our old house and dug a mechanic's pit in the floor so he could work on the cars without having to crawl under them. Oh, did I mention he and Mom also built the old house themselves? They hired in contractors or rented machinery sometimes for the really big jobs, but anything they could do themselves, they did. That was before I was born though.

Dad was also a licensed electrician, although it wasn't his full-time job - he did side jobs for people but mostly it was just something he enjoyed knowing how to do. After WWII he used the GI Bill to pay for the training.

Of course he didn't buy any tool cabinets, he just made them all himself. :haha:

If he were alive now and younger he'd probably be taking computers apart and putting them back together again. The Tinkerer's Gene: I came by it honestly. :up:

Watch it frau! Neal's only looking for a place to park his Suzuki while in Ohio!

He'll have to get in line behind Wolferz's RV. :O:

But enough jibber jabber: I have dire news, friends. Today the thing I had come to fear the most finally came to pass.

Yes, today was the day I finally locked myself out of the condo. :haha:

I was getting ready to leave and had locked everything up when I decided to break down and bundle up all the trash and boxes from all the stuff I've been putting together, and put it in the back of the car and toss it in the dumpster here at the apt building when I got back. Trash doesn't go until Wednesday at the condo and I wanted to get it out of there so I figured, why not.

Anyway I went out into the garage to open the trunk and you know those door locks that will open from the inside even if they are locked from the outside? Yeah, turns out the door from the condo into the garage is one of those. It's also a big heavy door that is designed to shut by itself when you go in and out.

You can guess the rest. :rotfl2:

And I've been so careful, never ever going out of the place without making sure I had the keys in my pocket. But I must've laid them on the counter after deciding to gather up the boxes and other Ikea detritus. And I've been telling myself that I should get a copy of that door key made and hide it somewhere in the garage, just in case. But of course I haven't done that yet.

Anyway - there I am in the garage, locked out of the condo, in a t-shirt and jeans and ratty old slippers and no socks, with all my keys - including those to the car and apartment and office -and my purse and my phone in the condo where they are doing me no good whatsoever. AND IT'S RAINING.

So I went around to the neighbor's front door as I've said "hey" to them outside a few times so I know they'll recognize me. They're not home. Next condo, no doorbell and no lights on. Next condo, lights are on and I can see a TV playing through the front window. Yay!

Now here's the good part of this catastrophe - the neighbor there turned out to be the sweetest little lady, who heard my tale of woe and welcomed me in with open arms, gave me her phone and the Yellow Pages, and then insisted that I come in and get warm and dry. She got me a drink. She offered me Nutty Bars. And we had a lovely little chat while I waited for the emergency locksmith to show up. She also told me a little about the other neighbors in our row, all of whom she says are lovely people who have helped each other out on many occasions. She said she'd seen me carrying stuff in and wanted to come up and say "hi" but she could see I was always busy when I was there and she didn't want to intrude when I was trying to get settled.

Then when the locksmith called back to say he was waiting outside my condo she showed me out through her garage so I wouldn't have so far to walk in the rain, gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and told me that she used to serve on the board of the HOA and to let her know if I had any problems. What a thoroughly wonderful person!

Anyhoo in due time the locksmith got the door opened and got paid and left me his name and number in case I need any more locksmithing done and I got back in and dried off a bit and finished up what I was doing and came on home. But what could have been a nightmare (and was, for about ten minutes) turned into an unexpected and enjoyable encounter and I got to know one of my neighbors.

Oh, and I also put the two bookshelves together:

http://imageshack.us/a/img545/6329/bookcaseno1.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img10/1544/bookcaseno2.jpg

I laid them back down on their sides (and haven't put the shelves in, obviously) to keep them out of the way until I can decide exactly where they're going to go, since I'll probably anchor them to the wall once they're in place and I only want to do that once. Also need to clean up the wall and baseboards a bit before I put anything there. Plus the guy switching on my internet may need access to the phone jack along that wall and I don't want to stand them up and then have to move them to give him space to work.

The only thing left from Ikea right now that isn't put together is the bed base, but that is a LOT of pieces and I was just too tired to even look at the instructions today.

Once I get that thing I need for the hole saw I hope to get the desk finished and in place. Also took another 6-7 boxes of books over today. Now with some of the smaller shelves empty in the apartment I can either take them over to the condo and stow them somewhere or just throw out the cheapo ones I won't be keeping. That will free up some space around my desk here which will make it a lot easier to get all the computer stuff out and moved when the time comes. :yeah:

And now I'm going to go take a hot shower because my feet are STILL cold. :O:

Sailor Steve

05-05-13, 08:45 PM

Wow, great stories! My dad once took a car engine apart just to look at it and see how it worked. I've installed engines and a heavy-duty transmission and assembled a lot of stuff, but I never really had the bug that bad. I'll fix things if I can, but I don't really enjoy it (well, unless you count rebuilding and refinishing that one bass guitar).

Locked out so soon. I feel for you. I live in dread of the day I lock myself out of my apartment. If it's a weekday the office has keys, but at night or a weekend? I'm glad your neighbors are turning out to be cool.

Bookshelves. Bookshelves are good. I'm glad you said why they are on their sides, because I was just about to make a snarky comment about how they are supposed to work.

Cold feet? Now you know why your sister has a husband. Trucks and handymen are nice, but a girl needs someone to warm her feet on. Someone to say "Don't do that! Yer feet are cold!" :O:

Wolferz

05-06-13, 07:01 AM

When is this new bed and breakfast due to open?:03:

I'm not picky. A cot in the garage will be fine.:D

Foot warming is a specialty o mine.:salute:

AVGWarhawk

05-06-13, 08:41 AM

Wow, great stories! My dad once took a car engine apart just to look at it and see how it worked.

My uncle took apart my grandparents car. It was in pieces in the driveway. Wanted to see how it worked. He did reassemble the car and worked fine. Eventually he became a mechanic.

frau kaleun

05-06-13, 09:28 AM

My first baby doll as a child was one wth some kind of mechanism inside that made it say "mama" when you turned it over. Apparently I was supposed to feed it and rock it and put it to bed, but I took its head off and pulled out the insides trying to figure out what made it work.

Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure that was also my last baby doll. :hmmm:

AVGWarhawk

05-06-13, 09:31 AM

:haha:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GbhwCIhIXjw/Twez7MwbRmI/AAAAAAAAAWs/vZlP0AjGni8/s400/63-wednesday-addams-15196089-350-347.jpg

Wolferz

05-06-13, 10:03 AM

Today I are one.

And a car pen terr

And a Lectrishun

Jack of all master of none
:D

Sailor Steve

05-06-13, 12:24 PM

Nucular physitist.

Jimbuna

05-06-13, 03:08 PM

Jeebus!!....automatic feed morelike :)

Wolferz

05-07-13, 10:00 AM

THE KEY!

:D:hmmm:

At least you were afforded a meet and greet with a good neighbor.:up:

frau kaleun

05-07-13, 11:55 AM

THE KEY!

That's the problem. This is one of those doorknobs with a keyhole on the outside, but just a twisty button on the inside. But even if the button is turned to "lock" the door still opens from the inside, so it's easy not to realize that's locked from the other side. Which is why I've been so careful not to go out without all the keys on my person somewhere. And most of the time I've got a doorstop in place to keep it from closing all the way. But that time, I screwed up.

I'm gonna stop somewhere tonight and either get copies of the existing key made, or else just buy a different doorknob/lock for it entirely if I can find something I like that doesn't work that way. I want to replace all the doorknobs eventually because they're bright yellow gold things and I hate them, plus I probably should change the locks anyway just on general principles.

Wolferz

05-07-13, 01:01 PM

That's the problem. This is one of those doorknobs with a keyhole on the outside, but just a twisty button on the inside. But even if the button is turned to "lock" the door still opens from the inside, so it's easy not to realize that's locked from the other side. Which is why I've been so careful not to go out without all the keys on my person somewhere. And most of the time I've got a doorstop in place to keep it from closing all the way. But that time, I screwed up.

I'm gonna stop somewhere tonight and either get copies of the existing key made, or else just buy a different doorknob/lock for it entirely if I can find something I like that doesn't work that way. I want to replace all the doorknobs eventually because they're bright yellow gold things and I hate them, plus I probably should change the locks anyway just on general principles.
A very wise choice. You may even wish to opt for a set of door locks that are all keyed the same. One key fits all so to speak. Something I recently did with our home after we had our new side porch built. The old one was eaten up by those insidious carpenter ants. At any rate, no more fumbling for the right key, no matter which door is accessed and it saves space on an already overcrowded key ring.:sunny:

AVGWarhawk

05-07-13, 01:51 PM

Go Biometric! Finger print locks. No key required. :D

stoppro

05-07-13, 01:57 PM

I have a Simplex with buttons works great an no keys- just so long as my memory works

Wolferz

05-07-13, 02:19 PM

Well, if you're going high tech with biometric readers or keypads, ya might as well install mag locks too. Mag locks are the rude surprise for any macho guy who thinks he can kick your door in.:03:

They'll even stop a SWAT team from using the ol' battering ram.

Steel doors and jambs, not the deciduous varietay.

frau kaleun

05-07-13, 02:26 PM

A very wise choice. You may even wish to opt for a set of door locks that are all keyed the same. One key fits all so to speak. Something I recently did with our home after we had our new side porch built. The old one was eaten up by those insidious carpenter ants. At any rate, no more fumbling for the right key, no matter which door is accessed and it saves space on an already overcrowded key ring.:sunny:

See, that is what I would like for all the entry doors. Well, maybe one key for the knob/lever locks and then a second different key for the front and back deadbolts.

Wolferz

05-07-13, 03:24 PM

See, that is what I would like for all the entry doors. Well, maybe one key for the knob/lever locks and then a second different key for the front and back deadbolts.

Shouldn't be too hard to find both those items at your local home improvement football field.:O:

Jimbuna

05-07-13, 03:57 PM

Go Biometric! Finger print locks. No key required. :D

My sentiments too :03:

stoppro

05-07-13, 04:34 PM

I like the idea of fingerprint locks .but if I come home with paint or other dirt on my hands would they work? then there is the problem of dead batteries at the wrong time.

Jimbuna

05-07-13, 04:35 PM

Wired to the mains...no problem.

vienna

05-07-13, 04:58 PM

Hell, go for it: retinal scanner locks!!...

<O>

Sailor Steve

05-07-13, 05:03 PM

Too old-hat. Thought control for the win. :sunny:

WernherVonTrapp

05-07-13, 05:29 PM

If you want to make your home reasonably secure, if you're on a budget, you can do what Wolferz said. Just make sure the framework around the door is well built. I came upon an attempted burglary once where the homeowner had a steel frame and jamb but the entire framework around the door (including a palladium window) fell into the home when it was kicked in. It must've caught the burglar by surprise too because there were no signs of actual entry.
I always suggest extra long screws for the doorknob, striker, deadbolt assembly and door chain (if you use one). Also, make sure you purchase a bump proof lock set.
http://peterhgregory.wordpress.com/2007/07/14/most-residential-locks-susceptible-to-lock-bumping/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_bumping

If you decide to get an alarm system, get an audible system, not a silent alarm. No home is burglar proof, as I have seen some pretty sophisticated alarm/lock systems bypassed or disabled. If you don't install an alarm system, you can still purchase a sign that says your home is protected by one and place it in a visible spot. "Beware of Dog" signs can be a deterrent too.

vienna

05-07-13, 05:37 PM

Too old-hat. Thought control for the win. :sunny:

http://imageshack.us/a/img580/7336/kenobi011.jpg

"These are not the keys you were looking for..."

Wolferz

05-07-13, 08:56 PM

This is the best signage...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/thCAX3CJQZ.jpg (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/Wolferz_2007/media/thCAX3CJQZ.jpg.html)

Or this...
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb295/Wolferz_2007/cat-sign-beware-b.jpg (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/Wolferz_2007/media/cat-sign-beware-b.jpg.html)

Madox58

05-07-13, 10:10 PM

Figure out how a house is built.
Any construction worker can go through the wall faster then messing with a door!
Unless you have motion sensors?
No doorlock will stop a determained break in.
Look at it this way..........
You place a 3.5 inch steel door in a wall that is made of .5 inch partical board, reinforced by fiberglass insulation, backed up by .5 inches of drywall!
:haha:

We are a Nation of idiots mislead by hucksters telling us how safe we are!

Wolferz

05-08-13, 07:55 AM

Locks were only invented to keep the honest people honest.
Any determined burglar will find a way to get in.
My money is on Frau Kaleun if she catches one in her home.
HAI YAH!:salute:

frau kaleun

05-08-13, 08:01 AM

Locks were only invented to keep the honest people honest.
Any determined burglar will find a way to get in.
My money is on Frau Kaleun if she catches one in her home.
HAI YAH!:salute:

I have a statue of a meditating Buddha with a big heavy base, however the head and body of the Buddha sitting atop it are just the right size for me to get my hand around with a real good grip (he's a skinny Buddha, not a fat jolly one). The whole thing is just the right weight to pick up and swing. It'll probably end up sitting on the nightstand in my bedroom. I consider it my weapon of first opportunity in case of a nighttime home intrusion.

You may feel it would be inappropriate to brain a burglar with the Buddha but just think of it as a very blunt lesson in karma. :O:

Jimbuna

05-08-13, 08:03 AM

LOL :)

I purchased one whilst in Malaysia many years ago (a fat one)...must bring it out of the loft and take a shot of him.

AVGWarhawk

05-08-13, 08:59 AM

Functional as a chair. Always a blunt force weapon at hand.

http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51152d756bb3f7026c000000-768-768-618-618/xxx_9444_1349725295_1.jpg

Sailor Steve

05-08-13, 09:05 AM

Look at it this way..........
You place a 3.5 inch steel door in a wall that is made of .5 inch partical board, reinforced by fiberglass insulation, backed up by .5 inches of drywall!
As has been said, the best security in the world is no guarantee, just as all the guns and expertise are no guarantee against a dedicated assassin.

I had a friend once point out that a burglar came into his home in the middle of the night, opening the front door faster than he could with his key. I realize that anyone could open my door with ease, which is why I always lock the screen door before I go to bed, and use a sliding bolt lock. They won't keep anyone out, but they will make a lot of noise coming in, and that's a pretty good alarm in itself. If I'm not home? I'll just have to hope the insurance covers everything, but if I'm not there it doesn't bother me.

Wolferz

05-08-13, 09:07 AM

My weapon of choice for braining the brainless is the butt end of a rifle.

Butt stroke to the head and hold! Followed by a diagonal thrust downward from collar bone to hip. Even without a bayonet attached, it's going to hurt. That gets swiftly followed with a butt stroke to the groin.:smug:

Even the Frau agrees that Karma can be a bitch.:D

Sailor Steve

05-08-13, 09:08 AM

You may feel it would be inappropriate to brain a burglar with the Buddha but just think of it as a very blunt lesson in karma. :O:
:rotfl2:

I have a bolo (machete) within easy reach. I figure it will get the point across.

Wolferz

05-08-13, 09:19 AM

They don't call them louahvull sluggers for giggles.:03::up:

The guys at hillrich and Bradsby get bored one day or what?:D

WernherVonTrapp

05-08-13, 11:09 AM

As has been said, the best security in the world is no guarantee, just as all the guns and expertise are no guarantee against a dedicated assassin.

I had a friend once point out that a burglar came into his home in the middle of the night, opening the front door faster than he could with his key. I realize that anyone could open my door with ease, which is why I always lock the screen door before I go to bed, and use a sliding bolt lock. They won't keep anyone out, but they will make a lot of noise coming in, and that's a pretty good alarm in itself. If I'm not home? I'll just have to hope the insurance covers everything, but if I'm not there it doesn't bother me.Indeed. I myself have done preliminary investigations on hundreds of burglaries. Doors and/or windows were the points of entry or exit on every single one. Same thing for the burglaries where I was not part of the investigation, but read the reports. I did hear of a couple of burglaries in surrounding jurisdictions where a cinder block wall or roof was breached, but those occurred on large, remote, business, structures.

AVGWarhawk

05-08-13, 11:12 AM

They don't call them louahvull sluggers for giggles.:03::up:

The guys at hillrich and Bradsby get bored one day or what?:D

I'm guessing they were bored but sure enough someone will buy that chair.

frau kaleun

05-08-13, 11:26 AM

I'm guessing they were bored but sure enough someone will buy that chair.

...but that someone will not be me. :O:

If I want to bludgeon someone with a big stick I'll just use one of these:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/A_daisho_set_of_bokuto.jpg/800px-A_daisho_set_of_bokuto.jpg

Of course there's also my penchant for finely crafted German and Japanese knives to fall back on should the kitchen area come into play. :haha:

WernherVonTrapp

05-08-13, 11:35 AM

...but that someone will not be me. :O:

If I want to bludgeon someone with a big stick I'll just use one of these:

Of course there's also my penchant for finely crafted German and Japanese knives to fall back on should the kitchen area come into play. :haha:Those will do the trick. Especially with your training.http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/archangel501/Smileys/01910119.gif

Wolferz

05-08-13, 11:58 AM

I will never break into your abode, Frau Cuisenart.
I Promise.:D

PS: I would never break into any ones' abode.

Nothing on the planet worth stealing. Nothing!

Jimbuna

05-08-13, 04:52 PM

...but that someone will not be me. :O:

If I want to bludgeon someone with a big stick I'll just use one of these:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/A_daisho_set_of_bokuto.jpg/800px-A_daisho_set_of_bokuto.jpg

Of course there's also my penchant for finely crafted German and Japanese knives to fall back on should the kitchen area come into play. :haha:

It's funny you should post that...I purchased a samurai sword in China of all places back in the late seventies and honestly doubt I'd ever have the courage to use it so I appropriated an old baton prior to retirement but heeded the warnings of ex colleagues regarding the appropriation of force issue kit so now I keep 'Old Bessie' in a cupboard on the landing at the top of the stairs.

Old Bessie is a commoner garden baseball bat, easily purchased in most good sports outlets and much easier to explain away.

WernherVonTrapp

05-08-13, 05:14 PM

Old Bessie is a commoner garden baseball bat, easily purchased in most good sports outlets and much easier to explain away.Sounds a little like our ol' "Tire Thumper", for checking tires of course.:D
http://gdlcdn3.thehomesecuritysuperstore-img1.com/productimages/7126_l.jpg
http://gdlcdn2.thehomesecuritysuperstore-img2.com/productimages/7124_l.jpg

vienna

05-08-13, 05:20 PM

I will never break into your abode, Frau Cuisenart.
I Promise.:D

PS: I would never break into any ones' abode.

Nothing on the planet worth stealing. Nothing!

Hmm...

I believe he doth protest too much...

Just saying... :)

<O>

Jimbuna

05-08-13, 05:25 PM

Sounds a little like our ol' "Tire Thumper", for checking tires of course.:D

Rgr that :)

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 07:53 AM

Okay - can somebody here please explain how to use the freakin' hole saw?

I got the drill. I got the hole saw. I got the mandrel that's supposed to work with all the Bosch hole saws. They all fit together. But when I put them all together, the pilot bit that came with the mandrel is about 1-1.5" too short to protrude beyond the end of the hole saw, so I can't use it to "anchor" the saw in place when drilling so it doesn't walk all over the surface of whatever I'm working on.

Am I supposed to drill the pilot hole without the saw in place? But if I do that, what goes in the mandrel to put in the pilot hole once the saw's attached?

Do I just need a longer pilot bit? Or is there some kind of other extension that I need?

Why on earth would they sell a bit with the mandrel that doesn't work with the saws the mandrel was designed for? There's got to be something here that I'm missing, either another part or some step in this process that I don't understand. :dead:

Herr-Berbunch

05-09-13, 08:17 AM

Sounds like you need a longer bit.

But I'm certainly no DIY expert so I'd await further instructions from somebody who is. Or at least claims to be. :D

The Enigma

05-09-13, 08:21 AM

Doesn't the tool look something like this?

http://www.techzine.nl/upload/2219.jpg

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 08:39 AM

When the saw is attached to the mandrel, yes. Except the pilot bit does not extend beyond the end of the saw so there's no way to drill a pilot hole with it while the saw is attached, and no way to use it to center the saw around the pilot hole while actually using the saw.

It seemed obvious to me that the correct procedure was to put them all together and then put the end of the bit on the spot that should be the center of the hole I want to make with the saw, and start drilling. The bit would drill a pilot hole and keep the saw anchored in the right spot once it made contact. IF that is the correct procedure, then all I should need is a longer pilot bit.

The Enigma

05-09-13, 08:41 AM

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 08:59 AM

That's exactly how it should be done.

The drill will first make a hole and when the whole is deep enough the saw part will start doing the job.
Pardon my simply choice of words . I've never explained things like this in a foreign language.

You're doing fine because that's exactly what I needed to know. :yep: I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a step in the process that I hadn't figured out that would require something other than just a longer pilot bit.

So... now I gotta go find a longer bit, just have to put the thing together again and figure out how long it needs to be.

The Enigma

05-09-13, 09:12 AM

As you can see on that picture 2 or 3 centimeters should be enough.
As long as the pilot whole is deep enough to give you a stable grip for keeping the saw part in the right place.

Herr-Berbunch

05-09-13, 09:32 AM

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/122/fraubit.jpg

The Enigma

05-09-13, 09:34 AM

I wondered how long it would take before someone would.... :haha:

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 09:55 AM

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/122/fraubit.jpg

:rotfl2:

HW3

05-09-13, 10:20 AM

I might be wrong but, is there a lock screw on the mandrel that allows for the drill bit to be adjusted for length?

:subsim:

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 10:54 AM

I might be wrong but, is there a lock screw on the mandrel that allows for the drill bit to be adjusted for length?

If there is, I can't figure out how. I had the thing in and out of there a dozen times and it appears to just click'n'lock into place somehow - I turned and turned the turnable part(s) of the mandrel with and without the bit in there, thinking it might work like the chuck does on the drill. But it doesn't seem like turning the mandrel in the same way has any effect, so I figured it was just turnable because it has to spin when the drill is running. Looking down in the end I don't see any adjustable "teeth" that hold the bit in place, I'm guessing it's magnetic and that's what holds it once it's all the way in.

I'll have another go with it when I get back over there to see if I can make it work with what I've got, if not I'll go shopping for another bit.

Herr-Berbunch

05-09-13, 10:58 AM

Is your bro-in-law around? :hmmm:

WernherVonTrapp

05-09-13, 11:01 AM

If you still have the receipt, you can return it for a refund and get the correct size bit for the hole saw. You might want to bring the hole saw with you so that the attendant can match it up correctly.
I purchased mine at a local K-Mart and the kit included the drill bit.
http://www.hobbytool.com/ProductImages/powertoolsandacces.-drillacces/378new.jpg

HW3

05-09-13, 11:19 AM

I guess I was wrong, not the first time, and won't be the last time either. A quick look online shows that things have changed a lot since I last had need of a hole saw. In the olden days, there used to be a set screw on the side of the mandrel that allowed you to set the depth of the drill bit in relation to the hole saw.

:subsim:

Jimbuna

05-09-13, 11:30 AM

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 11:35 AM

I readilly admit my gear is aged but that is what is on my kit.

Well it's possible there's a way and I just haven't figured it out yet. I mean, this - the mandrel and bit combo - is the part they sell to use with a whole line of hole saws, all of which (at least from what I saw in the store) are as long as the one I have. So the bit that came with the mandrel wouldn't work with any of them unless there's some way to adjust it. :hmmm:

AVGWarhawk

05-09-13, 11:44 AM

Post a picture of what you are working with. I have always seen hole saws with the drill bit in the center of the round saw. The bit just helps with centering the saw blade and starting the hole.

AVGWarhawk

05-09-13, 11:49 AM

I readilly admit my gear is aged but that is what is on my kit.

My gear is a bit aged. We are talking tools right? Never mind... :shifty:

The Enigma

05-09-13, 11:51 AM

:haha::har:

Jimbuna

05-09-13, 11:54 AM

My gear is a bit aged. We are talking tools right? Never mind... :shifty:

Take yer pick...they're both in similar condition :)

Wolferz

05-09-13, 11:59 AM

I'm thinking that there must be a set screw (removable using a hex wrench or allen wrench as they are sometimes called) in the mandrel to secure the pilot bit in place. If you purchased all the components separately, then there may be a mismatch in regard to the length of the pilot bit.
I tend to buy my tools in sets. Unfortunately, a good hole saw set can run around $70.00.

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 01:16 PM

My gear is a bit aged. We are talking tools right? Never mind... :shifty:

Whatever it is you're talking about... I need a longer one, is all I'm sayin'. :O:

Herr-Berbunch

05-09-13, 01:29 PM

Whatever it is you're talking about... I need a longer one, is all I'm sayin'. :O:

So were they.

Jimbuna

05-09-13, 01:31 PM

So were they.

You wouldn't want it hanging off the end of your nose as a wart :O:

Herr-Berbunch

05-09-13, 01:35 PM

Damn right. :o

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 02:12 PM

Okay, here is the mandrel and bit:

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Accessories/Pages/BoschAccessoryDetail.aspx?pid=PCM38#benefits

http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/files/r45269v33.png

The bit is separate and can be easily popped in and out, but if there's a way to adjust how far out it extends from where the hole saw fits in around it, I haven't found it yet.

Poking around on the Bosch site, it appears that what I really needed was probably this:

http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Accessories/Pages/BoschAccessoryDetail.aspx?pid=PCM38-MC#specs

http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/files/r45271v33.png

with the longer bit. The thing is, when I go to Amazon or Lowe's or Home Depot and try to do a search for it (PCM38-MC) the only results I get are either the item I've already got (PCM38) or an item that looks identical to it (and not like the picture above from the Bosch site) but is listed as model# PCM38-MC. So I'm really confused.

I don't know what those two adapters do that are mentioned (AN01 and AN02) but they are two items on the bottom left in this pic:

http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/files/r20938v33.png

I know I looked them up before and found descriptions and at the time it didn't sound like they were used to extend the pilot bit somehow but now I don't know. :hmmm:

Edit: looks like there may be some kind of live chat support at the Bosch site? Maybe I should try that.

Edit: chatting with someone now!

Jimbuna

05-09-13, 02:15 PM

Pretty much looks like the upper example is non adjustable so the obvious choice is the lower one...that's a shame :-?

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 02:40 PM

Pretty much looks like the upper example is non adjustable so the obvious choice is the lower one...that's a shame :-?

Just finished chatting with a Bosch rep, I don't need to buy the other mandrel, I just need to get the longer bit (4 3/4") for use with the type of hole saw I have.. She even looked it up at Amazon to see if they had it in stock (they do).

Edit: just ordered it, I should have it tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed, I really need to get the desk finished over the weekend!

HW3

05-09-13, 02:52 PM

The AN01 adapter is used to mount the hole saws from 9/16" to 1-3/16" in diameter to the mandrel.

The AN02 adapter is used to mount the hole saws from 1-1/4" to 6" in diameter to the mandrel.

I think you will need one of them. Which one depends on the size of the hole you want to drill.

Edit: Amazon does not have the AN01 one.

:subsim:

Sailor Steve

05-09-13, 03:03 PM

How is an adapter for wider diameter saws going to make the bit longer?

Just wondering?

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 03:12 PM

The AN01 adapter is used to mount the hole saws from 9/16" to 1-3/16" in diameter to the mandrel.

The AN02 adapter is used to mount the hole saws from 1-1/4" to 6" in diameter to the mandrel.

I think you will need one of them.

Nope, the Bosch hole saw mounts into the mandrel just fine. I'm pretty sure those adapters are for use with other brands of hole saw so you can still use them with the Bosch mandrel and drill.

HW3

05-09-13, 03:14 PM

Ok, I wondered about that.:yep:

:subsim:

AVGWarhawk

05-09-13, 03:18 PM

All I know is those Mandrills can be nasty sometimes. Often very aggressive. We are talking about primates right? :hmmm:

Sailor Steve

05-09-13, 03:20 PM

I will thank you kindly to leave my family out of this! :stare:

Jimbuna

05-09-13, 04:16 PM

Just finished chatting with a Bosch rep, I don't need to buy the other mandrel, I just need to get the longer bit (4 3/4") for use with the type of hole saw I have.. She even looked it up at Amazon to see if they had it in stock (they do).

Edit: just ordered it, I should have it tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed, I really need to get the desk finished over the weekend!

Excellent closure...but I will say, if there was a SS Meet near you I'd bring my kit over and do the job for you (permission granted of course).

Jeff must be tied up somewhere because I'm confident he could easily sort out the problem.

Wolferz

05-09-13, 04:48 PM

Whatever it is you're talking about... I need a longer one, is all I'm sayin'. :O:

That's what all the girls say. except some of the sistas.:03::O:

WernherVonTrapp

05-09-13, 04:55 PM

Ah, so you spoke to an attendant and got the correct size bit for your hole saw. Glad to see you got it all resolved.:up:

Wolferz

05-09-13, 05:53 PM

I'm confident that our condo frau will execute a nice hole, knowing her penchant for sharp things.:up:

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 08:44 PM

Update: well, first Amazon said I'd have the bit tomorrow, but their confirmation email says the expected delivery date is Monday. :stare: Oh well, I'll just have to get other stuff done this weekend and finish the desk next week if necessary. Heaven knows I'm not short of things that need to be done.

Now I've got the bug to get a new fridge sooner rather than later, since the money's holding out better than I expected. It will definitely need to be replaced and it seems like that would be easier to do before I'm settled in and using it for more than cold drinks.

I did confirm tonight that at some point there was a water line for an icemaker and/or water dispenser, but for some reason it was cut off where it passes through the bottom of the little pantry cupboard next to the fridge and they painted over the bit that was still sticking through. The rest of the line is still there, though, and still running up to where it's spliced into the line inside the utility closet where the water heater is... that's just on the other side of the pantry cupboard. There's already a hole drilled to pass the completed line through the other side of the cupboard and behind the fridge.

So it should just be a matter of putting in a new bit of line and extending it to where it needs to go. I'll have to get with my brother-in-law on that as we already discussed putting in a line if there wasn't one already. Well, okay, I discussed it with my sister and she said he would do it, you married fellas know how that works. :O:

But naturally I would want the line in place before bringing in a new fridge, so buying one will depend on when/if I can get the line in. I may look at doing it myself if I can find a good guide and it doesn't seem to complicated.

Oh, and here's a stupid question: when they deliver a refrigerator, do they bring it with the doors off and then put them on once the thing's in place? Otherwise I can't understand how they get the darn things into anybody's kitchen. The straightest shot in is from the front door down the hall but there's a 30" doorway into the kitchen and even the one that's there now wouldn't fit through it with the doors on.

In fact now that I look at the measurements I took, there'd be less than a 1/2" clearance even with the doors off. Maybe they brought it in through the back, I guess I should measure all the doorways in that direction. :hmmm:

Went over to Lowe's tonight and got some safety glasses for when I start drilling, also looked at new door knobs and locks and some cabinet hardware... but I'm not ready to make any decisions on that stuff yet. Found a white Sharpie so I can mark the spots on the desk where I want to drill. And got some regular Sharpies for marking boxes when I start packing up the rest of my stuff, I can't think how many times I've told myself I needed to get those and I finally remembered... but only cuz I was looking for the white one after asking the salesman what I could use to make a guide mark on a black surface, lol.

AAAAAAND I made a couple copies of the key to that dang door in the garage, which will also fit the patio door of the condo. Hid one in the garage so I don't get myself locked out again. Also hid one on the patio just in case I'm stupid enough to get locked out with the garage door closed and no opener, as farfetched as that sounds. Well, it could happen, what if the garage door suddenly stops working? There would still be the fence/gate to deal with, but hell I can climb over those if I have to.

Did you know they have a do-it-yourself key copy machine at Lowe's now? It's so cool. You insert your key and it either accepts or rejects it (it won't copy car keys, for instance) and then tells you to pick out the key you want to use for each of however many copies you want, then tells you how much, then you slide your credit/debit card and BOOM it starts making your keys. It's very cool, but also very new so the selection of key styles is pretty limited but I'll probably change the locks anyway so these will do for now.

Also:

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/6961/microwave.jpg

New microwave! And:

http://imageshack.us/a/img801/4993/rangehoodbox.jpg

New range hood! That will probably have to wait on my bro-in-law, but at least that's one job he did volunteer to do himself as opposed to being volunteered by his better half without knowing about it. :O:

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 09:26 PM

Found a how-to video on running the line for the icemaker - crap, that looks easy, they even sell kits for it! But with the line already connected to the water supply I may have to try and match up the line to the connection that's already there, rather than starting from scratch. I don't know, I'll have to take a closer look at it this weekend.

HW3

05-09-13, 09:57 PM

As a former appliance repair person, yes they do take the doors and hinges off the refrigerator, if they have to, to get them in.

:subsim:

frau kaleun

05-09-13, 10:00 PM

As a former appliance repair person, yes they do take the doors and hinges off the refrigerator, if they have to, to get them in.

:subsim:

Thanks, that's good to know. Seems like it would be much easier to move them without the doors on anyway, that's how I would do it. It will definitely give me some more options on what to buy if that's the case. :yeah:

Onkel Neal

05-09-13, 10:26 PM

Well it's possible there's a way and I just haven't figured it out yet. I mean, this - the mandrel and bit combo - is the part they sell to use with a whole line of hole saws, all of which (at least from what I saw in the store) are as long as the one I have. So the bit that came with the mandrel wouldn't work with any of them unless there's some way to adjust it. :hmmm:

Wait till you drill a 1-1/2 hole with your new hole saws... then you learn it's a whole lotta fun trying to get that disc of wood out of your hole saw. :O:

Herr-Berbunch

05-10-13, 02:51 AM

. . . I just need to get the longer bit (4 3/4") for use with the type of hole saw I have..

That's just what Roy Scheider said. :D

AVGWarhawk

05-10-13, 05:09 AM

Wait till you drill a 1-1/2 hole with your new hole saws... then you learn it's a whole lotta fun trying to get that disc of wood out of your hole saw. :O:

:haha: I forgot about that little issue. Frau, there should be holes in the back of the saw you can use to push the circular cut piece out.

frau kaleun

05-10-13, 07:19 PM

:haha: I forgot about that little issue. Frau, there should be holes in the back of the saw you can use to push the circular cut piece out.

I'll worry about that once I get the stupid thing to cut something!

Only went to the condo today to do some more measuring re: a new fridge. I've concluded that unless I rip the wall base off the alcove where the fridge sits, I won't be able to get the one I really had my eye on - the toe of the base on either side really sticks out and unless the new fridge sits on some kind of base that is narrower than the main body of the unit, which I doubt, I have about 1 1/2" less width there than I originally thought.

A previous owner has already ripped the base off the back of the alcove, and it looks awful from what I can see. It either needs some new base back there or else some paint slapped on it. If I can get the supply line run for the ice maker, I'll move the current fridge over in the empty dinette area and plug it in there... it just takes a standard outlet, right? Not some special "wired for fridges" outlet that I don't know about? :O:

Anyway once it's out of the alcove I'll see what if anything I want to do about the wall and wall base back there, fortunately I could replace the wall base in there and out around the counter next to it without having to redo any of the rest of the kitchen at the same time. Also need to get some wall base in that pantry cupboard, or else do something to spruce up the area down by the floor... of course since the supply line for the fridge would be running through there I'll have to figure out how to accommodate that as well without it getting in the way or being out where it might get caught on something or smooshed.

So, since I don't have my new drill bit yet :stare: it looks like tomorrow will be a trip to the store to see what I need for the supply line, and then after that who knows.

Had a really nice surprise today at the office, my coworkers brought in a surprise lunch for me as a little housewarming party. I didn't have a clue until I got an email requesting my presence in the lunchroom at 12 noon on the dot. Everybody had gone out and got me gift cards from various places, Lowe's and Macy's and Amazon and Bed Bath & Beyond and some other places and no doubt the company purchased several on behalf of the doctors and business as a whole. Over $300 total, most of it at Lowe's and Macy's which will help a lot with all the little things I'll be needing now and in the future. I was really touched, I expected them to do something but not that much!

I'll probably break in the first of them tomorrow at Lowe's. :D

AVGWarhawk

05-10-13, 07:31 PM

frau kaleun

05-10-13, 08:43 PM

We had to remove the quarter round molding so our fridge would fit. Its not unusual to remove the base boards so a fridge will fit. Need to keep a inch gap on both sides and rear of the fridge to allow ventilation.

Well, with it already removed from the wall behind the fridge, it seems like a no brainer to remove it from the rest of the alcove. Then when I see how that looks I may just decide to clean up the wall as best as I can and paint it all the way down to the floor. Without the wall base there, I've got a 36" wide space.

I was looking at an LG and their recommendation is only 1/8" clearance on the sides, and 1" top and back. According to that I should be able to acommodate a 35 3/4" wide fridge but only if the wall base comes off. :hmmm:

Just talked to my sister and she checked with the BiL and he said if I decide to buy a fridge, wait until the end of the month as Lowe's will have a sale around then. He can buy the fridge and get a 10% discount and I can just write him a check. There are some places with cheaper prices now that will probably have sales then too, but I wouldn't get the discount and Lowe's has free delivery, the other places, not so much.

You have nice coworkers.

Yes, I'm very fortunate in that regard. :yep:

Sailor Steve

05-10-13, 10:14 PM

it just takes a standard outlet, right? Not some special "wired for fridges" outlet that I don't know about? :O:

Anyway once it's out of the alcove...
Once it's out of the alcove you'll have the answer to that question. :sunny:

AVGWarhawk

05-10-13, 10:15 PM

Once the frig is in place you do not see where the base boards were anyway. Speaking of sales, Memorial Day sale coming up. Usually sales going on for Memorial Day Check Sears as well. :up:

frau kaleun

05-10-13, 11:14 PM

Once it's out of the alcove you'll have the answer to that question. :sunny:

And the survey says.... yes. All you need is a standard outlet. The survey being my sister, of course. :O:

Once the frig is in place you do not see where the base boards were anyway. Speaking of sales, Memorial Day sale coming up. Usually sales going on for Memorial Day Check Sears as well. :up:

I've given up on Sears entirely as of... a long time ago, lol. The last few times I was in there it was just sad. Anyway I did compare some prices on their website -which appears to be a mess of things that don't work making browsing very difficult - and they're about the same as Lowe's, where I'd get a discount so... no. :O:

AVGWarhawk

05-11-13, 06:18 AM

We found our best deals at Sears for the fridge. Several incentives. Garage door opener as well. I agree the Sears browsing site has a lot to be desired. The best deal on a washer/dryer we found at Home Depot. Specifically the features on the washer. My wife was smitten with a washer/dryer that was not the traditional white in color. The darn things beeps like R2D2 and if you shut off the lights in the wash room the pair look like the Death Star with all the lights on the control panel blazing away. In the end with all of the incentives, rebates and actual checks written to us for purchasing energy efficient appliances the total was close to $900.00 saved. The web is invaluable when it comes to shopping deals. :up:

Sailor Steve

05-11-13, 10:11 AM

The survey being my sister, of course. :O:
Yeah, but your sister is a compulsive shopaholic.

I know the one has nothing to do with the other, but never let a good insult go to waste, I always say.

Wolferz

05-11-13, 04:04 PM

You betcha Steve...
Letting a good insult go to waste is... well...
Insulting. :03::O:

frau kaleun

05-12-13, 12:24 AM

Today on This Old Condo...

Actually, we'll start with last night, when I started cleaning out my dresser and closet and chest of drawers. Weeded out the stuff I don't need right now (winter clothes, dress-up duds, etc.) and the stuff that was still good but would probably never be worn again (things that don't fit, bad fashion decisions, etc.) and stuff that just plain needed to be thrown out. Finished up the job this morning and ended up with two bags for the dumpster, four bags to donate somewhere, and five boxes that I could move on over to the condo.

Tossed the dumpster offerings, then loaded up the car and took off for the local Goodwill drop-off and handed over the donations. Then I decided to put some of my gift cards to good use and went shopping. Got an expandable tray for my new flatware:

http://imageshack.us/a/img32/3314/05112013a.jpg

and a nice cushy mat to stand on in the kitchen:

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/8046/05112013b.jpg

and when I stopped at Lowe's I discovered they finally had the little task lamp I'd been wanting back in stock:

http://imageshack.us/a/img90/7504/05112013c.jpg

I've been looking at an OttLite desk lamp but wasn't sure about it, figured I could use the task lamp right away for a lot of stuff and then decide if I like it enough to go with one of their desk lamps as well. Anyway, this little item would come in really handy today as I also picked up this:

http://imageshack.us/a/img836/5283/05112013d.jpg

in order to remedy this little situation:

http://imageshack.us/a/img825/1025/05112013g.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img28/2609/05112013h.jpg

That copper tubing is cut off right where it passes through that wall into the pantry cupboard... I guess since the previous owner's fridge didn't have an icemaker, she didn't want to deal with the line running through there. Whatever. I was hoping I could take the nut off where the tubing connects to the saddle valve and just replace it and the tubing with the appropriate parts from the kit, but that proved to be a tough nut to crack (yes I see what I did there :O:) and the whole thing looked so old and gunky that I decided I'd rather just take it all off and start from scratch using the hole in the pipe that was already there.

Found the shutoff valve for the cold water line and shut that off, then did a quick test at the kitchen sink to make sure the water was absotively posilutely off. It was. Then I got that old cruddy setup off of there.

http://imageshack.us/a/img839/6712/05112013i.jpg

Now comes the fun part!

http://imageshack.us/a/img35/8118/05112013f.jpg

Slinky, Slinky, what a wonderful toy! Slinky, Slinky, it's fun for turning water into ice when you buy a new fridge for... a girl and... the cats I'll probably adopt eventually. Okay, I need to work on the song some more. But not right now, I got a saddle valve to install!

http://imageshack.us/a/img812/433/05112013j.jpg

So far, so good.

http://imageshack.us/a/img18/6959/05112013k.jpg

BUT WILL IT WORK?

And now it's time for a protip from your Auntie FK. :know:

When you install one of these gizmos, and turn the water on, and then turn the little thingy on the saddle valve so that it's open all the way, THE WATER COMES OUT REAL FAST. You may think it will not come out fast enough to completely fill up the Tupperware container you are holding before you can turn the little thingy on the saddle valve all the way back in the other direction. But you would be wrong, especially if your hands are wet from all the water that is now slopping over the sides of the Tupperware container you are trying to hold onto with one hand while frantically spinning the little thingy around with the other. In short, always put the other end of the hose in something really big, like a sink or a bathtub or perhaps Lake Erie if it happens to be handy and the tubing is long enough.

And now we return you to our regularly scheduled programming, where Frau Kaleun has just successfully installed her very first water supply line.

http://imageshack.us/a/img842/3273/05112013l.jpg

LIKE A BOSS! :arrgh!: :arrgh!: :arrgh!:

If you don't count that little incident with the Tupperware in the hallway. Thank goodness I had a drain in the utility closet and a towel on hand just in case. :88)

To be continued...

frau kaleun

05-12-13, 12:30 AM

And the mayhem continues...

I let it run into the sink for a good five minutes per the instructions, no leaks anywhere. Then I turned it off again and threaded the tubing into the pantry cupboard through the hole that was already there.

http://imageshack.us/a/img38/3333/05112013m.jpg

I'd already thoroughly cleaned up the floor and lower area there, as I'm planning to put some kind of "false floor" in there to protect the tubing and wanted to get any gunk out first and know it was good and clean. I've got some bricks I bought a while back (long story) and I think I might put them in the corners and then get something cut to fit that space and sit on top of them... it'll make a safe space for the tubing to run through without being in the way or getting squashed by something, plus hide that ugly bit of wall where someone ripped the wall base off. And it'll keep whatever I store down there a little higher up for easier access... I'm thinking maybe some kind of little bins or baskets for onyuns and taters, but I'm not sure. I still have to thread the tubing through the hole in the other wall and over behind the fridge, but that can wait until I move the fridge out which I wasn't gonna mess with today.

Anyway... with that job tended to, I decided to have my very first non-takeout meal in my new kitchen:

http://imageshack.us/a/img7/4082/05112013n.jpg

Okay, it's still sort of takeout food, since it's the leftovers I brought home from the lunch they brought in for me on Friday, but the point is - I didn't have to get in the car and drive somewhere to get something to eat, lol. SO IT TOTALLY COUNTS. Look, I even used one of my new dishes and a real knife! :woot:

After cleaning up from my dinner and washing the bowl and knife - OH WAIT I DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT, I HAVE A DISHWASHER NOW :rock: - I moved the stereo into the living room, where I'd set up a little homemade cabinet/shelf thing that I brought over from the apartment. It's what the stereo sat on here, and I'll probably throw it out and buy a real non-junky media cabinet or something eventually, but I'm not sure yet where the stereo will end up so it will have to do for now. At least it won't be sitting on an upturned box in the kitchen any more which seemed like a much better option with Moving Day fast approaching.

Then for some stupid reason, even though it was already getting late, I decided to start putting the bed base together. Or as I've come to call it, Adventures In Splinter Removal. Yeah, it's a bed base, and so the wood is a little... er... rougher than I'm used to from putting together things that are meant to sit out where someone can see them, lol. It wasn't so bad once I realized I just had to be careful about not running my hands up and down the pieces when handling them.

The beginnings of one half of the base:

http://imageshack.us/a/img203/7782/05112013o.jpg

And the completed section:

http://imageshack.us/a/img341/4297/05112013p.jpg

Also unwrapped the mattress in the course of moving it out of the way and took the mattress cover off to be washed. Sadly, the goddess Ikea has decreed that Thou Shalt Not Tumble Dry Thy Mattress Cover, so I had to hang it up on the very convenient tension rod that the previous owner left over the washer/dryer in my little laundry alcove.

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/4344/05112013q.jpg

Probably a good thing that I decided to wash it now, I have to idea how long it's gonna take to dry and I hope to be sleeping on it next weekend. It's supposed to be made of some kind of material that wicks moisture away to help maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature and environment, so maybe it won't take too long to dry out. I hope I can at least move it somewhere else tomorrow to finish drying since I'll need to do my weekly laundry when I'm over there.

Getting it back ON the mattress once it's finally dry is sure to be a real treat, lol.

Well, that wraps up today's installment of This Old Condo. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures from the world of first-time home ownership, including... some time next week... a Very Special Hole Saw episode, which with any luck will not involve me attempting to dial 911 with the one finger I've got left while trying not to get blood all over my clean carpets. :O:

Sailor Steve

05-12-13, 04:23 AM

Wow, Frau, you da man...gal...whatever! I thought of a word that rhymes with wow and frau and how now, but I figure I better not go there unless I want a visit from Ohio that I probably wouldn't enjoy too much, what with the chop socky and all.

Anyway, it's looking real good. :yep:

Onkel Neal

05-12-13, 08:16 AM

This is better than Game of Thrones.

Wolferz

05-12-13, 09:02 AM

Dear Auntie FK,

Is that water damage in the floor around the water heater?

If so, that puppy could use a drain pan under it to prevent any further damage.
Probably best to wait until the heater requires replacement before installing one.
Welcome to the wonderful world of home ownership and maintenance.:03:

Jimbuna

05-12-13, 02:05 PM

Quite a handyman/woman :sunny:

frau kaleun

05-12-13, 09:10 PM

This is better than Game of Thrones.

And it also has dragons!

http://imageshack.us/a/img694/6981/05122013a.jpg

Dear Auntie FK,

Is that water damage in the floor around the water heater?

Probably, I haven't really started cleaning up in there yet except what was necessary to keep dust and cobwebs off me while hooking up that waterline. It's pretty gross in there and more than I want to tackle until I'm there full-time and can really get down and dirty and take as much time as it needs.

If so, that puppy could use a drain pan under it to prevent any further damage.
Probably best to wait until the heater requires replacement before installing one.

Well, the inspector estimated that it was already well past the expected lifespan - however it's still working fine. Recommendation was to not fix what wasn't broke but expect to be replacing it sooner rather than later.
Quite a handyman/woman :sunny:
Danke, mein herr. I do my best. :)

And now for today's activities...

Didn't get over there until almost half past two this afternoon, due to a late night that led to a late morning and a very slow start plus needing to load some stuff up in the car. When I arrived I realized I'd left my phone at the apartment and not wanting to be incommunicado all afternoon and half the evening I resigned myself to going back for it... but I did take advantage of the situation to bring a second carload of stuff over.

Got right to work on the rest of the bed base and had the second half done in no time at all, on account of it was just a repeat of what I'd already done yesterday.

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/1084/05122013b.jpg

Then it was just a matter of connecting the two halves together at each end by laying a long... uh... piece of wood (plank? slat? I don't know lumber jimbo) across them at each end and securing it to the corresponding bottom piece.

http://imageshack.us/a/img802/5784/05122013c.jpg

But what's this? No pre-drilled holes in the bottom piece for my convenience? THE HORROR. This looks like a job for...

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/4844/05122013d.jpg

Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na BOSCHMAN!

Or Boschgirl, as the case may be and actually is. :O: So I put on my special Boschgirl mask...

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/1007/05122013e.jpg

which doesn't do a very good job of concealing my identity, but should keep me from needing new glasses or new eyeballs any sooner than I already will.

And so began my first foray into the use and handling of power tools. Everything went better than expected!

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/8482/05122013f.jpg

And here is the frame in the general spot where I'll be sleeping, and where the bed will be once I get some furniture in there:

http://imageshack.us/a/img541/8782/05122013g.jpg

Fortunately that is the late afternoon and not the morning sun coming in those windows, because: :huh: That does seem to be the only logical spot for the bed, though. Nightstand on either side, dresser against the wall where mattress is currently propped up, and a chest and tv bureau somewhere to the right of where I was when I took the picture, on the wall opposite the bed. I might even have room for a little bench at the end of the bed, and a comfy chair of some kind in front of the other end of those windows... possibly the one sitting in my current living room, which was a gift from my mother and very nice but doesn't really go with anything I have or would put in my living room given the choice.

But enough of that: I know what you're thinking. What about the mattress cover? Did it dry out overnight? WAS FRAU K. ABLE TO DO HER LAUNDRY WITHOUT DAMP IKEA TEXTILES SMACKING HER IN THE FACE?

Well, no. And yes. It's still not dry but I moved the tension rod into the guest bathroom upstairs and hung it back up in there so I could get the rest of my laundry done.

http://imageshack.us/a/img18/9681/05122013h.jpg

Ran the fan in there until I left hoping it would help a little. Stupid thing was still damp when I checked again just before heading home. I can only hope it's dry by next weekend, because I intend to be sleeping on it then.

Anyway, I got my laundry done, but was so tired by the time I left that I plumb forgot to tote it home. :/\\!! Also remembered to take an extra lamp over to put in the living room, where's there's no overhead light, and I cleaned the side of the living room carpet where I don't have boxes or other stuff stacked. After that's dry I'll move stuff around and get the rest of it, then move the few things I have in the dining room over there since when I get all my stuff moved in the dining room will be the catch-all space for big stuff that doesn't have anywhere else to go or that I don't know what to do with yet. Gotta get that carpet cleaned some time this week as well.

But the big job that's next on the list is finishing the desk. I should have that drill bit I ordered tomorrow, so I'm hoping to go over there after work and get that job taken care of and put the desk and other furniture (except the bookcases) where I want it. Then I can finally start moving my office stuff over, culminating in the computer and its peripherals on Thursday or Friday. After that I'll be net-less at home until the phone company gets the service switched over next weekend. It will no doubt be the worst 2-3 days of my life thus far. :O:

Wolferz

05-13-13, 06:02 AM

2-3 days without internet?!

Oh the humanity!!!:wah:

Ah well, methinks you'll have a plethora of activities to keep you busy in the interim.:D

Sailor Steve

05-13-13, 06:11 AM

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/HugeManatee_zpsebd44b5e.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/HugeManatee_zpsebd44b5e.jpg.html)

Wolferz

05-13-13, 11:31 AM

:haha:Steve.:up:

Oh the huge midity. err it's hot and sticky.

frau kaleun

05-13-13, 12:27 PM

And lo, there was a rumbling in the parking lot, and the clouds did part, and thus did the UPS driver appear, and verily did he say unto Frau Kaleun:

"Fear not, Frau Kaleun, for thou hast found favor with Amazon. For thou hast placed an order on the interwebz, and it shall bring forth a drill bit for use with thy hole saw what thou hast purchased at Lowe's without knowing it could not be used without the special part that neither they nor any other local retailer saw fit to keep in stock for thy convenience, which is an affront to all who seek to drill holes in things before the guy from the phone company arrives on Saturday.

"And therefore the Lord thy God of Commerce shall smite them, and thou shalt render thy coin unto the afore-mentioned online retailer in retribution of their evil, and Neal shall get a cut, and a drill bit shall be delivered unto thee in two business days or less, and thus shall peace and goodwill be restored to all who deserveth it, and thy desk be finished, and of cable management there shall be no end. Sign here."

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9963/3k7c.jpg

FINALLY!!!! :woot:

Sailor Steve

05-13-13, 01:11 PM

:haha:Steve.:up:

Oh the huge midity. err it's hot and sticky.
I actually downloaded that from Subsim. It was a few years back and it was first shown here by a member who I'm not allowed to name, but her initials are Frau Kaleun.

Sailor Steve

05-13-13, 01:16 PM

FINALLY!!!! :woot:
Holy holesaw, Boschgirl! The drill can bite the bit, the bit can bite the board, and those evil holes better watch out cuz there's gonna be some holy holecuttin' goin' on today! :rock:

AVGWarhawk

05-13-13, 01:16 PM

And lo, there was a rumbling in the parking lot, and the clouds did part, and thus did the UPS driver appear, and verily did he say unto Frau Kaleun:

"Fear not, Frau Kaleun, for thou hast found favor with Amazon. For thou hast placed an order on the interwebz, and it shall bring forth a drill bit for use with thy hole saw what thou hast purchased at Lowe's without knowing it could not be used without the special part that neither they nor any other local retailer saw fit to keep in stock for thy convenience, which is an affront to all who seek to drill holes in things before the guy from the phone company arrives on Saturday.

"And therefore the Lord thy God of Commerce shall smite them, and thou shalt render thy coin unto the afore-mentioned online retailer in retribution of their evil, and Neal shall get a cut, and a drill bit shall be delivered unto thee in two business days or less, and thus shall peace and goodwill be restored to all who deserveth it, and thy desk be finished, and of cable management there shall be no end. Sign here."

FINALLY!!!! :woot:

And all the Republicans rejoiced stating, "Drill baby, drill."

Jimbuna

05-13-13, 02:55 PM

LOL :)

Wolferz

05-13-13, 02:58 PM

AMEN!

Use great caution because no amount of prayer will replace thine fingerz. Lest ye be forced to seek a microsurgeon.

Jimbuna

05-13-13, 03:56 PM

AMEN :88)

frau kaleun

05-13-13, 09:59 PM

Yep, that was the part I needed:

http://imageshack.us/a/img801/5969/photo066i.jpg

Now to take care of that pesky cable management issue. But first, a little practice!

http://imageshack.us/a/img845/9034/photo067d.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img690/5428/photo069a.jpg

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/138/246/tumblr_lltzgnHi5F1qzib3wo1_400.jpg

We'll start with the back panel for the middle shelf on the lower part of the desk. Just a relatively thin piece of backing, should be easy enough.

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/5397/photo070r.jpg

The hole's a little rough, but I figured they all would be that way. This one won't have a grommet to put through it so I'll clean it up a bit with a matching... um... wood stain marker? Whatever they're called. Those pens you buy to rub over light scratches on furniture, that match the finish. I think I have a black one around here somewhere, if not maybe I can finally use up the rest of my Home Depot gift card on a new one. If they don't have THAT in stock, I'll give up on them entirely and just buy $12 worth of paper towels or cleaning rags or something. :O:

But on to the desk itself. X marks the spot, if by 'X' you mean a big white blob of whatever that white Sharpie is made out of. A little messier than I expected, but it did the trick just fine.

http://imageshack.us/a/img28/7429/photo071m.jpg

One down, two to go:

http://imageshack.us/a/img94/5617/photo073b.jpg

Looks pretty clean underneath, too!

http://imageshack.us/a/img838/8016/photo074a.jpg

Once more, with feeling...

http://imageshack.us/a/img823/1754/photo075m.jpg

And the third time's the charm!

http://imageshack.us/a/img341/7827/photo076w.jpg

I CAN HAZ GROMMETS!

http://imageshack.us/a/img35/2167/photo077xp.jpg

They fit a bit loose in the holes, but I'll try to add a little padding around them to make it more snug - maybe wrap some black electrical tape around the bottom part where it fits into the holes. But that can wait. Time to get that lower back panel nailed on, and start putting the hutch in place:

http://imageshack.us/a/img203/2903/photo079i.jpg

And then some more back panels and the lower shelf in the middle:

http://imageshack.us/a/img594/8251/photo081e.jpg

And finally, let's top it off to (almost) finish the job!

http://imageshack.us/a/img46/4501/photo082r.jpg

I still have to put the door on the upper left cubbyhole, and add the keyboard drawer. Anyway, that's where I stopped for the night as it was almost 9:30 by the time I got that far. Tomorrow I hope to finish up the desk, clean it all up and touch it up as needed, then clean up the room and move the desk back up against the wall where I expect it to stay.

I am SO FREAKING TIRED and I have so much to do before Saturday... and I went and complicated things by making a hair appointment on Friday after work, but if I don't do it this week it'll be the end of the month before I can get to it and that just won't do. I wouldn't have waited until now but my stylist was out of town all month until this week.

Of course I will probably run myself ragged getting the computer and all that set up by noon on Saturday in case the phone company guy shows up that early, and then he'll end up coming three or four hours later, because that's what always happens. :O: