Home Improvement

This post is mostly so I can remember the specs of my own ladder. Heh. My $300 Little Giant Alta-One [Model 22] articulating ladder [which is now $259] was my first big DIY purchase back in August 2013.

Two weeks ago I conceded defeat to the ceiling fan gods. Mainly because in order to reach the wiring in the bedroom [cathedral ceiling] I’d have to stand on my tip toes at the top of my Little Giant ladder. But today I decided “Screw it – I’m doing it! Even if I have to stand on my tip toes, it’s going UP!”

Jim and I spent a good hour today up on the ladder removing the bedroom ceiling fan. I was able to get one of the 3 problem screws out, he got a 2nd one out, but the 3rd still wouldn’t budge. I climbed back up and sliced a deeper groove into it with my dremmel tool, allowing Jim to finally muscle it out of the ceiling. So far so good!

Holy cow! After the fiasco that was [and still is] the ceiling fan replacement in the master bedroom, it’s amazing to actually do something DIY related that was not only QUICK but also EASY! *mind blown* In under 45 minutes – between my 1st & 2nd cups of tea this morning – the controls for our shower fan went from a switch to a timer.

Why is EVERY DIY project a fiasco? At least that’s how it seems. Nothing is ever as easy as it looks, nothing ever goes the way you think it will in your head, and there’s always unforeseen problems that take up way more time than they should! We have 3 ceiling fans. One in the living room and one in each bedroom. They are white, boring, borderline ugly, but do a great job so we haven’t replaced them yet. Until now.

When I installed the large cat platform in the upstairs hallway earlier this year, I also installed 2 smaller access steps, figuring Bonkers could use them to get himself up onto the main platform. He never even tried. He doesn’t have very good balance and I think the main platform is too high for him to contemplate. So last week I moved the 2 smaller platforms to different locations to make them more usable.

Last weekend, the contractor came back and finished our front steps. I should say “front step” since it’s only one now. But it came out awesome – we love it. He made it wider than the old steps, which means I can put plants on one side and have room on the other to put down my groceries while I open the door – hooray for small conveniences!

FINALLY!!! After more than 2 months of work, the cupboard is finished!!! 2 weeks ago I got the right half of the cupboard finished. It took 6 coats of raspberry to completely cover the white – my Dad said that’s because I was using latex WALL paint instead of latex enamel – d’oh! Apparently latex enamel is MUCH better for furniture and other wood items. Good to know!

Last March I hung a paper lantern in the upstairs hallway because the swag pendant I wanted was out of stock on Amazon. The paper lantern – with a color changing LED bulb inside – did a great job filling in the space. But last week I noticed the lamp I’d originally wanted [Kaia Frosted Beads 12″ Chrome Swag Pendant*] was back in stock.

Today after work I came home to an unfinished frame, which is definitely an improvement over last week’s progress. According to our contractor, the step will be completed tomorrow!