May 2012
6 posts
Where have I been?!?
…So I realize I haven’t posted anything in almost three weeks. But things have been happening at lightening speed…in ALL aspects of my life! At the moment, I’m sitting on my front porch, eating a bagel, drinking some coffee, and listening to the birds chirping. The neighbors are out walking their dogs (or out walking themselves). And meanwhile the inside of my house is...
The good, the bad, the ugly...and the Phoenix
Okay, two days left until my construction loan officially expires. It’s a nut house over there. Everything is getting hammered and drilled and fitted and sanded. The clock is ticking. So here are the updates:
The Good…
The gas line will be installed tomorrow! After five months of agony and bungled negotiations, the gas line will finally be put in! I’d been going back and forth...
April 2012
7 posts
...and a HUGE thank you, to YOU!!
Okay, I swear I’m really (for real, for real) about to log off all social networking, cybercommunication, etc. etc. and FINISH MY PAPER (which I’ve been saying for, oh, only about two weeks now). But I did want to say thank you, so sincerely, to YOU for continuing to share my journey with me. My Bloggie Number One—“Skippymom” ;-) Mary, Sherise, Aunt Valeta, Tania,...
If you happen to be in Anacostia today... →
…or even if you’re not, but want to experience something really great, check out Lumen8 Anacostia. A joint project between the DC Office of Planning, ARCH, and the PinkLine Project. Free arts, pop-up restaurants and shops, and music in Anacostia!!! Whoohoo!!!
So here's the deal... (updates, pt. 1--The gas...
I can’t believe it’s been almost a full month since I’ve posted anything. Time is really flying…which isn’t necessarily a good thing, in this case. May 5 is “D Day”—the FINAL final day that all of the work on my house must be completed by, according to the bank. Now, we’re really down to the wire. Lots has been happening since my last post, but...
March 2012
3 posts
February 2012
3 posts
Eco paint and "color nerds" blog!
I went to Premier Eco Paints today, to see what they’re all about. I knew they sold zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint. VOCs are a slew of chemicals that can be found in regular house paint, and the organic compounds decompose at room temperature, so that over the years of the paint being on our walls, the chemicals become part of the air we breathe, and can be quite toxic. Why is...
2 tags
January 2012
7 posts
The wheels are a-turnin'!
Things are looking up on the Washington Gas front. I’m (respectfully) leaving no stone unturned in my quest to reduce the costs of the installation of the gas line. And it seems the wheels are starting to turn!
In my previous post, I mentioned the uber-helpful call from “Sam” from Washington Gas. Well…
Today I got an e-mail directly from Councilwoman Alexander, the Chair...
3 tags
David and Goliath (a.k.a. This has been one...
There are so many adages that I’ve heard as I’ve traveled along my life path. These sayings once seemed cliche, but now they are so real. Like that one, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” Or (my formerly least-favorite), “God don’t put nothin’ on you that you can’t bear.” Today was one of those days that was proof of the...
Two quick things
1) THANK YOU to @dagootness for reaching out to his contacts, for help on the Washington Gas front. I continue to say that this project has only come this far by the amazing community of people around me. Whatever the outcome, I am truly humbled and grateful for all the support.
2) I’m thinking of nominating Stephen for this: 2012 Mayor’s Sustainability Awards. But shhhh…...
3 tags
More on the gas front
Today I got two calls from Washington Gas, both explaining in detail the reasons why the costs are so high for installing the gas line. With their added information, I now place my frustration squarely with DC regulations. Here’s the deal:
The gas main is in the center of the street. DC law requires utilities to install directly to the main line (though I’m not sure how else it would...
Just When I Thought the Coast Was Clear...
…drama at Washington Gas.
This past Thursday, I got another kicker—just when I thought we were cruising towards the finish line. Stephen called to tell me Washington Gas came back with their estimate for installing the gas line to the house. He’d previously told me (from lots of past experience) that the gas company generally installs new gas lines for free, because they know...
December 2011
8 posts
Colors!
Here’s my color palette so far. I’m still deciding on a few things, but the idea is that there are seven main colors that rotate throughout the house (except the master bedroom, which will kind of be a tranquil haven). I love the colors and style of painting they use in traditional Mexican homes, but I want a bit more-subdued palette. Starting from the main entrance and working my way...
The fun begins!!
Now the fun part begins! The MEP inspection is done (and hopefully passed!). And it’s fixture and trimmings time!! Yes, there’s the whole insulation/drywall installation thing that’s gotta come first. But that’s not exciting…at least not that I know of…yet. What IS exciting is all stuff you’ll actually SEE when you’re in the house. And that’s...
Ask (for info), and you shall receive
I’ve been tickled by (and thankful for) the e-mails from my blog followers. So I wanted to respond to all the things my wonderful cyber supporters have been offering.
Security (cuz Betty asked)—I do have an alarm system. And what a mighty alarm it is (as I found out after I fumbled just a little too long with getting the keys straight after a visit on Thanksgiving weekend). I decided...
The most wonderful junkiness I ever did see
I met up with Stephen on the site this afternoon. The place was buzzing (quite literally!), and very messy. Sawdust was piled high. Bent nails scattered the floor. And wires were poking out of little boxes all over the place. But Ferman’s crew was finishing up framing modifications; Tony was nailing down the wiring; and Stanley’s guys were busy finalizing the plumbing stuff. The rush?...
It Takes a Village to Raise a House
We’ve all heard that saying about it taking a village to raise a child. Well, the same is true about a house. Ain’t nothin’ about this house that I’ve been able to do just by myself. The last few weeks have been a true testament of that. Let’s start with ye ol’ delivery snafoo(s)…
Snafoo 1: Stephen told me that since the mechanical, electrical, and...
November 2011
3 posts
Go(o)d Eyes!!
Ask and you shall receive!! I just got off the phone with Stephen, and he told me someone called the police on the electrician yesterday! This is GREAT news! This is the go(o)d eyes, the neighborly eyes, the protective eyes at work! Thank you neighbors. I feel like doing a little dance. And baking some cookies…
(P.S. The electrician was actually supposed to be there, but the fact that...
Maybe I should write a blues song...
There’s a reason I haven’t posted anything in a while. I’ve been a little down and overwhelmed and feeling, well, not-so-hopeful lately. Some of it has to do with the house, some of it the general state of affairs in this city/country/world, and some of it the general state of my financial affairs.
We’re coming upon the last big stage of the home-building process—the installation of the MEP....
October 2011
6 posts
4 tags
The Realities of the New Economy (...or Thefts and...
Early this morning I went over to the house, to meet with a representative from Long Fence and a rep from ADT about security doors and security systems, respectively. Last Friday I got an e-mail from Stephen saying someone had gotten onto the property, kicked in a basement window, and taken some shingles. Fortunately the bulk of the roof had been shingled earlier that day, so the theft damage...
September 2011
8 posts
2 tags
Preserving Neighborhood History in Anacostia →
On today’s Kojo Nnamdi show on WAMU, historic Anacostia was featured. My house is situated literally on the other side of the street from the officially-designated historic district (thank Goddess—because otherwise that would have made this process 20 gazillion times more difficult!). But the entire community has a rich social history that today’s show shared beautifully. Take a...
