by This journey of restoring my first house has been an absolute roller coaster ride, but last week when I came home and found this yellow sticker on my door I truly felt overwhelmed for the very first time. I’m a one woman show now and there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day for me to make big head way. So many labor intensive projects left to do and clearly I’m not getting them done fast enough.
I have not kept living in my house a secret. My permits are still hanging in the window as I have not gotten any final inspections done yet, which are required to get the occupancy permit from the City. I have been in communication with the plumbing and electrical inspectors and knew I needed their final inspections, along with HVAC, before I could get my final building inspection for the occupancy. I just failed to keep the building inspector up to date. Corrected that, so I was allowed to remove the sticker and continue living in my house.
The first project I tackled after getting the sticker was painting and hanging the attic access panel frame and door. What in the world was I thinking letting that project linger. OMG what a difference a door makes (BTW, front door arrived to Hyde Park Lumber Wednesday). During our arctic cold temps I slept under three quilts, with sweatpants, flannel socks, flannel robe, and a long sleeve t-shirt. That’s how cold my master bedroom was. Well no wonder given the cold air that was plowing in from the roof vents. I’ve turned my thermostat down 4 degrees since installing that door. My upstairs is so comfortable now.
With the first floor bathroom complete (minus doors) I was able to schedule the plumbing inspector this week, Tuesday, but I knew without the master bath tub and shower completed it would only be a partial passing. Sadly I learned that my original inspector has been assigned to another territory and won’t be around to see my journey completed. The new inspector found two things I’ll need to correct, in addition to 
finishing the master bath before I’ll get his final approval. Both corrections are easy. All tubs and showers must have a hot temperature range between 110 and 120 degrees. My first floor bath is currently 128, I need to turn it down. I also have an improper fitting on my hot water tank. This pipe needs to have metal threads, not plastic.
The electrical inspection I expect to pass and receive the final approval as I was not 
going to schedule it until everything is complete. My awesome electrician Mr. McGhee came and put the electric panel door on and walked through the house. Everything must have a cover and be in working condition including my LED mirror that mysteriously fell off wall. Fortunately the replacement parts were easy to install. Gravity helped me get it off the wall for repairs and Mr. McGhee helped me re-hang and reconnect.
The one thing still not working is the Ring Cam Flood Light. I’ll need to buy a new light that can work from high distances from the ground. After contacting Ring I learned their unit is not designed to work above 9′. Seems they feel having it at the height a burglar can reach with a baseball bet is more effective. I think Ring products have to be the most under performing product as compared to their commercials I’ve ever dealt with. VERY disappointed and sorry I wasted my money.
With the door now just a couple of weeks away from installation I’ve turned my focus on the window moulding on the first floor. Outside air has not only been pouring in from the front door, but from around the windows too. I got all of them stained, remembering the sanding lesson I learned from my visit to Homestead Furniture.
Before staining I wiped each down with a tack cloth. My former neighbor Bill hooked me on to these. They are a sticky gauze that really captures fine dust. The stain is a custom color mixed for me by Sherwin Williams. The brand is Zar and it’s a gel stain. I took a piece of the original moulding to them to match. I’m anxious to see how close the new and old match once hung. Once they dry I’ll apply a few coats of poly for protection.
I am bound and determined to do a little something every week day now. That yellow sticker was literally sticker shock.
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