Category: House

From the list:

– Finally finish off internal bathroom plumbing; I know I keep saying it’s more or less finished, and it is, it’s just fiddly jobs left. That’s the problem though; they’re fiddly, like, the pipework for the bath taps – I need to know the height of the taps… And the cistern valve. It won’t be completely finished, ‘cos I can’t fit the shower plumbing until the shower’s tiled. And I can’t fit the bath taps until the floor’s tiled. And I can’t fit the sink taps until the sink’s attached to the wall…
– Finish screwing down the floor boards.
– Obtain and put up the last baton for the faux end wall in the shower.
– Put up the Cement-board wall (Aquaboard) that makes up the faux wall.
– Screw down the wood (on the floor) which marks out the section that’ll be boxed off (with plumbing inside it). I’ve bought the wood for this
– Start and hopefully finish putting up the shower door. (doing this nearly killed me and nearly resulted in me being the proud owner of 200 quids worth of bent aluminium and shattered glass)

Not in the list but done:

I’ve stripped the paint off one of the sink supports. There’s one more to do…

“Things I have found dead in my garden”

Following on from the dead magpie, the dead unknown bird (that’d fallen down the chimney breast and is now partially mixed in with the sand and hardcore forming the little section of path I laid) we now have the dead rat/mouse (I suspect it was a big mouse, rather than a small rat) which I found out in my garden today.

Why do they all come *here* to die?! I lived in Bristol for years, and I think I found one dead mouse in the garden in all that time…

In other news, my work(ing on the house) clothes (which I finally decided to wash) aren’t dry yet.

So, the very nice people where I used to work gave me rather a nice gift card from HMV to spend money. So today, after listening to more Lucky Soul and feeing faintly Meh I decided to collar that gift card, log on to HMV.com and spend spend speee… oh.

It turns out that you can’t *actually* spend money from the HMV Gift Card at the HMV online store. This is frustrating because the CD I want is probably not going to be available in Slough’s shonky little HMV, so I’ll probably have to order it. And I bet they won’t have the DVD’s I was going to nab. Grr.

If they’re separate companies it’s bloody cheeky to run them both with the same name, and if they’re not then how hard is it to link the systems together? Not very? The card has clearly got an individual number and you can bet they don’t store the amount left on the card (otherwise it’d be dead easy to defraud them) so…. uh. Staggering lack of competence.

Course it doesn’t say that anywhere *obvious*.

I shouldn’t whine. It’s free money. I’ve also got a tenner to spend in M&S courtesy of a rather nice patient. I may go and buy a new bra. I’d like lots of new bras, but one’s a start.

I have had one of those faintly meh days. That pretty much describes it perfectly; despite variously being quite happy and quite down during the day, overall I just feel very meh. I have no idea why, probably hormones playing stupid buggers again. I have, however, been bad. I spent 8 quid on myself. I don’t really *have* 8 quid to spend on myself, but I’m fed up of the car and the house getting all the lovin’; so I bought myself Megatokyo 5, and pre-ordered the fourth Scott Pilgrim book. Especially since it seems I shan’t be off spending money at the VVOC this weekend. Still, Brick needs a new clutch cable, so driving bloody miles in ‘im’s not really the best plan.

I shall be exercising my right to not work on the car again, and he’ll be off to the garage. Hopefully I can find someone to steam clean the engine bay ‘fore he goes, then I can sort out that leak. Uh, get them to sort out that leak.

I am slowly accepting that there’s one of me. One of me that needs to spend some time doing Emergency Dept skills, and renovating the house. The car can be looked after by this garage for a bit, and the bike just needs two bolts putting in (if we ignore the top speed of 50, at least for the moment).

Anyway, I fear tomorrow’s going to be another long day. I hope to:

– Finally finish off internal bathroom plumbing; I know I keep saying it’s more or less finished, and it is, it’s just fiddly jobs left. That’s the problem though; they’re fiddly, like, the pipework for the bath taps – I need to know the height of the taps… And the cistern valve. It won’t be completely finished, ‘cos I can’t fit the shower plumbing until the shower’s tiled. And I can’t fit the bath taps until the floor’s tiled. And I can’t fit the sink taps until the sink’s attached to the wall…
– Finish screwing down the floor boards.
– Obtain and put up the last baton for the faux end wall in the shower.
– Put up the Cement-board wall (Aquaboard) that makes up the faux wall.
– Screw down the wood (on the floor) which marks out the section that’ll be boxed off (with plumbing inside it).
– Start and hopefully finish putting up the shower door.

The shower door is a bit of a project in and of itself. The instructions are deeply insane; on side A it lists each item and gives it a number; then on side B it says things like “Attach (7) using (14) and (23) ensuring that (9) and (1) are parallel and located firmly in (42) and (24). Locate (7) at 90 degrees to a perpendicular surface and press home (29)”. It also shows the thing arriving completely disassembled, which it ain’t. Ah well, I’m sure it will all make sense. I’m slightly unnerved because I have to screw it in to the lath and plaster wall; and I’m really not sure how strong that wall is, but hey; I guess I’ll find out. The problem with lath and plaster is that it’s not like plasterboard where there’s special huge-n-chunky screws that you can put in to support stuff; no, instead there’s nothing. No one talks about Lath and Plaster anymore… *sigh*.

With a bit of luck I might even get to commence the tile-a-thon this weekend. That would be really nice… Because again, it’s an ‘end in sight’ moment.

As a side point; today I took blood for the first time; apart from having the sharps bin too far away and touching the area I’d just cleaned it really went rather well. :)

So, ‘m off to work in about 10 minutes; I’ve got to find the place that my training course is tomorrow before I go to work so hopefully 5 minutes’ll be long enough.

My random thought is that when I started this project (the house), I made a stupid promise to myself; that I’d not have more than 2 rooms in progress at any one point; because that way lies DIY madness. But of course, that’s only really true if you’re redecorating. You can’t apply that rule to a house; so I unbitched at myself. I’d been thinking, ‘gah’ because I’ve currently got the existing bathroom in bits, the new bathroom in bits, the spare bedroom-come-office in bits, the lounge is about 80% there (I’m going to have to redo the floor, but I now now a lot more about flooring!) and the bedroom (main one) is going to have start coming apart too, as is the floor in the kitchen…

The reason is fairly simple; if you’re redecorating you can kind of restrict damage to that room, and it’s fair enough to say ‘do no more than one room at once’; the only reason I’d accepted two was because some jobs need other people to come in and do them, so while they were getting on with X, I thought, I’d do Y.

But when you’re renovating a house, there’s systems that run to every room that have to be dealt with. In this case, the central heating and the electrics both need dealing with. I can’t connect up (and have fitted) the combi boiler until the day that the central heating is more or less finished. What I may do is cap off the bit that needs to run to the downstairs ones, so that I can just run the upstairs stuff for the moment. But even to do upstairs I have to have the floor up in the bedroom, in the bathroom (actually, that can go down soon). But anyway, I should stop whining to myself about the chaos in the house; it’s really not very avoidable.

First up; let’s get some links out of the way. I’ve been meaning to share these and it’s meant my browser has several million tabs open which I’m not actually using. First up, I wish they did this teeshirt in Red or Brown *and* skinny / girl’s fit. The yellow – which is the only option for us lasses is a bit bright for me. The story of the original pre-war poster is also interesting; and y’know what? I think that poster is what they should’ve put up instead of all the nasty scaremongering.

Second up on the links front; there’s this video of Joss Whedon at equality now. It’s just an excellent speech. It’s not new or anything; but it perhaps goes a long way to explaining why I like his writing so much.

What else? Hrm. A.M. has done some new stuff; it’s not ‘released’ – being as it’s soundtrack stuff, but you can listen to streamed version….

And then we come to this; this is outgoing irritating git prime minister Blair’s reaction to a petition to reinstate the 25 year rolling exemption for car tax. Despite the fact that classic cars have been awarded a green apple environment award because it’s quite possible that they’re *cleaner* than modern cars (long lasting (and concomitant minimal use of resources) instead of continuous replacement with ‘better’ cars; and quite honestly they offer similar fuel consumption); in fact, even the EU has declared that classic cars impact on the environment (it terms of total vehicular impact) is, essentially negligible. And so to deny free road tax to classic cars at an arbitrary set date (1973) on ‘environmental’ grounds is, to be honest, complete bollocks. I can’t even see as they earn that much money off classics… *sighs*. Did I mention how unimpressed I am with politicians? Not that it affects me, both my car’s are pre-the-cut off date. But hey.

The whole ‘petition’ thing largely seems like a way for the government to try and quiet the people; actually. Since I’ve seen the results of a few petitions, and they’re no sign from any of them that the government’s even pretended to listen; or even pretended that it’ll have any impact on their decisions. Whilst a lot of the time I think the government is right to ignore the screaming caused by people’s panic’d reactions to events; I like to imagine that at least occasionally they’ll listen. And quite honestly they are pissing me off; I’m no big fan of cars, in the larger sense of the word. I think they’re a hideously inefficient means of transport; I happen to enjoy them in the tinkering and design sense, but I’m sure there’s a much better solution. However, as a nurse (who they don’t pay enough to live (at least to an acceptable standard) near the hospital at which I work (by the way, thanks for the pay cut this year; that really helps with expenses)) who has to commute to work, their road pricing scheme, well, it’d make it impossible for me to work. Not that it matters, as I don’t intend to be in this country at a time when it comes in (and the not being in this country? I’m quite looking forward to that).

Anyhow, so, in non-whining news, the waste water pipe finally made it outside today. There was some cursing, and I’ve got some concrete to mix and fill in the hole because I removed a chunk of brick (about 1/3rd) too far to the left; before realising that I was too far to the left (I drilled a hole, but because I had to drill through the wall at an angle, I didn’t realise how far out of line the marker hole outside was with where I was aiming inside. Doh). My arms are also full of glass fibre insulation (I hate working around that stuff :( ), and I need to drill and fix the pipework in place (inside) and (outside) I need to run the pipe and make the hole in the appropriate place in the wall. I may spend some of tomorrow finding receipts for things I’ve bought (the wrong size / too many / etc) of and the items, running them back to B&Q and getting the bits I do need (grey brackets instead of white; grey right angle with rodding access, low-level U bend for my new route for the bath, white 90 (well 88) for the new route for the bath. I’m still a little disappointed. I fear it won’t flow as well as my original layout, but hey, one can’t easily get round reinforced concrete.

I also put the three good legs on the bath (nearly fell through the ceiling turning it back over); I’ve found a blacksmith locally who I shall ring to ask about fixing the other cast-iron leg. I also managed to get the 1950’s drainer out of it – it’s all old leaded pipework that I’ve been removing – nothing I could use, sadly; but the drainer on the bottom was, to be honest, a dog of a job. In the end I had to cut through (in several places) the brass nut holding it on and once that was loosened I managed to eventually get the drainer out. It’s a previous person’s bodge though – there was enough sealant under the drainer to sink a battle ship. Anyhow, that just needs cleaning up (the hole) and then the new drainer (which I admit, isn’t as nice) can go on. I’m pretty much at the ‘buying lino’ stage; I hate lino, and for the saving it’s quite depressing (it’s more than half the price of tiles (though I guess that excludes glue and grout) and tiles are more than twice as nice as lino). Still. I sometimes find it hard to do the cheaper thing as much as I probably should.

What else? Work….

So, yesterday I started to feel faintly useful. Not greatly so; but it’s less than a week since I’ve started, and I actually felt like I did stuff (got the best handover ever: “I’m really, sorry; there’s nothing wrong with this man, but he’s come from a crap care home, he was reviewed over the phone by a crap GP, and we’re not allowed to tell people they don’t need to come in”; it was true, at least, there certainly was nothing new and acute wrong with the poor chap who’d just been dragged into hospital). Today, at my own request, I landed up in Resus; I love Resus, except that it was like my first day as a student. I really had no-fracking-idea what was going on. Or, more accurately, I understood, but I couldn’t pre-empt, nor did I know where stuff was. It’ll come, I know it will, but it was a bit…well, I felt a bit useless. But there we go. Tomorrow is a new day, and I’d not swap my job for the world. I am though quite tired. So I’m quite pleased with the fact that I made a decent lunch when I got home, I ate really well yesterday, and I think I’ve been doing much better, food wise.

I have this faint, nagging feeling I had something else I wanted to say. But it’s gone now… so, uh, that’ll do so.

So, today – in short form, just because I’m currently that kind of tired where a sensible word order doesn’t always come naturally.
– Took keys for trailer back (drove van)
– Drove van back (they failed to notice the faint odour of dog vomit, although it’d more or less gone with the gallon of febreeze I put in it last night)
– Walked back to house
– Checked the bath, paint still needs more time to harden
– Pondered plans of action: Checked, the car still wasn’t ready
– Set to on the plastering around the base of the shower, up on the walls around the shower (they’ll be tiled anyhow); filling in where the socket and switch were (back when it was a bedroom)
– Completed the plastering to an ‘acceptable’ standard
– Measured and checked the shower base again
– Took a break…removed the dead magpie from the water butt
– Started work on digging the route of the new path
– Dumped some hardcore in there, discovered another dead bird (presuambly fell down my kitchen’s chimney at some point, since it’s not capped; and my builders just left it in the pile with the rubble…); disposed of second dead bird in bin.
– Dumped some sand/ash/birdfeathers onto hardcore – I’m not aiming for a perfectly smooth path, in fact, uneven is a look I rather like.
– Laid a few rows of brick – I need to lay my hands on much more brick.
– Mixed 18 litres of concrete (or thereabouts) and laid the ‘slab’ for the shower. Placed the shower on the slab, made sure it was level, discovered the pipework didn’t have enough give in it to fit where it was; shuffled it about on the slab a bit, made sure it was still level, and connected the waste pipe. It’s now an inch too short, because for some reason I cut it too short… I have no idea why. Quite annoying though. It means it will have to have a join in it.
– Cut my head open while arseing about with the plumbing – I stood up while underneath the pipework for the shower (which hasn’t been cut to length, so sticks out of the wall about 30cm). It’s not a *bad* cut, I just swore and carried on working, but it’s naggingly sore. Didn’t bleed much, either, thankfully. Scalp wounds normally bleed a lot. Washing my hair’s going to hurt tomorrow, isn’t it
– Won the taps for the bath, Ra!
– Walked to the garage and collected Brick, who now runs much better, and sounds so much nicer. The exhaust still leaks though; anyone know if it has to be ‘perfect’ for the MOT? Or is it allowed a little leak?
– Went to Lidl, did shopping
– Went to Sainsbury’s; who appear to have stopped doing the fake-sausages I was particularly keen on. Bought nice food.
– Made an awesome dinner (pasta, prawns, fresh veg, pesto; bread and cheeses, lemon cake (from my mum) and strawberries (from my mum); and for some reason I accompanied it with lager, I guess it’s the summer heat). Sometimes I can get the energy up to eat.
– Spent some time hunting for the Nipod. I’m now seriously concerned; and beginning to have to fight quite hard not to put “day builders left” and “last day I saw the Nipod” together. TBH I don’t think for a second they stole it, but it may have got picked up. Still, I’ve still not paid them…
– Spent the evening chatting to Kathryn ( :) )
– Spent the evening also watching Sicko. It made me cry, damnit. And it’s so not right. America, get your (healthcare) act together.
– Listened to lots of AM. AM remains awesome.

Am now planning to go to bed. Tomorrow I’m on a late, so a nice quiet morning is scheduled… I may go to a bathroom shop and see if they do cistern supports and sink supports. I may not.

So; tomorrow I start work in the emergency department at St. Fred’s. I have to say I’m nervous; for several reasons:

1) My hayfever (well, allergic rhinitis) is worse than ever; I’ve resorted to mixing anti-histamine and decongestants today; with rather limited success. Apparently, it’s a mix that you can get – but it’s not really worked. I did feel a bit better for a bit though, so I shall probably do it again tomorrow.
2) My car’s still in the ‘shop being fixed, so I’m going to have to go on the bike. I’m slightly unsure as to what happens on the first day (uh, I was expecting induction, but I appear to be going to the department… to be orientated… ?). I have two letters which tell me to go at different times to meet different people. So I’m slightly unsure as to what I should wear. It’s not like I have a uniform; but do I take work shoes such as I can get changed into a uniform when I get there?
3) It’s a new job and I’m scaaaared!

So, yeah. I’m sure it’ll be fine so.

I suspect the allergic rhinitis is being exacerbated by the dust in the house. I think I’m actually allergic to dust, and I suspect it’s the dust from the building work that is causing me grief. I hope that I can get the bathroom finished soon; although I’ve taken today off – in preparation for tomorrow. I did actually feel rather better when I was up and doing stuff; but I feel that I should probably rest.

Of course, I’m also probably feeling none-too-clever because last night was my leaving party (which was ace, by the way, I really will miss Q-Ward, or at least the staff of Q-Ward); we headed into Woking for Chinese food and then across to a pub/club for drinks and dancing. Well, coke – in my case – because I was riding. While I had an excellent time, I did head back at midnight, getting home about 1am – after a somewhat chilly ride (it rained). The bike did well though – although we’re still topping out at 80km/h, which is a bit distressing.

In house news; I’ve all but finished the water-plumbing in the bathroom (not the central heating); I need the following to finish off the plumbing:

– Pressure reducing valve.
– 3 ordinary and dull white radiators (with valves) (ack, I need to do more BTU calculations!).
– 1 Cast iron radiator with valves/adaptors to take modern thermostatic valves.
– 2 Bath taps.
– Sink and cistern supports – I was hoping to restore and reuse the ones that are currently holding up my sink (the cistern supports are a bit plain, but I might go with them) but the sink ones go behind the bath which makes them somewhat hard to remove (I will examine this more carefully).

There’s the hole in the outside wall to drill, and then the connecting of the plumbing, and that’s it, really. In plumbing terms, there’s the radiator pipes to run into the spare bedroom; I gave in, these are going to have to be boxed in – and run above the floor. And the pipes to the master bedroom which run under the floor (well, they run in the same direction as the floor joists!)

Once that’s done; then it all just needs to be connected downstairs. At the moment I have what looks like a slightly odd windchime or set of pan-pipes hanging down in my bedroom with “H C CH Feed CH Return” daubed in marker.

The bath is upside-down ready to be sanded and painted; sadly I discovered a chip, I suspect that the previous owner wasn’t aware of it, but a bit of enamel came away when I removed one of the globe taps. It’s got some staining behind it so I’m fairly certain I didn’t chip it as I was taking the tap off. Apparently that’s about 70 quid to fix; on the plus side there appear to be taps matching the ones on my sink; globe type tapes; in the same style. I hope I win that auction!

I’m very rambly today; that’s because I slept like crap (another benefit of having hayfever / allergic rhinitis). Anyhow. I should get off and read my info for tomorrow. And maybe eat dinner.