Significant Completion

The bathroom is mostly done. I need to seal the tile and get a shower door installed, but it's a matter of waiting at this point. It's been a big project. We started Demo the last weekend in September, so it's been about two months to this point. We haven't moved back into the space completely, but it's close enough. The picture above is our new shower, with a glass block window where the old one used to be.

In addition to saving thousands of dollars, I also amassed the following tools and supplies, which can be used at a future date:

A Jigsaw
A Tile Saw
Several miscellaneous plumbing fittings
Extra tile that I may use for a mosaic at some point
A 12 gallon shop vac

I also picked up some plumbing and electrical tips from my dad when we has out to help.

Now, I'm going to try and avoid as many home projects as I can over the holidays.

Well...

Life has been crazy. As mentioned earlier, we've been working on our main bath remodel. We started around the 1st weekend in October, and we're getting to the point of impatience with the family. My parents, who were in town to help out are long gone, so it's back to the routine of trying to perform at my day job, then doing what I can in the evening to complete projects. We are really close, and completing the tile shower is all that's left. It's complicated by the fact that I've never ever tiled anything before in my life, and that the shower is really the centerpiece of the bathroom remodel. We're working on the cheap, but I'm trying to shield the world from realizing it. Consequently, we're trying to take our time, and make it look really nice. Here's a quick pic.

As for our Benz, with the hardtop on (pic forthcoming), I'm still getting it out and about. I thought about canceling the insurance and letting it sit, but there are several reasons to keep driving it. So, as long as it's not raining too hard (or snowy), I get a chance to get it out and enjoy. It still runs really strong, and I'm looking forward to getting some projects done in the spring before top-down season starts again.

Enjoy-

Fall is here

I got the hardtop on the Benz a couple of weeks ago. It makes it a much more comfortable car, and we're still putting it to good use on a regular basis so long as it doesn't rain too hard. Last night, Kim and I went to a charity auction. We were dressed nicely - I was in a tuxedo - and we received numerous complements from the valets at the hotel. In a city where late model Benzes, Porsches, and an occasional Bentley can be found, it's nice to know that a 27-year old roadster still gets complements.

As for the bathroom, we're pretty much to the point of significant completion. There is some minor trim and drywall finishing to do, plus hanging accessories like towel racks, and some small touch-up painting to do. After that, we'll probably move most of our stuff back, and then get to the tiling. Neither of us has done tiling before, so we're trying to take our time with it and come up with a good plan. Nonetheless, we can at least start to use the space we've got done. The new vanity area is in the picture above.

Putting it back together...

We're to the point where the demolition and the ugly drain plumbing move is complete. We spent most of the weekend putting the floor back together. The picture above is the framing for the new shower. Contractors are coming on Wednesday to install the shower pan and backing material for the tile, so the plumbing rough-in has to be complete by then. I think we'll make it, and have a plan B in case something gets fouled up with the supply piping.

After that, it's a matter of peeling the rest of the wallpaper, painting, installing the floor, patching wallboard, installing the vanity, connecting the plumbing, replacing the toilet, and tiling the shower.

No sweat.

Where have I been?

Haven't done much over the last couple of weeks except for work and remodeling the bathroom. We had to pull up the floor to get to the drain pipes, which need to be moved. It's a cascade of things that need to get taken care of, but we have a plan, most of the materials, and contractors willing to work small jobs without a lot of lead time. I'll post pictures as we move along. We're in the middle of moving plumbing (supply and drain), electrical and framing in a pan for the shower. Once that's done, onto flooring and installing the new vanity. I'll try to do better with updates.

Still Here

My activity here probably won't win me any 'Blogger of the Year' awards. Yep - no dreams of internet riches for this guy.

Anyway, some updates:

The mystery oil pressure gauge is working pretty consistently. I had a nice road trip yesterday, going to the eastside to play some golf with some friends. By the end of the round, it was in the mid 70's and perfectly sunny. A beautiful day, and still doing what we can to enjoy the car before permanent winter arrives.

At home, we've started another project. Our upstairs bathroom has been in a state of mild disrepair for the last couple of years, and we've finally worked up the courage to tear it up. Since that will be the focus of my DIY activity for a while, I'm going to unofficially retitle the blog to be 'Old School Bathroom' because that's what it is. We'll do some updating, and I'll be sure to post pictures.

Here's one now. We ripped out the vanity and fiberglass shower insert today. That was the worst. It's in a pile behind our house until we can get to the dump, and I thought you could enjoy it too!

A Mystery...

We're back up and running again. I had fully intended, tools at the ready, to start taking some stuff apart on Sunday and have a real good look-see troubleshooting session.

I undid some bolts. I looked at the engine. I undid a few more bolts. I looked some more. I grabbed a flashlight. I climbed underneath the car.

This was not going to be easy.

I reached under the hood, and unplugged the oil pressure sender plug again. It looks clean.

I also realize that there is no way in hell that I'll be able to get the tools or test equipment anywhere near where I need it to be. There is too much stuff in the way.

I sigh.

For giggles, I pop off the oil filler cap.

I start the car.

I look inside the valve cover. Oil is running very freely. There are tubes that drop a thin stream of oil right over the cam lobes. They are working perfectly, and it's really easy to see. My 6-year old is fascinated, despite the fact that she has no idea what she is looking at.

I check the gauge. Pegged to the top. Working perfectly.

The next day (Monday) I head to the gym. I start the car cold, and the gauge sits at zero for a three count, then pegs to the top.

At this point, I'm completely baffled.

I know that reseating the pressure sender plug will fix the problem temporarily, and I can always pop the filler cap to verify that things are working well. If I get the suspension rebuilt next spring, the sender will be much easier to get to with the subframe off.

FYI - this is the first September on record in Seattle where it has rained ZERO. I need to get as much usage out of the car as I can anyway!