Reality Me » House

Something has changed

Doug McCaughan — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:00:47 +0000

Why yes! There’s some before and after and more before and after.

While Cathy was away, the boys played!

Doug McCaughan — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:02:01 +0000

Cathy went to visit Sarah in New York City. The grandparents basically had Amy and Evan for the entire trip and Noah for much of the trip. That left Tommy and me at the house alone. Tommy, like Freakzoid, gets sucked into the Internet so I basically had the house to myself for duration of her trip minus the time I spent for clients and the time I spent juggling at Boo at the Zoo. So what happened in that time? The yard had a major cleaning of the junk which had been accumulating for a decade. The house received a sweeping and mopping. Then there was this surprise for Cathy:

What did I do this weekend?

Doug McCaughan — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:31:17 +0000

My war with Mother Nature – mosquitoes

Doug McCaughan — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:36:02 +0000

I really have noticed any mosquitoes in the yard yet but yesterday I fired up the mosquito magnet. 24 hours later, there are already 2 mosquitoes in the trap. Now, the Mosquito Magnet is not a bug zapper. It’s goal is to attract the mosquitoes away from the parts of the yard the humans like but in the process it occasionally sucks up a critter or two into the trap and over time reduces the overall breeding population.

My war with Mother Nature

Doug McCaughan — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:13:01 +0000

We are nearing the end of the weekend project (ie. Amy’s birthday present from June 10th of last year). As we put on the finishing touches, carpenter bees have moved in to try to dismantle the club house. I’ve skipped earth friendly methods and gone straight to chemicals. I shall be victorious!

Seeking Referral – Landscaper/Landscape Designer

Doug McCaughan — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:01:07 +0000

Has anyone worked with a decent landscaper or landscape designer in Knoxville? I’m not looking for someone to cut my grass but instead to help design the layout of the yard, help cultivate a thick lush grass in some parts and strategically use plants, ground covers, and shrubs in other parts of the yard. Any recommendations?

Bathroom renovation needs a $6400 toilet

Doug McCaughan — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:50:45 +0000

We are nearing the end of our bathroom renovation. I think this would complete it:

Don’t steal…ask for help.

Doug McCaughan — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:28:02 +0000

Last night I learned that someone drove through our neighborhood between 1am and 3am Sunday night/Monday morning looking in people’s cars and stealing easy to grab stuff. For instance, two neighbors both had left wallets on the dashboard and are now sans wallet. One lost a camera but other obvious grabs like checkbooks and radios were left alone.

This is the first I’ve heard of any incident like this since I moved to the house in 1997. It feels like a dry run so I’ve notified the Sheriff and put the neighborhood on a property watch. I hope the crooks don’t return. I’ve got good neighbors. Several are good ol’ boys in the neighborhood would are watching now and we do live in the county.

The Next Weekend Project – Bathroom

Doug McCaughan — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:23:59 +0000

When I bought my house, my father said, "Congratulations, you now have something to do every weekend for the rest of your life." And so it began. Although the clubhouse still requires a roof, floor, windows and a door, timing has prompted us to begin the upstairs bathroom remodel. More than a decade ago, I started the downstairs bathroom remodel and it remains in limbo. If this goes poorly, my family will be living in a hotel.

Weekend Project – Day 26

Doug McCaughan — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 02:46:49 +0000

Drip rail done. Step 17 of 27 complete. Next roof then windows and doors, fireplace and flooring.

For the 2nd movie, wait through the dull beginning to see children painting.

Weekend Project – Day 25

Doug McCaughan — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:18:03 +0000

I had hoped to have the clubhouse finished by Christmas. We are so close! I have a new obstacle; One of the dogs has taken to chewing the extension cords. I lost a 100′ extension cord that had served me well for 20 years. And yesterday, I lost a 50′ extension cord that I had used once. Looks like I’m going to a totally 18v rechargeable workshop.

We are now officially done with step 16 of 27. Count Amy’s wardrobe changes.

And a brief night time attempt that failed to accomplish anything.

Weekend Project – Day 24

Doug McCaughan — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:02:55 +0000

Weekend Project – Day 23

Doug McCaughan — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:07:15 +0000

Gingerbreading-

And now for 9 minutes of my posterior…with some guest appearances by Amy, Evan, Tommy, our neighbor friend and the dogs.

Revelations

Doug McCaughan — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:21:51 +0000

Last night, my wife concluded that I’m trying to rebuild our house one square foot at a time.

I suppose having Life as a House and The Money Pit on my list of favorite movies may have subconsciously influenced me.

Let the really kinky sex begin!

Doug McCaughan — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:38:02 +0000

After a full decade and several nearly awkward moments with the children, our bedroom door finally has a lock!