4th of July

I don't mean to be unpatriotic or a killjoy, but the Fourth of July really doesn't do much for me. It seems with each passing year I find it more annoying and unsettling. My dogs definitely don't care for it. This is actually the third night in a row since people in our neighborhood like to get started early. Most of the fireworks they don't mind, but when one is close enough or thunderous enough the dogs will light up with a flurry of barks. Phoebe's bark is intense and Rudy's is nerve racking. On top of all the racket is the heat which seems to always be the worst during the first week of July. I admit, I am no fan of summer.

Post Wallpaper Post

Yesterday I fixed up some walls for the same couple in Carmichael who I had worked for two weeks ago. This time the lady had removed wallpaper from the master bedroom which I had removed the acoustic ceiling in before. The walls were in bad shape but were nowhere near the worst I have seen. I sanded them down first to get rid of any loose bits of left over wallpaper  backing. I then rolled on a coat of Gardz which is a wonder product made by Zinsser. This stuff goes on clear and cures to a hard and slightly tacky low-sheen surface that bonds anything you put over the top of it, while at the same time it seals out any paste residue. It also glues down any loose, bubbly pieces of paper that might normally buckle under the weight of fresh texture and waterborne topcoats.

You can see from the picture that there was hard to peel backing over previous texture. No problem as long is Gardz is rolled over it first.

These walls actually were in pretty good shape compared to some problem wallpaper projects.

The walls are beginning to look better after the Gardz has dried and a skim coat of drywall compound has been pulled over the scarred areas. The long crack under the window has also been taped with fiberglass mesh.

Brand new knockdown texture, ready to prime and paint. After it dries of course.

Zappatos

I finally got some new shoes for work after wearing the same worn out dogs for over two years. They were literally falling apart with the heels worn down to tiny nubbins. I had no tread left whatsoever and I think having bad foot wear for so long has contributed to my hip pain. These new shoes are classier and lighter on the knees as well as being my actual true foot size. The only problem was that I had to put back the new belt which is what I had originally gone in there for in the first place. It's all good though since I have another job coming up this Wednesday which should afford me a new belt and updated vaccinations for Phoebe. Take a look at these gunboats. Now you know what they say about a man's foot size in relation to his girth. I can't say I've compared myself side by side to anyone, but I've had  no complaints if you know what I mean. Wink, wink, say no more...

 

Passion of the Rudy

Knockdown

I scraped, taped, and textured a master bedroom for a nice couple that I had worked for two years ago. Back then I had done the larger portion of their home which consisted of a den, dining area, family room and hall. It took me twelve hours to complete in one day's time. I was dog tired and we went to Kiny McCarrick's 40th birthday party immediately after. I was unable to move my limbs the next morning, but I had pocketed the most money I had ever made in one day; over nine-hundred dollars. I used some of that money to get my first medical recommendation, and since then I have been living the dream. This time the small amount I made will be used for less indulgent purposes such as updating Phoebe's vaccinations.

First Job in a While

Gotta get some good sleep tonight. Tomorrow morning I need to rise and shine to clean out the van and take inventory. I am doing a master bedroom scrape-down and texture. This is the first job I have sprayed in a long time, so I hope most things go smoothly. I say most because I know everything is too much to ask.

A Lost Frappacino

So today was beyond hot again with severe chance of sun. I worked up a solid sweat on the trail, coming home from work. This had left me extremely thirsty and craving an ice cold, caramel Frappucino from the Starbuck's. Imagine the joy when I saw my lovely wife pulling into the driveway after a day at work, toting two Frappucinos. I brought mine into the kitchen where I managed to get one sip in before my cup inexplicably flipped out of my grasp and then all over, onto everything.
I cried out to the forces of the universe but they did not feel my pain, nor did they offer any comfort for this senseless loss. Erika began to sop up my wasted, chocolaty goodness from the floor while I raged around the house. Unable to cope with the loss and unwilling to accept that I could not have my Frap, I slipped on my shoes and put my day clothes back on. I had to trek immediately to the nearest Starbuck's and purchase a Venti Caramel Frappucino. The upgrade was the justification for doing it all in the first place. If life breaks your stuff, upgrade to better stuff.