Sometimes it's messy

Our perfect little infant daughter has an elevated lead level.

When we painted the interior we actually moved out of the house. When we returned, the crew had cleaned and Harris and I then spent three days cleaning. Of course there was lead paint - that's why we were painting all the trim.

After we confirmed Margot's lead level, we set about a full wholesale cleaning of the house. We have a grid of ceilings, walls, floors, literally every surface in our house needs to be HEPA vacuumed and then wet washed. This is in addition to the HEGA filter we run upstairs and the two Trane Clean Air Effects units we had installed with the HVAC last year. We are on a mission to get the dust out of our house. It's not just about being neat and tidy, it's about neuro-cognitive effects for our daughter.

So on Saturday, when we woke up and I looked at the areas inside where they had completed touch ups and saw a fine layer of dust I literally lost it. I sat down on the bed and just started sobbing. I shut the door and just cried on the bed for half an hour. All the work was for nothing. We needed to start over. Margot's lead level was just going to keep getting higher until we have to take more aggressive action to lower it.

Harris pointed out that we were almost there. He pointed out all of the amazing work that's been done on the house. He pointed out that we have mostly a home now, not a collection of rooms that can't be accessed due to hazards or deterioration.

I'll see it again soon I'm sure. Right now I just see a needling punch list of things I wanted complete last month.

Comments

a second kitchen design

Taking into account comments, good ideas, and original plans I think we have a new contender. No, before we hadn't thought about where the microwave would go or the trashcan. :) Originally Sara had us putting the range on the chimney and running counters all around it. We couldn't figure out how in practise that would work and started dreaming about dual ovens and cooktops in counters and all sorts of things that are fancy and pretty, but not really needed for how we live now or plan to live later. This one gives Harris a gas cook top and me a convection oven. Dual fuel from bosch and we're both happy. It also creates two separate work stations on either side of the range and will fit around the door that will exist for the next year, but not forever. I like that this way we're not building out something that will have to be torn out in 12 months. I really really hate that. ...

reflecting, thinking about what's next

Reading through the blog, mainly to look at the ruin that was our house and the wee little babes that were our babies, now walking, running, yelling girls and found this from January 2016 What's left - the girls bathroom, master suite, sunroom, tile patching in 2 bathrooms, butler pantry. Summer kitchen. Landscaping. We've completed the girls bathroom, butler pantry, and landscaping. The sunroom is ALMOST finished. After living in the house with three girls we've changed plans a little bit for the remaining work. We're opting to turn what would have been mine and Harris's bedroom, closet, and bathroom into a bonus room of sorts. We'll also leave the wall there and add the washer/dryer upstairs and some desk space so the girls have a place to work. We also will build a general storage closet up there so clothing doesnt have to go up and down to the attic each season. We've also decided we need a shower upstairs, so the clawfoot that is in bad shape up...

Two fun finds

We knew the house had 'help' from the census records and because the service stair exits into the plainest bedroom upstairs. The was also the tangle of wires right by the kitchen that at one point held the call system. In each room, there is also a protruding wire in the wall that is not a light switch. These are the call buttons, or at least, what is left of them Also, in the center of the dining room floor that was :sob: there was this lovely gadget. You use it to call for the next course or for whenever you needed the kitchen help to reappear. It would have been connected to a button or level under the table. When they pull up the flooring, this will be salvaged. Maybe we'll reinstall it so I can ask Harris to bring me glasses of milk.

Adventures at The Bunny Manse

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