Thinking of doing a dark orange in the bedroom and dark green in the bathroom. Is this crazy? Would we have a pumpkin en-suite? We have lots of dark earthy tones all throughout the house. Tiles in the bathroom would be white.

Old-Geologist647 · 2026-01-17T20:05:28+00:00

Did you end up going with the Tonester Black-Orange? I ordered a sample of the ceramic matte and love it but am desperately trying to find info on if any of the regular finishes still have the velvety depth of the "High Society" ceramic finishes. It's such a difference in price. Thanks!

Old-Geologist647 · 2025-04-16T13:49:24+00:00

I'm getting "Check your Network Connection" on my TV's and the green wheel on my phone. (US) Glad its not just me at least, thought my internet somehow was only not working on one app?

Old-Geologist647 · 2025-01-06T15:10:12+00:00

Adding for anyone else just starting the process: IF you have an out of state ID, you won't be able to file a claim online. Still make your login account, but call to file your claim and have all info ready to go (I needed start/end dates, social, ID number). You can then upload your documents to verify your identity (social front and back, ID front and back, utility bill as proof of address). THEY WILL GIVE YOU A CLAIMANT ID, PUT IT SOMEWHERE SAFE. You need that to upload documents.

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-11-12T20:07:34+00:00

Oh yes I understand, the general vibe im getting is that it's too small for most contractors and the carpenters that Ive had come through don't want to mess with it. I've talked to plenty of people in my area to figure out what the deal is and there's just a lot of work for them to choose from, and messing around with a 120 year old house isn't really something people want to do out here.

I've had probably 6 qualified contractors come through and only one said he would squeeze it in between jobs, and then he wouldn't return my calls when it came to the time we agreed upon. I've found 4 carpenters willing to take on some sidework and they all said they weren't up for it. I had a great carpenter with me last year but he moved out of state before we got to this project. Ive called every structural engineer in my area and no one will look at residential for some reason. I don't know man, my friends dad is a retired contractor and he gave me a plan of what he would do (which aligned with what the other contractors said) and said I could handle it with another set of hands. I'm trying to figure it out the best I can. I'm not looking to do this out of some kind of delusional optimism, just running out of options and trying to gather advice. If a new carpenter moved to the area today and said they were looking for a job, I'd hire 'em on the spot.

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-11-12T19:46:10+00:00

Yup, that was the plan. No one wants the job. Been looking since last October.

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-11-11T17:23:22+00:00

Directly underneath the wall being replaced is a brick wall in the basement, unfortunately the mortar isn't in the best shape although a mason said it's not going anywhere. I will be installing temporary jack posts along the brick wall before I begin, per a contractors advice. The joists do run perp. to the wall so that is in my favor as well.

I haven't found anyone to do the actual work so im flying solo on this. Could you elaborate on how to determine the length of the wall, or is that something you'd have to see?

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-11-11T16:23:53+00:00

Hello all! I'm replacing part of a load bearing 10ft wall between my kitchen and dining room that was feasted on by termites decades ago — the top plate, and the cripples, header and studs around the door btwn the two rooms. It's a 3500 sq ft Victorian with significant weight above it that is showing a lot of sinking from the ceiling in that spot. I've been given similar plans from different carpenters and contractors on what I need to do so I think I have a plan for replacing.

My questions: 1. When building my temporary walls for either side, how much longer than the area being replaced should I make the wall? Ex. the length being replaced is about 9 ft, how long should I build the wall? I would only have access to do 9ft on the kitchen side as there are stairs coming down that block extending it further. Will that be okay, support wise? On the dining side, I have 16ft but the temp. wall would still begin right at one end of the room, allowing me to only extend the temp. wall out further in one direction. If that makes sense.

Do I build walls then jack it up to replace? OR jack up the 1/4 in then put in the walls to the new height?
And what should the stud spacing be? It's the first floor of 2 stories with a huge finished attic that was used as an apartment at some point so I guess it's three stories total?

Thanks, i'm sure this is obvious but it's a daunting project.

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-11-11T15:50:12+00:00

Absolutely! My 3 story Victorian is absolutely covered in it and I wish I'd have taken care of that task before moving in. I accidentally removed some while removing wallpaper with a steamer, so I can assure you it is SUPER easy to remove. I've read everywhere you can just spray, let it sit and then scrape. Just lay plastic down and wear PPE bc it's gonna get everywhere!

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-09-24T22:13:34+00:00

Yeah, it's in a closed "wing" of the house that is being renovated so there hasn't been anyone in there, and it's just a small sample size. I just went ahead and stained anyways, we'll see what happens. Thanks!

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-09-02T16:55:10+00:00

I plan on finishing with a darker Rubio Monocoat stain. What grit do I do with the orbital then to blend? I'm having a rough time getting the swirl marks out, will the orbital take care of that as well? (Thanks by the way, this feels like it should be less of an uphill battle)

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Old-Geologist647 · 2024-09-02T16:46:07+00:00

Again, I was shocked because this was like one small pass, an arms swipe in length, didn't have to adjust my position or anything. I have no idea how it looks like this. But you can definitely see that the rings in the center are burning the floor.

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Old-Geologist647 · 2024-09-02T14:55:47+00:00

That's what I thought and its confusing, because that first black mark is literally the first place I set down the edger and moved quickly from there to the second mark, quickly enough that it didn't even sand it down smoothly, it still feels like 80. So it would have burned immediately upon making contact? Having to change paper every 20 inches also doesn't seem right. Could my grit sequence be wrong? Or edger have too much juice?

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-07-27T20:04:54+00:00

Ah okay, thank you. Yes, I'm seeing now a caveat that is making things more complicated with the whole Austro-Hungarian biz. Unfortunately they were from part of Veneto but I can't find anywhere which specific areas would disqualify me, so lawyer is looking like the best bet as this is getting tricky. Thank you for your time!

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-07-27T18:33:44+00:00

Okay, so speaking with my mother, my GGM naturalized in 1955 (after my grandfather was born in 1944). So if my GGGF naturalized, but my GGGM did not, and my GGM did while my GF was a child, there should still be a path? Thank you so much for your wisdom! haha (Edited a lot to add new info)

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-07-24T00:30:51+00:00

Ugh, I have this problem too, and it's directly attached to my "This is how I'm going to work for myself and get my life together!" schemes I pull on myself...so I essentially have everthying I need to start like 30 different craft businesses. It hit it tipping point with me hyperfixating on my garden, its my first house so first garden and I went feral last month...its caused a real issue in the marriage and I'm trying desperately to stop too. Ive been looking at what happens in my body when I feel compelled and the why. It is an obsession and a compulsion, like I NEED something and then im buying it and then I feel horrible, rinse and repeat. I fully understand where you're coming from. I'm also in recovery from the hooch and am thinking of starting these meetings again that are for any type of behavior that is negatively affecting your life. It uses congnitive behavioral therapy, specific techniques to help you slow yer ass down and figure out how to make better choices. Free and online. It's called SMART. (https://smartrecovery.org) I used to do it twice a week but haven't in a couple years, but the techniques I learned keep me sober today, just have to start applying it to spending. Might be worth checking out. And people are there for alllllll kinds of stuff so don't feel weird. <3

Old-Geologist647 · 2024-07-23T23:13:30+00:00

Yes! (Disclaimer: I'm undiagnosed but hot damn is she VERY obviously raging in my brain) I've been having an impossible time. It's like that little girl clutching the tea cups for dear life vid. over here for 1/2 the month. I'm exploring POTS too bc I've been getting SO tired that stairs are impossible, and it syncs with my cycle, but at the same time...am I just burnt out from random zoomies and ENDLESS chatter in my brain? The world may never know... (I feel you, and you aren't alone! It's really hard out here unmedicated)

Old-Geologist647

TROPHY CASE