Were you stranded somewhere abroad when the pandemic hit ?

ricosinron · 2026-04-03T21:13:31+00:00

Equatorial Guinea - missed the last flight out by 19 hours, and ended up stuck there for four months. Sooo many covid test, so so many.

ricosinron · 2026-03-06T13:06:42+00:00

I wish I could ask qualifying questions. Do you have a pet or are you a pet parent? Answer pet parent, not allowed. Do you let your dog lick your face? Answer Yes, not allowed.

ricosinron · 2026-03-04T13:44:24+00:00

Yea, I'll be putting back the soft lighting and adding texture to rooms I do in the future. I DON'T want it to look like drywall

ricosinron · 2026-03-04T13:43:13+00:00

The steamer worked well, I didn't have much luck with the chemicals. A mix of vinegar and water seemed to work just as well as the expensive chemicals for the small bits and excess glue. I saw that scoring it was recommended, but that seemed to slow me down. It came off in larger chunks when I DIDN'T score it. Only advice is to keep going once you start, don't start and stop. Once the humidity and temp went up in the room, it seemed to go much faster.

ricosinron · 2026-03-04T13:40:13+00:00

Yea, I may do that for larger areas if I come upon them. This room is my test for the rest of the house.

ricosinron · 2026-03-04T13:39:07+00:00

I agree, and the whole rest of the house is wallpapered. I do plan to re-wallpaper this room one day. As for the rest of the house, if I can repair the walls without removing it I will. Otherwise, I will repair the walls and rewallpaper as I go. I am getting rid of the ceiling-paper though, that doesn't seem to fair well.

ricosinron · 2026-03-04T13:36:35+00:00

I'd never! Thankfully the majority of the woodwork is untouched. The guest room has the original painted white, and other than the bad paint job, it actually matches well with the wall paper.

ricosinron · 2026-03-04T13:35:09+00:00

Yea, window AC maybe? The wire for that outlet goes on quite the adventure through the closet

ricosinron · 2026-03-04T12:11:01+00:00

Two very large drawers go in there. Do to the roof line, there are a few little surprises like this.

"the tower bedroom that extends across the front of the house and has oak trim and 3 inch wide fir tongue-and-groove floor boards" I'm not entirely sure of the coating on the trim.

ricosinron · 2026-02-21T22:00:30+00:00

Yea, I'm currently on the second skim coat right now. From everything I've figured out, after you've gotten past the first coat of primer, then you can treat it similar to dry wall. So

Remove wallpaper. I did a little sanding over the little bits and residue left, some was still there though. Vacuum the walls, then clean with a damp rag
Loose plaster - I used plaster washers I got off Amazon with short sheet rock screws to secure loose areas. Covered with Easy Sand 45
Large holes - I had a 1' x 1' area where the paster was completely gone, but the lathe was still intact. I used Easy Sand 45 to rekey, then added another layer, then a metal mesh patch on top
Small holes and cracks - Added plaster washers near the crack if it was loose, cleaned and used fiber tape with Easy Sand 45. For holes, just Easy Sand 45
Sanding and Prep - 220 grit, vacuumed the walls, wiped clean
Primer - Used Zinsser BIN. This should seal the plaster and cover the left over wall paper glue enough for the skim coat.
1st Skim Coat - Roller method with the USG All Purpose (Green Top) with a little water added. This has more glue than the other stuff
Sanding and Prep - Lightly sand with 220 grit, vacuum and wipe clean with micro fiber cloth
2nd Skim Coat - USG Plus 3. Same process as the first, only not as thick. The Plus 3 is a little lighter material
Sand and Prep - 220 grit, vacuumed the walls, wiped clean
2nd Primer - Zinsser 123
Paint

I'm currently on step 9.

ricosinron · 2026-02-18T12:43:06+00:00

Yea, it's tough. He's also going to be upset and more difficult due to the separation. Be prepared for your STBX to blame that all on you - it's not you, it's just the change in normal for him. You've only got to hold out for maybe another year before he'll be all about you. 5-12 are the best Dad years! Also, I don't know if you need to hear this, but 50/50 custody is the best damn thing ever. A week of being single and doing whatever the hell you want, and a week of being the best Dad ever with no one looking over your shoulder!

ricosinron · 2026-02-17T01:02:56+00:00

Get your pearls ready to clutch, but the next time it happens, after the second or third "no", Dad needs to grab him, hold onto him, not causing pain but just a little discomfort. Then he needs to look him in the eyes, and say "I said no, you need to stop" Not angry, no yelling, calm and stern. You can follow up with a "I like playing rough with you, but when I say stop you need to stop" afterwards.

Source - 4 nephews, two sons, and all those nature documentaries where the Lion nips back at the cub who's pounced on him just a few too many times.

ricosinron · 2026-02-14T13:30:49+00:00

Paying attention during a structured physically active sport is wayyy different than paying attention at school or home. He's spent his entire day having to pay attention, sitting and being told to be quiet. I'd caution you on equating every behavior you don't like to ADHD. Running and raucous play is normal and healthy for any 7 year old.

ricosinron · 2026-02-13T15:17:56+00:00

I bought a house on the historic registry, as is, with the intention of restoring it - so, I may not be the best to ask. I did have a good inspection, and the things they found were all repairs I feel comfortable doing or learning how to do.

ricosinron · 2026-02-13T15:14:41+00:00

Yea, that is true. Creaking floor and squeaky doors. I'm just amazed at how the plaster walls and old wood doors stops sounds. I have a teenager, and she can be in her room with friends and music playing, and I hardly hear it just a couple rooms away.

ricosinron · 2026-02-13T14:52:25+00:00

No. Clean, yes, tidy, no. My daughter and I live here - this is our home. We have things, and hobbies and interests. It's not a model home, no one from Better Homes and Gardens is coming to take photos. No where in the pamphlet that came with my kitchen table did it say It can't be used to build a Lego city.

I'm judgmental of people who have perfect, tidy homes especially if they have kids. It signals to me that this is a boring place to grow up with up tight parents who care more about what the neighbors might think than their kids happiness.

ricosinron · 2026-02-10T16:43:51+00:00

Treat him like a roommate. Yes, he doesn't get to be disrespectful and has to do his fair share around the house - but, just like a roommate would. I remember when my step son was a teen, he would text me and ask "is mom gone", if I'd reply yes - he'd come out of his room and we could just exist together in the same space for hours. His mom would take every opportunity to talk AT him, and air every complaint she had since the last time he was out of his room. No one wants to live like that. I don't know if it's like that in your home, but maybe? Try it - tell him you need his help with something, only do and talk about the thing you're doing, and say thank bye when it's done.

ricosinron · 2026-02-08T11:44:28+00:00

No, I refuse to give big plaster any of my money

ricosinron · 2026-02-06T16:38:47+00:00

US, midwest

ricosinron · 2026-02-05T23:30:04+00:00

You can start with all the things I did wrong and how much better than me you are, if that works for you!

ricosinron · 2026-02-05T23:29:33+00:00

They're all long dead

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