Category: garage

Spring. We spent the first half of the weekend with Janeen’s family visiting; Popo kept talking about how many lemons were on the tree and insisted that Janeen’s mum bring lemon pie for her. Before they left, Jason and John went out to the garden and picked more lemons. The photo below is just one branch — after picking two bags of lemons. We’ve probably got two boxes of lemons still on the tree! Lemonade, anyone?

The peach tree is starting to flower, as is the jasmine. Janeen planted some freesia bulbs, and the gladiola bulbs Janeen planted last year are already starting to pop through the soil. The jasmine is really growing well on the East wall of our garden; quite amazing from just a twig that we took from a neighbor’s fence and rooted!

I tore out most of the Ice plant that I’d unwisely bought as cute little plants two years ago (it has very nice blue/purple flowers, but it overtakes the whole garden in a hurry), and sprinkled native California wildflower seed in its place. The snails had a great winter, practically eating everything — except the ice plant of course. I must have found fifty of them. Janeen took a photo as I was filling up a third container. The problem with urban gardens: Nature is all out of balance. Where are the hedgehogs, frogs, toads, snakes, caterpillars and birds when we need them?

We moved on to the garage ceiling on Sunday. I’ve left open holes in the gyp board for about a year, planning to stuff insulation in. I’d been procrastinating, because it’s such unpleasant work.

First we cut out strips of the gypsum board on the ceiling. The best method so far seems to be multiple passes with a utility knife to just cut through the board. (I’ve tried cutting it with a saw — messy! and it risks damaging the joists).

Using a magnet, I can find the nails, so that I can carefully cut around them. By not damaging the board when I take it down, we can reuse it.

Finally, cutting and stuffing the insulation batts in between the joists is really unpleasant. Even with a dust mask, goggles, gloves, and long sleeves, it gets everywhere. I should have just rented the insulation blower, and used blow-in insulation: a) it’s easier — drill a hole and blow it in b) it gives better insulation — fills the cavity completely c) it improves the fire resistance of the house d) it’s recycled e) did I say it’s a lot easier? Can’t think why I came up with the hair-brained idea to do this. The only advantage I can think of is that it’s much easier to service wiring within the ceiling space when there’s fiberglass batt insulation.

One really itchy, sweaty, awkward day later, half of the work had been done.

The cut out ceiling pieces fit right back in like a jigsaw puzzle. Almost no waste.

Fitting the gyp board was difficult around the new electrical box and the bracing I’d added to the beam over the garage door. We had to dismantle part of the conduit so I could slide the board underneath it. It’s no surprise the work takes us so long!

Janeen wired in the three-way switch again.

When Janeen’s family was visiting, John helped us pick up our new front door. It needs to be cut to fit into the door opening, and stained and sealed. Exciting.