I originally named this post Lazy Life Update. I put the word lazy in there because the post was going to be an easy one; just a bunch of photos of what we’ve been up to in the 1500 household. But then, I thought that the L-word may give folks the wrong idea. We’ve been anything but lazy over here.
But, this post will still be a lazy one. I take LOTS of pictures and I’ll let them tell most of the story.
Live-In Flip Construction!
Mrs. 1500 and I build our schedules around our children. We work hardest when they’re in school and then lay off the gas during breaks. This means that my home remodeling projects will come to a stop in a little over two months once school is out. This works out well because I wouldn’t want to be working inside when the weather is nice anyway.
Knowing that I have a hard deadline, I’ve been doing loads of work on the house.
First, I remodeled the office. My favorite feature is a desk that folds down so we can fit a queen-sized bed in the room:
I then remodeled the bathroom in 33 hours. See my YouTube channel for a video about the project.
The basement finish it the single biggest project in the home. So far, I’ve:
- Added new ducts for heat/AC (my hands are almost healed)
- Dug out and installed an egress window (my shoulders are almost healed)
- Installed a radon mitigation system
- Dug out the part of the basement floor to access plumbing for a new bathroom
- Installed supply-line plumbing for the new bathroom (I’m almost dry)
This week, I’ll finish the plumbing and start framing.
The basement won’t be done until the fall because we’re not remodeling the kitchen until then. Leaving the ceiling open will allow me to change stuff up in the kitchen should the need arise.
And before summer comes, I’m going to be building a deck next to the pool. Building decks may be my favorite projects. It’s nice to be outside, listening to music or a podcast, and creating.
You can always follow my projects on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/1500days
MMM HQ Coworking!
MMM HQ is a coworking space, but it’s also a place where we hold lots of meetups. Yesterday, we had a family breakfast.
And a couple of weeks ago, we held the Not-A-Valentine’s Day party:
Life is better with community.
Randomness
Is randomness a word? Hell if I know. And I don’t feel like investigating further, so I’m going with it.
Charity stuff
As I get older and the money pile grows ever bigger, I’ve been considering how I’m going to disperse it all. This is a broad topic that deserves a dedicated post, but for now, I randomly give money to people and causes that I believe in:
- A family member has multiple sclerosis, so I donate money every year to medical research.
- I support museums and community resources that my family enjoys.
- Revanche over at a gai shan life is doing great work to help those in need. I sent $100 her way to help with her mission. If you have some spare change lying around, please consider doing the same.
Interview
Doug Cunnington is a member of MMM HQ and helps folks with internet marketing. Check out my interview with him here.
And in between all of that, I don’t miss many opportunities to get outside:
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the younger kid always looks a little grumpy. careful she doesn’t cut you up in your sleep.
you are a true warrior to take on all that plumbing. will there be a basement sauna? a friend just told them the price for kit wasn’t too bad nowadays.
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Yeah, the little kid is a character. Sometimes, in all of the wrong ways. Her first reaction to a personal insult is always some form of violence.
Me: Daughter, repeat after me: “Violence is not the answer!”
Daughter:
And so it goes.
Warrior?! Nah, more like an idiot for taking on all of this nonsense!
A sauna sounds like an awesome idea, but we’re a little short on space…
That was always my answer as a younger sister and I stand by it. 😉
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life recently posted…Real Estate Investing #17: A less irritable (numbers-based) assessment
Nice podcasting set up! I’m working on mine as well – I have a producer and we just rented a space in the music hall where we were recording it. I’m splitting costs with my producer and his bandmate so they can use it as recording space too. It’s costing the podcast $60 per month and I’ve sold enough local advertising to cover the costs. I need to get some softbox lights like that too (got one right now) – I’m hoping to use the space as a photography studio too one I get the lighting solid.
Slowly but surely making my way through the bathroom project. In the meantime, I am taking sponge baths haha. I’m going to have to watch your bathroom remodel video for motivation/knowledge haha I swear every time I do something I reveal that the job is more complicated than I previously thought…
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The job is ALWAYS more complicated than originally planned for.
Podcast studio! If you ever move to Longmont, our entire space which includes 2 studios and free beer is only $50/month!
That’s awesome that you build your schedule around your kids. This is what my wife and I do.
I’m thankful every day for it.
Gogogogogogo!
Still owe you a “10 questions”
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A fold-up desk is genius. That took me 3 tries to get “genius” spelled right. I should look into something like that whenever we find another house. This one’s got enough going on for its remodel (needs new windows desperately).
Thanks for sharing the giving drive!
Looks like life is working out for you! The home is coming along nicely. Not that you asked for recommendations for charitable support, but since you are a parent with school-aged kids, if you’re ever looking to donate to a cause that is always worthy, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DonorsChoose.org. They are like a “go fund me” type page that is only for teachers in schools who need funding for specific items to help out in their classroom. DonorsChoose vets the projects and verifies the funds are going to support the cause, so it’s a great way to support a school in your area that needs books/musical intruments/new furniture/etc. If you’re in a wealthy school district, you can look to others in your area that are in a higher need (DonorsChoose does indicate if a majority of the students in the school a project is for are low-income to help a donor gauge need). Sometimes the projects are small (like $275 is requested) so even kids can participate which makes it accessible. Lastly, because they are well-respected in the fundraising community, the Gates Foundation and other big name foundations have offered matching funds when you give within a certain timeframe which makes your donation even bigger. (i don’t work for DonorsChoose, lol, (I do work in fundraising–for a foodbank) but they’re one of my favorite charities to support and I like to spread the word. 🙂 )
Wow, I just took a look at DonorsChoose and it’s a great organization. Charity Navigator rates it very well too. Thank you for letting me know about it!
Side note: Our kids’ school is where most of our money goes. It feels pretty good to give locally, although perhaps I’m thinking about it wrong.
The bathroom looks amazing! I love the white on dark contrast! Also, thank you for not putting a towel rack over the toilet 🙂
Great work on the bathroom! I have done a couple in my days at our current house so I appreciate some of the fun struggles / interesting things you can get into along the way. I am curious about your folding desk though. That is an awesome idea, would enjoy knowing how you put it together or what you used.
Eric! Yeah, I’ll do a post on it, maybe even next week showing how I did it and what it looks like when folded.
Nice post, i love your remodeling of the bathroom and that just in 33 hours. Well done!
Thanks!
That is the longest desk I’ve ever seen . . . Are you planning on creating different stations along each side? Seems a bit excessive, no?
Four people in the family! We can all have a spot. It’s great for homework.