Updates

Well, more progress has been made. 

I replaced the toilet seat all by myself. It was as easy as everyone said it would be. 

But the important thing is that I had someone come & put down new vinyl tiles in the kitchen!!

I forgot to take a picture of the before (which was permanently stained), but here is the after!!!!

More updates

Good news: I finally got an electrician out to the condo to address the hvac unit. It is a relatively simple problem, partially involving fuses which the nice electrician left me.

Bad news: The fuses blew because of the motor in the hvac itself, which now needs to be replaced. I have to get an hvac guy to come out. I thought, "At least when I call the hvac guy I can relay info from the electrician as to exactly what is wrong." Nope. ::sigh::

HVAC place will not take electrician's recommendation. They must come do their own diagnostic and then schedule separate trip to come back & fix it. ::headdesk::

The HVAC guy came. It's either $1200 & a prayer to try to fix it or $2100 for a new unit. Oy vey.

Edit: Considering a ductless air conditioner.

After the HVAC setback, I moved on to installing the new curtain rod... Oh, wait, no. The drywall isn't as thick as in other places so the anchors & screws are too long. AND it looks like I probably have the wrong size curtains. I'm headed to the hardware store for new anchors & screws. Don't know what I'm going to do about the curtains.

Edit: Curtain rod successfully installed... mostly. Even though I have the wrong size curtains, I have the right size sheers. After I hung them up I realized one of the panels is backwards but I was too done to take them back down to fix it. Also, It really needs a third bracket in the middle, but there's nowhere to attach it.

I have successfully installed a closet shelf in the bedroom

Paint job

Painting happened!

I got some help & we knocked it out in a morning. 

It's not 100% done, but the areas where I need to rehang things like shelves & curtain rods are done. I'm waiting to do the hallway until after the stove delivery. 

It feels really good to have this done and even better not to have spent $900 on it. 

Painting

I've decided to paint the condo myself.  I've never painted before, so I started (like I do with everything) with internet research. Here are my main resources:

DIY Painting Tips, Tricks, and a Step-by-Step Guide | Making it Lovely

http://makingitlovely.com/2010/03/09/diy-painting-tips-tricks-and-a-step-by-step-guide/

Painting 101: Interior and Exterior House Painting Tips, Paint Color Ideas, and House Painting Supplies : Home Improvement : DIY Network
http://www.diynetwork.com/painting-101/package/index.html

Painting Techniques & Tips - How to Paint a House or Room
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/learn-how-to-paint

47 Tips And Tricks To Ensure A Perfect Paint Job
http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/paint-hacks?s=mobile

HowStuffWorks "How to Paint a Room: Tips and Guidelines"
http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/home-diy/painting/how-to-paint-room.htm

Home Depot has these really helpful kits; they come in 4 levels (economy, good, better, best) that include most of the basic supplies. I bought the economy and better packages, along with painter's tape & drop cloths. I also calculated the square footage of my walls. So now I just need to buy paint...

I can't believe I'm still working on this!

So, I've moved out of the condo & it's empty except for what I need to work on repairs. 

(Those are gone now too!)

Things still remaining to do:

• Get HVAC/breaker serviced
• Paint
• New Stove
• Install new bedroom closet shelf (already purchased)
• Get new hall closet shelf  (need a custom fit, unfortunately)
• Replace curtain rod
• Clean, clean, clean!

Then there's all the paperwork.  I have to make sure I am all square with my condo association and the District.

In the meantime, I'm evaluating what I would need to bring back to hold tasting parties there in the meantime:

• glassware (disposables? Or bring back dish detergent?)
• paper products
• seating (There are only 2 chairs & a step-stool there now.)
• a table
• display (I could easily make a second display to leave there for a while)

One step forward

I got laid off in February, and after the ensuing depressive episode, turned some of my attention back to condo repairs/upgrades. I made small progress, but I've also experienced some setbacks. I am going to have to get a drywall kit and patch major sections of my apartment.

In the meantime, I've been purging the apartment of much clutter. Earlier this month I donated to Goodwill:

• 19 pairs of shoes
• 1 sweater
• 3 formal dresses
• 4 pairs of pants
• 4 skirts
• 42 shirts/blouses
• 3 dress sets
• 4 pairs of shorts
• 15 pairs of pantyhose (unopened packages)
• 4 pairs of knee high socks (unopened packages)
• 1 13" screen tv
  

The shoes made the most space. Now I'm working on purging media. That should create quite a bit more space as well.

New Year's Resolutions (mine & other people's)

According to this article from Fitness.com ...

"Many people tend to make unrealistic goals when it comes to creating a New Year’s Resolution based on health and fitness. Many rush immediately to a gym to sign up, go for a few weeks, and then decide to give up. Instead of making these unreachable goals for yourself, why not start with something simpler. Here are some suggestions to creating a more manageable and achievable New Year’s Resolution."

This year (next year?), instead of doing traditional resolutions, I'm doing a 101 Things in 1001 Days list. I'll be tracking that list in a separate blog, here.

The Home Improvement goals are the same as they've been for a while:
1. Buy a new stove
2. Replace bathroom fixtures
3. Buy & install new closet system
4. Put up new curtain rod & curtains
5. Install Automatic Ice Maker
6. Install spice rack(s) in cupboard
7. Rent out condo

I also made some specific uncluttering goals:
1. Have a successful Yard Sale
2. File all my loose papers
3. Organize all my fitness stuff
4. Consolidate all my VCR tapes