Everything but the kitchen sink

Things have been progressing rather slowly lately.  Life, you know.  Work, weather, other priorities get in the way.

One of my "to-do's" on Maizy has been to acquire a curvy buffet to act as the new kitchen counter.  I have mentioned this concept before and never got a "oh yeah baby!" from Peter, but decided to believe that he was fully on board with my plan anyway.  I have been prowling local second hand stores looking for the perfect piece.  I peruse craigslist daily and checkout all the estate sales.  I needed something with personality and character.

On a side note (which actually makes sense later, I promise) we've been wanting a china hutch for the dining room in our old farmhouse for some time.  Over a year ago I bought one that needed re-finishing.  I turned my fiber studio into a refinishing room and started work on it.  Most of the way through my project got stalled and the semi-refinished china hutch ended up shoved in a corner with fiber supplies stuck on it.  It was perfect for the space, looked wonderful and my studio, aka  "SharonTopia" adopted a new piece of furniture.

Today is a federal holiday and thus, I had the day off.  Two days off in a row!  It's like a mini vacation. Peter and I had great plans to lift the top skin of the trailer, finalize measurements and do an assortment of other Miss Maizy oriented tasks.  During our morning coffee I loaded up craigslist and started my routine search and found... the most PERFECT vintage buffet.  I quickly sent off a message to the owner.  Just in case, I continued to scrolled Craigslist and found the PERFECT china hutch for our dining room!  I sent off a message for that one as well.

After coffee, Perry Mason and morning farm chores we headed out to the barn and began the process of lifting the top skin of Miss Maizy.  We used some old gutters to support the skin and the rafters to hoist it up.

During our hoisting I got a message from the lovely buffet lady that it was still available, she could meet my price and we needed to be there in two hours (and it was an hour and a half away!).  With surprisingly little dilly-dally, we went to fetch Miss Maizy's new kitchen cabinet.  It is now in SharonTopia, waiting to be re-painted and I am absolutely sure it wont stay there like the china hutch did.

Shortly after we left here to fetch the buffet, we got a call from the owner of the china hutch and made arrangements to check it out on our way home.  Luckily he lives in the same town we do.
The hutch was nearly perfect and we scooped it up as well.  Also luckily, for $10.00 and a dozen farm fresh eggs the owner was willing to deliver, as our vehicle was already filled with the buffet.

One of the things I have been troubleshooting on our project is a toilet.  I have literally, lain awake at night thinking about how to fit a toilet in my very limited space.  Not to get too personal here, Miss Maizy does not have, and has never had, a bathroom facility.  I really believed I could manage with this but the more I think about it, the more I abhor the idea of  traipsing across a campground once (or more) in the middle of the night to tinkle in a disgusting outhouse, or a creepy restroom.  I considered a composting toilet, I considered a 5 gallon bucket...  desperate times call for desperate measures.  No matter the possible solution I came up with it was complicated by the fact that there isn't much room for a toilet and privacy in a 13 foot trailer.

I have an adorable grandson named Jack who turns 3 this year.  Yesterday we went shopping for a birthday present for him and stumbled upon a sale at the Coleman Outlet store.  There, on a bottom shelf near the back of the store was a lonely, discounted, "portable flushing toilet."  My imagination started whirling and swirling and pondering all the ways that this amazing contraption could work.  There are "privvy tents" that could be set up outside, but right by, Miss Maizy.  Or.. there is a closet in Miss Maizy that could, possibly, be turned into a toilet room.

This has possibility:

With the current configuration my knees will hang out into the room, but as it turns out, with the "new" kitchen cabinet/buffet we can make the closet a little roomier and I just might end up with a real bathroom out of this deal.  I am very excited!

Sawmill!

I had to work yesterday.  It was no fun.  It was, as I feared, a killer day.  Someone called in sick.  I had to do my job and then someone else's.  It made for a very long day.

When I got home you'll never believe what I discovered.  I found my beloved hand-milling some spruce (That's Dash in the foreground).  Also in the foreground is some of the siding from dear Miss Maizy.

Today, after a moderately hard day at work, I found Peter was just finishing the milling process and we now have this nice pile of spruce 1x2's, ready for wall building.

We are ready to move forward.  We headed to town to purchase our plywood for the walls.  Heading into town means going into the Bellingham, about 15 miles away.  We examined a dozen sheets of 1/4 inch fir plywood only to decide that the quality was less than desired.  Plans changed (remember I said being flexible here was key?) and we traipsed off to Windsor, intending to purchase that incredibly beautiful birch plywood for that incredibly fine price.  After 20 minutes of examining the birch plywood and Windsor's other offerings we ended up with deciding the fir from Home Depot was more than adequate - as the Windsor birch was less than 1/4 inch and Peter felt we really needed the full 1/4 inch.

As it turns out, we decided to wait to purchase the plywood until next week.  With work schedules as they are we won't have time to work on the wall until then anyway.  

Demo is winding up

Work progresses.  In fact, I reached a point today where there was simply no more dis-assembly to be done until some assembly takes place.  Let me share some of the day's highlights with you.

The interior banquettes were stuck fast.  As near as I could tell they were screwed from the bottom, up into their framework.  If indeed, that were the case, I needed to crawl under Miss Maizy to release those persnickety  screws.  Under I went:

I have taken to wearing some sort of face mask or breathing apparatus because the dust, the mold, the ... whatever, is very disagreeable.  It causes me to cough and I fear that it is riddled with all sorts of toxic things that I should not breathe.  

As it turns out, the screws were not from the bottom up.  Once I found screws poking out the bottom of Miss Maizy it was clear that they were from the top down.  I went back inside and finally found them,  They were stuck tight and would not budge.  I called in my muscle-bound husband and he managed to get most of them out and then man-handled the remainder.  Except for one screw.  It has gotten the better of the both of us and the banquette is still in place.

Removing the electrical system was one of the last things on my list and it really wasn't so difficult.  One breaker, one small junction box.  Removing a few screws, a few wire nuts and it was a done deal.

And then all hard workers need a beer break.  A little Black Butte Porter is just what was needed.

After the break I went back to stare at Miss Maizy and came to the conclusion that there was simply no more demolition be done.  It is time to start rebuilding sides.  

Tomorrow I must work but when I get home (assuming it's not a killer day) it will be time to measure.  I took photos of every side of Miss Maizy, and I've printed them intending write on them with the length of each piece of wood and each opening size.  

Thursday we go buy the plywood we have selected and get started building sides.  And we will hope my measurements are accurate!

Born to Shop

Today was a fun shopping day.  I had to work a bit (must work to get paid to pay for this stuff). But work was quickly done and off we went to the supply stores for a little reconnaissance.

Since Miss Maizy is small we kind of feel we can spend a little more on some things.  I mean, it's not like we are are dealing with a 20 foot trailer that requires 200 square feet of flooring and 40 sheets of plywood.

We are preparing to build new sides and we need plywood.  About 10 sheets we think.  We want a quality wood and headed out to Windsor, a local specialty wood store.   I (we) have some serious decisions to make.  This birch wood is $35.99 a sheet.  Exactly what we need and it's really beautiful. There are two problems with it.  The price is one.  At $35.99 that adds up quickly!  Plus it's just too pretty.  I envisioned painting the interior white and this wood is just too pretty to paint.

We also considered a marine virola.  Just as expensive, probably more durable, and not nearly as pretty, which means I can paint it any color I want and not feel bad.

And then we left the hoity toity wood store and checked out the local Lowe's and Home Depot.

They have a perfectly fine plywood for just $27.99 a sheet and not too pretty so perfect to paint.  I think that's the way we will go.

We left the plywood department and headed to the flooring department.  In my head I can picture exactly the look and feel I want in my little Miss Maizy.  I need to install the flooring before we replace walls and cabinets.  In building a trailer, it's done before putting in the attached elements (I learned that on a YouTube video).

In my research today I learned what I don't like.  I do NOT like rolled vinyl flooring.  It's seriously awful.  It is certainly a cost saving option but man it's ugly.  Of the two samples below I really like the one on the left.  A tad more expensive (but I only need a little for my tiny Miss Maizy).  The problem with this choice is that it adds an additional 1/2 inch to the flooring height. In a house, not such a big deal.  In Miss Maizy, a problem.  As it is, toward the back of the trailer Peter can not stand up straight.  Near the front he can, but the hair on his head brushes the ceiling.   If you add a 1/2" to the floor, he wont be able to stand up straight at all.  Not so comfortable for him and I'm afraid I don't have time to wait for osteoporosis to shrink him and inch or two. 

The sample on the right is a peel and stick vinyl option.  If done well it wouldn't be too bad.  The problem here is that my experience with peel and stick has not been particularly positive.  

  

After our fun research trip we came home to a bit more work on Miss Maizy.  We continued removing skin and insulation.  She hardly looks the same.

At the end of yesterday I said things would be a walk in the park, and with today off from work I should be able to make major progress.  I was making a joke.  However, I did have higher hopes for todays progress.  

My first task of the day was to remove the vent on the roof.  A simple task, so I thought.  The problem was that the screws were covered with some sort of waterproofing caulky substance.  The screws were stuck fast.  I had to chip away the junk to expose the screws.  Unfortunately many of the screws were rusted in place and the vent flange was bent around the screw head, which kept my nut driver from getting a solid grip.  Each screw needed to be loosened with the vice grips, then hand un-screwed.  And then, the screws on the back side required I perch precariously on the top step of the ladder while laying on top of Maizy without actually putting any of my weight on her.  This task, which I figured would take me 10 or 15 minutes, took over an hour.

Not only did I struggle with the screws, but the second step, removing all the weather stripping,involved my supervisor, Oliver, who was micro managing and causing everything to go slower:

I did, eventually get the vent removed and most of the weather stripping cleaned up.  The view through the hole was very green.  According to Peter it was because of the type of lighting I was using.  I think the picture looks very cool.  As you can see, Oliver decided to move to the kitchen counter.  Just about the only time you will EVER find a cat allowed on my counters.  gack.













Other tasks I managed to complete today included removing all the fasteners from the "drivers side" of the trailer, the rest of the windows, the running lights from the front, part of the interior bench, and most of the plumbing systems, including the fresh water holding tank.









Peter seems to be totally onboard and has been researching insulation and types of wood required for strength and weight.  I really, really appreciate his enthusiasm and participation.  But I noticed that his vision was more about restoring Miss Maizy to original design, while I envisioned something more along the lines of "glamping."

I have been hesitant to bring up this difference in our approach.  But today the opportunity presented itself and I shared my vision with him.  I had many ideas, shifting the orientation of the bed, adding end tables, moving electrical outlets, adding a composting toilet and.  (this was the big idea..) removing the kitchen counter and replacing it with a free standing dresser.  Crazy, I know!  And I'm not entirely sold on the idea but I think it would be really cute and provide plenty of storage to boot.  I was thinking of taking out the oven and just adding a cook top.  It's not like I'm going to bake cookies or roast a turkey or anything.  We don't really need an oven.    Here is a picture of the general idea - only I don't like this dresser, I don't like the color and I most certainly do not like the wall behind the ice box.  It does give the general idea though.

Peter was somewhat non-committal over this idea - but I think it will grow on him.  Or else.  hahahaha.

New day, new plan

The nice thing about removing windows is that the gaping holes become the perfect way to jettison materials.  The first task on today's list was to remove the bunk bed.  An awkward piece of lumber to try to manuever in such a small space.  Fortunately - it fit right out the window.  I don't think the bunk bed will be returning to my tiny space.  Instead, I will put in a built-in cupboard or shelf.

While I was taking down the bunk bed and attempting to remove upper cabinets I found something that brought back a fond memory.  Remember - I used to take my kids camping in this delightful thing back in the 90's.  On one camping trip near Beacon rock (in the Columbia Gorge) I let the kids make jiffy pop while I sat out by the fire with a glass of wine.  I am sure this was a perfect example of bad parenting, being left unsupervised with open flames and all.  Bad parenting or not, I did it anyway.   Next thing I know, I heard screams of "FIRE!!" I dashed in to find the jiffy pop had caught fire and was threatening the curtains and cupboards.  I grabbed the popcorn and tossed it out on the ground and saved the day.  Not really that heroic.  Disaster was easily averted and there is a nice singe mark on the bottom of the cabinet.    Ahh... good times!   It's kinda sad that I am going to lose that reminder.  But not too sad.

While I slaved away at demolition I had company.  Oliver the studio cat has decided to be the foreman of this operation.  His attentiveness was quite thorough, when he wasn't napping.  I wonder if he was monitoring safety precautions?  

I removed the last of the skin from the door side of Miss Maizy.  This exposed more rot along the door frame.  The threshold blew off while we were bringing her home.  I am really surprised the door didn't blow off as well.  As we see how much rot she has and how flimsily she is built, Peter wonders that we got her home in one piece at all.  Despite my earlier hopes, I am getting more convinced that Miss Maizy is going to be a complete tear down.

This was a fun thing to find.  Wasps.  Dead wasps.  It could have been way worse - they could have been live wasps.

And this is where I leave her at the end of the day today.

Our original plan was to skin one side, rebuild the wall, replace the wall and then move to the next section.  It seems to be important to have flexible plans.  The floor will certainly need to be replaced.  If we replace the walls before the floor, we won't be able to get to the floor.

So.. the new revised plan of attack is something like this:

• Skin the entire thing.
• Brace the interior to keep her from collapsing.  (apparently the skin provides some structural integrity)
• Remove the rest of the cupboards and interior elements.
• Using the skin as a pattern re-build both walls.  Set aside.
• Take out the walls.
• Remove the things that won't fit out the door or windows (stove, icebox)
• Replace the floor.
• Put the new icebox and old stove (if it works) back in.
• Put up the new walls
• Address wiring and plumbing issues
• Insulate
• Re-apply skin

That doesn't sound too hard and I have all of tomorrow off.  It'll be a walk in the park!!

The Freighbor

I have a friend and neighbor who goes by the very special title of "Freighbor"  In my eyes she is like the Martha Stewart of farm life.  (except for the insider trading thing, as far as I know)

I invited her over the other day to checkout my project and share her wisdom with me.  She came by and her eyes lit up and she was, indeed, bubbling over with ideas.  So many ideas that my head began to swim.

In fact she was so full of ideas that she decided to take on her own trailer project.  Not only is she now planning to refurbish her own 1973 Terry (aka Birch Betty) that's been sitting and rotting behind the barn, but she's already looking forward to finding an old used airstream and re-doing one of those.  It kinda makes my project load a bit less overwhelming.  And she really shouldn't poke fun of my random thoughts of weaving some custom cloth for curtains for Miss Maizy.  But seriously, her enthusiasm is catching.

I went by to check out Birch Betty today.  She's not nearly the wreck the freighbor would have me believe but she is so close to the 19' Terry Trailer that I got for the kids and I (after this one) that I started to get a little emotional.

During the visit, among the talk of rot, and paint, and skinning and such there was talk of adult beverages but I really wanted to get home and get to work on Miss Maizy so I declined, with the proviso that once I reached a task goal I would come back for refreshments.  My goal was to remove the rusted-in-place tail lights.  A task that I thought would take several hours.  As it turns out, 5 minutes.  They may have been rusted but it's not like the rusted screws were holding onto anything solid.  They basically just pulled off.

Given that this task only took a few minutes, and that it was still before noon, I thought adult beverages might be a bit premature.  My brother would say "it's 5:00 somewhere!" but I have priorities.

So I started removing the skin of Miss Maizy.  We have decided to do one side at a time.  We watched more YouTube videos so we are practically experts now.  Removing the skin was not very difficult really, but I was left not so sure if I should be happy, or concerned.  The bottom, near the tire is clearly rotted.  All of this wood must be replaced.  Above that, surprisingly, the wood was in good shape.

I continued to remove the skin, from the bottom up when I learned something quite important.  Something I've shared with the Freighbor already so she does not repeat my mistakes.  Ensure that all screws, tacks and staples are removed BEFORE removing any skin.  Otherwise you end up with this deadly sharp piece of aluminum sticking out at eye level while you try to get the top tacks/staples out.

So now, it seems, it may be time for that adult beverage because for the time being, I have all the skin off I plan to take off, as I don't want to compromise the structural integrity before we are ready to start rebuilding the wall.  I still need to remove more stuff from the inside, like the upper bunk and the stove. but we are getting close to going from tear-down to build up - at least on this one side.