Journal

@SchuminWeb

Archives

Categories

I have the computer back in order, and for the first time in a while, this desk is clean!

February 25, 2004, 9:00 PM

First of all, look:

Notice the desk and dresser are in similar positions as before, but about two feet to the left, and I have a Mainstays torchiere lamp with reading light next to the bed.

Notice the desk and dresser are in similar positions as before, but about two feet to the left, and I have a Mainstays torchiere lamp with reading light next to the bed.

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel

Two days off really leaves a person refreshed!

February 25, 2004, 2:47 PM

And I broke my promise to myself not to go into a Wal-Mart on this “weekend” (it’s two consecutive days off – that’s just as good as Saturday and Sunday in my book), as I had to go out to get some odds and ends that were running out. Note, though, that I went to Staunton instead of my own store.

Otherwise, I got the desk back into position against the wall. That was good. The Merry Maids (a company we employ that comes every other Wednesday to clean) commented that the place will look really nice when it’s finished. I agree. It’s going to look SO nice when it’s done.

So by tonight, I should have the computer set back up. This whole thing about using Dad’s computer is really a pain. Especially after starting up his computer, discovering a program called “Spybot – Search & Destroy” that takes ten minutes to check your computer for spyware when you start up. I terminated that program prematurely, since I believe that the best spyware deterrent is to actually (God forbid) know and pay attention to what you’re putting on your computer. That’s what I do. I do have Ad-Aware on my computer, but that I only use if I think I may have spyware. Then it goes and finds it and does away with it.

Of course, we still ask the question of why his computer was off to begin with, but that’s not as important.

What is hopefully the last bit of paint has now been applied, and now just to let it dry…

February 25, 2004, 12:26 AM

At last! All the walls are painted! Things are looking so good around here. I’m still using Dad’s computer – mine’s not set back up yet. But I have now officially painted all the paint I want to paint.

So that’s a good feeling.

Next, once I check over the paint to make sure I haven’t missed anything, I’m going to start putting pieces of furniture into their new homes. The bed’s already there, but the desk needs to get put in its new position, along with the dresser. Both need to be properly repositioned.

Then after that, I need to get my new bookshelf from Wal-Mart, and put it together. And then let the stuff come roaring on back in to make this place look lived in. The stuff comes back, and then when we get far enough in to reach it, the couch will return! And in its new spot, too, where the bed used to be.

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel

The computer is dismantled now. That’s weird looking.

February 24, 2004, 11:52 AM

The computer is now dismantled, and all the components (the computer itself, the monitor, etc.) are piled up on and around my blue recliner. It looks so strange, let me tell you. And I pulled the desk out to clean behind it, plus pick up whatever wires are remaining behind the desk.

And once that’s done, I just have to do some taping, and the last stage of painting will commence. This will complete the paint job. And then it’s all downhill from there once the paint dries. Then I start putting furniture back. I purchase and assemble the new bookshelf. The card table that the paint stuff is on will get put back. The paint stuff that I paid all of $3 for which included a brush, two rollers, and a tray (go Mainstays brand) will get thrown out, and the remaining paint (I estimate I will have about half a can left when I’m done) will go to the garage where it will sit in reserve for touch-ups and such as needed.

I just can’t wait to be done with this. My deadline for being out of Sis’s room is fast approaching, and I’m getting tired of things being all over the place. I’m ready to be done with it, and get Mom in there to give my carpet a good shampooing (I am officially not allowed to do that myself because Mom’s like that, so it’s not like I’m passing the buck or anything).

And last night, I put together some storage cabinets for the corner of the room, and also put together my torchieres. Now I’ll be happy when this place is finished, so I can have my room back…

Categories: Bedroom remodel, Computer

Newest TV show idea that will never catch on: “Fools With Tools”

February 23, 2004, 11:42 PM

“Fools With Tools”. That describes my feeble first and second attempts at trying to remove some equipment at the Service Desk to take to another department. The third time was the charm.

Still, I was amusing. I was turning a little red trying to unscrew some screws, and at the same time trying not to strip the screws. The “How may I help you?” on the back of everyone’s vests would be better put as “How can you help me, and don’t you think I could use it?” in my case.

However, the third screwdriver worked, thankfully. Still, everyone got a kick out of my ineptitude with a screwdriver, and my “Fools With Tools” title.

Speaking of Wally World, I bought my torchiere lamps today. I bought the one with the reading lamp in Waynesboro, but since they didn’t have enough of the non-reading lamp ones for me to buy there. So I went to Staunton after work and bought some there. It’s handy to have two Wal-Marts in the area. If we’re out of something, I can go over to Staunton and get it.

Speaking of Wal-Mart, I’ve made it – I’m off for two days! So that’s why I bought the lamps today instead of later. I am NOT going into a Wal-Mart store until Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, after I check my Email and finish this journal entry, I have to take the computer apart so I can paint behind it, which will complete the paint job. If you hear from me before I’m done painting, it means that I’m probably using Dad’s computer downstairs.

So now it’s time to take apart the computer. This will be a pain in the butt.

Categories: Bedroom remodel, Walmart

The verdict: We slept well in the bed’s new location

February 21, 2004, 11:55 AM

Yeah, all in all, it was a good sleep. It felt a little close to the wall, though, so I may very well adjust it for that. But I did indeed sleep well.

The weird part, though, was the fact that the dresser was RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BED. That’s not a permanent thing. That’s because I can’t put it in its real spot yet because the last bit of painting still needs to be done.

Plus I haven’t bought my new lamps yet, nor my new bookshelf. I also still have to assemble the cabinets I bought.

So anyway, I’m going to work now, and when I get back, I start cleaning off the computer desk so I can paint behind it.

Categories: Bedroom remodel

We moved the bed, and one last section to go.

February 21, 2004, 12:50 AM

Look!

The bed is in its new home! Mom said I was nuts putting the bed against two outside walls. Of course, how convenient that she forgets that Sis's room is already done up that way, with her bed against two outside walls. But still, I like it. I have yet to sleep in the bed in this orientation, but it looks good. Plus I'm glad to see some furniture against a gray wall for a change. It looks GOOD. I also put outlet covers on the plugs that are next to the bed's location (they sell those in infants, not hardware, to my surprise). This way, I don't accidentally get my butt zapped, which I think is important.
The bed is in its new home! Mom said I was nuts putting the bed against two outside walls. Of course, how convenient that she forgets that Sis’s room is already done up that way, with her bed against two outside walls. But still, I like it. I have yet to sleep in the bed in this orientation, but it looks good. Plus I’m glad to see some furniture against a gray wall for a change. It looks GOOD. I also put outlet covers on the plugs that are next to the bed’s location (they sell those in infants, not hardware, to my surprise). This way, I don’t accidentally get my butt zapped, which I think is important.

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel, CFW

Your assignment: Figure out where this dream came from

February 19, 2004, 4:37 AM

This is a weird dream that I had last night, and let me tell you why. The dream was about driving Metro trains with oars in rough weather down a river.

Yes, that’s right. In this dream, a friend of mine and myself were basically driving Metro (as in WMATA) trains in rough weather down a river. If you can imagine this, the trains had the doors open, and were submerged about 1/3 of the way up from the floor. My friend and myself were each commanding our own trains, and safely strapped in by way or some harness. And not in the cab, mind you. Oh, no. Actually in the area just behind the cab, between the first doors.

And we were paddling these trains down a river, in somewhat rough conditions. Why the trains were in the water, I don’t know. Why they floated I also don’t know, since I doubt that these Metro trains would float in real life.

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Dreams, WMATA

Getting there…

February 18, 2004, 8:15 PM

Two walls totally down. Parts of two to go. Look:

And the wall is finished, and I rounded the corner.
And the wall is finished, and I rounded the corner.

I'm about as close as I can get. Now I have to start moving furniture to continue. Also notice the shine on the painted part of the wall. It's still wet in the picture. So we're talking FRESH paint.
I’m about as close as I can get. Now I have to start moving furniture to continue. Also notice the shine on the painted part of the wall. It’s still wet in the picture. So we’re talking FRESH paint.

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel

What progress has been made…

February 18, 2004, 5:00 PM

Look at this!

I finished the window wall, and rounded the other corner. I did this two days ago, but just now got around to taking photos.
I finished the window wall, and rounded the other corner. I did this two days ago, but just now got around to taking photos.

This is the opposite wall, across the room, around the door. I edged it last night, and broke out the roller today. Looks good, eh?
This is the opposite wall, across the room, around the door. I edged it last night, and broke out the roller today. Looks good, eh?

Same wall, other end. I edged around the closet today, and now am taking a break to let the paint dry and so the fumes can disperse a little. I plan to finish this wall today before I go to bed.
Same wall, other end. I edged around the closet today, and now am taking a break to let the paint dry and so the fumes can disperse a little. I plan to finish this wall today before I go to bed.

This is the side wall that the bed is on. I will not paint this today. But as you can see, we're getting there, as that is the round-the-corner work on both walls on the edges. All I have to do is fill it in.
This is the side wall that the bed is on. I will not paint this today. But as you can see, we’re getting there, as that is the round-the-corner work on both walls on the edges. All I have to do is fill it in.

Same area, opposite wall. I'm working on the corner for the one wall, and the other end is done. Next area I do is the area behind the dresser. I do this because in order to do the area behind the bed, I need to move the bed to its new location, and the new location is in the corner. So I need to paint the area behind the dresser so that the area the bed will move to is finished so that I only have to move the bed once.
Same area, opposite wall. I’m working on the corner for the one wall, and the other end is done. Next area I do is the area behind the dresser. I do this because in order to do the area behind the bed, I need to move the bed to its new location, and the new location is in the corner. So I need to paint the area behind the dresser so that the area the bed will move to is finished so that I only have to move the bed once.

So there you go. Once some of these fumes disperse a little and the paint dries a little, I will be continuing the paint work. And I’m on my second can of paint. So we’ve really made some progress here.

Categories: Bedroom remodel

No progress photos, but we’ve gotten somewhere…

February 18, 2004, 1:53 AM

Okay… I have no progress photos since the last time we spoke, but here’s the scoop on the painting. As of RIGHT NOW (I’m taking a few minutes as a break before I continue), I am doing edging on the wall with the door and the closet on it. I have so far edged around the door, and edged along the floor from the bed to the closet. I’ve edged on the ceiling from the bed to the door. I also did the corner by the door.

Last night, I finished the window wall, and I mean DONE, as in completed. This morning, I did whatever minor touch-ups were needed after I inspected the job for missed spots, put back the outlet cover plates, and then removed the tape.

And I was right and Dad was wrong. It looks just fine with the trim still in its original paint. In fact, it looks better than otherwise.

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel

One corner painted, and no accidents.

February 16, 2004, 12:57 AM

It took me like ten minutes to finish what I couldn’t finish last night due to the ladder collapse, and then from there I got out the roller and went at it. And so here’s what we’ve got:

Painting  Painting

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel

Day two of painting ended up ending slightly prematurely on account of bloodshed…

February 15, 2004, 12:40 AM

Don’t worry… it wasn’t a lot of blood. But Mom’s stepladder finally gave up and I fell. I did land on my feet. However, I do have some cuts on my feet now, and I skinned my knee pretty well. The cuts on my feet were caused from where the metal stepladder broke apart, and my feet hit the recently-broken metal. The skined knee came from the fall, where my right knee scraped past the undamaged top step a little too closely, and skinned my knee. No blood there.

In all honesty, the stepladder should have been retired a long time ago, since the first step was starting to get a little questionable. But unfortunately, my parents, who have seen the stepladder, never replaced it when it started becoming questionable as far as safety goes. My parents generally use everything until it breaks, which in this case, caused an accident.

This is why they say that the home is the about the most dangerous place you frequent. Since there are no laws governing what people do as far as safety at home. In the workplace, safety is important. There are laws about job safety. At home, it’s our responsibility to stay safe, and we often fail.

So anyway, I will recover and be just fine.

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel

Not bad for a couple of hours’ work…

February 14, 2004, 2:17 AM

What did I do today? Not a lot in actual paint, but I did a lot of prepping. Take a look:

The earliest stages of painting

Continue reading...Continue reading…

Categories: Bedroom remodel

One more thing…

February 13, 2004, 10:03 PM

I had this dream last night that CFW Information Services (later Telegate USA) was reopening, and I was going back there to work. Of course, it was a dream, but it was amusing nonetheless, because while it was a good job while it lasted, I’m kind of glad I don’t work there anymore.

What’s amusing about it, though, is that I had this dream last night, and then today at work ran into no less than six former coworkers from CFW who were shopping. Found out that the building where we all used to work will actually be reopening, with the new tenant being Dupont Credit Union. My guess is that they use it as a call center, when you consider that the building was designed as a call center, but you never know. It could be used for offices, since our main operations room was a BIG room. Could house a lot of cubicle-dwellers in there.

Still, interesting, but I’m glad I work at Wal-Mart, and not at CFW anymore.

Categories: CFW, Dreams