Not Our Neighborhood

As CJ and I waited for the bus after dinner tonight, we saw a man put his arm out his window and shoot at the car next to them. The car shooting went straight, the car shot at went left. We stood there stunned, again.

AGAIN!

This time, it wasn't in our neighborhood. It was close, but it wasn't ours. We called the police, but we didn't give a statement or anything. We just got on the next bus and came home. Unless someone is hurt, we probably won't hear about it again.

But, please Minneapolis, stop shooting guns near us. It gives me the creeps and shakes me up.

Year One

One year ago today, we closed on the house. I moved in that day, CJ moved in a month later.

One year, and we still haven't painted the living room...

Fire In The 'Hood

Two days ago, 4:30 am, we woke to this:


5:30am

6:30am


The house was destroyed. I wanted to take after photos, but the house was demolished by the time I got home from work. Completely gone.

There is a story here with video and here.

It is a really sad story. These are the neighbors we like and want to stick around. We met the artist who lived on the top floor at a neighborhood ice cream social recently. He lived there 20 years, and now he is not our neighbor. It is a sad story.

Primed

Ha! Six hours and a gallon of sweat later, CJ and I got the living room and entry primed. That's two coats on the ceilings and walls. It only took four months, and for me to take a day off, for us go get motivated enough to start, but we did.

Oh, and we got the big air conditioner in upstairs too, with the help of Pete. Getting cool helped with the motivation too.

At Least It Is Something

Did you know it is hot out? Actually, did you know it is hot inside? We did get the small air conditioner in the bedroom, but the big one is still in the basement. Anyone want to help put it in?

Meanwhile, the yard is really shaping up. After my mom scolded me, I moved the Hostas to the shade and replaced them with Daylillies. We also have two flower boxes out front and a small container garden. The garden has tomatoes, peppers, mint, and basil. I'm excited.

The yard was mowed and the poop picked up. So, I guess we made some progress this week, just none inside. We kind of suck.

So, So Sad

A couple weeks ago, we met John Penny, a local jazz musician. He used to live in our house. He sold it in 2002 to the couple who lived here two people before us.

We gave him a tour of the house, even though it looks like squatters live here. He answered a lot of questions we had. He also gave us some of the most disappointing news we've heard about the house: when he lived here, the wood trim was still natural.

When we moved in, we mentioned many times how nice natural trim would be. We figured it was painted white 50 years ago or so. HA! Someone thought it was a good idea since 2002.

Don't believe me? He sent me some proof.


Makes me want to cry.

I assume that some of the wood might have been in bad shape, but you do NOT paint natural original wood in a house that is more than 100 years old.