Backyard Cleanup Begins

If you look at the late August "My Big Fat Not So Green Use of Dumpsters" post, you can see a picture of all the debris in the backyard. Above is more recent picture. The cleanup has begun. I'm hoping for a nice vegetable garden, compost bin, and seating area back here.

Strike's Over/Balcony Progress/Another Neighbor Featured on Brownstoner

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2011/09/building-of-the-day-167-concord-street/#more-68897

My union's strike is over, and I'm back to work. For me, this means a sabbatical and writing a book on philosophical paradoxes. As for the house, the biggest progress comes in the form of a nice big balcony that is being built for the middle apartment.

Also, the house of another neighbor was featured on Brownstoner. See the link above. I love that cottage and the little early hybrid car from the '70s that sits outside it.

My Big Fat Picket Line in Downtown Brooklyn

http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/faculty-at-long-island-u-s-brooklyn-campus-vote-to-strike/35962





This is a bit of an aside from the main topic of this blog, but the fates of the faculty of LIU and my renovation are tied together. My union, the Long Island University Faculty Federation, is now on strike. If you happen to be in the area and would like to show support, stop by 1 University Plaza, Brooklyn NY 11201. It's on the corner of Dekalb Avenue and Flatbush Avenue Extension, across the street from Junior's restaurant and the new DeKalb Market.

The union website is liuff.org
Hope to see you on the line!

Yours in solidarity,
Margaret

Neighbor's House Featured on Brownstoner

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2011/08/building-of-the-day-51-duffield-street/?stream=true

My neighbor's house was the "Building of the Day" on Brownstoner yesterday. Above is a link to the article.

I love that house. My neighbors are great, too. The article mentions that the author will be focusing on other houses in the area. Looking forward to that!

More Wire, Pipe, and Waiting

My Big Fat Not So Green Use of Dumpsters

We really did try to limit the creation of waste. Unfortunately, the house was in very bad condition and much of it needed to be removed. So, we are waiting for our 12th dumpster to arrive. The bricks, cement, and some metal will be reused, but this did not account for much. During this process, I've learned that while it's easy to talk about how less wasteful your renovation will be, when you're staring at rotted wood and mildewed walls, you will (and perhaps must) alter your plans.

I'm back in town, and progress is being made, albeit slowly

I have been to the house for the first time since I left for Italy in early July. Though slow, progress has been made on the plumbing and electrical work. The house is in an awkward stage where a week's work results in a few pipes and wires being added. Though this is necessary, and very important, I'm itching to see the more obvious signs of progress, such as new floors, or tile, or walls. Perhaps in a week or so, I'll have some floors to show you...