Just Why

There are times you buy a property and see the work that was done and you have to ask just why.

We tend to put in 3/4 inch quarterounds, perhaps go as far as 15/16 but to use 2x2 lumber? Just why? I pulled them all up and yea, the normal 3/4 inch quarter round would have covered any oak flooring that didn't meet the wall

Railings on stairs are required by code, but using 2x4s? That is a bit of overkill plus you still didn't meet code. You have to be able to grip the railing. 3 and1/2 inches deep, is way to deep unless you have huge hands.

I realize that walls in old houses tend to not be straight and true, but setting the base cabinets 1 and 1/2 inches from the wall doesn't seem like a good fix. I peered behind the countertop and sure enough they attached a 2x4 to the wall and then screwed the cabinets to the 2x4. Just why?

and then there is the siding. Goal of siding is to keep water out of the house. If you leave an inch or more open around the water spigot that is a fail. Just why?

No outside or inside corner pieces and butt jointing the siding pieces instead of lapping them. That will allow moisture in and rot the sheathing. Just why?

I am going to guess the work was done by someone who is clueless about building standards. If  don't assume that, I would have to think the awful work was done purposely.

Sometimes we see how other people act and assume we know why they are acting that way.

I was approached by a man this week that I had seen walking around town in the past few months. I assumed he was enemployed by choice and was minimally housed at best.

He asked me if I had any part time work for him. He has just finished his cancer treatments and needs something to do. Ah, so I was wrong when I saw his life style and was asking "Just Why". Why don't you have a job, Why are you living this way? The answer is it, was out of his control because he was fighting cancer. Most common cause of financial distress in our country is health issues.

Jesus said "Do not Judge or you to will judged, for in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you."

I need to look at others and realize many do not have the advantages and blessings I have or their life is under duress and that explains just why they do the things they do the way they do them.

 

Finally done

We finished a house today. There were times it seemed we would never get to the end of this project.

The paint was pealing off the house when we started.

Tested the paint for lead so we knew if we could even work on the exterior.

Was a real moment of relief ewhen the paint tested no lead content.

That allowed us to fix the exterior without a lead abatement contractor.

The house has all the amenities tenants are looking for. Fenced yard

and attached garage.

Kitchen cupboards were saved but needed paint and back splash tiled.

New counter tops and all new flooring in the house.

Spacious dinidng room as well as eat in kitchen.

exterior doors were painted and resealed.

Plenty of natural light from the plethora of windows. 

Short hall that has storage on each side leads to the living room.

Living room has a ceiling with cross beams.

The ceiling had holes in it from upstairs toilet leaks when we purchased the house.

That was one of the jobs I was not looking forward to fixing but it was actually an easy fix.

There was an extra living room that we put in a door so it could be used as an office or 4th bedroom.

The master bedroom on the ground floor .

needed a total redo.

There is a bathroom just outside the master bedroom. Matthew tiled this shower. 

Matthew also built this vanity.

It was a horrid bath when we purchased the house but cleaned up well.

Laundry room just outside the master bedroom

with a closet.

Removed the filthy carpet from the stairs and they look much better.

At the top of the stairs is a area that can be used as a reading nook or for toys.

We removed the broken plaster and exposed the brick on the chimney.

The larger bath is upstairs

Once again Matthew tiled the shower.

A bedroom to the right

with closet

and a bedroom to the left

with 2 closets.

It has been a long complicated and time consuming job, but the house turned out well.

We have crossed the finish line, the house is rented and now we can move on to the next house.

I suppose I could say something about how our lives at times can seem as though we are making no progress and one year just leads to the next when in reality we are growing in wisdom and righteousness it's just hard to see the difference unless we are able to step back and see the work of God in our lives, One day we will be able to look back and see that God was turning carbon into diamonds, but I am tired and just going to let it slide and say nothing.