It's been quite a while since my last post.
We're still working to make Mirkwood habitable.
I've been unwell for the last week from exposure, the bedroom out there housed smokers, that we can only assume were attempting to keep their habit clear of their children, thus only the bedroom reeks. The heat wave seems to have activated the release of all the nasties in the cigaret smoke. (Ok guys, this shit doesn't go away and you aren't protecting your kids by standing in the doorway) I've been temporarily crippled by it. From one end of my spine to the other there has been a build up fluid causing severe headaches with difficulty in walking and using my hands. ALL of my joints hurt, stabbing pain, not achy pain. The muscles in my legs keep cramping all the way to, and including my feet. So, man-made chemicals suck, smoking sucks and I'd like to move on now!
On a positive note, we may be able to move out there soonish. The plumbing is getting close to being done, and the floor is in and caulked, (like a wooden boat, not like your tub), and we've started patching the walls that don't need to come out. I know where the chimney needs to go, we just need to purchase the supplies and get "the guy" out to install it.
Radar is a cute little rascal and is learning to come when called. Thunder storms are no problem, but smoke from the west coast being on fire causes anxiety as does riding in the car. Weird, right?

We’ve made some progress on the floor despite everyone being afraid of heights and we’re almost at the halfway point. Our internet and home phone went down, so we’ve had to change to our off grid network. I’m still knitting, crocheting and working on repair stuff. Some days it seems overwhelming.

We have made some progress, but the removal of the floor hasn’t happened as there were more “but first” things to be done.
One of the support beams is in and a wall for the out side access closet. The bathroom is mostly gutted. We’ve had to haul off more garbage because the owner can’t keep up. That really cuts into work progress. A past tenant knocked a hole in the tub and patched it badly. So that will need to be replaced. Can’t say I’m sorry about that, the tub was gross.

Pet me!

Yes, that’s it

Wait!

Where are you going?

The house needs lots of TLC. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
We’ve gotten the moldy wallboard removed and next is taking out the upstairs floor. There is a very pungent presence of rat up there. There were two dump runs today while I plugged up holes to keep the critters out. Can’t have them coming in while we try to repair the place. There are cats and dogs coming in and marking our porta potty, as well. The photos below show the gutting and some of the rotten siding.