My house remodel, Part 1

I had lots of remodeling done to my house after I finally got my settlement with the bus company.  Mostly I worked on making my home more handicap friendly.  But, also I had other work done just to make me happy,

My she shed

I wanted to build a laundry room in my garage.  I had to walk down steps and go into my garage that was usually extremely cold.  But, first I had to move all my stored stuff out of the garage.  I had a shed built in the backyard.  On the outside it looks like a cute "she shed."  Not so cute on the inside - just shelves with christmas and halloween things plus lots of other stuff.

 

before

I now have a laundry room with shelves for canned goods and supplies, a freezer, a pegboard with tools, a utility sink, litter box, a small work table along with the washer and dryer.  I had a pet door installed so the dog and cat can go outside.  So far, neither of them will use it - too chicken!
I had hoped to put a fabric cutting table in it, too but not enough space.  So I still have to use the kitchen table.

I had a ramp installed from the laundry room door into the garage.  I put groceries, etc. into bins and load them onto my old wheelchair and roll them up into the house.  Wheelchairs are great for moving stuff.  They can hold lots of weight and don't tip over easily - much more user friendly than a dolly or cart.

I had pegboards installed above the handrail on the ramp.  Here I hang garden tools, shopping bags, brooms, etc.  I found some skinny shelves to put in the garage along the other side of the ramp.  I put things that I can easily grab when I'm on the ramp - canned drinks, paper towels, water bottles.

The view of laundry room wall from the garage. 
Of course, I hang artwork in my garage!

My house is still tiny but the space is much more useful now.

2020-07-10: Positive from Pandemic

My family isn't so busy anymore.  There are no birthday parties, little league games, ballet practice.  The kids have just a few playdates with one or two families.

That's my good news!  Now they have time to spend with me.  I get to see them a couple times per week.  I've been having them over for dinner on Sundays.

I had a basketball hoop installed over my garage.  My grandson loves basketball.  The whole family bikes over to play hoops.  My granddaughter doesn't enjoy the game so much.  She and I spend time together watching cartoons or doing crafts.

It's been wonderful.  After all, I moved to Portland to be near them.  Of course I do miss seeing my Portland friends.  I joined several organizations here and I miss the in person meetings.  Now we zoom.  I'm a member of North Star Village, the American Sewing Guild, Columbia FiberArts Guild, CFG Wearables group and The Time Travelers' Costume club.

I miss all the things that everyone else misses - going to restaurants, movies, shopping, traveling, get-togethers with friends, etc.

But I remind myself of the positive within the tragedy of the Covid pandemic.

My grandson, Kenny

My granddaughter, Miho