I purchased the ideal tool for this job this Summer grizzly garage sale’n.  Now if I could only find it.  Most of yesterday was spent looking for this scraper.  I was able to do a small portion with the electric heat gun/paint stripper, but the scraper I was using was larger than the board width and left some recessed areas wanting more attention.  So today I am afraid I will have to go to the hardware store to purchase “retail” a scraper that will fit these thin floor boards so that I can accomplish this task in a more satisfactory way.  I hate paying retail, but it helps to have the right tools.

Relic & Treasure can be found in home renovation.  Michelle and I had no idea we had a turn of the century hard wood floors awaiting our dream fulfilled homestead.  We had hoped they would be there after tearing up layer after layer of old flooring, but I don’t think either of us were expecting to actually find a hard wood floor.  It has been a challenge like any hunt for relic and treasure, but when the job is done, it will truly be worth the effort.

So today I will go to Koch’s Hardware in Milaca and find that perfect tool for this labor of love.

There is a lovely late 1800′s to early 1900′s wood floor beneath the goo!  My goal in the next few days is to restore it to its grandeur.  I am going to try to use the heat gun and scraper to take off this mess.  It is a slow and tedious process.  I may have to break out the propane torch, but if I can keep the open flame away from the floor and use the heat gun, that would be preferable!  But, we will see how it goes.

Fun, Fun, Fun!  Get Grizzly!

Michelle and I celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary here yesterday.  We really did not have a chance to get out so we are going out to eat today as we have a few errands to run.  I think we are going to Hobnetti’s in Milaca.  They have some great hot hoagies that are to die for!

Duke gets his manhood snipped today and I am in mourning for him.  However, with all our female indoor cats, we do not need a bonanza on kitten litters in 2012.  We seem to be blessed with enough of those the way it goes with our outside cats.  While a blessing, there needs to be some order in the chaos.

We really have a great Vet, Princeton Veterinary Clinic.  Their prices are fair and they always go above and beyond for our animals.  Last Winter our vet Dr. Mary Lambert took in a young kitten I had rescued from our water dish as it had gotten itself frozen to the ground.  This vet took it home, named it Chucky and the kitten who I had written off as a goner is alive and enjoying the vet’s home and family today.  She lost her tail, but the vet miraculously saved her paw pads and all four of her legs!  What a miracle!

I have had to set aside my relic and treasure research, writing and preparing of the 2011 finds so that I can concentrate on some Dream Fulfilled renovations.  I am tackling our bedroom and that has upset the normal ebb and flow of the running of the homestead.  A while back I tore the horrid carpet out of our bedroom to be pleasantly surprised to find early 1900′s hard wood floors under the layers of flooring I had to peal back.  However the restoration really ground to a halt when I could not figure out a way to remove the 1/4 inch layer of glue, goo, tar, or whatever they used to glue down the old linoleum.  So today I am attempting the old propane torch and scraper in hopes I can save and restore this old hardwood floor.  It is not in the best of shape, but after replacing some of the damaged sticks, I hope to bring it back to splendor here in 2012.  Over a hundred years since the hardwood floor was laid in this old home we have come to love despite the pain and despair it causes trying to rekindle its once promise.

Here is a Gallery of Photo’s from when I ripped up the carpet and other layers:  www.Flickr.com/GrizzlyGroundswell

I will try to shoot a video or two of the drive today, and hopefully some videos of the remodel in process.  It is going to be a hell of a project, but I can’t wait until I am done.  It will be a much needed sanctuary for Michelle and I.

Get Grizzly!

Chad

Daily in 2012, I will be sharing with you my efforts daily.  When I can video and take you along on my quests I will do so, and when I can’t I will make sure to write a daily post keeping you in the loop of what is going on in my Grizzly Backyard!

In 2011 I mainly focused on my hunts and capturing them on video.  Although, there were many steps missed with video alone.  So in 2012, I will try to daily keep you in the loop and share with you the reader and fellow relic and treasure hunter the thoughts, struggles and insights gained as I daily strive to attain my own American Dream.

Get Grizzly!