The mice have left the building...!!!

I've had this dilemma about the mouse family living in my oven for awhile now. I have been trying to figure out a way to evict them with as little as trauma as possible. Even humane traps seemed harsh as I never know if they have babies in there. I found this product on the Vintage Trailer Supply website and thought I would give it a try...

So last week I left the bags, still wrapped in cellophane sitting around the trailer and left the oven door open. Lo and behold, when I arrived today they had all left! I was so happy. I know it may have been unpleasant for them, but I think it was the best solution for all :) It made my day!

You're awfully cute, but you cannot stay

Life saver!

It was about 90 degrees today, so we were all moving a bit slow. The dogs were continually in the sprinklers and Tucker apparently thought it would be a good idea to roll in the dirt after..

Goofy

Other than a bit of gluing and assessing the wiring today, all we really did was remove some panels and beams and cut the vent opening for the ceiling panel. This was the first time I got to use a jigsaw. What can I say, easy as pie! I kinda felt like a badass. I think I may need to make another trip to Home Depot to get myself one for home.

Old ceiling panel. Eww.

Nice and clean!

I love power tools

I also cleaned up all the cupboard fixtures at home using Naval Jelly (a name that does not conjure a pleasant image) and a wire brush. It was actually quite a relaxing little project. Although, I did kinda like the weathered look they had before, they just seemed too grimy.

Before

Pink Naval Jelly!

After

Nitty gritty...

Need to make some real progress and stop beating around the bush. Focus is to get ceiling panels on and get the skin back on in the next month. For some reason, the idea of actually cutting the panels seems a bit intimidating. As if I should think it through more, wait... Not sure for what. I think I'm worried that I won't think about certain things (electrical wiring placement) correctly and then have to back track. But, I think we can drill holes where necessary, so just decided to dive in today and start pounding away. I get to use the nail gun which is too much fun.

Why is it that no matter how many times I measure and double check, something always seems to be a bit off? I realize that the trailer probably isn't as even or square as it was originally since it is over 60 years old. We get in one panel with minor adjustments then a second, only to find in billowing in the middle. Hmmm..not exactly easy to smooth out birch panel. After a little frustration, we get both panels lined up and nail the hell out of them to the support beams. Oh goodness, the ceiling is half complete!

Now just need to cut for the window

Yeehaw

Please don't droop

Starting to come together

 My nephew was hanging out a bit with me today. We were looking for the white spotted falcon that's been lurking around. He's definitely his auntie's boy  <3

Visiting the garden

Love this boy

Being silly

I'm back!


So much happening that I have not visited Agnes in about 6 weeks. I've missed her! A move, a trip to Costa Rica. Big changes. Was so looking forward to making some progress on her and getting some motivation. I'll be working on her mostly solo now, as sadly, my dear friend and partner in projects has moved away, so gonna have to roll up my sleeves and lift some weights to prepare.

This visit mostly consisted of showing my parents vacation photos, emptying the rainwater that had accumulated and weighed the tarp down like a huge water balloon, and spending about 45 minutes looking for some very naughty dogs who had wandered off. Once found, we were all too emotionally drained to do much physical work, so took the time to reacquaint myself with Agnes and do some assessing on the progress.

I took the dogs with me today so they could have a play day with my parents' dogs. Tucker got so excited once he realized what road we were on he could hardly contain himself. He and Cali decided to go on a little wandering adventure but eventually came meandering back (not in response to our many calls, mind you). Who do they think they are, cats? Without Ben to keep an extra eye, I realized I needed to keep them in one of the more confined spaces for the time being. All I needed was to lose his dog the first time I took him out by myself. We still don't know what possessed them.

We're almost there!

Very carefully draining 50 gallons of water

 Starting to be able to visualize the interior a bit more. I know I definitely want wood floors. I also decided to use my favorite tiles from Armstrong (the kind you see in cafeterias, hospitals, etc-I don't know why, but I love them) for under the bed and for the old bathroom area. Still deciding on a color, but leaning toward the dark red with the vanilla coming up close behind.

 I also found some great photos of my ideas for the center part of the trailer. I either need some kind of dining counter or mini booth, or some comfy chairs and a little table.

...And without going into details, Agnes may have acquired a new friend  ;) ...here is a sneak peek

And just for good measure, here is a photo of a very large Herman currently residing in my trailer...

Nice and chunky  :)

Haven't seen this in awhile.... Oh, that crazy Lucy!

Just some randomness for today...

Still life with toilet

Skin

Should have worn this before sanding off 60 yr old shellac

It will go back together..?!

Clean wood

A room with a view

Camera shy mouse

Wow. Today two things actually went on the trailer instead of being taken off. The back panel and the gimp. This was the most work we have done in a while and a huge step! I got to participate more which made me so happy. The staple gun is my friend! Bob and Ben took off some of the frame from the top so I could lay the gimp down. I had so much shopping at http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/. I bought a new vent and some welting. My new favorite store! I think it looks so good and nice and clean. They also put on the lower back panel, which was a #@%$%*.  It turned out perfectly. Ben made a special piece to lay between the panel and the floor, so it has a nice clean finished look and feel to it. I glued a bunch of veneer on the cupboards and sanded the hell out of everything I could. It's starting to feel like a new trailer. I can see the littlest glimpse of it all coming together. She's going to be so pretty...

Mysterious new hole in the ceiling... Benjamin..?

What's left of the back right now

Installing the gimp. Fun job for me!

Gluing and Clamping

The fresh and clean new back panel!

Lower back panel and finishing strip. Ahhhh. Clean!

Just because it's wonderful....

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king's horses and all the king's men

Couldn't put Humpty together again...

I feel like Agnes is a little bit Humpty right now. Not that I am the least bit discouraged or think that she won't all come back together. It's just that she looks like a shell of her former self.

Yikes!

The next parts are most likely to be some of the trickiest. Starting the woodwork and trying to modify it so everything goes back together just right. Time for the puzzle!

Pulling off veneer is fun!

Benjamin's Sculpture

Hitchhiker on my wood

Wait, how were the back panels attached again?

Junk Lady Bounty! We scored!

Most wonderful

Benjamin's Bottles

Temporary skylight. Would love to sleep under the stars...

Today was very windy and warm and sunny. It had been a busy week and it was so nice to be away from everything. It was just a really lovely day.