Bargain finds for the shanty.

I have found some pretty sweet deals over the last few weeks. Check 'em out...

1.  Pedestal sink: Free. Cha-chings. I got this from a friend who never got around to putting it in her house that she recently sold.

2.  Dutchwest wood stove and chimney pipe: $350. Seriously, a steal. A wood stove is going to be my main source of heat, so it needs to last. I found this on Craigslist, and I don’t think the people knew what a gem they had. It is barely used, heavy duty and will last me a lifetime.

3.  Another view of the pedestal sink.

4. & 5.  Granite countertop slabs: $50 for all four pieces. Craigslist killing. I am either going to change the oval cut-out into a square one for the kitchen sink or just resell it, because I kind of have my heart set on one of those old cast iron farm sinks with the drainboard sides. For the other pieces, I plan to find some old thrift store cabinets to rehab. I want to put all of my base cabinets on castors so I can move them around (I may have a small issue with commitment) and down the road, I will be able to use them in a garage or basement for storage.

6.  Casement window: $59. I got this at a building supply overstock warehouse place. I’m going to use it in my bathroom. I can see the view from my claw foot tub now!

7.  Double hung window: $89. From the same building supply warehouse. This will be for my living room. It is a pretty good size (37”x59”) and will be going on a south-facing wall so I think it will make a big impact and light the place up nicely! Both windows are wooden on the insides – a look I adore.

On a slightly unrelated topic, please bear with me as I go on a mild rant…

While shopping for the aforementioned building supplies, I was repeatedly asked, “Is your husband doing the work?”

Seriously, people. 

Now, I am not a hardcore.feminist.manhater by any means (please, buy my dinner, open car doors, change my oil, and I will make you a casserole), but there is just something that pulls a little trigger of emotion in me when people assume I am incapable of doing “a man’s work.” I guess I have a lot to prove by building the shanty, and the immediate assumption that I couldn’t possibly be installing windows or countertops or whatever, all by my little lady self, rubs my ego the wrong way. I am woman, and I will figure this shit out. I am tempted to not let a man touch this building project and raise a shack of womanpower. Just tempted – let’s not get crazy.

Also, don’t tell me things are not going to fit in my car. I will prove you wrong.