The Cheap Version of the Rain Barrel

After researching rain barrels for what seemed like years, we set out to find a reasonably priced one. The City of Chicago used to offer rain barrels for reduced rates through special events in the summer. At least they used to, or they did at one time. No longer. So, after searching the world wide web and several garden stores, we found that rain barrels are unnecessarily, ridiculously expensive. Tommy's all about the DIY, so he decided to make us our very own rain barrel for much, much less than those fancy, overpriced models.

Purchased: 1 large garbage can (lid included!), 1 sheet of window screen to use as a filter in the rain barrel (to keep out the leaves and junk), and 1 carefully selected spigot (I had to google the spelling on that one). And, I present to you, our very own DIY rain barrel!

We're saving water, one rainstorm at a time.

Our Basement: The Final Frontier (or How to Kill a Sunday Afternoon in Winter)

The time of ignoring the scary unfinished basement is over. We must move forward and continue with the elbow grease and DIY spirit. Because, who knows? Someone may just end up living there someday. And, what else are going to do on a dreary winter Sunday in Chicago? Of course...we're going to work in an unheated, dirty, scary basement.

So, the good news is that progress has been made. Demolition has taken place and old moldy drywall has been removed. New insulation has been added. Don't worry, y'all...we wore our respirator masks the whole time!

Welcome to our very own spider farm!


I think those are specks of dust, or possibly dirt, or maybe they're ghosts. Who knows.

Hello outside! See you in a few months when it warms up.

Creepy Room #1 - stripped down and ready for insulation

Insulated!

Creepy Room #2 - the storage room for 2 very large pieces of scrap metal. Kidding! They're espresso machines! Another storage room in our basement holds around 55 chairs, you know, for when Tom opens up his cafe. One can never be too prepared for the future. :)

Former visitors/residents/tenants that left their mark of love on our basement wall, alongside some gang graffiti, naturally. Wino + Candy = true love forever.