.
We’re down to one baby woodchuck.
.
.
Momma had five, and I’m hoping she just kicked the other four to the curb like she’s supposed to when they’re grown.
.
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The alternative is predators, or worse… humans.
.
.
Not everyone loves them like I do.
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This is the front door we need to replace, and of course like everything else in our continuing remodeling nightmare… it can’t be simple.
Our house was built in 1974, added on to in 1994. I have no idea how old this door is, but suffice it to say it’s been here a while. What we discovered when shopping for a replacement is no one makes solid wood doors with one large light panel on the side anymore. So we had to regroup.
.
.
In order to fit our rough opening, we had to configure it this way…. which means the door itself will actually be smaller. Not ideal, but my husband’s carpentry skills are not up to cutting larger holes in the house.
Did I mention we will not be buying a solid wood replacement? The $11,000+ price tag almost gave my husband a heart attack. The fiberglass version stained to look like wood was bad enough…
.
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Plus tax?
$7,133.
For. A. Door.
Kill me now.
.
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And speaking of doors, while my husband was slogging away on the front porch, I was out back sanding and repainting our bulkhead doors.
.
.
Yes sir.
They are red.
😊
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River's world..... 
If I spend seven thousand on a door, it had better give me back rubs and fresh-baked cookies.
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After shopping for that door, I gasp every time I drive by a house with beautiful fancy double wooden doors. They must cost $25,000. It’s insane.
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$7,000 for a door? Oh my goodness. That’s absurd. I hope the door goes in easier than the payment goes out.
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I know, the prices are insane. And we shopped around…
🥺
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Ah yes, the new front door replacement shock! Been there and like your husband mine almost went into cardiac arrest. Once a front door is referred to as a “system” you are lost, the money just oozes out of your bank account. I like what we bought, but it was an experience.
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If we hadn’t oozed so much out of our bank account already it might have been less shocking. But this is probably the last project of the year and we’re rapidly approaching tilt.
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The basement door being bright red will make it easier for Dorothy to find in the next tornado. Now, if only you’ll let her in…
I guess I’ll keep my 108 year old solid wood/beveled glass front door. Not that I ever thought differently.
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Dorothy is always welcome, though I doubt Lord Dudley Mountcatten will like Toto..
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After seeing Toto’s escape from the hot-air balloon, I’d say the feeling is probably mutual.
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Wow, red doors make a statement! I can’t imagine looking for a front door right now, not at these prices. I’m actually thinking of just sanding down the current door to “freshen” it up a bit. I can’t believe they don’t make the doors with large light panels, and if they do it’s custom. And that means tons of $$$$$.
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By all means, if it’s just cosmetic… sand and repaint/stain. We don’t have a choice, ours whistles when the wind blows and no amount of weatherstripping helps. We were shocked that no one makes doors with one large light panel as well. And we looked, believe me.
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Sorry…that’s a ridiculous amount of money for just a door and not a very good one either.
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To be fair, it’s a highly rated door for its class… it’s just not solid wood.
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I know but solid to me is superior I bet they don’t make iron doors anymore either huh ? I grew up in the 70’s-80’s with an iron front door.
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I think they sell steel doors at Lowes but they’re very cheap quality…
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Ah
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I always smile when I see bulkhead doors. My grandparents’ house in Trenton had them, and it was my favorite way to reach the cellar. (It was never referred to as a basement for some reason.)
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Red bulkhead doors are pretty standard here… though mine are seriously red thanks to using Rustoleum paint.
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My grandmother’s were red too!
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Geez… The prices are criminal.
I wonder which chuck will come back to breed at yours next year… 🧘♀️
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Momma’s been popping them out under the barn for a good 6-7 years. I know, because she has some distinguishing scars. I keep wondering how many years she has left.
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Excellent work on those bulkhead doors! They look fabulous. I feel your remodeling pain. We absolutely have to do our bathroom and I know it’s going to suck.
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We have two bathrooms that need updating. I wanted you to do at least one this year but I doubt that will be happening…
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$$$$ for a DOOR??
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Unfortunately, yes.
😫
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That’s a great painting job, you did!
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Thanks. Not fun, but necessary..
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