The Results

Over the past couple weeks, our radon levels have averaged about 2.8 + Abatement is recommended at 4.0. On rainy days, which have been just about every day, we were averaging 3.8. A map of Layton and our subdivision in particular, shows the area to be on the unusually high side. Sweeeet. Next step: Slather the concrete with a radon mitigation sealer before we get carpet.

Methinks I detect...

Radon??

The strangest thing happened over the weekend while Kelly was plumbing the bathroom downstairs. An unforeseen spillage from the water pipes saturated the floor with water...obviously. Moments later, tiny, furious little bubbles started emanating from various pores in the cement, like vinegar and baking soda fizz. This strange reaction did not cease or slow down, until the floor was dry. Apparently it is not so odd for gasses to eek through the cement in the basement. It is, however, bad if those gasses happen to be Radon. So here's what I know about Radon. There's a lot of blah, blah, blah about ionizing particles and photons and whatnot, but most importantly, radon, as the name would seem to suggest, is radioactive. Ionizing radiation. Swell.

Radon is formed through the radioactive decay of uranium, which incidentally has a half life of 4 billion some odd years. There is a clear link between breathing radon gasses and lung cancer, and the EPA acknowledges that radon exposure is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer, as the gas commonly seeks solace in attics and basements.

Thankfully, Amazon sells about the only radon detector available on the market for a few hundred clams. So we bought us one of those and will have the results in the next couple of days, at which point we can determine whether or not our lungs will shrivel and our offspring shall be born with a few extra appendages. If indeed we have radon in the basement, it is a whole hairy, expensive process to install an exhaust system in and around the house. Faneffingtastic.

Tasty Morsels

I overheard a recipe for these grilled chili rellenos. Decided I would try them and of course share. *muah* deliciosa. ~~Disclaimer~~ All ingredients are subject to my interpretation of quantity.

6 Anaheim peppers
1 block of spicy cheddar jack cheese, shredded (I REALLY like cheese)
1 red or sweet onion
cooked shrimp - Small like salad shrimp size (don't really know how much, til it looks good)
1 T. oregano (2 T. if you're using fresh chopped oregano)
a pinch of cilantro, just cause I like it
Salt and pepper to taste
dried corn husks (obviously in the Mexican section of your grocery store)

- Soak corn husks in warm water for about 10 minutes

- Roast peppers on grill and rotate until peppers are soft and the skin is black. Grill onions until caramel colored. Peel blackened skin off of peppers and chop grilled onions. Slice peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and ribs.

-In a bowl, mix the cheese, onions, shrimp & spices. Spoon cheesy mixture into the pepper halves.

- Place halved and stuffed pepper in the center of a corn husk. Place another corn husk facing the opposite direction under the first husk (the two broader sides of the husk will be on either end, the pepper directly on top of both) Wrap husks around and tuck the top and bottom, so no cheesy juices spooge out. Tear a section of husk into strips to secure the tucked ends.

- Place peppery packages directly onto a medium heat grill for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.

Unwrap and enjoy the gooey goodness.

Thing about my peppers was, some of the halves were really small and I had a lot of stuffing, so I put the two halves together. Worked fine.

EVILLE and other random musings

But of course, one of my favorite past times is harassing the dogs with various objects that will ensure their permanent state of psychosis. This time though, I didn't even have to try. Ever since we got central vac, I've found Gizmo missing for several hours at a time. I've been prying her

out of her hovel from under the trailer in the yard at 11:30 at night. She's becoming a little more brave these days and has taken to hiding in boxes under the bed in the far reaches of the house while I'm vacuuming. Baby steps.

Oh, and the best part is, the basement is finally finished being sheet rocked. Mud and tape soon to follow. I've determined that blogging about every new development in the basement is kind of a sleeper. *yawn* O-well. You're here and you're stuck reading about it. Muahaha!

A Little Gappy

Hoorah for this new development! Only, it is becoming apparent that the floor is not level, as evidence by some of the gaps occurring in the sheet rock. Nothing that an excessive amount of mud and tape can't handle I suspect. Note the funny looking orbs in the picture. I've been seeing a lot of these lately. I'm almost certain that these represent paranormal activity in the house. Or...you know...aforementioned particles, or perhaps even tricky lighting issues. Whatever. I'm going with the paranormal. Maybe that will explain why the basement building dimensions resemble proportions you'd see in a fun house mirror.

Phase 2.5 and All My Favorite Things

Got the ceiling done. It's already starting to feel more and more like habitable space...that I am going to have to clean. But thanks to the new, ridiculously expensive love of my life, central vacuum, I'm able to eradicate the 12 inch layer of sheet rock dust that has accumulated on everything. S'aight though, a little gypsum in the lung won't kill, right? right?

No Shortage of Projects Here

Commence project basement. Last time we spoke about the progress of the basement, I think I said something along the lines of it being ready for sheet rock. Evidently, there were eight million little unforeseen projects that awaited completion before sheet rock. Yet, today we find ourselves officially ready for sheet rock. We decided to add a little wet bar in the corner, which occupied a fair amount of time. Also, at my insistence, Kelly finished installing all necessary components to the central vacuum. Including, what I think is the most amazing contraption of all time, seen here as the kick plate vacuum for the kitchen. My lazy arse has grown weary of bending over to sweep piles into the dust-pan, so soon enough I'll be able to sweep them into this vacuum leading straight to an undisclosed location in the garage. Proving once again, that necessity truly is the mother of invention.

I can claim very little credit for work done in the basement, but that jumble of black wires...all me. :) Kelly and his Dad deserve a hearty pat on the back for all the work they've done. 'Specially my poor Kelly who had a board with rusty nails fall from the ceiling and directly into his brain pan. Worry not, I've been trying to get rid of that hat for years. Now that it's full of nail holes and blood, I hope to never see it pop up around the house again.

One year, many man hours, some curse words, and one tetanus shot later, we arrive at phase two. Stay tuned.