just a couple of house renovation updates for those so inclined:

1. removal of crumbling plaster down to the bricks in one bedroom
2. removal of lath-and-plaster wall in another bedroom as it was too patchy to skim over (found some horsehair)
2b. seems that we need some work done to the brick mortar prior to the new basecoat going up
3. sanding of original floorboards in two bedrooms ... will install column radiators after plastering the wall and seal the gaps between floorboards then lightly stain
4. window replacement in progress, triple-glazed windows be assembled in Germany and shipped over (8-week lead time)
5. preparations for wall removal and exposed intumescently painted steel beam insertion in progress
6. winter is coming so I should try to get this crap done.

interesting times, but a professorship just opened in a part of Germany that I would like to live, so I'll throw my hat into the ring ... thus I might end up moving again in about 12 months (takes that long for a final decision).