the first floor is taking shape; hired mason for second floor interior pointing

An update on the weekend's activities:  we managed to get the kitchen and bathroom of the first floor cleaned--with Rimina's help.  the floors were papered in preparation for paint, and the kitchen walls were stripped of the wallpaper and washed down with a TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate) solution.

Polly tapes down the rosin paper.

Three layers of vinyl wallpaper, one-two layers of paint--over the wallpaper, and at least one layer of much older paper-based wallpaper...spots on wall are old, inactive black mold...

The paper pealed off fairly easily--no need to steam or scrape all that much, thanks goodness.

TSP to the rescue!