Day 828

It occurred to me today that it has taken 828 days to pass our first inspection on the house. No speed records there but I got a "nice work" from the inspector and a list of things to do so he would be happy. He did not look at anything I thought he would be flagged me on three really lame things. The washing machine drain had to be 3" instead of 2", I had to build a working platform in the attic beside the furnace, and I had to put some metal straps on a couple rafters that had large birds mouth cuts. He was only concerned with the wiring, smoke detectors and egress requirements on the windows. I thought I was going to have to change out the windows upstairs until he insisted on measuring them, ultimately going my way. Brian the plumber came this morning and fixed his end. At one point in time I heard snoring from some animal quite loudly only to discover our cat Julius buried in the insulation behind the hot water heater. Lucky for him I let him live another day. I also got to knock out a little more siding while the weather held out. Dont hold your breath...insulation next week.

12.01.08

A new month and we are off and running. Took a little break for turkey day but got back into the swing of things bright and early. The plumbers finished the rough in at about 3:00 so that is ready for an inspection. I spent the day finishing the dining room and kitchen floors. I had to tear out the old 1x10 white pine sub-floor. I put down a good layer of plastic and insulated between the joists and replaced the pine with new sub-flooring. Alan from Northwestern Heating and Air came and roughed in the new ducts under the floor because I think we all have had enough of the tight crawlspace game. I got the cable lines run upstairs and after the electricians wire the back porch we should be able to call the inspector. Another couple inches of snow fell today...quite windy too.

We'll Start with French Toast...

...and follow that up with some frozen pipes. Nothing like waking up with a hot breakfast on your mind and spending some time with space heaters and a dryer so you can get water..and it is only November. I ripped out the kitchen floor to access the crawlspace for the new plumbing. Unfortunately I had to pour a new footing and prep the wall where the new back door will go. Maranda got the privilege of hair dryer duty while I worked on the new concrete form. There was some mold and dry rot under the floor from 30 years of poor venting and neglect. We will get a vapor barrier down and insulate when we build it back.

Global Warming

Whoever believes in "global warming" needs to turn off the news and go outside. We finally got the plumbers to start on the back porch and sure enough the weather got nasty. It snowed about 6 inches at the house and the wind was very strong. Nevertheless, they were able to almost wrap up the downstairs bath and laundry and will be back Monday to get back at it. The pups and I got to take a couple good walks in the blizzard...they loved it. It is so nice to have Stoagie the grandpa here.

11.19.08

Spent the last few days preparing the back porch for the plumbers to come. They will be here tomorrow so I had to get a few things done so that ordeal will rum smoothly. I filled in a portion of the old spring box with concrete and raised a new floor over it. This created a pad foe the new hot water heater and laundry machines. I had to do the same thing on the other side of the room in order to get the plumbing to work properly. I went ahead and insulated the parts that will be covered up when the rough in will be done. We are sneaking up on getting a rough inspection which means maybe a little insulation for Christmas.

Last Room Down

Got the soffit, facia, and siding finished on the back porch this afternoon. We only had the interior wall space for two small windows but they are efficient and tight so better that than fight the draft. I am ready now for all the plumbing to be roughed in so we can think about an inspection and insulation. I threw the fire screen on the stove and I should have been able to guess what would happen. We are lucky to have Chewy's dad Stoagie staying with us for the week. We got some snow last night and expect more on Tuesday and Thursday.

HEAT...Enough Said

I think everyone gets the significance of this entry. I had to throw in the one picture of the sun first thing in the morning. We are Blessed.