Trimmed Windows

Painting trim

More Occupants of the House That Are Not Us

Dead mother spider and tiny baby spiders leaving the wood shavings nest, just before I drilled a hole right next to them. (Click on photo to see tiny babies.)

Drilling for Electrons

Michelle gave me a little list of things to do this morning, the last of which was drilling holes in the mudroom studs for running wires. With a touch too much enthusiasm I drilled right through the first stud and on through the conduit holding the LIVE wire carrying power to the barn. My error produced a small spark when the drill bit hit the wire but no shock. Perhaps I was grounded by my rubber clogs. So I had to go and confess to the electrician that I'd cut power to her computer. Michelle made a splice, and everyone was back to work in no time.

The Electrician Returns

Michelle is back on the job in her role as electrician. She's finding that this house is bigger and more complicated than the last. Nothing that her diligence and superior organizational skills can handle though. Got another visit from the heating engineer concerning the solar hot water system. We've got to get the ball rolling on that job, or we won't be seeing hot water for several weeks. Still no response from the floor guys. Tomorrow morning I'm going to try contacting the owner of the business since his employee hasn't returned my calls.

Window Trim Exhibition

Yesterday I spent the morning mocking-up two windows with different trim treatments. Michelle and I both chose the simplest trim, but when a group showed up later that afternoon for snacks, beer and house tours, most chose the other. There was much discussion of the merits of either choice, and in the end I thought a small modification to the simple version is the way to go. While the kids are in Rhode Island next week, I'll trim all the windows and help Michelle wire. Mark the plumber (a real licensed plumber) showed up today and ran most of the vents. We talked about the possibility of installing the instant hot water component of our solar hot water system. We could hook up an outdoor shower; Michelle likes this idea. With no call from the concrete guys today, first thing Monday morning I'm going to call and tell them their decision making time is up. We need a resolution; the sliding glass door is coming in a week and we need to install it asap.

Another Empty Nest, Pigs, Home Equity

When Michelle and I stepped out onto the deck of the porch this morning, four startled fledglings flew to a new perch and eyed us warily. In a matter of a couple hours they were gone, another crop of phoebes hatched and away. While it's possible that the parents will try for another round, I think it's time they found a new nest site. We'll see if I can persuade them to do so. In pig news the largest one (they still have no names) seemed to be having a little trouble getting around, limping maybe, and then a few days ago he seemed to have a little trouble getting up. Sprain? Bruised hoof? Pulled hamstring? I called friends who have a farm and got more or less a wait and see approach. Sure enough the next day he seemed a little better, and today he was just about back to his old self again. The biggest is the boss; the other two had a too brief vacation from his tyranny.

Tomorrow afternoon Michelle and I are closing on a home equity line of credit. Why we're eligible for this sort of financing is mystifying considering all that's happened over the last year. It certainly wouldn't have been possible to get a home equity line of credit on an unfinished house through a major national bank. Wells Fargo admitted as much and suggested we seek local financing. And voila! We have about $50,000 to finish the house.

After several calls to the plumber and none in return, I showed up at the office at quarter to seven for a face to face chat, and as a result they'll be on the job in a few days. We've also started in on the wiring on the first floor. The solution to the concrete problems is still up in the air. Talked to the guy today, and he said he was waiting to hear back from a company that specializes in fixing this sort of thing.