Update on the Homestead

Just want to leave a quick note.

As of 6pm last night, we have HEAT in the house which doesn't have to come from several blocks of wood. What a blessing this truly is!!!!

And the Fire Blazes On.....

Time for an update in Smokey's Cafe... wait, I mean living room.

A very nice man from the special Boiler fixin' services came to the abode Tuesday afternoon to repair the more effective source of heating for the home.

Why was he so nice you ask? Well, it's because he used to play french horn of course. Even got to learn about the other members of his family who are musically inclined.

But actually, it's because after working on the system (draining water from system, removing broken part, installing broken part, refilling the system with water, and trying to make it work) for almost FOUR HOURS (no, he wasn't paid for the time, but for the job), he ever so humbly had to inform us that the circulation pump was not working.

Hey, I remember pondering that circulation issue...... So, yet another part needs to be ordered, but it shouldn't take a full week like this part had.

In the meantime, it's continuing to look a lot like Christmas.... as it's supposed to snow tomorrow.

Anybody got some Chestnuts? We could have Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

Ha!! I'm too much, I know. LOL. By the way, if you are looking for the Carnival of MS Bloggers, come back tomorrow. It's late.

Also, I went to PT yesterday for our first real session. Who know that just standing and balancing was SO VERY, UNBELIEVABLY EXHAUSTING? I didn't, and I get to do it again tomorrow.

Keepin' Cozy in the Casa

Through the old fashioned manner of heating by fire, we are able to get the living room a toasty 67 degrees when the fire is ablaze. Upstairs, it was a mild 50 degrees when I woke up this morning, and every morning for that matter so far.

Here's the lovely culprit:

Yesterday, the kittens were snuggled on the couch and I thought they might need some extra coverings. Surprisingly, they both stayed under this blanket for quite some time before ceasing to look like "a bug in a rug" times two.

Don't know if I should laugh or cry....

Remember Baby It's Cold Outside... Inside Too!!! ?

Here's a Recap and Update:

For awhile - The Boiler which heats the water that then circulates throughout the house's radiator system has been making thumping noises. We thought it was air in the radiators which had to be released. Wrong!!!

Tuesday night - The Boiler gave up the ghost. Oops, we thought it was a pump which pushed the hot water through the pipes because certain radiators were not getting any hot water/heat. Wrong again!!!

Wednesday morning - Called for delivery of a Cord of firewood to be delivered same morning. Very cool. For those who aren't familiar with what a Cord of word is, it is 128 cubic feet of wood, 8ft x 4ft x 4ft. That's A LOT of wood to burn in the wood stove (fireplace) in the livingroom of this old house.

Wednesday evening - Finally, a plumber who deals with Boiler/Radiant Heat came to assess the necessary repairs. Turns out that a part which controls filling the water tank and maintaining the required water levels had gone out. Very bad!!!

It is a part which must be ordered (rush please) and installed. Then we hope that while it was malfunctioning further damage was not done to more of the system. Yikes!

Thursday - A cold front is moving in and the firewood must be stacked in racks and off the driveway. Here's the before pictures with my Mom as size comparison:



It took us almost five hours to stack the wood. It was dark by the time we finished so no immediately after photos. Sorry.

Friday morning - I look out the window from upstairs and could almost cry (if I weren't so damn exhausted, and sore, and really walking funny, etc.). The ground was a little too soft for our liking and we had placed the feet of the rack on some bricks so that it would not sink and lean.

Ha! I guess the joke's on us. This rack which measured 8ft x 4ft fell over during the night and spilled half of our supply of wood. I'm really unhappy about this turn of events.

So here's some photos of our various stacks of wood. What didn't fit in one of these is located in the garage. Did I mention that I'm more than tired?



But the very small rack on the front porch still looks cute:

Baby, It's Cold Outside... Inside Too!!

So last night, the boiler/radiator system in my house gave it up. It's been grumbling for awhile and I had thought, with some judicious bleeding of the pipes, that the monster could be appeased.

Well, I was incorrect and the pump which pushes the hot water through the miles of pipe in the house went KAAPUTTT!! So it's brrrrrrr in here, even after getting a fire going.



Baby, It's Cold Inside!!!