While the floor was being laid, on a Friday afternoon, the furnace quit working. Steve (he who was doing the laying) told me the vents were only blowing out cold air, and I was distressed to think we may need to replace the furnace before we had even moved in. Kent found that the porcelain igniter had died, and purchased a new one at a cost of only $65. Much better than a whole new furnace. He brought it home but then inadvertently shattered it while trying to install it. He had a furnace guy come look at it, and we were told the circuit board had also died, exactly twenty years from the week, perhaps even the day, of manufacturing. This would be $400 to replace, or we could just get a new furnace. We debated through the weekend and by Monday had decided that $400 was a lot less than $3200, and opted for the new circuit board.
We have a jetted tub in the master bathroom. Prior to moving in we were told there was a leak in the jets, and Kent repaired water damage to the living room ceiling before we painted. The jets had been covered over with first-aid tape and the previous occupants only showered. But we removed the front panel of the tub and searched for water damage to see where the leak was. We found nothing under the tub. There was a spot just outside the tub where there was obvious damage, mold growing and stuff, and when we could see nothing under the tub, we decided they must have been wrong and we should give the tub a thorough cleaning out, including the jets.
So Saturday afternoon, after applying the finish coat to the hardwood floors and working all day to ready the house to move in, we filled the tub, and squatted next to it watching for drips. Nothing. We turned on the jets. Nothing. We scoffed at the previous owners and said how delighted the children would be to have a bath with the jets going. We began to let the water out and I went downstairs to clean some light fixtures at the kitchen sink. I had the water on, but when I turned it off to dry the fixture, I heard the strangest noise. I couldn't figure out what it was or where it was coming from, and washed a bit more. When I turned the water off again, I heard the sound again and went to investigate. You know where this is going, right? The ceiling was leaking, badly, from a huge bubble of water. "FLOOD!" I shrieked. Our tubful of water was dripping onto the newly, just that day, finished wood floors and destroying Kent's fine patch job. It was a mess. First thing Monday morning Kent called his plumber friend who promised he could come on Wednesday to fix it.
Our plumber's assistant, Alan, actually came on Tuesday. He was going to do three things: repair the tub, install a new water line for the refrigerator, and put in a gas line for our new gas stove. When he went downstairs to see about the fridge line, he discovered that one of our two water heaters was leaking, they were ten years old, and we should probably replace them. So he did his three tasks, and the day we moved in, the plumber, Paul, came and installed a new water heater. All that cost $1250, which was money we did not anticipate spending immediately.
Tonight, before I finished cleaning the kitchen, I started a load of laundry. The first load of laundry in the new house. The washer hadn't been on a full minute when it began making a horrible metallic clanking noise. I turned it off and tried to investigate but found nothing amiss. I started it again and it was fine. A few minutes later, however, it began making the noise again. Kent is unsure what it is, but we hope it will finish the cycle because the children are out of clean underwear.
I also started the dishwasher for the first time tonight and it sounded like it was running dry. It was. No water at all. Great. As the washing machine appeared to be dying, the dishwasher was doing the same. Turned out the water was off and it is fine. Phew.
As I said, we moved most everything in on Wednesday. We recruited the Timpview lacrosse team to help us. They were fantastic; fast, friendly, careful. I was able to get the kitchen stuff unpacked and put away yesterday, so we have been able to eat here. The rest of the main floor is somewhat problematic however, because the baseboards were not in. Steve came today and got them cut and nailed onto the walls, but he still needs to fill holes and caulk. All the furniture and bookcases, as well as boxes and boxes have been pushed to the middle of the rooms and needs to be put away. When Steve finished for the day he said, "So is it okay if I came back Monday to caulk?"
My face fell. I looked at the living room in complete disarray and couldn't respond. Monday? What would I do until then? Apparently my dismay was written all over my face because he said, "How's tomorrow?" Tomorrow will be good.
I am super happy to be here. Although it has been a long process, I am delighted with the way the house has come together. I love the colors on the walls, I love the carpet, I love that it is ours. It will be fantastic to get everything in place, put away, things hung on the walls. The children are happy to be here and excited with the newness. They shrieked in pleasure as they had their first bath in the jetted tub.
People have been so kind to us too. Friends helped clean, they have brought food, watched the children, and brought us welcome gifts. We are incredibly blessed and eagerly anticipate getting settled. I will include pictures, but I can't find the cord to transfer them from the camera to the computer. Soon.
Boxes ready to move.
The old house feels so empty (because it is)
and the new house finally feels like a place we can live.
Blythe "helping" with the packing.
All I need is a bit of tape and we can load her on the trailer.
I managed to get the kitchen boxes unpacked and their contents put away. It was a big job. I have too much kitchen stuff--just ask Heidi and Suzan who helped me pack it all. As I unwrapped dishes and things, I stuffed all the paper in several boxes until I could put it all in garbage bags to go in the recycling bin. Before the paper made it that far, the children dumped it all out on the floor to play in. They have been so patient during the whole moving process, I couldn't be mad at them. I just let them play and gathered it all up later.
Jetted tub fun.
yippee, congratulations on getting moved in (or at least beginning the process (you know you have a few years to unpack right)?
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