The level of quiet online is directly proportionate to the level of work in the non-virtual world. Being ambitious sorts despite our somewhat languid exteriors, Mouse and yours truly (assisted by the wee’un and the doglets) set ourselves the goal of being in the new pad about a month after closing. We are due to be moved in and enjoying the Patriots play the Saints over pizza and drinkies by this time next week, despite the looming presence of Thanksgiving on Thursday. It might be (to quote the Duke of Wellington after Waterloo) a damn close run thing, but I think we’ll make it.
Much like the missus, I plan to wax lyrical at a later date about the philopsophy behind our project, and the way we have been able to put ideas into action. Between us we’ll discuss not only the practical mechanics and economic sense of renovating and retrofitting an existing, typical, Maine home to be as environmentally gentle and energy efficient as possible on a regular family budget. We’ll explain how zero- and low VOC paints have the awesome smell of almost nothing (zen paint, if you will); how we are going to reclaim up to 75% of our heat from the air around us before it goes outside; how our fuel and electricty bills are going to move us towards the magical 1950s “too low to meter” goal; and much more (we may even post our utility bills so you can see for yourself).
For now, all I want is to get the paint out from under my fingernails, mix lovely ginger ale with even lovelier Mount Gay rum and lime juice in an double old-fashioned glass, and snooze gently on the couch while trying to forget tomorrow’s 7:45am meeting.
In the interim, here’s the latest project scores on the doors for you playing along at home:
Living room: painted
Dining room: painted
Bee’s room: painted (ocean blue: orange coral mural and sea creature decals to follow)
Our room: 3/4 painted.
Kitchen: first coat applied
Side wall/attic insulation: in
Radon mitigation system: done
New super-insulated basement slab: done
New hyper-efficient hot water & heating system: 3/4 done
Bathroom demo: done
Bathroom plumbing: done
New tub fitted, new boards, etc: done
Still to do:
Finish painting
Scrape bedroom ceiling
Paint bedroom ceiling
Install new light fixtures and other electrical work
Wax/polish floors & woodwork
Heat Recovery Ventilation System installed
MOVE
Finish bathroom rehab/renovation
And as for the Phase 2 project list:
Build new walk in closet for our room
Knock hole for french windows in living room
Build patio or deck out back
Rehab garden fences
Hang gutters & set up rain barrels
Paint upstairs
Paint exterior trim, siding
Rehab front porch and steps; install hand rails
Maine-appropriate landscaping plan
New roof
It dawns on me that while I find the last list comforting (to encapsulate and enumerate future tasks means they are out of my head and part-way to completion) it’s going to drive the Mouse bonkers. Perhaps I should tell her not to read this post, despite her kindly inviting me to contribute. Onwards and upwards, chums….
