TheCapeBlog

Yesterday the gent from GEM came by to check out the mold in the attic.

Ryan and crew were here today to finish up the sunroom overhang, which looks great. Now the door to the sunroom looks like Dogpatch.

I stopped in to Williams College for a Math Dept colloquium but was a day early. Caught the tail end of a Real Analysis class. The professor gave me a warm welcome.

Today I ordered a book from my professor friend Tom that looked like exactly what I need to refresh my old math brain.

I do love math.

Also started watching the Khan Academy online Multivariable Calculus class.

Called Mirabito again about setting up an MVP service contract and replacing our oil tank. They are running specials on both.

Applied for a job at Williams College.

I found an ace bandage for it and was able to rake the bed next to the back stairs. Had to dig out a thorn from my right thumb. Ron has an infected hangnail: ouch!

Ron wanted to pump up the old wheelbarrow wheel. Tried the air compressor but it doesn’t seem to work.

Ron bought and hooked up a propane tank for the grill.

Ryan and Aaron put up the gutter on the back of the garage and replaced the rotted wood on the deck roof. It looks like we no longer live in a shack.

The big news is that Ryan found rotted rafters in the newly infamous second floor bedroom. The person from Texas happened to call while he was here and explained the reason for taking down the ceiling: the sheetrock was so degraded that it couldn’t support the weight of insulation.

In addition, he noticed that the ceiling was “wavy”. This was due to the poor condition of the rafters.

Ryan has some ideas to fix these. He also found another attic access panel.

We’re eligible for a couple of loan programs to finance the attic repair and mold removal.

The roof, windows, vermiculite removal, new water heater tank, freeze-proof spigots and most of the important electrical work are done.

It feels like we are constantly in the middle of some project or other, so it’s helpful to look back and appreciate what’s been accomplished.

After watching the “Age of Easy Money” episode of Frontline last night, I’m freaked out about not having enough ready cash to allow us a soft landing in the event of a recession.

Ron treated to brunch at The Break Room. Was good except for Ron’s “nuclear” Bloody Mary.

Picked up salads and Ron’s meds at Walmart. Ugly surprise, his new prescription was for only a week and the dosage was cut by 1/3. Going to try it out, figuring he’s taken it long enough that it might not be working anyway and he’d just as soon not continue it.

Instead of coming straight home, we drove to the Apple Barn for donuts and muffins.

Pretty morning but cold: thirties.

Two of the crew came by today, in the rain, from Pittsfield, to finish up their work.

They are such good guys that I didn’t have the heart to try to explain that I thought all the floorboards in the attic were to be removed. Emailed the boss.

Still waiting to hear about how we’re to be made whole from Mass Save and Clear-what’s their names in Texas.

Signed off on the tax documents this morning after a run-around with DocuSign.

Got to make coffee, unload the dishwasher and clean up the kitchen this morning. Actually felt good.

We’ve been pushing the sleeper sofa around. Miraculously, neither of us seems to have been hurt.

Updated MRS first thing to reflect the 4/1 registration fee. Happy April Fool’s.

Hit the roof yesterday when they told me that there was a sheetrock ceiling in the guest bedroom.

It didn’t have to be removed and replaced.

Turns out, the tech from Mass Save probably never really examined it. According to his boss’s boss, the techs are trained to flag tile ceilings, whether or not they are backed by sheetrock.

I’m waiting to hear if Clear Result will make this up to us.

The people from Barile are respectful and hard-working, unlike the jerk who was here from Clear Result.

Light dusting of snow this morning.

Good news by the end of the day: will be receiving a check that will cover a chunk of the vermiculite removal. Tax returns are done, we don’t owe the feds or the state. Ron will get a refund. Trump was indicted.

$30,000 in labor costs for the second bedroom/hallway/stairway project.

$8,200 for the driveway.

Received and signed the Mass Save contract for insulation.

Vermiculite removal starts tomorrow.

Got to the medical lab for blood work today, exactly 3 weeks after it was ordered, thus, within the appropriate time. Tech was great, another good person at Williamstown Medical.

Ron has been unloading boxes from the “office”.

I cleaned up the little garden around the dumb flagpole in the back. I mean, who puts a flagpole in their back yard? Anyway, cleared some rusted chicken wire – probably an attempt to keep squirrels and rabbits from eating the bulbs – as well as grass and weeds. Had to disrupt and replant some bulbs.

Finished the tax info, had a phone conversation with one of the partners at the new firm. Just have to copy and ship.

This morning was a letdown after a fine day yesterday.

I went to DG for snacks. Pulling info together for taxes. Ron’s out spending money somewhere, too.

Then mid-late afternoon, the sun came out and it warmed up enough to work outside. I started clearing the little garden around the flagpole.

Gave up before the job was done because I was “done”. Got to work up to it.

Found a light socket at the flagpole and one on the deck.

Betcha somewhere, someone is playing golf.

It was snowing for a while but with Ron’s encouragement I drove us to the Capital Region Flower & Garden Expo in Troy today. Shortly after we started, the car seemed to be making a terrible noise. Ron reassured me that it was probably nothing, and he was right. Turned out that one of the back windows was open.

We had a fine time at the show, brought home astilbe and lilies for planting as well as a splendid hoe that Ron bought, stopped for dinner at Coyote Flaco and got back before dark. Perfect day!

Got a good proposal from A1 for a driveway.

Waiting for another driveway proposal from the guy who was here last week. Also waiting for word from our Mass Save inspector about additional documentation(??) and a proposal from a mold removal company.

Signed us up for the Daffodil and Tulip Festival at Naumkeag in May and Easter Brunch in North Adams.

Also signed up and sent a check for a CSA, produce to be delivered to Wild Soul River.

Ron did a phenomenal job organizing the mess in the sunroom! We can actually use it. He’s been working on clearing out the office as well.