We had planned to resume painting this week but life got in the way. It seems every day had something else that took priority. Here is how the week went down.
Monday was another humid “lawn and garden day” as Pam maintained the garden area and I did lawn work. The acorns continue to fall and raking them takes a lot of time and effort. We now confine acorn pickup activity to places we walk often, such as the dog run and near the garage. I scoop up acorns by the snow shovel full.
Tuesday’s tasks included a trip to the town’s compost site to unload the trailer of its grass and garden clippings plus the acorns. Later that day I helped Becky move a hutch she had purchased in Charles City, bringing the purchase to her home in Greene.
Wednesday was “vet day” as all three dogs, plus Cirrus the cat, took a trip to New Hampton. Most of the work was routine, but Cirrus is suffering from labored breathing and the vet said he may have asthma. Cirrus received a steroid shot and is on antibiotics but so far these have made no noticeable difference and we are concerned about his health. We continue to monitor him.
I thought we might resume painting on Thursday, but late Wednesday night I received a message from Bob the Builder indicating he could install our second floor window set Thursday if we were agreeable. I immediately responded in the affirmative! We had ordered the windows in March, before Bob fell ill, and were beginning to wonder if we could arrange an install before winter. Bob indicated he had run into a delay on his current project and could fit in our windows as a “filler” job. We were delighted he could work us in, and that became the main event of the week.
I was somewhat nervous as I had personally measured and ordered the windows, something I’d never done before. Would they fit? It turns out I was within about 1/8th of an inch and the windows fit without shimming or other modifications. Boy, was I relieved. Here is how the work progressed.
You may recall we removed the AC unit and inside windows some weeks ago. Bob and his assistant Bill put up scaffolding and removed the storm windows and outside trim.
A surprise…there was a w-i-d-e cavity between the window frames and the wood siding of the house. Apparently, unlike the windows in the snug (replaced last year), the wood siding had not been built all the way to the window frame (possibly as far back as 1894). Is it any wonder drafts were streaming in around that window all winter?
Bob filled the gaps with a combination of expanding foam and caulk. Below you can see the white foam around the window and the sill “boxed” as Bob and Bill begin installing the new window frames.
The second to last task was to install new trim. We had decided to go with a “plastic wood” replacement instead of conventional lumber. (Bob had done the lower windows the same way last year.) Pam is of the opinion plastic wood should be used as much as is practical at Heart House. Particularly at the second floor level, since nobody wants to maintain wood at that height (now or into the future).
We were able to re-use the original blue trim piece located at the top of the window. After it was removed Pam did a quick paint job and Bob was able to reinstall it. The finished install looks good, the insulation will help keep the house warmer in winter, the windows can be opened to allow fresh air to circulate, and the outside west wall looks so-o-o much better than it did with the old A/C cover and destroyed sill plate.
Friday was an off day as the combination of temperatures and humidity resulted in a “feels like” temperature in the low 90 degree range. No need for us to paint in those conditions. I did some work on the trailer, replacing a couple dead side marker lights and installing a new trailer-side plug for the lights. The old connector was developing an intermittent problem which made the turn lights a hit or miss operation.
My brother Jon and his wife have purchased a home on a lake in northern Minnesota. I had offered my services, along with the truck and trailer, to help with the move. Saturday I drove to their current home in Stoddard, Wisconsin (south of LaCrosse) and we loaded up the truck and trailer. The load will not head north until next Saturday, but Jon wanted to clear some space in his garage for staging totes and boxes for the move. (He has reserved a 24-foot truck and 12 foot trailer for the next trip.)
That means next week’s blog post may be delayed for a few days as I will drive my load up on Saturday, help Jon unload, stay over that night and return on Sunday. It’s about a 400 mile trip each way and I anticipate 8 – 10 hours of on the road time – figure a lot of 2-lane roads with a 55 mph speed limit plus stops for food and gas. Here are a couple photos of my loaded truck and trailer.
Finally, a photo of the house as it looks today. The Labor Day bunting went up on Friday. Sure wish the second floor was totally painted, the tower repaired and re-shingled, etc. but what has been done looks sharp for the holiday.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
While Himself was putzing around with this-and-that this week, I finished the second coat on the LP tank hearts. I shoveled rock into the quad paver project, and moved the last of the dumped rock (piled by the garage) in front of the three garage entries on the alley side. So, LP tank painting DONE, rock pile totally moved/DONE, quad pavers in place + that rock DONE.
On to the dogs. Bru needed grooming and bathing before the vet appointment. Bru grooming is a three day project (Day 1 butt and back end, Day 2 head and front legs, Day 3 everything else). At least Bru bathing is much easier these days, since she fits in the job sink. JoJo needed trimming on her legs and feet, a task I completed after the vet appointment. I also applied the monthly flea and tick meds and dogs had their monthly doses of heart worm meds.
Looks like Bru will have to have a bunch of skin tags and fatty growths removed from her coat sometime this month. Several are on her face, and they have been bothering her. This will require sedation and a vet procedure. Always something for the animal concierge to keep track of…
What about that second floor window done – whoot whoot!!!
Happy Trails.
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