Friday, November 02, 2007

whimsy

So, you know it took over two weeks to actually install the sexy, new, red pellet stove, right? The venting for the not sexy, old, black and fake gold stove had been done in a...hmmm...let's just say an "imaginative" way. Many of the "updates" to this house have been just as... hmmmm... "imaginative" and that really slows down our home improvements because every time we start one thing, we find something else that has to be torn down to bare bones, reinforced, repaired, redone, refinished...argh.
So the venting had to be redone in order to make sure our new stove would be certified through our home insurance...which meant tearing a new hole in the wall, through a support stud, which then had to be reinforced and the weight redistributed and supported...cuz the guy before didn't want to do all that work, he had vented in the wrong place, er, an "imaginative" place. So, now there are two holes through the plaster and lathe, the four layers of siding and stucco to be covered. Nice. It's a good thing that Michael had someone to help him on this project because it could have turned into a big, ole aggravating mess, eh? Fishbone was right on top of every stage of this project.
I don't know how it could have gotten done without her.

So imagine her discomfort when we have the stove finally installed and making sweet, warm heat and all the good floor space was invaded by Emma's pajama party sleepover the first weekend we had it going?!? What? After all her hard work? Dangit.



But, things are quieter here in our living room now and the stove is going most nights. I guess winter is truly here.



And now we'll always know where to find these two when the wind is rattling the storm windows. Thanks, Fishbone, for all your hard work.
Have a good weekend everyone.




9 comments:

raine said...

I don't think you should let me take Fishbone to the marsh. She seems like such a helpful and cozy kitty.

Olly said...

The new stove is beautiful. You two have sure put your heart and soul into that house. You will have to give us all an on-line tour one day.

I love that orange you used. Most of my rooms are just a little too small for bold colous with the exception of my big kitchen. We retro 50'd that and painted it two-toned turquoise.

Got that stove cranked today? Sure is nippy. I think I'll tear myself away from invoicing (and generally avoiding invoicing by goofing around on the computer) and bring in a few armloads of firewood.

Michael Colvin said...

That stove looks a good place to snuggle. I love the dog sleepover pic. LoL!

Heidi the Hick said...

Wow, our house is only 50 years old and we had some interesting and imaginitive wiring etc going on. Your house is what, 80 years old? I know our next house is going to be even older than that- because I'm nuts and I insist on living in an old house- and I know we're in for it then. His mom's house is 1886 and my mom's house is 18beforethat so we know what kind of mysteries lurk in those walls.

But that stove is awesome. Love it. So nice for your critters to have a warm lurking spot. Especially after all the hard work Fishbone put into the project!

emily said...

i LOVE that stove.

And you called her "Emma". It's been so long since I've heard that!

Victoria said...

awwww, so sweet!

Anonymous said...

We are layering here - t-shirt, under henley, under sweatshirt. That stove sure looks good and warm. I guess we should kick the furnace on, but I hate to give in just yet.

We had a similar issue with our furnace vent. I'm not quite sure what their thinking was when they built the house, but it was vented out through the wall, horizontally underground about eight feet to the chimney. We had no idea. After 40 years the pipe gave way during a torrential rain and the whole thing caved in bringing mud and water through the furnace into the basement. What a mess.

It's nice that the two of you are able to tackle these projects. And have such willing help.

Anonymous said...

a wood stove would be on my crush list...
we have friends with a house "around the bay". on visits, i get the house cooking, i can't resist putting another log on the fire.

Gardenia said...

What a beautiful cat and dog. Glad you had "help" with the project.