Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut

It has been a while since my last update, but things never go as expected. When we moved in, Deborah decided that we would call our home “Our Little Tara”. I was more for “The Vergere Estate”, but after very little thought we decided that “Out Little Terror” may be more appropriate. You may agree with me after this update.

The Washer:

You may recall that we replaced the previous washer because it started to smoke and apparently the belt caught fire. Brother Charles brought us another washer. After all of our fun the shut-off valves were still leaking enough to be a concern. Last week I worked up the courage to try again to stop the leaks. I bought two new shut off valves, cut out the old ones, and proceeded to sweat fit (solder) the new ones. All done…tell Deborah to watch while I turn the water back on… say a brief prayer, and the water is on. Deborah yells, “It’s leaking!”. To which I reply “!@#&$%#&!!!!”, which to those that know me is called an “SOB” moment. Take the valves back out, clean them, flux them, reattach, torch, solder, and pause. Try the prayer thing again, turn the water on, and Deborah yells, “It’s leaking!”…another SOB moment!
One more time… take the valves back out, clean them, flux them, reattach, torch, solder, and pause. I stop and wonder if God is really, really mad at me and wonder what I did soooo bad. But when you’re hot, you’re hot. I turn the water on, and Deborah yells, “It’s leaking!” That’s it!! The water is not leaking that bad and Deborah has to do laundry, so put a towel on the floor and let her go with the replacement washer. Shortly after, she yelled “John!!!!” (you saw this coming), and I ran back to the mud room to discover that the washer would not stop filling and was a fraction of an inch from overflowing. We managed to get to the shut-off valves in time to stop the overflow. We baled the water out with a plastic container, and Deborah started to give it her appliance expert inspection. She proclaimed that that it looked OK, and she tried again to wash clothes. A short time later there was another scream, but this time the washer was pushed back and Deborah had to dive over it to get to the shut-off valves. No more washing today. I put the washer on the carport. Today I tried again to stop the leaks in the shut-off valves. After three tries, and buying two new valves (the other were destroyed by numerous attempts to solder), and my lovely bride giving me her ideas and advice, I finally got the shut-off and associated piping to stop leaking. We have since bought a washer and dryer on sale at Home Depot. You really have to rejoice in the progress!

The Furnace and A/C

Rusty came last Wednesday and took the old furnace out so that I could paint the furnace room and clean it up before the new furnace went back in. In the process he found the true damage to the supply plenum. It was basically missing.



It has been reported that the previous owner was paying really outrageous utility bills. I guess so, they were heating and cooling the entire neighborhood, and everything but the house…interesting! He came back Friday with a new plenum and started to install the furnace. At the end of the day it looked great but was not quite ready to run. When he finished Monday the furnace would not come on and he thought that it might be the LP tank regulator. We called Rutledge at Edisto Gas and after checking things out it seemed that the problem was that the line needed to be bled. Now it works. Now we felt like we lived in a normal house.

The old furnace:


The new furnace:


We went to bed with a sense of accomplishment and progress, but in the morning the thermostat said it was 64 in the house even though the set temperature was 70. We called Rusty. He came back and said there didn’t appear to be anything wrong with the furnace and said that it looked like the LP pressure was not being regulated. We called Rutledge. When he arrived I asked where Ernie was. He said that Ernie would be here shortly because Rutledge took off with the truck that had Ernie’s tools. And then Ernie showed up. They checked the regulator and pressure and everything was OK. The furnace is working for no apparent reason, and we wished Rutledge and Ernie a Happy Thanksgiving. Also, Rusty showed me how to start the furnace after lockout. We kept our fingers crossed, but the next morning it was 63 and I called Rusty. He agreed to come out after Thanksgiving, which he did, and he thinks he found the problem. So far, so good. So new roof, new water heater, new furnace and A/C, new gas line and LP tank, and on to some more plumbing…reluctantly.

Our Water

Monday I took samples of our well water to the county health department. We have rust, calcium, and sometimes when you turn the water on it comes out black or dark gray, and sometimes an opaque orange We also found sand in the water. The water gets Dixie’s water bowl a strange color after two days. We talked to the original owner and discovered that this is a shallow well, maybe 60-80’. We are planning to get a whole house filtration system, but the manufacturer of the unit we are planning to get said to send a water test to determine if their system can handle our water. We haven’t had to kick the pump lately, but it still starts very slow, at least until recently when it was so slow to turn on, I took the pressure switch apart, and now we have to kick it again. The blue bathroom toilet will not fill up with water any more and you have to draw water from the tub in a bucket to flush it. We have contacted a specialist who will come next week and bring a well digger along with him. Water and plumbing is our last major hurdle and it appears it may be the worst. But when we have clear clean running water and all of the plumbing fixtures work, life will be excellent.

Lizards

Deborah finally convinced me that the lizards might actually be a problem. She had seen a roach and called Carl the bug man. While Carl was out I explained to him that I had started a crusade against the lizards. I told him that they are everywhere, and when we walked outside, he commented that we really do have a problem. Being the good bug man that he is he started spraying, catching, and trying to use glue traps all over the back of the house. I thought he was fighting a losing battle, but my wife was impressed that someone was doing something about those dreaded lizards. I have to say that we have seen few lizards since unless they were dead, staggering, or caught in a glue trap. 3 Cheers for Carl! What a guy!

The Yard

In my spare time, between emergencies, I have begun to work on the azaleas around the beautiful oak tree in the front of the house. There are a trillion wild oak seedlings sprouting and some other trash that needs to be removed because they are choking the azaleas. I really thought I could accomplish this by pulling them out of the ground with a wire rope (3/16 – 1100 pounds test). The first one I tried to yank out broke the cable. So I tried some smaller ones and they just slipped through the cable. So I have just been cutting them out. Deborah worked shoulder to shoulder with me and we have about ¼ of the circumference all cleaned up…tough job.

I have been cleaning wild, junky weeds and growth that doesn’t belong. I have made many trips to the dump and then I just started to put the yard waste on the pile of trees in the back. I have been wanting to burn this trash pile, but I had to pick a time when I had time to watch the fire and have water nearby. With my dad and mom here for Thanksgiving, this would make the perfect time. We could get a lawn chair, light the pile and relax…WRONG! We worked our butts off just getting the fire started, and then we had to work pretty hard to keep folding the fire and separating the wood from the dirt, and some of the trees are 24” to 30’ in diameter. We have gotten a great deal done. This may help pave the way for the future building that will go in this particular place.



The yard is starting to look good.

Mud Room

Now that the piping has stopped leaking and we will have a new washer and dryer, we are going to paint the paneling in the mud room. I tried to remove the old floor of asphalt tile and linoleum, but that will be more than difficult. I have decided to use floor leveler and secure any old flooring, then just tile over it. Updates to follow.

Church

Last Sunday we finally went to the Church of Epiphany in Eutawville. It is a beautiful little country church, friendly people, lots of old fashioned charm, and a great pastor, The Very Reverend John F. Scott, Rector. After church we attended a meeting about some diocese business and had a chance to get to know some of the people a little better. After the meeting, we were invited to join the group for lunch at the Parish House, a tea room across the street from the church that is run by the pastors wife. Great time, and we will be looking forward to being regulars. Pictures next time.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great. My parents were here to help us celebrate our favorite holiday, and dinner was wonderful (thanks to the ladies). We were especially thankful this year because we have moved to the place we always wanted to move to. This blog and our expressions of some of our frustrations should not be confused. When the dishwasher that doesn’t work starts to leak all over the kitchen floor, even though the water is turned off, and toilets don’t work, and pumps don’t start, and new furnaces don’t work, lights quit working, and there is still junk everywhere, we get frustrated. We may even complain. But make no mistake, we are enjoying this adventure, and we continue to make progress. This place gets more livable and comfortable everyday (I would like the water to work though). We have our health, family and friends, and each other. We have dear friends and family that are struggling with far worse problems. We pray for those who are struggling with health problems or other problems and we thank God for the blessings we have received.



Thank God I’m a country boy!

Never a Dull Moment

You may recall that the washing machine caught fire. Not to mention that the washer and dryer didn’t fit where they have to go and we had to get rid of the cabinet (we didn’t want it anyway). Well, Brother Charles brought a replacement washer today (may he be blessed, and I’m sure he will be.) We went to put it in and we had to shut the valves. We completed that task and when we went to take the hoses off we discovered that one of the valves wouldn’t shut, and the water was running all over the place. I ran to the pump house and shut off water to the house. We cleaned up that mess and transferred the hoses to the new washer. Now one of the valve stems was leaking and we had to experiment to get the leakage to a minimum. Now we try out the washer. We quickly discovered that the red handled valve was NOT the hot water as expected. Thus we had to shut off water to the house again and trade connections. Mission accomplished. Try again to test the washer. OK for a short moment and then the drain line blew off the washer and we had water everywhere. We cleaned up the water and reattached the drain to the washer more carefully. All systems go! We’re doing the wash. After some coffee and excellent conversation with Annette and Charles, they left and Deborah went in to discover that the hose came out of the drainpipe and the mud room was flooded. Towels everywhere and I used the mop to soak up the water. As I’m finishing and hanging out all of the towels to dry in the yard, Deborah yells, “Ahhhh!” I yell back, “WHAT?!” She says “What do you think?” I wondered. Had the roof fallen in? Maybe the river overflowed. Oh, we don’t have a river. Had the dog eaten another door knob? Nope, it was a lizard in the kitchen. No doubt it slipped in while we were replacing the washer. So as I have said before, if it has water in it, it leaks. But now I can include the new problems of the invasion of all of the lizards in the world, and a neurotic dog that eats door knobs. We have to laugh to keep from crying.





I almost have the carport emptied except for the stuff that will be put in storage. Unfortunately, I still have not started putting stuff up in the attic and the pink room has gone from inaccessible to unapproachable. The living room is also collecting things that should go into the attic, not to mention the mattress and box spring that will eventually go on the bed that we don’t have yet and will go into the pink room. In the meantime Deborah is trying to make 4 curtains out of 3.



It was 34 degrees this morning. I need to call Rusty and get the new furnace put in. Those little space heaters are going to start to lose the heating battle. I have to make a trip to the dump because some critter has discovered my trash in the back of the excellent truck. The dishwasher is smelling worse than it was before and I will have to take it out real soon. We need a whole house water filter system because everything is getting rusty fast.

What happened today that was positive?

The spicy pear butter turned out even better than the winter pear butter .

We washed clothes.

The carport is getting cleared out.

We got a very lovely gift and card from our old neighbors and dear friends in the mail.

We met the mail lady.

Carolyn Hutto called to see how we were doing and if there was anything she could do for us. Carolyn is the lady that built this house and lived in it for pver 50 years.

The weather was beautiful after it warmed up.

Our dear daughter called with good news.

I saw Deborah walking around the house with the dog and she smiled.

My mother-in-law gave us a plaque yesterday that says it all. We need to focus on the mission. We need to know that things will continue to get better. Things are better. This is a friendly peaceful place. Things in the house can be fixed. We have done it before. We have the rest of our lives to make this our special place, our estate. So despite the lizards and leaks and dog neurosis, clutter, DMV, and fire ants, we will prevail. Home is where the heart is and our heart is in this place.

We BELIEVE in God. We BELIEVE in each other. We BELIEVE in family and friends.



It is a beautiful place. It just needs a little work.



Thank God I’m a Country Boy!

More Life in the South

Never a dull day in the South...

The continuing saga of the quest to get a South Carolina drivers license:

The first trip to get our South Carolina drivers license we were surprised to find out we needed a social security card and birth certificate. So on the next trip as we presented all of our identification, and the lady asked if we were married. With a "yes" response we discovered we needed a marriage license because the name on Deborah’s birth certificate would not match the name on her other identification. So today we made trip number 3 to the Orangeburg DMV. As we presented our Marriage License proudly (proud because we found it after 33 years), and the process continued, the lady asked if we had a bill that showed our current address ( to prove we both lived in South Carolina). I presented the gas bill. I was then told that only my name was on the bill and not Deborah’s. I explained that all of the bills are in my name. They asked if I had any mortgage papers. I explained that I didn’t have a mortgage, but I had a deed that showed both of our names. Nope, deeds aren’t on the list. They asked if I had a bank statement with both of our names on it. I said no, I just opened the account, but I had checks with both of our names and our new address. The lady said checks are not on the list. She said they could accept a letter from our bank, on their letter head, signed by the bank, that had both of our names and our new address on it. So we went to see Sara at the BB&T. We also discussed borrowing some money from Debbie. They are so sweet and Sara typed up the letter for us and told us how she was robbed recently…how awful. Back to the DMV. We got lost and it took over a half hour to find the DMV again. Now picture this…50 seats on the floor and nobody in them. No line either. So we walked up to the desk and the lady asked if we had already been there today, Of course by now Deborah had to restrain me. This event had all the makings of being news worthy…"Man Goes Postal in the DMV." Behind me someone walked in and shortly after a voice on the PA system announced that number B402 can be helped at counter 3. You have got to be kidding me. Well we finally got through all of their red tape, we got licenses and plates and registrations and new titles. The lady at the desk said as she held up my new drivers license, " Look at this picture, a man who is truly happy to be finished with the DMV." Suddenly I felt a sort of pride that I finally won the battle with the DMV…3 days, 4 trips, ¾ of a tank of gas, and a major blood pressure problem, and I finally had a drivers license and new plates. And check out these plates. I love the "In God We Trust."

Dixie is not adapting well:

Last weekend we left Dixie in the kennel to go to Charleston. She had escaped when we got home. That made me nervous. I don’t want to come home and find the family room eaten, and I don’t want her to get hurt trying to escape the kennel. So yesterday we left her out of the kennel. When we got home, Deborah asked if I had locked the door. I said that I had locked the door. But it was not locked. Could Dixie have unlocked the door? Today we got our answer. Deborah locked the deadbolt and the door lock when we left. When we got home we discovered this:



Dixie has always been able to let herself in and out of our sliding glass door, but never a door with a door knob. How could a dog be smart enough to know that the knob is the way to get out? And how could this "little precious" crush a door knob with her teeth? We had to go to see Sandi the insurance agent and to see the boys at Edisto Gas, and when we left we put her back in the kennel. This time I wired the kennel shut. When we got back, she had broken out again and almost finished off the door knob. So now what? Can you believe this little precious could do that?

What happened today that was positive?

I like the license plates.

The pump started turning itself on for no apparent reason. It will still need some attention.

We decided to relax by having dinner at La Fogattas, a little Mexican restaurant in Santee.

It was 68 degrees and sunny.

Dixie is OK.

Deborah got a movie for free at Blockbuster.

We got 4 pounds of green peanuts at the PIG. That will help make the weekend better.

We also got some ground ginger to make some spicy pear butter.

We will be in touch!

-- In God We Trust.

Life in the Country Part II

Dear Family,


Since I know you are sitting by the computer just waiting for the next exciting edition of "Life In the Country", I am happy to send this next edition.


Today we had to get a South Carolina drivers license. We had already tried to get a SC Drivers license, but we were told that we needed a current drivers license (which we had), and our Social Security card, and birth certificate. Seemed a little extreme, but we had no choice but to agree and make another trip back to Orangeburg. On arriving at the DMV today, the line was short, and the girl was in a coma, lacking the typical friendly southern attitude. She asked Deborah if we were married. Deborah replied in the affirmative, and the girl said that we must then provide our marriage license. I'm beginning to think they really don't want me to have a South Carolina drivers license. But we found the marriage license and we will go back tomorrow and I fear only to discover that we will have to undergo DNA testing, background check, and possibly a credit check. I really hate to see what this thing is going to cost, and I am wondering if it involves tattoos of any sort (JJ).


Annette offered for us to pick pears at the farm, and we did, and tonight I am making some pear butter. So far, it is really yummy!

I cleaned the pump house yesterday so that I could keep the lawn chair cushions and some flower pots in there. I must have accidentally bumped into the pump. It used to start up really slow, letting the water pressure run down to a dribble before it kicked on. Now I have to go out and kick the pump everytime I want the water to run. Except for getting a drivers license tomorrow, the pressure switch may take priority. I hope the neighbors can't see me everytime I go out in my underwear to kick the pump or let the dog out. (No pics on this one, thank you)

As the day winds down, after our struggle with the SC DMV, and numerous trips to kick the pump, and a brief trip to Wally World for a few necessities, like oil for our excellent truck, some wood filler to fill some of the holes the previous owner (moron) left me, and some jars for the excellent pear butter, I put some casual clothes on and decided to settle in for the night. I hoist this in honor of Mom. The natives are proud of their corn liquor. I told Red, the Htg & A/C guy, that I preder potato liquor. I'm not sure what was so funny about that, but he laughed until he fell down. Some of these Southern folk are strange. For example, the beer of choice is Bud Light. When I offer the Bubbas a Bass Ale, they say they don't want none of that crap. This one is for you Mom!

Have you seen the excellent Ford truck??

Cool, huh??

Goodnight!

Life in the Country Part I

Just thought you might like a glimpse of what life in the country is like.

Dixie has learned that she can see out of the window and keep tabs on the cows (neighbors). And now she pesters me to death because she constantly wants to go out when the cows are around.

Deborah found her tiara, and now she is Princess Deborah!

The lizards are taking over the world. There are only 4 in this close picture, but many others are near by. Deborah has tried everything to get rid of them. She has put egg shells on the window sills, put cotton balls on the doors, and she has surrounded the house with moth balls. The only thing that has worked at all is the sign on the back door that says "Lizards are not welcome," She has been Googling for lizard magic spells. Now she is considering lizard soup.

I have gotten organized to the point that I now can ride my big machine to get the mailbox. Life is good in the country.

It is 70 deg and sunny. I had a cigar for lunch, homemade bread for breakfast, and we are cooking out and drinking heavily for dinner. We need to get some jars for pear butter, There may be some pecans in the yard. We may gain access to the pink room this month.We might do some work this week. But we are trying to schedule a night camping trip on Lake Marion (7 miles away.) Dixie can come too.

Hope all is well. We'll be in touch!

--
In God We Trust.