Mortgage Monday: We Have Gas!

When my wife and I purchased our home we were well aware of the shortcomings of the heating and air conditioning. We also knew that the house ran on a combination of electricity and oil. We were reminded of this throughout the winter each time to boiler switched on and shoot the floor beneath our feet. Being that the house has an always on boiler providing not just the heat coursing through the baseboard elements but also supplying all of our hot water, we were well aware of the fact that it would be a massive undertaking to overhaul these essentials.

After conferring with family and confirming with a few other professionals, the decision was made to switch to propane gas. It was a bit of a shock to hear the total estimate for these projects but, knowing how much we spent on oil the previous year alone, it was clear that this would be a worthwhile investment and something that would solve a multitude of current and future problems. Besides, there was always an outside chance that the antiquated systems would fail sooner rather than later given their condition.

So, with these plans in our minds, I made the calls around to a variety of gas companies in the area, received quotes from them all, and decided on one that simply made the most sense. After a slight delay, they were finally able to make it to the house to install the tank. I actually forgot to mention the logistics of the project which entailed digging a giant hole and installing a sixteen foot, one thousand pound, propane tank… and running the underground gas line to the house. Seems pretty straightforward until you factor in the kind of soil that they had to deal with today.

I warned the sales person who did the estimate a couple of weeks ago that there wasn’t much top soil but it seems as though the message may not have been passed along. About twelve to eighteen inches down and the crew got a nasty surprise… bedrock. Needless to say it was an all-day project but they got it done and they seemed to take a few extra steps to make sure that everything was done right. Even the owner of Great Valley Propane took the time to review everything and discuss what had been done and what he was seeing with my wife. And now I can say with a completely straight face… we have gas!

Mortgage Monday: Revising The Project List

My wife and I have continuously kept an informal project list of things that we would like to have done at the house. As I have written about before, some things are more pressing than others with the majority of these tasks being things that we want to do rather than things that need to be done. However, in the end, they are all projects that will transform this already wonderful home into a perfect one.  

Of course, we have to work within our budget so some things have been shifted around according to our finances. This has also impacted the overall timeline of the work we would like to get done at the house. That being said, as we have priced out some of the items on our list there have also been things shifted up or down accordingly. Lately, those prices that we have seen have allowed us to move things up in our timeline.

To review, here are the things that we have known for some time and which we had planned to address over the next few years:

• Installing office door
• Flooring (hardwood or laminate?)
• Minor electrical work (fixing existing issues)
• HVAC overhaul
• Replacing boiler with hot water tank
• Installing steel duct work
• Installing two HVAC units
• Installing underground tank for gas
• Side Deck
• Front Porch
• Repair / replace retaining wall
• Tree removal
• Installing chimney cap
• Repointing masonry
• Garage Door replacement
• Re-grading around the house

That was the basic list that we came up with shortly after we moved in and it remained relatively unchanged for a few months. Over time, we added a few more items:

Interior painting

• Replacing kitchen and bathroom hardware
• Replacing appliances starting with the washer and dryer
• Converting fireplace to gas
• Expanding bonus room upstairs and finishing

Now, the list has grown to include a few new items and some clarifications on the aforementioned ones as well. With the existing things that we knew from the beginning, previous additions, and a batch of new items, this new roster of projects now consists of the following:

• Installing French doors to my office
• Installing hardwood floors throughout
• Minor electrical work (fixing existing issues)
• HVAC overhaul
• Replacing boiler with hot water tank
• Installing steel duct work
• Installing two HVAC units
• Installing underground tank for gas
• Converting fireplace to gas
• Install gas or solar generator
• Installing composite side deck and front porch
• Repair / replace retaining wall
• Tree removal around property
• Installing chimney cap
• Re-pointing the patio
• Garage Door replacement
• Re-grading around the house
• Interior painting
• Replacing kitchen and bathroom hardware
• Replacing appliances starting with the washer and dryer
• Redirecting dryer vent
• Replacing refrigerator
• Expanding bonus room upstairs and finishing
• Replacing front, side, and patio doors
• Lighting fixtures in all bedrooms
• Replacing toilets
• Resealing basement walls
• Re-configuring landscaping (removal of flower beds)
• Replacing / adding outdoor lighting
• Replacing doors to garage with fire rated doors
• Replacing gutter guards
• Replacing blinds
• Installing new window treatments
• Replacing windows

What started as a relatively small collection of projects has grown rapidly into a long list of things that we would like to have done to the house. And while there are many more project than before, we are still hoping to get the majority of these things completed by the end of next summer. Some things will be quick while others will take weeks and some are things that we will get done eventually like replacing the windows. So, beginning this summer, things are going to be quite busy around the house but, slowly and while sticking to a specific budget, we will transform our home into one that we have only dreamed about in the past.   

Moving Day Recovery

As soon as we got out of bed yesterday the long and hectic day started. We had a lot of appointments scheduled and, needless to say, a lot of work ahead of us. Yesterday was moving day and that was not the only task that needed to be accomplished… we also had an ADT consultation in the morning, Raymour & Flanigan delivering furniture by noon, and the cable company coming out to the house to get our phone, internet, and cable up and running by the end of the day. While I was taking care of those tasks, my wife was at work, our son was at daycare, and my parents were supervising the sluggish movers.

With all of these things set to a certain schedule, my wife and I got up a little earlier than usual, got our son ready for ‘school’ and were about to head out the door when my parents arrived. Actually, while my wife was changing, feeding, and generally getting our son ready, I was busy finishing up the remaining packing around the house and making sure that every box we purchased was being used. By the time I stopped to take a breath we must have had over 100 boxes stacked in the various rooms all labeled with their new locations at our home.

By the time I finished putting things aside, closing off all the rooms that the movers didn’t need to address, and coordinating the day with my parents I was already behind schedule and ADT was calling just as I was about to get in the car and head over to the house. Fortunately, the woman with whom I was working was very understanding of the situation and had the patience to wait for me until I arrived about 15 minutes after our originally agreed upon appointment time. Just before we completed the walk through of the house for the quote, the furniture arrived and we officially began the transformation from house to home.

ADT left shortly thereafter and, just like it was planned, the cable company arrived and began work immediately. Thankfully, I remembered to bring a television, my laptop, and a phone with me that morning to test. By mid afternoon, all the furniture was in place, the cable, internet, and phone were up and running, and I already had the quote from ADT in hand. All that was left was waiting for the lackadaisical movers to arrive.

Needless to say, we were not happy with how long it took the moving company to get things done. While I did get them to move a bit faster upon arrival it still took them until 8:30 to get things done, close up the truck, and leave all of their trash behind (I will be checking for damage over the next few days). Today was largely spend cleaning up after them and moving many of the clearly labeled boxes into the correct rooms. But, the important thing, regardless of the issues that we encountered, is the fact that we are now home! Let the recovery begin.

Long Day Off

Today was the first full day off I have taken from work using my personal time. It was not a day to sit around and do nothing, it was a very busy day spent in Philadelphia at the Annual Communication. While I was able to sleep in an extra hour and didn’t leave the apartment until nine, I was out all day and didn’t get back until about 10:30 this evening. It was a long, but enjoyable, day off.

The morning began with my wife dropping me off at the Philadelphia Marriott. Within a few minutes of arriving I was talking with brothers whom I had never met before but seemed like we had known our entire lives. While I chatted and waited for other brothers from my lodge to arrive, I was approached by a man interested in Masonry. It was interesting that he chose to stop and talk to me out of the dozens of Masons in the lobby but I happily answered all the questions he had for me and offered as much guidance as I could.  

With everyone having arrived (and on time), we took the elevator up to the fifth floor and took our seats toward the back of the room to witness the departing of the Right Worshipful Grand Master Jay W. Smith and the beginning of the tenure of Brother Robert J. Bateman as the new Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania. While the meeting was long, approximately 3 ½ hours, I am glad that I took the time off and attended as it demonstrated the greatness that men can achieve through Masonry as well as the hope we all have for the future of our fraternity and the desire to see it continue to make not just good men better but families stronger as well.

After a late lunch, it was time for a little break from the action. I took advantage of this time by heading over a few blocks to the grand lodge and checking for a few masonic records that I have been unable to find. Having completed a few successful searches, it was time to walk back over to the hotel and continue meeting brothers from all over the commonwealth. Many conversations later and we all eventually made our way up to the reception where I was able to finally circle up with many of the brothers I have gotten to know already but only see at larger events and at meetings of Masonic bodies.

From the social reception we made our way to the dining room which contained row after row of tables containing nearly 2000 people (Masons, friends, and family). While the entertainment for the evening, which delayed dinner, was not a group that I particularly enjoyed, it was still nice to be able to sit at meal that felt more like a family atmosphere and enjoy the company and fellowship. What started as a day talking to new people and seeing new faces was now coming to an end with a table full of brothers from my lodge… the family within the brotherhood. Not a bad way to spend the day off.

It’s Official

As I knelt before the word of G-d and was administer the Oath of Secretary of my lodge I couldn’t help but look back and think about all that has changed over the past year and a half. The same man that was administering the oath was the mason I met in the summer of 2012 to start the process of becoming a brother. Not knowing anyone from the lodge, he was the first one I met, petition in hand with a secondary signer (my uncle) already filled in. He was the first person at the lodge I got to know and now he was escorting me to my new station.

Also in attendance was the man who served as my second line signer, who accompanied me through my first three degrees, and who was now witnessing my next step by becoming an officer in the lodge that has quickly become a passionate part of my life. My uncle supported my journey from the first time I discussed my desire to join the fraternity and continues to support my growth in the craft. Having him there as a representative of my family made the night even more special and I appreciate everything he has, unknowingly, done for me.

Being the first one of the night to take the oath of office I was able to sit back and witness the remaining transitions. Obviously, this was my first experience watching let alone participating in the installation of officers and it was interesting to see the humbled pride that men have when being granted with such an honor. We all know that each of our posts will require a lot of work but there is great satisfaction in the work that we do and there is a brotherly love that is magnified when the entire lodge supports your appointment.

Of course, with a new administration comes new goals, new objectives, as well as a desire to improve upon the lodge and leave a positive impression on our fellow brothers and the craft itself. Now is the time to be a motivated idealist. The challenge is to maintain that drive to keep moving things forward no matter how slow the progress may be. It is a period of transition and a time of learning for all of us. It is our job to serve our brothers and to enhance their masonic experience. While not an original idea that is my objective throughout my service to my lodge, my fellow brothers, and to freemasonry. Tonight was the first small step in accomplishing that goal.