Mortgage Monday: Time To Keep It Simple

With all of the work being done on the house lately things have been rather complicated. So far, nothing has been as simple as it should be. Everything on our project list has had a few subsections added to it with the floors and the exterior doors being prime examples of this ongoing process. However, in the end, many of these things, all of these complications, are going to give us what we have been picturing in our minds as our ideal home. Further, many of the things that have been uncovered and a couple of the future projects have and will remove some of the complicated aspects of our home.

The best examples of this are the HVAC overhaul currently underway and the electrical overhaul that we have on the schedule. The old oil and electric system required a heck of a lot of copper pipe running across the basement and up the walls to supply the baseboard heating. The air conditioning, being an afterthought of the original homeowners, was something that was put in as inexpensively as possible leaving us with duct work running through bedroom closets and really not being very efficient. The boiler, oil tank, and all of the copper pipes are now gone, the duct work has been overhauled, and we have now simplified the two zone (the heating was originally on four zones) system running forced air for both heating and cooling.

This project is nearing completion but the electrical work has yet to be started. While a few steps have been taken to simplify this (i.e. old whole house fan has been removed) there is still a lot of work to be done with new matching fixtures being installed and a lot, and I mean a lot, of outlets and switches that are going to be removed (with a few simply being moved). This will eliminate the need for a lot of the wiring that is running throughout the house and will put things (or leave things) in place that actually make sense (i.e. I don’t need three separate switches for the kitchen lights).

It is definitely a process but, as I said before, it will simplify some of the basic aspects of our house. After all, I don’t like having excess pipes and wires running through the walls when they don’t need to be there. After that it should be much easier to maintain. So, we will have to deal with a little more complication before we can reach a point of simplicity. Well, at least until the next round of renovations and projects.

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!

Caution: Road Work Ahead

See, not all roadwork goes on for miles!

While yesterday we went on a short trip, today we did even less. At least less outside of the apartment. Today was not just a day of staying still but catching up as well. Today was a day, still going on actually, that I had to stay in the apartment, at the computer, and get a few things done for the short week that starts tomorrow. I know, this really is a repetitive thought that can be found in numerous posts especially lately. Oh well, sometimes that is the reality in which we live and work. Life isn’t always, and shouldn’t always be, on cruise control. The stop and go traffic is certainly annoying but it never lasts. Soon enough the roads will open up and you will once again be making progress.

One of the things, along many other that I have learned over the last few years is that sometimes, just as you are about to turn the corner you realize it is a one way street. At that point you just have to keep pushing forward for another block or two before you are finally able to turn in the right direction. Sometimes you have to turn around and find another way. Other times, you are able to make the turn but that doesn’t mean that it will be an easier, less bumpy, or faster way to go then if you continued straight.

The best thing to do sometimes is to just make sure you have enough gas, check the condition of your car, and just drive. That is what life is all about. It is about doing your best to try and find the best route while still keeping things interesting every once in a while. Sometimes you get on the highway and set the cruise control, other times you get on the back roads and slalom across the landscape. You may get lost every now and again, you may even find yourself going down some difficult roads, but if you just keep the GPS handy and go in the right direction, things will work out in the end.

Don’t let the road, the neighborhood, and the other cars on the road keep you from moving forward. Know when to be aggressive, know when to be considerate, and help others who may be lost or stranded. Don’t let work take you in unpaved circles and don’t let pessimism ruin your transmission. Keep your eyes open for signs, your foot on the gas, and trust those in your life to keep you awake at the wheel. This is not a journey that should be a solo endeavor. It is an opportunity to embrace experiences both planned and unplanned with those that you have in your life. If you pay attention and keep yourself open to life it can be a life that will leave you with satisfaction and peace when you arrive at your final destination.