Float mouse on pics for description...

Floor Surprise...

Can you guess what this picture is?


and a good surprise this time! We have been getting up at 5 a.m. (probably because we fall asleep at 8 p.m. every night!) and yesterday decided to see what was under the laminate floors in the dining room and living room. Surprise! indoor/outdoor carpeting then nice hardwood ...actually two surprises - there are only 2 floorings rather than the anticipated multiples!
The front hall and living room however are the wide plank floors, the same as the ones found in the upstairs rooms. Still nice and once sanded & finished, should look great.
That project took until noon, at which time Bill(ie) the bush and tree removal guy dropped in to take out a few trees that the NB hydro requested in order to put a pole closer to the house. Very scientific request...the new pole must be 25 paces from the meter...now how do you measure that?! My paces? his? my grandson's? He determined that the pole needs to be placed right where 4 large poplar trees stand...fortunately they are poplars (hate 'em) and there are too many out front anyway.
We also cut out the old scraggly cedars that grew directly in front, so now more sunlight is allowed in the tiny windows.
Just as Bill(ie) finished that job, Lynn the realtor, pulled up and invited us to go with her on a tour of Fundy Park. I have seen the pictures on the web and Google Earth, but they don't do it justice, nor do the pictures here on the blog...incredible vistas! The park is HUGE and there is a bridge being built this summer for car traffic that will eventually allow for travel through the park from St Martins to Alma (again, our thanks to the "have provinces", your tax dollars are appreciated!). Currently it ends at the Big Salmon River (11 km in), which to me at least, isn't much of a river, but Lynn said that is because the tide is out. (They also tell me this is coldest spring anyone can remember...which is what they said about the winter, the black flies and the winds!)
At any rate, we bought a seasons pass ($35.00) as there are walking trails and look outs and picinic areas throughout the park. It is a world heritage park and I think one of the Canada's great unknown beauties.
By the time we got home, we were both toooo tired to cook supper, so off to the village restaurant for a bite...and there was Lynn with hubby Garry and 2 women introduced to us as the museum curator and genealogy expert for St Martins...and surprise! our house was built in 1877 and they used shipbuilding methods - something called ship's knees: apparently upside down tree roots that look like knees for the corners (gotta feeling this is another "yarn" I'm being fed) and something and tennon? for the foundation.

Huh!...here's a picture of a ship's knee from the internet...and it is indeed a root! go figure!
So, now knowing the age of the old girl and given that the latests residents at least, did very little to keep her healthy, it should come as little surprise that so much needs to be done to breathe new life back into her!
But it does beg the question: what else is buried back in the ravine "dump"?!

and what is the first picture in this post? Every space between the planks was stuffed with lengths of old coveralls and then caulked over (the picture shows the pile collected). The planks are only painted on the perimeter - what was showing around the edge of a carpet. Recycling and consumer conservation at its best!

The Banker's Nightmare Continues...

Funny how an old banker never losses his fear of writing cheques! Yesterday was the eco-energy visit where they come and do an audit/assessment of how much energy is being kept in or going out of the house. This is a government subsidized program (thanks to all our "have provinces" for contributions to the plan) where, if you upgrade insulation/windows/energy efficient heating etc, the 2 governments will grant you some funds back after work is completed. So, needless to say our house failed miserably and the list is forth coming. Off the "top of his head" he suggested: a) 15 inches of insulation in the attic (there is currently 1 inch), b) insulation blown into the walls (there is currently none), c) insulation in a number of places in the foundation, d) fixing the multiple broken widows (duh!), glazing and sealing windows...and well, I'm sure you all get the picture of the length of this list!
Then came the Irving boys back to assess our heating needs. We asked their opinion on electric heat v.s. oil as that is the route the Ontario government is encouraging home owners to go. Funny enough says they...the NB government is encouraging the opposite - convert from electric to oil...did I mention that Irving is the patron saint of NB? But, because there are no vents from furnace to the 2nd floor, they did concede to having electric on the 2nd floor, oil on the first floor and in future we will install a woodstove to supplement the first floor. We figure that covers most bases as to varying heating costs! They'll get back to us with a quote.
Then, later, while enjoying a glass of wine on our back "deck" (it was actually a warm spot in the day) our neighbour, Dougie Dean (everyone has an ie on the end of their name regardless of age!) dropped in to assess our roofing needs. Yep, gonna need a new one...2 layers of shingles to remove first and looks like some rotten trusses, not to mention the probability of needing all new sheathing. And dormers? Naw...too much money so now skylights are being considered. He's getting back to us with a quote...and oh yeah...we'll need another dumpster for the shingles and anything else that may be ripped off!
Back to the wine, and a list of the potential costs - before even considering what will happen INSIDE the house! The banker now wants to go for supper - something to soothe his nightmare!
So over to the caves for a bite to eat...and as soon as we drive through the covered bridge, round the corner of the harbour and the high tide and sea caves come into view...the stress of the day dissipates and we're happy to be just where we are!
(Click on the picture for a mini video of the Bay of Fundy!)

More "Good" News....

Monday was a day of phone calls, tracking down trades (like ghosts that float about, with imaginary cell numbers) and some visits & inspections...but still waiting on the structural engineer as all work will stem from his recommendations.
An Irving company (patron saint of NB) guy came to clean the furnace and hot water heater and check the integrity of the oil tank - surprise! we need a new furnace, hot water heater AND oil tank! The good news there is there was no charge for his visit.
The plumber also came by as there is no venting for the drains/toilet...more good news - he can fix all that, but we also need a pump to increase the water pressure and a number of lines & valves replaced.
Then another contractor dropped in after supper to look at the centre beam in the basement and it has been determined that the old posts were raised up a tad too much which accounts for the main floors slopping away from the centre line, the stairs taking on a slant and the doorways having a slight tilt to them (great home to walk around in if inebriated!) But good news! that too can be remedied with some cement footings in the basement, telescopic jacks and a turn here and there every few weeks.
Will the good news ever end?!
I went out to cut the grass to ease the stress as there isn't enough scotch in this province to bring on a "good news" haze! Jim set about digging out the garbage "dump" on the back of the property so the pile of debris for the future dumpster/dump truck is growing.
The weather is typical coastal - cool, some clouds and windy and that brings me to the last of the good news - it tends to hold the swarms of black flies at bay, as everyone seems to think it is a bumper crop this year.
But on a final note, our hopes are high to revive the cutiest little Cape Cod cottage in St Martins, which, even the trades have commented on as being a pretty property.
Deb & Tom - the crow bar and sledge hammer have been a great asset, but the advice on dealing with a garage leaning left ("push it right") didn't work!...and Nancy & Steve - wonderful bottle of scotch! and to everyone that sent us off with wine...it's next!

Three Days in....

and the work is underway! The vendor left behind enough junk and garbage to fill a few dumpsters, add the old carpeting and various debris scattered over the "lawns" and field and we have already got our task at hand to contribute to landfills (sorry...but it's not mine and of no recyclable value!) As well, the lovely bush down to the trout stream has been used as a dumping ground for countless years...anyone need a 1930ish truck cab? But there have also been pleasant surprises: the upstairs ceilings are higher than we remembered, the rooms are bigger and the basement is more sound, though it is still a dirt floor! I'm encouraged, as I can see its future potential and the back field is an empty canvas to develop as a massive garden!...and speaking of garden...
We went into Saint John today (Sunday) to check in on Jim's mom and pick up a wheelbarrow and assorted outdoor tools...nothing is open until noon...if at all! Another area to accustom ourselves to...this is not a 24/7 city like TO!
And other things work to a slower and more erratic schedule...the trades, the services, the traffic!...I'm estimating a month before we get all services in place and the trades started...but then it IS a retirement project after all!
Next update?...when something has moved forward!
p.s....sorry about the "sideways" pics...can't find a tool to rotate them...and note that a wide angle lens was used...the rooms are not as expansive as they look!

Check out my Slide Show!

New Address....

Here's where we are:
2643 Route 111
St Matrins NB, E5R 1Z7
506 833 2296
(email is the same)
And if you come for a visit...choose your weapon !

Party Pics

Parteeee!....

A great success, not only the party but the fond farewell from everyone. Your kind words, cards and gifts only confirmed what I always knew...that Ipperwash is a tight community and good friends are a wonderful support system! I appreciate all your heartfelt wishes and hope we will meet sometime in the east?!
Above are the first installment of pictures....there are more out there...just not arrived as yet!