Nothing new there, it's snowing again. We're supposed to get 6 to 8 inches. It just means that I get up and clear snow off my drive instead of going to workout. Oh well.
I've been busy this week. I spoke with a financial advisor about rolling over my 401(k) stock investments into a safer IRA. I am particularly interested in socially responsible investments. My investment strategy is kind of conservative. I don't feel I need to make a lot of money, I just do not want to be losing as much as I have in the past 6 months.
I will be refinancing my home in Vermont, now that I have sold the place in Maryland. I will be lowering my interest rate 1.5 percent to 5 percent. I think that is pretty good.
I visited the School for International Training to check out what courses I would like to take. I think I will start with the certificate program on conflict transformation and possibly continue in the master's program on intercultural service, leadership, and management.
I also visited the Brattleboro Clay Works, a local pottery co-op. I think it would be better for me to join this group than to try to make pots on my own. It will be less expensive ($80 per month) to belong than to build my own studio (at least $15,000 to renovate the workshop/barn). It will be good to have company, to be inspired by others.
I will be meeting with a couple of architects tomorrow to discuss improvements to my house and property. I want to have new roofs on all 3 structures, plus new wood floors in the house, a screen porch to replace the deck, and have all the walls painted. I want to know if the windows are double paned and I would like to have new toilets (ones that are taller so that older people can use them comfortably) and have a few things repaired.
So, all is well.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Been Busy
I'm getting better at building fires in my woodstove, I just needed to read The Woodburner's Companion and practice.
But the ice in my gutters still confounds me. I was out on my deck yesterday afternoon chopping away at the ice, got a great upper body workout, got soaking wet, had to take off my glasses so they wouldn't get smashed by flying ice chunks, and had to wear my bike helmet to protect my head from same.
I think I'll try drilling the ice at strategic points and then chopping again. After all, if the people who ice fish can drill the ice, why shouldn't I try it? It might work, at least I'll get more ice out of the gutters, but I don't know what to do about the ice inside the eaves, which is melting and dripping down the wall in my living room. So, I've put big plastic bins up against the wall, to catch the dripping water.
I've been checking out my neighbors' houses, to see what they do about ice dams. It looks to me that the most successful prevention strategy is to have a standing seam metal roof. So, when I meet with the architect, I'm going to ask about having standing seam metal roofs installed on all 3 structures. I've heard it's expensive, but worth it in the long, long run.
My brother and his family are coming for a visit today. So, in addition to chopping ice in my gutters, I tidied up the place, vacuumed all the floors, lugged wood inside and downstairs, etc. The place feels good, like a home, at last.
Of course, I still have lots to do, but all the junk is no longer in my way. So, I have started doing some encaustic painting. Did 4 paintings and like 2. I'm thinking of cutting up the other 2 and repositioning the pieces into collages, maybe combining them with other things. But I am pleased to be creating again.
But the ice in my gutters still confounds me. I was out on my deck yesterday afternoon chopping away at the ice, got a great upper body workout, got soaking wet, had to take off my glasses so they wouldn't get smashed by flying ice chunks, and had to wear my bike helmet to protect my head from same.
I think I'll try drilling the ice at strategic points and then chopping again. After all, if the people who ice fish can drill the ice, why shouldn't I try it? It might work, at least I'll get more ice out of the gutters, but I don't know what to do about the ice inside the eaves, which is melting and dripping down the wall in my living room. So, I've put big plastic bins up against the wall, to catch the dripping water.
I've been checking out my neighbors' houses, to see what they do about ice dams. It looks to me that the most successful prevention strategy is to have a standing seam metal roof. So, when I meet with the architect, I'm going to ask about having standing seam metal roofs installed on all 3 structures. I've heard it's expensive, but worth it in the long, long run.
My brother and his family are coming for a visit today. So, in addition to chopping ice in my gutters, I tidied up the place, vacuumed all the floors, lugged wood inside and downstairs, etc. The place feels good, like a home, at last.
Of course, I still have lots to do, but all the junk is no longer in my way. So, I have started doing some encaustic painting. Did 4 paintings and like 2. I'm thinking of cutting up the other 2 and repositioning the pieces into collages, maybe combining them with other things. But I am pleased to be creating again.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kindling and ice dams
Well, I admit it, life in southern Vermont involves a lot more physical work than working and living in the DC area.
Before, I was a bureaucrat, I worked in an office. Before, I lived in a townhouse, I didn't have many concerns about my home.
Now, I live in a single-family home, with Lily, my calico cat; a hungry woodstove; and a gutter full of ice, also known as an ice dam.
The woodstove and I are becoming good friends. I am getting better at feeding it, though I still don't know how to damp it down at night so it still has embers in the morning. Embers in the morning are good, they would make firing up the stove a lot easier every day. But I am learning. I am getting closer. And I have realized I need more kindling, so, where do I get more kindling? I had been thinking I would call the woodstove store and ask where I could buy some, but decided I could do better than that. So, I bought a good ax and have been chopping up bigger pieces of wood, making little pieces of wood. Homemade kindling!
As for ice dams, they suck. I now know what I should have done each time it snowed. I should have gone out on my deck and raked the snow off the roof and I should not have let the ice accumulate in the gutters because when ice collects in gutters, it also collects under the eaves and any snow that melts under the eaves cannot run off, so where does the water go? Inside, down the wall. So, I've got buckets lined about along the wall, collecting cold, dirty water that drips off the rafters.
That's a good solution for this winter, but not for the longterm. I'm going to get a new roof put on, I'm thinking I will have standing seam metal roofs for all 3 structures. This will be a major expense, but, in the long run, it will be worth it.
So, not only have these few weeks of winter been good for getting things accomplished, like the unpacking and sorting I have done, they have been good for learning what needs to be done to make this place more comfortable, more livable.
Before, I was a bureaucrat, I worked in an office. Before, I lived in a townhouse, I didn't have many concerns about my home.
Now, I live in a single-family home, with Lily, my calico cat; a hungry woodstove; and a gutter full of ice, also known as an ice dam.
The woodstove and I are becoming good friends. I am getting better at feeding it, though I still don't know how to damp it down at night so it still has embers in the morning. Embers in the morning are good, they would make firing up the stove a lot easier every day. But I am learning. I am getting closer. And I have realized I need more kindling, so, where do I get more kindling? I had been thinking I would call the woodstove store and ask where I could buy some, but decided I could do better than that. So, I bought a good ax and have been chopping up bigger pieces of wood, making little pieces of wood. Homemade kindling!
As for ice dams, they suck. I now know what I should have done each time it snowed. I should have gone out on my deck and raked the snow off the roof and I should not have let the ice accumulate in the gutters because when ice collects in gutters, it also collects under the eaves and any snow that melts under the eaves cannot run off, so where does the water go? Inside, down the wall. So, I've got buckets lined about along the wall, collecting cold, dirty water that drips off the rafters.
That's a good solution for this winter, but not for the longterm. I'm going to get a new roof put on, I'm thinking I will have standing seam metal roofs for all 3 structures. This will be a major expense, but, in the long run, it will be worth it.
So, not only have these few weeks of winter been good for getting things accomplished, like the unpacking and sorting I have done, they have been good for learning what needs to be done to make this place more comfortable, more livable.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Loving life
Yeah, you bet I love life, retirement is great.
I knew January and February would be kind of slow months, I knew I would not get out much. I viewed them as fallow months, but busy just the same. I planned on unpacking and going through all the boxes of my stuff from my parents' house and I did it! All done, all organized, now I know where things are. All the photos from our family, about 100 years' worth, are in one place; I've gone through all my books and notebooks and have chosen which I will keep, which I will try to sell or toss. I've gone through lots and lots of pots I made years ago and decided which I will keep, which I will smash. I've gone through my clothes and have decided which I will wear and which I will consign or donate.
Oh, I still have plenty of projects, but this first layer is gone and it was a big impediment. Now I can breathe, now I am free.
And I have begun to meet people. I've been to Meeting twice, I have a new dentist, I have joined the Brattleboro Food Co-op as a working shareholder, which means I have to work 2 hours a month to get a 10% discount. I help by bagging groceries and I meet lots of neat people.
I've been spending lots less money. I only shop at the Co-op. And I have learned to plan ahead mostly according to what the weather forecast is for the week.
I am learning to work my woodstove, fire is a harsh teacher, like clay. And, now that I have gotten through my unpacking challenge, I feel I have time to devote to clay. The unpacking had to come first, before everything.
So, you see, all is well with me. I still have to learn how to upload photos, but maybe I'll get David to help with that.
I knew January and February would be kind of slow months, I knew I would not get out much. I viewed them as fallow months, but busy just the same. I planned on unpacking and going through all the boxes of my stuff from my parents' house and I did it! All done, all organized, now I know where things are. All the photos from our family, about 100 years' worth, are in one place; I've gone through all my books and notebooks and have chosen which I will keep, which I will try to sell or toss. I've gone through lots and lots of pots I made years ago and decided which I will keep, which I will smash. I've gone through my clothes and have decided which I will wear and which I will consign or donate.
Oh, I still have plenty of projects, but this first layer is gone and it was a big impediment. Now I can breathe, now I am free.
And I have begun to meet people. I've been to Meeting twice, I have a new dentist, I have joined the Brattleboro Food Co-op as a working shareholder, which means I have to work 2 hours a month to get a 10% discount. I help by bagging groceries and I meet lots of neat people.
I've been spending lots less money. I only shop at the Co-op. And I have learned to plan ahead mostly according to what the weather forecast is for the week.
I am learning to work my woodstove, fire is a harsh teacher, like clay. And, now that I have gotten through my unpacking challenge, I feel I have time to devote to clay. The unpacking had to come first, before everything.
So, you see, all is well with me. I still have to learn how to upload photos, but maybe I'll get David to help with that.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
It's been a while, sorry
Well guess what, it's snowing, coming down hard. But I am snug as can be in my hillside home in southeastern Vermont.
I was down in Pennsylvania for the weekend and then in Washington, DC on Monday. I had lunch with Rafael and then stopped over to visit with my former colleagues at NEA and got grief for not keeping up with my blog and my Facebook page. So, mea culpa, my friends, mea culpa. I will try to do better in the future.
I was going to go out and take some photos of the snow that has piled up around my house, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Today, I am going to take it easy, do laundry, and read by the fire.
By the way, just to rub it in, I love retirement. :)
I was down in Pennsylvania for the weekend and then in Washington, DC on Monday. I had lunch with Rafael and then stopped over to visit with my former colleagues at NEA and got grief for not keeping up with my blog and my Facebook page. So, mea culpa, my friends, mea culpa. I will try to do better in the future.
I was going to go out and take some photos of the snow that has piled up around my house, but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Today, I am going to take it easy, do laundry, and read by the fire.
By the way, just to rub it in, I love retirement. :)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Time expands
One thing I have noticed in retirement--time expands and is fluid.
I used to adhere to a fairly rigid daily timetable but I don't have to anymore. I used to have a "To Do" list that said what day I would do what on, but not anymore. And it does not matter either. Incredible. I love the freedom.
I used to adhere to a fairly rigid daily timetable but I don't have to anymore. I used to have a "To Do" list that said what day I would do what on, but not anymore. And it does not matter either. Incredible. I love the freedom.
I'm back
Happy New Year.
I am back. I have been incredibly busy moving--I made 2 round trips from Maryland with the rest of my stuff. I had no idea how much I have. But, as Audrey has pointed out, I don't just have my stuff, I have stuff that belongs to her, to David, to my mother and father, and to my brother. That is stuff from 6 people. Yikes! But, I am slowly getting it all organized and the process feels like an onion, with many layers.
The trips up were mostly uneventful. Audrey and Santiago were unbelieveably helpful packing the big 17 foot truck. Audrey kept saying, "Don't worry, Mom. I have a plan." And they kept shooing me away so they could concentrate on getting the monster packed. When we got up here, they unpacked fast and efficiently. They were miracule workers.
Then, we had the fun of putting things away. Santiago put together some of the big pieces of furniture, such as the trundle bed and David's platform bed, which is officially in storage here, but I am using it anyhow.
Audrey and I would discuss placement of things and, before I knew it, changes would be made!
After Christmas, I made a trek down to Maryland to get the rest of my stuff and my friend Lynn came back with me. We got everything and then had several days to recuperate. We had fun just reading and chilling and she went home January 3. She promises to return when it isn't so cold, maybe after mud season or in the fall.
I've spent most of this week hunkering down. It has snowed a couple of times but I did get out to the Brattleboro Food Co-op and to the fitness center to work out, as if shovelling snow and moving boxes around aren't working out (silly me). The chimney sweep came on Tuesday to clean my wood stove and teach me how to use it.
And I decided I have neglected my blog long enough.
I am back. I have been incredibly busy moving--I made 2 round trips from Maryland with the rest of my stuff. I had no idea how much I have. But, as Audrey has pointed out, I don't just have my stuff, I have stuff that belongs to her, to David, to my mother and father, and to my brother. That is stuff from 6 people. Yikes! But, I am slowly getting it all organized and the process feels like an onion, with many layers.
The trips up were mostly uneventful. Audrey and Santiago were unbelieveably helpful packing the big 17 foot truck. Audrey kept saying, "Don't worry, Mom. I have a plan." And they kept shooing me away so they could concentrate on getting the monster packed. When we got up here, they unpacked fast and efficiently. They were miracule workers.
Then, we had the fun of putting things away. Santiago put together some of the big pieces of furniture, such as the trundle bed and David's platform bed, which is officially in storage here, but I am using it anyhow.
Audrey and I would discuss placement of things and, before I knew it, changes would be made!
After Christmas, I made a trek down to Maryland to get the rest of my stuff and my friend Lynn came back with me. We got everything and then had several days to recuperate. We had fun just reading and chilling and she went home January 3. She promises to return when it isn't so cold, maybe after mud season or in the fall.
I've spent most of this week hunkering down. It has snowed a couple of times but I did get out to the Brattleboro Food Co-op and to the fitness center to work out, as if shovelling snow and moving boxes around aren't working out (silly me). The chimney sweep came on Tuesday to clean my wood stove and teach me how to use it.
And I decided I have neglected my blog long enough.
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