Yes We Have No Insulation

I will admit it, I'm a bit slow at times.  It took Lucy wearing Teds' hat to get her point across.  Okay, we live in a 160 year old farmhouse with little to no insulation in MAINE. It gets cold here and the cost of propane is steadily rising with no help in sight.  We did use fuel oil but the furnace just couldn't even help warm the house.  We heat mostly with wood from the farm.  Still, the temperature in the house rarely gets above 68.  When the outside temp drops below 0 we can wake up to temps in the 50's.  Brrrrrrrr..... Even in my granny gown that is cold.  I was watching a commercial from Efficiency Maine about a loan available of up to $15,000 with a rate of 4.99% and a term of up to 15 years for repayment. 

A Maine PACE loan is a loan taken by a property owner to finance the cost of making a qualified whole house energy upgrade with eligible energy savings improvements to their property. What makes a Maine PACE loan different from other loans is that it stays with the property. If a homeowner sells his or her home before the loan is paid off, the loan can either be paid off at the time of sale or can be transferred with the property to become the responsibility of the new owner.- taken from their website.

I didn't see how this could be a bad thing.  I filled out the online application and they called me the next day with an approval. The second step was an Energy Audit.  I chose a company that had an excellent record and references from the provided list.  Penobscot Home Performance came out and  this is what they did. They used a thermal gun which showed that we had NO insulation in most of the house.  Then they hooked up this reverse fan in the door to detect that we live in a SIEVE! No joke. There was more air going through windows and cracks that we didn't know were even there. 

It looked like everything was a go.  Well hold your horses there. Nothing and I mean nothing in my life works that easy.  Our little town of Bradford was not on the list of participating municipalities.  In small town politics talk that means that I had to present the program at a town meeting to our selectmen.  Then they had to vote to put the ordinance before the town in a special meeting.  Oh woe is me. I just knew that it would not work.  But living in a small town worked to our advantage.  With the help of our Town Manager and a dear selectman it went through without a hitch.  We have a Pace Ordinance.  Everyone can sleep easier now.  Now everything was a go.  Materials started arriving.

This......Cell-Pak, cellulose insulation.

More Cell-Pak, some insulation board and lumber....

Boxes of spray foam insulation.....

This is looking like fun.....I consider anything that someone else has to work at FUN! 

Next, men arrive and WORK!

More to follow. I'm in insulation heaven.

Much Love and Prayers from a WARM Mainely Ewes Farm.

Thank you President Obama and the State of Maine for these funds that will be used wisely and for the good of the common folk. I.E. Stimulus funds.

Slate Done!

This process took a few days. I would love to say that it went up like a charm.  The process takes time and patience.  The cement board has to be clean and free from debris and then sponged with water.  This prevents the board from sucking out the water from your mastic causing it to dry too quickly and crack.  Who wants to be taking a nice bath and have a 6x6 slate tile come off and smack you in the head? 

I used 1/4 inch spacers and it kept the lines pretty close to being straight.  The big, big, big concept to grasp with slate is that no two tiles are exactly the same size or thickness.  If you want everything nice and uniform buy manufactured slate.  Ted kept telling me that "this is a rustic tile and you will not get the lines completely straight".  He was definitely right.  But I really love the look. 

Surround done.  Just waiting on grout. The floor tiles were a bit easier to lay. I just realized that I forgot to take any pictures of the radiant floor process.  It was actually very easy.  First off we had to buy an Ohm meter and find out how it works.  That was the hardest part of the heated floor. Oh, and to make sure you don't cut that little blue wire.  We watched the enclosed video about 4 times to make sure we were doing it right.  It goes right onto the cement board and then you cover it with the mastic that is used to put the tile down.  Done!

Next was grout time for the floor.  That was a process in itself but it really came out nice.  Last but not least I applied 2 coats of sealer especially made for natural stone. Slate is very porous and has to be sealed about every 6 months.  I love the finished look.  I still have to grout the wall but that can come a bit later. We also have a slate pencil tile stick thingy to put around the surround edges to give a finished look. We have to get the plumber back to finish the sink and toilet. Paint.  What color? Oh, darn, more choices.

While I was busy inside Ted called and had 24 yards of rock delivered to fill in the driveway.  Mud season came early this year.  We were having all the kids up for a homemade spaghetti dinner and they would slip and slide in the driveway.   

Ted just enjoyed the heck out of spreading the rock. He did an excellent job.  Of course we could use about 6 more loads. The tractor has been running like a good Deere.  We didn't have a regular winter, much less snow. So the tractor didn't get put to work much.  Thanks for your comments.  I have missed blog land and all the great folks here. 

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm.

Does the Tub Fit?

Yes, yes, yes. It almost fit. Well, we knew that we would have to take out part of the closet wall.  Yes, but did I fail to mention that it heats the water while the jets are on? When a woman will gladly give up part of her closet for a tub you know it has to be a special tub.

Wow, it comes with a template.  We have to put cement board under and behind. Anything to prevent water from getting into the wall. 

Here it is all framed in and plumbed. No faucets yet but we are working on that. 

Aww. My poor wall. I can feel tapping and mudding in my future.

Plumbing in for the vanity.  We did not attempt to install the plumbing or plumb the tub ourselves. We are aware of our limitations.

Kind of reminds me of the old one hole outhouse.  No spiders.  

I just knew there was mud and tapping in my future. 

We take turns. It takes about 3 coats before it is smooth enough.

After sanding a final time the ceiling and walls are beautifully smooth. 

I think the worst part of sanding drywall is the mess that is left to clean up and having to wash my hair. It makes such a yucky feeling.  We finish up the floor with cement board.

Then of course the clean up. What would we do without a shop vac?

All the seams in the cement board were tapped and mudded and  ready for slate tile. I am very impressed with the work done.  We have never attempted a bathroom from the walls out before. 

Much Love and Prayers from a very tired Mainely Ewes Farm

En Suite Bathroom

Well it's about time.  Where have we been and what have we been up to?  Sitting around, lazing away time with our feet propped up sipping ice tea. Heck no.  We have been busy inside of the house.  Two major projects are under way.  Each a very big project in itself.  I'll start with the first, but by no means the biggest.   En Suite Bathroom.  It was there since we moved in.  Right off of our bedroom but not functional.  See, we have had so many other projects to finish first. Like the kitchen.  Boy was that ever a biggie.  We used a 2 burner Coleman camp stove for 6 months while we built the kitchen.  I say "built" because there wasn't one.  Nope, not even electricity or plumbing.  We kept moving our bathroom back as other renovations came first.  Then the dreaded bathroom turned into a junk room.  You know what I mean.  You have something you should throw away but you just might NEED it. So it goes into the junk room.  Yep.  I had an en suite junk room. Just what we all need. Here is the evil monster it became. The last owners gave up after the bathtub went in. Yes, there is a bathtub in there under all that junk. No plumbing or running water though.  See the window? It has plastic sheeting to keep the wind from whistling through. It doesn't open. It is just a pane of glass. What good is that I ask?

Good space, just full of junk, ugly tile without grout, oh and there was a giant hole under the tub that the cats used as easy basement access.  Does all of this sound kind of chilling? Yep, cold actually.

First all the junk was either thrown away or relocated to another junk room.  Yep, we have another junk room otherwise known as the basement.  That is soon on the clean out agenda. Ted cracked up the ugly tile and tossed it into the trash.

Then a trip to Home Depot for the tub of my dreams.   It not only has jets to soothe my aching back but it keeps the water warm.  Oh, I may never come out.

We had to have the toilet that never ever needs plunging.  I think plungers are disgusting. Shouldn't all toilets be plunger free?   Ted had to have the one with the quiet closing lid.

We both agreed that our bathroom needed radiant floor heating. That was a no brainer. A thermostat that can be set to have warm toasty floors when I get up for work at o dark thirty. Soooooo necessary.

We weren't very pleased with the vanities that Home Depot carried so we went on over to Lowe's.  Sink, granite top, backsplash and vanity all in one and on Clearance. YES!

Okay, now this is where we had words.  I wanted slate. Ted kept reminding me just how difficult slate was to work with.  I know, I know, but I waaaant slaaaate.  I did start to whine a bit. It was worth it, I got slate.  Now that I said that, there were times in the next few days when we were laying the slate that he did remind me that "You just had to have slate".  Yes, it was a bit more work.  I have never laid slate tile before.  Thank you internet. Information super highway to the rescue. A whole corner of slate tile for the floor and tub surround. Boy was that heavy.

First the window had to be replaced.  It now opens.  Imagine that. A new concept.  No more air flow. That is unless the window is actually open.

The tub looked a whole lot littler up on the wall at Home Depot.  The box was hugundis.  We had to take it through the dining room.....

and into the bedroom.  Can you see how low the ceiling is? Oh my goodness. Is it going to fit into the junk I mean bathroom?

The bathroom project has been going on for a few weeks.  We keep working and are now seeing progress.  But did the tub fit?

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm

Family-Moving on Out

Today is the day.  We have been blessed with our youngest daughter moving back to Maine with her theee children.  They are getting their own apartment in Bangor.  Leah will be starting classes toward her nursing degree.  She hopes to go on and become a Medical  Attorney.  Big dreams with three children but if anyone can do it, she can. 

Brianna 4, Natasha 3 and Little Bit (Vic) 2.  They are very active children and need outside time to work off all of that energy. 

Thankfully we have plenty of outside here.  They can run and play without worry. This is Little Bit and Tasha's firs snow season. He doesn't look like he is too happy with all the winter wear required to be outside. 

A round disc can provide hours of fun for three little ones.

Down the hill, up the hill, down the hill and up the hill.  As many times as mom can take them.  I get tired just watching.

Brianna likes to pose.  She has such big brown eyes. 

I think Poppop is having a lot of fun with these three little urchins.

Anything can become a toy.  Tubbies?

Sorry for the screams and the sideways video. If anyone can give me pointers on how to change the direction I would really appreciate it.

The noise level will decrease significantly over the next few days.  It will be nice to know that they are safe and sound in their own place.  We will be starting work on our bathroom next.  We also had an energy audit and will be having insulation done professionally to combat the winter chill.  One day we will be warm and toasty. 
Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm

What...The Refrigerator Died...Again

A word of wisdom or rather a few words.  Never, ever, ever buy a refrigerator without an extended warranty.  Last year we shopped for and bought the coolest refrigerator.  An Amana with all the bells and whistles.  It did everything but clean house and make dinner.  Oh, yes and work.  The telling fact was when it started making a strange noise 1 month before it's first birthday.  The repairman came out and in no uncertain terms explained that I didn't have the good sense to run a refrigerator.  I had it set too cold.  Well. Lets see, I can read a cardiac monitor, titrate blood pressure meds on pumps to keep people alive but I CANT WORK A REFRIGERATOR.  Okay if he says so. After all he is THE repairman.  Anyhoo...after the fridge either quit or piddled on my floor.  Yes, I thought the dogs had an accident.  Here I was with broken leg on crutches trying to wipe up the pee and fussing with the dogs when they didn't even do it.  The thing met it's 6th repair in a 12 month period that was required to finally get a replacement.  The new LG arrived all fresh and full of promise.  It was a good time to really get rid of a bunch of stuff that always fills the back of the fridge.  What is that hard chunk with green fuzzies growing on it anyway?

I can honestly say they did good by us.  They gave us the regular price for our old fridge even though we bought it on sale.  This one was on sale, so we actually got an even better fridge for the original sale price.  We hope. We have our fingers crossed that it will be here for years to come. We were able to keep the remainder of our extended warranty and apply to this fridge.  Yes, we will be extending it when it expires.

I wish that John Deere had the same warranty.  Maybe that is something that they will think about.  Customer service is everything.  If we could only convince big corporations that we matter.  I would love to have American Made on every item in my home. Remember when Made in Tiawan was a joke and not a fact? Go American!

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm

Finally, Maine Winter

Finally winter has arrived in Maine.  We have snow.  It's about time too.  I'm not one of those folks who complains when it snows.  I love the soft white flakes.  It just seems right.  The way winter should be. The tractor has been working like it is suppose to. We are keeping our fingers crossed that everything that can go wrong has.  John Deere seems to think this is the case.  Wait and see.

The guineas are flying from place to place.  They definitely do not like to walk through the snow.  However, they will go through the flower garden looking for any left over seeds that remain. Treats vs cold feet! I guess the treats won out.

It appears that a couple of the guineas overshot the garden and ended up in the big maple tree.

Treats are found in all places for goats.  We were on our way home from Bangor last week and we spotted 5 Christmas trees stacked on the side of the road at the entrance to a subdivision.  Well, we just had to stop and save them from a landfill.  None had tinsel so they were loaded up and  brought home.  The goats thought it was a holiday.

Edward thought he should start from the middle and eat toward the top.

Next came the ladies.  They just couldn't speak with their mouths full but there were looks of appreciation.

Fuzzy and the sheep were more than happy with their snacks.

The guineas had to come see what all the ruckus was about.  They weren't very interested in the trees at all.

Chores include bringing in wood for the stove.  We had tractor problems again this summer so we weren't able to bring in enough wood for the winter.  We would like to give a shout out to Bangor Baptist Church.  They gave us the name of a gentleman and he promptly brought us 2 cord of firewood.  I mention the church because they were kind enough to offer us a couple of cords if we couldn't get any delivered.  Things like that just touch me.  We always hear of bad actions when they happen.  We need to shout about the good.

Firewood loaded and ready for use.  I don't know if you notice the boxes in the background, but they are the vanity and toilet for our bathroom.  It is winter so it must be work on the inside of the house time.   

Chores done, happy animals outside and in.  Oreo has the right idea. He has taken the best spot in the house. 

It seems like everything is getting back to normal.  My leg has been healing nicely.  I hope to be released back to regular duty next week.  Finally, I have been allowed back with the animals.  I don't do well on house arrest.  I miss them so much.  I got a sweet kiss from Isabella today. I was afraid they wouldn't remember me.  Ted has been taking care of everything.  Evidently I have broken the last bone that I am allowed to break.  Honestly, I have been battling a bit of depression being sent indoors.  I need the animals. I swear goats are prozac on 4 legs.  They keep me happy, grounded, and at peace.  I lost interest in blogging for a bit. I still visited but just couldn't write.  I know I'm where I'm suppose to be in this life.  Right here with my love and our farm.

Much Love from Mainely Ewes Farm