Waitin' ain't fun nor is losing sleep

Original Roof

One of the best things about being retired for me is that I have no schedule to keep and can be laidback with nothing to feel guilty about.  Didn't sleep too well last night, roofer guy's scheduled for today and tomorrow and evidently the thought of today's action was hiding in the back of my mind and kept telling me that it's time to wake up.

Now, roofer guy's already told me that I don't need to be here when they're doing their work and that's a good thing.  But, they do have to bring in a dumpster to hold the remnants of all the old roof and a delivery vehicle to lift all the new roofing materials up on roof.

My driveway is kind of narrow and has a telephone pole about 3 ft off to the side.  I figure with all the vehicle action early morning for the school across the street something's gonna go wrong.  Roofer guy tells me he'll be here before the delivery guys to guide them.  Something else to be concerned about.  Early morning traffic on a hazy morning can be difficult too...might or might not show.  We shall see.

It's almost 7 AM now...I'll update this report later in the day.

JD, waitin' for roofer guy and deliveries here in the BToS

UPDATE 1 (9 AM) -- Roofer guy arrived around 8:05.  Roofing materials arrived around 8:20.  Roofing materials being unloaded on to roof now (8:40).  Wait is on for dumpster to be delivered.

 

Materials Unload

UPDATE 2 (10 AM) -- Dumpster arrived around 9:40.  After talking to roofer guy, seems the plan is front side of roof today, back side tomorrow.

Dumpster

UPDATE 3 (11:30 AM) -- Front roof is about 2/3 cleared of old shingles.  Team Jason and his guys trying to smile.

Team Jason

UPDATE 4 (5:30 PM) -- Front roof is finished to point where they break for the day.  Next is rear roof tomorrow and then put finishing touches on peak of roof.

Front Roof

UPDATE 5 (12:00 PM) -- Work on rear roof.  First foto around 9 AM...Second foto with Jason & crew around 11:45 AM.

Rear Roof early start

Jason & crew before lunch

UPDATE 6 (4:00 PM) --Roofing job complete and my old TV antenna is still intact.  What more can a guy ask!!!

View from the rear with Jason by truck

Gotta luv a bottle of Yuengling Lager following a hard-day's work.

Crew taking short break before heading home.

UPDATE 7 (4:00 PM) Tuesday Nov 3 -- New gutters and downspouts installed.  Jason and crew have completed all current tasking.  I need to count my money and see if I can afford to pursue other upgrades.  My motto that I live by: 

"If you can't pay for it; don't buy it!!!"

AUTUMN -- Testing the Hot Water Baseboard Heat

Bedroom Hot Water Baseboard Heat

I awoke this overcast morning to a comfortably cool, not cold, house with outside temps in upper 50s and temp inside house around 72 and downstairs recroom around 71.  I did all my normal morning stuff consisting of sitting at the ol' desktop computer checking my email, some news sites, bank accounts and a visit to see what's happening with the few folks I know on Facebook.

I headed up for my shower around nine-o'clock and it occurred to me it might be a good morning to test the hot water baseboard heat and my ol' furnace.  I hadn't used it since early spring and always like to have an early test in case there's a problem and I have to call in the H&C maintenance folks.

So I clicked on the downstairs thermostat and set heat to 74; then went upstairs and set heat to 75.  I went back down to the furnace area and heard the furnace firing up and the water circulatory system creaking a bit as the water temp began to get hot.

By the time I'd done my morning personal cleanup activities and showered, the heat had already reached desired temps on both levels of the house, the thermostats clicked off and the furnace was in cool down mode.  House temps felt comfortable and I noticed no problems around any of the baseboard units or furnace.  I deemed the Morning Furnace Test a success and placed the H&C phone number on hold until an emergency arises.

JD, feeling warm and toasty here in the BToS

PS - I had the H&C folks out last year about this time for my heating checkup and the 14 year-old furnace and baseboard system passed with warming colors.  Thing that I ponder occasionally is the baseboard heating and water circulating system and piping.  That system was installed when the house was built in 1968 and still working like a champ.  Here's hoping it keeps up the good work.

PPS - Back a whole bunch of years, Clarke, an ol' buddy of mine, referred to H&C as 'Herkie & Curry'.  He called it that because two of his ol' Savage chums he called Herkie and Curry worked there at the time.

Ocean City here I come - no bridge traffic for me

Chesapeake Bay Bridge Toll Plaza

Living in the Big Town of Savage (BToS) here in Central Maryland, one of my less than fond memories is of planning an early summer vacation to Rehobeth Beach, DE or Ocean City MD.

It was difficult enough determining what to take along for 3 kids and some food and equipment for a week away from home.  For me it always took care of itself because my wife had the knack of remembering everything and I had the pleasure of getting it all into the back of the ol' Chevy 8-passenger Beauville Van.

The drive to the beach was always enjoyable except for the fear of a backup at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Toll Plaza.  We'd typically time our visit to miss the heaviest traffic periods, but... ...I wasn't successful all the time.  The few times I wasn't successful were a pain.  But most trips we missed the big backups.

This week I found out my daughter and her family are heading to Ocean City for a week.  They'll have to go through all the same things that I had to go through 30 years ago.  However, they have one HUGE ADVANTAGE that I never had.  My daughter and family live on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay; they DO NOT have to cross the bridge when they travel to the beach.

Ain't that wunnerful... ...kinda makes me envious at times...then I remember that my daughter's husband has to cross the bridge twice each day to make the trip to his weekday job.

JD, staying away from beach traffic.

I'm Just a Chevy Kinda Guy

Toy Truck parked out back (foto from 2013)

I needed to return an item to Costco yesterday; okay, it was set of bed pillows that I found I didn't really like after I got 'em on the bed.  On the way into the parking lot, I noticed the gas pumps were moderately busy and the Toy Truck was getting close to the quarter tank mark.  I decided to fill 'er up while there.

It was a beautiful morning with bright sunshine, moderate temps and a light breeze.  While waiting for the tank to fill, a fella walked over and asked why I decided to go with the Chevy pickup instead of a Ford or another brand.  I am and have been for as long as I can remember, been a car nerd, including trucks.

My first thought was to specify the Chevy advantages, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I bought the Chevy because I'm a Chevy Kinda Guy.  So that's what I told him, "I am just a Chevy kinda guy and this is the one I liked".

So that's the deal.  In today's world of shoppers' comparison publications/websites, what really matters for me in a vehicle is 'what strikes my fancy, what I like.'  All vehicles today are tremendous when compared to 20 years ago that it hardly matters what you buy as long as you like it and it suits your needs.  Anything beyond that is just nitpicking.

JD, here in the BToS on a rainy spring day.

PS - If you want the story of my purchase of the Toy Truck, you can visit my previous blog post Toy Truck Renewal.

PPS - I sure wouldn't buy a Ford just because Consumer Reports told me it was the highest rated truck, or that Truck Trend told me it won their 'Truck of the Year' competition.  The more you consider the culture behind magazine writers, the more you realize your own opinions are probably better for your own needs.

GPS vs Maps - Saturday Morning Road Trip

As an old fart here in the Big Town of Savage, I seldom venture beyond my normal territory.  My son-in-law had a need to visit 7 properties in northern Virginia to take photos and note conditions.  He asked if I'd like to go along since I was more familiar with northern Virginia than he was.

It was a Saturday morning and I figured it would be a good chance for us to spend some time together and bond a bit.  After all, I've only known the boy for 15 years now.  I volunteered to be the tour guide.

Given we were on the road by 7 am, traffic was still relatively light around the 495 DC beltway and over into Northern VA.  I ignored the GPS until we got close to the first property then followed its direction thru Falls Church.  Trip to I95 and Woodbridge was straight forward and the GPS found the 5 properties there.  Then off to Manassas for the last property, also trouble free.

I used the GPS to get us back on to I66 and knew my way home from there, so turned the little gizmo off.  No glitches with the GPS except that when in Woodbridge I accidentally turned off the voice and had to keep eyes on it.  

It was my first extensive use of a GPS on any trip.  Typically I map out a trip on Google Maps and work from there.  I did similar this time to determine the most efficient order of visits to shorten the distance and time.  All worked well with mapping too.

Biggest thing I noticed was that in using the GPS so much I didn't actually feel like I was on a trip visiting locations and taking in the scenery.  My mind was always occupied.  I got home feeling like I had spent 4 hours working instead of enjoying a trip.

I guess I'm saying that taking a trip with a GPS talking to me isn't as much fun as not having it active.  I can see the benefit of a GPS, but with most of my trips being over terrain I'm already familiar with I doubt I'll be using it too much.  On the other hand, my son-in-law definitely needs one in his line of work.

JD, here in the BToS and hoping I don't need to use my GPS any time soon.

PS - I need to remind son-in-law to clean his windshield before we take another trip. 

SUPER BOWL - Not Watching It

I won't be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday.  I don't think I've really watched a Super Bowl since the last time the Redskins were in it.  In the past, I recorded the Super Bowl with my TiVo DVR and would scan through it when it was about due to be over.  I noticed that it only took me about 15-20 minutes to scan the whole Super Bowl telecast last year.

This year, I've decided that I won't even record it on my TiVo, no need.  Hope you enjoy your Super Bowl party, at home or with others.  I know I'll enjoy the quiet time!

JD, looking forward to a quiet Sunday evening here in the BToS with no Super Bowl BS and HYPE.

PS - Might be a good night to watch a flick...think I got a Netflix DVD in the morning mail and, of course, I can always stream a Netflix movie or watch one I have TiVo'd.

PPS - I would likely TiVo a Super Bowl if the Skins actually made it back in and would definitely record if they were playing the Baltimore Natty Bohs (my name for the Ravens).

Family Adults - No gifting after 21

I have a 'NO GIFTING' arrangement with my three children.  I don't purchase gifts for them and they don't purchase gifts for me for holidays, birthdays, etc.  A card will suffice.

I'm an old fart and they're all in their 40's.  For a bunch of years they had no idea what to get for me and I had no idea what to get for them.  They all have good income and in today's society most people with good income can afford to purchase things they want or need. And, even tho I'm retired, my income is such that I typically purchase anything I need also. 

So gifting between us had gotten to the 'feel good' point and seemed unneeded to me.  So, after Christmas one year I told them I was implementing the no gifting policy beginning January 1 of the coming year.  At first I thought they might be a bit upset with my decision; they weren't.  After thinking about it, all thought it was a good idea.  It's worked well now for about 2 years and my life is much simpler around birthdays and holidays.

Beginning January 1, 2015, my oldest grandchild (he's 21) joins the no gifting situation also.  We'll see how it works out with him.

JD, resting up after an enjoyable Christmas here in the BToS