Rerun

That's right, if you're opposed to watching reruns, then perhaps this post isn't for you, because yes- we've been here before.

At the risk of being redundant, we are in the midst of car-buying decision-making woes yet again. We have the Rav4 that came with N's birth, but the pink bike (aka 2nd vehicle) is getting a little tired of being stuck inside this blizzardy winter, and our wallet is taking a hit because when Anthony drives me to school and then on to take Natalie to day care he has to go past Starbucks to the tune of "Tasty treat! Tasty treat!" in the backseat- and who is he to deny the little scone lover? (Especially when there's an Earl Grey tea in it for him as his "reward" for driving.) Then there's the issue of whoever has the car is the sole driver for the day- it might make more sense for us to split the tasks.  So after about 7 years of one carness and a growing desire to be a bit more lazy, we've decided it's time.

So we're back to the ole "which car is right for us?" waffling. We originally got the Rav4 a few years back because we thought it was a nice mix of a small car + big car (3rd row sqiiiisssh when needed). So now that we have the perfect middle car do we go smaller, or bigger?

Builder 1, Inspector 0.

Well, maybe builder -32 (up from -33), inspector 435 would be more accurate, but we'll still take the win. I'll spare you the dramatic build up...our house finally passed inspection. But, as per usual, even try #3 was not without its own drama.

With Natalie at "school" for the day, Jody and Zippy spent Monday, inspection #3 day, out of the house to accommodate a visit from the town. She returned mid-afternoon to find a cryptic note on the permit where the signature should have gone, saying only "thermostats not programmable?" Hearing of this at work from Jody, I relayed the news to John the Builder via a phone message. In truth, I also though it might be good to have fancy thermostats. We started with programmable thermostats, but they didn't work, as someone installed the wrong wires during rough in. Last week the plumbers replaced the non-working ones with old school dial thermostats. Apparently, with radiant floor heat, dials are just as good...so there you go.

10 minutes later John called back, hopping mad, and read me the appropriate line from the current edition of the Mass. State Building Codes that said programmable thermostats were required with forced-air systems, but made no mention of other heat sources. He followed up with some choice words about the inspector's level of competency. The next morning at 8am, he was at town hall to figuratively - and perhaps literally, I don't know, I wasn't there - throw the book at them.

Relaying the conversation to me later, John said that both the inspectors and the building commissioner insisted that programmable units- at least one per house they said- were required. Sliding his copy of the building code across the counter, John challenged them, "Show me where it says that." Apparently the office effectively shut down for some time, as the group of them searched the very code they are supposed to follow for something they've been requiring for years.

Finding nothing but the line John read to me over the phone, they quickly signed the permit and shuffled him onto his next stop.

So, what remains? A signature from Conservation -which could get interesting- and finalizing the loan paperwork, but occupying the structure is no longer an issue.

Stepping back for a moment, it's been surprising to me how much the events of the last few weeks have seeped into our daily lives. Yesterday I caught Jody and Natalie playing a game I now refer to as Building Inspector. They had set up little fabric block buildings on the floor (see below) and as Natalie would knock them over, Jody would call out things like "No permit for you!" or "Failed! This railing is an inch too low." or "Your bottom step is not at grade!"

Natalie playing building inspector with mom. "The roof on this one looks a little loose!"

-A

And Then There Was One

Anthony had to go to California for work this week. I headed back to school. Natalie was back at day care and my dad had to return home to NY. That left the rest of the radiant panel installation to my mom. What a trooper!

The main floor radiant subfloor is near completion. Laying the plywood strips and aluminum plates happened fairly quickly. It was filling in all the nooks and crannies that ended up taking forever.

Not only that, but when Anthony did return on Thursday he suggested they go over and work after dinner...which turned out to be until midnight!

Mom's always liked puzzles, so we just kept telling her it was one big puzzle that she got to put together. We're just lucky it wasn't great biking weather this week, so really, she had nothing better to do.

- J

November Flies By in the Blink of an Eye

What? No November post?

Where did November go anyway?

Oh yeah. We spent it waiting, and crossing t's, and dotting i's, and doing math, and trying to figure out other people's math, and filing things, and preparing to sign new contracts, and sweating about the lack of income my maternity leave is (not) providing, and reveling in the joy of chanting "Trot trot to Boston" for the twenty-thousandth time.

November came and November went and now it's December, so where are we?

Plans are being looked at by the structural engineer. New builder is ready to go. Building permit is ready to be filed. Conservation Commission planting extension until the spring is in hand (so that they have a better chance of survival). Loan has been applied for. We're slowly moving into the rental house. Belongings are being reassessed. Things are being posted on craigslist. Childcare for January has been secured (although impending going-back-to-work in January is being ignored). Zippy's still barking at the mailman. 

 And as for the little one... just when you thought she couldn't get any cuter- she does.

-J