Float switches and Pumps

Float switches and pumps are the bain of my life right now. Both on the boat and home I have had the failure of float switches. In both cases have averted disaster. On the boat I have a device called the stuffing box which is in the picture. It allows the propeller to turn and keeps the water out. Well mine is leaking. Bad enough but the float switch on the bilge pump failed and the boat took on water all week. Luckily we went down and we got it all pumped out. I had to go the West Marine and get a new switch and that fixed it. At home the float switch for the sump failed same as the boat. I changed the switch a week ago. Tonight it is raining and filling up the sump. The switch was not adjusted right. It was keeping the pump running. It almost burned out the pump. I found this out at 10pm with the local Lowes closed. I'm pretty sure I saved the pump and I readjusted the switch. I'll find out if we have a flood in the basement again. I took all the stuff off the floor just in case.

Front door inside

New front door

New Door

The new front door has arrived. It was installed Tuesday! Its really nice and the window makes the room much brighter. I'll have a picture this afternoon.   

The bad news is the side door frame was much more rotten then was thought. The door company had to order a door to replace it.

Last Weekend

We spent the weekend home. We were going to Rock Hall but at the last minute we both had to take a weekend off of taking a weekend off. Marilyn was puttering in the garden and I went off the the flying field.

Not that Bill

Yesterday Marilyn was out with Risa having dinner. I went to the flying field to fly some models, after which I went to the Dublin Star Diner. While I was having dinner they were talking about the Dublin Volunteer Fire Dept Carnival. They had a cruiser night, guys showing their cars from the 50's and the musical entertainment for the night was Bill Clinton.... What?

No not that guy !!!!










This Guy .... Bill Clinton and his band.

Big difference!

Look out! Pirates!

Pirates weekend down at Rock Hall the weekend. I'm hoping the weather will be good to get out of the slip pretty quickly on Saturday. We'll try to get out before the little buccaneers get into full swing. Where are we going??  Don't know yet.

Saluti ai nostri amici italiani che visita il nostro blog

I have noticed that we are getting a lot of traffic tonight from Italy.  Welcome!

Boat Maintainence Weekend

Marilyn and I when to Rock Hall this weekend. It was a great weather weekend high 80's but now wind. Which was ok becauce I had to fix a few things on the boat. I was looking around the boat for leaks as the bildge pump was running funny. I found that the float switch for the pump was bad. So I had to get down in the bildge to see what was the mattter and found a corroded connection. I also replaced the head ( aka toilet ) pump. Not the most pleasant job. But I got it done. I got washed up and then napped for the rest of the afternoon. After dinner we watched the sunset from the docks and then went Al and Anne's boat for wine and conversation. Marilyn got in to a card game they called Oh Hell. I headed for the showers and then my bunk. ( all that napping made me sleepy! )  This morning I found the bildge switch still was not working so I went off to West Marine to get a new one. This replacement job worked and the bildge pump was left working. We left for home in the morning. After unpacking the car I set up a hose on the new faucet I had the plumber put in to the side of the house. So Marilyn can water her flowers. I loaded up the car and went to the flying field. I flew a few turns with my trainer airplane just to shake the cobwebs off. I haven't touched the planes or the computer simulator in a few months.  I still could fly but I'm rusty. The wind at the field ( notice no wind at the bay! ) did not help.

Arguh!!!!!!!

Holy messy spills!  Not in the gulf of Mexico but in my Cube. I spilled a bowl of oatmeal in my cube. All over me, my desk and the floor, yech!  Missed the computers entirely. Can't seems to get the oats out of the carpet. I'm going to need some custodial help!

Not Started yet.......

Procrastination..... is making me wait....

Hmmm  Not how that song goes eh.

But I'm still waiting because I'm still procrastinating! 

Still no start on the cleanup project. I just got to start.......sometime.

Flying guys meeting tonight. Maybe I'll get to it Friday.

More stuff I gotta do....

Gotta clean up the hobby room in the basement today. This heads up a list of stuff that really need doing. The hobby room, my computer room, my dresser, my closet ( What do all these thing have in common? Their Mine! ) all are disaster areas in the house. I just have not had the time or energy to get them straightened out.  Also, I have the parts for the weather station and as you see in the lower right the station is not up. Maybe this week and the tail end of this weekend I'll get a start on some of this stuff.

Pump arrived

The pump arrived from Defender Marine today. Over the weekend the head ( toilet fer you landlubbers! ) had a small leak. I like to quote Sun Tzu on this "Meet your enemy on your terms." So fixing the head at the dock instead of rigging it up in the middle of the weekend when everyone has a "need" is a good thing. I'll also go over and inspect a bunch of things in the boat to make sure that all is ship shape after the "washdown" that we got last weekend.  I'm sure that it will be limited to a post season steam cleaning for the cushions.

Big Adventutes

Meg accepted our invite to come on down to the boat for the weekend. So at 6:30 Marilyn and I pick her up and we drove down to Rock Hall. We loaded up the weekend stuff we put our stuff on our bunk in the front and gave her the tour of the boat. We buttoned everything up and got going out to the bay. When we go to the mouth of Swan Creek a big motor yacht hit us with a wake that sent about 50 gallons of water over the deck. This would not be a problem except all Marilyn's and my stuff was under an open hatch. our stuff was soaked as well as our bunk and the whole inside. We continued to the Magothy River and anchored. We proceded to mop up the mess and put our stuff outside to dry. By late afternoon all was dried up. The three of us jumped into the boat pool, a jellyfish protection barrier, and we had many laughs as the boat swung back and forth in the wind dragging the pool.  For dinner we had grilled chicken and lots of wine and cheese and watched a great sunset. We taked and had a great time to late in the evening. Meg said that she slept like a baby on the boat. We had coffee an the only drama was the bannana muffins spoiled. We then had a nice trip back to Rock Hall passing the Baltimore Light house.

I know how the kebobs feel......

On Friday we took off early for the boat. I finished up around in the early afternoon and went to pick up Marilyn at work at 4. Ouch the Philly traffic was awful. Took us 3 hours from downtown. Turn the A/C on at the slip and had a comfortable night. We fueled up and got out of the slip. The wind was blowing hot like a hair dryer by 10:30. We just anchored in Swan Creek. First off I smelled something not right. Turned out I put on all the fans to get some breeze in the cabin. And the solar array was keeping up but the heat affected the breaker by loosening a screw. That overheated the breaker to the point it started to melt. I shut down the solar system and all was ok. We jumped into the bay. The water was so warm it was not refreshing. Coming out cooled us off. The ships thermometer showed 102 degreees. We jumped back in until we saw a jellyfish. No more bay warm or not!. A coworked e-mailed that he was staying home and just grilling kebobs and how lucky I was hangin on the boat. I replied that I had more in common with the kebobs on the grill! I then tried to start out generator set to get the A/C going. And the fuel hose popped off! I could not fix the thing without taking it apart. So went back to the slip at Rock Hall for the night. Hooked up the cooling system and spent a comfortable night.

Ladies Book Club Night

On Thursday Marilyn had her book club over. It would be the first time that people would be seeing the renovations. I made saffron rice, lamb kebobs and salad for club dinner. I had to make dinner for people and keep the place clean an presentable. It worked out well in the end. Meg, Ellen and Kiren came over and had a nice time. They enjoyed the dinner and were wowed by the renovations.

No rain last night.

No rain last night so we did not flood,.

 We spent the night preping the hose for the book club meeting. It'll be the first time we have people over. 

Grilling some lamb kebobs and making saffron, cardamom rice and a spinach salad for the folks.

Emergency sump repair

To avoid the flooding like we had this spring I changed the sump
switch. It had burned out in the spring flooding. The plumber has a new pump on
order but this had to be done in the mean time. We are going to get hit with T-storms this afternoon. I really hate working on the pump as I always seem to get a basemanet blidge water shower.

--Rico
I was all thumbs typing this in!
Sent from my iPhone.

Moving back into the house

Marilyn and I spent all weekend moving all our stuff from the storage lockers back into the house this weekend. A small problem of a clogged kitchen sink threatened to derail us. I got hit with the disposal geyser.  But it took all weekend to get get the house back in some sort of order.  Marilyn is having her book club, or actually the few people that are still around in the summer, come over Thursday for a meeting at the house.  So we are trying to get the house back into shape for this event.

I did find that the sump switch is burned out. There is rain today I can run the pump manualy, I need to run home to do it.

Renovation Finished .... sort of.

Yesterday with the arrival of the new furniture and the last plumbing hook up we are back in operation. A few details need to finished. Some floorboard need to be replaced where the plumber scratched them up, the new front door installation and putting the last Ikea bookcase in place. Nothing that will hold us up from moving back into the house. This weekend we'll be trucking stuff over from the storage locker and finding new homes for thing in the house. Gotta see if we can do it quickly and neatly as Marilyn is going the have the book club over for a meeting Thursday.

Sleep sofa

Couch 2

Couch 1

Completed tilework

Backsplash tilework

New Furniture is in!

Gamburgs gave me a call our furniture is ready for delivery. I just have to arrange it. By this weekend the house should be complete!

Back Splash Day

We spent the weekend moving stuff back from the storage unit. Loading up the new bookcases I had to get the height extentions to make room again. Yikes! Sunday Marilyn and I went out to naBrasa a Brazillian steakhouse for brunch with some friends from High School. Karen and Victor brought thier spouses down to to our area from Central Jersey.  It was really great to see them and I wish we had more time to get together.  Today Marilyn is home waiting for the tile guys to come down to do the backspash.

Living room bookcases

Counter tops done

More counter top

Counter top

Nutter hot day!

It supposed to be 92 today which was a breath of fresh air compared to the 102 yesterday. We get a rise in the humdity just as a bonus!  Went to Ikea in this swelter and picked up the doors for the bookcases. I'll put them on tonight and tomorrow after the countertop is installed.

Tomorrow adventures in granite countertops!

Hot day indoors

Marilyn and I spent a hot day indoors putting up Ikea bookcases in the living room. On the way back form the boat on Monday we picked up 5 bookcases and put them on the top of the car. Marilyn had some problems lifing the last one. A young girl saw us ( look at the old couple having trouble lifting the boxes ) and gave us a hand. Anyway going home the car was top heavy. We managed to get home without tipping the car over. John our neighbor helped us get the cases in the house. Yesterday we assembled the cases and attached them to the walls. Today I have to go to Ikea and get the doors.

4th of July

That picture was the Baltimore lighthouse. It is outside of the entrance to the Magothy River. We anchored at neat the Magothy Narrows and saw a wonderful fireworks display put on by the people who live around the river. It seems like they were trying to outdo each other. We anchored and had a very cool and breezy night on the 4th. I suspect it will be the last one for a while as it is getting hot out here.   On the third we watched the fireworks at Rock Hall. We had JoAnne and Pete come over and have wine and watch the display. It's really the best night all year.

I have to get the boat short hauled. That is taken out of the water and cleaned. The bottom is just covered in slime and barnicales

4th of July cruise

Sweltering weekend at the boat

Marilyn and I stayed at the boat this weekend. Stayed at the slip all weekend. We tightened the alternator belt and installed a new fan above my bunk. We did all inside tasks to stay out of the weather. It was waaaay too hot out. All we did outside the boat was to go out to dinner with friends.

On Sunday we went to Ikea to get bookcases which we brought home and assembled.  Monday we called WRTI and donated Marilyn's 1983 Honda motorcycle they picked it up and hopefully it will find a good home. The countertop guy came to template for the granite. There were a few spots that need to be leveled but in a couple of weeks the top should come in.

Dinner at Meg's

Meg invited us for dinner last night. She was having mercy on us as we have been eating out since May and we were craving a home cooked meal. She made a great pasta and salad and we drank much wine and had much fun .

Stove installed

The appliance company sent over a contactor to install the stove. Giovanni worked his magic on the Bertazzoni. He may have rubbed a little olive oil on it too for all I know. But it is installed and ready for use. I boiled a tea kettle of water just to make sure it worked.

Gearheart Appliance WTF?!?

Well looks like Gearheart appliance dropped off my DIY range. Seems like they want to jack me up for installation charges. Now I gotta take an other day off from the office and deal with these guys for installation. This would not have been a big deal if they would have told me before. A good time would have been when they sold it to me. I would have gladly paid a installation fee. But to drop it off in my kitchen and then tell me I gotta pay more and to take another day off to put this F'ing puzzle together is real bad form.

DIY Range

Range

More Stuff!

Mike came over last night. He helped me install a stainless backspash where the range is going to live. The plumber set up the gas line for the range yesterday too. Gearheart is going to deliver and hook up the Italian stainless wonder this morning.  Pictures later... sorry no espresso the pot is packed away for now.

Also if I get a chance I'm going to Ikea to get one of the bookshelves.

New microwave

working from home again today

Today the guy from Lowes is coming to install the microwave, dishwasher and trashmasher.  Plumber coming later to add the gas valve for the stove.   

The big Five - Oh !

On Friday the electricians came in an finished the work in the kitchen. New outlets, moved outlets and under cabinet lights. Check! 

We then went down to the boat. What crummy traffic! It took almost 4 hours. We had Happy Hour with the dock neighbors. Marilyn got me a cake shaped like a crab. Nice! We all had a good time until the mosquitoes called an end to the festivities.

We had planed to go to Galesville but the will woould have been on our bow the whole trip. We went with a bunch of people to Bodkin Creek acroos the bay. New anchorage for us and it was pretty nice. As sun wen down the cool breezes kicked up and made for a nice sleeping night. Next morning, the sun came up and was strong and the wind was weak. Motored back to Rock Hall. The heat was killing us as we cleaned up the boat for the weekend.

More new carpet

New carpet

New fridge

Marilyn doing her best Vanna White...

No Picture today

Last night we went to the Wilma Theater to see "Leaving" by Vaclev Havel. I always admired the ex presidents plays but I'm not sure I like this one. It seemed a bit self indulgent. I really can't put my finger on why this play rubbed me the wrong way.

Anyway I worked at home to have somestuff done with the house. A plumber cam today to hook up some pipes for the sink and the fridge. And the guys came with the fridge. We have cold water and ice at our touch now. Things are getting better. Also a guy came to measure our front door, we are going to get a new entrance door to let more light in.  Carpets installed tomorrow!!

Living Room cabinets

Missing one cabinet due in next week

Cabinets for fridge and espresso center

New lights installed

More for first floor renovation

Tonight Marilyn got back from Altoona and got her first look at the floor. Good thing she liked it! Anyway we went to a window and door place and the guy will measure us for a new front door. Also, we went to Gamburgs and ordered some new furniture. They were having a 20% off sale.

By the end of August the makeover will be complete..... and we'll be broke!

Floor

Done floor

More floor

Floor again

Flooring goin down

Start of floor

New Thai Restaurant

A new restaurant open in Horsham Kinnaree a Thai restaurant. For a area that has a bunch of diner and pizza joints it a nice thing. The pad thai is great as well as the curries. It a BYOB so get a bottle and go.
http://www.kinnareepa.com/

Paint officialy DONE!

The paint guys are now done! Just some touch ups when the floor moulding is put back. Now onto floor installation, Plumbing and appliances!!!

Kitchen update

Hallway

Front room

Uninstalled floor

Dining room

The Universe is Shrinking!!!

Well not really. The painters now have taken over our bathroom on the second floor and the wood floor materials are in the house. I'm glad we pretty much emptied the house before the start of work because we have only one chair to sit in and if we climb over some stuff we can get into bed.

Maybe the painters will be finished today and Marilyn can see what her color choices really look like!

Thursday the floor guys start.... Same three rings different clowns.....

Quote from Stephen Hawking in ABC interview

"One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it," he said. "Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don't throw it away."  -- Stephen Hawking

Trying to finalize things....

We went to get a countertop for the kitchen this weekend. Got it at Loew's, which contracts out to a local company for the counter tops. We chose a granite top. So we went down to a place in West Chester to see the top in the yard. I think we changed our mind and got another color but I'm not sure. Marilyn fell in love with the one in the granite yard. While at the granite yard we contracted them to do our tile backspash too.  That left getting the range. We went round and round on this one as we wanted a Viking stove and the appliance guys talked us out of it. Because we don't have enough venting. Seems like boiling tea on this Viking stove is SOOO Hot that is will cause global warming or something to that effect. We ended up buying and Italian range, a Bertazzoni. We got the stainless steel, it comes in Ferrari red too.

Sunny room

More paint

More paint

Painting operations

Circus has come to town.....

Painter,Electricians and I'm working from home.  Everybody here today it feels like the circus is in town.

Cabinets to be finished today.

Scott will finish installing the cabinets. I have to go to work, so no pictures untill I get home tonight. Electricians will finish on Friday. I'm going to try ot get the flooring guys out next week.

End of day one install

All cabinets above

Cabinet two

First cabinet

Scott hanging the first cabinet

Another before cabinets

Shot before cabinets

Painting ahead of the cabinets

Marilyn and I just finshed smoothing the wall patches and we primed the walls. It is looking a lot better. I said that it looked like an burned out abandon house with all the aged wall board and holes in the walls. Now the kitchen is looking like there is some progress. Cabinets are going in tomorrow. Pictures to come.

back home

We came back early Monday to work on the the kitchen. I filled the holes in the walls and we are going to clean the grease off so that we can paint. The cabinets will be installed Wednesday,