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dancerjodiLast night was the second Monday in a row that Brian and I headed to Barnes and Noble to browse and enjoy tea in their cafe. We didn't plan it that way, but it seemed to be the best thing to get us out of the house for a bit, challenge the mind a bit (via the books we were browsing) and spend some time together for little money (around $3 for two teas). I still really miss our old Border's Cafe in Framingham, but this seems to be the next best thing.
I spent some time flipping through some of Sarah Susanka's books, that I had read about here http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/membermenu/publication/Stories/2006/sizematters.asp . There were some really creative design ideas utilized, and its neat to see some support for a more minimalized and useful style that I've been going for since reading http://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Down-Living-Large-Smaller/dp/1594860939 . I can't stand McMansions - they seem to lack a lot of character and with the limited space we have on this earth, seem like a waste of it. People don't need that much space. Anyway, its kind of weird how much impact that Scaling Down book had on me. The Susanka books, I finally got to browse them yesterday. I'm glad I didn't buy them initially via Amazon, but it was cool to flip through them. It also goes to show how everything is relative. Susanka's books really did give examples of smaller living spaces (homes around 1000 sq feet and smaller) while another nearby book touting itself to be about smaller spaces showed homes of 2000 square feet and up, featuring things like indoor swimming pools, massive fireplaces and great rooms. Right. I'm happy with our house, and looking forward to its changes and different uses over the years. Given its smaller size (relative to our last place) its forced us to be creative about things, but I think we've been actually *using* the space more as a result - its more thoughtful and purposeful. Related, I'm finally picking up a rocking chair soon - Craigslist seemed to have a lot of them. I've wanted one since I've been out of my parents house basically, and we finally figured out where it will go. It will allow extra seating in the craft room, where one of us can relax while the other is using the table (like we did the other night - I knit and Brian sewed velcro onto yet another Boba Fett vest). Both our den and living room could fit one but it would be too cramped for our liking. I hadn't even thought of putting one on the second floor until after spending some time in the Craft room the other day crafting, and time in there Sunday cleaning and rearranging furniture.
In other home improvement news, we finally got in touch with our plumber and he's coming out tomorrow. We need an annual furnace maintenance check/cleaning, to get a stubborn clogged sink drain checked out on the 2nd floor (Brian located the clog, but has been unable to free it), and we'll get his opinion on how (if at all) we can have our den radiator fixed - its pitched the wrong way and clangs like mad when the heat kicks on, so loud it sounds like the pipes will burst through the wall. There are also a bunch of old fittings on radiators around the house that should probably also be replaced . . . the one in the kitchen started leaking today (the dining room, living room, front hallway and bedroom were last year). Its good timing I guess. I'm happy that we've finally hooked up with a local plumber that is nearby, does 24 hour emergency service, and decent work. They had good reviews on Angie's List and got a vote of confidence from my Dad, so I'm happy about it. We'll be using Steve Porter Plumbing out of Waltham (I guess his Brother lives 3 blocks from us and they have a crew of 7 or so guys - not bad at all).
At this point I think we should get the heat stuff out of the way, and do a lot more research on the insulation. Since our roof won't be fixed to the spring, I'd hate to have something put in only for it to get wet, damaged and moldy. But, we're losing so much heat out of the roof since the attic floor isn't insulated, so I'm not sure what we'll do. There's plenty of time to figure it all out, we're not going anywhere :)
Tuesday Dance class #2 tonight - shakey shakey! :)
Quote of the day: "Success is willing to do what the average person is not willing to do." - Thomas Vilord
I spent some time flipping through some of Sarah Susanka's books, that I had read about here http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/membermenu/publication/Stories/2006/sizematters.asp . There were some really creative design ideas utilized, and its neat to see some support for a more minimalized and useful style that I've been going for since reading http://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Down-Living-Large-Smaller/dp/1594860939 . I can't stand McMansions - they seem to lack a lot of character and with the limited space we have on this earth, seem like a waste of it. People don't need that much space. Anyway, its kind of weird how much impact that Scaling Down book had on me. The Susanka books, I finally got to browse them yesterday. I'm glad I didn't buy them initially via Amazon, but it was cool to flip through them. It also goes to show how everything is relative. Susanka's books really did give examples of smaller living spaces (homes around 1000 sq feet and smaller) while another nearby book touting itself to be about smaller spaces showed homes of 2000 square feet and up, featuring things like indoor swimming pools, massive fireplaces and great rooms. Right. I'm happy with our house, and looking forward to its changes and different uses over the years. Given its smaller size (relative to our last place) its forced us to be creative about things, but I think we've been actually *using* the space more as a result - its more thoughtful and purposeful. Related, I'm finally picking up a rocking chair soon - Craigslist seemed to have a lot of them. I've wanted one since I've been out of my parents house basically, and we finally figured out where it will go. It will allow extra seating in the craft room, where one of us can relax while the other is using the table (like we did the other night - I knit and Brian sewed velcro onto yet another Boba Fett vest). Both our den and living room could fit one but it would be too cramped for our liking. I hadn't even thought of putting one on the second floor until after spending some time in the Craft room the other day crafting, and time in there Sunday cleaning and rearranging furniture.
In other home improvement news, we finally got in touch with our plumber and he's coming out tomorrow. We need an annual furnace maintenance check/cleaning, to get a stubborn clogged sink drain checked out on the 2nd floor (Brian located the clog, but has been unable to free it), and we'll get his opinion on how (if at all) we can have our den radiator fixed - its pitched the wrong way and clangs like mad when the heat kicks on, so loud it sounds like the pipes will burst through the wall. There are also a bunch of old fittings on radiators around the house that should probably also be replaced . . . the one in the kitchen started leaking today (the dining room, living room, front hallway and bedroom were last year). Its good timing I guess. I'm happy that we've finally hooked up with a local plumber that is nearby, does 24 hour emergency service, and decent work. They had good reviews on Angie's List and got a vote of confidence from my Dad, so I'm happy about it. We'll be using Steve Porter Plumbing out of Waltham (I guess his Brother lives 3 blocks from us and they have a crew of 7 or so guys - not bad at all).
At this point I think we should get the heat stuff out of the way, and do a lot more research on the insulation. Since our roof won't be fixed to the spring, I'd hate to have something put in only for it to get wet, damaged and moldy. But, we're losing so much heat out of the roof since the attic floor isn't insulated, so I'm not sure what we'll do. There's plenty of time to figure it all out, we're not going anywhere :)
Tuesday Dance class #2 tonight - shakey shakey! :)
Quote of the day: "Success is willing to do what the average person is not willing to do." - Thomas Vilord
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Date: 2006-09-26 01:23 pm (UTC)I have to remind her to send me a picture of it. I asked her before, but she forgot.
My parents used to have a huge one - solid and quite comfortable, but I am not sure if they have it anymore. It has some fruit and vines painted on the top. It's really quite beautiful.
Rocking Chair
Date: 2006-09-26 01:34 pm (UTC)If it falls through I'll let you know - but if anything, your friend could perhaps list up there and get some $ for it?
Thanks for thinking of me :)