January 7, 2010

  • THUD! WE HAVE FIREPLACE!

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    The Beast actually got up early, dressed and then braced himself to finish the rest of the outside work that needed to be completed before he could finish up the installation of the fireplace.  I helped him check to make sure we had gas flow through the piping to the fireplace and then, when he was done, I helped him lift the fireplace onto the fittings that hold it securely to the wall.  Then came the big moment.  We turned it on.  IT WORKS!!!  IT WORKS!!!!  And it looks just beautiful.  Like I said, it looks like it was made for the area. 

    Of course, if it had been designed into the house, it wouldn't be anywhere near where this one is but you can't have everything.  I am just amazed at how much heat it puts out.  It warmed up the house in less than 10 minutes.  The Beast intends to use it to do the initial heating of the house in the morning to take the strain off the main heating unit which struggles to heat the house.  There was a small problem that he hadn't thought about and that was the plug for the blower for the fireplace.  I couldn't believe it!  However, we had a three-prong extension cord that has a flat *head* on it so he plugged it into THAT and then coiled up the cord and shoved it into a spot behind the fireplace (and under the innards) so it lays flat up against the wall.

    The bad part about the heater is we really can't use it to heat the house ALONE.  The reason?  Carbon monoxide since it's not vented.  A very real problem.  We decided to get a carbon monoxide/propane gas detector (yes, they actually have them) and install it.....just in case! 

    There are a lot of people here in N.E. Alabama that use propane for heat and so the detectors are always sold around here.  We found ours at Ace Hardware at a reasonable price.  Lowe's was out of them.    The Beast also noticed that all the fireplaces were gone and so were the large propane tanks.  Looks like he decided to do this at just the right time.  He was surprised that he had not a single leak in any of his welds, either.  But he always did do a beautiful job on that.  Comes from his union training as a pipe fitter, I guess.

    It's really weird how things are done here when snow is on it's way.  If it's more than a dusting, a lot of things shut down.  Some businesses (not the major chains) and all the schools.  That's mostly because of the fact that probably 95% or more of the kids are on buses to get to school.  Since we have none of the snow equipment that northern cities have, they don't take any chances that the driver might get in trouble.  They are predicting an 80% chance of our getting 1-2 inches of snow so it was announced that there would be no school tomorrow.  They actually are not expecting the snow to hit us until around midday here in Marshall County but, since they would still have to bus the kids HOME, better safe than sorry.

    They are then talking single digit weather overnight (Thursday to Friday), the Beast is even happier that we have the fireplace in because our Heat Pump and strip heater are really not enough to handle that. 

    When I tell you that this area is probably one of the better places to live because of it's mild winters, I really was not kidding.  However, this global warming, if that's what's causing it, is really mixing up the weather all around the world from the looks of it.  Normally, our weather seldom gets down to freezing during the winter.  It usually gets down to mid-40's and day time weather will be mid-50's to mid-60's.  That's easy to take.  We will have a couple weeks of the colder weather (freezing or slightly below) in late January and then it's over.

    But, this year is different.  The only good thing that will come out of it will probably be a big harvest of fruit on our trees (crossing my fingers here).  We shall have to wait and see.  I'm just glad I bought some nice fleece pajama pants to help keep me warm.  Plus, I got a neat pair from the Princess that say *The Grinch* all over them.    They probably should have gone to the Beast but they were in the ladies department so *I* got them.

    I bought the Beast some pajama bottoms a couple years ago that he almost never wore except when we traveled and were going to be staying with someone.  It helped preserve his modesty.  This winter, however, he's wearing them A LOT.  Now he's wishing he had a couple more so I will be looking at those the next time I go to the store.  I may have to make a run to Kohl's and see what they have, too.

    The Princess called to find out if I would be able to take care of Chewlee tomorrow if the pre-school is closed (due to snow).  Her job will be open unless the snow starts earlier than predicted.  Then she's just crossing her fingers with the hope that they will shut down for the day.  I guess they've done that in the past.  Would I turn my Chewlee away??? 

    Time for me to go soak in the tub.  I feel like I could use a nice, leisurely bath for once.  I'm normally a shower person but my back is bothering me a bit so I figured why not?  Love you all and I hope you stay warm wherever you are.  Stay safe (this is for my readers from the Republic or Korea...welcome one and all).

    Here's a thought for the day:  Have you reached the stage in your life when your husband (or wife) expects you to remember things that he can't (but neither can you)?

    PS:  Picture of the fireplace will be here tomorrow since I want one when it's turned on and operating and the Beast doesn't have it on right now.