We have started to start some changes to the house, including laying out some of our initial plans to renovate the bathrooms and third floor. We have already upgraded the security system and installed a hot water recirculation pump so that it is possible to get hot water in the kitchen without draining Lake Michigan of water to do so. As you might imagine for any new home owner, there have been several runs to Home Depot for little odds and ends as we try to update some of the house's infrastructure.
We have also have gained first hand experience in the joys of owning an older home. As I have had the plumber out twice now to fix leaking valves and pipes (if you also include the trip to install the recirculation pumping system that is three trips in three weeks - I'm thinking of just putting him on a retainer). The first instance was when a water shut-off valve for an outside faucet started leaking when I opened it for the summer season. Not a big deal since I could just close it again and wait for the plumber to show up. The second instance was way more fun. I went into the basement to experience hot water jetting out of a pinhole leak in a pipe and covering the walls and floor with water. Once again the plumber came quickly - we have found a really great plumber, fortunately - and we are back in business. All of these fun events, coupled with the thrill of our pressure system toilets from 1919 has made me an expert on where all the shut off valves for water are in the house. Of course with a 90 year old house, there are lots of shut off valves as various homeowners and plumbers over the years have added valves they felt were needed. I started counting the all the valves once but gave up after I hit 20 (gas, hot water, cold water, radiator heating lines, you name it I've got a shut off valve for it - plus they span several generations of technology, my own little historical museum of valves). There is one upside to an older home I discovered, floor drains in the basement which do make it easier to clean up water spills. Enough of the house. Last week was filled with visitors. Our good friend from Connecticut, Bruno, had a conference in Madison and was able to join us for an evening to see the house and fill up on our homemade pizza. The next day as Bruno headed out in the morning, my parents and sister, Cheryl, came up from Chicago on Amtrak. After seeing the house and having lunch at Harry's Bar and Grill, it was time to put Dad to work on the house. We removed 4 doors to open up the floor plan and tightened up all the handles on the house while Mom helped in reorganizing the rooms - including a great suggestion in the kitchen allowing us to bring up our larger kitchen table. Sis had to head home the same day due to work, but Mom and Dad stayed overnight to enjoy the Milwaukee Art Museum and dinner with Jo in downtown Milwaukee the next day before catching the train back to Chicago. Then this last weekend, we enjoyed a visit from Jo's sister, Kathy. Jo and Kathy got together with some friends from their hometown and high school that were in town for Marquette's graduation. Everyone got together at "Saz's" which apparently is a locally famous bar/restaurant by the ball park. Afterwards, we enjoyed catching up with Kathy discussing retirement (like all good aging baby boomers do now) and getting her ideas on our home layout. Sunday dawned bright and sunny so after our run we walked with Kathy to a local coffee shop before she had to head out. After a quick trip to the gym we then tackled a nap and some more house organizing chores.
Jo's job continues to go well and she is feeling more and more settled into the role and company. She has already been there 3 months so time does fly. We are looking forward to the long Memorial Day weekend and hopefully the start of summer - if it would only get warm and stop raining!!!
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