Farmerjan's journal - Weather

[farmerjan]

Yes, @Bruce there is still the on and off..... but having lived in both, the baseboard hot water will stay warmer longer than just the warm air blowing out of the vent then being turned off. You may have hated cleaning the baseboard heaters once a year in the spring, but I hate the dust and all from the forced hot air. It is always "dusty dirty". And you have to keep stuff away from the hot air registers or the warm air is useless, even more so than is the baseboard. Give me the baseboard any day of the week, for more consistent warmth. Had it as a kid growing up, then the hot air in a house with a small wood fired furnace/with blower in the cellar; that wasn't bad because it blew the hot air from the furnace jacket, into the "regular furnace" which then went into the hot air ducts, and then it would always have a very small warm air flow, not counting when it accumulated enough heat to then have the regular furnace fan kick on.....had hot air for a year with the in-laws when I was first married, then have had baseboard and hot air in different places. There is no comparison for warmth that permeates into the air or that blows into the air......
But radiant in the floor is just the best for getting warm. Had it in a couple of milking parlors and if the floor is warm, your feet are warm, everything is warm. Old fashioned radiators are also great for getting warm. I'd take out a couple of the baseboards for old radiators....

Actually Rocky said he has kept his furnace cut down and fed it an average of once a week and used only it for the hot water year round. I know of a couple of others that do the same. But this year they fixed his propane heater so has been using that for the shower/washing hot water. He said they will fire it up again in probably Oct even though it won't be that cold out. So 6 months on & 6 months off.
If the water heater works okay I will leave well enough alone at the house. They gave me the paperwork on it, it was installed in 2005 so won't last forever. Biggest thing is getting the farm bureau co-op out to check out the heat furnace, or find out who can do it., That is where I get my oil deliveries from; not on a regular delivery, just call, get it filled or however much I want. The tank there at this house looks to be 500 gallon maybe.... bigger than the 275 gallon ones that are common. Got to make sure that it is still good.... was sitting up on blocks but the grass and all has grown up over the years and it probably should be raised up again to have "air" under it.

I went to the house today, called them as a courtesy, since I didn't want to seem too bold, and they were glad to let me in the house and I walked around and looked. They have really cleaned it up.... there will be alot less painting since they did touch up in the "dining room" before it was appraised....it is a very pale yellow and the ceiling is white, so I am going to leave it. They even left the qt of paint that they used for the touch up; there is a paneling in the utility room that has a scene of old houses; these sheets of paneling were popular in the 70's ... not bad to look at so will leave it. One wall is wood paneling.... The kitchen has a formica ( looking) paneling on the walls between the cabinets, and on the counter tops. Very small yellow flower type design, not obtrusive....Part wood paneling on one wall.... I am thinking I might even leave that for now. Not horrible, not especially in love with it, but if I don't do anything big with it, I can get in sooner too....Wash it down a little but they did the counter tops and all. Will have the wood floor sanded and finished in the living room, it has paint drops and stuff all over it and has some nice knots and grain; the hall is a combination of wood and some vinyl... not sure what to do with that. Bedroom rug is cream colored, the walls are the purple and WILL get painted but the rug is in very good shape.... the LR is off white, with white ceiling so I do want to paint the walls a pale green shade. Actually they did alot more cleanup than I ever expected them to do... and it is in better shape than I thought. Looks alot nicer, and different than when I first looked at it.
The baseboard covers are dinged up and kinda crummy looking. Some even looking rusty.... I might see if they can be replaced, or if not, then they are going to have to come off and get sanded (maybe sandblasted) and repainted.
Ceilings are all textured, and I hate it, but not worth replacing at this point. They cleaned up good, though .

Going to take less than I thought to be able to move in... so might not do as much inside and get things going.... got to find someone to do the floor though. I cannot do it, and to get it sanded and finished right will be worth it. Will take off all the quarter round molding around the floor in there, and probably leave it off. I am not a big fan of quarter round along the floor, makes it impossible to get things up against the wall....
The kitchen will be the biggest thing for me to live with as I do not like the double sink... it is set at 45 degrees to each other in the corner; and the sinks are too shallow for my taste. I think that I will wind up redoing the kitchen to some extent. Don't like the one cabinet that has a "breakfast bar" that sticks out.... it is more noticeable now and it is just in a bad spot in my opinion. Place to sit a chair under it to sit and eat breakfast or something..... It has open shelves, on the end, like for cookbooks or something; DUST COLLECTORS in my opinion. Will have to see if I can find a 30" fridge to fit in the space. Plenty of room for my propane stove. Can move my specially made "spice cupboard" along the one wall, and there is quite a bit of cabinet space that I don't have here and there are counters that I don't have here. So I will work with it for now.... but I have some other ideas. There is not enough room for a kitchen table and chairs.... so they will have to be in the dining room.

The utility room is separated from the kitchen by the dining room.... UTR was originally the old kitchen. But the deck is off the new kitchen.... and it is on the wrong side of the house from where the carport is or where you would conveniently come in like with groceries....Set up really dumb. I am thinking that if the boxwoods are gone, that maybe the side with the utility room, which is right alongside the carport, and drive in from the road, could actually be expanded into a larger eat-in kitchen with access to the outside through a door to make coming in and out more sensible with dirty barn clothes and shoes/boots, and stuff out of the garden, and laundry...... I don't get the set up of things there. You have to come in the front door, go left through the LR or go straight down the hall into the DR to the kitchen on the left or the utility room on the right. Or go around the house to the left, up 2 steps, across the "deck" in the door to the kitchen. Somehow, it needs a "back porch" (closed in), to come in with groceries, and "outside clothes" and such. Maybe move the carport (it is one of those metal ones, nice enough and larger sized) and put a closed in porch entry that could go into the utility room on that side of the house. Might make it much more user friendly.....

I was looking at where to put the peach trees, and she said they used to have some fruit trees along the road on the one side, so might go on and put them there. Theirs just died off, eventually. HATE the forsythia bushes there so maybe a good reason to get rid of them for the fruit trees. I want to have some blueberries, and some raspberries, maybe even enough raspberries to sell there or at a farmers market for a few weeks. Some "cash crop" .... could sell some fruit too. The wife said that the deer will get the fruit anyway, they always got theirs.... I said that the deer will be in the freezer.... I am thinking that it will get fenced and have a dog or 2 that will keep the deer out of the yard. I am serious, they will not be devastating trees or gardens..... I like venison....
I still would like to do a complete fencing of the whole property.... yeah, not cheap. But to keep a dog/s in, people out... chickens in but keep them out of the garden area.

Am not liking the traffic up and down the road, in the front, at all. I am going to look into some privacy fence when I go to Lowe's to get some of the paint mixed up to see what I like color wise.... kinda glad that I didn't get there the other day since I won't be needing so much right now.... Might see if they have 1/2 tall privacy type fence.... like 4 feet instead of the 8 ft.... to put up along some of it to help deaden/block some of the noise. Also think about different kinds of bushes that will deaden some of the traffic noise. But still have to have sight lines to come in and out the driveway.... although I am seriously considering one of 2 spots that can be used to come in and out that are off the dirt road.... ALOT less traffic. One is the old railroad bed that is solid as a rock that comes in off the end... kinda divides the property into 2 sections ..... might be workable with gates.... the other is further down the side off the dirt road. It comes almost directly to the carport from the "backside"... thinking about it. Have to take down a couple of trees that have grown up along that entrance and are "crowding the space"... but that would be okay.

I think that this will be a "transition" place for me.... a couple of years maybe, get some major equity built up.... then find something out of the way in the boonies..... with no traffic or set way back from the road. Thought that this might be it, but don't get that feeling. I like it in alot of ways, but it isn't what I really want.... it is a very good buy, a good place to get some equity built up, a good place to get out of paying the stupid rent to someone who won't even let you have chickens on the farm????? But this has alot of potential and the best thing I can do is make it workable and useable.... which will pay back in selling points. It will make a great place for someone who doesn't want alot of land but wants to be self-sufficient..... I think that is going to be more important in the coming years....

Guess I am not as much of an "old lady" as I thought.....not ready to just settle......

 

[Mini Horses]

I believe there are almost always things we would change. Listening to your pros/cons, I'd NOT do anything in that kitchen until I have moved in and been there a couple months. If you are already considering "adjoining" rooms, you need to be there before renovations or you may spend money wrongly. Paint the bedroom, decide on a "closet" area, paint the lvgrm & re-finish floors........remove the boxwoods. Then get a feel for more before rushing into it. Often just "being there" and functioning will give you more/better ideas. Been here almost 20 yrs., some things I'd like to change but, not a LOT. I built the house anyway -- was a 15 acre field when I got it -- still, would change a little, mainly more kitchen area/counters.

Appears that YOU will eventually settle with a few more acres....cows need that, LOL. I enjoy my space but, a good deal of upkeep, also. I could go with 5 or 10 acres, downsize some animal numbers, etc. I'd LOVE to retire and stay home....with something here to produce a touch of income -- to pay for upkeep would be fine. Believe you are in that line of thought, also.

Next year, this time, I'm probably going to have a rental unit because my DD is "planning" to move. That will be a little income that I don't have now. May make up for a job! This covid crap is slowing my payday work anyway. Heck, might BE retired before I know it.

 

[farmerjan]

Yeah, I have lots of ideas, and sounding them out here is good. Sometimes you just have to actually see them in print, or hear them out loud.
I agree with the simple stuff; painting, the floors sanded, cleaning up/painting or replacing the covers on the baseboard heat in the rooms to make it look nicer....the tub/bathroom has to be done to be liveable and the upstairs ceilings will have to be done; preferably within a year..... (but they don't have to be done today). Running the pipes for upstairs to be there when/if the time comes to do a small upstairs bath. Better when the bathroom downstairs is torn open. Get rid of the boxwoods and some other trash trees. Move the fruit trees and what I have to move when I am out of the rented house. (plants etc., like my daylilies and peonies)....... Get the furnace checked out, and functional for winter time and then see what comes along. Maybe get the storage building since it can also be moved later on.... I am going to measure the utility room and see which/how many of the freezers I can fit.....But I really don't see how there is enough room.

And you are right... get a feel for it. Really want a fence of some sort and it would be a selling point around here. But I can live with it for a bit and see. Get my chickens moved there and get the moveable pens rebuilt/fixed, and then can go from there. I think this place has the potential to be worth double with not a ton of money type stuff done, it needs some clean up and TLC outside and to be more functional..... some small things inside like the small extra bath upstairs....and that "attic" insulated and ceiling put in which I will do the same as I am putting in the 2 bedrooms upstairs.....
Yeah, got to decide about some sort of "closet" for the bedroom.... Might just get one of those portable ones for temp storage, on wheels, that has like a plastic enclosure to keep the stuff clean.... Most of my clothes are in dressers anyway....

Thanks, @Mini Horses ... we do think alot alike and I just needed to get all the jumble out of my head.... and to look at it from someone else's perspective.

Yeah, things with the heat and all have slowed my testing down and I am looking forward to being off more and more. Of course, these knees are a problem. Trying a new pain relief combination formula that a friend said really helped them with the arthritis.... said to give it 2-3 weeks , so I am going to not say a thing before then,. several different supplement combinations.
Of course it helps if I don't do stupid marathon testing 5 days and 7 milkings in a row..... (2 days was both milkings). This week I have 3 scheduled and then there are only 3 more for the rest of the month. One farm called and the hired guy has covid, from his parents, so they are in lockdown at the farm as far as interaction with others.... everyone still doing fine, but no one like me or other sales/service people in unless it is a necessary emergency.... It will get back to a better schedule as I will be spacing them out a little more now that the worst of the summer heat has broken (we hope - they are calling for mid-upper 90's on Tuesday!!!!)

Got our first new "fall calf" the other day...on a cow that was supposed to be a late spring cow but the vet obviously got her wrong..... got to sell the rest of these other calves off here PDQ.... those cows will be due in Oct/Nov.....

Will pull the bull from the heifer/nurse cow field the first of Sept before those other bred heifers start calving so none get bred back too soon... the 5 there with the calves from May/June, ought to be bred back, including my nurse cow. Hoping for May calves next year. Going to call the farm I am putting my jersey x dairy heifers on, and see how soon they will take them. They are due around Oct and I think they ought to go on a "dairy type ration" so they will come into their milk. That will leave me with 5 or 6 more beef and beef x heifers here to calve out this fall. Going to move some more "dry " beef cows to the pasture where we are making hay since there is quite a bit of grass, and they will go into this hayfield as soon as we get the hay done and moved off. It is divided into 3 pastures for rotational grazing and they are in the 2nd field. They will be able to go back on the other 2 fields again later this fall. We only cut about 1/2 the hill this time, easier to let the cows graze and feed themselves, and the amount of grass will take them into late, late fall.... they will all be calving along and it will be good for them to calve on this hill pasture and with the abundance of grass left, and the regrowth, it will be good clean calving grounds.

Ate a simple supper of fried potatoes and onions. Have had ham steak the past couple of nights, and just felt like sautee'd onions, then decided to add in potatoes. Going to get a shower and then eat an ice cream cookie sandwich for dessert.
Got PT in the morning... then a trip by Lowe's to see about some paint sample cans.... and look at the possible fencing while I am there....Also want to decide about some shelf paper for the cabinets.... will have to rake the hay about noon. Got to call the electric company for up there, it is a different company from where I am.... but they also do the internet service.... see how long it will take to get an appt to get that done.... and what I have to do to get the elec into my name up there after the closing....the elec here will go back into the owners name as he has to keep it on to run the well for the cows water.... so I am not worrying about doing anything about that until I give him a notice..... Not planning on that until I see about the floor sanding and refinishing. I can "close off that room" and not have to walk through it so that is not quite as difficult to work around... but can start moving stuff after I get some more intense cleaning done.
Painting, floor getting done, deep cleaning kitchen cabinets, start moving some stuff....find a refridge that fits the space... the washing machine so I can wash and dry stuff and put it away up there. Found where there have been some mice into the drawers here, with the winter clothes, so they are all coming out and going through the wash......GRRRR. Living room and the bathroom will be last stuff to move.... so I am not giving the landlord any date yet.... but I am hoping to be done here by November????? Gives me 2 months + , will have to see how things progress into the middle of Sept....then make some decisions.... I ought to be making progress by then.... but it has taken over 3 weeks longer for the closing than we originally thought so I am not going to lock myself into any time frame yet....
HE// haven't had the closing YET........

 

[farmerjan]

PT called and cancelled so I am going to get my butt in gear and head to town a little earlier and spend some time in Lowe's getting the paint, then look at whatever they have for shelf paper... thinking something like "contact paper" - - adhesive and easy to cut and put down... look at the fencing.
Have a heavy thick fog this morning so the fields are going to have to do some drying out before raking. At least noontime.... Think I will go by and pick up a few more bags of feed and fill the cans because now there is a 40 to 70 % chance of showers/storms/rain coming in, possibly Tuesday aft but definitely Wednesday, for 3-5 days.... May as well get it in there while it is dry....
I have a farm Tuesday afternoon, then the one that is 125 miles north on Wednesday; so will be leaving for them by 10 a.m. They start milking at 1p.m. takes about 2 hours, but you never know about the traffic. Might call one other farm that does their own - "owner sampler" they are called. I could drop off the meters on the way to the Winchester farm on Wed morning, and will be back up in that direction on Friday afternoon for another farm and don't need the meters at either, so a good time for this farm to have them. I have to do the computer stuff, but that should only take an hour os so, with having to take computer and printer to do their stuff. Have to call them in a bit and see if they want to test this week. If not, then I will be halfway near there next week.... but this week would save me travel.

So far, closing is still Thursday.... Had another paper to e-sign in my email....

 

[Baymule]

Those blasted e-sign emails just won’t stop! LOL I see that you are looking at your home as I now see mine, not your “forever” home. You are being smart, doing things that will add value. In the outside wood furnace, will you realize the purchase price back when you sell? Maybe everyone doesn’t want that and you should save that purchase for your forever home, out in the sticks.

 

[farmerjan]

@Baymule ; Don't know about the wood furnace, it will add value for most people looking to settle out in the "country".... and if things do go sideways in this country, might be the smartest thing I do. I know that I would consider it a plus; but then some are too lazy.... But it will wait for a little bit. I am going to go by there, when up in that direction, talk to them, get some prices, see about the time frame...
Get the current furnace cleaned and serviced and the oil tank reset on a little higher set of blocks or something, get it filled while the prices are still reasonable. At least then I will have heat for sure. Hoping that things are quiet enough that I can get someone out to service it before everyone starts thinking about the colder weather coming.... 90's doesn't inspire too many to think about heat in the house.... except to run the AC !!!
Need to make a list of things... mostly people to call; like the furnace, the elec co for both the elec and the internet, a floor sander/refinisher. Hoping that this "pandemic" has some people looking for some work.....

Time to head out the door.

Still Foggy as all get out....but looks like the sun is trying to come through.

 

[Mini Horses]

Agree -- seeing in print & saying it does help plan. However, I see that you have all these changes hitting at once & you can now slow down to take an intense look at what WILL work when you get there. Hey, this coming weekend!!!! Hear that? Soon is here!

I agree with Bay, you may want to reconsider that outside heater until you've been there for at least one winter. I would. That is a large commitment to operate, plus a big initial cost. Propane runs close to cost of gasoline here -- BUT, I have a lovely propane heater. It is less costly to run than some forms for my own house situation -- and you have heat/cooking (limited) when no power. I am planning to buy a large tank, then can use one of several refillers here. Haven't used my central heat/cooling consistently in years as I don't usually use the upstairs. Small heater or the propane & window unit AC takes fine care for me, much less expensive, living in the downstairs.

While I do consider this my home -- not thinking a move! -- you never know! Only family is DD, DGD, DS. DS is borderline outcast. LOL. So I consider ME -- mainly -- and "ME" isn't getting younger. However, I do like where I am located very much. Fortunately, I can divide this property and could easily sell off some, with septic installed, mobile home there, etc. They could build. I have options.

Bay -- moving a consideration????

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

I see that you are looking at your home as I now see mine, not your “forever” home.

Bay -- moving a consideration????

I'm with Miss @Mini Horses -- WHAT? I figured you and BJ were there for the rest of your lives. That is what I hope for my Beautiful Gal and me, namely to live here until we die or have to go to a nursing home, or in my case, a mental hospital!

 

[farmerjan]

@Senile_Texas_Aggie , I think that @Baymule mentioned that they might consider moving in the future.... I think mostly dependent on the grands..... If they had stayed closeby I think bay would stay there forever.... but with family changes, sometimes other plans change.
I wanted out of the rental this year, one way or another... This house had been in the consideration last year and they weren't sure if they were going to do anything. This year it is available and for the price, I would be STUPID not to buy it. The possible return on investment alone, makes it more than worth it. 2 acres isn't enough for the cows, but right at present, being across the road from the nurse cow pasture is as close to perfect as possible, unless it was for them to be on my own place. It really is fitting the bill for the present. Can live on one floor with the bathroom convenient, for the future knee replacements and only one step down from concrete porch to ground out the front door; only a couple steps from the "deck " to ground.... It has A LOT going for it. And the price was very right.
Knew that the traffic might be a bit off putting, but the noise yesterday was a real smack.... there might be 5 cars on the dirt road where I am now. Hate traffic noise...... So, I will see the best way to deal with that. All the other things that I am exploring..... mostly because I want the independence of the wood heat, and the increased "warmth" and unlimited hot water without the extra cost.... have wanted to go back to wood heat for a long time....and the outside furnace at this point is better for things especially the insurance coverage end of it....and the furnace provides the hot water that just a plain inside wood stove does not. I will be going to propane for the stove and there is a small propane heater inside that looks like a fire burning in a hearth, that they are leaving that the mother had, f so it can be hooked back up. Propane would be my choice for a generator also. So advantages of the propane.

Putting fencing for the animals (chickens and or a possible dog in the future) would add to it. And one thing to consider also.... we are a "fence out" county.... so if our cows (which will be right across the road) should get out... or the guy's cows down the road, and do any damage.... it is my responsibility to keep them OUT OF my property....
On fence in counties, it is the farmer's responsibility to keep his animals in the place they are supposed to be.... Can get tricky but the idea of having it fenced then would put any damage on the person who's animals are out loose if say they broke down the fence....because I have met my responsibility to fence them out... providing the fence was sufficient..etc and so on. But what I am saying is it would be a plus for the property value to be fenced.....

The peach trees will go with me because the landlord almost cut them down once and said if I ever leave he will cut them down.... and I am going to take the flowers I have planted since there were very few here....and he doesn't care a fig about any of them. Just some peonies from a member of the Wade family from the "Wade's Mill" where I used to work and they are just a nice old variety that are pretty, and some daylillies and some iris plants that I've bought and planted along the foundation. nothing earth shattering....

Storage building is moveable if not "sold" with the property, so options there. Going to have to have somewhere to have the freezers. One maybe possibly 2 will fit in the utility room....

Upstairs ceilings are necessary, putting in the plumbing for the small bathroom upstairs is smart while the downstairs the bathroom tub HAS to be replaced. It is an all in one fiberglass deal....hoping it is not a major project once we get it torn out and the floor and back of it all. exposed.
Living room wood floor getting redone will make it look so much nicer....

Doing stuff in the kitchen is not necessary.... just maybe my preference.....it can wait.


Doing some work outside, boxwoods and some saplings gotten rid of are also a plus to the value....and seeing if I can get it power washed will brighten it up for not alot of money.....

Yes, the wood furnace is a big "extra".... but if you don't check on it then you don't know. Fencing is not critical right now.....a generator is not life or death but something to think about.

 

[Mini Horses]

here is a small propane heater inside that looks like a fire burning in a hearth,

One I have is something like that......or looks like a cast-iron free standing wood fired stove. Looks good on my rock walled corner, & raised hearth. So let me tell you, it puts out a LOT of heat quite efficiently. You may be surprised. I heat my downstairs with it nicely. Rascal cost me $1K but, that was 17 yrs ago. Still going strong. & looks new. I also had ceiling units put into each bathroom that are lights, vents, and fanned heater....you select what ya want running. Spring & Fall it's nice to have that little heat blowing on ya when you get out of a shower. Rest of house is usually without heat then. It's my one little cheap "luxury". Oh, I have a dishwasher (luxury for a single). Don't use it much on daily basis but, with canning right now --love it! In fact just ran a load of about 30 jars to get them ready, while I was in during midday heat.

We each have our little quirks. It's fine. No one size fits all.

Some people don't like to milk, either.....go figure.