"baby, it's cold outside"

New England, and any other state in the "northern side of the US".. is in a deep freeze right now. Not that we haven't had days like this before, but we're talking "dangerous freezing" to the point that they are even putting warnings on the TV.

Fortunately, these cold snaps don't last that long. Usually a few days, maybe a week or so, and they move on their way. Certainly we don't have them like Alaska or Canada does... but even so, when they come, we have to deal...

"for us".. this cold snap means no chimney thru the roof. The mansons are already to run it up, but they can't work with material that freezes instead of "cures", so until this get behind us.. the chimney must wait.

Fortunately, the house is at a place where work can continue inside. This past week, Ken and crew have been putting up "walls" upstairs!!! Well actually just the studding for walls, Ed and I will be doing the finishing work, but, we now have a good sense of "where things are" We will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms ... plenty of room for overnight company and (some day) grandbabies to spend the night!!!!

With the walls studded in Ed can also begin wiring and that sort of thing. He has be itching to "do something" in the house... so it won't be long now before he will have a project!!!

Yesterday, because the chimney has to wait, the masons began to work on the hearth where the wood stove will sit. I wanted a "high hearth" with a curved front. It took a bit of "figuring", but they got and I think that will be done later today.

(and yes, they are working in t'shirts!!! the guys set up a heater and before you knew it... not even completed.. the house had "warmed up" to a more than comfy point!!!)

Ed and I got the two shower stalls and one tub picked out (finally!!!)... we have to get them in before the walls close in. I know that in the months to come, there will be a "million" decisions like this to make, but if I don't see another tub or shower for awhile.... that's ok with me!!!