WInter, Spring and homeowner chores

Winter is having, we hope, its last blast today with a bit of a snowstorm and some dreadfully chilly tempetures.  With next week comes the hope of spring like weather finally arriving.  And with its arrival, the now long overdue need to update the siding of this not so old but forlorn house.  Looks like for now, we've decided on replacing rotten batten and board siding with similar thickness OSB, #15 felt for housewrap and fiber cement lap siding from James Hardi called Hardiplank.  I hope and look to take pictures and document the progress. Starting with the rear of the house where some water damage has occurred and continuing until the entire house has a fresh, updated look and a new coat of paint.

Then or during this, our bathrooms will be updated and the master bath finally completed.  I plan to install similar temp controlling valves in each bathroom and replace copper pipe with PEX and sharkbite connectors along with pipe insulation over the entire runs.

Additionally, the new cellulose insulation may be added if cost is not too high to the bathroom exterior walls and at least the wall between the bathrooms for sound control.

The biggest hurdle will be rearranging the drain to fit a new shower stall in the master bath since heating and ac ducts lie just below them, making it hard to get to.  I would also like to reprogram both shower drain's destinations to a holding tank for use in the toilets and yard and garden irrigation, perhaps lowering my water bill and eventually lowering or easing the increase in our sewer bills.

It all only takes money and time.  Time I've got.  Money is short.  Short for everyone.

Stay tuned, it might be a bumpy ride.....

Russ

Aha!

Aha!  My friends at Macserve.net have for the moment solved my audio and video server dilemma.  This means I hope to start uploading podcasts next week.  Or at least trial files.  If you are looking for a great web hosting company, macserve.net is it.  And yes, they are Apple Xserver based with geographical mirror sites.  The servers are just always up.  And the owner still answers the phone! Rates are as competitive and reasonable as they come.  Inquire about their rates. Don't let the old website stated rates deter you.  But enough advertising....

In the iWeb and website updating wars, iWeb in iLife 08 has exhibited some strange behavior. Rollovers and link indicators that work in iWeb but do not once uploaded into the live website.  That is all cured, but I had to re-input the text for each of those menu links.

Fantastic meeting/web conferencing tool was used today.  Our MCA-I association is having a Leaders meeting in Dallas and I was invited to attend in the virtual world.  Video. Audio. Chat. Live screen of host CPU with PPT if included in the speaker's presentation.  All real time.  All free.  Yes, ads all over, but not invasive.  What great technology.  Thanks to Todd O'Neill of San Antonio for setting that up.

Well, its a beautiful 1st of March day and should not be at this computer!

Russ