"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Good books and bad house woes.....

This past week, I finished this book called The Frozen Lake by Elizabeth Edmondson. It is one of the best books I have read in a while. When I closed it after reading the last sentence, I just exclaimed WOW.


This book is about two families in the Lake District. When the lake at Westmoreland freezes over, people flock to the lake to skate, both visitors and family members. Returning brings back memories but also some secrets. Lies have a way of coming out.

This book is one I would recommend highly. It is the second book I have read by this author and will not be the last.

Murphy has returned to our home with vigor. Jos noticed a drip on our new radiator. The seal between the sections had broken and it was leaking. The company who makes these radiators gives great customer service and came to fix it. They replaced the ring but it was still leaking so they literally turned around and came back as they were on their way back to home. After trying three rings, the man contacted the company and a new radiator was decided.

We had to only wait two weeks as they rushed this order through and came back to replace it for us.

Then Murphy decided he was not done having his fun yet. After hearing our wood floors snapping for about a week and a half, it buckled up and split open in places. We could no longer close the studio door without getting stuck inside. Jos called the man who put in the floor who came and did this...

I am totally not happy with this as he had to order the hard wax and is going to put it back in no longer flush to the wall but with a flat plinth to cover the gap. This floor has been nothing but problems and I wish we had forced him to renovate our old floor under it as agreed. We feel like we were taken advantage of not knowing enough about the situation with great expense to us too. I will be glad when he finally comes back this week to put the new sections back in. Needless to say, the extra floorboards will be gone soon at this rate. The floor is the bedroom looks like it is going to start doing the same thing. You assume that someone who is certified knows what they are doing but we have our doubts anymore. If it gets any worse, we will have to file a complaint with the CBW insurance guarantee.

Why can't Murphy move off to someone else? But then I would wish him on no one!

In the meantime, I have been bitten by the spring cleaning and decluttering bug. I am going through cupboards pulling things that (although I love them) no longer work with our furniture or do not fit and am selling items. It is nice to see a little money come back from these items and space in our home. Do you enjoy doing some spring cleaning at this time of year?

We have spent the weekend planting up our garden and enjoying the nice weekend weather. Anyone gardening? No matter how your weekend looked, I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

13 comments:

Elizabethd said...

Oh Heidi, we had the same problem with our wood floor. I think the wood expands, and if they have put it in too tight, it has nowhere to go.
What a lot of trials you are having. Hope they are soon over.

Nancy said...

It is 52 chilly degrees in Ohio. Where is that silly groundhog who said we would have an early spring?????
You just cannot win with that floor. I agree, file a complaint. That guy is a jerk. Anyone and I do mean anyone, can see he cut the boards too long.
Happy selling and bet the yard is looking great.
Love you, Mom

Jackie's Stitches said...

So sorry to hear Murphy is back. Our wood floors don't go all the way to the wall and then they have molding to cover up the gap. With so much humidity and heat here room is needed for expansion. Hopefully Murphy will move on soon!

Used-to-Bees said...

What a shame and a nuisance about the floor. I bet you were glad to be able to escape into the book! Hope it's all sorted soon.

onlymehere said...

Sadly Murphy is crossing the ocean to visit us too much more often than I feel is normal. Our's seemed to entail water too. Ours was more water on the floor in my laundry room. At least this time I caught it fast before it caused major damage like last time. I do hope he moves on permanently from your home soon. You've certainly had your challenges with him. If I can ever get a hand on him I'm shipping him off to Siberia! Farther than anyone in Siberia even lives as I wouldn't wish him on anyone!

DonnaTN said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about more house problems. Your decorating posts have all looked so lovely that I hate to think about all these problems. It is very discouraging, but your attitude still seems good. Surely this will end soon and until then try to keep a smile.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to read you are having more problems Heidi and do hope Murphy goes away quickly. Good Luck with the floor and hope it is fixed soon. Yes I have been gardening and the garden looks very pretty at the moment. England seen some beautiful weather lately and of course the spring flowers and new leaves on the trees have been at their best.
Take care Heidi and hope the selling goes well.
Love Hazel C (UK)

Saskia said...

I know what's going on... You offered Murphy the attic instead of me.
So, now your stuck with him. I would have been much nicer than him to your house. But well, I stay in my own little place then..LOL
I hope the garden will be a little heaven to relax in, soon for you guys.

Anonymous said...

Oh Heidi, I am sorry about your floors. We are STILL fighting with our HOA to repair/replace our laminate flooring. It was put in new, six months later our building's roof leaked, which leaked through our ceiling. The ceiling repair was horrible. In the meantime we too hear snap, crackle, pop.

Good luck with the selling.

blessings, jilly

Ginny said...

Your problems with the new house just don't seem to end. Such a shame. I hope this time around things will be fixed for good.

Spring cleaning? Not really. No time and no energy. Cleaning has become so difficult for me, so I just do little things here and there. I am still hoping for a new kitchen floor (we can't get our contractor to call us back, but that's ok because we're dealing with so many health issues with my husband). Anyway, I want to investigate those steam cleaners that are now on the market.

Don't work too hard, ok?

Littlebit said...

Oh, Heidi, I am so sorry that Murphy seems to enjoy residing at your place! My goodness!
Spring? Not sure what that is at this point. We are in the 30s! I did get some garden cleanup done when it was nice last weekend, though.
We also recently cleaned and had to let go of some things..like..it's just TIME, y'know?
I will have to look up that book you mentioned. I am always on the lookout to add to my library.

Susan in SC said...

(((Heidi)) No fair that Murphy wants to stay with you so long. I know you are sick about your floor!

Mary said...

Yes, kick that Murphy out, you've had enough of his shenanigans!! Hope they can soon get your floor perfect..........now I'm a little dubious about doing hardwood downstairs - I'll need an iron-clad guarantee that they don't buckle like this!

I may have to look for this book -I'll be in the Lake District in two weeks time - so looking forward to seeing that part of England which is new to me - and popping over the border to Scotland for a day.