Home ownership involves utility bills. We finally got our first Hydro (electricity) bill in early April. The funny thing is I had to phone and ask for it. Seems that some unfortunate soul named Gordon Peters in Lac du Bonnet had been getting our bill. The line had been connected on August 7th, and we began drawing significant current when the electric furnace was hooked up in late October/early November. Unfortunately, the other Gordon Peters had not paid our bill which had risen to $1,255 by mid-March: not bad for months of construction draw and five months of winter heating. It appears our next bill will be slightly over $100; again, very good for this time of year. It seems that our investment in an air-source heat pump will serve us very well.
The last while has been made busier by non-construction activities as well. Our church choir sang Buxtehude's Membre Jesu Nostri (with chamber orchestra) as part of a three-hour Good Friday service and, following the Great Holy hoohaa on Easter morning, performed Bach's Easter Oratorio (again with chamber orchestra) on April 10th.
Ruth had her first carpal tunnel surgery a few weeks ago. Indications are that it was successful. She is now scheduled for the second of three more procedures to improves hand function. We are also very grateful that the astronomically expensive arthritis meds seem to be yielding results. The challenge for Ruth has been the inability to take on the mammoth list of tasks she would like to accomplish. This is compounded by our continued indoor camping lifestyle, but I hope to alter these circumstances markedly over the next two or three weeks.
Speaking of markedly, our choir friend, Mark McLellan, had a bit of time between job changes and took on the task of tiling our shower. Ironically, his efforts were bent on darkening one corner of our home while I focused on bringing light to every corner of the house. Once Mark has completed the grouting, I'll be able to install the fittings and glass wall. Who knows? We may be able to finally enjoy showering again in a week or so.
Light and access to electricity is now a reality in virtually every corner of the house. I still have a few connections to make in the kitchen, basement and for exterior applications, but it's wonderful to be have permanent lighting and receptacles, and to have retired the extension cords. I managed to get the dining room and great room looking less like a warehouse yesterday so that, when Ruth returns today from a delivery trip up to Pete & Allison's new permanent home at Riding Mountain, maybe she'll feel more like this is truly her new home. I know I certainly need to get this place to that state soon.
The closets are also now ready for our stored wardrobes. Once we've dust off the stored clothes, we'll be able to sport more than two outfits each again. Oh, the fashion possibilities.
The 53' trailer that has blighted our yard for six months is also gone. Just before Easter, our neighbour, Allan Trippier (who is also building his own home), came by with one of his highway tractors and turned the trailer around. On Easter Sunday, Pete and Thomas showed up and helped us empty everything into the basement and garage. It's added a bit to congestion, but we near the point of being to stow and organize our material lives... I think.
What's next? Well, Bruce Oughten should be here any day to install our eavestroughing. Ruth and I are seeing Delaeno and his wife, Micki, tonight and hope to be able to entice him to return for a short while to help with interior doors, the deck, the siding and a couple of other small jobs. It would be wonderful to have his skilled hands on-site again.
For your humble nail bender, the next tasks floor tiling and kitchen counters and appliances. Maybe even dusting off the motorcycles one day and seeing if they fire up. Now that would be a red-letter day.
