You can't judge a book by it's cover

Oh yes you can.



Please refer to the due dilligence post- the part about home inspectors. 

Prior to buying this farm house we were made aware of several "issues" that would need some TLC.  One of which was the siding.  Inspection of the siding revealed several things: 1) The Southern heart of pine shiplap siding would need some "help" in several areas (i.e. rotted, cupped planking, and just dry rotted from the sun over 100 years), 2) there wasn't any insulation in some spots, and 3) there may be some hidden damage to the studs and structure.  What was lacking in the "you might need help "department was the fact there wasn't any sheathing under the shiplap side boards-anywhere. 

Coming from North of the Mason Dixon line I am accustomed to houses being built with sheathing attached to the wall studs, TYVEK wrapping, and then the exterior finish.  Not in this case.  Which meant that instead of needing "help" in several areas, the whole friggin house now had to have the heart of pine shiplap siding removed; one piece at a time.

Somebody please shoot me. 

So the search for a contractor begins.  Any thought of retaining some equity from the sale of our house in NY is a thing of the past.  Next the demo begins and I'm praying the meds kick in.



Guess who's coming to dinner?

Well, it's not Sidney Poitier.

 


We had a visitor camp on the corner of the driveway and main road for several days.  She literally didnt' move more than 10 feet from where she was first seen and being afraid she would be hit by a car, we got her to follow us onto the property.  This was 3 weeks ago and obiviously our dinner guest that evening has decided to stay.

To say she is like a bull in a china shop would be an understatement.  The vet (yes, we brought her to a vet to have her checked out and see if she had a chip implanted) said she's in good health, about 1.5 - 2 years old and as stated, no manners.

The other dogs and cats seem to accept their new friend better than we do at times. 

Looks like trouble to me.  We have named her Lexi, rather than Diablo which would be more fitting of a lady of her stature.  I guess it's safe to say she will be present for many more dinners.  To bad Sidney and Lulu didn't show up for dinner.  Gotta go she's chewing something, let's hope it's not one of the cats.