Cooked

The underground line to the house failed, and it nearly cooked my entire house. I started flipping breakers when I found a surge suppressor boiling black smoke as it burned into the title flooring. However, I fear it was too late for some appliances. Hope the PG&E claims department is ready for me!

Posting a image of the hole PG&E dug in my driveway so that I track its location.

The nightcrew dug this hole on Monday between the hours of 11pm to 4am. I'm grateful, but wish they'd return and finish the job. I have a temp. power cable running around my car and front doorstep.

When the lights began to intensify, I started hearing popping noises throughout the house. First, I yanked the plugs on all my work PCs. I was on my way to the circuit breaker box when I saw the black smoke pouring from behind the sofa. The "chalk mark" was a surge suppressor.

hiatus

Pardon my posting hiatus. It's been a busy month of moving out of and dealing with my rental of the past 5 years. As boxes are unpacked, and this house becomes our home, the tone and content of this blog may be modified.

For example, I've added a series of new pages for each of the rooms or areas being renovated. Currently posted and new photos will be added to these pages to better illustration the progression of work involved. I figure this type of visual history might amuse visitors during the housewarming, and be critical when planning future repairs and modifications.

Ba

New potted pals

Currently residing on my office desk, James added a new orchid to his collection. According to the tag with the plant, it's a dendrochilum magnum.

James second pick was this drought-tolerant alyogyne hakeifolla, Elle Maria.

My addition to our plants is this grevillea "Ned Kelly" (or Mason's hybrid), which is a drought-tolerant Australian species.

Still needing a pot, another James' pick, an euphorbia "Tiny Tim".

Lastly, to continue with my love of strange succulents, two species of the kalanchoe genus: orgyalis (copper spoons) and tomentosa (panda plant).

Kitten toilet

Even the cats' bathroom gets the royal treatment!

Officially moved in!

As of this morning, with an offering of fruit to the house spirits, James and I officially moved in to our hillside hut. It's been a long voyage, and we're only partly there. Despite a few minor glitches, the place is magnificent for habitation.

Tonight especially, marked by a blue moon, I appreciate James, my friends, family, and personal experiences that has led me here. As a precocious child rooted in a family's dairy farm's red dirt of Oklahoma's "Green Country" region, I stretched my imagination to believe my current life was possible.

Lazy-man's clothes line

Until the circuit breaker for the clothes dryer is fixed, I'll be drying my towels the old fashion way.