...and a bit alarming...

Okay- for the second time, one of our motion sensors has triggered an alarm with nobody around to set it off. Same sensor each time. So I have bypassed that one sensor and the security company is sending a guy to check it tomorrow. I could just see getting a false alarm while I'm out of town and can't check it personally. The city will charge an arm, a leg, and three fingers for too many false alarms.

And by the way- when I went down to check said alarm malfunction, the eastern walls and the refrigerator were dripping water. I checked...no leak; it was just room sweat I guess. Really? It just doesn't seem right.

Okay, sooo......

I got the railing painted and for decorating. I did not finish getting the overhang fixed, so I still have that to do before I can hang the lights. Kathy and I have decided to install two fireplaces- one in the living room and one in the main hall, one right above the other. Should be easy to put in, but it will be later.

When pulling out the rotten boards of the entry hall, I found that not only was the floor joist rotted, but the space between the floor and the ceiling below was filled with dirt and pecan shells and shredded cloth= rats! I filled three trash bags with the detritus and removed the remains of the floor joist. I'll replace the joist, re-deck the floor, cover with hardi-backer, and then tile the entryway. Working just a couple of hours a day should see this done well before Christmas.

Shocking, just shocking!

OK, since the slowdown associated with the start of school and the end of money, I have gotten the power up to snuff and the lights on. Tomorrow we'll be getting an alarm system installed as well. This holiday time, I'm going to decorate the building a little bit with lights, a wreath, and a decorated and lit tree in the big windowed doors. I'll also try to paint the iron railings on the balcony and touch up the paint some.

Jim and Jan gave us a beautiful gift: a brass plaque for the front of the building. It says "THE LAMBS 501 AVE A". It looks great! I installed it a couple of weeks ago by the front door. It adds just the right touch of class and, well, ownership. Hope to get a lot done over the next few weeks.