Snug

[darkemeralds]

In what was by far the most painless home-improvement job I've ever experienced, the Clean Energy Works and GreenSavers contractors completely insulated my formerly-uninsulated house this past week.

November has been too mild so far to turn the heat on, but even so, I notice two distinct improvements already: when I wake up in the morning, my bedroom doesn't actually feel like the outdoors--there's a kind of snugness to it; and the place is quieter. Honestly, I didn't realize how hollow and echoey it was around here till all the hollows were fluffified.

The contractors found crevices and gaps to insulate that I didn't even know were there. They blew loose insulation into exterior walls from below by putting holes into the sill, rather than tearing up my interior walls. There's only a little bit of touch-up painting to do.

They replaced some old wiring in the attic crawl space so they could insulate up there. They put fancy sealing strips around the drafty mudroom door. They plugged the gaps around electrical sockets and light switches. I mean, the place is snug.

My little house is so happy! And so am I!

Comments

[sobelle]

because it's not at all in my nature to be neighborly or to join things

Hahhahahaa! That's how my life has turned out too but I really do think that I would like a community... it's good to be dragged out into the open (on occasion) my BFF Willa (we met in 1958) is even more of a recluse than I am.

But it's my BFF Melinda (we met in 1972) that is the social butterfly and was always dragging me out and about... but it worked well because she made all of the decisions and I could just be along for the ride. I got to go on a ~romantic~ New Orleans trip (because her husband couldn't get out of court)... again... and she didn't want to reschedule... besides, she said she had WAY more fun with me. =D

I guess my love of the idea of Community harkens from my University days when neighborhood friends would descend after classes and we'd drink tea and smoke joints around my big old kitchen table.

::sigh::

I guess those days are long gone. =(

[darkemeralds]

::sigh:: indeed. The fact that you've known anyone for so many years is very impressive. I think the oldest BFF I can still claim a connection to is a college friend whom I met in 1982.

Community depends on proximity to a very large extent, because spur of the moment activities and casual get-togethers and ad hoc helping out and borrowing a cup of sugar depend on proximity.

My online communities have become increasingly important to me for emotional sustenance as my so-called "real" community has scattered. They aren't the same as sitting around the kitchen table, but they aren't a bad substitute.

[sobelle]

I've been remarkably blessed with very good friends. I've lost a couple already... which I know will continue as we age... because that's life... =(

And I totally agree with the online communities! They really ARE important... to me too. I've got some long time online friends too... 1997-ish is when I started discovering the wonder of the interweb! =D I've actually met a few of my online friends in RL... and it's as easy a transition as I could have ever hoped for. =)

Re: the "borrow a cup of sugar" community... how freaking cool would that be?! Seriously, a community populated just with people you like. *slap* (and then I woke up) =D

When I was back in Fayetteville I lived on a family compound. (2 cousins & families & my aunt) 17 acres with 4 separate structures spaced out on the wooded hillsides. Without a doubt, my favorite place ever.

And I REALLY miss my Little Cottage in the Woods. =(

[darkemeralds]

That sounds wonderful!

My sister, who lives across the street from me with her family, just came by and had some dinner with me. That's the kind of thing that makes community. I don't require a lot of it, but it's nice to have some.