Weatherization Programs

I was surprised to learn that there is still help available for people with modest incomes.

A year ago I applied for a Weatherization program through the county Community Action Council. 

They called the first week of December and I had appointments these past two weeks.

First they come out and audit the house for its needs.  Each county has its own budget for what it can cover too.  But I was quite impressed by the amount of work available to me.  

Four days, four guys and three outside contractors and I was done!  I got all new vapor barrier, insulated floors underneath, a new bathroom fan and a newly insulated water heater compartment.

They also ran my dryer vent to an outside wall.

A furnace technician came and serviced the furnace, replaced bad parts and installed a new thermostat.  The furnace ducting was repaired and sealed and I even got a heater vent in my bedroom!

All my doors were repaired and got new weather stripping.  All the windows were sealed with caulking.

I got a new carbon monoxide detector as well.

I would have never been able to afford these upgrades to my home.  Now I am warm and comfortable!  I have lived in this house all these years and had no idea it was that drafty!

Also one of the great takeaways is the education I received on how to maintain healthy air circulation throughout my home, while still getting to enjoy the wood stove.

I highly recommend you contact your local Community Action Council to see if you qualify for these wonderful upgrades.  It's a long wait to be approved, but well worth it!!

Happy New Year!

OMG, it's 2019!  Where has the time gone?  Has it flown by for you as well?

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have been blessed with minimal weather systems, just a lot of rain really and no snow!  Knock on wood.  I'm pretty sure we already have enough water up in the mountains for next summer.

It's been really quiet here with the bird feeders down.  I miss my birds, but not the mice or squirrels.  I do see some interesting wildlife from time to time still, such as the illusive Hermit thrush, who comes out and dances around the water hole, singing.  I'm not sure what that's about, but it's entertaining.

A deer came through the other day and grazed the lawn until I was spotted in the kitchen!

I honestly haven't done anything new with the house in months.  I know you all have enjoyed my many handy-gal upgrades on a budget, but things have come to a bit of a standstill.

I have applied for a weatherization program that is for senior citizens and the low income.  I am very excited about this opportunity, if it happens, so I have put all projects on hold for now.

If accepted, I could have additional insulation added to my walls and floors!  They also seal the windows and doors.  It's a very exciting prospect to think I could actually be warm next winter!

The process of qualifying could take a while and the work won't begin for months, so I'm ready to wait.  After they complete the work I may have some finish work to do.  After that I hope to repaint the kitchen and go from there.

I'd also like to install a propane fireplace stove and remove the wood stove, this year or next.  While I love a wood fire, it's only me here to do the work.  I get the wood split and delivered, but I stack it, haul it, clean the chimney and stove myself.  I don't really want to get on the roof in my 70's, so I'm planning ahead.

In my creative life I am leaving behind the metal jewelry work.  It was a fun and amazing five years learning and creating, but online sales were down last year and I don't seem to have enough time to get out to galleries.

So I'm taking up photography again!  Returning to my roots in black and white.  I may have mentioned this in my last post after my trip out to the coast was such a success.  Looking forward to returning!

So it's winter in the mountains and things have slowed way down.  I hope this finds you all enjoying your own creative paths. 

Here's one from my most recent photo shoot at the nearby lake.

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