Getting settled.

I've been sleeping here for a month now. Had to look back through these pages to check. I haven't written much lately because most evenings I've wanted to eat and sit down for a while, and then it's been time for bed.

The house is getting almost comfortable. There's still plenty to do, but I can walk through the downstairs rooms without stepping over things, and I've stopped having to look for a tool every time I want to use the kitchen. I brought one of the chairs upstairs so I've got somewhere to sit in the bedroom besides the mattress.

It's been bitterly cold. I'm glad I got the insulation done when I did. I also got both chimney flues swept, the one for the bedroom fireplace and the one in the living room, and had them checked before lighting anything. I've been using the fireplaces most days since. The electric heater hasn't had nearly as much work to do.

I went out into the woods and cut up some fallen timber. A fair amount was rotten once I got into it, but I brought back what was worth keeping and stacked it by the garage. I've bought some dry firewood as well. Between the two fireplaces I get through more than I'd expected, though it still costs less than trying to keep the place warm on electricity.

The apartment paperwork is finished, and I used some of the money to buy a used Ford F-150. It has a few dents and the driver's seat is worn through at the edge. I've already made several trips for wood and building materials that would have been a nuisance in the car. I should have bought one earlier.

One thing I haven't worked out is a creaking sound from the basement. I've heard it a few times now, usually when I'm in the living room. It sounds like a board taking somebody's weight, although I can't think what down there would be moving.

I've gone down to look three times. Each time it's quiet by the time I get there. Yesterday I stood at the bottom of the stairs for several minutes with the flashlight, waiting for it to happen again. Nothing. I checked the shelves I'd left in place and had a look around the stairs, but couldn't find anything loose.

It may have something to do with heating the house more regularly. I'm keeping an ear out to see whether it happens when I've got a fire going. So far I've only remembered to pay attention after it's stopped.