It's about time!

My new neighbors--a LARGE houseboat

It's been a tumultuous time since my last post and I decided it's time to update.  However, when I tried to log onto the blog this morning, I was locked out and google told me that my blog didn't exist!  Thank goodness I'm able to access from my home office.

More neighbors

So, I was thrilled to have the new floor laid and was working on the painting, one little section at a time.  I didn't get very far before there was another problem.  The electrical problems continued to escalate and the main breaker on the dock was popping off as often as four or five times a day.  I would wake up with no electricity or come home from work with no electricity.  The maintenance man informed me that he was told to not fix it for me and I was left with no electricity at all.  Well, I had already started to look for new moorage and I was able to find two possibilities.  My favorite didn't pan out and set back my move by a week by waiting for it, but my second choice is very good.  There were some delays in getting paperwork signed, making arrangements with the tug company, and watching the weather, but we got my little boat moved just as the snow was starting during our winter storm.  I hired someone to make sure the electrical system was plugged in properly and there weren't any problems after the problems I had been having, and all has been well.  I'm able to have heat, lights, and run my appliances and no breakers have popped at all.  For some reason, we had a little trouble getting the water hooked up and the maintenance people have been turning it on and off to prevent pipes from freezing.  Josh showed me how to use the backup tank and pump system for those occasions that the water is turned off.  He specializes in marine plumbing and electrical.  I also keep bottles of water for drinking and washing.  But then something else cropped up.  We found the water heater leaking!

The dogs checking out the funky bench

Fortunately for me, I have a suite at my office and I've been able to use the shower there.  Good thing, because I got pretty busy and didn't have much time to research and shop for a new water heater.  It's a specialized item due to the size.  I was hoping to get an on-demand water heater like they use in Europe, but found that they use too much amperage by far.  Another option is a gas powered water heater that runs off a propane tank, but that would require setting up the propane system and finding another place for the water heater.  Expensive and complicated.  I've decided to replace the tank with a similar ten gallon model and that seems to fulfill my needs just fine.  It's a special order.  Normally, people want the biggest water heater they can get.  It will be here next week.

Springtime on Lake Union

In the meantime, I finished repainting the bathroom and the kitchen cabinets, and I hung curtains.

I was afraid that it would be darker at this marina, but it's actually lighter and my plants like that.  The whole marina is quieter and no all night parties here.  It's peaceful and lovely.  Occasionally some geese will swim by just looking around and I'm looking forward to warm weather and having my morning coffee on the back deck.  I'm living just a few blocks away from the former marina but the neighborhood is much different.  Quieter, nicer.  And I don't have stairs!