Thank you sincerely for helping me survive this. It became traumatic at points.

This might surprise you, but I haven't actually seen the cabin yet. In 1913 a typical-looking New England Queen Anne 2-story house was built around it. The inside cabin walls were covered at some point between then and the time I bought the place in 2005. Also during that period, probably after the original owners died, the place started to fall apart, and it was about 1 day before too late that I bought it at auction. To give you some idea, Lennox said the furnace was probably the first model they ever made! I guess some people tried to fix things up, but when they did, it was crappy beyond belief, butt-ugly from the start. I'm pretty sure the upstairs carpet dates from the 50's or 60's; at least, praise God, it's not GLUED down.

Of course there were tons of emergency measures I had to take immediately and some that had to wait until I turned 62 and could get a comparatively small USDA loan. So now there's a new, permanent heavy duty slate blue metal roof, max insulation everywhere, 21 new E-windows, and at least a start on electrical upgrades. The existing electrical system probably dated from the 30's when rural electrification happened. So it was about 75 years old, very minimal and highly dangerous. Essentially the place was a firetrap about to fall over. But then that's also why I got it at auction for $14,500 too. If it takea the rest of my life to put things to rights; so what? Now it will be done well, with respect and integrity to the original. And I'll have something worth leaving to a good charity like the SPLC. That would really tick off the locals!

Guarantee you one thing: sooner than later, the added walls covering the interior of the cabin will be ripped out to reveal the original massive oak logs. It was a slave cabin, built like a fortress against the Native Americans who understandably wanted their land back, and I want to honor the original occupants however I can. Part of the reason I know so much about the history here is because somebody somewhere preserved every bit of legal paper pertaining to the property, which now rests safe and secure in my bank box. I bless their name. Also the people who built the big house around the cabin, because they made the stairs so steep and narrow that it drove away other potential buyers when I was bidding. Most people around here aren't going to install a stair chair; plus few people have the patience to spend the years and $ it will take to make the house shine again. Since a building's age counts in favor of property taxes, mine are only $183 a year, although 8 years ago it was almost $20 more. The far more modest newer house will run a minimum few thousand a year. I get to make all the improvements I want w/o extra tax, so long as I don't build the house itself bigger. What do I need bigger? Instead of a single huge backyard shed which would've been taxed, I built 2 at either corner, each 11x11, well under the limit. The eventual back patio cover will be about 1" short of taxable.

A lot of people also believe the place is haunted. That sort of thing actually pleases me. So obviously they consider me a bit 'teched' to begin with.

Sorry. You must know how dangerous it is to express the least bit of common interest to lovers of old houses. We're all crazy.

Kelvin didn't wander in by accident, Whisp; look at all the other warnings he's gotten already,

long before I started to beat the drums. He's made it clear he has no intention of complying either; note especially our exchanges in 12 and 18-21. He'll only take an endless string of warnings as permission to continue. Direct and strict action is the only kind of response a bully understands. He's already said essentially, "You need me to set you people straight, and I'll say anything I please as long as I feel like it."

No, there's one thing and one thing only that sort understands: a good swift kick to the curb.

I know you're aware of the difference between a forum and a group, since you're sooo smart.

Noting, however uselessly to you, that this is a GROUP and not some cesspool forum, you are still grievously out of place in your behavior. Believe me, the only reason you've lasted this long in here is because the mods must be temporarily distracted. This is NOT GD. You've done everything except call President Obama the Anti-Christ in a group dedicated to his support, and you need to stop. Otherwise I'll see to it that those in charge put the brakes on for you. The only benefit to your temporarily extended presence is that you're pulling on enough rope to figuratively hang yourself with. I don't believe you should be allowed to post at all anymore in this group; trust me, soon enough that will come to pass.

And then what will you do for fun?

It shouts immaturity to declare that manure dumping marks one as brave and knowledgeable.

That's pure teenage bluster and fools no one any more than Christie's cries of innocence. Your troll is showing.

Since you are obviously here to do nothing but mess on the carpet, I recommend your removal along with the crap you dragged in.

With ACA in full swing, it will get harder and harder for people to lie to themselves

and vote (ugh) Republican.

Even if you disrespect your hosts (and yourself) too much to voluntarily withdraw the post

as requested - and for obvious good reasons - I wouldn't make book on how long it stays up anyway. Repeat offenders have a way of getting themselves banned, too. Our group, our rules. You'd do the same with your own, and you know it.

"Not only is the Republican Party facing extinction, but the country itself continues to move left."

Lord, make it so.

Brings to mind a football cheer we had at school: "Push 'em back, push 'em back - waaaay back!"

Always easier to snipe, isn't it?

This was more than great - it was grand!

Who could miss a future president in that wonderful speech? I'd heard about this Obama before, but that was my first real introduction. Blew me away. Thanks for the presentation.

We can look forward to the coming State of the Union soon, too. I know some people think it's silly to love great speeches, but count me guilty as charged. I do. Without sincerity they fly like a lead balloon and wind up sounding, well... Republican. Sorry, I couldn't let that one pass! Meowww.

Shouldn't everyone be so glad that the President is far nicer than I am? Michelle is a lot nicer than me too. That's why I'm thrilled with both. And SOS Kerry. And all good Democrats.

Well, I'm a one-woman wrecking crew!

If blind stubborn stoopid qualifies as tough, I'll cop to that. With the pipe sawed off 2" above the floor, I discovered that salt jam extended still farther. Apparently the stuff expands when it clumps. 2 1/4" pipe length of about 3' and who knows how much more, jammed by about 1/2 cup of rock salt.

Anyway, all's well that ends well. The great handyman I recently met (through references) can do everything a house needs, and he doesn't charge like a plumber or electrician. When I finally gave up and collapsed in a pool of tears, I called him to come look at what I'd wrought. He did laugh - it IS funny - and then said don't worry, in a week he'll come back and w/o undue trouble or expense will a) crawl under the house and wrap the pipes, b) after he's relocated the trap where it should be - at floor level. Mind, that involves drilling through a concrete floor and maybe drilling through thick oak walls of an 1845 cabin (hope not). But the main thing is, he can do the permanent solution.

So I guess all the hellzapoppin' was worth it if you consider the end result. Had I not had such a brain fart, no telling how many years I'd have fuddled along with the problem. Maybe my part was like birthing huge triplets breech w/o an epidural, but oh the rewards afterward!

How's that for spin? Did I ever tell you I dabbled in marketing?

But as usual, Shakespeare was right - all's well that ends well.