GrillSgt's Firepit

Moving Again

Stephanie and I decided several months ago that we would not be staying in the house we’re currently renting beyond the end of the lease, which is September 30, 2008, because there just isn’t enough room. So, for the past couple of weeks, we’ve been looking at internet ads and driving out to see houses. We found one in Greene Mountain Lake, near Stanardsville VA. It’s about 12 miles or so from where we live now and about the same from where I work. Here’s the description from the ad:

Newly available 2,526 square foot, 4BR,2 bath well maintained home in Greene Mountain Lake with 2-car garage, finished basement, paved driveway and private patio. Home offers spacious master suite with attached ceramic tile bath: soaking tub, separate shower and dual vanities. Gourmet kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite counter tops. Home is situated on a 1.27 acre lot with views of the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Long or short term rental available. Pets are possible with additional deposit. Seller would also consider a lease purchase. Convenient location, short distance from Route 33.

The pictures from the ad are below, but they don’t do it justice. It’s a tri-level house. The master bedroom is cavernous and the master bath is huge. The master bath has a soaking tub, two separate vanities and a separate enclosed shower. There are three smaller bedrooms, two upstairs and one downstairs. One will be the guest bedroom and one will be Stephanie’s office. The downstairs bedroom will be my office/music room. There is a room off of the family room, which is downstairs, that we will probably use as an exercise area. It has a two car garage with an automatic door opener and a spacious patio/deck. We have views of the lake. The lake is private to community residents, so we can go boating (no power boats) or canoeing, fishing, etc. There is a beach area with BBQ pits to use too.

The lease starts August 1. We decided to overlap our leases so that we have plenty of time to move out of the old place and clean before the old lease is up. So we’ll probably be moved into the new place before Stephanie’s birthday on August 20.

I’ll take some pictures and post them when we get the keys.

Severe Weather

Yesterday afternoon a severe thunderstorm rumbled through the area. I took a few pictures of a funnel cloud that formed north of where I work. Fortunately, there was no rotation associated with it, so a tornado didn’t spawn. It was rather cool watching the clouds, but also a little creepy. The photos of the clouds were taken with the camera on my phone. Not bad for a 3 megapixel phone camera, eh?

There used to be a large oak tree on the right side of the driveway as you approached the house. The very strong winds from the thunderstorm uprooted it. The rest of the photos show the tree, which is blocking the driveway. It fell on top of a small weeping willow tree. I pulled out my small chainsaw this morning to go cut the branches and unblock the driveway, only to find that chain oil didn’t come in the box, which is rather stupid considering engine oil did come with it. So, I’ll have to make a trip to Lowe’s. Our landlord is supposed to be sending someone out to take care of it, but he hasn’t gotten here yet.

Enjoy the photos.

Death of a Pioneer

Bo Diddley, pioneer of modern rock and blues and guitar maestro, died yesterday, June 2, 2008, of heart failure. He was 79. He influenced countless musicians and guitarists from Buddy Holly to U2. The full story can be read at Reuters. He will live on in his records, music and the countless musicians whom he has influenced.

Here’s a video report.

Here’s a music video of Bo Diddley performing “Who Do You Love.”