Odds 'N Ends Part Two. . . Fixing the Fireplace

Well now, if you've been faithfully (or even a bit UNfaithfully) following my blog, you will note that this past spring into early summer we had the KILLER REMODEL project of our home (where we practically demolished and torched the old place and put up a new one)

One thing that we ran out of time, money, and resources for--but that we really, really, really, really, really, really, REALLY wanted was a fireplace that actually worked.

We'd been living in this home for 15 years and used the fireplace maybe 3 times (each time turning into a smokey, sooty disaster)

We had estimates of redoing it and putting a wood-burning stove in it's place from a few to several thousand dollars. . . but after what we just spent--we were really trying to do something simple (like just FIX it so we could use it) and be cost effective at the same time. (like CHEAP)

One of the things dear hubby heard that made him perk his ears up and cock his head to one side (just like the dog used to do) was when one guy told us that before we could do any major renovation to the fireplace, we needed a 3 foot extension for it.

Apparently the nice people who built this home (back in the late 60's) were trying out those 'funny cigarettes' at the same time--and managed to install our sliding glass door backwards, put all the electrical wall outlets in upside down, and short our fireplace chimney by just a few feet (thereby not creating enough draft--and causing it to smoke horribly every time it was used)

After listening to all the things horrendously wrong with our home by all the various contractors and renovators that came traipsing in and out of our lives this past summer--we wondered how in the heck we ever managed to live in it for so many years without some major mishap. . . but I digress. . .



The idea that caught my dear hubby's fancy (and just wouldn't let him go) was the thought that we could FIX our fireplace! All we needed was an extension--and he began researching on the internet to find just the right size (3 feet) at just the right price. (cheap)

The glorious day came when the package with the fireplace extension arrived at our door and dear hubby was on the roof with it in a flash. . . and doggone it, if he didn't become the HERO of our HOME! It worked like a charm--and we have had a glowing fire in our fireplace every night since! (and the fact that it is now winter time and cold as the arctic also motivates us to use it on a daily basis)

In fact, because we've missed out on 15 years worth of fires in our fireplace--I'm sure we'll continue 'lighting up' until next August. . .