Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 13 2015 10:36 AM
As it turned out, there wasn't really much of a calm before the storm of activity started to build. I didn't even get to play guitar last week.
Aunt Madeline's home fell into disrepair after she moved out and it was sold to an absentee landlord. We're making an offer that takes into consideration the cost of all the work it needs to be returned to its former bright, comfortable, cheery and well-maintained condition. We hope our offer is accepted.
But if not, we're setting up appointments in and around my childhood neighborhood, and we'll keep searching until we find our new home.
Here's the house. Needless to say, I'll be mostly absent from sg101 for a while. But I'll be back!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Jul 13, 2015 10:42:11
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 13 2015 01:08 PM
Noel, I wish you all the best of fortunes in this, whichever way it comes out. (Although Aunt Madeline's house looks a bit inspirational.)
Is that genuine original stonework on the facade, or...?
Wow.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 13 2015 02:57 PM
Badger wrote:
Noel, I wish you all the best of fortunes in this, whichever way it comes out. (Although Aunt Madeline's house looks a bit inspirational.)
Is that genuine original stonework on the facade, or...?
Wow.
Thank you, Wes! The home was build in the 1930's. It's constructed of solid-block field stone, and all the walls are wet-plaster. Notice the hand-fitted attic window? Not close to square. It would make a seriously cool haunted house. And you're right about inspiration. I may be inspired to write a gothic horror story which takes place in this house. I wonder what's in the hidden rooms in the attic? 
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 13 2015 04:07 PM
Noel wrote:
And you're right about inspiration. I may be inspired to write a gothic horror story which takes place in this house. I wonder what's in the hidden rooms in the attic?
Whatever your fingers flesh out of that Jazzmaster...
You're gonna need some cover art.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
Last edited: Jul 13, 2015 16:08:14
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 15 2015 10:19 AM
Four neighbors came over to see what was going on. They all remembered my Aunt and Dad, and were so happy we were there. It was quite a spontaneous street party.
Sadly, the cost of the restoration, plus yearly property taxes that alone exceed a normal person's mortgage payments, forced us to give up owning this house. It would have been epic, though.
So we have started over. We hope to finish the search this weekend, or next at the latest. I appreciate everyone's best wishes.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 15 2015 01:23 PM
THAT is a bummer (not the street party). Keep truckin' my friend, the sun will shine on you.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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wfoguy
Joined: Dec 11, 2011
Posts: 2134
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Posted on Jul 15 2015 07:21 PM
Noel, a money pit is just that. Best wishes for finding the right home for you!
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 20 2015 07:01 AM
We put in a bid on a house. Not going to say more until it's accepted. In the meanwhile, here are the latest pics of my kids. Corradina was chosen MVP for her softball skills by the Bethlehem Special Olympics. Her team won Silver at the State Championships. And the latest from Henry.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Jul 20 2015 07:25 AM
Fingers crossed on that bid. Awesome kids, er, 1 kid 1 Man.
— Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest
The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube
http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/
http://sharawaji.com/
http://surfrockradio.com/
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 20 2015 07:50 AM
Nice pics, congrats to Corradina. Appreciate you sharing these; neat pic of Henry.
I recall over the many years how the various services keep trying to make their distinctive "mark" in the choice of their duty uniform (with all eventually copying the Marines' copyrighted digitized pattern in some fashion but in their own colors).
I wonder how Henry or his companions view the actual utility of that uniform in day to day work vs. the traditional dungaree style work uniform of years past? He'll probably discover in the service that "stuff" to be used is often designed by people who don't have to actually use it.
Yep, 1 gem, 1 man.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 20 2015 12:42 PM
Just heard the verbal acceptance of our offer, with papers to follow. I think it's safe to show a picture of the basement club, er... music room. Well the room does have a cold water line where the bar will go, just out of camera range about 2/3's down the right wall. Kinda made me think of The Cave in Chapel Hill - it's about the same size.
House concerts anyone?
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Jul 20, 2015 12:43:41
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 20 2015 12:47 PM
Noel wrote:
Just heard the verbal acceptance of our offer, with papers to follow. I think it's safe to show a picture of the basement club, er... music room. Well the room does have a cold water line where the bar will go, just out of camera range about 2/3's down the right wall. Kinda made me think of The Cave in Chapel Hill - it's about the same size.
House concerts anyone?
Great news!!!!
Do they make foam green crystals for the fireplace...?
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 22 2015 08:15 AM
All the wood in the closets, and the paneling and carpet have to come out. So, does everyone agree with the Tiki theme?
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Jul 22 2015 09:31 AM
Big ol congrats on securing the house-the old homestead right?
— Da Vinci Flinglestein,
The quest for the Tone, the tone of the Quest
The Syndicate of Surf on YouTube
http://www.syndicateofsurf.com/
http://sharawaji.com/
http://surfrockradio.com/
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DoNtFearTheReverbBass
Joined: May 24, 2008
Posts: 422
Land Locked CINCINNATI OH
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Posted on Jul 22 2015 09:59 AM
Noel wrote:
All the wood in the closets, and the paneling and carpet have to come out. So, does everyone agree with the Tiki theme?
Very cool Noel : happy for you. If you need help with those house concerts let me know. I'm there dude! Tiki yes very tiki...... 
— The mighty KAHUNATONES
Don't Fear the Reverb ! Grateful Surf ! SURFIN' Tiki Bandits !
I can be reached through the following or at don@donschott.com. :
www.donschott.com
www.eyerecords.com
www.dontfearreverb.com
www.kokopellistages.com
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 22 2015 10:17 AM
Syndicateofsurf wrote:
Big ol congrats on securing the house-the old homestead right?
Sadly, no. As many times as we ran the expenses, in the end the property and school taxes on it alone would prevent us from ever fully retiring while living in it. We still wish we could have, but just couldn't make it work within our means.
The house we bought was built in 1955. It needs some repairs and updating appropriate to its age, but far fewer and much less expensive work than my Aunt's former home. Plus it has more and larger rooms, and plenty of storage space. And a two-car garage instead of just one. Lastly, half the taxes of my Aunt's old home, or where we are right now, for that matter.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Jul 22, 2015 14:17:50
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Jul 22 2015 10:57 AM
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4536
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 22 2015 12:13 PM
Noel, yes, you need to secure a BIG Tiki! The Tiki will explain all decor needed.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 26 2015 08:40 AM
We're closing on Aug 21. The packing and move planning have commenced. The house needs some work to be move-in ready after being unoccupied and closed up for a couple of years. So I'll be splitting my time between packing here and getting work done out there. Sadly, I've already had to pass up or postpone some exciting music-related opportunities from good friends. And I'll have no budget for music for many months.
Also, my already limited time to visit here is about to become a lot more scarce. There will be days when I can't even check in randomly to read a few posts, let alone actively participate. But this will all end when we're finally settled in.
I'll be back!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Syndicateofsurf
Joined: Oct 08, 2014
Posts: 1073
Northern Ohio
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Posted on Jul 26 2015 09:51 AM
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March Birthdays 
