Almost 2 years since I left an update on this blog. A lot has transpired in the interim, too much to try and recap. So, I'll begin with the latest project:  Our recently purchased "final house", shown at the right.  The house located in Manasquan, NJ will be Ronnie's and my year round retirement home at the Jersey Shore.  It is a small cape (1266 sq ft) built in 1941, much of it original (see bath). We are going to add an addition and modernize. (maybe not the bath, it is so classic).

We have been on a search for our retirement home ever since we decided to sell our Yankee Barn in Pennington, about 3 years ago. 

We've been in almost every listed house for sale in Spring Lake, Sea Girt, and Manasquan over the past 3 years.  Ronnie knows the market as well as any realtor.  The day this home came on the market, we made a full price offer which was accepted.  The address is 145 Fletcher Av and it is about half way between the beach and downtown Manasquan. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=145+Fletcher+08736&hl=en&ll=40.117842,-74.040492&spn=0.011765,0.032938&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.490703,134.912109&t=m&hnear=145+Fletcher+Ave,+Manasquan,+New+Jersey+08736&z=16

I decided to take advantage of the low rates and VA benefits for a mortgage and the VA process was a nightmare.  (Never Again).  It was so bad, I'm considering ending my 46 year relationship with USAA Savings Bank.  But, that's another story.  Closed on the house April 27, the day my mortgage commitment was to expire. Accepted the house without Certificate of Occupancy, because of some known violations that are being corrected as I write this.

Spent the last several weeks working with a local builder, Tom Bateman: http://www.manta.com/c/mw2f79p/imagineered-homes-llc and his architect Robert Dooley to turn the 1941 small cape into our more livable retirement home. We have been very happy with the initial drawings and interior concept.  Later this week we are meeting at the house with the builder, architect and contractors to finalize construction plans and hopefully establish a timeline.

These drawings are preliminary and basically add about 600 sq ft to the footprint of the house. It will allow for a redesigned first floor to include a new master bedroom suite and an additional greatroom.  I stopped by the house this AM and met the asbestos remediation team from Envirotactics.   http://www.envirotactics.com/company-overview/ They are removing the asbestos from the basement pipes and eliminating one area of concern in the house.



Acouple of additional items not related to the house.

Back flying with Aircraft Services Group in the Hawker 800 based in Teterboro, NJ.



In addition to the Hawker I'm flying a King Air 300 which I picked up and flew home from Moline, IL(left).

 

I flew this airplane for 7 years before my 4 year hiatus with the Jingoli jerks in Trenton. Enjoying the reunion. New 0 time engines were installed and it'll start the summer regimine of Teterboro to Ilesboro most weekends.