Snowy

We must have 4-5 inches out there. It's been warmer, though, so I'm pleased.

We've been trying to get C.'s studio ready for the kids to move in. There are three little 220 electric wall heaters, obviously not enough to heat the very large room. We have two used electric furnaces, a propane heater and several wood stoves. And Tom, our super handyman. We get started with...

Plan A: Let's have a propane tank installed outside, and the heater inside. But it's $479 for the tank rental and fill, and they run the lines to the house, not into the house. So getting the stove set up and hooked up is extra. And we'll be buying propane forever. Conclusion: Too damn much money. On to...

Plan B: Hire Tom to install Hire ductwork and one of the 220 electric furnaces, in place of one of the wall heaters. But the kids really want to move in now, and Tom doesn't have much free time. Ducts are slow. Plan B1: OK, we could go without the ductwork, and put the furnace on a stand, blowing warm air in all directions along the floor. Let's do that. But the furnace requires 6-gauge wire, and the small heaters use 10-gauge. Plan B2: Well, Tom says, we could repurpose the 220 line from the range in the other, unused kitchen. But there is no circuit for a stove there; there's not even a spot for a stove in the room (what the hell did those other people cook on?). Plan B3: So we'll have to buy new wiring ($2 a foot, for at least 75 feet) and run a new line into the room. C. says forget it, I want wood heat in there. OK. Well, it would have been nice to know that before. On to...

Plan C: Hire Tom to install an 8-inch metal chimney and hook up that gorgeous blue enamel Vermont Casting wood stove we picked up on Craig's List. It's small for the room, but the little heaters could give it a boost on the coldest nights. We already have probably half the chimney pipe we'll need. Let's do it. Tom calls from the home-improvement place – the other half of the stovepipe will cost $450. Shit. On to...

Plan D: Have Tom get the three little heaters going, and plastic off the doorways. Wait and see how warm it gets in there. He comes out to do this. The power goes off. It comes on after an hour or so, one of the heaters is dead so Tom swaps in another from the kitchen. Plan D complete.

I'm tired from all this decision-making.

And the kids have decided to stay at Emma's.