Nolan Kienitz

Congratulations to y'all and a Merry Christmas to your newly expanded family.

I'm of a similar mode, Les.

Even with additional health hiccups that are slowing me down I am very thankful for my family, life and ability to participate and learn from y'all as well.

Merry Christmas to everyone.

I have been experiencing the same 'tude down here with some clients and agents involved.

I had one yesterday that was quite evident of same.

In fact the seller (an elderly woman ... who I got along 'great' with) was lambasting her listing agent about her fees as they sat in the dining room and myself, buyer and buyer's agent were elsewhere in the property going over things.

It was not pleasant.

This particular listing agent called and left me a "very tacky" v-mail Sunday night late and I refused to call her back as if I had it would have possible lit a fuse for WW III.

I told the buyer's agent to call her and keep her away from me.

Local D/FW inspector and friend of mine has been having a rash of heartburn with problems related to HUD (bank-owned) property inspections.

He put a lengthy post up about such at his blog.

Be patient ... it is a long read, but good.

Inspecting HUD Homes

Phenomenal !!!

Few more images that go with the ones I posted above.

These below are of the PEX Manifold distribution panel on the interior garage wall.

This one has been nicely done ... compared to some I've seen.

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Marc,

Here are some images I took recently at a phase inspection of a condo.

These are the typical transitions i see over here ... D/FW.

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I've been running Microsoft'sw own free anti-virus (Microsoft Internet Essentials) for about two years now. I checked out several reviews on it, and the ratings were pretty encouraging. It's been great!

I've been running the same for the past 1-1/2 years on my main notebook. It was worked very well.

I still have "paid" AVG on my backup notebook and my wife's and occasionally some items slip through.

None of them are foolproof.

There is a location in Lockhart, TX (near Austin) that deals with antique radios. My brother (retired Navy now living in Georgetown, TX) had his old radio (electronics and wood case) restored by Neon many years ago.

He may be slowing down a tad as he relocated a year or so ago to a different structure, but could be worth a source for parts.

Neon Radio

Saw this at the ICE website today.

URL is below and I've also attached a PDF of the announcement.

Businessman Found Guilty of Trafficking Counterfeit Circuit Breakers

Download Attachment: Guilty_Trafficking_Counterfeit_CircuitBreakers.pdf

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Is anyone else here surprised that Fabry pissed off the Russian Mob?[:-dev3]

Not in the least! Just have to be watchful for covert and overt activities near his neck of the woods. [:-censore

I always make note of it. Whether anything is ever done about it ... I just don't know.

My nose still works fine!! []

He has an impressive number of certifications but could not verify his status as a current certified member of ICC.

Agreed. There are only two "Alcorns" in the entire ICC database of "current" ICC certified folks. Neither of which are in FL.

He may have had all those certifications in the past, but it would appear he has not kept up with the required classes for maintaining the certifications. They renew every three years. I just renewed mine last month.

Also, according to ICC rules one is not allowed to have the ICC logo on their website, biz card or any such place unless one has paid ICC to become an "ICC Member". Now ... anyone can do such even if you don't have an ICC certification. Paying a fee to ICC to become a "member" lets you display the ICC logo.

If you are ICC certified you still "cannot" display their logo (officially) unless you send them the $$ to become an "ICC Member".

I put this URL in my reports due to all the CFLs showing up in home.

I dislike them pretty much across the board ... even though I'm using about 3 in various locations in my home.

CFL FAQs

I love trains. Used to ride the Empire Builder and Western Star (both Great Northern lines) across the Northern tier (Montana, ND, MN, ID and WA) when I was much younger.

Crossing ND from college in Moorhead, MN to Williston, ND and Culbertson, MT in the middle of the night and being able to sit in a dome car and look at the extremely flat, snow-covered and very beautiful landscape on a full-moon was extraordinary.

My wife and I try to ride one scenic train a year. We had all things set up for the Cumbres & Toltec this past fall, but had to cancel at the last minute due to some emergency health issues with her 87-year old Mom.

We're planning on resetting the trip for next Spring now.

Cumbres & Toltec RR

There you go again Chad.

One helluva job. Never, ever see such here in Texas.

Ditto Jim's comment.

I only wish the foundation cracks I see were that minimal !!

... call someone else ??

And then pay him: "How much?"

I had similar happen to me in "rural county" inspection of a property in East Texas. That was when another Texas state agency controlled such, but was controlled by the big dog home builders.

Builder didn't like what I said and got someone else, whom he paid off.

That Texas agency has since been "sunsetted" (or dis-banded) by the Texas State Legislature.

Now ... "out in the county" there is nobody holding the builders to task. Not that there ever 'was'.

Now if we could figure out how to economically send some of that extra water to drought ravaged Texas we would heroes. Hey- at least it is not snow!

We would certainly welcome the rain. A nice slow rainfall for an extended time frame would be great.

But ... we have what we have (err .. don't have as the case may be).

Link to one of many stories about what is being revealed with the drying lakes around Texas and Oklahoma.

Ghost Towns appearing from dry lake beds

Under the carport, but maybe enclosed in a closet? I've seen that many times. Portion of the closet is HVAC/water heater and another portion of the sectioned off closet is shovel and rake storage.

And ... on the other hand. I had a call today from gentleman wanting a complete, detailed, thorough and professional inspection on a older property that was also a pier & beam.

I provided my quote at $500.00 and a WDI (termite) inspection for $110.00 plus tax (pier & beam fee). The WDI fee goes to the pest inspector ... not me!

He said I was too high. He had quotes for the entire package not exceeding $250.00.

I'm guessing this person never heard of Holmes.

Obviously I didn't book the HI.

Hey, hey, hey here everyone.

Chad did one helluva job.

Get over it and get off the high horses for the nit-picks.

Now I will get slammed I'm sure.

Why no images of the "controls", the helipad, the helicopter, the engine ???

The board room is nice, but I want to see the technical stuff!!

Maybe Richard would invite us on board for a cruise [?]

Kind of old thread but I went to an electrical supply house and got the three-light tester from Ideal.

Can't tell you the model no. but it's recognizably heavier and thicker than the ordinary hardware store tester.

Buttons and lights are running strong--2-3 years old by now at least.

Randy - Upgrade available ... depending upon your model.

Download Attachment: suretest_upgrade_program.pdf

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