House Manual...
Most information you will need for the house is below and also in the house folder.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER and FIRE BLANKET - in the stairwell (going down to the basement) just off the kitchen.
EMERGENCY INFO - A map to the nearest Emergency Room is in the house folder (it is approximately eight miles east just off our road - very easy to get to). A FIRST AID KIT is in the bathroom medicine cabinet.
KEYCODE/LOCKING UP - We will send you the key code shortly before your stay. To lock, press the lock icon while pulling the door towards you so it catches. To lock the sunroom doors, lift the handles up and turn locks clockwise.
INTERNET/WIFI - We have Starlink's best residential plan, "Residential Max" delivering unlimited high-speed internet of up to 400 MB/sec and unlimited data. The plan provides Starlink's highest network priority, with the fastest residential speeds even during the busiest hours.
GROCERIES - In Marshall, 5 minutes away. Left out of the driveway. Just after the train tracks turn left at Old Stockyard Road. The FOOD LION is up on left. Open 7-11 every day. There is a PICNIC BASKET for your use with utensils and a blanket in the downstairs bedroom and a smaller one (for two) in the dining room under the marble table. Feel free to use condiments, spices, etc. in the kitchen.
COFFEE/TEA - We provide a Keurig, a regular/capsule brewing machine, an espresso maker, or a Nespresso maker. We also have a french press in the cabinet along with an assortment of coffees and teas.
WATER - We have a deep well and it tests just fine so you certainly can drink from the tap if you’d like.
TOILETS/SHOWERS (IMPORTANT) - We have a small septic system, so please be careful of what you flush - absolutely no wipes (even flushable) or sanitary items can be flushed since they clog our system very quickly. We provide a wastebasket (and little baggies, if you need them) to dispose of these things properly. Also, we ask that larger groups be frugal with water use to avoid overwhelming the septic system.
KITCHEN GARBAGE/RECYCLING - in the cabinet below left of the stove. Front bin trash, back bin for glass, plastic, and cans. Full bags can be placed in the garbage can and recycling container next to the garage. For longer stays, we ask that visitors take their garbage/recycling to the Marshall Collection site (a mile down the road).
FRONT YARD LAMP - If this light bothers you at night, you can unplug it in the basement. It is plugged into the ceiling across from the washer with a green ribbon attached. Please plug it back in before you go.
APPLIANCES - OVEN does not turn off automatically. All grease must be put in the garbage (not down sink).
SMOKING - Please, absolutely no smoking inside the house.
THERMOSTAT - in the living room. Press it like a button and turn the outer ring to work. Supplemental heaters have thermostats in the sunroom and downstairs bathroom (underfloor heat) and in the master bedroom (for upstairs baseboard heaters). Please turn these off when you leave.
ELECTRIC - If some lights/outlets go out, you probably tripped a circuit breaker. The electrical service panel is located downstairs in the back right corner of the basement. Find circuit breaker(s) facing “off” position or that shows a bit of red. Flip it/them the other way. If the kitchen counter outlets don't work, there is able and gray outlet box on the basement ceiling (it says "kitchen GFI outlets") just inside the back basement stairs. It may have tripped. Just push the reset button. String lights near fire pit can be turned on/off in the sunroom.
DECK CHAIRS AND CUSHIONS - under a cover on the deck. Please put it away before leaving and please don’t bring house furniture or pillows outside. PATIO UMBRELLA is just inside the door in the sunroom.
FIREWOOD - We usually supply one bundle of firewood on the deck or porch. If you run out, the convenience store in Marshall (on the right) or Tractor Supply (also in Marshall by the Food Lion) carry it.
GRILL and FIRE PIT - Turn off the grill when finished cooking and be sure to put the fire out before going to bed. If you run out of propane, there should be a full canister under the deck. Skewers and other tools are in the sunroom. Please wash and put away when finished. The PIZZA OVEN by the fire pit works great for small pizzas. Tony’s pizza in town sells us raw dough for $3 per dough ball.
WOODSTOVE - Please only use the indoor wood stove if you have experience with one. Call or text if you have questions. The damper is opened by reaching in under the front of the woodstove and pulling the handle towards you. If it is really cold outside you’ll first want to create a warm draft of air going up the chimney by using the heat gun (in the hall closet). Aim the heat gun up the chimney for several minutes before lighting the fire. This will get the smoke going up the chimney rather than into the living room. Please keep the fireplace door closed once the fire is lit. Absolutely all embers must stay inside the woodstove. Absolutely no cooking in the woodstove.
LAWN MOWING - Our guy, Daniel, mows every 10 to 14 days. Call us if you want him to mow earlier. Don't be alarmed if he shows up with his pick-up truck and trailer.
MUSIC - The Yamaha receiver under the tv has Bluetooth so you can play music from your device or iPhone throughout the house. Speaker A - in the living room and Speaker B - in the kitchen and sunroom. To connect via Bluetooth connect to “R-S202 Yamaha”.
GAMES/BOOKS - games and puzzles are in the bottom of the china cabinet, a croquet set is in the downstairs hall closet, and badminton things are in the basement stairwells. A wide variety of paperbacks are available for guests.
TV - We have a TVs in the living room and in the master bedroom (Roku Smart TV upstairs); both with which you can sign into Netflix, youtube, Amazon, Hulu, etc. (just give it a moment to come up). Both TVs also have dvd players. Over 250 DVDs in the 1st-floor bedroom (see movie list on "Play" page). Kids DVDs are in the living room TV cabinet. To play dvds, use the input button to scroll to “AV”. Then you can use the DVD remote or just press the buttons on the DVD player. The white adapter cable on the main TV to "mirror" movies from your iPhone/iPad. A selection of paperbacks is in the downstairs study/bedroom.
BLANKETS/PILLOWS - Extras in pine cabinet downstairs, master bedroom armoire, and 2nd bedroom closet.
IRON, APPLIANCES, HAIRDRYER, etc. - Iron and small ironing board in the upstairs bathroom closet. Hairdryer below sink in the master bathroom and on the wall in the main bathroom.
VACUUM - in the main floor closet if needed (dry spills only, please).
WASHER/DRYER- in the basement (basement is for laundry use only).
BABY THINGS - We have a high chair, baby potty, baby monitor, and a pack-and-play with sheets down at the bottom of the stairs. A baby gate is in the main hall closet.
METAL ROOF NOISES - When all is quiet during the day, you may notice occasional soft “bangs” from the roof. Heating from the sun, then cooling sometimes causes the metal panels to expand/contract. Occasionally during high winds, the roof will make noises as well.
Checking Out
Please...
- Please put household items back in their original places and bring in anything brought outside. Close deck umbrella.
- Do not make up beds that have been slept in so we know what to wash. Dirty towels can be left out.
- messes should not be left.
- run dishwasher if dirty dishes are inside.
- make sure refrigerator doors are closed tightly (one side tends to pop open).
- turn off lights, supplementary floor heat, close windows and lock sunroom doors and front door.
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QUESTIONS? It is best to call or text Lina’s cell call or text: 703-868-8135 or Rob's cell at 703-864-3894