Dimensional roof shingles, the economy, sons, cars

So probably dimensional roof shingles have been around for a long time, and I just never noticed them. Then the big hail storm of 2011 hit and everyone in the neighborhood got new roofs (rooves?). And then we found out about dimensional shingles. Dimensional shingles are just a tad like a wood shake roof. They look way cooler than flat roofing tiles, which are soo one dimensional.

Since the big hail storm, many benefits have accrued to good ol' West Knox. For instance, in our 40-year-old subdivision (and in all of Knox County), nearly everyone got new roofs, many got new siding, or new paint, new windows, and new gutters. Now not many people in this middle-of-the-road subdivision could spring for a new roof, but since the insurance is paying--well we have revival in Foxfire. Plus, many people are doing extra stuff that is at least partially covered by the insurance. We for instance are getting a new, large, deck. The other one was small and falling down. We are also getting new paint (same color scheme--when it works stick with it) and new gutters--mostly compliments of insurance money.

In addition to breathing new life into our subdivision, which may have, without all these upgrades, gradually fallen into the lower echelons of subdivisions, we are employing droves of workers--no doubt our fair share of illegals--and buying tons of supplies from all the home stores. People can hardly beg enough to get workers to come in and do the repairs because they are all busy at other jobs. And the people who make roofing tiles are working 24/7 to keep us supplied. (We are just now, 6 months after the storm, getting the work done on our house.)

When I was considering the illegals doing a lot of the work, I thought about my own dear son, who at that time was unemployed. I couldn't imagine him in my wildest dreams up on the roof ripping off shingles in the heat and hammering on new ones, nor could I imagine any of my friends' sons who are in similar need of jobs, up there. It just wouldn't be safe. Not for the man/boy, or the roof. In addition to keeping all the construction people of Knoxville constantly busy for the last 6 months, droves of workers from other areas have come in--not all of them scrupulous. So, all that said, the storm was a great boost to the economy. And not just to the construction workers. The car industry flourished as well.

Wedding present. (Notice roof tiles in background)

First Hill: Chair Rock, or Photo Rock, as Jonathan called it

We received insurance money for Russ's car and for Stephen's which were damaged by the hail.  Stephen received about $1,300 for his '95 piece-of-junk Taurus. He decided to keep the car, or he would have got $2,100. Then a few months later, someone ran a stop sign and hit him. His car was totaled again. This time he took the $2,000 dollars. Then his parents who are way, way too nice to him, looked diligently for a car on Craigslist and found a gorgeous 2002 Mazda Tribute for $4,600. I'm not kidding, the car looks bran new. The tires are new too. Stephen had to have his friend put in a $30 part because it sometimes quit on idle--now it doesn't. So all that to say, a) Stephen did not deserve the car and boys/men who are over 21 should not live with their parents, and b) The auto repair industry came out like bandits, as did the car dealerships where everyone went to replace their hail-damaged cars.

You might be feeling sorry for the insurance companies about now. Don't. They will raise the rates, of course.