FIVE on Friday: January 6, 2017

1.Well the snow arrived! In our backyard, which doesn't get the sun til much later in the day if at all, the snow covers the deck and parts of the grass. Out front, it's just a sprinkling on the bushes. Usually, the snow doesn't stick to the brick driveway or walk until it's heavier. That's good because it makes walking easier.

2. I did a massive amount of grocery shopping yesterday when himself told me snow was predicted for today. I got to the store(s) round noon and they were well stocked and pretty empty. Actually by the time I got to Trader Jo's I think the word was out but it still wasn't bad. Now today and tomorrow, I'll think of things I wish I had bought. But I have to be up next to Costco next week so that may solve my 'time to get the big jugs of detergent and softener'. That's about a twice a year purchase for me.

3. Construction work stopped yesterday in our cellar. We had it waterproofed...god willing!...and the jackhammers half the day were a challenge. Fortunately, I was two floors up and put some meditation music on. There is still some final work to be done but not this week. I asked for a week off and that will also let the concrete set even more.

4. Today was another batch of steel cut oats. This time I made them with water and I don't think I like them that much that way. Normally, it's pure milk but next time I'll go with half water and half milk. What do you use?

5. Since we got DirectTV about two years ago, I have enjoyed recording various movies to watch later. Last March...yes, what can I say???...I recorded San Andreas.  I had been sooo anxious to watch it but once I had it, it never seemed the right time. kwim?  well I watched it last night with a good mug of decaf mocha. Slept like a baby but then I don't live on the left coast, do I!

Have a great weekend, snow or summer depending on your base. See you back here Monday!

Wordless Wednesday: Busted!

The Fruits of His Labor

Saturday we spent a lot of time in Ikea but then when doesn't a trip to Ikea take a long time?? Good time I think but it's a rare time that I don't walk out feeling really tired.

After the long time IN the store, we came home with two items to be assembled. But no, no not Saturday night. We have enough sense to not start a project when tired. (Just guess how we now know that...)

Sunday, I came downstairs and saw someone had put out a drill and hammer. Uh oh. He was ready to start! I still wasn't ready but praise be...he didn't need my help at first. ( I kind of hoped he wouldn't want my help at all and that's kind of selfish but that's how I felt. ) So I went back upstairs to do something or other and happily heard banging and hammering downstairs.  After the main part of the work was done, he did get to assemble the drawers on the current table. We got to talk while he put the bits together and it was fun.

A new table for the kitchen was assembled and will serve as an additional table when we have company. It's a modern pine drop leaf table. We had just the spot for it and he didn't have any assembly issues. Next came the Helmer metal cabinet. I worried that he'd ask for help now....

No he didn't, but he did bring it up to my studio to assemble since that's where it was to go. It was fun to watch, even tho my desk space kept getting smaller and smaller as he worked. Then it was finally finished and I had to move stuff around to fit it in and was ready and willing to get started. It's a big goal to get more things out so I can get a couch/bed in here. But now I have the little red cabinet that I have wanted for so long. It wasn't expensive - $39. - but it was the assembly bit and when he was willing I was so so grateful. I now have a dedicated space to place my printer giving me the needed real estate on my desk top. See that binder? It's my "Yesterday and Today" binder and now I have space for it while I'm on the computer. Yeah!! Thank you so much!

Flashback Friday

Ann paints a lot more of our house yellow. I was so happy to see more of the house brightened.

Progress and Patience

Progress sometimes come in very slow steps.

We contracted to have new windows on the front of our house as well as a new front door and storm door. The work was to start in June. Well start it did. There was a lot of hemming and hawing and moaning and groaning with our new windows. Our house is old - 1910 - and not surprisingly it is rather crooked. The contractor had worked on our house before and when we decided on Anderson windows for the whole front it was ...Great. Fine.

Then came the installation and the hot weather. While we were not the ones working outside, there was a lot of hot air coming in  - literally and figuratively.  It was then suggested that we could have had windows made to measure rather than install new replacements of the old size.  Eventually, they were all in and  eventually the new window sills were corrected, the walls and trim were painted and that part of the job was done.

Information was given to the contractor on exactly which door we wanted and exactly which storm door we wanted and the door hardware was waiting. We would go to Hawaii for 2+weeks and the installation could start when we returned.

August arrived, we were home but there were no doors. We waited, we made phone calls, and we waited and waited and waited. Finally the front door was installed.You will note a Halloween wreath on the door. That tells you it was not installed in August...

Now we waited for the storm door. Again, this was a door that was supposedly ordered mid July. Supposedly we say. Finally that arrived and was installed. We actually had a few days when it was still mild enough to enjoy the screen and the breeze.

Now to have the door painted as well as all the interior trim around the door. I had a feeling it would be a Christmas wreath on the door when that happened.

The painter finally returned our phone calls, finally showed up, and finally started. Then the door handle fell off...

I'll wait to see what happens as the day goes on. I know where the Christmas wreath is ...just in case.

Unfinished Business

Sadly, we had a good many points about the interiors of our new window to discuss with our contractor.



We know our house is old and crooked. So did he. The windows are definitely level and straight but the inside has many bits that look crappy, half assed, whatever. This was one situation where dh and I were in total agreement that while functional, the look is not acceptable. There is one photo on the page below, bottom left, which shows how one of our other windwos was finished. Yes there's a lot of dirt but the after the gardening dust blew in, the house cleaners had to be delayed for a week, then two because of these windows.



One thing that will be nice as they redo a lot of the bits is that the window sills will be enlarged. There's nothing quite like deep window sills. And when will all this be done? tomorrow which is quick but another day with a lot going on in the house. That's how house projects are!

Windows on the World

We get new windows today! the whole front of the house is getting new ones, actual thermally sound windows! The ones downstairs are the original ones and I think 100 years is enough. The upstairs ones are children that are only about 60 years old!I can't wait to have windows that open and stay open, windows that don't have major drafts, windows that block some sound etc etc

During our earlier renovation we waffled about changing the front door to the side of the house and adding a side porch. We knew we'd never sit out there though, and after living with the house post renovation, there really is no point. So it was finally time to get the front windows done, deal with the aging shake siding, and get a new front door. Sadly the shakes didn't dry looking very good after being washed , too hard imho but ... So it was paint time.


The front door has been chosen but the color is still up in the air. I want to see the windows and the final look of the repainted shakes to make up my mind. With the front garden cleared and the tree trimmed it's looking like a new(er) house.

Flashback Friday

Dick and Mike build me a new deck...early in 2000? The crepe myrtle behind them is now twice the size and most of the bamboo is gone.

And the money flows

We just signed a contract for new, insulated windows to replace some of our 100 year old beauties. Ah they have character, but boy are they energy inefficient! We waffled for about 5 years as to whether we would do a major change to the entrance, and of course all I could think of was $$$ beams. Right now I think that the slight addition we have considered is not to be unless we find that it can be done for a reasonable cost. Just not this year. However the windows and refinishing of the front are another step in the renovation of our house.

It's a good thing that we got this yesterday...



This is our first tax refund in 9 years of marriage. We went wild with excitement!!!

Old Houses Are NEVER Finished

While the man is away it's always a good time to get another project done. This is best as there's no one going up and down the stairs all day, and eating, and getting coffee and bathroom trips and various other meanderings. It doesn't interfere with MY day to day life, mostly. But if you want something to get done, and you need to shove things all about, it's best done when himself is not home.

He's never bothered about the cost, but he is bothered by the bother. He always says but ...There'll be so much moving to do! ha. I got it all done this morning. If there's one thing I'm good about it's shifting things. I like it too! It gives me a chance to see things in a new light. Right now I'm seeing an empty hallway - pre painting.

Then there is the really cracked section in the center of the house which became worse after the renovation. It's to be expected but it's going to disappear for a while at least.

Then there's the bathroom all full of stuff. Still perfectly usable unless you want to take a shower here!

Fortunately, the other member of the household is not bothered by the shifting of his facilities. I shoved him in to be sure he knew where it was. He's an old guy and tends to forget where and what a lot. I checked. He used it.


Let the painting begin!