In the garden, and RAIN!!! (2)

POSTED BY: SIGNYM
UPDATED: Thursday, September 17, 2026 03:49
VIEWED: 346636
PAGE 10 of 85

FIRST PAGE PREV PAGE 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NEXT PAGE LAST PAGE

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:22 AM (P)

Got a bit of rain this evening. Suppose to be dry tomorrow. I hope so. I don't relish going to the dentist in the rain.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:48 AM (P)

Huh.... Maybe not so bad. I think I was further along with the re-org than I thought I was, but I just needed to get stuff out that was ready to go out and be put in its proper place.

It's still a mess, but at least it's a mess that I can navigate without tripping over. One more day should do it.

I just remembered I bought a few external hard drive enclosures on the cheap back on Black Friday. Now that I'll be setting up my aunt with a proper home network, maybe I still have an old laptop hard drive laying around with decent storage capacity since the laptop and desktop computers I put together for her last winter don't have the most space on them.

Not this week, but probably next week I'll be giving one of my two copy/print/fax machines as a loaner if I ever need it back since she's going to be taking all the family photos and said she wanted to start copying them in her down time, and it would be a good backup to store them until I make copies and send them out to everyone.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 10:59 AM (P)

Nice. I did have a 500GB laptop drive that checked out as good. It had a mystery Linux partition on it, but since I've never done much more than tinker with Linux I doubt it had anything important on it. I didn't have any documentation anywhere on what I might have been doing with it years ago. I probably just installed a Ubuntu release on there to boot up into and learn Linux and never got around to it. It's all formatted and ready to go to my aunts on Wednesday.

She wanted the 2-step aluminum ladder for her apartment, but my uncle spotted it and wanted it too. He let her have it, but I've got something better for her so they can both be happy. I took a 2-step thinner one that has a much slimmer profile when folded down so it's easier to tuck away from my friend's father in law that I thought would be nice to have in my pantry for the top shelf, but I forgot that it would block the pull out shelving I built in there so I'll need something smaller. I cleaned that up real good for her and we'll let my uncle have the bulky aluminum one.

I also cleaned up one of my alarm clocks real good to replace the one I accidentally gave to goodwill last week.

Pretty much done with what I'm going to do today. I really don't like that I'm up this late since I've really been getting up early and getting a lot done these last few weeks, but I was up late at my friend's place last night and with all the work that needed to be done today I'm on the late schedule again.

No big deal. I'll just wake up early tomorrow instead of sleeping in.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:50 PM (P)

Hope the dentist appointment goes well for you today, Brenda, and I hope you keep getting stuff done Sigs.

See you in a few.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

SIGNYM

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 11:02 PM (P)

You've been ripping thru your list of things to do, SIX!

I have to say, I find your pro-active stance with your g'ma and aunt to be a very positive example. Instead of wallowing in anger and grief, you made things better by stepping in and helping out. I was awed that you got your aunt set up in an apartment ahead of time. Most people would wait until events occurred before acting. Not only was that helpful, it was wise.

Over here, I've been mostly mired in daily chores and doctor appts, altho I did manage to get out and do some yardwork, and I plan to declutter during upcoming rainy days. (I'm amazed they're still predicting rain, usually the fun is done by mid-March but it looks like we might add another inch or two in the next 10 days)

I got out to that retirees lunch yesterday and had a good time catching up with the people who used to work for me, including the two recent retirees being honored. One of them mentioned a specific project that made me wince and reminded me why I'm so happy to be retired. Yanno, I absolutely LOVED working with (almost) everyone, and there were parts of the job I really dug into. Even reviewing data packets and being final QA and lawsuits and all the paperwork wasn't that bad. But the part that made me cringe was the constant firefighting. There WERE actual emergencies involved ... industrial explosions, large fires, accidental spills and releases. Those, I could understand.

But being a public agency meant that we had to respond to public and political pressure, and things became hot button issues that really weren't, and they were constantly popping up whenever somebody (industry group, public group, NGO, member of the board) got a bee in their bonnet about something. I'm glad that part is over!

I don't get out to Brea much, but on the way I saw a large stand(?) of pure lupine growing in a sandy bank by the side of the freeway, and it was lovely! I wish I could have taken a picture to show you guys.

Gotta run. Have fun, and get lots done!

Good luck with the dentist, BRENDA. I hope your weather stays dry.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 11:15 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Hope the dentist appointment goes well for you today, Brenda, and I hope you keep getting stuff done Sigs.

See you in a few.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

Dentist should be okay SIX. Just getting my mouth measured for the denture.

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 11:16 PM (P)

Out for a bit of a walk in the sun and the off to the dentist to get my mouth measured for the denture. Not looking forward to that goop they use. YucK! Also have to cross their palms with some silver to get it going. Later peeps.

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 11:17 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
You've been ripping thru your list of things to do, SIX!

I have to say, I find your pro-active stance with your g'ma and aunt to be a very positive example. Instead of wallowing in anger and grief, you made things better by stepping in and helping out. I was awed that you got your aunt set up in an apartment ahead of time. Most people would wait until events occurred before acting. Not only was that helpful, it was wise.

Over here, I've been mostly mired in daily chores and doctor appts, altho I did manage to get out and do some yardwork, and I plan to declutter during upcoming rainy days. (I'm amazed they're still predicting rain, usually the fun is done by mid-March but it looks like we might add another inch or two in the next 10 days)

I got out to that retirees lunch yesterday and had a good time catching up with the people who used to work for me, including the two recent retirees being honored. One of them mentioned a specific project that made me wince and reminded me why I'm so happy to be retired. Yanno, I absolutely LOVED working with (almost) everyone, and there were parts of the job I really dug into. Even reviewing data packets and being final QA and lawsuits and all the paperwork wasn't that bad. But the part that made me cringe was the constant firefighting. There WERE actual emergencies involved ... industrial explosions, large fires, accidental spills and releases. Those, I could understand.

But being a public agency meant that we had to respond to public and political pressure, and things became hot button issues that really weren't, and they were constantly popping up whenever somebody (industry group, public group, NGO, member of the board) got a bee in their bonnet about something. I'm glad that part is over!

I don't get out to Brea much, but on the way I saw a large stand(?) of pure lupine growing in a sandy bank by the side of the freeway, and it was lovely! I wish I could have taken a picture to show you guys.

Gotta run. Have fun, and get lots done!

Good luck with the dentist, BRENDA. I hope your weather stays dry.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

Thanks SIG.

Glad you enjoyed your lunch with your old co-workers.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 4:52 AM (P)

Back from the dentist and all molds done for today. And that stuff is as grotty as I remember from high school. Going back next Tuesday for the first fitting.

SIGNYM

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 5:56 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Back from the dentist and all molds done for today. And that stuff is as grotty as I remember from high school. Going back next Tuesday for the first fitting.

As bad as back then?? That's pretty bad! You'd think they could have improved things by now!

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 10:28 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Back from the dentist and all molds done for today. And that stuff is as grotty as I remember from high school. Going back next Tuesday for the first fitting.
As bad as back then?? That's pretty bad! You'd think they could have improved things by now!

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

Yes, it is. The only difference is that it starts out as a purple colour then as it sets turns white. One would think so but noooo. Yuck!

The only good thing was I stopped into the strip mall there and found another book in that little everything store that's there. Last time I came out with one book too. Time before that it was 2 books.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 10:28 AM (P)

Got a call about a pick up game of mah jong tomorrow.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 11:03 PM (P)

Couple of errands to run before my pick up game of mah jong.

BRENDA

Thursday, March 9, 2023 9:28 AM (P)

Back around 4:30 from my afternoon mah jong and no luck.

Tomorrow is regular game and some errands.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Thursday, March 9, 2023 5:43 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
You've been ripping thru your list of things to do, SIX!

I have to say, I find your pro-active stance with your g'ma and aunt to be a very positive example. Instead of wallowing in anger and grief, you made things better by stepping in and helping out. I was awed that you got your aunt set up in an apartment ahead of time. Most people would wait until events occurred before acting. Not only was that helpful, it was wise.

It's really been good so far. My aunt is in a much better headspace right now, and we've been getting so much done!

Every single bag of trash is either gone or in the can waiting to go. My uncle went on vacation so we were able to fill up his can for pickup yesterday and get some of the smaller furniture out on their lot. Put out two big dressers on Grams and somebody took one so I was able to put out a beat up old filing cabinet that I bought back when I lived there. Also got the neighbor across the street to let us put out 2 pieces, so in total we got rid of 7 pieces of furniture in one week. Last week I had cut up 5 bags of scrap wood and took them with me this time since I had room. I was only able to get one dining room chair in my back seat, so took that trash with me.

Put the last of the metal stuff out with the scrappers and was disappointed when they didn't take it on garbage day. It was a ton of metal, but mostly poles and some ancient, rusty jack thingamabobs that were very low to the ground and probably missable to the scrappers... especially after some dude came by and took all the garden tools my uncle didn't want that were leaned up on the side. So at one point I went out to try to re-stage things to improve the visibility and some guy came by and asked if he could take it while I was out there.

I got the auto shop behind me to let me dump the 3.5 gallons of ancient used motor oil and they took the random spare tire in the garage too. They love my aunt and grams. I met the 2nd in command and got a quote no a new catalytic converter. Installed it would be only $500! I'm not ready to do that yet, but when I asked the guy my dad uses what it would cost he told me the part alone is $500. Didn't bother asking my guy because he'd have my car for 2 months.

I got the sewing machine out into the garage as well as a large kitchen cabinet that my cousin was going to take but it was too heavy for him and my aunt to get out last week... so that's ready for him to take when he wants it. Also got the last large end table/cabinet out in the garage.

Went through all the photographs and separated the ancient unknown stuff from the modernish family stuff. 5 small totes of modern stuff to my aunts apartment, and 2 large totes of the old stuff I'll bring back home with me one of these trips.

All that is left in there now is two very large dinette cabinets that are going to be a real bitch to move even with 2 or 3 people (especially if we are trying not to damage them since they're really nice), a couch, a coffee table, the kitchen table (and the chairs that are now holding up TVs and lights instead of the furniture that I removed), my aunt's old bedroom dressers and an old chair of hers, and the grand piano.

We've also kept 2 mattresses and 2 TVs. Those will be the last things to go when we finally get everything out. I'm thinking 2 more weeks.

We brought everything my aunt is taking except for the things she'll keep from her bedroom to her apartment last night and I got her computer network set up with her two smart TVs. She's blown away that she can now watch streaming TV in her bedroom without a computer or any wires other than the plug in the wall. It turns out using her phone as a mobile hotspot is still prohibitively expensive, but it looks like we can get her a great cable internet plan for only $25/mo for 24 months, so next week I'm going to help her get that set up. We're cutting the cord and she's

6IXSTRINGJACK

Thursday, March 9, 2023 5:53 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Hope the dentist appointment goes well for you today, Brenda, and I hope you keep getting stuff done Sigs.

See you in a few.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

Dentist should be okay SIX. Just getting my mouth measured for the denture.

I'm supposed to be doing that Monday morning for the partial since they really screwed it up the first time. I may have to reschedule that appointment though unless they can guaranty me that they'll have it first thing Tuesday morning. I've got to get back out to Grams early next Tuesday and I'll probably be staying until Thursday night since the lowering into the grave happens Thursday afternoon.

In the meantime, my buddy is going on vacation with his family and I've got to get his daughter's ceiling repaired and paint that room before they come back. If he gets everything out of my way before he leaves and I can at least get all the mudding done before I go to Grandma's that's going to relieve a lot of the pressure.

I hope they get your reline done right. My top was perfect, but the bottom was a complete waste of money so far. At least they're going to send it back to the lab and fix it free of charge.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Friday, March 10, 2023 3:09 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Hope the dentist appointment goes well for you today, Brenda, and I hope you keep getting stuff done Sigs.

See you in a few.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

Dentist should be okay SIX. Just getting my mouth measured for the denture.

I'm supposed to be doing that Monday morning for the partial since they really screwed it up the first time. I may have to reschedule that appointment though unless they can guaranty me that they'll have it first thing Tuesday morning. I've got to get back out to Grams early next Tuesday and I'll probably be staying until Thursday night since the lowering into the grave happens Thursday afternoon.

In the meantime, my buddy is going on vacation with his family and I've got to get his daughter's ceiling repaired and paint that room before they come back. If he gets everything out of my way before he leaves and I can at least get all the mudding done before I go to Grandma's that's going to relieve a lot of the pressure.

I hope they get your reline done right. My top was perfect, but the bottom was a complete waste of money so far. At least they're going to send it back to the lab and fix it free of charge.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

I am getting the denture on Tuesday morning and it is an early appointment. But I will have the denture and eating will be easier for sure.

I hope you can get the work finished at your friend's before you head out to your grandmother's.

BRENDA

Friday, March 10, 2023 3:10 AM (P)

Back from mah jong and a couple of errands. Not too bad a morning as I managed to get the booby prize which is 4th place. *L* I got my $2 back. Had a couple of decent hands which allowed this so not bad. Lovely bright day out but suppose to rain tomorrow have to see.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Friday, March 10, 2023 8:05 PM (P)

Finally nearing the end of the re-org project... At least as far as my living room is concerned.

Last night I was finally able to go through the last month's worth of mail that had come in since I wasn't able to get to my curio cabinet to go through it all until then.

This morning I've been sorting what needs to go into the garage. I've thrown some stuff away and I have a big box of stuff for Goodwill. This part is hard because there's a lot of nice stuff still, but it's nice stuff I really don't need and shouldn't have taken in the first place.

I've got quite a few totes that will be leftover, which is good. Two of them are huge and don't have lids, so at least one of them will be in my trunk at all times. I think I'll have it filled with painting gear. I'll probably put less often used tools in the 2nd one and put the standard always needed tools in the bucket with my two bucket tool organizers.

I've got a lot of small totes. I'm going to need to get out in the garage and start filling them up with my various screws and nails in an organized fashion. There's actually a lot of wasted space on those shelves and with all the new good nails/screws etc that I got out of the garage this week I'm going to need that space. Once they're organized in the small totes I should easily have a good spot for everything on that front.

While I'm boxing up stuff for Goodwill, I may take a moment to go back up to the attic and look at stuff I boxed to save up there. Except for about 3 boxes that I've rummaged through for computer parts over the years, I haven't touched any of that since Summer of 2019 when they were boxed up. I'm sure that I can get rid of more.

The garage is going to be a project this spring/summer. I've got that brand new fridge out there I need to swap in my house to get the old one out. I also have a nice stove that my neighbors gave me when I helped them move their stuff during their home remodel. It's not brand new and two of the burners don't work though. My oven seems to be working again and now that I've got the air fryer that doesn't really even matter anymore anyhow. My current stove is really light. This thing is a heavy beast. I may just get rid of it. Anything I move in and out of the kitchen always comes with the risk of marring or ripping that really nice new floor I put in there a while back, so I've got to weigh that in the decision.

Then there's all the projects that I've got to do... Building a kitchen table with the legs from Grandma's dining room table and restoring/reupholstering the two chairs for it... Restoring both hope chests... Building and painting the two missing kitchen drawers I have yet to get around to. At least all the good wood boards that I took I was able to stage in my nook for wood without it spilling out into places it doesn't belong.

I'm starting to feel a bit closed in again. Nice furniture has come my way at the wrong time. I don't even have my flooring situation started in the back porch and I've got it loaded with furniture and that TV Stand/Fireplace heater. And since most of my floors in the house are finished except for the living room hardwood, I don't really want to be moving furniture all over the place... And eventually I'm going to be restoring that living room hardwood and where the heck am I going to put the furniture while I'm doing that? Cramming it into the back porch would be the ideal solution, but even if I knew I could get it over there without screwing up the kitchen floor it wouldn't fit through that door to the porch anyhow since it's only 28" wide. It would have to either go downstairs or out into my garage through the front door that's 36" wide.

Oh well... Those are worries for another day.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Friday, March 10, 2023 11:25 PM (P)

Out for my walk to get my taxes done and a couple of other things.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Friday, March 10, 2023 11:37 PM (P)

Almost there...

Got a huge Goodwill box with some of the stuff from my attic in there too.

Got a few goodies for my Aunt in another box, including a scale. I got a REALLY nice body fat scale with tons of options on it that I'll probably never use from my friend's father in law, so I cleaned up the basic one I've had for years to give to her since she's not going to take the monstrous one that my Grandma had and she would use.

At first I thought the expensive scale was giving me some sort of body fat index or something because the numbers weren't registering in my head. Last time I weighed myself would have been around early November and I was pushing 180 with all my clothes and shoes on. Once it gets cold out I tend to put on some winter weight. This scale was reading 153 and change. I thought it might be broke until I went up to the one in my bedroom and it said 153 as well.

Just the last week my friend and my aunt asked me if I've lost weight. I figured it was just because they were seeing me in a t-shirt instead of wearing a bulky hoodie.

I know I've been super busy recently, but I eat like a horse. If I weren't feeling good I'd be concerned that something was wrong with me. I'm not sure how you can lose 25 lbs in a little over 4 months without even trying to. If I figure it out, I'm going to patent it.

I think I'm going to take a break from the re-org now. My buddy is coming by in a few hours to drop off his keys so I can paint his daughter's bedroom while they're on vacation and after my aunt gets back from lunch with friends I'm going to walk her through setting up her new cable internet online. I've got some errands to run that I should just do now so I'm not trying to do that when I'm all tied up with other obligations. I can finish the living room tonight and get all the totes out to the garage for organization out there that I'll be doing on a warmer day when it isn't snowing.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Saturday, March 11, 2023 3:22 AM (P)

Back and in from my walk. Got spat on but now the sun is out. Taxes done and some grocery shopping. Inside chores done too. Having a nice sit down.

SIGNYM

Saturday, March 11, 2023 3:43 AM (P)

I feel like I'm running in molasses. Doctor appts are using up any time leftover from daily chores, but I still have big scary projects that need doing ASAP. I had a kidney ultrasound yesterday as part of a battery of tests to try figuring out why they're failing. I snuck a peek at the posted results... normal. I also had a OET scan with radiolabled glucose to look for "hot spots" indicating cancer. Going to do my best to NOT look at those posted results, bc I often scare myself. I'm going to let the doctor scare me.

Upcoming, an ultrasound for cancer and a follow-up on the PET scan and ultrasound with my surgeon. A battery of kidney tests and a follow-up with my nephrologist. (If it's like last time, all of the test will be normal except actual kidney function, which will be worse than ever.) A routine cardiogram and follow-up with the cardiologist bc one of the infusions is cardiotoxic. And then a battery of blood tests and a follow-up with my oncologist. Plus I have an ENT appt and I need to pick up my glasses. It all kind of collided this month.

Well, back to running in molasses! I need to finish tidying up the kitchen before working on one of those big scary projects.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

SIGNYM

Saturday, March 11, 2023 3:47 AM (P)

Oh BTW SIX, one of the guys who worked for me told me his brother died just two weeks after being dxd with esophageal cancer. It sounds a lot like what happened to your g'ma- essentially asymptomatic except weight loss, then dx, then surgery, then the end. I guess if you gotta go, that's better than some.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

6IXSTRINGJACK

Saturday, March 11, 2023 4:39 AM (P)

I'm sorry to hear about the health issues Sigs. :(

I hope they figure out what it is and get you back up and running.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Saturday, March 11, 2023 4:46 AM (P)

Finished my shopping and did a little more work on the Living Room. It won't get done today, but I'm just about to get there. My buddy came over to drop the key off and said he thought it was going to be way worse than it was and I told him he should have seen it 3 days ago.

Got to see if I'm going to be helping my friend paint this weekend at the rental, otherwise I'm going to get a head start on the mudding/patching at my other friend's daughter's bedroom. I've got to get that done in between going back to my Grandma's house. They'll be home next Wednesday, but I've only got until Tuesday early afternoon to finish before I have to go back out to Grams.

Should be plenty of time. Especially since she didn't want any accent walls, she wanted the room painted white, and she wanted the ceiling painted the same white, so I don't have to worry about cutting in anything but the baseboard, hall and closet door trim, and the small wall mounted TV.

Turns out he's going to replace her fan. The old one doesn't work. Bad news is that I'll be taking that down myself because he doesn't know anything about electric. Good news is that I'll have an easy time painting the ceiling without having to worry about the ceiling fan being up there.

Gotta see if I have any primer lying around. He doesn't have any, and I've got to give the mud a quick prime before painting since there was so much damage up there. Don't want any spots where the sheen is off when I'm done painting.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Saturday, March 11, 2023 8:40 PM (P)

Got my aunt all set up for internet. All she needs to do is pick up the equipment and we're golden. I told her I could walk her through it over the phone but she's just going to wait until I'm out there. I told her I'll show her how quick I get it set up and what the cable company would have charged her $100 "installation" to do.

What a deal. She'll get 2.5 times my speed with the modem/router and a TV streaming box for 24 months for only $25/mo with no taxes or fees. We'll have to figure out something else in 2 years though since they raise it to almost $90/mo after the 2 years is up.

All up to date on the paperwork for now.

Going to try to finish the living room reorg now and eventually get myself cleaned up. I think I'll head on over to my friend's house and start repairing that ceiling this afternoon. If I start tonight and my other buddy doesn't need me tomorrow I could probably have the bedroom all painted and maybe even install that ceiling fan before I even go back to my Grams.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Saturday, March 11, 2023 11:16 PM (P)

Out for a walk on a day that can't decide if it wants to rain or sun. It was raining a while ago but now the sun is out. Oh well. Need veg.

Also have to remember about the grotty time change over this weekend. ^%&&*^&&&^

BRENDA

Saturday, March 11, 2023 11:18 PM (P)

Another reason I am glad I kept my vinyl records. Just found out the lead actor Topol from the film musical "Fiddler on the Roof" died. As a rule I had musicals but I love "Fiddler". I bought the record years ago.

SIGNYM

Sunday, March 12, 2023 1:11 AM (P)

Oh, thanks for the time change reminder!

BTW, my high school out on Fiddler in the Roof as the school play. It was an ambitious undertaking and they did a fantastic job. I loved it and remember it vividly to this day.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

BRENDA

Sunday, March 12, 2023 2:49 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Oh, thanks for the time change reminder!

BTW, my high school out on Fiddler in the Roof as the school play. It was an ambitious undertaking and they did a fantastic job. I loved it and remember it vividly to this day.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

You're welcome SIG.

I saw stage production of it years ago. It was being done by a local theater group and it was very good as well.

BRENDA

Sunday, March 12, 2023 2:50 AM (P)

Back from my walk and I got spat on again today. Have to see if anymore rain arrives.

BRENDA

Sunday, March 12, 2023 2:51 AM (P)

Just found Robert Blake died. I used to love watching "Baretta" when I was in high school.

SIGNYM

Sunday, March 12, 2023 3:03 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Back from my walk and I got spat on again today. Have to see if anymore rain arrives.

This is the back end of the storm that passed thru. I haven't measured yet, but it looks like we accumulated another 1-1 2" of rain. But this apparently was a warm air mass, not a cold one, bc instead of being crisp and clear and breezy it's cloudy, dreary, still, and muggy.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

BRENDA

Sunday, March 12, 2023 5:49 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Back from my walk and I got spat on again today. Have to see if anymore rain arrives.
This is the back end of the storm that passed thru. I haven't measured yet, but it looks like we accumulated another 1-1 2" of rain. But this apparently was a warm air mass, not a cold one, bc instead of being crisp and clear and breezy it's cloudy, dreary, still, and muggy.

-----------
Pity would be no more,
If we did not MAKE someone poor - William Blake

Well the weather people did say that this river was heading for California instead of my way.

That's still not good for certain areas of the state to my understanding with all the snow coupled with rain comes massive melt and then flooding.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Sunday, March 12, 2023 11:15 AM (P)

Worked on my friend's daughter's bedroom until 11:30PM.

Patched that entire run of wrecked ceiling on the one wall first, then I had to uninstall the bad ceiling fan, the vents and all the outlet covers. By the time I cut in everything I could cut without getting dust from the mud on it, I was able to sand the mud. Still a little wet in the deep spots, but nothing I haven't done before. Going to need a few mud touchups tomorrow.

Painted everything including the ceiling one coat. The ceiling won't need another coat, but the walls probably need two more. I'm covering some pretty dark colors with white and it's not very good paint. I'll cut in once and see how it looks. Might just need to cut in 2 more times and give it one more coat with the roller.

Looks great. I'm exhausted......

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Sunday, March 12, 2023 8:57 PM (P)

Well... Going to head back out there and hopefully wrap up painting today. Hopefully there's not too much mudding I still need to do.

I'll have to go back one more time to put all the vents and outlet covers back up. And I told my friend I'd pick up a new dimmer knob for the fan since the one he has in there is busted (We needed to turn the breaker off while I pulled the fan down because the switch wouldn't turn off when you pressed it in). I will probably attempt to put the new fan back up too, but those things are always a pain in the ass.

It will be nice having this done so quickly after they went on vacation and not having to worry about it. Promising I'd get this done was my Christmas present to her, so I'm glad she'll have a new room come back to when the vacation is over.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Sunday, March 12, 2023 11:53 PM (P)

Just my lazy Sunday.

BRENDA

Monday, March 13, 2023 9:38 AM (P)

The rain arrived today and will be here for tomorrow most likely.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Monday, March 13, 2023 10:00 AM (P)

Finished the bedroom after two LONG days. Would have wrapped up at 9:30PM today, but it was daylight savings time.

Ceiling needed 2 coats and the walls needed 3 full coats. Next time I'm painting for somebody else, I'm not doing it unless they buy good paint.

Going to pick up that dimmer switch and a new coaxial cable cover and install them tomorrow, and maybe do the ceiling fan too. I left all my stuff over there. One part because I'm exhausted again and didn't want to bother tonight, and one part none of the neighbors there don't know me and I didn't want people seeing me bring a ton of stuff out to my car from his house at 10:30PM on a Sunday night.

Now I should have no problem getting my house straightened up before going back to Grams, and even be able to have my Dad come over on Friday. I thought I might have to cancel that until getting all this done so quickly.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Monday, March 13, 2023 8:49 PM (P)

Just locked in cheap internet for two years, 6 days before they were going to start charging me $54/mo for what I've been getting for only $20/mo promotional.

This time it's 2.5 times faster than what I had and it's for two years instead of only one year. It's the same plan I got for my aunt's new apartment.

I also found the secret to getting somebody on the phone who can help you out FAST. Don't call in as an existing customer for any reason. That will put you through the automated loop that you can only get out of by claiming you need tech support. (And then trying to get the person from tech support to get you to customer retention can be a can of worms on its own depending on who you reach). Call up and tell the system that you're a new customer and you'll get a friendly English speaking American on the phone who will be happy to get you right to customer retention.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Monday, March 13, 2023 8:53 PM (P)

Alright... gotta get my rear in gear and get up to the hardware store to get that dimmer switch and white co-ax outlet cover so I can head out to my friend's place and wrap that bedroom up and get all my tools and materials.

Then it's back to the re-org project at home.

Hopefully I can get that done too before I go to Gram's tomorrow. At least inside the house. Still going to save the garage for another day since it's snowing for the 3rd day in a row here.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Monday, March 13, 2023 11:14 PM (P)

Out for my walk and I am unsure about the umbrella thing.

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 3:02 AM (P)

Back from my walk and I got rained on but had my umbrella. Now that I am in the sun is out and all is dry. Oh well.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 4:52 AM (P)

Installed a new light switch and got the ceiling fan installed.

Got all the other outlet covers up and the vents, cleaned up the mess and left the place otherwise exactly the way they left it. I wanted to vac up the room too, but my buddy didn't know where the vacuum was and his wife wasn't right there, so he said he'll do that before moving all the stuff back in the room.

It looks fantastic in the daylight. I knew it would and there would be no way any of those old dark colors were going to bleed through after 3 coats.

Got home and got all the stuff emptied out of my car and my batteries charging and going to start getting packed for Grams tomorrow. My aunt is so excited about getting her internet up and running and getting her clock and pictures all hung up in her apartment.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 9:36 AM (P)

Early dental appointment tomorrow then some errands after.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 7:52 PM (P)

I'd like to say that I had a great night's sleep and I'm well rested... lol. I miss my naps. It's hard for me to sleep in these days though. I almost got up for the day at 5:30, but I was able to go back to sleep for a few more hours.

Main priorities are easy. Just washing dishes then getting cleaned up and packed for another few nights out by my Grams. Assuming I have time, which I should, I want to clear out the rest of the living room. That will give me Thursday night and Friday morning to make the place presentable when my old man comes by to visit.

We're going to finally get the last of the trash bags out on the curbs today, and get another 6 pieces of furniture at least out. Hopefully somebody grabs some of them because there are some pretty nice pieces in the bunch that will be going out first in hopes we can get a few more out there this week.

If my aunt is feeling up to it, we may pull some of the larger pieces out the front door right to the curb instead of taking smaller ones out from the garage. My tweaked back from rolling the ceiling the other night is feeling fine, so that's good.

When my aunt goes to work on Wednesday, I'll be going to her apartment to set up the internet and give her a sweet and streamlined network setup and make sure that both of her TVs behave exactly the same and aren't cluttered up with a bunch of pay-to-watch apps that she's not going to use. And hopefully she did what I asked and planned out where she wanted her clocks and wall hangings so I can get them all up while she's gone too. (I hate doing that about as much as I hate cleaning a bathroom, but it will make her transition to being in her own place a lot easier, I think).

I'll really be looking for things to do with the downtime this week because almost everything is out of the house then aside from the largest furniture pieces, the grand piano and the old Grandfather clock. It looks like my cousin may want that piano, which would be awesome if he can pay somebody to safely get it outside and down 12 stairs to his place without us having to worry about it. Otherwise we're just leaving it in the house unless the realtor says it should go, which means we're just going to be destroying it and getting it out in pieces. That would be a shame. I remember Grandma playing that all the time and having some church lady friends from her chior come over on occasion while she'd play and they'd sing.

Normally I wouldn't stay an extra night, but Thursday we put Grandma in the ground and I'm going to stick around for that before coming back home.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 2:34 AM (P)

Back from the dentist and the fitting went find. I go back next Tuesday to hopefully get the denture after another fitting.

Also got some grocery shopping done.

Now all I have to do is replace a battery in my alarm clock because that almost made me late but the bus not coming this morning did make me late. Luckily when I got to the office no other patients were around so I went right in.

SIGNYM

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 12:47 PM (P)

Hey, it sounds like you're all forging ahead!
I'm halfway thru my various tests and appointments.

Some good news! They don't know what causing the pain and tenderness in my left side, but they do know it's not cancer. So I'll just assume it's scar tissue or something and deal with it best I can.

Had a blood draw and urine sample today and next week I see the nephrologist. Like the previous tests, I find it much easier not to sneak a peak at the results posted online. As long as I'm not showing overt signs of kidney failure I'm going to do what I need to do and let the docs deal with it.

Pick up my new glasses tomorrow. It's been quite a few years since I last had an eye exam and I barely squeaked thru my DMV license renewal so I hope this new pair will help me see better!

And today I THINK was the last rainstorm of the year... altho I think I said that a few rainstorms ago. You were right, BRENDA ... snowpack plus rain = floods. We dodn't havemuch of a snowpack here but I think northern CA got nailed. Altho there is still a lot ofsnow on the higher peaks up there. Haven't checked my rain gage bc it's still raining, but it looks like at least 1.5" so far. So according to my backyard, we're about 7" ahead of average.

I hope to report more actual progress later!

-----------
" It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 11:27 PM (P)

Sometimes all you can do is keep on doing and let the docs do their thing SIG.

I have to go back to the dentist next week and hopefully I will have the denture.

Yeah, I think the weather on the news said the flooding in your state was farther down. I keep getting the feeling that San Diego was mentioned. I could be wrong.

I know about floods and snowpack from my own province. Come Spring we usually have to worry about such things and this winter the snow pack has been pretty unstable. S'why so many avalanches and warnings about going into the backcountry. 12 people at least have either died or been injured in avalanches in my province.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 11:28 PM (P)

Well, the sun is paying a visit. So I am out for my walk on a bright sunny day. I am ditching my scarf for today.

BRENDA

Thursday, March 16, 2023 3:05 AM (P)

Back and done and while the sun maybe out it is cold. Even though computer temp reads 10C which is 50F.

BRENDA

Thursday, March 16, 2023 9:33 AM (P)

Off to mah jong in the morning.

SIGNYM

Thursday, March 16, 2023 11:26 PM (P)

Good luck with the tiles!

BTW, do you play with actual tiles, like I've seen on TV?

-----------
" It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

BRENDA

Friday, March 17, 2023 3:03 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Good luck with the tiles!

BTW, do you play with actual tiles, like I've seen on TV?

-----------
" It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

I had a bit of luck not enough to win my money back but I found the first shamrock and got a voucher for a free lunch at the senior's centre. Plus I had winds and dragons twice.

Yes, I do.

BRENDA

Friday, March 17, 2023 3:04 AM (P)

Back from mah jong on a bright sunny day but chilly. No luck but that was okay.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Friday, March 17, 2023 7:07 AM (P)

All the trash is officially out. No more trash bags. Finally.

Just a few big pieces of furniture left to move out of the house, 3 large mirrors to dispose of, and about 12 more pieces staged in the garage to get out in the coming weeks. Other than that it's just some small straggler pieces that can be throw in the can over the next two weeks if nobody wants them and the two mattresses.

My aunt is fully in apartment mode now. She slept at her own place the last two nights while I slept alone in Grandma's house. That's good.

Her internet is on and her network is all decked out. She's in digital heaven right now. I also hung all of her pictures and the wall clock this week too.

Put my grandma's ashes in the ground today. It surprisingly wasn't emotional for anybody. I think everybody but my aunt and I have probably already processed the grieving. She and I have just been too busy every day and we know it's still going to hit us.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Friday, March 17, 2023 11:18 PM (P)

Out for my walk on a bright sunny day.

BRENDA

Saturday, March 18, 2023 2:59 AM (P)

Back from my walk and all done for today.

SIGNYM

Saturday, March 18, 2023 5:46 AM (P)

Your g'mas death may never hit you. You did right by her and she passed away relatively quickly, so your memories of her are probably happier ones. No regret or guilt or sadness. That's a good thing.

-----------
" It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

SIGNYM

Saturday, March 18, 2023 5:48 AM (P)

So after a bunch of running around I finally get to start up again on that list of scary projects.

For what reason my kidneys decided to take a turn for the better. Yay!

-----------
" It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

6IXSTRINGJACK

Saturday, March 18, 2023 6:37 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Your g'mas death may never hit you. You did right by her and she passed away relatively quickly, so your memories of her are probably happier ones. No regret or guilt or sadness. That's a good thing.

Perhaps. We will see.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Saturday, March 18, 2023 6:42 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
So after a bunch of running around I finally get to start up again on that list of scary projects.

I've got a scary project for you...

While I was at my grandma's I used my aunt's new internet to view the camera I had on my sump well to make sure the power was on and everything was working right. Good news is that it was and it was. Bad news was that it looked like some "netting" or something was coming into the well from the 4" clay inlet into the well. I couldn't get a better picture to see exactly what was happening.

Just checked it today. It was mud and roots.

I got a few fist-fulls of it out of there by reaching in as far as my arm would bend in that awkward angle.

It doesn't appear to be preventing any water coming in the well since it's still coming in at a decent clip, and the water in the well was clear and clean before I reached in and cleared it out, but in the 12 years I've been here that's the first time I've seen anything like this.

I'd better not put off installing the second well early this spring, and try to figure out where the breach happened in the French drain as soon as weather permits.

Quote:
For what reason my kidneys decided to take a turn for the better. Yay!

Well... That's awesome!

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Saturday, March 18, 2023 11:02 PM (P)

Another laundry day for me oh squee. Then a walk in the sunshine.

SIGNYM

Sunday, March 19, 2023 2:00 AM (P)

Oh dear. Well anywhere there's a break in a drain line, roots will grow in the direction of moisture. But it's usually deep rooted plants that cause problems like trees and big shrubs. And you don't have any of that near your French drain, do you?

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

BRENDA

Sunday, March 19, 2023 2:59 AM (P)

All done for today on a lovely Saturday. Temp has hit 60F for the first time this year.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Sunday, March 19, 2023 4:46 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Oh dear. Well anywhere there's a break in a drain line, roots will grow in the direction of moisture. But it's usually deep rooted plants that cause problems like trees and big shrubs. And you don't have any of that near your French drain, do you?

Don't know where the drain is, TBH. Probably at the footer, but I'm sure this was an Uncle Bob job so maybe it's in the attic?

I've only got one larger shrub type plant, and then hoastas and other annuals. I'm not in love with that shrub, but it does provide some privacy for the living room window. Probably moot there though since I've got that film on the windows and I rarely have ever opened it up. It's quite a far distance from the inlet to the sump well.

This almost certainly wasn't an immediate occurance. Water in the well was crystal clear. After removing the mud/roots yesterday water is still coming in at a decent clip and there's no new mountain of mud pushing its way back in the well. I've kind of taken that thing for granted quite a while now since we hardly had any rain last spring. I'm sure I've looked at it on the video feed once or twice semi-recently and didn't notice this then, but I couldn't tell you how long ago that was.

Who knows... This may have been an ongoing problem. I did lower that sump about 10" so the water wouldn't rise over the bottom of the inlet before the pump got it out. So when I was doing laundry it would suds it up in there I'm sure, and that's not happening anymore.

I'm not going to panic about it right now. All I can do is monitor the situation.

Finally got myself a dust to dawn porch sconce and a few ceiling fan/vents for my back porch.

First thing I'm doing is running electric for the 2-well sump system and getting that second well up and running, then I'm going to run my electric in the porch attic both for the new ceiling vents and to get a few lights up there that I can turn on from the shed (as well as a light or two in the shed itself). Once I've got that done I've got an old thin piece of plywood that will match the existing porch ceiling and cover that gaping hole for good. I'm sure that was the piece that was originally up there, but uncle bob took it down and used it to crawl around the porch after he did a shit job adding electric from the attic down into the shed. All of that needs to be taken down and redone.

It's a shame though. They've got my river rock on a steep discount this week, but I'm not going to be buying any right now until I figure out this sump situation. I'm hoping they have it on sale a few times this spring/summer like they did last year.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Sunday, March 19, 2023 7:46 PM (P)

Looks like the last of the cold weather should be today. High is barely 40, but from here on out it looks like the nights don't go below freezing and we have nothing but 40's and 50's in the 10 day forecast.

Since it's not absolutely frigid like it was yesterday, I'll be able to finally clear out the living room and finish up that re-org so I can dust and vacuum in there and in the kitchen. I'm going to run some errands to, including grabbing some stuff on sale at the hardware store. I don't remember what I was going to put on the list aside from a box of 100 flex conduit to junction box connectors that are on a great sale. Too bad it never went on sale last year when I was buying them just 4 at a time because the price for the big boxes were just prohibitively expensive at full price. But I've got boatloads of all the other necessary connectors for 3/8" work and with this I'd easily be able to wire up my next house and garage without buying any more.

I also have to remember to buy 4 standard brown plug outlets for my Grandma's house. At some point it appears my Uncle had swapped out all the old 2-prong outlets in the house but he missed 4 of them. I don't want any code problems when they try to sell it, so I'll make sure they're all upgraded and I'm going to go in the basement with a few boxes/caps so I can shorten the LONG runs of flex conduit down there that are visible since anything longer than 6 feet flex is against code. I only noticed 2 when I was looking, so hopefully there aren't any more than that. It wasn't until after my grandma passed that I saw her bedroom light switch was taped off and when I asked my aunt about it she said she taped it years ago because the light was sparking when you used the switch. Shame... I wish I'd known about that. It took me 3 minutes to swap out a new switch and another 10 minutes to get on a ladder, pull the old fixture down to wash it and get LED bulbs up in there. My family is just too good at making due with bad situations... So I know where I got it from and how easy it was for me to allow my house to fall around me back in my drinking days.

My aunt said my uncle took down all the plastic we had put up in the bathtub walls the other day. This is good. I know that nobody wants to do a full house remodel before they sell it, but I'd like them to at least get the house in living condition before they try to sell. We really should demo the walls where the old 60's plastic tile is all around to put up new walls. Even if we don't tile the bathroom we can put the vinyl walls up there and then just mud/sand/prime/paint everything outside of the tub area. There's some other damage to ceilings on the 1st floor that would be nice to fix and paint before they sell it too. It was water damage from two upstairs windows that I fixed last spring as well as damage from the upstairs bathroom that I believe my uncle had fixed at some point because if it were still leaking it would be noticable.

Now that things are settling down and my aunt is living at her apartment instead of in the house, I wont' be going over there for 3/4 days at a time anymore. Just overnight one night a week to get the rest of the furniture out on trash day until the house is empty.

So maybe some of these upcoming 50 degree days will be sunny and I can get some of these acquisitions out on my horses outside to sand down for staining. Without my aunt noticing, I was able to match the color of her new furniture with a Minwax color swatch book and the first thing I want to restore and get out of my garage is the hope chest she was interested in, but decided against taking because it was a little scratched up and didn't come close to matching any of her furniture.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Sunday, March 19, 2023 11:30 PM (P)

Just a lazy Sunday around me. My one day to do nothing really.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Monday, March 20, 2023 1:19 AM (P)

Got all my errands done early. Figured I'd probably take a nap and then get to cleaning out the rest of the living room and kitchen. It's still COLD outside. Maybe I'll just put that off until tomorrow before my dad comes over. By 11AM it will be warmer outside than it is by now and he's not coming until 2PM.

I think I'll just do the dishes and clean up the kitchen and bathroom tonight, and maybe vacuum everything that I can get to until tomorrow morning.

Got some cool stuff on clearance today, including two 2 foot metal woodworking clamps at half price. None of my existing clamps were more than 1 feet and this will help out when I'm building the missing drawers for the kitchen cabinets.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

SIGNYM

Monday, March 20, 2023 1:03 PM (P)

I was planning on doing more yardwork today b4 the rain set in, but my time was hijacked by hubby's burning desire to clean and sanitizethe bathroom.

Sigh.

Well, maybe the rain will hold off long enuf tomorrow for me to bin up what I yanked yesterday.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

6IXSTRINGJACK

Monday, March 20, 2023 6:54 PM (P)

Hopefully you can get to some of it today, Sigs.

I didn't do much at all after running my errands. Lots more for me to do before my dad comes over. I'm up early enough to get it done though if I do it.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Monday, March 20, 2023 11:13 PM (P)

Happy Spring in the rain. Looks kinda soggy around me but I am out for my walk.

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 3:29 AM (P)

Back from my walk and it did rain today though the sun is out now.

SIGNYM

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 6:01 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Back from my walk and it did rain today though the sun is out now.

It's too bad that the sun didn't come out for your walk.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

SIGNYM

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 6:05 AM (P)

Well, I managed to nip outside and with daughter's help not only binned up weeds but also managed to cut up and bin up a lot of fallen star pine branches. Daughter even dug up a few more big weeds.

Last year this time I had just finished chemo, had surgery and was getting radiation treatments. The front yard was full of waist-high weeds and knee-high grasses and I didn't care. So compared to how it used to be, things are going better.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

6IXSTRINGJACK

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 7:39 AM (P)

Glad to hear you're feeling better and you're getting stuff done Sigs.

Got a lot of cleaning done this morning, but dragged my feet on it for about 3 horusso there's still a lot more to do. Hoard is re-orged... except for the garage which I'll get to later. All my paperwork is caught up on. Dad came by and we hung out for a few hours. I'll see him again at my Grandma's house.

Going to go there tomorrow and help him get the Victrola loaded up in the car so he can take it down to my brother's apartment next time he goes. There was a time I wanted that, but it needs some restoration and needs to be fixed, and I don't need to take no another project. Maybe one day I'll fix it for him if he doesn't already pay somebody to do it. There's about 80 hard vinyl records for it. There used to be over 200, but I don't know what my other uncle did with them after I moved out. I was happy to find the ones that I did.

Hopefully my other other uncle comes by after work to help me because I want to get the couch and the large dinette out to the curb early to see if somebody will pick them up. Supposed to be warm, although it will probably rain overnight. Because of the rain, that might have to wait until next week, which will suck. I want them out of the house, but if we took them to the garage it's in the complete opposite direction of where the trash gets picked up and we're making a ton more work for ourselves if we do that.

I'm going to take the coffee table because even though I love mine, it doesn't have a lot of room with my all in one PC on top of it and this one is huge compared to mine. I figure I can also take 3 of the 5 remaining cinder blocks and get rid of them here because the cans at Grandma's specifically say no concrete and that's never been a problem throwing out concrete blocks here (I know because of my old patio where the sand pit currently is). I'll also take as many of the small pieces of garbage furniture as I can to get rid of here too.

After that, it's really just a few more weeks of putting out large pieces. What will be left in the garage will probably be too big to be carting around in the car to my uncle's, and too nice to leave on the neighbor's curb. He specifically told us not to leave anything nice there again since his girlfriend is a hoarder and she took the stuff we left on his curb 2 weeks ago and he doesn't have any room for it.

I'm going to leave the mattress and the TV that I've been using for now. There's still a chance they might decide to do some rehab work before selling it after talking to an appraiser, and I'm the only one who doesn't live close. If they want my help it would be nice to still be able to sleep there and have something to watch at night.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 9:42 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Back from my walk and it did rain today though the sun is out now.
It's too bad that the sun didn't come out for your walk.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

I know what you mean. It happens.

BRENDA

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 9:44 AM (P)

I am off to the dentist tomorrow morning and it should be a nice dry, bright sunny day for me. Denture time.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 10:00 AM (P)

Good luck with your dentures, Brenda. If they aren't to your level of approval be sure to let them know. I'm getting mine redone for free and I'll keep doing it over and over again until they get it right.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 2:27 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Good luck with your dentures, Brenda. If they aren't to your level of approval be sure to let them know. I'm getting mine redone for free and I'll keep doing it over and over again until they get it right.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

Hey SIX. It is just one. I got a partial for the top. It fits fine and they adjusted it before I left but I was told that the minute I have a problem to call them. So far so good.

I have to leave it in all night tonight so I get used to it.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 2:30 AM (P)

Back from my walk and the dentist. Denture in and I go back next Tuesday for a minor filling and then after that a couple more broken teeth to be removed. Then we go from there.

It was spitting when I left but fine now.

Also got samples of toothpaste but one I can't use as it is loaded with mint. If I use it I will give myself an upset stomach. No thank you. Not sure about the other one. I can't even use Polident which is something they recommend for cleaning the denture. It is all loaded with mint. So it is salt and water.

SIGNYM

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 7:48 AM (P)

Mint give me heartburn. It didn't used to, but I no longer eat mint-flavored candy or chew mint-flavored gum or take mint-flavored antacids.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

SIGNYM

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 7:49 AM (P)

Raining again for a few days. Not complaining! Avidly measuring the inches!

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

6IXSTRINGJACK

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 8:13 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Good luck with your dentures, Brenda. If they aren't to your level of approval be sure to let them know. I'm getting mine redone for free and I'll keep doing it over and over again until they get it right.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

Hey SIX. It is just one. I got a partial for the top. It fits fine and they adjusted it before I left but I was told that the minute I have a problem to call them. So far so good.

I have to leave it in all night tonight so I get used to it.

Glad it worked out for you.

My full top denture was a success. It was the partial that they botched big time.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 8:18 AM (P)

Glad you're getting rain Sigs. Wish mine would stop.

Nothing too serious so far though. Just enough to spoil the warmer temps we've finally been getting in these parts. TBH though, the wind is probably a bigger damper on the temps than the rain is.

Finished everything I needed to at Grandma's and my aunt's place today early. Had dinner with my aunt and then figured it foolish to stay overnight and leave super early in the morning just to save 10 minutes on my trip back home. Especially now that my aunt doesn't stay overnight in the house anymore.

Almost feels strange not staying overnight there at all this week. I've been staying at least 2 nights every week for I don't even remember how long.

The house is practically empty now.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 9:24 AM (P)

The actual bill isn't out yet, but my usage has been updated for the month. I only used 62 therms this year compared to 110 last Feb-March, and it was one degree colder this year on average for the month. Looks like my Feb-March bill is going to be $58 for gas and $68 for electric.

Not too shabby.

I'll do the math after I get the bill tomorrow, but I'd wager I'm somewhere around $150 up on the Power company for the 2022-2023 winter heating season, when they would have been up on me over $300-$400 if I kept my heat where I usually would and played their game.

Just paid for most of this years property tax increase right there, yanno... if I wasn't going to fight that one too.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 10:17 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Mint give me heartburn. It didn't used to, but I no longer eat mint-flavored candy or chew mint-flavored gum or take mint-flavored antacids.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

I hear ya SIG. I stopped using and eating anything with mint in it years ago once I figured out it made me feel sick. I used to love "After Eights" which is a British after dinner mint that is covered in chocolate. Could eat it by the bucket loads at one time but not any more. Used to give mint flavoured candies to my mum as she loved the stuff.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 10:18 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Good luck with your dentures, Brenda. If they aren't to your level of approval be sure to let them know. I'm getting mine redone for free and I'll keep doing it over and over again until they get it right.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

Hey SIX. It is just one. I got a partial for the top. It fits fine and they adjusted it before I left but I was told that the minute I have a problem to call them. So far so good.

I have to leave it in all night tonight so I get used to it.

Glad it worked out for you.

My full top denture was a success. It was the partial that they botched big time.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

Where ever they send the molds too did a good job. It was just a little rough and they smoothed it while I was there.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 4:17 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Where ever they send the molds too did a good job. It was just a little rough and they smoothed it while I was there.

That's nice.

They didn't have to alter my full top even a little bit. But the bottom partial wouldn't even fit and I really tried to get it in there. I didn't want to break them by forcing anymore. I really love that office and especially my hygienist, but I was pretty miffed that they'd just send me home like that without a fitting right when they came back in. It wasn't even close to right. And then when I did comeback in she hacked away at it with a Dremmel tool about 30 times before getting it where it was even reasonably a fit. After one day of that I realized I paid almost $500 for what was basically a zero improvement over what it was before I paid for the reline because she took way too much off or something.

I had to push the 2nd shot back a few weeks because I was too busy at Grams with my aunt last week, but hopefully they get it right this time. My ideal scenario is that it comes out of the lab and just fits right and we don't need to be shaving off any material this time.

Finger's crossed.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

6IXSTRINGJACK

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 4:27 PM (P)

Guuuuhhhh.... Gross.

Weather outlook this week SUCKS. We're in for an inch of rain and thunderstorms for the next 36 hours, ruining the 50+ degree days that come along with it. Hopefully I don't have to be operating the generator in that time.

Then it gets cold again for a few days with no rain or no sun, and another half inch again when it hits 50 degrees. Won't even see my precious sun again until next Tuesday.

It looks as though we won't be having a dry spring this year from the model we have right now. That means I won't be installing the 2nd sump well any time soon.

But I can at least start working on getting the new electric all set up.

I won't be sure until I look at my map of circuits, but I do believe the electric at the crawl space entrance runs on a separate circuit from the one at the well already. I'm also hoping that that circuit is not the same as the one the washer/dryer is on. If it doesn't clear both of those scenarios, I'm going to have to figure something else out. Adding a new circuit for the 2nd well wouldn't be an impossible task, but it would be a monster job requiring me to damage some walls that are already finished outside, and then bending conduit to overlap existing conduit once I'm in there, and I really don't like that idea.

Either way, I'll also have to run pipe back to the switches by the entrance from the existing well, so I could probably just do that with other electric that is already down there from the other end of the living room for the 2nd well. I'd be okay with the well working on a circuit that just has some plug outlets and my porch lamp on it. The existing one is on the same circuit that the microwave is on, and in all the years I've been here given the frequency the sump goes off I'm sure that on quite a few occasions the microwave was already running when the pump started and it's never caused an issue. No reason to fix what ain't broke, but since I'm the guy in charge of doing the 2nd one I want to do it right.

I'm not going to expand the current box that is at the crawlspace entrance, but I will buy a double flapper switch (which is pretty expensive) so I can have manual control of both wells with easy access from outside of the crawl. Right now, the only way to turn off the existing well is to crab walk all the way to it and pull out the cord. I need to keep the existing switch because it controls the light in the crawlspace, but the flappers can go in place of the duplex outlet that is up there. I have plenty of outlets in the basement already and long extension cords so I don't need one right at that entrance, plus there's nothing stopping me from adding a few extra lights and outlets down there in the crawl while I'm doing this work anyhow.

That all is going to make the work I need to do in the shed and porch attic easy by comparison.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 11:16 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by 6IXSTRINGJACK:
Quote:
Originally posted by Brenda:
Where ever they send the molds too did a good job. It was just a little rough and they smoothed it while I was there.

That's nice.

They didn't have to alter my full top even a little bit. But the bottom partial wouldn't even fit and I really tried to get it in there. I didn't want to break them by forcing anymore. I really love that office and especially my hygienist, but I was pretty miffed that they'd just send me home like that without a fitting right when they came back in. It wasn't even close to right. And then when I did comeback in she hacked away at it with a Dremmel tool about 30 times before getting it where it was even reasonably a fit. After one day of that I realized I paid almost $500 for what was basically a zero improvement over what it was before I paid for the reline because she took way too much off or something.

I had to push the 2nd shot back a few weeks because I was too busy at Grams with my aunt last week, but hopefully they get it right this time. My ideal scenario is that it comes out of the lab and just fits right and we don't need to be shaving off any material this time.

Finger's crossed.

--------------------------------------------------

Growing up in a Republic was nice... Shame we couldn't keep it.

I guess I got lucky then. The dentist like I said took a tool and shaved an area down on the right side as it was scratching my gum and it bleed a bit after the first fitting. Once she did that no problems. It's a little tight for now but I expect that as it is new and will take time to loosen from use.

Good luck to you then SIX.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 11:16 PM (P)

Another bright sunny day for my walk and pick up game of mah jong. Just need to get a couple of things done before then.

BRENDA

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 11:17 PM (P)

Have to be careful when I take my seizure meds for a bit. They want to bump into the partial as they go down.

BRENDA

Thursday, March 23, 2023 9:16 AM (P)

Got back after 5pm from pick up game and no luck. Got my errands done though.

BRENDA

Thursday, March 23, 2023 9:16 AM (P)

regular mah jong game tomorrow morning

SIGNYM

Friday, March 24, 2023 12:10 AM (P)

Good luck with the tiles!
And I'm looking forward to you having all of your dental work completed, BRENDA. I'm sure it'll be a relief to be able to dial that back to just normal cleaning and exams.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

SIGNYM

Friday, March 24, 2023 12:27 AM (P)

Two storms in a row, both dropped 1.5". The second one brought an EF2 tornado to Montebello. Unlike most of the rest of the USA, where tornadoes can be predicted from large-scale weather patterns (mesocyclones, etc) tornadoes in CA tend to occur unpredictably. They're more like waterspouts, but on land.

In the LA basin we are officially at over 200% of normal rainfall and (in the southern Sierras) close to 300% of snowpack.

Just OOC I checked in with the drought monitor: most areas of severe drought on the west coast states have been wiped off the map. There is an area of drought in pretty much the exact center of the USA: If you were to draw a swath from N Dakota thru S Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, you'd see severe drought beginning in Nebraska through Texas. Four Corners (where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet) finally gets a reprieve!

Anyway, enuf of the weather. Saw my nephrologist, he's happy with my results and OK'd me getting a steroid injection in my painfully arthritic shoulder, should I need one. Today is a normal followup with my oncologist. I think I will request and schedule to have my infusion port removed. On with the rest of my day.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

BRENDA

Friday, March 24, 2023 3:08 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
Good luck with the tiles!
And I'm looking forward to you having all of your dental work completed, BRENDA. I'm sure it'll be a relief to be able to dial that back to just normal cleaning and exams.

-----------
"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal." - Henry Kissinger

Well, no luck yesterday with the tiles. Tough afternoon.

Oh, it will be a major relief once it is all done. Believe me SIG.

BRENDA

Friday, March 24, 2023 3:09 AM (P)

Back from my regular mah jong game in the rain. And again no luck. Oh well. It happens.

FIRST PAGE PREV PAGE 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NEXT PAGE LAST PAGE

USER	POST DATE
SIGNYM	02:39
6IXSTRINGJACK	03:29
6IXSTRINGJACK	03:29
BRENDA	03:31
BRENDA	03:41
BRENDA	03:42
6IXSTRINGJACK	03:49