Well, here it is, the end of yet another year. I still have trouble with the speed that time is flying by. I know that as a kid it seemed like time just crawled... when Christmas was over it was FOREVER before it came again. Now I am already thinking about gifts for next year because if I don't, I will not be ready.
2014 was a year of rehabilitation, traveling adventures and a new companion. It was also a winter weather challenge but I also found that all I had to do was ask and I had all kinds of help.
A little over a year ago I was using a walker and canes to walk around the house. I was having physical therapy at home and preparing to go to therapy at a center that just opened nearby. I signed up for Rover which provides shared rides for Senior Citizens for $.50 each way. They gave me rides to therapy until the surgeon released me to drive. Nice to know that I have an alternative to get from place to place if I am not able to drive.
Even doing that, I still managed to help facilitate the GriefShare program at church. We did not have the turnout that we had hoped for, but the ones who came really benefited from the program. It is quite the drain after 14 weeks on me. I still struggle with my own loss. I gain each time I do GriefShare and I feel I am making progress, but by the end of the sessions, I am wiped out.
In 2014 I found a beautiful mountain chalet in Fancy Gap, VA that I can afford to rent for a month. So I headed south with a couple of Marges to rewind and re-center my life. There was a lot of crafting and sewing that month. And I loved it so much, that I will be doing it again in 2015.
I also made a delightful trip to Alaska to stay with Rob & Kate. It was the first time I had gotten to see the home they built. We shopped and did some sight-seeing. It was nice to be able do the walking with my new knee. I still have the left knee that will need replacement, but not quite yet, but it was so much better than in the past several years.
Upon returning from Alaska, I drove to Pikeville, KY to get my new companion, Winston. He is a 6 year old Schnoodle. It has been an interesting time with him as we got accustomed to each other. He has gone from sleeping off in a corner of the couch as far from me as he could get but still able to see me to sleeping on the recliner between my legs as I type this. He is getting better at going outside... even though he was not too bad to begin with. He loves to ride in the car and will really enjoy heading to Fancy Gap in the spring. He has settled in nicely and is a wonderful companion in a house that was so empty after Molly passed.
As if that was not enough, my biggest event was the sewing room in the basement. Rob had promised to come out and help in September, si I set about clearing out the workroom that Rudy had in the basement. My dear friend, Danny, was once again my rock. He came out and removed all of the big tools. I then went through all the rest of the basement stuff and cleared the room. I was able to try the Bagster Bag system for junk and construction waste. It had been advertised and was a perfect solution for smaller jobs than a big dumpster.
Danny and his son, Darren came out just before Rob came and installed a nice floor. We put down Dri-Core which was an interlocking subfloor system with plastic spacers under particle/plywood to allow for air and dampness under the floor to breathe, We topped that with underlayment and a lovely laminate. Really made the room so nice and less like a basement. I love it so much that I will be doing the same thing in the basement bedroom over the winter.
I still have some little things to do down there, but I have tables, a spare bed and sewing machines all set up. I have not had time to sew, sew, sew there yet, but now that the holidays are over, I plan to be there quite a bit.
The holidays were equally wonderful. Brian arrived first, then Rob & Kate followed by my brother, Andy and his wife, Carol. Good food (thanks Brian) and good times, plus I got my Ugly wall in the dining room F I N A L L Y covered! Best Christmas present ever.
So tonight I will quietly celebrate the end of a good year. I am preparing to start another GriefShare series on Tuesday. I am hoping that we can help those folks who are suffering from the loss of a loved one. I feel very good about this project this year. I have been much more involved in the planning this time.
2015 is gearing up to be a wonderful year. From my month in Fancy Gap I head to Ashland, KY for my 50th High School class reunion. I have already heard from a couple of my high school friends that I will reconnect with that weekend. Winston will be traveling with me for both adventures. I am hoping to drive out to Minneapolis to spend some time with Brian and hope to be able to stop and visit with my cousin either on the way out or on the way back. And who knows what else I will manage to do. It will be an exciting year.
So Happy New Year to all of my friends and family. Wishing you a fun filled and fulfilling New Year in 2015. May Health and Prosperity be yours. May you find Joy and Happiness in all that you do!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Winding Down and Finishing
Yesterday was a catch-up/wind down day. There is always a deflating day following the holidays. The hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays is over. The guests have come, eaten, opened presents and gone. There is laundry to be done and I find I need time to just wind down from everything and get back into the routine that Winston and I have created since he moved in.
I headed to church this morning with a trunk full of goodies for my friend, Sheila. I met Sheila four years ago at the first GriefShare in 2012, We almost felt an immediate bond as she had lost two husbands over the course of her life. She has become part of my quilting/sewing friends and has arranged for our monthly pillowcase sewing for charity.
I have been fortunate in my life to have been able to get some top notch sewing machines and I had one in Maryland and one in Pennsylvania of both sewing and serger. Now that I have only one home I have been looking for a good home for my duplicates. As I have found the complete parts of my machines, I have given them to Sheila. She has a new granddaughter (Sadie) and will be able to use the sewing/embroidery machine to make some wonderful things for her. Today I gave her a nice serger that will allow her to make some nice garments and finish items faster than with traditional sewing.
Then I came home to finish up a loose end from the construction before Christmas. When we had picked up the panels to do the Ugly wall, I had also purchased a piece of plywood to cut and put under the mattress on the trundle to give it a more substantial sleeping surface. It was on the list of seven projects. The Ugly wall repair was finished and it took longer than I had anticipated, but of all of the items, that is the one I really wanted completed. I got another one partially done, I have hard wired two of my cameras, but I have to tack up the cable to the one in order to cross it off the list.
I was left with saw horses, a full sheet of plywood and a partial sheet of the paneling on the back porch when everyone left.
So the paneling was placed in the garage. It is a nice piece and I will find another place to use it... give me time.
So I took my measurements from the bed frame, marked it on the plywood and very, very carefully used my circular saw and ended up with a smaller rectangle that I am hoping will fit where I need it. (It is a bit blurry as the battery in the camera was almost dead and it was not a terribly sharp picture). Do not look too closely, the lines are not completely straight, but they are not bad, for a beginner. The good thing is I still have all of my fingers, I did not cut through the saw cord and I did not cut into the furring strips or saw horses that was holding up the plywood. :>)
Then I took the saw, cut off the corners, so that when I tuck in sheets and blankets, I do not stab myself on sharp corners. Finally I dragged it inside and after catching my breath, I slid the board, on it's side to the basement. In the next day or so, I will get it under the mattress on the trundle.
I will then start working on the list and getting the rest of the things done. Rob mentioned something about a shared Google Doc where I will keep my list so he is aware of what needs to be done. We will work on that later. But I am pleased at my ability to use power tools... and with no assistant to hold the ends of the board while I saw. (Rudy, I learned about many things by just watching you.... thanks!)
I headed to church this morning with a trunk full of goodies for my friend, Sheila. I met Sheila four years ago at the first GriefShare in 2012, We almost felt an immediate bond as she had lost two husbands over the course of her life. She has become part of my quilting/sewing friends and has arranged for our monthly pillowcase sewing for charity.
I have been fortunate in my life to have been able to get some top notch sewing machines and I had one in Maryland and one in Pennsylvania of both sewing and serger. Now that I have only one home I have been looking for a good home for my duplicates. As I have found the complete parts of my machines, I have given them to Sheila. She has a new granddaughter (Sadie) and will be able to use the sewing/embroidery machine to make some wonderful things for her. Today I gave her a nice serger that will allow her to make some nice garments and finish items faster than with traditional sewing.
Then I came home to finish up a loose end from the construction before Christmas. When we had picked up the panels to do the Ugly wall, I had also purchased a piece of plywood to cut and put under the mattress on the trundle to give it a more substantial sleeping surface. It was on the list of seven projects. The Ugly wall repair was finished and it took longer than I had anticipated, but of all of the items, that is the one I really wanted completed. I got another one partially done, I have hard wired two of my cameras, but I have to tack up the cable to the one in order to cross it off the list.
I was left with saw horses, a full sheet of plywood and a partial sheet of the paneling on the back porch when everyone left.
So the paneling was placed in the garage. It is a nice piece and I will find another place to use it... give me time.
So I took my measurements from the bed frame, marked it on the plywood and very, very carefully used my circular saw and ended up with a smaller rectangle that I am hoping will fit where I need it. (It is a bit blurry as the battery in the camera was almost dead and it was not a terribly sharp picture). Do not look too closely, the lines are not completely straight, but they are not bad, for a beginner. The good thing is I still have all of my fingers, I did not cut through the saw cord and I did not cut into the furring strips or saw horses that was holding up the plywood. :>)
Then I took the saw, cut off the corners, so that when I tuck in sheets and blankets, I do not stab myself on sharp corners. Finally I dragged it inside and after catching my breath, I slid the board, on it's side to the basement. In the next day or so, I will get it under the mattress on the trundle.
I will then start working on the list and getting the rest of the things done. Rob mentioned something about a shared Google Doc where I will keep my list so he is aware of what needs to be done. We will work on that later. But I am pleased at my ability to use power tools... and with no assistant to hold the ends of the board while I saw. (Rudy, I learned about many things by just watching you.... thanks!)
Friday, December 26, 2014
Day After Christmas Shopping Adventure
Christmas afternoon my brother, Andy, and his wife, Carol, returned from visiting with her sister, Sue and her husband, Mark. They had met for breakfast at the Double D Diner in Thorndale and returned to my home for more Christmas Day fun.
Patty and Nelson Nafzinger have a family dinner at the church hall and had included me this year. We took desserts and enjoyed seeing the entire clan... brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren. There was plenty of food and conversation and fun with a gift exchange. We did not stay too late as it had been a long couple of days for the three of us and we headed home so we could kickback, relax and enjoy snacking on crackers and blue cheese ball (our mother's recipe and a holiday tradition). Carol does a lovely job making it each Christmas and she really cannot stand Blue Cheese, so it is quite a labor of love on her part which we blue cheese lovers (my brother and I) appreciate from the tips of our tongues to the deliciousness in our bellies!
This morning we were up early and returned to the Double D for a really great breakfast. I had Sausage Gravy on Biscuits and Hash Browns. It was the best I have had in a long time. We went that direction so we could just go down the road a short distance to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Coatesville. And and Carol volunteer at their local Re-Store in Fredericksburg, VA and when they travel tend to locate the Re-Stores in their areas to see how things are run there and bring back good ideas to their store.
We found the store less organized than it could have been (and it has been that way each time I have ventured inside) and overpriced (according to my brother) plus the volunteers were being supervised by a real Grinchy guy that was setting a less than pleasant tone for the shoppers.
From there we headed to Cedar Lane Dry Goods in New Holland. It is a lovely store that my friend Patty had pointed out to me. It is manned by some Amish ladies and has an interesting variety of dry goods (just as the sign implies) There are boxes of inspirational greeting cards, various office/school supplies and socks. There are books, sewing notions and some really nice fabrics at some really nice prices. I found three pieces of fabric that will make a nice quilt someday along with some cards. As we went to our cars, my brother mentioned the second floor which I had missed completely. So we went back in and found a second floor of more fabrics (some for dresses rather than just quilts) along with new Tupperware and another large selection of books. They also had some patterns and I found 2. I need to go back and look more upstairs!
From there we headed to the Lancaster Outlets. On the 24th, Andy and Carol had stopped in the Rockvale Outlets and she had seen some shoes at the QVC Outlet but had not purchased them. So we headed back. On the 24th, they had the place to themselves. Today it was mobbed. The lines to check out wrapped around the store and the store was packed with shoppers. I wandered around but had no desire to stand in line to check out. I stood with Andy while Carol shopped. She did not have the shoes in her hands but she kept looking. They finally bought a microwave pressure cooker unit. I will be curious to see if they use it and how it works for them.
Then we hit the road and headed for the last store, the Lancaster Re-Store. It was just a short jaunt from QVC and a much nicer store than Coatesville. It was also larger. It was well organized, clean and well lighted. Their merchandise was priced better but none of us found anything although I did find a small lamp I could have used in the sewing room.... but not exactly what I was looking for, so I passed.
We parted company in the parking lot and Andy & Carol headed home to Fredericksburg and I back to see Winston. He seemed very happy to see me and wanted to play. I found that my cameras were not broadcasting so I had to reboot the routers and decided to upgrade my software to the new version and got it up and running. I still have to hard wire the sewing room camera, perhaps later.
So it is back to normal. Winston is asleep on the couch and I am bringing you all up to date. It is time to hunker down for the winter. I will be helping to lead GriefShare starting January 6th. When that ends I head back to Fancy Gap, VA for a month and then to Ashland, KY for my 50th High School Reunion, so busy times ahead. All is well after a wonderful holiday!!
Patty and Nelson Nafzinger have a family dinner at the church hall and had included me this year. We took desserts and enjoyed seeing the entire clan... brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren. There was plenty of food and conversation and fun with a gift exchange. We did not stay too late as it had been a long couple of days for the three of us and we headed home so we could kickback, relax and enjoy snacking on crackers and blue cheese ball (our mother's recipe and a holiday tradition). Carol does a lovely job making it each Christmas and she really cannot stand Blue Cheese, so it is quite a labor of love on her part which we blue cheese lovers (my brother and I) appreciate from the tips of our tongues to the deliciousness in our bellies!
This morning we were up early and returned to the Double D for a really great breakfast. I had Sausage Gravy on Biscuits and Hash Browns. It was the best I have had in a long time. We went that direction so we could just go down the road a short distance to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Coatesville. And and Carol volunteer at their local Re-Store in Fredericksburg, VA and when they travel tend to locate the Re-Stores in their areas to see how things are run there and bring back good ideas to their store.
We found the store less organized than it could have been (and it has been that way each time I have ventured inside) and overpriced (according to my brother) plus the volunteers were being supervised by a real Grinchy guy that was setting a less than pleasant tone for the shoppers.
From there we headed to Cedar Lane Dry Goods in New Holland. It is a lovely store that my friend Patty had pointed out to me. It is manned by some Amish ladies and has an interesting variety of dry goods (just as the sign implies) There are boxes of inspirational greeting cards, various office/school supplies and socks. There are books, sewing notions and some really nice fabrics at some really nice prices. I found three pieces of fabric that will make a nice quilt someday along with some cards. As we went to our cars, my brother mentioned the second floor which I had missed completely. So we went back in and found a second floor of more fabrics (some for dresses rather than just quilts) along with new Tupperware and another large selection of books. They also had some patterns and I found 2. I need to go back and look more upstairs!
From there we headed to the Lancaster Outlets. On the 24th, Andy and Carol had stopped in the Rockvale Outlets and she had seen some shoes at the QVC Outlet but had not purchased them. So we headed back. On the 24th, they had the place to themselves. Today it was mobbed. The lines to check out wrapped around the store and the store was packed with shoppers. I wandered around but had no desire to stand in line to check out. I stood with Andy while Carol shopped. She did not have the shoes in her hands but she kept looking. They finally bought a microwave pressure cooker unit. I will be curious to see if they use it and how it works for them.
Then we hit the road and headed for the last store, the Lancaster Re-Store. It was just a short jaunt from QVC and a much nicer store than Coatesville. It was also larger. It was well organized, clean and well lighted. Their merchandise was priced better but none of us found anything although I did find a small lamp I could have used in the sewing room.... but not exactly what I was looking for, so I passed.
We parted company in the parking lot and Andy & Carol headed home to Fredericksburg and I back to see Winston. He seemed very happy to see me and wanted to play. I found that my cameras were not broadcasting so I had to reboot the routers and decided to upgrade my software to the new version and got it up and running. I still have to hard wire the sewing room camera, perhaps later.
So it is back to normal. Winston is asleep on the couch and I am bringing you all up to date. It is time to hunker down for the winter. I will be helping to lead GriefShare starting January 6th. When that ends I head back to Fancy Gap, VA for a month and then to Ashland, KY for my 50th High School Reunion, so busy times ahead. All is well after a wonderful holiday!!
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Christmas Greetings
Merry Christmas everyone.
It has been a whirlwind of preparations and activities. And even though I was wrapping at the last minutes, I was actually more prepared this year than any other year in the recent past.
I decorated this year, garland on the doorways, two little trees up and plugged in. I was going to do a couple of lights outside but that did not happen, so next year.
Brian arrived on Saturday, Rob & Kate arrived on Sunday. As referenced in the previous blog, we managed to finally get my ugly wall covered. Still have a little trimming to finish, but it was the best present I could have received. I will still have to cut the plywood to go under the trundle in the basement, but since it is under the mattress, no one will see if it is not perfect.
The kids have left already this morning. They are driving to New Jersey to spend some time with their father.... one of the downsides of being kids of divorced parents. My brother, Andy, and his wife Carol were with us last night along with their boys, Tommy and Chris. The boys headed back to Virginia last night but Andy and Carol will be coming back this afternoon for a Christmas dinner and some conversations and spending time together. I am hoping that we can visit more over the winter as long as travel is not impaired by snow and the like.
It is always bittersweet when they leave. I love having my children around. So when they leave, I usually have a few tears on my cheeks. But it always makes the time I do have very, very special.
So to all of you, Merry Christmas. I hope you were able to spend the holiday with family and friends. It is a season of Peace and Goodwill. And now... to on to 2015!!!
It has been a whirlwind of preparations and activities. And even though I was wrapping at the last minutes, I was actually more prepared this year than any other year in the recent past.
I decorated this year, garland on the doorways, two little trees up and plugged in. I was going to do a couple of lights outside but that did not happen, so next year.
Brian arrived on Saturday, Rob & Kate arrived on Sunday. As referenced in the previous blog, we managed to finally get my ugly wall covered. Still have a little trimming to finish, but it was the best present I could have received. I will still have to cut the plywood to go under the trundle in the basement, but since it is under the mattress, no one will see if it is not perfect.
The kids have left already this morning. They are driving to New Jersey to spend some time with their father.... one of the downsides of being kids of divorced parents. My brother, Andy, and his wife Carol were with us last night along with their boys, Tommy and Chris. The boys headed back to Virginia last night but Andy and Carol will be coming back this afternoon for a Christmas dinner and some conversations and spending time together. I am hoping that we can visit more over the winter as long as travel is not impaired by snow and the like.
It is always bittersweet when they leave. I love having my children around. So when they leave, I usually have a few tears on my cheeks. But it always makes the time I do have very, very special.
So to all of you, Merry Christmas. I hope you were able to spend the holiday with family and friends. It is a season of Peace and Goodwill. And now... to on to 2015!!!
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Christmas Gift 2014
Good morning. As I type, it is Christmas Eve morning and only Kate and I are up and about. I was up last night sorting stuff for one of my gifts. I still have some wrapping to do, but I will get it done even if I have to close myself off in the basement.
Brian arrived on Saturday from Minneapolis. We had almost half a day on Saturday and most of the day Sunday to spend some nice time catching up on all of his activities. Rob and Kate arrived mid evening on Sunday and we have had non-stop talking and laughter since.
I did put them to work yesterday.
Many of you are aware that I had started painting my living room to freshen it up after Rudy died. I got the living room part done, but got stymied at the ding room part. In peeling off wall paper on the long dining room wall, I discovered an area where water had been intruding on the wall for years. There was a large and fragile patch in the plaster and I just was not sure what I wanted to do to repair the wall and then make it look pretty again.
Since then, I have referred to the wall as my ugly wall and everyday as I looked at it, I tried formulating a plan. I first had to block the water from coming in. It was the result of an untreated, cinder block chimney/flue for my furnace that would suck in water from heavy rain and then wick down to the interior wall. A little help from Danny..... no, with a lot of help from Danny.... I got the outside of the chimney painted with DriLock paint and then covered the top with a chimney cover and no more water!
I kept going back and forth on how to finish off the ugly wall to hit the patch and make the wall look nice again. There were multiple layers of old and ugly wall paper that had been used to cover the patch and hid the damage. In some areas it came off easily, in others, not so much! I finally decided that I would cover the wall with bead board paneling that I could paint if I wanted to and add some texture to the room.
So...... I figured while I had both boys home, it would be a simple task to cut and fit the three panels of bead board to the wall.
Brian and I purchased the panels and some plywood to go under the trundle mattress before Roab and Kate arrived. So, yesterday was the day!
Here is the ugly wall before we started...
At this point the patch in the upper left-hand corner has been treated with a couple of layers of DriLock which soaked into the bad plaster repair job and has stabilized the fragile patch. It has been sanded close to level with the wall so the paneling will lay flat and the little propane heater has been removed. The baseboard has been removed and it is ready to have the paneling applied.
Rob and Brian established a level line alone the bottom of the wall where the straight edge of the paneling will rest and have taken measurements for cutting the not in any way, shape or form level ceiling line. Rob had remembered some of the cutting techniques that he and Danny had used to cut the peg board in the basement build and they were using my circular saw to cut the paneling. The first panel was close, but needed an additional trim in order for it to fit.
We took a break, before installing the first panel and went to dinner at Dyers Restaurant with some of my friends. Marji and Danny came up from Maryland to join us. Then came back to the house where Danny jumped in and assisted in the completion of the restoration.
The results can be seen in the pictures below.
They were very methodical in their measurements and took time to test fit everything before applying the glue. We secured the panels into their drying position with a few brads and voila.....
The best Christmas present ever!!!!!!! Isn't it a lovely wall??? Just a little trim at the top and some paint and it will be perfect! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Brian and Rob and Danny for making this into my beautiful wall.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Brian arrived on Saturday from Minneapolis. We had almost half a day on Saturday and most of the day Sunday to spend some nice time catching up on all of his activities. Rob and Kate arrived mid evening on Sunday and we have had non-stop talking and laughter since.
I did put them to work yesterday.
Many of you are aware that I had started painting my living room to freshen it up after Rudy died. I got the living room part done, but got stymied at the ding room part. In peeling off wall paper on the long dining room wall, I discovered an area where water had been intruding on the wall for years. There was a large and fragile patch in the plaster and I just was not sure what I wanted to do to repair the wall and then make it look pretty again.
Since then, I have referred to the wall as my ugly wall and everyday as I looked at it, I tried formulating a plan. I first had to block the water from coming in. It was the result of an untreated, cinder block chimney/flue for my furnace that would suck in water from heavy rain and then wick down to the interior wall. A little help from Danny..... no, with a lot of help from Danny.... I got the outside of the chimney painted with DriLock paint and then covered the top with a chimney cover and no more water!
I kept going back and forth on how to finish off the ugly wall to hit the patch and make the wall look nice again. There were multiple layers of old and ugly wall paper that had been used to cover the patch and hid the damage. In some areas it came off easily, in others, not so much! I finally decided that I would cover the wall with bead board paneling that I could paint if I wanted to and add some texture to the room.
So...... I figured while I had both boys home, it would be a simple task to cut and fit the three panels of bead board to the wall.
Brian and I purchased the panels and some plywood to go under the trundle mattress before Roab and Kate arrived. So, yesterday was the day!
Here is the ugly wall before we started...
At this point the patch in the upper left-hand corner has been treated with a couple of layers of DriLock which soaked into the bad plaster repair job and has stabilized the fragile patch. It has been sanded close to level with the wall so the paneling will lay flat and the little propane heater has been removed. The baseboard has been removed and it is ready to have the paneling applied.
Rob and Brian established a level line alone the bottom of the wall where the straight edge of the paneling will rest and have taken measurements for cutting the not in any way, shape or form level ceiling line. Rob had remembered some of the cutting techniques that he and Danny had used to cut the peg board in the basement build and they were using my circular saw to cut the paneling. The first panel was close, but needed an additional trim in order for it to fit.
We took a break, before installing the first panel and went to dinner at Dyers Restaurant with some of my friends. Marji and Danny came up from Maryland to join us. Then came back to the house where Danny jumped in and assisted in the completion of the restoration.
The results can be seen in the pictures below.
They were very methodical in their measurements and took time to test fit everything before applying the glue. We secured the panels into their drying position with a few brads and voila.....
The best Christmas present ever!!!!!!! Isn't it a lovely wall??? Just a little trim at the top and some paint and it will be perfect! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Brian and Rob and Danny for making this into my beautiful wall.
Merry Christmas to everyone.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Hopefully finished for 2014
Good morning world.....
I am sitting in my recliner, waiting for a phone call from the groomers to go pick up my lovely bathed and clipped dog, Winston, for the holidays.
I dropped him off at 9:00 Am and from there I drove to Downingtown to the Hyundai dealer. Last Friday I had Friedman Windshield out to replace the windshield on my Elantra. I was hit by a stone and it shipped the windshield, but within less than a week, the cold had caused the windshield to crack.
This was the first windshield I have had replaced. It had to sit for 24 hours after it was installed so it would bond properly. They explained to me, it was not so much that it was not drivable, but more that if I was in an accident in the first 24 hours, the entire windshield could be launched as a projectile.
The problem is that all of the inspection stickers were on the old windshield. I had five days to get them replaced, so I drove to Downingtown to get them re-applied. It only cost me $8.55. They also added 'air' to my tires so the low pressure light would go out. My tires on this car do not have regular air, but rather they were filled with nitrogen. I can add regular air, but I figured why not have it done with the gas.
So I am now done...... hopefully.... with vehicles. Since November I have had the van inspected, I had a fender repaired on the van. I had the truck inspected and the blower fan speed repaired as it only ran on high. I had the battery on the Elantra replaced after I killed it. Then the stone chip/crack fixed and getting the stickers replaced on the Elantra.
So I am finished. They are all perfect. Everything is working and looked good! So no more car issues......... PLEASE!!!!!
I am sitting in my recliner, waiting for a phone call from the groomers to go pick up my lovely bathed and clipped dog, Winston, for the holidays.
I dropped him off at 9:00 Am and from there I drove to Downingtown to the Hyundai dealer. Last Friday I had Friedman Windshield out to replace the windshield on my Elantra. I was hit by a stone and it shipped the windshield, but within less than a week, the cold had caused the windshield to crack.
This was the first windshield I have had replaced. It had to sit for 24 hours after it was installed so it would bond properly. They explained to me, it was not so much that it was not drivable, but more that if I was in an accident in the first 24 hours, the entire windshield could be launched as a projectile.
The problem is that all of the inspection stickers were on the old windshield. I had five days to get them replaced, so I drove to Downingtown to get them re-applied. It only cost me $8.55. They also added 'air' to my tires so the low pressure light would go out. My tires on this car do not have regular air, but rather they were filled with nitrogen. I can add regular air, but I figured why not have it done with the gas.
So I am now done...... hopefully.... with vehicles. Since November I have had the van inspected, I had a fender repaired on the van. I had the truck inspected and the blower fan speed repaired as it only ran on high. I had the battery on the Elantra replaced after I killed it. Then the stone chip/crack fixed and getting the stickers replaced on the Elantra.
So I am finished. They are all perfect. Everything is working and looked good! So no more car issues......... PLEASE!!!!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Not good news but not too bad either.....
I have taken a small break from posting. I have had quite a few little glitches in my life and while they are not devastating they have thrown me into a bit of a spin. And the cloudy, cold weather is not helping. There are a couple of days when I have just curled up in a ball and done nothing. So I am a bit behind in many things.
By the same token, I have been busy. I have gotten the van inspected and the little boo-boo on the fender repaired. I have gotten the truck inspected and the blower fan for the heater and defroster repaired. All have new windshield wipers (thanks Danny and Darren) and the snow plow is on the truck.
I figured that it would be the end of the car issues, but the day I was going to be able to pick up the van, I had done some shopping in the Elantra. Driving along Route 322, a stone was kicked up by another vehicle and a small stone chip appeared just above my head on the windshield. So, I called my insurance and got my best repair group out today to fix it. The Elantra has been in the garage since, but when we went in to assess what was needed, the freezing temperatures had made the chip into a full blown crack. Friday they will come back and replace the entire windshield. Yippee!
The sewing room is coming along nicely. I have managed to make one pillowcase for charity, but with all of the appointments and meetings and stuff, I have just not had time. I did assemble and install the trundle under the bed. It was an interesting process. The frame needed two people, so I had to improvise to keep the metal slats from falling out while the ends were being installed. Yarn comes in handy for more thank knitting!! Just sayin'!
The mattress came from Amazon. It was vacuum packed and rolled into a large duffle looking thing. The package warned that opening it would cause the mattress to expand quickly. Inside the duffle was another plastic bag. That bag revealed more plastic and some really hefty tape. I carefully cut the tape one at a time and with each cut, it began to put pressure on the remaining. I tried to position it to be on the bed frame but missed a bit. It unfolded with some force, but I managed not to hurt myself and not break anything. If everyone comes that might come for Christmas Eve, I will need beds for 9 - NINE - 9 - people. It will be fun!!
Now, for tonight. You all know that Winston came to live here late in June. At first he was very confused and we had some issues with remembering to ask to go out to pee. He had some food issues, too but of late the only issue I have had with him is that he is a digger. He has been digging holes all over the back yard. One of the local farmers says he is digging for moles, and it explains the strange little creature I found on the porch. But tonight I was supposed to go out and have dinner with some delightful local folks who go out to dinner every Tuesday. I had put Winston out to do his duty while I gathered my purse, keys and coat. Not long, less than 5 minutes. I go out to get him and he is no where in sight. I call and no movement. I finally go over to the steps, look at his lead and it is strung from the step where it is connected to under the deck..... UNDER the deck. This deck is 12 feet wide and 32 feet long. Lattice covers the openings, but there was a low place where the sewer line from the house to the septic was repaired and he had made it a little deeper and gone UNDER the deck. I tugged on the lead, but he had managed to under some conduit for electric for the garage and gotten the lead jammed under the conduit. He was stuck under there. STUCK!!!!!!!!!
I called my friends and begged off dinner. Then I got a flashlight and tried to view where he was. I then went into the garage and located a small pry bar. I took off the lattice in the area closest to where Winston was, He managed to squiggle over and I was able to lay on the wet and muddy (it had been raining off and on here for most of the day) ground, unhook the lead and get him out. After putting him in the house, I managed to replaced the lattice, cover up the low area temporarily. Tomorrow I will try to secure the lattice, try got get the lead out from under the conduit so I can use it again and find a better way to block access to under the deck.
As I told Marji today. Winston certainly makes my life interesting and on my toes. He is not like any dog I have ever had. He digs holes, he loves rain and snow, he eats dirt and other things, he is not the dainty little dogs I have had in the future. But he climbs up in my lap, now, and leans into my chest and snuggles so nicely. It has been several months of learning to trust me. We are finally are beginning to understand each other!!
Better days ahead!!
By the same token, I have been busy. I have gotten the van inspected and the little boo-boo on the fender repaired. I have gotten the truck inspected and the blower fan for the heater and defroster repaired. All have new windshield wipers (thanks Danny and Darren) and the snow plow is on the truck.
I figured that it would be the end of the car issues, but the day I was going to be able to pick up the van, I had done some shopping in the Elantra. Driving along Route 322, a stone was kicked up by another vehicle and a small stone chip appeared just above my head on the windshield. So, I called my insurance and got my best repair group out today to fix it. The Elantra has been in the garage since, but when we went in to assess what was needed, the freezing temperatures had made the chip into a full blown crack. Friday they will come back and replace the entire windshield. Yippee!
The sewing room is coming along nicely. I have managed to make one pillowcase for charity, but with all of the appointments and meetings and stuff, I have just not had time. I did assemble and install the trundle under the bed. It was an interesting process. The frame needed two people, so I had to improvise to keep the metal slats from falling out while the ends were being installed. Yarn comes in handy for more thank knitting!! Just sayin'!
The mattress came from Amazon. It was vacuum packed and rolled into a large duffle looking thing. The package warned that opening it would cause the mattress to expand quickly. Inside the duffle was another plastic bag. That bag revealed more plastic and some really hefty tape. I carefully cut the tape one at a time and with each cut, it began to put pressure on the remaining. I tried to position it to be on the bed frame but missed a bit. It unfolded with some force, but I managed not to hurt myself and not break anything. If everyone comes that might come for Christmas Eve, I will need beds for 9 - NINE - 9 - people. It will be fun!!
Now, for tonight. You all know that Winston came to live here late in June. At first he was very confused and we had some issues with remembering to ask to go out to pee. He had some food issues, too but of late the only issue I have had with him is that he is a digger. He has been digging holes all over the back yard. One of the local farmers says he is digging for moles, and it explains the strange little creature I found on the porch. But tonight I was supposed to go out and have dinner with some delightful local folks who go out to dinner every Tuesday. I had put Winston out to do his duty while I gathered my purse, keys and coat. Not long, less than 5 minutes. I go out to get him and he is no where in sight. I call and no movement. I finally go over to the steps, look at his lead and it is strung from the step where it is connected to under the deck..... UNDER the deck. This deck is 12 feet wide and 32 feet long. Lattice covers the openings, but there was a low place where the sewer line from the house to the septic was repaired and he had made it a little deeper and gone UNDER the deck. I tugged on the lead, but he had managed to under some conduit for electric for the garage and gotten the lead jammed under the conduit. He was stuck under there. STUCK!!!!!!!!!
I called my friends and begged off dinner. Then I got a flashlight and tried to view where he was. I then went into the garage and located a small pry bar. I took off the lattice in the area closest to where Winston was, He managed to squiggle over and I was able to lay on the wet and muddy (it had been raining off and on here for most of the day) ground, unhook the lead and get him out. After putting him in the house, I managed to replaced the lattice, cover up the low area temporarily. Tomorrow I will try to secure the lattice, try got get the lead out from under the conduit so I can use it again and find a better way to block access to under the deck.
As I told Marji today. Winston certainly makes my life interesting and on my toes. He is not like any dog I have ever had. He digs holes, he loves rain and snow, he eats dirt and other things, he is not the dainty little dogs I have had in the future. But he climbs up in my lap, now, and leans into my chest and snuggles so nicely. It has been several months of learning to trust me. We are finally are beginning to understand each other!!
Better days ahead!!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Electrified...
The first task in the new sewing/craft room was to add some electrical outlets to the room. Rudy had some along the outside wall to run his machines. Rob tackled the job of wiring up several junction boxes and seven new outlets along the front of the room where the TV and microwave will go and the inside wall where some of the tables will be located. We thin there are 4 separate circuits.... we know there are 3, for sure. This will allow us the ability to spread out where the irons are plugged in so as not to overload any one circuit.
Since Rob is still a novice at the and he had never added new circuit breakers to an electric panel, we moved along slowly and orderly. We had to use concrete screws to clamp the conduit to the wall. He initially started, then I took over. Yesterday we finally bought a hammer drill as we still have several things to add on that wall. This should make it increasingly easier.
Now that all of the new outlets are operational we set up a dehumidifier in the room. It sits by the door to the basement and we have a hose running to the drain in the utility room so we do not have to dump the unit when it gets full. This will keep the room dry and fresh and protect the expensive sewing machines. In the pictures, it is still sitting in the middle of the room.
Today we will be moving furniture into the room, setting up the TV and the coffee/microwave bar. So more pictures to come. Still have several other projects to do. Rob will be heading home to Alaska on Monday, so we have lots to do.
Since Rob is still a novice at the and he had never added new circuit breakers to an electric panel, we moved along slowly and orderly. We had to use concrete screws to clamp the conduit to the wall. He initially started, then I took over. Yesterday we finally bought a hammer drill as we still have several things to add on that wall. This should make it increasingly easier.
Now that all of the new outlets are operational we set up a dehumidifier in the room. It sits by the door to the basement and we have a hose running to the drain in the utility room so we do not have to dump the unit when it gets full. This will keep the room dry and fresh and protect the expensive sewing machines. In the pictures, it is still sitting in the middle of the room.
Today we will be moving furniture into the room, setting up the TV and the coffee/microwave bar. So more pictures to come. Still have several other projects to do. Rob will be heading home to Alaska on Monday, so we have lots to do.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Rob arrives then we measure and buy....
I did laundry yesterday in my fixed washer. I held my breath, hoping that James had tightened everything to keep the water inside the washer. (The first time he put it together he missed something and it leaked....) It was fine, so I got my clothes done and washed up the sheets for Rob's bed.
I started getting ready to head into Philly to the airport. I had been watching Rob's plane across the country. Then I had been checking the traffic cams along the route I take. All day it had been fine. But just before I headed out I checked again and there was traffic backed up everywhere... an accident on the northbound side of I-95. So I quickly researched the alternatives, plugged in my GPS and tried a different way. I got there, but I have no idea where I was... there were traffic lights at every intersection and cars going in every direction. I am assuming that people were using back roads and clogging them up pretty well.
I still managed to get to the cell phone lot about 15 minutes before his plane landed. It took a while for him to get his bag, but we finally connected and we headed South on I-95... encountering traffic. This time I did not care and it kept the speeding maniacs from being hazardous objects on the road. We ordered a pizza from Pizza Villa and just chatted. Rob headed to bed early and I was not far behind.
Winston loves Rob.. and thinks he is the center of our attention. Rob loves to pet him and plays with his toys so Rob is Winston's new, best friend.
Today we spent a lot of time in the basement. We were measuring for RG6 cable to move the cable into the sewing room so we can watch TV while sewing. We also planned out additional outlets and two circuits so the sewing machines, irons, TV, microwave and Keurig will not overload the system. Then we went to Home Depot and did our best to buy everything we need to do the work. I even bought a small but heavy duty circular saw to work on furring strips, deck steps and other things I may need to repair or build. Amazingly, I will be learning how to use it so I can DIY projects in the future.
Then we went to dinner with some of my Parkesburg friends. It is a group of really nice folks who go to dinner at different places every Tuesday. We went to the Manor Buffet in Lancaster. It was a marvelous place. So much food and a wide variety. Rob got his fill and so did I. I will go back, for sure.
Tomorrow we start installing cable and extra outlets so I can start loading the room. Then other projects will be done as well!!! This is super exciting! Pictures of our work tomorrow.
I started getting ready to head into Philly to the airport. I had been watching Rob's plane across the country. Then I had been checking the traffic cams along the route I take. All day it had been fine. But just before I headed out I checked again and there was traffic backed up everywhere... an accident on the northbound side of I-95. So I quickly researched the alternatives, plugged in my GPS and tried a different way. I got there, but I have no idea where I was... there were traffic lights at every intersection and cars going in every direction. I am assuming that people were using back roads and clogging them up pretty well.
I still managed to get to the cell phone lot about 15 minutes before his plane landed. It took a while for him to get his bag, but we finally connected and we headed South on I-95... encountering traffic. This time I did not care and it kept the speeding maniacs from being hazardous objects on the road. We ordered a pizza from Pizza Villa and just chatted. Rob headed to bed early and I was not far behind.
Winston loves Rob.. and thinks he is the center of our attention. Rob loves to pet him and plays with his toys so Rob is Winston's new, best friend.
Today we spent a lot of time in the basement. We were measuring for RG6 cable to move the cable into the sewing room so we can watch TV while sewing. We also planned out additional outlets and two circuits so the sewing machines, irons, TV, microwave and Keurig will not overload the system. Then we went to Home Depot and did our best to buy everything we need to do the work. I even bought a small but heavy duty circular saw to work on furring strips, deck steps and other things I may need to repair or build. Amazingly, I will be learning how to use it so I can DIY projects in the future.
Then we went to dinner with some of my Parkesburg friends. It is a group of really nice folks who go to dinner at different places every Tuesday. We went to the Manor Buffet in Lancaster. It was a marvelous place. So much food and a wide variety. Rob got his fill and so did I. I will go back, for sure.
Tomorrow we start installing cable and extra outlets so I can start loading the room. Then other projects will be done as well!!! This is super exciting! Pictures of our work tomorrow.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Beginning the great basement makeover...
It has begun! After the cleanup and sorting of the stuff in Rudy's old workshop, the conversion to a lovely sewing room has begin. I had been thinking about it and making plans and looking at laminate flooring so I was ready to hit the ground running.
My oldest son, Rob, is arriving later today from Alaska. He is going to be here a week and we will be working on several projects but basically getting the sewing room set up and preparing the downstairs bedroom for a floor similar to the one that is now in the sewing room.
Rob has become quite handy living off grid in Alaska, so we will be tackling some wiring and making a design wall or two in the room. But Saturday, Danny Lantz and his son, Darren, came to the house and laid the new floor. This is something they do as part of the side jobs, so they came to quickly do the job that might have taken Rob and I the whole week. They started after 10AM and finished before 5PM.
Since it was the standard cement floor in the basement, I wanted something that could deal with damp. I have become a big fan of DIY television and had seen, in several of the shows, a product called DriCore. It is plywood with a plastic backing that has feet like protrusions on the bottom which keep the wood up off the floor and also allows air to flow and moisture to evaporate. It creates a nice sub-floor that is perfect for a nice application like laminate... what I am doing.
So, after emptying the truck I got 80 2' by 2' squares of DriCore. Then a day or so later, I got 15 boxes of a very nice looking 'hickory' laminate flooring that was a special buy at Home Depot for $.96 a square foot as well as the underlayment. I was ready.
Danny and Darren were here by 10AM and went right to work. They did some calculating and I helped them figure out how to lay the DriCore. It comes all connected but you put it down like bricks. One row across and then cut a square in half to the seams do not meet. Once we got it down, it went quickly. In the beginning, until they goot into the groove, I even installed whole blocks myself. Not hard to do at all. They did the floor in thirds. DriCore then underlayment finished with laminate, then DriCore, underlayment and laminate until finished.
I noticed, as the day progressed, that the sounds got quieter and quieter from the basement. The climate in the room changed too. Probably my imagination, but I know it will be warmer... that was commented many times in the reviews of the DriCore on the Home Depot web site.
They worked hard and in the end, this is what I now have in my sewing room.....
Beautiful.... Rob and I will work hard to finish it off! I am so excited. Stay tuned for more picture progress.
My oldest son, Rob, is arriving later today from Alaska. He is going to be here a week and we will be working on several projects but basically getting the sewing room set up and preparing the downstairs bedroom for a floor similar to the one that is now in the sewing room.
Rob has become quite handy living off grid in Alaska, so we will be tackling some wiring and making a design wall or two in the room. But Saturday, Danny Lantz and his son, Darren, came to the house and laid the new floor. This is something they do as part of the side jobs, so they came to quickly do the job that might have taken Rob and I the whole week. They started after 10AM and finished before 5PM.
Since it was the standard cement floor in the basement, I wanted something that could deal with damp. I have become a big fan of DIY television and had seen, in several of the shows, a product called DriCore. It is plywood with a plastic backing that has feet like protrusions on the bottom which keep the wood up off the floor and also allows air to flow and moisture to evaporate. It creates a nice sub-floor that is perfect for a nice application like laminate... what I am doing.
So, after emptying the truck I got 80 2' by 2' squares of DriCore. Then a day or so later, I got 15 boxes of a very nice looking 'hickory' laminate flooring that was a special buy at Home Depot for $.96 a square foot as well as the underlayment. I was ready.
This is how the basement looked when I started. Rudy had some nice tools... band say, drill press, table saw and router table. There were two work benches, the one you see clearly was where he crafted his remote control planes during the long, cold winters. I added a sewing table and a cutting table to the room when I sold the Maryland house. But it was pretty well junked up.
I gave Rudy's tools to Danny. He and his beautiful wife, Marji, have done so much for me since Rudy died, it was the least I could do. There was a weight bench and weights. They went to Marji & Danny's grandson. (I could have sold them, I guess, but I am not comfortable having strangers coming to my house.) I have thrown out junk and sorted through smaller stuff. I got the floor swept out several times... it amazes me how dusty and dirty basement floors are. The more you sweep, the more dirt comes up. It seemed to create it's own dust! But Saturday morning it looked like this...
I noticed, as the day progressed, that the sounds got quieter and quieter from the basement. The climate in the room changed too. Probably my imagination, but I know it will be warmer... that was commented many times in the reviews of the DriCore on the Home Depot web site.
They worked hard and in the end, this is what I now have in my sewing room.....
Beautiful.... Rob and I will work hard to finish it off! I am so excited. Stay tuned for more picture progress.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Another Elephant and a Repair....
I am sitting in my living room, listening to the sound of tools in the kitchen. The young man I hired to fix the washer is here with the new part, getting it installed and returning my washer to perfect running condition. He arrived exactly at noon, it is now a little after 2 PM and he is putting the washer back together again. He had installed the broken part (and it was really broken, he showed it to me, and had I let it gone any longer would probably have done more damage) and had reassembled it. But in testing, there was a leak somewhere, so he took it apart again and is now putting it together for another round of testing. He is very thorough and taking his time and I have confidence that it will be done correctly before he leaves. But prayers are still being said silently from here.
Tuesday I finished another elephant. I have a freezer in the basement. It had food in it. It was good and frozen.... and unidentifiable. When Rudy was alive, I would buy the occasional extra item when I found a good sale. It came in quite handy for the holiday picnic supplies during the summer. But since he died, I have not used anything that was in there and very rarely added anything. If I did, it went to the dark hole that was the basement and became unidentifiable along with the other stuff. So I decided to get everything out, defrost it (way overdue) and find a new home for it. Then, once the sewing room is done, find a refrigerator to put downstairs. This would give me a place for sodas and the like and a little extra freezer space, just perfect for one person.
So last week I started. I emptied out the door and the top shelf and some of the other stuff. I only had so much room in my trash, so I finished it up this week. This morning I went down and removed the trays that caught the water from the defrosting and the two boxes of food that had been trapped in the ice in the top shelf. Now I have to clean it out... although it is not that bad.... and then find a new home for it. So, another elephant... gone.
I also have 80 pieces of DriCore in the back of my truck. Ready for the installation of the floor in my sewing room. Tomorrow is the final push to clear the room for installation. Danny will be here on Saturday so we can try to have the floor done by the time Rob arrives on Monday!
Moving along!!!
BTW... I am hearing good things from the kitchen. The sound of cycles and water running in the washer. But now he is on his phone.....still sending up prayers.
Tuesday I finished another elephant. I have a freezer in the basement. It had food in it. It was good and frozen.... and unidentifiable. When Rudy was alive, I would buy the occasional extra item when I found a good sale. It came in quite handy for the holiday picnic supplies during the summer. But since he died, I have not used anything that was in there and very rarely added anything. If I did, it went to the dark hole that was the basement and became unidentifiable along with the other stuff. So I decided to get everything out, defrost it (way overdue) and find a new home for it. Then, once the sewing room is done, find a refrigerator to put downstairs. This would give me a place for sodas and the like and a little extra freezer space, just perfect for one person.
So last week I started. I emptied out the door and the top shelf and some of the other stuff. I only had so much room in my trash, so I finished it up this week. This morning I went down and removed the trays that caught the water from the defrosting and the two boxes of food that had been trapped in the ice in the top shelf. Now I have to clean it out... although it is not that bad.... and then find a new home for it. So, another elephant... gone.
I also have 80 pieces of DriCore in the back of my truck. Ready for the installation of the floor in my sewing room. Tomorrow is the final push to clear the room for installation. Danny will be here on Saturday so we can try to have the floor done by the time Rob arrives on Monday!
Moving along!!!
BTW... I am hearing good things from the kitchen. The sound of cycles and water running in the washer. But now he is on his phone.....still sending up prayers.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Happy Dance.... one elephant down!
I can do a Happy Dance, today. In December 2012, with the help of my best friend, Marji and her husband, Danny, I managed to clean out the summer home that Rudy and I shared in Maryland. My other BFF, Debby, had gone down with me for the final push. We had loaded up Danny's truck and my truck and perhaps (I cannot remember) a trailer to finish cleaning out the house so the new owners could take over and begin remodeling and making the place their own.
Since that time, I have had the back of the truck filled with boxes and bags. I had started going through the boxes a little at a time. There were many hands clearing out many things and I did not have the time to go through the stuff before it got boxed up. We were running out of time to complete settlement by the end of the year and a new set of taxes that would have needed to be paid. So I had no idea what was in any of the boxes. I was fine going through the stuff. It was mostly mine from computer stuff to sewing stuff and the like. But one of the boxes had a little treasure trove of items that belonged to Rudy. I was not aware that they had been in Maryland, still. And when I found them, I was thrust back into some of the profound grief that I felt when Rudy died. And since no one really cared and I did not need the truck for anything but plowing snow, I stopped going through the stuff in the truck. It was just too painful.
As I had the strength or needed something that was in the truck, I would get into it and get a couple of things out or thrown away. But the bed of the truck was covered with boxes and bags.
So, as you know if you are a regular reader, I am preparing for a visit from my son, Rob, a week from today. It is a working visit and he will be helping me fix up the 10' by 30' room that was Rudy's workshop into a new sewing/craft room for me. It will help me to get the clutter out of the upstairs and give me a lovely place to have friends come and join me in sewing and creating and laughing.
To do this, I will be putting down a DriCore sub-floor and then a laminate floor over that. It is the perfect setup for a basement room. But I need the truck to get the materials back to the house.
So, today, I backed the truck up to the Bagster Bag, and one box and bag at a time, I sorted through the remainder of the stuff, throwing out some of it and bring the rest either onto the porch or into the house. I still have another sort or two to go through, however, I will find places for much of the stuff.
BUT, the truck is empty. That elephant has been eaten. Happy, happy, happy!!!!
Since that time, I have had the back of the truck filled with boxes and bags. I had started going through the boxes a little at a time. There were many hands clearing out many things and I did not have the time to go through the stuff before it got boxed up. We were running out of time to complete settlement by the end of the year and a new set of taxes that would have needed to be paid. So I had no idea what was in any of the boxes. I was fine going through the stuff. It was mostly mine from computer stuff to sewing stuff and the like. But one of the boxes had a little treasure trove of items that belonged to Rudy. I was not aware that they had been in Maryland, still. And when I found them, I was thrust back into some of the profound grief that I felt when Rudy died. And since no one really cared and I did not need the truck for anything but plowing snow, I stopped going through the stuff in the truck. It was just too painful.
As I had the strength or needed something that was in the truck, I would get into it and get a couple of things out or thrown away. But the bed of the truck was covered with boxes and bags.
So, as you know if you are a regular reader, I am preparing for a visit from my son, Rob, a week from today. It is a working visit and he will be helping me fix up the 10' by 30' room that was Rudy's workshop into a new sewing/craft room for me. It will help me to get the clutter out of the upstairs and give me a lovely place to have friends come and join me in sewing and creating and laughing.
To do this, I will be putting down a DriCore sub-floor and then a laminate floor over that. It is the perfect setup for a basement room. But I need the truck to get the materials back to the house.
So, today, I backed the truck up to the Bagster Bag, and one box and bag at a time, I sorted through the remainder of the stuff, throwing out some of it and bring the rest either onto the porch or into the house. I still have another sort or two to go through, however, I will find places for much of the stuff.
BUT, the truck is empty. That elephant has been eaten. Happy, happy, happy!!!!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Not to Jinx this, but he stayed alone.....again.....!
With all of the bad news and things that have been happening in my life, I took a big step today.
Actually it was Winston who took the big step.
This morning I prepared to go to church as I usually do. When the time came, I reached down and Winston... for the first time... realized that I was about to put him in his kennel and he actually made an attempt to run away. He still growled and nipped at the latch as I closed and locked the door. But he was secure in his kennel and I could attend church without worry.
Today I was going to a luncheon with a little group called the Social Butterflies. It is mostly single ladies, either divorced, widowed or never married. Every time I go there are a couple that are repeats but mostly new. We were just meeting for lunch at a place that I had never been to, so I went to try out a new place to eat. I had to meet my friend, Annette, at her house at around 12:30 PM and we were going to go together.
Church usually gets out around 11:30 AM. So, after the drive home, I had close to 30 minutes to let Winston out and snuggle with him. And, of course, this morning he seemed to snuggle closer and his eyes told me how happy he was to have me home. So it really pained me to have to think about putting him back into the kennel.
So, I decided to give leaving him alone in the house without being in the kennel. He followed me to the kitchen, I grabbed my keys (I had left my purse in the car) and Winston began to dance thinking he was going for a ride. I told him 'no' and set the alarm and closed the door. The last time I did that, he began digging at the inside back door like he was going to dig his way out to follow me. This time he just stood quietly looking st the door. I stood quietly for a minute or so and no digging. I quietly went out the actual back door and still no digging sound. I walked slowly and could not hear anything.
I worried all the way to the Bistro on 10 and got out my phone to get online to see the tale of the cameras. This was another time I was happy to have those cameras working in my house. The back door was intact. I could not see Winston anywhere, so I assumed that he had curled up inside his kennel to sleep. I checked off and on throughout the lunch and never did see him.
When I walked into the back door after a lovely lunch, he was on the couch. For the first time since he came to live with me, he hopped down off the couch and walked into the kitchen, tail wagging, happy to see me.... and I am assuming... also happy that I had not locked him in the kennel. So, I will have to try it again. I keep having to remember that Winston is still getting used to being here. But I think I am winning him over!
Actually it was Winston who took the big step.
This morning I prepared to go to church as I usually do. When the time came, I reached down and Winston... for the first time... realized that I was about to put him in his kennel and he actually made an attempt to run away. He still growled and nipped at the latch as I closed and locked the door. But he was secure in his kennel and I could attend church without worry.
Today I was going to a luncheon with a little group called the Social Butterflies. It is mostly single ladies, either divorced, widowed or never married. Every time I go there are a couple that are repeats but mostly new. We were just meeting for lunch at a place that I had never been to, so I went to try out a new place to eat. I had to meet my friend, Annette, at her house at around 12:30 PM and we were going to go together.
Church usually gets out around 11:30 AM. So, after the drive home, I had close to 30 minutes to let Winston out and snuggle with him. And, of course, this morning he seemed to snuggle closer and his eyes told me how happy he was to have me home. So it really pained me to have to think about putting him back into the kennel.
So, I decided to give leaving him alone in the house without being in the kennel. He followed me to the kitchen, I grabbed my keys (I had left my purse in the car) and Winston began to dance thinking he was going for a ride. I told him 'no' and set the alarm and closed the door. The last time I did that, he began digging at the inside back door like he was going to dig his way out to follow me. This time he just stood quietly looking st the door. I stood quietly for a minute or so and no digging. I quietly went out the actual back door and still no digging sound. I walked slowly and could not hear anything.
I worried all the way to the Bistro on 10 and got out my phone to get online to see the tale of the cameras. This was another time I was happy to have those cameras working in my house. The back door was intact. I could not see Winston anywhere, so I assumed that he had curled up inside his kennel to sleep. I checked off and on throughout the lunch and never did see him.
When I walked into the back door after a lovely lunch, he was on the couch. For the first time since he came to live with me, he hopped down off the couch and walked into the kitchen, tail wagging, happy to see me.... and I am assuming... also happy that I had not locked him in the kennel. So, I will have to try it again. I keep having to remember that Winston is still getting used to being here. But I think I am winning him over!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Set back # 1
I have found that just about the time one feels secure in doing some things around the house that are a bit more expensive, you wind up spending big bucks on expensive stuff.
I am preparing to put together a nice room in my basement where I can put my sewing equipment so I can enjoy my passion and still have use of my living room and dining room where I can have company without thinking that I am exhibiting hoarding tendencies (which I probably do, anyway... at least where it comes to fabric).
So, I have found a microwave oven to put downstairs so I can nuke lunch or dinner without having to be upstairs. I am emptying the freezer in the basement. I will donate it to the church, if they can use it, or sell it and replace it with a small fridge or used one so I can keep sodas and various foods in the basement. I also have a Keurig coffee maker that I do not use, and I will have that in the basement too, for coffee and tea. With the TV from the Maryland bedroom and a day bed, I might never come upstairs except to go to the bathroom.
Over the last couple of months, I have been finding the occasional black mark in my clean laundry. It looks like an oil stain (I was used to them when Rudy was alive) but I could never find what I might have washed or dried that could have made that stain. The last few weeks, it has been showing up more frequently and I finally determined it was happening in the washer.
Today I had a very nice young man from Lancaster come in and check out my washer. He ran some tests and, running water in it, changing to different settings and listening (I had noticed the washer being louder and louder as it ran) to determine that the bearings in the plastic drum (not the motor) that holds the water and allows the drum to spin, were shot.... I will be looking at this as it comes out of the washer and after it is out, believe me! It could easily account for the little drips of oil that were getting into the washer if the seal is breaking down as well.
So the estimate to fix, parts and labor.. close to $500.00. A new washer would run a few to quite a few dollars more, but still......really??? And they have to come back and completely tear the washer apart to install the new part. And the washer is just a bit over 3 years old. It is an LG. The motor was guaranteed for 10 years, the drum for life. This part is neither, so only a year and it is so out of warranty!
I will get it fixed and hope the replacement part goes longer. Next time I will have to think seriously of replacing the washer!
I hope that his is not going to be the first of three. They said things like this come in threes! Please, for my sake, let this be just one!
I am preparing to put together a nice room in my basement where I can put my sewing equipment so I can enjoy my passion and still have use of my living room and dining room where I can have company without thinking that I am exhibiting hoarding tendencies (which I probably do, anyway... at least where it comes to fabric).
So, I have found a microwave oven to put downstairs so I can nuke lunch or dinner without having to be upstairs. I am emptying the freezer in the basement. I will donate it to the church, if they can use it, or sell it and replace it with a small fridge or used one so I can keep sodas and various foods in the basement. I also have a Keurig coffee maker that I do not use, and I will have that in the basement too, for coffee and tea. With the TV from the Maryland bedroom and a day bed, I might never come upstairs except to go to the bathroom.
Over the last couple of months, I have been finding the occasional black mark in my clean laundry. It looks like an oil stain (I was used to them when Rudy was alive) but I could never find what I might have washed or dried that could have made that stain. The last few weeks, it has been showing up more frequently and I finally determined it was happening in the washer.
Today I had a very nice young man from Lancaster come in and check out my washer. He ran some tests and, running water in it, changing to different settings and listening (I had noticed the washer being louder and louder as it ran) to determine that the bearings in the plastic drum (not the motor) that holds the water and allows the drum to spin, were shot.... I will be looking at this as it comes out of the washer and after it is out, believe me! It could easily account for the little drips of oil that were getting into the washer if the seal is breaking down as well.
So the estimate to fix, parts and labor.. close to $500.00. A new washer would run a few to quite a few dollars more, but still......really??? And they have to come back and completely tear the washer apart to install the new part. And the washer is just a bit over 3 years old. It is an LG. The motor was guaranteed for 10 years, the drum for life. This part is neither, so only a year and it is so out of warranty!
I will get it fixed and hope the replacement part goes longer. Next time I will have to think seriously of replacing the washer!
I hope that his is not going to be the first of three. They said things like this come in threes! Please, for my sake, let this be just one!
Not Ready for this....
Yesterday, one of my errands took me to the Sam's Club in Exton. I was not prepared to see what I saw.....
September 4th!!!! It was September 4th!!!!!
Earlier and earlier every year. Soon we will have Christmas Sales all year! The 12 months of Christmas! Wrong... so wrong!
September 4th!!!! It was September 4th!!!!!
Earlier and earlier every year. Soon we will have Christmas Sales all year! The 12 months of Christmas! Wrong... so wrong!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Bring It On.... I am ready!!!!!
This was a banner day for me. Since suffering through the ice storm this past winter, along with another 24 hours this summer without power, I have been trying to get my self prepared for any future times without power. While I would love to think that there will be no more, living out here in the country, I know better than that. I will, at some time in the near future, have a long period without power.
I had a borrowed generator for the ice storm. It was wonderful and kept me watching DVD's and having lights and the like. But it ran out of gasoline once before I had topped it off and I had to call upon a young friend of my late husband who rode out to the house from town and managed to get the old pull start generator going again. At that point I knew I needed my own generator. So my new one was stronger (8000 starting, 6500 running) and needed to have electric start. The older I get, I will be less likely to pull start anything. But I did not like having an entire bunch of extension cords running from outside to inside, keeping doors from closing and running just a few, select things.
Last week I started using Home Advisor to find a good local electrician to install a transfer switch that would allow me to use one special plug from the generator into an outlet outside that would send generator power into my main electric panel to power the house directly without having to use extension cords.
I had asked my nephew to assist. He really wanted to be able to do the work himself, but his union job as an electrician in Delaware has him working 6 days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day, so he just gave me some information that I used for my initial research into the project so I could talk with some knowledge to the gentlemen who arrived.
Jeff advised me about the basic transfer switch. This system allows you to select 6, 8 or 10 circuits in your main breaker box that would be powered by the generator when the power went out. The generator input comes into the new switch when the generator is on. You have to shut off the main power breaker and then turn on the generator power and it will power the circuits you have selected. My concern with this setup is the potential to allow backfeed by turning the outside power back on before turning off the generator input. This would send your generator power out into the power lines and when it hit the transformer cause issues with it and perhaps injure or kill any lineman working on the lines. It could also overload the house circuits and blow up any and all sensitive circuits and perhaps cause a fire. I know I would probably be OK, but as I age and get more feeble-minded, I would be afraid that I would do something stupid like that.
So, I set up an account on Home Advisor, input the information on what I was looking for and they sent me a list of 7 or 8 electricians in the area and, on my behalf, emailed the top three companies. One by one I heard from all of them. One called me immediately. He talked to me on the phone about what I needed and gave me a worse-case scenario estimate of cost ($1,200.00). I was called by a second one and we set up an appointment for him to come out the next day, look things over and give me a bid. The third one emailed and I called him back the next day to set up a time.
The first gentleman to arrive at the house was David from ReelTek Electric. He looked everything over and described a different type of system from the one my nephew had talked about. This was also a transfer switch of sorts, but instead of being installed AFTER the main breaker box, this would be installed BEFORE the main breaker box. This would have the main feed for the house going into the new box and a bridge cable going from that new box to the main breaker box. This new box would have a single lever with three positions (or poles)... one being outside power, one being off and one being generator. The input cable from the generator would also go to the box. This was exceedingly simple, with the switch up, the main panel would be powered by outside power. With the switch in the middle, no power would be coming into the house at all. With the switch in the down position, the entire panel would be powered by the generator. This meant that I did not have to select which circuits to run. I could run any or all of them that the generator could handle. I would probably not be able to run my dryer and the water heater could only be run if the well pump was not on, but I could have my fridge running and my freezer. The well pump could run, so I would have water to wash and flush with... novel for someone on a well.... and I could run my furnace as it is oil fired so the electric would only need to run the fan. I would probably not be able to run the central air, but I could run fans, so in hurricane season, I would be OK. What I liked about this setup was that power could only be coming from ONE source, Even if the generator was running, by flipping the switch, the power bring generated would not be backfeeding into either the house or the power grid. To me it was much safer. The quote was $1,250.00 so in line with the other one.
The next man to arrive was Tom from Mr. Electric. Mr. Electric is a franchise, from what I can tell, as I have seen the same name and signage in Maryland. Tom had mentioned in his email that he was recommending an Interlock Switch. I had researched this on the internet when I saw it in his email so I was familiar with the setup by the time he came. This was a very simple solution. He would install an generator input breaker on the main panel (moving two breakers to the bottom of the panel to make room). Then a hard plastic locking switch was installed. Basically it works like this, with your outside power breaker on, the bright red plate is situated in such a way so that one cannot switch the generator input breaker to the ON position. The main breaker has to be in the OFF position to allow the red locking panel to slide up and allow the generator input breaker to be switched to the ON position. The red plate is now situated in such a fashion as to not allow the main breaker to be turned back on until the generator switch is turned off. Once again, the generator is running the entire panel so I can pick and choose what I want to have running. Same restrictions as above as that is all based on the generator's capacity to generate power. It would be a simple setup, no additional big boxes and would only cost $725.00, saving me a chunk of change so I can put down a nice floor in my sewing room.
The last man to arrive was the first one to call. He was John from Caruke Electric. I met him out on the deck so we could look at the generator and talk about the outlet plug before going in the house. He was checking out where the outside power went in and commenting that access was being blocked by my lilac bush. He came off as very knowledgeable. He spouted off all of the terms.. transfer switch, 6, 8 or 10 circuits, input plug, etc. We went to the basement and he was impressed with the new box installation that was done when I installed the central air. He pointed out where he would install the transfer switch box and then noted that the joists in my house were not correct. (My house is well over 75 years old and is in better shape than many newer house, but he focused on the old construction that was perfectly fine 75+ years ago.) He determined that the plug outside could NOT be easily mounted on the deck but would have to be on the outside wall of the house near the driveway. I would need a longer cord to connect to it. He then said he thought his initial estimate had been too high and he could do it for $1,050.00. The entire time I got the impression that he was talking down to me and that I truly could not understand everything that was going on. So as I walked him outside, I asked him why he was recommending the 10 circuit transfer switch and not installing an interlock switch. He immediately starting talking and with, great bravado, explained how an interlock switch worked and how it caused problems because it made what is now the main panel into a sub-panel causing possible issues with floating grounds. I would have been impressed, except the system he was talking about was not the interlock switch, but the three pole transfer switch. Let's just say, he lost the job at that moment and would probably not been invited back just because of his attitude. He called the house Sunday night, Monday night and last night to see if he had gotten the job. I love caller ID, I just ignored him. I sent letters out on Monday, so he got the bad news, nicely phrased I might add, either late yesterday or today.
I selected the Mr. Electric bid of $750.00 after verifying things with my nephew, Jeff and my brother, Andy that it was a sound system and would do the job I needed it to do. I called Tom and we arranged for the job to be done today. Jim Good, one of his electricians, arrived on time this morning at 10:00 AM. He determined what needed to be done, managed to install all of the necessary breakers and wires without having to shut off the electric and then we went through the entire process of hooking up the cable, turning on the generator (although I forgot to open the gas feed so it shut off as we were going downstairs) and then turning off the main breaker and turning on the generator input. So much easier than dragging extension cords throughout the house in the dark. He was finished in an hour and a half and off to another job. Very neat, very tidy and no problem at all with putting the input plug on the deck where is it protected more from bad weather.
So I am ready for anything that a hurricane, ice storm, blizzard or even automobile accident can bring to the electric service out here in rural Chester County. I just need to make sure I have enough gas to keep the generator running! This is when keeping an eye on the weather is going to be very important.
I had a borrowed generator for the ice storm. It was wonderful and kept me watching DVD's and having lights and the like. But it ran out of gasoline once before I had topped it off and I had to call upon a young friend of my late husband who rode out to the house from town and managed to get the old pull start generator going again. At that point I knew I needed my own generator. So my new one was stronger (8000 starting, 6500 running) and needed to have electric start. The older I get, I will be less likely to pull start anything. But I did not like having an entire bunch of extension cords running from outside to inside, keeping doors from closing and running just a few, select things.
Last week I started using Home Advisor to find a good local electrician to install a transfer switch that would allow me to use one special plug from the generator into an outlet outside that would send generator power into my main electric panel to power the house directly without having to use extension cords.
I had asked my nephew to assist. He really wanted to be able to do the work himself, but his union job as an electrician in Delaware has him working 6 days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day, so he just gave me some information that I used for my initial research into the project so I could talk with some knowledge to the gentlemen who arrived.
Jeff advised me about the basic transfer switch. This system allows you to select 6, 8 or 10 circuits in your main breaker box that would be powered by the generator when the power went out. The generator input comes into the new switch when the generator is on. You have to shut off the main power breaker and then turn on the generator power and it will power the circuits you have selected. My concern with this setup is the potential to allow backfeed by turning the outside power back on before turning off the generator input. This would send your generator power out into the power lines and when it hit the transformer cause issues with it and perhaps injure or kill any lineman working on the lines. It could also overload the house circuits and blow up any and all sensitive circuits and perhaps cause a fire. I know I would probably be OK, but as I age and get more feeble-minded, I would be afraid that I would do something stupid like that.
So, I set up an account on Home Advisor, input the information on what I was looking for and they sent me a list of 7 or 8 electricians in the area and, on my behalf, emailed the top three companies. One by one I heard from all of them. One called me immediately. He talked to me on the phone about what I needed and gave me a worse-case scenario estimate of cost ($1,200.00). I was called by a second one and we set up an appointment for him to come out the next day, look things over and give me a bid. The third one emailed and I called him back the next day to set up a time.
The first gentleman to arrive at the house was David from ReelTek Electric. He looked everything over and described a different type of system from the one my nephew had talked about. This was also a transfer switch of sorts, but instead of being installed AFTER the main breaker box, this would be installed BEFORE the main breaker box. This would have the main feed for the house going into the new box and a bridge cable going from that new box to the main breaker box. This new box would have a single lever with three positions (or poles)... one being outside power, one being off and one being generator. The input cable from the generator would also go to the box. This was exceedingly simple, with the switch up, the main panel would be powered by outside power. With the switch in the middle, no power would be coming into the house at all. With the switch in the down position, the entire panel would be powered by the generator. This meant that I did not have to select which circuits to run. I could run any or all of them that the generator could handle. I would probably not be able to run my dryer and the water heater could only be run if the well pump was not on, but I could have my fridge running and my freezer. The well pump could run, so I would have water to wash and flush with... novel for someone on a well.... and I could run my furnace as it is oil fired so the electric would only need to run the fan. I would probably not be able to run the central air, but I could run fans, so in hurricane season, I would be OK. What I liked about this setup was that power could only be coming from ONE source, Even if the generator was running, by flipping the switch, the power bring generated would not be backfeeding into either the house or the power grid. To me it was much safer. The quote was $1,250.00 so in line with the other one.
The next man to arrive was Tom from Mr. Electric. Mr. Electric is a franchise, from what I can tell, as I have seen the same name and signage in Maryland. Tom had mentioned in his email that he was recommending an Interlock Switch. I had researched this on the internet when I saw it in his email so I was familiar with the setup by the time he came. This was a very simple solution. He would install an generator input breaker on the main panel (moving two breakers to the bottom of the panel to make room). Then a hard plastic locking switch was installed. Basically it works like this, with your outside power breaker on, the bright red plate is situated in such a way so that one cannot switch the generator input breaker to the ON position. The main breaker has to be in the OFF position to allow the red locking panel to slide up and allow the generator input breaker to be switched to the ON position. The red plate is now situated in such a fashion as to not allow the main breaker to be turned back on until the generator switch is turned off. Once again, the generator is running the entire panel so I can pick and choose what I want to have running. Same restrictions as above as that is all based on the generator's capacity to generate power. It would be a simple setup, no additional big boxes and would only cost $725.00, saving me a chunk of change so I can put down a nice floor in my sewing room.
The last man to arrive was the first one to call. He was John from Caruke Electric. I met him out on the deck so we could look at the generator and talk about the outlet plug before going in the house. He was checking out where the outside power went in and commenting that access was being blocked by my lilac bush. He came off as very knowledgeable. He spouted off all of the terms.. transfer switch, 6, 8 or 10 circuits, input plug, etc. We went to the basement and he was impressed with the new box installation that was done when I installed the central air. He pointed out where he would install the transfer switch box and then noted that the joists in my house were not correct. (My house is well over 75 years old and is in better shape than many newer house, but he focused on the old construction that was perfectly fine 75+ years ago.) He determined that the plug outside could NOT be easily mounted on the deck but would have to be on the outside wall of the house near the driveway. I would need a longer cord to connect to it. He then said he thought his initial estimate had been too high and he could do it for $1,050.00. The entire time I got the impression that he was talking down to me and that I truly could not understand everything that was going on. So as I walked him outside, I asked him why he was recommending the 10 circuit transfer switch and not installing an interlock switch. He immediately starting talking and with, great bravado, explained how an interlock switch worked and how it caused problems because it made what is now the main panel into a sub-panel causing possible issues with floating grounds. I would have been impressed, except the system he was talking about was not the interlock switch, but the three pole transfer switch. Let's just say, he lost the job at that moment and would probably not been invited back just because of his attitude. He called the house Sunday night, Monday night and last night to see if he had gotten the job. I love caller ID, I just ignored him. I sent letters out on Monday, so he got the bad news, nicely phrased I might add, either late yesterday or today.
I selected the Mr. Electric bid of $750.00 after verifying things with my nephew, Jeff and my brother, Andy that it was a sound system and would do the job I needed it to do. I called Tom and we arranged for the job to be done today. Jim Good, one of his electricians, arrived on time this morning at 10:00 AM. He determined what needed to be done, managed to install all of the necessary breakers and wires without having to shut off the electric and then we went through the entire process of hooking up the cable, turning on the generator (although I forgot to open the gas feed so it shut off as we were going downstairs) and then turning off the main breaker and turning on the generator input. So much easier than dragging extension cords throughout the house in the dark. He was finished in an hour and a half and off to another job. Very neat, very tidy and no problem at all with putting the input plug on the deck where is it protected more from bad weather.
So I am ready for anything that a hurricane, ice storm, blizzard or even automobile accident can bring to the electric service out here in rural Chester County. I just need to make sure I have enough gas to keep the generator running! This is when keeping an eye on the weather is going to be very important.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Someone who understands... such a comfort!
I have had a few days when I have not felt like doing much of anything at all. I NEED to get outside, park the pickup so the back is near the Bagster Bag and finish going through the stuff from the move in Maryland almost two years ago.
These are boxes and bags that were packed in the last big push to empty the house in Maryland after I had sold it. I did not have time to sort through the last bunch of stuff first and I had friends who helped, so I do not know what is inside any of the boxes. I was doing well getting the boxes sorted through shortly after I got the house emptied. But, in one box, I was going through stuff and came across one of Rudy's favorite watches. He always kept his watches separate... the PA watches were rugged and could handle his work... the MD watches were waterproof and prettier. This was one of the last watches he had worn.
In attending and then assisting with GriefShare sessions, I have learned that after the loss of a loved one, family members and friends that are left behind are, from time to time, ambushed by reminders of the lost person which propels them back into the depths of grief. The watch did it for me. It has been a year since I have been able to go through any more boxes. The back of the truck still has many boxes that need to be sorted and dealt with but I have just not been able to get into the back and start sorting. I guess I just do not want to be ambushed again.
Yesterday I had dinner with a dear friend, Sheila Williamson. I met her when I first started attending the GriefShare sessions. She was a helper but was dealing with the loss of two, not one but two, husbands. One was many years ago when her children were small and her husband had been killed in a tragic car accident. Her second husband had died of cancer more recently. When I called about GriefShare at the Mennonite Church, she was the one who answered the phone and she was so welcoming, I had no doubt that I would find some answers to my grief there.
Over the years since that January (2012) Sheila and I have grown closer. We share many interests. She went on the quilting retreat last fall and rekindled her interest in sewing and creating. She has included me in some of her activities and we sew pillowcases for Hershey Medical Center children once a month.
We met up at the local Walmart, yesterday, and she drove us to Downingtown to eat at Chick-Fil-A to support a fund raiser for cancer that a friend was running. It was nice to have some one-on-one time with her. We caught up on our activities and then I confided in her that I was experiencing some issues with the task of clearing out the truck. The great thing was that she totally understood my problem. She had moved into a new place last year, and had been through the same thing. She had some suggestions about how to go about some things. She also validated that my feelings were normal and that I was not the only one to ever feel that way.
It has been so wonderful to have a friend who has walked in my shoes. There are many well meaning friends who try to help me when I am down, but most of them are still married or have never suffered a family loss that gives them any idea where I am coming from. They mean well, but they just do not have a clue.
It is such a comfort to me to have someone, like Sheila, that I can talk to and who can sympathize and hug me when I need that. Thanks to Sheila, I was able to do some serious work in the basement. I am cleaning out my late husband's workshop so I can have a very nice sewing room. I was able to sit at his work bench where he made his remote control planes, sort through the pile of stuff that was there, toss the junk and all and now I just need to find homes for the tools and sand paper and the like so I can remove the work bench and make room for tables and sewing machines!!!
Sheila... I love you for your compassion and understanding. I will be looking forward to many years as your friend and hope that someday I can return the favor for what you were able to do for me yesterday!
These are boxes and bags that were packed in the last big push to empty the house in Maryland after I had sold it. I did not have time to sort through the last bunch of stuff first and I had friends who helped, so I do not know what is inside any of the boxes. I was doing well getting the boxes sorted through shortly after I got the house emptied. But, in one box, I was going through stuff and came across one of Rudy's favorite watches. He always kept his watches separate... the PA watches were rugged and could handle his work... the MD watches were waterproof and prettier. This was one of the last watches he had worn.
In attending and then assisting with GriefShare sessions, I have learned that after the loss of a loved one, family members and friends that are left behind are, from time to time, ambushed by reminders of the lost person which propels them back into the depths of grief. The watch did it for me. It has been a year since I have been able to go through any more boxes. The back of the truck still has many boxes that need to be sorted and dealt with but I have just not been able to get into the back and start sorting. I guess I just do not want to be ambushed again.
Yesterday I had dinner with a dear friend, Sheila Williamson. I met her when I first started attending the GriefShare sessions. She was a helper but was dealing with the loss of two, not one but two, husbands. One was many years ago when her children were small and her husband had been killed in a tragic car accident. Her second husband had died of cancer more recently. When I called about GriefShare at the Mennonite Church, she was the one who answered the phone and she was so welcoming, I had no doubt that I would find some answers to my grief there.
Over the years since that January (2012) Sheila and I have grown closer. We share many interests. She went on the quilting retreat last fall and rekindled her interest in sewing and creating. She has included me in some of her activities and we sew pillowcases for Hershey Medical Center children once a month.
We met up at the local Walmart, yesterday, and she drove us to Downingtown to eat at Chick-Fil-A to support a fund raiser for cancer that a friend was running. It was nice to have some one-on-one time with her. We caught up on our activities and then I confided in her that I was experiencing some issues with the task of clearing out the truck. The great thing was that she totally understood my problem. She had moved into a new place last year, and had been through the same thing. She had some suggestions about how to go about some things. She also validated that my feelings were normal and that I was not the only one to ever feel that way.
It has been so wonderful to have a friend who has walked in my shoes. There are many well meaning friends who try to help me when I am down, but most of them are still married or have never suffered a family loss that gives them any idea where I am coming from. They mean well, but they just do not have a clue.
It is such a comfort to me to have someone, like Sheila, that I can talk to and who can sympathize and hug me when I need that. Thanks to Sheila, I was able to do some serious work in the basement. I am cleaning out my late husband's workshop so I can have a very nice sewing room. I was able to sit at his work bench where he made his remote control planes, sort through the pile of stuff that was there, toss the junk and all and now I just need to find homes for the tools and sand paper and the like so I can remove the work bench and make room for tables and sewing machines!!!
Sheila... I love you for your compassion and understanding. I will be looking forward to many years as your friend and hope that someday I can return the favor for what you were able to do for me yesterday!
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Pillowcases and Winston's Revenge...
Yesterday was a very nice day.
I was up early, van packed and off to pick up Patty Nafzinger from church and then to Ephrata to meet Sheila Williamson at Piece By Piece Quilt Shop to use their fabric kits and their classroom to sew pillowcases for the Hershey Medical Center where they give them to children who are admitted. The child gets to select the pillowcase of their choice and then take it home with them when they go home. I have heard that they go through over 500 pillowcases per month. Anyway, we try to go in monthly to make some.... not many, but usually about 20+ each session. We keep trying to get more of our fellow sewers to come join us, but they always seem to be too busy to help.
Winston woke up Saturday all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. He was bouncy and happy and showing nothing of the strange dog that he had been on Friday. He was almost looking forward to being able to have a day with Mom... or so it seemed, so I was very unhappy to have to put him in his crate for the better part of the day.
His crate sits in the living room. It is covered with a woven throw that was from the house in Maryland. J. J. suggested that I cover his crate after Winston showed a preference to live under the bed. He told me that dogs go back to animals that live in dens... makes sense.... so by making it darker, Winston might seem more secure inside the crate if it were darker. And Winston does like to go into the crate... on his own... from time to time, including the day he was on his own in the house for a couple of hours.
Right now I have some jelly rolls and charm packs on top of the crate as I decide which ones will go with which project as well as which project will go to the Outer Banks at the end of September. Usually, when I have left Winston in his crate since adding the throw for darkness, I would lift up the side so there would be a nice flow of air through the crate while I was gone. I was in a hurry and forgot to do that.
When I got home, Winston was curled up in his crate, quietly waiting for me to let him out. It is funny, he does not yet get excited to hear me at the door or even when I open the crate to free him. It is not until he gets out and is able to stretch that I begin to see his tail start to wag and a slight bounce in his step. I noted that a couple of the jelly rolls and a charm pack were on the floor. I figured that he must have tugged on the side or jumped and bumped the top and had one or two fall off the top. I thought nothing of it.
This is how his crate currently looks with the throw covering top and a couple of sides...
Today I placed Winston in his crate so I could go to Sunday School and Church, I remembered to lift the side up to get better air flow while I was gone. This is what I found. Totally explains why the jelly rolls and charm pack were found on the floor. Let's just say that this is now completely Winston's throw. He got his revenge for leaving him alone in his crate....!
I was up early, van packed and off to pick up Patty Nafzinger from church and then to Ephrata to meet Sheila Williamson at Piece By Piece Quilt Shop to use their fabric kits and their classroom to sew pillowcases for the Hershey Medical Center where they give them to children who are admitted. The child gets to select the pillowcase of their choice and then take it home with them when they go home. I have heard that they go through over 500 pillowcases per month. Anyway, we try to go in monthly to make some.... not many, but usually about 20+ each session. We keep trying to get more of our fellow sewers to come join us, but they always seem to be too busy to help.
Winston woke up Saturday all bright-eyed and bushy tailed. He was bouncy and happy and showing nothing of the strange dog that he had been on Friday. He was almost looking forward to being able to have a day with Mom... or so it seemed, so I was very unhappy to have to put him in his crate for the better part of the day.
His crate sits in the living room. It is covered with a woven throw that was from the house in Maryland. J. J. suggested that I cover his crate after Winston showed a preference to live under the bed. He told me that dogs go back to animals that live in dens... makes sense.... so by making it darker, Winston might seem more secure inside the crate if it were darker. And Winston does like to go into the crate... on his own... from time to time, including the day he was on his own in the house for a couple of hours.
Right now I have some jelly rolls and charm packs on top of the crate as I decide which ones will go with which project as well as which project will go to the Outer Banks at the end of September. Usually, when I have left Winston in his crate since adding the throw for darkness, I would lift up the side so there would be a nice flow of air through the crate while I was gone. I was in a hurry and forgot to do that.
When I got home, Winston was curled up in his crate, quietly waiting for me to let him out. It is funny, he does not yet get excited to hear me at the door or even when I open the crate to free him. It is not until he gets out and is able to stretch that I begin to see his tail start to wag and a slight bounce in his step. I noted that a couple of the jelly rolls and a charm pack were on the floor. I figured that he must have tugged on the side or jumped and bumped the top and had one or two fall off the top. I thought nothing of it.
This is how his crate currently looks with the throw covering top and a couple of sides...
Today I placed Winston in his crate so I could go to Sunday School and Church, I remembered to lift the side up to get better air flow while I was gone. This is what I found. Totally explains why the jelly rolls and charm pack were found on the floor. Let's just say that this is now completely Winston's throw. He got his revenge for leaving him alone in his crate....!
Friday, August 22, 2014
Electricians and WInston goes Nuts..... Again!
Up early, a little before 7:00 AM. I really would like to sleep in more, but my body seems to decide when it has had enough sleep and I am awake. I find I am sleeping about 6+ hours each night. Some nights more, but I also find I catch a good nap in the recliner from time to time, so total sleep during a 24 hour period is probably more like 7+. But I am finding that Winston is not the one getting up first, I am waking and then he gets up....
Today was final visits from local electricians to give me estimates on their ideas of how to properly hook up my generator. The first gentleman wants to put in a 3 pole manual transfer switch for $1250.00. This morning I met Tom from Mr. Electric. He suggested a Breaker Interlock Switch in the breaker Panel that I already have. he would be moving the top two breakers to the bottom empty spaces and install a double breaker in the top of the panel that would become a generator input to the panel. The there would be a sliding plate that would not allow the generator input from becoming active until the total house power breaker is thrown. Doing it this way would allow the generator to power all of the circuits in the house. I would NOT be able to use my dryer. I would NOT be able to use my central air. I would NOT be able to use the Hot Water Heater all of the major items were off. But I could power the well pump, I could use my stove (propane), I would have fridge and freezer running, I would have internet, phone and TV. I would also have the ability to open the garage door, turn on the security system, have any light I needed, run my oil furnace and my internal security cameras. He can get me all set up for $725.00 and can get me on his schedule for next week. What I like about this system is that there is no way for me to accidentally cause any kind of back feed by having PECO power and generator power working through the panel at the same time.
Later in the day I had John from Caruke Electric come to the house. His solution is to install the normal 6, 8 or 10 circuit transfer switch. This would be a separate panel installed after main panel. The line from the generator would go into the new panel and would then tie into the main panel circuit by circuit, based on my best guess as to what I might need. The well would take up 2 circuits, and that would leave just a few to be chosen for generator power. But there is no safety mechanism, other than knowing what you are doing, to prevent back feed when regular power is restored. John had given me an initial estimate on the phone of $1200.00, top end. After seeing what he would be working with, that was reduced to $1050.00 for the job. I asked him why he was not recommending an Interlock switch and he started explaining why it was iffy..... but the setup he was telling me about was the three pole manual transfer switch. He made a good point about that setup as the three pole panel is actually installed BEFORE the current main panel, making the main panel actually a sub-panel. And then you run into issues with ground wires becoming a floating ground and perhaps causing problems.
So, I have contacted Tom, from Mr. Electric, to schedule an install of the Interlock Switch that will give me the ability to run as much of the house as the generator will allow and the safety of not being able to have the main PECO power running the panel at the same time as the generator feed. I will notify the others of my decision once I have my time scheduled with the other.
It has been interesting to meet the three men. I only knew of one way to do a transfer switch for a generator. I was glad that each one had their own, preferred method to accomplish the same thing. I am more knowledgeable because of it and feel I will have a much more flexible system as I can turn off systems/circuits that cause too much drain on the generator while having such things as running water to flush toilets whenever I need it.
Now..... Winston! He went around the bend again today. He started off by throwing up his breakfast on the rug in the kitchen as I was doing dishes. After the first gentleman left, Winston's ears became flattened to his head like he was once again hearing a loud noise. He paced and could not sit still. At one point he jumped up in my lap when I still had my feel on the ground. I started petting him and he started climbing up to stand on my shoulder and looking out the side window. (Molly used to do this from time to time and I thought it was just a Molly thing). The higher he climbed, the more the recliner started to tip in the direction of the window. The more it tipped, the more animated Winston became. I was trying to get hold of my 18 pound puppy and he was just trying to climb higher. He got so excited or scared that he started puffing little turdlets out of his rear end, down my shoulder and into my lap.... not many but one was more than enough. So I wrestled him back down to the ground and whisked him outside. He did not finish the job, so it must have been just an involuntary response.
So, after coming back in, he continued to pace. I had the bedroom door open and, for a while, the bathroom door. He would disappear under the bed and then appear again. At one point I heard him scratching on something, so I went to see what he was doing. I went into the bedroom but could not find him. He was not in the kitchen, but I could hear the scratching. I finally turned the bathroom light on and there he was IN THE TUB. He had managed to get over the edge from the outside but could not get enough traction to get back out. I got him out and within about 10 minutes, he was back in the tub. So I closed that door and he has remained under the bed when he was not out in the living room with me.
Tomorrow I will be gone most of the day, so he will be penned up in the crate. It will be interesting to see what Sunday brings!!! I just wish I knew what was happening so I could make it stop. Might need another trip to the vet!
Today was final visits from local electricians to give me estimates on their ideas of how to properly hook up my generator. The first gentleman wants to put in a 3 pole manual transfer switch for $1250.00. This morning I met Tom from Mr. Electric. He suggested a Breaker Interlock Switch in the breaker Panel that I already have. he would be moving the top two breakers to the bottom empty spaces and install a double breaker in the top of the panel that would become a generator input to the panel. The there would be a sliding plate that would not allow the generator input from becoming active until the total house power breaker is thrown. Doing it this way would allow the generator to power all of the circuits in the house. I would NOT be able to use my dryer. I would NOT be able to use my central air. I would NOT be able to use the Hot Water Heater all of the major items were off. But I could power the well pump, I could use my stove (propane), I would have fridge and freezer running, I would have internet, phone and TV. I would also have the ability to open the garage door, turn on the security system, have any light I needed, run my oil furnace and my internal security cameras. He can get me all set up for $725.00 and can get me on his schedule for next week. What I like about this system is that there is no way for me to accidentally cause any kind of back feed by having PECO power and generator power working through the panel at the same time.
Later in the day I had John from Caruke Electric come to the house. His solution is to install the normal 6, 8 or 10 circuit transfer switch. This would be a separate panel installed after main panel. The line from the generator would go into the new panel and would then tie into the main panel circuit by circuit, based on my best guess as to what I might need. The well would take up 2 circuits, and that would leave just a few to be chosen for generator power. But there is no safety mechanism, other than knowing what you are doing, to prevent back feed when regular power is restored. John had given me an initial estimate on the phone of $1200.00, top end. After seeing what he would be working with, that was reduced to $1050.00 for the job. I asked him why he was not recommending an Interlock switch and he started explaining why it was iffy..... but the setup he was telling me about was the three pole manual transfer switch. He made a good point about that setup as the three pole panel is actually installed BEFORE the current main panel, making the main panel actually a sub-panel. And then you run into issues with ground wires becoming a floating ground and perhaps causing problems.
So, I have contacted Tom, from Mr. Electric, to schedule an install of the Interlock Switch that will give me the ability to run as much of the house as the generator will allow and the safety of not being able to have the main PECO power running the panel at the same time as the generator feed. I will notify the others of my decision once I have my time scheduled with the other.
It has been interesting to meet the three men. I only knew of one way to do a transfer switch for a generator. I was glad that each one had their own, preferred method to accomplish the same thing. I am more knowledgeable because of it and feel I will have a much more flexible system as I can turn off systems/circuits that cause too much drain on the generator while having such things as running water to flush toilets whenever I need it.
Now..... Winston! He went around the bend again today. He started off by throwing up his breakfast on the rug in the kitchen as I was doing dishes. After the first gentleman left, Winston's ears became flattened to his head like he was once again hearing a loud noise. He paced and could not sit still. At one point he jumped up in my lap when I still had my feel on the ground. I started petting him and he started climbing up to stand on my shoulder and looking out the side window. (Molly used to do this from time to time and I thought it was just a Molly thing). The higher he climbed, the more the recliner started to tip in the direction of the window. The more it tipped, the more animated Winston became. I was trying to get hold of my 18 pound puppy and he was just trying to climb higher. He got so excited or scared that he started puffing little turdlets out of his rear end, down my shoulder and into my lap.... not many but one was more than enough. So I wrestled him back down to the ground and whisked him outside. He did not finish the job, so it must have been just an involuntary response.
So, after coming back in, he continued to pace. I had the bedroom door open and, for a while, the bathroom door. He would disappear under the bed and then appear again. At one point I heard him scratching on something, so I went to see what he was doing. I went into the bedroom but could not find him. He was not in the kitchen, but I could hear the scratching. I finally turned the bathroom light on and there he was IN THE TUB. He had managed to get over the edge from the outside but could not get enough traction to get back out. I got him out and within about 10 minutes, he was back in the tub. So I closed that door and he has remained under the bed when he was not out in the living room with me.
Tomorrow I will be gone most of the day, so he will be penned up in the crate. It will be interesting to see what Sunday brings!!! I just wish I knew what was happening so I could make it stop. Might need another trip to the vet!
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Busy Day, but Backwards for Winston.....
I was up early as I had to take my Elantra in for an oil change and some recall work... getting an undercoating since I live where salt is used liberally when we have ice and snow in the winter.
So, I got up and made coffee. Winston went through his morning routine, out, breakfast, out again, petting time and then wandering around the house a bit. I showered and dressed and began sneaking the Elantra key, my purse and phone out to the porch so I could get out of the house and leave Winston alone but loose in the house while I was gone.
I was ready with time to spare and Winston decided to jump up and sit in my lap for some loving. He loves having his fur ruffled and ears rubbed. He even likes being brushed. Each time he decides it is time for some petting, the duration gets longer and longer. So, it was not long after he got down that I needed to head out.
I had a card that I needed to take with me, so I grabbed that as I headed out the door. This time he was following me to the door (he did not do that the other day) and I am sure, that as quiet as I tried to be with my keys after the inside door closed, that he heard the jingle and before I was even out on the deck, I heard a very strong scratching at the back door. He knew where I had gone and that I had my keys.
So I turned around, fearing the condition I might find my door when I returned, picked up Winston and secured him in his crate, locked tightly, as he barked and barked and barked. Oh well, it may be a few more days or weeks before I try leaving him alone again.
Went to Colonial Hyundai in Downingtown. I love the car. I dislike having to go to the dealer. The service representatives are friendly enough as there performance depends on my reply to a survey... as you are told in no uncertain terms when you pay your bill. But the other folks always seemed to be rushed, overworked and angry. Plus, parking in that lot is ridiculous and they are working on part of it so there were less spots than normal. I will be happy when the warranty runs out and I can go someplace else for the normal stuff.
I then headed to Sam's Club to pick up a few things and headed home. I came home and released Winston from his crate. I found messages from two of the electricians, one asking if I had gotten his estimate and the other wanting to set up a Friday appointment. I called both and then put the stuff I had purchased away.
Tomorrow will be a final day of estimates. I will be getting the estimate on the interlock switch around 11:00 AM and the limited circuit system around 2:00 PM. My nephew, Jeff, called me today to get an update on what I was learning. He is an electrician in Delaware but does more industrial stuff and had given me some advice initially on what to look for as I began. We talked about the three different systems that I was finding available and felt that the two estimates were in the ball park for what I would be getting but also wanted to be sure I got information on the Interlock Switch as it sounded like a more simple solution. So check here tomorrow as I will have made my decision and contracted with one of them to get the work done, hopefully before a hurricane decides to come up the coast and leave me without electricity... which reminds me, I need to go out and get gas in my portable tanks.... just in case!
The rest of the day has been quiet. Burgers in the grill for dinner... Winston got one, too. He is asleep under the computer table and I am watching Castle and Little League Baseball. A Philly team is in the running and are playing Chicago tonight. Right now they are losing.
So, early to bed tonight. Big day tomorrow.
So, I got up and made coffee. Winston went through his morning routine, out, breakfast, out again, petting time and then wandering around the house a bit. I showered and dressed and began sneaking the Elantra key, my purse and phone out to the porch so I could get out of the house and leave Winston alone but loose in the house while I was gone.
I was ready with time to spare and Winston decided to jump up and sit in my lap for some loving. He loves having his fur ruffled and ears rubbed. He even likes being brushed. Each time he decides it is time for some petting, the duration gets longer and longer. So, it was not long after he got down that I needed to head out.
I had a card that I needed to take with me, so I grabbed that as I headed out the door. This time he was following me to the door (he did not do that the other day) and I am sure, that as quiet as I tried to be with my keys after the inside door closed, that he heard the jingle and before I was even out on the deck, I heard a very strong scratching at the back door. He knew where I had gone and that I had my keys.
So I turned around, fearing the condition I might find my door when I returned, picked up Winston and secured him in his crate, locked tightly, as he barked and barked and barked. Oh well, it may be a few more days or weeks before I try leaving him alone again.
Went to Colonial Hyundai in Downingtown. I love the car. I dislike having to go to the dealer. The service representatives are friendly enough as there performance depends on my reply to a survey... as you are told in no uncertain terms when you pay your bill. But the other folks always seemed to be rushed, overworked and angry. Plus, parking in that lot is ridiculous and they are working on part of it so there were less spots than normal. I will be happy when the warranty runs out and I can go someplace else for the normal stuff.
I then headed to Sam's Club to pick up a few things and headed home. I came home and released Winston from his crate. I found messages from two of the electricians, one asking if I had gotten his estimate and the other wanting to set up a Friday appointment. I called both and then put the stuff I had purchased away.
Tomorrow will be a final day of estimates. I will be getting the estimate on the interlock switch around 11:00 AM and the limited circuit system around 2:00 PM. My nephew, Jeff, called me today to get an update on what I was learning. He is an electrician in Delaware but does more industrial stuff and had given me some advice initially on what to look for as I began. We talked about the three different systems that I was finding available and felt that the two estimates were in the ball park for what I would be getting but also wanted to be sure I got information on the Interlock Switch as it sounded like a more simple solution. So check here tomorrow as I will have made my decision and contracted with one of them to get the work done, hopefully before a hurricane decides to come up the coast and leave me without electricity... which reminds me, I need to go out and get gas in my portable tanks.... just in case!
The rest of the day has been quiet. Burgers in the grill for dinner... Winston got one, too. He is asleep under the computer table and I am watching Castle and Little League Baseball. A Philly team is in the running and are playing Chicago tonight. Right now they are losing.
So, early to bed tonight. Big day tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Winston, Home Alone...!!
Winston has, thank goodness, returned to being a normal dog. I still have no idea why he was so un-nerved, but he was for about 16 hours. He has calmed down and has actually become more affectionate and likes keeping himself at my feet. I have started leaving the bedroom door open. I figured if he needs to go under the bed, then he needs to go under the bed. And now that he can, he still goes in for a while, but most of the time he is under the foot of my recliner or under the computer table on his designated area. He even has begun to jump up into my lap for some petting time and each session gets longer and longer.
Today I had visitors from my Banker's Life guys and he welcomed them with few barks and then wiggles and requests for petting. He went from person to person for attention and got what he wanted. I cannot even imagine how totally spoiled he is going to be after coming back from the Outer Banks and having 8 women to spoil him.
Up until today, I have felt it necessary to lock Winston in his crate when I would leave the house to go shopping where he cannot go. I had planned to be away for only an hour, but today it ended up being more like 2 hours. Since he was being so laid back and just resting under my feet and not being nutsy, I decided to see what he would do if left on his own in the house.
I had him out earlier so I took advantage of that to sneak my keys, pocketbook and a package I needed to drop at UPS out onto the outside porch. I have to sneak out of the house because once Winston hears the keys, he knows something is happening and it includes a car and he is at the door trying to go wherever the car is going. So I put the stuff out so he would not know what was happening. I got ready, said goodbye to Winston (who had no idea what I was saying) and went out the door.
I had four places to go... the bank, Home Depot, The UPS Store and Walmart. The bank was quick, Home Depot a little longer as I was getting prices on the stuff I need for the floor in the basement sewing room. Dropping off the little box at the UPS Store was fast... Walmsrt was longer than I planned as I was looking for something I had seen in the past but could not find.
So, I pulled in the driveway and wondered what I was going to find. Had Winston gotten up on the couch and punished me by digging into the couch with stuffing all over the living room? Had he decided to scratch at the back door, trying to get to the last place he saw me going? Did he go into the bedroom and rip up carpet?? What was I in for?
I opened the door and peeked inside... no couch stuffing on the floor...Good! No splinters in the kitchen, back door in tact... Good! So I walked in farther and called for Winston..... and where did he come from??? His Crate!!! Silly dog, he had the whole house to himself, but he went to his comfortable place which was his crate. I am guessing that I will be leaving Winston out of the crate more often! He must be finally feeling at home!!!
Today I had visitors from my Banker's Life guys and he welcomed them with few barks and then wiggles and requests for petting. He went from person to person for attention and got what he wanted. I cannot even imagine how totally spoiled he is going to be after coming back from the Outer Banks and having 8 women to spoil him.
Up until today, I have felt it necessary to lock Winston in his crate when I would leave the house to go shopping where he cannot go. I had planned to be away for only an hour, but today it ended up being more like 2 hours. Since he was being so laid back and just resting under my feet and not being nutsy, I decided to see what he would do if left on his own in the house.
I had him out earlier so I took advantage of that to sneak my keys, pocketbook and a package I needed to drop at UPS out onto the outside porch. I have to sneak out of the house because once Winston hears the keys, he knows something is happening and it includes a car and he is at the door trying to go wherever the car is going. So I put the stuff out so he would not know what was happening. I got ready, said goodbye to Winston (who had no idea what I was saying) and went out the door.
I had four places to go... the bank, Home Depot, The UPS Store and Walmart. The bank was quick, Home Depot a little longer as I was getting prices on the stuff I need for the floor in the basement sewing room. Dropping off the little box at the UPS Store was fast... Walmsrt was longer than I planned as I was looking for something I had seen in the past but could not find.
So, I pulled in the driveway and wondered what I was going to find. Had Winston gotten up on the couch and punished me by digging into the couch with stuffing all over the living room? Had he decided to scratch at the back door, trying to get to the last place he saw me going? Did he go into the bedroom and rip up carpet?? What was I in for?
I opened the door and peeked inside... no couch stuffing on the floor...Good! No splinters in the kitchen, back door in tact... Good! So I walked in farther and called for Winston..... and where did he come from??? His Crate!!! Silly dog, he had the whole house to himself, but he went to his comfortable place which was his crate. I am guessing that I will be leaving Winston out of the crate more often! He must be finally feeling at home!!!
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