What's everybody doing today?

[Amish Heart]

Wow, TeeJ, that's crazy about the ticket. We just have a dirt driveway. Can't even imagine. I just try not to double park the pick up trucks on the main area so that the tractor and baler can get thru to the back field. It's always tempting, though, because it's closer to the front door for unloading stuff. So I just use a wagon.
It's 104 out and time to stay in. Moved the seven young turkeys out to the outside run with the 2 junior turkey hens this morning. Was worried that the juniors would pick on them, but actually the opposite. The younguns were excited and flipping and flying and dirt bathing, and kinda startled the other girls. Then got their milkhouse indoor run cleared and loaded up with about half the meat chickens. Too hot now, so I'll get more work done on it tomorrow morning. Packed a lunch and went to meet little granddaughter's mom and the boyfriend, and they didn't show. So ate the lunch, and waited a while. She called and thought it was later in the day. We didn't have a good phone number to reach her. So we went to pick up prescriptions, did some shopping at Tractor, and tried again. Waited while they visited an hour. So indoor chores now, after I get some coffee down me.

 

[Grimm]

Finishing up setting up the school room. With Roo starting 6th grade this year I am holding her accountable for writing down the week's work and completing it. We will sit down the Friday before and write out the lesson plans for the week. She will write it in a planner and I will type them up so I can print and use them again with Juju.

I am getting rid of a lot of junk from that room and my bedroom. Feeld weird not having all the junk cluttering the house but it feels nice knowing I only have what I need.

 

[Wingnut]

Streamlining is good, especially as one gets older... me beloved & dear departed mum was a hoarder, like many in her generation, and I vowed to never live that way. I'm still getting rid of stuff I no longer want or need, I just stalled out when I took a break from home rehab work, lol.

I bought a new cat carrier in town, so I'm ready to transport some kittens to their new home... but first, I have to figure out which kittens, lol. One litter that I wanted to adopt has already been adopted, which is good news in its own way, but I need to find kittens young enough so my two adult cats won't freak out... I'm still working on that.

Stopped at a Suzuki shop to see about having my tire swapped out, no other shops have followed through on my request, so f#% 'em... guy at the Suzuki shop said he'd try and order a Dunlop, but supply chain issues are making it hard to find good rubber. I left my number, we'll see what happens... never again do I buy Continental junk!!!

 

[Magus]

Bought a new AC, back is locked up from the drive, I never touched the thing. ate a tub of caramel ice cream to beat the heat and I feel like I'm going to be sick.

No jokes about "that much ice cream" please.

 

[Neb]

It was hot hot hot on 5he porch soon to be greenhouse today. Finished up batch of garlic. The last for this year.

Then I started a good clean up and shuffled stuff as I went. It was was brutal sweeping up so I focused on what I could shovel into a trash bag and then let one of The Princess's pet come out to play. I had to empty it's bin 3 times.

I then fiddled about sucking on freeze pops to cool off while it gobbling up what it could find.

It did a nice job. I told it to go home take a nap and recharge for tomorrow.

There is hole in the outside wall (top right corner) that the mice had used. It will stuffed with steel wool and construction adhesive.

Behave!

Ben

 

[LadyLocust]

Been chunking away at lots of little jobs that feel good to get off my plate. Threw a new (12v) battery in my '06 Prius that I've been keeping around as a spare car and drove it to work this morning. I figure I'll drive it to work a couple of days a week and save some $ on gas and rotate out some older gas I don't want to put in my fancy SUV. Cut down a million sycamore saplings that spring up faster than goathead vines, and fixed some leaky plumbing in our raised beds.

I went to trim my beard, but my clippers were a little rusty and weren't cutting very well so I took them apart, lubed them up and took them to my face - forgetting to put the guard back on first. So I'm now in the clean face club for a couple of days until the 'ol beard catches back up.

Finally (and this probably belongs in rants) paid a $30 parking fine because one of our cars was hanging 4" over the sidewalk - in my own driveway! Now I guess I understand the desire to not block the sidewalk, but there's 3 feet of paved driveway behind the sidewalk so people aren't blocked - they just need to shift 4". We even have moms with those stupid jogging strollers going down our sidewalk just fine. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth complaining to the city and contesting it and risking a vendetta with a policeman with more time than sense, or if I should just kick them $30 every time he needs to meet a ticket quota

Call and Nicely express your beef asking if this is really necessary. If they would have asked you, you would have gladly moved it forward 4" etc. blah blah blah - chances are if you are pleasant and act like someone they would like to help, you will have a pretty good shot at having it dismissed. If you say something like "I guess I was just over the line. I can pay it, but do think it's on the petty side, not sure if there is anyway to reverse the fee." You might be surprised at what can happen.

 

[TeeJ]

It was hot hot hot on 5he porch soon to be greenhouse today. Finished up batch of garlic. The last for this year.

View attachment 92084

Then I started a good clean up and shuffled stuff as I went. It was was brutal sweeping up so I focused on what I could shovel into a trash bag and then let one of The Princess's pet come out to play. I had to empty it's bin 3 times.

View attachment 92085

I then fiddled about sucking on freeze pops to cool off while it gobbling up what it could find.

View attachment 92086

It did a nice job. I told it to go home take a nap and recharge for tomorrow.

There is hole in the outside wall (top right corner) that the mice had used. It will stuffed with steel wool and construction adhesive.

Behave!

Ben

Those little robits are amazing, aren't they? We have one that converts to a mop as well, the bin gets replaced by a water receptacle and a cloth velcros to the bottom of it. We have white floors, and I wouldn't want to try to keep them clean without an army of robots!

 

[LadyLocust]

About a week and a half ago, I listed several things I was ready to part with on Craigslist. All nice, vintage (1940's ish) items in working order, clean etc. at yardsale prices figuring if I could get anything for them, it would be good. Not a single inquiry. I was surprised, not heartbroken, but surprised. I do think folks are feeling the pinch.
Yesterday, I loaded up the car and took it all to donation with the exception of 2 items. One was an apple peeler/corer I asked a friend if she had one and didn't so she was glad for it. The other is a sewing kit I will offer to a youngin' I know who is beginning to sew. I don't miss the extra "stuff". Between garden and kitchen, I haven't had time to do much more.

 

[TeeJ]

Call and Nicely express your beef asking if this is really necessary. If they would have asked you, you would have gladly moved it forward 4" etc. blah blah blah - chances are if you are pleasant and act like someone they would like to help, you will have a pretty good shot at having it dismissed. If you say something like "I guess I was just over the line. I can pay it, but do think it's on the petty side, not sure if there is anyway to reverse the fee." You might be surprised at what can happen.

The PD has a process where you can request an appeal of a ticket, and I went online to do so, but the website was broken. I had an email drafted to the Chief explaining how I thought the ticket was a bit much and how I wanted to request an appeal but couldn't when I noticed (on the website) that the ticketing officer was the code enforcement officer and had an impression to just let it go.

I've learned the hard way in other towns to not get on the bad side of the code enforcers (did you know it's a 'nuisance' to have a clover lawn instead of grass in some towns?). It's a new position in this town - so I'm sure he's trying to prove his worth. I'm going to roll the dice and hope he gets less keen as time rolls on, and start making plans to dispose of the project truck and/or RV that both have gone nowhere (and I'd be happy to just have gone at the current point in time). Then driveway space won't be at a premium anymore and no one will have any reason to come do any snooping about my 'nuisance' clover, poultry, gas storage, garden beds, compost piles, etc.

This only gives me more incentive to re-locate to somewhere unrestricted, where there's way less rules about what you can do on your own land...

 

[dademoss]

A thrilling day, Heat advisory, trash day, and defrosting the beer fridge in the the family room.

 

[Neb]

The PD has a process where you can request an appeal of a ticket, and I went online to do so, but the website was broken. I had an email drafted to the Chief explaining how I thought the ticket was a bit much and how I wanted to request an appeal but couldn't when I noticed (on the website) that the ticketing officer was the code enforcement officer and had an impression to just let it go.

I've learned the hard way in other towns to not get on the bad side of the code enforcers (did you know it's a 'nuisance' to have a clover lawn instead of grass in some towns?). It's a new position in this town - so I'm sure he's trying to prove his worth. I'm going to roll the dice and hope he gets less keen as time rolls on, and start making plans to dispose of the project truck and/or RV that both have gone nowhere (and I'd be happy to just have gone at the current point in time). Then driveway space won't be at a premium anymore and no one will have any reason to come do any snooping about my 'nuisance' clover, poultry, gas storage, garden beds, compost piles, etc.

This only gives me more incentive to re-locate to somewhere unrestricted, where there's way less rules about what you can do on your own land...

I don't mess with the code enforcement. I have too many dreams and plans that require their approval.

Sea story time

I purchased The Ridge which is a wooded lot. We cleared and planted an orchard and I wanted to drive to the orchard. We hand dug a path from the street then paid $3000 for a 20' drive from the street to make sure no run of onto the paved road.

Then a registered letter saying I was in violation lacking a permit... $1000 a day fine. Asked for a permit but a driveway was a variance that required the primary intent of the property be satisfied. In my case residential so I would have to build a house first. I didn't want a house. I wanted an orchard and garden!

Scrambled and hired a guy with a bobcat to cover the driveway. So for $4000 and a lot of digging I have this...

"NOT a driveway"

Bottom line

Don't muck with code enforcement.

Ben

 

[Bacpacker]

Got home, fixed supper, ate, went out the basement to the garden, about halfway there it started pouring down. Before I could get back in the basement it was storming. Guess I'll pick produce in the morning

 

[Magus]

Man, seeing all that fresh garlic makes me want potato soup!

 

[Amish Heart]

Got 36 boxes of Annie's Cheesy Rice with hidden vegetables repackaged and put in a five gallon bucket. Unloaded the Rotel from the freeze dryer, green onions from the dehydrator. Put cooked hamburger, pickles, and strawberries in the freeze dryer.

 

[Grimm]

It was hot hot hot on 5he porch soon to be greenhouse today. Finished up batch of garlic. The last for this year.

View attachment 92084

Then I started a good clean up and shuffled stuff as I went. It was was brutal sweeping up so I focused on what I could shovel into a trash bag and then let one of The Princess's pet come out to play. I had to empty it's bin 3 times.

View attachment 92085

I then fiddled about sucking on freeze pops to cool off while it gobbling up what it could find.

View attachment 92086

It did a nice job. I told it to go home take a nap and recharge for tomorrow.

There is hole in the outside wall (top right corner) that the mice had used. It will stuffed with steel wool and construction adhesive.

Behave!

Ben

Does the critter have a name? If not it has more than earned its keep and a name.

 

[Peanut]

that the ticketing officer was the code enforcement officer and had an impression to just let it go.

It’s probably a neighbor or jogger complaining… most of the time in my experience.

Sort of funny, one summer long ago a friends house sort of became a hang out on the weekends. 3 of us were on the delayed entry program for the military, so no drugs. Most were under 21, so rarely a beer… no loud parties. No other neighbor complained or had reason to… heck, we didn’t even cook out in the back yard. There was no reason to be upset. We usually met up to go swimming at the lake, hang out a bit later.

A old retired cop lived next door. He hated young people. One weekend about 8pm there was a knock at the door. It was the police…

The retired jerk from next door was standing in the street so he could watch. He got the shock of his life. Despite not being able hear music from the yard, 2 officers came to the door.

The lead officer… was my first cousin Lina who I hadn’t seen since christmas. We gave each other a big hug, we grew up a mile from each other, she was like my cool big sis.

As we hugged I could see the putz standing in the street, with his mouth hanging open. Then he stomped back to his house. Funny...
-------------------------------------

I was thinking of her tonight, 5yrs older than me, rode motorcycles, horses, hunted, loved guns, she was cool. Then she became a cop and was super cool. She was the youngest of 3.

Back in apr the oldest sister died… yesterday morning the middle sister passed. Lived bout 500yrs thru the woods from me. It was a total surprise. Funeral is tomorrow. My cool cuz has had a tough few months. I’ll give her a hug tomorrow.

 

[INresponse]

The last several days...... Prepped the walls in the bathroom with 2x4's to prepare for screwing in the cement board. Realized the tile we bought for the shower enclosure is 13" and not 12" so on a 5' wall I would end up with a 7" tile at the end of each row so that wouldn't look right, so that tile has been re-designated as floor tile for the master bathroom. Found clearance tile for a great price at the first tile store we stopped at, contractor overstock being sold on consignment at a reduced price so good quality tile for about the same price as cheap stuff from a big box store. Trying to figure out the layout and decorative brushed nickel trim to get the proper height up the wall is a pain in the neck but I suppose I will get that sorted out by the end of the weekend. I hope.
Tomorrow (today) I will put on the last piece of backer board on the bottom edge on the back of the tub where there will be a small horizontal (slight slope) shelf and then tape and mud the seams with sanded cement mix. Once that dries it all gets a coat of water proofing Red Guard to have it ready for inspection. Then I get to change the oil in the GF's car and then start prepping the master bath to prepare for setting the tub and installing the drain and bath faucet and shower head. Yay me.
Finally making progress on this crap has helped my blood pressure. I guess that is a good thing. I am tired of stressing over this unfinished mess. I still think it would have been easier to cut the damn house down and toured the country as an upwardly immobile urban nomad.

 

[zannej]

It rained again today which put me to sleep. Went and got gas in the CRV for my brother since he can't use his debit/credit cards due to the bank issues and someone aggressively trying to steal his identity. Mistakenly left in the truck at first, had to turn around and go back. Got some groceries. Pharmacy area is still missing a lot of stuff. Huge empty sections where here should be vitaims/otc meds. Not sure if someone at the store isn't ordering stuff or what.

Bro had to make curry rice for mom (well, I made the rice, he made the curry) and I cooked chicken so she could have chicken and curry rice. I don't know his recipe for the curry but Mom loves it.

Cat tried to do chinups from the wall-mount monitor arm thingy so I had to pluck her off of it. It woke me up so that's why I'm up after 3am again. Didn't help that mom's dog was repeatedly kicking me in the back as well. I had to put him up in her room.

Thanks, @goshengirl, I'll message you.

 

[montanabill]

TeeJ If a ticket is only $30 I usually pay it and move on. Some beaurocrat probably has dealt with "your type" and already has extra pain to heap on you.
Put a new rear wheel bearing in our 230K mile honda SUV yesterday till early this morning (had to finish it since it's the only smaller car we own that all the lights work and our teenager is going for his driving test today) and now woke up at 5AM......... It was a onerous job since things were rusty and stuck but I just remind myself "this could be costing me $100 an hour at a shop.
Once again I realize how things you do in life prepare you for other things, all those rusty 4 wheelers off the farm I dealt with in the shop I used to work in gave me the experience and made me buy the tools for dealing with my current mechanical problems at home.

 

[Wingnut]

Still soldiering on in the Goathead War, I made another BIG DENT in the puncturevine population this morning... crammed two Walmart bags FULL of vines, including many the size of dinner plates (or larger) which were already loaded with goatheads. The goatheads were still green so they went straight into the trash bin along with the bagged vines. I found a couple areas in my yard where the vines were starting to flourish, and I pulled at least 200 by hand, then hoed another 200 smaller vines in the dirt. The larger vines looked to be producers, so I'm glad to be rid of them. I still have work to do in this Goathead War, but I'm definitely making progress and there are whole areas of my yard now free from the pesky puncturevines. Today I targeted the larger vines which have already flowered and are producing seeds, next session I will break out the torch and burn off "carpets" of the smaller vines. The war continues...

Otherwise, I'm taking it easy today, there's more rain in the forecast but the sky doesn't look that promising... no worries, I have some household chores to knock out and I have a fridge full o' beer, lol. The intensive weeding in the Goathead War is top priority right now, as a result I'm a little stiff & sore, but I'm happy with my progress. All home rehab can wait for a week while I carry out this campaign of goathead eradication. These puncturevines are nasty, and even the green goatheads can do a number on your fingers & thumb... can't wear gloves either, they're too clumsy, you gotta be able to pinch the taproot and pull it to remove the entire length. I was telling my friend Tommy about this ongoing Goathead War, he said that in Australia they're called "Devil's Thorn" or some such name... maybe one of the Australian site members can verify this. It would certainly be appropriate... blasted things are downright evil when they jab ya, lol.

 

[Grimm]

Ordered some seeds for herbs from Eden Brothers and some saffron bulbs from Renee's Garden. I also looked at Annie's Heirlooms catalog for my fall order. I also need to put an order in to Hancock for orchard grass pasture seed. Since we are here one more year I am going all in hard core for next years garden and planting. I feel useless for not planting this year but we were planning to move in the fall.

Still purging junk. Selling what I can and donating the rest.

 

[Amish Heart]

Went bin shopping this morning with little granddaughter, after morning chores. Having some lunch, then husband is going to PT for his shoulder. I have to go pick up grandson at the High School (band camp) in the other town, then go to the bigger city to take him to his Drug Diversion counselor. Mandated that he go by child services, but I hope it's not something I have to constantly drive him to. Not sure what little granddaughter and I will do while he's there, maybe do the grocery shopping. Not wanting to sit in a hot pickup truck for however long his thing takes. Granddaughter took off this morning, said she had work. I'm sure she'll get home after I've gone to bed.

 

[snappy1]

Walked yesterday morning, then went to doc with DH 40 miles away.
Hit grocery salvage on the way back. They had gotten an order in, thank goodness.
Came home and made chicken pot pie for dinner.
Put 6 trays of figs in the dehydrator. They came out good!

Walked this morning.
Helped DH with a telephone doc appt.
Harvested okra, peppers and figs.
Then I had a call from medicare--I checked the wrong box online. Fixed now!
Walked dogs.
Have to see accountant at 3 to see if she can help with bookkeeping app.
Will make a quick stop at Walmart.
Pick up more pears from friend and leave Pear Preserves with them.
I have movie night instead of Bible study tonight. Should be fun!
Boy, I do get tired!

 

[Pearl]

Just had a small job this morning. Got a "new to me" nice recliner, moved furniture in the den and got rid of couch I did NOT like. Cleaned the carpet in the den, and the new to me chair. Got a little more work done on Bear's front yard expansion project, almost done with that. Been one week since Bear was neutered, he still has to wear the cone a few more days. At least he can run around the backyard and burn off some energy! I am wore out!! Heading to the pool shortly. Vac it quickly, then some float time!! Few more outside projects this evening when it's cooler!! Haha, "cooler"!!

 

[jishinsjourney]

Today is the last day of my game jam! I literally just finished the last page of the closing cutscene and my friend is building it as I type this. One more beta-test and if we don't find any bugs that needs squishing, we are done, uploading, and can finally breathe again.

It's been a fantastic experience with a great team. I'm looking forward to getting back to the canning and gardening and all that but I wouldn't have traded that for anything.

Speaking of gardening -- part of the reason I've been scarce lately is that apparently I am Seriously Allergic to something in Colorado. We're not talking sniffles and itchy eyes, we're talking swollen face and hives and blistered eyelids and ... well, all kinds of no fun. So I've been mostly stuck inside, very little gardening, and my appointment with the allergist isn't until next month. But at least I have one! I am an outdoor person and being cooped up has been hard! I'm extra glad for the game jam to help me through it without going crazy.

 

[Neb]

Those little robits are amazing, aren't they? We have one that converts to a mop as well, the bin gets replaced by a water receptacle and a cloth velcros to the bottom of it. We have white floors, and I wouldn't want to try to keep them clean without an army of robots!

Yes they are.

My son was startled a few weeks ago when he went in the kitchen after Sunday night dinner. The Princess had loosed all three robots one vacuuming and two mopping. It reminded him of a sci-fi movie.

Ben

 

[jishinsjourney]

Yes they are.

My son was startled a few weeks ago when he went in the kitchen after Sunday night dinner. The Princess had loosed all three robots one vacuuming and two mopping. It reminded him of a sci-fi movie.

Ben

Hahahahahaha! That sounds hilarious!

 

[Neb]

Does the critter have a name? If not it has more than earned its keep and a name.

No names yet. Assigning names is The Princess's domain and she hasn't done that yet.

It would be nice if they would reply to their name when called. There have been a few times we have had to play hide n seek to find the Roomba.

Ben

 

[Neb]

Done with the clean up of the soon to be greenhouse.

Next will be rudimentary repairs. That window just beyond the door is one project.

That was one of my bad things. The Princess bought me a used quad and I was learning to operate it in the backyard getting used to the brake and throttle controls. I got a bit ahead of myself practicing three point turns. Hit the throttle instead of the brake and backed into the decorative cinder block wall knocking it out and the internal wall with it.

I will have to something with the storm door as well to be able to control the temp over winter.

The Princess is pleased so far. She dearly wants me to relocate my grow station...

from the front porch to the greenhouse.

Getting there a day at a time.

Ben

 

[Bacpacker]

Woke up an hour early and just got up and started working. Went to the lab at 930. Had a class from 12:30 till 4:30. Stopped and picked up supper on the way home. Started raining while we were eating.
Gonna work in the morning then take 1/2 day vacation and get the wife outta the house for a while