Lighting the Long Night


Yule tide is upon us. The lights are up out front.

Photos: Yuletide

Just Jim Eggs


Just Jim Eggs are 2 eggs and all the veggies you didn’t eat last night. Fry them up omelet style add at least some toast, bacon if you have it!

This was standard morning fare while Jim Ridgway was here getting his daily dose of puppiness.

Trunk or Treat


The early, heavy snow storm took out our trees, power and forced Halloween festivities to be cancelled. We managed to have the annual Trunk and treating for the Cedar Lake Community the Friday after Halloween.

More: Photos

First Snow


Those little white streaks are falling snowflakes, not dust on the lens! October 29 mark the first snow for Winter 2011!

Seriously, do I need to shovel?

Home Repair


We had a little damage because our roof was incomplete (never received the roof caps!). So I paid someone to replace the damaged drywall, but now I am painting. Paint wants a smooth surface for a nice finish. That means sanding the lumps and edges out of a patch job.

Did I mention it was the ceiling?

I had to stop because
a) I could no longer breathe well
b) I could no longer see the work
c) my curious dogs were sniffing and licking the dust on floor

I had to get down and crate them. I chased Chase into the bathroom and caught sight of myself. No wonder he was running from me! Snapped this picture from my always handy iPhone (Thanks Steve) and sent it to you through the internet.

Aussie II


Karen bought our first Aussie Grill in Arizona. We used it for 6 years, but finally the charcoal tray and the grill were rusting away. It was time for a new grill. The first Aussie cost like $50. It lasted 6 years! I went out and bought another Aussie. I am hoping for 6 more years.

Why did you buy a whole grill if you only needed parts?
Parts:
* Charcoal tray $15
* Grill $15
+ shipping
Is about $45

A new one with all new parts was $48 and was here tonight not two weeks from now.

Fence Saga: Thanks


A gracious note and bottle from the neighbors (Liebig) after a long struggle to place the fence and clear the brush that troubled our border. My wife elucidated the project from the “Girl Perspective” after I became hopelessly mired in not wanting to do more work or spend the money necessary to make this project an asset to both our properties. She communicated with our eastern neighbor and reached an amicable resolution.

Fence Saga: Done!


The nice, new, level fence is done! So much drama over borders, placement, level, clearing and this is the result.

Photos: Fence

Fence Saga: Supplies


The cedar planks arrived today. The gates are being unloaded in the picture. We are finishing the grading along the fence line to achieve a level fence.

Fence Saga: Liebig Decision


Choose, but choose wisely!

Is it better to cede territory to the Liebigs and build above to the stone row. This in hope of avoiding trouble at inspection time over maximum 72” height.
OR
Build closer to the line, 8 - 10 inches lower and be able to see over the fence (I am 73” tall).

Grrrr!

Fence Saga: Hutchinson Compromise


So far the compromises include staying on “our side” of the Chain Link fence. One survey indicated it is on our property. Two other surveys agree it is mostly on the line.

COMPROMISE: Our new fence will be on “our” side of the property line

Fence Saga: The Clearing


We have 3 little dogs. We want to enclose the backyard so they can frolic and play. We have three legal opinions on where the property lines are laying.

Plenty of surveyor fees, arguments with the Title Company and hour of discussions with the neighbors. We are starting to clear the land and plot the fence line.

Rain Stopped!


The rain stopped, the deck is dry again, Daddy is getting the cushions, time for Mommy to come home for happy hour at the lake!

Summertime?


Cushions are out, weather is warming, puppies waiting, time for summer at the lake!

Spring Flowers


White and yellow and purple, too. Karen’s Crocus patch springs anew.