Post #142...2019

Last night the sky was so pretty it actually looked purple-ish.  Not sure that these pictures really do it justice.

I took this picture of a plant we had outside on the balcony that we had re potted from a plant arrangement from my Dad's funeral (nearly 4 years ago) !  It has really grown but the pictures is really to show these beautiful mushrooms that are growing in it.  Right now it isn't dog accessible but if we move it to the back balcony as we are decorating I'll be sure to pull them (just in case they are poisonous). 

Finally I've been bugging hubby to fix a small hole in our front porch that some cement broke away from the rebar. He finally fixed it today.  It should get lighter as it dries more. Here are before and after pics. 

Post #141....2019

So I'm posting a few pictures before the balcony was totally done.  This contractor and his guys finished tonight around 7PM. Well they didn't really finish because they did not paint the upper section above the screens.  I don't know why. Guess they conveniently didn't see it.  I saw it before they left but hubby just wanted them out of here.  So... I will paint it this weekend.  I don't want to because now I have to be super careful and put plastic on the floor and try not to get any paint on the screens.  I told hubby that the very LAST thing that should go in was the screens..but no.  I would have fought with the contractor more but he (hubby) wanted it to just get done. We are so glad they are gone and I will never recommend this company to anyone ever.  

Other than the missing blue paint on the entire upper wood area, it doesn't look bad.  It is just that this whole project was suppose to start May 1st and be done by May 10th.  They didn't start it until May 21st, claimed delays were due to rain or threat of rain but started on the 21st because he said 'they can work in the rain since we have a porch'.  So he is a liar and I caught him in several lies. Late day starts....some days didn't come at all, crap communication. Also the outside pony wall is not painted either. We are hiring an actual painter to paint all the trim on the house so we'll have them do that.

SEE the old GREEN is above the new Blue painted trim around the screens?!

Post #140...2019

Yesterday, despite the contractor telling hubby that he'd be here in the morning by 10 at the latest, he did not show but one of his workers did and it was after 10AM.  He was the only one working here and he finished some trim and did some painting of the posts (where the screens were being installed today).  I am so over this contractor I can't wait until this project is done.  We made a point of thanking the one guy that DID show up and work though. 

Anyway today the company that made the screens came and installed the screens.  A morning time turned into more like 2:30PM but they came at least.  It took them only about an our to install them and they look great! They are special solar screens and are suppose to block out a lot of the heat, etc. That will be really nice.  And they come with a lifetime warranty (as long as we own the house). Below are pictures. The only issue I had with them was that they busted out one side of a window frame (to a block window that we have in our shower area in our bathroom which is behind that wall) in order to install the screen at the end of that wall. It was ripped off (apparently was liquid glued down) and so splintered off and pulled some of the underneath material off too.  UGH!  Hubby thinks he can fix it without a problem... I truly don't know why he couldn't have gotten hubby and pointed out that it was a problem. Hubby said he would have taken a small wedge out that was in the way and not yanked it from the wall. It is a shame people don't respect other people's property. 

So...the floor of the balcony has to be cleaned up and then board placed (over the existing floor) and the rest of the painting done as well as the 3 lights we're replacing need to be installed.  They are suppose to come tomorrow and all of them (3 guys), but I'm sure that won't happen. The job can easily be done by end of day Friday (even before end of the day if they would just come at a decent time and more than 1 guy would come)!!   

But at least it is coming together!  I am looking forward to many times sitting out there without fear of any of the dogs falling and without wasps building nests and mosquitoes bugs crawling around (for the most part). That will be wonderful!  I'm thinking about stringing some lights too so that we can sit out there in the evening with a drink.  How romantic would that be?

Post #139...2019

Drawer video

 

Post #138..2019

We got Tika groomed today at a place where we used to take her.  The mobile groomer is very convenient but just does not know how to (or want to/take the time to) thin out a sheltie's  coat.  Their under coat can get very thick! This groomer a wonderful job so I took a few pictures of her. The others had to have their pictures taken too to be fair.   I also took a picture of the chest of drawers I am transitioning into a jewelry space for me.  The drawers do close, I just opened the ones I had placed some jewelry in so I knew which ones were empty.

 

Post #137..2019

I almost took a picture today to post but decided against it.  After all, how dumb would it be to show a photo of the EMPTY laundry bins area in our laundry room?  I mean 'Get a Life' right?  Lol.  But I was excited that the entire laundry was caught up.  That rarely happens. I was determined to get through it all though as my exercise wear was all in the wash pile and so were most of my socks.

I also spent a good part of the day transitioning some of my personal jewelry to the chest of drawers in my office that used to hold all my Paparazzi for sale.  I have two large jewelry boxes in the closet and they are just not easy to view what is in there and makes that part of the closet cramped so I plan to sell them (and put all that jewelry in my office).  I got one emptied and most of the 2nd one emptied.  I'm going to see if hubby can make me small insert for each drawer in the chest of drawers in my office so that I can have a 2nd level in each drawer.  They are small drawers and so if I line up 5 or so necklaces that fills the bottom and I want to keep it organized and not have bunches in each drawer. So with a 2nd level in each drawer and I can put 10 necklaces in each for instance and be able to easily see what is there when I open the drawer (and lift up the 2nd level).

Yesterday we went to Randalls to turn in our Monopoly game winnings.  We won both a $5 gift card and $5 cash prize.  I had also gotten many tickets for free things.  So we got a loaf of French bread, can of vegetables, bottle of water, set of 4 batteries, macaroni salad, a bagel, pasta, small can of tomato sauce, aluminum foil, and a donut...all for free.  :-)

I decided after all the hard work I went through getting rid of nearly all of my inventory, I was not going to try to sell my excess Lularoe clothing anymore. I had posted a little at below wholesale prices and got no takers so I know there is a ton out there for sale.  I bagged up some (just a start though) and took them to a local charity.  Some even still has the tags on them.  I want to get some new Lularoe and really have too much already, so this helps me free up some closet space and also do something charitable.

I am glad I have tomorrow off.  No big plans, but I would like to get some singing done.

Post #136....2019

Here is a video of what I experienced while the contractors were here this week working on the balcony screen in.  And NO it is not done yet...so the fun ain't over..

Post #135...2019

I didn't take any photos today but the contractor did come today though closer to 10AM.   His two guys came too but per hubby only stayed about 10 minutes to talk to him outside and then they were gone.  I guess they left to work in another job.  This guy worked on the trim work so the photos may not look all that different but will take pictures tomorrow.

I am ready for a nice long weekend.  Time to chill!!!

Post #134...2019

Tomorrow is Friday. Yippee!!  I am so looking forward to not cleaning this weekend. Lol.   Laundry for certain but no cleaning.  It is Memorial Day on Monday too so a nice long weekend is ahead.

Today the contractor showed up in the morning and got a decent amount done.  He has two guys that help him and frankly do most of the work.  He seems to leave to do what I don't know. One time it was to get some more materials but who knows if he is trying working on other leads.  He is already complaining that he underbid this job.  That is his problem.  Here are the pictures.  They won't be done by tomorrow and I'm doubtful their coming during the weekend, so it will be sometime next week before it is done.

Post #133...2019

No pictures today because guess what? NOTHING was done by the contractor other than to bring us an invoice for the screens we're having put in that are being provided by a company in town that specializes in screens.  It is pretty disgusting that nothing else was done today.  He is obviously doing other jobs too.   Grrrrrrr…..won't ever use this one again.   Tomorrow they are suppose to show up around 9AM to work - hopefully all day.  Why is it so hard to find, sincere, hard working contractors?.....Seriously?!!

Then the A/C repair man came who was the guy we used last (October was last time he came). He got an earful from hubby and was ready to just drive away. Hubby can sound very threatening when he gets that mad. He (hubby) calmed down though and things were amicable by the time the guy left. It helped that he didn't charge us anything for the service call.  Only thing 'it can be' at this point is the 2nd line that comes into the unit from the house (basically in the foundation cement under the house so no way can GET to it)  New line would have to be run similar to what was done in October for the smaller (in diameter) line to the tune of oh $1000 or more.  Not happening. We are looking into other means to get A/C in the bedroom - likely window or portable unit!  We really don't use/need it that much.  Just when it is really hot at night and only our bedroom needs the A/C (unless kids visit which isn't very often).

Sometime I still want to get the trim on the house painted but with the stress level we both are at and hubby getting really mad, upset, I could go on and on about all this...I'll likely wait at least 6 months before we get the trim done.  Maybe will even put it off until next year.  I also keep the dogs in my office the whole time any work is being done and that wears on me too with the whining and sometimes barking.  Think a glass of wine sounds good right now. :)

Post #132....2019

Yesterday the contractor was supposed to come first thing to finally get the balcony screen-in project started. Then he texted hubby and said he'd be here at noon.  Well 2:00PM comes and goes and no show.  Hubby was fuming !!!!  Just about 3PM and hub goes to get milk and a few things....and who shows up but the contractor?  He was just here to drop off some tools and frankly it was awkward because I didn't know if I should tell him to get off our property and demand a refund of our down payment or not, but I didn't.  Hubby did not want to talk to him and he didn't (he got back shortly after contractor arrived).  It was a very rough day all around.  I could cut the tension with a knife.

Anyway they finally got started today.  Came at 9AM just like he actually said (this time) even though it was raining some.  It didn't rain really long though and they got framing done for the screen in portion. Here are some before and after pictures of the framing.

Post #131...2019

I took a picture today of the dogs I have on the floor in my office in a group.  This goes along with my post yesterday.

It got up over 90 degrees today so we decided to turn on the A/C upstairs as it was getting too hot for just the fan the last couple evenings.  Well once again, it is not cooling.  Ggrrrrrr. I don't know what to do.  We spend over $1600 last year in compressor(s) and repairs and thought the whole thing was finally resolved.  Hubby is beyond peeved and frankly I am too.  The system comes  on and it did heat during the winter but it just isn't holding the Freon.  The guy we used last year even replaced the piping that went from the unit to the garage to the outside fan (unit).  We have to have A/C upstairs, it just gets too hot.  Not sure if we'll call the last guy who came or what.  I have kiddingly said we should just bring the bed downstairs to my office and use that instead for sleeping but I'd really just like the A/C to work.

Tomorrow the screening in of the balcony is suppose to get started.  Hopefully that contractor will show up.

  We're in for a very sticky uncomfortable night.  At least the A/C here on the first floor is working and it is nice a cool.  

Post #130....2019

Today was cleaning day.  It was really needed!  I forgot to take pictures of my office which is the addition that was built for my mom who enjoyed it only about 6 weeks before she broke her hip.  Anyway I had 2 tables set up, bags of jewelry on the counter...and needless to say it was filthy too.

So I deep cleaned everything from the plantation shutters to the bathroom to the kitchenette counter, the floors, dusting, even the windows (inside) were cleaned.  I cleaned off my desk, changed my desk blotter to the correct month, etc.  ;-)

I also cleaned the other 3 bathrooms too.   And there was lunch with my empty nester's group. There were 4 of us and as always it was a very pleasant time.  I am so glad I started the group over a year ago now. 

Here are some pictures of my sparkling clean office.  I have a few dogs placed around other than the main dog pound..ugh forgot to take that pic.  Will do it tomorrow.  ;-)

Post #129...2019

I'm only blogging tonight because I am trying to write every day like I challenged myself to do.  I know I missed a few days but it was when I was super busy = super tired.  LOL

Now that most of my jewelry is sold off, things have calmed down some and I am looking forward, okay maybe not but I am going to be happy when my office is cleaned this weekend as it is very dirty and dusty once again.  Bathrooms need to be cleaned badly too so this is definitely going to be a house cleaning weekend.   At least there is lunch on Saturday with the gals.  :)

Here's a picture of Ditzy just chilling on the couch.  She's looking forward to tomorrow being Friday too!

Post #128....2019

No pictures today. LOL.  I am happy to say though that another gal picked up her jewelry and supplies.  I just counted and I am down to 54 pieces left.  I know I go on and on about it but I had a ton of jewelry and this is quite an accomplishment that I've been able to unload nearly all of.

Hubby had his follow up appointment today for the lung scans he had done.  It was good news. One of the nodules actually shrunk a little bit. The other is slightly larger but the doctor isn't really concerned.  It thinks there is a good chance there will remain not much change. He does want hubby to get a scan again in about a year.  Then if that one is the same, he will not need to go again.  We don't even really know how long he has had them, may have been years.

His emphysema is a little worse. The doctor can tell by some darkening of the lungs.  He also said though it could be years before he'd need to be 'on oxygen', so that was relatively good news too.  He did tell hubby that it may not seem so but it was a really good thing that he stopped smoking when he did or he'd be worse.  He quit 9 years ago.  I'm so glad that it was good news and not bad news.  I was concerned as it had been a year and 3 months since his last scan.

Tomorrow is Friday 'eve!  :)

Post #127....2019

Hubby got the shutters up today in my office.  We moved a smaller mirror and put them on either side of it.  I really love the look!  And the crafted hello wreath my daughter made looks great too. That was the only piece that I did NOT move.  LOL

Today a nice gal came and picked up a lot of the business supplies and some jewelry I had.  I was able to put away a table and clear out some things.  Another week (hopefully less) and I'll be able to get the rest back in order.  

It was a nice day today. No rain.  The contractor came by today and now the new tentative day to start on screening in the balcony is Monday.  We'll see.

Post #126...2019

I am going to admit it right off the bat that it was not easy getting through the walk this morning and then working all day. LOL. I actually got up once and the front of my foot (think ankle but the front of it) really hurt when I put any weight on it like trying to take a step.  It was weird and it seems fine now so I don't know if that was tendinitis flaring up or what.  I was fine during the whole walk.

Hubby didn't get the shutters up in the office yet but he did put new window decals in the garage windows.  This is so much nicer than the old ones.  I posted a few pictures below.

Old window cover is on the left, next one is after removed and right one is new one

Isn't it pretty?

 The old - this was up about 10 years I think

After done