It is Friday night and a holiday weekend! Woo hoo! Here is what I decided to do although I'm sure I could have work the entire weekend if I want to, I am not. I am working tomorrow but that is all. My youngest and her hubby are coming up on Sunday. We haven't seen them since Father's Day so it has been a bit. So I took Sunday off and Monday I decided to actually honor the meaning behind the whole Labor Day holiday and not work that day either. It will be nice having a 2 day non-working weekend for once.
I am concerned for all the folks in Florida with this upcoming Hurricane Dorian. I sure hope it doesn't cause too much devastation. I have some friends down there and pray they'll all be safe.
It is still hitting 100 degrees or close to it these days though with all of our air conditioning systems working, it isn't really noticeable to me until I look outside at the brown grass. It really does make a difference having a nice cool house! No more going upstairs and getting hit with a wave of heat and humidity.
It will hopefully start to cool down a bit soon, as September is around the corner. Some rain would be nice too. It definitely is getting dark earlier and earlier as a flashlight is needed for about half the walk now. Oh well. Time marches on.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Post #188 ....2019
It looked like it was going to rain all day but unfortunately it didn't. It has been so long since it has rained that part of our back yard looks like the Sahara dessert. Here are some photos of the back yard. The lush green oasis green is the new grass that we are keeping watered so that it doesn't die. Then there is the Sahara.. (pretty obvious). Then back to the green new grass. So yah...we really need some rain badly. Not to mention the water pressure lately is not the greatest either. When the sprinklers are on in the morning which is only on the front yard ( 2 times a week that is allowed), if I try to brush my teeth, there is just a trickle of water. So the water levels have dropped too. They come back up when the sprinklers are done their cycle.
The only good thing from today's cloudy day was because there was a little rain that went through the surrounding area, the temperature is in the mid 80's rather than 100 degrees.
But other than the weather, Tika is hacking (coughing ) less and less. I only heard her I think 4 times today. Hopefully she'll be fine as we only have a few more days of the antibiotics and are suppose to slowly get her dose of steroids down. So we'll see. Fingers crossed that she will be totally fine within the next few days.
I have been working the weekends but it hasn't been too bad. I have been spending time with hubby during the evening and not working a full 8 hours on Sundays.
The only good thing from today's cloudy day was because there was a little rain that went through the surrounding area, the temperature is in the mid 80's rather than 100 degrees.
But other than the weather, Tika is hacking (coughing ) less and less. I only heard her I think 4 times today. Hopefully she'll be fine as we only have a few more days of the antibiotics and are suppose to slowly get her dose of steroids down. So we'll see. Fingers crossed that she will be totally fine within the next few days.
I have been working the weekends but it hasn't been too bad. I have been spending time with hubby during the evening and not working a full 8 hours on Sundays.
Friday, August 23, 2019
Post..#187...2019
It has been days I know but in my defense I have been working 7 days a week as of late, so not much time to do a whole lot else. I am trying to catch up on my Mom & Me club read as my daughter is already to the next place we were stopping.
I won a few things from a Sheltie rescue auction and one thing was this cute little doggie 'camper'. I got Bella to go in it but only for a few seconds. She will likely warm up to it in time. She's already been sitting near it and sniffing at it. Isn't it adorable?
I was trying to see if Ditzy would go in there too but she is a bit bigger than Bella so she wouldn't fit it it so easily.
We ended up taking the solar mason jar lights off of the front porch and putting them on the back porch. They only stay lit up for an hour or so the way they get limited sunlight. Out back though they get the afternoon sun to sunset so I'm hoping they stay lit longer. Just got this picture and really love them when they are all lit up. :) I will try to write more often. :)
I won a few things from a Sheltie rescue auction and one thing was this cute little doggie 'camper'. I got Bella to go in it but only for a few seconds. She will likely warm up to it in time. She's already been sitting near it and sniffing at it. Isn't it adorable?
I was trying to see if Ditzy would go in there too but she is a bit bigger than Bella so she wouldn't fit it it so easily.
We ended up taking the solar mason jar lights off of the front porch and putting them on the back porch. They only stay lit up for an hour or so the way they get limited sunlight. Out back though they get the afternoon sun to sunset so I'm hoping they stay lit longer. Just got this picture and really love them when they are all lit up. :) I will try to write more often. :)
Monday, August 19, 2019
Post #186...2019
Today we took Tika to the vet to find out about her hacking problem. After the exam and X-rays of her chest/neck the vet thinks she likely has an upper respiratory infection and also the start of some pneumonia. So they gave us some anti-biotics for the infection and some steroids for the hacking. Hopefully they will help her get all better! I was very grateful that they didn't mention the "C" word. We've had enough of our dogs that got that. So fingers crossed she'll be much better in the next few weeks.
Ditzy got groomed Friday afternoon and she looks so pretty! I tried to take a few pictures but only one good one turned out. Her white is really white and she is so soft!
Hubby was clearing out some of the weeds out back and he spotted this cute, fat frog. He's seen some baby frogs around too but didn't see them today so he only got a picture of this one.
Ditzy got groomed Friday afternoon and she looks so pretty! I tried to take a few pictures but only one good one turned out. Her white is really white and she is so soft!
Friday, August 16, 2019
Post...#185....2019
I was reading back a few blogs and realized I didn't actually say that ALL the A/C units in the house are now working. They are! And it is wonderful! The A/C guys that were replacing the unit in the attic got here around 10AM on Tuesday and were trying to figure out a better way to run the system down to the unit outside. There was quite a delay while this was being discussed but it finally got started after noon. They ended up getting it done but it was 6:30PM by the time they left.
While I am very happy it is done and I appreciate the fact that they stayed so late...it was hard to endure all 3 dogs in my office from before 10AM (because we didn't know when they would arrive) to pretty much 6:30PM. We usually feed them at 5PM and by 6PM I just had hubby hand me their bowls (quickly at the door) and I fed them in my office (just separated). The guys were in and out all the time (in fact half the time hubby didn't know what the heck they were doing?), but that is why we never could really let the dogs out. The back gate was open for the A/C guys too so no potty breaks. Anyway, we got through it but I really wish they would have come by 8AM so that they could have been done by 5PM and we wouldn't have had that much more stress to put both me and the dogs through. LOL. Those who are not dog lovers will be thinking 'So what' it is no big deal. Those folks won't understand.
I was also surprised (as we've already had 2 full A/C replacements since moving here) that the A/C company called Wednesday and said the city inspector had to come and look at the A/C they installed. There was no mention of that when we hired them. And we have never needed the other systems inspected after they were installed. I just have a bad taste in my mouth about inspections after the delays and fiasco for the addition to the house for my mom. So I voiced my unhappiness about not being told this up front. The name of the company is Honest A/C but clearly they are not at least not full disclosure. I am not sure if I could refuse the inspection or not but anyway..the inspector came this morning and there is one thing that the A/C guys have to come back and fix. Of course. It is never just once and done.
Yesterday was Ditzy's appointment at the cardiologist to get an echo cardiogram. Luckily I used WAZE to get there as there was accidents on the route and WAZE took us winding through a bunch of neighborhoods to get to our destination but we got there in plenty of time as I allotted an hour and 20 minutes to get there. We got there with 20 minutes to spare.
Ditzy's results were good! She does have a slight leak at the mitral valve but she said considering the breed and her age (9) it is typical. So she doesn't have to be on any meds and doesn't need to come back in a year unless the regular vet hears a heart murmur. Yippee! We were so happy about that news. She behaved so well at the office too! Not a snip or bark. She is the best patient!
I did make an appointment for Tika at our regular vet for Monday though as she has been hacking when drinking water, though not every time anymore. Maybe it is something simple. We'll find out.
I am just glad all the work on the house is done now and we can let things get back to normal (except for when the A/C guys have to come back but that should be a very short fix).
While I am very happy it is done and I appreciate the fact that they stayed so late...it was hard to endure all 3 dogs in my office from before 10AM (because we didn't know when they would arrive) to pretty much 6:30PM. We usually feed them at 5PM and by 6PM I just had hubby hand me their bowls (quickly at the door) and I fed them in my office (just separated). The guys were in and out all the time (in fact half the time hubby didn't know what the heck they were doing?), but that is why we never could really let the dogs out. The back gate was open for the A/C guys too so no potty breaks. Anyway, we got through it but I really wish they would have come by 8AM so that they could have been done by 5PM and we wouldn't have had that much more stress to put both me and the dogs through. LOL. Those who are not dog lovers will be thinking 'So what' it is no big deal. Those folks won't understand.
I was also surprised (as we've already had 2 full A/C replacements since moving here) that the A/C company called Wednesday and said the city inspector had to come and look at the A/C they installed. There was no mention of that when we hired them. And we have never needed the other systems inspected after they were installed. I just have a bad taste in my mouth about inspections after the delays and fiasco for the addition to the house for my mom. So I voiced my unhappiness about not being told this up front. The name of the company is Honest A/C but clearly they are not at least not full disclosure. I am not sure if I could refuse the inspection or not but anyway..the inspector came this morning and there is one thing that the A/C guys have to come back and fix. Of course. It is never just once and done.
Yesterday was Ditzy's appointment at the cardiologist to get an echo cardiogram. Luckily I used WAZE to get there as there was accidents on the route and WAZE took us winding through a bunch of neighborhoods to get to our destination but we got there in plenty of time as I allotted an hour and 20 minutes to get there. We got there with 20 minutes to spare.
Ditzy's results were good! She does have a slight leak at the mitral valve but she said considering the breed and her age (9) it is typical. So she doesn't have to be on any meds and doesn't need to come back in a year unless the regular vet hears a heart murmur. Yippee! We were so happy about that news. She behaved so well at the office too! Not a snip or bark. She is the best patient!
I did make an appointment for Tika at our regular vet for Monday though as she has been hacking when drinking water, though not every time anymore. Maybe it is something simple. We'll find out.
I am just glad all the work on the house is done now and we can let things get back to normal (except for when the A/C guys have to come back but that should be a very short fix).
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Post #..184...2019
Okay the painting is finally done! :)
Here are some before and after pictures....
Looks good!
BEFORE PICS
Here are some before and after pictures....
Looks good!
BEFORE PICS
AFTER PICS (Hopefully can tell the difference!! )
Monday, August 12, 2019
Post #183....2019
Last night there were NO wasps in the bathroom! Woo hoo! Hubby actually already killed one this evening though when he went up to turn on the a/c in our bedroom. We will have the exterminators out when the painting is all done.
But the really great news is that the A/C guy came this morning and got the Mitsubishi system fixed. He did have to cut the wall but only had to cut a drywall square about 12" x 16" so not terribly bad. There was a leak due to not being properly taped at installation, no surprise there. But bottom line, that A/C is working now and there is no damage or moisture in the wall. So I'm grateful for that. Hubby can replace the flooring eventually that got warped.
And the sales rep from the A/C company came and we are getting a new system upstairs that I am hoping will last for YEARS! It will be fantastic to not have to sleep in a hot bedroom, especially when it has been getting to temperatures of over 100 degrees these days. And they are suppose to install it tomorrow. I was impressed with that as well!
The painters didn't come but are coming tomorrow as well, so it will be bustling around here tomorrow for sure. Today I worked 1/2 the day in the old office and 1/2 in the new office which worked out fine. :)
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Post #182....2019
Catching up with the blogging...
Friday I worked in my old office in the garage because I thought that the A/C guy was going to come see about the Mitsubishi A/C in my office (used to be mom's room). But he didn't come. I didn't mind working in the old office as there is a small vent for the A/C (from the rest of the house). But I was disappointed that he never showed. But he did call at 7PM that night and was sorry he was tied up all day with several other A/C issues. He was perfectly willing to come right then and not at a higher charge! I was impressed by that, but hubby was concerned that he may be a few hours and he didn't want it getting that late so he is suppose to come tomorrow morning. We'll see.
The painters painted part of the house and will finish tomorrow. What they did paint looks great! There were several wasps nests that they sprayed too, especially one large one that we knew was on the side in the soffit as there was a hole there that we've seen them go in and out of a lot. So they covered that up and filled it in and painted it and it looks brand new (to me). So that evening when Steve was watering the sod there were lots of wasps desperately looking for a way to get in. I was sort of glad they couldn't get in, or so I thought.
So Friday night we're getting ready for bed and I see 2 wasps in the bathroom! UGH! Hubby took care of them and I chalked it up to when he had the front balcony door open while he was moving things. No huge deal.
But then last night we were getting ready and I saw a wasp which he got but then another one from out of no where. Then we turned on the light that is for above the shower (which we really never use) and there were 3 more in there! UGH!!!! They must have found some way to get in the house. We actually left that light on and it killed a few of them and hubby got one more. So needless to say, visions of swarms of wasps were what I was thinking about when I laid my head on the pillow. One time around 2:30AM I sort of had to go to the bathroom but then thinking there may be another wasp or two in there I decided I could hold it. I know. Such a baby right? There were no more that came in luckily. We are calling the regular bug exterminator we use though as I want them to inspect the attic and get any that may have found their way in there. I am NOT touching that attic access stairway pull...nope.. not going to happen. I was just upstairs and didn't see any wasps in the bathroom yet but won't be surprised any longer if I see a few when we head up. I'm sure they are really mad about us closing up any nests they have in the soffits or trim.
The results of the dogs Canine ProBNP tests are back and they called me the other day. The range considered normal is 0 - 900. Tika's was fine at 250, but Ditzy's was 1620 !! Yes I was really surprised. The vet suggested a cardiologist visit for Ditzy and did explain it is a specialist and not something they did there (and so costly) but that part doesn't matter to us. We love all our dogs. So we have an appointment for Ditzy on Thursday at a cardiologist to get an echo cardiogram and see how it looks.
Tika is fine in that area but we noticed the last 3-4 days that she has been hacking after drinking water and now nearly every time. And yesterday she even hacked horribly when she was barking. Hub thinks it could be kennel cough but she got her Bordatella shot when we took them last week so I doubt it is that simple. She has done this hacking thing like she is coughing up something for a while now but that was occasionally. Last night I was contemplating going to an emergency clinic she sounded that bad. But she sounds better today. She barked some too (without hacking), so that is good. But I'm still calling the vet's office tomorrow to get her checked and see if it is a Laryngeal Collapse. She is 12 1/2 years old so it suppose it could be anything.
I worked this weekend too but did take a break today to see Hobbs & Shaw at the movie theater. It was good with a lot of action and even some humor thrown in there. So we're gearing up for what is likely to be a busy week!
Friday I worked in my old office in the garage because I thought that the A/C guy was going to come see about the Mitsubishi A/C in my office (used to be mom's room). But he didn't come. I didn't mind working in the old office as there is a small vent for the A/C (from the rest of the house). But I was disappointed that he never showed. But he did call at 7PM that night and was sorry he was tied up all day with several other A/C issues. He was perfectly willing to come right then and not at a higher charge! I was impressed by that, but hubby was concerned that he may be a few hours and he didn't want it getting that late so he is suppose to come tomorrow morning. We'll see.
The painters painted part of the house and will finish tomorrow. What they did paint looks great! There were several wasps nests that they sprayed too, especially one large one that we knew was on the side in the soffit as there was a hole there that we've seen them go in and out of a lot. So they covered that up and filled it in and painted it and it looks brand new (to me). So that evening when Steve was watering the sod there were lots of wasps desperately looking for a way to get in. I was sort of glad they couldn't get in, or so I thought.
So Friday night we're getting ready for bed and I see 2 wasps in the bathroom! UGH! Hubby took care of them and I chalked it up to when he had the front balcony door open while he was moving things. No huge deal.
But then last night we were getting ready and I saw a wasp which he got but then another one from out of no where. Then we turned on the light that is for above the shower (which we really never use) and there were 3 more in there! UGH!!!! They must have found some way to get in the house. We actually left that light on and it killed a few of them and hubby got one more. So needless to say, visions of swarms of wasps were what I was thinking about when I laid my head on the pillow. One time around 2:30AM I sort of had to go to the bathroom but then thinking there may be another wasp or two in there I decided I could hold it. I know. Such a baby right? There were no more that came in luckily. We are calling the regular bug exterminator we use though as I want them to inspect the attic and get any that may have found their way in there. I am NOT touching that attic access stairway pull...nope.. not going to happen. I was just upstairs and didn't see any wasps in the bathroom yet but won't be surprised any longer if I see a few when we head up. I'm sure they are really mad about us closing up any nests they have in the soffits or trim.
The results of the dogs Canine ProBNP tests are back and they called me the other day. The range considered normal is 0 - 900. Tika's was fine at 250, but Ditzy's was 1620 !! Yes I was really surprised. The vet suggested a cardiologist visit for Ditzy and did explain it is a specialist and not something they did there (and so costly) but that part doesn't matter to us. We love all our dogs. So we have an appointment for Ditzy on Thursday at a cardiologist to get an echo cardiogram and see how it looks.
Tika is fine in that area but we noticed the last 3-4 days that she has been hacking after drinking water and now nearly every time. And yesterday she even hacked horribly when she was barking. Hub thinks it could be kennel cough but she got her Bordatella shot when we took them last week so I doubt it is that simple. She has done this hacking thing like she is coughing up something for a while now but that was occasionally. Last night I was contemplating going to an emergency clinic she sounded that bad. But she sounds better today. She barked some too (without hacking), so that is good. But I'm still calling the vet's office tomorrow to get her checked and see if it is a Laryngeal Collapse. She is 12 1/2 years old so it suppose it could be anything.
I worked this weekend too but did take a break today to see Hobbs & Shaw at the movie theater. It was good with a lot of action and even some humor thrown in there. So we're gearing up for what is likely to be a busy week!
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Post #181...2019
Well it happened. The one A/C system that was working in the house started blowing room temperature air by late afternoon yesterday. That was it. And the highs have been over 100 degrees this week! So thankfully a neighbor had recommend a company we had not tried yet (yes we've tried at least 4 I think since moving here) and I called them last night mainly to leave a message. I actually reached an answering service and they said someone would call me within 20 minutes. And sure enough someone called back within a half hour. He was even perfectly willing to come last night for an extra emergency charge of $95 (which to me is not bad at all). But I told him we could wait until today when he said he could come this morning. This company is made up of veterans (who have served in the military) which I am impressed with.
Anyway he came before 9:00AM and got our A/C in the living room fixed fairly quickly. A switch to a fan had broken (or something like that). Then he checked out our a/c upstairs that quite honestly never worked right for very long ever since we got the new system over 4 years ago now (maybe 5). He said the problem is the compressor, well the last guy replaced that twice already. This man did say that the brand we have are notorious for bad compressors....and it is not cheap to replace. So we are strongly considering just getting a new system instead of going through yet another costly repair only to possibly need a new one next year.
Then I got a pleasant surprise when hubby told me that they also work on Mitsubishi units which is in the office. That one has the leak somewhere that has messed up part of the flooring in there (and I haven't been using that for over a week). The worker from the A/C company spent all morning here already, so he is coming back tomorrow morning to work on that A/C unit. It would be so wonderful if within a week we could have all the A/C systems in this house functioning and cooling (not sure how long will take to get the new system which we still have to discuss with them for the 2nd floor).
I am so glad our neighbor recommended this company to us, because so far we are both impressed (and it takes a lot to impress my hubby).
And tomorrow the painters are suppose to start painting the trim. :-)
Anyway he came before 9:00AM and got our A/C in the living room fixed fairly quickly. A switch to a fan had broken (or something like that). Then he checked out our a/c upstairs that quite honestly never worked right for very long ever since we got the new system over 4 years ago now (maybe 5). He said the problem is the compressor, well the last guy replaced that twice already. This man did say that the brand we have are notorious for bad compressors....and it is not cheap to replace. So we are strongly considering just getting a new system instead of going through yet another costly repair only to possibly need a new one next year.
Then I got a pleasant surprise when hubby told me that they also work on Mitsubishi units which is in the office. That one has the leak somewhere that has messed up part of the flooring in there (and I haven't been using that for over a week). The worker from the A/C company spent all morning here already, so he is coming back tomorrow morning to work on that A/C unit. It would be so wonderful if within a week we could have all the A/C systems in this house functioning and cooling (not sure how long will take to get the new system which we still have to discuss with them for the 2nd floor).
I am so glad our neighbor recommended this company to us, because so far we are both impressed (and it takes a lot to impress my hubby).
And tomorrow the painters are suppose to start painting the trim. :-)
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Post #180....2019
The heat of summer is about to get worse. The highs by the end of the week may creep up to 105 degrees and that is not counting any heat index. So yah, it is going to be interesting.
This morning when I was opening up the front door for some fresh air I saw a sign in the yard of a neighbor across the street. I texted my hubby and asked him to look at it when he was coming back from the store because it looked to me to be the sign of the painting company that was suppose to paint our exterior trim (long) before now. We got the quote on 6/17 and got on the 'books' and was told it would be 3 weeks give or take. Sure enough it is the same painting company. Hubby went over to try to find out when they had contacted that company. The wife was the only one home and she couldn't recall.
Later in the afternoon hubby was doing some stuff outside of the garage and the guy that gave us the quote called him (by name). So I'm guessing the lady said something to him. He told him that they were going to do our house after that one. (And turns out that they did get their quote about a week before we did, according to what the guy told hubby). So anyway finally this week toward the end, we may be getting our trim finally painted. I was just going to let it go at this point but glad it is going to be done.
I thought it was so interesting that we both decided to get our houses painted and by the same exact company at about the same time!
Yesterday we took Tika and Ditzy to the vet. Ditzy got her shots and they both got tested for heart issues from having eaten grain free dog foods for years. We don't have the results yet but I'm hoping they come back clear. We have gotten them off grain free food also for about 2 weeks+ now.
So fingers crossed.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Post #179....2019
TGIF everybody!! Yes! Another weekend is here...and guess what? I remembered to take some pictures of the sod. The rest of the grass is not doing well but hopefully this as it takes will grow and spread (per our lawn guy who put down the soil and sod). I didn't take any before pictures but the dirt is so much more filled in than it was before. It has been in for close to 2 weeks now and I'm so happy that it looks as good as it does as it hasn't rained and the highs as of late have been around 100 degrees. We are watering in the evening and in the early morning every day. We may even get a few showers this weekend which would be great!
Below that there are a few pictures of our Crepe Myrtle that we had cut very low. I was surprised to see it sprouting both purple AND white blossoms!
Tomorrow is my ladies lunch group and Sunday I am working. I could have worked tomorrow too but I decided there were more fun things to do besides work.
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