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Post by desposito on Apr 10, 2024 13:07:59 GMT -5
Wow, lots going on here this afternoon!
Hello danny, bree, and ohblondie!
OHBLONDIE! Retired, finally! Do you have a plan yet? For anything? Decluttering, gardening, volunteer work, part time work? Or are you just going to wallow in feeling free for a while?
Danny, I'm glad the roof work is done, the roofing company sounds really good.
Bree, maybe your daughter will succeed in her difficult major since she has you to vent to when needed, or maybe she'll decide she doesn't want it after all. She sounds bright, she'll figure it out with your support.
After my last post I kept obsessing about the bird bath, so I decided to just do a half job--connect the hose but don't attach it to the porch , put only one bird bath out since the other is going to a new spot and will be more work. So I went out and did that, unfortunately, the faucet is leaking from the handle part, which is the exact same thing that happened last year--but last year the handyman was here at the time and he did something--I can't remember if he had to go buy a new part or if he was able to fix it, so after filling up the bath I had to go back inside and turn the water off again. But that's okay, it's a simple thing, I can do that until the handyman comes back again.
The birds haven't used the bath yet, it always takes them a day or so before they will use something new, just like the parakeets.
Diane
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Post by danny15 on Apr 10, 2024 13:19:31 GMT -5
Went to get gas in one vehicle and to grocery store for not too much. I need DD1 for longer trips but she is not feeling well today.
Called lawn guy to see if he was planning on spring clean-up today. We had set this up over a week ago. His mailbox was full. His phone had a broken screen and he said he can't read texts very well but I texted anyway, are you coming today? He texted back that his guys will be there for a basic pick-up sticks and branch debris from winter and to mow. He has been getting very unreliable for several years and the quality of work is lessening. I have kept him because I used the company when it belonged to his boss and the work then was excellent. This fellow bought the company about 10 years ago but he just is not a businessman at all.
We are friends and his family has been over here to swim quite a bit. The past two years he has had a LOT of serious problems (one was hitting an old man who illegally pulled out in front of him in traffic and he killed the guy). He has lost other customers who are not as tolerant or patient as I am. I really hate to find another company but it may come to that. Good thing is I have never had to sign a contract with him.
Still waiting on roofers for final check.
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Post by phoenixcat on Apr 10, 2024 14:35:33 GMT -5
danny15 landscapers are always a challenge. The first few sessions are really good and then goes downhill. Among all of our friends here, we are always asking "who do you use?" We are on our 3rd or 4th in less than 10 years and whenever we start a new one, they say "how long have you been without help?" We always say "never, this is what it looks like with weekly service". bree Does your daughter have someone in the field (in the real field, not as a teacher) that can offer advice and wisdom? DH gets so frustrated with all these young kids with promise in software that are giving up because the first few years of education are so hard (and frankly boring) for them. Right now our great nieces and nephews are going through the same thing. Their passion for why they went to college is getting dulled by the education machine of requiring a lot of base classes that are just not their skill set or their interest. Just recently we had an intern who was so jazzed working with us during the summer because he was actually doing software and AI and cutting edge stuff. Then he went back to school, was practically in tears when said that he needs all his time and focus for the sophomore level classes and didn't even have 10 hours to spare a month as a remote part timer. You just hate to see these kids who have a real passion, a real talent and a real gift become so discouraged. I just think if your daughter could shadow someone in the industry - pick their brain - and then make a decision. Maybe the job opportunities aren't what she would want at the end of it all. Or maybe the "mentor" could offer advice on how to navigate it in order to get what she wants at the end of it. Good luck - like I said our nieces and nephews are in this stage as well and they do call home A LOT!
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Post by danny15 on Apr 10, 2024 15:56:40 GMT -5
phoenixcat That is discouraging news about the landscapers in your area. I guess when people think they have a solid customer that maybe they can start to slack off.
That is great advice to bree about her daughter finding someone in the real field to give her advice and wisdom. That will make a huge difference!
Two roof company owners came by. We mostly sat on the grass in the warm sun, shooting the breeze. Super nice guys, they are both 36. Wow I just realized they are a decent deal younger than my kids. They said no problem at all to get back up and redo the one chimney cap. They used a drone to fly all around and get a good view of all the work done. Not like we could have told a whole lot from the ground.
The main owner offered to order two custom caps (he would pay for custom caps and taking down the ones they just installed and putting up new ones at his expense) if I wanted. He called the openings flues. If he ordered the custom caps they would go on the two chimneys that have two opening each. The third chimney only has the one opening. I said no need to do that. The one chimney cap is perfect. On one of the chimneys the cap is just slightly higher than the other cap but that's fine. On the chimney that has the kind of messed up cap they will try to reset and straighten or order a new one and reset. The other cap on that chimney is fine.
So, all is well. I am SO very grateful to have found a solid company that does good work, easy to get along with and backs their work.
Lawn company still not here. Wrote too soon, I hear them now.
DD1 and I need to get out. A frosty from Wendy's sounds pretty good!
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Post by desposito on Apr 10, 2024 18:59:00 GMT -5
Danny, I hope your lawn work got done. My sister had a lawn guy that she used for many, many years, she first hired him when he just started his business and he was great. Years later his sons became teenagers and he started bringing them with to learn the business, and when the kids turned 18 he was sending them to do the work instead. They did a lot of careless things, like leaving gates open (not good when you have a dog), taking the gutter extenders off to work and leaving them piled up next to the house, etc. After my sister died I bought the battery operated lawn mower and let them know I didn't need them anymore, that was a big relief.
I went back out to the yard for another half hour, I wanted to weed but my knee still hurts so I couldn't kneel on the pad for very long, so I mostly cut back more branches. We're supposed to get rain starting tonight, so now I'm going to clean out the seed pool and then get ready for bed.
Good night everyone, see you tomorrow!
Diane
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Post by danny15 on Apr 10, 2024 19:42:16 GMT -5
Diane, the actual grass cutting crew and the ones who do the landscaping, edging, etc. are good. 8 of them. They have ALWAYS closed and chained the gates. They are careful not to blow grass cuttings into the pool, they clean up after themselves. It is the owner who seems overwhelmed by everything involved with running a business. He told me he hates paperwork. So bills are always later than they should be and have mistakes. Like he says he'll do something, it doesn't get done but he charges for it. I don't think he does it on purpose, he just has too much on his plate.
Teens are rarely good workers without supervision nowadays. I sound old but it seems to be true. I bet it was a big relief when you let them go and took on the work yourself. That was my plan for a long time ~ get to the point where I could handle all the yard work myself. The most I could do was gardening and planting some bushes. No mowing.
DD1 felt better so we went out for Frosties, hit the spot. Since she was with me we picked up a few more things at the grocery store. She brought everything in, I put the cold stuff away. She fed the kitties, got trash and recycling together and took up 2 trash cans and 2 recycling containers to the road. I am so tired. Time for reading in bed then hopefully sleep.
Diane, I hope your knee feels better soon!
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Post by danny15 on Apr 10, 2024 19:51:55 GMT -5
Here's one of those stories, not funny when it happened but funny later......
DD1 and I were in the grocery store and she was trucking out ahead of me like she was on a mission. I had a small cart trying to keep up with her. I got to produce and felt something around my shins. I looked down and OMG my pants had fallen down!!!!!! Right off my hips!!!!! I have lost a lot of weight lately (not trying to) but what a shocker! Thank the good Lord I was wearing Tommy Copper black compression shorts under my jeans and no one was around. I yelled for Laura to come back and pulled up my jeans. She laughed and laughed. I had to lean on the cart like I always do and one hand holding up my pants. Time to dig out the smaller jeans.
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Post by mylittlescholar on Apr 10, 2024 20:25:55 GMT -5
Good evening, everypony!
oh my, that is a good story, danny15!
today we took DMIL out shoe shopping. She wanted a pair similar to what I had. Didn't find anything suitable, but I am going to get what we think will work online. Meanwhile I got myself a second pair.
Then she took us out to lunch. Came home and crashed. I will be gone all day tomorrow, so maybe I can get something done tonight. I'm anxious about all the usuals.
ALSO: took meds
took a call from LD helped DVD make the bed
updated log--where have I been the last four days?
checked online balance checked email checked calendar
ON DECK: catch up with admin prep for tomorrow dishes duds dinner PUPA exercises (gym?)
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Post by catcats on Apr 10, 2024 20:48:36 GMT -5
ohblondie --Happy for you, being retired. I remember mine ! bree ---I completely get it--about your responsible , hard working DD !! And how you must be there for her--and how it tears you up. Same here with mine who is a lot older---but still my kid. @danny 15--Ah, the roof !! Looking good and they will fix the chimney cap !! Loved your pants down story !!! Diane-- Please watch that knee !! I hope it feels a lot better really soon. When you fell, it must have hurt it , at least for now. A day to remember, in many ways. I got up, did some dailies, took down the trash and recycling, brushed Mocha, sat down with a sandwich, and the phone rang. I had posted on FB that this was my 70th wedding anniversary and an an old, but not extremely close friend called and wanted to take me out to lunch. Gave her condolences about TIM . And ended up taking me over to Tim's apt. to get a handful of things and I wanted to clean up a couple of personal things of his. ( I cannot disembowel the apt. itself.) And to turn in the key. I am so overwhelmed that she INSISTED on doing this. Like an angel. My DD absolutely could not go back again with me and I can't drive there anymore. Then we came back, washed up, and she took me to eat. Then back here and she showed me what I didn't understand in my math book that I was trying to relearn a few months ago. I had been stuck and never knew how to go further. I was so overwhelmed. Like an angel, she just came and made my sad day so much better. I shall NEVER forget her kindness and will try hard to think of something I can do to show her . She is also a widow and a Math teacher, retired. My best to all !! catcats
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Post by goldenthreads on Apr 10, 2024 21:48:56 GMT -5
catcats She really did come in as an angel--kind, and just what you needed today. How wonderful.
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Post by bree on Apr 10, 2024 21:58:44 GMT -5
thanks Diane danny15 phoenixcat and catcats. I think I naively thought when I took DD to college parenting was kind of over and it is NOT. not sure why I thought that as I subjected my mom to these calls (sorry mom!!). Good idea to get her to talk to someone in her hoped for field...also DD had a job over the summer and she'd talk to me about it and she was so saavy! she could identify problems and come up with solutions .. and it is true that right now she is taking hard classes that she will never use but they are mandatory!! so today I did work from home.had a weird thing happen, I was reviewing a document on my couch and I fell asleep! i only had four hours of sleep. I jerked awake and had such a moment of disorientation like why am i home sleepiing on a workd day. rushed to my email to see what was up but I had dozed off just of a few minutes. I hope I can sleep tonight. took puppy for a walk- she was wired!! spring fever. I am concerned about my phone. kind of long story. I read a story of (TRIGGER) horrific animal abuse ...like the abuser is an evil POS. I was so fired up that I called his business number. now my phone is locked because some one was trying to get into it ... I suspect either this POS or his f'ed up friends. I hope I get my phone back. this guy had a minimal fine for a sociopathic evil truly evil action. but now the world knows so ....I think he will come to regret his truly evil actions if not for awareness of how evil he is but what it is like to be a public enemy in the days of social media. so i hope my phone will work and I hope this evil actor will pay the price a thousand fold for his *%&@#
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Post by mylittlescholar on Apr 10, 2024 22:25:32 GMT -5
yay for the kindness of friends, catcats!
so I finally got into cleaning mode. House looks and feels much better. DVD said "Wow!" when he saw the kitchen.
DONE: changed the cover of some furniture out on the patio--from rusty paint can rings to Minnie polka dots--much more cheerful! did a similar thing for another piece of furniture watered three potted plants unloaded the washing machine--the microfleece blanket was too much--and then re-spun the load-halves a couple of times both halves are drying now put a load of towels in
put my dolls away put dry dishes away put appliances on the counter back where they belong found a place for a couple of large tupperware pieces washed dishes
cleaned the counters put water in the coffee maker and fridge container
DVD is heating up the lunch leftovers now
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Post by womble on Apr 11, 2024 5:22:53 GMT -5
Good Morning x
That's so lovely catcats ❤
I have a very poorly dog that's been in the vets since Monday, they've just called and there's doubt to the original diagnosis now and they think it might be a liver infection, so more tests and scans and they're calling later. I'm going to try and get right around the house flea spraying today and wash everything I can ready for spring
Switch washing Empty dishwasher Birds fed Metre readings sent Food delivery coming Need to find vet bill Make dinner
Hoover and wash play room floor Spray
Hoover utility room and spray Fold dry washing Keep washing machine going
Spray the car- SIL just borrowed so will have to wait, quickly took out most of the rugs to wash though
Hoover and wash dining room floor
Spray edges and chairs
Hoover and wash kitchen floor Wash mats Spray Move paper pile Wipe surfaces
Hallway, Hoover mop, spray, wash mats
Put wreath back on door
Lounge, hoover, wash floor, spray edges Spray rug Wash throws
Stairs, hoover and spray
Will do a new list for upstairs.
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Post by desposito on Apr 11, 2024 6:45:43 GMT -5
Good morning everyone! Womble, I hope the vets can figure out what's wrong with your pup and treat accordingly. Good idea to throw yourself into housework, it keeps your mind busy.
Bree, that's scary about your phone, I kept getting locked out of the Comcast site because someone was trying to hack my account--that seems to be over with now and it was just someone who randomly got hold of my email address and sent tons of spam. Also, thank you for not giving details about the animal abuser, I can never get those stories out of my head once I hear them. If I believed in hell I would say there was a special place there for people like that--but you're right, maybe social media will punish him here on earth.
And speaking of karma--something else I don't believe in, at least, not in the sense that there's some kind of mystical balance in the universe keeping track of what people do--I think there IS a kind of "karma", and that is when you are a good person and are kind to others, many of them will be kind to you in return when you need it--or even be kind to someone else in response. And that's what happened to catcats, someone stepped up at the perfect time when needed to help, probably remembering something good that catcats did in the past--what a nice story.
And a funny story from danny, although I can imagine how horrified you felt in the moment! I don't have the problem of my pants being too large...
Now that I finally have the house decluttered, I will work on the problem projects still sitting around, and do some cleaning too.
We are back down to a high of 53 today, with rain on and off through tomorrow morning, so probably no yard work unless there are dry periods when I can get out there for a few minutes.
Diane
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Post by ohblondie on Apr 11, 2024 7:24:26 GMT -5
Thank you for to good wishes! Today is day 2 of retirement. I am enjoying a leisurely cup or two of coffee. Yesterday I had two meetings, dad's laundry and moms shower and a quick trip to the grocery store so it felt like a normal day. Today is wide open and will be a true test....
My initial plan was to include a morning walk with my dog but it is pouring out today so that won't happen.... I would love to plan an hour of cleaning, an hour of daily type housework ( dishes. Laundry etc) and an hour of serious decluttering type work.
I will probably do some volunteering, eventually. I plan to keep up with my current community activities, just add a little bit....
So today is wash the sheets day. I asked DH to strip the bed....
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