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dbjc364's December 2008 Entries

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Dec 29, 2008 | 9:11 AM PST
Tag: quiet day..
Ever feel like a bouncing ball? The contractor came and looked at the garage- stuffed the ridge holes so no leaks-then in spring- he'll come back and fix it again-the improved way. Good.,,in the meantime we went back to insulating the cellar,and low and behold- we're almost done with that! I'll stuff the smaller holes near the floor sills on the next round- jim will go over the foam insulation boards with the bubble foil,and we'll be done.Its snugged up alot better now-we notice a distinct difference- no air breezes blowing thru at all.I told jim if we keep plugging away at it a few hours here and there- by winters end it would be all done- and we'll never have to do it again.Another 4 day weekend-so if no crisises,,then thats a go.We're at another warm spell- 50*-but not to last long- as temps start going back down tomorrow.Another possible noreaster' on its way for next weekend.We go pick up my Toro Electric snow shovel tomorrow-hope the truck came in on time.Things are looking good- even though there are snags, and starts and stops.Sheetrocking the living room is looking better all the time...a good xmas,Landon loves his tool bench and cars to occupy him,and hope to get him signed up tomorrow for swim lessons. Brought up my Amryallis finally from the cellar,lost one that was mushy.The sales 50-75% off are going like crazy mad with the retailers,so I quess wrapping paper for next year is in order...

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Those zany challenges,,

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Dec 23, 2008 | 1:28 AM PST
Tag: much funner adventures..
keep life from ever becoming boring.Apparently the universe thinks that my life needs more challenges and likes to add at least one a week-whether I need it or not.And this week I thought I would have time to look over garden catalogs...Ha.Jim went out to plug in the tractor to warm it up,came back in, and said we had more snow inside the garage than ever before. All over the stuff that was on shelving in the middle isle.Mostly tool stuff.Can't let the tools get wet and ruined.I said I was going shopping for the xmas ham- then start tackling that when I got back. Yes-there was quite a bit. It wasn't no dusting.It seems the gap in the ridge of the roof to me is a bit too wide,the "Cobra"mesh thing,not positioned right,allowing too much snow to blow in. So I'll have to talk to the contractor this week about coming back in the spring-take it off,reposition it. In the meantime-what to do about stopping the snow for now.Stuff it with insulation till spring, is the only thing I came up with.Its a good thing we hadn't gotton back to insulating the ceiling- as it all would have gotton wet.Highly peeved at spending thousands of dollars on a new garage,and after swearing like a trucker for 5 minutes- I got it out of my system.So for 3 hrs., I wiped stuff off,moved shelving to the other side where it wasn't getting hit bad with the snow-and Jim put up more shelving,so I can get back out there and move some more,when I run out of things to do. The universe is just too funny at times..After he got the shelving up on the wall for me, he went back to snow removal 101.He worked till 4,and wow there is alot of snow.17 inches in the driveway-but I do thank the universe for giving us enough room to put it somewhere.He still needs to remove here & there & push back more -but will get back to that xmas morning.We were both pooped out,and I seem to get tired out easier standing on a cement floor anyways,and I needed to cook supper before I ran out of energy.After being told we wouldnt see the sun till wednesday- we had sun all day long which was nice. A red sunset last night,so today should be the same.Our rec community center is right up the street,free to town residents,and I need to take Landon up there once or twice a week to burn off some of his energy this winter.So I think we'll take a ride up there this morning,and check out their programs for kids. After the new year-I'm also putting him in a swimming class one on one with an instructor once a week.That should keep him from getting to antsy.He loves the water but is a bit skittish,so this should help him.My mom goes for pool pain relief,and watched her teach a little one younger than Landon.I hear this lady is good with kids,and she has the little ones doing a great job learning to swim.Looks like we'll be busy after the new year,adding some more interesting fun adventures to our days other than just Sesame' Street.Elmo & Cookie Monster can only do just so much...

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In like a lion...

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Dec 22, 2008 | 2:53 AM PST
Tag: all that white stuff..
And roar it did!! And its still not done roaring yet..the roof we cleared twice-first time it was at least 4 inches-second time it was more.By the time we did it twice, the wind had picked up,but we got it done fast with the both of us- 15 minutes. Its a good size roof but very little pitch,which is why we feel we should clear it.Even though its new,I dont trust the heavy weight.The only reason we have this slightly pitched type roof is because of the housing problems in the beginning,a low ball estimate on appraisel,so the bank wouldnt go for it- so only got a loan big enough to do this- otherwise we probaly would have followed the roof line and gave it the A- roof. Its certainly something we're contemplating in the future though,as it can be re-roofed later,as the ecomony gets better-or our bills get paid off whichever comes first..We saw alot of garages-small buildings etc.,fall in last winter,even though the majority I'm sure were old,or not sturdy built,but it still makes me nervous.The not so good side to where we're located- is across from the wide open fields-mountains,right at the tail end of the stretch,and get the strong winds,but the good side is- it clears the roofs off pretty fast just blowing,and a future potential wind power source.Some storms I don't even have to clear the roof- mother nature does it for me.I only had 6 clearings last year-3 of which Jim helped me.He's got his work cut out for him this morning,pretty much just the plow trucks going by,trying to keep the wind swept snow from drifting across.The driveway is buried,with a good amount on one car,the wind blew it off the truck.The flat roof is all cleared from the wind,just a strip piled high up against the window-Jim will have to climb up there on the ladder that way,and scoop it out.I don't know what we ended up getting- but all day they were saying on the weather channel we were in for a good one.Another expected wednesday nite for us.I can see the tops of the blueberry bushes, and the faint outline of the raised beds.Just the tractor carport roof will have to be raked off a bit- but I can do that from the ground.So far- we haven't lost power-but many have.We did a trial run of the stove with the generator,it turns out he couldnt hook it up the way he wanted to,just have to run an extension cord for this winter thru the window if we need it- but by next spring the outside outlets will be in place on both sides of the building-and power in the garage.Today I'll take pics if I dont get blown away.They've changed it to no sun for today-coming out tomorrow.Now the question is,,will winter go out like a lamb...?

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Major nor'easter..

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Dec 21, 2008 | 4:36 AM PST
Tag: another challenge..
Yesterday was spent shopping a bit,the small generator that was on our list. Jim got a xmas bonus,so that was the first to get.With the storm coming across the country and bearing down on us quickly,he will work on getting it up and running this morning we hope.Expected snow is 12-18 inches with gusty winds. He tried a trial run when we got home but it was dark,and something about the ground not working- kept popping the thing off. Something in the living room not grounded well-so we'll have to be detectives and figure out what it is.Its just a small generator-but more than enough to run the pellet stove-tv and a couple lights. The shop was all out of electric shovels,next shipment in on Tuesday. So it looks like I have to do the roof with the scoop again.bummer...oh- well- I'll be happy if we can get the generator running.We have it placed under the tractor carport-plenty of fresh air- and away from the house.There's already been one death from a guy putting his generator in the garage attached to his house,and overcome with fumes.Its well known that garages shouldnt be attached to houses as the house acts like a vacuum-from the cold to the warm air.Cars parked- gas cans, etc, all spew their toxins into the home enviroments. I dont believe there's ever been a study on people who are sick with respiratory problems and attached garages..There should be a new national building code across the nation of no attached garages.Its just common sense.Our snow will be starting by afternoon,and Jims been clearing and pushing back what we already have in preparation for it.He's got a little bit more to do also this morning.It'll all be over by tomorrow sometime and the sun comes out again.He's not planning on going to work and will switch his day off unless its all ok-but we dont expect it to be with the strong winds.I bought some dice,and I can beat him at Rummy-unlike Cribbage,where he usually wins,so we'll have plenty to occupy ourselves.The tummy is growling,so its breakfast time for me...

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A very quiet day off..

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Dec 18, 2008 | 1:28 AM PST
Tag: the pretty white stuff
I had the house all to myself yesterday,off from Landon and much needed. 2 loads of laundry-dishes,wrap some presents. Up on the roof and cleared that off-which took almost 2 hrs.Its always so quiet when it snows..especially up there-even with the cars going by-which is less on snow days,there's such a quietness about it.I can stand up there and look at my gardens sleeping-and get some more ideas...Well-that pretty much wiped me out,had a nap,then made supper,I knew Jim would be late getting home.Apparently he had a rough time getting to work with the insane drivers on the road,and it took him quite a while to get there.He should have just stayed home.If we get the amount they say we are in for, on Sunday,then Monday he will stay home.They've got the forecast right up to the night before xmas,and expect another storm on that night also.Its been years-since we've gotton this much snow in the beginning and all in a short amount of time-or even a snowstorm the night before xmas-which I lov to see.The plowmen didnt make any money last year-lack of storms plus the high price of gas, but by golly they will this year for sure.The skiiing should be fantastic also.I had supper all ready for him,his overalls warming up by the stove,ready for him to plow.He said that was the most accomplished thing he got done all day.It takes him about an hour & 1/2 to clear the area-then on the weekend-he does the tweaking.The car is quite happy to be in its new home,he said it drove good in the snow for a little car. The sun comes out today,so we'll be able to get out and go check the mail-a short visit with Gram-Gram, as Landon calls Mom. He's good for about an hour-then he gets too antsy.Jim had him outside on Tuesday getting lots of fresh air-rosy red cheeks when they came in from their adventures of cracking ice with their boots.Looks like I'll be in the store saturday-which will probaly be very busy-buying a ham for xmas and stocking stuffers for Landons sock.If I get that done early morning,I can get back to the garage project.We ended up getting a total of 5-6 inches.

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Lov that snow..!

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Dec 17, 2008 | 2:50 AM PST
Tag: lots of snow...
As its always warmer when we have snow! Its coming down real good now -we expect 4 inches today- another storm on friday-4 inches, then a good potential Nor'easter on sunday- more than 6 inches. Yippee! I hope so! Can you see me smiling..? We're certainly going to have a white xmas this year! We had our Yankee Swap party-that was fun-I took a nice big bowl away from my step-dad,good for bread making,cookies, etc.My 7 yr. old nephew got such a kick out of that,that I took his bowl away-he kept laughing about that. Lots of good food and conversation.We didnt get much done over the weekend-but Tuesday after company left again-{ and I had a nap} we got out to the garage- and now the side walls are done-heater is up and working.The car actually got parked for the 1st time in the garage last nite- as I knew the storm was coming.This weekend we get to play & arrange shelving -hang tools etc. a little more on the ceiling insulation.Its been 2 years from the time we tore down the huge old garage to get to this point,so exciting! I'll find a xmas sock for Landon today and wrap up his presents and catch up on laundry-if its decent out tomorrow we can walk around a bit outside. We had him a for a bit yesterday so his Mommy could go xmas shopping-he loves to go to the dump with Pappa,and then we have breakfast out, and he gets to order his own breakfast-and does a good job of it.

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The lights flickered..

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Dec 13, 2008 | 4:31 AM PST
Tag: sooner or later..
off and on from 4:30 am to about 11:00.That was it for that. We stayed home-Jim cleared the driveway of slush 4 inches deep.About 2 pm the sun was shining enough for me to venture out to go check the mail,check on Ma.Creeping towards dark and wet roads,I headed home instead of cashing in my change at the store,as the roads were glazing over,I'll get to that today.My daughter lost the power for an hour-and they usually dont,and a good chunk of New England is without power with crews working 'round the clock.From the tv it looked like a war zone with trees down everywhere- heavy laden with ice,but still not as bad as the ice storm of "87".I remember all too well what we went thru that year. We have another run of this coming next week they say...The daughter has no heat independent of electricity,for 5 years,many many times we had this discussion,can't cook a hot meal,and forgot to draw water as usual.So very unprepared for any small disaster,never mind a big one.This next year,they could do something about that-whether they will or not is a flip of the quarter.She is the horse I cant lead to the water..never mind take a drink,such a high spirited soul,but so very balky.Most of the time we are at odds,I just simply haven't the touch with her.Her young friend tells me I'm smart. I'm not I tell her-I've just always lived in a perpetual state of insane survival,know a little bit of everything,but not alot about anything-lol- and a good chunk of that useless trivia that boggles the mind to boot.Hard knocks. I personally can't imagine sitting in her house being unprepared for anything.Knowing my daughter she probaly doesnt even have a working flashlight..as they never have batteries on hand.Today is my girls' birthday.She was born in the morning after a major snowstorm /cab ride in the middle of the night to the hospital-the night before.She was a small baby weighing in at 6 lbs.13 ozs./ flaming red hair-the sign of Sagittarious- breastfed for almost 3 months.I was hoping that would help her in life-lol-but I now know that I definitely should have gone longer. I make a mental note of that-should I need to in the next lifetime. At that time I had 3 houseplants that I managed to keep alive,and wished for a garden,but no garden came about for another 3 years,then I hit the diving board,and jumped.Since then there has always been a small garden at least.She absolutely loved the pumpkins we grew,but oh- I did have to hear about it for weeks,when we had to pick out the rocks..She got a snow shovel this year with a bow on it,and a big jug of bubble bath,as she usually runs out of it,& she's going to need it.lol. I hope that she has a wonderful birthday.The last 3 years,she's had shovels break,forgot to buy one,or the stores are sold out when she does go to buy one. They now have a used snowblower,hopefully it will stay working for the season.She says every year at this time,she hates the state of Maine.I surely would too if I were unprepared for it. Well- shes been here for 28 years,no sense in complaining about it- just do something about it.I hope that someday she will feel differently, as there are so many other worse places to live.This state- even with its 5 seasons,mud season being official,is a good place to live and raise children.For me- it will be even better when I finally build my greenhouse-which I hope to accomplish within the next 2 years.Each & every season offers the joyous wonders of nature,restful contemplation for the next upcoming gardening season,splendid & bountiful surprises emerging from their long sleep in the spring, a freezer filled with natures bounty.With every challenge comes a new direction & answer, from the most trivial,to the most perplexed of problems.One simply has to turn ones' head & smell the wind and seek the answer I tell her. This is what happens when you garden and try to co-exist with nature..I think this is just a little bit too zen for her..

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Oh-my- I almost forgot..

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Dec 12, 2008 | 4:30 AM PST
Tag: halarious tv..
Yesterday,one of the few times I watch daytime tv- Rachael Ray had a segment on Thrift Store buying..some guy buys for his clients or steers them where the good buys are. Women getting dresses-outfits for $26,etc. Their sitting there drooling- in total disbelief that clothes can be so cheap but in great shape. The episode was halarious to me, since we've been doing this all our lives-and I just couldnt fathom their shock over this.Heck- I can buy a nice dress for under $20-so I beat that all to heck.And speaking of clothes-I finally after all these years of not having warm boots-bought a pair at Wally world rated for -10* to -40 *.I thought a decent price of $36 for a good boot that should last me years was ok.Their similiar to the snowmobile boots we had when we were kids.So I'm very happy about that- my feet will now be toasty warm and I will hold off in asking for those diamonds, rubies and pearls for xmas...what more could a woman need...

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ALL IS OK SO FAR..

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Dec 12, 2008 | 4:12 AM PST
Tag: wow-the prices are higher..
I drew my water,had Jim go with me uptown for groceries,I found out Walmart was selling some Penningtons-and have been wanting to try some for experiment. The Athens pellets are doing ok-but want to try different brands,so he went and did that while I started the groceries.I was still in "Produce" when he got back-not having moved too awefully far. Anyways we got that done.Sometime in the middle of night- the stove ran out of pellets- which was no big deal,as we were going to put in the Penningtons when this batch ran out.I got up at 4:30,waited for him to get up so we could purge the auger.The lights flickered during this,got the stove running again,listening to weather reports. We now have about 4 inches.Got the gas log propane running to keep the dining room warm as lights keep flickering off and on.Its raining/sleet now,alternating back and forth.Cars dont seems to be slowing down though-plow trucks out in full force sanding & scraping.A good portion of the coast without power as their getting the rain-freezing rain brunt of it.Ours is more of a mixture.While I still had power- took a shower,and finished off the spegitti sauce,as I didnt have the paste yesterday.That generator will definitely be bought-and we wont wait for any sale- just a reasonable price will do.The gas company was on the ball yesterday and filled us up at the end of the day.LP gas is now $2.95 gal, we generally use about 20 gals. a month during winter--thats for cooking and the heater.Gas for the car is now $1.73 & oil is around $2.50. What I don't get is groceries are still high and still climbing.I love apple cider,and like to buy it between thanksgiving and Feb..Our local orchard supplies the store-I paid $4.00 a gal just before Thanksgiving,,now its jumped another whole dollar to $5.00. The orchard is in the next town-so it certainly isnt costing a whole lot to truck it so thats no excuse.I could see if they had to truck it from far away I quess.I may just end up going to the orchard to buy it from now on-as the store is ******* me off.The advertisements are constant on tv, declaring how inexspensive it is to shop at "Shop & Save"-how much money you'll save. What a crock...I really don't know how people with children are able to handle the high price of food.We dont normally go to this store too much as it usually costs us a bundle,instead we shop the discounts.I'm also not too impressed with their quality of produce,was more careful with picking out the fruit-veggies-and expected the fruit police to jump out at any moment & arrest me for overboard excessive fondling.Well- thats my rant for the day..all is ok in Central Maine so far-most schools have been cancelled,,but we're prepared if we lose power..

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These next 24 hrs...

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Dec 11, 2008 | 6:31 AM PST
Tag: kitchen smells..
We've all been warned repeatedly that we may lose the power all over the state.We've got rain- freezing rain- sleet & snow all rolling in within a few hours lasting till saturday morning. Jim will stay home tomorrow and we'll deal with the leak in the ceiling at bit. Glad we havent got the ceiling tiles up yet-as theyd be ruined. Hope we find the leak.. Today -soon-I'll go uptown -make sure we've got the basic groceries .Already pulled out the little radio- lights that run on batteries-lamps and candles. Will draw some water just in case. Making a batch of spegitti sauce now for dinner tomorrow night. We cook with gas-so thats no problem.Unfortunately the new pellet stove runs on electric power so thats out if we lose power-but have the log propane for back-up heat. We knew this when we bought it and planned for a small generator to be bought real soon-it will run the stove and a few lights- have it picked out already,,but cant afford to do the family party and that all in one shot- so it waits till xmas-our present to ourselves.I have to wonder if this is an indication of what we're in store for this winter- as we dont get ice storms this early on.I quess i could also bake something in the oven-like a cake, and heat up the kitchen. By saturday afternoon the weather will be ok they're saying. Got the cribbage board back out- maybe we can actually finish a game or two this weekend.Having a small problem with snow entering the ridge vent area of the roof in garage- thats not good.The contractor will have to come back in the spring and fix it for us- as JIm doesnt climb that high.In the meantime- some stuff will have to be covered over.Jim doesnt always eat breakfast but smelled the sauce starting to cook this morning-getting ready for work-which made him hungary-so I said stop and grab a breakfast sandwich,it may not be spegitti-but that will hold u over for the morning.The storm is already on our coast- so will go draw water now, and make my grocery list..

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Plodding along..

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Dec 8, 2008 | 6:07 AM PST
Tag: an in-between lull..
We got a little farther on the insulation in the garage,just the ceiling left to do. He got a piece needed for the heater-so he got 1/2 way with that.Tonite if he gets home at a decent hour, will do a little more,if hes got some left over energy. Walking on a cement floor seems to wipe me out and hurts my back after awhile.I got a needed nap in,but got the whole side wall done.this is more like a 4 day project it turns out,but hope to have heat out there by tomorrow.We've got an inch of snow- 2 more little storms coming this week.Had to trim back the rosemary bush a little-and can smell it sitting here beside me on the computor.Used the Rosemary-Herb rub on the turkey again this year- and it smelled and tasted wonderful. I didnt have any lemons for stuffing the inside so I used oranges,and it was just as good.Their just for flavoring,as I do the stuffing on top of the stove.Our family Xmas party is this weekend- where we do the "Yankee Swap", the adults bring a gift,then we all pick numbers from the hat-and it goes around-you can take someone elses present away from them,then at the end- the last person gets to pick from all of them. It produces some laughable moments,for sure-and some frowns which are more laughable,depending on what you get stuck with.And the kids all get their presents. Its potluck this year-with all bringing one dish.Its a good time- and certainly easier on everyones pocketbook doing it this way.This year I'll do the big stuffed mushrooms, and something else.We decided to have it here this year-as we have the 2 bathrooms and Moms place is to small to handle the gathering.I do think she likes this better as she can leave the mess at someone elses place{lol}and when she gets tired she just goes home for a nap.

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More insulation-oh my,,

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Dec 7, 2008 | 2:43 AM PST
Tag: where's that box..
If we weren't in full home improvement mode before- we certainly are now. We got the two walls done in the cellar. Just the crawl space left to go.My body is starting to adjust to the winter temps now-barely. We're now in the garage this weekend,so as the heater isnt hooked up yet-{today-} when I go inside, it feels like 90*-even though its 68*-70*.Our outside temps are 18*-30*. Last nite it snowed an inch,and covered everything a snowy pretty.We're outside in the garage now- because we had a chance at a trailor load of insulation-free.His boss is re-doing his attic insulation and pulled all of it out {good stuff,just a bit grubby},and it was up for grabs before going to the landfill.Clear the board of any other wishful projects,and focused on doing this & getting it done.Insulating the garage-starting with his workshop bay,was on the wish list for the not so distant future.A 3 day project-we're on day 2,we'll only end up having to buy 2 rolls.The back wall is done- heater gets hooked up this morning,ceiling is started,and a section of side wall done.With the "Radiant Barrier"over that- the heat should stay where it needs to be-then we can work on the solar projects over the winter out there- and be comfortable. More shelving to go up-totes to get emptied finally,and the new car will have a new finished bay.A wall divider to keep the heat in his bay also.Next year-we plan & hope-- a large solar collector on the back wall.This is one messy job-will be glad when this bay is all done,then can get back to the cellar.Will put up some solar lights today-he says their here in a box somewhere,,

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