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dbjc364's October 2009 Entries

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Heat...!!

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Oct 24, 2009 | 12:52 PM PST
Tag: warm feet..
Oh! what a sweet feeling!!... There's a bit of picking up to do down there again,,but we have heat down there finally!.. In 45 minutes the cellar went from 48* to 55*,just getting the fire started.By tomorrow morning it should be toasty.Its raining buckets- from 1 & 1/2 inches to 3 inches today.The sun reappears tomorrow. Its 46* outside,but raw and feels so chilly.I just know we're in for some ice storms this winter. My feet have been like icicles for the last 2 weeks waiting for this stove to get hooked up.He's babysitting it now,and got his radio with him,I keep going down to feel the sweet heat,& checking it out-taking pics. update- its still sweet! its been going a week now, and the floors are warm-no cold feet, the house is warm,I have to open the bedroom window a bit,most nights.Today,he'll pick up some plywood so we can start building a bin for the coal. We've been watching the news off & on, watching whats happening in the midwest.Thats got to be a record! And we know the cold is heading this way- they say we're in for our winter temps this coming week for real,no teasing.Summer is doing its last hurrah giving us 55* for a couple days-but the chilly nights have given us some very nice foliage this year.Its rain right now again,tomorrow will be partly sun,with 55*. Been stocking the pantry with the baking necessities for the holidays and winter in general,and giving to the food cupboards. Landons school is doing a contest food drive,and so far the preschoolers are in 1st place for the amount of food given.I dont know if theres a prize or not,but its certainly funny to see the little ones in the lead. An area highschool has 200 kids out with the flu,not sure if its the swine or regular. Very limited vaccines available for those who need it.So far, we're ok,and all people we talk to feel the same way,its blown way out of porportion trying to scare people into taking it,most dont want the vaccine,and would rather tough it out.Well, after putting in their orders for millions of doses,if they cant talk people into getting it,then what are they going to do with all that stuff.Day after day, many ads on tv, promoting it,spending thousands of $$ on advertising.People are just fed up with the pharmecutical drug manufacturers,and their products not working or giving way to many side effects.There is a quiet revolt happening all across the country.It looks like our neighbors to the north{Canada} are doing a pretty good job with wind power projects,trying to find alternative choices for energy. If people can build cars in their garages powered with batteries,that get 100 m.p.g., then whats the car manufacturers problem? Whats the matter-dont you want to buy a car with a price tag of $70,000-$100,000? Its so utterly ridiculus-but has us laughing,so at least we are getting some entertainment value from it.It should be an interesting decade coming up for sure..

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Lots of garlic..

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Oct 21, 2009 | 1:37 AM PST
Tag: another good year..
I planted the last garlic bulb,layed on the hay, and covered it with the black screen.Took more kitchen compost out to the rolling bin,which desperately needs to be emptied this weekend.We all lov garlic,and its fairly easy to grow here,if you follow the basics.In the late spring we get the scapes to eat, that grow tall & curl around and look so nifty.I planted 15 cloves this time.I use garlic in most dishes,and lov the smell of it too.It only took up 1/2 the bed-so I can plant something else on the other side in the spring.I buy the jarred minced garlic,but this has much more smell and flavor.The guys left early for Dads,about 2 hrs away,and to pick up a load of coal on the way back.At first jim thought he just needed a new cable,but its fried,he just needs a new comp.Well,they got his comp desk moved into a better spot anyways,and dad can do some major cleaning of the dust bunnies,and arrange his living room better,as its small.The glass came in for the stove,Jim got the firebricks positioned in,and they got the chimney in to the top.Rick will work on the very top piece today.A good warm sunny day today,so I'll finally get to cover the strawberries. I can't store the Amyrallis bulbs in the cellar anymore, as its going to be too warm with the stove,so I'll have to store them in the bulkhead or fridge.I think I'll try the bulkhead first.The bush morning glories finally gave up the fight,and the blooms lasted a long time this year,so now I can finally pull them up.I only need one more month of Indian summer,and I can get the things done that I want,but I dont think mother nature is going to give it to me.The camper is nestled in the barn now,away from the winds,and Rick uses the electric oil-filled heater-on low, and says its still toasty warm out there.Rain due in tomorrow again,so I hope to get some outdoor stuff done today.

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Almost there..

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Oct 20, 2009 | 12:40 AM PST
Tag: thats some big carrot Harry..
We're getting closer and closer now.Picked up the new firebrick for the stove.The guys will install the rest of the chimney today.We have enough stove pipe for the run we have.But- a slight accident.Jim was putting on the gasket, and cracked the glass,so had to order a new piece,but that should also be in today or tomorrow.So we should have the stove going by the weekend at least.Rick & I took the last of the leaves out to the bin,and I decided to look at the carrots-while I took some weeds out to dump.Well, I never made it to the dumping,because the 1st one I pulled up was huge.So, I dug up a small bunch,and couldnt believe the size of them & the good condition.2 years ago I planted carrots but they were rather malformed,so I could tell the soil wasnt prepped good. Today I will get the camera and take pics.I say a small bunch,but that bunch was quite heavy lugging back to the kitchen.Washed them all up, and giving away the 1st bunch to mom and brother.There's plenty left.Apparently they like those nice deep beds.So another bunch will get planted next year in the 2nd bed.And I didn't fuss with those beds as far as prepping the soil,as Rick was in such a rush to get stuff in.Well, that left us with scratching our heads trying to figure out what we did right,so we could do it again.Today I'll cover them over with some hay, so we can continue to pick for some more weeks.Even though we've gone down to the 20's and low 30's, the tops were fine.We both looked at each other after and said," you know-what we should have done,",,so now we're thinking of next season,and what we're going to do to be better prepared for the rainny or frost spells.The one thing we didnt have this year was a bug problem. I saw no bugs.Just the powdery mildew,if thats what it was,which we still managed to get a decent amount regardless.After chilling temps-we've gone into another Indian summer stretch.We're at 70% leaf peak.The days are sunny, all this week and hitting 55*.The nights go down to 25-32*.And now I have some time to garden,as we're done with the other house for this year-but of course winter is upon us,and everything wants to take a nap.A greenhouse would cure that gardening itch for sure..

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I'd never make it..

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Oct 12, 2009 | 3:35 PM PST
Tag: pine needles..!!!
living in the south. Especially with all those creatures like alligators.I'm a New Englander for sure. Just give me a big ol' moose walking across the yard anyday. I lov all 4 seasons, and cant even fathom living without them,the good & the not so good. I would surely wilt over there.The 6 month flip of the mattresses and the putting on of the heated mattress pads today is now a ritual.When that gets done,you know winters coming.They are giving us a 30 & 40 % chance of snow this weekend.We havent had snow on Halloween since I was a kid.I got my Farmers Almanac.So far,their close enough.Now,since we took out the furnace especially, I'm so glad we have those heated pads,especially after reading that. Well,hmm,didnt get to the shredding of leaves,as we needed to button up the front porch,going around with the plastic,as rain due again tomorrow.They got all washed up,Jim working on the outside,me inside,plus cleaning and rearranging the porch.He's just about done,so that took the day.Well-at least its done,and I dont think I'm going to bother to take it off,till we're ready to rebuild it.We dont use it at all anyways.Since Rick leveled it up, we could open the windows but the storms still went very hard because their just old.Rick will be home any minute,and I'm sure he's hungary,and spegitti is one of his favorites so I'm glad I got a big bowl ready.I could eat it once a week or every 2 weeks,but he could eat it 3 times a week.Since the lawn mower has the mulcher on,all I have to do really is run the leaves over instead of dragging out the shredder.More sun at the second part of the week anyways.Well-we buttoned up the house up north licketey split,have the chimney here and its the right size,and we came back sunday instead of monday.A nice breezy sunny fall day and Jim was glad to be home doing the windows today instead of driving on the road.Kiddie school tomorrow with rain,I bet those 16 kids are going to go bonkers,but maybe they take them to the gym to let off that energy.Update- The porch is all done now,Rick finally killed all the spegitti,he's putting in some long hours on the job.When I dropped off Landon the other day,I spied what I thought might be pine needles all bagged up under some tall pine trees next to the road.Perhaps they were taking them to the landfill,and by the next day I decided to knock on their door and inquire.Sure enough the fella that they usually give them to didnt get back to them, and I could have all I wanted.Yippee!! I filled the little car with 4 bags,then got a 2nd batch run,then a 3rd when I took Landon home,to have a total of 12 huge bags.I put them all in the carport,and tonite we'll gather all the bags-pine needles and leaves in the trailor, and store them in the large bin for spring.I had used up what I had last fall,and needed another round.So that was a very good day for me.If I have time this afternoon I could go get another 3 bags,which I probaly will.That'll be enough to hold me 2 seasons.After I got home and settled a bit- ready for a cup of Swiss Mocha, Ma had called and had another 7 bags of leaves.So I went and got them and had coffee with them.I was pooped out by the time I stopped at 6:00.Its up in the air whether or not I'll go with Jim on saturday-if Ricks not working he'll go,and I'll get some stuff done around here,if he is, then I'll go.I sure as heck hope we can get back to the chimney going in on sunday.The hole is temporaryily buttoned up but I can feel the coldness coming in without insulation or a wall behind the stove.Many parts of Maine got snow 1-3 inches this week,but we got rain,thank goodness as I still have things to pick up in the yard.I can just feel it ,we're in for a cold winter.

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Rain again,,,

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Oct 10, 2009 | 12:35 AM PST
Tag: winding down..
hi-ho,hi-ho,its the wet drops I know..at least for the morning they say.Ok- whatever..We'll be on our way this morning driving north,and the store called, the chimney is in!! So long as its the right size-make and model,I quess we're good to go! We borrowed one of his sisters heaters to get us thru the chilly night,and plan to come back sunday instead.Blow out the water lines-board up the back door-grab the fridge food.Even though Dad lives on the way, we decided to go to his place the following weekend instead,to fix his computor.Trying to stuff too much in a weekend drives one crazy and tired.He's only about 2 hrs away.The work employment place called, and Rick goes to work on monday,after being unemployed for quite awhile.The benefits have long run out,and he's definitely bored with not working,and no bills are getting paid.They said they have a week for him, so hopefully just getting his foot in the door will turn into something more,which many times it does.He knows how to do so much connected with a house,plus many other things.I wish I could afford to keep him on a perpetual payroll fixing all that needs it around here,but I'll have to win the lottery for that.Landon is doing good with preschool,and its plumb tuckering him right out.When I pick him up,he's on the playground running around,& rosy cheeks.A bit more cranky,getting used to the new schedule,but taking a good nap even for his mother now, and bed at 8 pm.I almost think she should try 7:30.I have my 2 bales of hay now to cover the garlic and other tender plants,and I'll plant another garlic bulb from this years crop.We've had to wait on planting the fruit trees,but,this coming spring we hope to plant the dwarf apple trees,espalier style. That will be a nice addition to the backyard.Next year is all about planting,which is always a good thing...

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All mixed up,,

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Oct 7, 2009 | 2:35 AM PST
Tag: playing in the dirt..
and done planting.The garlic bed was calling me as the guys wrestled with the stove.I threw in 2 bags of the lobster compost and peat,plucked a few stray weeds out,and actually got the 3 of them done simutaneously.Well the loam was still a bit moist from all the rain,still a bit heavy to turn by hand,by then Rick was back on the roof.I yelled up to him- "after your done puttering up there-come fire up this Mantis for me"!! He did a quick till on all 3,much easier than I could,mixing up the goodies and I said wish I had those leaves right about now.But their not falling very fast from the trees this year.I planted the garlic with a sigh. Covered it over with the black tarp till I get the hay.Then covered the other 2. Went inside and Ma had called,got 6 bags of leaves...come get them whenever your ready! I scooted over after a short nap to pick up my bags of gold.Its started pouring now,rain all day & sun's suppose to reappear tomorrow,and I put the bags in the gardenshed this time,so their dry and ready for me.I will shred them up and carefully mix them in around and thru the garlic -add the hay-and add to the other 2 beds.More to come soon she said.Still have to empty the compost tumbler in one and add some horse poop.But at least their 3/4 done now.The sides of the bulkhead got backfilled-so I can now plant the crocus.Jim worked on cutting the hood over the stove and removing another hot air duct that was big & gommy and in the way.I think the warm air will just drift up naturally thru the registers & floor anyways.And there's still plenty left in place.He'll be awhile on this part of reshaping the metal.The store called,never heard of the Horticulture cornmeal,cant get it but can get the molasses for me. Looks like I have to order it online.Well- ok, they must be using it in other parts of the country,but I think the health food store may just carry it,as all it is, is whole ground cornmeal.The stuff we eat from the supermarket is the enriched middle part.Maybe I used the wrong word term for them but thats what they call it.Its damp & chilly again,a good day to bake a chicken for supper.More planting tomorrow.

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All painted up..

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Oct 6, 2009 | 3:38 AM PST
Tag: like the low maintenence stuff..
And looking pretty good. The stove sits down in the bulkhead,waiting for a heavy duty dolly to move it about 12 feet. Weighing 450 lbs,and our dolly just isnt rugged enough.After Jim left for work and I got the kitchen cleaned up, I went across the street and asked the fella if he could use something more rugged than our tractor and lift it down in the bulkhead. Not a problem,sometime in the morning.He brought over his forklift around 12:30, we had it all ready,and it was down there in less than 10 min.While we had been waiting for him to come over, my upstairs toilet was having an issue flushing.It never had a problem before,but I had talked to Jim many times about having a look see in the tank this year and probaly needing to be pumped out. Its been 5 yrs,the guy said 4 yrs would be pushing it when we had it pumped when we moved in. Because all the other stuff needing doing,we hadn't gotton that far,but it was always in the front of my mind,and making me a bit nervous.Rick does septic systems with my other brother,and I mentioned about the toilet -so he said we'd find it and dig it up and see whats going on.It took us a few holes to find it,I know the info got wrote down with the location when we moved in,but didnt know where the paper was.This time this woman handles the details,the info goes on a card and gets taped to the electrical box.Besides I'm standing out there,and looking at the roof line of where it lines up,so its something I'll remember,whereas I didnt pay attention the last time-didnt think I needed to.Instead of making alot of holes,we knew the general location- I said get the tractor out for the first few inches of digging.We found it after a few more minutes.Yup--it was full within just a few inches to the top,and the baffle closet to the house was plugged.Made the call, the guy said he had a big job to do, so wasnt sure if he could get here before wednesday.I said no doing laundry till its cleaned out for sure. I'd have to go to the laundry mat if I needed to. One of the most foolish things in life is to have our washing machines drain into a septic system.There are some places that are finally catching a clue and using the water to irrigate,but it seems it takes a long time to convince people after proven research, that its ok.It started raining a bit near 5pm,and he pulled into the driveway. The sun kept popping in and out,,and as he was pumping it out,a huge rainbow appeared so close in the field,then a double.It happens alot here in the field,just behind the house,but we hadn't had one since July.It got to such an intense color, I got the camera and started snapping pics, the fella got his phone out and starting taking some-Rick got his out and snapped.It lasted about 15 minutes. We need 3 new little tank covers next spring,as the handles had rusted away,but those aren't exspensive.I dont know what it costs to get pumped out anywhere else in the country,but here its $165.I'm glad its pay week,and its done.We definitely wont wait 5 yrs the next time,as that certainly could have been a disaster in the middle of winter.Theres no way it would have gone thru the winter.Whew! that was a close call.Today Jim will get the dolly,and they'll wrestle the stove into place.I can finally get to the garlic bed this morning to plant-sunny skies today,and finish that chore.I did get to some mowing of the high grass spots with the push before it started raining yesterday,and rounding up garden shed stuff in a pile.The chimney top goes on today.One of the other things we did this year was to install the air conditioner in the wall.I dont know why I never thought of it before,but Rick did the job,and I no longer have to bug Jim to put it in during the heat of summer. He made a box to cover it over for the winter so he'll also put that on today also. The downstairs one will get done in the spring,and no more messing with them.The temps are at 46*,today it'll hit 60-65* with sun,and just perfect for lawn chores...

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Alot of raindrops,,,

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Oct 5, 2009 | 2:58 AM PST
Tag: please let the snow hold off..
Saturday started out a day of heavy rain-then lightened up to a heavy mist. Just before dark it stopped.The guys didnt want to be stuck indoors all day with nothing to do,so they each got on projects regardless.Ricks still plugging along with getting the chimney squared away. There seems to be alot to getting a chimney in place,alot of little things.He's building a box on the top that the insulated stainless steel chimney goes thru to accept a collar.The ones they have on the market for sale usually don't fit right,given that every house has a different pitch to their roof.My other brother went thru the same thing and still has to redo his.So the box is done and primed,and now that the roof is dry he can put that on and fasten it down.I'm getting nervous about the stainless chimney itself now.We had to order 3 pieces from a place up north where it was originally bought,-its suppose to be in when we take our final trip and can pick it up when we get there.It came out of the northern house and we need more pieces for the height of this house.No phone call yet that its in.That means an extra trip if it doesn't come in on time by Saturday or an extra shipping charge.Jim started working on the stove,we could use it the way it was,but decided to clean it up better,so he wire brushed it,cleaned it,painted it.The glass is ok,but alot of scratches from someone using a steel wool to it,so will order another.And ordering another set of firebricks,as a few are busted.The stove itself now looks spiffy & brand new.I sure hope we get it downstairs tomorrow. Jim hung the solar lights in the sheds,fixed his chainsaw,and puttered back and forth all day after finishing the stove.I spent some time in the kitchen,making apple muffins, a pumpkin cake.A new recipe for the cake which came out fine,but its not the recipe I used last year,as I couldnt find it,and doesnt have a good taste of pumpkin,so I will search for it again.I'm still waiting for more backfill to plant the crocus around the bulkhead,between a lot of rain & everything else taking priority,so one of these guys has to do it tomorrow.Ricks been on the roof 4 times trying to stop the leaks,we're down to just one now- and the next rain will tell if he stopped it.We hope the decent weather holds out 50-65* most days in between the rain.Plowing thru list after list of small stuff is proving to be as big as the big construction stuff....

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A puttering weekend..

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Oct 3, 2009 | 2:53 AM PST
Tag: 50 putters on a list..
Well- I know there's plenty of people out there who use the cornmeal.I'm just not finding them apparently.Or the store personnel aren't exploring various options. I called the feed store to see if they had it before I drive over there next week.Never heard of using it,but she would order me some after she makes a call and will call me back next week.And mainers are pretty good about gardening organically.I shudder to think what it will cost for me to order online to ship it,but I will keep exploring.Rick and I puttered in the cellar again,he removed one hot air duct that was in the way,one water line no longer being used.I got the all paint cans straightened around on shelving,we set up the pallets for the coal bags,he made a temporary door instead of just hanging a tarp,jim can use that plywood to make the real one,when we finally come inside to work.We went and got another ton of wood pellets,put the trailor in the carport in case it poured last night,but I dont think it did.Cloudy again today,and pouring again tomorrow.Jim is going to work on the coal stove today painting it,and getting it ready. We hope to engage the fella across the street to lower it into the hole for us with his big tractor.My gardenshed is starting to look like a war zone again..Another whole day of puttering for us.

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Under the sea..

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Oct 2, 2009 | 12:53 AM PST
Tag: now I have the Little Mermaid song in my head..
The Horticulture cornmeal is for conditioning the soil organically,but more importantly to guard against many a soil fungus,so I am really quite obsessed with getting some.And they say it really works,its been studied extensively in research,and used by many in the gardening world.Broadcast spreading it on the lawn also helps.The dry molasses is for conditioning the soil.Both items I will have to buy at a feed store.They work at their best when used together. 2lbs for every 100 sq. feet.I've been dealing with powdery mildew here for 4 straight yrs.now,so time to add these nutrients.The bagged lobster compost is calcium rich,and the things from the sea like seaweed-kelp,many people swear it improves the plants like magic. I buy it when its on sale.I also put on my gloves,take my lobster-clam shells after a good feed,put them in a plastic garage bag,and run them over with the lawn mower,and add them to the compost pile.A bit stinky- but then so is the compost.If anyone else is having lobster for supper I ask them for their shells.My mom says,you dont want to put them in the compost-you'll have every critter in a 5 mile radius here.Knock on wood,I quess I dont have lobster eating racoons.Once in awhile,I'll see the corn cobs pushed around from something rooting,but so far critters haven't bothered us.Right now in central Maine the lobster goes for around $10 a lb.,in winter it goes even much higher.I can drive an hour & 1/2 away,and get it for $3.99 a lb.,go figure.So on the next northern trip,taking the coastal route for a stretch on the way back,we'll do a lobster feed as its much cheaper.Rick picked our one nice cuke,I got 4 squash to give away,and starting to get those 2 beds ready for the spring along with the garlic bed.Three out of five is probaly as far as I'll get.I've got bagged leaves coming shortly,I shred them down further,which is a nice sunny afternoon chore in the fall,and put them in the beds.We're at 50% peak leaf time.I'm hoping Rick can hop on the tractor today and fill some beds with loam. We're waiting for it to dry out a bit after all that rain.All is calm here,just puttering with alot of small stuff.Today I'll pick the 3 celery plants also.

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Rain this week..

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Oct 1, 2009 | 4:43 PM PST
Tag: more frogs in cellar..

Ok- I managed to touch some dirt.But it wasn't to plant the garlic. I spent some needed time in between all the raindrops, emptying plant pots & baskets into the bed that the garlic is going.Tomorrow if no rain,adding 2 bags of lobster compost,and will pick up seaweed stuff next spring.The last 4 days have been rain on & off.The temps dropped, it's now 46*,damp & chilly,and been running the stove off & on for the last 2 weeks.I checked out the Flea Marketplace and going to hold off for a bit to see how it goes.Its in a bit of a difficult location,and when entering or leaving you have to go with the flow of the traffic else you'll never get back into the traffic,so that may discourage people from the shopping experience. The prices are a bit up there for a rental spot also,so I think once they open they'll have to adjust their prices.The old shower stall is gonzo! and bought a new toilet seat as the old one was splitting.Nothing like a good pinch..lol. Ok-tomorrows forecast is partly sunny,and finally I can get to the garlic.I still havent found some Horticulture Cornmeal,looks like I'll have to travel to the Farmers Union store a few towns away.I might as well get Dry Molasses while I'm at it,and do the bed good.I picked the last 4 squash,we're leaving the carrots in for a while yet. I should be able to cover them with hay and maybe still harvest in December. The cellar door opening got a door frame,now we can put up a sheet of plywood to keep it a bit warmer.I'm ready for that stove to get put in the cellar and situated,-I have 2-3 more weeks before the chimney will be installed but they can do all the other stuff. Lasagna supper at moms tomorrow night, the lady that used to babysit us kids when we were real little is coming for a visit.I was 3-4,so I really dont remember her,but I'm sure she's got some stories about the antics from the 5 of us.More rain this weekend...

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