TheCapeBlog

We sent all but two – the ones that needed international stamps – yesterday after I found the mailing labels. Had enough cards left over from prior years for everyone. We went through most of two sheets of stamps that Ron had purchased a couple of weeks ago.

I wished people a good decade: ten times better than happy new year.

Figured out the issue with full calendar and date formatting. Uploaded a sample for the brain trust to review.

The Bakers dropped off a plate of gorgeous cookies and a little coffee cake. Nice!

I had the truck’s oil changed and the battery replaced at Sullivan Tire.

Sent Em, Ami and Toddy their Christmas gift, early so they could shop. Em sounds grounded and happy: the best gift we could receive.

We are, of course, proud of the boys for making their way in the world without the benefit of money and college.

I got good news this week, can ignore a bill received last month for lab services from February. Pays to ask before writing the check.

My sleep schedule is still off, up early, down before nine.

The bathrooms are almost finished and third time was the charm for the big medicine cabinet, which looks great in the upstairs bathroom.

The brain trust was assembled yesterday to go over the state of things. Most important was the adjuster, who assured us that we are covered for interior damage but probably not the chimney.

Three masons checked it out yesterday. We got an estimate from one who thinks it’s sound and only in need of maintenance. I am very relieved. Waiting for the other two reports.

Flooring will need to be replaced and will be covered by insurance in the living room and master bedroom, and that’s fine.

Nice chat with Patrice at the bank. Turns out, she’d recommended Robert for the position at the East Falmouth branch.

We did a transfer station run yesterday and handed out our small but sincere tips to 3 of the 4 workers. I fried veg burgers for lunch, never again, and stir fry with baked tofu and fake chicken “tots” for supper.

Rolling right along with MRS. Got help from DotDigital tech support yesterday afternoon on the enrollment confirmation email setup.

Meeting tomorrow with the adjuster. The roofer installed more barrier around the chimney last evening, before the snow. Rain predicted for today.

Ferguson thinks the brickwork is repairable. Still waiting for him to send contact info for masons.

Yesterday I had my teeth cleaned and got caught up on parts of “Intelligence” that I’d slept through.

Potted up the fennel, brought it inside.

Ron and I made the trip to Wareham on Sunday for a medicine cabinet. Their price was $20 higher than Hyannis; the clerk took it off their price. Two workers removed it from the box so we could inspect it and retaped the box.

Hoping the bathrooms get done today. Job interview in Yarmouth this afternoon. Fortunately, looks like rain, not sleet or snow.

Cathy and Cindy were over for brunch today. Cathy brought bagels and cream cheese, Cindy brought melon. We provided vegetarian lasagna, salad, cookies from White’s, coffee and rum punch.

Ron did clean up and made a dash to Walmart for his meds. I did the transfer station run for us and returned two recycling bins to Edgewater. Returned the medicine cabinet, which was damaged, and sink fittings that were the wrong size to Home Depot/Hyannis.

The poor souls who work there have to deal with the nastiest people God ever put on the earth. I learned that a “bravo” gets them a cash gift.

I bought/ordered him a shoe kit, a Grumpy mug and a garden kneeler.

Between yesterday and today, I’ve spoken to maybe a dozen people about the leakage problem at Edgewater.

The most recent diagnosis is the chimney liner. There are disputes about what skill set is needed to fix it.

I rode with James to Brockton yesterday. Spent some quality time at White’s, bought new shoes at the New Balance outlet in Avon, then took photos at Blue Hill Cemetery for the plot ad.

Had lunch at Panera and as I was leaving the parking lot, James texted that he was done early. He did well, passed his exam and is now a teller rather than a trainee.

He’s looking forward to advancing in the company to a corporate role. Hey, why not? He seems to be in a place where talent and attitude count.

So, I’ve touched bases, multiple times, with the adjuster and the water remediation company. At one point yesterday, I had 3 text conversations going on the iPhone. The battery that Robert sold me back in the iCape days was a lifesaver.

Ron and I made a trip to Hyannis today to return a damaged medicine cabinet and the ceramic tiles and to pick up a different medicine cabinet. Ron is off to get more vinyl tiles for the downstairs bathroom. It will all be nice when it’s done.

Yesterday was Peter’s birthday. Ron had done a run to Duxbury for the cake earlier this week. James brought it home after dropping me off.

Snow this morning, rain yesterday.

After his appointment at Beltone in Hyannia, Ron picked up Peter’s cake at FarFar’s in Duxbury and brought home a container of gingerbread ice cream for us.

I was dubious, but it was a very good choice.

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In the meantime, I got to see Geri’s Christmas decorations: stunning. We had lunch at the Daniel Webster, got a window seat next to their tree; Free stayed in the truck. Free and Tooby look a lot alike, and both suffer terribly from anxiety. It hurts the heart to see it.

John was able to beat the rain and pick up supplies at Home Depot. I got a call to authorize the charge while I was on the way to pick up Geri and Free.

While having lunch, got another call from John and a text from Peter. John found even more damage than we feared in the living room wall. The insurance company is sending a water remediation inspector over today, and I have a call in to Capizzi to see if we have a warranty on workmanship for the roof.

The new calendar was well received at MRS. Working on a few minor edits and if I can stay focused, plan to do final testing today. I’m sick of web work: little programming, lots of config, jerking around with UI, and mind reading third party APIs.

In the way of domestic chores, I – finally – potted the rosemary and unplugged the bathroom sink with the plunger.

Jason installed the new igniter in the stove and didn’t charge for the second house call! Brilliant…..

I ordered materials for the bathroom projects.

Ron astutely noticed that the flooring is tile, i.e., needs to be mortared. This was not in the plans so John and Peter came up with a vinyl “snap in” option.

I was back and forth with Home Depot chat several times. The customer service reps were terrific.

We went to the Tribe’s holiday fair and nacho lunch on Saturday, then to the Osterville Library to see Selin. Bought three of her small works.

Made Saturday brunch plans and menu with Cathy and Cindy and bought their gifts and rum for punch at the packie in Centerville. We stopped into the Stop & Shop to see Emma, but she wasn’t there and not answering her phone, either.

Went to Home Depot in Hyannis for the Edgewater project, some of which now needs to be returned. Picked up a couple of things at Stop & Shop and Job Lot.

Took a much needed break at Pain d’Avignon.

Did laundry, changed sheets. Ron made pasta and salad for supper.

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Was afraid I’d missed it, a meeting this afternoon on possible changes to the rotary.

Yesterday, we did laundry and two transfer station runs. I treated us to lunch at Panera, thinking a prepaid card from MassSave would work; it didn’t.

P&B paid all of December and the balance of November rents. John F. gave us a call on the repairs at Edgewater. Asked P&B to send us their picks for upstairs toilet and vanity.

Ron has lost his mind; he’s been hanging used coffee filters in the basement laundry area, figuring to “save money”. Big argument about leaving lights on yesterday. Meanwhile, we are bleeding cash in loan interest, which we hope to stop once P&B buy the house.