Author: thecapeblog

Mike needed another doc, which I just scanned and emailed to him.

This evening, we went to a very good meeting of the Friends of Mashpee Wildlife Refuge. Nice people, and they filled us in on the unique qualities and background of the Reserve, the only one in the US that is managed by a coalition rather than a Federal government agency. I’m scheduled to meet with one of their officers to talk about their website next Wednesday.

We spent most of this morning doing errands in Falmouth: picked up a letter from our tax guy and a statement from BofA for the refi. Stopped at Job Lot, Walmart, the library and Beltone, which was closed.

Ron was fiddling with the furnace filter and forgot to put the door back on. I didn’t notice until it got down to 59 degrees, at which point I was ready to strangle him.

Roche Bros “5 Buck Cluck” for dinner tonight.

More insulting, stupid requests from the mortgage company, for which they blame the Federal Government. I was furious, finally asked poor Mike if he thought his mother, who is excellent at managing money, would agree to all these terms! Even had to ask our tax preparer to confirm in writing that we haven’t lied about our 2011 return.

Appliance company came to inspect and fix the leak under the sink. It was a fitting. Ron lost it two days ago when the owner nickle-and-dimed him over charging for a service call.

Cooked a Creole meal to celebrate Mardi Gras: red beans and rice and shrimp étouffée. Sauteed over-ripe bananas with a little rum, butter and brown sugar for Bananas Foster over yogurt. We skipped lunch, ate an early dinner and watched more of Treme, Season 2.

We were in New Bedford on Saturday for the March Wepecket Island concert and dinner, then Sandwich yesterday afternoon for a fun all-ages (from 5 to 70+) uke concert, then to Waquoit for an enjoyable set at the Higher Ground Coffee House.

Discovered yesterday that the dishwasher has been leaking.

Ron tore it up today, delivered Peter’s spare propane tank along with a hand-made wood stand to keep it off the deck; made another stand for our spare tank; bought four pretty cordial glasses and a cool winter hat at the COLA thrift shop; redeemed a pile of cans and bottles; picked up bread at the Senior Center and DVDs at the library; and now he’s making supper!

I worked diligently on Jim’s preowned selection page. Tired and looking forward to doing some actual programming for the Commission.

I went to a presentation at gGreen last night on healthy eating. A lot of vegan lore. I won a door prize.

I did it to myself this morning. Ron took on a coffee and cardamom grinding project today, as well as cleaning out the toaster oven. What a guy! Having an extra cup of the good stuff sent me into orbit.

Got our plans squared away for the next two weekends.

It was very cold this morning, 11 degrees. Glad I held off on cleaning leaves from the flower beds.

Spent part of yesterday talking with Mike about our refi. The appraiser nudged the value up a bit and we decided it was enough to go ahead. We’ll be able to wipe out three high-interest cards, assuming Mike can negotiate that for us.

Was looking at outdoor exercise equipment yesterday. Asked Catherine via email if the DPW would consider a proposal.

The appraisal came in low, and I’m exhausted from all the financial BS. Trying an equity line from HFCU.

Ron figured out how to get the shades off the chandelier in the kitchen and fixed a loose connection in the process. He also made a nice platform for the propane tank.

The pile of shingles is gone, gone, gone.

We went to a Steering meeting last night and the Senior Center this morning. I finally unleashed my unhappiness with the cliquishness there and got a sympathetic hearing from the new Director, who is a welcome change from the old regime.

Good meeting on Tuesday at the Commission.

Worked most of Wednesday pulling together a list of improvements for the appraiser: over $48,000 worth. I’m astonished, fearful that I spent foolishly and at no small cost.

Had a couple of helpful catch-up conversations with Chad Hathaway, the septic inspector, about Edgewater. He offered to give us an assist with the appraisal if needed.

One of Peter Randall’s traps caught a mouse at the end of the attic where we had the work done.

We had the new dishwasher installed yesterday, went over to Edgewater for the appraisal visit and after supper, I attended a Tea Party meeting. We picked up season 1 of “Treme” and a copy of “The Corner” at the Mashpee library.

Went to a really nice lecture about Yeats at the Falmouth Library this morning and joined the Friends of the Falmouth Library.

Our Peter dropped off the truck this afternoon. We gave him some bread that we picked up this morning at the Senior Center. I just shoveled a little across the street to make a path for Joe in case he drops by straight from a business trip (!)

My legs, arms and ankles hurt. Snow removal yesterday and continued today; not much today besides trying to clear the top of Ron’s van, a major pain, and I’m feeling it.

We got the transfer station run done, don’t ask how, I was half asleep, if not physically, then mentally. Did laundry, changed sheets.

Ron chainsawed some branches that were hitting the new siding. No damage here or at Edgewater, thank goodness.

Last week was Bonnie’s birthday or more correctly, un-birthday, the anniversary of Judy’s death, income tax docs, refi docs. Washing machine, dishwasher. High school drama production, Science Before Supper lecture. Ron did his bit last night for the WH Folk Music Society. Oh, and we gave blood.

I went on a video binge the entire weekend; that is, unless I was removing snow: Downton Abbey, Moyers and Company, almost the entire first season of The Wire, House of Cards.

Prescriptive easement argument today with next door neighbor.

Service fees to repair the washing machine and diagnose the dishwasher.

New dishwasher.

Appraisal inspection.

Driveway plowing.

Ron is off to the Woods Hole Folk Music Society.

We blew off the whole day yesterday, watched almost the entire first season of “The Wire”.