Month: August 2024

We returned to the Junction Cafe for cappucinos this morning.

Ron wanted wine at West’s and I found (finally) Metaxa7.

Brought home bakery from the AFrame, finished up just as three other cars pulled in.

Received an email that the cheapskates at Insight will not be sending our $300 until the end of the month. It was supposedly mailed last Friday: liars.

I spent part of the afternoon doing more cleaning and rearranging in the sunroom. Got the bar area cleaned; we put the windows in the attic. Ron worked on the shop vac.

Ron got a nice cheese lasagna; heated half of it, made a salad to go along with for supper.

May have found a wardrobe for the third bedroom.

We enjoyed the excerpt from Midsummer Night’s Dream presented by a troupe of Bennington players – an unexpected treat.

This followed a busy afternoon: pasta lunch at the Senior Center and an unplanned trip to Pittsfield to drop off new patient materials and a letter for Berkshire Housing.

We missed a visit from a roofer (caught up with him today to apologize).

Met with a banker to discuss debt consolidation. I’m holding off until rates come down.

We lost internet around noon. I stupidly confused the modem with the router and ended up calling Spectrum for help. Worked great after following the correct procedure to restart.

The big news is that Dale from Insight thoroughly inspected the garage roof and found no leaks. I joined him in the “attic” which didn’t have a damp odor at all and no water stains.

So, we have a mystery. Might be that the drain in the garage backed up. Very happy it’s not the solar panels.

Dale discovered that the truck is leaking and took a photo. I booked an appointment for next Tuesday and emailed the photo to Norm.

I had some errands: deposit check, pick up Dr. Donahue’s paperwork for my HMLP application and a free Pendleton Black Watch plaid robe in North Adams for Ron that needs a stitch.

Vacuumed the “solarium”. Made supper: fresh corn, leftover green beans, “chicken” patties. Good!

We enjoyed the tea, as always, and instead of sitting by ourselves, had an actual fun conversation about the arts with our writing group leader and her friend.

Later we filled in and spread mulch on the expanded garden area.

Constant criticism
Withholding affection as punishment
Blaming you for their problems
Ignoring your boundaries
Unpredictable emotional reactions
Gaslighting
Comparing you unfavorably to others
Excessive control
Lack of empathy for your feelings
Using guilt to control you
Making you the parent
Dismissing your achievements
Isolation from friends and family
Sarcasm and mockery
Threats and intimidation
Emotional blackmail
Neglecting your emotional needs
Projecting their issues onto you

It was luck or maybe just trying enough different things to stumble on the right one, but I was able to get the garage door working. Phew.

Taking advantage of tax-free weekend, ordered a different version of the sound bar online and chemicals for the gardens from Aubuchon.

Ron fixed the hose so we can now attach a nozzle.

I made blueberry pancakes and a salad. Popcorn for a snack.

Enlarged the center garden and planted the new hibiscus.

The thing about work is that I do it all the time even though I’m retired.

Today I finished scrubbing the pantry walls and shelves and started on the kitchen counters.

Changing venues to outside, I picked up branches blown down in last night’s rainstorm.

The hardest thing about work is getting started. The hardest thing about housework is that unlike a paid job, you don’t get rewarded, as with a paycheck.

On the other hand, you’re gratified that you haven’t had to spend your money to hire someone else to do it.

Ron did a great job mowing in the rain yesterday and this morning finished two “squares” that he’d missed in the downpour.

Today I raked up grass clumps in the back yard. Front didn’t need much care, was good.

We both worked on cleaning the lawn mower. It was so clogged on the bottom that it wouldn’t start, so Ron scraped it off and I emptied the grass catcher and cleaned the top, sort of.

It was good to be outside for a while.

Later on we lost power but only for about an hour and a half. Ron took the truck to Walmart; I showered with flashlights for illumination, which was rather nice.

Unfortunately, I did something wrong opening the garage door and now it doesn’t work electronically.

Ron cleaned the air cleaner cover and replaced the air filter with a brand new one from Walmart. Then he mowed the front and back yards – the last chunk in the pouring rain.

Vermont Roofing inspected the roof, found problem with the installation of some of the base plates.

Quick run to the transfer station with compostables.

I prepared a package of ravioli that’s been in the freezer for a while.

One roofing company came today, another is scheduled for the 16th. The one who came today doesn’t do repairs.

I’m done with cleaning the shelves in the pantry and still working on reorganizing.

We went to Walmart for meds and stopped at the Project for take-out. Picked up vegetables that are too far gone so we’ll compost them.

Did a laundry.

Missed the annual “Night Out” last night. I wanted to attend but it slipped my mind.

We picked up the CSA veggies and harvested rhubarb and mint that the gardeners at Wild Soul River generously provide to the community.