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Mr. Fluffles seems to be much better today, eating, purring and head-butting. His vet called (again) last night to check on his progress, and we appreciate his thoughtfulness.
I had a good day yesterday, took care of some annoying business – gas for the truck, laundry, paid a bill online – then had a very upbeat and productive meeting in Fall River, did the circuit in New Bedford: Grossman’s Bargain Outlet, Building 19, Sid Wainer Gourmet Foods, Friendly Donuts and Friendly Fruit. Stopped off to pick up a bus schedule at Tedeschi’s, had a couple of good phone conversations in the evening.

He seems to be almost back to normal now, but Mr. Fluffles gave me a scare this week when he suffered a four-day bout of diarrhea and vomiting.
I have no idea what brought this on, but he was so sick that I brought him to the vet, not once, but twice.
It’s been exhausting, trying to clean up after him. I feel sorry for the poor fellow, but there have been times I’ve just wanted to put him out in the snow to clean him up!

Emme and I had a nice lunch today and did some shopping at the Cape Cod Mall.

Some generous colleagues had given me a Best Buy gift certificate, and I bought a little microwave that was on sale for 1 cent less than the gift certificate. I used the microwave tonight, and am happy to have food come out hot, actually hot.

We went to Game Stop and Emme was thrilled to find a game that she’s been wanting since Christmas. So, that took care of her birthday present.

We also stopped at a toy shop, and I picked up a craft which I hope she can work on tomorrow. The shop is having a contest, but even if she doesn’t win, it’ll be fun for her to have her work on display.

As part of my campaign to get the house in order, I decided to clean out my old toolbox.

Among other things, there was a handful of pennies, which I shook in a jar with vinegar and salt to get off the patina, and a 1970 dime which, if it had been solid silver and not silverplate, would be worth around $1,000.

Continue reading Cleaning Out the Toolbox

Had a good time sledding with the boys yesterday, and no one was hurt.
Picked up my order at Gourmet Gallery. Had done laundry and vacuuming in the morning. Rearranged the kitchen.
Today, I paid bills, unloaded the dishwasher, changed Fluffles’ litter, changed sheets, and loaded trash on the truck; had lunch, stopped in to Cirelli’s and Banker’s Life in Middleboro; redeemed deposit bottles, went to the transfer station, returned a library book.
Attached the cable drop to the rafters in the cellar and have been cleaning up the mess that used to be in the toolbox.
It infuriates me to think how much time and energy I had to spend on work, and the toll on me and the house. Between the yard and the interior, I’ve literally been working every day since June to get things into a minimal semblance of order, trying to correct over 8 years of neglect in a little more than 8 months.
No wonder I’m tired…

Spent some time today on a chore I’ve been wanting to do for a while, reorganizing some of the kitchen cabinets and getting rid of out-of-date boxed, canned and bottled goods.
In a little while, I’ll pick up James and probably one or two more for sledding.
It’s a gorgeous day out there, perfect for it.

We had another snow storm this week, and I ordered seeds yesterday,

High Scent Sweet Peas and

Double Rose Peony Poppies.
James, Eric and Ethan stayed over last night. It was great to be able to put up 3 boys in the guest room, even though another piece of furniture is needed to store the office files and supplies.
Having more deja vu experiences around late Winter/early Spring.

Along with painting, I’ve been deep cleaning and decluttering.
I’ve been working on the basement; just filled up the truck with junk for the transfer station.
Signed up for a DYI course at Cape Tech. First class was last night. There’ll be 3 sessions each for carpentry, plumbing and electrical, then 2 sessions for a project.
We were told that painters charge around $500/room.
Picked up some great bargains at the St. Vincent DePaul Center, including a hardwood rocking chair and a green/brown plaid comforter/sleeping bag for the guest room.
A new carpenter who found me on Craigslist will be coming over tomorrow. His original assignment was to build a cold frame, but fixing the side bedroom window became a priority when I realized yesterday that the exterior sill and one side are almost completely rotted.

Saw Robert today at Tech in his student chef uniform. He looked great, very professional.
Had lunch at The Cove, shared a table with some amiable people from Yarmouthport and Chatham.
Met with a heating specialist who suggested (duuuhhh) that I use the attic for STORAGE and the basement for a playroom;
picked up meds at Stop & Shop;
priced lumber at Botello’s;
had lunch and purchased some baked goods;
got updates on an adult ed class I’d like to take at Tech;
met up with a very sharp ex-principal at the Cape chapter of AAUW;
got prices and advice at an unfinished furniture store in W. Yarmouth;
picked up paint in Hyannis;
returned a sign to a company in Cotuit;
dropped off a borrowed container at a friend’s house in Mashpee.
Planning to sit in on a 2-hour webinar tonight on C# 4.0.
Projects: raise the louver bar in the kitchen, paint kitchen, paint bedroom wardrobe and nightstand, clear out basement, put items to be stored in the attic, make the basement a play area for James and friends.

I finished painting the bedrooms walls this past Saturday, which leaves a little trim and touch-up. Think I’ll do the kitchen next. We all really hate painting, it’s messy and easy to make mistakes.
Put up some new vertical vinyl louvers yesterday and after 8+ years, it finally dawned on me that the track is about 1/8 inch too low, duh. This means either raising the track, which is mounted in 3 places, or cutting 23 louvers.
Picked up a vertical blind repair kit and replaced the broken vane carrier clip.
I forgot to stick around when I dropped Robert off last night so that I could see his culinary uniform. I think he forgot, too. I promised him I’d have lunch at their restaurant some time this week.