TheCapeBlog

Last night we did a drive around Williamstown to see Christmas lights. I put up the tree and strung lights; we both festooned it with garland. I’ve been hanging ornaments off and on. Fortunately, the tree fits easily next to the living room windows. For the first time in 20+ years, we have a living room large enough for the tree!

I couldn’t find the tree stand but scored a bargain at Carr’s: $5 for a folding stand for an artificial tree; it is great.

I made two versions of postcards announcing our new address for inclusion in our holiday cards. Bought stamps at the post office and more hangers at Walgreens.

Just made an appointment to apply for the Good Neighbor Fund.

Off shortly to Secret Santa at the Senior Center.

We got our shots yesterday at Walgreens.

Ron finished installing the railing!

We made another stop for CDs at BrewHaHa yesterday.

Uploaded a temporary MRS Home page.

Returned the apron to Amazon.

This morning I put mulch on the tulip bulbs, finally.

Jonah from WTPI, the HVAC company, did a quick inspection for minisplits and a furnace return vent.

Ron saw his eye doctor and is scheduled for laser treatment to drain fluid from his eyes and prevent glaucoma from getting worse.

We did quite a bit during the Williamstown Holiday Walk.

We sampled soups on the Williams campus and visited a holiday fair at the Congregational church.

In the evening, we attended a La Posada meal at the Episcopal church and Lessons and Carols at Thompson Chapel.

Three different churches in one day: a record, I think.

Sunday we had a pancake breakfast at the elementary school and took advantage of free admission at Clark.

Today we had coffee at Brew Ha-Ha, which is closing this week. Then we had lunch at the Berkshire Food Project and brought home produce as well as cooked chickens for our neighbors.

Plumber Number Four (Marty from Ashley Swift, Williams Fix-It, Norman, Mr. Rooter), and the most cheerful of the lot, examined the vents and pronounced them done correctly.

I am relieved to be done with Plumber World, at least I hope we’re done.

Ron bought a stud finder and rum.

Woke up at 2:30. Our supply of coffee is whole bean only.

I am working with Nicole on a schedule for 2024.

Woke up again around quarter to nine. Ron was hopping mad, claiming that there’s no wood to mount one of the railing holders, demanded that I contact the carpenter. Fortunately, I had the construction photos to prove there is (wood).

Ron has trapped eight mice over the last two nights.

Ron sanded the railing and did more work on the third bedroom book shelf.

I ordered more IVAR pins from IKEA.

Microwaved white potatoes and steamed Brussels sprouts for dinner last night. Asparagus tonight.

Pest control salesperson visited today. Prices are stratospheric with no guarantee of complete success.

Filled out the Town’s survey on water connections this morning.

Canceled the plumber for tomorrow.

Touched up bedroom walls.

Culled two weeks’ or more worth of emails, one from the insulation company, which kindly offered to send an inspector to check out the bedroom walls.

Mouse chewed a plastic bag that held Ron’s brownies last night. Ron is setting up traps.

We got married 13 years ago today, at the Chapel of the Bells in Reno, officiated by the Rev. George Flint.

Reverend Flint was the senior lobbyist for the Nevada Legal Brothel Owners Association and was honored for this service by his State Senator.

This fact, which I discovered only after the deed was done, caused Ron no end of merriment.

We refer to November 26, 2010, as A Day That Will Live In Infamy, not as bad as Pearl Harbor, but close.

In case you are wondering, the gifts for this particular anniversary are lace, furs and textiles.

We could use a King-sized blanket.

I hope so anyway. Ron was out there yesterday cutting away: stout heart.

I did some indoor chopping: carrots, kale, turnips. Apples for pie. Cheddar biscuits. Gourmet vegetarian meal with hollandaise.

Ron brought home wine and seltzer.

Touched up the baseboard in the third bedroom.

Did something to my right neck and shoulder. They’re loosening up.

I determined that the water pipe to the town line is not lead.

Set up wreathes, candles and the little Christmas tree.

Ground was still soft enough, so we were able to hammer in stakes and plastic wrap in front of the front and back bushes. Don’t know if they’ll hold or even if it matters, but figured it was worth a try. The big stapler loves me but refuses to work for Ron.

Stopped by the Senior Center to wish everyone a good Thanksgiving. Went to the Berkshire Food Project for lunch and groceries. Stopped at S&S for butter, canola oil, liners and “used” scones.

Ron was atwitter about checking account debits that he didn’t recognize. Turns out these were deducted for four months before he noticed them. I think I cancelled his account successfully and was able to take a screen shot of the confirmation. Emailed a copy to both of us. I found an invite from this same group to me in July which I ignored.

Checked the oil (still 1/4 tank) and found a big roll of visqueen in the basement.

First PT session today, went well.

Ron missed another appointment with his eye doctor, couldn’t find the office.

Picked up the book of construction project photos.

We put stakes and plastic covering around the front bushes.

I picked up CSA produce; Ron brought home Russell Stover!

Heard from Betsy.

Talked with Robert!

It’s been snowing since around 5 pm and accumulating on our street. Just saw two cars making their way slowly up the hill: feeling for anyone on the roads tonight.

Giving up on local hardware stores, we picked up plant stakes and some hardware – hooks and hangars – at Home Depot.

Ron wanted to stop for food on the way back at Tammy’s Candy Kettle. We enjoyed their corn chowder; their battered onion rings are incomparable.

Unfortunately, he decided he had to have a vintage mug for what turns out to be double the price online.

This morning, he woke up all aflutter because he thought the lady cheated him. As it turns out, we could justify the cost of the food but not the mug which in fact is Robin Hood and not a pirate.

I was able to book an appointment with a local plumbing company for next week.

Installed the two hooks in the upstairs bathroom. Hung a painting there, too.

Heard from Peter, the boys are not traveling this holiday.

Had a little book made at Walgreen’s of James’ photos of the construction project.

Paid the old oil company for the service call that was my “mind like steel mesh” blunder. In fairness to me, it was partially caused by someone’s painting over the “Off/On” labels on the thermostat so that they were invisible.

Got partly squared away with Power Sports thanks to Joe.

This afternoon, Ron and I cleared the flower bed next to the driveway. We filled three leaf bags. Not sure how much more I want to do besides stakes and burlap.

Sent $25 each to Robert and James for Thanksgiving.