Hike in the Woods

Enjoyed a 1.5-mile walk with a group of nice people and a first rate Hike Leader, Dana from Williamstown Rural Lands.

Finished decorating the tree and put the storage boxes in the sunroom.

Continued work on Warranty.

Ron made a visit to the A-Frame Bakery and the quilt shop.

Pushing Christmas

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.

RSV, Mulch, Railing, Minisplits

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’ve Been Busy

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.

Shower Stall

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).

Country Mouse

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.

Anniversary

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.

Last Mow!

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.

Yardwork: Done

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.

Snow, PT, Stakes

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.