Down to the Wire

I was determined that today I would find and buy the carpet tiles and vinyl for the basement floor. The vinyl will be along the wall in front of the slider and over to the bottom of the stairs. That way, when I come in with wet shoes or bike tires, I won't be messing up carpeting. The excess vinyl will be put in front of the washer and dryer. That part of the floor is borderline disgusting.

The carpet tiles will be on the remainder of the floor. I intend to install the floor coverings without glue. That means double sided tape. I want to make it as easy as possible for the next owner, 20 or so years down the road, to be able to change the floor covering if they want. The house I just sold had carpet glued down to the cement floor in the basement. I pity the poor guy who wants to get that stuff up. It won't be easy.

What I bought today is custom order so I won't have it for another 2 weeks. I had hoped to have it all done in 2 weeks. Oh, well!

AND, it is also the end of my budget! Actually I went over by $200. If I hadn't taken a large chunk of $$ to pay moving bills I'd still have some left over, but those bills had to be paid. I'm satisfied that it has all worked out as well as it did.

I can't wait to post photos of the completed basement!!!!!!

Critters!

If there’s anything that will set me off, it’s critters. Specifically, critters in my space.

Yesterday afternoon I started hearing a noise coming from behind my fireplace. Then it was on the left side, then the right. What? This kept on for quite a while before I realized it wasn’t my neighbor doing something to her fireplace. The two do not occupy common space.

What ever it was, it was clawing on sheet metal. At one point, I swear I saw the mesh material on the left side of the fireplace bulge out. IT was pushing.

Finally I called the management company and they called an animal control person who called me. Don’t you know this guy knows my kids!

Anyway, I didn’t sleep a wink last night even though Critter Thing hadn’t made any noise since around 9 pm. But it was on my mind and in my fitful dreams. Plus, I knew Frank was going to be here at 6:30. I usually get up at 6, but set the alarm for 5 to be sure I would be up and dressed.

Frank showed up on time and looked around. His inspection of the fireplace showed the flue was open…he closed it…manually. Apparently there is no handle. Hmmm. Anyway, he couldn’t find any way anything could had gotten in, but when it comes to squirrels and chipmunks, they are stealthy!

I have Frank’s card. Should the noise come back all I have to do is call him.

Please. Please. Don’t come back! ☺

Fall Foliage

Photo: Windsor Locks Canal bike path.

Yesterday, Sunday, I was able to get out for a bike ride. Hadn’t been out on the bike in quite a few days.

The day was perfect for a bike ride. And just look at that foliage! I have heard reports that say the colors won’t be as good this year because of the hot, dry summer we’ve had. If this was any more beautiful, I don’t think I could stand it! ☺

Playing Catch-up

Vacation Pictures
When in the world am I ever going to get my Cape Cod vacation pictures posted? That's a good question. Soon, I hope. How did I ever get so darned busy? ☺

Basement
The walls and trim in the basement are all painted and look beautiful. Kurt stopped by Wednesday to install the lock on the slider. Now I can walk out the door with my bike and lock the door with a key…instead of having to run up and down stairs like a crazy person to lock up.

Free Chair
The chair Kathy gave me will soon be reupholstered in denim and will go in the “library” area of my Woman's Cave. I bought the fabric yesterday. I tried going to Affordable Fabrics again, but they didn’t have any denim. So I Googled and started calling around. The cheapest denim I could find was $6.99 a yard, AND, I told everyone I was looking for upholstery weight denim. For $6.99 you can make blue jeans…not the same. I found myself back at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics where they had both kinds of denim, but once I saw the upholstery weight I knew nothing less would do. Yes, it cost more, but it was on sale. This chair will cost me under $300 to reupholster and you can’t get this same chair new for that price.

I bought a couple yards extra because I’m foolish enough to think I can make a slipcover for an old hassock I have and love, although it has seen better days. I’m thinking it must be in the neighborhood of 40-50 years old.

Home and Auto Insurance
I have had my insurance with The Hartford, through AARP, for years. Last year, when I bought the Honda Fit, my insurance increased $200. I wasn’t very happy with that, but, it was a newer car than my ’97 Saturn. This year I get my auto renewal and they have gone up another $400! What? They think I’m going to pay $1500 to insure my Fit. Sure I just had an accident, but it was not my fault and the other guy’s insurance eventually paid.

My son, Paul, kept telling me I needed to talk to his insurance broker…and I did. He saved me in the neighborhood of $1000, total, on both home and auto. When I call The Hartford and tell them to cancel my two policies, I hope they ask me why.

I have immediate needs for the $ I just saved. ☺

The Painting Has Begun!

Photo: Walls primed. Looks darker in photo than it really is.

The painter, Jeff, started yesterday. All the walls and wood was primed and today the paint goes on. I’ve had four guys working in my basement at one time or another, and even the paint color is a guy’s name…Tony Taupe!

Here’s to Kurt, Jimmy, Matt, Jeff and Tony!

Homeward Bound

There’s no place like home, Toto.

Up at 6:30. Very warm and humid, cloudy and windy. By 9 temp was 72° with dew point of 67°…that’s humid!

I had my breakfast at the counter at The Fairway restaurant. Then I gassed up for the trip home. On the road at 10:09. I took the scenic routes: 28 to 39 to 28 to 151 to 28 to the Bourne Bridge. Didn’t take any more time and was approximately the same mileage…maybe 6 miles longer.

In no time the car was unpacked and I was off to the grocery store for a few necessary provisions. After a much needed shower, I’m finally settling in and basking in the memories of another Cape Cod vacation.

Till next year.

BTW: give me some time to get the pictures in order so I can post my vacation pics!

Day Seven

After a skunky night I was up by 6:45. Once the smell of skunk #1 was gone, and I went back to bed, skunk #2 let go. Grrrrrrr!

Right now it’s 8:45 and breakfast and the dishes are done. What I’m going to carry on my walk will be gathered and I’ll head for Coast Guard Beach.

Once I’m there, I’ll determine whether I leave my shoes and socks at the foot of the ramp or I keep them on. The main reason for wearing my shoes (bike riding Keene Commuters) and socks (Smartwool®) would be if the area right at the water line is sloped toward the water. Walking any distance on that kind of slant is difficult to begin with; being barefoot would make it painful. Plus these shoes are meant to get wet and dry quickly; same for the socks.

The weather is cool, breezy (winds S at 10-20). I will be walking into the wind on my way to Nauset Inlet and it will be at my back when I return. I hope Paul D is right about it being less than a mile! ☺

Here I go. See you later!
*******

I’m back! The walk was perfect…closer to 1 mile out. Nauset Inlet is wider than I’ve ever seen it and more north than I’ve ever seen it. But the Cape beaches are changing all the time. When I post my pictures, you will see how the beach has been cut in layers.

As predicted the wind was in my face as I walked at the water line, south, toward the Inlet. I decided to keep my shoes on to make it easier to walk. Good decision. There were so many things to watch out for: where I was walking, so I wouldn’t trip over a rock or my own feet; where the surf was as it continued rushing at me on the incoming tide; and where was the seal that kept poking it’s head out of the water just to tease me. I’m pleased to report that my feet stayed dry (although it was tempting to walk closer to the water) and I avoided any ass slapping waves sneaking up behind me.

Later this afternoon my plan is to go to Napi’s for my splurge dinner out. I have decided against having lobster because that species is being over fished. Scallops or shrimp will be my choice this evening.

And now, I guess, it’s time to start thinking about going home and getting back into some semblance of a routine. My friend, Dolores, called to ask about going to Shelburne Falls on Sunday, which caused me to call Barbara to see if she was planning on going. This is where I start letting go of My Cape Cod and begin gearing up for My Home Sweet Home. ☺

I did indeed go to Napi’s and had Scallops Provincal. Very good. Would you believe 10 large scallops? I divided the contents of my plate in half…ate half and brought home half. That will be a meal for me tomorrow when I get home. On the way home I noticed it was getting a little foggy. We have warm temps and high dew points, no wonder.

This is the conclusion of my 2010 Cape Cod vacation. It’s been a good week in spite of the high winds all week and inconvenient times for high tides. I was forced to become creative. The only thing I didn’t get to do was ride the Cape Cod Rail Trail from Wellfleet to Dennis. Usually I take two days to do that one. Here’s to next year!