Category: lakehouse

Cool and damp again. Never got real rain, just some moisture from the sky, so we could still get some today. It did warm up yesterday, so we’re in a period of cool nights and warm days. Feels like this Spring has been cooler than several recent Springs.

I mostly didn’t do much yesterday, other than cooking dinner. I did get a few small things done, it is very hard for me to not do something productive, no matter what the day. I put new screen in a really beat up and damaged window screen for the dockhouse. First time I’ve actually done it that I can remember,but I knew how and had the stuff to do it. It wasn’t hard, and went quickly. Saved some money, and completed a task.

Cooking was fun, well received, and I was really glad to have the oven out in the garage. It would have been nice to have the cooking smells from the roasting lamb and potatoes, but it was really nice not to have the heat of the oven in the house. Definitely glad I spent the time and effort to set up the oven out there.

Today will be spent doing a couple of chores and some organizational stuff. Then it’s homeward bound.

I’ll bring up some more stacks next trip. Alternative creamer is top of the list, along with more coffee K cups, if I can get them cheap. I need some bulk sugar at home too.

There is always more to do, even stacking.

nick

Cool and nice, probably around 70F and clear. Might be windy though. The wind was blowing like crazy yesterday. And the sun was enough I got burned on my neck and face… mainly because I couldn’t keep my big hat on. The wind blew it away whenever I turned the wrong direction.

I did a bunch of yard work. I’d fallen behind a bit and some of it was catch up. Some was just Spring though.

Got the apple trees planted and watered in.

Got the truck unloaded and some of the stuff stowed away.

Today I’ve got more cleanup outside to do, mainly blowing the leaves and debris that trimming left. Then I’ve got to put some of the stuff away, and to do that I’ll have to do some organizing. Then it’s poison fire ant mounds, and load up.

Family made it home safe, even with D1 doing some of the driving. I am always glad to get that text. I do not like it when the pack is divided and traveling separately. Kid needs the practice, but SHE NEEDS PRACTICE. By definition that’s risky. Part of life though. Stacks won’t help her learn, nor keep her safe, but hopefully the rest of my mindset will.

Stack what you can. Do your best for the rest.

nick

Should start cool, chilly even, but get warmer and very nice. Started yesterday in Houston where it was a bit warm by afternoon, but it was nice and a little cooler at the BOL. The day ended around 70F and there was a little chill off the water, but a fire took care of that.

It took me a while, but I did get the truck loaded, and made the drive to the BOL. Lots of cops on the road north, with extra DWI enforcement all weekend. I’d be curious to see some real numbers about DWI and if all the draconian enforcement has made any real difference. I’m betting not much.

Today I need to get the truck unloaded. Then I can trim the yard and blow the cuttings. I’ll need to plant the trees and do some deer discouragement around them. Don’t know if it will work. The peach tree has a lot of fruit on it. One consequence of cutting down the big trees is more light for the peach. Now if I can figure out how to keep the critters from eating all the fruit, I might get a peach or two this year.

My buddy looks good. He’s getting some energy and strength back after the radiation and chemo. Unfortunately his wife was just diagnosed with breast cancer. They will do a PET scan soon and determine a treatment plan. It looks like it’s localized but the PET scan will be definitive. They have to drive an hour each way for treatment and that has been the hardest part so far. Living in the country does have downsides, and lack of easy access to medical care is one. It’s something to consider if you are planning for a retirement place or BOL.

This trip counts as “always be working to improve your situation.” Not much stacking this month. Still, it’s Spring, and the weather is nice. If nothing else, we’re stacking memories of the good old days.

Do some for yourself…

nick

Cool but warming later. Clear. Another really nice day in other words. We are currently being spoiled by the cool weather and getting a really nice extended Spring. It’s awesome.

I didn’t get as much done yesterday as I hoped. Probably got as much done as I could have. Did my pickup on the south side. Stopped at the local Habitat ReStore just because I was in that part of town. It was nearly empty. They’ve been working on making it nicer and cleaner, but this was nuts. Large parts of the store were just empty. There is something larger going on, when it’s not full of donated materials, and we’ve got thousands of huge building projects going on around town. Either it’s too early in the build process to have excess, or the builders learned to be better at ordering and don’t have any excess. When the charity shops are looking threadbare, I get nervous.

After that I went by my secondary location and moved some stuff around. Then it was kid taxi for 2 hours. Never made my pickup on the north side, but they will ship my small hobby items. Once I had the kids sorted, I worked on getting stuff loaded for the BOL. Wife’s minivan got the light stuff or stuff that can’t get wet or sit in the sun. I’ve still got a full truck load of stuff, and I’m debating whether to bring the big solar panels. I decided to go up today, so I could finish loading in daylight, and not be so tired for the drive. Also, I don’t like driving at night, especially if I’m already tired.

So it’s sleep in a bit, then load up, and hit the road. My buddy up there sent a pic of the grass, so I know I need to mow before it turns into a need to bushwhack. There’s always plenty to do. Oh, and I’ll need to plant the two apple trees, rig some sort of irrigation, and do something to keep the deer from eating them.

Always be working, always be stacking…

nick

Cool and wet this morning. Friday was beautiful until just after dark, then it stormed. Even that was nice as it stopped by 10pm and left everything smelling clean and fresh. Also wet, which is why this morning is wet. Hopefully it didn’t rain more overnight.

I didn’t quite get the trench drain cut yesterday. I am about 2/3 cut but the saw died and wouldn’t restart. I didn’t have the energy to try for more than half an hour. I’ll put a new air filter and add oil next time I’m up here, and hopefully it will start so I can finish the cuts. I spent the rest of the day cleaning up, putting away, and getting ready to leave.

Which is what is happening today. I’ll leave here for a series of pickups, then home before the end of the day. I wouldn’t have minded staying at the BOL for a couple more days, but I’ve got plenty to do at home too.

Pickups are mostly for home, but with two birthdays and a wedding anniversary coming up, I’m on the lookout for presents too. The intarwebs say that “china” is the traditional gift for a 20th wedding anniversary, but I’m pretty sure that won’t fly at Casa De Nick… so I’m keeping my eyes open. And my options.

Meanwhile, stacking and working continues apace. At the pace of a turtle, but even turtles make progress.

Find your pace, and work at it.

nick

Cool and damp at the BOL. We had a beautiful Wednesday, until just after dusk when a storm ripped through. After it passed, it was wet but nice. A bit of fog, a bit of mist, but bright with the almost full moon. Today should dry out a bit.

Did stuff around the house yesterday, then fished for a bit. Went to look at a boat with W, but while the price is very good, it’s too big for our slip and lift. Rebuilding the dock is on the list, but not modifying it to the extent needed. Seems that boats, like most things, get bigger every year and a dock built to accommodate a bowrider boat from the late 70s won’t fit the same class of boat from the 2000s. We’ll keep looking as W is determined that we need a watercraft.

Didn’t get up into the attic so that might happen today. I really would like to get a bunch of attic stuff done before it gets hot. I just don’t know if the motivation is there. Wife is working from home, so I can’t take down the power to make final connections, but I can get all the runs and outlets in. Or I could work on exhaust fans… they need attic work too.

There’s always more to do.

And always more to stack.

nick

(and there might be fish that need to be teased with plastic bait)

Mid 60s to start and warming later, with clear skies. That was yesterday, and today, I hope. I could do with a lot less wind though.

Made my pickups, and got to the BOL eventually. Took about an hour extra due to accidents and road work. It was relaxing for me, as I didn’t have a schedule to meet once I got my stuff, and I rolled the windows down and cranked the stereo. A beautiful day to be out driving.

Today I’ll start working the list… which will involve going to look at a boat for sale. I’ve got a wedding anniversary coming up, and a wife who REALLY wants a boat. The local repair guy has one he’s selling for client that isn’t pretty but is in good running order. We don’t need to pay for pretty. Like everything, we’re looking for a bargain.

After the boat adventure, I’ll probably start on electrical in the attic. Don’t know how many more cool days I’ll get before summer kicks in. Best to get out of the attic before that happens.

Always be working. Always be stacking…

nick