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Category: lakehouse

Mon. July 28, 2025 – still working at the BOL…

Hot and humid, probably clear and sunny. Brain boiling hot in the sun. Yesterday wasn’t crazy hot but the humidity made it very unpleasant to be working outdoors. I spent most of the day in soaking wet clothes.

I did get some of the maintenance done on the mower. I didn’t have the right washer to use as a spacer with the new front wheels and tires, so I put the old one back on. It only leaks slowly and was fine for the day. I sharpened the blades, they were in rough shape but the grass was so long I didn’t want to abuse a new set. The cheap chinese blades don’t hold up for very long, but they are easy to sharpen. I broke them mower deck drive belt half way through, but I had a spare in the shed. I can get the deck on and off in minutes since I’ve had so much practice. I also replaced the blade engagement cable. Nothing wrong with the cable, but the plastic end that makes it all work was worn out. Poor design choice. Or not, if you think they want you to spend money replacing stuff.

We did get a spatter of rain while I was cutting, but not enough to stop.

There was a bit of putting stuff away, and some organizing, but mostly the day was spent working on the mower, or using it.

Today I’ll finish trimming the yard, and if it’s not raining, I’ll run the mower over everything again in mulching mode to get rid of the rows and rows of grass cuttings. Maybe I’ll do the park too.

I’ve got quite a bit stacked up here, but not all of it is well organized or put away. That will be an ongoing project.

Always be working. And stacking.

nick

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Sun. July 27, 2025 – sure is damp up here

Damp and a bit cooler at the BOL than the last week in Houston. It was very nice last night on the dock, 78F with a gentle breeze off the water cooling it even more. It’ll be steamy today with all the moisture in the grass and dirt, and forecast for sunny skies.

I did a bunch of stuff yesterday. Moved some stuff around at the house, putting stuff away and sorting stuff. Loaded the truck for the stuff coming up here. And then I did something that has been on the list for a while. Since I was already soaked to the skin, I figured I’d spend a few minutes working outside, cementing some flagstones back into place on the front walk. I think I spent about 2 hours total and I’m not done filling in the “grout” between the stones (which has dissolved and been blasted away). I got the worst of it done, and fixed the biggest tripping hazard.

Oh, and I fixed my phone too.

Today I’ll unload the truck, and do some maintenance on the mower. I’ve got a new blade engagement cable and new blades to install, as well as new wheels and tires for the front. If it’s running and the grass is dry enough, I’ll mow after that. If not, it’s gonna really suck when I do get a chance to mow. It’s already way too long to cut easily. Another week of growth and it will be agricultural, and not something I can easily do with the riding mower.

I’ve also got to do some measuring and planning for my big week up here alone doing heavy equipment stuff. I intend to do some grading, install a gravel walkway, move some sand to the lake and level the leftover dirt piles from my previous work. Some sand and better dirt will likely end up on the garden in the hope of loosening up the clay soil, and some firewood needs to be moved… There are other things that a skid steer and mini excavator will make easier too. And if I have the time, I’ll do some drainage work for the HOA park. Tasks expand to fill the time available.

Stack. And always be working to improve your situation, right?

nick

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Sun. July 6, 2025 – about half way through another year

Cool to start, then hot. Humid is a given. Although yesterday’s weather was a mixed bag, it ended well. Clear, cool, and everything covered in dew. Perfect weather for a fireworks show.

It was a long day, and I got stuff done. Not everything, and not completely done, but tasks were attempted, and some were completed. The others will continue on the list until they get done.

We even got out on the boat, but it’s not a huge lake and there were a LOT of people up here. We were going to take the kids tubing, or kneeboarding, but there was too much traffic, too many wakes, and the wind was howling. I didn’t feel comfortable and we came back in. We’ll try again today, as there should be a lot less traffic.

The day ended with our rescheduled fireworks show. It was half what we had last year, and was still 35 minutes long. The only difference from a full professional show was that the fireworks don’t fly as high, but even that line was blurred by a few of the rockets. Did I mention the show is put on by two guys? This year one was out of town, so it’s basically one neighborhood guy… and it’s great. Lots of other people had fireworks too, some pretty good. Not many guns being shot into the air, that’s more of a city thing.

Today I’ll be unloading and putting stuff away, as well as putting stuff away that we brought up on previous trips. I might have to do some re-organization of the shed and garage first, so actual work might be limited. It was crazy hot for a while yesterday, and I won’t work as hard today if it’s that hot. I almost hurt myself, and I don’t want to risk it.

We’ll also take down all the bunting and flags we put up for the 4th, and get out on the water with the boat for a while. Unless it’s raining, we promised the kids.

Stacking up some good times, as well as supplies. Get you some of that!

nick

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Sat. July 5, 2025 – the day the hard work really started

Cool to start, but warming all the way to hot, if I am guessing right. I just hope for clear and dry. Well, as dry as this part of Texas can be. Last night’s fireworks got rained out but rescheduled for tonight if it’s not raining in the afternoon and evening. Fingers crossed.

Yesterday was a mixed bag. No big celebration, but I did get the lawn mostly mowed. Not completely mowed, and I didn’t get the fire ants poisoned, but it should only take a short while to finish today. Also got the boat ready for the water, but then the battery was dead. Replaced the battery and it started right up, so if the weather is nice, we’ll take the boat out and try out the towed inflatable and maybe the wakeboard.

The evening had me making and eating dinner.

A pretty good family day, all considered, especially when other families are not whole and never will be again. Disasters happen. Some you can prep for, some you can’t.

Most of them, stacks will help. All of them, having people who love you and who you love will help.

nick

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Fri. July 4, 2025 – Independence Day

Today we celebrate not the day, but the anniversary of our Independence from an oppressive and distant monarchy. The irony of our current government’s policies on taxation and control isn’t lost on me. Celebrate what we had, and could have again.

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Supposed to be partly sunny and hot today at the BOL. The local radio station said so. High of 94F and low of 74F. It was cooler than that when I went to bed. Several storm cells moved through the area while I was driving up and cooled everything down. The day that started hot and humid in Houston, ended up cool and wet at the BOL.

I did finally make it to the BOL yesterday. I got a bit of a slow start, but did get loaded up and on my way. Then it took 5 hours to do the ~2 hour trip. Traffic was nuts. At one point I moved 6 miles in one hour. And it was raining the whole time. The audiobook I picked up to pass the time turned out to be a woke piece of crep, unbelievable in its banality. It wasn’t the witchcraft fantasy the title suggested, but only a NYFC woke liberal recounting his life, and read by the author in the most ponderous way possible. He read every sentence as a series of phrases with a pause in between each one. Picture a cut rate, knock off David Sedaris and you will be close. I listened for over an hour because I couldn’t really believe it could be that bad. It was.

Today, I’ll mow when it dries out a bit. And we’ll put up the bunting and flags, if it isn’t raining. I may even put up some colored lights around the dock if I have time and the inclination. I’ll probably unload the truck too, although that can wait if I have Holiday stuff to do. Later we’ll eat, maybe be part of the boat parade, then in the evening we’ll have a front row seat to a really good fireworks show. Some people were testing stuff last night. The semi-pro stuff is really good.

We’re gonna turn money into noise and smoke!

It’s all part of being in the community. Stack up some community, you’ll need it.

nick

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Thur. July 3, 2025 – headed to the BOL to celebrate… and work

Hot and clear, it’s what I’m hoping for anyway. Well, not as hot, but definitely clear. The national forecast still shows the Houston area and north as possible thunderstorms. I’m counting on the very local nature of our weather to rain on someone else’s parade.

Yesterday I did some auction stuff, then went out to get my pickups done. Took a few hours and a lot of driving but I filled the bed of the pickup truck. Most of the stuff was for the BOL, with the rest split between household and kids. I unloaded the stuff staying in Houston, but just tarped the truck and went to bed rather than finish loading up and driving late at night. W and the kids did head up.

Today I’ll do a last couple of things here, then finish loading up, and head out. I’ve got patriotic decorations to put up, and a lawn to mow. The 4th is a big holiday on the lake, with a boat parade and a really good fireworks show. Lots of people come up for the long weekend. And a lot of them end up on the water near my dock because it’s a good place to watch the fireworks from. That’s a bit of extra motivation for me to decorate, not that I need much motivation.

It’s all part of fitting into the community and becoming a welcome and valued member. And I enjoy the unabashed patriotism.

Stack up some freedom. And improve your relationships.

nick

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Wed. July 2, 2025 – No ma’am, everybody knows pie are round…

Well, maybe we’ll have a clear day again, because the weather liars said it would be raining. Yesterday was clear from edge to edge, and it got hot. Cooled right off after sunset though, and I didn’t even sweat cutting the grass. I waited, because it was 101F in the afternoon…

Did auction stuff in the morning, then pickups in the afternoon. Did some office stuff too. Got a pile of stuff for the BOL and some hobby stuff, with a few other things mixed in, mainly gifts for the kids. Gotta refill the present closet after the birthdays. After I got home I spent some time working on a piece of gear I’ll sell on ebay. I’ve ordered new parts, so that will push to next week. I’ll have to find some other stuff to list in the mean time. That WON’T be a problem as there are stacks and stacks.

Today I’ve got a couple more pickups. More BOL stuff and some household stuff mainly. I don’t really buy much outside of food at regular stores anymore. Specialty items I can’t wait for are the main thing. Everything else eventually comes through the auctions.

Then it goes into the stacks. Eventually it gets used. Or ages out…

Stack-a while you can, monkey boy.

nick

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Fri. June 27, 2025 – and you don’t mess around with … slim.

Warm, sunny, hot, overcast, and rainy. Probably all in one day. That’s what yesterday was like. I let the cells chase me all over town and despite street flooding in parts of Houston, I barely got wet.

Took the kid to her band thing, then did some auction stuff, and some office stuff. It’s time to renew several of my insurance products, which isn’t hard, but does take a phone call. Also did two loads of domestic bliss and started the Crockpot. After I got the kid home, I went out and did my pickup, followed by a bit of thrifting as I was in an area I don’t usually get to. That was followed by a stop at the reStore. I didn’t find anything I needed, but they were crazy full up with really high end kitchen appliances, like wolf, thermidor, miele, electrolux, and any other “chef” quality cooker you can think of. The only thing they didn’t have was an Aga. They also had dozens of toilets for some reason, and about half were Toto brand. If you don’t know, Toto is what you want. Even used they are $100 and that’s a good price.

I stopped in to look for cabinets for my laundry area at the BOL. No luck. They have a bunch of big windows though. Big windows are something they seem to always have which is good, since I will need a big window at some point. I’m taking out the fireplace and chimney to improve the view of the lake, and I think I will be putting a big window in its place. I originally thought I’d put in a sliding patio door, but if I use a window instead, that gives me some other placement choices for the [eventual] woodstove. All of this is long term prep for something I know I will eventually do. I like to get stuff in order and keep my eyes open for the bits and pieces far in advance of the actual work.

Today I think I’ll do a bit more at home and try to get some stuff ready to list on ebay. I will have to take a bunch of stuff to the shop, and move some stuff around. Later I’ll probably fit in a pickup or two. It should be a busy day.

Probably not going to the BOL this weekend. We will definitely be up there next weekend, and I need to keep working on stuff here. Maybe I can get the W and the Ds to go…

I did pick up a bucket of salt and one of sugar to add to the stacks. One of my sellers got an estate that had a lot of preps. They sold off the buckets of rice, flour, salt, and sugar, but threw out the beans. For some reason they thought the beans would have gone bad…

Even if your stacks don’t benefit you, they might benefit someone! So get busy and stack.

nick

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Sun. June 22, 2025 – hah, writing this at 2:22 am… on the 22nd

Gonna be hot and humid here at the BOL today. It was pretty hot and sunny yesterday when I finally got here. Houston had been hot and humid too. It finally cooled down after sunset, and I had a nice night on the dock.

Saturday was a scramble. Met with my non-prepping hobby club, and that was nice. Poorly attended because we had to reschedule, but most of the core was there. The Board and committee meeting ran late, so I rushed to get loaded up and on my way to the BOL. Had to do 2 pickups on the way, and made the second with one minute to spare. Spent the late afternoon and evening cutting grass. It takes so much longer when I’ve let the grass get too long.

Today I’ll finish the yard work, I’ve got more string trimming and then I need to blow all the debris clear. Lots of people up here, I guess it was a three day weekend for a lot of folks, even if the Juneteenth stuff was almost absent from local media and my awareness. That DOGE spending cut at USAID must have had an effect…

Then I’ll clean up, close up, and head home. Probably late in the day. There is always a lot to do.

I’ve added some medical stuff to the stacks here, and some other small things. And of course, I’m working on improvements.

Stack. Fix. Improve.

nick

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Sat. June 21, 2025 – non-prepping hobby, then BOL

Hot and humid, unpleasantly so. I was sweating balls yesterday while I was moving my stuff out of the storage unit. It was really hot in the sun, so I took it very easy. Still soaked to the skin. Today will be the same in all likelihood.

I did some domestic bliss yesterday morning. Some auction stuff, some self care. Cut my hair. Then I took a bunch of stuff out of the house, and commenced to moving out of one of my storage units. I was about half moved out anyway, and the lock was cut most of the way through last week, so I really wanted out of it. Ironically, it was my OTHER unit that was burgled. No one cares. I have to get a police report for the insurance so I’ll probably spend a couple of hours standing around next week waiting for someone to come by.

In the mean time, I moved out of that 5 x 10. One more at the same facility, but it will take a bit more work as there are a lot more smalls in that unit. And shelves. I was under the mistaken impression that I was running a store and should have “inventory”. That was wrong. I’m flipping this stuff as fast as possible, and no one is coming to my ebay store looking to see if I have some specific thing. I’m not the “microwave replacement plate” guy. I’m the “search for it and if I have it buy from me” guy. I will have some unsold stuff, but if it is sitting on the shelf too long, I bought the wrong thing.

It’s going to take some time to realign my mindset and my physical setup. I need to try though, as I really don’t need a bunch of stuff sitting around. Getting it to one place, where I can see it, and see what I have, will help.

In the other mean time, I have my non-prepping hobby meeting today, with discussion of our upcoming convention, and then I’m loading up and heading for the BOL. My buddy called to let me know the grass was knee high. Even if all I do is cut the grass, check all the things, and head back home Sunday, I need to get up there and do it.

I’d rather keep going with the momentum I’ve built this week, but needs must.

Always be working. Always be stacking.

nick

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