This morning I started the lawn tractor for the first time this season, after doing some maintenance (greased it, cleaned air filter, added air to tires, etc.; just misc stuff) on it. It started fine. I then mowed the lawn for the first time this year. I didn't do any trimming. My next chore was spraying for bugs. I mixed up a couple of gallons of bug spray and sprayed the perimeter of the house.
After lunch we, mostly Kathy, spent the afternoon cleaning more flower beds. I did move some of the junk wood to a stack at the end of the boiler shack, just to get it out of the way.
The day was cloudy and warm with a high of 77. The cool down starts tomorrow. Tonight's low is supposed to be 64 while tomorrow's high is only 68. A low of 32 is now forecast for Thursday night and 31 for Friday night.
I hope you all had a pleasant day. May God bless you and yours.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Apr 8th - Roofing
First a couple of photos from yesterday. Kelsey and Lydia came over to visit yesterday afternoon.
Lydia adjusting the controls (she loves twisting knobs and pushing buttons)
Her first dip in the hot tub. She certainly seemed to enjoy it.
We knew the shingles were in bad shape when we purchased our house last year. Kathy and I both like the look of metal roofs. A contractor from church recommended a roofing company to us. This morning we drove to Versailles, MO, about 35 miles, visited the company, picked out what we wanted and got a ballpark price from them. Their installed price was about what I expected just the material to cost. We told them to go ahead. They are supposed to come out this week to take measurements and firm up the price. At most they have two days labor for a crew to do the work. It will take them a couple of weeks to get the steel and roll it. They are also going to install gutters and downspouts, front and back, with leaf guards.
We had a nice lunch at a Mom & Pop type restaurant in Versailles. On our way home we stopped off at the Amish grocery store, since we were driving right by it. We didn't buy a lot, but it is interesting to see what they have at the store.
The weather people had forecast rain every day since last Saturday. So far we have received less than a quarter inch. And these bozos want me to believe that they know that man causes global warming, BALONEY!
It was WARM here today. The official high was 78, and it felt that hot. Last nights low was 61and tonights low is supposed to be the same. Thursday nights low is forecast to be 33 so there is some cool weather to be had before summer hits.
I hope you all had a great day. May God bless you and yours.
Lydia adjusting the controls (she loves twisting knobs and pushing buttons)
We knew the shingles were in bad shape when we purchased our house last year. Kathy and I both like the look of metal roofs. A contractor from church recommended a roofing company to us. This morning we drove to Versailles, MO, about 35 miles, visited the company, picked out what we wanted and got a ballpark price from them. Their installed price was about what I expected just the material to cost. We told them to go ahead. They are supposed to come out this week to take measurements and firm up the price. At most they have two days labor for a crew to do the work. It will take them a couple of weeks to get the steel and roll it. They are also going to install gutters and downspouts, front and back, with leaf guards.
We had a nice lunch at a Mom & Pop type restaurant in Versailles. On our way home we stopped off at the Amish grocery store, since we were driving right by it. We didn't buy a lot, but it is interesting to see what they have at the store.
The weather people had forecast rain every day since last Saturday. So far we have received less than a quarter inch. And these bozos want me to believe that they know that man causes global warming, BALONEY!
It was WARM here today. The official high was 78, and it felt that hot. Last nights low was 61and tonights low is supposed to be the same. Thursday nights low is forecast to be 33 so there is some cool weather to be had before summer hits.
I hope you all had a great day. May God bless you and yours.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Apr 7th - Sunday
Another beautiful day here, but almost to warm. Last nights low was 48 and so far today the high has been 75. Late yesterday afternoon I was sitting on the front porch and noticed that the thermometer showed 80. The front porch gets warm as the sun starts going down.
It was supposed to start raining yesterday but so far no rain. Rain is in the forecast everyday until Thursday.
Friday was our volunteer day at the Habitat Re-Store. Kathy didn't go because she was babysitting Lydia so that Kelsey could get some sleep after her 4 straight 12 hour shifts. I went in early so that I could run a couple of errands. I intended on going to both Menards and Tractor Supply before going to "work". My time at Menards was laughable. I'm not exaggerating a bit when I say that it took the guys in the yard over 15 minutes to find some pieces of vinyl siding starter strips. They knew that they had 60 of the 12'-6" long pieces some place but they sure had a hard time finding them. The trip to Tractor Supply had to wait until after "work".
Saturday we worked on Kelsey and Andy's house for about 4 hours. We finished putting out the foam board insulation on the exterior of the kitchen wall. We also installed the starter strips and most of the "J" channel so that we are almost ready to put the vinyl siding back up where the wall was removed when they remodeled the kitchen. For lunch we had pork steaks (3/4" thick and big enough so that there was hardly room for anything else on the dinner plate) that were awesome. Kelsey cooked them on the grill.
Yesterday afternoon I stacked some of the wood I've cut over the past several days. Our wood pile size is on the increase. It is warm enough now so that what I cut the past week, not that much, will be more than enough to last us the rest of the heating season. One problem is that a bunch of what I cut is "junk". I wasn't thinking when I dumped it in a pile. Now I have a pile of junk wood right where I want to be able to start stacking next winters good wood. Not a big deal. I think I can move the junk around to the end of the boiler enclosure and stack it there. For the remainder of the season I don't think we shouldn't need more heat that what we can get from the junk wood.
We had an enjoyable time at church this morning. The people in the Sunday School class we attend are fun and interesting. We had another good "guest Pastor" today. One of his points started with a story about an immigrant coming to America. The man only had enough money for a ticket and some cheese and crackers to eat during the 7 days the trip would take. His "room" was close to the dining room and the smells coming from all the great food about drove him crazy. Finally on his last evening he sought out the Captain. He told the Captain that he would do anything if he could just have one of the meals from the dining room. The Captain looked at him quizzically and told him that the cost of the meals were included in his ticket price. Brother Bickel related this to what we are offered when we accept Christ and live as a Christian. Some (many) of us don't take advantage of the "riches" we are offered. These are not necessarily monetary riches, but what is worth more than the peace of knowing that the Creator of the universe cares for us and has promised peace of mind for those who follow Him.
The NASCAR race is close to over. Time to get out and get a little fresh air.
Hope you all had a great day. May God bless you and yours.
It was supposed to start raining yesterday but so far no rain. Rain is in the forecast everyday until Thursday.
Friday was our volunteer day at the Habitat Re-Store. Kathy didn't go because she was babysitting Lydia so that Kelsey could get some sleep after her 4 straight 12 hour shifts. I went in early so that I could run a couple of errands. I intended on going to both Menards and Tractor Supply before going to "work". My time at Menards was laughable. I'm not exaggerating a bit when I say that it took the guys in the yard over 15 minutes to find some pieces of vinyl siding starter strips. They knew that they had 60 of the 12'-6" long pieces some place but they sure had a hard time finding them. The trip to Tractor Supply had to wait until after "work".
Saturday we worked on Kelsey and Andy's house for about 4 hours. We finished putting out the foam board insulation on the exterior of the kitchen wall. We also installed the starter strips and most of the "J" channel so that we are almost ready to put the vinyl siding back up where the wall was removed when they remodeled the kitchen. For lunch we had pork steaks (3/4" thick and big enough so that there was hardly room for anything else on the dinner plate) that were awesome. Kelsey cooked them on the grill.
Yesterday afternoon I stacked some of the wood I've cut over the past several days. Our wood pile size is on the increase. It is warm enough now so that what I cut the past week, not that much, will be more than enough to last us the rest of the heating season. One problem is that a bunch of what I cut is "junk". I wasn't thinking when I dumped it in a pile. Now I have a pile of junk wood right where I want to be able to start stacking next winters good wood. Not a big deal. I think I can move the junk around to the end of the boiler enclosure and stack it there. For the remainder of the season I don't think we shouldn't need more heat that what we can get from the junk wood.
We had an enjoyable time at church this morning. The people in the Sunday School class we attend are fun and interesting. We had another good "guest Pastor" today. One of his points started with a story about an immigrant coming to America. The man only had enough money for a ticket and some cheese and crackers to eat during the 7 days the trip would take. His "room" was close to the dining room and the smells coming from all the great food about drove him crazy. Finally on his last evening he sought out the Captain. He told the Captain that he would do anything if he could just have one of the meals from the dining room. The Captain looked at him quizzically and told him that the cost of the meals were included in his ticket price. Brother Bickel related this to what we are offered when we accept Christ and live as a Christian. Some (many) of us don't take advantage of the "riches" we are offered. These are not necessarily monetary riches, but what is worth more than the peace of knowing that the Creator of the universe cares for us and has promised peace of mind for those who follow Him.
The NASCAR race is close to over. Time to get out and get a little fresh air.
Hope you all had a great day. May God bless you and yours.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Apr 4th PM - More Outdoor Work
It was another beautiful day here in central Missouri. This morning I did some research and wrote a Letter to the Editor, Jefferson City News-Tribune, about the money being wasted on the Head Start program. Those who read this probably got a copy via email.
Later I ran a tankful of gas through the chainsaw doing more clean-up. I also took several bucketfuls of gravel from a pile behind the shed and used it to cover the pipe I put in for a pond overflow. The "step" you see in the photo below is where I dug out material to start the overflow installation. The water level is about 15" below the bottom of the overflow pipe. The level is within a few inches of being as high as I've ever seen it.
The pond is on the right in the photo below. It doesn't look like it but the ditch to the left of the overflow pipe is 15-18" deep. It is now possible to push a stroller around the pond. I will also be able to drive the mower around the pond. The clear area on the east (road side) of the pond is not wide enough to drive the tractor around it.
My helper is in the photo below.
She rode with me when I went out behind the shed to get a couple of buckets full of gravel.
Later I hauled three bucketfuls up the driveway to patch holes.
Later I ran a tankful of gas through the chainsaw doing more clean-up. I also took several bucketfuls of gravel from a pile behind the shed and used it to cover the pipe I put in for a pond overflow. The "step" you see in the photo below is where I dug out material to start the overflow installation. The water level is about 15" below the bottom of the overflow pipe. The level is within a few inches of being as high as I've ever seen it.
The pond is on the right in the photo below. It doesn't look like it but the ditch to the left of the overflow pipe is 15-18" deep. It is now possible to push a stroller around the pond. I will also be able to drive the mower around the pond. The clear area on the east (road side) of the pond is not wide enough to drive the tractor around it.
Later I hauled three bucketfuls up the driveway to patch holes.
Apr 4th - Wood Clean-Up
Yesterday was another nice spring day in Missouri. We worked cleaning up a small area of our woods.
Below is the wood from the clean-up. All of this came from trees that were already down. The larger chunks came from a couple of trees that had been down so long that the bark was completely gone. A lot of it is not that good for heat value (cedar), but it all burns and provides heat. Better to burn it in the wood furnace than in a burn pile.
We will still have plenty to burn when we clean up the the branches and smaller stuff.
Hope all of you have/had a great day. May God bless you and yours.
Below is the wood from the clean-up. All of this came from trees that were already down. The larger chunks came from a couple of trees that had been down so long that the bark was completely gone. A lot of it is not that good for heat value (cedar), but it all burns and provides heat. Better to burn it in the wood furnace than in a burn pile.
We will still have plenty to burn when we clean up the the branches and smaller stuff.
Hope all of you have/had a great day. May God bless you and yours.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Apr 2nd - Yard Work
Yesterday we started spring yard work. We raked the leaves out of some flower beds and raked many layers off the "island" by the outbuilding. There was a lot of leaves and trash. The area looks a lot better.
Today I cleaned off the top of the dam. There was a bunch of dead "bamboo" that had fallen over the top of the dam. There was also a lot of new bamboo that was growing on the top of the dam. I got rid of all of it so that we can easily walk across the dam.
Below is an "after" photo. It doesn't look a lot different but it sure is. The dam spillway is left of the end of the canoe. I don't think any water has went over the spillway while we have lived here but it was washed out to the point that it was difficult to cross. I put a 8' length of 8" pipe in the bottom of the washout and started backfilling. Unfortunately I can't get my tractor to the spillway unless I cut a path through the woods. I probably could drive it across the top of the dam but things are still a little soft and I don't want to drive it through the yard to get to the dam.
I also did some "scouting" and found some pieces of trees that had fallen. Actually there is a LOT of pieces that are down, I spotted some that looked like they were still in good enough condition to make cutting them up worthwhile. It is supposed to be nice the rest of the week. Hopefully I will get some of it cut up and hauled out of the woods during the next couple of days.
Lydia comes tomorrow and Thursday. I will have to make sure to have time to play with here <grin>. Below is a photo Kathy took on Easter. Lydia had just given me a kiss. First time she ever did it.
Good evening to all. May God bless you and yours.
Lydia comes tomorrow and Thursday. I will have to make sure to have time to play with here <grin>. Below is a photo Kathy took on Easter. Lydia had just given me a kiss. First time she ever did it.
Good evening to all. May God bless you and yours.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Apr 1st - Easter Photo's
We had a nice Easter. We attended an early, but not sunrise, service at the small Baptist church we have been attending in Centertown (still not sure that is where we are to make a commitment). The men cooked breakfast for everyone. It was great. I think they had enough for 60-75 people but there were only 40 or so for breakfast. They had eggs (fried and scrambled), biscuits and gravy, sausage patties and pancakes. I tried everything but the pancakes and it was all good. The pancakes looked good but I just didn't have room to try one of them. After breakfast we attended Sunday School and the regular worship service. The Search Committee still has not found a Pastor. We have heard the man, a "guest", who gave the message yesterday several times before. He always has a good message.
Kelsey, Andy & Lydia, as well as Andy's folks (David & Elaine) came for Easter dinner. A good time was had by all. The weather was beautiful. David, Andy, Lydia & I walked around out property a little and then we settled on the front porch with the ladies. During our walk in the woods David pointed out a couple of places that might be places for mushrooms.
We had already seen the grass carp in our pond this spring but yesterday was the first time we saw any of the other fish. I didn't think they would be up near the surface yet.
Lydia's kitchen game (from a couple of days ago).
Our Easter present from Lydia.
I hope you can make out the foot prints.
She loved Eater egg "hunting", she loves being outside.
Went to the Doctor for a routine appointment this morning and all is fine. Then went to get a haircut at Larry's in downtown Jefferson City. Found out that Larry is closed on Monday's so I put Plan B into effect.
I went to Dudley's, a small "Mom & Pop" type restaurant between us and Jefferson City, for breakfast. They have good breakfasts, but nothing spectacular. After breakfast I drove to California. I wanted to check out weed eaters at the hardware store and I knew that there was barbershop a couple of blocks from the hardware store. Cost me $8 for a haircut and beard trim. I gave the guy a $2 tip and he tried to give it back!
Time for some lunch and then I need to get outside and do something today. It isn't going to be as warm today but it is mostly sunny.
Have a great day. May God bless you and yours.
Kelsey, Andy & Lydia, as well as Andy's folks (David & Elaine) came for Easter dinner. A good time was had by all. The weather was beautiful. David, Andy, Lydia & I walked around out property a little and then we settled on the front porch with the ladies. During our walk in the woods David pointed out a couple of places that might be places for mushrooms.
We had already seen the grass carp in our pond this spring but yesterday was the first time we saw any of the other fish. I didn't think they would be up near the surface yet.
Lydia's kitchen game (from a couple of days ago).
Our Easter present from Lydia.
She loved Eater egg "hunting", she loves being outside.
Went to the Doctor for a routine appointment this morning and all is fine. Then went to get a haircut at Larry's in downtown Jefferson City. Found out that Larry is closed on Monday's so I put Plan B into effect.
I went to Dudley's, a small "Mom & Pop" type restaurant between us and Jefferson City, for breakfast. They have good breakfasts, but nothing spectacular. After breakfast I drove to California. I wanted to check out weed eaters at the hardware store and I knew that there was barbershop a couple of blocks from the hardware store. Cost me $8 for a haircut and beard trim. I gave the guy a $2 tip and he tried to give it back!
Time for some lunch and then I need to get outside and do something today. It isn't going to be as warm today but it is mostly sunny.
Have a great day. May God bless you and yours.
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