Snowflakes

Friday ended with the start of the big snow. We walked into Wal-Mart and when we came out, it was snowing something fierce. It was already accumulating. I called Heather at her office to tell her to be careful while driving home, and they didn't have a single flake down there. Snowflakes, I mean.

We got home and I went outside to take a couple of pictures. I looked back at the dining room and both dogs were sitting there watching the snow come down. I tried to take a picture, however it came out looking a little ominous. Take a look:



You can barely make out the outlines of the dogs, but those eyes are just glowing between the snowflakes. If I were out alone in the woods at night, the sight of those eyes would just creep me out.

Meg doesn't like the snow very much. I guess it's a little cold for her old bones. Abby, on the other hand, really got into it. She was rolling in it, licking it, burying herself in it. She wouldn't come inside, either.



This is what we woke up to on Saturday morning.



While we spent much of the day inside the house, Abby was trying to scam Emily out of her crackers. Oh, it looked like she was just trying to snuggle, but if you watched closely, you could see the true object of her attention.







Due to the weather, there was no home improvement going on, rather home excavation. I shoveled some snow away from the garage door, uncovered the heat pump, and helped the girls try to get a sled path going. I started out to the driveway to dig out the cars, but took a look and decided we weren't going anywhere today.



I look like a ticked off mafia lawyer on vacation. I knew I gained some weight, but MAN!

Ok. Lot's of time on my hands, this weekend. I was looking through some of my old stuff from Paymentech. I used to write obituaries for people when they left the company. I did find one classic that might be enjoyed by all, since it was for the fax machine. Here it is:

The Death of Lake Eduard (or, Loch Mess)

This weekend I finally conquered the mess that was Lake Eduard. I had been planning to fill the place with gravel just to end the need for walking the plank I had laid across it in a vain attempt to keep the dogs from getting soaked, but had to put that off when seeing the cost involved. Gravel is only about $16.00 a ton, and I needed at least three tons. Delivery by dump truck was about $90.00, more than the cost of the gravel I needed. I had to wait until I could spare the money to get it. Fortune finally smiled upon me, however, when Dad called me on Thursday afternoon to see if I still needed gravel. He had some on a job that he needed to get off site. I could have it if I went and picked it up. It required time and I'd have to shovel it into the truck, but time and labor I got. Money I don't. So on Friday and Saturday I made a few trips to the site and managed to get six truckloads of gravel before my rapidly aging body went on strike. I later began the attack on the lake. I was able to cover most of it. At day's end on Saturday the lake was no more. As fate would have it rain fell most of the day on Sunday, and the Lake gave one last wet, defiant gasp. The water was only about an inch over the top of the gravel, and once the rain stopped it drained off enough that you couldn't see it. The new pump took care of the rest. It's nice to be able to walk out to the garage without balancing on my makeshift boardwalk. Abby is upset, though. She no longer gets to wallow in the mud and leave interesting patterns of soil on the carpet. The gravel has put an end to all that. It's not pretty, but it's a temporary fix. Hopefully next year I'll be able to find the money to rent a Bobcat or a Backhoe for a day. The back yard needs some serious grading to control the drainage. Ok. I'd come up with any excuse to use heavy equipment, but I really do need it. While doing it all with a shovel and a wheelbarrow would result in a physique that would put the Bowflex models to shame, it would take me forever to get it done. Can you imagine that? Still digging up the yard at my 40th birthday? Totally buff and growing out my hair?

"What is the meaning of Life?"




"To crush your honey-do list, to see it driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the dogs." (It's more impressive if you read that with an Austrian accent.)

The Little Dog Who Cried "Woof!"

As 2009 nears an end, I take the time to reflect upon the events of the last twelve months. A lot has happened since New Years' Day, 2009. We completed our kitchen renovation, and a lovely kitchen it is. We no longer enjoy the "convenience" of preparing dinner and cleaning the dryer lint filter at the same time, but it was a sacrifice we were willing to make. The bathroom also received a bit of a facelift, with new paint, vanity, mirror, and tile floor. The laundry room is completed, although I still need to build and install the cabinets. I had knee surgery, started going back to school, entered the ranks of the unemployed, became a Mr. Mom (which is a job, less the paycheck), and several other events I am certain to remember when I am more fully awake.

Of all the things that have happened this year, the one thing that has made the most impact on my life is Abigail M. Aussie. For those of you in the know, Abby is our miniature Australian Shepherd. I wanted to name her Fizzgig, after the character in Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal". I was overruled by the rest of the family so now we have Abigail. She's a cute little dog, very sweet for about 80% of the time, but occasionally she show's her other side. The side that likes to chew on everything. The side that harbors some deep resentment-dare I say, hatred- of carpet. Or maybe I'm wrong and it's actually a love of carpet that drives her to defile it every so often. Maybe it's just her way of adding to the decor.

The one thing that sticks out in my mind is that bark. I am not a fan of canine opera. It just doesn't bring out the best in me. For most of this past year I have not bothered to turn on my alarm clock. Abby always starts barking around 5:30am every morning. Sometimes it's a little later, sometimes earlier if someone makes a little noise and she thinks someone is awake to let her loose. I have to admit that lately I've become a little immune to the bark, but it still wakes me at some point in the morning. I don't know how long she has been barking this morning, but I didn't bother to get out of bed until 6:30. Most mornings I wake, but refuse to get out of bed. This has allowed me some opportunity to wonder if there is some sort of message in the bark, one with a deeper meaning than "Hey guys! Let me out! I gotta pee!"

It may just be the fog of sleep, but I have noticed a pattern to the bark. It never changes. Three sharp barks, followed by one, two, or three barks equally spaced. It sounds like Morse Code. I try to remember my code from Boy Scouts, but it's fuzzy. If I apply the code, the first three barks are the letter "S". The next three are where it gets fuzzy. One would be the letter "E", two the letter "M", and three the letter "O". These barks are repeated in sequence over and over again. It's the same every morning. I can't decide if she's sending out an "SOS", or barking "SEM" every morning. I know what "SOS" means, if the code is to be applied, but what the heck is "SEM"? Is it a word that means something to canines? Is it an acronym for some phrase in dog? It is possible she is saying "SO" over and over again. I haven't figured that out. I may actually figure it out in time, if I don't lose my mind, first. I think I may need to look for clues to the meaning of the bark in some old "Lassie" episodes. Maybe she's been trying to tell us that someone has fallen down a well.

First Snow!!!!

It has been raining all day long. It has rained a lot, lately. On average it seems to have rained every other day for the last week. Makes the yard pretty soggy. Today however, we got some snow. Not much, just a flurry for a couple of hours. It won't accumlate, since the ground is still too warm and soggy, but it's cool to see. We might have a good snow when winter really gets here, in January or February. I tried to get some pictures of the snow, but it didn't show up on the film.

Anyway, here are the latest pictures of the laundry room. I just need to build the cabinets, now.

Some Progress...

Finally have all of the drywall up in the laundry room. So far, we have all of the plumbing completed, the tile is down, and the drywall has been taped and heavy coated. It isn't drying very quickly, though. It's a little cold in there. I have run a new heating vent into the room, but it hasn't been cold enough for the heater to kick in. I've got a fan on it, right now. I even cranked up the heat for a while until I couldn't stand it, anymore. Hopefully, the heavy coat will dry enough for a skim coat this evening. I was hoping to paint the room this weekend.

After all that is done I'll start on building the cabinets. That will be more fun, since it involves a table saw and routers.

I'm going to Jail!!!

Ok. I haven't written in a while. Haven't had all that much inspiration. Until today. I was just at the computer minding my own business when the breaking news came up on the television in the living room. I can see the TV from the computer, so I glanced over as they announced an arrest in the extortion case in which David Letterman is the victim. Imagine my surprise when I saw myself on TV!! At least it looked like me from across the room.

Just to re-assure my family, I am not an extortionist. If I needed money that badly I'd take on something a little more respectable, like politics. Apparently doesn't take much, anymore. Just kidding. I'd never submit the country to my wierdness. Just so you understand my brief confusion, here are a couple of pictures for you to consider.








The resemblance is uncanny. I do believe, however, that the guy in the first picture has more gray than I do. Don't know about how much hair he has, as we seem to share the same need to cover the tops of our heads. Anyway, everyone, don't worry. I'm not going to jail. Desperation did not drive me to attempt to extort money from a nationally known television personality. Besides, I'm too busy working on the 2012 Presidential campaign. Vice-project manager Abby has thrown her bark into the running for that election. I think she'd make a great candidate.

Finished pictures!!!

I am not sure if finished pictures were ever posted. Here are a few. We are loving the kitchen and so grateful it is done!!! A few of the bathroom also, still needs a bit of trim work but nothing major.

Kitchen Duty

I finally installed the tile backsplash in the kitchen, this past July 4th weekend. It wasn't too hard to do. Looks great, though. I have completed the wiring of the countertop electrical outlets, as well. It has all been grouted and sealed, and the outlets have stainless steel covers to match the appliances. I still need to install the windowsill and backsplash. There is also about 10 feet of base trim and shoe I need to install. I tore up my knee, so now I can't kneel or crawl on the floor, so the base will have to wait. I'm going for a followup with the doctor tomorrow, but it looks like I will need surgery on the knee. Yipee. I need to break out the "Six Million Dollar Man" soundtrack, again. I'm trying to get the doc to throw in the bionic leg upgrade with the surgery.

Procrastinor XIVII: No More Excuses

I know. I haven't been writing for a while. I just haven't had much to report. I finished the bathroom and then I just couldn't motivate for the laundry room. If only I had the energy, charisma and power of the guy below:

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Chuck Fu

O.K. So I was watching "Return of the Dragon" this weekend.

I find Chinese martial arts movies amusing. The climax of the movie is when Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee face off. Chuck is the only bad guy in the movie who actually gets in a few punches on the Bruce. It was rather funny to see Chuck without the facial hair and sideburns. I must say that it pained me, however, when Bruce pulled a handful of Chuck's chest hairs out during the fight. Ouch!! Who on earth thought to write that part into the movie? Hence, this awesome cartoon I found paying homage to that immortal scene...

I guess they forgot that Chuck didn't have facial hair in that one, but funny, nonetheless. This is also the only time I have ever seen Chuck get the snot beat out of him. I didn't think that was allowed in movie making. Anyway, I have no justification for watching this movie instead of working on the house, but I feel compelled to share the following Chuck Fact.

Until next time....

In Search of the Laundry Room

Today I started working (really working) on the laundry room. I began running the water lines to their final positions. I have the window installed. It needs a little tweaking before I fasten it permanently. I had started running the water lines (all CPVC and CPVC cement) and started to feel a little wierd. In a moment of clarity I decided that I needed to go ahead and install the window to facilitate better ventilation. That helped a lot.

This is the laundry room as it has looked for the past 4 months, or so. Below is the laundry room pretty much as it looks right now. What is not in the picture is the framed in chase above the window. The chase will hide the plumbing, and I'll be able to put cut off valves in for the water lines. It also solves the issue of the waste vents, since it will enable me to run the vent to the roof without drilling any large holes in the top plate of the wall.

The washer and dryer will be stacked in the right corner of the room, and the rest of that wall will be counter space, a sink and some cabinets. I didn't get as far on the plumbing as I wanted. I ran out of CPVC, and had to go pick up some more. It was 9pm before I knew it. I try to not do any noisy stuff after 9pm so my family and the neighbors can sleep. I hope to have all of the plumbing completed tomorrow. I'd like to hang drywall tomorrow, but that will depend on how quickly I can get all of my other chores done.

The Next Project

Now that the kitchen and bathroom are mostly done (just a few finishing touches left), it's time to turn my powers to the laundry room. I finally got the new dryer hooked up, and figured out how to get that base kit off of the washing machine. Kathryn, I have the washing machine base ready if you still want it, and Jessica, the old dryer and microwave are ready for you if you still want them. I can bring them over this weekend.

Got a lot to do to finish this room. Still not as bad as the kitchen, but better than the bathroom. I need to run the plumbing to it's final spot for the sink and the washing machine, tie in a HVAC duct, insulate and hang drywall, install a new window, run a vent through the roof for the plumbing, lay tile, and install cabinets. I already have all of the material to complete the job. The tile and drywall have been in the living room for the last several months. The material for the little plumbing I have left is out in the garage. I am using some of the better cabinets from the old kitchen and will be repainting them white. I have a countertop salvaged from work when we got new workspaces for the office. I will need to build the rest of the shelves from furniture grade plywood I managed to get on clearance almost two years ago. I had originally bought the plywood to build the cabinets for Heather's scrapbook room. The only thing I may have to still get is the paint for the walls.

I don't have any pictures to show what we plan for the laundry room to look like, but maybe I can scan in my sketches, if I can ever find that missing cable for the scanner.

This will be Abbey's first run as an assistant project manager. Hopefully, those two will go easy on me. After this project, I may be able to turn some attention to the garage.

Oh Crap!!!!

Abigail. Abbey. The "A-Factor". Maybe I should add "Stinky" to the list of names. We're still working on her housebreaking. I thought that the reason crate training was supposed to be so great was because dogs won't defile the place where they sleep. Apparently Abbey doesn't know that law. As I let her out of the crate this morning (she launches out like a photon torpedo- complete with the sound) I had to fight to keep from succombing to the stench. I know, this is gross. Just let me vent, Ok?

Anyway, have you ever seen Daddy Day Care? Remember the part where the kid comes out of the bathroom and Eddie Murphy peeks in the door and is horrified by the carnage all over the floors, walls and ceiling? Just paste my face on that scene. That was Abbey's crate. Maybe I should call her Crappigail, or the Crappinator. I know, she's just a puppy, and can't hold it all night, yet. I just don't remember Meg being that difficult.

The dogs, by the way, have been eating a new dog food for the last couple of weeks. Blue Buffalo is apparently a miracle food. The dogs love it. They messily devour it as soon as I set it on the floor. They seem happier. Their fur is softer. They are more energetic. Very, very energetic. And it goes through Abbey like, well, you know.

So, I will welcome any housebreaking advice so this little dog can be unleashed upon the house. If you come to visit, bring your own clothespin.

The Current Bathroom Shots

I finally downloaded my camera. Here are some better shots of the nearly complete bathroom. Again, it's hard to get a good angle since it's so small.

Here's the new tile floor once I had finished. Ignore the salmon tub. It's just not in the budget to reglaze it this year.

The toilet and vanity installed.

The vanity and new mirror installed. We got rid of the in wall medicine cabinet and covered up the hole.

"Abbs" and the "M-Factor", happy to be putting their paws on the newly shampooed carpet, the little twerps.

Just have to install a new box for the outlet, since the old one was a plastic remodel box and isn't holding the mounting screws, and a couple pieces of baseboard. I was working on that on Saturday, before it started to rain.

Et tu Chuck?

I'm a little bummed. I found a Chuck Norris Random Fact generator and added it to my site. Yes. I'm a Chuck fan. "The square root of Chuck Norris is Pain. If you try to square Chuck Norris, the result is death." Unfortunately, it seems that some rather foul language started to show up. So, I had to ban the CNRG. Too bad. Some of them are pretty funny. Don't know why some have to throw in the language.

"If you can't see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can see Chuck, you are only seconds from death."

Oh well.

The Phantom Menace

The bathroom side of the Megginator Tunnel has officially been closed. The bathroom turned out to be more work than I planned. I had cut a hole in the drywall to put in blocking to support the accessories and found a lower form of life lurking within. I pulled out some more of the wall and it was covered in mold. I ended up pulling out about half of the drywall and treating the framing for mold. Good thing drywall is only 6.95 a sheet. I wasn't planning on that expense. It's all back up, now. I don't have any really good pictures, since the room is really small and it's hard to get a good shot.

The recent rain has given new life to Loch Mess. I just can't seem to get rid of that thing. I ran the pump for most of the day, yesterday. During the last big rain I was just watching the water run from the neighbor's yard, across the driveway and into the Loch. Every once in a while one can spot the elusive beast that inhabits the Loch- wait a minute... that's just Meg. False alarm. I didn't know she was such a graceful swimmer.

The bathroom is pretty much done. There are a few details to work on, like some caulking and some spots on the wall that will need to be patched, but it is otherwise complete. I think that further down the road I will need to pull off that fiberglass tub surround and tile the whole tub area.

That will not be happening this year.

Episode 24: Endgame

The last of the appliances has been installed, and the kitchen is now almost fully functional. The only functional item missing is the wiring of the countertop outlets. We still have to install the tile backsplash, and some baseboard and trim, but it's about done. Oh yeah, we still need to do under the cabinet lighting, but that isn't urgent. Just in case you don't want to browse through the last 23 episodes to see the beginning of the kitchen, I have included the before and after shots. I like the new kitchen much better.
Before.

Also Before.

The final before...

And After!


We love the kitchen. It caused a great deal of pain and grief for a while, but it's done and much more functional than before. And I don't have any leaking plumbing. There will be a tile backsplash on the wall above the countertop, and the countertop outlets are not yet wired. We are able to use all of the appliances, however, so the reign of microwave cuisine has officially ended.



Stay tuned for the next terrifying volume of this series: "Flushed Away", the bathroom renovation. Fortunately, it is nowhere near as daunting as the kitchen was.

Episode 23: C is for Cookie.....That's Good Enough for Me....

C is for cookie, and Cookie starts with C.

Cookie Time has arrived!!! Look at them! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?!!! Oh, it brings tears of joy to my eyes.

Ok, the picture doesn't do them justice. So you'll just have to imagine the what the warm, gooey, chocolatey, homebaked goodness must be like up close. This is the culmination of all I have worked for. Now Heather loves her kitchen and is baking again. Excuse me. I'm headed back for another.

Episode 22: The New Dogwasher

We installed a new Dogwasher in the new kitchen. The original intent was to put in a dishwasher, but we love our dogs so much we put in a fancy new dogwasher. It's just like a jacuzzi for dogs.


At least that's what Meg told Abby...

Episode 21: @#%&*!!!!!

This weekend I attempted to complete the kitchen. I was having all sorts of trouble with the water connections and the dishwasher. After much nagging from Project Manager Meggie and Project Manager in Training Abby, I finally have the sink and the dishwasher running. I am still having trouble with the water filter, though. For some reason the connector that was provided with the filter leaks terribly. I have removed and reattached it several times, with the same result. I can't figure it out. I had to step away from it for the day, or it might be found scattered in little pieces along the length of Camrose Road. All that is left besides that is mounting the microwave.

I have to introduce the newest member of the clan, Abigail the Aussie. She's another little Australian Shepherd like Meggie. Meggie has been showing Abby who's boss, as well as teaching her the ins and outs of Project Management. Here's a shot of them hard at work, as usual.



Abby seems to have no trouble learning the ropes.

Episode 20: Topping it all off...

The countertops are in!!! Finally! Except for a few finishing touches, the kitchen is complete. I have to wait 24 hours before I can install the water hookups and drains. The kitchen should be functional before the weekend is out.

Cookie Time is at hand.

Project Manager Meggie was moody and decided to tear into a bag of Hershey's Kisses. Another thing that should not be given to canines- chocolate. Fortunately, I banished her to the back yard before she had another opportunity to defile the carpet. She can't claim hunger. She didn't even eat all of her food. Then again, I wouldn't eat her food, either. I can see where simple chocolate would trump the meat and gravy flavored goodness that is Pedigree Small and Crunchy Bites. Who decides that dogs love this stuff, anyway? I don't think they're that picky about what they eat. As far as Meg is concerned, if it's on the floor it's in her world and it's gonna get snarfed, no matter what it is. Seriously. I won't describe some of her past....I can't even call them meals. They don't even qualify as snacks, or tidbits. I don't know what to call them other than disgusting. Ok. That's enough of that.

Episode 19: The End is Near

Today the kitchen looks nothing like it did this time last Friday. The cabinet installation is complete. The countertops should be installed next Friday. We are so close to having a functional kitchen once again. Here are the pictures so far.

Just a couple taken during the installation.

And finally, the kitchen as it appears at this moment.

This weekend I'll try to have all of the appliances connected and set, then I get to move on to the spinoff series, "Extreme Laundry Room Makeover".