The Good Day All Thread

Netty— i have to lift my jaw up off the floor. Amazing is that!

 

@Anniekay interesting show you're witnessing. I expect that soon google won't give an accurate answer as to what's happening anywhere @Pacnorwest . But good sleuthing. Air traffic where I am has nearly died since last year. No helicopters zipping up and down the gorge anymore. It's really nice on one hand but the fact that the nearby helicopter flying school isn't operating has me wondering why.

 

Good Friday morning all. Currently just 9°C and overcast. Such a nice change of temperatures, but we only got a few drops of rain.
Friday at last! Its been another long week at work, so much to do and so little help. Next week I get a full time helper (Finally!!)
Going to get through the day and then jump right into the weekend at 2 pm. Cant wait.
Have a great day all

 

Netty— mate, it sounds like everything’s coming up roses. Have a good weekend, oma.

 

Good Saturday morning all. Currently 12°C and clear.
Had a wonderful surprise last night ... a call from my contractor friend who told me that he will be here this weekend to lay my floor! Yay!!
DD and I got right to work, clearing out the laundry room and removing the baseboard trim. We are all ready for him when he comes over, and couldn't be happier that this job is finally getting done!
I've got grass to cut and gardens to weed and water today, and it looks like the weather is going to cooperate.
Have a great day all

 

Netty— Three cheers!!!
I know you are over the moon. Fingers crossed that all goes well. I’ll cross mine as well, just to be sure.

 

Good Monday morning all. Currently 15°C and clear. I think. Hard to tell these days because it is still dark out when I get up!
My new flooring looks great! So glad to finally have it done. Today or tomorrow he needs to come back and put up the baseboard trim and caulk a few spots. We ended up painting the hall and bathroom before the floor was put down so it all looks so nice and fresh.
Today starts a week of high pressure at work, I am not looking forward to any of it. Add the stress of no rain and lots of watering to do will just top it all off.
Deep breath, here I go!
Have a great day all

 

Netty so nice to get a fresh new look and update our homes. Been doing the same and very happy to update my home. It’s out with the old and in with the new.

It’s so difficult that temps are high and no rain . It’s a lot of watering. As temps heat up during the hottest part of summers I use a watering program called b-Hive . A watering system on my computer that verifies all garden zones are watered daily. And still have enough water left for showers.

 

More canning to get done today. Not our own produce, but we've been putting some stews and meats in the canner for winter. It seems that as we're getting older we are much less creative in our daily meal planning. It gets so old trying to be creative. Hopefully having these around will keep us healthier through winter. All the things we've watched the old folks do throughout our lives make so much sense now. Go figure.
How nice, @Netty There's nothing like a good home refresh. And to get it done in summer is a plus. Makes me want to get someone in to fix some flooring problems we have in the master bathroom.
I'm happy that the typically hottest part of summer is nearly behind us @Pacnorwest We can look forward to things getting cooler soon. In fact I have my heavy bathrobe on this morning. I am enjoying the cool. Gotta love the pnw.

 

@Columbiariver it certainly has been an odd weather pattern this summer. Very few hot as the blaze's days this summer and the first in many years in the foot hills near Portland. Weather is back to the cooler marine layer patterns of the 90’s. Which was really how weather conditions existed in my area for years before climate change became a threat to our forests and wildfires have been designated a new season in our summers and much more.

Fire insurance has tripeled in the last 8 years even though I have several existing buildings made of materials that are considered fireproof. It’s the forest next door and sadly my garden that has has been determined a fire hazard as a result higher fire insurance rates. Yet the trees I planted are considered a fire threat that keep my home 10 or more degrees cooler in high summer temps. The shade from trees not only cools the air around your home but also prevents sunlight from heating up walls and windows. Consequently, air conditioning is rarely used.

Transpiration of water taken up from the tree roots is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as leaves, stems and flowers. It is a passive process that requires no energy expense by the plant. Transpiration also cools plants, changes osmotic pressure of cells, and enables mass flow of mineral nutrients. It’s all a positive reinforcement by Mother Nature to cool our gardens and homes using what nature provides as we use them wisely.

I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard spot. To obtain a break in fire insurance coverage costs I must clear all the plants, trees and shrubs 25-30’ away from the house. This proposition may help suspend a forest fire for a few minutes from hitting my home , as the forest next door is essentially unkept and wild for miles in every direction down thru the canyon in all directions.

Fire insurance rates is a catch 22 situation here really. In some ways caught in the middle by fire maps recently designed by the state and the former weather patterns of the past that never put any weight on fires which in the past fires used to be the exception. Now with the newly declared, ‘Fire Season of Summer’, due to climate change, fires are starting in drier areas of the state due to many factors. The state now has maps that consider topography and other elements that distinguishes this area as a high fire risk. In turn the insurance companies don’t consider other criteria for raising our rates . Now after over many years in this forever home it’s been a lovely experience building a garden from scratch the rewards are endless . Every day has been a life time of learning experiences.

Besides the deer, antelope, bobcats and squirrels along with a wild zoo like collection of other wild animals . They all depend on my garden that also attracts small & large mammals and birds as their private salad bar who have lived here in this region way before I moved here way out from the city , in a country setting with a few acres to manage. It’s always something. Sharing the land is always a gift. It’s really a neighborhood of very different neighbors who really are interested only in one thing …food. I really can’t complain. It’s so quiet and peaceful here.

 

Good Tuesday morning all. Currently 10°C and clear. Its going to be a nice day today, with sunshine and a high of 25°C.
Woke up extra early today, I couldn't sleep so I figured I might as well get up and get some stuff done.
Did a little online browsing as I've decided I need a new mattress for my bed. Now I'm wondering if I also need new bedroom furniture - going with that theme of house refresh. I feel like I need a 'reset'. The last few years have been so trying and I feel like I need a fresh start. Something needs to change in my life lol
Off for my dog walk, have a great day all

 

I enjoy reading about everyone's days. It's like talking to neighbors. Actually more here than my flesh-and-blood neighbors.

@Pacnorwest that's a big challenge, thinking about clearing 25' in every direction! Mine is not that clear. 12 feet mostly and some not even that. I think the neighbor's giant fir trees are less than 25 feet away.

 

I took the hard drives out of three old lap top computers, and gave the computers to Best Buy to be recycled. Next, I have to destroy the hard drives.

I also sent two tablets and a keyboard to the free Amazon recycling program. They provide the postage at ups.

The decluttering continues, one small step at a time.

Today I am exiled to the outdoors, as the new floor project was expanded to the front entrance and hallways. I really didn't like the old shabby, dingy flooring. The new one is brighter, lighter, cleaner.

 

Daniel good job with recycling and clearing out stuff. I’ve done the same and upgraded several areas with new ideas and found some lovely sofa covers that really changed the look in liv and fam room. New window coverings and paint makes a world of difference. I painted a mural on the patio floor so nice to see than just grey concrete. Much like all your projects it’s a feeling of freeing by letting go of all that stuff family has left us long ago and changing how I look at things. It’s funny how I had seen the same rooms and never recognized it’s not looking good. It’s the familiarity we see until we change our vision and find greater purpose to achieve new goals , as you know …the results are priceless.

Your many ongoing projects inside and out also has given new life to your home and doing the same has helped my outlook on life maybe yours too. Inside and out your amazing upgrades are all looking great. So proud of you & you have worked tirelessly to create a new space upgrading as you go considering fireproof materials and so much more. Congrats… It’s giving me the courage to follow your lead.

 

@Pacnorwest I would love to see a pic of the mural you painted !! I painted a concrete patio slab, back in the 90's, and did a dark blue oriental type rug on it. No pictures, since it was the 90's and we had Hurricane andrew Come through and my photo album got soaked.

I have been wanting to repaint my livingroom. I painted it 3 years ago a pale lavendery grey but that room is very bright and I think black would be cool. Black makes me a bit hesitant because... you know, black, but I may just do it this winter.

I got chair covers for my dining room chairs that are stretchy and were a real good deal at 4 for $16.00 !! Totally freshened up the look in there and they wash up in the machine really well. I also tend to get bored with the look of a room and switch the furniture around every once in a while. The only thing is, I have fireplaces (non-working) in most rooms and that makes furniture arranging tricky. Whether you like it or not, fireplaces are focal points and that limits your options.

BTW, I wanna see you post a selfie in that hazmat suit !! Please.???