Quiet around here

The end of summer is approaching. It's been a great one so far. Haven't really traveled, with my focus on little things around my house. The bar is done, now I'm just trying to find a time to have people over. It's been busy the last few weeks, with cookouts and dinners popping up everywhere. Right now I think the weekend of the 17th. I need to start checking around with peeps to see what works for them.

Chris and I are making plans for the holidays already. Last year we visited his friends in Chicago for their annual get together. This year it looks like they're all coming to town, to stay at either my place or at a local hotel. I can't wait! I'm already thinking of menu ideas.

Speaking of Chris, we've been going out for over a year now, and it's going wonderfully. I really can't remember someone I've dated with whom I felt such a shared connection. We aren't carbon copies by any means, but our interests do complement each other's to a rather unusual degree.

It may sound odd, but in the past I found it hard to treat my boyfriends like real people. Jokes or playful cracks would too often be taken the wrong way, and the end result would be a relationship where I was walking on eggshells, with a forced niceness at all times, not knowing what would set them off. Chris is the complete opposite. I can be myself, at last.

Summertime

Summer has hit Ohio (and most of the country) like a bag of bricks. Today it's only 87, and it feels downright springlike. Luckily, the skies keep cranking out storms ever few days, so nothing is getting too dry in my garden. The downside is that it is waaay too hot to do any sort of outside work on the bar. I was able to get a bit done early Saturday before it got too hot, but the pace of that project has slowed considerably. Damn.

3d Rendering

Here's a rendering of my bar done in Google Sketchup. Probably the coolest program I've seen in a long time.

Hopefully I will start building it this weekend...long holiday weekend coming up, so can probably find a few hours somewhere.

The $50 Bar

Remember that countertop that I picked up a few weeks back? Well, it's going to serve as a top for an outdoor bar on my patio. The best part? the wood for this project will cost under $50. Really.
I drew out the framing for it, I'll need a dozen 8-ft. 2x4s to build the frame. They run $1.97 each.

I'm designing sort of an open frame look to it, here's a rough rendering I did to visualize my ideas - i finished this up on Thursday night:

The brown areas with thin darker brown vertical lines represent wainscotting. The side areas on the front view with wider grey areas are open cutouts that are crossed with smaller wood pieces to break up the look a little bit and give it a more airy outdoor appearance.

I just realized that the rendering is also a kid's project. You can print the image, and cut out the pieces and assemble a model of the bar!

I can't wait to get started!

Work work work

This has been the year to get the yard into shape. The front garden is more or less done for the year, and now I'm tackling the back. Yesterday I removed about 2 dozen flat stones from the front that were doing little else than damaging the lawn mower, and poled them in the back. I'm slowly gathering materials for a small patio, so far by just reclaiming items around my property. I'm about halfway there.
I also cut back a lilac bush that was getting out of hand. It was at least 12-15 feet high, and had taken over an entire corner of the yard. Now it's about 8 feet high, and should be fine for a few years until it needs attention again.
Tonight I'm going to plant some annuals near the lilac (end of season clearance is the way to go) and maybe lay out the stones to see how much I still need. Slow but steady progress!

Ideas

My backyard is in need of help. I have several half ideas, but no kind of cohesive design. For years, I've wanted to do something with the un-loved and neglected nook by the back door, where my table sits slowly sinking into the yard. I can't decide on a patio or deck. A deck would look weird, and a patio would be nice, but pricey. I think I might try a landscaped style, with mulch and walkways blending the whole area together.

Simple pleasures

Several weeks back, I bought a bicycle. The weather didn't cooperate for several weeks afterward, so I did't have a chance to try it out until Memorial Day. That day was an education in how to purchase a bicycle.
- The bike I bought was a 'Comfort bike', and was indeed very comfortable, and pretty to look at.
- Those were the only redeeming qualities.

Out on the paved trails, this bike was horrible. The gearing was set up for very casual cruising, up to about 10 mph. Anything above that and the short gearing would wear you out very quickly. I discovered this when riding with Chris and Brad, who both had bikes better suited for the type of riding I prefer.

I tried the bike again a few days later, thinking maybe it was the extreme heat that day that caused me to run out of breath quickly. nope, same thing. I was totally spent after about 20 minutes.

Discouraged, I returned the bike to the store. I looked at the inventories at a few local stores, but couldn't find anything suitable that was in my budget. So I started scouring the Craigslist ads, which is where Chris had found his bike.

I found a nice older bike for $100. A Raleigh Olympian 12 speed road bike. As near as I can tell it was built around 1984. It's seen a lot of use, and the paint shows some scrapes and wear. But it's obviously been well cared for - the frame is solid and straight, the rims are great, and all the mechanical bits work perfectly. A comparable bike new would be over twice as expensive.

I took it for a ride with Chris that same night, and quickly fell in love. We were out for about 90 minutes, and I never felt tired. The gearing is ideal for my current style of riding, and it felt like I could ride all day without really breaking a sweat. Another ride on sunday was a bit over 2 hours, and the same result. I think I'll own this one for a long time, it's just about perfect.

Lessons Learned

Last year I bought plastic watering tools...sprayers, hose connectors, etc. I had the water shut off all winter, so thought they would be fine. Last night, I found the hard way that they had all broken over the winter. Lesson: they make metal ones for a reason.

My seedlings for the veggie garden also didn't make it. They wilted within a couple days of planting outdoors. Dunno, I didn't have this issue last year. I'm not sure what the lesson is here...so, off to buy some starter plants as well.

New look

I painted the wall of the living room by the windows...I love how this turned out!

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House Project

I think I'm going to tackle a house project that I've wanted to do since I moved in...building bookcases for the living room. There's room around the fireplace for 5 foot wide bookcases, but I think 4 feet would be enough. I haven't decided on making them all the way to the ceiling, or just up to the height of the mantle. I might just build them mantle height, and I can add on later if I want. I figure in materials I'm looking at under $100, and probably a weekend of work.

Family Ties

My on again, off again genealogy project is ramping up again...you can check out the updates in the link at he right.

Corned beef heaven

I've only made corned beef a few times...the name used to put me off (corn and beef?), but once I got past that and discovered its savory goodness, it became a torrid affair.
I think I have perfected my slow cooker recipe for it now. All I did was put the corned beef (store bought in the little pouch) into the crock with the peppercorns, and added a bottle of Guinness and about a quarter cup of brown sugar (I didn't measure). After about 9 hours on low, it was amazing. Tender but not overdone, and the flavors from the beer and sugar played very well together. I added carrots to the crock about halfway through, and they were really good too after soaking in that mixture. More sugar might be even better, or maybe molasses. Hmm. Decisions.

One down, house to go

I finished organizing the office friday night...so nice to have things organized and not scattered everywhere. Now to see if I can keep it that way!

Found

In the course of going through the office this week, I found the framed Civil War discharge papers for my ancestor, Daniel Harrington. I was storing it in a file cabinet for safekeeping and had forgotten it was there. It was funny looking at it again, and recognizing some of the names on the form - his C.O. and other officials. When I was a kid looking at this, I never gave them any notice. Now I feel an odd connection with them, having seen them referred to in other documents and historical accounts. The discharge notice is now hanging in the office.

Productive St. Paddy's Day

Contrary to popular belief (and prior history), I did not spend the entire day drinking. Worked a normal day, and then got home and was bitten by an organizing bug. I moved a small table that was in the downstairs bathroom and gathering dust and stuck it in the upstairs hallway. Then, I decided to hang some pictures. I took a couple that were not being used in the basement, and hung one near the bathroom...and the rest in the office.

After all that, out for a drink around 8 with Chris and a mutual friend Robert. We saw a ton of people we haven't really seen in a while (we haven't gone out this winter much if at all), saw some old friends, and didn't make drunken fools of ourselves. I was back home by midnight.

Organization

I'm getting bitten by a spring cleaning bug...I think I've been spurred on by redoing the living room and kitchen.
I organized and cleaned out the aquarium area last night, which was in dire need of attention. It's nice knowing what I have, and not being semi embarrassed if someone wants to look inside there.
Now my attention has turned to the office, which has been neglected for a few months since the computer died. Lately it has become a receptacle for mail and things I just don't know how to sort. Well, this is the week when that changes. I'd like it to be a quiet reading room, now that the living room has a tv again. I might even paint it, the odd purply red color in there has never sat well with me.
Once I start eyeing the basement, look out.

New Brain

My car's first full tank after the brain transplant, with a highway trip and 2 days of commuting...35.4 mpg. On winter gas. Yowza. Bring on $4/gallon gas, I'm ready.

Total Recall

Yes, I'm running out of recall puns. I took the car in for the new brain today. And, wow. Very different...smoother, quieter...I didn't think it ever ran rough, but now it's like a different car. Well worth the aggravation.

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Consarn It

The problem with buying the same underwear that your boyfriend has (It was Hobson's choice that day at Target, that style or none) is the constant feeling on laundry day that your clothes are hopelessly intermingled. That is all.

Flux

I feel like my life is in flux right now. I haven't gone into it, but the whole debate at the State level about changes to the way of dealing with Gov't employees will have serious ramifications for me in short order. I have no idea what to expect. I'm trying not to dwell on it, but it's causing a lot of sleepless nights. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, and remember that whatever happens, I'm still here, and am surrounded by caring people in my life. This will pass, and I'll follow a new path as a result.

Design on a Dime

I've been redoing my place a bit lately...tackled the kitchen a few weeks ago, and now working on the living room. I decided the tv free thing was nice, but that couch is too comfy. And I can use the office for a reading room, once I get it cleaned up and organized (next project) So...I made an entertainment center out of some wire metal shelves from the office - not hard, just adjusted the shelves to suit the need. Now with the stereo and tv in there, it's my favorite space.

Learning to Relax

We've had a rainy spell the last few weeks...heavy storms coming thru a couple times a week for it seems like a month now. My rain gauge has counted about 6 inches just in the last 2 weeks. And the basement is bone dry. I can get used to this. It used to be even the hint of rain in the forecast would cause me to lose sleep, anticipating the cleanup that would follow. Now I don't even have to worry. I can even - gasp - leave the house during a storm, not worrying that the basement will turn into an indoor pool.

Oy

Less than impressed with the dealer visit. I woke up last friday and drove, in a snowstorm, to the dealership a dozen or so miles away. When I arrived, the dropoff area was full of people, both customers and staff, all with clueless expressions on their faces. After about 20 minutes, someone motioned me over to his station, I started to explain why I was there, but he cut me off stating that the service dept. was using a new computer system that had just crashed...and they could do nothing at the moment. I tried to show him the paperwork I'd brought, showing that my car had the component that needed replacing, but he said that they would have to check that themselves. Fair enough.

I went out to the sales area and waited. I had just finished my first cup of car dealership coffee when the tech appeared again and called my name. He confirmed that yes, my car was in a recall, and yes, my car had the defective component that needs replacing. Well, thanks. I knew that. He said the system was still down, and they couldn't really do anything beyond that at the moment, but would go ahead and order the part (supposed to already be in stock) and let me know when it was in.

More or less a waste of a morning. And I'm still waiting for that call. One issue is that they kept my recall letter, so I couldn't go to another dealer. I'll give them a week to get their act together...if I don't hear from them by Friday, I'll be heading over on Saturday to request that either they schedule to have the repair done, or they return my letter so that I can go elsewhere.

As You May Recall

I was notified recently that the parts were in to replace my car's engine control module under a safety recall. I was notified of the recall back in September. things move slowly at the new GM. At any rate, I called the dealer and got an appointment scheduled to have my car repaired. ti was pain free, the rep didn't ask why I was bring a Pontiac in to a Chevy dealer, just took the info and said they'll see me next Friday at 9. To be continued.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi Chris...click here.

Weekend

Ah, weekend...breakfast tomorrow, then a day I imagine of lounging and watching movies. Is there anything better?
I spent most of my evenings this week redoing my kitchen. I have needed more counter space since moving in, and paying for more cabinets/space, let's face it, isn't happening.
I moved the smaller kitchen appliances around, and freed up about a third more counter space in the process. I rearranged the storage on the open shelves, and moved those over to free up some space by the back doorway. Now I have room to actually cook - although that hasn't stopped me before.

January 28, 1986

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

Modern Living

I'm inching closer to ditching cable and going online for my entertainment. I can no longer justify shelling out $100 a month for the perhaps 5 hours of tv a week that I find entertaining. I'll probably wind up with Netflix and a Roku box or something similar, and a hefty broadband connection. Even with the internet service and Netflix subscription, I'll be saving about $50 a month. Imagine being able to actually watch what I want instead of scrolling through several dozen channels of nothing, and settling on a 20 year old Star Trek rerun.

Just Sayin

Chocolate with butter cream frosting.