Trim, Trim and more trim!

As I near the end of the house project, there is more trim to do than I can get done in a day. Today I installed a door on a closet in the bathroom and put a door on the hot water heater enclosure. I managed to trim out a window or two and tomorrow is the big day.
I convinced Da Barbs that the kitchen wall that was not detailed the bottom couple of feet would be best covered with bead board. Tomorrow I will start that project. I have a stud finder with a built in level. I will start with a good reference point and carry that throughout the kitchen. With a three inch bottom trim I should be able to make it all come together and not look like a carnival fun house. I'll try to get some good pictures and get them on the net soon. Barb sent pictures before and after of the kitchen. Scary.
I need about three days outside and the weather here is flat crappy. It rained hard and stayed cloudy the rest of the day. In spite of the hard work and the heater running I just got a chill this afternoon. A couple of bowls of good hot soup fixed that.
See ya all later. MUD

One More Thing!

I was listening to a discussion of pain and an interesting thing was said. Most people can feel pain from one place only. If your back hurts and you crack some ribs, the rib pain will cancel the back pain for a while. Seems that some pain clinics will deliberately cause short term pain to cancel out chronic pain. Seems like the mind and body can be fooled into paying attention to the new pain and when it stops the chronic or old pain just isn't there.
This sounded a lot like mumbo jumbo until I started thinking about my pain. As long as my ribs hurt, the back just didn't. Now that the ribs are on the heal the back is much better. Who Knew?

MUD

Thoughts From The Field

I don't know where to attribute all these thoughts so I will just report them and let you sort out ownership:

• An article in the paper said that old men should fight all our wars for the following reasons; Old men don't think about sex every ten seconds so they would have an extra 28,000 seconds a week to think about the enemy. Old men actually like guns and would take a lot better care of them. Old men are used to having someone nag and yell at them so Basic Training would be easier. No one ever outran a bullet so running is overrated. There is a lot to be said about the wisdom of the aged vs the strength of the young. It would be easier for the Drill Sergeant to yell, "Drop and give me one". Other than the PT tests, I never saw a push up in the Army. Many old men would love to have an excuse to get away from home. (That works both ways) Grumpy old men would make for a better soldier to hate the enemy. Besides all this, old men wake up early (Bladder Control Problems) and can sleep anywhere.
  
• Our Niece Jennifer had one of her young crews chosen to go back east to row in a big prestigious regatta. (Read Big, Big Honor) It is the "Head of the Charles" river near Boston. I am watching the results but it is a little too early for the race results to be posted even unofficially. Their boat was put on the KU boat trailer and on the way there someone crashed into the trailer and broke the ass end off their boat. (Yes, I know it is probably called the stern or bow but hey, this is my story) The good news is that the boat building company that they bought it from is there and loaned them a new boat. Boy talk about planned obsolescence. I wish them well today. It is truly an honor to have someone as pretty, bright and talented in the family. But hey, there are nieces that I would have loved to have for our daughter all over Barb's family and mine.
• Don't let anyone tell you that retirement means a life of ease and glory. I didn't work this hard or as long when I worked full time. I have a list that is about three pages long of "Honey Do's" that I am avoiding. Actually I am just a little late starting today but will get there eventually.
• Who would have thought the KU Football team would be 7-0 and 3-0 in the Big 12. It was a hoot when the TV broadcasters started talking about how the altitude would wear out the KU team (The game was in Boulder, CO) and they would pull an Oklahoma and lose it in the last half of the second half. (yes the 4th Quarter) Didn't happen ! KU won 19 to 13. GO Hawks! Bonus was they put that game on ESPN and I didn't nap all the way through it. The first half was a little slow so I did get in a little nap.
  
• In today's paper there was an ad for sweat pants with cargo pockets, a billfold pocket and a zipper in the front. The only draw back was they don't come in Dress Green or Tulip Yellow. Can we say Christmas present for Kenny, boys and girls? Now to find something worthy of Grissy.
• Our outside Tom Cat showed back up yesterday. Tiger the cat wasn't here when we got home from our trip. I guess he was out some where begging/hunting for food. Barb was out planting some flowers and that cat actually took a swipe at Barb for ignoring him when he mewed for food. I think it was a love swipe for our being gone but I'll promise you that it is just no way to win your way into her heart.
  
• When Barb and I were both working it was always easy to have money left at the end of the month. It was a bonus to have the drill check coming in and to have a slush fund. Now with the income not equal to or greater than outgo, it is a challenge. Not a big challenge, but one that a lot of last minute purchases on the new house and a trip to Idaho didn't complicate.
  
• Did you ever notice that the amount of stuff you have is always equal to or greater than the space to store it? Right now I am approaching either some serious organizing or the old pile in on top of the old pile routine. It is great to have a lot of new tools to help do the work but I smell a conspiracy to do more brewing. Oh well, what the hell, it is only the rest of my life.
  
• I saw a clock in that special stuff catalog on the plane coming home that was about my speed. It has the days of the week only on the dial. Kind of like the time my dad talked me out of my new Timex watch. He later told me that it told him three things more than he needed to know. I won that deal as he left me his Gold "25 year" Hamilton watch from Beech Aircraft. I don't wear it much but I do on special occasions.
• I stopped wearing my fancy Seiko watch when the band broke. I figured that I had been too rough. The replacement band was almost $80 to replace. I found out that if I didn't wear it during the day while working, the battery just didn't get charged up enough. I guess it is a lot like a metaphor for life; "If you don't use it you lose it." I have always said that a man should not own anything he doesn't use. Fancy China plates, antique cars and tools.
  

Oh well, I can wax eloquently here all day and in the end of the day the only thing I will have accomplished is to reach the end of the day. Better get my act together.
MUD

I love it When a Plan comes Together

For what seems like an eternity I have been restoring the new house from a wreck to what is a solid pretty house. There are things about the house that I would do different with enough time and $ but mostly it is a solid really redone place. I am not sure when Dave and his wife will move in but I hear rumblings about using the dish washer in the new place.
Today was to be curtain shopping but Da Barb's couldn't get together for whatever reason. I spent the day doing trim work. Coming together well and if I can hide the nails from the brad nailer should look pretty good.
I am waiting for the KU vs Colorado game at 4:30. Should be a good game. I hope they can get it done and KU on a plane before the snow gets there. I would think it would be great if they would come out of there with a win but hey they are 6-0 and I don't think they will win all their games.
My real challenge is to get the game on and stay awake for the entire game. Seems like the down time just cries out for a nap. More to come tomorrow. MUD

Places in Idaho By Barb

This is a nice little lake along the snake river. It looks like a staging area for ducks headed south,


















This is the Snake River By Twin Falls












Another View of the River by Twin Falls











This is the bathroom in Balanced Rock Park


















This is Balanced Rock



















All these Pictures were taken and edited by Barb.
MUD

Took the Day Off

Yesterday I spent the first day back putting a new 40 gallon water heater in the big rental house.
I decided that a day off would be in order so I started with the soldier's delight, a haircut. Shaggy just isn't my style.
I spent some time at the hardware store and made a trip to Harbor Freight. Bought some things to get my tools and stuff organized. I have a goal to have all my plumbing tools in one bucket (with an organizer) and my mechanic tools in a tool box. As it is it is spread from pillar to post and then some. I'll bet it takes me a week or two just to get re-organized after we finish Dave's house. I don't think I will gt quite as anal as my dad was and build plywood boxes for the saw, drill and tile cutter. Never say never.
During the last month there were a couple of things that broke and I just didn't get fixed. One was the bar stool in the kitchen. One leg of the four broke and I had it in the garage out of sight. The other was the towel/robe hook by the shower that kept falling off. I bought a used chair and put the legs from that one on the seat of the old one. The towel hook just got replaced for $3.99. Both jobs took a little time but no big deal. I think my plumbers bucket turned out nice but the real test will be when I need something and can't find it. I know there is some plumbers putty and some PVC cement still not in the bucket.
My barber was about to leave when I got there as hs wife was going to the hospital to pick up their new baby. I guess the baby's heart didn't seal the hole that bypasses the lungs and they had to go in and sew it up. Great young couple I wish them well. Two little boys and the desire to have at least one girl.
Better run. Have a great weekend. MUD

More Random Thoughts

I met Barbara through a blind date when I was stationed at Fort Irwin, California. (now known as the National Desert Training Center) I had been on post for about 6 weeks and a friend of mine was talking to his girlfriend on the phone there in the day room. I asked him if he was talking to his girl in Barstow or Bath, Maine. He said Barstow. To shut me up he agreed to ask Jane if she had a friend I could date. That blind date led to what will be in February 40 years of married life.
My favorite car in the whole wide world is almost always the one I am driving. Sadly, the 53 pickup has so many issues it just doesn't make the list. I need to spend some time and $ on the 57 to get it back into shape for it to be fun to drive. An air-conditioner, better steering, disk brakes on the front and a good radio will make it one hell of a car. I am not crazy about the carburetor on the engine, and I have been reading about a lot of after market stuff to make it run better. I really had a fun time driving Volvo's over the years. Dollar per mile they have been a pretty good investment and almost always fun to drive.
Today was put in a new water heater day. I had to work in a little closet that was about 4 feet wide and the heater was about three feet of that. It really wasn't all that hard to do and everything hooked up and worked. I could have used a little help to get the old heater out and the new heater inside. At least I was smart enough to drain the old heater before I tried to muscle it out. Lets see, 40 gallons of water at 8lbs per. 300 Lbs/+ that I couldn't have done myself. I wonder how long it will take me to empty out the dead heater out of the bed of the truck. Can't say there is much of a market for old leaky one's.
It must be the Monsoon season here in Kansas. Everything is soggy and it rained all day today. The humidity and the cold air makes it seem more damp and cold to me than I like. Don't mind working up a sweat if the air is hot. Cold and sweaty is clammy to me
Oh well, will go over to the the create site and see If I can load some people and places pictures.
MUD

Idaho, Places and People

Where do you think they are going to jump from?
Snake River Bridge in Twin Falls
My favorite Girls at the party. From left to rightAllison, Kay-Kay and Grissy. They were eating grapes and giggling as the dog also ate them.

Did Ya notice?

When I am tired, I am a lot less apt to smile and tend to be a lot more negative in my comments.
I am an early riser and after a quick cup of coffee am ready to go
I always try to take tests early in the AM. Back in school it was better for me to get a good nights sleep than cram for a test.
Someone said your subconscious mind never forgets. For me I can play solitaire on the computer and answer questions on Jeopardy. Wonder if my subconscious is listening and feeding me answers?
The first nights sleep in your own bed after traveling is always a treat.
The damn water heater at the rental house can last for 20 years but take a short one week trip and it leaks? I will go over and see if they got it fixed and how much it cost. Good thing I have a little of the travel $ stuck in the back of a suitcase.
Do you dream a lot or do you just not remember them. I dream vivid dreams.
That little "Bladder Warning Alarm" goes "PEE,PEE,PEE" until you get up and pee.
MUD

We're Back!

It is nearing midnight on 16 October and I had to test drive this computer after setting it up. I did realize that the battery in this laptop is toast and without a power plug in this is a 20lb anchor.
A fun time was had by all. Good Night. More to follow... MUD

Why we are here

Almost 40 years ago I met a wonderful young woman when I was stationed in Southern California. Now her family has figured out that they just have to live with me as I am not going away. We celebrated her Dad's birthday in the park. Picture one is the group together and laughing. They had a ball.
Picture two is the Johnny Appleseed of Recumbent bike riding. He rides, manufactures and plants the idea to ride one everywhere he goes. He's my bud and my brother-in-law.
Picture three is me doing what I can do. Two soups, ham and hot dogs. If they went home hungry, they were on a diet.
The last picture is Barb and I. I cooked and she took pictures. A good time was had by all.
MUD 10.14.07

Much Better

Man is this vacation thing a lot of fun. My ribs are a lot better and my system seems to be working well otherwise. I'll try to get some pictures of the scenery here Going to spend the day getting ready for the party in the park tomorrow. Scoped out the site tonight and things look pretty good.

The first picture is Balancing Rock Park. It a Twin Falls County, Idaho park and is beautiful.

The second picture is the famous balancing rock that looks like a head done by an impressionist to me. Magnificent scenery after driving miles of what looked like Kansas crossed with a desert.

The third picture is a pond and was covered with ducks preparing for their migration south. It was fairly early and the Snake river had a lot of fog. this is right along US 30 west of Twin Falls.
More tomorrow night after the party in the park. BYE MUD

Ribs

It should seem odd that someone that is so fond of BBQ ribs would break some. I will tell you that after a week and a half I only moan when I pick up things and lean to the right. Most of the time it is ony a minor side pain and the good news is it is just enough to help me not notice my feet and my back hurt. Gotta run, Barb's awake and has plans. MUD

How did this simple Job get so Hard?

Somewhere between sure I can do that and oh my, this is hard is about three days of looking at something so simple but so hard to do. I'm not sure what I could have done to simplify the process but there must be a way. Oh well, a little grout and it will all be done.
Things are moving to a close but nothing is easy.
Thanks for reading. MUD

Tile Counter

Kitchen Counter Tile

Once upon a time, many years ago, I watched as Barb's sister SandyKay tiled a kitchen sink. When she was done it was beautiful. I thought no sweat, I can do pretty and not even break a sweat. WRONG! It is tough to get it all looking good and even. I haven't even started the grout and I am a couple of days into this project. Part of my problem is my inability to lean over for extended lengths of time but my other problem is having the tile saw on the back porch about 25 feet from the counter I am working on. Man is Kenny a great help but it would have been nice to have someone guide me as I try to keep this mess from becoming ugly.
I am good for about three and a half hours and then I need to sit down. If I drop something I just have to ask Dave to pick it up. It is a royal pain in the side but he has a good attitude about it and helps a lot.
I'll include a picture of the tile tomorrow if I can get it all laid. They have pewter colored grout but I am not sure what that is. MUD

Three Broken Ribs

After wimping around for four days I finally went to the Doctor yesterday. I have three broken ribs but in spite of a little blood from a bruised kidney it seems to be working OK. It only hurts when I am first getting up and sitting down. The doctor says there is little they can do but wait it out. They have some good meds but they mostly make me hurt a little less and constipate the heck out of me. That is a problem when straining hurts like heck.
Oh well, I'll probable get back on the horse and ride tomorrow in spite of the hurt and just will know there will be things I can't do. MUD

Fall Down, Go Thud!

Yesterday I was in a hurry and rushed out to the truck by the back deck. Instead of using the steps, I used a concrete block to step down. Bad choice! The block turned over and I fell on the steps I should have used. I probably cracked a rib or two on my right side. It feels like a bad sprain you would have in your ankle. The last time I fell that hard I went to the hospital and they said I had a cracked rib and there wasn't anything they could do. It was sore as hell when I first got up this morning but two Naproxin Sodium (Aleve) knocked down the pain so I can get around.
It really hurts the most when I try to get up and down. Needless to say I am taking the day light today.
I don't understand the costs of things today. I can go to Harbor Freight and buy a Chinese made tile saw for $49.00 on sale or rent one for $46.00 a day. Even if the Chicago Brand dies it is a bargain the second day. I also went to a second hand store here in Topeka and bought a seldom used router for $29.00 and a new one would be at least $99.00. My fancy dancy Craftsman router died ugly.
I sure am glad that I have my brother-in-law, Ken. here to help. He and I are getting close to having this ended and he is looking forward to not having me harass him. I Will miss the thumping of little feet as Grissy runs between windows and patrolling for the yard cat. She starts from one window on the rug and runs over to the wood floor in the dining room. 90% of the time you will find the rug over in the corner all bunched up where she slides to a halt and the rug doesn't. She has to be getting in better shape from all the exercise. She was sleeping all day and now she runs or sleeps.
Hope you all have a great Sunday and get some rest.
MUD

Another Week!

Man is the work going fast now. The temperatures are a lot lower and the work is coming to a conclusion. There is still a lot to do and we are working down the list now.
We painted all the kitchen cabinets white and the wall yellow. It was a horrible purple (plum?) color with dark cabinets. It is now bright yellow and will be beautiful when we get the counter top installed and the tile laid. I have a lot of wood trim to install but I think it will go fast once we get a system set up. There is a little bit of tile to put up on a wall in the bathroom and a little interior painting to be done yet.
Barb and I have tickets for a flight in October so I hope we can keep crashing down the list without crashing. I do need to do something fun at the end of the day but don't have the energy.
MUD

Anther Day, Bunch of Dollars

No, this isn't a Sergio Leone story in the Clint Eastwood style. It kind of is like a, "Fist Full of Dollars" but it is to me like a pocket book empty of dollars. This simple rehab has turned into a discussion of what things cost vs. what is useful. A simple thing like a laminate counter top could turn into a $1000 dollar nightmare at the drop of a wallet. Hell, we can cover the entire floor of three rooms with a laminate for what it costs to cover a counter.
We are working on closing this job down and it is like landing an aircraft carrier full of airplanes before it gets dark. Just as you think you have something done, you look at the level and realize that there is no way the floor is going to work unless you take part of it up and make it level first.
My building buddy and his furry friend just came downstairs and I had better get off this machine so he can check his morning mail.
Have a fun day out there.
MUD