what did you do today? (2008-2015) (closed)

[Nords]

Great dawn patrol yesterday-- 6-8 footers with no wind and enough cloud cover to keep from breaking a sweat. Some of the year's best surfing so far, although there'll be more to come this Thu-Sat.

One of our more entrepreneurial neighbors coordinated a neighborhood garage sale of about 10 homes spread out across six blocks. We cleaned out our Goodwill-donation closet a little but the real fun was talking story with the neighbors and shopping each other's junk. I found a HP Scanjet 3570c that claims to do 35mm slides as well as paper & photos. $30-- the owner never even too it out of the box. The real convenience was being able to get a piece of hardware without having to drive all over the island pricing the sales and trying to find a "good" scanner. This one is probably "good enough". I think that it's one of the older scanners in the neighborhood... after mine.

Our daughter's coming home in three weeks. She must have decided summer school just wasn't busy enough-- she's taken a job as a campus tour guide. I wish I'd had that opportunity to practice my public-speaking skills at that age.

Today's been a morning workout & grocery shopping. Now it's going to be a whole lot of paperwork sorting & filing.

 

[grasshopper]

Went out for my regular run around the homestead. In one spot not far from my house I spied some barefoot tracks in a sandy wash headed toward home. Except they were bear foot tracks. The tracks were fresh, it had rained last night and had left dimples in the sand. So now I have to watch for rattlesnakes, Mexican hikers, and bears. Luckily Ms G. had 2 dogs and had gone to the flats for her run.

 

[nvestysly]

Going camping during the week 'cause we're FIREd

 

[freebird5825]

Another hot day...86F and zero breeze. I think I'll mow the lawn later this evening to avoid burning the grass and getting a sunburn myself.
I boiled some potatoes for salad, and put some chicken legs in the ol' crockpot with BBQ sauce. I'll put a crisp on them later on the grill or in the convection oven.
I suppose I should hop in the shower and get myself motivated to go out when Mr B gets back. He had some prickly business to go take care in his capacity as Commander (Legion).
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown...

 

[Ronstar]

Ran 4 miles in extreme humidity. Went to work for the 3rd time in the last 3 weeks, but a nasty storm knocked out electricity. So I worked from home a couple of hours. Now I'm going to take a nap, bring my truck in to get deer damage fixed, take a swim, eat dinner, and watch tv.

 

[freebird5825]

I'm so darn proud of myself I just had to post again...
The sky clouded over a bit, so I motivated myself out to the back shed and started up the lawn tractor. It has been acting funny on the last few cutting sessions, almost like the throttle control was slipping or sticking. I had checked all the carb control mechanisms for obstructions and sprayed it with WD40 the last time I ran the mower. In spite of that, it usually took me some rapid throttle control maneuvers to get it to run in high speed for cutting. Unladylike language did happen.
So I got serious today and changed out the in-line gas filter. I found some small chunks of a rubbery type black material just below the air filter, sitting in the throat of the carburetor. Odd...I haven't solved that mystery yet.
So I called Mr B to pick up a new spark plug and carburetor rebuild kit on his way home. I installed the new plug, and gave it a startup try before I started doing a full blown carb rebuild. The old plug was very black, as I expected from it running too rich while it was stuck in choke for several minutes on previous attempts.
It w*rked beautifully, i.e. the high throttle setting equalled high speed run. Thank you Sears for hiring me as a small engine mechanic during summers when I was going to college.
I may do the carb rebuild at the end of the season, just to eliminate the possibility that it needs it. I have not yet done that for this machine.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, correct?

 

[FinanceDude]

I'm so darn proud of myself I just had to post again...
The sky clouded over a bit, so I motivated myself out to the back shed and started up the lawn tractor. It has been acting funny on the last few cutting sessions, almost like the throttle control was slipping or sticking. I had checked all the carb control mechanisms for obstructions and sprayed it with WD40 the last time I ran the mower. In spite of that, it usually took me some rapid throttle control maneuvers to get it to run in high speed for cutting. Unladylike language did happen.
So I got serious today and changed out the in-line gas filter. I found some small chunks of a rubbery type black material just below the air filter, sitting in the throat of the carburetor. Odd...I haven't solved that mystery yet.
So I called Mr B to pick up a new spark plug and carburetor rebuild kit on his way home. I installed the new plug, and gave it a startup try before I started doing a full blown carb rebuild. The old plug was very black, as I expected from it running too rich while it was stuck in choke for several minutes on previous attempts.
It w*rked beautifully, i.e. the high throttle setting equalled high speed run. Thank you Sears for hiring me as a small engine mechanic during summers when I was going to college.
I may do the carb rebuild at the end of the season, just to eliminate the possibility that it needs it. I have not yet done that for this machine.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, correct?

I guess I need to sign DW up for some small engine classes at the local tech college, why should I have all the fun?

 

[bbbamI]

I had my gum graft done this morning....the first one was scheduled for the 8th of June, but my bp was out of control. Fortunately everything checked out well this a.m. and I am past the operation hurdle.

So...I’ll have to wear a stent in my mouth for four days/24 hours a day. During these four days I can expect some bleeding and my face will be bruised and swollen. The first week I can have ice cream, smoothies, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. After the first week I can have normal food…however, it can not be hot, spicy, crunchy, or hard. I have other restrictions as well. The food/restrictions are to be followed for another 3 weeks.

I have very little swelling so far, no bruising and minimal pain.

I'm not surprised. It's only natural to be anxious, both about the procedure and about DH. Maybe a few days of antianxiety meds would help too.

I took an anti anxiety/sleeping pill last night and it seemed to make all the difference in the world in my anxiety level this morning. Shoot...I was almost normal....

 

[simple girl]

I have very little swelling so far, no bruising and minimal pain.

Yay! Hope you continue to do well post-op!

 

[Nords]

Took an anti anxiety/sleeping pill last night and it seemed to make all the difference in the world in my anxiety level this morning. Shoot...I was almost normal....

Was that prescribed by Dr. J. Daniels or by Dr. J. Walker?

 

[bbbamI]

Yay! Hope you continue to do well post-op!

Thank you..........Sometimes surprises can turn out to be good ones.

Was that prescribed by Dr. J. Daniels or by Dr. J. Walker?

....well this time neither one. Actually the past few months I've rarely consumed anything alcoholic. Heh....maybe that's my problem....

 

[Coolius]

bbbamI,

Here's wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.

I love hot & spicy stuff, so I can certainly empathize with the inability to imbibe those foods.

Coolius

 

[simple girl]

Went to the Rihanna concert last night...enjoyed myself thoroughly and drank a bit too much! Up early with a hangover...oh, but it was so worth it, LOL. I see a nap in my future!

 

[freebird5825]

I had my gum graft done this morning....the first one was scheduled for the 8th of June, but my bp was out of control. Fortunately everything checked out well this a.m. and I am past the operation hurdle.

I have very little swelling so far, no bruising and minimal pain.

I took an anti anxiety/sleeping pill last night and it seemed to make all the difference in the world in my anxiety level this morning. Shoot...I was almost normal....

Hope your recovery goes easily and very quickly.

 

[FinanceDude]

....well this time neither one. Actually the past few months I've rarely consumed anything alcoholic. Heh....maybe that's my problem....

You've had a lot going on, seems like things are settling down, maybe time to sit down and read a good book (drink a little Jack).........

 

[bbbamI]

bbbamI,

Here's wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.

I love hot & spicy stuff, so I can certainly empathize with the inability to imbibe those foods.

Coolius

Hey...I hope you're feeling better too. I sure could use a few beers and donuts right about now....

Hope your recovery goes easily and very quickly.

Thank you... I've been sleepin' a lot which is good for me I guess. I do have a bit more swelling today, but very little pain. Heh...I figger swellin' ain't too bad as it erases the [-]wrinkles[/-] laugh lines...

You've had a lot going on, seems like things are settling down, maybe time to sit down and read a good book (drink a little Jack).........

Maybe I'll read about Jack....should be able to partake in liquid form in a couple of weeks.....

 

[bbbamI]

Went to the Rihanna concert last night...enjoyed myself thoroughly and drank a bit too much! Up early with a hangover...oh, but it was so worth it, LOL. I see a nap in my future!

Hey...behave yersef!

Who am I kidding? It sounds like you had a ball! Party while you can!

 

[nvestysly]

Met with other FIREd friends to spend the day on the lake / boating.

 

[W2R]

I am planning to install sliding shelf/organizers in my lower kitchen cabinets. After all, since we are planning to stay here for a while, I might as well settle in. As I grow older, it will be nice to have them.

Anyway, after lunch we went to Lowe's to look at them. I know exactly what I want, so all I have to do now is measure and order.

 

[davemartin88]

Those fawns look very tender. JK.

I was getting ready to post that the two baby deer we keep seeing were gone but this morning, saw them again. They were laying in the high grass near a path we recently mowed. They have been here about two weeks now.

TromboneAl, guess they would be at the veal stage?

 

[Moscyn]

Started a new language class (French) yesterday. It will last for 3 months - twice per week. The class was interesting and the teacher is good and kept the class interactive. There were 15 in the class though I expect some to disappear by the time we reach half of the classes. It was a good mixture of young and middle aged folk. In respect of age, I think I may fall in the top end of it. I find the language a bit difficult as I have nil knowledge of it and also realised that some in the class have previously taken some lessons. For the first class, we just learnt how to introduce our names and spell them in French. Also, learned a few new words which I usually see as brand names - that part is very helpful as now I know how to pronounce them and what they mean.

 

[Dreamer]

Started a new language class (French) yesterday. It will last for 3 months - twice per week. The class was interesting and the teacher is good and kept the class interactive. There were 15 in the class though I expect some to disappear by the time we reach half of the classes. It was a good mixture of young and middle aged folk. In respect of age, I think I may fall in the top end of it. I find the language a bit difficult as I have nil knowledge of it and also realised that some in the class have previously taken some lessons. For the first class, we just learnt how to introduce our names and spell them in French. Also, learned a few new words which I usually see as brand names - that part is very helpful as now I know how to pronounce them and what they mean.

I took 3 years of French in HS many years ago (graduated in 71). I definitely do not remember any of it. I should try a class again someday.

 

[TromboneAl]

I am planning to install sliding shelf/organizers in my lower kitchen cabinets.

This kind of thing?

 

[W2R]

This kind of thing?

Yes, that kind of thing, with each shelf sliding out independently. They attach on the sides too, and extend way into the lower cabinets (perfect, since mine are 22" deep). See photo below for the one I had in mind. The "Rev-A-Shelf" ones are supposed to be really great, and I saw them at Lowe's. They seem very sturdy and slide sooooo smoothly. However this morning I measured my cabinets and I am not sure I can get that brand in a width that will fit my (apparently non-standard) cabinets. Oh well.

Then, after discovering the sliding cabinet organizer quandary, another arose. The keyboard on my laptop decided to crater (which is why I took so long to see this post). I determined that it is a hardware problem. I could use an external USB keyboard with my laptop, or buy a cheaper laptop, or buy a more expensive laptop (drool!), buy an iPad2, or whatever but I don't know yet what I'll do.

I'm still in the "YEEP!!" phase of this. What to do, what to do? I'm sure I'll settle on one solution or the other. The more expensive laptop is beckoning. (Edited to add: I folded and ordered it. It's "just money", right? Yes it hurt to let loose of it.)

Then we went to lunch in the pouring rain, which makes the temperatures cooler but this time I got wet and was tippy-toeing through 4" of water in my running shoes (hint: that doesn't work well).

This has not been the most constructive of days.

 

[Walt34]

Went to the local park, camera in hand, with the sole objective of capturing the flow of water in a creek with a sufficiently long exposure (which turns out to be 5 seconds) to get that "silky" appearance to it.

Complicating things was the wide variation in lighting in the scene, far exceeding the exposure range of a digital camera. The solution to that was bracket exposures then combine the properly exposed dark parts with the properly exposed bright parts.

Okay, it's not exactly a work of art but I'm still on the upward side of the learning curve.

DW went with me and was appropriately bored silly while I fiddled with camera settings. The kids on the swings were more interesting to her.