I’m no longer upset that I have created a hole in the subflooring of my closet. I have rationally looked over the situation. There are already three holes in that flooring……they were cut for the three pipes to come up from below. So, why should I be upset that there is now a fourth hole?

I just need to cover it up. Just a nice little repair. Just another deviation from the primary objective. I must remember the primary objective of the closet work….strengthen the finished floor so that it will support the new washer/dryer. (By the way, the washer/dryer is being delivered today!)

One good thing about the hole I created is that I now know where the crossbeams are. I will cover that hole today and then put the strengthening supports right over those crossbeams. That way the finished floor will be very strong!

So, it’s back to work in the small closet. I hope I don’t encounter any more problems. The hole is actually my second problem in the closet. I sure hope there isn’t a third!

Ya’ll take care,
Suzanne

I know how difficult it is to remodel your home. My friends have told me and articles in magazines have told me and chapters in remodeling books have told me.

But I didn’t learn from those good resources. Oh no……I am learning the hard way. Good ’ole personal experience.

I’ve been wanting to remodel for about 3 or 4 years. I’ve been thinking about adding a recliner, a computer desk, and a washer/dryer. And, I think I want to replace the carpeting with vinyl flooring.

I was just waiting for the right time. And when I opened my door after a day of traveling and smelled the spilled wine and saw the huuuuggggge stain beneath the bottle of cabernet, I knew the time had come. I knew the carpeting had to come out NOW. I knew it was time to remodel.

So, I’m remodeling. Here is my couch….sitting cold and forlorn out on the porch. Along with it are the dinette booth, TV cabinet, half of the carpeting, and all the “junk” stored carefully under my bed. I’m working in the closet right now to strengthen the flooring so that the washer/dryer will be secure.



Remodeling is a challenge. Remodeling is difficult. And remodeling is fun. Especially, at night when you contemplate the progress made and the end result.

And that’s the time to enjoy a nice glass of wine. After all, that’s what started this adventure.

Ya'll take care. :) :)

I am in Arizona. That means that tall growing things are cacti and not trees. The children in Arizona grow up learning to stay as far away as possible from these tall things.

In almost all other parts of the country, the tall growing things are trees, and children grow up enjoying the shade, having fun climbing, and using the trunk to lean on as they count to 100 for hide-and-go-seek.

I grew up in Louisiana where there are lots of trees. So, when I lost my balance here the other day, I instinctively put my hand out to this big thing next to me. BAD MISTAKE. My hand encountered cactus spikes. Instinctively, I jerked my hand back. BAD MISTAKE NO.2. Without the hand to steady me, I fell right into the cactus.

Instincts now fully took over. My body immediately jerked back into balance, started dancing, started pulling out spikes, and began howling and talking all at the same time.

I’m much better now. I did all kinds of first aid. But I didn’t get the most important thing…..that all important kiss from my mom and dad to make it all better! However, their long distance kiss on the next day was a pretty darn good substitute!

Take care everyone,
Suzanne

I am on another trip. This time, I am in Arizona! I’m here because my friend Diane asked me if I could meet her at the Grand Canyon. And, I said YES!



The last time I saw the Grand Canyon I was nine years old. I had just finished 3rd grade, and my brother had just finished 5th. I remember being so impressed with him because he knew all this “stuff” about the cities and states we traveled through. He had studied American geography and history that school year, and it had really stuck with him. (And he still does read about American history……his latest book was about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.)

So, I’m in Arizona but not at the Grand Canyon yet. I’m in Buckeye. I have joined seven other NOMADS, and we are working on a small church. It needs a little help. We’re updating the wiring and adding overhead fans and changing some light fixtures and re-puttying the fellowship hall windows and caulking and scraping and painting and strengthening the entryway.

I would like to point out that I have yet to touch a paint brush! My job is to caulk and caulk and caulk and talk and……talk……yes, talking does help the caulking! A lot of progress was made today so I might be able to begin painting tomorrow. I hope, I hope, I hope!

I hope ya’ll are all doing OK.

Take care now,
Suzanne

Yesterday I traveled to the city, and along the way, I saw a road sign that read Attenuator Damage Ahead. ATTENUATOR?!? Just trying to read the word could cause quite a distraction. And then figure out the meaning!

So when I got home, I went to Google. There I found out that the definition was “an electrical device for reducing the strength of an electrical signal.” Well, that definition certainly didn’t make sense in my situation. So, I did a general search, and that’s where I found out what it means on a highway sign.

It means that some part of the guardrail is damaged! The attenuator is that part of the guardrail system that has crash cushioning.

Now, why didn’t the sign simply say Guardrail Damage Ahead?!?

Ya’ll take care,
Suzanne

P.S. I also learned from Google that attenuator in Pig Latin is attenuatoray.