I've lived here a month now and have found nothing to complain about. Yes, I am somewhat isolated but civilized activity takes place here. Yes, I am surrounded by packed boxes but they will soon be unpacked. Yes, there are still many repairs to finish up on, mainly window replacement and plumbing, we will get there in due time.

The dogs have settled in and are quite happy with front and backyards. All I need is a good routine and the will to push forward.

Sat Here Stymied

for the morning because the PC wouldn't go online. Hitting the Reset on the Modem seems to have cleared up the problem.

Rested my hands most of the day.

Frustrated by Chase Bank I have decided to just close that account and open up a new account at the Credit Union. Their lack of progress on integration with WAMU is driving me nuts.

Scrap the front yard plans

Decided to switch to dog eared cedar planks for the front yard fence. It will match the fence on the West Side and is cleaner and faster than struggling with unavailable fence materials. I was hating the look of the Grapestakes anyway.

Today the 3rd toilet gets installed and the trim around the new slider gets added. Beyond that it will be some yard planning, general cleanup and unpacking another box or two.

I am frustrated by inadequate storage but can't really live with the unpacked boxes indefinitely.

Playing With Photos

Awoke early when the furnace began heating the room. Pleased with the few photos I took yesterday. Here's a creative look called Silent Witness.

I first saw this shot in the 80s when Karin was at HSU. Seemed in better shape at that time. Finally got back to do it justice today.

Memorial Day

No particular plans for the day.

Started out the day by planting Foxglove in pottery and finding its ideal location (at least for now). Dug up Karin's stepping stones for ultimate disposition. 1 Foxglove and 2 Star Jasmine remain to be planted. I'm thinking the Jasmine need to be in a planter guarding the fence in the carport. It could eventually provide aromatic coverage for the rustic fence. I'm dressing up the inside of the fence with Lattice as a screen and a backdrop for something showy and 'climbing'. Need to get out my saw and customize the panels.

Just took a shower and shampooed my hair. Now I am feeling 'stylin'.

No Sense Dwelling on Plans

What needs to be done:
1. Finish nailing up the fence posts DONE (came up short on the number of grapestakes) Shop for enough to cover 45" of fence - called Stockade Fencing I now know what I am ordering and Arcata Lumber can get it for me in a week.
2. Collapse the cardboard for the garbage pickup
3. Buy a garden shovel DONE
4. Plant the Foxglove, Jasmine (Hydrangea, Asparagus Fern and Sedum Angelina are planted)
5. Map the course for the walkway from carport to front door
6. Setup the Upside Down Tomato Planter and see if seedlings are still available
7. Find a disposition for yesterday's unpacked kitchen box and unpack another box

Kinetic Sculpture Race

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of the Kinetic Sculpture Race in Arcata. At 10 a.m. I drove into town and wandered the square looking for photo ops. I am downloading 272 pictures I took there. No telling how many of them will be quality shots. Too many people oblivious to cameras pointing at a subject. Saw many bizarre people, got a Free Hug from a man dressed as a spotted dog, got scolded by a woman when I stood in front of her kids to get a good shot of a metallic chicken, listened to a brass band playing some cool big band music. Once the Noon Whistle blew and the race started the camera went above the heads of the crowd for who knows what shots. It was well worth the 2 hours I spent downtown.

3 Weeks in the New Place

Yes, I am making significant progress. Each day sees some new improvement and the focus is on getting the boxes unpacked and the excess dealt with. I will be glad when my 12 Cup Gevalia Brew Station reappears. In the meantime I have a French Press and a single cup coffee maker. This is all a bit like camping but without the dirt.

Farmer's Insurance Company taken care of. Refund should be forthcoming. Agent error in cancelling the Washington Auto Policy dinged my bank account when I can least afford it.

The plan for the day is to complete what didn't get done yesterday.
1. Pick up toilet
2. Call Barry Smith
3. Complete the fence
4. Buy or build a planter box
5. Breakdown the remaining cardboard for Garbage Pickup
6. Rake some leaves into the compost container

And around all that I might squeeze in a shopping trip to Target and getting everything arranged for the Butler's Pantry to be delivered today.

A Day Like No Other

Everything got set aside when business cropped up in Grants Pass, OR. The dogs and I jumped in the car with camera bag in hand around 10 a.m. Had lunch in Crescent City then stopped at the Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside in the Illinois Valley (Oregon) to walk the dogs to the creek for water. Been wanting to do this for a long time and it was well worth the 1/4 mile walk.

Took care of business, gassed up the car and we were on our way back in no time. On the drive back we took more pics in Crescent City and some along the way, including elk grazing near Stone Lagoon. I especially like the Sea Hag on the Harbor at Crescent City.

And So it Is, Another Day

Feeling UP about everything this morning. Woke up early to a great breakfast and Bodum of Yuban. Unsure of today's Agenda. I know it will include picking up a new toilet for downstairs and the installation of a new Patio Slider by Dan Marsh Construction. I could also be nailing Grape Stakes to the Fence Bones before the day is over.

Fencing and Comfort

Dan arrived promptly at 8 a.m. to remeasure the fence and patio slider dimensions. We restated the design concept for the front fence. He will dig the post holes and install the posts, build the gate. I will nail up the Grape Stakes.

The Slider won't be in until tomorrow. We will reschedule the installation to a later date.

The dogs are trippin' on the 8 inch foam bed. I am really pleased by the way it is turning out. Now I need to drill holes for the Molly Bolts that will hold the Gridded Light Panel Headboard and make a decision as to whether or not I want it lighted. If so, I need to clean the Plexiglas. If not, I need to take off the Plexiglas and Metal Hardware

Aside from the big projects of the day I will just continue the One Box at a Time movement.

Now I need to take down the window coverings giving him access to the sliding glass door for its removal.

Summary for Today

Klaus Fowler and Hans Zwerg greet my guests and watch over the front yard.


1. Shopped at the Co-Op after a bagel and coffee at Los Bagels with Amber.
2. Received the 2nd 4" Memory Foam from Serta and placed it on the bed to air out for a day or two.
3. Scheduled Online Bill Pay.
4. Sent Amber a Link to my Websites.
5. Phoned Dan Marsh to do the fence and Slider.
6. Started a compost bin in the plastic garbage can. Temporary measure only until I can build something more functional.
7. Phoned Chase to complain about fees and interest rates and got nowhere. I will just close my Accounts.
8. Took pics of the Tea Rose and Gnomes.
9. Watched a bit of TV - NCIS and the Mentalist

Update on Yesterday

Forgot to mention that I committed to the Butler's Pantry idea for my kitchen organization. 72" tall and 21" wide they will fill the wall and be totally accessible for food and table linens. I paid for 1/2 the purchase and the 2 units will be delivered in 3 weeks or so when the 2nd one has been finished to match the 1st. They will sit side by side opposite the Fridge and provide the cabinetry that is missing from my base cabinets only kitchen design.

Made duck soup from the roasted duck bones of Saturday night. Got enough for 2-3 meals but will have to use it up quickly.

Production List

1. Deposited the flooring check, cashed the Security Deposit Refund
2. Made a payment on the MasterCard
3. Bought more Molly bolts for heavy pictures and found a small Oak cabinet for my bathroom
4. Stocked up on Honey Yogurt and Cottage Cheese and Very Veggie Juice
5. Packed a box for Karin and put the mailing label on it
6. Labeled the box for Chris
7. Unpacked 5 small boxes of Miscellaneous stuff to go through
8. Paid Mica
9. Readied the weekly Garbage pickup
10. Moved the Mini Stepper and TV Mount Upstairs
11. Installed the printer and hooked up My Book (the external hard drive)
12. Started Assembling the Adventures of Hans Zwerg der Garten Gnome
13. Mailed the 2 packages Priority Mail
14. Took a nap
15. Cooked and ate Szechuan Scallops with Broccoli, Cabbage and Scallions
16. Posted some pics at Renaissance Woman.

Progress

Defective toilet fixed, for the time being only to reveal a plumbing problem. I should have had Barry Smith Construction pull those toilets as I'd planned. I suspect the Flooring Company could be culpable here.

Karin and Leticia hung two light fixtures but the one in Karin's room does not work. No telling if it is a wiring problem or something else. The fixture that was in there did work before the new one was put up.

They hung one of the mirrored bathroom cabinets and did a great job of it. I now have a place to store my prescription meds and a few bathroom items and a mirror to see what needs to be done to make myself presentable.

Excellent weekend socially and productively.

The Girl Arrived

Karin and Leticia rolled in around 2 a.m. and we talked excitedly about anything and everything until after 3 a.m. She is ecstatic about the way things are turning out. In spite of the stacked boxes everywhere she can see the potential and the reward for me is appreciation.

Not sure what goals are in store for us today. I have several small things I'd like to accomplish like getting the towel rings up and the bathroom cabinets installed. Beyond that I am open to whatever exploration the young women have in mind.

Such an upper to feel I am in control and making progress.

Busy, Busy Day

Started the day by making a mess of the Chrome Rod Installation in the kitchen. Stripped a screw and lost a part but still have enough pieces to put up one rod. I can fix it but don't much want to be bothered with everything else there is to do.

Bought tools at Harbor Freight, opened my Garbage A/C, made a payment on the Mastercard, returned the reject toilet, bought a toilet repair kit to see if I can fix the installed toilet, bought plywood for the Queen Platform Bed. The dogs seem to like it a lot. I must say it is 'cushy'. No more achy joints for me and the Min.

Karin's surprise arrived today. With any luck I will have it put together before she leaves so that she can see it and enjoy my sense of humor.

At 6:30 Karin and Leticia are 3+ hours away. I told her not to rush it. I will be up when they get here and happy to have the company.

I was able to move enough boxes in the sewing room so that Leticia has room for her air mattress. We'll all be sleeping in clean comfortable beds tonight.

Nothing Seems to Follow the Plan

One toilet to go. Turns out the toilets I bought have 'crap' for innards. One is already set and I will replace the ballcock and see if that solves the problem. I'm taking back the other Toilet Express and have ordered an American Standard in place of it.

Kitchen projects are complete and the dryer hose is hooked up. Even did 2 loads of laundry to make sure all is well. Discovered a cold water leak in the washer faucet. I will replace the hose washer and see if that solves the problem.

Karin and Leticia are visiting for the weekend. No meal preparation expected, just some hospitality. Karin wants to see the progress and admire the new floors. I just wish more boxes were unpacked.

Karin's bedroom is complete and simple. My bedroom is shaping up. Plenty of space up here for my PC near the closet, warm and comfy with a bed for the dogs so they can supervise every move I make.

One Day at a Time

Making progress each day without really overdoing it. I think the worst part is over. Monday the 2 toilets get set and the kitchen sink will be plumbed. That should be the last of the contractors for awhile except for the stairwell carpet.

Unpacked several boxes and moved the sewing related boxes upstairs. Still sleeping on the bed/bench but the dogs seem to like it that way and it is comfortable even though a bit crowded.

Mica came by to put a coat of Kilz on the stairs where I didn't adequately cover the odor. It seems a lot better now and I think I will explore spray painting the attic with the same stuff. I also had him finish the touchup painting throughout the townhouse. The rest will be up to me. Stocked up on some groceries for a few days without overdoing it.

Maintain

Went out for coffee and bought some food for the fridge so that I won't be limited when I can't cook a proper meal.

No one showed up this morning to finish putting in the toilets and setting the kitchen sink. I'll have to wait until Monday or later on that.

Plenty of tasks to complete around here so I'm not wanting for something to keep my busy. I guess I should be keeping a daily box count to impress all with my progress.

Moved to California

The only room of the house that is 'organized' and ready for sharing pictures.


The UHaul was packed top to bottom and front to back with all my worldly goods on Wednesday and Thursday and left Vancouver for Roseburg at 3 p.m. on the 30th. I spent the remainder of that day gathering bits and pieces and cleaning the apartment. Had dinner with Willa and spent one last night with her.

I drove straight through on Friday arriving in Arcata 30 minutes behind the truck. Excitably I came to the Townhouse to discover the floor was not finished and table saws were still in the living room and laundry room. I immediately rescheduled the moving help for Tuesday.

Saturday became a free day so Peg and I decided to visit our Cousin Carole in Fortuna. Her daughter called to let us know that Carole was hospitalized and failing fast. We spent the last 1.5 hours with Chris in Carole's room. Her passing was gentle and quiet. I seem to deal with death issues quite well. Stuck in the 5th grade memories for awhile but know this was for the best.

Sunday another basically free day so we went to Samoa Cookhouse for lunch and visited the Arcata Marsh. Not many photographic opportunities there but we certainly enjoyed our lunch.

Monday Peg and Kay left for home and I came over to the Townhouse to see what I might be able to accomplish before the Moving Help arrives. I spent the night on the floor sleeping on a futon pad with the dogs. Comfy enough, I guess, and cheaper than a motel.

Tuesday the truck is unloaded and I start unpacking boxes and putting stuff away.

Karin's room is setup and looks great. All it needs now is a new light fixture.

The Stove, Fridge and Microhood are functioning well. 2 toilets remain to be installed tomorrow and next week the carpet will go onto the stairs and the rest of the small fixes will be up to me.

Lots of work ahead of me to get the house functioning in an organized manner but I am up to the task.