There's an app for that...

 Rudy has had an irritated tummy.  Don't ask me how we figured out why.  

Carey somehow narrowed down the culprit and spent time cutting back plants from hanging over the fence and dropping their fruit where Rudy can get to them and eat them.  He also has gone over the back yard with a fine tooth comb to remove any of the fruit that could be found.

I tried looking online to figure out what they were and if they were toxic, and didn't have a lot of luck.  Then I remembered hearing about apps that you can upload a plant photo and get an instant answer.  A quick search and download, and I had success.

Diospyros texana...Texas persimmon.  Not toxic per se, but the seeds can cause problems for dogs.  The fruit these bear on our property are about the size of a very large grape, but the seeds are quite a bit bigger than a grape seed and there are three per fruit.

The app I installed on my android phone is called LeafSnap.  I don't see myself needing this app often, but it was handy today, so I will probably keep it for any future needs.  I won't buy the paid version, since I don't see an ad in a once-in-a-while use being a big inconvenience to me.

Laborious Labor Day...

So I have gotten several things marked off my to-do list for this long weekend.  I've also done a few things that weren't on the list. But the A#1 thing I wanted to get done was to get my bathroom sink working again.  

Carey hasn't questioned why I haven't been using the sink on "my" side of the bathroom.  It wasn't a big change, as "his" sink is the one with the drawers next to it, so that's where we keep the toothbrushes and toothpaste, so it just got to be a habit to use it more often.  The only thing I really use "my" sink for is while I am getting ready for work in the morning, and I have just gotten used to it being more trouble than it was worth to use it.

So after getting the countertop cleaned off yesterday, I tested the sink, and it sprayed me and across the counter I had just cleared.  Ugh!  So I say to Carey, the sink just sprayed across the counter; I think it just needs the screen cleaned.  He says, ok, I'll get to it.

Now I am the first to admit that I am COMPLETELY spoiled by his jump-into-action ways.  I have never had to nag in our entire marriage, as he is a firm believer in the do-it-now principle.  (Opposites DO attract.)

But this time he didn't.

No sweat.  I could wait.  But I really couldn't put any of the countertop items back until I knew that he wouldn't just need me to move them again as he worked.  So this morning, I say, do you think you will work on the faucett today?  He says, I don't know, I have to go get parts, and I don't know what it's going to take or if I can find them.  

I said, I don't think it is going to need that at all.  And in his most patronizing tone, he said, 'You don't understand.'

Truly, I didn't really understand the problem, as most times I just soak the screen aerator in vinegar, and it get's rid of the mineral build up and can be put right back on.  Plus it really pisses me off when he talks MAN SPEAK to me.  So rather than disturb him further, I went to the sink and tried to remove the aerator myself.  It was truly calcified on with the mineral build up, so I couldn't budge it barehanded.  

I turn to my stash of tools that I keep in the laundry room, and pick out a couple of wrenches and a pair of pliers to try...neither of which worked.  So I turned to something I absolutely KNEW would work.  I used the wrench to smack the aerator.  I knew that would work because A) it would either knock the minerals loose enough to be able to twist it off; or B) Carey would hear me and run in there to stop me...which he did.

What are you doing? he says.  I'm trying to get the screen off to soak it in vinegar.  He said, Why?  I said, Because that is what the problem is.  

That's it?  he says.  Yes, I say.  Oh, he says, I thought you were talking about the hot-water handle on the bathtub.

Huh?

At NO time did I say 'hot,' 'water,' 'handle,' or 'BATHTUB!'  

MEN!  

Oh, well.  The aerator is now soaking in vinegar.

That's a wrap...

 

Yes, that's a wrap too, but I was talking about the week ending and a three-day weekend ahead!  YAY!  

We've had some rain recently, so the temperatures have been a little lower.  Both were very  welcome!

It's time to start getting ready for my annual performance review.  

Do you hear crickets too?  That's about how I feel about reviews.  The only good thing is that it will be done before I leave on vacation, so I can enjoy being away without it hanging over my head.  And it's not like my boss is an ogre, it's more that I hate the forced self assessment leading up to it.  :(

I have not felt the least bit frugal lately.  I have been doing some research about a budgetary issue that is coming up.  Hoping we make the right choice.

Carey has been very frugal, as he has finished painting the house exterior all on his own, except for some dormer windows that need special skills and equipment to replace some wood decay and paint.  We can't seem to find a tradesman who will call us back, so we are stuck just waiting and asking people if they have any recommendations..  While he waits for a callback, he is ready to get started painting the front and side doors, and I think I have decided on a color.  Excited to see how it turns out.

The house STILL has a bit of skunky odor, but for the most part it is gone.  Last night I dreamed Rudy had another close encounter of the skunky kind.  Woke up very relieved to know it was just a bad dream.  :)

I had my annual doctor visit this week.  I LOVE my doctor.  I have been seeing her since about 2006.  She spends so much time with her patients.  You never feel like you are in a revolving door, or just another chart.  

Work has been somewhat busy.  Yesterday I felt like I had a productive day without a lot of phones to answer and distractions.  I was able to get a project ready to go out next week without the pressure of having it filling up time right up till the last day.  I love that feeling.

So that's about it for my week.  I am SO excited about the extra day off this weekend!  No big plans, just hanging around the house.  Carey and Jared are going to a minor league baseball game tomorrow, so I'll have the house to myself (unusual these days).  

I hope to:  

• wash clothes
• make a large batch of baked oatmeal and individually wrap to stock the freezer with work breakfasts also made brownies for Sunday family supper
• dust
• clean and organize my bathroom vanity and drawers
• clean off the kitchen and dining room tables
• make some cards and get them ready to mail
• go through craft supplies to organize and/or donate
• and read a little

That doesn't sound like much does it?

The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are by Libby Copeland

This is what I'm currently reading.  Pretty interesting!  About the trend of so many of us getting our DNA tested.  I admit that I have had mine done...out of curiousity.  Have you had yours tested and had any interesting or unexpected results?

What I'm reading Wednesday...

 

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

In our office reading challenge this year, we get to choose one book for the other participant to read.   Paul had just finished reading This Tender Land on his lunch hour one day last week, and he came back to the office and said, "This is the one.  You have to read this one!"

I had enjoyed other books by the author, so I figured I was pretty safe.  I finished it over the weekend.  It was very good!

The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths

Now I am back to the Ruth Galloway Mysteries.  This one is #12.  I love this series so much!  The mysteries are good, but it's the characters that make me pick up the next one!  There are only three left in the series, the last of which won't be released till April of 2023.  I've already preordered it!

What's happening at our house...

Chloe (right) sweet 16 with her 'big' sister Caitlyn (left)

...after two months away from blogging.

I've read nine books.

We went to visit my mother-in-law.  Took my sewing machine along and made her two new walker caddies while we were there.

Carey has completed painting the house exterior except for the hard-to-reach dormers which he is going to try to hire someone to do.

I worked at gathering up a decent-sized donation of craft/hobby supplies to donate to a creative thrift store.  (Think Goodwill but it's all craft supplies!) In the last batch of donatables, I had intended to give away all of my jewelry supplies.  I found I couldn't do it, and while I did give away a lot, I ended up keeping more than I felt good about.  I gave myself an ultimatum...if I haven't used it by the next donation appointment,  I will let it all go without looking back.  (At this particular store, they have limits on appointed days/hours that donations can be made, as well as the size of donations...4 banker boxes.  I set myself a reminder to book an appointment on the first day that they opened up their calendar, and I have made my next donation appointment for August 20.)  I am now working on my next collection of donation items.  

So far I have also made 3 necklaces to add to my work wardrobe.

I've made quite a few cards.

I have reorganized my crafting desk and card-making supplies using organizers I had on hand.

Summer is birthday season around here.  Caitlyn turned 17 in June, and is now a high school senior.  Bobby had a July birthday, as did Jared and Beau.   

And Chloe, our baby, our littlest grandgirl, turned 16.  Where have the years gone?  Yesterday she was the little firecracker of the family, and then I blinked my eyes and she's a 16-year-old high school junior!  Still a firecracker, though.  I happened across a perfect tee-shirt for her in my Amazon suggested products...I think Alexa has been listening in again.

Rudy had his annual vet appointment.

I had 3 Fridays off in July: one pre-planned and approved vacation day, one sick day when I was suffering with muscle spasms in my back and a little loopy from the muscle relaxers, and  Friday the 29th I took an emergency personal day when, at midnight Friday, Rudy encountered a skunk in our backyard and took a direct hit to the right side of his face, neck, and shoulder.  Thank goodness he came immediately when I called him, because I did not want there to be bloodshed; of course, that meant that the full force of the smell came in with him.  I bathed him immediately.  Then I bathed me.  Then I phoned the office and left a voicemail saying that I would not be in at 8 a.m.  When the boss got into the office, he very sweetly...or in self preservation...told me to just stay home.  LOL  And now here it is August 10th and the house is better, but still not completely free of the skunk odor.  I kind of feel like I'm in a Seinfeld episode...remember the one where his car, and every thing and person who is even momentarily in it, smells of the smell that won't go away?

My mother-in-law fell and broke her hip, and has been in rehab center, but tomorrow she gets to return to her assisted living facility.  Carey went up to help out right after her fall, so he missed the immediate chaos of the great skunk debacle!

We are so far surviving the heat (ugh!).  We need RAIN.  It is dangerously dry.

I am counting the days till our autumn vacation.  It is still SO far away.

What I'm reading Wednesday...

The Hoarder's Widow by Allie Cresswell

Monday night I finished The Hoarder's Widow.  I enjoyed it more than I expected to.   Likable characters, and it made me want to clean my house.  :)

Little Souls by Sandra Dallas

This is Sandra Dallas' newest book.  I've enjoyed her other work, so when I saw a blurb about this one, I immediately got on the reserve list at the library.  I picked it up yesterday afternoon, started it last night, and got about halfway through it.   This one is about the 1918 pandemic.

Frugal Friday File 2022, week 22...

 

1.  Ugh!  I missed the free shipping on meal subscription this week.  That's what I get for not checking my email daily.  But I did have enough loyalty points to get $10 off.

2.  Credit card hackers struck again.  This time it was Carey's gasoline card.  I got the call this morning asking if either of us charged $124 in a coastal city this morning.  Uh, no.  So they canceled his card and will expedite delivery of the replacement.  Thankful that they nipped it in the bud before any more was charged.

3.  My road trip last weekend was a long (8 hours one way), boring (barely any radio reception) drive.  But the time that I was at my destination made it all worthwhile.  Loved seeing my friend and my sister and nephew.  I had attempted to download an audio book for the trip, but wasn't able to for some reason.  My hosts fed me fabulous meals, and my friend even made me a bag of snacks for the trip home.  Sweet!  As for entertainment, we stayed in and made cards...stamping with a friend is so much fun!  So while the gasoline was expensive, the experience was priceless!

4.  And of course the weekend included an extra day thanks to the Memorial Day paid holiday.  The trip home was very moving as small towns all along the way had decked out their cemeteries to honor their veterans buried there.

5.  We are saving the ticket theater price and NOT going to see Top Gun.  We never saw the first one, so don't feel like we are missing anything.