Kingfisher Cove

Fun and Failures

First, the failure!

I was draping fused glass over this bowl mold, and when I opened the kiln when it was done (in high anticipation, mind you) this is how I was greeted.

I have no idea why. There are a number of possible reasons, but I was bewildered. And verklempt. Sniff. Glass wasted, plus the time wasted it took to cut the circles and fuse the two original pieces of glass together before draping. Sigh.

But then there was fun!

Helen came to visit yesterday afternoon and we had such a wonderful time!

This year we didn’t make soap; we hung out and visited and exchanged Christmas presents (plus her birthday present, which is this Tuesday!)

Look at what she gave me! I was blown away. It’s the platter to my dishes.

It looks round here, but it’s actually oval. (Must be the angle). That’s Little Shit Wylie snoozing on the chair.

Here it is after I put it away in my (overcrowded) china cabinet:

It’s sooooo beautiful!!!!!

She also provided the kitties with a catnip toy (with a vial of extra catnip). Wylie has not shown much interest in it (aside from sniffing), but Mojo goes apeshit crazy over the stuff.

If you look closely you can see that the beaver toy is absolutely soaked with cat spit! I woke up last night to some serious thumping happening downstairs and I knew right away what Mojo was up to. I have heard that not all cats are affected by catnip and Wylie appears to be one of them. Helen was telling me that on her way over, she had stopped at the birdseed store to pick up a few things and she had the catnip vial in her purse. The shop cat in the store was up on the checkout counter and kept trying to crawl inside her purse and proceeded to haul out her gloves and other purse contents trying to get to the catnip. (I thought that was so funny!)

Here are 19 seconds of Silly Cat:

Heh.

I suppose I should haul out some Christmas decorations, but I am really not in the mood. It wouldn’t be so bad if everything wasn’t stored in the godawful dungeon under the stairs that is SO DIFFICULT TO GET TO. Blech. I just purchased this ditty a couple of weeks ago, so I did set it out. Maybe call it good?

I really do like it—I believe it was laser-cut from wood (balsa?) and I love how whimsical it is.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In spite of John having to work and Nate unable to be home, it was a good day. Part of the reason was the gift from the weather gods—something I was especially thankful for this typically dreary time of year.

Mt. Baker was spectacular up at Camano Island!

It was so lovely up there. I think it was foggy in many places, but we sure did luck out.

There are two things I covet in the picture below. One is the neighbors’ kingfisher at the bottom left (made of brass and I believe gold—they are very expensive so it’s possible), and the other is the pampas grass to the right, something you see often around saltwater. We’d like to find a couple of spots on our Harstine property and plant some. I *think* it would do well there. (Click/touch the photo to enlarge):

To ease the hassle of preparing Thanksgiving dinner (very difficult to do working full time), my brother came up with the idea of buying a ready-made dinner. Before you lift your eyebrows about that and the words “cardboard” and “TV dinner” and “ew” come to mind, Dave assured me that this place was excellent. It’s a barbecue diner that he frequents when he’s down in the Fife area and he said he’s always been impressed with their food.

It’s called Warthog BBQ Pit, one of those places where you salivate walking inside from the wood-smoke fragrance. They offered full Thanksgiving meals with a smoke-roasted turkey. Yeah, on the spendy side, but you get what you pay for…and this was wonderful!! OMG! The mashed potatoes were to die for, the gravy was sublime, the turkey was smoky and nummy, and we all just loved the corn bread dressing! Even my brother, who has never been a fan of dressing, decided that he would give it a try and he was bowled over. The beans were delish, as were the cornbread muffins (I lost count how many Dad had), and we think the pumpkin pie was made from fresh pumpkins. (It didn’t seem to come from a “can,” that’s for sure!) There was also a LOT of food, so there were plenty of leftovers, which is always important! We were all so tickled with the dinner!

Here’s my brother and his daughter. She’ll be 14 in a little over 2 months. She’s at least 5’9”!

Hello, seagull! Enjoy the bread crumbs!

Hope you all had a great day, too!

Siding!!!!

Well, wouldja look at that!

John made a bonzai run down to Harstine today after work to check on the progress of the siding and tend to a few things, and he missiled me a couple of photos. Wow! I believe the Hardie siding on the bottom will be painted a slate (beachy) blue. Don’t those cedar shingles look amazing?

Below is the waterside and they hadn’t begun the shingles yet:

 

We are both soooo excited to be working toward NOT having to look at Tyvek anymore! Jeesh, we’ve been staring at that stuff since early summer.

So, John has to work tomorrow (Thanksgiving). And Friday. And Saturday. And Sunday. Such a bummer. (Not only that, but 2nd shift!) Brother Dave is picking me up around noon tomorrow and we’ll  head up to Camano Is. to see Dad. With both of us working and no time (or energy) to prepare a feast, he’s picking up a pre-prepared turkey dinner from a place he frequents—he said their food is great. The two of us will share the cost and it sounds like there should be plenty for leftovers. 

They let us out of the office at 3:00 today, which I was really excited about. And then…traffic came to an immediate standstill. I don’t know how many traffic light cycles I sat through going nowhere, not even crawling. Turns out there was a stalled vehicle on the Viaduct, which is all it takes. TWO HOURS TO GET HOME. I was still in downtown Seattle just blocks away from the office after over an hour. Yep, left the office at 3 and pulled into the driveway at 5. I was Fit. To. Be. Tied. What really did it for me was when I finally (crawled) past the stall on the Viaduct and cop cars, and a handful of people/cops were just standing around in that blocked lane looking at the sunset and pointing. Lackadaisically. Not a care in the world. While traffic was snarled for miles and miles. I wanted to leap out of my car and slap somebody.

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So, Chucklehead is now sporting a fedora. Yep, one of these. His has a red feather. Oh, and it “matches” his new coat with red piping. Picture, if you will, a smarmy used-car salesman with a fedora. With a red feather.

In fact, there was a news article last week about this local couple who have been convicted of breathtaking fraud and when I saw the picture of him, my eyes sort of popped because he looks a WHOLE LOT like Chucklehead.

 

Just imagine a donkey’s bray and spit flying. And saying, “Hey there, Toooooooooooooooooonya!”

Kitty Pictures and a Wedding

I may be biased, but these two are pretty cute.

I get such a kick out of how Mojo treats lil’ Miss Wylie. He is a true gentleman, and I’m pretty sure it’s because he’s a (neutered) male and she’s a female (due to be spayed on December 2nd). (Will being spayed make Mojo act differently toward her? Hmm.) Often when Mojo bolts inside through the pet door, Wylie is right behind him. I wonder if they pal around together out there? Neither of them have hauled in a critter since Wylie has been in the picture, but that could be weather-related. I still think a couple of forehead-mounted cat cams would be fascinating! (Like there’s such a thing. And a collar cam would end up being deposited somewhere…)

No actual “cuddling,” but they are often within close proximity of each other. I sense that Wylie looks up to Mojo. She respects him and doesn’t antagonize him (much). I think she likes having him around, kind of like a big brother.

It’s interesting to me because I had never once (since Helen delivered him in a cage with two of his baby siblings) seen Mojo around another cat and he’s going on 7 years old. No cats come near our place, either at home or at Harstine, and I’ve never heard a cat fight, either. John said he did once at Harstine not too long ago (in the middle of the night while I was sawing logs). There is another big orange neighbor cat at Harstine who belongs to snowbirds so we only see him (Skipper) in the summer. He likes to walk the beach and visit some of the neighbors, but he’s never been to our place since we’ve had Mojo. Perhaps it was the two of them who tangled when John heard that cat fight? At any rate, I had absolutely no idea what to expect with introducing another cat to the pet family. I wouldn’t have done it by choice, but sometimes you just don’t have a choice! And it’s worked out remarkably well.

We have a huge quandary, though. Since we brought Wylie home from Harstine, neither cat has been back. The idea of rounding up TWO cats when it’s time to leave on Sunday nights is something we just don’t want to contend with. And yet, taking Mojo along (because he LOVES it there) and leaving Wylie home alone for the weekend breaks my heart! She would be so lonely and confused. And yet…she could handle it, I’m sure. Hmm.

Lots of “hmms.”

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I was dreading the drive last night to an unfamiliar area in Seattle for a wedding (alone and in the dark!) But my iPhone Google Maps app is STELLAR for voice navigation! Wow, it’s the best I’ve ever experienced and the woman’s voice actually sounds human, complete with inflection. She totally knew where I was going and got me there ONE-AND-A-HALF-HOURS EARLY. (Partly because I read the time on the invitation wrong, which read “half-past 6 o’clock p.m.” and my eyes focused on the “6 o’clock.” Yeah, I’m a dork).

The wedding was for a coworker that I like a whole lot (our HR recruiter). She is also a singer/songwriter and performs locally, plus is very involved with Seattle’s Folklife Festival and Bumbershoot. (I also have her CD!) Last spring she was featured in a very well-produced television commercial for Boeing Employees Credit Union. (She’s the one counting at the beginning, strums her guitar throughout, and is shown singing a line at the end):

 

She posted this actual filming photo (in Ballard, WA) on her website:

The wedding and reception were held at a funky place on Eastlake called “The Lake Union Café,” (it’s a 360° thingy so use your mouse sideways!) which is actually not a public place (anymore), but a venue for weddings and parties and things. It was perfect, and I love the idea of having the ceremony and the reception in the same location. Jerin is 5’11” and slender (which I reckon is much easier when you’re tall), and she looked absolutely drop-dead gorgeous in her strapless, form-fitting, light-champagne-colored, and classily adorned wedding dress. She was the combination of an elegant queen and a mermaid, although the bottom of the dress flared out beautifully, allowing easy maneuverability. I sat/hung out with a handful of other coworkers who were invited that I thankfully enjoy their company (aside from the CEO, but I did like his wife who is a South African native, also with a British accent). I felt honored to have been invited!

We weren’t allowed to take any pictures. The officiator guy put it nicely: “Picture this in your hearts, not on your digital device.” There were professional photographers taking care of everything so I’m sure that not having to deal with constant flashes everywhere made their job a lot more do-able.

The groom cried during the ceremony! (No, he didn’t outright sob, but his eyes were full of tears and he struggled with emotion in saying his vows, which then made Jerin tear up. He then gently reached over [he is also tall] and wiped away a tear on her face, which made me cry!) (I have a hunch there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere!) It definitely helped when the two young ring-bearers dropped both of the rings that reverberated on the hardwood floor! We all really needed that laugh!

I thought this was cute. These two are obviously into puns. Instead of the typical candy “kiss” wrapped in taffeta and a ribbon, every place setting had one of these containers full of green jelly beans:

And the jelly beans are “pear” flavored. (Pair! Get it?)

The place was pretty packed and after astounding hors d'oeuvres and an excellent dinner, I left before the dancing/party began. I know. I’ve become a fuddy duddy.

BUT, John was due home shortly after I’d left for the wedding and I just wanted to be back to normalcy!

Poor guy. He’s whupped. Still is, after a good night’s sleep and a long hot shower. He completed ALL the painting (HIGH ceilings and TALL walls) in the mudroom, pantry, and the glass studio. You’d be surprised how much square footage of surface that is. Gallons upon gallons of paint. (Well, pretty much!) PLUS the installation of the flooring in those rooms, AND light switch/outlet covers. It’s one of those things that had to be done before a myriad of other things could be done. Like, getting the hot water heater installed in the mudroom (flooring and painting needed to happen first). And preparing the pantry for cabinetry and countertop/sink (flooring and painting needed to happen beforehand). The studio will also have cabinetry and a utility sink/countertop that couldn’t be installed until paint and flooring. I think I’ve mentioned that the focus is to get those rooms done, and then focus on a bathroom (at least a toilet!) so that we can start “camping out” in the house and therefore have the camping trailer demolished and removed.

He said, “You’re not going to believe your eyes when you’re down there next time.” Lots of progress. The siders have also completed the underside of the house (it’ll need to be painted, though), as well as the soffits—soon to begin the Hardie siding.

Onward ho!

You’ve Got to See This!!

Yesterday (11/22/13) was the 50th anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy. I was in the 2nd grade, sitting in the [top!] reading group, learning about compound words when an “older kids” teacher burst into the classroom and whispered in our beloved, grandmotherly-teacher’s ear—who then gasped, covered her mouth with her hands, and started to cry. When she was able, she gently explained to us children that the president had been shot and killed.

Just seven years out of the womb, we definitely understood that this was a terrible thing. Seeing grownups crying everywhere when we were that young shook the foundation of what we had come to know was the normal world we were born into. While I don’t recall feeling afraid, I do recall absorbing that sadness that I saw throughout the hallways and classrooms and bus-boarding area that day. I don’t remember if we were sent home from school early—I certainly don’t remember resuming the learning of compound words. 

So, yesterday was a somber commemoration throughout the country. I had some thoughts about how “somber” a portion of the population actually felt, considering how polarized people are these days. And then I saw this. (I don’t always like Bill Maher, but boy does he often tell it like it is!

This is bust-a-gut hilarious! (With a lot of truth thrown in).

 

Squishes, Scans, and Sunsets

In no particular order.

Because, here’s the sunset! I took it through the dining room window so you’ll have to deal with a little bit of reflection (plus power lines, pffft).

The picture doesn’t even come close to illustrating how incredible it was. It was truly spectacular. I peered out that window and it engulfed my eyes!

So how was it that I happened to be at home when sunset happened? (Because it’s close to pitch dark now when I head home from work). Well, I left the office around 2pm this afternoon for my bone density and mammogram appointments, and then headed home straight from there. Pretty nice to get home before dark! And since we’re losing our sick leave by year’s end, I’m making medical/vision/dental appointments right and left. (Yes, you heard that right. The company is transitioning to PTO [paid time off] and so they’ve opted to make sick leave revert to ZERO as of 1/14. PLUS, we’ll lose one day of accrued time off starting next year. People are not happy…*)

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*Which is kind of interesting, as many of these same people blasted the Boeing Machinists Union for voting NO on the contract sprung on them that would have eliminated a whole helluva lot of benefits that they fought long and hard for. See how it feels, people? (Us non-union workers have to just suck it when management slams the hammer down).

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Anyway. I’m ashamed to admit that it has been quite a few years since I had a mammogram (like, 2007!) And the last time I did, they had me come back in for a biopsy—which resulted in an A/OK outcome—calcification, which is pretty common. That experience was rather traumatic, though. I remember that it wasn’t painful (except for administering the local anesthesia) and that it was handled extremely professionally, but it was SCARY and it was also weird. I was always good about getting mammograms every year up until then, but I’ve avoided them since then, which I know is counter-productive. It’s a relief to be back on board and doing the right thing. The whole experience is much improved since 2007! The “squishing” isn’t nearly as uncomfortable, plus it’s quicker. Also? This place had these cute little “capes” to wear! I sort of wanted to steal one! (Not really).

I’d never had a bone density test before. I didn’t even know what to expect. It’s a scan, relatively short, nothing to it. Certainly nothing like an MRI, which made me want to run screaming from the building (I didn’t realize just how claustrophobic I was!) The “open” MRIs made it more do-able, but they still made me uber-twitchy. I was told that I have the bone density of “a much younger woman.” So that was good to hear. I didn’t know what to expect since I’m not a milk-drinker. (But I am a cheese-eater, so there’s that). And I do take a One-A-Day vitamin for women (when I remember) that has a fair amount of calcium. But I’m guessing this is likely more of a heredity thing?

So, what else? John sent me this picture this uber-cold morning. Looks like a frozen, frosty beach, and I’m sure it was! Brrrrr!

He also sent a picture of his painting progress (in the pantry and mudroom, which is a light slate blue) and although I could sort of tell how it sort of looked, I doubt you would. These interior details call for our better-quality digital camera with the flash, that is here at home and not at Harstine. I won’t be back down there until the weekend following Thanksgiving (December 7th-8th). I have a wedding to attend this Saturday, and then John has to work all of Thanksgiving weekend. (And second shift! Crap!) So, not until the following weekend.

This little dahling continues to capture our hearts. We do call her “Little Shit” on a regular basis, but she is mostly a sweet lil’ thang. She is a LAP CAT! I have never had a lap cat. Mojo has his wonderful moments of affection – he’ll at least start out sleeping with us between our pillows and purr up a storm, plus he rather enjoys being cradled in our arms for a bit (again, purring like mad). But he’s basically not a lap cat, I suppose mostly because he’s so big. Little Wylie is! With John gone all this week, she seeks out my lap at the dining table (where my laptop is) and cuddles on down. Her purr is much softer than Mojo’s loud rumble. And she’ll gently pat-pat-pat you with her paws. She comes and goes out that pet door, but she is mostly inside. I sure do wonder where she spent the bulk of her first year? She wasn’t obviously a starved kitty when John found her, but she was sure hella hungry. She definitely covets her kibble now.

She also knows her name. (And was quite intrigued with seeing her picture on the monitor!) Smart cookie.

Here and There, This and That

John is at Harstine all this week, and he’s completed the installation of the vinyl flooring in three rooms. The thing is, yes he’s emailed me some pictures, but they suck! They really aren’t worth posting because you honestly can’t tell what’s what. They’re blurry, grainy, and meh. He said that he’s pleased with the result, so I’m taking his word for it. And he also mentioned that he was going to start painting! The siders are juggling two jobs, so they’ve been away from the site for a couple of days—I think they’re due back tomorrow. Besides installing the soffit underneath the house, they’ve been installing some of the eve soffits (garage, for one). The “sexy” stuff will eventually begin, which will be Hardie siding from the bottom up to the base of the windows, followed by cedar shingles. It’ll likely be a long slog.

Sure is lonely around here in the evenings. The animals go batshit crazy when I get home from work, and that also includes the cats (to a very low-level degree, but still rather enthusiastic for cats).

Even though work has not been horrendous this week (no dire deadlines, plus the CEO is out of town so I don’t have to listen to his LOUD VOICE and his LOUD SPEAKER PHONE—his office is kitty-corner from my cubicle and he has no consideration for us peons) I still am bushed when I get home. Mostly because traffic has been godawful. And work is still work. (And dealing with Chucklehead is an exercise in going internally ballistic Every. Single. Day. More on that in a bit…)

Oh! I was notified I’m getting a bonus! So get this: After playing a significant role in winning the company over $6 million in work this year? I’m getting a $450 bonus. After taxes, that’ll be about $250.

I know. Better than nuthin’.

(Trying to choke down the bitter pill).

(Just so you know, that equates to 0.0075% of what I helped win for the company. In other words, a little over seven ONE-THOUSANDSTH of ONE PERCENT. Yeah…)

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Been a reading fiend! (Because, you know, escaping is a necessary part of maintaining my sanity). After finishing the Silo saga (which I really really loved and highly recommend), I found myself still wonting for something good in that genre or similar. I saw that Margaret was reading “The Rithmatist” and after peering at what it was about, I just had to download it. It’s considered “YA,” but like so many of the books that fall under that category, it was wonderful! (As Margaret explained so spot-on, it’s like a combination of Harry Potter and steampunk!) It will also be a trilogy and this is the first installment – with the 2nd installment not due out until 2015!!!! (So, beware!) I liked this author so much that I’m now reading another trilogy by him (and it’s completed) called “The Mistborn Trilogy” and it is riveting, too! (However, his writing skills were better in “The Rithmatist.” He’s pretty young).

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So. Chucklehead has been obsessing over the company’s Christmas Holiday cards and how to get everyone’s contact lists up-to-date. So he sent out this email to a bunch of people in the company, including very high-level folks. I was busy and didn’t see it right away. My coworker, Amy, who sits near me, said, “Have you seen J’s email?” “No, not yet,” I replied. She said, “You really need to, uhm, read it.” So with trepidation, I opened it up.

 HoHoHo,

 

It’s that time of year again

Where we are reminded of our friends

Who have blessed us with their business

Even sometimes had to forgive us

So if you want to show you care

fill out the Holiday email card contact questionnaire

Have it back to Amy no later 18^th  of December

And we’ll send out a email blast they’ll remember

The 19^th will be too late

And you’ll just be another cheapskate 

 

You can also send your own Holiday Paper Card

It’s very simple and not too hard

Tell Amy how many cards you want post haste (by November 29^th – takes two weeks to order)

She’ll order and get to you by Dec 18^th  - worst case

 

The End, 

 

J***

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I didn’t change a thing.

You can draw your own conclusions.

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I’ll bet he got a much more robust bonus than I did.

So, Hey, It Didn’t Puddle!

Remember this? (Before firing):

It turned out like this. (However, I wish I had a window in the daylight to hold it against so you can see how it sparkles, but daylight won’t be happening for a while, as I leave for work in the dark and drive home in the dark…)

For my first attempt, I’m pretty pleased with it, except there is one goof. Can you see it?

Here’s a hint:

Yeah, a little piece of the dark aqua rolled off during firing and formed a little dark aqua “dot.”

There are a couple of minor things I’ll do differently next time. I also need to figure out a way to attach a hanger.

This pic helps a little. Maybe.

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So last week was all about the broken dishwasher. Last night, while John was enjoying his beloved “Gold Rush,” the 50” flat screen TV did the POP of death. (Yeah, pour it on). We had this happen once before and since John has a history of being an electronics tech in the Air Force and also for 25+ years at Da Airplane Company before becoming a manager, he was able to fix it. That was a few years ago and it was a whole lot cheaper than running out and buying a new TV at that time—they still hadn’t significantly come down in price then. But now…guess we’ll be buying a new TV. Eventually.

Ever notice what a financial suck life is?

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We bought paint last night for the mud room, pantry, and studio. (Squeee!) The mudroom and pantry will be a soft slate blue, and the studio will be a dusty sage. John headed back down to Harstine this morning for the week, and tonight he called to tell me he’s installed the vinyl flooring in the pantry (which will also go in the studio and mudroom, as those rooms don’t need hardwood flooring). He didn’t take a picture because he didn’t have his phone with him (and he/it would’ve drowned if he’d run up to the trailer in the UNRELENTING POURING RAIN to get it), but he said it looks really nice. Probably photos tomorrow.

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Did I mention that the rain is absolutely relentless? My drive home tonight was all about white knuckles.

I hate November.

Some Fun

Between chores, I’ve been focusing on enjoyment this weekend! Mostly, glass!

This turned out pretty good, I think:

I spent quite a lot of time cutting glass and assembling this snowflake ditty, based on a tutorial from the internet. I’ve seen the final result that others have done and it’s really cute, but I currently have this in the kiln and I’m nervous. I’m not sure about the firing schedule, based on knowing my kiln, whether it should be a full fuse or a contour fuse. The tutorial gives a temperature that is much higher than I tend to go for anything, so I opted to use my normal full fuse program. I’m just hoping it doesn’t end up being a puddle.

If it works out, I’ll probably make several of these. It’s kind of tedious, but not difficult. (This is how it looks in the kiln before firing it. “After” to come in several hours – whether a puddle or not!):

I’m also experimenting with some iddy biddy Christmas trees. My first experiment yesterday was an utter failure, but I’m taking a different tack and we’ll see how it goes. It’ll be a while before I know since the snowflake probably won’t be finished until later tonight. Hmm. (Lots of trial and error…)

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Yesterday I ran up to Fred Meyer and did a little shopping. What a zoo! ‘Tis the season for all the aisles to be crammed full of crap so you can’t even get your cart through. (I. Hate. Shopping.) But I had a few things I needed, and I did actually pick up a few cute Christmas-y things, including gift tags and some gift boxes and ribbon. I noticed that things are already quite picked over!

I wear ankle boots throughout the fall/winter and the pair I’ve had now for several years finally bit it (I noticed Friday one of the heels was loose! Can’t have that in downtown Seattle with all the buckled sidewalks and streets). So, I ordered a new pair on Amazon Friday afternoon and they were delivered Saturday morning! (Wow!) And they are cute!

I wore them to Fred Meyer yesterday and my feet hurt afterward. But I remember that was the case with my old pair, too—they take a little breaking in.

John is home (taking a nap), but he’ll be heading back down again tomorrow. He’d sent me some photos before he left and he got all the subfloor down in the pantry, mudroom, and glass studio. So, I’m doing more laundry!

What Sweet Demeanor?

It just seems that every week presents some element of awful.

Sunday through Thursday nights were all about the dishwasher. It was the one John replaced last Christmas Eve. (Yeah, it lived less than 11 months). (Warranty, you ask? Well, they are “limited,” you know, which means that if your thing dies, they are not going to replace it for free, and if you actually submit the “warranty” paperwork, your email inbox will be spammed to death).

• It wouldn’t fill with water.
• After spending a lot of time laying on the kitchen floor, John isolated the malfunctioning part and ordered it for overnight delivery, which meant two days since it was ordered late in the day.
• Meanwhile, broken dishwasher and sink were busting seams with dirty dishes.
• I did hand-wash a few of them, but I don’t even have a rack!
• Finally the part arrived and John was once again lying on his back on the kitchen floor.
• Then…after installing it, the dishwasher STILL wouldn’t work! Ooops, turned out he’d reinstalled the bad part! (They looked exactly alike, pretty much).
• Back on the floor. On his back.
• New part (for sure this time) installed! THE EFFING DISHWASHER STILL WOULDN’T WORK.
• Turns out it was an electronic issue in the motherboard (or whatever it’s called for a dishwasher).
• (Note: I’d asked the question if it could be electronic since the hot air drying feature had stopped working a few months ago and it seemed like a reasonable troubleshooting question, but I was told in no uncertain terms that, “No way.”)
• Well, guess what? Way!
• John picked up a new dishwasher yesterday and was once again on his back on the kitchen floor, installing it.
• It didn’t come with all the necessary installation parts!
• F-bombs galore. (On both our parts. We’d really had it).
• Trip to Lowe’s for the part. “Why no, you have to purchase the installation kit separately.” “And you didn’t think to let me know this when I bought the dishwasher?” [AND WHY THE HELL DON’T DISHWASHERS COME WITH THE PARTS NECESSARY TO INSTALL THE DAMNED THINGS? DO THEY ASSUME YOU’RE JUST GOING TO PUT A POTTED PLANT ON IT AND CALL IT GOOD?]
• Back on the kitchen floor. On his back.
• And now…it’s installed. And it’s working. (It’s just a relatively low-end machine that is missing some of the conveniences of the previous one and that added to my grumptitude, i.e., no folding racks to accommodate wider items and I swear it’s smaller).
• Slowly, but surely, the dishes strewn every-damned-where are making their way through the maw of the dishwasher and back into the cupboards.

(Yeah…not a happy camper. Either of us.)

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I opted not to go to Harstine this weekend. The weather is sucky and I want to work on some glass projects. (In between doing laundry). BUT, John headed down after work today and although he’ll come home Sunday evening, he’s taking all of next week off and will head back down Monday morning. Here’s what he plans to do:

• Install subflooring in the pantry, mudroom, and studio; then primer it.
• Install the vinyl flooring in those rooms (they don’t require the nicer flooring).
• Install at least some of the clear cedar wood in the dining and living room ceilings.
• Chip away at installing decking on the water side.

He’d made another bonzai run down the middle of this week so he could stop at his favorite special lumber yard (then picked up the dishwasher on the way back). While he was down there (briefly), he sent me this picture, which is again poor quality but it shows that the texture had been applied to the walls. It’s a light, soft texture and he said it made such a huge difference in the look of the place. They really look like walls now!

We are very close to needing to paint. (Hoping to get some bids on at least part of it). (And no! We will NOT have white walls!)

What is it with Blackberries and their horrible cameras?

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Crap! It’s windy again and the lights are flickering. I don’t dare fire up the glass kiln. I dealt with this the last time I had the opportunity to play with glass. Jeeze!