10.31.2025

 

Happy Halloween!  It's been a very windy, blustery day - the trick-or-treaters will have to dress warmly for sure!

Jim got the new chainsaw all ready to go and gave it its first start this afternoon...

With the wintery weather ahead of us, we set out our sticks to mark the driveway for snow plowing...

High 50.8/Low 41.8 - windy!

10.30.2025

A rainy day today, so Jim was doing some clean up when they called and said his new chainsaw was in.  We decided to go vote and then pick it up...

Sure is pretty!  We'll be trying it out soon!

High 46.4/Low 37.5 - rainy

10.29.2025

Jim had a morning physical with his primary physician today.  Over the years, he's developed a good rapport with this doctor, and it was a good visit.  The doctor was happy with all of Jim's bloodwork and we were all thrilled to see that his PSA levels were undetectable!  While it sure has been a sobering and still evolving time for Jim and I, we are so grateful with his progress and good test results like these.

This afternoon, Jim wanted to switch out the neutralizing pellets in the furnace system.  They may look gross in the container, but Jim tested the output with acid strips and it was almost neutral.  

Draining...

Emptying out the old pellets...

Giving the container a good scrubbing...

Ugh - unfortunately when Jim was putting the PVC fittings back together, one broke.  He had to chip the pieces out (you can see the little pile of chippings on the table).  Thankfully, he had some replacement pieces that he was able to use to put the system back together, even with PVC glue that was a bit beyond its best days.

All back in operation!

Jim did a little more grass cutting to finish off his day.

High 54.8/Low 32.6

 

10.28.2025

Jim headed back outside this afternoon to put up the other pair of brackets in the shed.  Hmm...don't try this at home!  Standing on the cement mixer to be able to fasten this bracket...

Putting the front bracket up... 

Then starting to put our miscellaneous scaffolding pieces up and out of the way...

Looks so nice and neat!

We knocked off a bit early and cleaned up, then headed into Saratoga for some errands and some excursions to help make some decisions on new tires for my car, as well as some other errands.  We even stopped at the Subaru dealer to investigate - they're one of the only car brands that still have a few models with manual transmission.

Then we headed to The Local for the Mug Club Party - time to rejoin for the coming year.  They have free food, beer and t-shirts, so it was fun.  However, it was packed so we didn't stay too long.

High 56.7/Low 33.6

10.27.2025

I was gone a good part of the day - went and renewed my driver's license after seeing my mom.  We only have to do it every 8 years here and the DMV is wonderful, so no complaints.

Jim brought out the first pair of brackets to hang up in the shed.  He designed these so well - the top flange fits over the joist...

Fastening...

Putting up the other side...

Then starting to put the scaffolding cross braces up...

Amazing - everything is up off the floor and out of the way.  Jim will hang the other pair on the opposite wall tomorrow.

He wanted to do the hopefully last grass cutting of the year once he got cleaned up.  The grass is still nice and green even though we've had some frosts.

High 46.9/Low 30.2

 

10.26.2025

Jim successfully sold the treadmill yesterday to an oncologist; they chatted about a few things and Jim feels like both our machines have good new homes.

In going through old boxes, Jim found his Air Force boot camp picture.  He decided to put it in a frame - he's going to hang it in the Control Room.  I was able to pick him out right away in the lineup!

Another coat of paint on the brackets...

Jim started taking things apart to get at the oil filter so he could change the oil in my car before winter...

Draining the oil and putting the new filter in.

He also bought and installed new wiper blades, front and back, so I'll be ready for winter driving.

10.25 - High 52.7/Low 37.8
10.26 - High 53/Low 30.4

10.24.2025

Another on/off rainy day - Jim got the bracket pieces all cleaned and started painting... 

Jim had listed both the exercise bike and treadmill on Craigslist and they've been there for quite a while.  Funny how things work - two different people contacted him on the same day, each wanting one of the machines.  A man came from Vermont tonight to buy the bike; someone is coming tomorrow for the treadmill.  So Jim got them all spiffy clean...

Treadmill all clean and ready to be looked at tomorrow...

High 53.8/Low 40.8

10.23.2025

Jim and I started the day with a trip to the dentist.  We got good results, so that's always a plus!  

Still a blustery day with some spits of rain on/off, so Jim stayed inside and worked in the metal shop.  Doing some drilling...

Pieces welded together...

All of the pieces are welded - Jim is doing some finishing touches, like beveling sharp corners and smoothing welds...

High 53.3/Low 45.1

10.22.2025

We had some strong wind and some rain come through while I was at Mom's this morning, so I came home to some downed branches...

Jim unfortunately seemed to catch the head cold that I had and probably picked up at Mom's facility.  It was windy and chilly out, so he decided to stay inside and work.  Cutting more steel pieces...

All the holes in the brackets are drilled...

These pieces are welded...

High 55.9/Low 46.8

10.21.2025

'Tis the season - to paint pumpkins!  Mom tried her hand today... 

This afternoon, Jim did more dirt scraping...

Scooping up the dirt...

Building up the grade around the shed...

More scraping...

Means more dirt...

Some hand shoveling where it's hard to reach...

Moving the gravel back in place...

Of course, always rocks to get out...

Rounding over the edges where he was scraping dirt...

Looks pretty...

We went back into the woods to scrape up some gravel that was underneath the bricks...

Building up on the side of the shed...

Filling in next to the concrete...

Back for more gravel...

Expanding the gravel leading up to the shed...

Looking good...

Jim went back into the woods and cleaned up the rest of the gravel back there, then put all the tools and equipment away for the night.

He had a few extra minutes so he started drilling mounting holes on some bracket pieces...

High 64.4/Low 46.8