5.5.2022

Jim had a doctor appointment this morning so he didn't get back home until close to lunchtime, but he still got some work done in the shop, assembling the entertain cabinet door frames...

After lunch, we went to get some gas for the lawn mower while he uncovered the excavator and put the battery in.  It started up first crank - amazing!

Then he went up and got a bucketful of rocks...

Dumping the rocks on the area next to where the pole barn lean to will go...

Using the excavator thumb, he started placing rocks...

Time for load two...

Continuing to place rocks...

We placed the small ones by hand...

Mom was out enjoying the sunshine and supervising!

Jim finished up and put the equipment away and then did the first grass mowing of the season in the triangle!

We decided to take Mom to one of our favorite Saratoga Springs pubs for an early Mother's Day dinner.  We had a great meal and lots of fun!

And every excursion to Saratoga needs to end up with a stop at Ben & Jerry's for ice cream - it was Mom's first time!

High 68.2/Low 43.3

5.4.2022

Mom and I had haircuts and a couple errands this morning.  Jim had some computer work this morning and then headed into the wood shop.  He has the entertainment cabinet door frame pieces all sized... 

Then he did the millwork...

The first piece of steel wasn't the right thickness; we picked up another piece last week at Lowe's and Jim cut the pieces for his desk file drawer.  He then painted them with enamel for protection.

Later in the afternoon, he did some more moulding work - first taping...

Then caulking...

More caulking on the edges of the moulding...

Then painting the tops so he could then take the tape off...

We had some deer prancing out in the yard today...

Soon joined by a couple more...

High 57.8/Low 48.2 - drizzly

5.3.2022

Jim had a meeting with our insurance agent this morning (aka Jake from State Farm) to go over our house insurance and a few other things.  He also stopped at the Drywall Center to see his rep there.  It's always like Cheers when he goes to these places!

Mom and I went for her cataract surgery follow-up appointment this morning - she got a great report.  The doctor was pleased with how the incision looked and she's seeing the eye chart better than before so all wonderful news.  We go back next week for another check.

Once we all met back at home and had lunch, we headed outside to do some clean up.  This time, we worked on the west side of the property and behind the pole barn...

Using the weed trimmer to cut down some small growth...

Lining up the cut branches we dragged up the hill...

Starting to chip...

Cleaning up the debris - looks fabulous!

Then Jim moved the chipper down to the area where a big pine tree branch fell during the last snowstorm. Jim had to use the chainsaw - the branch was much bigger than it looked from the driveway!

We did some cleanup of the edges of the woods...

Then started chipping all the branches...

Beautiful!

High 70.1/Low 45.7

5.2.2022

Jim and I divided and conquered medical appointments today - Jim had an early morning test in Saratoga and Mom had her cataract surgery.  It went very well - so far, no redness and none of the giant black floaters he cautioned her about.  We go to see the doctor tomorrow and will get more information but we're all thrilled!  This was right when we got home - coffee, a snack and Dr Phil on tv!

  

Jim made the door frames for the entertainment cabinet today...

He sanded the door frames for the medicine cabinet...

Jim wanted to tie up all the cords underneath his desk today, using special brackets he bought...

Beautiful!

Since it was a drizzly day, Jim decided to do some moulding detail work.  First taping...

Then he caulked the top, filling in any small cracks between the wall and moulding...

Then he painted just the top edges...

Pulled the tape off...

Looks seamless now!  And he will be able to paint the rest of the moulding without having to re-tape the top of the moulding again.

High 55.5/Low 41.9 - drizzly

5.1.2022

 

Always a fun day when your name is May!  Hard to believe it's May though!

Jim did some work this morning on the medicine cabinet parts...

Then in the afternoon, we headed outside.  It was another gorgeous day to be out.  We wanted to continue cleaning the top of the hill where a tree had fallen a couple years ago.  Jim started cutting up some fallen branches...

Cutting down some of the bigger striped maple trees hiding all the pines...

Cutting some bigger branches off the trees...

Then we started chipping up all our cuttings...

It was back to cutting up more fallen trees...

And more chipping...

Wow - what a difference!  We can even get to the shed now too!

After Mom and I came in, Jim continued to do a little more work so pictures to come!

High 69.6/Low 31.2