Working on the rental house and Labashi's family reunion; 'Goodbye Solo'
(posted from home)
(This post covers 10 – 27 July, 2010)
-----------------------------------------
Tuesday, 27 July-
This morning I had a to-do list for the reunion to get done while the rest of the family went to Hershey Park. I'm getting the canoe and fishing boat ready for our picnic and Pinchot later this week.
I also ran into a problem with my ATM card today. I stopped at the bank for some cash and the card wouldn't work-- the mag stripe has worn through from contact with other cards in my wallet. But when I went into the bank, they couldn't find my account at first. It turns out my card has an incorrect number embossed on it. The magnetic stripe had the right numbers but when the clerk keyed in the account number embossed on the card, it didn't work. That turns out to be an error on the card so it will have to be replaced. That little problem has been waiting to bite me for 12 years (when I first got the card) and today was the day! It was actually a very minor issue, though--- just a few minutes of confusion at the teller window.
Late in the day I rode over to Cycle Tech to discuss repair of the Concours' exhaust-crossover pipe. I think I'll probably go with these guys but not for another two months or so when their work has slowed down and they switch to off-season rates. I'm very happy to ride the GS for now but will want the Concours for late-Fall and Winter riding. The Conc's fairing just can't be beat for cold-weather riding but the bike is also uncomfortable in very hot weather because of all the heat coming off the engine and exhaust headers.
Labashi's brother from Albuquerque arrived today with his two sons and will be staying with us for a week during and after the reunion. It's nice to have visitors in the house.
-----------------------------------------
Monday, 26 July-
Today I took our visiting seven-year-old boy and his dad on a tour of local fishing spots. By late morning another reunion contingent arrived and we all went to Pinchot Park to reconnoiter for our picnics there with the rest of the family later this week and to let the kids get some fishing time.
That evening we visited Mom and Dad and we all then went out for dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Mechanicsburg.
Upon our return home we had a Skype video call with one of Labashi's sister's family who can't make the reunion. Very cool!
---------------------------------------
Sunday, 25 July-
More reunion-prep and other thrashing about today. We decided we'd better install Air Conditioner Number 2. We have two large window-mounted air conditioners but normally only install one and that one only for the hottest days. Last year we didn't install any at all and the year before only used one for a week. That's generally because we try to get out of town on one of our trips during July and August.
We watched 'Top Shot' as our entertainment tonight and just as it ended Labashi's brother and family arrived from Ohio-- our first reunion customer! We stayed up past midnight while they decompressed from their trip and enjoyed our talk.
---------------------------------------
Saturday, 24 July-
Today was another reunion-prep day. We had lots of little tasks to open up space and organize for company.
But the big task for today was transferring Dad's Buick to the new owner. We drove to the tag-and-title shop in our car and the Buick but ran into a problem when the woman who wanted to buy Dad's car proffered an insurance bill as proof of insurance. Her hubby and I had to make a mad dash back home to get the insurance card in their car (which had been left at our house). Once that was squared away we bid the Buick and its new owners a fond goodbye.
That evening we watched 'Goodbye Solo', a nice little movie about a taxi driver who is contracted to take a fare to a remote area and realizes it's because the fare want's to commit suicide at the destination. That plot line sounds awfully depressing but it was a good movie.
---------------------------------------
Friday, 23 July-
Today we prepared for the family reunion. We had a massive shopping task and then cut the lawn in 100-degree heat (with lots of breaks!)
That evening we watched a 'Closer' episode.
--------------------------------------
Thursday, 22 July-
Today we did the second coats on the living room and dining room then I fixed holes in the kitchen walls and basement-stairway walls and finished up the repair around the bathroom ceiling fan.
We returned home late again and watche a 'House' episode.
--------------------------------------
Wednesday, 21 July-
Today it was back to Chambersburg for more painting. We spent the entire day getting the living and dining room prepped and the first coat painted on walls and ceiling.
That evening we helped Maypo paint the kitchen and laundry room in his new house. I had enough painting for today!!!
We overnighted in the driveway of the rental house.
--------------------------------------
Tuesday, 20 July-
This morning I had my appointment to get the results of my kidney CT scan. Everything is good and we'll now extend the next scan to a year.
I spent the afternoon handling a silly mixup with my pharmacy. I had a prescription cancelled back in February and the pharmacy somehow thought it was still alive and contacted my doctor about it. So the doctor wanted to know what's going on. A series of mixups and assumptions had to be cleared up.
That evening we watched a 'House' episode from Season One.
--------------------------------------
Monday, 19 July-
It was back to Chambersburg again to resume painting the interior. We did the second coat on the back bedrooms and then headed home for my medical appointment tomorrow.
That evening we watched two 'Closer' episodes.
-------------------------------------
Sunday, 18 July-
This morning I rode the GS down to the Shrewsbury Starbucks to meet the guy who wanted to buy the tank bag and saddlebags from the motorcycle I sold. The guy lives near the Baltimore/Washington airport and had asked whether I'd be willing to meet him at the Maryland line for the exchange. I didn't mind the half-hour run down there on this beautiful morning and it's only about ten minutes more than my regular Sunday ride to the Tollgate Starbucks. The exchange went well. The guy was very happy to get the bags and we seemed to have a lot in common and could talk easily.
I couldn't tarry long, though, since I had to get back to demo Dad's Buick to a prospective buyer. The demo went well and the couple gave me a deposit on the car and arranged to pick it up next Saturday. Here's to keeping fingers crossed that nothing else goes wrong in the meantime!
That afternoon I took relax-and-enjoy-it ride to the York Starbucks and after my return home I cleaned and oiled the GS chain and washed the motorcycle.
That evening we watched 'Ice Road Truckers' and 'Top Shot' (six-gun episode)
-------------------------------------
Saturday, 17 July-
We painted all day today, from 0800 to 1800. We put the second coat on the bedroom ceilings and I took another shot at repairing the bathroom walls. I had made some progress yesterday but the sand-texture paint I used to try to simulate the plaster topcoat had been too rough-- the paint was too thick. I removed it and mixed up a much better version by watering down the sand-texture paint with some latex wall paint. I also removed the fan/light to get to a bad patch-job the renter had apparently done when he installed the new fan/light. I also spent considerable time repairing the living and dining room walls. There were nailholes everywhere, it seemed.
We were exhausted by the end of the day and I had a bit of trouble staying awake during our long drive home.
-------------------------------------
Friday, 16 July-
We turned to painting interior walls today. We prepped and painted the ceilings in the front and middle bedrooms. I also took my first shot at fixing the bathroom walls with plaster-patch and sand-texture paint.
That evening we parked Mocha Joe in the woods. We had a strange night. About 0200 we were awakened by a very odd sound just outside the van. Labashi thought it was a fox barking, I had the impression it was a bird sound--- sort of a pre-historic sound which reminded me of a great blue heron's squawk. I called it 'the Chupacabra'. Maybe it was a bittern....
--------------------------------------
Thursday, 15 July-
This morning we drove to Chambersburg and spent the rest of the day painting the aluminum siding of the rental house. We were surprised how well the job went. The Duramax went on well and didn't need a lot of skill to avoid brush marks. If this paint continues to stick well to this house and doesn't chalk much, we have a solution for our house in, say, two years.
That afternoon we re-hung the rain gutter after Maypo and Orat finished up with the new vinyl soffitt and the new aluminum cover on the fascia board. Upon completion of that project Orat headed for home in western New York and Maypo needs to go back to his full-time job tomorrow.
We spent the evening at the Maypos and then came back to the rental house and parked Mocha Joe in the driveway for our overnight.
--------------------------------------
Wednesday, 14 July -
We had an appointment in Mechanicsburg around noon so we only worked until 10 am washing walls. Good thing. I was still exhausted from yesterday's scrubbing and scrubbing.
Orat painted a sample on the siding to see how the Valspar Duramax paint worked in the high heat and humidity. So far, so good.
Labashi and I went to Mom and Dad's apartment to help Labashi's sister load up a large rug for transport home. She had come up from northern Virginia for the day and it was great to see her. We only spent an hour with her, though, and then headed home.
At home I made arrangements to sell the KLR bags and to demo Dad's Buick to a prospective buyer this weekend.
--------------------------------------
Tuesday, 13 July-
We continued bondo duty and Orat finished up the soffitt removal. I painted the front door with a coat of primer and two of color and washed walls when I wasn't painting. The wall-washing is necessary because the renters used a kerosene heater which left an oily residue on all the walls. What a pain!
After a fun evening with Maypo and Ms. Maypo and Orat, we stayed the night in Maypo's driveway.
-------------------------------------
Monday, 12 July-
I had my nine-month CT scan of my kidney today then we went to Chambersburg to work on the house. We continued working the repairs to the siding and I preppred the front door for re-painting while Orat pulled down the old plywood soffitt.
Labashi and I stayed the night in Mocha Joe in the nearby woods. For some reason, though, we got very little sleep. We think it was due to the fumes from the bondo. What a miserable night.
-------------------------------------
Sunday, 11 July-
This morning I finished up removing the storm doors and then spent most of the day on bondo-ing the many dents to the aluminum siding. This isn't going well-- it's just too slow. We've considered replacing the siding but that has its own problems--- expense and a complex installation.
That evening we returned home so I can prep for my medical appointment tomorrow.
-----------------------------------
Saturday, 10 July-
Today we started working on the house in Chambersburg. I worked for a few hours sanding and chipping away paint on one of the windows only to decide this wasn't going to work. The underlying wood isn't in very good shape and the results after repainting and re-puttying the windows won't be very good. Worse, the storms are unfinished aluminum and look their age (almost 50 years!). Instead of continuing this losing battle I spent the rest of the day removing all the storm windows and then worked on repairs to the dented aluminum siding using car-body repair epoxy (Bondo).
We spent the evening with Maypo and stayed the night in Mocha Joe in the driveway.
************** END OF POST ************
(posted from home)
(This post covers 10 – 27 July, 2010)
-----------------------------------------
Tuesday, 27 July-
This morning I had a to-do list for the reunion to get done while the rest of the family went to Hershey Park. I'm getting the canoe and fishing boat ready for our picnic and Pinchot later this week.
I also ran into a problem with my ATM card today. I stopped at the bank for some cash and the card wouldn't work-- the mag stripe has worn through from contact with other cards in my wallet. But when I went into the bank, they couldn't find my account at first. It turns out my card has an incorrect number embossed on it. The magnetic stripe had the right numbers but when the clerk keyed in the account number embossed on the card, it didn't work. That turns out to be an error on the card so it will have to be replaced. That little problem has been waiting to bite me for 12 years (when I first got the card) and today was the day! It was actually a very minor issue, though--- just a few minutes of confusion at the teller window.
Late in the day I rode over to Cycle Tech to discuss repair of the Concours' exhaust-crossover pipe. I think I'll probably go with these guys but not for another two months or so when their work has slowed down and they switch to off-season rates. I'm very happy to ride the GS for now but will want the Concours for late-Fall and Winter riding. The Conc's fairing just can't be beat for cold-weather riding but the bike is also uncomfortable in very hot weather because of all the heat coming off the engine and exhaust headers.
Labashi's brother from Albuquerque arrived today with his two sons and will be staying with us for a week during and after the reunion. It's nice to have visitors in the house.
-----------------------------------------
Monday, 26 July-
Today I took our visiting seven-year-old boy and his dad on a tour of local fishing spots. By late morning another reunion contingent arrived and we all went to Pinchot Park to reconnoiter for our picnics there with the rest of the family later this week and to let the kids get some fishing time.
That evening we visited Mom and Dad and we all then went out for dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Mechanicsburg.
Upon our return home we had a Skype video call with one of Labashi's sister's family who can't make the reunion. Very cool!
---------------------------------------
Sunday, 25 July-
More reunion-prep and other thrashing about today. We decided we'd better install Air Conditioner Number 2. We have two large window-mounted air conditioners but normally only install one and that one only for the hottest days. Last year we didn't install any at all and the year before only used one for a week. That's generally because we try to get out of town on one of our trips during July and August.
We watched 'Top Shot' as our entertainment tonight and just as it ended Labashi's brother and family arrived from Ohio-- our first reunion customer! We stayed up past midnight while they decompressed from their trip and enjoyed our talk.
---------------------------------------
Saturday, 24 July-
Today was another reunion-prep day. We had lots of little tasks to open up space and organize for company.
But the big task for today was transferring Dad's Buick to the new owner. We drove to the tag-and-title shop in our car and the Buick but ran into a problem when the woman who wanted to buy Dad's car proffered an insurance bill as proof of insurance. Her hubby and I had to make a mad dash back home to get the insurance card in their car (which had been left at our house). Once that was squared away we bid the Buick and its new owners a fond goodbye.
That evening we watched 'Goodbye Solo', a nice little movie about a taxi driver who is contracted to take a fare to a remote area and realizes it's because the fare want's to commit suicide at the destination. That plot line sounds awfully depressing but it was a good movie.
---------------------------------------
Friday, 23 July-
Today we prepared for the family reunion. We had a massive shopping task and then cut the lawn in 100-degree heat (with lots of breaks!)
That evening we watched a 'Closer' episode.
--------------------------------------
Thursday, 22 July-
Today we did the second coats on the living room and dining room then I fixed holes in the kitchen walls and basement-stairway walls and finished up the repair around the bathroom ceiling fan.
We returned home late again and watche a 'House' episode.
--------------------------------------
Wednesday, 21 July-
Today it was back to Chambersburg for more painting. We spent the entire day getting the living and dining room prepped and the first coat painted on walls and ceiling.
That evening we helped Maypo paint the kitchen and laundry room in his new house. I had enough painting for today!!!
We overnighted in the driveway of the rental house.
--------------------------------------
Tuesday, 20 July-
This morning I had my appointment to get the results of my kidney CT scan. Everything is good and we'll now extend the next scan to a year.
I spent the afternoon handling a silly mixup with my pharmacy. I had a prescription cancelled back in February and the pharmacy somehow thought it was still alive and contacted my doctor about it. So the doctor wanted to know what's going on. A series of mixups and assumptions had to be cleared up.
That evening we watched a 'House' episode from Season One.
--------------------------------------
Monday, 19 July-
It was back to Chambersburg again to resume painting the interior. We did the second coat on the back bedrooms and then headed home for my medical appointment tomorrow.
That evening we watched two 'Closer' episodes.
-------------------------------------
Sunday, 18 July-
This morning I rode the GS down to the Shrewsbury Starbucks to meet the guy who wanted to buy the tank bag and saddlebags from the motorcycle I sold. The guy lives near the Baltimore/Washington airport and had asked whether I'd be willing to meet him at the Maryland line for the exchange. I didn't mind the half-hour run down there on this beautiful morning and it's only about ten minutes more than my regular Sunday ride to the Tollgate Starbucks. The exchange went well. The guy was very happy to get the bags and we seemed to have a lot in common and could talk easily.
I couldn't tarry long, though, since I had to get back to demo Dad's Buick to a prospective buyer. The demo went well and the couple gave me a deposit on the car and arranged to pick it up next Saturday. Here's to keeping fingers crossed that nothing else goes wrong in the meantime!
That afternoon I took relax-and-enjoy-it ride to the York Starbucks and after my return home I cleaned and oiled the GS chain and washed the motorcycle.
That evening we watched 'Ice Road Truckers' and 'Top Shot' (six-gun episode)
-------------------------------------
Saturday, 17 July-
We painted all day today, from 0800 to 1800. We put the second coat on the bedroom ceilings and I took another shot at repairing the bathroom walls. I had made some progress yesterday but the sand-texture paint I used to try to simulate the plaster topcoat had been too rough-- the paint was too thick. I removed it and mixed up a much better version by watering down the sand-texture paint with some latex wall paint. I also removed the fan/light to get to a bad patch-job the renter had apparently done when he installed the new fan/light. I also spent considerable time repairing the living and dining room walls. There were nailholes everywhere, it seemed.
We were exhausted by the end of the day and I had a bit of trouble staying awake during our long drive home.
-------------------------------------
Friday, 16 July-
We turned to painting interior walls today. We prepped and painted the ceilings in the front and middle bedrooms. I also took my first shot at fixing the bathroom walls with plaster-patch and sand-texture paint.
That evening we parked Mocha Joe in the woods. We had a strange night. About 0200 we were awakened by a very odd sound just outside the van. Labashi thought it was a fox barking, I had the impression it was a bird sound--- sort of a pre-historic sound which reminded me of a great blue heron's squawk. I called it 'the Chupacabra'. Maybe it was a bittern....
--------------------------------------
Thursday, 15 July-
This morning we drove to Chambersburg and spent the rest of the day painting the aluminum siding of the rental house. We were surprised how well the job went. The Duramax went on well and didn't need a lot of skill to avoid brush marks. If this paint continues to stick well to this house and doesn't chalk much, we have a solution for our house in, say, two years.
That afternoon we re-hung the rain gutter after Maypo and Orat finished up with the new vinyl soffitt and the new aluminum cover on the fascia board. Upon completion of that project Orat headed for home in western New York and Maypo needs to go back to his full-time job tomorrow.
We spent the evening at the Maypos and then came back to the rental house and parked Mocha Joe in the driveway for our overnight.
--------------------------------------
Wednesday, 14 July -
We had an appointment in Mechanicsburg around noon so we only worked until 10 am washing walls. Good thing. I was still exhausted from yesterday's scrubbing and scrubbing.
Orat painted a sample on the siding to see how the Valspar Duramax paint worked in the high heat and humidity. So far, so good.
Labashi and I went to Mom and Dad's apartment to help Labashi's sister load up a large rug for transport home. She had come up from northern Virginia for the day and it was great to see her. We only spent an hour with her, though, and then headed home.
At home I made arrangements to sell the KLR bags and to demo Dad's Buick to a prospective buyer this weekend.
--------------------------------------
Tuesday, 13 July-
We continued bondo duty and Orat finished up the soffitt removal. I painted the front door with a coat of primer and two of color and washed walls when I wasn't painting. The wall-washing is necessary because the renters used a kerosene heater which left an oily residue on all the walls. What a pain!
After a fun evening with Maypo and Ms. Maypo and Orat, we stayed the night in Maypo's driveway.
-------------------------------------
Monday, 12 July-
I had my nine-month CT scan of my kidney today then we went to Chambersburg to work on the house. We continued working the repairs to the siding and I preppred the front door for re-painting while Orat pulled down the old plywood soffitt.
Labashi and I stayed the night in Mocha Joe in the nearby woods. For some reason, though, we got very little sleep. We think it was due to the fumes from the bondo. What a miserable night.
-------------------------------------
Sunday, 11 July-
This morning I finished up removing the storm doors and then spent most of the day on bondo-ing the many dents to the aluminum siding. This isn't going well-- it's just too slow. We've considered replacing the siding but that has its own problems--- expense and a complex installation.
That evening we returned home so I can prep for my medical appointment tomorrow.
-----------------------------------
Saturday, 10 July-
Today we started working on the house in Chambersburg. I worked for a few hours sanding and chipping away paint on one of the windows only to decide this wasn't going to work. The underlying wood isn't in very good shape and the results after repainting and re-puttying the windows won't be very good. Worse, the storms are unfinished aluminum and look their age (almost 50 years!). Instead of continuing this losing battle I spent the rest of the day removing all the storm windows and then worked on repairs to the dented aluminum siding using car-body repair epoxy (Bondo).
We spent the evening with Maypo and stayed the night in Mocha Joe in the driveway.
************** END OF POST ************
posted by Bezabor&Labashi | 22:18
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