Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.

[Latestarter]

Had to go out and buy some stuff today and wandered through the music CD section at wally world. Decided to pick up some new "oldies" music to add to my collection and happened upon a Weird AL Yankovic double CD set. Ripping it to the computer now. He cracks me up!

On a good note. I'm starting to have heavy sneezing episodes which has always been an indication that my system is finally kicking whatever bug it's been fighting. So I expect I'll be done with this crap within the next day or so. About time! About time to head out to use the spa. Expecting temps down to just above freezing here tonight.

Yeah, dillos have spread further north than they've ever been seen before. Climate change and all that good stuff. They are pretty destructive to lawns. They root around like hogs and dig these holes that are ideal for breaking an ankle in.

 

[CntryBoy777]

....and a really good 'Start' for some other Critter that Digs...Fox, Possum, etc........sure glad to hear ya are feeling Better!!....those Goats are gonna need some 'Action'... and we are Anxious for the Pics...

 

[Latestarter]

The other night a few days ago, while standing in the kitchen in slippers, I shuffled my feet and discovered the ridges where the hardwood laminate comes together was starting to "bridge"/pucker... Looked down at it without much attention and went about what I was doing. Yesterday, I noticed some water staining along a joint and since the dog had been out there drooling (he makes a serious puddle when he gets going) and I had been working in the sink, I just got the wet jet out and cleaned it up. This afternoon, while in the kitchen I noticed water on the floor... Hmmmmm.

As I stepped on one board in front of the sink, bubbles and water came up through the seam... Looked under the kitchen sink, no leaks. There was some water staining on the lower portion of the fiber board wall on the dishwasher side, but I didn't pay much attention. So I've pulled the bottom kick board off the dishwasher and sure enough, there's a leak dripping under there from the pressure unit above where the water line comes in. It's NOT the water line or the coupling... it's something above that. The unit is still under warranty but of course it's after hours on Friday so can't do anything about it till Monday. This will be the 2nd time I've had to call out for repairs on this unit. It was bought and installed in March and never used until I moved in. I've maybe used it a 1/2 dozen times. When the plumber installed it he jacked the legs all the way up (down?) and since they didn't carry the wood flooring under the dishwasher, it's too tight a fit to pull out without major effort. While down on my hands and knees I looked and it appears they didn't carry the hard wood laminate under the stove either...

Depending on how much damage was done to the laminate and sub floor from the water, I may just pull it out and replace it with tile (and carry it under the dishwasher and stove).

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Grrrrrrrrrr! Hate half-a$$ed work. Hope you get it resolved quickly and easily! (how likely is that?)

 

[NH homesteader]

Ugh

 

[Bruce]

Always another thing! Sorry to hear it @Latestarter

 

[CntryBoy777]

Sure hope that's all ya Find....and isn't one of those 'Chase' it down and Find much more than ya Wished or Planned on...I caught a Draft while cooking one day and began to 'Track it Down'....even tho it is a trailer...this was much more than Normal....come to find out...the paneling has completely rotted out...behind the stove....only the Vinyl is left...there isn't any telling just how Long the vent on the venta hood has been Leaking....but even the Studs are no longer there...took out the non working vent a hood and Sealed the hole...now I have to remove cabinets just to Replace the Wall.....so, just Hope it ain't like that for ya....

 

[Bruce]

@CntryBoy777

Darn good thing you live in the south where you can work on that sort of fiasco this time of year. I don't even want to think about opening up an outside wall in December.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Have to wait til the Wasps stop Flying.....

 

[Latestarter]

Finally got more than an hour's sleep last night. Cold finally broke/breaking, no sore throat, no swollen glands, post nasal drip all but gone, cough finally dying down. Still coughing up the last of it. Was so tired today... Called to get the dish washer repair folks back out here, that will happen some time Wednesday. They said they'll file for the damage caused to the laminate flooring by the leak as well. Then I decided I needed some fresh air so I went out and went to get a hair cut, only to find all the barbershops here are closed on Mondays. Stopped and had a sausage/egg/cheese muffin meal for breakfast, then I figured while I'm out, it's a Monday, it's gray & overcast and drizzling off & on so what better time to go visit some govt employees? Went to the county offices to start checking into ag exemption and they directed me to the appraisal district so went there and did what I could. Filled out the app, got it stamped received and a copy for me. Now set up for both timber and animal exemption on the property. They said I'd get a notice in the mail in April/May letting me know the outcome/determination/tax rate-bill and I'd have 30 days to fight it if I decided to. Actual taxes will be billed in Oct and due NLT Feb first. They said they didn't see any reason it would be denied.

They also told me what I need to do for the homestead exemption and I have to get a TX drivers license to get that. So I went over to the TX Dept of Safety to do that, only to find out I can't get a TX drivers license until I get my truck registered here (unless I don't own a vehicle... WTF?). So I told them I didn't have a vehicle, and they said "Yes you do!" (WTF?) Of course they also want a certified birth certificate, a passport, proof of sanity signed by a licensed physician, proof of TX residency X 2, a completely filled out 30 page application, 2 govt issued pic IDs, first born son, letter from parent's, and congressional approval. What a friggin PITA! I'll go to a different office next time. Maybe I'll rent a car for the day and show them the rental contract. So I decided since I don't need to file the homestead until April, I'll wait. My present license is good till 5/18, and I've already paid CO registration taxes/fees which are good till later next year and I can't get a refund on them... The truck will also then be a year older and worth even less for tax purposes.

Who would have guessed a person (me) could eat an entire 2 pound bag of M&Ms in a matter of days? I bought them in case I got a sweet craving and made the mistake of putting them beside me on the computer table... And I wonder why I keep putting on weight?

Speaking of gaining weight... I swung into the local Brookshire's and spoke to the meat dept manager/cutter and ordered a 9-10 pound bone in rib roast with the meat filleted off the bones and tied, then the roast tied back to the rib bones for pick up on the 17th. I told him I want the best cut he had available. My son and his family will arrive some time that night and we'll be doing Xmas dinner the 18th or 19th. I expect I'll season it the 17th when I get it home and refrigerate it overnight. Then discuss whether to cook it on the 18th or 19th with them when they get here. All of a sudden I have this craving for stir fried onions and mushrooms Thinking about mushroom/onion gravy... Maybe I'll go cook some in a bit for my dinner.

They (appraisal office) also told me where to go to get the free help I need for the soil analysis and timber evaluation, pasture recommendations and stocking limits for animals. They also reminded me to apply for the release from sales tax on farm materials document.

So on the way home I stopped at a couple of furniture stores to check out a swivel rocker recliner. Found a good one; Lazy Boy Gibson and they'll be delivering it tomorrow after noon. The one I have now in the living room will stay there but get moved over along the couch wall. I spent most of the afternoon dozing in it. I needed one a bit "beefier" and able to swivel so I can place it over under the window by the wood stove and be able to watch TV yet swivel around to interact with others in the room using the other furniture. Wanted cloth but that would have been a special order and 6-8 weeks... so settled for microfiber. Did not want leather. Then I went to Chicken Express and got a couple of thighs and a biscuit with sweet tea for lunch.

On the way home I went past a farm insurance office as detailed in another thread here, so stopped in to get a quote. Two grand a year! Guess I'll be staying with what I have now until, the end of at least the first year term. I asked why so expensive... He said because it's a stick framed home outside city limits. I said "you folks are supposed to be doing farm and ranch policies... How many farms and ranches are INSIDE city limits?" He didn't answer me Wonder how much it would cost to get this place put on a foundation and bricked up...

Seeing all the folks dealing with snow and winter weather, makes me kind of glad that I moved further south. I'm going to have sub freezing weather for a couple of nights later in the week, and it's been gray/rainy/damp here the past few days and will continue for a couple more. picked up an even inch of rain over the past day or two. That was on top of the inch and 3/8ths I got last week. Looking at the forecast it appears the amount of rain expected through Thursday has decreased. Next week after it dries out I have to concentrate on getting that downed tree cut up. Should be good for a cord or two all cut and split. The exercise will be good for me too

Christmas is 20 days away Man this year flew past! Hope y'all are ready or at least getting there. Not much time left.