Keeping Busy at Erin's New House

For the past month or so I've been busy fixing little things at Erin's new place. It's actually quite therapeutic to get out and do something since we've been housebound for the past couple years and there's little else to keep a person busy this time of year.

TO DO:

• New sink in upstairs bathroom (add 2 shutoff valves)

• Check gas line to BBQ - reinstall outlet Tom Knight (gas fitter)

• Replace track lights in living room?

• Measure for new, brighter light in master closet

• Study disconnected Air Exchanger Pros and Cons

• Check out gas meter pulled away from wall outside

• Clean old glue and stick down threshold in basement kitchen

• Replace noisy toilet valve (main floor) (re-order valve)

• Investigate disconnected Rogers home security

• Check operation of sump pump

• New Toilet(s) (both upper bathroom flappers leaking, both bowl finish bad)

• Basement and main floor bathroom flappers leaking

• Put motion detector lamp in the bathroom??? Lamp on fan???

• Install new water heater and new catch pan with drain to sump

• Check possibility of replacing anode rod in water heater.

• Shelf units for Pantry (measurements taken)

• Replace coping cover (damaged by freezing) on pool (wait til warmer weather)

• Install new railing on deck to meet bylaw/inspection (wait til warmer weather)

• Fasten pool railings per code for inspection (wait til warmer weather)

• Expose all piers on deck per inspection (wait til warmer weather)

• Re-open swimming pool for summer (wait til warmer weather)

• Check wheelbarrow behind shed (wait til warmer weather)

• Check and repair garage coach light south (loose) (wait til warmer weather)

• Install rain diverter (wait til warmer weather)

DONE:

• New rollers on Dishwasher lower rack

• 3-Way Dimmers for Main Chandelier and 2 'boob' lights in hall

• Find clamp, dowels, glue for Newell post

• Replace 2 outdoor motion detectors and rear door (3 new motion detection lights)

• Replace/Correct 2 basement three-way switches

• Black Robertson bit to tighten Newell post

• Tape off Hot Tub breaker

• Snowblower handle (left) loose

• Snowblower starter loose not engaging.

• Snowblower engine surging backfiring

• Fix Outdoor Tap in Garage (wait til warmer weather)

• Water test heater drain.

• Revise site drawing 8' (#067b)

• South basement outlet duct grill broken

• Strip Heater for eaves

• Take over masking tape - check if dried out first

• Order extension cord for eaves heater

• Take over step ladder to change hall bulb

• Fix Snowblower - Linkage too short

• Get gas for Snowblower

• Check all exterior doors for keys - order new door knobs as needed

• Shim basement door hinges (paint stir stick shims)

• Neighbourhood Watch List

• File down sharp bathroom catch

• Fix Basement stair railing

• New Laundry Tub (old tub badly stained) Try hydrochloric???

• Check dryer vent

• Check/measure Furnace Filter

• Scan all Deck Docs

• Replace upper bathroom light switch (broken)

• Get Erin a Flashlight

• Measure shed 8 x 12' 8"

• Add a blue (24 vac) "C" wire from the furnace to the thermostat

• Check garage door remotes

• Identify wall switches everywhere

• Program 4 garage door remote(s)

• G3T-R 3-Button Remote is also equivalent to 37330R, G3T-A, G3T-BX

• Order clear silicone table shims

• Get and install dusk to dawn bulbs front of house

• Replace batteries in kitchen touch tap

• Fix threaded rod on consul table

• Connect Honeywell Thermo to wifi

• Replace Furnace Filter

• Colourful Key fits all 4 outside doors except front

• Replace bathroom sink main floor

• Add dimmer in Dining Room

• Bright LED Bulb in Laundry

Valentine Cat

 Benz is always so proud of his red bowtie, especially on Valentine's Day. 

Be mine!

.

.

.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 An artist at work:

Yesterday Erin sent a cookie decorating set made by her friend Christie of Christie's Cookies. Wendy dove right in and created some wonderful works of art. They were so good, they didn't even make it to Valentine's Day.

.

.

.

A Possible Cure?

My "Artoon" For Today.  Here's my concept drawing...

I'm having trouble finding volunteers for the clinical trials. Don't try this at home!

.

.

.

Where, Oh Where Is Justin Trudeau?

 

He's been missing since before Groundhog Day. Six more weeks of Winter Justin?

.

.

.

Our Daughter Erin Is our New Neighbour...

 What luck! The house across the street from us came up for sale in November and we immediately put in an offer. There was one other bidder (from Toronto) and the sellers accepted our offer. After much "back and forth" negotiation over a city permit issue we finally closed last night. 

Congratulations Erin! It will be wonderful to have you as our new neighbour. Love ya!

.

.

.

Trapped By COVID

Since I am somewhat claustrophobic, I feel even more trapped, sad and isolated. Besides being old and overweight I have asthma, so with no healthy alternatives I have resigned myself to a continued period of confinement. COVID has stolen away an irreplaceable two years of enjoyment in being close to my dear friends.

Entering a new year in my life and our third year of this dreadful virus, I am optimistic we may see its end in the next few months as the Omicron variant has displaced the more deadly Delta version and it is racing around the world faster than the other waves before. At my age, time is one of my most valuable commodities so I really hope the virus fades away soon and we can get back to some sort of normal.

.

.

.

Another Year Goes By...

 

It's going to be a quiet Birthday for me. Enjoying just being here with my great, wonderful family!

.

.

.

There! I Beat It.

 

.

.

.

A Drive to Port Stanley In Winter.

Last Friday Wendy and I took a drive to charge the car battery and get out of the house for a while. There were very few people around and the beach was not a very inviting place. A bitter cold southwest wind kept us confined to the warm car. Still, it was pretty in its own way.

.

.

.

A Coon Pays A Visit.

There is a seemingly unending parade of creatures that visit our yard.

Wendy saw this "Peeping Tom" yesterday and he was back again today.

I got a good closeup shot of the bandit through the window glass. Unfortunately I think he may have taken up residence under our deck.

.

.

.

An 'Artoon' For Today

 

.

.

.

I Had A Great Idea...

I get phone calls all the time so there must be a demand for this, but who would need a duck cleaner to come to your home if there was a place you could simply take your duck(s) to have it/them professionally cleaned on your way to work or shopping?

.

.

.

Finally - Snow!

 

A little late for Christmas but beautiful none the less...

It looks like this 4 or 5 inches of snow will stay with us a while with the forecast below freezing at least for the next week or so.

.

.

.

My "Artsy" Pics For Today

 These pics come from the webcam at the Blue Water Bridge from the Port Huron side looking East to Point Edward.

I stylized them and enhanced the "mood" in Photoshop. Click to enlarge.

These images originated on the evening of January 1st at the beginning of a small snow storm. I have great memories of this area having lived in the condos of Venetian Village at the 'Point' from 1997 until 2016.

.

.

.