Among Friends

[Bird mama]

I think I mentioned on this thread, or was it the Bird's Nest thread (lol) that my city was reconstructing the street I live on this summer.  The final phase of my street includes 7 houses, one of which is mine.  I've been doing well on the street parking front - I managed to secure a spot two houses down.  I talk to my car in the morning and say, hey girl how are you holding up with all this dew on you?  My car is usually in the garage - all of the time.  I don't even leave her in the driveway :-)

Well, they poured my concrete street on Tuesday and when I arrived home, I checked out the base of my driveway where it meets the street.  I don't know if it's called the approach, the apron or what.  I work in health insurance, I don't know about concrete (rolling my own eyes).  So, low and behold, the street is a bit higher than my driveway now and chunks of the edge of my driveway are missing - seriously, there are holes there now, not just chips.  So, I walked into the house, got the Canon powershot and proceeded to take at least a dozen pictures.

On Wednesday morning, I called the Civil Engineer Scott (who sent the resident letter about the street construction and included his number and probably wished he hadn't) and calmly told him about my driveway.  When I mentioned having to go to work downtown at Blue Cross he mentioned his mom worked there 30 years and I said what a lovely woman (I have no idea who she is).  So, after a nice conversation, Scott says he'll either drive over or send an inspector.  I told him my concern was being on the receiving end of a citation for violating some kind of building code or ordinance.  When I got to work, Scott called, said Mike (the inspector)  looked at my driveway and the construction company will be replacing my bottom half of the driveway (city sidewalk down to street) at their cost since they jacked up my driveway.  I don't know when, but I've been assured it will happen.

What was funny was when I first starting talking to Scott, he said, we may have to look at the preconstruction video.  I said, you have video?  That's great because I've been photographing the befores and afters since September 10th and have so many pictures that preceed the work that began on the 16th, I'm glad I don't have to send then as email attachments (he he he he).

I was born in the afternoon, but I was not born yesterday afternoon (wink).

[spix]

Morning, just taking it easy today after a week of running around with more to come.  Weather is perfect so will be out on the deck later with Sadie (my Black Lab rescue dog) she loves her yard! might sneak in a martini.

Soon will be time to secure the furniture on the deck, seems like I just put it all out, now soon it will again become my "walk-in" freezer, does come in handy  LOL

@Bird mama, sorry your friend is having more problems, I'm sure she appreciates all your kindness, you are a special friend to her especially now.

Well before I fritter away the day, laundry beckons to be hung out.

[yock]

It doesn't sound very good for your friend, Bernie but it's wonderful that everyone is responding so well and who knows. Maybe it won't be as dire as it sounds. Beautiful day here. My Granddaughter and her family are all running in the pancreatic doings in Cincinatti this weeken. Kelly's mother in law died two years ago with this awful disease and the family has made it a tradition to honor her. She was wonderful. My Grandson joined them this year. The girls wear tutus and face paint and they make it a fun event. My oldest Grandson is trimming my bushes for me. The two at the front door are starting to cover the walk. He just trimmed them this spring but they sure decided to grow. Yesterday there was a knock at my door and it was the young mother of four boys who live down the street. She said would it be ok if my youngest son raked some of your leaves? They don't have any down at their house yet my paper white birch is dropping leaves rapidly. She said we wanted to ask first. I suspect he wanted to fill one of those bags with the pumpkin face on them. I said you just go right ahead and rake up all you want. The little boy isn't in school yet so I don't know how much they got done. There is still plenty out there. We've watched those boys grow up and I couldn't get over how big the youngest one is. Their play is different from girls. More athletic. The little girl behind us really tries to keep up with them. It has been good for her. They let her join in and go at her own pace.

[Bird mama]

Hello all - it's a glorous day weatherwise and I'm trying to make the most of it.  I was off of work yesterday and am off again on Monday so I'm trying to complete my Bernie do list (lol).

Yesterday I dropped two coats off at a seamstress.  I've never used a seamstress before.  I want a new zipper for my old Eddie Bauer coat (don't make them like that any more) and want the walking vent on a new coat I bought off season sewn shut.  $40 to install the zipper - that includes the price of the zipper since I wanted a metal YKK #5 (like what's on the coat now). 

$15 to get rid of the walking vent.  The girl asked, do you want us to just stitch it down?  I said, if I wanted it to look bad, I could have sewn it shut with my Kenmore (lol).  I'm bringing it to you so it will look like it was never there.

I did my yard work yesterday.

So far today, I've removed old caulk from around the trim on my garage door that opens into the patio, scraped paint, been to Home Depot, filled the deeper gaps with backing rod and just laid down some new caulk around everything.

My hands are sore - caulking guns take alot of strength.

I have to wait for the caulk to cure/set and then I can paint.  I bought 2 quarts since I didn't need a gallon and needed more than one quart.  It would be cool if you could buy paint like milk - in a half gallon (wink)

[Bird mama]

Hello all, I had a nice day.  My hands (finger joints) were sore when I awoke this morning, but I managed to work out the kinks.  I spent the afternoon at my sister's house.  Her youngest daughter's only daughter turned 4 years old today.  I attended a princess party (lol) complete with a live Rapunzel.  The actress was fantastic and stayed in character.  I spent most of the time with the new baby Fiona.  It's the last party at my sister's house as she sold it and will be moving into an apartment next month.

Nice way to end the occupancy in the house - with a lovely party for a lovely little girl.

[Bird mama]

I'm posting on my phone from the car dealer service department. Been here since 8:30 am. Hope to be out by 10:30 my time. Then it's off to grocery store. Woo hoo, not really, lol. Can't finish painting my trim outside, it's raining on and off. That disappoints me but not much I can do. It's gonna chill down this week so it's a waiting game until the next nice day. Can only hope the next nice day falls on a weekend. Sometimes working full time, the job gets in the way of life, lol.

[spix]

Morning, cloudy here today, got to see the red moon last nite, the clouds parted enough that we could get a good view, amazing.

Doing ribs tonite, DD will be here for her usual 4 day stay, I'll start them in the oven, finish on the grill, baby cakes for a side & probably a salad.  

Off to a community meeting tonite, our newly elected Alderman will be giving his State of the Ward update, sure it'll be packed as our Mayor has indicated a HUGH property tax increase, will surely see tempers fly.

[Bird mama]

@spix

Man, dinner sounds good :-)

[luvsbulldogs]

Hi everyone......

birdmama........  I am sorry to hear that Ruth is not doing too good.  You are a terrific friend and I am certain that she knows it! 

Winifred........ so sorry to hear about Tom's fall.  Sure do hope that he is on the mend. 

We had guests for a few days and really enjoyed their company.  Getting ready for more guests.  Also going to the car dealer this afternoon to see about trading in 2 cars for one.  DH is going to part with his toy...lol.  He rarely takes it out and he figures it is time.  More room in the garage now.

It has been very cool here at night......mid to low 30's and we had a frost a few nights ago.  The days are sometimes in the low 70's or can be in the mid 60's.  OK with me as I love the cooler weather.  Actually had to put the heat on for the last couple of nights.  

Put my mums out and also the pumpkins.  The leaves are starting to change and the air smells nice and fresh!

Did see the eclipse of the moon last night.  It was really nice to watch.  

Take care and enjoy the rest of the day.

I am leaving some pumpkin cake with butter cream icing and some fresh apple cider at the back fence.  Enjoy everyone!

[Bird mama]

luvsbulldogs,  have fun hosting the guests.  Heaven knows, you have some wonderful wildlife roaming your property for guests to see up close and personal.  I am thinking about parting with my toy - DH's 99 Camaro.  Right now I am in the thinking about it stage (lol).  It was cloudy here last night so no moon for me.  Thank you for the pumpkin cake - I just made a cup of coffee.  I'll leave the apple ciders for the others - gives me gas (lol).

I know - Too Much Information

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