27 February 2011

Today I worked pushing a heavy ball up hill. The "ball" was cleaning my basement carpet, which got wet when the washtub the washing machine drains into overflowed, flooding the basement carpet. I feel like I spend a lot of my life making up for things that should not have gone wrong, if I'd been paying attention... like the wet carpet. There is a lot to pay attention to in life.

I'm not saying that I'd change my issues for yours, but that they exist is the complaint that I have. Why didn't I notice that the rags from cleaning the duplex had been used to wipe up the plaster spills? The plaster clogged the drain. I had thought the towels had only been used with paint and clean up. My failure to shake them out while putting them in the washer was critical. I doubt the next time, I have cleaning rags from working at a rental, I'll simply put them in the washer.

Now I have a meeting tomorrow for AWE. Handing out the promotional pieces. And then Wednesday I'll be working on an "international costume" for Rotary 8's Auction next weekend. They have chosen an international theme. It is semi formal or wear clothing from another country. My grandmother is from near Sand, in Rogaland, Norway. While the bunad I'm putting together is not authentic, it will do the job of representing my nationalist roots on my mother's side. (My father's side is not so clear and is rumored to even have Nez Perce). Mom's family is very clearly Norge. My sister, Pam, and I visited there in the summer of 2009. It was a wonderful experience to meet our cousins and to see where our grandmother was born, lived and worked. We loved the stories of her and the times she lived in. Very hard life… which is why she immigrated to the USA. She indentured herself to a wealthy family in Minnesota and worked as a housekeeper to pay off the ticket they paid for. Then she married my grandfather, who came from around Oslo. His family name had been Petersen, but he changed it to Strom because he was told there were too many Petersens! For that matter Grandmother changed her name from Aas to Larsen… because she was told Aas was too much like ass, and in America that was not a good thing. Too bad she just didn't change the spelling as her cousins did who went to the east coast. They changed the spelling to Awes. I thought that was very interesting.

February Ends 27 Feb 2011

February started ordinary enough, but now it's been snowing and very cold. The trees were starting to bud and this cold isn't good for them after they start to bud. My trees were not that far along, but for those that were early this could be bad news.

Todd helped me prune the pear, apple and cherry tree and cut back a vine maple that I allow my westeria to use as a living trellis.

I have cleaned up a bit in the garage from working at our rentals. And this weekend and until I feel I'm done I will be steam cleaning the basement rugs. It's only two weeks until my beading weekend with friends, so I need to get the place squared away.

We will set up our temporary studio in the basement. We will be five for sure and perhaps two or three "drop ins". I have 8 foot long tables that we will use. Two to a table with all the beading tools, gear, supplies, lights, books, etc. It can be a bit cool, but with all of us down there it should be pleasant enough. We'll listen to music and do wire working. I made a byzantine bracelet two years ago and last year a jens pend pattern, both in sterling. The price of wire is getting so expensive, so I won't even be able to work in silver.

Winter 2011

The winter has been wet. I've not been working on the deck or my house in general, instead I'm working at our rentals. I spent October, November and December renovating and making ready three places for renters. I had to some extensive work at one... the tenant had four cats and a dog! We had allowed the dog and a cat, but one cat became four... heaven only knows where they came from. So the apartment had been used hard, but more than that it stank! Ever had a bad smell you needed to get rid of? I ripped out all the carpets and padding.I had to use every trick I knew to get the odors out: used vinegar to neutralize the urine. Then later sealed the wood with an oil-based sealant. Together they all worked. It took weeks to get the place cleaned up... but it sure looks nice now and it doesn't smell. (Thank goodness) I also removed some of the old dark paneling and then replastered the walls. Replaced the florescent light in the kitchen with a curving track light with 6 halogen fixtures. It helped update the kitchen. I also had to replace the old appliances, so I got all black ones. That also helped the kitchen look more current. I can't afford stainless steel for my rentals, but the black really looks good. So it's onward...

For the first time in over 7 months all the rentals are filled. I am pleased that they are not just filled, but filled with really great tenants. Now I hope a few months go by without emergencies.

I did have to replace a doorknob at one rental, because someone tried to break in and they trashed the knob set. I like all locks in a residence to have one key, so I had to take the lock in to be keyed. As I had purchased a set of locks from Home Depot and it was one of them, and new, I took it in and they rekeyed it for free. Good thing cuz money is tight with all the expenses of getting three places ready.