Kate's Paint And Tile

Aside from recent work outside on the garden and yard, the past few weekends and some weeknights have been spent remodelling the kitchen.  My wife has done most everything for this project, sometimes getting frustrated with me and my lackadaisical approach.  Truth is, I found out when we did the bathroom that I really hate painting and I hope we don't have to do it again for a long time.  Unfortunately, though, the bathroom needs some touch up work done, so that will have to be done soon as well.

Anyway, the last of the wallpaper was removed a few weeks ago and the walls have now been painted a new shade, aganthus green, and the ceiling has a new coat of paint as well.  There have been several touch ups needed and that's fine, it is looking better and better.

Sunday afternoon she was looking at putting up the tile backsplash and just jumped right in.  I had to make a quick rainy run to the hardware store because we were short on adhesive, but otherwise it seemed to go up pretty smoothly.  it really changes the look of the kitchen for the better.

The adhesive must dry now for a couple of days before we grout it.  Tonight we can pull out the spacers and sponge it down, though.

More paint and tile pics after the break.

Horns Up!*

I had my 'Horns Up' all day yesterday celebrating my favorite pastime.  Shortly after I got to work I just felt the need to do some serious rocking out via ipod.  At times, I was expecting someone to shoot a rubber band to tell me my headphones were too loud, but no one complained.  (From what I heard in between songs they were probably too busy gossiping and such to care about my sound leaks.) I did listen to some talk podcasts to give my ears a break but still managed to listen to many of my favorite thrash albums while still churning out more work than is expected of me.  Jamming to my favorite music probably even made me work faster.  That feeling followed me in the car on my way home and I played concert DVDs on my computer until my wife went to bed.  I can't literally bang my head anymore with my bulging neck disc so I have to do a more subtle full body sway as I rock out, but I still enjoy the hell out of my music!

In other happenings, my wife tells me the peas need to be planted today so expect an update or two over at the garden blog.  Today is supposed to be sunny and in the low 50's and tomorrow cooler and rain so today is the day to do it!

*Edit: June 16, 2022, over 11 years later.

I received what was basically a cease and desist email for using the 'devil horns' pictures I did, just a left and right cartoon version of that popular metal/ rock hand sign, sometimes typed as:   \m/ 

So I removed them.  Eleven year ago, who cares?

What I found much more interesting was the memories of a drone job that allowed me to listen to loud music and how enjoyable I found it.  Just 11 years ago, but I haven't had that in a long time.  I have to concentrate more on my job now and just can't often listen to music at the same time, and otherwise just don't turn up the volume near as loud as I used to.  That's not all that's changed about me in that or less time.  Older, wiser, and I'm quite more relaxed, I think.  At least for me.

George Carlin - The American Dream

My gosh, it's true.  Every word he says...   Miss You George!         language nsfw

If You're So Lucky....

... enjoy the holiday!  March 14 is Steak and BJ Day!      NSFW!!!

X-Rays And Other Loose Ends

Here's the newest x-rays of my leg from earlier this week.  The cracks in the bottom of the femur (my knee) have healed and above that it is healing well in the back of the bone, but the front of the bone still has much filling in and healing to do yet.  So instead of releasing me from care I must go back in another 6 weeks for yet another follow up.  Also, he said he would order more physical therapy for me.  My last scheduled appointment is next week so I'll see then exactly how many more times I will be allowed to go.

Also, my B is back!  I noticed a few days ago that I was getting the orange B by my blog in the address bar again.  I don't know if it was just me that saw it change for a while, only Delcatto let me know what he saw, but I'm glad it's back.

Finally, a belated Happy Birthday to my dear sister, who I just don't see enough.  I'd like to spend more time with all my family in theory, in reality we all live in different cities and I don't like to travel.   Sad, but true.

I'm as guilty as anyone, but I know they all have computers and an email or a comment here is a better way to get a hold of me than by phone, hint hint!

It's Starting To Get Ugly Downtown

I'm not sure exactly when this happened, last night or while I worked today.  It's not that I don't care, but I am trying to keep this mostly in my peripheral vision.


Listen, I have my own views and I'm used to keeping them mostly private (but I'm sure you can tell how I lean).  Unless there is something spectacular happening I'm not going to keep posting on this topic.  I'm sure there are plenty of political bloggers that would be happy for you to read their take.  I'm not a political blogger like I'm not a sports blogger but local big events I will comment on, but only briefly.

The Bastards Did It...

...They jammed it through, effectively busting up the unions in Wisconsin.  This is breaking news, read about it here.  I'm sure this is blowing up the internet here right now.

Biohazard?

I had another follow up visit with the orthopaedic surgeon this morning.  Everything is fine but, honestly, I just don't feel like writing about it tonight - but I will leave you with this pic of a small (3-4 inches high) container that was in my exam room. No, I didn't have the nerve to look inside.

A New Project And PT

Yeah, it's finally Saturday!  I've had a slow posting week as you can see.  My site traffic has slowed back down to the usual teens per day.  It was interesting getting so many hits last month, yet no one left a comment.  Heck, my family doesn't even comment anymore.

Estimates are starting to come in for a project we want done this spring.  There is one more contractor coming out early next week to take a look and get us one more estimate before we make a decision on who to hire.  The project is a door and steps for the back porch.  We want to put in a door where one of the windows is, then have a little landing and steps going down towards the driveway.  Easier access to the back yard will make grilling and entertaining much easier.  Right now we have a front door and a side door only.  I'm sure I'll have much more on this as we get closer to getting it done, first the ground has to thaw.

Thursday was PT again, my knee bend is now up to 114 degrees.  I have only one more PT visit approved by my insurance coming up in 3 weeks.  My therapist is going to ask for more, but neither of us is very optimistic knowing how my insurance company is so cheap.  Still, there are things he can do for my knee that I just can't duplicate by myself at home so it is worth asking.  Also, next week I have what may be my final x-rays and follow-up with the orthopaedist.  I'm still using the cane, less and less at home lately, but it is still necessary.  I lurch without it but I have to learn to walk with my knee bent slightly again and not do the peg leg thing.  But I'm getting there, still progressing even though it feels like slow progress.  It has been over 6 months now since I broke my femur, I never thought it would take this long to get back...

*poke*

via

Lost My "B"

The little symbol by the blog name in the address bar has changed from the orange B for Blogger to a black square with red letters CM and something underneath.  Does anyone know why or how this happened and how I could change it back?  Any ideas?

Time Management Revisited

Happy Friday!  Unlike last week's drunken Friday night at the local establishment, tonight is being spent at home ordering out pizza.  I didn't really feel like writing, but since it has been a few days I thought there was at least one thing I could follow up on.

A few weeks ago I was worried about how I was spending my time.  More accurately, what took up so much time in my day that wasn't work or sleep.  I was having trouble getting my newspaper delivered in a timely manner for a few days and that made me rethink my time spent reading it every day and if it took up too much of my time.  What I have concluded is that while I do spend time on it every day, mostly it is breaks and especially lunch at work that I read it.  Without it, that would be empty time I would otherwise have to fill.  In the mornings I could get myself to get up as much as a half an hour later, but in the end I think this is not the biggest time stealer I have and shall continue getting the daily paper for the time being.

The biggest time stealer I have is, of course, the internet.  I have trimmed my time on the internet somewhat lately, but it's usually preferable to television to me unless there is a sports program on or I am uncomfortable in this chair (which, by the way, needs replacing).  The more I can get around on two legs the more I realize the projects that have been put on hold because of my busted up leg so I think this area will take care of itself eventually.  Especially as the weather warms.

So again I was stressed about something that will take care of itself with some minor changes, time and priorities.  I hate OCD.  Have a good weekend!