New Windows and a New Outlook*

 

The cosmetics have changed a bit, for the better, we think.  We really like the black cladding around the windows.  Inside, the windows are wood grain that matches the trim throughout the house.  These windows are clearer, easier to clean and much more efficient.

It's a lot of money to spend and not have anything to play with.  Heck, we hardly even see them.  These shorter days have blinds shut and curtains drawn so early.  Still, we're glad we got them and should never have to replace them again.

Now we want a new front screen door and porch light, black to match.  We could also repaint the foundation and hand rails.  But I shouldn't get ahead of myself, there will always be something.

*The 'new outlook' reference in the title refers to a recent abrupt change in my career path. Not changing employment, just departments.  And still upward, just not the route I foresaw.  Unfortunately this all came under, well, I shall say odd, awkward and unforeseen circumstances. Boy, it's a good thing this blog isn't about work!

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Shameless self-promotion?  Nah.  But I did think it was cute and wanted to test if I could post gifs again because they didn't work for a time.  Via Joanne Casey.  Cheers!

Happy Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween, everyone.

It is rainy outside but is supposed to clear up later for trick-or-treaters.  Just as well, I'm in a pretty scary mood after my day at work.  I'd be fine with skipping it altogether but then we'll have all this candy in the house.

I hope everyone has fun this evening.  I'll be putting a smile on my face when I answer the door but inside I am deeply troubled.  That's my Halloween scare.

Nation's Best College Town - Madison, WI

The Badgers have another bye this week and if you're missing them play this may help.  Probably not, but I thought it was a neat video about our hometown teams and city.

The Season's First Flurries

We got the first few flakes of snow this afternoon.  Nothing significant at all, just enough to remind us what snow looks like.  Look hard at the pic and you can see a few streaks of snow.



Our weather seems to have jumped ahead a couple weeks.  Daytime temperatures are a bit above freezing as it is mostly overcast and nighttime temperatures are just below.  I've seen a bit of frost in the mornings but not much.  I haven't had to warm up the car yet or even scrape windows, but that may change any day now.  There are still a few outdoor projects I had hoped to do before it got to this point.  Oh well, hopefully we will have a couple relatively warm days and nights or else they will have to wait for spring.

I have not posted much lately but there hasn't been much to post about.  The kitties are still naughty.  We don't have a date yet for our new windows but it will be soon.  Squirrels are little bastards that won't stop digging in the garden.  Kate is well and I am too.  Ho-hum.  PTFO

Autumn's Arrival

It was officially autumn a few weeks ago, but now the weather seems to have caught up.  Temperatures are a more seasonable 50's or 60's during the day and can be into the 30's at night.  We have not had our first frost yet but it can't be that far off.

Almost all these leaves on the lawn are from neighbor Dave's black walnut trees.  Thankfully these leaves fall sooner than our silver maple tree's leaves.  That way I can mulch most of these into the lawn and use the maple leaves that fall later for mulch in the flower beds.  Even so, I usually rake back the leaves from about the tree on in this picture and let them mulch the hostas along the back fence.  Black walnut leaves have to compost for at least two years before you should use them and they affect or kill a lot of plants so I try to keep them out of our flowerbeds whenever possible.

Cool, wet and leafy.  Yup.  Fall is here and fall tasks are on my mind.