Random 5 for January 7, 2024 – Snow, neighbors, projects, holidays, positivity

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This photo is from a 2016 snowstorm at my last house.

Snow! Finally! – We got our first snowfall in a long-time last night. We didn’t get any significant snow last winter so it’s big news, especially with the kids. We are about an hour south of some great ski resorts and the news pictures of them looked like Times Square on New Year’s Eve! Very people-y! The ski resorts have had some tough times. Despite a good amount of snow now, rain is predicted with above average temperatures for Tuesday which will either wash the snow away or ice it up.

A good neighbor – Yesterday one of our neighbors was gracious enough to give us a tour of her new bathroom. She was full of ideas and suggestions for our bathroom renovation. Our bath will not be quite as grand. We received our first quote for the work and it was a definite “oy vay!” We are expecting a second one this week. I’m being hopeful but in the meantime, we are working on a plan “B.”

Speaking of delivery – We received the quote via email at 8 p.m. My first thought was that he sent it when we couldn’t pick up the phone and say “really.” (Actually, there may have been some expletives we wanted to include but being the nice folks we are, we wouldn’t have done that.) My second thought was that he was busy, just finished and thought he’d push it out to us right away even though the business was closed. Nope, going with the first thought.

The holidays are done! – And I’m glad. We seem to have stuff happen during the holidays. Cats get sick. Heating system fails. Computer conks out. Then there is the medical stuff. A few years back, my colonoscopy was scheduled for December 23. I scheduled it in August and that was the soonest they could get me in. I had Moh’s skin surgery for a cancerous spot on my nose. Yep, that was on the 22nd so I went through the holidays with a bandage on my nose. That was also scheduled in August. A person can get neurotic when the holidays are coming wondering what was going to happen this year.

Keep thinking positive thoughts! – That’s all you can do or you will go crazy. Also, focus on the good things that happen. They are more plentiful than you think.

So how was your week?

One of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes winter cartoons!

 

 

72 thoughts on “Random 5 for January 7, 2024 – Snow, neighbors, projects, holidays, positivity”

  2. We were supposed to get three inches of snow, then an all-day rain to melt it away, but instead it has been raining nonstop since early this morning … build an ark! I had my tonsils and adenoids removed at age 16 and I was the oldest kid in the pediatric wing. Not fun at all as I had complications and was kept there a few extra days. My roomie was a pre-teen who broke her arm when she fell off her pony. So, for that surgery, the ENT doc left a “root” of the tonsil and I was always getting colds and so I went to an ENT and on December 22, 1997, I had to have it removed. It was outpatient but I had ear complications (common if you’re an adult and having tonsils removed). I ended up being off work during Christmas and New Year’s for the earache issues. Mom made green and red Jell-o and tried not to make me salivate when she heated up soup for herself ’til I could eat again. What’s new with me is I have an eye infection – Sunday morning I thought it was pinkeye to be honest and haven’t been near anyone since my December 19th errands. I went to the eye doc yesterday, got antibiotic drops to put in 4X/day. If it was Summer I’d have waited to see if it got better, but we were to have two snowstorms this week, so I decided to be proactive yesterday. My eye is still swollen like I was in a fight.

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      • Wow, I would have thought you would be done with that style by now – that’s unfortunate. I would rather have had an ointment as I’m not sure I’m getting all the antibiotic drops into my eye and it feels like there is a stone in my eye. It’s only been a couple of days on the drops though, so I need to give it time.

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        • Sorry I wasn’t clear. The new eye drop will kill off the tiny critters that live on the eyelid margin. That will help prevent styes to some extent. Sounds like you have conjunctivitis. I haven’t had that in a long, long time. (Gotta go knock on wood!)

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          • I see – I hope it works for you. Yes, conjunctivitis is what I have and I hadn’t had it in years either. Finally, today it no longer feels like a rock is in my eye, but it’s still swollen. A blog subscriber of mine had difficulty with getting posts awhile back, so she asked me if I’d send her the link to each post, which I did. So she had my e-mail address and e-mailed me a few months ago that she had an eye infection. She doesn’t let her dog sleep in her bed, but cuddles with it on the couch. She went to the eye doctor who told her she had eye mites from her bedding. She had to wash her pillows and sheets in very hot water until the infection went away. I had never heard of that. When I get the annual baby ant invasion, they only come in one side of the house – the three rooms I use the most. One is my bedroom. So I put cotton in my ears and use a sleep mask for that time period. I guess that is a little paranoid, but I worry about a parade of ants on my face/head overnight.

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  3. We got 11 inches of snow here in the Boston area and although I don’t like winter, I must say it was absolutely beautiful. Drove in it the day after and the roads were pretty good. Waiting now for a large rainstorm, which will take it all away. That’s fine. I’m ready for spring but it’s months away. Hope your week goes better! My big thing is we got the RSV vaccine.

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  4. A lot of vendors are sending quotes out electronically. It saves them time which means money. Especially when said vendor is on the younger end. Good luck with the storms heading your way. After driving through Kansas and into Missouri over the weekend, I’m so grateful my friend and I dodged the bullet that’s plowing through the country from the Great Plains to New England as well as parts down south (and that’s after we encountered blowing snow on a dark country road). Yikes! Sounds like time to curl up with a good book, a cat or two in your lap and a nice cuppa tea on the end table. Stay safe and warm.

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  5. I don’t have any snow to talk about here. It has been cold, windy and rainy since after Thanksgiving.
    It is always a good thing to have a neighbor who can show you a redo and tell about their experience. We have seen a few neighbor’s master bath work and it gives me pause for thought. I think kitchen and bath redos are off the chart expensive. I feel that contractors don’t have enough competition since the plague.
    Very happy the holidays are behind us because can’t get any kind of work or service in a timely manner because everybody is off. I always feel that anxiety that we will need something repaired and we will have to wait forever. I especially cross my fingers it isn’t the HVAC or the fridge.
    I always am thankful for the little things that keep life running smoothly. Hurricane Ian and Idalia taught me a thing or two or more!
    Beautiful photo of your previous home. I love your new home too!

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  6. Definitely better to focus on the positives. 🙂 We got 9 inches of snow. It is very pretty. As long as it is not a regular occurrence. 🙂

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  8. How nice to have the benefit of your neighbor’s recent experience. Especially in light of a practical “Plan B” to add to the decisions. I love the snowy photo from your former home. It was a beautiful home! I’m inspired by all the work you do to make your current home represent your tastes. A lot of work, but I’m sure you’ll have something special!

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    • Thanks. This is the last big project. I want to do some work on the front pavers but that shouldn’t be a big job. After that it’s just changing out bedding or towels, the simple stuff. Can’t wait to get there.

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  9. I’ve only ever had one home where I could renovate. I only had trouble with the 2nd renovation; he started the job but then got an offer to go to a hunting camp for a week and left us hanging, and then worked when he wanted to once he got back.

    We got a few inches of snow, but most of it was rained away. I like the snow when it’s falling and fresh, but I hate when plows create mounds that are dirty and have gravel mixed in. At least we got to see the ground covered in white for the first time in a while!

    Good luck deciding what to do with the bathroom remodel!

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  10. I agree: Focus on the good things that happen, and, yes, there are so many of them. Still, of course, we need to focus on the problems to be solved.

    December here was the warmest on record. We’re expecting a big freeze, though, by Thurs., and even some snow on Fri.

    Best of luck on your bathroom.

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  14. We were “supposed” to get 2-3″ of snow and some sleet, etc. but all we had was a LOT of rain and about 30 seconds worth of sleet. I’m not complaining mind you, but we haven’t had an accurate weather prediction in YEARS! We really would love to have our master bath shower replaced but price is definitely a depressing thought. Maybe when we win the lottery (I suppose we need to have a ticket first!). I’ve had two Moh’s surgeries on my face and one on my arm. Much less scarring than other skin surgeries I’ve had – but the BEST thing is that it’s gone…..I know you are happy about that too!!

    Hugs, Pam

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    • If you are just getting the shower replaced it shouldn’t be too costly (relatively speaking). This estimate was 4x what my first house cost although that’s not a good comparison because of age. The Moh’s wasn’t bad (it just took so dang long because the doc was doing several of us) but the timing wasn’t great. We didn’t have anything scheduled until New Year’s so it was ok and I opted to have it done then rather than wait until January. We got 4″ of snow, no sleet or rain. The temps are climbing into the 40s so it won’t last long. It’s pretty, now I’m done with it! 🙂

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  15. I’ll be following your bathroom progress, particularly the Plan B. We’re looking to do our master bath next year (2025). We have a painter who sends all of his quotes via email so that there’s no misunderstanding. I understand that, but I agree he also probably doesn’t want to hear any gasps over the phone. – Marty

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    • We’ve gotten estimates by email mostly. The weird part was that it was supposed to come in the beginning of the week and sending it at 8 p.m. when the shop closes at 4 was odd. I know these guys work on their own schedule I’m just a suspicious person. We had talked $$ and he said it would cost more than our budget but he didn’t say twice as much. We could have saved his time had we known. When we get the second one, we’ll find out who has their head up their wazoo. It may be us.

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        • Very true. A contractor we used for our first project here did a great job and we used him for two more small jobs. On the last one he was kind of odd talking to himself and appearing to be out of it. He blamed it on the antidepressant his doc put him on. We trusted him and contracted for the deck which was a nightmare. His wife left him and he fell apart. She upended his business, stealing money and leaving him in a bad place. We were lucky to get the deck finished (in 8 weeks instead of 2) but he didn’t do all the things he had promised. We couldn’t get him to come back either so we finished it ourselves. He had done work for many neighbors and came highly recommended. You just never know what will happen.

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    • Me too. Each year it seems something is going on. This year we were stressed with the heating system and my computer. We were also running around with the bathroom project. It was anything but relaxing. Since we’ve retired there aren’t a lot of parties anymore. Our equally aging friends don’t want the work and we don’t either. We did meet up at restaurants a few times and that was great. I could have done without the heating/computer drama. Maybe next year…

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    • OMG! I don’t look closely at the icons people use. I approved that comment although I often don’t approve simple comments that look like they didn’t put any thought into it. Thank you for mentioning as I wouldn’t have known otherwise.

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          • Ok, there is a contact page. Under my picture header there is a light gray bar. If you hover there you will see the different pages. I have no idea why it went from being seen all the time to only showing when you are hovering. WP! Prepubescent cherubs thought it would make the page look “cleaner” I guess. I’m going to see if I can change that.

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  18. So beautiful! And you are right. Such a rough year for the resorts. December is rough for so many. We mostly worked through ours and are taking our relaxed family time in January — rebels that we are. Hope your 2024 is full of great things.

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      • Yes, our quote was over the top, too. The explanation was that there’s more plumbing in the bathroom than in the kitchen and plumbers cost more to hire. Plus there are more faucets and tile in a bathroom. In the end it made sense, enough.

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        • Yeah, not buying it really. We are making the vanity counter longer so they have to move one sink a foot. All the rest of the plumbing stays the same. The carpenters will have more work than the plumbers (but yes, plumbers are very expensive!). Also less tile and a lot less countertop material. Kitchen had 17 cabinets, bath 5. If the second quote comes in as high, we’ll break it up and act as our own GC which we didn’t want to do. We have a good carpenter we can use and a tiler. This is our last big project and I can’t wait until it’s over. We will have to move out of our bedroom for the duration as that’s the entrance into the bath.

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  22. My first mammogram was scheduled for December 20th and all the rest happened between then and NewYear’s. Not really a great holiday tradition, and I’m hoping not to do that again! So sorry the bathroom renovation cost was sky-high. We’re about to start looking into a kitchen renovation and I fear the same.

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  25. Our week was nice and quiet. It’s been very wet as one storm follows the other. The wood burner is working well and no emergencies or fall outs.
    Our bathrooms are finally renovated, in Tim for Christmas, and we are happy with the results. Before we started the project I found it hard to imagine the final results. We changed some details during the process which was easy with the local plumbers and decorators. Good luck with your project!

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    • It sounds like your project went really well. Our kitchen contractor was great but we had supply issues. I ended up buying a sink from Amazon because they could get it to me in a few days and the local places couldn’t.

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