It must be the year of the mouse

Thursday

The alarm woke me again at 6:45 and the guys pulled in the driveway just before 8 this morning.  A few minutes later Genesee lumber pulled in with supplies.

Wire mess and drain tile delivered

Bill laid out where the drain was going and Jeff dug out what he could and they finished it up by hand.

Lay out

Dig what you can with the machine

Finish up by hand 

Forms in place and regraded yard

So the garage is ready with the pour scheduled for Monday afternoon, and the driveway apron is ready jus the bottom form had to be put in once the garage is done.  Hopefully they can get concrete ordered for Tuesday, if there is much rain that could get pushed as the concrete companies get behind.  Then the parking pad will get formed and ready to go.

While the guys worked on the driveway I cut the grass.  All went well till I had just a couple passes to go when the main drive belt came loose.  In the process it took a big chunk out of the belt.  So I had to take the deck off and then lift the mower so I could work on the bottom and figure out how to get the belt off.  I called the John Deere shop and they had a belt so I went and got it.  Just over $47.00 wow hope it lasts a long long time.

Deck remove

Bottom of lawn tractor

I had to take two pulleys off and one end of the steering arm but other wise it was not too bad of a job.  The whole time I was working on the belt I kept smelling something dead.  So I checked under the hood and saw grass under the screen of the blower that cools the engine.  I pulled the engine shroud and found two mouse nests and two cooked mice.

Mice are gone just need to clean out all the remains of the nest

Then I flipped over the deck as I had hit some rope the guys had dug up earlier.

Just took a minute to cut this away from the spindle

I reassembled the mower and hung the deck, checked it all out and then finished cutting the grass.  Wos I am beat.

I plugged the coach back in and started the engine and let the air come up, we should be ready to roll in the morning.

Supper was Sahlen hot dogs on the grill.  Now I think I can relax a little.

Friday

Bonnie woke me up at 3:30am, no water to flush the toilet, I guess the toilette stuck again.  I restarted the pump and went back to sleep.  Woke to rain this morning but rolled over and went back to sleep.

Bonnie is baking and making cole slaw for the campout.  I packed my clothes and will start to load the coach in a few minutes.

Tubs ready to get taken to the coach

So I was able to get the motorhome loaded up and ready to go.  I pulled out of the driveway right at noon and was pulling into the East Aurora Fireman Fields about 20 minutes later.  Bob and John were already there and I picked out a site and pulled in close to Bob and Caroline.  Bonnie and Alexus pulled in just as I finished setting up.  John got bit by a couple bees or yellow jackets as he sprayed the nests they had build in the electric boxes.  He did not seem to have any allergic reaction so that was good.

Most have arrived

We spent the afternoon catching up with everyone’s travels and just enjoyed hearing all the stories.  Snacks appeared out of several coaches and we all brought our own drinks. 

Start of Happy Hour

Around 5:30 we all headed to Walliwiens for dinner, most had fishfrys but everyone was able to have what they wanted.  I discovered that I did not have my wallet I am hoping that I left it at home.

Most of the group

The rest of us

My fish was GOOD!

I worked on my strongback chair when I got back and ended up dropping one of the nuts in the grass.  Alexus and Elizabeth helped me look for it and Bob R brought over a couple magnetic screwdrivers to help.  After a few minutes Elizabeth spotted the nut and I got the chair fixed and put back together, all is well.

I showed our pictures to all interested using the iPad and then headed to the coach.  I am watching a little of the Bills game but its not that exciting so I am heading to bed.

Saturday

We had a great pancake and sausage breakfast and afterwards some stayed around to gab and others went looking for garage sales.

The cooks are busy

Bonnie and I left just after noontime to go to her brothers and our nieces birthday party out at the family campground on the farm.  We had a nice time and got to visit again with lots of family.

Then we headed to pick up the vegetable share that Elizabeth and Bonnie share plus Bonnie picked up a half bushel of peaches.  Then we went home where I found my wallet safely in the pocket of another pair of jeans.  I answered a phone message and then we were on the move again.

Next stop was Elizabeths to drop off the vegetables and to pickup some candles that club members had ordered from Alexus as part of her fund raising for Kingdom Bound.

Then back to camp where all the goodies for Happy Hour had just been spread out.  Everyone tries not to eat too much but we all do and then its on to supper.

Lots of good food for supper

And lots of desserts

Supper and the desserts were great.  I was pretty beat and went to the coach for a shower and a little reading before hitting the hay.

Sunday

It was a nice cool night to sleep again.  We got up to an nice continental style breakfast, cold juice and hot coffee.

Waiting for breakfast

Afterward we cleaned up and then went outside to visit for awhile.  Bonnie went over to church with Elizabeth and all but one couple decided to stay and have lunch before we all packed up and left.  Bonnie came back for lunch and then we chatted till almost 3pm.  We broke camp and dumped the tanks.  Bonnie headed to her sisters and I headed home.

Once home I unloaded the coach and got it ready to go to the shop tomorrow.  Bonnie is home and we are going to relax the rest of the night.

Tomorrow we take the coach and the concrete gets poured in the garage in the afternoon.

Thanks for checking in.

House Mouse #3, #4 and Concrete work

Monday

Emily left 2 mice for us in the basement today, I found the first and Bonnie found one later on.  Neither of us are feeling well today but mine hit later than Bonnie.  I got some things cleaned up in the garage and cut up some more of the big branch that fell.  After that I ate lunch and then started not feeling so well.  I have court tonight and tomorrow so hope it passes quickly.  Bonnie has headed to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for her.

I also talked to the shop today and I am taking the coach in next Monday to have them look at the radiator.

Court went fine, except for me, I have not felt good since after lunch today.  I started feeling ok just before I went to bed so hope I sleep well and feel good in the morning.

Tuesday

Feeling good this morning and hoping for a good day.  Got a call that my partner at court was ill so that meant I had the whole calendar to handle today.  I ended up spending about 7 hours at court.  We missed WW but did go in to Elizabeths for supper.  Alexus has been sick and turns out she has a double ear infection.  She was at the Drs today and is spending the next couple days with us.

Got an email from Bill and they are starting on the concrete work in the morning shortly after 8, I will have to set the alarm tonight.  The challenge will be keeping the MH and cars out of the way.

No mice today.

Wednesday

Up at 6:45 with the help of the alarm.  Read my email and now its pushing 8 when the guys are supposed to be here to start tearing out the concrete in the center of the garage.  Heading out to move the cars and hopefully remember to take some pictures.

The guys were right on time and we worked all day with a short break for lunch to remove the concrete from the center of the garage.  We took out a 14 X 30 block of concrete.  The guys used a diamond blade on a gas powered saw, and an electric jack hammer and of course sledge hammers.  I used my tractor to haul the concrete pieces away.  Here are the pictures.

First the tarps went up to try to keep things clean

Marking out the cut lines

Jeff manned the saw most of the time

Bill scored the lines with the small saw

A rare moment of watching Jeff cut most of the time all are busy

Time for the Jack Hammer

Tough getting started

Then the big pieces started to come out

Hard work but we were making good progress

Shortly after lunch all the concrete was gone, and the hole was cleaned up

Then the trench was dug for the new drains

The new drains are set and the trench is filled back in

 So the garage is ready for wire and the soonest the concrete could be ordered is 1pm Monday.  Tomorrow we start on the driveway.

The guys left and I showered and headed for a dinner with my classmates.

Good food here with good friends

We had a good time visiting and I made it home just after dark.  The days are sure getting shorter and shorter.  Time to post this and get some rest to be ready for tomorrow.

Thanks for checking in.

Mouse in the house, first one now two

Thursday

This has been the year of the mouse.  Emily must be felling better as she left a dead mouse for me this morning in the living room.  Usually she just plays with the 2 or 3 a year she catches in the basement.  I sealed more small holes in the spring but they say it only takes a 1/4 inch hole for them to get in and this was a small one.

Bill came over today and gave us an estimate on some concrete work and said it could start as early as next week.  Wow that will be nice.  Today we are going to take a meal and visit with some of our church family so Bonnie has been busy today.  She mulched some of the flower beds and then came in and cooked.

I worked with Bill then had to leave to pick up Alexus from Kingdom Bound.  She seemed excited and had a good time, but was ready to go home and sleep some.  Once home I was able to watch a little of the olympics and also got the trailer checked out so I can get it inspected on Saturday.  Just seems like there is so much to do these days.

We had a great visit with friends from church stayed till almost 10pm,  They enjoyed our pictures from the Yellowstone trip and it brought back memories of a trip they took out that way.

Once home I caught up on the olympics.

Friday

Well Emily left us another mouse this morning and I moved it out of the living room to the front yard.  Then we headed out for a long day.  First stop was August 25 a little diner for breakfast.  Eggs and toast for me and biscuits and gravy for Bonnie.  Then we headed to Colton RV to look at lots of MotorHomes.  We were just wanting to look at a variety of makes and models to see what options are out there.  Ours is almost 10 years old and we were looking to see what new innovations are out there.  We visited both locations and looked at a lot of units.  We did not fall in love with any but did find a new 2013 that is a class A and has a bath and a half and bunk beds.  It is a 2013 so we may keep our eyes open for one in a year or two.

Then we stopped in East Aurora at Aribba Tortilla for a mexican Lupper.  Bonnie's word for lunch and supper combined.  It was good and kept us full all day.  We stopped to see Elizabeth for an hour or so and then headed home.  It rained off and on today and evidently some storms rolled through near home.

When we pulled in the driveway two big branches off trees from opposite sides of the driveway had broken off.

Oh no

 We had to walk in and change clothes and load up the chain saw and get the tractor and ranger.

I cut up and trimmed the big branches

Bonnie drove the tractor and took the pieces back to the wood pile

Last load

All cleaned up just had to dump the small braces out of the Ranger

Came in and showered and watched some of the Olympics.  Its cooling down so it should be a great night to sleep.  No mice in the MH today but one of the traps was tripped.

Saturday

My plan for this morning is to get my trailer inspected.  I checked it out yesterday and set it up by the garage to be ready to go this morning.

Ready for inspection

I made it to get the trailer inspected by 9:30 and it passed.  Then up to court for a couple hours and then home.  Bonnie was leaving to go help her sister who is recovering from shoulder replacement surgery.  It looked like rain so I turned on the olympics and decided to do a couple loads of wash.

Once Bonnie got home we decided to watch a movie and just relax.

Sunday

We were up and out the door this morning headed for church.  Bonnie had a big crockpot of beans cooking all night and the house sure smelled good.  We had a little bit of rain but not bad.

After church we changed and headed for a family reunion.  It is being held over at Bonnie's brothers property and campground.  Here are a few pictures for the family that could not make it.  This was the 101st Williams reunion.  Not many Williams still around mostly decedents.

The Yellowstone Group

Bonnie with brothers, wives, sisters, and friends

We were home around 4 and Elizabeth stopped in to pick up her vegetable share.  We caught up on the Olympics and thats about it for today.  Closing ceremony tonight and the new week starts in the morning.

Its been a good week.  Thanks for checking in.

Beautiful Cool Weather, then the heat and humidity

Monday

Bonnie was up early and went to pick up her sister and take her to the hospital for a shoulder replacement.  It was a long day, all went well and Bonnie got home around 7, her sister is staying the night in the hospital.

I cut some more of the grass today and hung some hooks on the bathroom door in the coach.  No mice today.  Bonnie also had me grill some chicken at lunch time that needed cooked.

I had court today and was up there for about 4 hours.  Home now will watch the olympics and then head for bed.

Tuesday

Lots to do today.  Bonnie is up and has gone to the woods to pick black berries.  I am getting ready to head out.

Bonnie came in with a couple quarts of berries and I headed out to the post office, bank and court.  I ended up gone for about 4 hours.  Came home hoping to get a nap but that never happened.

We headed for WW Bonnie did good, I not so good.  Then over to Elizabeths  for dinner and the evening.  We did get to facetime with our son and family out in Alabama.  We are all getting excited about our September trip to Disney.

Home finally and time to catch up on the olympics, then off to bed.

Wednesday

My day started just after 1am when the phone rang.  I ended up at court for about 2 hours by the time I finished the paperwork and was back asleep by 3:30am.  I did manage to sleep until almost 9:30 when the phone rang again.  Bonnie got it quick but I was a wake.

A little later her sister called and Bonnie left for the hospital to pick her up and bring her home.  I took it easy and did eventually go out and do a little yard work but the heat and humidity did me in and I came back in the house.

I spent most of the day working on my photos, backing them up to a hard drive and taking them off my laptop as I am running short of space.

UPS brought my headlight restoration kit today so that is on my list of things to do to the coach now.

Hope this works

Emily our cat has been sick with bladder stones.  We have tried to give her special soft food for 2 weeks but she will not eat it.  She does not like cat teats either.  So today Bonnie traded in the soft canned food for dry food and she ate some of it right away.  So hope she continues.

I turned the water on this afternoon to wash my hands and no water.  Turns out that the one toilette did not shut off this morning and I did not hear it running.  It ran the well dry and our safety switch shut it off when the pressure dropped.  I just checked the well and it is full again so we are back in business I think.

Checked the coach tonight and no new mice in the traps, I hope that continues.  We have a short camping trip coming up the end of next week.

Thats about it for tonight, Thanks for Checking In.

Here comes the heat also I got Mouse #12

Thursday

The crows woke me this morning so I shut the window and got an out 45 minutes of sleep.  Its not all that hot today but it sure is humid.  Makes me sweat just thinking about doing something.

I did jump on the mower and cut the front grass.  The mower was all nice and clean when I opened the shed.  Thanks Tony, not only did he cut the grass he washed the mower.  Only took an hour to cut the front and when I came in Bonnie had lunch ready.  Then she left to go to the clinic with her sister so she could get an ekg and be cleared for a shoulder replacement on Monday morning.  All went well there so the surgery is on.  Please keep Donna in your prayers for Monday morning.

Watched some of the recorded shows today and slowly we are getting caught up.

I find myself using my cell phone camera a lot to save numbers and other information.

Time meter on Coach generator

I took a picture of the time meter on the generator and then checked my records and we ran the generator 27 hours on the trip to keep cool in the afternoons when we were traveling.

Well time to watch some of the olympics.  No mice in the traps today.



Friday

Crows again this morning but it was time to get up.  Supposed to be hot and humid so I shut all the windows, the house should stay ok all day.

I headed to court and then to the PO to get stamps for court.  While in town I picked up the stainless steel screws I needed to finish up the turn indicator on the Coach.

Before I headed out I put the rub on a pork shoulder and wrapped it to sit in the refrigerator all night.  In the morning it will go on the smoker for most of the day.

All prepped for tomorrow

I spent a couple hours at court and then headed home.  I put the screws in the light assembly and checked the mouse traps.  Yep #12 under the bathroom sink.  It was hot and humid.

Bonnie unlocked the screen in the bedroom window and I took it out and stored it in the basement.  Then carried up the AC unit and installed it in the window.

Bonnie can be cool now.

I ran it for 30 minutes and it lowed the temp 4 degrees so it looks like it is working.

Bonnie cooked all day and then invited Elizabeth and Alexus for supper.  Boy was it good I ate way to much.  Now some TV and to catch up on the Olympics.

We have been getting nightly FaceTime calls from my GD and son and really enjoy them.  We are all going to Disney in a little over a month.

Saturday

Woke up this morning and got busy.  I put the smoker together and got the pork out of the refrigerator.  I had my oatmeal for breakfast and then put the pork in the smoker.

I headed for my SILs for a hair cut.  Also got to see and play with my nieces son, he used to be shy but he is a lot of fun now.  I watched him ride his bike, play with his cars and showed him how to fill his squirt gun with water.  I took the iPad along for them to look at our pictures.

Then up to court for a couple hours and finally home.  Boy is it hot to hot to do anything out side.  So watched a little TV and napped.

Finally it cooled down enough to go back out side.  Alexus cleaned the bugs off the front of my truck, she is earning money for Kingdom Bound.  We used the new love bug eraser pad I bought and it worked quite well, she did a nice job.  I also washed the rest of my truck with my daughters help.  I also checked the mouse traps, all empty today.

Now we are in for the night, the girls have gone home and it looks like the edge of a storm is going to hit us.



Sunday

Up early this morning when the alarm went off.  We headed off to church after breakfast.  It good to see all our church family.  It was also great to be back in a church that knows how to sing.  In the churches we visited during our travels you could hardly hear the people sing.  Music and singing are an important part of our worship service and its great to be a part of it.

Once home I pulled the pork and we heated it up for lunch along with potato salad, and coleslaw it was so good.

It rained hard for an hour or so and I was happy to get a text from Alexus that they were still at church and had not gotten to Kingdom Bound yet so they were dry.  The sun came out later and she let me know that they were there and had the tents set up.  I hope they have a great week.

Mostly we enjoyed the cooler temps today and watched some TV.  Thats about it for this week.

Thanks for Checking in.

Catch Up, Fix Up

Monday

Was up before 7 this morning and went to bed after midnight.  But I slept good.  Watched some TV programs we had recorded this morning and just caught up on a few things.  Then I cleaned out the inside of the car and ran down to the post office to pickup a package that they did not give me Saturday.  Bonnie slept in till after 10 as she starts her first full week at home since retiring.  She made lots of phone calls and rearranged some of the shelves on our TV unit to display some of her new things.

Then we watched some of the olympics.  I am taping it and we can watch it fast.  Bonnie worked some outside and I went through all the mail.  Then we talked about a trip in November and we have a time share week we have to use and so we booked a week over at Cape Cod for in November so we can be home for Thanksgiving.  We also decided not to go to Ohio to a rally in September.  Instead we may to to the Thousand Islands or to one of our club campouts.

We did lots of little things today so it was a good day.  My turn indicator should be delivered tomorrow and then I can work on fabricating a bracket to hold it in.  I also talked to Truck Safety Technologies today about the erratic behavior of the car sensors.  They and I think it is a weak signal so I will try an external antenna.

We got a facetime call from my Granddaughter in Alabama also and thats always nice.

Heading to bed.

Tuesday

Up before 8 again today and caught up on email.  Then collected the trash and took off for court.  Had to go into the Post Office in Strykersville so I picked up the parts I needed to fix the drains on the kitchen sink.  They seem to drip about every 6 months.  After a couple hours at court I headed home.

I fixed the sink and then worked a little on the coach turn indicator UPS brought the turn indicator today but it did not have the light socket that I need.

New light assembly

Big hole in the light No socket

This is the socket I need, NAPA has one

Need this lamp also

Well its raining afternoon thunderstorm.  Time also to head for WW for the tale of the scale.

Well good news at WW after the month long vacation we both have lost weight.  Then we did a little shopping at the balsamic vinegar and olive oil store, an interesting experience.  Then a good supper with Elizabeth and Alexus.

Finally home.   Need to get to bed early tonight as the Dentist called and my cleaning is now in the morning and not next week.

Wednesday

I made it to the dentist at 8:01 I hate to be late.  Routine cleaning and I need one filling replaced, he also did impressions but I am not sure why.

Then I went over to the logging company to look at some information that I had worked on a long time ago.  Then finally home.  Had some lunch and relaxed a bit.

Bonnie had to go to Warsaw and then planned to do grocery shopping.  I headed out to work on the MH.  I wanted to get the turn indicator back in and thought I had all the parts.

This was my on the road repair

This is the finished repair

As it turned out I am two screws short.  I know I bought them but I can not find them, so I need two 1 1/2" self drilling stainless steel screws.

I checked the mouse traps and caught another I think it is #11 under the sink again.

Then I picked up a bunch of rocks that the storms had washed into the yard.  Also some branches that had blown down.  Looks like I need to cut some grass tomorrow.

Unreal how much washes down the hill, don't want to hit them with the mower

I came in and got a shower and did a load of towels while waiting for Bonnie to get home.

Before she left today Bonnie worked on the flower bed out back it looks really good, ready for mulch.

Looking real good

Thats about it for today, I am tired and need a long nights sleep.

Thanks for Checking in.