Grump Central Archive: Week of 29 December 2019
Saturday, 4 January 2020
Aside from appliance research, I've been getting zero things done. A disc in my neck (one of two that have been degenerating since college) has herniated, and is pinching a nerve. Consequently, at random intervals I endure shooting pain that runs down my arm to my hand, and two of my fingers go numb. Heat packs and aspirin are all that can be done about it for the time being, although my kids get to enjoy more lap time than they might otherwise, which in turn improves my mood. In other news, the septic engineers may be out late next week, assuming the weather cooperates, so my TCO application is on track to take a year start to finish.
Friday, 3 January 2020
Spent most of the day doing more appliance research. Haven't whittled the budget down much, but I've a better handle on what's practical for me to do. First up: cooktop.
Thursday, 2 January 2020
I spent the entire first day of 2020 researching kitchen appliances. I've been frustrated over the cost of the units I'd chosen (which were already my third picks), so I started digging. I also got a little more creative: for instance, going with a separate oven and microwave was half the cost of a single combination unit. Plus, I learned that several off-brand cooktops were a small fraction of the cost of name-brand units and got better reviews. Even though I'd reduced the total price tag by nearly half, I'll be spending the day today trying to bring it down even more, because I'd really like to start cooking again!
Wednesday, 1 January 2020
As the sun set on 2019, three of us raised our glasses to the prospect of a bright new year. And I wish a Happy New Year to all of my faithful readers!
Tuesday, 31 December 2019
2019 is about to go bye-bye. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, when will I be able to look back on a year and not think "good riddance"? It would be so nice to have a good year for once. 2020 will be off to a rocky start since the soil samples were never collected, which is going to push the TCO well into the new year, and the longer I go without it, the more nervous I get. Still, there's one bright spot I can look forward to: getting rid of that god-awful camper! It makes the property look "trashy," and it blocks my view of the sunrise. Anyway, today's image was taken one year ago today, and it makes me thankful for how far I've come and the friends I've made since then, so maybe 2019 wasn't such a bad year after all. Actually, in the grand scheme of things, it was a damned good year!
Monday, 30 December 2019
Yesterday I was going to run errands, but decided to hang with the cats instead. Good thing, too, because it was like a nature show outside. First, "my" fox decided to hang out as well, and sat watching a small herd of deer passing back and forth across the end of the ravine. But then... a second fox showed up: evidently its mate. The two sat at each end of their den and watched more deer romp past when... a third fox appeared! I'm guessing, but it would seem the female—lower left, I believe—had two suitors, and they chased each other all over the ravine until the interloper was driven off. It was quite the show! Then the fox pair sauntered off into the woods together. One thing is almost for sure: there will be pups to see in the spring! This is but one of countless reasons why I love living here. (It's also why I'm not sad I can't build my deck right now, since it would almost certainly scare off the fox family.)
Sunday, 29 December 2019
Ahhh, the life of a cat. Yeah, the daily pics are going to be kitties for a while. Deal.