Monday, May 22, 2017

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Making Progress

Now that I've nearly caught up on work...
And the Brick is done driving schoolbus for the summer...
And our contractor (Son #1) is due back from vacation Wednesday night...

The real work begins. 
    After Son #1 finishes up the guest bathroom, he'll start on the master bathroom next.
    Meanwhile, the Brick and I have big plans to go through as much as possible of the stuff we've accumulated over the past 35+ years. We're planning four piles:  keep (for the trailer), keep (in storage), donate -- and throw away. A huge orange dumpster is sitting in the driveway, just waiting. 

I've been taking photos, for stuff to be put on Craigslist. 
We'll have a garage sale here soon -- hopefully Memorial Day weekend. 
Now the snow's gone, I've got plants to get in the ground, as well. Hopefully, they'll add a cheerful note to the back patio. (We have a wonderful 50-mile view in three directions. You'd love it.)

One more detail to take care of this week. The chickens (15, at last count) have been laying fewer eggs every week -- an average of 2-3 eggs a day, sometimes less. In other words, at least a dozen chickens are sluffing off, lazing in the sun and gobbling up feed. Our job will be to figure out who's still producing, and save them for the last. A good number of the rest will go to That Big Freezer in the Sky before week's end.

In case you're wondering:
    Here's how we'll probably do it. (Butchering the chickens, that is.)

What?!? I'd better get laying...and fast.
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Thank you, Thank you!! The blog is now consistently hitting more than 5000 visits a month. I hope I'm helping and encouraging you, Gentle Readers, the way you do that for me.
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An iconic part of Everest has collapsed: the Hillary Step.  It's thought an earthquake took it out. It's been a rough year, anyways -- as of this writing, five climbers have died, including Ueli Steck, a Swiss climber of some renown, and an American doctor from Alabama.

Dollar movies for kids -- all summer long. (Maybe some adults, too.) From Regal Cinemas.

10 'minor' decisions that had huge consequences.  (From Listverse) Also from them:

10 heroic people who spit Death in the eye. 

Mr. Money Mustache builds a studio. Step-by-step, expenses included.

House-rich, cash-broke.  The plight of Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage and other big spenders.  (From the Trust Advisor)

Strawberry shortcake in a mug. Quick, easy and delicious.  (From Hungry Girl)





Crispy salmon skin and sushi made from foraged greens.  Hey, I'll try anything once.  (From Penniless Parenting)

Are you training your kids so they know how to work?  A thought-provoking essay by Living Life in Rural Iowa.  P.S. I think she's right.

'Expensive' chalk paint -- made with baking soda!  (From Hometalk)

Homemade noodles -- make them yourself and save a LOT.  (From Pennies & Pancakes)  Her homemade Utah Scones are good, too.

What Bernie Madoff looks like right now.  Definitely not a wet noodle.

Burritos -- and cars. A classic from yours truly. The burrito recipe is a good one -- and they freeze nicely.

There's a big fight (and a lawsuit) over a necklace from Elizabeth Taylor's estate and Christie's auction house. The fun starts here.

And finally, a great quote:

"When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson



Here's to making progress on your week, too!




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