We had Hanna Park over to look at and get measurements for the kitchen to remodel. Hopefully, she will be able to provide the direction we need to get this thing started and bring it in on or under budget.

I did kind of smile when I was helping her get measurements and remembered roller-blading around the ballpark in Arlington with her when she was 7 or 8 and her dad and I were working the weekend at Breakaway. I had to force myself to remember that she’s had as much schooling as David in architecture and most of it newer and more relevant to the craft. It’s hard to believe they’re not kids anymore.

Beautiful day today, feels like spring is in full effect. Did some tilling and have opened a new front on the battle with the sand burr, we sprayed pre-emergent that is supposed to prevent the stuff from coming back up. Got to use my new backpack sprayer in order to get it down.

Also got the top soil and manure off loaded from the truck and into the back yard and the planters are set, just need to fill them.

Happy to put the HomeDepot shinanigans behind me and get the new toy!

Don’t have to worry about how much oil, the 2.2 ounces is exactly what it needs. The tool just wants to start and warms up smoothly. The clutch works properly and the attachment bolts on without spinning but once you pull the trigger, there’s revved-up power. Fits all my other attachments and we’re hopefully good for another 7 years, I’m due for a new one in 2029.

So the time has come to get a new string trimmer. For starters this triggered another ‘damn I’m old’ episode. I was thinking that I had just got the old string trimmer and looking back, it’s been seven years… absolutely crazy.

So I do my research and all things are equal between a Ryobi and Troy-Bilt trimmers, price, manufacture and both fit the attachments that I already have but the Ryobi has a 3-year warranty and TB a 2 year. Ryobi it is…

So the price is $229.99, I head up to my local Home Depot, and find it but there are two types, grumbling I look them both over, they’re the same, no price though. Get to the checkout and it’s $249.99, strange and WTH, get to the truck and look it up on my phone, still $229.99. Go in and ask and it turns out Home Depot will not match prices… With themselves… Think about that for a bit. A store will not match the price that’s on its own website… They said they could order it for me right there though. I said no, just refund my money, things were just a little too weird at this point.

Long story, I went home, got online and it will be delivered free to my house in two days. Absolutely no need to have gone anywhere.

So I’ve been hesitant to move the RV because that means I’ve got to get moving on getting the driveway extended with the pavers but my sister was kind enough to let me store it at her place while I get the project done. So the clock is ticking, I’m overthinking this, all I have to do is move dirt and level, the skid steer will do most of the walk.

I got a new antenna post and put it up, it’s 16’9″ long and light as all get out. But with the extra height, it crumpled the supports I had mounted for the use of the PVC mast. They don’t sell anything locally so I had to go on Amazon and get them, it’s a casted offset, and with two of them mounted on a couple of lagged in 2×4’s it seems really sturdy, I don’t think I’ll have an issue unless the mast breaks.

So we’ve got 7 cable runs and now 7 working cameras. The clarity is really good and I’m happy about where they’re sitting. Even have Sandy set up with a username and password so she can view them also. Now there’s just 5 more to do but like I said they’re on the bitch side of the attic. Maybe I can get someone to give me a hand with it hopefully.

So I got up and got to it, needed to run the last of the front wires. Took a bit of time to get the wire ready to pull but I did it. But I got into the attic and over the HVAC unit and felt the panic start to set in, I had to pull off the mask and try to get it under control, got the new wire, and grabbed it but I had ties of the south east cable to the existing and as I pulled it, it broke, ugh. so I managed to make it to the blue wire and pulled it finally came free and I managed to get both to the destination. Got out of there and there are 7 of 12 finished, two more runs that are on the backside, and the garage. I’m dreading the backside ones, just miserable getting back there.

I got the southeast corner camera mounted and the DVR up and where it needs to be, the picture is pretty good. Put camera three in and nothing. It’s painful to terminate the ends and it’s been so long since I’ve done it I think I’m not doing them well. I’ll deal with it tomorrow, no need to kill myself with it.

Sandy and I went to the grocery store today, she’s hard to shop with because it’s a lot of walking around and looking, not just getting and going. I felt like I’m in a race and she’s just lollygagging. Something seems off with her but I’m not sure what. She took a bath and was in bed at 7:40 pm, I note that because that’s a new record and early even by my standards.

Slept in today, well I guess no more than usual. But I got up and made it to Harbor Freight and got a new cable puller, I need two for the camera project. Got another two runs finished. I wasn’t aware how much stuff we have above the garage in the attic, I had to dig a hole to get to the back to pull the cable. I’m down to 3 2 wire runs but they’re in the east of the house so a bitch to get to. Slowly but surely I’ll get it done.

Made some biscuits and turned in a paper, also got the mason jars and the food saver attachment to vacuum seal the jars. It works great and I’m actively trying to figure out what else we can vacuum seal in the jars. Went for a walk to the gas station to get a red bull and completed my steps. All days except my birthday I’ve made my steps. I rock!

Today I paid off my house. So I no longer have any debt. I own my SUV, RV, truck, and house. Just property taxes on the house, utilities, and insurance.

The goal is now that all of these things are paid off, we look for some property and find a place that will be home base in operation retirement. This will be the main garage for the truck and RV as we do traveling and seeing the US and world. Someplace in the Appalachians with lots of trees and few lights for star gazing and campfires.

Life is moving in the positive direction!