A couple of months ago, Steven McNulty from Edward Jones financial advisors stopped by our house.  mentisiterinvit gave him our phone number.  (I don't know why, but that's up to her.)  Since then he has been calling every few weeks.  This afternoon he called again, while I was busy and unable to pick up the phone, and left no message.  I called him back ( Read more... )

We've got a maple tree in our front yard, part of a sort of hedge that has grown from windblown and bird-dropped seeds.  It's a bit odd, and I'm not having any luck identifying the variety.  The leaves are opposite, moderately indented, longer than they are wide, and relatively small compared with other maple leaves I've seen: about 7 cm long (a ( Read more... )

I'm trying to install a new bathroom fan.  The spinning part of the old unit gets loose on its axle and develops loud and complex beat patterns.  ("RA-ta-ta-TA-ta... RA-ta-ta-TA-ta... RA-ta-ta-ta-TA-ta-ta-ta-RA-ta-ta-ta-TA-ta-ta-ta...")  The new unit is much more sturdy and appears to be better constructed, with a more solid motor ( Read more... )

Höon der böon de bakin de babee


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My plan was to run a load of laundry, then go to see mentisiterinvit in the hospital.  (I just learned that she's going for an MRI, and may not be back in ICU for a couple of hours.)  When I went down to the basement to move the laundry from the washer to the drier, I found the sink/tub full of water and water on the floor.  The tub drain is clogged ( Read more... )

I'm thinking that we should rename Oxana to "Paris".

1. She is blonde, and has been bred for looks, not brains.  Very effectively.
2. She spends most of her time grooming herself.
3. She's very attention-seeking: "Look!  I'm pretty!"
4. She's innately destructive.
5. Many people are allergic to her.

Poll Cat freedom

By "cat owner" I mean to include any variation of "I am responsible for the care of a cat" such as "My cats own me!".

I anticipate another dispute with a neighbor whose cat has been coming onto my property and causing trouble.  I need to determine which neighbor before I can complain to the city.
 

A poll about cats running loose in the city, if you don't mind...

[Edited to remove broken poll; please try my other attempt.]

By "cat owner" I mean to include any variation of "I am responsible for the care of a cat" such as "My cats own me!".

I anticipate another dispute with a neighbor whose cat has been coming onto my property and causing trouble ( Read more... )

I went with the tree people recommended by my mother (in part since the other company I left a message with didn't call me back).  The fallen section of the tree has been taken down, and there doesn't appear to be any damage to my roof.  I'll be more sure of that once all the sawdust has blown or washed away from the shingles and I'm able to go up ( Read more... )

One of the trees in my front yard split while I was out yesterday - presumably in the big storm in the evening.  Half of it is lying across my roof (and, from the inside, doesn't appear to have caused any significant damage) and will definitely have to be removed, and I'm pretty sure that the rest of the tree will have to go too.  Can any of my ( Read more... )