Taking nothing for granite.

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My husband is still at it.

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Although the final pieces on top of the windows next to the ceiling are giving him serious trouble.

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Overall… this Versetta Stone is easy to work with. It fits well together in random patterns that look good no matter which slabs you marry.

Problems arise when you have to make small precise cuts around things. Like windows, dryer vents and electrical outlets. Then it’s a bit of a nightmare.

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And we haven’t reached the light fixture, door or inside corner yet.

🥴

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I’m rooting for the hawk.

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Our Cooper’s hawk was back on the deck railing yesterday and this time he was in full hunting mode.

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The dreaded red squirrel pair were spotted and my fingers were crossed.

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If anyone can rid me of that menace, it’s the hawk.

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On high alert, scouting the bushes where they were hiding.

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The hawk sat there, patiently waiting for movement.

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And then, a strike!

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That sadly came up empty.

Hawk – 0.

Red squirrel demons – 1.

🥺

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Let’s play.

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Because it will make me happy, and I know you live for that.

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My morning starts like this:

Up between 5:00 and 5:30am.

Feed cat. Feed birds. Feed woodchuck.

Cup of tea.

Quick check of online news, email and social media.

Then, my new obsession. The New York Times game app.

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I used to do Wordle when it first came out, but not with any regularity. But since I discovered the free app?

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These brain teasers are how I start my day.

(Except for the Sudoku. I’ve always hated math.)

More games are available if you purchase the full version, but these are enough for me.

So…

How do you start your day?

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Between a rock and a hard… ceiling.

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In case you’ve been wondering how our stone veneer is installed…

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Each piece has a metal flange with holes for screws attached to the top. You stagger the seams and there’s a little cutaway groove in each so they fit snuggly. Which is great…

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Until you reach the top and can’t fit an entire piece.

The flange and a portion of the stone has to be cut away, so how do you attach it?

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Serious thinking and strategizing was required because like most men, my spouse refused to follow the manufacturer’s directions… which called for industrial adhesive.

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I suggested masonry screws and was shot down.

See that piece on the top left?

It’s just wedged in there tightly. No screws, no adhesive. Just a hope and a prayer it doesn’t come loose and whack me on the head.

Wish us luck.

🥴

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News you can’t use.

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Because you need more useless crap in your life.

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I’ve been to some bad weddings, but they never started with the invitation.

Ouch!

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Hope the kids don’t find those on daddy’s nightstand and start nibbling.

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A little clarity here, she calls her padded bra gel inserts chicken cutlets. Which is disturbing in itself…

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Sure.

What could go wrong there?

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Because the other fish are making fun of how ugly it is?

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Snap, crackle… rock.

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The stone veneer installation is coming along nicely…

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Rising up the wall and around the windows.

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But at this point I need to take a moment and complain about the namby pamby fortitude of this product.

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It cracks easily.

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It chips even easier.

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For something that weighs a ton and costs a fortune?

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I expected better resiliency.

Cutting the “easy to install” stone is a nightmare all its own and everything is covered in dust.

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So much so it has to be brushed off every piece before and after installation.

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Thankfully you can’t see the cracks and chips unless you’re right on top of them.

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And I think it’s going to make a huge difference to our home’s curbside appeal when (if!) it’s completed.

😊

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