All posts by Rivergirl

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O.M.G. … is this a man thing or am I losing my mind?

November 2, 2023 Rivergirl 23 Comments

We have to special order two replacement doors.

I have told our contractor numerous times what type of doors we want. He relays this information to the store rep he orders through.

And while the rep was on track with the living room door for some reason the bedroom door is still a problem.

I gave our contractor the door catalog and circled these three styles.

I texted him this photo from the website.

I specifically described the shape and style of the top window door we want. I gave him everything he needed to order said door which he passed along to the sales rep… so you can imagine my surprise when he emailed me this.

Does that look like the door we wanted?

No, it does not. So a few days later he emailed me this.

Does that look like the door we wanted?

Again, it does not… so a few days later he emailed me this.

Okay, we’re getting closer… but this half fan model is a bit old fashioned and not the door that we want.

Help me out here. Am I being unclear… or is this a man thing?

Do all pretty windows look the same to the male eye?

I swear this door will be the death of me. Or at the very least the death of my sanity.

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Bedroom renovation project part 8…. Getting cold feet.

November 1, 2023 Rivergirl 27 Comments

I live in Maine.

Today is November 1rst.

We’re still waiting for the oh so special Marvin window reps to grace us with their presence and friends, let me tell you… things are starting to get real up in here.

Last night the temps dropped into the 30’s and the wind blew for hours. And when I say it blew… I mean right into the bedroom through the gaps in the faulty windows that are on either side of our bed.

Cold drafts on my neck? Yes.

High pitched whistling that woke me up at 2:09am? You betcha.

Now I don’t know about you, but I am not my best self at 2:09am. Being a lifelong insomniac means the hours between 1 and 3 are pretty much the only ones I can guarantee to be deeply asleep. So when I have to get up and scramble around the bedroom in the dark looking for something to plug the leaks?

It’s not going to be pretty.

If you notice anything odd about the picture I took this morning it will be on the right hand side.

Because at 2:09am in the bedroom in the dark?

Socks is what I found to plug the drafty whistling windows.

Jesus wept.

This is my life now.

At daybreak I did manage to rustle up some foam weatherstripping from the utility closet.

But like every other piece of bad luck I’ve been having, there wasn’t quite enough.

🥴

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The answer is 56.

November 1, 2023 Rivergirl 26 Comments

When my husband goes out of town for a few days? I get busy cleaning and organizing. It’s so much easier to do when my resident hoarder isn’t around saying “No… you can’t throw that out!”

First up was our utility (slash pantry slash I don’t know what to do with it so stick it in there) closet. I was merciless and got rid of a huge pile of worthless odds, ends and scraps. And buried under all that crap?

A whole lotta plastic wrap, tin foil and Ziploc baggies. When the next supply chain apocalypse arrives? We’re ready.

🤣

After that clean out I moved on to our walk in closet. This is always a nightmare because I can’t resist a bargain when it comes to clothes shopping at thrift stores. I rarely take time to try things on when I’m there because hey… when a pair of jeans costs $2 and doesn’t fit? Who cares.

Turns out our closet shelves cared because they were positively sagging under the weight.

Question- how many pairs of jeans and capris did I have to try on and sort?

Answer- 56.

Nine bags of assorted jeans, capris, blouses, sweaters, purses and shoes ready to give to charity.

There’s nothing like a good purge.

It’s good for the soul..

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Happy Halloween.

October 31, 2023 Rivergirl 6 Comments

Just a few holiday decorations from the state of Maine.

One must have a sense of humor when using skeletons.

🤣

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It’s the yeast I can do.

October 31, 2023 Rivergirl 36 Comments

Because I always blog about important topics.

I never doubted this.

I’ll go first…

They nailed it.

I’m a planner. Organized itineraries are how I roll.

How about you?

https://nypost.com/2023/10/17/the-way-you-butter-bread-reveals-hidden-personality-traits-psychologist/amp/

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I was today years old…

October 30, 2023 Rivergirl 23 Comments

We’ve all seen the bell ringers standing in front of stores during the holidays. They’re raising money for the Salvation Army which is one of the few charities you can trust not to spend 80% of donations on “administrative” costs.

Standing outside in Maine in December can be tough. I’ve seen bell ringers wrapped up in so many layers of clothing they look like the Michelin Man.

Hell, I’ve bought coffee and hot chocolate for those poor volunteers to keep them warm.

Because, you know… they volunteered to help.

Or did they?

Whaaaat!

Is this a new thing… or am I just woefully out of touch.

What happened to the volunteers?

🥴

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News you can’t use.

October 30, 2023 Rivergirl 28 Comments

Because the world is filled with useless things.

If that’s the case, I’m guessing he’s doing it wrong.

No, it’s not nails or ears.

If my gut bacteria is going to outlive me…. why am I so concerned with pre and pro biotics now?

And speaking of dead bodies.

Damn, and here I have a hard time getting the husband to mow around my flower beds.

I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. But I’m also not clicking on that story.

🤣

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He’s very helpful.

October 29, 2023 Rivergirl 18 Comments

Husband is back to work, and back to work these days means teleworking from home. While I’m not exactly thrilled with this situation, Lord Dudley Mountcatten is ecstatic.

He’s been a daddy’s boy from day one and simply tolerates me because I am the opener of the can.

Having a home office with a cat in residence can be challenging.

Reports and correspondence take a back seat when the royal feline says attention must be paid.

❤️

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Bedroom renovation project, part 7… a recap.

October 29, 2023 Rivergirl 9 Comments

Eleven days in, this is where we are.

Status: Suspended. No progress. Work stoppage until further notice.

Mood: Annoyed. Aggravated. And basically bat shit crazy.

Part one, the windows –

We have two brand new custom built windows that are leaking air, gap ridden and nonfunctional. Our bedroom is still empty, torn apart, blind and curtainless.

We’re waiting to hear from one of the five specialty crews from the manufacturer who have been assigned to fix our problem. They cover the entire state and while they could be here tomorrow? They could also be here two weeks from now.

We are not happy.

Part two-

When last reported, our contractor had been sent out into the world to procure a door.

A stinky little nothing special door which I figured everyone would have in stock and didn’t bother to special order because it would take too much time. I was wrong.

Boy, was I wrong.

Our contractor scoured the area, checking big box stores and small mom and pops. He even tried the Habitat for Humanity re-store.

Nada. Nothing. Zilch.

There isn’t a replacement door available in the size we need anywhere within a 300 mile radius. And probably beyond that. Hell, at this point I’m beginning to wonder if they exist at all.

So we’re going to have to do the thing I didn’t want to do in the first place, special order one. The contractor has been tasked with that job because if I have to think about doors any more than I already have? My brain will explode.

And because he’s special ordering one door?

We’re having him special order a replacement for the other door which will eventually have to go as well. At least this way they’ll both be new at the same time.

As I write this, I have no idea of the lead time on special order doors. With my luck it will be sometime in mid December when there’s 3 feet of snow on the ground.

As always…

I’ll keep you posted.

🥴