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Lord Dudley Mountcatten is not happy with the constant remodeling noise, but his curiosity gene is strong enough to warrant a quick exploration of the project when my husband takes a break.
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Checking out the missing siding.
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Walking balance beam.
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Attacking a clamp.
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And looking in the window he usually looks out are all on the menu.
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As is using the new pea gravel for a litter box.
Though we probably won’t share that part with my husband.
😉
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The horrible old carpet was gone, the lush new carpet was laid… and then it was time for the (not so) fun part.
Putting everything that we’d moved out back in.
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It’s no wonder people rarely change their flooring.
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It really is like moving.
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And I don’t know anyone who enjoys that.
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My husband and a friend moved all the major pieces.
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Slowly, carefully… and thankfully without mishap.
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And once our bed was put back together..
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And the doors reattached, I got busy with everything else.
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Now that’s more like it.
😊
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Let’s take a walk around the garden, shall we….
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Candy cane dianthus.
Almost good enough to eat.
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A tri color pot of begonias on the kitchen porch.
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A red astilbe, clashing with the barn red barn.
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Pink astible out back.
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I love the blooms on these flowers. They’re delightfully weird.
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I can’t remember what kind of daisies these are, but they’re doing well and no one is eating them… so I really don’t care.
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Purple bee balm.
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A fabulous magenta shade.
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Something purple.
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Something red.
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And something wonderful the woodchucks nibbled down to a nub shortly after I took the picture.
😩
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Weeee!
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Bye bye flat and awful industrial grade dusty rose horror the previous owners laid….
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Welcome soft, plush, hella expensive but worth it Karastan Instinctive Flair Renoir Bisque.
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Seriously, until you walk on this barefoot you can’t begin to know what I’m talking about. It’s smooth and silky and sheer perfection.
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The installers were here for 6 hours, working nonstop… and they did a really nice job.
So nice, my husband took them out to the man cave/Barn Mahal for a cold beer.
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And then proceeded to show them all his treasures.
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They were a captive audience.
🤣
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It’s only a minute out of your busy day…
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That’s easy.
If I die tomorrow? I don’t want a big funeral, a church service or family and friends crying over my passing.
Scatter my ashes someplace I loved, raise a glass and say, “She made me laugh.”
There isn’t nearly enough of that these days.
How about you?
What should we say after you’re gone….
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The furniture has all been moved.
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And the rooms are ready for the installers.
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We’ll be sleeping on couches tonight..
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But I’m more than happy to be uncomfortable if it means getting rid of that awful dusty rose nightmare with which the previous owners of our house chose to cover the floors.
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I’ve hated it for way too long and can’t wait to see it go.
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I elected not to completely strip our closet. They said they can wiggle the poles without having to cut seams.
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Bye bye horrid pink carpet.
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Can’t say I’ll miss you…
🤣
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Did I mention Otto’s By The River was a funky little restaurant?
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I think their furniture proves it.
But aside from lovely cocktails and the owner trying to make my husband vomit (see previous Otto post), the reason we’ll go back is the food.
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My crab dip was literally one of the best I’ve ever had… and I love crab. I’ve had a few.
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The husband’s butternut squash soup? Thick, hearty and a meal unto itself.
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Butterfly pea tea lemonade? Tasty and pretty.
I forgot to photograph my chicken Caesar wrap but it was equally as good as the special my husband plowed through.
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A perfectly cooked venison filet with mushroom and caramelized onions, garlic mashed and green beans. To say we were too full for dessert is an understatement, we positively waddled out the door.
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Next to this fabulous building.
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It was a post office, then a state government admin site … but now it’s for sale. A developer is thinking of making it into condos that would go for $750k each.
Must be nice.
But hey, for that price at least you get a great view of the sturgeon.
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Though not all of them look thrilled at the prospect.
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🤣
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When the husband and I had moved as much of the bedroom furniture as we could without help, we called for help.
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And a local friend came over to assist in the ‘make room for new carpet’ clear out.
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Navigating our two narrow hallways with 90 degree turns isn’t easy.
Did I mention the weather was not cooperating?
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This is Maine. Older homes don’t have central air and our house isn’t set up for heat pumps.. not unless we installed 5 of them, which is not happening. Our window units only cool certain rooms and only down to a certain level of comfort. With the outdoor temperature at 104 degrees, moving furniture was not comfortable.
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But it was done.
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Slowly and carefully.
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I hope the new carpet is worth it.
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We discovered a new restaurant last week that is definitely going on our ‘must return’ list.
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Located in downtown Augusta, Maine’s capital… but nowhere near most attractive city.
There’s been a rejuvenation movement in the old section of town for the past few years. New businesses remodeling old buildings, fresh plantings… and most importantly, whimsically painted sturgeon.
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Otto’s was indeed by the river.
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And if it hadn’t been so hot we might have sat outside.
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This is a fun and quirky place.
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And though the main dining room was closed for lunch, we had no trouble bellying up to the bar.
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One fabulous summer sangria in…
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We were enjoying the vibe and chatting with the owner’s sister who was mixing drinks.
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Before long the owner came over with menus, and seeing that my husband was drinking beer… asked him if he wanted this little bit of ale that was just poured. They only have bottles and cans, nothing on tap… he said it was just the extra that would otherwise be tossed.
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Never one to turn down free beer, my spouse took a large swig… and almost threw up.
Turns out it was the olive juice the bartender was using for dirty martinis
Omg. I’m sorry… but I laughed.
I laughed hard.
The poor owner was beside himself apologizing and felt terrible. He was worried we’d leave a bad review and never come back.
To be continued…
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We’re getting ready for our new carpet to be installed in the two back bedrooms and hall.
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There are doors in my dining room.
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A tv on my bench and suitcases blocking the front door.
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Bureaus and a mattress are in the den.
The office?
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Good grief.
When you have to empty two bedrooms and two closets… space is at a premium and things get chaotic.
😳
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River's world..... 