Catch Up

It has been a busy, busy week and I intentions and even ideas have fallen by the wayside.

We had house guests for a couple of days mixed in with a bunch of other excitement (we lead a pretty quiet life and it doesn't take much to count for excitement around here. 

And we have certainly done our part to support the recovery this week as well, starting locally with a crew of tree cutters, a bucket truck, a huge chipper truck and a trailer for the logs as we finally took down the big cotton wood tree by the house, as well as a hemlock tree that was almost as tall as the cottonwood, but bare of leaves for all but the 8 or 10 feet which rose above the shade of the cottonwood and other trees.   There were 6 trees total, two of which were dead and posed a threat to our power lines in the next ice storm and it took the crew about a day and a half to get everything cut down and cleaned out.  Unfortunately none of the trees were particularly desirable as firewood so everything was hauled off.

The washing machine also sprang a leak about a week ago and the repair person was here on Friday AM and told me I needed a new pump and a new motor, to the tune of something like $500.  Now that amount of money would buy a new top loader, but I don't intend to replace my top loader with another of its ilk as I see no point in investing in the old technology.  Even so, it was too much to spend on an 18 year old washing machine as well, so off we went to the appliance store.

A new washer and dryer are set to be delivered this afternoon, probably in about an hour (which may be when I finish this post) and I am very happy not to be contemplating a trip to the laundromat.   The original plan was not to get the dryer, although the dryer I have is 16 years old, and the enamel is chipping off on the drum so I have to be very careful about rust spots on the clothing if things are left to sit in the dryer.  But I quickly realized that the front loaders were just enough larger than the old machines that it would be a pain to work around the washer to get at the dryer, so we got the set and I am happy and even eager to run some laundry.

Best of all, I purchased what is my new favorite concealer, even though it is almost as expensive as sin.  You need the teeniest, tiniest little bit, it blends beautifully and covers even dark circles well without slipping, sliding into the wrinkles and creases around the eye or looking like you have applied a layer of spackle.  And it lasts all day.  

I say "almost" as expensive as sin because it is actually $5 cheaper than my previous favorite concealer, the one I thought I would never abandon until someone sent me a sample of this one,  Cle de Peau's concealer.   The only think I don't know is if a container lasts as long.  The Cle de Peau stick looks bigger, and it would usually last me a year or a little longer.  The La Mer looks like it holds less, quantity wise, although I also use far less, just barely enough to be visible on the brush.  Only time will tell. 

Oh, and I did some clothing shopping and found out I could go down a size in a favorite pair of pants.  I also rediscovered a few old favorites that I had been saving and which now fit again.  I was so excited after a few weeks of no progress that I thought I would go public and add the little "weight loss ticker" that I have seen a few places around the web.  

Comments

[materfamilias]

So much activity! We replaced washer and dryer a few years ago, but I'm dreading other appliances beginning to die (all over 12 years old now, still seem new to me but there are wee signs from time to time .. .).
We had trees done a few years ago, but I've been evaluating again and thinking of big winds -- you'll enjoy the peace of mind.
And congrats on getting some clothes back into circulation -- I've recently trimmed a few pounds as well, and I know it feels good!

[Marji]

Well, I'm also happy to know that we're both stimulating the economy. ;)
I'm interested to know more about your concealers. Maybe I live in a box/cave (or maybe just the midwest) but I'm not familiar with either of those names of cosmetics. Glad to hear that you took care of the trees before the next ice storm.
Cheers...M

[K-Line]

You are so impressive with your lifestyle changes - and I want a new washer and dryer (but I don't want to pay for them or deal with the hassle of buying them or having them installed). I want the appliance fairy to replace them stealthily overnight sometime :-) Your land is just beautiful. It's like being at the cottage all the time.