Merry Christmas

It's not Christmas until we go to Homestead Gardens and spend a ridiculous amount of time looking at the same ornaments we pretty much look at every year.

 The place is good for photo opportunities.

 There's something around every corner that you can get up close to for a selfie.

 There's also places you can sit and strike a pose.

Me and this bear had a thing. It may be stuffed but it looks like it's having as much fun as I was.

Up on the Rooftop

 It's that time.

 It's time to risk life and limb to add a little holiday cheer to the neighborhood.

 I've got 911 on speed dial.

 It wouldn't be the first time I took a tumble doing this. Ladders are the worst.

 I see why people leave their lights up all year long.

 It's a long way down.

 Almost done.

 Pup was keeping a very worried eye out for me.

 But got too cold. She had to continue her vigil through the window.

 The easy part was the deck. The cat approved.

That was a lot of work for minimal effect but it's still more than most of our neighbors have put up. Merry Christmas.

Man's Work

The table that I use to make models was put to another use today.

She has me putting sequins on skating costumes.

This stuff is actually pretty cool. I'm wondering how I could use it on a car.

 Right now though I have to get it stuck into a bead of glue without making a giant mess of the thing. It's not as easy as it would seem.

Not bad for an amateur.

Woodchuck

 They say it's going to get cold. I'll be ready.

 Someone thinks she is helping.

 She's really just stealing my gloves. I've learned to bring a spare.

 Chopping and stacking is tough on the back.

Having that pile is worth it though. It's going to be a long winter when it starts this early.

Man Versus Tree

 We have a very big limb that has broken off a very tall tree. The problem is that it is stuck in the leaves.

Another problem is that it is dangling right over her beloved Mini.

 Thinking I could do something about it, I climbed into a nearby tree and tied a rope to it.

 I had on my bike helmet. She thought that was hilarious.

With the car safely out of the way I gave that tree a yank hoping the branch would dislodge and fall out. Did it? Nope. Now we can't park on that side of the driveway until it falls down of it's own accord. Damn branch.

Happy Halloween!

It was a blower not a chainsaw but you get the idea. Boo. Halloween is an all day event around here.

 I was tempted at the grocery store. Even though I already bought a ton of candy, you can't have enough sugary stuff on Halloween.

 My contribution to the dinner preparation. I can roll up a mean pig in a blanket.

 I joined in the carving of the pumpkin this year and even cleaned the gunk off the seeds-but I won't watch Hocus Pocus. Never have. Never will.

I'm not a fan of Halloween movies but I did make a Halloween-mobile. Cool, huh?

Vroom, Vroom

It's been too hot to do much of anything for the past week or so. I've been passing the days building all those models I asked for at Christmas.

I'm getting quite a collection of finished projects.

I'm also having a hard time finding new kits to buy. I think I already own them all.

My latest work in progress is this working model of an engine. It's going to take a while because the kit has more than a few issues-but figuring out the solutions is half the fun, right?

Rocket Science

 

The small closet under the stairs holds a new very expensive toy.

 

We had a new water softener put in and it cost big, big bucks.

 We've got hoses and wires everywhere.

 

 This time we had a chlorinator installed. Our water smelled like dog spit.

 The downside is that I have to start hauling this stuff from the hardware store again. We abandoned our old softener years ago after we kept digging dead mice out of it but the water has been so terrible for the past few months we are willing to risk it.

 For crying out loud. The things has only been installed for two days and It's already telling me we screwed it up.

Jeeze............this ain't good.

For Sale

I've finally decided that restoring the Mustang is a project that is too much work for me to tackle at this time. Not having a garage has been a real problem. Another problem is that someone stole the poster I put up in the grocery store and then never called. Not cool, man. Not cool.

A Family Fourth

 Golf in the morning, crabs in the afternoon and sparklers at night. Who cares if Arthur canceled the fireworks. We didn't miss them at all.

 You know you are a Marylander if your tablecloth is newspapers.

That's what I'm talking about.

$200 a bushel but worth every penny.

 For starters we had Chicago style hot dogs.

 For dessert we had the usual.

 The Grandbaby can put away some crabs and watermelon.

 It didn't get dark enough for sparkler action before everyone went home...

...but that didn't keep me from having fun anyway.
Happy 4th-even if it is the 5th!