Dock

It is general maintenance that is always needed for every homeowner. Luckily I have a handyman who takes care of the grass, flowerbeds and snow removal. He also does hundreds of other mini-chores for me and I'm fortunate to have him live nearby. There are other things that I now need helpers for and one helper is my grandson. He and his lady clean beams and high-up things in this cabin every spring. Recently, he came after his regular work job and took the time to put preservative on the dock. It was difficult this time due to a hillside washout that caused the mud to flow down and over the bank onto it before the real project could start. It took lots of digging, scraping and sweeping to prepare for the application. Sealing our wooden dock is the best way to preserve its natural beauty and ensure it lasts as long as possible. 

He and several others did the under-barrel replacement and side repair in 2018. 

In 2004 he and his mother undertook the task of building a new dock. The supplies were purchased by them and it was built as a surprise anniversary gift to us for when we returned in July from SC. 

The original dock and float were built by my husband, brother and brother-in law in 1963.

If you live on a lake, you just gotta have a dock!

tap image to view larger

It's Hereeeeeee!

Big fat flakes came down for a short while early this morning. When I looked out at 6:45am the temperature gauge told me it was exactly 32° and the frost was everywhere, though light. Ok - First frost - First snow - Third day of November. NOT better late than never but that isn't my concern. Mine is to be sure I'm ready, with the help of others that is. 

Yesterday I got the 'bright' idea to call the place where we bought our golf car several years ago to see if they did storage. THEY DID! When they gave me the charge for this service I immediately told them to come and get it! That way it won't have to be hooked up here with the heavy duty wire that gets plugged into the porch receptacle so the switch can be turned on on regular intervals to keep the batteries charged. It won't have to be covered. It will sit indoors in a facility where it is safe, warm, charged and cared for and I can have it delivered back (in about 6 months from now) whenever the warm weather returns. Hey! The price was so minimal and fair for the entire service, and the payment will be due upon its return, I feel great relief!

I made a feather for my hat on this one! See?

The Yard Guy has just about completed winter preparations yesterday. He blew some more leaves, did a final mow, covered the porch swing, stacked the porch chairs, brought the large snowblower out from the shed and started it up. It is now stored in the carport, ready for use. He raked the stones around in there for better coverage and distribution to make the area smoother. He turned on the switch at the heat tape control box for the water supply protection. That tape goes underground from the well into the pump shed. It then goes around the switch and storage tank in there and out again to cover the pipe that brings it into the cabin. This pipe goes through and under the carport roof and into the log wall. I'll still have to trickle water when the temperature gets around 15° just to make sure nothing freezes. The only thing he has yet to do is to bring into the carport the container of ice melt, and the snow shovel and fill the gas cans. I brought in the silky swinging craft hoops from the porch for the winter. That was easy but I couldn't have done any of the other preparations without his very competent help. I'm not his only responsibility around here. He takes care of many others after school and on weekends. You see, he is a school teacher and his wife is as well. They have a family of several teenagers and are very busy people involved in multiple activities. I am sooo fortunate to have this help. 

Wheels Go Around

...and around!  What a week since last Friday! The Mister fell getting into the car right in the carport between the cabin side door and the car door. Got him up using kitchen chair for helper. Later same day, he fell after taking a ride in the golf car when he was walking -with cane- toward the front porch and went down in the pathway and flowerbed. Two falls in one day. Used kitchen chair to help him get up. Then early on Monday he fell in the kitchen. I was able to call a neighbor who helped him get up. I had already reported Friday's falls to the doctor and he immediately ordered Interim Health Care. Later on Monday he fell again in the bathroom and the same neighbor with spouse got him up. Two bloody and scraped elbows. No other injuries! Monday was my brother's 82nd birthday. I had mailed a card. Called, but no answer.

On Tuesday my Schwan's order was delivered, the automatic generator yearly service was completed, and the trashman picked up. Life went on as normal without a fall.

Wednesday the RN came and she did a thorough evaluation. He fell when she was here when walking across the living room using the walker, as usual. She got him up, waited to see if he was going to be ok and left. The neighbor did my laundry.

Wednesday was my daughter's 65th birthday. She and our younger daughter from PA went to the NJ seashore for an overnight stay. It was a double May birthday annual celebration for them. Tomorrow is her actual 61st birthday and there will be a NJ family dinner out tonight and she will return back here in PA on Saturday. 

Then on Thursday the physical therapist came; a very tall man who had to duck his head a lot when coming through any doorways and walking through living spaces. He did his assessment and said he'd be  back the next day. The yard man came and the mowing and weed whacking were done.  That evening the Mister fell again when sitting down in his recliner chair after dinner. Neighbors were called and got him up. 

In Friday, the propane gas tank was topped until cold weather sets in. The pre-payment for the season will be due soon. The occupational therapist came to do her evaluation. She no sooner left than the physical therapist arrived and serious exercises began. A different way of sitting and getting up was explored and finally decided upon with the use of one of the porch chairs that has arms. The physical therapist says he will probably be coming three times a week for a couple of months. There will also be more visits from the OT and even a LPN! The neighbor picked up medicine from the Hospital RX that the doctor had ordered. 

The Mister' legs have been giving out for a couple of years but now they are so weak that this help is really needed. I understand that. But,

I am not used to traffic in my home - at all. I'm rambling a bit now. It's OK. Writing helps me cope. 

Remember that my mantra is "DO NOT FALL." It has been 11 years on Memorial Day that my fall almost did me in but I'm still tickin' and tockin' and kickin' too!