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| Oil Stains on the Pavers and Parkway |
You are not supposed to work on your vehicles when they are parked at the curb, but, some of my neighbors do it all the time. This weekend, they worked on one of their vehicles and spilled oil all over the side of the road (they covered it with some white substance - I don't think it's sand, it looks more like plaster; some of it might get removed on Thursday when the street cleaning truck goes by) and dribbled it over one of the pavers and the parkway! I saw containers of WD-40 on the curb when they were working on the vehicle and containers of motor oil. I don't know what actually spilled, but, I suspect it is motor oil. M is not going to be happy when he sees it, but, at least it's not graffiti!
It was a cool and cloudy day, today, and I believe there might have been some precipitation in the early morning hours. It was exactly 60F inside the house and I resisted the urge to turn on the gas heater and pulled a blanket over me while I said my morning prayers. Later, in the evening, I put the electric space heater on.
Today, I assembled the Mother's Day gift my daughter bought for me:
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| New Vacuum Cleaner |
My old vacuum cleaner resisted all my attempts to fix it after it ate one of the socks! The motor runs but, there is no suction power. I took it all apart to the extent possible, but, couldn't find the clog to remove it. That vacuum cleaner is more than 25 years old. When the part with the rollers for vacuuming carpets stopped working, even after a new belt was installed, I just removed that and used the brush attachment because I have hardwood floors and only one area rug. When part of the hook that holds the retractable cord in place when pulled out broke, I managed with the bit that was still left, and when the cord itself developed a tear, I wrapped it up with electric tape, and just kept on using it until the suction stopped.
Since then, I've been managing with the small electric broom type vacuum cleaner we bought for daughter's apartment when she first moved up to Berkely, which she found to be insufficient for her needs (not enough suction, she claimed); she replaced it with a bigger vacuum cleaner and I've kept the electric broom. It does an adequate job, but, isn't meant for a house this size. So, I decided that I should buy myself a proper vacuum cleaner and my daughter told me to pick the one I wanted and it will be her Mother's Day gift to me, because every time she's asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, I've said I didn't need anything! Now, finally, there was something I needed! LOL.
She ordered it at the end of April and it arrived last week, but I didn't open the box until last night. I assembled it, today, and tried it out. It is a little heavier than the old vacuum cleaner, but, I will get used to that. It is the same make as the old vacuum (Kenmore) and it uses bags. I didn't want a bagless vacuum cleaner, because if we ever get another flea infestation to deal with, I want something I can just remove and dump in the trash! I would not want to risk having fleas jump out when I'm trying to empty the contents into a trash bag! It also has a pet fur attachment to vacuum upholstery, which will come in useful, I'm sure. Even with dust sheets covering the sofas, we sometimes get Dancer's fur on them!
Today, I vacuumed the living room and dining area. Tomorrow, I plan to vacuum the family room. Much as I hate to do it, I will be tossing the old vacuum cleaner - I don't want to donate it when it is not working properly.
I also requested a replacement recycling bin, today. A portion of the lid had broken off over a year ago and I had tried to fix it with duct tape, with limited success as the tape didn't hold it in place for long. Not a big problem, except, rain water would fall into the bin and make a soggy mess (we've had a very wet winter and spring, this year). Today, when the recycling truck emptied the bin, another good portion of the lid broke off, leaving the bin with half a lid. The bin would still work with half the lid, but, rain water would collect in it and I worried about small animals (cats, raccoons, possums, etc.) getting into the bin and being trapped. So, I called the City's sanitation department and they will deliver a new bin for me, next week. I have to leave the old empty bin by the curb for them to pick up. There is no charge for the replacement bin. I was proud of myself for not procrastinating on requesting a new bin (after tolerating the broken lid for over a year, that is! LOL.)
I didn't walk, today. Trying out the new vacuum cleaner tired me out! LOL.
In the evening, I watched a rebroadcast of the Coronation concert and enjoyed that. Later, I video chatted with my daughter.
Brunch was a cheese sandwich made with toast; it wasn't a grilled cheese sandwich, I just toasted two slices of bread and put a slice of cheese between them (not quite as tasty as a grilled cheese sandwich, but less oily and fewer calories because I didn't use any butter). Dinner was fried rice (leftover rice, leftover ground turkey and vegetables, and a scrambled egg). Somehow, I ended up with leftovers from that! So, tomorrow's brunch will be leftover fried rice! LOL. I was watching an online video about 20 things you can do to be frugal and one of the things was to eat all leftovers and I laughed to myself. Er, yes, we eat our leftovers in this household (I only watched a little of that video - just the first 5 tips and I fast forwarded through them, because I didn't see anything listed that I don't already do).
Today, I am grateful for:
- My new vacuum cleaner!
- It's motor oil and not graffiti on the paver
- Extra blankets and quilts to snuggle under
- Being able to watch the Coronation concert, after all
- Being able to video chat with my daughter
- It's motor oil and not graffiti on the paver
- Extra blankets and quilts to snuggle under
- Being able to watch the Coronation concert, after all
- Being able to video chat with my daughter
Today's joyful activity was trying out my new vacuum cleaner!
Plans for tomorrow:
- Tend to the garden with M
- Vacuum the family room and the hall way
- Dust and vacuum my bedroom
- Vacuum the family room and the hall way
- Dust and vacuum my bedroom
- Paperwork/filing
- Decluttering
How was your Tuesday? What are your plans for Wednesday?
What a well thought out Mother's Day gift. Having been through that decision making exercise about which vacuum cleaner will suit my needs, I get that you needed to consider your life style. As for recycling bins, I find ours breaks because the bin collectors just toss them when emptied. I place on the grass to side of our driveway, hoping that the grass would soften the toss, except the bin collectors seem to toss back to the hard driveway ... I've been through at least two bins so far this year. Duct tape only does so much (col). We are a family that like leftovers - cook once, eat twice is almost my motto (lol). From the coronation concert, I enjoyed Prince Williams speech. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary-Lou; I'm very pleased with my new vacuum cleaner. :)
DeleteYes, the bins are emptied by a truck with a mechanized arm that the driver operates and they are banged down on the curb once emptied!
Leftovers are a good thing, aren't they? :D
I have a soft spot for Kermit and Miss Piggy, so, I was happy to see them making an appearance at the coronation concert! :D
How horrid to have that oily mess on your pavers. Well, you have an excellent vacuum cleaner and you will have that new recycle bin soon. Sometimes we just need to upgrade, especially when things are broken!
ReplyDeleteI like to use up leftovers, and the small amount left of the second half of the chicken dish , was put with some chicken stock to make a couple of bowls of soup for lunch.
I was just thankful that it was not graffiti, but, M was not! He tried to remove the marks with some chemical he had and when that didn't really work, he turned the paver over! I know you'll be happy to know that he enjoyed a piece of the cake I baked the other evening. :)
DeleteYes, I am slowly upgrading/replacing broken items!
You made good use of your leftover chicken to create another meal! I had my leftover fried rice for brunch, today.
What a lovely gift! Uck. Not good about the mess on the street. Some people just don't think. Or don't care. Or maybe both.
ReplyDeleteOur Recycle bin is falling apart. It is currently taped together at the back and regularly gets dumped all over the street (and picked up by the workers) when it gets emptied. Husband ordered a new one, but it still hasn't arrived (and it's been a while) so I'll probably have to try again!
It's a wonderful gift, isn't it? I like practical gifts and I really needed a new vacuum cleaner; it will be used on a regular basis, too. :)
DeleteThese people just don't care, I think. If they did, they could have put down a tarp or something. Or done the repairs in their own driveway (but, they have those two RVs taking up all the room in their driveway).
Sounds like you need to call your City or whoever provides new trash cans and ask for one, again! Hope you get a new one soon!
I expect you are very upset about your paving slab and gravel, I know I would be, they were probably doing an oil change on their vehicle. Why would you think it could have been graffiti if you don't mind me asking? Your old vacuum cleaner lasted well and so good of your daughter to treat you to a new one. The coronation concert was very enjoyable and Prince William gave a very nice speech to his Pa.
ReplyDeleteI was more resigned than upset, but, yes, they were changing oil and hammering something and cutting some metal part! There's a lot of graffiti in my neighborhood - so far, nothing on my street, but, a couple of streets over, closer to the main road, there's a lot of graffiti spray painted everywhere. Gardener M tried to remove some of the oil stains and when that didn't work, he turned the paver over!
DeleteI got good use from that old vacuum cleaner, didn't I? I hope my new one lasts a good long time, too. It was very good of my daughter to get it for me.
I enjoyed the concert and yes, it was a lovely speech by the Prince.
What a nice Mother's Day present from your sweet daughter. Happy Mother's Day to you :) It must've been quite a difference using the new vacuum after making do for so long without one - or one that worked properly.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh - The poor parkway. I would not be happy with such inconsideration. I'm assuming these are the party neighbors, right?
I would be very unhappy but M turning the paver over was pretty good thinking. I had not thought of it while I was here thinking about what cleaner might work. lol
Thank you, Debra. Yes, the new vacuum takes a bit of getting used to! I am going to try it with the floor brush attachment, next; I think it will be lighter and easier to vacuum with that. But, having a carpet brush head that actually works is lovely! My area rug looks almost like new! :D It's the little things, isn't it?
DeleteYes, they were the party neighbors! Who else? Although, when M asked them, they pointed across the street at neighbor E's house and S's house and said maybe them, but, I saw them working on the truck and I know it wasn't anyone from E's or S's houses! M tried some cleaners but they didn't work and turning the paver over was a good solution. I've thought of sealing the pavers, but, that might make them too slippery if wet and I'd be liable if anyone slipped and hurt themselves.
I do like your practical Mother's day gift :) And I hope you might be able to clean the spillage on the paving stone. Could it possibly be turned over? X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules; I've been using my Mother's Day gift almost daily! We ended up turning the paver over. :)
DeleteWell, it sounds as though you nursed along that old vacuum long enough, and deserve a new one - although I am not sure Mother's Day is the proper occasion. ;-) Back in the day, Kenmore was really known for its durability. All the appliances in my parent's house were Kenmore. I hope your new one proves just as reliable.
ReplyDeleteI am notorious for nursing along old appliances! I did the same with the old fridge (lasted me about 27 years), washer & dryer (again, about 28 years), etc., before I replaced them. I'm still doing so with the stove (29 years old; it's gas and one burner's automatic ignition no longer works and you have to blow a bit to get the flame to spread around the ring on another one, but, it still works!) They say that appliances these days will last about 8 years.
DeleteWell done for taking care of your things and not replacing them every time there is a new fad. The planet thanks you!
ReplyDeleteYou must have been disappointed to see that slab! My friend was saying the other day that he has started to wonder whether people are becoming more bloody-minded these days, or genuinely don't think their actions are amiss. He had needed to speak to his neighbours about some antisocial behaviour (ever so politely - he is incredibly tactful) and he said they just didn't seem to understand the problem. (Maybe they would if he did the same to them!!)
Ella
Thank you, Lady Ella; I don't see the need to replace working appliances and tend to keep them even after they stop working, hoping for a miracle! LOL!
DeleteI think I was more resigned than anything else when I saw the oil marks. I had wanted to tell the guys not to spill any oil, but, then, I thought that might encourage them to spill it just to spite me! I was just glad it was not graffiti.