Alice, I love the painting! The blue shirt was a perfect background. I have a camera like that one. It used to belong to my grandperson.

Andrea, congratulations on getting the gate, window frame and touch ups painted.

Liz, Well done on the shredding! You're an inspiration, nudging me to do the same. I think I will outdo you on oldest paper as I know I've kept everything since early in 1982 when my ex left. I need to wrap my head around the concept that nobody is going to ask for an accounting now of how I spent child support payments in 1982. They won't, will they? I can account for every cent, you know?

Kat, Well done, getting the chimes restrung. The orchard drive sounds wonderful! One benefit of having a grandchild in tow is being able to do these things with them and relive the excitement through new eyes.

When we were babysitting a toddler grandson on a regular basis, my husband would take him to the airport and tell someone at the helicopter base or the water bomber base that his grandson would like to see the inside of the 'copter or plane. Of course Grandpa would have to go in with him. I don't think he fooled anyone about who really wanted to sit inside a plane, but they appreciated his enthusiasm and love of flying machines so they were happy to let him do it.

SRS, Great show of persistence getting the bear boxed, notarized and on the go. I hope that it will find an appreciative buyer there and you will not have to deal with it again. Congratulations on keeping your son on track with the computer assembly and on getting so much done or give away the empty boxes in which paper is shipped. These are easily cut down to whatever depth is required and the lid will still fit. I wonder if something such as those might work for your "discrete sets of papers"?

SRS and Kat, Thank you both for your kind comments about my photos. The Fair begins Wednesday. For my small efforts setting up photos on Sunday I was given a free one day pass. I won't have to wait until there is reduced price admission on Seniors' Day to find out if the Awards Fairy has left anything there for me. After seeing all of the other entries I'm not very hopeful.

I spent today researching paint options for the next coat on the ladders. I hope the gloss latex I bought will be able to adhere well to the paint I used in the first coat or the ladders may join unclutter at the city dump. It certainly uncluttered my wallet. I also went to two thrift stores looking for more sheets to use for duvet covers. I found two matching twin sheets that feel very thick and durable. When I bought them I planned to sew them together, but realize now that would be a waste. If I can find suitable backing for each of them, I will have matching covers for the two bunks!

I'm hoping that the weather will change for the better tomorrow and that I'll feel up to painting the frame and mowing at least the front lawn. Maybe I can go look for two more sheets and sew a couple of duvet covers too?   

If I can get all that done by the end of the week, I'll be doing well. Grandchildren will be staying here Friday night, it would be good to have everything finished by then.
rags