January 5 - 10, 2025 - Tree Damage - Flagpole - Ice Maker Installed - New Mixer - Dehumidifier Cleaned - Vacuums Replaced

My Blog Reflection

Forget what is gone. Appreciate what remains. Look forward to what's coming next.

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January 6, 2025

Yesterday I received a call from my neighbor about the major tree damage in our yard due to the ice storm that went through Perryville. Here are some pictures. We planted all of these trees over the past thirty years and are heartbroken that they were decimated by 3/4 inch of ice.

He didn't take pictures of all the trees but said maybe one tree was salvageable. Most of the city has been without electric since early morning on the 5th with no indication when it can be restored. Many electric lines, electric poles, and trees are down throughout the county. Today the wind is picking up and temperatures are predicted to continue to drop over the week. Restoring power to everyone under these conditions may take some time. We are concerned not only with heating the house but all the food in the refrigerator and freezer if the electric is not restored soon. What a way to start the new year.

Sitting in the living room this morning we heard a crash outside. I looked out and saw that the plastic flag pole holder broke and the flag pole fell down on to the porch rail. I don't know if I am going to replace it. The neighbor across the street has complained about the flapping sound on the big flagpole next to him and this one makes a little such noise as well. We did like flying our "Friendship Flag".

In the afternoon the new ice maker arrived a few days earlier than expected. It is about four inches shorter than the original. Interestingly, it did not come with the electric cable and plugs which run from the ice maker mechanism in front to the connector to the refrigerator in back. I am so pleased with myself that I hadn't yet thrown out the old ice maker because I needed that cable. After removing the cable and installing it on the new ice maker the rest of the install was easy. We have ICE! This unit is a lot quieter than the old once, which I think had been struggling for a while. This unit produces ice a little slower. The original had a "max" and a "normal" setting. This one is just pre-set. 

January 7, 2025

This morning I called my neighbor in Missouri and he advised that the electric came back on about 9:00 p.m. last night. I must say that is a relief. No need now for Alexa to drive down in the bad weather and empty the freezers and refrigerator before the food spoiled.

This morning Kelly again hosted the ladies breakfast coffee klatch and it drew a record crowd. We had to add all three of our folding chairs, two dining chairs, and a desk chair to the six chairs already in the Florida Room.

While Kelly's coffee klatch was going strong in the Florida room I ordered the materials I need to get started on the golf cart driveway. 

January 8, 2025

Today we bought the landscape mat to put down under the gravel in the new driveway to keep weeds out. The edging arrived today as well. All I am waiting on is the plastic grid and then the project can begin.

This afternoon I bought this top-of-the-line KitchenAid mixer from a lady here in the park. It has hardly been used.  Three ladies were waiting in line behind me to buy it if I didn't. The little handheld mixer, which was given to us a couple of years ago, just doesn't work very well. I'm anxious to put this one to good use. It may be time to whip up another batch or two of biscotti. The breakfast ladies ate a bunch of the last batch.

January 9, 2025

My neighbor at home, Rusty, contacted some tree trimmers and obtained several bids for all the trees on our lot and the lots around us to be cut down and hauled away. By all of us working together we will get a better price. Our lot had the most damage in the area - two large Birch trees and two Elms were totally decimated. Several other trees must be trimmed up. I accepted a bid, which does not cover the limbs from the pine trees because more snow is coming and more branches will probably break off. Additionally, the bid does not include the limbs trees from the Conservation property behind us that fell into our yard. My next door neighbor contacted the Conservation Department to see if they will take care of that clean up. He is awaiting a response. What an ordeal. 

Later in the day I emptied the dehumidifier tank and thought about the fact that I had never changed the filter. It had to be filthy. I took the tank off and could find no filter. I got online and there is no filter listed in the owner's manual for this machine. I shined a flashlight in and the coil looked quite dirty. I took off the front cover and this is what I found. I pulled a little off in the middle to see the coil. It was ten times worse than I thought it would be. The dirt was a half inch thick in most places.

I couldn't just pick the dirt off so Kelly gave me a couple of Q-tips to try. They worked well to grab the bulk of the dirt and pull it off. I then took the unit outside and blew it out with the air compressor. Much better.

Here it is put back together. I imagine it will operate much more efficiently now. LOL I can't believe there is no filter. Crazy. 

January 9, 2025

I have two small vacuum cleaners in the shed from the fifth wheel. Neither are worth a hoot for what I do I do in there. 

I got on Facebook Marketplace today and found a small shop vac for $15.00. It is identical to one I keep in the garage at home so I know it works well. I picked it up this afternoon.

 I will donate the other two vacuums to the Salvation Army store we frequent.

January 10, 2025

Early in the morning we hit two estate sales nearby. No great deals. We bought a couple of small items. We then drove to a garage sale where I purchased a plunge router with case for $15.00. The plunge router I have at home is mounted on my router table so using it hasn't happened. This one gives me some options for a cheap price. You never have enough tools, right?

We then headed to the French restaurant "Chez David" for Kelly's next international lunch. We all ordered off the breakfast menu. The food was fine, the prices were reasonable. Kelly bought herself a nice French pastry to bring home for later.