Good morning!!!!

[pennwalk]

Don, I thought that recycled water was supposed to be. clean enough to drink?

Chris

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Good Morning!!!! 54F @ 5:30AM here in Lompoc, CA. Sunny. High 77F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Another beautiful day yesterday, with mild temps and cool breezes. My buddy here called it hot, and I could only chuckle.

The paperwork seems to be flying hot and heavy with the home purchase, and not all of it seems right. The terms of the loan I'm assuming seem misstated, and the small feel of the home led me to calculate the floor space from an architectural drawing shown in the listing. Came up almost 500 sq. ft. short, so it might be time for an appraisal. I have an appointment with my realtor to go over this and other questions at the home today, so hopefully we can make some sense of things.

I'd be interested to hear more stories of how you all got into the line of work you did, and if you would recommend it for a young person in today's market? What did it cost for your education to perform it? Or, did it pay you back quickly?

My dad insisted I go to college, and during my freshman year one required class had graduating students come in and tell us about their major, and more importantly, their job prospects. One fella was going to be a welding engineer, which required courses in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and metallurgical engineering, in addition to the core welding related courses. I figured if I didn't like welding, I'd be part way down the road to a different major. Then the guy said he had five job offers, all of 'em over $20k/year, and I was sold. That was in 1975, when gas hadn't crested a dollar a gallon yet. Tuition was something like $225/quarter, and my folks covered that. I had to pay for my books and room and board, so I worked part time during the school year and full time in the summers. Once I graduated, I paid back what the family had paid for tuition, and I think it only took me a year or two. Those were the good old days. Had I to do it over, I would not have pursued an engineering degree. The work paid well, but it was somewhat boring, and especially toward the end of my career, quite political. I think I'd have been much happier learning a trade, eventually starting a business, and leading a more independent career. These days, it's unbelievable how much real estate agents get, especially if they can get to be a broker. Usta be software was a strong field, but much of that is now off shored. Find an industry with strong growth and big cash flows, figure out what related jobs pay well, and focus on obtaining those skills.

Other than the meet with the realtor, not sure what the day will bring...

 

[txdon]

Don, I thought that recycled water was supposed to be. clean enough to drink?

Chris

"The reclaimed water is not treated to the same standards as drinking water, but does meet standards for irrigation and incidental public contact at a park or golf course. The cost of the reclaimed water is $1.05 per thousand gallons for the large commercial users." https://georgetown.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1/2012/01/Reporter-July-2012.pdf

 

[m7040]

Good morning, 66 going to 85 today looks like another no rain day

Watered the vegetable garden yesterday and mowed a couple of hours a little further away from house.
Watched a recent concert by Andre Rieu. Always puts us in a good mood

Today we dropped off Cody at the groomer and picked up groceries.

RNG, sounds touch and go to me on the real estate deal

I worked from 6 years old helping dad load and off load freight truck. Did not have much but did not realize that at the time. No one had college in the family. Left school at 15 for apprenticeship so I could make money after the 4 year training. Had an accident at the end of that and could not work. Collected a settlement and thinking since I could not work anyway why not go to school. Took extensive make up courses to get into engineering school and got a room close to school so I could get there on crotches. Worked at a few companies in engineering and got into project management for a large company. Most interesting work was doing smaller lump sum skunk works projects kind of below the radar of management. Bigger projects were stressful. The ups and downs of hiring and layoffs were also stressful
School was free but had to pay for books and living. Today they pay students for books and allowance for living expenses. But the downside of that is not many go into the trades.
Only one of our kids could handle college. She went to Elon and George Mason for masters degrees in political science. She always wanted to help the world and is still on that track. She could have done well at many other profession

 

[m7040]

Buppies, hope you feel better

 

[pennwalk]

Waste water recycling seems like a good idea. I'm pretty sure that Lancaster treats the waste water and dumps it into the river.

 

[scootr]

Good Morning!!!! 54F @ 5:30AM here in Lompoc, CA. Sunny. High 77F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Another beautiful day yesterday, with mild temps and cool breezes. My buddy here called it hot, and I could only chuckle.

The paperwork seems to be flying hot and heavy with the home purchase, and not all of it seems right. The terms of the loan I'm assuming seem misstated, and the small feel of the home led me to calculate the floor space from an architectural drawing shown in the listing. Came up almost 500 sq. ft. short, so it might be time for an appraisal. I have an appointment with my realtor to go over this and other questions at the home today, so hopefully we can make some sense of things.

My dad insisted I go to college, and during my freshman year one required class had graduating students come in and tell us about their major, and more importantly, their job prospects. One fella was going to be a welding engineer, which required courses in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and metallurgical engineering, in addition to the core welding related courses. I figured if I didn't like welding, I'd be part way down the road to a different major. Then the guy said he had five job offers, all of 'em over $20k/year, and I was sold. That was in 1975, when gas hadn't crested a dollar a gallon yet. Tuition was something like $225/quarter, and my folks covered that. I had to pay for my books and room and board, so I worked part time during the school year and full time in the summers. Once I graduated, I paid back what the family had paid for tuition, and I think it only took me a year or two. Those were the good old days. Had I to do it over, I would not have pursued an engineering degree. The work paid well, but it was somewhat boring, and especially toward the end of my career, quite political. I think I'd have been much happier learning a trade, eventually starting a business, and leading a more independent career. These days, it's unbelievable how much real estate agents get, especially if they can get to be a broker. Usta be software was a strong field, but much of that is now off shored. Find an industry with strong growth and big cash flows, figure out what related jobs pay well, and focus on obtaining those skills.

Other than the meet with the realtor, not sure what the day will bring...

Our new to us home (23 yrs ago) was appraised 400 feet shy of the advertised sale. Being a construction guy I pulled out the tape measure with the appraiser and we determined the original builder must have understated the footage to save on fees. The record was corrected and we got the appraisal we needed.

 

[daugen]

I get asked what kind of wild and crazy times I had in college in the late 60's.
I wouldn't know, I worked three hours a day six days a week in the cafeteria, did that all four years in college, then came home
and worked every summer. Had to earn 1000 dollars in 1967, would pay for my books and little stuff. Father wanted me to pay for/earn part of it.
I took Amtrak to Providence to get to school. Could not afford a car.

headed out to mow lawn before rain starts.
had a good morning, looked at something interesting....

Indian Valley Camping Center

Indian Valley Camping Center

www.ivccrv.com

was just doing research....for next year, when he tells me oh this unit does have 50 amps for two a/c units,
has auto leveling, light interior, everything you want....and it's a leftover, will make you a great deal...
this stuff is discounted about 25 percent, it really was exactly what I was looking for.
For next year....

problem is I need to find a truck with max towing and super/blue cruise and really unlikely that is on anyone's lot.
sure can't pull this thing with my Volvo...

going to take it slow. At least I know I can get what I want in something I can pull with a maxxed out half ton truck.

time to mow

 

[m7040]

Waste water can be treated to drinking water standards if desired. Just a matter of cost to treat. Did a project where we had to treat waste water for oily residual and used eating microbes trained to consume the oil. Kind of like a large septic tank treating several thousand gallons per minute and then polished with activated carbon filters.

 

[sodamo]

69°F and .12 inches rain.

Very enjoyable Happy Hour in town yesterday.

The new mattresses are sitting useless, still in their boxes as we await the adjustable frames. Website shows as In stock, Ship in 10 days. Original ship date was 11 days after order but has slipped another 9 days. Makes me think maybe not in stock. No response to my query to CS. Could earn a factually accurate but negative review.

Sophie has appointment this morning to check out her hip/leg pain. Is it related to her osteoporosis or her partial hip wearing out? Was told to expect around 15 years, but it has been almost 25.

Prayers for all
Be safe
Have a great

 

[Engineer42]

I get asked what kind of wild and crazy times I had in college in the late 60's.
I wouldn't know, I worked three hours a day six days a week in the cafeteria, did that all four years in college, then came home
and worked every summer. Had to earn 1000 dollars in 1967, would pay for my books and little stuff. Father wanted me to pay for/earn part of it.
I took Amtrak to Providence to get to school. Could not afford a car.

headed out to mow lawn before rain starts.
had a good morning, looked at something interesting....

Indian Valley Camping Center

Indian Valley Camping Center

www.ivccrv.com

was just doing research....for next year, when he tells me oh this unit does have 50 amps for two a/c units,
has auto leveling, light interior, everything you want....and it's a leftover, will make you a great deal...
this stuff is discounted about 25 percent, it really was exactly what I was looking for.
For next year....

problem is I need to find a truck with max towing and super/blue cruise and really unlikely that is on anyone's lot.
sure can't pull this thing with my Volvo...

going to take it slow. At least I know I can get what I want in something I can pull with a maxxed out half ton truck.

time to mow

Drew, just my opinion, but that's a lot of camper to be dragging with a half ton. Prolly pull it, but it's those unplanned stops that I'd worry about.

 

[daugen]

Drew, just my opinion, but that's a lot of camper to be dragging with a half ton. Prolly pull it, but it's those unplanned stops that I'd worry about.

Agreed. Stopping, turns and windage an issue.
I've pulled a 7700 pound Jayco behind a 1/2 ton hemi Ram rated for 9000, and it was like it wasn't there most of the time, except for side winds.
no matter what the rating, big issue is basic weight of truck, who's driving the bus, the puller or the pusher?....
loaded I expect this to weigh just under five tons. I travel pretty lightly, don't boondock, don't haul full tanks around. And I surely don't drive fast.
but stuff happens.

bad stuff happens when you run out of friction and distance.

Now I have to call local dealer and find out reality of ordering a truck. I also want to compare weight of a Lariat F150 with aluminum frame to the GM twins with steel.
In this case, more weight is good.

 

[daugen]

pretty nasty thunderstorm coming through just north of here, coming over Popgadget's farm now, might take a bit to get here.
Lot of lightning in the storm.

I hustled and made it in door just as sprinkles started. Got the lawn mowed and trimmed, worked up quite a sweat doing that , and then
got today's batch of veggies.

took a hot shower, then a cold shower. Not helpful when you are still sweating in the shower....
my face is no longer red so glad I came in.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Good morning. It's been hot here, but only hit 99° last Friday. The other areas of the state has been well over 105°+. Counting our blessings......

The bad part is that we haven't received any precip since June 2nd. Now we are in a deficit and no real prospects for the "monsoon" to kick in over the next 10 days. Maybe a chance of a sprinkle is the best the weather guessers are saying for Friday.

I haven't been on here for a while because I've been dealing with some personal "challenges", falling head first into my so called 'PTSD'. Also been dealing with some family issues, then to top it all off, a period of depression dealing with the knee situation.
The phrase "bad things come in groups of three" sure hit me blindside. Hope it's all over with now.....at least not as bad.... I just need to stay focused on the goal (If there is one now...)

The wifey tried to keep me busy (if she got me motivated) and we got the courtyard project done, at least for now. Still have a few tweaks to do, primarily with the drip system. Some changes needed to the drippers, need to 'up' the output on a few.

A before pic:



A couple progress pic when we got the mulch down and started on the stone:



And.... the final results:



Wifey is very pleased with the final results. We are basically done with any major new landscaping for now. We'll start with more fencing when the temps get a little cooler in a couple months.

 

[kenmbz]

Glad to see you back here LS, here if you want to chat.
that's some courtyard, The pros around here would not have been able to make it look so nice.

 

[rswyan]

82F and "Fair" @ 13:30, HI 85F, DP 65F, HU 60%, AQI 59. Heading up to around 85F for the day's high.

High yesterday reached 85.6F, rainfall was 0.01" ... so just a trace.

All in all, a reasonably productive day.

Got out there and got some planting done in the shade before the sun made it above the trees, filling the west side of the cattle panel trellis up with another small sugar pumpkin and 6 Waltham Butternut winter squash.

Beet seeds I started soaking have gotten lost somewhere in the shuffle, Woman thinks they might have gotten set in the dump cart which had weeds in it that I hauled up and dumped ... so I probably head up to the compost pile and see if I can locate the small pill bottle they were in.

Also got 5 yellow crookneck, 1 zucchini, and 4 or 5 cukes planted.

The ground out there under the weed block fabric is still very moist once you get down a half inch or so.

By the time I got that done the sun was starting to get high in the sky and it was getting warm so I decided to take a break inside in the cool for a little bit.

After a little rest I went out and changed out the bags on the Japanese beetle traps as trash day was today and they were starting to get stinky even though they weren't totally full:

Still a reasonably decent haul. Checked the bag out front on the way back from dumping the old bags in the trash can and it already had about a dozen new beetles in it ...

After that I decided to go ahead and mow the front lawn as it had gotten long enough to need it with the rain we've had.

Once that was done I took another little break inside to cool off.

Then mixed up a bucket of bird feed for the hopper feeder and refilled it along with scattering some cracked corn for the ground feeders. Also refilled the suet feeder. Didn't get to the tube feeders. Will do that at some point today.

Once that was done I headed back to the garden and started working on getting more winter squash plants in the ground, this time on the east side the cattle panel trellis. Got 2 Hubbard Golden and 4 Honeybaby Hybrids planted.

A number of varieties of squash and pumpkins I planted were devastated by bugs and didn't make it. Still have more seeds for those, may try and plant a few ... although it's getting borderline as far as having enough time for them to make.

Fired up weed burner torch and melted 2 more holes between the 2 new blueberry plants for the last 2 Golden Jubilee yellow tomatoes.

About that time The Woman decided we needed some dinner so She headed off to Little Caesar's while I got those stuck in the ground and watered in.

At that point it was getting dark and there was a thunderstorm approaching from the southwest so I just kicked back in a lawn chair for a little bit out in the garden and enjoyed the twilight.

Did not get any more weed block fabric put down ... so that's on the agenda for today around 14:00 - 15:00 when the cloud cover is supposed to hit 42%.

Also need to start beans soaking, hopefully for planting tomorrow and get those tube feeders refilled.

Hawthorn leaves are turning brown and starting to fall - a sure sign we've reached the mid-point of summer.

A bee on the swamp milkweed:

Have seen some Monarchs and Yellow Swallowtail butterflies on it as well, usually I'm too far away to get a good picture though.

Hope everyone is having a decent Tuesday ...

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Been slowly catching up....

Don, so sorry to hear about your mom. Good that she was able to stay at home like she wanted. Our prayers and condolences.

Buppies, so sorry to hear about all the issues that you are dealing with. Additional prayers sent your way.

RNG, glad you found a new house and hope that everything works to your specs. Seems like a bit of disclosure issues, maybe just some confusion on their part. Stay the course.....

Drew, sounds like you had a great trip! Meeting and greeting some members and family. I saw your proposed route out west.... I have a few suggestions about where you turn north in NM. We can talk about it later when the time gets closer.

Lost track of things others have been doing.... as always, you guys are BUSY!

We still haven't been up to Colorado to see the new granddaughter. Life got in the way. We are going up there Friday for a few days.

The son has started back into his R/C stuff, trying to get me to take out mine. Part of dealing with my issues. I will get out there, just don't know when....

Well I have some more catching up to do.....

Everyone have a great day!

 

[riptides]

LS, that is quite some oasis you and the wife have constructed. Very impressive, very inviting.

I hope you can deal with your challenges in a positive way. Here is hoping for your betterment.

 

[txdon]

A before pic:

View attachment 812872

View attachment 812875

Wifey is very pleased with the final results. We are basically done with any major new landscaping for now. We'll start with more fencing when the temps get a little cooler in a couple months.

Wow! nice.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Ken, I appreciate the offer. I may take you up on it. Part of my issue is just that.... talking about it. It is a syndrome that effects many public service jobs. We try to be be the rock island, strong and bulletproof.... keep it all inside..... But it will catch up to you.

RS, I'm in amazement over your garden. Has anyone called you the energizer bunny?

Wifey has picked 4 zucchini so far, but lost 1/2 of the plants. The bush string beens started producing, but just yesterday, 6 out of 12 plants, that were about 16" tall, literally 'fell over'. The stalks were eaten / chewed right at the dirt level. Didn't see any bugs though....
We're sure whatever got the beans, got the zucchini. Oh well.
The strawberry plants are doing great, tripling their size, but something keeps taking bites out of the berries..... one bite here, another bite on this one, oh, lets take another bite out of that one over there! We only were able to eat about 20 berries ourselves.