November 2023 Island Trip – Day 7

My DH had a meeting this morning. Initially, it was just him and one colleague logged on. The colleague asked, “Is it just us?” He was expecting many participants. My DH replied, “Well, I’m on PTO, so I’m barely here!” Eventually the full compliment of folks joined, and I’ll always giggle thinking about being ‘barely there’ for a meeting during a day off!

Before my DH left this afternoon he and I:

• Gathered up and placed the extra barn siding on the west side of the upper barn (DH). This is a very sheltered location, protected from the wind, and will keep the siding from getting tossed around by the wind.
• Used electrical tape to seal up the socket for the bulb over Stella’s stove top (me) We discovered the reason the light isn’t working is because the bulb is shattered. Airstream does not make it easy to get to the bulb… We’ve ordered what will be a much brighter fixture that runs on a rechargeable battery, or can plug in to the 110 outlet. It’s LED and had three different light temperatures to choose from, AND will turn on via motion sensor, which is a nice feature when you’re cooking. $20.
• Replaced a keyless fixture in the drier shed (DH). The ceramic threads that hold the bulb in were missing on about 1/3 of the circumference. My guess is that a past tenant whacked it with something and didn’t realize the fixture was hit/broken. It took me a while to find the new keyless fixture because the shed is SO impacted by the exiting tenant’s stuff.
• Spread mulch (me) until the elder tenant arrived. At that point my DH was done installing the keyless, and I wasn’t going to hang around while they were there. I did need to step into the house to turn a circuit back on for the drier shed and was invited to a weird, but thankfully short, conversation about sturdy hooks in the car-deck ceiling in the north window. I told them on the 7th that they didn’t have to remove the hooks if they didn’t want to. Otherwise they’d have to patch a wooden ceiling. Today’s message was, ‘if they got all of their security deposit back, they would leave me, as a gift, the hooks in the ceiling. 🧐
• We sorted out a few electrical bits in the upper barn that I may or may not get to this trip.

We retreated to Stella. My DH took a snooze, and I noodled around online. We then consulted our second-party ferry app, which didn’t look promising with one of the boats out of action. As it turns out, his ferry left more or less on time! This is a water highway miracle! Next I:

• Went to the lavender shop and am enjoying a candle and stress-relief ball. Both are infused with Island grown lavender essential oil. I have always responded positively to lavender. 💜
• Hit the hardware store to gather the bits needed to install the second light in the dining room area of the house, and a replacement bulb for over Stella’s stovetop. No, we don’t plan on using it, but it’s a good thing to have… Who knows how long 12 volt xenon bulbs will be available.
• While at the hardware store, a huge truck parked me in. It wasn’t longer than my truck, but much taller. My DH returned to the mainland with my truck (and mom’s shelf), leaving me with his car. I tried and could not get out of the parking space. Finally, a lovely employee spotted me in an 18-point turn getting out and on my way. The back-up camera was of little use given all the sacks of soil in the way and undetectable by the mirrors. I did try waiting for the truck owner to leave, but after 15-minutes even I was done! I shared with the employee that when I drive my living room sized truck, I park across the street. 😏
• Went to the grocery to pick up fuzzy water, a piece of cheese, package of turkey cold cuts, and a container of soy yoghurt.

I dumped Stella’s tanks, unloaded the car, took a walk down to the mail box to see if the lock can be easily replaced (yes), while pruning prickly things on the way down and back.

The tenants left at 5:40. I am hoping for good results tomorrow at 3. I have a list of things to check on before then to keep the meeting as short at possible.

My DH and I have enjoyed a couple of backgammon games, and now it’s time to bring some dinner together and get back to Trailer Park Boys!