A Busy Day

Yesterday I woke up at 5:30, had my coffee, and waited for the donkey alarm at 6:00 because with the time change and earlier light, they call me earlier than they did in October.   I let the dogs out, spent more computer time, and considered my day.   I had one thing on my schedule that was firm, otherwise the day was mine to do as I please.   How nice that felt after 5 weeks of construction and other things.

After letting the chickens out, feeding them, feeding the dogs, I waited until 8:15 when my contractor showed up to look at moving the water heater.   It's not "to code" because it isn't properly drained to the outside.   I have wanted it moved out of the new pantry room before we put in the floors.   While we waited for the plumber, we also looked at a post in the corner of the kitchen that can't be removed because it's load bearing.   There was that, as well as a couple of design issues regarding trimming out the 12" cabinets on the front of the peninsula.   

The plumber arrived and we considered possible locations for the water heater.   I had one thought about this, which I shared, but the contractor didn't really like it that much.   The other idea they went through in detail didn't appeal to me at all.   I was frowning but wasn't sure what to do.   At last, the plumber came up with the same idea I had, and was able to discuss how to finish it which brought the contractor on board.   Great minds and all that.   So I'm waiting for that bid.

The designer showed up to go through the questions I had about the kitchen.   She walked in the door and immediately saw the solution.   Really, a good designer is so worth it.   By this time it's about 10:30 and I would normally be at the barn riding and/or working a horse or two.   I let the donkeys out for the day and drove to the barn.   I didn't have time to work both horses so Cheryl rode Beau and I worked Buddy in the round pen.   Then I headed to a tack store to pick up my saddle which was there on consignment.   Bed Bath and Beyond is in the same area so in I went to look at rugs and a comforter for the second bedroom which is also where I have my desk.

Oh my gosh, linens are my passion...well, one of them anyway.   Give me rows and rows of bedding, rugs, etc. etc. and I can get lost for a long time.   I've wanted some gray (I have NEVER) in the bedroom but took forever deciding because it wouldn't match the rugs and buying new rugs is very expensive.   Back and forth, back and forth, found no rug for the master bedroom, finally decided on a gray for the second bedroom.   Guess what?   It doesn't match the rugs, but I really like it anyway.   I also found a window covering for the new door off the master bedroom.

Next?   Left Paso and headed to Atascadero.   Went to the hay store where they are having a big consignment tack sale this Saturday, dropped off my saddle to see if I can get a buyer there.   Next stop was the pharmacy for a few things.   In the meantime I had called the painter because the new siding on the east side of the house has been finished and needs painting, as well as that darned post in the kitchen and the kitchen ceiling/walls.   Oh yes, and the living room wall where they removed the closet and framed it in.   

Lunch?   Well, I went to Hush Harbor in Atascadero and they had a pancetta salad on special which I bought with their very good grilled chicken on top.   Brought that home and ate half of it after the donkeys came in and I gave them a snack.

I went on with the rest of the day and put the chickens to bed, fed the dogs, waited for the painter who wasn't able to stop by until almost 6:00.   He gave me his pricing, which was good, and after he left I called Erik and then took a shower.   A glass of wine, put the dogs to bed, watched Grey's Anatomy, and turned out the light at 9:00.   

So much for my day of nothing planned.   I think that might be today.

Oh yes, and there was a very pretty sunset.