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Winterizing...Clean up.....Organizing

By
Real Estate Agent

Today--October 25, 2010 was a bell-weather type of day.   High 60's to 70's *; low winds; bright sunshine [until 6:45 p.m.;  Perfect day to do the grunge work involved with getting ready for Winter-Cleaning-Outside.

Before I go any further, let me proclaim that this was all Sal's idea;
Idea to do so today-as opposed to--???--another time & date. 
A fact that periodically I did happen to remind him about. 
Mumbled words and scowles will not be recorded here.

To be honest
, this was the best day to do this, as the weather predicted for Tuesday & Wednesday is to be not so good.  High wind advisories and measurable rains on on tap for us.  The "Straight-line winds that some of us may see also bring back bad memories of the Tornado's 60-70 MPH straight line winds of August 19, 2010.

That being said, I'm happy that this is over for this year.  
Even though it was Sal's decision to do this today, and due to the fact that weather may have made 2nd or 3rd day work iffy, we did everything in one day.  Never a good "joint practice" for us.
...I don't take breaks for resting purposes;
...I don't see why you can't bring your cold or hot drinks out with you;
...I therefore run a tight, controlled ship;
...I know that this will be an unwelcome stance to take;
...I know, but knowledge is not a factor here;
...I therefore drive Sal totally nuts--remember, this was his idea; he KNOWS that organization is KEY; HE Knows;

So we began--the first hurdle was "We always put the tarps on the outside of the [fenced-or established] area"--
poor soul--this time I have, bur did not use,PICTURES--taken ostensibly for potential New Owners--Ha Ha.

This year, I decided we could put all the fountains inside the "Cat-area" [long story]; and even maybe the patio furniture as well. 
..took down the one side 'matchstick blinds' and rolled the other side's blinds up tight to the top. 
..found some areas that needed repair duct-tape & Velcro--Sal did this;
..moved all the plastic bins-large- out into the yard, found the tarps to use; [we have so many tarps;
..repair completed, began on "Lefty;s" side [Lefty is the great dog next door--he barks at us all the time]
..one long-L_O_N_G brown-side out tarp & one shorter BSO tarp worked.
..moved all our fountains along that side; tied the bikes to the secure fence; made a cat bed out of large fountain.
..things were starting to break down & we were only 1/3 done.  Sal took a break & I decided to clean out small shed
  to use for outdoor decor statues, etc..After his break, he discovered unexpected work; shucks, sorry.
..our patio has the same cover as the Cat-house and we use netting to give privacy.
..netting has to come down; white plastic shelf unit moved; and we still had to finish one side in Cat-House.
..found & hung-- relatively easily--another long & short BSO tarps.   minor shifting of inside items --DONE!

On his second break--I decided to move the chairs inside the Cat-House & he placed the empty bins.

Hanging the BSO tarp on the outside patio space was seamless-  Well as seamless as i can make things. LOL
We started at 10 a.m.& completed at 4;00 p.m.
Long day, unhappy Sal; it WAS his idea to do this today!!!


Below are some photos for you to laugh with  or at us.  Come spring--we will have it easy.
 
 See the snow shovels?     the lights were on at 6:00 p.m. & so was the Sun-
-White shelf unit is tied to the poles.....under the green cover is snow blower # 2 [another long story]

 

      This  is the view  TO the Cat-House with the Brown side out tarp on the INSIDE of the fence ! LOL
The next shows that same side looking back to Sal' Office & the cat eating station for our neighbor cat:
The chair that I moved up against the tarp, & the grey shelf unit against the brick of the house.




Here is  the side by "Lefty's " yard.  you can see the Tied bikes, the fountains; a second chair; the rolled-up blinds;
the blue to the left is a zippered cover for the hammock.

Now tell me, are we organized or what.
Gee, I really hate doing this year after year!   Don't tell Sal though, he thinks that I grove on driving him nuts about these type things.  Well, actually......LOL  
 

Posted by


Live, Learn, Love, & always remember to Laugh!

 
a Keyless start....a Forward Looking VIEW from the DASH; Join the RIDE 


Barb & Sal

Comments (11)

Sherilyn M. Whistler
ERA Herman Group Real Estate-NoCo - Loveland, CO
Need a Referral, Call Me !

You certainly had a very busy day!! Our weather is turning fast as well with showers yesterday. Clear but extremely windy skies today and flurries tonight !! No time to mickey mouse around - Fall is HERE and Winter is fast approaching !

Oct 25, 2010 02:24 PM
Patrick White
Home Driven Realty, Inc - Baldwin, NY
Driven to bring New Yorkers home

Good Evening Barb and Sal

Thanks for the post and winterizing and clean up tips. Have a great day.

Oct 25, 2010 02:25 PM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Sherilyn...too busy--I know I have hands because they can be seen at the end of my arms.  Poor Sal, he just walks around and shakes his head.  Expect to hear groans during his sleep tonight.  [Mine will be there, but intend to smother them under the covers] LOL
Thanks for your comment.  Have a great week.

Barb & Sal 

Oct 25, 2010 02:46 PM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Patrick...well aren't you the sweetest thing.   Actually, if Sal were typing this, he would say 'Don't do it' or at least "Don't let Barb anywhere near your work area"  Not kidding--but we have lived long enough together for him to pretend that he doesn't knows that I will simply call a halt to the work & then he will have to help rearrange things.  LOL
Thanks for your comment.  Have a great week.    

Oct 25, 2010 02:50 PM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Barb and Sal,

 

I never heard of creating an outside storage shed out of tarps, so that certainly is "organized".

 

Brian

Oct 26, 2010 01:13 AM
Jason Channell
Diadem Property Inspections - Serving Southeast Michigan - Troy, MI
The House Sleuth

Barb & Sal,

'Tis the season... to get ready for winter. I'm glad you had some nice weather to work in. I've got a lot more to do before I am winter ready. At least the temps will be warm another couple of days (even if it is rainy and windy).

Oct 26, 2010 04:52 AM
Jeff&Grace Safrin
F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate - Valparaiso, IN
SpousesSellingHousesTM

Hi bard & sal - looks like you did this -Just in time as today is a bad weather day ( tornado warnings, wind rain and cold coming ) in NWI and Michigan - just talked to our daughter in Grand Rapids who had to take shelter in the basement of her office building due to sirens!

stay safe

sincerely,

grace

Oct 26, 2010 04:55 AM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Brian....well actually it was the "outside room" for our cats who supposedly could not get out into the area. LOL  After the 6" fence was in  place, we needed a top. #1 was of canvas--lasted through 5 winters and 3 raccoons; then it was gone--not the raccoons though,. Went with an aluminum awning & used the good canvas as side-pieces from fence to awning.  Worked! In order to have it winter protected from the elements-- the BSO tarp was the answer.  I hate it--closed-in, ugly & tiresome to put up and take down. BUT. Spring cleanup is so much easier.  Organized wee are, foolish with the outdoor decor we are; tired We ARE.
Thanks for your comment & have a good week.
Barb & Sal  

Oct 26, 2010 05:12 AM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Jason...you got that right about the weather; too bad we covered the air conditioner[67*], but the windows do open.  But casement windows can be wind damaged, so no opening our windows.
Be careful if you choose to work out in the elements today or tomorrow; the "comma-shaped" storms are on the way; this is the same comma-shape that is discussed when hurricane alerts are placed.  The S-N & W-E winds are wrecking some havoc along the way.  On a drive along Hayes between Hall & 21 mile rd we noticed that all the new roofs are in place, as well as most of the fences. The straight winds of Aug. 19th [tornado?] are expected in the next 48 hrs.  What a shame if the same areas are hit this time.  Sal keeps checking-when he is in the kitchen-the status of the leaves on our trees.  So far--trees 1 & wind 0; but there is hope out there LOL

Do stay safe--much clean up & winterizing can be accomplished in November; nothing is worth endangering your life.
Thanks for the comment & have a good week,

Barb & Sal 

Oct 26, 2010 05:21 AM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Grace...sorry to hear about your daughter; if the winds or tornado threat is in Grand Rapids, then that is the direction from which the August 19th storm hit our area.  Sad to see the damage as this storm comes across 
the states.  did just see the report from an area near Indianapolis--sustained damage, & belief of a tornado which may have been identified by now. 
Thanks for your comment & STAY safe out there; make client meets via the cell or Net for now.  Have a good week.
Barb & Sal   

Oct 26, 2010 05:26 AM
Robert L. Brown
www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

These are the things we have to do here EVERY year. Oh well such is life here in our great state.

Oct 26, 2010 08:34 AM