Roy and I square dance

We didn’t want our Anniversary Party to be shake hands, congratulate, eat a bit, talk a little bit, and go home bored so we had dancing – different kinds of dancing that anyone can do.

The kids try a line dance

We did square dancing, line dancing, and silly dancing.  If there wasn’t some kind of dancing you could do, then you probably weren’t physically able to dance.

Macarena. Everyone laughed when it was time to shake the booty.

We had so much fun.

Marilynne

Our new solar panels are on the roof.  Sometimes I believed it would never happen, but I listened to my house complaining today as they added the extra weight.

We noticed the difference as soon as they began to install the panels because the panels catch the sun that used to heat our roof and attic and everything under it.  So, we know one benefit.

It was 95 deg. here today.  HOT! for our neck of the woods (semi-dessert).  The installer told me they were working in Palm Springs next week – out in California’s high dessert.  I’d think that would be a great place to use solar energy, but I wouldn’t like to be the person who installs them in the heat.

So, how did we get from the last post to this one?  You’ll remember we were having trouble getting anyone to show any interest in our project – even though we’d selected a company and put down a deposit.  Finally, they were in breach of contract and we debated what to do.  I was all for calling a lawyer and getting out of the contract.  Afterall, they had missed all their deadlines and failed to return our calls.  What else can you do?

My husband started calling the parent company and worked his way up the chain of command as high as he could go, then he told his story.  Interesting what a little authority can do.  Where before nothing was happening.  Now they wanted to begin installing last week while we were partying.  We put them off until Monday and they’ve been working hard, then resting in the shade, then working hard.  Well, you can hardly fault them for needing a rest in the shade.  The solar panels aren’t working yet, but they do get hot on the roof.

So, all the panels are up.  Tomorrow they come to hook them up.  Then they need to test them.  After that we all need to wait for an official inspection.  Then we can go solar full time.  Whooo Hoooo!  They got it done while we’re still in our summer heat time.  It will be fun to see what the new solar panels can do for our electric bill.

One little glitch.  When all the panels were on the roof, I had to give the installers a check for some serious money.  I told him I needed a receipt.  “Receipt?  I don’t have no receipt?”  So I wrote one out on my copy of the bill and had him sign it.  This company seriously needs to get rid of the guy managing the office.  I’m not sure if he does anything, but sit in his office.

So, today I’m happy.  My husband is happy.  We’re looking ahead in anticipation of this contract being done and our savings to begin.

Marilynne

All of us in one place at the same time

Quiet, bookish, blogging person that I usually am, I found myself a party animal this weekend.  I guess it can be excused.  It was my husband’s and my 50th Anniversary party.  How do you describe almost a week of fun with our kids and granders here?  People in all the beds, one on the sofa, and the overflow in various motels.  Food and more food.  Talk until my ears were ringing.  I don’t know which story to tell.

Lots of picture taking.  Lots of talk.  Lots of food.

The men cooked breakfast every day.

It’s hard not to help just a little.

I got a lesson in opening a bottle of champagne

I like champagne, but it was hard popping the cork.  It looks like I was successful in this picture.

We had lots of time to just sit and talk

And then we spent the night square dancing – and line dancing – and silly dancing.  We had so much fun.

Now everyone has gone home and my house still echoes with their voices – or is it my imagination?  More later.

Marilynne

Garage Door before we removed plastic

In the end I have three new doors in my house only hours before my company began arriving.    I had an installer working until 9 PM the night before and the painter working frantically on the last door just hours before company began to arrive.  The painter will return next week to put the finishing coats on the last door.

A side effect to the door installation is that we have been invaded by the tiniest little mice.  I guess leaving the door open while installing or painting was too much of a temptation for the little guys.  They are so small that they can eat the goodies off the mouse trap without triggering it.

The good part is that the doors look great, open easily, and don’t let air and light into my house except through windows.  They also look great.

The garage door also has the benefit of a kick plate.  When I saw the scarring left behind on the old door by lawn mowers and other guy stuff I decided a kick plate was worth the extra trouble.

I had a few more angry words with Lowe’s, but they are being very nice and I’m the one who is angry.  I think we’ll work it out.

Besides which, I’m going to kick back and enjoy my company and my party.

Marilynne