03/01/2009 Sunday: Visit from Mary H, Possible Basement Restoration?

Overcast and light rain off and on. It was lovely to wake up to 40 degrees F. No frozen hoses and not water buckets to kick.

Chas and I put in two more round bales of hay into the Hereford feeder. There was almost no hay left; the cows were quite anxious to get their hay when we put it in.

Chas worked some more on the harrow that he's making from a large gauge screen, two chains and a railroad tie. He's attached the chains with large spikes.

Although I called Mary H to tell her not to come by because I was so tired, she didn't listen to her messages and showed up. She brought over the first Dexter feeder and wanted to know if it was the right height. It definitely was. We unloaded it. I'll put the feeder in when I get the other one that Mike is also making for me.

Mary also brought along her rug cleaner and directions, and soap. I need to clean under the rug where the cat peed. There was never any smell because he'd been neutered but just brown spots. I'm hoping the rug cleaner will take up most of the spots. We plan to put down another rug over top like we have now but it will be a different rug. This rug has a fold in the middle where Chas pushes against it with his feet when he sits in his chair to watch TV. Now it won't lie flat. I think I'll put it in the basement after I get the basement cleaned up.

Mary and I talked about possibly getting in a crew to help me clean up the basement for a couple of hours. Sounds like a good idea. Then I wouldn't have to live in such chaos.

I made stew for dinner. It was pretty good. Hard to beat home raised beef with potatoes and carrots. Plus I made dumplings.