That Ain't No Lady

We've been hit hard by lady bugs this year, not sure why. And with the unseasonably warm weather the past weekend, I decided it was time to install the storm windows. Hopefully the ladies will move along to a new home soon. In fact, I thought I saw a bat picking them off the side of the house last night!

Where There's Smoke...

We received a notice today that the street department will be conducting sanitary sewer smoke testing next week. Say what? Apparently the best way to identify leaks in the sewer lines is to back fill it with smoke.

Under normal circumstances, if your plumbing is working properly, the smoke used to conduct this test should not enter your house.

They go on to ease fears by declaring the smoke to be "harmless to pets, food, and material goods" but fail to mention what to do if your toilet starts smoking other than opening a window.
Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing? It makes sense but just imagine the poor guy who comes home to find smoke billowing from the washing machine!

Infant Hutchinson

The following article about our POs appeared in the Jan 3, 1907 edition of the Lebanon Patriot. The only record I had found prior to this article was a hand copied cemetery record. I'm not sure what the status was on our house at the time.

The infant child of Frank and Jennie Hutchinson, which was born on December 31, '06, died after only a few minutes animation. It was buried at Oak Hill cemetery on New Year's day, 1907.

Entrepreneur

Our 11 year old likes to spend money. The town recently restarted the Saturday morning Farmer's Market. I'm always pulling up and thinning out the flower beds. So what better time for him to start earning some cash?
Today was his second foray into the world of business. Armed with a red wagon load of columbine, obedient plant, black-eyed susans and fresh cut mint we walked up to the courthouse square. He did all the talking while I sat under a tree and read. An hour and a half later, we walked home with only one plant left and $16 in his pocket.
Of course he has plans to spend it as I tried to explain his need to purchase more pots. New terms learned: profit, overhead, capital. His biggest sacrifice was giving up Saturday morning cartoons. But we'll work him in slowly.

Star Wars Weekend Ends in a Bust

Sand People on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Took my little Padawans to the Childrens Museum this weekend for Star Wars Saturday. Our young Jedi Master dressed the part, complete with penciled in facial hair and light saber. He was particularly excited to see Jango Fett and the Sand People. Vader was there but we'd already met him at Disney World last summer. We had a good time at the Museum.
But then this evening, my other Ahsoka aspiring padawan decided to practice her light saber skills in the bedroom. The Force must have been weak because she managed to completely smash the glass, hanging lamp shade. She remained unscathed, only emotionally hurt since the antique shade is truly irreplaceable. Guess we'll be shopping the antique stores for another one!