It started with the material for the deck and grew from there. Today we made our Target run and ended up spending $100 on various items—some we needed, others were just terrific buys. After that Penny wanted to go out to the Oneida store at the outlets here because the store is closing and everything was 50-75% off. The store had been picked over pretty well but we did get a set of serving utensils and a 10” covered sauté pan for us and one for K&T.
Next stop was Hank and Dave’s where we sampled some of their chips and coffee but found everything too expensive to buy. No Moose Munch for anyone this time.
We usually look at the Sony outlet but rarely buy. I decided not to go there but Penny said we should. Inside she seriously suggested we get a 37” Bravia HDTV because they were having a fantastic sale. I’m not ready to make that plunge yet especially when we need a new set of tires on Penny’s CRV. It was tempting though.
We wandered through the store and came to the Blu-Ray players. They had one marked at $99.99 which was a good price for that model (it sell for 200-250$ new). We considered it and when we couldn’t find one in a box we asked if they had one. The salesgirl said that the display was the only one and that it would be reduced 10% because it had no box. That cinched it. Penny said we will take it before I could even open my mouth. The girl tried to sell me a 3-year warranty and when I didn’t bite at that she tried a 2-year warranty, I didn’t get that either—just the blu-ray for$90.
We weren’t done helping the economy yet. The Haggar store had everything 60% off or more and although I really didn’t need them I got 3 short sleeve shirts. I also had an e-mail coupon that took another 15% off.
Being a Friday in Lent we sacrificed and had a deep-dish cheese pizza at Ciao Bela. It was time for us now to back away from the outlets and go home. It is Spring break time here and the traffic was thick. I considered going home over the Bay Bridge but didn’t think Destin would be that bad. Boy, was I wrong. We were in bumper to bumper traffic almost all the way through Destin. Once we got to the bridge we were greeted with a beautiful view of Crab Island with many shades of light blue in the clear water. Spring is definitely here—there were several boats at the island.
Back at home I was able to put 3 or 4 hours work into the deck. I got it squared and level and have all the 16 ft boards in place. Tomorrow I will place the remaining cement supports in place.
I did crank up the Blu-Ray and watched some of the Planet earth discs we have and they look fantastic. I ran the HDMI cable directly through the monitor we have so the video was great. I need to work the audio ou because the speakers on the monitor leave much to be desired. I did establish that the player works properly which was my goal.
Kitty Update—Yes, thar be raccoons. Last night I set up the trap and about 9:15 the listening device indicated a critter. I went to look and as I did I saw the raccoon leave the cage and sniff the air. I figured I’d watch until he maybe went back in. To my surprise, a second raccoon then exited the cage. There are 2 of them. The first is big and lanky, the second big and round. I waited and watched and both of them went inside the cage. I shoved the door to release drop the trap door and the door didn’t budge. The noise caused one raccoon to come out and look around. He then returned and I shoved the door hard. It still didn’t budge and this time both critters ran off. Some how the door latch had engaged.
Tonight as I write it is approaching raccoon time. I’ve double checked that the trap will spring. Now all I need is for the 2 to show up again.
I got another surprise today as I came back to the house from working on the deck. A big black and white cat with a white slash going up between his eyes was in the backyard. I think it is Slash one of the kitties I named a long time ago. I can’t be 100% sure but the slash is right and the age of the cat was appropriate also. This was one of Mustache’s kittens. He’s the guy that got us started with the outside cats.
Well, it’s 9:30 and still no raccoons. I’ll provide an update in my next blog.
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