Yesterday I went to the old house, but it was soooooo verrrrrry cold in there I couldn't do anything! Much less paint. The c/a crew still hasn't completed installing the system, nor has the gas company laid our natural gas line, ergo, no heat! Old houses tend to get very cold inside when the temps hit the 20s, as it has here for a couple of nights...and rarely warm up much during the day. Therefore, I doubt I'll be doing anything more until the heating system is installed; hopefully that will be sooner than later.

DH did complete all the sheetrock work, did a bit of cleaning/vacuuming...and other than a few touch-ups, the two front rooms are just about ready for painting. However, first we must install the new windows. And yesterday morning DH went by Lowe's to get the windows, which we'd seen there only a couple weeks ago, for 67.00 each. Lo and behold, he starts looking for them, and can't find them. Asks a salesperson, and discovers they are discontinuing that line, and now plan to stock a similar window...but with a price tag of 80.00+ dollars each. Good grief! So DH didn't buy the windows, but did get there early enough to grab one of those rock-bottom priced dishwashers, which is now sitting in the dining room, awaiting installation by our friend who will do that free.

Later in the afternoon we went to Marvin's, the only other discount home improvement place here, and found the same kind of windows for only $68.00. We bought enough to do the remainder of the windows except for the living room. We are thinking of installing a clear, large window in place of the two side windows that have a gorgeous, peaceful view of the country road and pasture. The front windows facing the porch will be the same, but Marvin's didn't have enough to buy those too. We also found a bargain on the double-doors we'll need for the living room closet, and bought those. DH is gone this morning to do a few things there, feed the horses, etc and will be back shortly. We're taking a well-deserved break this afternoon, going on a drive!

I got some great photos yesterday, but don't have time to upload and post those now. I'll try to do that tomorrow sometimes, when life gets back to normal here.

I'll end today with a poem that is very true regarding soldiers in ALL wars -- and what war does to make them enemies.

THE MAN HE KILLED



by: Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)



"HAD he and I but met 

By some old ancient inn, 

We should have sat us down to wet 

Right many a nipperkin! 

  

"But ranged as infantry, 

And staring face to face, 

I shot at him as he at me, 

And killed him in his place. 

  

"I shot him dead because -- 

Because he was my foe, 

Just so: my foe of course he was; 

That's clear enough; although 

  

"He thought he'd 'list, perhaps, 

Off-hand like -- just as I -- 

Was out of work -- had sold his traps -- 

No other reason why. 

  

"Yes; quaint and curious war is! 

You shoot a fellow down 

You'd treat if met where any bar is, 

Or help to half-a-crown."