2026 OneThing #47- Insulated Septic Lid

Honestly, this one isn't "done" yet, but I did make a phone call and the lid is reportedly due for delivery tomorrow. Since it's getting colder out and we've not yet had problems with our septic freezing, we'd prefer to keep it that way. We had a "riser" installed earlier this summer but the insulated lid we paid for wasn't available. 

 

The guy we are working with is honorable and a delightful person, but I grew a little bit concerned when I texted him last month and didn't hear back. Hence making this my OneThing last week.

 

What I DID accomplish was helping Louie to unload the construction materials off our snowmobile trailer:

 

Though technically we still have 14 sheets of sheetrock to move. I just "hit the wall" yesterday. At least the trailer is inside the pole barn and it won't take long to finish unloading it.

 

Another week filled with blessings. (And I got to text / talk with all three of my sons. Joy!) 

2026 OneThing #46 - Update Passwords

Not much to say about this. I have a system and it needed to be updated. Sometimes the little notes and scraps of paper get confusing . . . this one's done. 

 

 I also spent a day in my sewing room and worked on a few projects for Christmas!

 

I got outside today and cleared some of the buckthorn. I also dug into the hill and placed two more steps.

 

It's been a good week to get some stuff done!

 

Because I like to include a picture (but I'm too lazy to go get a photo of one of the things above), here's my haircut:

 

I decided that I was tired of combing through my thick, long hair every day. So I went and had it cut off. (Not all of it, of course.) But it takes much less time to get going in the morning!

2026 OneThing #45 - Decide on Voting

I did get this done last week and I just voted this morning. Now, I wasn't really concerned about the "big" races, but I love to get a sample ballot from the secretary of state and do my own research. Jordan had eight names for three city council seats! 

 

I struggled with the county attorney race, because I think each candidate had merits. It sometimes takes some time and thought to choose.  

 

I did my research and made my decisions last week, but didn't blog Sunday or yesterday. I'm playing a little catch-up this morning (Tuesday, November 3). 

 

Voting is so very important. I care deeply about doing what's right. 

 

I'm not a fan of early voting for myself . . . I like going on Election Day. I like thanking the people who take time to be part of the process. I am hopeful for a good outcome from today. 

Random Scrap of Paper

Back when I was working full time and feeling stressed out, I jotted a list of positives from work. It kind of tickles my funny bone, so I'm putting it here and recycling the paper. I don't miss working full time and being stressed out!

 

•  Colleagues have compassion and understanding
• I'm forced to prioritize.
• Never bored!
• I have a job and WORK to do.
• Invigorating challenge

 

Yes, I did have amazing colleagues. And lots to be thankful for - all the time. But I'm super glad I am semi-retired. It's much nicer to move at a slower pace and choose one's activities. 

2026 OneThing #44 - Sift Dirt for Planters

Although I'm writing this on Tuesday instead of Sunday, I actually got it done last week. Louie teased me about picking the "One Thing" after it was already done, but it is something that was a goal for me AND I worked at it AND I got it done. That feels good!

 

I just checked and I didn't take a picture, but here's what the planters looked like on our previous trip:

 

I put the aluminum ovals together. Louie helped me fit cardboard in the bottoms. I filled them with leaves. This was all done on October 5.

 

 

Last week, I dug up and sifted dirt from the pile past the pole barn. It took about four to five "sifters" full to get the red wagon cart half full. That was as heavy a load as I could handle. Each of these got four full carts of dirt. I thought about doing more, but my back was getting sore.

 

Still, it will be easier to do spring planting things with dirt in place (though I still think I may buy a few bags of manure and / or dirt to finish these off).

 

One big project done! Just no current photo to share. 

Now That's Weird . . . Blogger's Warning

So I recently read the recent warnings about Blogger's policies and warnings against "dangerous" content. No worries. I don't blog about inflammatory topics. 

 

But I just published a blog entry on the movie All the President's Men. And I got this message (yellow highlights are mine, added):

 

Your post titled "All the President's Men" has been put behind a warning for readers

Inbox

Blogger <no-reply@blogger.com>	2:36 PM (4 minutes ago)
to me

Hello,

As you may know, our Community Guidelines (https://blogger.com/go/contentpolicy) describe the boundaries for what we allow-- and don't allow-- on Blogger. Your post titled "All the President's Men" was flagged to us for review. This post was put behind a warning for readers because it contains sensitive content; the post is visible at https://watchedandjotted.blogspot.com/2026/10/all-presidents-men.html . Your blog readers must acknowledge the warning before being able to read the post/blog.

If you believe we made an error, you can request an appeal https://www.blogger.com/go/appeal-post?blogId=5596003474325928306&postId=5066339422152687261 which must be done within the next 90 days. Appeals are typically resolved within 10 business days, though some more complex cases may take longer. If your appeal was approved you will hear a response. You may have the option to pursue your claims in court. If you have legal questions or wish to examine legal options that may be available to you, you may want to consult with your own legal counsel.

For further information, please see the following resources:
Terms of Service: https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/terms/
Content Policy: https://www.blogger.com/go/contentpolicy

For more information, please review the following resources:

• Terms of Service: https://www.blogger.com/go/terms
• Blogger Community Guidelines: https://blogger.com/go/contentpolicy

Sincerely,
The Blogger Team

What?!?! I had to go back and read what I wrote. It will be interesting to see if this warning stays put or goes away. Is it because I compared Trump to Nixon (unfavorably)?  I don't care enough to challenge it. I just find this incredibly interesting.

2026 OneThing #43 - Remove Flat Rocks by Firepit

I don't know what I actually set as the goal, but Louie claims I was technically successful. I'm frustrated that I didn't get more done.

 

I dug up and relocated about four of the big slabs of rock that Mike gave us from his home in Cannon Falls. I think it's shale, but I'm not sure. Because we plan to sell our Jordan house and we would like to use these big flat rocks up at Strawberry Lake around our fire pit, I decided to move them.

 

While working on that project, I also used some of the retaining wall rock that I had gotten for free from a Craigslist posting last summer to build steps into the hillside leading to the firepit. I also tried to get rid of buckthorn!

 

All of this work was complicated by other commitments - subbing, sewing at RaDon, watching my grandsons, . . . and one day of rain. I did make progress, though. I should celebrate that instead of thinking of what I didn't get done. And the boys did help me for part of yesterday. But there's a lot more to be done! 

 

I didn't take photos of that, but the boys and I also moved some firewood from the back yard to the porch. And we admired Grandpa's hard work replacing the flashing and siding on the part of the chimney that had water damage. (I almost posted the picture of him up on the ladder, but I know that would upset him . . . )