thinking about doing...

... a thoroughly disliked chore. Cleaning windows. Something you really notice in this house, as most of the glass does not have anything covering it. Explaining, at least in part, why I am sitting here in: undershirt, work shirt, fleece vest, zipped up jacket, and still cold.

It has been so long (I should be embarrassed to admit, but anything is fodder for the blog) since I cleaned windows, I cannot remember when it last happened. I've been thinking about it for months (if not actual years - which, again, tells how long it has been since the task has been tackled). Every time I look out a window, covered with dust, cobwebs, trash that billows up from the 'mow-and-go' guys when they get out the leaf blowers. Makes me know it is time to get it done...

So though it does not really have an effect on cleanliness, yesterday I did get started. In a very small, but significant way. Peeling alarm service stickers off the glass. That were applied in November of 2013 after we were burgled. The house was built with wiring and an alarm system. That we rarely activated - to the point that it likely did not actually work. So after the burgling, TP had a 'friend' come and install a system that would work off a cell number. But it didn't. Due, according to the friend, to poor cell coverage in our area.

Sadly, in the months before this aggravating incident, we decided to end our land line service. Then had to go back with hat in hand to re-active to be able to use the expensive alarm system that is designed to alert a 24-7 service about intruders.  It is rarely turned on, seldom used, and generally set off by squirrels when he does activate it. I think the wind blowing might even cause it to report  suspicious activity to the service. Which will eventually cause him to have to pay for public safety coming by to check for 'alleged' wrong-doers.

I was trying to peel some of the alarm service stickers off glass. They are all over the house, and I think excessively so. But when you peel it off, only the colored part comes away, and you have to scrape, scrape, scrape, rest, then scrape some more to get the sticky part off with a razor blade. Which I was doing yesterday.

TP commented that he believed the warning stickers: 'This property protected by..." would dissuade would-be burgling.  Highly unlikely - as they could be in-and-out before the black-and-white shows up. They only took things they could put in their pockets when they busted in the front door in 2013. Sadly: we now have nothing of value. But that would  not stop someone having a desire to grab-and- run from thinking we're an excellent target.