SVCharm: October 2026

What a very busy couple of weeks.

Last week there was no blog, as we were just busy and tired. After our big sale we had a day of cleanup, and then headed over to Albany, OR to look at a retirement home for Kris's Dad Norm. Kris's sister Kay and husband Pat met us there, and we had a nice tour, and even stayed for lunch

Wednesday morning Norm decided to go ahead and move to the place we just visited, so we hustled around, packing him up. We went and bought him a new chair and bed, and packed a bunch of stuff from the house

Norm trying out new lift chair

Had a bit of a misadventure while packing Dad for his new place. He has several guns, and we don't want them to stay in the house, and he can't take them to the independent living facility, so we packed them up for Kris's sister Kay to store until we can arrange to sell them - which is a bit of a hassle in Oregon.

Kris helped Norm make sure all the handguns were unloaded and safe, and then Dean went to help with the rifles and shotguns. Dad was checking the shotgun, and found it loaded, but for some reason only saw one shell which he pulled out. Guess what, there was another shell. The gun had cocked, so he released the trigger and BAM. He blew a hole in his bedspread, two blankets, mattress pad, air bed foam, air bed bladder, headboard, electric cord for the clock radio and wall behind the bed. Deans ears were ringing for a few hours after that. Thank goodness no one hurt, and we were able to fix the wiring on the clock radio. Still haven't patched the hole in the wall.

Hole in the wall from the shotgun

We worked our rears off buy by Saturday evening had him moved into his new place. He is in a nice Independent living apartment in Albany, OR. We spent the night Saturday - as they have guest rooms for $65 a night including food.

On the way back to Bend, had to stop and get lunch at A & W.

Restaurant has been there since 1961. Place your order by using the phone in your booth

A & W out front

Must have the A & W bear as well

Of course, we both had a frosty mug of root beer

We could not fit everything he wanted to take in the back of the truck with one trip, so we loaded up and made another trip over the mountains on Wednesday with the remaining items. Over and back in one day plus unloading makes for a long day.

Now we had to get Dads place ready to sit vacant until we sell it. We still have a lot of stuff to get rid which means another big sale, and we will need a month or so to get it ready. So probably next June when we can come back and do that. Kris started cleaning the house from top to bottom, and did not get far, when she discovered an issue in the master bath.

Kris ripping up tile in the Master bath

Kris found loose tiles and dry rot by the toilet. She found where the tank to toilet hose had been leaking. She went to shut the water off at the valve, and then the valve started leaking. A trip to Home Depot for the parts and the leak fixed, but significant dry rot around the toilet which will need fixed before we can sell the house. Just don't have the time to do it right now.

In addition to cleaning, a bit of organizing needed. Putting like things together and such. Kris thinks she got all the hats, but not sure.