Dateline Dayton — In the accounting profession, crunch time is fast approaching although for me it already is here. Not to complete tax returns but to finish projects at our new condo since we are moving in this weekend. The kids felt we should be in the condo before leaving for Florida next Thursday.

Although there wasn’t a lot of work to be done at the condo, everything has been time-consuming. I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with my age. There were bookcases to install in one bedroom, which we now refer to as the den, drapes to hang, cabinets to install in the kitchen, and finally, a desk to build and install between the bookcases.

The biggest project was in the garage.  A storage cabinet, I am redoing needs a little more work.  The biggest project was reinforcing the rafters because there is a storage area above them. It even has pull-down stairs. Due to the weight of items that could be stored there, the rafters should be reinforced.

I installed a beam under the middle of the storage area rafters and reinforced most of the 2 X 4 rafters.  Although it didn’t sound as if it were going to be much of a project, it has been time consuming.

Getting the beam built and in place took many hours since I did it by myself.  Many trips have been made to the store for supplies. Other interruptions occurred — shoveling snow, moving items, other little projects, starting cars, and yes, my job, preparing tax returns. Did I mention shoveling snow? I am always trying to find where I put down the tape measure or another tool.  Each time we have a showing of our old house, we must straighten it up and clean furiously.

Ready to Roll by 8 a.m.

I hope to have the garage projects completed by moving time on Saturday morning, but that means working tonight, tomorrow night and probably Saturday morning before moving starts at 8 o’clock. This was the time agreed to by our children.  They must have something else to do that day. According to weather forecasts, we will enjoy warmer temperatures this weekend, with a possibility of rain.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net