Miss Penny

 

I’m not even going to try and catch up on all that has been going on here in Alabama.  We haven’t had any rain in a month and it sure is dry.  Kevin has finished “moving” 32 yards of dirt, and has started cleaning out the brush in the woods behind our house.  He figures that is a five year project.

 

A couple of weeks ago I joined the Prime Timers for the fall trip.  We again went to Townsend, TN, and stayed in a large cabin in the mountains.  It was beautiful.  Had some rain while we were there but it didn’t stop us from doing what we planned.  We went to Dollywood (I was not impressed) and went to an outlet mall.

 

Kevin and Renea picked me up from the church when we got back on Monday.  When we arrived at my house they had a birthday surprise for me.  The cutest little kitten ever.  It seems that they, along with Brian, Tracy and their family, decided to get the kitten for me for my birthday.  I had been talking about getting one so they figured that would be the ideal birthday present.  She is so cute!

 

They adopted her from a no kill shelter called PAWS.  I was also given a litter box, litter, food, and toys.  The first couple of nights I put her in her carrier (which they also gave me).  However, she now sleeps with me.  She was spade before they adopted her and had her first couple of shots. She is also litter box trained.  I have taken her for her well checkup and she received 3 more shots.  The vet did find that she has a heart murmur, but it doesn’t stop her.  She runs, jumps and climbs everything.  Penny is very loving.  We have spent the last couple of weeks bonding and playing.  Her official name was listed as Penelope.  I changed it to Penny. 

 

Of course, she doesn’t listen.  She is like a little kid and has selective hearing.  I have tried water bottle training her, but that doesn’t work.  She loves being sprayed with water.  She doesn’t have a clue what no or down means.  Needless to say I have been putting a lot of things up and away.  Up doesn’t always work because she loves to climb.

 

Below are a couple of pictures of my new buddy.

Topsoil

On Wednesday we had 32 yards of topsoil delivered.  Of course, it was supposed to be delivered in the morning and didn’t come until mid afternoon.  That much topsoil had to be delivered in two trucks.  The first truck arrived about 2:00.  I had to leave at 3:00 because this was the Wednesday that the Prime Timers had the church dinner and I was scheduled to work.  Since the driver told me it would probably be a couple of hours before he returned with the second load I knew I would be gone.  Since he knew where to deliver it, and it was paid for, I told him I would be leaving and just dump it next to where he dumped the first load.  Renea was home and she said she would watch for him.  Worked out fine.  When I arrived home from church the second load of topsoil was right where it should be.  Kevin spread some of it when he got home.  It’s going to be a big job.
 

David had a series of tests run on Wednesday.  Jana got the results of the tests on Thursday.  None of the tests showed any signs of a stroke.  The doctors said his problems were all a result of old age and dementia.  Therefore, the insurance would not approve him going to a nursing home for rehab so Jana took him home.  He will be having a couple of weeks of in-home rehab now. 

 

Thursday I also attended my final home school meeting of the year.  Now it is just a matter of keeping records and turning the information in to the school board.  I will learn how to do that later.

 

Saturday Kevin spent the day spreading topsoil.  We are supposed to have rain both Sunday and Monday – 90% - so he figured he better get it done now.  He spent the day filling holes in both my yard and his yard.  He is almost finished. He plans to finish Sunday morning. 

 

When he stopped for the day and got off the tractor the pit bull from next door was loose and tried to attack him.  The dog actually was biting at his ankles – thankfully he had on high top boots.  He ended up getting on the tractor and chasing him back to his yard with that.  He then called me (told me to stay in the house), called Renea (she was on her way home from having lunch with Stephanie), called the police, and called animal control.  Renea called the owners of the dog, they were not home.  The police officer arrived and the dog would not let him out of his vehicle.  The owners and animal control arrived at the same time.  The owners were able to get him back in his pen.  Not sure if they were cited.  However, we are all a little nervous about going outside now.  Animal control did not take the dog.

 

Kevin finished spreading the topsoil Sunday morning while I was at church.  When I arrived home he and I spread the grass seed.  At that point it was “drizzling” so we thought we should get finished before the rains came.  We waited all day Sunday and all day Monday.  Of course, we did not get any rain.  All we got was the “drizzle” while spreading the grass seed.  I am sure the birds will enjoy a feast.

 

P.S. Haven’t seen Mr. Spider since I bought the spray!

I AM ON A MISSION (re: spider)

Only saw Mr. Spider one time this week.  I think he is hiding from me because I bought some spray that I plan to use on him.  I have not been able to squash him with a shoe because he is too fast.  He comes out of hiding from one corner of the room and zips across to another corner.  He is hiding under furniture where I cannot get to him.  I have not given up though!
 

I typed and filed my notes from the home school meeting.  There will be one more meeting next week for those who were not able to attend the first one.  I plan to be there at the second meeting so I can meet the rest of our parents.  I also want to be sure I understood everything that was said, and that my notes are correct.

 

Friday night I worked with the Prime Timers to get everything ready for Saturday’s yard sale.  I am amazed at the donations we received of items to sell.  Friday we sorted and priced the items.  It was a much bigger job than I expected.  Last year we had a lot of baby and children’s clothes along with toys.  This year it’s mostly adult clothes, and, of course, knick knacks and other odds and ends.  Not as many books this year as last either.  Had a few people stop by and purchase a few items. 

 

Saturday was a really busy day.  The yard sale was great!  The first crew that arrived at 6:00 said there were people waiting when they arrived.  I worked the second shift from 10:00 a.m. through clean up.  Everything left was donated to the Teen Challenge Thrift Shop.  The yard sale was over at 1:00 and they arrive at the designated time of 1:30 with their truck.  After they left a group of us went to Zaxby’s for lunch.  All of us were tired after such a busy day.  I don’t know how much money we made.  I am sure we did well.

 

Other than that the week went pretty much as usual; laundry, grocery, cleaning, etc.  I did decorate a little bit for fall.  Monday I ordered topsoil.  It is supposed to come on Wednesday.

 

During our last big storm we had a bolt of lightning hit that we all felt.  We knew it was close.  Kevin was in our woods in the back this week and found the tree that it hit.  It was a sycamore tree and was split in half.  The tree is/was next to the creek in the back yard.

 

Monday I received a call from Jana that she took David to the hospital.  They had gone to the campground and when they arrived David could not walk.  He has been admitted and they are running numerous tests.  The doctors are not sure what is going on.  The walking seems to come and go. 

 

Yesterday I mowed the grass.  Hopefully, we are getting close to not cutting it for a while.  Our nights have been in the 50’s this week with the highs during the day in the low 80’s.  Maybe fall has arrived.

Something New

The church I belong to has started something new.  Several families wanted to do home schooling so they set up Landmark Academy.  This is the umbrella organization under which families can join so they can home school.  I have found out that home schooling is a little more complicated than I thought. 
 

Anyway, I have volunteered to help our Administrator with the paperwork, etc.  I will not be doing any home schooling.  Parents actually are the teachers, but they have to file quite a bit of paperwork.  Our administrator has to keep track of it and file it with the school board. 

 

I attended my first meeting last night and it was very interesting.  I am really looking forward to becoming involved.

 

Catching up on this past week, last Wednesday I started weed wacking until the batteries went dead.  While the batteries were charging, and while I was at church, Kevin finished for me. I really do appreciate that because I hate weed wacking.

 

Thursday and Friday I just did routine stuff; i.e. laundry, groceries, etc.  Exciting, right? Same for Saturday and Sunday.  I cleaned and filled all the bird feeders.  Haven’t had many birds around lately.  In fact, I am down to just three hummingbirds.  Guess it is getting close to the time when a lot of them will be heading south. 

 

Saturday night I had supper with Kevin and Renea.  LeNora, Ricky and Philip also were there.  Kevin fixed a brisket in the smoker.  It was really good.  Of course, we watched the Alabama football game.  Folks here in the south are really big on college football.

 

Monday was time to start cutting grass again. I finished about half of it and then took a break for lunch. After lunch went back out to finish cutting grass, made a few swipes and had to quit.  The belt came off, so I parked it in the shed and quit for the day.  I didn’t get the grass finished until Tuesday morning.  I used the mower that Kevin and Renea usually use.  It’s a riding mower, but bigger than mine.  Now we have to decide what to do with my mower – fix it or get rid of it.  It’s going to be expensive to fix because there are more problems than the belt. 

 

…..and then there is this spider!

Several Busy Days

Finally finished weeding my rock gardens. They look really good. Lost a few of my plants between the rain and heat.  However, some of the others look fantastic.  The lantanas are huge and I have a lot of butterflies stopping by.  The hummingbird bush that Brian planted for me on the side of my deck looks great.  Not sure any hummingbirds are feeding there, but there are a lot of flowers.

 

I filled the hummingbird feeders today, and I had so many hummingbirds flying around and feeding that one of them flew into my storm door and knocked himself out. He hit so hard and it was so loud (for a little bird) that I thought someone had knocked on the door.  Anyway, he laid on the deck for a few minutes then got up, stopped at the feeder to eat, and then continued on apparently okay.

 

I also finished one of four plastic canvas projects today.  I know I am not as good as mom was, but I’m trying.  She was always able to do these projects without a pattern.  As for me, I need to follow instructions.  The ones I do without a pattern come out okay, but I always feel they could be better.  Maybe I’ll get better with practice.

 

Wednesday I took my car to the Honda service center to have the oil and filter changed. They also rotated the tires.  I should be good, according to them, for about another year. Stopped at WalMart on the way home.

 

When I came home from church, Wednesday night is bible study, (I am really enjoying this.  I am learning a lot, remembering a lot, and making new friends.)  I found ants everywhere both inside and outside the house.  I sprayed everything!   Found ants everywhere in and outside the house.  It’s that time of year and we just have to keep after them.  Kevin is going to spray outside with some special solution we purchased.

 

Thursday morning I cleaned up the dead ants and washed down the inside of the house where I sprayed.  Didn’t find any live ones.  SUCCESS!  Later I fed the azaleas and used Bayer 1-2-3 on my weeping cherry tree.  This was recommended to me by Rita because the leaves were looking really bad.  

 

We had a really bad storm Thursday night into Friday morning with a lot of thunder and lightning.  When I checked the rain gauge it registered 3 ½ inches. Actually made the house rattle.  Started my fall cleaning since I couldn’t do anything outside.

 

Saturday and Sunday we had more rain! In fact, they have been storms not just your average rain.  After church I started my next plastic canvas project and watched football.

 

All of these storms have really stirred up the fibromyalgia and arthritis.  I spent Monday just laying around. 

 

Tuesday I felt better so I decided to cut the grass.  I was almost finished and I ran out of gas.  The grass was so tall I had to go over some places more than once.  I had to leave the mower sitting in the front yard waiting for Kevin to fill it with gas.  The gas cans are so big I cannot lift them, and besides he tightens the lids so tight I can’t open them either.  After Kevin got home from work and filled the mower I finished cutting the grass. Yard is a mess with clippings. I figure it will take a couple of mowing to get it back into shape.

 

However, I did find several pecan tree seedlings and marked them with flags so I don’t run over them the next time I mow the grass.  Maybe we will get lucky and have one or two actually grow into trees. 

Another Day Inside

I know that the weather people are saying upper 90’s, but my thermometer is saying 118 and it’s only 11 o’clock in the morning.  No letup in sight.  It was 15 degrees hotter on Labor Day than it was on the 4^th of July.  I am not going outside at least until this evening.  And, then I will have to think about it first.
 

Bringing you up-to-date, Ryan is back in Japan.  He left on Thursday, 8/28, and will be gone about one more year.  Then he is coming home and going to college. He decided not to re-enlist in the Navy.  Wednesday we all went out to dinner and spent a few hours together.  Since Kevin, Renea and Ryan had to get up at 3:00 a.m. to take him to the airport it was an early evening. 

 

Stephanie is dog sitting this weekend.  Kevin and Renea went camping in Dahlonega, GA.  I was going to dog sit, but Steph had to have her car worked on so she spent the weekend here.  I spent the weekend inside watching NASCAR, some other programs and working on my plastic canvas.

 

Steven is leaving on September 16 for San Antonio, TX.  He has joined the Air Force.  I plan on attending his graduation in November.  Samantha is a senior in high school this year.  Bradley and Brianna are doing just fine.  They are both back in school at UC.

 

I have not been outside except to go to church and a few other quick trips all week.  It has just been too darn hot!  Early last week (Monday and Tuesday) I did get the grass mowed and some weeding accomplished, but I still have a lot to do – if it ever cools down just a little. 

 

I’m still working on my ancestry.  This past weekend ancestry.com had free access to their world records, and I took advantage of that.  I did find a few things.  I found my great grandfather’s parents and brother who lived in Germany.  I think I also found a few other relatives, but I have to do more research.  I also found the parents of a great great grandfather on the Althoefer side.  However, when I tried to find my great grandfather Henry Althoefer there were many!  Apparently, Althoefer in Germany was like Smith or Jones here.  Much more research is needed. I’m sure he is there someplace.  I also found some other bits and pieces of information that need more research.

 

As you can tell, it’s been quiet around here.  Too hot to do much of anything. 

What A Month!

First of all Brian came for a visit and he fixed my computer!  Yeah!!!!  So now you get to read about me mowing my grass again.  J  He also hung a few of my pictures for me, fixed my front door and cut both mine and Kevin’s back grass.  That was on Thursday.  Friday he and I took the day off and went shopping, out to lunch and spent the day visiting until Kevin came home from work.  Then we had supper, Kevin and Brian got in the pool and we had a nice evening.  Saturday it was time for him to head home.
 

Samantha came with him to visit.  It was good to see her.  She even came over on Thursday while Brian was cutting grass and spent some one-on-one time with me.  It was great because we don’t get to do that very often.

 

I don’t remember exactly where I left off on my last blog, and I’m too lazy to go back and check, so I will just continue from wherever.  It has been extremely hot.  In fact, we have been under a heat advisory most of this month.  The official weather report said upper 90’s, but my thermometer has said over 100 ever day.  Plus it has been extremely humid.  Therefore, I only mowed the grass once this month.  As of yesterday the temperature has cooled down to the upper 80’s and low 90’s with very low humidity and a nice breeze.  Sooooo, yesterday I cut my front grass and watered all my flowers and bushed.  Some of my flowers have died even though I have been watering them.  Today I am using the weed wacker – in small increments.  It’s nice again today but I don’t want to overdue.

 

Ryan has been home on leave his month.  It has been really good to see him.  Of course, he is not around much because he is busy visiting his friends.  He heads back to Japan on Thursday.  He will be gone for a year and then he is going to leave the Navy and go to college.

 

I am still working on and researching my family tree on all sides.  I am learning so much.  I find it extremely fascinating.  It’s been much easier since Brian got my computer working like it is supposed to.  I am printing everything I learn and putting the information in binders.

 

I haven’t been outside much because of the heat.  So I have been working inside; cleaning drawers, cupboards and catching up on my filing.  I am not finished with all of that yet, and it is time to start fall house cleaning.  Never any rest. I’m getting tired just typing this. Maybe I need to take a nap????

 

Okay, my break is over and it’s back to weed wacking.  I have also filled all the bird feeders and put fresh water in the birdbath. 

It's either raining or sooo hot!!!

Yesterday it took all three of us to cut the grass.  I did my front and side yards, Renea did her front yard, Kevin did inside the fence and cleaned up the garden.  Then all three of us worked on the back yard.  Afterwards we all collapsed.  What a day!!!!
 

Today Kevin is helping Patrick with a tree that fell and took out two of his fences.  Not sure what Renea is doing.  I have filled the bird feeders, fed the plants, did some weeding, emptied some supplies I had in the back of my car and next on the agenda is weed eating.    All of my bushes and plants seem to be doing okay.  We have had so much rain and then heat that I have been worried about them.

 

I am amazed at the amount of butterflies I have coming to my plants, especially the lantanas.  I bought a book so I can, hopefully, learn the names of some of them.  They are really pretty.

 

Still having problems with my computer so I haven’t been doing too much with my family tree.  Just a few bits and pieces.  Brian is coming down in mid August and hopefully we will get some of the problems solved then.  Whether we do or not it will be good to see him.  Don’t know if anyone will be coming with him.

 

Thursday night I went to dinner with the Prime Timers group from church.  We went to Cheddars in Columbus.  It was the first time I had been there, and I really enjoyed the food.  Great selection.  Good prices.  And plenty to eat.  The only drawback was the noise.  I have never been in a restaurant where the noise level was so high.  Left with a headache! 

 

Been cleaning out drawers and cupboards to get ready for the Prime Timers yard sale.  Not sure how much I will have to donate, but I am coming up with a few things.  The yard sale is in September so I have time to get stuff together. Last year we did real well.  Hopefully, we will do as well this year.

 

Time to get back to work.  The grass should be dry enough now to use the weedeater.  

Gonna Give It A Try!

I know I haven’t posted anything for quite a while.  My computer has been acting up and I am having all kinds of problems with it; including my blog, email, etc.  However, I refuse to buy a new one with Windows 8, and my computer tech is 600 miles north of where I live.  When he gets a chance we are going to see if we can resolve the problems via telephone.
 

Meanwhile, to bring y’all up to date the grass is mowed.  I have planted plenty of flowers.  Since it has been so hot some of them have died.  I am trying my best though.  A couple of my favorites did not make it this year – especially the sunpatients.  My new crape myrtles seem to be doing just fine.  I would like to post pictures on here, but that is one of my problems.

 

Haven’t seen or heard any coyotes lately.  Nor have I seen any wild turkey or deer.  The most exciting animal was one that Kevin had in his backyard in the middle of the night.  Roscoe was barking and getting really upset so Kevin let him out.  There was a four foot diamondback rattle snake in their backyard next to the back of their house.  Kevin woke up the neighborhood with a couple of loud gunshots.  Needless to say, that took care of the snake.  Luckily he was able to keep Roscoe back so he didn’t get bit. 

 

I’ve been a little depressed lately.  Of course, most of you know that my Mom passed away the last part of April.  Sure do miss her.  Also, my Uncle Bill, her brother, passed away one week to the day after Mom.  He had been really sick and having a lot of problems so it wasn’t too surprising.  I have been having some tests run because I am having a few health problems again.  Just keep me in your prayers. 

 

I am doing my best to get things back to normal.  Working in the yard when I can.  I have a few projects I would like to do regarding plastic canvas.  I also brought back some items Mom had started to embroider which I hope to finish.

 

Fourth of July was a lot of fun.  Renea’s brother, Mark, and his wife, Sandy, and their two granddaughters, one of the granddaughters brother, a teenage neighbor and their three dogs came to visit for a week.  They were here for the fourth so Kevin had a cookout and invited a few other friends and neighbors.  We even had a fireworks show that was great!  They also have had Copper, Stephanie’s dog, for about two weeks.  Stephanie went to New York to visit friends and now she is in Savannah visiting friends.  This meant there were six dogs.  They all got along just fine. 

 

Haven’t been working on my family tree lately.  I need to get back to that.  If I ever get my computer working right again.  I also need to get back to my To Do List!

 

Hope everyone is having a great summer.  I will try to do better with the blog.  Unless you are tired of hearing about me cutting grass J

110 IN THE SHADE

I’m sure we have all heard that expression.  Well, for the past two weeks it’s been that way here in Alabama.  At least that is what my thermometer says most days.  However, we still cut the grass and did a few other things outdoors.  We just came inside to cool off and drink a lot of water.

 

My trees and flowers are doing great.  I’ve got my weeding caught up.  Kevin planted my two crape myrtles and they look really good.  They both have blooms on them now.  The one he planted that I received from Arbor Day looks like it survived.  I also did something different with the other one I received from Arbor Day.  I bought a really large container and planted it in there. I have placed it in front of my new addition.  Of course, it’s so small you really can’t see much of it yet.  However, it does look like it has survived so far.

 

A couple of nights ago I got out of bed about 1:00 a.m. to take a couple of Tylenol and saw 3 large deer in my front yard.  They were eating the birdseed.  I didn’t know they ate birdseed.  I think they were also snacking on a few of the lower branches of my Bradford Pear trees. 

 

I haven’t seen them, but Kevin said I have a family of rabbits living under my shed.  Every once in a while I see a toad in my front garden.  I also have a mockingbird that is driving me crazy(ier). He just doesn’t shut up.  He spends a lot of time in my front yard.  I have several hummingbirds coming to the feeder.  The “bully” is allowing a few females to feed.  The funniest thing is when I pull weeds in the area of the hummingbird feeders the “bully” flies around them.  I guess he thinks I am going to take his food.

 

The coyotes are out in full force right now.  We’ve had several roaming our backyards at night.  Roscoe gets really upset when they come around.  Hunting season for coyotes is 24/7/365 around here and you do not need a license.  Since most of the neighbors have guns (including Kevin) we hear quite a bit of gunshots at night.  Hopefully, they will get enough to get rid of them.  It’s a little scary knowing they are back there.

 

The garden is starting to produce a lot of veggies.  Renea is busy freezing and canning.  The past couple of days it was potatoes and green beans.  Today she is pickling.  Which means the cucumbers are in along with onions and peppers.  Kevin is cutting grass today.  I am taking a break right now.  I’ve been going strong all morning, and this is the time of day it gets REALLY HOT!  So I am doing inside stuff until after supper.

 

 

Back on Track

I won’t go into detail about the last couple of weeks.  Let’s just say I was sick and had a major meltdown.  Spent a lot of time in bed feeling sorry for myself and angry at everyone.  Went to church this past Sunday and did a lot of praying.  Monday morning I got out of bed and declared myself better.  I am now back on track.

 

I am in the process of spring cleaning my house. I am even washing windows.  My gardens are weeded.  Most of my bushes and flowers are planted.  I bought a couple of new crape myrtles and Kevin planted them for me.   The birdfeeders have been filled.  Even the one in the back yard.  I have a lot of bluebirds.  I have not seen them eating at the feeders.  I even put out mealworms and they are not eating them.  However, the hummingbirds are drinking the feeders dry.

 

The grass needs cutting and I am hoping to get to that this weekend.  When Kevin and Renea were in Cincinnati the last time they stayed at Renea’s brother’s house.  Their neighbor gave them a hummingbird bush which Renea gave to me.  She said she didn’t need any more birds visiting her.  I transplanted it into a larger pot and then researched it on the internet and found that the bush gets rather large.  Therefore, I need to transplant it again – this time in the ground next to my deck.

 

My trees and bushes are looking good.  My lantanas are doing great!  Lots of flowers so I should have a lot of butterflies.

 

I haven’t been any help in the vegetable garden, but Kevin said it is doing great.  However, it does need to be weeded.  He told me last night that today was going to be all hands on deck to get some work done.  I’ve been up since 8:00 this morning and haven’t seen hide nor hair of either Kevin or Renea.  I guess that means plans have changed.  So, I will work on my TO DO LIST, and it is constantly growing.

 

Okay, break time is over.  That doesn’t mean I am going to get back to work.  Just means I am going to move from the computer.  Or I may sit here and watch the birds in my backyard.  There is a beautiful bluebird sitting on top of the birdfeeder.

Yep, I'm Back Home

Okay, I’m back home in Alabama so I guess it’s time for me to start up my blog again.  I arrived home one Tuesday, May 13^th.  I came home down I-75 this time.  It seems to be shorter and for some reason there was less construction and less trucks. 

 

After arriving home I brought everything in from my car, went thru my mail, checked out my garden (lots of weeding needs to be done and grass needs to be cut), checked my trees (they are all looking good except for the crepe myrtles.  Looks like I lost all three new ones. Hollyh bushes look good but the snowball bush looks kind of sad.  Needs some TLC. The garden is looking good.  Needs weeding but there are a lot of veggies growing. 

 

After a good nights sleep I worked on putting my “stuff” away. It was nice being in my own bed.  Still have a little more to do. Don’t want to do too much at a time J  I filled the birdfeeders in the front yard.  Birds are happy.  Cleaned and filled the hummingbird feeders.  Haven’t seen any hummingbirds yet.  I also need to buy more birdseed.  Paid some bills, wrote some thank you cards and finished the book I was reading.

 

Next day I went to Kroger’s and bought a few groceries.  Renea had bought milk, bread and orange juice for me so I would have that when I arrived home.  Also filled the gas tank.  I then stopped at Lowe’s and bought a few flowers.  Spent some of the money Brian and his family and Kevin and his family gave me for Mother’s Day. These were a few of the annuals I usually buy.  I also bought some birdseed.  Stopped at Stephanie’s Thursday evening with Kevin and Renea and met her new puppy.  His name is copper and he is adorable.  After leaving Stephanie’s Kevin and I took Renea to have her sleep study done.  We made arrangements for them to call me in the morning when it was time to pick her up.

 

Friday morning the  nurse called me at 4:30 a.m. to pick up Renea.  After arriving home we both slept for a while.  After that I started cutting grass.  Cut the grass in what I refer to as the round, did some weedeating in the round, and picked up some twigs in the round. I then cleaned the birdbath (which is also in the round) and weeded around it. Still had some energy so I cut the front half of the grass on north side of driveway. Came inside, took a shower and watched the NASCAR truck race.

 

Saturday Renea and I went to SAM’S.  When at Mom’s funeral my cousin Sue and I talked about our work we have been doing on the Family Tree.  I have some information she wants and she has some that I want. So today I  printed the family tree information I have for Sue.  I also finished cutting the front grass and did a little weeding.
 

Sunday I went to church. It was good to be back.  Everyone expressed their condolences and said they missed me and was glad I was back.  Made me feel good.  I planted a few of my new flowers. Did some more weeding.  And finally saw my first hummingbird since I got back from OH.

 

Monday  Renea, Stephanie and I had a girls day.  We went shopping and spent the day doing so in Opelika. Shopped at Ollie’s, had a frozen yogurt at Chill, shopped at Hobby Lobby and Home Depot. Bought a few items everywhere we went.  We had a great time. Came home and collapsed.  However, I did watch DWT while reclining on the couch.

 

Good Morning!

It’s a beautiful day in Alabama.  I must say we had a lot of rain this past Friday and Saturday, but it has been sunny and 80 ever since. 

 

This week has been one of those weeks where I did my laundry, finished reading two books (they were both good), and finished and mailed my taxes.  We had a couple of days early in the week that were very windy and a couple of nights that we had a freeze and/or frost.  Hopefully, that is over now.  In fact, it was so windy (how windy was it you asked?) that it blew one of my birdfeeders off the hook and I found it by the birdbath.  As for the cold (how cold was it you asked?) my hummingbird feeders actually froze.  Speaking of the hummingbird feeders, yesterday I had my first two hummingbirds eating at the feeders.  This was Monday 3/31.

 

Sill watching the eagles.  The baby is starting to get regular feathers now and is moving around more in the nest.  My purple martin house is really busy. It looks like every area has a nest.  The birds have been flying in and out constantly. 

 

Wednesday morning I had my hair cut.  Then later in the afternoon I headed for church. The Prime Timers group that I belong to serves a meal once a month to raise money for different projects.  They used to do it twice a month but it got to be too much for the small group.  Last year they did not do it at all; that’s why I didn’t know about it.  Anyway, I helped set up, fix some of the food, and clean up.  Scott and Linda did the serving.  After dinner we had bible study.  A great evening.  On the way home Renea sent me a text (which I did not read until I was home since I was driving) asking if I had ice cream.  A silly question – I always have ice cream.  So I called her, she picked her choice of peanut butter cup, I took it over and we both had a dish of peanut butter cup ice cream – yummmmm!  Had a nice visit with both Kevin and Renea.  Roscoe and Lola were also glad to see me J  That’s because I give them treats.

 

Thursday I spent the day cutting my grass. Friday I went to the doctor for my lab results (all is well), post office, bank and Walmart.  We had about 2 inches of rain. My rain gauge cracked this winter because of the cold so I’m not sure exactly how much rain we had.  I’m just going by the weather on the news.  Kevin and Renea treated to supper at Ryan’s. Stephanie and her room mate (Rachael) met us there and were also treated to supper. Next we stopped at Stephanie’s since she was having trouble with her washer. Turned out to be a stopped up drain.  This trip was the first time I rode in Kevin’s new truck and I can’t get in without a step. He now carries a two step ladder for me. 

 

Saturday I went to Lowe’s with Kevin and Renea.  I bought a Chinese Snowball Viburnum bush and 2 Compact Japanese Holly bushes.  Kevin and Renea bought an apple tree, orange tree and red grapefruit tree along with seeds, etc. for the garden. After arriving home and unloading the truck Kevin grilled pork chops for supper. We all sat and discussed the garden etc for a while.

 

Sunday Kevin planted their apple, orange and grapefruit trees in his backyard.  He also put up the fence around the garden.  Renea planted everything in the garden.  Kevin also planted my snowball bush and the two compact Japanese holly bushes.  He also planted three of my crepe myrtles in the front yard.  I tried to help as much as I could, but I don’t think I was much help.  I watered my bushes and carried a few things for both Kevin and Renea.  Kevin also staked my weeping willow. The wind had blown it so far over that it was almost laying flat.

 

Renea had put meatballs and spaghetti sauce in the crockpot for supper.  Add the spaghetti and garlic bread and it was awesome.  Needless to say, it was an early night!

 

 

 

A Really Nice Busy Week

Roscoe had a cyst removed from the top of his head early Tuesday morning. He had to stay until 5:00 before Renea could pick him up.  He is doing fine. They need to keep an eye on him for a few days to be sure he doesn’t try to “scratch” the stitches out.  He will go back a week from Friday to have the vet remove them.

 

Now I know you are tired of hearing about all of my yard work, but I’m going to tell you about it anyway.  I have finished weeding the rock garden.  As an FYI – the reason I pull the weeds is because I have plants in the ground and I don’t want to kill them.  Also, I have a lot of birds and I don’t want to harm them either.

 

All of the azalea plants are weeded, the dead leaves are cleaned out and they have been fed. I also fed the hydrangeas, rhododendron and a few other flowering perennials.  Of course, now they are predicting that the temperature is going down in the 20’s two nights this week.

 

I finished weedeating around the weeping cherry tree, both rock gardens, the front entry way, in front of the new addition, the north side of the house and the south side of the house. 

 

On Thursday I spent 2 ½ hours cutting Kevin and Renea’s front grass.  Got it finished.  Cut a section of my backyard grass – closest to my house.  Found all kinds of pieces of wood, concrete and a small level.  Cleaning up the back of my house is next on my list.  When I checked my “trees” that were growing in pots it looks like only the two crabapple trees survived.  I will be planting them in my back yard to give me some shade back there.  Of course, I probably won’t live long enough to see them get that big even though they are fast growers J  I also plan on putting my new birdfeeder between the two of them so I can see it from my back window.

 

Saturday I put out the hummingbird feeders with a small amount of feed in them in case they are starting to move in. I know last year I started seeing them by the first of April. I have also noticed that I have purple martins in house now. They have been busy building news nests.  It’s been fun watching them. I have about 10 male cardinals eating at my feeders in the front yard along with a lot of other birds.  I am sure there are females there also just can’t get close enough to see.  Also have a lot of finches coming to the finch feeder.

 

Speaking of watching birds, I accidentally found a website for Berry College in Georgia which has a webcam looking at an eagle’s nest.  One egg has hatched (I missed that because the egg had hatched by the time I found the site).  Anyway, I have been watching the eaglet grow. I check in a couple of times a day and have seen the adults feeding the eaglet.  I have seen one of the adults fly in with a fish which it proceeded to feed the baby.  Another time one of the adults was feeding it something but I couldn’t tell what it was.  Sure is interesting.

 

Last year I bought a carpenter bee trap because I was having such a problem with them.  After setting it up I not only caught carpenter bees, but I caught wasps and flies.  So far this year I have caught three carpenter bees.  There is another one flying around, just haven’t caught it yet.

 

Sunday was a lazy day.  Went to church, watched the NASCAR race and had dinner with Kevin and Renea. 

Glad It Wasn't Snow!

Kevin and Renea went to El Paso, TX, to visit Rick and Beth for a week.  So, I spent the week dog sitting Roscoe and Lola.  Not a tough job.  I would spend the night at Kevin and Renea’s house, feed the dogs in the morning then put them outside.  After supper I would go over and feed the dogs their supper then spend the evening.  Of course, I went over several times a day to check on them and give them a treat.  Needless to say, they were always glad to see me.

 

We had a real mix of weather last week.  A couple of really nice days, a couple of really cold days and several days of a lot of rain.  We even had frost two mornings.  On the cold and/or rainy days the dogs spent most of their time in the house.  Not sure how much rain we had because my rain gauge has a crack.  Need to get a new one.  The television station said we had over three inches, and I believe it.

 

I did get a little more yard work done.  I finished cutting my front grass, started weeding the other rock garden (it’s about 40% finished), and cut back all the lantanas.  I also weeded one of the azaleas.  I hoping to finish weeding the rock garden this week and feed my plants that need feeding.  I also have a lot of weedeating to do.  And…..it’s time to check the weeds around the birdfeeder, the other rock garden and all the trees.  It has been raining the past couple of days.  However, that should be over by now.

 

It’s almost a full time job keeping the birdfeeders filled.  In the morning and evening I have about a dozen male cardinals coming to the feeders.  I should also include the females, but they just don’t stand out as much.

 

Finished up a few things on the inside also including my taxes.  Now I just need to get them in the mail.  I’m procrastinating because I owe.

 

Kevin and Renea arrived home on Sunday.

 

P.S.  Mom is doing somewhat better.

GUESS WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING

Yep, I started cutting grass.  Cut the “circle” where the bird feeders, bird bath and a few trees are located.  Also weed eated around the bird bath, the Dawn Redwood, Bradford Pears and the bird feeder.  That area is really looking good now.

 

After that I pulled all the dead flowers in the flower pots on my deck.  None of them were perennials, and I wanted to get them ready for the annuals (petunias, etc.), except for the clematis that Kevin and Renea gave me for Mother’s Day last year.  Didn’t have to do much to the clematis because there is new growth and I didn’t want to disturb it.

 

Now for the big job.  I needed to weed both the “rock” gardens.  I started with the one on the northeast side of the deck (which would be to the right of the entrance).  The first thing I did was clean out the iris box of all the dead leaves.  They are really looking good.  In fact, I have a purple iris bud already.  I also cleaned the dead leaves out of the rhododendron plant and both hydrangea bushes.  All of those also have new growth. There is also new growth on the star jasmine plant.  It is a climbing plant and I have been training it to grow up the deck rails. I pulled the dead plants out of the pots and boxes in the “rock” garden and they are now ready for the annuals.  I even made a list of what annuals I plan to buy.  I have certain favorites. And, yes, I have finished weeding the “rock” garden.  Now it’s time to start on the other one.

 

Today (Wednesday) it is raining so I am doing laundry and getting some indoor chores caught up.  Hopefully, I can get back outside tomorrow.

 

Received several phone calls from Jana, and it seems Mom is not doing well.  She is keeping me informed.  Sounds like I may have to make a trip to Ohio soon.  Please keep her in your prayers.

 

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN ALABAMA

I’ve been back a week now, and have accomplished a lot.  First, let me say that my room looks great!  While I was gone Kevin and Renea finished my new room.  I now have a black railing between my old room and the new room.  The molding has been put up between the two rooms and has been painted.  My clock has been hung above the window where I wanted it, and it looks as good as I thought it would.  The only thing I didn’t consider is I cannot reach it without a ladder.  Since it’s the weekend to “spring ahead” I will have to ask Kevin to change it for me.  Meanwhile it will be an hour behind. 

 

Ricky, the guy next door, put up my new storm door.  He also built the door on the south side of the house.  It really looks great.  When the guys built the concrete block stabilizer under the house they left space for the door – just in case anyone needs to get under the house.

 

Things are in pretty good shape now.  Still need to do a little touch up painting in the new room.  I also need to wash the windows inside and outside.  I bought new curtains for the old room and I will hang them soon.

 

Today I am working outside.  The sun is shining and it is in the 70’s.  The bird feeders have been filled.  I weeded the area around the bird bath.  I cleaned the bird bath.  The birds are enjoying both the food and the water.  I really enjoy watching them.  Sitting here at my computer, I am watching birds go in and out of the purple martin house.  I can’t see what kind of birds they are, but they sure are busy.

 

The trees are looking good.  The Bradford pears have buds on them, the weeping willow is actually green, the weeping cherry tree has buds, the oak tree has buds and the dawn redwood has buds.  It looks like they survived the winter.

 

Today I am checking plants and flower pots.  I have some perennials so I hope they survived also. 

 

Break time is over and it’s back to work.  Later J

 

SWEET HOME ALABAMA

Yes, I am finally back home in Alabama.  However, it sure was a hectic couple of months in Ohio.  First of all, Jana had her eye surgery in January.  Each eye was done separately two weeks apart.  All went well. 

 

Right before Jana’s second surgery mom got really sick and had to go to the hospital.  Among other problems she had pneumonia.  For about two weeks we didn’t think she would make it.  She has bounced back – sort of.  She is back in the nursing home, has had some rehab and is doing better.  She is “frail” but doing okay.  Doesn’t eat well.  She has started going to bingo again so we figure that is a good sign.

 

About the time we decided I could come back home Jana twisted her knee.  We had to call the life squad and had her taken to the ER.  She was in a leg brace for a couple of weeks.  She could not drive nor could she go up and down steps.  Made a trip to the orthopedic doctor.  Nothing was broken.  She used a walker for a while, then moved on to a cane and now is doing fine.  The doctor said that eventually she will need knee replacement.

 

Meanwhile, David is David.  For those who don’t know, he has dementia.  He is healthy otherwise, but needs a lot of care.

 

During all of this time it was COLD!!!!!  We also had a lot of ice and snow.  We didn’t go out in the ice and snow J

 

I didn’t get to visit with any friends this trip.  I did talk to a few on the phone.  I also spent a couple of days with Rita and Bob, and really had a great time.  I was supposed to spend some time with Brian and his family, but we couldn’t work it out.  They are busier than me!  I did visit with Brian, Tracy, Steven and Samantha on the Monday after I arrived in Ohio.  They came to Jana’s and spent the evening with us and Kevin and Renea who were also visiting.  Brian stopped one day after work and visited.  We fed him supper.  He asked that I fix chili and I did.  We also talked on the phone a lot.

 

Since everything was settling down it was decided that Brian would bring me back to Alabama and he would visit for the weekend.  Of course, this is the weekend they were predicting ice storms and snow.  So, we left early Friday afternoon.  It took us 13 hours to get here because of traffic.  It was stop and go so much it was frustrating.  However, we arrived safe and sound.  Because of the weather Brian decided not to spend the weekend.  He slept for a few hours and then left on Saturday morning and headed home.  Again it took him almost 13 hours because of traffic.  He did beat the storm though!

 

Now I’m home and it’s back to cutting grass and all that good stuff.  More later.  I think I need a nap just thinking about all of this!

  

Staying in Ohio

Kevin and family left for Alabama on Saturday morning.  They called me when they arrived home on Saturday night.  Glad they arrived safe and sound.

 

I was supposed to go to Brian’s for the weekend, but since Minnie and Frank (Tracy’s Aunt and Uncle) were staying there, and Frank was admitted to the hospital due to some serious health problems it was decided I would not go.  It was probably a good thing because The weather was supposed to get really bad.  They were predicting snow; depending on who you listened to it was between 1 and 10 inches.  We ended up getting about four. 

 

Jana, David and I spent Saturday and Sunday watching football.  Also, Saturday evening we had company.  David’s sister and her husband and mother-in-law, and his brother and his wife came for the evening.  They were here to celebrate Christmas with Jana and David.  I know all of them and it was great seeing them again.  We had a really nice time, plenty of food and laughter.  They also like football so, of course, we watched football. 

 

Jana, David and I spent the next couple of days inside because of the cold and snow.  It was below zero for a couple of days.  I found out it was down to eight degrees in Opelika, AL.  I don’t know if that was a record or not. 

 

The reason I am in Ohio is because Jana is having eye surgery.  One eye was done this past Wednesday and the other eye will be done in two weeks.  She had her checkup today and everything is just fine.

 

We didn’t do anything on Wednesday after her surgery except come home and take it easy.  However, Thursday we went to visit mom (first time in a week because of the weather), shopped at WalMart, lunch at Skyline, and shopped at Kroger.  Today, Friday, we went to Half Price Books (both sold and bought books), lunch at McDonald’s, shopped at SAM’S, visited mom, then supper at Friday’s.  Now we are home and relaxing. 

 

Tomorrow is laundry day.

 

Heading for Ohio

Okay, Christmas is over and the decorations are down.  They are not put away yet, but they are down.  I spent Friday packing so I could leave for Ohio on Saturday morning.  Kevin said we are leaving at 0 dark 30.  Kevin, Renea, Stephanie, Roscoe and Lola, and me are heading for Ohio.  They will be staying for one week at Renea’s brother’s house.  I will be staying for a month with Jana and David. 

 

We arrived safe and sound late Saturday afternoon.  Kevin and family dropped me off at Jana and David’s.  Jana and David were at church, so I let myself in.  Kevin helped me bring all my “stuff” into the house.  Smoky was excited to see me, as were Jana and David when they got home.  Kevin and family then headed to Mark’s house.  I did text Brian to let him know we had arrived.  After supper we ate supper and then got a good night’s sleep.

 

Sunday we visited with mom and watched football.  I talked to both Brian and Kevin via phone.  On Monday Jana, David and I picked up mom and took her to Frisch’s for lunch.  There we met Kevin, Renea, Stephanie and Renea’s grandniece.  We had a very enjoyable lunch, and then headed back to Jana and David’s for the afternoon.  Kevin and Stephanie took Renea and her grandniece to Renea’s mom and dad’s house after which they returned to Jana and David’s.  Brian, Tracy, Steven and Samantha arrived at Jana and David’s about five o’clock.  We had pizza for supper, and then spent the evening visiting.  We had a great time, and laughed a lot. 

 

Tuesday, New Year’s Eve, we spent the day at home.  Talked to Brian and Kevin on the phone and wished them a Happy New Year.  They usually call me at midnight, but I wasn’t sure I would be awake then.  However, Jana, David and I did stay awake until one minute after midnight. 

 

Wednesday, New Year’s Day, Jana made up her mind that she wanted a new laptop.  So, off we went to H.H. Gregg to buy her computer.  Then it was off to Verizon to get her set up with a WiFi.  When we got home the two of us set up her new laptop and WiFi.  We set up her email, she has a new email address, and a few of her favorites.  It was really interesting because I had never used or seen Windows 8.  But, that’s okay, because we did just fine – except for games.  Thursday we went to Best Buy and talked to one of the Geek Squad who explained how to download games.  Now every evening Jana is hooked on playing games on her laptop. 

 

That’s it for now.  I wish all of you a Happy, Healthy and Blessed New Year!