We Sure Don't Stay Home Very Much

The weather has been on a roller coaster this week.  It has been cold, warm and we have had two inches of rain in 24 hours.  The rain was on Tuesday.  Today is sunny and cold.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warmer with rain moving in by tomorrow night/Sunday. 

Last Monday we spent the day running errands.  In order, we went to the bank, Walmart, Kroger for gas, SAM’s, Office Depot, Books A Million, Petco, Target and Kroger.  In between we stopped for lunch – just a quick sandwich at McDonald’s.  We left the house at 9:30 a.m. and didn’t return until 4:30 p.m.  We were exhausted, but we sure accomplished a lot!

Tuesday was a day of recuperation.  Of course, I did my morning chores, two loads of laundry, and made a pot of chili.  We had hamburgers for supper.   Wednesday was a day of odds and ends around the house.  We took Kevin and Renea to Red Lobster for supper.  Had a great time.  Kevin drove my car, and when we pulled in the driveway upon arriving home there was a beautiful doe laying in my front yard.  She got up, looked at us, and slowly walked away.  Several times she looked back.  Eventually she was to a point where we couldn’t see her any longer.  Kevin and I both have deer in our yards most nights. 

It seems that in the late afternoon Penny and Mattie usually decide to chase each other.  On Tuesday Jana had just set the table and put her pills (which she puts in a small plastic cup by her plate) on the table.  About that time the “girls” started their chase.  Penny jumped on the table, slid across and the cup of pills went flying. My first reaction was chase the girls out of the room so we could get the pills picked up before they decided to eat them.  Not sure if they would, but didn’t want to take any chances.   

Thursday, for some reason, was another lazy day.  We had the chili for supper.  Then after supper Jana and I played the game Sorry.  She bought the game just for the heck of it.  The rules are different than we remember, so we adjusted the game to be the way we played it when we were kids.  We had a lot of fun and had a lot of laughs. 

However, today has been busy so far.  Before I showered and dressed I got my morning chores done.  Paid a few bills and ran the sweeper in the living room.  Jana is now playing cards on her computer after checking her emails and bank.  I really need to get outside and fill the birdfeeders. 

Beautiful Day In Alabama

Good Morning.  It’s a beautiful, but cold, morning in Alabama.  Jana and I are ready for Christmas.  We are just hoping the trees remain standing.  Yesterday afternoon Penny started messing with Jana’s tree.  We have found if we ignore her she just stops and goes about her business.  However, this time she got caught in the strand of lights and couldn’t get out.  The tree was shaking, Mattie was barking, and Penny was starting to panic.  When I tried to help her she got scared and didn’t want me to touch her.  So, Jana held the tree and I finally managed to get her untangled.  She wasn’t hurt, but she was not happy.  Didn’t last long though.  Next thing we knew Penny and Mattie were chasing each other around the house.  Oh such fun!

Our whole day was kind of like that.  One or the other was constantly getting into trouble.  Of course, it all started Thursday night with Jana and me.  We went to Mass at St. Patrick’s and decided to eat supper at Ihop before going home.  When we arrived it was not crowded, but there were people sitting on the benches waiting to be seated.  We waited patiently (J) for someone to seat us.  However, no one came until several people came to pay.  That woman asked for our name so she could put us on the list.  We questioned why a list when there were a lot of empty seats.  She said that was how it was done.  There were people waiting ahead of us.  We also heard a waitress telling a family that their order would be out “shortly.”  This was our clue to leave.  Apparently, they were short of help and things were not going well. 

So, we decided to stop at Wendy’s since we passed that on the way home.  (There isn’t a lot of places to chose from along that portion of Hwy 80.)  When we arrived, it was dark, there were boards blocking the driveway.  We knew they were remodeling, but they had been open.  Check that one off our list.  We finally decided to pick up a sandwich at Subway and take it home to eat.  Turned out to be a good choice.

The burn ban has been lifted since we had some rain, so Kevin decided to burn the pile of brush that has been accumulating from his cleaning out the woods.  It was huge!  He checked with the fire department to make sure it would be okay.  They said to go ahead.  He hooked up the hose, dug a trench around the pile, added water to that, and started the fire.  This was Thursday.  Today is Saturday and it is still smoking.  When we talked to him yesterday he said when it cooled he would clean out the barbed wire and other “stuff” to take to the dump.  He would then bury everything else, spread some dirt and grass seed.  Sure looks different when I look out my back window. 

I have definitely been feeling better now.  I moved a lot of things to the shed for storage.  That was something I had been putting off.  I have been keeping the birdfeeders filled.  The birds eat a lot in this cold weather.  I have even been doing some cooking while Jana is here.  I don’t do much cooking just for myself, so this has been nice.  Sure glad I have a dishwasher.  Also, the new shower has been a blessing.  Of course, Penny loves the new shelves.  We never know where we will find her.  I think both Penny and Mattie wore themselves out yesterday.  Both are having a lazy day.  Right now Mattie is laying in the sun.  Not sure where Penny is resting.  She has been getting on top of the pantry cabinet in the kitchen and snoozing. 

Not sure what we will be doing today.  The Christmas cards are written and mailed.  We will be going to Mass at St. Patrick’s later today.  This might be a lazy day for us.

Almost Ready for Christmas Holidays

Good Morning!  I am going to try and do better with my blog.  Yesterday Kevin and Renea stopped over so Kevin could put the topper on my tree.  Looks good! 

 

Jana and I finished the decorating and found that we need to buy a few more items (of course).  I think we have enough Christmas dishes.  We bought two of this and that and different stores and now have two cabinets full.  I had to pack my everyday dishes and put them in the shed.  Well, actually, Kevin carried them to the shed because they were too heavy for Jana and me. 

The house is ready except for my bedroom.  That room is a disaster.  I will get to it later.  Have too much other stuff to do right now.  As long as I can get in my bed I am happy. J

This morning Jana and I took all the plastic containers out to the shed.  We had them stacked in the laundry area, and could barely get to the bathroom.  I bought a new hanger for my shower to put my shampoo, etc. on.  It looks good and should work well.  I bought two small pump containers for my shampoo and conditioner because they are so heavy.

I finally took a few pictures of my Christmas tree, Jana’s tree and some new decorations.

 

My Christmas Tree

Jana's Christmas Tree

The Stockings Were Hung on the Railing With Care

The Wreath Above the Door

The Bow Above The Window

Candy Canes Above A Different Window

The New Top Ornament

(you really can't see it on the picture of the tree)

Straightened up the bedroom.  Jana and I went to Mass at St. Patrick’s on Saturday night and then went to Applebee’s for supper.  Tasted very good.  Neither of us had been there for a while.  After supper we came home and watched some television.  I had recorded several of our favorite shows so we watched Designated Survivor.  In the afternoon we had watched the end of the NASCAR drivers show.  Of course, it ran overtime and we didn’t get to see the very end.  But that’s okay.  We enjoyed what we saw. 

 

It started raining during the night and will be doing so today and for the next couple of days.  We are planning to stay in and watch some football.  I have a couple of gifts to “bag” yet.  I hope to finish that today.

Busy Times

It has been so long since I have added to my blog that I am not even going to try and say much except what has been done in no specific timeline.  I haven’t even been on the computer very often.

Jana and I have finished Christmas shopping.  Still have a few gifts to wrap.  The decorations, including the trees, are up and looking great.  However, I bought a top ornament for my tree that I am going to ask Kevin to put on for me.  I cannot get it to stay upright.  We both bought a few new ornaments.  I may have to get a bigger tree next year.  Pictures to follow.

I am sorry to say that I did not make any ornaments or gifts this year.  With all the problems I was having I just could not concentrate or do the type of work required.  I sure have a lot of kits and ideas for next year though so my family better be prepared! 

Jana and I have been running a lot of errands.  I am getting caught up on so many things that I let go for most of this year.  We have been to Barnes and Nobels twice.  We have made several trips to Tigertown to shop at Petco, Target, Hobby Lobby and Kroger.  We also went to Walmart in Opelika. 

Jana has her Christmas cards written and ready to go.  I haven’t even started mine.  Anyway, we needed stamps and decided to try and find the post office in Opelika.  SUCCESS!!!!  It is tucked away in an area where I had never been.  I will go there from now on.  It is one of the nicer ones I have been to.   Jana has her stamps and will be mailing her cards tomorrow. 

The girls (Penny and Mattie) are still doing fine.  They chase each other all over the house and then collapse for a nap.  Mattie tries to smell Penny’s butt and she doesn’t like that.  When she does it that starts the chase all over again.  Today Mattie licked Penny on the nose.  Penny was so surprised that she didn’t move.  The only thing I am not used to is Mattie following me everywhere I go in the house.  Penny follows me to certain areas, but Mattie is always “under foot.”  I am so worried that I will step on her or fall.  I just have to be careful.  Penny has been a bit of a problem with Jana’s Christmas tree.  She doesn’t bother mine as much as she does Jana’s.

This past week I picked up my new glasses.  The frames aren’t much different than my last ones, but I sure can see better.

As most of you know I have been interested and involved in doing my family tree on all branches of the tree.  Anyway, I had my DNA done and when I checked the list of people who have some of my family on their tree I contacted one of them.  We have been in touch with each other now.  The gal I have been corresponding with lives in Cincinnati, and I hope to see her the next time I am there.  She is related to me on the Althoefer side, and is a cousin several times removed.  That’s okay.  I think it is exciting that I found a relative!

That’s it for now.  Back at you later.