....Continuing On

I got things a little out of order when writing my blog.  Back to my electric problem.  Danny, the electrician, called me back.  I explained my problem and he said he would send someone over shortly.  Apparently, he is part owner of the electric company.  Mike arrived about an hour later and went directly to the main electric pole.  He informed me that my problem was the main circuit breaker for the house.  It just so happened that one of the two legs was “fried” as he put it.  He said this happens quite often here because of the weather.  It ages these breakers very quickly.  He replaced it and everything is working fine.  Brian was right!

Now that the electric is fixed the temperatures are going to be in the 70’s in the foreseeable future with lows in the 50’s.  Go figure.

Saturday was a pretty miserable day.  It had rained in the morning and was cloudy the rest of the day.  I didn’t get much accomplished except for a couple loads of laundry. It was a hurting kind of day.  I did get to Mass at St. Patrick’s, and after Mass Father asked about Jana and said to tell her hello.  I am amazed that he remembers us since we are so new to the parish.  On the way home I stopped at Subway and bought a BLT for supper.  Sure tasted good.  I planned to watch the CLASH NASCAR race, but it was postponed due to rain.  So, I read for a while and then went to bed.

Sunday morning was really foggy, but gave way to beautiful sunshine.   We are celebrating Renea’s 50^th birthday today.  Her birthday is actually Wednesday.  Brian’s is on Tuesday.  I understand that there is going to be quite a crowd at K & R’s today.  Should be fun.  I know there will be a lot of good food!

Had a great time celebrating Renea’s birthday.  And, yes, there was plenty of food.  Fried chicken, bar-b-qued chicken, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, green beans and rolls.  For dessert we had red velvet cake, orange cream cycle cake and ice cream. 

Monday I spent most of the morning in the backyard with Kevin while he was planting strawberries and asparagus.  I took some pictures so I can update the karsakerfarm blog.  I also filled my birdfeeders.  Renea’s dad, Dillard, spent the morning with us also.  Kevin tilled up an area by his camper and they planted rosebushes.  He also plans to plant some other flowers.  I just don’t know what kind.

After lunch I drove over to Barnes and Nobles.  A couple of the books I have been waiting for were ready to be picked up, and I had a thirty percent off coupon.  The coupon expired today so I knew I had to get over there.

Tuesday I did my laundry and spent most of the day embroidering one of my placemats.  It may be next spring before I can use them.  It is slow going.  It started raining in the afternoon, and continued to rain all night.  Didn’t get outside at all.  It was Wednesday morning before I was able to walk to the mailbox and get my mail.  And, that was between showers.  We haven’t had any severe weather, just a lot of rain.  It has been raining off and on all day today, so I am doing mostly inside work.  Still working on embroidering the placemats.

Also, I bought a six drawer closet organizer.  I knew it had to be put together.  However, it took me all morning.  I would get one piece in place and another would come apart.  I finally succeeded though.  It is not going in my closet.  My closet isn’t big enough.  That is why I bought this.  It is next to my bed in my bedroom.  I need the storage space.  My problem is room.

After putting this together I worked on my embroidery. 

My First Embroidery Project In Years

Okay, so I had already called Scott, my furnace guy, and he was supposed to come over on Thursday morning.  However, he did say he would call first.  When he called I explained my problem in more detail, and he said this is not something he would do.  He gave me the name and phone number of an electrician he uses.  I called him and left a message for him to call me back.  I am now waiting to hear from him. 

Meanwhile, I am going to work on my embroidery. 

The rest of the day was pretty well shot so I worked on my embroidery, ate supper, and watched some television before going to bed.

Friday morning I got up at my usual time which is between 7:00 and 7:30.  Penny makes sure I get up then.  After breakfast I headed for Kroger.  It was nice shopping that early.  It was not crowded.  They are an hour behind us.  They run on Central Time and we run on Eastern Time.  We should be on Central Time but since we are right on the edge of the time difference, and most of what we do and where we go is Eastern Time we run on Eastern Time.  Jana just loves that when she comes down to stay.  The television times are central, but the clocks are eastern.  She does get confused.  It took me a while to get used to it.

After putting away my groceries I filled the birdfeeders.  I then walked down to the “orchard” where Kevin was working so I could talk to him.  I agreed to do some research on the trees we are expecting from the Arbor Day Organization.  They should be arriving any time now.  We need to decide where to plant them.  When I got back in the house I finished putting my bedroom back together.  I had made a real mess moving things so the electrician could get to my breaker panel if necessary.  It wasn’t necessary.

While sitting here typing this I am noticing birds going in and out of the birdhouses building their nests.  It’s that time of year.  Kevin and Renea just love this (HA! HA!) because they usually end up with a nest on the front porch and on their back patio. 

The napkins are finished.  They just need to be laundered and ironed.

Now it's on to the matching placemats.  They are going to take me a lot longer.

Always Something

Okay, so Sunday was a lazy day.  My blood pressure was acting up.  First it was low, then it was high, then it was low again.  Really weird.  So, I just took it easy.  I was also somewhat lightheaded, but that was because of the blood pressure.  I did go to Kevin and Renea’s for supper.  Renea fixed spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread.  Sure was good.  They both had a salad with theirs.  We had apple pie for dessert.  Not as good as Renea’s since it was store bought, but still good.  It was just the three of us.  Stephanie was sick.  Not sure why Ryan wasn’t there.  Renea’s mom and dad were not feeling up to par so they stayed at the camper and Kevin and Renea took some supper down to them.  I came home and watched some television.

I had planned to run some errands today (Monday), but one of my prescriptions was not ready for pickup.  I had run out of refills and needed a doctor approval.  The pharmacy called about noon and said they were ready, but I decided to wait until tomorrow.

I started one of my projects today.  I bought a set of placemats and napkins that need to be embroidered.  I have not done any embroidery for years – probably since I was a teenager.  These are stamped cross stitch so I thought they might be good for an easy start.  I started, and finished, one of the napkins this afternoon.  Doesn’t look bad.  Not perfect, but not bad either.  I actually enjoyed doing it.  I will embroider the other three napkins before I start the placemats.

I started the other three napkins.  Didn’t get too far.  Watched a little television then went to bed.

This morning was not a good morning.  The first thing I noticed was something was wrong with my television.  Lights on it were flashing.  I could not turn it off, but I was able to turn it on.  It went through several procedures and now that is working fine.  I turned on my stove to heat my tea water.  The light came on saying the burners were on, however, none of the burners worked.  I tried the oven and all I got was a clicking noise.  I flipped the breaker, and that didn’t do anything.  I guess I need a new stove.  Then, since it was rather chilly in the house, I turned up the heat and it would not come on.  I checked the breaker.  It had not tripped.  Not sure what is going on here.  Everything else seems to be working just fine.  Hopefully, it won’t get too cold before I find out what is wrong with my furnace.  I can always use my little electric heater.  I called Renea and she is going to have Kevin come over this evening and check my furnace and stove.

Next on the agenda for the day was going to Phenix City.  I stopped at Walgreens and picked up my prescriptions, then stopped at the bank, then Walmart to pick up a few items (especially bird seed), and then dropped off some items at Goodwill.

After I arrived home it was time to put Penny’s flea and tick medicine on her.  It’s just a few drops on the back of her head.  For some reason she does not like it, and now she is unhappy with me. 

I worked on the napkins again.  Watched some television and called it a day.

We are having a very windy day today.  Had some rain during the night/morning.  Not much.  However, it’s cloudy and turning colder.  Did some research on the computer regarding a new stove. 

Kevin came over this evening.  He was talking to Brian on the phone.  They had me check several other appliances while Kevin checked my breaker box, etc.  Not only is my stove not working neither is my furnace, hot water heater, dryer or dishwasher heating elements.  Brian said we have an electrical problem, and I should contact an electrician because Kevin does not do electric – and I don’t blame him.  If I understood Brian and Kevin correctly I have lost a “leg” of my 220 wiring.  So, I spent the evening cleaning out the corner of my bedroom where my breaker box is located.  Since I have no heat, and it was going down in the thirties tonight, I bundled up in pajamas and had three blankets.  I did just fine.

To be continued……

Continuing On

Continuing on…..after Brian, Jana and Mattie left Penny and I went back to bed.  Of course, I didn’t get much sleep.  I had been up too long.  So, I started cleaning the living room.  Moved the furniture back to where I usually have it. At three o’clock that afternoon I started my “purging” process for my colonoscopy on Tuesday.  Needless to say, I was up most of the night.

Tuesday morning, bright and early again, Renea was here to take me to St. Francis Hospital.  All went well.  No polyps this time.  I still have to see Dr. Price in five years, but he said if I am not having any problems I may not need to have another one.  YEA!!!

Renea brought me home, and I spent the rest of the day and night sleeping.  I think I was also catching up on the lack of sleep from the past couple of nights.  By Thursday I was feeling much better.  I finished the living room and also the dining room.  Friday was the kitchen and bathroom.  I also started on the bedroom.  Saturday I finished the bedroom.  I cleaned cupboards and drawers while cleaning.  I have a dining room full of items to go into the shed.  I have a car full of items to go to Goodwill.  That will be done on Monday.

I went to 5:30 Mass at St. Patrick’s on Saturday.  The priest asked about Jana, and I told him she was back in Cincinnati safe and sound.  Then I came home and collapsed.  I sure was tired.

Not having a good day today.  My blood pressure is really low.  Also, the weather is not too good.  It is warm but there is a cold front moving through later today/tonight and that always makes me hurt!  So, I have decided today will be a lazy day.  I have a lot to do next week, so I guess I better rest.

Penny is back to her normal self.  Running around the house like she usually does.  In fact, she was jumping from chair to chair to top of bookcase, and she was going so fast she missed the one bookcase and fell.  I was worried that she hurt herself, but she got up, shook herself and kept going.  Scared me.  I also got out her small toys that I put away when Mattie was here because she tried to eat them.  Penny is back to playing with them.  She has been a busy gal. 

I am getting ready to start on my projects.  Also, plan on starting yard work this week.  First, though, I have a lot of errands to run tomorrow. 

Brian Has Arrived!

Brian made really good time and arrived a little after six.  He was really tired.  He pulled into Kevin’s driveway, came over and said hello to Jana and me then went back to Kevin’s.  They had supper, a few beers and he went to bed.  He made it safely!

Thursday morning after Kevin went to work Brian came over and visited with Jana and me for a short time.  He then worked on his canoe while we got dressed and ready to go to Tigertown.  Jana had an appointment at the groomers for Mattie.  Brian went with us, he drove, because he wanted to go to Academy to pick up a few items.  We left Mattie with the groomers and headed to Academy.  He bought quite a few things and Jana bought to rocking chairs for her deck.  Since Brian brought his van there is enough room to take them home.  Brian also stopped at Kroger, and since Mattie wasn’t ready yet we went to Walmart so he could get a battery.  We then picked up Mattie and headed for home. 

The three of us then ate lunch, and Brian went outside to work on his canoe and motor to get it ready so he and Kevin could go fishing on Thursday.  He had a few problems with the motor, but got them solved.  We all went over to Kevin’s then for supper.  Stephanie and Gary joined us.  Kevin grilled chicken and we had a few sides along with brownies for desert.  The evening both before and after supper was full of laughs as stories were told about both Brian and Kevin, with a few thrown in about Stephanie and Gary.  We also had our DNA meeting, which was very interesting.  We all called it a night about nine o’clock.  Everyone was tired.

Friday morning Brian and Kevin loaded up the canoe to go fishing.  It didn’t go as planned.  First thing that happened was they had a flat tire on the trailer they were towing the boat on.  When they got to the lake they found that it takes two people to handle the canoe, and then when they got it in the water the canoe started taking on water.  Not sure why since we haven’t really talked to either Brian or Kevin since they returned home.  Jana found out because she talked to Kevin for a few minutes when she took Mattie out for her walk. 

After arriving home they transferred the canoe to a different trailer and returned it and the paddles to Academy.  They have since returned.  I am sure we will find out what happened when we go over to Kevin’s for supper.  I am sure that Brian is very disappointed.  No problem returning it.  Brian did not buy another boat, and is not sure he is going to buy one. 

Kevin grilled pork chops for supper and they were delicious.  We then stayed and talked for a while and watched a little television.  We came home about nine o’clock.  Didn’t stay up too much longer – we were tired!

While we were eating Renea’s dad, Dillard, came up from the camper.  He came in the house to show us what he “caught” in the creek down in the woods.  He had a stick with a string tied to it and on the end of the string he had tied a fish stick.  It was the best laugh we had all day.

Saturday is a sunny but cold day.  Brian and Kevin headed to Lee County Lake.  They plan to rent a boat and do some fishing.  They told us they would be “catching” our supper.  Renea bought fish at SAM’S just in case J  Jana and I will be going to church later this afternoon and then going to Kevin’s for supper.  NOTE:  The “boys” decided it was too cold and windy to fish, so they set up the shooting range for tomorrow.  Kevin grilled the fish Renea bought and it sure tasted good!

Sunday was a busy day.  Kevin and Brian were the first on the shooting range.  This was set up in our back yard/woods.  They shot the clay pigeons and also had a target area.  Brian has never done much shooting and Kevin taught him a lot.  Bruce and his family came over.  Bruce, their son Nicholas (who is a good shot), daughter Rebecca (who is a good shot) and daughter Bethany (who is just learning) all had a chance to shoot.  Rebecca’s boyfriend was with them and apparently he had never shot before so they were helping him.  Then Stephanie and her boyfriend, Gary, came over.  The two of them outshot everyone (except Kevin).  Jana and I watched from the house.  Neither of us have ever even held a gun.

After shooting, Kevin grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, and metts.  Renea had all the fixings.  Renea’s mom and dad joined us for supper.  They had a full house.  Watched some of the super bowl at their house.  Had high hopes for Atlanta, but they didn’t show up for the second half.  We were hoping!

Monday morning Brian came over at 5:30 a.m. and Jana and he, along with Mattie, headed for Ohio.  They arrived home safely.

Last Trip to B & N

Good Morning.  Today is a beautiful sunny day – cold but sunny.  Yesterday was a lazy day.  I had a bad night so I didn’t do much of anything.  I did two loads of laundry (big deal).  I did some reading.  Watched some television – which I got tired of.  We went to supper at Kevin and Renea’s.  Kevin smoked a brisket and Renea fixed macaroni salad, potato salad, baked beans and we had brownies and banana pudding for desert.  Tasted really good.  Then it was early to bed.

Jana is doing her laundry today and starting to get ready to head for home.  So far I have made one phone call and plan on two more.  Meanwhile Penny and Mattie are chasing each other.  Penny has a box that she likes to get into.  She has been in there and Mattie keeps going over and sticking her nose in the box.  Of course, Penny smacks her and then they start chasing. Such fun.

Oh yea, I did make the rest of my phone calls.  Sent a couple of emails.  Heard from Brian.  He called to let us know it is still a go for him coming down on Wednesday.

I ran the dishwasher and watched to see if I could find the leak under my sink.  A couple of days ago it was really wet under there.  However, after doing some pots and pans that I washed by hand, and running the dishwasher, it was completely dry.  Don’t know what happened the other day, but I will be keeping an eye on it.  We also got Jana’s luggage out of the shed so she can start packing.

Tuesday was a trip to Barnes and Nobles.  This was our last trip while Jana is here.  I bought several books and so did Jana.  We then went to Red Lobster for lunch.  Jana had given me a gift card for Christmas and we decided now would be a good time to use it.  After lunch we made a stop at Kilwins candy store.  Jana wanted some of their candy to take home.  We didn’t buy any fudge this time.  It was home after that and we sat on the porch for a short time.

Wednesday morning after breakfast I changed the bedclothes on my bed in case Brian decides to stay with us.  He is planning to stay at Kevin’s, but I wanted to be prepared in case there is a change of plans.  Jana and I then headed for Tigertown so we both could get a haircut.  Then it was on to Kroger, for food and gas.  After arriving home I heard from Brian.  He should be here about seven o’clock tonight.  Looking forward to seeing him.  It’s been a while.  I’m also anxious to go over the DNA results with him, Kevin and Jana.