Mice, Mice and More Mice

Arrived home about 9:30 p.m.  Had a nice trip down.  Had rain a couple of times.  We came down I-65 and sure glad we did.  Apparently, I-75 had a lot more rain, watches and warnings.  We were met by Kevin, Renea and Ryan.  They came inside for a short time.  Ryan didn’t stay.  When they left Brian and I went to bed and collapsed!  Brian slept in my room and I slept on the hide-a-bed.  Worked out fine.  I did this so Penny didn’t pester him.  He offered to sleep on the hide-a-bed, but I thought he should get a good night’s sleep since he was leaving for Cincinnati in the morning.

I spent all day Thursday putting everything away.  I got the luggage emptied.  I put away the books I bought.  I put away the books I brought back that Jana gave me to read.  Renea brought my mail over so I went through all of that. Jana had given me a basket that Mom had which was filled with spools of thread, embroidery thread, scraps of material and some other odds and ends.  I sorted through all of that and emptied it and put all the items away. I wrote up my grocery list since I was out of everything.  After supper I was finished.  I was tired! 

Friday morning I went to Tigertown and got a haircut.  Then went to Kroger.  After shopping I filled the gas tank.  Came home, and Kevin was on his was over to visit and he helped me bring in the groceries.  Thank you Kevin!  After putting away the groceries and eating lunch, I tackled all the paperwork that had been accumulating.  Took me all afternoon to finish that.  Kevin and Renea went to Rebekah’s graduation so I fed the dogs and let them out to do their business.  After that I called it quits.

Saturday morning I did a couple loads of laundry.  After lunch I went to Bruce and Jennifer’s for Rebekah’s graduation party.  Had a really nice time.  I met Bruce’s family and Jennifer’s family.  Bruce’s family were there from Colorado.  Jennifer’s parents were there from Texas, and her sister was there from Tennessee.  I left the party early so I could go to Mass.  I stopped at Walmart on the way to church to pick up a few items.

Sunday morning I started doing my laundry.  Will probably take me all day.  I don’t know how I accumulated so much, but I did.  My laundry basket was overflowing 😊. 

While I was in Ohio the mice gnawed a hole in my bathroom cupboard.  So, I immediately set a trap.  I caught my first one during the night last night.  Got rid of it and set another trap.  I have caught another one.  I have decided not to fill in the hole right now, and just continue to set traps and, hopefully, catch them all.  I know we have a mouse problem living in the country so I will just keep trapping them.  I actually caught three mice today.

I decided to watch the Indy 500.  It was rather exciting.  After supper I planned to watch the NASCAR race.  However, after it started they had to red flag it because of rain.  Then by the time they were ready to race again it was time for me to go to bed. 

I did all of my laundry except for towels which I will do tomorrow.  In between loads of laundry I went through a lot of old papers, etc., that I could throw away.  I didn’t realize I had saved so much “stuff.”

Back Home Again!

Yes, I am back.  I spent a week in Cincinnati.  I stayed with Jana and Mattie.  I took Penny with me so we could see how she would do when I go there for two months this summer.  She did fine.  Penny and Mattie chased each other around the house.  Penny checked out every nook cranny.  When I first arrived I set her crate (with her still in it) on the floor and Mattie came right up and the two of them touched noses as if to say hello.

I guess I should explain my reason for going to Cincinnati for one week.  Bradley and Brianna are getting married in July and her sister gave her a bridal shower to which I was invited.  Brian offered to come get me and bring me back.  This was my mother’s day present.  So I said yes.  I did stay with Jana though since Brian and Tracy have four dogs living in their house and Bradley and Brianna are living there.  I thoroughly enjoyed riding with Brian.  It gave us a great time to catch up.  As Brian put it, it took us twenty hours to catch up.

Jana and I had a great time.  We went to Shoe Carnival and I bought three pairs of shoes.  They didn’t have the Easy Spirit that I like so I am trying a different brand.  We also went to Barnes and Nobles and I bought several books and ordered several more.  We went to Kohl’s – twice -and bought several items.  We ate at Skyline, Frischs with the camping group, O’Charley’s, had pizza delivered, and Jana fixed a roast.   

Penny and I slept in Mom’s old room.  In fact, when we would leave the house I would put Penny in the room and shut the door.  We weren’t too sure what kind of mischief her and Mattie would get into while we were gone.  Penny claimed the upstairs as hers.  She also took over Jana and David’s old room.  She would lay on the landing at the top of the steps, or on one of the steps, and just dare anyone, including Mattie, to come upstairs.  She was so funny.  Therefore, I am not worried about taking her with me when I go there this summer.

Jana had Brian install a door from her upstairs to the basement.  It is one of those folding doors.  This was done to keep Penny from going to the basement. We weren’t there an hour and Penny figured out how to get beneath it and push on it to open it.  So much for the door keeping her out of the basement.  Jana put a gate across the door after that.  We still kept an eye on her because we caught her standing on a small table looking over the gate as if she was trying to figure out how she could get behind the gate, push open the door and go downstairs.  She hates closed doors!

We went to Brianna’s shower on Sunday. This was the main reason for going to Cincinnati.  Had a very nice time. Her sister gave the shower.  Her family was there, along with some of her friends.  And, of course, Bradley’s family.  She received some beautiful gifts.

Now it is home and time to get caught up.  It’s amazing what being away for one week how much work accumulates.

Making Progress

After morning chores I spent the morning mowing grass.  Finished three sections.  After taking a short break to cool off, I had lunch and then took a shower.  Next it was on to Opelika. When I left I planned to take the back roads like I usually do.  However, after I drove a couple of miles I came to signs telling me the road was closed.  I had to turn around and go by way of 80 and 51.  I had no idea that the road was being worked on.  There is a sign at Hwy 80 and Hwy 21 (the road I live on) saying the road is closed to all traffic except local.  It wasn’t there this weekend.

First stop in Opelika was Walmart to replace the duffle bags I can’t find, some roundup and a few other items.  I then went to Tigertown to return my old phone to Verizon.  This was done through UPS. They won’t accept them at the Verizon store because it messes up their inventory – so I was told.  I also stopped at Kroger.  By the time I arrived home it was time for supper.

After supper I sat outside on the deck and read for a while.  However, the no-see-ums were really bad so I came inside.  I did watch DWTS, and was very surprised at who was eliminated.

This morning I was up bright and early.  Did my morning chores and then proceeded to pack my suitcase and duffle bag.  I am just about ready to leave except for the last minute items.  I am looking forward to visiting in Cincinnati.

Yesterday I received two invitations in the mail.  Two of my very good friends from Green Township are retiring and there is going to be a retirement party for both of them.  I am so sorry that I will not be able to attend.  The dates just don’t work out for me.  However, congratulations to both Leslie and Mike (both Green Township Fire Department).  I hope you both enjoy your retirement as much as I have enjoyed mine!

Brian has arrived.  Got a good night’s sleep.  We are off to Cincinnati!  I will be back in a week.

Actually, I have returned.  Next blog will be about my quick trip.

WE HAD SOME RAIN!

It’s another sunny and hot day in Alabama.  We are again in a drought.  We are in the second tier right now, but close to the third tier which is severe.  Sure would be nice if we got some rain.  We have a slight chance tomorrow night.  But, as usual, it will probably miss us.

Yesterday morning I spent most of the morning at Verizon.  I took my new phone to them for activation.  I also had a few questions.  So far, it is working just fine.

Skipping on to Friday. I FINALLY finished weeding the area in front of the deck.  I also dug up two dead bushes yesterday.  I put everything in the shed that I had been leaving where I was weeding.  Now I have to used roundup.  However, it is supposed to rain so I will wait for a day or two.  After that I will buy the rocks to go there.  Kevin suggested we buy a truck load instead of bags.  Not sure I can work with moving a truck load of rocks.  The bags are easier because I can drag them around.  We will see. 

Other than getting the area in front of my deck finished I didn’t do much of anything today.  I read.  Watched most of the truck race, then went to bed. 

I have accomplished quite a bit with my genealogy.  I have a lot of new information.  I am considering signing up for the World access.  I just wish I could read German.

Also, I have found Jim’s grandfather and grandmother on his mother’s side.  I also think I have found his grandfather’s parents.  I need to do a little more research to be sure, but it sure is looking promising.

WOW!  We actually had some rain.  Started during the very early morning hours, and was over by about 10:00 a.m.  Checked the rain gauge and we had ¾ of an inch of rain.  This is good.  However, there is nothing in the next ten days forecast except sun. Guess we are back to watering. Received my water bill today and I was a little shocked to see the amount.  I sure hope the trees and bushes grow and stay alive.

Went to Mass this afternoon/evening, and at the end of the Mass Father called all the mothers to the front of the church.  He gave us a blessing, a rose and a rose pin.  When I arrived home I didn’t know what to do with the rose because I was worried that Penny would try to eat it.  So, I cut the stem to make it a little shorter and stuck it in one of the flower pots on my deck.  I know it won’t last too long, but it was better than throwing it away.

I stopped on the way home and picked up some takeout for supper.  When I got home Brian called to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day since he wasn’t sure he would have a chance on Sunday.  I had a nice conversation with him.  I then watched the first two sections of the NASCAR race before going to bed.  I didn’t see the terrible wreck that happened.  I did see the replay on the computer and read the interviews and comments.  I was sorry to hear about Aric, but I heard later that he was released from the hospital.  He has some problems, but will eventually be okay.  No matter how many precautions NASCAR takes it is still a dangerous sport.

Sunday I was up bright and early.  I did my laundry so I can start packing.  I need to start getting ready for my trip to Ohio.  Brian will be coming down next week to get both me and Penny.  We will be staying with Jana and Mattie.  This should be interesting because we haven’t done this before now.  Jana has been busy getting her house ready for Penny.  She is a climber so she is putting everything away that she doesn’t want broken. I will be there for about a week.  I am going so I can go to Brianna’s shower.  It will be a quick in and out trip.  However, we will be back in late July or early August for six weeks.  One of the reasons I will not be staying at Brian and Tracy’s is because Brianna and Bradly are living there, along with Samantha (of course), and three dogs.  I guess I am getting old because just thinking about that makes me tired 😊. 

Everything was going fine until I looked for my duffle bags.  I have looked everywhere, including the sheds, and I cannot find them.  I have no idea what I did with them.  They are not where I usually keep them.  I guess I will stop at Walmart tomorrow and pick up a new one.

Kevin and Renea came home from their camping trip and stopped over for a short visit and to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day.  I had fixed me a nice supper in the crockpot, and after eating I sat on the deck and read for a while.  Not much on television.  I did watch one program and then went to bed. 

Mostly Genealogy

The start of another week.  It seems the rain and storms are over for now.  It has been cool (for us) but that won’t last long.  The hot weather is returning.  I haven’t accomplished much outside because of the rain and storms.  Since I had my DNA done I have been hearing from “new” relatives and getting more information for my family tree.  I have been conversing with several of them through email.  So, I have spent the past few days updating my family tree with the new information.  That has kept me busy.  I am almost up to date now.  Of course, that won’t last long because I also get new information from ancestry.  I am back about as far as I can go, so now I am expanding into cousins, etc.

 

Today I am heading for Tigertown.  I will be gone most of the day since I am going shopping for shower presents for Brianna.  I know what I am getting, but I will not be putting it on my blog because Brianna reads my blog and I don’t want her to know what I buy.  I also have a couple of other places to shop.

One of the places I will be going is to Verizon.  Something is wrong with my phone.  The battery does not hold a charge and it keeps locking up on me.  I was talking to Stephanie and she said that they will probably give me a new phone (meaning I will have to buy a new phone?).  Anyway, it’s frustrating.  I didn’t have this much trouble with my old flip phone.

Penny has been all wound up lately.  She is going back to her old ways of waking me up early.  Lately it’s been between 5:30 and 6:00.  I put her out of the bedroom and close the door, but then she sits outside the door and meows.  She makes me feel guilty.  Can you say spoiled?  I thought about changing her name to Jim because he used to wake up this early all the time.

 

The shopping is finished.  First stop was Verizon.  Of course, I needed a new phone.  However, since I have a protection program there is no charge.  I will receive the phone in two days, then I go back so they can transfer my information.  Next was Bed, Bath and Beyond, then Target.  Stopped in Hobby Lobby but I didn’t buy anything.  Kroger was next.  Headed home, and Penny and I had lunch.

After lunch I mowed two sections of grass.  Picked up my mail and headed back to the house for a break.  After supper I watered the bushes, flowers, sticks, and dead trees.  I am sure my tulip poplar trees are dead, but I keep watering them “just in case.”  Same for the two crape myrtles I received from the Arbor Day Organization.  I have a new limb growing on the golden raintree.  YEA! 

 

This morning, after getting my morning chores finished, I went outside and pulled some more weeds in front of my deck.  I am getting there slowly but surely.  I also sprayed roundup on weeds that are small and not too close to bushes planted in the ground.  It is supposed to go up to ninety today so I will probably not go back out until this evening.  Actually, I went back out after lunch and sprayed some more roundup while the sun was shining in front of the deck.  By three o’clock it will start getting shady. 

I took a couple of pictures of the day lilies that are starting to bloom.  These are different than the first ones I took.

I did some more work on my genealogy.  Next I have to update the family book.  The reason I am doing a “book” is to add information that I have found such as who fought in what war, etc.  Also any little tidbits of information that I find out. 

 

After supper I worked a while longer on pulling weeds and spraying roundup.  It’s been a long day, so good night 😊

NOTE:  My new phone has arrived.

Finally Some Rain - Actually Storms

Looks like we have another rough week coming at us.  Today is sunny and beautiful, but extremely windy.  Tomorrow we are supposed to have severe storms.  It seems the ones that hit in Texas are heading our way.  They are watching another system that could hit us on Thursday.  I guess we are making up for a slow start to spring.

Yesterday when I left for Mass I stopped to get my mail.  The mail carrier had stuffed a package in my mailbox, and when I removed it I found it was the Franklin trees I had ordered.  I just hoped they were okay after seeing the package.  I didn’t have time to check them last night because I went to Kevin and Renea’s after church.  So, I opened the package this morning.  The packing was a little dented, but the trees looked okay.  In fact, they look rather healthy.  I planted them in containers this year.  Last year we had so much trouble getting them to grow I thought this would be better.  I have them in front of my deck so I can water them.  They will get both sun and shade there.

This afternoon I rode around the yard on my mower to check out the garden, trees, and bushes.  The garden is looking fine.  Most of the trees we planted that we received from the Arbor Day Organization have leaves – not all of them, but most of them.  Sorry to say that none of my tulip poplar trees show any sign of new growth.  Several of Kevin’s fruit trees do not show signs of new growth either.  Not sure what is going on.  The wisteria look great.  The sunflowers are looking good.  My snowball bush is beginning to get buds.  We are making some progress.

I have the cutest gecko in my front yard.  He comes up on my deck to visit every morning.  Renea saw him today.  I also have a lizard and toad. 

This afternoon I was invited to Kevin and Renea’s for supper.  She fixed chicken wrapped in bacon; that is one of mine and Kevin’s favorite meals.  Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the meal.  I am home now, and will probably watch a little television before going to bed.

Monday was another day of storms.  We had lightning, thunder, rain and, what else?, tornadoes!  Typical spring day in the south.  Again, we were lucky.  The worst stayed south and east of us.  There were radar tornadoes spotted in Russell County, close buy not right here.  Scary for sure.  Needless to say, I didn’t get much done.

Tuesday morning was sunny and cool (for us).  So, I spent the morning in Columbus, GA, shopping.  Before I went there I stopped in Phenix City to drop off Penny’s poop at the vets to be checked.  Then I went to Barnes & Nobel and bought six books.  Next was SAM’S for my paper products.  Finished up at Walmart.  After arriving home I had the fun of putting everything away.

This afternoon was spent doing some odds and ends around the house.  Renea stopped over and asked me to make some copies for Kevin.  While I was doing this Kevin stopped in.  I had bought them each a coffee mug at Walmart.  The mugs were a beehive with bees.  They were really cute.  I was going to take a picture, but I gave them to K & R before I did.  Oh well.  I sat outside on my swing for a while, watched a little television.  There really wasn’t anything of interest showing.  Went to bed at my usual time.

Talked to Brian yesterday, and we made our plans for me to go to Cincinnati later in May.  He will be picking me up on Wednesday.  I will be staying with Jana.  The Brian will bring me back the following Wednesday.  Renea said she would take care of Penny while I am gone. 

I also checked out the two registries where Bradley and Brianna are registered.  I have to decide what I am going to give them at her shower. 

The next couple of months are going to be very busy!