Curtains and Yard Work

My new kitchen curtains arrived.  I ironed them and hung them.  I am really pleased with how they look.  They brighten up the kitchen.  There is so much brown in the mobile home (including all the curtains) that I decided I needed some color, etc.  The curtains are white with flowers and butterflies embroidered on them.  Even the bottom trim, which is scalloped, is embroidered. 

I spent Sunday on the riding mower.  First I cut Kevin’s front grass.  It took quite a while because it was so high and I had to go slow.  Looks good now.  After I finished his grass I decided to give my front yard a once over since it has been about a week since I had cut the grass.  I was surprised at how high my grass was and I sure am glad I decided to cut it also.  Needless to say I was tired when I finished.  Took a shower, had a glass of wine and rested a bit before supper.  Made a few phone calls after supper, sat on the deck for a while, watched a little television then went to bed early.

 

Monday morning I finished the front grass using the “hand” mower in the areas where the riding mower doesn’t go.  I did some weeding in the rock garden, sprayed a little bit of roundup in a few areas, and cleaned the new birdbath.  It’s really hot and humid outside so I am doing things little by little.  Didn’t do much of anything outside this afternoon.  This evening I weeded the other area of bushes and flowers.  I also filled the birdfeeders, and watered the flowers. I also transplanted one of the plants in the planter in the rock garden.  It was really looking sad.  I had too much in the planter.  I put it in the pot where the daisies had been since they don’t seem to be coming back.  

Kevin cut all the back grass this afternoon.  We are making progress on out to do list.

 

Today is Tuesday and I am in a funk.  So, I decided to work outside.  I had a small area of grass to trim along the edge of the deck.  I finished that first.  Next I decided to tackle the area in the back of the house where I keep my boxes with bird seed and other miscellaneous yard equipment.  I trimmed the grass along the house, cut grass with the hand mower where I could, sprayed roundup along the base of the house and some ant spray.  It took me all morning, but I got it finished up to my back steps.  Tomorrow I will work on the area on the other side of my steps.  There is shade in the back of the house in the morning so I figure that’s the best time to work there. 

 

Still waiting to hear about my gutters and downspouts.  I did order them, and was told it would probably be about six weeks.  It’s been about four.  I have started looking at sheds.  That is also on my to do list.  I need a place to store all my yard “stuff” and the hand mower.  I may also store the yellow riding mower.  Kevin’s shed is full.  Not sure where I will put the shed, but it is definitely needed.  Another project that needs to be done is having the plastic siding removing from around the bottom of the mobile home and replaced with brick.  Kevin uses the weed eater at both of our places and the plastic just keeps breaking. 

 

Across the road from us are many acres of farmland, pasture land (they raise horses and donkeys), trees, etc.  Now, Saturday evening a sign was erected right across from my driveway.  It says Honey Bee Farms and lists the owners.  However, at the bottom it says NO HONEY.  We are not sure what is going on, but I sure hope we don’t end up with a lot of bees.  I don’t like bees.

 

Didn’t do any outside work this evening.  The sky got really dark and there was a lot of thunder.  Had some rain during the night, but I decided it was better to stay indoors.

Today is Wednesday, and I just came in from working in the back yard again.  This morning I finished the area on the other side of my back steps.  The back is looking much better.  Not sure what I am going to do this afternoon.  I may just take a break and read.

 

As most of you know I like to read.  I read a variety of books.  Jana gave me a couple of book written by Lee Childs who’s main character is Jack Reacher.  Now, according the Lee Child’s Jack Reacher is 6ft 4 in tall and weighs 250 lbs.  Now, that is a big guy.  Last night I saw on television they are going to make a moving of at least one of Lee Child’s books.  I could not believe who they are going to cast to play the part of Jack Reacher.  TOM CRUISE – now, let’s face it, Tom Cruise is not 6’4” nor does he weigh 250 lbs.  Don’t think this is going to work.  Whoever did the casting for this movie sure didn’t know what he/she was doing.  Maybe they didn’t read the books.  Every book mentions Reacher’s height and weight.  Go figure. 

 

Now that I have bored you to sleep, I will end this blog. 

Catching Up

It’s time to get caught up with my blog.  CRAP is over and plans are starting to be made for next year.  Jana and David have been here for a month visiting.  They left yesterday morning and should arrive home sometime today.  Since Jana is the only driver now they are taking two days.  I am going to miss them.  However, mom sure is looking forward to them coming home.  I know she has missed them.

 

After they left I cleaned my house, which I had neglected because I was “too busy” shopping and visiting.  I also did five loads of laundry.  I was able to keep caught up with laundering my clothes, this was all the extras.  Today I am getting caught up on computer stuff, straightening cupboards, etc.  Brian arrived late last night and will be leaving later today.  He is taking Jana and David’s trailer back to the campground where they have a spot. 

 

Jana and I also put together the CRAP JUNE 2012 album.  I printed the pictures, and Jana helped me put the albums together.  The pictures turned out great, and so did the albums.

 

While they were here we did a lot of shopping.  I bought new curtains for both my kitchen and living room.  They haven’t arrived yet.  I will post pictures after I hang them.  We spent several evenings sitting on my deck.  The deck faces the east so it has shade in the evenings.  However, this past week we had storms every evening, so we spent some time inside.  We had three inches of rain the past couple of days.  Our weather here is 90’s and hot during the day then a thunder shower in the evening with a lot of rain, wind, thunder and lightning. 

 

I haven’t had much time to do yard work.  I did get my front grass cut again, but not Kevin’s.  Hopefully, I will get that done on Monday.  I did get my hibiscus planted and they are doing great.

The vinca plants, impatiens and pentas are also doing great.  In fact I had to repot the vincas because the original pot wasn’t big enough.

The sunflowers died.  I didn’t get them planted in time and I couldn’t revive them.  Hopefully, I will have better luck next year.

I moved my hummingbird feeder to the hook in the rock garden.  I had a spinner on the hook and noticed that a hummingbird get coming to it apparently because it was red.  Jana suggested that I put the hummingbird feeder there.  So, I replaced the spinner with the feeder and the hummingbird comes there several times a day.  I don’t know if it’s only one bird and several.

This must also be the time for cardinals.  In the morning and evening I have at least a dozen cardinals, both male and female, at my birdfeeder. I know this picture is of just one cardinal.  If you look real close, you can see a finch at the finch feeder.  Since my birdbath had to be thrown away, I found this one that hangs on a hook.  The birds really like it.

As you can tell, I am enjoying both my garden/flowers and the birds.

CRAPSTOCK

We always give our IDOL show a special name.  Since our theme this year was the 60's we decided to go with CRAPSTOCK.  For those of you who don't remember that was the time of WOODSTOCK.  I have posted one picture of each act. 

Renea, Beth and Rebecca performed THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING

Ryan sang MAGGIE along with Rod Stewart

Brian, Tracy, Bradley, Steven, Samantha and Brianna (Bradley's girlfriend) performed a skit featuring Scooby Doo and the Gang.  (Steven was Scooby Doo)  The skit was written by Tracy and included information about Jim and my first couple of years of marriage.

As you can see, Brian joined them at the end of the skit as our brand new baby :)

Samantha and Stephanie danced and sang to I FEEL GOOD

Kevin and Gio performed as Sonny and Cher to I GOT YOU BABE.  I guess you can tell who was supposed to be who.

Andrea and Megan performed a dance routine.  I don't remember what song they danced to.  I am trying to find out.

Rita and Bob performed as the BEACH BOYS.  They wrote special CRAP words to SURFIN' USA

They included Anthony and Thing One in their skit.  Anthony is Ryan's friend and Thing One is Stephanie's friend.  Her name is also Stephanie so they gave her the nickname of Thing One.

Rick was our MC this year.

Steven was the MC IN TRAINING since Rick may not be here next year.  He is in the Army and you never know where he may go.

Everyone did an absolutely fantastic job.  They were all so creative and very entertaining. 

This year we had eight awards.  Everyone received an award.  One act did receive the Best Overall which included the plaque which they will have until next year's IDOL.  Andrea and Megan won the Best Overall Award.  We did not have specific judges this year.  Everyone was given ballots with which to vote.  The ballots were placed in a RED SOLO CUP with a label stating the award.  Tracy and I counted the ballots and whoever won that specific award was given the RED SOLO CUP as their trophy.  We thought that was pretty creative. 

That's it until next year.

SOME MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES PART 1

Rita took some random pictures so I decided to post a few of them.

This is a shot of our JEOPARDY board.

I was the MC

Bob and Steven.  A serious discussion?

Andrea and Ryan just relaxing

Bob being Bob

Kevin - did the shark get him?  He looks confused!

Rita - Ride 'em cowgirl!

Kevin and Brian - where's the beer?

PICTURES AND FOOD

Since we now have our 2012 CRAP t-shirts it is time for pictures.  We decided to take pictures after breakfast.  The agreed upon time was 1:00 p.m.  Everyone gathered in the back yard around the pool.  Numerous pictures were taken, and I am not going to post all of them.  However, below is a family picture, and one of me with Brian and Kevin that I think turned out really good.   

After the picture taking session it was time to get in the pool and cool off.  It sure was hot.  And, I’m sure you noticed that a lot of us had sunglasses on.  The afternoon was spent trying to stay cool.  We usually played games on Saturday afternoon – last year was Granny games – but this year it was pool time. 

 

We had our CRAPSTOCK (Idol) after supper.  That will be a separate blog with lots of pictures.

 

I want to say a great big thank you to Kevin and Renea for the use of their house and pool.  Also, for the food.  Before CRAP Renea had baked breads and muffins for Friday morning breakfast.  She fixed french toast casserole for Saturday breakfast.

 

A little more detail regarding the food follows.  Renea had to work Thursday so I fixed a pot of “Althoefer” bar-b-q with cole slaw.  Renea had fixed macaroni salad the day before to go with supper. 

 

Friday morning breakfast, as I mentioned, was the muffins and bread that Renea had baked.  For lunch was cheese, pepperoni, crackers, etc.  Supper was hamburgers and hot dogs fixed on the grill by Kevin along with all the fixins (potato salad, macaroni salad, beans, tomatoes, etc.).  Renea also baked brownies and chocolate chip cookies.

 

Saturday breakfast was the french toast casserole.  Late in the afternoon Renea fixed cheese and chocolate in fondue pots in which we dipped bread, fruit and veggies.  Supper was fix your own shish-ka-bobs which were grilled by Rick.  They included potatoes, onions, chicken, beef, peppers, mushrooms (all the goodies). 

 

Renea baked the CRAP cake for dessert.  She even used the ty-dye theme for the sixties.  Rita took a picture, and then the cake was eaten by all.  Sure was good.

Thank you Kevin and Renea for all your hard work.

CRAP FRIDAY

The first day of CRAP started out a little different than previous ones.  Bob left early because he had a tee time with several of the guys he works with at a Robert Trent Jones Course in Opelika, AL.  Shortly after he left Rita called the insurance company to find out what they should do about their broken windshield.  They approved the replacement and Kevin made an appointment with the place where he had his windshield and rear truck window replaced.  However, they had to have the car there before 11:00 a.m.  This put them on a tight schedule.  So……they borrowed my car.  Brian, Kevin and Rita took my car to the golf course for Bob to use when he finished playing golf.  (Nothing like replacing a Lexus with a Saturn, but it got him home)  They made the deadline and Ryan picked them up at the window shop.  They were told it would be finished by 5:00 p.m. that day – and it was.  Ryan took Bob to pick it up.

 

Due to all the changes in schedules, etc.  the First Annual Jim Aker Scavenger Hunt was scrapped.  However, everyone did spend a lot of time in the pool.

 

Bob didn’t get back to CRAP until about 3:00 p.m.  Meanwhile Stephanie arrived home from  her college orientation about 4:00 p.m.  During the afternoon we had our annual meeting.  Rita was re-elected President along with Kevin and Brian as her bodyguards.  Next year’s CRAP will be held on July 19^th and 20^th.  Same place.  The theme will be THE BEACH.  Kevin mentioned roasting a pig in a pit.

Next on the agenda was the distribution of awards.  Tracy was in charge (and received a little help from Bradley).  She made each one personal.  She did a fantastic job.  Everyone was excited about their awards.  Below is a copy of my award.  As you can see I received the Greenaker Award.  I think it had something to do with all my grass cutting, especially since there is a picture of a tractor.

We also received our 2012 CRAP t-shirts from Rita.  Since we had a 60’s theme the shirts were ty-dye shirts.  They are great.  Everyone liked them.  Thanks Tracy and Rita.  They have both been awarded the same jobs for next year J

We then had a supper of grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixins. 

After supper we set up for our first CRAP JEOPARDY.  It was a hit!  Everyone had a great time.  There was the usual yelling, complaining, and all that good stuff.  The three team captains were Bob, Renea and Tracy.  Each captain had five members on their team.  We tried using party horns in place of the buzzers.  Didn’t work too well.  In fact, one package that Marilyn bought didn’t make any sound.  We probably should have given them to everyone.  Before Final Jeopardy, Team Tracy was in the lead, Team Renea was second, and Team Bob was third.  After Final Jeopardy the winners were Team Tracy by one point.  It has been suggested that we do this again next year.

Another Senior Moment

The previous blog should read THURSDAY - NOT WEDNESDAY.  Time just flies when you are having fun :)