I'm Here.....

Here is Ohio.  I would say Cincinnati, but I am staying in West Chester, Liberty Township, and Cheviot.  So, I will just say Ohio. Left Alabama Saturday morning and drove to Franklin, TN, for the night.  Had an uneventful trip.  My new car handled the drive beautifully.  Before I left home I checked all the schedules of the college football games, the Tennessee Titans schedule, and the NASCAR schedule so I wouldn’t get caught in any major traffic jam.  After a quick breakfast on Sunday morning I headed to Ohio.  Arrived at Jana’s early afternoon.  NOTE:  I got 35.5 mpg with my new car.  Jana had picked up Mom from the nursing home so she was also there.  Jana fixed an awesome supper (which we all enjoyed) and then we took Mom back to the nursing home.
 

Monday we just kind of got organized, then picked up Mom and took her with us to Frisch’s for supper.  We met Jana and David’s friends from their camping club.  It was good to see all of them.  When we left it was raining really hard.  We took Mom back to the nursing home.

 

Tuesday David went to the movies with his son Michael so Jana and I went shopping.  We really went so I could get a watch (I forgot mine).  We bought a lot of stuff and forgot to get a watch.  We then picked up Mom from the nursing home and took here to Jana’s for supper.  Took her back after supper.  We keep taking her back because she is not allowed to spend the night away from the nursing home due to insurance regulations.  She probably napped all day Wednesday.  She was pretty worn out.

 

Mom is going to start getting physical therapy this week.  She has been evaluated.  She is having a lot of pain in her feet.  It has been determined that it is arthritis.  The PT is to help alleviate some of the pain.

 

Oh yeah, on Monday and Tuesday we watched Dancing With The Stars.  Was surprised who was voted off. 

 

I am now in West Chester with Rita and Bob.  I arrived here yesterday afternoon.  Rita got home from work shortly after I arrived.  While waiting for her I took a nap.  Bob was out of town and didn’t get home until later.  So, Rita and I went to Skyline for supper.  It was soooo good.  However, it was “kids eat free night” and I think there were at least 10,000 kids in Skyline.  We were able to get a booth all the way in the back so it wasn’t bad.  Bob was home when we got back from supper.  So, we all had a drink (or two), watched the debate (YEAH ROMNEY!), Rita worked on some homework, and I don’t think we ever stopped talking. 

 

Their yard looks great.  Rita gave me some advice on a few of my plants.  In all the years that we had a Dawn Redwood on Boomer Road I did not know that they produced fruit.  She had a piece of the fruit that she picked up on one of her field trips with her class.  It was awesome.  I will have to watch the Dawn Redwood we have in Alabama more closely. 

 

Tomorrow I head for Brian’s for the weekend.  It’s going to be great seeing him, Tracy, Bradley, Steven and Samantha.  I’m looking forward to getting caught up on all the news.

Busy Busy Busy

What a week!  I’m getting ready to head for Ohio.  I have cut my front grass and Kevin’s front grass.  I bought the paint for my shed, which Kevin is going to paint while I am gone.  Renea will be watering my flowers.  I also finished the rocks in front of my deck.  Sure looks good.  Not sure what area I will tackle when I return. 

 

 

I finished digging up the bulbs of the Red Spider Lilies that are growing in odd places in my yard.  I put them in a long planter with some dirt.  Hopefully, they will come back next year.  I really like them.

 

Renea has been picking up bags of pecans.  I have helped her a couple of times.  We sure do have a bunch of them and are trying to get them before the squirrels do.  The last time we were picking them up the squirrels were not happy with us.  We could hear them chattering away up in the trees.

 

Earlier this week Reggie came over and detailed my car.  It was decided that the car should have a good coat of wax before taking my trip.  Thank you Reggie.

 

I’ve also been to the store to pick up a few items to have with me in the car; snacks, oj, etc.

 

I’m really looking forward to going to Ohio and seeing family and friends.  It’s been quite a while since I’ve been there.  Kevin, Renea and my granddogs will be taking care of my place while I am gone.  I think maybe I should leave them a “to do” list. 

 

I even found time to put up a few Halloween decorations.  I will be back in time to vote and go on my weekend trip with the Prime Timers. 

 

Yesterday was laundry and starting to pack.  Other than that I’m just getting everything caught up so I can head out. 

We Shall See

When Isaac first entered the gulf it was supposed to head north, hit the panhandle of Florida and we were going to get a lot of rain.  As you all know, Isaac went northwest and hit Louisiana (again).  At this point we were supposed to get a lot of rain from the outer bands.  However, we were in the middle – rain to the east and rain to the west.  We didn’t get anything but a few drops.  Then Isaac went north and northeast.  Now, according to last night’s news, we are going to get rain from Isaac today and tomorrow.  We shall see. 

 

Meanwhile, I’ve been going about my daily routine; laundry, cutting grass, watering my flowers and trees, etc., etc., etc.  It has been really hot and humid so I do most of my outside work in the morning or evening.  I still haven’t started my “other” rock garden.  It’s just been too hot. 

 

Last year, before Jim passed away, he and Kevin planted a couple of cuttings from Kevin and Renea’s pampas grass.  They put one on each side of the driveway near the front of the property.  Well, I’m sure you all remember that I told you both Ryan and Renea ran over the one on the south side when they cut the grass.  Needless to say, it died.  However, the one on the north side of the driveway is doing great.  It even has a stalk with one of those feathery things on it. 

 

Last posting I mentioned about my azalea bushes.  Bush #1 only has a few sad blooms left, bush #3 is doing great, and bush #2 is now blooming.  I can’t believe I get so excited about my plants, but it makes me feel good to know all my work and TLC is working. 

  

While digging around doing my planting, etc., I found some bulbs and didn’t know what they were.  I had a pot of dirt sitting in my backyard, so I threw them in there.  Well, the other day I found this growing in the pot.  I have no idea what it is.  I will be doing some research, but if anyone has any ideas feel free to let me know.  I’m really curious. 

 

 

For my next project I would like to plant two tulip poplar trees on the north side of my driveway.  We had one in our backyard on Boomer Road and I really liked it.  I’m also planning to plant a couple of crepe myrtles.  I have two that I received from the Arbor Day Foundation and so far they are doing good.  They are still in pots next to my house.  Also, Kevin and Renea have a couple in their yard and I have been researching how to take a cutting from them and start them.  Wish me luck.  All the ones around here are pink, deep pink and red.  I would like a white one, so I guess I’ll have to buy that one. 

 

I’ve been busy with the Prime Timers at church.  Friday before last we had an International Dinner.  Linda made up a list of countries and each person chose one.  We then had to bring food specific to that country.  I chose Italy and took lasagna and garlic bread.  It was a hit.  We also had Chinese, Mexican, southern soul food, and a salad.  Great selection of food.  Linda brought the desserts and one was better than the other. 

 

Our business is on hold right now.  Kevin’s job has him working 12 hour shifts on rotating nights.  He is either sleeping or working.  Brian is getting everyone’s yard work caught up, including his own.  We are hoping to get an inventory built up over the winter.  I will let you know when we are a go again.

 

Doing laundry today.  Time to go fold some clothes.

Busy Week Plus

I potted my new plants.  One pot is of zinnia and the other two are coneflowers (one is wild berry and the other is white).  They are looking good.  I need some more potting soil, but they will be okay until I get some.  My hydrangea bush now has two blooms.  Small ones but getting bigger.  Still no blooms on the other hydrangea.  Azalea bush #1 is still blooming.  Azalea bush #3 is doing great one flower and a lot of buds.  Yea!  Azalea bush #2 looks okay, but still no blooms.

 

Since my last posting I have cut the front grass twice.  This morning when I cut Kevin’s front grass I found quite a few armadillo holes.  He said both of our back yards have a lot of the holes also.  I guess we have tasty bugs J

 

Now for some of the big news.  Last week Tuesday my new shed was delivered and set up.  They also built a ramp so I can store one of the riding mowers in it.  I am also storing the hand mower and my gardening stuff. I had a shelf built inside the shed so I can put items on it rather than on the floor.  I spent a good part of Wednesday moving some of the stuff into the shed.  Still have more to store. I think it is going to work out really well.

 

On Friday the guys came and installed my gutters and downspouts.  They look really nice.  The guys did a good job.  Now I have to get four of those rain diverters for the ends of the gutters.  Not sure what I will be getting.  Need to look.  Another trip to Lowe’s or Home Depot.  Which means I’ll probably buy some more plants.  I want to get a snowball bush for along the side of the deck. 

 

Now for the REALLY BIG NEWS!  I have been thinking about buying a new car because I wanted to get an automatic.  Shifting gears and using the clutch hurt my left leg and my right arm.  Since I won’t be towing it, I don’t need a manual shift.  So…..last Saturday Renea and I went car shopping.  I was only going to look.  Yea right J  Of course, I ended up buying.  I wanted a midsize SUV.  Something about the same size as my Saturn.  I bought a Honda CR-V.  It is beautiful.  The picture doesn’t do it justice.  The color is Urban Titanium.  On the picture it just looks brown, but it isn’t exactly.  I can’t seem to get a picture to show it’s true color.  It’s much prettier when you see it for real.  It drives great!  I am really happy with it.  I didn’t trade in the Saturn.  Brian is taking that.

I would really like to get started working on my rocks on the other side of the deck ramp.  However, it is really hot again.  Maybe I need to get in the habit of staying up late and working while it is dark.  I have a security light so I would be able to see.  Something to think about.

 

Please say a prayer for my nephew Robbie.  He is in the hospital.  He was working on his farm and the tractor rolled.  He was able to jump off the tractor so it didn’t roll over him.  However, he has seven broken and/or cracked ribs.  He is in a lot of pain.  The doctors are concerned about pneumonia because he has trouble coughing and using the breathing machine. 

Just a Few Projects

I guess it’s time to update my blog.  Haven’t done so because I haven’t done much of anything.  Just the same old stuff.  Grass is cut.  Flowers are weeded.  Have read a few books.  Watched a little television.  Yesterday we had about an inch and a half of rain.

I have taken some pictures of a few of the butterflies that are coming to my bushes.  I don’t know a lot about butterflies so I can’t name any of them.  Need to buy a book.  I tried looking them up on the internet and there are so many different types it was tough.  They are like birds – just a little different here and there.  That’s okay.  I think they are pretty and enjoy them.  I found out that they like my lantana bushes and pentas. 

Last Friday Renea and I went shopping.  I bought a couple of new plants.  I will post pictures after I get them repotted.  I need some new pots.  My petunias are about finished, but everything else is looking good.  I have a new flower on one of my hydrangeas.  It is pink.  The other hydrangea is finally starting to look pretty good.  It has a lot of new growth.  No flowers and still has a long way to go.  Yesterday I noticed a bud on azalea bush #3.  It was underneath near the bottom.  I will have to keep an eye on this bush to see if it gets any more blooms.  Azalea bush #1 is about finished blooming.  It was beautiful – loaded with flowers. 

 

Renea and I also stopped at Hobby Lobby and I bought a couple of wall hangings for my kitchen.  As soon as Kevin hangs them I will take pictures and post them.  I also bought a new bird house for my kitchen shelf.  It’s really cute and balances out the shelf a lot better than what I had up there before.  I’m hoping to get my kitchen and bedroom finished before this winter.  The bathroom is done, and there isn’t much I can do to the laundry area.  I have asked Kevin to build me a “cabinet” around the shelf above the washer and dryer to make it look a little neater.  He said he would do that.  I also have a few other projects in mind. 

I have bought a new picture frame with multiple places for pictures.  I am working on printing pictures of my ancestors to hang on my picture wall. 

 

I still talk to mom most every night, Brian at least once a week, and Jana at least once a week.  Tracy called me on Monday to see how I was doing and if I needed to talk.  I did.  I so much appreciated her thinking of me.  Of course, I see Kevin and Renea on a daily basis.  Before Stephanie left for college she would visit me every day bringing Lola and Roscoe over to visit me.  I know they like my treats and they know exactly where I keep them.  They are my buddies.

 

I guess I’ve been busier than I thought.  Not sure what all I will be doing today.  I need to catch up on some odds and ends, so I guess I better get started.  One of my projects will be my pictures.

Meet the Bully

I would like you to meet THE BULLY.  I have named him BULLY because he has taken over the hummingbird feeder.  He actually sits on top of the decoration and when another hummingbird comes to eat he chases it away.  There are actually four hummingbirds that try to eat there.  So…..I have added another feeder on the other side of the deck.  I hope that helps.  I had heard that hummingbirds do that, and I have proof.  I took this out my kitchen window.

The rest of the birds are doing fine.  I keep them supplied with feed and water.

It’s been kind of a lazy week because it is so hot.  Stephanie and I did spray the weeds in my driveway.  They are slowly shrinking.  I also cut my front grass this early this morning.  And, the pest control guy came this morning.  Still no shed or gutters and downspouts.  There has been rain and storms all around us, but only a couple of drops here.  I am watering my trees and plants just about every day.  I hope they all survive the heat.

My hibiscus are doing great

Along with my lantanas.  I still have butterflies coming to the lanatanas.

And Azalea No. 1;  Azaleas 2 and 3 are green but no blooms.

Also the petunias, the Impatiens for the Sun, the Crossandra Orange Marmalade, the vinca and pentas are all doing fine. The hydrangeas are just there – green, but there.  The geraniums are hanging in there.  My daisies and sunflowers have died.

Told you it was a slow lazy week :)

 

Answers to Comments and Other Stuff

Ginger – no, I do not read Stephen King.  Not my kind of book.  As for Jack Reacher, they are mysteries, but not your typical find the killer before he kills again.  They are different and that is why I like them.  Of course, I also like the typical find the killer books.
 

Rita – as for the bees.  I just don’t want to get stung, and I want to be able to sit on my deck and enjoy my flowers without them buzzing around me.

 

Anonymous – when I read a book I always try to picture what the person looks like.  I  have always pictured Tom Selleck as Jack Reacher.

 

Donna – As for Shades of Gray; can you say porno.  I don’t see how they can make a movie of that book, or the series for that matter. 

____________________________ 

Yesterday Kevin and I went to Phenix City to check out sheds for my yard.  We went to a couple of places and found the best deal at Long’s.  I ordered the shed and it will be delivered sometime next week.  It will be built on the premises where I ordered it.  Renea and I have decided to “girlie” it up.  We are going to paint it (which we are supposed to do anyway) and plant some flowers around it.  The company gave us some flags to mark the spot where we want the shed, and Kevin and I will do that on Monday.  We plan to store one riding mower, the hand mower and my garden stuff in there. 

 

I did some weeding, watered my plants and filled the birdfeeders in the evening.  We were supposed to have rain, but, as usual, we were in the donut hole.  Rain all around us, but nothing here.  We are supposed to have rain today, but so far nothing.  Just a lot of clouds.

 

I did check my plants and they are all looking good.  I have three azalea plants which I named #1, #2 and #3.  They are all encore azaleas which means they should bloom in the summer.  Well, #1 has a lot of buds and they are getting ready to open.  #2 and #3 do not have any buds at all.  The plant I transplanted into a new pot has died.  I really didn’t think it would survive.  I guess I will have to get something new.

 

I bought new bedroom curtains.  Again, I was tired of the brown.  I bought green drapes that matches one of the shades of green in my bedspread.  I finally hung them yesterday and they sure look good.  I didn’t want normal tiebacks, so I bought these decorative things to use instead.  They really look good. 

 

Most of the work I had to do in my bedroom is finished except for the stack of papers I need to sort through.  Some will be filed and others will be shredded.  I am trying to get inside work finished today so I can cut grass tomorrow.  I can’t believe it needs mowing again that fast.  Today I also did my laundry. 

 

Today is Monday.  I spent a good part of Friday cutting grass until the mower ran out of gas.  Since whoever bought the gas tightened the lid so tight I couldn’t open the container to fill the mower.  So the rest will have to wait until Saturday.  I actually finished all of my front grass.  Kevin filled the mower for me on Saturday so I continued my grass cutting.  Since I got such a late start I finished most of his front yard.  I will do the rest tomorrow.

 

Sunday I decided would be a day of rest.  After church I stopped at WalMart.  I spent the rest of the day relaxing and reading.  I did talk to Mom, Jana and Brian on the phone.  Stephanie come over to visit with Lola and Roscoe.  Kevin even stopped in for a few minutes.  This past weekend was the 2011 CRAP.  Jim and Mom were both there.  In fact, it was after this that Jim started his decline.  I sure do miss him.

 

This morning I finished cutting Kevin’s grass.  I also bought a couple of new plants.  One was an Impatiens for the Sun.  That is what had died on me.  I bought a new pot for it and I am trying again.  I also bought some marigolds that I am going to plant in a different pot with new dirt.  I will do that this afternoon.

 

Going to be a hot week.  Not sure what all is on my agenda.  Later.