A Beautiful Day in Alabama

 

Good Morning!  It’s a beautiful morning here in the country.  Of course, by noon it will be in the 90’s. 

I was up early this morning so I could feed Roscoe and Lola.  Kevin and Renea are in Florida for the weekend and I am dog sitting.  That’s fine.  Love those two dogs.  They are outside right now and I will leave them out until about noon when it starts getting really hot.  Then I will bring them in.  About 5 o’clock I will feed them and put them back outside until 9 or 9:30.  Then we will do it all again tomorrow – sort of.  Kevin and Renea are due back sometime tomorrow.

The birds are back – both front yard and back yard feeders!  Yea!!!!  Kevin and Renea just love when I feed the birds.  They blame me for the bird poop and bird nests on their patio and front porch.  LOL

Finished a couple more ornaments.  Then quit for the day. Been reading. Tomorrow is another day.

Went to church this morning after I feed Penny, Lola and Roscoe.  Kevin and Renea are on their way home.  It keeps clouding up.  A chance of showers later today.  Not sure what I will be doing today.  Have a lot of projects I could work on.  We will see.

Okay, so I didn’t do much of anything today.  We are all entitled to this type of day now and then. J

So it is now Monday.  The beginning of another week.  Yea!  It’s supposed to rain today, but I woke up to a lot of clouds, then we had sunshine.  No rain until late afternoon.  So, I did laundry, dishes, and some genealogy work.  I also got my supplies together to make a couple of snowmen beaded ornaments.  This will be a first, so it should be interesting.  I printed quite a few articles, and I was surprised that Miss Penny didn’t help.  I guess she was too busy watching the birds.

Another day when it is supposed to rain.  So I decided to run my errands first thing this morning. I took Kevin’s prescription to CVS for him to pick up on his way home from work.  This was in Phenix City.  I then headed to Tigertown in Opelika and went to Office Depot for a few supplies, then to Hobby Lobby for supplies then to Kroger for groceries.  Oh yea, I also stopped for gas at Kroger since they now have fuel points.  This is new since I returned from Cincinnati.

Back home now, car is unloaded, Penny and I had lunch, groceries, etc. have been put away, we had a light shower, and now it is beginning to thunder.  Time for Miss Penny and me to take our afternoon siesta J  I really shouldn’t, but why not.  I have reached that point again where I AM SO FAR BEHIND I THINK I AM FIRST.  So what is a little snooze in the scheme of things.

A little story about thunder.  When Jana and I were little Mom used to tell us that thunder was the angels bowling.  We could relate to that because our Dad bowled several nights a week.  Depending on the intensity or how loud the thunder was determined whether it was a strike, a spare, etc.  I have never been afraid of thunder but I do respect it because I know it is associated with lightning which is dangerous.  I think of this often when I hear thunder.

Wednesday seems to be doctor appointment day.  I got up early and had my mammogram done.  Of course, I won’t know anything for a while.  After the mammogram I checked in with my primary care doctor to find out if the office made an appointment with a lung specialist.  I thought I would have  heard by now.  I couldn’t see the doctor or his nurse because they were busy, so I left a message.  I was about ten minutes from the doctor’s office when one of his nurses called.  They had made an appointment with Dr. Patel (I think this is the same one that Jim had who found the cancer).  Anyway Dr. Patel’s office was supposed to call me.  However, rather than call they put me on a waiting list for when they have a cancellation and I can get in to see him earlier.  I still think it would have been nice to receive a call, but we are talking doctors.

Home now.  It’s another gloomy day.  Again, we are supposed to have rain.  I will probably work on my ornaments and other miscellaneous stuff.  Tonight is bible study at church.

Here are a couple of my favorite ornaments.  I am sure most of you recognize

 Rodney

 

 

and Miss Penny

Finally Got a Few Test Results

Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, before supper, Ryan came over and started putting together my final set of shelves.  He finished it after supper, and Kevin helped him carry it into my bedroom and put it in the corner where I wanted it.  It’s great.  Today I started putting clothes on the shelves.  I thought for sure that Penny would climb all over it, but she didn’t.  At least not yet.

I finished a couple more ornaments this weekend.  I haven’t started anything new yet.  Not sure what I am going to do next. 

Oh Oh – there is a fly in the house, and guess who is chasing it.  She is in attack mode right now.

Today I caught up some of my computer work re:  genealogy; filled the shelves of my new piece of furniture, straightened up the books in my bookcase in my bedroom, and a few other odds and ends.  I was hoping to get outside and pull some weeds this evening, but it is still so hot I may not do that.  Stayed tuned – I will let you know.  Nope – I didn’t!

Not one of my better days.  We had a couple of storms today which cooled the weather somewhat.  However, between my fibromyalgia and arthritis I was in a lot of pain all day.  Starting to feel a little better now.  Didn’t get a lot done today. Just a load of wash, dishes, and a little genealogy work.  Oh well.  I guess we all have those days, and this was one for me.

Yesterday was Wednesday, and it was doctor day.  I found out some results from all these tests I have been having.  It seems I have emphysema, and I will be seeing a lung specialist.  This is the result of second hand smoke.  However, the rest of my tests (lab work, etc.) turned out just fine.  I guess I am doing pretty good – now if I could just breathe!

Last night I went to bible study at church.  Also got a tour of the new building.  It is really nice.  Not quite finished, but should be by sometime in September.  Contractors are running a little behind.

I just came in from mowing grass.  It sure felt good to be outside, but now I’m tired.  I only cut two small sections of the yard.  I may go out later and either mow some more or pull some weeds.  Renea is out there mowing grass now.  She did her front yard and part of mine.

After supper I pulled a few more weeds.  I don’t think I will ever get that caught up, but I keep working on it.

It’s Friday and going to be another hot one!  The only thing I’ve done outside so far today has been to fill the birdfeeders.  They’ve been empty for a while so I guess it will be a few days before the birds come back.  I will be watching.  The hummingbirds didn’t waste any time – they are back already!

Called One Exchange to set up my phone appointment to discuss my new health insurance and prescription insurance.  It won’t be until November.

I just trimmed the weeping willow tree, and fed the tree and all three azalea bushes since I had finished weeding them.  Caught up on the information in my garden journal.

I have seen a few birds this evening at my backyard feeders.  I also spent about an hour pulling weeds in the front (east) rock garden.  Hopefully, I will finish before winter J

I Actually Accomplished a Lot

This morning (Monday) I started filling the shelves of my new large bookcases.  I also cleaned out the bottom of my bedroom cupboard and moved my small filing cabinet and a few other items in there.  I also started cleaning out the corner in my bedroom where my third shelf system will be added.  Ryan said he would be back one day this week to put it together for me.  I may hire him to do a few other things for me; odds and ends that I can’t do and Kevin doesn’t have time for.  We shall see.

Tuesday morning I headed for Tigertown.  My first stop was Books-A-Million.  They did not have any of the books I was looking for.  Guess I’ll try Amazon.  Next stop was Petco for Penny’s food.  Bought a month’s supply.  On to Target.  I wanted to get several baskets for my shelves to put my yarn inside.  Of course, they come in several sizes so I didn’t buy any.  I am now going to measure before I buy.  I did buy one book at Target that was on my list.  I by-passed Hobby Lobby J  Stopped at Great Clips for a haircut.  Finally found someone to cut my hair like I want.  I will remember her.  Drove to Kroger for a few supplies, filled the car with gas, and headed home.  Now I get to put away groceries.  FUN FUN FUN

Started work on a new set of Christmas ornaments.  I am making them in sets of three; each one a different color/thread. 

It was still 100 outside at 7:30 tonight so I didn’t pull any weeds.  Sure will be glad when the temp gets below 90.  I will get some outside work accomplished then.

Okay, it’s Wednesday.  This morning I was up bright and early so I could go to Columbus and have blood drawn.  Dr. Miller ordered quite a few tests.  My appointment with him is next Wednesday, and I sure hope they have some answers!

After I arrived home, and had breakfast, I started working on cleaning out the area where my third set of shelves are going.  I sure have a lot of junk!

Okay.  The corner is cleaned out, and I have made a mess in a few other places.  Some of the items are going to go on my new shelf, some under the bed, some in the Landmark yard sale, and some I don’t know.  Finally got the bed cleaned off where I stacked everything while cleaning out the corner.  I can go to bed tonight now.

I also emptied two plastic totes with all my yarn and have stacked it on the shelves.  I tried to color code it as best I could.

Thursday – finally not in the donut hole.  We have had two quick rain showers this afternoon.  Woo Hoo!  I’ve been working on my family tree and Christmas ornaments.  A really busy day.

Talked to Brian this afternoon.  My computer has been making some strange noises.  I really don’t want to buy a new one.  Hate the thought of changing to Windows 8 or 10. I like Windows 7 and if I change most of my programs won’t transfer over and my printer won’t work.  He gave me a few suggestions.

Tried to watch the debates tonight, but that didn’t work.  We had some really bad storms come through and, of course, the television went out.

It is now Friday, and apparently the storms also knocked out all land line phone and internet service.  Television is working but nothing else.  I don’t know how to act without the internet. Guess I’ll find something else to do.  Maybe work on my family tree book and/or Christmas ornaments – after lunch that is. J

Yep, that’s what I did.  Still no internet or landline.  Worked on my family tree book and Christmas ornaments.  Also did a little reading.  Talked to the people at AT&T.  Told me they were so busy it would be Monday before they could get to my problem.  Isn’t that nice!

Got a little more housecleaning accomplished today (Saturday).  I finished the kitchen and bathroom.  Now it’s just a matter of keeping up until it’s time to houseclean again.  Maybe in 1917 if I have the time J

I received a call on Sunday morning from Luther at AT&T.  He was on his way to check out my phone/internet problems.  He worked for about two hours, and everything is working now.  Seems lightning struck!

Got a Lot of Help From Family

This morning (Thursday) I woke up to find Penny battling some kind of flying bug at my kitchen window.  She was standing on the counter, leaning over the sink, and stretching for all she was worth to get the bug.  I killed it, but it took her about fifteen minutes to figure out he was gone.

Today I am doing laundry and working on my ornaments. The weather forecasters have been predicting storms every afternoon this week.  So far nothing.  If nothing happens this afternoon I am going to water my plants after supper.  Some are looking pretty sad.

Today is Friday, July 31, and it is Miss Penny’s first birthday.  She sure has grown into a beautiful loving girl.  She was adorable as a kitten and even more so now.  I am so glad to have her in my life. 

Spending the day inside again as it is still really hot.  Kevin is outside mowing the back grass with his tractor.  Oh, to be young again and able to stand the heat.  I have been working on my genealogy.  I am having a great time tracing my ancestors.  I am about as far as I can go without researching other countries, especially Germany.  It seems most of my ancestors are from Germany.  My one grandfather kept referring to being Pennsylvania Dutch.  I have figured out that the Pennsylvania Dutch were from Germany.  In fact, a lot of them were Amish and Mennonite.  This should be some really interesting research!

Finally…..the donut hole closed.  We have had a pretty good rain along with some thunder and lightning.

Today is Saturday.  Kevin came over this morning, and we discussed finishing the area in front and side of my deck.  We also discussed the concrete patio in my backyard and the fence to be put up before Jana arrives with Smoky.  Everything has been pretty much decided on except for what kind of fence.  He also wants to start a compost pile and we talked about where he would put it, along with where he is going to put next year’s garden.  This year’s didn’t work out too well.

My project for the coming week is trees.  We have been talking about planting more trees, both front and back.  We want to put several pecan trees in front near the old one in my yard.  He and Renea want to plant several Granny Smith apple trees and several cherry trees.  So today I checked on the best planting time for all these trees.  Also found that I’m not sure cherry trees will grow in this area. 

We checked out the peach tree in my yard.  It did much better this year.  Plenty of peaches but they are hard.  So next year we are going to work on it some more and see what happens.  The pecan trees on the north side of my property have plenty of pecans.  They look really good this year.  The lone tree out front doesn’t have many.  We have been told that pecan trees produce every other year.

My tulip poplar trees that we planted earlier this year are doing really good so far.  I was worried about them because it is has been rather dry this summer, but I guess between me watering them and the little bit of rain we had they are doing okay.

This evening I pulled some more weeds from the east rock garden.  I am almost half finished with the weed pulling in that area.

Today (Sunday) when I arrived home from church Kevin had finished mowing my grass and was using the weedeater.  I sure haven’t been much help  with the grass mowing this year.  It’s really frustrating that I can’t do much right now.  The doctor’s keep saying don’t go out in the heat, don’t do this and don’t do that.  I may start ignoring them!

This afternoon Ryan and Renea came over and put together two of my new large bookshelves.  That was such a big help.  They both look really nice.  I probably won’t start putting items on them until tomorrow.  One is for my craft supplies and the other one is for office type supplies.  The third one is going in my bedroom, but we ran out of time and didn’t get that one put together.  In between this Renea fixed us a really good supper. 

No yard work was accomplished tonight.  The next couple of days will be around 100 degrees so  no yard work will not be done for a few days.

Odds and Ends

Today is odds and ends day, i.e. finding Penny’s toys that she hides, a few loads of laundry, etc. I think Penny is happy that I found her toys because she is busy running around playing with them.  Of course, throughout the day she will hide them, and we will have to go searching again.  She is lucky I know most of her hiding places.

I have finished a couple more of the plastic canvas Christmas ornaments also.  I found a few patterns to crochet some ornaments.  That should be interesting, but I am going to give it a try.  I will also be taking a few more pictures of my deck since Kevin did some cleanup.  I figure it will take the rest of the summer to get my front yard back in shape. 

I waited until the shade reached the area in front of my deck and pulled some weeds.  However, it was still so hot I only lasted about a half hour.  I did get another azalea bush uncovered.  Hopefully, I will get the third one uncovered tomorrow night. I actually filled two large garbage bags and one small one. 

I spent this morning (Tuesday) at church with Teresa helping with registration for the folks doing home schooling.  It was an interesting morning.  We have about ten families signed up so far, but we are expecting many more. 

I had noticed Penny spending her time laying on the shelf between the old and new room.  She was watching something very intently, but I really didn’t pay any attention.  After supper Kevin and Renea came over and Kevin noticed ANTS! crawling all over the shelf, floor and wall.  This is what she was watching.  We decided this happened because of Kevin and Ricky moving the dirt when they built my steps.  So, Kevin went outside and sprayed the dirt and around the house and door.  He also spread the ant crystals.  Renea and I went on an ant killing spree in the house.  I couldn’t spray in the house because of Penny.  By bedtime I wasn’t seeing any more ants, and so far this morning I haven’t noticed any.  I sure hope they are gone!  Penny isn’t spending all her time on the shelf now.  She is back to watching the birds. I hope that’s a good sign.

Wednesday was doctor day.  I had my pulmonary/lung function test.  It lasted an hour and a half, and I was worn out when it was over.  Came home and took a nap.  Don’t know the results yet.  Next week I have blood work done and then the next week I go to my primary care doctor to get all the results.  Hope they are good.

Changes to My Deck

 

Yesterday was not a “cleaning” day.  Instead I went to Books-A-Million. Didn’t buy anything.  I was looking for a specific book and they did not have it.  I then went to Hobby Lobby for some ribbon for another project.  Next it was on to Krogers.  By the time I returned home it was time for both Penny and my lunch.  After lunch I put everything away that I purchased, except for the cold items which I put away as soon as I got home. 

In the afternoon I finished a couple more ornaments.  I must say that my tree will be like no other.  Still have quite a few more to do.

Last night we had several really bad storms with a lot of wind, thunder and lightning.  All total in the past two days we have had three inches of rain.  It’s either feast or famine. The next couple of days are supposed to be really hot and no rain. 

I am having some changes made to my deck in front.  Kevin and Ricky are working on it.  They are moving the steps to the side of the deck and putting down a concrete pad so I don’t have to walk through grass to get to my car.  I have been parking my car on the concrete pad we had poured for the motor home so I don’t block the driveway.  Of course, this meant digging up one of the hydrangea bushes and moving a few other containers with plants.  And……some of my rocks have “disappeared.”  When they finish the steps they will remove the ramp.  If the hydrangea bush survives I will plant it where the ramp was located.  They had to remove one set of railing, and will be adding one set. 

 

 

While they were doing this today, I went with the Prime Timers Senior Group from church on a bus trip.  There were 24 of us and Scott did the driving.  We had lunch at Yoder’s Deitsch Haus. It is a Mennonite restaurant, and the food was wunderbaur!  I liked it because you could get a “full” plate or “half” plate.  When I saw the size of the full plate I opted for the half plate.  It as more than enough.  They also had a bakery, but I didn’t buy anything in there. The place was really crowded.  It was a buffet with many choices.  They are open for lunch, then close for two hours and open for supper. The price couldn’t be beat either.  My half plate was $5.00.

After lunch we went to Lane’s Peach Farm.  I bought a small basket of peaches, a loaf of peach bread and a jar of Pecan/Peach Jam which Renea asked me to get for her.  I shared the peaches and the bread with Kevin/Renea and Ricky/Lanora.  No way could I eat that all by myself.  All of us had peach ice cream before we left.  I had mine in a waffle cone.  It was delicious.

When I left for the bus trip I put Penny in charge.  After all, she is my attack cat J  Kevin said she watched them work the whole time they were here.  Now I am getting ready for church, and Kevin is already out there working.  Ricky should be here shortly.  Today they are going to pour the concrete.  I guess I will leave Penny in charge again.

I’m back from church. Had my lunch. The concrete has been poured and it looks good.  Kevin and Ricky are celebrating by having a beer or two. Next is cleanup.

 

House Cleaning And Other Stuff

 

Today starts house cleaning. I have started with the computer/craft/dining room.  I am about half way.  I have made room for Kevin to put together my new tall bookcases.  I have a lot of “stuff” sitting around that needs to be put in the bookcases.

Miss Penny does not like my sweeper.  She runs and hides under the chair in the living room (or any room where I am not).  Rodney never did mind the sweeper.  In fact, Jim used to use one of the attachments to control her shedding.  There is no way Penny would let me do that.  She is also confused with the moving of furniture.

I finished “house cleaning” the computer/craft/dining room.  I am now waiting for Kevin to put together my new bookcases. One is for my paper supplies, etc., and the other is for my craft supplies.  Some of those are actually in the bookcase I already have.  I made a lot of changes in the room.  This morning I found Miss Penny on top of the bookcase.  She has never been there before.

Today is odds and ends day.  I paid some bills and put them in the mailbox, did dishes (which I hate to do and I don’t have a dishwasher unless you count me) emptied the trash, made the bed and did some dusting.  I still plan to run the sweeper in the bedroom and get it organized so I can move around.  Yesterday it was a catch all space while cleaning.

What a morning! I’ve been working on cleaning the bedroom.  Not sure why I started, but I washed the window, and, of course, it came out of the track and I can’t get it back in.  When I tried I caused a picture to fall off the wall.  Luckily it didn’t break.  I went into the kitchen to get a swiffer cloth, and there is Penny on top of the cabinet.  I grabbed my camera, and as soon as she saw me she started coming down.  Then she sat on top of the refrigerator.  I turned my back and heard something break.  She jumped from the refrigerator to the counter and knocked a cup off and broke it.  She ran away, turned, laid down and looked at me.  I didn’t yell or anything, just cleaned it up.  This is a first.  She has never broken anything before, but it probably won’t be the last.

A few pictures of Penny including the one of her coming down off the cabinet and one on the refrigerator.

 

Meanwhile the phone was ringing like crazy and people were leaving me messages.  I called Jana right back (she was one of the messages) I didn’t get an answer.  I think I better quit for the day before anything else happens!

Wednesday was doctor day – the cardiologist.  She informed me that my heart is fine.  A little thickening of the walls because of my high blood pressure.  However, that is being kept under control with meds. She said that the showing of a blockage was a false reading because of the blockage in my left bundle branch.  I don’t have to go back to her for six months.  Next Wednesday I am having a pulmonary/lung function test.  The following week I will be having blood work done to check my thyroid.  The reason for that is because I am always tired.  Maybe I’m just getting old J

Today I am working on my spring/fall cleaning of 2014 again.  The computer/craft/dining room is finished except for the new bookcases which Kevin has to put together.  I can then put supplies in them and that room will be done. The bedroom is finished except for cleaning out the corner where the new shelving will be going, and cleaning out my cupboard.  The living room is finished except for the ceiling fan (which I can’t reach) and the wall clock (which I can’t reach). Kevin will help with both of those.  I also need a light bulb replaced in the ceiling fan. I am getting there slow but sure. I also need to go through my magazines and throw away the old ones.

I’m still waiting for Kevin to put my bookcases together J