Tree Planting Time

Today is President’s Day.  Temperature is supposed to reach 80 degrees.  It’s still February and this week the temperatures are supposed to be in the low 80’s.  It’s cloudy, but not raining. 

Kevin was going to pick up my tulip poplar trees today and plant them.  Bruce and Nicholas were going to help him.  This past week we found out that Kevin is going to have to have back surgery, and there are a lot of things he cannot do.  However, the nursery is closed today.  So, we can’t get the trees until tomorrow.  So, instead, Bruce and Nicholas are here digging holes and transplanting trees from the woods.  Kevin has Nicholas riding the tractor and doing the digging.  He stays right with him and is teaching him what to do.   So far they have dug two holes in Kevin’s backyard for oak trees from the woods.  They have dug up the stump in my front yard from the Bradford Pear tree that was blown over in one of the big wind storms.  They are going to transplant a magnolia tree from the woods where the Bradford Pear was.

 Now you have to admit this looks like a typical government job.  You have two government employees "supervising" and the youngest doing the work :)

The magnolia tree has been transplanted!  Let’s hope it survives.

While Kevin, Bruce and Nick planted the magnolia tree I was busy weeding.  I weeded one tree (which I think is dead because it didn’t look good last year); four bushes (two of which has new growth already) three flower pots (one contained irises which are coming up, and the other two contained day lilies which I don’t know if they will come back).  So, I have a start on my yard.

All of us went to Kevin’s for supper.  He had fixed a pork butt in the smoker, and Renea fixed slaw, beans and macaroni salad before she went to visit her mom.  Jennifer arrived and she brought a german chocolate cake.  That is Renea’s favorite so Jennifer baked it for her birthday.  Renea didn’t get home in time to have supper with us because her mom is not doing well.  All of us left about seven o’clock.

Early this morning I went to Lowe’s to pick up a few items, and then it was on to Kroger for groceries.  Right after I got home, Kevin called.  He, Renea and Renea’s dad went to the hospital this morning to see her mom.  They got home about the same time that I did.  Anyway, we decided to eat lunch and then head to The Potting Shed and pick up my tulip poplar trees that we had ordered.  When we got back home Kevin, with a little help from me, planted the three of them in my backyard. They look very healthy, and even have a few buds on them.  Right now I have the hose running to water them.

 I realize because they do not have any leaves the only tree you can really see is the one closest in the picture.  The other two are there - in a straight line.  I thought it would be dumb to put three pictures of leafless trees.  

Wednesday I put a boneless chuck roast in the crockpot.  It was delicious and fork tender.  I had some single Bob Evan’s mashed potatoes in the freezer.  They sure tasted good with the chuck roast.  Did my laundry.  Watered the trees.  Worked on my genealogy books.  Actually accomplish quite a lot today.

Okay, it’s Thursday.  I finally broke down and turned on the air conditioners.  I can’t believe it’s February and I have the a/c on.  We have been setting record temperatures in the mid eighties.  IT’S HOT!!!!!!  And summer isn’t here yet.  Is this a sample of what is to come?  Heck, it isn’t even spring. 

 In addition to my regular chores I weeded the containers where I planted my Franklin trees.  No sign of life yet.  I also weeded the two rose-of-sharon bushes I planted inside the fences along the front of my driveway.  I checked the dawn redwood (Jim’s tree) and it is getting buds.  The Bradford pear has a few flowers and some buds.  I don’t understand why that tree doesn’t bloom like the others in this area.  It seems like all the others in the area are in full bloom. 

Where To Begin?

I am so far behind with my blogs I don’t know where to begin.  So, I will just tell you some things that have been happening, and after this, hopefully, I will be able to keep my blogs current.

On Wednesday, January 31st, Brian came to Alabama.  He stayed with me since everything is so hectic at Kevin and Renea’s.  On Thursday Brian and Kevin went fishing.  They had a great time and caught several large fish.  Later that afternoon Rita and Bob came to visit for the weekend.  It was great seeing them.  We had fresh caught fish for dinner and it sure tasted good.  Rita and Bob stayed in Kevin and Renea’s camper.

Friday Brian and Kevin took Bob fishing.  They had a great time, but didn’t catch any fish.  After getting back here we sat around, had a few drinks and snacks.  For supper I had made bar-b-q, slaw, macaroni salad and beans.  There wasn’t much left.  Jana took some home for her supper on Saturday night.  I also had an assortment of deserts.  And, of course, we spent the evening having a few drinks.

Brian didn’t have any drinks because he and Jana were planning to leave for Cincinnati at 4:00 in the morning.  They actually left a 3:45.  Brian wanted to get home in time to get some sleep since he had to go into work that night.  While they were travelling, Kevin took Rita and Bob for a tour of our backyard.  We then went to the Infantry Museum.  We had lunch at Burger King (Bob’s treat).  Kevin then took us for a ride around Fort Benning since neither Rita or Bob had been there.  We then headed for home.  I took everyone out for supper.  Renea didn’t get to go because she stayed with her dad who cannot be left alone.  I plan to take her out to eat – just the two of us.

 Rita and Bob left bright and early Sunday morning.  They arrived home safely.

Kevin and Bruce built a lean-to behind Kevin’s shed.  This is for Kevin to park his tractor and other equipment in so it is out of the weather. 

Kevin and Renea have a new baby – puppy that is.  She is a lab/short haired pointer.  She is chocolate brown, and absolutely adorable.  Her name is Shelby.  She is seven weeks old.  Her and Copper get along just fine.  They wrestle and play constantly.  Lola doesn’t want anything to do with her.  Kevin describes Lola as a crabby old lady.  Kevin plans to teach her to hunt with him, and to keep him company when working in the yard.

We seem to be having a lot of deer in our yards lately.  In fact, a buck rubbed his antlers against the trunk of my weeping willow in my front yard.  I sprayed the area with pruning spray.  Hopefully, the tree won’t die.

I am busy working on my genealogy.  I have found quite a few ancestors of Jim’s on his mother’s side of the family.  Not many, but I am making progress.

Our Silly "Girls"

They keep our life interesting.  Yes, they still are getting along just fine.  Chase each other all over the house. Mattie will go up to Penny, and lick her nose.  Penny just looks at her and then smacks her with her paw.  Good thing she is declawed.  However, they will lay next to each other like they are best friends.

Penny doesn’t seem to be messing with Mattie’s water any more.  Her new fascination is toilet paper.  When she was smaller she played with and ate the toilet paper all the time.  So, I changed toilet paper holders and she stopped.  Well, she is at it again.  She not only unrolls it, but she is biting it and putting holes in the paper.  I think she might also be eating it.  She is fascinated with the bathroom.  She lays around the toilet.  She climbs on the lower shelves where I store things and then peeks out at you while you are using the toilet.  She also rubs against your legs and wants to be petted while using the toilet.  We are learning to shut the door firmly.  When we do she cries because she wants in, and puts her paw under the door.  Not sure if she thinks she can crawl under the door, but who know what she is thinking!

Typical cat, she has taken over the house.  As I said in my previous blog, she has claimed one of the chairs with my new cushions as hers.  If she is not there or in the bathroom she is under the lap quilt on my bed. 

The other night we were watching television and she got up on the stand, sat in front of the television in her “queenly” pose and stared at Jana.  Jana put her lap desk in front of her face, but she continued to stare.  She stared at her for about an hour.  We have no idea why.  All we did was laugh.

Mattie barks a lot.  We usually have no idea why she is barking.  She can be sleeping and all of a sudden she jumps up and starts barking.  Mattie is “queen” of the yard.  Jana walks her outside and she prances and checks out everything. 

Another thing Mattie does is lick my jeans.  Jana feeds Mattie snacks from the table while we are eating.  When finished if I am still sitting there she comes over and licks my jeans.  Not sure what she is tasting, but it must be good.

I am still working on my genealogy.  I really wish I could read and understand German.  I am about as far as I can go without getting in my German ancestors.  I am thinking about asking for help.  I know it will cost me, but this is something I just “need” to know.  I have traced ancestors on my mother’s dad’s side back to when they came to America.  I have found out that they were Mennonites.  I am not surprised because of comments Grandpa made when he was alive.

The snow and ice has melted.  It is supposed to go up in the sixties today and tomorrow.  Jana has water again.  We had Kevin disconnect and turn off her water since it was going down into the teens.  We didn’t want her pipes to freeze.  She has only two more weeks here, and then she will be heading for Cincinnati.  Brian is going to come down to take her home.  He is also going fishing with Kevin while he is here.  Rita and Bob are coming to visit at the same time, and the guys are taking Bob fishing with them.  Now we have to think of something for Rita, Jana and I to do.

Last night when we went to Mass Father baptized a young boy and girl.  Their parents, godparents and grandparents were there.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  A little different than when I have seen babies baptized.  They included the congregation in the ceremony.

Today was a busy day.  Jana and I have planned our August trip.  I have some research to do, but we are about 75 percent finished.  We also started our plans for our November trip.  I am excited about both of them.  We are also planning on a few day trips for Alabama and Georgia when Jana comes down again.  As for when I am in Cincinnati we go almost nonstop.  

WINTER CAN BE OVER NOW!

Woke up this morning to 2.5 inches of snow.  This is in the south!  Yes, southern Alabama had 2.5 inches of snow.  It’s beautiful.  Everything is closed, schools, roads, offices, etc.  We have been told to stay off the roads because they are icy and because some people have gone driving there have been numerous accidents.  Therefore, roads closed.  Jana and I plan to hibernate for the next couple of days.  At least until it warms up and the roads clear.  I didn’t drive in this in Cincinnati, and I am not driving in this here.

Sure glad I filled my birdfeeders yesterday.  I have one in the backyard that is just about empty.  The other one is full.  However, there are a lot of birds out there.  The front ones still look okay.  Lots of birds there also.

Finally got all my boxes of Christmas decorations put in the shed.  Did this with help from Jana and Kevin.  Kevin carried several that were rather heavy.  Didn’t get the outside decorations down and put away until Sunday because of the cold.  Just got that done in time for the snow 😊

I have been working on my genealogy.  I am rather far behind.  I printed quite a lot of information that had been sent to me, and because of our travels and the holidays I didn’t get it into the computer program.  I am making good progress now. 

I have also been doing some redecorating.  I bought new chair pads (which Penny really likes).  In fact, she has claimed one of them as hers. I also bought placemats to match the pads. 

I also bought placemats to match the pads.  This all started because I received some new dishes for Christmas.  Everything is Pioneer Woman. 

I bought a new picture to hang in my living room.  I have been thinking about buying this one for quite some time.  Hobby Lobby had it on sale so I just couldn’t pass it up. 

I also bought a new quilt to hang in the living room. 

I replaced the four small pictures I had in the bathroom with one bigger one.  

.  I also replaced the large bird plaque in the kitchen with two smaller pictures. 

And, I bought new curtains for the dining room. I was not able to get a very good picture of the curtains.  They start out white at the top and then go to navy blue at the bottom.  Really pretty.

If all goes well I plan to have my living room painted in the spring, and new flooring in the dining room. 

I also need to fix the underpinning in the rear section of my mobile home.  I would also like to replace the siding so it all looks the same.  I have many books to read.  Many dot-to-dot books.  Many sewing projects.  So much to do.  So little time LOL

Brrrr!

Good Morning!  Temperature went down to 20 last night/this morning.  Tonight it is supposed to be in the teens.  Definitely below normal for this area.  The biggest worry is freezing water pipes.  We don’t get a hard freeze very often.  I just hope it kills some of the bugs, especially the ants!

Hope everyone had a blessed and happy new year.  Jana and I had a very quiet one.  We watched a moving called “God Is Not Dead.”  It was great.  Kevin gave it to us to watch and highly recommended it.  Started out kind of slow, and we weren’t sure we would like it.  Changed our minds after a short time and really glad we did.  If you get a chance to see it, it is worth your time.

Neither of us made it until midnight.  I can remember when Jim and I had parties and they lasted most of the night/morning.  We sure had some good times! 

I have four birdfeeders and the birds are emptying them almost daily.  Looks like I will be buying more birdseed.

Yesterday Jana and I started taking down Christmas decorations.  She took hers down inside her house earlier in the week.  Yesterday she took down her tree here in my house.  We got all the bins from the shed, and I started packing our Christmas dishes.  Today I am doing laundry and planning to get more decorations put away.

It is Friday and all decorations are down except my tree.  They are packing in plastic containers and need to be taken to the shed.  I also need to get the box for my tree from the shed so I can take it down.  The outside decorations are still up because of the cold.  I will probably take them down and put them away next week when it gets a little warmer.  We are going to stay cold, for us, for a few more days. 

I really shouldn’t be complaining about the cold.  After seeing the reports and pictures from New England it isn’t too bad here.

This year we are being invaded by ants.  I have sprayed as much as I can with Penny and Mattie here.  I also put some ant bait traps around.  Of course, they are up high because of the girls.  I know that living in the country I am going to have ants, especially when it gets cold and they are looking for someplace to get warm.  I haven’t seen any signs of mice yet, but that could happen also.

All decorations are down and packed except the outside ones.  This includes the tree.  Now we are waiting for a day when we can take them to the shed until next year.  It has been so cold and windy that we are waiting for a warmer day.  Today it is supposed to rain.  We have two containers and my Christmas tree waiting for Kevin to carry to the shed.  I also bought some moth balls to put around in the shed to keep the critters out!  I hope they work.  Jim and I used to put them around the motor home when we were volunteering. 

Other than the above it’s just been routine doings; laundry, moving furniture back into place, loading the dishwasher, unloading the dishwasher, making the bed, etc.  Such an exciting life.  Hopefully, the next blog will be better.  But, this is what I do.  Aren’t you lucky to read about it?  At least I am on the right side of the grass 😊

I think the weather and being inside is getting to me.

Christmas 2017

Christmas Eve we went to Christmas Mass at St. Michael’s Church in Auburn.  St. Patrick’s, the church Jana and I normally attend, did not have a Christmas Eve Mass.  They only had a Midnight Mass and one at noon on Christmas Day.  Kevin, Renea and Stephanie also attended Mass at St. Michael’s with us.  This church is the one the Derdowski family attends, and they invited us to go with them.  It is a big beautiful church.  The service was great.  They had a children’s choir perform before Mass and during Mass. 

Ryan stayed with Renea’s dad while we went to Mass.

Afterward we came back to Kevin and Renea’s for food which consisted of appetizers and desserts. After eating Jana and I came home and had our Christmas.  The Derdowski’s stayed and exchanged gifts and played games.  Jana and I each received a gift from the “D” family.  Jennifer made us a beautiful Christmas decoration.  When Jana and I got home we opened our presents to each other.  We both bought a few things such as treats and toys for Penny and Mattie.  Mattie got all excited and couldn’t decide what to play with first.  I think right now her favorite is a “wreath” that I bought her.  Penny, being a typical cat, just watched.  Jana and I were like a couple of kids opening our presents.  We knew some of the things we bought each other, but there were quite a few surprises also.

Christmas morning Jana came over to my house for breakfast.  She usually eats her breakfast at her camper.  Anyway, I made cinnamon rolls which tasted great.  That was a real treat for us.  We just about finished eating and Kevin and Stephanie came over to carry our presents for them to their house.  (we were going to drive over to take the presents)  They had to make four trips.  I think they were kind of anxious to have Christmas.  Meanwhile, Renea went to the nursing home to bring her mom home for the day.

We had a great time.  Everyone liked their presents.  We took turns opening them.  Kevin and Ryan took pictures, but I don’t have a copy of them yet.  Renea received a couple of presents that made her cry.  Stephanie had a “firefighter” plaque made for her which made both Renea and Jana cry.  When Jana and I were in Holmes County last summer we went to the Smucker’s store.  I bought Ryan and Stephanie each a PB&J gift box.  Since they are always pantry shopping at their mom’s I thought this might feed them for a couple of days.  They got a big kick out of the fact that Grandma bought them something like that. 

Kevin had said he wanted gifts for fishing, hunting, his bees, etc.  So, Jana and I got together all these joke ornaments, wrapped each one separately along with a note for each one.  It was so funny.  I also gave him a nice gift.  Anyway, if the pictures turned out pretty good I will post at least some of them with an explanation.

Jana and I baked about a thousand cookies (or so it seemed) and we gave everyone, including the “D” family containers of cookies.  Ryan and Stephanie were excited to get them also.  Anyway, we had so many we gave Stephanie a tray of them to take to the firehouse.  I sent a container of them with Kevin for Brian and his family when he went to Ohio this past week.

After opening all our presents Renea’s mom and dad took a nap, Ryan went home to take a nap and feed his dogs, Stephanie went home to shower and take a nap, Kevin and Renea were cooking, Jana and I came home so I could make dressing and we could feed the “girls.”  We returned about 3:30 that afternoon, Stephanie and Ryan came back and we had Christmas dinner.  After dinner Renea took her mom back to the nursing home, Ryan and Stephanie left, Jana and I left for home.  Kevin and Renea went to Ricky and Lenora’s later that evening. 

I had talked to Brian that morning.  Received a text from Tracy, Bradley and Brianna.  Steven was working and/or sleeping so I didn’t hear from him.  Brandon was home for the holidays, so I didn’t hear from Samantha until later in the week.  Seems everyone liked their presents in Ohio also. 

This is it until next year.  Hope everyone has a Blessed and Happy New Year.

Cookies - A Christmas Miracle

It’s been a busy and interesting week.  I will start with some karma.  Remember when I told you about Jana falling at the rest area?  And, I laughed.  Well, this week it was my turn to fall.  The deck steps were wet and I was in a hurry as usual.  My feet went out from under me and down I went.  Luckily I landed on my butt on the middle step.  I twisted my knee and have had a little trouble walking the past few days.  I will admit that Jana didn’t laugh, but only because I landed in a sitting position which wasn’t nearly as funny as her landing with her feet in the air.  Anyway, I am okay except my knee is still giving me some problems.

Last night Jana and I went to a Christmas concert given by the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band from Fort Benning.  They were awesome.  We went with Kevin and Renea; and Bruce, Jennifer and Bethany.  It was wonderful.  Jana and I knew the words to all but one song.  Of course, we weren’t invited to sing, but we did anyway.  Everyone was singing.  There was a few songs that they invited the audience to sing along.  At one point all the children in the audience were called onto the stage.  The General’s wife read T’was The Night Before Christmas with accompany music.  She did a great job.  Of course Santa stopped by for a visit.  He and his helpers came into the audience and gave out candy canes to all the children, both young and old.  We thoroughly enjoyed the evening. 

I would like to say that I am proud of Jana.  I know I have complained in the past about how she turns on the television when she gets out of bed and doesn’t turn it off until she goes to bed.  This year she has been spending time in her camper.  She sleeps there, and eats breakfast there.  So, if she turns on her television it is in her camper.  I had directv installed for her before she arrived.  Anyway, when she is here at the house (she comes over between 9 and 10 o’clock) she does not turn on the television.  Like I said I am proud of her.  Thank you, Jana.

Then there is Mattie.  I am also proud of her.  Jana has been working with her to come and stay when she gets ready to take her outside.  She used to just run around in circles all excited.  Now she will come when Jana tells her to, and she will stay so Jana can hook the leash on her harness.  This is definitely progress.  Other than that Mattie and Penny still chase each other around the house.

Thursday Jana and I baked cookies.  I cannot remember the last time I baked cookies, and the last time Jana baked cookies was several years ago with David.  Anyway, we decided to give this a try.  Of course, we didn’t bake from scratch.  We aren’t that adventurous.  We baked the toll house chocolate chip.  Then we baked Pillsbury peanut butter cookies and sugar cookies.  They were definitely good.  Kevin came over and saw us doing this and was shocked.  Naturally, he had to sample each kind.  Then he told Renea.  She called me said she heard that a miracle had happened at our house and could she come over and see the cookies.  I sent some home with her.  Jana and I plan on baking more this week.  Not the best looking, but they sure did taste good!  We plan to get a little fancier and decorate the next batch.

The temperature has been below normal here in Alabama lately, and the birds are emptying the feeders as quickly as I can fill them.  I am sitting here at my window and can see that they are empty again.  Guess I will have to brave the cold and go back outside.

Yesterday we finally received the Mass schedule for Christmas.  Looks like we will be spending extra time at church because Christmas is on Monday.  I suggested to Jana that we go to Mass on Sunday and that would count for both days.  However, it doesn’t work that way.  So we will go twice.  The one thing that surprised me was they are having the children’s Mass on Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. and it doesn’t count for Christmas.  Looks like they will be going several times also.