Mooing Calves--Screaming Back--Quaking Arms and Hands

Today's high temperature was:  72 degrees

Foggy morning, sun finally came out at 2:00.

======================================

Thank you for your kind comments about my blessing yesterday.  I woke up this morning, still smiling and so happy.

Today--I painted.  Then, I painted some more.  Then, I painted some more.

My calves were mooing, my back was screaming, and I finally quit when my arms and hands started shaking.

The sides are done and tomorrow will paint the posts on the stairs and the railing tops.

I probably have 6 more days work--honestly--for an 8 x 8 feet deck?  

This Old Grey Mare ain't what she used to be!

The outside work would have been nicer, IF I hadn't had to listen to the continual roar of the traffic on the Interstate.  The wind was coming from the south and blowing all that noise straight at me.  It started to actually wear on me emotionally and I stopped before I really wanted too.  

This woman was not made to live in noisy areas--areas with people living right on top of me.  I need to be where I hear only the breeze in the tree tops and the bird song.  I need to be where I can look up and see the horizon--not fifty million little houses all around me.  Thank goodness, I am in the back of this park and my view, from two windows, is of woods and wetlands--nature.  Sometimes, I would just like to plant a big hedge all around my lot so that I wouldn't have to see anyone else--I could hide in here and be perfectly happy.  

I tend to be a hermit--seeing people only when I want to.  But, it's the noise that gets to me the most.  I am a country girl and I SO want to be back home.

But--it is not to be, until I am buried in our nice quiet cemetery.  So.............ever forward.

A Blessing

Today's high temperature was:  74 degrees

Cloudy and dripping, then sunny and nice

=================================

Oh you guys!!!  What a blessing I had this morning!!

Pammie brought Evan over, after she dropped the three other kids at school.

He got out of the car and said, "Hi Mimi," and ran up to me--I was waiting on the porch, of course.

He gave me a hug around the knees and we came inside.

I so feared he would have forgotten me.  I haven't seen him in five months, but he seemed very comfortable.  He came over to my chair, where I was sitting, and leaned into me and I hugged him and kissed the top of his head and whispered, "Mimi loves you."  and tried not to get tears in my eyes.  He roamed around the house looking for the cats--he remembered!

I gave him his Elmo pillow and he squealed, "ELMO!" and then laid his head down on it.  I was so involved with what was going on, I forgot to take a picture of him holding his pillow!!!

Pammie and I got to talk a bit, while he was investigating and looking under things, trying to find the cats.  She told me that Andrew, who is almost 12, is bossy.  Telling everyone what to do and how to do it.  Elise and Jen spent last week in London and Paris (!!) and Elise is a bit snotty at times, she is 9.  Alex is as calm as ever at 7, but has been in trouble a couple of times at school, with another boy there.

Most of the time, I just sat and watched him.  He had changed so much since the last time I saw him. I know how fast kids that age grow and change.  He is very tall for his age, has long legs and talks so clearly.

He kept going down the hall to my bedroom and saying, "Cats. Cats."  I had told him they were probably taking a nap under my bed.  After he and Pammie left, this is what I found.

He had taken all the cat toys from their toy basket and put them near the bed where the cats could play with them when they woke up.

He did the same thing when he was here in March.

===========================================================

Isn't he adorable?

His hair is longish and curly in back.

Elise and Alex are blue-eyed blonde's, and look more like their Daddy.  

It struck me how much he looks like his mother

and his oldest brother Andrew.

...and they all have my nose!!!

=================================================

Sally--http://www.whispering-hope.blogspot.com/do you think we ought to get the marriage contract signed now?  

Sally's great grand daughter, is a couple of weeks younger then Evan.  We have decided they need to get together, when they get a bit older.  I borrowed this picture of her great grand daughter off her blog.  Don't you think they would be perfect together?

                          Rylan Benny                                                                  Evan Eric

============================================================

I didn't do much today--I sat and revelled in the good feeling of seeing that sweet little boy, then watched my soap and went to the Chiropractor.  Stopped at the Rich People's store for some salads and Boar's Head lunch meat and came on home.  

Tomorrow--there will be staining more of the front porch.  I sure hope I get it done before snow comes, LOL.

Happy Birthday, Evan.

Today's high temperature was: 75 degrees

Sunny and pleasant, once again.

Thank you, God.

===================================

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, EVAN

8 hours old

Baptisim-3 months old

A year ago 

The last time I saw him

<sigh>

I Love This Weather!!

Today's high temperature was: 74 degrees

Today's humidity was: low

Bright, sunny and gorgeous!

========================================

Not too bad a view out my front/computer room windows.

Views from my chair--my east window--to the left.

The view straight ahead--south-west

To my right and ahead--my kitchen--west 

Kitchen, over the sink view

Out my bathroom window view 

View from my bed 

Perhaps not the views I would prefer, but the views I have.  

============================================

I worked some more on the porch.  It appears I can only work 2 hours before my neck and shoulders start aching and my arms and hands start trembling from being tired.  It's slow going, but I am kind of liking it.  I think, I would still preferred it to be paint instead of stain--I wanted a nice, hard finish...so...when it wears off, next time I will get a good exterior paint and do it my way.

I have known, in the past month, three elderly gentlemen who have died as results of falls.  Not from the actual fall, but weeks or months later.  My father, also died as a result of a fall.  A fall, he didn't think too much of, but ten days later was hospitalized and three days later---gone.  I wonder what it is that causes death?  Somehow, the organs start shutting down.  Perhaps there is internal bruising?

I am really ticked off at this whole aging process.  I know, I shouldn't complain.  As my best friend used to say, "As long as I'm on the topside of the grass, I'm happy."  I am very lucky--quite a few of my friends and classmates have passed on.  I just get frustrated.  When I think of the amount of work I used to do when I first moved in here, ten summers ago.  I put in new gardens, bought and hauled 40# bags of top soil and Canadian peat to loosen up the clay.  Planted 5 flats of Impatiens every summer under the Lilac bushes.    Washed the windows, inside and out--all at the same time.  Rearranged furniture, moved things around; mowed my own lawn and shoveled the snow off my driveway.

Now--I can't even stand and paint for two hours?   I just can't get used to a simple chore taking days to do, instead of hours.  I still feel 50 years old in my mind and on the Real Age Scale, I am only 70.5 years old, but in reality?    AND, I always have this feeling that these things must be done because I am running out of time.  I have the feeling most of the time, that I am not that far away from death.

Oh well--onward and upward--ever forward!!!

I Am Re-Learning Things I Used To Know.

Today's high temperature was:75 degrees

Sunny and beautiful

=============================

MELISSA--I GOT THEM!! THANKS SO MUCH!

I had to sit and think for awhile about how to get the piping on the pillow.  Two pieces, right sides together, piping in between.  No--that could lead to all sorts of mistakes.  Okay--just put the piping on the front and then, put the backing on and stitch in the same line.

It makes me incredibly nervous to sew anymore.  My hands tremble, which isn't a good thing as I have the tremor in my right hand to begin with.  Got the sewing machine out of its storage cubby hole, set it up on the kitchen table, threaded it (had to read the directions) FINALLY got the thread through the needle, and I was ready to go.

Decided to use a zipper foot to ride close to piping.  Had to read the directions on how to change.

Got it!!  

Sewed along one side and remembered not to try and make the corners sharp angles, but to round them a bit.  Two sides done--went to turn it and the piping fell off.  Should have checked to make sure bobbin was full before I started sewing.  DUH!!

Filled bobbin, started over, had a pin in the wrong direction, so when I slid my hand down, pin ran up into the base of my thumb.  Stopped.  Put band-aid on thumb to keep blood off Elmo, proceeded and got it done.

When I think of the many years and many clothes and outfits I sewed for myself and the kids, I cannot believe that now--I feel like a beginner.  I was so scared of just putting a pillow together--crazy.

Put backing on without too much trouble, trimmed corners, turned pillow.

Gave him a nice press with the iron--looked off center, so I

got out the tape measure and it was off just a tad.

Too late now to do anything about it.

Finally got to relax in chair while I stuffed him with fiber fill.

Remember to get corners stuffed real good. 

Stuff him nice and tight so he won't go flat right away.

Ran out of fiber fill, which is par for the course. <sigh>

Did not want to get in car and run up town, soooooooooooooooooo, spent the rest of Wednesday, researching a bit on self publishing, visiting with Pearl, watching TV, crocheting and cross stitching on my baby bed cover.  Started crocheting nylon net into the pot scrubbers I give everyone for Christmas.  Hard work--hands hurt.  Guess I will make one a day--have time to get 36 done (72 circles crocheted together.)

Detroit Tigers clinched the American League Central whatever.  Now we go to playoffs and maybe, to the World Serious.

=============================

Up at 7:00 again this morning.  Felt bright-eyed and bushy tailed.  Did the morning routine, took a shower and planned my day.  As I stepped out of the shower, this is what I saw out the window.

Oh, Oh.  Activity on the lot behind us.

Looks like my view is gone again.  

Hope they don't have a passel of noisy kids!

I had an appointment with the shrink at 11:00.  At twenty minutes after, I was just about to go up to the window and tell the girls I was leaving, when he came out to get me.  This man has some kind of psychological problem with time, in my opinion.

He asked how I was doing, I told him "Great", and then went on to explain that I had stopped taking the drug last Friday because of the edema, and the rash and that I am feeling better.  He said, "Well, we could try a different one."  I replied, "Nope.  I don't want to get into that again.  I am feeling great and if I fall back into the crazies, I will make an appointment."  I was back in my car by 11:30.  Bah Dah Boom, Bah Dah Bing. 

Then, off I went to Wal-Mart to get a bag of fiber fill and then over to Lowe's to peruse for paint for my porch.  Thanks to Melissa, I had two gift cards to help with the expense--I can't being to thank her enough--she also got me a Subway card, which is super because my favorite subway is going to be five dollars for a foot long ALL OCTOBER!!!

A really nice guy in the paint department asked if he could help and I told him, "I want some good, sturdy paint for my front deck."

"Has it been stained before?"

"Yes, but the stain is worn off down to the original wood."

"Then...you want stain."

"No--I want paint.I want white and grey exterior paint."

"Stain comes in those colors.  Stain will stand up better then paint."

"You're kidding me!"

He smiled at this brainless woman.

"Does it go on like paint?"

"Yes, in any color you want."

"Isn't it thin---like water?"

"No--it's like paint.  It has a primer and a sealer built right into it."

"You're kidding me!"

"No. When paint gets weathered, it peels off in big pieces.  With the stain, when it starts to weather, it just sort of rubs off in small pieces.  Stain will last much longer then paint."

"Okay then--I'm sold!" 

So he walks me over and shows me Cabot and Olympic--I had made up my mind I wanted Olympic and we picked out the colors, he mixed the grey, shook them up and put them in my cart.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Well, yes.  I had all the equipment for painting, but I gave it all away...because I didn't think I would ever paint anything again in my life.  I need a brush and a roller and a roller pan and roller pan inserts and......."

So he takes the front of my cart and pulls it and me, down the aisle.  He got a roller pan, 2 different sizes of rollers, 2 roller covers and a brush all in one kit.  Then he threw in some cleaning rags and a block of sandpaper.

I thanked him profusely and grinned all the way to my car!!

After my soap, I started on the back side--just to re-learn how to paint stain.  I have never stained anything before--it's just like painting!!!

Instead of doing all the spindles all around, I am going to do

one section at a time--two coats.  I will do the floor and steps last.

This is the view out my window--looks better already.

I like it!!!

I am lucky, I can sit down to do most of the posts, but have to get up to do the top part--up,down.  Up, down.  Tonight my calves are mooing, so I know I worked them good.  But--I can do this!!

Tomorrow and Saturday promise to be nice days like today, so--maybe I can all the spindles stained?

Got Elmo stuffed, the bottom part hand sewn and he is ready to go play with Evan.  Doesn't look like there is going to be a birthday party, so I will go over Monday, when Pammie is baby sitting and the bigger kids are at school, and Evan and I can smooze a bit.

 

Wordless Wednesday

<sigh>

Strange

Today's high temperature was:  66 degrees

Sunny and wonderful!!

==============================================

The wonderment continues.  This morning, I woke up at 6:45--feeling well rested.  Just 10 short days ago, I couldn't get to sleep until 2-3 in the morning and when I woke  up around 9-10, I felt sluggish and like my mind was MIA.  Now--I am  yawning and ready for bed around 10 at night, and get to sleep near 11:30--sleep well, hardly move all night, and wake up early.  Today was the first day in many months that I saw the sun rise--different perspective for sure.

The yard waste people come today and although I had two bags of my bush trimmings ready, I wanted to get the perennials cut down and the annuals disposed of.  Out at 8:00, in the nippy morning air, (45 degrees) and got it all done and ready for the pick-up.  Now, I just have to put the planters and porch stuff in the shed and I will be ready to prep the porch and get ready to paint.  I know it is going to be a big job--painting all those spindles--TWICE!  If I don't get the floor done, then I will just do the spindles and wait for spring to finish the floor, but....I'll bet I get it all done because.........you know when I am on a project, I get very driven to get it done.

Speaking of which:

"Hi.  It's ELMO!!"

Now, I just have to wash him, cut him to fit a 12 inch pillow, cut the backing, sew it, the front and the piping all together and stuff the heck out of him.  The sewing part has me a bit worried---It has been many years since I've sewn anything and it makes me nervous!!!

==================================

I wanted to report--the Finish Quantum that the dish washer repair guy told me to use, is really remarkable!  I've used Cascade since I have lived here--thinking it was a much better product then Finish.  I have used the Finish Quantum for about---6 weeks?  I have got to say, I notice a difference, not only in the dishes that are free of calcium and lime, but the (clear) glasses and bowls absolutely shine--as does the stainless ware.  And, I noticed last night, how really clean and white the inside of the dish washer is now.  I'm sold!!!

===========================

Speaking with a youngish woman yesterday--early fifties--and I had to bite my tongue until it was practically bleeding!  Her grammar was atrocious!!  She is a beautiful, gifted woman, but the minute she opens her mouth, she sounds like she came from the Hill Country.  "We thought about going, but we haven't went yet." "I seen it the other day."  "They haven't came."   

Ending sentences with a preposition doesn't affect me that much--I do it often myself, but the "word tense" problem she has, just makes my teeth grate.   NO--I am not the teacher of the world, so I didn't say anything, but by the time I got back to my car, my jaw was sore from all the clenching, LOL.

================================

I visited with Pearl this morning.  Tomorrow she starts the colon cleanse for her Colonoscopy, (she calls it a colonectomy) so she will be unavailable for a couple of days.  

Pearl wants me to do some research for her.  In 1968, they bought a gold plated Red Wings hockey puck--as an investment (?).  It cost $150.00 back then.  Now, they "might" like to sell it.  I have searched and searched and cannot find anything on the Internet for one of these things.  What do you think?  Should they take it to a jewelry shop or a pawn broker?  How can they find a collector of this kind of thing?  They think it is probably worth many thousands of dollars.  I think, it is another one of their poor decisions--but--that's just me!

Dar was over this morning.  She wanted to tell me about something on the website for the Meijer's store--she just started her job yesterday.

"It's called Impereks.  I downloaded it myself and actually didn't make any mistakes. You need to download it to get the latest coupons and special sales."

"What's it called?"

"Impereks.  (Em Per x).  You download it to your cell phone."

"I don't have a cell phone."

"Oh.  Why not?  EVERYBODY has a cell phone!"

"Well, obviously not EVERYONE has one, as I don't and I know a few others who don't"

"Oh--well maybe you can get it on your e-mail."

After she left, I came into the computer room and searched on the Meijer website and could not find it.  I kept looking around the site and noticed a word over on the left of the page, "sign up for your MPerks, sent to your mobile device."

MPERKS!  Like--Meijer Perks.  Not IMPEREKS--Em Per X.  GOOD GRIEF!!!  Please, just let me move to a little house in the woods where I don't have to relate to people everyday.  They drive me nuts!!!

===============================

This reminds me of Pearl and me.