Happy Birthday Bob-O-Link!!!

June 16, 2015

Good morning.  Today we're having another cloudy gray day.  It's not raining though.  Actually it's a great day for mosquitoes.  Speaking of mosquitoes, I'm waiting for a crew to come by to give my yard a treatment for keeping the ticks, fleas and mosquitoes away.  I hope they show up and I hope the treatment works.  If they are not here by 4 pm, I'll be on the phone to find out why.

Yesterday, my friend from work came by and we had ourselves a really nice visit.  She used to always drive an old clunker; and I was always telling her it would be cheaper to buy a new car than to keep paying for repairs.  Well, she finally bought herself a nice new car.  Yeahhhhh!!!

I have a photo to share that my daughter Audrey took a few days ago of a huge red sun rising early one morning on her way to work.  The sun appears very bright, but you can see the red outline around it.  Thanks, Audrey.  It's a great shot!

For some reason, I'm getting way behind today.  I seem to be letting myself get constantly side-tracked.  It's not really a big problem, but I don't get much of anything accomplished either.  Ah well, maybe it's just part of aging gracefully?  haha

Yesterday was my grandson Bobby's birthday.  Wow!  He's thirty five years old now.  This is Deanne and Eddie's eldest child, my first grandchild, and he was the gleam and twinkle in Papa's eyes.  (my hubby)   Happy Birthday Bob-O-Link!!   May your future be filled with happiness, good health and prosperity.  I love you.

A few days ago, while I was outside checking on a few plants, Dwarf Helen yelled to me that we had turkeys in the back yard.  I quickly ran indoors to grab my camera, and came back out with hopes of getting some photos.  Unfortunately, the back yard is like a forest, and it wasn't easy to see the turkeys, at least with the camera.  But, I did get one photo that I absolutely love.  Can you find the turkey in this photo?

In all, there were two adult females and a dozen or more little ones.  We had a grand time watching the little ones crawling over and under and around tree trunks and foliage.  Because there was so much foliage, I was not able to get any usable photos of the little ones playing.

As I look out the window, I see that the sun is now shining.    Maybe I can take the camera out and get a few new photos later this afternoon.  The temperature is supposed to be about 82F today, with thunder storms early this evening. 

Well, there's really not much more news so I think I'll meander out to the kitchen to see what's tasty that Pogo and I can have for lunch.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Some Clocks Never Die, They Just Tick Away!!

June 15, 2015

Good morning.  Tis very gray and wet outside today.  We need this rain though.  Our gardens are all doing happy dances this morning.  Speaking of gardens, here is a photo of the Dwarfs' veggie garden.  It is filled with tiny green plants.

Yesterday, Joe planted the rest of the new plants, and now we will have to wait and see how they take.  I bought three of these new plants specifically for shady areas.  Two of the plants were "False Spirea", one white and one pink.  (Astilbe)

The third plant is an "African Daisy" (Ostica Blue Eye).  This is such a pretty daisy with a blue and yellow center.  Have you ever seen anything like this?

Next, I just had to take a photo of this daisy from the back side.  It is sooooo pretty!!!

Let me tell you about a clock that Michael and I bought while on vacation back in the 80's.  I called it my "chicken clock" because one of the many sounds that it made was a rooster crowing on the hour, every hour.  After a very short while, we got tired of listening to this clock and placed it on a shelf way back in the closet.   We never bothered replacing the batteries because we were just going to let the clock die out on it's own. 

Well, it never did quite die out on it's own.  When we moved out of my big house, I put this little clock on top of our refrigerator here and forgot about it.  Well, actually, I should say "tried" to forget about it.  After a while, you don't even hear it talking or crowing anymore.  However, whenever daughter Audrey would come for a visit, she would threaten to kill my little chicken clock.  It drove her nuts!!

Many years have gone by, and this little clock is still hanging in there.  I have to say though, that the sounds that come out of it now are rather strange.  It sort of sounds like the "chicken" is running out of breath.  Short soft squeals have replaced the annoying "time reminders" that used to come from it.  I'm thinking that my little chicken clock may be squeaking it's last chirp by the end of this summer.  And we (I) still have not ever replaced any batteries in it.   How about that!!  (I would open up the back of the clock to see what kind of batteries are in it, but I don't want to kill this little clock before it's time.)

Well, that's my news for this morning.   So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Getting A Bit Of A Late Start Today

June 14, 2015

Good morning.  Well, it is still morning, even though it will be noon in less than an hour.  I've been up for a while, but I get side tracked so easily.  I've been watching a program on TV called "Say Yes To The Dress" and it is a very interesting and entertaining program.   I love fashion, and it always amazes me at the styles that some women feel the most beautiful in. 

I had thought I might sleep very late this morning, but Pogo had other ideas.  Once he knew that Joe was up and about in the house, he wouldn't stop barking.  He wanted his turkey treat, and he kept barking until I gave in and got up.   I opened the door, and he ran out into the house to get Joe and his turkey treat.  That's my boy!

Yesterday was a great day for photographing all the flowers that are blooming in our gardens.  Here are some of our roses.  Dwarf Helen took these photos with her phone.  Thanks, Helen.  They are so pretty, it makes me wish I had bought a yellow rose bush while we were at the garden center the other day.   Hmmmm.

Today, we have to find a place to plant the new plants that we bought at the garden center.  Before we plant them, I'll take some photos to share here.  One of the plants is a daisy with a blue center.  I've never seen a flower like this one before. 

I'm trying to think of what I may have accomplished yesterday, but nothing is coming to mind. Aside from taking some photos out in the yard, it doesn't look like I did much of anything else.  How can this happen?  Hmmm.

I did finally tell the window guy that I'm not going to be buying those very expensive windows.  I'm going to be looking around for other estimates.  Actually, I have someone coming out next Friday to give me an estimate.  When I asked him why he couldn't come sooner, his answer was "Don't you realize how many other folks are ahead of you?"   Well, duh!!!  No I didn't, and to be honest I really don't care.  I'm only interested in "my" windows.  So I guess I'll be making a few more calls tomorrow. 

My friend from work is coming by tomorrow for a visit.  Gosh, I haven't seen her since before I retired.  This will be such a fun visit.  Plus, she recently bought a new car, so  it will be fun to see that too.   I worked with this girl for many many years, and I have to say that she is the best co-worker anyone could have.  I'm so lucky to have had her for both my co-worker and my friend.

Well that's about all my news for today.  I did not have any breakfast yet, so now I'm thinking that I'll cut up a potato and some green pepper, and fry it all up with a couple of scrambled eggs.  Oh yes, that sounds yummy.  So, on that note I'll take my leave.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

How Quickly My Plans Change

June 12, 2015

Good morning.  It's looking a bit cloudy outside, but then it is early.  Only 7:25 a.m.  I had to set my clock to get up early this morning because Pogo has an 8:30 appointment at the beauty salon.  While he is being bathed and trimmed, Dwarf Helen and I will poke around one of our favorite stores.

Yesterday turned out to be a wasted day as far as any plans were concerned.  I never left the house. First, I started looking up contractors on the web, then I filled out a form to get an estimate on the windows and the porch.  After a couple hours of this, I was just too tired to go out. 

Some days I have the best intentions.  They just don't work out the way I had in mind.  Ah well, it doesn't really matter.  I'll get to what I can when I can.  Like today.  After I pick up Pogo from his appointment, I'm hoping to stop by Jordan's Furniture to have a look at the sofas and lounge chairs.  A lot of what I'm able to do will depend on whether or not I start coughing. 

I have a couple of photos to share this morning.  I took this first photo last year of my neighbor's orange azaleas.  Aren't they just beautiful?

 

This next image was borrowed from the web.  I just thought that with all the hot temperatures we've been having lately, that using the grapes as ice cubes sounds like a winning idea.

Now I really must stop chatting, and start getting dressed.  We have to be leaving for Pogo's appointment in a little while.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fantabulous weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

Windows Lined With Gold?

June 11. 2015

Good morning.  It's looking a bit cloudy here at the moment, but it's only 8:30 a.m.  It's supposed to get quite warm today.  (about 90)  Right now, it's around 72F with a light breeze.  There are little birds chirping outside my door, so that makes it all feel nice. 

Well, let me tell you what a fiasco yesterday turned out to be.  The window man did show up with a whole car full of samples, and explained all  the window options to me.  The part I couldn't get past was the cost.  Mind you, we were only talking about replacing ten windows.  The cost would be between $14,000 and $19,000 depending on what discounts he could give me.  GULP!!!

The salesman would like to have signed a work contract before leaving here, but I told him I would have to give this some serious thought.  For the record, his windows were fabulous, but just a bit pricey for me.

Meanwhile, I was still waiting for the Building Commissioner to show up.  Well, I waited.  And waited.  Nope, he never showed up, nor did he call to say why he would be a no-show.   Sounds about right for a government worker.  They don't seem to have much respect for the little man's time.

So, today I'm hoping to go to Home Depot to look at their windows, and get some prices.  I'll also price the kitchen cabinets.  Then I want to call a few contractors to see about getting plans and prices for a small porch.  This should be another busy day.

I've slowed down a bit on my crocheting and TV watching.  I mean, I plan on it, and I get all comfy in my chair in the evening.  But then I fall asleep for a few hours and miss whatever program it was that I was wanting to watch.  Thank goodness I know how to set programs up to record. 

Today I have a photo of the pansies that have been planted in my small kiln. The other photo shows the pretty white blossoms on the large rose bush that is just outside my door.

Well, that's my news for this morning.  It's time for me to get dressed so that Pogo and I can go shopping.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a simply beautiful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Decisions, Decisions

June 10, 2015

Good morning.  It's 3:25 a.m., and after tossing and turning for the longest time, I decided it was best to get up and have breakfast and write on my blog.  I can nap later.  I think my problem is that I have just too much on my mind. 

Tuesday was a busy day as far as brain power goes.  I did a lot of research on the web, looking up window installers, and I made several phone calls to get information and set up appointments to get cost estimates.  I have a couple people coming out this afternoon to talk prices.

Next I have to decide how many windows I want to replace this year.  I'm thinking maybe ten windows will be good for this year.  Now I just have to choose which windows will be replaced.  Gosh, decisions, decisions.

I also called Town Hall to see about which permits were needed to build a porch, and what else is involved on the legal end of things.  Needless to say, I was quite discouraged.  Aside for several fees and permits, the town requires a blueprint, plot plans and all sorts of other things.  Building a small porch has now become a huge, very expensive proposition. 

I may decide I don't need the porch after all.   Today, the building commissioner will stop by to let me know whether or not I can build my small porch.   I really don't want him coming by, but I couldn't think of a polite way to tell him that.

Most of this took a toll on my brain power, and left me quite tired.  I did try napping, but that wasn't working out so good.  Thank goodness I was smart enough not to try crocheting. 

The rain that we were expecting in the morning never came our way.  Late in the afternoon, a cloud flew over us and dropped a few raindrops, but that was it.  I imagine though that the rain will catch up with us one of these days.

Some time after nine o'clock last night, there was a three vehicle accident right in front of our house.  Of course, this meant that all the neighbors had to go outside to have a look.  It's funny how human nature is sometimes.  We see an accident, and we have to rush out to have a look. 

Today I have more photos from my garden.  I'll have to take more photos, because the roses are all starting to bloom now, and it's looking quite pretty on that side of the house.

Well, that's about it for today's news.  My eyes are beginning to feel a bit heavy, and I'm thinking that maybe I can try for a nap.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's Going To Be A Busy Summer

June 9, 2015

Good morning.  Today we have clouds, and are expecting a bit of rain.  However, it should turn to sunshine later this afternoon.  Tis a great day to maybe do a couple of household chores.  Note, I said "maybe".  It's also a great day to just play or do crafts or nap.  I prefer one of the latter three ideas.

Now that I'm re-entering the human population, I need to start thinking about which projects to do on the house this summer.  I'm thinking that maybe I'll have some more new windows put in.    Once those are all finished, I'll have to have someone come in and refinish the woodwork around the windows.  Hmmm, lots to think about here.

Today I have photos that I took a few days ago of my peony plants.  Of course, by now the buds are even bigger.  This first photo is the rosy red bush, and the second photo is the white bush.  These are going to be gorgeous once they are ready to bloom.

Yesterday, I finished the Buff lapghan, and started a new one using Cornmeal color yarn.  I was doing pretty good with this new one until I found a boo boo that I had made, and had to rip most of it out and start over.  This is when I set it down and walk away for a while.  I'll give it another try later today.

Pretty soon I'll have to get back to working on my afghans.  I still have two to get done before Christmas.  Speaking of Christmas, it's time to organize my gift drawer and make a list of what still needs to be made or bought before the Winter gets here.  Laugh if you want, but half of the year is already gone by.  It won't take very long for the other half to get here.  (Oh dear, what a terrible thought!)

I'm hoping to go furniture shopping soon too.  We could use a new sofa in the main house, and I could use another chair for my living room.  This should be fun, and I'm definitely looking forward to it.   Today I need to call Town Hall to find out what, if any, permits I need to have my porch built.  It's going to be a busy summer.

Well, I think that's about all my news for this morning.  Pogo is walking back and forth between me and the refrigerator.  I think he's trying to tell me something.  Like maybe he want's his breakfast?  Yup, that's probably it.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.