The Snow Is Finally Gone!!!

July 16, 2015

Good morning.   Well today is a bit cooler, and I must say that it feels really good.  Temps will be in the mid 70's and tonight is supposed to be around 54 degrees.  Oh, that will feel so good for sleeping.   Then the temps will go back up to hot and sticky for another week.  Ah well, it is summer!

DIL Janet came by yesterday afternoon after work, and we had ourselves a really nice visit.  There was so much to chat about, and the hours just flew by.  Janet is in the process of making some home improvements, and I can't wait to see everything when all the work is finished.  One of her projects is a three season room.  Oh my, that should be fabulous!

I'm watching the Weather Channel, and they are showing photos of the Boston snow piles that have finally melted.  Folks, this is snow from this past February, and it took five months to melt.  Wow!  Now that's a bunch of snow!

Well, today Pogo has an appointment with his doctor.  He has to have his heartworm test (he should be just fine), and I want him checked. It appears, from his symptoms, that he may have a nasty cold.  I'm wondering if it is from the ceiling fan.  My room is not very big, so when the fan is on it blows air down on just about everything in the  room.  With the heat we've been having, the fan is on most of the time.

Today I have more photos of our lilies.   They are all different sizes and colors, and are quite beautiful.

A couple nights ago, I started reading my new book "Memories Of Maggie".  Wow, Martha Raye was an awesome woman!  She started her career when she was three years old, performing with her parents in vaudeville.  At eighteen, she made her Broadway debut, and she entertained our troops through World War II, Korea and Vietnam. 

Somewhere in the book, I read that when they added up all her tine spent with the troops in Vietnam, she was there for at least two years.  Wow!   While other celebrities would entertain in the "safe" areas in Vietnam, Maggie spent her time venturing into all the dangerous little outposts, spreading warmth and love to all our boys.  She was the only entertainer to visit most of these really dangerous places.  No wonder the veterans love her so much!  Folks, if you have a chance, this book is a great read.

Well, that's about all my news for this morning.  I have some blog reading to do while I drink my coffee.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

New Furniture And A QP Freebie

July 15, 2015

Good afternoon.  Sorry about such a late post, but the window man came by this morning to check out my windows and give me a price for either ten or fifteen windows. We had a long, but very productive meeting, and I ordered fifteen new windows.  

In a couple of weeks, another person will be out to re-measure all of the windows to be replaced, and give me a date for the installation.  The whole project should be completed no later than the beginning of September. 

While I was taking this man around the house (inside) to measure the windows, I was making a list of maintenance projects that are needing to be done.  Hmmm, we'll be busy here for a while.  My brother was our handyman, but he's been gone for a while now.  It's time to get me a new handyman.  I'll have to check with Joe to see which projects he can do, then hire outside for the rest of the projects. 

Well, yesterday, the new furniture arrived.  The guys brought it in and set it up.  Then I signed the delivery slip and they left.  It was then that I realized that the sofa and  recliner were okay, but the chair was not the one I had purchased.  I called the store to report this.  The manager arranged for a couple of employees to come by after work to deliver the correct chair and pick up the wrong chair. 

Here's photos of the recliner and the sofa.  Thank goodness I thought to take these photos at the store when I was choosing which items to buy.  They look really nice in the den where the walls are a light lime green and the rug is dark green.  Both pieces are very comfortable, and the dwarfs like them.

One of these days, I'll take new photos of the den but I think I'll wait until after we've repainted it.  That's one of the projects coming up soon.  I just have to go buy the paints. 

Here's an image that I borrowed from the web.  I just thought it was the cutest thing!!!   Imagine this little fellow growing into his harness?   Gosh, he looks so anxious to get started with his training.

Today I have another QP freebie for you.   As usual, credits are listed on the TOU.  I hope you can use it.

Here's your download link:
Expired

Well that's all my news for today.  Pogo has been waiting patiently for his lunch, so I'm off to the kitchen to rustle up some food for my little guy.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's Delivery Day!

July 14, 2015

Good morning.  Well, today is delivery day for the new furniture.  I will call the store in a little while (after they open) to make sure everything is still on schedule.  Gosh, I hope they don't mess up.  If they don't show up today, there will be no place for the dwarfs to sit and watch TV when they get home from work. 

My little guy has been coughing a bit lately, so I will call today and make an appointment with his doctor for a check up.  It's time for his heart worm test anyway.  I also need to check to see when his rabies shot runs out.  I will have to check his health insurance to see if the "cough" visit is covered. 

Yesterday was a very lazy day that included a nap in the afternoon.  I guess I did a bit too much walking on Sunday because it left me completely exhausted yesterday.  However, I'm feeling just fine today.  Except for feeling sticky.  I feel sticky because the air is quite muggy. 

Tomorrow morning, the window guy is coming.  Hopefully, this will be a fruitful and satisfactory visit.  It would be nice if I could get the bulk of the rest of the windows replaced this year.  After that, I can see about having the trim around all the windows scraped and re-painted. 

Recently, I bought myself a new book that I'm looking forward to reading.  "Memories Of Maggie" by Noonie Fortin is about what Colonel Maggie (a.k.a. Martha Raye) did for (and with) our veterans over five decades and through three wars.  I remember her as a comedienne, singer and movie star.  Growing up, I was never aware of the depth of this other side of her. 

On November 2, 1993, Martha Raye was awarded The Presidential Medal Of Freedom by President Bill Clinton.  I counted all the awards that she received that were listed in the book.  There were 37 awards, ranging from Woman Of The Year to Distinguished Service Award to finally this Presidential Medal Of Freedom.  It's quite an awesome list of awards, and Colonel Maggie was an awesome woman.

Today I have photos of my hydrangeas to share with you.  The colors range from white to blue to lavender to pink. 

Now I really must get busy here and take my shower and get dressed.  I don't want to be running around in my jammies when the delivery truck gets here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

A Successful Shopping Trip

July 13, 2015

Good morning.  It's not even 8 o'clock yet and the air is warm and sticky.  Oh joy, it's going to be like this for a few more days yet.  At least we are fortunate to have air conditioning.  I set it on auto so it only comes on when the temperature gets too hot and then shuts down when the room is cool. 

Well, yesterday Pogo and I finally got to go furniture shopping.  We went to several stores, and ooohed and aaahed over all sorts of beautiful furniture.  Finally we found (and bought) three new items for the main house.  A new sofa, a chair and a recliner will be delivered tomorrow.  I hope the dwarfs like them.

I did not get a new chair for myself, but the house has to come first.  I have plenty of time to shop for a new chair for me.  I did see the perfect little recliner for Pogo at one of the stores.  However, they only had it in one color, maroon, and it wouldn't look so good in our living room.

**Time for a short break.  Be right back.......

The Yard Guard man is here giving our yard another treatment to keep the skeeters and ticks away.  So far, I'm pleased with the results of these treatments, and I think I'll renew my contract for next year.  It's nice to be able to be out in the yard and not get eaten alive by bugs. 

Today I have a couple more images to share of those fascinating plants that look like "things".  This first one is called "Happy Alien"  (Calceolana Uniflora)  The second image shows a group of Happy Aliens.

 

This plant is called the "Parrot Flower".  (Impatiens Psittacina)  It really looks like it could fly.

I think these plants are just amazing.  Imagine having a yard filled with these beautiful whimsical flowers?   Speaking of yard flowers, here's a couple more photos of the ones in our yard.  This first photo is a rose that daughter Deanne gave me (last year, I think) and the second photo is one of our new daylilies.

My plan to do a couple rows of crochet on the afghans each day is working.  Both afghans are finally past the half done mark.  In a few weeks, I'll be able to start a new project with the yellow yarn that I bought a few days ago.  It's such a happy color, and I can't wait to use it. 

Well, I have dishes in the sink that need washing, and I think today we'll get rid of a few more dust bunnies.  I've made a nice little corner outside in the yard where they can set up permanent housekeeping.  hee hee.

On this happy note, I'll take my leave.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a beautiful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Ooooh, It's Christmas In July!

July 12, 2015

Good morning.  The sun is shining and it's early, so it's not hot yet.  It's really quite nice outside.  In a couple hours, Pogo and I are going to hop in the car and go look at recliner chairs. We've had our breakfast, and I've already gone outside and fed the birds and the squirrels (and the chipmunks too). 

Yesterday I watched a program on TV about Tiny Houses.  It was on for several hours, and I watched all of it.  Wow, these little houses are fabulous!  Some of them can be set up as permanent buildings on a lot, and others can be hitched to a truck and pulled along behind you as you travel about.  Some of the bigger ones would need to be moved via a larger truck.   It would take some doing, but I think I could learn to like living in one of these tiny houses.

A little after midnight, I switched over to QVC to see the Today's Special Value item.  Oh my, what a nice surprise I found.  They were featuring an Aviator  Recordable 8 in 1 Wooden Music Center with Bluetooth. 

This plays three different speeds of vinyl records, cassettes, CD's, and AM/FM radio.  Plus you can record from the radio, records and tapes to CD or USB thumbdrive.   It's a great way to save all of your favorite music and take it with you to play anywhere.  I just couldn't resist, so I called my friend Santa, and asked if I could put in an early Christmas request.  You know, he's a darling, and said "Of course!"   I can't wait to play with it!!

For those of you who are Amazon Prime members, don't forget to check it out on Wednesday, the 15th.  They are having a special birthday sale for members only on tons of products.  I have a couple items to shop for, but I'll wait until the sale starts.  I'm a very thrifty shopper.

Today I have photos of some of the lilies in our garden.   All the different colors are so beautiful.  I only wish they had a longer blooming season.

Well, Joe finally got up.  He was out in a boat fishing all day yesterday, and it totally wore him out.  Pogo has been waiting by the laundry room door since around 6:30 this morning waiting for Joe to wake up and come feed him his turkey treat.  Now that Pogo has had his treat, he's a very happy little fellow. 

Well, it's time for me to get dressed so that we can go furniture shopping before it gets too warm outside.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Shots From A Great Little Camera

July 10, 2015

Good morning  It is cloudy, with temps in the low to mid 60's, and it feels soooo good!  However, in a couple of hours it will be in the 80's and most likely sticky.  According to the Weather Channel, temps in the 80's will be with us for a while. 

At some point during the night, it rained for a while.  At least that's what I think it was doing outside.  It was very noisy on the metal window awning, sounding more like hail.  I took a quick look out my door this morning to see if my car was covered with dents, but it looks okay so I guess maybe it really was just rain.

Today I have some photos to share that SIL Eddie took this past Saturday night while watching fireworks.  He was using my little Canon SX50 HS, and I have to say that this little camera takes some amazing photos. 

The photos were taken hand-held.   These two are of the moon that night.  The first shot is right from camera, and no I did not crop the photo.  This is the shot he got with the lens zoomed out.  In the second  shot, I cleaned up the color a bit. 

Here's another photo that he took in his yard the next morning.  Eddie, you need to take more photos.  You're doing great!!

Well, I had high hopes of getting out to do a bit of furniture shopping this week, but I haven't made it so far.  Dwarf Helen says that she will go with me on Sunday.   Sounds okay with me.

I'm back --- the Blog2Print folks called me so I had to save my post as a draft and take the phone call.  It took a while because of slow internet, but with a bit of help my next blog print is off to being printed.  I feel better now.  This will be book #15, and covers the first four months of this year. 

Oh my, the sun has just come out, so I guess that means that the temperature will be going up soon.   My only plans for today are to do some grocery shopping this afternoon with Joe.  While we are at Walmart, Joe will be buying his fishing license.  Just in time too, because he is supposed to be going fishing this weekend with a friend.

I have another image of a "strange" plant to share with you.  This one is called "Flying Duck Orchid"  (Caleana Major).  You can check it out on Google.   I think this would make a great addition to any garden!

I counted the rows needed to finish these last two holiday afghans, and if I crochet at least two rows on either of them every day, I'll be done before the end of August.  I can live with that.  I think I'd like to work with yellow for my next project.  It's a happy color.

Well, that's about it for today.  I need to get busy and write my shopping list.  Then it will be time to whip up something tasty for our lunch.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fabulous weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

Oops, My Bad. The Link Is Fixed Now

July 9, 2015

Good morning.  First, let me apologize for the wrong download link for yesterday's freebie QP.  I have fixed the link, so if you scroll down to yesterday's post, you should be able to download it with no problems.

I will have to pay better attention to MediaFire when I upload files.  The new file is not always on the top or the bottom of the other files.  However, the link usually ends with the same name as the freebie file so I'll be a bit more careful.

Yesterday was a hot sticky day.  I did have the A/C on (on dehumidifier) but it did not help if I left the room.  So, I did not do very much work clearing out the computer room.  Instead, I did some laundry and put a few things away. 

I had a really nice visit with my stepson Sean and his two children, Shane and Jaklyn.  (adults now)  They live in Florida, so I don't get to see them very often.  Gosh, the kids are so tall and beautiful.  My Michael would be so proud of them. 

Last evening, I installed Firefox so that I could make my new blog book.  According to the print company, Explorer was the cause of my problems the other day.  Today, I still have to call the company because my blog book account only recognized me with Explorer.  Go figure!!

I just went out to photograph some of our day lilies, but I haven't had a chance to crop the photos yet.  So, I'll share a few amazing photos that my friend Rhoda sent to me. 

 

Dancing Girls  (Impatiens Bequaertii)

 

 Hooker's Lips  (Psychotria Elata)

Naked Mann Orchid  (Orchis Italica)

 

 Naked Mann Orchid  -  Close Up

Nature is simply amazing!!!  I don't have any of these flowers in my garden, but they certainly would make an interesting addition.   I just looked each of these up on Google, and they were really there!

My grandson, Kevin, is on his way over to help me with some vacuuming, etc, so I'll have to make this a short post.  Any help with the household chores is soooo appreciated!  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.