Something New To Get Used To

August 8, 2017

Good morning.  Tis looking a bit damp and gray outside this morning.  But that's okay because the lawns and plants are needing the rain.  Speaking of plants, remember the dahlia bulbs that Janice planted for me back a while?  Well, they have been growing.  Not as well as I'd have liked, but growing still.  One of them has a tiny bud on it, so I'm hoping that we'll have a flower soon.

Well, the fellow from the oxygen company showed up yesterday afternoon with my new portable oxygen.  It's the type that is allowed for air travel.  The one I really want is the Inogen One, but this company has their own brand that I have to use.  It's heavier than the Inogen, and when you put the battery on it (it won't work without the battery being attached) it gets even heavier.  (well, that's how it feels to me)  I weighed it on the scale and it comes up at five and a half pounds. 

Anyway, I told the guy I would give it a try to see how it works out.  I have to say though, it makes too much noise for me.  If I were on a plane and had to use this machine, it would probably be very annoying to the person (s) sitting next to me.  Ah well, we'll see.  Here's a photo of my new travel compressor.

This weekend starts the new summer shows at the Paris Cabaret, a local dinner and theater restaurant.  This summer's shows will feature Country music, and our Jazzy was asked to take part in this summer's shows.  They will run from this weekend into September.  The performers get paid to wait tables while they are performing and entertaining the customers.  Here's a photo of this year's cast.  Jazzy is the cowgirl on the left side.

I also have a photo of the playbill to show the types of songs these kids will be singing.  And yes, they will be doing some country dancing too! 

This is such a fun and wonderful opportunity for Jazzy.  I will be attending the night of August 26, and I can't wait!  I love country music (Jazzy does not - haha, but she's learning).

This reminds me of a job opportunity from long, long ago.  I was probably around nineteen or twenty, and my friend Judy had applied for a job playing piano and singing at a local bar.  She told the manager that she would only take the job if her friend (me) could sing with her.  The manager said "Okay, she's hired too."   Gosh, I was so excited, but also very bashful, and so I never did show up to sing with my friend.  Over the years, I had wished that I had tried it out.  It would have been such a fun experience.  Ahh, memories!

Yesterday, Pogo had doggie food for lunch.  I cooked him a bit of hamburger and rice for his supper, and he seemed to be very happy to have that.  This morning, I gave him the chicken and rice for breakfast and he ate every bit of it.  Right now, he's all curled up in his blanket, next to me, pretending to be snoozing.  I know he's got one eye open, keeping watch to see my every move. 

Well, that's my news for today.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have an awesome day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Different Opinions

August 7, 2017

Good morning.  Tis simply beautiful outside my door.  Temps are cool at the moment, the sun is shining and there's a teeny tiny breeze just tickling the edges of my flag and the leaves s on the trees. 

Pogo and I got up early this morning and had breakfast.  He's decided that he's rather tired of boiled chicken and rice so I gave him doggie food for a change.  He must have appreciated the change because he ate most all of it. 

A week ago, Audrey and Mac attended another Taxidermy convention, and Mac entered his sculpture .  I'm proud to say that he took two awards.  "Best of Category - Original Art Professional" and the "Chris Barnhardt Award - Most Creative."  Congratulations Mac!!

Do any of you subscribe to Redbook magazine?  If so, does this latest cover bother you at all?  I realize that we all come in different shapes and sizes, but when we are carrying too much fat do we really have to flaunt it?  This is the cover of the recent issue of the magazine.  It features the winners of the "Real Women Style Award."

I think the woman on the left and the woman in the middle look quite stylish and really nice.  It's the woman on the right that bothers me.  Does her look really deserve a "fashion style" award?  Obesity is not healthy and I don't think that flaunting it in such an unflattering look is a good thing to do. 

No, I'm not picking on people who are overweight.  I'm in that group too.  I just don't see anything stylish about wearing an unbuttoned shirt to show your oversized gut hanging out over your pants.  Add holes in your pants and super high heels and OMG!  I'm not sure if this woman is getting ready to chop down a tree or to wrestle a big bear.  Ladies, is this really how we want to portray ourselves?  Nuff said!

p.s.  If this is your look, I apologize if my comments offend you.  I'm just very old fashioned in a lot of my views.

I guess while I'm on this rant, I should mention that I really wish that the fashion world would bring back the maternity clothes of years gone past.  We had such beautiful and feminine maternity clothes. 

Last week, the guy from the oxygen company did not show up when he was supposed to, so he's rescheduled to come by today.  I had asked for a morning appointment, but we'll see.  When I called for the appointment, I was told that the service guys did not even start their day on the road before ten or ten thirty in the morning. 

Here's a fun photo that Deanne sent to me.  This is my daughter Deanne (in the middle), and two of my granddaughters, Mia (left) and Brandy (right).  They are having fun at a luau party.  Mia and Brandy are my daughter Kerri's daughters.  I'm might proud of my girls!

Last night I thought I might put a few more rows on the blue afghan.  Well, once I got started, I noticed a rather big boo boo two rows back.  I tried to fix it but I could not, so I ended up ripping out two rows and starting over.  Some days it just does not pay to pick up the crochet hook.

Now I think I'll have me another cup of coffee before that oxygen guy gets here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

New Catalogues Are Such Fun

August 6, 2017

Good morning.  What a gorgeous day it is here.  This whole upcoming week looks to be really nice weather.  Temps in the 70's and low 80's and sunny.  There's even a feisty breeze causing the leaves and my flag to dance about.  Simply super!

Friday, after work, SIL Eddie came by to check out the situation with the upstairs bathroom shower.  He went out to pick up the parts needed, and in no time had the problem all fixed.  Sad to say, only one of the dwarfs took the time to thank him.  Eddie, I thank you, and I appreciate everything you do for me.  I'm blessed to have you for my son in law.

Most of yesterday was quiet for Pogo and me.  For some reason, I was very tired and so I napped a bit.  Aside from cooking for Pogo and doing the dishes, about all I accomplished was to put a few rows on the blue afghan.   

I got a new craft supply catalogue in the mail.  This one is from Herrschners, Inc.  They have some really pretty yarns, so I ordered a few skeins (balls) that I thought might make a really pretty afghan.  These are the colors.  (photos are from the website, so the colors might be off a bit)

There's just something about new, pretty colors that I can't seem to resist.  I have to try them out.  If this afghan comes out as pretty as I think it will, I'm keep it for myself.   If I like the yarn, I'm going to order some more to make some scarf and hat sets. 

This morning I went into my archives to dig out some photos of my Pogo from five years ago.  He's been with me for five years, and it's been five years of sheer joy.

In the first photo, Pogo is letting Sassy know that this is HIS house and there are rules!  In the second photo, Pogo is intently listening to his Auntie Dee.  He's still just as cute as he was then. 

Yesterday, I bought some new scrap kits and then spent a few hours playing on my laptop.  I ended up with some new quick pages.   I finally had to stop because it was time to make Pogo some supper.  It's amazing how time flies when you are having fun.

This morning I awoke to complete silence and darkness.  It seems that the electric power had gone out around 4:30 a.m.  I called the power company and they said they would send out a work crew.  In just a few moments, a truck appeared out front.  They must have been working on the power lines close by.  Just before 7 a.m. the power was restored.

Today I have a quick page that I made with a couple of Kyra's mini-kits.  This one is about the birds and bees that keep our gardens lovely.

Here is your download link:
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Today I'll probably work on the blue afghan, trying to get it finished.  That is, of course, after some play time with my little guy.  The weather today is great for sitting out on the porch.  So, after Pogo has his turkey treat, we'll probably head for the porch. 

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

Hugs, Edna B.

Yeah, My Little Pogo Is Okay!

August 4, 2017

Good morning.  It's looking gorgeous outside my door this morning.  I'm hoping though, that it doesn't get quite as hot as yesterday was.  Temps got up into the nineties yesterday afternoon.  That's just a tad bit too warm for me. 

How about an update on Pogo?  Well, yesterday the ER doctor called to see how he was doing, and then she called back later in the day with the results of his tests from the day before.  Everything was looking good.  Yeaaaaaaaaaah!!!  As long as he was peeing good and eating his food okay and no more blood, it looks as if my little guy will be just fine.  Of course, he still has to take all of his new medicine.  It's only for three more days so he can put up with that.

Yesterday morning was exciting (although very expensive).  The work crew showed up at 7:45 a.m. to start working on the front of my driveway, and a few minutes later, the police detail showed up.  Pogo was in heaven watching all the men and the activity.  I actually enjoyed it too.  Here are a few photos that I took of the men working.

p.s.  The girl in the photo was with the work crew.  She wore the big flat shoes and got to walk all around the edges and on any marks made by the machines.

You know, I love looking down my driveway at the archway that the shrubs and trees make.  It is such a comforting sight.  The last photo of the driveway is my favorite.  I'm hoping that by next year, I'll be able to re-pave the whole parking area.  That will probably cost around twelve thousand dollars though, so we'll see.  I'll have to start saving up more than just my pennies!  (quarters, too!)

The next big project has to be fixing the upstairs bathroom shower and the kitchen ceiling (below).  Somehow, and no one knows how of course, the whole shower assembly came right out of the wall and fell into the tub.  And no one told me.  They never do.  Folks, a good portion of renters just don't take pride in how they care for someone else's property. 

Bottom line, they have not been able to take showers since Wednesday afternoon.  Poor things, they will either have to settle for washing up in the bathroom sink, or they can go somewhere else to take a shower.  SIL Eddie will be coming by this weekend to fix this mess.  I'm so thankful for him.

Today, I'm expecting a big batch of mail and hopefully a few packages.  I had stopped the mail delivery for yesterday and we had put a sign at the end of the driveway requesting no package deliveries either, just for the day.

I'm a happy camper this morning.  I've had a TV shopping channel turned on just for company, and I just bought another Christmas gift.  Yeah!  It was an item I've been hoping would show up on sale, and today it did.  Now I can cross one more item off my shopping list.

I'm hoping to get started on my new calendar this weekend.  I'd like to get it finished early so that I can start packing up some of my holiday packages early.  Some of the packages get a calendar tucked inside. 

Pogo has been extra cuddly this morning.  I think he's hoping that his antics will help me to forget his morning dose of medicine.  Not going to happen Pogo!!  I'm taking my nebulizer meds now, and as soon as I'm finished, it's your turn for meds.  You know the old saying, "misery loves company"!

I have a sink full of dishes waiting to be washed, and I'm almost done with my meds.  On this happy note, I'll take my leave.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have an awesome weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

Waiting For Pogo's Test Results

August 3, 2017

Good morning.  It's rather early, but pretty soon a crew should be showing up here to repave the front of my driveway.  Sad to say, it rained last night, so I'm hoping that doesn't mess things up for this morning. 

Well I took Pogo to the emergency room (at his hospital) yesterday morning.  He was checked over and had some tests done on him.  I'll have to wait for a phone call sometime today to let me know how the tests came out.  Meanwhile, Pogo is taking medicine twice a day for five days.  Once his test results are in, we'll know if he needs any more tests or a change in medicine, etc. 

Pogo is also being put on a bland diet.  Cooked white rice, boiled chicken, etc.  Hmmm, we'll have to see how that goes.  So far, he's refused most of everything I offered him to eat.  I have a couple of adorable photos of my little guy from yesterday.  Lately, I've been using my walker often, and Pogo fits right in the little basket that I bought for him.

I have my car radio set to a country music station, and the other day I heard a Willie Nelson song for the first time.  The words to the song struck me funny because this is how I have felt some mornings.  The title of the song is "I Woke Up This Morning Still Not Dead."   This is a photo of my radio when the song was playing.

I guess the song just makes one realize that waking up in the morning is a gift not to be taken for granted.  If we have food and clothing, a roof over our head and we're here to see a new day, then we are really blessed.

I'm keeping a watchful eye on the front yard, waiting for the work crew to start showing up.  Meanwhile, I think I'd best get dressed before they do get here.  I did get one request for a gem quick page for Sapphire which I'll work on soon.  Anyone else have a request?  Let me know.

Now I really must get dressed.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

I'm Worried About My Pogo

August 2, 2017

Good morning.  It's looking like another gorgeous day outside my door.  I hope it doesn't get too warm because Pogo and I may have to go out today.  This morning there was a bit of blood in his stool, so I need to have his doctor check it out. 

Well, I just called and his doctor is not in today.  As a matter of fact, all the doctors that he sees are all booked for the day.  I can, however, take him to the hospital's walk in clinic.  They have doctors there who can see Pogo.  Don't ask me what the difference is here.  If there are doctors there, why do they only see "walk in's"?  Why can't I make an appointment to see one of them today?  I'm clueless.  Unless, of course, it costs more to go through the walk-in clinic.  I may have to take Pogo in though, because I'm really worried.

Folks, I was asked about a Peridot colored quick page, so I looked in my archives for the Gem QP's that I made seven years ago to see if one of them was for Peridot.  There wasn't one, so I made one last night.  I'll offer it here if you would like it.  I also made a preview of the four older gem quick pages in case you would like those too.

Here's a preview of the quick page I made for Peridot.

Here are the download links for all five QP's:
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As always, each folder includes a  TOU that includes credits for any scrap elements or photos that I use on my pages.  If there is any other gemstone that you would like to see as a quick page, please let me know and I'll make one.

A couple days ago, Deanne gave me three new solar dancing figurines for my porch.  These are tiny floral bouquets, and are soooo pretty.

Now I'm going to take my nebulizer meds so that I'll be able to drive Pogo to the hospital later this morning.  I looked on-line to see what could cause his problem, and it could be a parasitic infection.  Here's hoping it will turn out to be something that can be corrected with medicine.  My Pogo doesn't need anymore bad stuff in his tiny life. 

I'll wash the dishes when we get home, and then figure out what to make for supper tonight.  DIL Janet will be coming by later after work.  I always look forward to her visits.  We have a wonderful evening of good food, craft projects, TV watching and chit chat.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

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

Hugs, Edna B.

Welcome August

August 1, 2017

Good morning.  Tis another gorgeous day today.  I was up and out early this morning.  First I drove daughter Deanne to work, (this is the week when all the cars chose to have problems) then I stopped by Walmart to return a couple items and pick up a couple new items.  By nine o'clock, I was back home. 

Today begins another new month.  It's already August!  Gosh, it won't be long before all the kids will be headed back to school.  Here's the August page from my calendar.

I've been working on the Delft Blue afghan lately, trying to get it finished.  Here's a photo of it, almost half done.

While Pogo and I were out in the yard a couple days ago, I took photos of the Red, White and Blue garden spinner and garden solar lights.  Gosh, can you tell we love our flag? 

As long as I'm posting photos, here's another one of my handsome little Pogo.  Yup, I'm one of those fur baby mamas who just can't have enough photos of her fur baby. 

Deanne's cat, Tinkerbelle, has not been well lately, and soon she'll be traveling to the Rainbow Bridge.  They got Tinkerbelle when she was just a tiny kitten and Jazzy was a baby.  These two grew up together, so this is an especially difficult time for Jazzy. (and the whole family)

I've been watching the Jewel School on the Jewelry TV Channel.  It's really quite interesting, and they have the neatest tools to make it easier to make jewelry.  They have a knotting board/tool that I might give some serious thought to.  It would make it so much easier for knotting pearls and beads. 

Just two more days, folks, and our driveway is going to be repaired.  Out in the front, near the street, several "pot holes" have formed.  These need to be filled in and then all that area repaved.  I've checked the weather forecast and it looks like the weather will be nice all week.  I've already arranged for a police detail to be here all that morning.  Pogo is going to be so excited watching all the activity.  Actually, me too. 

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

Hugs, Edna B.