To Breathe Or Not To Breathe

August 16, 2017

Good morning.  Tis another gorgeous morning here in my little part of the world.  I've always said that for great weather, summer vacations in New England should be taken in August.  The days are warm, the nights are cool and there's usually a lovely breeze all day long.

Well, yesterday I did go out to pick up my meds and groceries.  Did I look for a lemon merengue pie?  Of course I did!  Not only did I find my pie, but the lady working in that department had just discounted the price on it from $4.89 to $1.35.  Woo Hoo!!  As soon as I got home and put everything away, I cut me a slice of that pie and ....oh my, was that ever delicious!!

Picking up meds was not so much fun.  I had only re-filled my two nubulizer meds.  The price of these meds is staggering.  The cash price for one of the meds was almost $500 and the other one was $1150.  And these prices are only for a thirty day supply.  Even with insurance, once you have reached your cap (and it is not very high) you end up paying most of the cost.  The nebulizer medicine that I used to take only cost $10.  I'm going to have a chat with my doctor to see about what can be done to change some of my meds to less expensive ones. 

A little while later, a box containing my new yarn was delivered.  Oh my, the yarn is soooo pretty.  Now I can't wait to work with it.  I did take out the skein of red yarn because I've been itching to make up one of the little red baby hats.  Remember, these will be going to a nursery in a local hospital for next February.

 Well, the first little hat was such fun that I made a second one.  I'm not sure how many I'll make, but I'm sure that between now and February I can put together a nice little bundle of these hats.  I will give them to Deanne and let her take them to the hospital.  This project was her idea.

Once I finished the second little hat, I was itching to grab a hank of the other new yarn and start a new afghan.  But, I was really good and did not touch it.  The doll dresses need to be finished first.  I did pick up the little hook and eye sets and some thread yesterday so maybe that's what I'll do today.  I also want to get the little air freshener doll dresses made before I start a big project.  Of course, I don't always do what I should, so we'll see.

As promised, I took photos of my new blog book to share here.  This shows both covers.  As usual, the back cover is reserved for a new photo of my handsome little guy.

 

The other day I got another new catalogue in the mail.  (what else is new?)  Whether I buy anything or not, I enjoy looking through these catalogues.  I did find a new and unusual product that could prove to be handy for every young woman.  Have a look and see what you think.

 

 

In today's society, personal safety is so very important.  For anyone interested in this or any other fun item, the name of the catalogue is "The Lighter Side."  You can get a catalogue by calling 1-800-232-0963 or by visiting their web site www.LighterSide.com.

 

Well, I've finished my coffee and my nebulizer meds so I think it's time I started doing a few things around the house.  Pogo is sitting by the door and wanting to go out on the porch for a while so maybe I'll pour me another cup of coffee and sit out on the porch with my little guy before starting any chores.

 

On that note, I'll take my leave.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have an awesome day.

 

Hugs, Edna B.

Today Is National Lemon Meringue PieDay

August 15, 2017

Good morning.  Gosh, this month is already half over and I'm not ready for it to be gone yet.  I've been enjoying the August weather, and really don't want it to end.  Alas, Mother Nature does not care what I think.  She will do what she will do.

At the moment, tis a bit gray outside, and looking like maybe a bit of rain may head our way.  I have plans to go out to pick up my meds and a few groceries, so hopefully any rain showers can hold off until I get back home.  That would be nice. 

Did you know that today is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day?  I didn't, but daughter Deanne called me last night to let me know.  Hmmm, I love lemon meringue pie.  When I get to the market this morning, I'll have to see if they have one.

Well, yesterday and last night, I really did not do very much.  No crocheting, no errands, not much of anything.  At least that's what I remember.  I had thought that I was busy, but as I look around me, not very many things look as though they have been moved.  Just another of those "retirement perks" I guess.

My new blog book arrived yesterday, and I'm quite pleased with it.  I took a couple photos of it to share, but my laptop froze up when I was trying to crop them so I'll post them tomorrow.  I do have an awesome photo to share that Joe took at the park a couple of days ago.  He's getting to be quite good with his phone camera.  What a great capture of this gorgeous swan.

Yesterday while Pogo and I were out in the yard, I took a few photos of some of our blossoms.  This one tiny lemony yellow rose is such a pretty bloom.

I couldn't resist taking a few photos of the Rose of Sharon.  They are just soooo pretty.

As I look out my door, I'm not seeing any rain yet, but there is a little bit of a breeze.  I think I should start getting dressed and head out to do my errands.  I'd like to get back and have all my groceries brought in before it does rain.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Yeaaah! The Afghan Is Done!

August 14, 2017

Good morning.  Tis quite lovely this morning.  Temps only in the seventies, and the sun keeps peeking out from behind a cloud.  I know it will be much warmer in a few hours, but for now it's really nice.

Well, yesterday I decided "enough is enough!"  The blue afghan needs to be done with.  So I spent a little time here and there working on it and last night I finished it.  Yeaaaah!  Today I will dig out a plastic zipper bag to put it in and set it in the gift tote. 

Next I want to finish the doll dresses.  First I'll have to pick up some hook and eye sets and matching threads for closing the backs of the dresses.  After that, there's a little bit of trim work to be done.  For that, Pogo and I will have to make a trip to JoAnn's Fabric shop to find the right trims.  (Isn't that wonderful?  Another reason to go shopping!) 

I don't have any new photos to share, so I've dug into my archives for some photos that I took five years ago through the kitchen window at work.  Some days I really miss all the fun I had with my camera at that window. 

I know we have humming birds here too, but I don't get to see them very often.  That's why I'd like to plant a couple more plants that will lure more of these beautiful birds here.  I had ordered a trumpet vine plant, but it arrived during the time when I was really sick, and died before I could get it planted.  I'll try ordering a new plant for next Spring. 

Today I have to phone the pharmacy for re-fills on my nebulizer meds, so I may as well put together my grocery shopping list and get everything in one trip.  Pogo won't be happy about this , but I can't take him to the market.  I don't know why because he is well behaved and doesn't drool over all the food products like some other folks' kids do.  Ah well.

Well that's about if for my news today.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Just Putting All My Ducks, er...Crafts, In A Row

August 13, 2017

Good morning.  Our nights lately have been perfect for sleeping, and the morning temps are just super for sitting out on the porch with a cup of coffee.  Today and tomorrow temps should get up to the mid 80's by noon.  Rather a nice summer day, I'd say.  Thank goodness we're only halfway through Summer.  From here on, the weather will mostly be like today.

Well, yesterday was a restful day for Pogo and me.  I did a bit of crocheting off and on.  I'm trying to get the blue afghan finished so that I can go on to my other projects.   I'm getting there.  Only four or five more rows to go and the afghan will be done.  Yeaaaaaah!

Next, I want to get the bed dolls finished.  Then on to a couple of air freshener dolls and a few red baby hats.  Then I'd like to start the afghan with the new yarn colors that I've ordered.  I've been thinking though, that I might need a variegated yarn as an offset color to go with the new yarns.  I'll have to wait until the yarn gets here to decide. 

Meanwhile, I've been adding to my scrap kit collection, (the kits I purchase) and I've been having fun playing around with them in Photoshop.  This, of course, means more quick pages for you.  Today I have a whimsical QP featuring nature.  I hope you like it.

Here is your download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/z1m7rc9coaa4z1d/EB_-_QP_2017_-_19.zip

We've been getting bits of rain lately.  Just enough to keep the plants and the grass happy.  I've been checking the Dahlia plants, and I'm wondering if they're ever going to do anything.  Two of them have tall stems, and the other two are short and a bit thicker.  Only one of the tall stems has a bud on it, and now it has two of them.  So, I still have hopes of seeing a flower before we run out of blooming season. 

Ever since we planted my pretty Rose of Sharon shrub, I've been wondering when it will start looking like everyone else's.  Their's all have tons of blossoms, while mine gets a scattering of blooms.  Well, this year my shrub is looking so much better.  It is full of blossoms and getting taller. 

Well, I think it's time to tackle the breakfast dishes, and then maybe run the vacuum cleaner around a bit.  It's time to get re-acquainted with the dust bunnies and try to get a few of them to move out.  haha.  On that happy note, I'll take my leave. So, till tomorrow, Y'all have an awesome day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Seeing Is Believing

August 11, 2017

Good morning.  The weather here is superb.  The sun is shining, temps are in the 70's and there's a tiny breeze.  Of course, by noon, temps will reach the low 80's, but even that's nice.  Yesterday, the sun was really warm, and if you stayed in it for a bit, it got really hot. 

I took these photos of the thermometer that sits on my porch.  The first photo was taken when the sun was shining really warm, and the second photo was taken a while after the sun moved to another spot in the yard.  I wouldn't have believed it got this warm if I didn't see it with my own eyes.

Folks, when you take your doggies out for a walk, keep in mind that if the ground is too hot for you to go barefoot, then it is definitely burning your doggie's feet.  Either put boots on your doggie, or don't go walking in the hot sun.  I see this all the time and I just don't know how people can say they love their doggies when they make them walk barefoot on the steaming hot ground.

Yesterday, Pogo and I went out to do a couple errands, and stopped in at the local Ocean State Job Lot.  We love this store.  Somehow, we always manage to find a few things that we just have to have.  While we were there, we bought a new Butterfly Bush plant.  It's a pretty dark purple, and when Joe got home from work, he planted it for me. 

The new plant is only about a foot tall, but it should grow to about four or five feet tall.  There is one more plant that I would like to get for that side of the shed, and it's a trumpet vine plant.  It comes in red, yellow and orange.  Of course, I'm wanting the orange one.  I'm hoping that these two plants will bring butterflies and hummingbirds to this side of the house.

In the afternoon, the UPS truck stopped by with a package that I've been waiting for.  Somehow, I've lost or misplaced my "grabber", so I ordered a new one.  It came as a set of two which is great.  I can keep one in the living room and the other in the kitchen.

I also got another package.  I had ordered a hand-held shower head to take to Florida with me.  The shower in my bathroom (in Florida) is not really wide, and I can't reach the shower head to turn it.  I have no control over where the water hits me.  Being only five feet tall, this means that the water hits me on the face.  This hand-held shower head will make showering more pleasant. 

Now I'm hoping that my new yarn order arrives soon.  One of the skeins of yarn is red, and I'm wanting to try making a red baby hat.  I promised Deanne that I would make a few of them to send to the nursery at one of the local hospitals for next February.  It should be fun and I'm looking forward to it.

I found this adorable picture on the web and just had to borrow it to share here with you.  It  sort of says how a lot of us feel by the time Friday rolls around.  hahaha.

 
Now it's time to take my leave.  There are dishes waiting in the sink that need washing, and my little guy wants to go outside for a bit.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have an awesome weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

A Good Day To Do Some Errands

August 10, 2017

Good morning.  Tis another lovely morning here in my little part of New England.  The Tick and Mosquito man has already been here and sprayed the whole yard.  UPS has already stopped by to deliver two packages and now it's time for me and Pogo to get started on this new day.

We had errands to do yesterday, but somehow they got put on hold so we'll do them today.  Or at least, that's the plan.  Seems life always finds a way to change the plans that we make.  It's a good thing that I'm retired and able to make frequent changes.

I had been hoping to attend the annual barbeque that the New England Poodle Rescue Center puts on each year.  Last year, Pogo and I had a lot of fun there.  It doesn't look like we can go this year though, so I'll call them today and make a contribution.  If they hadn't rescued my Pogo, he wouldn't be here with me today.  I am ever so grateful to this organization.

Here's a picture that I borrowed from the web of a really super way to spoil your fur babies, especially if you have two of them.  It's a rustic set of bunk beds.  Honestly, isn't this just adorable?  Can't you just picture your fur babies napping peacefully on these beds?

I also have an interesting article that I cut out of one of my AARP magazines.  This one offers advice on how to lower stress and retain muscle strength by drawing.  I have tried it and drawing (and coloring) does indeed reduce stress levels.

Sometime this week, I'm going to have to re-arrange one of my bookshelves.  My newest Blog Book should be arriving soon, and I need to make room on the shelf for it.  This book will make twenty two books so far. 

I have a new photo to share here.  This one is of Father (Bobby) and Son (Xander) taking a nap together.  It's one of my favorite photos of these two handsome fellas.  It makes me think of the saying "Like father, like son."

I've been taking my nebulizer meds while I've been typing and they are almost done.  Now I think I'll get caught up a bit on my blog reading.  My friend Kyra hasn't been feeling so good lately, but today she is posting on her blog and I'm anxious to see how she is doing. 

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

Hugs, Edna B.

A Surprise Blossom

August 9, 2017

Good morning.  Tis a lovely sunny day here in New England.  Right now the temperature is still cool, but by noon we'll be seeing temps in the 80's.  Pogo and I have to go out this morning so I think we'll try to do as many errands as we can before noon. 

Yesterday turned out to be a non productive day for me.  I guess my body was just tired.  In the afternoon, I had a nap, and in the evening I feel asleep really early and slept till around 3:30 this morning.  I had a nice big drink of cold water and went back to sleep until almost 6:30.  Goodness, there should be no need for a nap today!

A few years ago, my grandson Stephen gave me a desert rose plant.  It had the prettiest bloom on it, and when the bloom passed by, the plant never blossomed again.  The stems grow, and a few leaves grow.  After a while the leaves fall off and the plant is naked again.  Somehow, I've managed to keep this plant alive.  A couple days ago, I was watering the plant and I noticed a beautiful new blossom.  Isn't this pretty?

I guess I'll have do some research on this plant.  Maybe it is only supposed to bloom every few years, or maybe I'm doing something wrong.  Either way, I'd like to know. 

 

I just gave Pogo a tiny bit of pumpkin.  I had to put it on my finger and put my finger in his mouth because he would not eat any of it.  He only got a little of it, but that's a start.  He's been constipated since his doctor visit last week so I know this is probably a reason why he won't eat very much of his food.  When we get back from our errands, I'll try to give him a little more of the pumpkin. 

 

Today I have another quick page for you.  This one has a nautical theme, so it might be good for some of your photos taken at the beach. 

 

 

Here is your download link:
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That's about it for today's news.  Now I think I'll wash a few dishes and get dressed.  Pogo and I want to be leaving here in an hour so that we can be back before it gets too warm outside.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.