It's Not Easy To Ride A Big Yellow Duckie

August 8, 2018

Good morning.  Gosh, I'm getting a very late start today.  I stayed up late last night watching a movie and this morning I just did not want to get up.  Even Pogo slept late today. 

Deanne came by yesterday and put the new seat on the toilet.  Oh how wonderful to not be getting pinched on the cheek anymore.  It doesn't seem like a big deal, but pinching does put a whole new perspective on one's comfort.

Today, I have a repairman coming by to see about fixing my dryer.  I'm not sure when he'll be here but it will be soon.  So, today's post will be short.  I have some fun photos to share that Deanne sent to me.  She has a wonderful pool in her backyard, with lots of fun floaties.  A few days ago, she and Eddie and a good friend were cooling off in the pool and trying to ride the big yellow duckie.

It took several tries and a few dumps into the pool to figure out how to get on the duckie (and stay on) as these fun photos will show. 

Can you think of a better way to have lots of fun and stay cool at the same time?  This was a fun afternoon for everybody. 

I was chatting with my friend Beth last night, and she asked me if I had any of my photos set aside yet for next year's calendar.  I have a couple set aside, but this is something I'll have to start working on pretty soon. 

It's almost the middle of August already, and Fall is right around the corner.  That's kind of scary, don't you think?  That means that Christmas is only 139 days away.  It may sound like a lot, but it's not.  I have shopping to finish and wrap.  There are boxes to get ready for mailing.  There are cards to be designed and envelopes to be written.  And, there's a calendar to be made.  Plus all the normal everyday stuff.  It makes you think, doesn't it?

Today I have a new quick page for you.  This one is to remind us to be thankful for all our blessings.

Here is your download link:
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Now I'm off to wash a few dishes and maybe chase a few dust bunnies around.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

p.s. To Elee, in case that link is difficult to use, here it is again.
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Where is Technology Heading?

August 7, 2018

Good morning.  It's still quite warm here in New England.  Today will be another day in the nineties, then tomorrow should hopefully drop back down into the eighties.  We shall see.  By next Saturday, temps should get back down to the low eighties.  Now that should be a good day for Pogo and me to get out and do a few errands. 

Last week, Audrey and Mac attended the Taxidermist Convention in North Carolina, and they took granddaughter Alena with them.  They have classes and awards for the children as well as the adults.  Here is Alena proudly showing her project and her award.  She made a jar with a butterfly and a dragonfly in it, and painted a feather rainbow colors.  Great job, Alena.  Great Meema is very proud of you.

Mac tried his hand at sculpting again.  This is his second piece, and it is a Bobcat head.  He won an award for it.  "The NCTA State Champion" in original art, Master Division.  Awesome, Mac!

Yesterday, I made some phone calls and found a dryer repairman who can come out tomorrow to fix my dryer.  Audrey says I should just buy a new dryer.  The one I have is old, and a new one shouldn't cost a whole lot more than repairing the old one.  I will have to make a decision on this today.

I have been watching the electronic shows on the Shopping Channel these past few days, and I am in awe of some of the new technology.  Tablets are becoming more like laptops, cameras and printers are getting smaller, home security systems are getting more sophisticated, and the list goes on.  It is just mind boggling. 

I keep thinking that one of these days I'll have to get a new laptop, but then I think of all the changes that I'll have to learn and I back off from that idea.  The older I get, the less I like change.  Although, one of these days I may not have a choice. 

Yesterday, the new toilet seat that I ordered arrived.  The old seat is starting to give everyone a pinch on the left cheek so it's time to get rid of it.  Imagine that!  Getting pinched by a padded seat!  Deanne is coming over soon to put the new seat on for me.  Thank you Dee Dee.

I found an interesting article in one of my magazines, "Popular Science."  It was an article titled "I Wish Someone Would Invent,"  and I thought I would share this new bit of technology with you.

It's a health-monitoring toilet.  Can you imagine?  Will we have no privacy in our lives any more with all this new technology?  I think I'll pass on this item.

Now I think I'll drink my coffee and check a couple of blogs before Deanne gets here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Counting My Blessings

August 6, 2018

Good morning.  It's late morning, but still morning.  I've been cropping photos to share and making a few important phone calls.  Now it's my time to play on my laptop.  We're in the midst of "sizzle time" so I had to call and re-schedule an appointment that I had for this morning.  This is definitely "stay indoors" weather. 

Last week, my great grandson Xander turned one year.  Here's a cute photo of him with his cake.  I think he likes it!  He's the youngest of my great grands. 

And here's a cute photo of Alena showing us the little frog that jumped up onto her arm.  Oh yup, she's a tomboy and just loved this.  Reminds me of myself when I was a kid. 

I promised to tell you more about the show that Deanne and I went to last Friday night.  It was a production of "Heathers The Musical."  (The high school version)  It had to do with suicide and homicide of our teenagers.  Rather provocative, but very well done.

Sorry for the wrinkles in my ticket and program, but I had to fold them to put them in my purse. 

The play started out with a reading from the Diary.  Jazzy played Miss Fleming.  The acting and the music was just wonderful.  My only critic was that the music was too loud.  Overall, I had a grand time watching these talented young people.

This Fall I am going to see Jazzy in "Gypsy" at the Cabaret.  She will be playing Gypsy.  My daughter Audrey might be coming for a visit then.  We'll all be going to see Jazzy and the other Starliners. 

Have I mentioned lately how blessed I am?  It hasn't been easy getting to this point in my life.  There have been a lot of huge hills to climb, but I'm here and my cup (of blessings) runneth over. 

There's a tiny bundle with a little black nose curled up beside me as I type.  The joy he brings me is endless.  I'll have to try to get a new photo of him with his new haircut.

I'm watching re-runs of "Deal Or No Deal" on TV, and Donald Trump has just come out to help a contestant decide whether or not to take the deal.  Wowsie!  This man is just awesome.  He's a people person, not a politician.  That's why so many of us like him. 

Don't get me wrong, you are entitled to believe which ever way you choose to. It is your right.   And if you disagree with me, that's okay.  (I will still like you.)  But I do like to give credit where credit is due.  The man took Mr. Trump's advice, and won $359,000 dollars.  Awesome!  Awesome!

It's almost noon now, so I'll be taking my leave here.  I want to do a bit of blog reading before I start on the dishes.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay cool and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

The Sizzling Muggies Are Back

August 5, 2018

Good afternoon.    I thought I might sleep in late this morning.  So I did.  And it felt good!  The wicked hot sizzles are back and I guess they will be here for a while.  Today I will look into a program called "Shipt."  It's another home grocery delivery program.  I checked it before but this time I think I'll call on the phone to ask my many questions. 

I was going to go back to the dealership tomorrow to get my new safety sticker because I have already driven more than one hundred miles and the new computer module should be all set up.  But now I think I'll wait for the temps to go down a bit.  It all depends on how early in the morning I can get an appointment. 

While poking around on the web, I came across a picture that brings back memories from my teenage years.  Back then, the guys had a line that they used quite successfully on us unsuspecting young girls.  This one handsome young man asked me for a date to go see the submarine races at Wollaston Beach.  Of course I said yes! 

Well, if you're from my time, you know how that turned out.  We sat there for hours, while my date kept trying to make out, and I kept trying to see where the submarines were.  He finally gave up and took me home.  He said he might ask me out again when I got a bit more mature.  hahaha.  Yup, those were the innocent days.

Getting back to sticky muggy weather, I have some fun photos of my great grandchildren who are enjoying the summer despite the hot temps.  This one shows Alena (Audrey's granddaughter) with Grandpa Mac.  They're cooling off in a friend's pool.

This next photo shows Aurora (Deanne's granddaughter)  and Alima (Kerri's granddaughter) having a grand time in their little pool, even though there's no water in it.  (They both swim in the big pool)

Here's one of my favorite photos that Deanne sent to me.  This is Aurora chasing bubbles around the backyard.  The heat doesn't seem to stop these girls from having lots of fun.

I have more of these fun photos to share here but first I have to crop them.  My friend Beth has been playing in her photo program and had a bit of fun with a photo of me that was taken last March in Florida.  She sent me several different versions of this picture, but this one was my favorite.  There are others posted on her blog.  (just click on her name to go to her blog)

Today I have no special plans.  I do want to call my cousin Ellen to see how she is feeling and how she is coping with these hot temps.  Then maybe I'll wash a few dishes before going online to find a repairman for my dryer.  The thermostat seems to be broken.  Sighhhh!  Of course, it just wouldn't be right if a day went by without something needing to be fixed. 

This past Friday night, I went with Deanne to watch Jazzy perform in a new production.  I'll have more on that in tomorrow's post.  Right now, I have a new quick page for you.  Hopefully, this one will help to cool you off a bit.  Have fun with it.

Here's your download link:
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Now I'm off to get a cold bottle of water and to do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay cool and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Thank God For Kathy And CPR

August 3, 2018

Good morning.  It'll be another hot one today.  Temps are already at eighty degrees and it's only nine thirty.  I feel wicked bad for folks in other parts of the country who are having to cope with temps over one hundred degrees.  I just couldn't do it. 

It almost looks like we could get a shower, but Mother Nature is really good at fooling us.  We'll just have to wait and see.  A couple days ago, the skies got dark and we thought we were getting some rain, but nothing happened and in a few minutes we were back to sizzling. 

I feel asleep early last night, so I woke up early this morning.  However, after having something to eat, I went back to bed and tried to catch a few more winks.  Pogo seems to want to sleep a bit more this morning too.

I had the scare of my life yesterday.  About an hour after I dropped Pogo off at the beauty salon, the groomer called me and asked me to come and get him.  She said he may have had a small seizure.  I dropped everything and drove there as quick as I could. 

My little Pogo did not have a seizure, he keeled over and almost died.  The groomer, Kathy, does not put a harness on Pogo because he's so tiny.  There were other dogs in the shop and Pogo was anxious to get down and play with them.  So Kathy lightly held the scruff at the back of his neck to hold him still while she was cutting his hair. 

All of a sudden, his tongue fell out and was purple and he keeled over.  He wasn't breathing so Kathy had to do CPR on him to get him breathing again.  God Bless you Kathy for knowing what to do to save my little Pogo.  When I got to the salon, Kathy was in tears, but my little guy was alright as soon as I put my arms around him. 

Pogo had stopped breathing because his esophagus closed when Kathy started to hold him by the scruff (like a kitten).  She did not know, and I never thought it would have anything to do with his grooming.  Now we know.  Also, in the future, I'll wait there at the shop while Pogo is being groomed.  Just in case. 

The last time I tried using my current measuring cups, I could not read the numbers because they had worn off.  So, a few days ago, I ordered a new set of measuring cups and spoons.  They already came in the mail and wowsie, they are really neat.  The measuring spoons include: 1/32 tsp, 1/16 tsp, 1/8 tsp, 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 Tbsp, 2 tsp and 1 Tbsp.  The measuring cups include:  1/8 cup, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 2/3 cup, 3/4 cup, 1 cup, 1 1/2 cups, 1 3/4 cups and 2 cups.

I was telling my daughter Audrey about my new measuring spoons and she told me about the ones that she uses.  It seems that Southerners measure a bit differently.  Their spoons are marked "a Dash" a "Pinch" and a "Smidgen."  She sent me a photo of her spoons.  I thought you'd like this.

Before I take my leave today, let me share a cute picture that I found on the web.  It seems to fit me perfectly. 

Now I'm off to start a load of laundry.  So till Sunday, Y'all stay cool and have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.

p.s. The sun is shining again.  No rain.  Sighhhhh.

An Umbrella With Holes In It?

August 2, 2018

Good morning.  It's looking gorgeous outside my door, but today is going to be blistering hot with temps in the high nineties.  Right now, it's eighty degrees and sunny with a wonderful breeze keeping things a bit comfy.  The air is heavy though, not good for breathing.  I've already gone outside to open the greenhouse and water all the plants. 

As much as I don't want to go out today, Pogo has an appointment at the salon at noon.  I'll have to call ahead to make sure the groomer is there and on time.  Otherwise, we'll just have to reschedule.  It's good that my car has an A/C.  Otherwise, we would not be leaving the house.

DIL Janet came by yesterday after work, and brought some scrumptious desserts with her.  Yum, yum.  I had planned one thing for our supper, but instead we ordered steak and cheese subs.  Mine had green peppers on it.  Oh my, that was simply delicious!  After supper, we crocheted, watched TV and caught up on all the latest girl talk.  Our visits are priceless.

Yesterday, the new "Better Brella" that I had ordered arrived.  I was really excited to open the package to see it.  I ordered one with a large sunflower pattern on it.  When I opened it, I noticed that there were little holes punched in it all around in a pattern near the top of the brella.  Now why in the world would there be holes punched into an umbrella.  The whole idea is supposed to be to keep the rain out.

I called the company, and they are sending me a new Brella.  Thankfully, I saved the box mine came in so now I can package it up and return it.  It looks like maybe the pattern was supposed to be stamped on the inside of the umbrella, but possibly the stamper was too sharp and cut right through the material.  Let's hope the replacement Brella doesn't have any holes in it.

Today I thought I might share more photos of some of the flowers in my yard.  Here we have red Knock Out Roses, lavender Rose of Sharon,  white Petunias, yellow Lilies and pink Double Impatiens. 

Now I think I'll get a nice cold glass of pink lemonade and do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay cool and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Say Hello To August

August 1, 2018

Good afternoon.  I had to get up early this morning to go shopping, so that's why I'm late with my post.  And, it's a brand new month.  Here's my calendar page for August.  Look at this adorable little squirrel playing peek a boo with me from beneath my plants.

Yesterday was another all day affair getting my car taken care of.  But by mid-afternoon, the new computer module had been installed, and a rejection safety sticker was put on my windshield.  They said that I had to drive for about one hundred miles so that the computer could reset itself.  Then I can go back and get a regular safety sticker. 

Hence the shopping trip today.  Deanne and I decided to shop at a Trader Joe's market, several towns away.  For entertainment on the way there, we were chatting with the voice on the GPS system.  I think she was just a tad bit on the juice because she kept telling us to take "almost right turns" for a while where there were no "almost right turns." 

But we did get to Trader Joe's, and it was quite a store.  We bought a few things and then decided to finish up at the local WalMart Supercenter store.  Trying to leave the area proved to be quite interesting.  The GPS lady kept telling me to take a left when there was no apparent left turn.  We did find a way out, and were headed to the WalMart.  So we thought. 

Ms. GPS wasn't happy that we weren't following her directions, so she took us on a little tour around town before putting us on the road to WalMart.   She's really quite a gal!

At the WalMart, we did the rest of our shopping, and finally headed back home.  Once we got home, I checked my mileage and surprise, surprise.  I don't have too much more traveling to do before I can go back and get my regular safety sticker.  Woo Hoo!

Today temps are staying in the high seventies to the mid eighties with cloud cover.  It's a really nice day, but I'm glad the shopping part is over.  I'm exhausted from the last few days.  But I guess all things happen for a reason.  My car forced me to go outside the box and visit new shopping stores.  So I guess all is well.

Today I thought I might show photos of the latest tissue dollies that I've finished.  (except for the ribbons and trim)   The first one is Minty with white.

Then we have Light Gold with Marakesh.

And last, I have Red, White and Blue with White.

On today's quick page, Zlata is trying to enjoy her watermelon drink, if only that pesky bug would leave her alone!  I guess bugs like watermelon too.  I'll have you know, it took me two and a half hours to figure out how to make Zlata sit and hold her drink!

Now I'm off to relax a bit before heading to the kitchen to wash the dishes.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day. 

Hugs, Edna B.