Time flies when you are having fun.....

"The bad news is time flies.

The good news is you're the pilot."

- Michael Althsuler

We got home late yesterday after spending five fun, and exhausting days in S. Florida with the family!

When I got back home and settled in I realized that I hadn't blogged the entire time.....and, asked myself where did the time go??  It certainly seems to fly by these days! I wish that it would S-L-O-W down...

The main reason for the trip?  My nephew and his fiance' were being honored at an engagement party.  It was quite an affair.  My sister, Karen, did everything in her wonderfully special way, as usual.  She had about 100 people in her beautiful backyard with tables set around the pool and under a huge (20' X 40') tent on the grassy area.  She picked out gorgeous fabrics (completely assorted) and made bright, happy tablecloths for all of the tables.  The tent was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns....a combo played music on the patio, the bar was set up for anything at all that one would ever want to drink....but, the hit of the night was the champagne served over passion fruit "bubbles" that burst in your mouth and then the whole thing was topped with a dollop of sorbet.  I drank my usual wine, but heard that the champagne drink was out of this world!

The bride to be's mom is a well known caterer there and she and her crew did all of the incredible hors d'eurves.  There was everything from artichoke tarts to mini-lobster rolls (my favorite).  Many people thought that the appetizers were dinner and began to move to the dessert table.....until the real meal of bar-b-que brisket, ribs and chicken was spread out!  I ate way too much of this delicious food......

Mom was there with her sweet "boyfriend" and the two of them held hands and smiled at each other all night.   She looked beautiful and continues to giggle like a school girl when she is around him....a "teenager" again at the ripe old age of 88!  You've got to love it.

As we all sat around the lunch table Sunday afternoon before catching our flights back home, glasses were raised..... to young love, joyous occasions, and, most of all.....FAMILY.

*sigh*

:   )

Don't Go Shopping With a Man Unless It Is Absolutely Necessary!

Dave and I went shopping today.

Not a good idea.

Men are just missing that shopping gene.  That is all there is to it.

For most women, there is nothing more delightful than browsing around stores looking for that perfect item to purchase.  We may find it in a matter of minutes....or, several hours.  It doesn't really matter, because the hunt is part of the joy.  If it is clothing, we hold it up, touch the fabric, read the washing instructions, try it on, think about it.....think about it.....ask a girlfriend if they are with us.....if not, ask the salesgirl's opinion....and, then think about it some more.

Dave needed some pants to wear when we go out of town this week.  He reluctantly tried on several pairs that I found in his size.  As soon as he found one that fit comfortably...that was it! "Please go and find this in other colors" he said.

He happily clutched the light khaki, dark khaki, and black pants and he was done and ready to check out and leave the store! 

Done?

But, I was just getting started...

My Favorite Breakfast Sandwich

Slow day for news....so, I thought that I'd share my morning meal with you all.

It started with two egg whites.

 I decided to try and "flip" the egg in the air like I have seen the great chefs do on tv.

It actually worked without getting all over the stovetop as I have done in past attempts.

    Next, I added some of the claw meat from the leftover crab claws that we served at a dinner party for friends.

 I toasted the whole wheat bread and sprayed it with my "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" stuff.....I'm not really sure exactly what it is.  It says that it has no calories, no fat, nothing!  Maybe it is just water with yellow food coloring it in?  Who knows.....but, I use it all of the time!

 Now, the special ingredient.....I spread some softened avacado on one side of the "buttered" bread.             Mmmm.

                              Cut it in half and dig in....and, there you have it!

Boy, I really need a life.... : o



Are you kidding me?

This is the peanut butter that I usually purchase at my local Publix store.
The one on the left is an older one that is almost empty.
The one on the right is new and was just purchased at the same price as the older one.

Do they not think that the consumer will notice the size difference?!?!?!?

I'd rather have them raise the price a bit than deceptively make the products smaller and smaller.
Agree?

What in the world is going on???

I am unable to sleep tonight as I watch the special tv report about the horrific tornado that wiped out more than 75% of Joplin, Missouri.

Unfathomable.

Frightening.

Shocking.

Sad.

The meteorologists are speaking about the conditions making these areas ripe for the formation of severe storms....colder than usual temperatures in the north colliding with warm, humid temperatures in the southern half of the country.

Horrendous.

Monstrous.

Alarming.

Confusing.

Most of us made light of the preacher's predictions of the end of the world occurring at 6:00 pm on Saturday.  Suddenly, people are beginning to wonder about what is happening all around us.

Dreadful.

Shocking.

Heartbreaking.

Desperate.

Search and rescue teams are still out hoping to find any survivors that might be trapped under the debris.
People are walking around dazed and confused.  It is more like a war zone....than a small town neighborhood.

As I turn off the tv and decide to go to bed, my heart is heavy.
I feel a sense of helplessness as I think about the tragedies that have occurred to innocent people in these last few months. People without homes, people who have lost loved ones, people whose lives will never be the same.
What can we possibly do? 

For now....

Pray that calmer times are ahead......

Unplugged

For several hours today I was without my cable television, my phone and the Internet. Charter was working on many of the storm damaged lines in Birmingham and all of the services were shut down.

Horrors?!

Not really. 

Other than the fact that I wanted to see who made the finals of American Idol (!) tonight, it was really kind of nice.....and, quiet...and, I liked it....for a while, anyway. 

I read every inch of the newspaper.
I went through a stack of papers on my desk.
I just "was".

Of course....when things began to work again....

I watched American Idol.
I got right back online reading emails, etc.
I phoned a couple of friends.

And, I sat down and posted this on my blog.

So much for being "unplugged".
:  )

He would have been 93 today....

Thinking of you, Dad.
xoxo


May 17, 1918-March 4, 2008

I stared at the three miniature muffins, the one large sticky bun, and the bagel on my plate....

...and, thought to myself...."What's with all of these carbs?  Do I think that I am training for a marathon???!"

Dave and I attended a friend's daughter's wedding over the weekend.  It was held at Reynold's Plantation on Lake Oconee (Georgia) and was quite beautiful....as well as a definite "eating fest".  My plate of food was from the Sunday brunch buffet which was quite delicious as well as highly caloric....and, I didn't let a thing go to waste.

OK. I did, at least, put some fruit on the plate....and, later got scrambled egg whites....so I got a little taste of some healthy food.  Very little. :  )
*groan*

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Ah, the next few weekends I will be staying home!  I have been traveling so very much that I am really going to relish these next few weeks without anywhere to go.

Maybe I can even get my hands back into the clay and be productive for a change...

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There is a road that I travel on almost all of the time that was hit hard by the bad storms a few weeks ago.  It is right near my home and the entire look of it has changed....huge trees are now cut up and lying on people's yards waiting to be picked up and taken away....roofs are covered with blue tarpe to protect the insides of the homes...electrical poles are slowly being put back in after so many of them were destroyed...etc. etc.

It is like the topography of the area is totally different.  It used to be this tree-lined drive and now all that you see is sky.

No matter how many times I drive down it....I  get upset every time that I see the destruction.
I just hope that the people who live in those houses are doing okay....so sad.

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More good news continues to come from Mom and "The Home".  She and her "steady" are still doing well and having fun.  In fact, I think that she is having more fun than I am these days!  "The Home" has so many events planned that it is nonstop entertainment....They recently celebrated Cinco de Mayo with Mexican food and a full blown Mariachi band.  Prior to that she dressed up with a hat, pearls and gloves to attend the "Mock Royal Wedding".  :  )

I can't wait to hear what is next!

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I'm not happy with American Idol these days.  I was quite disappointed that James Durbin was eliminated last week.

Having Turrett's Syndrome as well as mild Aspberger's made him a role model for so many people.  His story was inspiring and his singing was excellent as well as entertaining. I hated to see him go.

I enjoyed his extremely emotional performances.  He really sang from his heart.

Here's hoping for a successful future for this young man.  I can't wait to buy his first CD.

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Well, I see that my hummingbird feeder is empty....time to make some more red sugar water for them!

My two "grandgirlies" got together!

Last weekend, Adam and Audrey headed to MD to visit with Jeffrey's group....more specifically, to get the two girl cousins together.  Audrey and Celia are just a few months apart in age and don't get to see each other as often as they would like due to the distance between them.  So, this was a real treat.....not only for them, but, for me... as I have gone through the many photos time and time again.

Oh, how I miss them all!

...and, a few more pictures....

If I could just magically push MN, AL and MD together.....wouldn't that be great?!
*sigh*

One of us was a big winner at The Derby....

....and one of us was not....

The winner was Dave.....seen here studying the Derby information sheets.

Dave and his friend, Dean, pooled their money and bet on the main Derby race together.  They did a trifecta box with the following horses:  Animal Kingdom, Nehro, and Mucho Macho Man.  If you followed the race, you know that those three horses finished 1,2,and 3...making them the winners of $2000. !!!!
The winnings will be split two ways and then Uncle Sam will take out his share of the prize....so, they will both end up with over $800.  Not to bad for a day's fun!

I, on the other hand, made a $6 bet for Mucho Macho Man to win, place or show.
He came in third.
I won $7.

Maybe next time I should study the programs a little bit more.
:  ) 

Run for the Roses

Well, today I am going through my "going out of town" rituals.  You would think, that with all of the traveling I have been doing these last few years, I would have this down pat.

But, I don't.

I will still pack and unpack until the very final weather report on Louisville comes out.  Right now temperatures are going to be cooler than usual....soooo, I may have to throw in a jacket or two?

I saved doing my "roots" until today (I know that you thought that I was totally natural) as well as polishing my nails....as well as other routine "maintenance" things.

I like to leave my home nice and straight and clean whenever I leave town....so, that is on my list.

And, my plants certainly need to be heavily watered....not to mention the birds awaiting several days worth of bird seed in the feeder. 

I must reset the sprinkler system (it went out during the storms) so that it does not think that this is January, 1997!

Alarms-check.  Auto lights-check. Boarding pass-check. Mail stopped-check. Newspapers stopped-check. Neighbors alerted-check. Bills paid-check.

I'm  exhasuted and I haven't even gotten off of the ground yet...
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I have been asked what my favorite horse is this year in the Derby race.

Well, since my picking "system" is so very flawed I almost hesitate to share....but, I will.

You see, I always go on feel....or the sound of the name....or the color of the silks.  I rarely read the information on the horse and/or jockey.

So, my picks so far are:

Mucho Macho Man (takes me back to my disco days with the Village People!)
Pants on Fire (who can resist a name like that?)
Archarcharch (huh?)

and, possibly:
Watch Me Go
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Have a great weekend all!
:  )

I didn't win the Kentucky Derby Hat contest....

Oh well.

Kathie Lee and Hoda had a contest to see who could come up with the most creative hat. I was hoping that there was a slight chance that my homemade hat with the horses circling around the ribbon "eating flowers behind a white picket fence" would have caught the judges eyes. I made it a few years ago and it has stood the test of time....and Derby's (Derbies?).

The winner's hat was actually a horse's behind....tail and all.

Go figure.
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Speaking of The Derby, I am having fun with Owen and Audrey (and, hopefully, soon to include Celia) as I have had them pick the name of one horse running in the Derby that sounded good to them.  When I am at Churchill Downs I will place a $2 bet on each of their horses to 'win'.  I thought that might encourage them to watch the race and cheer for their individual favorite horse.

I have to start "training" them to do a little "gambling with Grammie"...so, that when I am old and cranky they can take me to the casino so that I can play my slot machines.  Good idea, eh?
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I lost my newspaper two days ago.

Now, while that doesn't sound like such a strange thing (or does it?)....the point is that I went out to get it....I remember taking the plastic cover off of it when I got inside the house....went to walk.....came home and it was nowhere to be seen.

I checked every square inch of my house....garbage cans, bathrooms, closets.....even inside the clothes dryer! 

I still have not been able to locate it.....and, it is driving me absolutely crazy.

I'll let you know if it ever shows up.
*sigh*
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Well, I guess that it is time for me to head out and take care of some "going out of town" errands....you know, prescriptions, money, etc. etc.

Then the fun begins when I start trying to pack 4 days worth of clothing into a small suitcase.

It will never happen.
: )

I couldn't have said it any better myself....thanks, Ralph!

"Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays."~Ralph Waldo Emerson

As rough as yesterday might have been.....today holds new promise.
: )

Monday Blues?

One of my friends wrote on Facebook today that everything feels in turmoil right now....and, I can't agree with her more.

It is such a strange, and unsettling, feeling. 

Maybe it was the tornado?  Maybe it was my "having two floods in a year" situation?  Maybe it is my age? Maybe it is where the moon is situated right now (huh?)?  Maybe it is missing my family? Maybe it is the gut-wrenching photos of the damage all around the state? 

Or, maybe it is just "life".

The good still far outweighs the bad in life.......but, on this Monday afternoon, 2011, I am searching my soul for some answers...

Everything feels different since the tornadoes....

It is interesting.

One goes into a grocery store and suddenly finds themselves speaking with complete strangers....about...."The Storms".

People seem to need to talk about it.

We are all suddenly connected.

It doesn't matter whether you are young, old, black, white, Democrat, Republican, rich, poor, etc.....we are all in this together.

Everyone who was spared from these horrendous storms feels the need to reach out to those who weren't as fortunate.

Dave and I found ourselves at Costco today purchasing items....not for ourselves....but, for the storm victims who have been left without anything.  We dropped the items off at a local store that was taking donations.  It felt good....but, strangely....not enough.   What else can we do???  It is almost a helpless feeling...the destruction is so overwhelming. It is hard to get one's mind around it.

Life goes on all around me.

But, it feels significantly different.

It is almost as though you want to hug everyone you see.

Strange....but, wonderful, all at the same time.

A Tragic Day in Alabama

My heart is breaking over the loss of life and horrific destruction that has taken place here.

As mile long, dangerous tornadoes swirled in counties to the west and north of me, I watched the horror unfold on my television. ( I was one of just a few fortunate people who still had power!)  It was absolutely amazing to see and I couldn't seem to stop witnessing it all.

In the days ahead the tragic, heart wrenching stories of survival and loss will begin to unfold.  People will come together to help one another.  Funds will be set up to take care of those who were left with nothing but the clothing on their backs.

We, humans, do this in the face of adversity....and, it always touches me to observe it.

My heart and prayers go out to those people who are searching through rubble to find pieces of their lives.

May the healing begin.
xoxo

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore....

I am sitting here at the computer as I am one of the few lucky ones in the area who still has power.  It is very dark and oppressive outside with occasional strong gusts of wind as we are preparing for possible strong storms and tornadoes this afternoon and evening.

It is an eerie feeling as I listen to the weathermen (on every channel) reporting that large and dangerous tornadoes that are all around Birmingham.  So far, most of them are a bit north of us...but, they are saying that that will change soon.

Reports of destruction in cities to the north of me are pretty frightening.  I know that there have already been 5 fatalities in Alabama.  Hopefully, this number will not grow.

I have pillows, a blanket, a flashlight, bottled water, cell phone, my ipad (!), and some magazines down in my basement where I will head if the sirens begin to go off in my county.  I am thinking that I should maybe add some wine to my list of "supplies"!

There go the sirens as the tornado seems to be heading to Jefferson County which is where I live.

So, I will end for now.  Head downstairs....and, who knows? I might even see "The Wizard"!

Be safe everyone.

The laundry is done....the guest beds are re-made....the dishes are put away.....

...but, the memories remain....what a wonderful week!

Thanks for making the trip, Mom, Karen and Marty! : )

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More severe storms are headed our way today and tomorrow!  It looks like it is going to

be a "memorable" spring....not the kind of memories that one wants, however!

You can actually feel it in the weather today...that heavy, oppressive feeling right before a front

moves in and churns things up.

Time to batten down the hatches, I guess.

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As part of the never-ending post-flood work being done on my house, today I had my ducts cleaned out.  This is an interesting (!) process as their humongous machinery is set up in my garage to begin vacuuming

out dust and other debris.

Then, once their machine got going... they kept blowing a fuse causing my phones to stop working and the lights downstairs to go out.

After they "sucked" out the stuff in the ducts, they began to show me how very dangerous dirty ducts can be.

By the time that they were finished giving me their "song and dance" about what else I needed to have done.... I was almost afraid to breathe in my own home.

I told you that it was an interesting process!  : O

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A week from Friday, Dave and I will be taking our annual trip to the Kentucky Derby.

He got tickets for the Oaks which is the Ladies Race on Friday.  We land in Louisville early Friday and will head right to Churchill Downs. We head to Lexington for the actual Derby on Saturday where we will stay with his friends....sip mint juleps and bet on the horses at the Lexington Track.

Always lots of fun.....just hoping that the weather holds out this year for all of these outdoor events.

More on all of that later.

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Doorbell is ringing.

It must be the alarm system technician.

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that my alarm system is on the fritz....

and, did I mention that my ice maker decided to stop making ice cubes all of a sudden....

and......



Hating good-byes...

With every "hello" comes a "good-bye".... and today was no exception. 

Mom and Karen left at noon to head back to Florida and I miss them already.

I miss the laughter, the spontaneous singing, seeing them come down the stairs every morning, staying in our pj's all morning, eating, eating, eating!, playing Mah Jongg together, toasting each other with our glasses of wine every night, sitting outside and just talking about anything and everything, shopping, and just "being"..........together. 

I am counting the days until I fly down there the first of June for Karen's son's engagement party...

Love you both!

Me and Mom

Having my mom here for a week is such a joy for me...and yesterday I was able to spend some one on one time with her.

My sister was visiting her son at the U of Alabama in Tuscaloosa....and, my brother-in-law had flown back to Florida....so, the day was ours.

First stop was the nail place where I treated Mom to a pedicure.  I watched her slowly relax as she got comfortable in the cushioned seat and placed her feet in the warm, fragrant water. It gave me such pleasure to be able to do this little thing for her.

We talked and laughed as I "teased" her about life in "The Home" and all of the male admirers that she has accrued since living there. Her "one special friend" (very special!!) makes her act like a silly schoolgirl once again and I love it!  When he calls her at night  I can hear her giggling on the phone as he makes her laugh.  What a gift this little "later-in-life" romance is for them both.  She is 88 and he is 90....both lost spouses with whom they shared a long, and happy marriage.  How lucky they are to have found warm companionship in each other...

On to Target to get a few things.  Mom had forgotten her cane, so she used the shopping cart to help steady herself as she walked.  It is sometimes difficult for me to see how the aging process has taken away some of her physical abilities...but, she doesn't let that get in her way.  You would never know that this woman can barely see (because of her macular degeneration) or hear (she is in the process of getting some much-needed hearing aids).

In fact, Mom played several rounds of Mah Jongg with me and my sister....and, one day, a friend.  With a huge magnifying glass in her hand and thick magnifying glasses on...she kept up with us.  Actually, she put us all to shame as she won one of the games on a very difficult (closed) hand.  We all cheered when she did that remarkable feat.  It was a great moment.

I am finding out how very stubborn Mom is.  I wanted nothing more than to treat her to a few things while we were shopping...but, she did not want me paying for anything so she clutched her "items" to her chest as she went to a different check out counter than me.  Unfortunately, she dropped half of her things en route...so I was able to "admonish" her as I went and found her dropped "treasures" all over the produce department. Then I paid for them.

My sister and I have introduced my mom to the world of Internet games on our i-pads.  The bright screens are easier for her to see and she was able to play Boggle quite proficiently.  Of course, her generation is still not really comfortable with computers so one time when I walked in on her playing the game the screen was black....and she looked up at me and said, "I think that I killed it!".  I assured her that she hadn't and play continued as I got her Boggle screen back. : )

Walking Mom out of the nail place yesterday with her newly-painted pink toenails.... several of the women patrons watched the two of us go out hand in hand.  One of the ladies said to me how very lucky I was to still have my mother around to spend time with.  The others all nodded their heads affirming her statement.

And, believe me, I couldn't agree more......

If you are wondering why I haven't been posting much this week....

...it is because my mom, sister and bro-in-law are here visiting until Monday.

Such fun.

But, little time for blogging.  : (

My first-born turns 37 today!!!!!!

                                                        (Adam and Jenny-2010)

My dear Adam,

I'm not sure where the years have gone...but, today you are actually turning 37 years old!!! How did that happen so quickly?

You epitomize JOY with that huge smile that is always on your face.

You are an incredible father to Owen and Audrey and I see you passing all of your good traits down to them. How lucky they are.

Your optimistic, kind, and enthusiastic personality makes you beloved to all who are fortunate enough to know you...

I wish you all good things as you celebrate your special day!!

Happy, happy birthday, Sweetie....have a big piece of cake on me!  : )

I love you,
Mom

Good-bye beach....hello real world....

                                                                              *sigh*

Relaxing is so exhausting....!!!

(one of the Girlies relaxing on the beach)

Another lazy day at the beach with the Girlies....
The weather is absolutely gorgeous here in Destin. 
Low humidity...temps in the high 70's....lovely breezes.
The first night was shrimp and crabmeat.
Last night was pizza.
Tonight is bar-b-que.
And, in between is "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol".
Staying in bed for as long as we want.
It's pure heaven.

I may never go home.

Leaving the stress behind....

There is something magical about being here at the beach.
It is hard to explain....but, it happens every time that I am here.
The warmth of the sun.
The pleasant breezes.
The ability to take deep breaths while letting go of the stresses in the past.
Being with the Girlies....laughing, talking, sharing.....being in the moment.

If this is a dream....please don't wake me up...

It's 'Girlie Time' again! : )

I have been so looking forward to Monday getting here in that I am going away on another beach trip with the Girlies!!!!

This much needed break from the craziness of the house will be so wonderful....I can't wait to get my toes on that beautiful white sand....and toast the sundown with a cool glass of wine!

Talking, playing Mah Jongg, eating, eating, eating, wine drinking, laughing, reading, relaxing, breathing, etc. etc.

....just what the doctor ordered!  : )

(I will post from there when I can....xoxo)

Done!

Home Sweet "Repaired" Home!

: )

The view from here?

Notice anything in this photo that I took today?

Yep.  It is one of the painters working here today in an effort to get things finished up sooner rather than later. This has been a "beat the clock" effort as I am trying to get my house back together before leaving town in eight days.  When I return, some of my family will be arriving for a week as soon as I return..... : )

The painters drove in from Athens, Georgia, and have done an amazing job....but, there is soooo much more to do.  Shoe molding. Doors painted. Second coats on the walls. Etc. Etc.

Dust needs to be cleaned out in every nook and cranny....furniture and rugs moved back in....pictures hung back on the walls....all items returned to the shelves, etc. etc.

Will all of the etceteras ever get done?????

: O

2 days away from home....

...while my new hardwood floors dry!

I will be heading back home tomorrow morning as they have promised me that my floors will be ready to be walked on...and, that the fumes will have subsided enough for me to be able to breathe comfortable.

So, in the meantime, I have been hanging out at Dave's house. The first night here, he made me a delicious pasta dinner....(A girl could get used to that!) And then tonight I made a panko crusted salmon to add to the leftover pasta.

Through all of my craziness.....we are certainly eating well! : )

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One of my fellow bloggers, Clara, asked me about American Idol this year.  I normally post more about the show as it proceeds....but, I guess that my flood has trumped reviews of the show!

However, I have been watching it religiously....and, thoroughly enjoying it!

I think that it is a great (and, eclectic) group this year....with lots of talent. My favorites are Haley, Pia, and Paul.  Somehow, Paul ended up in the bottom three this week....but wasn't eliminated.  I guess that not everyone is a fan of his Rod Stewart whispery voice?! I like it....but, then, I am 62 years old and prefer softer sounds to blaring rock and roll these days.

Did I really just say that? 

Oh, Lord, I am getting old.

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Well, it's off to bed for me....I need to begin thinking about what tricks I will play on friends tomorrow for April Fool's Day!

I guess that I'm not really that old if I can still enjoy being a bit foolish....right?
: )

The Grandma Test

One of the Girlies sent me this cute story today so I thought that I'd post it for all of you grandparents out there!  Enjoy!   : )

I was out walking with my Grandson.
He picked up something off of the ground and
started to put it in his mouth.

I took the item away from
him and I asked him not to do that.

"Why?" my Grandson asked.

"Because it's been on the ground; you don't know where it's been,
it's dirty, and probably has germs," I replied.

At this point, my Grandson looked at me with total admiration and asked,
"Grandma, how do you know all this stuff?? You are so smart."

I was thinking quickly and said to him, "All
Grandmas know stuff. It's on the Grandma Test. You
have to know it, or they don't let you be a Grandma."

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but he was evidently
pondering this new information.

"Oh....I get it! he beamed, So if
you don't pass the test you have to be the Grandpa".


"Exactly," I said with a big smile on my face.

dust: n. 1. Fine, dry particles of matter.

oh yeah.
(The whole house looks like this!)



Day 31 of the Great Flood of 2011 Clean up.
 : O

Paint fumes and other delights

The painters were here again today trying to finish up as much of the painting as they could.  They are heading back to Athens, Georgia, in the morning and will return after my hardwood floors are done.

These painters are absolutely hysterical.  They are two young guys and they totally play off of each other.  Of course I can "banter" with the best of them....so, I give it all right back to them.  Lots of laughter among the paint fumes.

Actually, I am thinking that the laughter may be because of the paint fumes?
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Hardwood floors will be put in starting tomorrow morning.  It will take about 4 days from start to finish and I will probably have to move out for at least two of them.  No problem.... in that I can just hang out at Dave's and breathe fresh air over there.
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Well, my bracket challenge went downhill after this weekend.  I had Kansas winning the whole thing and they didn't even make it to the final four.  Same with UNC. 
Oh well, there is always next year.....
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We went to see "The Lincoln Lawyer" today starring Matthew McConaughey.  He was perfect for the role and kept the movie interesting.  Lots of twists and turns....I would give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.....mostly because it is not my favorite type of movie....but, it was quite enjoyable.

I would have rather gone to a "chick flick"...but, there weren't any playing!
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My ex, two sons and one grandson went to Spring Training down in Florida this weekend.  I can't wait to hear all about it.  We have always been a big baseball family....so, I am sure that it was lots of fun for the four of them.   Hopefully, little Owen was able to keep up with the big boys!
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Two more of my girlfriends recently turned 60 and had a big party Thursday night to celebrate!  The theme was (of course) getting older....eating the "early bird specials" and playing bingo! Great food, lots of visiting...and, even though I didn't win a single bingo game, I had a good time!

I guess that this was preparing us for things to come?!
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The painters left all of the sunroom windows open so that the paint fumes might not be so bad.  I am amazed that we haven't had any surprise guests....like the birds and squirrels that frequent my backyard.

Now that I have written that, I am having second thoughts about leaving the house exposed like that....so, I will end here and go and shut some windows...as day #30 comes to an end....

Plastic, plastic, everywhere!

Day 29 of the "Great Flood of 2011" clean-up continues!

*sigh*

You've got to laugh at the truth in this....

:  )

Noises, etc., etc.

The buzz, buzz, buzzing of electric saws....the loud thuds of cases of tiles being brought into the house....the banging of hammers replacing trim....the loud music being played on one of the worker's ipods....the sounds of tiles being cut to fit into the empty spaces on the floor....the swooshing sound of the thinset being smeared on the floor and then the light thud of each tile being dropped into it.....the kitchen cabinet doors and drawers are lined up in the living room waiting to be painted....the refrigerator rolled out into the living room, dust, dust, dust everywhere....and, a "temporary" kitchen set up in the basement away from the activity going on upstairs.

Another day in paradise. : )

Slowly, but surely....looking good.....

The tiles are 2/3 done and I am liking how they look.  I am so glad that I stuck with the original tiles that I chose.  It took some getting used to....but, together, they look great!

They are by no means finished....and the grouting will replace the "spacers" that you see in the pictures....but, slowly, but surely, I am getting my house back.

Yay.

I'm sitting here upstairs eating a bowl of soup and a "side" of popcorn....

and thinking about expectations and perfection and priorities and other such words that are coming to my mind......while my new tile flooring is being arranged and measured in the kitchen.

After looking at quite a few million tiles at several different flooring establishments, I finally made a decision. Since the flood afforded me the opportunity to change from my 25 year old 8 inch pinkish  (yes, I said "pinkish"!) mauve tiles, I tried to look for something that was a bit more updated. A decision was made on a 16 inch textured tile that incorporated the taupe and beige tones in my kitchen as well as coordinating with the black accents that were used to tone down the pinkish mauve.

I had three sample tiles to place on 500 square feet of flooring (kitchen and sunroom).  This wasn't very much to go on....but, I threw caution to the wind and had the contractor order them.

They finally arrived today and as a case was opened for me to see.....I realized that these tiles did not really look like the samples that I had gone by.  They were basically the same feel, but these had a lot of creamy, pale yellow running through them. It made quite a difference in the individual tiles.

After a few moments of silent angst, the contractor asked me if I was okay.

"Yes," I responded, "I just have to get used to this look that is quite different from what I had expected."

He asked me if I wanted to send them back and start all over again.

At this point I told him a resounding "no".  "It will be okay," I muttered....as I began to put things into perspective.  This is a floor.  This floor will have a rug, a couch, a little table as well as a round dining table and chairs and stools.  My art work will be up as well as all of the little touches that make this my home.  The floor is just background....and, it will be an interesting and pretty, brand new floor.

My expectations of some sort of "perfection" were initially keeping me from letting go of what I had thought and anticipated....and, instead I found myself  taking a chance on what it could be.

So, as I sit here eating popcorn and soup (don't knock it until you try it!) I am feeling content with my ability to be a little less cautious (rigid?) and a bit more adventurous as I embark on this journey of replacing old with new.

And, who knows?  I may even leave some of my pinkish mauve accessories out  for old times sake.

Still living in confusion....but, I am getting used to it!?

The house is still in a state of disarray....not much has been done in the last two days....and, today isn't looking any different.  At this point we are waiting for the carpeting and the tiles arrival.  Patience is getting more and more difficult...as the floors are stripped bare, furniture is gone, dust is rampant, and plastic sheeting is covering most everything else.

BUT, it is an absolutely, amazingly beautiful day today!  The sky is blue, the sun is shining, birds are feasting on my newly filled feeder and the temperatures are warming up.  I am looking forward to my walk outside in just a few moments. Ah....

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Talking about confusion....I am so disheartened by what is going on in Japan.  The whole nuclear problem seems to be unclear and panic is taking over.  It must be frightening for the people over there to be in such a state of limbo where they are not sure of anything right now. I can't even begin to understand their predictament...but, my heart goes out to them.

No matter how small, our donations are so very important right now.  Again, here is a safe site to make yours:  
https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052&s

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Missing my kids and grandkids today, as always.  I might have to plan another trip to visit them all soon.  I know that I will be up in MD the end of June to be with Celia and Dylan....and, I just returned from MN where I was with Owen and Audrey.....but, I need a "grandkid" fix really badly right now.  It's so hard being a long-distance grandma....
*sigh*

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Dave is mesmerized by the college basketball games going on all the time right now.  He is having a love affair with the television! Didn't we just finish football season????

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em....so, I  got into the spirit of things by inviting family to join me in the ESPN Bracket Challenge.  I called our team: "Grammie's Got Game".  The winner of the whole thing gets $10,000 and bragging rights.  Of course, I don't expect any of us to be even close....but, it is fun anyway!

Right now, I am actually tied for first place on our little team. Not bad for an "old lady" huh?! I am going to "milk" that for all that I can while I'm up there!
Of course, I'm not discussing that  I am ranked # 193,039 in the tournament as a whole..... ssh.

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Well, I think that it is time to get myself moving, take my morning walk.... and take advantage of this gorgeous day!  :  )

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Wishing you all the....


...today and always!