RANDOM MEMORY

I was finishing straightening up the kitchen after I got home from church and was thinking about Brian heading out early in the morning to Washington (state) to a wedding this weekend.  It reminded me of when he left for China the first time several years ago.  It was Sunday and we were all at the airport to see him off.  Jennifer and Matty, me, Grandmother and I think Mrs. Box or Miss Opal or maybe both, and Michael.  As time came for him to go on through security, things got a little emotional.  Brian kind of teared up and that was all it took for me to follow suit and pretty soon almost all of us were smiling and saying goodbye through misty eyes.  There were more than a few people starting to take notice, but we didn’t care – after all it was August and we wouldn’t be seeing him until July.  So, as he turned to walk away, my sweet son-in-law said loud enough for all to hear.  “See you Wednesday Brian.”  We all fell out laughing.  It was the best send off remark I ever heard.  Bet no one has  had a better one.   Brian left – had an exciting adventure in China and came home the next July.  It was definitely easier seeing him off the next time because we all remembered that first send off. 

I’m glad someone else is taking him to the airport for his flight tomorrow – he has to be there at 5:30 am or there abouts.   Have a fun trip!!!

RECENT DECORATING PURCHASES

Over the weekend I was in Kohls and it seemed like everything in the store was on sale.  I picked up 2 Halloween  decorations that were half price (which seemed like a NORMAL full price to me).   Yesterday afternoon I was in the Goodwill and picked up another that cost only 99 cents.  Can you tell which one came from Goodwill ?

WAY BEHIND

Seems I’m having a hard time posting these days.  I’ve made some good progress getting unpacked and ridding myself of boxes.  I promised pictures of my new appliances so here they are.  There is “stuff” like the box with the new vent hood to go over the stove and other miscellaneous things.  But overall, it’s not in too much of a mess. 

Love this refrigerator.  The filtered water is especially nice!!  And, if I don’t shut the door, it will let me know!!

I’ve cooked  a couple of things in the oven and on top of the stove.  I think I’m really going to enjoy it.

The dishwasher is already full of handprints.  Didn’t realize they would be that easy to get on the front.

The microwave will end up on a cart or some other piece of furniture (small) right off the end of the counter but until I find what I want, it will stay there.

 

I still love my floor!!

Here is a picture from a blog that shows an idea I might use in one or both of my bathrooms for hanging damp towels.   You can see the whole metamorphosis here

Don’t you just love it.

 

I got these shelves at Target today – except they came in a box in pieces. 

I’m hoping to have some help tomorrow to get the put together and will use them for books and toys in the bonus room. 

Saturday and I think the first Saturday of each month there is a 50% off sale at the Goodwill.  The lady told me the people would be lining up by 7:30 on Sat. morning and there would be a rush when the store opened.  She also told me I might want to come by Friday evening before they close at 8 and see if there is anything I’m particularly interested in.  I think I’ll go and if there  is something I’m really really interested in AND if  it is at a good price I may go on and get it then.  If it is something that I could live without then I’ll just go sat. and see if it is still there.  She said they put out as much stuff from the back as they can fit and still have room for folks to move around.  So, it will be interesting to see what it looks like.

Okay, time to start sorting through all the stuff in my computer and office boxes.  And then . . .  bed.

PROGRESS

I’m hoping my painters will be gone after tomorrow.  I really like the colors – all four of them.  The kitchen is a pretty yellow – alot lighter than the mustardy gold it was.  The red wall is gone replaced by a neutral greeny brown color.  That color is in my bedroom too and a shade or two darker is in all the other rooms except my bathroom which is blue.  I promise to post pictures as I get each sort of settled.  I did change the lights in the bathrooms.  Here is the before -

The light had already been taken down in my bathroom but you can see the style from the other pic.

And here is the after

I really  like the lights.  The problem is the mirrors are a little too tall for where they are placed but I plan to have the mirrors cut down a little and frame them out in the not too distant future and I think that will solve the problem.  I wonder if the glass place makes house calls????? :)

Tomorrow is a big day – or should I say today – I didn’t realize how late it is.  My new appliances are going to be delivered.  I can’t wait to have cold filtered water and an oven with time bake.  I’ll definitely be posting pictures of the new kitchen bling.

PIZZA AT GRAMS

Friday night Jennifer and Matthew had a “date night” and I had the kids over for a couple of hours.  Before the parents left, while Micah was having his “dinner”, Vail and Katy fixed us a pizza.  The steps are very easy.  You’ll need an already made whole wheat crust, some pizza sauce, pepperoni and some mozzarella  cheese.

First:  Spread the sauce on the crust.  A little sauce on the stone is always a good idea:)

Second: Add your pepperoni.  Tasting is okay as long as you put some on the pizza too.

Third:  Add the cheese and don’t forget to taste it too.

I got busy and didn’t take pictures of the finished product but I will say we enjoyed it for supper.  Then, after cleaning up a little and putting Micah down for a nap, we put on pajamas and settled in to enjoy the Aristocats and built some walls with empty boxes from unpacking.  I’ve decided to save some of the small boxes since they seem to enjoy building with them.  They will have a home behind the sofa with the other toys until the kids tire of them or Jen confiscates them to pack whenever they decide to buy and move.

Today, I actually did some cooking and unpacked some more boxes.  It’s beginning to feel more like a home than a house.  The painting and wood floors should be totally finished by Wed. and then the “work” will stop for awhile – except for putting in new appliances.  I plan to finalize that on Monday but don’t know for sure when they will deliver them. 

I’m off to bed but first I want to say Hey Johnny and Carol.  Hope things are well with you.  Miss you lots.

KATY AND HER BLANKIE

Several days ago Jen and the kids were at the house for awhile – we were up in the bonus room amongst boxes as they were working on putting down laminate in the den.  Anyway, the girls were watching a “show” as we were visiting and Katy was wanting her blanket.  Her mom told her that she had to leave it where it was on top of a box until she was ready to take her nap.  She said okay.  Over the next couple of minutes she maneuvered her way over close to the box and I was able to catch her doing this.  BUT … the blanket never left the box :))

That’s our Kates!

A LITTLE CATCH UP

I like to call this picture “Moon over Ridgemeade” (that’s the name of our family farm)

Why? You might ask …. well, every time Toby went outside at mother’s or got out of the car, he would hold his nose up, sniff the air to the left and to the right and then head straight down the hill to the pond.  He would almost always go to the same spot and drink like he was sitting at the local soda fountain and all we would see for that minute or two was his rear end barely showing above the bank of the pond.  (Just so you know, there was always a big bowl of water sitting on the kitchen floor but he hardly ever touched that). 

This is Frieda .  She is two or there abouts.  She is a very sweet Doberman.

   

Just as I hoped to capture her most charming regalness, she did this ……

Guess she was getting tired of posing :)

When growing up I can remember how some summers the Japanese Beetles were everywhere – kind of like this

Thar’s good eatin in them thar flowers.

And this guy was sitting on a pitchfork on the back porch

He’s kind of cute in a scary sort of way.

You may remember these guys

Well, for a while this guy was close by on shore

Don’t know if he was watching the dead fish or his reflection but once the fish were removed he didn’t hang around.

I thought I knew how to set my camera so I could take a picture using the timer  but I left out a step apparently and so before my sister left I got a really good picture of her and mom sans me.

and then before I left a couple of days later I managed to figure out what I did wrong setting the timer and got one of mom and me and our two  pups

D

Doesn’t she look great for being almost 90!

It’s been nice to be able to go visit twice within a couple of months.  I’m looking forward to visiting family more now that I’m retired.

Tomorrow Jennifer and I are going to find some appliances for my kitchen.  Probably stainless but maybe not.  I’m excited.

I plan on sharing pictures of the house once the floors and painting are finished but here’s a tease for you.

I just love the flooring I picked out.  It’s all the same but the light makes it look different in the different pictures.

NEWS …….NO PICS

I’ve crashed in my bed with my laptop and I’m too tired lazy to get up and get the card out of my camera because it’s at least 20 steps away.  So pictures will be forthcoming at a later date.

I’m home after taking an unexpected but nice trip up to see my mother again.  Stayed about a week, came home for two nights and then have been babysitting Vail and Katy since noon yesterday (Thurs).  I went off duty tonight and will be here at home til Sunday night when I will either have them over here for the night or go back to their house.  It will depend on what I accomplish between now and then.

I love my newly painted walls.  They are not totally finished but what’s been done looks great.  I’m a Porter Paint convert.  It really looks nice on the wall and my painter says it is really easy to apply.  As much as I like the colors of my walls, I looooooove the laminate floor that is in the den and will be continued in the kitchen, hall and SEWING ROOM (that seems like it will never happen).  The only downside is the sudden echoing of little kids feet and voices.  Oh wait – those are MY grands feet and their sweet voices so I loooove that too :)  I’m going to do some hard work in the kitchen and den tomorrow and hopefully will have something to show for it when I’m finished.  We shall see.