Holidays

Christmas is a time of sharing your thoughts with others, be they good or bad.  I came from a poor family so Christmas was still good in my eyes as a child.  We didn't have a lot of things under the tree like the kids do now.  We did a lot of sledding during the holidays because we always had snow.  Oh the good times in the snow.  You really didn't need all of the new fangeled sleds like they have now either.  My sled was usually one I borrowed off my cousin or a piece of cardboard. 

We did go out this year and get a tree, a smaller one until we got it home.  Yes, it was larger than we thought it was.  Had to rearrange the living room just so everyone could see the TV.  I went to put water in it and couldn't believe how much it was taking.  Then I realized I was filling the plastic that would go over the tree when we take it down.  That was a mess.  Then all the needles were falling, the cats helped them along, and the dog was eating them as fast as she could before getting caught.  Well the tree is officially down.  The living room is back to normal again.  So the Holidays are over.  No tree, no lights, no mess until next year.

Wonder what this year will bring......

Christmas Eve

The holidays have snuck up again.  I finally got everything done, that includes a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  I say the same thing every year that I will shop early and not be out there the day before Christmas.  We went to a local food store today and you would have thought that they were giving away something free.  And not one smiling face.  I was glad to get what I needed and ran out of there. 

I sit here and think back of all the years when my kids were small, recalling some of the things we did to hide presents.  When we had an attic we could hide everything up there.  Then Christmas Eve Daddy would take them for a ride to see all the lights and I stayed home lugging all the boxes down two flights of stairs before they got home.  After they went to sleep they all got lugged up one flight of stairs and put under the tree.  Then the main concern the next morning was to open the packages, see what it was, then throw it aside without really looking to see what it really was, and get another package.  They never thought about what went into getting that item, it was just fun making a mess then leaving the room so Mom could clean up.

My revenge comes when they call (they have kids of their own) and say their kids really don't know what they got, but they can tell you how many packages they ripped the pretty paper off of and threw it aside just so they could get another.  Yes, sometimes Motherhood is really wonderful.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Black Friday

The only thing I like to do on Black Friday is stay home.  It isn't safe out there.  People push, shove and fight on that day.  Then the Joann Fabric's flyer came in the mail.  Fleece was on sale for $2.99 a yard, and 25% off the total bill.  That will make lots of blankets for the Preemies.  The price was great!  I will be there as early as I can.  I was ready to leave by 8:00.  The traffic wasn't bad.  Maybe this won't be too bad!  When I got there I couldn't believe what people were bringing out of the store.  Carts heaped with fleece, guess I'm not the only one interested in fleece.  There were no carts so I waited for one and off I went.  There were some new patterns I heaped in my cart.  Off I went to the cutting counter to get a number.  That is when I saw all the people.  I took a number and stared at 71 then looked up at the sign that read 44.  Okay so here I will wait.  $2.99 is nothing to sneeze at.  After a little wait, I went and picked up the other things I wanted, then returned to the fleece aisle.  Some new ones were up again.  Then I went and found a place to stand like everyone else.  Once in a while a sales lady would come by with a cart she was returning to the shelves and there would be another pattern I liked.  Yes, I added it to my stock.  Two hours later 71 was called and then I was on my way out the door with 5 large bags of fleece.  I did have plans of visiting two other stores but my car pointed to home and I agreed. 

When I arrived home Bob wanted to know all about it and asked if I would do it again.  Of course if it was a sale like I got today!......

I phone

Don't know why they call it an I phone.  What can the I stand for?  Idiot, International, Ice?  Guess I won't know unless I call them.  I do know it doesn't stand for easy.  All of a sudden a screen will come up, and of course it doesn't say what to do, so I hit a few things that I think will help.  Of course it doesn't.  So when Stacy shows up to visit I hand her the phone.  The laughter is well worth it.  Remember it was her idea that I have this phone.  She put this app ~ a fancy word ~ on that tells her where I am.  The other day the I phone was acting up ~ it wouldn't do what I wanted it to do ~ so of course I fooled with it.  A screen came up to reset the phone, so I did.  Guess I shouldn't have.  A few of the things that she had set on it disappeared, one being the app that she can see where I am.  I told her I would reset it and she told me not to touch it.  She has no faith in me!  So for now she can't find me and I can go anywhere and she won't know where I went.  I feel like a bad child......

Sneaking Out!

I knew where I wanted to go today.  I watched and waited and when no one was looking, I grabbed the keys and ran to the car.  Slowly I backed out of the driveway, not wanting to get anyone's attention.  I am heading to Joann's Fabric.  I wanted to buy more fleece for the babies.  I filled four orders today and my supply of blankets was dwindling.   Upon arrival at the store, I grabbed a cart with full intention of filling it up.  Ah, this one is soft, this one too.  Then I spotted two bolts up above and the saleslady got them down for me. Now it's time to get them cut.  By the time I got everything cut, oh I did find another one, there wasn't much room in the cart.  I threw some other things in the corners of the cart.  Everything was on sale and I had a 30% off the total order coupon.  Now I walk out with four bags, three are loaded with fleece.  They will know where I went.  My phone hasn't made a sound, maybe they don't know I'm gone.

All the pretties in bags!

On arriving home, there they were, waiting at the front door to see what pretties I bought for the Preemies today.  They love what I am doing and are my greatest supporters!   


Items from one of the boxes to be sent out!

Paybacks

Once again, if you did it as a kid, I'm sure your kids will do it too.  When Stacy was about 4, I had a car that had zipper compartments in the back seat that had nothing in them, or so I thought.  The weather was getting warm.  The warmer it got the worse my car smelled.  I thought maybe Bob took it out fishing and forgot to take a fish out of the car.  One day I actually took the time to find the smell.  I started to clean the car when I noticed the zipper compartments.  Might as well look.  All I know is I never used them, but guess who did.  I started to unzip the one where Stacy always sat and lo and behold there was the problem.  An old hamburg from McDonald's.  When I asked her about it, she said she put it in there for safe keeping for when she was hungry again!  Out it went.  

So today started another season, archery season.  As Stacy was looking in her equipment bag, she stuck her hand in something nasty.  When she pulled out the plastic bag, it was a bag filled with old, nasty rotted food they took last year at this time for snacks.  Yes, it was worth it to see the look on her face when she had to clean everything.  The smell was atrocious!  Thanks ladies, you're my blog for tonight!

Find Me

I had my day all planned out before I left the house.  Shopping was on my list.  Today I will do the rounds after I mail all my packages out.  I mailed 4 packages out for preemies, babies that were born sleeping and another to a home for pregnant teens.  A C Moores was then first on my list.  Picked up yarn.  They had no buttons I wanted.  In the car and off to Joann's.  Yarn was first, then some fleece, then buttons.  I am using buttons for eyes on some of the hats I make.  Then my phone rang.  There aren't too many people who call me.  Good thing because I hit a few buttons before it comes on.  I know, one day I will learn how to use it.  Ah, it's my daughter.  "Where are you Mom?"  "In Joann's, where are you?"  "Hobby Lobby, meet me, we can go for lunch."  "Sure. Why not."

After shopping with her, we went for lunch.  I asked how she knew I was out.  There is an app on the phone that tells me right where you are.  Great!  Now how am I going to run away when you know where I am at?  I know, I leave the phone home!   

Freeze

The frost has finally reached us, a heavy frost.   I was not ready to give up the summer flowers, but I must.  I was sick when I planted the few flowers that we bought.  Now I must go out and pull them out.  That is always a sad day for me.  I know winter is on it's way and this means it is coming soon.  Bob brought some wood inside to dry so we could burn that to stay warm.  It's just another sign of the coming winter.  Time to switch the grass cutter with the snow blower.  I am sure he will be revving that up soon.  So winter shut down is following the usual steps.  Now I must get some new snow shovels so he can clean the sidewalks when that white stuff falls from the skies.  Another season gone!

New Phone

Stacy calls me today to come out and play at the phone store.  Little did I know it was to get a new phone.  I tried the, "I like my old one.  I know how to use it."  Neither sentence worked.  She wanted to make sure I had an upgraded phone.  She has been with me each time I got a phone.  Yes, each time I told her the same thing.  "I don't need a new one."  She hated the antenna, the flip phone, and the last one didn't meet her okay either.  I will get one but I have to be able to use it right off the bat.  "Sure!"  I should have known better.  All I did was turn my back on her and she told them what she wanted, then handed it to me.  Okay, how do you work it?  I like ones you just pick up and say hello.  No, you must slide this one like this.  That still doesn't tell me how to use it.  "Where is the instruction booklet?"  That should get her.  She pulls out a long piece of paper with print on it that is so small I need a magnifying glass!  Oh, look at the pictures!   She finally tells me, "You're getting it and that's it."  Wow she sounds just like me.

While we were there another lady came in with her Grandfather telling him she was getting him a new phone.  I just laughed as she said it will be easy to use.  Yea, right.  He had the same look as I did just to passify her. 

So I walked out of the store with this huge bag that carried a few small items in one hand and a new fangled phone in the other.  I got instructions that lasted 1 and 1/2 minutes and was told, go use it.  As I sit here I still dont know how to dial out on it.  Do I tell it to dial, no I slide it.  I have sent a few texts out so I have survived that.   Now to figure out how to do the fifty other things that it can do.  It has apps too.  What does that mean?  Where is my old phone?.....

New Season

The smell in the air lets you know it's Fall.  The morning birds are gone but the crickets are still noisy in the night.  The pool is almost ready to see snow and freeze into an ice cube.  The leaves are silently changing from green to yellow, red, orange, and we can't forget the oaks that turn brown.  Yes, the smell and sight of fall.  No standing under the oak trees, the acorns are falling.  They hurt when they hit you in the head.  Of course it is always fun for the little ones to rake up the leaves and jump in them.  Just don't ask them to pick them up and put them in a bag.  I lived in a neighborhood where I had no trees, but I had all their leaves.  The neighbor never cleaned them up.  I did!  Then we moved and the house is surrounded with trees.  Trees that let their leaves fall in my yard.  Even if the wind blows, they still stay in my yard.  We use to give each child a rake and away we would go.  Within five minutes the youngest would give up, the other two followed.  So we were alone to get all these leaves off the grass.  Why?  I thought they were good compost!  It takes years, besides if you don't do it now it is still waiting for you in five months.  So out we go, rake in hand to clean up a million or more leaves that have fallen from all of the beautiful trees.  Why can't they turn and stay up to turn green in the Spring.  If they did then I wouldn't have to be out her trying to get all these rotten leaves off the lawn.    It always looks great when we get all the leaves up.  But then they drop more.  Then in November the oaks lose their leaves and out we go, freezing in this November weather to get these leaves off the lawn.  Oh, such a vicious cycle!  It still looks beautiful!   

Senior Citizen

Tuesday around here in the store belong to the Senior Citizens.  If you don't have to go for groceries on Tuesday you're better off.  Go Monday or Wednesday, stay out of the stores on Tuesday.  Those little grey haired ladies will run you over.  Yes I know some are walking with canes and walkers.  Just give them a shopping cart and watch them go.  They can barely drive a car, let alone a shopping cart.  They come around corners and will take you out.  If you like an item they come up next to you and check it out, then tell you it isn't any good.  That is because they want it. 

I knew some day I would make the mistake again and go to the grocery store on a Tuesday.  All the little grey haired people were in there.  I only needed a few items and went on a tear through the store.  I got all my items and proceeded to the check out.  I followed a little grey haired lady that was giving the clerk a hard time.  She finally left and the girl rang up all my items then asked, "Do you get the discount?"  I answered with the usual, "What discount?"  "The senior citizen discount."  Anyone over 55 can get this discount.  I laughed and said I was over 55.  Upon getting to the car I was laughing.  Can't wait to tell everyone I got the senior discount.  I am now a Senior Citizen.  Where's my cane?...... 

New stats!

Almost a year ago I decided I was going to make blankets and hats for the Preemies.  I crocheted every spare waking minute I had.  I sent hats and blankets to two local NICU's.  They loved them and requested more.  Then I sent some to a children's hospital in Philly and they made some requests.  The yarn must be soft.  I touch and feel the yarn numerous times before it goes in my cart.  No green colors, use pastels.  For me if it is patterned it must be pretty.  I am the same way with the fleece.  I am so glad that the store I get my fleece from knows what I am doing otherwise I think they would take me out to the nutty bin.  It really is going well.  I have people contacting me with requests, and so far so good.  So go and check out my other blog, www.preemiehats.blogspot.com.  It has patterns and pictures too.  If you want to give a donation, have at it.  I would appreciate it.  Must go, I hear my crochet hook calling!

Glassess, who needs glassess?

I have worn glasses for most of my life.  You know the heredity thing, well this is what I got.  Lucky me.  Couldn't get contacts, had to be glasses.  So whenever anyone in the house complained about their eyes, the instantly went to the eye doctor.   Then when you turn a certain age, your eyes get old and change again for the worst.

Stacy wore glasses and so did Bobby.  One day Bob complained about not being able to see like he use to.  Yep, he got an eye appointment.  He needed glasses.  He did good with them for a while.  A few years later he decided he didn't need them anymore.  He refuses to go back because he doesn't need them.  One day he was at Walmart and bought a pair of magnifier glasses.  I could only laugh.  So for the next few months, it was ~ "Have you seen them?"  No but I do know where mine are. 

Then one day we were in a close out store and he found a pack of 3.  It was like a little boy at Christmas!  He tried them on, decided they were okay, and off he went.  I stood there in disbelief.  "I thought you didn't need glasses?"  His answer was, "I don't."  "Then why are you buying glasses?"  "So I can see."  When we got home, he put a pair upstairs and one downstairs, the last one went in his pocket.   Guess I will never understand this one.   Oh well.

It's Official

The small pool is done.  The hundred tadpoles that are left are in the outside bathtub with the bullfrogs.  They seem to be getting along.  So much for only being here a few weeks.  They are still here.  My pool would never have been opened this year.  We did put the cover on it last week before a storm came in.  Now we need to put the finishing touches on it.  We had it covered in minutes and we were actually still talking.  Pool opening and closing use to lead to cursing then quiet for about an hour because we both wanted to choke each other.

The next update is on his bird feeder that he made to keep the bears and squirrels out.  We really can't say too much about the bears because we really haven't seen them this year.  The other day we looked out of the door and here sits a squirrel in the feeder eating as fast as he could, until we scared him and he fell 10 feet down to the ground and ran.  He came back yesterday and brought a friend.  They were having quite a hard time trying to repeat what he did the day before.  He kept hitting his head on the metal cover.  So I guess it isn't squirrel proof totally.  One single furry creature was successful in getting in and getting some really good food.  He gets the trophy! 

What?

We thought we had empty nest syndrome.  We checked the pool and there are still a few tadpoles in there.  Oh, now I feel so much better.  Hopefully they will leave soon.  I was really enjoying empty nest syndrome!

Empty Nest!

Today was a chilly fall day even though it is still summer.  I woke once again to see the fog starting to burn off with a little help from the sun.  Every day we have been taking the frogs from the pool rim to the leaves closest to the woods.  There are usually 60 a day.  We didn't really check them today.  It's Monday, he has work and I did some running around.  When we finally were able to meet on the same path, we went to check on our remaining frogs.  Where are they?  Have they all fled to the woods?  We gave the pool a little nudge to see if there were any on the bottom that we missed.  I think we came to the realization at the same time - they have all left us.  Oh no, now what will we have to fill our frog time.  It is finally over.  We did think in the beginning it would only be a few weeks and it turned into a few months.   It's all over.  We now have empty nest syndrome!  Please let's not repeat this next year......

Garden Season Ends - Almost

Even though we put the garden in late, it still ends around the same time here.  It really has kept me busy.  I have canned pickles and lots of tomatoes.  I didn't buy a single one this year.  Usually I buy two bushels to satisfy my need for canned tomatoes for the winter.  I was at the stove every day canning.  Then there are beans!  I didn't freeze too many bags this year, but I shared them with everyone that I could.  We have eaten beans every night for over a month and there are still more on the vines.  The end is in sight.  I will get away from the stove and see what is going on around here.  So the garden season ends, except for the eggplants and potatoes. 

Labor Day

What does Labor Day bring to your mind?  Cook out, picnic, school, vacation over or starting, summer is coming to an end, garden season is over.  Those are some of my thoughts.  Any ring a bell? 

The last few mornings were all the same.  Cool, foggy and after a while the sun came out.  Reminds me of my younger days when we walked to school and it was cool and foggy in the early morning.  Life repeats itself.  Soon the leaves will need to be removed from the lawn, snow will need to be removed from the sidewalk, it will be cold and frosty.  Why am I doing this?  Maybe I am trying to prepare for what is ahead!.....

Can You Believe?

I have been posting all Summer about these frogs.  Can't wait until they are all gone.  Every day we faithfully go out and feed them a piece of "white" bread.  They don't like buns or wheat bread.  Don't ask me how they know the difference.  The latest on them - they are leaving home at least 50 a day.  We take them from the side of the pool and put them on leaves.  We don't charge for transportation either.  I haven't weed whacked at all this year because of the frogs.  They are all over the leaves I usually get rid of.  The frog population in the pool is dwindling, I can actually see it.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel....

Invasion of the Veggies

The weather was so nice in April and May but we held off till June to plant the garden.  We planted beans, cukes, tomatoes, egg plants, potatoes, zucchinis and a few other things.  We are usually two weeks behind everyone when the spring flowers come out and the garden is the same.  When the plants started to produce it was slow going.  Just enough to eat with a little left over to share.  Then all of a sudden the plants went into mass production.  I am canning 4 quarts of pickles and tomatoes every day.  I am chained to my kitchen.  When Bob comes in and wants to know if we are picking veggies after supper, I roll my eyes.  Today we picked a bag of beans and cukes and a large bowl of tomatoes.  The tomato plants are dying back but the tomatoes are gorgeous.  They are falling off the vines green ones and red ones.  We pick each one up to use.  Then we brought all the produce in.  My counter is full!  I have tomatoes, cukes and beans all over.  It is to the point when my neighbors see me coming with a white bag, they hide.  I have stuffed their mailbox and ran, left the bag on their car, anything to get rid of them so they don't rot from non use.  Help!  I am being invaded by vegetables!  Want some?......  

Say Good-by

Would you believe there are at least 100 frogs leaving the pool daily.  They leave in the early morning and at night when it is moist.  I am seeing all these frogs leave and it still looks like the same amount in the pool!  Could there really have been that many or do they keep coming back.  I watch these little creatures climb out of the water and sit on the top edge of the pool, then they jump off.  We look in the weeds near the woods line and there are quite a few frogs all over the larger leaves.  Even though we have had a lot of rain, the usual places the frogs  spawn are dried up.  These frogs never would have survived.  I just want to say good-bye to all my thousands of pets.  Please don't let them all come back in the Spring to mate here.  I will really have a problem then!.....

Nanc Come Quick

Whenever I hear these words, Nanc, come quick, I figure something is wrong.  Bob is standing over by the frog pool as he is saying it.  Yes of course I went running.  Did the pool collapse?  Are all the frogs gone?  Numerous things were racing through my mind.  As I turned the corner, there he was standing looking at the frog pond.  Look at all the frogs that are leaving!  Yes, there were at least 20 out of the hundreds that are still in the pool, that are on the rim waiting for their chance to go live and survive in the big grasses around my house.  Good by little frogs.  Please come back and get your brothers and sisters.

Butterflies

Two weeks ago Stacy and Mckee brought home caterpillars and some milkweed tops.  What now?  We have had more bugs as pets than I can believe.  So what's three more.  We put them in a container and the next day one was hanging up side down.  Okay, maybe they do that.  Come on I don't know.  Grandma what is he doing now?  Can someone help me?  What is he doing now?  This went on for 10 minutes then she went outside.  We returned an hour later to find the caterpillar was now a chrysalis.  We were all in awe.  It wove a perfect green chrysalis with gold dots on it.  Only one more to go.  We will watch this one.  Yep, you guessed it.  Once again we went out and there was another caterpillar turned into a chrysalis.  How long will they be that way?  Till they are ready to hatch! 

The one chrysalis that they brought home hatched and we found the butterfly and put it on the flowers and watched it fly away.  Two weeks later we noticed they were turning dark.  Now I knew they were ready to hatch.  We could see the orange of the wings.  All of a sudden the chrysalis split down the side.  It had an audience of four cheering it on.  Little by little it broke out of its covering.  It was so small.  Soon it's wings started to grow.  It was awesome to sit and watch this miracle happening right in front of our eyes.   Within an hour it was the normal size of a monarch butterfly.  It says to leave it alone for hours and let it go when it is warmer.  It was 50 degrees that night.  Too cold.  Under 60 degrees it can't fly.

Today is the day the butterflies will be let go.  I waited till it was warmer out.  When I picked up the lid they both flew around the yard in circles to show us they were free and able to do this.  After a few rounds they both flew off, never to be seen by us again.  What a beautiful sight to watch.  I was so glad that Mckee was here to share the birth of a monarch butterfly.

Fall is in the air

Yes, I know it is only August, but the morning fog and the different birds chirping in the morning, signal the start of the coming fall.  Even the smell of the air will tell you it is coming.  The early leaves are falling.  The night temps are in the 50's.  All too soon, the leaves will color up and need to be raked off the lawn.  The pool will need to be closed before they fall, which is a chore all to it's self.  We really get into a few word throwing contests when we do that.   Isn't togetherness great? 

There are birds that disappear on their flight south, which we have noticed they are gone.  Next will be the humming birds.  Oh how I love watching them at my feeders.  Can't wait for the squirrels to leave.  Yes, that is wishful thinking.  At least the chipmunks will hibernate.   The bears haven't really bothered us this year so Bob's feeder on the deck is still in one piece. 

Then we have the frogs!  Anyone know how to winterise frogs?  Yes, they are still here.  Need some in your yard?  Come and get them.  I just hope they all don't return to where they are born to breed!  Help!! 

My Boss

I have taught my granddaughter how to crochet.  She wants to help with my Preemie Hats and is crocheting one now.  When I make a hat or gown and it has a flower, she helps pick out buttons to put in the circle.  You do know embellishments make them look better.

Today we hit the craft stores - three of them.  We touched and felt lots of different yarns and fleece.  We even picked a few to bring home.  Yes, more stash.  Then we went to the button aisle.  We discussed every pack we picked up that we liked.  They have to be a certain size and safe for the tiny ones.  We oohed and awed for quite a while before we decided on a few bags of buttons.  I didn't realize till we got home that we bought 10 little bags of buttons!  Yes I now have a stash of buttons too.....
 

Crocheting

I have been crocheting for 40 years.  Wow, did I say that?  Guess I show my age.  At least it is something I passed on to my own girls even though they really haven't kept it up.  They at least have learned how.  Then along comes Mckee.  She is my little helper.  When I finish a dress she will get the "right" button for it.  I had to drag out my old buttons out for her to see if there were any decent buttons she could use.  Then one night she cuddled over to me and said those words, "Grammie will you teach me to crochet?"  Of course I got her out a hook and she picked out a skein of yarn from my stash and away we went.  It took 10 minutes to teach her.  Not bad.  She has been crocheting non stop since and really doing well.  Now she wants to help me do preemie hats when she gets a little better.  You go girl!!!......

My Mother Said That

Throughout your day how many times do you say to you're children things that your Mom use to say?  One of our favorites was when you hated the food on the table and really only wanted a jelly sandwich, Mom would say,"Some poor child will be going to bed hungry and here you are wasting good food."  Really if it was good and I liked it, I would have eaten it.  Send it to them. 

Now being a Grandparent I see the children of my children do some of the same thing that they use to do.  Yes, I am cruel, I laugh.  It is payback time for every time you kids tortured us.  You deserve everything you are getting.  And yes, someday you will also look back and laugh as you're own do the same.  Isn't life wonderful?..... 

The Cat

Our one cat likes to hide on us.  She has a better spot than we know.  I hadn't seen the cat since the night before and was starting to get worried.  I looked in all the closets first as she likes to hide in them.  She waits till your not looking and jumps in.   Not in the closets or under the beds.  One room is closed off with a five foot gate.  She can't get in there without the gate making noise so there is no sense in going in there to look.  I had just finished cleaning that room the day before and want it to stay that way for just a little bit.  Next comes the basement.  She loves the chair.  Not there.  I can't find her in any of the cats hiding spots.  I know she didn't get out.  How am I going to tell everyone the cat disappeared?  I stopped looking for a while but stayed on alert for her.  By 7:00 that night I gave up.  She didn't even come up for the rattling of the food container.  This isn't good.  I put food in all the cat's dishes and when I turned around she was there.  She actually scared me.  Oh good, now I can stop worrying.  I did ask her where she was hiding and the only way she would answer my question was by saying, "Meow!"  

Spiders

Like many other people, I have a slight dislike of bees and spiders.  All I can think of is this creepy thing crawling up my leg.  Living in the country we have our share of them.  Big, small, and in between.  The littlest spider can create havoc in my house.  When the girls are here it is even worse.  Bob thinks we are sissies!  Yes, we are and proud of it. 

Last night he came upstairs with a butter container that he saved and in it was a large creepy wolf spider.  It was as big as the bottom of the container!  UGH!  Quite proud of his specimen, he had to show it off.  At least he had a lid on it.  It was a female and had an egg sac under it.  Good thing the girls aren't here to see this.  Finally he told me where he found it.  I did expect him to say near the woodpile but no, it was in my basement.  My basement had this huge spider and not one cat was brave enough to go and kill it like they do with all other spiders.  I told them all I was disappointed in them for not hunting this spider.  Maybe they didn't like the size of it either......It was released in the woods.  Please don't come back in.....   

Update on those tadpoles

I can't believe the tadpoles are still with us.  Really, they should have been gone long time already.  Bob tried to tell me it would only be 4 weeks.  I am really glad we got them their own pool.  Now I really think that the frogs just kept laying eggs every few nights.  Lots of frogs have left and now another batch finally have legs.  There are also little ones in there.  I will have frogs till October frost.  I believe that now and no one needs to tell me.  There would have been no pool if I listened to Bob. 

Next year will be very well planned, before the frogs lay eggs!.....

Blueberries anyone?

After having so much fun picking strawberries, blueberries would be the next thing.  Bobby was in for the weekend and wanted to go see Grampa's cabin.  Mckee was all for it and was ready to go!  There were blueberry bushes up there maybe we can get some.  After seeing the Loc Ness Monster and now it's young, we soon arrived at the camp.  There were cries from the back seat, "Stop Grandpa, look at the berries."  Wait till we get to the cabin.  Oh no, we have no bag but there was one at the cabin. 

We started up  the trail and there were lots of bushes loaded with berries.  We should go home with plenty, if they stop eating them.  I got to hold the bag open for the ones they decided to give me.  I helped at times.  Then we went near the stream and wow there were a lot but on the top of the bushes.  The bears ate the lower ones.  Bobby being the tallest, was able to get a lot.  I started calling them my migrant workers because they were following my directions - yea right.  Just walking the path we got a lot of berries.  Should have enough to make jam.  We packed up and went home.  Suddenly we changed from jam to pie.  Of course my little chef helped make the pie. 

And a fun time was had by all.

Tadpoles by the Thousand!

By now I figured all of the tadpoles would be gone from the pool I provided for them.  Was it because I wanted to open my own pool?  Yes!  If I left them on the cover, they would still be there.  Ten to fifteen leave every night but it doesn't seem to be making a dent in the amount I still see.  Bob has taken to feeding them.  They eat two slices of bread on a daily basis.  He breaks it up and throws it in the water.  We both watch as they attach themselves to the bread and eat.  It is all gone in a few hours.  When will they all be gone?  Or will they be like the kids and stay forever?....  Stay tuned.

How Do I Do It?

Yes, here we go again.  It's not easy trying to figure out how to fix a blog and make it more user friendly.  My other blog needed some tweaking.  I looked on every thing they had posted and then went to help.  It had everything on it but what I wanted.  Then I found out I needed to be in the newer mode to do anything.  Okay, I can do this.  With printed directions I proceeded and got no where.  So then I went to see if I could add pictures where I wanted them.  This was easier.  I got all but a few done.  Now I will return to see if I can do what I was trying before.  After 20 minutes I admitted to default and quit.  Maybe tomorrow it will work.  For now, I deserve a pat on the back for what I did.  At least I learned something new.

Waxing

I have short hair and it is dark.  At least once a week I wax the facial areas and trim the sideburns.  The last two weeks I have had a problem with the razor not cutting close enough so I have been using his beard trimmer.  A little frustrated with this yesterday made me look a little closer.  This was a brand new razor I had gotten out of the package.  Why won't it shave.  Upon looking and feeling a little closer, I finally found the problem.  Would you believe the head of the razor was on upside down.  After putting it back together the right way it worked much better.  I will check the rest of the package for the same problem......

First Tomato

Summertime - garden - tomatoes.  Yes, this is what summer is all about.  Every winter we pick what will be in in it.  Bob puts it all in.  He loves his tiller.  Only problem is it makes the garden bigger.  Soon it will be half the yard.  Since we have chickens that have the run of the yard, they love the garden too.  All of the red beets have no leaves.  There are dust bowls in every row.  Flowers were eaten off pumpkin plants and they dug up the roots.  They have also taken to laying their eggs all over.  We find a new pile every day.  Bob found a nest in my tomato garden.  There were two green tomatoes on the one plant.  I told Bob to look and see if they were ripe.  When he said oh no, I knew something was wrong.  He pulled out a beautiful ripe tomato.  I went to grab it and he turned it around.  Those chickens ate it!  I was furious!  This means war.  Most of the plants now have some sort of netting around them.  Next thing that happens is there will be a big pot of soup, chicken soup!....

Thunder!

With the three dogs in the house it's always fun when we get a thunder storm.  They all hate thunder.  They hear it before we do.  Their tongues come out to the floor, they drool and walk constantly, and the little one shakes like she has been in a freezer.  They stay that way until after it stops.  Someone has come out with a shirt that you velcro on the dog.  It is suppose to make them more secure.  Bella and Sally have them.  As soon as we see the clouds turn black we put the shirts on.  Now we have two dogs that you can literally pick up and move like they are statues.  I can't help but laugh.  Tongues are not out as far, and they don't drool.  Amazing!  Guess the shirts do work.  Okay bring on the storms, we can handle it now!

Frogs

The frogs seem to be enjoying their new home.  I can't believe the amount of them.  Not many died on the transfer.  Last night when we looked at them after dark, there were about 20 getting ready for the escape into the real world.  They are so tiny, but once they are on the rim they are green like frogs and look like frogs.  Quite a few in the pool have legs so I know in a few days all will have left home.  Then I will have "Empty Nest Syndrome."  Bob did remark that I was worse with the frogs than he ever was.  Guess it did keep me sane for the month.  I know it kept me out of trouble.  Now I have to watch if it rains too much it will overflow and the tadpoles that aren't ready will flow out.  What's a Mother to do?....

Frogs!

Well, today is the day the frogs are leaving the pool to go into their own pool.  I served them with an eviction notice yesterday.   I told my husband after getting the water running in the hose to suck the water out, that if I get pneumonia it is because I sucked enough water in my lungs that I could drown.  Who leaves me alone?  It isn't safe.  With each scoop of the net I would get about 30 tadpoles.  The more I drained, the more I realized I needed a bigger pool for the frogs.  Not many were sucked through the hoses.  I scooped every last one!  It seemed like there were thousands, or close to it!  It took hours, but the last one was transfered into the smaller pool. 

Next year as soon as I hear the spring peepers I will open the pool so I don't have a repeat of this year.  It was educational to watch these things grow into frogs and leave home.  But I don't want a repeat......

Is She Sick?

Sitting on my couch with my feet up, dog by my side and one at my feet, I finished a white hat for the preemies.  I now have a small amount left but not enough to even make a flower as a trim.  I laughed as I showed Bob that I finished another skein of yarn.  That is three in the past week.  Some skeins I have in the basket are half used so I do use quite a bit of yarn in a week. 

The one I finished today is my favorite.  I love going in for yarn.  I must touch and feel and make sure it is soft for the babies.  Only then is it allowed to go in my cart.  Like everyone else, I have a stash.  Not as much as I use to, but I do have a stash.  So in I go to get another skein of my favorite yarn and guess what?  There isn't another skein of it in there.  There has to be.  I looked twice.  Now my heart is beating super fast and my breathing is very shallow.  I went back and sat down.  Bob wanted to know if I was sick.  Do you need me to call the doctor?  No, I am just having yarn withdrawl, I am out of my favorite yarn.  Then he laughed, yes, laughed.  When he saw I was serious, he wanted to know if I needed to go to the yarn store now.  No, I guess I can survive till the morning.  Tomorrow I will be waiting by the door so I can be first in line to get my yarn....... 

Frogs Are Leaving Home

We have been checking on the tadpoles at least five times a day.  I know I do and so does Bob.  Mckee does too.  She can't wait for them to leave so we can open the pool.  Mckee is getting very anxious.  She tried numerous times today to get me to move the tadpoles elsewhere.  I just hate to ruin the life cycle of these frogs.  I have been nuturing them for weeks.  I keep telling her when the bigs ones are gone we will put the smaller ones in a pool and open the big pool.

Bob went out to lock up the chickens in the dark.  He went over to the pool with a flashlight.  There were four frogs the size of your fingernail, attached to the pool lid, climbing out.  They are so tiny!  I can't believe my babies are leaving home!  I will have "Empty Nest Syndrome!"   Got to go watch them. 

Where Am I?

After leaving the Doctor's office, I jump into my car.  It turns itself on and drives me out of the parking lot.  I am not touching the wheel.  It takes me to the highway and suddenly gets off.  When it turned at the light, I knew where it was taking me.  The Fabric Store.  The car smoothly slid into an open space and shut off.  I knew enough to get out of the car.  I grabbed a cart like I usually do.  I go and touch and check out every bolt of fleece for the babies.  Next is the yarn aisle.  Yes this is the softest.  I add it to the cart with a few other colors for the babies.  The yarn joins the fleece that is in the cart.  Add some buttons for the hats.  This is so much fun.  All of a sudden the alarm goes off.  Guess it was just all a dream!  Oh well, time to get up, maybe I will take a trip to the Fabric Store!...

Tadpoles

Well, the tadpoles are finally growing legs.  They are so tiny that you can hardly see them with the naked eye.  I go out with binoculars to see them.  Eyes aren't real good.  I really don't think these things will ever leave home.  I keep waiting and they keep staying.  Bob said all of a sudden you will see they are all gone and you will be shocked.  Yes, I will be shocked.  Then the small ones are going in a bucket and going for a ride to a pond to finish growing.  This won't happen next year! But Bob said they go back to where they grew up to lay eggs.  If that's the case, there will be a toddler pool outside next year for them, not me!.....

Mom Gets Braces

Years ago I had to get braces on my teeth.  Yes, even at an adult stage people called me metal mouth and a few other words.  Like always I ignored them. 

When they were first put on, the teeth really hurt to the point I couldn't chew food.  Mashed potatoes were the best.  I didn't have to chew, just swallow.  The one night I made the kids hot dogs.  They smelled so good.  You guessed it, I pureed the hot dogs.  The kids stared at my plate in disbelief.  What is it?  When I said hot dog they all laughed.  When I scooped it up they laughed even harder.  For about a week I was like this.  Then came summer and sweet corn.  Who doesn't like fresh sweet corn on the cob.  I know I can't eat it off the cob, so I cut it off the cob and ate it.  I did have a problem with some foods but figured out most.  So just remember at any age braces are a challenge but there is a way around them!.....

Strawberry Jam?

We started the day going for bloodwork.  After that we sprung on Mckenzie that we were going to pick strawberries.  I had bowls and bags.  I never did this so I was unsure what we would need.  We got a ride to the field in a trailer being pulled by a big tractor.  Mckenzie was loving this. 

It was going to be a hot day so I knew we wouldn't be there long.  We picked the strawberries, first putting them in the bowls then pouring them in plastic bags.  Mistake # 1.  Then we continued to pick more.  Ok, now it is getting hot.  I am done.  Mckenzie continued picking until our ride arrived to return to the parking lot.  We paid for our berries and off we went.  The berries in the bowls were beautiful.  We ate quite a few on the way home.

We decided  to make jam.  This I have never done.  It can't be that hard.  First cut the tops off the berries.  Can I please have a bag of berries?  When I poured them from the bag I was shocked to see what they looked like.  It was a bag of wilted berries that someone squished.  It was gross but I need them for jam. 

I followed the directions on the box of pectin.   It was cooked to boiling, then put in jars and sealed.  Mckenzie checked on it every 5 minutes.  It is still like syrup and shows no signs of thickening.  Plan 2.  Recook.  Clean jars.  Put in jars and reseal.  We left them overnight with hopes that it would thicken.  We checked them the second our feet hit the floor.  UGH!  Still looks like syrup.  Plan 3.  Recook and add more pectin.  Now I have 3 packs and 1 box of pectin added to the sugar and berries.  After resealing the jars, we waited.  After about 4 hours we saw some signs that it was thickening.  I think I finally did it.  We are proud of our jam.  Will I do this again?  Maybe, but only if I have 4 boxes of pectin!

Tadpole Update

Every day it is a necessity to go and see if the tadpoles are frogs yet.  They are now taking on the shape of a small frog.  They also have cream colored bellies, so I know they are getting there.  Just not fast enough.  Then the other day I saw just what I didn't want to see - smaller tadpoles.  Yes, those frogs did it again.  Now I am thinking that they need to lose their happy home.  Tomorrow I will be shopping for a small plastic kiddie pool.  While no one is looking I will drain the pool top into the kiddie pool.  It is suppose to go up to 90 degrees the next few days and my pool isn't opened yet.  But it will be!!!!!

Garden Tomatoes

Summer brings with it the urge to grow a garden.  We usually plan this in March and fill out the list and send for the seeds.  Some years we have started the seeds inside.  Bob has a small greenhouse that he grows the seedlings in.  This year we didn't.  We bought a few plants from the local growers, especially tomatoes.  Young Bob who lives in Delaware and puts his garden in super early, loves tomatoes too.  So every year it is a challenge to see who gets the first ripe tomato. 

I decided to play a little trick on Bobby.  Like I said his garden goes in early.  I was going to have the first ripe tomato.  I went out and bought 3 tomatoes on a vine.  I tied the tomatoes to the biggest tomato plant, took a picture with my phone and sent it off to Bobby!  "I have the first tomato!" was the caption.

Now Bob was in on this and Stacy knew too.  No one squealed to him as to what I did.  I was so proud of myself.

A few minutes after I sent it he called.  All he could say is, "You're not funny!"  "When did you start these, January?"  I told him that I planted them and used vinegar to make them grow faster.  He told me he looked on the computer to see if anyone else uses vinegar on their tomato plants! 

I left him off the hook today.  I finally admitted to him what I did.  He couldn't believe I did that to him.  Yes, I got him good.  I enjoyed it too.  Love ya Bobby.  Happy Father's Day to all!!!!!!!

She Has Your Number

Grandpa always liked to entertain the kids with stories that he has made up.  These stories entertained our kids for years.  Along comes Mckenzie.  He will sit there telling her a story and she just shakes her head and nods at him.  She doesn't want to hurt his feelings by telling him she knows it was a long tale.  I love sitting here watching as she weighs the situation and then laughs at him.  It really is worth it, and he just keeps trying.  He does have all the kids believing that one of his mounted animals' eyes glow red in the dark.  He tells them it watches them when they enter the basement.  Needless to say, not one of the grandkids will go down the basement alone.  They feel they are being watched!..... 

Tadpoles

A few days ago I went out to check on the swiftly growing tadpoles.  There seemed to be more of them.  My only problem was that there are now small ones and bigger ones!  Bob came running when I called his name.  He thought something happened.  I told him to look at the sizes of the tadpoles.  Don't try to tell me they didn't grow as fast as the others.  They are new ones!  He finally admitted yes they were the second hatch.  Okay that is enough!

Sitting here I suddenly hear the sounds of the frogs calling.  The same ones that have already laid their eggs twice.  Please don't let them lay more eggs.  I really do want to open the pool - this year!

Texting

When we first got cell phones I said I would never text.  And I didn't for years.  My first text message was one big line, no spaces.  I didn't know how to put a space in.  Is there a button for that?  Yes, Stacy had to show me.  Hate electronics and everyone knows that.  Then I found out that texting has it's own language.  Eventually I am learning.  Stacy helps me with that too.  Eventually Bob got a cell phone.  We got the same carrier so we can call and text without being charged.  Now Bob also said he would never text.  Stacy cured him of that too.  She ruined us both.  Now we must teach Bob the correct symbols for texting. 

A few days ago we met up with Bobby and he asked Dad why he puts "lol" after his info.  We think it means "laugh out loud."  So Bobby gets messages like, "Mom is okay. Lol." or  "The car broke down on the highway.  See you soon,  Lol."  Bobby just doesn't understand, Dad has his own language that he made up and we caught on to it a while ago.  When Dad puts "Lol," it means "lots of love!"  He does this with other symbols too.  Sorry but he makes his own and eventually we figure them  out and inform everyone else what he thinks it is.  It does turn comical when you don't know his language. 

Who wants a frog?

For years we have been laughing at Bob about the tree frogs.  They show up near my pool in early May.  They are very verbal on hot, humid nights or when it is raining.  They would call, we would tell Bob and out he went with his camera.  We have thousands of feet of footage of tree frogs croaking, day or night.  It really turned to be quite funny. 

Every year he would ask if he could get rid of the pool and dig a frog pond.  The answer was always the same, "NO!"  There have been years that the pool lid was off and they laid eggs in the water but none ever survived.  He would take the eggs out ant put them elsewhere but it never worked - till now.

We haven't taken the lid off the pool yet.  Warm weather started early this year and so did the frogs.  He isn't taking pictures this year either.  Surprise, surprise.  He was gone away the other day and I was out near the pool and noticed these black things on the pool lid.  They look like small fish.  I bet they are tadpoles.  Upon his arrival home, I let him know about these little black things on the lid.  As soon as I saw his face I knew he thought the same as me - tadpoles.  Sure enough, that is what they are.  There are hundreds of them.  Now I am not allowed to take the cover off until they leave in 3 to 4 weeks.  This should be a great picture of all these frogs leaving the pool at the same time.  Might even make a good movie.  The frog pond now exists in my backyard.  Frogs for sale!

Email

Now everyone knows my computer skills.  I ran into a good one today.  I feel like I am in the movie "Groundhog Day."  I have just spent about 30 minutes trying to delete old emails I don't want.  I follow the directions, the button does say delete, and then I go back to another section of my email.  When I an done cleaning one out I go back to the trash, and the same emails reappear.  I have done this a few times thinking it was just my imagination, but I return again and they have come back.  I shut it down.  Now I know later when I return they will be there to haunt me.  How I love computers!

Money in the Meter?

Going to the big city today.  Must see a new Doctor for my eyes.  Bob of course was able to get the day off.  All the kids are in school.  He drove, I gave directions.  Right, left, he actually didn't give me too much guff.  We are going to park at a meter.  I gave him the quarters but didn't look up for a minute or two.  When I did, the words were, " How much have you put in that meter?"  "At least five quarters. Why?"  "Well I hope you saved some quarters for our meter since you just put them in the wrong meter."  We both blamed it on me not watching him carefully enough.  Wonder what the other person thought when they came out and saw all the time on their meter. 

I need some peace and quiet!

To begin with Happy Mother's Day to my readers.  Yes, I know I'm late.  I have had a few unbelievable days.  people think once the kids are grown and gone that life gets easier.  Most days it is. 

It all started with the rain we started to get on Sunday. Monday, Tuesday too.  By Tuesday we had enough of it.  I needed to wash just one sheet for the dogs.  Not much water.  Yes, Bob had already said easy on the water.  The drain field was getting full.  Like I said, just one little load.  I set it and forgot it, until Bob yelled, "There is water on the floor!"  Oh no!  I went to look and it was in the laundry room.  I know the cause of it.  That one little load did it and only half the water was drained.  At least it was clean.  Bob went and got the new carpet cleaner I just bought.  It cleans up bare floors too.  It did a great job.  Now to let it dry.  We also set the fan to help it along.  No more laundry till it stops raining.  I do know better.  The floor was nice and clean!

Wednesday morning I hear this yell, "Water is on the floor."  Aw, come on, let me sleep.  Yep, I bounced out of bed and ran down the stairs.  Sure enough there is the water.  The septic needs to be drained.  I got them to come right out and proceeded to start cleaning the laundry room again.  The floor cleaner works good.  Glad I bought it.  On with the fan again.  They came out and drained the tank and as soon as I ran water in the pipe it came right out.  UGH!  A blocked pipe.  Making another call I got someone to come and clean the pipe, but not until after 3:30.  We were going out to dinner with friends, not now.  Sorry.  The guy got there and had the pipe opened in minutes.  Now we must clean up the mess he made.  Now the floor is really clean.  I have had enough.

After eating a quick supper it was time to clean up and get dressed to go out.  We were going out to see Frankie Vallie & the Four Seasons.  It at least made us both smile.  We had a great night I just wish it lasted longer.....

What doesn't work?

I was sitting here working on my computer and was called away for a little while.  Upon returning to the room, Stacy said the DSL isn't working.  Okay, what is that and why does it affect me?  It's the thing that gives you the Internet service.  "Well don't just sit there, go fix it."  She tried her best before she called the phone company.  They said they will deliver a new box within 24 hours.  "WHAT?"  I need it now.  Okay I guess I have to wait.  One, two, three, the hours went by.  Yes, I did check to see if maybe by some luck it came on by it's self.  I was going into withdrawal!  I was sweating and shaking every time I thought of my Blogs and other things that I check on a daily basis.  People might think something has happened to me.  Will they ever forgive me for ignoring them for 24 hours? 

23 hours later there is a knock at the door.  Yes, they are here with a new box in hand.  "We will have it fixed in a few minutes."  They found out it wasn't the box, it was something someplace else that knocked it off.  Out they went.  Then they called wanting to know if the modem was working?  What's a modem?  The guy laughed and said he will return to check it out and to be sure we have Internet.  Guess he didn't believe me.  I did tell him I was computer illiterate.  Sometimes that is fun. 

They did fix it.  It does work and now my computer is attached again.  Yea!!!!!  I'm back!.... 

Peace and Quiet

All the dishes are done, baths given, snacks eaten and now it is time for bed.  Everyone is tucked in and settled down for the night.  Now we can relax.  Sitting on the swing outside, enjoying the star lite night, listening to the quietness is something we don't get to do often because of working different shifts.  This is really nice.  All of a sudden out of nowhere, we hear the scream, "Mommy!"  Okay there goes the peaceful night.  They couldn't find me and thought I got lost somewhere.  No I was just outside trying to enjoy some peace and quiet.  Yea, maybe next time.......

I was once 16

Why do our own children think that we haven't done what they are trying to do at the same age?  Do they think we went from 15 straight to 21?  We have done the same things at the same age, and our parents wouldn't let us do it either.  You are 16 and want to go out with your friends, that is okay.  You forgot to tell me you want to leave the house at 10:30 at night to go out.  I don't think so.  Not at that hour.  All you will be doing is getting in trouble. 

Do these words sound familiar?  Yes, these are words that came out of our child's mouth, our mouth, our parents mouth, need I go any further?   Just remember smarty, I was also 16 at one time in my life.  I didn't do it and neither are you!...... 

Chickens!

We let the chickens out of their coup during the day.  We have two roosters and of course one is nice and the other only wants to attack!  He is protecting his women.  If you want to go in the yard be sure to have a hat in your hand so you can swat him if he gets close.  It is kind of funny to see this chicken who is only 12 inches high go after someone who is almost 6 feet tall!  Where is an owl when you need one?..... 

Guess What I Have?

Years ago when Bob came home and asked, "Guess what I have?" usually meant he brought some kind of a critter home with him.  I have had my share of turtles, birds, dead skunks, snakes and other things.

After work he arrived home and those words popped out.  Oh no, what can he have now?  Do I guess or just follow him.  I chose the latter.  Down to the garage I follow in his footsteps anticipating what I am going to find.  Here in the cage we have is a 6 month old long haired, multi colored kitten!  Friendly as ever.  Now if there is one thing we don't need is another pet.  I hate when people leave their pets off in the country.  Why do they leave it up to someone else to find their pet a new home?  Off to the shelter this one went.  Hopefully they will find it a new home and that doesn't mean mine.  I have enough to take care of!.....  

Bears!

The bears returned tonight.  They were caught in the woods looking at the bird feeder.  Before either one could climb up the tree to rip it down, Bob went out and scared them.  So eventually they started to leave but not before they walked through the garden.  It isn't planted yet so it is okay.  They finally ambled off, but will they return tonight to do the dastardly deed?  Stay tuned.

Delivering blankets

Upon calling one of the local NICU's, I found they needed some supplies.  After going in my not so hidden containers, I have some hats, gowns and fleece blankets to deliver this week.  Now I must call the others to see that they are well stocked.  Oh no, I think I need some more fleece!  Anyone want to go for a ride?.......

They are invading!

Springtime has arrived.  The bulbs that were planted yearly have come up.  The flowers are in such beautiful hues of red, orchid, pinks yellows and blues.  These we don't mind.  The tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils are welcome visitors.  They let us know that other yellow things are coming too.  Dandelions!  Every year they faithfully follow the spring flowers.  Our blooms are two weeks after the cities blooms.  Going through the city two weeks ago, I saw them in yards.  One yard had more dandelions than grass.  So I knew all too soon they will be visitors in our yard.  I get to look forward to Bob outside trying to get rid of them one by one.  We don't use weeder on the lawn so he made a utensil to pop each one out.  He has been doing this for years.  No there are still the same amount if not more.  Well, I guess it is time to let him know that they have invaded our yard and sit back and watch the fun!  Bob!!!!!  Come see who is here to aggravate you!.......

Gremlins

Some where in the past 24 hours, the Gremlins have attacked Blogspot.  You see I was on this site yesterday.  Today I put all my secret words in and hit enter.  What came up confused me instantly.  What has happened?  You who know me, know I am not computer literate.  I watched the little video then started to whack at other buttons.  I know, I don't deal well with change.  I will get use to it.  Until then I will be on an exciting journey around Blogspot to make this Blog the best that I can and have fun doing it.  So stay tuned and see what is next.  Thanks to all who view...... 

The mole

Every winter and summer we have problems with the mole.  I have no idea if it is one or the whole family.  One year I planted 100 flowers.  Within three years they were all gone to Mr. Mole.  I love the flowers that come up in the spring.  All winter they burrow under the snow and make tunnels in the ground.  We find them in the spring.  Then comes the summer.  We plant potatoes, lots of them.  The one year Mr. Mole ate all the white potatoes.  I would dig till I saw a potatoe and when I grab it I find it has been eaten out.  He must not like red potatoes, or so I thought.  Last year we planted red potatoes and I guess he was hungry after eating all the broccoli plants down.  He went after the potatoes.  This is war.  I intend to plant potatoes.  Not sure yet how Bob is going to eliminate them this year.  I know he hasn't been successful any other year.  Any ideas?........

Watch that rooster!

Mckee wanted chickens and guinea fowl.  Small chickens grow into bigger chickens.  At least these chickens aren't too big.  Today was the day the guinea's moved to their own coop and the chickens went free.  They loved the freedom being able to roam where they want.  We have two roosters.  One nice one, one will chase you.  We have all had our chance to be chased.  I have been attacked a few times and Bob a few more than me.  Today Bella decided to chase him in the yard.  She was having fun until he stopped and turned and started to chase her.  Good thing she can run fast.  We may get to see a dog and chicken fight.  Wonder where I can buy armor for Bella..........

Indoor Cats!

Between everyone in the house we have five cats.  Two use to be outdoor cats but since Bob adopted then and they were spayed, they stay in the house.  They stay clean and I don't have to worry about fleas and ticks like the dogs.  They are safe and sound in the house.  When the screen is on the door they love to sit by the door.  That is as close to the outside that we will let them get.  One of the original cats snuck out one day and hurried back in. 

A few days ago I had the dogs out and was standing at the door watching them.  I had the door open to let Sally in and the next thing I know I am looking at Lucky outside.  I flipped Sally in and went after Lucky who by now is running up the side of the house with me in close pursuit.  I am running in the plants in front of the house hoping there are no bees.  Of course I didn't expect this so I am in bare feet!  The cat started to run back in the direction of the door when I jumped on her,  got her in a belly lock and tossed her in the house.  I hope this has scared her enough to stay in.  I done chasing cats!

Who is going to fix it?

The toilet downstairs has a leak.  Every once in a while I hear the water running in the toilet.  Yes, I know what is wrong.  I fixed it the last time.  I bought a flapper that you will never have to replace again.  That is what the package said 10 years ago.  I have tried everything and it still leaks.  We were in the hardware store the other day and I bought a new flapper.  I may not know a lot about computers but I do know about plumbing.  When Bob was out of town someone had to fix the problems.  I was next in line. 

I fixed this the last time.  It is your turn now.  Let's see how long I wait.  I can't look at the part one more day on my dryer.  I shut the water supply down, took the old one off, put the new one on, turned the water back on and did it all in 4 minutes.  Then I went upstairs and bragged about it for ten minutes.  Then I went in and fixed the tub faucet!  What's next?......

Their back!

We had our first furry visitors of the year yesterday.  They came in complete silence.  Bob just happen to get a glance of them through the window.  Look who's back.  Mama 2 tags and her two year old cub.  So sleek looking, so dangerous too.  Well I guess we will see if Bob's feeder survives this year.

Another thing that is back, road construction.  Yes, blocked traffic, bogged down traffic, Those people who hold the signs.  They crack me up.  They keep you there while no traffic is coming and the construction is in the other lane.  All of a sudden they turn the sign and point to the other lane.  Why do they have to point to the other lane?  There is no place else to go.  I think they know it aggravates some people and that is why they point.  Then they laugh at your expression as you go by.  Watch them next time!.....

I fixed it!

Everyone knows I am computer illiterate, so they don't ask me to help do things on the computer.  The other night the Internet went down on my computer.  Bob was on his sitting next to me.  I did what I needed to get mine back up.  I was watching him and waiting to see if his was down.  Soon enough he said "What is wrong with my computer?"  I took his computer and did to it what I did with mine.  Guess what?  I was successful!  I gave myself a pat on the back!  See, I can do something with a computer.  What, you want me to do what on the computer?  How?

Can I have your keys?

Bob has been working outside today after supper.  He is enjoying the cool sunshine.  The garden is tilled and the grass that has dared to grow is now neatly groomed.  I thought I heard him back in the house.  I was wrong.  He eventually showed up at the back door.  I couldn't tell what he was saying because the dogs were barking at the stranger at the back door.  He asked for my car keys.  "Why?"  Of course he mumbled back because he didn't want me to know what he was using my car for. 

I went down the hall and opened the window.  Yep, the car started, it's in the back yard now and is being backed up to the chicken coop.  Guess it is going for a ride, chickens included!  If anyone saw this they would laugh as this coop goes by.  He got out of the car to be sure it survived the ride.  He knew he was caught.  He unhitched it and drove off!  Wait!  Didn't you forget something?  The coop is in the middle of the yard!  I don't want it there.  Hey, where did you go?......

April Fool's Day

Have you had your fill of April Fool's jokes yet?  We use to set a deadline, no jokes after 12:00 noon.  It got to the point that they didn't know when to give up.  I hated the phone calls about running refrigerators.  Snakes was also another one.  Yes, when I was a kid, so many years ago, I use to do the same.  I loved saying there was a spider near the person.  We almost had an April fool joke early this week.  I saw a spider on Grandma's chair, about the same time as Bob.  He ran over and got it.  If Grandma was in the chair I can picture her screaming and jumping up.  Huh, maybe we should have let her see it!.......  

Cooking with a partner!

We found some recipes tat Bob's Mother wrote and wanted to try them again.  Bob does like to help if he isn't working.  I got all ingredients ready for the massive mixing project.  He cracked the eggs and cut the cheese in cubes while I mixed the eggs well.  After adding some ingredients it was time to start adding the flour, a cup at a time.  I gave the mixer to Bob.  "Now keep the mixer in the bowl."  He has a tendency of lifting it out of the bowl at all angles, slopping everything around.  I kept a good eye on him.  After adding most of the flour it was time to give up the mixer and get the bigger bowl.  This is almost done.  Now he is the only one that can stir this now by hand.  The dough gets thick.  Then it says to continue stirring for 5 extra minutes.  Enough is enough already!  We separated the dough into two small containers and one large one.  It says to oil saran wrap and place on the top.  I didn't do that last time and had a mess.  Oh, yes, I had the same mess even though I oiled the saran wrap.  Now we wait till it rises, which really took a long time today.  Time for the oven, finally!  Smell the air, Torta, home made.  It is an Italian Cheese Bread.  Oh so good.  The timers went off.  Let it cool, don't touch it.  They are trying to get it as it comes out of the oven.  I made them wait five minutes before I relented and let them cut it.  Oh so good.  They are both silent as they stuff their mouths with Torta.  Hey, wait!  Where's mine?..... 

What have you done?

Bob was gone for most of the day so I was able to catch up on some things around the house today.  After supper I decided it would be a good day to clean the oven.  It is self clean and this will be the first time I have done it.  Can't be that hard.  I put the instruction book away so I am on my own.  Hit the clean oven button - ok, now it says lock the door - ok.  Whoops, I forgot to take the racks out.  Now, start over.  After locking the door the numbers 4:00 came up.  This will take 4 hours?  When it started to smell like burned food I knew I wouldn't leave this on for 4 hours.  My eyes started to water.  I have had enough.  I shut it off and opened the back door.  Bob will be home in 2 hours.  Shouldn't be too bad by then.  Yep, it was.  His foot wasn't in the door when he piped up, "What have you done now?"  He expected me to say I burned something.  When he found the culprit was the oven, he wanted to know why I picked today to do it.  His eyes started to burn also.  Now he is really complaining.  I laughed, it will take a few minutes for them to stop.  Good thing I don't do this often.  We would all have to leave the house for hours a day.  Might be a good way to get him to go shopping!.....

Concert!

I have always loved the songs from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  I know the younger kids don't know who they are.  The older set does.  When we go to Vegas we always go and see the "Jersey Boys."  Great show.  Great songs!  They announced that they are coming to our area.  I haven't seen them in years, lots of years.  Last time I saw them in person our local amusement park held a music marathon for the day.  I loved music so I was there.  We saw lots of famous bands.  I know if I mention more name no one will know them!   Just remember I said they were great.

Now Bob is hoping I don't make a fool out of myself because I really want to meet Frankie.  I am not planning on how to do it, yet.  Stay tuned!.....

Quiet House?

I just had a friend say her kids are home from school and are driving her nuts.  Yes, I do remember those days.  I would put one on each end of the couch and tell them no talking, no touching and above all no fighting!  That would last for five minutes and it would start all over again.  We have all been there.  It seems so important at that age to have a few minutes of peace and quiet and it doesn't happen when we want it.  It's easy to say wait a few years and it will change, and it does.  But it would be nice to have a little quiet time when you need it not when they want to give it to you!.....

Home sweet home?

Ah, so nice to get away.  Also nice to get home.  Yes, it looks the same.  Doesn't look like the fire department has been here so they did a good job keeping Grandma busy.  No parties, house is clean and quiet.  Wait, where are the goldfish?  The chickens?  Cats?  Then we got the answers.  The fish got eaten by the cats, the cats got loose and got attacked by the chickens, so the chickens had to go and be quarantined by the vet.  House is peaceful, maybe we will like the peacefulness?  What do you think?......

Returning home

Arriving at the airport two hours early to go through the new scanners was really exciting.  I take off more clothing in the airport than I do at the Doctor's office.  And the shoes have to come off too!  Now I travel with a C-pap machine and laptop computer.  The machine and laptop must come out of the case and be put in tubs.  Shoes, purse, backpacks, jackets all go in tubs also.  Now after the x-ray of this stuff and yourself you must repack this stuff in 1 minute even though it took 5 minutes to undress yourself and everything you have because some guy is yelling, "Keep the belt moving!"  Hey he is bigger than me!  I grab things just to get them off the belt and put my shoes on after I find a place to sit.  People are running in all directions trying to get dressed so we can go and catch a plane out of here.

Once on the plane we again pay for food that isn't the greatest only because you didn't have time to get anything in the airport because you are too busy getting redressed!  Grin and bear it.  Give me the bag of pretzels, I'll eat those. 

Then we get to the next airport and when we entered it we found it to be at least 95 degrees inside.  I knew it was warm outside so maybe the air conditioning wasn't up and running.  We didn't have a long layover so off we went to the gate on the monitor.  It was quite a hike.  When getting there, they sent us to a different gate!  Now I am hot and aggravated.  We did run through the new section of Newark Airport and it had air conditioning.  Off to the right again we go, hot again.  Okay we reach the new gate checking every monitor along the way.  Upon looking at the monitor at the gate, I saw red.  It doesn't say Scranton!  We needed to go to a different gate.  Now I am hot, out of breath, sweating and once again running to another gate.  We ran this dam airport for 45 minutes.  Finally at the correct gate, we find it is 100 degrees in here.  So sweat is literally pouring off me.  By the time we get on the plane we will all stink.  Next trip will not go through Newark.  I have a dislike for that airport....... 

One more day

Vacation was winding down too quickly as it usually does.  We both agreed to go back to Fremont Street since there is lots to do there.  I wanted to go back to see if I could win more money.  Yes, I did end up in that Casino, on that bank of machines while Bob walked around.  It didn't take long, Four of a kind!  Yes!  Whack that cash out button, fill up your cup and turn it in.  After doing this a few times I was afraid someone would think I was cheating so I had Bob take one over.  This is what it is all about.  I was really having fun.  I played my heart out and won some money.  I can go home burned out.  Yes, till next year!.......

The Weekend

We had plans to go to Fremont Street on Saturday.  I had a few 2fer's for supper.  We got a great seat on the double decker bus and away we went.  Don't plan on returning too early!  We watched as we rode past the areas called, "the bad section," that we walked years ago.  All the people walking amazes me.  There are a lot of people here this year.  The end of the line is near, 45 minutes later.  Let me off!  After scoping out the sights we went in and out of the casinos.  Playing here and there but nothing big.  I wanted to go to this one casino that I won money in years ago with a 4 of a kind.  Bob just wanted to see the sights.

 Finally reaching the casino, I went to the back where all the poker machines are located and sat down.  After a few minutes, yes a 4 of a kind pops up.  400 quarters is the reward.  Must cash out like I always do.  The second I hit the button I realized there were no paper coupons, just the sound of 400 quarters coming from the bowels of the machine.  After scooping these quarters up I looked at the color of black my hands had.  Small price to pay for winning some money!  I went back and played some more, and hit again.  This is where I will stay till supper time.  Bob laughs because the only reason I got up was to change machines.  I was winning and that was all that mattered....... 

Jersey Boys

Friday brings tickets to the Jersey Boys.  We have seen this show twice.  I love Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.  This is a story about their life.  Awesome show, music was great and I would go and see it again.  Afterwards we started to hoof back to the hotel again enjoying the weather.  The next few days we spent at Fremont Street.  The light show was something to see.  They added a zip line about 10 stories up and that was a big hit.  Too high for me to wander.  As we walked we saw the different vendors and people impersonators.  Who said Elvis and Michael Jackson were dead?  They were there, a new one on every block.  Another new thing was the mimes that acted as statues.  They were really something.  They could stand in one position for the longest time.  Some people thought they were statues until they moved and scared them.  I wanted to stare one down but Bob dragged me away.  All I know is I couldn't stand still for that long.  I need to move.......   

Jet lag?

We didn't suffer from jet lag.  Our hour were almost the same as back home.  Upon arising the next AM it was time to go to our favorite place for breakfast, the House of Blues.  It was fashioned from an old southern bayou restaurant.  Their food is great, plus I had a 2fer, a two for 1 coupon.  Then you get the receipt and you can do the same the next day.  Now that we are done, let me loose again.  I played for a little then we needed to plan our day.  A few texts came in from home.  Doesn't sound too bad, oh well.  Donnie and Marie was the show of choice tonight.  This year the price of cabs was out of this world, so double decker buses were the transportation of choice.  We walked the block to get to the bus stop and join all the others that are hoping to get the front window on the top deck.  Not us this time. 

There were quite a few casinos that we could visit.  I played to my hearts content.  Next is the  buffett, also a 2fer!  We ate watching the flamingos on the ground and the koi in the stream.  So relaxing.  Next is the show, which was awsome and was over too soon.  We could have sat there all night, not just two hours.  They still have it!

The plan now was to catch a bus and return to the hotel.  Come on, it is nice out let's take a slow walk.  It wasn't too crowded so we continued.  Then there in front of me, the escalator to go up is broken.  All that is left is 4 flights of stairs.  Now all of a sudden the crowd caught up with us.  Up the first two flights, the third was slower, I almost didn't make it on the fourth and it took a few minutes for me to catch my breath, but we pressed on. 

We weren't ready to go up to the room so we sat and played. I won some money so they revitalized me.  No, not to the room now, I'm just getting started.  It was 2:00 before I gave up.  It was time to go to bed.  Bob could only laugh.  The last time I saw 2:00 was when we were in Vegas last time!.......

Chore list!

Before we left for Vegas we left a "Chore list" for Stacy.  Just needed to remind her of things she might need to know. 
1. Feed the cats twice a day.  Cut can in half then divide among the cats.  There should be five of them.
2. Feed dogs twice a day.  Bella gets 1/2 can of food and mashed potatoes if you have them.
3. Water up and down for the pets.
4. Clean the cat pans, there are two of them.
5. Give chickens water and food daily.
6. Be sure there is dry food in the two containers for the cats.
7. Check my room and behind the couch for puke daily. 
8. Feed goldfish twice daily, AM & PM.  This doesn't mean once a day at twice the amount.  She defaced this one to " feed goldfish once a day at twice the amount."
9.Garbage goes out on Thursday AM.

 Vacumn & clean out the container every time you vacunm.
Grandma:
Ensure three times a day.  Pills in AM.

Now that was the list.  By the time we returned 3 of the cats left and so did a dog.  The cat pans were cleaned every other day.  The pets had been fed once a day, but only dry food.  The containers were empty!  It stopped the cats from puking!  No food, no puke!  Goldfish were eaten on Friday - Lent you know.  The chickens all went to the auction.   This cut out a lot of the work.  Grandma gained 10 pounds from eating 3 meals daily.

Now I can say I won't be able to go away again.  Stacy won't allow it.  She had school to fit in this crazy schedual too.  More tomorrow........

Where were you?

We have just returned from a well deserved and needed vacation.  Years ago we started to go to Las Vegas.  We went once then returned almost yearly.  This was unexpected, but of course I jumped at the chance.  So early in the morning we hopped on the plane for our destination.  Vegas here we come.  We arrived at 10:30 their time, got our luggage, they didn't lose it, and went on to the hotel we always stay at.  The air was warm and dry.  Light jackets were needed not our heavy ones.  Our room was ready and of course he wanted to rest up before going anywhere, me, just let me loose!  The wait wasn't long.  I was loose.  Yes, where's the slot machine?  It's been two years since we went to Vegas.  I still remember how to hit the winning button.  After traveling all day I gave up early.  Tomorrow will be a whole new day........

Downtime!

Sorry folks.  This site will be down for maintenance for a few days.  Please stop back.  I will be back!

Zoo

My house is like a zoo.  5 cats, 3 dogs, and 4 goldfish.  Add on all the humans and it is a challenge on a daily basis.  At least no one is sick.  We do have a cat that I call a "barfer."  She eats and eats and then barfs, or should I say we think it is her.  It really could be one of the other four.  No, we don't see her barf, it's just that when we had two cats it was her all the time.  I have used my carpet cleaner more times in the past two days, than I have in weeks.  Stress is what the vets say.  Stress!.......  

Da Javu

I do have a good laugh when Mckee is here, especially when she does something that her Mother has done.  It all started with wax that was melted.  Some spilled on her TV in the room.  As she was cleaning it up, she was a little upset about the mess.

Now I remembered back when Stacy was a child.  "No nailpolish in the bedroom!"  She was in that knock everything over stage.  Unknown to me she took red nailpolish in her room and was doing her toenails.  Yes, she knocked it over.  Did she do it on a paper towel?  Of course not.  I do give her credit for trying to clean it up before I saw it.  By then it was quite the mess.  She pulled the bed down from the wall to cover some, but the bed was out of place where it was.  I noticed the bed and went to push it back and here is this red nailpolish on the blue carpet that stuck out like a sore thumb.  "I didn't think you would notice it."  Anyone who couldn't see it was blind!  I did clean most of it up with polish remover but part of it never came out.  A throw rug couldn't be used to hide it either.  So when Mckee does things we sit and laugh as Grandparents while Stacy says the words, "Laugh, go ahead and laugh!"  This makes us laugh even more!  What next?......

March

Well March came in like a lion, will it go out like a lamb?  We got snow again.  Yep, we moved it from one place to another.  That was two days ago.  All the other towns around us got just as much snow and theirs is gone!  We still have enough in the yard to make a platoon of snowmen!  Please no more snow.  Keep the weather up in the 50's.  This really has been a great winter in our area.  How about yours?.....

A dog!

Bella is my buddy.  She follows me everywhere.  I feel like she is one of the kids.  If I close the door behind me she will scratch and whine till I open it.  She then holds her head up high as she enters the room that was previously shut off to her.  Mealtime she goes and begs off of Bob.  She knows she will get a few bites from him because she sits up on her hind legs till she does.  Snack time is with whoever is snacking.  When I am feeling sad she will jump in my lap and lay her head on my chest and look up at me with these two big black eyes that say all will be okay.  She is a bed hog, yes, I sleep with the dog!  I usually have 6 inches of bed as she chases me to the edge nightly.  Chasing the cats is her favorite thing to do.  They are both getting exercise. 

I believe we got her for a reason.  She is the goodwill ambassador even though Bob calls her a terrorist because of the cats.  My house is never boring and Bella helps to keep it that way........

Selective deafness

We always say our kids only hear what they want to hear.  They don't hear us when we tell them to clean their rooms, feed the dog or do their chores.  Now, if we said in a whisper that we had candy, they would run us over.  They would ask, "Why are you screaming?"  "Because you don't hear me!"  Yes, I am yelling and I know it.  Eventually we get older and become the selective deaf ones.  So paybacks are fun!..... 

Going on Vacation - on a budget!

Bob and I go on vacations together now that the kids aren't around to take me on their's.  We have gone to Vegas - on a budget.  It was really fun even though it doesn't sound it.  We saw all the shows we wanted, went to attractions on the strip, and ate what we wanted.  We had a certain amount every day for gambling and food.  I had coupons for different places to eat - buy one get one free, and we would plan our day then search for the meal coupons.  We really had fun, and never ran out of money!  When are we going again?.....

What is that?

When our kids are young we teach them do's and don'ts.  Don't use my hairbrush was one of those things.  I just wanted something that was mine that no one else used.  Yes, they used it on a daily basis so they didn't have to clean their own.  They won't admit to that but I know that is the reason.  I must clean my brush almost daily because Stacy still likes to use mine.  It works better than hers'.  Yea, right.  She doesn't like to clean it.  She can't blame the hairs on me, mine are short where hers are long! 

Then I pull back the shower curtain.  Oh my goodness!  There in the drain!  What is it?  It looks alive!  Is it moving?  It's huge.  Get the gun.  Haha, I shot it.  Now there is a hole in the drain.  How can I explain that?  I can insist that the hair ball was alive it was so big.......

Where is Chef Ramsey?

I have been cooking meals since I was 6 years old and at that time some were iffy as to weather they were eatable.  Actually there are still days that the meals are eatable.  When I was 11 years old I took over all the cooking duties because my Mother worked and it was a help to her.  It was fun making new things and everyone ate them including my Mother. 

After I had the kids they thought that I made mac and cheese for punishment because they were bad.  If that was the case, I would be making it every day!  Now 99 % of my meals are made from scratch.  Mom is my critic!  Yep, you guessed it, I can't cook!  I sat her tonight watching her pick vegetables and chicken out of home made chicken pot pie.  Oh, she doesn't like the gravy.  This goes on daily.  She will be receiving a TV dinner tomorrow, while I eat the chicken pot pie. 

Where is Chef Ramsey?  I wonder if he would like my food!

How's this one Scotti?

Winter over?

Could it be possible?  Is Winter over?  Did Mr. Groundhog make a mistake?  We are now seeing shuttle signs that spring is on it's way, soon!  The crocuses and daffodills are poking their little heads out of the cold ground to get touched by the sun.  The birds are starting to sing in the morning offering everyone a welcome to their day.  They are also starting to gather twigs and nesting materials to build their mates a new home.  The ducks and geese are pairing up along the local ponds.  These are sure signs that spring is coming, hopfully soon.  Now I must do what I do for the birds every year, brush the cats and put it out for the birds.   Who's first?  Pumpkin?  Where are you?......   

Little Old People

Working in the medical profession was always interesting for me.  I worked with the elderly at a long term center.  We had nice patients and others that were hard to handle.  We had people who would throw things, one actually broke a window throwing a water pitcure across the room.  You have your sweet little ones that motion you to come near as they want to whisper to you.  No they don't, they want you up close to hit you!  The little ladies that suddenly have learned to curse like troopers.  The families said they never curse a day in their life and thought that we taught them those words.  We don't speak to the patients that way.  Never.  So Nurses get hit, slapped, cursed at by the patient and sometimes the families, kicked, scratched and bruised by these little old people but it is very rewarding when the meanest of them all says, "I love you!".......