Happy Birthday, Boxer!

We love you, xo

Weather!

Yesterday was an "interesting" day.  It was gray and raining when we got up. It was just misty at times, other times really raining.  And it was in low 70's.  As the day progressed, the wind picked up and things got serious.

We had only been home from the "Y" for a short time when our phones started blaring with a severe weather alert - a tornado warning.  Then we heard sirens going off.  We had never heard those before.  We shut down the computer and concentrated on watching the weather.

Golfer and I are fine here.  We had thunderstorms and wind off and on all evening, into the night.  We just have some small limbs down in the yard, so when it dries out I'll do another bag-and-grabber clean-up.  Other areas were not so lucky.  Waverly, VA, was hit the hardest where a tornado touched down.  Three, possibly four killed, and a lot of the town just blown away.  Closer to us, in the Hilton Village area (one of the older sections of Newport News) there are at least twenty very large cedar trees either downed or damaged.  There have been power outages in a lot of areas.  This morning it is sunny and windy, about 50.

Before the weather got so nasty yesterday, I did some cleaning on the porch and potted the pansies.  I bought new matching clay pots with saucers when we were doing errands this week.  I oiled the wooden chairs that are used as plant stands, scrubbed dried bird poo and dried worms off the porch floor, and wiped down the rails.  I'm not sure what was going on with those worms.  During some recent heavy rains, they just sort of appeared on the porch and then they died and dried onto the concrete.  Sweeping did not move them, hence the scrubbing.  They weren't bothering anyone but me, and I decided it was time to do something about it. It sort of reminded me of lemmings jumping off a cliff.  Perhaps they were looking for a  safe haven from the rain??  Anyway, it's all cleaned up now.

Nurse J made it home from her overnight work trip to Roanoke.  She says they are okay at her house.

I have not heard from Bikini.  She was supposed to be getting back to her home from her work conference in Las Vegas.  I heard there have been many delays and cancellations at the airports all around, so I hope she made it.

Today is just keeping up with the usual things around the house.  There is also some desk work to be done.  Stay safe, folks!

Sunday at the Park

As I said previously, our weather has been good this weekend.  I was getting ready to leave to do a couple errands when I got a text from Nurse J.  She and BeyB were taking Cutie Girl to the park near us.  Did I want to join them?  So I detoured on the errands and headed over.

It's a nice playground next to the ball fields here in Kiln Creek.  Within the last year the playground was torn down and completely rebuilt.  It's got a cushiony ground cover around the equipment and lots of things to climb on and do.

NurseJ got to sit and rest a little while BeyB and I tried to keep up with Cutie Girl.  She had trouble deciding what to do and then what to do next.  The slides were her favorites.

A bonus to the fun was getting to buy Girl Scout cookies.  An enterprising young Scout came walking in with her red wagon piled high with cookies and a cute sign.  She walked all around with her Mom and their dog, who was festively attired to attract maximum attention.   You know how it is... see the cute doggie, want to play with the doggie, see the cookies while you're talking to the doggie..... Since I didn't get any Thin Mints last year, I took advantage of the opportunity.  :)

I did a couple of the planned errands when we were done playing and decided the rest could wait until another day.  Life is good.  I've had fresh air and exercise and am now going to go read.

Stay safe!

Ahhh! Spring Weather!

I know, I know, it's not really Spring and it will get cold again.  But this weekend is beautiful after the cold, the snow, the sleet, the wind, etc.  It's been sunny and in the mid to high 60's.  Might even get into the 70's today!

I got to spend some time outside yesterday.  I got my gloves, grabber, and bag and went to work picking up twigs, pine cones, leaves, and other assorted "stuff".  The patio, porch, and deck got cleaned off.  I straightened up the garage a little bit.  During a heavy rain recently, some mulch washed out of one of our areas so I raked that all back in place.  The bird feeder got filled.  And I just simply sat on the patio in the sun for a while.  I think I'll do that again later today!

Golfer and the other guys are out on the course.  I hope they're having a good round today.

While I was outside looking around and checking things, I found a distinct path in the yard.  We've known for a while that something has been crawling under our gate.  There's a spot where the grass is gone and the dirt has been dug away.  We haven't actually seen what/who it is, but we've suspected it was a raccoon.

"Whoever" it is, they're a creature of habit.  I can see a definite path right up the yard from the street.  It looks like he comes up out of the storm drain, or else just crosses the street there in that spot.  Comes up the yard almost on the property line and goes straight to our fence.  There's a path that goes into our neighbor's yard along the fence and then comes through a space in the fencing farther back.  From that spot, there's path across our yard to our deck.

If he doesn't go straight into our neighbor's yard, he comes under our gate and across our yard to our deck.  I would love to watch this.  Sometimes our back security light comes on in the evening and we see a raccoon walking across the patio. It might be him. I know from working for veterinarians that we need to be careful about raccoons, but this guy that I've seen looks healthy.  I'd never try to touch him, even if he came right up to me.  I hope he stays safe.  We need to protect our wildlife if we can.  So if he has a snack at our bird feeder, good for him.  And if he chooses to seek refuge and shelter under our deck, that's okay, too.  He can party with the bunnies that make a home under our shed.

Stay safe!

It's Been a Busy, But Good, Day!

Hey, all!

We've had the pleasure of babysitting duty today!  Nurse J brought Cutie Girl over about 5:00 a.m. so she could get IT Guy to the hospital for his surgery by 5:30.  First, I should let you know his surgery went well and he was resting (sleeping) on their couch the last I saw him.  Nurse J is okay, but really tired.

Cutie Girl was very good for us.  We all thought she might go back to sleep when she got here, but that did not happen.  She played, ate her breakfast, played some more,and basically ran all over the house.  This is what happens when PaPa gets out of his chair to go get more coffee....

And that leads to this......

So, they worked that out.  While I was at my dentist appointment this morning, she was sitting on his lap in "his" chair and she napped while they were watching a movie.  BTW, he went to the white and blue chair because he knew she doesn't sit still very long.  :)

I picked BeyB up at school and delivered her home.  Last I heard all was going okay.

Besides Cutie Girl playing with all her toys and moving things around the house, the furry kids had a huge bout of "chase and romp".  I just finished putting things away, cleaning and vacuuming a little.  Chili has been taken out of the freezer to have for supper and that's all that is on our schedule.

It's 45 and sunny right now.  Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer and the weekend should be in the mid-60's.  Golfer and the other guys are really looking forward to that!  And if the yard is not too squishy, I'm going to do a few things outside.

Stay safe!

Snow's All Gone!

Yesterday's snow and mess are all gone.  Today it is windy, raining, and in the mid-50's.  We did not have to shovel!  The forecast is for the rain to end this afternoon and then clear up and be nicer for a few days through the weekend.  Golfer and his buddies will be happy about that.  :)

We've been catching up on recorded shows, reading, going to the "Y", and doing things around the house. 

Life is good.  Stay safe!

This Is Proof

Our weather here lately is proof that it is going to do what God wants it to do, not what the forecasters say it's going to do.  A couple days ago, they were forecasting and advising like snowmageddon was on the way.  They got the cold temperatures right.  It has been COLD!  But around here we got a light dusting of snow.  That's all.

This current "event" didn't get near as much hype and was predicted to be a light dusting turning to sleet, freezing rain, and then just rain as it got warmer.  It's in the mid-20's right now and we woke up to over two inches of snow covering everything.  Schools are closed for Presidents' Day but all the other closings are scrolling across the TV.  We are hoping that the temperatures will rise and the snow will melt with whatever rain comes.  Even though we are one of the few families to actually own a snow shovel around here, we prefer to not use it. :)

It has been entertaining for the furry kids.  Here are Angus and Finnigan keeping a watch on the changing conditions.  Particularly large flakes make them nervous!

Cecil has gone to curl up in a warm spot.  :)

Stay warm and stay safe!

OMG! It's Snowmageddon!

Well, at least that's what it sounds like we're supposed to think around here.  The screen crawls started last evening for closings, road conditions, early school dismissals, etc.  It's cold here - 27 right now.  And it started to snow a little before 3:00 p.m.  Since it's been so cold, the snow is sticking.  The weekend forecast is for the temperature to be about 20 and windy, with a wind chill of zero.  Definitely no golf this weekend.

But we are okay here.  I was out early this morning and made a Commissary trip to pick up a few things.  Also put gas in Kirk.  We have nothing on the calendar for a couple days, so we're fine.  And we always try to stay off the roads whenever it snows because there are so many people who don't have a clue how to drive in it.

Cutie Girl's eye surgery is being delayed in hopes that the problem will get better and if not, when she is older the other treatment options will be suitable.  Nurse J said she took her for a haircut, but we have not seen it yet.

Our furry kids are being entertained by the falling snow.  And they are hunting warm spots.  They love it when we get out our quilts in the evening when we watch TV.

So, life is good.  Stay warm and stay safe!

Good Morning!

Stay safe, people!

Some Thoughts and Updates

This past week has been just a little busier than usual.  No problems, just busier.   Spock, our RDX, went in for service one day.  Golfer had an appointment one day.  We helped out with watching Cutie Girl while Nurse J accompanied IT Guy to an appointment.  I helped Nurse J with Cutie Girl's last appointment before her eye surgery.  You know, just helping out stuff and normal life happenings.

Nurse J and IT Guy had some vehicle problems when a tire blew out on the road and then they also had a major windshield "ding", so their truck was in the shop for a couple days.  We helped out by picking up BeyB at school.  She is on a short schedule this year and there is no bus to take her home.

Golfer met with a friend for lunch to help with some questions.  Our friend is going to be retiring in a few months and wanted to "pick Golfer's brain".  It sounded like that lunch meeting went very well and Golfer had some answers!

In the midst of these things, we made it to the "Y" several times and all the usual things were done around the house.  We had warm weather, cold weather, sun, rain, sleet, and snow, not necessarily in that order.  Today it's sunny and cold.

And to top the week off, I started to feel a little "off" and went to see our doctor. My suspicions were correct and I have a full blown UTI and am now on some strong antibiotics.

I made a Commissary trip this morning and that pretty much is the extent of my weekend plans.  I am going to be reading some more on another Jack Reacher book when I finish here.  Golfer is all layered up and out on the golf course, so he is happy.

There have been some reports lately and discussions among friends about cursive writing.  The talk with friends focuses on how some of us have deteriorating writing skills as we age and a few can hardly sign their checks.  :)   ha ha    But quite often I hear that many schools no longer teach cursive writing.  They say it's a lost art, not necessary, everyone uses computers, phones, tablets, etc. and there is no need.  One reporter did say that children need to be taught cursive so they can read notes from their grandparents.  And that if no one can read it in the future, who will be able to read all the historical documents that are saved in museums.  ??

Have no fear!  And YAY for Georgia schools!  Grand-daughter Bloomer has a beautiful signature and is learning cursive!  She's a great student and works very hard.  Good job!

Stay safe and enjoy the Super Bowl!

Differing Opinions

Hey, all!  We've had some lovely weather here for a couple days.  Yesterday was in the 70's and sunny.  A front came through last evening and we got some rain and today will only get into the low 50's, but at least it's still sunny.

I took advantage of the nice weather and got outside over the weekend and did a little yard clean-up.  Pulled a couple weeds (I don't think they ever stop growing around here).  Also got my grabber and huge bags and picked up a bunch of small limbs, twigs, and "stuff" that had come down in the wind during the snow storm.  Also finished cutting back the day lilies that hadn't been ready to cut the last time I was out working in the yard.  Last week the man from Virginia Green came and did the first lawn treatment of the year.

Golfer got to get out and play some golf and he was very happy about that.  We've kept up our "Y" routine, and been doing things around the house.

Today's title "Differing Opinions" could refer to politics, but I don't go there.  :)  Instead I'd like to mention the groundhogs.  Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow and predicts an early Spring!  However, Chesapeake Chuck did see his shadow and he says there will be six more weeks of Winter.  Keep in mind what Al Roker said this morning - it's a fifty-fifty chance either way!

Have a good day and stay safe!