It's Friday Again!

Some of you are busy with plans for a long weekend, sort of the last hurrah before school starts.  Although school has already started in many places, like Georgia, where Boxer and Bloomer are doing well since the beginning of August!  But here in Virginia, schools wait until the day after Labor Day so all the tourist attractions can take advantage of their high school age employees.  😊

Whatever you are doing, take care and enjoy the weekend.

Jacquie and Chris have been busy getting Cutie Girl ready to start school, meeting the teachers, going to open house, buying a tee shirt.  We are all keeping good thoughts!

Les got the yard work done and we got everything all cleaned-up.  Had some thunderstorms last night and got some much needed rain.  The forecasters keep saying the rain cooled things down.  I was just outside doing a couple things and I think they are wrong.  It is hot and muggy out there!

I have been doing the usual morning "stuff" as well as the usual Friday routine chores.  Did a couple errands this morning, some mending, some desk work, too.

Yesterday's project was cleaning out the library closet.  I decided it needed it after last week's sewing projects.  That closet is where the sewing machine stays.  So that is all re-organized and a couple boxes were taken to DAV for donation.  While I was moving things around, I got out my ceramic Fall pumpkins and set them around the house.  The actual Halloween decorations won't come out for a month or so, but I like looking at the pumpkins.  I splurged on a Jim Shore set of pumpkin "statues"  I love his items, and have several of his Christmas ones as well as a couple angels.

Les is playing golf.  He likes his new putter.  Evidently it is working well.  😊

Life continues to be good!  Take care and have a great weekend and stay safe!  God Bless America!

Just Some Assorted Comments

It was a Starbucks morning here.  Les stops on his way to the golf course and I go get mine when I am ready.  So today I chose the new Rift Valley bold coffee and one of their new Maple Pecan muffins.  Both were very good!

We are back to high temperatures and humidity and under a heat advisory.  It is our trash pick-up day and I am going out to wash out our dumpster before it gets any worse out there.  I've been putting it off, but whatever was in there stinking hasn't gotten any better!

The mail just came.  I am sooooooo glad this wasn't anything breakable!

But life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Well! Another Sign of Fall!

I admit I do love my Starbucks coffee. I know there are some folks who question that.  But I figure I don't smoke, drink, have a drug habit, or have expensive hobbies, so if I want Starbucks coffee a couple times a week - or a new Vera bag for that matter - I'm gonna have it!  So in honor of Starbucks, I will post this picture.  😊

Today is the first day of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I will not be having any, but their new Fall menu items look tempting for breakfast.  I might try a pumpkin scone, or their new coffee cake.  I know there are a lot of people who absolutely love this seasonal latte.  Not me, I'll just have my bold dark roast coffee with a splash of half and half.

This was even a hot topic on Golic and Wingo this morning!

So here we are, almost to the end of August.  We are back to hot, humid, and high heat index readings here.  Might rain later in the week.  Arrangements are set for the Fall yard aeration and seeding, etc.  I need to schedule the check-up of the heating system with "our guy".  Won't actually have that done until early October, but I like to get on his schedule and see the same guy who knows our system.

Les is starting to research our road trip for next year.  Should be fun!

Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Couldn't Wait

Hey, all!  We've had a lovely couple days of a little cooler weather.  Was even in the 50's a couple mornings, and then warmed up to high 70's later.  Now we are getting back to the hot and humid weather.

But those couple days were an inspiration!  I got out and did some needed yard work and clean-up.  There were several things that needed pruning, some raking was needed in the mulched areas, a few weeds to be pulled, etc.  And I just couldn't resist getting out two of the Fall pieces of yard art for the backyard.  I put away a couple of the Summer ones.  I was planning to wait for September first, but I was a week early!

I took my time and took some rest breaks, and enjoyed the weather.  Feels good to get that all done!

Here's a picture of one of the areas.

I also did a tiny bit of touch-up painting on the porch rail and the mailbox post.  The post gets hit with the weed trimmer no matter how careful the trimming is done.  And the porch rail is a favorite sitting spot for an occasional free-roaming cat who likes to lie down and stretch out on the rail.  Also a favorite perching spot for some birds.  The claws took a couple nicks in the paint.  All fixed now.

I got the sewing machine out and did some work on a Christmas project, and also finished up a pillow Jacquie wanted.  She did a lovely cross-stitch of "Coco" for a pillow top.

Today was the usual "morning stuff", and it was omelette day for Les so I fixed breakfast.  (just once a week for the omelettes)  I also got to the Commissary and got groceries.  It's almost time to start supper so I'd better close.

Remember - life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Just Stuff

As we are approaching the end of August, the world seems to be speeding up.  Many years Les and I have been getting ready for a week in Myrtle Beach for the World Am tournament.  We aren't going this year.  And that is fine, I am already looking forward to next May's trip and making mental plans.

Pam is busy with her "regular" work plus building the quilting business with Lynn. Garrett continues to grow his business.  Boxer is adjusting to high school and doing well.  Bloomer is doing well with seventh grade.  Lots going on in Georgia.  I need to ask how the deck is coming along though.  😊

Jacquie continues to put in many hours with her work and is frequently out going from place to place.  Her time at home is devoted to the girls.  Chris has his hands full with the little ones and trying to take care of their home.  Jordan has started back to school with her college classes and they are going well.  Little Miss E continues to be a very active "two" - busy , busy, busy!  And  Cutie Girl will be starting kindergarten very soon.

As for Les and me, we are doing okay!  I am not ready for hearing aids yet. In September I see my eye doctor and the dentist.  Les has several appointments coming up also.  Routine service for maintenance on things in the home are being done.  We just got some new downspouts that the man said we needed and they were covered by the warranty.  The generator is all tuned up and ready if we need it.  Life goes on.

I don't know about everyone else, but I am ready for Fall.  Fall like I remember - crisp cool air, pretty leaves, apple cider and powdered donuts.  Here in Virginia, we are sometimes still using the A/C into November and doing yard work and mowing into December when we are setting up Christmas decorations.  Every once in a while we get some cool days though and it is lovely.  You adjust and take what you get.

Normally, I am well into the Christmas shopping by now.  I am still thinking about that and will get started soon.  I may fall back to my routine of years ago.  When I was working, I always spent Columbus Day doing the shopping since I would have the day off.  But, honestly, I can sit in front of the computer and shop anytime now!  And even though I resisted the idea, I am really getting into the whole Amazon Prime!

I do plan to pull the box of Fall decorations out of the closet on September 1st.  There aren't a lot, but just enough to make it feel like a change of seasons.

As I have said many times, life is good.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Just one of my favorite Myrtle Beach pictures

Playtime!

So much fun and later we needed naps!  😊😊😊😊

Les was in charge of the ball playing.  I had the bubbles!

Stay safe and God Bless America!  Life is good!

This Made Me Laugh!

Photo from Facebook

Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Geez! Another Week Flew By!

I hope everyone is well and happy!

The past week has been full of the usual chores, errands, and service visits happening around here.  The annual generator check-up was done and we are all ready for whatever comes.  Our gutter guy came and replaced four downspouts and made some other repairs and maintenance.

Les got the yard work done.  I am hoping for a not-too-hot day this coming week so I can get out and do some clean-up and pruning.

Les' brother, Larry, was in the area for work.  Violet came along and we are having a nice visit with them.  As I am writing this, the guys are out playing golf.

I had my annual hearing tests.  Not ready for hearing aids yet they tell me.  Also said as long as I am in a perfectly quiet room and the person is talking directly TO me I am good.  😊  That always happens, right??  I go back in a year.  Next month it is eye doctor and dentist.

It is hot and muggy.  Rain is scattered when it happens.  You know, some here, some there.

I am ready to put out my Fall decorations. Will hold out until we are into September though.   And I have made the first purchase for Christmas shopping.  I am late this year, usually by now I am maybe halfway done!

Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Early morning sunrise, picture taken from our driveway.

A New Grand-puppy

This is Nikola!  He is a  miniature Labradoodle, very cute, and has very soft curly hair.  He is Cutie Girl's friend.  He is currently attending puppy pre-school once a week for socialization skills and will have further training as he gets older.

And here is his first report card!

Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Happy Friday!

I hope everyone is well and happy!

It's still hot and humid here.  No surprises about that.  Supposed to rain later today.  We'll see; it's one of those "scattered" forecasts.

Les had a nice birthday.  We had Little Miss E for a couple hours and got in some happy play time.  After we took her home we cleaned up and went to dinner at BJ's Brewhouse for dinner.  Like I've said many times, life is good!

Les is playing golf.  It was a Starbucks morning for us and I went to WalMart before I stopped to get my coffee.  Needed to replenish our outdoor play items.  Our large rubber ball had deflated and gotten sticky and we had no bubbles.  We do now.  We're all ready for the next play time.

Jacquie says her speech went well and she got several good comments and she is doing okay.

Pam says the kids are doing well with the new school year and the bus issues are hopefully getting worked out. 

Here is Little Miss E checking out our young tree.  I am happy to have a granddaughter who is carrying around her doll!  I always loved dolls, they were my friends and companions when I was a little girl.  I still have a couple of mine.  Little Miss E kept a close watch on her baby yesterday.  If she wasn't holding her, she gave her to one of us to hold.

I repeat --- Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Happy Birthday, Les!

I love you, honey!  Have a happy day!  XOXO

May Not Really Be an Old Wives' Tale

Perhaps we really do turn into our parents.

I know that I see parts of Les and me in Jacquie and Pam.  Sometimes that just makes me smile.

Mom had issues with her gallbladder almost all my life.  She was not going to have any unnecessary surgery if it wasn't going to fix anything so she always carried with her her little green pills.  What I was told was that the doctor told her the non-functioning gallbladder wasn't hurting anything, it just didn't work.   Mom was not real big on giving out medical information or asking questions of her doctors either.  If I knew she had not been well and asked about any prescriptions, the answer was something like "oh, it's a little pink pill" or "it's a little yellow pill; no names, no diagnosis, just "it's okay".  To be honest, that is a trait and habit that has run in my family for  a couple generations and it stops with me.  I go to appointments loaded with questions and lists.  And I want answers!

Anyway.... Mom frequently had cereal for supper.  We were all used to it.  When our girls were little they liked having breakfast for dinner, so when she visited we made sure we had cereal she liked.

I know why now.  Ever since my gallbladder was removed a few months ago, my sense of taste  has changed, my system has changed, and sometimes the only things that even sound good are maybe a scrambled egg or a bowl of cereal.  And on days when we have eggs for breakfast, it's got to be  cereal.  The first time Les noticed this, I think I got an eye roll, but he'll get used to it.

Mom would have been 109 yesterday, if she had not died at 101.  We miss you Mom.  I think of you every time I have cereal for lunch.

Mom like to do fun things.
 This is us dressed up for the Navarre, Ohio, Sesquicentennial, 1956.
  We also dressed up every Halloween.  😊

Stay safe, remember life is good.  Also remember your mothers, and God Bless America!

Life Just Rolls Along!

And it is good!

We have had A day without rain and Les is out mowing as I write this.  I'll be heading out to help with clean-up in a bit.  Some of our neighbors who have lawn services had mowing done in the wet and they have ruts and clumps and it doesn't look so good right now.  But ours will be better I think.  Les always does a good job.  I had managed to get out a couple days ago between showers and did a little weed pulling and yard pick-up, so we are trying to stay on top of things.

Boxer and Bloomer are back in school, Georgia starts early.  There were some bus issues but as far as I know nothing else caused any problems.  They are in different schools this year since Boxer is now in high school.  (gasp!)

Cutie Girl will be starting kindergarten the day after Labor Day.  Jordan went shopping and got everything on the supply list.  We are all still wondering what they are doing to need eight glue sticks though.  Jordan's classes start later this month.

We discovered in all this recent rain that our gutters were not working properly.  I "called the man" and he came and cleaned them out and did some minor repair work on things.  Also suggested that some of the downspouts should be replaced and he was ordering paint for us.  He will be coming back when he gets everything.  In case you are wondering, we used a really good company that guarantees their product and if there is a problem we just call.  We made a wise decision to use them years ago.  Just have to remember to not try to do anything with them ourselves --- that would void the warranty.

This coming week has a hair appointment for me, our quarterly pest control visit, Angus has a recheck appointment, Les has a birthday, and we plan to watch Cutie Girl and Little Miss E a couple afternoons.

Like I said, life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Happy Birthday, Garrett!

Have a good day!

A Funny!

And I might say, very appropriate and true at times!

Life is good!  Stay safe, and God Bless America!

And keep calling your kids and grandkids for tech support!  You know they love it!

A Sign??

We had a big thunderstorm last evening with heavy rain.  And a very brief, very light rainbow!  I took the picture while standing on the porch.

This morning is partly sunny and partly cloudy.  The guys are out on the golf course.  They should finish their round before the rain starts again later.

I've been doing chores around the house and just taking care of things.  Will probably go to the "Y" later. 

I just finished the first book in a series by Linda Castillo.  Really enjoyed it and big thanks to V. who has shared and got me acquainted with her books.  Will read the whole series!  The story takes place in Ohio, not far from where we grew up.  The main character is a female Chief of Police who used to be Amish, but went "English".

Need to finish up some desk "stuff". 

Life is good!  Stay safe and God Bless America!