This Is How We Spent the Morning

We got a call for some spur-of-the-moment babysitting.  :)

Stay safe!

Polite Furry Boys

As I was opening a birthday box, Finnigan claimed "dibs" on the box.  Then Angus and Cecil heard him and politely waited for their turns.  :)  I have no idea what caught Angus' attention in the dining room just as I was taking the picture!

In other news, the sun was out today and it warmed up enough to melt some of the snow and ice.  Usual "stuff" around the house was done.  Some errands were finished.  All is well.

Stay safe!

Thanks, Golfer!

Golfer got a birthday cake for me.  Thanks!  Love you!

Yay! Off to a Good Start!

Weather update:  still cold, still snow on the ground, still icy, cloudy.  Reports are that some roads are still bad.

Water Heater update:  Herb, from Smith and Keene, just left.  The heater is running and we should have hot water later today!  I called right at 8:00 a.m. and had prompt service.  We  have an annual contract with the company and that helps in getting on the service schedule, plus there are discounts.

So the day is going pretty well so far.  :)   I fixed breakfast - Monday is omelet day for Golfer.  After we ate I cleaned up the kitchen and did a few usual morning things around here.  Made a couple phone calls to schedule things.  Talked to Nurse J, they are all okay.  She called to wish me a happy day!

Life is good.  Stay warm and stay safe!

Huh. Not Exactly What We Needed

I discovered early this morning that we were noticeably lacking hot water.  At first I thought the pipes were just so cold from our weather that it was taking longer to get the hot water from the garage into the bathroom, so I let the water run.  It just barely got up to lukewarm.  Boo!

So, I got the book out and we looked at it.  If you haven't realized this about us, we are a "call the man" home.  But, it's Sunday, and the day after several bad days of freezing temperatures and ice, wind, snow, and freezing rain.  So we thought we'd see if we could do anything ourselves.  The book said to check for any blockages on the venting for the water heater.  Golfer bundled up and went out and did that; did not find anything.  I read the "re-lighting the pilot light" instructions a couple times and figured I'd give it a shot.  I believe at this point Golfer might have questioned my sanity just a little but he wished me good luck.   So I bundled up and went out to the garage with my glasses, flashlight, and the magnifying glass - just in case my glasses weren't enough.  BTW, I love not having to wear glasses all the time and am thrilled my distance vision is wonderful, but I can't see SH** up close.

Anyway, I followed the detailed instructions step by step and got nothing.  So I came in and "called the man".  Got a very nice lady who explained that since it was Sunday it would be around $300 for someone to come today.  She suggested we tough it out if we could and call in the morning at 8:00 a.m. and the fee would be much less.   I now have a phone/to-do list for tomorrow and that is at the top!

Our weather is in the mid-30's today with bright sun.  The snow and ice are not melting very fast though.  The news reports have said that many roads are still icy and expected to re-freeze tonight, so tomorrow morning won't be much better.  I have heard the plows out on I-64, but since this is the South and they don't have any more plows than absolutely necessary, side streets and neighborhoods never get cleared.  We just have to wait for melting.

Now I'm going to go read.  Golfer is watching the first football game of the day.  Obviously, there has been no golf playing lately.  I am positive he is not the only guy getting "antsy" to be back on the course.

Stay warm and stay safe!

A Weather Update

We got a couple inches of snow yesterday.  It was cold and windy.  Then late in the day it turned to sleet and freezing rain.  When we went to bed the temperature was rising and the snow was melting.

However..... the temperature is dropping and the high was reached very early today.  It's now 30 and has been lightly snowing.  The snow is supposed to increase and the also the wind.  Maybe accumulate up to four inches.  The melted snow and rain is frozen on the streets and they are saying don't go out unless you have to.  So, we're in for the day.

There has been some coastal and tidal flooding and there have been some power outages.  We are fine.  Doing odds and ends around the house and catching up on email and shows.  I checked with Nurse J and she says they are all okay at her house.

Bikini had a snow day in Georgia yesterday, too.  Checked with her and she says they are fine, but still cold.

Finnigan heard the weather reports and he took refuge in the kitty tent!

Stay safe!

And the Weather Begins . . . .

It's been snowing here for about an hour now.  There had been just a little snow left from the last snowfall, so it has a nice cold base.  According to the latest report, we're going to have a couple inches of snow turning into a mix, then sleet, then rain which will melt the fallen snow, and then back to snow again.  And the weather man always puts his disclaimer on the report saying it all depends on the temperatures, speed of the air mass, and the wind.  Supposed to have high winds with some gusts near 50 mph.  Right now the temperature is 29.

Because of the wind and the tide cycles, there will be tidal flooding in coastal areas.  The school closings started running across the TV screen last evening.  They are advising everyone to not go out unless necessary.  They are expecting some power outages.

I fixed breakfast this morning and cleaned the kitchen, changed the bed and did a couple loads of laundry.  I plan to cut the furry boys' nails later and give them a good combing.  Then I'll vacuum.

I bundled up and went out to get the paper and fill the bird feeder.  There is now a waiting line out there!  About half a dozen different kinds of birds all getting a quick bite before hunkering down, I guess.  It's certainly entertaining Angus, he's been looking out the window.

So, here we are.  The cars are gassed up, the generator tests itself every week, the pantry and fridge are full.  We have books to read, recorded show to watch, life is good!

And I got some beautiful birthday flowers from Golfer!

Stay warm and stay safe!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Bikini and Brief!  Love you!  xo

Happy National Squirrel Appreciation Day!!!

This was posted by Wild Birds Unlimited, in Kiln Creek.  They said the picture was taken this past Sunday.

Happy National Squirrel Appreciation Day!!! Show our fuzzy friends a little extra love, as they too have tough times ahead with the next winter weather system approaching. Come in today and we will take an extra 20% off any squirrel feeder, AND fill it for your squirrels FREE!!! wink emoticon 

Stay safe and stay warm!   And remember to care for the animals!wink emoticon smile emoticon

Happy Birthday, Bloomer!

Have a wonderful day!  Love you!  xoxo

A Little Better Today

Yesterday was really tough, but we're doing a little better today.  I've caught myself looking for Cinder in her usual spots a couple times.  We miss her a lot.  The furry boys have seemed a little unsettled at times, too.  But we're all doing okay.

I've done a few things around the house, went out to do a couple errands, and we caught up on a few recorded shows.  Golfer got to the "Y".

There is still some snow on the ground but the streets all seem to be clear and dry, at least the ones I was on.  But it is COLD!  We started out at 16 this morning and made it all the way up to 25!

Stay safe!

Good-bye Sweet Girl

These are a couple of my favorite pictures of Cinder.  We had to say good-bye to her today.  She started having some problems and after a thorough exam the doctor said she had either had a stroke, had a brain  tumor or some other neurological event.  Considering her quality of life, we had to make a tough decision.  We have had over ten years to love her.  We will miss her.

And Today's Weather . . . . . . .

is snow!  I took this picture a couple hours ago. It's still snowing and things are all covered out there now.

Be careful if you have to go out!

It Was a Cold Night

This picture pretty much says it all.  Right before Golfer took this picture, Cinder was snuggled up on his lap.

From the "top" here are Finnigan, Cecil, and Angus.  Cecil has been a lot more sociable lately!  This is how we spend our evenings watching TV.  :)

Stay safe!

Some Thoughts

A cousin recently posted a question on Facebook asking for pet peeves.  I didn't reply on Facebook for various reasons, but I do have some "peeves".

Anyone who abuses  and mistreats children and animals.  If you can't treat them lovingly, don't have them.  That goes for children and animals.  Be nice.  And on that topic, have some patience and be nice to older people, too.

People who come to our country and want to live here, but want to change it and don't want to learn and speak English.  If you think you want to live here, come legally and adapt.  We certainly tried when we lived in Germany for four years and it was a great experience.  If you don't like our country enough to adapt and learn to speak our language, stay where you are.

People who don't obey the traffic laws.  I could write pages on that, but I won't.  If you know me, you know how I feel about traffic in general.

People who don't proof-read.  Some postings are like trying to figure out a puzzle.  Remember, "auto correct" is not always what you are trying to say.

People who won't get a job and take care of their families and just expect the rest of us to pay their way and take care of them.  In this category are the people who keep having children just to get bigger welfare checks.  (see first peeve)

Here's a new one - TV shows where the background noise and music is so loud you can't here the actors talking.

The current POTUS.  Period.  Don't get me started.

I'm stopping here.  Stay safe!  Have a good day!

Just Checking In

I hope everyone is doing okay.  I have been busy making progress on the "after holidays cleaning" and we're good around here until it's time to do a good Spring Cleaning!  I got the windows done.  All the counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms were cleaned and polished.  The last project was spot cleaning the carpet where it needed it.  Everything has been tidied and/or cleaned out.  Tax info has been prepared and gathered for when it's needed.  In the process the file cabinet was cleaned out and things shredded.  The furry kids are all up to date with their check-ups and immunizations.

Our weather has still been doing some back and forth.  It had been cold and then Sunday was in the 70's and now it's cold again.  I think the forecast is for 20's and maybe some snow flurries this week.  BRRR!  I noticed some of the neighbors have daffodil leaves shooting up from the warm weather.  They will not be happy.

Golfer and I have been getting to the "Y".  Also spending  time reading some good books.  He had planned to get back to playing golf this week after giving his back time to heal.  But the predicted 20 degree weather is going to alter those plans.

I went along to help with Cutie Girl's eye appointment.  She was very good considering the long time we had to wait.

So, all is well.  Things could be better with warmer, sunnier weather, but it is what it is.  Stay safe!

BRRRR!

Yep, Winter is here!  They say we're not getting out of the mid-30's today and right now it is snowing.  I don't think it will amount to much, but it is pretty coming down and it's entertaining the furry kids.  They've been in front of the windows all morning!  Finnigan is on duty at the patio door.

We've just been taking it easy.  I've been doing all the usual things that need to be done to keep the house  in order.  Golfer has been doing some computer work, I've had "desk stuff" to do,  and we've been reading some good books.  His back is feeling better and he's hoping the time off from playing golf will heal it.  My mouth is feeling better and I see the doctor again on Thursday.  So, life is good.

Stay safe!