Hey!

Another lovely day here!  It started out warm, in 70's and sunny.  Now - late afternoon - it's mid-60's and cloudy.  Supposed to rain later.  There's a nice breeze, things are blooming, everything is green.

Our refinancing closing went well.  We're in the midst of the three day grace period in case we want to change our minds.  Do people do that?  Things should be finalized on Friday and we should get the paperwork next week.

Our A/C check-up was done yesterday and all is well there; ready for the hot Summer.

I went out and worked in the shed on Sunday afternoon.  Hauled things out, swept real well, sorted some things and got rid of some.  I had mentioned that it would be nice to have more light in there.  I took the window treatment panel down and threw it away.  Then I scrubbed the window and applied the textured vinyl sheeting that looks like it is frosted.  It was fairly easy and I think it looks pretty good.  It lets in light but you can't see into the shed.

While I was taking a picture of the shed, I took one of the large mulched area.  It's so pretty right now.  On the other side of the yard, the hydrangeas are getting buds and I'll take pictures of those when they bloom.

In other news, we have had another #!%$^&**@!!! mouse.  We do not know how one can get in here.  Everything has been checked, sealed, caulked, and kept clean.  Yet a couple days ago the furry boys were on guard all day and by evening, while we were watching TV, there they were chasing a teeny mouse around.  I haven't seen it since.  I haven't found any bodies either.  So, who knows??  Regardless, the quarterly pest service was already scheduled for next week and I moved it up to Friday.  Gross.  Ick.  The boys check when they pass by areas where it was hiding the other day.  Like they are looking and going, "all clear!" and then they keep going past.  Really good furry boys!  (not known for their hunting skills though)

Kirk goes in for some minor service in the morning and while that is being done we are going to breakfast.  So, life is good.  Stay safe!

Belated Happy Earth Day!

I've been busy and simply forgot I wanted to post this cute picture!

However, the final window and window treatment cleaning is done.  I hauled everything upstairs and gave the room a good cleaning while I was up there doing the window.  And some other "Spring Cleaning" chores have been done.  This afternoon I am going to go clean some things out of the shed.

Yesterday I went with Nurse J to do some baby shopping.  She's in the final weeks of pregnancy now and Babies R Us offers a discount on things that have not been purchased from the registered wish list.  So she went armed with gift cards that friends and family have given them - Thank you, everyone! - and we picked out some lovely necessities.

We had a good thunderstorm yesterday afternoon.  Golfer and his golf buddies had gotten their round finished, and I was just pulling into the garage when the sky opened up with lots of thunder and some lightening.  It's cooler this morning, but nice and sunny.

Stay safe!

AAAAHHHHH!

The power washing was done on the weekend.  The house looks soooo much better!  The man doing the work was very good.  He did the house and shed like we had asked, but he also cleaned the porch floor and walk, the deck, the under-side of the gutters that were all nasty, and even got the gunk out from between the deck boards.  I have spent the last couple days cleaning windows and window treatments and doing some other "extra" cleaning.   Hence the "aaaahhhh".

It's been in the 80's for a couple days, but today is a bit cooler and only in the low 60's.  It is sunny and nice.  Azaleas are blooming, trees are leafing, and the grass is growing.

I had planned to go to the Commissary on the weekend, but when Golfer got an email about the course being closed because of the huge air power celebration and air show, I decided I'd better get it done.  So that was this morning's chore.  All done and put away.

We haven't heard much from our girls, so I am guessing all is well with them.  Everyone is busy.

Golfer had a check-up and some lab work done.  It was an early appointment yesterday and then we went to breakfast afterwards.

So, all is well here.  Stay safe!

Happy Birthday, Cutie Girl!

We love you! xo

Happy "Day Before Tax Day"

The filing deadline for our taxes was officially delayed until tomorrow, April 18th because the 15th was a holiday in D.C.  If this has happened before, I do not remember it.  But then, Golfer and I usually don't wait until the deadline anyway, so it doesn't make any difference.  Good luck to any of you who are wrestling with your paperwork today!

It is sunny and beautiful here, right now the temperature is 56.  Golfer's weekend group is playing at Sleepy Hole today.  I hope they have a good round.

I have had a relaxing morning and have done all the usual things that needed doing.  I also checked out the new Sunday "Today Show" with Willie Geist.  It's only an hour long and it was a good show.

Right now I am spending time on the computer while the house is getting power washed.  It was a really dirty Winter, and the house really needed the washing.  When I called our "call the man" friend, he asked if it was okay if his guy came on Sunday if that was when he was available.  We said okay.  I've already thanked God for the lovely day and you know the old saying - "cleanliness is next to Godliness".  I will be glad to have this job finished, but right now it is entertaining the furry kids.  They get anxious when strangers are around and there is much running back and forth to the windows.

My major project this coming week will be cleaning the windows and window treatments.  Most of those just get vacuumed, dusted and de-haired, but a couple panels will be washed if needed.

Golfer has been graduated from PT and does the exercises at home now.  He has one doctor appointment this week for a check-up.  We'll be having a delayed birthday dinner for Cutie Girl on Thursday.  Her birthday is actually tomorrow, but Nurse J has to make one last work trip to Roanoke.  Since she is so very pregnant and uncomfortable, I am fixing dinner here when she gets back.

I've been thinking of Darrelyn; today would have been her birthday.  We miss her.  My niece (her daughter) is going through a rough time right now and I've been thinking of her, too.

A memory........ If I am remembering correctly, we were staying overnight at a cabin on Lake Erie.  Mom took the picture.  From left to right - me, my niece Pat, my sister Darrelyn, and my niece Peggy.  Obviously Mom had told us all to "wave at the camera".  I'm sure we visited Aunt Hazel during that trip, too.  She lived in Vermilion, close to the Lake.

Have a good day and stay safe!

Happy Anniversary, Nurse J and IT Guy!

Love you!

Monday!

I thought I'd get a short post done before I order our pizza for dinner.  :)  It's been a good day.  It's been around 70 and sunny.  Feels more like April today.

All the usual morning stuff was done.  I did a little cleaning and vacuuming.  Made it to the "Y" this afternoon.  Golfer worked in the yard; it was time to mow again.  I did a little clean-up out there.  I finished reading a good book.

The day started with Finnigan helping me enjoy my coffee and reading the paper.  What a sweetie!

For the record, this is how I frequently read the paper in the morning.  Sometimes he needs an emergency, can't wait, snuggle.

Stay safe!

April 10th and a Freeze Warning Last Night!

Huh.  April weather. High winds.  Back and forth temps. Freeze and frost warnings last night.  Supposed to be in 70's tomorrow.  Today is in high 40's and sunny and the wind has died down.  I just did another round of yard pick up with my grabber and big bag.  And that outside work also included yanking up a few weeds and cleaning off the porch, walk, patio, and deck.

Nurse J and I went to check  out the yard sales yesterday.  That was the rain date for the community sales that got rained and blown out last weekend.  She found a few great bargains.  Mainly we were looking for little girl clothes.  It was a nice time and we got to visit.  She is doing okay, but is very pregnant and very miserable and tired.

Bikini says they are doing okay in Georgia.  The kids went to swim camp during Spring break and they had fun.  Tomorrow it is back to school for them.

I've kept up with all the usual daily chores and odd jobs this week.  I got Kirk (MDX) cleaned inside and out.  I could not stand the pollen another minute!  Golfer says he is going to  mow tomorrow, so I will help with clean-up after he is done.

The "for sale" sign went up on the house next door.  I am hoping for someone nice to buy it.  But I am also realistic - no one since the original builder/owner sold it has been a good neighbor.  Please send someone who is responsible and quiet!

Our azaleas are starting to bloom, the liriope plants are getting new leaves, the hostas are coming up, rhododendrons and hydrangeas are getting buds, and everything else is looking good.  And... like I said,  Golfer has to mow again!

Stay safe!

Happy Birthday, IT Guy!

Have a good day!

Happy Sunrise!

The other morning while on the way to Starbucks for my coffee - and no, we do  not go every day - I took this picture while stopped for the traffic light.  The picture is pretty.  The actual sight of it was even better.

Life is good.  Stay safe!

Ah, April!

And perhaps a harumph for some April weather!

We have had some lovely warm, sunny days here.  Today it is 46, and sunny again after two unpredictable days of weather and some high winds.  Friday there was rain in the forecast starting early morning.  Golfer and most of the other guys did not go out to the course.  It didn't rain until very late in the day.  Needless to say, they were all disgusted with the weather people.  Saturday the forecast was for just a slight chance of a shower late in the day.  Golfer left for the course and about ten minutes later called to say he was on the way home, being poured on!  Today, even though it is cooler, and breezy, they are all out playing!

Our family in Ohio has four inches of snow!

I will be heading outside with my grabber and big bag to pick up small limbs, branches, and mess in the yard.

I've been doing some odds and ends around the house and keeping up with things.  Golfer has been going to PT.  We've been going to the "Y".

Everyone at Nurse J's house has been sick with strep at the same time.  She said to stay away.  I said call if they needed anything at all, I could leave it at the door.

Boxer and Bloomer are on Spring Break this coming week and are going to a swim camp.  I know they will have fun, they love the water!

We haven't heard anything this past week about the mortgage refinancing, but should hear soon since they said a mid-April closing.

I'm hoping the high wind has knocked most of the pollen out of the trees.  Whenever I clean the porch and patio I raise a yellow cloud of dust, and then sneeze for a hour or so.  The pollen seems unusually heavy this year.

Here's a recent picture of the cherry blossoms on Canon Boulevard.  Gorgeous!  But I'm thinking that after the high winds, they don't look like this any more.  This picture was in the recent Newport News newsletter.  I used to take my own pictures of them, but with all the construction in the that area the places where a person could safely stop and take pictures have gone away.

Life is good!  Stay safe!

An Open Letter to Any TV Show Writers

Sorry, people, it's time for a vent.

Golfer and I like to watch TV and movies.  Fortunately we both like the same types of shows.  But there are some things happening on several of them that annoy us.  (mostly me)

We have a family history of  finding faults with shows.  If we watch a show with a military theme, Golfer can pick out errors.  Aircraft is not what they way it is, or not used at the time period in the show, military uniforms are not right.  Nurse J picks out the mistakes in medical shows; incorrect procedures, sterile areas being contaminated, etc.  Bikini can pick out problems when tech is involved; outdated programming, dangerous practices, etc.  IT Guy and Brief enter in the discussions, too.  My own fault finding covers a wide range of topics, sort of "multi-functional".

Police and Homeland Security are telling us "if you see something, say something". You would think the writers would reinforce that a bit.  Right now there are a lot of ignorant characters on shows we watch.  On "Blindspot" Jane is withholding information.  On "Quantico" it's Alex who is hiding things.  Everyone is hiding things on "How to Get Away With Murder"!  And don't get me started on all the students on "Magicians".  For goodness sake, tell your instructors there are demons coming in!

And while I'm venting here, why is it that when the characters are going into a building on a search, it is always dark?!  And all the lights they have with them are little tiny things like you would have on a key-chain.  Seems to me if you are looking for something or someone, you would want to be able to see.  Either turn on the lights in the building or have a lantern or something with you.

On police dramas, why are so many bullets fired and nothing gets hit???  I know for a fact that police have training and have to qualify on the shooting range.  There will be the bad guy running off, or driving away, and bullets flying all over the place. If he's driving, shoot the tires out!

Another thing that bothers me is cooking shows where they are frequently tasting the food and reusing the same spoon in the pot.  Big no-no!  Mrs. Hugus, my Home EC teacher from many years ago, would be having a hissy fit if she saw someone doing that!  Ah, a moment here for fond memories!  Learning to make a bed properly, balance a check book, and plan a meal!

And let me mention the lack of common sense.  Of course, there is a nation-wide epidemic of common sense deprivation.  But that is a topic for another vent another time.  Come on!  Don't get into a car with a stranger.  Keep your home secured and lock your doors.  A show recently had a serial killer walk into an apartment that was wide open.  Stupid!  Don't get excited about an anonymous invitation email and go off to a strange place to meet a strange person.  And if you don't know what's in that drink or food, keep them out of your mouth!

While I'm writing about movies and shows, a suggestion to the directors, too.  Tell the actors to slow down their speech a little.  Some of us don't listen that fast and would like to enjoy the dialog!

In conclusion, let me say that I am fully aware that if the writers and directors paid attention at all to any of this, we'd be watching some pretty boring shows that would be cancelled after an episode or two.  I'll keep watching and will keep on commenting.

Well, I feel better!  Stay safe!