The Last of the Decoration Pictures

Yesterday was a busy day and quite a few of the before-mentioned-chores were finished.  Still some more to do, but we've made progress!

I got the back door frame painted and Golfer got the weather stripping installed.  I got the new front step "spackled" and it's ready for a little sanding and then Golfer will paint it.  The yard guys came and did the aeration and seeding, etc. of the yard.  When they were finished Golfer went out and put down topsoil in some low places and then added more seed.  Then he adjusted the sprinkler system timing and we're all ready to watch for new grass!

Another big job was getting all the things for a DAV donation ready.  We put that out this morning and it's already been picked up.  I can now see the floor of the closet again!

We went out for breakfast this morning and Golfer is now at the driving range.  We'll be heading to the "Y" after lunch.

Here are the last two pictures of Halloween decorations.  And you get a bonus in one of them.  I'm seen taking the picture!  Just got a haircut yesterday.  :)

The frog always sits there.

Stay safe!  Enjoy your weekend!

More Pictures

As promised, here are a couple more pictures.

Back yard mulched area

Just a little decoration on my table

The Fall cleaning is winding down I think.  I got the upstairs room done and also went to the laundromat and washed all the large bedding.  That is all done and put away now.  Next up are projects.  Golfer and I have some maintenance chores and some painting to do.  Nothing too big.  Just need the right conditions to do them!  Almost all of the jobs are outside.  I also need to finish getting the DAV pick-up in order and have it ready. And then....... Christmas shopping!

Stay safe!

Just A Little Decorating

As you know, I've been doing Fall cleaning.   It's not like the old days when the rugs were all hauled outside and beaten with a rug beater (those looked like tennis rackets to me).  And we don't use the Playdoh-like stuff to clean wall paper any more.  But I do like to give things a good going over and get ready for cool weather.  I am approaching the end of the major cleaning, just a few more things to tackle.

I had a God-mandated rest day Monday when I had a sudden onset of flu like systems and spent the morning in the bathroom throwing up and the rest of the day sleeping.  Tuesday morning I was fine.  Don't know where it came from.  I hadn't been around any sick people.  Golfer and I had eaten the same things and he was okay, so it wasn't food poisoning.  So I figure God just wanted me to get some rest!

Anyway, as I've gotten things back in order after cleaning, I've put out a few Fall decorations, inside and out.  I've been asked for pictures, so here they are.

There are a few other small things around the house, I'll show you those on another post. And here is a picture of Finnigan the first time he realized the little chipmunks were there.  He was startled and backed up, then approached them very carefully.  He even patted them a time or two.  Evidently he decided they were friendly and they were okay.

Stay safe!  If you have Fall weather, enjoy it!  It's still warm and muggy here and going to rain some more.

Good-bye Old Friend, You Served Us Well

As I was working on the Fall cleaning, we had some issues.  At least five times the brush roller on our old Dyson vacuum stopped.  I had to stop what I was working on and get it going again.  The last time it stopped there was a noise.  Then a broken gear fell out and then there was a bigger noise and whoomph!

So there it went.  Out to the curb for the bulk pick-up the next day.  And there I went. To the store to buy a new one!

It is larger and more powerful.  Also just a little heavier, but very manageable.

So welcome!  We have already been working at the Fall cleaning.

I would like to add that it was an interesting experience making this purchase.  I had gone to Bed, Bath and Beyond because I knew exactly where the vacuums were in the store.  I went to get one and the box was empty.  So I called over a nice young man to help.  He hesitated and told me the vacuums were very expensive.  He was sorry.  They were not kept out on the shelves.  He seemed to think I would be upset by the price maybe.  I told him it was okay, I just wanted one put in my cart.  He had to call a floor manager and they both had to go back to the storage area and sign it out.  Then they had to accompany me to the checkout and let the cashier know I was making a purchase.  This is a lot of security for a vacuum.  I want to know how many they have actually had "walk" out of the store without being paid for.  I mean, really!!??  It's not like you could stick one in your pocket or slide it under your coat!

Stay safe, people!  It's a risky world out there!

Awww

While we were walking around D.C. we came upon this happy sight.  Outside one of the museums there was a young man, lots of body art and some piercings. In some situations you'd probably walk across the street to avoid him.  And here he was feeding this cute little squirrel!  And then he said, "did you get that picture?"

Remember that God made all people and there are many, many, MANY varieties of us.  Most good, some not. Try to keep an open mind but stay safe!  Life is good.

Two More Rooms Done!

I just finished giving the office and the library a really good cleaning.  Progress!

I had a couple errands to do this morning and made a quick run to the Commissary for some more salad things.  Golfer and I are working on eating healthier and we've been having more salads.  And some of the things you just can't buy too far ahead.

While I was there I found some small pumpkins and will be posting a picture some time soon after I get them arranged outside.  I am aiming for tomorrow for that job.  I want to check the front mulched area for weeds first.

Our yard is still soft but the sun is out today and it is hot and muggy.  A front is supposed to bring cooler temps and lower humidity later tonight.  I hope so.

The yard guys want to come the end of next week to do the aeration.  Hopefully Golfer can get out there and get things prepared.  As tall as the grass is right now after all the rain, he might have to mow twice to get ready!

I always enjoy putting the fresh bedding on the bed.  Angus likes it, too, and he got to be first on it!

I also swapped out the quilts on the small quilt stand in our bedroom.  This is the one Bikini made using the patches from my Mom's jacket.  She loved to come and visit us wherever we were and she always bought a patch.  Plus we sometimes bought one for her if we traveled.  She sewed them all on her navy blue jacket.

Stay safe, people!  It's time for a break here!

Progress Update

One more room finished!  Our bedroom is finished, all clean, windows washed, window treatments freshened up, bedding all swapped out.  The bedding that needs to be laundered is in Kirk.  I will go to the laundromat next week and take care of that job.  Corners and crevices have been wiped.  A bushel of kitty hair has been vacuumed from under the bed.  That is just a side effect of loving our furry boys.

Golfer got his flu shot, and then went to Lowe's and bought a part to repair the toilet in the small bathroom.  A part of the lever broke off - rusted through actually - and it would not flush.  We discovered that right after I gave the bathrooms a good scrub yesterday.  It's all fixed now!

After lunch Golfer went to the golf course to try out his new clubs.  Yay!  For once, I am happy to say the weather report was wrong.  They had said we were getting more rain this afternoon.  The sun is shining brightly right now.  The furry boys are enjoying the sun spots.  All is well with the world.  At least our part of it.

I am going to put the chicken in the oven, cut up the salad, and then head for the shower.

Have a great evening and stay safe!

Some Progress

Good Morning!

Golfer just left to go get his flu shot.  Laundry is going.  The new garbage dumpster has been delivered. The kitchen has been cleaned up after breakfast.  Next up on the list is cleaning under the bed and cleaning window treatments and lamp shades in the bedroom.  Then the bed will be stripped and bedding swapped out.  Time to switch quilts!

It is currently 74 degrees and 87% humidity.  The air is thick and everything is soaked.  It is not raining right now, but is supposed to rain some more later.

There has been no golf and I know Golfer would love to get out and try his new clubs.  He would also like to get the yard work done.  Although honestly, it is way too wet out there for the yard guys to come and do the aeration that was scheduled for this week.  That has been postponed and they said they would call us to reschedule.

During one of the breaks in the rain this week I went out and took a picture of our blooming Liriope.  This is the most they have bloomed since they were planted a couple years ago.  That small one in the middle is stunted.  We think because that is the one that "someone" keeps nibbling on.  We do not know who.  :)  It doesn't look chewed on right now, but it just stays smaller.

Stay safe and stay dry!

Busy Day!

I started out my day with an appointment to get blood work done to check my vitamin D level.  I have to have this done every six months.  While I was sitting there with the nurse, she asked if I had time for the annual Medicare Wellness check.  When she was done drawing blood, we started on that. I passed all her tests.  Yay!  I do wonder if they will eventually change one of those tests.  Every year I have been given a piece of paper with a circle on it.  Then I have to write in the numbers for a clock correctly, then draw the hands of the clock for a certain time she tells me.  So far, I have done it right!  But I worry about what will happen as the young people today age and they can't do that because they only use digital clocks.  :)  I also got my flu shot.  Rosa said they had already had two confirmed cases of the flu and were giving them early.  Usually our doctor doesn't start until at least mid-October with the flu shots.  As I was leaving she said I should tell Golfer to call and arrange to get his.  He's going tomorrow.

There is still no golf around here and it is still raining.  Southside has a lot of flooding.  Lots of stupid people have damaged cars from thinking they could just drive through the high water.  I have not heard a total rainfall amount so far.  Our yard is squishy.  They are now warning about trees falling over from the root systems being saturated.

It did stop raining long enough for Golfer to go out and pick up the limb and branches that were down in the back yard.  And I got out to do a couple errands.  I was almost blinded when the sun came out for almost two minutes.  Really, it lasted that long!  Then it got dark and rained some more.

I have a list of things I want to do around the house, sort of the "Fall cleaning" chores.  I got started this afternoon and did a couple things.  Both bathrooms have been thoroughly scrubbed and the dining room walls have been wiped down, the baseboards cleaned, and the curtains and windows washed in that room.  I figured it was okay to do those since the porch roof is over them.  The rest of the windows will wait until the rain stops.

So, life is good, stay safe!

Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain........

Golfer and I have been away for a while.  Sightseeing in D.C. and then visiting family in Ohio.  It was a great trip.  But as always, it is wonderful to travel and even better to get home.

But it is wet here.  On Monday there were almost four inches of rain.  I haven't heard a rainfall count since then, but it has pretty much been raining non-stop.  They say this is all from the "ghost" of Tropical Storm Julia.  There needs to be some yard clean-up done whenever things dry out.  Who knows when that will be!  There is one large branch down and other smaller bits, plus some weeds I can see from the window.  Golfer was supposed to have the yard all mowed and ready for the yard guys to do the aeration but that is not happening this week.

It takes a while to get everything back to normal after a trip.  There's extra laundry and the whole "put stuff away" chores.  Plus I get slowed down by furry boys needing attention.  :)

The new TV shows have started and the DVR is filling up.

The "hold mail" wasn't held so well and I left the postal carrier a note with a copy of the confirmation receipt asking why it wasn't held.  I have not gotten an answer.

I've been doing desk work and making phone calls and generally getting back into a routine.  We'll be going to the "Y" this afternoon.

Obviously, with the rain, there has been no golf.  :(  But Golfer did go and pick up his new clubs!  So he's ready!

Life is good!  Stay safe!

Browns Game Today!

Go Browns!

Thinking of You, Mom

When Bikini and Nurse J were little girls, and Golfer had to go on long TDYs,  Mom would sometimes come and stay with us to help.  On one of those longer assignments while she was with us we took the girls on a bus trip to the National Zoo in D.C.  The trip was sponsored by the Living Museum and was well planned.  When we got to D.C. there was some sort of special event going on and some of the streets were closed.  The bus driver drove around a little while and we ended up going past the Washington Monument at least a dozen times, I think!  After the first couple times we started laughing about it and it became our "thing".  Like, "look, the Monument!  There it is again!"

During our walking and during the D.C. by Moonlight tour, Golfer and I saw the Monument several times.  Here are the best views.

 

 

 

Thinking of you, Mom.  Stay safe, people!

D.C. by Moonlight

Golfer and I took an evening tour while in D.C.  The driver, Buckeye, was from Ohio and he was great!  As many times as we have been to D.C. we still learned new things.  Among those is the fact that the monuments are open at night!  Buckeye picked up another passenger at another hotel and then picked us up at the Embassy Suites where we were staying. From there we had a private tour on the way to Union Station where we picked up the rest of the tour people.  We made three stops where we could get off the bus and visit monuments.

It was a lovely evening and the moon was bright.  It was a little windy on the open air bus, but still comfortable.  We would recommend you try the tour if you are in the D.C. area.

Here are some highlights.



Capitol building early evening



F.D.R. Memorial

Washington Monument



Lincoln Memorial - I did not attempt to walk up all the steps to see Mr. Lincoln, but Golfer did.



Iwo Jim Memorial - flag was at half staff for 9-11   

Stay safe!

Some Sightseeing Highlights

Golfer and I have spent a couple days in D.C. doing "touristy" stuff.  When we were first married he was stationed at Andrews AFB and we lived in Hyattsville, MD.  We were young and had no money, so if we had gas, we could go to downtown D.C. and walk all over and look at the monuments and museums.  A lot of things have changed over the years - 49 years.  But D.C is still a lovely, interesting city.

One thing that has changed is that I have had to accept that I can not do all day long walking all over the city.  Sad, but true.  Those days are over.  My right leg and foot, with the nerve damage, just get too painful.  But we have had a good time.

A couple things were on our "must see" list.  We went to the beautiful Air Force Memorial.   And then on to the Pentagon's 9-11 Memorial.  It is also lovely and very well done.  These Memorial Benches are all over the park and there are names inscribed.  Some have water under the bench, and lights, others not.  There are names listed on them.

 

We recently watched a show on the Smithsonian network about Star Trek's 50th Anniversary, so we

HAD to go to the Smithsonian and see the renovated Starship Enterprise that was just put on display!

 

 

We saw a planetarium show while we were at the Air and a Space museum, too.  Very good!

In our walking around, we passed a lot of historical buildings, and many other museums.  You know that old saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"?  We walked past the Hirshorn Art museum.  This was on display right out front.



I am sure that the artist had some sort of statement they were making with this piece, but it is beyond me what that is.  Maybe "watch out for falling rocks"?

Stay safe!

 

Helpers

We're are going to be visiting family and I've been sorting through things getting ready.  The furry boys have been helping.

"Mom!  Dad!  We're ready!"

Stay safe, people!

Busy Week!

My dental work was finished up this week.  If you ever have to have crown work done, and your dentist says it's a computerized system, don't worry.  In the past the worst parts of having crown work done have always been the rubbery goo making the mold and holding it in your mouth and then all the filing and sanding to make the thing perfect when they get ready to attach it.  I have just had two new crowns done with the computerized system and little mini wand scanner.  Both of them were perfect as delivered.  It was pop them in, check them, and then cement them in.  No fidgeting, sanding, grinding, filing.  Yay!

And I had the re-check follow-up appointment for the laser eye surgery.  All is well, everything is good.  My sight is better.  I ordered new bifocal sunglasses so when I drive I can see more on the dashboard than the speedometer.  :)

I have been in clean-out mode and going through a few things.  I have several bags and boxes for pick-up when the DAV comes through the neighborhood later this month.

This Summer has been really hard on the yard.  Hopefully, if we ever get Fall weather, it will be better for things.  The trees are dropping leaves all over the place.  They aren't even bothering to change color.  It's like they decided "we're done!"  "enough of this".  Raking has begun.  Sigh.

Stay safe!

Little Princess at Play

When the storm was over the yard toys could be moved back into Nurse J's and IT Guy's back yard.

Here is little Princess Cutie Girl at play.  She loves to be outside!

Stay safe!

Time Just Flies By!

The storm passed on to the North.  We probably didn't get more than two inches of rain, but we got some wind.  I spent two full afternoons picking up "stuff" in the yard and getting things back in order.

So time moves on.  The hot and muggy, really humid weather has returned.  The really hot Summer and the low rainfall has done a number on some of the plants, trees and the lawn.  Hopefully they all will recover.

I have been busy catching up on errands and doing things around the house.  Golfer had to go in for jury duty this morning and he found out the trial had been postponed and he had been released.  So that is all done!

He came home and washed and waxed Spock, the RDX.  :) I was out doing errands.

 

Stay safe!

Just Another Update

3:45 p.m.   Still windy, raining off and on, 72 degrees.

We are still hunkered down here.  There was a lull in the rain and I went out to get the mail.  Most of it was wet.  That's okay.  Most of it was junk anyway.  The good stuff was not damaged.

I took advantage of the pleasant temperature and the breeze and gave the two old wooden chairs on the porch that are used as plant stands their pre-Winter oiling.  Then it started to rain again and I came back inside.

I did a couple loads of laundry and ran the vacuum.  We watched a couple recorded shows.  It's just a quiet day.

Nurse J says they are okay at her house, no storm damage visible from the windows.

In our storm prep work last evening Golfer taped the edges of our back door.  This is a work in progress.  A couple months ago I said we needed more weather stripping around the door. I discovered this during the power washing of the house while I was sitting in my chair reading and got wet.   Golfer agreed and got some.  But that was when we were having the extremely hot, humid weather and not much got done.  We decided the door frame needed to be painted first because some paint had peeled off.  So I got it scraped and sanded and cleaned up.  And then decided no way was I going to be trying to paint and have the door open in that heat.  So the new weather stripping did not get put on.  And then when it did cool off a little, I was dealing with vertigo and dental appointments.  So our solution last night was to cover the edges with duct tape to keep any wind-blown rain out during the night. I took the tape off a little while ago.  Now I am in the process of trying to get the tape adhesive off.  It's always something.

Stay safe!

P.S. on Weather

9:30 a.m.

Raining, gusty winds, 72 degrees.

I do not know how much rain we have gotten so far, but it is at least enough to perk up all the hydrangeas and make them look healthy again!

I successfully cooked over-easy eggs for Golfer.  This is not one of my best things to do, more often than not when I try to cook these they are either too soft, too hard, or turn out scrambled.  But he said they were pretty good!  The kitchen has been cleaned up, the paper read, the furry boys snuggled and woogied.  I'm not sure what will be next.  :)

Stay safe!

Weather Update

Hey, all!

Right now there is light rain and wind.  More to come.  There is a lot of "stuff" and bits down in the yard to pick up when this is over, but from just looking out the window I don't see any damage or any tree issues.  Southside has had it worse according to the news and all the areas closer to the water are waiting on flooding. I think I heard that high tide is around 11:00 a.m.   Lots of people without power, but we are fine here and we have the generator if it does go out.

So now I am off to fix breakfast.  Obviously this is not a golf day for Golfer.  Or a pool day for me.

Stay safe!

Just Checking In

I had a slight relapse of the vertigo on Sunday night, but it cleared up quickly.  I am still being careful and trying not to make any sudden moves.  I have also been going to the dentist.  I've been three times since I last posted.  The "freebie" crown that Dr. F wanted to re-do on his own was finished up today.  The crown fit perfectly, so their new system works very well.  The cracked tooth has been prepared and now has a temporary crown on it.  I'll get that one next Thursday.

Also next week, on Friday, I see the eye doctor for the re-check after the laser surgery to remove scar tissues in my right eye.  I think it is fine.  If that's what he says, then I am ordering some bifocal sunglasses!  I have ordered two pair from Amazon.  The first pair was pretty good, but broke.  The second pair is miserable.  But I didn't want to spend any more on them in case Dr. K says I need something else.  So I plan to get a comfortable pair that I can actually see out of.  There are times when driving when it is nice to be able to see the dashboard.  :)

Other than that, I've been busy keeping up with things around the house and in the yard.  I've been to the pool a couple times and to the "Y".  On that topic, the pool's last day to be open is on Monday.  The regular bunch of us that go to the club pool would like it to stay open at least through September, but we are told they can't get lifeguards.  So, foo!  The "Y" closed at noon today for the annual deep cleaning and disinfecting of everything after having all the camp kids there all Summer.  The "Y" won't be fully open again until next Thursday.  Eventually Golfer and I will get back into a regular routine.

Stores around here have all their Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving merchandise on display.  I had to run into Walmart this morning to get something and it looked like they were getting ready to set up the Christmas area.  Slow down, people!

We are keeping an eye on the weather.  It has been a long time since we've had any rain.  Even with our sprinkler system running, things are just dry and dull looking. That hasn't stopped weeds from growing though.  Trees are dropping leaves all over the place.  I'm wondering if there will be any Fall color this year.  We are actually waiting for some rain to start any time here with the storm system moving in.  I think most of our rain will be tomorrow though.

Golfer is doing well.  He calls again on Tuesday about jury duty.  Hopefully, he will be finished, but he may have to go back in.

Stay safe and have a good weekend!