P.S.

FYI . . . .The undecorating has started.  The outside decorations have to wait until they dry out a little after all the rain we've had.  But inside all is done except for the large tree in the living room.  The dining room tree is all packed up as well as the things that were out in all the other rooms.  I will do the living room tree tomorrow and then all the boxes go back in the closet.  I have been cleaning as I worked and that's all for today.

But I need to share a picture of our Baby Yoda.  He is actually a bobble head.  Also actually larger than Les thought when he ordered him. 😊 But he is so cute!

Stay safe!  And God Bless America!

I Am Ready

As a follow up to my last post...  the same people who know I have to resist undecorating on Christmas night, also know that by December 26th I am ready for Spring and warm weather and sunshine!

The warm weather is not happening here.  It is still in the low 30's and there is still frost on things out in the yard today.  But the sun is out nice and bright!

I am ready whenever those conditions happen.  And I have new tools to use when they get here.

Stay safe and take care of yourselves.  God Bless America!  Life is great!

I Hope Everyone Is Having a Safe and Peaceful Day

 Les and I are doing okay.  We have either talked with or texted with our girls.

Our furry boys are enjoying their new toys.

Stay safe and God Bless America!

P.S. Those who know me well should understand that it is just about all I can do to NOT be starting to undecorate right now.  I'm trying to hold off until tomorrow.

A Christmas Visitor

I hope you are all doing well and have your plans, whatever they are, well under way.  It's calm here, the sweet potatoes and the peanut butter pie have been made for our dinner tomorrow.  I've checked to see how long the ham has to be in the oven. 

The weather today is cloudy and almost 70.  Rain should start later and the wind is picking up and getting stronger.  Tomorrow's high temperature is maybe going to get to 40.  

So, last evening Les found something on his phone that is just too cute.  And I have been enjoying it.  You all know we are BIG fans of Star Wars and Star Trek and other science fiction shows.  Les found a picture of Baby Yoda that we can view 3D, and also view in our space and take pictures and videos.

So, here you go for some Christmas smiles!

Baby Yoda, AKA "Grogu", AKA "The Child" has been checking out our Christmas decorations.

He even made a quick trip to Georgia to visit with our Grand-dog, Fred!  Fred is puzzled, but he is used to his kitty brothers and sister sitting on him so I am sure it is all okay.

Stay safe and take care of yourselves.  God Bless America!

Almost Christmas

I hope everyone is staying safe and taking care of themselves.  There just seems to be a lot more feelings this year.  It will be a quiet Christmas here at our home.  But as of right now we're all well and coping.

Les and I recently both had dental appointments; both went well.  He had a doctor's check-up and it went well also.  When the weather is good he gets to play golf.  We are keeping up with things and enjoying our decorations.  We are also watching all our Christmas movies. 🎄

The surgery for the Carpal Tunnel on my left hand is tentatively scheduled for January.  I'm in the process of getting things set up and registered, etc.  My right hand is doing well and there is just a little "off" feeling in two finger tips now.  

I think I have mentioned that we bought a new refrigerator.  We got a call and it is now delayed until March for delivery.  Our current fridge is still cooling and freezing, but as of yesterday the ice dispenser decided to quit.  Still makes ice, but it won't come out.  Go figure!  I'm going to bag some it up and just keep in the freezer.

Even though it is two days away, I want to wish everyone a safe and pleasant Christmas.  Have a happy one if you can.  And stay safe.

God Bless America! 

Anyone Remember These??

 

This is just a sample of the old books I've saved.  I have a stack of Golden Books and Wonder Books.  I probably have at least another dozen that are Christmas ones.  But these have been my favorites.  You can tell by the covers and bindings that they were well read.

Did anyone else read "Dick and Jane" in elementary school?  I have some of the text books, too, but I always get this Christmas one out every year.

Take care and stay safe.  Life is good.  And God Bless America!

Just Some Pictures of Other Decorations

I hope everyone is well and staying safe. 

After a couple days with temperatures around 70, today is 40's and pouring down rain.  It is gray and blah.

But here are a couple more pictures of decorations that make me smile.

Our family is doing okay so far.  Trying to stay safe and be careful.  School for the grandchildren is challenging. The "Littles" had a drive-up visit with Santa who came to their front yard.  Everyone distanced and wore masks.

I've been keeping up with things and doing some odds and ends.  Also working on the end of the year chores of cleaning out files, shredding, etc.  

Take care, stay safe.  And God Bless America 💕

We Can All Use More Smiles

 And these guys make me smile 💖

Finnigan

Angus

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

Taking Care of Things

Our new stove and washer were delivered Sunday afternoon.  Old ones were taken away, new ones installed and are working great. We can actually hear the TV now if a load of wash is running!!

It is cold and raining here today.  The last I looked it was 37 and not supposed to get any higher today.  Let me repeat..... I do not do well in cold and damp weather.  But I am okay.

I saw our Dermatologist this morning for a recheck on a spot on my leg.  It was originally biopsied back in June and was benign.  I was told it would take a long time to heal because of what it is and it's on my lower leg.  It really hasn't healed much and I wanted it seen again.  I have two prescriptions and another appointment in two months.  Hopefully this medicine works. I really hope it stops the itching!

We have gotten a couple Christmas cards so far; no letters in them.  We used to do an annual Christmas letter every year but we stopped a few years ago. We do wish everyone health and happiness.  I don't usually read the "Sally Forth" comic in the Sunday paper, but yesterday's caught my eye and the last panel made me smile. And it is probably so very true for most of us.

Other than this, we're just keeping up with things and trying to stay safe.  I hope you are doing the same.

Take care and God Bless America!  Life is Great!

Well!

Seems like it's been a busier week than the "usual" around here lately.  

Our washer has been increasingly louder and we had a service call early in the week.  Nice man that has been here before.  He checked and said the bearings were "shot" and it would be at least $600 to repair and it would just happen again.  Then told us what not to buy and what to look for.  So we've been researching washers.  And in the process decided to replace some other appliances that are older than they seem.  That made more research.

Yesterday morning we went to breakfast at First Watch when they opened and when we finished eating, we went straight to Lowe's armed with our lists.  A new washer and a new stove will be delivered and installed on Sunday afternoon.  The new refrigerator is on backorder and won't be coming until January.  Whew!!!

Other than this, I've just been keeping up with things around the house.  I had a couple slower days due to increased pain and swelling in my hands.  It felt more like arthritis pain than anything from the carpal tunnel.  I believe that was due to all the decorating.  🎄 It is better now.

Our girls are doing okay and staying busy. 

Take care and stay safe.  God Bless America!  And remember, life is great, even now.

More Pictures!

Our outside decorations....

There is a projection light that sends sparkly lights onto the house at night.  And the dining room tree shows through that window when lit.

As you can see, our large azalea is still blooming and leaves are still coming down.

Here's a night time view of the living room tree.

Take care and stay safe!  God Bless America!  Life is great.

Christmas Cheer

Christmas always brings lots of memories and good thoughts, even in a tough year like 2020.  So here are some pictures of our decorating.

Dining Room

Living Room Tree

Our Original Elves

Our girls might be upset by the following comment, so, sorry girls.  I love you both.  Our elves are almost fifty years old now.  My mom bought them when the girls were very young.

This is an "antique" Christmas card that my Mom sent out.  (a loooooong time ago!)  

That little girl is me holding my first furry friend, the original Scooter Kitty.

I have not taken any pictures of the outside decorations yet.  Honestly, I am tired right now and going to go rest a while.  But the decorating is done!  

Take care and stay safe.  Life is wonderful, consider the alternative.  God Bless America!

Great Minds Often Think Alike

Les and I frequently think of the same things at the same time.  Most recently, about how much we enjoy "The Child", or as he is usually called, Baby Yoda.

Here are our two new Christmas decorations this year.

 Yes, we each ordered one!  They are both on the tree!

Stay safe, people!  Life is still great!  God Bless America!

Thanksgiving

 

Well, our safe, distanced Thanksgiving dinner is done.  The leftovers are put away, the kitchen is cleaned up, the dishwasher is running.  I missed having our family around, but I was with Les and that made it wonderful.  

I figured I could handle hand-washing two of our Noritake plates that can't go in the dishwasher, so here is a picture of our table.  That set of china is 52+ years old and we have almost every piece of the twelve place settings.  Les bought it all when stationed in Thailand shortly after we were married.  We don't use it very often, because, like I said, can't go in the dishwasher.

The Macy's parade was different.  They did a good job with it all things considered.  The best parts were the Rockettes dancing and Santa arriving. 🎅

I am taking a break now and sitting in front of the computer.  Les is finishing his wine and watching some football.  When I finish here, I'll start pulling the boxes of Christmas decorations out of the closet.  Then he will get the trees put together so I can decorate over the next couple days.

I know some folks will be going out to shop tomorrow.  Be careful!  I won't be seeing you.  The only place I plan to go is to Starbucks early in the morning. 😊

Take care and stay safe.  Life is great.  God Bless America!

Mr. Gnome's Winter Garden

 Mr. Gnome has been distancing and staying safe.  He cleaned up all the fallen leaves in his garden and finished his decorating. 🎄

He reminds us all to stay safe and take care of ourselves!

Just Checking In

We've been getting some yard work done.  The leaves are still falling down and piling up!  I have been working on the mulched areas where I needed to do some pruning, cutting back, and cleaning up.  And then I raked up the leaves from those areas.  All the mulched areas are cleaned up for now except for the back corner one surrounded by the river rocks.  Honestly, if I don't get to that area, I think I'll have the guys that we hire to clean out the rocks do the raking.  It is covered with pine needles, cones, and leaves from our neighbors' trees.

I've been keeping up with things around the house and catching up on things I have not been able to do for a while.  It helps to have my right hand getting stronger. 😊 My left one has not been as bad as my right, but still gets numb and tingly at times.

Tomorrow I will be doing a little food prep for our quiet Thanksgiving.  And then I am looking forward to getting the trees and decorations out! 🎄🎅🎄  It will take me a couple days to get both trees decorated, but I do enjoy it.  There are so many memories connected to most of our ornaments.  

As far as Christmas preparations, our cards are ready to mail, shopping is done, and gifts are wrapped.  What has to be shipped has been sent and delivered.  We are continuing to stay in and take care of ourselves.

Covid cases continue to rise everywhere and it is upsetting that so many people just ignore the advice to mask up, distance, and stay home.  Just because we hear on the news that vaccines are being approved does not mean that they will suddenly end this virus and everything will be wonderful.  We would all like for that to be the case, but be honest with yourselves, it won't happen that way.

Take care and stay safe.  God Bless America!  Remember life is still great!

Pretty Sky Pic on Way to Starbucks

 Just because it makes me smile.

Stay safe and God Bless America!

Keeping Busy

 I hope everyone is well and staying safe.

Les and I are doing okay.  We've had a couple days of colder weather and lots of wind.  That brought lots of leaves blowing around.  We had some frost last night.  But yesterday was sunny and not as windy, although it was cool and in 50's.

We worked out in the yard.  We now have a large pile of bagged leaves to put out for our next bulk pickup.  There is still some more work to do in the mulched areas but I have to pace myself.  There will be a little pruning in one area, then I will finish cleaning up that space.  

I made it to the laundromat and got our large Anniversary quilt washed; brought it home to dry.  And it is all ready to put back on the bed when the Christmas quilt gets put away in January.

Finnigan was helping me as I remade the bed.  He wanted to get to be first to be on the Christmas quilt!

Take care of yourselves and stay safe.  Life is good!  And God Bless America!

This Made Me Smile

Amen!  Stay Safe!

Hey, All!

I hope everyone is well and staying safe.

Les and I are doing okay.  It turned into a rainy, cold week here.  I have not checked our rain gauge but the reports  said we got between four to six inches of rain.   But today the sun is out and the wind is blowing, leaves are coming down all over, and the yard is drying out.

Our girls and families are doing okay; everyone is busy. 

I've been doing some extra cleaning around the house.  Yesterday Les helped me with the lights on the living room ceiling fan.  The globes really needed to be washed.  They are all shiny and bright now.

I just found out that "Christmas Chronicles 2" will be on Netflix starting November 25!  Yay!  The first one was very good.

Sirius XM has been playing Christmas music for a few weeks now.  Starbucks has been using the Christmas cups for a week or so, too.  Both make me smile.  We all need more smiles.

My hand continues to improve and get stronger.  I even did some mending this week!  The stitches were not pretty, and definitely would not win any prizes, but the work got done as I was able to actually hold the needle!  But I really don't want Pam to look at the things.  😊😊😊

My left hand gets tingly and a bit numb at times, but I don't have the severe pain on the left side like I had with the right one.  So in a couple months, the left side will have surgery.  Want to get the right one a little stronger first.

Covid cases are going up everywhere.  Gov. Northam has issued some new restrictions that take place tonight. 

Take care of yourselves and stay safe.  Life is good!  God Bless America!

Going Well

I just had my post surgery check up.  Dr. A says it looks good, keep using my hand and it will get stronger.  It will take a while for the nerves to regenerate.  No PT needed.  Sutures were taken out.  And after my right hand is stronger I should call and schedule the surgery for left side.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I have been catching up on some things around the house and taking care of things.

We've had our quarterly pest control visit so that is done.  Les just picked up our mower.  It is old but still good, just needed some service.  He just went out to tackle the leaves that are falling down so fast.

Our girls and families are doing okay; trying to stay safe and be careful, like us.

This is me after the surgery.  I meant to post it sooner and didn't get it done.  The furry boys were being very attentive and were helping Les take care of me.  Right before Les took the picture, Finnigan was stretched out on my chest staring at me.  This is Angus by my head providing soothing background purring sounds.

Take care and stay safe.  Life is good.  And God Bless America!

Election

 Angus did not personally get to vote, but he seems very interested in the news . . . . . . or lack of news.  😊

Stay safe and God Bless America!

Sights for November

 I hope everyone is staying safe and doing well.

We have had some cold and rainy days here, but today is sunny and in the upper 60's.  Les is playing golf.  Tomorrow is supposed to be about the same and he will probably do yard work. 

There are things in the yard I would like to be doing but I have to wait until my hand has more strength and recovers a bit more.  

The Halloween decorations are all put away and the few Thanksgiving ones are out now.

I've been keeping up with things around here and doing what I can.  Life is good!

Take care and stay safe!  And God Bless America!

An Update

 My surgery went well.  I did not particularly like the nerve/muscle block that made my whole right arm feel like an alien thing flopping around, but it wore off in about nine hours. And I was okay dealing with it with a sling.  It did what it was supposed to do.  Immediately, the severe pain I had been having was gone.  I am getting feeling back into my fingers and I can use them.  My strength in my hand is not all back to where I hope it to get, but it is better.  The big bandage came off yesterday.  I have some bruising, a small incision and stitches.  And also have an itchy rash that I am sure is from the surgical scrub.  That happens with every one of my surgeries.  Sarna Anti-Itch lotion is being used.

Our weather was warm again and the A/C was on.  We got some wind and rain from TS Zeta.  Today is sunny and high in the low 50's.  The A/C is off again and the heat on again; 40's tonight.

We don't have much leaf color around here but the brown leaves are really coming down and piling up.

Remember to change your clocks tomorrow night.  Stay safe and God Bless America!  Life is good!

It's Been a While

I hope everyone is well and safe.  Stay that way, please!

My time on the computer has been limited lately due to severe pain in my right hand and arm.  I have developed Carpal Tunnel in both hands.  It is much worse in my right arm. I first noticed some problems with numbness and tingling in both hands around the first of the year and had seen our doctor.  The ordered testing had to be rescheduled due to my hip surgery and Covid getting into the area.  Then the testing was postponed again and finally cancelled.  So I had to start over, but the EMG testing was done and was not fun.  The results showed that one nerve in my right arm had no response.   So, tomorrow morning I check into the hospital for surgery that will hopefully make it better.  And after the right side is all healed and functioning we'll fix the left one.  The pain had starting getting much worse in September and the problem is way past any other treatments now. 

So, "in a nutshell", I will be "offline" for a while recuperating.

I have been doing what I can around home and taking care of things.  

Our weather has been back and forth.... warm, cool, warm, cool.  Today it's in 50's, dark, and raining again.  Remember time changes next weekend!

Our girls and families are doing okay.  Everyone is busy. Kids are doing okay with school.

Take care and stay safe.  God Bless America!

Really?? Don't We All Have Enough to Think About??

When we watch the news or read the paper most of what we get is political or Covid 19 related.  But there are other things going on in the world.  And here are some examples:

America's Rapid Feral Hog Problem Is Creating a 'Super-Pig' Uprising

    "The combination of wild boars and the robust fertility of agricultural pigs adds up to 9 million feral pigs and counting".  Evidently some pigs on farms are escaping and running amuck and partying with the boars to create these "Super Pigs".  They are running in packs and sometimes attacking people and destroying property.

Caterpillar with ‘venomous spines’ reported in several eastern Virginia counties

I saw a picture of this and it looks like a really hairy caterpillar.  But those hairs can be deadly.  Don't touch if you see one!

Murder hornet captured alive in U.S. for first time

We've heard about these hornets earlier in the year.  But now they have a live one to study!  Again, if you see one, stay away from it!

Killer Algae Forms on the Water

Recently there were headlines here about this nasty algae on the water that is killing sea life.  Some of this algae even glows in the dark and looks spooky.

And then on a more personal note, Sunday afternoon Les and I discovered a raccoon lying in our backyard.  Sadly, there are frequent reports of rabies cases in this area, so we know enough to not mess around with the wildlife.  I made a phone call and a Park Ranger came and checked it and said it was dead and took it away.  It did not look like it had been attacked by anything, so we have no idea what happened. Sad.

It's a beautiful day here, Les is playing golf.  I am doing things around the house.  

I am dealing with pain, sometimes severe pain, in my right hand and arm.  I'm waiting on a call from the doctor about some testing he wants done before I can get any help.  This sucks, to be blunt.

Take care and stay safe!  Life is good even when we have worries.  God Bless America!

Just Checking In

 As always, I hope you are all well and staying safe.  Les and I are still trying.  

This has not been a particularly good week, but we are "coping".  Not going into details, but there will be more later.

It cooled off here to the point where the A/C has been turned off.  Have not had to turn the heat on yet, and as long as I am still comfortable in my sweatpants and sweatshirt, I am okay with that.  Today is only in the 60's and it's cloudy so I doubt we'll be opening the windows today.

We've been keeping up with things around the house.  The yard is looking good.  Les did yard work a couple days ago.  We have not had any leaf color changes around here except for brown, dried ones coming down. 

I had posted a picture of the pillows already, but I changed out the bedding, washed everything, etc. and have a different quilt on the bed for now.  The Anniversary Quilt needs to be washed but it has to be taken to the laundromat and I am not ready for that chore right now.  So it is nicely folded and safely bagged and in the closet.

You've seen mostly sunrise sky pictures that I've posted, but I took a different kind yesterday morning when I was out getting the paper.  This "Moon Set" was more beautiful than this picture.

Life goes on, it is good.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

For a Smile

 

From "I Can Haz Cheeseburger" site.

Stay safe and take care of yourselves.  God Bless America!

Hello.........

 I  hope everyone is well and safe.  Les and I are trying. 

We've had some cooler days recently and I broke down and bought a large potted yellow mum for the porch.  It's been a long time since I've gotten one, and have said I wouldn't again, but it was just so pretty and it made me smile.  With our weather here, the mums are often all done blooming and are drying up before Halloween.  But I am enjoying it now.  And in case you are wondering, I was at the outdoor garden shop at the produce place, all masked up and had hand sanitizer along.  Got the nice pumpkin, too!

Here are the back yard decorations I can see from the living room.

And while getting into the spirit of things and thinking of things that make me smile, I finished putting out the Halloween decorations.  They are just small things I set out around inside the house.  And then I got the pillow covers out that Pam made for us a few years ago.

The appointment for my EMG testing was cancelled.  Evidently in all of Riverside Neurology, there is one person to do the testing and that person is sick.  And the appointment person said there was no telling when or if they were coming back.  So I am starting over with that and nothing happening so far.

"Something" got up under our grill cover and took out the grease drip pan.  And then took out the tin liner and chewed it up and put it out in the yard.  Have no idea what or who did this, but that was a greasy meal they had!  I have cleaned it all up now.

I have started our Christmas shopping and so far deliveries have been okay.  The reports on the holidays and shopping did not sound promising, so figured I'd better get started.

I have my annual eye appointment tomorrow morning.  Les has a doctor's appointment this week, too.  

So, life remains good, although different. Take care and stay safe.  God Bless America!

Hey, All!

 I hope you are all safe and well.  Les and I are doing our best to stay that way.

It is starting to feel just a little like Fall here.  Has been in the 50's at night a couple nights and a couple days it was only in the 60's.  I opened the windows for a little bit yesterday. Today is cool and breezy.

Les is playing golf today.  He missed a few days because he tweaked his back somehow.  But he's been taking care and alternating heat and ice on it and is feeling better, so he went out to the course this morning.

And that meant it was a Starbucks morning!  Honestly, every day is a Starbucks morning since that's what we brew here at home.  But on golf days during the week, he gets his and heads to the course.  I get mine and come home and watch some news and read the paper.  And the reason for giving you this information is this picture.  I was at a stop sign and just had to take this picture this morning.  You know I like sunrise pictures.

I've been keeping up with things around the house.  Did some cleaning, did a little outside work.  We actually geared up and went to the Commissary "in person" last week to get our groceries.  It was nice to pick out our own meat!  Everyone was wearing masks and it was not too crowded.  Only glitch was the opening time on two places I checked was wrong and we had to wait a few minutes.  Now we know.

So, life remains good, even if different.  Stay safe and be careful.  God Bless America!

A Trip to the Swamp

 Les and I recently discussed getting safely out of the house and taking some little drives during the day.  So today was the first.  I got out one of our coolers and packed us a lunch.  Of course it's gray and raining today, but that did not stop us.  We headed for the Dismal Swamp.  We've lived here a lot of years and have never been.  It's an interesting area.  There are multiple entrances to the Dismal Swamp area and it took two tries to get the one we wanted so we could do the Wildlife Drive.

I was surprised by all the trees that were broken and/or blown over by obvious storm damage.  It looked recent based on the raw looking wood.

It cost $5 for the drive on a packed gravel, pretty much one lane, road.  The whole time we were there we were never around any other people and only saw one other car as we were leaving.  The drive took us back to Lake Drummond.  It was so peaceful and quiet.  The rain stopped as we got there long enough for us to get out and walk on the dock.

So here are some pictures.

I will add that I saw signs warning of ticks, chiggers, venomous snakes, and bears.  Since we were in the car almost all of the time and not on the hiking trail, the bugs were not an issue.  The only other wildlife we saw were two cute deer and some birds.

Take care, stay safe, and God Bless America!  Life is good!