Tried a New Restaurant!

 

I had seen some good comments about 134 Grille online and recently we thought we'd try it for breakfast.  It is a small place that is owned by a retired couple who used to run the local Harley dealership that was owned by their family.  Les and I got there about twenty minutes after their listed opening time.  The man immediately apologized for running a little late. But he told us to sit wherever we wanted and gave us menus.  Told us his wife would be in later, she was with their grandkids.  And he had sent his  mother-in-law to the grocery.  The mother-in-law was soon back, and the man was busy cooking our orders. The wife soon arrived, too.  The place was clean, neat, quiet, the people friendly, and the food was good.  When our meals were brought out, the man immediately told Les he was not happy with the over-easy eggs and was cooking new ones.  They had split when flipped, I think.  And those second eggs came right out.  Les said after we left he wouldn't have sent the first ones back but he wasn't given a chance to say anything. 😊 So this was a good experience, and we'll go back.  

This sign was on the wall.  Over the years when I've been to craft fairs and sales, I have frequently thought "that's nice, but Pam could make that, or Jacquie could make that, and for sure Dad could have made it".  Now I can think "oh, Jordan could make that!".

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

An Update

We had a BIG storm during the night.  It woke me up around 2:00 a.m.  Actually it was the very bright  lightening with no sound that was flashing that woke me up.  It rained really hard, and was very windy.  Eventually the storm got itself all together and the lightening connected to the thunder as it got closer.  Today it is hot and sunny, with more potential storms in the forecast. 

Yesterday was a lot of work on the patio.  Big trucks delivering things, many guys working.  They were here before 8:00 a.m. and didn't leave until around 4:00 p.m.  The stone work and the secure border was all done.  I had some discussions about various things with the supervisor and then discussed with Les.  We had been asked if we wanted to have them remove the existing small patio and replace it with the same stone as the new.  My first response was to ask for the estimate on that.  Turns out that was the same price as the work on removing the deck and installing the new patio, so we said no, just work the stones together.  I think it looks good and I know over time the color and stones will change a little.  

Today there are two workers who have been here for hours.  Their job was to pick up any debris and trash, put down some topsoil where it was needed around the patio, and then put down a little mulch where needed.  All the previous men who were here working were friendly, polite, and knew what they were doing.  The two men today are okay, but don't seem very motivated or energetic. Most of the time when I've looked out they've been on their phones.  They've been here almost  five hours and are not done.  And I've had to talk to them about covering up the clearly flagged sprinkler heads with damp dirt and then standing on them.  I had to explain that when they did that it packed mud down into the sprinkler head and it would not work.  Sigh.  Perhaps a little more training needed with these two.  But overall, the project has been okay.  We will be happy with the new patio and final pictures will be coming soon.  This was taken late yesterday afternoon.

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

The Mimosa Tree Is Blooming!

Our Mimosa tree started out as a very small rooted "stick" that our minister had given us years ago when I worked at the church.  The tree has grown and seems to like where it is and is now blooming again.  We love this tree!

Our Crape Myrtles are starting to bloom, too.

Yesterday and today we have actually seen the sun!  Although I just checked and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the rest of the day.  

No work done over the weekend on the new patio build.  But we sort of knew that.  

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

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

I love you always and forever.  XOXOXOXOXO

Some Progress Pictures

The work on our new patio has been happening between rain, lightning warnings, and downpours.  Yesterday a few guys came and started to remove roots.  I took this picture last evening.

A bunch showed up this morning and worked until the thunder and rain started again and this is what it looked like right before the rain started.

We also had a couple conversations with one of the supervisors and we made a final choice on the patio stones.  I did not care for the first ones he showed me and didn't even call Les out to look at those.  The man said he had other samples he could bring.  We both went out and looked at those and picked some that will blend in with the current patio stone.  So progress is being made even if it is in "fits and starts".

I hope everyone is well.  Our family is all good as far as I know.  Jordan is doing very well with her new job.  Life is good, even when it is matter of accepting things.  Take care of yourselves and stay safe.  And God Bless America!

Progress Report

It appears that there won't be any work done on the deck/patio project today, and probably for a few days.  The weather forecast has rain in it for the next six days.  But it got off to a good start yesterday.  And I am happy they took all the debris away right away.  So here are some more progress pictures I took late yesterday.

As you can see the weed preventing fabric that was put down years ago has all been bunched up.  Perhaps by the bunnies and the raccoons that have lived under the deck over the years.  You can also see that there are a LOT of tree roots.  It will be interesting to see them level all this out.  Obviously, some roots will have to go and we hope it won't damage the trees.

Some other interesting finds under there were some landscaping border stones.  No idea how those got there!  And an extremely rusty crow bar.  No idea about that either.

Les and I are doing "okayish".  He has an appointment this morning.  So does our furry boy, Finnigan, so we will both be heading out in a bit.  

Congratulations to Jordan!  She starts her new job tomorrow!

The rest of our family is doing well and are busy.

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

First Lightning Bug of the Summer!

This picture is from Microsoft Bing.  I am no way fast enough with my phone camera to take a picture in our yard. 😊  I saw our first lightning bugs rising out of the grass last Friday!

They are so pretty and I love watching them!

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

Work Has Begun

About 7:15 this morning we got a call from the company that is doing our patio/deck work.  He just wanted to let us know they'd be here in about an hour. It was actually more like forty-five minutes and they were here and working.  I took this picture right before they got here.

I'm not sure exactly how many guys were out there working.  But we were told their goal was to remove the deck today.  Then they would work around the predicted rain in the forecast for the week and work on clearing and leveling and then installing the patio stones.

They are currently either on a long lunch break or they are done here for today.  This is what it has looked like so far.  All of the old deck pieces that were removed have been taken away already.  This picture is just the start of the removal.

Of course, our furry on-site supervisors were keeping an eye on things.  Since it was a busy morning, they are now both having nap time.

I'll be keeping you posted on this project.  Take care of yourselves and stay safe.  Life is good, in spite of things.  God Bless America!

Happy Father's Day!

We love you, honey!  XOXOXO 💞

A Baby Azalea!

The large "Mama" Azalea has a baby!  It has been growing for a while and it just started to bloom.  When the work on the deck removal and new patio starts, I am going to ask the guys to be careful.  They might  have to move it.

I'm keeping up with things pretty well.  This weeks' extra project was putting together the new carpet cleaner I bought and then using it in two of our rooms.  It works really well and the carpets in those areas look like new.  It's a Hoover Power Dash Pet Compact cleaner.  Weighs 12 1/2 pounds plus the water.  

It's getting hot and we might have some storms later today.

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

Just Some Random Thoughts

I thought this was a very nice idea and I'm glad the boy Scouts are doing this.  This was outside a small restaurant where we had breakfast in South Carolina.  We just got a new flag and I took our old worn one to the DAV for proper disposal.  

On our trip we drove through a long construction area on I-95.  I saw several signs that said "Caution, trucks entering highway.  Do not follow".  Well, fine.  But we're driving on the road.  If the truck pulls out in front of us, where are we supposed to go?  I'm sure they don't want drivers to just suddenly stop and sit still.  I mean, really, if we're driving along and a truck enters in front of us, aren't we already following them?????

And "Motel 6", we passed several.  I remember way back when "Motel 6" was advertised as $6 per night.  I am sure the price has gone up.  Why haven't they changed their name????

I hope everyone is having a good day.  Take care of yourselves and stay safe.  Life is good.

God Bless America!

Different Kind of Trip

Those that know us, know that Les plays in the Military Retirees Golf  Tournament in Myrtle Beach every year.  Sadly, he was not able to play this year.  But we still wanted to go and wanted to visit with our friends there.

Due to Covid, then surgeries, medical issues, and other things, we have not been traveling very much at all.  But we packed up and went last week.  We spent four nights there and had some very nice dinners with our friends and a very good visit with them.  Mostly we rested and read; did not do a lot else.  The weather was much cooler than usual, and there were some rainy, windy days.  

I still woke up early and got out on the balcony to take pictures of sunrises though.  They were still beautiful, even when they were cloudy.

We've been back home now for a few days and things are pretty much caught up.  We are doing okay.  Les is working on getting stronger and really hopes to get to the driving range at the golf course sometime soon.  It's good to have a goal! We just take things one day at a time and accept the situation.  Life is still good.

The work on our deck removal and patio build might start next week.  I hope so!  

We are currently under an air quality alert due to the smoke from the Canadian fires.  And we had dense fog along with that this morning.

I will end this post with an evening sky picture.  Like I said, life is still good.  Stay safe and take care of yourselves.  And God Bless America!