Rainy, Cold (again) Week Ahead!

Sunday:
Bob had putzed along all week pulling wires and installing the electric for the new fan/light in the ceiling of the upstairs bathroom.  On the weekend, Betsy helped him to vent the fan to the outside of house.  She was dangerously hanging out the window to reach the eves with saw in hand. Nervous me, I told Bob to get in there and hold her legs.  After they patched (muddied right?) the ceiling holes. 



My new slim tree for my glass ornaments.

   I worked in my scrap booking room, organizing until my back ached.  It needed straightening up, as everyone dumps in there.  After I did scrapbook a page of my Christmas photos and started a couple more. 

Monday: I have a big wash.  There are many construction clothes to clean.  Our movies on demand wasn't working so Betsy called Time Warner and they promised to reset our box. We wanted to know if that worked so we checked that out and found a movie to watch after supper.  The movie was "Morning Glory" with Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton.   A humorous story about the  cutthroat world of live television and last ditch effort to save their failing morning show.

Tuesday:  A very cloudy day, temp in 40's, with more snow coming.  I woke up at 5:00 am; now where am I going at that hour. I read e mails and deleted some build up.   Then I folded clothes that were left hanging to dry yesterday.  I worked on my scrap booking most of the day. 
Wednesday:    Up early again, and greeted to more white stuff, the ground is covered and it looks nasty outside. 
Today is Annalynn's Bone Marrow Test.  We are all praying that her results show 100% donor cells.  Betsy is back from Roswell and she reports that everything went well.  Annalynn was sitting up when Betsy left. Betsy brought me a planter of mini daffodils that Roswell was selling.  The flowers are so tiny.   I may as well paste my Poinsettia picture in here now too.  I have had this since we attended the Leukemia Awards Event in November when Annalynn was a guest speaker.     There was one poinsettia on each table and Annalynn & Debbie didn't want the one on our table, so they generously gifted it to me.    I had a heck of a time learning how much to water it.  So I'm surprised it's still growing and I haven't killed it.


Mini Daffodils (Fund raiser @ Roswell)

  


During the falling snow the birds were busy flying to the feeders. We had a pair of Cardinals, a Blue Jay and of all things, a great big Crow came and was eating the food.  He sat right on top of the bird porch which surprised me that he could perch on it. I tried to take a picture but it flew away as soon as I opened the porch door.  I don't like Crows coming.   They will probably scare the little birds away.



They found out this job wasn't so easy!

 While Betsy was home, she helped Bob to start taking the old tile off in the bathroom.  We kid her about "one more skill/duty" to add to her resume.   They are both very fussy but they work well together. 



  Thursday:
Guess the snow has quit for today.  About 6" here.  Bob is suiting up to go run the snow blower. 
Our new coffee pot for the motor home was delivered today.  We won't have to borrow Sarah's one cuper now. It's another Keurig with a water tank.   It's called the Elite, a smaller one than we have in the house.  It's suggested for weekend use.  We have 5 more weeks before camping, and we can use it.  Yeah!
Since it was so sunny today, we went downtown to do some  errands @ the bank, post office and one store.  Then rush home to put icing on a cake and make supper.  Betsy had brought home a new sheet cake recipe and I just had to try it and it is good!
Friday:
I woke up this morning early and I remembered I had a dream during the night.  I dreamt that I went into the kitchen and filled the tea kettle with water and took it into the bedroom and poured it all over my clothes folded in the dresser drawers.  Isn't that weird?  Wonder how an analogist would interpret that? 
This afternoon we went to the grocery store and Office Max for a few supplies.  I will make (meatless) stuffed shells for supper as Sarah should be home for a visit this weekend and in time for supper. 

Saturday:  I finished reading my book last night so I have to go to the library site and pick out another.  I've read 18  books since I received my e-reader for Christmas.  Now your all thinking-doesn't she do anything else?  I love that e-reader.  Actually I love the fact that I don't have to drive to the library to pick up books. 

We had dinner at our daughter's in Lockport today.  We were celebrating the "One Year Anniversary" of Annalynn's transplant.  The day we all prayed that the bag of donor cells brought into her room by the nurses would save her life!  Amen.  We dubbed it the "Marrow Verisary Dinner!" We had a wonderful visit with everyone and the meal was beyond splendid.  Lasagna followed by a full chicken dinner, cakes, cupcakes and gelato.  


"Will you be my bridesmaid?"

  Sarah was surprised with a special chocolate chip cookie from Christianna which had the following words spelled out in the icing-"Will you be my bridesmaid?"   Sarah was thrilled and she accepted immediately.  (Sarah on left, Christianna on right)  Save this date: 6/2/2012.  We talked shower dates but they have to be confirmed before I mention them.

Sunday:
I am up, showered and all dressed up.  We were going to go to the Gem & Gold Show at Hamburg Fairgrounds.  The W. N. Y. Gold Club will have a booth and demonstrate panning for gold.  Bob likes to take pictures.  Well, he had a bad night, so we aren't going.  I guess he ate to much at Debbie's.  He tossed and turned with stomach ache and the "tooters" were too much.   He started talking  "A" goes to "D" and "E"  etc.  As the bedroom reeked, I thought about getting up for a fan or at least opening a window...never mind loosing the heat.   At 4:00am I left the bedroom for the couch downstairs.   True story!   Maybe we have a problem within the house that's adding to our sleep problems.  Nah!  We are just "OLD FARTS."

The girls have gone shopping so I may as well post this so I'm free to visit when they return.  We are making Sarah's favorite dinner before she goes back to school tomorrow.   More food!

Hope you have a great week and I look forward to your e-mails, text and etc.  Thanks to my followers!  

Golden Gram

Sarah's Ski Trip (Spring Break)

 Monday: Just received some photos from Sarah.


This box holds up to 100 people

  Sarah (granddaughter who lives with us) is a member of the ski club at Bryant University. (Rhode Island)  She just returned from a trip to Jackson Hole. She is the Treasurer for the club.  She addressed the school board to sway their cutting of the Ski Club Budget.  She signed several students up for the trip to Jackson.   Thus her trip was a "comp!"   Sarah is a Snowboarder.


Sarah in her One-z-ie  Suit  


Ha! The One-z-ie suit made her Christmas big time.  We had these one piece suits 25-30 years ago for snowmobiling.  Fashion always seems to repeat.  
 

 I could never do this.  I'm afraid of heights.  It's a long way down. 

She talked about walking up hill in snow up to her waist and then snowboarding back down.  They worked up a sweat! 


This is where the ceiling leaked.



Tuesday:  Construction has started!  Bob is remodeling our upstairs bathroom.  We had a ceiling wet spot that started it all. 



Place for the fan.

Now we look forward to new medicine cabinet, lights, walk in shower as out goes the tub, and fan with a light.  The window will be removed and replaced with solid wall which he will tile.  I just hate the mess! 

The mess!



Saws, hammers, noise and plaster all over.   Lots of stuff is piled up in the living room now.  Hopefully it will be done and back to normal by the time we start camping.

Wednesday:

 

We signed up for the March Madness brackets today.  The deadline was Thursday at noon.  Annalynn & Mark are doing the group called "Team Annalynn".  It was $10.00 to pick a bracket; 1/2 to the winner and 1/2 to Roswell.   Since we do not follow basketball, we just did a quick pick.  If your lucky-your lucky!

Thursday:
We had a beautiful day!  Temp was high 50's.  That gets one excited to do outdoor things.  Bob and Betsy took down the last of the Christmas lights after supper. 
A friend who just returned from Florida stopped to visit for a quick cup of coffee.  She was gone for a month and was ready to come home.  I told her about signing up for the Ride For Roswell in June.  She is interested.
Friday:  I've been kinda dizzy today.  I didn't accomplish much of anything. 
Saturday:  Coupons in hand, I went to the grocery store.  It was crowded, I shouldn't have been there with all the working people.  The store had so much Easter stuff out, also some spring furniture.  I can't wait to set the outdoor patio furniture up and enjoy myself. 

Have a good week everyone.

Golden Gram

Change Your Clocks!

It's Sunday morning here!  The clocks haven't been changed yet as the "Boss" or the "Milkman"  hasn't arose for his coffee yet.  Most of the clocks are so high in this house (his eye level- 6'2" while I sit here at 5'1") that he is the only one who does the changing.  We will have to adjust, but spring ahead we will do.

It was 35o when I let the dog out earlier.  The weather channel is showing warm days coming which is a welcome relief.  Because it's been so cold,Betsy hadn't trimmed the dog (Cinderella) and Cinder looked like a CAT!   She is now 10 years old.  Several years ago Sarah started a scrapbook all about Cinder; I have been adding to it.  I have all of Cnder's little quirks documented with photos and stories.  Her birthday cakes, her sleeping areas, where she hides her bones, etc.  She loves to carry them all over outside and inside the house.  She is a good pal but she is aging.

A friend came over this week to help me with my "Blog".  He checked all my settings, and explained many features.  I had so many questions as I'm just a user; I am a big chicken to try things without knowing the outcome.  He even shared other programs such as Ever Note, Calendars, Drop Box and more from Goggle.   Would you believe that we sat at these computers from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.  I look forward to the challenges. 

As we were finishing up, Betsy came home from work.  She quickly joined the group.  But she just wanted to show us her burned finger.  In the morning, she had gone to mass to receive ashes and light a candle.   The wick was curled into the wax and a flame wouldn't catch; the wooden match burned up to her fingers and burnt her nail polish.  Heavens to Betsy!

Now into the beginning of Lent, I suppose that I will have to get out some fish, egg and cheese recipes.  Fasting doesn't apply to Bob and I now that we are over 72 years old but we should try to take off the winter buldge.
Does everyone know that the Mardi Gras origin is a religious event.  The season begins on January sixth, known as the Epiphany; the day the three Wise Men of the East (Casper, Melchior and Balthazar) found the baby Jesus.  The King Cake is a symbol of this day by it's shape, color and decoration.  It's oval shape represents unity of all Christians.  The color purple, gold and green stand for justice, power and faith.  Fat Tuesday is the last day to eat rich, fatty foods before fasting. 


Last night was the engagement party for our granddaughter Christianna (CMS)and Joe, her betrothed.  I have to comment on the beautiful table set ups that were prepared.  Debbie had ordered tablecloths with a black and white design. (CMS's preferred)  The kitchen was the area for all hors d'oeuvres and the dinning room table had all the desserts.  They had stackable dishes just like a restaurant.  Beautiful yellow Gerber daisies in tall black vases, adorned as the centerpieces.  There was so much food!  I wouldn't be far off if I said there was 30 desserts! 



25 - 30 different items on the dessert table ! 




The C-J decorated cookies.

 Annalynn had made several desserts but her decorated cut out cookies in black and white with the letters C-J on them was the most noticed.  Another clever idea of hers was making a video on her Apple computer of the families participation in the Disney World Marathon for Leukemia to show us on their TV.    Now our son wants to get the black box that runs the video from the Apple to the TV to use with his Apple computer.  Monkey see, monkey want!

We have had a very interesting week.  Hope you have too! 
Enjoy each day! 

Golden Gram

Signs of Spring!

Gees, this week sure went fast.   One morning when I let Cinder out, I could hear a Robin singing but I couldn't see it.  Then another day we had 8 deer out in the back field,  second time I spotted them.  And, last night I saw a flock of Geese flying by...sure signs of spring!  All our college grand kids are talking spring break too.

 Last Sunday I saw a coyote (for the third time this winter) which makes me nervous about letting the dog outside.   

Opps, I think this is a pic of a fox.  I can't find the pic of the coyote.


With all the spring signs, I decided to take down my Snowman collection and my Dept 56 North Pole villages.  Time to move on to the next season...well we have to have St Patrick's day first.   I love to have a green carnation on the table so I'll have to pick one up during  my shopping trips.

Monday I had a pleasant surprise come in the mail.  I received a neck scarf from Afghanistan.  My friend, Gen has a granddaughter in the air force whom I have mailed cards and a package.  She surprised me with the scarf as a thank you.    It's black and white with paisley print, with  tied fringe ends. Gen's granddaughter is a helicopter pilot; while on the ground she must carry her rifle everywhere.  Like everyone else, I tell her to be cautious.  I called Gen to tell her that I wanted to show her something, could I come over.  She is older and house bound.  So I picked up two coffees and two Boston Creams at Tim Horton's and went to visit with her.

Tuesday's highlight was making a fleece tie blanket while I watched the Biggest Loser.   Two years ago, I had made a Navy print for my nephew Sherm to take to dialysis with him as he gets cold during the process.  He has a favorite nurse who asked to have a blanket just like his for someone she knows.   So my niece asked if I would make one up. Yes, definitely for a veteran!
Bob went to another Town Board meeting regarding the housing development in the back field which is currently flooded.  

Haircuts was on the schedule for Thursday.  After Bob and I drove to the Ridge Road Train Station on Rt. 104.  Bob has a couple of "fix em" problems with his Circus train.  We were very surprised and very sad to hear that the owner of the place is closing down!  People were buying the display shelves and products at 25-50% off.  We have shopped their for years.  We will miss the place.

Friday,  I finally packed the North Pole Village away and ran the vacuum.    I was pooped!  So I put my feet up for awhile and read a book.  I had stuffed cabbage rolls to make for supper and I forgot what a big job that always is.  I should have started earlier. Of course, I got all hipper and wished I could just throw them a sandwich. 

Saturday, I cleaned the refrig and decided to make potato salad.  Yum!  The day flew by.  At night, I was happy to sit and watch the movie Burlesque!  (Drama, musical & Romance) The story wasn't to exciting but the musicals and stage presentation was wonderful.  I was disappointed as  Cher only sang twice; once in costume and once as a rehearsal.  Christina Aguilera really belted out the songs and Stanley Tucci is always good for a laugh. 

That brings us to Sunday again.  I putzed around making a batch of stuffed mushrooms as a trial run for appetizers for the engagement party next Saturday.    Bob and Betsy went to Lowe's to purchase items to update the upstairs bathroom.  There is some kinda income tax deal where you saved a $100.00 with required purchase.  I am not looking forward to the mess and tear up for the next few weeks!  Ugh! 

So till next Sunday, have yourself a great week. 

Golden Gram