Easter Week

MONDAY:
I woke up early, my feet were freezing.  I hit that thermostat and put on socks and went  back to bed, socks and all.  Crazy weather, I thought we were out of this snow stuff!  Betsy had ice on her windshield to scrap off.  At least we didn't have the disaster problems that was caused by the tornado's in the South. 
Today is usually washing day, accompanied by paying bills.  Bob had an appointment to have the motor home refrigerator fixed; the second recall.  So I helped him to back out.  We checked the lights and off he went.  I love the sound of the diesel.  Rom, rom.  Using the motor home  will be a killer if the gas stays this high, I recently saw $4.21 for diesel. 


TUESDAY:
Bob had e mails to read before the Town Board meeting (on my computer) so I went in my scrap booking room and worked on a couple more pages of my Christmas album photos.   If I like a snapshot of one person and not the others;  I crop and figure out a way to include that portion.  We have so many photos that I don't know why I do that; but I'm plugging along.  My friend  came for coffee and to  pick up the Charity Basket for little Sundae.


Bob had to get a new part to stop the leak.

  
 

Marine board going up!


 
Bob continued to work on the plumbing leak so he could start the marine board in the bathroom.  Bob came out to get a tool and the door slammed shut behind him.  When he tried to open the door, it was locked!  It's been years since our kids were little and we couldn't remember where we hid the key outside of the bathroom so we could unlock it if the kids were stuck in there.  About a half hour went by until we found the right device to pick the lock.

I started reading a book by David Limbaugh called "Crimes Against Liberty" about Obama.  It's a real eye opener to see so much in print that's negative about Obama.  It gives a clearer picture of happenings that we hear bits and pieces of on the news.   I had to use the dictionary on my e reader constantly for all the  "BIGGIE" words.


WEDNESDAY: 
During the night, there was terrible thunder and lighting.  It poured buckets!  This morning the back field is flooded again.  That is one of my main concerns about building houses out there; where will the water go if houses are there?  The developers have talked about under ground sewers but what if they don't do that?


We had a  quick trip to Rochester to return some items that didn't work out.  In Jo Ann's I found some artificial forsythia stems for Debbie as she couldn't find any in Lockport. 



Entrance to Deb's house.


 THURSDAY:
Bob and I went to our daughter's in Lockport to take the forsythia flowers up for her urns on the front entrance.  Our granddaughter made coffee with cinnamon and served some cookies.  Debbie had all her Easter decorations set up and it all looked so pretty.  She had made at least 14 Easter baskets for the kids after they finish the  "Egg Hunt."  Now some of these kids are 28, 25,21 and down to 7 & 8 year olds.  No matter how old, they all participate.


After supper the three of us went to Lowes to purchase the tile that we had  picked out a month ago  for the bathroom.   During our shopping, we couldn't find all the pieces that we wanted.  Also, the price had gone up! We were afraid to wait for a delivery in case the shipment would be of a different color so we picked out something entirely different with all the pieces that we needed.  What a job to lug all that heavy tile into the house. 


FRIDAY;
At 8:00am, Bob took the car to the garage for an oil change and to check out the problem with the leaking that he had noticed last week.  Betsy and I went to the grocery store to get all the items for Easter cooking.  Bob called to come and pick him up while we were still shopping.  He left the car at the garage as the problem is within the transmission!  Oh, Boy, there goes the Maintenance Slush Fund



At last the tile going up and Betsy laid it all.  What a worker!   





They are figuring out how to work with the border pieces.



Isn't it beautiful!  We have a soap dish in the middle & 2 shelves in the corner.

Right after lunch, they started putting up the tile. (And worked all day on it)  I was in the kitchen making stuff for Easter.   I cooked the kielbasa (polish sausage) and made Great Grandma Rindo's old recipe of Sweet Cheese.  It's a tradition for our breakfast after mass.  I cooked eggs and colored them; not much fun without little people around.   I had some chocolate to make up so I did that too.  That too is more fun with the kids.  
We watched some of the Saber's game.  We are happy that they won again!  Downtown Buffalo will be jumping tomorrow night with the anticipation of the next game.



Floor  is almost finished!  (I think I got some flash back).

SATURDAY:

 Bob and Betsy had to run back to Lowe's.  They ran out of tile paste.  Then they started laying the tile on the floor.  Out went the toilet again!  They are doing such a nice job, kinda learning as they go.  Bob must have made 100 trips up and down the stairs to the garage to cut the tile to Betsy's measurements.   I'm so proud of them.   Bob's back started aching so he put on the back harness; maybe this project will cost more than we figured if he has to go to the doctor's. 
I was back in the kitchen again, and I wasn't singing "I'm back in the saddle again!"  I do like to make desserts, if it was cooking it would have been an ordeal!  I made 2 deserts; one for Debbie's dinner on Sunday and one for the surprise 50th birthday party for our daughter in law tonight.  I also made 3 fruit dishes; 1 for Easter dinner at Debbie's, special one for Annalynn as she can't have fruit that isn't peeled, and 1 for home.    Then it was hurry up and get dressed to go to the surprise party in Lancaster.  Our daughter in law was completely surprised.    Donna's sister,  her husband and our son  had a very nice evening for us all. 


SUNDAY;
My house is such a mess for a holiday; with all the tools and parts piled all around.
So after the holiday, we can look forward to doing the grout and then moving the toilet and sink back in.  Yeah! 
For now we are off to Lockport for the day with family.  Hope you all have a Happy Easter and a good week. 


Golden Gram

The shower basin has arrived!

Monday:
We were in Rochester for the most part of the day.  I had an appointment and then we went to JC Penny's with our $10.00 coupon.  I wanted more of the bath towels that were on sale.  Bob had to exchange 2 pair of jeans; he didn't like the "hip hugger" ones that he received for his birthday.  Would you say it's his age showing?

While shopping, the person from Creative Bath called to say they had our shower basin and would be coming on Thursday to install it.  Yeah!  After supper, Bob moved the sink and vanity out of the bathroom so he could take up the rest of the floor tile.
Betsy painted our nails so we stay glamorous!
Tuesday:
I hope this step of the remodeling project is done in a timely manner as I don't like brushing my teeth in the kitchen sink!  Sure I could move to the downstairs bath but who'da thought of that?
I've been paying bills this morning.  Filing is so much easier now that I cleaned up the file drawer.  I was almost finished when my friend called to say she was coming for coffee.  What a trip she is, we had several good laughs!



Jonquils-South side of garage-in full sun.

 

My jonquils are up and opening.  They are quite pretty.  The daffodils are up about 5" but they haven't blossomed yet.
WEDNESDAY:
Rainy!  It's a little foggy too.  After breakfast, I folded the drip dry clothes,  then started working on another file drawer.  Eric called and updated us on the Chicken Reggie dinner.  He also wanted to interview us for a term paper.  We had to answer the question: What makes crime in America? 
That afternoon, I had to make a deposit at the bank so I gathered up other ideas for the run.  It takes so much time to shop; when I got back it was time to start supper.  
Bob painted the bathroom ceiling with primer.  After supper, he removed the toilet so we are already for the delivery at 8:30am.  Everything is out of there so they have plenty of working room.


Cupcake Fixings

I put together another Chinese Auction Basket.  My friend that came for coffee the other day, told me about a fund raiser for a 4 year old girl that has MD; she is in a wheelchair already.  It breaks your heart to see her picture.  She was recently hospitalized for 6 weeks and there are medical bills.  I made this basket into "Cupcake Fixings."  Cake mixes, frosting, baking cups, deco sugars, cupcake recipe book, candles, and cupcake carrying boxes.  I put little foil wrapped candies thru out for sparkle.  It came out pretty. 

THURSDAY:
We were up at 6:00am to get breakfast etc. and wait for the delivery men.  It didn't look to nice outside at that hour, but the rain had stopped.  They arrived promptly at the scheduled time, 8:30am.  I had sat down on the sofa downstairs to stay out of the way while the men were working on the shower installation.   I grabbed my e reader to finish about 30 pages.  I  promptly fell asleep-sitting up.  I was awaken by a great big ker plunk, ker plunk  noise; they were bringing the tub out all in one piece, hitting several of the stairs.  I thought the space shuttle landed!  Nerve shaking just coming awake.  Tomorrow will be a month since this project started but I'm glad Bob can do so much of the work, he has saved a lot on the project.  A penny saved is a penny earned. 

Usually  as soon as I get money in my budgeted slush fund, something else happens that calls for every penny.  It's like they know how much I have in there.  As luck will have it, Bob noticed our car leaking some kind of an oily type stain on the garage floor and all over the inside wheel well.    An oil change was due so when he made the appointment for that he asked the mechanic to check out the problem.  We have also heard a noise in the wheel.  Bob is not into car repair!


It's in, drain hooked up and it works!

The guys were finished and left before noon.  It doesn't look like much, does it?  Now for the finishing touches to make it beautiful.



Debbie & Annalynn

 Annalynn called this afternoon to tell me to check my emails as she sent me a photo.  Much to her surprise, Debbie and she are on the poster for the Ride For Roswell.  One of Annalynn's friends saw it posted in the elevator at Roswell and emailed it to her.  That makes my day!  Annalynn has 16 members on her team for the ride.  They have pledged $4,750.00.  We will probably be starting up some fund raisers for that again too.

FRIDAY: 
Bob put up the ceiling light/fan in the bathroom.  Then he started working on the plumbing.  There was quite the "ta do" about where to locate the shower head.  I guess I have stressed my height too much.  Bob was marking a spot that was way to low; anyone else would have hit their head on it.  Once installed, it leaked!  We had to turn the water off, turn the water on, turn the water off etc.    
I started working on typed pages for the camping Rally that is in September.  Then I'd get another idea and go do that. Kinda flighty thinking. 

SATURDAY: 
We had plans to attend a Coin Show at the Hamburg Fairgrounds with our son and his wife.  We left about 10:00am for their house in Lancaster, and the winds were terrible.  Bob was driving with two hands to stay on the road.  Then they drove to the Coin Show.   Once at the place, we walked thru a building that was hosting a nursery show.  All kinds of tree seedlings were on sale.  The coin show was huge; many participants.  We meet my daughter-in-laws friends whose father is a dealer.  He is very knowledgeable and gave us several pointers.  Sticker prices were quite a shock, as silver is up in value.  I did find the last 10 D quarters that I needed to finish the State Quarter book.   We had the buffet at the Hamburg Casino, which was just across the parking lot.  (non-smoking casino)  We were surprised to see how they cut the main building in half to put in the casino.  That must make a big difference for the craft show organizers.  It was a full day and we were pooped but we had such a great time.    
SUNDAY:  
It's raining and snowing again; off and on all day.  I'm so glad we went to Hamburg yesterday, it was windy and wet but no snow.   Bob and Betsy worked on the bathroom today.  They were putting up the marine wallboard.  The plumbing is dripping again so that's another problem.  Tomorrow Bob will take the motor home out for service on the refrigerator-2nd recall.  Wonders of wonders, he didn't make the appointment at 8:oo am as usual.  I had a couple sewing projects that didn't turn out as well as I would have liked them to. 

And, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! 

Everyone have a good week. 

Golden Gram

The Week is Starting Off with Rain!

MONDAY:
Today was really nice and warm which is due to change once the storms reach here from the mid West.  It rained off and on all day and the back field was flooded again.
 I started my day off kinda slow because I read to late last night.  I just couldn't put the book down.  Don't you all love that kind?
While checking my e-mails, one of my followers mentioned not seeing my post on Sunday.  I stayed up late finishing it and hit "publish" about 11:30pm.  It didn't publish.  I don't know what happened but when I did the same thing this morning-out it went.  It automatically changed the date.  Another quirk in the get along, I guess. 
I had alot of mail to get ready before Bob went downtown to do errands, that I wanted him to take to the post office. Once that was accomplished,  we had a couple file folders (about 8) that I wanted Bob to go  thru with me, so we  worked on them.  After lunch, Bob left, I took a nappie!  I didn't intend to but I fell asleep waiting on the dryer to finish the last load. 
TUESDAY:
I have to do some errands to get organized for the weekend.  We have a 75th birthday party to attend for a long time friend and Bob's birthday to celebrate.   So I went gallivanting downtown for gifts and wrapping paper.  I couldn't find paper that I liked so I bought a pretty covered box and ribbon to match.   The ribbon has glitter on it-so fancy.  I also picked up some supplies to make Charity Auction Baskets for an upcoming event.  Michael's gives an extra 10% off purchases to anyone over 65 on Tuesdays.  The gray hair helps!
After supper, I mixed up some cut out cookie batter as I had the sour cream, so may as well use it.  I'm making goodies while watching the Biggest Loser!  Ha! Bob has gone thru a few more files; we don't need all those oil change invoices-back to 2002!
Did I just see a commercial for Dancing With The Stars that had Hines Ward (Steelers) as a dance partner?  I sure did, I just goggled and found out that he is on the show.  Now I have to watch it.
WEDNESDAY:
First thing, bake those cut out cookies.  Now I need ambition to make the icing for them.   This afternoon I put our friend's birthday gift together and have it wrapped beautifully.


This is a Red Hat Purse-Package. Under 55 they wear pink! 


While I had the tools out, I wrapped 2 Auction Charity baskets.   That's always fun as I like to see how they turn out.  I had some re gifting items to use.

Bob tore up most of the floor tile in the bathroom today.   We don't expect the shower basin for a couple more weeks.  Then everything will have to come out to fit that in close to the wall. 

Garbage day again tomorrow, we have lots of shredded paper to dispose of from cleaning the files.

Bob and our neighbor to the left of us was visiting at the mailbox today.  The neighbor said he was preparing to move to Lancaster.  Guess they want to get out before the back field is developed/or our housing value drops.

A leather basket of bath supplies.


THURSDAY;
Beautiful day, last night the news channel showed the weather @ or over 50's for the week.  So good to hear!  Bob is outside blowing the stones off the grass where the snow blower dumped them. 

What's the noise in the neighborhood?    Aha, they are building another unit in the cracker box retirement housing development to the East of Stringham Drive.  Looks like they cut down the shrubs on the property line and vision is wide open to the housing.

The last information I have heard was; they were trying to fill the vacancies that they have had for some time.   We also opposed that development to no avail!  

My cookies are iced.  The Martha Stewart magazine came in yesterday and she decorated her cookies to look like poppies; one of our  spring flowers.  Just the inspiration that I needed. They are delish with a good cup of coffee. 

FRIDAY:
TGIF as they say in the working world.  Cloudy day, it will never hit a warm temp.
The neighbor has the  HOUSE FOR SALE sign up in his yard.   We are curious to see how long it will take to sell.  I would like a one floor ranch someday, but nobody is listening!
Busy time on the phones and e mail today as we have an illness with hospitalization in the family in Pennsylvania.  Really appreciative of the Family Plan thru Verizon in times like this. 

We watched some of the Sabers game.  It sure was exciting!  Mr. Pugula has done alot for everyone's  spirit.  Inviting all the retired players was a wonderful idea, they all seemed to enjoy it.
SATURDAY:
I had my coffee and then checked the e-mail, face book and telephone  to see if there was any updates on my sister-in-law.   None.  So I made  breakfast and then Bob's favorite birthday cake.  (pineapple upside down cake) After I called the hospital and talked to my sister in law.  She sounded much better so  it was an encouraging chat.  She had received our flowers. 
Bob went to attend the  breakfast meeting for the WNY GOLD CLUB.  They reported making $900.00 selling bags of sand which they seed with gold for people of all ages to pan.  They have a Road Trip this coming week to a gold panning spot in Virginia.  We should check that out!  http://www.wnygoldprospectors.com/



Bob & Betsy replacing the TV in the motor home.

 After lunch, Bob and Betsy went to BJ's to pick out a TV for our motor home.  Our main TV in the MH has been on the binge since we attended the International Rally out in Illinois.  There was a power surge which did  something which limited our reception.   They found one and they spent the afternoon installing it.  The Dynamic Duo!

The weather was so nice out that I just had to get outside; so I cut the dead pieces off of flowers and then raked the side lawn.  The pine trees sure make a mess every spring.   My daffodils are coming up nicely.  I see a rodent  has dug down to my bulbs and was eating them. 

Look, it works!  

Bob says, tomorrow they will test the TV using the converter.  (so it will work when we are not plugged into electric, I think) 

By then it was dinner time and we enjoyed a big birthday dinner with steak and mushrooms, baked cauliflower, baked potatoes; followed by strawberry shortcake.   His pineapple-upside down cake is for tomorrow after the Open House Party when the rest of family is in town.

Cinderella is in the MH, all set to go.


 SUNDAY:  We will have a full day so guess this will be it for this Blog.   Hope everyone has a good week. 

Golden Gram

April Fools Day!

Monday:
Sarah left bright and early for her return trip to Bryant.  She nixed a big breakfast and will stop for a bagel somewhere.  So, I'm up and at em! 

My first thought is what can I get into today besides the mundane scheduled household duties?  Then I remembered the TV show I saw on Sunday; public television had some crafters on ( http://www.spottedcanary.com/)   and they were making decorated file folders. Last week, during our trip to Office Max, I was hunting for strong file folders.  In my file drawers all the folders have been reused so many times, they are bent, folded, etc., hard to find.   OM didn't have any different weight files, but I saw pretty printed ones, also plastic. 

Wonder if the paper will stay on?

 So in between doing the washing I tried to decorate some files.  I have lots of scrapn' paper and glue.  Not to bad for a trial.  It does make the tab a little stronger. 



Folder with pockets.  One can do all kinds of paper crafts.

 Then I made a folder for notes on the shower theme in Christianna's colors.   (Black, white & yellow)  Someone can have this as the Aunts' are sponsoring the shower.  That is if we don't loose it by the shower date next year.   

A little more interest was added to the day when grandson Eric called to invite us to a fund raiser dinner for the football team at Utica college.  Coach Eich is planning a home town dish called "Chicken Reggie."  It's chicken, veggies and pasta.  We were planning on going up anyway to attend "Moose A  Polasa" (football & carnival) at the college, and that's also the weekend HRRVC Chapter 12 camps with Chapter 100 @ Turning Stones Casino RV Park.  April 27- 30.  Yeah! Move that bus! 



Eric-football 24/7

  Eric was also picked to go to Quebec City with the varsity team (he will start)  for the 2011 International Football game in May.  (Held once every three years)  We are also contemplating that road trip.  

Tuesday:
More washie-washie duties.  Changed sheets and cleaned the bedroom as I fear the plaster is floating all over the house.  I made a pot of chicken soup to cure the stomach aliments that are about.
WEDNESDAY:
It's suppose to go up to the high 40's today.  Guess I'll go out and check the inside of the camper.  I need to see if the new coffee pot fits on the counter under the cabinets.  I was thinking about getting the medical and kitchen supplies ready to take out too.  Well, I could get them ready and they could sit on the dinning room table for a month like everyone else plops things on it.  Grrrr!
Tomorrow is garbage day so today we scrutinize everything we can throw out.  That prompted work on my file cabinet today.  The plastic folders are working out nice.  It's a slow process as I go thru the entire folder pitching out old stuff. (then grind it up)  We try to always do that after filing income tax; guess we are slipping up!
THURSDAY:
More snow-2". 
Today we went to Market Place Mall area shopping.  We have heard about this "go to" place for lunch called FIVE GUYS so we had to check that out.    It's a burger & fries place, with a biggie & little size.   The interior was all red & white.  For decos, they had 50 lb. bags of potatoes in red & white print, stacked on low tables each side of the ordering line.  Roasted peanuts were available and free refills on drinks.  The place was packed! 
FRIDAY:
Hay, it's nice and warm outside.  Looks like we had some spring rain.  No April Fool's either.  I noticed 11 deer out in the back field.
Guess I'll work on my file drawer some more today.  I'm about a third of the way thru and it's a big improvement!  
Bob has gone to the lumber yard to try to find matching siding for outside the house to fill in when we take the window out of the bathroom.   We have lived here 41 years and haven't used that shower because we were afraid to ruin the window frame which is inside the shower.  I hear tell it was put in back then to meet codes when a fan wasn't installed.  A shortcut on Mr. Stringham's part apparently. 
SATURDAY:


Stretching to far there son!  

 Help is on the way.  David and Donna are coming for a visit and David will help Bob take out the window.   I made some baked goods for dessert as we had planned to have a pizza & wings dinner.  (now what to heck happened to my font size?) 


Much warmer in the house with that closed up!

 Alex drove over to help and visit too.  Donna had brought his mail.  He opened it and showed us his 3.59 grade average at RIT.  Nice! 
As the guys worked, the climate kept going down until it was very chilly outside, they had to be freezing. 


Cocoa

 To make matters worse, their dog Cocoa went out in the field and rolled in something very stinky!  We didn't want Cocoa in the house,  and Donna didn't want to put her in their car to go home.  Poor puppy, David gave her a bath outside with cold water from a hose. 
We finished their visit watching basketball playoffs.  Alex was in first place on the March Madness Brackets but had dropped to 5th so it wasn't as exciting.  However, Annalynn has moved up to 2nd place, so we can hope she is a winner. 
SUNDAY:


All done!

 I read my e mails, Facebook and charged up my e-reader.  Then started to work on my files again.  The first drawer is finished!  They look so nice and clean, readable etc., etc.   
I printed some pages in my "Family Tree" to mail to my niece who has taken an interest in  heritage.  I noticed that I haven't finished the family members on my mother's side.  I need to get that done. 
Bob straightened up the garage as they had all kinds of tools out.  He was wishing he was trout fishing as he remembered taking the kids each April out to the creek. 

Time to post.  So till next Sunday, have a great week everyone. 

Golden Gram