THE GRIND! A 2 CUPPER!

MONDAY:
It's a 2 cupper!  (coffee) I'm not quite ready to meet the world today.  Now that we are still alive in this world.  Sarah thought we all should have gone to confession so that we would go to heaven if the end of the world happened last weekend.

Before leaving for Lockport on Sunday, I looked out in the field and that deer was back.  Same spot, just standing there.  Wonder what's up with that?   I spotted a hummingbird too, flying around the purple petunias in honor of GMA Sophia. 

I forgot one photo from Saturday that I want to share now.  It's of the dogs helping GPA with the gazebo tent.  We just now had a clash of thunder and a down pour!  The gazebo stood it's ground but Bob hurried out to unzip the sides and tie them back. 



Cocoa and Cinder helping GPA with the gazebo.

Our lunch will have to be creative, no bread in the house or freezer.  Betsy has our car while her car  is being repaired and Sarah just left to visit with her Dad.   So soup sounds good.

TUESDAY:
I cleaned out my dresser drawers, I guess it's safe to put the winter turtle necks in storage.  Then I got out all the summer tops.  That's a small job but sometimes you just can't find time to do it.  Hay, I just took the flannel sheets off the bed last week. 
In the afternoon we went to Lockport for Bob's quarterly Dr's appointment.  Doc gave him samples of some of the meds that he is on and saved us a bundle.   That will keep the donut hole away a little longer.
While Bob was at the Dr's, I visited and had coffee with Annalynn.   She had saved another ticket for the "Believe In Bill" benefit dinner for me as my sister is coming up for a visit.   Annalynn has a 4.0 grade in her graduate course.  Yeah!  The girls had a shopping night planned at Victoria's Bridal so we didn't stay to long after Debbie got home from work. 
While I made supper, Bob went out to mow the lawn again.  Boy, it's growing fast with all the rain. 

WEDNESDAY:
I worked on the computer, reading e mails and printing a few things. 

After dinner, Bob put up the ladder to the porch roof.  He has been waiting for a dry day to go up and fix the pool solar heater units that had broken loose.  (For the second time this spring.)  Too much wind recently!  I held the ladder while he and Betsy went up.  I'm scared of heights!   It wasn't to long and they were calling me to hold the ladder while Bob came back down.  Of all things, the drill slipped and rammed into his finger, lifting the nail.  He was bleeding terrible.  (Plavix does that)  I patched him up and gave him a boo boo kiss and back up he went.  They got it fixed and came back down.  Bob ran water thru the pipes to see if it leaked.  Betsy was muttering, go buy an energy heater-blah blah blah!  She doesn't like going on the roof either but now we can start heating the pool water.
In the evening, I watched the Bruins hockey game with Sarah.  She is a big fan of theirs.


THURSDAY:
I went for groceries early today as I didn't want to get caught in the crowd of holiday shoppers.    The store will be bombed with shoppers with the big weekend coming.   On the way home, the police had a check point on Clinton Street,  everyone to a stop.  They waved me on, so I guess they were checking inspection stickers.  They never asked any questions.   After the groceries were put away, we had a lunch meat party!  Fresh grub is so good.

Debbie called while I was getting groceries and she wants me to go to Michael's tomorrow to buy a YU DU machine that is on sale.  It's a t-shirt printing machine.  They want to make their own shirts for the RELAY FOR LIFE and THE RIDE FOR ROSWELL that's coming up in June.   Batavia is the only place that has one in stock, how about that!  The Relay For Life is at the Junior High School in Lockport and the team walks the track all night.  We drove the motor home there last year so we could help with snacks and meals.  We went to bed about midnight.  That was enough for us.   

I sat down to read a book (Go  Gifter) that Sarah recommended.  (self improvement, do good)  I put spare ribs and baked potatoes in the oven.   Bob mowed the lawn again.  After supper, I finished that book and decided to update my Blog.  I had trouble getting to the site, I guess it was my saved sign on as it worked after several tries.  Rain and the lights went out twice even thou the storm has passed over some time ago.  So much rain.   

FRIDAY:

FOGGY MORNING AGAIN!

We went to Michael's store about 8:45 am.  We waited for them to open.  They opened and closed!  They couldn't get their cash registers to work and they had to work on it.  The storm last night must have caused a problem.  They advised us to come back in a half hour.  Bob asked them to hold a YU DU machine for us.  So we buzzed over to Wal*Mart for a few items.   Sprinkles!  Returning to Michael's, the store was open and had customers.  The YU DU machine was sitting on the floor beside the registers with our name on it.  I'm glad Bob was with me to handle it, as it's one big box! 



YU DU   Hope this works good.

 I also picked out a big basket for my cupcake basket for the auction at the "Believe In Bill" benefit. 
Back at home, I made another big fruit dish and started some of our supper.  It has rained all day and much to wet to work outside so I read a book for awhile to rest my legs.  Bob went to OATKA (milk plant) for a visit. 
No word from the Bridal Party in New York City.  They had an appointment at Kleinfield's for the bride to be.  I'm curious to know if the bride said, "yes to the dress."   That show is on tonight and I usually watch it.  Guess I'll go watch the news.
Showers persist, still foggy!
SATURDAY:

FOGGY MORNING AGAIN!!!!!

I folded some towels this morning.  I'm having a hard time keeping up with all the shower towels, and a $10.00 coupon just came in from Penneys...so Hi Ho Hi Ho ...off to shop we will go.
I had some paper work to do so I putzed around making folders, copies etc.  Bob is looking all over for the cord to Sarah's printer so it's ready for her when she leaves on Monday.  The cord wasn't stored with the printer for some reason.  (Not good.)



Betsy up on roof fixing leaks in pool solar heater.

Bob and Betsy went back up on the porch roof to check for leaks in the solar system.  They found plenty.  I guess they have decided that we just have to much wind for the unit to be on the roof.  The wind breaks the straps and twists the panels terrible.  They had to come down, the wind picked up and rain again, and it turned cold!
When it cleared up outside, we went out to work. In the front of the house, we had to cut the daffodils back and mow the grass around them.  Betsy had bought a red grass plant to put in where one grass had died.  I had a couple foxgloves and three heather plant to put in.  Rain threaten with a couple sprinkles but we just kept working since we are so behind due to rain.  I planted my geraniums in the pots for around the pool.  The rest of the day turned out to be pretty nice for a change.  

SUNDAY:
I've made chocolate cupcakes with a cream cheese filling.  We have had hot dogs for lunch.  Betsy is spray painting the lounges.  Sarah is re-packing for take off tomorrow.  She will be picking up her friend from NC at the airport at 4:00pm today for an overnight.  Then they will drive to Boston together.

It's such a beautiful day, guess I'll post this now and go outside and sit!  I'm not working anymore today!  Tomorrow we will go to the parade for the Veterans!  Wish I could see a close up of Sarah Palin riding in that motor cycle parade to honor the Vets.   I wonder if she is driving her own motorcycle?  I wonder if it's a Harley?  The veterans are happy about it.

Have a good week everyone.  

Golden Gram

FOGGY WEEK AND MORE REMODELING AHEAD.

MONDAY: 
Another damp morning.  I was having coffee on the porch and much to my surprise  a deer was walking down thru our field.  She was walking so slow!  Then she finally laid down in the grass and shrubs.  I was wondering if she was involved in a car accident or maybe giving birth.  But I thought they gave birth in March & April.  So I watched her for some more.  Time was a wasting and we had to run downtown to post office and couple other stops so we left.   We returned about 2 hours later and the deer was up and walking around again.  No sign of a little one.  She finally walked north out of sight. 


Deer in the back field.

I did my Monday schedule, ugh!  (laundry & pay bills)  After "Martha" I made small dishes of potato salad and macaroni salad to go with cheeseburgers for supper.
After supper, I was nice and comfortable on the floor with the dog, reading a book and Betsy starts calling Bob and I to come "smell" the downstairs bathroom.  She thought it smelled like "mold".  Sure enough it did.  They started to investigate and noticed water dots around the ceiling light.  Oh, no!  They removed the ceiling light and fan-it was full of water.  The ceiling could be pushed  in where ever they put their hands, it was soaking wet!   It's wet right below the new upstairs shower!  Needless to say, we were sick.  Bob and Betsy tried to find the source by cutting the ceiling board  and both agreed it's coming from the new shower drain.  I asked Bob to call the Bath place tonight!



Downstairs bath ceiling.  All wet!

TUESDAY:
Foggy day as I can't even see the tree line across the field. 

I washed my hair in the kitchen sink!  After all their work, this stinks!  We waited for the bath man to come.  When he was finally here, they poked and prodded for about an hour or so,  looking thru the hole in the ceiling.  They could see how the masonite floor upstairs was wet and where it originated- our upstairs toilet was leaking around the new seals.  So here we go again, construction and it's our repair.   The bath man was happy. 
Bob went to Lowe's for more new seals for the toilet. After supper, Bob and Betsy took the toilet up and re did it all.  Then they flushed it a dozen times to see if it still leaked.   Downstairs, Betsy sprayed all the ceiling boards that she could reach with Clorox. 

Fog is still with us this evening.

WEDNESDAY:
Another gray, wet, foggy morning!  

During the morning, I cut up a great, big fruit bowl as Sarah loves fruit and she will be home for supper tonight.  Her third year completed at Bryant University.  How fast time goes.

Bob worked in the downstairs bath, cutting back more ceiling board.  He had to come closer to the wall than they expected as it was wet.  Oh did it stink from mold.  I opened all the outside doors to let in fresh air.  After I helped him to clean up the mess in the bathroom.  One of us will have to spray all the ceiling board again with Clorox to get that smell down. We will have to let it dry a few days before putting new ceiling  board up.  This bathroom was just redone a couple years ago.  Betsy isn't to happy that she will have to paint the ceiling boarder back on this space. 

Downstairs bath problem.

The sun came up so Bob ran like mad to get the lawn tractor to start cutting grass before the rain predicted tonight.   Then he drove downtown to pick up his tires for the wheel cart that was being repaired and over to Sterling Tent to pick up the lawn chair cover.   The first cover wouldn't stay in the frame (cording to small) so this is the second sewing.  We have two glass top tables and 12 chairs for the pool patio and they are about 13 years old.  They are sun rotted.  We had the three lounges recovered last year.   Our kids had ran all over the county to every K-Mart to find the sets at the end of the season back then, to surprise us with the gift, before we returned from a camping trip up to Vermont.     

She's home!   Sarah backed in about 5:45pm.  Her car was packed up to the ceiling!  She ran for the upstairs bathroom and was surprised to see our remodeling job.  She thought it was very nice.  After supper, Betsy helped Sarah to unload her car; boxes, drawers, plastic bags, coffee pots, TV, and washing etc.  How can they get so much in a shared dorm room?  They just finished carrying it all in when it poured! 



Sarah's back!  More stuff downstairs!

 THURSDAY:
Oh my, a beautiful morning-there's sun out there.  All during the winter I can't wait to sit on the back porch and have my coffee.  It's such a treat!  I visited with Sarah this morning.  It was nice to hear all her plans. 
In the afternoon, I left for a perm and on the way back home I drove into a down pour.  The sky was all black and I saw a couple streaks of lightening.   The traffic moved right along thou.
I'm reading a good book so I really didn't want to put it down to make supper.  We were expecting David and Donna to leave off their dog...yep, Cocoa is visiting again.  The kids are driving to Quebec City for the game between Utica College and a Canadian team.  It's some kinda International game played every 3 years.  They are giving the players a big tour of the city so Eric was lucky to be one of the players picked for the game.   Well, back to my book.

FRIDAY:
Of course, it's cold, wet and drippy!  On TV last night, they showed the onion fields which are under water or washing out of the ground completely.   The farmers are going to have a big loss.  That loss will be at our expense. 



The new table and chair set.

Betsy and Sarah came home from shopping last night with a brand new table & chair set for the pool patio.  (She has to trade that big Yukon so shopping is not so convenient)   She had made up her mind that she wasn't struggling with her Dad to put new material in the old chairs.  They tugged and they pulled, worked and worked at it the night before and the material will not budge with the new cording around the curves.  So there's a money saving idea that didn't work!  The girls also brought us dessert from Olive Gardens-"cheesecake!" 
Bob went over to Sterling Tent and told them not to make any more covers; that we couldn't get them into the frame.  They had tried also with no luck.  Bob asked how much we owed them.  They were nice about it and said "no charge!".  When he returned we spent the whole afternoon assembling the new table and chairs. 

SATURDAY:
Oh boy, Saturday was busy!  Betsy and I was up early and she did her nails.  I was making a folder for the new patio furniture.  I mentioned that I would like to get the matching high dining table some time next week.  She immediately went on line to see which K-Mart had them in stock.   She said, "let's go!"  She wanted to go shopping with Sarah to get her some business work  clothes for the internship but Sarah probably wouldn't get up early anyway.  The first store in Greece didn't have any even thou the computer said they did.  So the manger called another store way over to Webster, then gave us directions  and when we got there-no tables!  The Webster staff had never talked to the Greece store people.  So we didn't know which store the manager had called.  The Webster staff  offered to call the Victor store and see if they had one which could be delivered to Batavia K-Mart.   So we should hear from them on Monday.




Working on the gazebo tent frame.

 Back home we all worked on putting up the gazebo tent for the wicker furniture.  Last year's gazebo was smashed up against the house in a wind storm, the frame was all twisted and the tent part was torn to shreds.    Betsy found this one on sale during the late fall.  Bob had mixed cement and poured it down into the big tubes for more weight before we put it into storage. 
It was blazing hot!  That's wonderful but it was a bit much for the first hot day!   We got the frame built and decided to quit until evening.   The girls left for their shopping trip.

About 7:00 pm, Donna sent me a text that Utica had  beat the Canadian semi-pro team!  Eric played the whole game; he had one interception, one fumble recovered.  They were thrilled.

Tomorrow we will work some more around the pool.

 SUNDAY:



The gazebo is finished.  Just have to get the cushions out.   And the chandelier! Ha!

 David and Donna will probably pick up Cocoa in the late afternoon.  Later we are going to Lockport for a dinner to honor Annalynn's beau (Mark) who graduated today from Law School.  He will take his Bar Exams this summer.  We are so proud of him.  



Counselor Williams and Annalynn.

 Have a good week everyone and thanks for clicking in!  

Golden Gram

Finishing touches on bathroom.

MONDAY: We went to shop in Rochester as I had a Mother's Day gift to exchange.  On the way home it was nice to see several farmers out in the fields turning the ground.  I'm surprised the ground had dried up enough.
After supper, Betsy and I wrapped gift boxes for a wedding shower that we have this weekend.  Nuts, we ran out of shower paper.
TUESDAY:
Yesterday's shopping trip has put me behind a day.  Today I have laundry, computer work and errands downtown.   Some days one feels like Cinderella, wash the dishes, sweep the floor.  Hoa, hoa! 
Our son, David, called and stopped by to help us take the elephant cover off the pool.  Boy, the water is green and dirty, it will take a week to sweep and filter that mess. 


It always looks bad after winter! 



The Rindo girls all went together on this gift.

 I picked up more shower paper while downtown today so Betsy and I could finish wrapping the shower gift.  I cut out hearts on my Cricket machine then Betsy decorated and lettered them.

Bob has put the extension mirror and the door knob protector back in the bathroom. 

WEDNESDAY:
I fell asleep watching the Biggest Loser last night and didn't know who was voted off the show so I had to look it up this morning on computer.  Oh, it was Austin who was voted off. 
All morning I worked on folding clothes and ironing.  We have a few things that just don't drip dry. 
After lunch I went out to help Bob clean the pool.  It was so nice and hot that I came back inside and put on a pair of shorts and sandals.  At last, beautiful weather.  It sure felt good.
THURSDAY:
We wanted to do all our returns today.  Bob had gathered up all the parts that weren't used in the bathroom and we went to Lowe's and Home Depot to get a credit.   We also shopped for towel bars. 
After lunch we went to Sterling Tent to pick up a lawn chair that they were going to cover for us.  They couldn't get the material out of the frame so Bob will see if he can do it.  Back home we loaded up the tile saw and drove to Debbie's to return it.  We had coffee with the girls and visited.  Christanna updated us on the wedding plans she has completed so far.
FRIDAY:
During the morning, I printed some recipes, signed the gift card and ironed my clothes for the shower tomorrow.  It was so hot by noon! 80o!  I told Bob that it's going to be hot in the kitchen to cook.  (Any excuse to get out of cooking!)  So we started to put all the air conditioners in the windows.  I washed windows-inside and out while Bob prepared the frames etc to air conditioners.  We just kept plugging along...living room, Sarah's bedroom, and ours.  Then I washed the sliding door and kitchen windows.  We out did ourselves.  We sat down to watch the History channel and took a nappie.  Now after supper, it's raining, so much for clean windows. 
SATURDAY:
When we got up this morning, a farmer was out in the back field with his tractor and disks turning over the soil.  Now we wonder what crop will go in this year.  What ever it is I hope it holds the dust down as it always ends up on our windows!

Betsy and I drove to the Fire Hall for the shower.  I brought the camera to take pictures for the bride. (Erin)   (Scrap booking ya know)  I  tried to get a photo of everything Erin  had made personally to enhance the shower; plus several of her guests.  


Erin hand painted the wine glasses.

 She had hand painted flowers on wine glasses.  The brides name and shower date was printed on the bottom of the glass.  Very artistic!  There was a chocolate ring from Oliver's in each glass for a favor.


Gift baskets for raffle.

She also had envelopes (for thank you notes) on the table with her return address.  We were to write our address on the envelope and place them in the basket in front of gift baskets that we would like to win.   Everyone wanted the Starbucks basket.
All the recipe cards that we brought went in a basket and the bride selected one at a time to give away the African violet plant on each table.  (Like a door prize)  
Grandma Freida and Grandpa Bill cooked and presented the buffet brunch; which was Egg and ham casserole, french toast casserole, bacon and sausage patties, chicken salad with croissants, salad fixings and a fancy, fresh fruit platter.  Everything was so good.


Erin cutting the carrot cake.

 The carrot cake from Gregory's bakery was excellent. 

 The event was very elegant and we all had a great time.  (Gma Freida & Gpa Bill are very dear friends that we camped with for many years while our kids were growing up.  It is their grandson, Jason, who is getting married.)
 Jason arrived near the end of the shower and he brought a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers for the bride, bridesmaids and all who had sponsored the shower.  It was such a nice jester.

Jason arrives with flowers!



We left the shower and went shopping at Lowe's for some flowers to plant along the garage wall.  We picked out several perennials-all in purple.  That's a favorite color of mine!!!!   Arriving at home and trying to unload it started raining again!   Give us a break already! 

The pool is clearing up nicely but now with the rain we can't get the patio furniture out.  
So back to the bathroom and maybe get the mirror lights and towel racks up.  That should finish the remodeling completely.  We have used the shower and seem to have so much more room in there.  Nice!
SUNDAY:
Well, the grand kids are starting to come home from college for the summer.   Eric is home and will be returning to his job working for the lawn maintenance company.  Sarah will be home on the 18th for a 10 days before returning to Boston for her 10 week internship at Deloitte Accounting firm.  I'm not sure when Rocky and Alex will be finished. 

During next week we will focus on the pool and patio furniture.  If it stops raining!  They need rain so bad in Texas and California that I wonder why someone doesn't build a water pipe line from The Mississippi River over there.  Perhaps it would prevent the floods.  It couldn't cost more than sending the Endeavor space ship to the moon!  Who does that help?

Wishing you all a good week with lots of excitement and memories!

Golden Gram


 








Monday, Monday

MONDAY:
I'll tell you right now, being retired doesn't make much difference than working as far as Mondays are concerned.  It's hard to get going!  The rain doesn't help much.

Our weekend gossip reveals that our neighbors house has been sold, within three weeks of listings.  An 80 year old man purchased it- CASH!  So if a mortgage isn't necessary we could have new neighbors in a couple weeks.

Our biggie thing this week will be "Orientation" to  babysitting my son's dog, COCOA.  Cocoa usually comes on their visits but I don't have to watch her.  She stands about 24" at her shoulders and must weigh about 100 pounds.  What a bark she has! She is rambunctious!  She is as old as our dog but she acts like a puppy.  It should be an interesting week. 




At last, Cocoa is napping!

Downtown today, there was a demonstration of cheering people.  They had flags and signs and they were singing-"OSAMA GOT OBAMA'D!"  They had made a huge red, white and blue sign with the same words printed on it and they propped it up against the war memorial in the square.  They made the Buffalo news but was told to remove the sign by the Veterans Administration here in Batavia.
The Shoot to Kill order has probably been on the books since 9/11 but Obama is  getting  the credit for it. 
TUESDAY:
Rain all day!  This weather reminds me of days back on the farm (by the way, our farmers here are 3 weeks behind in plowing due to the rain)  when the kids always got the job of walking thru the wheat fields pulling all the mustard plants (tall plants with a yellow color blossom) so they wouldn't be included in the harvest machines.  Big, big fields; we would carry the plants across one arm until we reached the end of the field and then dump them to dry out and die.  We had to mentally mark the area width for each trip so no plants were missed.    We would be soaking wet because it's best to pull the plants after a rain.  This was back in the dark ages as my kids say; before chemicals.  

Cocoa has laid on the floor right beside me today as I work on the computer paying bills and reading the back log of e- mails.   Our dog, Cinderella,  is always jealous and protective of her grounds; for some reason she  took a nap in Cocoa's bed yesterday.   I guess she decided that Cocoa could share too.  What's really funny is Bob and the two dogs napping at the same time.  They plop down as close as they can get.

I made banana bread today to use up the ripe bananas.  I have a simple recipe that you make all in one bowl and stir with an ordinary potato masher.  There's no need to haul out an electric mixer.  Near the holidays I add dried cranberries or dates to the recipe.  It will be cool enough to have with supper or while I'm watching the Biggest Loser tonight.  The contestants will get a make over during tonight's show; I'm anxious to see if the young man, (Austin) gets rid of that curly, unattractive mop of hair.  

Bob painted the bathroom walls today.  It looks so much nicer.  While he was painting the second coat, he heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen.  So he walked out to check and there was Cocoa having a couple bites of nice warm banana bread!  I was warned not to leave stuff on the table but I completely forgot.


Cocoa's snack!

WEDNESDAY:
It's cloudy, cool (47o) and we saw the sun once.  We have a beautiful lush, green lawn that is about 8"- 10" high now.  We couldn't mow before our trip due to rain, and since we have been home it continues to rain.  Soon we will need a farmer with a baler machine!   We certainly will have to pick up the cuttings as we mow.  We have had lunch and Bob and the dogs are napping, so maybe after that.

This morning I copied and pasted a "flyer" for our next camp out and e-mailed it to all our members.  I also prepared the snail mail for campers without computers.  I had a couple  changes to our roster so I made them.     Now I should start the HRRVC CHAPTER 12 camper newsletter. 

Darn, my nails need cut, I keep hitting the wrong keys.  It's hard to believe but since Betsy does my nails, and she insists that we keep them with a square surface (no filed points) I actually have pretty nails.  Before I was always chipping or snagging them and then they would break.    The top coat helps as the polish has something in it to make the nails stronger.



Nothing runs like a Deere!  Bob's machine is 18 years old, he faithfully maintains it including a wax job every so often.



















We both went out to work on cutting the lawn. What a mess!  We still have some cuttings to pick up but it will have to wait until tomorrow as the rain came down again!  As long as it was raining,
Bob came inside to work and he removed the paint tape in the bathroom.   He plans to move the toilet and the sink back in after supper.  Hooray!  Slowly it is coming together. 

THURSDAY:

A beautiful day with  sunshine!  Bob needed a haircut to spruce up before the Mother's Day dinner so he was gone in the morning.  I worked on my Chapter 12 newsletter.  I found a new feature in Publisher now that we have Windows 10 to change the shape of photos: it looks like scrap booking.  I was so excited!
After lunch we both went outside to rake.  Then Bob lowered the mower blade and cut the lawn again.  Then we had to rake again but it looks so much better.  Needless to say, I was to tired to think about what to cook for supper so we ordered pizza & wings.

FRIDAY:
Another nice day!  Breezy but that's good, it will dry the ground.  I gathered my coupons and went grocery shopping at BJ's, and Tops Market.  Then I noticed the car fuel gage was on empty.  Dang, I had two other stops to make while out.  So I drove over to the gas station, preceded to take the gas cap off.  I couldn't get the gas cap off!  Now I'm you know what!  So I hopped back in the car and drove home, praying I'd make it.  I did .   I left a note in the car-"GET GAS!"  The city trucks were out patching the pot holes and I'm glad they didn't hold me up to long.
While at the grocery store, I wanted to rent a movie at the RED BOX machine that Annalynn recommended to me now that our Blockbuster Store has closed.    So I picked out  the King's Speech to watch tonight.  This film won several academy awards so I hope we like it. In the afternoon, I finished the HRRVC Chapter 12 newsletter and Bob took the snail mail to the post office.  After supper, we all worked on hanging the new medicine cabinet in the bathroom. 




Shower Door Installed

SATURDAY:
Bob & Betsy worked on fittings for the frame of the shower doors and then put the doors up.  They worked most of the day.  What a difference.  I ran the vacuum all over the house for one more sweep of the plaster, grout etc. 
After supper, we packed up Cocoa's belongings and they are bringing  her home.  She would  probably have our dress clothes all slobbered up if we wait to take her home when we leave for brunch tomorrow.

SUNDAY:
Christianna made reservations for Mother's Day Brunch in Buffalo at Salvatore's Italian Gardens for 12:00pm.  Salvatore's is a beautiful dinning experience.   They have the most beautiful decorations; inside and outside.   For instance; in the Ladies bathroom, one wall has a glass cabinet (floor -ceiling)full of Barbie Dolls in gowns.  In the Men's bathroom, there is a display of model cars.  (So Bob tells me)  At Christmas time, their Christmas trees and decos are unbelievable, millions of lights.  Now it is decorated for wedding receptions.


Christianna and Grandma Caroline




HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS!



Thanks for the many gifts!



We have so much to be thankful for.

 Have a good week. 


Golden Gram

OUR FIRST CAMPOUT FOR 2011 COMING UP!

MONDAY:
The start of another week.  We kinda had a "food hangover", from Easter Dinner.
While doing the washing, I worked on the computer.  In an effort to inform a potential new camping member for our Chapter, I had many e mails to send out.
Bob started grouting the tile.  Almost finished, he ran out of the paste and had to wait until Betsy came home from work to go get more since our car is at the garage.   The diagnosis of our car is a rusted pipe line that carries the fluid to cool the transmission.  They have promised to have it finished by Wednesday when we hope to hook up to the motor home and head for The Villages @ Turning Stones in Utica.  I started a list of things to pack.  Then I made piles of stuff to take out to motor home as it has rained most of the day. 
TUESDAY:
Our area was covered in fog this morning.  Then it rained.  Then more fog.  Then more rain.  We did see the sun for awhile and the temperature did go over 70o. 
Today was load the camper.  The first trip is always the hardest with the reloading.  Spices, medicines, soaps, paper products, food, water etc.  We just have the computer and printer to unhook and load in the morning.  Then we drive up to the college to hook up the car, as it's much safer than on our street.  Bob received a call about 6:15 tonight that the car was fixed and it could be picked up.  So that relieved some tension.  Yes, the price of repair cleaned out my "slush" fund! 
WEDNESDAY:
We backed out of the driveway about a hour later than planned due to some phone calls.  Up at the college everything went good. (turning signals, brake lights and running lights all worked)   I watched to make sure the hitch pins went into place and that the tires were turning and then boarded the bus for take off.   How exciting!  We drove for about an hour and a half then stopped at Port Byron for a sandwich and to check the outside hookups once more. 


Rindo's site 

 We arrived at Turning Stone at 2:30, and went to the reserved 500 loop which is a cul-de-sac with a huge fire ring in the middle for groups.  We just had time for check in, set up, have a cup of coffee and change clothes  before driving to Utica College to pick up our grandson, Eric.   The VFW was only minutes away from campus.  Our "Chicken Reggie" dinner was delicious!  The Varsity football players served and cleared tables.  They had a real good turn out.  Bob was "moaning" (Our favorite saying is; "okay Moana") because he couldn't see any chicken.  We couldn't either.  They must grind the chicken up.  The sauce is a white base with just a little tomato of some kind for color and flavor.  The dinner ticket was printed as if Vodka was used in the dish. I have to go on line to search for the recipe as it was so good.  Since then in talking to other people, they also make it with sweet or hot peppers.  Eric's football coach talked to us during dinner.  He has finished his Master's degree and will be moving on to pursue his career in Criminal Justice. 
After dinner the three of us drove around the college and Eric explained all the buildings.  He also has his room assignment for next year so he showed us where his dorm will be. He had homework to finish so we left him off and returned to camp.  A big day for us, so we vegged out in front of the TV.        Several times during the evening there was terrible thunder and lightening and heavy rain. 
THURSDAY:

On TV this morning there was still storm warnings.  Many schools were closed or had a 2 hour delayed opening because of flooded streets.  They showed the Utica bridge downtown that had water up to the bottom of  the bridge, and so it had been closed.  We did not see any damage around our camping area. 

There was a lot of William and Kate pre-wedding stories on TV.  

This sign used to point to the factory.  All business was shipped overseas.



The big sales are not always available.  They have special weeks.

 We had breakfast and drove over to Sherrill to visit the Oneida Company Store.

This is an outlet for Oneida products: silverware, pot and pans, china and some glassware.   Then we drove to Wal-Mart for a couple of things that I forgot to pack.  Soap for the bathroom you can’t go without!  Bob needed a TV hookup part; he couldn’t get cable to work right and there was 72 channels advertised.  One has to get them all, ya know!  On the way home we stopped for an ice cream cone which substituted for lunch.  One of the campers had been there and had free cone coupons, we wanted them dipped in chocolate so we had to pay for that portion.  When we returned to camp the Chapter 100 campers totaled 7.  Later Maria & Craig Donnelly arrived with their big beautiful semi rig, motorcycle, and 5th wheel camper.  Some of the Chapter 100 members were going to Vernon Downs casino for the dinner buffet.  Some one mentioned that the machines pay better at the Vernon Downs in comparison to Turning Stone Casino.  I fixed a a salad and spuds while Bob cooked a steak for supper and we watched a video for the evening. 



Vernon Downs Casino

FRIDAY:

 We went over to Vernon Downs to try our luck.  They had a promotional card for three days; after you put $10.00 in the machines they would give you a $10.00 voucher to use.  I had won $31.00 and Bob had lost his $10.00 so we went for the voucher.  No luck.  I cashed out and stuck the winnings in my wallet and we left.  The casino was in a one floor building and it compares to the one in Batavia.  They painted the ceiling black and moved in the machines.  That's it, they were in business. 

We returned to camp for 4'oclock cocktails.  The Parkhill's and Sendker's from our Chapter 12 had arrived.  As we were unloading stuff from the car, I noticed a screw in our tire.  Would you believe it?  So while deciding what to do, Bob reached down and touched it and it came right out.  We were lucky, it wasn't in deep enough to cause the tire to go flat!  30 campers signed up to go out for the Fish Fry at Joel's Restaurant.  Returning to camp, we passed on the campfire because it was bitter cold out by then. 

SATURDAY: 

We had a Continental breakfast down by the fire ring.  The higher officers had a Counsel meeting at 10:00 to go over the plans for Region 1/NY St. Rally.  Our day was spent back at Utica College with our grandson, Eric, for the Moose A Polasa event.  We went to the bookstore first to shop.  Then to the carnival area, and then to the football field to watch the drills, and scrimmages.  This years' freshmen are trying out for the varsity team.  Eric's roommate and parents joined us for dinner downtown.  It was a big day.  We returned the boys to their dorms and said goodbye.  Back at camp, we went to campfire for a couple hours to visit with everyone. There was a total of 20 camper rigs at this outing.  That's a good turn out! 

My Star Magnolia Bush at home.

SUNDAY:

Another Continental breakfast and then pack to go home.  The time went so quickly. We arrived home safe about 2:30pm.  Betsy helped us unload the camper and had supper planned.  Grandson, Alex stopped by to pick up some things and to play with his dog, Cocoa who we are babysitting this week while our son and wife are on a cruise. 

We had a great week and trip and it was great to get away from the remodeling mess.   Thanks for reading this and hope you enjoy our stories.

Golden Gram