NEW FURNACE, SOCIAL EVENTS.

MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY:

I'VE BEEN AVOIDING MY BLOGGING!  I had such a hard time getting the last blog typed and posted that I just felt defeated.  Bob even helped me.   As I put pictures in, they would bounce up to top of blog or above the previous picture; out of sequence.  Over and over, we would cut and paste, only to have them bounce again.   If I back spaced to erase some typing, it would change the font.  I do not know if it's my computer or me.  Anyway, the problems take the fun out of it.  If it continues, it maybe the end of my Blogging.  Maybe the blogs are  just to long; that could be why my mentor publishes twice a week.  

So we have finished up the Easter left overs.  I have the china and serving dishes  packed and put away.  I did the washing at night because we have been on the run.  Life is busy!   

At the dermatologist's last week, it was decided to start  light therapy for my out break of psoriasis's.  No more excuses as the topical medicines aren't working.   Three times a week to Rochester, what a dredge.   It's quite the experience.  I had to step into a booth of florescent tubes for 40 seconds.  It was hot, it smelled like hair burning.  Ugh!   When I returned on Wednesday, they asked if I had turned pink!  Ha, in the pink!  Since I hadn't, they upped the time a little.  

I tell you, when people call or I see them in person and they ask how I am, I'm tempted to ask them if they want my list.  That's a funny.  Seems it's always one more thing to be concerned about.  

On a much happier note, we had lunch with our friends, Bonnie and Bob.  I suggested the bakery & bristo that opened last year in an old building downtown, for something different.   Our food was good and we enjoyed our visit for a couple hours.   We hadn't seen them since before Christmas and they both looked good, planning their motor home trips.   

YOU CAN SEE THE COMPUTER TIP THAT BOB GAVE TO BOB.  

I went back to the opthamologists for a check up.  They put drops in both my eyes as Dr. Li did the post-op and pre-op for the next surgery.  Dr Li assured me that I hadn't pushed the new lens out of my eye.  I woke up one night, the plastic protective cap was off, and I was rubbing the top of my eye.   Oh brother.  

Betsy and I worked on some crafts that was for the baby shower.  I was to take them to Debbie's tomorrow.

THURSDAY:
More driving.  Bob had a doctor's appointment and I had a hair cut appointment in Lockport.  Bob rescheduled when the doctor was sick and he combined our trip.  Good thing with the price of gas going up each week.  

FRIDAY:
Early this morning, I had to help Bob back the motor home out of driveway.  He had an appointment at a dealers to replace a recall part on the refrigerator.  For the forth time!  

Before Bob left, we cleared the mud room of stuff in the way as our furnace was to be delivered and installed today.  The guys came about 9:15 am and they worked for about four hours.   Bob helped out when he returned.  

ALL INSTALLED

I made a pot of chicken noodle soup and then went in the craft room to stay out of their way.   

After supper, I tried to place an order to Stampin Up as they have a retirement list published and offered free shipping.  Well, what a rip off that turned out to be--not one of the retired stamps that I wanted was available.  So I tried to order just supplies-ha-the web site was too busy-try later.   Pretty discouraging.   

SATURDAY:
More driving!  The girls and I are heading to Kirkland, Ohio, for my Great niece's bridal shower.

ME & STEPHANIE ROSE
SHE'S A BLOGGER TOO!

AAH, THE GROOM (CHRIS) ARRIVES WITH FLOWERS.
FOUR MORE WEEKS UNTIL MR & MRS.  

SUNDAY:
More driving!  Today we have a baby shower in Lockport for my granddaughter, Christianna.  As you will see many hands went into the decorating of this shower.  And it's only the ones I know about.  And the biggest acknowledgment goes to our daughter, Debbie, who put it all together and made it a beautiful event.  We all enjoyed her new idea of a popcorn bar.  There must have been 12 flavors of popcorn to munch on.

THE TRICYCLE DIAPER CAKE THAT BETSY MADE

ANNALYNN WORKED OUT ALL THE PRINTING
AND THE DECORATIONS FOLLOWED IN THE PASTELS AND CIRCLES.

CHRISTIANNA WORKED ON THIS BANNER FOR 5 HOURS.

BETSY PAINTED THE CARD GIFT BOX  

ROCKY WROTE THE POEM ON THE FAVOR

GREAT, GRANDPA BOBBY MADE THE PREGO LADY AND THE UMBRELLA IN HIS GARAGE SHOP.

THEY WERE USED IN ALL THE FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS ON THE TABLES.

The cutest gift- videos, books and outfits for the local teams.

FOR THE BILLS GAMES

FOR THE ORANGE MEN GAMES
ANNALYNN'S MARK ALSO SUPPLIED A SPIDER MAN BOOK.
A FEW OF HIS FAVORITES!  

A NEW BABY MAKES A NEW GREAT GRANDMA!

A big weekend for us.  It was fun.

Now that Sarah is home for a few days, we can look forward to doing a few things with her.  

Time to put the feet up and relax.  Have a good week and again thanks for checking in.

GOLDEN GRAM 

NEW TOW VEHICLE! ALL ABOUT EASTER!

MONDAY:

All day at the car dealers.

When the salesman showed us the back up camera on the dash, I was excited and I yelled "SOLD!"   (Sorry Bob but you have had several back up accidents)  Yeah, it could happen to anyone.

TUESDAY:
We were up early, showered/dressed and on the road at 9:30am.  Big deal for us sleepy heads.  I noticed that I had lost a part on my eye glasses so the first stop was at University Eye for the repair.  

Then on to Eastern Hills Mall area where Bob wanted his fly rod reel checked out at Orvis fishing store.  He is now on a first name bases with the manager, Adam.

That done, on to the Buffalo Rubber Stamp and Paper store that was mentioned in my card making class.  Oh my goodness, so much inventory in that small place.  I gawked and gawked.  Easter stamps were 25% off so I pick up a couple stamps.  I just couldn't make a decision in the short shopping time that I had.  There's tons of scrap booking paper and examples of layouts.  Too much to look at!   

We went for lunch before going to the car dealers' to take possession of the new EXL CRV.  I guess it's an SUV.  I am so happy as my worries about another fire in the transmission will be over.  I'm guessing that Ford would never replace another transmission should there be another fire; it would just be a battle.  

Our salesman was excellent; he talked from 1:30 pm to 4:00, going over paper work and all the car features, like settings of the computerized things.   What a nice guy.  (Vincent C at Ray Laks)  I owe him some chocolate chip cookies.

This is it!  
My Chocolate Drop!  

Heading home we stopped for 4:00 coffee and tried to make decisions on where to put our personal things.  The water bottles will be handier at arms length on the door.  But the next coffee purchase will have to be medium size as small size was hard to grip in the middle wells.  We couldn't get the thruway monitor to stick on the windshield so I had to hold it up in the window  at the toll booths until new stick em is put on it. 

At home, it was an effort to make warm ups for supper as we were wiped out.   Now I'm two days behind with doing the washing, Bob is out of socks and I need gutchies!

WEDNESDAY:
Up and at em!  I have another appointment at dermatologist in Rochester.  Co pay, copay, copay!  Golden years takes all our gold. I'm also doing eye drops for the cataract surgery on Thursday.  

We had the lunch special at Olive Garden and then went on to AC Moore before heading home.  

At home, I started making some Easter candies.  

I MADE A POUND OF WHITE AND 2 POUNDS OF DARK CHOCOLATE.

FINISHED PRODUCT

THURSDAY:
We checked in at hospital at 8:30am.  Procedure followed and we left by 10:30am.  My cataract in left eye is gone.  Now more follow up with drops.

I PROMISED A FRIEND A SELFIE BUT
SINCE I CAN'T SEE GOOD BOB TOOK THIS PHOTO.  

I laid around the rest of the day.  During the night I developed stomach cramps.  What to hay?

FRIDAY:
I had to go back to the ophthalmologists office for a check up.  They removed the bandage and after checking things, gave me more instructions.  I mentioned the stomach cramps and the doctor thought it was from the anesthesia.  Really?  Another of my  allergies.  The cramps continued so I laid low.

SATURDAY:
I'm feeling a little better, still a few cramps.  The eye is fine, no problems except to stop and put in the 3 drops.  
Betsy stepped up and had Easter fixings rolling.  Well, the stuff that she wanted to put in basket to take to church for the blessing.  

  She baked several breads with the egg in the middle. 

WE ALWAYS DID THIS WHEN SARAH WAS  SMALL.

 She colored all the hard boiled eggs.  She had made the Sweet Cheese and cooked the Kielbasa yesterday.  (Sweet cheese is scrambled eggs, milk with cinnamon and raisins.  Recipe handed down from  Grandmother.) 

READY TO GO TO CHURCH.

After the church visit, the two of us continued with the Easter fixings. 

Betsy has the jello made and she is filling the jigglers.

SUNDAY: 

A great sunny day with lots of food and fun doing the egg hunt.  All the young adults couldn't be here so some "old adults" filled in.  The bunny was out hiding the eggs at 7:00am.  We were all surprised how hard the bunnies clue's were done in graphics.  It was a tall bunny too as some eggs were found in the trees.  

IN THE DRAIN PIPE

Rocky found some in the mailbox.

ANNALYNN, MARK & BOB
FIRST AND SECOND PLACE WINNERS

BASKETS FOR EVERYBODY

HAPPY EASTER FROM ALL OF US!

GOLDEN GRAM 

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! REPAIRS TO GET DONE. HAPPY HOME OWNERS!

MONDAY:
WOO HOO! NATIONAL NO HOUSEWORK DAY!
It was nice outside until about noon, then the rains came.  Damp and cool!  About 10:00 am Bob was invited to go fishing at Godfrey's Pond again.  He gets all excited...then he thinks about it...oh darn...I have this to do but on goes the fishing garb!

As soon as he returned, he called for service on the furnace.  I have been complaining that I smell something burning like wires or dust or rags in the mud room.    (Again he can't smell it)  Saturday when it happened, I called Betsy from her room and she checked out all the machines...nothing was hot.  

As soon as the service man arrived, he took the front cover off the furnace and found cakes of soot, and something white.  Then he noticed a compressed shield that had fallen on the burner.  A couple pieces of insulation was loose and  burned off. 

THIS WAS ON THE BURNER OF FURNACE.

He worked about two hours cleaning the interior and extension pipes.  I have a feeling we are lucky to be alive.  Do you think that is what "fall cleaning" is all about?    We have had the house 44 years, the furnace is an original so replacement was suggested, once again by the service man.  Ha, there was a 20 year warranty on the furnace.  It owes us nothing!  

It was also strongly suggested that we get new carbon monoxide machines up!  Yes, they do become outdated!  After supper Bob headed out to Home Depot and purchased 3 new monitors.  

TUESDAY:

Yesterday I was searching for some cute ideas for Easter decorations and came upon this egg coloring tip.  Who-da thought this would work?  In the first place I don't think a plastic soda glass would be to good to use.  But I'm going to try the whisk idea.
Another idea was on Face Book for coloring eggs.  If you don't have small people about who enjoy the event and you want to do the job quick here's an idea.
Spread shaving cream into a bowl and add food coloring of your choice into it.  Roll the eggs in it, then rinse and let dry.  The picture was pretty with a purple and blue marble effect. 
I do have to look in storage for my Jigglier egg jello molds.  Even the big kids like to eat them as they jiggle and roll.


Bob's afternoon doctor's appointment in Lockport was cancelled because the doctor was sick.  It happens to the best of us.  So we sat deciding what to do instead and we ended up shopping all over town.  

After supper I fell asleep in a chair, too much for the old gal.  When I woke up I was so out of it, I went right to bed.  Bob watched his TV stories.

WEDNESDAY:
Today is Bob's birthday.  He is telling everyone he is 67, that's shaving off 10 years.   We went to Brockport and finished off some more shopping and went to lunch to celebrate.  The restaurant that I had in mind was closed for remodeling so we went to Friendly's. Always good there and ice cream sundaes are included in the meal.  We thought the ice cream was one scoop but not so..full Hot Fudge Sundae.  

BIRTHDAY LUNCH
ALL LOW CALORIE!  

After we went to Wal Mart and then Wegman's.  At home and after unloading, we took a nap.  

I had steak planned for supper so that was easy.  I whipped up a salad and some of those steam fresh veggies.  Betsy brought a small cake home and we had that with our coffee and song!   

BEST WISHES!

HE IS VERY HAPPY WITH HIS GIFT
A NEW 11' FLY FISHING POLE FROM THE FAMILY.  

It's been a beautiful day, nice and warm.  It's promised for tomorrow too. Can you believe it?  I bet I know where someone will be going!  

THURSDAY:
Well it was too windy for fly fishing today.  But it did reach 70 degrees.  Yes, love it.  
Bob dug right into the outdoor problems.  Yesterday he had shoveled the ramp to the shed; tired of waiting on Mother Nature.  Today, out came the John Deere tractor and he put it in garage for maintenance.  He noticed shingles off the back roof of the shed.  Then he took the pool pump off and took it to be fixed at the pool place as it had leaks using it last summer.  Plus he wanted to move the stones off the grass before it started growing.   He hooked up a small vacuum and sucked them up rather than raking.  Clever!  So quite the busy guy.
I was not that ambitious.  I was all anxious to put the Easter baskets together with the stuff we have been shopping for the last few days. Betsy and I are hosting Easter dinner this year.  First time in many years as we have been going to Debbie's.  Debbie and crew are in Las Vegas for the week so I offered to have dinner.   We always have an Egg Hunt even if the kids are older; they get a basket for participating.  I put together eight Easter baskets and Betsy helped me shrink wrap them after supper.

ALL SET FOR THE EGG HUNT!

 

I did find my jello jigglier molds so I have them out and washed them.  Next was check tablecloths.  Sounds like a lot ahe?  Well, so far I haven't washed any walls and curtains like Mom always had to do.  That's about it for today.  Time to hit the hay.  

FRIDAY:
I pulled another of those mornings-up early-back to bed-by the time one has a shower-the morning is consumed.  
After lunch, I went downtown to do some errands.  I needed some cash so I went to the bank first.  What to my surprise, I could reach the machine to take out cash.  Bob usually does it.  

Bob waited for a guy to pick up the John Deere tractor.  He wants it serviced as he couldn't get it to run right last fall.

I tried to make a grocery list, more in menu form so I don't forget the food I need for the dinners.  That made me think of the fact that Mom never made a ham gravy, how come?  I did try a raisin sauce one year but it was horrible!  To much vinegar.  Guess I'll do a Goggle on that idea.  Any suggestions? 
Another thought came to mind, remembering dinners; one year my brother Bob and I was horsing around in the kitchen, fighting over the Redi Whip.  It went all over an some how we knocked a pitcher and matching juice glasses off the top of refrig.  It was Mom's favorite, a Depression Cobalt blue glass antique.  Funny, I remember the fun but not the punishment.  

I worked some in the craft room but I didn't feel good so that didn't last long.  I waited for Betsy to come home and we had the stinking fish and shrimp, one more time.

I went to bed early to read.  Nuf for the day.

SATURDAY:
Really nice day!  Oh, I'm so pleased that it's nice.  

All three of us have some kind of congestion.  Nora virus maybe like on the cruise ships.  Mostly head congestion.

Since I didn't feel good, I decided to get a supper made so I could take it easy all day.  I put together a dish of lasagna so I could just pop it in the oven later.  Then I turned on the telly and plopped to watch the Master's.  I love to see the beautiful spring flowers on the golf course.  That's all I did for the day.

Bob and his buddies went to Godfrey's Pond to fish about 9:00am.  He hooked four but couldn't land them.  Now I suppose he needs a net.  He came home about 2:30 and told of his day...all excited, then he went upstairs to change clothes and he disappeared...nappie time.  

SUNDAY:
Well, the sun is going down and I'm trying to compose what I did all day...dah!   

Congratulations Mike!

There was good news!  First off, Bob's nephew in Fl. on the police force received an award for volunteering.  Nice pics came thru.
We are also promised a You Tube of the ceremony.  
Then our grandson, Alex, had an up date to his graduation schedule (he'll be a pilot! aeee!)  In between all the ceremonies, there will be a formal ball for all of us.  That should be fun.  Scheduled in June.

I played in the craft room making place settings with my eye on the TV watching the Master's.  I'm so disappointed that the young person didn't win but we noticed a couple acts of poor sportsmanship so he needs to mature.  He has to earn the green jacket with more than a good score.

Bob spent the day outside again.  He was polishing up the truck as we have an appointment tomorrow to look at a new "tow" vehicle.  (HONDA CR-V)  The appointment is with the first person to call back with a brown one.   We also ordered a new furnace this week. Bob is saying, "Go work your magic Caroline.  (Meaning funds)  Okay Bob.

That brings another week to a close.  That awful word (snow) is expected again on Tuesday after all these nice days.  Nuts!

Have a good week and thanks for clicking in.

GOLDEN GRAM 



  

Well, that takes care of March, Let's see how April will be.

MONDAY:
Well, I screwed up this day!  I first got up at 5:00 am, had my coffee, wandered around the house, worked on computer, then went back to bed about 7:00 am and slept until 10:30 am.  Until I finally woke up to normal, it was around 11:00 am.  Great start for the day!  That has to be some kinda Old Age syndrome.

I had mending to do so I picked up the sewing machine and set it up.  I had trouble threading the needle even with the white paper behind it, so I changed the spool of thread.  grrr!  That worked better and I fixed my garment.  Then I forgot to ask Betsy to pin some new pj pants so there the mess sits and she has gone to bed.  Always tomorrow.
I didn't finish the wash until about 5:00 pm and then it was hurry and make supper.  Bob hadn't woke up from his nap so that slowed things down some.  

COMING UP THE BACK YARD, FOUR ALTOGETHER

The deer are out in the field almost every night now.  Having our coffee on the porch, it's fun to watch them.  We have a couple of brave ones; just like last night, four of them cut across the fields heading straight for the neighbor's bird feeder. Now they don't even wait until dark.  It was close to 7:00 pm.   I watched them for some time.
TUESDAY:
So it's April Fool's Day.  And how did that originate?  I have to look that one up. 
It's about 9:45 am and Bob has left to join our son, David, at one of the fishing holes.  They have a beautiful, warm day. Bob wants to practice tying the knots that were taught in his instructional class.  Never mind catching a fish.

I have the clothes all folded and will put away when I go upstairs.  But for now, I have the day to myself!  Yippee!  I have two more cards that I want to make up, so off I go.  

HERE'S ONE.  IT'S A POCKET CARD.
 IT WOULD BE GOOD TO SAY LET'S HAVE LUNCH!
SINCE IT'S SO SMALL.  I COPIED BRANDY COX DESIGNS AGAIN.

In the evening we both had events to attend.  Bob went to a Planning Board meeting and I had registered for a Stampin Up Class.  
Bob heard that there are investors interested in building a high rise for adults at the end of our street now.  Bob prepared an e-mail to all the neighbors again.  Non-ending!  Not an April Fools joke.  
In my class, we each worked on two Easter cards and one Easter treat bag.  
On two of the items, we had to make a grass cut and they now have scissors that cut grass about 1" wide so that was a new experience.
 A border punch was used, oval punch, a name plate punch, a Scallop Tag Topper punch for bag and a bird punch.  A Sizzix Die was used to cut a frilly square which we trimmed into a beautiful cross. 
It was nice to see some of the other products used also; like the Stampin Up glue pens, two sided tape and glue dots. A good experience for an evening.
That's the good part of it; the bad part is when one tries to make up more of the same without the tools. What can you trace, what other tool can you use to improvise to make same?  

CHICKS CARD WITH
THE GRASS CUT.

SIZZIX DIE CUT USED FOR CROSS 

THE TREAT BAG.
OVAL AND SCALLOPED BAG TOPPER PUNCH USED.

These were fun to make.  I didn't like driving home in the dark by myself though.

WEDNESDAY:
A late sleep in and the morning was gone!  Then once I turn on the computer, I'm stuck there for a hour or better.  I did get some cash receipts posted.  (End of month, ya know)  
I made stuffed peppers for supper and this time they cooked so good.  The rice was perfect!  I've been having trouble with that factor.   I put them on the stove (the lowest heat) and went to take a nap.   They weren't done for supper so I had to cook another hour as those peppers were hugeaaaa.  .  
I watched some TV with Bob then went to bed and just had to finish a book.  Wee hours again, no wonder my sleeping is so screwed up!

THURSDAY:
Finally, I saw two robins this morning!  I'm probably the last person to spot them.  
I started off the morning answering a phone call in bed.   It was 10:30.  (Making up for reading so late)   It was Bob's sister and she had some questions regarding the wedding event.  She offered to call later and I accepted.  I said, "Let me get a cup of coffee!"  
During the afternoon and into the evening, we both worked on the Secretary's job (Bob is now sec.) for our camping group.    I  made and then organized all the camp outs in folders and he looked up the info on the campgrounds.  We hunted for the original Events Schedule and it was a pdf file which some members can't open.  I retyped it in Word so we could send both files out again.   Reminders were sent as to deadline dates for registering.
Our Region 1 meet in May is on an island somewhere beyond Watertown, NY.   Yeah, a different campground for us.  Since it's surrounded  with water, fishing ought to be easy.  They promise a cooking school too.  It would be just my luck that they would cook fish!
Our Eastern (new this year) International meet is in SE West Virginia.  Yeah, another new destination!  It's at a fair grounds in Fairlea, WV., in September.   That would be a nice trip, hope the dates work out for all the campers.
Bob is now watching his TV program-Elementary.  I'll pick up the mess and I'm heading to bed.  Lots of sitting today.

FRIDAY:
I'm heading to the doctor's for a pre-op exam.  It's at 11:15 am for my cataract surgery in a couple weeks.  What else do I have to do?

STILL DRIFTS

It's cold and raining like mad.  The back field is really flooded.  There is still a snow drift in front of our shed and Bob still can't open the doors.  He was out there poking at it yesterday.  It will take a few more warm days to finish it off.  

I hinted at draining some water off the pool as the elephant cover is sitting in water.  I was worrying it would rot!  Bob calmly says, "you think it will rot."  I guess I shouldn't notice, like a nag!  Another big pay out if it does, they aren't cheap.   After I worried that the ice in pool would move more and cut the liner.  Oh boy.

I finally sat down and fixed the hem in my new pj's.  It was a job taking out the original hem.  Sometimes you can catch one thread that will go zip all around hem; not so with these.  Then my robe needed the hem fixed, done!  I couldn't think of any other patch jobs so I put the machine away.  
SATURDAY:
We woke up to a scattering of snow and it was cold, with temps dropping again. It's probably not the last time either.  
I addressed some Easter cards while Bob was working on his computer.  He is researching the purchase of a different tow vehicle.  I live in fear to tow the Ford for fear of another fire in transmission and he says that he heard a huge clunk the other day.  Do you know the saying, "time to trade as the ash trays are full!"  Well, in perspective-it needs new brakes and tires.  
Bob went downtown to look at the Jeep models and was gone for four hours; a simple phone call please.   I made another pineapple upside down cake as he thought he could smell one baking before leaving.  Like hint, hint.  
We watched the game shows and the Saturday Night Mystery before going to bed.  About half way thru, I realized that I had seen the mystery before.  Dah!

SUNDAY:
I'M UP AT 5 AM AGAIN.  Boy I could hold down a job this week, ha!  The truth is, I don't even want to clean and cook anymore.  Lazy!  Of course, I'm on computer.  I noticed alot of other people's new game requests are showing up in Face Book again.  I need to find the spot to get rid of them.  Annoying!!!!  
I watched a scrappin video.  The artist used pastel colors and the lay outs were pretty.  But they put so much on the page, you hardly can see the photo.  You could say, they are talented and I'm just jealous.  True!   

About 1:00 pm, David and Donna arrived here.  We all had a wake to go to in Rochester suburbs.  After they hunted for an Olive Garden restaurant and we all had another delicious meal.  I took a picture of my salad and bread stick and sent it with a text to my grandson in Utica, to tease him.  He likes OG too.  He guessed OG immediately.

At home we had coffee and pineapple upside down cake and then Donna and David left.  Now it's time to settle down for the evening and relax.  

I'll have to check to see if Mr. Selfridge is on WXXI tonight.  Last week we watched it and had a hard time sorting out the new characters that have been added.  

It's seems like the week went by fast; maybe the few good, sunny  days helped. 
So have a good week and thanks for coming by.  

GOLDEN GRAM