There are 3 windows in the den and one of them opens to the front porch. TR Baker and I decided we would open that window, move the den TV through the window and out to the porch for our Derby party and the summer. We would put another TV in the den. Several weeks ago TR said "that window opens right?" I said "of course". Well, I looked at it the other day and saw that if had been painted shut. The only question I had was how many times had it been painted shut? So my brain begins the process of how difficult is it going to be to get it open? And "how to" get it open. I could also already see TR Baker tackling this job and the vision was not good!
I am continually amazed how much TR Baker and HC Baker are alike. Honestly, sometimes it startles me. HC and TR both would have attempted getting that window open with anger and frustration already simmering inside them just below boiling point. So, I decided I would do this while TR was at work this evening.
I went to the toolbox and found this "thing" that looks like a paint scraper only it's about 2 inches wide and 10 inches long. Also at the opposite end there is a little hole that looks as if it would remove nails. I have no idea what it's called but I also brought a hammer!!!! I took the paint scraper thing and the hammer and went all around the window hoping to loosen it and get it open. I was able to release the window from the inside but it still wouldn't budge. I went out to the porch and looked at the inside of the window. Guess what? Painted closed on the outside too! And there is a storm window!!!! So I call my friend Rick J. who is married to one of my oldest (known each other, not age) friends and knew HC Baker very well and shares a lot of the same personality traits and outdoor hobbies. I gave him the whole scenario and asked what I could do. He determined (over the phone) that my next step would be to call someone to help me. I assured him I could do this. (He's used to hearing that from women because his wife is always just as pleasant as I am and as flexible and as even-tempered and open-minded!) He says OK but you'll have to remove the storm window. Not a problem. I go get the electric screwdriver and it's CHARGED!!!!!!!!!! Hooray! Out on the porch I look at the storm window. There are 12 screws holding it in place. I start at the top and remove each one, at the last one I have my shoulder up against the window so it won't fall out. It doesn't, I remove it, and then proceed to use the "paint scraper thing" and the hammer to loosen the outside of the window and guess what???? I got it open. Yea for me!!!! And nothing's broken, nobody's angry and all is well with my world. Should I replace the storm window or put it in the garage until next fall? Your thoughts?
So when I ask TR Baker to move the TV through the window in the den onto the front porch and he stomps into the den to begin work on the window... (I'm smiling!)
P.S. It was cold and rainy this afternoon so where was I? Yes! At another track meet! Garrett won 3rd in shot put again!!!!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
I did it!
It took me a week to finish it but I did it! My front porch looks wonderful. It's bright and happy and clean! Thank all of you so much for your kind thoughts and words. And I want each of you to come up and sit on my porch with me. The view is spectacular! We can talk non-stop or not at all! I'm good at both! I have plenty of great books to read and TR Baker is a terrific cook. The good news is he's not messy like his Dad!
Brett and Garrett came over tonight to help TR Baker hang two mirrors in the living room. They are both very old and heavy and lifting is not my thing or using the stud finder, or the level and or the hammer. The first mirror they hung we have had for a bunch of years. Many of you have seen it but I don't know if you know the story. It's about 5 x 3 with a beautiful 6 inch wide layered dark cherry frame. It used to hang in the shoe department in the Bacon's downtown store. HC Baker's mother, June was a shoe buyer at the time they closed that store and she asked for it and they gave it to her. At that time we lived on Cherokee Road and she knew it was perfect for that house. It was! And we've had it ever since. Now it lives in Michigan! The other mirror actually belonged to June. It's about the same size but quite dramatically gold with lots of "curlyques" and cherub faces and flowers and...you name it. When June died it was the one thing TR Baker asked for, so it is now living in Michigan too. Both mirrors really complete the living room. I'm still hanging stuff on the walls and probably will be until I die!
HC Baker used to hate to leave town for fear of what I would do while he was away. All of you probably remember the story when I sold our home before he had even gotten to his destination. The house wasn't on the market but we had talked about it. I got an offer and accepted it and away we went. Then one time I completely changed the kitchen and he didn't even notice until he'd been home for 3 days!!!!! Another time he was only gone for a few days and I re-arranged the living room. He came home very late to a dark house and fell over a chair! He was thrilled. Enough of that!
TR Baker and I are getting ready this week for our second Michigan Derby Party!!!!! (He came from Louisville last year to help!) He's responsible for the yard and I'm responsible for the food. He will have quite a few of his new Michigan friends and I will have some new guests too. Everyone's very excited and wonder what is a Derby Party? We knocked their sox off last year and plan a repeat performance this year. If there are any of you without plans, get in your car and head this way.
Monday I have a track meet, Tuesday is my sister Mary's birthday and Friday is Brett's birthday. My sister Mary is the youngest of the sisters (that's what she always tells people when the 3 of us are introduced together) and this year the youngest will be...drumroll please...60!!!!!! For heaven's sake DO NOT TELL HER I TOLD YOU HER AGE!!!!!!!!! She will not let us talk about it at all. But we have plans for her. She will hate every moment which is exactly what we hoped for. And DO NOT WARN HER!!!!!!! Friday Brett will be 43. Libby just turned 43 so I have lived through the "43" once and can do it again!
Hope everyone has a fun-filled Derby week. Stay safe and remember I love each of you! xxoo
Brett and Garrett came over tonight to help TR Baker hang two mirrors in the living room. They are both very old and heavy and lifting is not my thing or using the stud finder, or the level and or the hammer. The first mirror they hung we have had for a bunch of years. Many of you have seen it but I don't know if you know the story. It's about 5 x 3 with a beautiful 6 inch wide layered dark cherry frame. It used to hang in the shoe department in the Bacon's downtown store. HC Baker's mother, June was a shoe buyer at the time they closed that store and she asked for it and they gave it to her. At that time we lived on Cherokee Road and she knew it was perfect for that house. It was! And we've had it ever since. Now it lives in Michigan! The other mirror actually belonged to June. It's about the same size but quite dramatically gold with lots of "curlyques" and cherub faces and flowers and...you name it. When June died it was the one thing TR Baker asked for, so it is now living in Michigan too. Both mirrors really complete the living room. I'm still hanging stuff on the walls and probably will be until I die!
HC Baker used to hate to leave town for fear of what I would do while he was away. All of you probably remember the story when I sold our home before he had even gotten to his destination. The house wasn't on the market but we had talked about it. I got an offer and accepted it and away we went. Then one time I completely changed the kitchen and he didn't even notice until he'd been home for 3 days!!!!! Another time he was only gone for a few days and I re-arranged the living room. He came home very late to a dark house and fell over a chair! He was thrilled. Enough of that!
TR Baker and I are getting ready this week for our second Michigan Derby Party!!!!! (He came from Louisville last year to help!) He's responsible for the yard and I'm responsible for the food. He will have quite a few of his new Michigan friends and I will have some new guests too. Everyone's very excited and wonder what is a Derby Party? We knocked their sox off last year and plan a repeat performance this year. If there are any of you without plans, get in your car and head this way.
Monday I have a track meet, Tuesday is my sister Mary's birthday and Friday is Brett's birthday. My sister Mary is the youngest of the sisters (that's what she always tells people when the 3 of us are introduced together) and this year the youngest will be...drumroll please...60!!!!!! For heaven's sake DO NOT TELL HER I TOLD YOU HER AGE!!!!!!!!! She will not let us talk about it at all. But we have plans for her. She will hate every moment which is exactly what we hoped for. And DO NOT WARN HER!!!!!!! Friday Brett will be 43. Libby just turned 43 so I have lived through the "43" once and can do it again!
Hope everyone has a fun-filled Derby week. Stay safe and remember I love each of you! xxoo
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Spring Day...sort of!
Early this morning I wandered to the kitchen to make my cup of tea and as always looked out the window. There was a cardinal sitting in the evergreen tree! I could not believe it! That's the first cardinal I've seen this spring in Topinabee in 2012. I was very excited and decided it was going to be a great day! I do believe the high temperature today was 58 and it felt wonderful. I spent the entire day on the front porch. First I pulled up the (very) old indoor/outdoor carpet. Most of the foam backing has turned to dust so that was a messy job. My allergies didn't like it at all. I'm still coughing. There are 17 windows surrounding the porch and each had a window shade. All gone! I took them down and they, along with the carpet, are in the trash waiting for Friday morning's pick-up! Can't wait for that stuff to be gone! Then I washed all the windows (yuk!) and vacuumed the windowsills and baseboards. Tomorrow I am ready to paint the floor (it's plywood). The color will be red at TR's request.
There was a sofa and 2 chairs left in the house, and they are the kind with a wooden frame and loose cushions. I am making new covers for the cushions. There are 14 of them and the new fabric is primary colors in stripes and coordinating floral and red and blue denim. I have 11 of them done. I'll also cover a few pillows to toss around!
As soon as I finish painting, I will arrange the furniture and place the cushions. I cannot wait. It will be the first time since we moved in that the front porch is not full of stuff/junk/boxes/furniture/leftovers from other rooms and dirt! I will photograph it as soon as it's done (Sunday at the latest).
TR spent the day down at the boathouse. It sits right on the lake so the first clean-up after winter is a "doosie". Our property is the only one in our row with a tree. So the leaves were never raked last fall plus branches and sticks and overgrown weeds and the grass...he got it all cleaned up, sprayed for no more weeds, mowed and put down mulch. We're on a roll here!
Yesterday Garrett had another track meet. This one was in Sault St Marie about 100 miles north of us (across the bridge into the "UP"-Upper Peninsula). Brett went because Gracie had soccer practice. This track meet was a qualifying race for an Invitational tomorrow in Indian River. I'd never heard of a qualifying meet. You must place in the top 3 to participate in the Invitational, and he did!!!! He placed 3rd in the shot put but did not make the top 3 in the 100 yard race. So he will compete in the shot put tomorrow and I'll be there. (I'm not sure about this "qualifying" thing especially for the 8th graders. This is their first experience participating in track and field events and I think every child should be allowed to compete if they are on the team and have been practicing. Not being allowed unless you are a "winner" is not very motivating. I remember when TR Baker went to Eastern High School for his first year. He wanted to be on the golf team so there was a meeting and you had to bring a parent. I went and the first thing the coach said to the new kids was they need not expect to play because he had very good players who were juniors and seniors and they would be the ones competing. Eastern High School went down hill from there! I was never in one of my children's schools as much as I was for TR's years at Eastern. What a nightmare. I was happier than he was when he graduated. I hope they don't have the same principal, and I hope none of you are related to him or are his friend because he was an idiot! And many times I was there I went with questions for the principal. He was never available. One time I said I'd wait and sat down at one of the office desks. He appeared within 5 minutes. OK...enough about him!)
Tomorrow Grace has a soccer game at 5pm in Cheboygan. And...tomorrow is also Grace's 10th birthday, so with our last breath, we will have a birthday dinner around 8 o'clock! The Lindgren's wear me out! What is that song and I do love it...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! So true!
Crossing my fingers for another sort of Spring Day tomorrow. Isn't it amazing what sunshine (and a cardinal) can do for you? xxoo
There was a sofa and 2 chairs left in the house, and they are the kind with a wooden frame and loose cushions. I am making new covers for the cushions. There are 14 of them and the new fabric is primary colors in stripes and coordinating floral and red and blue denim. I have 11 of them done. I'll also cover a few pillows to toss around!
As soon as I finish painting, I will arrange the furniture and place the cushions. I cannot wait. It will be the first time since we moved in that the front porch is not full of stuff/junk/boxes/furniture/leftovers from other rooms and dirt! I will photograph it as soon as it's done (Sunday at the latest).
TR spent the day down at the boathouse. It sits right on the lake so the first clean-up after winter is a "doosie". Our property is the only one in our row with a tree. So the leaves were never raked last fall plus branches and sticks and overgrown weeds and the grass...he got it all cleaned up, sprayed for no more weeds, mowed and put down mulch. We're on a roll here!
Yesterday Garrett had another track meet. This one was in Sault St Marie about 100 miles north of us (across the bridge into the "UP"-Upper Peninsula). Brett went because Gracie had soccer practice. This track meet was a qualifying race for an Invitational tomorrow in Indian River. I'd never heard of a qualifying meet. You must place in the top 3 to participate in the Invitational, and he did!!!! He placed 3rd in the shot put but did not make the top 3 in the 100 yard race. So he will compete in the shot put tomorrow and I'll be there. (I'm not sure about this "qualifying" thing especially for the 8th graders. This is their first experience participating in track and field events and I think every child should be allowed to compete if they are on the team and have been practicing. Not being allowed unless you are a "winner" is not very motivating. I remember when TR Baker went to Eastern High School for his first year. He wanted to be on the golf team so there was a meeting and you had to bring a parent. I went and the first thing the coach said to the new kids was they need not expect to play because he had very good players who were juniors and seniors and they would be the ones competing. Eastern High School went down hill from there! I was never in one of my children's schools as much as I was for TR's years at Eastern. What a nightmare. I was happier than he was when he graduated. I hope they don't have the same principal, and I hope none of you are related to him or are his friend because he was an idiot! And many times I was there I went with questions for the principal. He was never available. One time I said I'd wait and sat down at one of the office desks. He appeared within 5 minutes. OK...enough about him!)
Tomorrow Grace has a soccer game at 5pm in Cheboygan. And...tomorrow is also Grace's 10th birthday, so with our last breath, we will have a birthday dinner around 8 o'clock! The Lindgren's wear me out! What is that song and I do love it...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! So true!
Crossing my fingers for another sort of Spring Day tomorrow. Isn't it amazing what sunshine (and a cardinal) can do for you? xxoo
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Short Note!
Well, it's happened! Today my oldest daughter, Libby, celebrated her 43rd birthday! She is finally older than me! I knew if I just waited long enough it would happen. Good grief! My brain just told me in 7 years she would be 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shut up Brain!
Well, the upstairs bathrooms are 98% done. There is a tiny bit of touch-up painting to be done and TR needs to "afix" his mirror to the wall. I will hang pictures and walk away! This was a very simple job that got totally out of hand! That's what happens when your home was built in 1854!
This week...the front porch! I finally completed reviewing the boxes! Interestingly enough, applause now please, I threw a ton of stuff in the trash can! If HC Baker were buried, I could safely say about now he is rolling over in his grave. Since he is still on a bookshelf in the den, I just walk in there and thumb my nose at him! I did find 4 more very interesting things. I'll not tell you about them because I'm mailing them to 4 different people I love...really. They can do whatever with the "stuff" but those things are not in my custody anymore. Oh darn! (I think they will all be happy with what I'm sending. And only one of them is related to me in the biblical sense!!!!! I'm laughing already!)
The snow melted because it rained! The sunshine was beautiful today but it's still chilly. Today's high was 52.
Hope you all enjoyed "Thunder"! I watched some of it "streaming". What is that and how does it work?
Tomorrow is Garrett's birthday. He will be 14!!!!! Thursday is Gracie's birthday. She will be 10!!!!! (I have thought for most of this year she was already 10 and going to be 11! Wake up Jo!) Tuesday and Thursday there are track meets! I'd better start early in the morning on the porch!
Pretty quiet up here! I'm just so happy Libby is now older than me! Life is great! Love you all!
Well, the upstairs bathrooms are 98% done. There is a tiny bit of touch-up painting to be done and TR needs to "afix" his mirror to the wall. I will hang pictures and walk away! This was a very simple job that got totally out of hand! That's what happens when your home was built in 1854!
This week...the front porch! I finally completed reviewing the boxes! Interestingly enough, applause now please, I threw a ton of stuff in the trash can! If HC Baker were buried, I could safely say about now he is rolling over in his grave. Since he is still on a bookshelf in the den, I just walk in there and thumb my nose at him! I did find 4 more very interesting things. I'll not tell you about them because I'm mailing them to 4 different people I love...really. They can do whatever with the "stuff" but those things are not in my custody anymore. Oh darn! (I think they will all be happy with what I'm sending. And only one of them is related to me in the biblical sense!!!!! I'm laughing already!)
The snow melted because it rained! The sunshine was beautiful today but it's still chilly. Today's high was 52.
Hope you all enjoyed "Thunder"! I watched some of it "streaming". What is that and how does it work?
Tomorrow is Garrett's birthday. He will be 14!!!!! Thursday is Gracie's birthday. She will be 10!!!!! (I have thought for most of this year she was already 10 and going to be 11! Wake up Jo!) Tuesday and Thursday there are track meets! I'd better start early in the morning on the porch!
Pretty quiet up here! I'm just so happy Libby is now older than me! Life is great! Love you all!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
It's a Pity Party Day!
UGH! It's raining outside. I need spring! I need sunshine and warm breezy temperatures. I want my front porch "done" and I want to sit on it and read a good book. I want to make fresh lemonade and drink it in a frosty glass. I want to wear my flip-flops! I want everyone to see my freshly painted bright pink toes. I want to open my bedroom window and smell the fresh air. I want a GOOD sliced tomato. I want fresh basil. I want my yard to look pretty. I want grass!!!!!
I've been having nightmares about the half bath upstairs and that dadgum mirror. Today TR Baker worked to his frustration limit finally getting it attached to the wall over the sink. He also (grumpily) hung a cabinet I bought to give me storage in that bathroom. I must admit I get so angry with him. He is JUST like his father. No one but me sees fit to operate on my schedule and my schedule is the best schedule. I had to go to my room and calm down to avoid being really ugly to him. Yesterday, while STILL going through boxes on the front porch I found a binder my dear friend Ray made for me. It is full of the messages sent to HC Baker and me on Mayo Clinic's "care pages" while we were living that nightmare. I read each one and that's when the pity party began! But did I stop reading? No, of course not. I read to the very end. The good news is by the time I finished, TR Baker had completed the project. He left shortly thereafter so I was able to organize the new bathroom cupboard and work through my evil moments.
Now the only huge project I have is the front porch. A sofa and two chairs were left and have 14 loose cushions. I am going to recover them. I've already purchased the fabric so all I need to do is get sewing! The fabric is sail cloth...dark navy, bright red, a primary color floral and coordinating primary color stripe. The yard people are coming tomorrow (forgot to ask them if they work in the snow and/or rain) and then the outside painters are due to begin on Monday. Still haven't selected the color. I have 5 colors I'm considering. First of all, my storm windows and doors are brown and metal. So they will have to stay brown and metal. There is a bit of other trim that can be painted - white I think. I've narrowed my choices to (remember with brown) Roaming Pony (kind of like Hersheys cocoa in the can), Mark Twain grey brick (kinda dark slate), Perfect Plum (a deep burgandy - why didn't they just call it that?), La Fonda Villa Fountain (no clue right? - kinda grey-green), and Sky Space (a medium to dark teal). All of these colors have a blue undertone, remember I don't do yellow. What do you think? I've asked TR Baker for his opinion and he says he didn't care, pick whichever color I want...see, just like his Dad. Emily likes the Mark Twain dark grey, Gracie thought pink would be great(??), Garrett shrugged his shoulders, and Brett looked to Emily to see if he should agree with her!
I've done all I can today or should I say I've made all the messes I can today (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). My heart has been so sad because a wonderful young man died last Saturday from an undisclosed heart ailment. He was 24 and in 4 weeks would have graduated law school. I'm having difficulty understanding right now. (Another pity party contributor.) Please pray for his family.
OK. I'm better now. Thanks for listening. I love you all!
The sun will come out Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow...is that too many Tomorrows? There are never too many Tomorrows! xxoo
I've been having nightmares about the half bath upstairs and that dadgum mirror. Today TR Baker worked to his frustration limit finally getting it attached to the wall over the sink. He also (grumpily) hung a cabinet I bought to give me storage in that bathroom. I must admit I get so angry with him. He is JUST like his father. No one but me sees fit to operate on my schedule and my schedule is the best schedule. I had to go to my room and calm down to avoid being really ugly to him. Yesterday, while STILL going through boxes on the front porch I found a binder my dear friend Ray made for me. It is full of the messages sent to HC Baker and me on Mayo Clinic's "care pages" while we were living that nightmare. I read each one and that's when the pity party began! But did I stop reading? No, of course not. I read to the very end. The good news is by the time I finished, TR Baker had completed the project. He left shortly thereafter so I was able to organize the new bathroom cupboard and work through my evil moments.
Now the only huge project I have is the front porch. A sofa and two chairs were left and have 14 loose cushions. I am going to recover them. I've already purchased the fabric so all I need to do is get sewing! The fabric is sail cloth...dark navy, bright red, a primary color floral and coordinating primary color stripe. The yard people are coming tomorrow (forgot to ask them if they work in the snow and/or rain) and then the outside painters are due to begin on Monday. Still haven't selected the color. I have 5 colors I'm considering. First of all, my storm windows and doors are brown and metal. So they will have to stay brown and metal. There is a bit of other trim that can be painted - white I think. I've narrowed my choices to (remember with brown) Roaming Pony (kind of like Hersheys cocoa in the can), Mark Twain grey brick (kinda dark slate), Perfect Plum (a deep burgandy - why didn't they just call it that?), La Fonda Villa Fountain (no clue right? - kinda grey-green), and Sky Space (a medium to dark teal). All of these colors have a blue undertone, remember I don't do yellow. What do you think? I've asked TR Baker for his opinion and he says he didn't care, pick whichever color I want...see, just like his Dad. Emily likes the Mark Twain dark grey, Gracie thought pink would be great(??), Garrett shrugged his shoulders, and Brett looked to Emily to see if he should agree with her!
I've done all I can today or should I say I've made all the messes I can today (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually). My heart has been so sad because a wonderful young man died last Saturday from an undisclosed heart ailment. He was 24 and in 4 weeks would have graduated law school. I'm having difficulty understanding right now. (Another pity party contributor.) Please pray for his family.
OK. I'm better now. Thanks for listening. I love you all!
The sun will come out Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow...is that too many Tomorrows? There are never too many Tomorrows! xxoo
Monday, April 16, 2012
A reminder of why I love the indoors!
This morning when I awoke, it was beautiful outside. I planted some seeds, watered my four pots of mint I had already planted, spoke with the young man who is coming back on Thursday morning to pretty-up my yard, and sat down in a yard chair and drank my morning tea. I thought, Spring finally! NOT!!!!
The weather forecast said the temperatures would continue to drop all day, possible rain and winds gusting up to 50 mph. Oh and also snow late tonight with possible accumulation of 2 inches by morning. Good Grief!
I had a lot to get done today so I worked very hard and fast. Still putting the finishing touches on the upstairs baths and getting ready to pull up ugly carpet on the front porch and paint it. All to be done by Derby Day! Hurry! Hurry!
And I had to leave the house by 3:20pm to get to Cheboygan for Garrett's very first track meet at 4pm. He is training and competing in shot put and the 100 yard dash. I knew he would be great at the shot put but was concerned about the running. He is a great football player as the center and kicker...not a big runner. So with the cooler weather in mind, I dressed in layers topping it all with a coat, gloves and muffler. When I arrived at the meet, I also took my umbrella just in case. The wind was really blowing by the time I got to the shot put area. And daughter Emily was working as the measuring person. Garrett did great and I personally thought his throw was the longest. About the time that was completed, the wind got worse, the temperature dropped and the rain began. OK, I can do this. (I say that alot!) I headed to the stands and hoped his running event was coming soon. As I waited for his next event, they announced the results of the shot put. Garrett finished 3rd!!!!!!! Hip! Hip! Hooray! I was so happy for him.
The wind is blowing so hard I cannot open my umbrella. And it's raining so hard my hair is wet. The only real protection I have for my face is my sunglasses. (That's for you Tim N!!!) The announcer has called for the 100 yard dashers so this is almost over. My foundation is running down my face, my coat is soaked, and my hair is now dripping. I finally get my umbrella open and the man sitting next to me tells me it won't do any good. I looked right at him and said I was from the south and the only time we sit outside in this kind of weather is for a college football game. And my grandson placed third in the shot put and is getting ready to run in the next race so watch me manage my umbrella and get out of my line of vision!
The gun is fired and off they go. Oh my gosh, I had never seen Garrett run so fast. Didn't know he could! And he finished third!!!! I am so proud of him. Just like the mail...neither rain, nor sleet nor snow keeps him from doin' his best!!!!!
I left immediately thereafter. I had arrived a southern belle and was leaving a well...you figure it out!
The weather forecast said the temperatures would continue to drop all day, possible rain and winds gusting up to 50 mph. Oh and also snow late tonight with possible accumulation of 2 inches by morning. Good Grief!
I had a lot to get done today so I worked very hard and fast. Still putting the finishing touches on the upstairs baths and getting ready to pull up ugly carpet on the front porch and paint it. All to be done by Derby Day! Hurry! Hurry!
And I had to leave the house by 3:20pm to get to Cheboygan for Garrett's very first track meet at 4pm. He is training and competing in shot put and the 100 yard dash. I knew he would be great at the shot put but was concerned about the running. He is a great football player as the center and kicker...not a big runner. So with the cooler weather in mind, I dressed in layers topping it all with a coat, gloves and muffler. When I arrived at the meet, I also took my umbrella just in case. The wind was really blowing by the time I got to the shot put area. And daughter Emily was working as the measuring person. Garrett did great and I personally thought his throw was the longest. About the time that was completed, the wind got worse, the temperature dropped and the rain began. OK, I can do this. (I say that alot!) I headed to the stands and hoped his running event was coming soon. As I waited for his next event, they announced the results of the shot put. Garrett finished 3rd!!!!!!! Hip! Hip! Hooray! I was so happy for him.
The wind is blowing so hard I cannot open my umbrella. And it's raining so hard my hair is wet. The only real protection I have for my face is my sunglasses. (That's for you Tim N!!!) The announcer has called for the 100 yard dashers so this is almost over. My foundation is running down my face, my coat is soaked, and my hair is now dripping. I finally get my umbrella open and the man sitting next to me tells me it won't do any good. I looked right at him and said I was from the south and the only time we sit outside in this kind of weather is for a college football game. And my grandson placed third in the shot put and is getting ready to run in the next race so watch me manage my umbrella and get out of my line of vision!
The gun is fired and off they go. Oh my gosh, I had never seen Garrett run so fast. Didn't know he could! And he finished third!!!! I am so proud of him. Just like the mail...neither rain, nor sleet nor snow keeps him from doin' his best!!!!!
I left immediately thereafter. I had arrived a southern belle and was leaving a well...you figure it out!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Short Stories...
I'm a recovering Grandmother. Yesterday my oldest grandson, Daniel, was 21 years old. How can that be? When I called to wish him Happy Birthday, I also spoke with his mother, Libby, who informed me she would be 43 next week! I'm surely not related to these people!
This morning Emily, Brett, Garrett, and Gracie were boarding a plane at 6am Arizona time and I've always been a children traveling worrier! How about you? So I had to pray and worry for several hours before they got on the plane. They are in the air now and will land in Detroit around 3:30pm. Then with a layover, they will not get to Pellston until 11pm. That means I can worry all day long! Note to self, I only have to feed the goats and fish one more time, and get the mail one more time, and I got the "held" mail for the candy store and I bought milk and breakfast goodies for their Sunday morning. I'm nearly done with their vacation!
I did finish painting the bathrooms. I started Monday morning and painted until Thursday afternoon. They look "FAB"! Today I will scrub them and add the final special touches. Only had one problem and it's still not solved. In the half bath, there was an old medicine cabinet, very ugly!!! So I removed it, unscrewed it and pulled it out of the wall and knew I would replace it with another. Thought it was kinda odd it was only screwed to the wall on the right side. Once removed, I saw the left side was occupied by a huge galvanized plumbing pipe. So...needless to say when I sent to Lowe's (my favorite store - just about everyone knows my name) looking for a replacement medicine cabinet to fit a hole 13.5 x 19, they don't make that size anymore. They told me how to cut the opening larger and then I told them the left side was a pipe and the right side was a stud! Oh my! Got to re-think that whole issue.
And finally, I sat down this morning for a few minutes to eat a bite of breakfast and turned on the news. The first commercial was this woman, the apparent inventor/creator of some sort of arm "firmer-upper" who was selling some sort of hand-held silver thing that she said made all the difference in the world in her upper arms. She showed hers off and said not bad for a 51 year old. Well hell, my upper arms looked that good at 51, it's the "65" look that's causing me to shudder! And then she said it also gets rid of...ready for this?...BRA FAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know they invent/create new things everyday but who would coin the 2-word descriptive phrase BRA FAT? And make no mistake, I know exactly what the phrase describes but did I need hear it out loud?
I'm going to scrub and worry. Have a wonderful weekend.
BRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFAT
xxoo
This morning Emily, Brett, Garrett, and Gracie were boarding a plane at 6am Arizona time and I've always been a children traveling worrier! How about you? So I had to pray and worry for several hours before they got on the plane. They are in the air now and will land in Detroit around 3:30pm. Then with a layover, they will not get to Pellston until 11pm. That means I can worry all day long! Note to self, I only have to feed the goats and fish one more time, and get the mail one more time, and I got the "held" mail for the candy store and I bought milk and breakfast goodies for their Sunday morning. I'm nearly done with their vacation!
I did finish painting the bathrooms. I started Monday morning and painted until Thursday afternoon. They look "FAB"! Today I will scrub them and add the final special touches. Only had one problem and it's still not solved. In the half bath, there was an old medicine cabinet, very ugly!!! So I removed it, unscrewed it and pulled it out of the wall and knew I would replace it with another. Thought it was kinda odd it was only screwed to the wall on the right side. Once removed, I saw the left side was occupied by a huge galvanized plumbing pipe. So...needless to say when I sent to Lowe's (my favorite store - just about everyone knows my name) looking for a replacement medicine cabinet to fit a hole 13.5 x 19, they don't make that size anymore. They told me how to cut the opening larger and then I told them the left side was a pipe and the right side was a stud! Oh my! Got to re-think that whole issue.
And finally, I sat down this morning for a few minutes to eat a bite of breakfast and turned on the news. The first commercial was this woman, the apparent inventor/creator of some sort of arm "firmer-upper" who was selling some sort of hand-held silver thing that she said made all the difference in the world in her upper arms. She showed hers off and said not bad for a 51 year old. Well hell, my upper arms looked that good at 51, it's the "65" look that's causing me to shudder! And then she said it also gets rid of...ready for this?...BRA FAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know they invent/create new things everyday but who would coin the 2-word descriptive phrase BRA FAT? And make no mistake, I know exactly what the phrase describes but did I need hear it out loud?
I'm going to scrub and worry. Have a wonderful weekend.
BRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFATBRAFAT
xxoo
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Me and the Goats!!!
Oh my gosh! Emily and her family are in Arizona for spring break visiting Brett's parents. She sent me a text this morning saying it was 91 and they were swimming!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...I have 3 responsibilities while they are gone. First feed the goats (there are 5 of them) twice a day, secondly, feed the fish twice a day and when I feed them in the evening, turn on their tank lights so they don't feel alone in the house (that from a note left by Gracie), and thirdly, get the mail out of the mailbox and put it on the kitchen counter.
The fish and the mail...not a problem. The goats are another story. When the family is home, the goats are allowed out of their pen to wander around the field. Since I'm doing the feeding, they stay in the pen because there are coyotes and other wildlife that could do them harm. Today it is barely 32 degrees and it has been snowing since around 1pm. No real accumulation, but just enough to make a mess. And windy!
I'm painting 2 bathrooms this week so before I start each morning, I go feed the goats. Then around 6pm I go back and feed them again. Each goat has their own food bowl and Toffy gets 2 scoops, and the others get one scoop. Then I make sure their water is full and put 2 "flakes" of alfalfa in the hay thing! So far so good. But this evening, in the mist of the snow and wind, I put their food in the bowls and went to the barn to get the alfalfa. While my back was turned, they ran out of their pen!!!!!! 5 of them running around in the field. Like an idiot, I called them to come back. What was I thinking? I'm wearing muck boots, a hat, neck scarf, coat and gloves and still freezing! And wondering how to get these dadgum goats back in their pen. I tell myself to remain calm and not call 911 (or TR). I can do this. The goats don't have collars and there's no sign of a leash. When I want the dog to come to me, as a last resort I say "want a biscuit?" and it works every time. So I hollared to the goats, "want a biscuit?" I don't think they heard me. And I'm running (slowly) around the field trying to "round" them up! For those of you who really know me...get a visual on this! I can't even catch up to one of them let alone 5. I go and stand in the pen thinking they might want to be close to me. They didn't. I go back to the barn where their food is kept and rattle the bucket thinking they'll think they're going to get more food. I guess they were full. Let me also clue you in to the fact that as soon as I get within catching distance, they run off and I swear they are smiling. OK, maybe if I walk back up the hill to the car they will think I'm leaving and wander on their own back into the pen. They didn't even look up. I sit in the car (with the heat running full blast) watching them and wondering how I can do this. I do know the goats do not like loud noises. So I start my car and drive it down to the field and when I'm in the middle of them, I honk the horn. Faster than a speeding bullet, they are back in the pen!!!!!
The moral of this story...when your children and grandchildren take a trip, go with them and leave the responsibilities to someone else.
Oh Spring, where are you?
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...I have 3 responsibilities while they are gone. First feed the goats (there are 5 of them) twice a day, secondly, feed the fish twice a day and when I feed them in the evening, turn on their tank lights so they don't feel alone in the house (that from a note left by Gracie), and thirdly, get the mail out of the mailbox and put it on the kitchen counter.
The fish and the mail...not a problem. The goats are another story. When the family is home, the goats are allowed out of their pen to wander around the field. Since I'm doing the feeding, they stay in the pen because there are coyotes and other wildlife that could do them harm. Today it is barely 32 degrees and it has been snowing since around 1pm. No real accumulation, but just enough to make a mess. And windy!
I'm painting 2 bathrooms this week so before I start each morning, I go feed the goats. Then around 6pm I go back and feed them again. Each goat has their own food bowl and Toffy gets 2 scoops, and the others get one scoop. Then I make sure their water is full and put 2 "flakes" of alfalfa in the hay thing! So far so good. But this evening, in the mist of the snow and wind, I put their food in the bowls and went to the barn to get the alfalfa. While my back was turned, they ran out of their pen!!!!!! 5 of them running around in the field. Like an idiot, I called them to come back. What was I thinking? I'm wearing muck boots, a hat, neck scarf, coat and gloves and still freezing! And wondering how to get these dadgum goats back in their pen. I tell myself to remain calm and not call 911 (or TR). I can do this. The goats don't have collars and there's no sign of a leash. When I want the dog to come to me, as a last resort I say "want a biscuit?" and it works every time. So I hollared to the goats, "want a biscuit?" I don't think they heard me. And I'm running (slowly) around the field trying to "round" them up! For those of you who really know me...get a visual on this! I can't even catch up to one of them let alone 5. I go and stand in the pen thinking they might want to be close to me. They didn't. I go back to the barn where their food is kept and rattle the bucket thinking they'll think they're going to get more food. I guess they were full. Let me also clue you in to the fact that as soon as I get within catching distance, they run off and I swear they are smiling. OK, maybe if I walk back up the hill to the car they will think I'm leaving and wander on their own back into the pen. They didn't even look up. I sit in the car (with the heat running full blast) watching them and wondering how I can do this. I do know the goats do not like loud noises. So I start my car and drive it down to the field and when I'm in the middle of them, I honk the horn. Faster than a speeding bullet, they are back in the pen!!!!!
The moral of this story...when your children and grandchildren take a trip, go with them and leave the responsibilities to someone else.
Oh Spring, where are you?
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Lots of News!
First and foremost, Happy Easter to each of you. It's the best holiday in the world. And the best holiday of our lives. Oh how He loves you and me!
Sad news to report from Cheboygan, MI. Cheboygan is the small town about 10 miles north of me where I go to shop. It's the town where my daughter Emily teaches middle school math. It's where Garrett and Gracie go to school. Until Tuesday, April 3 at midnight, it had a hospital. On March 1, the Cheboygan Memorial Hospital filed for bankruptcy. A corporation called McClaren (I think it's spelled that way) stepped in to buy the hospital. Deep sign of relief! Well, somewhere along the way, someone or something shoved a monkey wrench in the works and Tuesday morning at 8am the hospital informed everyone that the hospital would close permanently at midnight that night. The whole hospital, everything, all of it. That's 403 people instantly out of work in a town of 5000. The hospital was the largest employer in Cheboygan County. What a sad, sad thing to happen. And every other business in town will be affected. I'd like to ask each of you to pray for all those out of work and pray this can be fixed and quickly.
Tomorrow, April 6, is Emily's 42nd birthday. We will celebrate tomorrow night with dinner in my home. Gracie is coming tomorrow to help make the birthday cake...Heath Bar Cake...YUM! Ice cream of course will come from Drosts Chocolates! She was born at 8:47am and I was and continue to be forever blessed. Easter Sunday morning, Emily, Brett and the children will fly to Arizona for a week of warm weather, their spring vacation.
Today was a beautiful day. The sunshine was exceptional but it's still pretty cold up here. It warmed up to 42 this afternoon. Whoopee! I have been working on the front porch all week. I'm still finding pictures I had forgotten about, framed and not. I spent Tuesday re-working framed family photos and have a very special arrangement just for ME! I hung quite a few on the wall in my bedroom and even TR came in to look! Also, Monday and Tuesday, wonderful construction guys put new lighting, floors, sinks and vanities in the upstairs bathrooms. Now I have to finish making them glamourous by painting the walls. I am sick of painting! I'm thinking I will paint them next Monday and Tuesday and then spend Wed/Thur/Fri on the front porch...again. You all better come up here and see this place. I've planned it all with you in mind! October is just about full so pick another month! September's good!
Even though I'm a CARDS fan, I was an excellent cheerleader for the CATS last Monday night. So happy for them. Congratulations to all you CATS fans...especially Denise. She alone wore me out!
My life is wonderful because I know you all! Much love and blessings to you on this 2012 Easter!
Sad news to report from Cheboygan, MI. Cheboygan is the small town about 10 miles north of me where I go to shop. It's the town where my daughter Emily teaches middle school math. It's where Garrett and Gracie go to school. Until Tuesday, April 3 at midnight, it had a hospital. On March 1, the Cheboygan Memorial Hospital filed for bankruptcy. A corporation called McClaren (I think it's spelled that way) stepped in to buy the hospital. Deep sign of relief! Well, somewhere along the way, someone or something shoved a monkey wrench in the works and Tuesday morning at 8am the hospital informed everyone that the hospital would close permanently at midnight that night. The whole hospital, everything, all of it. That's 403 people instantly out of work in a town of 5000. The hospital was the largest employer in Cheboygan County. What a sad, sad thing to happen. And every other business in town will be affected. I'd like to ask each of you to pray for all those out of work and pray this can be fixed and quickly.
Tomorrow, April 6, is Emily's 42nd birthday. We will celebrate tomorrow night with dinner in my home. Gracie is coming tomorrow to help make the birthday cake...Heath Bar Cake...YUM! Ice cream of course will come from Drosts Chocolates! She was born at 8:47am and I was and continue to be forever blessed. Easter Sunday morning, Emily, Brett and the children will fly to Arizona for a week of warm weather, their spring vacation.
Today was a beautiful day. The sunshine was exceptional but it's still pretty cold up here. It warmed up to 42 this afternoon. Whoopee! I have been working on the front porch all week. I'm still finding pictures I had forgotten about, framed and not. I spent Tuesday re-working framed family photos and have a very special arrangement just for ME! I hung quite a few on the wall in my bedroom and even TR came in to look! Also, Monday and Tuesday, wonderful construction guys put new lighting, floors, sinks and vanities in the upstairs bathrooms. Now I have to finish making them glamourous by painting the walls. I am sick of painting! I'm thinking I will paint them next Monday and Tuesday and then spend Wed/Thur/Fri on the front porch...again. You all better come up here and see this place. I've planned it all with you in mind! October is just about full so pick another month! September's good!
Even though I'm a CARDS fan, I was an excellent cheerleader for the CATS last Monday night. So happy for them. Congratulations to all you CATS fans...especially Denise. She alone wore me out!
My life is wonderful because I know you all! Much love and blessings to you on this 2012 Easter!
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