Month: February 2012

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Tornado season early

Tornadoes are common here, even sometimes surprisingly even in November or later. With the weather being as strange at it is and has been all over the United States, nothing surprises me anymore. Last night we had a big storm roll in, and the wind was really roaring, and I saw branches broken and also garbage cans, being blown down the road.

The wind picked up more and we did have a tornado watch, but I never trust what it says on the alerts, as we’ve been under watches before, and I tornado has actually touched down in our back field. So much for giving us any warning. THAT was scary.

During all the sounds of wind and hail coming down, I heard a big ripping like sound that came from the East side of the house. All I could think was, another bill and more home improvement. I’m sort of getting used to thinking that lately. When I went out in the morning, sure enough…there is another project. The siding was pulled and blown off the corner of the house. I’m glad we kept extra siding, as what was off and loose was bent all to heck and back. There isn’t enough damage to make the deductible, with the insurance company, but just enough to be a pain in the butt to replace.

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A ski holiday in Whistler

My dear friend Maxie called last and right away started talking about  Ski Holidays in Whistler. Now, I know my friend and of course the wheels started turning right away, since I knew what was coming next. She realizes that I am a total klutz. I have no desire to ski. I hurt myself just tripping over cracks in sidewalks. I hate cold weather and snow, even though I do think clean pure snow is quite beautiful, but that is my extent of liking winter and the cold.

Maxie though, has recently come into some money and has saved some holiday money and gave me a site to look at, to take a look at the ski accommodation in Whistler, at least. She has wanted to take me on a holiday for a long time, and loves trying anything new. I must say that the idea of sitting before a fire and looking out at the snow and the ski slopes. The mountains and all the beautiful scenery. While looking at the site, it actually got me thinking about being adventurous.

I was a little bit concerned about her paying my way though. I’ve always been like that. But money is tight for us right now and living in the US, has made things a bit tough for everyone job wise. I do have money put away for something special, and when I checked out the prices, they weren’t bad. There were great discount whistler lift passes also. So, I’m thinking about it the holiday she has proposed to me. We’ll have to see what happens and how really serious she is. Knowing my Maxie, she is pretty serious.

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Mr. Tree and advice

My oldest daughter sent this to me, as some of her “sage” advice. I thought it was pretty cool. For one, I love trees. You can say, yes…I am a tree hugger, person. And I really liked the advice, considering I’ve been fretting a lot about things and realize that it’s time to go out and embrace nature to get a firm grip on my out of control imagination. She sent this to me at the right time. I’m not sure which category it falls in actually, but I do know that indeed it is an opinion and also a reminder that I have to get back out and go hug a tree and groove with nature to feel better. It’s been a long tough winter.

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Botanical gardens

This coming weekend if all goes well, I’m planning on going to the Zoo, that is in the city that I grew up and go home to nearly every other week. The Botanical Gardens are open all year around, but I like to go around this time each year, to get my garden incentives flowing.

This is a wonderful place to go. And this is just a start. I have to say that some of the local exhibits and also the out of town attractions and recreational places to go, are indeed a great joy to me.

When I go to the Botanical Gardens, I can stay there all day. Not only do I love the warm humid environment of the massive greenhouse, but I also love the earthy smells, the smells of the plants and exotic flowers, along with the more known species. There is also a simulation of a rain forest in another part of the zoo that I like to go to, when I am in that area. It’s amazing. Complete with the alligators, turtles, fish and all kinds of birds native to the rain forests. Not to mention the really unique plant life. I’m in seventh heaven when I’m there and always plan to be away from the time they open in the morning, until they close in the evening. I’m really looking forward to this.

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New picnic tables and benches

Since I am on the board planning the park reconstruction here in our small town/village, I voted for new commercial picnic tables. The old ones are falling apart, and the wood is splintered. I firmly believe they are dangerous for families having a picnic or kids climbing on them as kids will do. The ones that are there now were just the kind that a person would buy at a hardware place, put together themselves and not treat with any kind of weather protection. The commercial picnic tables the board is looking at, are better than the run of the mill kind, and in the long run, would save all kinds of money, but not having to replace them for a long time. The upkeep or maintenance is very low also.

Since there are quite a few shade trees in the small park, that surround the play ground area, us ladies thought it would be awesome to have some park benchesto sit on, instead of having to haul our own chairs, to the park. We usually always bring blankets to spread out for the tired little ones to rest on, but having the park benches would be a great way to cut down on what we need to take our kids, or in my little tiny kids for others, just to play in the park for a few hours.

All in all, the plans for the park are going well. We are still within our budget, which makes everyone happy. What makes me happy, is that we will have safe and sturdy tables and benches in our little park and it cuts down on some of the worry about safety issues.

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Rampant colds and strep throat

With the change in the weather, I sort of expected for us to come down with the annual colds and sore throats that we usually do. Generally we shake it, with chicken soup and lots of liquids, and rest. Not this time. My youngest son is feeling well now, after he got over strep. But I got it…Aren’t Mom’s supposed to be immune? Then the rest of the family followed.

I honestly can’t stand it when my children are sick. Despite of their ages and they are nearly grown adults…( Okay, sometimes they don’t act like it, but age wise they are…) I always feel so sorry for them and of course, this is the only time they want “Their Mommy.”

I’ve got a HUGE pot of chicken soup brewing on the stove, and went to the store and loaded up on the Power Aids, which will do well to put electrolytes in their bodies. They are actually resting on their own and they must feel kind of poopy, since they aren’t arguing with me. WHEN IS WARM WEATHER GOING TO GET HERE????? Okay, a moment of spazing out there… I’m entitled. (;

 

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Changes in the weather

Is warm weather coming early here, or is it just a tease? This is what I asked myself when I got up this morning and turned on the news and weather. Today when I went into town, it was sunny and about 45 degrees. Not bad, but would have been better had the wind not been blowing.

According to the weather report for the next few days, It looks as though it will get into the 60’s tomorrow, but there is also a chance of rain storms, which around here…might mean also a chance of tornadoes. Scary thought.

Weather like this though, makes me want to get out in my gardens and at least putz around… pull out anything dead or any of debris that has gathered. I’m itching for warmer weather to do this and start spring cleaning them. I have a feeling though, that because the weather has been so mild this winter, that summer is going to be a dangerous one. Lots of storms and tornadoes, or just the opposite and droughts. It wouldn’t be the first time that my feelings about such things were right.

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Picking out paint colors

Thinking I knew exactly the color I wanted to paint my bathroom and having all of it planned out, was a mistake. I have changed my mind twice in one month. This for me is a hard decision to make, as when I paint, I change EVERYTHING. From towel, face cloth, hand towel color. Shower curtain color and patterns, liner color, liner and shower hook color, and the rugs and tank and seat cover for the toilet.

I buy new tooth brush holders, and also even match the Dixie cups to my theme. SO, I have to make sure I know EXACTLY what I want. I’m not really OCD about it, but I figure if I’m changing something that will last a few years, I want to do it right. Besides, usually after that amount of time, the towels get worn, and of course the rugs and other accessories to. It also is time for a change.

Once again I am undecided, but at least I have the flooring sorta picked out. đŸ˜‰

 

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New kitchen spice racks

Starting to make plans for organization in my kitchen and also the cupboards, I’ve been seriously thinking about getting all new kitchen spice racks. I love them, and they make it so much easier to find what I am looking for. I’ve had a problem with the kids just using a spice or packet of what they need, and not putting it back in it’s proper place. It actually gets on my nerves a great deal. They are old enough for organization and to take responsibility for the things that I buy and they use.

Since I’m going to remodel the kitchen with new cupboards, something I’m looking forward to very much, I’ve decided that perhaps I am going to get a big wall spice rack. I have plenty of room on the walls, but not really enough cupboard space.

These would be ideal. The spices would be right in reach and easy to put back to their proper place. I actually think it will look really nice also. I usually cut and hang my herbs and flowers up to dry from the kitchen ceiling, and it will look sort of old style. I like that look. A country kitchen from long ago. The spice racks to me are a great touch.

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Kegan’s adventure

My daughter’s boyfriend is on a Greyhound bus coming to see us, and will stay until next week. He is coming from Massachusetts and so far, the bus ride has been rather miserable. Poor kid. I feel for him, as when I was his age, I traveled by bus to Richmond Va. and it was a long, tiring ride. He hasn’t slept much at all…just has dozed, so I’m sure he is going to sleep well tonight.

My daughter is so darn cute…she is excited and can’t sit still. LOL! Ahhh, young love. I remember when. Actually my daughter is 18 and Kegan is 20, so it’s not really young love, but both are younger minded in a pleasant way. I get a kick out of them.

We will be going to my Mom’s for the weekend, and I have a task for them. I want them to sort my seeds for my gardens there, that I am going to plant come spring as long as all goes well with my surgery. I have dried the seeds I collected last fall and now they need sorted and put into wax paper packages that I make for them. Then they need marked as to what they are. It will give them both something to do.