Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays because the family always goes down to the elementary school for the town celebration. The fire department sells grilled chicken dinner with potato chips, corn on the cob and cole slaw, there are several local bands playing music to provide entertainment, and when it gets dark the fire department sets off a pretty decent fireworks show. We get to see some of our friends that we haven’t seen in a while, spread a blanket out on the lawn and enjoy the nice weather.
Restful Father’s Day
My father loved to nap on the sofa whenever he got the chance. That made it a challenge to our large family, to let the house be quiet enough for him to sleep – we had a lot of very active and loud kids! We always wished he would nap in his bedroom, and I never understood why he did not do that.
On Father’s Day you could usually find him sleeping on the sofa in the afternoon. When he’d wake up, though, he would take us out to eat a nice dinner at a family steakhouse!
Flag Day
History of Flag Day. Did you know that the American Flag that was flown at Fort Henry (the “Star Spangled Banner” flag) had fifteen stripes and fifteen stars? Some documentaries about the American Flag state that the American Flag has always had thirteen stripes. Not true! And apparently, Betsy Ross did NOT sew the first American flag!
Happy Birthday to the American Flag!
Memorial Day garage sales
Around this area, Memorial Day weekend is the biggest yard, garage, estate and what ever type of sale one could ever want, weekend. I try to get up at the crack of dawn and get whoever is going with me around to be on the streets and roads by 8:00 am. It’s fun to make a girls day out of it. I’ve found though, lately my two sons have been wanting to come along. The problem with them going, is that they get tired of looking and road cruising, and then we have to take them back home.
This weekend, my daughters and I are planing on going to the sales and do some other shopping and errands that need to be done. It should be nice if the weather holds. Even if it doesn’t, I know of a lot of barn sales that are going on also. There are at least three flea markets we can hit that are inside, but with the temperatures staying on the warm side, it’s doubtful many garage sales or even tented sales will shut down.
A guitar with three necks
I was watching a YouTube video a few minutes ago featuring a performance on a guitar that has three necks. The musician playing the guitar is a man named steve vai. I hate to admit that I have fallen “behind the times” when it comes to recognizing the names of the current names of younger musicians and bands – I guess that is the price you pay when you are working full time, (with overtime) taking college courses at night, and raising kids, too! Anyway, I was surprised to see a guitar with three necks! The musician sure seemed talented! I had to wonder if he ever watched himself on video after he plays – he was making some really funny facial expressions that made me laugh! I wonder if he does that on purpose.
Easter and garden supplies out
I went shopping yesterday and could not believe it!! Easter items are out already. To me, this is getting a bit out of hand. I asked the store clerk how long they had been out, since it looked like the shelves were pretty much picked over and I hadn’t gone to that store in awhile. He told me they had stocked Easter things right after Valentines Day. (SMH)
The great thing though, is that the garden supply section is now nearly fully stocked. Looks like I’m going to get an even bigger jump on shopping this year for my garden. I’m at least excited about that!
Going To Visit My Nephew
My sister’s son goes to Stanford University on a Fellowship. This is his second year out there, and my sister has been missing him like crazy. She has been wanting to go visit him but since she is not supposed to drive, it has been a real issue about getting her there. Yes, she can fly from airport to airport, but transportation to and from the airport, and then transportation once she gets there (since her son doesn’t drive) would also be an issue.
Also, there is a matter of where she would stay once she got out there. Her son has a girlfriend that lives with him, and they are sharing a one-bedroom studio apartment. Very tight quarters! I have been thinking about flying out there with her and sharing the expenses. I would love to go and get in some sight-seeing while we are out there! So I’ve been looking around for ways to save money, and found that Motel.com has Palo Alto, CA hotel deals that just might help us with our travel plans. I’m going to pull together some tentative itineraries and deals and show them to my sister, and see what she thinks about the whole idea!
Oyster shell crafts
I love doing crafts when I have spare time. My crafts are diverse and seldom do I make the same thing twice. I come up with an idea and then I’ll make it, and after I make one, I don’t make another. I think I do this just to see if I can make my idea work and then when I do, I move onto something else.
My dear friend Rhonda sent me a box of oyster shells that are really unique. They are a whole lot different than clam shells…a much rougher texture. Inside, they look like there is abalone in them, so some of the colors are beautiful.
Now, I have to figure out what to make with them. I keep looking at them and I have a feeling I’m going to come up with something soon. I am tossing a few ideas around in my head that might work. It would be nice to send Rhonda a gift made out of them.
Bedroom and bed makeover
With the January sales upon us now, I’ve decided to get new bedding, starting with new mattress covers for my spare bedroom, which has twin beds. I know that I will undoubtedly have guests at some point in the near future, and since the spare bedroom has been needing somewhat of a makeover, I decided on starting with the beds first. There really isn’t anything wrong with the hand made quilts and such, but I want it to seem a bit more homey and inviting. Besides that, I use the spare room sometimes as a get away, to read and fall asleep in, and I want it to have more of my personality to it, along with a a touch of class, so to speak.
While I was looking for the covers, I found some really awesome satin pillowcases. I like these because I have really long and very curly hair, and if I don’t braid it before I go to sleep, I wake up looking sort of like someone who accidentally got stuck in a light socket. In other words, my hair is a total wreck, and I’ve found the satin pillowcases are great for sleeping on without wrecking one’s hair.
I’m also thinking about getting new bed skirts to match the quilts and comforters I have on the beds right now. The quilts are folded across the end of the beds in case it gets colder, and I really like the look of a bed skirts with the comforters. I’m looking forward to making this room more cozy, so I really can’t wait to go shopping for what I need. Who knows who the holidays may bring!
Sick ickys
A virus and the flue are going around.
It seems so many of my friends and family have come down with this stuff. Melancholy, headache, flu like symptoms…it’s a miserable feeling.
I know this, because I have come down with it too. It seems to come and go. Not good. Not good at all. To everyone who is experiencing this, feel better sooner than soon. My thoughts and healing energy are with you.