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Summer fix ups and recreation

Opening the pool is a big deal when May comes. Along with uncovering the flowers and plants around it, adding more flowers and bringing out the pool floaties, as we call them. I have to fix a part of the deck rail that a storm damaged in the winter, and then the cleaning of the pool begins. After the liner is clean and the water we keep in it during the winter is crystal clear, we of course add more water which is going to cost a mint…as well as ordering everything we need to maintain the pool will, as I ran out of a lot of items last fall since it was still warm enough the first part of October to swim. I’m so looking forward to doing these improvements and having pool parties for the kids and of course my husband and I relaxing in the evenings on the pool deck. I love the Summer.

So here I am, waiting impatiently for May to come. Not only to open the pool, but to start gardening and doing all the Summer recreations we do. It’s a tradition that the whole family does every year, even the kids that have moved away and have husbands and my grand kids come. After we are finished with the repair work, cleaning and getting the gardens ready, we have a big cook out. Everyone jumps in the pool at the same time before we eat, and all in all…it’s a wonderful time for me to sit and watch my whole family together enjoying our first get together of the Summer!

I let my youngest son cheat a little and jump in first when no one is looking. 😉

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Router cords and computer stuff

While I’m blogging and also working on my computer, my son needed to run a long ethernet cord from my office to his bedroom, because he needs internet access to activate Windows 7. In other words…he doesn’t have a long enough cord to reach from the office router to the bedroom, so he is using two routers all together to connect the computer in his room to the internet.

Actually that sounded pretty good for a person who is totally techno challenged, didn’t it? LOL! Okay, my son told me what he was doing, since there are now cords looped all over my computer desk and the other desk I have in the room, as well as an antique barrel that I use as a plant stand, then across the floor, out the door, into the kitchen and into is bedroom. Say that all in one breath!

While I was writing a different blog post, I was into my zone and didn’t notice anything he was doing until I finished and got up to get a cup of tea. I tripped over a cord he was laying out. My son the computer whiz, actually can catch a person really well. All the time apologizing, explaining and smiling since he had found a way to do what he had to do and also caught me from falling on my face. My fault…he had been telling me what he was doing and I actually didn’t care at the moment, since I was in writing mode. He helps me all the time with my computers and the upkeep…I don’t care if cords are all over for a little while. Maybe he’ll find a way to put Windows whatever on my old faithful!

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From Picture Frames to Elephant Lamps

Recently I was looking though photographs and realized that I wanted picture frames that say family. I have so many pictures that are awesome of our whole family together that I wanted personalized frames for our family photos.  Since I am remodeling the den with all of the family’s collections, I decided to do all the walls after we panel, with photos of the family, their hobbies, sports they are into, school pictures and even their awards. So I indeed need lots of frames. I want them to be unique, and found a link that led me to exactly what I was looking for. Everything to help with the den make over in one place!

The den is a very large room that we use as a family room. Each person in the family has their own space. I’m making sure the things that they collect are in each of their “space,” to make it personal. In the middle of the den, is a common sitting place for the whole family. Like I said this room is very large. Actually, it is HUGH! My daughter’s space is nearly finished. Since she likes to sleep in that room sometimes because of the fireplace, and one of the things she collects are elephants, I found two awesome elephant night stand lamps that I can put on the two night tables on either side of her futon. They are going to look awesome!

I have a ways to go to finish this room, but it’s going to look like a welcoming room,  and personalized for each member of the family. I love home improvement like this! Everyone will be happy. I still would like to get an electric wall heater, since this house is very old and besides the fireplace, there is no other form of heat. A big room like this, needs a bit more heat to keep it cozy and everyone warm and happy!

 

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Seed shopping

Today it seemed almost like Spring outside. I even went out for awhile in just a sweatshirt and for me, that is saying a lot, considering I am always cold unless it is in the heat of the deep summer. After I had been outside for awhile, I went with my husband to do errands and drop some papers off to my doctor that needed to be signed. While we were running errands, and because it felt so good to be out and about without my neck and back hurting so much, I went to Dollar General store. I only needed a wash bucket and old style mop. But I couldn’t help looking at all the garden items they had.

Bless my husband’s heart. He is not a patient person when it comes to waiting for me to shop. He is the kind of person who goes into the store, gets what he wants and needs and leaves. Takes all of maybe ten minutes and that is pushing it. Today he was patient, since he has been at me to get outside or do something so I’m won’t become a hermit. (His words)

I found a HUGH display of seeds that were 3 for 1.00. In the past…a few years ago, I used to get them there 10 or 1.00. They always came up, and the herbs, veggies and flowers were hardy and grew very well. What a jump in price, though. Goes to show what this world is coming to. Not only is it hard to buy groceries at the supermarket and afford to feed our family a healthy meal, but it’s getting to the point of even growing our own produce and feeding our livestock, is hard and expensive. It really is distressing. I try to save all my seeds from what I grow, but sometimes it’s just not enough. Have to keep on going on though.

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Checking out new carpet

My daughter’s room needs new carpet. She pointed out a few places near the door that had slipped out from under the threshold strip. I knew it was a bit loose, but didn’t realize that it had slipped out, since I really don’t go into my kids rooms unless it’s a total necessity.

We have a Carpet Outlet, in town that is really great! I think I’ve mentioned it in some of my posts. They have great carpet at low prices, but they also carry a really vast variety of remnants in nearly every size a person would need. My daughter’s bedroom is small, so this won’t be a problem at all, and it will be nice carpet, at a very low price. I’m excited to see what she picks out.

The final decision for the carpet will of course be mine, as she won’t be living here after she finishes collage, unless she wants to. The carpet I bought and laid in her room that is in there now, is still in wonderful shape, considering it’s quite a few years old. But once it starts to ravel like it is, I found I can’t fix it. Nor do I really want to. New carpet is in order, but I will consider her choices also, since she indeed has good taste in decorating and home make overs.

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Traditions and Easter Baskets

No matter how old my kids are, they still expect the Easter Bunnie do come and give them fully decked out Easter Baskets. I will admit right now, that I do indeed believe in the Easter Bunnie, Santa, Elves, the Tooth Fairy, and what ever so called “imagined” persona there is for the holidays. I really enjoyed my childhood and growing up, and my Mom went all out “playing” these special “people” and “animals” with great imagination. She put the magic and wonder into out lives and I have made sure to carry that on to my family when my first child was born. persona’s

We have traditions in our family that even my daughter who is married, and has my two grand kids who are 9 and 13, carry on and has added her own spin on our old traditions. To me, it doesn’t matter how old my kids are or the fact they are nearly ready to go out on their own, I still celebrate holidays with the traditions that  has been in the family all these years. Once of which areEaster Gifts. I love buying special gifts that no one has noticed in the store or online, yet I know each person would love. I want to out do myself this year and make Easter the best we’ve had. Some of the kids will be leaving for collage or their own places soon, and well…it sort of is bittersweet.

This year, I want to give each of them their life long Easter Baskets that are tradition, but I also want to surprise them with specialEaster Basket Gifts, and have a note that is attached that says, their names and also, something like…”Happy Easter, from The Easter Bunnie.” Then I might put some paw finger prints on it to make like the Bunnie wrote and handled the note. Yes, this year will be loaded with tradition, but also with something new added, thanks to online shopping!

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One track thinking

While enjoying my quiet evening, I decided to take a nice hot bubble bath, then get into the cozy jammies I had laid out. I love bubble baths since they relax me and also help my neck and back. It’s a quick fix for both for a little while anyway.

While I was lounging in the bathtub, I got to thinking about the faucet and handles. They are old and I don’t like them at all. Unfortunately, we’ve been putting off changing them or getting a new tub, for that matter, because it is going to be a major remodeling job to replace all of those. What makes it so bad, is that this house is 140 years old, if not more. The bathtub is sort of built in the wall and floor and it is cast iron. THICK cast iron. HEAVY cast iron…I’m sure ya’ll get my point. It is also flush to an outside wall on the west side of the house.  The pipes go up through the wall and also run into the bathtub somehow. I’m not sure how, but it was once explained to me, and basically what I got out of the explanation was, that it was “rigged.”

My relaxing bubble bath turned into another thinking project about a project. A big project. Heck, I’m not going to mince words, we (?) are going to have to totally gut the bathroom and take the wall out, in order to get the tub out. But before we get it out, since it’s so heavy, we are going to have to find someone who will literally break it apart or somehow saw it apart. Even though this has been in the back of my mind all along, when I thought about it tonight, I realized the enormity of this and all it would take for me to have my nice bathroom. (deep sigh)

 

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Hungry for cheese cake

Cheese cake is my all time, favorite dessert. I love any kind of this delectable food and for me, it’s not just eaten as a desert. It is a comfort food, a give a “lift up mood” food, and basically a food that I can honestly say I will eat at any time. I even sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and will wander into the kitchen and dig out the cheese cake and sit, read my book and eat a small piece. Okay, truth outs…maybe a big piece depending on what my mood is.

I love the television show the Golden Girls. In my opinion, those ladies made cheese cake go viral on the television, if there is actually a way for things to go viral on TV. I loved how Blanch, Dorthy and Rose would sit around the table and reminisce or solve problems all the time sharing a cheese cake. Or how one of them would haul the cheesecake out of the fridge as a celebration or if comfort was needed. I don’t think I ever saw an episode that the best dessert that isn’t just for desert food, didn’t come out for one reason or another.

When I was really young, I hung out with my Grandpa a great deal of time. He was a quiet, wise man who also knew his way around the kitchen. He taught me how to make a great cheese cake. It was an easy recipe for someone young to remember, and our secret. Just his and mine. To this day, I’ll make “our” cheese cake and everyone will ask for the recipe.  I just say that is is something between Papa and I and since Papa passed some years ago, I’d rather not give it out. I’m pretty blunt like that. I am however going to give the recipe to my oldest son, who adores cheese cake like I do.

 

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Seed catalog jackpot

Today when the mail man came, I went out to get the mail and thought I had hit the seed catalog jackpot! It really was a surprise. At first I thought my box was just filled with junk and the kid’s magazines, or my husbands junk mail. In actuality, among a few bills and some college info for the kids, there were eight new seed catalogs!

I’m sure the neighbors are used to me jumping up and down in the middle of the road either in total happiness and glee, or in ticked off anger if I get junk mail or a bill that I already paid and am battling about. But all day I’ve been in such a down and sad type mood, that I guess I really did the happy dance pretty well, because my neighbor came out and asked if I had won Publishers Clearing House or something similar. LOL!

Nope, simple seed catalogs were enough for me today, along with a mega hug from my daughter, to make the day much better. I have some work to do tonight, but ya’ll can bet that after I do what I have to do, I’ll be pouring through the catalogs and making lists, dog earring pages, circling prices and drooling over various flowers, herbs, plants, and garden plans!

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A quiet Friday night

My daughter and I are the only ones home tonight. At least for awhile. My two sons are at band practice, and I don’t mean school band. They play in a loud music, screaming vocals, headache inducing band. I am so glad practice isn’t here, and in this instance that our home is too small to host band practice.

My husband works this weekend, and since he works nights, he won’t be home until morning. This means not having to listen to snoring loud enough to cause acute insomnia in those who have to be subjected to hearing it. (Which is why I have my own bedroom).

I putzed around the house making lists for what I want to get in town tomorrow, hung a new shower liner, all the while making mental notes on what colors I want to redo the bathroom in, and other mental notes on home improvement ideas. My daughter put in some suggestions and then wandered back into her room and is exercising her vocal cords for her next singing gig. She is  singing softly. Unfortunately she has to, since she has a sore throat. I’m really enjoying the peace and quiet for now. It’s been sort of a poopy day until now.