Dec 05

Out with the Old–In with the New

Papa and I just bought ourselves a couple of Christmas presents.  Now it’s real hard for either of us to think of something we need.  I often think the key to happy living is being able to separate what you need from what you want in a very systematic and intellectual way.  You’ll always be happy that way, since if you’re reading this you have a computer with internet access and that’s not a need yet.  It may be soon, though.

Anyway, we got a new laptop, and a new flat LCD monitor for Papa’s computer.  We’ve been selling a few of our photographs lately and having a good computer to edit and post them with has become essential.  We’re well equipped at home, but the laptop was becoming an issue.  I got the older one just before I quit my “day job” a few years ago, and it was hopelessly outdated (and slow) although still working.  The new one sings and dances, btw. We’re off to East Tennessee and Lowell Larkin’s Christmas in the Smokies show bright and early tomorrow morning.  With this new machine, if may be possible for us to post photographs of the show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.  Sunday will have to wait till we get home!On the home front, GS1 called his mother, D1 yesterday.  She was relieved to talk to him, and hear him say, in his own voice, that his is doing fine.  We also hear that GD2, the youngest is asking to visit her grandma and “see Papa”.  So, I’m still chopped liver!  See you on the road! 

 

Dec 02

Road Rage

The other day GS2 missed the bus.  So, I fired up the old minivan and drove him to school.  For some reason, the electricity was out a couple of miles from here.  It seemed to have affected some stoplights, but on our route, only the secondary ones, at turnarounds or in the middle of miles were out, the signals at major intersections were operational.

So, I dropped him off and started home.  We live north off an east-west road, and just before the intersection where I turn onto that road 2 of the 3 lanes are blocked off due to construction.

A guy with Missouri plates nearly ran into the old van, and cut me off.  Then, he turned so he was traveling in front of me.  There is a major corporate headquarters just after that turn, and the signal at their entrance was not operational.  Now, around here, the rule is treat malfunctioning signals as 4 way stops.  When I stopped at that signal, Mr. MO speeded by me on the right and cut me off again.

I don’t know if I should be glad there wasn’t an accident, or annoyed at his impatience.  So many careless drivers around here…..

Dec 01

Clicking for a Great View

So, morning again.  Papa and I retire at 10 p.m., day in and day out.  Last night was a little different.  Tickets went on sale for the Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival, to be held in Wilmington Ohio on March 30 and 31, 2007.  According to the website, I could buy on-line beginning at 12:01 a.m.  So, I’m a little short on sleep this morning.

We’ve attended the past 3 shows put on by Joe Mullins, and wanted good seats for the next one.  At the appointed moment, I clicked the “buy” button and was directed to the seating chart.  I clicked on two prime front row seats and started the checkout process.  The server disconnected me.  Oh no!  After 6 minutes, a couple of gray hairs, and several more disconnections, I got 5th row seats.

So, if you missed the rush, you missed the fun!  Never expected to see that type of competition for seats at a bluegrass show.  Great news for Joe, who puts on a great show! Now, about that nap….

Nov 30

On a Curve

What a difference a little curve makes!  I finished painting in the bathroom and Papa installed our new shower curtain rod.  Each person who has exited the shower since that occurrence has used superlatives to describe the change.  It’s simply great!  You need it.

Nov 29

Wednesday already?

The past two days sure went quickly.  I’m painting again, this time the bathroom.  This in only important because it is our only bathroom and painting it is somewhat of a logistic nightmare.  We are either very clean, or very dirty (old joke, I know).  Also, we like to flush, if you know what I mean.

I am doing it so late in the year because I delayed until GS1 departed for the US Navy.  He’s gone, leaving his mother, his brother and grandparents at loose ends.  But, there are also no worries about mid-day showers or disrupting anyone’s life by keeping the bathroom tied up most of the day painting, and letting paint dry, wiping up the mess from painting, moving things in and out of the way of the painter, and other activities which seem to accompany the job.

The bathroom need improvement from the last décor, and I purchased the paint months ago when I painted the living and dining rooms.  The great thing is, the weather has cooperated. It’s been between 50 and 60 degrees here this week and I’ve had all the windows open while I paint that little room.  I’ll finish today, and then we can go back to normal, whatever that is.

Papa put the new shower curtain rod last night; it curves outward and keeps the shower curtain from sticking to the dirty (or clean) person in the shower.  We ran straight to our local home improvement store and bought it after staying in a hotel which featured them.  I can hardly wait to get done with the painting and into the shower to test it out.  D1 just came out and pronounced the new configuration “fabulous”, so I know it will be worth the wait.

Nov 10

Election Day

Today is the day.  I’m publicly non-political, but I do think you should vote.  Rain or not.

Nov 10

To blog or not to blog….

Note to self:  If you’re going to blog,  darn it, blog.  So I’ll try harder.

Note 2: daughter, as in one, two and three, become D1, D2 and D3.  grandsons and granddaughters similarly become GS or DG.  Saves time.

Black Wednesday has come and gone.  Those that know us know that GS1 left for his 6-year (SIX YEAR!) Navy commitment Wednesday.  D1 had it as black Wednesday and that’s how I marked my calendar.  Actually, a huge range of emotions ravaged all family members for the preceding week.  We’ve survived, and will as we find a new way to live our daily life.  We all miss him terribly, but we’ll use letters and, after basic, e-mail and phone calls to keep connected.

GS1 received his Eagle Scout award just before leaving.  No court of honor, but the troop will hold one when he can get a leave.  He was very proud to show Papa and I his card after he retrieved it from his leader’s house.  If you see a hunter green map box on a trailhead of the Clinton River Trail in Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills or nearby, that was his project. We have a few paint smears left, but the fun was watching the Scouts come together to help.

All, well almost all the leaves are off the silver Maple in the yard.  Perhaps I will rake today.  Also, more work to complete on the websites.  I’m almost done with the redesign.

Oh, ya, if you need a website for yourself or your business, give me a holler.  The household is shrinking and I have more time.

Nov 07

Election Day

Today is the day.  I’m publicly non-political, but I do think you should vote.  Rain or not.

Sep 05

Let’s get started….

Last Thursday, granddaughter One found the fabric she had picked from my horde on a visit two weeks before. The purpose was new nightgowns. All hers are outgrown. It was interesting to note that she doesn’t remember that she every owned them. She found the flannel I had used to make some of them and noted that it was the same as her sister’s (handed down) nightgowns. On Saturday night, when I still hadn’t found the time to cut out a single piece, she said, “Now let’s get started on those nightgowns”. I didn’t have time, it was 10 p.m., so I said I’d make them and mail them next week.

Our granddaughters were here for 4 nights last week; we took them to their new home on Sunday. On night three, granddaughter One had a hard time. She is especially sensitive and she missed her daddy and mommy. She cried for quite a while, no matter that it was only one more night, and so on. Finally I did what I’ve always done when faced with a crying child. I just held her, rocked her, and told her I would keep her safe. After a while, she climbed off my lap, arranged her bed and went to sleep.

This new home is an apartment, very different from the single family rural home of her first four years. We arrived and both girls were happy to see their brother and mom, and surprised to find their aunt and two cousins there. Daughter One and her sons were part of the labor force which made the move possible for two working parents with three small children. We installed the curtains I had made for the windows. Apparently there is a “beige” rule in effect—but we had Strawberry Shortcake and Spiderman. Oh well.

Two and her husband are closing the sale of their old home this week, and they have the luxury of a year in the apartment to get to know their community and select a new neighborhood and home. The garage they rented with their apartment is packed, but everything they elected to keep fits somewhere.

Son-in-law is coming tomorrow to bring granddaughter Two to spend the afternoon with me while he takes grandson One and granddaughter One to a Tiger’s game. That means that granddaughter One will be looking for her nightgowns when they arrive. Now, let’s get started on those nightgowns!

Sep 01

Labor Day

The big weekend is upon us. We are doing something pretty different this year, staying home. For most years since we have lived here near the big city, we have fought the traffic, headed north and spend the holiday with Mother-in-law. We are staying close to home because our granddaughters are here and waiting patiently to go to their new home.

Son-in-law and grandsons One and Three actually did move all the household goods yesterday. I understand that there were a few glitches, but word last night was that the truck was almost all unloaded. Daughter Two, grandson One and S-in-l will have today to start organizing. S-in-l must go to work tonight, leaving Two and the boys to continue, with the help of daughter One and grandson Two, who will drive over tonight.

Papa and I are planning a trip to the Detroit Zoo with granddaughters on Saturday, then we will take them to their new home Sunday. This has been especially hard for granddaughter One, who understands something is happening, but really doesn’t understand at all. She has been nervous and upset during most of the visits she has had here this summer.

Two and S-in-l have elected to rent for a year or so until they get to know the new community better. That means the new home is an apartment, quite different from the stand-alone rural country house the family formerly occupied. Two talked up the features of the new home: swimming pool, playground, etc and granddaughter One seems to understand the differences. She knows the new home is smaller, and she knows she needs her father or mother with her to swim. Perhaps most important, she knows her Dora curtains and her own bed will be in the new room she will share with her sister.

So we are having a great visit, and keeping happy thoughts to help her until she sees her parents again Sunday.

Oh, ya. Our new floor arrives today, between 3 and 5, on a semi-truck. Since we don’t have a fork lift in the garage-funny we have everything else- we will be snapping the bands and unloading 2 pallets of laminate flooring onto the drive and carting it up to the house this afternoon. Fun, fun.