Projects

We continue to work on different projects around here.

Can any one guess what we are working on now????

More later!

Till next time.........

Jacksonville

I have lived almost my entire life in the state of Florida - ALMOST is the key word here as I have lived in the states of Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, California, Arizona, and North Carolina not to mention all the states we "lived" in when we were full timing, but I had never been to Jacksonville.  Driven through it on the way to Savannah yes, but had never stopped in the city.  Well, that all changed on Friday, August 18th.  

Why???  Well, we had to return all the shirts that I bought Dan for his birthday.  You see, he had told me that he wanted a certain type shirt - by a certain manufacturer.  So, while I was down in Lakeland I went to the local store that carried said brand and bought him three shirts in the size he told me he wore.  I get home and give him his shirts and they didn't fit - not even close.  Sooooo, that meant they had to go back and their was a store was in Jacksonville.  There was a store in Tallahassee, which was closer but we decided to go to Jacksonville because there was an At Home store.  I had been to the one in Nashville a couple of times and really liked the store - it's a big warehouse type store, but all home decor items.  Dan had never been, so we loaded Jessie up in the car and headed the two hours to Jacksonville.

We returned the shirts with no problems and then headed to At Home.  (Thank goodness for navigation.)  I was so disappointed!!!!!  This store was a mess!  No organization at all - merchandise all over the floor - just really a huge disappointment.  We did not buy anything at all!  So, basically, we traveled 2 hours for nothing.  Oh well, at least I can say I've been to Jacksonville now.

Saturday we went into town for a trip to Lowe's.  Dan is working on a few different projects and needed wood.  One of the things he is working on is his workshop in the garage.  We are changing some things around and he is working on finishing the walls and building some shelves in the offset in his workroom.  He has wanted to do this since we did the remodel, but just haven't done it.  So, right now my car is regulated to outside while the garage is full of stuff out of the workshop and lumber.  He also bought wood for a couple of projects in the house, but that will happen AFTER he finishes the workshop.

While in Lowe's we picked up some new cushions for the back patio area - they were having a huge sale/clearance and we bought the cushions for about 70% off their original price. 

After we got home we took a couple of the new cushions and tried them in the chairs out front and liked the look - so went back into town on Sunday to find they had sold them all.  Oh well, wasn't meant to be.  We also picked up a few big pots for plants at really, really good prices.  Now, just to figure out what to plant in them.  Right now, I'm not doing anything outside as it is just toooooo hot!!!

Monday was the eclipse.  We were in a 90% area and it did get a little dark- sorta like late afternoon - we were not able to see it (I didn't buy eclipse glasses).  However, my daughter who lives in Nashville had 100% totality and the video she sent me was awesome!  She said it was the "coolest thing she had ever seen".  We did watch it on television and I imagine that if you were able to experience it first hand it would have been pretty awesome.

Tuesday was a busy, busy day.  I had a doctor's appointment in Valdosta at 10:20 - ended up being a consultation and I am waiting for them to call for all the tests I have to have done.  After leaving the doctor's office we ran to Sam's and renewed our membership, picked up some meat and things and headed home.  I had a Strategic Planning Meeting at 2:00 and then at 6 we had a group scheduled for a pontoon boat ride.  We had 9 people on the boat and it was a nice trip upriver.  We missed the rain showers that were all around us - but there was no lightening - so we were okay being on the river.

Wednesday I had my shift at the shop - first time I had worked my entire shift since June I think.  It was slow, slow, slow with only selling one card.  I did have a few people in the shop and I did get the dusting done before I was relieved.  Dan picked me up as we had to have Jessie in to the Vet for her recheck at 2:00.  She is doing much better, but we are to keep her on the meds and if she has any sign of trouble with her back we are to call them immediately - even if on the weekend.  If we are able to catch it early enough we have a very good chance of not having paralysis.

Yesterday we worked around the house before our scheduled trip on the river.  Well, as we were eating at 5 before our 6 o'clock ride the sky's starting getting dark and we could hear thunder in the distance.  We looked at the radar and knew that a huge storm was headed our way.  So, we went down to the dock and told everyone who had already arrived that we would not be taking the boat out.  I think some people where not happy with us - saying that it was going to pass us by - but Dan and I were insistent.  Well, we weren't home 5 minutes when the sky opened up and the storm hit.  High wind, rain, and major lightening.  I looked at Dan and said "I sure am glad we are not on the river right now!"  Anyway, we have rescheduled everyone for Tuesday night - hopefully, the weather will cooperate.

Today, I have a Executive Council meeting that had to be rescheduled from the 7th of September to today.  Something about a conflict - anyway, it will be back to the grind of two meeting a month now.  It was nice having the summer off and I'm not sure if I want to be on the council next year or not.  Of course, I haven't been asked to serve again, but if I am I'm not sure what I will tell them. Guess that is something I will need to think about.

Well, that pretty much catches you up on everything.  

Where does time go???

That title could mean a lot of different things - the length between my blog posts for one.

However, that is not what I am talking about today.

I'm talking about my grand babies.....

It was just the day before yesterday that Lorelai was born....

And wasn't it just yesterday when Adalyn was born???

So, how did time fly by so quickly that Lorelai started Kindergarten last week???

She was so excited - can you tell????

Sitting at her table.

Let's back up a little and start with my trip down to Lakeland.

I left to go down to my daughter's on Monday afternoon.  Since it is only a four hour trip I didn't want to get there too early since everyone would be at work.  Even leaving around 1 o'clock, I was there before anyone got home.  But it wasn't long before my girls came in to give me some hugs and kisses.

Tuesday was Orientation at Lorelai's school - and we finally met her teacher.
While my daughter filled out some of the paperwork, Lorelai had a color
sheet that her teacher wanted her to complete.

Concentration.

All finished and ready to turn in.

After orientation, Melissa, Lorelai and I went back to the house before I left to do a little birthday shopping (for Dan).

Wednesday was Lorelai, Adalyn, and Nana day.

The first thing we did, after eating breakfast, was go to the movies.

We went to see Despicable Me 3. 

While I thought it was pretty, well, stupid

the girls seemed to enjoy it.

They both did really well sitting in their seat, eating their popcorn, drinking their ICEE, and watching the movie.

Adalyn did sit in my lap a couple of times because she said she was cold, and in her defense, it was a little chilly in the theater.

But, all in all, I was very proud of how they sat and enjoyed the movie.

After the movie it was time for some adventure at Family Fun Center....

They both had cards with $5 on them that they could use anyway they wanted to play whichever games they wanted.  Points accumulate on their card depending on the game and then they get to choose prizes they want.

Choices, choices, choices!

I don't know if you can see, but Lorelai got a "rainbow" ball that she had been wanting.  Ada didn't have as many points, but she got a lot of little things - including candy.  Well, that caused the only melt down of the day.

Lorelai didn't understand why Ada got more things than she did, but all turned out okay - just a typical 5 year old melt down.

If it hadn't been so darn hot I would have taken the girls out and play miniature golf - but at 98 degrees It was just too much.

Anyway, I think we all had a good day and it will be a day that I will remember.

Thursday was Lorelai's first day of school.

My babies........

Nana with her girls.......

Which takes me back to the beginning sentiment.....

Where does time go??????

Oh my goodness!!!!!

That's about all I can handle today!

Till next time.......

Carol

Better Pictures of the Yard

Last week I posted some pictures of the work that we have done in the front yard, but they were not the same perspective of the "Before" pictures.  So, yesterday, between rain storms I went out and took pictures again but at the "Before" perspective and I thought I would post them for you.

So, lets try this again.  Here are the pictures of the yard when we first moved into the house.

Here are the pictures I took yesterday.

The cart above is filled with grass that we are plugging into the yard.  
Hopefully, the plugged grass will fill in all these blank spaces.

So, there you have it.

I think there is quite a bit of change.

How about you??

Till next time......

Carol

July Recap

The month of July was a busy one, as you can probably tell from the lack of posts!  Ha!

On the 3rd Mom had fasting labs at the clinic and I had a doctor's appointment at 3:15.  I was put on another round of antibiotics - but a much stronger one and I could only take it for five days.  I had a follow up appointment on the 25th and if the infection is not cleared up then I am off to an urologist.

On the 4th we had some of our neighbors over for a cookout.  I am such a bad blogger lately I didn't take any pictures.  We had hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad,  sliced tomatoes, homemade pickles, and all the fixin's for the burgers and dogs.  Oh, and I fixed a peach cobbler for dessert with some vanilla bean ice cream.  It was a fun evening.  (I really need to start taking pictures again!)

We got everything handled with the attorney on Wednesday the 5th - just have to go back and sign the paperwork after he gets it all done.  

Mom had her doctor's appointment on the 6th - we have been told that she has dementia and is in the late moderate/to early severe stage.  We knew that she is having some definite issues and it is not going to get any better.  We are trying some B12 shots every two weeks for three months as her B12 level is extremely low and that might give us a small improvement, but we aren't expecting much.  We will see how things progress.

Later that afternoon we took Jessie into the vet to have her toe nails clipped.  She does not like this done and it is worth it to me to pay $10.00 and have the vet's office do that little chore.  We're good now for about 6 to 8 weeks.

Friday I left for Nashville - my daughter was having surgery on Monday and I wanted to get up there and be available if we needed to do anything before. The trip took a little longer than I thought as I had to stop every hour to go to the bathroom - it was ridiculous- but I got to Crystal's house just a little before she got home from work.  

Saturday was a quiet day at her house until dinner time.  We went to a FABULOUS place called Two Ten Jack - it was delish!!!!  I even ate Brussels sprouts and liked them!!!!  That is amazing in itself.  Anyway, we had a really nice meal with the owner stopping by a couple of times to talk with us (she and Crystal are friends) and my daughter had another friend who came later.  We had a nice visit before heading back home.

Sunday we had brunch at Melrose - also delish!  Then we went and had a pedicure.  It had been a long, long time since I'd had a pedi and I decided that maybe I needed to have one at least once a month.  It was awesome!  Then it was off to Target where I found a few things.

We had a good night before getting ready to head to the hospital - Crystal's surgery went well and she did awesome.  She had to spend one night in the hospital and she refused to have me stay - so I went back to her house around 10:30 PM  - had a little dinner and headed to bed.  Up at 6 Tuesday morning and at the hospital by 7.  She was up and ready to head home, but of course, we had to wait for all the paperwork to be done.  I was able to see the doctor as I was arriving and she was very impressed with her progress.  She was released around 10:30 and we went straight home where Crystal rested most of the day on the couch while watching some TV.

We pretty much spent the rest of the week resting and watching TV - she was feeling great and by the weekend it was time to get out and about.  We went shopping on Saturday to At Home - I wanted to look for some cushions for the outdoor chairs by the fire pit.  I had gotten an email that all their outdoor stuff was on sale 50% off - but it wasn't.  After I spent a good hour looking for just the right cushions I find out they aren't for sale and they were left in the cart.  

We then went to World Market were I found some lumbar cushions that will look good with what I have for now - at 75% off - so they cost me $30.00 for 4 instead of $200.00.  That's awesome!

Sunday we went to the mall where they were having an awesome sale at GAP and Crystal got some good deals (I didn't find anything I liked).  We looked at several other stores before going into Talbots where they had an additional 50% off all their sale merchandise.  I picked up a couple of shirts for a really good price.  Before we headed back home.

We continued to get out every day the next week for a little while as it was really good for her to walk.  She was doing so well that on Tuesday we went out and she drove for the first time since her surgery.  We decided that since she was doing so well that I would come home a day early.

Wednesday the 19th I headed home and had a uneventful trip.  I have gotten where I travel I65 home instead of I75.  It might take a little longer but the traffic is much less and it is much less stressful!

When I got home I discovered that Dan and our friend Bud had gotten all the overgrown azalea's out of our yard.  It looks awesome, but needed to be raked and smoothed out.

So Thursday we worked in the yard.


This was the yard when we first moved into the house.

This was right after the renovation was done.

And this is today - 

These pictures were taken from the driveway instead of out by the road.  I would go take some different ones so the perspective would be the same, but it is pouring down rain (has been for two days) and it has taken me those two days to get these pictures to download.  (Gotta love our Internet service - NOT!)
Anyway, I'll try and get some from the road for the next post.

All those dirt patches was where there were plants/trees.  A half dead dogwood, a cedar tree, and haphazard azalea plants that were just stuck out in the yard.  All those spots are starting to green up with grass now - I guess that's one good thing about all this rain. HA!

Friday was Dan's doctor's appointment with his cardiologist in Lake City.  It went really well and he was released.  He can pretty much do what ever he wants to do now - still gets out of breath but he is so much better than he was.  

Friday night we gave our first Pontoon Boat ride of the season.  Dan has been named a "captain" which makes me the "first mate".  

Captain Dan

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were nice quiet days at home with nothing special going on - we might have eaten out a lot on those days as I hadn't been to the grocery store yet.  (That's a good excuse right???)

Tuesday the 25th I had my follow up appointment - the infection is cleared up but my doctor still wants me to see the urologist to make sure everything is okay.  So, I'll get that scheduled soon.

Thursday the 27th we had to go up to Valdosta and buy a new TV.  While I was gone to Nashville we had a huge thunderstorm and lightening struck very close to the house.  Dan said we didn't lose power but the TV blinked and when it came back on it was just messed up.  He thought we could get a better deal on a TV at Sam's Club - so off we went and came home with a new 55" Smart TV.  I have it connected to the internet, but I haven't gotten Netflix yet (but it's something we are going to do).  It took us a couple of days to get all the wiring right but it is hung up over the fireplace.  Dan was not real happy with the picture and was ready to take it back when our local TV tech came by to sync the TV to the Dish remote and he set the picture.  It is brilliant and beautiful and the best picture we have ever had on a TV.  Very pleased with it now!!!

Well, that's it for July - I've got some things up my sleeve for the next couple of days - so we shall see how they play out.

For now - have a great rest of your week!