An Update

Hello out there!

Yes, I've been AWOL again -

but, if you are my friend on Facebook

you know why.

For those of you that aren't - 

I've had pneumonia.

It has really knocked me on my backside

for almost a month now.

I am happy to say that I am

on the mend and am

feeling better

every day.

The doctor has said that it could

take as long a four to six

months to be back

to my "normal"

self

(whatever "normal" is).

Anyway, I am feeling better 

so I thought I would update you on 

what's going on around here.

The construction has FINALLY

started!!!!!

Yippee!!!!!

The old family room has been

torn off - the old carport

has been demolished.

The new concrete has been poured for 

the family room and the

back porch.

The front yard is a disaster as

trees and shrubbery has

been torn out of the ground

and the concrete from

the carport is gone.

So, where are the pictures you ask?

On my phone!

I don't know how to transfer pictures from

my phone to the blog, so

hopefully, this weekend 

(or sooner)

I will

get out back and take some

pictures on my DSLR camera so I 

can download them

for you to see.

Other than disconnecting the hot water heater

and putting up a false wall

(where the old family room was)

nothing has happened inside

the house yet.

Yep, we are living without hot water -

and we will probably move over to the

camper next weekend.

(We have been going to the campground

to take showers - LOL!)

I have not been able to 

pack up anything -

but since I am feeling better -

I am hoping to get that started/finished

next week.

A little at a time.

So, just wanted to check in and let you know

what is going on.

Maybe I can get some pictures up

for you to see

tomorrow.

Check back and see.

Carol

Nothing

Well, another week has come and gone and nothing has

happened here.

I had such high hopes that we would finally get to meet

with the contractor and do the final revisions

before the actual construction begins.

That just hasn't happened.

Dan said this morning that if we didn't hear from them

today

he would call tomorrow and make an 

appointment.

We shall see.

This morning the county came out and

marked there all the 

electrical and Internet lines

are.

The village is suppose to come

and dig up the two big

Sago Palms at the end of the

driveway and start

cleaning the fence row.

Maybe that will happen this week?????

We have had our coldest temperatures so far this 

winter this past week - the east coast was

hit with a major snow storm with over

two feet of snow.

My daughter, who lives in Nashville, also was

hit with some big snow - close to a foot and a half.

That's big snow for Nashville proper.

We had below freezing temperatures three nights -

but we are suppose to warm up to the 70's tomorrow

before our next cold snap hits.

Dan and I didn't have any coats for this cold weather - but while loading the boxes stored in my office closet we found a box with

some of our coats in it.

So, at least we'll have something to wear when this

next cold snap comes.

I also decided to come down with a cold last week.

Monday I had a scratchy throat and by Tuesday I was

congested and couldn't talk.  Ahhh, the joys of my

having a cold.  I am feeling somewhat better today and

think that the worst is over.

Wednesday evening we will be getting the

girls for a couple of days!

Yippee!!!!!

They should be here after dinner and

we'll have them Wednesday night,

Thursday night, and then their mom will be

back on Friday.  I'm not sure if they will stay here

Friday night or if Melissa will head back down to Lake Placid.

So, that should be an interesting couple of days.

(Of course, this will be when the contractor wants

to get started - he'll just have to wait.)

Well, that's about it.

Oops! I did it again!!!

Oh my intentions are good, but I just can't seem

to make myself walk in the office and sit down at this computer.

I don't know if it's because my office is a little on the chilly side

or if I'm just a little down that nothing is 

happening on the house yet.

I know, I keep saying that things are suppose to start - 

and we keep being told that they are - and

then NOTHING!

Well, let's see if I can get you caught up on the last couple 

of weeks.

The last time I wrote I told you that Dan had been

sick and that he had a doctor's appointment.

Well, turns out he had a cold

(or, as we call it, the man flu).

Anyway - he is all better and his cough

is almost all gone.

On Thursday, the 7th of January, Jessie Lee

had dental surgery.  She had been having some issues

before Christmas and had been on pain killers and antibiotics

since December.  So, it was time to have the surgery.

She had five teeth removed - but she is doing fine.

We took her in that morning and picked her up about 6

that afternoon.  She has gotten spoiled on the soft food

instead of her regular dry food so we are trying to transition her

back to her dry stuff - but so far, she is not having anything to do with that.

Of course, Dan is still giving her the soft stuff twice a day - but

maybe it will be a good way to start the process of stopping

her from "free feeding".

On that Friday I had my follow up appointment with the gynecologist in Gainesville.  I went down by myself, as Dan didn't want to leave Jessie all day.  It was fine and I was able to do a little shopping (looking).  He called in my prescriptions to a pharmacy that mixes them especially for me - that's great except the insurance company doesn't pay (and this stuff is not cheap) - plus I had to make another trip down to Gainesville on Tuesday the 12th to pick up the medicine.  I'm not completely sold on this yet, but I will give it a couple of months and see if it really does what the doctor says it will do.  If not - back to the patch for me.

I took mom with me on the 12th and we went to the mastectomy bra store and had her fitted - they had to order her bras and will not be in until the 22nd.  Which means I see another trip to Gainesville to pick those up - then, I have to have more blood work done the first week of February before my follow up with the gyno on the 12th of February.  Seems like doctors appointments will never end!  (This doesn't count the bone density test on the 29th)  I ready to scream ENOUGH!!!!!

(Oh, and mom had her follow ups with her surgeon, oncologist, and her bone density test on the 22nd of February.

 Whew!!!!

Okay, enough with the doctors!

A couple of things have happened around here!'

Last week we had six pine trees removed from the yard.

Three in the back yard that were leaning some toward the house.  We didn't want to build the new family room addition and then have a pine tree fall on the house.  We also had three in the front yard - one where the new drive way will go in and two that were diseased.

They would go up to the top of the tree in a 

bucket truck and start taking the

tree down.

One section at a time.

Then another truck would come in and pick

up the pieces.

While another man would get

everything in a pile.

And finally take the last of the trunk

down.

When they left there was no debris anywhere.

Now, they do need to come back, either later

this week or next, to do the stump grinding.

The stump grinder was not working - but as long

as it's done before the house construction is

finished I'm good.

The contractor also came by with the plumber, electrician, and 

dry wall guy to look at the plans and the layout of the

house.  We have been told that the drawing for the

new trusses has been sent to the engineer and when they

are approved the building permits can be drawn.

We are also waiting to meet with the general contractor and

the contractor supervisor - hopefully the end of this week.

Once that is done we should be ready to start.

Dan and I have been moving boxes out of my office area over to the storage room.  We have also rented another storage unit as we have to move EVERYTHING out of the house.  I don't think we will need another big unit, but Dan thinks we will.  Anyway, after the meeting mentioned above takes place I'll be packing up the kitchen and the rest of the house getting ready for   all the furniture to be

put away for awhile and we will be moving into the

camper.

We have had some of the coldest weather so far this winter this week - it was 29 degrees here this morning - and I have told Dan that they will want us to move into the camper when it is freezing.

We shall see!

That pretty much catches you up on the stuff going on around here.

As you can see - not much.

I might be going to Lake Placid to take care of the girls next week (or bring them here).  Lorelai has been sick and I might need to go down.

Guess I'll know later this week.

She had x-rays done this morning and we are waiting for the results.

I'll close for now -

Welcome 2016

2016???

That can't possibly be right.

Where has the time gone???

Well, as someone once said - time waits for no man - 

so, off we go into the new year!

I hope everyone that still reads this silly blog had a wonderful Christmas and New Years Eve.

Things around here are moving so quickly in some areas and slower than a gopher in others (for you that don't know a gopher is a land turtle that is

very, VERY slow)!

When I last posted I talked about going down to Lake Placid and keeping the babies and staying through Christmas.

Before I go any further - WARNING - this post is picture heavy!

I traveled down on Wednesday, December 16th, and was there for the Christmas program at the girls day care.  Actually, both girls were in the program, but Lorelai was the only one who sang.  She was so, so cute as an angel and Adalyn was a little lamb.

Lorelai

Adalyn sitting on her teacher's lap.

(she wasn't feeling real good that night, but she did great)

Lorelai was not stage shy at all and sang all the songs that they had learned.  Looks like we may have a "ham" on our hands.  LOL.

Sunday was Ada's birthday party and Justin's family came down from Lakeland and Crystal (my oldest daughter) arrived from Nashville.  It was such a fun time - 

Ada and her Aunt "Tal"
(my oldest Crystal)

Opening presents

"What did you get Ada?"

Sweet, adorable Adalyn!

(One of my favorite pictures of this little munkin!)

Crystal and I had planned on taking the girls to Animal Kingdom on Monday - but a few things came up and we decided to wait a day.

Instead we did my last minute Christmas shopping and

then home to play with Ada's birthday presents.

I also moved to a hotel in town on Monday - the house was just a little too crowded with four adults and two kids.  A nice big king-size bed all to myself was a little Christmas indulgence for me.

Tuesday morning Crystal, Lorelai, Adalyn and I set out for Disney World and Animal Kingdom.  It was a ZOO!  (no pun intended)  I have never seen that place so busy - we were not able to get Fast Passes to anything and we were not able to go on the Safari or to the show Lion King.  However, we did walk the trails, something that I had never done before, and we were able to see the gorillas (two babies too!) and the Siberian Tiger.  All the stand by lines were extremely long - but we were able to get into the "It's a Bug's Life" show and I think everyone had a good time.

Aunt "Tal" with the girls!

It was a long day - but a fun day with the four of us.

Wednesday Dan arrived with the camper - so I moved out of the hotel and up to Highland Hammock State Park in Sebring.  I was so happy to see him and Jessie.  We really do not like being apart for any length of time (I know).

The girls dad also got into town on Wednesday and we all met up at Melissa and Justin's house for a couple of hours before Dan and I went back to the camper and Donnie went to the hotel that I checked out of.  Some other things happened on Wednesday, but I'll talk about that later.

Both Melissa and Justin had to work half a day on Thursday, Christmas Eve, but we all gathered at the house for "lupper" when Justin got home from work.

Then Thursday night Crystal baked cookies and the girls decorated them for Santa.

My sweet girls in the aprons I got them at home.

How about some sprinkles for me, Aunt "Tal"?

After cookie decorating it was time for a bath, and opening our gift with Christmas PJ's and a Christmas movie.

Fresh out of the bathtub and in our jammies
(and that fake smile)

Oh, look at my book!!!!

Hair combed and ready for the movie

Ready for the movie, Nana????

Actually, after bath time and picture taking, "P" and I made a graceful exit so the girls could wind down and get ready for Santa to come.

Christmas morning we were back for the day - including all the present unwrapping - and low keyed lunch.

Out of our stocking

What Nana?

Books!

What'd you get?

Oh cool!

Wanna play????

Actually, there was no "tearing into presents" - the girls took turns opening things and really took the time to see what they received.

  

This is the expression I get when I asked her to 

"smile at Nana".

HaHaHa

Then it was time to slow down and watch a movie

while Aunt "Tal" checked her phone.

After lunch Dan and I told everyone good-bye and headed back to the camper where we packed everything up and headed up to Lakeland to see his kids.

We got to his oldest daughter's house a little after dark and got the camper hooked up and then spent a little while catching up before going back to the camper and heading to bed.

On the 26th we got up - got dressed and met Dan's family at a local restaurant for breakfast.  Then came back - Dan jumped in the truck - me in my car - and headed for home.  Yes, it was a day early - but we were both tired and Jessie had been having some dental issues and we needed to get her back home.

(She is having surgery this week having her canine teeth removed)

The other thing that Dan and I did on Wednesday was meet Melissa at her office so we could sign the paperwork that was required by the bank so we could actually CLOSE on the house on Monday, December 28th!

Closing went through without a hitch (even though it has taken six LONG months to get this house closed on!).  Now, we wait to get with the general contractor so we can get the remodeling started.  Hopefully, this week!

See what I mean by slow as a gopher????

This past weekend we pretty much just stayed in our chairs and overdosed on football!  Dan has caught the "coughing crude" that is going around the village (I have my fingers crossed that I don't get it) and has a doctor's appointment in the morning.  I really hope that she can give his something that will help him feel better.

This Friday we go back to Gainesville for my follow up appointment.  Hopefully, we can get some issues addressed and fixed.

Oh, and Jessie has her surgery Thursday.

I think that pretty well catches you up on everything - except one last thing.

The Monday before I left for Lake Placid (so, the 14th) I took my mom to a Christmas tea here in the Village along with our friends Carol J and her sister in law JoAnn.  I think everyone had a good time and I hope the Village does something like this again.

My mom, JoAnn, and Carol J.

I know that this has been a super long post and I will try and do better with posting in the future.  I am really hoping that I will be able to start posting about the home renovation by the middle of the month - but that also means that Dan and I have to pack everything up in the house AGAIN!  (See, I told you I didn't want to unpack stuff, but I did - now I have to pack it again!)  

We have decided to move into the camper for the entire renovation instead of trying to live in the house and have them work around us - we think it will go faster if we are out of the house.  At least that is our hope.

Have a great day and I'll talk to you soon!

That "Ah ha" moment

It has been a fairly quiet week around here.

Why?

Well, I have laryngitis again!

Just woke up with it one morning.

Sure does make it hard to communicate with Dan since

he is hard of hearing - but we are getting really

good at charades.  LOL

I have been getting the "itches" to get something done around

this house - anything!  I mean, we (meaning Dan) have been in 

the house since the middle of June and we have done

NOTHING!  I got here permanently the end of August and I

was determined NOT to unpack all the boxes since we were just

"going to have to repack them again."

I didn't even hang pictures on the walls.

Well, I have had ENOUGH!!!!

I can't live this way any longer.

So, we have done some things around here.

Nothing major - but at least the house looks lived in

instead of just someone camping.

When Dan came he put our bed up in the guest bedroom, as that is really the only room that is not going to have anything major done to it.  Yes, we will paint the walls and put carpet in the room - but no major remodeling.

Well, it was just sorta stuck in the room and didn't look all that great.

So, I decided that we were going to move the bed and set up our room like we actually lived here - headboard and all.  We even put up curtains and a picture over the bed.

For the guest bedroom bed we had been using a blow up mattress (remember we sold almost every piece of furniture we owned with the house in Lake Placid).  That is what I slept on the weeks that mom and I came up before we both moved up here for good.  It was just sitting on the floor and looked like - well, you can imagine.  Anyway, after moving our bed into the master bedroom we moved the blow up mattress to the guest room.  Still on the floor and I was not happy, so we went out to the Boy's Ranch Thrift Store a couple of weeks ago and bought a queen size bed frame - put a piece of plywood on it and then put the blow up mattress on that.  Not the best solution, but better than it sitting on the floor.

Well, last week I had enough of that nonsense too.  So, on Friday we

went over to Lake City and bought a queen size bed!  We will be picking it up tomorrow after Dan's doctor's appointment with the cardiologist.  Well, since I was getting a bed the next thing was to get a quilt for the bed.  Now, I had one on the bed but I wanted something that we could live with after the house is all done - and I found the perfect on one of the websites that I visit frequently.  It will arrive on Friday.   I'm excited that if one of my kids actually comes to see us they don't have to sleep on the floor!

Saturday was our anniversary - so we decided to go up to Valdosta and do some shopping - We went to all my favorite stores - Hobby Lobby, Kirklands, and Pier One.  I picked up a few things at Hobby Lobby (all Christmas related), some chargers at Kirklands (1/2 off), and a Christmas pillow at Pier One.  Also, while we were at Pier One we noticed a headboard that we both really liked.  We had talked about getting one from IKEA and then having to paint it - but this one would be perfect and it was on SALE.  Well, silly us, we didn't decide to get the silly thing until we were on the way home - so I called and reserved it - then we headed back to Valdosta on Sunday.  And, since we had to go back, I was able to go to Kohl's and Target (picked up a couple of things for the babies this weekend).

When we got home - Dan attached the headboard to the frame and it looks AWESOME!!!!

Now, I can't wait to pick up the bed and get the quilt.

I'll have this room looking like someone lives here yet - still haven't found the right drapes yet but we do have shades in the room and they might just have to do for a while.

Oh, I forgot!  Saturday night we went to Outback for our anniversary dinner - Dan's favorite restaurant.  It was really VERY good.
We enjoyed our day just being together

(even if I can't talk).

Monday I took Mom back down to Gainesville and she had the final tube removed and all the staples out.  Then she went over to see the oncologist and he has put her on a pill that kills all the estrogen in her body, since the type of breast cancer she had was estrogen fed.  He says that she will need to take the pill for five to ten years.  The good thing - the pills only cost $4.00 for a thirty day supply.  She doesn't have to see the surgeon or the oncologist again until February.  Yippee!!!!

So, I'm sure you are wondering why I titled this post what I did.

Well, there were actually two "ah ha" moments for me this week.

First, I'll be going down to Lake Placid in three weeks to keep the girls while their mom is at another training - I was suppose to keep them here, but Lorelai is in a Christmas program on the Wednesday night that they were suppose to get here.  Melissa couldn't wait until after the program to bring them or she wouldn't get to Jacksonville in time for her training Thursday morning - soooooo - Nana goes to Lake Placid.  Melissa won't be back until late Saturday and they have moved Ada's birthday party to that Sunday (Ada's actual birthday is the 11th) Dec. 20th.  Dan and I were going down with the camper on the 23rd to stay until the Sunday after Christmas.

Well, it just doesn't make sense to come home on Monday the 21st and turn around and go back to Lake Place on Wednesday, the 23rd.

What does all that have to with "ah ha"?  I have three weeks to buy and wrap all the Christmas presents - YIKES!  Well, as of this afternoon - everything has been ordered online except my mom (have NO idea what to do there) and Dan's kids - but we know what we are doing there.

The second "ah ha"?

Christmas cards!

I bought these beautiful Christmas Cards and was getting ready to 

sit down and get them all ready for the mail.

When what do I remember?

No address book!

It's packed up in one of those boxes that I refuse to unpack.

So, either I wait and send them out really late - like June - or I wait a little longer and use them next year.  

I think I'll just wait till next year - 

sorry everyone!

The rest of this week is going to be really busy -

Dan's appointment tomorrow and picking up the bed.

Thursday - Thanksgiving!  We are eating in the Dining Room this

year which should be easier on everyone!

Friday we are planning on driving up to Cuthbreth and see the girls at their dad's. I figured that's the only way I will see them and it's just a day trip.

Saturday - let's pull the Christmas decorations out of storage and see

what we can do for a tree.  I don't care that I will only be here two and a half weeks - I want a tree!  (Gosh darn it!!!)

At least - that is the plan.

That should keep us busy the rest of the week.

Oh, and I have a sewing project that I have to get done.

Yep, busy times!!!!

I'll fill you in on how well the "plan" works in the next post.

Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving!!!!