A little this A little that

First, I want to let you know that if you have made a comment on our blog you probably won't be seeing it. A couple of weeks ago I thought I was deleting the Flat Darrius Blog but instead I deleted my email as a Admin. Thanks to my special friend Jutta and some frustrating times of trying lots of different things I was able to get that fixed. But I received a email for a comment on a blog from another special friend Kathy D. and realized I'm not able to give the OK to have it show up. That's another fix but right now it's at the bottom of my "to do" list.

So another week has passed. Sometimes I wonder if I should continue doing the blog. At times I feel like I'm just rambling on about everyday things that probably aren't of interest to most people. I know my family likes it while we're down south as it keeps a connection open between us and like another friend said on their blog it's mostly for ourselves to have a history of what we have been doing. Which is true, many times I've gone back to look up a blog on when we did or went someplace. So with that thought I guess I'll just keep on rambling.

A pretty uneventful week of doing some yard work, planting some flowers, taking walks and of course a stop at the local Corner Cone Ice shop. Have to be careful as this could be (the cone shop) a bad habit as we walk pass it almost daily. I enjoy the walks more on Thurs and Fridays, that's when the garage sales are on and I can usually find something at one of them.

One night Tina and Mitch (niece/nephew) stopped with their kids Lucie & Cooper. We had a nice time sitting outside watching Pepper play keep away with little Lucie. And Lucie trying to keep her shorts from falling down around her ankles when she's running. Picture the TV advertisement of the little girl and puppy advertising copper tone, that was our little Lucy.

Friday Larry had his eye check up from the laser surgery two weeks ago. It turned out that the Dr. didn't get all of one of the tears so he had to go thru it again. He was not a happy camper on that one. I told Larry we shouldn't be charged for a "do over" surgery but he didn't think the Dr. would go for that.

One of our friends Sue M. down in Retama posted a picture of the sun set one night there. It sure is pretty so thought I'd share that photo with you.

Speaking of do-overs we had to re-order Anissa's open house invitations. The first batch came back really blurry. Luckily this place is a fast turn over on getting them back to you. So now the new batch looks good. But than like Brandi said, it is what it is and they are not being re-done again.
I'm not able to copy the whole invitation but here are the two pictures we used.

Hard to believe this little girl has grown
into this beautiful young woman so fast

Of course we had to attend Darrius basketball game. I really enjoy these games more than the soccer or baseball ones but it so nerve racking at times watching them try to make the baskets. Keep in mind these are 1st and 2nd graders but some of them are really good at getting the ball in. Darrius was extra excited because he big brother was there to watch him.

Darrius with big brother Dar-Relle and his Dad before his game! And to think there is only 10 years difference in age between brothers.

Oh and just in case your not sure Darrius is the shorty (at least for a few more years)

Today (Saturday) Larry and Stint (brother & SIL) came over and we walked down to the Memorial Day Parade. Even tho it was a short one it was nice and did bring back memories when the marching band (our daughter Renee' was in the band) went pass.

So that's it for another week. Till next time.................................

Planting flowers and installing fence

Well, we got the fence up last week. Or at least most of it. We still have to decide what to put along the driveway between the house and garage. Pepper is really enjoying being able to run around chasing after birds and squirrels. I put a picture on her Facebook page so I guess I'll share one with you.
It took us a afternoon to install and stretch the fence and finished up a small section the next day. It helped that all but two posts were already there.

One day I went to the garden center at Meijers and picked up some flowers. I wanted to fill the little red wagon I purchased last summer at a garage sale and put it out front. Here's a picture as it looks now and when the flowers are all filled in I'll take another one.

Plus I bought a pretty fern and more flowers for the front porch.

I think we only made two (maybe three) trips to Menards this week. That's pretty good for us. One of the things we needed to get was a wheel barrel. It drives me crazy to have to buy so many of the things we sold cheap or gave away when we went full timing. Oh well, at least it's all new items, unless I can find it at a garage sale.

We went to Darrius's basketball game one night. He and his dad Darrel went out and did a little practicing before Fridays game. Even tho his team lost Darrius was the one who made the baskets for his team.

Here's dad and son doing what they both like doing

Oh a update on our good friend Gary O who had surgery. He is home now and doing well.

Guess that's it for now. Till next time.............................

A new baby - Basketball Game - Laser Surgery

Another week already. Well not a full week since I'm actually getting this done early. Why you ask, simple, we're having a good old Michigan Thunderstorm and the best thing to do when it's raining this hard is stay put and enjoy the sounds. For those of you that live in your RV have you noticed when the black skies are heading your way your perception of the upcoming storm is totally different than when your in a sticks and bricks. At least it is for me. When we're down south in the 5th wheel and I see dark mean looking clouds I start to get a little nervous. Should we put the slides in, in-case the wind comes up.  I don't mind the rain or thunder but sure don't like the wind, it can really shake the trailer when it hits. Now in the house it doesn't bother me at all, maybe because the house doesn't rock and roll like the trailer and if it really gets bad there's this huge siren about two blocks from us that gets your attention real fast, plus there's a nice big basement to go to.

So now for the week. The beginning was pretty uneventful. Worked in the yard, mowing, trimming and pulling weeds from the flower beds. Larry cleaned out the gutters, which after this storm was a good thing or we probably would of had water in the basement. Larry also finished taking the tools etc out of the truck and we picked up a tool chest to help store things,  also some shelves for storage. 

One day we went to Menards and started picking some things up to put a fence around the back yard. We are putting a chain link one up, neither of us care for them but the posts and a portion of the fence is already there from the previous owners.  Seems the owners decided they wanted some of it so before they moved they took part of the fence down.  It will work for keeping the dog in and in a few years we can replace it if  we want. Besides if I plant enough shrubs I won't even see it. We have to borrow the brothers truck to get the rest. Weather looks good all next week so we should get it done.

One morning Larry got up and was having some eye problem. He said it looked like things floating around and like looking thru a screen. Friday morning he had a appointment with a Ophthalmologist here in town. They did  a exam and sent him right out to Lansing Ophthalmology Center to have laser surgery. The Dr's there found two tears and a hole in his retina. A short 15 minute surgery and it was taken care of.

Have a couple of pictures to share. We have another new baby in the family this week.

Meet our great-great nephew Brayden David Moore. 

Mom, baby and dad are all doing great and little Brayden has lots of family to meet.

Last night our grandson Darrius had his first basketball game. I've decided I like going to basketball games more than the soccer games. For this being 1st and 2nd graders it's unbelievable how good some of these kids are. 

As with all sports Darrius puts everything he has in too it.

Today was suppose to be soccer but thankfully they canceled it with the storms around. Actually the rain has stopped right now but that's fine, we weren't thrilled about standing in wet grass.

Only one other thing and than I'm done for this week. One of our dearest friends Gary Orthober had surgery yesterday as they found cancer in his lung. Marilynn said they are confident that they got it all and doesn't even look like he will have to have chemo.  I wish I had my scanner here as Marilynn sent me a picture of Gary last week giving me the biggest hug before they left Retama last month. I'd love to share it with you.  So just want to say we love you Gary and hope for a speedy recovery.

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

Soccer Game and Senior Prom

I'm a few days late on this blog. Really don't have an excuse, just lazy I guess  We didn't do a lot last week. Had to go over to the County Offices and get Peppers dog license renewal. A trip to Menards was needed for a part, heaven forbid we go a whole week with going to our summer cottage. I did finally find some lamps for the living room so I could take that little one back in the bedroom. It didn't give off much light so not sure why I even had it in there.

Have several pictures to share so will start right off with Mr Squirrel. He visits our porch quite a bit and drives Pepper crazy. This time Pepper was out in the back yard and I think this little guy would have liked to come inside.

        I think he found a left over from his winter storage.

Friday Larry went up north to Mike and Nadene's cottage to help Mike & some friends put log siding on the new garage. Mike sent progress pictures back.

   This doesn't look like their working as hard as they've been telling us.

                        But the next day Nadene and I received this one.

Four days later and after a few beverages and many Advil, it was done. Sure is nice.

While he was doing that fun stuff with the boys I got to go to the grandson's soccer game. It was a little warmer than the last one but not by much.

           Here's Darrius who takes it very serious when he's the goalie

              And it always helps when their team wins 2-0

 After the game Darrius came home with me until it was time to go back to his house.

You see this was Prom Day, the reason that we came back a month early this year. While we were at the game Anissa was out getting her fingers and toes done and of course that special hair style. I uploaded more pictures on our Webshot site if your interested.

                              But need to share a few here on the blog

     Isn't she the most beautiful young woman you've ever seen. Course I may be just a little bias. 

                And what a handsome couple they made.

                  Of course I had to get a picture of mom and daughter.

                 And one of Darrius and Anissa. Can you just see and feel the love between them.

         Than it was grandma's turn to be with her family.

Kids came over Sunday night and Brandi brought dinner. I needed to finish up Flat Darrius as it had to be turned in the next day. Anissa filled me in on the prom night and it sounds like it was a big success. I asked her if she knew what time it was when they finally crashed and she said no but the birds where singing.  With the Prom over we can now look forward to Graduation Day on the 2nd, than the open house on the 17th.  Once that's done we switch gears to the bridal shower and wedding. Oh did I mention that the kids have found a nice 4 bedroom home to rent and in the middle of all this they will be moving.

The guys thought they would be done with the siding on Sunday but they ended up having to finish it on Monday. Poor little Pepper has been lost with Larry gone. The first two days she stuck to me like glue but than I noticed the last couple of nights she'd pretty much taken over Larry's pillow and his side of the bed.

                    Nothing like cuddle time

             But I think she's just happy having her nap buddy back

That's it for this week.  Till next time...........................