Fuel/Smart Phone Frustrations & Gr-son’s Graduation

What is it with the price of gas. Yesterday when we drove pass Meijer’s there was a line up at the pumps. The sign said $3.77 and of course we didn’t need fuel but we knew something was up. Then a few hours later when we came home it was $4.17. Anyone ready to buy a horse and  buggy  and use “natural” gas. Course we’d have to leave for Texas in July to get there for the xmas open house. From the local news this increase is all do to a “rumor” that a “glitch” at a refinery that “might” have to buy fuel from “another” refinery. Go Figure! Maybe we can start a “rumor” that there was a “huge” excess of gas found, do you think the prices will go down. Probably not!
Another means of our frustration have been our new Smart Phones. Several weeks back we had to change phones as our old reliable flip open ones had started having a mind of it’s own by refusing to except calls, voice mail showing up 2-3 days later and only allowing us to talk so long before hanging up. Really didn’t want to change as Verizon’s new and better “Share Plan” was going to cost me more $$’s and get less coverage. So tell me why when you are just sitting there going through all these “freebies” that you’ll never use, you can’t figure out a easy way to just “answer” it when it rings. Know more “just push” a button, nope now you have to “slide” your finger across. And don’t you just love it when a text (yes we do that when I swore I never would) comes and this “Smart” phone tells you who’s sending it but trying to “actually” find the text is a whole different thing. And going into my Voice Mail – grrrrr. First off I haven’t figured out how to get this d*** phone to show on the main screen that I have a new one. Nope have to “tap” here and “slide” there to see if I have one. Oh then if there is one I get to “tap” again and put my super secret password in. The only problem is somehow this New Improved Phone wants it to be so secret that I can’t put my hand in front of the screen or it goes “black”. I have to sneak up on the side of it with one finger and “tap” (again) the super secret code. About the only good thing with these phones are my fingers are starting to grow muscles with all the “taps” & “slides”.
OK, enough frustration vent, on to something more fun. We worked on the porch putting some of the “pretty” things on it. Not finished yet but we’ll get there, next week will be putting the ceiling up.
The other fun thing that happened was our new grandson Dar’Relle had his high school graduation yesterday. Here’s a picture of Brandi, Darrell, Dar’Relle and Darrius. Better known as Big D, Middle D, Little D.

Dar’Relle has been offered a football scholarship at Ferris State University and will be heading there later this summer. Brandi and Darrell are not only excited with him having this opportunity but also the future decrease in the grocery bill. We say Dar’Relle is our newest grandson but actually he and his sister Aaliyah have been a part of our family for over 10 years.
So that’s it for this week. Cool temperatures headed our way later today and only highs in the 60’s this week. Not liking this at all, but that’s another frustration that I can’t do anything about but wait for Mother Nature to bring the warmer temp’s back.
Till next time………………………………..

Visitors & We have a Porch

Wow what a great week. First our friends David & Linda Cypcar arrived on Wednesday afternoon just in time for Happy Hour. For those who don’t know our friends they had a lot in our park down in Texas up until a couple years ago when they purchased a home not far from there. They were the first couple that we meant after buying the lot and we just hit it off from the start. They made a side trip to our place after visiting their daughter in St Louis and left this morning for son’s in Ohio. We did find out that our kids are only 45 minutes apart in Ohio so possible another get together this summer if they come back there.

Thursday morning we took them to the Michigan Historical Museum which was really interesting. Dave/Linda retired out of the U.P. so they have history here in MI. Then that night we meant Larry/Stint/ Nadene at Finleys for dinner so they could meet some of my siblings. Bob/Diane are up to their place in Houghton Lake with family so they weren’t able to make it. After dinner we went to Nadene’s for strawberry pie, which was sooooo good.

Friday we meant up with Retama Neighbors Lon and Pat Garvey for lunch in a little place in Ionia and got caught up with all their news since leaving Texas, which happened to be watching the helicopter during the OK tornado not only on TV but from their hotel window. Talk about scary.  Then over to Lon/Pat’s for desert. Can you see a pattern here of Lots of Food. We decided that dinner that night was going to be a easy and a light one. Had a great evening sitting together through a very extended Happy Hour and just visiting. But good things always come to a end and they left this morning.

So the other news this week is our contractor showed up early Monday morning and started on our front porch. Between the rain, cold and inspector he and crew were able to get all but a little done on the porch by Friday. Larry and I will do the finishing which I call the “pretty part” once we figure out what we want.

Well of course there’s pictures

Before

After

Like I said we need to do the finishing touches and get the shrubs and flowers out front but that will come.And it sure would be nice if it would warm up so we could sit on our new porch longer then 10 minutes.

So that’s our week.  Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend and drive safe out there if your on the road.

Till next time……………………………….

Basement work, yard work, muscles yelling–stop

I know, I’m really really behind on getting this out. But it’s been a busy week and weekend.

First our basement guys came the first of the week and started right in on saw cutting concrete and jack hammering. And the dust, OMG the sweeper and dust cloth have been pretty much glued to my side for a week. But after two days they finished everything up and were out of here. Now Larry wants to see about seven inches of rain again to make sure it works.

One of the things these guys did was bring in a load of dirt and built up on the side of the house and along the back. Since I had to dig up my plants so they could do this I wanted to get them right back in. OK, that done but then decided we needed to get mulch down before it rains. But if we were going to do that we might as well do the other side of the house,except that had to be built up with dirt first. And since we needed to remove dirt & stones away from the side of the garage we might as well use that. Hand digging isn’t high on our “like” list.  Do you see a pattern here.

Wednesday morning off to our local landscape supply place (3 miles from here) for 1.5 yards of red mulch. Thank goodness for the truck. Several hours later and some muscles used that haven’t been in a long time, it was done. (click on picture to enlarge)

     Before                                 After

Oh and as long as we were doing the side we had to do something with the front corner. So the next day we got a yard of dirt for there and more mulch.

     Before                                After

Since the second load of mulch turned out to be another two yards ( we just kept going and going and going.

 

Oh I forgot to mention that we not only transplanted plants but flowers too. I’m enjoying all this, Larry – not so much (did I mention he does a lot of the moving/shoveling). But he has been a good sport.

We had Darrius’s last soccer game Saturday morning and it seems ever game we missed one they lost, so we “had” to make this one. Afterwards he came home with us to spend the night. Of course Pepper was in her glory to have her best friend here.

And best friends stick together no matter what

Now this week looks to be another busy one. Our friends David/Linda will arrive here Wednesday afternoon to spend a few days with us. Can’t wait to see them.

This morning our construction guys showed up bright and early. First he scooped up all the stones between the house and garage with the skid loader and brought it to the front of the house. Then the jack hammer started breaking  up the cement porch.Good morning neighbors!!!!! We are having a 8x24 covered porch put on across the front of the house. Sooo excited and hoping they will be able to have it done so we can have a happy hour on it with David/Linda. But two things – 1) I’m bonding again with my sweeper and dust cloth & 2) I never thought about my lawn being torn up from the construction. I guess next week will be a fix and repair week.

We were watching all the storms on the weather channel last night. Friends have homes or are traveling in those area’s and luckily with Facebook we have heard they are safe. But this was always my biggest worry when we were on the road in the spring time. Always had a CB on but doesn’t do much good when they call for a warning and give the Counties when you have know idea what county your driving in. We may be in for some of this rough weather here later today hopefully not as bad. Stay safe out there and for those who are in trailers head for the sticks/bricks buildings – don’t be brave – be chicken and safe.

Hopefully next weekend I’ll be able to show you the new porch. It won’t be completely done as we are going to install the railings but need to figure out what I want first.

Till next time…………

A trip to Ohio–It’s a go on the new porch

A little late on getting this posted. No excuse, just laziness this weekend. Well laziness on doing the post but busy doing other things.

First we got the quotes for the porch and basement and are going to have both done. The basement guys are coming Tuesday and the guy said it would take two days. I’m sure with the breaking up of concrete it’s going to be dusty in here. I’m hoping they have some kind of vacuum and I’m looking for a duct cleaning company to come in the first of next week. They are also going to put a window well on the west side of the house and bring in some fill dirt and build that up and around the back.

The porch guy said he’d be here mid week and that should only take a couple of days. He’s not putting the railing on, we’ll do that after we decide what we want. Like Larry said we’ll do all the pretty stuff and let the younger guys do the hard work. We’re also going to have him scoop up all the stones in the back between the garage and house and seed it to grass. I hate trying to walk on those stones. Hopefully next week I’ll have pictures to share.

Tuesday we took off and went down to Renee’ and Brian’s in Ohio. They are trying to get their house ready to put on the market as they will be closing on the new one this week. But it’s hard when they are working every day. So mom volunteered to go down and help out and of course that also included dad’s help. I can’t believe it but in two days we got the living room. kitchen and three bathrooms all painted (two rooms had to have two coats). The miracle is we both were able to move after those two days, even tho a little slower.

Our grandson Dar-Relle had his Senior Prom last night so have to share a picture of him with his date. Cute couple even tho he says they’re just friends.

 

Another picture I want to share with you is of Pepper and Finn who is Renee’ & Brian’s dog. This one is Pepper trying to explain to Finn how to play tug of war.

It didn’t take long and Finn figured it out. Then Pepper had her hands or should I say paws full on trying to keep her ground

That’s it for this week. Till next time……………….

Festival in GL, Garage Sale, 2 vehicle household

Now this is what I wanted to see when we came back to Michigan so early.  Grass greening to a rich deep color, tulips & daffodils opening up to all sorts of colors, trees starting to bud out with a soft green color while others just pop with pink and yellow blossoms. And all of this within a matter of days. Yes there really isn’t anything like Michigan in the spring.

There is a festival going on in our little town this weekend called Victorian Days. We’re going to try and walk down there this afternoon but I wanted to share some pictures from last year.

Reenactments of the Civil War. Even the kids got involved. 

Even the car washers got into it

High Tea at the Opera House

Can’t forget a ride in the Horse Drawn Carriage

Larry took the car over to get a oil change this week and we ended up being a 2 vehicle household again.

As much as I didn’t want to have two vehicles again we really needed to have this pickup. Between our many many trips to Menards that we seem to do I was getting tired of trying to use our car as a pickup.

We are getting some quotes on different things that need to be done around here. Yes there are some things that my talented husband just doesn’t want to tackle (he says he’s getting to old for some of this). One is having a new porch built across the front of the house and the other is having a drain put in the basement to take care of water problems from run off coming from the neighbors. It’s the pits being the lowest one around. So depending on what those things come back at we may only do one & that would be the basement and the other will have to wait until next year. Will keep you posted.

My dear sister Nadene just texted me that she was out looking at flowers in the garden dept and there were tons of them. Thanks sis, rub it in that I can’t plant anything until we figure out what we’ll be doing around the house. Brat.

Oh yes can’t forget to tell you about my garage sale hopping with my SIL Diane on Friday. I just love it when I find items that are not even out of the box and cheap. And of course I had to leave a voice message for my other SIL Stint that she should have joined us, we found lots of bargains.  I’ve been wanting a electric fry pan and found one (in box) for $8, then a grill thingy (in box) that I can put a whole chicken on with potatoes for $3.

Another place I found these bathroom fixture items, toilet paper holder and a towel holder. The other one is a plate rack holder that I may use in there to hang towels. Not sure how it will look.

Larry just shakes his head and keeps his mouth shut when I take off on Fridays with the SIL’s and our plan of attack for these sales. Isn’t he a smart husband.

OK, guess that’s it for today. The sun is out, the temperatures are warming up and Larry’s been outside for a hour so it’s time for me to get busy.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Till next time..

Soccer Game–Warm Weather

Now this is one of the reasons I wanted to come back to Michigan. The day started out a little cool (can’t believe I’m saying 45 degrees is cool) but it started warming up quickly with the clear skies and know wind. The trees are starting to bud out, tulips are opening up and I love the smell of a clean fresh mowed lawn.

Our grandson had a soccer game this morning (Saturday) so off we went. Boy what a difference in the way Darrius and his teammates play. In the years pass it was like watching a swarm of bees gathering around this round hive, everyone wanted to be near it but didn’t want to get kicked in the shins. Today they all pretty much stayed in their position they were supposed to be in with only a few times of swarming. But I have to brag as every Grandma has a right to do and tell you our boy made four of the seven goals to help win the game 7-1.

Here’s our proud guy

Last weekend I was reading my favorite flyer – Menards Advertising Sale – and saw the washer that we purchased was on sale for $100. So I took my sales receipt in and they gave us a in store credit. Course it still cost us $350 to get out of there. Must keep those employees payroll filled.

Not a lot happened during the week as most of the time it was either raining or snowing. Each afternoon I’d find something to bake or a new recipe to try. But that type of eating needs to stop.

So with the weather breaking we spent most of the afternoon working in the yard. Of course we also had to have a happy hour which feels like it’s been ages since we’ve had one. But Pepper sure remembered it, all I did was asked Larry if he wanted to have a Happy Hour and Pepper was right there with her toy and ready to go outside.

I have one last picture to share. Here’s Pepper doing guard duty to make sure all those puppy squirrels don’t come in her yard.

Till next time……………………………..

Weather–Garage Sale-New Phones

The week has given us flooding from all the rain, a day of warmth with tornado watches and a covering of snow. Temperature’s ranging from in the 20’s to in the 70’s. I wasn’t happy to see this when I opened the drapes this morning.

We finally had to bite the bullet and get new phones this week. We’ve been putting it off for a couple of years as I just couldn’t get excited about Verizon’s super great Share Plan that was going to cost me more money a month with less coverage. But our old flip phones were really starting to bug us with not having messages show up for hours (or days) after being left and not ringing. So we ended up getting a couple of smart phones and I have to admit I’m enjoying the texting with the family.

Even with all the cold temperatures there are some diehard’s that had garage sales this weekend. And of course if they could stand being out in those cold garages the least I could do is support them and go to it. Which I did yesterday and I came home with a neat bird bath for $8.00 that will be perfect in one of the flower gardens, if I ever get them done. Not sure if I’ll paint it or what but will do some before/after pictures later on.

I’ve spent some time doing research on the family under the 1940 Census. Ancestry.com (for those who would like to do this) has this census free for the time being. It’s interesting the information available under that Census. You can also go to this site that has lots of information and all of it is free. https://familysearch.org/search But just a warning, once you start (as Larry calls it) chasing dead people you can’t quit.

That’s about it for this week. I will share another picture I took of Pepper.  Rough day for the puppy

Till next time……………………….