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……………………….

I prefer black snow verses white snow

For those who aren’t familiar with black snow it’s what happens in Texas when they burn the sugar cane. It’s long pieces of oily residue that floats down from the sky. One thing you don’t do is try and sweep it, it really makes a oily mess. You either use a blower or wait for the wind to take it away. But today we have been experiencing white snow and we really do not like seeing this. It’s not so much the snow it’s the cold temperatures that come with it. I for one prefer seeing pictures from the family members rather than seeing this in person.  We’ve also had a lot of rain this week. Our rain gage had 3.5 inches the last time I looked. All in all we have had enough of this crappy weather and ready for spring.

Larry’s been working on installing the washer/dryer most of the week. Seems like every time he tried to do something there was a problem. But yesterday he finished it up and today I’ve enjoyed doing laundry here and not having to go to the laundry mat. He still has to finish putting more foam insulation on the walls but that’s next weeks project.

He also has been working on the Lionel Train set and has gotten it running.  Lots of little tiny pieces that had to be taken apart and cleaned.

I finally found someone to come and roll the yard. There seems to be a awful lot of so called “lawn care” people advertising but they all must really be busy out there cause trying to get someone to return your call is something else. But I’ve found that seems to be the norm this week on calls I’ve had to make.

Guess that’s it for this week. Till next time………………

First full week back in Michigan

It seems like we’ve been here for a month and it’s only been a  week.

We’ve gotten into our habit of visiting what I call our summer home Menards at least every other day. For those of you who haven’t heard of this store it’s like Lowes or Home Depot but much better than either of those. Anyway this week Menards was running a special of getting a 11% rebate visa card on any purchase’s. Since we planned on fixing a area in the basement for a laundry room we decided we might as well buy what we need now and get the rebate. So the first thing was finding the washer/dryer. Have you ever tried to find appliances that don’t do everything but talk to you. Good grief – I don’t use all the fancy buttons, I’m a simple woman who does laundry the old fashion way – hot or cold, I don’t care that it can air dry, steam dry, sensor dry – I just want it to dry. But we finally found one that I didn’t have to worry about it yelling at me cause I didn’t push the right button. And they were delivered the next day.

Of course Larry had lots to do to get the area ready before he even thought about hooking anything up. When he re-wired and plumbed the house that first year he did run everything over to that area so that’s done. But he wanted to put this flooring down called DRIcore. Here’s a picture from an ad showing the top and bottom and the floor in the basement that Larry did.

It only took him less than two hours to do the main area and it really looks good.

Next he wanted to put this spray foam installation on the walls which is also suppose to help with moisture and keeping the basement warm.

In between all this we had our grandson Darrius for a few days. I just can’t figure out how so much energy can come out of a eight year old. Luckily he and Pepper could spend time out in the back yard racing from one side to the other. So by evenings they both would crash.

The temperatures haven’t been the best here. Lows in the 20s and 30s and I’m sorry but Larry and I just can not get all excited because the forecast was calling for 55 degrees. Come on, we’ve been use to lows in the 70s and highs in the 90s with a couple of 100s tossed in. So while people are out walking without coats, windows down in cars and people stopping at the local ice cream shop we will continue wearing our winter coats and gloves and probably look a little foolish – but who cares – we want warmth any way we can get it.

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

We’re in the COLD

OK, a week ago we were complaining because it was pushing 100 degrees, today everyone here is excited as it’s in the 40’s. And that’s going to be the highest temperature for the next week. Excuse me but what’s wrong with this picture? Everyone said it we would get use to the “cooler” weather quick. And have you ever tried to find a winter coat in April, not happening around here. Thanks to my sweet sister Nadene who brought me two coats so I wouldn’t freeze.

So we arrive back in Michigan on Wednesday afternoon. Long trip but know problems and weather was good, well at least it was sunny each day.

Poor Pepper was introduced to snow for the first time and she really was not thrilled with it. This was taken in Effingham ILL. We were a little surprised that there wasn’t that much snow around as we drove along the area that really got hit last weekend.

Have been busy most days getting settled back in, seeing family and today we had Easter Dinner with Brandi and family for the first time in 7 years. This was nice seeing the grandkids (& of course Brandi and Darrell) again. Darrius has spring break this week so Tuesday I promised him he could come stay a few days with us.

Yesterday Nadene, Diane and I went to this little shop about 30 miles from here.  I got so many ideas and don’t you love being able to take pictures with your phone so you don’t forget all those ideas. Some of these things I’ll be able to find at garage sales or flea markets and just do a little paint job.

That’s about it for this week. Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter whether you are with family or friends.

Till next time………………………..

Heading to Michigan

Yup you read that right. We are all packed and ready to leave on Monday morning to go back to Michigan. I know this is really early for us but we’re both ready to leave and get home. I guess it makes a difference when you have a sticks and bricks waiting for you. Especially when the highs are still in the 30s & 40s and todays high here was 102*. But looking at the weather forecast for the next week it’s suppose to start warming up.

So the last week was busy just getting things ready to leave and trying to decide what to take. Which I guess wasn’t all that hard, jeans & sweat shirts.

Poor Pepper has been clinging to Larry like super glue. She knows something’s up and doesn’t like it. It’s kind of funny seeing Pepper sitting on Larry between him and his computer.

We’ll need to walk around tomorrow and see friends. Luckily it’s suppose to cool down to 80. Our dear friends Donna and Grant are fixing us dinner tomorrow night.

With that I’m going to close. Next week I’ll be posting from Michigan.  Till next time……………………

Spring in Texas–Early departure

Monday we made a trip to Mexico to pick up a few things. We found a new place to eat which was pretty good. Cloth napkins and table linen, waiters in tux’s and really good margarita’s.

Tuesday was the community meeting which always lasts longer than necessary but luckily it’s only once a week. Afterwards the activities committee sold tickets for the upcoming events.

I want to share a picture of one of our plants. Isn’t it pretty

Wednesday was the ladies luncheon and with the weather being in the low 80’s and a nice breeze the lunch was held out on the patio. After lunch we all moved into the dining room where they lowered the huge theater screen for a slide show of tourist pictures. Our hostess Sue M. put together 50 pictures of areas they have traveled and we had to guess where they were at. It was a great idea and saw some awesome pictures.

Thursday and Friday we worked on a few things around the house. You see we have decided to head back to Michigan early this year. I have sent a email to my family asking them all to start doing a Warm Weather Dance so when we leave here the 1st of April we don’t freeze. There’s things we want to start working on and I really do like to see spring in Michigan.  But I think I need not just the family to do a warm weather dance, but all my friends. You see today’s temperature at home is 30 degrees and the high here is 97

Today is the St Patrick’s Dinner with all the trimmings. So now we need to head up to the clubhouse to help get things ready.

Till next time…………………..