Today son, Wes, and daughter-in-law, Debra, came up and took us out to lunch at Whitey’s in Davison.  It was the last of my birthday celebrations.

Wes is all business but Debra is lost in the menu!

The picture of the two of them looking at the camera was fuzzy so I chose this one instead.  What was suppose to be lunch turned into Coconut Shrimp with sweet potato for me.  It is hours later and I’m still full.  Wes had steak and french fries, Debra had broiled Walleye  with pilaf, and Jay had fish and broccoli.

When we returned home it was Fresh Apple tart for dessert.

Sliced apples with (our) Apricot jam

Debra created this tasty dessert for us and it was delicious.   I  sent some of it over next door to Phyllis and Steve because if it stays with us it get devoured.

My gift from them was a surprise.

A new Spring/Summer Suit and a lovely White blouse.

Debra picked this out for me, guess my size, and held her breath until I tried it on.   I can’t wait until warm weather to wear it out.  Thank you Lake Orion Jenkins family.

I finished the second snowman this morning and started drawing out the details for # 3.  I’ll hang them all when I done so you can see them.

You know my mouse pad is right and it makes me smile each time I sit down at this desk.

We still have lots of snow and are expecting more.  So where ever you are please stay comfy until our next visit and every one who is under the weather get better real soon!

Snow is coming down like a teenager with dandruff shaking his/her head. The forecast calls for snow, snow, and more snow.  All right–enough already–I need sunshine!

But I’m not letting get me down because the Mail lady came today.  She brought me two packages and the excitement started again.  The first was an envelop and I couldn’t wait to get it open.  When I did this is what I found.

That rated a ‘Oh my goodness’ and even a big smile.  Thank you Maria.  As you can see it is already in place.  I can look at it every day and think 75 ain’t bad at all!

The second package was my two books from Amazon that Cindy and David’s gift card help me buy.

The Douglas Adams book will allow me to read the Hitchhiker series before I read the sequel.  Under The Dome will join my other King novels after I read it.

We will be joining my other son, Wes, and his family for a belated celebration this weekend if Jasmine is feeling better.   You know I think I might like to be 75 every day!!!!!

I spoke with my daughter-in-law Debra yesterday and Grand daughter Jasmine is still in some pain but attending school.  They will be up this weekend to celebrate my birthday.

I must tell you about the creative friends I have.

From Mrs. Dof in Normal, Il.

This arrived just a day or two before my birthday from Diane.  It was none too soon because I had lost my old cardboard bookmark with the tiger on it just days before.  Cindy said the old one was from several years back but my poor old brain can’t recall when.  I also had to include the card because the colors were so similar.  Thank you Diane the bookmark  is lovely and already in use.

Kitties and hearts adorn my envelop!

This arrived Monday from my dear friend of 40 years.  Inside was glitter and tiny stars because she said I deserved sparkles.

Even kitties shine on the back!

It is such a delight to receive a message like this.  Just knowing that someone took the time to bring a smile to my face is a reminder that I’m worth the effort!

Speaking of Sparkles—

This is my snowman's backside.

Yes the first one is complete, except for the hanger, with the next one on the dining room table being worked on now.

Some of my Loot.

The object in my hand is the ornament with the Brandy’s name on it from Les’ family and the novel they gave me is there also.  When Les heard I hadn’t read all of the Hitchhiker Guide To The Galaxy novels he was a bit upset because the novel they  gave me was a sequel to them.  The problem was solved however because Cindy and David gave me an Amazon gift card and I immediately ordered the Douglas Adams compilation.  I also bought Stephen King’s Under the Dome.  My sweet husband gave me roses and Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol so I will have quite a bit of reading to do this year. A big thank you to all for the presents!

A bigger thank you for gathering, laughing as I hammed it up, and making me laugh as you did the same.  The love shown that day will be long remembered.   (Tell me do I look like I’m three sheets to the wind in my pictures?  It is not a bad idea but  I don’t hardly imbibe!)

Once upon on  a time there was a little old lady.  You know the kind.  White hair, sweet smile,and some times a real grumpy disposition.   Anyway someone said she was going to have a party.  I mean whatever she wanted!

So it did happen last Sunday.

Roses from Hubby!

This is Jay (Hubby)

A mixed bouquet from Mike and Dar.

Darlene, smiling cook #2

Damn I made it--75--And laughing my butt off!

Yes I’m there as of today!  Yesterday we took many pictures which I will try to post over the next couple of days.  That is Michael behind me and his wife Darlene beside me.

Yesterday was a party with everyone except the Lake Orion Jenkins family because grand daughter Jasmine ended up in Emergency in pain.   She is alright but still with discomfort but medication and monitoring are being done.   We are thinking of you Jazz!!!  Hopefully your family can come up next weekend!

Birthday morning snow is still coming down and I ain't moving out of this house!

Let me take a moment to thank everyone for the fine birthday wishes from the internet community.

I have all the party pictures ready to post and I’ll try later today to accomplish it.  Meanwhile stay warm and happy!

Except take Brandy to Doggy Depot to be groomed, take a Nap, and work on the front of this today!

Still have the back to finish but it is haircuts for Jay and me in the morning.   Plus I really have to do a bit of house cleaning soon. So this project will get folded up temporarily.

Take it easy everyone!

That mailbox is way down there!

Old man Winter has decided not to change out of his winter whites yet.

Obviously if you look outside!

I fed Molly, empty the dryer and the dishwasher before my coffee this morning.

Yah and you do all these every morning.

The income tax return is going to pay the property taxes.

So all that worrying and scrimping was for nothing!

Brandy and Jay need haircuts soon.

Like every month or two.

Brandy goes in this morning at 10:30 for her Vet appointment.

About time –it was due last month.

Do all old ladies (and I use that term loosely) fall down?

I don’t know about all but in my circle of acquaintances they all do–me included!

My thumb is almost healed up so I can start my snowman sparkles.

You been saying that for a week–come on already!

I think I can be a real big mouth sometimes.

I can’t argue that!

I have to close for now to get ready to take Brandy to the Vet.

So go already!

I’m going!

Let me start by wishing everyone a Happy Valentine  Day on this 24  degree morning and may the love grow as the year progresses.

There was no snow last night.  The truck is clear and the tracks in the driveway are still visible.  However there are a few big flakes falling now.

A change in the seed feeder!

The plastice tube I had for the regular seed lost two perches due to the cold weather.  So I dug out the old gazebo feeder to replace it.  This allows some of the bigger birds to come and feast too.  As a result the reds of the Cardinals and blues of the Jays have appeared in the old Crab Apple Tree.  It only means I’ll have to fill the feeder more often.  A small price to pay for the colorful display in the yard.

Well the table is ready.

Look out Snowmen here I come!

Yes I got the sequins and pins into bottles, the patterns traced on the forms, and I reread the instructions again.  I had developed a split in the end of my left thumb and have dragging my feet on this because I pick up the sequins with that hand.  But it is healing and I will start work on the project soon.

Tomorrow afternoon we get our income taxes done so I will have to take a few minutes today to recheck the papers to make sure everything that is needed is there.  When I was younger gathering all the necessary papers was a major couple of weeks project.  But as I age I have gotten more organized and it is no big deal anymore.

The big 75 is only eight days away and my daughter said if she could get the day off she would come and visit me on the Sunday before.   I have a bit of cleaning to do because I certainly don’t want her to think I can’t take care of things here.

Jay is doing well with the eye procedure with no pain involved.  In answer to the question posed in a comment on a previous post the medication was Avastin.  It has worked very well in previous injections and we feel it will do the job on this one.

We will be having pizza from Mr. Biggies tonight to celebrate Valentines Day.  Just thinking about it makes me drool!  So I’ll wipe my mouth and the keyboard and close for now!!!!

Good evening!  Well we have  returned from Dr. Ross’ office after Jay got his shot.  He had lunch and is now taking a siesta with Brandy.  I spent the time at the office with my Deaver novel so the time past fairly quickly.

I finally gave up yesterday and cleaned the snow off the truck so I could go get Jay’s vitamins and find my carbon paper.  It was at the second store I checked which saved me not having to drive  30+ miles to an office supply.  May be tomorrow I can start copying the pattern on my forms.

While Jay was out snow blowing yesterday (see Jay’s Jammin’) I made a mess in the kitchen!

Where did all the dirty dishes come from?

I can’t believe that it took that many items to make a one layer snack cake.  Oh it was a Tomato Soup Spice cake.   Jay had made it earlier but only put one cup of flour in it.  The recipe called for 1 1/2 cups.

Just waiting for a bit of frosting to top it off.

It was very good.   Jay said the original recipe is only one year younger than me!  I cut this in quarters and we had one last night, put one in the fridge, and froze the other two for some time later!

I made a red wine marinade this afternoon to help tenderize some beef steaks in hope Jay could chew them.  I also used what Jay calls the Jaccard.

15 blades to sever the meat fibers!

Don’t know if that explains it’s use or not because I’m no kitchen gadget whiz But maybe  you will understand.  I have been flipping the marinade pan every 1/2 hour and will have my three hour limit at 7:30 pm.  Then comes how to cook it!!   Damn I hate cooking!!!!!

At least it is for Brandy this morning.  At 20 degrees with a light snow still falling she had to jump to get around out there this morning.  When Jay gets out the tractor he is going to have to snow blow a little path and a ” dumping spot” so Brandy can do her duty.  Also our driveway will need attention too.

Well yesterday I hunted three levels of the dome looking for carbon paper.  I kept muttering to myself that I used to have all this extra crap around the house.  After rummaging in desks, file cabinets, upper shelves of closets, and even in the garage,  where I had used it on a long ago wood project, I found one piece of very old and used up paper.   Now I will admit with the computers, the printer, and the scanner in the house I don’t have much need for carbon paper.  But right now I do and it pisses me off that I don’t have any.  Even with the snow so deep I still have to go to the drugstore for Jay’s vitamins today so I’ll buy some  then.

Tomorrow Jay sees Dr. Ross for a shot in the left eye to correct blood vessel growth on the front of the eye.  He has had this procedure on the right eye a couple of times so it will be nothing new.  That is what diabetes can do to the system.

I read  this heart breaking story the other day about the woman who had to wear a coat to walk her dogs because it was so cold out.  It is good nature d Raspberriesssss I’m sending to you Maria with a smile and my cold elbows full of love!!!!!!