The Dome --Our Home

It seems that things are happening around me but I’m sitting still.  A friend of ours came over to see if he could install that new retracting screen door at the French door area.  The conclusion was that short of taking the framing from the old door out it couldn’t be done.  But in checking the original unit out he determined that with new hinges he could fix the old unit up.  So the the new unit went back to the store and we took a 25 % return fine for a special order.  Now the new hinges are ordered, to be here in about 10 days, we saved a $100. installation fee, and the cost of the new door unit.

There is still a blaze of color from the tree and two bushes in the side yard so the happy thoughts still appear in my head when I step outside.

I have a list on the fridge of outside things to do.  A lot of them involve trimming trees and bushes at ground level.  I have delayed this project because the tire on our small trailer, that is hauled by lawn tractor, keeps going flat.  Jay has finally obtained inner tubes for the trailer, all that is left to do is get the tires back on the wheels, inflated, and the wheels back on the trailer.  Then I can place the debris in the trailer as I trim and haul it out back to the burn pile.

The birdbath is ready.

The nights have still been cold enough to freeze the water in the birdbath so I have not moved my two big plants out side yet.  I keep watching the newspaper for the week long forecast  hoping for a warm up but nothing yet.  This morning the sun is shining brightly and the temperature is 62 degrees and I should be out there trimming.  I may get a bit of steam up this after noon to do some of it.

Brandy is, as the old farmers say, off her feed and I may be hauling her back into Dr. Buck’s office if she doesn’t start eating soon.

Announcement time now.   First a big Happy Birthday to our sister-in-law, Peggy–that was yesterday.  Also on that day Jay and I celebrated 8 years without a cigarette.  Yep, we quit cold turkey!   Grand daughter Jasmine will be 19 years old tomorrow.   Happy Birth day Jazz!

Never a dull moment around here.  The clock just struck 10 am, Jay is waiting for Your Ride to go to dialysis, he falls asleep at the table, and spills coffee all over his pants.  I love getting old together!!!!

For all of you a wish that the health is good or getting better and that the coming month of May will bring more than flowers into your life!!!!!!

This is why I fell in love with this place!

Every Spring!

This wormy old Crab Apple tree come alive first with buds like this and in a few days blossoms so beautiful to look at.  So even though it isn’t good for anything except holding the feeders for the birds and providing joy for the  Momma it will stay in the side yard for a very long time.

The Quince bush down the hill  has also started to bloom.   When it is in full bloom I will get a picture of it.  Another bit of beauty with no other reason to be there except to hide the bunnies and chip monks  from prying eyes.

I apologize for the lack of attention I have given this blog but I do manage to visit the people in my sidebar every day or two.  I guess when I sit down and all I have to say is it 46 degrees, rainy, and windy it can get to be boring (but that is what it is this morning).  I could tell you my bunnies are active in the yard, that the bird feeders need filling again, and the geese continue to fly over heading to the small lake some distance behind our property. But this is something everyone has to talk about.

So  alas this is my latest project.

I’ve spent the last couple of days winding skeins and partial skeins of yarn into balls.  I have eliminated one large blue plastic container from my closet floor, gathered all the baby yarn in a small basket, with the remainder in this big basket  ( on my dresser), and a medium laundry basket.  I hope to be able to check the colors, amounts, and types, before I go buying more.

I have picked up one of Cindy’s Apple Basket towels to embroider but I find myself getting frustrated with the needle threading, and thread twisting that goes along with such a project.   Cindy also brought me some baby items she had started and then decided it was not a project she wanted to tackle.   I still have three Christmas lap pads to finish along with a couple of other kits.  So like the beaded banners I have got to whip my enthusiasm into shape and get on with the tasks at hand.

My thanks to the Springs Window Fashions Company for their excellent service.

Just like before

The blind on the left had a broken string which made it impossible to lift or adjust.  It had hung on the door for almost 10 years and I knew that a new one would not match the other one hanging there.  We called the company and explained our problem and they said to send it in and they would fix it.   These blinds are spring loaded so you only have to lift the bottom bar to open them.  No strings hanging down to get caught in the door or the blind itself.  It is metal,  a Bali brand, which made it ideal for the patio doors.

Yesterday Cindy came up and we accomplished some yard chores.

Rhubarb plant #2.

I discovered our second rhubarb plant in the flower bed beside the front door.  It means we won’t have to buy as much to make our jams and chutneys.   I have one more to look for in the garden beside the kitchen door.

Cindy and I got the one fountain in the flower bed between the kitchen door and the deck steps.  A trip to Otisville Glass where I saw one of the fellows that knew how to connect my new pump to the fountain ( because he has one like it) saved me a lot of worry.  The other fountain is down in front of  the garage until I can figure out where to put it.

We also brought up the two gazing balls and stands plus we filled the new metal bird bath.  Cindy filled all the bird feeders in the Crab apple tree for me.   We brought up the plastic lawn chairs from the basement to put around the table on the deck.  The new table umbrella we bought last fall is waiting on the porch to go in the stand.

Bleeding Heart is awakening.

This plant that my oldest brother gave me roughly four years ago is beginning to show it’s lovely blooms again.  Also my tulips are out.

One of several clumps around the dome.

They are sharing the beds with the Daffodils and Hydrangeas.

Green Gage Plum

Jay’s Plum tree is again trying to make a showing this year.  We haven’t had any luck with it so far but it is surviving.  The soil isn’t that great around here because it used to have an Asphalt plant on it over 30 some years ago.

I also managed to wish son #2, Les, along with wife Anne a very Happy Anniversary yesterday.  Nine years of wedded bliss is an accomplishment to be proud of.

So as you can see the world is a bit brighter today  I so hope yours is too!

Amazing

Exactly two months and it is still flying high!  Is that a sign or what!  Time passes and you expect certain things to happen but that is not always true.  My birthday balloon was suppose to fall to the floor and yet it still floats high.

My expandable screen door was to be installed and still it sits leaning against the wall in my dining room after a month.

My feet and legs were supposed to be fixed so I could walk in parades but still I limp and my back hurts when I stand too long.

Money I spent to bury my oldest brother was supposed to be repaid when the estate was settled but I’m told that won’t happen.

Projects I have bought, which I wanted to learn, lay untouched in a drawer or a box.

The weight I was going to lose still brings the needle on the scale up too high.

People I’m supposed to keep in touch with get only sporadic attention.

The flowers, in the beds, I was supposed to clean up are in bloom peeking around the grass and leaves from last year.

The two blue bird houses out back still have nest debris from last year’s occupants.

I know that falling is dangerous and yet I still seem to fall more often.

I am supposed to thank people who do for me, or give me things yet I still appear to be rude because I forget if I acknowledged the deeds.

People I care about get ill and I forget to ask after their healing.

As time passes I find myself clutching at the days and hours, regretting the things left undone and unsaid, but knowing it will always be this way because I am who I am!

Wes And Debra's House

We are going to the Purple House in Lake Orion today because it is Debra’s birthday.  Jay made Chicken Enchiladas Saturday and with the addition of a salad and cake we should be all set for a party.  I’ll try to get a picture of the birthday girl.

Just Hanging In There!

Some times I feel like this cat.  Not really doing anything constructive or noteworthy but still around.  The best laid plans —-fits here also.  No screen door installed yet but it is in a box sitting in  my dining room.  Long story–not worth speaking about!

I did manage a walk around the dome this morning and decided that I should pick some of those flowers and bring them in the house.

So I Did!

The scarf is from Kathleen. The vase from Dar and Mike.  The flowers from the beds around the dome.  I can’t believe this is the first time in 10 years that I actually picked flowers and brought them indoors.  Sometimes I do use my head for more than a hat rack.

Just spent over an hour on the phone with my pseudo sister (sister-in-law) Peggy in Florida.  I got to be a sounding board for her.   Don’t know how good a job I did but I tried my darn est.

Jay is in dialysis so I have eggs on for egg salad sandwiches when he comes home.  I add chips, soup, or a dish of fruit to round out the meal.  Every Tuesday and Friday the day is delayed while he has his treatment.   Lunch is about 3:3o or 4:00 pm and supper anytime after 7:00 or 8:00.   But it is a routine that is normal now.

I want to get down to Wes and Deb’s this weekend because the 19th is Deb’s birthday but I have to check   to see if they will be home.

The temperature is 66 degrees, cloudy, but the sun peeks through frequently.  It is going to rain.  When I’m not sure but the clouds are hanging around and the sky is that dark blue around the edges.

I have been trying to get my new pump hooked up in the fountain but have some problems with the size of the tubing but I’ll keep working on it.  Just another wrinkle in the clothe of life I guess!

The Crabapple comes to life!

The leaves are red now but as they emerge the blossoms will appear and green will be the predominate color as  the blooms fall.  The tree itself is old and no care has been given it so the fruit is no good but the Spring brings lovely flowers every year.

The temperature is mid 40s with rain most of the night and this morning.  I hope a bit of sunshine will grace the land this afternoon.  I would like to trim a few branches in the next couple of days.

Jay’s physical was basically good.  Doctor is after him for his weight explaining that is why he is short of breath.  It is a big problem because just a short trip around the grocery store leaves  him worn out.  Can we fix the problem –I really don’t know!

Well the salt delivery man comes today and I have to catch him because it is a major problem for me to dump it in the softener.  Then later today Sherm will bring the tractor back with the mower deck on it.  I have one more place to visit but I’ll explain more on that later.

I am finally half way through Richard Dawkins’ The Greatest Show On Earth and hanging in there on the understanding side of the read.  I guess I love fiction more than Science but I’m not giving up on finishing the book.

I still haven’t decided on what project to work on next.   Not being able to just pick something up, work on it a while, and then lay it aside is frustrating to say the least.   Of course the biggest problem is the seven beaded banner kits with pony beads and the embroidery kits–neither of which are  my favorite things to do.  But the time for a decision draws neigh!

A Big Happy Birthday to our friend Darlene  today!

Have a great week everyone!

Front Porch Greetimg!

With my Spring wreath on the porch and another flag on the pole I am ready to greet the warm weather that is sure to be here.  Yeah—right!  Yesterday as Sherm took the tractor in to convert from a snow blower to a lawn mower I watch tiny snow flakes fall on the hood of the truck.

Now this morning the thermometer on the porch reads 22 degrees!  There is frost on everything and even though the sun is shining it is still cold as a witch’s tit ( I do love that description) out there.

I sent a box off to Darlene yesterday.  Her birthday is the 13th and she will be *% years old.  Now you didn’t expect me to reveal her secret did you!

April is a busy month for occasions.   My daughter-in-law Debra, Wes’ wife, has a birthday on the 19th.  Les and Anne have a wedding anniversary on the 21st and my sister-in-law Peggy, in Florida, has a birthday on the 29th.

Also the 29th is the day Jay and I celebrate 8 years of no smoking.  Yep we quit cold turkey and don’t regret it a bit.  In fact I joke that it is a good thing we did otherwise we couldn’t afford our prescriptions!

I seem to be losing a week in April.   Maybe it is because  the month started on a Thursday and I look at my pocket calendar and see five rows of boxes.  Now I think there is four weeks in a month so I omit that last row.  I must be getting old –huh!

Well I delivered my squares to Pammie and Jay and I talked her arm off.  It is always a pleasure to spend even a little time with a friend of approximately 40 years.  She  is a true friend that puts up with my ‘sailor’s language’  and my weird ideas and never says a word about it because she is my friend.  You can’t beat that with a stick –can you!!

A moment out now to say I hope all who have been under the weather recently are truly on the mend!  I sometimes forget to check in on those who need a bit of moral support in their fight with the ‘bug’.

Keep checking the skies because Spring is out there some where!

If April Showers bring May Flowers we should be waist deep in them soon.  Wet, gray, and cold for two days now.  The thermometer reads 51 this afternoon.  But that is alright because my bay window looks like this!

Smile material personified.

In other news the hole in the garage ceiling is patched and the spot on the deck where the bees came in is caulked and closed tight.   Our All In One man came out today to spray around the outside of the dome so maybe the few ants we have will go elsewhere.

Still waiting on the new screen doors for the French doors in the dining room.  They are at the store but the installers haven’t picked them up yet.

Tomorrow is Jay’s appointment for a haircut in Oakland County and we will be just a few miles from Pammie’s house So I have these to deliver.

12 twelve inch squares as promised.

Now I have to get back to my other projects and my book plus the everyday things that seem to pile up when you concentrate on one thing.  Take care and stay dry!

I waited so long to see this!

Yes!

Keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn’t go away.  It has been a bit cooler the last couple of days but I think the rain contributed to that.  Funny how warmth and sunshine can make the most sad sack attitude disappear.

Yesterday Les and Anne came up to visit.  Les change my virus protection, my excel, and my word to other programs.  I was introduced to another function on Word Press.   This program is still pretty new to me and I’m a chicken s**t when it comes to exploring it by myself.  He also help Jay with his problems on his computer.

We had dinner(roughly the same as Saturday’s)  and I watched a concert he had brought up for me to see.  Consequently I missed a photo of him and Anne together because my oldest son called just before they left.  So it was a silent goodbye and a kiss as they walked  out the door.

As promised the flowers so far.

No tulips yet!

My sign of Spring.

You can see I still need to work on the beds.

But the bright yellow is a very cheery sight when you look out off the deck in the morning.

But the berm out front will present the biggest problem.

Overgrown and ugly!

I am tempted to ask my daughter-in-law Debra to come up and help me make it respectable again because she does such a good design job.  I am a slug at garden work and sometimes find I have pulled out the plants and left the weeds.

It is in the 50s and climbing so I have to get dressed and get my shoes on because Brandy will be awake soon and then the fun begins.  She  is an outside girl when the weather gets warm but she wants you out there with her.  Oh well I can always take the yarn and hook out to the swing and work on the 12 inch squares while she investigates the edge of the woods.  I now have six of the twelve done.

No doctor appointments this week but I need to take Jay down to Clarkston to get his hair cut.   As I have mentioned before our lady barber is an old friend and you are loyal to old friends.

I must tell you that I think the jam we give away has improved our karma in dealing with others and I am delighted.

Take care and have a great week everyone!!