Thursday, January 31, 2008

Okay......sorry but we have the limit on the taco party. If everyone shows up there will be about 30 people. Yeowee! Would be different if it was summer...then we could have people outside. So...thank you all who have responded and we will see you next Saturday.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Last night the wind....the wind she was a howling! Woke me up. Even today it is blowing pretty good making the wind chill here below 0º. COLD! Went out and put my ski band on. As long as my ears are covered it doesn't really bother me....just have to have them covered.
Went and picked out flooring for the bathroom. It will be travertine tiles in the 12" size for the floor and the 6" size for inside the bathtub area. Suppose to start work on the bathroom March 10th, with it taking two weeks to complete. Now have to decide on what color paint.
Did another layout with the rest of the photos taken in Plymouth shown above. Can't believe January is almost over. See....spring will be here in no time. Ü

Tuesday Morning, January 29, 2008

Suppose to be 50º here today, can you believe it. But then tomorrow it is suppose to be 15º to 20º with some snow. Ahhhh Michigan. The contractor for the bathroom is suppose to come by at around 1:00pm today to show me a mock up of what the bathroom will look like when finished. She has some sort of computer program that shows the finished product. Have seen it done on TV....kind of neat. Other than that not much going on.
So far there will be 18 people for tacos. Anyone else coming???? Just let me know before Monday, February 4th as we will be going to Detroit to pick up the tortillas and stuff.

Plymouth Ice Festival

Well, Juan and I went to the Ice Fesvital today instead of yesterday. He changed his mind...whatever. Lots of people all in one section of town...the park. You just kind of followed the person in front of you...just walking round and round. Wasn't too cold outside and didn't need the hand warmer for the camera. Want to go back there at night as it is supposed to have colored lights shinning on the ice. Working on a scrapbook page right now and will post when I am finished.
Rob came over from across the street and brought us a Chimmichunga...not sure on that spelling. Will have to get the recipe as it was very good.
Nothing else much going on. John brought over his laundry yesterday and I finished that. Just have to iron his shirts. Love the new washing machine. Clothes come out of there almost dry. So besides not using much water (uses only two gallons), I am saving on drying time. Love it!

Friday Night

HELLO!!!! Ahhhh....Oldtimer's disease. The cabinets are NOT the ones with the cinnamon finish....they have a Cranberry finish. See...don't get old as your mind just doesn't function correctly. Cinnamon has a brownish color and cranberries are the ones with the reddish color. Oh well. Anyway, Juan has decided that he wants to go to the Ice Festival tomorrow. Sunday is his garbage picking day and we just can't interrupt his one passion. So tomorrow it will be.

Oh, I won something from a site on the internet. Two MusicPass cards from Sony. Not sure if it is for one song or for one album each. Will have to wait and see. Went to their site... www.MusicPass.com ...and who do you think is the first artist listed??? Hummmmmm???? Mi Alejandro!!! Of course, I have all his albums but, hey...the cards have no experation date so could wait until he comes out with another new album. As Juan and I always say, "Free is good!"

Thursday Night

Scratch that!...about the color of the cabinets. Changed my mind...again. Have decided on the Cherry Wood with the Cinnamon finish. Not real dark but dark enough. Gonna look nicey. Went to Lowes and looked at cabinets that color and that's when I decided on that color. Also, found light fixtures that I think I want and also the color of the faucets....a brushed nickel. The brushed nickel kind of looks like a goldish silver at different angles.
The other contractor came out today to measure. Actually it was his wife who is a designer. Really liked her as she was very informative about different things....like the floor for one thing. She is coming back Tuesday to go over more items. Will probably go with her and her husband (who actually will do the bathroom.) Our old neighbor had him do his basement in the house next to our and also his basement in the house he lived in after he married. He has now moved into a bigger home and wants this contrator, Frank, to do his present basement.
Tomorrow is the start of the Ice Festival in Plymouth. Only lasts for three days but hopefully the weather will be still on the cool side so all of the ice sculptures won't melt too soon. Have to go get one of those hand warmers. Remember...had heard thas helps keep your cameras batteries warm so you can take pictures. Don't think I will be going until Sunday...but, maybe sooner. In any case, I will post the pictures.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Okay...anyone ever hear of the Spanish actor Jarier Bardem? (pictured above) I first saw him in a movie called, "The Dancer Upstairs" that was shown on television. Then saw him in "The Sea Inside". Really like him...think he is a terrific actor. Now see that he has received a best supporting actor nomination for an Oscar in the movie "No Country For Old Men". Haven't seen this movie but plan on doing going. So, if you ever see one of his movies on TV...watch it...he is very good.
Tomorrow, another contractor is coming out to measure and give an estimate on doing the bathroom.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Okay...here's what the tile would look like in the tub area. If you click on the picture, you have a better idea of what it would look like. And have decided for the cabinets I want the maple with the cider color. The cherry was just a little too dark for what I wanted and the natural was too light. The cider color has a bit of reddish look to it which is what I wanted since you will see them off the maple floors that I have down the hall. Just haven't decided on what style door. Looked at flooring and am still not seeing what I want. Oh...decided I want the Corian counter top in Antarctic color with Glacier White for the sinks. Antarctic is a soft white textured with large stark white particles. Glacier White is a stark white. The sink shape I like is something like a hexagon only kind of rounded on four sides. Picked up some paint samples and will have to look at those and try to decide. So it's coming along and not as bad I thought it would be.....at least not yet!
Oh...and the music "Scotch & Soda"....really used to love that song (still love it). Heard that another member of the Kingston Trio passed away...know the singer on this song, Dave Guard, passed away quite a few years ago.

Martin Luther King Day

Went to Home Depot and started looking at things I have to pick out for the bathroom. Ahhhhh....I need Candice Olson! So many things to look at....tubs, faucets, toilets, tile, cabinets, etc. Anyway...think I have found tile that I would like for in the bathtub area. It's pictured above. It's a glass tile with some other kind of tile around it. The color is a pale green. I know...next to the blue kitchen carpeting it kind of looks blue but it is a soft green. The tile around the glass tile is a beige/white tile and that would be the prominent tile with a larger glass tile every so often. The strip on the top would be an accent. Not shown...there would be a thin glass tile above and below that strip. Really like it. Also looked at cabinets. Not sure if I want Natural Maple or Natural Cherry. Maybe I can bring home some kind of samples from the store. Then there is the counter top...what color there? And the floor tile....so lots to consider.
Our former next door neighbor recommended a guy who did his basement in this old house and his present house. Called him this afternoon and his wife is suppose to call me tonight to set up an appointment. See what they have to say.
Juan had problems at the mall today as everything was frozen by the dumpster. He had to put a bunch of ice salt around it, wait and then break it apart for the dumpster guy to come and replace it with an empty dumpster. Also, the Coney Island owner wants Juan to make some tacos for him to taste. He has heard how good they are and want Juan to give him the recipe. Ha! Don't think so. Soooo....the owner wants to work out some sort of deal. Will have to wait on that.
We are having our taco party that we were suppose to have this month on Saturday, February 9th. so mark your calenders.

Saturday Night, January 19, 2008

Oh yeah....it's cold outside. And, in case you were wondering, that's not Canton pictured above...it's some town in Switzerland. Ü Right now it is measuring -11º with the wind chill and it's not even 8pm. Ooooeeee....gonna be a cold one tonight. Juan went down to Bagley today to pick up some chorizo, tortillas and carnitas...ummmm good. Don't know when we are going to have that taco party. He had said this month but there is only one more week-end in January so think that it will have to be in February. Will have to find out.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Friday already...wow! It used to be that I could hardly wait for Friday...last day of the week for work...party all week-end...so much stuff going on...ahhh....but, that was when I was much, much younger. Now...just another day and nothing is going on.
Did I tell you I'm am lovin' my Ruby Roomba. That's what I call her...Ruby. She is wonderful!!! My floors have never been cleaner. The company that makes her, Irobot, also makes one that washes your floors, one that cleans your swimming pool, one that sweeps your work shop area, one that cleans your gutters and one that is for virtual visiting...plus government and industrial robots. Very cool.
A guy came out yesterday and measured the bathrooms. He told me that he puts in that bathtub with a door about five or six times a year. But, have decided not to get one. Would rather have just a plain whilpool tub. Juan and had said that he could get in and out of one of those tubs as long as there are grab bars...so what's the point of getting the other tub. The only reason I was thinking about the door tub was because of Juan and his knees.
So...everyone have a good week-end.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Well, in all fairness, I have to list one of John's favorite movies....RoboCop. Just remember that is was supposed to be in Detroit and that RoboCop was something like a six million dollar man only more robot like.
Today a man is coming out to measure for the bathrooms.....yeah!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

All of a sudden this song started playing in my mind....."Flash....a-ha.....Savior of the Universe". I remember that Alex used to love watching this movie....Flash Gordon. It was so corny but you had to watch just to see what ridiculous thing Flash Gordon or Dale Arden would say or do. My favorite was always Dale running along the side saying, "Go, Flash, go!" as Flash was running using football moves against the guards....you know....he was a famous New York Jets football player. Ü The guy who played Flash was like a big dumb blond. I know....shouldn't say that but, that's how he acted. How they got Queen to compose music for this movie, I don't know....well, yes.....money. The best thing in this movie was Timothy Dalton.....yeowee.....he was hot back then. Remember that big brown bird guy and of course, Max von Sydow as Emperor Ming. There were a bunch of movies back then.....late 70's and 80's that where not unlike the crazy movies of the 1950's. Remember Swamp Thing...The Incredible Shrinking Woman...Popeye....all were not the best of movies but movies that we remember for one thing or another.....think just that they were silly and you could laugh at parts you where you weren't suppose to laugh. Anyway....maybe that song will finally stop playing in my head.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

A little snow last night and a little sun this morning. American Idol back on tonight. Is that a good or a bad thing? Read that record labels have dropped Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks and Katherine McPhee and that poor Katherine is trying to sell her upcoming wedding photos for $50,000.00 and there are no takers. Tisk, tisk....poor thing.
Added two new elements to the bottom of the page. Check it out.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Monday, Monday...and looks like another dreary day. Did nothing special this past week-end just looked up items on the web for the bathroom. Waiting for the call from Home Depot for them to come and measure. Think I have decided to go with an engineered stone for the counter top...like Corian. That type of counter rates the best with granite the next choice. Also, think I am going to go for all white in the main bathroom. The counter would be a white/grey top and this way I can pick any other color I want. Still like my "pink" bathroom...have had one ever since I can remember. Well...will wait and see.
Have to go grocery shopping...hate doing that. Yesterday Alex helped out at the Breslin Center at Michigan State with fans going there to see a couple of the Detroit Tigers. She took pictures of the fans with the Tigers with the fans own camera. Two pitchers were there...Jordan Tata and a rookie, Rick Parcello who is only 19 years old. She had a picture taken with them also and will have to have her send it to me so I can post it.
Picture above is of, who else,...Ü...Alejandro.
Alex just informed that that there were six Tiger players at Breslin Center and also the MSU Baseball team.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Last night Juan and I went to 4 Friends for all you can eat fish. We went at around 6:30 and it was super crowded, as always. The fish there is really good. While waiting for a table we talked with some very nice people. Everyone is always so very friendly.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Yesterday I went to Home Depot to see about having the bathrooms remodeled. Want to make them old people proof. Higher toilets, higher sinks, grab bars...just everything to make it better for "older" people....sigh. They are suppose to call and set up a time to come out and measure and then I will go back to the store and see what can be done. Want one of those Jacuzzi tubs with the door. That, I know, will be the most expensive item on the list. When talking to the designer at the store she said those tubs are becoming more popular what with the "Baby Boomers" all getting older. And since we are a bit older than the Boomers all this stuff is right up our alley.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

While looking at the above photo of the house I grew up in until I was 10 (left), Juan's house where he grew up (middle) and our current home (right), Juan and I were thinking about things that happened in those homes, especially his old home. He was saying how when he was younger, he and some of his brothers tied sheets to their brother, Rudy, (like a parachute) and hung him outside their upstairs window. They told him they were going to lower him down to the ground but only lowered him part way and then left him hanging. Needless to say, when their mother finally found out they all got it. My recollections of my old home are much more milder being an only child. Since the picture of Juan's old home is recent, this is what his home looks like today. My old home looks nothing like it did then. Owners have put a dormer on top and it now looks like a colonial...would never recognize it. One day I will drive by it and take a picture.
Yesterday afternoon, men came and installed the gutter guards we ordered. So...no more climbing ladders to clean out the gutters in the sping ("spinners") and fall (leaves).

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Well, Juan went to the doctor's yesterday and all is well. The doctor, at some point, asked him if he has been hit, slapped or abused by anyone. "No" says Juan, "but what about being nagged?" Hummm. Anyway, he was told to lose 15 to 20 pounds and that would probably relieve some of the pressure on his knees which give him problems. And....the sun is shinning today! Ü

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Tuesday mornin' and it's dreary outside...warm but dreary. Like it better when the sun is out. Juan has a doctor's appointment early this afternoon. His old doctor moved so he had to get a new one and of course he has to go through the whole physical thing. They had sent papers for him to fill out before the appointment...geeh...fourteen pages. Anyway, I will be going also to hold his hand. Ü Oh, and the monkey above...you press his foot and he spins and sings "La Bamba". One of the Christmas presents from Alex to her Dad.

Monday, January 7, 2008

Spring! That's what it feels like outside. It's 10:30am and the temperature is already at 56º. My Roomba is busy cleaning the kitchen and laundry room. Ha! Such a life. Juan says he is going to take down the outside Christmas lights and clean up the garage. Me...I'm going down to the dungeon and separate items that are for garage sale and items for Ebay. Didn't post anything last year on Ebay so have lots to do. They are suppose to put up our gutter guards either today, tomorrow or Wednesday. Said they would call first before coming out.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

New toy! and I LOVE IT - LOVE IT!!! Was considering getting a new vacuum because it is so difficult getting under the beds and sofas when....ta da...it occured to me to check out the Roomba. This is the best little machine evva! and it keeps the dogs amused. Ü Just press the little button on top and off it goes. You can even program it to clean at certain times. The first room I cleaned with the Roomba was the guest bedroom. I purposely cleaned the floor before I used it to see what it would pick up. Yikes! Stuff from under the bed and lots of long, black hairs. Ummmm...who could that be??? And the kitchen...geeh...sand (must be from Juan's boots)plus all kinds of stuff. It's doing our bedroom right now, which is a disaster, especially under the bed. Comes with these little towers that you can set up near a door or whatever...to block it from crossing. So...so far...thumbs up on this machine.

Friday, January 5, 2008

Am lovin' my new hat from Vermont pictured above. Made of 100% wool but it has some kind of soft lining inside...really keeps my ears warm....AND....it fits my Irish head! Bought Alex one for Christmas. Hers is red, white and black. Another cold one outside today but Monday it is suppose to be 54º. Juan said he will take down the outside lights on that day. The last week-end of the month will be the Plymouth Ice Spectacular. Always like to go to see the ice designs. This time will get one of those hand heat things...you know...to keep your hands warm. Will use it for my camera. Have heard that if you put it up against your camera's battery compartment the batteries won't get cold and you will be able to take more pictures. Will have to wait and see.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Did another layout last night with the remainder of the Christmas card photos we received plus added "our" Christmas tree and one of John, Alex and the dogs on Christmas morning. Love getting all the photos and seeing how quickly children grow. Like Alexs' good friend Eva has a daughter who is in 9th grade...good grief!...time just goes.
Cold today but at least the wind isn't blowing much, if any.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Well, doing a little of everything today. Putting away ALL the Christmas decorations AND the tree. Let see...should take about an hour...hehehehe...love it! Did the above layout from New Year's at David's, doing laundry and straightening up around the house. By the way...that's my hunny bunny, Alejandro Fernandez, singing with Gloria Estefan. The music player that I have on this site doesn't have a lot of choices when it comes to my Alejandro...so this will have to do. "El Jardin" means "The Garden".