Saturday, May 31, 2008

Hard to believe it's the end of May already. John came by briefly to take down some boxes from the rafters in the garage that has items to be put out for the garage sale. Sale starts this Thursday through Saturday....and Lynn...will make sure to check on those clubs for you.
One of Juan's friends came over who is an electrician and looked at the lamp post we are putting up in the backyard. Not quite as fancy as the one pictured above and wouldn't that be a great backyard...Ü...but it does have three lights. The post is one of Juan's freebies. Not sure when this guy is hooking it up but he is also going to put another plug out on the front porch. We decided to get the front porch enclosed and a guy was out Wednesday to measure. Won't be installed until August sometime but that's alright. Will just be a three season porch. Juan said he can put a small space heater out there if it's too cold for him. This is something he has wanted so why not....whatever rocks your boat! It will be similar to the one pictured above but only on two sides and of course, no roof needed. Same color as pictured with same glass layout and sliding door and windows with screens. Juan has already told neighbors that there will be no smoking on the porch once the enclosure is finished. One neighbor is not too pleased but hey...everything will just smell of smoke and don't want that.
Received our invitation today for Ann Marie's wedding....of course, we will be attending.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Still have stuff to load in my computer. John will be by again to hook up more stuff...scanner, printer, etc. Have to go for a mammogram today...ahhhhhh.....just love having that done. Was looking at my peony bush out back and saw that finally I will have lots of blooms....over 50! Took five years for it to really bloom out. Didn't know that there is a certain way and time you are to plant them or you will have to wait the five years. Will take pictures when it does bloom. My Aunt Irene gave me part of her peony plant so this plant is special to me as it is from her. The above picture is of one of my geranium hanging baskets.
Nothing else special going on. Juan's garage sale will begin next Thursday....yea! Finally will get rid of stuff.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

John is suppose to be here soon and start working on setting up this new computer....ahhh. Anyway.....did a scrapbook page for Alex. Ü The 80's....geeh...those were some glasses. One of Alexandra's favorites.....Everything She Wants by Wham!

Sunday & Tuesday, May 25 & 27, 2008

I will be in the process of putting together my new computer so will be off line for....????....until the new one is working. Hopefully, won't be too long. Lot's of stuff to install.
Won't be starting to transfer programs from one computer to another until tomorrow (Wednesday 28th) so will take a little longer to get back to blogging.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Aspen's medication isn't doing that great so more was added. Will have to see tomorrow how she is doing. Her kidneys are not that well. Didn't want to play some sad song so just randomly chose "Happy". Never heard of it before but it's HAPPY!
John came by and cut the back grass. Said the concert was good...it was with Kanye West like I thought and Rhianna who he said wasn't that good. Tomorrow he and Brandy are going to one of her friends wedding. Monday they will all be here for dinner.
The neighbors across the street from us got back from Mexico early this morning. It was the 14th trip to Mexico for the wife. She really likes Cancun and that is where they all went....her husband, toddler son and her parents. We had to kind of watch their three dogs for them....just let them outside a couple of times a day as they had his sister stay at night with them. They were no problem.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Aspen's not doing too well. Taking her to the vet this morning as she is really having trouble walking. She has arthritis plus some other problems. She is 15 now so she is an old doggie.
Just got back from the vet with Aspen. They are going to have to run tests on her as she has Cushings disease and they have to be careful of the kind of medication they give her. They did give me some pills to give her once a day for her pain. Will either know tomorrow or not until Tuesday about her other conditions.
John is taking today as a vacation day so he and Brandy can go see....I think it's Kanye West....not sure. Then he has tomorrow and Monday off because of the holiday. Alex is going to her friend's daughter's birthday party on Sunday and will come by later and spend the night as she also has Monday off. Will have them all over for dinner on Monday. Not sure yet on what I am making.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Boxes. Just how long do you save boxes? I mean, I have kept boxes for ebay and boxes for things we have in the house or have given as presents. Like the box Alexs' radio was packaged in...or my Cricut for scrapbooking...and that's just mentioning some of them....just how long should I keep them? You know that as soon as I get rid of them...something will break and I won't have the box to ship it back to the manufacturer. Ahhhhh.....think I will finally get rid of them. Will put items that I want for Ebay in a box and then I will have it all ready when I post the auction.....just pitch the rest. Sounds good? Yeah...sounds good to me.
A friend of Juan's came by this morning and took up all the stuff I had for the garage sale. Still have so much junk down there...oh well.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Did you ever stand back and wonder..."Where did I get all this stuff?" Well, my basement has allllll kinds. I am in the process of putting "stuff" in baskets and boxes to be brought up for Juan's garage sale. Games, bags, golf clubs, posters, books, Christmas items, you name it...we have it. We have a ping pong and a pool table down there that you can't even tell what they are because of "stuff" piled high. To me it's depressing to go down there. What we need is a conveyor belt from the basement to the top of the stairs and just keep piling it up. We always think that maybe Alex or John will need this or that....NO!...they won't...so get rid of it. I did have items down there that were suppose to be for Ebay...but even that is too overwhelming so am getting rid of lots of those items. Just want them out....so out they are going!

Monday, May 19, 2008

The layout above is from our niece, Ann Marie's wedding shower which was yesterday afternoon. Really a beautiful affair. My sister-in-law, Ann and niece Jaclyn, out did themselves with the decorations and food...and Ann Marie received lots of lovely gifts...which is how it should be! Was fun talking with my other two sister-in-laws, my niece Rita and Alex...laugh...but then that's usually what happens when we are all together. The wedding will be the begining of August and should be just as grand....and Ann Marie will be a beautiful bride.
Have to get downstairs today and separate items that have to be brought up for Juan's garage sale. Sooooo much junk to get rid of. A friend of his will be by Wednesday to help bring it all up as there is just too much going up and down the stairs. The sale isn't until June 5-7th so still have some time to get ready.
Think my new computer will be shipped this Wednesday...although I don't know how long it will take to get here. That's another thing I have to work on...finding all the programs I want installed in the new machine. Know most are in a box I have especially for computer programs but, have to find my camera's installation disk. Think it's in the original box for the camera...will check.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Having problems with my computer so ordered another one. Just the tower and the cordless keyboard and mouse. Took it in for repairs last summer and it just doesn't have enough memory. Now I can't upload photos from my camera so that was enough for me. It is always saying I don't have enough memory and will freeze up at times so computer number four. Have had this one for five years....long time for a computer.
Went last week and purchased all my flowers. Got some hanging pink ivy geranium baskets and two flats of pink impatiens to plant around the house.
Today I have to get going as am going to our niece's wedding shower in Royal Oak. Alex just called and she is leaving now to get there in time. Soooo...adios.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Another dreary day outside today. Yesterday went and bought some hanging flowers for the back patio. This time I bought geraniums...pink ones, as I want to do all the flowers in the back pink this year. Juan had bought me a pink petunia hanging basket for the front for mother's day. Need to get some dirt for the garden as I have made it bigger. Have to make room for the tomatoes Juan likes. Also want to get some pink impatience flowers for the containers scattered around the back. Think just two flats will be enough.
Tomorrow we go for the viewing of Brandy's father. It is at a funeral home in Livonia, so not that far for us to travel.
Alex might be going to Baton Rouge this fall for a conference. Hmmmmmmm....Jambalaya...love creole food. She doesn't know for sure yet as it has to be approved. I'm not sure either as I thought all travel with the state is kind of a no no now. Well...maybe we're doing better...hope we are.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Brandy's father passed away last night just after she left to go home and see to her kids for a bit and then go back. She has lost three of her close relatives in less than a month...two grandmothers and her father. Her father was still a young man. John said he was between 48 and 52 years old...couldn't remember. Not sure when the funeral will take place but Juan and I plan on going.
Have some running around to do today...bank and Meijer's. Meijer's because I bought the wrong items and have to exchange them. Alex made me laugh as she sent me an email after reading that I am making John's lunch. She said "Does he know how old he is??? Do You???? Sheez". Yes, I know how old he is but really don't think that John realizes. We are on a savings campaign...and seems I have to again show him how to save. He has paid for all the food for his lunches...I just bought it and will make the lunches. I understand that this is all a little strange but....oh well....so be it. One day the fog will lift and John will come shining through.....I hope!

Sunday, Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all out there who apply. Dreary, rainy day here. Both Alex and John called and as Alex was here last week-end she wasn't coming this week-end. She gave me her present last week....a big Yankee Candle and two tops for the candle jars. They are suppose to keep the glass from the black smoke....one silver and one gold. Very nice. John will be by tomorrow as he is with Brandy and her family with her Dad. Her Father is not doing well at all. He is in hospice care and they think only has a very short time left to live. Boy....she just had two grandmother's who passed away within days of one another and now her Dad.
Went to Target and Meijer's today to pick up some items. Mostly for John as he is starting afternoons tomorrow and I will be making his lunch. He will stop by on the way to work to pick it up.
Finished another scrapbook page. This one of the "cottages" in Saugatuck. Boy...sure would like to know what these people do for a living who own these homes. Some are really spectacular.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Another scrapbook page. Juan spent most of the day yesterday trying to install the garbage disposal. He had three neighbors here to try their hand at it to no avail. Finally today he called the manufacturer and they had forgot to put one of the instructions in the manual. HELLO!!! He finally got it in this morning.
John came by with his laundry and have been doing it since last night. Will have shirts to iron...maybe tomorrow.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Today is Aspen's birthday...she is 15 years old. Happy Birthday, Aspen! Finished the above scrapbook page. It reads, "Juan & I went on a tour with others to the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan. While there we visited the Veldheer Tulip Gardens where there were planted over 5 million tulips. It was such a beautiful site with all these fields of color. Although it was rainy that day the rain stopped long enough for us to visit each site. I had never seen or even heard of some of the tulips, like the Peony Tulips which I fell in love with. They are the pink and white tulips pictured on this page and are called Crème Up Star. The ones pictured in the top right corner of the next page are called Hermione. I ended up buying 10 bulbs of the pink & white to be delivered in the fall but think I will order more as I know where I will plant them and know there is room for more. At the gardens there were signs posted reading that if you picked one of the tulips you would be fined $100.00. That certainly put a stop to anyone’s thoughts of picking any. :)"
On another note...our garbage disposal died. More money.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

We're back home and had a really nice time. The above picture is of a tulip I just fell in love with....a Peony Tulip called Creme Up Star. Love Peonys but never had heard of Peony Tulips. Of course, I ordered some...just one bag or box or however they send them. There are 10 for $8.95. All the people on the tour were very nice and we struck up a conversation with mainly two of the couples. One from Detroit and the other from Dearborn. Talk about a small world...the man from Detroit worked for the Detroit newspapers along with a friend of ours...and the couple from Dearborn live on the same street where I used to rent a room back when I was 19/20 years old.
The tour on the Star of Saugatuck boat was very interesting and you got to see a lot of the "cottages" people own over there. Yesterday the weather wasn't as nice...rain for part of the time but still able to see the tulips. What a sight....5 million planted at this one place. Geeh! Just fields of color.
Just got back from Walgreens picking up the photos. They also had a special of one 8x10 for free so got it of the peony's pictured above and will put it in my computer room.
Will post more pictures and of course, scrapbook pages.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Tomorrow we go to Holland, MI for the Tulip Festival...and what is supposed to do for the next two days????? RAIN! And not just rain...thunderstorms! Ahhhhhh. Oh well, will have to tip-toe through the rain drops. Leaving here at around 7:30...that's the only part I hate...getting up early. Not used to it anymore.
John will be staying to take care of the dogs. Carrie is loaning me one of her puppy playpens for GiGi. Just don't trust that dog being alone for most of the day.
We won't be returning here until Wednesday at around 9:30-10:00pm. Even with being gone only two days there is so much crap I have to do. Probably wouldn't be so bad if Juan would remember what to bring and pack all of his stuff. Guess that's why he has me. Ü
Hey....just remembered it's Cinco de Mayo day. And...this is not Mexican Independence Day...that's September 15th....today is the day the Mexican's beat the French army in Puebla....called the Battle of Puebla. And in honor of this great battle....we are having spaghetti tonight! Ü hehehe
Will be back here Thursday.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Juan and I went to Megan's birthday party yesterday. Boy....I have never seen soooo much Hannah Montana stuff. Balloons, banners, posters, cake, candy, pinata and tons of presents relating to this new pop star. I told Mary Ann that this Hannah probably made another million just from this party. Good time talking with everyone and catching up on everything. Big Annie's daughter, Armanda, had her baby yesterday morning....on Megan's birthday. A girl, she named Kaylyn...think that's how she spells it. So now double the party on this day.
Still haven't dressed yet. Once I started on a scrapbook page....just can't stop. Now that it's done will have to get going. Don't know how this house gets so topsy turvy with just the two of us. Oh....and the two dogs. GiGi was bad this morning and will now have to give her a bath. I won't go into just what she did...just that she needs a bath!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Rainy day....though I'm not complaining. We really haven't had a lot of rain here and am welcoming it. Not the thunder though...thunder means there is lightening and I'm not a big fan of lightening.
John didn't show up yesterday...am I surprised? No! He is suppose to show up tonight but we'll see. Alex will be coming tonight to spend the night and will leave tomorrow. Juan and I are to go to that birthday party tomorrow afternoon. Hummm...scrapbook page! lol Love to scrapbook.
Tonight I thought I would make some Cheese Enchiladas and some Spanish Rice. Have never made Enchiladas before so this will be an experiment. Ü If it turns out to be any good I will post the recipe.

May 1, 2008

The above picture of John was taken a long time ago...September 2004 but, looking through the pictures I have I realized that I don't have many of John. He always comes and then leaves...never can stay around for very long. So....I have posted the "botox" picture. Ü He is supposed to come here after work. He and I have some accounting to do. Oh...and the above picture...taken after he had a highlow accident at work.
Trying to straighten out my computer/scrapbooking room. I can let it get soooo messy and then hate to clean it up. Finally put away all of Uncle Joe's stuff...now to finish my Mom's. Today is the anniversary of her death...one year ago today. Goes by fast.
Our neighbor next door, Carrie, got a really cute haircut. Cut like Katie Holmes/Cruise...only she has it brown with highlight stripes in it....really like it on her...she looks a lot younger even though she isn't that old.
Green Tambourine playing...one of John's favorites.