A week has gone by since I last wrote, and the new room is beginning to show possibilities of being completed. It's been a busy week too.
Thursday we went on a boat ride with two friends, Bob and Sue, teacher friends from Bath, plus Carol O and her sister Patti and brother-in-law Joe. Bob and Sue have a pontoon boat that's used for cruisin' the inland waterway and fishing.
We had a delightful sail from the historic Train Station ( it has a dock on the river) and sailed up to Casey Key, about an hour's sail, passing under several drawbridges. Just as we set out, two bridges were up because a huge long barge passed underneath. It carried some long, long pipes, much longer than could go by road. The drawbridges really cause traffic delays when they're open. You could see the long line-up of cars on either side of the them. When we yelled to the guys on the barge, where were they going? - they yelled back that they were on their way to Naples. That's a long way.
Our sailing goal was an hour's ride to the Casey Key Fishhouse where Stephen King sometimes hangs out - no sight of him - just a picture of him with the owner sitting outside. The Fishhouse had a colorful grass-roofed Tiki Bar, and a restaurant off to the left. We had a really good meal; we took a couple of pictures of us on Stephen's "seat", and then started back. and on the way we sailed between the North and South Jetties and got another perspective from the usual land-view. We didn't sail out into the Gulf. We turned around. Beyond the jetties, the water looked very choppy.
Bob and I went to the Clubhouse Thursday evening for the Annual Meeting. I drove. I'd forgotten that I'd never used the SUV at night. When we got outside, I had no idea how to turn the headlights on. Bob, an old driver ed teacher, came around and turned them on for me. Stupidity has no age limit, I guess. I imagine I'd have found them eventually. Let's hope so.
My birthday was Friday and I was lucky to celebrate it for two whole days! Carol O. went out to dinner with us for a fish fry Friday night. Bill, Epril, Carol and Alice couldn't make it Friday night, so they went out to lunch with us on Saturday. Bob was with us both times. Paul picked a beautiful restaurant called Farlow's on the Water in Englewood. We came back to our house for coffee and cake and brownies too which Epril brought. Time for a "sugar high!"
Bill is now working days for his medical transcription company which makes it much nicer for them. Epril goes to work at 7:00 AM, finishing up at 3:00 PM. Now they have their evenings to themselves. He has Saturdays off.
Bob has gone to Christine's this week. His grandchildren, Susan and Tommy, are off this week. Bob left this morning. It's a four-hour trip to Melbourne, just right across the state to the eastern shore.
The room is coming along just great. The little details always seem to take the longest! And we have a really slow guy here the past couple of days putting up the walls, doing the mudding. But it looks good. Paul and I look at the room and consider all the possibilities - color, flooring. . . we're putting in tile. We've done a lot of windowshopping at Lowe's and Home Depot so far. I asked him how he feels about doing all the rest of this and he says he can't wait to get started when the men leave! I guess that's a good sign. Bless him. What a guy.
Right now he's out in the carport making a stand for my piano lamp to put on the piano so my lamp is high enough for the music to be below it. I've been putting books under it to raise it up, and it looked pretty awful. He just finished it, and it looks really nice.
Got an e-mail from Dorothy. Alaina is graduating from the University of Rochester in May. Dorothy's making plans for the graduation and wants to know who'll be there. From what I understand, unlike DJ's last year, she can invite as many people as she'd like. Then in June, we have Maddie's and Lee's graduation from high school. I'm so glad I've been around to see all these kids grow up. I always thank the Good Lord. For many things.
So that's all the news from this neck o' the woods. How're things goin' in yours? BTW we hope that Ray's feeling better every day. Our hearts and prayers go to him. (heart surgery a couple of weeks ago.) Plus Bob with his chemo.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
The Domino Effect
Or rule of thumb. If something is started, something else will be started because of it. Paul is now going to enlarge our outdoor patio to make more room for our table and chairs.
Actually, we had thought about extending the patio but this sort of cemented it (ha!). Some of the pavers near the lanai were taken up by the workmen because they were in the way. So yesterday, he began putting them back. He had two size pavers - 6 X 9 and 6 X 6 and we went back to Home Depot to get them again. Unfortunately, they stopped making the 6 X 9 in that color (peach).
Oh, dear. I even checked online for him, and true - they aren't making them. BUT - he came back from Home Depot and thinks that perhaps he can add to the patio with other colors. He's going to "map it out" for me and color it in so I can see what he means.. What a guy. Really.
After the workmen left on Friday, we decided the windows are up too high. We're going to have them lowered 5 inches. I think that will make all the difference in the world. The windows now extend above the lentil and we want to see the tops of them. We don't have a back door yet - probably Monday.
Paul took the screen out of one of the windows, so that I could get things to him while he's working on the patio. He doesn't have to walk all the way around the house for . . . . ex. a pencil or paper, a glass of ice water. Gracie's been so cute. I put a dining room chair up to the open window and if she stands on her hind legs and puts her front paws on the window ledge, she can see outside fine and watch Paul. It's like she's on tip-toes.
Our home is at sixes and sevens. All discombobulated, even more so than usual, but Debbie, my cleaning lady, comes Monday and it will be better. Bless her. I indulge myself every other week.
Paul and I went out for breakfast Sunday morning at the Venice Moose club. It's the first time they've served brunch there. Bob would have come with us, but his daughter-in-law, Nicole, was running in her first half-marathon (in Sarasota) and he wanted to be there, of course, to cheer her on. It was Nicole and Jon's 13th Wedding Anniversary (St. Patty's Day) and she ran 13.7 miles. Good for her! Jon is biking now. Every weekend he bikes miles and miles.
Bob's going with us today to Carol O's house for dinner, along with Carol's other friends John and Fran. Carol's sister and brother-in-law, Patti and Joe are here for ten days. Their time is going by quickly! (as is our time down here.)
It's now Monday. Been a three-day "write" this time. The men are back and our windows are out already. 9:45. Debbie is here. Life is good.
We had such a good time at Carol's. We laughed so at she and her sister describing their childhood. My stomach ached from laughing so much. Patti cooked a great mexican dinner for us. The house was all decorated for St. Patrick's Day, and outside they had little Irish flags going down the walk. The table was set with shamrocks, green tablecloth, green plates. Nice and festive.
A one-liner from Alice: What do you call a leprechaun in your backyard? Patti O'Furniture. (Groan.)
So that's what's happenin' in our neck o' the woods. What's happenin in your neighborhood?
Actually, we had thought about extending the patio but this sort of cemented it (ha!). Some of the pavers near the lanai were taken up by the workmen because they were in the way. So yesterday, he began putting them back. He had two size pavers - 6 X 9 and 6 X 6 and we went back to Home Depot to get them again. Unfortunately, they stopped making the 6 X 9 in that color (peach).
Oh, dear. I even checked online for him, and true - they aren't making them. BUT - he came back from Home Depot and thinks that perhaps he can add to the patio with other colors. He's going to "map it out" for me and color it in so I can see what he means.. What a guy. Really.
After the workmen left on Friday, we decided the windows are up too high. We're going to have them lowered 5 inches. I think that will make all the difference in the world. The windows now extend above the lentil and we want to see the tops of them. We don't have a back door yet - probably Monday.
Paul took the screen out of one of the windows, so that I could get things to him while he's working on the patio. He doesn't have to walk all the way around the house for . . . . ex. a pencil or paper, a glass of ice water. Gracie's been so cute. I put a dining room chair up to the open window and if she stands on her hind legs and puts her front paws on the window ledge, she can see outside fine and watch Paul. It's like she's on tip-toes.
Our home is at sixes and sevens. All discombobulated, even more so than usual, but Debbie, my cleaning lady, comes Monday and it will be better. Bless her. I indulge myself every other week.
Paul and I went out for breakfast Sunday morning at the Venice Moose club. It's the first time they've served brunch there. Bob would have come with us, but his daughter-in-law, Nicole, was running in her first half-marathon (in Sarasota) and he wanted to be there, of course, to cheer her on. It was Nicole and Jon's 13th Wedding Anniversary (St. Patty's Day) and she ran 13.7 miles. Good for her! Jon is biking now. Every weekend he bikes miles and miles.
Bob's going with us today to Carol O's house for dinner, along with Carol's other friends John and Fran. Carol's sister and brother-in-law, Patti and Joe are here for ten days. Their time is going by quickly! (as is our time down here.)
It's now Monday. Been a three-day "write" this time. The men are back and our windows are out already. 9:45. Debbie is here. Life is good.
We had such a good time at Carol's. We laughed so at she and her sister describing their childhood. My stomach ached from laughing so much. Patti cooked a great mexican dinner for us. The house was all decorated for St. Patrick's Day, and outside they had little Irish flags going down the walk. The table was set with shamrocks, green tablecloth, green plates. Nice and festive.
A one-liner from Alice: What do you call a leprechaun in your backyard? Patti O'Furniture. (Groan.)
So that's what's happenin' in our neck o' the woods. What's happenin in your neighborhood?
Friday, March 15, 2013
It Has Begun. It's Noisy Here!
Yes. We got a call on Tuesday that the next day, Wednesday, they'd be here to begin our lanai project. The task is extending it out to the drip line of the house and bringing the sunken lanai up to the floor level of the rest of the house, adding a new wall of regular windows and a new door.
One of the problems we discussed was where to put the lanai furniture(which is like porch furniture) because our home is small, while the expansion took place. Almost immediately, it was solved. Our next door neighbors, Bob and Crystal, and the house two houses down, Kathy and Phil, use their carport for an outdoor "porch." Done.
The furniture looks really good out there. We've had cocktails out there and it has an added couple of bonuses - there's no sun blinding our eyes, we're more attuned to the neighbors out front.
The sun problem with the lanai will be taken care of with solar blinds. My daughter Nancy has them and we've liked them. They weren't available when my parents built the house. They had a set vertical blinds, which were the most modern of modern in 1980. And they've been there ever since.
I didn't realize I was so excited until I awoke at 6 AM on Wednesday. Our alarm clock was set for 7 so we wouldn't oversleep! The men came at 8:30, worked half a day, and removed the window wall, the blinds, the rugs. It really looked like an outdoor stage from the backyard. Or as Paul said, a lot of new lanai's look like this. It's optional to have a screen. Kinda neat.
Our windowwall had been covered with a sunscreen tint that worked very well. We didn't even realize how well it worked, until the sun's glare got in our eyes Wednesday night during dinner and when I did the dishes. Paul put his hat on because of the UV rays.
Bill and Epril called on Monday to ask if they could come on Thursday to do wash. (They had quite a bit to do and hadn't seen us in a while.) That seemed fine with us because at that time, the lanai project hadn't even been started, nor did we know the timetable. They told us Wednesday afternoon that the men would be pouring the cement on Thursday.
A major problem was the laundry room is off the lanai. So Bill and Epril came and did some wash early, but did the majority at Uncle Bob's house next door. Bob had them pour a cement pad at the back door at same time as we had the lanai done, so Bill went around the other side and parked their car in front of Bob's house.
The masons were here Thursday morning getting it set up. When the cement truck came at 1:30, and they started to pour, they had quite an audience. The two Bobs, Phil, Paul, I, Bill and Epril sat outside watching it all. The senior mason was here all day and into the evening hours working on the cement. He worked very hard and it really looks good.
Now they're working on framing today.
The mailman just came and we just got a letter from Bonnie, Paul's oldest sister. Her son, Ray, had a heart attack Thursday and was "life flighted to Pittsburgh Presbyterian hospital where they put a stent in. It was 100% blocked. He came home Saturday evening and isn't to do much." My brother Bob had his operation in August and he's doing so well. I would imagine the same would happen to Ray, plus Ray's much younger. Thanks for keeping us informed, Bonnie.
I'm trying to "get ahold of" Paul to go for a walk, but things seem to be cropping up. We're going to walk over to the Domes, the flea market/antique place that's located right next to Circlewoods. He says it's a little bit further than the usual walk we've been taking. That's fine.
So - let us know what's happenin' with you'all. We miss you. Oh, thanks, Marcia for the e-mail. Glad you read my blog and you had a good time at Hilton Head, and your ankle is "behaving" after your operation! I'm sure you'll be golfing in no time at all.
Take care everyone. That's all the news from this part o' the woods. What's happenin' in your neck o' the woods?
One of the problems we discussed was where to put the lanai furniture(which is like porch furniture) because our home is small, while the expansion took place. Almost immediately, it was solved. Our next door neighbors, Bob and Crystal, and the house two houses down, Kathy and Phil, use their carport for an outdoor "porch." Done.
The furniture looks really good out there. We've had cocktails out there and it has an added couple of bonuses - there's no sun blinding our eyes, we're more attuned to the neighbors out front.
The sun problem with the lanai will be taken care of with solar blinds. My daughter Nancy has them and we've liked them. They weren't available when my parents built the house. They had a set vertical blinds, which were the most modern of modern in 1980. And they've been there ever since.
I didn't realize I was so excited until I awoke at 6 AM on Wednesday. Our alarm clock was set for 7 so we wouldn't oversleep! The men came at 8:30, worked half a day, and removed the window wall, the blinds, the rugs. It really looked like an outdoor stage from the backyard. Or as Paul said, a lot of new lanai's look like this. It's optional to have a screen. Kinda neat.
Our windowwall had been covered with a sunscreen tint that worked very well. We didn't even realize how well it worked, until the sun's glare got in our eyes Wednesday night during dinner and when I did the dishes. Paul put his hat on because of the UV rays.
Bill and Epril called on Monday to ask if they could come on Thursday to do wash. (They had quite a bit to do and hadn't seen us in a while.) That seemed fine with us because at that time, the lanai project hadn't even been started, nor did we know the timetable. They told us Wednesday afternoon that the men would be pouring the cement on Thursday.
A major problem was the laundry room is off the lanai. So Bill and Epril came and did some wash early, but did the majority at Uncle Bob's house next door. Bob had them pour a cement pad at the back door at same time as we had the lanai done, so Bill went around the other side and parked their car in front of Bob's house.
The masons were here Thursday morning getting it set up. When the cement truck came at 1:30, and they started to pour, they had quite an audience. The two Bobs, Phil, Paul, I, Bill and Epril sat outside watching it all. The senior mason was here all day and into the evening hours working on the cement. He worked very hard and it really looks good.
Now they're working on framing today.
The mailman just came and we just got a letter from Bonnie, Paul's oldest sister. Her son, Ray, had a heart attack Thursday and was "life flighted to Pittsburgh Presbyterian hospital where they put a stent in. It was 100% blocked. He came home Saturday evening and isn't to do much." My brother Bob had his operation in August and he's doing so well. I would imagine the same would happen to Ray, plus Ray's much younger. Thanks for keeping us informed, Bonnie.
I'm trying to "get ahold of" Paul to go for a walk, but things seem to be cropping up. We're going to walk over to the Domes, the flea market/antique place that's located right next to Circlewoods. He says it's a little bit further than the usual walk we've been taking. That's fine.
So - let us know what's happenin' with you'all. We miss you. Oh, thanks, Marcia for the e-mail. Glad you read my blog and you had a good time at Hilton Head, and your ankle is "behaving" after your operation! I'm sure you'll be golfing in no time at all.
Take care everyone. That's all the news from this part o' the woods. What's happenin' in your neck o' the woods?
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Fun and Games
Last March Paul and I went to Gainesville to visit his son, Greg and his family. We saw such beautiful pictures on Facebook of the azaleas in bloom , and it made me remember how beautiful it was last year. Well, because we went to Gainesville we missed the Chicken BBQ here at Circlewoods. Not that there is any comparison!
We were sorry to miss the BBQ but very happy with our decision to visit with our Gainesville relatives. (As always. We miss you!)
Last year BBQ:
We hadn't heard good reports about last year's BBQ. They hadn't par-boiled the chicken and only cooked it for a couple of hours. Lots of people said that the chicken was raw inside. And they went home and cooked it some more before eating it. It didn't sound very good, so we were reluctant to go this year but decided . . . What the heck - we decided to go this year.
This year:
I love BBQ chicken and looked forward to it all morning long. They had two sitting. 12:00 and 1:00. We met Carol O at the clubhouse at 1:00. Cousins Carol and Alice were helping serve, so it was another good reason for going then. We got there just before 1:00.
They had the round tables set up and we found a good seat up near the front. From those who went last year, it was 100% better since they par-boiled the chicken. I thought it was quite good, but Paul wasn't as enthusiastic as I was. When Paul cooked chicken, he always did it so that you knew it was done. The skin was crispy crisp. Now, let's remember . . . he has a special recipe that he uses. And it is good! My chicken was well done - falling off the bone. His wasn't. Nor was Carol's. The skin wasn't done on anyone's.
Now, I understand that you gotta give credit to all those people who were involved in the BBQ. And it's not easy to make everyone happy. I agree. It's a lotta work. Cudos to all of them. Especialy the cooks. People need to remember that these are all volunteers, and working as hard as they can. I didn't go last year. I did go this year. There was room for improvement. Practice makes perfect!
Took a walk around the big circle yesterday with Paul and Gracie. It's nearly a mile. My stamina is improving. It's a satisfaction.
Friday night, we and Bob went out to a fish fry at a place called The Fish Kamp, which is located in a small shopping mall near us. We had gone there once before and enjoyed it and it had gotten some good reviews in the local Herald Tribune. We got there around 5:00 because we wanted to get a seat! (These crazy old folks down here eat so early that it's a struggle to find a seat during the snowbird season. Yes, that's us. )
This restaurant used to be a breakfast/lunch place - quite small - with booths along one side, and tables and chairs in rows down the rest. I would say it could seat perhaps 70 people? There was a table near the front where we had sat last time a couple of months ago. It was okay BUT it was right where the waiting area was, and it was noisy near the door.
They had ONE bar table (one of those high ones) near the back and we decided that would be a good place to sit. The high seats are difficult for me to use, but I managed to "climb up" and get seated. Paul held the seat so it wouldn't tip over. The meals were all delicious, and the special was a bottle of wine for $10. We all had the fish fry.
When it was time to leave, I had to again return to the floor. Paul again held the chair so it wouldn't tip over. I kinda slid off the chair, and thought I was quite inconspicuous until I walked past the booths and lotsa people commented on "glad you got off that okay" and "was wondering how you were going to do that" and "good job." and "way to go".
Talked with Bill and Epril the other night when Bob was here, so we put them on speakerphone. They're both very busy. They had intended to come for dinner Saturday night, but I begged off since we were having the chicken for lunch. They couldn't make it anyway. Glad to hear that they're happy and busy.
Nancy's been posting some videos on Facebook which we appreciate. I guess it's the next-best-thing. It's hard not being near the little ones. Especially seeing little Walt. Evie's camera shy, but Nancy's good about tricking her and not letting her know she's being video'd.
We've had some cloudy and rainy days here, and it's been cool for March. I was thinking about going to the pool this afternoon after the BBQ, but it was cloudy and cool.
Our lanai addition still hasn't even started! We're getting restless. The windows and door were supposedly being delivered on Friday to their business. I'm assuming that was done, but perhaps I'm being overly optimistic.
I'm so glad Paul wasn't involved in any of the permit problems that are hitting this project. Let the guys that are "getting the big bucks" enjoy the fun. And they seem to be. No. Not really.
We recently got a phone call from them asking the tonnage of our air-conditioner. Why did they want that? And what the heck does THAT have to do with a 30 sq. foot addition? That was like the third call for information from them. They're as frustrated as we are - probably more so. They have to deal with these permit people all the time, and have to "make nice" or they'll make it even rougher on them each time they deal with them.
It's now Sunday and I meant to proof read this yesterday and get it out. We went to church and a wonderfully delicious buffet brunch at an exclusive country club nearby. Beautiful and delicious - overlooking the greens. We will not be eating ANYTHING for a long time! (Yeah, right.) BUT. . . I'm so full.
A short time after we got back from church, we had a two- hour meeting via speaker-phone with the neighbors at the Woods Edge. And a lot was decided such as . . .
*Now Paul's a member(one of four) of the Architectural Committee.
*Our neighbors have agreed to move their 22 X 20 shed to the back of their home.
It was rather exhausting listening to all that on speaker phone. After a while, the sound seemed to get clearer. Perhaps we were listening better, or emotions made people speak louder.
Paul spoke to Ida for her birthday yesterday. She and her friend went to Rochester to Build a Bear and got a new friend/pet. Then Paul talked with Sharon. The boys are involved with a high school play "Once Upon a Mattress." Lee's the back stage manager. Charlie's in the chorus.
I've written a lot. Hope you're all doing well. We are down here. Would have gone to the pool this afternoon, but the meeting kept us busy. They said it wa 58 degrees up there. Good news! Keep temp going up, up there!
How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
We were sorry to miss the BBQ but very happy with our decision to visit with our Gainesville relatives. (As always. We miss you!)
Last year BBQ:
We hadn't heard good reports about last year's BBQ. They hadn't par-boiled the chicken and only cooked it for a couple of hours. Lots of people said that the chicken was raw inside. And they went home and cooked it some more before eating it. It didn't sound very good, so we were reluctant to go this year but decided . . . What the heck - we decided to go this year.
This year:
I love BBQ chicken and looked forward to it all morning long. They had two sitting. 12:00 and 1:00. We met Carol O at the clubhouse at 1:00. Cousins Carol and Alice were helping serve, so it was another good reason for going then. We got there just before 1:00.
They had the round tables set up and we found a good seat up near the front. From those who went last year, it was 100% better since they par-boiled the chicken. I thought it was quite good, but Paul wasn't as enthusiastic as I was. When Paul cooked chicken, he always did it so that you knew it was done. The skin was crispy crisp. Now, let's remember . . . he has a special recipe that he uses. And it is good! My chicken was well done - falling off the bone. His wasn't. Nor was Carol's. The skin wasn't done on anyone's.
Now, I understand that you gotta give credit to all those people who were involved in the BBQ. And it's not easy to make everyone happy. I agree. It's a lotta work. Cudos to all of them. Especialy the cooks. People need to remember that these are all volunteers, and working as hard as they can. I didn't go last year. I did go this year. There was room for improvement. Practice makes perfect!
Took a walk around the big circle yesterday with Paul and Gracie. It's nearly a mile. My stamina is improving. It's a satisfaction.
Friday night, we and Bob went out to a fish fry at a place called The Fish Kamp, which is located in a small shopping mall near us. We had gone there once before and enjoyed it and it had gotten some good reviews in the local Herald Tribune. We got there around 5:00 because we wanted to get a seat! (These crazy old folks down here eat so early that it's a struggle to find a seat during the snowbird season. Yes, that's us. )
This restaurant used to be a breakfast/lunch place - quite small - with booths along one side, and tables and chairs in rows down the rest. I would say it could seat perhaps 70 people? There was a table near the front where we had sat last time a couple of months ago. It was okay BUT it was right where the waiting area was, and it was noisy near the door.
They had ONE bar table (one of those high ones) near the back and we decided that would be a good place to sit. The high seats are difficult for me to use, but I managed to "climb up" and get seated. Paul held the seat so it wouldn't tip over. The meals were all delicious, and the special was a bottle of wine for $10. We all had the fish fry.
When it was time to leave, I had to again return to the floor. Paul again held the chair so it wouldn't tip over. I kinda slid off the chair, and thought I was quite inconspicuous until I walked past the booths and lotsa people commented on "glad you got off that okay" and "was wondering how you were going to do that" and "good job." and "way to go".
Talked with Bill and Epril the other night when Bob was here, so we put them on speakerphone. They're both very busy. They had intended to come for dinner Saturday night, but I begged off since we were having the chicken for lunch. They couldn't make it anyway. Glad to hear that they're happy and busy.
Nancy's been posting some videos on Facebook which we appreciate. I guess it's the next-best-thing. It's hard not being near the little ones. Especially seeing little Walt. Evie's camera shy, but Nancy's good about tricking her and not letting her know she's being video'd.
We've had some cloudy and rainy days here, and it's been cool for March. I was thinking about going to the pool this afternoon after the BBQ, but it was cloudy and cool.
Our lanai addition still hasn't even started! We're getting restless. The windows and door were supposedly being delivered on Friday to their business. I'm assuming that was done, but perhaps I'm being overly optimistic.
I'm so glad Paul wasn't involved in any of the permit problems that are hitting this project. Let the guys that are "getting the big bucks" enjoy the fun. And they seem to be. No. Not really.
We recently got a phone call from them asking the tonnage of our air-conditioner. Why did they want that? And what the heck does THAT have to do with a 30 sq. foot addition? That was like the third call for information from them. They're as frustrated as we are - probably more so. They have to deal with these permit people all the time, and have to "make nice" or they'll make it even rougher on them each time they deal with them.
It's now Sunday and I meant to proof read this yesterday and get it out. We went to church and a wonderfully delicious buffet brunch at an exclusive country club nearby. Beautiful and delicious - overlooking the greens. We will not be eating ANYTHING for a long time! (Yeah, right.) BUT. . . I'm so full.
A short time after we got back from church, we had a two- hour meeting via speaker-phone with the neighbors at the Woods Edge. And a lot was decided such as . . .
*Now Paul's a member(one of four) of the Architectural Committee.
*Our neighbors have agreed to move their 22 X 20 shed to the back of their home.
It was rather exhausting listening to all that on speaker phone. After a while, the sound seemed to get clearer. Perhaps we were listening better, or emotions made people speak louder.
Paul spoke to Ida for her birthday yesterday. She and her friend went to Rochester to Build a Bear and got a new friend/pet. Then Paul talked with Sharon. The boys are involved with a high school play "Once Upon a Mattress." Lee's the back stage manager. Charlie's in the chorus.
I've written a lot. Hope you're all doing well. We are down here. Would have gone to the pool this afternoon, but the meeting kept us busy. They said it wa 58 degrees up there. Good news! Keep temp going up, up there!
How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
A Lull. . . . Finally!
Comparing last week at this time, it's like night and day. Much quieter. It's nice to have time to do what I want to do, or need to do due to last week's busy-ness. The weeks still seem to fly by though.
We still haven't heard from our contractor about our start of construction date for our lanai remodeling. Our windows should be delivered this Friday. Paul's assuming it will be to their place of business, not here. There's such a lot of rigamarole needed to be completed, in order to just start. Lots of paperwork. One of the reasons Paul doesn't want to do this job is just that. . . the paperwork. Can't blame him there. I guess everyone who builds anything knows about that. Sit and wait. It's so frustrating though. They did "guarantee" that it would be finished before our leaving date in mid April.
Got another phone call from the Woods Edge. They're having a meeting on March 10th, at 2:00, and wondered if we'd like to be hooked up to speakerphone for it. Of course. We got a copy of the Covenant in the mail yesterday. It was good to review it.
Showtime - went very well. I had thought I'd be exhausted with three shows - but I was just tired, not overly so. I slept well those nights! All the added numbers and changes went well.
If you remember, at the last minute, the guitarist in Showtime became ill and wasn't able to be in the program. Gary came and I was able to find lyrics and guitar chords on the internet to his song. There wasn't any sheet music, so I had to improvise. He had an ipad version of his singing with the guitar. Paul recorded it with my camcorder and I practiced along with it. I felt quite comfortable by the time the Dress Rehearsal on Thursday evening.
There were other last minute changes but all turned out fine.
In some ways, having three shows was less stressful for the performers because there was room for them to sit in the clubhouse, when not performing. They could rest, relax and watch the show. The Friday night performance was sold out and the Saturday night one also. The Saturday matinee was 3/4 full. Paul took me out for dinner at Applebee's between shows on Saturday. (the matinee was over at 4:00. We went out at 4:30. We were due back at the clubhouse at 6:20. ) Bob and Carol O joined us at Applebee's. Bob and Paul came to the pizza party after the Saturday evening show.
It's been quite cold down here. (for our area). No pool time. I didn't have time anyway! Today proves to be the warmest - at 72 - so I'm going to try to go there this afternoon. Then it's cooling down again. This is very unusual March weather!
Yesterday Paul and I walked around the circle with Gracie. We wore jackets, hats.
Yesterday afternoon I convinced Paul we should go for orange sherbets at the orange grove across town. Their sherbet is home-made. Wonderful. They also have lime and pineapple. Gracie loved having the end of Paul's orange and vanilla cone. She always loves it and waits patiently for him to finish.
Afterwards we went on a ride around the countryside to the east of Venice. It's very rural and is what you'd call "Old Florida." There were some housing developments but not many. One brand new strip mall had only a Subway and a bank in it.
Quite a ways down a long road, we found a lovely little Venice park on the Myakka River, called The Venice Myakka River Park. Duh. There was a walking trail that we took that meandered along the river. We found some fishermen fishing across the river, so we walked over there. The ancient live oaks were beautiful with their hanging spanish moss. It looked like there were a lot of new plantings of bushes and small trees also. The weather was cool, sun was bright, no clouds in the deep blue skies. Beautiful.
Talked briefly with Nancy Sunday. She had the cutest video of Evie mothering little Walter. He was in a baby swing, with a blanket over him. Evie was tucking him in and giving him a gentle push. Cute. It's on Facebook if you wanted to see it. Hear Chicago's due for snow today. He's two weeks old now. She's feeding him every two hours. I can remember those days.
Speaking of Facebook - Noi had some beautiful pictures of the azaleas flowering outside their home.
We visited them last year at this time, I guess, and remember how truly lovely they are. Noi and Greg have a beautiful setting there. Magnificent is a better word.
Haven't heard much from the family - both sides - so I don't have much news to report. Lue did send me an e-mail. Thanks Lue! Down here it seems like there's a lull. Good. My prayers are with those of you who are suffering from health problems. We've been fortunate and I must say we don't take our good health for granted. We have our little odd and assorted things happening, but medicine helps those.
Little (not so little any more!) Ida has her birthday on the 8th. Seems like just yesterday she was a flowergirl in our wedding. Happy birthday, Ida. A card is in the mail, with a little something in it.
Paul just got back from Walmart's and we're taking Gracie for a walk around the circle. So I'll close.
How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
We still haven't heard from our contractor about our start of construction date for our lanai remodeling. Our windows should be delivered this Friday. Paul's assuming it will be to their place of business, not here. There's such a lot of rigamarole needed to be completed, in order to just start. Lots of paperwork. One of the reasons Paul doesn't want to do this job is just that. . . the paperwork. Can't blame him there. I guess everyone who builds anything knows about that. Sit and wait. It's so frustrating though. They did "guarantee" that it would be finished before our leaving date in mid April.
Got another phone call from the Woods Edge. They're having a meeting on March 10th, at 2:00, and wondered if we'd like to be hooked up to speakerphone for it. Of course. We got a copy of the Covenant in the mail yesterday. It was good to review it.
Showtime - went very well. I had thought I'd be exhausted with three shows - but I was just tired, not overly so. I slept well those nights! All the added numbers and changes went well.
If you remember, at the last minute, the guitarist in Showtime became ill and wasn't able to be in the program. Gary came and I was able to find lyrics and guitar chords on the internet to his song. There wasn't any sheet music, so I had to improvise. He had an ipad version of his singing with the guitar. Paul recorded it with my camcorder and I practiced along with it. I felt quite comfortable by the time the Dress Rehearsal on Thursday evening.
There were other last minute changes but all turned out fine.
In some ways, having three shows was less stressful for the performers because there was room for them to sit in the clubhouse, when not performing. They could rest, relax and watch the show. The Friday night performance was sold out and the Saturday night one also. The Saturday matinee was 3/4 full. Paul took me out for dinner at Applebee's between shows on Saturday. (the matinee was over at 4:00. We went out at 4:30. We were due back at the clubhouse at 6:20. ) Bob and Carol O joined us at Applebee's. Bob and Paul came to the pizza party after the Saturday evening show.
It's been quite cold down here. (for our area). No pool time. I didn't have time anyway! Today proves to be the warmest - at 72 - so I'm going to try to go there this afternoon. Then it's cooling down again. This is very unusual March weather!
Yesterday Paul and I walked around the circle with Gracie. We wore jackets, hats.
Yesterday afternoon I convinced Paul we should go for orange sherbets at the orange grove across town. Their sherbet is home-made. Wonderful. They also have lime and pineapple. Gracie loved having the end of Paul's orange and vanilla cone. She always loves it and waits patiently for him to finish.
Afterwards we went on a ride around the countryside to the east of Venice. It's very rural and is what you'd call "Old Florida." There were some housing developments but not many. One brand new strip mall had only a Subway and a bank in it.
Quite a ways down a long road, we found a lovely little Venice park on the Myakka River, called The Venice Myakka River Park. Duh. There was a walking trail that we took that meandered along the river. We found some fishermen fishing across the river, so we walked over there. The ancient live oaks were beautiful with their hanging spanish moss. It looked like there were a lot of new plantings of bushes and small trees also. The weather was cool, sun was bright, no clouds in the deep blue skies. Beautiful.
Talked briefly with Nancy Sunday. She had the cutest video of Evie mothering little Walter. He was in a baby swing, with a blanket over him. Evie was tucking him in and giving him a gentle push. Cute. It's on Facebook if you wanted to see it. Hear Chicago's due for snow today. He's two weeks old now. She's feeding him every two hours. I can remember those days.
Speaking of Facebook - Noi had some beautiful pictures of the azaleas flowering outside their home.
We visited them last year at this time, I guess, and remember how truly lovely they are. Noi and Greg have a beautiful setting there. Magnificent is a better word.
Haven't heard much from the family - both sides - so I don't have much news to report. Lue did send me an e-mail. Thanks Lue! Down here it seems like there's a lull. Good. My prayers are with those of you who are suffering from health problems. We've been fortunate and I must say we don't take our good health for granted. We have our little odd and assorted things happening, but medicine helps those.
Little (not so little any more!) Ida has her birthday on the 8th. Seems like just yesterday she was a flowergirl in our wedding. Happy birthday, Ida. A card is in the mail, with a little something in it.
Paul just got back from Walmart's and we're taking Gracie for a walk around the circle. So I'll close.
How're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
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