Early morning sneak peek.

Yes there has been progress! Just snapped these and wanted to share. My plumber man will be here in just a little while. 

Copious amounts of dirt was delivered and moved around yesterday.

The pile of dirt farthest away is the site of the future shop for Mr. Macho.

Looking at the breezeway and patio. That is a whacker packer against the wall. 

The amaryllis are surviving!

April 9, 2012

Out of Town Son visited on Friday. Sweet Pea and her Mom and Dad dropped by to help dye Easter eggs. I would insert a pic, but am having technical difficulties.

The weekend was good. Only too fast. We celebrated birthday's of a sister(-in-law) and father(-in-law). Being with family just feels right. Especially when milestone birthdays are being celebrated. So welcome to the 50's Laura! And Happy #83 Grandaddy! Woohoo!
Our Easter day was spent with Daughter and her family. Lauren and Tucker enjoyed the company of the new neighbor boy. They all played happily together, outside, for most all of the day. Merritt the Super Carrot got caught napping on the job. A couple of times. She wore the same sweet dress that Lauren wore on her first Easter. Pale pink with ducks smocked across the top. Very sweet.

Group photo on the church steps. Daughter and family. And us. 

I think Tucker passed out last night from an overdose of fresh air and sugar. The combination is guaranteed to produce coma-like symptoms.

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Blocks were laid on Friday. One space was left to bring in the dirt.

Monday brought dirt. Work. Dirt work. I think the dump trucks delivered 7 loads this morning. It freaks me out a little because they put dirt in my neighbor's driveway so they could drive up it to dump out my dirt. Eek. Our neighbor has played Jesus for probably 15 years (or more) in his church Passion play. Our kids always liked to brag that we live next door to Jesus. Good stuff, man. Anyway. I hope they don't have a conniption when they see the dirt in their driveway. And it is almost time for them to get home from school....oh well, I digress.... 

The foundation wall is being filled and packed today. The men are working like trojans. Shoveling and packing with a hammer-jack-sort-of-packer thing. A small loader is driving over the dirt. And over the dirt. And over the dirt. My concrete man, Jed, asked me to make a decision about how much concrete to pour on the west side of the breeze way. I asked what is easiest? Wall to wall he said. Then wall to wall, I said. Later had a panic attack on the way to town. Argh. Is wall to wall the right decision? Had to talk myself down from the wall. Yes. There is no right and wrong here. Just make a decision and go with it. There is still a little tickle that says, "Jump! Change your mind!" But I don't want to be "that girl". The one who drives the contractor crazy. Always wishy washy. Not me. I am sticking with this decision. Bring on the concrete! 

Tuesday April 3.

Interesting day. My back muscle is on the mend, though still has some soreness issues. I am finding that a regimen of Advil and light, easy workouts are helping the most. It has weirdly affected my left arm and hand. I am having strength problems in my hand. Hopefully it will all resolve as the muscle heals and my workouts improve.

Mr. Macho checking out all the things that were accomplished yesterday. Workmen got the footings poured for the addition. The backyard is a hot mess right now.

Pouring the footings.

 This morning when I was taking my shower I heard the beep-beep-beep of a truck backing up. After I got dressed and dried my hair I peeked out the window and, magically, there was a pile of sand! No other construction news to report today except the footings have dried. That is a good thing. 

Spent the morning running small errands. I love the small town businesses - like the one that installed a new watch battery for me this morning. The little owner and I chatted while the work was done. When I got my watch back the time was right and, I think, the watch man even shined it up a bit for me. Thanks Ray's Jewelry Store.

I was doing some water heater homework this morning. I am trying to learn about tankless water heaters and if the savings on energy efficiency will be worth the extra cost of the unit. I dropped by a plumbing supply place and quizzed the resident expert on tankless heaters. So far, the old style is winning this primary. Will have to get Mr. Macho to cast his vote.

This morning I spotted a robin trying to fly off with some of the excess string used to run a level to put down the forms for the footings. There was too much tangled string and the robin gave up after 3 or  attempts. This afternoon I cut up the string. I hope Miss Robin will return and find the string easier to lift this time.

The annual snap of my amaryllis. I bought a bunch years ago to give to neighbors. There was one or two left over and I put them in the ground. Mother-in-law had pink ones, too. Have some red ones that my Dad bought me when he and Mom were living with us after the storm. 

Spring robins and string, pink amaryllis and calls from grandchildren. These are some of my favorite things. What's your favorites? 

Sunday.

Tuesday I drove down to visit Mom and Dad. It was a tough week. Dad talked with his sweet hospice nurse on Wednesday and told her he didn't want to take the muscle relaxers any more. Tuesday night and Wednesday were especially bad. Confused, agitated, bad night's sleep...the week got somewhat better after that. I was really hoping that I would win the Mega Millions Lottery so I could hire certified nurses to take care of Dad. That didn't happen.
Back into town on Friday. Slow progress on the house project. Rain and wet ground were a cause for delay. Hopefully the wheels will start turning again tomorrow. Here are some update snaps...

Mr. Macho checking out the demolition. This was taken last Monday evening

Fireplace minus outer layer of brick. It's just another brick in the wall. 

No more fireplace. Just a hole in the wall. 

The fireplace removal has been fortuitous since Uncle Jay discovered some pretty nasty rotten wood where the fireplace had been leaking. He will repair that and have to replace some existing sheetrock because of some mold. He also advised us to call our insurance agent because of some damage from the recent hail storm. Our insurance agent was timely and they will reimburse us for a portion of the replacement of the existing roof. Thank you, Uncle Jay! 

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I am happy to report that Merrit Merritt Super Carrot has two bottom teeth. She does the cutest thing with her lips (I think she is feeling the new teeth). It makes her look like an old lady without her dentures. It is funny. 

Sweet P and her parents came over last night for a visit. Oh she is a sponge right now. She is learning something new about every two minutes. And she remembers. All of it. 

***

Today is gorgeous. Mr. Macho's ox must be in a ditch. He is out mowing the yard. I am working on book 3 in the Hunger Games series. 

I was glad to see Dad looking a little more perky when he Skyped me yesterday. Wish I could be back with my family on the Coast and be of some help. 

Estate sale.

This afternoon Mr. Macho and I traveled across the state line to attend an estate sale. We visited with Daughter and family. Ate lunch with them. Then we all loaded up and drove to the sale. After walking around the house 3 or 4 times this is what I purchased....

For $15. This wooden salad bowl is not hand made. Nor is it fancy. But I have wanted a wooden salad bowl. Now I have one. 

This small wooden rocker set me back $40. I like it. Not sure where it will be placed in my house. But I like it. 

Good afternoon.  Good weather. Good family time.

Hope your day has been successful, too.

Perfect weather.

Not a cloud in the sky. 64 degrees. Had a wonderful 3 mile walk to the playground at the Lake and back. The sun made diamonds sparkle on the lake water. A slight breeze kept me from breaking a sweat. So many shades of green - a feast for the eyes and balm for the soul. Brings to mind the poem by Joyce Kilmer...
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree...

Propellers. Maple seeds.

I love this tree. We dug it from the woods that used to be behind our house and planted it as a crooked young tree. I can't put my arms around it now. 

Amaryllis bud. Not sure if this is the pink one or the red one. 

Anyone have thyme? I do. 

I love this maple tree, too. The seeds are small and appear pinkish against the apple green new spring leaves. 

Azaleas. Need I say more? 

Go outside and enjoy the day. 

Postponed.

The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. I was hoping to drive to the coast yesterday so I could help organize Dad and Mom's taxes today. When I woke up yesterday morning the muscle ache I had been experiencing for over a week was ratcheted up a notch. Felt like I had to keep moving to make myself comfortable and every so often my back/shoulder would catch and knock the breath out of me. I could not imagine driving 4.5 hours like that - especially since the weather was rainy and nasty and I would have been tense driving in it. So. I made up my mind to stay put and go to the clinic to see what was going on. Turns out I have an inflamed muscle/tendon connector right under my left shoulder blade. I think it is better this morning. I have some anti-inflammatory med and a muscle relaxer. I have been icing it frequently then I get this rubber ball and place it between my back and the wall and go up and down for a massage effect. This morning isn't near as bad as yesterday morning.
Hopefully I can reschedule my trip to see Mom and Dad next week. Mimi will work by herself this morning trying to gather and organize Mom and Dad's tax info. So, so sorry that I won't be there to help.
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Last night Son in Town and Sweet Pea came over and ate supper with us and played for a while. She is learning so much right now.

I couldn't pick her up 'cause of my sore back. I could sit on the floor and play with her. And I did.

Mr. Macho and Sweet Pea sitting in the hoola hoop. She loved it. She would sit in the circle and pat the floor. She is the ultimate director - without even saying a word! 

Here we are almost at the weekend. Hope yours is full of adventure.