Lovely Evening

We had a really nice time, but had an issue with the car. We left it there and got a cab home. Today we have to get a part for it and go back and hopefully fix it. Later.....loved the wine! Thanks, guys.....

Twenty Five Years!!

We were married on a Friday in the late afternoon in Richmond. Richard worked that day but came home early. I got a manicure and then came home and took a bubble bath. We got all dolled up and went to the Methodist Church for the small private ceremony. As soon as we were hitched we went back to the house, changed clothes and headed up to D.C. We stayed in a nice bed and breakfast in Adams Morgan near to where Jeff and Becky lived. Awaiting us was champagne and crystal flutes from Jeff and Becky. Flowers were also in our rooms. We ate in a Spanish restaurant that evening and then went to the Kennedy Center and saw "8 1/2". It was awful!! The next morning we walked all over town...picked up Jeff on the way. Sunday we went to Jeff and Becky's for brunch and bloody mary's and Trivial Pursuit. After drinking all afternoon we all went to an Ethiopian Restaurant (much to Richard's dismay). After dinner we drove home to Richmond..(I drove...R. wasn't feeling well). We settled down to our married life which has been great, interesting, fun, .....and much more! Later....

Happy Birthday, Anne

Forty five years ago today it was Easter and snowing in Cincinnati. I was in the hospital in labor with Anne. She wasn't born yet...not until about 3 in the afternoon. The first of my lovely chilluns! Happy day.
Muir left this morning around 10. We really had a nice time. It is cold here today and I plan to curl up with my book and relax.
Richard made Margaritas yesterday afternoon and just as he was blending them our blender died. After a tasty dinner of scallops, asparagus and salad Richard was going to make Grasshoppers for Muir and I realized we had no blender. He immediately set of for K-Mart. He got that and I needed a new hand mixer as my old one only would go on the fastest setting. The evening was saved and we had the scrumptious grasshoppers. Today in the paper Target had the blender he just bought for 7 dollars less so he's taking the one back to K-Mart. We didn't even use the new jar as our old one fit.
I have physical therapy on my knee tomorrow. I think I overdid it yesterday going to the gym and then doing a lot of other walking. It's sore today.
Tomorrow is our 25th wedding anniversary. We will go to dinner in Knoxville tomorrow evening. Later.....

Busy with Muir

Muir got here yesterday about noon. We just hung out most of the day and evening. This morning we had scones and later went to the gym to work them off. After that we had lunch at Chili's and then home. I got things ready for breakfast tomorrow and dinner tonight. I made a breakfast casserole for breakfast and we're having a scallop dish for dinner with asparagus and salad as sides. Richard will make grasshoppers for dessert. It stopped raining but we've seen no sun today and I think we're supposed to get more rain and maybe storms tonight. Later....

Ready for Muir

House is cleaned. I'm cleaned and it's only 9:52. It's not raining at the moment but is supposed to start around noon. I guess we'll just hang out today..maybe watch a movie this evening. Talk to you all later......

Weather Update

Raining now but ending temporarily this afternoon. Supposed to reappear tomorrow evening through Saturday. Temperature in the 70s. Maybe some fog tomorrow morning.
The cheddar/dill scones are baked and they look delicious with tons of calories! I'll be making the doughnuts later...a Giada recipe.
My doctors appointment was yesterday and he is sending me to physical therapy for 4 weeks. I'll start that on Monday.
Muir, work out extra hard tonight...I'm making lots of goodies. Later....

And the Rains Came

Rained early this morning and is supposed to continue most of the day. I'm not sure about tomorrow and Friday, but Saturday...rain, but warm. We had decided that we would give Cheyenne a haircut on Saturday with Muir's able assistance. That won't happen if it rains unless we do it in the basement. We'll see. Wolfie looks magnificent!! His haircut is a real winner.
I'm going to the Orthopaedic Clinic this morning and then I have some groceries to pick up that Walmart didn't have and pick up meds for Wolfie. Later...

Knees!!!

My knee isn't getting any better so I'm going to bite the bullet and make an appointment. We'll see. I may not be able to walk this weekend, Muir. Other than that..Richard is going grocery shopping in a bit and I'm taking Wolfie to get a big hair cut. After that just some cleaning up around here. I got a haircut yesterday and got my new sunglasses. Yeah...I can finally see while I drive. Later.....

Nice Monday

Another warm and sunny day. My usual Monday with laundry, chatting with Maggie and trying to decide if I should go to the gym. My knee is still sore. I might just do my upper body stuff and then the pool. Later....

A Little of this and That

Before I forget...I like the lighter wood, but I'm not crazy about the counter top. Also, have you and Jane resolved your issues?
We saw Duplicity yesterday and really liked it. At times you are confused, but it all comes together nicely. There are a few questions that I won't go into for those who haven't, but are going to see it. Other than that we just read. Joe and Suzanne called last night. They are in the process of furnishing the house and deciding what to take from the Richmond house. They are taking all of their antiques..I don't know about the art. they are also taking their music. Chloe and 2 friends are trying to get summer jobs down there. They were down over spring break to apply. If they don't get jobs Suzanne will have to stay in Richmond for the summer. Also Myron has been in the hospital for 3 weeks. We called him and he thinks he will get home on Monday. He is feeling fine but they are trying to regulate his kumidin (sp)
Today I'm going to sweep the deck and take off the chair covers...maybe do a bit of weeding. It depends on my stupid knee. Later....

Happy Saturday

Woke up to freezing temperatures, but in the 60s this afternoon. Richard got the burning done yesterday without mishap. I was nervous. I started my new book...Big Stone Gap which takes place in southwest Virginia. A very folksy-type book. I'm liking it.
My knee a bit better, I think, but not good enough for the gym so we're going to Knoxville to eat and to a movie...probably Duplicity. I didn't clean yesterday because of my knee. I'll give it a good once over next week before Muir arrives. Later....

Muir is Back

Finally...I've really missed her blogs. I read all of them today and thanks for the list of books. I've printed it and it will go in my library book bag.
My left knee is really sore today..don't know why. After yesterday's yard work it hurt a bit but not like this. I guess I'll ice it and rest it today in hopes it's just a one day thing. Cold this morning and Richard is going to burn debris. Not much else to tell.....later

Missing Muir

I really feel disconnected when Muir's blog is down. I hope she gets her computer fixed soon. Anyway, I'll see her down here next week and I'm having fun planning our menu. I know I'll make my version of shepherd's pie one night and a scallop dish one night.
Supposed to rain...maybe later today, but now they are thinking maybe not. We decided to do yard work this afternoon instead of going to the gym. Richard is planning on a burn day tomorrow. We have tons of debris from last year's shrubbery, etc and he is getting a permit to burn it. Hopefully, tomorrow will be the day and we're getting the stuff set for it today.
Nothing much more going on....later...

I've Got Nothing

It was lovely walking Wolfie yesterday and today is supposed to be even warmer. Richard has gone to Home Depot for Richard and I am doing household chores..going to the gym this afternoon. I have nothing else to report.....later

Sunshine is Back

The fog is lifting and the sun is already bright. I want to clean up the pantry and that area and then later Wolfie and I will walk. I love the new carpet. It really looks nice. I can't think what to have for dinner. I have a freezer full of food, but nothing is inspiring me. Maybe something will hit me later. ......

New Carpet

The carpet guys from Home Depot got here shortly after 9 and they are still here at 3. It's quite a job with the chair lift to deal with. Are all carpet layers Mexican? These guys are nice and one of them does speak English, but the ones who laid Richard's carpet were also Mexican. Anyway I am so glad to get this done.
I went to the gym, but Richard had to stay here. I was going to mail Max's birthday gift, but it was raining so hard I decided to wait until tomorrow. The rain was supposed to end this morning but it is still coming down.
I made chicken salad for dinner and will make oven fries to go along with them. Later...

Finished my Puzzle

It was a fun puzzle to do. I worked on it all week and finished it yesterday. These are the kind of puzzles I like to do.

Another rainy day but warming in the forecast. Nothing going on today. Our carpet get put in tomorrow morning and tuesday it is in the 70s so I'll try to walk Wolfie in the morning before it gets too warm for him. Later.....

Rainy Day

It has been raining all day. The dogs went out this morning and we dried them off. They haven't been out since. I hope it quits soon so they can go back out. After the gym we came home for lunch and have been watching golf and I have been working on my jigsaw puzzle which I started last week. I'm almost finished and will take a picture of it when I finish. I haven't done a jigsaw puzzle in ages. When the kids were small we did them on the dining room table and the cats loved knocking the pieces off the table onto the floor. When I was teaching I got puzzles and we would work on them. The kids loved doing them. I got one a few weeks ago at a hobby store and have enjoyed doing it. Richard won't help me.
We watched Rachel Getting Married last night and I loved it!! Richard didn't like it nearly as much as I. Tonight we'll watch Milk.
It will soon be cocktail time and I'm doing brie with bread and fruit. Yum!! Later....

Dinner at Richard's

A pleasant evening at Richard's. We came home at 8 and watched one of my favorite shows...Bones and then the Office and 30 Rock. Also, Jim Cramer was on John Stuart last night and that was good.
Today Richard is off to Walmart and errands. I'm cleaning up and then to the gym. Richard gave us 2 movies to watch this weekend....Milk and Rachel Getting Married. We'll watch one of them tonight in front of a toasty fire. It's cold and damp with lots of rain coming in tomorrow before turning nice again.
Maggie on the mend...Muir's computer...who knows! Later....

Where is Muir?

Either her computer is down or she caught Maggie's bug and she is down. I hope it's the computer. I'll call Maggie later and see how she's doing.
My carpet is in for the stairs and will be installed Monday morning. It is long overdue, but we were reluctant to mess around with the chairlift. Repairs on it are extremely expensive.
I'm hoping all of the cub scouts at Anne's last night left with all of their fingers. They were whittling. Can't you just imagine a bunch of boys like Max with pen knives? Yikes!!!
Very chilly....actually cold today. No rain yet. Going to Richard's for dinner tonight. I'm taking the meal...meat loaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. Later.....

Off to Knoxville

Richard has an appointment at 10:30. After that we'll go to the bookstore, then Olive Garden and finally Sams. I also might go to Khol's. I need workout shorts. Sam's may have some. I'm determined to find shorts with pockets!
Rain isn't supposed to do much today...more tomorrow. Warm here now but getting cooler as the day progresses. ....Later

One More Nice Day

We're going up to the low 80s today and then rain and cooler tomorrow. Boring day...I was going to
yoga, but I'm getting bored with it. I need a medium class, but our gym goes from low level to difficult. I'll just do my regular Tuesday workout. I don't know what I just did, but I'm not going to try to fix it.
Sorry you are feeling poorly, Maggie. Drink lots of liquids and get lots of rest.

Both of the fans in our bedroom died at the end of last season, so Richard is about to replace them. I need to find some place to go while he does this. I'm going to close this before I screw up again.....later

Lovely Weather

The best thing about this Monday is that it is sunny and warm. Richard thinks the time change makes it too light for too long. I guess he would rather have the gloomy, cloudy weather we have most of the winter.
Laundry is almost done..shower taken and I'll soon be ready to read. I finished Winter Study. It was very good..more violent than past books of hers, but I really liked it. I started a Richard Russo this morning...Bridge of Sighs. I first was going to read a light book...Milk Glass Moon by Adriana Trigiani but in reading the back discovered it was the 3rd book in a trilogy. I'll try to get the first two before reading this one. It will be my luck that the library doesn't have those. ..Later

Australia

We watched Australia last night. Richard wasn't anxious to see it because he read bad reviews about it and he said Nicolle Kidman apologized for it. We both liked it a lot. So there!
It's a beautiful and warm day here. After breakfast and the puzzle I went out to clean up the driveway. Richard came out and helped and it looks 100% better. Winter is so drab and there is always so much crap to clean up. We're just getting started. Richard is going to get a burning permit and burn all of the debris from last year's pruning, etc.
I must finish Winter Study this afternoon. I normally finish a book in 2-3 days, but I haven't read as much this week. I do really like the book. Nevada Barr is one of my favorites. In real live she was a National Forest Ranger and all of her books take place in National Forests. Later...

Sorry I'm Late

We went to Knoxville this morning and I didn't get a chance to post. We intended to go to Sam's, Borders, eat lunch, etc. We did stop at the furniture store and looked at sofas and recliners. When we left there I noticed a bunch of liquid on the ground coming from under our car. It turned out to be a break in the gas line. We stopped at a repair shop and they determined what the cause was and they would fix it. This shop was right by Red Lobster and I wanted to go there for lunch anyway and get the lobster. We had a delicious lunch and then went back and waited for the car. After it was fixed we decided to go home because we didn't want to leave the dogs any longer. Richard has an appointment Wednesday in town, so we'll go to Sam's and the bookstore then.
A beautiful day....watching golf now. Later....

Walking the Dog

I'm off early this morning to walk Wolfie. I need to get him walked while it is still cool. I don't want a repeat of him needing to get in the stream. After that gassing up the car and picking up meds for Wolfie. I'll come home and clean house and enjoy the nice weather. That's my day...later

Tough days

I am so sad for Trip and Susan and Shirley and Skip. I can't imagine how hard it must be to lose a child or a sibling..especially one so young. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. I know that during these days ahead J.J. is going to be a very important anchor for them all.

A Sad Day

Maggie called this morning to tell me that Susan's brother died! While I was on the phone Trip called. It is just so sad and I don't have any details as to what happened. I didn't really know her brother very well. I met him a few times and I enjoyed those meetings. It's hard to get over a young person dying and I know Susan and her Mom and Dad are grieving now.
Not much else to say.....

Nothing to Report

Can't think of a thing to talk about. It's freezing cold down here and I can't wait for the warmup. I'll just go and read my book...Winter Study. So far it's a bit boring. She's getting into the DNA, etc. I've read her before so I'm assuming it will pick up soon. Later.....

Fun with Jim and Tommie

We had a very nice time with Jim and Tommie. It's always a good time being with them. Richard met Jim when we first came to Tennessee and they worked together. Tommie helped us find our house so they are our oldest friends down here.
Not much going on today...the usual...laundry,gym, etc. It's cold but no snow. By week's end it will be in the 70s.
Muir, did you look on the William/Sonoma CD for chicken noodle soup? When you come down here remind me to get out my soup book for you to look through. There are some good recipes in that. I got the urge to make some of them, but right now I have leftovers and by the time we eat those it will be warm outside and not so great soup weather.
I went to the library on Saturday and got some good reads...Nevada Barr's latest book...Winter Study and a Richard Russo book...Bridge of Sighs and another Sara Paretsky book. I'm hooked on her. I'm reading Winter Study now. I'm off to get a few pages under my belt....later...

Nasty Day

It's a great day to stay inside and read, but alas, we are going to Knoxville this afternoon to visit Jim and Tommie. I can't even remember when we were at their house last. We have visited them at their lake house. They always come out here and we were feeling mighty guilty. I'm making a pot roast with all of the trimmings to take in. It's snow/rain/sleet here, but it's not supposed to get below freezing and the warm up will start tomorrow.
Thanks for the GREAT pictures, Muir. I'm glad you took a picture of Kathleen with the munchkin. Later......