Fall Cleanup

We got so much done yesterday..it was exhausting, but when finished we felt very good. I emptied all of my flower pots and cleaned them, put away pots and deck decor along with the side tables, filled all of the bird feeders and hung them, swept the deck, cleaned up the front stoop and Richard fixed all of the lights along the walk. Today I'm cleaning house and doing laundry, ironing and packing for Cincinnati. Richard has to take Richard to Knoxville for some procedure at UT Hospital. I want to get a carwash and pick up a few candies in case we get any Trick or Treaters tomorrow. I'm sure no one will come, but I need to have something here for Mikey to pass out just in case. I'll be in cincy until Thursday so no posts. later.....

Sunny Fall Day

As soon as this crazy fog lifts I'll be off with Wolfie to walk.. When I get home I'll be ditching my plants and cleaning the pots and putting them away for the dinner. We'll also get the bird feeders up and going and generally get summer put away and get ready for cold weather. Richard got new outdoor lights and he'll be putting those up. It's supposed to be beautiful today so it will be fun working outdoors. later.....

Major Frustrations

Being on the phone for over 2 hours in 2 days trying to get my new phone connected has caused my blood pressure to rise, I'm sure. First of all they are very polite and i thought all was fine, but couldn't make a call. I call back and Mr. Indian man was nice and extremely polite, but there was all of this static in the background and after 1 hour he turned me over to a supervisor who, I thought, got things fixed, but alas, not so. The problem was that I was trying to keep my old number which they said was possible. I still couldn't make a call so called back today and got a total idiot. Also, I couldn't understand her. I finally said," listen, get me a supervisor. I'm tired of this...it shouldn't be this hard. She immediately realized the problem ...the number had to be changed. So....my new number is 865-209-0532. Now I have to figure out how to do everything else on this phone. I can take pictures...etc. Muir...I read Catcher in the Rye aloud to one of my seniors with the other kids in the room. They couldn't contain themselves. I tried to read very softly so they wouldn't hear, but this black boy I had was so funny. He would just drop his jaw and stare at me. It was a lot of fun. Now, I'm still in my pjs and I have work to do. later.....

Raining

Yep, that's what is happening here. Richard and I are both going out separately this morning. I was going to do it all, but he likes to to to Walmart, so he is doing that while I am going to the library and then to the vet to pick up meds for Wolfie. It started raining last night before we went to bed and has continued into this morning and will be on and off all day and night. Tomorrow it will stop and be sunny and warm. I was going to walk Wolfie this morning, but that will be delayed until Thursday. Nothing else happening.....later....

I Got Nothing

I'm only posting so you won't think I'm dead or gone somewhere. I have nothing to say. I've just finished talking to Maggie, my laundry is almost finished, folded and put away and I'm about to shower. I'm hoping to start putting things away from my deck to the shed. Maybe it will be warm enough to start that after I get dressed. To alert you all...I got a new phone and I will likely be getting a new number. I'm going to try and just keep my number because it's the same system and I really like this number, but probably not. I'll let you know...probably tomorrow or Wednesday. later.....

Good Game Day

Most of my teams won...sorry about Auburn and Tennessee, but Tennessee held Alabama at bay and they didn't embarrass themselves. Tech didn't play and Cincinnati is great...hope they can keep it up. They have W Va and Pitt to play. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
It's cold here today, but should warm up into the 60s and be sunny. Not much going on...we're half way into the NY Times. Maureen Doud had a good column on the Catholic Church and nuns. I need to cut it out and give it to Linda. Her sister is a nun. I'm starting my new book...a Sara Parestky mystery. Go Bengals...beat the Bears! later.....

Muir's Back

I feel disconnected when Muir doesn't blog. I'm glad she got back as quickly as she did. It's dreary here today..no rain but a high of 59 by noon and then getting cooler. Richard got up at 3 and couldn't get back to sleep. I convinced him to go back at 8 and then did some cooking. I made a pumpkin type pie and polenta. Mario told me that his mom would fry leftover polenta in butter and then scramble egg in it. I'm going to do that tomorrow for breakfast. I decided I would let Richard sleep and not wake him to go to the gym. Then when he woke up we decided we would go to Knoxville for lunch and just bum around. I think we'll go to the Fresh Market. I want to get some nice crusty bread for tomorrow when I make penne Bolognese. I'm reading That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo and I'm not loving it. It's well written but the characters are basically unhappy souls. I'll give you a more interesting review when I finish. later.....

Autumn in Tennessee

This week has been gorgeous. Yesterday when we went to the gym I decided to walk around the lake instead of getting on the treadmill. It was wonderful. I had my mp-4 player and listened to Wagner. After the walk the pool was especially welcoming. Today it's raining so I'll be inside working out.
For anyone with a big butt that has trouble with jeans...Oprah had Cookie Johnson on..(Magic's wife). She has a line of jeans..CJ by Cookie Johnson. They run from $141-198. there are different styles and Lee Jeans has something similar for $42. and can be found at Penny's.
I was just thinking that I never see(except on tv) women in skirts or dresses. At George's funeral almost all of the women had on pants. A few older women (not me) had on dresses. I can't even remember when I last wore a dress...Maggie's wedding, I think.
We have had just one day of frost and it didn't really get much. My flowers are still okay. Also, the leaves really aren't changing much at all. ...later.....

Facebook

I just got another friend...Becky Russo. Today another nice day with the usual rain arriving for the weekend. I'm off in a bit to pick up a few items at the store. This afternoon we need to drop of the van to get the tires rotated and then to the gym. Nothing else going on. later....

Books

I'm getting frustrated when I go to the library. I have a long list of books I want to read and every time I go to the library they are all checked out. I was able to get one on my list....Richard Russo's new book..That Old Cape Magic. Sara Parestky has a new book out...Hard Ball. I really like her, but I was able to get one of her older books that I haven't read and I got a Paul Greenberg book that wasn't on my list. I have never read him and this book sounds good. At any rate I got 4 books which should keep me busy for the next 3 weeks. Richard has some errands to run this morning and I am going to make potato soup for dinner and it's to the gym this afternoon. We looked for the meteor shower last night but saw nothing, however, there were millions of stars and that was lovely. later....

Busy Yesterday

We got everything done yesterday...thank goodness. I'm late posting today because I had to go to the library and then to Walmart. It's another lovely sunny day here...cool again, but warming up to near 70 this afternoon. We had our first fire of the season last night and we got our second load of wood yesterday afternoon. We'll get back to the gym this afternoon after a week off. That is always a bit tough. later.....

Funerals

As funerals go this one was very nice. The flowers were amazing and Joel and Tim spoke and that was touching, but my Richard was the best. He had us laughing and crying and everyone was loving his stories. This was very difficult for him because he is emotional, but he got through it. After the service we had a brief service at the cemetery and the VFW did their thing and presented us with the flag. We brought it home, but aren't sure what to do with it. I would like to fly it, but don't want to get a big flagpole. It was nice being with family and reminiscing. We have a lot to do at some future point, but for now Gina will deal with the necessary things and then we'll all get together to empty the house...probably in the spring. Today I have tons of stuff to do and need to get with that. Richard is off to deal with the water bed. later....

I'm Back

Just got back about 6 and just want to relax now. Will post sometime tomorrow, but we have so much to do. We didn't even unpack the car except for essentials and that has to be done and Richard needs to go to Richard's tomorrow to deal with the bed. I hope I can stay here and get things together her and do laundry, etc. Later....

Day from Hell

Another one. What a mess in Richard's house. R. went to Knoxville and got him another waterbed and the old one was being emptied. When he got home we both went over and started the mopping up process. It was supposed to take the bed 4 hrs to empty, but that did not happen. After using our wet/dry vacuum and putting down towels, we came home to go back later. We went back and it still wasn't empty. There was nothing we could do. He's going to try and get someone to pull out the old one and dump it and then we'll go back on Monday and deal with the rest of the mess. We are off today for Pa. after a poor night of sleep. We're both tired and...Muir....where is your post? later.....

Rain and Cold

Rain here and it's not cold but the weather in Pa. is different...in the 30s this weekend so I'll be taking my coat. I'm cleaning up the house today, ironing and packing. Richard called last night to say his water bed is leaking, so R. has to go and deal with that this morning. I'm not sure what he is going to do and it couldn't come at a worse time. We got our first rick of wood yesterday and will get 2 more next week or so. I think the humming birds have left. I haven't seen them since Saturday. When we get back I'll have to deal with my plants that are outside. Later....

Another Lovely Day

So far no sunshine and I am really needing the sun. It isn't supposed to rain today...it will start tonight. Great! The wood is coming this afternoon about 5. He was out of town visiting his mother. I went to the store this morning to get the makings for a meatloaf and also needed stamps. I need to iron some things for the funeral and get ready for that. Later....

Blue Monday

Rain again...haven't seen the sun since Friday. Not much going on here. Most of the laundry is done and I have yet to shower and dress. Our wood wasn't delivered and I don't know why. I called him and left 2 messages last week. He's usually very dependable. So I'm making mushroom enchiladas for dinner and hope they are as yummy as they sound. I also have to get meat to make a meatloaf for when we get back here on Sunday. Nothing else....later....

Lazy Sunday

It's afternoon and I just got dressed. I slept until 7:30 which is highly unusual for me. Now we're watching the President's Cup. We don't get the Bengals down here and what happened to their defensive coach? It will continue to be a lazy day for us. It's cloudy and cool. We've pretty much gone through both papers. I'm making my scallop dish for dinner tonight and just having a salad with it. Richard got home shortly after 6 last night. We'll be heading back to Pa. probably on Friday. later....

I'm a Loser

That is at picking out movies. I watched Revolutionary Road this morning and what a downer!! Actually, I didn't even watch the whole thing...I turned it off because it was so depressing. Maggie called and we talked and she told me how it ended and I'm extremely glad I turned it off when I did. Now I'm set to have lunch and start watching football and then golf and wait for my honey to come home. later....

Richard's Coming Home

He is leaving Pa. early this morning so should be in sometime this afternoon if all goes well with the van. It was fine on the way up. I was kind of busy yesterday. I got a haircut and then went to the store to pick up a few odds and ends and rented a movie..actually 2. I got He's Just Not Into You...it was stupid and I ended up turning it off. I then watched National Geo. and the Dog Whisperer and Rescue Dogs. I also rented Revolutionary Road and hope to watch that today if I get a chance, but maybe not because I need to watch golf and football. I need to go upstairs and clean the guest room and bath. Richard's cousin Peter and wife will be coming down here after the memorial service. They will spend 1 night here before going on to Boone to visit their son. There were a lot of storms around last night but we got very little. We had rain, but not a lot and a bit of thunder. Knoxville got a lot more than we did and the plateau got a lot as well as Kentucky. later....

Storms are Coming

We're supposed to have lots of rain and high winds today and tonight. Right now the sun is shining. I'm going out later to get a hair cut and pick up a few things. I'll go to the gym this afternoon. Linda and I had a good time last night...just gabbing, etc. Richard called and he will be coming home tomorrow. He got in the house but didn't find anything...George's wallet is missing. This is really getting strange. Richard is going back to the house today to do a more thorough search. Wolfie didn't wake me up to go out again this morning. He stayed on his couch until I got up. I think he's really missing Richard. I may take him for a little ride later on. Nothing else going on. later.....

It's Lonely Here

I'm usually the one who goes somewhere without Richard, but this time he went to Pa. It was really lonely here last night. Wolfie started out sleeping with me, but went to his own bed sometime during the night. He always goes to Richard to be let out sometime between 4 and 5, but he didn't move until I got up this morning. I guess he thought because his daddy wasn't here he couldn't go out. That didn't make me sad. I know he is missing Richard. He also usually comes in the house around 8 or 9 and last night he was barking up a storm and wouldn't come in. He finally came in around 10 when I called for him. Today I'm going to clean house and Linda is coming over for dinner tonight. She's also alone this week. Her husband went to Pa. as well, but for fun, not duty. Later....

RIP George

Richard will be leaving soon to go to Pa. He'll try to get as much done as possible and not sure what he'll find. He was going to stay in the house, but Gina called and said he couldn't go there until it is fumigated. His cat was also in there dead, as well. A dog he cares for was there but was okay. Its owners were called to come and get it. What a mess. I can't imagine what can be done with all of the furniture, etc. I'm not sure how long Richard will be up there, but probably 4 or 5 days. later.....

The Most Unamerican Person

My vote goes for Rush Limbaugh. My blood boils whenever I hear his voice and the latest is the worst. He sounded like a little spoiled brat 7 year old. That idiot makes millions of dollars and I think he is one miserable, hateful human being!!
I'm off soon to go to the store..actually 3 stores and Richard will be getting Richard from the hospital and taking him home this morning. That will probably be an ordeal...we'll see. Later....

Yea Bengals..Boo Steelers

It would have been a perfect weekend if only the Steelers had not won. Oh well, you can't have it all. Nice job with the wood, Muir and Jim. Ours is coming sometime this week and our guy comes with his girlfriend and they stack it with our help. The four of us get it done pretty quickly. Today...rain. I got all of my clothes taken care or and now am in the midst of laundry. Later I'll go to the gym. Not sure if Richard is getting out of the hospital today...he wants to, but his Doctors don't think he should leave and he's most upset about that. We'll see. Richard told him to listen to his doctors, but when R. gets a mindset it just doesn't change. Later....

Good Game Day Results

All of the teams I like and follow won yesterday. Now, today the Bengals must beat the Browns and the Steelers must lose tonight to the Chargers. That will be a good ending to the weekend. Today...shortly I will get dressed and then start changing my summer clothes for fall/winter clothes which I hate doing. Having the chair rail makes it a lot easier, but I still dread doing it every year. Richard will be going to get a new log ring for on the deck. Our wood is coming sometime this week. We have just a bit left from last year and we may just have a fire this evening. Later.....

Fall...I Love It!

It's a perfect fall day here...sunny and cool this morning but getting into the 70s this afternoon. We'll be heading to the gym shortly and then will most likely go to lunch and the hospital to visit Richard. I'll be taking my life in my hands by wearing my Auburn t-shirt. Auburn and UT play this evening. I got some ugly comments when I wore it last year when the two teams met. I don't even know who Virginia Tech plays since we don't get the local paper...just the NY Times. We're supposed to be getting the Knoxville Sunday paper, but so far they have failed to deliver it. We've called 3 times with no action. We'll see what happens tomorrow. Later....

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Yesterday after Richard got back from shopping we went to Knoxville. First we had lunch at Olive Garden and shared a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert....Oh, my it was delicious, but so filling. We didn't even finish it. We got one to go and took it to Richard in the hospital. I had the nurse put in the frig for him for later. After Olive Garden we went to Sam's. We were so full we couldn't even stand to shop for food. I did get some shrimp and scallops and we just walked around. I got some tulip bulbs and a t shirt. Then we went to the hospital to visit Richard. He is doing well. He will likely get home on Monday. He'll have home health coming for 6 weeks to administer IV antibiotics. Not sure what today holds. I'm going out this morning to Walmart to take my glasses that R. sat on during vacation and see if they can repair them. I also need to get more candles. Later we'll go to the gym and probably from there to visit Richard. I need to know what's up with my Muir...is she sick? Is her computer sick? Is she just sick and tired? Inquiring minds want to know! later....

I Love Fall

I do love this weather. The mornings have been very chilly but as soon as the sun comes out it is just gorgeous. I took Wolfie for a walk on Tuesday and he was happy. Nothing much going on today. Richard is going to run some errands this morning and I need to get to some ironing. After lunch we'll go to the gym and then head to Knoxville to have dinner and then stop by the hospital to see Richard. His surgery went well. We talked to him last evening, but didn't go down. We was tired and still druggie and didn't want visitors. Later.....