My Last Day

R. and I stayed at the condo today while Jim and Tommie went to see the wild horses. My back was bothering me after all of the riding and I thought I needed to stay here and rest. They brought back some good pictures. After they got back we went to the beach about 5 and Tommie and I collected shells while Jim and R. sat and watched us. It was warm and so nice. We stayed there for a few hours and then went to Dirty Dick's for dinner and it was so yummy. R. and I shared Dunginess crabs..may be our favorite dinner down here so far. We came home to watch Survivor and The Office and Thirty Rock. I'm pretty much packed and I have my cell phone on alarm for 6:15 tomorrow. We'll be out of here by 7:30. I have the coffee ready for the morning. See you all next week.....Judy

Happy Birthday, Dan

I'm sure he doesn't read my blog, but maybe someone will relate the greeting to him. We're having a lazy day today and that is fine with me. We have been driving here and there all week and I'd rather just hang around today. I got up at 6 and got breakfast ready as usual. Since then I've gotten some things ready for my departure tomorrow, did a puzzle and started reading my book. It's still a bit nippy this morning, but we'll be going to the beach for a few hours around noon or so. We'll leave here tomorrow morning around 7:30 for the Norfolk Airport and then the 3 of them will hang around Norfolk. Jim wants to look around the Naval Base and they may go to Va. Beach. I think they are heading home on Saturday because that will give Jim and Tommie a day to relax before they have to go back to work. I'll be heading for Gina's Sunday afternoon and will spend the night with her and the family and she'll take me to the Pgh. airport on Monday for my flight back to Knoxville. I'll be off my blog until Tuesday. I'll have a bunch of pictures next week.....later....

Fun Day

We got a late start today but first did the Wright Brother's Museum, Memorial and all that goes with that. After that we went to Jockey's Ridge to see the dunes and then went north to see another lighthouse which turned out to be the best..Currituck. The whole area was really nice. On the way we ate at the Red Sky Cafe and it was very good! After the lighthouse we drove onto the beach and drove for about 40 miles. We stopped and Tommie and I picked up shells, etc. That was so much fun! I had never driven on a beach before. We're home now and relaxing. Jim and Tommie went to play Bingo...not my thing. We got an email from Suzanne which I forwarded and hope you don't miss it...it is something else!!! Madison and Max need to watch it. Tomorrow we're going to the beach..probably will take a picnic and I need to get things ready to leave Friday morning for the airport and Bethany. This week is flying by.....later

Manteo

Spent most of the day around Manteo...Roanoke Island. We did some site seeing and then had lunch at the Blue Moon Cafe in Manteo...ate outside. It was a warm and breezy day. It's a bit cooler today and not sure exactly what we'll do. We got in some shopping yesterday. I got a sun and a frog for the deck and Tommie likes to hit the thrift shops and she got a very nice water color of the dunes done by a local artist. She paid $9. It was in a nice frame...a real steal. I think we'll finally do the beach tomorrow. It's supposed to be in the 80s.....later....

Lovely Sunrise

I'm not used to the early sunrise. When I got up I thought it was late (for me) but it was just 6:30. Everyone else is still in bed...I have the coffee made and breakfast ready to put in the oven and on the stove. I have one coffee down and am working on the second while I finish my crossword. Looks like a nice morning and early afternoon with showers heading in later. We got back to home base around 8 last night and it was already dark. Driving back I thought I had on my sun glasses, but it was just the sun setting early down here.....later....

It's Still Monday

It was a fun, but long day. We drove all the way to Hatteras and then took the ferry to Ocracoke. It was windy and chilly down that far, but we persevered. We had lunch in Avon..very good seafood. We visited the lighthouses in Ocracoke, Bodie and the mother of all lighthouses...Hatteras Light. The last time we visited it, it was in a different spot. I remember all they went with when they moved it, but I was amazed at how far it was moved. We were on our way back up to our condo when we stopped at Bodie Light...it is under construction and at first I wasn't going to take the picture due to the scaffolding, but that made it very interesting and then after I had taken the picture I noticed the moon near it. I took it again and hope the moon will show up when I put the pictures on the computer. We didn't bring the right wires for transferring my pictures so that will have to wait. Coming back we had the ocean on our right and the sound on our left. The sun was setting on the sound and the clouds were beautiful. A storm was moving in over the ocean with black, ominous clouds. It was like heaven and hell competing. We went through some raindrops, but heaven prevailed. When we got back to home base there had been quite a bit of rain. We're now relaxing with wine and cheese and watching Dancing With the Stars (not our choice, but Jim and Tommie always watch it) and it's kind of fun to see these people I never even heard of. Having lots of fun. We intended to go deep sea fishing, so stopped by Oregon Inlet to check that out....for 1/2 day it would cost $900. We don't want to do it that badly!!! We could go out just off shore for $360, but decided to nix that idea. More tomorrow......

We've Arrived

It was a long drive..left at 8 and got in just before 7. It was supposed to be a rainy drive, but it never rained and it was mostly sunny. We were jam packed with so much stuff you'd think we were going to be here a month. Our condo is very nice. We stayed in last night except that R. and Jim went to the store to get a few things, but they came back with 6 bags of groceries. I think today we'll explore and go to Ocracoke. The rest of the gang is still in bed, but R. is awake watching tv. later......

Packing Day

I've packed my "Bethany bag", but just started with the rest. Started laundry and made a list for R. If I know him, he'll wait until the last minute to get to his list. The day has started out sunny and should stay okay until later this evening. Storms and iffy stuff moving in around 8. The Rossini Festival is going on in Knoxville, so I hope it holds on until this evening. I wish we could go, but too much to do today. I'll have my cell with me so call if you want. We'll also be taking the laptop..don't know if they have Internet connection at the resort. Watched Entreatment last night. We love that show, but with they wouldn't do 5 shows each Friday....later..

Earth Day

I forgot to mention it yesterday. Oprah had a really good program about it. At one point I had to switch channels because they were showing parts of the film, "The Cove". I turned it back on and was shocked. Did you know that Flipper committed suicide?!? Now a congratulations goes out to Madison who has been selected to volunteer at the Cincinnati Zoo this summer. I know she is going to be in heaven even if her duties include cleaning up poop. On to last night's dinner...I made a vegetarian pasta and R. was not happy thinking about it, but he really loved it and wants me to make it again. I sauteed peas, asparagus tips, baby green beans and mushrooms in butter, then added lots of pepper and half and half. Meanwhile I made whole wheat angel hair pasta, drained that and added it to the veggies and topped with a lot of parmigiana cheese...delicious!! Today I'm cleaning house, getting things ready for vacation. Bad weather predicted for tomorrow..mostly in middle Tennessee, but we'll see what we get....later...

Sorry to be Late

We left early for Lowe's and Walmart. After that we went over to Richards to take his grill and deck furniture. We set it all up and are home again..I just had lunch and will go to the gym this afternoon. Another nice day, but bad weather heading in tomorrow and for the weekend. I guess we'll be driving in the rain.....later....

Where Are They?

Richard saw the male humming bird yesterday about noon. I refilled all of the feeders and watched all afternoon...nothing! So far nothing this morning. I did get red and white petunias to put under their one feeder and will plant those this morning. I'm waiting to get my other annuals until we get back from vacation. I don't want to worry about them not being watered while we're gone. R. got a grill for Richard yesterday and had it put together for him. He's off soon to pick it up and do some other chores for him. I'm hoping the sun will stay out all day although I don't have much going on...gym this afternoon. I started a book yesterday and am enjoying it...The Prodigal Wife by an English author whom I haven't read before. ....later....

It Reappeared.

I started to log out and it showe up!

Annoying!!!

I posted a few minutes ago and it got erased or something and I really don't feel like rewriting it. It was kind of long...I did all of my chores and then some and all in the rain. I'm home now and intend to stay there for the rest of the day. It's a perfect day to start a new book...and I have 55 new ones.....later....

Busy Morning

I left early this morning to get all of my chores done, starting with my haircut. After that I went to Kroger's to get coffee for our trip and sandwich buns for tonight's dinner. From there I went to T.G. Maxx for a snazzy top (which I did fine) and when I put that bag in the car it dawned on me that I had neglected to put my Kroger stuff in. I went back to Kroger's and asked them if anyone had found my bag...alas, no, but they told be to get what I had before which I did with not cost. Good Old Kroger's! I then went to Lowes to get some petunias to put under the humming bird feeders. All of this in the rain, of course. From there I went to the library where I had lunch and checked out 5 more books. Then to K-Mart and on home. I should work out this afternoon, but I'm not going out again...anyway it's a rainy day and perfect for starting a new book. R. is out running around also. He also was getting a haircut and then he was going to look for furniture for Richard's deck. I guess that's where he is now and I doubt if he'll want to go out again either......later....

Cool Weekend

Started out in shorts doing yard work, but when I came in I changed to sweats..sunny but quite chilly. Jim and Tommie came over in the late afternoon and we planned for our trip to the beach. Jim will drive his truck/suv, so we will have plenty of room and can take much of our food with us. We ended up feeding them since we had leftover asparagus soup and bean soup as well as potato salad and chicken salad. I was happy to clean out the refrigerator. Today..a bit warmer, but still cool this morning. Laundry is mostly finished and this afternoon I'll go to the gym. Tomorrow is my big errand day...haircut, library, pick up odds and ends for the trip, etc. ...later.....

Lazy Saturday..Productive Sunday

Yesterday was certainly a lazy day, but we (mostly Richard) got a lot done today. He sprayed for weeds on the terrace and other places and cut down limbs, etc. I did a little bit, but not much. I hate the pollen and the debris from the trees. Everything is so messy. I'll be glad when that is finished. I'm hoping Jim and Tommie will stop over today. We have to discuss things for our trip next Sunday. It will be kind of busy this week. I definitely need a haircut which I will get on Tuesday....later.....

A Rainy Start

It's raining slightly but is supposed to clear up later. We have some yard jobs to do at sometime today. We'll wait until it clears up. Nothing much else going on. I made potato salad this morning and will have that for dinner with fried ham. I haven't got a thing to say...we watched Entreatment last night and enjoyed that. We may watch a movie tonight.....later.....

Lazy Morning

I woke up at 4 and couldn't get back to sleep so finally got up and just watched tv and did a few puzzles..It's about time I got dressed and did a few chores around here. Yesterday was also a lazy day. I did get some weeding done, but need to finish up on that this morning. I'll go to the gym this afternoon...didn't go while Maggie was here. I'm not sure what the weekend holds..we need to start getting ready for the beach next week. I have to pack 2 bags..actually I'll put all of my beach things in with Richard's and pack another bag for Bethany. .....later....

Great Visit!

I hate to see her go...we've had such a nice time. It helps that the weather has been perfect. I got an email this morning from Dr. Gamble from Bethany. He told me not to tell anyone, but that he doesn't know the alma mater either since he went to WVU. Maggie will be leaving around noon today and will spend tonight at Trip and Susan's before going back to Columbus tomorrow. Charlie gets back from his conference in Colorado in the late afternoon. I'm not sure what I'll do with the rest of the day. I really need to do some weeding and general cleaning up around here. ......later....

Having Fun

R, Maggie and I went to lunch in Knoxville...a Mexican restaurant and then went to World Market and looked around and then to the Fresh Market. When we got home we went over to my friend Linda's for tea. She had the dining room table set with her china cups and saucers and had scones, another sweet bread, pears and Gorgonzola cheese. It was delicious and I'm glad Maggie got to meet Linda and vice versa. Last night we grilled veggies and halibut for dinner and sat outside until we started getting eaten by bugs. This morning we walked the dogs at the green belt and in awhile we are going to check out a few botiques in Maryville and stop at Kroger's for dinner stuff. We're having Cobb Salad tonight.....later...oh I just got an email from some person and Bethany College and he saw that I was in concert choir while there and he wants me to lead us in singing the alma mater at the alumni breakfast. I don't even remember the alma mater! I'm going to get my year book and see if that refreshes my memory, but I really don't want to do that!!!.....

She' Here

Maggie and the dogs arrived at 1. Max can't figure out our screen door. We cut a flap in it so our dogs could go in and out. Zoe is fine with it, but Max just can't get it. He discovered the basket of toys we had for our dogs and has been dragging them out one by one and I gave him a lemon and he's having fun with that. I guess it reminds him of their lemon tree in California. We sat outside all evening not coming in until almost bedtime. Today we're going in to Knoxville to lunch and stopping at the Fresh Market to get fixings for dinner. Linda wants us to come over this afternoon for tea......later.....

Maggie's on Her Way

She called at 7:15 this morning and was through the city. She should be here shortly after noon. We may go for a walk in the green belt with the dogs. I'm doing laundry and cleaning house and then I'll shower and enjoy this beautiful day.....later......

Things are Shaping Up

No us...just things around the house. I got a lot done yesterday and R. got home about 6 and we watched The Masters. Today I have some more chores to get done. I'm sure Maggie will be giving me the white glove test when she arrives and I know whatever I do it won't be up to her standards! Another lovely day here with more of the same for the week ahead. R. needs to unload the car...he brought a lot of records back and I have no idea where he'll put them or why he even brought them. I want to get rid of the hundreds that we already have. He also brought a painting back that his brother, Calvin did and I really like it, but I'm not sure where that will go either. We don't have much wall space left.....later....

Slacking Bloggers

I know I'm sometimes late blogging, usually because R. is still in bed or is on the computer. My routine is to check my email and then the other blogs that I read, but they (except Muir when she is working)are late bloggers, so I can't comment when I blog and usually don't get to read theirs until the next day. This morning I got up and got myself to Walmart at 7. Richard will be home today and I want to get a lot done. I finally got my fern for the deck. Loews had them for $7, but they were out...finally got more in. I need to put the back deck together this morning and finish on the front one. It didn't frost last night and I'm hoping that will be the last warning. I'll be putting all of my house plants outside......later.....

I'm Getting a Lot Done

I cleaned the upstairs this morning and did lots of other little jobs, etc. Tomorrow I'll get the deck furniture all out and clean the pollen off everything! It rained most of yesterday and is much cooler today...high of 64 with possible frost tonight. I'll cover my herbs, but I don't think we'll actually get frost. This afternoon we'll walk outside and then do the weights and pool. When I get home I need to get in some serious reading. ......later....

Work Day

The big job today is putting away my fall/winter clothes and getting out my spring/summer ones. I dread this every season, but feel good when it's accomplished. Linda invited me for dinner tonight and I told her I'd give her a call to let her know yes or no. I want to get as much done today as possible. Other than the clothes it will be indoor stuff today as the rains are supposed to start soon and last through the afternoon. I'll see how much I get done. I did paint 3 chairs yesterday afternoon when I got home from the gym. The dogwoods have bloomed and are so beautiful along with the red buds and other flowering trees. The deciduous trees are in the "feathery" stage as I call it. The beginning of leaves. It is my most favorite time of the year except for the pollen. It isn't too bad yet. R. has been suffering with allergies, but I haven't been affected so far.....later....

Richard to Pa.

He left at 9. The weather is beautiful so he should have a nice, though long drive. Another day of high 80s and then rain tomorrow and cooling. We got a lot done yesterday...mostly Richard. He was really sore and worn out last night. He did more than he should have, but he wanted to get it done. The next big job will be getting our annuals and planting. That's my job and I don't look forward to it. After everything is planted I love it, but it's the doing it that gets me. I have a lot planned while he is gone...cleaning the upstairs and doing the windows. I'll also be painting some outdoor furniture. I may start that today...later....

Butler was Awesome

It was a nail biter and I'm so sorry that Butler lost, but they did a great job. We could play the "if" game...if they were taller, if they made more of their shots, etc. Other than that...I went to the library yesterday and got a new supply and picked up some things at Walmart. When I got home the service guy was here about my washer...it died. After he left R. got on line to Loews, Best Buy and H.H. Gregg. Loews had a Frigidaire front load for 449. We went over there and it is going to be delivered this afternoon. I have wanted a front load for a long time and knew that if my old one died, that is what I would get. R. doesn't like them, but he doesn't do the wash. He is outside now cutting the ornamental grass on our terrace. Later he'll treat the deck. I swept under the deck this morning and was in the shed looking for the humming bird feeders (they come back around the 16th of April and I want to be ready) but I couldn't find them. While I was looking around I got a visistor...Baxter..a golden retriever who lives around us, but Wolfie always chased away. I loved on him and tried to get him to come up on the deck, but he shied away from that. R. got some treats and he liked those. He followed me into the basement, but would go no further. I hope he will become a regular visitor.Maggie is coming on Monday and bringing her 2 dogs. I can't wait...for Maggie and the dogs! I need to scoot...R. probably needs me.....later.....

Easy, Peaceful Day

Yesterday was such a nice an peaceful day. We didn't do much but thoroughly enjoyed the day. Dinner was yummy...we ate out on the deck. Later we watched The Pacific on HBO. Today didn't start out as well. I put a very large load of laundry in the washer and when it started to spin I was out of balance even though I have a self-balancing washer. I stopped it and rearranged things. When I went to put the clothes in the dryer, they hadn't spun and I tried to start it again, but no luck. I called service and they are coming out this afternoon. I hope I didn't blow the whole washer! R. is doing the deck right now. He has applied the cleaner and is about to power wash after that takes effect. I'm about to go to the library...busy morning and a busy week. R. will be going to Pa. on Wednesday to meet up with Joel and Gina and finally take care of closing the Pt. Marion house where his brother lived until he died in October...I'll hold down the fort here and get ready for Maggie's visit next week.....later.....

Happy Easter

It's a beautiful Easter Sunday. We've worked on the puzzle, but it's a hard one today so it will take more work later. I'm about to go to K-Mart to get potting soil. I'm going to plant my herbs this afternoon. Well, we watched the game to the bitter end. WVU just wasn't hitting and couldn't get the rebounds and Duke could do no wrong and were masters at hitting the 3 pointers. However, WVU had a great year and they have to be proud of their accomplishments. The NY Times had a good article about the Reds and baseball today. I need to get moving....later..

Busy Day

We're off to Walmart and Loews (if I can ever get R. moving)! It's going to be very busy out there and R. cannot do anything in the morning before he plays his games on the computer. Rain is expected around noon, but not lasting long and beautiful forecast for tomorrow. This afternoon I need to do some preparation for tomorrow's dinner. Tonight it's basketball and keep you fingers and toes and eyes and anything else you can think of for West Virginia.....later.....

Didn't Get Fooled

That was a first for me. We got a lot done...the awning is opened and the deck is cleaned, although the power wash and treatment is to come..hopefully next week. Today I'll clean inside and then a walk and to the gym. Tomorrow is a busy day. First we need to go to Lowe's and get stuff for the deck and get deflappers for the awning at Walmart. I need to stop at Kroger's for a few things and then get home and start preparations for Easter dinner. We'll have the usual...baked ham, scalloped potatoes, roasted asparagus and Under the Sea salad. I'm making meringues for dessert topped with lemon curd and fresh raspberries. I'm off to get busy this morning.....later.....

Beware..April Fools Day

Richard tried to get me already, but I had been forewarned by TV. I'll need to on guard all day. I hated this day when I was teaching. Yesterday was lovely and Linda and I walked around the lake before going into the gym for the rest of out workout. Today will be a day of work..mainly on the deck. I need to uncover the chairs, move the birdseed to another location and clean the grill. If it's nice next week, R. can power wash the deck. We will also open the awning this afternoon and I hope it doesn't need too much cleaning, but if it does I'll don my bathing suit and scrub it where necessary. It should be around 80 this afternoon.....later....