Tick Season

I really detest ticks..they are awful creatures.  Last night I had a small one on my leg and today Baster showed up and we pulled 2 off of him.  I'm sure it's going to be a bad season.  Baxter doesn't wear a flea/tick collar and I'm tempted to call his people and ask them if they mind my getting one for him.  We got our at our vets and found it to be pretty effective.  We also gave our dogs Advantage for fleas.  Because Wolfie was so large we needed to do both.  So..yesterday I got the deck cleaned and planted my herbs.  My thyme and parsley are perennials and were flourishing all winter.  I got chives, basil, sage and mint, but they didn't have tarragon..oh, dill as well.  I got orange mint and it is in a pot by itself since it is so invasive.  I really love tarrogon, so will pick it up someplace.  This morning I made humming bird food and put that feeder out.  I'm sure they will be coming soon.  This afternoon we're going to get the fountain going.  I'm sure the birds will love that.  We get a lot of pleasure watching them bathe.  A few years ago it was mainly robins using it with titmice and chickadees getting in a bit.  Last year and cardinals really love it along with robins and other small birds.  Strangely, the wrens never get in it.  The rain we had yesterday evening was just enough...gentle.  Sunny today and we'll be watching golf and basketball.  Go Ohio State!!

Twenty-Eight Years!

Today is our anniversary..28 years..Wow!  Nothing really planned.  We got up at 5 this morning.  We were both awake so up we got.  Baxter spent the night.  He is such a sweet boy.  I don't think his people give him much attention and he loves being catered to by us and we like it as well.  Today I'm going to plant my herbs, spread some mulch and do some other outdoor things.  I also want to clean off the deck.  We're not going out to dinner tonight, but will do that sometime next week.  I forgot to mention yesterday that it was Anne's birthday.  She was born on Easter Sunday.  I talked to her last evening and she sounded great.  She and the kids will be going to D. C. on Saturday for a week.  I know they'll have lots of fun!...later...

Errands and Such

I left this morning for Walmart and then to Lowe's.  I got a fern, some creeping Phlox and some herbs.  I'll wait to get my deck in order before I get anything more.  After that I got a haircut and then stopped to get some Mega Million tickets...500 million..Zounds!!  Nothing else going on.  Yesterday we had lunch in Knoxville and then saw The Hunger Games.  It was very good and followed the book quite well.  I'm currently reading the second book in the trilogy...later...

Beautiful Day

We'll be going to Knoxville in a while to mainly hang out, have some lunch and maybe go to see The Hunger Games.  Rain is expected tonight and tomorrow.  I also have to get a new humming bird feeder and I want to put them out this weekend.  I'm expecting their arrival very soon.  Our other feeders will soon be put away.  Actually, all of the see is gone, but there is still some suet out and I want that to be depleted before I clean the feeders and put them away until fall.  The Red Belly and the Downy eat on that all of the time and now that the seed is gone, other birds are munching on that as well.  Before I shower I need to lay down some mulch.  I noticed my neighbor had her ferns out, so I need to get mine and I also want another rose bush....later...

Beautiful Days

Yesterday was lovely and today will be the same as soon as it warms up a bit.  It's sunny, but was 45 when I got up.  Nothing much going on here.  R. had a Drs. appointment this morning and we'll hit the gym this afternoon.  Maggie, Charlie and Eva are on their way to a tropical vacation.  They had to be at the airport at 5 a.m.  That's harsh with a baby, but Eva is such a trooper that I doubt if it was a problem.  ...later..

Sunny and Chilly

Actually, it's already warming up.  I started the day with doing laundry and then attacking my basket of things to iron.  All of that is finished.  My spring/summer clothes are all up and in the closet.  The thing about summer clothes..a lot more of them are things that need ironing.  This afternoon I'll walk outside..I'll go and check out the heron nests that I saw a few weeks ago.  I also need to stop at Salvation Army to drop of clothes that I no longer wear.  Nothing else going on...later...

Rain Ended

It rained on and off all day yesterday starting the mid afternoon.  Baxter showed up after the first shower and was soaked.  He stayed most of the day, but left in the early evening only to come back and it was raining so I couldn't put him out.  He slept here all night.  When I got up he was in the dining room.  I fed him and he left and was gone for a couple of hours.  He just returned and was soaked again. He is dry now, but just walked out.  Nothing going on here.  I'm going to make minestrome in a bit.  I've been hungry for it for awhile and had 1 can of Progresso in the pantry.  It was barely passable, so I'm making some...later...

Storms

We were rudely awakened this morning very early with a big boom of thunder.  A few more followed, but it is clear and dry now.  More stoms to come this afternoon.  I've started the dreaded task of changing my closets from winter to summer.  I'm not really in the mood, but I will feel great when it is accomplished.  Nothing else going on today.  We will watch gold this afternoon and hope that Tiger keeps going as he did yesterday...later...

TGIF

It is supposed to rain and that is about right for my frame of mind.  I have nothing going on today and other than the gym this afternoon, nothing planned.  I'm thinking it will be a dull, boring weekend.  More rain tomorrow so I will put away winter things and get out my summer things.  I am totally loving The Hunger Games...later...

American Idol and Basketball

We haven't watched Idol at all this year, but last night nothing was on tv and we decided to watch.  There were several that we really liked a lot and couldn't choose.  We'll watch again tonight to see who is eliminated.  Also, at 9:30 Cincinnati plays Ohio State.  I have to say I'm a bit torn, but I'll root for Cincy even though I don't think they'll win, but who knows.....later....

Excuses for Blogging Late

A lot of the time I blog late because our computer is on our desk in our bedroom.  While I am usually up by 6, R is not and when he does get up he then gets on the computer for an hour or more.  A lot of times if I have places to go or things to do, I'm gone when he finally shows his face.  Today I had an appointment and then went to Walmart.  R. usually does the grocery shopping, but since I was already going to be out I did it to save a bit of gas.  We needed a ton of things and it took we awhile.  We finally got the grass cut yesterday and a lot of other things done.  Everything is blooming around east Tennessee and it is beautiful!  So far I'm not being bothered by allergies and I usually don't have too much trouble with them, but Knoxville is the #1 city for allergies in the country, thanks to The Smoky Mountains.  For any roller coaster lovers, Dollywood has a new one that looks amazing..it's the only one of its kind in the world and opens this weekend.  I would not be one of those lovers...I don't even like the baby ones and never have.  I'm not very far in The Hunger Games because I've been too busy around here, but i'll be reading it while on the treadmill at the gym this afternoon...later...

First Day of Spring..84 here!

I'm hoping Jack will be here today to cut our grass.  He is back from Florida and said he would get to us this week.  Yesterday we did a ton of chores an I got the house cleaned inside.  R. did mostly paper work, but connected the hoses and vacuumed the steps.  Today he is going to spray for weeds in the flower beds and put down mulch.  I'm going to start on the deck.  Yesterday afternoon I came into the great room to find a titmouse flying around.  I first turned off the ceiling fans and opened the door, but he still didn't go out.  R. came up and we finally flushed him outside.  In the evening Baxter was still here having come to us around noon or so.  Then Oscar came up and he and Baxter chased each other around the house until Oscar decided just to curl up in R's lap for a snooze.  I put Baxter out to go hom around dark and put Oscar out as well, but he came back.  I was afraid to put him out again so took him to his house and knocked on their door.  Last week I heard cyotyes in the woods above out house.  Baxter was back here this morning at 7.  I really love having him, but he is spending more time here that at his house and they are obviously not penning him up.  Time for me to get to the deck....later....

Monday Chores

I'm late blogging because I needed to return my library books (I didn't get any new ones because I'm reading The Hunger Games on my Kindle).  I also went to Kroger's and then gassed up the new car.  Getting gas is a real shocker!  I'm home now and need to put on the summer sheets and put groceries away.  I'll also add a few more pictures...later..

Sunny Sunday

Not sure what today will bring.  Jim and Tommie may come over for dinner and if they do, I need to go to the store for the makings of Taco Salad.  If they don't I'll do some things around here.  I need to take the flannel sheets off our bed.  It looks like warm weather from here on in.  I also need to get a start on cleaning and of course will watch basketball and The Frozen Planet tonight.  I was happy about some wins, but unhappy to see VCU lose and also Vanderbilt...some more Eva movies...

New Car

We got a new car today.  On our way back from Columbus on Thursday our car was missing on and off and we thought it might be a spark plug and the "service engine soon" light came on.  We took it to our guy Friday and got the news that it was the transmission.  It was too costly to fix and we had 125,000 miles on it.  This morning we drove to Knoxville to the Cadillac dealer and came home with a beauty.  I finally got a 4 door!  It's really pretty and runs great.  It was raining pretty hard earlier, but the sun is out now.  After getting the car we had lunch at Olive Garden.  I guess we'll watch some basketball today along with golf.  Xavier won!  Baxter was here on and off yesterday and came again this morning.  I had to put him out when we left for Knoxville and he isn't back..maybe later.  Happy St. Patrick's Day..I forgot to wear green!  Here are a few more pictures from Ohio.

Back from Ohio

We had a great time in Ohio.  First we went to Trip and Susan's and had fun with J.J.  We took him to the driving range on Friday and he is amazing!  On saturday we went to Muir's and that evening we saw Madison's play..The Music Man.  It was excellent!  Both leads were extraordinary and the chorus and all parts were very good.  When did high school plays get so good?  We (the family) got together first for dinner so that was fun.  We also took Max and Madison to lunch on Saturday.  On Sunday we went to Columbus to be with Maggie, Charlie and Eva.  It rained on Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday were nice.  Maggie was getting a new roof on Wednesday, so we stayed away from the house as much as possible to avoid all of the noise.  We spent the afternoon at the park that is right by her house.  Here are some pictures of the grandkids, etc... Oh..also..I just got my Cooking Light and there are some good-sounding recipes in there you may want to try.

Gorgeous Day in Columbus

Yesterday was rainy and chilly.  We were going to go to Costco, but decided against it due to the sloppy day.  Also, Maggie's new carpet was supposed to be installed at 1.  We waited all day with many phone calls, etc.  It was finally installed about 6.  Maggie left for a class at the gym around 5 something with the roofing guy outside and also a basement guy.  Charlie was dealing with them and we had the pleasure of seeing to Eva.  She was the only thing that didn't foul up yesterday.  Anyway, all was fine, and the carpet is down and very lovely.  Today 71 and to Costco.  Tomorrow a new roof and 75.  We'll try to spend much of the time outside.  We'll leave here Thursday.  Eva still isn't having any part of Grandpap.  She does look intently at him but will have no part of his holding her.  It's the beard...later..

Enjoying the Family in Ohio

We had a lot of fun in Cincy..first at Trip and Susan's and J.J. was a hoot.  He is the ultimate sports fan and we watched a lot of basketball.  Saturday we went to see the Music Man.  It was a great production..The 2 leads had amazing voices, the Lacota orchestra was excellent and the chorus and all of the music was so good.  It was hard to believe this was a high school.  Standards have sure changed since I was in school.  Before the play the family all got together for dinner and that was fun, as well.  Sunday we came to Maggie's in Columbus and are thoroughly enjoying Eva.  She is not happy with Grandpap, however.  His beard makes her cry.  She just looks and looks at him, but if he gets too close the tears start.  She is getting better at abiding him at a distance.  It's raining today, but yesterday was lovely and he walked to the park and Eva got to swing.  The rest of the week should be nice and sunny...later...

Off to Ohio

We'll be leaving soon.  I'm packed and ready and R. is almost there.  It isn't going to be as warm as it has been, but should be nice.  I may be able to blog when I get to Maggie's on Sunday.  I can't wait to see the play and the grandkids..also my kids....later...

Tea With the Girls

Linda called yesterday around noon to invite me over for tea at 3.  Her daughter-in-law is visiting from Washington State.  I had heard all about her and the family so it was nice to finally meet her.  Linda made tea sandwiches (delicious) and had several kinds of cakes and sweets plus all kinds of tea.  It was very nice.  I think we should do tea on a regular basis.  Other than that not much is going on.  It is warm already and about 73 this afternoon, but rain and cooler tomorrow.  We'll be leaving for Ohio tomorrowand not sure when we'll come back..probably either Wednesday or Thursday of next week...later..

Out and About Again

I had my yearly Drs. app. this morning and from there got a car wash, gassed up the car and got money.  I got home and started to blog and Maggie called, so we have been talking for awhile and now it's almost my lunch time and then to the gym.  My appointment went well..I am in good shape and all of my lab results were excellent!  Looking forward to the weekend and week ahead with my kiddos and grandkiddos...later...

Frost this Morning

All of the flowering trees are heavily in bloom.  I hope they survive this morning frost.  It's warming up to the 60s later and it's a nice, sunny day.  Aren't you all glad that I give you a Tennessee weather report every morning.  It's about the only half way interesting thing I usually have to say.  Yesterday I had an eye appointment and went straight to the Opticians after that to choose my new glasses.  I also went to the mall yesterday to get some black jeans.  That didn't take long and I also picked up some capris and 2 shirts.  Because of all of the running around I had to do yesterday, I didn't do the laundry.  I did that this morning and also did a bit of ironing.  While I was running around yesterday I noticed that the new cinema being built in Maryville was finished.  The opening is tomorrow night.  We so needed a new one.  We just never went to the old one and instead drove to Knoxville to the movies.  The old one was so outdated ..I hated it.  I'm looking forward to out trip in Cincinnati and Columbus this weekend.  We're going to see The Music Man which Madison's high school is putting on and Madison is in the chorus.  We'll be staying with Trip and family on Friday and then with Muir and Jim on Saturday and going to dinner and the play with the whole family.  Sunday  we will drive to Columbus to spend a few days with Maggie, Charlie and Eva.  I'm hoping for spring-like weather...later...

Brrr

What a change...we have no snow, but it feels cold enough to snow.  I went to the Drs. office this morning to have my lab work done prior to my yearly appointment on Wednesday.  The wind was very strong.  Yesterday we went to the Clarence Brown Theater to see Black Pearl Sings.  It was very good.  We had brunch before the show at Sunspot which is a semi/vegeterian place.  I had a frittata and it was okay.  Everyone else really liked their food.  This afternoon I have an eye appoinment and I'm also going to look for a pair of black jeans before my appointment.  Nothing else happening...later...

All is Well

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday.  I left early to do a few errands and then get a haircut.  When I got home R. was on the laptop.  He finally was finished, but said he was having trouble and it wasn't responding.  We both ate lunch and he went downstairs to get on the other computer and I tried to blog but got nowhere.  R. was finializing all of our plans for going to colorado in August.  He finally got our flight and booked the rental car.  During all of this we were under a tornado warning.  It expired in the mid afternoon, but then more storms were developing and we continued to be on and off under a warning.  Things were happening all around us, but we never went to the basement or felt threatened.  Every time it neared our area it would veer off into the mountains.  Thank God for those mountains.  Muir texted me about the damage in Ohio, KY, and Ind.  Carol called me from Michigan..Today it is chilly, but sunny with no storms predicted.  We'll just be hanging out.  Tomorrow we're going to a play on the UT campus and to brunch before with Jim and Tommie...later...

We're Safe

In spite of the storms that came our way, we just got tons of rain.  At one point we were under a tornado warning and it was coming down 411 which is where we are, but it turned toward the mountains before progressing towards us.  I left the door to our deck off our bedroom open when we went to bed and awoke at 2 to torrential rain.  I got up and closed that.  All is sunny this morning with a nice day ahead, but more storms predicted tomorrow.  This is for Muir because I couldn't reply (for some reason) to your blog...How about tuna or chicken salad with a veggie or baked potato or creamed chicken or tuna over toast of tuna rollups.  Those are some of my go-tos when I am cooked out.  Another is omelets...later..