Sat. morning, June 26, 2010

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for stopping by this past month.
Goodness! Hard to believe almost a month is gone since I last blogged! I woke up at 3:15 a.m. and Tigger-cat thought it was time to get up, so going back to sleep was not an option. So here I am an hour later doing my blog.

I had a great visit with family in Tenn. Went different places, swam in the pool near my sister's house, went to a major dairy production farm, a Farragut history museum, had lots of great food and a good trip down. Coming back was nasty! It rained from Tenn. to Ohio, and so heavy at times I had to exit the Interstate twice. One accident held up traffic for about 8 miles and 45 minutes. Why do people drive so fast when it is so dangerous to do so! They must have so much disregard for human life, even their own to think they can drive 80 or faster when conditions do not warrant the speed they travel. Just crazy!

Hubby and I are working on one major project right now. We removed the old shingles from our old garage on the south side a week ago and he laid the new brown shingles by himself. What a job! I wasn't able to help him do that part because my foot at the time was giving me a lot of difficulty. Very swollen and hurting a lot. So I went back to Dr. L. this past Monday and he checked it and said it was healing okay but that it would swell and be sore the more active I am. Well, goodness, I can't just sit around and watch T.V., read, etc. when there is so much to get done!

So, on Thursday hubby and I removed the old shingles on the north side, then Friday morning took them to the dump, then got back and we were such a team getting almost half of the new shingles put on! He laid them down and I hammered the roofing nails. We are putting down the black felt paper as we go and then shingling over the paper. Actually my foot is improving as I am wearing my heavy supportive tennis shoes and it is hardly swelling! Go figure! So this morning I'm heading into the grocery store early this morning and when I get back, we will start on the other part of the roof after it is dry from the morning mist. It would be good to get it done today as possibly some thunderstorms are moving into the area later this afternoon. Even if we don't get the rest of the shingles down, we will still have to lay and staple the felt paper to cover the rest of the roof so water doesn't leak in below. Hubby also has to till the corn and potatoes and hill them up. The last storm knocked his corn sideways and he has to get it back upright and hill beside it.

Our next project will be a new floor for the back porch deck. Then after that is replacing the front porch, new stuff on the sides of the wishing well out front, then a concrete sidewalk from the driveway to the front porch. All the stones I laid back in 1997 will have to be removed. So many of my spreading plants have come up through between the rocks and it is so hard to keep up with weeding the walkway. It is like walking through a jungle! Speaking of a jungle, our pond is so overgrown around the walkway and down in the pond. I have yet to get into the pond and clean it out! Another major project for me!

Wilbur, the resident chipmunk, has been so busy with the corn from the cob on the trees for the birds and the sunflower seeds that drop on the ground, his has been burying them in my flower pots and in the yard! I mowed yesterday before supper and spotted numerous places all over the yard where corn is growing and sticking up everywhere! He is going to be one hungry chipmunk if he expects to find his stashes for winter!

Last Sunday, father-in-law and his girlfriend came for a visit and a cookout. My foot was giving me fits so it was good to just relax and talk with them most of the day. It was a very pleasant day and we spent most of the time sitting out back under the shade tree talking and watching the many songbirds that came to feed. Hubby worked on the roof. He had to keep going as rain was expected later or the next day so he didn't get a chance to visit until later on when the dogs were exercising and then during supper.

I'm having a WISH session on Monday. I may have two new gals but won't know until I go in on Monday and call them. It is harder to get women in during the summer months as the kids are out of school and they can't afford to get a babysitter to attend. So, I have it when I can if I have anyone wanting to attend. Usually I spend the day helping my supervisor with court things or answering the phone while she is dealing with victims or court.

I haven't scheduled any book signings as I have been so busy with projects around here and CCAPL fund-raisers! Plus, breaking my foot put me behind big time! But, this too shall pass and I will get caught up eventually. Maybe before winter starts!

Gotta go for now. Thanks so much for stopping by and it has been wonderful hearing from some of you.

Take care, be safe, and enjoy the summer while it lasts!

Becky :)

Monday morning, June 22, 2009

Hi, Everyone,

I had a great time with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and her husband and sister's new kitten -Snowball! What a hoot she is! Nine weeks old and full of life and antics galore! What a sweetie!

Went to Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains and got to see a black bear and her cub. She was in the woods off the narrow roadway. Got a picture but not very clear. I sure wasn't going to venture closer! Bad storm came up while we were up there and we crawled back down the mountain on the narrow road with limbs, sticks, leaves, etc. falling all around us! Scary!

Went out on this beautiful lake in niece and husband's speed boat. I took some pictures of neice water skiing too. Awesome. Beautiful evening for a boat ride.

Ate at different restaurants, and sister cooked delicious meals as did niece's husband on Sat. night. Visited numerous places, shopping malls, and tourist places of interest. Great place to visit. Something for everyone of any age.

The drive down on Tuesday was good as it was coming back on Sunday. Took 8 hours total. Had to put ice on my sciatic area after arriving down there and at home. It is okay now. Tough getting old. Very inconvenient!!

I doubt I'll have many book signings this summer until later in the year towards fall. Too much to take care of here at home (hubby will be attending college-two classes for his Masters) and the CCAPL fund-raisers coming up. We are almost ready to sign the purchase agreement to buy land to put the animal shelter on, but then we have to raise the money for it too. Baby steps to get to our goal of building one for this rural county.

Talked to the director down in Tenn. where sister got her kitten. The lady was very nice and gave me valuable information to consider for our shelter.

The garden flourished while I was gone. We had some much-needed rain and it really gave it a boost. Gotta till it this morning and hoe around plants.

Remember, if you want to purchase either of my books, I will ship them free anywhere in the United States!

Gotta go for now.

Have a great summer!

Stay safe.
Becky :)