February 26, 2019

Life surely does happen.  Friday afternoon we received a text asking if we had DJ with us.  No, because we still have Lucy.  Well, DJ had discovered a new opening in the fence.  She was loose in the neighborhood.  DIL quickly found her and blocked the opening.  All was good again. 

Most of Saturday was spent attempting to get our apartment cleaned up as I have been busy with other things.  We had decided not to go to the Lacrosse game.  Good thing as we received a call asking Hubby to go get DJ the dog.  She had escaped again.  DIL was 45 miles away and Son was at the lacrosse game, 30 minutes away.  Hubby headed across town (10 minutes)to deal with DJ.  I stayed with Lucy.  No need to add another dog to the mix.  Well, Hubby found that a neighbor had gotten DJ back into the yard.  The Neighbor was unable to coax DJ into the house.  Hubby just said, "Come on, DJ" and the dog was inside immediately.  DJ was locked in the house and Hubby returned home after disposing of the dead rabbit parts in the yard.  Neighbor later told Son that Hubby was a dog whisperer.  "No, DJ loves my dad more than anyone except for maybe Sos (the DIL)".

Later Saturday evening Lucy's dad, my nephew, returned from his trip.  He was so glad to see Lucy and she was sooo happy, too.  Nephew shared all the fun he had.  The costumes had worked good enough.  He left and we soon settled in for a long winter's nap.  We knew that Sunday would involve helping Son repair the gap in the fence and attend the lacrosse game.  Might even possibly get a decision about the stain color so on Monday we could begin finish work on the Laundry room project.

By mid morning Sunday we were at Son's home with Starbuck's for everyone.  Needs for fence repair project were accessed by Son and Hubby.  DIL made her stain selection.  We discussed the floating shelves.  Things seemed finalized for the direction for the rest of the project.  Fence repair was completed.  DIL and Bonus granddaughter headed out for girl time to get mani/pedi and look for a prom dress.  Son headed to drop off DIL's car for a cleaning.  We followed him then we three went to the lacrosse game.

The game was being hard fought.  One team would score then the other would answer.  Just about 15 seconds before half time fierce blocking around the opponent's goal was happening.  Our grandson's team blocked the ball but they were behind 3 to 4 as the half ended.  Hubby wandered of saying he was going for a walk.  In a short time I noticed Grandson walking across the field with blood on his chin and shirt.  His mom shouted, "Brett".  I thought he had a nose bleed.  They disappeared and did not return.  The two younger grandsons came to sit by me.  # 3 Grandson said Oldest Grandson and a bad cut on the inside of his mouth.  His mom and step dad were taking Oldest to get stitches.  We would take Son and Younger Grandsons where ever after the game finished.  Son was the spotter so could not leave the game.  And it was just stitches.

After the game was over we distributed all people to the assigned places and headed home.  My youngest sister arrived to spend the night.  Within two hours the news about Oldest Grandson had changed from just stitches adding his jaw was broken.  Yes, a ball had hit him under his helmet so hard that it broke his jaw at his chin.  Surgery would be done probably on Tuesday.  He would spend the time till surgery at his mom's home.  He was in considerable pain.  Eventually we again settled in for another long winter's nap.

Monday upon awakening I checked my phone for texts.  Not what I was expecting.  Bonus Grandson was now in the hospital.  He had gone to the ER with extreme abdomen pains.  Yes, it was the same hospital that Oldest Grandson had been in the ER just hours earlier.  Bonus was diagnosed with a ruptured appendix.  It would require a procedure later in the day to place a drain in his groin.  He was on heavy duty antibiotics.  He would be in the hospital for a few days possibly.  Younger sister left for home.  We, again, resumed the easy chair position awaiting further instructions for where and when we were to go. 

Bonus Grandson

Oldest Grandson after surgery

Things were so crazy for Son and DIL.  Two sons both in pain.  Then the two exes in the two small hospital rooms in two different hospitals.  Surgery for Oldest Grandson had been changed from Tuesday to Monday evening.  Son was at his bedside.  Meanwhile Bonus Grandson whose procedure had been completed about 2 was having fever spikes and chills.  Concerns about sepsis required an additional battery of tests that had DIL staying at his bedside.  Our assignment was to take care of the 3 other grandkids.  Prepare dinner to serve at 6:30.  #3 Grandson to be picked up from lacrosse practice at 6:15.  Need to go to the ex wife's to get the school stuff for #3 & #4 as they were spending the night at Son's.  # 4 Grandson to be picked up from soccer practice at 7:45.  At 5 we hit the road for out duties.

I prepared dinner while Hubby picked up #3.  Dinner was served to Bonus Granddaughter and her boyfriend at 6:30.  Hubby and #3 arrived about 7:15.  We had our dinner.  Helped Granddaughter clean up where a dog had gotten sick in her room.  Time for me to leave to pick up #4 grandson.  #4 greeted me spilling over with joy.  He was thrilled to have an opportunity to be goalie for his team.  The name would be the same and he was full of delightful chatter all the way back to Son's home.  He was anxious to hear how his older brothers were doing so he used my phone for texting.  He ate about 8:15.  He also asked his dad to send a photo of his oldest brother.

Why are you taking a picture?

Oldest Grandson's surgery was complete by 7:45 and had gone well.  The oral surgeon used plates to secure the jaw so no wired shut mouth for 6 weeks as had been expected.  Yeah!  Son would be heading home later.  Bonus Grandson's fever had broken so DIL came home for dinner.   She ate about 9 pm.  #3 and #4 grandsons headed to bed.  We waited for the latest reports on Bonus Grandson.  If the report showed sepsis DIL would head back to the hospital.  We would spend the night with the three remaining grandkids.  Report came back good.  We said our good nights and headed home.  We did not have to be rocked to sleep last night.

Now it is Tuesday afternoon.  Oldest Grandson is at his mom's home.  Bonus is still in the hospital but is expecting to be released around 6 this evening.  We have been on easy chair standby as texts have been flowing as needs changed.  I asked if we needed to come and prepare dinner for Son and DIL.  DIL said they would be the two zombies in a ball on the sofa.  And that is how life happens.

Peace and love to all who visit.

February 23, 2019

Dates we bury loved ones or the date they passed away are not something I hang on to or celebrate.  One or two exceptions exist.  One is Daddy's burial day, Valentine's Day, 2004, so folks could come without taking off work.  The other was this date.  February 23 is the day my oh so sweet Granny Chandler was born.  Eighty six years later was the day she was buried.  That was 50 years ago today.  She was my protector and sweetheart of a grandma.  Still use the sewing basket she gave me when I was about 12 or 13 years old. 

Yesterday, Feb. 22, was a dear friend's 50 wedding anniversary.  Granny had passed in the wee hours of the morning on that day.  So I helped with funeral arrangements for my grandmother.  That night I stood as Matron of Honor for my friend.  The next day the newlyweds came to the funeral instead of starting their honeymoon.  That is some true friendship.

As for life here in 2019, this is the last day for Lucy to be staying with us.  Her dad will be picking her up about 7 PM.  It has been a bit more of an adventure this time as we were working on the project at our son's home.  One day we worked for several hours and left Lucy in her kennel.  She did not like that.  Another day we took her shopping at The Home Depot and picked up the second cabinet.  She was only semi-happy riding in the shopping cart.  She did love all the attention from other shoppers and clerks.  Yes, we did have a jacket for her to stand on in the cart.  Thursday we took Lucy with us to son's place.  We thought she would be happy being in our sight.  Well . . .

What we accomplished was making DJ the grandgirl dog jealous.  DJ let us know she was not happy.  Would turn a cold shoulder to me if I attempted to pet her.  And if looks could kill I would not be writing this today.  DJ does not share well.  And Lucy really could not stand the tension.  She wanted to be near us but would walk up to the gate and set DJ  off to growling.  Lucy was banished to the garage where we were worked once the new cabinet was installed.

We spent time making the opening and door for the dispenser area.  Square things up, put the square in place, Janice hold and Hubby run the power saws.  Seventy year olds running power saws can be dangerous.  Not as dangerous as Hubby's dad climbing up a ladder.  Hubby's mom starting the engine of the chainsaw and handing up to the 80 something standing close to the top of an 8 ft. ladder.  She then stood below while he sawed limbs off the fruit trees.  They survived but it was the thing for nightmares.  We did stop before we lost any fingers, toes or hearing.  Cleaned up the garage and readied for the next steps:  building floating shelves; stain and varnish all unfinished wood;  install hardware;  mount all in room;  final paint touchup.  That will come next week when Lucy goes home and we do not have a whining DJ threatening to use her adopted dog cousin as a snack.

Some fine tuning on one set of shelves.

Ya'll all have a nice Sunday.  Thanks for the visit today!

February 18, 2019

We worked on Wednesday of last week on the utility room project.  I finished the painting and touch up.  Well, until I had cleaned up all the paint stuff and went back for a final look.  Sure enough, a bit of the last wall will need some more touch up.  That will not be done until the big shelf is finally installed.  Hubby had worked in the garage finishing the assembly of the large shelf to cover the top of the washer and dryer.  We stopped a bit early to go home and clean our selves up for a meal with our son's family.

It takes four autos to get all of us to a place to eat.  Not because there is not enough room but because of people coming from different places.  Oldest Grandson was at lacrosse practice.  He drives so he came from there.  Bonus Grandson and DIL came from home.  Son, #3 & 4 Grandsons came from their mom's home.  Bonus Granddaughter was at home working on homework.  We arrived first and ordered appetizers and told the waitperson we wanted a separate bill.  At the end as the check came we did not get the bill.  Son said it was payment to his day labor for all the work.  He can be really pushy like he is the boss of us sometime.  We just said thanks after a bit of 'please, let us pay'.

Lucy the Lap Heater

Thursday was help my nephew day.  He is receiving treatments where he is not allowed to drive following the treatment.  We drive to the clinic where the treatment is given.  Hubby drives Nephew's car to his house.  I drive Nephew in our car.  We usually stop for a take out meal for him then on to his home.  This week we brought Leaping Lucy, his dog, home with us.  We are great-dog-niece sitting for about 10 days.  Lucy is barely a lap full so she can stay with us at our apartment.  Unlike DJ, the grand-dog-daughter who takes up an entire seat in a car.  Or my side of the bed when she visits.

DJ attempting to be a lap dog

Before leaving to pickup the Nephew I had completed the alterations for his costume.  The simple act of using my right leg muscles to run the foot feed for the machine was all it took.  The ladder climbing had the adductor and flexor tendons unhappy.  The foot feed motion made it down right fighting angry.

I spent from Thursday afternoon till late Saturday morning in bed cause pain meds put me to sleep.  Saturday was to have been a party with my BF for her 50th wedding anniversary.  I was her Matron of Honor and she was my Maid of Honor.  Instead it was spent with a blinding migraine headache complete with nausea not up to a 200 mile drive.   Needless to say I have done nothing further on the utility room project.  Hubby did go over on Friday, we are about 9.4 miles (15 km) from our son's home, and work on the big shelf.  He filled joints and sanded the entire thing.  All that is needed is one more fitting and the cutout for access to the area to add detergents, etc. can be completed.  Hinges, stain and polyurethane finishing will need warmer days than tomorrow.  Tomorrow may not work for those actions as Bonus Grandson has a stomach virus today.

Hubby measuring and cogitating. 

The shelf is about 104 inches x 35 inches at its widest.  I had taken painting in progress pictures using Hubby's cell phone but evidently he deleted them.  Found them! 

new cabinet with small shelf installed

Starbucks fueling the painting personnel

More to follow, hopefully the the flu bugs will fly away from here!!!  And soon!!!!

February 12, 2019

Nope, no working the project today.  Now the grand daughter is sick.  She is the last of the grandkids to catch whatever is going around the schools.  She is a senior in high school this year.  Getting the best grades and getting selected for college is her biggest concern.  But today she is laid out with the flu.  DIL says do not come to the sick house.  It can wait.

My adductor strain has started acting up again.  Climbing a ladder and balancing on a tiny step for a few hours is all it took.  So it is good to have the day doing ice and heat packs.  Streaming some Netflix things.  And thinking about some recent articles and blogs I have read.  "Feminist" brings the stories of the 1960's and 1970's activists is what I am streaming.  An article about Democratic socialism as many of the new, woke generation are becoming.  Led by Bernie Sanders

One article in particular struck a cord with me.  This particular writer is a Christian.  She stated that Jesus was a socialist.  Sharing, caring and all equal.  For her socialism is the answer.  Workers owning the businesses.  All sharing on a equal basis.  Capitalism is an ugly word as it encourages unequal money distribution. 

Over the days since I read the article, I have been mulling this over.  Chewing on the idea.  Weighing it against my life experience.  I have come to a conclusion.  None of these systems will ever work for the common good.  None.  Human nature gets in the way.  Greed and sloth.  If you look at socialism in Russia and the old USSR you have oligarchs.  Capitalism gives you the 1 % where they never have enough $$$.  And it does not matter if one is conservative or liberal, Koch or Soros.  Sloth  is seen any time you are in the world.  There is always that person or persons that do just enough to not be fired.

When we visited part of the old Communist Bloc countries in 2016 we heard lots of stories.  The younger persons had adapted to a more capitalistic economy.  The children of parents who grew up under the Communist government felt freer to a degree.  Some absolutely embraced the freedom.  Others were still questioning.  One young man from the Budapest area noted his parents are somewhat lost.  They had worked in their government assigned jobs.  Then the government collapsed.   With nothing to replace the jobs.  The USSR had been the main consumer of the goods.  Dilapidated buildings in some parts were a result of the ensuing wars.

Before one jumps to say, 'There you go, capitalism and democracy are the way to go" consider the dilapidated inner cities of the US.  Under capitalism industry migrates to the cheapest labor.  More money for the shareholders sounds really good.  Board of directors salaries are met before any profit is shared.  Salaries of the workers are met, too.  Of course currently those salaries have not risen at the same rate at the 1 % ers $$$$.

It is a matter of pick the poison that fits you.  I just hope we choose wisely.  That the Democratic party is not hijacked by the extremists.  If it is not already too late.

February 11, 2019

Friday, Feb. 8, found the weather very unpleasant.  Too cold to be working in the unheated garage.  We decided to take the day off and rest.  There was a pizza run for Middle grandson's lunch.  I began sleeting while I was out for the pizza run.  Unpleasant weather.  The remainder of the day we actually did rest a lot.  Slept in our easy chairs.  Woke up, watched a bit of TV and still slept all night long.  Saturday was another cold, wet day.  We stayed in most of this day, too.  Missed Youngest grandson's indoor soccer game.

Sunday was foggy, cold and just nasty weather.  Oldest grandson had a game in San Antonio, a 2 hour drive from here.  Outdoor game.  Nope, not going to attempt this either.  Word was it was a great game with Grandson who was on defense made a goal!  The Round Rock Dragons won and Grandson was muddy but happy after the game.

Sunday evening our nephew came for some help with repairs and tailoring of some clothing.  He is going on a cruise and is needing costumes.  I showed him how to repair a tear in his jeans.  Then began working on making a sort of costume for the theme of cannibals.  Something similar to the look of the 2010 Wolfman movie costumes.  Made headway but still have more to do before Thursday when we see him again.

The work was resumed on the utility room project.  Again, my intent was to paint.  Never made it to opening the can.  Housekeeper is coming tomorrow so I spent my time getting as much stuff picked up.  Blinds were rehung and tools we were finished using were loaded back into the storage tub.  Hubby was cutting and fitting the rest of the wood for the wall to wall shelf.  It is a two person job to get the shelf around the corners and through doorways. 

With all the sawing and fitting there was sawdust throughout the garage and hall to the utility room.  Straightened up the garage by carrying out all the recycling.  Swept the garage, hall and utility room.  A shelf that covers the opening behind the washer and dryer was rehung.  We called it quits for the day.  Headed home where left over chili and broccoli salad fit our appetites and energy levels just right.

Weather is supposed to clear up tomorrow.  It will be good to see the sun and a bit more warmth with out all the humidity.  Take care and will try to remember to take update pictures tomorrow!

February 7, 2019

About a year ago our DIL asked if we thought we might be able to do some stuff in her laundry room to get more storage.  She had some Pinterest examples of her wish list.  One big item was to have a cover over the top of the washer and dryer.  The left pin was one example.  Well, the first thing we had to change was the fact that her controls were at the back, not the front.  There is, also, a topside dispenser unit for detergent, softener, bleach, etc.  Research, exchanged emails and hand drawings led to the example on the right.

source:  http://www.laundryroomstorageideas.com/blog/

https://www.thriftydecorchick.com/2017/07/the-power-of-paint.html

There had to be some savings done.  I decided we would give her stuff for the project for her birthday last year.  Christmas gift included a retractable drying unit.  Besides waiting for finances, there was the bike accident.  Vacations, birthday parties, kids activities, well, just life in general.  

Finally on Tuesday afternoon the destruction began.  That is Hubby pulling down the braces for the fairly useless shelf that was installed by the builder.  Note Lila in the window and DJ standing behind her Grandpa.  Just like me DJ loves this guy.  By the time the destruct was done DJ was needing some rest.  Lila did a cat scan of the work.  

There was at least an hour of time cussing and discussing exactly how we would make the shelf work.  The reality of on site projects are always a bit different than the vision.  This shelf will extend from wall to wall.  Openings at the ends will be used for the litter box and either the laundry cart or recycling depending on what DIL wants.  Measurements and re-measurements for the shelf supports were made.  One support was installed for the shelf.  We are old and were ready to go home and sit in comfortable chairs.

Wednesday brought more discussions.  And walking around DJ and Lila.   Also, moving the cat dish to a location DJ could not get to it cause she will eat everything.  There was a litter box to keep from being a DJ snack, uck.  I had planned to paint but the paint was not available.  I had forgotten to bring the level so I took DJ with me to get the level from our place.  This gave Hubby time to make more measurements and make a template for the door we will eventually put in the long shelf. 

DJ was intent on watching for squirrels during our drive. By the time I returned, all the supports were installed.  It was time to put all the stuff back in place cause with 5 kids there is ALWAYS laundry.  Besides, Oldest Grandson had a lacrosse game we all needed to go see.  Our grandson's team won!   

Thursday started with a trip to Home Depot to get additional supplies to put the shelf together.  Paint was matched and purchased.  Some stain was selected as well as the varnish for finishing the long shelf.  We grabbed some Starbucks and headed to Son's place.  First up was the installation of the wall cabinet.  More measurements to locate studs.  Hubby pre-drilled holes in the back of the cabinet for attaching to the wall.  Together we were able to get the cabinet lifted onto a sawhorse.  We made the final lift and I held it in place while hubby installed two screws.  That was enough to hold the cabinet in place for him to install the remaining screws. 

Hubby headed for the garage to begin the assembly of the long shelf.  The shelf is being made from 6 ft. by 12 inch pine boards.  The span to cover is about 104 inches by 35 inches.  Boards are being doweled, glued, cleated and mounted together.  So lots of measuring, cutting and thinking to make sure all is going in the correct location.  Meanwhile I was working on painting along edges and small areas a roller would not fit.

About when it was time for some food I realized the roller had no pads.  I was just certain we had roller pads in that container.  Oh, well.  Two good reasons to get Hubby to stop and rest.  Over night he had awoke with severe cramps in his thigh.  Had to put a heating pad on it for him to get relief.  Picked a fast food restaurant that was next to Home Depot.  Sitting down surely felt good.  After eating we headed for Home Depot.  Hubby chose to stay in the car while I purchased the roller cover.  

The roller unit we use has a built in paint storage in the handle.  Just squeeze the handle and more paint feeds into the roller.  This requires a special roller cover that has holes.  Hubby had purchased this from Home Depot about 15 years ago.  Home Depot no longer carries the unit nor the perforated covers.  Just fine give me that unit that has the roller, cover and extension tube.  I just want to get this painting done.

It was the end of day three.  Another day and all the painting will be done.  The long shelf assembly will be complete.  Before we Thursday tonight the washer and dryer were put back in their permanent place.  Kitty litter box, food and water were put in her reach.  Home surely felt good that night.

February 3, 2019

The month of February brings slightly longer days though temperatures promise to remain cool.  Now by Texas standards the temps are cold some days.  By standards of others further north the temps are down right balmy.  It is 70 F, 21 C today.  The forecasts says it might get as low as 40 F on Thursday night.  Those temperatures make my daily walks pleasant enough.  Here are some views from my walks and activities over the last few days.

Eye exams followed by shopping with Hubby and DJ the granddog.  

Actually the next day I did not go walking, I sat in my chair.  I had on my Hot Sox, socks I can heat.  And when the feet are aching they surely feel good.  Real good.

Rain, some snow flakes, more rain, cold and finely a break in the weather.  An opportunity to get out and snap a few photos. 

That's all for now.  Hope all is going well for those who visit.