Watcha doing today?

[Jeepers]

For some reason the squatter issue has been recommended to me on YouTube a lot lately. So I've been made more aware of it. One woman was murdered and one woman was arrested in her own home when a squatter call the police on her after he broke her door down. It was all recorded. There is something called 'squatters rights' now. If they can show they have been in a home for 30 days then something or another. I can't remember the details. But...its getting more and more common. 

 

I have two people watching my house in Indy. One who always speaks to me when she walks by said she would keep an eye out for strangers. Another family lives across the street and up one house, went to school with DIL and he has her number and said he'd watch for anything suspicious and would call her. They are the ones I let park in my driveway when I'm not there. And now that spring is here, son's will be over there mowing. At least it's in the country so there isn't a lot of foot traffic wandering by. 

 

My sleep is getting much better. The ambien (Zolpidem) is working. Regardless of when I take it, I sleep about 8-9 hours straight and wake up refreshed. It's a good deep sleep. I just have to remember to take it. I have to put my heart monitor on the charger 2 hours before bedtime and that has been delaying me. I have to sleep with it on. I need to start charging it earlier. I'm afraid to take the ambien earlier because I'm afraid I'll fall asleep with the monitor still on the charger. He only gave me 5mg. But said he'd gradually increase it to 10mg if need be. I have to take random drug tests.      They tested for all kinds of drugs like fentynol, heroine, PCP, cocaine and a bunch of others including marijuana and alcohol. I got a print out from the lab. The first test I was ever able to ace. All negative. 

 

 

[snapshotmiki]

Glad you had a good ride @Mt_Rider!  And yes, Aninja is our only dog right now.  Black chihuahua.

 

Good that you are home @Annarchy!

 

My daughter went with me to Church, this morning.
Walked Aninja when I got home.
Ordered a case for new phone.
Not much else happening today except TV or movies.

[Becca_Anne]

Hi all you've been busy! Glad everyone is doing ok. Spring is here and I'm out in the garden. Got my pea trellis built finally and DH put together my shelving in the basement for my grow lights. So I got all my sprouted seeds under the lights finally. Had to replant some that had gotten leggy. We had a delay since I had to re-order the clips that hold the shelves since we couldn't find them. But now they're all set up and I will be able to use them forever going forward. I have my seed potatoes so planting those today and also planting carrots, lettuce and spinach outside. We finally got the repair people to show up for our leak issue. They put a sealant on the corner of the gutter, and then replaced a downspout and sealed with another sealant the corner where that gutter had been spraying water against the house. I am very hopeful that will solve our leak. He had some good suggestions including priming the ceiling there so we can see if it is still leaking as once the ceiling is stained it's hard to tell if it's a new or old leak. So I'm doing that today and hoping we can tell with the storm forcasted for Monday if it works.

[Littlesister]

Becca Anne I hope that takes care of the problem. Glad you are able to start on the garden now.

 

Mt. Rider, glad your ride did well and hoping you will get at least 2 more in this week. 

 

Annarchy, glad you and your MIL made it back home safe and sound. Leaving a day early to avoid that storm was a good idea.  

 

I have been going through more things and trying to figure a few things out for better organization.  Other than that, not much going on. My wood racks came in but with the rain I haven't been able to get them put together yet. GS will be off tomorrow I think so he will help with that. Today it was too cold to get the racks put together and I have one old one I need to paint. Hopefully tomorrow will be warmer. Haven't checked a weather report yet. 

[Mt_Rider]

Um....it's SNOWING again.  Got the driveway alllllllll cleared and melted.  Not dry, mind you.  Lots of snow mountains lining the driveway.  Nearly a tunnel in some places.  ....well, they are high anyway.  Taller than me.  Gonna have to find my MIA snowplow guy...cuz it's hard to find a new one, especially in a year like this.  Especially with an odd/difficult driveway like ours.  Especially since ramming snow with a plow blade requires some speed...and knowing where the edges are. 

 

DH's heart issues have settled down and he goes back to work with a nearby client Mon/Tues.  He'll only be able to do what he can.  Can't set it off again.  Hopefully this snow won't get too bad....deep.  We've got a couple inches at this point.  But we're in the zone that could get more. 

 

Envy your    planting and such already, BeccaAnne!  Oye!  We're in the snowfall of the decade and you're already planting.  Well, that's the Rocky Mts.    Hope you have good luck this year and can get chickens safely barricaded.  

 

for Annarchy's household.  It's a tighter squeeze and different schedules but pray that it will be a precious time. 

 

Glad you aced that test, Jeepers!    I think most of us would ace that one!  I hope!!

 

Put the rest of life-from-where-I-sit in the Blue Couch. 

 

MtRider ....this crazy storm is all over the place.  Hard to anticipate how much snow we'll get.     

[Becca_Anne]

Thanks Mt Rider we don't have any chickens anymore because I was down to 2 and didn't want to lose any more so gave them to the local 4H leader who has a free range flock with a solid coop. I didn't think I could secure the coop properly before winter and didn't want to get more birds until I did knowing they wouldn't make it. Hard to give it up but not the time to add more to my plate. Maybe someday. So for now focused on the garden and will add more fruit and nut trees. I hope it stops snowing there soon!

 

Littlesister you're going to have a very tidy woodpile when you're done with those racks. Glad you have a way to keep that off the ground now. 

 

I ordered a timer for my grow lights so I don't have to go in the basement except to check on the seedlings and water them. 

[Littlesister]

Mt. Rider, glad your DH is doing better.   Be careful with all that snow. You have really had your share of it this winter.

 

Becca Anne, hope you can get something going maybe in a year that will keep chickens safe. And you can start again. I still want to set something up also but to much going on right now. 

 

Working on my bedroom closet again. And more interruptions coming. But it is about emptied except for clothes that are hanging up. Need to go through a lot of those and get rid of them. Downsizing does mean clothes as well. So, I don't need all that is in that closet, and I don't wear half of them. Plus, a lot of them are too big for me now. They have to go. 

 

GD is coming over to visit with the baby tomorrow. I would rather finish up on the closet and maybe get that painted and things put away again. But I have giving up on getting things done without the interruptions. So, I guess I will just go with the flow. It will be there when I am dead and gone. So, what can I say. I'm a popular grandma.  Kids and grandkids. I think they have too much fun over here.  Need to find a couple of those car fans for GS's car. I want one for mine also. Would help keep the interior cooler when cars are not in use. Need to find a small air condition unit for my shed also. It gets way to hot in there and I want to fix it up to make better use of it other than just storage. I had somethings melt in there also. So, need to do something to fix that. Both rain barrels are full to the brim and haven't gotten any plants in the ground or in pots yet to use the water. Wondering if I should add a bit of bleach to the barrels. But then it might not be good for the plants. 

[snapshotmiki]

I took Aninja for her pedicure at the vet first thing, this morning.
Then walked myself.
Helped DH with his video appt. with VA.
Ran the kids to town for a couple of things.
Picked up my lab results from doc- 6 months results.
Did 2 loads of laundry.
That's all, folks!

 

Your planting sounds like a lot of fun and work @Becca_Anne!  

Glad your organizing is still proceeding @Littlesister!

[Littlesister]

Got the bedroom closet emptied. Now to go through all that mess. This was the closet that everything got boxed up from both bathrooms and my bedroom from the construction. It has everything you can think of in there. So, lots of organizing and weeding out of a lot of stuff. Just not sure yet what to keep and what to ditch. I have a shoe box full of glasses somewhere and it has the glasses to watch the solar eclipse with. Just can't find the shoe box right now. I think it is on top shelve of that closet. I haven't gotten the foot stool in there yet to pull that stuff down. I will do that tomorrow I hope as GD is coming over to visit tomorrow. 

 

[Jeepers]

I love boys. 

 

G-son just called me all by himself. Good thing we don't have to pay long distance phone calls now! Not sure his parents knew he was calling. Evidently I'm on a speed dial thing. Uh-oh. 

 

We talked about our favorite football teams. His is the Chiefs (super bowl) and mine is the Steelers. I think I can win him over though. We both kinda like the Bears too. 

 

Favorite basketball teams. His is the Lakers. I mentioned LeBron James which earned major grandma points. I was always a Piston and Celtic fan myself but I didn't mention that. 

 

Favorite baseball teams. We both like the Cubs. 

 

Favorite soccer teams. His is something about Barcelona. I only know Messi and Ronaldo so I'm sort of lost on that one. But assured him I'd root for which ever team he likes. He just joined a summer soccer league so he's pumped. 

 

He has a play date with Abby tomorrow (spring break). Legos and Raman noodles are planned. Abby's favorites. She sort of balances out all of his rowdy guy friends. Son said he plays differently with her. That's nice because he can really get wound up with his buds. 

 

Just thought I'd share my joy tonight.    

 

 

[Necie]

Crocheted this morning.

Wrapped soap this afternoon. I think 120 bars. Or 165. But I think 120. Five more written down on the *to make* list. No rush though on those.

Crocheted more this evening. 
 

On the way home from Mom’s yesterday, I stopped at DS2’s and picked up a couple of venison leg quarters that he had in the freezer. They’re almost thawed. I think tomorrow, I’ll make soap in the morning and work on canning the venison in the afternoon. If there’s time, I might try to squeeze in a batch of lotion. 
Nice today— 65* and sunny, but quite breezy. Tomorrow supposed to be same temp, but rain/storms and VERY breezy... they’re saying 50+mph gusts. Still no fishing 🎣— DH said maybe next week. 

 

and 

Necie

[Mt_Rider]

We snowed all day ...and all thru last nite actually too.  But it's the bitty stuff and we've gotten maybe 4".  And since the last big snow has been melting in a lot of places, this is melting quickly.  We still have snow 'mountains' all over the property.  We'll have some til June!  My great nephew on DH's side was marveling at that one summer. 

 

Had great talk with Mom this afternoon.  She called me!  Much more alert but a few things she was going on about were....not this side of reality.  I just listened and put in my input.  But so much better.  She was sitting up in her chair. 

 

Finally Fed Ex got the foot pegs to my wheelchair delivered to ......well they left the box - in a big plastic clear bag - at the bottom of the driveway.  3" of snow?  Phish!  That's nothing dude!  But I took the car and went down to put more feed/water to the ducks/goose and found it.  I also walked the dog...with some difficulty, to the end of our property and back.  She was all wet by the time we went back up to the house.  DH worked with a client 5 hrs and came home with a sore but not crazy hurt back.  He's able to adjust it and then it's much better.  He took it easy at the client's ....he's had him before and knows he can sit when he has to. 

 

So...it's been a pretty good day.  I'm thinking this snow might melt, since we've had a lot of the frost come outta the ground already.  It's still soaking in the BIG snow melting.  Wondering if we need the snow plowed this time.  Depend on when the NEXT one comes thru.   

 

Drat, was going to wash my hair today.  Didn't get to that.  Tomorrow.  Our ladies from Bible study are having a brunch on Wed.  Before that for sure!  Been a long couple of weeks!  Everyone will have stories to tell of deep snow and complications.  One had her house catch fire but got it put out.  Sheesh! 

 

MtRider   ...gotta do Hawaiian and then bed. 

[snapshotmiki]

I'm so happy you had a good talk with your mom @Mt_Rider!  

And you had a good talk with your GS @Jeepers!

 

It's been raining so will walk, shortly.
Walk Aninja.
Call VA.
Taking family to lunch at Chinese buffet as GS will be leaving tomorrow.

[Jeepers]

Miki, it sounds like you are having a great time with your family too! 

[Littlesister]

Mt. Rider, Glad you were able to have a nice chat with your mom. I know that means a lot when the two of you are able to talk even if it is by phone. 

 

Jeepers, Glad you had a good time talking with GS. Enjoy those moments together. Kids grow up to fast. 

 

Miki, Glad you are having a good time with family. 

 

GD came over today for a visit. They are looking for a house to buy. They want to be closer to me, so are looking around in Suffolk. They are going to look at a house this weekend. It looks really nice.  The baby is about to have a couple of teeth break through. You can barely see them just under the gum line. She's growing so fast. When she sees my GS, she starts crying because he doesn't talk to anyone when he first wakes up. Yep, she was upset about him not paying attention to her. Plus, she's going through a phase where if it's men she's not sure of them. She does this with her dad's father now. And he sees her a lot. 

GD is looking for another job. Seems others in the job she got laid off from are also getting laid off now. They did away with her job in that company. So, more people are starting to get laid off now. Hoping this job will also be working from home since she is still nursing. 

 

Didn't get much done in closet today but tomorrow is another day. Going to start going through stuff and get rid of it. 

[Necie]

Crocheted this morning.

Made soap— a batch of Peppermint and a batch of Apple Cinnamon.

Made a batch of Lavender lotion.

Cut up venison. Well, I cut it off the bones/trimmed and DH cut it into chunks/trimmed. Have 2 big bowls full in the garage fridge.

 

Tomorrow will cut soap, make more soap, make another batch of lotion, and can venison.

[Littlesister]

Necie, sounds like you have had a busy day and tomorrow is going to be just a busy. But everything you are doing sounds like fun, even if it is work.

[Mt_Rider]

Hope your grands find good employment, LittleSister. 

 

Necie, do you use essential oils for your soaps - peppermint...apple cinnamon.

 

It snowed again most of today.  But it really isn't accumulating.  Warmer now.  DH came home today very much in pain from back.  Next week he's going to split the days he works with client so it's not two days in a row.  Better for client - dishes don't stack up as much.  One day is always the ride on the disability bus which wrecks his back with such stiff suspension.   

 

Fortunately I'm doing pretty well - as opposed to this time last year.  So I go down for ducks/goose and walk dog.  Everywhere is MUD or Snow.  No forest fires in this season.   

 

Mom had another adventure.....  see in   

 

Talked to life-long friend for 2-3 hrs today on the End of Times.  Her novacaine from dental work was wearing off so we had to hang up.   

 

Pretty good day.

MtRider 

[Littlesister]

Working inside house today. The weather is cold and damp feeling. Pollen is bad and doesn't help my cough. DD texted me and wanted to know if I started my garden. NO! and at the rate I am going there isn't going to be one. I have not had the chance to plant any seedlings nor get the main garden tilled or the raised beds set up. The flower beds need weeding and mulching before I can set up the area for the pots of herbs and tomatoes. My GD is moving here near me giving me even less time to get anything done. GS is not doing what he needs to be doing now to get into the Coast Guard. If he doesn't get in, he's out on the street. He won't save money and is aways wanting me to do door dash. I am not doing that. I'm tired and no one in this family is doing anything to help me but want me to constantly do for them. I am sure I will be babysitting again when they move so they can get the house they are trying to buy set up and then GD's getting another job and I will be back to babysitting 5 days a week. So, I am in a stuck in the middle situation. My DD never ask me if I have started my garden before, so not sure why this year. Unless she is planning on me supplying her with food. I have a bad knee and can't get into orthopedic till end of April. 

So, I am just going to finish up in the house and use Evens Farm for what I need. I can get enough to can squash, green beans, butter beans, tomatoes and get fresh eggs as well. Not sure of everything they have till I go there. 

I love my kids, but I am at the age they should be helping me and not me doing for them every time they want something.  I know times are hard for all of them right now, but I need their help as well as they need mine.  My GD wanted me to help her with a garden at her house, but who is going to help me with my garden. 

OK I am done with my rant.  I just think I am getting tired and overwhelmed from grandchildren and their wants. 

[snapshotmiki]

I wish your GS would do what he needs to, for your sake @Littlesister!

I hope your DH's back straightens out soon, @Mt_Rider!

 

Already walked.
Took kids to local dollar type store.
Next will work on ebay books.
Walk Aninja.
Take GS to train station.
Call VA for DH.
Relaxing day!

[Littlesister]

Mt. Rider, hoping your DH's back will straighten out so he can work easier. 

 

Miki, GS has a new girlfriend that he got off of snap chat. (Don't ask). He has yet to have met her but stays on phone with her during all his waking hours. I have seen her on his phone as they do that seeing each other on the phones. If I get near where he is sitting, she can see me also. His demeaner has changed with this girl. Drinking a lot to the point of vomiting.  If he doesn't get into the Coast Guard within the next couple of months, I am packing him up and moving him out. I need to sit him down and have a talk with him again, but he has to get off the phone with this girl for me to do that. 

 

I was going to get GS to spray paint the older small wood rack, but it started raining. I didn't think it was going to rain today, just be colder. Been working on my bedroom closet all day. Trying to be careful not to turn my knee the wrong way. Did that last night and the pain was not good. Just taking it slow and trying to be careful with the knee. 

 

GS just got up about 40 minutes ago and said he had a doctors appt. I asked what time, and he said there is no time to just go in and sign in. It's the free clinic so I don't know how that works. Don't know if that is the truth or not as with the new girlfriend, he started back lying to me again about things. I need to nip this in the bud and fast. He was drunk last night and came in to go to bathroom and woke me up twice. He was loud to a point I was ready to throw him out on his butt. This has gone on now for 3 days. 

 

But on the other hand, I have emptied several boxes from closet and going through a lot of stuff. Refilling the boxes for Goodwill. Then I need to go through all my clothes that are hanging in the closet. Getting rid of well over half of them. That should clear the closet out to almost empty.  I would love to put in one of those closet organizers but don't think I could do it. Would have to hire someone for that. 

[Jeepers]

Littlesister, it could be true.  When I was living in the hotel I went to the clinic that was right down the street from me. It is in my medical system and certainly not free but I didn't have to have an appointment. It was just walk in if you didn't want an appointment. It was so fast and easy. I went there for bronchitis and UTI's. And then there was that incident with the perforated eardrum.  

 

I ran errands today. I had forgotten that I had my eyes tested last year at Wal-Mart so I ran in there to get the receipt for my taxes. It's only $80.00 but I'm going to need all the help I can get this year. H R Block is still making appointments for me that I didn't approve. That's about 6 now. Now I'm waiting for another week just because I can. That'll learn em.   it's becoming irritating.  I'm going to have to pay out the wazoo this year so I'm in no hurry. 

 

I couldn't believe how busy the stores were. I went to Costco to get DIL a gift card and couldn't hardly get in the door. The plan is for her to use it for food. Then to Target to get G-son a gift card. It was a mad house. I won't shop Target but he loves it so....

 

Then to Wal-Mart. It was packed too. I didn't get it. Then I figured out it must be because of Easter? 

 

I forgot to take my phone. I don't care about missed calls but my shopping list was in it. I remembered everything except pickled beets. Not bad considering my memory. But I walked every aisle searching.

 

I hate to say anything because I'm not sure but, I think the new blood pressure pill is working. Not sure yet but the last two times I was able to do all of my shopping without sitting down and feeling like I'm going to pass out. I was even able to carry everything in from the Jeep at one time today. All that carrying in and putting everything away and my BP was 150/90.  I was huffing and puffing but that's a huge difference for me. Maybe there is hope yet. 

 

I did a little stocking up. The solar eclipse will be right over my house. I'm not concerned so much with that but they have warned us about a lot of extra people coming in from all over to view it. I don't plan to be out and about next weekend+. My town doesn't have any hotels so it probably won't be too bad around here but I'm just erring on the side of caution. 

 

I donated a big TV and a sound bar to the Salvation Army today. I was glad to get them out of here. I don't want a TV here and I already bought one for the other house. I can't think of the name if it but it has a bunch of channels already built in.  I got a Super Box for it so I'm not getting cable out there. All I want to order is Brit Box for $100.00 a year. Guilty pleasure.  

 

You might want to stock up on sugar. The prices have been going sky high lately. Then that accident with the Key bridge.   One of the major sugar refineries is located there so there could be a backlog in shipping. I bought 40 pounds today BUT I only had a couple of pounds here at the house and I plan to can pie filling and pickled beets this summer so I'll use it. And I just bought a sweet tea maker. 

 

I wanted to go to JoAnn fabrics but it was too far out of my way. I need something to make some curtain tie backs. Some sort of ribbon stuff I guess. Maybe tomorrow. I'm tard. 

[Necie]

21 hours ago, Mt_Rider said:

 

Necie, do you use essential oils for your soaps - peppermint...apple cinnamon.

I use both essential oils and fragrance oils. The peppermint soap and lavender lotion are both with essential oils. The Apple Cinnamon soap is a fragrance oil. I prefer fragrance oils... essential oils give me a headache. 🤕 But doesn’t matter what I like or not... gotta make what sells. 

 

Crocheted this morning.

Made a double batch of Oatmeal Milk & Honey soap and a batch of Lilac lotion.

Canned 10 qts of venison and 4 qts of northern beans.

[kappydell]

Hi ladies from Chainsaw Mart & Crooked Kappy!  We have been working along, in between pop-up (surprise!) rainstorms, doctors appointments, vet visits, and the like, to get our garden going,  WE HAVE BABY DUCKS!  5 of them.  Just because they are so dadgum adorable.  Our friend from Germany is already looking forward to duck eggs...

 

We have been delivering chicken eggs to the food pantry for the last month now...10 to 12 dozen at a crack.  'You'd have thought we brought them gold.  They save them for families with children which suits us fine.  We are starting to discuss getting more chickens so we can increase our deliveries.  Our tax preparer says we can deduct fair market value for the eggs plus our delivery mileage, so I am keeping careful notes.  Delivered kale to my doctor too.  We moved out the winter kale to prepare garden beds.  I'm dehydrating oodles of it too.  The healthy foods are getting expensive faster than the junk food!

 

Canned up 2 canner loads of chicken in broth for chicken sandwiches. Mary loves them.  We had put quite a dent in our supply so I had to do more,  I suggested we try canning up meatballs in tomato juice, so I will be doing a taste-test load this week.  If they are tasty (I see no reason they wont be, though I have not done them in years) I will do a couple dozen jars for our emergency pantry as well.  The who knows...sloppy Joe fillng?  Spaghetti sauce?  Beanie Weenies?  Hmmmm....

I don't know if I mentioned it before but with our tax return, we got another small freezer.  With prices going crazy we are trying to plan ahead.  

 

I am no longer going to PT.  We are saving those allowed hours for the nest round of surgeries...to fix my hand so I can use it again.  Scheduled for X-rays on my  shoulder, and hand, so the docs can put their heads together to figure out the cause fo0r loss of function.  Is it in the neck?  My old shoulder separation?  Car[pal  tunnel phase two? Arthritis?  I just hope it is fixable.  Working one- handed is so frustrating!  And there is so much I just cant do at all anymore.  I'm still trying to adjust

to the changes.  

 

We are getting ready for Easter.   We have a very busy week in the choir.  Thurs will be 2 hours of singing in English, Latin and Greek.  Friday will be long, too, then Saturday night when we do all the adult baptisms, blessing of sacred candles & holy Water...and that gets long too.  Easter winds it up.  Its no wonder choir members do not volunteer very often.. its a fair amount of work.  (I love it though.)  

 

Mary & I were just talking today about how we didnt mind turning 40, 50, 60...but 70 is kind of daunting.  We cant say we are middle aged anymore.  Like I said...daunting.  Maybe its time to get cracking on our bucket lists, LOL.  Or maybe just go fishing.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 28 by kappydell

[Ambergris]

If stretching your neck like a turtle (or a ballerina) several times a day for several days doesn't make a difference, it is likely not your neck.

 

Around here, the egg yolk is "the gold" of it, and a double yolk is "a double gold."  I bet the people are as every bit as grateful as they seem.