Day After Tomorrow

 And I am still not excited!

I think once we get there, I will be....but there is too much worry on my mind.

Mostly about Bella. 

I trust the person who is watching the dogs and the house. But OF COURSE after no rain and talk about no more rain - it is supposed to rain Sunday.....(both here and there!!)

But also about Covid and crowds etc.

I have been seeing and hearing lots about crowd control and I dont think I am too worried about most of that. Some of it is the unknown - the bus issue for one - and the pool. But mostly the airports!

Husband has still not made his mind up about playing golf. No worries for me. I just dont want him to decide not to - and then spend the time wishing he had! But he needs to make up his mind so he can pack a few things for that!

But then after we come home we get to see some friends of ours who moved to Panama - and then a week? after that we go on our first camping trip of the year.

Gotta remember to charge up all our devices tomorrow....and make sure husband packed extra batteries in his carryon for the headphones.....and his hearing aides!

Hate to tell him - he chose the bigger suitcase so he gets to pack all the food supplies! neiner neiner. 

Happy Pierogie Day!

 So, the daughters and grandkids were coming yesterday for "Easter dinner". Yay!

Did all the spring cleaning - thinking it would not be too much - but of course, once you cleaned one area you find something else.....but it got done. 

Then on Thursday hubby made the pierogie filling.

And on Friday we made the pierogie dough and  let it rest while we went for our 2+ mile walk. Came back and made those darn things. He decided this year he was going to make large ones. And large ones he made. 77 of them! Had to made a 2d recipe of dough!

And granted he does do the assembly of them - I primarily just, at that point, help with making the strips of dough. But what he keeps forgetting to mention is....we made the dough, I did the dishes. We needed more dough, and then I did the dishes. I made a cake. I did the dishes. We finished the pierogies, I did the dishes. I made a 2d cake, I did the dishes. I made the frosting for one cake (the 2d one I decided I could frost the next day), I did the dishes.

I looked at him and said - you know we are going to go grab a hamburger or something for dinner because not only am I not cooking - but I am not doing any more dishes!

And this all messed up my week because we generally have this meal on Easter Sunday.....so it just messed up my time concept with having it on Saturday!

Saturday we got up and finished the last minute cleaning (vacuuming and mopping), and setting the tables.....took a shower. Passed on our short walk - Friday killed my knees. All that standing making the dough and the pierogies, plus 2 cakes, and frosting - too much standing for my knee!

And then sat and waited - and soon I got to hug my grandkids! And they tolerated the hugs - both on arrival and departure!

I have to brag about 2 of them. The oldest has his first job. And he put in to have this Saturday off but when the schedule came out he was scheduled to work. Well, he got it straightened out so he could be off. But apparently there are new managers at the grocery store he is working at - and Saturday morning he got a call - where are you? And that apparently really shook him up. But he was able to talk to the manager who called - and explained that another manager gave him the day off etc. And she did call him back and said that he was right, she was sorry but it hadnt been communicated properly, and not to worry about anything it was all taken care of.

And then his next younger brother - at the last minute his HS Water Polo coach scheduled a scrimmage day for the middle of the afternoon on Saturday. They live 114 miles away so.....

We basically told him that it was his call. And as much as he really wanted to be there (all they have been doing is practice, there have been no meets) he chose to come here. Before he left for the day I told him no matter what he had chosen we would have been ok with it - but we were very happy he chose to come to see us! And he did not whine or complain about it at all. He did find out, and share with us, that the coach had to call in 6 varsity players to play (so apparently he was not the only one not going to be there!) and they still lost....to a team they had no hopes of beating anyway.

The adults (although my oldest grandson is now 18, still not an adult yet!!! LOL) ate inside. John is an old friend who has been in our small "bubble" this past year+; he is also my oldest daughter's godfather. So we were thrilled he was able to share the meal with us.

The weather cooperated - it was slightly warmer but most importantly it was sunny and not windy (it was crazy windy on Friday - I was worried) so the kids ate outside.

They all left about 5:30ish and there were 4 tired pups in our house! The dogs came in, "snacked" and went to sleep. Got up a few hours later to go outside, and then to bed....go up this morning to go outside, and then came back in and back to sleep!!!!

We just kind of sat and vegged. I was so full from our meal that I could not face dessert until later that night.

BTW the cakes were a Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake, and a Cracker Barrel Coca Cola cake. That was for the chocolate lovers. And I was told it is good - but I am not a chocolate lover so.....My husband said that the Carrot Cake was the better one (he is the reason we have the CC!!) but he did have a 2d piece of the Coca Cola cake today.....the girls did not take enough cake home with them....I am thinking we might have to freeze some....

Today we went on our long walk and I just could not do the 2 cul de sacs but still managed 2 miles. And my knees are killing me! Took awhile for my hip to loosen up too

Lovely Day

 After hubby's chiropractor appt we made our way to "our" coastal walking path. We were supposed to go 3 miles, according to hubby, but someone pooped out early (I am not saying who it was but it wasnt me!) and we only did 2.72 miles.

Gray and overcast which made for nice weather for the walk. Sunny by the end of the walk.

Apparently the fishing is good out there today! Salmon season opens very soon!

I took a break from photos of the ocean, which I love, and instead took some dune flower photos

Last night I had an epiphany on where we could find some small jellies, and honey, for our trip. So after the walk, and out outdoor lunch watching the MHS boys set up for baseball practice, we headed to Cost Plus.

Found both of the above mentioned items - and some Jammie Dodgers, which are good - but also fell in love with 2 Adirondack rocking chairs. Which of course they did not have in stock. So a person told us how to get 15% off (sign hubby up for a Rewards Account) and then order them online to have them delivered to the store.

Unfortunately you cannot do that. You can do curbside pickup - which I could not do because the store did not have any in stock - or deliver them to the house. Which would cost us $49 for delivery (cannot double dip - could get free delivery or the 15% off, which would be $49 and $48 respectively). So called the store and they are looking into how we can do this....

Meanwhile we found out that friends of ours who moved to Panama last year are going to be back to visit people, get their vaccines, and settle up things from her father's estate, in May! That is exciting!

And just found out we already recieved our refunds from the Feds and the State! Which we were told not to expect for some time because the IRS is dealing with the mess of being handed the job of taking care of all the stimulus checks!

Oops

I was doing so well for a time there....now I have slipped back.

Probably because there really isnt a lot of "new" to talk about.

Less than 3 weeks until our trip. And I am still of two minds about it....I am sure it will be fine, especially with all the usual precautions we are taking. But still....

Plus I am worried about being away from Bella. I pray and hope that nothing worse happens with her while we are gone. Gone and so far from home.

The veggie beds are prepped. And ready to be planted. We were going to plant yesterday. But we were such piggies at lunch we just couldnt.....there was no way I was going to be able to bend over and plant things! So hopefully we will get the planting done tomorrow. At least the ground is getting a few more days of warmth!

Wasted a trip to Salinas. That Joann's button selection was about on par with the selection here at Michael's and Walmart. Which means pathetic. I did get a few things on clearance but nothing we went for.

Broke down and went to Hobby Lobby to look for front door decos. And I stupidly did buy a patriotic one and a spring one. But their prices were horrible. 

Gonna get my hair cut today!!!! YAY!!!! I guess trim might be a better word?? But it will be a major trim. I just hope I dont regret it....

Cleaning for the kids coming this Saturday. I want to know how a man who brags that he is better at cleaning than I am - can look straight at things and not see them???? Yes, I just finished scrubbing down the bathroom (gag). If a man uses the bathroom, he should be the one responsible for keeping it clean.

Gotta collect my cake recipes and make a shopping list. I am going to make the Cracker Barrel Carrot cake but also a Cracker Barrel Coca Cola chocolate cake!

We paid (I think an outrageous amount of money but my husband disagrees) for a person to come in and replace (well, I thought it was replace and to fix the plastic ground covering but apparently it was pretty much just re-cover) the bark on the front yard. And I must say it makes a HUGE difference. It looks like a brand new, newly landscaped yard! And we did nothing with the plants!

Now he is going to replace the broken concrete squares alongside the driveway. For some reason my husband cannot figure out how to fit 2 vehicles on our driveway without driving into either the side yard or the front yard. We have severely cut back plants in the front yard that is next to the driveway. And then husband had the young man who did some yard work for us dig out a section and put the concrete blocks along the side there. Well, he didnt really know what he was doing and with all the times husband drives over the blocks they are all broken. So those are going to be replaced by someone who supposedly knows what he is doing (and he better - his labor is outrageous - way overpriced, in my mind, to shovel and spread bark around the yard.)

I got some cute things at a garage sale last weekend. Husband found 2 folding chairs too.

I painted the birds on this one and plan to hang them on the front gate:

And then I found this guy - I call him The Monk

Eventually hubby wants to concrete in the side yard too. Maybe then he wont keep trying to park in the front yard?????

Gorgeous Day!

 Which means we really cannot go anywhere or do anything. Coming back from Carmel Valley the traffic heading south was unbelievable! Of course, it is Saturday and sunny and warm! All the tourists are hear.

Went to 3 garage sales today. The first one I found a mini iron, for $5! I have been wanting one that size! And also got 2 sets of brand new in the packaging hankies; husband got some plant stakes.

The next one - nothing.

So the last one was in Carmel Valley and on the way there we stopped at the nursery. Got 2 tomato plants - one is a heirloom tomato called "Hillbilly Potato Leaf"! Some cucumbers, a zuchinni. Carrot seeds and radish seeds. I bought some coleus and planted them in the planter pot we bought last week. Also got a rosebush. Have been wanting a Mr. Lincoln but they are apparently very popular - you cant find them anywhere! So we bought one as an homage to both our mothers - it is called Mustard & Catsup rose! Yellow and red flowers!!!

Apparently I have been calling it by the wrong name today:

Then we went to the last one and it was rather serendipitous.

When we moved down here,  we brought 2 very nice area rugs. But after a year, husband decided he was tired of them taking up space. So he got rid of them.

Today he said - you know, we should get a rug for the living room to make it easier for Bella to get  up from laying down/sitting down. Of course I had to say - oh you mean, like the ones we got rid of?

So we were talking about where to look for a rug that wouldnt be outrageous. Drove up to the garage sale and they had a new rug, never used! About the size we wanted. Not a good color - nothing we would want to keep for long term (which we werent) - $8!!!!!

Got the coleus planted. Got the rest of the bird netting put on the raised beds. We were going to finish prepping the beds, and plant the rose but we both pooped out! 

Happy First Day of Spring or The Day Hubby Tried to Kill Me

 Garage sales were slim today.

Went to one and bought a new little clip on fan for the trailer, to replace the one that died when our AC was not working.

Then at the second place, we realized we had been there before. His prices are a little high but we found a few things we liked. Some jewelry that I will use on FFO pieces, a planter, and a chime. Price came to $32 and all husband has was $30. So, fo you think the guy would take the $30 and call it a deal? Bwahaha.....husband went to get the car, where I had left my purse. And the guy stood next to me and waited for hubby to drive up and for me to give him the $2!!!!!!

Then we decided to go on our 1 mile flat walk.....

This is where he just about killed m. My toe felt fine. My foot was, well, it was ok.....but I hit the wall, stopped and saud I was done. Sat and rested on the way back. And hubby did offer to go get the car for me. Got to the car and we had walked over  3.25 miles!!!!!!!! No wonder I was done!

Here are some random photos from the garden to celebrate Spring!

The Day After The Day After!

 LOL - that just made me laugh so I had to use it as a title!

Watched The Quiet Man last night....grilled cheese sandwich for dinner - but at least we had Wayne and O'Hara for a traditional St Patrick's Day!

Slept like a baby last night.

Woke up rested and feeling fine!
As did husband. Says his arm isnt even hurting. So glad to be "recovered"! Daughter asked my on FB why that was in quotation marks. Said because we werent actually sick, recovered isnt really the correct word to use...but best I could think of!

Tis a nice soft day here at the homestead. Soft beneficial rain falling....slightly warmer than it has been and NO WIND!

Made our monthly journey to Walmart and actually got almost everything on our list! Granted, it was a short list but still....

Made the soda bread....the corned beef is in the crockpot.....potatoes and carrots ready to go in....cabbage ready to be steamed. And I am hoping that the bread tastes as good as it smells and looks!