March? Already 10 days in?

I seem to be reduced to a once a month posting of late.  I'm not sure what I'm doing that's keeping me so busy, but I need to blog more often or I'll forget to record things!

George has had two obedience classes and seems to be doing pretty well!  He definitely has "sit" down, he's about 50% on "focus-look at me", about 30% on "leave it!", 10% on "come" and 0 at "drop it".  His breed is not really known for following directions, yorkies are more of a "I'm the boss" protective breed.  He's very smart and very good-and he knows exactly what the bark collar means and doesn't make a peep when it's around his neck.

It's all darling daughter number 2's fault that I bought new jeans and shoes.  I had a return of hers to make at Target and got sidetracked by a big "sale" sign.  I'd been wanting to try on skinny jeans and see what I looked like in them-I'm not tall enough to automatically carry them off, and I'm not short enough to look "cute".  But, the Levi's style I tried on looked pretty good, I thought.  Of course, seeing all the posters of models wearing skinny jeans with wedges and heels meant I had to get shoes for the pants, so I thought I'd look there before going off to DSW where serious damage can be done at any given visit.  And, lo, to my surprise (and I bet you thought I was going to type "lo, these hundred years"-thank you, Old King Cole) there was the cutest pair of taupe pumps in my size and on sale!  Of course, they are 5 and a half inch heels, but what's a little height between friends?  So, I bought them and since I worked on Friday and it's casual day, I wore my new pants and shoes.  And wow-were there a lot of people I could look at eye-to-eye! Have I complained recently about being vertically challenged?  I loved the platforms of the '60s and early '70s because I could be tall.  Well, a lot of people seemed to be surprised that I could pull together "that look"-but what do they know?  WE know that inside every 60+ year old woman is the 25+ year old hottie that she once was, and that sometimes we can flaunt it all over again......

The floor goes well.  We have finished the first part of the base board work, and after a lovely trip to Home Depot with the top down on Miss Lucy, we have stained the quarter round that goes along the flooring in front of the base boards.  We will start attaching it during the week. I do have to say, though, I'm a little surprised at how uneven ALL the walls are and that we did some pretty creative nailing to make it work.

I'll try and post some pictures next week.

Catching Up

I am taking a little time to catch up as I get used to my new (to me) laptop that I got as a birthday present.  I am back to a Dell, with a LARGE screen (great for Dr Who reruns) and a very nice keyboard.  I will not be able to upload pictures until I find the disc with the program in the camera box, but I can fill in a few new things going on.

We have finished the main area of the flooring downstairs in the newly named "pearl room".  I trimmed the under-layer excess off and even without baseboard molding it looks pretty darn cool.  We will finish the cedar closet this week, and price the molding at good old Home Depot.....

George is coming along.  He still has a few barking issues and following directions difficulty, but we will be starting some training soon and I hope that will make it easier for Lou to live with him.

Lillian is plugging away on her dissertation.  The wedding date has been set for October, and we are organizing the millions of details that go into making a perfect day.  My new dress form arrived today and
George is freaked out by the box, I think he thinks the picture on the front is a person.  I will set it up once he calms down and see how she looks.  She hasn't given me a clue as to her name yet, but I think we'll have to work together a bit for that to happen.

Sarah arrived in China minus one bag.  It was finally found 24 hours or so later, and one of the wheels is broken.  Big sister is taking a major role in dealing with claims resolution while Sarah gets the last appointments out of the way prior to beginning her teaching.

My fabric arrived from Australia for the first block in the new Bee Balm online quilting bee.  Lizzie has chosen some beautiful fabrics and a variation of the nine patch.  I'm hoping to finish the blocks tomorrow evening or so, and get them back on their way to Australia after that.  I'm also starting the next section on the afghan that will be Lillian and Jack's chuppah-it's coming along beautifully!

Pictures to be posted soon-I can still upload on the Mac and then send them out.....

Happy President's Day to all in the US, happy Family Day to those in Canada, and just happy Monday to everyone else.

The new year

The new year is underway and lots of exciting things are going on around our neck of the woods.

The stained, smelly rug was finally removed from the blue room downstairs and Lou and I learned to use a heat gun to remove vinyl tiles (thanks, Big Lou!).  We had the walls washed after he did some spackling and sanding, and had a wonderful painter, Carlos, do the room and the stairwell.  He did a fantastic job of priming and painting, and spackling and sanding the areas he didn't feel we did well enough..... the room will now be known as the pearl room because the wall coloring is Pearl Drop (Behr from Home Depot).  Today we looked at flooring options and will make a decision very soon and get that put down.  Then molding, then the furniture returns from its vacation on the patio under the deck.  It will probably be very happy to move back in.

Wedding plans for daughter #1 are proceeding along.  The save the date cards will go out this week.  We've talked about clothing options for the guys, the attendants' dress style and color is picked, DD1 played with trying on dresses at David's Bridal and all I can say is that I will probably not be wearing makeup the day of the wedding because she was so beautiful in the trying on stage, without hair or makeup done, that when her day really is here, I will most likely be crying most of the day.  We're making lists and have lots of friends who are offering help and will be figuring out what they'll be doing as we move along.

DD2 will be getting a new computer before she leaves for China in February.  She applied for and was accepted into a program to teach English and a course of her choosing at Beijinj Normal University for six months.  What an adventure.  She'll get to use the Mandarin she's been learning for a year or so, she'll get to sightsee and travel, and hopefully she'll be able to come home through London and visit her friends there for a bit.  She'll be back in time to help with the final count down to the wedding and that will be a big help to me.

I am part of an online quilting bee starting in February.  The Bee Balm has been around for a few years, the membership changes a little each time, but it's a wonderful worldwide group of women who have come to know each other and enjoy our shared love of sewing.  Thanks to Beebee in Louisiana for taking over the current organization, and Liz in Australia for updating the site.  I'm looking forward to sewing again, in a sewing space, in the newly redone pearl room!  My block is in the summer, but I'll probably decide what it will be sooner and get it organized.  As I write, I am leaning against the wonderful quilt these ladies crafted for me last year when I was having such a difficult year between Lou's health and dealing with out of state eldercare.  The love just envelopes me every time I snuggle!

So, it's nice to be back to the blog, and hopefully it will get an updated look once all the organization of getting DD2 to China has been completed and she's on her way.  Otherwise, it will be same old-same old background, but hopefully some new musings and pictures.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!

November 1, 2012

To any who have been concerned, we are safe and fine.  Thank you for your prayers over the past weekend while Sandy ravaged our area.  We are very lucky; we did not lose power during this storm.  We had spent Friday and Saturday stocking up the wood, propane, food and other things necessary for when the power goes out.  The rain started about 1 PM on Sunday, ahead of forecast, and the winds were bad.  The winds continued to get stronger, and we were so glad we'd moved all the "moveable" stuff from the deck.  It continued to rain all of Monday and most of Tuesday.  The government shut down so Lou was home and my work follows the government so I was home, too.  The winds were around 70+ mph.  On Monday morning the rain gauge on the deck was full at 6 inches, but as it kept raining we really don't know how much came down.  Fortunately, Lou had had a "feeling" a few weeks ago and arranged for tree limbs overhanging our drive and power lines to be trimmed as the absentee landlord has done very little tree maintenance in all the years we've lived here.  We are very fortunate and know it.  Friends in New York City have not fared as well, many are still without power and not able to get places because the subway system remains partially closed.

In a different note, Saturday was a special day for me as I reached a milestone in my journey of weight loss for health improvement.  I have lost a total of 25 pounds in 11 months.  I would like to lose another 15, but am happy with where I am now and how I feel.  Not too shabby when I realized it's weight that has crept on over the 14 years we have lived here.  Previously I have lost weight at a much faster rate, but it has come back every time I "relax" my mindful eating.  This time, I'm changing my eating habits and have maintained a steady loss with very few ups and downs.  So, on to making it through the holidays!

A big thank you to all who said a prayer for my friend in LA who was recently hospitalized.  I'm pleased to let you know she's out!  Hopefully, the new meds will keep things under control and there won't be any more hospital trips.

So, I can blame it on Lou....  we needed to get him a covered wastebasket for his "office" as George was getting into the garbage can and throwing the stuff around.  So Sarah and I went to B3 today, and little did we know we walked right past the trash cans and into the store.  By the time we finally made our way back to the trash cans, we'd scored some really cool stuff: new sheets for Sarah's bed, lots of Chanukah stuff and hair and skin supplies cheaper than CVS.  Best part-using our coupons.  The cashier said to give her any $5 ones I had, and she clicked away while the total went down.  Grand total discount: (drum roll, cymbals, any noise maker) $45 off the total purchase.  Yet, neat stuff and a huge discount, my kind of shopping!

Time to tak George on his post wet food walk.  Have a wonderful evening, all.

Life in Md

I feel  like I have been avoiding my blog for a long time.  Actually, I have been avoiding everyones' blogs for a long time.  I have not been at the computer to go blogging in ages.  Part of it is George.  For a little guy, he's pretty demanding-which is our fault anyway.  When we got him, the backyard fencing was not Yorkie proofed; there were areas he could get out under the fencing.  It took us a while to get to Home Depot  to get deterrent materials, and in that time he because accustomed to lots of walks.  So, now rather than open the side door and let him out, I have to take him on walks.  It's okay but it really can disrupt my computer time.

I also feel like I haven't had much to share as I have been feeling like I go to work, come home, deal with George, or to bed, get up and start over again.  But that's not really true, I have a lot to share!

Lilli came in for a while after her field trip in Canada and we made the progress we needed to on the wedding.  We have a date, we have a place, and we have a party!  All else will work itself out now.  The date setting has been a major item and now it's clear:  Jack and Lilli ARE getting married, it's going to happen in 2013, and we're going to have a blast.  Of course, we have already touched on Family Fun Day aspects:  the minor theme running through this is Dr. Who, and some of the family will definitely have a problem with that.  Oh well..... I guess they don't have to come if they don't want to, right?  The "save the date" cards are at the proof stage, and will be printed and mailed out shortly.  At present, the list is 30 or so over what the party venue will seat, but that includes people we know won't be able to come.

I hit a landmark at WW this week reaching a 25 pound weight loss.  It feels good, my blood pressure is normal and continues to be, and I'm hoping that a few more pounds can find someone else's hips to adorn.  I'm sure all the walking of George has helped, but I like to think it's because I've made some new habits of healthier eating.

So, in a nutshell not much else is happening.  We're all set in case the "Frankenstorm" hits (well, when the storm hits) with wood, food, batteries, and everything else we need when the power goes out.  the Powers That Be are also taking this pretty seriously, schools have already been cancelled, trains up the northeast corridor and planes have been cancelled.  Sandy promises to be major-if it is, I won't be back on for a while.

Please send a prayer off to my friend Beebee who is having some problems with platelets at the moment and is hospitalized.  She needs to get back to her family, and any prayers can help!

Where have I been?

I'm not sure why, but I have been going through a period of avoiding my computer.  (Maybe because Sarah was using it?) So, I decided today to write a little bit about the last few weeks.

George is doing really well!  We have had two little accidents and two marking instances-not bad for three weeks.  The vet thinks the marking will stop once he is neutered, and that will happen in the next month.  His coat is starting to shine a bit from the wet food, and he's listening much better.  He's a lot of fun to have around and I'm definitely walking more since he's come into our lives.

Progress continues on the blue room.  Today I organized space in the yellow room for blue room transfers; then emptied the bookcase of my craft books.  Tomorrow I'll pack up the stuff on the top of the bookcase and then move the bookcase out.  It's a very cool bookcase that used to be in my uncle's medical office-two little drawers at the bottom, and double glass doors on the front.  It stands about five feet high, and it's probably older than I am.  Lou spent time going through the VHS tapes deciding what needed donating, what was garbage and what we would keep.  We took about an hour and a half and made good progress.  I still think we can meet my goal of finishing the room by the end of September, but I may be optimistic....

Work goes well and I will be assuming some interim duties while interviews for a new senior accountant are conducted.  It should be fun, it's always nice to learn new things whether at work or at play.

Sarah got me involved in this daily diary site online, I was really good for about a week, and then realized that I'm basically writing the same, really boring things day after day.... I think I'm probably unsubscribe pretty soon.

Oh-George is here to play, so I've got to go.

To the rescue

I guess there are just times "you can't say no".  Though we have been talking about greyhound rescue for a while now in terms of getting a dog back into our lives and home, we really had decided to wait a while we got the house in some order.  

Well, that idea flew out the window this week.  A friend at work heard of a yorkie puppy that was in a bad situation-mainly he was being fed and brushed occasionally, but not played with or really groomed.  So she asked if we would be willing to take him.  I really hadn't wanted a dog that little, but once I saw his picture, I knew we had to save him.  I mean, look at this cutie pie, even when you consider that he's been shaved in the recent past, and the hair that has grown back in was matted in numerous places.  So, today my friend picked him up and I met her to get him.  Part of the sadness is that the two adults in his short life (8 months) have always called him by two different names:  Taco and Dutch.  Being English, we decided "George" was a good name for him.  So, we are in the process of getting him to realize his new name.


He's had a bath, and I cut the worst matted hair off.  Tomorrow morning we'll go to the vet for a well-puppy check up.  Tonight, Sarah is going out with her friend Sara to buy the essentials for tonight:  a harness, new leash and bed.  He already knows "sit" and will go to the door when he wants to go out.  He has Sarah wrapped around his little paw already.