Blustery Thursday

[Colliemom]

Morning from tbe 45th. Sunny, 34° With a wind advisory going into effect at 10. 25-30 mph with gusts over 40. Definitely a hang on to your hat day.

Not doing anything outside today. Rain and storms yesterday didn’t materialize here other than a occasional quick passing showers yesterday afternoon and evening. . So finished cleaning up the area the fence was extended into. Still a few places to cut roots sticking up a bit, so dogs don’t hurt their paws. Otherwise nature is at work now, as that area and the woods beyond are part of the forestry mulching that was done last fall. What she has planned is unknown to me.

Shirl, I hear ya on the Solar lamp and sleeping. I had one outside my bedroom window all last summer and it threw out quite a bit of light. It was down nesr ground level and eventually I just adjusted to it. Was only when I had my window open during the warm nights otherwise, I have room darkening curtains on the windows. New neighbors across the road keep the decorative yard light by the garage road on at night and it throws a lot of light My way. Old neighbors never bothered with it.

Barbie, you have discovered the secret to my keeping busy all the time. Getting things done while weather permits. Making hay while the sun shines as the saying goes.

Bit of house cleaning this morning and then off to the store later. So you all have a great day out there and Stay safe.

[Shirlv]

Morning All, sunny and 75°for today. Yesterday hit 80°Had a fun plant shopping trip. Bought herbs and geraniums, one for me and one for #1 daughter who is having dinner on Easter Sunday. Still need a Juliet tomato plant. Came home and put plants on the balcony. Sadly the finches nest was laying on the floor. Picked up a lot of falling nest when living in the house but it didn’t seem as tragic as it does now. Two subdued finch on the railing this morning but no chatter. Hope they decide on a new location. Barbie, the cloth books made a bigger hit than the Wonky Donky book at the shower. That was ok because my book was for the older child with a note from his great grandmother. Bad storm predicted for this afternoon so need to shield the tulips. Lol Judy, look forward to following you on your travels. Take a picture of a lovely English garden for me. If you meet Monty Don, say hello for me. Sheila and Beth, I am so wishing warm sunshine for you. Martha, hope that big blob of storms on the radar missed you. Lowes probably has my tomato plant but not sure I want to race the storm. Will think on that. Be safe

[Cudedog]

Shirl, I hear ya on the Solar lamp and sleeping. I had one outside my bedroom window all last summer and it threw out quite a bit of light. It was down nesr ground level and eventually I just adjusted to it. Was only when I had my window open during the warm nights otherwise, I have room darkening curtains on the windows. New neighbors across the road keep the decorative yard light by the garage road on at night and it throws a lot of light My way. Old neighbors never bothered with it.

Morning, Sue, Shirl, and all who follow.

I hear you both on the all-night yard light! I had lived in my old Sierra foothills home for about 20 years or so with no near neighbors - I found the complete darkness at night to be soothing and a blessing for this girl who had grown up in the Big City (well, the suburbs of one, anyway). One could go out at night and actually see the stars in the sky - the planets, the constellations, and the Milky Way! It was. . . amazing.

I even recognized constellations that I had only read about in books as a child!

Then the property behind me got sold, and the new owners built a house. They put a big spotlight on their garage, and as soon as they moved in they left the dang thing on all night, every night! My bedroom, which faced the house, was now light enough for me to read a book (all night, every night!). I don't know what they were worried about - crime in the area was low to nonexistent. I finally had to put black-out curtains in my bedroom.

Bye-bye night sky!

Lowes probably has my tomato plant but not sure I want to race the storm. Will think on that. Be safe

Shirl, after doing semi-large vegetable gardens for the past two Plague Years, I had about decided not to do one this year. Your posts on here (and other gardening posts) have inspired me to change my mind.

The inflation thing helped a bit, too: I just bought a 10-oz. package of frozen zuchinni - $1.75. And climbing. Geez Louise! My garden seems to produce an abundance of the 'Zuchinni That Invaded Chicago' (or something!) there are that many of them (except for the severe aphid problem I had last year).

I think I will give it another go this year, but just stick to what does well here, and those things I like: tomatoes (I have to choose heat-tolerant varieties, it is a tad too hot here in the summer for most tomato varieties to be happy); cucumbers (I like the Ashley variety), zuchinni, butternut and maybe yellow summer squash.

I can't grow beans of any stripe here - just too dang hot (I think). The plants bloom, fruit seems to come on - and then when a blistering day comes along, the baby beans just fall off the plant.

My current decision to put in a garden this year, with the way inflation and food prices are ticking up, is beginning to look like a no-brainer. Plus, from last year, I already have weed fabric down and a drip system (with timer) in place. All I need to do is add seed and a little fertilizer, and I am good to go!

I have always liked your sign-off, Sue & Shirl. I think I'm going to steal it:

Stay safe, everyone.

Anne

[MandysMom]

Good morning friends. It's drizzly here-a whole 0.08 inches in 24 hours! Hoping for more. From 90's a week ago to low to mid 60's! We have a phone appointment at 10:30, then I get to figure out how the credit unions newly graded system works. Need just one number to call taxes done and send them off with check. That's my non too exciting plan for day.
Velda

[Acadianmom]

The line of storms blew through here about 11:00 last night. I'm glad we just got the tail end of the storms but there was a lot of thunder and lightening. The weather channel said there was a huge number of lightening strikes along I-10. Glad I wasn't in a campground. I got an inch and a half of rain. Enough to fill the pond back up. Thank goodness it isn't windy today, I've had enough of the wind.

I have solar powered, motion activated lights on the carports and around Sugar's yard so I can see what she is doing. The cats are always setting them off but my bedroom curtain is dark enough that they don't bother me.

Forty years ago I had a garden that was about 30' by 30' in the corner of the yard. By August it would get a way from me and be a mess. After I went back to work it kept getting smaller and smaller until it was about 4' by 16' inside landscape timbers. I think I miss the yellow squash the most. Every spring I look at the fruit trees and think about how much work it is to keep them alive over the winter. So far I have managed to keep from planting any more. My neighbors had some nice big orange trees and the hurricanes just about destroyed them. My dad liked to garden and he would have a big one and mother would can stuff. I'm not that ambitious.

Annie threw up in the bed last night so I'm washing a load of sheets and towels. I hate that washing machine. Any time I try to wash anything that is bulky I end up having to put the washer on drain and spin and stand there to keep rebalancing the load to keep it from filling up with water over and over.

Martha

[Shirlv]

“Finches Rock” don’t know if they are tough or stupid but Moe and Flo are rebuilding their nest in the eves of my balcony. Yes I named them since I no longer play with dolls at least not today. See several crows in the yard so they might be the evil destroyers. Did ride to Lowes for Juliet plant and they did not have any. I need to calm myself and be more patient. Now predicted temp is 86°and severe t-storms. Try to stay away from processed food but throwing caution to the wind and having hot dogs, beans and home fries.

[BirdbyBird]

Oh such exciting times and how we spend out days. Yesterday, as I think I mentioned I took a deep breath and loaded up multiple baskets and piles of laundry and headed off to the laundromat. I filled three 60 pound machines. My personal pile from everyday clothes and several recent dog shows was augmented by towels and bedding. Standing and folding everything as it came out of the dryers just about did in my back and body in general. I wish I could figure out this stamina thing. The laundromat adventure did however lend itself to humor as I kept picking up folded money that came out with the dried clothing. Not just singles but a couple of tens and a five to boot. There were also several well washed unused poop bags and dried dog treats used as bait in the show ring. I have several black dress pants from recent shows as well as a couple of jackets that kept me warm while grooming, thus the multiple dog treats.

My adventure today was a trip to Kohls to look for comfortable bras. As I have gotten older two article of clothing I have learned never to purchase cheaply are shoes and bras. I don't shop very often but it is always humbling when I do. I really have to try things on because as my weight fluctuates and as different manufacturers size differently and the fact that I do this so infrequently, every time it is as if I have to find my way through the swamp of brands all over again. Then there are the mirrors in the dressing rooms that remind you once again that you no longer have that body you had years ago. And regardless of what a good friend might have said, there really are too many extra pounds added back onto my frame in the past year. At least I was at a store that had grown up bras for real women and not just the sweet 20 year olds in A or B cups. Anyway without boring you with details, I did live through the dressing room experience and made a purchase. I just finished a really late lunch/dinner and am ready to curl up on the office daybed with the freshly laundered cover and take a short therapeutic nap with several dogs who make no judgment regarding anything any mirror might think to reflect back to me.

[Bethers]

It was fun reading the posts. Busy here and cold this morning but we got into the 50's which felt like a heat wave when the winds weren't blowing. I think I'm ready for guests tomorrow. Lol I got everything accomplished today I wanted to and tomorrow morning I'll check the rooms the housekeepers prepped today. My fingers are crossed that the one who likes to do things here way followed directions. Continental breakfast will be so much better than they did last year that if we have any repeat customers I know they'll be happy.

Tina, if I have time I'll do a couple (or more) loads of laundry tomorrow. If I can I want to do my comforters, etc. They are a chore but why I don't understand RVer's who want washers and dryers on their rigs unless they really like always having full hookups and spending a couple hours every day on laundry. I like using the laundromat. But then I admit that I like my little washer in my Casita when there. A conundrum for sure lol

[JudyJB]

Today was an exhausting day. I drove 150 miles total. Left Salt Ford campground and headed to drivers license bureau near my son's house. This one is almost never busy, so much better than a couple of others in the area, except after struggling to park my big rig next door, it turned out the office was closed. Sign suggested three other offices nearby, but one is always busy, so I asked others who were reading sign which one of the other two was best. Drove 10 miles and indeed found good parking and no one lined up. Yea! Gave lady info for license and also to renew plates--chose to renew tags for four years, which you can do in Ohio. Had eyes tested and photo taken and then left for son's house.

Beat them all there, except dog, cat, and one grandchild, but others arrived in a few minutes from picking up kids and son arriving from airport. Dog is funny because she has no brakes. She gets so excited when someone comes that she races from living room then crashes into kitchen cabinets! Every single time. You would think she would know to slow down earlier, but she does not--I assume because she is a dog. Picked up my mail after going through the happy-dog-greeting. (I have my own kitchen drawer where they put my mail.) Packages are always in basement so found a dozen down there--been doing a lot of shopping lately, mostly because I got tired of trying to find specific items in stores. By the time I hauled it all upstairs, everyone was home so gave son his late birthday gift and goody bags for kids. (I have learned that since he seems to have everything, food is the best gift, so gave him some of his favorite Florida coconut candy, three cans of hot/spicy peanuts I found on the internet, and some strawberry and coconut jam from that strawberry shortcake place in Plant City. He is happy that none of the kids like hot or spicy stuff, so he has it all to himself.)

Then to campground and got set up. All went well until it was fully dark when water pump refused to pump out water, so I bundled up against the cold and put a lamp on my head and grabbed a bucket and my kitchen tea kettle. It was really dark but eventually I found a faucet in this electric-only campground and filled up both to bring back so I could flush and have something to drink. But then, of course, when I got back, the water pump slowly started pumping water, and is now working fine. I put the bucket in the shower just in case, and put the tea kettle on the kitchen counter. Water pump is only 3 months old, so it should be working fine. Not sure what happened, but walking around a campground in the cold and damp, way after dark is not my idea of fun, and I am certainly tired now.

Which brings me to one thing Tina and I discussed--being tired. Every time I go to a doctor, they ask if I have been tired lately, but I never know how to answer that. Aren't I supposed to be tired at age 78???? Or tired compared to what? Or when?? Tina and I agreed that we were both slowing down and were more tired, but I still do not know how to answer doctors when they ask about that. Don't we deserve to be tired at our ages? It's not like we spend the whole day sitting and watching TV, although i do plead guilty to doing that occasionally. (Note: Tina is a few years younger than me, so I suppose she should be less tired, but then again she has been sick, so this is still up in the air!)

Oh, I started a new blog for my upcoming trip, so I added it below my signature, in case anyone is interested. Have only posted a couple of things, but will post more closer to leaving.

[snowball]

got mom to the dr for her check up she felt it was a waste of time I kinda tend to agree with her... didn't even do a urine text... he is one of the old fashioned dr does his own blood draws maybe he draws the line at urine??? anyway one thing I do like about him is that he takes time with each patient visits with them... he told mom that she was looking the best he had seen her in a long time...
we had a drizzling snow all day but don't think it really stuck much it was more the flurries..
another left over out of the fridge think tomorrow will make the potato soup then left over's again
need to plan what we will have for Easter dinner my youngest brother is coming don't know if any one else is or not dd hasn't got in touch with me as to whether she and her son and his family are coming or not...
kinda think if it's just my brother I will just get a ham steak maybe put it in the air fryer... not sure at this moment
read some sad news on FB today a friend of mine one I met in Q passed away yesterday... I just wasn't expecting that at all.... they haven't been in Q for a couple of years... have missed them...
and got my indexing fixed and on it's way
then I undid the mistake on my Swedish Weave... and got the laundry out of the dryer and folded so perhaps I did accomplish something...
Shirl now I can't remember the name of the tomato Juliet?? what is it why is it so special? just never heard of so curious
you all have a great day
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

Worked at the other shop yesterday. Was busy! Did 18 haircuts and made $110 in tips! Somehow I got roped into working at my shop today which I was supposed to have off. Well, the new gal who never showed up or was late for her shifts, and who gave her 2 week notice, also didn't bother to show up for her last two weeks of work. Today was supposed to be her last day so I took her shift. So glad to be done with her!

I dropped my shears the other day and bent the tip of one of the blades. I have replaceable blades on mine so I stopped at the beauty supply store and picked up a new set. I went to put them on today and accidentally tried to put one on backwards . Then it got stuck and I couldn't get it off. As I tried to do so, I ended up cutting my thumb (yep! Same one I sliced last week with the knife while working on the thunder gourd! ). This was a longer deeper cut tho and was bleeding quite a lot. Took 6 layers of bandaids to cover it up so the blood wouldn't show thru while doing haircuts! I went and bought a pair of locking pliers to try and get the blade off my shears but they had those zip ties on the package and I couldn't find a regular pair of scissors in the shop to cut them off so I could us the pliers! I had to borrow my managers extra shears to keep working on clients. Later in the day, she found the scissors, and the pliers were finally free and did the job, so I was back in business!

The big Coachella Music Festival starts tomorrow thru the weekend and then again next weekend. It has a lot of big named bands and singers and brings in young people from all over the country and even overseas! They camp there or stay in Air B&B's nearby. It is just a few miles from where I live so the traffic is gonna be bad over the next couple weekends! It was cancelled for the past 2 years due to Covid so everyone is very excited about it happening again!

The wind has picked up tonight again and it is really blowing out there! It has been so windy the past couple months here! Getting very tired of it!

Tomorrow I think I will stay inside and clean house. Should do laundry too. I had a washer and dryer in here when I bought the place but they were so small that it would take all day to just do a couple loads (which had to be broken down into tiny loads), so I decided it would be much easier to just use the laundry room down the street and get it all done at once! I then sold my washer and dryer.

The laundromat adventure did however lend itself to humor as I kept picking up folded money that came out with the dried clothing.

I love when that happens!!

Have a good night!