is there life after 70?

Snow??? In October ???

2011-10-29T15:22:00.000-04:00

Stuck inside for the day.. there were predictions of 60" of snow this winter in the Pittsburgh area, but still didn't think it would start this early... Yuck!!
The leaves are still on the trees, haven't put away the lawn furniture yet or carved our pumpkin.. Double Yuck
Latest update.. still haven't sold our house.. The new one is coming along,. have the outside siding on, but we're really getting discouraged.. It's gonna be a long winter and the real estate market is sluggish.. Patience!!
Planning to go to our daughters house in St Louis for Thanksgiving.. Didn't work so well last year as the flu followed us there and we all dropped.. one by one.. I think it'll be a family get-together as our son from Aspen is coming and our other son and family.. from right around the corner .. will stop by on their way home from Colorado Springs where her family lives.. Complicated ?? yeah.. we always are, but seem to work it out..
I'm gonna make bourbon balls and take with me.. but i think i'll use brandy instead.. nothing like bourbon balls to lighten up a family gathering :=)
I brought yarn back from our visit to Ireland. It's one big ball and had no idea how much was in it.. Found a yarn shop in a village nearby that weighed it and I found out I have almost enough for a sweater.. so found a pattern that had a patterned yoke of differet colors and hope I'll have enough.. It'll keep me busy anyway..
I know i've been busy, but can't figure how.. Hockey season has started and we share our tickets with another family.. Have gone to a few games and it's always fun.. Our Pittsburgh Penguins!! They're pretty good..
I'll try to post a few pictures.. And maybe my bourbon (brandy) ball recipe..
Later..

Yummy Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting

2011-10-03T18:10:00.000-04:00

Preheat oven to 350' for 3 8" round pans or 325' for 9 x 13 pan

Mix in order given:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cup oil
3 eggs
2 t vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour
2 t cinnamon
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t allspice or cloves
2 t baking soda
1 t salt
2 cup shredded carrots
2 cups shredded coconut
8 oz crushed pineapple
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup raisins

Bake in either 3 8" round cake pans at 350' for 40 to 50 minutes or 9 x 13 pan at 325' for 60 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

12 oz cream cheese
1 t vanilla
up to 1/4 cup milk, added gradually
3 to 4 cups confectioners sugar

Cool cake completely, then frost

IT MUST BE FALL

2011-09-29T13:13:00.000-04:00

See, I'm trying to be more regular here.
Its almost hockey time.. Our Pittsburgh Penguins are back for another year... Love it
Was kinda a bad girl last night :=) We share our season hockey tickets with two other families.. one i've never met.. they are co-workers of a long-time friend of mine.. So arranged to meet my friend and give her the tickets they had bought.. Can't do this just anyplace, so met for Happy Hour at a nearby restaurant for half-price bottle of wine and half-price appetizers.. Why did I think we could get out of there in an hour??? did our exchange, then settled down to finish the wine and yummy apps(my favorite kind of dinner)..
An aside... Just got a new phone and its so great!! But, at my age, I'm not the speediest to learn how to use it.. It's a droid(??) of some kind.. Which means it has all kinds of applications, and that means you can download all sorts of things like the Weather Channel, Facebook, scrabble word games to play with friends (I'm addicted to that already.. have 5! games going at the same time), has GPS capabilities.. and so much stuff i haven't figured out yet.. It took me days to figure how to answer the phone!!.
Anyway, you can put on Facebook where you are.. so I did that and a young friend of mine (K) stopped in to see us. So we got another bottle of wine!!.. Then my friend left and K and I stayed and had another bottle of wine!! Oh dear, life is kinds slow today.. Poor K had to get up at 6 for work.. She's dragging today.. But I've still got the stamina.. always good to know :=)

I'M BACK !!!!!!

2011-09-28T12:31:00.000-04:00

I received a note from Grammy asking where I was.. OMG, it's been so long I was embarrassed to show my face, but she inspired me to come back.. Grammy, thanks for your support!!
Where to begin... to start, no we haven't sold our house yet.. I mentioned before it is one-of-a-kind.. In-law suite, dirt road, older house, but I am disappointed because we remodeled to make it perfect for our family, and had hoped there was someone out there with the same needs!! We're not gonna give up, but its a bit discouraging.
We had kind of a quiet summer.. road trip to visit our long-time friends (the ones we visited in Ireland) in upstate New York.. Had lots of fun, went gambling.. always fun but not very productive :=). They go so much that they had 2 free rooms at a lovely resort nearby so we did stay overnight and enjoyed.
We had a weeks vacation all planned the last week in August with son and family to Hatteras Island.. Outer Banks.. absolutely favorite beaching!! Do you watch the Weather Channel?? Well, then you remember Hurricane Irene that came ashore at Hatteras Island at that time!! Yes, that was us!! Last minute maneuvering and we were successful..We were scheduled to go there Aug 27th and landfall was predicted Aug 28th!! Not the place you want to be!! So on Aug 26th, I found a 3 bedroom rental beachfront!! in North Myrtle Beach (at an Irene bargain $500/week!!)and off we went!! Stayed overnight in Mt Airy, NC (while Irene was landing in Hatteras).. Next day stopped in Charlotte, NC and had lunch with my niece and nephew and on to a perfect week at the beach :=) See, when you're old, you learn to be flexible!!
This weather stuff is becoming familiar remembering our 2 weeks in Paris because of the Icelandic volcano, the tornado and subsequent week power outage here while we were in Napa Valley, the 40" snowfall here while we were cruising, the Good Friday tornadoes while we were visiting St Louis. I know they're signs, I just don't know what they mean!!
What's our latest?? Surviving (barely) without my Jeep, 1 car is the pits!! We'll see what winter brings on our dirt road..
Continuing to enjoy the social perks of our retirement community.. swam a lot this summer, went to several parties there.. all while watching our new patio home taking shape.. Its frustrating..
Going to their end-of-month party Friday.. it's a tailgate party..I'm talking hubby into wearing his letter jacket from our college days.. Is that appropiate?? I think its great. Signed up to bring Carrot Cake.. do have a great recipe I'll share..
That's about it..
See, nothing much.. Looking forward to visiting Jenn and Adam for Thanksgiving again.. Hope we all survive better than last year!! Did I talk about the flu bug we brought with us?? Each of us went down for a few days, totally no food consumed the entire weekend.. it was tragic :=)
If you finish this thanks for staying with me and I will keep this up regularly
Thanks :=)

Keeping Up with the Kids

2011-07-08T14:53:00.000-04:00

We're enjoying a small lull in the extended visit of our daughter and son-in-law.. Last Friday, we went to Hooters in town to see our nephew help broadcast Kenny Chesney's radio show.. As I said before, he graduated this June with a degree in Sound Engineering and immediately got a job with the famous country singer.. He's been touring with him all summer, and has some amazing stories to tell.. Just riding the charter bus thru the heartland of America has been a thrill for him:=)
So, we visited with him, then that night my daughter, SIL, and dog arrived.. The dogs get along beautifully (they were introduced during our tornado-ravaged vist to St Louis Easter)
Saturday, we took them to see our new community (god-willing!!) and swim at the clubhouse pool.. They naturally loved it and thought it would be a perfect move for us..
Sunday I had made rservations for the Ducky Tour of the city and rivers.. SO MUCH FUN!!! They have a World War II landing craft outfitted with seats and they drive off the road and right into the river!! Since it was both Regatta Weekend and Fourth of July, the rivers and town were packed with people having fun.. So that was the third day in a row of holiday reveling!! We ate lunch, then drove across the river to the Casino where we played and had fun for a few hours..
Monday, the fourth, we had all the in-town family over for a picnic.. Our poor grandson 5, picked up a bug the Tuesday before and Monday the Fourth was the 7th day of a fever..getting as high as 105' on several occasions!! Dr said it was going around and will eventually run its course!!?!! 105!! He was so wiped out, but now is starting to get back his strength.. Poor little guy
Tuesday the kids went to visit friends in Philly, then on to NYC for 2 nights ( us old folks needed the break :=).. Arriving home tonight then on to Pirate-Cubs game tomorrow.. The team is better than its been in years, so its once again fun to go to the ballpark.. Daughter and SIL met and lived in Chicago for several years, he has Cubs season tickets, so they're all excited to see the Cubs play the Pirates tomorrow :=)
So only a couple more days to keep this frantic pace, then back to normal!! And you know I'll really miss them when they're gone :-(

Waiting For the Fourth!!!

2011-06-30T21:54:00.000-04:00

Been another busy week :=) Played golf again.. Bought new balls, so I can afford to lose some more.. Only played nine because I was meeting a friend for half-price bottle of wine at a local bar/restaurant..
She's more than half my age, but I met her thru friends when I was working.. Shes a great person, but my daughter doesn't understand how I can have a friend her age :=).. Whatever.. Had a great time (we always do) laugh way too much!! She's a career girl, still very available, but absolutely enjoying herself every day.. We both wanted to see the singer that was on that night.. He's the regular that sings the National Anthem at all the Penguin games and has a small group that appears locally.. Always in good voice and very entertaining.. fun!!
We had an appointment to show the house today.. decided to take the dog and vanish for awhile.. Went to see the progress at our new community. got home and the agent never showed!!! wtf!! never called or acknowledged he wasn't coming.. that's why we should just wait around to see if they come.. I cleaned up for this guy 2 days in a row, as he had made an appointment yesterday, then cancelled.. Oh well, it'll only take one buyer!!
Daughter, husband and dog are arriving tomorrow for a visit..She hasn't been home in a year and a half.. They're bringing their dog cause they don't want to board him for that long..
We have an ambitious schedule for the next week.. We're going downtown tomorrow to meet our nephew.. the one that travels on Kenny Chesney's tour.. He's the sound engineer for the remote Serius radio that is broadcast from every staduim stop.. If we can wrangle tickets for Saturday nights show, he can get us to the front row.. So, we'll try.. Saturday gonna take the kids to our new place.. show them the models and swim at the pool..
Sunday, I got tickets for the Ducky River Tour.. It's an amphibious boat (like that old WW II landing craft) and a fun tour.. goes thru the city streets and in and out of the rivers.. Probably see other city sights and I'm guessing we'll end up at the casino!!!
Monday probably a cook-out at home with the kids.. Will be fun.. I'm always game for a trip downtown to watch the fireworks.. What a treat that is.. The Zambelli family is from here and their fireworks shows are the best.. And to make it so special, they shoot them off from a barge in the river.. the booms echo off the surrounding hills and the sounds are amazing..
Happy Fourth of July.. Enjoy

Catching Up...

2011-06-26T18:36:00.000-04:00

Our anniversary dinner was great!! We went to Grandview Saloon atop Mt Washington.. Gorgeous!! Didn't go overboard.. Couple drinks and great mushroom soup and crab sandwich :=) Excellent.. If I can download pictures, I'll post our view.. never get tired of it.. Then headed to the casino.. right across the river and on the way home.. Did just fine, thank you!! We both made a bit of money.. more than enough to cover dinner..
Been busy every night.. Went to a wine and cheese party last friday at our new "country club"! If we don't sell our house, we will have gotten a fun summer out of it!!
Played golf Wednesday.. lost way too many balls.. naturally had to stop at our favorite watering hole on the way home.. Staffed by lots of folks I had worked with.. Always get a good deal.. Lots of beers and 2 dinners.. $19.00!!
Friday we went back to the "end of the month" party.. Everybody brought a salad and bottle of wine.. seriously, I'm starting to wear down :=)
Daughter-in-law just texted.. we're gonna meet for a walk.. she'll be done eating.. we haven't yet.. Making Chicken Cachatori..(know that's not spelled right)
Here's another recipe.. Hope you like it..

Grandma's Baked Beans

Boil 1 lb dry baby lima beans till tender
Fry 1/2 lb bacon till soft, drain grease
In bean pot, mix tender beans, not drained
bacon
1/2 C sugar
1 chopped onion
1 T yellow mustard
1 t. celery seed
1/4 C catsup
2 T hot sauce (or to taste)
pepper
Bake 4 hours at 300', checking and add more water if necessary

Seriously!!!! Married 47 Years

2011-06-20T10:07:00.000-04:00

Yes, you read correctly!! 47 years ago today we were married outside Buffalo, New York.. Seems like a week ago :=) Small Church wedding, back then if you married a non-Catholic, you could have a ceremony, but not a Mass.. My, how times have changed.. I remember it was hot and sticky. Our reception after, for about 75 people, was held at the local country club.. Very ritzy.. Our wedding album was in black and white...
Our honeymoon was a road trip to Virginia Beach.. Even back then we were beach people..
We then returned to hubbys bachelor pad in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. That place was the pits. Front door opened to the bedroom thru which you went on to the living room, then kitchen.. Lovely... But, to be honest, we knew he was being transferred to Pittsburgh. So a month later, we found an apt in Pittsburgh, and 10 months later our first little bundle arrived!! So much for my budding career in Microbiology.. It's been a wild and crazy ride ever since!!
Going out to dinner tonight.. we always pick a nice place.. preferably with good seafood.. Think tonight we're going to Mitchells Seafood Restaurant.. Its down on the South Side with a porch on the river.. the Monongahelia.. fun... OR maybe, I just thought of the Grandview Saloon.. That place is amazing.. an outdoor deck overhanging the top of Mt Washington... If you've ever seen pictures of Pittsburgh from Mt Washington, that's the view.. No prettier city in the world!!
Check out the eagles.. The three of them are out of the nest, roosting on nearby limbs, getting up the courage to take the plunge... Fascinating!!

Favorite Recipes

2011-06-19T12:50:00.000-04:00

I thought occasionally I'll give you some of our favorite recipes..Absolutely nothing special, but family favorites throughout the years.

Shrimp Jambalaya

3/4 lb Mexican chiroza sausage (its spicy!) or any bulk spicy sausage
1 C chopped onion
1 chopped red or green pepper
1 or more cloves garlic
2 T butter or olive oil
2 16 oz cans of chopped tomatoes
1 1/4 C chicken boullion
1 C plain regular rice (not instant)
1 t sugar
3/4 t thyme
1/2 t or more chili powder
1 bay leaf
2 lbs cleaned raw shrimp
10 oz can black olives

In large skillet, fry chiroza sausage, drain and add butter or oil. Add onions, peppers, and garlic. Cook till soft. Add tomatoes, boullion, rice, sugar, bay leaf, and spices. Cover and cook till rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Fold in shrimp and olives. Cook just until shrimp curl and turn pink (overcooking toughens the shrimp).
Serves 8 to 10

Little Bit of Everything Today

2011-06-13T21:52:00.000-04:00

Busy day today... I'm ready for a good night's sleep... We had agent tour today, so decided to play golf in the morning.. first time this season!!.. I never devuldge my score.. we only played 9.. I think the first drive was the my best shot.. It only gets worse :=).. Really, I didn't play badly.. Hubby had a 45, so would have broken 100 if we played 18.. See, we're not very good.
I found the best little ice cream stand last week when Chris and I were running an errand kinda far from home..and I do mean little.. 4 tables outside and thats it.. We both got Ameretta cherry ice cream... WONDERFUL!! my new favorite..
Today we stopped there for lunch and were delighted!! they had 3 pages of food items!! what a selection.. Was impressed .. I had a toasted sub ( those fresh hard rolls that are amazing and hubby got a foot-long dog and of course, Amaretto cherry for dessert
Picked Chris up and went home.. Very good agent turn-out.. 7 car fulls!! feedback was very positive.. Loved the new carpet, privacy, in-law suite, etc.. Oh, somebody just buy it!
Practiced his batting and t-ball swing.. then I took him to swim at our new community.. sure hope we don't wear out our welcome!! The water was hot, but wow.. 70' windy air is sure chilly!! Turns out Marguerita Monday was today.. not next week.. so i was stuck in the pool with the kid while everyone else was drinking :=(
Then back home to pick up hubby and dog to get out for a 7 pm showing !!!! Ate at Wendy's (so much for cutting back) althought they have a new berry strawberry grilled chicken salad that was almost as good as my new favorite ice cream!! That was my day, and here i thought we were retired :=)

I Think the Lazy Summer Has Started :=)

2011-06-12T13:30:00.000-04:00

Every year in this part of the country the weather's the same.. One minute is winter and hailing and the next minute it's summer.. With no air conditioning, the humidity gets sticky, but its been great lately.. Love it!!
We've been taking advantage of the use we're allowed at our new community.. We were given a code the day we signed our lot agreement and can use all their facilities.. Been to the pool a few times and starting the know some people there.. It's fun.. I'm sure thats their idea.. get used to the place, so you're willing to accept any offer to get in!!
Last Tuesday we took our grandson.. limited hours for kids.. which is fine by me.. 11-1 and 4-5... He loved it.. there were several other little grandkids, so they all had a blast :=).. We went over yesterday for a few hours, met more neighbors who said we must come to wine and cheese Friday ($2/pp and byob!) and Marguerita Monday is a must!! Hmmmmm!!! see a pattern here :=)
From there we went to Chris' t-ball game, then to our favorite hang-out for beer and snacks:=)
It's the Cabana Bar.. a huge outdoor facility with bars, sandy lounge areas, waterfall, and palm trees.. Heaven in the summer.. Its attached to the restaurant I used to hostess, so we do know most of the kids.. So many come back year after year for summer work as they graduate from 16 year-old hostesses and bus boys to servers by the time they graduate from college.. So great to see them grow and we love seeing each other every year... It's also literally 2 minutes from home.. when we move it won't be as convenient.. long ride home at 1 am :=(
Our house showings have been slow, but heard its slow all over.. Schools just getting out, graduations, lots going on now..
Since the horrid rain and hail storm last Tuesday kept agents away, we're having another tour this week.. Monday just for all the agents at our listing agency (they get more commission if they sell an in-house listing), so interest is usually pretty good.. Then Tues, again agents from other agencies..
Still no sign at the bottom of the hill.. Agency is balking at putting one down there cause it's not our property, but we still have the right-of-way.. If they don't do it, its just more paperwork to get the neighbors to sign.. This whole process is like pulling teeth!!
Mentally we're finished sprucing up the place.. As we say to each other all the time "it is what it is!!"
So, gonna sit back and enjoy the summer...

Like Losing Part of the Family

2011-06-06T21:28:00.000-04:00

I guess it was time, but I'm still so very sad. Sold my Jeep last week ;=( I've loved my little Jeep and talked about it before.. 97 navy blue Wrangler, 5-speed stick shift. great convertible top.. either sun roof or full convertible.. I hadn't driven it for awhile, and last week had it all day running errands.. Well, that night, my knee and hip just throbbed all night.. really hurt! so decided it was time to let it go.. funny thing, people right across the street bought it. They have a driveway almost as long as ours and wanted it for the winter.. Now what are we gonna do if we don't sell?? I had her promise if we're still here this winter, she'll run up and down to pack down our snow!!

We're also down to one car, which is a pain already!! Wednesday, hubby is taking a day trip to have lunch with his fellow class of '58 alums.. Its an all-day trip to Central NYS, not my idea of a fun time :=), but then I'm stuck here without a car and its gonna be 95!!! I threatened to rent a car for the day so I can go swimming, but that wasn't well-received..
Agent tour tomorrow..With this hot weather don't know how many will get out, should be interesting. We're waiting for our sign to be put in down on the main road, we've had a few drive-bys already with just a little temporary sign. And a couple showings, so it's slow.
Our new carpet looks really nice.. brightens up the place. If you see pictures, that means I got it to work:=) That's it for now... Will try to be post more regularly now that we have the house done and we're just sitting around waiting....

Busy Spring :=)

2011-05-27T13:41:00.000-04:00

I'm still here!!! We are definately going to list the house.. Yea!! Acting on agent feed-back, we replaced a blue toilet (ugh!!) and tomorrow getting new carpeting (Yea!) Both changes were long overdue and will be a welcome addition if this place doesn't sell.. Getting pictures taken Tuesday for the real estate ads and should go into multi-list Wednesday.. Then agent tour and hopefully a lot of drive-bys and showings.. Drive-bys here should be interesting, as you know, its a private dirt road ending at our garage:=) Hope we don't have a traffic jam!!!

This has been such a long drawn-out affair and its just getting started.. Gonna need a break!! Where's vacation when I need it??
Our hoped-for new community is so cool.. We have an access code already to get into the pool and community center.. Went over yesterday to meet with the cabinet man and for the first time, actually walked the lot!! First time its been dry enough.. Then stopped at the center and, with our grandson, sat around the gorgeous pool.. How relaxing!! We were absolutely amazed that on this 80' sunny day, we were the only ones there!! If I lived there, I'd be lounging around the pool all day!! And swimmimg, as that has to be great therapy for my knee..
Taking a break from moving all the furniture out of the living and dining room.. Back to work :=) later

Yea!! We are moving ahead :=)

2011-05-17T23:20:00.000-04:00

Our dreams of getting a new place.. all on one floor... are slowing moving forward... got our 3 agents bids.. they were all within 10%, so we're gonna put out a sign.. got some feedback from them and are acting on it.. Carpeting in LR and DR was dated, so next week redoing that.. A friend of our sons lays carpet, so ordered some and next saturday gonna get it down.. Already met with the designer Monday and the choices when you're starting from the ground up are overwhelming!! Spent the first hour doing outside picks.. Since we were the first on our double, we get to pick exterior colors.. Yea!!.. Since we first put a deposit down (only a month ago) doubles on both sides of us are sold and exterior choces made.. my first choice was already on the place next door, so we picked some light sand with cobblestone foundation.. then shingles, garage door, windows.. no windows.. front door.. very complicated.. windows, no windows. transom windows, no transom, color, design.. And i thought a door was just a door :=)
Befuddle about the kitchen.. don't like the layout of the one in our floor plan, so meeting the cabinet guy next week and seeing what we can come up with.. Its a "dead-end" kitchen, which we have now and its so tough to maneuver around when there's only one way out... also gotta look for laminated wood floor colors.. decided not to get hardwood as it does scratch.. and with the dog.. don't want to worry about that..
Monday was busy as we met with the designer, rushed home to pick Chris up at school, had the friend come over to measure for carpet, and back at plan at 5:30 for cocktails, appetizers (my dinner!), and attend a reverse mortgage seminar.. Met several couples in the same stage of planning as we were.. All very nice (may be future neighbors!! who knows)
It hasn't stopped raining yet.. What a miserable spring..I bought Lavender bushes, and they all rotted!! The lilacs, azelias, apple blossoms, wisteria, and tulips have all come and gone. Just bloomed, got soggy and fell off :=( Not exactly the sunny spring we could have hoped for.. Predictions here are for only 3 days over 90' all summer!! Yikes!!
It's late.. The dumb dog woke us up at 5:45!!! I used to go to bed about then!! Oh well.. guess I'm getting old :=) Will post updates on our progress towards senior living!!

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T13:06:00.000-04:00

Todays my day!! Yea :=) Received a beautiful bouquet of tulips and chocolate from my daughter and this afternoon going to sons familys home for a mexican fiesta including margueritas!! and they do make great margueritas!!! and the foods good too :=) Our eldest son is a free spirit..always has been.. he never forgets birthdays and Christmas, but says he doesn't believe in any of these "hallmark holidays" gotta love him for it and do understand what he's talking about.. but lately he has called on Mothers Day.. but just to see whats going on.. never to wish me Happy Mothers Day.. We'll see :=)
We've had the 3 agents thru our house, now nervously waiting for their opinion of what we can market it for.. and i do mean nervous!!
I think our biggest drawback is the fact we live on a private road and don't have a maintenance agreement.. the first neighbor has always refused to sign anything.. the other 3 homeowners have always shared in our part of taking care of the road.. but I guess banks now want everything in writing.. We're mulling over an agreement that would satisfy a bank and still appeal to our hold-out neighbor.. He doesn't want to be responsible for any part of the road he doesn't use and I understand that.. Will try to word something that he might agree to..
Been so busy cleaning up the yard and sprucing up the inside.. tore apart hubbys closet yesterday and painted it.. If this doesn't work out, we'll have a really clean house!!
Spring is so slow this year.. trees are just starting to turn green.. lilacs are thinking about coming out.. its like pulling teeth!! our daughter in St Louis must be 2 months ahead of us!!
Guess I'll go and pull apart another closet... What fun!!

The Royal Wedding !! A Must-See

2011-04-28T21:39:00.000-04:00

OK... I admit it.. I'm gonna have to watch the Royal Wedding :=) I'm not as bad as some people I know.. setting the alarm clock for 4 AM tommorrow.. I'm taping 2 different channels.. would do more if I could.. Julianna Rancic on E! and maybe TLC, haven't decided yet :-)
We've been very busy finishing up all the little projects around the house.. Even if we don't move, I'll have some things I've wanted forever!! I laid peel-and-stick tile in the furnace room.. What a difference!! Why I lived with a yucky concrete floor in there for 35 years is a mystery.. Husband painting our doors and replacing hardware.. really looks updated!! I've kept small jars of all the paint colors I've used on the walls, so will go around and touch-up dings..
If it ever stops raining, we can get outside and rake.. I know raking is done in the fall, we did do it then, but if you know anything about old oak trees, their leaves hang on till spring... Yuck!! Looking for Impatiens to plant in window boxes and planters, but muct be too early.. Nurserys don't have any in yet.. Oh well.. will keep looking
Thats it for now.. so much to do to get ready to sell, hope it all works out..

St Louis Tornados

2011-04-24T21:40:00.000-04:00

It's never dull around here.. Arrived at our daughters home outside St Louis Thursday evening.. Long and uneventful trip.. dog was great, suffered in silence..
We had bad thunderstorms thru that evening, but nothing like the nexty day...Good Friday!! Mid-afternoon, tornado and thunderstorm warnings were flying.. About 7:00, things really started to get serious..
We were watching the weather Channel constantly and having live reporters in the area is never a good sign!! They had a projected path of the advancing storm cells, and our Edwardsville was in the center of the path!!
Reports started coming in of tornados touching down across the Mississippi in Missouri.. still right on that projected line!! Crossing to our side of the river, touchdowns were reported coming closer and closer, some reported damage right where our son-in-laws manufacturing facility was located.. Our skies were darkening. and Edwardsville was mentioned by one of the reporters as being right in the path!! Now, that's scary!! Watching the progress of the storms, it was zeroing in on us!!
The kids have a finished lower level game room and that was our destination.. I took the wine and dog blankets downstairs and down we went..
We continually watched the weather channel and local coverage.. the rain was pelting down, then the sirens went off!! Very eerie!! wind suddenly picked up and swirled and howled.. then complete quiet!!! It was all over in the space of a minute!!
According to reports the next day.. the tornado went over us, but never touched down!! It had been sporadically touching down all along its path, and we were lucky enough to get passed over.. It was later determined it was an F4 tornado, only one level from the most damaging..
Seeing the extensive damage the next day, it was a most sobering reminder of how lucky we were..
Our Easter dinner was delicious.. ham, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and deviled eggs.. cherry pie for dessert..
Hitting the road for home tomorrow.. expecting more rain here.. get us home!!!

Fun and Games

2011-04-20T10:04:00.000-04:00

Seems I've neglected my blog lately.. I can attest that yes!! there is life after 70!!
Going to St Louis tomorrow to visit our little girl and husband for
Easter.. Since we're down to one dog :=(, we're gonna take her with us.. they also have a dog, a lovely yellow lab they rescued from the pound.. hate to leave our Jesse home alone, she's still moping around looking for Toby.. how she does 10 hours in the car will be interesting!!
We're full steam ahead getting ready to show our house to agents. In order to keep our lot deposit on this lovely retirement community, we have to work thru their relo dept.. We'll have 3 agents thru, they will submit their analysis of our market value, and the average will be our listing price.. If the price is close to what we need, we'll proceed.. Not many people need a mother-in-law apartment, but all we need is that one special family!!
Our Penguins are hanging in there for the hockey playoffs :=) The game we went to was a complete bust.. don't ask me why they were in a trance the whole game.. probably they knew we were there!! But they're up 2-1 (best of seven series), playing again tonight..
I told our daughter that she better have a roof on their house or we're not coming!! They've had horrid storms thru the Midwest lately.. Early morning yesterday I saw on the Weather Channel a huge red line ready to go thru St Louis.. I called her and she had no idea it was coming!! she was in the shower and A got both of them down to the basement!! They had another bad storm in the early evening!! Those poor people in North Carolina.. What horrid damage.. most were unaware it was coming!!
Since we'll be gone Easter, I had my sons family for dinner Palm Sunday.. Splurged on a standing rib roast!! Awesome!! guess we're all meat-eaters :=)
Taking the dog for grooming now.. Can't stand the smell of dirty dog in the car for 10 hours... then doing as much little stuff as possible to get this house ready to view... Cross your fingers the agents love it as much as we have over the years.. Happy Easter

Spring Hockey!! Nothing Like It :=)

2011-04-13T09:30:00.002-04:00

If you're not a hockey fan, this will bore you.. Sorry.. BUT, to hockey fans, it's the BEST time of year!! Our Pittsburgh Penguins have the two best players in hockey.. Sidney Crosby and Gino Malkin.. They both were hurt in january, probably out for the rest of the year!! so hope was lost for the season.. But no!! those guys scrapped their way thru the season and ended up with the second best record in Penguin history!! Yea!! So, playoffs start tonight and the intensity that develops is amazing... Wish us luck!!
Our Ireland friends got back Saturday and are now on the road to Seattle.. Remember, his brother died while he was in Ireland.. Bills the executor of the will and has no idea how complicated it may be.. Three ex-wives and 4 kids can't be simple...
Was just thinking how funny life is.. When I started this blog 3 months ago, I thought.. at our age, what can I possibly talk about?? Life still is pretty full.. nice!!
My nephew ( baby of that generation and my 67 year old brothers son!!) is graduating from Belmont College in Nashville.. And, I find it so interesting, he's getting a degree in Sound Engineering.. When you see pictures of concerts, recording studios, etc... he runs that big board that controls and mixes the music.. He had a summer internship last summer in New York with Sirus Radio for the Howard Stern Show.. Not a fan of him, but what an experience for Patrick!! Anyway, he left Nashville this morning with Kenny Chesney on his tour bus to work with him on his concert in Texas!!.. Can you imagine that experience for a college kid!! Kenny told him if it went ok, he'd help with the rest of his 15 concert tour!! and if that worked out, he'd offer him a permanent position after he graduated!! Having lots of college grads among my brother and I (7), what a relief to think your kid may have a job when he graduates!! Student loans are such a burden..
Last summer, we looked very seriously at downsizing.. thought of Florida, looked around down there and decided no.. no family there, etc.. then looked around this area and found nothing affordable.. how can we afford a mortgage payment on Social Security?? So, last resort, we stayed here.. got a reverse mortgage and stopped looking.. You know that old saying.. you find what you're looking for after you stop looking!! What we found is perfect for us.. perfect location, perfect size, and we would be able to take out another reverse mortgage!! So, starting proceedings to get this place on the market!! After all, it does have a new furnace!! Will give more details later..

Watching the Bald Eagles

2011-04-07T10:31:00.000-04:00

I found this great site to watch a pair of nesting Bald Eagles near a trout stream in Nebraska!! Tried for 2 days to get the link right, and its very be-fuddling!!! So..Follow directions Please!!! This link takes you to ustream where, at the top, you click on pets and animals.. then click on the picture of Decator Bald Eagles and you'll get the live stream of the nest!!! All sorts of info about them on the site.. Honest, I've been trying for days to get the link right, and for now, its the closest i came... Hope you get thru and enjoy :=)
Been battling this stupid bug since we got back... Ugh!!! nothing works!! Antibiotics..no.. now on steroids !!?! and inhaler.. At least i'm off the couch, but, as I was told, steroids cause sleeplessness and irritability!! REALLY!!!!
Last day in Ireland for Bill and Lois.. Of their month there, we probably had the best week :=) Seems they've had lots of wind and rain lately.. I hate to brag, but we really do bring good weather with us (just not here at home!!) Paris was spectacular, even tho the volcano was doing its thing.. When our daughter got married in Mexico, we purposely chose the middle of Nov to be out of hurricane season.. Lo and behold, a week before we were to go down, a hurricane formed!! We watched its progress all week (you don't think that added to pre-wedding jitters!!).. Went thru Playa del Carmen and Cancun the evening before our flight!!! We were one of the first planes to land in Cancun after the airport re-opened!! The sun came out as we landed, and we had the most perfect week we could have imagined!! Go Figure!!
It must be spring because we're throwing around moving to a smaller, no-maintenance place again!! Did some looking yesterday.. Will follow that up again later..

Sad News Via Ireland

2011-04-03T11:41:00.000-04:00

Just heard of the passing of our friend Bills brother.. Such a shocking thing.. He was killed in a single car accident in Utah.. It must be very hard for them to deal with this while in Ireland.. Long distance at this time is very stressful.
It has snowed every day since our return from Ireland.. Really??? Enough already!!
I can't shake this congestion and stuffiness that I must have picked up on the way home.. My head feels like its gonna explode any minute now!!
Finally posted our Ireland pictures.. it was always beautiful there.. The link is www.2011Irelandtrip.shutterfly.com .. When we started putting our pictures on the computer instead of old-fashioned developing, I really missed having something in hand.. so, for special times, I've put together an album of pictures.. Its really fun to design your own album, pick what pictures go in it, and have Shutterfly put it together.. I know there are othere sites that also make these albums.. It's fun...
Regular season hockey is winding down.. Only a few more games and then playoffs!! :=) We're kinda spoiled here as the Penguins have consistently made the playoffs the last few years .. There were many years (when our boys were following them) that they'd get 2,000 fans a game and everyone had a seat on the ice.. Those were die-hard fans back then... So on to the playoffs!! Go Pens!!

Third Times a Charm

2011-03-30T14:07:00.001-04:00

We've been trying to squeeze in a visit to our daughter J and son-in-law A in St Louis.. Our first attempt was aborted when we had our last-minute trip to Ireland.. Would do that again in a heartbeat :=) Second was Palm Sunday, but they couldn't get time off.. so, now we're planning Easter Weekend.. This one will work!!
She was our late-born gift!!! Having 2 boys within 18 months in our mid-twenties was an experience I won't soon forget!! Full time job keeping them out of trouble and protecting them from each other!! What a madhouse!! Only for the young..
So, here we were.. We're forty, boys are teenagers and starting high school, things finally settling down.. and presto, along comes our little princess :=) What a treat she was!! I was really worried that I couldn't mother a girl, as I was so used to trying to keep the boys in line.. didn't know if I had the softer side to mother a girl..
But no worries, she was a delight from the beginning.. the boys absolutely doted on her.. she never lacked for attention.. Honestly don't think we ever heard her cry.. Growing up, we had so much more time for her and a whole new circle of friends emerged for us.. Parents 15 years younger than us were the norm all thru high school, college and sports.. we're still friends today.. I'm sure she's whats kept us younger feeling all these years :=)
Now married and off for good,I do miss her.. We still talk every day, and she actually said she missed me when we were in Ireland!! Small wonders!!

What I Brought Home from Vacation :+)

2011-03-29T14:53:00.000-04:00

Thats just to get your attention.. brought home something... cold..cough. sore throat.. the miseries :=( On antibiotics, so just have to tough thru it...
Looking over the pictures I posted, it really is a special place.. Met more sheep than people.. but what's wrong with that??
Do have to suck it up as my hockey antennae is on full alert!! Game tonight against Philly Flyers, our best rival.. its for first place and only hospitalization will keep me home!!
Working on putting our pictures on a Shutterfly site.. such a cool way of sharing pics with friends.. When our daughter was married, I set up a site, and all the guests added their pictures, so we collected a wonderful album of everyones sights!!.. What a varied group, from the kids having way too much fun to the older folks scenic views of the resort and Mexico.. I so value that collection..

Back to the old grind :=)

2011-03-27T23:26:00.000-04:00

Started to post a few pictures of our trip.. Hope you enjoy them..
Every year, my hubby and I like to see our local High School musical, so before we left, I purchased tickets.. We have never been disappointed and what a treat for the dollar!!! This year was no exception .. our kids tackled "Les Miz" and what an amazing job they did !! Such a complicated score and lyrics.. At times there must have been 50 young thespians on stage singing their hearts out.. I garnered front row seats.. right in front of the orchestra pit, so thought our grand-son would like the experience.. He was fascinated.. didn't know where to look first.. the lights, the orchestra (he was particularly fascinated by the xylaphone player right in front of us :=), or the magic on stage.. No lectures about the choice of first plays !!! Its what was available this year.. Wait till they do Annie or Dr Seuss!!
Kids!! its been so much fun to see him experience new things (without the responsibility this time :=) T-ball starts soon, so there's more outings..
Our friends are still in Ireland.. going to Dublin tomorrow... So looking forward to her postings (link on the left)..
Furnace, grinder pump all still working.. relax!!!

Home From Ireland!!!

2011-03-26T11:11:00.000-04:00

Wow!! We got in last night from our wonderful trip to Ireland.. A bit jet-lagged, but none the worse for wear.. I didn't post from there as our wi-fi connection only worked if we drove down the lane and parked in our neighbors front year!! Which Lois did daily and marvelously recorded a daily diary of our visit.. So, again, if you haven't discovered already.. check her blog-link located to the left.. I think she has total recall of our part of the visit..
Our flight over was probably the most problematic of all our journeys.. In Pittsburgh, our plane was delayed at JFK long enough to ensure we had, at the most, 15 minutes to make our international connection to Shannon.. Since our daughter assured us they close the doors of international flights 15 minutes ahead, we opted to take the 7 pm non-stop to Paris (there's a familiar scenario!! one year ago we were also stranded in Paris!!) and a 6 hour layover before a flight to Shannon.. We were tempted to Metro into Paris, but felt the time was too short.. too bad, because our flight was delayed in Paris another 2 hours, so we could have made the trip!!
But finally arrived in Shannon to be greeted by this friendly-looking couple holding a hand-printed sign with our name!! Our own personal guides for the week :=)
They had rented a cottage on the Dingle Peninsula for a month!! So, we immersed ourselves in the daily life of that small, fast-disappearing corner of Ireland.. Wonderful people, fantastic scenery, and really fine beer!! A perfect combination!!
Will post pictures later, but absolutely read her blog, as she wrote amazing detail of our time there..
Gotta clear my jet-lagged head.. will post more later