Thursday, January 28, 2016

TBT - Snaggletooth Amy Pooh




Our baby girl is doing well after her hysterectomy last week, but it was still hard for this mom to leave her on Tuesday. She's in great hands, with family and friends all helping out with food and kids. It was great seeing everyone while I was home. Oh, I got to pick up Joy and take her home from the hospital. Yay...she is doing much better.

At least Amy was home when we got snowed in for a day. I arrived back in WPB in rain Tuesday night, and it hasn't quit. Bugger. It's still better than snow. Any day.

So we are gonna get out and go see a movie this afternoon. I am antsy to get out and walk after being holed up all day yesterday. It was definitely a Jammie day around here, but enough is enough!

That's all our news from paradise for today!

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Sunday, January 24, 2016

Downright cold!

This morning it is 14 outside. Poor MM only thinks he has cold weather in WPB. It is 39 there. Poor thang. Wanna trade?

At least the snow stopped and the sun came out to kiss the asphalt.

Meanwhile, Amy helped the boys built a fort.



I played laundress and also made some banana-nut bread, and then Jason made hamburgers on the grill for dinner.

The boys went out and tried to sled a bit. And throw snow balls at each other. That's what kids do...game on to annoy each other.

These are the things we do when it is cold and snowy in our mountains. We hunker down inside, unlike this heron outside:



That dark spot above the tip of the hammock frame is a heron that is normally in the water, not on land. He wasn't there this morning, so I hope he is OK.

Stay safe and warm. We sure will.


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Saturday, January 23, 2016

Snow...brrr...







And more is lightly falling down. Bugger. Yes, I know the kids will enjoy being out in it, but it sure can be dangerous out on the roads. And there are dangers of trees falling on power lines, homes, etc. That is the reality of this pretty white stuff.

At least we haven't lost power, but the county road crews have been working all night long. Poor thangs. Jason had the generator ready if needed. My heart goes out to the nawthern folks enduring blizzards. Our snow is basically a minor inconvenience for a short while.

Amy is progressing nicely, but poor Joy is still in the hospital. She is improving and hopes to go home Monday. I want clear roads so that I can go see her.

Stay safe and warm, y'all. Come on Sun!

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Thursday, January 21, 2016

Brrrr...




Mayberry got just enough snow yesterday afternoon for the kids and critters to enjoy playing in. Haley took this photo of Alex on their deck. Faith posted videos of lil Haley and Madison sledding down their hill. They got more snow N of town than we did. That doesn't break my heart.

Amy did very well with her surgery yesterday, so the doc released her this morning. She is now in her own bed happily sleeping. I am cuddled on the couch with her two furbabies, while the other one snoozes on the kitchen floor. Easy duty I have!



Amy and I are toasty warm inside, while Jason goes off to retrieve two wee boys...then it is apt to get a bit noisy with boys and dogs underfoot. In other words...normal!

WYWH...and I wish the sun would shine and keep the ice off the roads. Safety first!

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Amy is fine!

Our prayers have been answered! Amy did well with her surgery and is now in the recovery room. Jason and I can see her when she goes to her room. Of course, she will be sleeping a lot today, just as she should.

She can go home tomorrow, if everything goes as expected. And we assume that it will.

And on another happy thought...

Happy Birthday to Haley today...sweet 15!



And the snow has held off here in Mayberry, although the powers that be called off school, much to delight of the wee ones. They are all out playing with friends and or cousins.

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes. We felt them...and were blessed.

Life is good, y'all!

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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Waiting and waiting!





We just got confirmation that Amy's surgery is a GO in the morning, so I am flying home to be with her. She wants me; I wanna be there, so by golly I will.

Joy is at the same hospital, so I will get two-for-one! She has had enough meds pumped into her that she shouldn't be contagious any more. I think.

All prayers appreciated for my girl. Surgery is scary business, but this should be pretty routine. It's one of those girlie things. Except that it is on my girl. That makes it NOT so routine!

Life is scary sometimes, and this is one of those times.

I will do an update tomorrow when we know something!

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Monday, January 18, 2016

Cool Monday

Another great breakfast with the gang at JGs.  Thanks to MM for getting this photo, although Bill and Johnnie aren't included.  They were there.  Really.  They wouldn't miss this!  The stranger at the end (because I know our kids are wondering) is Susan's former co-teacher and Team Awesome member Terianne.

We were all stuffed...but in a good way.

So another cold front moved through WPB, and everyone arrived all bundled up.  Bob and Lynne decided that it was at least warmer here than in central Florida, so they decided to stay put for another week before moving on.  Woohoo!  We likey.

Life is mostly normal around here, but please throw in prayers for friend Joy.  Her bad tummy bug just landed her in the hospital for some fluids, and hopefully only an overnight stay.  Poor baby!

So now it is back to the regularly scheduled Monday laundry fest.

Happy Monday, y'all!

Friday, January 15, 2016

North Lake




Those two guys on the left dug lakes for a living way back when we all lived here. They were good engineers, consequently the lakes got named according to location on the farm--Front, Back, Middle, North. Boring names to us non-engineers, but they stuck and worked for us while we lived there. The lakes are all majorly developed now, so they have (fortunately) been given an appropriate name.

Paul and Moira enjoyed seeing all these places they have heard so much about...and were mighty impressed with lunch at John Gs, of course.

Unfortunately, the sun has been rare this week for their escape from NH, but they are hardy folks and have made the best of this adventure. They will be experiencing Cuban food tonight. Poor things. They have to fly back to NH tomorrow.

Dick and I have enjoyed spending time with them. Sunshine is predicted for tomorrow. Finally!

Happy Friday, y'all!

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

TBT 2011




Look at my babies! This photo showed up on my FB feed yesterday and I just needed to sit and enjoy seeing my wee ones again. Miss Senior Ansley began taking two college classes yesterday. I want to hear all about those!

We four are taking Paul and Moira out to the farm where MM and Bob grew up...and where he and I lived when all three of our kids were born. Talk about a walk down memory lane! Oh yes. Hopefully those kiddos pictured above will see and appreciate these sights some day.

So MM broke down and bought his first ever lottery tickets. I'm glad he didn't spend any of his winnings beforehand, because his winnings might be enough to buy lunch today. More on lunch later.

Have yourself a lovely Thursday. We have overcast and cool again, but there is no white stuff. That is good, in my humble opinion.

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Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Drip, drip...




My lovely orchid is getting naturally watered this morning. Again. But, it was sunny and clear yesterday afternoon when Bob and Lynne arrived here at the park. Yes, the Nawthern Bells arrived for a week.

Lynne and I headed to Publix, while our guys set up their Moho, and then they went to the big wine store to get provisions for the arrival of NH friends today. They will be staying with B & L. Cozy. They are GOOD friends!

I had a big pot of soup ready for our combined dinner...which felt good with the dropping temps. Lynne is cooking tonight. It's gonna be a great week! Stay tuned.

Go away, rain. These friends have never been here and they want to experience a sunny S Florida! Pretty please?

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Monday, January 11, 2016

What a catch!




Will caught this 22 pound striper this weekend! He is one proud fisher boy, of course. I asked him if he was going to eat it, and he said NO, it's going on my wall! He has great parents, who encourage all their kids to do their very best and to enjoy life. Making memories!

Mayberry got its first snow sprinkles yesterday:



I can live without that, but I sure miss seeing my cuties...and don't mind waking up to 55 degree weather here near the beach. We will manage wears jeans and covering toes today, knowing it is just a temporary set back.

And this is a borrowed photo of a pass over the mountain back home:



No thank you! I don't miss that.

Button up, Buttercup!


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Saturday, January 9, 2016

Back off!




Haha...we just saw this sign on the back of a septic tank service truck:

"We ain't hauling milk!"

We gave it a lot of room!

Wouldn't you?!

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Monday, January 4, 2016

Nan update




Poor thang! There ends her modeling career with these two scars.

The good news is that the ramp got made in time to wheel her into the house. Thanks bunches to her good neighbor for the ramp, and another one who will be checking on her and helping with her ice machine. And I'm not talking about the one in the fridge.

There is a new fangled machine that helps to keep swelling down (where was this when I had my many knee surgeries?). Oh. My surgeries were decades ago. Never mind.

She is learning to adjust to no walking, and planned to spend last night in her recliner so that she could keep her foot elevated. Check. She will learn how to do whatever it takes to wait out this healing ordeal. It isn't a permanent situation. Plus, she's a tough cookie.

Meanwhile, it is 32 back in rain soaked Mayberry. Our lake is up over 10 feet and the docks are floating! They don't float in January.




West Palm Beach is sunny but chilly this morning. We are definitely not complaining about being in jeans and covering up toes today. This is also a very temporary coolness.

Have a great Monday, y'all! Watch where you step.

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Sunday, January 3, 2016

Here, fishy fishy...




MM took a selfie yesterday with his fisher friends, Frank and Glenn. MM will rarely take a selfie, but he knew I wanted a photo of the fishermen. He's good to his little woman.

They caught more sun than fish (5 snappers), but they had a great time. MM didn't bring home any of the catch, even though they each caught at least one critter. They had more mouths to feed

Plus, Bill and Barbara stopped by and invited us to a dinner dance, and that was better than staying home. We're flexible. And had a good time last night.

MM is now outside working on his grill pad. Everything is progressing nicely, inside and outside.

Nan update: she is being released from the hospital today. Yay! She appreciates all the good wishes and prayers.

Life is good, y'all!

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Saturday, January 2, 2016

"New" grill




Well, we learned there is a real possibility our other grill was not stolen after all. Apparently the park manager got a tad carried away in hurricane preparedness and had ppl remove everything in the park not bolted to concrete. MM had ours thoroughly secured with screw anchors into the dirt, but it got (not easily) gone.

MM found this mac daddy grill in the want ads. Originally $1200 (we saw a new one when shopping), divorce, used rate: $75, complete with a half tank of propane! Sold. No haggling.

Thanks to Johnnie and his truck, it is here. MM has put a lot of sweat equity in cleaning/fixing it (he forgot to take a "before" photo), and just yesterday, we picked up a couple of bags of Sakrete to bolt this baby down.

We will be ready to grill...soon. Yeah baby!

And our colds are mostly history. Yay!!! MM is out now on the ocean fishing with a friend, while I continue my mice clean up. Damn mice.

It is cooler today, so the windows are open so all germs can fly away...and stay away. Two kitties are enjoying bird and lizard watch duties by the open windows.

Everybody has a job today, but the main question is--will we have fish for dinner?


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Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy, Happy 2016!

I wish I knew who to give credit to for this image, but it fits us quite well as we sit here in balmy W Palm Beach, bringing in the New Year.

Of course we will be eating black-eyed peas today.  You do know this old southern tradition, right?

The oldest explanation for this tradition I found is on Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia, the tradition dates as far ancient Egypt. During the time of the Pharaohs, it was believed that eating a meager food like black-eyed peas showed humility before the gods, and you would be blessed. 

It's also said that if you eat only black peas, and skip the pork, collard greens and the accompaniments, the luck won't stick. They all work together or not at all.

So, we will take no chances...Black-eyed Peas Supper (thanks to friend Barb) and greens are also on the menu.  I am southern, through and through.

Start the New Year off right.

But not like sister Nan did.  Oy...yesterday, she fell on her wet back steps and broke her ankle.  She had surgery last night involving pins and pain, so she will be out of commission for a long time.  Prayers needed!  Bless her heart.

Happy New Year, y'all!