One Project At A Time

Do you ever have moments when you wonder if you're losing it?   I saw this saying on Facebook: "I'd be a Genius if it wasn't for all the stupid sh## I do. "   I was visiting my blog buddies today and while sitting here looking at pretty photos posted,  I really admired this particular one...only to realize I was looking at my own header for my blog....yep, a freaking genius...Anyway, I'll blame it on this week at work.   Sometimes it's just so nutty.  However, we manage to get our work done and done well.  That's when I really believe in a higher power.  Speaking of power.   We're slogging through projects here at the Pines.  One biggie is getting a new out building.   We picked out the one we want and the Amish gentleman that's building it has it all finished.  But where it's going to sit has to be prepared.  That means this:

Jack had to go and get a skid loader from the rental place.  The guy asked if he knew how to operate it.   Jack said a big "NO" but qualified it by saying he has someone who does know how that's coming to run it.  I'm sure the sales dude sighed a big one of relief.  Heck, we don't even own the big red truck to pull it!  (Thanks Derrick for loaning it to us!  You're lucky we returned it! It's pretty awesome) 

This is the spot where our little pool sat and now it's going to be the spot for our building.

Bye Bye pool site...hello big dirt site.   Soon I'll post pics of the new building once all is done.  (God willing and the creek don't rise)

Arnie was very interested in the whole thing.  Speaking of Arnie...

He got a new hair cut.  After his first groom job it looked like he was sporting a doggy mullet.  So now all his hair is short and I'm liking it so much better...he looks much younger.  I may go to his groomer.

I've been using my cucumbers for pickles this year.  I made a batch earlier and just tried them and I have to say they are pretty good for a beginner.   To end my post I'm going to post some work photos I took last week.  I've started to get a batch of new pics done so I can put together another work video to show before I retire.  Not leaving for another year...maybe two...maybe..life is unpredictable!

So much stuff in the room, but the OR tables give us the most headaches.  They are all heavy to move, have to be taken apart for different surgeries and patients always complain how narrow they are.  Well, let's face it...the tables have to be narrow so we can reach across them while working but also patients have been getting wider over  the years.  We have weight limits too.  A few weeks ago we had to cancel a case because our table only could hold up to 500lbs.   We did find one later that went up to 1000lbs so he was done at another time. 

My "mayo stand"...no, there's no mayonnaise served here!  Just all my instruments needed for a hernia operation.

My "back table".  It holds all the other things that I might need.  There's way more instruments in a set than we'd ever really use...but you never know...life is unpredictable..Have a good weekend!

On The Road Again

We hit the highway for a trip to visit Mom and Midge this past weekend.  Arnold made his first car trip with us and did great. He loves to ride anywhere in a car.  The only thing that had him bummed was having to sit in the back instead of riding shotgun...but he got over it!   We usually make a trip to visit in August but typically it's at the end of the month. With Mom having some health issues this summer I decided I needed to go and see her. 

She's doing good and enjoys sitting on her pretty deck.

We sat outside for breakfast on Saturday.  It was hot this weekend but there was always a nice breeze in this "windy city".   I noticed that many new families are moving into the neighborhood. My Mom's lived here for over 60 years.  I believe she's one of the oldest living residents and one of the originals to this suburb.  I'm happy to see that young families with kids have bought the cute cape cod homes that dot the streets.  Some have enlarged them but some have stayed the same.  Not everyone wants or needs some of the huge homes that are built today.  How did we ever survive without media rooms, walk-in closets, workout areas and kitchens big enough to roller skate in?  It was fun seeing family and hanging out with my nieces, nephew, and all their kiddos.

Here's a few of the hooligans that greeted me! Parker, Conner, and Ella (bean).   On a previous visit we found a really cool resale shop and just had to make a quick visit this time.  Never know when a bargain will grab you!

Walking in the door Midge spotted this beauty.  Both of us had a fun ride around the old neighborhood.  Boy, did that bring back memories of my childhood.  I spent tons of time circling the block in the old days.  However, I usually had my brother's leftover bikes to ride, not anything this cute! I was surprised happy to see I could still make it up the hill and around the block and live to tell the tale!

I knew Jack needed these letters for his home office space we're making downstairs.  These were the only letters left on the wall so I knew it was meant to be.

I thought these would be perfect in our upstairs bathroom and our masterbath.  Both baths are getting a makeover so I think towels will look good hanging on these "can't live without" finds. 

Happy Halloween anyone?  Jack brought my attention to this number.  I found out today it also lights up!  Now my life is complete...Not to be out done, Jack spotted another great find that is now hanging in the kitchen.

Yep, everyone needs a clock that looks like a piece of toast!  Oh well, one man's junk is another man's treasure.  Last but not least is an item that will make everyone happy they don't live with me!

Hey, just talk to the hand....another Halloween gem that will show up in a few months on a blog post about my decorations for this holiday.  Go ahead, I know you want to say it...Yes, I'm weird.  So I'll move on to the final part of  the weekend.  Yesterday my Grandson Cameron turned 11 years old....whew, time has flown!  He wanted a fish fry for his dinner so we met out at his Mom's place for a celebration.

He grabbed Arnie for a ride with his sister, Summer, and his cousins who came up from Columbus to visit.

Opening gifts in a silly hat!

Blowing out the candles on his cake choice..cheesecake!   Happy Birthday Cam-Man! It was a nice way to end a long weekend.  Back to reality today with work and getting caught up on what's happening at home.  Summer is flying by.  I'm over the heat and humidity we've had this year and will welcome some cooler weather.  It will be here before we know it so I'd better just quit complaining and enjoy the days we have now.   Have a good week everyone!

Because Sometimes You Just Have To...BRAG!

There are times when it's just necessary to go on and on about someone....like our sweet, hardworking, beautiful Granddaughter, Driana.   She graduated tonight from her LPN nursing course.  It was a hard year of study, class, clinical work, tests and emotions.  No breaks, no time to breathe but Driana did it and also rocked it!  Valedictorian too!  All while holding down a full-time job as a STNA at a nursing home.  She landed another job at Hospice of Wooster. (She's going to work both places)  She is the first new graduate they have ever hired.  Most specialty areas want experienced nurses.  However, working for the last 4 years at an nursing home and doing hospice care there probably helped in getting hired.  Being smart as a whip and having a super caring heart for those in the last stages of life was also in her favor.   Come January she's going into the RN course and will continue on her journey of healthcare.  I know she will be a great asset to the profession and we couldn't be prouder of her.  It seems like yesterday our first grandchild was born...can't believe she's all grown up! (Insert sniffling, wet eyes!)

Feeling Blessed

We've been blessed with cooler temps and off and on rain.  The grass is green and the veggies are plentiful.  The colors in the yard make me smile.  Hope all is well in your Garden of Eden.

Amen

Closing Out The Weekend

Summer is moving fast.  The 4th is over and the heat is on and off here in Ohio.  Today was a scorcher but cooling rains are coming tomorrow.  We did have a quick little soaker a little while ago but the sun is going down on another weekend.  It's been a busy one as usual.  Before I get into our adventures I want to post some pics of last Wednesday's church youth activity.   They made beds and toys for shelter dogs and cats.

This is a finished product. Pretty cute!

They have padding inside and are wrapped in comfy fleece.

They worked hard to get this project done.

I know the dogs in the shelters will enjoy these chew toys.  It's a stressful thing for these animals and I always support and encourage the "adopt don't shop" mantra for getting a dog or cat.  Arnold made a quick appearance for the kids to see an adopted dog and help them realize how wonderful this project is and how the animals and the shelter workers appreciate receiving these handmade items.  Good job kiddos and adult leaders!   On Friday our little Arnie made a trip to the Vet to have a fatty tumor removed from his right front leg.  It was making him limp and would continue to grow bigger.  I hated to have him go through surgery but in the long run I know it will be better for him.

We picked him up from the Vet's on Friday evening around 7pm and he was very out of it all night and most of Saturday.

He made a rare attempt to get up for a quick drink and on Saturday morning I hand fed him some chicken and rice.  We were getting a bit worried but suddenly around 5pm he was up and around.

He already walks much better although he limps a bit from the surgery. His incision is below his leg so not too visible.  He also had a small skin tag taken off his left eye.  Most of our weekend has involved making sure he is OK and taking it easy.  However this morning I couldn't find him and when I walked by one of the spare bedrooms upstairs I found this:

He found a comfy spot on this bed...silly boy!  I think he'll be his old self soon.  I want to mention that on Saturday afternoon we went to our step-Granddaughter's graduation party.  Her Mom, Evelyn, is married to our oldest son, Jack.  Megan will start college in the fall down in Cincinnati.

Good luck Megan! I know you'll do great!

Her Mom had a quilt made from all of Megan's sport t-shirts.  She's a big volleyball and soccer player. It came out beautiful.  So that closes out another Summer weekend.  It's going fast...now on to another Monday.  Wait!  I'm ready for another weekend!

A Kidnapping

I will confess...I did it..I kidnapped two little hooligans today.   I called my Granddaughters and asked what they were up too and when they said:  "Nothin"  I said:  "How about a picnic?"   They were all in, so I went to their house and snatched them up!  (With parents Ok of course!)   We decided that Mohican State Park would be the place to go for lunch.   The weather turned absolutely fabulous today.  It's as if a big squeegee came through with yesterday's storms and took all the moisture out of the air and left us with temps in the 70's and sunshine galore!  It's the last official day of  my "staycation" as I go on call this weekend , so I was happy to spend it with them.

This state  park is so beautiful.  I feel blessed to  have it so close to home.

A very picturesque covered bridge.

We snagged a picnic table in the shade and raided the fixings I threw together at the last minute.  We feasted on turkey sandwiches, (pb&j also!), chips, drinks, carrots and dip...and cookies for good measure.  Arnold found his spot!  He was treated to lots of snacks today!

After lunch we took off to explore the river.  Arnold just loves water and was in doggy paradise!

Addy was excited to spot lots of crayfish.

It's a perfect place to practice rock skipping. 

These two were great fun as always.   It's also great to see kids enjoy the outdoors and not even think about video games, TV, or phones.

All too soon it was time to head back home.  They spent the rest of the afternoon with me making some fruit pizzas that I have to take to a party tomorrow and I had them make one for themselves to take home.

Lexi took some time to drive the gator around.  She drives it better than me!

We decided to eat dinner out on the deck and they requested  spaghetti and meatballs...no problem!  Their Dad came after work and joined us and then all left for home tired, full, and with a delish fruit pizza for later.  This is what I call a perfect day!

Happy July 4th!

It's the 4th already and as usual Jack is at Boy Scout Camp for his 29th, and final,  year.  I know he's sad that he didn't make the 30 year mark but I'll be glad to have him home for this holiday.   BSA is changing and our church has decided to not charter a scout troop any more after 2019.  So I won't get into all the blah, blah, blah about what's happened to this organization but I will say Jack and I...he much more than me...have served for these past 29 years in many forms and have enjoyed working with the kids and the other leaders over the years.  It taught great values and I wish "Scouts" good luck and I hope all the corporate sponsors who pulled out over the past will get back on board and support this program that forced the corporate scout headquarters to pull the BOY out of scouts.  Nuff said!   I have this week off and have been doing many little things that I put off.  Things like cleaning out and organizing my closet.  I took 3 big bags of clothes to Goodwill and have trash going out on Friday...feels good to get that all done!  Carpet cleaning, floor waxing, and also time for some movies and naps!  Of course I have Arnold to take care of and I'm getting to know his quirks, and believe me he has a few!  He loves, with a capital L, to go on car rides.  He's not much a walker.  He's going to have surgery next week to remove a tumor that is right under his right leg and makes him limp.  Perhaps when that's fixed he'll be more eager to take longer walks.   He does love water.

I take him the cemetery because it's shadier there...he hates this crazy heat we're having.  He discovered the creek and I let him just enjoy it!

He got a nice grooming. Check his before on my previous post.  Of course they had to put a silly flower on his collar.

That's better! 

He's learning his way around the Pines but he's not as curious about it as Chubbs and Eddy were. Well, every dog is different I guess!  We've been roasting here with temps in the 90's and 100% humidity.  Not my favorite weather but I try to remember that snow will fly before we know it.  So I'll just stay inside where it's cool.  We took the pool down last year so I don't have that to jump in anymore.  That's OK..the work involved to keep it up was becoming a pain.   So we're having a very quiet July 4th.  I went to my BFF, Donna's house for a nice cookout earlier and I'm going to watch one of my favorite movies...Yankee Doodle Dandy.   Love it!  So stay safe this holiday and I hope to have something more interesting to post about one of these days! I bought another sign for my computer room:

I think this says it all!  Happy July 4th!