Happy Anniversary!

Today Jack and I celebrate 44 years of marriage.  Whew, that flew by!   I put in for a vacation day today many months ago and I'm really glad I did.  We had good friends invite us to their daughter's wedding at the Columbus Temple this morning.  It was a beautiful day and we connected with some friends we hadn't seen in a while.  The young bride is a someone I've known since the instant she was born.  In fact, I joked that I got to see her before her parents since I was the scrub nurse on her c-section!   We are very happy to share our anniversary with Elyse and Adam.

Best of luck to you both! 

Happy Anniversary Jack! Love you!

The roses are beautiful too! Although life isn't always a bed of roses, it's an adventure to embrace...

We didn't have a clue what adventures were ahead when we waved goodbye in this photo...and we still don't have a clue!  Happy Anniversary to us!

A Birthday And Dog Day

Yesterday was Jack's big 65th...now we're the same age! He thinks that's why I feel the need to post on Facebook and the blog about his birthday.  Not true! OK, maybe a bit true but everyone should celebrate their birthday.   If nothing else it's a great excuse to eat cake!  And we did!  The kids came over yesterday and we had a little pizza birthday party with Texas sheet cake and icecream to follow.  So where are the pics?  Yep, I totally forgot to take any.  I'm slipping a bit in my photo responsibilities.   I made Jack's favorite meal today and he made sure I took a shot of that:

Some shrimp creole anyone?  It was pretty yummy if I do say so myself.

Blueberry pie from Jack's blueberries bushes.  He says they're my bushes too but he's the one who takes care of them and has nursed them along these past years.  They are finally bearing fruit...enough for some pies anyway!  (Oops...the edges are a bit dark but it tasted good anyway!)   It's always fun to have the guys here and listen to their funny stories and just sit around enjoying the time.  We wish Craig could be here too but we'll be seeing him and his family in October.   So a big Happy Birthday Jack!  Welcome to Medicare!   Now on to the "Dog Day" part.   It's National Dog Day today so I found some photos of our pups over the years. 

Ferris the wonder dog....Jordan and I picked him out at the pound.   Jordan was 3yrs old and Ferris was 3 months old.  Jordan named him and that sweet guy lived with us for 15 years.  He passed away in 2002 after we moved to the Pines.   Lots of good memories of him. 

I found this pic of my Mom and Ferris.  She was here for Christmas in 1988..30 yrs ago.  She was 62..time has flown by.

Jordan's dog, Eddy, who passed away 2 years ago will always have a special part of our heart.  He lived here with Jord for 5 years.  We hadn't had a dog in a while and he was a fun guy to get us back into the dog mode.  We miss you Eddy!

My favorite pic of Chubbs...the kindest dog ever.  I still miss him so much.  He was a senior rescue and I'm so glad we took the chance on him.  He didn't live here long but he'll never be forgotten.  Love you Chubbie!

Now we have Arnie...another rescue, only a bit younger than our Chubbs was.  So we hope he's here for a long time.  He's a character with his own mind about life.   We're still getting to know his quirks and find fun things almost every day about him.  He and I walk daily in the parks or the cemetery.  He loves car rides and french fries!  Oh, and sleeping...he's a great sleeper! 

Granddog Kip is a frequent visitor.  He's so sweet and loveable...like a big stuffed toy!  He would so much love it if Arnie would just give him a chance to be friends....but Arnie doesn't care for big dogs.   Kip tries to be nice but Arnie just growls at him if he gets too close.  Hopefully over  time Arnie will get better with him.

Happy is Summer's dog and also a rescue from a puppy mill. He and Arnie get along fine but Happy doesn't like to be too far from Summer.  So those are the pups in our life..past and present.  I know many of my blog buddies have dogs so I wish them all Happy Dog Day! 

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!