The Last Day of June

On this the 30th of June, a belated Happy Birthday to Carole!!!! She wanted NOTHING for her birthday.  That is just so wrong in many ways.

We have past Midsummer Eve, which is the first day of summer ~ the longest day of the year, and now the days start getting shorter and the nights longer (Amy and I had a discussion about that and some crazy girl who was so confused!) and moving towards the All Star Game, which I love to watch.  And, don't forget the 4th of July!  I am looking forward to cooking outside and enjoying the fireflies.  While I am sitting here at the kitchen table, and it is getting dark, I can see the hummingbirds getting their last drink of the day.

I am watching the Orioles and they are winning with the world's worst pitcher pitching.  It is a matter of time.

Here are some photos of the yard, so you can see how my garden grows:

These are the coneflowers.

At last, butterfly weed ~ I have always wanted some, so hopefully this keeps coming back.

These are balloon flowers and they bloom all summer and love the heat!  Plus they reseed everywhere and transplant beautifully!

Bennett being kept prisoner.  He cries to come out and cries to go in.  He is the biggest baby.

This is the tumbling tomato that is growing in a bag.

The balloon flowers again.

Isn't he cute?  He is very tiny.

Nothing earth shattering going on ~ Mom and I went grocery shopping and I fixed her a lovely dinner - teriyaki salmon, lemon orzo with spinach and watermelon with blackberries.  Delicious.

Much love,
Leslie

What Say You?

First off, I had a LOVELY week and a half away ~ while Mom was in Hilton Head.  (Lori says they had a good time, but I have my doubts.)  Anyhoo, yesterday, Mom announced that she really thought she could drive.  A car?  I asked.  "Yes" was the answer.

Let's see......she doesn't hear well, really can see out of one eye, maybe.  Should she drive?  I said "No".  What do you think?

Love,
Leslie (still twitching)

PS ~ Please call your mother once a week!!!!!! She just told me that no one communicates anymore to her.  I only say this because she lets me have it and then I have to call you ~ which is defeating the purpose.  Call her.

Home Again

Today Amy and I are going to pick up Mom ~ so I had the car serviced, I cleaned and vacuumed it out - twice, because after i did it, the dogs hopped in.  I didn't want Amy to ride in dirty car.  

We left at 10am and Amy had directions to meet Lori at a Macy's south of Richmond.  We did great until we were following the GPS to the Macy's.  We saw alot of Colonial Heights - the historic district, some great Craftsman houses and some not-so-good spots.  I kept saying that I thought we should have stayed on 95 because you could see the Macy's from the highway.  30 minutes into the search, Amy discovered that she had put in the wrong address.  We got redirected - but I was laughing so hard I was crying and I almost peed myself.  

Here is Snoopy on his way home in the prisoner exchange.  Amy kept telling him that Lori dumped him and didn't want him back ~ but he believed he would go home.  Look at that face!

We find Lori parked under a tree in the Macy's lot.  We make the switch and as we are leaving, Lori's car won't start.  Dead battery.  I don't have battery cables, but Lori does, but none of us know what to do and LUCKILY Amy approaches this very nice man who SAVES us!!!!!!  

May I also say that I wasn't sure how to open my hood and there was alot of corrosion on my battery and this man, Calvin, was so nice - he told us what we had to do and he put up with me, Lori and Amy.  In the conversations, he tells us that he is a retired Marine Drill Instructor who had been based at 8th and I, the Pentagon and retired out of LeJeune in 1986.  He was fabulous!  Love him!

Lori's cable to her battery was so loose that Calvin had to tighten it with a wrench and then jump it with my car.  Honestly, I don't know how we get around.  But we made it safe and sound - thank goodness for the Marines!

Love,
Leslie

PS ~ during our journey, a story was related via text that one of our nearest and dearest reported that "My scrotum popped" and her grandfather said that his did too.  They meant their sternums. Tomato tamato.  (Never mind that girls don't have scrotums!!!!!!!!) So combined with being lost in Colonial Heights, I almost expired from laughing.  

PSS  OMG ~ the Americans just scored and are leading Portugal 2-1 with 8 minutes left!!!!
                        And, darn it, the game ended in a tie 2-2.

PSSS ~ Mom loves the new laundry room!

PSSSS ~ Great website - virtualpiano.net 

Last Day Alone

Today, I went with Amy to see some friends play Polacrosse?  It is basically lacrosse on horseback.  They play 6 minute chukka's and then switch teams.  I honestly don't know how you can ride a horse, catch a ball in a net and throw it through a goal.  

Amy has a friend whose son is going to play in Australia for two weeks.

Then, I came home, sat at my computer and caught this picture:

This is taken through the screen, from the opposite end of the kitchen table.  Can you see there are 2 hummingbirds?  One on the railing of the deck and one at the feeder.

 Time to take care of the bunnies!

Love, Leslie

Finished? Done?

Here it is Friday morning.  I just was over taking care of the animals at Nancy's house - cat, rabbits, foxes....

And, a drum roll please......here is the new laundry room.  I finished painting, moved the shelf in, hung a picture....it looks very empty.  But, clean and nice.  (And it was a major pain!!!!)

Remember ~ this is what it looked like.

And, this is what it looks like now.

It is astonishing how empty it looks!

This is the new wall plate.

Now to put all the other crap away - rearrange, recycle, repurpose.  I will figure it out.

Here is my pile of Hazardous Waste that goes to Hazardous Waste Day at the dump tomorrow.

Got to get it done ~ Mom comes home on Sunday ~ or should I say Amy and I are driving down on Sunday to meet Lori somewhere and have an exchange of prisoners:  Snoopy for Mom.

Here is Snoopy.   

A fair trade I'd say.

Enjoy your almost first day of summer!
Love, 
Leslie

Painting, Part I

First, I would like to say "I like painting".  Painting the laundry room, not so much.  Cramped space.  Lots of crazy corners - the washer and dryer.  Major pain.  

I just stopped to take an "in progress" photo - but you can see the difference.

You can see that the color is soft and it really doesn't show the difference in the ceiling color.

But it will sure look nice.  And again, it certainly takes longer than I think.  Amy says it is because I am "of a certain age".  Maybe so.  She better watch her back.

Break over.  It is time to walk the dogs.  I will finish up when I have something more to say.

Basking in my DIY self.
Love, 
Leslie

Toggles ~ Helpful or Should They Be Outlawed?

I am sure toggles were helpful.  I just watched a You Tube video that said they were great because you could "hang stuff on anything" with a toggle bolt. 

Hmmmmm.  That is probably true - but what does one do when you want them out?  And what do you do when the screw won't come out of the toggle?  And I am sure I have many more questions because I certainly want to say a lot of bad words trying to get them out.  Luckily, I have the correct tools (Phillips head screwdriver, straight edge - like a paint scraper) and lots of spackle.

By the way ~ there are 54 HOLES in the walls in the laundry room!

Here is one - and they are a bear to get off!

This is the bar that held the wire shelving - also a pain!

You Tube saved me - they were very helpful.  However, I think I will never use another toggle again.  Because they are a major pain in the neck.  I think I am going to stick with built in shelving and book cases. 

On the good side of the day:  I got some hummingbird pictures:

And, a little beauty to finish up.  It certainly looks better than our laundry room at this moment.

Aren't these gorgeous?  These are in my across the street neighbors yard by their mailbox.

This is the front bed on the side of our house.

By our mailbox.

Ok, back to the grindstone.  Plus, Bennett is giving me his song and dance act that he wants to go out.  

Enjoy your DIY moments in time!

Love,

Leslie

PS The best tool for these crazy toggles ~ needle nosed pliers!

Happy Father's Day

I have been thinking a lot about my Dad.  And it always brings a smile.  I imagine that everyone has their favorite story and it is always fun to share and laugh.  I think of his interest in sports - baseball (his beloved Giants), the Washington Redskins, the Seattle Rainiers and anything Navy.  And how he could quote stats and always had a sports quiz at dinner.  "Who played third base for the 1948 Giants?"  Who knew?  
His great outfits to wear when he did yard work.  The famous gold lame shorts.
His unending love for Snickers, Peanut M&M's - and when he went to the grocery store he could be counted on the bring home Ring Dings, Ho Ho's, donuts and Twinkies.  He single handily destroyed our dietary habits for ever. 

His ability to take a nap sitting up - and making everyone around him think he was dead - except us, who were used to him.  Dad was Dad - and he is missed.

So today, Celebrate all the Dads (be they Uncles or adopted Dads) in your life.

Love, Leslie

Time to Get Down to Work

This weekend, I have decided to paint the laundry room.  I hate the light fixture and the wire shelves.  Also, I don't think it has ever been painted beyond what the builder put on the walls. So, a trip to Home Depot and I am ready.

Paint, drop cloth, rollers - I looked at the light fixtures, but I am not sure how to put those up.  I am going to You Tube after I paint.  I also looked at wall plates - and bought "decorative" wall plates - meaning pewter.  Took the ugly painted one down in the kitchen and replaced it - and I like it.  I got one for my bathroom and one for the laundry room.  Believe me, I have zillions more to get!

Could this be uglier?

Now the paint colors.  I am putting "Arabian Sands" on the walls and a pretty, pretty soft light pink - it is called "Bella Pink" on the ceiling.  Just because it is a laundry room doesn't mean it can't be pretty - I am still in love with Nancy's chicken laundry room with the red washer and dryer that is now a fantastic butler's pantry.

This is crying to be fixed up!

And there is the really ugly light fixture.

Well, times a wastin'.  And, my toast is burning.
More later!
Love, Leslie

"The Eagle Has Landed"

Well, I am a bit late in writing ~ but Mom made it to Hilton Head, South Carolina ~ a non-eventful trip.  A huge relief!  Lori, Jim and Mom are enjoying themselves and Jim is doing ALL the cooking!  He is the perfect man!  And here is their view:

And in case you wonder if the bank is really watching.....I got a call from PNC bank wanting to talk to Mom.  They, of course, wouldn't talk to me - I told them she was in Hilton Head and got a number for their "analysts".  

I immediately called Lori - they were in the CVS - and I told Lori to call when they got back to the condo.  Mom called the bank and they had called her because they were concerned about the use of the card in the CVS.  In our case, they are watching!

And, since Mom left, it has poured here!  We have had a ton of rain - and everything is growing beautifully.

This is an Easter Lilly that has come back pink.

This is Mom's fig that froze, but is coming back in multiples!

And this is the Kafir lime that is also coming back.

So, all is well.  The dogs and I are getting ready to go for a walk.  I am watching the hummingbird feeder and the hummingbirds have been all over it today!  Multiple visits by multiple birds - I will try and get pictures.  

That is it from here in tropical and quiet Davidsonville.  
~Leslie

Getting Ready for Hilton Head

Mom wanted a pedicure so she could wear her new white sandals in Hilton Head so I took her to an appointment.  On the way, she worked me because she wants to read the blog.  I did not succumb to her pressure.  I told her it was just for the sisters and friends.  Not our mother. She says "I will not hold anything against you!" HA!  

So anyway, I am sitting in the salon, and my phone buzzes.  Yep, it is mom calling me to come and get her because she is ready to go.  I am her minion.

While Jesse and Maren were here ~ Jesse told Mom that he didn't have to be back until Monday and she got the idea that she could ride to Durham with Jesse and Maren and then continue with them to Hilton Head.  Not a good idea.  And, didn't happen because they left today.  I made the train reservation and Mom leaves at 10 am on Tuesday.  Cross your fingers.

I love these toes - they are not Mom's - hers are a sedate mauve.  These look like summer to me!  And Skittles.

Counting down the days!

Leslie

Jim's Change of Command

Today was Jim's change of command.  And it was a beautiful day.  And with the surprise of Jesse and Maren calling and saying they were two hours away!  They came up to go to the ceremony. They got here at 3pm and we left at 4 to make the 5pm ceremony in Alexandria.  

And, as usual - we took 3 cars!  It never fails.  

Jim is now the Chief Trial Judge of the United States Army Reserve and assumed command of the 150th Legal Operations Detachment.

Amy, Maren, Zoe

Zoe and Jesse

Jesse

Jim and Maren in the reception line

Amy made a sign that she held up for a special message to Jim.

They served beer and cake.

Maren, Drew, Zoe

Tim, Jim, Master Sgt., Colonel Rigsby (who retired)

Maren, Jim and Jesse

It was lovely and very touching and a very proud moment.  Then we all went to dinner at a great place in Pentagon City - Ted's Steak House.  Delicious!!!!!! They specialize in bison and beef, rolls, Special chocolate milkshakes (someone got carded!) and it was hmm hmmm good.

And now, at 11:30pm - I am the only one up.  Everyone has gone to bed.  Got the Nat's game on and enjoying the quiet - for a little while.  

Congratulations to Jim and Congratulations to Carolyn, who graduates tomorrow from medical school.  We are so proud of you!

Love,
Leslie