More Work on the House

We had a film put over the transom windows at the back of the house - doesn't block the view, does block the sun's rays.  You really can't tell anything is there, but it does work.

So, Mom decided she wants the white wooden blinds in the master bedroom, with the same film over the transom windows, so the back of the house matches.  And I asked that we put the film in the windows at the front door - it gets alot of morning light, while the back gets all the afternoon light.

What a difference!

Pre Film

After film - note, that Buffy was standing in the same place waiting for Amy

 The installer, Larry, told me not to use any cleaner on the film for 30 days - and then I thought, SNOOPY!  He scratches at the window!  And that will ruin the film!.  Larry said to go to Lowes, buy a sheet of plexie glass and have them cut it to the dimensions of the windows, and attach it with velcro.

Ok.  That sounds easy, but I know that nothing ever really is, so off I went to Lowes.  Got the plexie glass and they did cut it.  They also carry velcro, so I bought the white squares to match the white paint.

So far, so good.  I get home and try it out.  IT WORKED!!!!!! And you can't even tell it is there!  Look close below, I have the bottom three windows on both sides covered.

The plexie glass worked!

Amy and I think we will just leave it up so nothing ever ruins the film.  I will send a letter to the company and tell them that Larry was great, and he was.

And now, continuing upstairs.  Here is my bed (lower by 10 inches):

And, at last, done with the bed.  Please note the totally relaxed dogs.

The beginning of one of the guest rooms.

Now it is time to knock down the boxes in the garage.  It never ends.

Love, Leslie

Happy Birthday, Carole!!!!

I am unpacking boxes (still) and I came across a bunch of photos and (light bulb going off), I had a thought.

It is Carole's birthday and why not celebrate and share some pictures - that I bet she doesn't have.  

Carole and Nancy

Leslie, Amy, Carole, Lori and Nancy

 

Carole

I may hear some screaming, but don't worry, I like this idea and I will gladly do it for everyone.  Pictures are meant to be shared.

So, Happy Birthday Carole!!!! I hope you have a fabulous day!

Love,
Leslie

One Minute Closer to Winter

Happy (late) Midsummer's Eve!  We had everyone over to the house for dinner ~ celebrating Father's Day.  Jim cooked chicken, steaks and double baked potatoes and his famous lime chess pie.  I made antipasto, salad and supplied the beer and iced tea.

And we had 5 dogs!!! Which does make life exciting!!!!!

I am working on the upstairs bedrooms.  I changed Amy's room, again and hung some more pictures.  

Now I am getting ready to take Melanie to the vet.  We have been working on changing over the dogs food because Amy doesn't like the food the dogs came to us on.  So we are switching over to Blue Buffalo and then I bought the second bag of Blue Buffalo, but bought the Wilderness version of it and Melanie's digestive system said "NO".  

I am taking her to the vet to make sure she doesn't have some bug.  Better safe than sorry.

On the gardening front, the tomato plants are HUGE and we will have a bumper crop.  I need to Google how long it takes for the tomatoes to ripen.  And here is one of the hibiscus blooms:

Grape tomatoes

I think these are plum tomatoes

Jim's favorite ice cream place ~ it is delicious!!!!

Ok, Melanie is fine.  The vet thinks it is the food.  Which is a relief.  The vet did send an antibiotic anyway, so Melanie is good.

We were at 99 degrees again, today.  Jim says it is unusual for it to be this hot this early.  I guess that Mother Nature is compensating for how cold a winter we had.  

Oh, I have Carolyn news.  She is done with her trauma surgery rotation and starts her Dermatology residency on July 1.   She is so excited!  Chris finished his fourth round of chemo and is tired, but ok. 

Jesse took the real estate exam on Saturday and Maren continues to prep for the bar.  Everyone is busy.

Stay Cool!
Love, Leslie

Baseball Blackouts

I realize that if you don't watch baseball, you probably won't read any further. 

Amy bought the MLB baseball package, so I could watch baseball on tv - hoping that I could see the Orioles and the Nationals.

Nope, they are blacked out on the package.  Yes, if the ESPN game is the Orioles, I can see them, but it is not like watching every day, or listening to them on the radio, which I liked to do.

So, I Googled the question and the answer is that Eastern North Carolina is "considered" to be the demarcated area belonging to the Orioles and Nationals.  And I got the above map and then I realized who else was penalized by this stupid rule.

Crazy.

So, I like to watch the Mets (good pitching), the Cardinals, the Giants (love all of them - BUT they are usually on after 10pm) and, dare I say, other American League games.

At least it is baseball.

On to another topic.....the California contengent will be here on July 13th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will be great to see them and participate in an epic forced march through the highlights of North Carolina and possible college visits.  And ice cream.  And Durham Bulls baseball. 

Love it.

Rob Turman, Jr.'s Wedding ~ And Boy Was It Hot!

Amy drove up to Maryland this weekend to attend Rob Turman, Jr.'s wedding to Caity.  And, to see Jake (who came running up when she called for him).  

And, evidently, it was as hot in Maryland as it was in Durham.

Bob, Carol and Amy

The Bride and Groom

Carol and Bob

Gorgeous wedding venue on the Chesapeake Bay

Amy sent numerous pictures, which was GREAT! and there was running commentary between all of us sisters ~ Nancy and her family watching Defiance, Carole at the SF Giants game, Lori at the beach and me watching the SF Giants game and the Orioles game. 

It was like we were all together, except for the pauses to text.

Everyone will be glad to know that Buffy and Snoopy are fine.  I have managed to not lose or kill anyone or anything and my dog and Snoopy seem to be the only dogs who can use at least one of the dog doors.

My Bennett will use the dog door if I am outside, Snoopy will use the dog door to come in and the rest just wait for me to open and close the door.  A doorman if you please.

I do have to get going this morning.  Got to get mom up, water and go to the grocery store to get some smoked turkey because that is the way that Buffy takes her pills from me.  Wrapped in butter and smoked turkey.

Much love,
Leslie

Try to Remember the Cold

It is not quite summer, but it is close.  I have to water the tomatoes every morning and the pots on the deck and on the screened porch ~ we are in the 90's daily.  The heat does feel great ~ because I do still remember how cold it was this past winter!

Check out these roses!  They are so vivid!  They are a climber, so they should go straight up the fence.

I gave Mom two cherry tomatoes that came off the plants this morning.  Judging from the amount of blossoms and green tomatoes, we should have a bumper crop!

For you homeowners, you may already know this.  If you have daughters or long hair, you know that eventually your drain will clog.  Amy found a gadget - plastic and easy - called Zip-it.  It really works!

Amy and I are off to water at Lori's house,  More later.  Or not.

Nice Way to Start the Day

I was getting up and I picked up the phone and there was a message from Zoe ~ my first Happy Birthday greetings today!  

And then:

I am still smiling!!!!!!!!!

And, I am looking forward to what the rest of the day will bring!  

Whoops, Changed Already!

Change is constant.  At least it is with the moving and unpacking.  Got the second tack box moved.  Boy was it heavy.  But I love the look.

Getting there.

You really can't tell that the bed used to be 10 inches taller!

And, changed again!

On the crazy side of town, according to Mom, Dad has been visiting and wanted to take all of us to the movies yesterday.  I wonder if he wanted to see the new Mad Max film?  

She has good days and bad days.  I have been fussing at her this morning to get up and get moving.  She was up for breakfast, but she apparently went to sleep and didn't eat it or take her pills when I gave it to her.  So she ate a cold breakfast.   Amy just took her lunch and I am going down and get her outside.  (The bad daughter strikes again!)

More later!



Bennett says it is time for bed.  
Love, Leslie

Leslie's Room

I got my bed fixed, Alan (the carpender) fixed it AND cut the legs off.  It is more manageable for me and the dogs!  I started some work on getting my room set up.  It is not finished, and, as you know, I will move stuff around, but here is where I am:

I think I am going to move the desk against a wall and put the second tack box in its place and find my other Christmas Lights Parade picture to go over the tack box.

I need another blue picture to even out the display.

So, as you can see, it is a work in progress.  And, alot more work needs to be done. 

Off to dinner with the Hardins!

Love, Leslie

No One Died

We fired up the grill.  You have no idea how exciting that was!  I got all the stuff, Kingsford charcoal (with the lighter fluid in it), one of those cylinders that helps get the coals heated up, wooden skewers......I had chicken cut in pieces (so it would cook faster) that I had put in a brine, pineapple, a Vidallia onion, red, yellow and green peppers.  We were ready.

Lori came over and Amy and I opened the grill and poured in the charcoal.  We didn't need  the cylinder since the charcoal was already coated with lighter fluid.  But, you never know.  The last time I had worked with charcoal was YEARS ago!  And, it was tricky!!!!!!

One match later and we had FIRE! I was really surprised!

So, I had all the skewers on the grill and we were off.  Amy had some fish on the grill, so we met all food requirements.  I had made parmesian risotto and we had cut up tomato with basil.  Delicious.

The next night, I fired up the grill again and did hamburgers.  Lori came over for dinner and it all worked.  I think the burgers were a bit dry, but I will try again. 

The amazing thing?  No one died.

The next attempt will involve marshmellows, chocolate and graham crackers.

Enjoy!
Love, Leslie

Check out the tomatoes!

Amy is Recovered!

Amy had her doctor's appointment today and he cleared her to drive!  Said she could do anything, except run.  Here she is, back in the driver's seat!  Which makes her very happy!

I need to set the treadmill up and I guess it will be in the garage, which will be ok for exercise.  I think Lori and Amy are going to join a gym at Duke. 

Mom is not feeling well.  She pulled a muscle in her neck area.  Not sure how it happened, seems like you have to move around to do that, but who knows?

Sorry this is short - I should have more tomorrow.  We are going to officially try the grill that Amy put together.  That may be very exciting!

Love, Leslie