How did I ever find time to work for pay. My days get away all too quickly with mundane tasks, errands and keeping up with family and friends. A smaller home hasn't really lessened the time required for up keep...in fact, lack of storage complicates many activities.
As I work on final plans for several upcoming trips, Ol' Abner is continuing to deal with health maintenance projects. Today he had to go in for several tests, none pleasant. My plan was to accompany him and we would do some shopping along the way. Oxygen delivery is today and someone must be home for that critical arrival. I need to make a run to the bank and get some fresh produce, but it will have to be worked around the bottles of oxygen for restocking the garage rack.
We did pick out some granite yesterday. We found a slab of one we both loved and they seemed to have plenty for our needs. Now it's up to the installer to pick it up and cut to fit. I picked out a new sink to fit underneath. It would be nice to have an apron style sink, but that's a whole different battle. Some things are just better when settled.
Grandchildren's and son's birthdays will be celebrated early, because everyone's schedule is crazy these days. Friends from Tuscon bypassed us and went straight to the mountain. Do we really sound that crazy? Other friends will be here from time to time as they attempt to get a second home purchased in our little town. In the meantime, the manly garage should begin taking shape in the next couple of weeks...or perhaps, months. I am anxious to plan some landscaping, but for now I'll be silent on that issue. My compost bin hasn't finished making new dirt anyway.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Changes!
Unseasonably cool weather with frequent fog and sprinkles take my mood into the doldrums. Ol' Abner is snippy these days and seems to think I am overly demanding. Our latest squabble was over shrubs, yes, shrubs! I won't bore you with the ugly details. It's enough to say that I like variety of form and color, he prefers matchy-matchy!
Today we are headed for the granite yard to pick out new counter tops for the kitchen. Back splash will probably need replacement too. I foresee a disagreement coming. I love the color in the formica counter tops currently in the kitchen. The problem...it's formica. Hopefully we can find a granite sample with similar look. He will want to have a change that's evident.
I am planning a trip soon and he will have the counter tops replaced while I am away. Oh my, that means I must choose a new kitchen sink! Please let me find one that can be delivered in time. Time is running out. I better go awake him from his morning nap.
Today we are headed for the granite yard to pick out new counter tops for the kitchen. Back splash will probably need replacement too. I foresee a disagreement coming. I love the color in the formica counter tops currently in the kitchen. The problem...it's formica. Hopefully we can find a granite sample with similar look. He will want to have a change that's evident.
I am planning a trip soon and he will have the counter tops replaced while I am away. Oh my, that means I must choose a new kitchen sink! Please let me find one that can be delivered in time. Time is running out. I better go awake him from his morning nap.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Spring Fever!
Dog and I are feeling restless again. Our exercise has been limited for too many easy reasons lately. She's developing a little paunch...and I won't even think about the sour note from the scale in the bathroom. It's not pretty! Now that the spring/Easter cold snap is in the past, we must regain our commitment to a daily stroll flanked by alternate days in the gym. Laziness has been so very easy to embrace for a couple of weeks now.
Trauma and roller coaster events in lives of friends and family keep my mind racing. I know how those poor greyhounds feel as they chase the bunny on a pole around the track! Where is the rescue team when we need them?
Oh well, I'm putting on my walking shoes and going outside to hear the birds singing up close and personal. Belle's ready.
Trauma and roller coaster events in lives of friends and family keep my mind racing. I know how those poor greyhounds feel as they chase the bunny on a pole around the track! Where is the rescue team when we need them?
Oh well, I'm putting on my walking shoes and going outside to hear the birds singing up close and personal. Belle's ready.
Monday, April 1, 2013
No daisies
It seemed like a strange time for Easter to come along. After all, it was still March! I casually mentioned to daughter in law a week or so ago that we should think about an Easter brunch. Actually I was thinking one of the yummy presentations offered by the great eateries in the area would be a nice way to spend a cool spring morning. I hadn't yet gathered any spring flowers or for that matter, no friendship with a florist has been struck in our new surroundings. Yep, this circumstance is making me miss my friend, Flower Girl. It seemed like turning the celebration over to strangers for hire might be a good option.
Maybe I didn't make myself clear. Shortly thereafter, DIL posted and tagged me on a social network with a recipe recommendation for a brunch casserole. Sounded easy enough. The foundation was set. I was serving Easter Brunch! I didn't quite get into it until Saturday afternoon, when it occurred to me that we were out of eggs! With a promise to cook soon, I lured Ol' Abner to the grocery store. I texted DIL that she should spread the word that brunch would be served around 10:30 or 11ish. She would have preferred a little earlier, but my little oven only cooks so fast (not to mention, I don't often get moving early).
Not a single flower adorned my brunch table, but the simple food was good. DIL arrived in time to stir up a big batch of tiny biscuits to complement the casserole, avocado-tomato mix and fruit salad. Did I mention the mimosas with which we primed the appetite? Surely no one else noticed the lack of floral offerings.
It's a nice Monday morning after the quiet celebration, and with no wilting flowers to salvage, leftovers are the joy of the day. Oh wait, now I remember why I like to have holiday celebrations at home. It's the leftovers! Yes, that's how we stretch the celebration over several days. Now what on earth will I do with the Blueberry-Banana dessert, Lemon Icebox pie, and White Chocolate Cheesecake. This crowd does love desserts, but why wouldn't they take some home! We will just have to persevere...
Brother In Law cannot go home to West Texas until this dessert is finished!
Maybe I didn't make myself clear. Shortly thereafter, DIL posted and tagged me on a social network with a recipe recommendation for a brunch casserole. Sounded easy enough. The foundation was set. I was serving Easter Brunch! I didn't quite get into it until Saturday afternoon, when it occurred to me that we were out of eggs! With a promise to cook soon, I lured Ol' Abner to the grocery store. I texted DIL that she should spread the word that brunch would be served around 10:30 or 11ish. She would have preferred a little earlier, but my little oven only cooks so fast (not to mention, I don't often get moving early).
Not a single flower adorned my brunch table, but the simple food was good. DIL arrived in time to stir up a big batch of tiny biscuits to complement the casserole, avocado-tomato mix and fruit salad. Did I mention the mimosas with which we primed the appetite? Surely no one else noticed the lack of floral offerings.
It's a nice Monday morning after the quiet celebration, and with no wilting flowers to salvage, leftovers are the joy of the day. Oh wait, now I remember why I like to have holiday celebrations at home. It's the leftovers! Yes, that's how we stretch the celebration over several days. Now what on earth will I do with the Blueberry-Banana dessert, Lemon Icebox pie, and White Chocolate Cheesecake. This crowd does love desserts, but why wouldn't they take some home! We will just have to persevere...
Brother In Law cannot go home to West Texas until this dessert is finished!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Grapevines and Wildflowers
A few days ago I set off on my annual quest for wildflower viewing. It's a beautiful time of year in Central Texas. The bluebonnets are just beginning to appear along the roadside and other blooms are peeking up in places. Redbud trees are showing those signature pink blossoms and the hillsides are starting to turn green.
Texas wines are ever popular among my friends and family. A vineyard I've only known via grocery store shelves is a short drive from our little town. I couldn't resist following the road designated as the path to the winery.
I arrived in late morning, just in time for a lovely tour and a sampling of wonderful wines. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable with the owners hosting warmly.
The grounds were beautiful. I was allowed to stroll the trails and snap photos at my leisure.
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| Well worth a ride down a country road. |
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| Only the beginning of a lovely stop. |
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| Redbuds are only in bloom for a few days each year. Better enjoy while I can. |
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| Serene ponds in several places. |
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| Vines are watched carefully to guide the growth for maximum quality of fruit production. |
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| Maybe non-productive when making beverages, but oh so beautiful to my untrained eye! |
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| I liked it here! Wildflowers grew on the grounds and aging trees draped over creekbeds. The rocky soil gives the entire area a rustic appeal with bits of color sprinkling the ground. I will return to this beautiful place! |
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Chasing Wildflowers
Texas wildflowers are the most beautiful in the world. I know this from viewing experience. It is the time of year when I begin to salivate over possible roadside views, refusing to take the predictions of the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center for sparse displays too seriously. The tiny purple and yellow early bloomers are already beginning to pop up along my morning walking trails. Rainfall during the wrong months may have discouraged the hardy bluebonnets from the massive displays often enjoyed in April. I'll take what I can find, and hope the flowering mustard (aka "bastard cabbage") doesn't succeed in blocking the bluebonnets and indian paintbrush for light and nutrients.
I'll begin driving the backroads in a week or so to see where the plants are beginning to flourish. That will give me a map for future views. Years ago, I made this pilgrimage to see the flowers as homage to my mother. She would terrorize anyone mowing her lakeside yard in an untimely manner. The wildflowers had to be given time to bloom and seed so the next year's blooms could be assured. The year we lost her, the yard was mowed early and the wildflowers have never come back to that little bit of lakefront. I'll spot some in this neighborhood and watch them bloom, marking it as an honor to Mammy!
I'll begin driving the backroads in a week or so to see where the plants are beginning to flourish. That will give me a map for future views. Years ago, I made this pilgrimage to see the flowers as homage to my mother. She would terrorize anyone mowing her lakeside yard in an untimely manner. The wildflowers had to be given time to bloom and seed so the next year's blooms could be assured. The year we lost her, the yard was mowed early and the wildflowers have never come back to that little bit of lakefront. I'll spot some in this neighborhood and watch them bloom, marking it as an honor to Mammy!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tangled
We have new neighbors moving in next door. Ol' Abner visited briefly with the man yesterday. They appear to be about our age and have moved to our little hill country berg for many of the same reasons that shaped our choice. I suspect they will be a good fit for our quiet neighborhood.
Just a few doors up the street, another home remains empty. Dancing Girl and Guitar Man were in the midst of purchasing that property when the clearance for the title became a fast widening abyss. We knew there was a problem or two with the house, but nothing that couldn't be corrected with a little TLC and some elbow grease. Initial research from the title company uncovered vendor liens and some unpaid fees associated with the house. The real estate inspector found some needed repairs, as were expected in a house neglected for nearly a year. They proceeded with hope that closing could take place on schedule or even a few days earlier. Buyer paperwork was completed and cleared for closing. We were as excited as they. Another debt encumbrance to the property was discovered with the state. It was further determined that a delinquent mortgage existed. Calls to the lender to attempt to work out an agreement to avoid foreclosure, went unanswered. The seller had previously sold the home as an "owner finance" and offered to enter into the same agreement with DG and GM. With a murky title, owned by a trust and further listed as an asset in an investment company, clearly they had no choice except to back away.
I am devastated. We love this neighborhood and they would have been the perfect compliment to our street. It felt so very right. The house was the right size for them and their extended family for weekend lake outings. As a future retirement home, it would serve their needs well, not only because of it's close proximity to ME, but because they had contracted to purchase the lot behind. Guitar Man has as many, maybe more toys than Ol' Abner, and a place for a manly playhouse would fit the property perfectly.
Perhaps another property will better suit their needs and we'll find it next time they are here...but it won't be on my street! That's just wrong on so many levels!
Just a few doors up the street, another home remains empty. Dancing Girl and Guitar Man were in the midst of purchasing that property when the clearance for the title became a fast widening abyss. We knew there was a problem or two with the house, but nothing that couldn't be corrected with a little TLC and some elbow grease. Initial research from the title company uncovered vendor liens and some unpaid fees associated with the house. The real estate inspector found some needed repairs, as were expected in a house neglected for nearly a year. They proceeded with hope that closing could take place on schedule or even a few days earlier. Buyer paperwork was completed and cleared for closing. We were as excited as they. Another debt encumbrance to the property was discovered with the state. It was further determined that a delinquent mortgage existed. Calls to the lender to attempt to work out an agreement to avoid foreclosure, went unanswered. The seller had previously sold the home as an "owner finance" and offered to enter into the same agreement with DG and GM. With a murky title, owned by a trust and further listed as an asset in an investment company, clearly they had no choice except to back away.
I am devastated. We love this neighborhood and they would have been the perfect compliment to our street. It felt so very right. The house was the right size for them and their extended family for weekend lake outings. As a future retirement home, it would serve their needs well, not only because of it's close proximity to ME, but because they had contracted to purchase the lot behind. Guitar Man has as many, maybe more toys than Ol' Abner, and a place for a manly playhouse would fit the property perfectly.
Perhaps another property will better suit their needs and we'll find it next time they are here...but it won't be on my street! That's just wrong on so many levels!
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