Hello. A very rainy morning and now a cooler and sunny afternoon. But apparently rain is lurking and will be back. I went to Trader Joe's this morning and then to several Walgreens stores looking for a special-- neither store had what I wanted. I played Mah Jongg (yippee--one winning hand this week) and then tried another Walgreens store. I finally found a bit of what I wanted to purchase and wanted to use my rewards points. I have loads of points but could only use a small portion of them. I am not so thrilled with the system now. Last time I redeemed some it was an online purchase and I was able to use all of them. Well, now I know. Stopped at Aldi's on the way home. A friend had indicated they had all organic produce now. Nope, not true. Had lunch and working on a birthday card now.

Marie, sorry about Kathy's continued health problems. I hope she heals up quickly. Good to hear from you.

Anne, I would agree, spend the money on what pleases you. I get a very cheap haircut, in fact lots of cheap things and spend my money on art supplies and my special foods. Makes me happy!!

Buzz, I hope you are on the mend.

Sandy, wahoo, a trip coming up soon. You will have so much fun!! Glad the garage door opener is fixed and that your landlady was right there to write the check. Whatever you and Babe do is totally your business, don't let anyone make you feel bad about your financial arrangements. Nobody's business!!

Pasty, I love the photos of Katie. She has the look of a very happy dog. Soooo cute!

Jackie, another busy day! I hope you get things all sorted out on your decorating project. I detest deliveries that do not arrive on time. Grrrrr. Well all my best to you and George. I am sure you'll miss your walking companions. Although you are so busy I do not see how you have time for walking sometimes.

Best wishes to all and hugs of course.

Lin

A frustrating morning waiting for my wardrobe to be delivered which is apparently on its way but where? I think I'll get my gardening clothes on and potter outside where the sun is shining and just keep my mobile phone close by because he's bound to need directions to find me! Buzz, I'm so sorry you're feeling so rough and hope there are helping hands to ensure you have everything you need. Get well soon.

Hopefully get back to you all later.
Jackie

Hello all,

Nice day today. Our 42nd anniversary. We went out for supper and then to a artist's reception. Our daughter's father in law is a fabulous photograph and one of his pictures was accepted for the show.

What a nice evening.



Ed took this photo of me at supper. I think it turned out very nice.

Back to a busy life again, taking MJ to kindergarten tomorrow.

I must go downstairs now, unload the dishwasher and get a salad ready to take with me tomorrow.

Have a great day.

Jeri

Finally, if anyone is interested, I appear to have found a decent shampoo at the organic store that seems to be controlling my mop. It's
Tea Tree Shampoo made by Thursday Plantation, Australia's original. Wow, what a difference! Not quite Jane Fonda, but I'm not complaining. Guess who's stocking up tomorrow in case it disappears!

DID the wardrobe arrive JACKIE and in one piece? Sincerely hope the delivery van didn't encounter the evil farm vehicle driver in the narrow Cornish lane.

Lovely photo JERI, a real keeper for the family album, and BUZZ hope the cold is departing.

LIN, stay safe from tornados and other storms,

And I must take Jill for a walkies whilst the washing churns away.
Happy Thursday and stay safe, all,
Anne.

Afternoon already and best laid plans as ever out the window!! Yes thanks, the wardrobe was delivered an hour of so later than anticipated but by a charming lad who had kept me informed via text messages as he worked his way in my direction. A phone call from him saying he thought he must be lost turned out to be from about 30 meters away and outside my garage where the wardrobe is to be stored until the decorating is finished. After that and while waiting for my pedicurist to arrive I had a call from the housebound neighbour sounding distressed but a few questions confirmed she was just feeling lonely so this morning after our walk George and I popped in for a visit expecting to stay about 30 minutes but because her carers were late arriving to make her lunch I stayed over an hour. Back into town I drove for cat food and corn for my hens where I found a black cat with white paws outside the store doing its best to get in the door but NO, I didn't bring it home as its owner was inside buying food for it and told me it follows him along the road.... yikes, I wouldn't trust our local drivers anywhere near a cat!! I've just enjoyed a cous cous and mackerel lunch and will now wash down woodwork in the bedroom ready for painting about 4 hours later than planned!

Anne ~ My pedicurist recommends tea tree for everything and I have a face wash as well as small bottle of tea tree oil to fight infections. Coming from an organic shop I can imagine all the nasty chemicals normally in shampoos that strip our hair won't be in yours so good choice! The driver of the van was enamoured when it came to this area with its scenery and quaint pubs as he lives the other side of Plymouth city so has made plans in his mind to bring wife and young daughter back to investigate further in the summer!

Buzz ~ I do hope those bugs have at least begun to fly away today.

Lin ~ Tornadoes are something I would dread because they are so out of control so luckily we only get mini ones very occasionally in the UK. Glad you're safe.

Jeri ~ Happy anniversary and looking gorgeous as ever!

Sandy ~ How was bingo and those big wins? Nearly time for you to fly to Florida so you must be excited. Don't hold your breath for photos of my newly decorated bedroom because at the rate I'm going it will be weeks.... haven't even ordered new carpet yet!!

That's it, I must get on otherwise it will be another day lost!
Jackie

THEY'RE BACK, THE BLUEBELLS. MY FAVOURITE WILD FLOWER!

A very happy anniversary Jeri! At 42 years together...you two very nearly just newly weds!
Best wishes!

We have sun...sort of! Things are leafing out and pollen is starting coat everything. I know I am still alive because I have my hay fever/allergies in full bloom. That is interesting. I go about with red runny eyes and nose. Very attractive. But it is only temporary. We need the pollen to have all the rest of the good stuff.
Patsy

Buzz- I have heard “Hidden Figures” is a 'must watch'! It is on my 'hit list”!
Sorry you are 'under the weather' and hope you feel better soon.
Lin – Sorry to hear of your friend's husband's diagnosis. Your friend's response is not unusual, it is a common 1st stage – denial. :-( Will add him to our prayers.
I hear you , between house and car there is always something needing to be done -$$$ -!!! I to wish the US would ban certain pesticides commonly used. I live in residential area and Do Not spray my lawn much to many of my neighbors dismay!
Sandy – Prioritizing necessary needs can be trying. Glad you are able to make travel and visiting family at the top of your list! Do so while you have your health and are able to do so. :-) You never know what tomorrow will bring.
Babe loves you and wants to take care of you/your needs, that is what one does for a loved one! I am glad you have him.
It is nice you have a responsive landlady. Nice B- day card!
Your trip is coming right up, safe travels and ….Enjoy!
Anne - So glad to hear your Easter turned out 'smashing'! It is nice to have a safe backyard where Jilly can roam free.
I too save $$ where I can and average 1 haircut, maybe 2 per year. Wish I had ability to cut my own. My mom taught me to 'stock up' on good buys but my son calls it hoarding if you have more than 1 spare of anything, especially consumables. I call it penny wise vs pound foolish! Have to save/pinch those pennies where I can.
Patsy – Our animals are part of our families,so glad they were included in your Easter celebration.
Jackie – Send a little of your energy my way....Please! LOL! Awaiting pics of finished room.
Love the bluebells!
Marie – Sending prayers for Kathy and what she is dealing with.
Jeri – Happy Anniversary, glad you enjoyed your evening together. Very nice pic! :-)

My crocus and mini hyacinth are peeking through the mulch of leaves and blooming. There is hope warmer days are ahead. I have starts sprouting in my Bay window and anxious to get them outside to harden off and ready to plant. My nephew who agreed to do work for me ended up working for his father at their car dealership during his school vacation :-( I get a bit depressed when I look out back and see the overgrown mess and repairs that I no longer can do and do not have the finances to cover a professional to do. :-( Oh well! As mom would say ….”such is life without a wife and home without a cook-stove...” A couple workmen came and gave me estimates for different jobs. Priorities state must take care of water in basement issues so need to fix: the crack in the foundation, broken gutters, new sump pump, ...then maybe fence company to repair fence and add a gate. Hope nephew comes soon to power wash fence/deck then stain them too save $$ and quiet my neighbors complaining about my 'unkempt ' property! They have told me I need to sell as I obviously can no longer keep up with things appropriately. I feel like telling them...”be my guest to help and do things if it bothers you so. I keep the gardens and lawn cared for outside the fence where it is visible to 'the world'.
Our temps. Have gone back to 30's & 40's! Wet raining and gloomy. I did get outside and enjoyed some of the warmer weather when it was here.
Had a few medical procedures and now need a biopsy done. They wanted to schedule it for the next day but since I am on Coumadin I have to do 7-10 day “bridge” with Lovenox injections before any invasive procedure. So I will have it this coming Tuesday.
Well too long winded again! Everyone have a good day/night.
MAE

MAE, I find it appalling that you have neighbours who tell you to sell if things slide a little! Or even a lot! They should meet my neighbour who is a strong, healthy male who much prefers a beer outside on a warm day rather than painting his peeling window frames! Don't FEEL like telling them, TELL them any neighbourly help would be much appreciated. We street dwellers all accept H as he is, a sort of amiable giant, and I have a high fence between us on much of the divide so it's out of sight out of mind!

Meanwhile, I'm tempted to have a wild flower garden to encourage the butterflies and bees. With weed killers and pesticides banned it would flourish! The dandelions are beginning to appear all over our town grass verges so it's rather a losing battle digging them up on our own plots anyway.

We had an awful lot of rain overnight with thunder and lightning. All day yesterday in fact, non stop.

I'm still delighted with the made in Australia Shampoo I found! I've got curly hair again which of course helps the self cut. It all blends in now!

I'm not sure what today will bring in the grocery shop dept. Mike has an appointment so I could well be trundling off with the old trolley leaving Jilly on her own-some. She loves to travel in the car normally.
Anne.

Thank you for all the nice Anniversary congratulations. I think Ed and I are kindred spirits and the fates brought us together. From the moment we first met we liked each other.

Jackie what a pretty picture.

Sandy, so cute. Ed really liked the one you posted on Facebook.

Yesterday one of those sooooo busy days, fun, but go go go. We had a nice impromptu visit with a friend over breakfast at McDonald's after dropping MJ off at kindergarten. I eat at home and have tea and 10 almonds for a snack. LOL. Ed using has a muffin or some sort.

Then after lunch we spent the afternoon at kindergarten and got home after 4. I was so tired as I have been sleeping very poorly. I get a cortisone shot in my left shoulder on Monday. Hope it works.

Time run.

Have a great day everyone.

Jeri

Good day. After Tai Chi I got a passport photo from Costco. I did a bit of cooking and have been doing laundry and sorting through boxes in the basement and have been folding them up and putting them in the recycling bin. Will get back to both things tomorrow.

There is a free HBO preview on Sling TV for a few days so I am now soaking up movies!!!!! Wahoo.

Mae, I have a neighbor who comes over and finds a way to complain when grass isn't mowed, or a tree needs something or God forbid there's a blooming dandelion. He sprays Roundup on stray weeds without my permission and gets upset if my garage door is open all day. He turns people in for zoning code violations. I try to ignore him as nicely as possible. I wish people would lend a hand. When I lived on a farm a long time ago, neighbors helped each other.

Sandy, happy travels. Be safe!

Jeri, you have a busy life but it sounds very happy.

Anne, a wild flower garden would be lovely. My mom had one and she fenced it to keep the deer out. But chipmunks and other critters from destroying it. I often wondered how they survived and thrived in the woods and meadows.

Jackie, the bluebells are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

Buzz, any better today??

Hugs for everyone.

Lin

Thanks for the tip JACKIE. In the garage I've lots of leftover wood from Marks projects, but, I wonder if something else might work. I've got 2 or 3 huge green plastic storage bins left by Mike (sometimes our offspring can be useful when it comes to stuff being dumped on us car less ancients). With holes drilled in the bottom might that work? What do you think? I could just haul them back into the garage, soil and all, come winter, perish the thought! They would be deep enough to grow my favourite veggie, beetroot. You are the gardener, do you think it would work?

Meanwhile, it's still very chilly here, but the trees don't care, blossom is starting to appear everywhere. I had a bumper crop of apples 2 years ago, then the trees took a break last year with barely an apple in sight, BUT this year it looks like a load of blossom is about to pop. I can see; with all the holes now sealed under the fence; the Bean and I are going to spend quite a lot of time in the garden!

I bought two tubes of the magic shampoo, and cleared the organic shop shelf! I hope I won't be having a moan about my hair girls for some time now!

I've been considering renewing my two passports me being a dual citizen, but honestly I can't see me going anywhere. I'm very content in my quiet little world! In fact it's an odd thing, but who would have thought in old age, and at this time, I'm at my happiest! More tolerant as well of log sawers, dog walkers with out of control pooches, religious zealots with pamphlets, real estate agents who want to shove me in a home I presume to make a buck and even phone marketeers with East Indian accents. No wonder The Diet isn't working too well!
Anne.

Just paused with wet paintbrush in hand to wish Sandy bon voyage.... let's hope she's not travelling with American Airlines and finds herself surplus to their requirements!!

Anne ~ That would work very well I'd say, especially with holes already drilled in the bottom and perhaps you could find a permanent position so you don't have to drag it anywhere in the winter! We grow beetroot and they don't require deep soil in fact most veggies would be fine except the root variety. There again I gather small or short carrots are the in thing these days!

Back to the painting and also cutting up of the old carpet a strip at a time so it's easier to remove, put in the back of my car and take to the tip next week.
Jackie