Back from SC

I had a good trip to SC on Sunday. Made it in exactly 8 hrs. even with my 5 stops for gas and pee breaks. Was not exhausted at all from the long drive. We went shopping Sunday evening with no problems.

Monday we got our lists together and did more shopping and got lots of supplies together. I went to Target in the AM, while Gwen and Clare were at Chucky Cheese with some friends, to buy a decorative bookcase for the L/R.

Tuesday I painted the guest room walls (1 bright pink and 3 pale pumpkin) to coordinate with a comfort that Gwen had. Took a break in the afternoon and went to the Columbia Zoo to get Clare out for a while. Gwen and Mario went out for a date in the evening and returned within an hour because Gwen was sick and throwing up.

Wednesday I painted the woodwork, a bookcase and some shelves for the wall. Moved the valance from the nursery to the "New Clare's Room". Gwen was in bed most of day with the flu. Took a break and went to Botanical Gardens for our afternoon outing. In the evening, Gwen decided that she and I would go out to dinner and shopping. Her car was out of gas so we took Mario's which died in an intersection about 3-4 miles from the house. Some nice man came to our rescue and pushed us into a gas station to wait for Mario and Clare. Called AAA for a tow. Ended up eating at Burger King across the street from the breakdown.

Thursday primed and painted some of m/bath woodwork, put second coat of paint on shelves and bookcase. Mario borrowed a car from a fellow employee until they explored what had happened to his car. Unfortunately, the engine had locked up (no oil) so they are now looking for a new car. Always something but at least I was there so they could get out and do some of these things. By the afternoon, I knew that I was getting whatever Gwen had so I took a 2 hour nap to re-energize for the evening.

Friday I was still not up to par but kept getting little loose ends tied up and by evening had decided that I'd rest on Saturday and return home on Sunday. Called Mike to tell him and he said I should check the weather before making that decision because there was snow and ice predicted for Virginia on Saturday night and Sunday.

Changed my plans and drove home on Saturday. Boy, did that ever seem like a long trip. Was in kind of fog mentally from the flu, couldn't drink coffee nor smoke very much because it upset my stomach. Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I got here and Mike helped me by carrying my suitcases in for me. I felt like I was beaten with a stick. Went right to bed and didn't unpack a thing.

We woke up this morning (Sunday) to about 4-5 inches of a beautiful heavy, wet snow. Glad I didn't postpone my trip. I would never have made it today.

Also, Mike broke the handle on our snow shovel trying to break the ice in our last storm and he had not bought a new one yet. So I had to prod him out of bed this AM at 11 to go and try to find a new one. While he was out, our neighbor started shoveling for us and when I explained what Mike was doing he loaned me his other shovel to finish. After about 1 1/2 hrs. Mike returned with a garden shovel. It seems every store has sold out of snow shovels and by that time we didn't need it anyway but we have a great SPADE for gardening in the Spring.

Still not feeling too well so I postponed my job for tomorrow until Tuesday or Wednesday. Will decide which day by what my stomach feels like.

Damn cold weather and ice!!!!

I got out to run some errands today after being iced in since Tuesday. I have canceled going to the Bridal Shower in Richmond tomorrow because of the cold and uncertainty about the road conditions.

I was planning on going to Columbia to Gwen's after the shower and now I am planning on leaving Sunday. Tomorrow will be getting my things together for the trip and relaxing because it is my last chance before the marathon that Gwen and I get into with my visits.

This trip is for decorating the guest bedroom so that Clare can move into it before the new baby arrives in July. Designing a built in wall in the "red room" to organize books, toys and the computer. All a lot of fun and interest for me. I'm taking paint supplies, sewing machine and my scruffy painting clothes. She said to bring a dressier shirt to pull on with my jeans in case we get to go out for lunch one day.

Looking forward to all of this except the long drive home. Going is like an adventure but returning home seems like a drag.

Very Quiet

Well, my little girl went home today about 2:00 PM and it is sooooooooo quiet around here. She was not a noisy kid, nor did she create havoc, but just having her here filled the house with "her presence".

Maybe I do need another dog???????? Slap my face for even thinking that.

Babysitting

Grandmom is granddaughter sitting this weekend with Cassidy, a 4 year old, so that her mother can go to a Spa with an old schoolmate.

Today we went to Mickey-D's and played in the play area for an hour and then went to a Kids Thrift Store where we picked up a Barbie Car ($5.99), a Barbie ($1.25) and a Stamping Kit ($1.75). Such a good grandmom I am!!!! She is so good and entertains herself. I almost feel useless.

It is a good change of pace.

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That's snow folks!!!

They finally got a forecast right. It started snowing a little while ago and it is coming down pretty good. They are saying 2 inches by morning but it is a fluffy snow not heavy. Easier to shovel or just blow away.

Today I was home and bored so I started painting my woodwork. Guess I'll be doing that all day tomorrow also.

Boring Saturday

Today was a cold, windy Saturday so I decided to just do nothing. (And it costs too much to leave the house.)
I have been climbing the walls and can't relax and get anything done.

Tonight I am watching a Nora Roberts movie "Angels Fall", her first set to film and it is fairly good. The only problem is, I can't sit and enjoy it. I am standing and parading around like I have had too much coffee and cigarettes. Probably because I have had too much coffee and cigarettes today.

Tomorrow I vow I will not have too much coffee and cigarettes. The Super Bowl is tomorrow night and I'd like to be able to SIT and watch it. I think I will get some spiced shrimp as a treat for the game. Reminds me of when I used to go to Super Bowl Parties, I guess.

TGIF

It has been a long, draggy week and i don't know why it was any different than any other. Guess I'm feeling restless. I had a lot going on last week and then nothing this week. Have to start planning better.

We went to the Cheesecake Factory today and I had a great Tataki(?) Tuna Steak with Wasabi vinigrette dressing and it was delicious. Sliced tomatoes and avocados on the side. Would definitely get it again.
salad $14.95
coffee $2.95
A little more than I'm used to spending but.......

Now I'm facing a boring very cold weekend with only the Super Bowl to look forward to. Bears vs. Colts I guess I hope the Colts win but don't really care. Just hope it is a good game.

Groundhog Day

Well the little booger didn't see his shadow so Spring will come early this year. Or should I say in 6 weeks instead of a month and a half. Kind of like 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of another.

We also did not get snow and ice yet. They keep saying it could happen and schools are opening late or not at all and there is nothing coming down and probably won't. I think we were better off before all of this updated equipment that just causes panic.

The weatherman just said "well, we didn't get any snow but we are out looking for icy spots on the roads." They just need something to talk about to fill the hours of boring News Shows.

I have an estimate at 1:00 today or I would just stay in. Susie just called and wants to meet for lunch at Fair Oaks Mall for lunch at the Cheescake Factory. She says it is expensive but good. We'll see!!! I swear, all she thinks about these days is eating.

No Snow

We have been told for days to expect a snow and ice storm today, tonight and tomorrow. Now they are saying that the first wave missed us (it went south) and the second may not materialize. It sure feels like snow and looks like snow but nothing is falling out of the sky. Guess we are lucky but will post any progress later.

It's been a real slow week.......I worked Monday and Wednesday and have nothing until Monday on my schedule. I did get a call today for papering 2 small baths but haven't called back yet.