Happy Birthday, Brian! (January 28th)

So, 38 years ago tonight my man was teaching me how to play chess - I would give birth to Brian 15 hours later. We were in the living room, my hair in rollers (had to look good to go in) and wearing my big, orange chenille housecoat - it was about the only thing I could comfortably wear.

Sitting there looking pretty as a picture in my rollers and robe, I started bemoaning the fact time was passing slowly that evening. He suggested chess, yes, chess. Well, why not? I had never played the game - I hate games that make me think - plan ahead - even checkers. Smooth move to wiggle into a comfortable position and get arm's length from the chess table to learn a new game. Have to give my man credit, he was very brave or very crazy to suggest it to a "due to deliver pregnant woman."

All I remember from chess that night is the guy "with the slit in his head" moves sideways - I think.

Anyway, Brian made his entrance (or should that be exit) at 12:40pm the next day. And he knows how to play chess!!! Could it be - - -nawwww

Happiest of birthdays to a son who has a soft and gentle heart and soul. We love you. xx oo

Well, this morning I'm sitting here in my fav chair with my laptop!!! Haven't had use of it since Nov. Anyway, going to pour a coffee and settle down with my friend. Morning, Everyone.

Coordination, Ahem

It's a beautiful sunny day so thought I'd enjoy the rays - sorting towels in the main bathroom. Sad, eh:) Anyway, I decided to set towels in "stacks" which have full sets of coordinating fc, hand towels and baths.

In the guest room upstairs, I use a couple drawers in the chiffonier for the towels. Took a pillow sham (a bit ago) to the stores and bought sets from 2 colors in the navy print bedding - happens to be a green and soft terra cotta.

The downstairs guest has a navy/deep rose color with burgundy piping so bought towels to match - again in the dresser.

I love Mar*ha St*wart linens and stocked up when we used to go shopping in the States.

Our comforter set is a deep olive/sage/eggplant combo so towels are navy and sage.

Today all the misc. colors will go down to the bath and I'll decide from there.

***A hint I read was to look at tissue boxes with colors you like - use those colors to decorate your rooms. It works!

North Shore Mountains

So Mother Nature is casting her spell all over - this is a view of the north shore mountains from my brother's home.

Buddy, the cat, has a kitchen stool at the side door in the back entry. He would spend hours window shopping for a snack - will it be that big blue jay today? Anyway, for the past several weeks, he won't even go near the stool - he's freaked. I wonder if a larger bird hit the window and scared him. I put feed out everyday and haven't seen any dead birds.
Made me feel badly enough for him that I went so far as sprinkling a bit of catnip on the upholstered seat - no way.

He sits on his little blue stool in the kitchen and watches from there.

Any ideas, anyone?

Smile

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Why is the bride dressed in white?""
Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life."
The child thought about this for a moment then said, "So why is the
groom wearing black?"

Watery Ways

So, I decided to get pro - active and check with the paint store about my painter's practice of adding water to my paint. They totally freaked. Told me that only if it's 90 degrees outside, maybe OK to add no more than 1/2 cup.

I warned my sister about his watery ways and they watched him like a hawk. He still insisted on trying so they had to literally sit there. He wanted to come while I was at my dental appt. No way, *ose.

He has a few things to finish at our house Tuesday so Mama will be babysitting his every move. Thank goodness it's only baseboard trim, etc. Don't think I'd ever let him paint walls again. Pitiful, eh?

The guys doing our renos are so great - I take off and it's done properly.

So our cat sleeps on a chenille throw at the foot of the bed - no old hard floor for him. Anyway, the other night he was snoring - loud enough to wake me. I sat up thinking it was my man but nope, the cat.

For a few minutes I tried to sleep and thought it was crazy to have a snoring cat keep me awake. I gently set my hand on his side and he reacted as a human does, kind of grunted a bit and rolled over and stopped.

No more, OK?

So the Jerk's Back in Jail - Yeah!

Glad the law tramped on him right away - he's in jail. Oh, Dear - O*!

The news the past 3 months has been just terrible involving families. I'm tired of hearing of more children, women and men dying.

Let's see what we can do to put a stop to it - if there's anything we can do, do it.

Poetry

Tonight I chose a book, "Poems Worth Knowing" compiled by C.E. Lewis

This is an old college book - still have my favorites.

I love Carl Sandburg's Fog

Fog

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then, moves on.
Carl Sandburg

Do you have a favorite?

Think Spring - - -

Only a couple more months and we'll be working in our yards. I start fertilizing my houseplants in Feb. - which made me "think spring".

Christmas is Still Here and There

Finally all the trees are down but the poinsettias and a few glass balls still have to be packed away. Today, Shirl and I were in the dining room and she noticed a fibre optic poinsettia peaking out from the kitchen.

Usually I find a few things well into January. This is the first year I have been able to get the trees back in their boxes - I tied each branch section and voila!

Told her the guest bedroom was completed and ready for company, we walked in and there were Christmas cushions, extra bedding and tree skirts on the bed! Tomorrow.

Who still has work to do getting decorations put away?

So I'm a Mechanical Genius!

Shirl was over for the afternoon and offered to help me take the leaves out of the dining room table. We did so well til it was 2" from closing - uh, hold it, I think there's a thingy under it that I have to move and then lock after we close.

We had tugged and pushed and pulled til we were blue in the face. Hope I never need to "fix" the car!

Computer Update

After researching the HP site, our son discovered that my model laptop had a problem with the wireless card. At least it's an acknowledged issue and should be resolved quickly - well, 2-3 weeks.

Be Very Careful - - -

Be very careful dealing with Cost*o - until today, I have not had trouble doing a return or exchange or warranty situation.

After today, I will never buy anything such as an appliance, etc. with "parts' so to speak.

My laptop was sick from day one but I didn't realize what was happening b/c I had never had one before. Trouble getting a connection but if I restated I "usually" could get on with perseverance and prayer!

Finally, the wireless card went "spoof" - I still called a tech in as thought it was my brick fireplace and other things interfering. He did, too, the first visit.

To make a long story short, my 6month was over by the time I finally had it totally useless. To say no Cost*o ever again is an understatement.

Realize now I should have taken it but it teased me and "worked" when it felt like it til it totally died. Under those circumstances, I expected better from them. Yes, I know, should have gone in but I really did not know there was a mechanical problem - because it kept getting a connection eventually!

Bad Cost*o.

Normal or Killer Strength?

When our guests arrive, they are greeted by 2 coffee pots on the counter - "Normal" and "Dissolve your Spoon" strength. W & I like Normal - the rest DYS.

Years ago when we were at my parents house, my bro made his DYS type pot. I commented it could knock you over. As he walked back into the kitchen, I was splayed on the floor, mug in hand.

He was not impressed, ha,ha,ha.

I had as much chance getting this tree into it's box as I did getting into my size 4 pants.

My bro has the exact tree and claimed it was easy to get it back - just smooth the branches first. No go. Then I thought of smoothing and tying each section.

It fit well but was about 1" from closing. Duct tape to the rescue.
One down and - - -