Move in and move on

The weekend came and it was time to move Karen and Time into their new lake house. Its a huge place that I know they will have many pleasant memories made in.
Living at the lake.. its been my dream for so long, but as life threw us curve balls it was pushed to the back burner so many times that now just not even a topic of discussion anymore.
We used to take the boat out every chance we got and look for FOR SALE signs, and read the lake book till the pages came out-- we've walked more lots than I can even remember yet ownership has been elusive. I am happy that Karen was able to fulfill her dream-- even happier that shes close enough to Toni's that we can visit on the boat without any hassle. We'll miss her spiced eggs in the morning but I know that weekend gossip, laying in the sun and dinner will continue we'll just have another dock to share the good times on
We came home from the lake with one stinky dog--Madisons infatuation with Duck poop become alittle odiferous this weekend. While its funny to watch her run down to the yard and roll in it -- not so much fun to ride home in the car with her--- And poor Amanda had her for an extra hour in the car... good news is she did get a bath once she made it to Christiansburg-- While I am gonna miss Madison alot I know she'll do her job and keep good care of Amanda in the weeks to come. Did I mention Chris has a kitten?? I wonder if kittens can care for their owners?

Ohh-- and for those keeping track its raining for the first time in... forever... I am taking it as a good sign... wash away the old... clean up for the new

Bonnie

Is it good training?
Is it stubborness?
Is it lack of intelligence?
Is it attitude?
I don't know but its been amusing...
Madisons been gone for a week now, and sadly Jakes been gone for a few months. So its just Bonnie--- And everythings been ok-- except when I moved the kitchen around to make way for the wine refrigerator I decided that we only need one dog bowl out. So I moved the mat, the water and Bonnies bowl in front of the corner cupboard. Yes that is Jake and Madisons spot-- but I really saw no need to keep Bonnies bowl where it was on the right side of the kitchen where it was kinda in the way.
It took me by surprise when I fed Bonnie and she didn't come to eat... she generally does not miss a meal. And to be honest the next day when she went over took a peice of food out and carried it to the living room I wasn't happy--I have enough hay being tracked in that I really didn't need dog food crumbs too... And then that night she went over to the bowl stood there and ate a few peices before backing away... Self imposed Diet?? I think not....
But it wasn't until last night that it hit me.... she's not eating because its not her SPOT!! Being the nice guy that I am (certainly not the leader of my pack as the Dog whisperer would say) I moved her bowl back to her spot... and WALAA she promptly laid down and started to eat.
So I ask WHY???
Is it good training?
Is it stubborness?
Is it lack of intelligence?
Is it attitude?

None of the animals in my life are "trained" but they do all have habits... and over the years (especially the FAT years) Bonnie has been reprimanded (ALOT) for eating others food...Both Jake and Madison like to graze-- and Bonnie never could pass a bowl with food in it with stopping... So I am guessing that poor Bonnie knew that wasn't her SPOT and was just trying to stay out of trouble....
One would think that since it was her bowl (totally different) that she would "get" it... or maybe in her old age she just wasn't willing to give up on her spot close to the rug, sink and the back door????
Anyway all is right in Bonnies world... her bowls and Mat are back where they started.. and old habits come back quickly to me too, as I stepped over her time after time while cooking dinner last night.
Well almost all right... now we just have to convince her to sleep on Jakes old bed instead of next to it... unfortunately her bed had alittle accident... called Madison!! Hmmm Madison has had a grand old time tearing it apart all summer... I sewed and sewed but its so thread bare it had to GO! We will deal with that problem next week!

Alittle something for Christopher and Amanda

It seems there are 100 reasons why I am late to work in the morning... most of them having to do with wanting 5 more minutes of sleep or the fact that my lack of organization has caught up with me. But today it was a whole different reason. For you Christopher and Amanda I bring you a slice of home and a reason for being late that I know you probably have experienced at least once in your driving experience.
Yes- There was a cow on the road this morning.. he wasn't all that happy to be on the road either... he was mooing alot-- that made me giggle... probably calling his mom because he wasn't that big of a cow-- I am not sure where he was supposed to be- but he did cause a fuss... of course the cars around me all jumped on their cell phones I guess to call the police to do something.. but not me-- I grabbed the camera and Moo'd right back at him--

Other items of note that I feel the need to share:

• Last week this time Gas was $2.79 today $2.68--- a trend that I hope stays around for awhile.
• MY PUPPY IS COMING TO VISIT ME TOMORROW
• Karen moves into her new lake house tomorrow and we will be driving down to help out with the big move in!
• I have green grass again in the back yard
• Mike had an awesome week at work with his new boss in town-- seems they were quite impressed with the work he does for their BIGGEST client downtown. And will be rewarding him with the list of things he needs make his life easier, as well as adding three new positions to the service dept. Employment opportunities available for those who can handle the stress.
• Did I mention MY PUPPY IS COMING to visit ME?????

Every Mothers Nightmare

EMERGENCY ADVISORY 10:30 a.m. -- University to cancel remaining classes
By Larry Hincker


William Charles Morva
BLACKSBURG, VA., August 21, 2006 -- In an effort to help law enforcement officials, all remaining classes will be canceled. Students should return to their residence hall rooms or apartments and not venture out.

Employees are asked to remain in their offices until further notice.

The south side of campus (south of Washington Street) remains blocked off by police. Those roads are closed to vehicular traffic.

Police continue to pursue the William Morva, the escaped prisoner from the Montgomery County Jail who is a suspect a homicide case.

Police report the suspect is now wearing a tie-dye shirt, khaki shorts and is barefoot.

Podcast (10:30 a.m.): Statement by Vice President Kurt Krause | Download MP3 (Length: 1:18)

##06415##

So I have been getting these updates from Amanda about this guy all weekend... And then this morning she called as she drove to class --only to find out the roads are closed There were police everywhere with machine guns... then a few minutes ago she called to say this guy was holding kids hostage and they were cancelling class for the day..
Shes on her way home. Locking the door This is not what is suppose to happen on the first day of school...
Be Safe--

My new appliance

So I mentioned that I spent yesterday moving things around in the kitchen... Mike brought me home a wine refrigerator.. unfortunately my house isn't really big enough for such a luxery. We moved it around from room to room and it didn't really fit anywhere.. so I moved the microwave cart and ALL its belongs out and made room for this baby-- The funny thing is I actually own enough wine that I filled it up immediately. Who knew?

Today was alittle slow. I had so much on the list but I got caught up in finding Amanda a doctor.. seems she has an ear infection, and putzing around outside with Mike that nothing really got accomplished. I did manage to catch this shot of Mr. Wiggles-- seems he likes the new water garden. I am hoping tomorrow I will actually have my first flower in there. One of the water lilys actually has a bud.
Maybe tomorrow I will get motived enough to figure out what to do with the BLANK wall I now have in the kitchen.. I am thinking we need a pot rack (which I can't afford) so maybe I can come up with something creative for the wall that will serve a purpose too??

Saturday dinner

After a day spent in the kitchen (more about that later) Toni, Robin and Nick joined us for Dinner and alittle football. Toni had brought over pictures of Kays new house. I had seen them online but in person was even better. It looks like they are all moved in now.


Green with envy that she got the home she wanted... I can only dream about moving for now. As Mike and I talk move about moving it seems he does more and more work to this house. Not sure if that means something but for now I just push it out of my mind and think of what could be.

  

 
So we said goodbye 

staying with grandma

 
Does this look like the picture of someone who wants to go away to college??? I think not...
Our last day- 

Mystery solved.

It was a first-- today I saw the corn coming down... I have driven past the fields for as long as I can remember and the corn has always been a mystery... one day it is little sprouts in the dirt, the next it is reaching for the sky and then without notice its gone. But today I saw it go... Like a blur I raced past the school and in a blink I saw the corn eating machine take a swath of green and in its wake lay red dirt... funny how something so everyday like corn fields can be so mysterious.

Those fields made me remember when I learned that all corn is not alike. I was 19 and we had driven home on a summer day and the peaches and corn from a field called out to us. Did you know you can cook field corn til the cows come home and it will never be edible? Yes even in irreverent summertime pleasures there is something to be learned....

3 days

The countdown has started. Amanda came out to lunch with me so that we could go buy school supplies--and it hit me again. Shes leaving.. you would think this would be routine by now but for some reason it never gets easier. Four hours away just doesn't cut it... life shouldn't hurt and children shouldn't grow up.

The twists and turns of life-- with Christopher on night shift, Amanda going back to school everything seems just alittle off kilter. And Madison --how quiet will life be without her?

As I work on acceptance it seems two steps forward and one step back.
All I want is everyone to have the view through my rose colored glasses--- Happiness is not a gift to be given but if it were I would wrap it up-- today they may not know it but they both need it. I can feel it coming... call it Mothers intuition. And we all know Mothers always right.

Weekend of pictures

They say pictures should tell stories.. we have alot of stories from this weekend and alot of pictures. This was the last weekend home before school started and Amanda invited Jenny, her sorority sister (her BIG) to the lake. Jenny graduated in June and recently took a job in Maryland far from home. And in true sorority sister style these ladies were out for a good time! We swam, jetskied, laid in the sun for hours, drank more margaritas then we will ever admit, played in the water and spent alot of time laughing. Hard to believe it was just one weekend! We all truely enjoyed Jennys company-- whoever said Engineers were boring have never met Jenny.

Tommy drove down after work on Saturday to go fishing-- but look who the big winner was! Yes after all these years Corey finally got his fish and it was a nice looking one at that!

I think this one says it all!-- Lots of fun!! thanks guys for sharing such a good time with us!
 

So Ijust might be getting one more pond... kinda the natural kinda of pond. It seems that the backhoe guys might have tapped my well...ok they had to have because they just don't spring leaks now do they??? We noticed last night that some of the dirt around the well was darkened... wet... and this morning well theres a big ole circle of wetness... Anything else want to go wrong??? Is it friday yet???

Can I cry now?

I am hating technology with a passion right now... I came to sit down tonight and post a few weekend pictures... tell alittle story and I have NOTHING... the computer ate my photos... my camera ate my photos... somewhere something went wrong and I just wanna cry... 3 whole days of my life are gone... poof gone... never again to be relived... its wrong on so many levels... and could I have avoided it???... yes I could have... I could have manually deleted the photos instead of allowing the computer to do it... but IT HAS NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE... soooooo what to do???

Well--- I was gonna tell you about alittle conversation I overheard... I was on the computer on Sunday... and it went like this...
Q:"Are you ready for a ride?"
A:"I don't know how to use the seatbelts"

Well that was enough to pull me away from looking for crusies for the 25/50 vacation... yep Mike was taking Nick out in the '67
INSERT PHOTO of Nick in the Car HERE....

Then I wanted to share Madisons Bathtime experience... even though when she visits Grandma for vacation baths are optional---it was time... and she knew it... so I filled up the wheelbarrow with water and inserted dog!!
INSERT EXTRA CUTE PHOTO of Madison soaking wet peering out of wheelbarrow HERE

And then I had some great shots of Christopher and Tiffany... and even a couple of Paul the roommate-- ya know the embarassing kind of him taking a shot...
INSERT MORE PHOTOS HERE

Ugghhh can I say again --I AM NOT HAPPY!!
so I leave you with this... something that for whatever reason was left on the darn memory card

My yard now flat... grass to come soon.. I hope

grocery store

God bless the man who calls his wife and asks if there is anything we need at the grocery---Why of course there is!! We always need something... and to be honest I can't remember the last big grocery trip we've made or when the last time we actually had bread and milk in the house at the same time... but alias it doesn't seem to be affecting our waistlines at all. As a matter of fact it has made dinner alittle more creative.

Speaking of dinner last night... about 30 peices of BBQ chicken, 3 bottles of wine, Mac and cheese that I made with powdered milk (shhh don't tell the kids), canned corn and broccoli salad, 2 loaves of french bread ---oh and rice for Corey--- lots of laughs, alittle intelligent conversation and good company...

See I guess there is food in the house-- it just takes alittle more effort to get it together... Hopefully with Mike hitting the store It will take alittle less creativity and its One less stop for me... and as always it'll be a surprise when I get home.

Memo: To Family and Friends

Memo:

To Family and Friends-

It has come to my attention that my Air Conditioner has run consistantly for 96 hours straight. No I do not beleive it has turned off when I wasn't looking or while I have slept. Therefore I feel the need to inform you that in the very near future I may be moving into a cardboard box as I know that Northern VA Elec. will come collecting and I can only imagine that invoice will come in close to the National Debt. So please save any large boxes for me as I am not expecting any deliveries in the near future and have become accustomed to spreading out.



Seriously the only thing happening right now is incredible heat. I am literally watering my plants at 10pm at night only to have them wilted by 8am in the morning... so I waddle out there every morning and spray them down again-- They seriously are whispering to me as I pull up in the driveway at night.
And for someone who never uses her AC in the car let me tell you I have it going full tilt right now and it really doesn't even put a dent in the temp.

HOT HOT HOT

Oh my gosh could it be any hotter??? And of course we set up a list (a long list) of outdoor chores for this weekend. Mike moved his compressor to the new carport behind the garage, and we have powerwashed both carports and are working on the driveway. I replante some tall phlox and 4 hostas that I been growing in the woods and attempted to save some lambs ears that I had orginally planted when Amanda was in preschool... she liked to pet them... add to that the normal vacuming and dusting, and mopping the kitchen floor and its been a day!

Mike has finished the deck except for the lattice skirt--- the handrails and last steps are up and while they look great I preferred the stairs without them.... too bad the county wouldn't agree with me.

Before he put those last steps up I had to take a picture of Amandas handywork. She was here the morning Al poured the concrete footers... We have missed every other pour he has done at the house and were always alittle sad that we couldn't leave our mark-- But as you can see she made sure that no one would ever forget we were here!
And yes those are paw marks!!


A big congradulations to Miss Tiffany who called this morning to announce she has a new job. Can't think of the name of it right now but its in Lakeside-- yet another place in Richmond that I have no clue where it is... but trust me I can always use a place to stop when doing the trek down 95... anyway with everyone employed now I am feeling the stars are starting to align!! Life is good--

Amandas Birthday

I can't believe shes 20 already! We celebrated Amandas birthday in style at Carmello's in Old town . The food was yummy-- oh yes we ate two bread baskets before dinner even started.. had calamera for appetizers, Pasta for dinner and dessert to die for... Carmelo's even put us in our own private little room... very cool--
Maybe next time we will brush up on our Italian before we go... none of us could pronounce our meals but that didn't stop us from trying.
Had to get one last shot of her before she left!!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Weekend

If I had known that all I had to do is leave Mr. Wiggles in the capable hands of Amanda and that he would be well in a snap I would have done that last week! We came home from the lake to an entirely differant cat then we left!! Mr. Wiggles was all over the house--jumping on furniture, climbing all over us and of course running at 500mph as Madison chased him. I think everyone should have a Dr. Doolittle like I do!!

No one told me exactly what was happening at the lake... little did I know that I was leaving the construction zone at home to enter the construction zone at the lake.
Robin, Mike and Tim successfully pulled electrical wires from the house to the boathouse, fixed the woodpecker hole and built new steps into the water... as well as fixed every sprinkler head that "JoeBob" hit with the backhoe...

Probably the only good thing about the weekend was celebrating Nick and Karens birthday... due to circumstances beyond our control we had to improvise on the "requested" ice cream cake.... shopping at Pea hill creek doesn't exactly lend itself to high cusine... so Tiffany and I used our enormous brains and made our own! oh yes what you are seeing is definately hostess cupcakes over moosetracks icecream--with some rather large tealight candles... but before you laugh.. it was good--no leftovers here!


One look and you can tell that Nick loved his cake!!

Despite telling Christopher this wasn't the weekend to drop in at the lake... way too much mud and way too much work to have any fun --he showed up anyway--and you know that was just fine with me. And added bonus Tiffany came with him.

still sick

Yea so the cat is still sick and I am not so sure he wants to get better... or that anyone can really help him get better.

I mean seriously he medication that I am supposed to give him he either throws up or refuses to eat.. the eye cream that I am suppose to wipe on his eyes... well hes eating that.. and the pills... forget about it.

Sick

Welcome Mom and Dad to the world of Blogging.... Just got off the phone and they have now learned how to post comments-- and they were successful! The world is alittle smaller with the internet at our fingertips.

Mr. Wiggles continues to be sick-- actually we are now leaning toward that he may have eaten something that has poisioned him. Amanda agreed to take him in to the Vet --I feel bad that once again I am having her do my dirty work... but she knows the right questions to ask and what treatments are needed and somehow my drama queen has nerves of steel when it comes to situations like this. Keeping my fingers crossed that she can come home with some good news. Not sure if she will be talking to me if this turns bad.

He's home

He's home and hes not feeling so well... Sunday Mr. Wiggles was plain ole sick and for whatever reason I went ahead and let him out. Much to my chigrin he didn't come back... I really should have known better but really who knew he felt good enough to leave the deck?
We were worried Sunday night.. alittle panicked Monday morning... Totally freaked out as I drove the neighborhood Monday night.. and then at 2:45am I woke up and checked the door again. And there he was... still sick but home..

Mike put up some more hooks this weekend so I could hang more of my suncatchers and windchimes. I know Corey will be happy to have them moved from the gutter by the sliding door --After all is it my fault that he's so tall?

weekend in review

So when you think of the high 90's you think of balmy beach weather right?? not so in lovely Virginia... high 90's means your deoderant is gone in 15 minutes, the back of your knees and elbows are sweating and breathing is about is hard as digging a ditch-- yea thats the weather and of course Mike and I had these great plans of outdoor work this weekend. My list consisted of moving some stones that edge the gardens in the backyard, moving some slate pavers, moving about 30 daylilies and cutting the grass... his list was to finish the deck and start on his 2ond carport...well-- Christophers headlights got fixed, the truck got fixed, I moved the daylilies and cut the BACK grass...and Tiffany and I managed to get some of the stones moved... Thank goodness Robin and Christopher were willing to work on the carport with Mike because it was just too darn hot for me (yes too hot for me!!)
Needless to say not everything got done but we did put a dent in it.

But all was not lost on work- we had both kids and their friends home for the weekend and that is always interesting... A big thankyou to christopher for running out to Crosbys and bringing home some great crablegs-- that and Mikes mega steaks from the butcher and we were all set... add alittle tequila and call it a night!
The new deck is proving to be a great place to hang out.. and with these new torches I got at home depot --NO BUGS!!

It could be a very good day

There is something to be said to waking up knowing that your house is full of people you love.

Mystery location

Mystery pictures??? Can you identify the location? Yup this is what is out in the lovely suburbs in Richmond-- While I think alittle decorating is in order --that "we just moved in" look is so yesterday (Karen feel free to wave and snap here)ha! Really this is one great apartment. 3 decent bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, laundry room and a den... large windows and a balcony what more could a guy want?
Its a nice place in what looks to be a nice neighborhood (for a change)-- now I guess we wait and see if Christopher decides to continue living and decorating like a college student or if he jumps into the American way of life that we gotta have STUFF--
And speaking of stuff was shopping at the Grand furniture store and found this wonderful black distressed peice that is supposed to hold cd's but I think it would be a wonderful place for all my STUFF... lots of drawers... but hmmm the measurements mean I would have to keep the door propped open all the time because the darn wall is too short for it.... ahhh the joys of never moving...my space is always the same size... it looks something like this one only black and distressed and cuter... hmm the move I look at this one... it might just work... and free shipping!!!

And the ladies got a job

Amanda is gainfully employed at Barnes (again) anyone need furniture???
ahhh the relief that another Jackson is employed... makes a mommas check book swell with pride (and cash!)--- While I know its not her first choice of employment opportunities its nice knowing she did a steller job the last time she was there and that they want her back. But then who wouldn't want such a Jackson working for them?
Especially a Jackson woman??? You rock Amanda! and we are proud of you! Go Get'em!

Deck update

So I alluded earlier that the deck is done.. but in reality.. ok photo reality its almost done... It feels done to me... and if you know Mike you know that while he is the hardest working guy out there finishing projects isn't on the top of his list-- those last details may take a year to finish... so the handrails aren't in-- nor are the last two caps on the steps-- and there is no lattice. But before you say anything I truly believe that the steps and handrails are on the list for this weekend... the lattice wellllll we'll wait and see hahaha
Anyway heres a few pictures to let you see where we are!



ohh and If you look close you can see the new watergarden that we are putting in on the back side of the deck. No Koi in this one.. strickly plants and a few goldfish to eat bugs-- this too is not done.. We worked on it last night but tonight its raining so maybe tommorow more work can be done.

And a few more shots for those of you who think I only take pictures of Madison... Here are some humans... commonly known as my son and his gal pal/new housemate Tiffany.

(Tiffany I know your blushing (again) but no one gets by without being in the blog)
Hugs to all!! Night!

Vacation review!

Home from vacation... and settling back into the routine...
Things to remember from last week?

*Madison hiding every bone we gave her...
*Rusty and Madison dressed in summer fashions
*Yummy Eggs for breakfast everyday
*Bill fishing with a snoopy pole
*Nick catching numerous spot
*Robin serving killer blue drinks
*Counting police cars on the way home...lost count at 12
*Visiting Christophers new space
*Taking Madison out to Dinner at TGIF-- outdoor dining of course!
*It must be time for ice cream
*Toni rescuing me from the killer new raft
* Kims awesome dip (hmmm I think I need the reciepe)

Anyway it was a great week even though I did the whole back and forth thing... Good Times, Good Friends --new and old....and lots of well needed rest!

Happy 4th of July

Just drove back from the lake-- the good the bad and the ugly is how I described it to Mike...and to make it worse Bonnie was no where to be found (she did arrive from who knows where about a half hour after I was home)-- anyway traveling on the 4th is GOOD-- really no traffic at all..as a matter of fact on 295 I was pretty much alone... the BAD? well before the split as I was singing loudly (to myself) the radio came on with one of those BEEPPPPPPPP weather alert things you know that annoying sound followed by "from the National Weather service a severe Thunderstorm warning with Large damaging hail and 60 mile an hour winds is in effect until 7pm in Colonial Heights, Petersburg and Henrico Counties..." at about that same time I looked up and saw the big green sign that said Petersburg 20 miles, Colonial Heights 13 miles --Ha do I stop? do I turn around? do I try and out run it? I talked to myself (outloud since I was alone)and made the decision to keep moving... worst case senerio I pull over-- it certainly can't flood right??? -- Well I got lucky and never saw but a drop of rain. But the trip wasn't over and between the hunger I felt and the hunger the truck had for gas a stop in Thornburg was in order... here comes the Ugly-- after getting gas for whatever reason the truck wasn't gonna stay running.. it stalled out as quick as I got it into gear-- and sputtered as I got it going forward... as I tried to remain calm I slowly moved it to a large parking lot where I drove in circles, starting, stalling, stopping, starting, turning it off.. a spectical probably to the diners at the Burger King but I knew it couldn't be broken-- it had to be just a malfunction... eventually it started to purr and off I went--
A few days at home--and then back to North Carolina to get Mike and Madison--