Wednesday Hodgepodge: Grease, Computers and Giving Up?

Thank you Joyce for this weeks questions and for not making me think to hard.  It's been cold up here and thinking is hard when one is freezing!!!

1. What's the last job you did that required elbow grease?

I would have to say cleaning the fish tank. I tend to let it go too long and then getting it clean takes more work than it should. Poor fish

2. March Madness, aka the men's Division I basketball championship, is nearing an end. What sort of 'madness' has your house seen this month?

It has been very calm around here so no madness this month thank you.

3. What's your favorite shop for browsing?

Lowes. I like to think about what we could do when we could afford it.  It's fun to daydream right?  It also is free - well the dreaming part is free.

4. Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?
Well there must be a time when giving up makes sense right? When I'm trying to clean the house and the puppy keeps pulling out toys, the house will not get picked up and cleaned so I just give up.

5. What's a song you love that contains the name of a city, state or country in its title?
Ireland's Call by Celtic Thunder. I really like Celtic Thunder!

6. When did you first begin using a computer?

First began in the 70's in high school. I learned on a Mac. We still have Mac computers (but not the pictured). We like Mac computers. I stick with what I know.

7. Did you buy girl scout cookies this year? What's your favorite?
No we didn't get girl scout cookies because they are all our favorites so we didn't tempt ourselves this year!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Last week it was in the 70's and 80's. This week, we can't get out of the 50's and the weather man said something about snow but my frozen brain could not comprehend what he was saying.

OK, now it's your turn. Join in and travel around looking at others answer and adding your own.  It really is fun.

Weekend Review

Our Grand daughter's birthday party was Saturday.  All week long it was in the mid 70's- to high 80's with lots of sun - Bright and Beautiful! Saturday it was over cast, damp and low 50's! We wore winter coats and  I drank hot tea!  But the kids had a blast!  Our Grand Daughter wanted an Alligator cake so her mom got her an alligator cake.  Most of the time, we hear about birthday parties that are over the top. You know ponies, clowns, spending thousands of dollars. It's all nuts! We had a family party with cousins, hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled veggies and cake and ice cream.  It was wonderful and Emily had a blast!  We all had a blast.

She sat in the dinosaur chair and opened her gifts.  She got lots of Princess things she she loves to play dress up and was overwhelmed by all the gifts.  

Another gift we got her was this Dora pop up tent and tunnel which was up up and played not long after it was opened.  The kids all liked playing with it. She liked her gifts, all of them.

Saturday was also the Christian Book Distributors  (CBS) sale.  We have a christian book store in Peabody MA and every few months it has a sale. Hubby and 2 friends get up and are out the door at 7am to be at the sale when it opens.  The drive is about 1 1/2 hour drive south from our home. On the way they get coffee and do some male bonding. I'm glad that these two men are in his life.   This time Hubby brought me a few things. First he got me the book,  "The boy who came back from heaven" by Kevin & Alex Malarkey. He also bought us the movies, Fireproof and Courageous.  We watched Courageous on Saturday night and Fireproof on Sunday Afternoon. Both are powerful movies but because Hubby is a retired Police Officer, it meant more to me.  

I remember hugging him every time he headed out the door (feeling for the vest he was to wear) and telling him that I loved him and to come home when the shift was done.  It didn't matter if I was mad at him or if I was upset with him, I wanted him to know that I loved him and wanted him to come home. I knew that I would not be able to live with myself if something happened and I didn't get the chance to tell him that I loved him.  This movie's theme about men being true leaders of their families, caring for needs of all the family members is one that todays husbands and dads really need to learn.

I also liked Fireproof as it tells the story of how to fight for your marriage. Marriage is worth fighting for!

We now have all 3 movies, all wonderful movies with wonderful messages. Have you ever seen these movies?

I'm looking forwarded to reading the book. I've heard lots of great things about it.

A great worship service in the morning and always fun small group in the evening finished our weekend. I didn't make the small group because on Friday I broke one of my toes (the piggy that had roast beef) and by Sunday night after being on it all weekend, I was just tired of being on it, so I went to bed to rest it.   We didn't have the grand daughters this Sunday as both parents were home with the girls (a nice treat for them all).

How was your weekend?

I can't Believe She's 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our little one.

Today our oldest granddaughter turns 3 years old. Where did the time go? When did we get so blessed to have her so close? She is such a joy, so happy most of the time, so giving, so willing to share, so grateful for anything we do. She has a habit of saying things like "Thank you so much, that was so nice of you", " I can help you", "Let me do it for you", and to her little sister "Here you go" while she shares her goldfish crackers with her.

She loves to take pictures with Grannie's camera and play with dolls. She enjoys playing with the doll house and outside in the tent.

She zips up the x-pen when August goes inside and then tells her baby sister. "Baby August is going to take a nap so you need to leave him alone for a bit." Of course when he wakes up she let's him out and tells me "Grannie, baby August is up now so I let him out, he needs to go potty right?"

She will climb on Pepere's lap to play on the iPad for a bit and of course Pepere can reach the cookie jar.

We are really tired after an afternoon playing with them both but what a wonderful kind of tired it is.

We are blessed to have 2 of our grandchildren so close to us and double blessed to get to watch them and play with them so often. Thank you daughter and son in law for being such great parents and sharing your blessing with us so often.

To the little princess- thank you for being you and we love you.

P.S. her party is tomorrow and I know she doesn't read my blog so I'll show you what I made for her. Here is one of her gifts.

She likes to play dress up and is learning her fairy tales. Little Red Riding Hood is the current one to learn so here is her very own Little Red Riding Hood cape, complete with basket.

The other gifts will be fun too.  Have a great weekend everyone.  I'll let you know how the birthday party turns out.

"Ice Out!"

Ice out is a term that all New England's know and most love. It means that the ice is gone from Lake Winnipesaukee and the curse ship M/S Mount Washington can now reach all the ports along her Cruise line.
In short, it means Spring is here for sure and the tourist will soon be here as well. We like tourist, they spend money in our state. Money, this state still needs as there are still a lot of people out of work.

The ski resorts can still make some snow and over the school vacation, we did get some real snow that helped those business out but now it's time to think of Spring.

The weather man was saying just this morning that  Ice Out will most likely be declared soon. This may be the earliest Ice Out in record!  How is it declared you ask? Good question. Very scientific- you see someone flies over Lake Winnipesaukee and looks at all the ports that the cruise ship stops at. If it looks like the ship can in fact stop at all the ports, then Ice Out is Declared.

Just look at those views!

They are hoping that with the temps reaching mid to high 80's today, that today will be the day and M/S mount Washington can set sail.

Come fall the colors are just beautiful here

(All these photos were taken from Google Search)

Have you ever been on a day cruise, dinner cruise, or some other short cruise -oh a wedding cruise would be so beautiful don't you think?
I'm doing my happy dance!  Don't worry, we live in the country and no one can see me.

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Spring Time and the living is Easy!!

1. The first day of spring is here...do you enjoy working in the yard? Weeding, raking, mowing, planting-your favorite springtime garden chore? How about your least favorite?

I love to play in the yard. I love to dig in the garden and plant whatever. I even like weeding but mowing and raking are my least favorites. It hurts my hands and back to have the lawn mover vibrating and it's hard to start so hubby does the mowing and I rake, but it takes me a while because again my back will really tie up in knots. But the other stuff I LOVE. I see God's hand in all the beauty of plants coming up out the ground. I see God as a gardner and me as the plant.

2. What puts a spring in your step?

Playing with our grand kids and the dogs. Both of them keep me young.

3. Describe a time when you had to spring into action?

I teach pet first aid to the staff at work. Not so very long ago, a dog collapsed in day care while I was teaching a class. Staff came and got me and we all sprung into action.  We did out job perfectly and got the dog to the emergency room (right around the corner from us) doing CPR first in the hall and then in the car on the way.  Sadly, the dog had a heart condition and didn't make it. However, it was comforting to know that the staff knew exectaly what to do and could do it!

4. We're having carrots for dinner...would you prefer yours raw or cooked?

As long as they are not over cooked, cooking them is fine. I like them a bit crunchy. How about grilled?

5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out?

Yes, if I've opened them all ready to use them, then I will take the rest of the bottle. Otherwise I leave them.

6. What's the most enjoyable team or club you've belonged to and what was it that made it so?

Luckdragon's Angles Pet Therapy Group.  It was created to help people who wanted to become dog therapy teams get their feet (paws) in the door. Mentoring them to give them a chance to see just how amazing therapy work can be. It was started by 5 people who wanted to help others become therapy teams. Sadly, it hasn't done much lately. The orginial dogs are either over Rainbow bridge or older and not as active. The humans are very busy with other things in this tough ecnomy and not as active and the new puppies are not ready.  Hopefully soon we can help again.  There is a need after all.

7. Is cloning a sign of progress?

See, Joyce always puts in one question that makes me think.  Is cloning a sign of progress?  Not sure how I feel about this.  I think if we can clone organs that will save lives then yes. If we are cloning our favorite pet, then no.  I think the reason we clone is important.  Are we trying to cheat death? We can't. Are we trying to avoid saying good by to love ones, we can't.  Are we trying to save a life? Hopefully we can. Are we cloning for an Army? I hope not. Death is a part of life. It's a way of getting the reward of Heaven if we have followed the Lord and followed His teachings.  Why would we not want that?  If we haven't been following His teaching, then instead of cloning to live longer, just follow His teachings.  Plus, only the super rich will be the only ones able to afford these cloned body parts.  How about for an answer.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It's Tick season!  Becke, our lab can't wear those spot on formulars to keep the ticks off because of her age and sensativity to them.  August, the puppy, climbs all over her playing and grooming her so he can't wear them either so we have dug out the spray and they get sprayed if they are going out side and at night we comb them over and sometimes find a tick that has not latched on yet. Here is the spray that works for us:

When we find a tick, it comes off and goes in here: Here, they die!! It's a empty medicne bottle with Isopropyl Rubbing  Alcholol in it. WE HATE TICKS.

OK your turn to join in on the fun. click the button at the top and join in there or answer the questions here.