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Soooo, this weekend BH and I went to the Cities to help son and fiance move into their new house. Son had told me earlier in the week that there wouldn't be much for us to do. He had a lot of friends to help move in all the furniture on Friday, so it would be all boxes in a UHaul on Saturday.
I volunteered to make the supper and dessert and bring it down. Sloppy Joes on real hard rolls (not mushy hamburger rolls), home made baked beans, macaroni salad, calzones!!, a chocolate fudge cake, strawberry/rhubarb pie, a blackberry pie, 2 bottles of wine and half case of beer. Along with the paper plates, tableware, plastic cups, table cloth, napkins and serving utensils. All turned out great and everyone was so appreciative. I felt good.
We also gave them the "Harvest" table and benches that my dad made for me some 15 years ago. When we remodeled the kitchen 6 yrs ago, we put it away; got a small table for the new dining room. The kids were all gone and we didn't feel the need for such a large set anymore. The table is trestle style, and I had woodburned and painted a grape/apple/vines design on the crossbar and outside trestle legs when we received it.
They loved the set! I thought they could use it in the garage for cookouts and such, but they set it up in their kitchen right away!! I felt very happy that they love it as much as I have. It felt wonderful to be able to finally pass it down as a way of remembering their Grandpa.
Ok. Here's what happened. As we're driving I tell BH "this steering is pretty bad. It feels like there's no power steering." He says "we'll stop at WalMart and I'll check it out; buy some fluid". And we did. Yep. The reservoir was DRY. It took almost a pint. So, we were on our way. Much, much better.
An hour and a half later we arrive at the apartment. Told everyone was at the new house. Off we go about 3 miles to the new house. Take care of business. A few hours later, the men are going back to finish getting the rest of the stuff at the apartment. A van, a pickup truck and our big van. Off they go.
When they come back, BH comes up to me and says "I'm gonna tell you now; I don't want you to panic, but we had a small fire under the hood of our van. We put it out with water. It was just a small fire".
Okey dokey, then. I have never in my life ever had a "small fire" in a vehicle. "We'll be ok", he says; "We'll get a fire extinguisher tomorrow for the ride home". Did I tell you he is the extreme Polyanna?!
Sunday morning I tell him I'm really nervous about this; I'm not comfortable driving 3 hours on the freeway to get home. He gets frustrated and argues what else are we going to do?? If it happens again, we'll be prepared!
So Sunday morning, he and son take the van to buy the extinguisher. They come home. The van started on fire again. Ehhhh, yeahhhh, maybe we better have someone look at it Monday.
Thanks to the future father in law, he knows a garage that does very good work; he will call his friend who owns the place and see about getting the vehicle in.
Well, all was arranged. Son and BH took it over there Sunday evening. Monday morning we get the call. Spark plug wires are all chewed up - possibly by mice. The clamp on the power steering hose was loose, leaking fluid onto the bare wires. That caused the fire. The air cleaner is burned up, as is the power steering sensor wire, and the engine block is covered in oil!!! All the hoses need to be replaced, everything under the hood needs to be degreased including the engine or it'll all go up in flames------ oh, and your A/C is leaking freeon.
Estimate? About $1200.00. I think my heart stopped. BH rolled his eyes and then his head fell onto his chest. If I had food in my mouth, I would've choked to death on the spot.
Sooo, after checking the balance on our 2 credit cards, the OK was given for the work to be done.
Should be done by 12:30 Tuesday we were informed by the garage. 1:30 comes. Son calls. Still working on it; will try to have it done by 5:00. 4:45, son calls again. "We just finished degreasing the engine and rinsing everything down. It needs to sit overnight to dry. I don't want you taking the vehicle out of here until it's all dry. It'll be ready by 8:00 tomorrow morning." was the final determination.
Another night at son's. Not bad except that we packed NO clothes other than pajamas and an extra shirt for me because I tend to spill something on myself every time, and some toiletries. Because we planned on being home Sunday. Sooo, we're wearing the same clothes for 3 more days!! And, of course, by this time Mark Twain's words are ringing in my ears: "Both fish and guests should be thrown out after 3 days"!!!
Well, we picked up the van Wednesday morning at 8:15, said goodbye and thank you, and we were on our way back home. After we met for breakfast with second son who didn't get to see us all that time because he was just getting over strep throat. So actually, we hit the highway at about 11:30am. Got home a bit before 3:00. Exhausted. Mentally and physically. Probably from all the giggling we did on the way home. You never saw 2 happier people going home!
And we're done. No more committments for the rest of the summer. No trips to help anyone. No good deeds to be done. Thank God!! We just couldn't afford it right now!!
Of all the summer hubbub, that is. Thank goodness! Wow, for 2 retired people who don't do much....this has been one heck of a summer. And, as usual, not filled with anything we had planned for ourselves.
Niece's wedding was last Saturday. My sister and "adopted" sister flew in from NY and drove up to our house on Thursday. We had 2 days together before all of us drove down for the wedding.
It was a beautiful wedding, with the usual little hiccups that always seem to come into play. But what would wedding memories be without them!
We came home on Sunday; had to take daughter to ortho doctor Monday morning. A swollen elbow she's been dealing with since October! 12 weeks of therapy, brace, pressure bandage, ice, heat -----and it is still there. No xrays were taken back then (!), just a diagnosis of tendenitis. Turns out it is tendenitis, or so the Doc is pretty sure. But he did schedule her for an MRI just to be positive. Can you say "Duhhhhh"!
This week I've been concentrating on spinning and knitting. I'm plying the light and denim blue together, a 3-ply. I love the color!! I'll wind up with 5 bobbins full. I finished the poncho except for the collar. So that is sitting in the tote bag until that mojo comes back. I started a watch cap and mitts set. Found a nice intarsia pattern. It turned out really nice on the hat. Only now I'm at the point where I need to decide how to finish it off. Decrease to form a rounded cap, or square it, stitch together, form 2 triangle points on the inside, stitch them together, and ------ it forms a squared off ski cap. The instructions are in "Homespun, Handknit" by Linda Ligon. I love this book; lots of good patterns. It's my "go to" book.
Next Saturday, we are due to go down to son and fiance's to help them move to their new townhouse. I volunteered to bring supper and dessert down for all the movers - 12 at last count, including us. I have the menu planned out in my head, I just need to get it down on paper and then write out the corresponding shopping list. And I need to get started with the baking and cooking -- like Monday.
I just pray that next week and the weekend we have decent cool weather! It's been very nice this week; sure hope it continues at least til next Sunday. Then I don't care. We will be done with our summer obligations!!
And for our prize-------we're going to the Wisconsin Sheep Festival the weekend after Labor Day. Can't wait!! Had to miss the Michigan festival AGAIN this year; haven't been to the Wisconsin one in 3 or 4 years. I'm really excited! We're thinking of making it a week-long camping trip. 3 days somewhere and then 3 for the Festival.
Hopefully we'll be able to get a couple more camping trips in before the cold weather sets in. But if not, there's next year. Oh yeah. We're already planning LOTS of trips. Just like we did this year............!!?? Ahhh, to dream!!
This is the time of year when all the days start running together. Can't remember what I did 3 days ago, don't remember what day this is, need a calendar, a note on the fridge, and notes in my purse to remind me what needs to be done day to day.
I do remember that for the past week, a lot of little tasks have been accomplished. "Little things mean a lot...." so the song goes, as do the days. Housecleaning, to be sure; clean the coffee pot, clean the bottom of the fridge, weedwhacked, pulled the weeds around the pool, re-glued the tiles on the kitchen wall that came loose - due to the high humidity last week, washed the fingerless mitts that were finished a couple weeks ago, filed daughter's paperwork, spinning a couple hours each morning, do some knitting. And round and round it goes.
BH went fishing on Monday, so I took advantage of the time and cleaned the bathroom, straightened up the house, did a couple loads of laundry, paid the bills, wrapped and boxed a gift for grandson, went to the post office, the bank and the grocery store.
Tuesday afternoon went to daughter's, stayed overnight, took her shopping yesterday for an outfit and new shoes for the wedding next Saturday. While at her apartment, I cleaned her A/C filter, fixed her glasses (the screw came loose, and the lens fell out). We also went and got a few groceries, so I put those away for her, fixed dinner for us, did the dishes, went through her mail and took what needs to be filed and responded to. She treated me to lunch while we were out shopping. Had a nice time; got everything accomplished.
Today is a "freebie". I'm just going to putz around. I do have to do some serious grocery shopping and plan menus for the 2 days my sister and friend will be here (Thursday and Friday next week). Gotta figure out when to put that on the list. I do have to write out 3 birthday cards and get them in the mail today.
Gotta go to a graduation party on Saturday.
Wedding is Aug. 6; driving to the Cities on Saturday morning, picking up daughter on the way; staying overnight at the hotel; visiting with family on Sunday at my brother's; Monday, drive back to daughter's and take her for a doctor's appointment. Did I mention she lives and hour from us? An hour there, an hour back home. The oil corporations are very happy.
The weekend of the 20th, back to the Cities to help son and fiance move to their new house. Did I mention that's a 3 hour drive for us - one way? Cha-Ching!! I'm toying with the idea of preparing a supper and dessert to take down there for us all. We'll see........
I think we're free after that. No more commitments. That might change after daughter's doctor appointment, we'll see.
Looking soooo forward to Labor Day weekend. Then it's all over. Summer is done. It'll be time to hunker down for the Fall and upcoming Winter. My favorite time of year. All the tourists are gone from our small resort town; I can finally go to the grocery store on the weekend without spending half the day looking for a parking space and waiting in long lines to check out. Kids are back in school, people are back to their regular routines. Ohh, Happy Day!!
I feel like I'm forgetting something. There must be something else coming up over the next month. I gotta go check my lists.
Before I get started on this topic, I want to thank everyone for their comments to the blogs. It's greatly appreciated, gals; nice to know you're being read - I try to read about 40 posts every day and comment when I can. Sure hope you gals get out of the heat very soon - it's not good; not good for anyone!
Anywho, we were duped; tricked; lied to. Or someone doesn't know what the hell their talking about. The heat wave didn't end Thursday. It proceeded onto yesterday. 89 degrees; 60% humidity. Ok. Not sweltering. But it was still more heat than expected. A/Cs and all 7 fans running full blast. BH cutting the grass - 6 hours. Sweat pouring off him like a slow running faucet. He came in the house about every hour for a glass of ice tea and put his face into the A/C. The poor guy. I felt so bad for him. Told him to do 1/2 and let the rest go til Sunday. No. He wants to get it done. He's stubborn that way.
Not nice, weather guys! Not funny. Not professional. Or did the weather gods pull a fast one on you? In that case --- never mind.
Ahhh, but today --- it is 60 at 10:00am. We had a bad thunderstorm go through about 7:00am. Still looks like it could return at any time. Temps are only supposed to be in the mid 70's. There's a cool breeze blowing in every direction. Hang on Judy and Heather. It'll be coming your way soon (God, I hope so!).
So yesterday, while BH was killing himself outside, I was putzing around in the house. Wash the tops of the kitchen cabinets and the kotchki's; cleaned the kitchen exhaust fan; cleaned the whatchamacallits on the front/bottom of the fridge. You know. The fins that collect all the dust. Stripped our bed down, washed the mattress cover, hung it outside (never thinking I would eventually have to go back outside to retrieve it!); changed out the blanket; folded a load of wash, did the dishes. "What's for supper?" asks BH. "Ehhhh, Dairy Queen" says I.
Nothing today because I'm definitely anticipating more rain and wind. Tomorrow, weedwhacking and pulling the rhubarb. Maybe more laundry. Hang the sheets outside. It's supposed to be in the 70's!!
Caution: the weather guy is saying that the heat and humidity will be returning by the middle of next week and into next weekend. OMG! Somebody BETTER be pulling our leg!!
The horrible, sent-from-hell heat wave has finally broke! I felt like a new woman today! I actually cleaned the house - and really cleaned; did laundry, used the dryer; the A/C and fans were all off, windows were opened! BH went fishing!
It did get a bit warm in the afternoon, and I did have to turn on the fans and A/C about 11:30am. But the mugginess was at a minimum; temp got to about 85. We probably would've survived without the cooling machines, but I'm a bit paranoid right now. Any time it's over 75 degrees, they're all going on!
We had a quick thunderstorm go through about an hour ago. It left us with a wonderful cool breeze coming through the windows! Ahhh, to sleep; perchance to dream..........
Our work is cut out for us tomorrow. Since the "blast furnace" weather with the humidity that made the grass grow even faster than 3 days of rain, BH will be taking care of that. And then there's weedwhacking - my job. A few more things to do in the house too.
I can't wait for this weekend. We're supposed to have highs in the 60's!! The 60's!! Oh, visions of Fall!! I pray that this last week and some doesn't rear it's ugly head in August.
I need cool. Help. I can't stand this heat and humidity another day. I told BH if we wanted this kind of weather, we would've moved down south! This is Minnesota, for God's sake! You know, -60 in the winter; 8 feet of snow on the ground; not 110 degrees with 100% humidity and only dropping to 80 degrees at night. This is insane! Who lives like this?! Who wants to?! The weather people keep saying it's more humid here than in the Amazon jungle. OMG. Bring on November ----- please!
You can't cook in this weather. Even using the microwave makes you feel like expiring from heat exhaustion. Can't clean the house; just getting up to go to the bathroom causes sweat to run from every pore in your body. Can't do laundry. For sure I don't want to hang it outside to dry (would it even dry in 100% humidity?? I think not.) and can't use the clothes dryer with the A/C running - trips the circuits. (Shades of "Green Acres" -- you know, Lisa had to unplug the coffee pot to plug in the toaster....).
Just for the record - and any meteorologists out there - BH tells me if it WAS 100% humidity in the house, it would be raining in here. Yeah.....well........
So we will go in the pool this afternoon for a couple of hours. That helps a lot.
Have homemade subs for supper (gotta get to the store first thing and pick up a couple of items), drink gallons of water, and keep the ice pack on my body, moving it from one part to another.
And praying. Lots of praying. This is supposed to be the end of MN. tropical weather for a while. Tomorrow promises to be better. And through the weekend. I gotta go light some candles and say a novena. Oh wait......candles=heat. Maybe I'll just turn on all the night lights.
Son came up from Cities; he and BH left for fishing about 4:45am. With instructions to be home at 1:00pm!! We are in a heat/humidity warning for the next 5 days or so. In the Cities, they say the heat index could be 112 degrees. We up here in the northland could hit 100. Well, anyway, we'll see who cries "uncle" and comes rolling home before they get fried!! Men!!
It is now 8:00am. I spun for about an hour; boiled pasta for pasta salad; changed bed linens; cut my hair; took a shower; cleaned the bathroom; dumped water from the dreaded A/C; dumped water from the dehumidifier; put the salad together; did the dishes and ran the electric sweeper through the house. Not bad, eh?? Of course, I'll probably pass out about 11:00am. hehehe.
That's if grandson doesn't get dropped off here by his mom. I told her Thursday that if she works today, he can come spend the day here.
Oh yeah, and I have ROCK N ROLL on the radio!! As loud as I want it! Ahhh, it's good to be single!! Even if it's just for a few hours. A Great Day!
For supper? Pasta salad, hot dogs on the grill and grilled corn on the cob. I didn't plan anything for dessert; maybe we'll sit by the campfire and drink a few beers tonight.
Right now, it's overcast; looks like rain any minute. But the humidity is up there; the kind that takes your breathe away. Nice and cool in the house though. Gotta enjoy it while I can; if the sun comes out, it's all over.
I started back on the shawl yesterday; now that the black is spun into yarn. 2 more pattern repeats and it'll be done. This pattern does go really fast --- if you don't run out of yarn in the middle of it!
Well, I'm going back to spinning for a while. Then --- who knows. I can do whatever I fancy; I'm free; I'm single. For a few hours. Ya gotta take what you can get, when you can get it!
You all have a great weekend. Stay cool. (All spinners are cool!)
