December 22, 2018

Hello.

I hope your doing well.  

Not much to write about this week. I watched Liam all week. Hubby ended up with four days off, three were scheduled for him to be off, one was not. He was off because he still didn't have a car that was working well enough to trust getting from here to at least half way to work. He risked it this morning and made it to the half way point, where he had a ride waiting to take hi t the rest of the way. 

The kids last day of school for this week was Friday. B took the day off since High school may do that as one of their 6 excused days. C had to go though and he wasn't took happy about that.  But he was more grumpy because he wasn't able to play his game while she was at home that because he had to go to school. B took care of L for about 3 hours outside of changing his diaper (which  I took care of) and brought him to me about 10 minutes before Mom was due to come in through the door. He was starting to get fussy.  

I started a Gingerbread house by putting the sides together and the roof on top. I am in hopes that Heather and the kids will want to finish it up.  

That is about all the "Christmas" I did this past week.

I brought back home my airplane plant in hopes to save it from lack of sunlight. H's house is too dark for it and even a sunny room does not get enough light for it.

Billie C.

 Life is a journey not a destination

December 15, 2018

Hello

Just a quick update.

I really do want to keep up my blog much better. So many plans but I'm not very good about following a plan of any sort.

Hubby has been helping me "decorate" for Christmas this year. First off, we are playing our own version of Elf On the Shelf only our "Elf" is a snowman and a Santa. It took him a a few days to find Santa hiding above the window in the bathroom. He's now hiding in a stoking by the bathroom door.  He found the Snowman, where else but in the freezer. He's now Hiding in plain sight in a canvas shoe I intend to color with some Sharpies, soon. We've hung a few ornaments in the windows of the open area of the camper Santa's by the couch Angels in the dining room area. An assortment of things in the windows where i think they look good.  The kitchen has a red bow and the red pot holders are hung up. The stocking are on each side of the bathroom door. with a few things hung in that window as well. I didn't do anything "Holiday" at Daughters this week.  Just taking care of that grand son is enough, for now. He's such a happy baby when he's not hungry or wet/dirty. And once those two needs are taken care of, is happy again. So unlike how our own three kids where at his age. He's awake more, and you can just see his mind working out things, becoming more aware and in control of his body. He has more control of his head now. and he's aware that his hands are doing something. Even aware of his feet more. If he's laying beside me on the couch,on a boppy, he's wiggling down to where his feet touch me. Not to kick off but just to touch. He loves to listen to any one's heart beat. He is getting more and more 'tummy' time and lifting his head and looking around more. He is fascinated with the tree lights. He likes music and is trying to keep time with almost everything he hears.  I am so happy to be there with him, watching him become a "Person".  He has had colic and that is hard on his momma.  I am doing my best to keep him awake in the late afternoon so he will sleep better for her late at night.

Hubby got the car temporarily fixed. We now don't have heat in it, but it isn't losing water or leaking so he can drive it at least half way to work.  The "Computer" is suppose to be back tomorrow. It shouldn't take long to re-install it. We are in hopes that this is all that needs to be done to finally Fix the Expedition and put it back on the road again. 

Daughter has offered for us to bring the PT to her house and between her and her father, fix it. Its not going to be a quick job since the wheel has to be removed out of the way to replace the alternator then, of course, everything has to be put back in place again. But, at least for now, he's getting back and forth to work again and so there is much less stress around us.

Today is just puttering around the camper, cleaning it up. Over the week I made a list (rather long) of things I would like to get done in the two days I'm home. Some baking (Maybe) some candy making or deserts for this week at Heather's. We are missing our after meal sweets a bit.  A few things I want to print out. A "Lights Scavenger Hunt" list. or a "Christmas Bucket List".  I might want to Seal them so they can be used over and over.

Dishes MUST be done and that's what I'm working on as soon as I send this out, which will be in a just a few more minutes.

If I don't write anything next week. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Billie C.

 Life is a journey not a destination

Hello and Happy Weekend.

Hello and Happy Weekend

I really enjoyed babysitting Liam this week. He's a very good baby for the most part.  Of course I'm spoiling him, just a little bit.  I do like changing his clothes. he has so many cute ones and will soon outgrow a lot of them.  We have our own routine set up now. he finishes a bottle he has started before I get there, then, after Mom and Siblings leave around 7:30, I change his diaper but not his  clothes unless they are wet, then he's either in his rocking bassinet by the window, with the curtains opened and the shades pulled up. He'll lay in there for at least an hour if not longer, most of the time, he's awake for about 30 minutes or not longer. I turn on the TV and set up a Nexflix movie and then straighten up a little.  Tossing trash and taking dishes to the kitchen if that is needed. I check on their dog, that he's not tangled his chain too much and give him a treat (and sometimes a bit of training) When Liam is hungry again, usually around 9 am, I change his diaper, and usually his clothes because they are damp(ish) and give him a bottle, burp him, get in some cuddle time then set him in the swing. He really likes his swing and will usually stay there until his mom comes home for lunch a few minutes after 11 am.  She gets him his "lunch" bottle and changes diaper and gets in lots of cuddle time with him before leaving a few minutes before noon to return to work.  He'll either be in a boppy on the couch or the swing or in he bassinet  He'll usually sleep until close to 3 pm and it's bottle time again, diaper time (again) and then burping and cuddle time with Grandma (again) I'll carry him around the house a bit just so he has a change of scenery He'll fall asleep not too long after his bottle and so either into the swing or into the bassinet. He waked up around 7 pm and of course is hungry, but Mom and siblings will be home soon so I keep him comfortable until they come in through the doors and my "day" is done.  My hubby, when the car is working as it should will be home sometime around 4:30.

But  This past week, it's been a later day for Liam's mom and my hubby. He has a ride from Soddy-Daisy to work, which is the half way point from our town to his job. Liam's Mom has been getting up extra early to drive him for our town to Soddy-Daisy to catch his ride on the says he has to work. It's a really long day for her and Jerry, since he has to wait for her to get off her job before she an come get him. Jerry's days off are Tuesday and Thursdays, but he ended up with Wednesday, trying to fix a loaner car, then he lost the key to the care and we have been looking for it, ever since.  Looking inside, and outside and around the cars in the daylight and after dark, and places he has been but not sure if he lost it before or after.

I Found the Key, this morning, in the camper, in an area he said he looked several times. It was on the floor under a small set of drawers that can roll around. I moved it out but didn't find it until I started to sweep the floor and cobwebs out of the way and it popped out from under the drawers... Whew.... talk about relief and joy...  Wow was I do happy to find that key. I knew we needed that key and I wasn't home when he lost it so I had no idea of were to look in the first place. L was looking in the grass, in the gravel in the corners of the camper where I knew he would have been, and just couldn't figure out where it should have been. I'm just glad it's been found and now we can see if the "fix" on the car is going to work or not.

T

Billie C.

 Life is a journey not a destination

Jan 17, 2018

I am having trouble finding propane.  I have been having trouble out of the heaters control as well.   The heater is working, when I turn off the control then turn it back on. but it is going to need to be replaced and I don't know how to do that. Hubby is going to be home this weekend and will take care of it when he gets here. The place we will (Hopfully) get the pars also sells Propane and I just hope they are not out, like all the places here in town are out.
I think I'm going to make a pot of beans tomorrow for my dinner. My last pot of beans were white beans so this time, I'll make Pinto beans. I think I'll get out everything for cornbread and make some to go with the beans. 
Hubby isn't working today, because of the weather where he's at. The roads were too slick to go to work and the job site isn't in any better shape either. He said that they should ony lose today and that the weather is suppose to improve quickly.
Last night, when Itook the dogs out for last call. Barney got loose, or I didn't get the hook on his collar very well. Either way, I'm calling him, but he's having a grand time. I can't see him cause he's as black as the night. I'm calling and calling, the other two can at least see him a bit cause I can see them looking, tracking, him. Just as I'm ready to leave his arse outside and put the other two in, here he comes back, all wiggles and joy. I sure hope he peed while he was out because im not going to open that door again until morning. If he had not come back in with the others i would be opening that door in about 30 minutes and calling for him. That is if he'd not already come to the door and barked.

 

Billie C.

January 16, 2018

Hello
It's been a bit chilly here today and we have snow on the ground. Not a lot of it, not enough to cover the ground but enough to see it around the base of trees. Scchools were canceled as was the Senior Center today. I just check the Closings list from one of the local TV stations and so far nothing around here has been canceled tomorrow but there is still plenty of time for that to still happen.  If it stays cold there is a chance that the schools and the Senior Center wil be closed. To much risk of someone getting hurt on the roads around here. We don't usually get a lot of slick roads and it's better to stay home and be safe than to risk anyone getting hurt trying to come down off one of the mountains. Welp, I just checked the closing again.. and our local schools are closed so the Senior Center will also be closed tomorrow.
I had the dogs out just a bit ago. Once the all pee'd Barney got a wild bee, and was trying to get the other two to play with him in the snow. He was "Mad Dashing" back and florth a ew times and barking and just plain out enjoying himself in the snow. I would have stayed out longer but my feet were getting cold. When we came back inside I changed my socks. I didn't realize that my socks had gotten that damp before  i went outside or I would have changed them before we went out.  I changed my shoes, as well. I think I may have to toss out that pair of shoes at this rate.  The heat has come on a couple of times. I am wearing layers and am comfortable enough for now. I still need to  call the Gas Station where we get propane  in a bit to see if they have gotten a delivery in or not.  According to the local weather, it's going to warm up into the 50's by this next weekend. Not sure for how long that is going to last.
I fixed the last of the white beans for my lunch and pulled a container of Beef Stew out of the bunk room to fix for my dinner.It's easy to warm up and easy to clean up when I'm done.  I'm debatting about wether to have a fruit cup or a cream filled cookie for my dessert.   my breakfast was oatmeal with Ginger Sugar and Cinnamon in it. two slicees of toast and two scrambled eggs.
I've been catching up on some of the things recorded over the last couple of weeks.  Mainly Scorpion and now, Call the Midwife.
I've been wearing layers today. PJ bottoms under my jogging pants. three tops and a hat. My feet are still cold even with two pairs of socks on so I might have to find something else to put on them to warm them up.
I painted 4 rocks today. I need to seal them soon.

 

Billie C.

January 11, 2018

Hello.  I do hope you are doing well.  It's been a bit dreary here and although I have enjoyed being outside, it's very damp and gray.

I did paint a rock while at the Senior Center today. I just put the year on it (2018). I will seal it in a few days.  I did paint 4 rocks here at the camper, last night. I already had one painted and after I returned from the Center, I put the first coat of sealer on them. I will put another one in a little while then, I'll turn them over and add "F #Dunlaprocks" to the backs and then seal those as well. I don't know if I'll put them out this weekend or not.  

 

You know. most years of the Olympics, there is some fuss being made. I wonder why not this year.

 

There isn't much housework I need to attend to today. Most I got done, before I left for the center. The bed is made and the few dishes are washed up and the floors are all swept.
Because the Center will be closed for MLK day, next Monday, I received a box of frozen food to be warmed up in the microwave. It has two days of food in it. one the holiday and one for the Wednesday after next. The Place that sends the hot meals, does not send meals on two Wednesday a month. November and December, we had a  carry in (Pot luck) on one of those days. I'm not sure yet, if there will be a carry in this month or not.  The Director of the center is decorating for Valentines day, already. I kinda hoped that she would have put up snowflakes and winter stuff for January, instead.  I just don't  want to get  tired of Valentine and "Love" stuff before February 14.
I saw with Doris this morning, before and after painting a rock. She didn't look very well after we had our dinner. I sure hope she's not getting sick. I changed tables where I sit because at the first table, I was the only one there until a few minutes before 11 each day. Dinner is serve at 11:30.  I was asked if any one at that table had upset me and I reassured her no, but that I had noticed that Doris has been sitting alone and wanted to keep her company. Also Doris and the other ladies who sit at that table also ride the bus to the center. I do enjoy the ride in and from the Center. It's not a long ride and without it, I would not be able to go.
I made oatmeal for my breakfast this morning. I added a ripe banana a spoonful of ginger sugar, and a large spoonful of peanut butter. I had two small spoonfuls of Cherry Dumplings that Evelyn had made for this morning. She used pie crust for the dumplings. She also made a vegetable soup and I had a small bowlful of that just before dinner was served. The menu called for BBQ Chicken but it was not BBQ at all. It was a bit spicy but it was not BBQ sauce. I got too much corn and a bit to much of the greens. The "Biscuit" was not very large which was a good thing since I was almost full by the time I got to it on my plate. I brought home the banana and the carton of milk. I'll use the milk over some cereal this weekend.
I am going through some of the things we have recorded over the last few weeks. Right now I am watching "Victoria". Once I finish that, I'll catch up on "Y&R" or watch something on Nexflix.
I work a lighter weight gray T-shirt that has Angel wings and the word "Faith" on it. I did change my nail polish yesterday from a red to a dark purple. I think Purple is a good color for cold weather.

 

Billie C.

Jan 10, 2018

Hello.
I hope your not bored with my writing a daily note to my blog.
I really, really need to get back to posting to all my blogs much more often.  It's drippy outside. not much fog but I can tell it really wouldn't take much more humidity for there to be fog . I am enjoying this brief warm up, but know it's going to get cold again, all too soon. I'm ready for more cold but I'm not looking foreward to it.
I am going to the Senior Center today, more to "Hang out" that because the food is good. i am not much for playing cards, but i like to sit and watch.  I think I might paint a rock or two today, though. I took in a few printed off pictures in case anyone wanted to color. I know many still think of "coloring" as a kid thing, but I enjoy doing it and that's all that matter.
I had Oatmeal with an over ripe banana and ginger sugar in it. I hope that Evlyn has made something "sweet" for this morning to finish my breakfast with. Today is "Regular Meal" which means that Evlyne will be doing the cooking at the center today.Todays' meal was Sloppy Joe's with a bun, Cole Slaw, corn and a Cream filled Oatmeal cookie.
  I'm not sure what I will fix for my dinner tonight. I have some burger that needs used up, but I also have some pork that I should use soon, as well. I might use the pork and use it like I would for a tuna salad and have that on crackers.
Rocky is fussing at Barney because Barney wants in the kennel with Rocky. I'll soon ahve to lock Rocky in, because He just will not stay in the bunkroom, where I want him to stay when I'm not home. Barney and Macon are good about not jumping the table that is on it's side as a gate but Rocky figured out a way to get over it. If he's not jumping it, he's pulling or pushing it to get it to open up. If they would stay out of the trash cans, I might not mind them in the middle of the camer when I'm gone, but they make a mess if I'm gone and they are not put in "Their" room.
I really should start finding a Quote for each day.  I Think today's quote would belong the lines of "Make the most of each day".
I have the TV on. The news on CBS, but like yesterday, there really isn't a lot of "News" but a lot of gossip.  Actor's, movie promotions, What the "Royals" are or are not doing. Locally, there been an oil or petrolum spill near the Tennessee River in Chattanooga.
I don't have to dress as warmly as I did yesterday. I'm still wearing "Jogging" pants. Brown ones today, as well as a grey long sleeved T-Shirt.  I changed my earrings from small red flowers to Crystal hearts. 
I'm going to take the book I picked up yesterday with me today and when I'm not painting, will start reading it. It's large print so it should not take me a long time to read it. I really do need to get back into reading again. Emails and notes are good but I need to get back to reading  stories that take a bit of time to finish. 
When I get back from the Center, I will do up what few dishes I have in the sink, and then clean off the dining room table. I did paint a few rocks yesterday and need to seal them and take pictures of them. I might get out my Cricut after I get that done, and just cut a bit of paper to get back into crafting again.
I need to have Daughter take me to get propane tomorrow afternoon. The man who puts it into the tanks won't be there until after 3 pm. I messaged her this mornig to ask when she gets of work tomorrow but not heard back from her, just yet. I'm not low but I don't want to have empty tanks when these run out.  I really dont have any other plans, just yet.