Our Tennessee Vacation – part 1

Travel  day…

                Our drive down to Tennessee was pretty much uneventful.  The weather was good, the traffic was nothing to write home about.  Nothing out of the ordinary for the beginning of a fun filled week.  We didn't make many stops since we had food with us.

I actually was able to make the drive pretty easily.  The shot in the knee (cortisone) that the doctor gave me on Wednesday helped get me tuned up for an 8+ hour ride in the van.  We were packed tight, but left my seat with a bit off room behind it thinking I may need to tilt back and stretch out.  Nope.  Didn’t need to.  The knee didn’t act up at all.

When we got down to the area, we decided we should probably stop at the Welcome Center and pick up some information on things to do.  We had four shows booked, but wanted to be sure to sneak in some other fun things too.

While at the center, we set up to do one of those tour-schpeels about a new resort they are starting.    We thought, why not?  The hundred bucks we were getting to do it would buy the souvenirs we planned to get the kids.  We would be heading to the resort, just up the street, on Sunday.  Sounded good to me!

Next stop, the cabin.  We drove the main drag through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and the Gatlinburg.  On our way twisting and turning and twisting and turning, we wondered would we ever get up there AND were we getting into bear country?  We were.  But we never saw even one. 

We finally made it to the cabin.  Not exactly what we thought we were going to, but it looked okay from afar.  Cliff got out of the car and fought his way though some killer spiderwebs to get to the key’s lock box.  Cool.  The combination worked.  We have a key!  Then CRAP! The key broke off in the lock!  NOW what?? 

I got out the information on the cabin and Cliff called the emergency number.  It was Friday evening and any office would have been unattended.  They answered and after a few minutes decided to send out a locksmith.  Well GOOD!  Shouldn’t have been much to think about!  They suggested we “run back into town to get a bite to eat.”  It was 8PM.  This area doesn’t really do 8PM.  They close up early in these here parts.

Down, down, down the twisty, winding roads.  Into Gatlinburg.  There seemed to be a couple places to eat, but maybe not.  Looked like everyone was pretty much heading back to their motels and cabins.  Okie dokie well Pigeon Forge seemed like a town a little more with it.  Through the mountains and on to Pigeon Forge.

We drove around a little bit and ended up stopping at a place called Old Mill area.  The main restaurant seemed super busy.  No dice.  We were tired!  Instead we went to the Old Mill Potteryhouse Café and Grille.  What a good choice!  The menu was a good one and the food was reasonable.  I loved the decorating.  Might be the pottery lover in me.  I wish I had felt more like exploring and that we’d gotten there a little sooner.  The restaurant was about to close as were the other little shops around. 

We both ordered the Old Mill Chopped Steak.  It was a nice 10 oz. piece of meat topped with onions and mushrooms, served with mashed potatoes and cinnamon apples.  Mmm. 

             

            What a surprise we got too!  We were sitting and trying to relax a bit when this man came up and asked if we were the people in the grey mini-van.  Why yes.  We were.  “Did you know all the doors are wide open?”  Huh?  Wha what?  We had EVERYthing in that van.  Computers, cameras, all our belongings, our ECV carts.  Whoa boy.  Cliff got up and went out and sure enough, while he was sitting, keys in his pocket, he somehow hit the buttons and opened up the doors!  He closed it up and thanks to the couple who were sitting with their ice cream on the bench next to it, no one got in and took anything.

               

                I had hoped to shop for a little piece of pottery but it was late, we were tired, and the sidewalks were rolled up by the time we were done eating.  I put it on our possibilities list for our spare moments.  Didn’t happen.  But, now that I’m home and able to get on the computer, I see the prices were a bit out of my league anyhow.

               

                Time to head back to the cabin.  Boy these mountain roads were a little trickier in the dark!  But we made it.  After what we’d experienced so far, I told Cliff to check it out before I even started to get out of the van.  He opened the door and the inside seemed very nice. 

                When you walked into the cabin, you entered into the kitchen.  Nice big kitchen too.  It had all the kitchen things anyone should need for a Smoky Mountain getaway.  The table’s top came off and it was a bumper pool table.  Never did use it, but we had it.  The living area was just beyond the kitchen.  The area was split about even.  There was a fireplace, a TV on DirecTV and a leather couch (sofabed) and chair.  So far so good. 

The other side of the room had a door that opened to the porch.  On your left when you went out the door was the hot tub.  Not new, in fact the cover was pretty crappy and shed, but it would do the trick.  To the right was a porch swing, two wood rockers and three white stacking chairs.  This whole porch was surrounded by the woods and couldn’t be seen from the roads.  Privacy.

Back inside, we checked out the bedroom.  VERY big bedroom with kingsize bed, TV on a little corner shelf up high, dresser and two side tables.  The little lamps didn’t work very good, but oh well.  The Jacuzzi was very big and in an alcove off the bedroom.  There was a little cabinet there that had the sheets in it for the sofabed.  The bathroom wasn’t anything special.  Tub, sink, toilet.  And one and a half rolls of toilet paper.  Better go get extra.  We were staying a week.

Our only issue was it was warm inside.  And the windows didn’t have screens.  If there had been screens we could have opened up and cooled the place off.  We turned the thermostat down and figured we’d get cool.  Didn’t happen.  The thing froze up and continued to freeze up all…week…long!  UGH it got to nearly 100!

We unloaded, plugged our carts in, then hit the hot tub.  Nice.  Wow I wish we had one at home.

If you’re curious and want to check out the cabin more, it’s called Together Always and will be found in the cabin rental websites.  I just did a google check and it comes up if you type in Together Always cabin Gatlinburg.

Monday and Tuesday all rolled into one

Have I told you about our sweet little guy CJ lately? He is such a doll! He's growing so fast and really beginning to show us his little personality. He coos and goos and smiles and giggles. I love when he goos back whenever his mama calls him a good boy. It's like he's agreeing...gooo gooo. :-)

 

My plans for this last week of summer with the grandkids is taking shape one minute at a time. Somehow I need to get with Casey for her to do a patio block. I was wanting to do them with some of the kids tomorrow but I don't see that in the plans. Thursday is out because it's supposed to rain. Hmmm. Got to workit in. Kennedy's last day here is Friday. Casey goes back to Florida on Monday. Wow. Time has flown!

 

I'm anxious to bake with Kennedy and hopefully Morgan tomorrow. The plan is for Morgan to spend the night as far as I know but I haven't talked to her Nan and Pap to see if it's okay with them. Don't know if Corry did or not. Kennedy will call her tomorrow and see what's up. My plan is to make chocolate yummy cake with them. It's what I'd like and Kennedy too. She said she was hoping for chocolate for her birthday this year.

 

We got all the reservations handled for the shows we're going to on our trip. We're doing Dixie Stampede, Comedy Barn, Hatfield and McCoy's and the Murder Mystery Theater. We'll also be doing Dollywood for two days but those tickets will be purchased there. That's where we get the best discount. I can't wait!! I LOVE SHOWS!!

 

Our cabin is paid for too. First and last payments have gone through. We'll get the directions and key code by next Wednesday. I'm excited. A jacuzzi AND a hot tub! A porch with two wood rockers AND a porch swing to look out over the mountain. A fireplace if it gets chilly. Sounds like heaven.

 

There are a few other places to see/do while we're in the Gatlinburg area. I've got Cooters on my list. I want to take a picture by the General Lee. And it'll be fun to check out the Dukes of Hazzard Museum. Fanny Farkles looks like a fun lunch stop. Not so much the amusement stuff but foot long corn dogs are right up our alley. I'd like to ride the sky lift if I'm not too fat and the space needle too. Might even eat up top at the Flying Saucer Italian Bistro. Their menu looks like they have reasonable normal foods like wings and pizza and calzones.

 

We do want to check out some of the local cuisine too and I'm thinking a trip to the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery would be fun. We don't drink, but it'd be fun to check the place out and bring home some little treats for those in the family who do.

 

One of the places on my DO DO DO list is the Incredible Christmas Place. I love all things Christmas. It's really a must. And we try to add an ornament to our tree each time we make a special trip that reminds us of the trip. I'm sure they'll have something very special there.

 

~~~~~

 

Our first stop yesterday was to the AAA office to order a trip tik for our vacation. We don't need the maps really, though they're good to have. What I really wanted was the books. I like to follow along in the trip tik and books as we're traveling reading what all there is to say about all the areas we pass through. A little education never hurts. I got in that habit when the kids were little trying to keep them always learning. Ya. I was kind of a bore as a mom probably. We also went on back road adventures following the trails of the historical signs. Aren't you glad you weren't our kid? lol

 

We got lunch yesterday at Bellacino's. Love their grinders. We got the Italian grinder and a small pizza to split. It was enough to be

both lunch and supper. Plus we texted grinder to 639227 and got a free quarter grinder for Papa's lunchbox.

 

We went in to check and see if we could schedule my van to have an oil change and check on a couple other minor little problems. They scheduled us for today.

 

While we were in that area, I made a trip into Hobby Lobby. There just aren't many places around these days to buy fabric. They had the fleece I was needing 30% off plus I found two hunks of it on their clearance shelves. I also got some marked down yarn and some ribbon to make special bows for 50% off. I love sales!

 

We went from that area over to Papa's podiatrist appointment. Not

good news. He has been having a lot of pain in the foot he had surgery on after crushing his heel. Turns out the screw has begun to push its way through the bone and is very close to popping through the skin. They are scheduling him for surgery after we're back from our trip. Good thing we found him an electric cart too! He wouldn't have been able to walk.

 

When we got done at the doctor, we made a trip to the Apria office. This change in medical coverage has really become a huge pain! They can't seem to get it all straight. Apria was the medical supply company the old insurance used too BUT ... They have to have new orders from the new doctors. sigh Nothing seems to be falling into place like it should.

 

From there we went to Ravenna to check on Papa's mom. She fell the other day and broke her upper arm. I HATE how the medical CRAP is handled these days!!! She didn't press her medical alert button. Another bad decision medically. She should not be on her own. BUT she cannot be qualified for help! WHAT THE HECK!

On the way home, I spoke with one of the kids on the phone. He had gotten a message that our next door neighbor had died in the morning. HOW?? Can't be! She's MUCH too young! There wasn't anyone I knew to ask so I did a little computer investigating when I got home and indeed she had. No details. It's really shocking. Life is not to be taken lightly! Make use of every minute! Make sure those you love know it! And DON'T be revengeful and DON'T hold grudges! I'm sure she didn't wake up knowing she was going to die that day. You don't know to make amends because... So...just keep your relationships running smoothly.

 

We needed a little something to soothe us. Ice Cream! Yep. We wove around until we got to Stricklands. I AM SO GLAD WE DID!!! The flavor of the day was grape! My favorite! Oh fer joy fer joy. A big cone and a quart to take home!

 

We were just getting ready to get off the highway at our exit when we got a call from Rusty. He had been working on his garage all day so we turned around and went over to see what all he'd done. I hadn't been able to do a lot of walking all day but I did manage to check out his work and go inside and see Emmi for a few minutes.

 

Next stop was home. My knee was such a wreck. Ice, raising it. Had to baby it all night long. I got up to pack Papa's lunch and grab some cantaloupe for dinner for myself. Then I sat my butt down and relaxed. I'm continuing with my knitting to get scarves made to sell up at the Browns games. My goal was November but I was asked to have some ready for mid October. Cool beans. Can do.

 

~~~~~

 

Today I had SO much on my list. Didn't do much of it. I'm still babying the knee. Most of the rest of the body has gotten tolerable. But that knee...

 

I did a lot of sitting in place activities. Not until after I went up to the attic to do a scrapbook page and purge a bag full. I'm going to keep trying to purge little by little by little. Sooner or later it will get done.

 

I got all the week's coupons cut. Haven't filed them yet but that's next. If they're cut, they'll get used.

 

Next, I flipped my chair over and started doing some work behind it. I had a couple bags of winter clothes for Miss Em that needed a home. The trunk behind my chair wasn't being used completely so I opted to put them there.

 

While I had the chair flipped, I went through some shoes I had in a storage hamper. I found out they do all still fit but they don't feel at all good on my feet. I'll probably take them on our trip anyhow.

 

After I dejunked the blue trunk, it was time for a potty break. I decided to go down instead of up. While I was down, I decided to do a quick check in the freezers. I found frozen pie shell and fruit. Sounds like a pie to me. I also have five apples needing used. Might end up doing apple rather than something from frozen fruit.

 

I cleared email and tamed the spam box. All seems fine now. It's a bummer to have a build up of 100 or more pieces of mail no matter what "box" they're in.

 

Molds are high today and I sure can tell! It's been sneeze city all day long. I hate when that happens. Molds also make me hurt. And it's not bad enough they're in the air outside, when I came up for my shower tonight I got totally miffed. The shower curtain and shower chair got covered in mold spots over night! grrrrr

 

I can't find my daughter's recipe for stuffed pepper soup but I did successfully find one online. I'm wanting to make that probably tomorrow. I'm in the mood and I've got leftover rice to use up. Sounds like a plan. On another trip down to the bathroom, I grabbed some ground meat to use in it.

 

My sister called last night AND tonight and wished me an early happy birthday. lol She cracks me up. I enjoy talking to her. We really don't need an excuse to talk the night away.

 

Our flowers have sure had a rough time with this heat. I had to do some transplanting and combining to come up with some decent looking pots. I want the yard cleaned up and decent in case the wake is next door. It would be terrible of us to have our yard looking depressing. Tomorrow Papa is supposed to finish the mowing. We should look decent enough then.

 

I did a quick frig clean today when I was doing the dishes. It needed it. I got a good inventory of what's there to be used. Still on that use-it-up mission of mine. :-) Also made a jug of orange juice.

 

Before settling in to knit this evening, I went outside and swept off all the "helicopters" from the deck. It was covered! And when I looked up into the tree, I saw we've got plenty more to fall.

I'm going to hang up for now. lol I want to see if I can find out the Mega numbers for Tuesday night and I also want to see if I can find out why about 30 cop cars blared down the street in front of Corry and Angel's late last night. Couldn't find anything earlier because it was too soon for them to post it.

 

Hugs to one and all...

 

~~Mama Sage

 

I was going to put a quote on here but realized the ones I wanted to add shouldn't be added right now. I'll find good ones for next time. ...I hope...

I'm so full of good intentions!

And I just never manage to get on here and blog! Man. I miss it! I want to blog and honestly I need to blog. Somehow when I blog away the details of my day it makes me feel more accomplished. Like this ol' wrecked body of mine really isn't completely worthless. It makes me feel more human and more connected. I think for personal therapy's sake I should blog. I should MAKE MYSELF come up here each night and weedle out the minutes to blog. I type fast. My thoughts are what comes out. Nothing too deep. lol It really shouldn't seem like a chore. It didn't used to. It's just one of those "habits" I broke and need to regain. All habits are not bad.

 

Today was kind of fun even though I was pretty wrecked. You see yesterday I fell down the steps. Let me back up a minute here.

 

~~~~~

 

Saturday -- It was a busy day that started earlier than we'd hoped. We hoped to get several hours of sleep in the morning. We didn't have Emmi so we didn't need to be up early. Kennedy and I had stayed up watching things on TV and Papa had worked.

 

Bright and early (for us) we started getting phone calls and texts. Nothing to make us mad or upset. In fact it was COOL finding out Kris and Darlene had gotten two very nice birds. Someone Kris knows rescues birds and they got two who needed homes. I couldn't believe that one is 3' tip of the head to foot! Wow! THESE are BIRDS! I can't wait to meet Zazu and Chico.

 

The other call was for us to pick up presents that got left in their hiding place in the closet on our way to our grandkids' birthday party. We were going to be celebrating Kennedy, Zach and Haydn's birthdays.

I was in charge of making the gift certificates for the gift Corry and Angel got the boys. Tickets to see the Browns in November. I got it all designed and wanted special paper to print it on. It was on the shelving unit on the stair landing to the attic. No biggie. That's my craft room, my hide away, my place of peace and relaxation.

 

I wanted to come down carefully because my knee had been acting up. (I have an orthopedic appt. on the 24th.) Sideways, one foot carefully followed by the other. And then BLAM! down I went. My bad leg point UP the steps and my butt came down hitting a step for each cheek all the way down. I knocked over a 5 gallon bottle of water at the bottom and thankfully it didn't spill. But oh how I hurt!!! Generally I bust out laughing when I get hurt thinking about how it probably looked. This time I sat there in pain wondering how many parts of me I broke.

 

Kennedy heard the thunder and came to see what I'd done. She wanted to run out for Grampa and I told her not to bother him. He was out recleaning the van. Oh THAT was another fiasco. That happened during the week. The back window of the van shattered. What a mess!

 

Anyhow. I sat at the computer and finished up the certificates. Next was a "card" to camouflage the certificate so the boys couldn't read through the envelope. Got them done too and realized being done meant I had to go down yet another flight of stairs. Zheeze! Living in a three story home is just so....so....eventful!

Got downstairs and got started on the fruit salad. The watermelon was disappointing. It sounded hollow like it should and it was horrible! Not ripe at all! But I used what I could of it. This salad had

• watermelon
• cantaloupe
• kiwi
• strawberries
• blueberries
• bananas
• mango
• pineapple
• mandarin oranges
• red grapes
• green grapes
• papaya

I think that's all. Pretty sure. It was good!

 

We loaded up and headed over to Kathy and Calvin's. They have a huge yard and a pool. Great place for gatherings. The kids had Kris' karaoke set up too so we were in for fun. Hamburger and hotdog picnic, cake, music...who could ask for more?

 

By the time we were ready to leave I could hardly move. I'd gone in to the bathroom and hardly made it back down the steps and outside. They got out Calvin's electric chair and I wheeled out to the van.

When we got home, I decided that the first trip up the steps would be my final for the day. Pain had set up in every inch of the body.

 

Kennedy ended up staying with Kris and Darlene. After she came to pick up clothes, up the stairs with ice bags and aspirin. Oh ya.

 

~~~~~

 

Today we had Emmi. I tried taking it easy. Did pretty good protecting myself from over doing it again.

We got a call around noon that Papa's mom had fallen. She fell on Saturday but didn't press her life alert button. From what I understand, she laid on the floor for several hours. Typical of an older person, she didn't understand how the button works. She figured why press it since the people who she'd talk to didn't have a key to get in and help her.

 

Kennedy's end of the season zoo picnic was today. And it rained. ~~sigh~~ Brandi went to meet her after she got off work and she brought her home to keep us from making another trip out. Made me happy because then I got to see Brandi today too!

 

After she gathered her things, we took Kennedy over to her other grandparents'. She's staying there a couple days before summer's over and she's back to her mom's starting school. The ride was okay but I did have ice on my knee. It's always what gets it the worst when I get hurt.

 

Once we dropped her off, we went to see what was up with Mom Sage. April had taken her to the ER. She has broken her upper arm and has to immobilize it. This is going to be a little tough on her. She's not used to not doing. She may move slow but she does move. She doesn't sit still for long periods of time.

 

This evening we had Em until 8:00 or so. She's so fun! She getting to the huggy lovey stage where for no reason at all she'll run up, give hugs and say I lub you. And she's got names for all her animals and gives them all love too. And then she tosses them. No Emmi. We don't throw. Trow? We don't throw. Trow?

 

After texting with my girlie this evening (Kennedy always texts when she can't seem to fall asleep.) I came on up to go to bed. But...I hurt. So falling to sleep will be a real trick. I took Excederin, all I have for pain. Not helping much. I have a sweet friend who offered a massage, but I don't want to get started with something I can't continue with. I'd want to head to the massage therapist Anne all the time and it's not covered on our medical.

 

I think I'll check back on some of my blog notes and see what still could be added here. My "recipes." lol I laugh every time you guys out there call them that. They're just food fixin ideas.

 

~~~~~

 

From Aug 4....

 

This was a fun day so far. BUT carpet cleaning is still in my future. I got so far as to LOOK at the machine and imagine myself taking the child safety lock off the cabinet where the cleaning solution is. Now. If I can get up the want-to before I go to bed tonight.... I will. It's necessary!!

 

I started out the day with my normal checking email and such as I bring my body to a sitting position and get my back ready to actually walk. If I don't just sit and relax on the bed a little while and instead jump and move, I'm done for the day. It's humid today so it's not been easy physically for me. The knee and other trouble spots always give me fits when it's humid. But...I make it.

 

I had several baskets of laundry in the office that needed to be put away. Did that before heading downstairs. Did a bit of towel sorting as I put them away. What I really need to sort is my clothes. I don't see that happening for a while. lol Too much work!

 

When I went downstairs, I got on the computer and printed out this month's R Store coupons. Well this two week's. They put up new ones every two weeks. There wasn't a lot I'd use, but I figured I'd find something. Missy had gone in the morning with a friend. Then Darlene called me and said she wanted to go too. I met

her, Kris and Casey down there and shared coupons.

 

It was a good trip even though I was dodging the golf traffic. Yep the Bridgestone Invitational Golf Tournament is held here in Akron. It really generates the traffic and it was all right in my path. No matter

which path I chose, it would either be the outright traffic or the parking areas.

 

I picked up half gallons of Welch's grape juice for 1.19, big jugs of OJ for 1.99, little debbie's for everyone's lunches for 2 / .99, Pepperidge farm fishy honey whole wheat sandwich thins for 1.19, marie callendar's pie shells for 1.19 I think (I make good crust but just don't have the want to right now), boxes of fiber one chocolate chip walnut muffins for 1.29 I think it was and huge bags of tortilla chip rounds for a buck a bag. Can't remember what else I found at the moment. OH big bags of already made, individually wrapped pork or chicken egg rolls for 4.99. Oh and sugar free cool whip for .89 and a big ol' thing of butter flavor popcorn salt for our popcorn machine when we set it up for .89.

 

Came home from there, unloaded, went down and put things that will be in the basement storage away, started a load of sheets so I can finish up all the laundry and sat to relax a minute. Right now I'm sitting in the dark! The timer on the light got messed with and it hasn't come on yet. Oh well. What do I need lights for?

Soon I'll be leaving to pick Kennedy up from her 12 hour day at the zoo. She did her regular day of volunteering plus an extra few hours for membership night. Missy, Rusty, Cait and the girls went to visit. She was hoping someone would come say hi. When I pick her up, I'll be picking up Missy and Melanie too and taking them back home.

 

Sometime this evening I need to fit in making Papa's lunch! lol Don't know what yet, but I'll make it come together somehow.

 

~~~~~

 

I didn't mention Corry and some of their kids came over to make Kennedy's birthday present. It was cool watching them working together to make her a drawing board she can carry back and forth from her mom's and our place.

 

~~~~~

 

Lunch Friday....

 

Salad...

Romaine

Sugar snap peas

Vine ripe tomatoes

Cucumber

Scallion

Green pepper

Carrots

Celery

Dried blueberries

Dried cranberries

Pine nuts

Herbed yogurt cheese

 

Wraps...

Herb wrap, cream cheese, turkey, muenster

Herb wrap, cream cheese, ham, Swiss

 

Peach cobbler home made muffins. I printed the recipe from the computer. If you want to hunt it up, I'm pretty sure it was from Southern Plate. They were extra yummy!!

 

~~~~~

Given the choice between the experience of pain and nothing,

I would choose pain.

~~William Faulkner

~~~~~

Just wondering

Why don't people bother to RSVP anymore?  Honestly.  I want to know.  And those who do...why do they tend to wait until the day before the event?  That really isn't helping a lot.  When people request you RSVP, they are wanting to know if you're coming for a reason!  They would like to know whether or not to have enough food and drinks to feed you.  They may be making something special for each guest and want to know if they should spend the time making one for you. 

 

And when you do RSVP and you say you are coming...DO IT !!  People are so inconsiderate sometimes thinking it won't matter if they don't show up.  Well yes it DOES!  If a meal is catered, yes.  You have a percentage of change allowed.  But you can pretty much figure that your host or hostess has had to pay a price for your meal.  How rude to say you are headed somewhere and then not go!  Rude, rude, rude.  Be ashamed.

 

~~~~~

 

And I want to tear off on another little rant real quick.  Go ahead.  Click that "x" in the corner.  You probably don't want to hear this one either.

 

BE FAMILY!  Keep a calendar.  Keep events on it.  Remember birthdays.  You don't even have to send a card or give a gift.  Call the person.  Email them.  Send them special wishes on facebook.  Just BE A FAMILY! 

 

Did you forget a family gathering and make other plans?  Well la dee dah.  Time to suck it up and tell those other folks what you did.  They will respect you for putting family first.  That is IF THEY are worth your time.  You can make plans with them some other time.  Apologize and rearrange your schedule to attend that family event.

 

When life comes down to the wire, it's family who matters most.  Put them first.  Always!

 

~~~~~

 

When you look at your life,

the greatest happinesses

are family happinesses. 

~~Joyce Brothers

 

~~~~~

 

 

 

For real?  It takes an adult to put this thing together?  Honest?  You mean the 6mo to 24mo little people shouldn't attempt it on their own?

 

~~~~~

 

On May 2nd, we welcomed little Corry Edward Sage, Jr. to the world.  He is just a DOLL!  We love him so much.  He's a month old now and is cute as can be.

 

 

~~~~~

 

Love that we've got the deck on the front of the house now.  We've been spending a little bit of time out there most every day.  Emmi and Nelly especially like it.  Outside is a good thing. 

 

 

~~~~~

 

We kept super busy yesterday and today.  The guys not only cut down a dead tree in the yard but also brought back some wood from a friend's house.  This is only about a third of the wood we'll have.  Firewood for homes and campsites.

 

 

~~~~~

 

Now that was really dumb of me.  How many times do I tell the men folk around here to read the directions before starting a project?  Well I didn't follow my own advice.  And I will probably pay for it. 

 

We got mirrored window film for the diningroom that is supposed to cut energy and help privacy.  I got it out, fought the roll, and cut it.  Then I wet the window with this special spray stuff and slapped it on.  Couldn't get all the bubbles out.  Oh well.  I'm no professional. 

 

THEN I check the directions.  Oops.  I guess there was a thin, clear film on it I was supposed to remove.  Uh if it falls off...then I will re-accomplish it.  It was too big a job to just do it again for fun!  lol

 

~~~~~

 

For all you wondering about couponing and how much time it takes...  I procrastinated.  I had two weeks worth to do.  It took an extra five minutes.  Thirty five minutes this time.  If I was seriously working on the internet for freebies and coupons, it would probably take me another hour a week.  I'd say my time is well spent.  Take the number of hours (or fractions of hours) and take what you save each week.  With that info you can figure out your hourly wage. 

 

~~~~~

 

Cleaned the frig, brought up juices, catsup and English muffins from the basement frig.   Inventoried and realized I'd accidentally frozen some of my lettuce.  UGH!  I HATE WASTE!  Made lunches and meals out of what was in there and decided what I need to use the rest of the week.  Ravioli tomorrow!  Mmmmm.

 

~~~~~

 

Baby bed in livingroom taken down.  Another toy shelf up.  I like toys almost as much as my grandkids!  lol

 

~~~~~

 

Okie dokie.  Up I go.  Time to hit the hay.  Well not really but time to go upstairs.  Tomorrow I'd like to handle getting my swing cleaned up and ready to enjoy and also handle the backyard mulch patio.  Want to also get the kids' outside toys organized.  Only a short time until granddaughter Brandi's graduation party. 

 

~~~~~

 

Our granddaughter Brandi Marie Goostree has graduated from St. Vincent St. Mary High School.  She made us all so proud at the ceremonies too.  She sang a solo of the National Anthem.

 

 

Congratulations, sweetheart.  We love you!

 

~~~~~

 

And Kennedy was chosen to be a part of the Akron Zoo's Jr. Interpreter program.  She will be here for the summer this next week.  Can't wait.  We love having her with us.

 

~~~~~

 

MY SISTER IS COMING!  MY SISTER IS COMING!  Yep.  Judy got a great deal on a ticket and will be here with us for her birthday.  YAY!

 

~~~~~

 

Off I go.  Time to really head upstairs now.  :-)

 

~~Mama Sage

What a week!!!

It really wasn't exactly what I had planned, but we deal with what we've got. 

 

I got a rest.  I really wasn't in the market for the kind of rest I got but that's fine.  I guess.  I don't like that part of Papa's PTO days were used up on it.  That makes me upset.  I wasn't real thrilled that I didn't get to see much of my family.  But, okay.  I guess.  I didn't like the pain I was in.  But meds helped.  I'm dealing. 

 

I had another flare up with my foot.  That right foot incident last month seems to have repeated itself with a friend.  They decided that I don't have blood clots.  They decided that the cellulitis is back.  And they decided I probably have gout ta boot!  yay  sigh 

 

I had a room all by myself at the very quiet end of the hallway at the hospital.  Spent two days there.  The day staff was awesome.  The night staff left a lot to be desired.  Food was good.  It wasn't the same hospital I was in last year but they have the same menu and recipes.  The pot roast is awesome!  mmmm 

 

I was a little excitement and entertainment the second night I was there.  The night staff was a little less than attentive and I slipped and fell.  Caused a real commotion!  lol  Didn't hurt me a bit.  But they had to do a little CYA and called in the troops.  First they came and did a little yelling.  Then they "helped" me do what I'd started to do.  Then they sent in an ER doc.  Then they put a burglar alarm on me so I wouldn't get out of bed.  hahahahaha  Ya.  When day staff came in, I told her what happened.  She tisked a little and brushed it off.  She said when they told her about it at their little briefing she told them she found it very hard to believe.  Her helper came in and told me the same thing.  Oh man I just cannot seem to go to the hospital and not have an adventure! 

 

~~~~~

 

It all put me a little behind in getting ready for this weekend, but I'm handling it.  I'm hobbling and wobbling and getting around with a cane and a walker, but I'm accomplishing things.  Shoot.  Today and this evening, I've wrapped the gifts, made the favors, gotten all the game materials readies, wrapped the prizes for games, made the tuna macaroni salad, packed Papa's lunch, cleaned up the kitchen, done the checkbooks, tossed dirty laundry where it belongs, cleaned out Emmi's dresser and stored away too small or too warm, done my shopping list for tomorrow, and Darlene came and I loaded her up with supplies I had she needed for a project she's doing for the shower.  I've also been the go between for all the family while Papa was at the ER with one of our sons. 

 

Yes, more adventure.  Severe abdominal pains, shooting to back, shooting to his chest.  Nothing showed on any labs or CT.  He was seen by more than one doctor.  It's all a mystery.  We think it may have been a kidney stone passed without being diagnosed.  After he used the bathroom, a lot of the pain subsided.

 

~~~~~

 

The guys are building a front porch / deck for us.  I'm so happy!!  It's something I've wanted since we moved here.  I can't wait for it to be done.  Hopefully the weather will hold and they can get it done tomorrow and Saturday.  All the guys will be here during the shower so it's prime time.  I'd love it done for our Easter BBQ.

 

 

~~~~~

 

Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. 

Then fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher's mound. 

Put first base and third together,

bring up home plate and pin the three together. 

Of course, in case of rain,

you gotta call the game and start all over again. 

~~Jimmy Piersal

 

~~~~~

 

Well it didn't work this time.  Unless she ordered the wrong thing.  We tried.  Angel is really very ready to have little CJ.  We decided we'd take her to Rita's on Friday.  She should have gone into labor and had the baby.  But our little plan didn't work.  She's still very pregnant and it looks like CJ won't be a guest at the baby shower. 

 

 

 

~~~~~

 

Have a wonderful Easter weekend.  Thanks for coming to visit.

~~Mama Sage

 

Let the resurrection joy

lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair

to strength and beauty and happiness. 

~~Floyd W. Tomkins

Wow, now THAT is COOL!!!!

But first, let me start my day. 

 

 

 

Fever has hit me....

 

Last night I got a bug up my butt.  I decided that it was high time we destroy the broken down awning and railing out front and create the porch of my dreams.  Well sort of.  The porch of my dreams is actually much, much bigger than the porch we will be creating.  It would wrap around my house.  At least three sides of my house would have an awesome porch to sit out on and enjoy.  For now, we're only going to be putting a porch on the front.  Later, when funds allow, I still want to put a slider or French door out the dining room and make a side deck that wraps to the back.  The rest of that dream has a brick patio to tie the front and side porches/decks.  THEN I'll have my three side wrap deck.  :-)

 

Anyhow, I got the bug up my behind and the right people happened to be here to help me work the dream.  Brian and Corry have helped us plan it and as of this afternoon, supplies have been ordered.  They'll be starting tomorrow.  YAY! 

 

We're working towards the 40 year anniversary.  Next year in May.  By then, that porch will have matching rocking chairs.  And Papa and Mama Sage will sit outside rocking and rocking and every now and then, we'll look at each other and just giggle.  No talking needed.  We know each other well enough we sometimes don't even need to talk to have a conversation.

 

~~~~~

 

We took Missy to the doctor today.  I thought it would give us a little huggin' time with Melanie.  Not quite the way it worked.  Sweet thing fell asleep and napped the whole time.  We did get to spend a little bit of time with her but I never have enough.  I just love her to pieces.

 

~~~~~

 

While we were out today, we picked up some things I found on Craigslist.  If you don't check it regularly, you should.  Today's find was awesome.  I got almost 90 jars/containers of baby food, three boxes of baby cereal, one of baby mum treats, nearly 100 articles of 12 mo. girls' clothing, a baby bouncer seat, a boppy pillow with cover, a play mat, a grocery cart/high chair seat cover, and a swing plus five pairs of little girls shoes.  Guess how much.  Awe just take a stab at it.  A hundred bucks.  Can you believe it??  Some will be for our little ones and some will help one of the kids' friends.  One heckuva deal I'd say.

 

~~~~~

 

When we got home, I sifted through all that loot and sorted what went to who.  Papa went to pick up little Miss Em and we had her a couple hours until mommy got home.  What a trip!  She is just learning so much so fast!  Today I told her to "go get Mimi a diaper."  The li'l darlin' did.  Ten of them!  So, I had her help reload the diaper bag.  When mom got here, we were talking and she decided to help some more.  Emptied the blankets, the diapers, the wipes, and anything else she could grab.  She is so curious about everything.  It's fun to watch her and imagine what her thoughts might be as she does things.

 

After they left, I picked up and sorted the toys, put the changing table things back where they belonged and moved some things.  I moved the changing table to the dining room.  That was my biggest "do."  And now I'm whipped. 

 

~~~~~

 

I'm watching my soaps right now with sadness.  I know things do sometimes have to come to an end, but Pine Valley and Landview have been part of my life since I was a teenager.  Man.  I'm really going to miss my friends.

 

~~~~~

 

Off to do some planning for Easter weekend.  We're doing a baby shower on Saturday and a BBQ for Easter.  Lots of planning.  Hoping to have lots of people.  All are always welcome.

 

~~~~~

 

In the spring, at the end of the day,

you should smell like dirt. 

~~Margaret Atwood

 

~~~~~

 

Until next time...

Hugs and love,

 

~~Mama Sage

 

Better late than never...right?

Before I get into my blog here, let me just say I won't be apologizing.  I won't be making excuses.  I have got to quit getting down on myself for not doing the daily blog I used to do.  I guess it's because after four years of it, it got to be a part of me and I feel like I'm cheating me and all my former followers out of it.  Plus I miss it.  And I miss my readers.  Some are on facebook now and we "keep up with each other" there.  But it's not the same.  The reading and writing blogs was a part of who I am.  I guess it still is.  That's why when I'm not able to blog, I feel a part of me is missing.  So, I'm back today and here we go. 

~~~~~

We found out we had friends in need.  What to do.  What to do.  You know even when you are having a tough time yourself, if you have it, share it.  Things tend to multiply to fill the empty space left when you give.  Give your time.  Give your cash.  Give your goods.  Whatever it is, just give it.  How can you not?  How could you stand by and watch a friend needing and not help?

And if you feel funny about going to them?  Just do it anyhow.  I was told it's easier to apologize after than get permission before.  Just...do it.

~~~~~

Our girls are growing up so fast!  Oh my, time passes before you know it.  And then it's gone.  The days of cooing and gooing make way for real words.  Rolling over turns to crawling which quickly becomes walking, then running.  Soon, they won't be that cuddly little blanketed bundle.  Soon they'll be having sleepovers and playing Barbie.  Wow.  Where does time go?

Little Miss Emmi is walking all over now.  And she has her little words for so many things.  It's such a fun, fun age.  Her new favorite game is playing hide and seek behind the chair.  So cute.  And she makes her dietary likes and dislikes very evident.  Oh yes.  I tried hiding meat under her favorite veggies on the spoon.  She was having none of it.  She ate the carrots off the blob of meat then stuck her tongue out with it on it as if saying, "See, Mimi?  I will eat what I WANT to and nothing more."  I fooled her though by giving her a veggie only bite really quick and she accidentally swallowed the meat too.  Then a few days later, I didn't let her know we had veggies on the menu.  Just that meat was in her view.  She looked at me funny on the first bite but she ate it.  After a few bites she decided it wasn't so bad after all.  And then I made it all better with some veggies and fruits.  I'm not totally mean.  :-)

~~~~~

 

The only place where success comes before work

is in a dictionary.
~~Vidal Sassoon

~~~~~

Oh our Nelly wears me out lately!  She's been getting a little nervy and curious.  She got out the door when Rusty left one day.  And no, she didn't come when called.  And no, she did not stay in the yard.  And yes, she is now on a leash, attached to mommy all day long until she does learn!

But when she looks like this,

how can I resist forgiving her and loving her to pieces?

~~~~~

Success is a ladder that cannot be climbed

with you hands in your pockets.

~~unknown

~~~~~

You know I'm thinking laundry is a virus.  It just keeps spreading.  You just get it done and somehow that basket has begun to already fill.  I got the laundry done.  But ... it wasn't.  Of course not.  Maybe it's not a virus.  Maybe the laundry basket has a gigantic magnet in the bottom.  One that snaps up every stitch of fabric that comes within a mile of it.  It is something for sure!

~~~~~

It's beginning to be the season of doing together again finally.  Boy how I miss those months where our family times are farther apart.  We've done several meals together, we've done a movie night, the kids have been getting together to play Murder.  Oh yes, we've been invited to play too, but by the time it's decided on, we're worn out and needing some relaxation and sleep!

And this weekend we can start the clean up / open up process out at camp.  This year should be good.  The babies are big enough to enjoy the fresh air and can easily be occupied with toys and fun.  The bitty babe will be so brand new, he won't fuss about having to spend time "doing nothing" and we will all want to hug and squeeze him so much it'll be fun having him out there.  The grandgirls will be here for summer time.  All's good.  Can't wait.

~~~~~

We all take different paths in life,

but no matter where we go,

we take a little of each other everywhere
~~Tim McGraw

~~~~~

Well, I made it through the weekend of the 4th and 5th of March but not without a little bit of excitement Mama Style.  Yes, I hurt myself.  I don't know how.  Dropped the darn fan on my foot and was just sure I'd broken it.  Hurt like heck!  I was okay but not good Friday night and Saturday.  Babysat Emmi a while Saturday night and by the time the kids picked her up, I could hardly move.  Got so bad through the night I was sure I'd broken the joint on my foot at the top of the toe next to the big toe.  Do we have "pointer" toes?  lol  I had to walk heel only.  Getting upstairs to bed was a real trick.  I managed but not without making the mistake of trying to use the bad foot first.  Ohhhh no.  Good foot...drag bad foot.  I learned. 

I got upstairs and hobbled around to the bathroom and into bed.  Ohh boy.  When it hurts to have the sheet touch, it's bad.  I had to pull up the blanket and have my feet hangin' off the end of the bed.  And still every little breeze that hit it drove me insane. 

When Papa got home from work, I told him I thought after we slept a while I was going to have to go to the emergency room.  We had some other things needing to be done first and he had to get back for his before work nap.  Bound to be a tricky schedule.

I went to the hospital closest to home because it was an orthopedic hospital.  If it had been broken and I'd needed to be cast, they'd have sent me there anyhow.  It was a long, long wait, but they seemed to have got me diagnosed now. 

It isn't broken.  I have cellulitis.  Now when I looked it up, I thought, H O W ??  I had no open sores to be seen.  The ER doc and today my primary care doc both said because I have dry skin it would be easy to get.  The fan dropping on my foot tramatized it and it had a teensy little crack most likely.  That little crack picked up a nasty ol' germ and caused me all this trouble.

They sent me home in an air cast with a walker plus two antibiotics to fight the infection (of the skin and possibly involving the tissue beneath) and pain meds.  Appears we're good now.  Or will be.  I have to check in with primary daily until they determine it isn't spreading.

[I did get it healed up pretty good.  Still a little uneasy about it though.  Was oh so very painful.  Just suffering the nightly HOT feet and numbness.  And yes, I'm seeing the doctor in another week to see what's up.]

~~~~~

Did chicken one night that came out really good.  I made chicken coated in mayo and seasoned crumbs, noodles made in saved turkey broth, veggies and it's a meal.  The mayo and crumb chicken was copying the way my mother-in-law used to do hers in the convection oven.  Always a favorite of mine.

~~~~~

Most of you know I write from my notes.  I'd worked on this to post and never got it done.  I'm not sure of the dates on this but....

The other day, my daughter brought me a project.  It seems the great granny of one of her little friends had made a "scarf" and it was not able to be worn.  It was at least a good foot wide and way, way too short to go around the neck of even a little two year old.  I took it apart and made it into two beautiful scarves that can be worn by both of the little ones in that family.  It's much softer now too.  If you use big enough needles and a good stitch pattern, even those nasty old fashioned skeins of yarn can be soft enough not to act like sandpaper. 

I think the basement is now dry enough that I can spend some time down there doing my laundry.  Man it has really built into a small mountain!  Half is probably the towels that Papa kept trying to stop the river with.  We really, really had a mess down there. 

I made broccoli salad tonight for our lunch tomorrow.  I had gotten a bowl of the sauce that contained white raisins and bacon.  It was way cheaper than it would have been to buy all the ingredients to make it.  I did add extra raisins and sliced almonds.  It had the onion in it already too.

~~~~~

I can't believe Emmi is already a year old.  This year has gone by SO fast!  The kids had her party on Saturday the 19th, the day before her actual birthday.  Miss Em was born on the first day of spring.  It was fun watching her dive into her smash cake.  Oh she was so cute!

 

The kids chose a menu that was Emerson approved.  All her favorites.  She had home made chicken fingers, home made macaroni and cheese, tortilla chips (and a dip she can't have...hot stuff her momma makes), we got a pizza and of course her cake.  Such a pretty one.  They had chosen her cups and plates and napkins and went to a special baker, West Side Bakery.  They did an awesome job of decorating her cake and her smash cake to match the paper goods. 

 

She had a good time opening gifts.  I love this picture of her in her birthday dress.

The next day she had a good time too.  Mommy took this one of her with all her balloons.  I got the caption wrong.  It was the day after her party which was the day OF her birthday.

~~~~~

I'm thinking this spring break is gonna be a good one!  I have a grandgirl wanting to earn big bucks to bank for her trip to France with her French teacher and French club members so she's doing some big time cleaning for me.  It's awesome having a teenager around who isn't afraid of work and who genuinely appreciates it when we decide it's a day to pay her.  She doesn't expect the pay.  That's nice.  There are a few kids I know who do.  I'm much more inclined to pay people who don't ask for it than those who want to know what they can do to earn a bunch of bucks.  And a school trip to another country trumps the fun, games and nonsense some want money for. 

~~~~~

Ding dang darn dog!

She took off again.  I'm aching so much I couldn't even bend down and grab or step out a step on her leash!  So she took off walking, just a-happily down the road.  Then over the hill.  The up into everyone's yards.  Then back over the hill.  Then around the corner.  I'm huffin' and puffin' and hurtin' so bad chasing after her.  One of the kids took off in their car to try to catch up with her.  Thankfully a nice guy walking his own dog grabbed her leash and held on to her for us. 

It scares me so bad that she'll just get off onto the main road.  Our road isn't bad, but we're only a block back from busy.  I was especially concerned when the snow was on the ground.  She's kind of a color mix that looks a lot like the piles of dirty snow along the roads.

As I finally write to post, the snow is gone.  But she still sort of seems to blend in.  I don't want anything to happen to my li'l pal!

~~~~~

We finally have our new internet and phone set up.  And truthfully, I don't see a big difference in the internet.  We had Time Warner so RoadRunner.  We now have AT&T dsl.  No biggie at all.  Biggest thing was the stupid router.  They gave me no option but to get one when I did the order online.  Well the stupid thing wouldn't work.  Papa spent forever on the phone trying to iron out the problems.  In the end, it's going back and we're using our own. 

If you're family, please contact me if your want our new phone number.  I'm not giving out the house number to anyone else.  Should save a jillion calls a day once they quit trying to reach the previous owner and one the do not call registration kicks in.

~~~~~

Just some random shots ...

Kennedy and Emmi chillin'

Modeling one of the scarves Made by Mama

Trying to watch Daddy and Grampa fix Mommy's car 

~~~~~

We signed Kennedy up for a day her spring break week at the zoo to sort of shadow.  It's a career day for high school kids.  She's also signing up to volunteer this summer.  She has to do quite a bit to get qualified and she will have to commit to two days a week as a volunteer.  I think it's great and so does she.  I really hope she gets selected.  She's steering toward something to do with animals for a career.  This should really be a good couple of experiences. 

~~~~~

I just read a friend's book, Death -- living to talk about it.  By Brian M. Hayden.  It's his story of many, many, MANY years of fighting through heart disease and dying time and time again yet being miraculously brought back to live once more.  Look it up and give it a read.

~~~~~

I totally missed telling you about another birthday outting.  We went out to dinner to celebrate Missy and Rusty's birthdays.  They share a day though they're four years apart.  Didn't get good pics I can post of the birthday kids.  Can't post Missy's baby and she's in the picture.  But I did get a couple others to share. 

First, have you ever tried fried pickles?  I love the things.  I could eat a basket full all by myself!  Most times they seem to be spears but this place does pickle chips.

And I wanted to also share a picture of some of the grandgirls I took that day.

 Natalie, Kennedy and Morgan

~~~~~

Night all.  I'll be back one day.  Yes, when you least expect it.

~~Mama Sage

Checking in

Hi, guys.  I know.  I keep saying I'm going to start regularly blogging again.  Well....I'm not.  lol  I'm just going to let all of you know that now and forever, I'll be blogging when I can.  Yes I do miss it terribly.  I love writing.  But my life and my body are telling me no right now. 

We have a lot of excitement happening and have had since the beginning of the year.  In January, one granddaughter turned 18.  Party time!!  In February, another turned 16 but we couldn't party.  She's in Florida.  March, Emmi turned a year old.  This month we're having a baby shower for our soon to be little grandson.  Plus we will be starting to open up camp and do the yearly set up and clean up.  May little CJ is due and June, little Melanie will turn a year old.  And we'll be having Brandi's graduation party here the end of June. 

So between babysitting, getting ready for parties, etc., things are going nuts around here.

Until next time...
Hugs and love from
~~Mama Sage