Catching up

Lately it's so hard to get on the computer when I get home from work...so posting to my blog is one of the things I've sorta let slide.

Work's good, am really enjoying it.

Saturday Mother fell. She's okay, a little sore with a skinned knee and torn pants and the top of her foot is also skinned. She and Nancy were at breakfast and when they left the resturant she slipped in the wet parking lot and really took a tumble. She hurt her knee and the top of her foot, but landed on her behind with her legs out in front. Nancy was in front of her and didn't see it happen and Mother doesn't remember the sequence of it either. I told Nancy she must have bounced to have hurt the front and landed on the back...we both got a small chuckle from that.

Haven't heard from Helen in a little over a week. That's most unusual, as she usually calls once or twice during the week and at least once on the weekend. So last night I called her, didn't get an answer, so I called her daughter. Brenda thought she was okay, she'd talked with her on Saturday. I worry about her. She'll be 83 on the 17th of April and Mother will be 81 on the 23rd of April. Brenda and Don just celebrated their 20th anniversary...hard to believe. They'd only been married 4-5 years when I first met them.

Time to do the "Houdini" thing...magic for work.

Blooming things

Things have burst into bloom around here...all sorts of spring bulbs, even some here that I didn't know were planted, azaleas, camellias, red buds, flowering cherries and many other things I can't identify. The buds on the dogwoods are swelling and the Japanese magnolias are beautiful...three colors blooming, white, lavender and purple. A new (to me) plant, loropetalum or Chinese fringe plant is in bloom everywhere you turn. It's a wonderland! Of course, this little town is so pretty any way, but with the spring blooms it's unreal!

Another very busy week at work. Spring really inspires folks to plant. I need to do some digging. Maybe this weekend.

Need to go fix my face, gotta try to compete with the blooms...does that make me a "blooming idiot"?

Roses & Cable TV

Yesterday my co-worker and our boss surprised me with a dozen long-stemmed yellow roses for Valentines Day! What fun! and...how very thoughtful!

Then...I GOT CABLE TV! The cable man was due between 1 and 5 and was to call me at work to give me a 30 minute heads up. When I hadn't heard a word by 5 o'clock I called them. Was told he was running late, but I was on the schedule. So Shirley and I spent an hour outside in the lovely sunshine and waited. Finally at 15 minutes to seven he called. He was still in Tallahassee, had 2 more jobs and would call before he got here and he did at 8:30. He arrived at 9pm, had to run cable through the attic and the outside eave. It was 11:30 PM before he finished up and left. Needless to say I didn't watch tv last night, that was HOURS past my bed time!

Tonight I'll watch it! Sure do have a clear picture!

What a Valentines Day!

Busy Sunday

Finally! The house is clean.

When I woke up (at 8 AM!) yesterday my back felt human. Was actually able to bend without tears.

By noon I'd read the paper and done the normal animal chores and had a pot of coffee. Thought about reading a book, actually got one out, but looked around and couldn't justify just sitting. So, I swept, vacuumed

and mopped. It's absolutely amazing how much pet hair and dust can pile up in two weeks! Did laundry, changed the bed, dusted and did all sorts of neatening things. Sure smells good and really looks better! Not it's not so hard facing a busy week at work knowing I have a nice place to come home to.

Read on RM's blog that they are going to her father's in Asheville to meet ETC's new daughter. Oh how I wish I could be there too! Would love to hold that new one and squeeze the old ones!

Saturday was so rainy that I stayed in until around 3 PM. Then ran to the grocery store and by the Humane Society office. I left a letter of resignation from active participation with the shelter. Will remain a member, just can't be actively involved...have felt stretched too thin. Will have to read this again if I ever feel compelled to volunteer for ANYTHING again.

Must do the ol' majic trick and ready myself for work.

Life's little challanges

Two weeks ago today I hurt my lower back while cutting out some trees in one of the borders around the yard. I had one (about 12' tall) over my head and stepped back into a very shallow hole, twisted my ankle and caught the tree up in some bushes...Pulled my back muscles pretty badly. So it's been all I could do to just go to work (with heating pad in tow) and come home and go to bed. Missed two hours of work one afternoon, but other than that made it every day. Sure was miserable. Am better today.

When I got up yesterday morning I could see my breath in the house, so I turned the thermostat up. Nothing happened. No propane. Drat! They were to have filled the tank two weeks ago. Guess I slipped through the cracks somehow. Called as soon as I got to work and when I got home there was a door knob dangler with a bill in it for $366.52! I can't believe how expensive it is just to stay warm. Will pay it somehow. Also have a power bill due next week for $95.95...and I make $8.50 an hour! Living sure is a challenge!

It's very rainy and warm this morning, but the weatherman says that by this afternoon it's going to be windy, clear and COLD! We've already seen out high (60) today. I staying in! Need to get more firewood.

Work's good...sure do like it!

Work, work, work!

This has got to be one of the fastest weeks on record! The past two weeks have been unbelievably busy. We sell the major (and minor) nurseries all over the SE and now is stock up time for them. I put in 46 hours last week (look forward to today's paycheck!)...this week started on Wednesday and I already have 19 hours and today will be another long one.

Of course, the only thing I'm doing is working and the bare minimum at home...animals and food. Last night I was in bed at 7:30, but had to stay awake until 9 in order to watch Survivor...am so glad it's back!

We had a storm and a half yesterday and last night! Heavy duty lightning and hail and tornado warnings...4 3/4 inches of rain! They just said on tv that we're in for it again this afternoon and evening. Don't know where that additional water will go! They said the entire island of St. George is without electricity and other spot outages. Then Sunday am is to be in the 20's!

Gotta get ready for work.