Thought I would blog since I seem to be limited in other things I would like to be doing like sewing, quilting, painting, even getting the Christmas stuff packed and back upstairs. Most of it is packed or at least waiting to be packed, but I can't get it back upstairs and Steve really can't either because of his shoulder surgery. We may have to throw a blanket over the Christmas tree box and sit on it until next Christmas.

My hand is doing well, but not fast enough to suit me. I still can't hold a pen correctly, so writing is tough. I have to hold it between my first and second fingers and even that pulls at times, so I have to back off. Fortunately, typing and using the computer doesn't bother me.

My office moved New Year's Eve and we actually started seeing patients on Jan. 2. The new office is nice and I actually like where my space is. I am removed from the busier areas, but not totally away from the things I need to have access to. I have windows behind me, which is good and bad. You can feel the cold/heat thru them, but I got a space heater and have a fan for summer. All in all, I'll take it compared to where I was and having my back to everyone and everything.

Steve is finishing up his physical therapy on his shoulder next week, we think. He has done very well. I wasn't sure how quickly he would bounce back, partly being diabetic and partly because he is somewhat sedentary. Of course, this time of year, work is rather dead, so he hasn't had to get back to being too physical too quick. Hopefully, not for long. The business itself cannot sustain itself unless some of their bids turn into work. He is going to Cincinnati this next week to work on a project for the Reds and to LasVegas at the end of February to do a race. Milwaukee Brewers have called for them to work their season.

Steve got me fixed up on Facebook, but I am having a tough time really getting the hang of it. I know it shouldn't be so difficult, but I guess it has more to it than I have been able to see or understand.

That's about it for this post, guess I will sign off and see what there might be showing at the movies. Saw Mall Cop last weekend....was not impressed(Steve's pick!)Bedtime Stories the weekend before. Maybe Bride Wars or InkHeart this weekend. Will be glad when the temperatures start moderating again and we can get out and do things. Would love to visit, but just hate to be out and about when it is so cold, gray and rainy. Doesn't leave you any motivation to do much of anything. Rain, rain go away, bring us a little....a lot of sunshine!!

XOXO

I'm going to use that as the reason I haven't blogged in a while. It seems that I have acquired so many logins and passwords that I have trouble remembering them all. Some of the ones, I have at work for insurance companies want us to change them every few months, which really messes me up, but they are necessary, so I just have to come up with creative ones that I can hopefully remember.

I can't think of anything that is really exciting or newsworthy, but we sure seem to stay busy doing nothing. My office has been bought by Sumner Regional effective Jan.1. Hopefully, that is a good thing! They assure us no one will loose their job, then Fox News reported Monday that 90 Sumner Regional administrative and non-medical staff members will be cut. Dr.Chaffin insists that it is strictly from the hospitals that they own in Gallatin, Macon Co, and Trousdale Co. Our office will be moving across the street from where we are now to a new building (a couple of years old). That will be nice to have something new and clean to work in. Hopefully, a better floor plan too.

I am glad to report I have about half of my Christmas shopping done. All of the grandchildren are done. I still have to get through birthdays before I can proceed with Christmas. Dan, it sure would help if you could give us a few ideas, please!!

Just so you will know, Steve is having shoulder surgery on Thursday. Similar to rotator cuff, but not. He has bursitis and the Dr. feels like he can go in and "clean" it up some and allow it to then heal itself. He will be sidelined for a few days and then have some physical therapy to get him back on track.

I did get my quilt kit on Saturday. Steve had to go to Kansas City for their game on Sunday, so my friend from work, went with me. I just love that store. I see so much that I would love to have, I can never concentrate on just one thing. I did get 3 pieces that are reproductions of vintage fabrics. They had at least 2 fabrics that are the same as ones in some old quilt squares I got from Steve's mom. I think they were probably some of Aunt Lucille or Granny 'castle's work.
The kit I got is for a king sized quilt, so it won't be finished any time soon.

I can't think of anything else of interest, so I will call it a night. Any of you can feel free to do you own "posting"....Jennifer and Katie to be specific!!!

It has been so nice being off for this long weekend. I wish it wasn't time to go back to work but it is, so I will...tomorrow.

Last Thursday, I flew to Cleveland to meet Steve who had to be there on Tuesday. The Browns had a pre-season game with the Chicago Bears and while I am not much of a sports fan, I have never been to a pro game and was somewhat curious about it. Also, I have not been to Ohio and was eager to see another big city. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting but it didn't strike me as too much different from Nashville other than it is decidedly more industrial. There really wasn't smoke and smog puffing out of the towers and several of the plants were actually nice looking and well kept, I thought. In fact, the architecture is what I noticed the most for some reason. Like Nashville they have a lot of urban buildings that are vacant, but there seems to be a lot of activity or plans in the works for some of them. They are very nice looking buildings, lots of visual detail. Makes you wonder about all the potential these places have.

Steve and I went by the hotel to drop my luggage off and he took a cat nap. I changed clothes too, since I left Nashville with 80 degree weather and arrived in Cleveland to 65 degrees. Knowing the game was at night and the stadium is on Lake Erie, I knew I was going to need to wear something warmer. The down side of all the weather change was, I packed for the temperature to be 65(or about that)the entire time, but of course, that changed. Nonetheless, we were joined by a guy that does the sound board and got to the stadium around 3:30pm (game is not until 7:30)and I went through security and was given my pass and wristband. The stadium itself is just vast. I have a terrible sense of direction and if I had to find my way, I might still be rambling around in that building somewhere. I met lots of people and saw lots of areas for lots of different purposes and all of it serves a need for having a football game or having it communicated by radio or television. I found it all very interesting and fascinating at how it comes together. Steve and I went down on the field to fix some connectors. Met even more people and got my first sight of some of the players practicing. Have no clue who any of them were, but they didn't look so tough (from my perspective)! No pictures allowed per the staff pass I was given...big no no, so I had to settle for a picture of me on the 10 yard line.

Long story short, it was a long day and night, finally got back to the hotel around midnight.

Friday was our own. We opted to go to the Cleveland Zoo. Upon arrival we find that it was Senior Day. Finally a perk for being over 55. It was a nice l-o-n-g walk and the grounds are pretty. The animal spaces,not so much. The animals didn't really look happy or especially healthy. They look like they are just there and bored. They are doing construction in some places and maybe it will improve in time.

We drove through some neighborhoods and saw some really nice older houses, mostly craftsmen. Some have been updated some could use it, but all in all, nice areas. If we had really planned better, we might have gone to visit some friends that live within a few hours of Cleveland. That would have been enlightening. We exchange Christmas cards but have not seen one another since 1974.

We went to dinner and planned to go an Indians baseball game, but when we came out of the restaurant it started to rain.

After stopping in a below ground shopping mall for a few minutes we opted to pass on the ball game and walked back to the hotel in the rain. That's romantic, right!

Saturday we slept in, but because of a couple of complaints about the sound, Steve needed to be back at the stadium for a meeting at 2pm. The game again was at 7:30pm between Boston College and Kent State. Steve and I walked around the stadium and watched some of jets that were flying over as part of the air show, also going on this weekend. It wasn't as interesting as the pro game and the stadium didn't pull out all the bells and whistles that the pro team gets.

Sunday we didn't have a lot of time before we had to leave for the airport, but enough we wanted to do something fun. We had been invited to join a guy and his family to watch the air show, but there was also a "Taste of Cleveland" down by the lake. One of the attendents in the elevator had mentioned it and it sounded interesting for the amount of time we had. There were probably 15-20 vendors from restuarants around town, cooking demonstrations and lots of beer. I think Cleveland could probably give Milwaukee a run for its beer drinking. We tried Irish egg rolls, a Hungarian cookie filled dessert, and Thai Mango fried rice. The dessert was forgettable, but the rice was good. We both really liked the Irish egg roll, Steve even picked up a menu so he could try it again on another trip.

An Irish egg roll has shredded cabbage, some corned beef, onion and Monterey Jack cheese, fried in a won ton. They served it with 1000 Island dressing, but it didn't really need it.

Our trip home went well and I was ready to sleep in our own bed. Can't say that I am a fan of "sleep number beds". We visited the Mammaws today and came home for a nap. Guess it is back to the daily grind tomorrow. I really like these long weekends, just wish there were more of them...and closer together.

Enjoyed talking to the girls briefly, miss everyone!! Let us hear from you more.

XOXO

Supposedly, Steve set up this blog thing up for me so all I had to do was click and login.(even had a choice of login names) Huh!! Wouldn't you know I used one of the 2 logins and it didn't work. He claims he tested them. Of course, the one I didn't use, did work.

Things have been going well, but busy. I have been surprised that now that all the girls are out of the house, we are still busy. I guess I expected things would really slow down and be rather boring, thus the alleged "empty nest syndrome". I can honestly say, I don't see/feel it. I actually look forward to those weekends when we can just stay at home. We both enjoy the traveling, especially when it is to see the girls. We have even started taking a lot of backroads (with GPS support). Steve has decided he likes seeing more of the countryside, that it relaxs him....that is until the GPS starts arguing with him...you get the picture??

A couple of weeks ago we went to pick blueberries in Cross Plains. Steve had never picked blueberries before, but other than the heat we had a good time.

We have been on the hunt for fried pies, but have yet to find them. It started several weeks ago, I think, when we had gone to Center Hill Lake and it was mentioned. Then we went to visit the Mammaws and it was mentioned again. Steve and Bob even went out to Jackson's Orchard to see if they might have some and were told they didn't make them until Fall. Are fried pies seasonal? I made an attempt to make some at home, but I think I lack the knack.

I finally got the front hall painted. It was not the easiest paint to use. The hall had never been painted before(only wallpaper) so it had to be cleaned, primed and then painted. The paint did not want to go on evenly, so it took 2 coats and really it could stand another coat. It does look better and not as dark as I had thought it might. I moved the side table from the dining room and moved the pie safe to the bedroom, so it looks bigger too.

Steve spent the week in Cleveland to get ready for their pre-season game on Thursday night so, Stephanie and Anna came over for a few days this past week. We didn't do anything special, really, except play with Anna. Dr. Chaffin even checked her out. Stephanie thought she felt warmer than usual and was favoring one side of her head, but we couldn't detect any real fever. I think she is just warm natured, especially since it has been so hot and humid this past week. She does seem to be feeling a bit better with her reflux. Stephanie also found a new cosignment store in Gallatin. She was trying to find a few things for Fall/Winter and the store here didn't have very much as yet. One of the girls at work told me about the store in Gallatin called "Secret Garden". It turned out to be a real find. She found several outfits, a coat and a "crib soother". What will we do with 2 grandaughters who are fashion divas??...and they are so cute.

Well, I have several projects to work on. I may have mentioned that we have several babies due in our office this Fall and Winter. One girl is not due until the end of September(a girl), but with her previous 2 pregnancies she goes into early labor. Her last appt. she had already dilated to 1 and was 70% effaced, so we expect she will have this baby soon. The next one is due in October(a girl), another, first of December(a boy), the last one at the end of January(?). I also have had 4 hooded towels ordered by one of our previous providers. She (also)is due in December(a boy) so she is trying to work on birthday/Xmas gifts early. Since I have had plenty of time to work on them, it has been almost fun.

Guess that's about it for now. Maybe, I can blog more regularly since I have the "idiot-proof" shortcut. Anyway, to one and all a good week!

XOXO

I have taken some more photos of Anna this afternoon. They are in the gallery in the Anna folder. More to come tommorrow I am sure. Mammaw Hargis has made the trip with us. All of the Mascos appear to be not too much worse for the wear but we called it an early evening so they would have the opporttunity to rest. Anna is extremely well behaved and is beautiful (No Bias here).

Mark and I are going to carry on the family tradition of the Grandfather and Father going to Walmart to shop for Breast Pumps on Saturday... wish us luck... makes a father proud.

Mother Nature certainly gave us a gorgeous weekend. I would like to order several more weekends just like it, please!!

Steve and I went to the movies Friday, as soon as I got home from work. Good call, because when we got out the evening moviegoers were lined up. Of course, Friday was graduation for HHS, so it could have been worse.

Saturday, Wayne and Laura "popped in" to pick up a set of beds and a patio table to take to Hawaii. Tried to get them to take the Palm tree lamp. It would go perfectly with an island decor, but we couldn't convince them the take it. The movers come to pack their stuff this week. The dog made the trip, successfully, this past week. Tried to get started on the quilting of the current baby blanket, I am making. It wasn't coming together, so I finished priming the walls of the entry hall instead. I intended to start the painting today, but it was just too nice outside to stay inside.

Steve and I dug up some of the stray trees that have popped up since the deck came down. We had to dig close to 2 feet down to get a couple of them out. I can't remember the last time I saw a mimosa tree anywhere and there are seedlings everywhere. One of them is growing up along the edge of the arbor and at enough of an angle that we will have to take the arbor out to get the rest of it dug up. I think we have decided I will have to clean up one end of the arbor just so I will have a place to plant the plants I want to keep until we decide how we are going to rework the entire area.

We took a load of "trash" to the dumpster at Steve's office, went by Bread and Co. so I could get a veggie sandwich and a loaf of cranberry pecan bread and then to Home Depot to get a few bedding plants. Even with all the digging and relocating, I wanted to get a couple of tomato plants, basil, geraniums, and some plants for color for the planters.

Got home and planted everything, cleaned up some of the mess and tried not to think about tomorrow being a work day. Just when I start to get myself in gear and begin to get some things done, I have to get back into job(work)mode. Steve and I do start vacation on Friday (our 38th anniversary)!! We decided against going to Cleveland for the Kenny Chesney concert, but not sure what we will do. Saturday we are going to Atlanta to visit Jennifer and family and see Madeline's dance recital. Laura,Wayne and boys will stay here beginning Friday until we all go to Stephanie and Mark's next Saturday. We are all looking forward to the weekend together and just hanging out.

Well, the clock says it is time for me to go to bed. I hope that means I am going to sleep when I get there and not toss and turn until the wee hours. I hope the week goes by quickly. I am ready to have some free time and enjoy Mother Nature.

NOTE: when I tried to blog (granted it has been awhile)the site wouldn't let me log in. My techy had to fix it first, so see I had a good reason for not blogging sooner!!!LOL

Well I have had my stamina tested. Can't remember when I did so much in one weekend. Stephanie got here about noon on Saturday and we pretty much hit the ground running. After reviewing some embroidery sites online and deciding what she wanted on Anna's quilt and the color scheme, we headed out to sign up for her registry and fabric shopping. Stopped at Target first, but the girls told Stephanie that the computers were down or pricing guns weren't working or something along those lines. She filled out the paperwork but couldn't register for anything. We went ahead and looked at things to see what she liked and didn't like....found adorable clothes. After that workout, we stopped for a smoothie(that was lunch!)

Next we went to Babies R Us. Whoa, there must have been dozens of girls registering. It took us about 2 hours to accomplish what we did. Probably took almost 45 minutes just deciding on a stroller, car seat, and baby carrier. Of course, after looking at them, we had to be taught how to collapse it, attach carrier, detach carrier and get those details you don't know to ask until you have to use it. The salesgirl did do a great job, without too much hoopla, just giving us the facts and not really up-selling or trying to change Stephanie's mind about what she wanted. Bottles took a while to decide on, monitors took several minutes(then wouldn't record the scan), crib sheets...cotton or knit, trying to find lap pad/mattress covers and then the all essential diaper bag. We looked at Target, but only had a few to look at. At Babies R Us, we tried to keep the bag from being too girly, so Mark wouldn't mind carrying it and that it had adequate space and compartments that were easily accessible. Then we noticed that 2-3 of them had light colored linings making it easier to see into when things fall to the bottom. When we found the one she liked, it wouldn't scan saying it was low inventory. Turned out it was being discontinued. We decided to wait and think about it.

At this point, we received a call from Steve wanting to know when we were going to eat(it's 4pm on a Saturday night). I think we scanned the final section of the store in 15 minutes. Who knows what we selected.

We picked up Steve and went to eat. I'm sure he was bored with all the discussions of baby clothes and strollers, but he tolerated us well. After over-indulging, we took Steve home and opted to go by WalMart and compare their baby things to what we had already seen. What a disappointment that was. Looked like they hadn't restocked since Christmas. We did look for fabric, but didn't really see much. We then decided to revisit Target to see if she could try to register again. Success!! Bought a onesie with a frog on the front and "Toadally Precious". It was mainly for Mark. We also bought an adorable white and purple dress for going home and another 12 month size for(maybe) her first birthday. It took restraint to keep from buying several more.
Also, got a rug (non-descript)for the baby's room. Then another phone call from Steve asking if we knew what time it was (9:40pm)and when would we be coming home. We were ready to head home, sore feet and all.

Sunday morning and we still had no fabric, must fix that. One phone call to JoAnn's (they open at 10 am)and we were there by 10:15am. We zeroed in on quilt material without much problem, then Stephanie started second guessing her one of her choices, which lead to her second guessing another choice. We left JoAnn's at 12 noon. What can I say?? It was really kind of funny. Just haven't seen this side of Stephanie and it just added to the shopping experience. We have some very cute fabrics and the quilt is going to be adorable with frogs, butterflies and dragonflies. A combination of applique and embroidery. The color scheme is kind of an avocado, light pink (little more intense than pastel), a little yellow and crisp white. Who knew how trendy frogs would be, but apparently they are quite "in" right now. The whole "theme" comes from Stephanie and Mark's backyard garden/pond area and Mark's fascination with frogs.

Next stop, Books a Million to look for a baby book, which isn't that easy to find, but we did. Just not much of a selection. I guess Mom's are scrapbooking more right now. Stephanie also looked for an 8" scrapbooking album, but didn't seen one she liked.

We had to have sustenance by this time, so we grabbed a drink and roast beef sandwich and continued. Another stop at Babies R Us to add a few things to the registry that she had forgotten or couldn't find on the list from Saturday. Not nearly as crowded as yesterday, thank goodness and we got in and out pretty quick.

We got back here and unloaded my car and loaded hers so she could be on her way....her car wouldn't start....dead as a doornail(what is a doornail??) Since it appeared she still has the original battery in her car from 2002, Steve took her to get another battery. Problem solved!! Stephanie was on her way home by 3:15pm.

Wish we had had more time but we did a lot in a short amount of time. I know she is very tired, but still very excited about everything we did.

I have spent the last 2 weeks working on Madeline's handkerchief jacket. It has been a rather slow process getting the "fabric" pieced together, but now that that is done, I have started the assembley process. I already had some blue fleece, so it is lined in pale blue. I hope to have it ready by Mammaw D's birthday, but we will see how it goes.

Haven't heard from several of you in a while, so get with it and blog!

Katie, one of the drug reps was telling me that Lipscomb University and St.Thomas Hospital are working together to offer scholarships for a nursing program. I have left a message to get some additional info. It would be a great place to get experience in nursing. St.Thomas is a world renown hospital and the experience there could be invaluable. I hope you will consider it, if I can get some additional info.

Looking forward to seeing some sunshine and warmer temps this next week. At least January is almost over and Spring is close at hand. Hope everyone can be at Mammaw D's birthday on Feb. 9. Expecting lots of cousins to visit with.

XOXO