Mending hand & Garden Award

I went into the doctor this week for the post sugary check up, they took x-rays and removed the stitches. Everything is looking good I guess.

Believe me; my thumb is there, just didn't have it turned right. They did make it imposable for me to move any part of the thumb for the next four weeks.

The company I work with, Sarah's Cottage Creations has received 2 awards for our projects we worked on in 2010. One is a garden that my crew spent a lot of time working in. The location is a nursing care facility and home. It is always a pleasure working on this site because of the people we meet that enjoy what we do.

There is a roof top garden/court yard that is home to large pots containing trees and 22 filled with flowers.

There are 4 large pots lining the walk way to the front entrance that are changed out for the seasons. This winter arrangement will remain in the containers until spring Pansy's in April.

Many of the beds are a mix of perennials and annuals.

Along the hot entrance drive four oval shaped and texture and color.

A second small courtyard with beds along the edge under Mt. Ash trees.

The next two pictures are of an sitting garden area by the front entrance. There is a short hedge forming a small wall on the edge of a perennial bed with spots of annuals for bold color.

So there it is.

We wish everyone are the best in the coming year.

Carolers come a calling

I believe I may have shared my excitement with a few of you when I found out we had tickets to see Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' at the Guthrie Theater. Parking was easy and the going rate for 'event parking'.

The show was wonderful, a truly wonderful memory I will cherish forever. I hope it will be a yearly treat at least. Perhaps next year The Nutcracker!

www.guthrietheater.org shows; A Christmas Carol

I feel fortunate to have this type of event within reach of my home.

On Sunday evening we where privileged to be entertained by a group for young adults that grew up in the neighborhood. They have treated us with their songs for the last three years. The group has gotten smaller over the years, but still very wonderful of them to share their gift.

The drywall is up on the celling of 'The Man Cave'. A few of Jeff's very good friends were very kind to help him with the labor and the use of the proper equipment. It seems brighter and larger now. He did move stuff around and out in order to organize the inventory more efficiently. And there is room for his bicycle on a stand and a fun project as well as work.

Holiday Wishes

Just checking in to let everyone know that things are going well as we roll into the big Holiday week. The excitement of seeing family from near and far is mounting and sparking the wonderful memories of years gone by.

The Cutler boy's 1958

Rammingers-1981 (?)

My hand is in the bandage until December 29th; at which time the stitches will come out and the cast will go on for another 4 to 5 weeks.

I have a cooling system inside the bandages. There are two tubes that connect to other tubes that feeds cold water through the coiled pad at the point of injury that helps relieve the swelling. I am hooked up to a 'cooler' while I watch TV, a small pump circulates the ice water. The tubes do get in the way and can be a bit uncomfortable at times; however the pros far out way the cons.

This time I know better what to expect and it's not my dominant hand so I don't feel as clumsy. Typing with one hand is time consuming, but it works. And folding laundry takes a loong time.

The forecast for today's weather is for more snow. Depending on who you want to believe, we could have anywhere from 4 to 8 inches by the time it ends. We, as an area, are running out of space to put even two more inches. Wonder what they did in the past? The street is narrowing quickly. I do feel some guilt that I am not able help him with the snow piling proses.


This following photo was on the web site for the national weather service Sunday December 12th 2010. It was taken by a amateur photographer in Stillwater. This is one of the city's historic homes from the peak of the Lumber Jack days.




We hope that everyone is having a good Holiday Time so far.
Happy Happy....

Holiday in Wisconsin

I spent time with my family in Eastern Wisconsin to celebrate the Holiday Season and spend some time with the ones I love and don't get to see very often. My new wheels did very well on the way there and back, quite comfortable and a great sound system.

I spent the first couple days with Mom. I could have spent more, it went by so fast. Thursday Carol invited us over for home made soup, it was wonderful and just about the whole family was there for awhile. We all hung out around the table and talked about life in general. It's something that I don't get a chance to do very often.

On Friday I spent some time with David and Vicky; took a little road trip and had lunch. After I got back to Mom's I gathered my things and headed to Char's to do some decorating together and get set up for game night. David came with Kate and Caleb.

Doris was there and Steph join us a little into the night.
We played some great games and ate good food and overall I had a wonderful time. I hope everyone else did too.

On Saturday Char and I went to Lori's where Carol picked us up to make the rounds. We went to the Old World Market in Elkhart Lake where we sampled the wares and ....

Saw St Nick.

We had a great time.

On Sunday we all got together and Lori and Steve's place for brunch. David brought Mom. And although Vicky and Carol weren't able to make it because they were working I know they where there in spirit and in heart.

Char made the French Toast and Steve and Steph made omelets in a bag. They mixed all the ingredients into a zip lock freezer bag and dropped it in boiling water. The omelets were good and there weren't as many pots to clean up.

We are in the middle of a blizzard today. We are about 12 hours into the storm and have about a foot of new snow so far with about 10 more hours of snow ahead of us. One of the neighbors called to invite us and several others to a pizza party tonight. Of course everyone invited is within walking distance.

On Monday I am going to have the thumb on my left hand repaired. The surgeon will replace the vanished cartilage with a plastic piece. I had this done to the right thumb a couple years ago. There is very noticeable difference in the type and intensity of the pain. I know now that it is going to be months for the recovery, but in the long run it is going to be the best thing to better use my hands. So I have a lot to do before Monday. Thanks for all the well wishes, I'll let you know in a day or two how I'm doing.

November Flys by

Halloween was great for little boys. Ridley had two costumes this year. He and his Dad went as people from the Star Ship Enterprise. (Guess who Ridley is).

And this adorable puppy. He wasn't really sure why all the creepy creatures were coming to Nana and Grandpas door, or why Nana was giving them candy. And he did not like the spooky mummy in the window.

Char was here for her birthday. We went to Ridleys birthday party on Friday so he was relating to the gift wrapped boxes and was happy to give Char details on how to open fancy boxes with ribbon.

Look Aunt Char; it's not wine glasses after all.

After the presents were opened it was time for ice cream cake. Ridley really wanted to help, and he wasn't bashful about it. Ice cream cake twice in one weekend!


taken by Mom

Thanksgiving morning Ridley grabbed a roll and was out the door to Grandpa and Nana's house were Robin & Nora and Char would be with all the doggy's and Kitty's.

Puppy Kisses

The kitchen was the popular gathering place till dinner was ready to go on the table. Bill also joined us as well as Vickie's friend (and ours) Laura. It was a great day and a wonderful meal. Everything a Mom/Nana could want. Yes that's right, Jeff also did the cooking.

The following day we did go to a few stores in spite of it being Black Friday. First stop was Lowes to get the Christmas tree. We got a smaller tree than usual for several different reasons. It's very pretty, (don't tell Jeff, but I think it could use more lights.) Char did a little shopping to do the crafts planed. Char is doing a 'home made' gift exchange with her co-workers. Good fun.

Jeff is doing quite a bit of the decorating this season, he is going to be the one taking it down so it's in his hands. Today he and Ridley put the train under the Christmas tree.

I'm sure it was cool, but it will be even cooler when we get batteries that work.

And tomorrow is the 1st of December! Amazing. I am looking forward to spending a super great Holiday Event with my family soon; adding to the already wonderful memory's that are the Holiday Season.

Thanksgiving Week

Here it is the week of Thanksgiving and the time is flying by. I'm getting excited to think that all of our kids are going to be with us. Char will be join us as well as Robin and Nora. Vickie and Josh will be here with Ridley.

Jeff has some father and son project planed and I am hopeful that I will have some assistance with some of the Christmas decorating. It's a lot more fun when it's done with ones favorite people. I am a bit concerned on how we will get the tree home safely with the vehicles we have now! We'll think of something...

This Thanksgiving we are going to brake from the normal tradition and go with Prime Rib rather than turkey. I'm going to say/guess (and hope) that Jeff is going to do the majority of the food preparations this year, as on most occasions; I don't deal with the pressure well and Jeff is a good cook.

The ground is covered with snow here, a few inches and it is cold. The forecast for the Holiday is for more cold. So bundle up everyone and Have a Safe and Wonderful Thanksgiving with all you like and love.

Happy Holiday Season

May it be filled with Happy and

Cherished Memories

Busy Birthday weekend

Yesterday, November 5th Ridley turned 2. So hard to believe it's been 2 years!

And today is Charlene's Birthday! Speaking of hard to believe where the time has gone!!!!

A Very Happy Birthday Char

Sunday is my brother in laws birthday. Hope you have a great day Dennis.

PS. Just a reminder to set your clocks back tonight. And have a great weekend.

Little bits of news

I have been a bit lax about keeping up with the blog page. I'm starting to think that this is a better way of keeping up with my friends and family rather than facebook. Again I have gotten a rotten virus from the popular social networking website. I am hoping that I will have my computer back before the weekend.

On Monday the 18th of October I was involved in a car accident that resulted in the total loss of my wonderful SL1 Saturn. I wasn't even thinking about looking for a different vehicle at this point; I really love the little Saturn and with less than 100,000 miles I figured there was at least two to four years left in the girl. But that isn't the case any longer. Yesterday Jeff and I stopped by the car dealer that we used to buy Saturn's at and looked at the Vue's that where on the lot. I found a 2008 with 34,000 miles within our price range. It is very much like the one in the photo, but the one I will be getting on Friday is 'Ruby Red', darker and richer in color. So we switched car holder positions; Jeff went from SUV to economy car and I am going from the small car to a SUV. Weird! I average 10,000 miles a year and if I take a long trip and want to use a more fuel efficient vehicle, I will drive the Prius and Jeff will fit in the Vue. Hey, it has seat heaters; that's a plus.

Moe is fitting in very well. He and Lola are getting closer every day and they both love Jeff. Moe is doing well on his diet and we think he has lost about a pound. He's looking better and is getting more relaxed around the house.

It took Lola a year to really warm up to us, but she sure is a character. We love having them with us.

Hope everyone is still holding down the fort with this wind that has been sweeping across the mid-west. The neighbors fence fell over and into the garden. Didn't do any damage this time of the year. The garden art that was in that area is fine and the plants are pretty much done for the year. This is a perfect time of the year to replace the broken fence.

A Very Happy Birthday to You

It is very well known to all that I am not very good at sending out occasion greetings on time; and one year sweet Paula said, "That's OK aunt Diane; this way the celebration last longer." I like that thought, not only because it makes me feel a little less guilty for being lax; but because we should celebrate the ones we love as much as possible.

I think about all my loved ones every day; from Florida to Oregon and everyone in between. And to the Birthday Girl... Have a Happy Birthday Month......

I Love ya

Happy Birthday Steve

Happy Birthday Steve.

Hope you have a great day filled with the people and things you love.

Welcome back Mozart

Charlene and Mozart met in 2001 when Moe was just a kitten. They became great buddy's so it is no surprise that when Char had to entrust her buddy with someone to look over him she would bring him to Mom.

This photo is from 6 years ago (Jan. '04) and Goldie and Moe would run through the house. And Goldie would howl at him as he would take swipes at her with his paw. I don't think he would use his claws.

It isn't a big shock that he always found the best places to nap. During the Holidays Season of 2003 the skirt was a cozy spot.

Mozart has always been a 'large' cat but things have recently gotten out of hand and he has developed an 'eating disorder'. For the past year and a half Moe had been living in an environment that didn't provide the special attention he needs to live a healthy life.

Now it is 2010 and the tables have turned and Mozart is reunited with me and Jeff. He is now 9 years old and so mellow. He's finding cool spots to enjoy napping throughout the house including the window at the top of the steps, provided it's open.

We went to the vet this morning to have his general health checked out and get a game plan for his 'eating disorder'. [Add yes it is a mater of eating too much.] Now I have a dog that looks bulimic and an obese cat. So we feed the dog more and put Moe on diet cat food. We will be keeping track. There will probably be some sort of chart or spread sheet. Well good luck with the diet Moe.

He has a virus in his eyes that causes a discharge, so he got a shot of antibiotics and some eye medicine. We'll keep a close eye on Lola to be sure she doesn't come down with it.

The two cats haven't been hateful of each other; just a bit cautious I would say.

Willie is a bit cures but not in a threatening sort of way. Moe swatted him on the nose once but didn't appear to use his claws. And Goldie can't seem to hear Moe hissing and growling or she just doesn't care. Life goes on and she seems to be familiar with the cat. I wonder if they remember each other from 5 years ago?

I also spent some time with a young lady; Anne, who grooms cats and she gave me some tips on getting his coat cleaned up and conditioned with a shine and better aroma. He is looking and feeling a bit better about himself after the first week. There is a noticeable improvement. I truly believe that he has said "Thanks; glade to see you again". He is so willing to be loved; he throws himself at ya for some rubs and scratches. He will stand for the brushing as long as the free hand is doing a little scratching under the chine. He's a character!

Hi my name is Mozart. I'm hear to stay.