Happy Birthday, Liza!!!!

Sometimes I wish we were still 17, and full of hell. Then I realize that if we were, we'd really look silly doing Chinese Fire Drills on Main Street, painting flourescent.... er.... uh..... "stuff" on the rearing stallion on Chestnut Street, drinking home brew at Lynn Fris's (with you in your fau rabbit jacket and cutoffs, and hiding from George Washington Hamway!

Ah.... those were the days.....

Now, we're middle aged (God forbid!) 12 year olds who don't care what people think or say about us as we try on hats in Walmart! Ha!

Wear your birthday well, My Friend! We know God loves us, and we love each other!
Barb

Kitchen Remodel 2007 is Underway!

It's Friday evening, Barb is firmly "ensconsed" in her recliner with needle in hand, and John says.... "I have to go to Lowe's." (Well, have a good time!)Barb: "Do you need me to pick nuts bolts, and screws?" John:"No, but I thought we'd pick out new countertops." (Crap! Why am I such a wise-n-hiemer? Now he'll probably change his mind!).... Let the games begin.....

Good word! JV wants new countertops. Okay.....("feets' don' fail me now!") "Let's go to Lowe's, and see what they have." Okay...... Barb heads to Formica, and John isn't behind her. Wherever did he GO? "Over here, Claire.... (his "Pet" name for me...)." Barb muses.... "CORIAN????? He's looking at the expensive stuff???? No way.... he'll be back in a minute....lol." Minutes turn into several, and still he's looking at the "good stuff."

Okay.... if he wants to buy Corian, so be it. "I like this," Barb says..... "Prices starting at $59 per square foot, installed" the sign reads. Now.... Barb is doing some quick calculations, and figures that the price alone (we have a LOT of countertop in our kitchen!)will scare JV away...., then we'll be back at the Formica. "Yeah, he says, it goes with the floor." Well, "Katie, bar the door," pick me up off the floor, and send in the defibrulator! We're getting Corian countertops! Whooo-hooo!!!
Turn the page....
Now it's Tuesday, the new countertops have been measured, and JV is so excited, he begins to tear the kitchen backsplash off..... new language learned..... "Maybe my Father (who installed the original kitchen 20+ years ago) will remember how he attached everything..... " Nope, give the guy some credit..... he's over 80! Be thankful he remembers anything at all, and he DOES! He has a brilliant memory, but it doesn't extend to "Now how did I attach the countertops in the house on Crossover Road?" Sheesh! "Well," says, John.... "I'll just start here at the Char-glo, and work my way around the kitchen." (Pick the hardest countertop first - yup!) Insert, New language learned here..... !@)%&$)%&+($# !!!!!!




Now.... as the countertops are being removed, Barb decides to try her luck.
"Uh... as long as we're doing the countertops....."(insert very long pause here.....),"do you think that we should re-do the ceramic tile backsplash behind the stove and Char-glo, too?"



The new countertops will be delivered and installed on this coming Tuesday afternoon.

Turn the page to Saturday.....

Time: 7:30 AM
Place: Kitchen
Who: John
What: "I'm going to remove all of the rest of the countertops today."

WHAT??? Uh.... er.... "Where are you taking me to eat for the next 3 days" You can see that Barb has her priorities all in order here! After all... is IS "All about ME," right?

Fast forward to the end of the day on Saturday.... here's the result:


"Toast, anyone?" Served on the "fine matching china, too!"


"Easy Access to everything.
Who needs a "pull out" pantry, anyway?


My new "appliance Island."


Good thing these new countertops come with a new molded kitchen sink, too!... because....



THIS ONE won't cut it for very long!
It's only big enough to cook a Turkey!


"Anybody seen the phone?"

Okay, Heather.... Here's your "correction"

Apparently my "Oldshiemers" kicked in, or my hearing failed. The dogs name is "Lilly"..... and not "Lilly Ann....".... There, are you happy now?

LillyAnn

However you spell it, it's still the same..... She's a beauty! Lilly is 8 weeks old, and according to Heather, she's the smartest, "bestest" Brindle Boxer Evvvv-er! Well.... Heather's the one who has to "potty train" her, after all.... Anyway... here's my "Grand Daughter" in all her splendor! Welcome to the family, Lilly!

Heather finally got her girl!

Happy Birthday to my Beany!

Today is a very special day...... On this day my favorite "Cousin" was born, thus making my life complete. I just wanted to let Beany know that she is, indeed, a very special person. She has raised two wonderful boys to be wise and strong men. She has cared for and nurtured me, them, and a host of others. My world would not be as bright without knowing that at any time, day or night, I could call her. It wouldn't matter if I was happy or sad, she would make me feel better.

Thank you, Beany for being in this world.... just for me.
Barb

I'm an Airhead?

Your Element Is Air

You dislike conflict, and you've been able to rise above the angst of the world.And when things don't go your way, you know they'll blow over quickly.Easygoing, you tend to find joy from the simple things in life.You roll with the punches, and as a result, your life is light and cheerful.You find it easy to adapt to most situations, and you're an open person.With you, what you see is what you get... and people love that!

I included the link on the right..... I just "stumbled" upon these little "ditties" from another Blogger..... I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Sometimes it's hard to answer the questions..... I think I know how the answer will "look" on my profile, but I'm trying to be blatently honest. After almost 56 years on this earth, I figure I have nothing to lose, right? LOL

Colin is Teething......

Oh.... do I ever remember the drool..... why do kids teethe in the Winter? LOL

Happy St Patrick's Day From the Harvey's!!!

Colin and Daddy

Peyton

Heather and Bryce

I just had to share.....
Enjoy!

Anybody need a "Colin Fix?"

Here's the latest pic of my youngest grandson, Colin...... Man-o-man..... can I ever see My Dad, My Husband, and Heather here! We finally got one that looks like Our side of the family..... Good work, "H!" colin went to the Doc's this week and weighed in over 19 lbs! Not too shabby for only 6 months old, huh? We'll get a linebacker in this family yet! Look at how nice he sits up.... right between Mom's legs..... LOL

Cindy..... don't you think he looks like Daddy thru the eyes? Maybe it's just because of the .... er.... "hairline...." ....lol

How Open Minded Am I?????

Not very..... if you believe the survey I just took! I guess I DO see things pretty "black and white." Oh, well..... that's just one more reason "I am what I am, and that's all what I am, "I guess.....

Here's mine.... Take the quizz, and let me know.... The link is over on the right side under my "Web Links."

I An 36% Open Minded
You aren't exactly open minded, but you have been known to occasionally change your mind.You're tolerant enough to get along with others who are very different...But you may be quietly judgmental of things or people you think are wrong.You take your own values pretty seriously, and it would take a lot to change them.

The Great Crossover Road Flood of 2007

The other day, I left the house for 3 hours...... The rain began about an hour after I left. This is what I found when I came home!

We have a small "creek" at the side of our house. It usually runs from Spring until the end of May or early June every year. Because we live about half way up a hill, and the creek originates at the top of the hill, the creek "swells" with a heavy thaw or a heavy rain. But..... THIS IS RIDICULOUS! Imagine that what you're seeing from this angle is USUALLY a dry creekbed..... and it's 8 or 9 feet BELOW what you're seeing in the picture. Yup! There's at least 8 feet of water DEEP! At the top of the picture is Crossover Road. There's a culvert that passes under the roadway to the other side, and that culvert is big enough for a man to walk through without "bending." The problem is that "something" is blocking the entrance of the culvert, and whatever it is, and however big it is, there's nooooooo water going through it. The creek just kept rising, and rising, and rising, and finally spilled over the road!




This picture is taken from the top of my driveway down toward the street. Er.... my new pond! There's a foot of "Yucky" water there.....




Yep! Those are ducks on my new pond! lol Mr and Mrs Ducky have come to "roost." He's a beauty..... I'll bet he weighs over 10 lbs, and he must have flown in from Webster Pond, because he's as tame as can be. I can walk right up to both of them, and feed them! Kool, huh?




The force of the water running over the street actually moved a snowbank!




"Rubber Ducky..... you're the one......"

The neighborhood kids have been feeding them! When the water receeds, there will be cracked corn all over the road! Bet there's a song in there, somewhere.......

Meanwhile..... it's been very quiet around here! No thru traffic since the Town put up the baricades....lol!

My Irish Lassie -Happy St Patrick's Day!

Since it's almost St Patrick's day, I thought I'd bring out a little something that I did a while ago. About 4 years or so ago, I decided to do a project for each Holiday. Now, mind you, I hadn't cross stitched in y-e-a-r-s! I found a book in the "bargain book box" at P & C Grocery store, and off I went (with Michele's help, of course) to buy Aida, thread, and because my needles were rusty - new needles! I never dreamed that after I got 4 different colors of green, and 3 different colors of white and off white, that I would still be looking at "half-stitches" and "quarter-stitches," too! That'll teach me to be headstrong!

My "can-do" spirit took over, and low and behold, here she is! Remind me never again to try quarter stitches on Aida!!! LOL

Enjoy!

Michele's Over the Arm Chair "Thingy"

I know there's a better name for what this is, but I'll be darned if I can remember it! It lays over the arm of your chair while you're stitching.

Michele went to a cross stitch "retreat" last year, and this was one of the items that she learned how to stitch. Shel.... I know that you don't think you did a great job on this, but I think it's beautiful, it's perfect because YOU made it, and most of all..... because you love me enough to part with it. I shall be forever thankful to have a little piece of "You."


There's a small pouch at each end for needles, threaders, "Orts" (Go ahead, Laura - I "double dog dare you" to ask me what an "ort" is....lol) or whatever. The center is a pin cushion, and the ribbons could tie scissors, etc...... I just love the porceline Flamingo in the center of the pin cushion! The whole piece is like a "Piece of Florida." I can stitch on a cold February day, and pretend I'm in Sunny Leesburg! Whoo-hoo!


Enjoy!

Is Santa Early or Late?

These Heart in Hand "Wee Santa's" just crack me right up! This is the 2005 Santa, and I had started him, who knows when? I just love his sterling silver Christmas tree.... he was supposed to have a gold star hanging from his staff, but I must have lost it..... "Improvization" is my middle name! I think I have 2 or 3 more of these little guys to go.....

Enjoy!

It's Finished!!

I finally finished my "The Gift of Stitching Mystery Sampler!" I had the best time doing all of these little tiny "motifs." I also discovered that it's much harder to make a square! One would have thought that at 55 years old I would know how. All that counting..... Anyway, I decided to finish it for our 35th Wedding Anniversary. I think it will look nice at camp!

Enjoy!

Valentine For My Hubby

Okay! First of all.....don't tell John! Got that???? This is a secret till Valentines Day.....

I thought I'd "make" a Valentine for my Hubby this year. He's always crabbing about how much money I spend on my "Hobbies," so I thought I'd actually make something for him with his money! Thoughtful, huh? (Insert applause and "atta' Gurl's" here, please!)

Okay, so it's the thought that counts! Anyway, the pattern is by Cedar Hill, and it's called..... are you all ready..... "Forever Yours." It was supposed to be a simple little stitch with a speciality satin stitch. It turned into a "Frog Monster!" The stupid branch was frogged out a minimum of 4 different times.....that AFTER I'd done all the back stitching! Sheesh! Then the "o," the "r," and the "e" in forever TOOK forever! Over, and over, and over. I'm not a good "bottom to top" stitcher...... Must be a right brain thing! LOL

Anyway, for my Sister, and whoever else cares, here it is..... complete!

Enjoy!

Post Script:

Hey!!!! I just went out to see the blog after I'd posted it, and realized that y'all can't see any of the "white" stitching." Bummer! I just want you to know, that in between the red "x's" on the hearts, there's white "x's" there, too! I spent a lot of time on those stupid white ones! LOL

I'm "Available"

What's a Guy to do? I'm trying (with my "Daddy's" help) to become a "Chick Magnet." This is Daddy's idea of a sexy Valentine's outfit!

Daddy took me to the .... er...Doggy-barber.... for my very first Pompadore today. Would you just like to barf at the sissy bow? Cheesh! How am I supposed to troll the neighborhood picking up chicks wearing THIS stupid lookin' thing? Huh? Huh? Maybe I should bite Dad's leg! That would teach him! Now.... the bandana I can handle.... kinda makes me look like the "Kissing Bandit." Yeah..... the Ladies love a man wearing a cowboy hat and a bandana....... Macho...... how can I look macho wearing a bow???? Shoulda' bit the groomer......

Maybe I'll just go out and hang around the fire hydrant and wait to get beat up by the German Shepard down the street...... Cheesh!

Killer
(somehow the picture just doesn't fit the dog!)

Colin's First Snow!

Ah.... there's a "first time" for everything! We had a little snow here in Sunny Syracuse over the weekend, and Colin got his first "taste" of it! Well.... actually, Peyton tasted "only the WHITE snow!" Colin couldn't have tasted anything! He was so bundled up that you can't even SEE his mouth! Matter of fact..... he couldn't even move! He looks like a mummy! Enjoy!

As for Peyton..... he can sleep anywhere! Daddy told him to go into the house, take off his snowsuit, and get ready for lunch..... This was as far as he made it!

Do you see YOURSELF?