Monday, January 24, 2022 Sunny Nice Slight Breeze 53 degrees 4:53 p.m.

I love that the days are getting longer, that the sun is shining and the birds are out and about, singing and enjoying the beautiful weather. I understand that winter will return later in the week but for now, it is grand. We enjoy the sun when it shines in the windows and we don’t have to turn the lights on during the day. The cats love laying in the sunshine.

The weekend was fun. Friday we were at Jerry’s house visiting and seeing how Tammy was doing after her shoulder surgery. She is doing well and able to work from home for a few hours a day. The damage wasn’t as extensive as they first thought so that has helped a whole lot. The dogs can’t figure out why she isn’t playing with them as she usually does so try and just lay in her lap or on her feet or snuggle nest to her. They are so fun. We, of course, played with them,. fetch and tug of war are the favorite games.

Saturday we went over to Dottie’s and helped he pack some stuff and go through things she wasn’t sure of. The stuff she didn’t want or need we took to Karns for her, and three boxes got packed. there is at least two months before she moves so not a big hurry. It is nice to do a little bit at a time and not have to rush. She fixed beef stew and it was really goo. then she had blueberry cobbler for desert and it was yummy. I love blueberries.

Sunday Jerry and Tammy came over. Jerry was able to turn the heat vents so that we got some heat downstairs and the upstairs was comfortable but not so very hot. That is a major accomplishment. He did a couple other things around here that needed attention. We do so appreciate him and all of his talents. Tammy went out and looked at the weird grass that is growing out front and told us it is Monkey grass. Never heard of it before but now know what it is. She said that unless all the neighborhood got professionals out here that we would just have to “like it” as it is hard to get rid of, It is a darker green and a wider blade then regular grass. Not so bad, I guess.

Today was do floors and then go with Tina to the eye doctor. She gets new glasses. We also went looking for things that will clasp onto wire shelves and allow labels to be placed in them. She wants the kind where the labels can be changed without taking the whole thing apart or ripping them off the shelf. I am not sure what she got will work but I hope it does. The only stationary store here in Oak Ridge is Staples. What she found was at Walmart. Go figure!

Now it is nearly time for the evening meal, the news and maybe a couple good programs. Sierra and Milo think that is must be way past dinner time. When the weather is cool or cold they have an appetite that won’t quit. When it is warm or hot weather they could care less. Of course I think Milo could and would eat every twenty minutes all day and night. He is a chow hound.

Have a great rest of you day. Make it a very special, productive, positive, pleasurable and fun day.

Blessings

Friday, January 21, 2021 Cold Windy, Frozen puddles 29 degrees 5:40 p.m.

Friday is here. The start of the weekend. It is going to be a cold but supposedly dry weekend. Several events have been canceled due to cold temperatures and icy roads. Most of this part of the country is mountains with windy, steep roads, and mostly two lane. So safety first. That is why they closed the school when the weather is “bad” in winter. The dome light goes on!

It has been a pretty good week, and a productive one on my part. I accomplished several chores I have been needing to get done. It is a good feeling to accomplish something. The only mishap is that a closet door has come off. It is standing but not usable until we get someone over here to fix it. The door can neither be opened wider or closed shut. If one tries, it will fall! That isn’t bad for a whole week, I don’t think.

Tina had a dental appointment this afternoon, so I went with her and did some reading while she was in getting her mouth stretched. Afterwards we went to Jerry’s and visited for a couple of hours and then home. We always have fun playing with the dogs and visiting. Finley is always playing fetch or tug of war. Lacy wants to play also but only for a short time and seems to loose track of the toy and what she is doing. So she goes to someone’s lap to get cuddled and petted. Murphy just wants to be comfortable and in or near a lap and get petted. He loves his chin scratched. They all look so cute in their long john pj’s. Lacy’s is pink, Murphy’s i red and Findley’s is green. Finley thinks it is a bit warm with them on but the other two love theirs and won’t let you take them off.

Jerry’s downstairs heat has been off for over a week now. they are waiting for a part to come in. In the meantime they use the gas fireplace and small electric heaters downstairs and it helps some. I sure hope they get the part in soon and will be back to enjoying their home again. I am thankful they have a fireplace and can use it. Meantime Lacy and Murphy each have a small doggie bed, one on each side of one of the heaters. Finley will lay sort of close, but not to close as she has lots of fur. She is boarder collie and corgi. She looks the perfect boarder collie but the short legs of the corgi.

Time to have dinner and then watch the news. Have a great weekend. Stay warm, safe, healthy, and energetic. And have fun!

Blessings

Thursday, January 20, 2022 cloudy breezy cold 27 degrees 8:10 p.m.

A definite winter day. Our high was early this morning at37 degrees. We will be in the teens tomorrow morning. An Arctic cold front i s slowly passing threw, leaving and frigged air behind. According to the weatherman we will have a cold weekend and well into next week. This is like being in Tahoe only more humid.

I am accomplishing quite a bit while staying in and warm and dry. I have cleaned out two closets and two cupboards and one drawer. I have done a bunch of shredding and throwing and have a sack for Karns. I have managed to keep my daily planner up to date. I usually get about a week into the new year and then forget it. So, now to see what I tackle tomorrow. Tina has to be at work at 5:00 a.m. and then has a dentist appointment at noon so she won’t be home until after that. At least that is what it sounds like right now.

There is a family who live up the street that have a big pit bull. they faithfully walk that dog several times a day, rain or shine, or cold. The dog loves it and would only be happier if they would move faster or let her loose to run. She doesn’t seem to mind the cold or the rain or the snow. the ones who walk her, be it mom or the two girls or the dad, don”t seem to mind the cold either as they seldom have even a sweater on much less a coat. Just shorts or jeans and a tee shirt. I freeze just seeing them walk by. They are very nice and pleasant. the dog is very protective so we don’t go to close, just say hi when we are out and they are out.

Here it is after 8:00 p.m.. Tina has gone to bed and the cats think that I should go up stairs and keep them company, give treats and settle in for the night. I am going to oblige them as it is warmer upstairs then down. So have a wonderful, safe, warm, cozy, and fun rest of your Thursday

Blessings

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 cloudy, rainy, cold 42 degrees 4:00 p.m.

Another winter day with storm clouds hanging around. We have had a good downpour that lasted for maybe half an hour, then nothing. This storm is to come in waves and by tomorrow morning there might be snow. The rain took care of any snow that we had left including the snowman that the kids built across the street. I understand we will be back in the 20’s and 30’s for highs by the weekend. Yes, it is winter in East Tennessee. I prefer this to New York or Main ans they are really having winter with lots of snow and below freezing temperatures and sometimes no electricity. BURR! Do love my fur lined gloves and fur lined tennis shoes. (T.J. Max’s on sale last year.)

I have ham and beans in the crock pot. Yes, Milo got a bean and he played with it for quite a while before he sent it under the stove. I will get it out later, after he goes for his evening nap. Sierra isn’t interested in the beans, cooked, raw, or to play with. She has her mouse and is very happy with it. Maybe I should say mice as there are a dozen of them, They say Thank you, Mr. Jefferson. Last year’s Christmas present from Charlene’s dog.

I found another place that I think would be fun to visit when spring arrives. Actually two places. One is called Blackberry Farm and it has all sorts of things to do and see. You can visit for the day, or spend the weekend, have weddings, parties, or vacation for a week. It looks lovely and fun. It is located someplace in the Knoxville area. The other place is on the same order but has little huts that look like hobbit houses. There are activities there also and the “rooms” look fascinating. That is geared towards families as there are a lot of children’s activities as well as adult. Weddings and such are advertised. The child in me thinks both would be fun to visit. Come on Spring!

With all that said, there is gas pries, masks, restrictions, qualifications, and the prices of each place. But all those bridges can be crossed when the time comes. Right now staying home and off the black-iced roads seems to be the best idea. There are so many of the mountain roads closed because of snow and ice. However, knowing that northern Nevada has a ton of snow in the Sierras and the snow plows are out and people are shoveling their porches, driveways and sidewalks, then going off to work and school and here they close the schools because of the possibility of snow and ice on the roads. I have to agree that it is different climate and different roads. Here they don’t use snow tires or chains which I think is strange but those damage roads. I’m confused.???? All seem to work well for everyone and that is what is important.

About time to finish up dinner and get all done before the news comes on. Have a great rest of your Wednesday. Make it a safe, warm, adventurous, charming and fun day.

Blessings