Paint and Window Treatments

When we moved into our brand new house, I decided some inexpensive mini-blinds were all we needed to cover the windows until we could afford something permanent. We also decided the upper floor didn't need the final coats of paint until we had more time and money. After all, it is just the two of us, and with a first floor master, why would we need to worry about the upstairs right away?
That was over 12 years ago, and the upstairs is still "builder's white". So I spent some time this weekend picking up paint for the house. While I was at it, I dragged the Hubs to the local Home Depot to order some roman shades for the windows in the den. He has pure sticker shock right now, but in a few weeks the house will have had a nice face lift. Can't wait to see it!

The Fishing Vest

Our friends gave the Hubs a fishing vest for his birthday. He had not used it yet, so this morning he decided to go off fishing with his brand new vest (and a couple of good sized cigars).

He went to a local inland lake, where he has enjoyed much fishing in the past. When he got there, though, he noticed lots of duck hunters all poised and ready to begin their hunting. He sure got out of there fast!

Autumn Decorating

My neighbors are all decorating their homes for Halloween. I really enjoy looking at the pumpkins, cornstalks, and big cardboard ghosts and cats when I drive down the street. Unfortunately, I have been working so man hours that I haven't even had time to hang some indian corn on the door or pull some weeds to make the yard look presentable. Oh well, maybe this weekend.

My Brave Sister

I have been thinking a lot of my sister lately. After battling cancer for over 9 months, she has just received a stem cell transplant, in the hopes of extending her remission. The whole thing is pretty daunting from where I sit, so I can only imagine how it is for her. I do know that, while she has been taking everything pretty well in stride, this last step of the journey has really been a lot for her to handle. A badly timed cold has prevented me from going to see her, in her immune-compromised state, but I did talk to her by phone yesterday. She was very groggy, and said she had not slept well since she got to the hospital (new bed and all, she said). I know she will improve as time goes on, and she strengthens from the procedure. But, I can't help thinking every day how brave she must be to face all this.

Construction

I'm really getting tired of the construction barrels. You'd think I've lived in Michigan long enough to have seen everything, but yesterday was a new one for me. I left for work at about 6AM (still dark) and took my usual route down Lapeer to the I75 entrance just below the Palace. Cruising along, listening to my book on CD, I didn't see anything that would indicate new construction. But, when I got on the entrance (I am now committed to get on the freeway, mind you), I discovered the southbound entrance was closed. Not a sign of this previously. So, I had no choice but to head north, go all the way up to Baldwin, then head south. For the rest of the trip, I berated myself for not seeing the sign that told me of the ramp closure.

Then Sara came in, sputtering. She comes the same way I do, and also was caught getting on the ramp, then seeing the southbound entrance closed. Unlike me, though, she decided to make her own rules (I guess you can do that when you're her age). She turned her car around, and drove back down the entrance ramp the wong way. All this in the rain. I'm glad there is no traffic at that hour on a Saturday morning.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Today we went to a party at the home of one of the OPC drivers. The plan was to sit outside, but when we got there, it was pouring! No matter...once it let up enough to go out without getting soaked, we moved tables and chairs into the garage. We had a great time. And, after we had eaten our fill (and then some), it had cleared up quite a bit. Someone set up a beanbag game on the lawn (something like horseshoes, but the "ringer" was to get the beanbag into the hole in the target), and we spent the rest of the evening playing and talking over deserts and coffee. Never let rain stand in the way of a good party.

Old Standard

There is nothing quite like a tried and true recipe. When I am called upon to bring a desert to a party, I find my mother's recipe for pineapple upside-down cake (called Pineapple Skillet Sponge in her old, blue cookbook) is always a big hit. So I made one this evening to take to the party the Hubs and I will be attending tomorrow. I am surprised how much I enjoyed it, even though I had a really hard day at work. The whole time I was putting it together, I remembered the countless times I would make desert in Mom's kitchen. It was always such fun. (Even the time I put 13 cups of shortening in the cake - a long story, but one that has survived those many years since I was in second grade). And, Mom's old classic recipe has come through again. They don't come out much prettier than this, if I do say so myself!