Construction, Art and Holiday Woes

A week out from the reunion and honestly I'm at a loss for my brain.  It has been so much on my mind for months that there is a void in my thinking and planning.  It's okay, I'm ready to have it done but wow.  This weekend we scooted off to the cabin on Thursday morning and it was a very long four days of sitting around.  Oh, I'm okay with the sitting around but I sensed he was antsy.  He's just not used to sitting around.  He was also anxious with what was going on around our house.  The last of the fixin'-up was going on and he was so excited to see it happening but we needed to leave.  I'll explain.  Our back patio, walks, driveway are all stained and he's spent the past couple of weeks re-staining the back squares of the patio.  Then the painter was coming to seal it all.  That meant we couldn't even walk outside or drive on the driveway for a couple of days, so cabin life it was.  He was so intriqued by the process he kept getting on the cameras to watch.  So funny, my guy.  His heart is not too far from construction that's for sure.  

This weekend and a couple of weekends ago I set up a Painting in the Wigwam for cabin life peeps.  The first weekend it was just one who showed up and this weekend it was two.  That's okay, I got a couple of nice paintings out of it and time spent with ladies visiting.  This next weekend we are going to do it at our cabin so if it's just me, then okay, it's just me.  

It was a quiet weekend too as not many were there, well there were but some had company and others, eat up with college football..blech.  Not my thing for sure.  It's so dry there too, so much so that it's just dusty.  The new house is going up next door and it is a hoss I can tell you.  It is a house, not a cabin and dwarfs our place.  

I'm continuing the daily sketches and they have really taken a life all their own.  Every time I talk to people they always make mention of them and go on and on about how much they enjoy them, especially when I add a story with them.  

Today is I was having a pretty good day, until...I got an email, we, as a family got an email.  I saw it was from one of his brothers, the oldest saying they are hosting Thanksgiving.  WHAT!  WHAT THE HECK!  Thanksgiving is MINE!  I've done it for so many years now, except last year when we have Covid!  I was so upset, I mean cussing upset, outside, big BAD words.  I was pissed.  I didn't even get heads up.  I ranted and raved to him, to the youngest on the phone.  Man I was so mad and upset to the point of tears.  I feel like everything is changing from my norm and I am having a hard time with this change.  The more I thought about it I realized that probably the reason why they want to host is because he is in bad health and if they come to our house, which is a trek from Eufaula, she would have to drive.  This would mean she couldn't see her kids for Thanksgiving.  I think I get it now but dang it, dang it, dang it!!!  It's hard enough on me that Thanksgiving wasn't like it used to be, food wise because of the vegan and vegetarian part of the day, but we had that kind of worked out.  I miss cooking a turkey, really miss it and two years in a row I won't be doing that.  You know what I plan on doing, a couple of things here.  I decided that I would embrace Christmas Day dinner.  I always have the other bro-in-law and his hubby and my kiddos and their entourage but I will extend to my brother and maybe my sisters hubby and their kiddos.  I don't expect them to come but I will extend.  I don't know if I'll do a turkey and may save that to New Year's Day.  Oh, it's just swimming around in my head.  I'll figure it out, I always do.  For now, I'll let that torch pass to Dave, for now.  

Weekend Fun

The weekend was fantastic.  We scooted off on Thursday because we can...RETIRED!  Most of our hang-with-group weren't attendance for various reasons.  One is on a cruise in Alaska, others just didn't want to deal with the heat.  As you know I love summer so it wasn't a problem.  Even The Hubby sat on the porch with me most of the weekend not complaining.  Honestly it wasn't too bad with the fans on.  

We took golf cart rides all three evenings and got to visit with others as they passed on their golf carts.  I was able to get some fantastic photos on the ride out and about.  We drove around on the backside of the lake/dam which I haven't done in years.  It's been pretty inaccessible for a few years due to seasonal flooding and the "horse bridge" being under water.  The water in the creek is the lowest I've seen it in the 23 years we've been there and boy does it stink and look green.  They say it's because of the chicken poop pollution from upstream.

On this backside is the original entrance from the 1920's.  The road went right over the dam.  

Parts of the roads back in there were so overgrown you could hardly see the path.  Plus it is a bit creepy.  Back off in the corner is a huge gate that was built about 10 years ago with a combination lock on it.  The fence attached is hardly a fence being broken and pushed down in so many places.  I have heard that the "locals" come in that way and we've had some issues with trespassers.  That is scary for a girl who likes to go up by herself and stay.  

Around us the cabin across the road is in full construction swing.  It has an older part, the original cabin, and it was added on to.  Unfortunately, it has had water in it many times since it sits on the waters edge.  The owner had the cabins split again and moved the old part out, raising it and building a new middle.  It is going to be spectacular but has taken a few years and a whole lot of money, at least $500,000.  That makes our property go up in value, and property taxes! The cabin next door to us was torn down a few years ago and finally the lot sold.  I wished we had purchased it but he just couldn't dive off on that idea, it was his in the first place.  The new owner started building his cabin this weekend and it's going to be a 2 story, obstructing my view of the sunset.  Not very happy about that but it is what it is.  He's a nice guy and will live there full time which I'm okay with that.  

I almost forgot that Saturday I co-hosted a ladies brunch at our cabin.  We met on the porch and it was fantastic.  I did an easy scrambled egg casserole, bacon, bagels and cream cheese.  Sarah brought fruit and a mimosa bar.  It was such a nice day and the temperatures stayed perfect with our fans.  A nap later in the day and my weekend was perfect.  

Woke up this morning to a text of a video.  It was our sweet Max taking his first steps.  He is 19 months old today and finally taking his first steps.  It was the best news ever.  The video was precious.  He is doing so good and is the happiest boy ever.  

School is getting ready to start for the grands.  Min will start Pre-K and she is so excited.  Snicklefritz starts 6th grade.  Where does the time go.  She is growing like a weed and is little lady now, all grown up.  

 

A Weekend Away

I scooted off Thursday evening to the cabin by myself, he was to follow Friday.  I was in great need to get away from "home" the past few days.  I think all that is going on with baby Max, my sister, losing my aunt last month and my cousin in June has taken a bit of a toll on my mental health.  

This past year so much has been going on that I honestly completely filled my journal and it's only September!  I had to start another one.  It was a good feeling to see the blank pages to fill and gave me a sense of calm.  

The drive down I finished another audio book and just enjoyed the drive.  

Friday, The Hubby got there and he almost immediately took a 2 hours nap.  He's been exhausted too.  I went to "day drinking" and enjoyed visiting with girlfriends.  Back to the cabin and I fried some fish he caught in June.  It was a nice evening and we stayed on the porch till about 8:30 just reading and listening to the world shut down.  

Saturday evening the club, whoever wanted to come, met in the meadow at 5 for cocktail hour.  Oh it was so much fun.  Then we were off to our friends Julio and Mary's for a Chilean dinner for Julio's 60th birthday celebration.  Poor Julio though.  A couple of weeks ago he thought he had Covid but it was not.  Then he thought he had poison ivy because he had a rash on his head around his eye and his eye was swollen and had the rash in it.  Julio told a friend who is a doctor that he had poison ivy and so his friend gave him steroids.  Well, he DID NOT have poison ivy, he has shingles and the virus that is shingles feeds on steroids!!! Poor guy looks horrible and is in awful pain.  He's even got some neurological issues from it and memory problems.  So worried for him.  Even though he wanted to celebrate his birthday you could tell we were not going to stay long.

He very quickly was going down from pain and exhaustion.  So we were home by 7:30, which was probably good because two very strong gin and tonic's I was in need of bed!  

The drive home I was able to snap a couple of cow photos I've been dying to get.

So home and ready for the week of dinner with friends not one, but two evenings!  A bit of work and hopefully some studio time then it will be back there to do another painting class.  So many want to do it and say they will be there but we will see.  The last time only one showed up.  No worries, I'll paint and I will enjoy the cabin! (He's dancing!)

 

A Little Bit of Ramble

Good Sunday morning.  It's been a beautiful weekend here in northeast Oklahoma.  Friday I had lunch with my siblings and then scooted off to the cabin by myself.  The Hubby and Biff went on their annual Kanokla 100 Mile Sale.  They've probably done this trek for at least 14-15 years, she even did it by herself, pregnant one time.  

The cabin grounds compound was very quiet after the Labor Day fun and it was quite welcome, but a bit lonely actually.  

I went by myself because Saturday morning I was gathering some cabin painters to have a paint day.  Sadly only one showed up but I was okay with that.  Actually she didn't show up until an hour later and I decided to go ahead and set up outside on the wigwam porch and enjoy the wonderful weather.

We're going to do it again in a couple of weeks and I'm sure more will join this time and the weather should be even better!  

I've painted this barn before but you can never paint a red barn enough and the last one sold almost immediately.  This isn't finished but will finish this week and get it varnished and take back in a couple of weeks and hopefully sell it too.

The week has been a bit slow except for a physical, time at the office and only one day at the studio.  This week should be more time at the studio, I hope, at least that is the plan and you all know my plans can be quickly changed in the blink of an eye.  

There's been a lot of stuff that has happened this week, worldwide. Today is 9/11 so that is a remembrance day for sure. The big thing this week is the passing of Queen Elizabeth and the crowning of a new King, King Charles III.  Wow, she was Queen for 70 years, amazing and amazing lady. 

Life Update

Sunday, 7 weeks out from surgery I went to the grocery store. You might think, "So What!" But, since the Covid pandemic AND the hip pain I wasn't physically able to walk in the store. It has been over 3 years since I actually set foot in a grocery store. It was honestly scary because of ALL that has happened the past few years. I walked in and was thrilled to see fresh veggies I could touch and pick on my own. It was almost sensory overload to see all the stuff, all bright, shiny and fresh. I've relied on others for 3 years to pick my groceries and now I can do it all by myself. So exciting! I feel like my life can begin again. This was a huge step in my life.

I also drove to the cabin and was planning on staying by myself for the first time in probably 9 months. We have to go downstairs to the garage basement to turn on and off the water, hot water heater and a couple of breakers and I could not do that, BUT now I can! The Hubby ended up coming later that night because his dance plans were canceled. It was a nice weekend hanging with friends and reading. The weekend before the entire family came to the cabin. Both weekends were fabulous.

See the big black dog, that is Vance and his sidekick beside him is Vinnie.  This past weekend sweet crazy Vance had a terrible accident.  Friday afternoon Snicklefritz was at her friends for a sleepover and her daddy had driven to OKC for the night to play music with friends.  That left Bri alone with the dogs.  It was feeding time and Vance is absolutely crazy dog when it is food time.  He was outside and was running to the sliding glass door for dinner, jumping up and hitting the glass as usual but the glass in the door was very old and not safety glass.  

Luckily Bri was out of the splash of splintering and flying glass as was Vinnie and the cats.  But poor Vance was not.  His back leg was sliced very deep, cutting a large vein.  Bri said there was glass and blood everywhere, kitchen, down the hallway, it was a miracle she was not hit.  She called her hubby who in turn called their friend and ANGEL!  She called everyone else to come HELP!!! Vance is a huge and heavy dog.  The Angel showed up at her door very quickly with an armload of towels and helped her to get Vance in the back of his pickup truck with her holding him and they were off to the emergency vet.  Over $700 later he had surgery to stop the bleeding.

The Angel!

Sadly the stupid expensive emergency vet did not do what he was going to do during surgery, put in a drain.  So when they woke the next morning the bleeding was still happening and they had to load Vance in yet another car to go to THEIR regular vet and he had another surgery to put in the drain.  

This poor guy does not understand why he has to stay in his kennel for the next couple of weeks.  He's a wild and crazy guy and a puppy, yes he's a puppy, so this has been very trying.  

The Angel just so happens to be in the construction business, specifically windows!  So he was quick to be able to get the plywood to fix the door and is getting them prices for a very expensive thing that was not in their plans.  Who knew that these old houses had those plate glass doors like that but now I know and they know.  I told her she needs to contact their homeowners insurance and see if they will pay for it all.  

One another note I've been going through my music.  

I REALLY have a problem, I LOVE music, so I own tons of CD's. For years I've purchased CD's & taken the covers & CD's out of the cases to put in CD books. The attic had boxes full of the cases & I felt it time to reunite cases with CD's. I've spent countless hours sorting & searching to accomplish that task while healing. But now I've found that I have about 50 CD's & no cases & about 40 cases with no CD's. Think I might need to have "someone" visit the attic again. I've taken the music to my studio because that is where I listen to it while I paint. Think I need to purge some of the CD's because I can't figure out WHY in the world I bought some of them. I like every kind of music from classical to heavy metal. The only kind I DO NOT like is country. Occasionally I will hear a song I like but that doesn't happen often.

I've taken it all to the studio because that is where I listen to music. I'm also purging a ton of them, like Dixie Chicks. Why in the heck do I have 3 of their CD's. Yuck.

Cows and Landscapes

The weekend, oh the weekend.  Yes it was hot but mostly on Saturday afternoon.  The rest of the weekend was most pleasant, at least for me, summer lover.  I went up on Thursday and enjoyed most of that day by my lonesome on my screened porch and a good book.  

In fact, I read three books this past weekend.  Now that, is a great weekend!  I read The Summons by John Grisham, Class Act by Stuart Woods (not worth it at all), and last night finished off The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner.  

We hosted grilled chicken on Saturday evening with some of the NEW weekend residents of our little cabin area.  They are super nice and it was one of the best evenings.  It was a small gathering allowing us to really visit and get to know one another.  The Hubby wanted to invite more but I had put a limit on that, especially with the Covid numbers rising I didn't feel comfortable with a huge crowd.  We were able to be on the porch and that makes me a bit happier and feel safer.  

I just love capturing the photos as we leave to head home.  Luckily no one was on the road as I drove allowing me to stop occasionally and snap the photos.  I'm sure I will paint one or more of these.

As I rounded one corner it was very evident that someone in the night had driven off the road and demolished the fence allowing these escapees all over the road.  I stopped, rolled my window down and captured their faces.  I wanted to take more photos but it was at a precarious part of the road where someone could have come up on me and smashed my car or the cows so I was quick and moved on.

It will be a busy week for me as I will be watching Snicklefritz a lot.  Next weekend she will journey with us to the cabin.  I always enjoy having her because she is a help and we just enjoy each other a lot.  Maybe next weekend I will load up on our watercolors and we will paint on the porch together.

This week I will also go to my regular doctor and I'm so excited to step on his scale.  According to MY scale I'm nearly 20 pounds down but the last time I was in to see him it will show only 15 from his chart.  I had gained 5 pounds since I last saw him.  The weekend I did derail a bit but that's okay, I'm back to it today, last night.  Again it is a food life change and I don't plan on changing that.

Weekend Shenanigans

My weekend was shear bliss.  The Hubby had a lot of dancing to do this past weekend and I had absolutely nothing to do, so I boogied off to the cabin by myself.  I've actually been a bit afraid to go by myself because I've been so unsteady on my feet.  Lately though, since I've lost 17-1/2 pounds so far, I feel lighter and I am moving so much better.  As long as I take my Aleve every morning I am so much better.  So I thought, I can do it.  The issue there is that when I arrive I have to go down the stairs to the garage to turn on the water and flip the breakers to the hot water heater and stove.  But it was okay, I was okay.

It was a hot weekend but we've had so much rain that the countryside is still very green, muggy air, but green, green, green.

When I arrived I immediately contacted my girl friends there and they were heading to the creek.  Now, that kind of thing, walking around in water in the creek, I'm not able to do.  But I was able to drive the golf cart down close enough to the girls were sitting in their chairs in the creek with an umbrella in the water and sit on a chair on the edge and visit.  It was hot and steamy but I'm okay with that too.  The heat doesn't affect me like The Hubby.  The creek was so lovely and I got some lovely shots.  I promised the girls NOT to put their photos up and I'm true to my word.  I think I also got a few shots to paint and that is where I'm going this morning.

Also had this little visitor early Saturday morning.  He was there last weekend too.  I've seen turtles in our little yard over the years and I think they are the same ones.  I love it.  

Thursday was not a good day at the office.  I went in to do a deposit and an invoice.  The previous day I put a magenta cartridge in the printer and then printed some stuff.  Thursday morning I got there and printed the deposit and invoice and a couple of other things then BLAM, the printer screen went blank.  I actually was able to print some other things and then tried to figure out what was wrong with the printer when it went offline and then NOTHING!  I messed around with it for a couple of hours and nothing.  I told The Hubby to get hold of his nephew, our IT guy to look at it, that we needed it fixed before this next Friday for payroll.  I took off to the cabin and then got text messages that J was there working on it and for some reason The Hubby had in his head that changing the cartridge was the culprit.  I explained over and over and OVER again that was not the problem but sometimes when he gets something stuck in his head he can't let it go.  As it turns out I WAS RIGHT!!!  After a few hours of them working on it and contacting HP the printer just crapped out and it was only 7 months old and under warranty.  They are shipping a new printer Wednesday and J will come and install so hopefully I will not have to do payroll or invoicing BY HAND!  Oh the problems of still working.  Hopefully we are closer to the end of work soon.  Good news though is our original building where we operated out of for over 30 years and have had leased out for the past 5 years has a new renter!  We've been working on finding a new renter for awhile now but the only inquiries were pot growers and you know how I felt about that.  This one is in the oil business and signed a 5 year lease!!!!  Woot-Woot!

I almost forgot that Friday before I left for the cabin I had lunch with my siblings (we try to do once a month).  My youngest and her family joined us along with my other granddaughter, Snicklefritz.  Little Min was not in a good mood at first but after a bit she settled and we had a grand time watching her and visiting.