Angelrose's Journey

[Angelrose]

HAPPY 4th OF JULY everyone!

It rained all day here. I still went out and had my pancakes and did some shopping.

Around 3:30 it finally stopped raining and I had to pump a lot of water out of the pool. It was actually dripping over the deck in one spot.

Tomorrow I'm going to the dump (YIPPEEE) and then dropping by Chuck's to pick up my Netflix and my Walden Farms order. I love their stuff and all calorie free.

Hope you all had a great 4th.

 

[rndmr2]

Missed quite a few updates as everything has been crazy around here. My BIL passed away 5/28 (Cancer) so it has been a tough time, we have all been taking turns with just about 24 hour care for him since about Mid March. He had actually started doing fairly well by early May but then took another downturn. It has been hard, he was so young (41) and 2 little boys (5 1/2 and 7). Everyone is hanging in there, though, My MIL is having a hard time, though, she lost my FIL back around the same time of year in 2010 so it's been hard on her to lose a child too. We do get so much joy from those little boys though, it really helps us get through.

Your grandson is cute with his little Mohawk! Sorry it rained all day for you, hope the rest of the weekend is better.

 

[Angelrose]

I am so sorry for your loss rndmr2. To lose someone that young is just terrible. My prayers go to you and your family.

Today was a beautiful day. I went to the dump, the drug store, got gas and did my grocery shopping and was home by 9:15. Chuck came over to bring my Netflix and fix my pool deck as best he could. It looks much better now and hopefully it will hold for a few more years.

I noticed I have a rash on my arms and neck. They just feel a bit irritated and once in a while itchy. I guess it could be an allergic reaction to something. What, I have no idea. I put some Calomine lotion on it and it does feel better.

Tomorrow I get to babysit for a few hours while the kids do their grocery shopping. I will enjoy that.

 

[snapppyd]

Oh my, I can't believe I haven't posted in so long! Hope everyone is having a nice summer - we go back and forth between NY and NJ and I don't have a computer in NJ. When I am "here" I have so much to do. The computer gives me a backache so I try to stay away as much as possible.

Is it really July 21st already?? I feel so sorry for the kids - stores are already advertising back to school sales

 

[Angelrose]

Welcome back snappyd. I have been absent here also.

I am having a lovely summer. Although this July has been rather chilly. I'm usually in the pool by 8 and then again at noon. This year, I was only able to do that the first couple of weeks in July. Now it's either raining or too cool to get in until the afternoon.

Friday I went out with my cousin for pancakes and shopping. Then we went to her pool for a couple of hours. We went to ACMoore for some crafts. We found a lantern that we both loved but it was just too expensive, $30! So we just looked.

We stopped at a small furniture store. My recliner doesn't work anymore and it leans to the left. I thought I would just check out the prices. STICKER SHOCK! $600 for a recliner?? Really?? Well I found the perfect recliner, but it didn't have any price on it. I called the salesman over to find out. He said he would check. We waited. And waited. Finally I got in the recliner, Joan got in another and we got out our Kindles and started reading.

He finally came over to say he couldn't find it in the records. But he would check some more. Off he went and we went back to reading.

This time a lady was with him. I guess she was the manager. She looked at the chair. She turned it upside down and inside out and couldn't find a price either. sighhhhhhh Why do I always pick out something without a price?

So she said it's something like this one at $600, but since it's the floor model, they would give it to me for $350 plus $50 for delivery, plus sales tax. OK It would cost me around $425.

I talked to Chuck and we will wait until I have the money and then go looking.

Sunday it was raining again, so I called my cousin and we went back to the craft store. Low and behold, the lantern was on sale for $10. So we both got them, a flameless candle and some flowers to put around the candle and a bow for the top.

We went to Applebees for lunch and the the WW meal. Very good. Then we went to her pool and swam for two hours.

I came home and did nothing for the rest of the day.

This morning and fixed up the lantern and it looks so pretty. It has such a pretty glow.

I did get in the pool this afternoon and swam for two hours and it was wonderful.

 

[4nana]

HELLO dear friends...so sorry I have been MIA this year . I needed some time to myself after my dear Mom’s illness and sadly losing her battle to cancer on Dec 29th . She was one of my dearest friends, had the patience of a saint and faith of an angel and as you can imagine I've been struggling through my grief and the firsts of holidays . My faith assures me she is soaring with the angels, at peace w/Daddy, in God's care . Mother's Day our family released Breast Cancer balloons and we're sure she was smiling from above. We inherited her poodle who brings us lots of joy and makes us feel she is close by ^j^. I count my blessings for my loving family, friends, and my faith, in my time of great need.

AR, just caught up on your thread of all your goings on and you have been one busy lady ! Glad you had fun making special memories on your family WDW trip, enjoyed your trip report and all the photos . Was so sorry to read about Zoey's illness, how scary, so glad to hear she bounced back and her good health restored ((hugs)). Such great pictures of ya'll at the Swim Team awards. Know how much sweet Jesse n Zoey light up your life and you are blessed they live near by and you can be so involved.


OK... here's cliff note version of my last 6 mos...lol
Altho I still have my ups n downs ~ thankfully by spring all the grands activities got me up and out . May brought, our DS who is a US Army Major, retirement. So proud of him for his service, and grateful our DD's could fly w/us to Colorado for his ceremony and celebration. May also brought DH and myself 50 Golden Years, so we stayed on a week in Co. to celebrate and did lots of sight seeing and activities w/DS, DIL, and sweet grands. He and DIL surprised us with a yummy annv. dinner at the Briarhurst Manor Estate. Then all to soon we had to bid them fare well.

The following week-end, our 3 lovely daughters surprised us with an Annv dinner party with family and friends in Md . I count my many blessings how very fortunate DH & I are to be together 50 yrs and have such a loving family who are always there for us. They also surprised us a RCCL foliage cruise this fall to New England/Canada that we are anxiously awaiting.

June bought my retirement ! It was bittersweet after 40 yrs of home day care, but felt it was time, as at 67/77yo we're not getting younger and want to stay active enjoying life to the fullest. It was also our DGS#3’s graduation . So proud of him, he took mostly AP classes in HS and graduated w/honors. He earned a scholarship and will be attending college in So Carolina. This weekend brought a family trip to N.C. to surprise our DGD#1 for her 16th BD! She was so surprised, we had fun w/her, family, n friends, and made lots of special memories.

minniecarousel, congrats on your first grandchild and welcome to the ‘Grandparent’s Club’ – a love like no other . Know little Benjamin will fill your hearts with much love and homes with joy. I took care of all my 6 local grands their first 3 yrs till they started preschool – it was such a blessing and the most rewarding job ever! xo

Snapppyd ~ sorry you’ve had some health issues and hope you are feeling better. Also sending prayers that your niece is fully recovered.

rndmr2 ~ so sorry to hear your BIL lost his battle to the beast, especially at such a young age, with 2 lil sons . I feel your pain and send lots of prayers for family healing and bonding.

AR ~ great on those workouts n swimming and hope you’re enjoying your sporty Honda! Know your Ron is smiling from above at your zest for life. You go girl!

 

[minniecarousel]

I see it's "catch up" day on Angelrose's thread!

4nana, I'm sorry for your loss. My Mom died 4 years ago. She loved hummingbirds, so every time one of us sees a hummingbird, he think of her. It's very comforting.

My husband and I are going to Disneyland in a few weeks for a few days, then we'll stay on the Coast in Cambria for 2 nights. A little R&R!

My son, the new daddy, is cutting into my "nanny-ing" time with my grandson. The company he works for was just bought by a subsidiary of Google, so he's now a "Googler". Wow, do they have great benefits! He can take up to 3 months paternity leave during his child's first year of life. So, he'll take a month when our younger son is here, then his wife goes back to work. Ha-ha! Seriously, I'm happy that he will have this time with Ben.

 

[Angelrose]

Welcome back 4nana. Congrats on your 50th Anniversary. You are indeed blessed. Glad you have your grands to help you through this difficult time.

minniecarousel, enjoy your trip to Disneyland.

I have a couple of pictures I want to post, of my sweet Jesse. I just have to find them.

 

[Angelrose]

Here is a picture of Jesse when he was just 3 months old.

Here he is this past Sunday. He had a really strenuous day.

I have gotten a bit thinner and Jesse has gotten a bit older, but he still likes to cuddle with Grandmom, and fall asleep.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh, he's so precious! You look great! You can see that you've lost weight. You actually look younger in the recent picture!

 

[Angelrose]

Oh thank you minniecarousel. That means a lot to me. You've made my week!

 

[Angelrose]

On June 5 I got a new water heater because the practically new one sprang a leak. I had two inches of water in the basement that I had to pump out. Then I had to take care of all the mold. What a fun time.

Chuck told me last week I had a leak in another pipe. I thought it was just condensation. So the plumber came and fixed that and did a great job and actually did more to make the pipes better.

That night, I went to take a bath and had no hot water. UHOH I thought maybe it was just because he had shut off the water and it would take a while to heat up again.

Nope, that wasn't it. So I call the plumber AGAIN. He took the cover off the hot water heater and I saw it SPARK. Well, that can't be good. Then he said it looked like lightning had hit it. UHHHHHH we haven't had any thunder storms around here for a while. Plus I didn't hear any thunder. Then he tells me you don't have to have thunder to have lightning. HUH? Thunder is a part of lightning. You can't have one without the other. And the lightning decided to just hit the bottom element of the water heater and NOTHING else in the whole house??

Oh yeah, that sometimes happen. Really? It wouldn't hit the top element first? So they are coming tomorrow to install yet another new hot water heater. They will send this one to the manufacturer to be tested.

Well, I can tell you that if they try that it was lightning and you have to pay for it routine, there will be some fireworks. No thunder included.

Well, now that I have vented and told you all my problems, I will say my son calmed me down. I called him crying because I am on such a tight budget. He told me it will be fine. He also came over and took pictures of it and told me to calm down and let my blood pressure come down from 4,000 that it hit when they told me that. LOL

Chuck got me laughing like he always does. I am so lucky to have him take care of me. His dad would be so proud of him and Karen.

 

[debknight]

Was that plumber joking with you? I don't see how lightning could have hit a water heater inside your house without you knowing it!

 

[Angelrose]

Unfortunately he was serious. He told me his father was a meteorologist. He also told me that lightning could indeed hit the bottom element and not the top.

But today they did install a new water heater and did say that it was under warranty. I didn't have to pay a thing.

I told him that if something goes wrong with this one, I am going to the manufacturer. He asked me if I was going to Wisconsin. I told him, yes I would get on my broom and give them a piece of my mind. He didn't see the humor in that.

I just hope this one will be good.

 

[Wis2InTink]

Oh great. If you "fly" to Wisconsin, I'll drive up and would love to meet for lunch! Glad the problem was solved. I've enjoyed following your posts.

 

[Angelrose]

Thanks Wis2InTink. I'll be sure and let you know if I broom over.

I was kind of paranoid yesterday after they left. Every little sound and I was rushing down to see if it was leaking or exploding or something. I'm a bit better today.

Last night I helped with the kids at swim practice. On the way home, the kids were arguing. What were they arguing about?? Whether the setting sun was orange or gold and orange. Finally Karen told them to stop arguing because it was giving her a headache. I told them to stop because it makes me growl when they argue. Then I growled. The kids thought that was so funny. Then Zoey said I sounded like a dinosaur. How true. Karen said, "Don't feed Grandmom after midnight". That got me giggling. Remember "Gremlins"? Then she said I sounded like a lizard. HUH? You know, the lizards in China. You mean komodo dragons? Yes, that's it. Gee, with all these compliments, you'll turn my head.

I have really missed seeing my grandbabies these last two weeks. It was good to hug and kiss them again.

 

[Angelrose]

Do I have a sign on my back that says, "Kick me" or "Please stress me out some more because I love stress so much"?

Today I couldn't watch my soap because the signal was so bad. All I got were lines and assorted pixels. Then another channel did the same thing. I finally called Chuck tonight and he said it sounded like Comcast was messing up. He said to wait another day or so to see if they fix it. If not, then I will have to call and get them to come her to trace out the line or whatever they do.

You are not going to believe this, but I've started to put out my Halloween decorations. Yeah, I know it's just a tad early, but I have to do SOMETHING besides sit and watch tv, or read. I miss swimming, but the water is just too cold and I can't use the solar heaters because the hose is leaking and Chuck can't come over to fix it until Saturday. LOL I think I losing what little sanity I have left.

 

[minniecarousel]

Well, you have had some mishaps lately, haven't you? Glad the water heater got figured out. I hate when the cable gets screwed up!

I had a little update written up using my I-phone, but it didn't go through! My 2 sisters and I went to Monterey for a few days and had a great time. None of us had been to the Carmel Mission in a long time, so went there, had lunch in Big Sur, a great dinner in Monterey and some "retail therapy"! When you have to drive right by an Outlet that has a Chico's, you gotta stop!

DH & I host a suite for family at the A's game on Saturday evening, then leave for Disneyland on Sunday. The following week is when our younger son and DDIL visit from NY. Haven't seen them in a year!

And my grandson continues to be such a joy. He's 3 months old and almost done with the "bobblehead" stage.

 

[Angelrose]

You have a lot of fun minniecarousel! Good for you. I want to hear all about your DL trip when you get back.

I called Comcast today and have a man coming over tomorrow between 1 and 3. Now this morning I turned on the tv and had all the channels. I turned it off to do more decorating. I turned it back on at 11 and no channels at all. That is so weird. When I called Comcast he said it sounded like a need a new card for my Tivo. I hope that's all it is.

I have been so stressed that I have eaten everything in sight. Last night I was waking up every two hours and eating something every two hours. I actually had a mashed potato sandwich at 2am. sighhhhhhhh

Hopefully next week will be better.

 

[4nana]

Welcome back 4nana. Glad you have your grands to help you through this difficult time.

4nana, I'm sorry for your loss. My Mom died 4 years ago. She loved hummingbirds, so every time one of us sees a hummingbird, he think of her. It's very comforting.

Thank you both so much for your condolences, it means so much . Not a day goes by I don't think of my dear Mom, but her loving memories are forever in my heart and she is guiding me daily. Minniecarouse, you mentioned hummingbirds remind you of your Mom. On my Mom's casket of flowers I placed a big pink butterfly to signify she was finally free of Breast Cancer to go soar w/the angels. Recently I had a Monarch land on my arm and just sat fluttering. I felt a sense of relief as I know it was her letting me know she's at peace in God's care.

AR here's a big ((hug)) that things look up tomorrow and your spirits will be lifted. It certainly isn't fun when mishaps happen all at once . I hope your Comcast issue is an easy fix. Keep your chin up girlie!

minniecarousel, know how much happiness your lil Ben brings your family and glad he is doing well xo. Your sister get together sounds fun and so nice you could host family for A's game. Hope you have fun in Disneyland!

Guess what we did? Went to my 50th HS class reunion !?!? I don't particularly care for class reunions, have been to a several of DH's, but hadn't been to mine in 20 yrs. Even tho my bestie couldn't come out from NY, surprisingly it turned out to be really fun to rekindle and catchup with my classmates. Now some of the gals want to get together for lunch!

Attended our DGS3's going away party last week-end, and tomorrow night we're having a family dinner. He leaves for college in So Carolina this wk-end. I was blessed to take care of him his first 3 yrs until preschool and am surely going to miss him, his good nature and smiling face . Godspeed our boy, Tyler, as he spreads his wings ~ know he'll do well.

Here's Ty at a yr old ~ then when we attended his graduation.....
where has the time gone, seems like only yesterday he was sitting on my lap?!

~