Little Touches to Heal What Ails Ya

Since last week was so cruddy, Spring couldn't have come at a better time. To hurry it up, I did a few things to help it along. First, I planted some pansies around my lightpole and mailbox. The chances they will get eaten in the next few days by deer are very high, which is why I didn't plant them in the Fall, but I just felt I had to have a little faith and plant anyway. It has been three days and they are still there, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.







The dead-looking clematis is coming back to life as evidenced by this bud. Rebirth at spring always amazes me.

I made a new wreath for the front door.

I don't do a lot of spring/Easter decorating inside, but like to put a few things out for my granddaughters to enjoy. Most of these little bunnies were my mom's which makes them special.

Gotta have a bird nest or two.

And I bought a few new things this year ...........





If rabbits and sheep laid eggs, they would so be these colors!

Happy Spring!

Spring Scarf

I've been a bad blogger this past week. I have been so tired at night that I just got the basics done. I had a cold a couple of weeks ago and thought I was done. DH got sick last week. He struggled to work several days then finally went to the doctor and he had bronchitis, pneumonia in one lung, an ear infection, sinus infection and pink eye. He's been on medication for a week now and is doing much better.

Last Sunday I woke up with a sore throat and aches and chills. Monday the aches and chills were gone, but I developed laryngitis and pretty much had that all week. I drug myself to work everyday (where is my award for that?), but did leave early one day and came home and slept for 2 hours. Thankfully, I am much better and everyone doesn't cringe when I try to talk. I am sick & tired of being sick & tired!

I did very little knitting this week, but did manage to finish the Textured Diagonal Scarf for my daughter this weekend. I'm a little late for winter, but this is made from Katia Bamboo (bamboo & cotton) and should be good for spring too. At least the color says spring.






I've started the Cropped Raglan Sweater using Noro Silk Garden, and so far I love knitting this. Very easy, but the yarn gives it enough interest.

This afternoon it is beautiful and I sat on the deck for awhile with my face in the sun and it felt so good. Got to help, right?

Roman Eagle hosts singing contest | GoDanRiver

Roman Eagle hosts singing contest | GoDanRiver

The local newspaper covered our Idol contest yesterday, so I do have a video - just click on the link above.

Our own Idol

I work in the administrative offices of a nursing home. I know - some of you just cringed. I used to feel that way. I answered a blind ad 15 years ago or I wouldn't have this job now. I never thought I would or could work in a long-term nursing facility. I've learned a lot over the years though - there are a lot worse places and this can be a fun place.

We have a great activities department and this week was "American I*dol" week. Monday thru Thursday the residents on each unit competed and today was the grand finale. The residents, families and staff really got into the decorating, costumes, performances and had a great time.

I wish I could show pictures or videos of the residents doing their thing. We had an 88 year old lady dressed as Willie Nelson, with a guitar made from a toilet seat and toilet paper and she was wonderful. She told jokes and lip synced with the best of them. We had a cowgirl with the complete outfit, lots of singers, doing the twist from wheelchairs, and a heartfelt "Amazing Grace".

We were not without celebrities - Paula, Simon, and Randy joined us as judges.

Here's Paula - just before the performance (Jill - Director of Social Services). Jill is a natural actress and she had Paula down to a T. She squealed, danced, cried, and gave dramatic feedback to each contestant.




Here are Randy, Paula and Simon between performances. Notice they even had Cokes.
They each had obviously been good students of AI - they had the mannerisms and sayings down pat. Randy & Simon in their day jobs work in physical/occupational therapy.

Nursing homes get a bad rap - maybe some is deserved, but we keep our people busy. I've seen lots of people be admitted from their homes in such sad condition and they just come alive when they have good food, lots of company, many musical programs, bingo, parties, movie night, and something to look forward to again.

Wow, what a change in the weather!

A week ago today it was cold, rainy, freezing on my deck and miserable. This weekend has been just the opposite. Sunny, beautiful, and in the 70's and today 80's. Unbelievable! I don't think this will last, but at least Spring is on the way.

Yesterday we drove to Norfolk to see son, DIL, and grandchildren. It was such a nice day.
B - sporting her new haircut and new glasses, working on her weaving. I will get her into knitting yet!



Going out to lunch - N had to take Clifford along!

After lunch we walked around the mall a little - pricing new washer/dryers for me (anyone have any suggestions?). My old ones are about to bite the dust and I'm looking at front loaders. Let me know your opinions if you are using these.

We tried to go to Mt. Trashmore in Virginia Beach, but it was packed! Everyone was trying to get out and enjoy the day. We bypassed that and found a little less congested park.

N thought this was a good idea as long as Sissy held onto her.

However, she was glad to see Daddy at the bottom! It didn't bother her though, she ran right around to the steps to go again!

Today I walked around the yard and see green popping out all over - time to start thinking about some gardening.

The Bachelor

I don't always watch this show, don't approve of this show, don't like the way it is done, but - I got sucked in! I watched part of last season's when Jason got his heart broken by Deanna. I liked him, felt sorry for him, and fell for all the hype of this season's show. I didn't watch every episode, but enough to keep up with what was going on. I don't like Jason anymore!

If you don't watch, he supposedly fell in love with two girls, told them both he loved them, led them both to think they had a future, then chose Melissa over Molly, breaking Molly's heart. Most of that is normal for the program.

Then, however, after six weeks he changed his mind, humiliated Melissa on national TV by telling her there was now no chemistry, and then told Molly he had made a mistake and wanted her back. I was so hoping Molly would tell him to go jump in a lake! She didn't - idiot! She told him she had never stopped having feelings for him and gave him another chance. Watch out Molly, he doesn't have a good track record of knowing what he wants.

I heard the producers engineered this ending to improve their ratings. If so, shame on them. Shame on them for making love and marriage such a farce. Shame on me for watching!

We Have Snow!

After several years of missed predictions, we finally have some snow and it is beautiful. I love the way it coated the trees. It is fluffy, white and looks like it would be the best kind for a snowman.

These were the views from our front and back doors this morning.

I love the way it coated the tree limbs.

Beautiful blue sky........


Unfortunately I had to go to work and some of it is gone. The roads are pretty much clear, but very wet, and it is going to be cold tonight so I worry about tomorrow morning.

I know for everyone in the northeast, this was just another nuisance snow, but most everyone here was excited.

March

seems to be coming in like a lion. We are now having rain/sleet and it is supposed to turn to snow later tonight.




I always doubt their snow predictions, because we just don't have snow anymore in this area. It is predicted, then it fizzles out. All winter we have not had more than an inch and then it was gone in the blink of an eye. If we do get snow on top of this ice though it will be a tough Monday morning for everyone trying to get to work. Why couldn't it have happened Saturday night/Sunday morning? Kids are probably happier this way though.

It has been a cold, wet weekend already. I took advantage and stayed in yesterday and tried to get some housekeeping chores done that have been neglected.

Knitting.....well, I tried but should have left it alone. I have made mistake after mistake on a simple scarf and have tinked more than knit. I'm going to try again this afternoon, but may have to go back and work on a sock until this mistake-mojo leaves.

Facebook....I joined a few months ago, searched for fomer high school classmates, didn't find any and forgot about it. A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by one classmate and it has really grown since then. So fun connecting with everyone again.

Knitting, blogs, Ravelry, now Facebook - no wonder I have no time for housework!