Fun Times

This was a WONDERFUL evening!

My best friend from High School, Bobbie, was in town. She has lived in San Diego for the past 35 years, and came back to Central Illinois to spend the month of May at the old homestead, and visiting family and friends. We had been in touch through sporadic e-mails and a few phone calls, but had not spent any time together for - - hmmm - - probably 20 years or more. (Well, it's not like Decatur, Illinois is next door to San Diego, ya know? So just hush.)

Tonight was my Classmate's monthly dinner, so Bobbie and I decided she should come along with me and be a "surprise guest". The double-takes and surprised looks on everyone's faces was such fun to see!

Bobbie is getting ready to head back towards Cali this weekend. It was good to see her - - hope it's not another 20 years.

Safe travels back home, Bobbie. Let's keep in touch a little better from now on, hey?

I Don't Like Country Music, But . . . **

. . . that fact has NOTHING to do with this post.

One of the blogs I read faithfully (Boobs, Injuries and Dr. Pepper) has a post, titled "The Completely True Brad Paisley Story . . . " about her sister and family who, because of Brad Paisley and his wife (actress Kimberly Williams Paisley) are out of their home of the past 10 years. Also, their non-profit group, "U-Grow", which helps disadvantaged kids from dire circumstances, is now a non-profit in name only, thanks to the Paisleys. This means everything they built up for the last decade - - climbing walls, petting zoo, etc., for the non-profit, is gone. For NO GOOD REASON.

You can read the post HERE:

And, please feel free to share with your family and friends.


** However, if I DID like country music, I would boycott ANYTHING that Brad Paisley or his wife was involved in. What JERKS!

Remodel, Stage Three - Shower Stalls (and a Bonus - Pretzel Kitty!)

The shower is all installed, and almost ready for use! The shower door will not be in for another 3 weeks, but we have a rod and curtain to use until then.

All ready to paint! I will be spending this afternoon getting everything taped off so we can paint tomorrow.

Of course, we can't expect the FURBALLS to do anything to pull their weight around here - - especially our little Squeaky-girl. She's is totally oblivious to everything going on around her . . .

HOW does she twist herself around like that? She must have made an "A" in "Pretzel 101" . . .

Well! THAT Was Exciting!

Yes, VERY exciting, indeed!

We Interrupt This Blog . . .

I was composing a blog post about Stage Three of the bathroom remodeling, but . . .

We are under a tornado warning. Heading to the basement in a few minutes - - yes, with both cats in tow. Have the weather radio batteries charged, flashlights, and cat carriers ready.

Batten down the hatches!

Remodel, Stage Two

A new exhaust fan and light - - installed a couple of days earlier than expected!
The insulation is in, and we are ready for the shower unit to be installed - - hopefully TOMMOROW!
And this may not seem important to some people, but - - to a woman with a blow dryer, curling brush, and many other implements to make all this "natural beauty" happen, this makes me SO happy . . . FOUR EXTRA PLUG-INS! And they are on 2 different circuits, so it shouldn't trip a breaker. Sweet.
It's really coming along nicely, don't you think?

Remodel, Stage One

Bathtub - gone.


Wall - torn out.

Tomorrow, the insulation gets put in, the new wall gets built, and things get ready for the walk-in shower unit.

It's coming along!

More "Remodeling" . . .

Well, the time is FINALLY here! (We have only been waiting since NOVEMBER - - what's the rush? No reason to be IMPATIENT, right?)(Right . . . )

Tomorrow the contractors start on our Master Bath - - the pink one? Remember? With the Flooring saga?? (Don't worry, the new flooring will not be inb harm's way.)(At least I hope not!)(If it is, I will NOT be going back to FlooringAmerica, that's a promise!)

ANYWAY - -

The contractors are supposed to show up tomorrow morning, remove the bathtub, build up the short wall between the tub and toilet, and get everything ready to install a walk-in shower unit. The shower is supposed to be in to the plumber's on Tuesday; they will probably install on Wednesday. Then on Thursday the electricians come in to install a couple of additional wall plug-ins, and a vent fan and switch.

We are going to be in the middle of a MESS for the next week or so . . . and stuck in the cramped little bath at the other end of the house.
But, it will be SO worth it!

And yes, there will be pictures to follow . . .

AAAGH! My Eyes!

What is that bright light coming down from the sky???


Oh - - it's the SUN!! It's been so long, I had forgotten what it looked like . . .

(Rain coming soon, I'm sure . . . )