Saturday, November 14

Bird Sighting

This afternoon I was out on the side porch and heard an unusual noise. I turned my head toward the big maple at the end of our driveway and this is what I saw. I'm not sure what kind of bird it is, but am suspecting it's a woodpecker of some sort. I'm thinking maybe a juvenile red-headed woodpecker, but I could be wrong. I've written to my friend Ruth to ask her if she can identify it. Hopefully she can. If anyone knows, I'm most interested in knowing. I love birds visiting our property and this one is no exception. During the long winter months, we have the odd cardinal pair or blue jays that come to visit. They are such a delight to watch, especially when the blue jays and squirrels get into a row.

On a different note, the boys were to come today and help us change the ceiling tile. Jordan called about 11am and said they couldn't come because Mom and Dad needed Brandon to help clean up a flood in the basement. Apparently the toilet had overflowed and water was everywhere because no one noticed it at first. So instead, we took Dakota to the dog park where he had some fun with his buddies and then we had a relaxing day. Tomorrow, it's back to work.

Friday, November 13

Kitchen Renovations

Hubby and I wanted to do a few renovations to the kitchen last year about this time, but with Aunt May so sick and knowing her time was short, we put it off. The kitchen hasn't had anything done to it for ten years. It sure needs it. I am posting a few photos of what the kitchen looks like now and later, I will post photos of what it looks like after the renovations. I may even post some photos of the renovations in progress.
When Dakota was about three months old, he actually ate a hole in the kitchen floor. Beside the hole, which is just by the leg of the kitchen chair, is a spot where the pattern is completely worn off the floor. I'm not sure why, but it went that way about a year after it was put down. Maybe a defect? I'm not sure but we were not really happy with the results. This floor is only about five years old and should have lasted, (minus the defect and a puppy) for at least ten to fifteen years.

This is the north window in the kitchen. Mom made the curtains when we moved in here 18 years ago. They have been washed dozens of times and are beginning to fade. At that time we painted the kitchen hunter green and white. We did change the wallpaper and repaint about ten years ago. It is badly in need of a lot of work.
The cupboards never would hold the paint around the cupboard doors. I think someone had painted oil based paint over latex and then had gone back to latex. When the cupboards are wiped down, the paint comes off. This time we're going to buy the new paint by Behr that is primer and paint all in one. We will give the entire kitchen a couple of good coats.
Hubby spent most of his day painting the metal dividers between the dropped ceiling tile. We always do this before we take the old tile down because it doesn't matter if you get paint on the old tile. These tile have been painted once since we came here 18 years ago, but have never been replaced. We have gas heat and they have yellowed over the years. Today we went and bought new tile. Brandon and Jordan are coming tomorrow and we're going to take all of these tiles down and put up the spiffy new white ones. That alone is going to make the kitchen look so much better.

As you can see, we're doing the kitchen in red and white. I've wanted to change it for a long time. Hopefully, with my arthritic knees and hubby's bad hips, we can perservere and get it all done before Christmas. Time will tell. Wish us luck.

Thursday, November 12

Prayers Needed


Please keep my friend Jo Ann in your prayers. She and I have been friends for 35 years. We've shared the best and the worst of times. She has been diagnosed with cancer in her right jaw. She is waiting to see a plastic surgeon in order for a surgery date to be set. The doctor has told her the surgery will be between now and Christmas. He even asked her how she'd feel about spending Christmas in the hospital.

She has a very positive attitude about what's going on in her life. She was a single mother of five children for many years and has faced some gigantic hills...more like mountains. She told the doctor this is just one more hill that she has to climb. I will keep you updated on her progress.

I have some good news to share. Brandon is doing awesome at high school. He is loving it. The first time this kid has ever liked school and it's showing.

In the school he goes to they have a tech class, which consists of six weeks of three classes in each semester. Brandon's first class was horticulture and he did awesome. He got 100% on all his weekly tests and then on the final he missed one question. We figured it would work out to about 99%. Well, today he got his mark and it was 98%. Who knows how the marks are figured. It's beyond me, but that is great. In math, he was second highest in his class. His friend beat him by one mark, one person tied with him and another got one less than him. These four kids were offered to take a college level math course. When Michelle went to school, it was called advanced math. Now it's called something else. Brandon is going to take the advanced math in his second semester. He says the math he's taking now is kind of boring because it's not challenging enough.

I wish him the best of luck on all of his future endeavors. He's doing remarkable at this school.

Wednesday, November 11

Lest We Forget!



In Remembrance of all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might live our lives in freedom. Today, I will remember them. I thank them for their service. I also remember these family members for their active service.

Frederick Willson - my father
William Willson - my uncle, who landed at Dieppe.
Bertram Willson - my uncle who helped to liberate Holland
The Tollhurst Brothers - cousins who participated in the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Please take time to remember. Attend a Remembrance Day or Veteran's Day service. If that isn't possible, please be sure to watch the services on TV. Lest We Forget!!!

Monday, November 9

Busy, Busy, Busy

I haven't been online as much recently because hubby and I are deep cleaning the house. We are decluttering and getting rid of a lot of stuff that is no longer used. I tend to be a packrat at times and I guess I get this from my mother and grandmother, both of who lived through the Great Depression. They hoarded things because, "It might be needed some day." Mom still hoards and though I'm not as bad as she is, I tend to do the same. So, it's time to downsize.

Are you a hoarder and if so, do you know the reason why you are?

Wishing you all a great week.