A Bit of News

Well, I was going to post photos, but blogger isn't cooperating so I will bring you up to date on the renovations.

The plumber was here last week and ran into a couple of problems so he had to come back today. He arrived at 9 am and began working immediately. Around 4 pm, he said he thought he would have to come back on Wednesday to finish the job, but then decided to finish. So now we have a bathroom that looks like a bathroom. All we have to do is finish building in the tub, put up the surround and replace a couple pieces of wallboard that he had to take off.

The plumbing upstairs is now all vented, the tub, toilet, vanity and sink are in place and things are going forward.

Our helper didn't show up today and I had business to attend to with my mother, so no painting got done, but soon it will all be behind us. We're hoping to finish by the first week in September but we're not going to kill ourselves. The work will be there waiting for us until we finally put on the finishing touches.

Take care and have a great week. ~Blessings, Mary~

Happy 11th Birthday, Jordan and Green Thumb Sunday

Happy 11th Birthday, Jordan. I wish you lots of fun, some great gifts and much happiness for the coming year. Love, Grandma Mary

Jordan is 11 today. I can't put photos of his birthday party up, as his party isn't until the 23rd. His parents had planned to take the boys to see their aunt in northern Ontario, but that plan feel through. I will post photos of the birthday boy after the party.

A week or so ago, I mentioned that I had the side garden taken care of. I weeded it and put down mulch. Then I asked hubby to bring our water feature up from the basement. What we did was buy a ceramic planter and added the bamboo water spigot and the pump to it. I wish we didn't have to have the drain spout there, but we have no option. It is kind of an eyesore, but I do like the sound of trickling water, so will put up with it. This area looks so much better than it did before we dug up the grass and made the garden a couple of years ago.

Here is another view. I have both of my angels, some solar lights and a couple of garden ornaments that the boys picked out. The angel to the left was given to me by a neighbor. She didn't want it any longer and I was glad to give her a home.

I'm quite pleased with this garden that is right along our side steps. It makes the area look so much more inviting.

Have a great Sunday. ~Blessings, Mary~

A Poem and Awards

When I was over visiting Tipper at Blind Pig and the Acorn, I noticed that she had posted "Ode to the Outhouse." Her post reminded me of a poem that I wrote a few years ago. I had been wondering what to post for Saturday and decided to post that poem that brings back memories of my childhood.

The Shack Outback

I slowly creep from between warm sheets

And pull my boots upon small feet.

I think again of my warm bed,

Put on my coat, place hat on head.

I step into the frosty night,

My heart is thumping hard with fright.

The moonbeams light the snow aglow

And to the outhouse I do go.

Halfway across the yard I see,

A snowdrift deeper than my knees.

I shudder as I climb that bank

And almost to my waist I sank.

The snow sifts down into my boots,

From nearby tree an owl hoots.

I turn the wooden latch - and then,

I enter that dark, musky den.

I think of spiders lurking there

And run my fingers through my hair.

Hike up my coat, push down my pants

And then I do a little dance.

This outhouse is the finest kind

And everyone should keep in mind

Not every outhouse has two holes.

A fellow can choose where to go.

I sit upon the smallest one

Cut 'specially for little buns.

The frosty air, the drafty hole

Soon help me to complete my goal.

Those were the thrills of days gone by.

I reminisce and wonder why

They banned the little shack outback

For many feet have walked that track.

Now when I rise from my warm bed

And head toward the john instead,

I think back to days of long ago

When to the outhouse I did go.

One of my fondest memories,

Is slipping out between the trees,

And walking down that well-packed track

To use the little shack outback.

Copyright (c) 1988 -2008

by Mary M. Alward

All Rights Reserved

Please do not copy without written consent of author.

In Other News

I received the beautiful friendship award below from Pea at Pea's Corner
and this one from Mari at My Little Corner of the World.

Thanks to both of you, Ladies. They are so cute and just a little different. I am so glad that I met both of you. I always enjoy visiting with you and am honored to call you both "Friend."

If you stop by to visit me frequently, feel free to take one or both of these beautiful friendship awards. I have met numerous friends since I began blogging here in September 2007. My how the time has flown and I look forward to visiting with you in the coming year. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thursday Doin's

Early on Thursday morning, Meeko went to the Vets for a bath and his Bordetella vaccination. While he was there, they clipped his nails, cleaned his ears and trimmed the fur on his stomach. He was looking pretty when he came home and he knew it. Immediately he wanted to go out and show off his new look.

Though the photo above is a little too light, there he is looking well-groomed. He's always proud to be all cleaned up.
This afternoon the boys and I went to the farm. I was able to get a photo of Yankee. Yankee is a miniature horse. He is full grown and is not a pony.
It was a hot day and all of the horses were gathering around the water trough. One (I can't remember his name) kept coming near when he saw me taking photos of Yankee. It was as if he was saying, "I want my picture taken too."
Yankee was just taking his time wandering around the barnyard and grazing on a bit of grass. He doesn't crave the same attention as the other horses. He is more of a loner. Sometimes the other horses pick on him a little.
After I had made dinner and fed hubby, I came into the computer room, just as the sun was setting. The sky was a brilliant red to the northwest.
To the southwest it was pretty shades of pink, blue and lavender. I haven't seen colors like this in a sunset yet this summer. It was breathtaking. It wasn't long after these photos were taken that a severe thunderstorm moved in. I got these shots just in time.

And those are the joys that I experienced on Thursday. Hubby worked upstairs and I did some laundry that I was behind in and tidied the house a bit. Our helper was here and he is continuing to paint the upstairs kitchen. Hubby worked laying the new bathroom sub floor so the plumber can install the bath tub, sink and toilet when he comes on Monday. Things are shaping up nicely.

Take care and have a great weekend. ~Blessings, Mary~