In the Countryside - Where's that Nasal Spray?

One thing about living in the suburbs is that you're not too far from the countryside. Now, if you're a city person, taking a trip into the mysterious, mystical countryside may not be too appealing. But, isn't it always nice to have a change of scenery?

It does seem quite rural. We're heading to Columbiana located in Ohio.

If you'd like a wee barn built then you're in the right place. Not sure that I want a barn. Anyhow, we don't have room for one. Golleee, not only that, we're not allowed one due to the Homeowner's Association's restrictions. Never mind, I don't have anything to put in a barn.

Looks as if it's all happening out here. Big picnic coming up in August. Calcutta Square? Where's that?

A car show as well. Hmm. I did see old classic cars on the way to Columbiana.

This is the American Legion building in Columbiana. Want to check it out?

Looks like a big barbecue. Smells tasty. Wonder what the purpose is of that little fan?

A meeting of Submarine Veterans is taking place. Guess  the barbecued food is for them?

Well, the Submarine Veterans people are based in Pittsburgh, Pa. There's a submarine there, called the Requin that is open to the public. Worth a visit, if you don't mind breathing in as you descend narrow stairs. Ha ha. Imagine sleeping in the tiny, narrow beds? Imagine having to share one of those tiny narrow beds with someone else? Not for me, not at all.

All this excitement in Columbiana is thirsty work. It's a hot summer's day. Me thinks it's time for a wee ice cream.

A couple of hours in the countryside is one fine way to spend a Saturday afternoon, I suppose. I really prefer to be closer to the city. I'm more used to buildings and aeroplanes and lots of people out and about. Even traffic jams are looking appealing after being in the countryside. And I don't know that the air is cleaner in the countryside. Well, it could be. But, I get allergies and right now, my allergies are being real pains. They did go away for one day, but then, after the afternoon in the countryside, they've come right back with greater force.

Where's that nasal spray?!

Happy 4th of July! Leetsdale, Pa

The annual 4th of July parade got started with lots fun food at the wee fairground.

Colourful costumes and plenty of candy being tossed kept everyone enthralled.

What's going on in Beaver Street?!  Must be something important.

I like how everyone in the parade waves. I think they've learned how to do this from the Queen!

Even the politicians were out and about tossing candy. Guess if you get a piece then you have to give him a vote? Ha ha.

The Submarine Veterans strolled along in the parade sporting their amazing vests.

By the way, the man to the left is a volunteer at the Requin Submarine. 

Lots of music!  There were lots of fire engines and police cars from different  boroughs as well. 

Sure hope they're all back ready to chase after fires and any bad guys.

All this 4th of July frivolity just makes you want to sing a wee song.

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.......

The Fourth of July Sales Sail Along!

The fourth of July is just around the corner, just beyond this present wave of intense marketing.  Today's Sunday papers are full of Fourth of July adverts.

Just can't wait to zoom over and get myself some bargains! Well, that's my first impression.

Here's another ad:

This one has "sparkling" savings.  That must even better than just regular savings!

Now is a good time to get a new telly!

Or, how about a new washer and dryer!  Just makes you want to run out right now and grab some of these bargains.

Need a new fridge? You can save up to 30%!  Notice the words 'up to' are really quite tiny.  I wonder what the real savings are?

Gollee, even stoves and microwaves have special savings. 

I'm getting seasick just sailing over the waves of all these Fourth of July sales. 

So much paper is wasted making all these ads. Normally I don't even read them. I just toss them out.

Now, here's a good thing about the Fourth of July sales - it won't be long now until the summer clothes go on sale. Yippeee!    

Hilton Head Island - One Beachy Trip

We were away for a couple of weeks. Guess where?

Hilton Head Island! Been going there for the past 20 + years.

Why do we keep going? Why do we drive for 12 hours to get there?  Because we're crazy!  Ha ha.
Once you get there you feel it was well worth the long drive.

We like Palmetto Dunes for the beach and biking. The above photo is of Shelter Cove, Palmetto Dunes.

You can't beat biking along the beach at Hilton Head!

Oh well.  We're back home now. That's okay. I'm already researching when and where to go on our next trip to Hilton Head Island!  Ha ha. 

Now, you probably already know that we just moved after living in the same house for 29 years. Maybe you're thinking. Hmm. Why didn't she move to Hilton Head since she loves it so much?

I did indeed consider moving to Hilton Head. But, golleeee. I think the people who live on Hilton Head hardly ever go to the beach. For them it's the mountains that are calling their name. Nope, far better to just visit, have a fantastic time, and then move on. 

Can you believe it? After two weeks at the beach I was already yearning for the hills!  Yes. On our way back north we stopped off at Asheville in North Carolina.

Now, that's a fantastic trip. Beach and the hills. 

What could be better?!

Memorial Day Week-end, 2014

On Sunday we attended a Memorial Day ceremony at the Requin submarine.

The submariner veterans read out the names of submarines that had casualties over the years. Such a long list! Had no idea so many submariners had perished over the years.

We were given petals which we tossed into the river. 

The geese checked them out. I guess it's okay if they ate them? Pass, dunno.

On the Monday we were back in the suburbs at a Memorial Day parade in a small town close by. 

So many bagpipers! This is just one group of pipers that were in the parade. The bagpipe is ubiquitous around here. 

There were greyhounds in the parade. Once they stop winning races they get put to sleep, so lots of people adopt them. Hmm. I'm thinking that not enough people adopt them. If you'd like a lovely doggy, then maybe consider adopting a greyhound? They seem very gentle dogs.

One of several marching bands. 

It was really very festive. Lots of patriotic music being played that just made you want to sing along!

The Shriners were in the parade, singing away!

I don't know who the little girl is. But, I like the expression on her face as she watches the parade.

At the end of the parade there was this speaker. I'm sorry to say that I don't remember his name! I think it's Rock something or other. Anyhow, when I was told he was going to be speaking I hadn't a clue who he was. Turns out he was a famous football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ha ha. Oh, and I think he was in the Vietnam War. That's probably why he was a speaker. 

Wee Patio - No Farmer's Wife Here

This is our patio in our new house and this is our first Spring in the new house.

It's small, compared to the huge back yard we had at our old house.

We have a new George Foreman electric grill. The old barbecue grill that we had for years and that used propane gas we dumped. It was all rusty and falling to bits.

The fence doesn't go all the way around the wee patio. Apparently it's because of all those odd things sticking out from the ground. I really don't know what half these things are, but everybody has them. Could be for electricity? Dunno. Our patio backs on to the road, which is odd, I know. We had so much privacy in the old house, and here we have very little! But, c'est la vie.

All those tools that I used in the old house.  The famous de-thatcher!  I used that every spring. Yikes! I yanked on it pulling it and pushing it to get up dead grass. Won't be using that anymore!  Ha ha. Part of the deal here is that we pay a homeowners' association fee which covers outside maintenance.

The equally famous edger. That was hard to use, so it never really did see the sunshine that much at all.

The rake! I used that a lot to gather up the leaves as well as any grass clippings that somehow got loose whilst cutting the grass.

This is just part of our back yard at the old house. There's a section to the left that you don't see but which goes downhill on a steep slope. There was also a substantial front lawn that I took care of too. Many times I felt like a farmer's wife when I spent hours working away outside.

Do I miss the big yard?   Absolutely not!!  I'm more than happy with my wee patio.

The Saga of New Construction Woes

Wondering why I have posted this photo?  Hmm.  Guess!  

Our beautiful brand new hardwood flooring has been coming unstuck since the month of January! Sooo glad we're still under the warranty.  The installers came out in January and again in March to re-stick the sections that were loose.

Okay, so far so good. Until, guess what?

Even more flooring came loose. It was non-stop. The level shows that the floor wasn't flat. Apparently 3/16th of an inch over a ten foot section is permitted. On some sections of the floor is like walking up a slope!

The blue tape is where the floor either had a hollow sound, or was actually loose.

In the end, the powers that be announced that the concrete subfloor wasn't flat. Ha ha. Didn't you know it wasn't flat BEFORE installing the floor?

We ended up in a hotel for three nights whilst large sections of the floor was dug up. A large crack was found in the concrete, which just added more spice to the mixture.

The crack continued from the hall into the master closet.

Here's hoping that the saga of new construction woes is over. Surely the floor will no longer come unstuck?!   They put down a levelling agent to try to make the concrete flat. That should help. I really do hope so.  The section which is like a slope?  Well, they said that since the wood is not moving there that they don't have to fix it. Oh dear. 

Five Reasons you know you're ready for Spring

1.  You just bought a whole bunch of  bird feeders. What? The high today is just 35 degrees Fahrenheit!

2.  You're amazed that there's green stuff on your front lawn. Oh?  That's grass! Haven't seen it in months.

3.   You tried on seven bathing suits at TJMaxx. You really did. Might as well get into the swing/swim of things.

4.    You tossed out your winter boots. Into the trash they went with all the flourish of a magician signing his signature.

5.    You can't wait to wash your car. Yes, no more taking it to the car wash. Gosh, isn't it great that soon you'll be able to wash your car in the driveway? Ah, life is good!

Found the Mail!

Well, guess where the mail was?

It was in a separate section of the place where you mail items.

Who knew?

Apparently the mailman should have placed a key in our mail box to let us know, and to allow us to open the box where our mail was.

However, I had requested that we just pick up the mail ourselves at the post office. Talk about confusing the situation!

We've been here in this confusing place for around 8 months, now.

Just keep repeating that we accomplished our  goal which was to get away from the big back yard. We really did accomplish that. 

Where's the Mail?

Just got back a week ago from a month long trip.

Started off in Hilton Head Island where the weather was so-so. We did, however, have a few nice, warm and sunny days. Managed good bike rides along the beach and throughout the trails.

Sea Pines is a particularly picturesque part of the island with miles of bike trails.

Also spent a few nights in Florida before taking the cruise that left from Port Canaveral.

After the cruise we went back to Hilton Head.

Not a bad trip at all!

Now, here's the thing. I stopped our mail. It was to be held at the Post Office until our return. Well, nobody knew where our mail was!  They simply couldn't find it.  Hmmm.

Where is our mail?!  Actually, it's basically always just a bunch of junk. So much paper wasted. So much waste that people simply toss in the garbage. It's the principle of the thing, that's what I think. The mail has to be found.

Who's Cold?

 

It makes you cold just looking at this photo, doesn't it? Temperatures have been below freezing for so many days!  We're lucky if we get into the teens. And that's Fahrenheit.

Are you ready for warmer weather? I am! But, even down in South Carolina it's cold just now.

Actually, I'm getting used to walking in the cold. I get nice rosy cheeks. I walk faster in the cold. I've even been going to the gym more often. 

Guess the cold isn't so bad after all!

Are you Ready for Warmer Weather?

Are you ready for warmer weather? How do you know?


Five ways that you are DEFINITELY ready.


1. It's been below freezing for the past three weeks. It's still below freezing. But something appears in the sky. It's a yellowish, round thing. Is that a fried egg? You're so happy to realise that no, it's not a fried egg. It's the sun!


2. You bought a bright orange, lacy sweater at the sales today. Nobody wears lacy clothes in the winter. That's okay. When you look in the mirror in your orange lacy sweater you think you're at the beach!

3. You look at the snow that never melts. You keep looking and you look even more. Suddenly you see grass creeping up through the snow. Your heart leaps and you smile, you smile so much that the snow melts. Oh, was that just a dream? It was a lovely dream!

4. You're simply tired of chilling your white wine outside on the front porch. It does work, that's true. And far better than cluttering up your fridge. But, now you're ready for some Chianti or vinto tinto as you think about your upcoming vacation.

5. You refuse to wear your boots. You refuse to wear your scarf. You even refuse to wear your gloves. It's not THAT cold, is it? You tell yourself that it's all in the mind.