Happy sigh!

Molli et al. arrived safely; no real problems with the flight, a little slow through customs. Several of my neighbors came early in the morning and helped with chores. Nancy H. pounded in the nails that are working their way out of the deck. Liz and Mike washed windows. Sky worked on making the yard beautiful. Isn't that nice?

Tonya came to clean and did a great job. It took her all day and she didn't get to our room and bath at all. Ray and Amelia and I tried to stay ahead of her, de-cluttering as much as possible. I ran out to pick up the cakes we are tasting tonight. The bakery closes at noon on Saturday. As I was coming back with them, I realized I had to find space in my fridge for 4 cake boxes! A fridge that was already over-full. I stopped and picked up two cases of white wine and two of champagne. I was careless and told him I wanted Pinot Grigio, but not that it should be from Italy. So it's from California. I hope it is good. I must put a bottle in the fridge to try. $400... I stopped at CVS to buy more paper towels. Tonya used more than two rolls. I really like her and want to have her come back--can I ask her to use rags instead?

Ray left a little after noon to drive to ATL and pick up the group. Amelia and I continued working around the house. Then we headed out and i showed her the chairs I was considering. She didn't like any of them. We went to a few other stores, with no better luck. We stopped at the Honey-Baked Ham company and bought a small ham (6 pounds for $50!). We went to Cofer's and bought some plants. We went to Bed Bath and Beyond and bought a few new pillows, also expensive. I have seen good deals on pillows before and need to watch for them.

We got home, Tonya was gone, everything looked good. Amelia did some finishing touches, like putting the pillows on the beds. I took a quick shower and dressed and got the food ready for supper. Put the macaroni in the oven, reheated the squash, sent someone for green beans from the freezer. Tamara peeled the apples, while I made the pie. Meanwhile, Ray and Amelia put o ut some crackers and cheese. It was a delicious meal. The people from Mexico were especially tired, but happy. My Dad was there just before them and stayed until 8:30. He especially enjoyed Tamara and he and Adrian are fond of each other.

Amelia and Molli conferred over the dress and Molli modeled shoes. I tried on my three outfits and we discussed options. Weather is looking very good at the moment.

Amelia's here! She and Kevin (and Leia the cat) arrived safely about 11:30. I am so glad she's here! I was starting to be a little overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done today.

Yesterday morning, Ray drove himself to work, parking at my Dad's. I moved books around and cleared stuff out of Amelia's room. I made the bed in the downstairs room. I did some stuff on the computer. I kept starting and stopping and couldn't settle on anything. I was trying to peel a giant butternut squash (two of them, actually) and it was hard and I would stop and take some things upstairs. Then the phone would ring. Mostly I arranged books on shelves. Eventually I got both squash peeled and cut up.

Ray came home about 2 and we ate something, which I should have done earlier without him. Macaroni and cheese, bean salad, and ratatouille. Pretty yummy lunch. He helped me with moving heavy things. My Dad arrived and transplanted lots of baby plants. All day, we thought it would rain any minute. Ray mowed the lawn, expecting not to be able to get it all done. I pruned the black raspberries, a surprisingly difficult job, especially since I was wearing short sleeves and short pants. I finally went back to inside work and it never did rain.

Captain left and Ray and I fed the pigs when he was done with the lawn, on the way to a really nice dinner at Porterhouse--my Dad's treat for Ray's birthday. They had a lamb special that Captain and I both had that was excellent, with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The asparagus was a little underdone for us. Ray had chicken saltimbocca. We had drinks and red wine and a couple desserts, which were disappointing. Captain knows most of the staff there pretty well and talked to several of them at length. We talked to Meredith about wine. When Sean (the manager) asked about our dinner, Captain mentioned that the desserts weren't as good as the rest of the food. Since he never orders dessert, he hadn't noticed. And the creme brulee is really good. The peach cobbler I got was okay, but the chocolate ganache tart was kind of dry. And neither came with whipped cream or any garnish. Sean said he would speak to our waiter, Michael, because it should have, and the cobbler should have ice cream. I hope he doesn't get in a lot of trouble.

At home, about 9:30, I mixed the cream and butter and sugar into the squash and made the mini-quiche pastry into tart shapes in the pans. I was tired, but Ray helped me make Amelia's bed and clear her room out a little more. I went to bed at 10:30 and was just about asleep when she arrived. I had to get up and say hello before I went back to sleep.

 I'm pretty much constantly excited now. I have to work at relaxing my shoulders and making sure I don't hurt my back. I wish they hadn't changed to daylight saving time already. It is still pitch dark at 7 and I am hungry and have things to do.

Ray moved things out of the guest room and was almost late, so I drove him to work. I went to return something I had bought at T. J. Maxx and they gave me a store credit. I had some time to kill and looked at the Home section of the store, where I don't usually shop. They have chairs, nice-looking chairs, at very low prices! I bought some towels and sheets and took pictures of white serving dishes for Amelia. I had a great time and spent way more money than the credit I had, of course. Then I went to Kroger and bought a few more groceries.

At 12:30, I picked Ray up and we went to lunch and then to look at the Consignment store. We bought the leather chair! I still really like it and he did, too. In fact, he would have bought some other things there with a little encouragement. I will wait and shop with Amelia, though.

At home, I made rolls and started more mini-quiches. I couldn't think what to make for the Kenney Ridge potluck, so opened a couple of cans of beans, threw in some onion and red pepper, and put dressing on it. Good enough, just didn't make much. And I need more canned beans. I held out the black beans, because I knew Amelia would want them. Ray fed the pigs and I enjoyed quality time with Adah, who did not want to put any vegetables on her plate--plain rice, fried chicken and another starch (mac & cheese). Her Dad and I ganged up on her and she was not happy. He said she used to love kale and just started doing this last week. "It tastes yucky." I pushed her on the swing, but she kept saying, "do it like Ray!" until I said she should go get Ray. Even then, she wanted me to watch while he pushed her, but I went in and had a few moments of adult conversation.

Then we did some more moving and straightening up before finally collapsing in front of the TV for one show and a little ice cream. (Kenney Ridge potlucks are usually too healthy for dessert).

Time is moving oddly now. I feel like I missed a day between yesterday and today. Only 10 days until the wedding. The weather forecast is very good, although 10 days out is not very reliable.

My rash is not bothering me as much (it shouldn't, given the meds I'm taking). Ange suggested it is a reaction to the abnormally high pollen counts we are having. Everything is blooming very early--we are about to mow the daffodils, there are no more flowers on them. One tulip is out (I covered it with wire fencing to keep the deer from eating).

Yesterday was a very bad morning. I was stung by a wasp in my living room! She was inside a dress I was turning right side out in my laundry basket. I was upset and madly rushing around looking for something to put on it. I found some old Tom's baking soda toothpaste and put that on and it worked very well. I hardly noticed it since it happened. I couldn't even find it.

I was getting out of the tub; Ray was gone. I had let the chickens out and Cameron was somewhat on guard, I thought. There was a commotion and I looked out the back window. There were two dogs coming from the woods, small, one looked like Zoe only smaller, one was brown and white. The bigger, darker colored one grabbed one of the chickens. I yelled and pounded on the window. As soon as I had my underwear on, I rushed outside and ran around screaming. I tried to get Cameron to chase them, but he wasn't having any of it. I thought the dog had let go of the chicken when I yelled at him, but all I found was a pile of feathers. Around front, one gray chicken was on the porch. I thought that was pretty smart. I didn't see the other one for a while, but when I called and put out food, she wandered out of the woods. I got them both in the coop. I suppose they developed some smarts from being free range for almost a year that the black ones didn't have. I felt terrible. An hour or two later, when I was out, the black one showed up, looking dazed and bedraggled, minus half her tail, but not really injured that I could see. She would not be coaxed into the coop, so I let the other two out. They huddled together near the porch. Every time Cameron barked, I ran out to check on them. Eventually, I was able to get the three of them back in the coop. I called and emailed people I know to try to find out whose dogs they are and now I have a phone number I can call later in the day.

I made bread and another batch of quiches. I ate leftover chicken tagine--it was delicious. Ray came home and stopped at the store for milk, so I could make macaroni and cheese for potluck--and for Saturday night, the first night Adrian's family is here. One 9 x 13 batch is in the freezer--except I didn't have enough cheese, so I will add it when it thaws.

My Dad was here for a while and I did some weeding, although I think now I will stay inside until it rains, in case the pollen is causing my rash. He took Ray to feed the pigs and I walked over to meet him after I put the macaroni in the oven.

Ray loaded our old recliner and one of the chairs into the pickup truck.  We took them to the Fellowship and he unloaded them with Rocky's help after potluck for the yard sale this weekend. We didn't stay for the first part of choir, since we will not be singing on April first. Instead, we drove to Haverty's and talked to a salesman. Ray and I liked the recliners that look like chairs and the modern ones with the wooden curved arms (which Amelia does not like). Sadly, they cannot be delivered before Saturday, and there is only a slight chance of a Saturday delivery. The chairs we like that Amelia doesn't are floor samples and could be put in our truck. There is a red one and a beige one. Of course, I forgot the couch pillow I had put out to take to the furniture store, and neglected to look for a paint chip with the color of the walls. I wonder where it would be. I am thinking now that we will go look at them Saturday morning with her. And today Ray and I will go to the consignment shop and decide whether to buy the leather club chair that I like.

We went back to choir for the last half hour and rehearsed, "Let's Do it," by Cole Porter, which we are singing Sunday morning. I need to look for a jazz hat to wear for the chorus.

So I did feel pretty good about the things we got done. I felt the need of some fun, so we watched a little TV, staying up until almost 11. Since I didn't wake up until 6:30, that wasn't too bad.

leather chair, surprsingly comfortable

Can my decor welcome a red-and-white striped wing chair?

This chair could do double duty at the dining table.

A morning walk, dropping Ray off at work, and then to the car wash. Which means the car had to be cleared out before we left at 9:30 ish. After the car wash, Becky and I went to look for chairs to replace the ones in my living room. Although I like them a lot, they were bought used from someone I worked with at the United Nations in 1979 (?) and have moved around with us. They were recovered about 20 years ago, and the covers are torn and ratty.

For the deck? I wish it was a screened porch.

We had a lot of fun, and quite a bit of success. Ray and I will go today to make the final selections, I think, although Amelia wants me to hold out for her arrival, so she can see them in person and advise me properly. We had a quick lunch at Subway and continued our shopping.

A wing chair, too traditional for my living room?

I really liked a lot of red chairs.

It's a recliner!

At two, I dropped her off and picked Ray up. My rash was really bothering me, so I called and got a last-minute appointment at my doctor's. Ray dropped me off, picked up a few groceries (and my water bottle where I had forgotten it at the car wash). The doctor asked some questions and studied my bumps. "Possibly an infection of the hair follicles," she said, and prescribed two kinds of medicine. "Call me in two weeks if it hasn't cleared up, and I'll refer you to a dermatologist." "Two weeks?" I said, outraged. "I don't have two weeks!" I pulled out my phone and showed her the picture of the dress I was hoping to wear for the wedding, which stops at my knees and would definitely be less attractive with lots of red bumps. "Well, one week, then," she said. "I really like the dress. But the dermatologist might not be able to see you right away." "And," I added, "I won't have time to even call you!"

These swivel and rock--and come in other colors.

When Ray got back, we went to the pharmacy and got the prescriptions filled. One is a steroid pack, the kind you have to read the instructions for every time you take a pill. One at breakfast, one at lunch, one at dinner, two at bedtime--and it changes every day. Jeez! This is supposed to make it stop itching. The antibiotic is in case it is an infection.

Becky and Amelia like one with leaves, but I am worried about keeping it clean.

When we got home, Captain was there, working on the plants he is starting in little pots as favors for the wedding guests. This was a fun idea the girls came up with, and a way for him to be part of the action. Plants, however, are not always tidy and cute. They come up in multiples or not at all. He has transplanted some oregano and mint and rosemary from clumps that are doing well in the garden, but they look kind of scraggly, too big for their pots. I am trying to work up the courage to trim them, but there's not much time left and I don't want to kill them or make them look worse. We also need to water the garden if it doesn't rain today, which is hard to predict. 60% chance on Friday, but I think we shouldn't wait that long.

I like plaids and stripes.

I spent some time trying to find and rehabilitate the strawberries, after six months or so of neglect. There is an ant hill that needs to be dealt with and lots of weeds. But I found 7 little plants, with some blossoms. I wonder how long until the first berries?

I went to feed the pigs, threatening to hurt my back by lugging heavy buckets of restaurant leftovers. Yay! They are big and we are looking forward to the harvest within a month. I don't think I would do it again, if it required me to feed them every evening. The constancy of the requirement wears me out, and the plain physical labor, especially in the heat (or when it's raining).

Supper was leftover chicken tagine from the freezer--yum, love that stuff. Ray heated it up for me and cooked some couscous to go with, as well as frozen peas. I indulged in ice cream for dessert, because I have to take my medicine with food!

I fell asleep watching TV, but then excitement (and drugs?) woke me up several times, the last one at 4:30. Oh, well. Not surprising. I'll sleep all the better tonight, possibly during choir...

Ray's hip is doing a little better, so we took a pretty good walk yesterday morning. It was lovely, full of birds singing, still cool.

I stopped at the liquor store again. He says it will be delivered this week, except the Mencia, which he is looking for.

I went to Victoria's house for a small group meeting. We talked and read something and I brought a batch of cookies I had sliced and baked earlier. Victoria can recognize bird songs! I had wanted for a long time to learn them, but I would have to spend all my time with her, because they are moving to Mississippi. She lad lots of delicious snacks, including liberte yogurts.

I went to Kroger and bought most of the cleaning supplies my cleaner asked for. I bought bacon and lots of yogurt. I was home by about 12:30 and trying to figure out what to eat. A tortilla with some ratatouille and salami and lettuce.

I picked Soli up at school and we played Save the Whales--we saved 7 of 8 whales again. He pointed out to me that it is just luck...He watched some TV while I worked on mini-quiches. We went outside and dug up weeds. Ray came home and went and fed the pigs. I walked Soli to his house and said hello to everybody. I had to tell Adah she couldn't come next week! She was pretty upset, but when I said I had company coming from Mexico, that didn't even speak English, she was so busy being impressed she stopped fussing.

I made some fish for supper that I had bougth at the store, with cornmeal and corn relish. Delish. We watched TV and went to bed. Ray found the Caladryl for me and it made the itches feel better so I could sleep.

Yesterday started with pancakes, like almost every Sunday since I can remember. They were delicious. I also froze another batch of mini-quiches. Ray and I sang with the choir, an interesting piece that involved bird and animal calls and wind sounds, as well as droning and chanting. The service was intergenerational and fun, talking about creation, and the big bang. After, we had lunch at Peking and then went home and continued working on throwing away old papers--receipts from 2010, for instance.

I spent a long time on the phone with Molli, talking about the things we have to do this week. She arrives on Saturday, with Adrian, his Mom and his sister! Not panicking...I do still have an extensive rash on my arms and legs and didn't sleep as well as I would have liked. It was over 80 and didn't cool off much over night. My Dad has been working in the garden almost every day. Ray did some outdoor work yesterday, too. He fed the pigs; we ate a light late supper (carrots, an apple, cheese) and watched some TV and went to bed.