You two are funny.
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
Closing out the thread for 2019, I have to say that it has been an odd year, both good and not so good. As always, right?
Not so good: Blondie and crew lasted exactly six months on their own. They are living at my sister's house for the time being. Both have been fired from their jobs. I would like to gloat (sometimes silently do, to my shame), but my heart hurts for the kids. And Blondie is pregnant, now, with #5. Although, that one isn't their fault. She had been on the monthly birth control shot for almost a year and had been diligent in not letting it lapse. Still...
Shortly before Thanksgiving, my cousin's 27-year-old son died in a drunk driving head-on, with him being the drunk driver. My sister lost two adult children, and she has been/is/will be a comforting resource. But it did bring everything back for her even more than we expected, as her step-son died on November 22nd (2008), so it was difficult for her at first. Given that my cousin lives in New Mexico, we are thankful for Facebook!
Health stuff. Nothing major (yea!), just a lot of it and continuous. Been a virtual recluse for some months--I
love-love-love home delivery!
My friend Shelley gave me birthday Amazon this year because I still have 100 or so Irises and 35 or so Daylilies in pots that should be in ground. Weedy grass has overrun at least three of the beds. And my house is still in need of deeeep cleaning. Would like to blame it all on my hand, but that would be an incomplete statement, sooo...
Two of my favorite Roses have either died (Heritage) or contracted Rose Rosette Disease (Savannah) this year. Will look around landscaping/tree removal companies for someone to dig them out for me in February.
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=
Now for the Good Stuff: Hand surgery in January should take care of that problem in time for the spring round up.
My turn finally came up on the county weatherization list, and I made out like a bandit! They foamed insulation in all exterior walls and the attic; made an attic 'tent' at the access point; installed a digital thermostat; installed an auto exhaust fan and a CO/smoke detector in the laundry area; put an insulation blanket around the water heater, along with new ducting, carbon monoxide vent, and seals around that door, plus created a roof outlet for the CO venting; removed the ceramic-element gas wall heater in the bathroom (gas line capped a few years back), and made what the worker called a magazine rack in the hole; put weather stripping around all exterior doors; caulked all ceiling cracks and other crevices they could find; sealed up spaces around the kitchen and bathroom water pipes and drains; installed a brand new vent hood over the stove and created an outside vent for it (old one only vented into the attic). Annnd...I got a new refrigerator! Pretty neat stuff, huh? As a separate work order, the same company put a new evaporative coil and drain pan in the attic A/C unit, plus cleaned the outside unit. My last electric/water bill was half of what I was expecting. Think I'm gonna like having insulation.
Just have to push up the Panther to get into the attic--which I won't be doing! The 'niche' was installed on a slant, but it was in before I noticed and painted now, won't complain. You can see where the old range hood was--up so high it did no good. This one works!
I have a 2019 Sutton Iris credit from an intro that was decimated by a neighbor's weed spraying. I will use that credit to order from them in 2020, so I won't...um,
shouldn't have 'gotta order Iris' withdrawals.
And, speaking of Iris. Lookee what I have had this month.
Royal Maroon MDB Iris. Blooming mid-December, then day before yesterday had/has a bud almost open.
No doubt about it in any way, shape, form, or fashion, I feel--no, I
AM thankful and grateful and blessed for having experienced all of it. Everything that has happened this year, good and not so good, worked together to reinforce the truth that, regardless of its limitations, I have a very good life. You guys are all a big part of that life, so thank you. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, I thank you.
Wishing every one of us a very...
