Sarah would chatter her teeth and smack her tail but she was afraid of any birds larger than a sparrow. Farrah just silently stalks and hunts. She gave up finding those elusive birds and is now napping. I think the bird sounds will have to be an occasional treat or she will lose interest.

Hi everyone for a bright and sunny but soon to be pretty windy day here in North Augusta.  It was 51º out when I got up this morning but should get into the 70's this afternoon. 

My big activity for today is to make the trip to Madison, Georgia to have lunch with a group of my friends with whom I use to have lunch with about every week before moving.  I am looking forward to seeing them as it has been awhile.  The housekeeper will be here while I am gone and probably the lawn people. 

Yesterday afternoon our granddaughter came over and she and Pat fixed a big recipe of cookies and then she helped fix tacos for our dinner, which were very tasty.  I also met our new neighbor who started moving in the house across the street that was vacated yesterday morning.  He is a young bachelor and very pleasant to speak with.  He said he had very little to move as he has been living in an apartment so the move won't amount to much.

Patricia, that class on dealing with emergencies sounds like it would be very helpful.  You are being very bad tricking Farrah into thinking there are birds in your home.    The cat we used to have would stand at a window and chatter his teeth when seeing a bird.  That is an interesting trait.  I guess they are anticipating getting their teeth into the bird.

Mary Ann, hope you don't have too much problem getting your taxes refiled.

Larry, I got up at 3 am to work on sending my tax in by e-file and I have a message that it was accepted.  I now have to print out the tax forms for my use and I have to print the state forms, one copy for the state and one copy for me.  Then I think I'll be done with taxes for another year.

While it is cool, 37 degrees, we have a beautiful day.  The sun is shining and as I often say, when the sun shines, it is a beautiful day.

Tom went out for breakfast and brought back coffee and a muffin for me from Mc D's.  He also brought Terry who took his car in for service at a dealership near here.  He is going to nap now, using Tom's bed.  Because of his not being well, Terry naps a lot, always has.

Mary, who has cleaned for us in the past, is coming today to do some cleaning.  We have her do only the living area, kitchen and bath.  She may do the bath downstairs, but she doesn't do other parts.  She's a long-time friend of Tom's and lives in Holland.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, Norm and his wife sure did you a favor by birthing those boys. You have a built in loving family for sure.  It makes me very happy for yohouu.

My house-keeper is busily cleaning my apt. so I am on my lap top in one of our lobbies. Nice and peaceful.

Good morning from a snowy Interior. I dislike having more snow and the weather report says it will be much cooler today with the rest of the week with highs in the mid-forties and lows in the mid-twenties. I can only hope that this means our drought will end.

Farrah is playing a combination of whack a mole and field hockey with her big blue cylinder and I am sitting on my couch with my first cup of coffee. I have a lunch date with friends this afternoon but may cancel with the snow.

We were to have gotten three to five inches of snow yesterday but we didn't and radar now looks clear for a few days.  The sun has been shining and we are in the mid-50s now at almost 5 pm. 

A friend of Tom's cleaned for us today and did a good job.  I like to help Annie out when she needs the money, but she cannot come regularly.  Mary (Tom's friend) can usually come when we need her.  We don't need help every week, maybe not even every two weeks, but she and we can adjust our schedules to see that we get together. 

Terry was here for a while, hoping to get his car worked on, but the dealership was two people short today.  We feel they could have called Terry to let him know before he drove all the way here.  The dealership is within a mile of our place, but 10-15 miles from where Terry lives.  We drove him to the dealership, then went to a Chinese place for lunch.  I had chicken and broccoli today with egg drop soup.  Another time I will not get soup because it is not part of the lunch special for $4.75.  They serve very ample portions of good food. 

I'm watching the Masters golf match on ESPN which does not have HD so all of the players look a little overweight.  It is a bit windy so there are some interesting scores, much higher than expected for seasoned pro players. 

June, Tim, Tom and Terry were only 2 1/2 years apart and Norm and Joyce needed help with three active boys.  Fortunately for all of us, we lived about two miles apart all of their growing up years so it was easy for us to get together.  Joyce's mother helped a lot too, so the boys knew both sides of their family.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I hope Terry is feeling better, and has regained his strength, after his bout with pneumonia?

wjoan - There is a short stool with wheels at Lowes.  It's not pictured online, but we plan to go there tomorrow and take a look at it.  I would like to be able to try some out before I buy, but may have to end up ordering from Amazon. 

Marilyne, hope it is what you are looking for.  I had no idea there were different kinds.  Figured they would all be the same.   Hope it works out for U

Marilyne, Terry is feeling better, but he will never be tip top.  He is driving again and we are leery of that, but he does make his own decisions.  I wrote this somewhere, so it may be a repeat here, but he came to our area to have his car serviced.  When he got to the dealership they told him they were short two servicemen, so could not take care of him today.  We think they could have called him, but evidently they did not.  He spent quite a lot of time at my place, sleeping much of that time.  He does sleep a lot.  He had shock treatment many years ago to treat depression and it did not work so he has been unable to hold a job ever since.  He was probably the most smart of the three boys and he shows traces of it yet.  He is 58 years old.  He has seen his grandson but I think any future contact with his son, wife and grandson will have to be with the son (Geoff) coming here.  I am not sure it would be wise for Terry to fly to CA again and driving would be too much. 

Mary Ann

HI everyone.  It looks like it will be a beautiful day with little wind after two very windy days.  I am sure the golfers are delighted.  It is chilly this morning but suppose to get up to 70 this afternoon.

I had a wonderful time visiting with 5 of my friends who met me for lunch in Madison.  I had no trouble with the drive but was really glad to get back home so I could rest.  Rest is also my goal for today although there are a few chores I need to do but can take them slowly. I need to grate another pound of cheddar cheese, fry up a pound of sausage and also mix up and bake Pat's breakfast sausage muffins.  I have no intention of going anywhere today.

Mary Ann, I fear that I wouldn't be very alert to work on anything at 3 am.  Glad you were successful with your tax filing. Too bad Terry made an unsuccessful trip to get his car fixed. 

Mary Ann and June, isn't it nice to have someone come in and do cleaning for you.  This is something we really appreciate.  Nice to see you are enjoying the laptop that you can take with you when you leave your apartment.

Patricia, your weather is getting much warmer and I know the daylight hours are slowly increasing.  Hope you didn't have to cancel your lunch date with friends yesterday.

Marilyne, hope you find the stool you are looking for today. 

Good morning Joan.  Are you staying warm enough with your heat turned off?

Larry, it is the start of another nice day here, however, the temperature at 7 am was all of 25 degrees.  Now it is in the 40s and I think should get up to 60 degrees.  I can take that.

I have showered and washed my hair and now I am drying; I put back on my housecoat for a while.  My arthritic shoulder makes it hard to really dry with a towel and my housecoat is fleece and absorbs the excess moisture. 

Later today Tom and I will travel to Holland; he is going to take James to lunch to offer advice and whatever while I am going to have lunch with Sue, Tom's former wife (Jamie and Annie's mother).  Sue lives near the top of the lower peninsula but is here to be with James, Alicia and the twin girls.  And I will get to see the babies myself today.  I don't know what Alicia is going to do because she won't want to go with us with the two babies.

This morning, while I was still in bed, I heard a strange noise.  Noises don't usually bother me, but this was in my bedroom and I wondered what it was.  It was getting light outside and I looked toward the window.  I have a honeycomb shade on the window and it is translucent.  There silhouetted behind the shade was Kendrick, looking out the window.  He had gotten under the shade so he could see.  I have a table below the window and I've moved things away from one end of the table so the cat can get up to look out the window and he knows how to look out even when the shade is down.

Yes, Larry, it is nice to have someone else do the cleaning.  I do have two rooms - the computer room and my bedroom that have too much in them for Mary to clean but she does a good job in the living area, kitchen and bath. 

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - It looks like our temperatures are similar this morning.  At 7 AM here, it was 40 degrees, and is now only 44.  We aren't expected to get up to 60 today, so it will be a cool day for April. 

Have a nice day in Holland . . . I know you'll enjoy seeing those babies.

Marilyne, I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer beside me and it reads 49 degrees right now.  The reading comes from between the garage and this building and I think air gets trapped in the area of about 8-10 feet, so I usually lower what it says.  I imagine the temp really is nearer 45 degrees.  If I really want to know a more accurate temperature, I go to my bedroom where I have another indoor/outdoor thermometer that is on the north side of the building and I believe it more than the one beside me. 

I'm a statistics "nut".

Mary Ann

Good Morning Everyone,  from the getting warmer, and more "Spring like"  rocky coast of Maine.   

Finally,  warmer weather is here to stay.    It won't be long before I can start complaining about the heat !   

All is well here   Have a good day,  Everyone..
Sandy

Larry, yes am staying warm.  In fact I even had my window open yesterday afternoon.  Nice to let the fresh air in.  Can turn my air cleaner off for a bit now.

wjoan - I'm interested in all of your gadgets!  First the stool with wheels, and now the air cleaner! LOL  What exactly does the air cleaner do?  Obviously it cleans the air, but what I'm wondering is - is it large, does it have a filter, does it help with allergies?   I have a humidifier that I use in the bedroom during the winter months, but I'm still turning it on at night, because it helps me breath.

Marilyne, yes it has an air filter but the filter can be washed in the sink  a few times so you do not have to buy a new one each time.  I live in an apt. and there is no air circulation in here.  During the Summer I can leave it off cuz my window is open  <unless it is 100 or more>.  It filters the air in the apt. and yes I have allergies also and it helps with those.  They come in all sizes and again, Amazon.com has a great selection.  I am a brand name person as  they last longer.

Good morning from the Interior where we are experiencing a weekend of light snow. I feel for the swans and other birds recently arrived at the sanctuary. They must feel so cold. There is no change for the mid-forties highs and mid-twenties low for the foreseeable future in the next ten days at least. The unusual winter is continuing into spring. Curse you Mother Nature, as my friend said yesterday. At least we are not alone as it seems to be a country-wide trend.

I did go out to lunch as they came and got me. Otherwise, I probably would have canceled as there is ice under that slim snow coating. A friend stopped by earlier today to pick up the last load of donated odds and ends. Now it is clean up, throw out and donate to the downstairs table time. It is harder to stay motivated but the empty spaces and easier cleaning make it all worth while. My goal is to continue to do this quarterly.

I have a humidifier that really helps as we are so very, very dry here and especially in the winter. I have a small heating unit that I occasionally use since I don't turn on the heat, mainly when we have the wind that whistles through the balcony doors. You can really tell the difference in the hallways and public rooms as the heat is palpable, almost physical. In my bedroom, I have a small air cleaner that I run at night but I use it just as much for it's "white noise" as I do the air cleaning. Even without using the heat, I stay about 68 degrees.

Farrah is napping again, she has periods of intense acrobatic play combined with lots of mini-naps and at five years old, she doesn't seem to be slowing down. I often wake up to find her curled up on the other side of the pillow against the wall, so she has found her niche in the bedroom. I have an extra firm mattress and I think she enjoys it as much as I do.

I think I spoke awhile back about the triplets, Zach, Zeb, and Bastion? Anyway, they recently had a bad cold or flu and Zeb ended up in the hospital on oxygen. I know everyone was anxious for a week or so but he will be going home at the end of the week.

My niece who is 4'9" married her 6'5" beau in a black and red wedding, the first and only so far grandchild to marry and the pictures I received are certainly different. But at least someone in the family got married! We only have three more to go as the others are rapidly approaching their forties.

I recently watched a video on Babamail about cats. Some interesting points are that cats share a large percentage of brain similarities with humans, more than dogs do and that owning one is a strong protection against heart attacks and strokes. The video stated that cats share 95% of their DNA with tigers so that begs the question...

It also stated that cats easily pick up and understand human feelings. And two of the reasons that outdoor cats bring home dead critters are that one, they are doing their part to feed their family and two that they are trying to teach their humans about hunting as they do for their kittens. Hmmmm.

Patricia, I take a blood thinner and they told me that will help to ward off strokes.  I had no idea Kendrick was going to help in that line - Ha!  I think I nearly gave him a heart attack today.  He was left alone this afternoon while Tom and I went to Holland.  When we returned, I let him out on the deck and while he showed signs of wanting to come back in, when I opened the slider, he stayed out.  I decided I'd do something while he was out there, in fact, I watched some of the Masters and all of History Detectives.  When that was over, I decided I'd go to the living room and sit with him for a while to compensate for being alone so long.  Imagine my surprise when I saw him on the deck and not inside.  I let him in and apologized profusely and that cat kept rubbing my shins; he hardly got away from me.  He was none the worse for wear and I think he enjoyed the fresh air. 

I had a very interesting time in Holland.  Tom and James had something to discuss so Sue, Tom's former wife, and I went to another restaurant.  Recently I bought a DNA kit for Annie and she has gotten information on her mother's family.  Sue was adopted and had never wanted to find out about her birth parents, beyond what info she already had (nationality and illnesses and other pertinent information).  The ink was barely dry when Annie had a contact and that spurred Sue to send a letter to the adoption agency (she hasn't heard back yet), and she now is going to get her DNA tested.  Annie has gotten pictures and she is just thrilled with the results.  She really had gotten more info online and with e-mails than I ever got, however, I've been at it long enough that I had much of my information before computers (BC).  Anyway, it is fun to see someone so enthusiastic about finding her family.  I am glad I had a part in it.

For lunch, I had a chicken croissant and had pickled beets on the side.  I hadn't had beets in ages and I like them.  The vinegar in them made me cough so I couldn't finish them.  But they were good.

Mary Ann

Good Afternoon (Evening) ..

It is good to see that people are getting their DNA checked...     I have thought of doing that too,  but haven't as yet.       

I hope to remember to do that soon. 

I also can not eat things with vinegar on them,
pickles etc etc as they make me cough too....   

I didn't realize that coughing went along with getting
older!!     

Have a good evening,  everyone!!

Sandy

Sandy, I had my DNA tested for genealogy and found I was mostly right about my nationalities but I didn't know the percentages.  The test is not inexpensive, costing about $100 but I'm glad I had it done.  I found I have over 200 fourth and fifth cousins and closer.  One I laugh at is the second and third people on my list are sons of a second cousin.  Ancestry has one listed as a second cousin and the other as third cousin.  The men are brothers.  I ignore anything over a fourth cousin because they would be descended from someone beyond my 3rd great grandfather and that's far enough back.  I'm not that anxious to fill my family tree!

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  It is another glorious Sunday morning with the sun out and no wind.  We should get up to 77 degrees this afternoon and this will be a perfect day for the conclusion of the Master's Golf Tournament.

We had a most pleasant and unexpected surprise late yesterday afternoon.  We have a step-grandson whom we hadn't seen for more than 7 years.  Our granddaughter arranged for he, his wife and two young boys (9 years and 9 months) to come over and see us.  We had a nice visit and then went to Pizza Hut for dinner with them.  They are coming back over sometimes this morning.  I have a commitment to bring the devotional at Sunday School this morning so will go to Sunday School but not stay for church so I can be here with them as long as possible.  The little nine month old is a pure bundle of energy and is crawling and pulling up and is very strong and heavy.  He kept us all entertained.

Mary Ann, had the twins grown much since you last saw them. 

Joan, there is so much pollen in this area that we dare not leave our windows open.  If not for that I am sure Pat would have them opened up as she like to air out the house. 

Marilyne, did you find the stool you were looking for?

Patricia, glad the snow is light up your way but after all the snow this winter folks are probably ready to see that season pass.  It sounds like your de-cluttering project is going well.  Interesting information about cats and dogs in that article you mentioned. 

Sandy and Mary Ann, I am taking a pass on having my DNA tested as have a pretty good idea of my background. I haven't had any trouble with things with vinegar.

Larry, it is hard to tell about the girls' weights and I didn't ask.  They're still bundled up and they're still very small.  Johanna was asleep, well they both were asleep, but James was holding Eleanor so he gave her to me to hold.  She is the smaller of the two, looks so delicate. 

What is fun with the DNA, Annie and her mother is that Sue had resisted finding out anything about her birth parents and now you'd think it was her idea.  Annie got her interested and Sue is so enthusiastic about finding relatives now.  I really didn't have that chance because so much of the information I have was fed to me and all of this was before DNA.  I am so happy for both of them. 

I just heard a noise downstairs so Tom is home, probably slept in.  Dot and I did out usual and I'm ready for a nap!

Mary Ann

Just turning 9:00 o'clock here, so I'm way behind the rest of you.  We got a phone call early this morning, that an old and dear friend of ours has died.  He was one of my husband's best friends over the years.  They moved a couple of years ago to a ranch, about 300 miles north of us, so not sure if his wife will have a service up there, or back here where he had lived most of his life . . . or maybe will have nothing at all?  I'll talk to her later tonight. 

Mary Ann - sounds like you had a good time in Holland, and got a chance to hold Eleanor. Glad both twins are doing well, and I hope that Terry is also feeling better.

I can't believe my thermometer; it reads 71 degrees.  The computer says 67 degrees and that probably is more correct.  Even so, a couple mornings ago we had 25 degrees.  As I've said in the past - no wonder people get sick with such changes.

I have the Masters on but I don't think they've started telecasting.  They have the more prominent players start later and I am sure some players have started much earlier.  I fell asleep in my chair so I did not miss anything.  The course is absolutely beautiful. 

Marilyne, that's too bad about your husband's friend.  Our minister this morning remarked about having two funerals last week.  The man was 79 but the woman was 99, just short of 100. 

Tom solved my problem of getting my income taxes printed by printing them on his printer.  I copied everything to a flash drive for him.  The Federal Tax has been e-filed, but I have to send  in the State because I have to pay to file that by e-file and I have to pay the State anyhow and there is no way I'm going to pay $20 to e-file when I have to pay.  I upped my State tax payment on my pension and I should come out even or close next year. 

Grand Haven is pretty today with the sun shining and I saw three kites flying so there is a wind for the flyers.

Mary Ann

Hooray to Sergio Garcia for winning th Master Championship at Augusta, Georgia!

Sandy

Sandy, I am so happy for Sergio, finally a winner after 74 tries.  He has been one of my favorites, although I don't have a #1 favorite, and it was such an exciting finish. 

I haven't paid any attention to the cat all afternoon because of watching the golf play.  When the program was over, I decided to go to the living area to be with the cat and maybe let him out on the deck.  As I walked toward the slider, I saw there were two mourning doves on the deck and Kendrick was watching them very intently.  I knew if I opened the slider, the birds would flee, so I told Kendrick he'd have to wait.  He sat down in front of the slider with his tail going in all directions. 

It has been a beautiful day and my computer said our temperature is 73 degrees.  I can take that but I don't think I'm ready for shorts yet.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I just feel the joy that Kendrick is bringing to you. He is part of your life now and I just hope you will always have him. And he loves You, too.

June, Kendrick's theory is - if he can't be with the one he loves, he loves the one that's near.  From a song by the same name (I think Brigadoon).

Mary Ann