Scrapbook Saturday

I love when junk like this comes in the mail.

It opens up and...

...keeps opening up.

 

This is the perfect thing for a travel scrapbook page. I do not want several pages for one layout. I want it all contained within the confines of a one double-page spread. So, I use things like this to be able to add more photos. This is what it looks like:

When it's open, it holds 24 extra pictures--3x4. 

Here's the completed layout. The large envelope at the top with "Japan" holds Butch's 26 page travel journal. He never leaves out any details.

The junk mail piece is on the right--then folds out completely to reveal all of the pictures.

Okay, that's enough for today. Next week I'll share Josie and Evie's album that they made while here a couple weeks ago. 

 

Friday Funnies

Five Things Thursday

I never tire of pretty garden way pictures. Of these two, I would pick A as my favorite with the green canopy and flowers along the way.

I would choose 1 here too. I prefer well maintained grass in a garden setting. The other side is too "hard" for me. I've never been big on rocks in a garden. They do not generally look pristine like this. There will be leaves and debris that make it look messy.

This time I choose 2. I love the meandering look of it. I would prefer come comfy chairs rather than a fire pit. It's much too hot in summer for a fire. Plus, I love the flagstone path.

Love everything about this. That arbor issue gorgeous. Hydrangeas are always the best bang for the buck. I also like the decor on the fence. What a pretty and private little area.

And this is my favorite of all. I don't know if it's a tiny house or a "she shed" but I love it! And those flowers...omgosh! I'm not even sure what they are. All I know is I feel like I would love to be invited for tea on the porch!

What I Buy Wednesday!

This will probably be the most expensive post I'll make. Well, at least until we do the driveway!!

So, long story short, a guy came to the door and convinced me to let him get up on the roof to check for hail damage. And, by golly, he found lots of it! Still, I felt like he over-exaggerated it. He did take about 50 pictures, but the "dings" looked so little that it didn't seem like it needed replacing. 

He told me he was pretty sure that we have a leak--visible by ceiling damage--at the left rear of our house. He asked what room it was. I told him it was our master bedroom and that we didn't have a leak. I had him come in to show him.I had him lean in to the room because, well, I said I didn't want him walking on my white carpet! He was right! I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed the obvious "stain"--faint as it is. Later when the insurance adjuster came out, we noticed a couple others. Our roofer came out with him and took him on the roof too.

So, the adjuster reported back to the company and told them that we did indeed, need a new roof. To the tune of $56,000!!! Turns out, we have some sort of super duper expensive insurance. Butch had been asking our broker why our insurance was so expensive. Now we know! Hallelujah! We just had to pay our $5,000 deductible. 

Our roofer said that they would do it in 3 days! And, they did! Luckily, we were out of town for the last two days. 

The supplies arrived on the first day while they were taking off the TWO previous roofs--part of our super-duper insurance.

They did it in 3 sections: middle first, then each side.

As the shingles were coming down, there were two guys picking it up. How would you like that job--picking up trash every day, all day. Actually, I wouldn't want any part of this job. August in Nashville in the blaring sun working on a hot roof--now that's just insane!

My best count was 10 guys: 4 on front, 4 on back and 2 picking up.

There were so many vehicles that it was hard to find a place to park! I parked out front. When I was leaving, they had the front stairs covered with a gigantic tarp. As soon as they saw me, they started to remove the tarp. I said, "No" and then pantomimed--holding his arm. They didn't speak English. I took hold of his arm and made my way down. There's no way I was taking a chance with that precarious situation. Remember I said that I am trying really hard to recognize the number--74--is too old to be taking any chances--and I don't!

When I got home, we did the same thing going up the steps. I noticed the microwave right away. Later when I came out to water my plants, I took this picture--making sure no one was around. This was my tip-off that they were planning to stay for dinner!! 

That reminded me of my brother, Ronnie who was a Sheet Metal Worker. He worked in the heat of summer all his working life. He got a brilliant idea. He bought one of this little college refrigerators and left it on the job site. He "rented" space in his fridge--I think it was fifty cents a day for his fellow workers to have their own ice cold drinks! He paid for the fridge in no time!

This is one more thing that "we will never have to buy again!" The girls don't like it when we say that, but it's the truth--and kinda' fun to say it!

Next up:

The drive-way!

Our driveway is HUGE!! It cannot be repaired, or another "coating" put on top. I learned that from one of Morgan's old boyfriends who had a degree in "Concrete Management" from Middle Tennessee State University. I didn't even know there was such a thing!! 

Here's the old roof. Hmmm, now I'm thinking it could just like the pool tile. We might have picked out the exact same shingles! No wonder I can't tell the difference!!

Have you bought anything interesting this week?

Travel Tuesday

So, last week we went to St. Louis to see family. I love my family and have decided to make sure I get there more often to see them. 

When we arrived, we met Walter and Chris at a new--new to us--Italian restaurant--Cugino's. It was delicious. There are just about 2 Italian restaurants within every 2 blocks--and they are all excellent. They have to be, or they wouldn't last. I keep saying all the time that only St. Louis restaurants know how to make a salad. Most places everywhere I've been serve you lettuce, a cherry tomato and 2 croutons. St. Louis restaurants have "stuff" in them. At this new restaurant I ordered the side salad--that's what I'm talking about--not the entree salads. In the salad, there was proven cheese, olives, banana peppers and tomatoes. Now that's a salad--with "stuff." The creamy Italian dressing was delish too. Butch and I shared the stuffed meatballs and toasted ravioli from the appetizer menu. So happy to find another great place!

After lunch, we went to Walter & Chris's for a few hours to play games. We stayed with my brother, Matt & Sharon this trip. We got there just in time for happy hour. My sister, Jennifer arrived about 5:30. We had a fun evening just hanging out and talking. 

The next day, Jennifer and I visited with Janice at the nursing home at Delmar Gardens. We met up with Jeanne for a manicure (for her) and pedicures for us.

We had Andy frozen custard for lunch--another fabulous thing that St. Louis is known for. 

Later, that day we went to dinner before Matt's grandson's final hockey game. It was so darn cute--5&6 yr. old boys on skates. They were pretty good and so little! Nolan made 5 goals. Technically, they don't keep score at that age, but everyone does!  

Next day, it was back to the nursing home.

Janice, Jennifer and Jeanne.

We like to take her outside for a change and fresh air. Matt & Sharon joined us, then we all went to lunch. We parted ways as Jennifer was heading home while Butch and I were going to spend the afternoon with Walter and Chris again. 

That evening, Matt took us to a little concert that was "pop punk"--a genre I had never heard of. It was fun and the music was pretty good--nothing I'd ever heard of before with the exception of one Blink 182 song that I recognized. 

This kid didn't seem to be enjoying the show!

The name of the group is called Party Hat Club. I have no idea where they got that. 

I had planned to put 20 bucks in the tip jar, but saw that they were selling merch. So, I bought Matt this t-shirt instead!

When we got home, we had a night cap and hit the sack.

We took off at 6 a.m. the next day and was home by noon. Quick trip--as they always are--we cram a lot in to them. We just have to squeeze in a few days whenever we can. Our next trip will be in October. I'm already looking forward to it. I'm combining it with my 60th--8th grade reunion! 

Travel Tuesday!

Well, if there was ever a good time to get out-of-town, it's this week! We need a new roof and they started yesterday! The noise!! And then add our RING on top of it--the constant alerts--it too much! One of the messages said that a man was dragging a grey tarp! That's the first time I've gotten that much detail! I had no idea it could do that. More about the roof tomorrow--on What I Buy Wednesday. You guessed it, it's huge purchase!

Anyway, we as you read this, we are on our way to St. Louis. Ever since we lost our sister-in-law, Janet in February and had to put our sister, Janice in a "locked down" memory care unit, I'm realizing how much I miss my sisters and last brother. I've made a concerted effort to visit more often. My plan is to spend a few days at least every other month. I'm doing pretty good as this is my 5th trip since March!

Butch is going with me this time. I'm not sure he'll go every time, but he wants to see his brother too. And, I want to see my sister-in-law, Chris. We went on many family vacations and couples trips together and were pretty close over the years. 

I just don't know where the time has gone. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, so good St. Louis food and maybe a poker game!

Report to come next Tuesday!

Something for Sunday

This weekend, my niece, Jackie and husband, Greg came to town along with Evie and Josie. The purpose of the trip was so that I could work with the girls to make their scrapbooks honoring their gram--Janet. We all still miss her so much!!

Anyway, we did finish the albums, but I'll save them for next weekend's Scrapbook Saturday post. 

Instead, I'll give you an update on my flowers.

This is what the hibiscus looked like when we brought it out in the spring:

It barely made it though the winter and then our "big freeze!" Look at it now:

It has bloomed several times already, but all this rain has stopped that. I hope it has more blooms soon. 

And then there was this beauty--my "sucker" plant:

It started out like this--so beautiful! And then...

...within two days, it looked like this. I thought it was a goner for sure. But, it has rebounded a little.

I don't think it will ever be as pretty as it was originally. But, at least it is still living! It likes a lot of water, so maybe the rain is good for it. It's kind of hard to tell if it gets enough since it's under the overhang. 

Everything else is doing pretty good.

We'll be heading to St. Louis on Tuesday. I've hired the girl next door to water for me so I can relax a little. She doesn't do it quite as we do, but it should be okay for a few days. 

Oh, and the roofers start on Monday. I'm not looking forward to that, but at least we'll be gone--hopefully--for most of it.