Saturday, July 10, 2021

Saturday tidbits..............

 Hello my friends?  How are you?  Did you have a good week?  First off let me thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes, you all made my week, and made me feel very special.

This week was very strange with Hurricane Elsa popping in for a brief visit.  No one here in Florida was worried.  It was funny to be at the store the day before her arrival and no one, I mean no one was buying things to prepare for her.  No water in carts, toilet paper or batteries.  I think most people were preparing for the Stanley Cup Final, Go Lightening!!!!  I did have a Little Boy have a sleep over in my room the evening she was to arrive.  He is not fond of thunder and he sleeps all the way across the house from me so it is better to have him close if there is a chance he might get scared.  He slept soundly all night because all we had was rain and a bit of wind but nothing to get concerned about. 

We had had a ton of rain prior to Elsa so my garden has bloomed like crazy.  And is blooming with weeds too I might add.  Also blooming is all the mold growing around my pavers on my pool deck.  One thing I can't stand about summer is the sheer amount of time those pavers take me to keep them relatively clean.  I just finished up cleaning and bleaching them a while ago and that took me ten hours over the last three days.  Yes I have a husband and two grown boys, but my husband has circulation issues so standing for long periods of time is a no for him.  He can ride a bike for 5 hours but standing a lot causes him pain. My two older sons do not live here and they work all week long so I am not going to ask them to clean pavers on the weekend.  It is my job and frankly as much as I hate it is has to be done.  I believe Florida is the mold and mildew capitol of the world.


And more blooms, new bedding.  I love new bedding and found this at JoAnn's on massive sale.  Who knew they had bedding?  I also bought this great picture and popped it right on my antique church pew. The picture was on sale for a whopping $14.99!  The extra white pillows on the bed are from Amazon and the gold ones are from Ikea.  A super fun and inexpensive update to my bedroom.  I went there for needle point kits for two young women I work with and came home with those and this bedding!  And with all my coupons it was a steal!



The boys had a spa day yesterday and believe me they were not happy about it at all.  Hank finally got his mullet cut off.  He had so much long hair by the back of his head we actually put it up in a bun last weekend for fun.  I am so glad his hair is growing in healthy and strong.  Now he has it all evened out so it can grow out looking much nicer.  You can see both before photos and this last after photo really show a difference in how he looks. 



This morning while taking a break from paver cleaning, we went to the splash park and playground.  It has been a few weeks since we have visited so it was a lot of fun.  Now all restrictions have been lifted so there are more children there.  Still Little Buddy was able to navigate the slide independently and even gave encouragement to those coming down it, I believe I heard him say, "Good job little fellow." 

The biggest news of the day is that Little Buddy climbed these stairs, climbed over a bridge and went down the twirly slide all by himself three times today.  That is the very first time he has navigated it and frankly we have not even tried but a few times over the years because it is hard for him.  But today he said he wanted to do it and I just walked in back of him in case he needed help.  To him it isn't a big deal, but to me it is amazing!



Yesterday while just trying to bleach a small area of the pavers before taking the boys into get their haircuts I got bleach on my dress.   I know not a smart thing to do.  I have these amazing $10 Walmart dresses in every color, they are so comfortable and even have pockets.  I wear them all weekend long. This one was grey, but after splashing myself with bleach I thought I would see if I could save it so I did not have to throw it out.  This morning I tried to make it unique and that is indeed what it is.  But I like it!  And I had no idea it was exposed to this much bleach when I popped the bottom of it in the pail.  I rinsed and rinsed it off outside and then washed and dried it.  What do you think? A keeper or the charity bin?

I'm off to take a much needed shower after all that cleaning and splash park fun.  Have a wonderful weekend.

28 comments:

Denise Fordyce said...

That dress is definitely a keeper! Love it!

Nance said...

I've been eyeing that very same comforter at Joann for over a month. I'm glad you got one, and now I can see it on a bed. But I'm still undecided; it might be a bit too floral for me; I'd like a more green/herby/foliage look. I still love it, though.

I say keep the dress. It looks good!

Karen51 said...

I love the dress! I wonder if our Walmart has it. Your bedroom is lovely.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I have a friend that travelled to Florida and she said hurricane went over Haiti. Rain is so good to have in any area. We need rain soon. Nice goodies you bought. I'm glad Buddy was able to go up there stairs and go down slide. I thought you might like thieves household cleaner instead of bleach for cleaning pavers. Much better for you as thieves cleaner has no harsh chemicals and doesn't bother people or pets. Doesn't bleach clothes. I have a sample I can send you. In a packet. I like the sleeveless dress you have. Megan and I went to a lavender farm this a.m. It saw fun to be there once we found the road.

kathy b said...

OH THAT IS A KEEPER MEREDITH. I love the dress. Bleach and I are not to be seen together. Unless i am wearing an already bleach spotted top. I honestly don't know how Fireman avoids getting bleach on his clothes. I don't want to know. HE has been correcting almost everything I try to do lately, in a sweet, way, but also,
Covid is over (not really) go ride your bike. I can handle figuring the new keyboard that you have no knowledge of. and I can use the blow torch safely to kill buckthorn without starting the forest on fire..and I even know that there is more than one way to do most things. It is hard for him. At the Firedept there was only one way: the right way. Or look out.
I digress. Lil Buddy is so amazing. And such an encourager I LOVE that!
The dogs crack me up each and every post.

Dee said...

A keeper. It reminds me of those tie-dye tee shirts. Weren't they so much fun!

Your boy .....getting stronger every day. I'll bet you were so proud of him.

I sure wish you would have posted a photo of the doggie-bun! LOL

Hope you have a great week. Elsa hit us pretty hard. Thankfully, the house did fine, but sadly, the front garden really took a hit with the water coming off the roof. Smashed the echinacea right down to the ground.

I gave the plants a little TLC today and they are looking much better AND I have a nice bouquet to have in the house.

Araignee said...

I love your tie dyed look dress! I'd wear the heck out of that. It's good to see all your smiling boys. Pup got a spa day today. We buzzed her and I gave her an anti-fungal bath hoping to ward off the itchies. So far so good this year but we are keeping her in out of the heat and humidity. Florida may be the capital of mold and fungus but Maryland by the bay could be a close second. I was just reading about wet bulb temperatures which was new to me and pretty darn scary.

TheAwakenedSoul said...

I think it looks great. How fantastic that Buddy can climb those stairs. He looks so healthy and strong. You must be excited to have new bedding. That's what I need.

Babajeza said...

Maybe I need a dress like yours! :-) Such a happy piece. Instead I have been wearing blue jeans (the thick version) du to the cool and rainy weather. No hurricanes here, but lightening and thunder and massive amounts of rain. Please, sun! Stay with us for more than five hours.

Have a nice weekend!

Regula

Jo said...

The dress is definitely a keeper. Those pavers sound a lot of work. I've often wished I lived somewhere warm where I could have a swimming pool, you just don't think of the work it entails though. I'm glad the hurricane turned out to be nothing more than a storm, I don't like the thunder either so Little Buddy isn't alone.

CJ said...

Love the dress, I thought it was a new buy! And the bedding is gorgeous. Well done that man for getting up those steps and down the slide and around by himself three times, that's pretty good going. Hank is looking lovely, I'm glad his hair problem seems to be resolving itself. I've heard you mention cleaning the pavers before and it's made me put my little bit of bathroom mould into perspective! But on the plus side, you get to have a swimming pool! Here, I have ants under the patio, which are not a problem except that they bring out little piles of sand all the time, so I am constantly going out there to sweep it up. I don't think anyone else has even noticed it! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. CJ xx

Anonymous said...

It is a KEEPER! Very artistic.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this Post!
what? I'm always saying that? LOL! because I do.
that adorable strong and brave and wonderful face...
the freckles and the Eyelashes! and the grin.
he is just the best. you're raising another FINE boy!
and... seeing his joy in the Splash Park. I love it!
it's always obvious how I ADORE those puppies. they're humans in fur coats! LOL.
and the new linens for your bedroom! ok James. enough with the exclamation points. she gets it. ya done GOOD girl! xoxoxo

Delighted Hands said...

What a great effort Lil buddy put into doing those stairs all by himself! Hooray! I like it when I hear the kids encourage others--they are acquiring good habits, too! The dress is a keeper-I love subtle tie-dye!

wendy said...

Your dress looks great even design looking 😀 Go Buddy so clever and strength building. Doggos look cute and clean. Always nice visiting here 😀😀

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Beautiful bedding, and those puppers are always so cute!
Little Buddy is a splash pad master! That's awesome!

mamasmercantile said...

I am so thrilled for little Buddy, what an achievement. He is doing so well. Glad you didn't get the storm you anticipated. Love the bedding, so pretty. The dress looks lovely, I would say a definite keeper.

linda said...

Love the dress it's definitely a keeper Meredith, it's unique I want one the same. I feel sorry for you having to keep those pavers clean it's my idea of a nightmare. I'm pleased the storm passed you by without leaving any damage. Those fur boys of yours take lovely photos they both look very handsome. Bravo to Little Buddy it's great to hear that he's getting stronger and is determined to just get on and do what has to be done all by himself, that cheeky little face has set me up for the week. Have a great week. xx

Crafty in the Med said...

I agree with everyone here Mere! You should keep the dress because it is original! I bet someone asks where did you buy it from! Wonderful to see Little Buddy enjoying himself and how much he has improved and having such determination. That's the way to go! Your fur boys look so smart I swear they pose for your photos! keep well Amanda x

Karen said...

I like your church pew! I have the Bloom Where You Are Planted in my house, too. It reminds me to be happy not just in physical location but also the stage of life I'm in. Yay, LB! on the stairs:)

Neighborhood Watch said...

Happy birthday! Keep that dress for sure. I love your bed cover--it's so happy and bright.

Judy S. said...

A very belated Happy Birthday! I sure wish you could send some of that rain our way; it is incredibly dry here.

Veronica Lee said...

It is a very lovely dress! Your bedroom is beautiful.

Have a wonderful day!

karen said...

love the dress save! I also love new bedding, it makes a room fresh and sleeping feels decadent. Hurray for his step climbing, it is huge to me!

handmade by amalia said...

The weather has gone completely insane, if it's not one thing, it is another... I love the dress as well. And am glad LB is enjoying the summer.
Amalia
xo

Suzan said...

Bear and Hank are ADORABLE!! I wanted to get a brother or sister for Maggie Mae - but my husband said one was enough!!!
My goodness - how Little Buddie has grown!!! He is doing wonderfully well with your love and care!!
Suzan

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Your dress is definitely a keeper! Wahoo to little buddy for navigating the slide independently! What a huge step! You must have had such a joyful heart to watch him do it himself!

Mrs. Micawber said...

That photo of LB climbing the steps - wow. Just wow. It must have made your heart sing to see him do it.

The dress looks fantastic - definitely a keeper!