That 70s Room

The TV nook has been painted dark brown. We would have preferred paneling, but that stuff is hard to come by these days, as is retro patterned rugs and furnishings. We are doing this on the cheap, so can't invest in actual vintage items. I found a love seat for free at the dump which was in great shape. Just need to find some sort of throw or slip cover in the correct color. We're keeping to orange, yellow, avocado. I've been working on this afghan to use as a throw. Even finding the appropriate yarn color was a challenge.

Pyromania

My little firebugs. They came to visit yesterday and spent the afternoon puttering around. They decided to help their dad burn some brush. Got to love country living! Setting fires in the yard--can't do this in the city.

Christmas in July

Actually Christmas 2011. The annual departmental holiday party at Jackie's house where she always made lasagna and spinach/strawberry salad. It was the one time a year that Denise would eat anything "green." Seems like a million years ago. Denise and Susan have passed on. Molly, Jackie and Beth are retired. Diana is retiring in a couple months. That just leaves me, Lynn and Sharon to hold down the fort. Hopefully not for TOO much longer...

Co-Workers

The entire department, except for the 3 people who live out of state, got together for lunch to celebrate the 35th anniversary of one of the co-workers. No names please, I didn't get anyone to sign a release. We met today at Firebird in Durham, at the Streets at Southpoint (AKA Southpoint Mall--although the restaurant is outside of the mall on the "streets"). It was really nice to see everyone. I actually had never seen my boss in person. Except for the Spring Fling a couple months ago, I had not seen anyone for over 2 years. This restaurant is a steak and meat place, but I had a really delicious salmon salad. It was a bit spendy, but it's not like I go out to a place like this every day or even every month. Once every couple years is probably enough. Doubt if I'll be back though. I prefer slightly more exotic cuisine. For this occasion, I went mostly just to see the team and to congratulate my co-worker. It was fun. I kind of miss the office comraderie.

Flowers and condolences

Flowers arrived on my doorstep. One batch from someone at the church, either Stephanie or Susan. The note only had an "S" on it. The ohter from my coworkers. Very nice gesture from all. It was Mike's mom and yet no one sent him any flowers...hmmmmm. Interesting. I feel so loved! It's a weird time right now. Just plain weird. No more parents in our lives.

Margaret Estelle Britts Nicholson

Mem passed away May 13, 2022 at a hospice facility in Yanceyville. She had been at home until the last couple weeks when she decided she was not able to take care of herself. She had a hospice home care, but they were only there a couple hours a day. She really needed more overnight care. We went to visit her April 10. She got to see her great-grandkids once more which really made her happy. She was cremated and we will have a graveside ceremony on June 4 to place her ashes next to David's and her mother. Mike and Britts still need to clear out her home and take care of the rest of the estate. It's sad, but she lived a good, long life and the end was relatively quick and painless. As Pam said, now she is finally back with her beloved David.

Latest Crochet Projects

I found a crochet pattern for this purse and decided to give it a go. It was a little tricky, something new for me. The blue one was the first effort. I didn't line it or put in a closure. I may later...or maybe not. It was a practice project. The beige one is lined and has a magnetic closure. The handles didn't turn out right, but whatEV. It is good enough for my purposes. It's the process that counts, not necessarily the end result. I have a few other things to try next. I need more yarn and I have to consider how much I'm willing to plonk down. Yarn is expensive, even though I am using the cheapest thing I can find. All this crocheting is killing my old arthritic fingers, but I really enjoy it and plan to keep it up as long as I can.