bewildered

I just do not understand grandparents that don't like their kids or grandkids to the point of not wanting to help them when they're in trouble. I can see getting frustrated with the kids...I've been frustrated with mine more than once throughout the years, and, I can see not liking certain personality traits that you see being manifested. But, I can't see not liking the person at all...or, at least it seems to me that they don't. And...carry that on down to not doing whatever you can to help the g'kids when they obviously need extra loving and extra care at the moment. Just walking away doesn't seem to me to be an option...I could better understand not putting yourself into a position to know their condition in the first place, but once confronted with the need...to just walk away? Incredible behavior for an adult.

I could expand...but, as I'm pushed for time right now, I won't.

I'm just going on the record as being disillusioned....it's so sad.

I found this in my drafts...and...am surprised it was there...I do recall writing this, but thought I'd posted it too...Had to have been about 5yrs ago at least...I dealt with my feelings at the time, but never trusted this person as much as I had in previous years. Now....so much has changed...it's not an issue for this person any more. I'm posting this for me...as a reminder of how people aren't who we put our trust in.

Today I thought I'd follow fellow blogger, Holly's idea of listing some sensations and thoughts..observations...Let's see how this goes...oh, and also...am using her template for my first effort!

 Outside my window:  widdle birdie singing spring time song!

Thinking:  of this little bird...how happy he sounds

Thankful:  for so many greeting card choices I found

In the kitchen:  tickled I emptied DW and refilled already...cleared deck for upcoming supper duties!

Wearing:  jeans and sandals

Feeling:  thirsty

Seeing:  blue...screen keeps turning blue to go poof on me

Hearing: Scott rattling around as he's dealing with his project

Reading:  in here, Scottish Highlander book...The Hawk; along with Prince Charming by Julie Garwood on audio in back room

Listening: to that bird...he's still singing his heart out

Knowing:  God cares about the little sparrow...and me.

I can see where this could become addicting...switches each moment...Kaleidoscope of thoughts and impressions

vacation time is over

Okey Dokey

It's time to consider ways to energize and enthuse myself in the direction of reclaiming this house with the goal of being company ready.

ummm...

Not something I'm just raring to jump onto!

However...staying in this state isn't pleasing and beyond that it's irritating me that a grown woman will act in such a juvenile fashion to do anything she can to get out from under this task.

If I'd spend as much effort in just doing it, it would have been done a long time ago and kept up, too.

John Smith said

“He that will not work shall not eat.”

Well, we all know how well I like to eat! Maybe I should enforce this rule upon my own self to see some constructive activities happening around here!!

Either that or weight loss...one or the other!!

How does a person decide which book to read next??

For me...it's not anything I can put my finger on, but...assuming we're discussing already owned but unread books....

What did I read last....done with that style or go for more?

time period?? ready for a totally new feel or something out of my comfort zone?

I read a lot of different types of fiction. Rarely non-fiction. Rarely something that would be considered a "classic" as I've discovered those are normally hard work and depressing.

I don't read to be saddened. Nor to have my heart jerked around, either.

This is one reason I do not normally go for the current "best sellers" either...as they all feel that they have to make a statement or shock you.

So, lighter...fluffier...or, fast pace action...also, I do some fantasy because I know it's not real...will never be real.

 Last three books I've picked up to read...

Frontier western set in Minnesota...I stopped reading it as I figured out it has to be the 2nd in a set...want to read the first one first.

Contemporary set in the Hudson River Valley...two chefs, formerly married...deals with them opening an out in the country event destination and how they get back together....obviously still in love, but hurt from miscarriages and drinking problems. Handled lightly but thoroughly.

And...current book...Dragons and humans and countries pitted against each other....this around story number 5 or 6 in set. It's raw, humorous and rough. Not for the squeamish...though the humor helps tamp this down some. I normally stay away from magic, but she handles it in a way I don't find myself offended..it's more Harry Potter-ish than not. Sexy, but not nasty. Read more than half of book when it hit me, I've read this before! Hate that! They're also getting ready to kill off a main character, which is a main no-no for me, but, I recall they handled it OK, not as well if they'd left him alive, though.

I've picked out a bunch of books to take on vacation...yes...books...hard copies.  I'm a happy camper!!

I've been thinking of other types of house plans I might consider living in. One, which only comes up infrequently, is the idea of a condo or apartment. What would this need to look like, at this age right now, not later on in life..which no doubt would change a lot from what works now.

 

I won't go into location...much. Probably across the street from a fantastic beach with a small chance of flooding would appeal greatly. However, isn't very likely.

Would need to come with more than just 2 lonely parking places, though I realize that most people feel lucky to have just one.

And, I think it would need a minimum of 2 bedrooms with 2 full baths.  Preferably 3 bedrooms with an additional bath or at least another half. And...decent sized closets.

Maybe even an additional locked storage area included somewhere on the premises.  

I'd want a full kitchen, and plenty of cabinet space, especially if there's not a dedicated pantry area.

Not sure about an eat-in kitchen...probably not important.

I'd like laundry facilities...would really like them inside the unit, but realize that this takes away space you can use elsewhere, like pantry! However, I'm getting too old to be sitting in a laundry room or traveling back and forth between unit and laundry. Gets old fast!!

Plus...a lot of times those are pay machines and who knows what people will try and clean in them!

I would also like some sort of decent view of something pretty. Just not the side of a building or even worse...the parking lot or machinery.

Wonder how people in large cities stand being cooped up in high rise apartments? What if the power goes out?? how are you going to manage the stairs then?

Hummm...things to think on!!

OK..assuming I'm not stuck on the 131st floor...I think I'd like to do a living room in blue, white and yellow.  I've always like that combination, but I was looking at photos the other day and also stopped when I saw a room done in shades of red, green and white...it was really pretty. Not the Christmas hues, but more subtle than that.  

What would you do...would you carry a theme throughout the unit or...each room separate? Here it's a combo...some tying into each other while others will blend being next to each other.

I think I'd like a balcony that's deep enough to be in the shade while having enough room to have some in the sun.  Maybe the penthouse unit with the whole top?? whoaa!! That would take some work, wouldn't it??!!! might be worth it!

 

 

 

 

we stayed in a very small cottage while vacationing in Savannah. 

the cottage was very old, and had been renovated to bring things up to date for the modern renter.

The hardwood floors had been sanded and refinished.

The walls repaired and freshly painted.

A closet in the kitchen area had been taken over as a washer/dryer and water heater cubby.

Neither Scott nor I can recall what was immediately on the right as we walked into the kitchen, so trying to remember if there was a pantry, or just long counter with cupboard above isn't being verified through either of us. Like he said.."we have pictures, don't we?" yes...we do...somewhere.

The things is...we both prefer large accomodations, but this was a great vacation home for us for the time spent there.

Cuddled on the couch and watched TV and eating.

Never used the dinette set for anything other than storage.

Back in the bedroom the room only had bed, two sidetables and a chair.

The bedding was high and fluffy and spa-like.

The closet was a walk-in with shelves and hanging space, both.

Door to the outside leading to a small handkerchief sized deck. Which would have been perfect for later in the year to get out and experience the balmy weather while indulging in a morning mug of coffee.

The back pocket sized yard was fenced in...large enough for the deck and a couple of bicycles and maybe a tiny garden area..and, the garbage cans.

There was a small front porch, but big enough for small chairs or deacon's bench.

The outside wasn't as well renovated and we were very nervous at first sight, but going inside...wow...it just was awesome. 

Higher end materials(compared to area, not luxury level)

and...photos matted and hung all along the hallway. Many of weddings, others of scenery. 

Very comfortable, leading you to think...

I really don't need that much to make my day lovely!

How about that log cabin at the edge of the woods...maybe up high enough to have a view but not so high you'd have trouble getting to it in winter. Nor...do we want to be a lightening rod, either.

Whenever dreaming about one of these homes...I keep wiggywagging between a really big one, oh..not lodge-sized, but close. And...a nice cozy one...

Bedroom big enough for King bed, once again. Not all logs everywhere, either. As, I can't figure out how to keep that clean....or...getting tired of the "look". Insides should have some smooth walls to hang pictures on.  And, well designed large windows, so you can stay there in the seasons without burning up or freezing to death. Plus, something a bear can't break.

Would want the porch to wrap. But, can't decide if it needs to be all the way around, or partial. I'm thinking maybe 3 sides...the portion that looks over the prettiest view would need to be screened in and wide and deep.  A swing large enough for a Grandmother and child, of whichever age, to swing with her. And at least two or three other areas to sit comfortably. Whether couches, chairs, or stools. Also...a couple of tables for flowers...and, plants too.

The baths would be modern, but with a homey feel to them. Lots of cabinets to store things and counter space to maybe dry a sweater on.

Kitchen would need to be big enough for a good sized frig and freezer. But, also have a super large Hoosier cabinet. Just for atmosphere. A place to keep a few pieces on display, but hold some linens, too.  Plus all the dishes you'd need.

Sounds like this house is bigger than the smaller size I had in my head...sounds like it's the almost lodge sized one.

I'm thinking that today I'd go with decorations similar to what you'd find in the Plow and Hearth catalog. Rustic and homespun, but updated materials so you're not ruining anything from inability to clean easily.  Maybe not rustic so much as just kind of lost out in a meadow or on edge of those woods.  Maybe a glade with ferns.  So...part of the year lighter colors..maybe sage and white or even pale yellow with light blue and white...and flowing fabrics and later on, darker colors...lots of reds or deep blues. Thinking scalloped edges, but either flowered or damask..maybe even paisley. Probably not too many stripes or plaids...but, maybe checkered. I dunno...maybe plaids altogether, as you can switch moods with color tones. Hummm...

Warm tones with furniture as I can't abide blond furniture. I can deal with painted white over that. Maybe a mix, though that's been done and maybe overdone.

Would you even need a TV in a place like this? I can't even picture watching movies here. I can see curled up reading a good book in front of the fire, or....playing board games with the kids. Or...working a jigsaw puzzle. 

In summer you'd have to have a babbling brook....nothing like a pond that gets stagnant. But, moving water, that's clear with a clean bottom...where you can watch fish and tadpoles. Nothing deeper than probably a couple feet and far enough from the house that there would be no chance of any flooding hassles.

An area large enough where you can have flowers...either in a garden or just naturally growing out in the meadow. 

OK...this would have to come with a caretaker, as I hate messing with the woodstove and I'd prefer a fireplace, too...and, any wood building needs a LOT of attention to stay nice and protected from elements.  Plus, those gardens...and, keeping the kitchen clean. Yeah, maybe more than one caretaker.

Guess we'd need room, or cabin for them, too...as, with us aging, they'd need to be on call.

Dormer windows. Log homes need dormers to go over top of the porch roofs...add interest. Guess that's where the kids' bedrooms would be?

this is just one out of a gazillion choices!!