Well, this squirrel had originally had his eyes closed and was so sacked out in such a dead sleep on the branch that I thought he was dead. When I woke him, he ran to another branch and proceeded to try to get in his nap -- but he was watching me! But that's how I felt -- like I just wanted to sprawl out on a branch, play dead and let the world go on without me for awhile.
The best things in life may indeed be free -- like squirrel watching or enjoying a beautiful evening of free theatre or being with people you love (more on that in a second!).
But lately the essentials have been expensive! A muffler repair, washing machine repair (which turned into "It can't be fixed. You need a new one"), new shower installation (ouch!), basic homeowner stuff, the parts of my surgery-related things that Medicare or insurance didn't cover... it's been that kind of month.
(This, of course, doesn't count the things that should be done or the wish list -- grading of the back yard, a new well for the cottage, new walkway at the cottage after last year's foundation repair... you get the gist.)
Even when the cash wasn't flowing out, the water (as in our big rain storm) was flowing into the basement! It's at this point I give kudos to Rick for going on my roof in a thunder/lightning storm and cleaning out my gutters, which helped stop the flooding in my basement on the night before Father's Day. (It's pretty well dried out now, thanks to soaking it up with towels and flannel sheets, six buckets full!) Of course, how I'll get those towels clean without a washing machine is up for grabs. Laundromat, here I come.
I know we need rain to make things grow (and we needed it desperately) but I didn't need it in the basement!
This clean-up is considerably easier when the washing machine is working -- you can at least spin the sopping wet towels for their next soaking round instead of wringing by hand. Ah well... it's dry for now.
So, in sore need of a good day and a little baby love, we took off for Father's Day celebrations, making a quick stop to Trader Joe's (oh, if only I could find these at home!)...
...and our favorite Italian grocery market. Get a load of the pastry counter -- and this is just the cakes!
And when you need a smile, what could be a better destination than the home of Kevin, Molly and the Baby Grand!
It was a day of male bonding...
Selfies (he looks like he's really seeing it, doesn't he?) ...
Baby Baths...
...Family portraits...
...Really good dinner...
...Baby bench pressing...
...Toe dancing...
...and a crazy lady!
 |
| Help me! She's closing in! |
For a first time dad...
...and a first time grandpa...
It was indeed the perfect way to celebrate.
Our little guy looked dapper in his bow tie...
...but I think he was glad for us to head home so he could get to bed! (Mom and Dad probably were, too!)
Thanks for a wonderful day!
When the world feels like it's all on your shoulders, seeing those little Grands makes it all better. He is adorable. I hope things improve for you. Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day you had, but sorry to hear about all the catastrophes, they never come alone, do they? Your Littl'un is gorgeous, he is growing rapidly, too. Enjoy the time you can spend with him. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteAs my plder daughter says, being an adult sucks. I have been spewing money at house things, too. But, grandchildren make everything wonderful.
ReplyDeleteOh beautiful happy full of love shots..he is getting cuter and cuter..that bow tie:)♥
ReplyDeleteGrandchildren do make things better.I am sad mine are getting older..I am telling you my own chidren grew up much more slowly than our Littles are..time flies when you get older..:(
I miss the bay skin..the scent..the giggles..the smiles.. the not having been exposed to anything:)
Just love.
Now for the spendinpart..it never rains..it pours..and I am sorry for all the expenses..much more fun to splurge ona watercolor set and less $$$..
What do they say?:"THis too shall pass"? Does it?;)
He's absolutely adorable, Jeanie. I'm sure he did wipe all those worries away.
ReplyDeleteWas moving down through your post and trying to decide if I like the flowers or the dessert better when I hit upon little one with the beautiful smile. How sweet! Looks like you guys had an amazing day.
ReplyDeleteThat little bow tie on baby grand makes him even more adorable than he already is. :) Male bonding is good, but not the flow of money. We are in the same predicament. Our water system pump pump went so now everything seems to be turning orange-we have lots of iron in our water from our well. Grrr. We had to buy a new pump. And the dog scratched up the interior door panel of my husband's front door-and he just bought his car in march so that was another expense. He didn't have full pay while recovering from the transplant because he used up all his time back in the fall when he had the heart surgery. And all the rain ended up making the basement floor all wet near the stairs, but luckily, I had some towels down so it didn't spread all over the laundry room. Sorry about the washer-mine went last winter and I hate having to spend money on appliances that you don't see. But then you need them, don't you, so you spend the money? Hope you've reached the end of the bills and you can enjoy the summer. I'll take a piece of all those Italian pastries. Though that's another thing I shouldn't do but its so tempting :) Happy Tuesday. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that your basement flooded and your washing machine gave up the ghost!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like that baby grand is in for LOTS of love and admiration!
The cakes at the Italian market look scrumptious. I looked over the cakes at the grocery store today and not one appealed to me and I love cake. Cookies and ice cream will have to do.
So glad your own health is holding up, unlike the health of your pocketbook, your gutters, your appliances, and so on!
ReplyDeletegreat baby!
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Oh my . . . loved these pics of your baby grand . . .
ReplyDeleteFun, isn't it!
Adorable little babe . . .
They grow and change so fast.
He looks like a good natured little chap!
Why is it all the expenses happen at once.
I don't want to even say it or think it but it has been non stop around here too.
Big expensive items too . . .
I may have to go back to work . . .
Not really but oh my this homeowner expense stuff is not fun . . ,
Playing is much more fun!
I hope things calm down for you . . ,
Oh, he is just so wonderful!! He does look like he's aware of everything!! Smart Guy! Yes, those practical things can make a homeowner worry...Thanks for sharing your fun day!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie, It's really frustrating when you have to face several unexpected expenses. I'm sorry you had such a tough time. I'm glad your family was there to made you smile and have some fun.
ReplyDeletexo Julia
How cute the squirrel! Oh, but not so cute all the BIG expenses of late...OUCH is right! :( Hope your basement is OK--that flooding didn't sound good. Thank goodness for flowers, treats and sweet babies to cheer! Oh, your Baby Grand is sooo adorable--look at his smile! :))) LOVE all these family portraits!! Hang in there, sweetie--this too shall pass... ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteJeanie dear, it truly IS the small things in life that take our minds off the big and sometimes ugly situations. Lately I've been reminding myself of the fact that THE SUN is stationary; the earth moves, the fickle clouds pass and dissipate. And even during our nights, the sun is still shining somewhere. Therefore, when the clouds of loneliness pass I remember that the sun of someone's love and mindfulness of me is shining.
ReplyDeleteTHAT SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!!! Ours do the same thing here, especially on killer diller hot days! teeehe....their little biceps are funny....
GOD MADE SQUIRRELS to remind us to laugh. I'm convinced.
Baby Grand is getting so big and showing so much personality (love the selfie!). I have never seen a squirrel sleep! That's hilarious. Not so hilarious - no, not funny at all - is water in a house. I had that problem years ago and the thoughts of it linger today. So sorry for the issues you've had lately.
ReplyDeleteUgh, when it rains, it pours, huh? That is literally true in your case with the basement flooding. What a pain to deal with on top of all the other expenses. I hate it when things like that pop up because you can't plan and save for them. I mean, I feel like we bled money for the last 5 months when we were planning our wedding but I had saved up for that so while it was a big outflow, I was prepared. But the things you are dealing with are different and they aren't 'fun' things to spend money on!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you had a great Father's Day getaway, though! Baby Grand is so adorable! I love it when they get to the smiley stage and can interact with you a bit more. Molly sure looks great, by the way!
Sometimes everything dumps on us at once and you have received a dumping, my dear. Here's hoping things will be brighter starting now. Beautiful pictures, by the way. Grandchildren are always good for making us feel better. If only they (grandchildren) brought, along with the diapers and bottles, lots of money with them. We should work on that.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, sometimes it seems everything comes at you at once and sounds like you've had a day of it! Sorry about your basement, if I had one it would probably be flooded with all the rain we are getting from tropical storm Cindy, and it's days away from clearing out. No sunny days here for awhile. All those wonderful family pics make up for a lot, especially the one of you and Rick and sweet baby grand. Your sun will come out soon, hang in there..........hugs.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Jeanie! These are the best of days. He is a real cutie and so special to be able to spend time with family. Sorry about the other things, no fun at all.
ReplyDeleteThat grandbaby is just adorable! We saw ours on Father's Day too.
ReplyDeleteSorry you've had so many outlays. It sure seems to run in cycles doesn't it?
That squirrel is adorable and you are obviously a happy drunk seeing the gorgeous photos with your little grandson!
ReplyDeleteWren x
I'm glad you were able to enjoy some quality family time to bring light to the darkness, and hope things improve for you soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree: rain can be a good thing, but it should stay outside where it belongs.
Those precious baby photos are the best! Love seeing your family time and happy smiles! And yes...it does seem like things happen all at once as far as break downs and repairs. I hope this week is better! Sweet hugs!
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I am so glad some wonderful family time helped with feelings of crawling away to a hole. Sometimes, we all feel that way, and it is normal! That darling Baby Grand would make anyone smile!
ReplyDeleteWhen everything seems to be falling apart around you, the faces of your loved ones make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteTOO.CUTE.FOR.WORDS.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, your post came at the perfect time because I just took my car in the repair shop today, and it turns out it's going to cost more cause of other things going on. And I had to buy a new refrigerator too! So Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Your Italian grocery market has such Yummy desserts. I love that selfie picture of you and the baby. It's the sweetest thing. And the picture of the three men (three generations) is priceless. Hang in there, Jeanie. Tomorrow is another day. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri
ps that is so funny that the squirrel was taking a nap in the tree. They always just scurry and run and hide here haha.
We are having such hot weather that I feel like that squirrel.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you had a wonderful Fathers Day, oh that baby is is so darn cute. I would love to get my hands on him and give him lots of sugar. I adore babies and lvoe to give them a good loving.
I think we all are having like your having - seems like I need everything. Never ends.
Hang in there things will get better.
Lots of hugs,
Mary
awwwwwwwww--what an ADORABLE little baby boy--he's so cute!! Those are some great pictures and looks like such a happy and fun day! Love his little bow tie! Sorry to hear about your broke down washer and the flooding and all that mess....hope it's all fixed up or on the way to being fixed up by now. Stuff like that never happens at a good time does it? Glad to see you had stopped by and thanks for the sweet comment, glad you liked the pretty flowers!
ReplyDeletePS---I do believe that baby is IN GOOD, VERY GOOD, HANDS!! (smile)
ReplyDeletewell, here I am again!! ha ha ha LOL!! I've been away from the blog and catching up with your posts....I do love that "weekend" one! Very very nice. I love pictures like this--telling a story. Very nice fire and sunset ones, those are so pretty! Just looks like a fun and wonderful time, makes me want to be there with y'all, you look like a fun bunch! Enjoyed this post alot.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I allowed this post to get past me, because I'm not normally two days behind visiting.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to a flood in the basement. Mine was so high, it put the pilot light out on my hot water heater. THEN, to make matters worse, I was washing and spinning the towels I used, only to find there was a leak somewhere that was putting MORE water into the basement. Still haven't found that one, so for now I'm washing everything by hand and hanging clothes on my clothes line so they can drip dry (because I'm not very good at wringing anything out). You are having a hard time right now, but you will soon adjust, and at least you have Rick to stop by and help when things are at their darkest.
Your photos from Father's Day are incredible, and who doesn't love an adorable new baby to fuss over and play with. Great photos and a sad, but hopeful take on life in Jeannie's world this week!
Dear Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteIt is always something. When things go around the home it can become a real money pit! But... All you need do is look at that sweet face of Baby grand.. Oh my word is he a doll. It looks as if you had a wonderful day.
These are the moments that wipe away the worries.
blessings,
Penny
What a darling your Baby Grand is! Wonderful and heartwarming posts on the men in your life, Jeanie. :)
ReplyDeleteYour family visit looks wonderful! Your grand is adorable. Love all the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your water in the basement problem. That's awful. And when you are without a washing machine everything goes sour. Hoping all is fixed now and you don't have ANY more problems.
Jeanie, I'm trying to get caught up on a few blogs I try and follow. All I can say is what an adorable little grand baby you have! And why is it that something breaks, and then more follows it, like Murphy's Law? Our washing machine acted up over a year ago and we were informed to buy a new one. Now I'm facing the fact I need a new phone. I didn't know or understand anything about storage when I bought the one I currently have, and now I'm having major issues with it. With a conference coming up $$$, I have to get a new phone $$$, and a few other things are going on that cost $$$. Such is life!
ReplyDeleteBaby Grand, you melt my heart. xoxoxo
ReplyDelete<3 ...a heart ...or a fairy wing
Marcia