we had a wonderful time...

but...we were so busy catching up and talking and all that fun stuff...

that we, not one of us, got any photos!

so...

I went into their facebook photos and stole these images from their files...

the cousins did a cruise before coming to see me...

this is Deb...

the amazing, zanier that zane, coolest old broad you will ever want to meet...

and Sheila...

who is the mother to all, happy go lucky, one who is loved by all...

and those poor girls went from this... 

and this...

and this...

and warm, breezy nights like this...

to our sub zero temps...

and we had a great time...

but it was not enough time...

and I missed the before they got out of the drive way...

and there are plans to get together again...

when it warms up...

I was 4 the last time I saw Sheila and 16 the last time I saw Deb...

we have been emailing and on facebook for many years now...

but there is nothing like being able to hug someone...

and to be able to sit and look them in the eye and see parts of you or others family members in their faces and in their mannerisms...

they got to meet DH and both boys...

and there are just no words to describe how grateful I am to Sheila for making all of this happen...

glad they did get out of here before this weekend...

we got 2-6 inches coming with sleet, ice and/or snow...

really cold temps and all that fun winter stuff...

so we have stocked up and ready for it...

stay warm and stay safe...

this winter has to leave sometime, just not soon enough...

;0)

another cold day here on the prairie...

I have a couple of cousins coming in tomorrow evening...

haven't seen them is so many years...

I can't wait...

poor Deb is from Arizona and this cold weather has got to be getting to her...

they will leave Thursday afternoon...

Sheila has a large family and they are gathering on the weekend before Deb has to head back home...

they just got back from a cruise...

where flip flops and sand between your toes weather was happening...

and while she will be here...

single digit days and below zero nights...

there will be no porch sitting here...

;)

I am flaring, of course...

so I didn't get to the housework today...

but ready or not...

they will invade...

that's how our family rolls...

we invade...

and it will be the best time...

its going to be too cold for me to take them shopping or out to eat...

so we will just hole up here and catch up on 40+ years...

the track lighting I ordered yesterday, came today...

the guy doing all the installation will be here in the morning to get started on the prep work...

and as things come in this week and next, he will be putting things in for us...

he will also be back to caulk the windows for us in the spring when it warms up a bit...

exhaust fan is scheduled to be here on Friday...

had to call about our phone today and got that working again...

couldn't take incoming calls but could make them just fine...

rebooted the system and its all working and good now...

and the guy even disabled the voice mail for me!

been wanting that gone for years, but they couldn't do it before...

so now all I have to do is worry about the answering machine...

yippee!

before I had calls going everywhere and sometimes it took 8 hours or more for the ones on the voice mail to show up...

so, now I will know right away if I have missed a call...

and the one call I did miss yesterday was Fed Ex for Doug...

he goes Monday to orientation finally!

he is a happy camper and will be working like 11- 2:30, midnights to start...

he will have to do that for a few weeks and then he gets more hours...

so, I will be MIA tomorrow...

sorry about the long post...

;)

prayers for those in the storms...

here are some photos that I took on the way home from Paris on Saturday...

it was so cold but the sun was shining...

we sure don't have that today...

woke up to snow blowing sideways...

but we only got an inch, so that's not too bad at all...

considering what this storm is doing...

and the east coast just keeps getting hammered!

glad I don't live there...

been puttering around here today and I am in need of a nap...

the critters have already passed out...

so now would be a good time to sneak in there before they figure out that I am missing...

have you ever got up from a deep sleep to go potty...

only to have a tiny little paw reach up and touch you on the butt?

that's how I started my day this morning...

and you know what?

no matter how many times it happens...

you never get used to it...

ever...

I am not sure which one jumped higher...

me from the gentle touch on my backside...

or Buttercup from my scream...

but I doubt if she ever does that again...

have a good day and stay warm!

stay home if you can...

if you are one of the lucky ones...

;0)

Saturday's finds...

we took off early for Paris, hoping to get the sticker for the car plates at the DMV...

but they were closed...

so we did Goodwill instead...

found this rose pillow case...

3 curtain panels...

a heart pillow...

I bought these online last week...

a future project..

and the angel was on online purchase, but the rest is from Goodwill...

jello molds, a swanky swig with blue tulips...

a fun, heart shaped wire basket...

got this online, too...

love the pattern and have and sold many pieces through the years...

Goodwill finds...

using the bowl for a potted plant this spring on the deck...

2 more bears...

a wicker frame with a doily inside...

I am re-doing this later...

I love this and not sure if its  going outside with plants in it...

or if its going to be a desk organizer...

we tried to get breakfast at McD's...

but with the wind and the power going off and on...

by the time DH got up to order, they had switched the menu...

but while I waited, I thought this is so typical here, but you might think its funny...

used car lot with an older tractor...

he ran into Kroger for a few things...

before we headed here...

and I got my whopper anyway for Valentine's Day...

it was a bitter cold day, but DH got me out of the house for awhile and I only went in one place before we headed home...

we have been working all day today on laundry and cooking and such...

he's has helped so much...

I got all the new things washed up and put away...

I have quite a few things for future projects to work on in the play room...

but before I get started on anything...

we are going to move things around in there so its easier for me to use...

things within arm's reach...

Tia and I have plotted and planned and figured out a better design...

but that will happen later this week...

first...

I have a couple cousins coming to see me...

they will be here Wednesday and spend the night and leave on Thursday...

its been years since I have seen them...

its going to be awesome...

so, I will be scarce on here this week...

so much to do and so little time...

;0)

have a good week!

choices...

we are having to make choices on getting this kitchen make over on...

this choice was a no brainer...

stainless steel and very plain...

easy to keep clean through the years...

because we cook so much here...

we need one light over the table and I don't like things that hang down too much...

a flush mount will work here...

and this is also the cheapest one online...

and we need track lighting or pendants over the island...

the sink is in the island...

there is a flush mount there now...

so this is what I found...

and this is LED, so it says we won't have to change the bulbs for 25 years...

we might need a medallion to cover the larger hole from the previous light, and those are cheap...

this was a close second...

its also an LED light...

both can be used with a dimmer switch, which I think is what we will end up with...

I have never been in a kitchen with LED lights, so if you have or have them in yours, I would love you feed back about them before I order these...

we are sleeping on it a few more nights before I put the order in...

I spent yesterday in bed, got up for lunch and supper and slept through until about 9pm...

I was getting up as DH was heading in there for the night...

I am finally feeling better, but going to just hang out again today...

DH has a 3 day weekend and I would like to do something besides blow my nose, cough and dibble my pants when I sneeze...

got all the valentine bags ready for the kids and DH...

got the valentines mailed out to family earlier in the week...

so we are ready for that...

hard to believe the next big holiday after this one is Easter...

so ready for spring...

we got a bit of snow last night, but our son, who lives southwest of us, had the ground covered...

spring is going to feel so good!

have a great weekend and happy heart day!