Babysitting, Rooftops, Weekend Project

There have been a lot of wildfires burning here in Washington and the biggest one is about 30 minutes east of us. Our skies have been so smoky lately, our eyes burn and a lot of people get sore throats when they head outside. We can't complain though because there are so many who have lost everything. It's just heartbreaking.

 

 And now Hurricane Ian. I was watching the Weather Channel today and the storm surge is just crazy! The way the water has been drained from the bay?! It's scary. I've been praying for everyone in Florida.

 

Diana and Peter went up to Canada for a couple days last weekend and we watched Poppy. I never knew I could love a grand dog so much! And Sharaya's been sending pictures of the cats. I miss them more than I thought I would!

 

 

This was the view from their hotel room! They had a great time, I'm glad they were able to go.

We've been having some issues at work, there's an interesting smell in a few of the hallways, on different floors. Some say it's gas, others say a dead animal. We bought some detectors and ruled out gas. To me it's more of a stale / musty odor. We're in the process of installing new air conditioners and are wondering if it's coming from them so G, our maintenance guy and I went up onto the roof to see if was one of them but it wasn't. The mystery continues! But I love being up on the roof! Such a different perspective of the building I see everyday.

 And speaking of roofs, here is a before and after picture of our gutters. It's hard to really see the difference between the brown and the white in these pictures. We also had them put on some moss killer. It's been so nice getting these things done!

 

We've had an extremely old TV stand for years and just never really thought about getting a new one. It worked for us and I'm a 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' kinda girl. But I figured it was time. I mean, look at this thing! It's got a CD tower! 😂

So we ordered something on-line and began the daunting (to us) task of putting it together. And actually, it wasn't that bad! Took us about 90 minutes. And I love it!! Now I just sit in the living room and stare at it.

Before

 

After 

We had some rain today, the weather is definitely changing. I hope you have a great weekend. Can you believe it's October already?!

Just a Quick Post Before Bed

 It's getting late but I wanted to get on here to say hi. We've been working on some projects today that I'll post about later, once they're completely done.

 

Beth and I have gotten into the habit of going grocery shopping after work on Thursdays. We each grab a cart and head our separate ways. When we're done, we go to our meeting spot and wait. There's a Starbucks in our grocery store so we'll stand at the back of it and wait for each other. I was surprised she beat me this week!

 

 We check out then head to the car. I turned around and noticed she wasn't behind me! She came out a few seconds later - she only had one bag so decided to put her cart away and just carry her bag out. Good idea! Then it was home to put away the groceries.

 

Well, I am headed to bed. It seems the older I get the earlier I go to bed and the earlier I wake up! I hope you have a blessed day!

And What A Year It's Been!

Last year at this time, September 22 to be exact, we were in Boston at Diana and Peter's wedding. They had a small, private ceremony in Boston Common, then we went to Tresca's for a delicious Italian dinner. 

 

 

 

 

Then four days later the big reception at Cairnwood Estate in Pennsylvania. What a celebration that was! There were over 1000 pictures so I'll just choose a few to show you here. 😊

 (Credit to Landmarks in Lights for this photo!)

 

 

 

"Introducing... Mr. and Mrs. Bruno!"

 

 

 

 Since that day they have moved from the east coast to the west coast, got a dog, planted a garden... 💖 Happy Anniversary Diana and Peter. I love you more than you can imagine!

Chock Full

We've had a very busy week. I kept meaning to post but by the time the days ended I was too tired!

 

Chuck and I went to a Mariner's Game. Diana and I took Poppy for a walk down by the waterfront. There were two doctor's appointments, and two salon appointments. Chuck and I went to a Business Meeting. We had new gutters put on the house. I took Ally to school one morning. And Xfinity did some work in our area so we had spotty internet for a few days. No wonder I didn't get on here this week!

 

Poppy loves to go to new places, she just hates riding in the car. We wonder if she gets motion sickness? Not sure, but she does okay as long as she can look out the front window!

 

 

Then we took her to the pet store so she could pick out some treats. I played with her out in the backyard, then came in and needed to go downstairs to talk to Beth. When I came out of Beth's apartment she was at the top of the stairs. I guess she wasn't finished playing!

 

 I took Beth to a salon for the first time. We've always just gone to Supercuts and they've been okay but now we're going to a real hair salon! Shampoo, scalp massage... We didn't know what we'd been missing!

 

 We're s-l-o-w-l-y updating the outside of our house. We put on a new roof a few years ago and got a color that would match the house, once we get it painted. Last week we got new gutters put on that will be the trim color of the house... once we get it painted. We met with a painter friend last week but he's so busy (we're not the only ones?!) he can't get to it until next Spring. So... the house doesn't look great. Yet! But we're getting there.

 

And I realize I haven't taken a picture of the house with the new gutters!

 

I took Ally to school the other day. Middle school. The few times I took her in grade school we'd sit in the car and talk until it was time to go inside. I told her we'd be early so we'd have to wait in the car and she said, "No. Everyone just waits outside." It was surreal watching her walk away from the car.

 

Preschool Graduation... and... now 😭

 

 Fall is definitely here! Trees are changing color, temps are dropping. I will admit, I'm starting to get excited about it all!

A Day of Remembrance - For Two Reasons

I've had the privilege of seeing the 9/11 Memorial 3 times. Well, once it was still Ground Zero. Our family visited in 2004 and they hadn't quite started rebuilding yet.

We went again twice last year. Once when Sharaya and I went back to Pennsylvania in May to help Diana shop for her wedding dress, and then Chuck, Beth, Ally, Sharaya and I went two days after the wedding. That time we went into the museum as well. It's a humbling, solemn experience.

 

 May 2022

 

 

 September 24, 2022

 

Three years ago today, September 11, 2019 my dad passed away. He was 95. He fought in WWII, had 4 daughters and lived a long, full life. He and I were very close and when he was put on hospice I flew to San Diego to be with him and my sisters. I'm so grateful I got to be there to say goodbye. Love you dad.