Thumbkin

Stix n Brix

No, we haven't fallen off the face of the Earth.  I've been at work the past four days and have just been too tired to make much sense with my typing.  I know, sometimes I don't make much sense anyway.  :)  Let me tell ya a little bit about last week end though.

Gin and I went back to her folks last Friday to do some more of the remodel.  We spent the afternoon painting the interior.  She and her mom painted the old paneling green while I painted two coats of white on the crown molding.  Her father did some caulking.  We all worked well together and it's starting to look good.

On Saturday,  we started putting down the floor.  It's wood laminate and looks pretty nice.  We started in the bathroom and that's when it happened.  In order for the floorboards to lock in right, you really have to get the first couple of them snapped in nice and tight.  Gin was sitting on the concrete and was trying to snap the second board into place.  It wouldn't snap in so she got a 2 by 4 and a hammer to start giving it a little persuasion.  She was focused on where the boards snap together and not where her hand was.  BAM!!  She hit her thumb and doubled over in pain.  When she unrolled her body, her hand was full of blood.  Her mom quickly got some clean paper towels so Gin could apply pressure.  After she said she was "ok" and still wanted to work more, her mom went to the drugstore and got a thumb splint.  A good ice pack certainly helped.  I can't believe it, but Gin and I put down about a third of the flooring after that mishap.  I'm not used to doing that kind of manual labor and she is one tough cookie.  I know she will lose her thumbnail and I wouldn't be surprised if the bone in the tip isn't broken.  It immediately turned black from the knuckle to the tip.  The very tip looks like dead skin.

We went back to our house on Sunday after two good days of work.  My family had a get together planned and I was looking forward to going to my sister's house.  Gin didn't feel up to riding another four hours so she rested at home.  My nephew Jeff and his wife Becca were visiting  from Colorado.  Their 4 year old daughter Alexandra (Xani) wanted to play cards with me on the floor.  Boy was I sore!  I played with the princess for a while.  I took the camera but the battery was dead.  I'm so mad.  I didn't look in the bag for another one. :(

Tomorrow starts my week off.  We had sorta planned to go to Lake Jordan but we're ready to finish this remodel.  Since her folks have two 30 amp hook ups at the house, we are taking our MH so that we will feel like it's a vacation.  Gin's folks have their rig in the driveway and we've stayed in it, but we may be there a lot longer this time so I don't want to impose too much.  I think Smudge will be more comfortable in our MH also.  Yes, it's all about the dog...

Fairgrounds

Stix n Brix, NC

Gin got back from her folks on Saturday while I was at work and was so worn out that she has slept most of the time.  Her leg is really bothering her too but she is very strong-willed (stubborn) and really wants to do more work at her folks this coming weekend.  When we finally get on the road full-time, we want to volunteer once in a while for Habitat for Humanity.  This is sorta like doing that.

Today was her IV treatment day in Raleigh.  The neurologist's office is close to the State Fairgrounds where there are several FHU sites.  As we drove by, I noticed a nice looking MH parked near a tree all by itself.  After Gin got hooked up, I had a little time to kill so I went shopping.  As I drove by the fairgrounds, I saw a gentleman sitting outside.  Well I had to stop by and chat.  He is a retired federal employee and his wife has 10 more months of work.  They are from Mississippi and have had their Mandalay MH for two weeks.  He had taken his wife to the airport this morning because she had to go to work.  They had decided 37 years ago when they first got married that they wanted to have a nice rv and travel 6-8 months at a time upon retirement.  I know it'll be a long winter for them too.  He said the fairgrounds are updating the power from 30 amp to 50 amp.  This may be a place for us to stay when we come back for doctor stuff.  I know Jim and Dee have a Raleigh connection and have stayed here some.  Fairground camping isn't a Sylville kind of place, but it serves a purpose.

Hope things are going well with everyone and safe travels to all.

Common things

Stix n Brix, NC

I'm off work today so I took Smudge to the groomer's.  Gin went back to her parents to work on the remodel for the next few days.  She has her IV treatment Monday so I know she'll be back Sunday even if she's not finished.  I work again tomorrow night so I'm staying here to get a few chores done (right...).

I'm re-reading the blog from the beginning because I know I have not been putting enough labels on the entries for  reference.  If old posts pop up, I apologize.  It's kinda neat to see how it's changed a little, and it's brought back memories to make me smile.

While Smudge was getting pretty, I did a little shopping.  They weren't finished with her so I had some time to kill.  I sat in the car down the street from the shop in the shade and watched the neighborhood cats melt on the front porch steps.  It's been so hot lately.  I'm at the house now listening to blue grass music which is something that I would never do if Gin were here.  Tomorrow will be classical music.  Today has been one of those times when I just paid attention to the little things in life.  Don't let it just go by, and never take it for granted.  Later.

Work $%*!!

Stix n Brix, NC

Just a quick post.  We got back to our house on Wednesday.  As usual, I washed clothes.  We have relaxed in the air conditioning for the past couple of days.  It's been above 100 degrees here and the humidity is always bad.  At least the grass hasn't grown much since we haven't had much rain.  I go back to work tonight for the next several nights.  I don't think that Gin has really rested enough but she's thinking about going back to her folks to work on the apartment some more.  It's slow going but it's coming together.  Time for a little nap.  I'll check in with everyone later.

Fourth with Folks

Sunday afternoon we drove to Roanoke Rapids to spend the Fourth with my family at my brother Doug’s home on the lake.  It was a warm but not so humid day so it was very nice by the water.  We paddled the kayaks around and floated in the water while others spent time chatting on the boat dock.  Here’s Gin, SiL Carla, Mom and BiL David.

Doug and Carla are fortunate enough to have their own small boat launch.  We all enjoyed a ride around the lake.  Even though I grew up here, I think this was the first time I did that.

My sister Virginia really knows how to relax in the water, and BIL Keith and sister Judy enjoyed the water too.

This is the nice view from the boat dock.  The dam is right across the way.  When the lights come on at night, it looks real pretty.

Since my birthday was just a couple days ago, I got some birthday cards.  I got a special one from Virginia.  It seems her math was a little off.  I got a “Happy 50th” a year early.  We all got a good laugh from it.  There are 3 holidays that have always meant good times with the family.  They are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and July 4th.  Unfortunately, my work schedule has made me miss a lot of those special events with the family.  I sure enjoyed this one.

We got back to Gin’s family and I have spent today giving moral support to those who know how to build things.  Here’s Gin, her father Odie, and brother Butch.

This is a rather full driveway.

And here’s the reason for all this hubbub.  I think they will call him Nicholas.  He’s been a good baby and has a head full of hair.

It’s been real dry here but there are still some pretty flowers to enjoy.

Hope everyone has had an enjoyable holiday.  Stay safe as you travel and I’ll see ya down the road.

Visit with Family

This is my scheduled week off that we usually go rving.  This is also the rush at the campgrounds of those enjoying a long holiday week end.  We were caught in between because I was on stand-by at work and couldn't make reservations.  It turns out that they have adequate coverage so the next few days are free.  So here I sit in a MH...not ours.  We are at Gin's parents and since their house is pretty full with a new baby boy, we are staying in their MH.  It sure does make a nice guest house.  Gin has helped with the apartment remodel some.  We brought Smudge hoping that she wouldn't get so upset and miss her Mama G.

Tomorrow we plan to visit with my family at Roanoke Rapids Lake.  I sure hope the weather holds out because we are all bringing our kayaks.  It would be nice to swim a bit and paddle around.  I'm looking forward to a nice supper too.  Check back later.