This morning was a lazy morning. We got up late, at almost 9 a.m....yes that is very late for us. We sat outside having coffee and watching birds. Then as we watched 5 or more birds at the bird feeder at one time we came to our heads. Why hadn't we thought of taking some photos. Here we were sitting enjoying watching them on both levels of the bird feeder. Three on the bottom level and two on the top, one on the suet and one sitting on top of the shepherd's crook and never once thought of taking a photo. In the background you could even see a hummingbird feeding at the hummingbird feeder. What dunces we were. Roger got up went inside and put the batteries for the camera into the recharger.

You know how a good thought occurs and then never can you get that wonderful photo op again. Well we sat there and sat there and didn't get that chance again. We took a few photos after the batteries charges and here a a couple that turned out the clearest. Hope you enjoy. Have a great Labor Day.

PS if you want to see the photo's up closer click on the photo's and they will enlarge

What fun!

Well I have been telling you about the fun we have been having watching the hummingbirds. I told Roger for my birthday I wanted a squirrel free bird feeder. I told him I wanted one with a shepherd's hook so that we could put it fairly close to the patio and we could watch the birds.

He went right out and got a double-decker one so we could put two types of bird seed in it and attract different types of birds. Last night he put it up. I think he needs to put the post deeper in the ground as it isn't real steady, which he said he will.

This morning I went out to have coffee on the patio. Wow, the birds are already coming. So far they are only going to the lower level guess they like that seed best. I saw this large cardinal, and quite a few smaller birds. What fun it was. Now, I need a book to identify the birds. There must have been at least 10 different birds come to it. I didn't want to go in and get dressed for work. With the long weekend I can sit out there and watch quite a bit. I can hardly wait. I know it isn't my birthday for almost a month yet. But, I can enjoy it before the weather gets really cold a lot longer. Don't I have the best husband?

Relaxing Weekend

Well things have calmed down a bit. My back is better, and again I feel human. Saturday we decided we both needed to take it easy. We slept in until 8am. Yes, that is sleeping in for us! Had coffee out on our patio and then Roger decided he wanted to drive to Charlottesville to "putz around". I think actually he just wanted to drive the new car. So although we had said we were doing "nothing" all day, we got in the car and drove to Charlottesville and looked in the type of stores he enjoys, Best Buy, Plow and Hearth and we did go in an very interesting store called Vinegar and Oil. We just window shopped. Did lots of walking and I was very tired when we headed home. We stopped at Larry & Bonnie's on the way home as I needed to pick up something and ended up staying and cooking out. We had a delightful time.

When we woke up on Sunday we went outside on the patio to have coffee and the hummingbirds were so thick flying to and from the feeder. We have a nest in one of our trees with babies and they were flying back and forth. We were having so much fun watching them that after a lot of debating we decided to take the morning and stay home. Roger got his binoculars and we continued watching. It was so relaxing. Later we did a few things we would have done on Saturday and hadn't.

At 2 Sue and Bonnie & Sandy went to a Tastefully Simple party. Talk about fun. It was wonderful. Now that is the kind of party to go to! You eat and taste the things you order. We had a blast.

Then at 7, Roger, Bonnie and I went to our church ice cream social. What a way to end the day. It was good of course and the sunset was awesome. What a nice weekend. Hope you all had as nice a weekend as we did. Hope this isn't the end of the summer as the weather seems. Maybe just a taste of what might be coming in the future. I hope it warms back up. Especially with our beach vacation coming up at the end of the month. Luv & hugs to all!

Nothing can last forever!

Sunday, we got up and went to church. In the middle of the service, I had to go out and take some medicine. My back started up again! Out of the blue! Here we go again! The physical thearpist is trying to figure out what has happened, and we are going through the process of elimination. But I sure didn't like it when she told me that surgery is inevitable. Nor did I like it when the other Dr. I went to on Monday at UVA (a pelvic floor disorder, Dr.) told me that my bladder issues are also most likely coming from my back issues.

I have to go back to that Dr. on September 16th after I do some record keeping for them and change in medication. Then we will go from there on that issue. Boy this aging is no picnic. I am doing everything I can do to keep from having surgery. But all indications are that it is heading in that direction wether I like it or not.

Now for some good news. Roger told me he was tired of seeing me struggle to get in and out of my suv. So we went in search of a new car. We did find one. And I am now driving a Toyota Venza. It is "blizzard pearl". It is very easy to get in and out of. I still say that he had the "I wanna new car blues", but how could I say no with such a sweet reason he gave me for wanting to get me a new car. Besides we do drive around a lot of shut in's and it was very difficult to get them in the car. I had been having a very hard time lately getting in the car so it was a good idea. Not to mention the car was very high on milage and needing lots of work. And no, for those of you who may be asking the question...we did not do "cash for clunkers". My car was not a clunker and I absolutely get livid over the idea of that program. Let's not even go there!

So, I am driving a wonderful new car, when I can. We only have 200 some miles on it, and have our nearest plan for any distant travel is when we go on vacation the end of September to Holden beach with Bonnie and Larry Spoon. We will keep you posted on that and how we enjoy the car then.

Hope you are all enjoying the end of the summer. Luv to all!

Our Work in Photo

Well, here is the result of our hard work. I told you that I would post a photo so what are your thoughts? As you can see, we can now sit outside and be in the shade. We are really enjoying the "fruits of our labors". It is wonderful to sit under our patio roof and enjoy the breeze and the atleast 10 degrees cooler temp. Also the thoughts of not having to shovel the steps this winter.

We joke about the possiblity of even parking the Miata under it. Hey we actually could. We look forward to you coming and sipping a cool beverage under the roof sometime...let us know when you can come!

Sarah's Elephant Ride

As Promised here is Sarah's photo from our trip to Natural Bridge to ride an elephant. At the last moment she decided Ne-Ne needed to ride with her. She was so excited. Sarah had so much fun that day at the Zoo. But the best part of the day was getting to ride and pet the elephant. She loves elephants. She has since she was a tiny baby. Not just the animated elephants but the real elephants.

Thought you might enjoy seeing her on the elephant. I will post more photos of her -trip with Ne-Ne & Pa-Paw soon.

Moving Right Along!

I promised a progress report. As of today, the gutters are back up on the main part of the house, & are complete on the new patio cover. The main wood beam across the legnth of the patio near the yard has been wrapped in aluminum and the outside of the patio "facing" is also complete with the exception of the finish moulding which we can not find anywhere! Apparently they don't manufacture aluminum outside corner moulding anymore. Roger will check with a distributor first before he has to hand make it himself from rolled aluminum. We installed the beginning rows of soffit last night (not an easy task) (after those rows I have been promised it will be a breeze) and hung the ceiling fan and light. It is finally beginning to look like I wanted it! Woopie!!!! Today we will put up J channel ... We are in hope to be almost 90% done by tomorrow night! Boy will we both be glad. It has been lots of work. But well worth it.

We have been working until way past dark each night. Last night we came inside and Roger went down to quickly check his work email. I flopped on the bed and when I woke up this morning there I was, still in the same position...you guessed it. In my clothes! Roger didn't even awaken me to get undressed. Good Grief! You will laugh, my biggest surprise was that I didn't even wake up to go to the bathroom all night. Very unusual for me!