tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736915056698536882024-03-18T14:58:01.734-05:00 At Rivercrest CottageWhere Every Picture Tells A Story...Sometimes A Very Blurry One!At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.comBlogger773125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-69788466589153729932022-09-14T18:31:00.001-05:002022-09-14T18:33:16.496-05:00Hello Again, It's Nearly Fall...<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2hRwwEblskgYzlOjBCG3spozOUWFAZtPshwxuaB5egc-6OXsD6iSlPQ-nqClt9nYtpZv5VAQuotUIbf9GPk5c9I8VsB1r1lKE19Hmev5DnGyuF85PnWg0vgZm-1j5pxwr3pYABGqx1GFSvCpvPGfoqmUi6tDRgffjPGfTB-ROxa3VgGt2Svfb3MRQ/s4000/pumpkin%20head%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2hRwwEblskgYzlOjBCG3spozOUWFAZtPshwxuaB5egc-6OXsD6iSlPQ-nqClt9nYtpZv5VAQuotUIbf9GPk5c9I8VsB1r1lKE19Hmev5DnGyuF85PnWg0vgZm-1j5pxwr3pYABGqx1GFSvCpvPGfoqmUi6tDRgffjPGfTB-ROxa3VgGt2Svfb3MRQ/w400-h300/pumpkin%20head%201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> It's been a long time. I thought I'd check in and see how many people are still blogging from the old days. Blogger has changed so much, I had to work my way through how to post all over again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm still in the midwest, out on the prairie. Youngest Daughter and grandson said they are reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's book, <i>The Long Winter, </i>about her life on the prairie as a child.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Youngest Daughter's last text said the Ingalls family was huddled in the kitchen trying to keep warm. Snow had nearly made movement outside impossible, and the cow stopped giving milk due to lack of nourishment. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To make matters worse for the Ingalls, snow blocked the train from making deliveries to their small town, so seemingly there was no hope in sight...a hard scrabble life for sure!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe reading <i>The Long Winter</i> will make life look pretty good for all of us right now.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-3607340403485986072021-09-06T18:11:00.001-05:002021-09-06T18:11:21.148-05:00Projects, Projects, Projects...<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I think I might be filling up my space with projects to keep from feeling the loss of my old life. Sometimes I don’t feel like a whole. What was WE is now just me. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I guess that’s where all the projects come in.</i></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jX5RfHlDi_c/YTYn-dZZMTI/AAAAAAAAQx4/T33Ei7X38VwQO9J6lf-zsFvC3z9m2GRVACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/A8166D89-B1EA-426D-9B15-7E6C30F5E211.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="302" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jX5RfHlDi_c/YTYn-dZZMTI/AAAAAAAAQx4/T33Ei7X38VwQO9J6lf-zsFvC3z9m2GRVACLcBGAsYHQ/w302-h640/A8166D89-B1EA-426D-9B15-7E6C30F5E211.jpeg" width="302" /></a></div><br /><span><span style="font-size: large;">This is a cabinet I'm working on for the entry by the garage. It started out as unpainted wood. Kind of blah. </span></span><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">I used half a jar of expensive chalk paint on it before I realized it was just soaking it up like a sponge. </span><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VMJ0DfqyRM/YTQLhigKtEI/AAAAAAAAQxU/SLuEFQ5nyqkNTkAAcKc53lf21DUigtkRACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/9FC5D9EA-B3A1-4675-B85E-C5B059E56372.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VMJ0DfqyRM/YTQLhigKtEI/AAAAAAAAQxU/SLuEFQ5nyqkNTkAAcKc53lf21DUigtkRACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9FC5D9EA-B3A1-4675-B85E-C5B059E56372.jpeg" width="183" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I switched to a quart of regular paint from Home Depot in a creamy white, <i>Behr's Swiss Coffee. </i>I added Calcium Carbonate to it, making a cheep version of homemade chalk paint. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have an obsession for putting wheels on large pieces of furniture, but this is so heavy I'm going to buy a piece of MDF just a little larger than the base and put wheels on that. I'll paint it same as the cabinet and slide the cabinet onto it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's my table right in the middle of the chaos. It's very heavy too because the top is a thick piece of wood. The guys who recently delivered my guest room mattress and box spring turned the table upside down for me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJC03jol6Zg/YTYoqFZfu8I/AAAAAAAAQyE/srl8fFjivNUuQ_QZorUfE7Yjy0F6oNrzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B4D3C432-6DC0-490D-82D7-D18AE5867E05.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJC03jol6Zg/YTYoqFZfu8I/AAAAAAAAQyE/srl8fFjivNUuQ_QZorUfE7Yjy0F6oNrzgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/B4D3C432-6DC0-490D-82D7-D18AE5867E05.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I painted the table's trestle legs white and then started adding wheels. I got three of them on with my small battery operated screwdriver, but the going was tough! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My two middle fingers are still hurting from being fractured during the carpet installation, which made using the screwdriver difficult. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I gave in and bought a larger, plug-in electrical drill to attach the rest of the wheels as soon as I get back to it.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZrZS4SHtTQ/YTYoqLlNEgI/AAAAAAAAQyI/e1z3e-obaS0IfCVh5xmGOmCiV-AI6D45ACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/9E955CBB-D384-448A-BB7D-584D08996106.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZrZS4SHtTQ/YTYoqLlNEgI/AAAAAAAAQyI/e1z3e-obaS0IfCVh5xmGOmCiV-AI6D45ACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/9E955CBB-D384-448A-BB7D-584D08996106.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the garage is this large green cabinet I bought for the sunroom. <i>I'm seriously putting a ban on buying anymore large items! </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The garage is full of them, and I've even had to develop a system to take them out of my pickup truck myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TS4XjqeKiE/YTYo7Irbf7I/AAAAAAAAQyc/3Oh2OGt1ZdEyEYCfErq2TOUQknpap6rIACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/62B4C9FC-5F79-47E6-A926-E06C41DEBC59.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TS4XjqeKiE/YTYo7Irbf7I/AAAAAAAAQyc/3Oh2OGt1ZdEyEYCfErq2TOUQknpap6rIACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/62B4C9FC-5F79-47E6-A926-E06C41DEBC59.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>See the bins on rollers the cabinet is laying on? I wheeled them up to the back of the truck and slide the cabinet onto them and wheeled it out of the way.</span><div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGpgp7fb21U/YTYo7IGXMuI/AAAAAAAAQyU/QeB0UzqBVOMKRuRvaZOuqXx9n8CiKR1WgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2431B6D6-9AC5-4D80-81D5-B0FAE2482465.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGpgp7fb21U/YTYo7IGXMuI/AAAAAAAAQyU/QeB0UzqBVOMKRuRvaZOuqXx9n8CiKR1WgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/2431B6D6-9AC5-4D80-81D5-B0FAE2482465.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUCDJ2WEG4k/YTYo7KffavI/AAAAAAAAQyY/5vNAxuXF89UektoyuJlYLJ-Okg4E1wRagCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6E41EC42-9861-408F-BFB6-6D873EC0424A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUCDJ2WEG4k/YTYo7KffavI/AAAAAAAAQyY/5vNAxuXF89UektoyuJlYLJ-Okg4E1wRagCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/6E41EC42-9861-408F-BFB6-6D873EC0424A.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The garage is also holding a corner cabinet, a vanity that's going to become a potting bench, and this desk with carved drawers...</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pvn5Sb38LQ/YTYpcTtWU4I/AAAAAAAAQys/DmVQ6sUBZAwoQwTy0cd5BqFA69uT30p5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/038CB095-015D-40E7-8937-110EA2729873.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4pvn5Sb38LQ/YTYpcTtWU4I/AAAAAAAAQys/DmVQ6sUBZAwoQwTy0cd5BqFA69uT30p5QCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/038CB095-015D-40E7-8937-110EA2729873.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwvgSqoCkc0/YTYpcfNwRzI/AAAAAAAAQy0/qNr5URkVrnEO3fT-QhlxNNLU02u5AquNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/504F12B7-B35B-480F-91A5-88BCED62594D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwvgSqoCkc0/YTYpcfNwRzI/AAAAAAAAQy0/qNr5URkVrnEO3fT-QhlxNNLU02u5AquNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/504F12B7-B35B-480F-91A5-88BCED62594D.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you can see, there's plenty to do. Almost too much actually. I've made a list and vow to complete an item before I start the next. And no more new projects until the ones I have are done.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p></div></div>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-73310210822019643852021-08-14T06:55:00.000-05:002021-08-14T06:55:19.756-05:00How Many Bones Can You Break Getting New Carpet?<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Well, if you read my title above, you might know why I haven't posted lately. The answer is 3 or 4 bones in my case! </i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IB2YJWFIyWU/YRc6nkl7XzI/AAAAAAAAQv0/sXZDDvui_LM5bzy16Pxf6dCUIjQ9V3bhACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA97908F-7574-441D-BF65-169C50BA524B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1949" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IB2YJWFIyWU/YRc6nkl7XzI/AAAAAAAAQv0/sXZDDvui_LM5bzy16Pxf6dCUIjQ9V3bhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA97908F-7574-441D-BF65-169C50BA524B.jpeg" width="305" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Both Middle Fingers Fractured</i></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Right after my last post, the construction guy I've been using to upgrade things in my new house removed and replaced the carpet in my bedroom and closet.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Things went smoothly until Tony asked if I had a second vacuum so he could put both of his 20-something-year-old helpers to work vacuuming for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I think he was a little miffed at them, as he was doing the final threshold alone, and they were just standing around talking and watching him work.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I had been sitting and staying out of trouble in the living room. I tend to be the "hands-on" type, so that's how I was staying out of their way!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As I carefully stepped over the carpet doubled back in the threshold on the way in, I was happy to get my first look at the new carpet.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The problem was on the way back out! I got distracted by a clogged vacuum filter I was carrying and wasn't watching where I was going.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In a hurry, I tripped over the unfinished carpet in the threshold and did a Lucille-Ball-stumble out the doorway and into the opposite wall! </span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">My hands naturally went up to protect myself during the fall, and I fractured the middle fingers on both hands. </span></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEOTJjHfRtM/YRc7LDu9UHI/AAAAAAAAQwE/1bYLwdNaQmY9bmvEX6dKesgHzdaPqE6owCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4D07D5D5-8060-422F-AFBB-7A316CD44551.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2029" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEOTJjHfRtM/YRc7LDu9UHI/AAAAAAAAQwE/1bYLwdNaQmY9bmvEX6dKesgHzdaPqE6owCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4D07D5D5-8060-422F-AFBB-7A316CD44551.jpeg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Later I drove myself down to an Immediate Care facility where they have X-ray machines. Both middle fingers were fractured, the left worse than the right. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>They put splints on both middle fingers, which really improved my ability to flip people off should I choose to do so!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As for my toes, my left foot got tangled up in the piled up carpet in the threshold, which caused me to trip in the first place. Stumbling, I drug my foot over the newly installed tack-board causing some punctures and a toe or two got fractured in the tangle. </span></p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6T2ZttTAfxI/YRc7LFutLrI/AAAAAAAAQwI/R-VXG7MuZboYzzgFf1iqd90unYAwmtUdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/671FB099-CD72-4930-8ECD-5143814B120D.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you've ever broken a toe, you know they don't do much for them. I broke one of my toes the night Wild Bill and I got married, and we went home the next day after the doctor said just stay off it.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I haven’t gotten the room in shape yet, but here’s a picture of the threshold after Tony finished it up. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fc-qwonea4/YRdAWEGf4gI/AAAAAAAAQwc/5X3yWybS8NsP67OgjNYIHAjpGUXD5uBuACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3EB3C59A-566F-4EFB-928D-76BF2AD03C83.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fc-qwonea4/YRdAWEGf4gI/AAAAAAAAQwc/5X3yWybS8NsP67OgjNYIHAjpGUXD5uBuACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3EB3C59A-566F-4EFB-928D-76BF2AD03C83.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks For Dropping By!</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-13962766019785410372021-08-02T13:22:00.000-05:002021-08-02T13:22:39.264-05:00Buying A House - Making A Home<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">At the end of January, I closed on a house in a Del Webb (55-plus) community in Illinois.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTvBPdXeVvA/YQgzdy7xrHI/AAAAAAAAQvY/45Ui76VbMHwwGOux0XwiGf746cKfNStrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8828B60B-D898-4C73-9B97-ED85955A5E19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1815" data-original-width="2048" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTvBPdXeVvA/YQgzdy7xrHI/AAAAAAAAQvY/45Ui76VbMHwwGOux0XwiGf746cKfNStrACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/8828B60B-D898-4C73-9B97-ED85955A5E19.jpeg" width="320" /></a></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Without Wild Bill, it was emotionally much harder than I expected. I cried all the way to the closing. It made his death feel so final. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Up to that point, everything had been temporary actions!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Buying a house required making a commitment and fully admitting Wild Bill would not be here to help make this house a home.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4zbPUWjFwo/YQg0hRzgiZI/AAAAAAAAQvg/Ixd2JJUs1QsNsSxslWyHNYXkY3aCbnGrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5EC7C017-362C-47C7-B0ED-27FB0BB8E9CC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4zbPUWjFwo/YQg0hRzgiZI/AAAAAAAAQvg/Ixd2JJUs1QsNsSxslWyHNYXkY3aCbnGrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/5EC7C017-362C-47C7-B0ED-27FB0BB8E9CC.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>So, here I am...back again and planning to stay. </span>I hope all of my blogging friends will join me in this new journey.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Please help by giving your advice, or even just an opinion, whenever I'm stuck with indecision -- If you're an old reader, you know that happens quite often!</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks For Dropping In!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-1518004854122487682020-11-26T17:00:00.110-06:002020-11-26T17:00:02.891-06:00Another Thanksgiving Passes<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">After the last two Thanksgivings, a nice quiet one is welcome in our family this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The youngest granddaughter and I spent yesterday together baking pies and enjoying a few of her Christmas presents a little early. Okay, a lot early!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">She was always Grampy's Girl after all, now I'm the only one here. We both wish it was different, but that's life. I'm thankful she and the family are close by. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you are all doing well now too. It's been a long year, that's for sure! I've found that getting back up on my feet has been a struggle, especially as the anniversary of Wild Bill's passing is only a few days away. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to those of you who have stuck with me. Thanksgiving was our downfall last year...this year it was my goalpost</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-81092565800118763772020-09-17T13:11:00.008-05:002020-09-17T13:18:25.912-05:00Finally Fall And Decorating Dilemmas<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The cool weather has finally started showing up for us here in the middle of the country. YAY!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o62ri9Vey20/X2OSimVMHOI/AAAAAAAAQiM/RIJ4t9r7fo4mV2snf6c_k5eqx_-dfR0CgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/pumpkin%2Bhead%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o62ri9Vey20/X2OSimVMHOI/AAAAAAAAQiM/RIJ4t9r7fo4mV2snf6c_k5eqx_-dfR0CgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/pumpkin%2Bhead%2B2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I was looking at old posts on my blog here, trying to figure out what I might have left in my storage bins to decorate with for fall. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The photos of this pumpkin-scarecrow make me happy. I've loved the scarecrow for many years now, and I believe I kept him. I won't know for sure until I tackle all the bins in the garage.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCt15YHZs08/X2OTn3cav-I/AAAAAAAAQiU/o5UbhCWFZ5YHWjS5AuSzSPsMOrKf2vocgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_3816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCt15YHZs08/X2OTn3cav-I/AAAAAAAAQiU/o5UbhCWFZ5YHWjS5AuSzSPsMOrKf2vocgCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3816.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit, I made so many bad choices when we sold the house so quickly! The things I loved didn't seem important right then...they were just things after all, right?</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd12_cX9S9Y/X2OUVdSyoBI/AAAAAAAAQic/gFP8wkGxxog-XtqGKFJte2wpodRQobq5gCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/pumpkin%2Bhead%2B4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd12_cX9S9Y/X2OUVdSyoBI/AAAAAAAAQic/gFP8wkGxxog-XtqGKFJte2wpodRQobq5gCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/pumpkin%2Bhead%2B4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Yes that's true, but they were also packed with memories of all our 26 years together. Wild Bill loved to tease me when I started getting out my bins marked FALL. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He would shake his head and ask (in his best Texan twang) if we were <i>"Ah fixin' to decorate?"</i> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfE213u-Lpk/X2OWT9hJBhI/AAAAAAAAQio/C0sVqxe--7UHu9RS5CnhJjbR0-mf3MwXgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_3809.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfE213u-Lpk/X2OWT9hJBhI/AAAAAAAAQio/C0sVqxe--7UHu9RS5CnhJjbR0-mf3MwXgCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3809.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking I might skip the fall decorating this year. Maybe I'm a little afraid I got rid of all my fall decor in my haste to get the house cleared out during our move from Texas. </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8E7YoyfMV-A/X2ObFltbMYI/AAAAAAAAQi8/flpZryAGcFYHwYzRE58kR51Y0RNUVqDKgCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/pumpkin%2Bpillow%2B4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8E7YoyfMV-A/X2ObFltbMYI/AAAAAAAAQi8/flpZryAGcFYHwYzRE58kR51Y0RNUVqDKgCPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/pumpkin%2Bpillow%2B4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">We sold our house right away. Then the couple buying our house sold their farmhouse in one day after signing our contract. We went from having a month to get things done, to having to get it all done right away as the closing date kept moving sooner and sooner. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I know for sure I sold and gave away things that I really would've kept if I hadn't been so stressed at the time. Please learn from my mistakes!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzzlHs0WAm0/X2Oat-eUVNI/AAAAAAAAQi0/I_3TtE8zrAAhqTM88DHdNNDBju5WFyX4gCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_3780.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzzlHs0WAm0/X2Oat-eUVNI/AAAAAAAAQi0/I_3TtE8zrAAhqTM88DHdNNDBju5WFyX4gCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3780.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I put all the decorations in moving boxes and gave away the old bins marked with the season they held. </span><span>The boxes were in storage until we bought a house in Mississippi where Wild Bill wanted to continue treatment. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oldest Daughter and I moved the storage boxes from Texas to our Mississippi garage right before Wild Bill took a turn for the worst and everything was forgotten for a time. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNgQKJvGLvk/X2OmaHH84CI/AAAAAAAAQjI/FXF3coC_r1ER3GSj0VpAYXZDdcVVK6GPwCPcBGAsYHg/s4000/IMG_3781.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNgQKJvGLvk/X2OmaHH84CI/AAAAAAAAQjI/FXF3coC_r1ER3GSj0VpAYXZDdcVVK6GPwCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_3781.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>When I sold the Mississippi house at the end of </span><span>Feb, I donated and gave away a lot more than I should have...that's how I ended up here today wondering if any of my favorite fall decorations are in those unmarked bins in the garage? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to tackle the bins today, and we'll see in a few days what survived.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-19577782754704325122020-08-13T14:37:00.000-05:002020-08-13T14:37:54.552-05:00Lucky 13<p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">The number 13 is my lucky number. My father was born on December 13th, my mother was born on May 13th, and they got married on August 13th. Yep...that means today would be their anniversary if they were still married.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">My dad died in 1994, but they had been divorced since 1956. Despite that, he loved my mom until the day he died. They married very young during World War II when he was only 19 and she was just 16. He always said they were just way too young when they got married.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">My dad was in the Navy and home on leave during the war when he saw my mother headed into the roller skating rink with a group of friends. He was smitten with her and followed them in.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Someone yelled, <i>"Betty, I have first skate with you!"</i> and my dad yelled, <i>"Betty, I have second skate with you!"</i> Then he followed them into the roller rink and put on skates just so he could skate with her and find out who she was.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dad said it was love at first sight for him. I do believe it was. They dated for the 2 weeks he was home, and he asked her to marry him before the second week. When she said yes, he had a big heart tattoo put on his left arm, above the wrist, with an arrow through the heart and the words <i><b>Don & Betty</b></i> boldly filling the center of the heart!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Despite the early divorce, they remained friends all their lives. My two step-mothers both asked repeatedly that dad have his tattoo covered over...he refused. It was still there the day he died.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-42721230048373728732020-07-30T19:46:00.000-05:002020-07-30T19:46:12.074-05:00Home GoodsFinally got to Home Goods recently...<div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYFSGgN9gUM/XyNjbblTyOI/AAAAAAAAQhM/k945xO4k8DEB1j4_-laRcnyK-mqdW3osQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0D6C435E-7167-44AF-9B9F-FF8CA802863B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYFSGgN9gUM/XyNjbblTyOI/AAAAAAAAQhM/k945xO4k8DEB1j4_-laRcnyK-mqdW3osQCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/0D6C435E-7167-44AF-9B9F-FF8CA802863B.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>I may have gotten a little carried away!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ-bbLhn4sk/XyNjbWDVZwI/AAAAAAAAQhQ/ccEEx9pfzckiMZ7c8fVhrqvDCtY3098AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/27C75579-7C05-49C3-81E5-D46A3F79C6C1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ-bbLhn4sk/XyNjbWDVZwI/AAAAAAAAQhQ/ccEEx9pfzckiMZ7c8fVhrqvDCtY3098AwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/27C75579-7C05-49C3-81E5-D46A3F79C6C1.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I think I spent too much time feeling sorry for myself. The BLESSED pillow reminded me of just how lucky I’ve been in my life. I bought it to remind myself daily...I don’t want to ever forget. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNoYaCCoaT4/XyNjbVl1i9I/AAAAAAAAQhU/0O0XFtGy5CsWxn4xHEZ3MoDs7T8-gQWrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D1938022-089A-4849-ACD6-9C973597CFF9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNoYaCCoaT4/XyNjbVl1i9I/AAAAAAAAQhU/0O0XFtGy5CsWxn4xHEZ3MoDs7T8-gQWrACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/D1938022-089A-4849-ACD6-9C973597CFF9.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I planned to put the black and white rug in the kitchen in front of the sink, but at the last minute I changed my mind and took it out of the basket. Drags!!! I’ve been to several stores trying to find one again, but so far no luck. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite stores use to be Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, but both stores have lost there allure for me. Maybe their buyers have changed? I don’t know what it is, but I don’t find anything I like there anymore. </div><div><br /></div><div>So Home Goods has become my number one for now. I’m still on the hunt for that rug so I’m visiting every store in the area until I find one. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pE0UQ-AV3A/XyNjcq9tcaI/AAAAAAAAQhY/5w4hmN8VGH8FmSSN5FlZhznWJ3QvKWaGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/E8276544-634B-46F6-8782-70A2C53F28B6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pE0UQ-AV3A/XyNjcq9tcaI/AAAAAAAAQhY/5w4hmN8VGH8FmSSN5FlZhznWJ3QvKWaGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/E8276544-634B-46F6-8782-70A2C53F28B6.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>How about you? What’s your go to store these days?</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div> Thanks For Dropping By!</div>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-90710906187438178612020-07-01T11:13:00.000-05:002020-07-01T11:13:53.135-05:00My Garage With Teeny Apartment Attached<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of months ago, I moved into a <u>garage</u> with a small apartment attached. <i>Yes...you read that right! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think my garage is bigger than my apartment...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANnRepz2CZ4/Xvye8hN2s_I/AAAAAAAAQe8/eeaA8AcwPvgJAZdQh4a3Og4AyfhtIqtTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1066.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANnRepz2CZ4/Xvye8hN2s_I/AAAAAAAAQe8/eeaA8AcwPvgJAZdQh4a3Og4AyfhtIqtTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_1066.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Garage Door To The Left Of Photo</i></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>My teeny apartment is just 750 square feet...but I love it.</b></i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm the first one to ever live in it, and it's the first time in my life I've ever lived in a place all by myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Family is close by, and I've got some great neighbors. I'm good!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bO6Y9reM7c/Xvyql8ywOII/AAAAAAAAQf8/2vt77UqrVA8Q2TTgrG9E5Nemg9bfz-NHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4052.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bO6Y9reM7c/Xvyql8ywOII/AAAAAAAAQf8/2vt77UqrVA8Q2TTgrG9E5Nemg9bfz-NHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4052.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>My Teeny Tiny Front Room</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a bit of a challenge to decorate and furnish a small place and still be comfortable without being overly cluttered. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKlRKf7PHyA/Xvyo915IbCI/AAAAAAAAQfs/Vx-JCyj6ME4RY3dYLJdTL6WPdjKshv5SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1070.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKlRKf7PHyA/Xvyo915IbCI/AAAAAAAAQfs/Vx-JCyj6ME4RY3dYLJdTL6WPdjKshv5SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1070.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For 2 months it's been pretty bare! I think I'm up to decorating now since stores are starting to open up. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZoQrL_sGJ0/Xvyz1Fs_KdI/AAAAAAAAQgI/2DszANbHO3Yx3TC94v10WQuFwqzcnOM9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4044.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZoQrL_sGJ0/Xvyz1Fs_KdI/AAAAAAAAQgI/2DszANbHO3Yx3TC94v10WQuFwqzcnOM9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4044.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you remember, I sold most of my furniture in Texas to the people who bought Rivercrest Cottage. What they didn't buy, I gave away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking back, it wasn't a smart move. LOL!!! We had two storage units filled with "pretties" and no furniture when we got to Mississippi!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we bought the Mississippi house, I bought new furniture trying to quickly make it a home for Wild Bill. It felt like we were going to have a fresh start! <i>That didn't work out...</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With Wild Bill gone so soon, I gave our new furniture to the people who bought the house and went to <strike>hide out</strike> stay with Middle Daughter and family here in Illinois. If you read that post, you might remember the family lost their house and everything in a storm 2 days before looking at our house (the first time) with my realtor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of my special "decorating stuff" I have left has to go into the oversized garage in bins. It was love at first sight for the garage...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-xAR_Rn-MA/XvyfdgLHmSI/AAAAAAAAQfM/9Ddguin-_IkUtWIkfIBxkKC-l8gblJfdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1067.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-xAR_Rn-MA/XvyfdgLHmSI/AAAAAAAAQfM/9Ddguin-_IkUtWIkfIBxkKC-l8gblJfdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1067.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Length of Garage Is One and A Half</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's a small driveway in front of the garage, so I can leave the car outside and use the garage as an entertaining area. There's no room for a table in my apartment, but in a pinch, I could put folding tables and chairs in the garage if I needed to feed people.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3_qhblVJFk/Xvyp7cTRToI/AAAAAAAAQf0/VInsT0xPGKwaMohsv0cTUeBfZzEEzfMkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4005.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3_qhblVJFk/Xvyp7cTRToI/AAAAAAAAQf0/VInsT0xPGKwaMohsv0cTUeBfZzEEzfMkACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4005.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Garage On Left Is Mine, My Porch On Right</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want another ping pong table in the garage like we use to have. That is, if social distancing ever ends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now there's just me...and lots of stuff! This photo was taken before I went back to Mississippi and picked up my storage stuff.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33AQB7kDhAg/XvykG-VD7-I/AAAAAAAAQfg/OLMsr3Wycuc9yZYFzsAzqNAXhRXTU1XJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33AQB7kDhAg/XvykG-VD7-I/AAAAAAAAQfg/OLMsr3Wycuc9yZYFzsAzqNAXhRXTU1XJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1308.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Illinois tends to get cold. The</span><span style="font-size: large;"> garage has a wall heater to keep it warm in winter. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLa6nJ4qGZk/XvyfxqPGnXI/AAAAAAAAQfU/Z1LaATrrfOIGx14gmtpFW4Jfvb1nifBQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1068.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLa6nJ4qGZk/XvyfxqPGnXI/AAAAAAAAQfU/Z1LaATrrfOIGx14gmtpFW4Jfvb1nifBQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1068.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Electric Heater at the top of photo</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I won't use it unless I need to do some work out there. <i>I don't think I'd want to pay the bill for heating it more than just a little.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks for dropping by!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-83728377901770777322020-06-21T08:06:00.002-05:002020-06-21T08:16:51.879-05:00Struggles<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope all is well with you...</span><span style="font-size: large;">I've found it's easier to say you're back than to actually be back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last 7 months have been a struggle to get back to normal, especially in this world of shutdowns and Covid 19. </span><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKIYF-H57sE/Xu9X6CbKaoI/AAAAAAAAQdQ/WlyX4YOdLlkqI9HlgmjXYMQqA7RrRxfnwCK4BGAsYHg/s3088/IMG_4511.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKIYF-H57sE/Xu9X6CbKaoI/AAAAAAAAQdQ/WlyX4YOdLlkqI9HlgmjXYMQqA7RrRxfnwCK4BGAsYHg/s320/IMG_4511.JPG" /></a></div><font size="4"><br /></font>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted more than anything to get a haircut, especially when my bangs almost reached my chin! But long hair started to grow on me (no pun intended) and now I'm leaving it that way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm working on downsizing now that I have everything I own in my garage and small apartment. It seems you have to go through your things about a blue million times before you actually get to a point where you have just what you need and no more.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I've found Blogspot changed all their buttons while I was gone. Took me forever to figure out how to even publish a post!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4">Today is the first day of Summer I think. The 4th of July will be here before we know it, and it seems like it should be fall by now to me. Time drags. </font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4">I've been going out to walk early each morning, trying to get some exercise and using the time to get some deep breaths. Just Breathe...Just Breathe...</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><i>How about you?</i> Are you enjoying summer or would you rather it be fall like me? Fall always seems to be a time for renewal... I'm ready for that.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5"><i><br /></i></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font size="5">Thanks for dropping by!</font></i></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><br /></div>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-79141541593525927672020-06-03T09:42:00.001-05:002020-06-03T09:44:00.612-05:00Life Does Go On...6 Months In<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hey Everyone! I'm trying to come back. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kIXgvQPH9Dg/XtexNqf6qHI/AAAAAAAAQcM/75S0AQVB62c1yZTd_5T4zsva-u1QGEgogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Happens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="186" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kIXgvQPH9Dg/XtexNqf6qHI/AAAAAAAAQcM/75S0AQVB62c1yZTd_5T4zsva-u1QGEgogCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Happens.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally getting my feet on the ground and starting over instead of hiding out...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVD5jMtt8y8/Xter-DZiheI/AAAAAAAAQb0/2a5ZXGsMENo08NjE6zV7o_85fGyN10KIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_198a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1550" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVD5jMtt8y8/Xter-DZiheI/AAAAAAAAQb0/2a5ZXGsMENo08NjE6zV7o_85fGyN10KIACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_198a.jpeg" width="309" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been 6 months today since Wild Bill passed. Seems like so long ago in a different life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I rented a very small apartment with a large attached garage. In the Illinois winters that garage will be a godsend.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaxP1Jgc4Xc/XtexkrTMBoI/AAAAAAAAQcU/mpjmSeiqkaIDVQt2qHARTwfJi_6VXYBwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vaxP1Jgc4Xc/XtexkrTMBoI/AAAAAAAAQcU/mpjmSeiqkaIDVQt2qHARTwfJi_6VXYBwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mississippi House bought in Aug 2019, sold Feb 2020.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I gave most of our furniture to the people who bought our house in Mississippi so I'm living, for the time being, with a few borrowed pieces of furniture from my daughter who lives nearby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With all the businesses shut down, it's been hard to buy furniture so I'm taking it slow. I plan to buy a small home next year so will try to keep the furniture minimal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last weekend, I drove down to Mississippi with some friends and picked up what belongings I kept in a storage unit there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I put everything in my attached garage for the time being while I determine what stays. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DMf8d3l1Fo/XteyqUA1XPI/AAAAAAAAQcg/F-8TlzW4qPMXOmZC5oQRvHRd87Q9pfvdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/60062667066__B9BA8CF8-F4C1-4CE2-A2B9-C7CDD5ED6A0B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_DMf8d3l1Fo/XteyqUA1XPI/AAAAAAAAQcg/F-8TlzW4qPMXOmZC5oQRvHRd87Q9pfvdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/60062667066__B9BA8CF8-F4C1-4CE2-A2B9-C7CDD5ED6A0B.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know this 70 year-old church pew will stay. I love it. I bought it on Facebook Marketplace from a wonderful couple who became my best friends during the 7 months in Mississippi. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mW36LSOWQq8/Xte0zvCCHhI/AAAAAAAAQcs/PLQxu7zlAEcJ40_LN_CBWuRQ5jwkFjoXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_19a2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mW36LSOWQq8/Xte0zvCCHhI/AAAAAAAAQcs/PLQxu7zlAEcJ40_LN_CBWuRQ5jwkFjoXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_19a2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Juan and Floria were truly angels who showed up to help me through the worst part of my life. I will forever be grateful that God sent them to me just when I needed angels the most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you'll come back and see me. I'm determined to get back to blogging and life and hope you will share it with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-43854905938600582302020-03-13T20:33:00.001-05:002020-03-13T21:19:37.897-05:00Back From The Abyss<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>It's been a while...Let's catch up!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I spent December with family in Illinois. In early January, Oldest Daughter and I went down to Mississippi to get the house Wild Bill and I bought last August ready to sell. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our house was located in the town of Southaven (northern Mississippi) just south of Memphis Tennessee.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQLMq08_mlc/Xmw1u5iRmvI/AAAAAAAAQZc/37_CWdPs88slPUnq5Ih_QDjSQwXkEiKRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQLMq08_mlc/Xmw1u5iRmvI/AAAAAAAAQZc/37_CWdPs88slPUnq5Ih_QDjSQwXkEiKRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_2846.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">On the night of January 11, 2020, there was a bad storm in the Memphis area. I</span><span style="font-size: large;">n Germantown TN (west side of Memphis) 20 to 30 houses were demolished by the storm</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The next day, Sunday the 12th, a couple standing in the middle of the lot that was her home the day before, made a call to a realtor friend. The couple had been planning to marry in the spring, then buy a new house together in the summer...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"We're going to need a house a lot sooner than we thought!"</i> they told their realtor friend as they picked through the rubble of her home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"<i>I have the perfect house for you."</i> Realtor Friend replied.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VROHnaFixbo/Xmw3obtd9II/AAAAAAAAQZo/tvekC8rY7ZIR4M66OdvpU4xkU7XaZVbOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/60064309631__66147FD2-6546-4346-AE31-E0D136F8B813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VROHnaFixbo/Xmw3obtd9II/AAAAAAAAQZo/tvekC8rY7ZIR4M66OdvpU4xkU7XaZVbOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/60064309631__66147FD2-6546-4346-AE31-E0D136F8B813.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8cWrrsA1zA/Xmw3s4Q4uwI/AAAAAAAAQZs/73RBd7BP-t49aQzzLCnN-k3TmxUGT0bygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/60064308984__D7BDE104-840B-48D3-8910-81EB717D27EB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8cWrrsA1zA/Xmw3s4Q4uwI/AAAAAAAAQZs/73RBd7BP-t49aQzzLCnN-k3TmxUGT0bygCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/60064308984__D7BDE104-840B-48D3-8910-81EB717D27EB.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was packing boxes that Sunday (getting ready to have our realtor put the house on the market) when he called me asking if I would be willing to let a friend of his see the house right away. <i>How could I refuse when I heard their situation? </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfSCVBQPp24/Xmw38JrfEpI/AAAAAAAAQZw/9XPqrxRAPjkSTZTgvG5aOqwgUn9hXkDMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_19e7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfSCVBQPp24/Xmw38JrfEpI/AAAAAAAAQZw/9XPqrxRAPjkSTZTgvG5aOqwgUn9hXkDMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_19e7.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next day, Monday Jan 13th, the couple came to see our house... packing boxes and all! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JloIIshidg/Xmw4HaFGfKI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/zDv8Yfc4TWUZzcQEpDlYWA1qcTs76rScgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_19a2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JloIIshidg/Xmw4HaFGfKI/AAAAAAAAQZ4/zDv8Yfc4TWUZzcQEpDlYWA1qcTs76rScgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_19a2.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the home-selling advice you will ever get advises you against showing a house before it's cleaned up and ready --<i> but what the heck</i> -- I had a feeling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They came, they saw, they liked. <b><i>But</i></b>...they wanted to look at the competition, just in case. I knew they were <span style="font-style: italic;">"The One's"</span> and didn't even bother to put the house on the market. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA83iAVyY9A/Xmw4UJdK3UI/AAAAAAAAQaA/SYGRbN37FcAtGNYP4983W6onpxr5FsAegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/60062667066__B9BA8CF8-F4C1-4CE2-A2B9-C7CDD5ED6A0B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA83iAVyY9A/Xmw4UJdK3UI/AAAAAAAAQaA/SYGRbN37FcAtGNYP4983W6onpxr5FsAegCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/60062667066__B9BA8CF8-F4C1-4CE2-A2B9-C7CDD5ED6A0B.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks later, the couple returned with her 3 daughters to look one more time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our back patio that day (with an engagement ring in his pocket) he got down on his knee and proposed to her and her girls. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jK4lgzF0Bww/Xmw40Zm8lpI/AAAAAAAAQaU/HJl_ww8R6As_LnzKdDwbeyr1_EjVmchFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/60062767721__EED72600-6E14-4675-A331-7485D4A54EEA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jK4lgzF0Bww/Xmw40Zm8lpI/AAAAAAAAQaU/HJl_ww8R6As_LnzKdDwbeyr1_EjVmchFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/60062767721__EED72600-6E14-4675-A331-7485D4A54EEA.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They got married a few weeks later and, as a brand new family, they moved into the house at the end of February. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I left them most of the new furniture we had just bought and moved on. The house was never really our home, it's just a place we once lived. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyaqzeqDPQM/Xmw4jwsB12I/AAAAAAAAQaI/031r_UPpZmEJgNA3CCqN3imLlaMgyOphQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_198a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1550" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EyaqzeqDPQM/Xmw4jwsB12I/AAAAAAAAQaI/031r_UPpZmEJgNA3CCqN3imLlaMgyOphQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_198a.jpeg" width="387" /></a></div>
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<i>Wild Bill, 1996, I Would Love To Do It All Over Again</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<br />At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-91170009606305918312020-01-16T18:48:00.000-06:002020-01-16T18:48:09.873-06:00These Days...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello Friends! I miss not being able to check in often, and I want you to know I appreciate those of you who are still dropping by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I last wrote to you on Christmas Eve. I'm sure you can tell by my post I was so down in the dumps without Wild Bill there with me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning I found Bill's jacket, which he'd left hanging on the back of the guest room door the last time we had visited. I put his jacket on, along with the best face I could muster, and tried to be brave while the family opened Christmas presents.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncw4vdpHSvg/XiD2hUkIoXI/AAAAAAAAQYM/aXCxwQCWMRk0Vuvrdqo1udUaLjyS9sVHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/61Eo5l6a-vL._AC_UL640_QL65_ML3_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="640" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncw4vdpHSvg/XiD2hUkIoXI/AAAAAAAAQYM/aXCxwQCWMRk0Vuvrdqo1udUaLjyS9sVHACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/61Eo5l6a-vL._AC_UL640_QL65_ML3_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Crafts-type magnifying light</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm one of those people who doesn't like to receive gifts so usually I just get special ones "made with care" from the little ones who love to give something they've made or picked out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klLKk3GI1PQ/XiD2rEAieYI/AAAAAAAAQYQ/YkYu4Q1aKCMOrrl5VoUaHC9QsWYFqor8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/61hhYLv3tDL._SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-klLKk3GI1PQ/XiD2rEAieYI/AAAAAAAAQYQ/YkYu4Q1aKCMOrrl5VoUaHC9QsWYFqor8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/61hhYLv3tDL._SL1000_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Another Crafts-type Magnifying Light</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, this year that wasn't the case. First thing Christmas morning two of "The Daughters" plopped a big package in my lap and insisted I open it right away! <i>Even before the grandkids got to open theirs...</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJYlMCF5o2s/XiD269NogAI/AAAAAAAAQYY/3slBJRlowXI803mXwO8GR5HKKsJxi1T3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJYlMCF5o2s/XiD269NogAI/AAAAAAAAQYY/3slBJRlowXI803mXwO8GR5HKKsJxi1T3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5504.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tried to put it aside...tried to convince them I just wanted to enjoy the little ones opening their gifts as we do it "one person at a time" and I didn't want to kill their joy...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Surprisingly, my usually understanding Middle Daughter just insisted Grammy needed to open her gift first!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So half-heartedly I opened the darn thing up. And there in my lap was the most <u>inappropriate</u> gift in the world! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The shock took my breath away. And then...well...tears rolled down my cheeks as I laughed and laughed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Youngest Daughter laughed with me too -- as she knew exactly how <u>right</u> <i>that <b>totally wrong</b> gift was </i>for me -- while Middle Daughter was unabashedly perplexed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Middle Daughter had heard me say a while back I wanted to buy a lighted magnifying glass for doing crafts. She's NOT a crafts type person. <b><i>So she found me what she thought was a perfect pair of magnifying glasses with a light. </i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCTYsqpYT1k/XiD3PUjjJPI/AAAAAAAAQYk/2f4Po1qA3ZEOp1htTSeWv3B7s-9Io6AqACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCTYsqpYT1k/XiD3PUjjJPI/AAAAAAAAQYk/2f4Po1qA3ZEOp1htTSeWv3B7s-9Io6AqACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5560.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the two daughters wrapped gifts down in the basement the night before, Middle Daughter showed Youngest Daughter the glasses. Youngest Daughter hinted that the glasses <u>might not be </u>exactly what I was looking for...but Middle Daughter was so sure they were exactly what I wanted and she wrapped them right up!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDzOvBXUM4s/XiD3idN7NOI/AAAAAAAAQYs/yao-tzuJ7LMAa65vvVJxJmH5vJzKqLwdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDzOvBXUM4s/XiD3idN7NOI/AAAAAAAAQYs/yao-tzuJ7LMAa65vvVJxJmH5vJzKqLwdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5555.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Friends, they were NOT what I had dreamed of, but they were exactly what I needed! <i><b>Right then and there it was like Wild Bill was right in the room with us.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You see, they were nothing like what I had in mind, but they were exactly what Wild Bill would've bought for me thinking they were excellent!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill had the most awful, futurist wrap-around sunglasses when I first dated him back in 1995.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> I just could not convince him the 1970's called and wanted their sunglasses back! It took years before he gave them up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Middle Daughter was so apologetic for getting me what she thought was the wrong gift and wanted to return them right away. <b>I told her not in a million years would I ever give them up! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And right there on Christmas morning-- a newly-widowed, old grandma sat with her ridiculous magnifying glasses and found the joy of Christmas once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. Everyone else wanted to wear them too...even Middle Daughter once she understood I believed it was Grampy (whispering in her ear from the other side) that had led her so far astray. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0QvAmTTq9A/XiD6NinNF1I/AAAAAAAAQY4/VoAcHcqoz1gJT2g0JninSwcBrc9DVQuswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m0QvAmTTq9A/XiD6NinNF1I/AAAAAAAAQY4/VoAcHcqoz1gJT2g0JninSwcBrc9DVQuswCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5571.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-10930117742000184252019-12-24T16:02:00.001-06:002019-12-24T16:17:22.665-06:00Christmas Past And Present<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Life goes on... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">even when it surprises you at how normal everything is despite your whole world changing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqAFyyGipZo/XgISwqE_eqI/AAAAAAAAQWM/5XCji8oJ0h81FxLkRqKFYAxYJVX3090QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1708.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="400" height="381" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqAFyyGipZo/XgISwqE_eqI/AAAAAAAAQWM/5XCji8oJ0h81FxLkRqKFYAxYJVX3090QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_1708.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm determined to get a Christmas post on here, so I'm posting some photos from years past.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o49qkR901yg/XgITrrTwOZI/AAAAAAAAQWY/aed_F4bAl9AY9gK1TAqEkz6iBW1u94_dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o49qkR901yg/XgITrrTwOZI/AAAAAAAAQWY/aed_F4bAl9AY9gK1TAqEkz6iBW1u94_dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9923.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love these small green trees. You can find them at Trader Joe's at Christmas time each year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enR6owQCqi4/XgIaIa-QPaI/AAAAAAAAQXM/CPYk5MyOjeYu-YwAiXRfC9sSQ1e1dMp3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enR6owQCqi4/XgIaIa-QPaI/AAAAAAAAQXM/CPYk5MyOjeYu-YwAiXRfC9sSQ1e1dMp3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_6624.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My dad's A's hat from February1994, the year he died. Wild Bill and I became a couple a year later so they never had a chance to meet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope Bill and Dad have had a chance to meet in Heaven, along with the little granddaughter we never got a chance to meet and my old dog Ginger I lost in 1991.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vNCRHSlnmY/XgIUbv6jL_I/AAAAAAAAQWo/3U5LzR_8yn4pDoKfuQNq-py_glyhMMoawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_c25.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="400" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vNCRHSlnmY/XgIUbv6jL_I/AAAAAAAAQWo/3U5LzR_8yn4pDoKfuQNq-py_glyhMMoawCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_c25.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With the little ones around our Middle daughter's house, we see a lot of Smarty (the Elf-On-A-Shelf) instead of the old Santa's I usually like to display. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe next year I'll decorate...this year I'm just hoping for a white Christmas still.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtLOcxkh1dA/XgKJkrYR9cI/AAAAAAAAQXg/BebNDmPMK_welvjplINI8i9H969zjZZDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xtLOcxkh1dA/XgKJkrYR9cI/AAAAAAAAQXg/BebNDmPMK_welvjplINI8i9H969zjZZDACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_9708.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">May your Christmas be merry this year and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Thanks For Dropping By!</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-15886766775526263672019-12-07T15:27:00.000-06:002019-12-10T15:36:55.497-06:00Last Day Together <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wild Bill said goodbye to his small circle of girls early in the morning of Tuesday, December 3rd.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrOJLQdBS-c/XfAO6kYnE6I/AAAAAAAAQVk/KyyTyc7b8kgGxu6GMVul0e-ICVLiY0JZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_192c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1063" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrOJLQdBS-c/XfAO6kYnE6I/AAAAAAAAQVk/KyyTyc7b8kgGxu6GMVul0e-ICVLiY0JZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_192c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our three daughters flew in as soon as they could</b> when the kindest of hospice nurses came on duty the day before (Monday morning) and explained we only had hours left to say our goodbyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We will always be grateful for her advice that waiting for our long-planned family Christmas together was no longer an option. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tickets were bought, planes were boarded...phone calls were made along the route <i>"just in case" </i>and to keep in contact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I leave you with my favorite photos of the guy who changed my life so much and proved to me that life can begin after 40. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our favorite song was <i>"Since I Met You Baby"</i> and I will always remember him when I hear that song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And hear it I will because a few years ago he made me a CD of every version he could find of the song, from Ivory Joe Hunter to Jose Feliciano!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xV0h7-nwUo/XewWTCzCK1I/AAAAAAAAQU4/jyUVva9nhsY9Ur90ZBrI9rIi9Fb4EFGNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_b7f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="302" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xV0h7-nwUo/XewWTCzCK1I/AAAAAAAAQU4/jyUVva9nhsY9Ur90ZBrI9rIi9Fb4EFGNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fullsizeoutput_b7f.jpeg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Livvie's pack horse.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVCjZwKoZyg/XewW_RP6X-I/AAAAAAAAQVQ/36FjDCdL34kdlvKnTwiM2IeHrVob_3_gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/042runpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVCjZwKoZyg/XewW_RP6X-I/AAAAAAAAQVQ/36FjDCdL34kdlvKnTwiM2IeHrVob_3_gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/042runpic.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry chasing Grampy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfD_EYgpHdQ/XewWv7xMhcI/AAAAAAAAQVE/nRa4nZkWPjYSlUqNy9f1j3lHWwhOt-GTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/jays%2Bwedding%2Bme%2Band%2Bbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="400" height="190" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfD_EYgpHdQ/XewWv7xMhcI/AAAAAAAAQVE/nRa4nZkWPjYSlUqNy9f1j3lHWwhOt-GTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/jays%2Bwedding%2Bme%2Band%2Bbill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a daughter's wedding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FV7vzl-Y9zI/XewW5clNxDI/AAAAAAAAQVI/2AjeOjjQAS4_TQXOj2Y_9j52Z0iKLjx6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/S%2526B%2BHitchin%2527%2BPost%2Bpicmonk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="895" height="304" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FV7vzl-Y9zI/XewW5clNxDI/AAAAAAAAQVI/2AjeOjjQAS4_TQXOj2Y_9j52Z0iKLjx6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/S%2526B%2BHitchin%2527%2BPost%2Bpicmonk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding Day, 1997</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-32783946016330902412019-11-13T08:00:00.000-06:002019-11-13T08:00:07.610-06:00Get In The Mood For Christmas With Homeroad's Wreath<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still have to go to Starbucks to get caught up on internet. Supposedly "the internet" is coming to our subdivision around Dec 1st...We will be welcomed to the 21st Century soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until then, Starbucks it is for hot chocolate and free wi-fi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a great DIY wreath from Homeroad's wonderful blog...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AIhZe-Gnk0/XciFqxDU10I/AAAAAAAAQUM/CP88siR4jEcm8fphWiJHDpVGDjZSTzVCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/buffalo%2Bcheck%2Bchristmas%2Bwreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="550" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AIhZe-Gnk0/XciFqxDU10I/AAAAAAAAQUM/CP88siR4jEcm8fphWiJHDpVGDjZSTzVCACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/buffalo%2Bcheck%2Bchristmas%2Bwreath.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.homeroad.net/2019/11/buffalo-check-christmas-wreath.html">Buffalo Check Christmas Wreath</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love to get inspired when visiting other blogs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't had much time to get things done, but plan to work on making a similar wreath and maybe get these two bedside tables painted, or at least started...</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_jBhCcqWtQ/XciGVC_RM-I/AAAAAAAAQUU/vALLS15xfzkV1VVkmKXpJAhCv--98Dh9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/71857252_10157505995099757_3774962548772700160_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="280" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_jBhCcqWtQ/XciGVC_RM-I/AAAAAAAAQUU/vALLS15xfzkV1VVkmKXpJAhCv--98Dh9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/71857252_10157505995099757_3774962548772700160_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-20119387028286016702019-11-10T15:03:00.000-06:002019-11-10T15:03:05.169-06:00Musings From Mississippi: Health And Dogs <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello out there to anyone who is still with me these days! I've been busy playing nurse to Wild Bill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">His legs gave out on him a few weeks back, and I had to call 911. The firemen got him up and wanted to take him to the ER, but he insisted only his pride was hurt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I called the cardiologist office as he didn't look good with labored breathing and all. <b>Luckily the nurse said there's usually an underlying problem when a person suddenly can't do what they normally can.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">In Wild Bill's case it was use his legs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The nurse said to call an ambulance to take him to the ER...even if he didn't want to go. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Turned out he had a bad case of pneumonia! </b>He spent 6 days in the hospital and another week in physical rehab. He's home now and doing well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Hope our experience will help you too in the future. Just remember what the nurse said: There's usually always an underlying reason!</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thinking today about the sweet family dogs our extended family has had the fortune of adopting through the years, and to be honest, shedding more than a few tears...blame it on the rain!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back in a 2010 blog post, I asked the question: <i><b>Do dogs smile?</b></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py8q9P0vHso/XG8IfNwFm7I/AAAAAAAAP4g/tivHJmLs7wgLCW9I6jg0KvY_YZgj8a1WgCLcBGAs/s1600/4781515797_7d1f094b73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py8q9P0vHso/XG8IfNwFm7I/AAAAAAAAP4g/tivHJmLs7wgLCW9I6jg0KvY_YZgj8a1WgCLcBGAs/s400/4781515797_7d1f094b73.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://theothermeissane.blogspot.com/2010/08/do-dogs-smile.html">2010 Blog Post Here</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used this sweet picture of Bailey Girl and Wrigley with a family friend to prove my point. To me, both dogs always seemed to be smiling, especially Mr. Wrigs on the right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everything made Wrigley happy...a car ride with wind in his golden locks...a smuggled cheeseburger from Grammy...sneaking into the front seat to try to help drive the car! </span><span style="font-size: large;">He was a scamp in so many ways, but his family loved him with all their heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-57024334577651983172019-10-01T18:18:00.002-05:002019-10-01T18:27:57.817-05:00It's Been A While<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hey Y'all! It's been a while since I've caught up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That's because we bought that house we were looking at in my last post, but there's no access to internet in our whole subdivision... and, actually, none even in our neck of the woods!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZavAi3xQLUE/XZPa7Vo8ZOI/AAAAAAAAQTk/o1zdX7Tj0QMHKoHgcj7hDix6mxhlLclYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/58826538652__59BDC806-7DCE-487F-88D7-FDD13B53B835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZavAi3xQLUE/XZPa7Vo8ZOI/AAAAAAAAQTk/o1zdX7Tj0QMHKoHgcj7hDix6mxhlLclYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/58826538652__59BDC806-7DCE-487F-88D7-FDD13B53B835.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are ya asking...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>"How can that be in this day and age?"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, believe me, we have asked that over and over ourselves. We didn't find out about it until the day before we were to close, and we were so tired of living in Hampton Inn hotels in Mississippi that we bought the house anyway!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're told 2 to 4 months is <u>all</u> we have to wait to join the 21st Century...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, Starbucks in my friend now! Wild Bill doesn't feel well enough to sit in Starbucks for long periods of time, so I've decided to go by myself when possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've met some wonderful people in our new area. Call it what you will...God/the universe/the goodness of mankind...however you label it in your mind, that goodness is getting me through these days of change.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're living south of Memphis, right between Olive Branch and Southaven Mississippi. Olive Branch looks like a scene from a 1920's early American town. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5EGQR-7MWs/XZPYcB7aJxI/AAAAAAAAQTI/tCr4XLr9W-08jJE2t6bnJBkqSGp_PWCRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_E1780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="327" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5EGQR-7MWs/XZPYcB7aJxI/AAAAAAAAQTI/tCr4XLr9W-08jJE2t6bnJBkqSGp_PWCRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_E1780.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm a sucker for small towns after all, and a town with a main road through it called "Pigeons Roost" is a town worth exploring in my book! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BE7oY-TeZyw/XZPYouIdApI/AAAAAAAAQTM/TohpQcaiPSU0LrGDPhrJ7xoiRXIqmd8PgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_E1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1505" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BE7oY-TeZyw/XZPYouIdApI/AAAAAAAAQTM/TohpQcaiPSU0LrGDPhrJ7xoiRXIqmd8PgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_E1773.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't had a chance to really get to know Olive Branch, but hope to in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wild Bill continues on with chemo treatment. Some weeks (like this one) his platelets are too low so he has to skip treatment. He did a CT scan last month and it showed the cancer is stable so we are hopeful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill likes the clinic and the people, and we're doing the best we can to keep life normal. They say God doesn't give you more than you can bear, but honestly sometimes I question that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope to hear from y'all soon! I'm trying to make the rounds on all your blogs, but not having internet really makes it difficult. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please drop me a comment and let me know what you're up to if you can. I've missed you all so much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks For Dropping By!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-4675982730029731082019-08-14T23:28:00.003-05:002019-08-14T23:28:39.183-05:00Fall Is Coming Soon...I Need A Porch To Decorate!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>We were so close to having a house to decorate for fall!</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw some cute fall decor ideas over at <a href="https://2beesinapod.com/2019/08/14/7-thrifty-fall-decor-ideas-thrifty-style-team/">2 BEES IN A POD</a> and really got excited! We were closing soon...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZB9qVTKgqE/XVS_HCb5JjI/AAAAAAAAQSI/-rc9-tiw6-wef33NQEPD5nQ1M2SUgKExACLcBGAs/s1600/Free-Fall-Decorating-Ideas-Chalkboard-Art-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZB9qVTKgqE/XVS_HCb5JjI/AAAAAAAAQSI/-rc9-tiw6-wef33NQEPD5nQ1M2SUgKExACLcBGAs/s400/Free-Fall-Decorating-Ideas-Chalkboard-Art-7.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2beesinapod.com/2019/08/14/7-thrifty-fall-decor-ideas-thrifty-style-team/"><i>2 BEES IN A POD</i></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our closing was scheduled for tomorrow -- Thursday -- though we didn't have a time, which worried me a little. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also didn't have an exact $$ amount, which worried me even more! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had done everything on our part, and so had the realtors and the builder too...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DGjVLRufdA/XVTcYyEg_dI/AAAAAAAAQSw/BhubjkkuLVsUegKmNxyuSocOFxrtmFdRACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_18f6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DGjVLRufdA/XVTcYyEg_dI/AAAAAAAAQSw/BhubjkkuLVsUegKmNxyuSocOFxrtmFdRACLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_18f6.jpeg" width="340" /></a></div>
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<i>These photos were taken when we first saw the house</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday, we did a walkthrough with the builder and realtors. The wood floors were shining and the protective paper was removed from the floor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">All four of us had blue painter's tape, which we tore off and marked the cosmetic problems as we went through the house. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Wild Bill sat it out on the fireplace ledge, but he cheered us on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must confess...the builder tagged every little ding he found... I hardly did anything but admire the rooms as we went through and, of course, I was decorating it all in my head!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQyhhuSVCDI/XVTbAVYz2-I/AAAAAAAAQSU/hGe-e67syeQrw5D_K-pyf3wAybFmOsdJACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_18f3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1279" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQyhhuSVCDI/XVTbAVYz2-I/AAAAAAAAQSU/hGe-e67syeQrw5D_K-pyf3wAybFmOsdJACLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_18f3.jpeg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<i>We're going gray this time!</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Early Monday morning the lawyer from the title company had called and said she was doing last minute calculations for our part of the closing costs, etc., and she would email me a figure that afternoon to give to our bank so they could send the funds.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVR7CSWYSpQ/XVTbUpQv0NI/AAAAAAAAQSc/DLDET7-hmQ4pywBEDuez9IDebvMX26UWwCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_18f2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVR7CSWYSpQ/XVTbUpQv0NI/AAAAAAAAQSc/DLDET7-hmQ4pywBEDuez9IDebvMX26UWwCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_18f2.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>All the lights will be replaced once we move in</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I called back Tuesday and got her secretary. She said she personally would call me with the info soon as all the lawyers in town were in a training conference that day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, Wednesday, we called with our relator from his office...<i>"still trying to put the numbers together...yada, yada, yada..."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wild Bill, our realtor, and I discussed the pros and cons and decided to postpone the closing for a week. This gives the title company time to get it together and gives us time to take a short trip and breathe a little. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AC4OBE5edQU/XVTbiSnzseI/AAAAAAAAQSg/PJwJMZvkY6oSjL1bDJgRJDReplWNe-vywCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_18ef.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AC4OBE5edQU/XVTbiSnzseI/AAAAAAAAQSg/PJwJMZvkY6oSjL1bDJgRJDReplWNe-vywCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_18ef.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have learned to roll with the punches during our month of living in hotels and looking at houses. What can go wrong, will go wrong after all! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP2l2f5vGq0/XVTbvYQJNAI/AAAAAAAAQSk/8V54Wsf2-Qk9NNgaaUEu9YG2Jkq9DlE8QCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_18ed.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP2l2f5vGq0/XVTbvYQJNAI/AAAAAAAAQSk/8V54Wsf2-Qk9NNgaaUEu9YG2Jkq9DlE8QCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_18ed.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, I've been visiting your blogs and looking for fall ideas to pin. I can't wait for the cool weather to arrive...<i>can you?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-10591627178157789142019-07-26T23:55:00.004-05:002019-07-27T00:07:13.720-05:00A Post From The Edge<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I'm still here! </i>Trying to knock off that dust and get back to normal.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzik3UFW78s/XTvUDJBS2KI/AAAAAAAAQRc/5eyofCGUbLA4Vb5f1WaAG0zSPTEFzutxwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzik3UFW78s/XTvUDJBS2KI/AAAAAAAAQRc/5eyofCGUbLA4Vb5f1WaAG0zSPTEFzutxwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7874.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our life is quite topsy-turvy right now. We've ping-ponged our way from Texas -- to Illinois -- to the area around Memphis, back to Illinois and now headed back down to the Memphis area this weekend! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wild Bill has an appointment with a doctor specializing in his type of cancer, and we are very hopeful the new clinic will be able to bring about a miracle...or maybe just better treatment...we'll take either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday afternoon is his first appointment, so I'll be back next week to let you know how it goes. You've all been so wonderful with your prayers and hopes for us! We appreciate you all so much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's a special angel, the blogger you know as NanaDiana, who has been my port in the storm so to speak. She's been a rock when I needed a breather, she's been a counselor when I faltered, but most of all she's been my "sister-friend" who has gone before me in this journey of hope for our husband's. Diana always has a kind word and experience to share. <i>Thank you so much Diana!</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bMEuLJNu38/XTvU3mf89AI/AAAAAAAAQRk/2G6fIgAOEL4pB4AWrwqAgK7DoYkONQ-zQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bMEuLJNu38/XTvU3mf89AI/AAAAAAAAQRk/2G6fIgAOEL4pB4AWrwqAgK7DoYkONQ-zQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7981.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some people wonder why this dumb bear picture means so much to me. I gave away a lot of things that were dear to me, but not this old picture!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZEGvj1PaXE/XTvXgF2npHI/AAAAAAAAQRw/b-4kd2e_0zg_uJKqavNIwHdw5NfPG_ReACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZEGvj1PaXE/XTvXgF2npHI/AAAAAAAAQRw/b-4kd2e_0zg_uJKqavNIwHdw5NfPG_ReACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7980.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bear is a reminder of an old saying: </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you.</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You might think me crazy to give away so much, but keep the dumb bear picture -- </span><span style="font-size: large;">Well, remembering there's always a chance of succeeding gives me strength, even when it feels like the bear has us by the throat some days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-90497142321075465952019-07-13T08:56:00.004-05:002019-07-13T08:56:59.610-05:00<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Rivercrest Cottage sold on... </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Tuesday, July 9, 2019. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cZQlwh5yNg/XSnRxWSKWII/AAAAAAAAQOY/fPfhLPuRPkoNrjtxtcbf6YLPpDZ1xsbGgCEwYBhgL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1834.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1431" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cZQlwh5yNg/XSnRxWSKWII/AAAAAAAAQOY/fPfhLPuRPkoNrjtxtcbf6YLPpDZ1xsbGgCEwYBhgL/s400/fullsizeoutput_1834.jpeg" width="357" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We closed that chapter of our lives and wish the new cottage owners well. It was a solid built home and gave us many years of protection from the winter storms and hot Texas sun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We gave away or sold most of our furniture and stored our favorite possessions in a couple of storage units in town while we explore treatment options with a "team" approach (in other states) for Wild Bill. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6U_prt6X_w/XSnTRyqA6OI/AAAAAAAAQO0/mqSARNLuSs8vueT5pRxdO3VlBqNycN1FQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6U_prt6X_w/XSnTRyqA6OI/AAAAAAAAQO0/mqSARNLuSs8vueT5pRxdO3VlBqNycN1FQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7982.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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"The Bear" Picture Is In Storage Waiting For Us</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXRHHQkCISc/XSnSDFaKwgI/AAAAAAAAQOc/gnO11Bk0HgczzJOHpE4y3q8nEjl5iVuYwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXRHHQkCISc/XSnSDFaKwgI/AAAAAAAAQOc/gnO11Bk0HgczzJOHpE4y3q8nEjl5iVuYwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8000.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The "Rolling Coffee Table" I made was given to a friend.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEoWIXhuYZ8/XSnSZ-W7_vI/AAAAAAAAQOk/4SOkDb5vhnYWpPs9RPMIU-nmKKemHohUQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEoWIXhuYZ8/XSnSZ-W7_vI/AAAAAAAAQOk/4SOkDb5vhnYWpPs9RPMIU-nmKKemHohUQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8006.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Bill's Recliner Sold In 15 Mins On FB Marketplace</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The prayers and advice we've received from so many of you have helped guide and sustain us while we traveled through the uncharted territory of change and transition. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've finally come out the other side ready to begin anew once we decide where we will end up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for traveling along with us. Many of your comments helped me through some sad times, and I can't tell you how much your e-friendships have meant to me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHd7qEX064g/XSnT4AgQIdI/AAAAAAAAQO8/CxflIQ_n6PMhpq56Brh0-I8mXNnd7DPSQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHd7qEX064g/XSnT4AgQIdI/AAAAAAAAQO8/CxflIQ_n6PMhpq56Brh0-I8mXNnd7DPSQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7985.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Was Going To Keep These Guys, But At Last Minute Sold</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfmDfRHoZI0/XSnUwJy4mXI/AAAAAAAAQPQ/mKlYKvo3LTIRuk5aFbH5EOV1w0bDUAhewCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfmDfRHoZI0/XSnUwJy4mXI/AAAAAAAAQPQ/mKlYKvo3LTIRuk5aFbH5EOV1w0bDUAhewCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7976.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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A Friend Is Storing Our Paintings</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIWKTulawr0/XSnVRfMQTTI/AAAAAAAAQPg/rx6wUYDsXLQcchkw_5tPofH_9b48YnlXgCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1845.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="322" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QIWKTulawr0/XSnVRfMQTTI/AAAAAAAAQPg/rx6wUYDsXLQcchkw_5tPofH_9b48YnlXgCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_1845.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div>
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My Great-Grandmother's Childhood Dresser/Mirror Are Stored</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye 3-year-old hydrangeas...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQCWDdCVpF4/XSnZPxIMPNI/AAAAAAAAQP4/H_BwAN0g32c_w-b7EMJuYjzO5lmQpUMmQCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1839.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1519" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQCWDdCVpF4/XSnZPxIMPNI/AAAAAAAAQP4/H_BwAN0g32c_w-b7EMJuYjzO5lmQpUMmQCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_1839.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye fig tree grown from a hand-me-down cutting...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKigNOqX0lM/XSnZkzzVv_I/AAAAAAAAQQA/IVNkIZ5kDA01CEweuzQU5ey6TxNMO3V3ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKigNOqX0lM/XSnZkzzVv_I/AAAAAAAAQQA/IVNkIZ5kDA01CEweuzQU5ey6TxNMO3V3ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0886.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye flagstone patio...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6Y_zhPj4SM/XSnX_BIfMrI/AAAAAAAAQPs/f2p9XQGeBOAAzW2bpIQiwrZv69dZs-MbgCEwYBhgL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1827.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6Y_zhPj4SM/XSnX_BIfMrI/AAAAAAAAQPs/f2p9XQGeBOAAzW2bpIQiwrZv69dZs-MbgCEwYBhgL/s400/fullsizeoutput_1827.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Patio Set Stayed With The House</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye to the curvy walkway that replaced the ugly original block one...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0e9vRN1W83E/XSnfTyDrXfI/AAAAAAAAQQ0/o0pXhGROVRc7VNhS-2BOsG5Ep3zMCNAUQCLcBGAs/s1600/may%2B4%2B2014%2B006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0e9vRN1W83E/XSnfTyDrXfI/AAAAAAAAQQ0/o0pXhGROVRc7VNhS-2BOsG5Ep3zMCNAUQCLcBGAs/s400/may%2B4%2B2014%2B006.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XF-zJpWZqlw/XSnfWMh7iyI/AAAAAAAAQQ4/JliqotxTi1crPRMKPL4ZDWDDV2qgiEjqwCLcBGAs/s1600/may%2B4%2B2014%2B029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XF-zJpWZqlw/XSnfWMh7iyI/AAAAAAAAQQ4/JliqotxTi1crPRMKPL4ZDWDDV2qgiEjqwCLcBGAs/s400/may%2B4%2B2014%2B029.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye kitchen...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhB1ZalCncg/XSnds6E0y3I/AAAAAAAAQQo/ejik5BwA-ZUkQQ0cfMZLCfUgim4eVFbMgCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_17c0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhB1ZalCncg/XSnds6E0y3I/AAAAAAAAQQo/ejik5BwA-ZUkQQ0cfMZLCfUgim4eVFbMgCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_17c0.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aezD5imubgU/XSnc4-H1Z3I/AAAAAAAAQQY/8V1Oeiwzp_UZHuDkiixIJK7KVNH66FpaQCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_16bc.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="321" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aezD5imubgU/XSnc4-H1Z3I/AAAAAAAAQQY/8V1Oeiwzp_UZHuDkiixIJK7KVNH66FpaQCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_16bc.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Chalkboard And Stools Stayed With The House</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Goodbye to Rivercrest Cottage! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YJSBT5tKNs/XSngTyVt3rI/AAAAAAAAQRM/QsV7CdHloNg3kQqmpn0gDdEyMJSprTSJACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1834.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1431" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4YJSBT5tKNs/XSngTyVt3rI/AAAAAAAAQRM/QsV7CdHloNg3kQqmpn0gDdEyMJSprTSJACLcBGAs/s320/fullsizeoutput_1834.jpeg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And goodbye to all the friends we've made in the 8 years we've shared this town with you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-33570908595645837402019-06-26T20:34:00.000-05:002019-06-26T20:34:23.940-05:00Blessings When Selling Your Home And Furniture<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My advice to anyone selling their home and moving out of state is to sell what you can instead of going to the expense of moving and storing your furniture, washer and dryer, etc.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaajPem98h4/XRQBCwg0CsI/AAAAAAAAQMw/NTq2oC8xwaodiCAJICv2FBatf0A70CViQCLcBGAs/s1600/ISir4t8ug840em0000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaajPem98h4/XRQBCwg0CsI/AAAAAAAAQMw/NTq2oC8xwaodiCAJICv2FBatf0A70CViQCLcBGAs/s400/ISir4t8ug840em0000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our washer and dryer were sold to a friend when she was helping me get ready to put the house on the market. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We gave her a very low price on the <i>"H.E." </i>set, and she is waiting to pick it up just before the house closing. A win-win for both of us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This very heavy, wooden bed frame is staying put as our buyer is buying several large pieces of furniture...Another win-win!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzSzx0uOVPs/XRQAyqw0qYI/AAAAAAAAQMo/mTcAjEvkHPE3AfABjtHtylH72zCap2HEwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzSzx0uOVPs/XRQAyqw0qYI/AAAAAAAAQMo/mTcAjEvkHPE3AfABjtHtylH72zCap2HEwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0621.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We at first planned to keep about half of our furniture, but things went so quick with the sale of the house, we reconsidered <i>and I'm so glad we did!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been fortunate to run into the best people during our house sale. Our realtor even bought the love seat and the home buyers have been the best we could hope to work with, and we appreciate our new-found friendship with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The home inspector gave me a great tip about using Facebook Marketplace instead of Craigslist when he did the inspection, and it really made a difference! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The inspector also relayed to our buyer that we planned to sell our large, very heavy TV cabinet and would add the 65-inch TV free with the purchase.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsxCHcgCeFE/XRQDuES56wI/AAAAAAAAQNE/0cbo6bkVmxolQQY_aEJ4RTbBELykGbM8wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsxCHcgCeFE/XRQDuES56wI/AAAAAAAAQNE/0cbo6bkVmxolQQY_aEJ4RTbBELykGbM8wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_7596.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It was sold to them in just a half hour after the inspection!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wild Bill has suffered with progressively bad chemo-related neuropathy for a while now, and just the fact that he's saved from feeling bad about not being able to help move stuff makes a world of difference for us! <b><i>I'm sure all you ladies know how a man's pride is the first to suffer, right?</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every item we've listed on FB Marketplace has sold that day or the next! This leather sofa went the afternoon we listed it...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1jm6RQQfKE/XRQIsEIShMI/AAAAAAAAQNQ/WMiI0H_JPbI5tHPyJQB4rRUc4mBCEAwZgCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_183c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1jm6RQQfKE/XRQIsEIShMI/AAAAAAAAQNQ/WMiI0H_JPbI5tHPyJQB4rRUc4mBCEAwZgCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_183c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This heavy bed below (and some other furniture and household stuff) went without listing it...The sofa buyers bought it all when they came to pay for the sofa! </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe9tWGaQqBI/XRQMLTvpQOI/AAAAAAAAQNs/YWycTf-7hOYggG6L-HxJ30mzxCzw_TStwCLcBGAs/s1600/IS2f058h8sn5em0000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe9tWGaQqBI/XRQMLTvpQOI/AAAAAAAAQNs/YWycTf-7hOYggG6L-HxJ30mzxCzw_TStwCLcBGAs/s400/IS2f058h8sn5em0000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill's very last guitar and some large, heavy speakers (for a keyboard) had been for sale for a quite a while on Craigslist, but sold the next day after listing them on FB Marketplace. I can't recommend FB's Marketplace enough! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Also, tell everyone that you have items for sell!</b></i> Not only did the home inspector spread the word for us, but a cousin put out the word with pictures on her phone, and her son contacted us right away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were able to give him just what he was looking for...a kingsize mattress and boxsprings set leftover from the sale of the bed frame, with kingsize metal frame being stored in the garage. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgvD6Y_FIVc/XRQYVJZfowI/AAAAAAAAQN4/Ksypt_tOO9gF8l36uQWSZTIYmZoee736ACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1867.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgvD6Y_FIVc/XRQYVJZfowI/AAAAAAAAQN4/Ksypt_tOO9gF8l36uQWSZTIYmZoee736ACLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_1867.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We received a sweet note -- thanking us for the "blessing" from him and his fiancé today -- with this lovely arrangement delivered by a florist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The sweet roses and lilies were totally unexpected, and they felt like a blessing to us in turn as they came just in time to make our day!</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emssCKDvk5g/XRQYgJn5cVI/AAAAAAAAQN8/YHneXq6-aFovSgjZrnBsi0hcR0Lx9kqiQCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1866.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emssCKDvk5g/XRQYgJn5cVI/AAAAAAAAQN8/YHneXq6-aFovSgjZrnBsi0hcR0Lx9kqiQCLcBGAs/s640/fullsizeoutput_1866.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My last piece of advice is to ensure that your prices are as low as you can justify. Think about all the work that moving furniture entails...and then deduct more off the price you're willing to sell an item for to save yourself all the trouble and expense of moving and storing it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-run3G4mMeNE/XRQYnEynQ_I/AAAAAAAAQOE/4wo1M-pXXpUt5wYpEn1X3nBF77oymFKlwCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_186a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-run3G4mMeNE/XRQYnEynQ_I/AAAAAAAAQOE/4wo1M-pXXpUt5wYpEn1X3nBF77oymFKlwCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_186a.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last of all...a public service announcement:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along with other local charities, anything related to a home would be greatly appreciated by Habitat For Humanity...and they will come pick up your donations and deliver them to the store for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just look them up online and call them if you have a local "Restore" in your area. </span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-63581950045681336242019-06-22T16:42:00.000-05:002019-06-22T16:42:21.126-05:00Why The Bench Didn't Get Painted<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The hall bench</i> was going to get painted in <a href="https://theothermeissane.blogspot.com/2019/06/made-me-want-to-paint-something.html">THIS</a> post a short while back when I was inspired by some painted chairs in Purple Hydrangeas' blogpost</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bench is very functional and photogenic! Here it is dressed up for Christmas...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FS_sWQUP5Lw/XQ6XPvQgHaI/AAAAAAAAQMA/ZYd2I7y6MqYBGfbtC5JQgLihuCjL7O-wwCEwYBhgL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_e11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="371" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FS_sWQUP5Lw/XQ6XPvQgHaI/AAAAAAAAQMA/ZYd2I7y6MqYBGfbtC5JQgLihuCjL7O-wwCEwYBhgL/s640/fullsizeoutput_e11.jpeg" width="369" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, before I got a paint brush out our house was under contract in 2 weeks, and the buyer was interested in purchasing some of our furniture. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7Ayk6CMO2s/XQ6VlG7B4aI/AAAAAAAAQL0/L2vMg-OhhA4g76KkmS3ED2mmilXO6lgSQCEwYBhgL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1736.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7Ayk6CMO2s/XQ6VlG7B4aI/AAAAAAAAQL0/L2vMg-OhhA4g76KkmS3ED2mmilXO6lgSQCEwYBhgL/s640/fullsizeoutput_1736.jpeg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the bench is staying with the house, along with some other pieces. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's a blessing because we are moving several states over and haven't found a new home yet, and our closing date keeps getting closer and closer.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd rather find a loving home for my favorite pieces of furniture than to drag them around and put them in long-term storage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My grandmother put her family furniture in storage just after the Great Depression when she moved to California from Nebraska, and her furniture stayed stored for over 40 years!</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ten years after my grandma died, my dad went back and rescued three pieces of her oak furniture in the late 70's. I wrote about that in this <a href="https://theothermeissane.blogspot.com/2017/12/loved-ones-make-our-christmas-home.html">POST</a> one Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>He brought back my great-grandmother's childhood washstand and mirror for me...</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tijJBig0pE/XQ6bbcOVJXI/AAAAAAAAQMI/shp9M8-c9bca0VWxjGBWiajVfcPipWmdgCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1845.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="322" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8tijJBig0pE/XQ6bbcOVJXI/AAAAAAAAQMI/shp9M8-c9bca0VWxjGBWiajVfcPipWmdgCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_1845.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>They are remarkably well preserved for being in a barn for over 40 years! </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The mirror has very few spots and no damage on it although I did remove the oak wooden arms that attached the mirror to washstand because they were wobbly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrhTEeKuN6o/XQ6beq63ICI/AAAAAAAAQMM/gBJ276AYLY4GTfvkh75UCpI3hH-Zi_ASwCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1844.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="223" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HrhTEeKuN6o/XQ6beq63ICI/AAAAAAAAQMM/gBJ276AYLY4GTfvkh75UCpI3hH-Zi_ASwCLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_1844.jpeg" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-19996028150996416352019-06-18T21:16:00.002-05:002019-06-18T21:16:25.123-05:00Wordless Wednesday<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RH54NqJ-ScI/XQmaqtl2sKI/AAAAAAAAQLE/seI_0VhTkfEnHZc8qFC9rYPz49Im9SN1ACLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_180f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1415" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RH54NqJ-ScI/XQmaqtl2sKI/AAAAAAAAQLE/seI_0VhTkfEnHZc8qFC9rYPz49Im9SN1ACLcBGAs/s400/fullsizeoutput_180f.jpeg" width="353" /></a></div>
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<br />At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173691505669853688.post-59595521877707144002019-06-07T17:33:00.000-05:002019-06-07T18:07:06.043-05:00A Match Made In Heaven?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, June 6th, was the 1-year anniversary of Wild Bill's doctor telling us Bill had, at best, 8 to 12 months to live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bill is doing really well with the new chemo treatment, and he has happily traded his full head of hair for what we're hoping is a much brighter future than the doctor predicted! <b><i>Every day now is one more day we never thought we'd have.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And today, June 7th, is the 1-year anniversary of my mother-in-law Jessie's passing. If you were a reader last year, you may remember Jessie died the day after learning her only child had so little time to live! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I still think Jessie is our angel up in Heaven watching over us and maybe pulling a few strings for us now and then! Read on and see what you think...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last Saturday night I said a prayer for the house to find a buyer to love her and release us to move forward to a new future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday afternoon our realtor brought us a good offer for our house contingent on the sale of the buyer's local farm. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rh1WXgxuwtI/XPraJ6R7mzI/AAAAAAAAQKk/CoL1c7o-ngMBixEWOnzNc1hBqsJq9OkFACEwYBhgL/s1600/fullsizeoutput_124d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="308" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rh1WXgxuwtI/XPraJ6R7mzI/AAAAAAAAQKk/CoL1c7o-ngMBixEWOnzNc1hBqsJq9OkFACEwYBhgL/s400/fullsizeoutput_124d.jpeg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I knew the buyer was a <i>"kindred soul"</i> when the offer included a request that the four counter stools and the rolling center island be left as part of the contract! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I was happy to do that as I'm ready to release the past and embrace the future.</i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7ixWsaWo-w/XPrdDIpZ1DI/AAAAAAAAQK8/82wP9hhemqMOjiAqBf_YShaZWplSHuldgCEwYBhgL/s1600/picmonk%2Btray%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7ixWsaWo-w/XPrdDIpZ1DI/AAAAAAAAQK8/82wP9hhemqMOjiAqBf_YShaZWplSHuldgCEwYBhgL/s400/picmonk%2Btray%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday, the buyer's farm went up for sale. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Tuesday, they accepted an offer contingent upon the completion of a <i>pending</i> sale of <u>their</u> buyer's home...</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>So we are lined up like Dominos!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had the required inspections on Wednesday (termite inspection) and Thursday (home inspection), and now we are waiting for the "punch" list from the home inspector's report so we can get any items he noted completed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please wish us all luck -- <b>and 3 speedy closings</b> -- and then we'll all be on our way to a new life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>At Rivercrest Cottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12068816102263605128noreply@blogger.com20