Ta-Da~~~

A text message from this guy and then Bobby came to the rescue. He travels with his own tool bag (even though I have lots of stuff  in the garage) and sets to work. We got all the pieces spread out.... yes I did help unlike someone else...

Once she poured a glass of iced tea, Dianna made herself comfy and found something to watch on TV. It took some  time to get it all together but in the end....

the man with the electric screwdriver had it all finished. Dianna did manage to help a few times.... love them both! Whether it is the 3 of us or just Dianna and I, there is always laughter. They are quick with a hug and a smile. I am so very lucky to have these two special people in my life....

Dianna and Bobby

 Kitchen work cart with a black granite top ready for work.

In the wee hours of Monday morning... at 1:14 AM a message from an Italian research professor in Italy, Matteo Pretelli, from the University of Naples (Italy), who is doing a study on WW II veterans specifically from Rhode Island and a particular neighborhood...Silver Lake, where I grew up... where my dad's family lived. I told him as soon as I could I would contact him later in the day...and at 2:25PM Arizona time, (there is a 9 hour difference  in Italy) we began our Skype conversation. For about one hour he asked questions and I shared what information I had about the neighborhood, the Italian families there and my family as well as what I knew of my dad Joseph's time in the Army during the Pearl Harbor attack.Thank goodness his English is excellent because my Italian has fallen far to the wayside. He is a delightful man and I hope to hear from him again. 

There you have what I have been up to in the last few days...and beading on another Santa Star too. The weather has been crazy, with a few days of rain, lots of rain and much cooler temps. I actually had to close the sliders as it was getting too cool in the house! Right now it is 60 degrees and will be around high 70s.... that is about 10 degrees cooler than normal. I guess I will trade my shorts for my capri length pants! Time for my coffee which just finished brewing....glad you visited with me today. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship.

Problems with a mouse

Oh not the run around cause problems kind, although this mouse is causing me frustration at every move! I still have  this issue and tried everything . The setting are the same, the battery replaced and still it disappears and is not right.
Last evening the sis Lynowl called and we talked about my Skype fun with The Brother Alan...she said...I have Skype ----I said good we must try it...3 hours later.....yes we did Skype. Lot of fun and thank goodness we are sisters because neither of us was photo ready! Speaking of photos....

A package arrived yesterday.....it was from my niece Tonya..."just because" and this beautiful angel was broken. Tonya did bubble wrap and mark the box fragile, but remember it is the postal service we are dealing with. I sat and cried....fro her, not me.  I emailed her this picture. The angel is about 12 inches high and so pretty. I love her for the thought.
Laundry finished...only one today...the bedding. Already in/out of the shower and hope to sit and tat. The tree is lit and I will soon have Christmas music playing. I stepped into the garden...

The Snail Vine has become an Alien! It is rapidly reaching out everywhere...spreading now on the ground and has no desire to climb the arbor. I must get the step ladder later and convince it that it is in the best interest to follow the rules.
The Heirloom Beans are doing well

I probably should attach some garden twine and try to have them climb but...they are probably as defiant at the Alien Snail Vine. All in all the garden is holding it's own with little help from me. I did loose the Parsley and the Basil plants...but that is okay. One of these seasons I will get an herb garden to grow.
That about covers my day so far. I do need to have some breakfast soon.....maybe tea, toast and peanut butter. So nice to chat with you today. Thank you for the kind words and most of all your friendship. Just got to get this mouse to cooperate!

You read it first here

Of course it would be my fault...The Brother Alan has caught a cold...no, as he said my cold. That's right. When we Skyped the other night my cold transferred to him...think he has been out in the cold too much. But, the good news is that the Skype issue is resolved thanks to Honey who spent time to investigate and fix the problem. So, last night The Brother Alan and I were able to finally see, chat and all without the telephone. Guess I will have to look my best at all times in case someone Skypes me! This morning however, my mouse pointer arrow seems to be confused and gets lost and it is difficult to direct it! Never ending computer issues.
Some lovely mail arrived

This pretty card and pattern along with angel buttons is from June. A lovely message inside the card form her as well. Then this arrived

The card is from Debbie Burke with a pouch that is both knitted and crocheted. Perfect to hold some needlework accessories. The also arrived a box which will wait until Christmas to be opened. Thank you ladies for your thought gifts.
Some of my packages have arrived and a few are still in transit....but at least all will should arrive in time for Christmas. I did the laundry yesterday and today will be to check the yard. The monthly Pest Control will be here in this morning so I usually get the yard swept before they spray. Had my coffee so now I will get outside. Glad to chat with you today. Thank you for your kind words and for you friendship. Let's hope I can get this mouse to cooperate soon. Think it will help if I put a mousetrap on the desk?

At least we laughed

Early and dark morning here and chilly....in the 50s to start but as it did yesterday it will be warmer by afternoon, in the 70s. Socks on my feet this morning for sure.
My finally Post Office visit yesterday and a complaint. I mailed a large manila envelope to my niece Tonya...clearly addressed and guess what? It was delivered to me! It was never cancelled. So I brought it to the Post Office and told them to handle it and get it to Tonya. they were puzzled?! But mail did arrive from The Brother Alan and Lisa last week

Yes--- a Web Camera so we can Skype. Simple enough. Plug it into the computer and get account and settings and you are ready. Not so! Last night we decided to try it out. We could see one another but I could not hear him...yes, he heard me.

My goodness we had so many laughs....and we won't repeat some of the words out of Alan's mouth...I could understand  even if not hearing! Anyway, he finally called me via phone so we could chat. Now, I totally blamed his end of the set up for the missing volume.....probably something from my end! Tonight Honey (Keith) will stop by to check it out for me. While we chatted, he and Lisa opened the gift I sent as I told them they did not have to wait until Christmas unless they wished to. So it was fun and nice to see them open the box. Lisa bought a new dress and she even modeled it.She will be wearing it this weekend to a party...no matter what, we had fun....now if we can only fix this....
Today will be a quiet day here...laundry and hopefully a tatted snowflake! I will try a different pattern and I plan to succeed. I checked with my friend last night and the procedure went well....now to wait for results...so please continue to keep good thoughts. It has been nice chatting but the washing machine refuses to work without me. Thank you for your kind words and most of all your friendship.