Pictures only in my mind...

I do not have a photograph to accompany this post,

 I did not take my camera...

But even if I had taken it, I would have been so dumbfounded

 I would not have remembered to use it.

Last night, we went to Hokkiado, the new local Japanese restaurant.

I've never eaten Japanese before...

 

Never eaten after watching my food go up in flames before

 (at least not outside of my own home),

 

I never sat boldly watching the chef/server twirl knives

and throw food into our mouths before...

 

Wow!

 

I can't wait to try it at home!

 

No, I can't say I am a huge fan of Japanese food...

 

But the rest of the show?

 

Bring it on!

 

If you need me, I'll be in the kitchen, practicing...

 

but I'll be back!

 

Providing I still have all my fingers,

after twirling with knives...

 

Have not singed my eye lashes...

 

and Ron has not choked on the food I threw into his mouth from across the room.

 

Wish us luck!

 

Good thing Noelle reminded me...

Can you believe...
 

 

We almost missed it!

Thank goodness Noelle reminded me...

 

No wonder Tony likes her!

 

Thanks, Noelle!

 

 

 

 

The Man Cold

Seriously?  No I'm not being serious...

Honestly, I'm kidding.

 

Ron has a cold...

Ashley is in the final days of pregnancy...

 

I let each assess their condition...

 

Guess who is suffering more?

 

 

On the other hand...

 

Wednesday, Ashley and I went to meet with the anesthesiologist to discuss

the pros and cons of an epidural after her back surgery
and then headed to Chili's

for the last lunch before the little guy arrives!

 

The little guy?  Wow, are we excited?  I know I am!

I'm getting excited...

 

 

 



National Read in the Bath Tub Day!

Yes!  It's tomorrow...

 

The day to celebrate what we do all year...

 

It's National Read in the Bath Tub Day!

 

 

I'm ready, are you?

 

I didn't celebrate last year, I was too busy taking care of Ron...

 

But this year?

 

Wow!

 

If you remember, in 2013, my day wasn't exactly stellar.

 

If you don't know about it, you can read all about it by clicking here!

 

This year, I  have a new mug...

 

a baggie or two...

 

 

 and some rice...

 

 

 

my replacement Kindle...

 

 

bubbles...

 

 

and a promise from Mr. K not to disturb me.

 

 

 

Let the fun begin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast of Champions

Last Saturday, Ron and I met Andy and Tony at a local restaurant for breakfast.

 

 

Of course, they entertained us with their antics!

I can't believe Andy will be a father soon.

It seems like only yesterday they were a little tykes

 and entertaining me with their antics at breakfast...

 

Scary to think that THEY are the grown ups...

 

 

It's a Miracle! (Or how to make an uncle in nine months)

If you take the sister on the right...

And add the husband of the sister on the left... 

You get...

Uncle Andy and Bentley David!

Mom and baby are doing well. 

Bentley was 7 lbs, 9 oz and is eager to meet his cousin, Locklan!

Ashley, you're up next!
 

What Does Ground Hog Stew Taste Like?

I've had it! It was all fun and games yesterday when the snow was perfect for making snowmen, but then it got warmer and started to rain. 

The snowman fell over, the melting snow made a dam on the front porch, trapping the rest of the melted snow, making a pond on the porch.

The temperatures dropped so fast that before I knew it, we had a skating rink on the porch. Linda got stuck halfway up the stairs and wouldn't move. Ever try to carry a mastiff up icy stairs?  

Then I come in and hear that Punxy Phil said six more weeks of winter?

Get ready...

Get ready, here it comes...

The day we trust our weather to a rodent!

What are you hoping he does?



The Newest Member of our Family

No, Andy and Ashley didn't have their baby. Tony and Noelle came to watch the super bowl and the conditions were perfect for adding to the family...

Meet Longines:

Sunday thoughts...

As I prepare to hit the sack, I wanted to share something I read the other day...

 

 

Two nights later, I couldn't sleep...I wasn't all upset, I knew what to do.

 

Just something to think about...

 

Happy Sunday,

Love,

Jan

Saturday night sleepover

Oh Mr. K!

I drive a sporty red Hyundai Veloster...

Mr. K has a bright red Genesis Coupe...

Look in our garage and you'd think a couple of crazy kids live there

(that is until you see the Kia Sportage that we had to buy for the dog).

When we moved into the neighborhood, as usual, the neighbors wondered about us...

Especially the guy two doors down.

I came downstairs one morning to find Mr. K and him standing in the garage talking.

Mr. K introduced us and the first words out of the neighbor's mouth was that he was delighted to see that Mr. K and I are (ahem) more mature...

He was so worried, when he saw the cars,  that we were twenty somethings ...

and would drive fast, make lots of noise and upset the harmonious balance of the neighborhood!

He might as well have said that he was happy that I had gray hair and wrinkles.

But he was happy that everyone was sane, that we weren't going to do anything crazy or out of the ordinary...

Good thing he wasn't home yesterday when I looked out the window and saw my hubby...

 

Out for a shovel, dressed appropriately for the 25° weather!

 

Oh Mr. K! 

 

(He did come right in, complaining that his feet were cold...

I had to make him hot chocolate)

 

I've been behind closed doors most of the week...

You know,

 

 

THAT door, which means, I'm working on yet another super secret project

that includes using this...

 

 

and this...

 

 

Of course, this!

 

 

and even this...

 

 

but clearly this...

 

 

isn't part of my plan...

 

I'm slightly behind schedule, but fear not...

There is that wonderful gift of time for crafty women this weekend...

 

It's called the

SUPER BOWL!

 

It's that wonderful time of the year when all the guys are glued to the television

leaving all the non-football-loving women (I'm a hockey lover) like me

to amuse themselves.

 

If you need me...

 

 

Just knock!

 

Stay warm, stay safe, God bless you!

Love,

Jan

 

 

Lunch with the Principal...

Oh, the things you find when you are looking for something else...

 

 

Looks like it's been through the war. 

 I don't know how/why it has survived this long.

Here's the question...

Since fatherhood for 'Andy the burper' is only days away...

Do I keep this,

or merely post it on my blog

 (where it will be seen by thousands and remain for all time)?

 

I do believe I need more coffee before making that decision!

 

Love you guys!

Jan

Snowed in and lovin' it!

How would you like to wake to this out your front window...

And this out the back door...

I did yesterday and hours and hours later, I'm still smiling about it!

I told you Sunday day that it was Taco Sunday at our house...and we had a house full.  Between my kids and their partners/spouses, Ron's daughter-in-law and grand kids, and even  church friends, the ping pong table got a work out, the kitchen was temporarily full of food (we put a hurting on that), and the house was full of laughter, love and friendship.

What it wasn't full of was Ron...who had to leave to catch his plane to Texas before the first guests arrived...and Ron's son, who also had a plane to catch (although he was going to Orlando instead).

They did manage to meet for a late lunch at Pittsburgh airport, though,

 so they did have their own little party.

Ironically, Ron called on Monday morning to tell me he forgot to pack enough dress pants for his meetings...

since he's known for spilling things on himself at the most opportune moment, this could be disasterous...

 

Yesterday I was telling Ron's daughter-in-law about his dilemma and she said that her husband arrived in Orlando, but his luggage did not.

 

Imagine that...the two Mr. Ks, out there, potentially pantless!

 

I was working on (yet) another secret project yesterday when I heard the snow plow out front...

 

 

 

Along with the neighborhood kids!

 

They were having a ball. 

By afternoon, we had six inches of snow on the ground...

and on the driveway! That was enough to keep them busy for hours!

 

 

 

I will admit, I was concerned when we learned that the cul-de-sac was filled with kids under the age of 7, but they are a hoot!

 

 

Not too sure about the hat, but it seems to work for her!

 

 

We have the most adorable twin boys next door. 

One of them announced they were going to take all the snow off my driveway...

 

 

And two minutes later, he said they were going to leave it on the drive...

 

Last night my 'handy man' came to eat leftovers and I put him to work!

 

 

 

 

Even though the snow was still falling, he got my driveway cleared...

 

And came in to get warm!

 

 

This morning, it was pretty quiet out there.

 

We did have a few visitors...

 

 

 

I really do love the snow...

but Andy posted on Facebook yesterday

that said he's more than ready for this...

 

And this...

~sigh~

 

I want it all!

 

But for now, I have things to do...

 

God bless you!

Jan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Sunday

Today, after church, I'm making tacos for anyone who wants to join us. 

If you know where I live, come on over.

 If you don't, call me. 

 If you don't know my number, ask and you can come next time.

 

First order of the day is church.

 

After church, I'll run home and brace myself for guests...

 

Here's a thought for the day...

 

 

 

Tag, Mr. K, you're it!

 

God bless you and you and you!

Jan
(AKA Mrs. K)

National squirrel appreciation day!

!

Oh no!!! We missed it 

January 21. 

Remind me next year. 

Happy birthday, Catherine!

It's Catherine's birthday!  

Happy birthday, 

with tons of love and good wishes!

A Tidy Home...

Means I'm in the wrong house!

 

Seriously, I don't do too bad, but on occasion one or more of my bad habits comes crashing down around my ears...

 

Normally, I spend the wee hours of my day drinking coffee,

 reading my favorite blogs,

checking obituaries from my home town online,

 and planning my next foray into the world of making a mess in my sewing room. 

 This morning, everything seems to be out of wack!

 

First of all, I slept in until 8:00! 

 

I love to wake up to a quiet house...not so today.  I woke to the sound of Ron's phone ringing.

 

It was the plumber saying he'd be here in 15 minutes.

 

Fifteen minutes to:

 

1. run downstairs to make myself coffee
2. put Linda out to potty
3. feed Linda
4. run back upstairs to wash my face, brush my teeth and comb my hair
5. change out of my fleece pajamas

One out of five ain't bad.  I managed to grab a cuppa, drag Linda's bed into my office

 and sequester the two of us while Ron greeted the plumber. 

Thank goodness Linda is a big dog with a huge bladder. 

 She didn't mind waiting patiently for Steve the plumber to leave.

(which he did after relieving us of $366 to replace gaskets on Ron's toilet)
 

Why did I sleep in?

 

Yesterday I strapped on my favorite watch...

 

And joined my dear hubster for a trip to the BIG city...

 

After a lovely dinner, we headed for the...

 

 

 

 

 Consol Energy Center to watch the Penguins game.

 

Our seats, although lower than the last game we attended, had a more limited view...

 

 

 

 

I came up with this brilliant idea...that they should seat people according to their head size

 and whether or not they insist on leaning forward. 

 Gum poppers should have a section all of their own. 

 Remind me to write to the Penguins with my suggestions.

 

Speaking of suggestions...apparently the hockey gods forgot that I do not like tie games and HATE shoot outs.

 

Last night's game, against the Chicago Blackhawks ended in a shoot out and WE LOST!

 

So, back to today...

 

Here I was, closed up in this delightful room with my dog...

 

 

I started rearranging a book shelf when I found a few cards tucked between books.

 

One card was from my cousin, Susan, who had been going through some old photos and she sent me this...

That's me, fifth from the left, with my hands (partially) raised.  My first dance recital!!!!

 

I know...

cuteness overload...

 

But for now...

 

Ron and I are going to pick up my mom and take her to Morgantown, WV to see...

This will be the fourth time we have gone to see this musical...

We love it. 

 

So I must go and make myself beautiful.

 

God bless you!

Love,

Jan