Easter flowers stayed nice all week. Nothing says spring like a grocery store bouquet of brightly colored mixed flowers and a bundle of tulips. The candleholders are a gift from my parents, purchased during their year in Denmark (1973). We had Daniel and Lee over for dinner. They lingered, worked on Daniel’s bicycle and spent time with John, he was very happy.
Earlier in the week, when shopping for Easter dinner, we stumbled across Trader Joe’s spiral-cut ham. Wow, does Trader Joe’s sell anything that tastes bad (except their $1.99 milk and sushi)? I don’t think so.
After 4 weeks, our 2nd floor bathroom is almost done. A few finished touches need to be completed including refinishing the tub (circa 1942), rehanging the blinds, some type of artwork on the walls and a new shower curtain.
Hard to believe a 5’x8’ space could take so long. The bathroom was stripped down to the to studs, insulated, floors leveled and squeaks removed, new pipes and plumbing and a shower was added. The room went from spongy, blue linoleum to gray marble, plaster walls to subway tile and bead board. We are pleased with the results. It was a barely tolerable space before.
Yes, it is tiny. Built in the days when a bathroom was a functional space, not a place to “get away from the kids” or have some “me” time. But it has everything one needs in a bathroom.
Due to the pitch of the roof, we went with a European shower wand. The shower would otherwise be too crowded.
I love the modern vanity lights. We had a few discussions about them but in the end, the tall, cylinder shape worked best. ;-)
Work was hectic this past week, it always is at the first of the month. By Friday we were really looking forward to a low key evening at Chuy’s with our friends, Sonya and Mac. John was a good sport and left home early to secure our place in the usually 45+ minute line. Mac, Sonya and I arrived within minutes of each other and after a few minutes we were seated.
Dinner was good as always, but being with some of our favorite friends was even better. I have known Sonya for about 16 years, we have been couple friends for 13. We have a lot of dinners, hiking, backpacking, travel, cards, laughter and life between us. No matter how much time goes between getting together, we always pick up like it was just last week.
Saturday was a work morning for me, one of three this quarter. After work I spent a couple of hours dealing with issues related to getting my sister, Carol’s, condo on the market. I will be really happy when the condo is gone. Too much time and effort has passed between the decision for Carol to move into an apartment and getting the “For Sale” sign in the yard. Enough said…
All the while, my throat is scratchy and I am exhausted. I am usually anxious to get out on a nice day but I gladly spent the afternoon sleeping and watching TV with John. It was a perfect late Saturday afternoon.
This morning was marathon morning in Knoxville. Every year our neighborhood is one of several who pull out all stops to cheer on the runners. The race sponsors a “Best Neighborhood” contest as voted on by the runners and we usually win. How can we not, we fall at mile marker 22 and the runners are really excited to see and hear our encouragement.
We stood at the top of a little hill (killer at mile 21.5), listening to the band, the Natty Love Joys (locally famous), ringing some cowbell and clapping. We also had the chance to visit with a few neighbors, which was a plus. I must say, our neighborhood has some poorly behaved, no, poorly supervised children. Allowing your child and their bicycle/scooter in the midst of a group of runners is REALLY NOT a good idea.
We were done after a couple of hours of clapping. I was a energized by the runners so late this afternoon (after I was sure all runners were through the route), I laced on my running shoes and head out for a few miles. I have really struggled with running since my troubles a year ago with piriformis muscle pain. Hopefully I can get some structure back to a running program.
Some of our neighbors hand out fruit and gel. Water and Gatorade is available at the other end of the boulevard.
Loved this guy, he played his drum during the entire race (he was out for over 6 hours). He had all kinds of says to the beat of the drum. “You- can- do- it” was his favorite.
