Return of the Cruising Bunny's....

[K2-Mich]

Good Mid-Morning gang.

Dave: Not too much weeding. I sprinkle PREEN all over the ground after I plant things. Art does the major weeding! Bless him for that.
Nice that we all SLOWLY learn our limitations when it comes to doing things around the house.
I fertilized the deck flower boxes and plants around the side and front of the house. It’s so nice outside right ow. No humidity. And I did all this in my long robe! This neighborhood is so DEAD nobody sees me out there! Ha ha!

Dave: Good that you have a chair close by for you to sit and rest every so many feet.
I need to do the shrubs on the side of the house soon. Hate to see them get out of hand.


Lee: Nice short drives are a good start. Walking and drinking WATER helps you heal. Worth all the trips to the bathroom.

BB: Hope you and Bert both got to SLEEP IN this morning. Hope Cappi made it okay while you were gone. Hope your tubing didn’t get chewed up!

Karen: What are you up to today? Seems like it’s almost time for a “Breakfast meet up” with the guys! You seem to do that every so often.
Any updates on the pool install? Has to be so frustrating just waiting. Hope it all gets done before it starts to get cold.

Bill/ Rita: We need a UPDATE on what the heck is going on with Rita…and you too. Throw us some crumbs.

Out of here for now. Have a safe fun day Wrabbits.

 

[K2-Mich]

FYI: On the NEWS right now…..
PURE MICHIGAN is WIDE OPEN NOW! All Covid19 Restrictions are cancelled! . No masks, no inside limits of seating, etc, etc.
ALL I CAN SAY IS LORD HELP US!!
Any bets on how long before we are BACK on RESTRICTIONS? I’m thinking September or October!

And with that said I need to dig out a few NEW/CLEAN Masks for my purse!
I like to throw away the used ones about on e a week!

Later gang.
Pat…..yo up yet?

 

[Bellalago Belle]

Yes, I'm up, Kathi! Good morning, everyone.

Boy, how quickly you fall into your usual routine. Once again, I woke up before daylight, but didn't get up to use the bathroom until about 7. I was still so tired that I went back to bed and slept until 9:30. That felt so good to do. Bert wanted to get up by 10, so I woke him up as requested.

Kathi - Your yard is so beautiful. I love flowers all over the yard, but I can't do it any longer and Bert can't be bothered, so our yard is more green and not very colorful. There's a house over near where M&J are building that has so many flowers around it and I always comment to Bert about how beautiful it is. I love your frog & turtle too.
Ouch! That's all I can say about Mark's back. Poor guy. Hope he gets that surgery soon. Surprisingly, my back held up really well on the drive home yesterday. Usually after a few hours it hurt like crazy, but not yesterday.

Dave - That was so great that you had a grandson for the day and that he and Kathi made that root beer cake. I'm not surprised that he liked the cake better than the topping. Autistic people can be kind of quirky about the taste and feel of some things.

Lee - Glad you're able to slowly start doing your normal things again. Just remember to take it slow and don't try to rush things too much. How do you play that card game? Is it with a regular deck of cards or special ones? Bert played some games with B&S's kids on Sunday. They have more games than you can believe and play games just about every day. Lots of family time & I love it!

Karen - Bet you loved that ride in the Beemer. I don't blame you. I love convertibles too, but unfortunately, I can't get back out of them any longer & they would have to get a crane to get me out!! LOL

Now for a short recap of a few things about our trip - First off when we got to J&J's house we were shocked to see how frail looking Jeff is and how much Joanne has aged. Jef is bent over and walks with a cane. He's also prone to falling. Joanne still gets around pretty well, but is having problems with her knees. We went to all the restaurants we wanted to. Some were spot on, but others were a big disappointment. Either ownership had changed or due to Covid, they changed their menu. The oyster bar has new ownership and they changed up their recipes. I did have the biggest steamed oysters I had ever soon though. Also noticed that times have changed. When the 4 of us went out for dinner, we always went though 2 bottles of wine. This time, we barely finished 1 bottle.
Brian & Sara still refuse to get vaccinated, so we pretty much kept that 6 foot separation from them. Brian grilled ribeye steaks and they were delicious. Hated to leave when we did, but we needed to get back to the hotel to pack things up. We got slightly messed up on the directions to get back and it started to rain, so we ended up taking a longer ride than planned. Thank goodness Bert is one of those rare men who will stop and ask for directions.
Our hotel was very nice except for one thing ... I couldn't get out of bed by myself! The mattress was one of those deep pillow top kind. I need to grab the sheet and use it as leverage to pull myself up, but that didn't work with this mattress, so I had to wake Bert up every morning to help me out of bed. Never made it to breakfast, as it was done by 9 and we were in no rush.

OK, I've written a novel here, so it's time to close it. Have a wonderful day, stay dry and stay safe!

 

[flgirl51]

Good afternoon!!

Pat, glad to hear your back was not to sore from riding all that way yesterday! You & Bert are braver than me for making that long haul in 1 day! It's really rough to see friends age...and especially noticeable when you haven't seen them in person in a while...

Dave, sounds like a fun day with the grandson...Kathi sure does make it a point to do things with each one that she's knows they would like...and I wouldn't be a fan of cool whip topping on cake either...I want good ole sweet butter cream icing...YUM!

Kathie, you shameless thing you parvading around on the back deck in your robe...what ever is the neighborhood coming too!
Congrats to Jill on giving her notice & retiring...although having a part time job lined up is not exactly my idea of retirement...

Lee, sounds like you are pacing yourself pretty well on your rehab & restrictions....no sense in over doing things & ending up back in the hospital....hope all is ok with LuAnn...

Well regarding yesterdays big "IF"....the rain showed up before I got done mowing even half of the back yard...it wasn't raining hard...barely a sprinkle so I tried to keep going....after feeling a slight "tingle" in my hands a couple times I decided that mowing the yard in ANY amount of rain with an electric mower was NOT a good combination so I quit....went back over early this morning & got it finished...the front yard needs mowed again too...but that's another one of those projects that I have learned to pace myself on...just can't do front & back yard on the same day....
Still no word on the pool set up...I would imagine the guy is behind on installs as we've had rain almost every day at some point or another...
Went to the pool this afternoon but only stayed about 20 mins....no one was there but me...and then the dark clouds came rolling in...it started to rain before I made it home but I was already wet so I didn't care...
And that's about all the goings on from Belleview....

 

[Negc]

Good news from here. Rita will be discharged from the rehab facility tomorrow around 11am. This morning we and one of the physical therapists checked out her getting into and out of my car so we know it won't be a problem. She is so much more her old self and clearly ready and able to come home. Dwyer Home was so much better a place than the facility where she previously was. Many of the same personnel who took care of me when I was there last year, took even better care of her and while she is anxious to come home she realizes how much they did to make sure she can do so successfully. Even the food was much better than you might expect to find in such a facility and her appetite has returned.
We had a ramp constructed in the garage so that she can get into the house without having to use even the two stairs that would normally be required.
Until now, Rita has only seen the outside of our new home and pictures of the inside so I know she is anxious to actually get inside. I owe a great debt to my kids and grandkids who have done so much for us during this episode in our lives. Purchasing a new home, selling our condo and moving in to the new location was a challenging task that I am not sure I could have handled without them.
Once we get settled in, we should be able to check in more frequently but I am sure you understand why I haven't been more faithful.

 

[flgirl51]

Bill, that is great news to hear that Rita is FINALLY ready & able to return home....totally understand why you having been chatting as much, but you know us...No news is not always good news & we worry...thanks for the update!

 

[K2-Mich]

Welcome HOME RITA! Can't wait to hear how you like your new house!

PAT: Good to have you back in the HUTCH! Hope you sleep better tonight.

Karen: Nice to know you're learning to PACE your grass cuts. It'll be there tomorrow is how I look at it.

Lee: Hope your Urologist appt went okay for you today. Always something!

Funeral Home visitation for 99 yr old Nick tonight. Funeral tomorrow.
I'm glad it's cooler outside and we won't all melt at the cemetery.

Okay, time to get some "funeral clothes on". For once this place is only about 15 mins from our house.

Take care folks.

 

[Bellalago Belle]

Bill - Thrilled to hear the news that Rita will be coming home tomorrow. It's been a long wait for both of you and now things will be getting back to normal. Just make sure that Rita doesn't overdo it right away, and that goes for you too. We need to keep you two healthy!

 

[K2-Mich]

This is the MRI of our Marks bulging/ruptured back disk. You can see the “hook looking disk” pressing into his nerve. OUCH!



Dear Nick’s Granddaughters gave the most touching words about their Grandpa that I have ever heard at a funeral. The priest said the same thing. The choir sang from their hearts tonight during the service and will do the same tomorrow.

Okay, I need to get to bed. We have a early start tomorrow.

 

[fatherdav55]

Happy to hear that it's a going-home Wednesday for Rita. This will be an adventure for her, entering her new home for the 1st time. Thanks for the update Bill.

All things considered, It sounds like you had a good time on your trip BB. And even on your trip home. Nothing worse than getting a back-ache from the car's seat when on a trip, because once it starts hurting it seems to only get worse.

Yikes, tingling in your hands, KC. I'd forgotten that you use that plug in electric mower over there. You're so right about noticing the aging of friends and relatives, especially if we haven't seen them in a while. And you know they are thinking the same thing about us.

K2; That is one nasty looking MRI. I'm with you, a bit nervous, on the dropping of all Covid restrictions. Those people that haven't gotten the vaccination are still suppose to wear masks when out in public. Here in Ohio only 50% of the people have been vaccinated, but I sure as Hell don't see the other 50% of the people wearing masks. And sometimes I'm lucky to spot a single person wearing one when in a store.

Lee; I know you are a big Jimmy Buffett fan, as I am. But on Father's Day I learned something new about him. Something I bet you already were aware of. My Virginia daughter sent me a book he's written. I never knew he was an author. Seems like he's written quite a few books.

Here's an oddball question for you; As a Canadian do you have trouble getting rid of American coins? Around here, banks won't take Canadian coins. Maybe we're too far away from a border. At first we just thought banks would take them and give us the current exchange rate in American money. Nope.

One of our stops this morning is taking a bunch of coins to our bank and using their machine for free and get some folding cash. We were wonder how many Canadian coins will get spit out, which we'll put with the rest of the Canadian stash, we're having a hard time cashing in. There has GOT to be a place somewhere around here where we can we make the exchange.

When I think about it, I rarely accumulate coins anymore. Now-a-days, about everything we buy we use a credit or debit card. I always have some cash in my wallet, but it seems that the only thing I use it for is tips.

 

[Negc]

Dave one thing that has always bothered me is the difference between how Canadians accept US currency and convert it to the Canadian currency equivalency and how we in the US refuse to accept Canadian currency. Any time we have been in Canada we have had no problems monetarily but crossing back into the US we continually see signs indicating that Canadian money is not accepted. One of our less attractive traits.
Leaving home shortly to pick up Rita. Will try to check in later with an update.

 

[K2-Mich]

Quick Good Morning.

BILL: All the best to Rita on her getting into the NEW HOUSE today. Take care and let us know how it went. Hope she like the place.

We never have a issue with Canadian coins. I guess it might be because we are so close to so many Canadian borders. We always have a cup with some "Funny Money" as we call it in case we go over to Canada for a visit or dinner. Dave there are places that exchange foreign money in most every state. Do a google for one in your area or at least close to your area. We went to one here the last time we went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico so we would have some Mexican Pecos handy at the airport and for the Taxi to the place we were staying at. They charge you a fee, but it was worth it to have the cash in hand when we needed it.

Okay, I need to get dressed and ready to soon leave for church. Long 'sad' day today. I'll miss my Buddy Nick terribly, but he's wanted to be with his MILLIE for 9 years and he had a fantastic run here on earth. It's time.

Take care and enjoy the day. Get outside and enjoy the sun before it gets too hot. Love you all.

 

[Bellalago Belle]

Good morning! But more importantly -

WELCOME HOME, RITA!!!!!!!!
Now those are words I've been wanting to post for way too long!

Kathie - Thinking of you today as you go through the sad parts of laying Nick to rest.
All I can say about that picture of Mark's spine is OUCH!!! That has got to hurt like hail!!!

Dave - I agree about the idea that once your back starts to hurt in the car, it just gets worse and worse, especially when you aren't used to it. Heading north, it did hurt, but think about it - We haven't done a rode trip in like forever, so a sore back was expected. Why coming home it didn't hurt, I have no idea, but sure was thankful for no pain.
We can get foreign currency at the bank for a fee, but they don't take it back either. We try to spend it all or as much as we can before coming home. I like that the Caribbean islands mostly all take good old USA money, so there's no problems buying stuff.

Got some running around to do today. Due to the shortages in so many foods right now, Bert wants to go to Sam's and pick up some chicken breasts and chop meat, if they have any, and make a run to Restaurant Depot to pick up a whole piece of beef tenderloin to trim and cut into filets. Man likes to keep his belly full and keep me busy in the kitchen! So I better see about getting us some lunch before the heavens decide to open up once again like happened yesterday. The rainy season has definitely arrived in the Sunshine State!

So I am out of here until later. I hope Bill posts and lets us know how Rita made out getting sprung from rehab and seeing her now home. The rest of you, have a wonderful afternoon, no matter what you are doing. Later, gang -

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Good afternoon everyone.
What a chatty group you have been! Nice.
My appointment went as well as could be expected. As I laid on my side I cracked (pun intended) to Dr Tom “Now I know how Charlie McCarthy felt”. We both had a laugh.
Busy here today. This morning I picked up our friend from the Toyota dealership in Windsor. I took him back later this afternoon. In between we met friends from Kitchener at a winery for lunch. They are “5th wheelers” who are in the area for a few days.
So happy to hear that Rita will finally get to join you in your new home Bill.
Ah, US cash. It is funny how we seem to readily accept US currency but God forbid you slip a CDN quarter in a US purchase. I’m not surprised at the coin thing Dave. Currency exchange places and banks here won’t exchange coins from any country but will gladly accept and exchange foreign bank notes.
My gosh Kathie, what will all the neighbours think who saw you out in your robe! Oh, rest assured somebody saw you. Seeing Marks’ spine made me feel his pain too. Yes, I agree that there could be rough times ahead as MI opens up! Especially with the “new” variant that seems to be on the rise everywhere.
Karen, why would Ben Franklin have used a kite and a key to discover electricity when all he needed to do was grass with an electric mower during a rain storm? I hope you at least had a pair of Crocs to properly ground you.
What food shortages are you seeing in Florida Pat? You need a food sealer like Kathie has to keep your meat, poultry and seafood protected in the freezer. I find it hard to understand why people refuse to be vaccinated. Backs are funny things. You can do something 9 times. Then on the 10th it hurts. Then nothing for a while.
OK, enough from me. You all enjoy the rest of this fine Wednesday and I’ll see you tomorrow.

 

[K2-Mich]

Late GOOD EVENING Wrabbits.

Nice chatter on here today.
Our church and choir gave 99 yr Old Nick a touching farewell today. The people that spoke about Nick in church did him so much justice. The luncheon following the burial was at a local restaurant in a side room that accommodated the 75-80 people that were there. Nick would have been pleased. So ENDS another chapter in a close friends life.
FYI: I was able to type out Nick's favorite Serbian pastry that I use to make for him and asked his daughter-in-law if I could slip the note w/the recipe printed on it in the casket. She said "Absolutely". There was a little drawer and that's where it went into. I felt like it was a perfect thing to do and it gave me peace. And yes, I know us Serbs are a TAD overly sensitive or maybe sentimental at times, but hey it's just how we are!

It's still COLD here tonight. The WINDS have finally calmed down.
While we were gone today those WINDS managed to knock over 2 of my Petunia planters. Amazing, since the planters were rather heavy. They both got replanted and hopefully will survive their ordeal.

We're suppose to get RAIN here on and off for the next 3-4 days. I can only hope that the weather man is WRONG. Although we can always use the water for the grass and flowers, it just brings on the HUMIDITY big time.


BILL.....sure hope all will be okay with RITA tonight. Hope she likes everything that the kids and you did to make the new house comfortable for her.
Did you have to get a person to be with her through the night? Hope you both have a good nights sleep.

Lee: Only you could make JOKES while on that exam-table. Hope the results were good for you.

Checking out from MACOMB. Nite all.

 

[fatherdav55]

We found a place that will take Canadian money.......ALMOST. Kathi did Google for a place that would deal with Canadian money, and it turned out to be the AAA right here in town. But before heading over she called them to make sure. They are NOT doing it at the moment, because of Covid. AHHH!

But we did take all our other coins to the bank that we've been collecting over the past few years. I was totally surprised by how much we got just for 2 water-glasses full of them. A little over $60. (No Canadian coins were spit out this time.) The machine spits out a receipt which you can take over to the bank's tellers for cash or just put the money in one of your accounts.

Care to watch the premier of a new show on ABC tonight at 8? It's called "When Nature Calls with Helen Mirren". They've been promoting the heck out of it lately, but we're still not exactly sure what to expect. But we do have it set to record. It seems that it's a show of actual animals in nature who are given human voices to explain their behavior. Looks humorous. We'll see.

Another beautiful day here today. Our latest cool spell is over. Tuesday's high was 65 degrees. Yesterday's high was 75 degrees. And today's high should be 85. From the furnace running to the air conditioner kicking on.

And today's excitement on our schedule is picking up groceries and getting back to more trimming of the bushes.

A typical day of us pacing ourselves, like trained athletes.

 

[K2-Mich]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY ARTIE! And YES, he's out with his biking buddies BIKING already this morning! It's a beautiful morning for a Birthday Bike Ride.

DAVE: Let's just hope all the "possible rain showers" DO NOT HAPPEN the next few days.
Nice to know that AAA takes Canadian coins. We save ours since we are so close to 3 International Canadian Borders! (I think I got that right) Always good to have it ready for the border fees! I can't imagine how much they will charge us to go across the bridge or through the tunnel once they open up to the public. I think the last time we paid $5.50. CRAZY. It use to be $.25 cents in the stone age days!

I made a pot of coffee, watched the birds out back on the feeders and am not sure what the heck I'm going to do today. Oh wait.......I do know I have to go and pick up a 1/2 gal of milk. Yup, I still like a glass of milk every so often. I get the Lactose Free kind. It seems to last longer.

Did you folks see the "Breaking News" about the Miami high-rise condo that decided to collapse early this morning. UNREAL.

I'll be back later to see what you have all been up to.

 

[Bellalago Belle]

Good afternoon, y'all! I hope the weather is looking better in your neighborhood than it is here once again. Right now the clouds are starting to roll in which mean we will once again be having rain this afternoon like every day since we came home.

Lee - Your Charlie McCarthy remark to the doctor was too funny! I hope everything went well. Luckily here we see very little Canadian money being in our change. Up in NJ we got those coins much more often. Among the items we are seeing in short supply or have heard about are chicken wings (the price from the wholesaler has doubled!) chop meat, and would you believe once again people are hoarding toilet paper in some areas. We don't see much of it in the foods we buy, so we're lucky. I've wanted one of those food saver things for years, but Mr Thickhead doesn't want one and likes his Ziplock bags instead. Go figure? I gave up asking to get one, so if something gets freezer burn, that's on him!

Dave - I gather this was a grocery pick up and not a going into the store day, right? I'll have to look for that program tonight. I need something light to watch after last night bomb shell ending on Blacklist. Have fun weeding. Better you than me!

Kathie - Sounds like a great sendoff for your friend Nick. Wee too often add things to the coffin just before the funeral. That's usually something that makes you feel better. The recipe was a good idea. Nice that the birthday boy is off with his buddies bike riding again. I'm sure that's the perfect way to spend his day, according to him.

Once again we've got things to do this afternoon. Bert needs to stop at the library and I think Publix for something. Not a lot today. When he went to Restaurant Depot yesterday, he couldn't get a filet at a reasonable price, so he passed on it. Instead he bought a few pounds of steamer clams, which he knows are favorites of mine. I went ahead and steamed them yesterday, but will be eating them for lunch today. Bert just got it all out for me to go ahead and reheat them before we go out.

So I'm goin to say bye-bye for now and go have some lunch. Hopefully, I'll get to check in later. In the meantime, be good, gang!

 

[flgirl51]

Quick hello from me....I am so sleepy I don't know which end is up...for some reason last night I just could NOT shut down...it was nearly 3 am before I finally dozed off...and then was awake at 7...went to Publix at 9 to get my 2nd shot...even though I was the only one waiting it still took over 30 mins. for the girl to figure out my insurance paper work & get me logged in...then another 15 mins. sitting after the shot...
Did some errands & treated myself to Chick Fil A for breakfast...I'd never done the drive thru before & it was so FUN! They have all the people outside to take your order...they even have little menu's...then another guy takes your money...and then you drive up to the window where another guy is standing to give you your order...I guess I'm easily entertained but I thought it was neat....
So far my arm in not sore at all...but I think I hear a beloved afternoon nap calling my name...check back with you all later!

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Good afternoon folks!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ART.
We were both up early so we headed to Costco for “old farts hour”. There was quite the line at 8:10! Seems their power kept flickering just enough to take all of their scanners and cash registers off line so they all had to reboot. It flickered once while we were in there. We wanted to get some stuff for Sunday’s Miracle Food Drive. Last year Windsor / Essex collected over one million (yes, one million) pounds of food for food banks and charities.
Funny you mentioned toilet paper Pat. We watched virtually every cart come out of Costco with at least one bulk pack of bum wad. Not us! While prices for everything are going crazy we really haven’t noticed shortages. Yet. We toy with the idea of a food saver as well as an air fryer.
Kathie, I think that your gesture of sending Nick off with his favourite pastry recipe was so nice! You’ve got the bridge in Sarnia, the Windsor / Detroit bridge and The Tunnel all close by. I still think it’s freaky to drive under the river!
Karen, at the end of the day you got your shot. That’s what matters. We have used the ChicFilEh (the Canadian spelling) drive through and it is a pretty slick operation. Hope you sleep better tonight.
Ya Dave, we taint all of our folding money and coins with Covid. You might want to hang on to it if you ever come for a visit. We accept CDN dollars at par. We weren’t quite into furnace weather but our temps have been up and down like the toilet seat at a mixed party. Like Kathie, we’re scheduled for a few days of rain and warm temps.
Better get the pups out.
Be good everyone!