New York Renovator

We’re back! We were gone for a week in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York! The Adirondacks is the largest park in the country. It’s 6 million acres of mountains, lakes and thick forests. In the northern parts, it’s pretty rugged. I was going to leave Livvy to fend for herself alone at home while we were gone, but at the last minute, we decided to bring her. I am so glad we did! She had a blast and was a very good kitty. Can you find the kitty?

She had quite a few adventures, and so did we! I’ll have more about that to come. But I think she just MAY be the first domestic kitty to climb a certain mountain! Does she get a la flor dominicana double ligero? Stay tuned! LOL Happy weekend, friends.

She’s always ready to help.

We’ve had a big problem with mildew this year, thanks to the uber-abundant rain, two hurricanes and humidity. My poor furniture is suffering, and I can’t seem to keep the mildew away. Lots of other folks have been having the same problem. And I saw just yesterday that some gardeners are now dealing with late-season blight that’s striking tomatoes and potatoes again. Ugh, when will the wetness ever end.

Anyway, while we clean Livvy gets to have fun. And that’s always important, isn’t it? Today she was so cute– I got a big box in the mail and before we could even open it, she was all over the box in curiosity. She’s such a doll, so curious and innocent. I love this baby. The box contained my new lasagna pan! Oh, I was hoping for a samsung lcd screens, sure , but I needed a lasagna pan. I’ve been using a 13×9 inch pan and… let’s just say you can’t make good lasagna with such a tiny pan. I got a honking monster, stainless steel and everything. Gonna make a whopper apple crisp in it, too!

So how are you doing this fall? Do you do any fall cleaning? Cooking? Have a great weekend, friends!

We’ve been chipping away, little by little, at the spring cleaning chores I never finished. Livvy always like to lend a paw.

Happy weekend!

…and what’s yours is mine, too.

Livvy! I was going to drink that!

She’s not been hiding lately. But sometimes she does blend in well with her surroundings, being a stripey white and tan cat.

We had family music night last week, and of course where we are, she is. I love her for that. She snoozed on the table while the amplifiers boomed and rattled. How she could sleep is beyond me.

I realized today that I forgot to write more about those nifty energy-saving light bulbs that I’ve been toodling around with. Oops, been kinda busy here at the homestead. I know you’re all awaiting the updates with baited breath, so I’ll get to them (Lord willing) this coming week. The light bulbs ARE actually very interesting. Some will last for a few decades! More to come. Have a good weekend, folks.

We’ve been away from the house so often this summer (a roofing project) that Livvy has spent long periods of time alone. I’m starting to get a little concerned. LOL

Seriously, when we leave, she moans and howls quite loudly out the window. As we drive away, we can hear her pleas through the window. Sheesh!

So the husband turned to me the other day and said quietly, “She needs a buddy.” I looked at him, my eyes shining. I knew exactly what he meant. No, not another stuffed animal, not a golf garmin buddy— another KITTEN!!!!! This from the guy who has to hold me back from becoming a crazy cat lady!

We *may* get another kitty, then. I’ll keep my eyes open for a Siamese or Siamese mix. Maybe by winter, Livvy will have a pal. And I’ll have another tiny feline to squeeze!!

I guess you could say the week is “in the bag.”

Man, it’s been hot. They say there are only two seasons in Upstate New York: winter and July. I’m really hoping the summer cools off, come August.

When we came back from our day trip to New York City, I brought back a few goodies for the boys and for Livvy– she got the Macy’s bag.

Macy’s, by the way, was INSANE. I hadn’t been there in 25 years, and looks like I haven’t missed much. I needed a sweatshirt to keep warm on the train ride home– the train was FREEZING all the way down to the city, and horribly uncomfortable. I figured I could pop in and out of some clothing store and grab a cheap jacket, like I used to in the “olden days” when I lived here in the 1980s. Boy, was I wrong.

Macy’s was totally packed, totally packed. This was on a Tuesday, so I can’t imagine what the place must be like on the weekends. Additionally, the entire store was plastered with advertisements– blinking, flashing, noisy billboards and video screens filled with immodest slithering bodies. Girls were lined up all along the aisles, thrusting bottles of perfume and soaps into the faces of passers by. It was intolerable, really. We left the place as soon as we could, as soon as we could turn around in the swirling, sweating mass of humanity and noise. Yuk!

It was good to be home. And Livvy was so happy to see us come back. She hopped into the bag as soon as I set it down. She has no idea the great sacrifices we made to get it for her.

Happy weekend, friends. It’s SO GOOD to be back Upstate.

She helps me tyyypep. She thnksshe”s being helpfull,

Gonna be away from the desk for a day or two. I’m going to learn all about light bulb technology, sponsored by The Home Depot! I am very curious about new products available for our lighting, since New York State is forcing us to use CFL bulbs next year. I’ll have a lot to share when I return. Stay cool!

I wasn’t planning on having any Find the Kitty post today, because she’s not been hiding AT ALL lately. It’s been so hot that usually she’s sprawled entirely across the floor, stretched out so every bit of fur is not sticking to another.

That makes me wonder– do cats sweat? How do they perspire extra heat??

Anyway, here’s the photo. Can you find here?

Sorry it’s so dark. You probably need bushnell binoculars to see her, eh? She caught me quite by surprise in her new hiding spot, and even stood still for a few seconds to let me snap the photo!!!

Have a blessed weekend, folks.