Mr Bankerchick to the Rescue

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Mr BC was taking the pups out the other night, for their nightly duties and standing on our 'veranda' watching them, I was sitting in my comfy chair watching TV when I noticed him waving his hat around.  The dogs and I joined him and he was trying to swoosh a small, young bird, away from the light and the eaves of the roof out into yard. The bird, (we later decided was a Purple Finch, that might have smacked onto the window earlier in the evening) was flying from pillar to post just inside the porch. He wouldn't cooperate and was becoming more and more afraid as Mr BC waved and the dogs barked.  Totes was in hunting mode and Gwennie was very curious. Mr BC was worried about the bird and I thought everyone should just leave the poor thing alone. So I took the pups inside and left Mr BC and the bird alone. Finally Mr BC caught the small thing in his hat and went over to a young Sweet Gum Maple planted in the front and gently took the bird out of his hat.  It sat quietly on his hand as he reached up to a branch.  The finch jumped from his hand to the branch and just sat there a little stunned. He was still there when he turned out the porch light. We like to think he was simply stunned and eventually flew away. The next morning there were several purple finches at the bird feeder, among the woodpeckers, cardinals, catbirds and chickadees who regularly frequent our feeders and bird bath. I like to think the smallest one we saw, was the little one Mr BC rescued the night before.

Thanksgiving in Missouri

Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving

I can't say this trip to Missouri was uneventful, but thankfully, we are here at last, a week late.  We planned to leave a week ago. DD2 VW has been having a cooling problem and we had to keep taking it back to the dealership because it was not fixed properly.  The third time, Mr Bankerchick, had to get stern with them when they finally decided it was the head gasket all along.  We got some $$ consideration from them for the first two, so called repairs, but it took them 4 more days to fix it. So we left (late) on Sunday and had to stay out an extra night on the road.  With two cars, two dogs and an injured Mr Bankerchick, (That is a whole different story.)  He had a fall, chasing a loose Gwennie the morning we left.  I took a look at him tumbling and just knew the trip was off.  Luckily and miraculously, he was only scraped and bruised, and deflected the dog into my arms. So off we go, praying the car was really fixed. (it was)

We arrived on Wednesday and Mr BC's sister had us for Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday.  What a blessing as the cupboards were bare and we were bone tired. It was delicious and she was a lifesaver. We had a lovely time. DD2 became reacquainted with her aunt and her cousin after several years.
Today is another day of rest with a quick trip to the grocery store. Some time in the yard with 2 puppies who are thankful for a huge yard to run in after being cooped up in cars for 3 days.

Yesterday I was thankful for Skype allowing me to share some time with Лука, DD1 looks for me online many mornings, and we have breakfast and playtime together.  As Лука would say, "I'm liking Skype."  We watched his dad, pull Лука's shirt over his head "where's Лука, where's Лука?" and he smiled "I'm back" when he popped up again.  I love that kid!

Leaving Santa Barbara until January

We are enjoying our visit to Santa Barbara with Лука and his folks.  I can't believe it is our last visit for a while. However,  thank the stars for Skype. This is a bittersweet visit as the only down side to Missouri is leaving some of our Kids behind. The upside to this, at least until we sell our house is that we still will be making the trip every couple of months .

I am flying back right after Christmas as Лука and his dad are going to Belgrade for Serbian Christmas with his Baba and Deda.  He will be gone til Jan 11, so I will stay with DD1 since she is "Heavy with Child." I will visit back and forth working on the CA house and Santa Barbara, with Лука, until she delivers in Feb.

FAQ: Updated

Age: 64 July 24th. Since I have retired I have to admit to it, at least to Social Security and the WHOLE WORLD.

Bed Size: We just downsized to a Queen, a lovely memory foam.  I could do a commercial for Serta. It is perfect.  I haven't slept so good in years.


Chore you hate: Floors, my feet have to stick to them or company is coming before I do anything. Currently I am stuck on the kitchen floor, send in the Merry Maids

Dogs: Two, Gwennie is a Welsh Corgi, Sweet, stubborn and startled by breezes.  Totem is a Jack Russel and Chihuahua mix, he is a strutting sweetheart.

Essential start of your day: Sitting down after getting the coffee started and getting kisses from Totem and butt wiggles from Gwennie, then Mr. Bankerchick telling me that I make the best coffee in the world!


Favorite Color: Right now it is coral.  


Gold or silver: Diamonds are a girl's best friend!


Height: 5’ 3” Width 5' 3"


Instruments I play or have played: Violin in fourth grade, thank goodness mom knew me well and only rented the violin for 3 months.


Job Title:  Domestic Goddess, Number One Grandma,


Kids: Two grown daughters and one lively grandson and another one due in February.

Live: Right now I commute between California and Missouri as we slowly move to the Homestead in Missouri.


Mom’s Name: Norma Jean, Hated Norma, preferred Jeannie.


Nickname: Katydid, by my dad who got it from my initials KD. 


Overnight hospital stays: With both of my daughters. 


Pet Peeve: WHINING! 


Quote from a movie: “Have fun stormin’ the castle, boys!” The Princess Bride.


Right or left handed: Right.


Siblings: One brother, seven years younger and balder than me.


Time you wake up: 6:00 am ever since I had children, I have not been able to sleep late. Even after they were grown. It has not changed in retirement, much to my disappointment!


Underwear: Always!


Vegetables you dislike: Okra! No, there is no possible way it can be cooked that would be edible, so shut-up!


What makes you run late? Blogging or playing games on the computer. 


X-rays you’ve had done: Mammograms, broken ankle and foot, a pesky pothole, chest, to rule out broken rib. Dental, I have more crowns than anybody, put the dentist’s kids through college.


Yummy food you make: Mexican Food.  Since retirement I have been easing back into the kitchen and cooking. See Chores.  Now I'm stuck.


Zoo animal: Koala Bears and Red Pandas. Any baby animal!

The Prompts:

1.) Did you create a list of 22 things you’ve done in your life last week? This week, choose one item from your list and elaborate! We want the story.

2.) Create an FAQ page for yourself that answers frequently asked questions if people were to frequently ask you questions. People make those up all the time. YOUR TURN!

3.) Write a post in just eight lines. (inspired by Mommy Nani Boo Boo)

4.) Pour me a drink. Share a favorite drink recipe! (inspired by The Spohrs Are Multiplying)

5.) A day in the life of your pet…how bad do they have it?

I am sitting in the quiet of my new home. The sun is rising, the leaves are turning and the birds are coming alive. We have discovered a woodchuck under our shed and he is readying his day. My internet is working and I am reflecting on this trip to the homestead!

On this trip we brought many of my own personal things and as, I look around I can see my stamp being put upon this home.  This indeed was Mr Bankerchick's mother's home for so many years but with her passing it has become our home.

I have rearranged things in the kitchen so that it reflects my taste and and my way of working. The dining room has her wonderful round oak table and vintage buffet and it also contains a writing desk that I refinished and a glass front cabinet  of my own. The upper floor is a loft space that we have been cleaning out for DD2 when she joins us in November,  You would have been amused to see us trying to get a box spring up the stairs,(pivot, PIVOT) and have decided that we will have to enlist some help before we try to move anything else up those stairs, just to save our backs, and our tempers.

We leave on Wednesday, back to California to bring DD2 and the dogs and the rest of her and our things to the homestead. And we will stay in Missouri until after the new year. Our new grandson will arrive in February and I actually will be going back after Christmas to be with DD1 and prepare the California house for sale and Mr BC will come in Feb for Birthdays and delivery. We are excited to start a new chapter in our life.

On the Road Again!

I won't be posting much this week as we are making another move to Missouri, We are packing the trailer today and leaving early tomorrow for a fast trip. We will be making the last trip for the year about Nov 12 when we move DD2 and then in the New Year we will be back to wait for our second grandson and put the house on the market. It is exciting and busy times.  We are setting up our WiFi this trip, so we will be linked to the interwebs soon.

The Stars are Against Me

Aargh,,,, I got up this morning feeling bad,,,I have popped some Claritin and some Aleve and I am hoping for best. I have so much work to do and since Mr Bankerchick was laid up last week with a wonky ankle and could not walk.We are so behind. We want to take a load of furniture to Missouri and be back by the end of the month, If this turns into the real thing I am sunk.
Лука was the picture of health this week so it is not something I picked up from him.  I just hope I have not left behind a bug for him. Mommy and Ta Ta beware, start the vitamin C!

When I got home yesterday, the dogs had missed me. I was showered in kisses and wiggling butts. Totes has not left my side since, and I have two permanent shadows.