JUST CAN'T DO IT! Taking A Break!

I know many of you

are just like me!

You think you can do it ALL.

You think you can 

make the coffee, 

drink the coffee,

wash the coffee cup,

wash the laundry,

dry the laundry,

fold the clothes and

put them away.

I think I can do all that...

ALL the time.

Now, add in MOVING,

a sprained thumb, wrist,

and upper arm.

Add in a home we are leaving

that will need to be cleaned

top to bottom,

and things that need to be finished

in the

NEW PLACE.

Add in purging and packing

and hard decisions.

I can do ALL that, 

BUT........

I have to take a break from 

blogging 

until after I get moved.

We are moving at the end of March.

After that,

I PROMISE

to come back and share 

the new place with you.

Befores AND Afters!

Here is just a sneak peek

at the far end of the kitchen.

Fridge was not in yet

but was delivered this week.

A counter depth SS--

My son orchestrated all this work

while we were gone.

Color on walls is

Irish Mist-Cabinetry is Dove White

Counter top is Quartz.

Backsplash is white subway tile.

Microwave can also be used as

an oven or hot air fryer.

Lots more to show....

So---I promise to come back

with room by room makeovers

as I go along.

Please bear with me...

and pray I don't kill anyone 

die during this move!

Thank you all so much

for being such faithful followers.

A CONVERSATION WITH BRIGHT EYES---LOOK AT THAT BIRD!

I stayed with my daughter and her family

for a couple of days on the way home
from vacation.

Bright Eyes (aka Anna Ireland)

popped into the bedroom right after

I woke up.

Looking out the window

there was a small sweet bird

sitting on the branch of the tree.

Nana:  Oh! Look, Anna!

Look at that little bird.

I wonder if it is one of 

God's little messengers...

or maybe it is your guardian angel.

Maybe it is your Cousin Anna Bella

and SHE is your guardian angel.

Long Pause:

Anna:  Yeah- Or maybe it is just a bird

sitting on a branch.

So, there you have it, folks!

I think we have a realist in the group!

Have a wonderful Friday.

COMING SOON:
Pictures of the condo!

IT'S MARCH---TIME FOR SOMETHING GREEN AND GOOD!

We are home but not able to 

get into our new place (the condo) yet.

DARN IT!!!

My most wonderful son

won't even give me 

a sneak peek of it.

Remind me why I am keeping him

in my will...

oh-yeah---

he is doing all the work over there

for us...that's why.

So, meanwhile.

I am packing things up,

despite having sprained my thumb and wrist..

Don't ask--

not pretty.

Let me tell you  a  secret-

It is hard to get your underwear 

UP OR DOWN

with a sprained digit!

Too much information?

Too bad-

YOU chose to come here and read!

Anyway--

Here's a little treat for you!

Posting this a bit early in the month

so that you have time to make it for

ST PADDY'S DAY!

Crème de Mint Cake

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix

Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box

2 teaspoons mint extract

12 drops green food color

2 jars (16 oz each) hot fudge topping

1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Thin rectangular crème de menthe chocolate candies, unwrapped and cut into pieces, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour.

Make cake batter as directed on box, adding 1 1/2 teaspoons of the mint extract with the water. Reserve 1 cup batter. Stir 3 drops of the green food color into reserved batter; set aside. Pour remaining batter into pan.

Drop green batter by generous tablespoonfuls randomly in 12 to 14 mounds onto batter in pan. Cut through batters with metal spatula or knife in S-shaped curves in one continuous motion. Turn pan one-fourth turn; repeat cutting for swirled design.

Bake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Carefully spread fudge topping evenly over cake. In medium bowl, stir whipped topping, remaining 1/2 teaspoon mint extract &  remaining 9 drops green food color. Spread whipped topping mixture evenly over fudge. Garnish with candy pieces. Store covered in refrigerator.

Now, I will tell you that being

St. Paddy's Day

 all the calories

 have all been removed

so you can enjoy every bite.

( Removing those calories

is an Irish trick that I promised not to tell)

I'll be serving it to

The Fam here in the Heartland.

Let's hope one of the grandkids doesn't

eat all the Andes Mints beforehand

because if they are gone

YOU KNOW
they will blame it on

THIS ONE.

Hope you have a

most wonderful week!!!

I'll be back real soon-

with a 

PICK YOUR FAVORITE

Spring Table!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BESTIE, SANDY, & MY BROTHER, CHARLIE, IN HEAVEN

Wow!

A lot of years have flown by since

Sandy and I were kids and

 first met in a laundromat

in North Fort Myers, Florida

in the Fall of 1970.

Little did we know the day we met

that we would become best friends

for life.

Friends that would see each other

through marriages,

 the births of children,

divorces that we weren't expecting

and re-marriages.

We have both moved all over the 

country but have always lived 

within driving distance of each other.

Let me tell you how good of a friend 

 I am.

When she went to remarry 

she asked me to be matron of honor.

The long distance tolls started

adding up.

Me:  Did you get your dress yet?

Sandy:  I found a nice pants suit.
Me: WHAT?

Sandy: Yes! You heard me right!

A PANTS SUIT!

Me: You can't get married in a pants suit.

Sandy: Watch me! (sensing an "attitude"

here are you?;>)

Me:  I am wearing a soft pink dress as 

your matron of honor.

Sandy:  Great!  I'm wearing a pants suit.

Me:  Really?

Sandy:  Yes! REALLY!!!

hmmmmmmffff

The day before the wedding I went shopping.

I bought a wedding dress in her size.

I took it to her home in Illinois.

Me:  I have a present for you.

Sandy:  What it is?

Me:  It's your wedding dress~

Sandy: (the red head in her making her face flush)

I have a nice pants suit!

Me:  MOM!!! MOM!!!! Come here, Mom!

Look at this- I bought Sandy a REAL wedding dress.

Sandy: Oh, Crap!  Don't get my Mom in on this.

Mom: (timidly) Well, it wouldn't hurt to try it on.

Sandy: (glaring at me) I don't like wedding dresses.

Me:  You'll like this one!

Door to bathroom SLAMS shut.

Door to bathroom opens.

Her Mom and I look at her and we are 

smiling from ear to ear.

Me: It's PERFECT

Mom:  It's PERFECT

Sandy: It's too big on the sides!

Mom:  You have four hours to get ready,

I'll take it in.

Sandy: FINE!!! 
(this is the closest we have ever come
to having a cross word with each other!;>) 

TA-DAH!

ps.  And THAT is what best friends are all about-picking your wedding dress out

for you whether you want one or not!

pffffftt.....A Pant's Suit!!!!
Happy Birthday Sandy!

Listen-she recently connected to the internet world down there in the wilds of Minnesota.

Wish her a Happy Birthday here for me-will you?

And Happy 66th birthday to my brother, Charlie.

He is celebrating his seventh birthday in Heaven

today- I miss you, buddy!
~You are forever in my heart~
Yep-my best friend in life and my brother
born on the same day-
What are the odds on that?
I hope they made him an
Angel Food Cake
up there where calories don't count!

Happy Birthday, Sandy...

I love you as much as if we were

blood sisters.

Who knows?

Maybe we are.....after all...

my Dad used to travel, you know!!!!

PLEASE PRAY FOR CONNIE'S HUSBAND, STEVE...AND FOR CONNIE.

Many of you know Connie from her blog
CRAFTY HOME COTTAGE

Connie and I are not only blogging friends.
We keep in touch because

we both have husbands

that deal with health issues.

Not only does it have an effect

on the patient,

it also takes its toll on the caregiver.

Steve is in need of prayer.

He is a very private person,

so it is hard to be open about

how ill he is.

Cancer has ravaged his body

and, at this point,

hospice has been called in.

Above he is shown with Connie

in happier times.
He is the love of Connie's life,
her soul mate, her courage,
her love and her life.

Please pray for Steve & for Connie.
There is a hard path ahead of them.
It is a path none of us wants to walk.
The days and nights will be long,
but still, too short.

If you don't pray, please send
good wishes and thoughts their way.
Connie will be happy to know that
she has people here standing beside her,
sending her love.

As always, thank you all so much
and I will keep you filled in as/when
I know more.

CHANGING THE BLOG-IT'S A BIG DECISION...THANKS FOR WEIGHING IN

Speaking of 

WEIGHING IN...

There are days when I feel

BIG 

and then seeing something like this

puts it in perspective.

Not the greatest picture-

taken from the road this 

misty morning.

I imagine this is here waiting

for the Daytona 500

to officially kick-off.

So---the results of my poll~

Between my blog, 

Facebook & personal emails,

I had about 120 responses.

Here is the breakdown:

8-Voted for a Condo Blog

14-Voted for a Camping Blog

31-Voted to combine Condo & Camping

23-Keep blog and add to it

44-WHATEVER or ANYTHING

 Some suggested calling it The Next Chapter.

There were several suggestions of 

names I might use.

So- I think, at this point in time,

I will add to the blog I have

and just headline different subjects.

I have lots of fodder for both

camping and condo living

(or will have after we move and start camping)

Think March and Early Summer.

So, bear with me.

For now I will continue with my 

USUAL NONSENSE.

And show you pictures of

whatever happens to strike my fancy.

Condo Update:

I asked my son to show me a peek

of what was happening at the condo.

He showed me a 4" square of quartz countertop

and a close up of his teeth.

uh-huh

Gotta love a kid man son like that.

Kid has a million dollar smile

(literally-check the invoices)....

He is keeping me in suspense like

Chip Gaines

waiting for 

THE FINAL REVIEW.

Is it time to go home yet?

Okay-back to the matter at hand~

Thanks again for weighing in.

I will be back soon....pinky promise!

LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK & OPINIONS-NANA DIANA IS GOING PLACES.....

Hello to all my

WONDERFUL FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS.

I think I am at a 

CROSSROADS IN LIFE!

I have been blogging for

10 YEARS THIS WEEK!

I can hardly believe it.

During that 10 years,

a lot has changed.

We moved three times,

(counting the upcoming move on March 1st)

John has survived 3 bouts of cancer,

I retired once and went back to work-

now 'retired' a second time. (maybe)

My local grandkids are growing up

and don't depend on Nana like 

they once did.

(Well, except for little CJK who is

always up for some homework help-lol)

and I do see him often.

My other daughter and her 3 kids

live 6+ hours away so I don't 

have the hands on with them

like I did/do with the local kids.

Other grandkids are grown and gone.

So--while

Nana Diana Takes A Break

was a good escape from all

the rigors of daily life,

life is changing.

First off-

I have no intention of 

quitting blogging.

(you can smile now)

but---here are my questions for you -

with some input 

from me.

I am thinking of taking the blog

in a new direction.

I have searched online and cannot

find a blog dedicated to 

CONDO LIVING

(which is a bit different from 

living in a regular home).

I have been thinking about 

doing a blog that would show

the ins & outs of condo living,

the remodeling we are doing,

adapting to a new lifestyle,

along with all my daily stuff as well.

(you know--my usual nonsense)

(Nana Diana Conquers Condo Living)

My 2nd idea is this~

We bought a 30' Class C

Minnie Winnie Camper.

I will be driving us around

as we 

LEARN TO CAMP-

omg-IMAGINE THAT!!!

Can't wait to get my first

spray-down during

PUMP OUT.

I already have her named-

MINNIE MANOR!

(Nana Diana On The Road With Minnie Manor)

OR-

3rd Choice-

I could combine the two-

depending on what I am doing-

or where I am-

and call it something like

Nana Diana's 

Condo & Camping -

or

Nana Diana's 

Condo & Camping Comical Chronicles,

or something along those lines.

So-throw it at me-

what do you think?

I would leave the old blog in place,

but close the comments to it

with a link to the new blog.

I think I am ready for a change-

but don't want to lose touch

with any of you.

I have seen that happen 

too many times

in Blogland.

Would you follow along if I

take a new direction?

I will still do the 

Pick Your Favorites

(cuz I know you all love that)

and feature family moments

but will make some changes.

Now if I could only change/erase these 

wrinkles....sigh.....

Be back in a few days with the

Pick Your Favorite Results-

I like to give it a few days so 

that bloggers have a chance to weigh in.

Still on vacation.

I am not so good at 

'resting and relaxing'...lol...

Happy Thursday-

Love you guys!

(blog names I tossed out are only suggestions-

open to input)

HAVEN'T QUITE LEFT YET- ANOTHER PRAYER REQUEST-TWO OF THEM

I am sure many of you know

the blog

RAMBLINGS OF A RETIRED LADY.

Her husband, Jim,

is in a coma

and ready to 'go home'.

Please pray for a peaceful passing

for him and 

for peace of mind for her

and her children & grandchildren.

She is 78 years old

and her blog has changed

but here is the link

if you would like to leave her

a word of comfort.

Ramblings of a Retired Lady

Also, my friend, Jettie's
brother-in-law, Leamon,
is passing.
He is the last sibling on her husband's side
so it is a sad passing for her hubby.

Please keep them in your 
thoughts and prayers, too.

Thank you so much.

I will be on the road soon

and out of touch for a while.

If you don't pray,

please send good thoughts

and wishes their way.

Love to all of you~

TAKING A BREAK-SEE YOU SOON

I will be gone for a while

but may catch up a bit

while I am away---

Otherwise,

see you when I get back

with pictures of

BEFORE AND AFTERS

of the condo!

Meanwhile,

I'll be here---

yeah boy

Love you guys-

Thanks for being such faithful followers

all these years!

PRAYER REQUEST-SUSAN FREEMAN-ASH TREE COTTAGE

It is always hard to do a 

post like this.

That being said,

I do believe that there are

MIRACLES TO BE HAD.

Many of you know and follow

Susan-Ash Tree Cottage

and her little dog, Bentley.

She is a decorator and

miniature enthusiast.

She got sick before Christmas

and was hospitalized 

while they looked for answers.

Here is what she posted on Facebook.

Susan Freeman

January 16 at 5:23 PM · 

The results from my boost are in. The shadow across my kidney. Is as cancerous mass. No chemo, surgery instead. Bye bye kidney. Hopefully I have a couple more months to live. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement🤗😘

 

She is asking for prayer.

If you don't pray,

please wing healing thoughts 

and well wishes her way.

Thank you all so much.

You are the best.

WHAT IS CALIFORNIA SHED STYLE?

For all of you that have asked-

WHAT IS CALIFORNIA SHED STYLE?

It might be called something different

in a different area.

Here, it is a late 1960's/1970's style

that has a rustic exterior with a

more modern interior.

It has a slanted roof in the back

and soaring ceilings inside,

usually with a loft (open or semi open).

I am attaching pictures

front and back so you can

see what I am talking about.

People either love the style

or hate it.

LOL- Guess I am an

OLD HIPPY 

at heart 

(although I never lived like a hippy-

too much of a chicken-lol).

because

I like the style.

I have lived in traditional,

coastal, Florida style,

colonial, two story,

ranch style & modern-

but nothing like this.

I will keep posting pictures

as we go along.

All changes will be interior

because we have to abide by

condo rules to not change 

"the look" from the exterior.

Front-We have a lofted area-

each unit to the side is a single story.

Our main living area,

including 2 bedrooms/2 baths,

is on the main floor.

The big windows upstairs overlook

the river one street over,

and that is where my sewing/craft area

will be---whoo hoooo---

finally a place of my own.

I have never had a dedicated space

like this before.

There were always kids, etc.,

to think about and contend with.

FRONT VIEW~

Back-

Units are staggered so we will

not see our side-by-side neighbors

unless we chose to do so.

Upper windows are in the loft area

where there is 3rd bedroom/bath

in case we need live-in care at some point.

Hopefully not-but life 

throws things at us sometimes

that we don't expect.

So...here ya go---

CA Shed Style Back View

There you have it, kids.

Be back with more soon!

I know y'all are dying to see the inside.

Did I say DYING?

Remember...there is a graveyard

right behind us...

and I have a shovel if needed!