DON'T HATE ME BUT-----WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...............

Happy Quarantining

for all of us in isolation.

In between unpacking,

sorting,

purging,

selling,

donating

and

wondering what to do with

THIS AND THAT...

I started to think of 

what I am keeping and what 

I am getting rid of--

AND---

that made me wonder

about things in blogland.

Now, PLEASE don't send me

HATE E-MAIL!

These are just my personal opinions...

This is not meant as a judgement

on anyone or anything...so

don't get your panties in a knot.

For instance--

whatever happened to 

BURLAP?

I haven't seen a post about it

in a long time.

I never used it because it makes me itch...lol

and--

What about wreaths made of

pages of books-

although I will say that my

sweet daughter-in-law

made me one that I will 

keep until the pages fall off--

and I still love it.

I know there are still people

painting with 

CHALK PAINT

but I haven't seen nearly the hype

on it that I used to see.

What about books with 

ripped-off covers tied with twine?

Still in?

SO--

What do you think?

Are these still trends or dying out?

Isn't it amazing how blogging

has changed over the years?

A lot of the DIY projects

are no longer as vital as they used to be...

everything is much more professional

than it used to be.

However, you still have

ME

a dinosaur in a gazelle world.

My changes are more subtle

than they used to be and I rarely do

TRENDY THINGS

like I might have done years ago.

So, 'kids', you are stuck with 

little old me 

(and I use the word LITTLE figuratively)

That being said-

What else can YOU think of

that I missed?

Hope you are all staying safe

and are healthy.

We are doing okay here.

Still working on getting the 

condo in order so I can take some pics.

Loving it so far-

Easy and laid-back~

PICK YOUR FAVORITE SPRING WEDDING TABLE RESULTS

Well, you all did it again!

You played along and picked a table.

I wish this were real life and

we were all

MINGLING

&

TALKING

&

SMILING

However, since that isn't possible,

we will visit virtually.

Ready to see who you are sitting with?

Here were your choices:

#1-PLANKED & PRETTY

Jack & Sherry-my traveling nomads that are stuck at home,  Patti, Sandra (doesn't really like any of them and is going to become a wedding planner after seeing the choices),

Ann-Too messy to sit at the white table she likes,

Jeanie, Melanie, Kim/Exquisitely, Cindy-requested to sit next to Kim-true!, Ellie, CHERI, Jane, Keshakeke, Lorraine, Linda/Itsy-Bitsy, 

Louise, Julie/Creative, Cindy/ckrut.

Liz-wants to be the hostess--seriously? Hey! that is MY job!, Betsy, Sue, Debbie/Lakehouse,

Linda/Life & Linda, and, of course, Anonymous!

#2-YELLOW & MELLOW

A small sweet group!

Ginny, Susan K, Lisa K, Karen

& Carolyn

#3-ROSES & SUCCULENTS

Katie Isabella (our kitty guest), 

Dr. S, (finally- we have a doctor in the house) 

Missy (after much deliberation parked her butt here),

Jan L, Linda/Ramblings, 

Debbie-Dabble.

#4-FULLY FLORAL

Elzie, Latane, Louica, Carla,,

Marilyn, Debby Ray(already worrying about what to wear), Rose, Noreen, 

Kim/Nutbrown & Leslie

#5-WEDDING ON PORCH

Jenn, Sandi, Mevely (sitting here to steal the forks),  Jane (vacillating), Judy/North Orr,
and a little late-Akasha!

#6-LIGHT THE WAY WITH ROSES

Wow- Had to book a larger venue!

MA, Theresa, Vee, bobbie, Suz, 

Wispy-formerly known as-----can't tell you or she'll get me--

Lisa, Roxy, Doris, Happy, LV,

Lorrie- Concerned the chairs are too close,

Nellie, Ron-The Cocktail King,

Julie H, Kay G, Kris, Pogonip,

Julie, Diane, Pam Steiner, Judy/Gold,

Terri D, Deborah M, Jan/J's Journey, 

Nancy & Dolly

#7-WHITE INTENT

Debra (thank God somebody got my pun)

Kathy, Bless, Susie, Karen

And- then there is Rita/Panolopy

She is not going to any of them

but will give the bride & groom money instead.

Anyone getting married? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?

Thanks for playing along.

I am coming down home row with 

getting the condo settled.

Sadly, because I can't go shopping there

are things I need to purchase to finish up---

like dining room chairs.

I'm a little afraid to order them online

without testing them.

Also, we need towel bars, etc,

shelving for the pantry,

etc....etc...etc...

I'll get there so bear with me!

Have a wonderful week and please

STAY HOME AND STAY SAFE!

#4-

I'M BACK WITH AN UPDATE-WE MOVED AMID THE CORONA VIRUS SCARE

I'm still here--

It's scary times, isn't it?

A co-worker of MyHero is in ICU with the virus.

My son-in-law is a captain in the

LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT.

He and my daughter are under quarantine

because one of his men's wife

has the virus.

That means my grandgirls are not

able to be with their mom for at least

TWO WEEKS.

Hmmm...three teenagers out of the house

for two weeks...

IMAGINE THAT!!!!!

Anyway----

We have moved into our "new" condo.

I am still in the process of making

this 'place' into a home.

I ended up calling the movers

to move us 2 weeks earlier than planned

because I was afraid the movers would

SHUT DOWN DUE TO CV-19.

Good thing I called because they

SHUT DOWN

the week we were supposed to move.

I did not get a chance to purge and sort

like I had hoped and

EVERYDAY IS LIKE CHRISTMAS

as I open a box or bin to discover

what is inside.

So, today- I have 

NO PICTURES 

of the new place to show you

except one of the back patio area yesterday-

The wind was blowing so the flag is blurry

but---can you see the hail & snow?

As they moved us in

anything that I didn't know exactly

where it was going-

went in the garage.

Today I am smiling because

my garage has gone from 100% FULL

to about 50% full

and that, my friends, is a

GOOD THING.

Now, I don't know about all of you

BUT

I have been cooking and baking.

NOT A GOOD THING-

By the time this is over,

I am going to have to call one of those

INTERVENTION PROGRAMS..

True!

For instance...

Homemade lasagna--

sauce that simmered for hours

and baked up like this.

OH MY---about 1800 calories per bite!

So, if I can roll myself away

from the table long enough-

I will be back this coming week with a 

PICK YOUR FAVORITE-

just a bit of frivolity

that I hope brings a bit of 

joy to all of us.

MEANWHILE-

Have a Happy Blessed Safe Easter-

even if you 

DON'T HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY

that dresses their kid up like a 

CHICKEN FOR EASTER.

STAY HOME & STAY SAFE.

Asking God to bless you and your families-

We don't need any sick bloggers!

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!

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)