12.27.2011

SUSHI BAR

As we were getting hungry one day
We decided to head to the China Buffet.
When we got there they gave us a seat
And then it was off to fill our plates and eat.
After eating plenty of good food
Ol' gramps was still in the dessert mood
So as he headed down the aisle,
No doubt with a nice big smile.
But he headed down the wrong road,
And up to the sushi bar he strode!
As he loaded up his plate in a pile,
He came back to his seat in awhile
Still wearing that mile long grin,
Couldn't wait for some to dribble down his chin.
When we saw what was on his plate,
Pam didn't have the sense to wait;
She alerted him of his great mistake
And warned him it would taste nothing like cake.
He took a small bite of the outer rice.
We knew he didn't think it was fit for mice!
I don't know what happened to the lesson he taught
of cleaning up our plates; he must have forgot!

By:  Tom Foster   12/24/11
                                                             

Sally

One day a little dog mom and dad did inherit
sometimes she's into mischief and they can hardly bear it!
They named her Sally, she's cute as a 'bug's ear',
And now love her much, they always want her near.
Though Sally does cause them some strife
She now keeps them from living a boring life.
What Sally does, she does quite hearty
She is always the life of the party.
Even when we say or sing a grace at the table
We wish her voice we could disable.
She likes to join in and give it her best
The others of us wish she would give it a rest!
One day mom cooked up some gizzards to eat
But Sally too thought they would be a good treat;
When mom's attention went way too slack
Sally was up on the table eating her snack.
Pam was uptight with Sally awhile
But over time her heart has softened a mile.
Around the table there are many games we play
And on mom's lap is where Sally wants to lay.
When mom is not at her place at the table,
Pam's lap is now made ready and able.
Often when we sit or lay down,
Sally will come and kiss or cuddle around
She loves to lick and smear your glasses;
you'd think our faces were made of molasses.
Sometimes she just doesn't have any class,
And you just want to paddle her little mass!
One of the first nights she spent,
During the night dad had to arise
And stepped in the 'present', an unpleasant surprise!
When Jack goes to the dog dish to eat,
Sally comes running to interfere with the treat
But Jack is so gentle and easy to please,
He just backs away, Sally's appetite to appease.
There is so much more of Sally to be told
But a book would then begin to unfold.
yes, it's true and in all reality
She has quite a special personality.
She can be such a meanace you'd think she was a boy,
But changes her mind like a girl to annoy!

                                        By:  Tom Foster   12/24/11

11.17.2011

DINING ROOM REMODEL IS FINALLY FINISHED!!!!!!!

 OUT with the OLD (Paint) that is...........ha ha   Sure was ready for a change from the PEACH!!!  I liked it at one time, but my, how our tastes' change!!!!  These first pictures are obviously BEFORE pictures of the dining room and the prepping of it.  It took so long to complete, not because of the columns...they have been done for a few weeks, but the laminate flooring was delayed in coming for some reason.  But its in and on the floor and we couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.  You can see for yourself.  We're happy with the results!  It was just completed TODAY, November 17, 2011, Thursday!
 The remodel guys making a "cage" to keep the dirt and sheetrock in while they did the colums.  They were a tidy crew of two and did an excellent job!  Plus, we were happy with the results!
 Working on the columns............
 In goes one of them.......they're fiberglass!
 The FINISHED product!  The Dining Room is completed here.  Jack is all cozy in his bed even!
 One of the columns.  They don't really serve any purpose at all.  I just love pillars.  Since we were remodeling, I decided I wanted pillars, so that was the time to get them!
 The other pillar (or column as they are called).

 The new flooring...25-year Pergo flooring.









This LAST picture is supposed to be the FIRST picture!!!!  It actually shows what we REMOVED!!!  The big "T" bar which closed-in our dining room.  We weren't even able to open-up our dining table! Now with that  gone (the column with the clock on it) it really opened up the dining room.  The reason we took out the carpet is because old people couldn't move the heavy dining chairs.  Even with super sliders on the the feet of each chair!!!  Thus the smooth Pergo flooring!  "Now you know the rest of the story"...............................   :) :)

10.28.2011

Bathroom re-do BEFORE and AFTER

BEFORE pictures of the main bathroom.  Since I was re-doing the dining room and had some extra paint, I decided to paint this dark burgundy wall, the same "mocha" color that I painted in the dining room.  (Those pictures will be coming when that room gets finished...hopefully soon :).


BEFORE:  I ended-up changing the rugs, shower curtain, toilet lid cover, pictures, stuff on the counter, etc. as you will see in the pictures below.  It is fun to change things up a bit.  The rugs are MEMORY FOAM and they feel so good under your feet!!!  They can be a bit spendy unless you shop at Wal-Mart!  Lol ; )

The LAST   "BEFORE" picture.  The rest of the pictures below are all of the AFTER pictures of what I did to change up the bathroom.  I am happy with how it turned out.  Its amazing what a little paint, some pictures, towels, rugs etc. can do to spruce up a room!!!






10.27.2011

The Grand Canyon Train & Tour from Williams, Arizona

Our entertainer on the return trip, Clarence Clearwater, www.clearwater.com he sells CD's and he was good and also a comedian.  We enjoyed him too. 

 This was when we looked out the window and saw the "robbers" riding up on their horses!
The Train we took from Williams, AZ.  It's 65 miles to the Grand Canyon and 2 hours & 15 minutes each way.  Williams is about 2 1/2 from Lake Havasu City.  You climb to an elevation of 7100+ feet.
Some of the beauty of the Grand Canyon.


Tom & I.

These mules are some that are used as pack mules and riding mules to go down into the Grand Canyon.  A person has NEVER been lost due to a mule losing its footing, however, two mule have lost their lives due to slipping off the trail!

The train station.
 On the train ride home the train got stopped by "robbers"...they halted the train, and got on, and here they are............."LOOK OUT"!!!!!!!!!!  HOLD ON TO YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!
They look pretty 'fierce' don't they???  But then the Sheriff came below to help out!!!

 This horse and buggy w/ the dog was just outside the train station waiting to give rides to anyone just after riding on the train to the Grand Canyon!
 Our hotel room  in Williams at The Grand Canyon Railroad Hotel.  It was a really nice place to stay and just beside the train station.  Highly recommend it!

 The MAIN Lobby of the Hotel....was very cozy with the fireplace and beautiful pictures and beautiful staircase and chandalier, etc. to look like the old times.  It was pretty neat looking!!!


 At the train station in Williams, AZ where you catch the train for the Grand Canyon.
 JoAnn Peterson and her son Dale from Eastern, WA.  JoAnn took Tom and I on this trip for my birthday.  It was a special gift I must say, from a special friend!!!  JoAnn's son, Dale had never been on this train trip to the Grand Canyon before either, so it was fun for all of us!  Once we got to the canyon, we caught a bus, and took a bus tour, then we ate lunch at a lodge all as part of the "GRAND TOUR PACKAGE".
 These two pictures were part of the "shoot-out" which took place in the morning before you even board the train.  It takes about 15 minutes.  It's a fun humorous skit....and these three men become the bank "robbers" later that "hold-up" the train on your way back from the train.  They actually ride up on horseback!

 This fella entertained us on our way up on his banjo with singing and music.  Yep, he was good!
 Taken from my window.  A neat vantage point as we rounded a curve!!!
 A lot of the scenery we saw as we climbed to higher altitudes!