It's not that we lead a boring life, but there wasn't much to write about last week.  Now, with that said, I'll bet you're thinking that things must have really picked up at the old Simmons Place and we'll hear all about it! Wrong again! I thought I'd just share a little segment of "My life with Brad",or as I sometimes call my shorter versions," Life in the Twilight Zone".  It surely is a trip and one that I doubt anyone would buy tickets for!  I was scoping out the Black Friday Sales, and noticed that there were a number of places selling televisions cheaply and thought, boy howdy, I would love to replace that BIGA$$ tv in our bedroom with one from this century. I mentioned it to Brad and he thought it was a good idea as well. So, yesterday we made our usual Sunday trip to WalMart and wandered back to the electronics section to check things out.  Well, there it was- a 32" being discontinued, and priced less than the ones coming on Black Friday sales, so along with Gramma's Keebler Pecan Sandie cookies (that she eats a package a week and no other flavor or brand will do) and a few other grocery items, we added it to our cart.  Funny how these new ones weigh nothing!  I was putting the groceries away and decided to see what Brad was up to, and you got it, he was planning the removal of the old tv, which if you remember, was sitting on a mounted stand attached fairly high on our bedroom wall and purchased when we moved into the house.  The stand was constructed to hold a 150 pound tv and Brad thought he'd just take the old tv down and relocate the 2 pound new one onto the old stand.  I shared with him the fact that I wanted  the stand removed as well- it wasn't necessary. I returned to the kitchen and moments later heard something that made me RUN to the bedroom. You guessed it, clever you!  Yup, he tried to hoist that old dinosaur of a tv which was above his head off the stand and onto the floor. I arrived just in time to witness it hitting the floor, bits of  tv flying everywhere.  Silly me, I asked, "Why didn't you ask for help?" to which he replied, "I didn't think it was THAT heavy." Ok, step one completed; the old tv is off the stand. Now to remove the stand which he tried to figure out, but couldn't.  This is where (for the 100th time), I wish I had inherited my Dad's mechanical abilities, but didn't and am grateful to have a backup-  the internet!  After searching for awhile, I tracked the stand down and we figured out how to disassemble it. Step two completed.  Now to get the new one working first required attaching the stand to the screen with 3 screws.  Another trip to his truck for tools....So he gets his electric drill and wa-la, it's now atop the dresser, but I notice that it doesn't seem very stable, in fact pretty wobbly.  As he makes another trip to find an extension cord, I ask upon his return "Are you sure you got all 3 screws into that base?"  "OH, I thought there were only 2".  Back down goes the tv and amazingly, after the third screw is placed, stability resumes. Huh! After plugging everything in, he asks if I know how to get it running.
Good that one of us can read directions, get it working and adjust the picture.  This whole process took over an hour.  I said, "You sure are a lot of work"!  This morning I nearly tripped over the old one which is too heavy for him to move and will have to wait until Curt can help.  This incident comes the same week as the doctor's appointment that he was 45 minutes late for, forgetting where he was supposed to be.  Unfortunately, I knew he wasn't at the appointment, so I had some moments at work where I am sure my blood pressure was dangerously high.  He didn't understand why I was worried.....
This weekend we played bridge again on Saturday, then had dinner at Carrie and Spencer's house Saturday night.  We had a great time- good food (fajitas) and lots of laughs.  Spencer and Curt make fun of Brad (who takes it good naturedly) about his choice of beer- Old Milwaukee- and thought they might make some youtube videos....

 

 Gramma just happened to be the appropriate backdrop!

Fortunately for her, she never knew what the laughing was about as she kept occupied holding Gabi's kitten for several hours.  It'll be back to the regular family news next week.  Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Carb it Up! Winter is a comin

This weekend we celebrated Rory's 15th (gasp!) birthday with  his favorite carb abundant dinner of french dips, twice baked potatoes, homemade mac-n-cheese, green beans and  a killer chocolate cake.

Hard to believe that he's 15!

 We all got together at Curt and Amie's to watch the Bronco game (thankfully much better than last weeks game) while celebrating.  The day consisted of eating, playing outside, going for a scavenger hunt with the "four Little's" (What was I thinking, just bringing ONE writing utensil?  They fought over that pen the whole time we were walking, scratching off items on their scavenger list).

 

 Rory got money for his birthday (ah, I miss buying Thomas the Train) which I think seems boring.  He is saving up for a new "processor".  Huh?  Computer something or other....

 Carrie and Spencer left early (minus the kids) to go to their bowling league, where we dropped off Gabi and Corbin a few hours later.

 We had a beautiful Fall weekend, which according to the weather forecasters, it is to be our last. Our English Pear trees had just turned that gorgeous red, but Brad's not so gorgeous red tomatoes were tossed in the garbage.  Seriously, it about broke his heart to throw them out.  He's babied them for the past month or so, hoping they would ripen.

Brad and I played bridge again this weekend and are continuing to play pretty well. I don't get it, but I'm not going to question the "whys?".  He had his appointment with the neuropsychologist on Friday- nicest guy ever!  He will go back for some extensive cognitive testing next week.  I'm not sure whether it will help, but figure it's worth a try.

Not much other news this week as we prepare for the winter storm and freezing temperatures.  It's supposed to drop 40 degrees after lunch today.

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

November Rain

November rain. (Hey, that's the name of the Benjamin Moore paint color I used in my house!) I awoke last night about midnight to the sound of rain and lightening flashing, lighting up the whole house, and it seemed natural to have that rain following our beautiful Fall.  Sure, we know that snow is next, but for now, let it rain!
It's been a busy week.  Meredith and Carrie are now commuting to Denver daily for work, but at least part of the time they can drive together.  They report that they are learning about how innovative Kaiser is in the healthcare system.  Tuesday night, Emma had her choir performance.  What a great high school music program they have!  Brad and I really enjoyed it. (as did Elijah)

Emma is top row right

Halloween week is always exciting for the little peeps as they look forward to pumpkin carving, costumes and CANDY! 

 For Gabi,it was an unfortunate week, coming down with strep midway.  Luckily, Grandpa was able to keep an eye on her for a couple of afternoons.  She thought she would be ok to attend the school party on Friday, but that was not to be, so she spent Friday here as well. We baked and decorated Halloween cookies in lieu of her school party.

 Halloween night was another beautiful evening, with Gramma perched in her usual spot, handing out candy, patiently awaiting the next knock on the door, I think it might be one of the biggest thrills of the year for her!

After trick-or-treating, we had chili (thanks, Amie) here.
On Saturday, Brad and I played bridge, our first attempt in quite awhile.  We were pretty psyched to hear that we had won 1st! (So much for taking time off and brain issues.....) I will never understand how he can't remember SO many simple things, and yet still maintains his bridge game!
Curt has been working on their master bathroom remodel this week, with an awesome outcome after all of the hours of labor.

On Sunday, we hosted dinner, planning on making the pork roast recipe that we've made a zillion times.  Brad looked at the recipe and asked, "Boy, this must be something we've made before a few times (noting all of the spills on the recipe)".  See what I mean?   With just Meredith and family and Rory here early, we decided to take a walk on the Poudre trail.  It was warm enough at the beginning, but soon the wind picked up and we blew back home. (Shades of things to come?)

Happy Monday and of course, happy Daylight Savings time!