HEARTBROKEN

We had to say goodbye to our kitty Izzie. We've had her since she was 8 weeks old. You don't realize how much a cat can become part of your everyday life from the time you wake up until you go to bed. We are reliving that now and missing her. But she is in a better place where she doesn't have to suffer from failing kidneys or liver. There will never be another one like her! Our thanks to Chris for finding her in Roseburg and bringing her to us as a tiny little kitty. She had a good life and  had some great adventures in Chico and Medford. Chase misses her a lot and you can't tell a dog that his best buddy won't be coming home. We have a nice place reserved for her in the garden where she'll feel the sun as she slumbers.

REMEMBERING...

When I came across this small glass pitcher among a box of glass items in my mom's storage unit, I snapped it up and put it into my box of stuff to take home. I remember this little pitcher sitting on my mom's kitchen windowsill for over 70 years, holding bits of succulents or perhaps a rose or sweetpeas from her garden. I can't remember its origin but I believe it is Italian and hand blown. I think someone gave it to her. 
I have been waiting for the daphne to bloom so I could make use of this vase. It's funny what you remember and what is meaningful as the years go by...now it graces my kitchen windowsill.

PLUMBING THE DEPTHS OF PLUMBING

I've been spending lots of quality time with plumbers this week as they cut away my old one piece tub/shower  and put in this Maax brand modular one. It is quite well finished. But we added this embellishment above it. 

They've made some major improvement in pre-fab showers! They've added ledges for plants and soaps and a corner bench and grab bar. As my former mother-in-law used to say, "Don't you just feel like a queen!" Yes, I sure do!

LUCY AND ETHEL

A new laundry pair! These Electrolux babies are fantastic. Jack said that they were expensive enough to have names, so I call them Lucy and Ethel. 
Unfortunately my old Bosch washer was a mold factory! Wet laundry was left in it by our Medford tennant when we were living in Chico and the door gasket was permanently affected. I couldn't stand the smell any longer and I the mold spores were bad. So out it went, along with the dryer and now I don't have to worry about mold. This new washer has a better system and a little door spring that lets the air into the washer to help dry it out. 

I also learned that most detergents and additives build up a thick residue on the outside of the inner washer drum, which adds to the smell and encourages more mold. The liquid detergent the appliance store recommends is called "Excelsior." They offered a discount on the detergent when we bought the laundry pair, so I bought 2 boxes. It is also sold on Amazon. The amazing thing is that you use only about 1 tablespoon per load! And you don't need fabric softener either! The results have been great...renewed life for my towels and bedding. Who knew?  

BITE ME!

A new chair for my Valentine! The dark chocolate leather is so convincing that I've been craving a good bite of Lindt intense bittersweet chocolate ever since we got the chair. I keep thinking that the chair should smell like chocolate instead of leather! 
After 30 years of faithful service, Jack tried to donate his old Ekornes chair to Goodwill or the Restore. They wouldn't take it. The leather was worn thin. Luckily as he was going to put it in a dumpster at Mark's business, a guy came out of the office next door and asked if he could have it. He said, "My ex-wife left me with an old couch, a coffee table with a broken leg and a cat." He really needed a chair. He is probably sitting in the chair with the cat on his lap watching the Superbowl right now! And Jack is in his new chair snoozing right now! We're all happy!