Friday, November 14, 2014

My Friday Randoms

 

I'm still around!  I told my daughter that I was going to blog about how much fun we are having at The Project and she laughed.  And laughed.  Then she said, "Where have you been hanging out?"  lol!  I could write a small novel about all the problems and delays we've encountered during this renovation/remodeling project.  

Our son was home over the long weekend and he helped BG put in one of the doors.  It didn't go very smoothly and they spent the biggest part of a day working on it.  The next door is supposed to be put in Sunday afternoon, weather permitting.  The bathroom window is in and a few other things have been done.  I've updated the list in my last post.

I have a suggestion to make to those who manage home centers.  Please spend a little more time in training your employees.  I have spent countless hours trying to find help with locating items we need for our Project and someone to answer questions I've had.  It's been amazing the number of employees I've encountered who don't know anything.

Our daughter is very fearful that her center, which is a non-profit child care center, may have to close due to severe funding cuts.  She has reached out to many potential funders only to be turned down.  They are doing everything they can to cut back on expenses, but it's going to be very hard to stay afloat without the funding they had been receiving.  It's scary times economically for many.

Now let's talk food!  Thanksgiving is just under 2 weeks away and I'm thinking about my menu since we won't be going to Branson this year in order to work on you-know-what.  That means I'll be cooking, of course.  We'll have a smoked turkey that BG gets from work.  We'll probably have the usual sides of mashed potatoes and dressing.  Salad, rolls and dessert.  Maybe another side or two.  What will be on your menu?  Do you always have turkey at Thanksgiving?  

Linking to Tanya's Willy Nilly Friday 5

Happy Friday to you!
xo Cheryl

40 comments:

  1. Your project sounds like it's a labor of love. One day at a time. Usually we have turkey. But last year we had lobster for Thanksgiving, instead. This year we may eat out? Haven't decided yet.

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  2. I am sure there is an end in sight to your project. we don in the UK't celebrate thanksgivng but it is lovely hearing and seeing what you do

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  3. Your image this week looks like our area...brown is becoming the present color with white on the way! Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  4. My family expects and wants the simple traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy. Candied sweet potatoes like Mom used to make (but mine are never quite the same), home-grown green beans. Cornbread and biscuit dressing, cranberry sauce (out of can) and maybe a green salad as well. Dessert will be pumpkin pie with whipped cream, pecan pie (for MIL), and a third dessert that I haven't quite decided on.
    Of course our favorite over-night refrigerator rolls with butter. You asked.....sorry for the long replay.

    Good luck with the ongoing project!

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  5. Hi Cheryl: We've run into lots of problems with our little project, too. Building a coach house was supposed to be easy. NOT! We just hope to be in before Christmas. I understand your grief dealing with people who don't seem to know much...very frustrating. We have Thanksgiving behind us now so it is full-throtle towards Christmas. I am so busy with preparing for our move that I can't wrap my head around it. It will come, I suppose. Hope things go well now for you with 'the project.' Deb

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  6. Sounds as if you are running into the same problem that I often have at Big Box Stores. Truly the old Hardware Stores were a better source of information!! And yes, we will have a smoked Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving. A local BBQ business does a great job smoking turkeys and turkey breasts for those of us who prefer to let someone else do it!! And of course we will have all the classics on the menu....my kids fuss if anything changes!!

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  7. Good morning Cheryl.
    Sorry to read about the frustrations that you're encountering. Don't worry.. it will all work out!
    As for home improvement places... it has been my experience that a large majority of their employees are not even home owners themselves, so it is hard for them to help, as they have no experience.
    Do you have a ReStore nearby? There are usually experienced folks that work there, and they are often quite knowledgeable.

    I am sorry to hear that your daughter's facility may be closing. Hoping it stays open, and funding is secured.
    It is a hard time economically for lots of the country. I don't know about you, but I don't believe that we've really ever fully bounced back from the last recession.

    Thanksgiving will be traditional here. Looking forward to it.
    We have so much to be thankful for this year :)

    Smiles, and best wishes....
    K.

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  8. I am happy to see and hear people finding jobs/work . . .
    I think we need to go for KNOWLEDGEABLE next!

    Sorry about the lack of funding for your daughters child care center.
    And curious as to the WHY?

    Is the house project redo, fix up . . . still fun?

    I like my turkey fixins' . . . not sure yet who we are fixin for!

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  9. we always had turkey on TG and Christmas, it was party of the holiday. the last 3 years and this will be the 4th, since there is just the two of us, we eat the holidays out and I love it... bob misses the left overs, he loves them as good as the meal. hope the cold weather doesn't slow down your project to much... that is scary news about the child care center. jobs here are hard to find and the ones that are out there are part time at min wage

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  10. Oh now I am def craving turkey and fixings , we go to my mothers for Thanksgiving . My mothers cooking is YUM ~ mine on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired ~ the family does not call ME when they want a side dish lol , although they do call me if they want some picture taken :)

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  11. Oh, a Project can certainly take on a life of its own, can't it? Hats off to all of you for working so diligently!

    Thanksgiving dinner here is huge. Everyone has "must have" dishes! But everyone also pitches in with the food so it's not difficult. And the leftovers are wonderful!

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  12. Oh boy, I know you all will be so thankful when the project is behind you. Those things never seem to run smoothly, do they?
    In thinking over your question, I do believe I've had turkey on the menu for every Thanksgiving I've ever celebrated. I guess we are rather traditional :). I do love a good turkey sandwich the next day and have recently come to make a nice soup with the carcass.

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  13. Wow- That is quite a project you have going on there, Cheryl. I don't envy you that mess. But, just think how nice it will be when it is all done.
    Big Thanksgiving dinners here always- turkey and all the trimmings. I am one of those odd people that does not the smoked taste so it always an oven turkey at our house.
    I hope your daughter can get some funding for her facility. That is awful to think it might have to close. Times are tough for a lot of businesses. xo Diana

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  14. Good Morning Cheryl.. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! We ALWAYS have turkey if we eat with The Mama and CH's brothers and families. If we stay home, which we have been known to do, we have chicken and homemade noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dressing, jellied cranberry out of the can, rolls, and pumpkin pie! This year Thanksgiving is with family so bring on the turkey and all the fixin's! That's a BIG project you have taken on but I know you guys will get it done and it will be wonderful! Ready for snow tomorrow?

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  15. Yams! Gotta have yams! Wow, you are really having a time of it with that PROJECT! But the results will be worth it. I hope your daughter is able to get the funding she needs. Such a good thing she is doing.

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  16. Morning, gotta have Turkey, it is a must for Thanksgiving.Can't mess with tradition.Blessings Francine.

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  17. i hope your daughter is able to continue with her center. i can imagine that would have an impact on many families.

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  18. How special, your first Thanksgiving in the house. I totally agree, the sales clerks at Lowes and home Depot are often not informed. We just installed track lights in our kitchen and bought several. Then when we got home we discovered that the man had sold us all spotlights!!

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  19. Sounds like your project is taking more time than expected,but isn't that usually how it goes.

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  20. I know you will be glad when the project is over! You'll be pleased with the results I am sure. Thanksgiving in less than two weeks...having trouble grasping that concept! :-) Saw turkeys for sale in the grocery store and went "oh yeah." I think the weather here (lovely 70s temps!) is part of my problem. I couldn't get "into" Halloween until the day of. But also I have been sewing so much, and that's all I seem to be able to think about until my pre-Christmas projects are done. I mean, my house needs cleaning too, but that's another story!

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  21. I feel for you in dealing with this big home centers. We've discovered that whever possible we go to places like Meeks and Scruggs and that type of place. These guys deal with actual contractors on a daily basis and have to know their stuff. In the long run you really don't pay that much more!

    Thanksgiving is always Turkey and the fixin's. Unfortunately it is not always on Thanksgiving! Oh well, such is life. Have a great weekend. I hope it doesn't snow on us!

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  22. I go to my daughters for Thanksgiving and she always has turkey but the main meat is ham. I like it that she has a choice for us to pick from.

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  23. Cheryl, When you go to the big store and they start calling you by name....you know you have done a lot of projects. LOL. Good luck on all of them. I know everyone is anxious. Bless you, xoxo,Susie

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  24. glad to see you are still around, i know ... thinking about how quickly Thanksgiving will be here ... it is nuts. time is flying by so so quickly. ( :

    i hope your daughter work will be around ... makes you sad when you such things. i heard about a man i think it was Florida or was it CA? any who he & his wife 1st started serving food to the homeless. & have been doing it for years. & suddenly the cops are saying he does not have the right or proper bathrooms, table & all to be where he is ... so they are giving him less than so many days to quit or he will go to jail. he is FEEDING THE HUNGRY. not some terrible crime. it is just so nuts. sad. sad.

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  25. Gosh you folks are so busy! Oh half an hour in a big box hardware store takes away my will to live. The worst places! They need "you are here" kiosks or something. All the best with Thanksgiving planning. Maybe everyone wants a lasagna this year. My family has gone that route before.

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  26. You are cooking dinner along with all the rest you are doing? Goodness.
    Probably the best Thanksgiving I had was when we did a pot luck dinner for 21 people with every one bringing something and it was served buffet style. We had everything from lasagna to shrimp scampi.. My sister did a turkey but that was all that was traditional.

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  28. How well I remember the days of home improvement projects. In fact we once again are in need of them but funding isn't available yet. I do know how much time and energy it takes and patience. Yes clerks in those stores do need more training. I hope your daughters daycare finds the funding it needs to stay open. We usually do Turkey at Thanksgiving but one year we did Lasagna and everyone loved that.

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  29. OMGoodness! Projects!!! Just renovated a condo and I swear I will never go through a major reno again! Ever! Never! It was awful......LOL
    diane @ thoughts and shots

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  30. We have done one of those projects before and you are so right....Nobody knows anything!! Not sure I'll do that again...lol. Turkey will definitely be on the table....fried turkey at that. Always, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole!! Last but not least...German Chocolate cake!! Have a great weekend..

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  31. Cheryl, I hope the rest of your project goes smoothly. We always have turkey for Thanksgiving. My daughter will be having it at her house. All I have to do is show up and bring a salad or side dish.
    Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

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  32. Hope all turns out in the near future and that some funding for the center comes in a huge windfall!!

    As for Thanksgiving...it's ALWAYS turkey, dressing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. The only thing that changes is the side. Sometimes Peas, or yams, or corn, or succotash...you name it.

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  33. DYI projects do have a way of sprouting a life of their own. Good Luck with the reminder of the work.
    I will make fresh Turkey with oyster dressing as my contribution to the feast. It will be embellished with the usual candied sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, mashed with gravy etc.
    BYW... nice photo!

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  34. You are a wonderful Mom, Cheryl! Yea, for progress on The Project. It does seem to take on a life of its own, doesn't it? LOL! Hang in there. blessings and hugs ~ tanna
    ps yep, turkey!! ;)

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  35. Yes Turkey is usual on Thanksgiving! AND Pumpkin Bread and Pumpkin Pie
    You are one busy gal, yes I agree Home Improvement Centers should train their employees better...I try to look for the old guys:)

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  36. I'll keep your daughter in my thoughts, hope it works out. :) We always eat turkey on Thanksgiving, but no more Butterball for us. I read some not so nice things about their treatment on their animals.
    hugs!

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  37. Hi there! It's nice to catch up with you and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. We always have turkey and usually the same sides! lol But it's so GOOD! Have a blessed holiday. Sweet hugs, Diane

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  38. Oh goodness, I hope your daughter's child care center does not close- it seems that so many places are shutting their doors lately. We will be at my parent's house for Thanksgiving, but I still have a full day of cooking to prepare for it. Have a wonderful holiday with your family!

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  39. I do hope your project becomes a little easier. I do know how renovations go and it is hard when you can't find what you want and or no one to help you with the questions.
    I hope you other door went in better.
    I do hope that you sweet daughter will be able to keep the job going. I hate the uncertainty in the job world. My son has been struggling with enough work to keep his family going. They have 8 children. His sweet wife is back to work part time. He took a job selling cars; which isn't something he will enjoy. He is trying to finish up a degree by April. We are in hard times; but basically we are very blessed and I know you feel that way to.
    It looks like you had a awesome Thanksgiving. Blessings, love and hugs for you1

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  40. Belated Thanksgiving wishes, Cheryl. Your dinner plans sounded as good as they must have tasted. Reading the list of work you have already done and still have to do on your "project" brought back memories os when we renovated our VA home. It seems never-ending now, but it will be wonderful to look back and see all you have accomplished.

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