I’m on indictment watch here at the cottage. It never gets old.
A guy is coming to look at the washing machine today – hopefully (please cross your fingers) it won’t be an expensive repair.
Unbelievably hot and humid temperatures today with the heat index taking things up to the high nineties. Don just went grocery shopping because we want to stay in for the rest of the day and the repairman is coming some time between 8 and 5 and he needs to be here.
We had yet another torrential thunderstorm that seemed to go for hours. I am SO SICK OF THIS. My Annabelle hydrangea has been pummeled. My zinnias have broken from the weight of the intense rain. I’ve never seen a summer like this one.
I’m going to say it: This summer has sucked.
Sorry to complain, but this is the reality of our life right now.
Let’s look at something rather pretty before I sign off:
Little Miss Ella in a dress I’ve had for ages. It’s made by the brilliant The Pumpkin Belle. I only have one of these, but she’s having a sale on Sunday so I’m going to try to get another. They are beautifully made, the fabric is hand-dyed and the details are exquisite. Usually, my girls are in more casual attire, but it would be fun to get one The Pumpkin Belle dress for each of them. Someday. When I come into money.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
more than fingers crossed … prayers said and will continue. :) may the washing machine repair be quick and less expensive than you may be thinking so the laundry will be a worry (if not chore) removed.
we could use some of your rain here. and yes, the weather has been a big bummer! hopefully everyone is staying safe in the heat and any flooding.
and then there’s ella. she is my favorite of your girls, because she reminds me so much of my maternal grandmother (also named ella) and when i see your ella, so many happy memories come to mind about my ella/grandmother. :) the dress is wonderful in its colors and details. may you come into more money soon for lots of reasons/benefits, including so the girls don’t squabble over that one very, very pretty dress. :)
well, my voice is now a little bit higher and airy. don’t know if it will get higher and airier still, but it’s supposed to be that way for a couple weeks (and then smooth out and get rid of the sound-stoppages for a few months) as a result of tuesday’s vocal cord shots. that remains to be seen (heard!) but will take this bit of progress.
happy, safe friday to everyone!
kathy
So happy to hear that the shots are working and after a couple of weeks, things will be better, Kathy.
Stay safe.
thanks, claudia.
i am somewhat hopeful that the shots will, in a couple of weeks, somehow help strengthen my voice and prevent the cragginess and sound-stoppages … but am not super-hopeful because the breathy sound is not very noticeable and the creakiness, etc. is still there. trying to keep positive, though, because even if it’s not 100% better, any improvement is better than none.
i appreciate your support and hope you and don are having a nice night.
kathy
xoxo
I’ve got my fingers crossed for you! Hope things turn out for the best! Would love to take some of your rain…at least in the Bay Area we’ve been having pleasant weather lately. But that may mean that August and September will be quite hot. Ella looks wonderful in her gorgeous dress… another I would love to have in my size… Happy Friday!
That is one pretty dress, for sure!
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
This summer has been hot, humid and just plain awful. The heat has zapped all of my limited energy and so I’m trying to find some fun in reading at least. I’m ready for Fall and cooler temps. See I can complain right a long with you. Hugs!
Yay, a fellow complainer! It has been extremely hard to cope with all of this insane weather. Here’s to fall!
Stay safe, Linda.
Fingers crossed for an easy repair at a reasonable price.
I see Miss Ella as Elizabeth Gilbert.
I wish you fair skies and cooler weather,
Kaye
Thanks so much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Claudia…..after the washing machine repair ….. make yourself a cold drink and maybe run thru the sprinkler. I might just do that soon…..
A cold drink will have to do it, Maria. I don’t have a sprinkler!
And some sugar-free chocolate.
Stay safe, Maria.
Little Miss Ella is party-ready in her lovely dress. The workmanship in these doll clothes is a marvel, each piece a little work of art. I just bought a cute little snocked dress in yellow gingham for Jessie. It reminds me of the dresses I wore as a child. Sorry about all your rain. Mother Nature should distribute her gifts a little more wisely. Give rain where rain is desperately needed. Let the flooded areas dry up. Hope your washing machine can be fixed without a great expense. Stay cool. Hugs, Elaine
Oh, I love smocked dresses!
Stay safe, Elaine.
Fingers doubly crossed for you! I hope the repair to your washer is a simple one…and doesn’t break the bank.
Yes…this summer has sucked weather wise…for us too. But, it’s been good in other ways. The wedding forced us to do a lot of projects inside and out that we had been putting off. And, that’s always a good thing. And my husband continues to improve after his hip surgery….very good news.
I’ve been hibernating today since it’s too hot and humid to be out. I watered this morning, in case we don’t get the storms that are predicted. Who knows anymore? Lots of storms end up going either north or south of us…grrr.
Ella looks lovely in her new frock. The girls have been a nice diversion for you I believe this summer. And…you don’t complain too much…just enough to make you human. And, that is a good thing lol! ;)
So glad your husband is doing well in his recovery, Donnamae.
Saturday should be the last oppressively humid day and then we’ll get a nice break! Hurrah!
Stay safe.
Hope your washing machine repair goes smoothly. A long time ago I called a repairman because my washing machine was getting water on the floor. He charged me the service charge for coming to my house to tell me I needed a plumber. The line where the water went out was clogged. Nothing was wrong with my washing machine. I can’t complain about my weather I chose to live in the desert. But 27 days of over 110 degrees does start to get old.
I chose to live here but climate change has greatly changed our weather. It isn’t the same as it was over 20 years ago. I imagine most people feel the same way.
Stay safe, Olivia.
Oh, Miss Ella; she is oh-so-pretty. I’ve been enjoying your Blythe vignettes, Claudia.
Sorry for the inclement weather. It seems we’re all ready now for autumn. Today is Day 19 of Southern Calif’s heatwave.
But you and Don enjoy staying indoors this weekend; keep cool and comfy!
I am indeed keeping my fingers crossed that your troublesome ‘appliance’ gets a quick, cheap fix!
Heat waves, be gone! Ours should move on by Sunday and I cannot wait.
Stay safe, Vicki.
dear Claudia/Don — hope your washer repair is a “minor” one — if there is such a thing LOL!! thanks for the pics of your girls — they look really adorable and each so different/unique, a very good hobby to have (except for that expense) !! around here, temps 98-102 with our awful humidity feels much worse — not fit for man or beast. In fact, horse farm next door has been stabling their horses noon to 6 or 7 p.m., with fans inside, it must feel lots better to the animals. hope things work out re washer. take care. stay safe
I’m glad they’re taking good care of their horses, Linda. I worry about all the animals around here.
Stay safe.
Yes, you certainly are having a sucky summer. And what do Republicans say about this being the hottest July in 120,000 years? “It’s called summer.” Morons! It was so hot and humid today plus we had a poor air quality alert so I could only be outside a short time. I spent the day cleaning. Fun times.
That is a beautiful outfit. Noticing the tiny button details. And the lace and ribbons. She looks like a little fairy.
Take care,
Kay
Adding in that I have indeed heard of A Chelsea Concerto that you recommended and I’m going to look for that book. Thanks for reminding me about it.
K.
I think I wrote about it on the blog when I read it a few years ago.
xo
They are indeed morons. Same here, I’ve had to stay inside except for quick little trips to get the mail and water the porch plants.
Stay safe, Kay.