Seasonal Outtings and Progress

Holiday attitude adjustment mission has been accomplished.
A joke we use to hear in the truck on the C.B. a weather report it’s clear and still clear up to your ass and still snowing!

I found some cranberry velveteen pants and a vest with an angel print on it, and one with flowers, it’s fun to wear vests to help keep warm in these cold temps. we've had here this week on one of my outtings, it will be fun and festive to wear for some of the seasonal outings, parties, and church, they are warm. I got a couple more long sleeved turtleneck tops to wear with them too. I also got a new planner and have been getting it set up for next year. A task I always enjoy.

I’ve wrapped a couple of gifts, the cookies I baked earlier in the week are gone. No granny duty today the trusses were not delivered the press that makes them froze up. So I was able to do some shopping and have a free day to read, journal and catch up on some much needed "me" time has helped my mood to improve tremendously. It is 23* tonight here and was up to 30* here today, we still have snow. Only two weeks until winter arrives!

Holiday Woes!

Also known as the weather rant. I hate winter and the cold. I need an attitude adjustment! I think I need to go hibernate like the bear who was disturbed from the place under the warm porch and moved to the mountains to finish hibernation. Did you see that on the news? The Fish 'n' game guys had to move it.

It’s 18* here this morning! Hubby said it was -10 yesterday where he was driving in North Idaho. You know it’s cold when the anti freeze freezes! Hubby had to bring the sprayer in over night to thaw, they use it for the truck before loading the wood chips they spray the trailers. The weather guy was wrong saying it would warm up today. [The soda I was keeping on the deck turned to ice when I bought it in.]

I’m heading back to Costco afternoon, and today for a new planner the other one is full and the old one is too small and I need to plan some stuff for after the first of the year. I got a call dear grand daughter needs a ride to school so I’ll just wait and take her on the way when I go. This is good timing I guess.

The Schwan’s guy came yesterday and we had just baked up some cookies for a snack I got some chocolate chips one for the next ones. I told him how we used the precooked sausage in the stove top stuffing for Turkey day and he told about how his father in law burnt their turkey and the only way they could eat it was smother it in gravy! Better that than a raw one we experienced not here one year. I found a ginger bread cookie vest one I’ll wear this week, and one with stars, I’m calling it my star wars vest my winter wardrobe is great I’ve revamped it this fall. I’m toying with the idea of rubberstamping some Christmas greetings on the paper napkins I got yesterday.

On the food channel I’ve enjoying that and the semi home made show had a great one on cakes last night. I’ve stocked up on cake mixes so I can try some of these for upcoming birthdays. Great tips on there. The Christmas celebrations in other places, and other countries, and how they do up ginger bread houses is a fascination for me! I found a book I want to get and a tote bag with an angel on it, hubby wants to go to deliver the snow blower to snow country. I'm not too excited about shopping up there or getting a room.

I had this plan the family gathers round to help decorate the tree and wrap gifts it's their fault! They are not interested at all in helping no help no tree! Maybe in a novel some where they do that, but not around here. I hate on line shopping no exercise, I think I'll go walk in place while I call in my order! Hubby wants to take me shopping in snow country I don't think so! I don't do snow! LOL! The joke is on me, there is snow in the back yard and I don't even ski!

Winters Icy Grip Arrives

Cold temps are no longer news the whole country is feeling this icy hand of winter’s grip way down in to Texas. They are calling this the Polar Express on the weather channel. The only thing I can think of about this that’s good is the bugs it kills! Looks like is will not be as cold here tonight so that is good. A slight warming trend. It was 11* when I got up

I'm back from town after granny duty temps got up in to the 20’s and the roads were good so I knew this was my opportunity to get out and about. I had a couple of errands to do so I did those, got some more hot cocoa in these cold temps. that is one thing we do not want to run out of. I saw a friend at the store seems each year we find each other at the book department at Costco it was good to catch up, and another fellow that used to be our insurance agent when we were first married, he is active and at his age was an inspiration.

I’m glad I fit in to jeans again now because, they are warmer, I have a vest that goes with them. The soda I was keeping on the deck turned to ice when I bought it in. I found vitamins in stock when and I found some nice bigger green paper napkins for setting the table with this month. I have pork ribs in the oven the house smells great they did not thaw out in time to use the crock pot. Cookie week on the food channel the next show is on Tomorrow night, West wing is having a wedding I’m not sure if it’s on tonight or Sun. Commander and Chief was a rerun bummer. I've enjoyed the movie about the Pope is on again I"m going to try to catch the end of it.

Slumber Party

This evening, we have enjoyed the time to individuate, family dinners have been rescheduled, the dear grand daughters eating in the living room at the small table watching their favorite channel cooking show "Rachel Ray" was on while they waited for the favorite Emril cooking show, I baked up some cookies, the Schwan’s guy left and a new brownie mint this had hubbies approval. Then after their tea party-esque dinner, the dear granddaughters were playing dress up and they made a play tent in the basement over the recliners, the house had the feel of a
slumber party tonight.

At 7:00 dear grand daughter was asking to get on her pj’s, I remember a time when it was like a war zone when my kids were small. She still had on the new had her dad got her last night she slept all night in it, the got scarves hats and mittens and both were so proud of these, the other one had on her scarf this morning when she got up. The girls talked me in to wearing my flannel pj shirt with candy canes and bears on it! I’m glad I did it was nice and warm. Dear grand daughters were glad to get the bath and bed routines going tonight. It amazed me how they look forward to bed time, story and prayers is a part of the day they enjoy.

Dear son was experiencing a moment of bliss watching the Seattle sea hawks kick but tonight
at Philadelphia in the snow.

When hubby came home and I had sugar free banana pudding dessert with him and we talked a bit while he ate dinner. Then I called dear daughter, and son in law had to talk to hubby about the snow blower what was going on with it. People are teasing us about hauling around a snow blower in the back of the truck with the skiff of snow we have here there is no need for that they tease! LOL! We are at 700’ above sea level and don’t get much snow. My sis is in snow country and said she ws going to make a snow man and throw snow balls, I asked her to make a snow angel for me.

I realized the car had not been run for a day or two or three, dear son needed to got to the store and was a bit low on gas so he took the car to make sure it was charged up for me and will start in the morning for car pool. Hubby is supposed to help me with alternating the rigs and some how the schedule got changed to the end of the week and we need to get that schedule changed back again now that winter is here.

Dear daughter said they are making progress and have put on the truss plates today, and can’t really do much until the trusses come on Friday. I’ll have a day then. When I was at the pc I looked out at the brightest pink sunset across the western skyline was breathtaking.

What does Winter Have in Store?

What does winter have in store for you this year?
No body really knows this year winter has made an early appearance. We had snow before Christmas that’s early for us. Two weeks of early storms sent travelers to the ditch, wreckers scrambling and state trooper calling for all but emergency vehicles to stay home and off the roads. After one storm hubby was the last truck that they let through on a Friday night
we were both glad he made it home safely after that trip.

Hazards of winter travel this year have been rocks sliding off closing down the free way in Ore. on the way to Portland for a while with big boulders has been, another thing to deal with, this happened on the pass on the way to Seattle too.

Getting rigs and farm equipment has been on the list here this month, repairing and hanging iron (chains), getting flashlights in working order, pulling batteries from summer stuff like motor cycles, 4 wheelers, putting in antifreeze, and getting the ice and snow from the steps for saver transit to and from the car with food and other purchases helps to prevent painful spills.

This is a good time of year for thinking about goals for next year, and cleaning out old planners, and thinking about the season ahead.

Moving Snow Blower n Making Soup

Today I got the leaves and bit of snow off the drive way for a bit of exercise. And doing four tubs of laundry, up and down stairs, reclaiming the kitchen and dining room, getting the vacuuming done made it a productive day. For lunch We made soup in the crock pot the grand kids loved helping to stir it up, but were not really all that excited eating it.I was able to get some sewing time in and delighted that the sewing machine works making angels pillow cases was a festive fun part of the day today for me. Later on I was glad to get out of the house, we enjoyed seeing the sunset the pink and golden glow was spectacular reflecting off of the snow.

We unloaded the snow blower, dear son was amazed we could unload it, I prayed on the way over and it was down off the truck, so gravity did most of it we were not really lifting. I do have a muscle that can tell it’s been used. I enjoyed feeding the chickens, they were glad I brought some food for them to eat too, there was an egg in the nesting box. We were able to deliver a fake Christmas tree from the farm and some planners and books dear daughter said that she could use.

Then we went to get fuel for the truck I found some winter ski type gloves that go with my purse they seemed to be a good idea this the freezing temps we've been having and they were priced right. It's 29* here this morning, and the sun rise was fun to see.

Holiday Weekend Happenings / Steak Out

Today I’m trying to blog but hubby is watching a fishing show and we keep laughing at the antics of these fishing buddies. So I’m not getting my blog page done. Okay focus you can do this! LOL!

Yesterday they went to met with the fish and game guy they caught several poachers with the decoy deer it was a successful stake out! The winterized the mower, brought the snow blower down to get it worked on to get it in working order.

I’m waiting on a bazillion e-mails to down load. Time to think about no mail of some fun graphic groups until I get faster internet that will be after the holidays. Last night we moved a book case out of the dining room and it sure looks bigger in there now. Love that part! Our son helped me to haul it to the basement, then I toted stacks of books to load back in to it. That was great exercise.

Today it’s 21* here br-r! We have a bit of snow on the ground, several of us are coughing, the coffee was a hit and dollar cakes from a box like mom used to make for breakfast with fruit from a pre-school field trip for the grand kids. We watched the nativity last night as a family and read the book that goes with it this morning. That was fun! I have cookies to bake, a tree to decorate, and gifts to wrap on my list for the next couple of weeks. If there is anything you want to add to my to do list I’ll probably not respond in a positive manner the guys found out last night! LOL!

December Storms In !

This is the week I’m getting back on track with my chores and stuff. Report cards are coming out this Fri. it’s early release and I’m sure some of the kids and teachers are grateful that they did not come out last weekend before Thanksgiving.

I’ve updated my planner today added the Feb. pages so I have the next three months in it as recommended by several sources, and journal tonight. Trying something new doing it in the evenings now. Which worked out really great.

Then I headed out doors to rake leaves in the dark. After the wind last night the leaves are mostly off the tree now.

I’ve been on a swing shift this week on the house work I’m not sure why but every so often I seem to need to work a different schedule on the stuff at home just to shake up the routine a bit. There is plenty to do to get ready for the holidays. I’ve been sorting toys and getting the basement de-cluttered. Last week I worked on the upstairs and the clear wire guys were here to see if we could get wireless and checked in the basement too but it didn’t work there. I was embarrassed by the condition of the basement so that’s been my focus area to work on this week.

Granny duty has been good this week. Hubby is not enjoying driving in the winter storms they have been having all around us.

I’ve retreated to the inner regions of the storage areas and sorting things seems some how therapeutic for me. I’ve put craft projects on hold until after Christmas at this point, it’s a little hetic to think about doing any thing else right now. I’m ready for hot turkey sandwiches. Turkey soup smelled great at the day care the girls were at today.

Back to School

Grand kids were here playing peacefully earlier today. Dear daughter said that they have the interior walls on the main floor up and now they have power so progress is being made.

The grand-girls have a birthday party to go to after school is out at the sitters. And they were excited about that. Mon. is usually home work night. I had a gift for a birthday here for one of the girls but sent it with them instead. Today before school #1 dear grand daughter read two chapters, she was ready to go back to school, she knows all the grade one spelling words already, and dear son has her up to speed on her math. She is in a play at school too.

#2 dear grand daughter is learning to write here letters, pre-school home work is one of the new things here with the new “no child left behind” program. I don’t know how people do it if they have more than two kids with home work! There are some things I just have them work with their dad on. I did get a primary journal for #2 dear grand daughter at the store last weekend. I have one too, I am just sketching on the top part in mine. They have been getting me to help them with pictures and drawing in theirs too.

Tonight we are going to have meat balls for dinner, I rolled them out last night. Time to think about getting those going in a few.

Fishing Derby Dinner / House Building

Last night we went to the closing ceremony for the steel head derby, a dinner that consisted of chili n cornbread, they had door prizes I won a hat. They had a band and dance after the dinner and door prizes were handed out. A couple needed a seat and sat with us, I knew the gals mom and sister from a spinning and weaving group I was in a while back. So that was fun. They had been married 34 years.

One of the vendors there was selling clear wire mobile service, they are going to come by and see if they can get any service up here or not on Monday.

Our son helped working on the new house dear daughter and dear son in law are building. They put up exterior walls on the 2nd floor. Dear son said he will be helping on his holiday break and was excited about that.

I cooked up some squash for their chickens to eat. I hated to just toss these decorations I'd decorated with so I put them in to the oven, made us late going out for dinner Fri. night but we did not really have an appointment so it worked out fine. I have one more to cut up and cook, it will be for us. Maybe lunch today!

Turkey Day Dinner & Christmas Decorating

Turkey day dinner was a hit we have added a new element grand kids like to light candles before we stand in a circle around the table and pray. I set up the table with good dishes and stem ware. The layers of scents in the house first the turkey, then coffee, and others as the day progressed, the lemon yellow table clothes were fun, and the orange punch was a festive addition in the color of the season, stem ware and toasts were another fun new addition.

I got out the lolli pop tree and other festive decorative items this weekend as I put away fall items, I went through the things in the storage area and put away off season items, and got out some for the new season and swapped out the décor, wreath on the front of the house is different now. I got out the holiday print items in storage, we had forgotten about some of these items; sox, shirts, p.j. ’s, and teddy bear to go with the Christmas quilt mom made, coloring books, reindeer toys, and and books made it fun and even more festive weekend.

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

My dear sis called tonight and will not be able to make it some others are coming in their place. We’ve had this cold fog this week and we are supposed to get some rain that will help in getting it out of here, that is great news.

I have been working on the inside getting it ready and hubby worked on the out side cleaning the carport today. It looks a whole lot better and was quite a job. We did not get the lights up on the house yet.

When were over town yesterday we were able to see the holiday lights that are now up and lit for the first time. They were pretty.

We watched the movie "noel", a drama about angels, not my favorite type of movie for today I should have gotten a comedy.

Holiday prep.

Holiday prep. is in full swing here. Family is coming for turkey dinner here eleven plus guests, dear son is cooking the turkey I’m doing the sides. Decluttering and filling trash cans after sorting stuff in the basement in the toys and TV zone.

Leaves are just starting to fall so I’ve been working on those. It’s great weather here 48-50* I’ve been watering bushes and plants because it’s been such a dry year.

Hubby will be off work next week, and will put up the outside lights,
and boating and fishing is on his to do list.

Trees

Yesterday at the farm I enjoyed hike in the woods, seeing moss and mushrooms, hubby saw some game, the quiet when I stopped to just listen I could hear the sound of the hail hitting the ground and the bird calling the screaming of an eagle or hawk over head. Occasionally we could hear guns going off in the distance it’s hunting season. Fresh deer and elk tracks were around as they always are. There was snow on the next hill, and we could see a patch here and there of snow / hail when we walked. With so many homes in this glen where the ranch is it’s not really a safe place to hunt.

The damp smell of the forest pine needles and moss was pungent with aroma. We hiked up and down these two hills a couple of times to mark fence posts for not hunting with bright orange paint. I had a orange jacket on for safety. We packed a lunch sandwiches water snacks and soda. Figured we had five miles of hiking in great exercise!

My Week at a Glance

Sunday We voted our county has mail in only ballots. I miss going to the poll made it seem like and event and a way to celebrate our freedom.

Mon. Granny duty chore day. It poured down rain, hubby came home looking for rain gear, found it in the back of the truck, he fueled up the car gas is down about 50 cents here.

Tues. Errand day I had a blissful day, only half day with grand kids,
car pool the bus drive had a family emergency and I appreciated the opportunity to get out of the house. Then I went shopping and had great success finding containers for my theme gifts, a stack of books,
and jeans for hubby. I saw a friend at the store a gal I see at the shops and places I go, she had just been from the dr. and was not having good news. A divine appointment, I prayed for her on the spot,
she had a blood clot in her neck.

Wed. Work day granny duty begins in a few min. It’s the daily grind stuff, laundry, picking up the house, the living room looks like a next with books, note books, pens, pencils, sketch books in the chairs, barely any place to sit, I’m missing my office. I’ll be getting it back after grand girls move out in June after their dad’s wedding. The sun rises this week have been really awesome here this week; rose colors yesterday, and I was delighted to see a gold one this morning. Dear grandson and I went to his new house building site and we helped it was great exercise moving boards, picking up blocks, snapping chalk lines, and hammering in a few nails for interior stud walls that will be going up in the basement soon.

Thurs. Is my writing day. Fill my tank day, I'm hoping to get some reading done too I want to finish taking notes on one book I'm almost done with only two chapters left, and finishing up another one I have going.

Fri. free day is a no school day here because of Veterans day so that may change.

Reomote Control Deer

I have been getting ready for the holiday season and things are coming along nicely, I’ve always wanted to do a camping event for turkey day, I may get my wish this year.

Hubby found the “left-overs” from poachers at the farm last weekend and had to call the game warden. They left behind a knife so that is going for evidence. Next weekend we will have to do no hunting markers on the fence posts, these, then the game warden will be putting up a remote control decoy deer.

We have decided to take the camper up and it will be good so we can get lunch, and warm up. Soup is on the menu. This is close enough to count.

Daughter in Love ~ to be’s parents got a new place, tongue and grove wood interior walls it's a log cabin and last night she said they have no water the well is nearly dry, and the sellers had to worked on the pump.

Dear son said some other people he knows had well problems,
that had never had trouble before ever, it’s been such a dry year here has caused problems what a bummer!

New job is going well, I’m watching dear grandson while he plays with his cousins and his mom works on the new house they are building less than miles mi. from here.

Daily

Today I’ve done my morning stuff dishes laundry kitchen chores;
lost six lbs. and went for a walk, we are supposed to get a rain storm before the day is out. A rain storm is supposed to blow in here tonight and dump several feet of snow in the cascades!

No grand kids here today #1 dgd got strept throat we caught it early and she is on meds now. Hoping to stop this before any one else gets ill.

I was going to watch dear grand son 3 this morning while his folks did a concrete pour on their new house, but they had a rain delay so I got the morning off, this is sweet because I was up early and got my stuff done sooner than I’d hoped.

I cleaned my rings and polished the silver and took a nap!

I un-kinitted four inches of a baby blanket I to correct a mistake. I have some of it knitted up again.

I have some verses to add graphics to now I hope I can get those or the pictures I need for this.

Wireless

I am SO excited found out there is wireless close to the house at the corner when I was out for my walk I asked the guy working on it!!! So glad I took my walk when I did,
a storm blew in after I got home so my timing was great. I walked 2.5 mi. today so feeling good about that.

Clear wire is in our area the is intriguing, having that where ever, not just at home.
I’ll be checking in to it. As well. And there is high speed cable in the area too we've had that before. Our son thinks we need to have pc capability for the ones that are not wireless too. I’m not sure I think that is a priority for me any way.

My finger is healing up, learning what I can do one handed now quite a bit actually and the family is pitching in to help this is good. gkids had fun trick or treating last night, despite the rain. We only had like 5 trick or treaters here Mon. night rain does that.

Owie!

I cut my finger on Fri. and it’s doing better.
I’m glad to be able to type!

I have made out a list of 10 goals for next year, and thinking about where I want to be next year at this time; it feels good, dear son will be married looks like we will have the farm decluttered by then too.

Focusing on strengths is good, and on continuing to learn, books I’m reading.

My web. design class, and swimming lesson car pool time slots have been freed up for the rest of the this year, this is good so I can focus on the holidays and some things for the first of the year.

I took a long walk on Sunday 2.5 miles in mile sunny 51* temps and I was able to enjoy some great weather and process a lot that’s been going on around here. This weekend I enjoyed painting and drawing, I got some knitting done too. Dear granddaughters helped me bake up a few cookies.

Back From Town

I’m back from town got some errands done got on the pumpkin bread waiting list at the store. I found turkey napkins and plates for sides and TV trays wood like I’ve been wanting for a while! =D

At the thrift shop I "found" fish slippers (bass)! A basket in fall colors to match the house! We have rust colored carpet we love it this time of year! I also found an item in my favorite sent lavender this year. A wood unfinished shelf to paint. A container to paint for the reception to hold flowers sand or what ever. Got a book Bob Green’s Total Body Make Over, I enjoyed the make the connection one he did.

Last night I finished reading a book on Da Vinci (non fiction). Today I’ve been reading in the Christmas Box Miracle By Richard Paul Evans.

I'm getting weaned off the news again now after the hurricane Katrina I was riveted. This morning I woke up at 4:30 am I'll need a nap today!
I got a list typed up for gift baskets and entered in my Airsplanner group.

Rainy Tuesday

It’s a rainy Tuesday here, and we really need it! I’ve had a fresh juicy home grown apple from our tree this week, bottle of water and a new artists sketch book magazine came in the mail for a special treat for me before my “me time” after lunch. Some inspiring music is on in the back ground getting some good in put to fill the well of my heart after giving a lot it’s time to recharge.

I made up some healthy home made trail mix with no nuts Great for a snacks is good. Made up some home made granola too. Part of my eating program to get back to the normal weight range and being over weight. and obese was no fun I'm glad to be at a new goal with this today great news here yea!

I’ve cleaned out the clipping from my 3x5 file and put them in the box for
dear grand kiddos to use for gluing and pasting on cards. They will love these new additions to the craft supplies.

Shopping Fun!

I was at the fabric store last Fri. it was busy, and the sound reminded me of buzzing like a hive of bees with all the gals in there shopping. It was very inspiring just to be around all that energy. I was looking for some thing did not find it in there. A mag. personal journaling I can no longer find I think they have stopped publishing it, I really enjoyed that one I’m sad to not be able to find it. =(

We painted wood craft last weekend, and next we are doing to glue paper and I tore up some scrap booking papers for the girls to colage with for the next crafting project, now I need to find a container for them to collage. We have some paper craft ideas to use for our next crafting session with granny.They love it we have snacks and tea or juice in mini tea cups if they want. The girls had fun and visited like hens at a hen party! LOL!

While shopping I did manage to find some new books:

The Power of A Positive Woman
by Karol Ladd

The Martha Rules
10 essential for achieving success as you start, build, or manage a business.

It's Time

It’s time to blog again sick grand kids here this week so
my focus has been on that, nothing like a sick child to get your priorities back on order!

House building job offer watching dear grand son while his folks work on this.
Retirement party / open house b.b.q. to attend and get a gift basket made up for it have the stuff for it so it won't take long.

Swimming lesson car pool, knitting on a baby blanket it’s ½ done now.
I made up 4 more gift bags it felt great to be sewing again.

I’ve been super excited about learning my way around the paint program on my pc and learning some new things I can do with it so that’s where my time is being invested. I'm going to be checking in to some stuff for the pc port plug in memeory adapter, and I still need a printer cord.

We walked around the block to see the fall lights that are up and saw 4 deer last night. Rugby season is in full swing for dear son. Dear sis is excited about a new grand child. These are few new things in our week.

Busy Week

I have been busy this week class,
car pool begins for swimming lessons,
web. design class,
learning how to make tags,
and do stationery features have been fun
for me this week.

New grand nephew made his appearance this week,
our family is growing again now.

Not much time for blogging or journaling.
I’m learning to edit photos in some of the programs I have on my pc.
This has been fun!
Last night I got the book idiots guide to windows XP book,
I was disappointed in this one,
the 98 version has more info. in it.
I will be looking in to the web page design one next.

Grape & Raisen Pie

I had a great time yesterday with dear grand daughter in the back yard we were playing tea party, and espresso drive through at the play house. And then we played soccer, picked some grapes for a pretend grape pie, and I told her about grape pie, and raisin pie, and raisin sauce granny used to make.

I did some gardening and got some pruning done, the weather was great,
sunny with clear sapphire blue skies. Today I took some great pics. on my walk with the cell phone camera. The fall flowers are lovely after the much needed rains we had last night and this morning.

Today I’m got done with granny duty for the week. I finished the pink baby blanket and I have started on the next one green white and blue.

My sis said she’s going to be a granny again any day now, the family is growing, the granny thing is not a temporary job!

Tools of the Trade

Party decorations are like my tools, a carpenter has a hammer and nails.
I have bows bells and silk flowers to decorate for weddings, parties and other
events. My tools are kept in boxes.

Ack! A couple of people have suggested tossing the bows, and table clothes
when done with the event. There is so much money that can be saved by
reusing these items. Another way to save is by getting them at yard sales
and or thrift shops. I get my things out that I need, after the event separate
out the colored things and set aside the white bows and bells from the colored ones
and see who needs them for upcoming weddings etc.

Tossing them unless they are totally ruined is just not acceptable,
we have used some of these items in like eight events! I have cleaned them
up to reused again and if we can't use them then I'd at least like to donate
them to a place that will recycle them for the next party or other event.
My challenge has been to get others to understand this.

Seasonal Workout Changes:

Fall swimming lessons are starting up this month.

Swimming and working out at a gym, fall makes us think about things to do to increase our indoor exercise activity level. Considering renewing or getting a gym membership?
Getting out the pedal bike or indoor stationery bike? These are a few things that might be worth considering. I need to remember that Washing walls, windows, moving boxes.
and other cleaning, for holiday prep. counts for exercise too!

As well as fall yard clean up, fall gardening mowing and yard work count too.
raking leaves, hauling wood and or branches off, we have that to do here this fall.
Hubby mowed yesterday it was his turn this time of year I don’t have to worry about him mowing over any of my plants they are done for the season now! LOL!

I’ve been know to just do some Walking in place in front of our favorite TV shows. It’s a great to get the blood moving also. So is doing some shopping.

This past week I got some rubber tubing at the pharmacy it’s good to use on my walks for resistance exercises, and this fits in a pocket, purse, brief case or book bag, for a portable work out on the go when traveling, or on a break. I have a ped-o-meter and that is a one way we have used to gauge our amount of exercise.

Well that link did not work!

What is Fall?

What is fall?
We went for another walk my granddaughter and I she’s five now earlier this week she was asking, “What is fall?”

We gathered nuts and she started collecting leaves that had fallen, yellow and green ones. It was such a delight to share in her experience of “discovering fall.” I realize that fall is something you can’t explain it has to be experienced! Like the festival with hay rides, pumpkin picking, and corn maze they went to last weekend complete with cider and freshly picked apples at a local orchard.

So what is fall to you?

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Note: I wrote this last year it's from my peelsplanner yahoo group.

Sat.~ File Tweaking

Note: I wrote this on sat. As a draft but could not get in to the site because they were doing updates & tweaking of their own.

File tweaking I have been moving some files and clearing out excess ones from one of my groups that was over loaded with them and moved them into the other one today. I decided journaling is a hobby I moved journaling prompts files to my craft / hobby group. While I was doing that I was able to update one of my programs (Adobee) for the XP version and the PC is working so much better now! Yea!

I got a letter off to mom this week, and the girls got some pictures drawn for the next one.
Fri. I went to a yard sale and got some more netting and tulle in four inch wide rolls for decorating the wedding reception for dear son. Hubby said there was snow up north Fri.
Sat. morning I got seven boxes of wedding decorations loaded in the truck to take up to dear daughters; but she was not home, so I was not able to accomplish my mission not yet any way. After I got that stuff out of the sewing / craft room kitchen/dining area. I was able to put the yarn I'm working with for baby blankets in containers I empties out and it's nice to have some room to put stuff again now. I get it out of the main living areas upstairs.

Well the guy did not buy the boat I have mixed feelings about that.

For fun I have been drawing some sketches in my journal and using colored pens on them!

Dear grand daughters are here more this weekend their mom is out of town.
She is going to try go get a flower girl dress dear grand daughter will be a flower girl in two weddings in the next eight months, the first one is in a few weeks their back up sitter who is sixteen is expecting and getting married. She will be getting the first baby blankets I've been knitting on.

Looks like the neighbors are moving out they have split up and she said they are getting a divorce.

Interesting Web. Page Design Class

Web design class was interesting, I learned some stuff and was glad I went. Learning to build web pages in a program I have on my pc has been consuming a lot of my time. I'm glad I can focus on this now that school is back in session. It's good to have something for me. The church's praise band pratice session was going on in the back ground I thrived on it! =D This was not the case for other class members.

One brought up a change and strongly urged it, not me & I expressed my view. I like meeting at the church, I have thought of some other things I consider and it feels safe and there is lots of lighting, and parking! Other classes meeting there too it's a busy place makes it feel safer too.

After class I got a devo. hand-out they print out for Oct. that would not have happened had we not been there, I punched holes in it and it's in my planner now! And last week I was able to get a bulletin. I suggested we get hand outs and we can be thinking about setting up a note book. They liked my suggetions! Looking forward to the hand outs and c.d.'s

Grats:
I have the next color on the pink baby blanket I'm doing, I am enjoying this project.
I saw a couple of deer on my walk the other day.
Dear daughter and dear grand son came by and we enjoyed the swing that was when it was still nice weather mid. week.
I got current on my journaling and quiet time readings, and updated my planners, got a letter to mom ready to mail.
The sketches I did to decorate my journal pages have been inspiring me this week I have been enjoying them.

Liquid Gold II

Ways to save on fuel

1. Ride a bike the kind you pedal.
2. Use the vehicle that burns the least amount of fuel to drive the furtherest distance.
ie hubby takes my car to work.
3. Drive motor cycle.
4. Budget outings like camping boating ect. less often.
5. Shop for groceries closer to home mail bills plan errands by distance with as little back tracking as possible.

Writing blogging posting on message boards errands web page designing = messy house! {Guess what I’m doing today. LOL!}

Liquid Gold

The coffee is on I love mornings java junkies unite!

We are having a bit more lovely fall weather up to 82* & 83* today and tomorrow before fall rains come this weekend and through the week. Yesterday was warm with bright blue skies and leaves turning colors were very eye catching as we drove around town. I came home the long way and enjoyed the scenic drive by the river and I’m counting it for my artists date, because we got books!

I got a review written up on one and learned how to use the new web site, kind of scary, but each time I do it I seem to learn something.

The new to me book idiots guide to windows 98 I got at the thrift shop yesterday already has me learning. I learned some stuff just by leafing through it! So I’ll need to take this one it to class I can tell! I made a tag so I’m going to see how to integrate that with graphs. Learning to run the paint program is fun! I’m be getting some stuff I need out of it already.

I read some in the new books gleaned out the info. needed and
some of the things in the other book was interesting The Notebook had review on the cover that gave away the ending, this makes me not even want to read it or see the movie! Talk about a spoiler! Their ought to be a law against this or something.

The book 17 Essentual Qualities of a Team Player by John Maxwell, I really like the format of this book and the white paper in this book is great too! I read a chapter yesterday.

Hubby called and said “I got some of the liquid gold” referring to fuel in the truck. Gas is the new liquid gold.

Blissful Days of Fall

I’ve been thinking of having biscotti with my mocha to go, but they all seem to have nuts so I had to forgo that today. I was processing info. about the news of the boat back in the shop again, for break work on the trailer the wheel bearing needed replaced on one side. Hubby sighed knowing it was a bill we did not need right now not be happy about this newest development, with the boat on the market and for sale he took it promptly in for the repairs in case some one wants a test drive on the weekend.

Other than that I’m having a blissful day, got my morning stuff done an hour before my goal, and was able to get some errands done, found some books at the thrift shop. Dear granddaughter found another “Froggy” book we all love reading those. I found some for me and one for hubby to learn the pc with.

Younger dear grand daughter said "lets go see the cows I’m tired of the other place we walk",
so we have been going to see the cows and horses down the road a-ways. We did the earlier right after the bus came to pick up her older sister in the first grade this year.

After our errands and car pool duty and granny duty was finished I put out the extra effort and did another walk, counting that and vacuuming as my exercise. I have great news today I was able to wear a smaller shirt in a size I’ve not seen for a while. I’ve dropped two sizes after getting on this weight program. I’m excited at the family gathering I was among the ones that were not “fat” yea!

Over the weekend hubby and I talked about an approach for the holidays and we are going to cut out desserts for the most part and I’m not going to be doing baking. Last year I "caved" and did some baking and the 10 lbs we put back on has taken nearly 3/4ths of the year to take back off again.

I’m and excited about the new show coming on with the woman pres. Comander and Chief is the title I believe.

I did up a blip on a book for another blog, the web site was down so I was not able to get it mailed to be posted. At least I got it typed up and saved.

New to me books I got today were:

The Notebook By: Nicholas Sparks

The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player
By John C. Maxwell

Complete Idiots Guide to Windows 98

Camping Weekend!

Fall camping season has begun here! We had a great time camping one of the highlights for me was sitting by the river and getting a chance to read while I was fishing. The weather was perfect! I saw a mama cat and her three kittens. A flock of geese flew over head in the V formation honking as they went, not an unusual site as geese winter over here but it always amazes me how they line up like that just to fly a few miles! I worked on some sketching and journaling too, I got some knitting done too.

I enjoyed it. Our dear daughter called needing some table clothes and the kiddie size card table and lawn chairs for adults and kids. Hubby helped me load these and I made the salad, and got the stuff loaded. I caught the news on hurricane Rita to see if mom’s county in Ark. was going to be under a deluge but they weren’t. When I was home doing that hubby ran over town for an errand I went for a walk and found a yard sale! I got a some fabric, craft supplies, and books!

The birthday party was great we had a family event on Saturday, dear grandson’s birthday party with family there kids cousins, grandpas grandmas aunts and uncles were there in force! Kind of like thanksgiving a big crowd only with summer foods, grilled burgers, and freshly caught salmon by the other grandpa on the coast.

We made a few changes in the camper when we got home and took the T.V. out we never use it when we are camping no reception and we are too busy fishing! We took it out to make room for the microwave I took out of the kitchen to make room for the new white one I got for my birthday from dear daughter this was a blessing!

The camp ground was full in the loop we were in, it was quiet and peaceful, not as many babies there this time. We got home and unloaded the truck and camper, I washed up the dishes, and wiped the counters down. Hubby took laundry to the basement. We both unpacked our bags. I think it’s going smoother with the post camping clean up this time!

I was able to rest read a book, and get some fabric cut for gift bags. We finished up having dinner when we got home, I cooked the beans on the stove and we had salad.

Hubby cooked the hot dogs at the camp ground he offered to take me out but I opted to stay because we were both enjoying it so much, we forgot to take the salad dressing so decided to have it at home ! So we sat on the swing and had the side dishes when we got the truck and camper unloaded. We got unpacked and the helped and took the laundry we rounded up to the basement. I go it going this evening.

This camp out was good for me I notice I’m a lot less interested in the hurricane Rita’s aftermath news which is a plus for me. I have been enjoying playing with the fabric and looking at my new to me Christmas books and reading them. One is by ME (Mary Englebrit) and talk about inspiring! It was also fair weekend be we did not make it.

Stoked!

My evening improved I went for another walk 1 mi. and collected walnuts in the shell to take with when dear grand daughter and I go on our walk tomorrow! I saw four deer! that was great. Some times you just know you are in the right place at the right time.

I had a blast at the web design class tonight, it's a life group at our church. They want people to be on the web design team; this just means using the message board they are going to put on the church web site from what I can understand! LOL!

I'm on it pretty much already because I've been blogging on the I.T.F. site. A guy has a site I blog on about faith topic, life lessons stuff like that, and one other guy that graduated from I.T.T. tech. from the Devry Institute is one of the teachers too.

They wanted to know why we were there I just went to talk to other adults and get out of the house! There were nine of us in class, gals were the students close to my age and guys were the teachers about my kids age. Thirty-something They were talking about ugly web sites, I joked that even that would be an improvement because I don't even have that! LOL! I have to take my notebook p/c next week. We will have assignments. Now all I need is a techie shirt.

Dear son wanted to take this class but has collage work to do. {Hubby called me on the cell while I was in class, I guess he did not get the voice mail message}. Note to self turn off cell next week.

I got home in a stoked mood! Hubby had the camper all loaded and I've packed clothes, toiletries I keep packed and some are in the camper! I'm excited to go. Gotta remember to load the worms and fishing poles!

Triumph over Tragedy

I have the news on this was a quote or quip from one of the anchors on Katrina. "Triumph over tragedy". I have the news on as I type this. Listening to the news on Rita the latest hurricane.

We are trying to experience some triumph of own here too. Getting the peace back was a process getting enough sleep last night was a great help. Getting up and having a pain free day is some thing to celebrate! Finding better things to focus on today instead of the rough spots we have been through helps too.

Today we did an early morning appointment and signed closing papers on the lot and had time for a walk by the river it was great. We saw the squirrels looking for a hand outs, the leaves are starting to turn on the trees and the promise of more fall color to come was in the air. I’m enjoying these cooler days.

The walk helped us to process all the changes going on and the fresh air was exhilarating, water lapping on the bank was up, this past weekend the water level was up less going over the dam as temps cool off less demand for power no heat at night needed yet air conditioning use is way down for us too. 73* is the predicted high temp today.

I sat out on the swing and did my quiet time and journaling, hearing the birds sing, and squirrels go up and down the trees. A wood pecker's shrill call sounds above the tree in the front yard. The skies are clear and blue and you can see the mountians in the distance with trees on them and there is no smoke.

I'll be continuing to trying to focus on the positives here today. Humming the song Rita Mae in my mind as I continue with the rest of my day!

Sniff Sniff….

We have to put our big boat up for sale this was not good news
when I found out I was rather in shock!
It's to get out of debt ~
hubbys getting ready to retire
in ten yrs.

We are trying simplify and down size
lot has closing papers to sign next week too

I’m not having a good time at the moment!
Some one told me there is life after boating.
I'm using that as my motto now.

Feeling Inspired

I am feeling inspired these days, I had fun on my artist date yesterday. Got some ideas for new music, had fun jewelry shopping, got a new ring, I'm hard on my rings in the summer when I garden so I've had fun swapping out to different faux diamonds every season now and I'm having a blast with it! I got some healthy snacks too unsalted peanuts what a concept peanuts with out salt. LOL!

I'm trying a new floor plan out in my mind, for the new-to-me drawing table with a top that adjusts. I got last weekend at a yard sale and I’m wondering where I can put this so I will use it, and the light will be the best. I'm not going to move any furnature until I have a plan, and I'll get the guys to help so I don't hurt my back on the bigger pieces if I decide I want to move them.

A garden show is inspiring me today, now that it's cooler it's much more fun thinking about gardening and yard improvements making patio area with bricks I got for just hauling them off!

I want to camouflage the neighbors junk pile. This is my on going goal! I can prune back the old fashioned roses for a thicker screen and shorten them a bit. Before I begin I need to think about a plan, and where to put some things I’m considering like a portable studio rent-to-own former espresso stand, seems like the front side yard might be the only place for this but there is a boat there! Hum… I”ll have to get some measurements.

Coffee Sugar Molasses and Salt Mills

I’ve been watching the history channel about the history of coffee, and a show on sugar. I’m learning a lot and the molasses reminds me of stories mom used to tell about the sorghum cane they used to grow in the south and took to the sorghum mill. It was is interesting how they make rum, I just figured out why I can’t find sorghum a milder from of molasses the rum demand is up around the world these days! I want some for my rolls in the morning!

They had a segment on sugar beats I’ve seen the sugar beets growing in the field, and the sugar beet roots on trucks in Southern Idaho and Utah when we were team driving long haul trucking at a pretty close view. We never hauled them but saw these at the scales and on the road. We did haul salt from salt lake and I got to see the salt being milled, and lots of grain.

Recharged and Ready to Go!

A really good way to get weaned off of excess news watching senate hearings happening on most of the news channels that I like; for most of the day ~boring! Turning the tube off or for the kids channel for dear grand daughter to watch.

Our son had a shoulder in a sling, he hurt it at the Rugby tournament in Seattle over the weekend they, the tied two games and lost two.

Monday I took some down time to recharge my batteries and it was just what I needed. I got current on some reading.

I am happy to report that the grand kids are fine, I left my cell in hubby’s truck, and was glad that I found it. at dear son’s suggestion I called my cell phone and hubby found it on the way home, then we went to the store and I told the dear granddaughters we were going on a date, they one of them said “A DATE”!!! I said. “Yes, old people have dates too”,
when I told hubby he said “I do not consider myself old yet.”
LOL!

Today I have been working on some weekly cleaning, and watering out side and the inside. I’ve been reading to the granddaughters in their children’s Bible in the morning this seems to be making our mornings flow a lot smoother.

Sunday Shopping and Fishing

When I got up this morning it was cold, I fixed breakfast, and finally had to turn the heat on and go back to bed to get warm. I got my quiet time done, and some journaling, Bible study, and some personal down time which I seemed to need. Our son and his girls were not here this weekend, it was one of those times I was able to really relax.

Then at noon after cutting hubby’s hair, it looks nice I used to be a beautician, we went shopping and I finally got an electric pencil sharpener, I found a purple one, and some pilot pens in turquoise, hot pink, and purple, I looks at toaster ovens and microwaves, before we went fishing today. Hubby caught all the fish today, I did not catch any he cought his limit and we only had a few worms. It was weird that he could catch his limit with that few worms. They were not biting very well today. I saw lots of minnows where we caught so many fish before, and a box turtle, the weather was perfect and I did not even need my jacket. The view of the mountains all around was fabulous, I was relaxed and peaceful when we came home I could not think of much to say. It was good. I had a book and lawn chair and it was good to have time to enjoy that.

On the way home we drove by our lot and there were some yard sales in the vicinity and I got a few items and a drafting table I’m hoping to reclaim my art studio back next summer after our son is married it will go in there the girls are using that room now. I found a couple of new things for the gift dresser with a holiday theme that will be great additions for holiday baskets. We ordered take out for dinner.

Theme Journal List

Sketch book journals
Dream journals
Travel journals
Imagination Journal
Fantasy Sketch book
Fiction
Poetry
Gardening Journal
Experiments
Problem solving lessons Journal
Spiritual growth
Culinary Journal
Notes
Garden sketches
Fishing Journal Birding Journal
Food journal

Daily Adventures

I have organized the last food shelf in the kitchen, and loaded up a few more donations in the car. I’ve been working on tweaking the reminders in my calendar. I found out some important info. the pres. has designated a day of prayer for Sept. sixteenth (9-16) while doing a search on the fox news channel web. site. http://www.foxnews.com/ It was in the yellow spot that now says Ophelia is a hurricane with 70 mph. winds.

I have learned from reading the last time management book I read that I need to turn the tube off at certain times of the day for a couple hours in the morning and in the afternoon and I get a block of no TV time to get other things done! This has been a very effective tool for me that little off switch on the remote! LOL!

This is my writing day. I’m doing awesome today I can’t explain it but I am, I am so grateful to have a well stocked kitchen, and that I’m in great spirits and I slept well last night. I guess you could say I’m having one of those nice boring days we all need from time to time.

I have been doing kids bedrooms zone work and it’s a great sense of accomplishment to clear off some work space for home work the beginning of the school year. I found more donations to load in the car for this week. I got the Christmas books put in with the holiday decoration items. Some of these things are just easier to get done when the kids are in school.

Red Neck Fund Raisers and Snow

I have heard that there are going to have a fun raiser at hubbies work,
they are asking of donations of knives and guns to auction off and the money will go to relief help in La. New Orleans Blogger link http://mgno.com/ I've been hearing about this one on the news.


He also said that he heard we are supposed to have snow down to 5,000 ft. on the pass etc. over the weekend. The kids were both talking about trips or being in the mountains over the weekend so I called and gave them a heads up to take the snow gear and chains. It’s really weird because it was 90* and hot here today and I did not hear any thing about that on the weather channel, granted I was a little fixated on the next hurricane’s track.

Confessions of a News Junkie

This past week has been a news junkies dream. First it started with following the weather channel, and I got the scoop from the guys and gals who seem to be idiots enjoying the big wind storms from Hurricane Katrina, then when they were washed away or headed to higher ground we shook our heads at the storm chasers were getting their adrenaline rush. Then the evacuation orders were put out, I am amazed that they were still trying to run hospitals in this storm I cannot understand why they did not shut that down and head for higher ground, or evacuate the ones that were there. Hubby was understanding and we came home for a few things over the weekend and I got my news fix over the weekend and I think we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when more troops arrived.

It was such a good feeling to see the air lift rescues in operation, and I thought of the navy ship my cousin was on and he said his job was to move the supplies and it gives me a picture of some of the type of things he did when the war first started. It was fascinating to see the sand bags go in the dike, and the dump trucks hauling the fill into plug up the holes in the dike, the back hoe propelling it self with the scoop arm along the water was absolutely amazing.

Some of the questions I’ve had seem to be the ones asked on the news by casters on their shows, like why did the school busses not take people out? It’s kind of too little too late now but we all need to learn from this. What I’ve learned is to have five days food and water meds etc. not three days in case of emergency like the weather channel suggests.

My folks used to have a bomb shelter area in the basement when I was a kid, canned foods, and cases of things we could use in case of emergency. Some of this makes sense to me in a whole new way now. There were times I thought that they were nuts. But I for one will be stocking the camper this week with a new supply of foods like soup the is ready to eat chili, a non electric hand operated can opener, and case of water, we can fill the water tank in the camper, the propane is full and even if the hot water tank does not heat unless we have electricity we can heat water on the stove. I’m glad we bought a house up on the hill away from the dikes in our area in case the dam brakes up river. Looking forward to camping season here.

I found blogs Gretawire and Rick’srambles on the fox news blog and have been following those a bit too. The situation room was good too. Now another hurricane Nate and Ophelia are in the gulf brewing up even more excitement as I type this up.

Labor Day Weekend Fun!

We have had a great labor day weekend here!
Some of the fun actives we have done are
camping, a dinner cruise for my birthday a few days late,
then we brought the camper home unloaded it and unpacked it
and then hooked up to the boat and went fishing.
Other family members mowed at the farm.

I had fun sharing my fishing story when they got back.
I have caught the biggest fish so far this season. Love that part!
Yesterday I was the one that caught all the fish!
A bass weighing 16 ¾" long and weight almost 2.75 lbs
and a 12” bass we did not weigh that one.

I Had a blast using my in my new red fishing pole.
Hubby did not catch any he was pretty busy keeping the boat on course. It was windy and the wind blew us along the shore and we fished on the way back. It was great fun!

Mid-week

Today I have been doing errands with #2 dear granddaughter date with granny we had fun. When we got home we cleaned the play house she picked up the toys, and then we swept, I got the cob webs, and bees out,
she used her small child’s size broom it was very important to her to be able to use the red one!

I used to think it might be nice to live in the south where they did not get snow, and I have changed my mind about moving! At this point I think we have the best area to live tornados and earth quakes are rare here, we have 90 M.P.H. winds here occasionally.

We got our reservation conformation info. today and I had to call to straighten that charged us for the whole day instead of the dinner cruise, so I’m glad I opened that letter up and looked it over and called and got that taken care of on the phone. Yesterday was glued to the tube the news is riveting, my garden has provided a welcome stress relief for me from that I have watered the trees, shrubs, and grass, pruned some of the straggling branches off the back hedge and apple tree.

My mom is not retired any more she is working got a call to cook for the sr. center for twenty people every other day.

Getting Ready for School:

Our son checked on the bus schedule for our grand daughter and let us know when and where the bus comes here. He checked in to the hot lunch too. I saw on the news any info. a child gets helps to prevent anxiety for students starting school. The bus comes by twice here earlier for the jr. hi. students. Seems to be a bit better this year getting info. to us the week before the actual start of school. I called the district office and complained that we didn't have the info. we needed soon enough. So it seems that was effective or the teacher this year is better about getting info. to us in a timely manner.

Collage classes start today:

Our son is in the explorers group helping with new students and recruiting, through this group they set up tours and he and the other group memebers give families and prospective students tours of the campus, he has been involved in helping with warrior - orientation for the past three falls. They have helped to move students into their dorm rooms lots of stairs dear son said.

There is a "welcome" b.b.q. for the new students the first part of the week he is helping to get ready for that.

He works in the office at the collage for one of the profs. and is a teachers aid and has done some teaching when the prof. is gone. Rugby is going on and they have games and an out of town game or tourney in Montana next month.

Puppets and Costumes

I was at the fabric store with dear grand daughters, they had costumes out and the girls were enthralled with the princess type costumes, beads play shoes and other accents feather boas, crowns etc. Fun fun fun I got some long black gloves to go up to the elbow at the thrift shop washed them up and we have decided to make the treasure chest a place for dress up clothes.

Later the younger one came upstairs with one of the puppets I made last year out of sugar and cream yarn crochet the rest of the puppet are in a small childs suit case where we keep them and a few books for story time. This puppet had angel wings on it and she was having the puppet kiss us kind of like kissing a sox! Ha!

Date w/ granny & New read

I had a great day today, got the email’s working again with tech. support. Dear grand son is better after a bout with the flu.

“Date with granny day” today was good, these are the final days of summer and we are savoring the moments of them, we went shopping at the thrift shop and had a blast then to Costco, and to the $1.oo store, and to the fabric store, the girls were having a blast looking at the fabrics touching and feeling the different textures, and we got the groceries. Got home and unloaded the car, then girls picked up the mess they made the other day in the basement while I put things away.

Dear son came in to get the rugby uniforms, and said the fall registration at the collage went well he has done this for 2-3 years and knows the drill by now, they helped the students get things loaded in to the dorms lots of stairs, and he had ran 4 mi. at rugby practice earlier in the week and was sore.

Dh & I both had a good week. We went out for my birthday early this weekend so we could enjoy Labor day and miss the crowds.

New read:
I’m enjoying a new book I got today I’ve been wanting to read some thing back in the covered wagon days and I found Promiseland by Dawn Miller today.

Holilday Prep. Time Rolls Around Again!

I have been to Joann fabrics and they had their fall stuff out not just fall but Thanksgiving items were out too, a turkey that was for an entryway or front door greeting was great fun to think about. I had a blast just browsing while I was there thinking about the options around here of things I could do to spruce it up a bit while I was there to get ribbon for more gift bags I've been on a roll with making them this week. I have a few more recipes and things to think about, one new thing that will be fun is some plastic mayonnaise jars that are square it will be interesting to see what uses we can come up for these.

I’ve been in the sewing room and I have done another holiday festive table cloth I've been putting fringe on it I'd forgotten how long that takes! I put the bobbins in a clear container so they are not spread all over the sewing counter now. My holiday notebooks are in good shape and I have been working on tweaking my lists and reminders.

I’ve been in birthday mode here for the past two weeks and have been painting shelves, chests, filling gift bags, and getting ready for these occasions.

The red wheel burrow for the younger grandson is kid tested and approved by his cousins they found it in our bedroom and I had to tell them to stop playing with it! They were having too much fun! They love anything with some wheels on, they it to pick up toys and put them in it before putting them away, they can wheel them in to their room and it become part of a game and makes this chore a fun one. Mom’s and grandma alike love these too! We have discovered that shopping carts, small mini wagons also work for this.

Working with festive holiday prints this past month has really gotten me motivated and inspired to get going on the holiday prep. stuff. When I was at the store I noticed a new product cookie mixes by one of the cake mix companies "Betty Crocker" I think it was. You might want to give these a try and see how they work for you. We like the slice and bake or break and bake cookies I used to be the slice and bake cookie queen, and I was having a blast with that a couple of years ago but our waist lines grew too much so we had to focus on more healthy foods for snacks during the holiday season.

I still want to try some cake mix bread recipes, I have been thinking of the different ones I can do, lemon, apple sauce, date, pumpkin, cranberry cherry, pineapple coconut, and chocolate mint, to name a few. I like to experiment not all of my concoctions are a success but we have come up with some that are sure fire hits and keepers!

I still need to put the rest of the black berries in the freezer, and a cobbler topping mix might be just the thing to pun in a jar mix for those 1 qt. square plastic jars I can use the apple cobbler in a jar mix and use the topping recipe for these!

One of the gifts I ordered mid – summer came today an ugly stick gear bag, so we promptly filled it up with picnic stuff and tried it out and it worked great, they will be a hit for the guys when the rest of them come, but this on was mine! Now I’m thinking of other places that I can go picking black berries tomorrow maybe! I just love the challenge I think.

We've starting to might keep our eye out for camping gear and long fire place matches for some of the camping gift bags and baskets for loved ones on our lists that need these items they will be in stock now too for hunting season.

I think it’s time for me to make another trip to the bait and tackle shop to see what they have in that is new! I can’t wait that’s where I found my mini webber grill for the camper. Freeze ahead meals work great for camping too you can warm up things on the grill too! Hubby is already thinking of a bunch of places that we can go camping this fall now that the temps. have dropped below 100* here!

My apple tree is blooming again for a 2nd crop! I'm feeling SO blessed right now!

Four Point Buck & Crawdad

Four point buck & crawdads also known as black-berrying.

Yesterday I got an unexpected afternoon off so I went to the fabric store for more sewing machine needles and ribbon for sewing projects more gift bags, and table cloth I am fringing out from the fabric I got a box at a yard sale on Sat. I’ve been working on these projects and needed to get out of the house and getting a few supplies was my opportunity for this, I stopped at the berry patch on my way home. This was a wonderful break in my daily grind this week!

I picked about a half of a gallon of black berries. I have the biggest sweetest berries that I had to fight the spiders, yellow jackets, and even chase a deer off for. I used a stick I found to get the berries up where I could see them. This was refreshing and the wind gusts were not so bad in this protected spot by the fish pond. A lovely setting for thinking and picking berries! I caught a crawdad brought it home for the fish tank.

Crafting Fun

This weekend have been making progress in decluttering and filled loaded two more bags plus two more boxes to go for Pomery and got it loaded in to the trunk to be delivered to the drop off point here in town. The boxes were small so I could handle them myself. It's always good to get these out of the way in the kitchen. Dh I took old oil to his work to be disposed of properly, it feels good to get these out of the here! Decluttering is such a freeing experience! Then we stopped by for some sugar free ice cream cones on our way home, we begged out of water park birthday party it’s just too hot for us to do that today, with 103* record hi temps are in the forecast.

I got some new to me books at the thrift shop; Two cook books "Fix and Forget-it Recipes for Entertaining" and "Favorite Recipes from Quilters".
I’ve seen these at Costco and I've had the fix it and forget it one before and given it as a gift great crock pot cooking recipes in this one! The quilting one has those too and lots of others for pot lucks yummy! I got caught up in reading a cook book by quilters with loads of great recipes that I recognize lots of these recipes, they had quilt patterns they were working on listed very inspiring. I'm thinking how many kinds of bread could be made for the holidays! Not on my diet however so I’ll have to use it with caution! LOL!

And Friendship with God by Neal Donald Walsch.
Who also wrote conversations with God books 1, 2 & 3 which I have not read. Was at the bargain place at the grocery store This one reads fast like a blog which I enjoy! Have read half of this book over the weekend.

Yesterday I stopped at a yard sale on my walk hurried home to get purse & car for my finds! This motivated me to walk faster!

Off to the nice cool sewing room! I have added some fabric from a yard sale, kids prints that will be fun to work up! I've been playing with in the craft zone this weekend having a blast too! I got them cut out ironed and ready to sew yesterday afternoon, last night I sewed up a some more gift bags, and got the draw strings in them. I'm doing up the blues so I can keep the same thread on the machine, then I'll do up the ones that take white thread. I have a goal of and hour or fourty five minutes each day this gives me way to break it up into smaller chunks and I don't get overwhelmed! I did some more today so I have a dozen more done now! Yippie! I’m on a roll!!! Using the crock pot helps for a better flow to my days when I'm crafting! I saw a friend at the store yesterday from the motor cycle club we both used to attend. She showed me some fabric she had special ordered in for new curtians she was sewing up. That was fun.

Gotta Love Those Fridays

I am so excited about getting ready for the birthday, painting projects, assembling gift bags, and baskets, I even had some things that were left over in the gift dresser from the holidays last year and went through these for house hold items that were needed and dug in my closets for things I could share. This reminded me of when my grandmother had a box going of things for people that lost every thing in a fire she gave quilts and pots and pans. It was in my teens that this made such an impression on me.

As rounded up items for those that had lost homes in the wild fire in our area I remembered my grandmother. I was so blessed because they were so grateful to receive things, there has been such an out - pouring of clothes from the community they were no longer accepting clothes. (I hadn't put any clothing items in.) It feels good to have the outlet of giving. I was starting to feel stuck again, and giving always seems to get me out of that, so I was delighted to have this progress. I got some donations of craft items over for the kids at day care to use on my way to town.

It was fun to round up the birthday gifts and fill the treasure box, and I got a wheel borrow and got the joy of putting these items in for another gift giving occasion we have not far down the road.

I was able to find a bit of wonderful green fabric with gold stars on it and put that to good use in by sewing it in to two more gift bags! They turned out great and are festive. I realized I need to remember to not sew lace on all of them, and leave it off for the guys!

I found a recipe I’ve needed for banana bread from a cake mix in an old magazine today I was delighted to have that. I’ll be adapting it a bit for something other than bananas, like pumpkin, apple or cranberry! This is going to be fun!

Last year I did not like my recipes so I just gave up and bought these breads at holiday craft and bake sales! Even thou I think I’m a good cook we don’t starve. I like to craft better than cook, and dear daughter ask me “to not make the her wedding cake” mine tasted great but hubby can frost one better than I can! You did NOT hear that from me. Ha!

Birthday Season Here

It’s birthday season here, there are like 6 of them in 6 weeks, I’ve been painting wood crafts for gifts, mini tool box, and toy box I call a treasure box any thing can be put in it, toys, school papers, what every they want. It is amazing what a coat of paint will do! I still have a small mini shelf to paint or finish too.

The kitchen smells great! I consider my self a throw together cook a little of this and a little of that most of my recipes are in my head. I have dinner in the crock pot, some herbs I grow with meat and veggies and tomato sauce yummy! I just need to make a salad to go with it now.

I made up a big batch of chicken last weekend for a family reunion and the food did & I did not make it there so it’s been great I’ve had less cooking this week, and dh has had chicken in his lunches.

I do not really like freeze ahead meals because I like to cook but I have times I need some thing quick to prepare and those are the nights we have frozen burritos, or fish portions, or sandwiches, sausage dogs or chef salad. I have tried some mini pizzas and we like them I’ve made them in the past and will try to get some of those made up ahead of time. The grand kids like to help when we make those up. I think that it’s time for some of that again now I like to use “Bisquick” because it does not have yeast and I seem to do better with less yeast.


I’ve been trying to stay on track with my health and fitness program and it’s been extra challenging with the smoke and heat. I’ve been walking shorter distances and doing chores mopping, yard work etc. for my exercise that plan seems to be working I’ve dropped a few pounds and getting back down to what I was before the holiday goodie season happened last year I’ll have to rethink that this year!

Dress day

Back in the day went I was in grade school we could only wear dresses, even in below freezing weather, if we wore pants we had to have a dress on over them!

In high school my best friend and I decided that we were going to change things and wore pants to school we were seniors, and it was about three weeks before graduation, so even if they kicked us out we would still get our diplomas and we knew this. We got called in to the principals office and he talked to us, dress codes were no longer legal and we knew this and so did he, no one had challenged him on this yet so we decided that it was time to, in the end we were allowed to wear pants, soon all the girls were wearing pants or slacks to school.

I still had a “dress day” so Fri. I wore a dress made a dress up day for myself. It was nice!

The dear grand daughters were bemoaning the fact that they could not wear skirts or dresses to daycare so I just declared "Mon. is dress day here"; they looked at me with amazed looks, and asked if I could do that, and I said sure. We can have dress day here, so we did. Mon. is now dress day. Today they went to a birthday party and wore dresses! It’s great because we have been taking them to church and they know how to act in a dress too.

Weekend Notes

I have been sewing I did up another night gown for dear grand daughter #2, and a gift bag of the same fabric, that was fun. Hubby is in the oil changing mood. We rented DVD Miss Congeniality two and we are looking forward to seeing it.

I was looking for the yellow jacket nest and found that the white barn owl is back in our tree this year. I saw the squirrels sprawled out on a branch taking a nap too.

I’m been working on getting recipes in a file for the holidays this weekend. It was cooler here yesterday but has warmed back up again today.

I got a book bag at the thrift shop it’s the kind that expands and has wheels on it. I’m delighted with this find, I’ve been putting my planner, pens, journal, Bible sketch book and other daily reading books, and keeps the pile off the couch and chairs in the living room, and I can take the whole bunch of them to the kitchen to use at the table too. Like today when the grand daughters were drawing too.

New Pens & Bees

Free Food got a free squash today and squash for 10 cents ea. at the thrift shop found
I found a shelf to paint, and hat box set to paint, and pen case at the trift shop too.
a refill for my fav. fat pen, and another refill for my other pen that died last night. I got some school supplies I use for my art and a piece of luggage with handle and wheels at a great price our sone has one for a collage book bag. These are going to be fun projects. Got a basket with rust color in it and I can use a squash in it for a center piece.

At the office supply store it was busy I found a comp. note book with a yellow cover this will work great for spring. A steno book to go in the staples cover for it. (I found the cover at the thrift shop.) I found some more metallic gel in pens those use up quickly when I’m using them for my art! I had a blast!!! =D I had the rock and roll music on the way home blarin’! ;D Credence Clearwater Revival.

I’m in the peek of my craft season now, I'm very busy getting ready for the holiday sewing knitting weaving etc. I can't just produce stuff in two weeks before the holidays. Ha! Big projects need to be in the works now! I'm starting to plan what I'll be doing when school starts up again and I have a big more time. Guess I just answered that question with this paragraph.

I've had a blast doing a holiday journal and I've been illistrating some of it with these metellic gel pens, the grandkids and I have art time! They have been getting me to show them how to draw this and that, Pooh our nick name for the older one took an art book with her to draw at the sitters.

I've been hunting to find the yellow jacket nest there must be a pretty good size one for the amount of bees that we have here. No luck yet. Dad use to have bees so I'm not too afaid of them but I have been making the kids wear shoes throngs or something on their feet so they won't get stung. The bees are bad this year here!

What Stinks

What Sinks?

It’s been hot and after the guys went fishing Mother Nature cranked up the heat to 100+ degrees and there was this awful smell out side we looked under the tool shed where I found a dead cat one year. Nope nothing there this time, and I looked around the play house but the sink was not coming from there.

We looked around the house moved stuff and the stink just kept getting worse. I thought about awful crimes I’d seen on CSI as I helped to look for this putrid smell.

Yuck! I have a “nose” as they say in the perfume business. The stink seemed to come from the boat, I told the guys that. Then dear son looked under the boat, and under the camper, and hubby looked in the boat. No one found the source, the sink got worse.

Each night for several days running we looked with no luck. When we went out side the dear grand daughters said p-uwe what stinks you could smell it as soon as you stepped out side the door. Yuck!!! Not the way I want to great the day assaulted with this awful stink, as the day warmed up it just got worse!

Then it got a bit better. One day I decided to go have a look see in the boat for my self, fly’s were thick in it, so I opened up the window I knew I had to keep searching. I looked under the seat compartments and sniffed nope, it was not there. I looked in the over head seat compartments sniffed in trays no, it was not there. I lifted up the anchor rope sniffed yep it was there,

Bait fish sack and foil was there on the step yucky! I grabbed it after wrapping a rag around it a put it in the trash! Then hubby hear about it with one of those I told you it was coming from the boat well I looked in there was the response. Guess who’s cleaning the boat today. Hint: It’s not me!

Shopping in the City

It was an interesting time before we could leave on out of town trip last weekend we had to take our truck over to the shop for a new alternator so we got a late start we were able to get to the Corvette car show before it was closed and I enjoyed seeing a big book store three stories the biggest one I had ever been to that was fun one block away from the car show so I was happy. I got a few good pics.

The next day we were able to have our first crispy crèmes doughnut, they reminded me of the ones mom used to make when I was a kid!
Then we went to the Barnes and Noble I got the idiots guide to drawing 2nd edition illustrated version, this book is inspiring and I’m enjoying the chapter on sketch book journaling lots of great inspiration in it! When I got home found my artist’s sketch book mag. had come so I’ve been reading that and it’s wonderfully motivating!

We went to this large outdoor sportsman’s store and I noticed where you could register for weddings there and told dear son he was excited to learn about that.

The party at the park was great good food, and a cool breeze blowing off the water made it nice.

Stopped by to see my dear sis for a short visit on the way home.
While we were gone the grand daughters got to see where there dad is working and had some red wheat they had harvested.