Hectic Week

It’s been a hectic week here, spring break is next week for dear son, hubby has been working on the sell of the farm and the details that goes with that paper work etc. I’ve been rounding up boxes that they will need, and granny duty, organizing the kitchen, cleaning off the top of dear son’s fridge have been among my activities this week. Dear grand kids love the new pretend cabin now that we have cleaned out some spaces here. There has been snow all around us we are hoping for spring like weather it is slow in coming this year. Lots of moving going on two other homes have families coming and going on our block.

International Rugby Tourney

The International Rugby Tourney was here last weekend some teams from Canada came, and there were 21 teams total from various points in the North West. It is well attended, some of the teams had to play on Sunday this year, making it a two day event.

Dear son rounded up the grub, hauled it the b.b.q. it was for cooking burgers, lined up the workers from the coffee shop with a meeting before the event. He said it went a lot smoother this year.

Last year is was a one day event, with so many teams in attendance. So next year they are going back to 18 teams for the one day event. This was the first time a lot of the teams have been able to play this year because of snow in a lot of areas.

Yarn Shopping

Last weekend we were out of town a jaunt to the farm and we also had a couples get away weekend. I did some yarn shopping got a global inspirations journal with a travel theme and
that famous tower in France is on the cover I love that! A book Keep the change by Becky Tirabassi both were bargains at the book store. I read it book last weekend. Speaking of books, I read a book I’ve had here for a while to read called Thursdays at eight by Debbie Macomber

On my walk with the grand kiddos a friend I swap books with returned some and added one to the bag that was a treat! I pass these on after I’ve read them. This friend was asking if I did any knitting, yep! I am excited to say I have the first ball of yarn on the new prayer shawl that I’m doing up in spring colors it’s fun to have some new colors to do up! Love that part.

Hubby has a new thing he is doing now repacking the suit case for the next time when he unpacks so it’s ready to go so for the next time I’m going to try doing this too!

Last night dear son made dinner, and it rained in the night, I’ve been fighting a bit of the sniffles this week so I’ve been taking care of my self and enjoyed some reading time.

This week is short week for granny duty we ordered talking alarm clock that was on the back of the pop tarts box for dear grand daughters room at the new house. She was excited about this and mailed it on her way to school this morning.

Count down to Spring

Spring is only three weeks away, the robins are fighting over territory in the fron yard in the tree, I saw some people fishing and hoping it had been planted but not yet, and across the road at the other bass hole I saw a blue herrion, and further up the road some deer in the field on my way home from errands today. Last weekend I saw ten deer in the spot we see then a lot on the way to town.

I will be working on yard clean up as it warms up, there are leaves to bag up and branches to cut up, hubby can use his new tools for this. We need to load them up and haul ‘em off.

I got some yarn today, Igot enough to do two projects prayer shawls. I hope there is enough any way time will tell I've started one. I went to yard sale and found some books on writing romance these should be fun!

I also got two towel bars, and found out how to NOT replace a towel bar, hubby had done these with molly screws, kerplunk the end goes in beteen the walls on the floor, so I have to make a quick trip to the store to get some more. Well the one I was going to swap out was like WAY bigger, so had to put the old one back on! Sh-h don't tell hubby and he will never know! LOL! I got another one for the play house and will wait to work on it.

Back From the Doll Hospital

The other day I noticed that there was one of the stuffed dolls had a need of a serious repair the head was about to come off of one of the stuffed rabbit dolls, so I got out the needle and thread and stitched it up and then I noticed there was a bit on the back of the doll that needed to be stitched up and repaired that too. So the doll is back together and resting comfortably now.

Dear grand daughter is using one of the new doll blankets that I knitted up for her to use and she is having a blast with it. We went to the store and I mailed off some bills after getting stamps she took her stuffed care bear, and wrapped it up in her scarf that’s when we decided that we could use the new doll blanket that I knit up.

Server Issues

This week we’ve had more changes with the new company that is our internet provider and I’ve had to call for tech support several times to get the settings tweaked, and still not done with these.

We got our taxes done last weekend and the office cleaned, That was a job but was so glad to get that done! First hubby cleared off his desk, then the next day I cleared off mine, and pulled out all the stuff that did not belong in there or that it was just time to let go of because of lack of use. I got the short rolling desk out, vacuumed and then put my new tall art desk in there. I’ve been working on the closet in there this week. Just fifteen minutes at a time I’m making good progress on it.

I also worked on the basement sorting the wedding stuff. Organizing it and simplifying that. Then I started on the craft room moving containers and plastic bins, loading donation in the truck. I got the truck ¼ of a full sized truck loaded with donations to go to the thrift shop. Last week hubby delivered and unloaded them for me that worked out great! The house is really starting to show some improvement. I’ve had to stop and rest my back it was a bit sore. Hauling boxes up the stairs and out side is great exercise.

It’s great to get these things out of here that have been in the way, I’ve been upgrading art and some of the pictures I took down it what’s been leaving.

Tonight I was able to use the office and the fish tank covered up the sci fi music noise of one of those monster squid movies he was watching and I could get a bit of reading done. I’m working on a new topical planner and collecting notes in it and have been able to just take a breath this afternoon get some down time to refocus my energy and regroup, it really helped.

I really enjoyed ice skating, mainly the ice dancing Olympics event.

Couples Get A Way Valentines Weekend

Last weekend we did a couples weekend get away, hubby went to the r.v. show. I got him a western D.V.D. Monty Walsh it was a hit and card and chocolate kisses. They had a hot tub but failed to say it was outside! Br-r we decided to pass on it! At the room, the train woke me up at least twice in the night. In the morning the fire alarm went off when we were cooking cont. breakfast waffles. hubby loved the excitement of that! Which reminds me of a time I took candles to a cabin we rented and they set off the alarm!

The next night we changed motels they had a basket ball team there and tub and pool were both full, but we had fun any way! I went shopping with some money hubby gave me to spend he was thinking I’d get a necklace or other piece of jewelry. But I went to the thrift shop and had a blast! I replenished my wardrobe in pants. =D {I’m down another size and highlight of my weekend was discovering that I needed smaller pants!} I was in dire need of everything! I also got a shelf and chopping surface for the stove in the kitchen and had a blast shopping!

Dinner out was great at one of our favorite places Red Lobster.

We had fun doing some fruit of the loom shopping at one of the mart stores near where we stayed one of our valentines’ traditions! I found a pink pilots suit case, and stool for my new tall art desk that just came last week I had that built.

New Art Desk

Today my tall art desk came I had to roll it out on the deck, it was freshly painted and the fumes got to me. The shelf is too low so we will have to move it up when I get a stool or chair I can sit at it with. The color is exactly the color of my table! =D

It’s neat, I ordered another piece of counter top for a shelf I wanted, and he will price out a support for some marbleized type of stuff for out door cooking bbq garden parties and the like.

And he said he could do counter tops! We need these done too! So I have two smaller portable ones and that will be a great place to start a bit at a time. So I’m excited about these new changes!

Grizzly Man

This weekend I watched the movie Grizzly Man, it was interesting and I loved the scenery in the shots the camera had some powerful footage of bears fighting, and a den of foxes he befriended it was enjoyable to see, to bad the bears saw to his demise.

Dear son was sad he missed it said he wanted to see this one and was going to tape it. I did not know he wanted to see it and just happened across it when I was flipping through some of my favorite channels.

Think Spring!

When I was at the eye dr. earlier this week the receptionist was saying how she had spring fever living in a higher elevation than we have. There is no sign of spring where she lives.

My daffodils are up four inches and snow drops are blooming, irises are up an inch or two already. My trees and roses are starting to put leaves on. Mild temps and sunny days have done their majac and the promise of spring is in the air around here. As I take my walks with my grand children we see the robins that have recently arrived is fun!

Wedding Date & New Glasses

My new glasses finally came in, today I’m getting the photo grey part to work the first few times it takes longer to change I walked to the corner to get out in the sun a bit this morning. The winds have kicked up here today so that makes it not as much fun.

Today I’ve been working on the basement here this week reclaiming some space, I have the rec. room that takes up half of the house 2/3 rds done, now. The toys have been rounded up and are in the toy zone. Dear son has a wedding date in a couple of weeks middle of the mo. no surprise for us, reception is still early June. Our motto is all plans are subject to change around here! I’ve been cleaning the basement clearing out the TV zone for super bowl Sunday.

Yesterday I did some outside stuff, moving a few items around, getting the wood out of the wheel borrow, dear son said he could use one I had that has a hold in it, and said he could weld it and fix it he used to be a welder. He asked what color it was I said it was rust colored! I put the wagons by his truck, one of them needs fixed too. He said he had a pile of rocks to move.

Moving Weekend:

Daughter in love has moved into the house they bought this weekend the house is full no room for dear sons stuff we got plenty of exercise moving boxes furniture, pruning some tree limbs, putting up dog fence and dear son has a new sink in the bathroom.

Next is the painting, window washing, and settling in phase. Dear son’s mother in law had window cleaner, and filing stuff to go in the freezer, the last thing to go in a fire learn some thing all the time. She could not get the windows open to clean them seemed it was not a priority for others.

I had to laugh each person seems to move in a different way. The first thing I do is to hang pictures if there are any nails up. Get the kitchen set up some what putting dishes where they will be going, and the bed up, or just sleep on the mattress on the floor when we have moved in the past.

I helped to get the cattle trailer unloaded, and then we cleaned off the dining room table, and moved holiday stuff in the basement and off the front porch. My mom used to do that she would start cleaning some thing instead of asking what needed to be done or if she could help. Caused me hurt feelings more than once as I remember.

Drawing Table

I’m so excited! The other day I saw a kiddie drawing table store someone had made. I made a comment about wanting some, for grand kids or me, the guy that made them called and I ordered one for me!

I wanted it to be tall so I can stand at it and draw it’s bar height. I've ordered mine with wheels on it! I love wheels makes moving things so much easier. I can clean under them and rearranging furniture is a breeze with furniture that has wheels.

I’m looking forward to using this new tall drawing table. I’ve been going all over the various locations I can put it and measuring to see if it will fit, so that will be fun, it could also be used for an out door bbq cart serving cooking table. Dear son was very interested in hearing about this too.

This may be an idea for holiday gifts for next year too. Nah lets just get out the saw horses and the ½ sheet of play wood! It’s more authentic and we even have some saw horses from the farm. Hubby is using his to hold up the small boat.

I found some at the thrift shop, they were newer and the guys looked at me like they thought I was nuts, when I said stop I need those, probably because we were in the car at the time! But the time first time they need a temporary work surface guess what they do, get out the saw horses. This also works great for sorting table when I’m doing the de-cluttering zone work too.

Coffee or Tea?

"I'll have tea hot."
I ordered some tea the other day and the waitress asked what kind it was, after she brought the selection and I asked for more hot water for another cup, the cinnamon smelled so good she said, it was spice tea. After she left while hubby was at the salad bar, this tea fragrance reminded me of several things and I pulled out my purse planner to jot down some notes while we waited for our meal to arrive.

This was a delight because I was doing one of those write down your goals and dreams exercises and I was drawing a blank because I’d been fighting off a cold and having a dry spell. Getting well was on the forefront of my mind. Then suddenly as if by magic these wonderful ideas started coming across my path. It seemed every where I turned were things I’d thought of at one time or other and forgotten about but had dreamed of.

Sitting by a cool mountain stream, sipping tea at a bed and breakfast, going to a prayer retreat, having fruit trees in the back yard, a trip to a far land where the trade route used to be. Seeing a luxurious tea plantation, wandering through some pines in the wood gathering mushrooms for dinner.

I found some great quotations and then I could get on to the next chapter in my dream planner this was a fun exercise for me! My thought processes were stimulated, my dreams have been vibrant these exercises are working!

Antique Mall

The other day we were at the antique mall, it was a date we both had our camo on after going out for lunch. I found the cutest china hutch in child size, and small tea cups and saucers. I was thinking how perfect it would be for a play house if ours was bigger.

While I was looking at that hubby had found some 8 x 10 black and white photos of John Wayne, James Dean, and other favorite movie stars of our childhood he was leafing through these binders of photos in them for sale.

I’ve been dreaming of having a gazebo in the back yard for quite some time so I’m going to have to go out and see if there is actually room for one or not with out taking a tree down! A friend said they sold their house, made an offer on one and it has no trees. I said I had a dwarf plum tree that we could transplant to their yard. She was excited about that!

Go Seahawks!

Go Seahawks!

We've been waiting a long time for this to happen around here!
With that and the 50* temps we had here yeasterday and
showing the snow drops in the yard to dear grand daughter,
and hearing about dear daughters fun skiing trip it was a great day here yesterday!

Winter Camping

I slept well in the camper last night, figure if were going to turn on the heat so it does not freeze we may as well sleep in it too! I slept well and late on purpose the sky lights were bright I just pulled the curtain across the bed room section and slept away. I've come inside to watch fishing shows, I can see out the window and walkers are out this morning br-r it's only 35* outside now and foggy.

I have been journaling about taking steps to get my dreams, I had two books I’m reading on this topic mentioned in earlier blogs. I'm putting this stuff in an old planner so I can do a section on these and then they will be put in a small note book on this topic. I like the note books with the clear fronts on them and I can put a cover on the front to easily identify them.

I started a light puple note book for spring on my stuff I have going, a new business one of the party plans, dear daughter got me in her group home decorating. I love to decorate and will be revamping the rooms son and grand kids were using so I’m rally excited about this. (Home and Garden Party.) I love dishes!!! Can’t wait to get my kit and completer kit! I've been in party plan home business stuff before make up but no up-line in my area so it was not supportive I'm excited to have "meetings" I've been missing that aspect of my life.

View From Here!

I have enjoyed seeing deer on my trip to town yesterday there were several on the hill five or six mule deer that live in the area hubby said he has been seeing them on his way to work each morning I guess deer have a schedule too!

I enjoyed seeing the Blue mountains in the distance as I took my walk yesterday, there was a squall I could see of a snow storm as I took my walk. I dropped a book by a friends house and was a bit envious of the view she has, then I realized we have a view too!

Last night I too a few minutes to look up and enjoy the stars and clouds, then a planed was coming in for a landing so I watched it land. It's good to stop and enjoy watching plans land. As I look out the window today the squirrels are scampering up and down the tree in the front yard! Leave room in your garden for children to dance. Is a sign on a plaque I’m going to put out in March! I can’t wait.

Hubby and I slept well in the camper last night it's close quarters but we enjoy the break in our regular routine. Even thou we were the only ones home it's fun for us to "pretend camp"! I'm getting excited about the camping season I got a new swimming suit yesterday to wear boating, fishing, and at the beach, even in the back yard while mow, have granny duty and I read my new Debbie Macomber novels. Speaking of books I found a SARK book at the thrift shop I'm excited about this one Make Your Creative Dreams Real.

I’m having a moment of bliss today I’m the only one here this morning I get the remote it’s on fishing show bass tourney, and I can read, journal, and get the pc not having to share the line with dear son.

The Excitement of the Day

A back hoe on a trailer went by and ripped off the cable going across the street right in the middle of Oprah and my news fix so needless to say the cable was out. I was not happy.

I tried to call the cable co. and they were not in the phone book so had to get the number off the bill. I called them just before they closed and the guy showed up right away to start the repairs it was dusk when the began. Then two more repair men came and they had orange cones in the street and flashing lights on the trucks and one of the guys was on one end of the line and the other one was on the other end of it and the third one was fetching tools and supervising. They had it up and going in one hour and forty five min. I was very impressed.

Earlier in the day I was out in our yard after my walk no rain today it was 44* and saw my snow drops blooming. I dropped a book that I was done with by a friends house she was excited about a new read, I have another one to take over today her eyes lit up when I told here about the next one I found on one of my excursions to thrift shops or yard sales she said she had not been able to find it.

I was happy with I found my wool cards and have a basket of wool carded up to spin on my drop spindle. I have two balls of yarn spun up.

Hidden Blessings

My wool carders have been hiding from me. This has actually been a blessing for me because I’ve been able to dig around in my closets, cupboards and drawers and found some surprises I was surprised to find a couple of drawers that were empty from hiding gifts. So I can put those back in to use now.

I found some boxes that were for wrapping gifts that we not needed so I took those out and that made more room, and while I was at it I took the tree down and put it away in to the storage room. Since I was in the their and noticed the lights from the rail on the front of the house were still out so I put them away too.

After I got the tree down there was a bare spot so headed back to the basement and brought up the new shabby sheik chair and a small decorative table and brought those up, I moved the vase with styrofoam balls and yellow lights in it on a tray on it.

I noticed hubby brought the last of his snack mix and traded for the one in the cupboard, last week he got of with the chocolates! So I measured out our quota for the day and it’s in the decorative tin he has for the snacks for his lunch. Every one knows around here the goodies are in the tins! Even the youngest of the grand kids, my granny had a cookie jar but I use tins! They don’t break and are very portable.

While I was looking for those elusive wool cards I ran across a painting I had forgotten about, I painted this still life of a cup and pen, I put it above the chair we call “the throne” a big over stuffed chair a favorite place for reading here. So I hung it back up there. It was there before the holidays, I found another one and got it back up filling in the holes left from taking down the holiday pieces.

Rain?

Rain, rain what rain? We have snow all around us, heavy winter storm warnings North of us around North of Spokane where hubby hauls chips, some roads have been washed out with the flooding rains we had last week.

Yesterday I got the lace coverings off side table by the couch and a cloth I hemmed last year with ginger bread print on the cart these will be washed the ginger bread house print will needed to be put back into storage. Hubby helped me to get the lights off the front step rail he held the candy cane lights and took them to the basement as I undead the tangle of lights, then I got the ones down from around the front door and took the rest of the string of lights to the basement.

Dear daughter said half of the small congregation was gone Sun. and the ones that were there were coughing, dear son said the attendance was down at the church he goes to illness and play off weekend effected turnout. Today would have been a good day to use my red white and blue lights for the winter tree! We are excited about the Seattle Seahawks doing well this year.

I did a bit of reading today started a new novel about winter, it was too cold too venture out for a walk. The kids and grand kids are out shopping they were hoping for dinner at the food bar at Costco dear grad daughter was hoping to get her glasses adjusted. The Herby movie was good entertainment for this afternoon. Grand kids kept coming up stairs for a pillow run and we had pajama day around here. That is always a hit.

They got a new lighted globe lamp and it took a week before they took it apart, took me a few minutes to get it put back together, when I bought hubby a flash light for his belt the other day and the first thing he did was to take it apart!!!

I got some knitting done today too.

Out Doors

I'm watching a summer segment of a cooking show, I am glad to see the green of summer and it reminds me of the fun things we can do outside entertaining and having a garden wedding like ours was. Kids are considering a reception at their new home this June.

When I was mowing at the farm under one of the trees I found some used red bricks and I've been trying to think of that I can use these for, I have some sand stone colored ones here already. I see a planter that is in the back ground of this show the bricks would be great for that, and a bbq counter support. Last summer the grand kids loved helping me to move the bricks and put them under the play house to keep neighborhood cats out.

We furnished the play house with small kiddie wooden fridge, tables, cabinets, and cupboards. Dear grand daughters are trying to get it over to the new place when they move! I'm agreeable to that if they build me a new place for a potting shed that is wider 8' instead of 4' like the current one.

Leaning up against the play house is a screen door we have used for fun craft projects and now I'm looking for a better place to put it a friend said she used a door from the art show I painted at the church for the back yard so I'm going to see about using this screen door like a gate to the back yard!

Neighbors

The neighbors across the street and that house is on the market again, all the neighbors claim it's got a curse on it because people move in married and happy, split and move out. Down the street a guy has a boat rather two boats and hubby is a wee bit envious because that guy is on the water fishing more than he is. Up the street the guy had show dogs or bird dogs and trains them to fetch in the field.

Others are older with ailments such as kidney transplant not once but twice and a yard unkept in the back, on the other side he has emphysema and failing health and she used to keep a perfect yard now they've hired it out to be done.

Behind us a guy drives a Harley to work, they've gone to Sturgis S.D. on several occasions and say that three days of it was all they could stand at one time. On the other side in the back the gal works in a tax office and saved us a bunch on taxes. Down the street and down the lane behind the road in front of our house I worked with these folk's son in the parts department eons ago, he is now the mgr. of the service dept. at another auto dealership. Up the street and half way around the loop a guy lives with his wife friends he drives truck and used to work with hubby.

Wet Feet

We’ve had rain off and on yesterday, I got my feet wet today, it was dry when for I left for town, I knew rain was in the forecast, I remembered to get a coat but forgot to get on dryer shoes tennis shoes did not stay dry. I stepped in to a mud puddle packing a T.V. stand to the truck I got at the thrift shop to paint. This is for a project to learn how to do some ceramic mosaic tiling. This is be SO exciting! This has been a goal of mine for a while to learn this. I've been gathering up some ceramic plates to brake and use for this project. It's sanded for a shabby sheik look now.

Dear son came by with the new to him mini van he got today and I jumped when he came in the house it's so quiet I did not even hear him drive up, I got to go on a test drive, we had fun drove by the house he is moving to and the one he was helping to work on for his sister and brother in law over the Christmas break. I got the ‘grand tour’ and it looks different with the walls studded in and the shower stalls in you can tell which rooms will be the bath room, great room, etc. covered patio for year round bbq’s! Vaulted ceilings, the windows are cut out and the deck has the wood on it now and two of the windows are in the back. I got to see the pieces that he welded up for the supports on the deck too.

Dear son had to get an external drive for his note book pc to use for the pics he’s been taking with his digital camera. More stuff came for it today.

I got some p.j. bottoms that need hemmed and hubby claimed those. I can’t wait to get busy in the sewing room. I got some polished rocks for dear grand son to use for ‘counting rocks’! Cobbler aprons with hearts on them will be for dear grand daughters to cook with in their new kitchen after they move. I found a whistle to use for granny camp! It has eye balls on it and is guaranteed to drive parents batty! {Just kidding!}

I got a great idea for the basket for Valentines day a romance novel to go in the basket or bucket.

Template and Birds

Template:
There was a comment on my blog about the light house back ground. I found it in the settings on the dash board look under your blog name where it says template, click pick new. You can click there and find ones you like. I found it when I was fishing around one day. They had quite a selection to choose from that changes from time to time so if you have a blog that's my challenge to you. Find out what bells and whistles it can do, tweak it a bit and have some fun, update your profile with your new interests and goals, creative pursuits, dreams for this year. What you like to do in solitude time, gratitude list or what ever you choose.

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Birds:
I'm waiting the return of the song birds this year
I've been missing hearing their songs,
they should be arriving some time soon in 2-4 weeks.
Don't forget to feed the birds,
I put out some popcorn for them this week.

Deer

Last weekend on the way to the birthday party I was whining to dear hubby about how I know there are deer on the hill on the way and I never get to see them when I looked out the window and down in the canyon and there were four deer right there for me to see. He had just seen four up on the hill on the Wa. side of the river and I missed seeing them. So it made my day when later in the week I saw them bedded down there it's right across from the water park.

I've been thinking about going to the water park for the 80* temps indoors with grand kids.

I finished reading a novel I’ve had going since Sept. I discovered it’s to be continued next Sept.

Favorite Gagets

At the dollar store yesterday I got some unfinished picture frames you paint or decorate your own, this will be a fun project to do. Thinking I could do them up for the grand girls pictures. I asked the elder dear grand daughter what color she wanted her room she said she and her sister needed to agree on the color because they would be sharing the room! It made me laugh out loud.

I loaded a writing bag it has the latest book I’m reading on writing called The Practical Writer, a journal, sketch book, and zip pouch for pens, clip on eraser, and sharpener I found at the grocery store that can be hung on a back pack. They are my new favorite gadgets. It’s black, hard to see if it’s on the floor at night, with the hook on this pack it can be hung up and makes it handy and prevents tripping over it in the middle of the night.

I’ve loaded one of those bags for make up you can use while traveling, this one has a hook on it too for hanging it up. These can also be loaded up with craft supplies. For example if you do needle point you can put your scissors, thread, pattern and canvas in the zippered pouches. I've seen these used a spinning and weaving guild meetings. I like to set these up with my projects.

I have one for made up for sketching too, colored pens and pencils, smaller sketch book, eraser, pencil, brushes, zip loc type baggie. This one has a needle point type design on the out side to go with luggage or purse.

Front Yard Fishing

You might be from a techie generation if you call you son on the cell phone to tell him you are off the net. and it's his turn to use the net!

This past weekend we were checking out my new pole after getting line on it we took it out with a weight on it and I did the first cast in the road to see how it worked it worked fine for me. So hubby had to give it a try. I had to laugh because when he did it he did not look up to see where the tree branches were and you guessed it he got the line caught in the tree before we even got it to the river! This is too funny a couple of grown ups trying out a fishing pole in the street in front of the house acting like a couple of kids. We could not see the distance because the weight was the same color as the road so today I painted it red!

I had to get out I had to get out of the house was glad that was only a half day yesterday. Dear grand son pulled a new stunt did not go up stairs to use the toilet for #2, left jeans and under drawer on the floor beside his “duty” we knew the week had to go up from this point! After cleaning that up I had to get out of the house. God made kids non returnable for a reason! LOL! Granny's have special returnable privilages on some days! I'm just glad it was a short day and things will be looking now! That had to be one of the low points!

I'm feeling better and had a great time doing errands and getting out just me was exactly what I needed! I found a African caftan at the thrift shop for costume night, and a small ceramic jar, a new purse unused, I found a travel kit one of those things you hang on the hook on the door that holds toiletries for when you are traveling, I'm thinking I can put my art stuff in it.

I got a couple of books one is by M. Scott Peck in Search of Stones. One book about dyslexia, an Uncommon gift by James S. Evans the first two chapters was good, then I had a heck of a time finding it after I set it down it was under my new planner which was bigger and I looked for 45 min. for it by that time I was out of the mood to read. LOL!

I found a coffee cup that goes with the theme of my kitchen it looks like a French coffee shop and has espresso and latte's sign on cafe' doors I love it! Speaking of art I had drawn a picture I wanted to color in with my create a color art pencils, and I had a blast using them today.

Point of Interest: Dear grand daughter found the missing shoe she was looking for, today she is wearing them!

The Magic Shoe!

Today I had great success at the thrift shop.I found the cutest light switch plate cover with an old button up shoe, pearls, a hat and a mirror on it. So cute I put it on as soon as I got home. It’s in the dgds room when they are move out that room will be my creativity room. I found a pattern for shoes for balloons, in a book I got there too and we made balloon people over the weekend, this was a blast! We have lost one of the shoes for dear grand daughter a with care bears on them. So we've been looking for it for the past few days with out success.

Dear hubby has been wearing his fish slippers whining about not being able to have nice weather on the weekends to go boating with. I still need to get fishing line on the new real on my new fishing pole I got for Christmas. I’ve graduated from small fish to med. sized fish and need to get 15 lb. test line on it. One time we were fishing and the only thing we caught was an old shoe! LOL!

I also found a shabby sheik bowl to hold fruits to paint for still life painting. Dear grandson found toy cars and motor cycles for him and his cousins to play with. I got some gold lame fabric pieces and tassels this will be great for gift bags or tying up gift with. An art book for dear grand daughters to do some fun art craft projects with.

A canister for oatmeal in the kitchen. Some pots for plants. First I’ll be painting on those, and a red table cloth, some dolls for dear grand daughters, play money, and a sketch book, I need to get that wrapped up.

Earlier in the week I found a purple velvet box for a God box, or to put writing prompts in, I also found a canister that’s got roses, I’m going to use this one for my prayer jar. I got a sports bag for dear son and a big platter for him to use for the meat for the wedding reception. They are getting ready to move and we have been collecting boxes.

I’m excited because I’m going to be getting my sewing / craft room back. Speaking of crafts I’m working on shelf making it look like a shabby sheik one I had to go to the store from some courser sand paper.

Things are pretty much on track for me here with undecorating and getting back on track with routines and stuff. I’ve been ill and had to take it easy less work of granny duty. The warmer weather is great for doing some stuff outside like walking. Birthday party at the bowling alley was a hit and they said they will be doing that again!

Sunlight

The other day while I was sipping my morning coffee. I stood at the window as the sun was shining after it had rained in the night. I could see a few droplets on the apple tree in the back yard, shining like diamonds reflecting the sun light.

I was delighted to see this after the news last week from my eye dr. appointment of having cataracts and eminent surgery in 15-20 years, and the pressure test was up in both eyes, but still in the normal range but high, my mind was a tail spin of thoughts.

Today things have settled down a bit I took a few minutes to take in the sunrise and appreciate the colors of pink and golden rays of sun as they crept up over the eastern sky this morning and I breathed a prayer of gratitude for my sight!

Miners Tribute:

Miners tribute:

Standing at the edge of darkness,
time stood still for an instant,
we prayed,
the vigil through the days
and night for families of the miners went through
the loneness with an ache of one more night,
they long for one last hug,
one last dance,
a final kiss,
a wave good bye
the hopes and dreams were pulled up by the roots
and flew away
like a lost balloon
we looked heaven ward for answers,
just in time to see an eagle soar overhead
with a whoosh of angels wings
the Holy Spirit swept in to our hearts and
just like spring rain in the mountains,
rinsed clean away the fog of doubts, facing the worst of our fears,
we rant to the knee of God with hearts broken
souls torn apart with grief stood waiting
the news casters came and went
with reports good and then bad.
So sad the miners leaving earth this day and
on to heaven war they say,
but why do they leave behind such a whole in my heart his day?
So now it’s time to saygood bye
except for the only lone survivor.

It's Balloon Time!

It's ballon time here today, daughter-in-love to be and dear son are blew up balloons for dear grand daughter's birthday! She got up to balloons all over on the floor in her room this morning! It's a delight for them, and a special tradition that started last year. The cinnamon rolls done now for the birthday gal for breakfast today. Last night we had family dinner with candles. The party is this weekend at a bowling alley.

The Sharing Apple

The Sharing Apple!

Dear Grand daughters say the cutest things! #1 dear grand daughter said I’m taking this apple, the other one is a sharing apple. One of them picked out a big green granny smith apple and it’s big enough to share! So we are calling it our sharing apple. Maybe we need to save this one for the teacher!

She said if I was young enough to go to school, you would have to say home for a sick day! The sitter had to help put on a necklace for one of the girls she has younger eyes than I do! They both are back in school today. Dear son is not in school until later on in the month. He goes back the day after the holiday day this month.

Magic Mirror

The dear grand daughters also known as the little rascals! Have found a new way to play and create, they have been playing with the new vanity, I found come crayon marks on it, their dad said he hid the permanent markers, because they drew on his TV too! Needless to say that was not quite the use I had in mind when I got the vanity for them for Christmas.
Today the got a magic mirror that makes a tinkling sound at the $1.oo store to go with it.

Freeze Out Ride

I remember one year for new years the guys went on a motor cycle ride. Then they came home and we had yummy snacks finger food and hot drinks here. This was one of our more memorable New Year's Day events. This year we're recouping from a colds and flu here, resting lounging around the house and enjoying a peaceful day.

What Are You Really Seeing Anyway?

What are you really seeing?

Q. How do you tell it's time for new glasses?
A. You are using the bi focal part for tv viewing and other regular seeing!

I have realized I've not been seeing as much as I need to be seeing like I need a weed wacker to shave my legs who wears glasses in the tub or shower any way? LOL!There is dust every where and if it's not dust it's dirt! Those web sights that were driving me nuts with small 6 point print, hum... maybe it was me after all! Time for me to get my arse into the eye dr. I've been able to get in a spot that was cancelled this week. In the mean time I've been able to use some of the over the counter glasses I got for readers. I had forgotten about them. Welcome to my large print blog!

I walked 2.5 mi. yesterday it was after dark when I got home, .5 mi. today in 50* temps so far, more walking to come in this nice sunny spring like weather they missed this forcast snow not!!! I"m counting sweeping and mopping as part of my exerise too. lost a couple of pounds. I'm feeling better now cold pills are working yea!

Enough about me other interesting happenings here:
Dear son cracked his head on a shelf and now has an arrow shaped wound on his head with five stitches in it! Ouch! They got the house moving date for the end of Jan. time to get boxes so they can start packing.

Dear daughter called and will be traveling home with her family, her father in law who has had heart bypass surgery is doing fine walking 10 min. twice daily now. They were a little cooped up in a small apt. so she was able to get away to visit a friend over night with no guys allowed!

Hubby may have to work on Sat. and on Mon. too has to work on Mon. so do I!

I made crab dip no one else here much likes it but oh well if we have a party to attend they won't complain if I take it!

Christmas Break Fun

Ginger Bread house
This morning we did the ginger bread house the grand daughters did not want to do it at day care they wanted to do it here so I caved and got the stuff out and mixed up the mix, today I learned that the kit could be frozen for a later date from a friend on a message board but I'm so glad we did it here because I could see the results and the grand daughters had SO much fun with this they were in grand kid bliss! Gave me big hugs for helping this to get done, we had to use full soda pop cans to help hold the roof on until it was dry! Got that tip from the food network only they used water bottles but our water bottles were gone and I had just gotten some soda.

Movies
This afternoon we had movie time and watched videos and movies it was pouring down rain outside for most of the day. Our son came home early from work after getting soaked and enjoyed some time with his girls.
First we watched a glacier natl. park video and we got on one of our motor cycle trips through there and then we saw the movie Madagascar, I had gotten the grand kids for Christmas we finally found it behind the couch! They had seen this movie before, but I had not. Guess what? It's time for popcorn now!

Music
I got a box in the mail today I’ve been waiting on it and I’m listening to my new music guitar winterlude and it’s very nice. I got 9 others too I have the cd player loaded with new one to hear in the morning. This is like my 4th winterlude I’ve gotten in years past: I had piano, sax, and a mix, I got a new bells one and have the nut cracker, some of them I’ve not even opened yet like big band sounds will be fun too. I love Christmas music.

Book
I got a book too Cleaning up the clutter by Emilie Barnes this on has quite a large selection on cooking tips and the last half of the book in meal prep. cooking and recipes. I got an angel tote bag for knitting, crafts or books too. Tonight I finished up a baby blanket and have yarn for one more to knit up in lavender.

After Christmas Happenings

Yesterday hubby was home he had the day off. I am still waiting on one package to come. The trash out for trash day, and I worked on getting the living room and dining room reclaimed from boxes, gift wrap papers, etc. and I helped dear grand daughters clean out their room to make room for the new stuff we hung up clothes and made room for the new kiddie size vanity. I have been undecorating swapping out decorations taking down the red and green ones, and the decorations are off the tree, I’ve packed away the biggest nativity set, and it is back in storage only two more to go. Making new arrangements in spring colors is great therapy.

Dear son is working on the house for his dear sis and son in law this week, they got decking yesterday and were unloading it when we were over there. I went on a walk around the block it was great between rain showers that was my 2nd walk. Then dear hubby and I went to the indoor play ground at McDonald’s for lunch with the dear grand daughters it was great to get out of the house.

Dear daughter and her hubby and their son are with his dad as he recoups from heart surgery he is out of the hospital now, can’t drive much or be in the car for more than one hour at a time.

My mom called and dear sis and her hubby ran in to some trouble in their cross country move pulling a camp trailer loaded down with stuff, and she was driving the car with one of the dogs, he was driving the truck there was a patch of ice … the short version is they are okay and the dogs are okay, and their car and truck is are okay but …their camper is no more. They lost a couple of days dealing with that. The two truck family fed them Christmas dinner. We are grateful they are okay and for the kindness of strangers. They are going to his uncle's and take a couple of days to rest and regroup before heading out on the last leg of thier move.

Christmas Eve

Yesterday I was able to get a gift certificate at the home depot that dear son wanted for Christmas, he has a Jan. birthday and will be celebrating that and his daughters bday too. I used the gift certificate at the grocery store yesterday and it was slammed wall to wall people in the store, the parking lot was full too. I was sure glad when that was done! It was hard to find stuff because I do not know where stuff was I do no usually shop at this store. I got new years food cheese balls, dips, stuff like that, and bath salts!

I had great luck at the thrift store yesterday and got some more pink silk flowers for wedding decorations, and I found some pink bows half off, and a lovely gold beaded Christmas stocking half off too. I got a Thomas Kincade journal for me to draw in it had some of the pages gone but I can use the rest of these, and a planner for my Home and Garden party stuff.

I have been filling spice jars with layers of blue and white bath salts. Dear son burned some cd’s for his granny and aunt of the girls and events we have done this year they will enjoy that. Today hubby and I took a walk, he cleared off his desk and is working in there. I put up a different curtain in the rec. room. We did not make the Pizza in the Christmas tree pan yet so we may do that in a bit. Christmas eve service is in our plans for tonight.

Tonight the dear grand daughters will open one gift here and the rest in the morning.

Down Time

Today I was able to get some time to after doing Christmas dinner last night it was a success. We had rain today and it was 47* they are making progress on the house the sheeting is done on the roof, son in law had to work with a harness for an hour on part of it today. Dear son is helping now that school is out for him too. Dear daughter said the roofing has been delivered.

Dear son is really excited about the house and building on one too, he got a book from home depot on fix–it up projects and wants his gift certificate from there.

Hubby said that it was a pretty windy day driving, I was up late last night cleaning up after Christmas dinner and up again early to see dear sis off. This was a pretty normal day here, got the house reclaimed and back in shape had granny duty and did an errand & car pool today delivered three more gifts that were bagged up. One was of rain deer food also known as home made granola, dear grand daughter was going to make a card, but did not know how to draw a reindeer, I said it’s like a big dog with horns, when I told hubby this he laughed!

I got some baby blankets I’ve knitted up bagged up in fabric gift bags these will be for the pregnancy care center, after the first of the year, I have at least one more to do yet it’s about half done at this point.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Dance of the sugar plum fairy and other scenes happened tonight the school program dear grand daughter was in tonight was delightful.

Christmas dinner is here tomorrow, will be Ham 'n' fixins I’ve ask dear daughter to bring the long table back again she sort of groaned some thing about scrap booking spread all over it, but we won’t fit at the other table. I have a Christmas table cloth for the long one too! Dear daughter and family will be gone dear sis will be here so this will work, except hubby having to work all but the weekend is the only draw back.

So the morning will be full with cleaning and some dinner prep. a bit of car pool cooking and granny duty early release with school will be out so some one will need to be here around noon or so. Schwans guy will be here too in case I need anything!

Dear grand son will be gone for a week over Christmas so I’ll not have granny duty. Hubby is not off work like some years when he took the week between Christmas and New Years for a week of vacation. Today I enjoyed reading in an art book I’ve had here on the shelf for a while and I enjoyed getting in to it it has some great ideas for some new art and painting project for next year. I'm looking forward to more of that.

December Camping Anyone?

Last night we slept in the camper it was 10* outside when I got up this morning, I can’t believe how much fun it was and restful sleeping in the camper is this time of year. I sat up in bed and read a chapter and took notes on a book I’m reading before I went to bed. Dear sis will be here with her camper mid week and stay in it. It is supposed to be warming up soon and snow here.

I just finished watching Lord of Rings series of movies, I’ve never read the books, or seen the movies so this was enthralling for me. The horses and riders were fascinating. I’m not big on Christmas movies because I hate repeats so I thought I’d rest and treat myself to watching this series instead. It was a great treat for me. I like more traditional sci. fi. stuff like star trek.

This afternoon I helped hubby move his gift in a cabinet, he worked on organizing the storage area to get a spot for that. I moved a desk, and put a shelf on it for my finds in the rec. room. And I got some gifts bagged up and under the tree that I had wrapped and stashed. It was great to do bagged up my toaster oven in a fabric gift bag I made in the past doing this while the kids and grandkids were gone this weekend worked really well. Now we have a bit more room in the closet and storage room. I have gift bags of stocking stuffers that will be put out later.

Mac n Cheese Pans To Go Please!

When hubby was at a mart store today and called I remembered I needed a mac 'n' cheese pan, I had to measure how much water I needed it to hold. I got a spare to share more on that later after the holidays! ;D

Then he headed to the sporting goods dept. to get a fishing reel for my new catfish pole, he said he is gong to have to look for one for him too. It's the middle weight pole he likes, I was the only one that broke a pole with a "fish on" last summer! He will have to borrow mine, the only problem with it is that it does not break down to fit in the car very well we will have to take the truck. They have put some picnic tables, and benches along the bike path / berry patch so we will have to go and check them out when the warmer temps come. At 23* it feels like summer today, it was supposed to be 8* but did not get that low last night we have sun and better air quality today yea! Camper is drained but still keeping heat in it until we get it antifreezed have to get special stuff from the home camp n cabin store!

I'm SO glad we did not get a cabin, several friends had theirs in the forest fire last summer, one couple lost all and snowmobiles etc., another couple lost the out building. The camper works fine and I'm erasing "get cabin" off the goals things to do someday list.

This morning I thought we had raindeer on the roof but no it was just the squirrels playing! It looked like Santa’s work shop here we had a kiddie vanity on the dininig table, we were working on it tightening up a few bolts on the mirror frame before we hid it. Hubby said it's better than some full sized things he's seen built now days with the particle board backing they use. Hubby said I was a wise woman for getting my shopping done early so I did not have to fight the crowds today this afternoon it was nuts over town.

I returned a library book and went by the house dear daughter and son in law are building they were putting sheeting on the roof. It was good to drive around for a break.

Getting My Life Back!

Getting my life back I just can’t even put in to words how excited I am about getting my life back; as the grand kids move out. I have so much joy! I will be having more time in the beginning and end of the day for me to write, journal, read, paint, play in the craft room, enjoy my friends going to ladies Bible studies, spinning and weaving guild meetings. Redoing a room is a thing I always enjoy! The room the girls are in was my creativity room, hubby got the office / den invaded with my desk, there is barely room to breathe in it, and a fish tank. Moving is great exercise!

There is a shed I can have a place to put my new lawn mower, and the carport will have things gone that are stacked up behind the boat. The play house was build with the idea of a potting shed for my gardening stuff in it eventually too. I’m wondering how the roses I put in last summer are doing in the cold snap we are having now. So the new year holds lots of possibilities and potential for me too.

100 Year Old House

One hundred year old house.

Daughter in love found a house and fell in love with it they put an offer on it and the offer has been accepted, now the have the inspection on Mon. dear son can be there if he wants to be and will be able to ask questions. The house reminds me of the one at the farm. Both hubby and I grew up in one hundred year old houses for at least part of our child hood.

From the front porch you can look out and see the pasture nearby, this makes it great to have live stock around for the country feel, friends that live across the way give a country atmosphere to this town. Black Walnut trees tower over the place giving shade in the summer, we saw the picture of the lawn green and the sun porch is a real plus for entertaining and having a summer bar b que! Off the kitchen in the rear of the house the back porch has been enclosed with glass and can be a garden room and, we can just visualize a reading there. The dear grand daughters are asking what room will be theirs. Everyone is excited about this move! Hubby and I will get the tool room, shop and craft room back.

I think I’m getting the itch to get back out in the garden, I saw leaves to rake there I’m sure they will let me do that! The trees are black walnuts with the hard shells, not English kind, they are a little like walking on golf balls. I wonder what kind of craft project we can do with them? We can't eat ‘em as we are allergic.

Back from the reading zone!

The library called yesterday I’ve been in the reading zone, one of Oprah’s book club books I think this book was written by a dyslic, seems I remember them talking about it on the show, I put in for this book last fall some time I’d totally forgotten about this one, I do not like O book club books and this one it true to form so I can’t recommend it because of the language. Skip this one. A guy in rehab dealing with addictions. A million little pieces by James Frey.

I got The Carousel by Richard Paul Evans I’ve read a couple of his other ones and really enjoyed them. This one has been on my wish list for a while so I was excited to find it at the libraray yesterday.

I have a Christmas Treasury Chicken soup for the soul book to read too. I've had this one on the shelf and remembered I had it so got it out to read. I'm so glad I have the holiday stuff done so I can realax. I really need this down time! I have Chicken Soup for the Gardeners Soul half read makes me cry each time I pick it up, there are so many touching stories in it.

Yum Smells Great Here Today!

Today I’ve been doing daily maintenance here, the morning jog around the house indoor spiffing and tidying up as I go doing a room by room more walkers are out now that we are adjusting to colder temps here it’s in the 20’s here 26* this morning.

We are getting some great morning routines here one dear grand daughter picks up the room on Mon. they other one on Tues. this seems to be working out quite well and they don’t get side tracked as much fighting or playing, I helped making with the top bunk, then went in to our room and got the bed made picked up the stuff off the floor and spiffed up the counter by the coffee maker.

We had the trophy bass I caught for dinner last night trying to make some room in the freezer. Dear grand daughter came up from the basement wanting to know what smelled so good she had a dreamy look in her eyes she knew grandmy was up to some thing good! This morning I’ve been making up a cobbler in a tree shaped pan with some of the fruit I had in the freezer some berries and apples we picked and prepared will be a yummy treat for family dinner tonight. We like to remember the fun outings we had gathering these things berry picking is always more fun in the winter because we tend to forget about the bees and thorns and grandkids only remember the fun they had riding bikes and skate boards on the bike path.

Just remembered we still have a ginger bread house to “build” maybe during the Christmas break we can do that when the kids are out of school.

Making Jan. Plans!

It has been quite a weekend here. the kids are working on homes, dear daughter and her hubby worked on getting the sheeting one on the vaulted ceiling of their house. Dear son and his wife to be invited us to see the place they are considering getting. I got the tree up and most of the gifts wrapped, bags of things for the stocking are stuffed.

Today I have been watching grand kids they have been raiding the cookie jar! I got a call in for an order of a book and couple things I wanted this morning. One box of things for to go has left the house and that was great to get done. I’m thinking of the new things for the new years and how we can make that special for us. I got another Christmas card today from mom it was good to get news, now I need to get a letter off to her.
Dear son in law's dad will be having the dye test they do before angeoplasy so that’s going on our prayer list.

Family dinner will not be tonight, dear son has a big test, it’s finals week. We will have it tomorrow, chicken is on the menu.

We are making Jan. plans here!
I’ve started another knitting project, it’s soothing for me and I need that right now, I’m doing a baby blanket white pink and blue I may add green later.

Dear grand daughter is clamoring for a baby doll blanket, she has a birthday in early so that’s a definite possibility! We have three early Jan. birthday’s so we’ll be working on some gifts for those.

On the list is possibility of a wedding being moved up, kids and grand kids moving. I’m starting to think of the things to do with gardening bulbs planting and all of that fun playing in the dirt stuff.

Luncheon Plans Foiled

I was intending to go to a ladies Luncheon at a church we used to attend to see my friends they have it quarterly I totally forgot about it. Sigh oh well lunch with hubby at one of our favorite places today was excellent we lingered watching the birds walk on the frozen river dessert was good too then we did a bit of shopping did not buy anything but I found some furniture I’d
love to have. But I did see a friend at the store that was nice.

On the way to lunch we stopped by to see the place dear son and daughter in love told us they were looking at across the street from the friend I saw at the store. And on the way home we looked at the trusses that are up and inplace at dear daughters place.

I’ve been playing musical chairs to get a spot for the tree to go, and vacuumed the living room picked up the kitchen a bit to get ready to get for cookie baking tonight, jam thumbprints and chocolate chip cookies. Mean while waiting on the girls to get here to help to decorate the tree tonight after I get it up, they said to be sure and wait to decorate it the for sure wanted to help with that. Dear son is working on a group presentation dear grand daughters had back packs full of games coloring stuff home and books to read they were excited to get to go to the library with their dad.

He will be working on his truck which has sprung two fuel leaks this week, both of his rigs are out of commission now. Looks like we need to wait on getting high speed internet.

Son in law got the snow blower going. Weather has warmed up a bit and it was melting down town up where we live it was not melting however. The sunset is aglow with glorious pinky gold color tonight!

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.