Getting Back Your Edge

Have Lost your edge? Your cutting edge ? Wondering how to get it back?

I’ve been reading a book that had a chapter on this topic in one of the chapters it’s been very effective for me and I have been taking a lot of notes on this and the jest of the answer of this book prayer that works by Jill Briscoe is that we go to God and show him where we lost our edge and he helps us to get it back! The other chapter was on going to the mountain to hear from God the reference was Moses in the dessert. Listening to God was a key and going back to where you lost your egde was the other key.

I found this book at a yard sale this weekend and it was so timely because last week I was like really stuck in my prayer life, it seemed like the wheels had come off my prayer wagon and this book helped me to get it going again.

Have you ever had a day time that where you were over whelmed not getting your way and just wanted to stomp your foot and go off in a huff and just have a pity party? That’s about where I was mid week last week. I suppose that was where I lost my edge. It just was not one of my finer moments.

Then this weekend hubby and I had a few chest bumping moments our egos were getting in the way and we were not listening to each other. We had to laugh at ourselves and by the end of the weekend things were good again. Him getting me a new cabinet did not hurt any. I learned something too tile floors in front of a fridge can break, part of my rant was we needed some home fixes here, new flooring is on the list. So I’m rethinking what I even want now.

He got a new mountain bike and we went on a couple of short rides together, after he got the goo in the tires to keep the puncture weeds out. These pedal bike rides are great for stress relief! ubby was not getting his way either ATV woes, and his cargo trailer has not arrived plus it rained and was windy we did not get the yard work done.

I was lucky enough to find some pansies and another tomato plant the truck had just came when we were over town and I asked if they brought any pansies, the guy showed me where they were. I’d already been to several other stores with out any success pansies were in short supply around here! Gardening season is on. So on my list tomorrow is going to be planting pansies and the other tomato plant I got. Then we went to a new favorite cafe' not far from our house.

Fast

I have been in an emotional morass of yucky feelings frustration quickly moved to anger it took me a while to get to the bottom of what was going on jealously, illness, allergies, stress and exhaustion were a few of the things I factored in to my bad mood. Yard work and life stressors had taken their toll, some time out side on the swing watching the grass grow did not hurt either.

What I had to do was to just had to schedule some time for me some down time, to rest regroup, I went on my art date and got shopping therapy and two novels later I’m in a much better place now!

I needed to clear a spot to work and grabbed a pen and started writing five pages later I had my entry, no longer blocked the words began to flow. Now I had something to write in my spiritual journal. I’d felt like I was coasting things were good and it was easy to skip writing in that one. But when a challenge faced me I knew I was growing and needed to get the process down an important step in the process of growth for me.

I can count this success from fasting I’d been giving up morning newscasts for a fast, and on an involuntary computer fast the net was not working my wireless router and modem were too close together and not working for a few days. That will do it for me give me time to investigate what’s going on internally for me sort and process emotions swirling around inside my head and heart. I sorted things out on my morning prayer walks and the physical activity helped me to feel like I was actually getting some where as I ventured through this process.

Have You Lost Weight?

I question I get a lot these days is "have you lost weight"? Well yes as a matter of fact I have, I've lost 50 pounds, I'm with in 11 pounds of my goal yippie! It has taken me a while, a couple of years, but now people really noticing and they are starting to ask me how I did it. [The sugar free Jell-o I took to the b.b.q. was a hit!] We had a great time talking about healthier ways of eating and living at the bbq and it was good to know others were on the same page.

Yesterday after my walk I reclaimed the dining room, dumped the trash again, the laundry is not current and we went boating, we had a fun safe time dodging an occasional log floating down stream from the spring run off. On the way home I did some shopping to get food for a b.b.q. at dear son’s and got some more yarn I finished a scarf over the weekend and can start putting. some things in the dresser where I keep the finished projects for holiday gifting. Today I'm going to try to concoct a sugar free recipe for ambrosia fruit salad I like to get at the deli but I think I can do one that's with out added sugar.

Sat. I went to a yard sale and found three chairs for the grand kiddos to use we like to do lunch outside on the deck porch patio and under the big shade tree in the front yard. With only thirty four days of school left it’s time to think about Granny camp. I got some crayons at the thrift shop with cartoon characters at the top of these and the grands like to draw so this will be one of the favorite activites, using up a ream a paper I have here for them to draw on and it has lines so they can practice abc’s and 123’s, between side walk chalk and sessions at the pool, nature hikes in the field. We will be camping soon too.

We love that I have been hankering for some tent camping and sleeping in the back of the truck in the canopy, and the pull trailer camper will give us some fun variety this year combined with fishing four wheeling it looks like we are going to be having a lot of fun!

A Day in My Life!

Yesterday was a full day I got up and started a new knitting project a scarf on large needles so it went fast. Found some wonderfully fuzzy yarn called voodoo I’m using the off white color, got it at the one dollar store it’s great, went back for another kind that is a purpley mix of colors. Hubby had an appointment at the chiropractor’s office so I took the truck and did a bit of shopping while he was in there. He walks after the appointment so I went with him we walked to the fruit stand and to the motor cycle & four wheeler shop across the street for the fruit stand where I sold my big bike Vulcan Classic 1500 c.c.

After that we went to The Diamond Shop and I got my ring that was being sized down so I don’t loose it. We looked at some new rocks for a ring or new stone for our 35th wedding anniversary coming up in a couple of years.

Just down the street is a shop called Yesterday’s Treasures I’ve been in several times to “visit” the table / desk I’ve had my eye on there was a small table in the basement of the farm but brother in law burned it so this one is a replacement of sorts. They could not get furniture out the steep basement steps that had been build over and around the contents of the basement. I was thinking of this for an out side work space potting plants and such. I would have gotten it Wed. but the antique shop did not have any one to help me haul it up the stairs and outside to load it in the truck. Hubby helped me with that, we brought it home and I painted the legs every thing except the top it needed a bit of gluing, it has an old handle and drawer front and legs the rest is new wood. I love it except it was an awful grey color. The color I have on now is a soft peachy off white. I will be putting an antique finish on later.

Hubby washed his truck and had some other errands to do over town I opted to stay home and paint the weather was lovely. I was setting up the saw horses dear son showed up and he helped me to get the ½ sheet of plywood and table/desk moved to the back yard where I was going to be painting.

Later we went to look at the progress on dear daughter’s house and they have sold their other home and have until June to get this new one finished, they have some paint on, some cabinets up, sub flooring nearly done, the patio is poured, step to the basement are in, half & of the deck it done. After that we went to look at a boat for a friend of hubby’s. I took my knitting and did that while they were talking. Then we went to dinner a new place here called Grumpy’s. We were less grumpy after we ate!

I came home and had a flash back of being a newly wed that’s what I call it when the kitchen is buried I used to let the dirty dishes pile up until we ran out of clean ones I did not have a dish washer in those days, the dishes would just about reach the bottom of the top cabinets, I took the leaf out of the table so less stuff could fit on it. I got the dishes loaded in the dish washer and the laundry got done during the day too. I made up some Jell-o for dear son’s b.b.q today. [I’ll be doing a green salad too]. I’d work on that between coats of paint and work on my new knitting project. A scarf for holiday gifting.

The weather is glorious here today so it will be fun day here too. Fri. nite we were going to eat at one of our favorite spots but there was an hour wait so we didn't but did wonder over to see the new rv park http://www.hellscanyon.net/Default.htm and enjoyed that. They had a hot tub pool and it is right by the river.

Painting Outdoors

Today was a day I’ve been waiting for warm sunny weather a great day for painting outside. I painted a vanity it turned out really cute someone had spilled green ink before I got it in one spot. I did some sponge painting on the top to look like flowers the green ink now looks like I ment it to be that way and I antiqued the rest I was very happy with the results.

I painted a shelf and one pair of shutters. Thise still need to be antiqued and made in to a shelf for over the vanity. I have another pair of shutters to paint yet also, and some chairs but those will have to wait for another day.

Dear grand son was happy playing out doors in the yard with me. We had a long walk I got in my 2.5 mi. walk today. I had him get out and walk for a block or so and push his own stroller so he got some exercise too.

The Rustic Rabbit

My calendar for outlook needs to be updated after I tweaked it. And reset the properties and restored defaults last month. I’ve been adding a few reminders as I think of them like correspondence ie writing letters to mom and a weaving pen pal. I arm wrestled with the printer this week and got it going again.

Shopping is on my list this week. We have a store here called “ The Rustic Rabbit” they have shabby sheik furniture and I saw some of their stuff at the antique shop and I got some inspiration! I want to go to that store and see what else they have. I need some boards for a shelf hubby is going to make for me. I’ll need the truck for that. We need to put up lights in the kitchen and dining room so I’m going to see a new store here I’ve heard about. The deck needs replaced too. Hum... the list is growing of projects.

Easter dinner was a hit here we had ham n fixins after church the kids stopped by and the egg hunt was a success. Spring bloom is lovely here my apple and plum trees are glorious and it’s great to look out the kitchen window and see them while I’m doing chores in the morning! The yard looks great but I will need to mow again soon, the grass is really growing with all the rain and warmer temps. we’ve had here. Last night I cleaned the table on the deck it sure looks nice and inviting out there this morning but it’s too cold only 36* here today! br-r We are supposed to get up to 77* on Thursday I can’t wait.

The Energizer Knitter!

Last summer and fall I was busy knitting up some yarn for baby prayer blankets, I found these when I was cleaning out the linen closet, I found seven of them and there was one more in the other room it was big enough for a crib size blanket. These were in various colors off white with pastel stripes in them. One was solid blue and one was solid lavender color. I was ill right after the holidays, and was not up to doing much other than knitting.

I was very over welcomed when I tried to get yarn the first time for a prayer shawl, I was just totally over-whelmed, so I had to think about it. I did not know how much yarn to get so I got four, one too many but this first one was a for a large woman so I used them all.

That one was of a lovely turquoise super saver red heart multicolor yarn, it is such I lovely color I got more to do another one, and I want one for me! I was intending the lav. one for a friend who I thought had lost her mom and then I remembered lav. was not her color so I let her pick and she took the one I was going to keep for me. I got more of that color to do another one! I know it’s a hit! LOL!

On my artist’s date last week I got yarn found some at the thrift shop, for some practice projects; my book was in and I got a knitting mag. too while I was there, and a journal with an angel on the front cover and new yarn too. The idea is to keep journal for this project only I'm blogging it! I have a prayer journal, daily journal and several blogs. The last thing I need is another journal. I’ve been passionate about knitting weaving etc. in the past and have been very excited about prayer shawls, ponchos, blankets, lap robes etc. these days.

As I was knitting I remembered a crochet (yes I crochet too) tote my granny made from a gallon milk carton for us to put our swimming suits in when we came home from the pool. So this weekend I did up several milk carton totes for grandkids, mine were ½ gal. size. I’ve tucked these away for Easter gifting. I made and extra one for show and tell at knitting meeting, and ladies group at church. Pics are up at my cromepen360yahoo blog now of some of these. I'll be doing up some one gallon size totes next.

I got the doll shawls done, these are to go in the milk carton totes, and have a prayer shawl wip (work in progress) about ½ way done, it is from the big one pound skein of yarn that wanted to be a baby blanket instead of a shawl. This yarn in soft pink blue yellow and white ombre’ colors wanted to be a baby blanket instead a shawl as I’d intended. LOL! I started a cape that’s been frogged (ripped out or un-knit) several times as I get a pattern going. Grand-kiddos love the trying on process! LOL!

Today I am going to call the library and see if they had this Book,
it’s a novel Knitting by Anne Bartlet ~

Later ...

I went to the library and they did not have it in, I found some books and got inspired by a shawl pattern but it is for a lighter weight yarn than I have on hand at the moment. It was very inspiring looking through the books to get ideas! Weekend afghan was one title. I forget the author.

I have been squirreling away yarn for my needle work ministry stash, for some fall knitting. I have some buttons and pins that will be fun to embellish the capes I’m currently working up.

Ring Ring ...

Ring ring…
"Hey mom did you get number need new ip address message?"
"yes"
"what did you do?"
"I called the tech. and we retweaked my settings what’s the number? "
"Okay, again; only slower this time. "
"Okay got it"
"Bye."
"Bye"

A few minutes later ~

ring ring
"mom that was a local number "
"they are closed "
"do you have the other # ?"
"Yea "
"it’s here some where "
rustle of papers ---
more papers rustling ---
here it is! "
I give him the other non local number.
And put them under the glass for easy access on my desk.

----
What I did:

[I love it when our son a jr. in collage calls me for techie help!]
While I was looking for the paper with the phone # on it.

I told him that I told the tech. that "I broke the internet" when I made my call and convinced him it was the rain and clouds snow and other inclement weather that was the problem we laughed!

We did some "trouble shooting", I said I'd just moved the pc in from the living room and the modem has to be plugged in first and yes I had restarted it a couple of times eventually we found the problem wireless router had a cord plugged in the wrong place, changing that fixed the problem.

Cyber Techie Granny Learns to Run Wireless.

Ta Daa "Earth to Huston; Earth to Huston; come in please ~ we have blast off!"

Wireless is installed and running now with a router. I have hooked it up. Learning as I go had to call dear son twice to do this but I got it going. Next install new printer cord and install ink, first I have to open this plastic packaging sometimes that's the hardest part! Okay back to knitting the prayer shawl I was working on.

Wireless

Our wireless Clearwire works like a cell phone tower, and the wireless works all around our area. Dear son said that it's new and we are in an introductive mode they were trying it out here we are lucky to have this option.

I'll be able to use the pc in my creativity room, with no phone line instead of just the living room. I'm excited! The faster you go the more you pay. Zoom any thing is faster than dial up! The special is up on Fri. here so I moved it up a bit! I still need a router and need to put get ink on my to do list!

They were here before to see if I could get it; but at that time last fall they did not have spam and virus protection for e-mail. I did not want to get it with out that. They have that proction now. So on Mon. I called the co. dear son has for wireless the wireless guy is came today and set it up.

Friends

I started by on my walk and she stopped in her new pt cruiser I asker for a ride, that was fun we caught up on news, and drove by out dear daughters house. Then she came in for her prayer shawl it was so good to see her.

I did get my walk in and chatted with a neighbor that is a teacher, and she told me about a book the teachers at the middle school she teaches at were excited about called pirate, a kids fantasy novel. I told her abut the books I had ordered this week. She said she is retiring next year and it looking forward to gardening and gave me a tip on growing roses, she was working on her’s while we talked adding Epsom salts it’s supposed to for stronger stems on the blooms.

My Creativity Room

Dear son hauled out two more loads of stuff from here this week it freed up my creativity room I was SO excited! It was like a clean sweep I started cleaning and then rounding up my art stuff that was through out the house. I got my white table and chair that I use as a desk in there, then I got the white wicker shelf for displaying mementos and inspiring art on, then I rounded up my art supplies and got my easels, paints, canvases, books, magazines, journals and sketch books this process took me a couple of days. I sorted pens pencils and used my pitcher collection for my art brushes, put up different pictures, took down the toys in the toy net and returned my old pill box hats to their home. I added beads and my tiara to the display shelf, this was so much fun one of my favorite things to do!

My first task was to write a letter to a pen pal we have been enjoying communicating for ten + years, we share ideas for projects yarn samples and sketches of knitting / weaving projects we both weave. This week I finished a UFO project a shelf that needed pegs I got a dowel from the country store down the road cut and sanded these then glued them in place, after they dried I painted them to match the shelf. It will be for hanging chains of warp for my floor loom.

Family Treasures

This past weekend was a great fun working together as a family project, hubby was cleaning the shop out while I hauled bricks and other stuff out of the junk pile sorting it, making my self scarce as in-laws processed and sorted family “treasures from the junk” dishes etc. went to the good will pile and boxes were hauled off, other things were loaded up in trucks to be hauled to the the other farm, and some things came home, lawn mower, four wheeler, the guys were excited about, the new “toys” they were making plans to play on the water and in the boat and so looking forward to having this project done but we are only just past the half way point, but very pleased with the progress to date, now we are trying to figure out what to do with mementos from childhood. Hubby has a stick he used in 4-h for showing prize winning bulls, and curry combs used for fitting and showing, I’ll have to ask him about a shadow box. He can use them for displaying these in the office. He even kept his baby shoes so did his brother. One of the things I love about him and his family is their commitment to family. They loved it when the grand kids were running around playing and involved in this process.

We all love the outdoors and my idea of taking the camper was quickly adopted as his own, so just having that in common our love of the out doors and nature is great, this weekend is his birthday and he is in dire need of a break from the stress of work and the farm, so a boating session is the plan!

Decluttering Farm Back from Camping!

We have been clearing out the farm a major decluttering effort by three sibs two spouses, two grand kids and even two great grand kids were in on the action there was something cathartic about the bonfire. It hailed a bit, we had some snow, some rain a bit of wind and the sun even came out for a while too. They boxed up stuff for good will one load went there, the bon fire was going, next we will be getting a dumpster delivered.

Taking the camper was a success. Today I’ve been doing the after camping dig out! No granny duty spring break for dear son this week, so that is a relief I've had plenty to keep me busy today. I unloaded the camper, cleaned it, and swept the back of the pick up out it really needed it after they were done hauling fence posts. I have cleared more stuff out in the carport. Doing this work has been good for me to work out stiffness and soreness in nearly every muscle. I took down the Happy St. Patrick’s day sign today.

Waiting for Spring

I took dear grand son to the other granny’s work when she was off it was a half way point and I enjoyed the outing. I stopped by a sandwich / frozen yoghurt shop on the way home had a sugar free huckleberry cheesecake flavored waffle cone yum! I was enjoying browsing through a sunset magazine, when our son walked in and joined me at the tall table a delightful surprise. We caught up on the day’s news. Then he left to wash his van at the car wash behind the sandwich shop building. I finished my cone and browsed though wonderful places to stop in the North west, gardening ideas for march, on article on a spa sisters used to love to play in the tub when they were kids grew up to have a spa, the logo of a journal on this page caught my eye. The pictures of scenic attractions were lovely. Snow-less mountains were a big drawing point, and had me dreaming of a new vacation destinations.

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.

-----
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!