Renovation update

The old carpet - the carpet that was from 1986 - is gone.
The old bathroom linoleum is gone.
The ancient dryer has been ousted!
The new microwave oven is standing in the wings ready to go.
The cabinets need to be emptied by Monday. I think I can!
The hardwood floors are going in. The new paint is going up on the walls.
The dust... oh the dust... is every where!
And yet, through the chaos and the clouds of dust, we see lots of progress and we are so excited!

Playing catch-up!

Well, time has flown. We’ve been to Texas to see #1 and his lovely spouse. I’ll call her Yellow Rose. She is the sweetest thing on two feet. We had a terrific visit and came home just in time to get the furniture moved for the renovations to start the following Monday.
The 1986 carpet that was the color of dirt is finally gone! The old bathroom fixtures and linoleum has been ripped out and disposed of. Tile has gone in.  I am absolutely over the moon with the choices and the look! Paint and new cabinets and fixtures have been chosen. The master bedroom walls have been painted and I am really happy with the color I chose. The closet has been designed and will be installed once everything is finished - hopefully the week between Christmas and New Years. Soon enough the blue trim will be turned white, the hardwood flooring will be delivered, and the dust will be a thing of the past. Until then, we will embrace the chaos, hug our cat, and get through it.

Fish oil

The fish oil, they said.
It’s good for you, they said.
It makes your skin healthy and your hair shiny, they said.
And they were right...
But...
What they neglected to mention was that every time you burp, it tastes like fish.

Gray no more....

I looked in the mirror the other day and saw gray! Lots of gray!
This morning I fixed it.
With my friend Clairol.
Bye bye gray.

10/5 Really? Already?

It’s been a busy week.
I had a birthday. I celebrated a lot! went to lunch with friends, met friends for snacks, and even had lobster for dinner!
We had friends stop in on their way north.
I’ve done a mountain of laundry, gone to prayer shawl, run two Handbell rehearsals, and spent time (every day) on the treadmill.
I’ve finished a shawl and blocked it and a scarf. If they are dry, I’ll pull them up and put them away... but, it’s been so humid that I think it will have to wait until tomorrow.
And it’s finally Friday!
Today I hope to relax a bit, finish a scarf, and start a mitten. But first I need to put the guest room back together...

Monday

I’ve had a pretty productive day so far.
Laundry is running.
Walk is done.
Breakfast and dishes are next.
Vacuuming and dusting after that.
I’m getting everything done so that I can crochet the day away tomorrow.

Some days

All one wants is chocolate cake with white frosting...

I can wait until Tuesday...
but I don’t want to.

Words - of advice

Words are powerful.
If you don’t mean it, then don’t say it - especially in a fit of temper.
Don’t use words to be mean. That’s abuse. Pure and simple.
Words can cut a person to the quick and hurt more than a knife - especially if it comes from the one we love most.

If something doesn’t go exactly the way you think it should, please remember... it’s not always all about you.  The person at the other end isn’t trying to make you angry. Sometimes things happen. Please try to be patient. Take a step back and take a deep breath. Sure you’re frustrated, but understand that the other person is trying their best to help you. When you snap, you’re selfish. When you whine and complain because you aren’t getting what you want when you want it, you’re being a selfish brat!

Use words to build people up.
Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Be empathetic.
Be loving.

If you find yourself in a fit of temper, write a T on your calendar. I bet you’ll see a pattern. Can you fix it? I bet you can. You need to work at it.

If you can’t say something nice, keep your trap shut!
If you find you’ve been nasty, an apology goes a long way... But, try to fix the behavior. I’m sorry only works for so long...

Owie.

Last night when we got home from bells, I needed to make some rice to go with the pork chops that were simmering in the crockpot. As I reached down to get the pot out of the cupboard, I misjudged the location of the counter and promptly brought my forehead down on it... squarely and hard, I might add. No, I didn’t see stars, but it did hurt quite a bit.
Fortunately, I didn’t give myself any permanent injuries - just a light bruise between my eyebrows. For that, I’m quite thankful because I thought I’d end up with a huge bruise on my forehead. It’s tender to the touch, but if I leave it alone, it doesn’t hurt a bit!
Learn from me. Turn the light on before you get the anything out of the lower cabinet.

Wise words

A very wise woman once told me:
A mother is only as happy as her saddest child.

She was absolutely right.

My LLB is going through a rough patch. If I could fix it for her, I would, but this is something only she can handle. How she decides to handle it is up to her. That said, no matter what she decides to do, we will be there for her.

Sunday

I can’t believe another week has flown by! I had a Military Mama meeting this afternoon and I wish more people would get involved in this worthwhile cause. We support the troops from all branches. Want to get involved? Want to help? Look up the Military Mama branch in your area.

Learning new things

Today I learned that Mini steals yarn - whether I’m finished with it or not. She stole a ball right off my spot on the couch that was connected to the beginning of a blanket. She wrapped the strand all over the family room and up the stairs. Somehow I only lost about 5 stitches. When she was done, she deposited it in our room near my dresser where I’d be sure to find it. I was not pleased...

Today  I was not up for working on the blanket associated with the ball of yarn above, so I decided to learn something new. I’d seen a couple of articles on Tunisian Crochet. I have some super soft yarn, and a Tunisian Crochet hook. I watched a video. I read up on the technique. I figured I’d give it a shot.  I like it. I like the result which is thick and snuggly. I like the technique. It’s different and I’m not very fast, but I’ll get there! I’m about 1/4 of the way done with a scarf. Yes, I am pretty impressed with myself!

Tomorrow I’m going to learn new things, too! I’ve got bible study in the morning. I always learn something there!

Tomorrow afternoon I’m headed to my shooting class. I’m so so excited! I am hoping they can help me with my aim. I don’t know if it’s the glasses combined with the eye protection or just the eyes, but I need a little help in that department. I’m looking forward to using the simulator as well as trying out  a bunch different weapons. I’ll be learning lots.

Hug your loved ones

We had a funeral to attend on Saturday for a young man who was 23. His family is keeping his cause of death a secret, but we assume is was either a drug overdose or suicide. His parents are devastated as are his grandparents and siblings. His friends were scattered around the room with their parents and significant others. Many of them were still in shock and are so sad that their friend is gone forever.
This kid had the best of everything growing up. He had cats, played soccer, took music lessons, went on family vacations, and was on a crew team. He came from a very close knit family that was so incredibly proud of him. He went to a college known for turning out highly successful people. He was an amazing musician who taught underprivileged children how to play the guitar. How could this terrific kid be so incredibly selfish as to do drugs or to take his own life? What could be so bad that he needed this horrific and permanent solution to a temporary problem... it just incredibly sad...
So - hug your children, each other, and your parents tight. Life is too short.

The starting bell

Today was our first bell rehearsal of the year!
Yesterday I was a bit ambivalent, but today I am excited.

Leeds Bell Choir did a fantastic job! We started slow and steady and finished up ringing through a long - but fun - piece. I am so proud of each and every one of them.

Tomorrow Emmanuel will have their first rehearsal. I’m sure it will be just as fun and productive. We will be missing two ringers, but we will manage.

I’ve got to get information for festival together because I want both choirs to attend in the spring. I know they will all benefit from the classes and from the time away together.

Tuesday?

Already? How did that happen?
Bell rehearsals start tomorrow and Thursday. I’m prepping music and finishing up the last couple of foam pad covers. And yet, I am tired. I feel like I could use another month before starting up the ringing year.  I’m also tired of being the leader, the director, the responsible one. I just want to show up and ring... one more year and then I might be able to step back behind the table. I miss ringing. I love it. Maybe I can sub in once in a while... I need to keep my skills up!

Finished!

I ended up making 2 Dragonfly blankets for 2 different charities - both cancer related. It was hard to get one done on a schedule, but the second was due to the charity sooner than the first. I did nothing but work on those blankets for a week. My house is upside down, the laundry basket overflows, but those blankets went into the mail yesterday.
I hope they both bring a lot of money!

The Dragonfly

So... yeah... I forgot about the dragonfly blanket that I need to make and send for PJ’s auction before September 13th. I have some coral yarn that is a really lovely color. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how much money it will bring in. I know that if I make it out of Aran, it will bring in a tidy sum.
I’ll be heading out to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to get some yarn in Aran.
PJ was a very special girl and I want her family to be able to offer the scholarship in her name - so... whatever it takes,
In the mean time, I’ll work on the coral version - a deserving person just came to mind. I’ll send it to that family when the time is right.

One stitch at a time

I’m working on using up the yarn I have in the house. I’m using it up, albeit slowly. Yesterday I whipped up a chunky lap blanket and delivered it to the church - along with 6 chunky skeins that my friend gave me for Prayer Shawl that I don’t really have time to turn into a blanket. One of the other ladies scooped it right up! I was so glad to hand that huge bag of yarn over!
Tomorrow, I should finish up the shawl I’m working on now. I’ve only got one ball of yarn left, so the end is in sight. After that, it’s time for some scarves and mittens. I need a break from the big stuff.

Stuff.

We've had a lot of things happen at the Crossing lately.
We had 7 trees taken down - the ash borer beetle had a feast and killed our trees. It was an expensive endeavor, but it needed to be done for the safety of anyone coming and going on the driveway. The yard is a giant mud bowl and there is yet more rain in the forecast.
We had a blocked pipe that had to be unblocked. Our plumber came to the rescue!
We took apart the shelving unit in #1’s room and stored that in the attic.
We replaced lawn tractor blades.
I’ve been crocheting up a storm getting ready for Christmas.
On top of all of that, LLB is being transferred to Pittsburgh temporarily and captain America is headed to field training. Being apart is difficult at best, but the added stressors are starting to take a toll. We can only hope they come together, figure things out, and get through it.
So, basically, things are busy here.

Oops!

So, I got hooked on Animal Crossing on the iPad and completely neglected this blog...
and it’s almost midnight, so I’ll fill you in on life in the morning.

Friday!

Mr says our front yard looks like a lunar landing zone. Actually, it’s more of a mud bowl.
But, the trees are down and the danger of a tree limb or a tree crashing down on someone driving up the driveway or mowing the lawn is eliminated.
I like the way the front yard opens up as you drive up the driveway now. It’s brighter...
The deer, on the other hand were very confused as they made their way on their rounds last night. The pile of logs, the mud, and the lack of brush (where there was brush earlier in the morning) was not what they expected. It was pretty funny to watch!
Yesterday was the first day with no rain in quite a while. We don’t have to fix the garden, empty the pool, or clean up any debris. So, today we hope to hang out by the pool, finish up some laundry, and generally relax.

Tree time!

We have 7 trees coming down today.
The ash borer beetle has been busy.
Pictures will follow!

Party Time!

It’s party time at The Crossing! We had the bell party on Saturday and today is the Crochet Ladies Summer Fling. I feel like over been cooking and cleaning and packing forever, but I’ve only been going at it for a week now.
Today’s lunch is pulled pork, cole slaw, beverages, and whatever the ladies bring.

This morning I made some yummy sweet and salty snacks. The recipe is as follows:

Puff Corn Crack
1 package of Chester’s Butter Puff Corn ($2 - Blue Bag in the chip aisle).
1 Small pkg of white chocolate chips.

Melt the chips
Pour over half of the puffs
Mix until coated
Add rest of the puffs and melted chocolate
Mix until coated
Spread on wax paper until solid
Break apart and serve.

My inlaws had hoped to visit this coming weekend, but have decided to stay home. I’m ok with that, as I’m busy with parties and trees coming down and helping LLB with a few things for the Navy Dining Out she is working on for Friday.

I cannot complain. Life is very very good! (And so is that puff corn crack I made!)

Zoom zoom!

Time sure does fly when you’re working and party prepping.
Yesterday was the Handbell Party for both of the choirs I direct. It was a great time and it sure was nice to get to see everyone. The kids got to swim. (I was in before the party and the water was... refreshing!) By the time I finally got to bed, I’d walked over 11,200 steps - all in my house!
Today I’m off to the winery after church and coffee hour - which we get to host. It’s supposed to be sunny and hot, so I suspect we might be busy. Come on out and have a glass or two!
If you need me after 5, I’ll be sitting with my feet up.

Lunching with the Ladies

Today I met up with four good friends for lunch.
We laughed! Oh my gracious, how we laughed!
It has been far too long since we all sat down and chatted. It was really nice to catch up.

Tonight I’ll be picking up the house and getting things set up for our bell party on Saturday. I’m working at the winery tomorrow, so I need to get things done early. I don’t know why I keep doing this sort of thing to myself... I need to learn to say,”no”.

Busy busy!

Today was a busier day than I anticipated. It started with 35 minutes on the treadmill and ended with Margaritas at a dear friend’s home.my day includes:
Picked up tables and chairs from the church for the handbell picnic this weekend.
I hired a tree removal guy.
I went to Prayer Shawal and saw the ladies.
I did an errand.
I made an appetizer.
I had dinner with Mr.
I visited with my friends and had a margarita.
Got 2 new recipes from Auntie that I think I’ll make for dinner tomorrow.
I fed and patted my cat.
I walked more than 10,000 steps.
And now, I’m watching TV and writing this post.
Next up: bed time!

Friends

Friends are very important.
I have a group of 4 friends who are the funniest, most generous spirits I’ve ever known.
When our kids were in high school, we volunteered and ended up spending almost every weekend in the fall laughing and working together. In the spring, we would see each other at concerts, track meets, and more. Basically, we saw each other all the time, hung out, and shared more than a few dozen meals together.
And then the kids went off to different colleges and we lost touch. We’d see each other here and there, but we drifted. If we saw each other, we’d say that we neede to get together and that would be that.
I ran into one of the husbands at the dump. I mentioned getting together and got the same answer I always got - “yup, we need to do that”. So, I decided that I missed those funny inspiring women and I was determined to meet at least a couple of them for lunch this week.
I sent an email asking if they could get together on Thursday for lunch. Guess what?! Every one of them can make it! Every single one! I am so excited! I know I’m going to laugh and catch up and have a wonderful time. And I can’t wait!
So, if you have a friend you haven’t seen, get moving and make some plans.
Life is too short!

Sock-palooza

Mini has quirks.

Yes, I know, everyone in my house has quirks...

Mini is our cat, as you know. She has always been quirky, but lately, I’ve noticed a trend...

Mini does not like Mondays. Mr heads back to work on Monday morning. Mini gets very upset when he walks out the door. He leaves at 4:58. How do I know this? She comes upstairs, steals socks from the laundry basket, and cries very loudly. It sounds like she is saying, “Hello?” (complete with question mark) over and over again. I have to call to her to get her to quiet down.
This morning I found a pair of socks at the top of the stairs.
Mini also gets upset when I leave the house during the day. I come home to socks left all over. They can be found on the stairs, in the kitchen, in the family room, and in the hallway. One day I came home to what we lovingly call “sock circles”.
Mini likes her people at home. She doesn’t need to be with us every second, but she wants us close. Mini is the sweetest cat!

Better late...

It’s Sunday evening and we’ve had a busy weekend. We’ve seen friends. We’ve been to the dump. We’ve relaxed a tiny bit. And we’ve prepared for the coming week.
My goal for this week is to contact some old friends and set up a time for us to meet for lunch. I’m working Friday and Sunday and hosting an event on Saturday, but there is always time to take an hour and spend time with friends.

Fun and Games

I like to play games. Card games, video games, board games, etc. I’m currently hooked on Animal Crossing Wild World for the Nintendo DS. Yes, I still have one and yes, it still works. As a matter of fact, it’s in perfect condition. This little game is so much fun! We have the Wii version, too. I enjoy that one just as much! Mr likes the music - says it’s relaxing and mellow. :)
I have to work today. I’ll not be playing any games there. It’s supposed to be a nice day. I’ll be pouring wine. Come out and see me!
Mr is going shooting with LLB while I’m working. I am just a teeny tiny bit jealous, but every daughter needs daddy time, so it’s ok!
We have a tree guy coming to give us an estimate later this afternoon. We need to get these dead trees down before they fall down. Our regular tree guy must be busy because he hasn’t called us back. Unfortunately, we can’t wait for him this time. These dead trees are simply dangerous.
Later this evening we have a reception to remember a neighbor who died this week. We will toast him, hug his wife, and catch up with the rest of the neighbors.
It’s a busy day, but a fun day!

The Ew Factor

We have a lot of critters around here. They range in size from tiny to huge and everything in between. We’ve been here since 2004 and we’ve seen a lot of critters, but this year we have a new one. It is the Bag Worm. It is one ugly bug in its current form. They like upright yews, pine trees, and other deciduous trees. They can kill a tree in less than a day. I’d like to know who invited this nasty thing into our yard! We believe in pesticides here and trust me, Mr sprayed the crap out of the yews and pine tree. Two yews are dead. Our pine tree might make a comeback, but I’m not holding my breath.

We have checked the rest of the back yard landscaping and at the moment, the plants are clean and healthy.

We’ve also got 3 dead ash trees thanks to the emerald ash borer beetle. We had a dead ash a few years back, so we knew that was just a matter of time. Ash is a hard wood that makes great baseball bats, furniture... and firewood. Yup, we will be cutting that up for wood stove fuel.

So, we will be keeping our tree guy busy this year... all because of tiny critters... ew!

Symbol over Substance

  I’m so tired of hearing about the crazy ideas coming out of California! 



First it was straws. The eco crazies wee telling us that our plastic straws are polluting the oceans. I don’t know about you, but I did a wee bit of research. Plastic straws contribute to .002% of all of the plastic pollution in our oceans.  According to the Economic World Forum, “By analyzing the waste found in the rivers and surrounding landscape, researchers were able to estimate that just 10 river systems carry 90% of the plastic that ends up in the ocean. Eight of them are in Asia: the Yangtze; Indus; Yellow; Hai He; Ganges; Pearl; Amur; Mekong; and two in Africa – the Nile and the Niger.” It seems to me that those places aren’t here in the USA. You don’t want plastic in our oceans? Get those 3rd world countries who actually do pollute to stop polluting! 

I can honestly say that I have never tossed any trash into the ocean and have never tossed a single plastic straw into anything but a trash can. Don’t punish me! I like to use straws. If I'm out about and stop for lunch, give me a straw in my glass or my cup. If I don’t feel well, I like a straw in my beverage by my bedside. If I’m driving long distances, I like a lid and a straw for my drink. I prefer plastic straws because they don’t get soft and disintegrate like those old paper straws we used to get. That used to totally gross me out. 

Not only do they not want me to use straws, they want to fine or jail servers who give them to their patrons. So... my server can get tossed in jail or fined for giving me a straw, but Hillary Clinton gets a pass for having classified information on her home computer? Really? Tell me how any of this makes sense! 

Banning straws makes the eco crazies think they are making a difference and it makes them feel good... sorry - it’s ineffective and a waste of time.

The other crazy thing coming out of California today was that the restaurants in San Francisco don’t like the fact that Google and the other tech companies provide free cafeterias for their employees. They want the government to prohibit the tech companies from having cafeterias that provide free food to employees. Talk about the “Nanny State”! Can you believe this?! This is the only time the liberal left has protested a free lunch! “We can’t compete with free”, they whine. 

We have a free market society. If a company gives a perk of free food in the cafeteria, the employees will be taking advantage of that. Yes, it keeps them on campus and working longer hours for the same amount of pay, but if the employees like it, so be it. Happy employees = excellent productivity. But, the restaurants don’t like it so they want to legislate companies to make their employees go out to lunch. That there is crazy talk! 

One ball of yarn at a time...

I finished the 2 baby boy sweaters. I started a virus shawl in fall colors. Once that’s done, 4 skeins of yarn will be used out of my stash. It’s not a lot, but it will make a difference.
I think I’ll work on another Icelandic wool blanket after the virus. That will make a dent in the stash, that’s for sure!

Slipping and Falling

Last Thursday I cleaned. I vacuumed. I dusted. I polished.
When I finished, my house looked great and I kicked off my shoes and sat down with a much deserved snack - an English muffin with jam.
I took one bite and the phone rang.
I got up to answer the phone and as I was about to round the corner, my feet went one way and my body the other. My English muffin landed face down. I landed on my rear end. It was a spectacular fall and would have broken the internet had it been filmed. Alas, fortunately, it was not.
I currently have and enormous bruise on my leg for where I landed on the vacuum on the way down. It is a most colorful bruise... lots of reds and purples - even five days out.
I am fine. My bruise is sore, and I’ve found other places where I must have bumped on the way down.
I have learned a few lessons:
Don’t run around in socks unless your floors are dirty.
If you take your shoes off, put your slippers on.
When you get up to answer the phone, put your plate on the table.
English muffins always fall jam side down.

Rainy Days

I enjoy a rainy day now and then.
Today I worked on 2 baby sweaters, patted my cat, binge watched the X-Files, and generally hung out.
I do enjoy a quiet day at home.

Trucks and stuff...

My SIL has a truck. He is the most thoughtful and considerate truck owner. He always backs it in and makes sure that the back end is either over grass or up against something that people won’t be walking behind. For some reason, I thought most truck owners were as considerate as he is, but I was incredibly wrong in that assumption.
Yesterday I was at a shopping center having lunch with my family. We were seated at a window that looked out on the sidewalk. A spot opened up right up front. A huge truck backed into the spot. His back end - complete with trailer hitch extending a few more inches - took up half the sidewalk. 4 able bodied adults emerged and went into the restaurant. I liked their license plate very much, but their parking - not so much. Just then, a little old lady was being dragged along by her family member and I was sure she would trip on the hitch. Somehow, she didn’t. I’d like to think my quick prayer and her guardian angel took care of that.
I looked around the parking lot and saw that there were many trucks backed in over the sidewalk, some were taking up more than one spot. I’m sorry, but Americans need to wake up and be a little more considerate. Just think about someone other than yourself - your fellow American. You don’t have to fix the world. Focus on those here at home first and the rest will shake itself out.

Save, save, save...

Now is the time to put your pennies aside.
This fall, no matter what happens with mid term elections, congress has to pass a budget. President Trump has said, more than once, he isn’t giving in to a budget with pork in it. He will shut the government down. I believe him.
So, you’re going to need rent money, grocery money, and more and you won’t have an income if you’re a government employee. You’ll be paid retroactively once the budget is passed, but until then, you need to survive and eat. So, my friends, save those pennies!
And if that doesn’t happen, then you’ll have a lovely little nest egg set aside for when the shit does hit the fan.

Chores...

Today I will do some chores.
Vacuuming, dusting, dishes, toilets, tubs...
and then I will finish up the cream Icelandic wool afghan.
That’s what you call Temptation Binding... you combine something you would rather not do with something fun.

Respect

I wonder what happened to respect. When football players started kneeling, that made me angry. Our first responders and military fight and some gave all for the freedom that flag represents. How dare any American kneel or step on those colors! That offends me to my core! Have they no respect? No. No they don’t.

What happened to respect for others? So many people are rude and disrespectful to each other. You can’t have a discussion these days without getting shamed if you disagree. I spent my whole life being quiet, being nice to others, and trying to see both sides of a situation. I may have wanted to shake people who disagreed with me, but I never did. Why can’t people agree to disagree? What happened to tolerance? Does tolerance only happen when you agree?

 What happened to respect for our president? Now, you don’t have to like the guy who resides in the White House, but you should respect the Office he holds. I certainly didn’t like the previous guy, but I respected the office. If I had been invited, I definitely would have gone and been polite. I’m so tired of listening to the media poo poo every single thing President Trump does or doesn’t do. In my world he is doing a great job - as evidenced by my bank account, how happy my service members are to be working under him, jobs numbers, and the excellent economy.

The balloon thing in London was completely rude and disrespectful to our president and our nation. They dissed every single one of us with that nastiness. I am appalled at that behavior and I can’t believe that any American would want to even begin to bring that thing here!

Know what I want to see? How about the nation come together, give the guy a chance and the benefit of the doubt, and enjoy the good things he is doing?

The C’s

Life is all about change and choice.
Each day starts with choices - Do you get up or turn over? Red top or blue top? Jacket or sweater? Coffee or tea?
We’ve got some decisions to make. To stay or go? This time, it’s all about what we want. It’s not about kids or schools. It’s about us, our wants, and each other... and to be honest, that’s really exciting and so much fun! There’s a bit of waiting involved to see if this  huge change might actually happen. If it does, we are ready!

Crocheting one stitch at a time...

My yarn stash is ... umm ... a little larger than I thought. It is a good thing... right?

I’ve finished one gray blanket out of Icelandic wool. It is warm, but lightweight. LLB is sending that one off to her in laws to thank them for having them at their homemfor a week. I hope they like it, because it is a really nice one!

I’m working on a triangular shawl for the church, a cream Icelandic wool blanket, and a really lovely triangular shawl in a fabulous deep blue green wool. On top of that, I’ve got to make 2 baby sweaters for a friend whose son and daughter are both having boys within a week of each other. How does that happen??

I just need time to sit still and work on this stuff... maybe once I’ve packed everything up, the renovation starts, and I’m limited in what I can do? Yep... that sounds about right. Until then, I’ll steal a few minutes here and there and crochet when I can.

Leo and Mischief

have gone home.
Leo was not pleased to be put into a crate and then into a car. He was so displeased that he peed... all over that crate and Mischief. He even managed to get some out of the crate and onto LLB. That went over huge... not.
LLB took matters into her own hands. She was not putting up with that kind of behavior! Especially in the car, thanks. Those two cats ended up getting bathed in the tub with soap and water. She was not having pee soaked cats running around her apartment! They proceeded to clean themselves for hours after that bath... because soap and water is gross as far as they are concerned.
LLB ended up bathing her cats, cleaning the crate, setting up a new cat tree, replacing the kitty litter, AND after she finished all of that, she had to go wipe down the interior of her car with vinegar to be sure that there wasn’t any cat pee in there...
That, my friends, is what pet ownership is all about... pee, poop, and cleaning up...  You thought it was about companionship, love, snuggles, and purrs... Ha! Nope.

Mini is still not sure they are really gone, but is enjoying leaving food in her bowl for later.

As for me... I’m still sweeping up kitty litter, finding toys in weird places, and leaving doors ajar because I can!

Bicycles? No thanks...

Those who cycle seem to love it.
Those of us who have to drive while the cyclists are cycling on our roads - which run at speeds at 55mph with no shoulders - we hate it. We understand that bicycles are legal “vehicles”, but why would these people ride on virtual highways? Yes, they look like empty country roads, but they aren’t. Our roads are hilly. We can’t see over the top of these hills until we are at the top - and at 55 mph, it’s very scary to crest a hill and find a cyclist in the way! If the sun is at the wrong angle, we can’t see you at all because of the glare. It’s not safe for the cyclist or the driver. It’s not safe for those of us who live here, work here, and commute here.
So, if you want to cycle, please find a bicycle trail. Don’t cycle out here on our country roads. Really. We want you to come to our wineries. We want you to come pick peaches and berries. Just drive your car... leave your bikes at home.

Happy Birthday, Mr!

Today is Mr’s birthday! We will celebrate for real with LLB tomorrow. Today we will have a mini celebration that includes a dump run, lunch (complete with onion rings), and an afternoon by the pool.
Every day with this man is an adventure and I’m so blessed that he chose me to be by his side!

Happy birthday!

Finally Friday

It’s been a good week, but I’m glad it’s Friday. 

I walked on the treadmill every day again this week - even when I didn’t feel like it (like every morning). 

LLBs cats are settled in quite nicely - although Mini is still not pleased at all. She is definitely ready for them to go home. They love all the space to run around. They love exploring in places they have no business being (for example: the pantry, the fridge, the dryer, the dishwasher). They particularly enjoy stealing her kibble out of her bowl. 

I’ve organized, purged, chucked some stuff, and hauled some things to the attic. I still can’t believe how much stuff is up there. I went to the dump twice and donated books to the library. I’ll be working on boxing more things up today... Our upstairs will be ready for those new floors no matter what! 

Getting in gear...

It’s Thursday...
Today started with Mini snuggles, laundry, and 4,000 steps on the treadmill.
In addition to the folding and putting away, I’ll be vacuuming, dusting, working on some crochet projects, organizing some more stuff, and trying to find a place for all this yarn I’ve found.
This afternoon, Mr and I intend to sit by the pool and enjoy a little bit of time outside. It’s a lovely day and the water is warm. (As much as I’d love to sit out there all day, I’ve got chores to do!)

Busy busy!

I’ve been trying to prep for upcoming renovation. I’ve been cleaning out, sorting, organizing, and storing.

The one thing I didn’t realize was the quantity of yarn I happen to have.

It’s ... umm... almost looking like an episode of hoarders.

In an attempt to downsize, I’ve taken all the small balls and 1/2 used skeins and donated them to the prayer shawl group - you know that I’ll probably end up taking some of it back to make a shawl or 5, but for now, it has a home where maybe someone else can put it to good use.

The full skeins have been organized into bins... And, I need more bins... I told you it was a bit of a problem. I’ve started making easy V-stitch blankets in an attempt to use some of the weird , but amazing, Icelandic wool that has “texture”. It makes a really nice warm light weight blanket.

If you want a blanket, a shawl, a scarf, or mittens for Christmas, put your order in now. If you want a wool blanket, specify grey, white, or marled. If you want mittens - pick a color and if I have it, I’ll make them for you. If you’re super lucky and I have enough, you’ll get a matching scarf. If you want a shawl, email me. Those take a specific amount of yarn and we will need to collaborate.

Ok, I’d best get back at it! I’ve got a lot to pack, a lot to organize, a lot to move into storage, and a lot of presents to make.

Jezebel Sauce

Today at bible study we are studying Bad Girls of the Bible and I got Jezebel. There are not many redeeming qualities about the woman. She was nothing but trouble, that’s for sure!

Since leading these discussions aren’t my forte, I decided to make some Jezebel Sauce to serve on cream cheese and crackers in order to turn the focus away from the discussion and onto feeding our bellies.

Jezebel Sauce is easy to make!
It’s sweet, tangy, and has a bit of a zippy kick.

Combine the following:
2 10oz jars of pineapple preserves
2 10oz jars of apple jelly
2 oz dry mustard
5 oz horseradish
3 Tbsp coarse black pepper (I used 2 Tbsp regular ground pepper)

Refrigerate and let sit for 24 hours.
Serve on crackers and cream cheese, ham, or whatever you think will taste good!

Chirp.... chirp...

not birds, my friends... the dreaded smoke detector chirp...
I thought I heard something when I went to feed Mischief and Leo this morning. I’ll be honest, I wanted to ignore it until after my walk and my breakfast.
I guess the chirp was making Leo nuts! (Totally understandable.) He made sure I knew something wasn’t right. He came to get me and ran towards the dining room door. He sat in front of it and looked at me as if to say, “Lady, this thing is making noise and it is irritating! Please fix it!”
So, I procured a replacement battery as headed next door.Mischief and Leo sat at the dining room door looking through the glass - they wanted front row seats to this show, let me tell you!  Then I located the culprit, got the ladder out, and changed the battery. It is blissfully quiet. Leo is pleased. He can take a nap without the dreaded chirp interrupting his sleep every 90 seconds...

Sunday...

It’s Sunday... once again, I find myself almost cringing at the thought of going to church. I love our priest. She is a terrific lady. She may judge me, but it certainly doesn’t show. It’s the rest of the people who attend. They all lean so far left that they fall over. They used to talk to me, but since they figured out that I like and respect our president, they have blessed little to do with me. It’s interesting that the left is all about inclusion... except when they disagree with you.

So, I guess I’ll get my act together and get ready to go... because it’s the right thing to do. I will show up. I will smile. I will participate.

I will also not discuss anything news related. I know better than that.

Saturday!

I love Saturdays. I especially love Saturdays with cool breezes and no humidity when I can open every window and air my house out. Like today!

I also love Saturdays because it’s the day I don’t have walk on the treadmill - providing, I’ve walked every day during the week. So far, I’ve walked 5 days a week - 4000 steps - every weekday for the past month. Yes, I see a difference. My bathing suit fits much better. My clothes fit better. I will continue to walk every weekday.

Today I’m going to finish up the laundry, haul some things to the attic, sit by the pool, see how many times Mischief can steal the sponge out of my kitchen sink, and figure out what goodies to bring to supper club tonight.

Waiting patiently

Today is a day of waiting.

This morning I waited for the plumber. They arrived bright and early, replaced a bunch of toilet seals, and left in what I consider record time. (I’d still be working on the first one!)

While I was next door, I noticed the door handle was a little wonky. So, Mr and I ran off to get a new one. We considered stopping for a quick lunch out, but decided against it because the HVAC guy is due sometime between 2 and 5 and we did NOT want to be late in case he could be here earlier... Needless to say, we are waiting.

We came home, planted a plant, changed the door knob, had some lunch, cleaned the kitchen, started the laundry, and are currently watching soccer. We did consider a few more chores, but it’s raining, so... we watch the World Cup while we wait.

Ribbon!

Mr has graciously agreed to accompany me to the ribbon outlet today. He is so sweet! I like to use regular ribbon for my gifts because my cat doesn’t eat them.  She likes to lick the stick on bows and steal them off presents... what can I say, she is a weirdo... Anyway, I can get huge rolls of real ribbon for pennies, so it’s worth the drive.

While we are gone, we will probably stop at the outlet mall, Walmart, Costco, and someplace for lunch. We try to combine all our errands for more efficient use of time and gas. :)

Have a great day! I’ll try to remember to post some pictures of what I find.

It is Independence Day!

Our independence - our freedom - is what we celebrate today. Thank you to all who did serve, are serving, and will serve in the protection of our great nation.

You don’t have to agree with me politically, but you do need to respect my opinion.

The Dems told me to give our last president a chance when he was elected. I kept my mouth shut, sat back, and watched as he drove our nation towards the communism and socialism with his ridiculous policies. I chose to take the high road. I did not scream at legislators I saw on airplanes, on restaurants, or in the grocery store. I did not yell at my friends whose left leaning tendencies actually made me crazy. I did my research, and I used the power of the vote to help change the direction our country was headed - as did thousands of others.

You cannot spend yourself into prosperity. Lower taxes are good for everyone. The unemployment rate is as the lowest it has been in more than a decade! People need to understand that there’s no such thing as a free lunch - the government only has the cash you pay in tax to spend. The government doesn’t make money - it only spends it and it spends YOUR money.

You cannot protect the nation without using the all of the laws available - even if the consequences mean separating children from the adults they are with. Nobody likes it, but it’s done for the safety of all involved - and this has been done since 1997, so really... zip your lip!

If protecting our citizens means building a wall, so be it. High fences make for good neighbors. I have a fence around my property, as do many of my Dem friends... what’s good for us, should be good enough for the nation, right? I know that celebrities and millionaires all have walls around their homes - why can’t the nation have one? Those who live along the border want the wall... shouldn’t their opinion be more valid than those of us who live elsewhere? You don’t like strangers uninvited in your yard or your home - well, I’d not like them in my country, thanks. You want to come here? Do it the right way - like my family did.

My children are in the armed forces. They are far more comfortable with President Trump as Commander in Chief. They feel he listens, supports them, and is working to give them what they need to do their jobs and do them well.

So, to my Dem friends, please give the man a chance to do his job. Stop listening to CNN and hype media. Do some research about the issues. And don’t hate me for my politics - I don’t begrudge you yours.

It’s HOT!

And we have no upstairs air conditioning...
I requested a service call via email and they called almost instantly to tell me they can’t send someone until Friday afternoon... really? Why, pray tell, do I have a very expensive service plan? In the winter, we can live without the heat pump, and we can and are happy wait for service - as in a few weeks while we waited for our new unit to arrive. But in the summer, I do not like to live without A/C. Yes, it’s a first world problem, but I am older and I do not like to sweat while I sleep. No, I don’t need air conditioning, but I sure do like it, and it’s a creature comfort I intend to not live without.
Let’s hope they can send someone today. The hotter I get, the more miserable I get, the crankier I get. It’s not pretty, and I know it.
I’ll be sitting by the pool sulking until the fixit guy arrives... unless he can’t come today, in which case I’ll be at Honda getting a new inspection sticker for my car... oops!

To RSVP or ....

We had a church thing here last night. When I started cooking we had a crowd of 12 who did RSVP and that number dropped to 10. 17 people showed up. That’s 5 extra mouths to feed. Had I expected 15, I could feed 17, no problem. But 5 extra people?

If you don’t RSVP, you need to learn to do it. Do it for the hostess who is planning food. She wants to have enough and doesn’t mind a few leftovers but doesn’t want to eat them for a week... but she doesn’t want to be short... and technically, I was short. And if you show up and you were asked to bring a side dish, bring a side. Please. Fruit salad is fine, even watermelon, but please bring a real side dish - salad, pasta salad, roasted potatoes, something to fill out the meal...

So - be kind to your hostess. RSVP and bring what you were asked to bring... please!

Mischief

Llb’s cats are here because she is on travel. Mischief is a wee black kitty with one eye. He is the most curious cat I’ve ever seen. He explores. He checks everything out. He climbs on things. He doesn’t let his disability hold him back. It does take him a little longer to check things out, but he misses nothing. 

Mischief is currently asleep on my lap. (Mini is not a lap sitter. Angel was. I have missed this!)

I will put off my chores for a while and enjoy this wee cat on my lap. 

Rules

We have rules. We are a nation built upon those rules.

One of those rules is that if you want to come into our country to stay, you need to do it the right way. You need to apply for a visa, fill out paperwork, submit all kinds of documentation, show up at the appropriate office at the requisite time. It’s not easy, but nothing worth having is easy.

My family is full of legal immigrants on all sides. My family came to this country the right way. Every member appreciates what it took to get here. My grandfather came from Italy when he was a young boy.  He served in the Army, worked hard, and believed in the American Dream. He also never allowed Italian to be spoken in his home. “This is America. We speak English!”

My husband came from Canada. When he immigrated, he had to sign a paper that said he would never go on welfare. When my husband became an American citizen, it was one of the proudest days of his life. He still gets a twinkle in his eye when he talks about it.

Lately the media is all hyped up about illegal immigrants being caught sneaking into our country being separated from their children. Well, it seems to me, that if you sneak into the country, you have broken the law, you are a felon, and you have no right to be here. Also, if you’re sneaking into our country, who are you and who are these children with you? Are they yours? Are you a sex trafficker? How do I know? You have no identification. You could be a terrorist. If I tried to sneak into Mexico, I’d be separated from my family and tossed in jail. Why? Because I came in illegally. I broke the law. Why should it not the same here? Oh, it is... but some don’t like it.

Basically, if you want to come to the US, do it the right way.

More Chores...

I’ve finished my 30 minutes and 4000 steps on the treadmill and had my breakfast of yogurt, a banana, vitamins and orange juice. Next up - dishes. Dishes and laundry are simply never ending.
Today I’ll be vacuuming, dusting, washing floors, ironing drapes, and starting to organize my yarn stash. I have a LOT of yarn and I need to figure out how and where to store it when we start the renovation. I’ll still need to get to it, but I certainly don’t want it full of dust.
Yesterday I cleaned and wiped down as much of the garage as I possibly could. I washed the garage bay doors, the windows, the cabinets, the central vac, and a bunch of bins. I went through a whole bottle of windex and a roll and a half of paper towels. Gross is an understatement, but it looks a whole lot better now! When the ozone machine arrives later today, I’ll run it to get any residual stink out of the garage. I’m very interested to see if it really works. According to a friend in the real estate business, it works like magic... I certainly hope so!
LLBs cats are slowly adjusting to life here. Leo is still wanting to hide. Mischief, on the other hand, is quite a little explorer. He is so much fun!
Ok... I’d best get moving...

It’s Monday!

After I cleaned Gram’s garage all day on Saturday (woo, that was a lot of work), I worked all day on Sunday. That means I spent 3 days in a row on my feet. I kind of wish I’d worn my Fitbit so I would know how many steps I put in, but I probably don’t want to know anyway.
So, this morning, I’ve started slow. I did 30+ minutes on the treadmill for a total of 4000 steps. Next up - dishes, vacuuming, and some more garage cleaning. I’ve got an ozone air purifier machine coming to get the remaining stink out of the garage. I’ll let you know how it works.
I guess I should get to it...

New Boarders

LLB’s cats are coming for a couple of weeks. They will be staying in the guest room and living room until Mini gets used to them. I’ve set up the cat tree, moved all the fragile stuff, and am hoping things go smoothly and that they can all get along sooner rather than later.
Mischief and Leo are young and curious and fun! Mini is not going to be pleased, I’m sure...

Cleaning out

Friends of ours are building a house on their property behind us. We have offered them Mom’s house to stay in while the build happens. They are coming over to check it out to see if it will work. In the mean time, I am finishing the clean out. Mom and Dad were married just shy of 60 years... they have a lot of stuff - and they downsized in 2006...
I finished up the closets, the dressers, the bedside tables, and part of the laundry room. I’m not touching the garage... they’ll have to live with that. I’m headed back over after I have a snack to finish up the master bathroom, the family room, and the rest of the laundry room.
It won’t be perfect, but by the time they are ready to move in, I should have it all neat and tidy.

Crochet Time!

I love Wednesdays because I get to go see the Prayer Shawl ladies. They are such a sweet bunch of women. We talk about anything and everything while we crochet and knit. Granted, I can’t do any complicated patterns while I’m there because I’m too busy talking! I’m working on a triangle Road Trip Shawl in gray tones for the church. It’s easy, mindless, and I can talk while I work.
While I’m in town, I’ll run by Walmart and get a few groceries, get some gas, and I’ll stop in at the fabric store and get another yard or so of black fabric for the bell foam project. If I get the fabric I have cut out this morning before I leave, I’ll know exactly how much I need - I’d best get to it, huh?
Have a lovely day!

Gifts

My sweet sister in law gave me a generous monetary donation for the handbell group at my church in memory of my mother’s death. This morning I figured out what to do with it. I could have bought music. I could have put it towards the refurbishment. Instead, I decided to purchase fabric and make new covers for the foam we use on the tables. We will use them for every single rehearsal and performance. I will see them every week and every week I will smile (once I get them made - until then, I will probably make faces, grumble, and moan because I can).
Today I will start the process of making these covers. It’s been at least 20 years since I made covers for another church’s bell foam. Somehow, it’s a skill that’s like riding a bike... you never forget!
I need to make 8 covers. I have 2 cut out... I will make one, put it on a piece of foam, and make sure it’s right before I go crazy.
If you want the directions, let me know. If you want to help me, come on over!

It’s HOT!

Today is the first day of the heat wave. I’m staying in.
I’m working on moving stuff out of our upstairs rooms to get ready for the renovation. If you need me, I’m sure I’ll either have my head in a closet or I’ll be running the stairs.

Saying it...

There have been a lot of deaths in the extended family in the last month or so. We’ve lost grandmothers, mothers, grandfathers and other special people. We will miss them all. I’ve found that people might not say how they really feel out loud or in so many words, but an angry outburst or a sigh often says more about their feelings than they care to admit. Recently, I heard from an extended family member. In 3 angry sentences aimed at me, yet not aimed at me, that person told me how much their loved one meant to them, how much they missed them, and how they were struggling. So, they might not have said, “I really miss my loved one”, but they said it - more than once.

Next time you talk with someone and they say something mean or harsh or unwarranted, remember that they might be dealing with stuff...

Dad died in 2015 and Mom passed away in February. My sister and I have always said that their deaths were a blessing, but that doesn’t mean we don’t miss them both. That said, I know my sister and I have each other.  Our respective spouses are extremely supportive - of us and of all the crazy ideas we have.  They understand our odd sense of humor. They made a difficult time not so difficult. We are lucky. We know it.

Happy Father’s Day!

My Dad and my husband are two of the most amazing dads I have ever known. My sister and I  are very lucky girls to have the dad we did. He loved us unconditionally and would do anything for us. My Mr is absolutely devoted to our children. He never missed a game, a party or a performance. The children are both grown and flown, but he still asks about them every day. My children are still so blessed!

Paint, etc...

We are finally going to renovate our house.

Did you know that when you renovate your house, you practically have to move out if it - especially if you are installing hardwood floors. Hardwood? You ask... yes... the carpet on the stairs and upstairs is original to the house - circa 1986. Yes, it is the color of dirt. Yes, I hate it. Yes, I have hated it since the day we moved in back in 2004. I’m really looking forward to hardwood floors. I am not, however looking forward to moving everything that is upstairs out of there. Every.little.thing.

So, since we are doing that, we may as well redo the bathrooms that are also circa 1986. I’m going for white subway tiles in the shower and tub areas. I’m considering gray on the floors, but I may go white and black... I need a timeless look. I’ve got some time, so I’ll think about it some more.

Paint... oh paint... picking wall colors is hard. I thought I’d go gray in the laundry room. And white in the kitchen... and then I thought maybe a creamy taupey something everywhere else... I’m still thinking...

You got ideas?
Comment below!

Yarn!

A couple of days ago I scored a bunch of sale yarn at Hobby Lobby! I picked up a whole bunch for me and a bigger bunch for the prayer shawl group I’m a member of. Today I dropped off the Prayer Shawl Haul! It was so much fun to see the ladies’ faces when we emptied the bags into the table! Everybody loves a bargain, but these ladies love love love a yarn bargain like nobody’s business! They’ve already put most of it away and taken some to make some shawls. I can’t wait to see what lovely things they end up making. I took some “shawl in a ball” in gray to make a road trip shawl... I’ll let you know how it turns out.

It’s good to be back to blogging... it’s sure been a while...

Pork Chops in the crockpot

I found a recipe that is simply amazing!

Put porkchops in the bottom of the lined crockpot. Crockpot liners are the best invention ever!
Then I mix the following in a measuring cup and dump over the chops:
1 can chicken broth
1/4 C olive oil
1 tbsp chopped garlic (2 cloves if you’re using fresh)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp poultry seasoning

Cook 5 hours on high.
Serve over rice.

An aha moment...

I was sitting in church today while our priest described what Jesus was like. I’m paraphrasing but basically she said Jesus was different, an outsider, and certainly not ordinary. He went out and performed miracles on the sabbath and did what he did for the benefit of all. He didn’t care what people thought about him, he had a job to do and he did it because he was called to do it... his family supported him, but often thought he’d lost his mind.

And as I sat there, I thought... wow! That description sounds a lot like our own President. I’m not saying that Trump is the next coming of Christ, but I am saying that he has a lot of Christ like qualities. Trump is an outsider and is definitely not ordinary. He is a little rough around the edges. The establishment thinks he is crazy. He didn’t think he’d ever be a politician. He is a businessman. He works for the good of every American. He believes that he can help our great nation become even greater. He might not toss tables in the temple, but his twitter feed is definitely making waves! He tells it like it is. Jesus had deciples, President Trump has his advisors. As for miracles - the job report, the booming economy, my retirement fund, and the extra cash in my paycheck each week could be considered miraculous.
We, as a nation, are blessed that Mr Trump is willing to take the crap from the media and those who disagree with him and poo poo his work day in and day out because he believes in what he is doing and that he was called to serve. That, my friends, is a true gift.
It is time for those who disagree to stop for a moment, take a deep breath, and remember that the Office of President is one that needs to be respected regardless of what you think of the guy who holds it. He has accomplished so much already. Focus on the good. Life here in the USA is good. It can be better. Listen to the man - I mean really listen. Don’t “yeah, but”. Listen.

It’s Spring 2018!

Wow! It’s been a while...
Let me try to catch you up.

In August, #1 proposed to Yellow Rose and she said, “Yes!”  That meant plans and flights and hotel reservations and excitement.

Captain America finished up his training in middle America and headed west. He is now settled in to a lovely home complete with roommates and a mish mash of furniture. We got to see him at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are hoping he can venture this way for Easter. LLB is playing trumpet and bells on Easter morning, so we will be worshipping with her - a treat for us! We aren’t sure where we will be eating Easter dinner, but we’ve got time to figure that out.

Gram was diagnosed with lung cancer in August. That started a series of never ending appointments, radiation treatments, and medications. She loved lobster, so this year we had lobster and corn on the cob for Christmas dinner. She ate every last bit of it. (This was a big deal because she lost her appetite in November.) She fought valiantly, but succumbed in February. My sweet sister was here and together we managed to give Gram what she needed and come out the other side with our sense of humor intact...

FYI: smoking is bad for you. If you smoke, please quit. Don’t make your family endure what we did.

LLB and I flew to TX in January for the shower. It was great to see the happy couple and I got a few hours of time with just #1, as the bachelorette party was that evening. LLB had a great time with the girls.  March brought the wedding in Texas! We danced and partied and had a great time. My sister and her husband were there along with Mr’s younger sister. LLB was in the wedding party and Captain America was able to come - a huge blessing as we weren’t sure if he would deploy.  We were a small but fun contingent and represented the groom quite well! The newlyweds are enjoying a well deserved honeymoon cruise.

Today, I’m sitting at the airport waiting on a flight to Florida to celebrate my oldest dearest friend’s 50th birthday with her family. It’s a surprise. She has no idea! I arrive in the late morning and she is due in later tonight. It’s been hard to keep the secret... only a few more hours. Here’s hoping she doesn’t call me! Hahahaha!