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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Relaxed Sunday









After the family and friend filled day Saturday Scott and I NEEDED some "down time"... some time to just be together and exploring nature a bit. So we took Amelia to the Riverwalk and together we spied and photographed some amazing things along the way. Scott captured the images so amazingly well that I had to share some with our readers.The still art photo of tools, a cell phone and a bag of silver wear was quite unusual and we wondered where the owner was... hopefully not swept away by the force of the river. We have tried to stress the power of the river to Greg but he still insist tubing down it is perfectly fun and safe. Just look at the huge trees that were thrown up on the old locks... doesn't look safe to me. I need to research the red flower as it was so striking that it caught my attention from 25 feet away. And the fun "I SPY" photos of the snail, herring and lizard... can you see them? You will probably need to click on them to make them bigger.

Monday, September 29, 2008

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS - Cake recipe

Chocolate Fudge Cake
Makes 1 layer cake

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups boiling water
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups sifted cake flour
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 to 1/2 cup raspberry preserves
1 recipe White Chocolate Buttercream Icing (recipe follows)
1 recipe Glazed Fruit Topping (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350*F. Grease the bottom and sides of three 8-inch cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper; then grease again and dust with flour. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa and boiling water until smooth. Let cool to room temperature.
In another bowl, combine eggs, 1/4 of cocoa mixture and vanilla extract.
In a large bowl, add remaining dry ingredients and beat on low speed with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add butter and remainder of cocoa mixture. Mix on low speed until dry ingredients are moistened. Increase to medium speed (high speed if you are using a hand mixer) and beat for 1 1/2 minutes. Scrape down sides of the bowl. Gradually add egg mixture in three batches, beating 20 seconds after each addition. Scrape down sides.
Divide batter among prepared pans and smooth surface with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cake cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, and let layers cool completely before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap.
For best results, refrigerate layers for 1 hour before icing. Cake layers can be baked ahead and frozen; let thaw completely in refrigerator before icing.
Spread raspberry preserves between cake layers. and ice sides and top of cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Icing. Decorate top and base of cake with Glazed Fruit Topping.
NOTE: Candied fruit will be glossy and tacky when complete. This can be done two days in advance of decorating cake. Store in a covered container until ready to decorate.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM ICING

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, Softened
12 ounces white chocolate, melted and cooled
1/2 cup ( 1 stick) unsalted butter, Softened
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.Gradually add cooled chocolate and beat until smooth. Beat in butter and lemon juice. Re-beat at room temperature to ensure smoothness before frosting cake.
NOTE: Icing can be made ahead and stored in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Before using let icing come to room temperature and beat again.

GLAZED FRUIT TOPPING

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 orange, sliced cross-ways into 1/4-inch slices
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
3/4 cup dried cranberries*
1 cup dried apricots*
3/4 cup dried cherries*
1 cup walnuts
*Available at some supermarkets and specialty produce markets.

In a large saucepan, slowly heat water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Divide mixture between two medium saucepans. Place orange slices in one pan and remaining fruit and walnuts in the other pan. For oranges, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Turn oranges over, and simmer for another 30 minutes, or until translucent. For remaining fruit and walnuts, simmer for 35 minutes; do not overheat. Drain fruit , and remove from pan; place on wax paper to cool.

RECIPE FROM>>>> Holiday Celebrations magazine - a Hoffman Media Special - if you entertain a lot during the Holidays you NEED this magazine as it is LOADED with fabulous recipes from appetizers to desserts.

Saturday

Saturday was amazing! Nearly everyone that was invited to Greg's party came and we all had so much fun. I didn't get any pictures we were all just having such a wonderful time talking that I didn't even think about the cameras. Greg was so happy to have his family and friends around him. He leaves next week... I can hardly believe the ship out date is here. I had way too much food as always but that was all right.

We got to meet Alina, Charles bride and she seems quite nice. Kayla has some adjusting to do as she has had her dad all to herself for so long and she pretty much has ruled the roost. She has got to give her dad a chance at happiness with a life partner. He has really sacrificed a lot for her all these years and it's time he made her realize that it's not all about her and never should have been; she is terribly self centered and selfish.

Ronda was still acting like a teenager and took a tumble off a 2 wheeled skate board thing - a zip stick? She took some skin off her left hand and twisted her left leg pretty good. I told her she is nearly 30 years old and perhaps she ought to think about starting to act like it as well. HA HA

All in all it was a wonderful day!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Lap topping and CSI NY time

Scott is out in the garage working on something so I snitched the lap top and am sitting watching CSI NY... I ususally stick the the original CSI only but have recently been drawn in by the NY version. CSI Miami is kind of hokey and the acting is not very good. I LOVE THE ORIGINAL CSI TEAM!

The last pie is out of the oven and the house smells like a bakery. And the rain just keeps falling ; I know that we need the rain but I am truly hoping that it will let up tomorrow so that we can get the meat grilled for the party.

I still have some laundry and cleaning to do but that will get finished first thing in the morning or as much of it as time allows. I am hoping to get some good family pictures so that I can send some to Gwen at school as she has a "family" bulletin board in her dorm room and would enjoy some additional pictures to fill it in.

Hoping for a clear day tomorrow!

I've got one more pie to put together and bake - the apple pie. The blueberry and cherry pies are in the oven right now. I've made a vegetable macaroni salad and a potato salad.Things are coming together for Greg's party tomorrow. I still need to make the hamburger up into hamburger patties and pound the chicken breast and cut them into sandwich portions tonight. I'm trying to get most everything done today so that tomorrow will be about eating and socializing. I got some late RSVP's so it looks like about 20 people will be here to wish Greg well and send him off knowing how much we all love him and will miss him.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Lazy Girl and Green Pepper Patterns


I discovered these patterns while stocking them day before yesterday and decided to buy them... like I REALLY need more patterns... OH well! The bag is pretty unique with a strap that zips apart to turn it into a back pack. I may have discovered the perfect gift for my nieces for Christmas and I could make them in fabrics that they like.
The hats just screamed "US" so I will make one for each of us.... we will have to wait and see if Scott and Greg wear theirs... HA HA!

I blame it on the cover shot...


I simply had to buy this magazine because of the cake on the front. I may make this for Thanksgiving this year instead of the Lady Baltimore cake that I've made in the past. The magazine is slam full of recipes for the Entertaining Season.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Sleep and Beef Soup!


I never did get to the lawn as I developed another severe headache so I went to sleep in the recliner when I got back in from my errands and this afternoon I've been taxing Greg around to the Recruiter's Office and the to the Court House as he is a witness in a traffic case. While he was at the recruiter's I started beef soup for dinner tonight. It's cooling in the bowl a bit as I type as it's too hot to eat. My sister, Robin made the bowl that the soup is in; she has gotten REALLY good at throwing pottery.

Shop Lifter's!






We caught some boys shop lifting last night, luckily a friend of mine was driving by and he saw them outside the store pulling things out of their shirts and pants. So we called the police and they caught them at the store behind us with the merchandise and they were taken off to jail. The total they took came to about $50 to $60 worth of merchandise. I guess we will have to start following people around the store at night to be sure they aren't stealing us blind. That was last nights adventure.

I'm going to mow our lawn today and do a bit of cleaning. I'm rather tired this morning and have a head ache and stuffed up ears so I may go back to sleep for a little while before I start all the chores since I am off from work today.

Robin's husband spent yesterday afternoon in the ER with some type of stomach issue. He lost everything in his stomach while at the hospital and they did a bunch of tests but could never figure out what it was exactly so they are treating him with antibiotics and sent him home after giving him a shot of Demoral. Robin said he was out cold once they got back home. I hope that he will be all right. I'll call her tonight to check on them.

Last night Scott and Greg had an adorable little visitor. I didn't get to see him but we don't need anymore cats... 3 is more than we need and thats what we have so I'm hoping he stays at his own house. Scott said that the kitten was VERY affectionate. Greg held and petted the kitten and then told Tesla, " OH... there is nothing like that baby cat smell". They said Tesla growled and hissed and was very jealous. They took pictures... he is cute! But we don't need anymore cats! (I'm trying to remind myself of this fact more than anyone else... ha ha !)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Autumn is HERE!

The mornings are starting to become more nippy and it's so delightfully crisp and fresh. I'm starting the preparations for Greg's going away party/picnic. Before I head off to work I want to have the bathrooms clean (done); beds made up with fresh linens - probably won't get to Greg's until tomorrow and I want all the laundry done. If I can also get the den and kitchen swept and mopped I will have accomplished a lot. Tomorrow I am off and I am hoping to get Greg out in the yard with me getting it all mowed and cleaned up. I've got to find another flag pole for the US Navy flag I purchased and I will need to buy food items for the party. We aren't sure how many are to attend as not many have RSVP'd yet. Hopefully enough people will come to eat up the food I have planned. If not we will be eating leftovers FOREVER! I always fix way too much food. Friday I will be preparing food all day... baking pies; making up hamburger patties and chicken fillets and making up salads (macaroni and potato)... I want to get as much as I can done the day before so that I can focus on the family and friends and not so much on the food on Saturday.

Yesterday at work I shifted a bunch of seasonal around and I reset the scissors; ended up working an hour and 15 minutes longer than I had planned but thats ok... it's done! Not sure what they will have planned for me for today but as long as it makes the hours pass quicker I'm game.

I think I'll go eat some breakfast now.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Sleepy Monday!

I'm awake but just barely and I have to be to work by 8 this morning... yesterday was very draining to say the least. When I get my next day off I'm thinking about just sleeping the day away. I wish that I still bounced back and had the energy I had 10 years ago. Scott went in to his job early today so perhaps he will get off at a decent hour and we can get to bed a lot earlier tonight.

Last night I watched "P.S. I Love You"... it was "ok" not something I will want to watch a second time. The other day Greg and I watched "The Martian Child" and LOVED IT! When the teacher said, "He's not like the other children" I turned to Greg and said, " Thats what you are... a "Martian Child" as I had a teacher tell me the exact same thing about Greg! Greg would spend a lot of time creating VERY detailed Battleships out of cardboard when he was a child and wasn't into sports and always acted a little goofy compared to the other children. Everyone was so worried about "making him normal" and we put him through so much testing and counseling that I now wish we never had because I think it truly hurt his creative side.

I better get going!... just looked at the time!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Crisp Fall Mornings

I so love these crisp fall mornings; especially on the weekends when everyone is sleeping in late and the traffic noise is minimal. You can hear all the birds awakening for the day with their sing song voices coming through the open windows; no a/c required at this time of year. There is a big dog barking in the distance; sounds like a bored bark and not an alert of any type. Almost sounds more like a plead for attention; it's quiet now so perhaps his wish was granted.

Yesterday Scott and I worked out in the garden for awhile before I went into work. I've moved the windmill to a corner bed so that we can re-vamp the center of the garden a bit and I will be able to take my windmill to our acreage more easily now. I've got to pot up the rosemary and hope that it survives the winter in the pot in the garden. I want to move it to the property next Spring.

Before I went to work yesterday I also ordered a wedding gift from Bed, Bath and Beyond for my Brother, Charles and future wife, Alina . I got them the slow cooker that was on their list. I plan to buy a cookbook to go with it but will wrap that to take to the reception so that they will have a package to open there. I had the slow cooker sent to their home. So much going on this Fall - Gwen went off to college (Robin's Daughter); New baby Phoenix (for brother, Jack and wife Nichole); Greg going off to the Navy (our son) and then the wedding of brother Charles and Alina. SO many happy events!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Sheldon Designs

http://www.sheldondesigns.com/Cabins/LakesideCC1218c.htm

A little larger cabin plan became available through Sheldon Design's so we asked if we could swap our Surfside Cottage plans for the larger plans and they let us. So we now have the plans for the Lakeside Cottage. It's still a lot smaller than our current home but perfect for the two of us to live out our lives in the country. I just LOVE the wrap around porch!

NAVY gathering today

Greg has to be up to the Recruiter's office in less than an hour for Navy Day! He wasn't going to attend but I told him he really needed to as it would give him a chance to meet more new recruits and to get to know some of the higher ups as well. He needs to dive on into Navy life as he will be there daily in less than 3 weeks. He will have a lot of fun and perhaps not be so nervous about Boot Camp.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Yesterday's Quilt Top


I want to add another border or maybe two to this top. The next border will be a solid butterscotch brown I think. I'm trying to come up with a name for this quilt... I was thinking perhaps "Strawberry & Butterscotch"... any other suggestions?

I've got to work today but am hoping to either start another quilt top or work in the garden for a little while. I get so much joy out of sewing that I've got to make more time to do it. I love watching a project come together.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Tesla's Nap spots



Tesla was taking his morning nap not far from my computer chair when Greg came out of his room this morning so Greg decided to join Tesla for a moment. Later in the day I found Tesla on my Craft table all settled in and when I fussed at him about being up there he would just wink like... Hush can't you see I'm napping... again.

Three Weeks!

Just 3 weeks and I will be missing Greg immensely. He will be in training in Illinois. It will be a wonderful experience for him and he will learn a lot along the way. But I will still miss him.

I'm going to set up my old Dressmaker sewing machine and work on some quilt tops today while I'm getting some laundry out of the way - just 4 loads today! That will go way down in 3 weeks. I need to do some more work out in the garden as well but sewing first. I need to get a dress made to wear to my Brother, Charles's wedding (October 12th). He is marrying his Russian bride, Alina at Chimney Rock. Should be a beautiful ceremony. The reception is to be held at the Esmeralda - the same hotel Scott stayed at with his first wife for their honeymoon. It looks beautiful in the pictures and I'm sure we will have a good time. We may go up the night before but aren't sure as there have been a lot of burglaries in our area lately.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Rice Pudding!

What to do! I had about 4 cups of left over rice in the refrigerator from where I steamed rice for stir fry the other night so I have Rice Pudding in the oven right now... smells YUMMY! (I doubled the recipe.)

RICE PUDDING

Beat slightly to mix : 2 large eggs (or 4 egg whites)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup seedless raisins
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 to 1 teaspoon nutmeg (I LOVE NUTMEG - so mine has a full teaspoon)

SCALD (crinkly film forms on top) ; 2 cups of milk
Pour milk into egg mixture.

Pour into a 1 quart casserole dish and set in a pan or water (1" deep), Bake at 350* (moderate oven) for 1 hour 15 minutes. A knife inserted in the center comes out clean when done. Makes 6 servings.

Fall Blooms





Ressurection Lily, roses and eggplant baby.

Indoor Dog?



It's looking like it is going to rain sometime today so Amelia has decided that she can be an indoor dog. She followed me in after I had worked in our garden for about an hour. The first thing she did when she got inside was to find and bring me dirty socks... I guess she's trying to tell me that I need to do laundry again. She would have made a great working farm dog. She loves to herd the cats around... except for Tesla as he has beat her up a couple times and she is now afraid of him... I don't blame her.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Movie Reviews

We got a Netflix membership and have been watching a movie whenever it's raining...

Bucket List: We enjoyed this movie and as always Jack Nicholson played his part to the hilt! A really touching ending and it was nice to see a movie that supported the development of friendship.

Atonement : Too many flash backs made it difficult to follow at times and it ended on such a depressing note - NOT one I'd watch if I was all ready in a depressed state of mind.

Little Miss Sunshine : HILARIOUS! But not for those with uptight views of the world. Felt like I was watching a family gathering with Scott's family. SERIOUSLY!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Errand Day

I've got several errands to run and laundry to do today so the garden will have to wait until Wednesday. I need to get gas and am hoping to find some below $4 a gallon; I may have waited too long though. I've got to get a few grocery basics and I want to pick up some more 8 1/2x11" page protectors to put project sheets in so that I can organize them in a large notebook. Tomorrow is trash day so I need to clean house too and get all the trash out to the curb tonight. LOTS to do!

UPDATE!!!! I got a half tank of gas at $4.29 a gallon. I picked up 2 packages of page protectors and used 40% off coupons, I also got another "magazine" basket for in my sewing room to hold the sewing magazines I've grown to enjoy - Sew News and Sew Stylish ... OH and HANDMADE! I went to Bi-Lo for the groceries that we needed and I have just 4 more loads of laundry to do. Both bathrooms are clean and smelling fresh and I'm working on a second bag of trash to take out to the curb tonight. I still have to clean up the back porch for Miss Tara cat. She is doing so much better today!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

One Hour Until I'm at work!

I really should be making some breakfast but I'm not all that hungry this morning.

Tara cat update: She doesn't have a nasty runny noise anymore but she still sounds a bit like Darth Vader at times. She still has several days of antibiotic but this morning she was scratching at the door for breakfast. We are thinking she may just have to live out her remaining days on the back porch. Which would be "ok" but not ideal as she is horrible with her liter box and has liter all over the porch. I'm off tomorrow and cleaning up after her is one of my main chores.

On the up side of things around here my sewing/hobby room is really coming together and I am hoping to get the last little bit of it pulled together when I get off work tonight. I'll post pictures when I'm done. I can actually SEE floor once again!

Tomorrow I would also like to gut the garden for the most part and prepare beds for winter crops. Although that may have to wait until Tuesday- Wednesday as Lenora may be coming over to visit me tomorrow for Lunch and she will probably have her kiddos with her. I have yet to see her baby girl.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Shipping OUT party invites

I will be mailing out the invites to Greg's shipping out party/ picnic today. He is looking forward to seeing the family before he leaves as well as some friends. When he gets up I'll ask whom I've missed that he would like invited. I'm glad that I updated my availability at work so I'm home 3 days a week now.

Greg wants PIE! So I'm thinking red, white and blue - Cherry, Blueberry and Apple! Perhaps 2 of each type - I can freeze any we don't eat.I always fix WAY TOO MUCH food for these gatherings.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Slept the morning away!

I slept this morning away. I have to work until 11 tonight and I was beat from working last night so I thought I better grab the opportunity to catch a bit more sleep this morning. Scott called and woke me up which is probably good as it is 11:30 all ready and I have to be to work at 2:30 this afternoon. There is always some chores to do around here - wish I could just return to full time homemaker status some days.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Yesterdays wicked storm




Yesterday afternoon we shut down and unplugged all the computers as a wicked storm moved through the area. Some of the clashes of thunder and bolts of lightening were so close together it scared the daylights out of us. And Amelia was whining like a puppy and wanting IN!

Organizing FIND!!!



OK... I'm trying to get my sewing/hobby room back in an organized state and it sure has been fun rediscovering items. Like this morning I found the "cat travel" quilt top. I made this one for when we are traveling and Scott wants it cooler in the car so that I can just cover up with it and avoid any turmoil. Little Nickie thought I had laid it out for him. The blocks were actually part of a swap that I was in awhile back. I love that black paw print fabric.

Sorry about Nickie being a bit of a blur but he was in the middle of a deep grooming session.

Jane's Giveaway

She's giving away some vintage fabrics just for wishing her a Happy Birthday... I believe it ends on then 16th so you still have time to join in the fun. Click on post title to get there.

Monday, September 08, 2008

BLOOMS !



Eggplant and rose in bloom in our back yard this afternoon....

NEVER Poison Fire Ants and then pull clothes off the line after dark


Scott and I went out to pull these last few clothes from the line just a few minutes ago and the fire ants I had poisoned earlier in the day were waiting.... and I had on sandals... I have about 10 bites on my feet. I will take Benadryl before we go to bed tonight. OUCH! Scott wants to go over to Walmart before then so I will "tough it out" until we get back. The clothesline looked so peaceful when I snapped this photo but darkness means DANGER!

Fabric Basket Tutorial

Click on the title to find a GREAT basket tutorial! I'm planning to make one but mine will be scrappy! I'll use only fabrics in my bits basket for the patchwork part. I've got to use up some of this stash before I buy anymore!

NAP TIME!



I have the fresh sheets in off the line and plan to make our bed back up next and then I may join the boys in a nap. They do make sleeping look so inviting!

Monday - OFF - YARD/LAUNDRY

So I'm off today and have trimmed bushes and vines back away from the clothes line so that I can hang laundry out to dry today and not have to worry about them brushing against plant material. Laundry load # one is ready to hang and that is what I will be doing next. Of the 8 bags of potting soil Scott brought home from Lowes the other day I have used 6 to fill 3 of Amelia's craters in the back yard. I edged along the back side walk and used the edgings to fill in where I just put in the potting soil; you can hardly tell where the holes used to be. I'm thinking I'm going to need at least 4 more bags to fill in the rest of the ankle wrenching holes in the back yard. I've also mowed half or the back yard this morning. I'm feeling a bit energetic I guess... I'm sure a nap is in my future. Better get back to it!

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Sunday - working Sunday

I'll be working nearly all day today at the store but then I will be off Monday and Tuesday... Yeah! I'm going to divide my days off up into working blocks of time so that I can get the yard and house party guest ready before the 27th when we are having Greg's going away picnic. Plus I need to allot time for sewing as well... 12 hour days... house, yard, hobbies and daily duties (4) - 3 hours in each area should do the trick. I realize there will be some days where my schedule is thrown off by life circumstances but I will do the best I can. I will at least have the time at home that I need now since I put it in writing and turned it in to the Store Manager... YEAH!

Yesterday while I was at work Scott went to Lowes and bought some potting soil to fill in holes in the back yard where Amelia has dug. I want them filled in before Greg's picnic as well so that no one twists an ankle. I had every intention of getting up early this morning and starting on that but I just hit the confirmation key on my phone alarm and went back to sleep. I was just exhausted!

Friday, September 05, 2008

Aggravating Headache

I got the start of another extreme headache during the night. I just took an OTC Naproxin and it has dulled it enough I can function today.... I hope. Perhaps a hot shower will help. I'm not sure why I'm suddenly developing these reoccurring migraines but I HATE THEM!

Little Nicky is supposed to get his stitches out this morning. He seems to be moving around pretty good but has had some slight bleeding around the belly incisions; they may decide that he needs to wait until Monday to have the stitches removed after I drive all the way over there.

A co-worker, Mary Lou picked me up some parchment paper to have on hand in case I try anymore of the great recipes that she has been forwarding to me. When a recipe calls for the use of parchment paper I've learned you REALLY need to use it as it makes a HUGE difference in the end results. That was so sweet of her to do that for me.

Greg is loosing the weight that he needs to and will be ready for basic training the beginning of next month. Thankfully! I pray daily for his future, his safety and his opportunities for some wonderful life experiences. I plan to save all his letters in a notebook so he will have them in his future to reminisce over.

Well I better shove Little Nicky in a box and get him over to the Vet's office.

NICKY UPDATE: Stitches are out and he is doing just fine! YEAH!
Now if we could just get Tara cat well. If this round of antibiotics doesn't work I'm thinking about having her put down as she is quite old and I can't afford to keep dumping medication down an old cat. That may sound heartless to some but she has lived a full life with the last 8 years being with us in a loving cat home and we've done right by her all these years I won't make her suffer just to prolong her life with us... thats not fair to her.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Early Morning!

I awoke at about 5:15 this morning and just couldn't go back to sleep. Once Tesla heard me up and moving he was teasing for his breakfast. He is currently cleaning up from his breakfast just 5 feet from me. He is most definitely one of the most spoiled cats on Earth,

I've got to be to work by 1 today as I will train on the new system 1 to 5 today. Should be interesting. I'm hoping that my updated availability was read and accepted as I have got to be home more if we are to have this place ready to sell by next Summer. I will focus mainly on the yard for awhile as it has been sorely neglected. I plan to pot up and move a bunch of stuff to our property and reconfigure the front lawn a bit. I will also put down lots of fresh pine straw around all the bushes and as I've said before we plan to move the rocks to the property so it will be necessary to mulch heavy to maintain the flower beds.

Time to get some breakfast started for Scott and I... and Greg if he is up when it's ready. He has to report in at 9 AM this morning with the Petty Officer.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Sick Day!

I did something that I NEVER do - called in sick. I've got a Doctor's appointment at 2:40 this afternoon. My head is throbbing and feels like it could just blow off my body at any moment. I was able to get the grocery shopping done but it exhausted me and the Tylenol Sinus tablets that I took before I left for the grocery store haven't touched the pain. And I'm so tired as I don't think I was able to breath well during the night so it feels like I have had NO SLEEP!

DIAGNOSIS: MIGRAINE HEADACHE - shot of Emetrix worked wonders and I now have a prescription for treximet for future migraines.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Green Spider on porch rail


Little Green Spider on our front porch rail. I believe it was sitting here enjoying the morning sun and drying the dew off it's body.

Tara cat is back to yucky face so I've called the vet and they are getting together more medication for her. YUCK! Kitty boogers! EWWWwwwwww....

Good Bye Mr. Henry


Our neighbor Mr. Henry Heriot passed away this past week and today is his Memorial Service. We plan to attend. Mr. Heriot was always so interested in our projects and loved to talk with us while we worked on them. Always interested in how we learned to do so much on our own and interested in sharing the knowledge. Like when we were using an Egyptian Water level made with a 2 liter bottle and some tubing to set the piers for our shed or when Scott was redoing the tile on the front porch utilizing different tile colors to add the house numbers or when we re-rooofed our garage on our own. Greg loved to talk with the Heriot's and he and "Mr. Henry" always had such good conversations. Mr. Heriot was 87 years old and had led a full and interesting life.

Monday, September 01, 2008

Stitchery Angel Projects

http://abyquilt.blogspot.com/2008/09/stitchers-angel-sewing-bag.html

Over at Aby Quilt you can get some instructions for some delightful stitchery/quilt projects to print off and make.

Another year nearly gone...

 Hello to all those that have followed this blog for some time. I have not posted in quite awhile so thought I would pop over and write some...