Not two weeks but pretty close

I'm a bad blogger. I admit it. I go in spurts don't I. Sometimes I run my mouth off like a bad case of verbal manic. Other times I just don't. I think it's just because I feel like I am rambling. Then again, it could just be that I have nothing to say. LOL Me with nothing to say. Yeah right. You know better than that. I think it is more the other reasons. Why I haven't blogged for two weeks:

I'm behind on the book club selection this month. I'll be lucky to get it done before we meet tomorrow night.

I've been on the computer so much working that when I'm not working I've stayed off the computer.

Last time I was on the computer for leisure it was to look up chickens. Don't ask. I'll explain later.

Baby class has taken up a night a week.

I had nothing important to say.

David Letterman has been yawnable and I haven't stayed up that late except tonight. And that's usually when I get my blogging done. I haven't really taken a "lunch hour" in a few weeks. That's the other time I usually get my blogging done.

I've become addicted to other people's blogs. Mahala makes me laugh. I have to catch up with what's going on with Harmony and Maggie. Unclutterer and Zen Habits have so much to teach me. And the food blogs. Who knew there were so many good veggie recipes out there? Oh and the scrapbook blogs. See! It's never ending.

Blockbuster sent me new movies. We're watching Enchanted tomorrow night after book club. If I can stay awake that late.

I've been planning a garden.

I decided to get a part time job helping a friend who is helping me by giving me a part time job to pay off my IRS bill.

I've been doing taxes.

Started selling Partylite again! Want to have a spa or candle party? I'm your gal!

Ok. I see I have no excuse really. I promise to try and do better. :) See BFTLFA! I posted. Now you have something to read.

What time of the day are you?

Found this quiz and subsequent badge over at Harmony's Blog. Thought it fit me quite well. Not sure if that is good or bad but it proves I am not a morning person! If you want to take the quiz yourself, click on the picture!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Jr had a birthday on Tuesday! Happy birthday to my favorite oldest son. ;)
2. Apparently I wasn't thankful for anything for over a week. Ok, I was. I just didn't acknowledge it on the blog. So I updated it yesterday. A week's worth of blessings in a day. Perspective. I'm glad it worked out the way it did.
3. Last week's scrapbooking weekend was a blast. Not so much the scrapbooking as I didn't get as much done as I would have liked. But the friend part was great. And the rum runners. They were pretty good too!
4. We ended up not going for Kona or sushi last weekend. I was sad. But we ate at PF Chang's. And I made my own sake bomb there. So that was a good thing.
5. We have a new puppy. Courtesy of the friend that lives far away. She's a Shih Tzu and cute as heck. I'll post pics later. The big puppies are a slight bit unhappy with us though. Apparently they feel invaded. And the cat. He's beyond irritated and has spent most of his time outside this week.
6. This weekend's plans revolve around a baby shower on Saturday for the great pregnant one's pending new arrival. Friends and family and fun! I am looking forward to it.
7. I'm feeling like a bad friend because there are a few people that I feeling out of touch with. Even after talking to them. It's just been too long since we've spent quality time together. I need to work on that.
8. Sushi. I want sushi. Is this a recurring theme or what? LOL
9. I need a good part time job. Any ideas?
10. The great pregnant one update: New ultrasound pics. That baby is one of the most photographed babies ever! We'll have pages of ultrasound pics for the scrapbook. He's still looking good but needs to gain more weight. Which means the GPO needs to eat more. Hear that GPO? EAT MORE! So I asked her what she wanted for supper last night. She wanted Grilled Brats. So I fed her Brats. Brats for the brat. How funny.

It's a David Bowie kind of day Part II

Dance the magic dance!

It's a David Bowie kind of day

Not sure why. But it's a David Bowie kind of day. I've been streaming a bunch of his music today. So I thought I'd share. Enjoy while he sings Heroes to you. Besides there are worse ways to spend 5 minutes on a Thursday.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Eric (Son2) found out yesterday that he has everything he needs done to get his GED. This is huge. He took the classes, passed the tests, and now he is done! He is so proud. And I am very proud of him.
2. I am feeling like a bad blogger because I haven't posted since last Friday's 10 things. :(
3. I am leaving in about 4 hours for KC. I will get to see my best friend that lives far away! This weekend is a scrapbooking weekend. My creative side is VERY happy for that.
4. We are adding a cute little puppy to our family on Sunday. :)
5. I spent the week playing catch up for all the things I pushed aside the weeks before because of the big project.
6. I have done more taxes this week than any other this tax season. Have you filed yours?
7. My house is a mess. And I don't think I care. Ok, obviously I do or I wouldn't even mention it. LOL
8. I have only had 3 diet Cokes this week. I've been good don't you think? My Coke Rewards points balance is hurting though.
9. Jr is in culinary classes at the college. For one of his classes he has to make a vegan menu this week. I had lots of fun sharing some of my favorite vegan blogs with him and referring him to recipe archives on my favorite veggie recipe site.
10. The great pregnant one and I are taking "natural" childbirth classes. The next 5 weeks should be interesting.

Happy weekend! I'll try and check in on Sunday night! Promise.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I got to hold Lucas last weekend. I had to share him with other people too but that's ok. Because they kept telling me how cute he was. And I got to agree and smile.
2. Yesterday i was driving like a grandma. then i remembered that i am a grandma now so it was only fitting. then i realized that no matter how i drove i was driving like a grandma. because i am one. so there.
3. Next weekend counts as a vacation. I get to go away from home, with nothing I HAVE to do. Only things I want to do. I like the idea of that.
4. One week from today I will be drinking sake bombs and eat volcano rolls at Kona in KC.
5. I am planting things in my back room to go into my garden. And watching them grow a little more every day makes me very happy.
6. Huge project at work is finally pretty well done. At least my part is. And I can now go back to sleeping and working 9 hour days and going to the gym and eating food that didn't come from Lean Cuisine and spending time with my family like a normal person. Not that I'm anywhere close to normal but you get the idea.
7. I need to buy pet food. The bill for which is only climbing as in the next few months we are adding 2 rescued outdoor bunnies and about a dozen chickens to our psuedo farm/zoo. the manchild keeps saying something about fresh eggs and free fertilizer. huh.
8. I have an entire quart of wheat germ in my cupboard. Don't ask. Long story that isn't worth telling really. What else can you do with wheat germ other than put it into say bread or the breakfast shakes I keep telling myself are healthier than the Cap'n Crunch?
9. I get to play with Lucas again in two weeks. Not that I count days or am obsessed or anything.
10. The great pregnant one says the doctor says the baby is 3 lbs 12 oz. Amazing.

Thoughts for Thursday

If you eat just Girl Scout Cookies for lunch BUT you eat several different kinds does it count as a balanced meal?

When does optimism become denial?

Does spending all or your time deciding what to do count as doing something?

Zen Habits

I am a blog junkie. I admit it. But so many blogs bring so much into my life. The time I used to spend reading not so entertaining or truly un-enlightening magazines, the time lost to stupid tv shows, I've replaced it. With blogs. It's almost sad really. I'm a cyber geek.

Every once in a while I decide that I really need to scale down my blog reading. But then I find these certain blogs that just stick with you. Zen Habits is one of them. His 12 step eating program epitomizes what I am trying to do with my life. Most everything he talks about are things that you KNOW you have to change in your life. At least in my life. Check it out. You might even find that one of his e-books is what you need in your life. I know I need them more in mine.

Click here to view more details on the ebooks

10 Random things for a Friday

1. I get to see Lucas tomorrow!
2. I am 98% finished with this huge project that has been driving me nuts and causing me to be grumpy and sleep deprived and having had too much cafeine and anxiety attacks and just being an all round loser. But it's almost done. Tomorrow even.
3. I have to work on a Saturday. Again. But the project will be done so that's a fire out.
4. My desk is clean. Amber did it. And it somehow makes me feel a little better.
5. I am feeling completely uninspired as to what to make for dinner tonight. Any ideas?
6. Amber is done with her "actually having to go to school" classes in two weeks. Then she's on independent study for the rest of the semester
7. I get to see Lucas tomorrow. Yeah I know. I said it twice. It deserves two.
8. I get to have sushi for supper tomorrow night. Not Kona, but it'll be Pei's and that's just about as good.
9. We are having a baby shower for Lucas' mom (Allison) on Sunday. I get to hold Lucas. That makes me smile. Big. Big Smiles.
10. The great pregnant one weighs 130 pounds. She can't decide if that is good or bad. But she looks good. So it is a good thing. Any bets on how much she'll weigh in 9 more weeks?

A $300 pair of walking shoes

I'm looking for new shoes. Walking shoes to be exact. So in my adventure to zappos I find this pair. Insanely expensive pair of shoes

Seriously. Do people really spend $300 on a pair of walking shoes? I want to meet them. I want to ask them to buy a $200 pair instead. And then buy me a nice $100 pair of Ryka's. Heck for $300 I could by a pair of shoes, new sweats, and next year's gym membership.

And why am I looking on the internet for a pair of shoes anyway. Anyone that knows me knows I'm going to end up buying a pair of shoes at DSW anyway. Because they are next to Archivers and Kona Grill and they have Volcano rolls. And they are worth the 30 minute trip just for those. And sake bombs. Can't forget the sake bomb.

Yeah, I really need new walking shoes. Wanna go with?

OK, mental health break is over. Back to work.

It's Arctic not Artic

the local news channel has a front page story about the cold weather. It's been on the front page of their website since mid evening yesterday. It's titled "Artic blast closes schools". It's ArCtic. Not Artic. Notice the first C? It's driving me nuts.

So I emailed them. Wonder if they'll fix it. I feel better now that I emailed them. Should have done that last night.

Here is our Arctic Cold Blast though --- Keep in mind that the "wind chill" is -25 degrees. It's cold. It's 10:30 in the morning. And it's cold.

Gotta love Nebraska.

3:45 update -- they took the Artic story off the front page. There is now a blurb on the narrative forecast. They must have gotten my email. (or a better spell check)

10 random things for a Friday

1 - I really am craving Volcano Rolls from kona. And Sake bombs.
2 - I want to go see my best friend that lives far away. It's been too long. Besides, it's warmer there.
3 - It's been 11 days since I've seen Lucas. It'll be 8 more before I do. This is ridiculous.
4 - My knee hurts from where I skinned it when I slipped on the sand while walking the day before yesterday.
5 - I am drinking Mango Ceylon Tea (Republic of Tea). This is my 4th cup.
6 - I have 221 coke rewards points. Considering I donated most of my points for Toys for Tots last fall, that's a pretty ridiculous amount of Diet Coke.
7 - I have to work this weekend. It's a 3 day weekend. This sucks.
8 - I cooked dead cow for my husband and Son2 for Valentine's Day dinner. I used Pioneer Woman's Recipe. They liked it. Not so much so the spinach and mushroom side dish. But that's my fault. Not Pioneer Woman's. She said nothing about spinach.
9 - I got paid today and according to "the budget" I have no fun money. This sucks twice.
10 - I want sushi. Lots of it. And Sake bombs. Don't forget the sake bombs.

Spring Comes When?

Valentine's Day

Today I am thankful for my valentine.

He makes my life complete. And I love him. And he's mine. I don't even have to ask him to be mine. He just is.

That and he turns my toes to jello. :)

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown

For this blessing, I am grateful and indebted.

To Do List

I love Boston Legal. Have I told you that before? I look forward to Tuesday nights at 9:00. I consistently laugh. I laugh hard. I've been known to laugh so hard I cry. It's that good. Do you watch it?

One of my favorite times in the show is at the end when Denny and Alan sit on the balcony and have their little review of the day/week. There are always these little "make you think" comments. It's a great way to end the show. Did I mention I love this show? Tonight was no exception.

"there are many things in life that are paramount. But being there for a friend in pain..."
"Lovers come and go but friends...Not everybody has somebody like us."
"the thing about life. you have always have to keep something on the to do list"

Anybody else a Boston Legal fan? Show of hands

And what's on your to do list?

Strike or not. I love these writers. And hey, did you hear? The Writer's Guild accepted the contract today and go back to work tomorrow. {{jumping up and down}} We'll get good TV sometime in the next month or so. As shallow it is, I'm glad for it. I don't think I can handle another mid season "what will we do now" show get picked up that was thrown out before. They should have left most of them in the trash.

Sicky watch --- I'm feeling better. My voice is still shot, the croupy cough is still hanging around, and I'm tired as heck but a week later and I'm feeling mostly better. Eric is past the worst of it. generic Dayquil and lots of liquids seem to be pushing it through him faster. his voice is about an octave lower though. It's kind of cute. :) Jim on the other hand. He's still icky. He's slept since he got home from work. He has a low grade fever, poor guy. But he went to work today. That's more than I did at this time last week. Gotta give him his props for that. Well isn't that more than you really wanted to know. :)

I had about a dozen more things I was going to talk about today but I'll be darned if I can remember what they were. I'll get back to ya. Probably not until tomorrow though.

Be well!

A sick house

My boys are sick. They may be men the rest of the year but when they are sick they are definately boys. Little boys. Little whiny, grumpy, stuffy nosed, coughing, wheezing boys. I love them. And I feel sorry for them. But last week when I was sick, they didn't really give a fig. And now they want me to take care of them. Ok, maybe not Eric so much. But the oldest one? Yeah, he's a miserable sicky.

I'd take his poor miserable sicky photo. But I think he'd not be so happy with that. LOL

Hope that all at your home are happy and healthy and not so whiny.

Today we laughed a lot

Today we laughed a lot.
It was just what we all needed.
We should all do it more than we do.
Laughter cures so many things.
And could solve so many problems.

I love the way my kids look when they laugh.

How do you follow up a post like that last one?

The last post was probably THE single most important post EVER on this blog. That says alot because you KNOW how much we discuss poignant and earth shattering subjects here. For that reason, I haven't been able to come up with anything to follow it.

So what's a person to do? Well any good Grandma posts more pics. So here you go.

Welcome Lucas James

The baby is here!
Lucas James
Born 1/31/08
7 lbs 10 oz - 19 3/4 in
and as his daddy said, "He's just perfect."

Baby Watch Update

I'm going to be a grandma today! They are at the hospital. I am four hours away. THIS SUCKS!! I'm getting done what I have to get done today and then I am on the road. How cool is this? I'm gonna be a grandma. I'm gonna be a grandma. {sung while doing the happy dance}

OK. Back to work. I just had to tell you!

This is the one of the coolest feelings EVER! Who cares if it means I'm old. I'm going to be a grandma!

NKOTB Reunion

My "best friend that lives far away" is going to love me for this. I almost don't want to tell her though because I think I know what will follow. But in case you are a child of the 80's that had a thing for the boy bands.....

New Kids on the Block is rumored to be staging a reunion.





There you go M. Drool away.

Working with idiots can kill you

Click on the pic above and make the article big enough to read. I'd tell you where it originated but I've no clue as it was sourceless when I found it.

I can honestly say that this does not apply to my current position. It does however apply to most others I have had. Now you have fodder next time you need to explain why you need a sick day.

7 random things

Hey! I've been tagged by Harmony to tell you seven random/crazy things about me...hmm....Don't I tell you random things about me every day? hmmmm.

1. I can't drink milk. Not lactose intolerant but something about it gives me ear and sinus infections. Didn't believe it when the nutritionist told me. But quit drinking it and my ears and sinuses have thanked me. Who knew?
2. I wanted to be a Dr when I grew up. I'm still not grown up so this may still happen.
3. My next door neighbors growing up were Keysha on one side and Nancy on the other. Kay lived across the street. Kristy, Lisa, and Jeff all lived around the bend. Chuck lived 2 streets away and was my best friend. Larry used to be my backyard neighbor. I recently got an email from him through classmates.com it was kind of cool.
4. Even though I am on classmates.com, have an alumni designation on my myspace account, am in the hometown paper no less than 3 times a year, my parents still have the same phone number we had growing up, and they live literally in the backyard of the high school, I was still listed as an "unable to locate" or "missing" for my class reunion last summer. I don't think they tried real hard to find us. What do you think?
5. I secretly long to belong to Daring Bakers but just can't bring myself to commit. I would love to expand my baking horizons. But the whole blogging about food thing is a little out of my realm. Even though I do seem to blog about everything else. But I really don't need the extra calories each month either. But most months I make the recipes. This month's lemon meringue pie will most likely make an appearance in my kitchen. But it will have to be shared with A LOT of people because there is that extra sugar nobody needs thing. See. I just can't commit.
6. Jessie "The Body" Ventura (former governor of Minnesota) is my 2nd cousin by marriage. (so what is that, second cousin once removed?)
7. Labyrinth is my all time favorite movie.

That was kind of fun! Thanks Harmony!

From Today's Gratitude Journal

Today I am thankful for the faith of others.

A good friend is in the hospital dealing with congestive heart failure. She has great trust in her doctors. But it is her trust and faith in God that is getting her and her husband through this experience. God be with her. For then I don't have to worry.

Whether you pray, share energy, or send good thoughts, please keep my friend with you today. She could really use it.

1/28/08 Follow up: The procedure on Friday seemed to take. She is home and doing well. Thank you to all of you for your help and concern.

This is my 100th post

Not that I have anything to say really. Just wanted to post so I could say I had 100 posts on my blog. How sad am I? LOL Don't answer that.

And for those who keep asking...Still waiting...no baby news yet.

BUT I'm GONNA BE A GRANDMA!! not that I'm excited or anything. :)

Next Blog

Have you ever been reading a blog in blogger and after you are done, hit the 'next blog' button? It's up there. To the left of the middle of the screen. Do you see it? OK. Now go hit 'next blog'. Take a read. (If it' porno, I apologize now) Sometimes you get a language you don't understand. Sometimes you find a new friend in Australia. Any way you shake it, it's the 'next blog'. Random readings. Go read and report back. (just hit your browser's back button)

Can't wait to see what you find!

When good people...

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Marked locally by a big budget event -- an annual tribute downtown. Further north there was a wreath laid at the memorial to Dr. King. We closed schools. We closed businesses. The banks were open. You could shop at most stores. But did we really honor him? What would he say if he was here today to witness the day that is set aside to honor him?

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. “ - Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have to believe that with all the evil out there, all the otherwise good people who do nothing to stand against it, all the outrage we've surpressed for whatever lie we tell ourselves, that if he were here today to speak, he'd feel dishonored. He wouldn't want the schools closed, the businesses with shut doors, the wreaths and memorials. He'd want action. He'd want words that weren't empty. He'd want us to make a difference today.

Forty five years later, are we any closer than we were then?

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

Who me?

There's a baby in there!

Ella was sooo fascinated by the idea that there was a baby in there! She kept looking for it. And patting the belly. It was fun to watch.

3 year old tantrum

She was a little mad at me. Now if only I could remember what it was all about. :)

A mighty good weekend of not much of anything

So we're still on baby watch. No new news. We've instead spent the weekend doing a lot of nothing. Volunteered with Angel Food and SHARE for most of the day yesterday. Then I had stamp club with the always entertaining Sharon and Amber. :) Hi Sharon! Then home to do more of nothingness. Today was an exciting day of cleaning and going on a search for Union Suits for Jim. Do you have any idea how hard they are to find? I mean it's January. It's below zero. Shouldn't long underwear be a little easier to locate? Called a zillion stores before I found one that had some. But the search has ended and Jim is happy with his new red "winter fur." Oh yeah. And the grocery store. We went grocery shopping and spent a small fortune at Super Target. Then home to watch movies on TiVo. Have you seen Shattered Glass? If you haven't, it's really good.

See. This is why I haven't blogged lately. Really not much to talk about. Except a lot of nothing. So happy nothing day!

Underdog Cartoon Tricky Trap By Tap-Tap (1967)

Last one. I promise. But wasn't that a fun walk down memory lane?

Pinky and the Brain, Tongue Twister

parts of the brain

OK, so I'm bored and I spend too much time on YouTube. What's your point?

smurfs - episode 238 - crying smurfs

Did you know that the Smurfs' turned 50 this year?

SchoolHouse Rock - Grammar The Tale Of Mr Morton

But the ultimate question is "What does Mr. Morton do?"

Horton Hears A Who Trailer

I can honestly say that this is the first movie I'm looking forward to in a LONG time! Who wants to come and see it with me?

I laughed so hard!

Finally watched Napolean Dynamite last night. Yes. I know I'm a few years behind in pop culture what of it? Watched it with a good friend that knew I just needed to laugh. And so we did.

"Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills."

Do you have great skills? Me, I'm a nunchuk skills kind of gal.

ROFL

Why I don't read or watch the news

Warning: don't follow this link unless you want to get as angry as I am.

Because stories like THIS ONE make me literally sick to my stomach. They bother me on so many levels and for so many different reasons. I need to gather my thoughts and then I'll elaborate but right now I’m so full of words that don’t come out right that I’ll have to wait to comment.

What some people think is OK. :(

I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side

A friend posted these lyrics on their blog as part of a larger discussion. I found the statements to ring very true to me. Well, except for 1 of them. But I'm not telling which one. :D And no. It's not the one you thing. LOL

What do you believe?
This I Believe- cool site. Check it out.

"Affirmation" by Savage Garden

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self-esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

I believe forgiveness is the key to your unhappiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

Speaking of Girl Scout cookies...

As I understand it, the purpose of cookie sales is a pretty basic.
1) Raise $$ for the troop.
2) Teach the kids the value of working and earning.
3) Teach good business practices.

If cookie sales aren't supposed to begin until tomorrow (Friday), why would you bring your kid to my office today to peddle her wares? I mean, what kind of ethics is that teaching your child? It's teaching them how to cheat. And why exactly would you want to do that? And why would you TELL them to tell me that cookie sales don't REALLY start until Friday but this is just practice today.

Did I mention she had already sold nearly 100 boxes? Practice. Yeah, THAT'S it.

What ethical business practice have you modeled today?

Did I mention?

Saw an ad on TV tonight. The newscasters were doing a public service announcement.

Girl Scout cookie sales start next week.

And here we've just recovered from the Christmas cookie coma.

Thin mints and Samoas anyone?

Man Land

It's 12:15 am. I have insomnia. As usual. Nothing new there. Another 15 minutes and I'll try and go back to bed.

My husband fell asleep on the couch earlier. Nothing new there. Usually that just means he sleeps on the couch, I wake him up when I go to bed. He comes to bed and all is well until early morning.

Tonight he woke up and decided to go look for something. I didn't ask what. Then Eric went outside to see what was taking him so long. Then I went out to see what was taking both of them so long. They are both in "man land." aka the garage. The garage that HAD to get a bullet heater two weeks ago. They went out there 2 hours ago.

Exactly what good can come from 2 overgrown boys playing in man land for 2 hours in the late evening on a Tuesday?

Just asking.

From today's gratitude journal

Today's gratitude Journal

Today I am thankful for hope.

This week is the one year anniversary of the recovery of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby. And that was the day my hope was restored. And it is what I turn to when the hope begins to fade.

Today Show appearance today
Story from that day
Erin's Story

My prayers to both families today. Milestones are rarely easy. My joy with them always.

Hope is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them. ~Vincent McNabb

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles

For this blessing, I am grateful and indebted.

Praise be to God!

Man Made Card

If you are a crafter (specifically a stamper) you'll get a kick out of this. I laughed so hard!

Man Made Card Tutorial

My grandpa Jack

The last week since my grandpa’s death has been a roller coaster of emotions. The memories of the best times with him have crept their way into my everyday life. The oddest things will induce a memory or a thought of him.

I have a great respect for my grandpa’s life. He was an incredible man. I can only hope that I will be as positive of an influence on my grandchildren as my grandpa Jack has been for me.

He taught me humility. He never bragged of his own accomplishments. Even when you complimented him on a painting he had done or another successful undertaking he would just say thank you.

He taught me how important it is to be creative no matter what your talents. His woodworking, his paintings, his drawing. All came together to give him a creative outlet. He would always ask me, “what did you create this week?” “It’s important to use both sides of your brain you know.” And when my creative talents fell short of what I wanted, he’d just say, “but did you enjoy doing it? Well that’s what’s important.”

He taught me about support. When I showed an interest in drawing trees, he bought me a book on drawing trees. When I was struggling with calculus, he dug out all of his old calculus books to give to me. He tried to help me find a different way to learn it. I failed miserably but he smiled just the same when I passed the class with the lowest passing grade. “Well you did it. That’s what matters.” When I wanted to learn to do something, he’d do it with me. Even when it was a latch hook rug.

He taught me that there are no gender barriers. Encouraging my love of cars and how they worked, telling me all about engineering, making me watch golf, watching him cook and bake. No matter what I did or wanted to do, he never told me, “that’s for boys” or “that’s for girls.”

He instilled a love of gardening. He showed me every aspect of gardening. He let me pick out seeds and plants. He included me in drawing out the garden plan each spring. Sitting in the garden and eating tomatoes and peas off the vine were encouraged each summer.

He taught me to have pride in others’ accomplishments. He came to every play or musical or band concert I was ever involved with. He came to my track meets. He took me out for breakfast when my report cards came in and celebrated, even when the grades were not straight A’s. “Did you do the best you could? That’s what matters.” Then he turned around a bragged to anyone that would listen about every little success I ever had.

He taught me the importance of education. “Never stop learning.” He beamed when I chose a college. He never said a word when I dropped out. He beamed again when I went back to school. He continued to pursue his own intellectual endeavors long after retirement. Learning HAM radio. Telling me how “you shouldn't let your brain turn to mush.” The well worn magazines from his subscription to Popular Science that sat on his end table. All reminded me that learning wasn’t just for school.

He taught me to do something special for someone. He made me oatmeal scotchies. Just because they were my favorite. And never for any special reason. Walking to DQ and playing on the playground on the way. Just because.

He taught me to stand up for others. The poor school nurse never saw it coming.

He taught me to have respect for everyone. Sir and m’am when I didn’t know someone. Mr. and Mrs. when I did. And always to say thank you.

He taught me the real meaning of love.

Grandpa, I love you. I miss you. And I’ll never forget what you taught me. I promise.

Internet Safety for Teens

Anybody that knows me knows that internet safety is REALLY important to me. This is a really cool video that would be good to show to the young teens in your life. AND it was made by a kid!!

Predator Video

The funniest thing ever

Hey you. Yeah you. You know who you are!

Do you remember that thing we laughed about that one time? The thing that made us laugh so hard we thought we'd die because we were laughing so hard we couldn't catch our breath? We laughed so hard we were both crying. It was so funny it was the funniest thing ever! We were going to write it down so we wouldn't ever forget it and we'd be able to laugh about it all over again. But we didn't need to write it down because it was so funny we'd never forget it. Yeah that was the best laugh ever.

Do you remember what we were laughing about? Yeah, me neither. But it was the funniest thing EVER!

Resolutions

Did you make any New Year's Resolutions? I've made a couple. Things like exercise more, eat better, save money, get organized, etc. But I already know how most of them will turn out. So I've decided to make a few others instead.




1) Laugh. -- I need to laugh more. I need to watch comedies. Read the comics. Subscribe to more humor blogs. Go to a comedy production here and there. I just need to laugh more. And not just at myself.

2) Go to the library. -- I had to pay for my library membership for the first time in my life. (not counting the memberships I've paid for many times over with late fees) Apparently when you live outside of the city's tax jurisdiction you don't pay for the library so you have to pay for a membership. Since I paid the $25, I should really get my money's worth. I'm just going to make it a regular weekly adventure. Ok, probably every couple of weeks. But regularly. :) And I need to return them on time. $25 is really a bargain isn't it?

3) Write more. -- I get a lot out of writing. It's a gift to myself. And it's healing.

4) Create. -- It uses the other side of my brain. I need to let go of the perfectionist part of me that has to have it right. And just create.


But then again... I am perfect the way I am, so why change a thing.


See, I'm laughing already.

From there to here

So I had this idea last week to go over all of my possible words for the year. The "one word" challenge. That obviously didn't work out. I started out well on Thursday and had ideas for Friday, Sat, Sun, and Monday. But that was sidetracked Friday when my grandpa died. I have some reflection to share about him. But not today.

Today I have to pick a word. I had several ideas and have finally settled on one, I think.

Peace
Gratitude
Rejuvenation
Joy
Knowledge

So I've settled on Gratitude. And with that, I intend to use this blog to post what I am grateful for each day. We'll call it a gratitude journal. Bear with me. We'll see how it goes. :)

The Electric Company - C is for CA

A Electric memory

Peace

I have been challenged to find one word for 2008. One word that will be my pseudo mantra for the year. Something to focus on. The one word will be something to consciencously incorporate into my daily life. It will be my one resolution.

So I need to figure out what the one word will be. I'm considering a few. Today I'm considering peace.

Peace. It means everything. It has been interpreted in so many ways. World peace has always been the standby answer for every pageant contestant. "And world peace." Elvis and I still make a joke out of it. "What are your goals in life?" "Well Bob, I want to be a professional MnM Thrower and the instrument of World Peace."

I need the kind of peace that you find despite your own chaos. The peace that makes the chaos seem a little further away. I need the peace that comes from knowing that this too shall pass.

Prayer of St. Francis ... it fits in with what I want for myself in life

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

May you find peace. If only for a day. If only for a moment.

Out with the plan and in with reality

So that quiet weekend and holiday we had planned went on the window in a whirlwind. I did get 4 different kinds of cookie dough made on Saturday. Put it in the fridge to bake later. And then promptly left it in the fridge when "later" arrived. Oh well. We like cookies. :)

Got a call Saturday that Jim's mom was in the hospital with pneumonia. Apparently it is because she is aspirating liquids when she is swallowing. They wanted to put in a feeding tube. She ended up choosing not to have it but in the meantime, we decided to make the trek to CR.

Would have left on Saturday 0r on Sunday for that matter... but Mother Nature had other ideas and dropped a blizzard on Eastern Iowa. We left on Monday AM instead. GLAD we hadn't gone on Sunday after counting all of the cars in the ditch between DM and CR. It was insane. I just hope everyone that was IN the cars when they went off the road is OK. I can't imagine how scary that would be.

Christmas Eve is a fondue Party at Erika's. Tradition. And it was just what I needed. Spent time with the little nieces. Talked with old friends and E's family who I love as much as my own. I am so lucky to have them in my life. Helped Santa finish wrapping presents. Glad we were there when he showed up. Sounds like the elves were a little behind this year. But we covered for them. Those elves though. They owe us big time.

Jim and I stayed the night in a hotel. It was quiet. And SOOOO what we needed. He even brought me breakfast in bed. That was the best way to start Christmas morning. I am so glad to have him. Remind me of that next time I complain about him. LOL

Off to collect kids and to my parents for breakfast (shh. don't tell her we had already eaten) and presents. It was great to have all of the kids in the same place. Well at least 3 of the 4. We took a family picture. Gotta love my dad for that. I'll post the pic when we get them from him.

Went from there to the care center to see my grandpa. Probably for the last time. They don't expect him to live through the week. He needs to go home though. He hasn't been the same since grandma Rachel passed. I miss her a lot. But he has been heartbroken over losing her. He's ready. I just hope the rest of us are ready to let him go. Glad we were there when we were. I got to tell him what I wanted to. And that made a huge difference for me. I only hope others can do the same.

Spent a good deal of the rest of the day back at Erika's. She really is my calm place. Even when it is pure chaos at her house. LOL She is an awesome friend. I got the blessing of being able to watch the kids open LOTS of presents. It was INSANE the amount of wrapping paper in that living room. But watching them brought a smile to my heart. Honestly, for probably the first holiday in many years. I felt happy watching the kids. It is truly what the spirit of the holiday is about. The blessing that children and most importantly THE CHILD have brought into our lives. Now if only I could hold that in my heart every day.

We also got to spend time with Jim's side of the family. His sister has a great new house that she is renting. It fits her. And that is what she most needs. She cooked a Christmas dinner that puts anything I have ever attempted to shame. It was her best yet. Thank you S for giving of yourself and sharing with all of us.

The whirlwind ended with the long drive home. I got to spend some quality time on the phone with my bestest friend that lives far away. She was able to share the goodness that was her Christmas with me and that made a huge difference.

Called my sister after to tell her happy birthday. We spent the next 45 minutes laughing about a lot of nothing. It was a gift.

And now reality has come back in.

TTFN. May your day be blessed by laughter and smiles.

Procrastination

So, I've put off the fa-la-la-ing just about as long as possible. Jim finally told me this morning what he wants for a present. It's boring but it's what he wants. So I suppose I'll go get it. E wants clothes so that's easy. He's talking about moving back home, so he'll probably need grocery money too. A is impossible to buy for right now. I'll get her a gift card probably. She'll just have to promise not to spend it on Z or someone else. She's like me that way. Sad isn't it? I'll get the same for little J as he can't decide what the heck he wants. But he'll spend it on the new baby, I'm sure.



Everybody else is getting food. The cookie baking shall commence this afternoon. I need to bring back one tradition for myself. I gave cookies last year, but I bought them from my friend Sherry. She makes awesome cookies. I'll miss the date pinwheels this year. :( One of the kids is requesting homemade Toll House, and I'll be darned if I'm going to pay somebody else to make chocolate chip cookies. That's just dumb. There will however be NO rolled out sugar cookies or gingerbread men. I considered it. But I just can't get past the memory that comes with making them. Baking cookies again is hard enough.

Another day closer and a little less Grinchy

Last week A&Z came over for dinner and movies. A brought the Christmas tree with her. I had her put it on the porch.

Last night they came over again. The tree was still on the porch. She proceeded to ask me where I wanted it and started setting it up. Once it was up, she says "looks pretty bare without ornaments. Are you going to get those out?" So off we went to the basement to get the Christmas decorations. And having just recently moved, I knew EXACTLY where they were! Aren't you proud? We pulled out the zillion Christmas things we have. Why do I have a zillion Christmas ornaments and flags and various decorations anyway? But we drug them out. And she decorated the tree. And I put out the Willow Tree Nativity.

So now I have a decorated Christmas tree in my front room. Right next to the TV where everyone can see it and NOT shoved in the black hole next to the couch where I had said to put it. So now I have to look at it. And I have to admit, it's made me a little less Grinchy.

I may even Christmas shop.

Don't hold your breath though.

In 37 minutes Christmas is a week away

I am so not ready. It's my own fault. I really am trying to be Christmasy. I thought if I read other people's blogs about the happy holidaying stuff that I'd get motivated. So far it isn't working. I have however learned a few things. Ok, maybe not LEARNED, just observed.

• some people have way too much free time
• there are people who actually have more than one Christmas tree. I don't get that. I can barely get one up and decorate one
• tradition is what you make it
• the current "trend" in the stamping blogging world is to decorate peppermint patties for gift giving. Peppermint patties. Do they really think anyone will say anything beyond, "oh cute. a decorated peppermint patty. how nice." munch. and in the trash that stamped patty wrapper goes
• there are as many variations on Christmas cookies as there are people in the blogosphere
• not every body's kids look cute dressed up like a Christmas pageant character
• a dog dressed up like a reindeer makes a really funny picture. no matter who you are and who the dog is. :)
• hand crafted does not always mean "good to give"
• I am way behind in the decorating thing
• I am way behind in the gift purchasing thing
• I am way behind in the fa la la la la-ing

that is all for today

- the Grinch

Yeah, I know. It's been awhile

Yeah, I know. It's been awhile. No really good reason why. I've been busy but that's no excuse. I guess it is more because I haven't really had much of anything important to say. Still don't. Huh. imagine that. Me, with nothing to say. I'll have to work on that.

I kind of feel like this cartoon. You just deal with what you have instead of making it what you want. Sometimes that's just easier. And it's often just as nice as what you had originally planned.

Bowie Meets Crosby

Sorry I haven't been a blogging for a while. I'll work on a "real" entry tonight. In the meantime.... Enjoy my favorite Christmas song!

Captain Kangaroo with Mr. Moose

See -- told you I was feeling nostalgic.

For those that were concerned

Yes. I do feel better today. And yesterday for that matter. Apparently, I just needed to acknowledge why I was mad and get past it. Sorry to worry you.

So what's new with you? Me - I'm feeling rather nostalgic today. That and I wish I was in bed watching cartoons. -- Happy Tuesday!

When you do what you've always done....

Yeah, I know I'm supposed to be thankful. Uh huh. Whatever. Today I am not. Come to think of it, I wasn't so much so yesterday either. In fact, I’m kind of just mad at the world. Ok. Maybe not the whole world. Just a small part of it. And I really have no reason to be mad that is anything specific. It’s really just myself that I’m mad at. You see, I have this idea in my head that things will change. That if I do the same thing as before and the people around me do the same things THEY did before, that the end result will be different. That somehow there will be a different result. Guess what. There isn’t. When you do the same thing you’ve always done, you get the same thing you’ve always gotten. Imagine that.

So how do you get yourself out of the pattern? The obvious answer is that you should do something different. But when that doesn’t work, you still go back to what you know. Even if it didn’t get you what you wanted before. See. There’s that pattern again. Let’s try a different way. Works just fine until the people around you don’t change what they do. And then, here you are stuck doing what you did before and not even realizing it until you are all of a sudden in that pattern again. Stupid pattern. So let’s get everybody on board and all do something different. Here we go marching rattelly bang. Going down this new path and then something gets in the way and we sidestep it and get ever so slightly off of the new path. Marching unknowingly along and then we get to where we are supposed to be at the end. And what do you know. We once again have what we always have. Definitely not what we started towards. How did that happen? Well let’s look. Oh yeah. Back there where that thing got in the way and we sidestepped to go around it. See where we went? Yep. Back to that same old pattern. Cripes. How did we not notice that we were on the same path again? Blissfully marching along we failed to pay attention to where we were.

I know. I’m rambling again. I’d say that this is a first but y’all know it isn’t. I’m a rambler sometimes.

the day after the day they stuffed themselves

Started out like every good little brainwashed American and went shopping this AM. My contribution to Black Friday was the smallest of any year in memory. I sought out to purchase some big things but the lines were more than I was willing to wait in. So I obviously didn't need them all that bad.

Had fun shopping with a friend. We then topped the morning off by eating REALLY rich food at Wheatfield's for bfast. Yummy sourdough pancakes with black raspberry butter. mmmmmm.

Then off to home where my husband was amazed at the amount of money I didn't spend today. LOL Seriously he was. So surprised in fact that he got me back out the door to the hardware store. And THERE I made up for some of my prior non-spending on fun things like sealing caulk and water softener pellets. But we needed them so who can complain? DH did however comment several times on the "insane amount of people considering this is a hardware store". A big not so big box store but a hardware store all the same.

A & Z ended up spending the night last night. Amber couldn't get her beloved to wake up off of my couch where he was experiencing a somewhat severe case of turkey coma. After watching 2 movies we gave up and dug out blankets and pillows. And all the sleepy ones were put away for the night. Today they hung out with us as well. Kind of nice having Amber in the house for the day. Asked for "someone" to do dishes though and then the not so nice to have you back memories kicked in. :) The two of them only just left now, after I fed them supper and sent them out the door with their brother. I see a night of Xbox gaming in the future of the wee ones. Ok, so they aren't so wee size anymore. But they are still MY wee ones.

And even though all of the events of today were not what I would have planned out had I had the opportunity to.... all in all I am thankful. 40 ways and then some. For I am truly blessed. Even when I forget that I am.

"40 Things to be Thankful for" Part IV

36. other people's blogs - the world seems a little smaller somehow
37. extended family even though I don't see them as often as I like
38. fresh air
39. that I live in a place where you can go shopping at 4am. Though I still can't remember why you would want to. LOL
40. the gifts you can't put a price on or stick under the tree

"40 Things to be Thankful for" Part III

21. beautiful nieces
22. positive relationships with my siblings
23. The opportunity to travel
24. hugs
25. books
26. flowers
27. fresh fruit and veggies
28. growing up with my grandparents close by
29. crocs
30. crayons and markers
31. music of all kinds
32. people that know my faults and love me anyway
33. calm
34. Team Hope
35. cameras and the photos they take

"40 things to be Thankful for" Part II

16. Thursday Night TV
17. Internet TV for the shows I missed on Thursday
18. Stampin and Scrappin Friends that have grown to be more than that
19. Little ones that like to be tickled and LAUGH so well
20. Gas is finally below $3.00 again (at least for now)

"40 things to be thankful for" Part 1

1. my husband
2. I have four beautiful children
3. Elvis
4. my best friend that lives far away
5. the unconditional love of my parents
6. the fact that I'm going to be a grandma in 2008
7. invisible friends that aren't so invisible anymore
8. that I know how I am paying the bills this month
9. Diet Coke
10. Crabtree and Evelyn Hand Therapy
11. Fuzzy friends that are always happy to see me when I get home
12. the FHA underwriter that got me into my house
13. scrapbook paper
14. the cardinals that greet me outside the porch each morning
15. spinach and mushroom pizza

39 days until Christmas??

somebody just emailed me that. 39 days until Christmas.

Is this good or bad?

Jack and the Door

Jack thinks he can open the door. He used to just jump for the door handle. He now thinks he'll be able to jump through the window at the top of the door. Silly cat.

Added pics to Sally and the Skunk

http://carolynslostsanity.blogspot.com/2007/10/selsun-blue.html

FOCUS is an F word

My friend Jannel over at the Band Clementine had an extensive blog series about their recent Squeaky Wheel Tour. Clementine's Blog It was fun to read and has had some very enlightening moments since she has returned home from the tour. Ok, maybe not what others may consider enlightening but definitely so for me. I shared one of the blogs early last week. It was about why we let others determine our level and definition of our own successes. Check it out if you didn’t catch it the first time. Jannels version of success

Anyhoooo, her most recent blog was all about being home and the transition that that is and ended with a focus on F words. Found and Fun specifically. She said “The reminder here is that I have learned to focus more each day on what I have FOUND and not what is missing…I would say we all have pain we can focus on if we want to. I know I do, but I don't wants to anymore? It doesn't make my life better and if something doesn't make my life better then what's the point?”

See it’s that Perspective thing again! What is it with that? But notice the change. It isn’t another, “things could be worse” reminder. It is definitely a count your blessings reminder. Change your focus.

So at this time of preparation for Thanksgiving and the holidays that follow, I challenge myself and YOU to the following:

Count your blessings each and every day. Or list things you are thankful for. Every day find five things that you’re blessed with and focus on them. Write them down each morning. Or if you are a not so morning person like me, write them down the night before. Put them in your pocket or purse or planner or whatever you keep with you all day. When the day just flat out sucks and the pity monster starts crawling in pull out the list and take a look at it. REMIND yourself of the things that make your life better.

See now, this is why this is such a huge challenge for me. This is the time of year that I get in this “the holidays just remind me of what I have lost” rut. If I make a list for the next two weeks of five things each day that make my life better, than maybe the rut won’t seem so deep. 40 things to be thankful for should do that, right?

Remind me that I wrote this; because I can tell right now that I’m going to forget. Who’s gonna hold me accountable? Don’t all jump once.

Why so quiet?

“So”, you ask, “where have you been all week and why no blogging?” That would be because since this time last week, I have really haven’t been on the computer much. I also have done little to nothing that can be classified as even remotely exciting. Not that my previous garden adventures and wedding whines and pitiful boring “What I did last night” blogs were ever exciting but, well, you get my drift. But I’ve kind of been in this weird “quiet” place that didn’t involve talking to much of anyone let alone the blogosphere. I even left my cell phone in the bedroom for 2 days and didn’t once pick it up to see whose calls I had missed. Me without a cell phone attached to my ear. Imagine that. But it was kind of nice. Quiet can sometimes be just what you need.

Pitiful or Bored -- You be the judge

So tonight I had HUGE plans for coming home and:

• cook dinner and extra for a second meal to freeze for next week
• clean the kitchen
• pack up summer clothes and get out all the sweaters
• read a few chapters in the book I keep telling myself I should be reading

instead I:

• cooked frozen pizza
• cleaned nothing
• made a bigger mess in the winter clothes looking for a sweater for tomorrow
• read every post in the blogs of note blog of the day http://beingfive.blogspot.com/

So what I had planned to do and what I did didn't match up. What's new?

Then again, I could have been at a friend's house stamping but she decided not to invite me over but to call and rub it in that that was what SHE was doing with her OTHER friend. [insert pouting face here]

I'd say tonight was a wasted night but it wasn't. Because I got to laugh at the http://beingfive.blogspot.com/ comics. Check them out! They'll make you giggle. And everybody deserves to giggle now and then.

A Pittance of Time - Terry Kelly

This is a tribute to the Canadian Military but it fits for the US Forces and Veterans as well. May we all remember and thank those who have served.

11/8/07 -- Well apparently this has ghosted. It must not have liked being on my blog. huh. I'll have to see if I can figure out where it snagged off to.

Jannel wrote it, I stole it

"As I travel this road of an Indie artist it constantly amazes me as to who “makes it” and who doesn’t. I hear people like Yvonne Perea, Susan Gibson, Gary Floyd, Dana Woods, Jimmy Davis, Kelly Fitzgerald, Denise Lee… I can’t help but wonder if the people listening realize they are in the presence of greatness. This brings me to the many talented musicians that we have met during the tour and those that have volunteered to profile missing persons at their events. These are hard working artists with day jobs who have to make their music like they have to breathe. They have many other responsibilities and they still come out exceptional. They are the real music industry. This makes me wonder why any of us ever give the “industry” any right to choose or not choose us. We know what we were born to do, we know who we are and we will do it with or without them. 15 or 55, fat or thin, short or tall, the look or not…we will continuing breathing our art in and out. Isn’t it up to us to choose everyday that we have “made it?” What would we rather be just another fast food restaurant that one could find in any city anywhere in this country or a fine restaurant that people plan their vacations around? A place or music that people in the area flock to because of the genuine, honest, home grown, honed, finely crafted songs (food) good for their souls. In the end what is a measure of a mans life anyway…a hit song, a Grammy Award, a record deal from a label that could drop or shelve you at anytime…or a hard working artist who’s mission is to do some good in the world wherever his/her guitar/piano and songs take him. We “make it” every day we choose to get out there accept who we are, walk forward and continue to be true to our own reason for breathing. " -- Jannel Rap at http://clementineband.blogspot.com/

Whether you are a musician or not - this screams the truth.

That pesky perspective thing again

"It's true that life's gifts come with responsibilities. When I don't feel like cleaning up my desk or my car or my house or my general existence, I try to remember the people who would be desperate to have all the things I take for granted." - Rachel Clarkson

What is it about a lesson that even though you think you have learned it, you still keep running into it? The above was the quote from my planner for the other day. I didn't read it then as it was last Friday and I had major Fridayitis and avoided everything that I could that day, which also included avoiding my planner. And then today I had to go back to the day in the planner twice. Should have only been once but I couldn't remember what I'd read after I read it the first time and consequently had to flip back to Friday yet again. The second time I read the quote. Which is obviously what I was there for the first time in the karmic version of reality. And having obviously not read it the first time, the memory lapse had to occur to get me to to back to Friday again and read the quote.

Doesn't that all sound better than "I had to read my planner twice to get the information I should have gotten the first time. And being the short attention span gal I am, had to read around the rest of the page for the day because I couldn't remember even why I'd flipped to Friday and while I was reading I found this quote that has been haunting me ever since."

And now I've spent much of my lunch break eating a broccoli and cheese potato Lean Cuisine and blah blah blahing on this blog.

Back to the quote -- I ran into the same quote in a newsletter recently. I'm obviously supposed to remember its' lesson. I apparently still need to take stock in what I do have and count my blessings. (And apparently I need to clean my house. But that was always a given.)

Are you being responsible with the gifts you've been given?

Blessings. Count them and they'll multiply.

Beautiful Weather weekend day 2

Beautiful day! More than 70 degrees, light breeze and SUNNY! If every fall day was like this the seasons would never change. But I won't complain one bit!



This is the tree that I was saying is my favorite color - RED. The pics don't do it's intense color justice but I did the best I could.



As the summer plants die back and the green fades away (or blows away) we keep finding the beauty in the other things in the yard. I must thank the previous owners for some of the things they left behind.

I'm so glad we have this awesome yard that just happened to come with a house.

Fall colors and adventures with a chain saw

We spent the day today in the yard. When we made the plans it was supposed to be warmer then it turned out to be. At least in my head it was supposed to be warmer. :) I think it turned out to be in the mid 60's. But it was a bit breezy which made it that much colder. I'm so not ready for colder temps.

When we had the wedding in the yard, I fully expected to have changing leaves and the beginning of the fall colors. The warm weather of then has given rise to beautiful reds and deep yellows and oranges. Our feeble attempt to mimic the colors two weeks ago with straw bales and gourds is a pale comparison to the rich colors nature brings to the yard now.

I'll have to take a picture tomorrow of the absolutely stunning red that the bush outside the front door has become. When I say red is my favorite color, THIS is the red I mean. I've spent nearly an hour on the internet now trying to find out what kind of bush it is so I can buy and plant more to share the incredible color with the rest of the yard.

Speaking of reds, Jim and I have made it our mission to save this poor spindle of a japanese maple. We found it at the garden center in the 85% off no guarantee section. Otherwise known as the "we'd plan to throw it out but give it your best shot" section. It will be our labor of love for this fall. It's a lacy leaf variety. Acer palmatum dissectum I think. Not sure though because the tree was being choked by the tag and we threw the tag away before I thought to check for sure. So much for my plans to be so good about tracking everything we planted and planning so well.

So the highlight of the day was the adventures with the chainsaw. When we were standing there in Menards more than a month ago looking at the wide selection of chainsaws we had a discussion. I kept trying to tell my dear husband that we needed at least the 18 inch saw. And higher horse power was a must. We needed a larger saw because we had plenty of large trees that are bound to need chain sawing at some point. "Several of them need it now," I kept telling him. I was told that I was of course being a girl of little knowlege of things chain sawing. A 14 inch saw that was clearly labled as a "limb saw" was all that we would need. This was of course a direct result of the fact that it was dear husband's checkbook that was paying for said saw. Was it the household account or mine, we would have of course agreed that the larger more expensive saw was the one to get. But alas, the miserly decision was made and the little limb saw was taken home.

Fast forward to today. "This limb saw isn't as powerful as one would think it should be. How are we going to take down that massive trunk before it falls on the chicken coop?" And we of course have two such trees that once we started removing limbs today we found needed to be removed completely. So I'm now off to Craig's list to see about finding an upgraded chain saw.

What have you bought from Craig's list? And how cool is Craig to have made us such a place to trade.

Until next time, take a minute to enjoy the colors. And don't forget to turn back the clock!

CLEMENTINE-Must Have Been

These are my friends. And they are Squeaky! Check out their blog of the tour. The link is to the right.

oops

and then someone puts you up on YouTube. Poor lady.