Sweet Peas & Chickadees

SOCIAL NETWORKING

2012-01-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

I bit the bullet and joined Facebook awhile back. I did it because I missed out on some family invites and news. It is okay for that. I do not like the swearing and nastiness I run into at times. I kind of skip across it, holding my breath. I realize if I don't like it I can leave. I had that chat with myself already a few times. The good stuff way outweighs the bad stuff so I'll stay. I love seeing photos of the little ones in our extended family and there are often photos of my grandkids and I really like those!

Facebook led me to Pinterest and I really enjoy it. There are so many good recipes, good ideas and photos that are just heartwarming. I have read so many inspirational quotes that I think I might have to make a scrapbook for them!

I'm all-in for social networking! How about you?

This was on Pinterest. Hilarious but so true!

IMPORTANCE

2012-01-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

Just saw part of a paid announcement as I turned the t.v. off from watching Andrew Lloyd Webber on The View. The gal said, "I just know I'll never go back to regular shampoo again." I shook my head. How important is it that we know she (whoever she is) won't use "regular" shampoo again? It must be very important to her and to the company paying for the ad space on t.v. Seriously I think we all are inundated with trivial matters, trivial pursuits (remember that game?) and mindless drivel. Either by the t.v., radio, newspapers and/or magazines, too. Our brains are filled with garbage! What can we do?

We can cancel the newspaper subscription. We can only subscribe to magazines that really interest us and have a purpose. We can turn the t.v. off or listen to the music stations. We can feed our brains with substance rather than drivel. How? Read good books. Play games with loved ones. Instead of watching t.v. at night maybe play a game one night a week. Perhaps you can read one non-fiction book for every novel you read, alternating.

I used to get a daily newspaper and read it from front to back. Then I realized that it took me two hours a day to do so and that I was usually in a bad mood by the time I finished. So I cancelled the subscription.

The New Year is a good time to take stock of ourselves and change things that aren't working for us. Take a mental inventory - throw out the expired stuff and bring in the new. Good luck with that! I'll let you know how I do.

JOURNALING

2012-01-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Do you journal? Blogging is similar to journaling but you have the advantage of saying whatever you like in a journal. Not so with blogging. You wouldn't want to tell about Aunt Susie's affair with the milkman in your blog. I try not to write anything that might hurt someone's feelings. Or tell of something that I was told in confidence. But in the journal, anything (and everything) goes. Your own private thoughts and feelings are recorded, if that is what you write. My journaling is a little bit of everything. How I feel (due to my health problems) creeps into my words; what is going on with family members; the weather, etc.

If someone were to pick up one of my journals they would be taken to the "here and now." The reader would know what is happening in my life right then and there. The reader would not know where I live, how many children I have, the names of my children, etc. If the reader were to find my first journal and read forward they may figure it all out eventually. But here's the catch: I DON'T JOURNAL FOR THE READER. I journal for myself. It is something I like to do. Once in awhile I will go back and read a post or two, but mostly when I finish a journal book, it goes in a storage box.

One time I was angry - I cannot remember why - and I burned all of my journals! I wish I had not done that! I would love to be able to read my posts "way back when."

Webster defines "journal" ... b: an account of day-to-day events; c: a record of experiences, ideas, or reflections kept regularly for private use

There are many ways in which to journal. You may choose to do an art journal. You may choose to use your computer and store your thoughts on a hard drive or thumb drive. Or you may do as I do, and buy paper journals and fill them up one at a time. Because I use this method I will often buy blank journals at yard sales or when on sale at retail stores.

There is no "right way" or "wrong way" in which to journal. The reasons to journal are personal. The way in which to journal is personal. Storage of the journal or journals is up to the individual. Whatever method you choose if you desire to journal is entirely up to you. Some journal through a certain periods of their life. Some use journaling as their record of prayers.

You may find that journaling is therapeutic as I do. If you have never journaled and want to give it a try, there is no time like the present!

GRANDPA

2012-01-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

DH's dad had cabin fever and wanted to go to the casino so like a good son and daughter-in-law we went and picked him up at his house and ... crawled to the casino. Its about 40 miles from his house but it was 22 miles to get to his house before we picked him up. It is a state highway we take to the casino from his house but it had not been cleared at all. No dirty ruts, no blading, nothing. We inched our way and the car was bumping along so merrily that I almost wet my pants! Really! We decided to go the long way home, out to the freeway from the casino and the freeway had been bladed, etc., only now it has the added bonus of the freezing rain on top of it. But DH dropped me off at home and they continued the journey to take Grandpa home. We had planned to have him come home with us and eat, then play cards or something but those plans got washed out or frozen! So he'll have dinner with DH's sister who lives just down the driveway from him.

By the way, they both lost and I won. I was winning, winning, winning, but they had both lost and were ready to go home.

All in all, it was nice to get him out of the house and he had fun, and we enjoyed him, so it was an okay day even though they did lose.

SNOWBOUND

2012-01-19T14:57:00.000-08:00

There is so much snow here we can't get out of town and getting out to go downtown was difficult enough for Hubby. He first had to dig in the snow to find his car! Then scrape all of the snow and ice off of it. We can't really see where the snow was shoveled by two young men who came to the door yesterday. We thought it was done snowing! Ha! They dug out our sidewalk and all around and behind Ruby, my car. Its very pretty but treacherous. There were so many cars off the sides of the roads yesterday and today is worse. First freezing rain, then sleet and now snowing hard once again. I'm in my pj's. Fun to have that kind of a day now and then.

I made chili in the crockpot yesterday so we'll have leftovers today. Its that kind of a day and so was yesterday. Soups, stews and chili all seem like they belong on a day of wicked winter weather!

I'm hoping all our loved ones and friends are staying safe and are at home today.

Ta ta for now...

UPDATE

2012-01-17T13:49:00.000-08:00

On my mind and on my to-do list:

praying for family members with needs
still unpacking in craft room but almost done!
thinking of friend who had surgery
waiting for the snow
willing the wind to go away
feeling icky with bad night's sleep due to illness(es)
need to get busy on end of year stuff for accountant
need to get with the program on a legal matter which is weighing heavy on my mind
need to get with the program on eating right and losing weight which will in turn make me feel better generally
trying not to let stuff get me down (hard to do)
need something to read!
thinking about getting going with scrapbooking again and having a Creative Memories party so I can get a free scrapbook (theirs are the best)
that's all, enough I guess, LOL!

Happy 25th Birthday to our son, Zach, on the 19th. Love you, Zach! Have a great day.

INTROSPECTION

2012-01-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

I've changed the blog design again...as is my prerogative! I love the Victorian look, the photos, the flowers, the soft color palette, so I went with that theme for now. Hope you enjoy it!

Looking at the images I've placed about the page, I see why I am drawn to the Victorian decor. I love roses, I love the colors of pinks and purples, I love lace, ribbons, ruffles, the alabaster look of the Victorian ladies' skin, and the genteel ways of the day. I love the calling cards they would leave upon visiting one another. Perhaps most of all I am stilled by the serenity the time period invokes, at least in me.

I hope you have a serene and blissful week. If only for a moment at a time.

Potpourri

2012-01-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

My niece, Jenni, has her house for sale. If you would like to read her blog, complete with photos, about the amenities of her home, you can click The Golden Palace. Jenni has a knack for writing so the blog posts are fun to read even if you aren't in the market for a house in Kennewick, WA.

And just a reminder about my nephew, Mandan, who has a business called "Hire a Hubby," also in the Tri-Cities, WA. He is registered with the state and has excellent references. So if you need help around the house, make a comment on my blog and I'll get his contact information to you ASAP.

I was invited by someone, don't remember who, to join Pinterest. It took awhile but I finally looked at it and joined and now, I am hopelessly addicted to it. Maybe the newness will wear off, but meanwhile it is fun. There is a link on the sidebar if you want to see what it is all about.

I made some Monkey Squares today from a recipe I found on Pinterest. I decided they should be called Monkey Bars, LOL!! They taste great! I had never made anything with browned butter, nor had I heard of it even, but now I have. My topping turned out to thick but it is rather tasty with that browned butter.

Hope you have plans for a great weekend.

PRAYER

2012-01-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

I got up early one morning and rushed into the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered. He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me. He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

~Author Unknown~

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-03T11:02:00.000-08:00

Our New Year's Eve celebration was spent with family, as was our New Year's Day. We had Soleil, age 4-1/2 and Autry, age 2 for the evening. Matt and Jess brought them to the house, we all ate together, Matt set up our blow-up mattresses and got them ready for them to sleep there when they returned from a party. They took Tatum, the bambino, age 3 mos., with them.

Soleil, Autry and I played, colored, watched Dumbo and Max and Ruby videos. Then we blew horns and pulled strings for poppers with Pappy. We ate popcorn. We had a midnight snack...yes, the munchkins were still up!

Somewhere after the midnight snack the three of us piled on the couch, Soleil tucked in behind me and Autry at the front and we were very quiet and the t.v. was off. For about 20-25 minutes. Then Autry jumped up and started hopping around saying, "Ribbit, ribbit, I'm a frog" and giggling and smiling. Could he be any cuter?

Nana failed miserably in her role as Nanny. But the kids weren't hurt and they weren't hungry, so I figured that was good! (Pappy was there part of the time. He needed his beauty rest so we sent him to bed early.)

It was a very nice Christmas gathering on Sunday. We laugh a lot with our kids and the older grandchildren. We marvel at the way the grandkids love to be with their cousins. And we especially love the smiles... everyone is always smiling when we are together.

The grands are starting to get old enough to bring girlfriends and that's a new concept for all of us. Fun, though. Josh brought Anna. I wonder if she was overwhelmed! There are so many of us now. Zach wasn't with us. He and Becca couldn't make it. They live near Portland, OR which is about 225 miles from us. We numbered 30 people on Sunday! Grandpa, Vic's Dad, was with us too. Lots of photos with Grandpa! He is almost 83 now. He was in good spirits, too! I'll post some photos when I get them. Katie took all the photos and will share them with us on Snapfish so we can each order what we want. I especially wanted a group photo of all the grandkids and we got that! But the kids put Vic and I in the photo and that isn't quite what I wanted...I realized that I hadn't fixed my hair or put on my make-up! Too busy getting all the food set up I guess!

Anyway, the festivities are done and over, now its time to get on with the new year. I wonder how long it will take me to mess it up? Hahahaha!

I've chosen my word. I think. I've been thinking and thinking about it. I keep coming back to one word PRAY. So that's it. PRAY. That will be all encompassing and pertain to every area of life. And after all, that is the ultimate. It's the best way to live, best gift to give, etc.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

TODAY

2011-12-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

Today I was busy paying bills, uploading photos to Facebook and miscellaneous other stuff. On my mind:

why do I keep typing the wrong letters? is it cuz my fingernails need fills? they are too long. no car to take me to a nail spa
Ruby, the car, is at the car doctor and I might get her back tomorrow!
why do I wish it would snow?
doing a 9-day novena for some loved ones who need prayers
trying to finish up the book i started at the beach. I don't like it but I guess I want to see what happens
wanting to bake a raw apple cake but can't find my recipe
wondering why I have been hurting so much lately and it's extreme pain that the pain pills don't help
the pain interrupts my sleep
and my life!
that's all for today, I need to go do a load of laundry and dishes
at least dinner doesn't have to be cooked; leftovers!

WORD

2011-12-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

Last year rather than make resolutions I just chose a word. That word was to pertain to me and all things in my life for 2011. But I can't remember what it was! I know it wasn't that long ago that I was still thinking about that word. I thought I blogged about it about a year ago but didn't. So I'll have to remind myself often this year after I choose the word. Contenders: positive, blessings, remarkable, sharing, random, awesome, etc.

We went to the beach for a few days over Christmas since our family get-together isn't until Jan. 1st. We have to figure in the schedules of 30 people when we get-together with our children. For the most part we set things up and figure whoever can will come and those who can't, can't. But for Christmas we try harder to accommodate vacations from school, visitations with other parents, etc. So I'm looking forward to having everyone here at our "new" house this year.

The white stuff has all disappeared outside. Now it is just windy. We left the beach earlier than planned because a storm was brewing. II would rather be home during the holidays but Hubby is still hooked to the beach by his umbilical cord! We still have our 5th wheel at Shorewood RV Park. It's for sale if you are interested. It's a 2005 Challenger 5th Wheel.

Now to get myself busy with some deskwork. Happy New Year to you and yours!

NAT'L LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION II

2011-12-22T11:41:00.000-08:00

A comedy of errors...?

All ready for our trip to Mt. Hood, I was picked up an hour late. No biggy, I unloaded the dishwasher, etc. I understand how difficult it is to leave for a trip "on time" even with just the Hubby and I and they had seven people to get ready!

Daughter came in, told me the babies were sick. (Sophie age 2 and Lily age 8 mos.) But they couldn't cancel the reservations; they would have had to have done that 30 days earlier.

Poor babies were fussy, snotty noses, coughs, etc. We arrived at cabin, a bit of old snow here and there. The snowboard and tubing slopes were not open there due to lack of snow. (But snowboarding lessons were to be had by Emily (11) and Noah (12) in the morning at Mt. Hood Meadows while Gabby (16) and John snowboarded. Audi was planning to go as well.)

We had dinner in the restaurant that night. Never ending taco bar. Oops, yes, some dishes did end. Not very well organized, etc., etc. No forks, no tortillas... Mouthy young men diners making comments on the children, etc. After eating, back to the cabin. Sophia kept climbing up the spiral staircase. Not good. Large spaces for her to fall through. She kept on doing it anyway. Fireplace had to be blocked for baby. Coffee table too. Plug outlets too.

Bedtime with tired and cranky babies because they didn't feel good. Sleeping arrangements good. Beds for everyone and Nana got her own bedroom. So did Audi and John.

Morning came (too early for Nana!) with the promise of fun but the troop had to hustle as lessons were "first come first served." Oops. Baby food was frozen and there was slushy stuff all over the under-the-counter refrigerator. What? Oops, Nana's Fresca blew up? Says Audi, "The bottom part of the refrigerator is a freezer, didn't you guys know that?" No, it looked like a dorky refrigerator. Nothing to say it was a freezer. No (inside) door on it, etc. Okay, so we all got a kick out of that one.

Audi took the snowboarders to the mountain where there was but 41" of snow. Old snow. She had decided to stay home with Nana and the sick babies. She thought it would be hard for Nana to take care of the babies while they were sick and while Sophie tried to climb the stairs the entire day long. She took Sophie with her and left Lily with Nana just to drop them off.

Dinner would be a ham, cranberry sauce, fruit salad, potatoes. We colored with Sophie, cuddled with Lily, chatted like we haven't been able to do in a long time and listened to Christmas music. Then while I washed up some dishes, Audi put the ham into the oven. It was snapping and popping but we weren't worried. 350 degrees. Fully cooked ham but we just wanted it heated through. We were making sure Lily didn't get over to it because she had been looking at her reflection earlier and slapping it with her open hand. She was also looking at Nana and smiling in the reflection.

Babies were so fussy and not feeling well so we were going to take a nap, Audi, Nana, Sophia and Lily. Audi checked the ham. Using a mitt potholder in one hand and a regular potholder in the other hand she opened the oven and promptly got burned through the mitt. She jumped back, yelling, then the potholders went flying and one hit me. I hollered at her to get her hand under the cold water. She was burned pretty badly and was shocked at the temperature of the oven. It burned a hole in the mitt. We turned the oven off. I felt of the front of the oven. It was so hot! The wooden cabinets around the drop-in oven were so hot to the touch I jerked my hand away. I got on the phone and called the office and told them the oven had something wrong with it and that it was so hot my daughter was burned through the mitt. They sent someone right over and we showed them the hot wood in the cabinets, the oven, etc. He offered to take the ham to their kitchen to finish it. Then Audi had an important phone call to return because her phone wouldn't ring in the cabin (no bars) so she had to drive to find a spot to return the call. She took the babies so the car would lullaby them to sleep. (NOT!)

Meanwhile the snowboarders called and said they would be finished earlier than they had planned so could mom come and get them in 1/2 hour? I said I would try to get the message to her but that she was gone. She didn't get the message until she came back. Then came another urgent message that Emily had hurt her wrist and Audi needed to come to the Urgent Care place immediately. So she took off, leaving the babies with Nana. Neither one had taken a nap and they were both so miserable. Sophie was too quiet once so I went to see what she was up to. There she was dragging my CPAP machine by the power cord down the hallway...okay, I just scolded her. Then she was hungry - again - so I gave her a muffin in the high chair. She made it a crumbly mess then decided she wanted down. I was feeding Lily so I told her I would get her down in a minute. She apparently did not want to wait so she flipped the tray off and it crashed down to the floor and all the crumbs dissipated onto the carpeted floor. This time she was put in time-out. (In a chair next to the t.v. where I had turned on cartoons for her to watch. Nana's time-outs aren't too bad.)

So ... Emily did break her wrist ... the ham was returned fully heated through and on a nice pretty white embossed china platter ... the babies were still coughing and sneezing ... dinner did get eaten ... Audi had ice on her hand the entire remainder of the day after getting burnt. I asked for some burn salve for her and we think they must have driven to a store for something because they gave us a new bottle of Solarcaine for her.

There were a lot of cranky people in the cabin that night. That night the babies were worse, coughing, vomiting, etc., and Emily woke up about 5 times because she was in pain. I felt so bad for her, for Audi and for the babies!

We were all up early and getting ready to leave for home due to all the infirmities and luckily we were on the road when the orthopedic doc's office called from home and said he wanted to see Emily today and not wait til Friday. A quick trip through Starbucks so Nana could treat everyone and we were on the way.

Someday we will remember and laugh about our Mt. Hood trip. Maybe. My camera didn't even make its way out of the suitcase! Too busy chasing babies, wiping noses, etc. We were all glad to get home.

TRIPPIN'

2011-12-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

I'll be busy today with decorating the tree, fixing up goody trays for the kids, and, packing for a trip to Mt. Hood with Audi and family! They've rented a cabin at Cooperspur and we head out tomorrow. So, I'll be gone for a bit, no blogging for a few days.

I can't believe that I am feeling well enough to bake, and make candy and spend time with my little Sweet Peas and Chickadees! I'm so thankful that God has allowed me to do these things. I haven't done Christmas baking and candy making for YEARS. And I am not exaggerating. I haven't even decorated for Christmas for about 8 years. (Since I got so sick and quit working.) And while my feeling good might just be temporary, I am loving it and feeling blessed!

Hope you are taking time to enjoy the moments of your life. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

OCCUPIED

2011-12-17T15:55:00.000-08:00

My days have been pretty busy. Here's what I've been doing, thinking, wishing, etc.

baking cookies, lots of cookies
making candies-fudge, peanut butter fudge, frosty cereal cookies that really are candy
taking care of grandson, Koen, almost 2, overnight Thurs. night
watched two movies while he was sleeping: Water for Elephants and The Help
cleaning up my messes
decorating house for Christmas. My favorite decoration: nativity sets. I think I have ten set up and at least two more to go. Maybe more when I dig into more boxes.
wishing Hubby would put up a tree! He waits and waits. It's so dry here that "real" trees dry out fast. He tries to minimize that by waiting...I don't think it matters. And this year there is not a carpet for the needles to get stuck in!
reading. About six books in the last week and a half.
limping. Foot is still hurting. I've been doing my exercises, etc. Woe is me!

Gotta go - the timer just beeped!

COOKIES

2011-12-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

I've been baking. Last week I made Peanut Butter Cookies. Yesterday I made Frosted Cereal Cookies. Today I made Molasses Sugar Cookies and Fruity Cookies. The Fruity Cookies are cherry flavored and have cherry chips in them. The Frosted Cereal Cookies are no-bake and they are so delicious I thought I'd share the recipe.

Frosted Cereal Cookies
2 pkgs. vanilla or almond bark (40 oz. pkgs)
3 cups miniature marshmallows - colored or white
3 cups Captain Crunch cereal
3 cups Special K cereal
2 cans (13.5 oz. each) salted mixed nuts

Put marshmallows, cereals and nuts in a LARGE bowl. Heat bark in double boiler. (I microwaved mine according to package directions.) Pour melted bark over ingredients in the bowl. Mix all together and drop by spoonfuls on wax paper. Let set until firm.

Makes TONS. It is so yummy you won't believe it!

PRIDE?

2011-12-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

I am typing this with plastic gloves on my hands and coloring on my hair. I haven't colored my hair for quite some time and it really needed it. I hope this works out. I'm such a clutz in my advancing years. What's that? I've always been a clutz you say? Well, maybe so but I didn't want the world to know! Anyway, is it pride or something else that won't let me ask someone else to help me do this horribly messy job? I put on a towel cape and hope I don't have spots on my jammies like I did one other time. These are my favorite jammies.

Last night I put the cookies in the freezer and later on pulled one out. I had only one cookie yesterday and it was a messed up one that the potholder squished. So one more was okay. It was partially frozen and I was happy to find out that it was pretty tasty! Now to shop for more ingredients and then try some other recipes. This time I am not doubling the recipe. After standing in the kitchen so long my hips, leg and feet were screaming at me. Besides, if I make lots of different kinds of cookies I don't need to double the recipe because I'll still have plenty to offer.

My Christmas cards are ready to go out! I do need to buy more postage stamps, though. I can't believe I actually did Christmas cards! Its been awhile. I used to send out a newsletter for the annual happenings, but not anymore. E-mail, blogs and Facebook allow us to keep in touch in other ways now. Most of us anyway.

So what is your favorite Christmas song? I really like "Mary Did You Know" and I like Kenny Rogers' rendition, though I love to hear it by any artist. I also love "Ave Maria" but that's not really a Christmas song. Another carol I like is "What Child is This?" On the television they have a channel of holiday music I like to listen to, and one of the local radio stations plays Christmas music all day long. Some of those oldies Christmas songs are horrible, but for the most I like listening to it. Oh, a fun Christmas song I like is "Santa Baby" and I believe Eartha Kitt had the first recording of it but I like Madonna's interpretation as well. Not at all crazy about Michael Buble's version ("Santa Buddy"), though I do like him. Hubby heard that his Christmas CD is the best selling - when I got mine and listened to it, I was disappointed. Do you have it? And if so, what do you think?

Don't forget to enjoy the NOW!

BLESSINGS

2011-12-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

Today I ordered some of the gifts I needed to take care of. I did it online, as I usually do. Gladly paid $15 for shipping! That took some time but it also took a load off!

Then I baked cookies. I want to have a variety available for goody plates and our family get-together. Remember when I baked the lavender tea cakes? And they didn't work out too well? Another near miss today. I doubled the recipe and made certain that I did it just right but the dough was so mushy. Just like the play dough I made the other day. What's going on in my kitchen? I kept adding flour to the play dough and I kept adding it to the cookies, too. They look nice though and they taste...mediocre! Maybe they will taste better after sitting. Some foods are better the second day.

They are peanut butter cookies so I put some peanuts on top. I am now listening to my Maroon 5 CD that I got for my birthday from Edie. And I'm wearing my beautiful apron from my friend, Teri. It's forest green and it says "A spot of tea for you and me." It is embroidered on the bib beneath an embroidered tea pot.

So I came to the computer thinking how blessed I am because I have wonderful friends and wonderful sisters and though I was limping from the kitchen to the computer in the office I thought to myself, "At least I have both of my feet."

I guess today is a glass-half-full day.

STAGNANT

2011-12-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Not the air, not the water in the washtub, not water in a bucket outside. We don't have a water with bucket outside because our son, Matt, taught us well. If you leave water in a bucket, pond, tire, or kiddie's pool, you'll get mosquito larvae and then they will turn into mosquitos and could infect you with West Nile Virus. We don't have water in the washtub but this is an old house and the washer drains into it! Kind of archaic and Hubby plans to remedy that. (You know old houses have their "quirks.") I don't think the air is stagnant but there is an inversion going on and a burn ban. And then there is fog in the mornings but not up here on the hill!

So what IS stagnant that made me use that for my newly self-regulated one word post title? US. Our life...All we do is move boxes, unpack boxes, think about where to put the stuff we just took out of boxes... And we prepare food, eat it, clean up after it. Do the laundry because we seem to make a HUGE amount of laundry and there are only two of us! Once in awhile we go to the casino. I used to hate going there but now I go because its a diversion. And, believe it or not, I've been winning! Whoa! I hope I didn't just jinx myself!

So what can I do about "stagnant." I can accept invitations and hope I feel okay when the time arrives so I can actually go. I can think of things to do that don't take a lot of time or money. We are in the mode of trying not to spend too much money. After all, we could live 20 more years. Or 30 if I'm like my Grandmother. She lived to be 92!! Not that I want to live until I'm 92, mind you!!

So my first effort is that I accepted an invitation to go to Mt. Hood with our daughter, Audra, and her family during the week before Christmas! To a cabin at Cooperspur. I am looking forward to it. We can play board games and they can go snowboarding whilst I happily stay at the cabin with the two little girls, Sophie and Lily. I am reminiscent of the Christmas the family went to Whitefish, Montana. I was on a new medication and slept most of the time but I remember the warmth of the log lodge and the lovely view outdoors and being with our children and grandchildren. It was very memorable. And I recall another time in a cabin at Leavenworth with Audi and her children. She had three children then and no husband. We had fun shopping and being silly with crazy hats. So those fun times made me accept the invitation only wishing Pappy (what the grandkids call Hubby) could be with us. He has to work.

I had been longing to go somewhere with room service and this won't have that, but it will be fun nonetheless. Hubby's still on the hook for a trip to someplace with room service in the near future!

PONDERING

2011-12-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Why do birds always sit on the wires facing the same direction? And why does it seem to me that they face south? There aren't too many above ground wires anymore, but there are some behind our house and I love to watch the birds, only I wish they would face my direction so I could see their faces. In the spring I think I will put up a hummingbird feeder on the deck just off the living room. Then I could see them when they feed.

Hubby made a delicious dinner last night. He knows I do not like pork, other than bacon. Sometimes I'll eat sausage but prefer bacon. And ham occasionally. But pork chops and pork roast, ick. He loves it all, so he set out to find a way to cook a pork roast that I would like. And he was successful! I think he looked online and got the recipe. He made a rub for it and guess what? I really liked it. It was scrumptious. He also made a carrot dish that was on the website and complemented the pork roast. It was pretty yummy, too. The house smelled so good all afternoon.

I've addressed the Christmas cards and they are ready to sticker with the return address label and a stamp and to get sent on their Merry way!

BEAUTIFUL

2011-12-04T15:30:00.000-08:00

I posted on Facebook today that it is a beautiful winter day. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the air is crisp.

Sitting here at the computer, I heard a shotgun blast. We live in the outskirts of town and there are grape vineyards, pastures and other fields so I'm hoping the blast was a hunter shooting a bird. Sshhh, don't tell our kids...they didn't like that we moved to this town. It has a bad rep because of gangs. As do most of the cities in this valley. We just don't go out and about at night. There's no need to most of the time. We actually like where we live. It's in a nice neighborhood, on a hill. It has a lovely view. Oh, and I had a thought...I didn't hear sirens after the gunshot and that's good. We heard so many more sirens at our old house in the other town. In fact, I don't know that I've heard one siren since we moved here.

Still unpacking. Can you believe it? It is so nice though to have a place to actually put things when we remove them from the box! At the old house we had boxes stacked against the walls because there was no place to put the stuff. We have been ruthless though, we aren't keeping all of our treasures, we've decided to let someone else enjoy them.

I'm still limping around. The shot in my foot doesn't seem to have helped. But I'm wearing shoes around the house instead of my slippers. I miss those slippers though, they are so comfy.

Have a good week and don't stress out about shopping, baking, wrapping, etc. Enjoy the moment. We so often think about what we are going to do next or where we are going next that we forget to enjoy what we are doing NOW. Enjoy your NOW.

Til next time,
~Nancy~

ENCOURAGED

2011-11-29T15:15:00.000-08:00

I finally went to the doc about my lame foot. It has been so very painful and it has made me cranky...just ask Hubby, LOL! Its that plantar fasciitis that I thought it probably was. Got a shot in the sole of my foot in the heel. Oh, boy. I'm really getting sick of having to get painful shots! (Remember my nose?) The doc had a nurse come in to hold my legs down! Guess he didn't want to get kicked in the mouth! Not that I would consciously do that, but maybe an automatic reflex might cause that to happen. I'm looking forward to that foot feeling better. Have to quit wearing slippers all the time. Rats. I love my fuzzy Dearfoams. Have to wear something with a good arch. Birkenstocks are okay and I have some of those. Maybe my Earth shoe will be okay, too. We'll see. I have some information to read and some exercises to do to help get rid of the problem.

A neighbor just popped over to say hi! She was out to get the mail and it wasn't here yet. Nice. I asked Hubby if we could have a holiday Open House for the neighborhood. He said no. I thought it would be a nice thing to do to get to know people. He said he'll get to know them in the spring when everyone goes outside again. He's such a PRIVATE person...

I'm looking forward to decorating the house for Christmas! I've already unpacked some of the Christmas decor and found our stockings. They are so cute. I made them one year. 1986 actually. They are personalized with the kids' names. I've often wondered if I should give each child their stocking. But I do like having them together to put up and now we have fireplaces so we can put them on a mantle.

Do you every wonder about spellcheck? For example. The paragraph where I asked Hubby about an Open House...the word "would" is highlighted! Why? How ridiculous. Well now it won't even work. Oh well.

If I can stand I need to go finish loading the dishwasher and tidy up the kitchen. I didn't feel well at all last night so that work didn't get done.

Ta ta for now...

REMISS

2011-11-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

I've been remiss in my blogging duties of late. Will you forgive me?

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our son and daughter-in-law's house. Derek & Vickie host the event every year and it is always a lot of fun with lots of yummy food. We all pitch in so that one family doesn't have to do all of the work. Every year it seems there is a stand-out new recipe. This year it was daughter, Audra's, sweet potato casserole. Delicious! This year we missed Katie, Rick, Bobby, Mitch and Macie. They went snowboarding and skiing for the week at Vail, Colorado. Mitch stayed home since he has a job and attends college.

The Prosser Mustangs football team went into the semi-finals but didn't make it all the way to State this year. Caleb and Elijah, our grandsons, were on this winning team. And our son, Matt, was mentioned in several of the local newspapers due to his interceptions in a playoff game in 1995! He holds the record for the most interceptions in a playoff game in the league. Maybe State, too, I don't really know. It was fun to see his name there in print again.

We're still unpacking boxes here at our home on Harrison Hill. Slowly but surely we are getting things put away and organized. It's going to be great to have a place for everything and everything in its place! Hubby is working on the old house getting it ready to sell. He removed some carpeting and has had to scrape, scrape, scrape.

The weather has been beautiful! The sky is so blue and the air is crisp and clean. Well, yesterday for a bit we had some wind but otherwise its nice outside. I'm sure its cold though.

How are your Christmas plans working out? Have you been shopping? Did you brave the crowds on Black Friday or are you shopping online today, Cyber Monday? It's neither for me! This is so unusual for me as I shop online every year and have most of it done by now. NOT. I've purchased one item so far. Pitiful, isn't it? I've been busy and when not busy, ill. Not really up to all of it this year. But I have a plan - and it will all work out in the end. I'm taking it easy and not stressing. After all, Jesus is the Reason for the Season, right? God bless you and yours...

IMPROVEMENT

2011-11-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

I feel a lot better today and brother Rusty has improved as well. I'm so glad. And apparently Marcy did go home as no news is good news. Most of the time anyway.

Today I will empty a few more boxes. What I might find there is a surprise because these boxes were packed in May and put in storage. So its a little like Christmas when I look through them. A lot of the items are going to be set aside for a yard sale in the spring or donated to charity. Or given to one of our family members if they need it.

The snow from yesterday all melted and a heavy frost took its place overnight. Winter is surely here.

Winter came stomping in
Freezing my toes and
Tickling my nose.

You may have already seen this on my Facebook wall. "Redundant."

CONCERNED

2011-11-19T17:37:00.000-08:00

Marcy was to be released from the hospital today. I didn't hear if she actually was or not. Last night while two of the sisters were visiting Marcy, they found out that our brother, Rusty, was being transported by ambulance to the same hospital. So they went to the ER and found out he was having a heart attack. He has had several heart attacks and we worry so much about him. He wasn't doing too well last night but he showed improvement today. I talked to him briefly but he couldn't talk because he had some oxygen or something and it was making a lot of noise. I'm praying for his complete recovery. They did say there was no damage to the heart, Praise the Lord!

Today I've been "off my feed." Isn't that what they say when a horse doesn't feel well? Maybe because I've been really busy the last two days and maybe cuz I was all stressed out over the siblings and had lots of text msgs. and phone calls to go along with that. Anyway, I haven't done much at all today. Tried to nap but the phone kept going off! So I watched t.v. and addressed more Christmas cards. Now I'm going to go eat some leftovers and watch more t.v.

TTFN,
Nancy

PRAYERFUL

2011-11-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

My little sister, Marcy, who is developmentally disabled, has pneumonia and has been hospitalized since Tuesday. I just found out today. Please add her to your prayer list.

My friend, Pam, is having surgery today. I pray that she is comfortable and that all goes well. Wish I was there to feed her some chicken soup.

Dinner went well last night. We enjoyed having guests and the soup was really good. Hubby did a fine job on it.

Our grandsons, Caleb and Elijah, are on a winning football team in Prosser, the Prosser Mustangs. They have a playoff game tomorrow at Central in Ellensburg. Awesome! And our granddaughter, Gabby, also in high school, is in a play, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," this weekend. Good luck to the boys and to Gabby, "Break a leg."
Emily, Gabby's little sister, is going to be Elizabeth Blackwell in her school's "Day of the Notables."

Well I have a lot to do so I'll sign off for now. Hope you have a great weekend.

DISAPPEARANCE

2011-11-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

The snow is GONE! Sheesh. It snowed for hours, sticking, and today it has managed to disappear! It was pretty while it lasted. Of course, I see it through the windows of a house and not a car.

My friend, Celine, is having surgery today. Thinking of you, Celine. Hope it all went well. Now rest, read those books and let Rudy wait on you hand and foot! Prayers have been said for your comfort and a successful surgery on your shoulder.

The house is all cleaned up and ready for the dinner guests. Wow, that sounds like I'm a social diva or something. Not. Dad and Darell are coming for dinner. We're having homemade soup, potato dinner rolls and fruity SF jello with light whip cream. Nothing fancy, just good old winter food. Hubby made the soup.

I began writing out the Christmas cards. That doesn't mean anything. I think a couple of years ago I started early and ended up not sending them out! And I don't think I did last year either. Anyway, I have good intentions. I know, I know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions...

Unfortunately I have thought of so many things that I won't be able to do now that I have no car. Either that or I'll have to wait for Hubby's day off to do them. He usually fills his days off with his errands; I wonder how he'll like doing mine, too. Like getting manicures and pedicures. Going to the post office. Doctor appointments. I'm sure we'll work it out. My mom didn't have a car for years. She didn't have a driver's license for years, either. (When I was young.) (When she was young.) I wonder how she managed getting groceries. I can't remember that far back. (I wonder if Sunnyside allows horses in the city limits, LOL!)

Ciao. Have a great weekend!

DISAPPOINTMENT

2011-11-16T12:10:00.000-08:00

Last night I thought to myself that I really should try to use a one word title for my blog posts. Like "Reflections," "Observations," etc. Little did I know I would have to use "disappointment."

My car, Ruby is her name, has quit putting heat out from the heater. I nearly froze my buns and hands off last night on the way home from spending the afternoon with Macie, my almost 9 year old granddaughter. Not a bit fun. When I phoned hubby to tell him I was leaving he mentioned that the weather report is calling for a temperature drop and that we may have snow in the next couple of days. And my car with no heat.

Wonderful. I had a movie date with three of my grandchildren on Thursday afternoon since they have conferences at their schools and have the afternoon off. Peachy. I was so looking forward to that. So we took Ruby to the car doctor and dropped her off, asking them to call once they discovered what was wrong and to give us an estimate.

Oy vey! Over $1,000! And we have the holidays, we have the lot rent, utilities and insurance on our old house still, too. So, we are going to let her (Ruby) sit until after the first of the year. We are trying to keep from running up bills, that is, we are paying cash for all of the above and right now isn't a good time to spend that kind of money on the car. I really don't use it all that much, and it will be fine, but I sure didn't want to have to cancel on the grandkids. We were going to see Puss N' Boots... Such is life. But I never like having to disappoint my wonderful Sweet Peas and Chickadees.

SO BUSY

2011-11-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

It's been kind of busy around here. Here's a bit of what has been going on at the Hoefer House.

Hubby has been moving all the little odds and ends from the old house so now I have a lot more to unpack
We brought the beach house stuff from the storage at the beach and added it to the piles of boxes left to unpack
Sat. night we got to play with Sophia and Lily while Mommy and Daddy went out for a little bit of birthday cheer. Daddy's birthday was Sunday
I've been playing with Koen while the older boys and Mommy had together time
I'll be with Macie tomorrow since she has the afternoons off for conference time at school but Mommy's school doesn't
I've been hobbling around with a lame foot for weeks now and can't figure out what is wrong - Fibro? Plantar fasciittis (sp?)? Don't know but its awfully painful.
Reading - I'm on my third book by Catherine Coulter since the Sisters' Weekend
Oh, Sisters Weekend was last weekend, Nov. 4-6. We had our usual wonderful time together with lots of laughter
I've been using my new camera and here are a few photos to share with you

The family room. We decided we like the knotty pine, it goes with the house which is a mid-century model.

The Wall of Fame. This is my third attempt to make it look decent. I still have oodles of photos to add. All of our children and grandchildren will have photos here.

Suitcases in a corner. Two of them have 'dress-up clothes' inside for the grandchildren to play with.

My main priority yesterday was to get Grandma Dillon's and Aunt Donna's dishes unpacked and set about. It's Franciscanware "Desert Rose." I love it to pieces and not only because I like the pattern, because it belonged to two very special women whom I loved a lot.

We had purchased this display case when we had the beach house and just moved it here a couple of weekends ago.

It's a perfect home for the Desert Rose dishes. Now I can add to the set and replace any with chips or cracks. And I plan to use it on special occasions.

This wall will have photos of extended family members, i.e., my parents, my siblings, hubby's parents, siblings, etc.

Back in the Saddle Again

2011-11-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

I've been away...and before that I was kind of "down in the dumps." But life goes on and here I am again. Hoping to be able to hang in there and not get so down in the dumps...to be able to go about my daily life with a little bit of gusto. I'm giving myself a pep talk every now and then. Thanking God for the beautiful life He has given me, the beautiful people in my life. Yes, you too!

Anyhow, I just returned from a lovely weekend with my sisters. We had a lot of fun! We played a practical joke on Sister Patti - so funny! It helped that she was dieting. She was the last one to arrive and dinner was being prepared. We each had a bowl of salad. Sister Edie had some crafting materials on the island counter where I was sitting. The materials were for Alex to make a big feather for a turkey at school. There were some bits of a light green mulberry paper. I put them in Patti's salad! They fit right in, the color was perfect and the size was too. So we are all sitting there eating our dinner and talking, catching up with one another. She'd get some lettuce on her fork and inevitably the paper would fall off. We're all looking at each other, waiting for her to get a piece in her mouth. We were about to split our sides and had to cover our laughter up. Finally a piece made it to her mouth and she took it out and looked at it, and wondered out loud WTF? Of course by now the other three of us are busting a gut laughing!! We got her but good!! "Laughter is the best medicine."

We watched movies and shopped. And ate out. And shopped. And laughed. And had a most enjoyable time and of course, when the weekend was over we went away with another trunk load of memories. I love my sisters.

PUMPKINS AND SCARECROWS

2011-10-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

What is your favorite thing about autumn? It plays with our senses and I love more than just one aspect of it. I love the colors of the leaves, especially the bright red colors. I also love the smell of leaves burning in the yard, or wood burning in the fire place. I'd like to bottle it for the incense and save it for the other seasons of the year!

I've been watching this tree. I didn't get the photo snapped when it was half n' half, i.e., half the tree was green and the other half was the beautiful red color. It is beautiful, isn't it? I see this out the windows at the back of our house.

An autumm floral bouquet made by our daughter, Katie. So cheerful and bright, like Katie!

My birthday was Tuesday and Hubby got me a bouquet of stargazer lilies, my favorites. They smell heavenly!

Hubby finally picked the watermelon from the garden! It is huge! We don't know where the bathroom scales are but we would have loved to weigh it. It is sweet but a little pithy.

Did you notice the flip top of the can is missing? We are saving them for the Knights of Columbus to help the less fortunate. Such a little thing but it can help so many.

I read two books recently. Deep Storm by Lincoln Child and A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve. Both excellent.

My camera quit working recently, just in time for my birthday. Yep, I got a new-fangled camera for my birthday and I've been learning how to use it. I still need more practice but one thing is certain, the zoom is mightier than the zoom on my old camera! I love it!

Have a great weekend.

~Nancy~

Hurtin' for Certain

2011-10-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Had my nose looked at and tortured yesterday in Spokane. Went for the 3 month after surgery appointment. The Doc didn't like the look and wanted to numb me up and smooth it out. Kind of. I asked if I could pass on the shots to numb me up. He looked at me like I was nuts. I told him I hate those shots, they hurt. Certainly what he was going to do wouldn't hurt as bad as the shots, right? Wrong, says he. Please let me do it, says he. I thought about it - leaving the bullseye at the end of my nose they way it healed - and he asked me again, please. So I said yes, reluctantly. Oh my, oh my. Yep those dern shots felt just as bad as they did when I had the original surgery. And bless me, he grabbed onto my nose and sanded it down with sandpaper. Well it sounded and felt like that. He was "smoothing it out." Then cauterizing. P. U. And more "ouch." It took about 15 min. total. But the hurtin's taking much longer. And it looks nastier than when I had surgery. So, if you need a clown, I have the red nose going on already. Maybe tomorrow it will hurt less?

This is all because the sun gave me skin cancer. So, just remember that when you go to the tanning booth. Skin cancer is no fun. And it can be fatal, even. Use your sunscreen.

FINALLY...HOUSE PHOTOS

2011-10-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

Next to the doorway into the kitchen on the fireplace wall are these framed drawings by Vic, my dear sweet Hubby. Top - Elephants, Middle - Cougar, Bottom - Jesus with a lamb.

The coffee table in the living room. The rug was just put down on Saturday finally. We had to wait until the floors had "cured" for at least a month.

The living room.

The bouquet was a housewarming gift from Katie and Rick. Katie made it. The photo above the chest is of my great-grandmother Nancy Scott Dillon Chandler.

My collection of restaurantware cream pitchers. They are about 3"-4" tall each. Aren't they sweet?

Close up of some of the cream pitchers.

The family room while the grands were here. Noah is pictured. The middle of the floor has a blow up queen sized mattress on it but its not normally there, LOL!

Notice the 1950s knotty pine wood on the walls. We have decided not to replace it. We like the mid-century look and the wood is so nice. The doorway you see is into my craft room which isn't ready for public viewing!

SWEET PEAS, CHICKADEES & AN OWL ARE IN THE HOUSE

2011-10-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

We had Macie, Noah and Emily for the weeekend and Jonah decided to stay, too. We have been having a lot of fun.

Jonah Hoefer, son of Derek & Vickie.

Emily, Macie and Noah.

Macie is Katie's daughter.

Emily and Noah are Audi's children.

Hmmm. Scotland Yard need some new bobbies?

Or the Keystone Kops, maybe?

Macie likes this one even though her eyes are closed!

This is my "owl" challenge project. Even though I didn't get to enter the contest. I had a lot of technical difficulties. First my camera wouldn't work, it died; then I texted a picture message to Edie and had her send it to my e-mail but the photo was all blurry;

then I borrowed Macie's camera and couldn't upload the photos last night. Today it worked though.

I had the tree, put wine bottle corks on all the stems, hot glued buttons on the end of each cork, tied the crinkled & dyed seam binding on the branches and hot glued buttons to the base of the tree. The owl is made with simple shoe box cardboard, brown coffee filters cut into "feathers" with button eyes and paper mouth and horns.

BABY PICS

2011-10-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Autry, Soleil and baby Tatum.

Precious little ones.

*sigh*

Tatum Laon Hoefer

Mommy and Daddy are Matt and Jessica Hoefer.

Tatum was born October 4, 2011

Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz.

Length: 19-1/2"

Baby is Here

2011-10-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

Tatum Laon Hoefer joined mommy and daddy, Jess & Matt Hoefer, on October 4th at 12:56 a.m. She weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19-1/2" long. She is so tiny and sweet! She was sleeping a lot the day she was born, and seemed so laid back. She joins Soleil, her big sister of 4-1/2 yrs., and Autry, age 2. Such a nice family! I was able to help out by being with big sister and big brother the night Tatum arrived. That was lots of fun! I just love being with my grandbabies!

No photos yet. I have some on my phone but can't get them from the phone to the computer. Technically challenged? I admit it.

Today I have things to do, places to go and people to see. Not really all that much, but I am going to the doctor for the results of my blood test and the other one with which I had so much trouble! (A few posts back there is a description of my difficulties with a certain test required by the doc.)

The weekend is near - I wonder if it will still be raining. I think we are having three of our grandchildren overnight for a couple of days. We may have to watch movies and make cookies or some other inside activities. It will be fun no matter what we do.

Hope you have plans for fun activities, too.

Do You Appreciate Someone?

2011-10-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

I told Hubby last night that I appreciate him. Why? Because I really do. He is such a hard worker, always pushing himself to accomplish whatever he sets out to do. With this move he has more than outdone himself. First spending all that time working on the hardwood floors to make them look beautiful. Then packing, toting, loading and unloading all the boxes and the furniture. He had help for the large items and for that we were/are very thankful to Derek and Matt, our sons. But there's still a bunch of odds and ends at the other house and a small building full of boxes of decorations for Christmas and some from the house that I packed away when I thought we were moving to the beach. Anyway, he worked so hard yesterday and I helped some, but really quite little cuz this old body just couldn't handle it. Zee brain she says "go" and the body she says "whoa!" So I told him, "I appreciate you."

It's an attitude of gratitude...

TODAY I...

2011-10-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

am looking for black out curtains for the master bedroom
am thinking about the Family Reunion
hung some art on the walls
cleaned & scoured sink
unloaded and loaded dishwasher
shaved my legs
looked at Facebook
read about some people dying from Listeria they got from cantelope and thinking about the fact that I ate cantelope last night (home grown but I don't know if that matters)
am thinking about the recall on the lettuce that has Listeria
am hoping Craig and Ellen have a safe and uneventful trip back home to the other side of the country and thinking how nice it was to have them here
wish I felt better
hope the grapes get picked soon so that shotgun noise will stop
can't wait to go to my craft room and create something (I haven't unpacked everything yet)
will go to the old house and bring some more stuff to the new house
am thinking about Tatum and wondering when she will arrive (due Oct. 3)
hope you are doing well and having a great weekend!

Scrapbooking Software Giveaway

2011-09-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

This blog is giving away some scrapbooking software. You can enter, just like I did at the blog post for A Fine Feathered Nest. Its a lovely blog and you will enjoy reading it as well as entering the contest there.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

2011-09-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

Remember the neighbors entertaining me last week with a fight over the dogs and the police had to come?

Last night Mr. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt was at his mailbox which is next to ours and one other mailbox at a stand at the corner of our front yard. He is a little portly, but so am I so what the hay. Anyhoo, he's got his cane and his mail, then the breeze blew his hat off his head. He picked it up, it wasn't an easy thing to do. Then he begins to walk back to his house which is across the street and west. He's wearing a large pair of shorts. Khakii colored. Cane in one hand, mail in the other, hat starts to blow off again, so its in his hands now, too. Hubby and I are watching and since Hubby has been introduced I asked if that was Mr. Jingleheimer and he assented that indeed was him. As we are watching him mosey back across the street, I notice his shorts are dragging down on the right side. I mention such to Hubby, "I think his shorts are falling down." Hubby agrees. And as we watch, Mr. Jingleheimer's shorts fall all the way down exposing his buttocks before he realizes what is happening and hikes them back up again!

I love this neighborhood. Always entertaining...

AUTUMN BLOWS IN...

2011-09-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

We are experiencing the first wind storm in our new house. Wow! The house seems sealed up tight but the view across the valley is obscured by dirt while the dust storm ensues. The trees are blowing every which way. It is a much cooler day than yesterday. It was like entering an oven when stepping outside.

We had lots of busy-ness yesterday. First visitors were hubby's sister, Diana, and her hubby, Darell. Diana works two weeks on and two weeks off, or something like that. She commutes back and forth and she hadn't seen the refinished floors so they stopped over before they went grocery shopping.

Right when they were leaving, Audra, our eldest daughter, brought Noah, Emily, Sophia and Lily over. They stayed for quite awhile. It was fun! They dug into the Dress-Up suitcases and were all trying on the different clothes, wigs and hats stored there. A blonde curly wig was a hit and caused us to laugh a lot!

Just as they were leaving, Matt (child #5) and his little Soleil arrived. Matt came to help Dad move some furniture. Soleil came to play with Nana! We strung beads, played with Pet Shop toys, picked tomatoes, looked for insects and more! I learned something new from Soleil, who is 4-1/2. She found a praying mantis that had met its demise. She said, "Its a girl." I asked how she knew that and she told me that the girls are green and the boys are brown! That was news to me! She's quite the nature girl - wanting to be outside almost the entire time even though the heat was oppressing. Derek, our eldest son, came to help move furniture, too. Our living room is now furnished, but not quite finished. Thanks to the boys for their help.

Then it was off to hubby's other sister's (Deb & Farrell) house for dinner. We were late, but they fed us anyway, LOL! We had a great dinner with acorn squash fresh from the communal garden.

Since I was exhausted from my fulfilling day of children and grandchildren, I wasn't feeling up to a walk to the football field to watch the balloon rally night glow, although I'm sure it was beautiful. We went on home where I vegged out watching LMN movies until I went to bed.

A busy, fun day was had by all. I hope! I love any time spent with my family.

Happy Fall, Y'all!

TINKLE TINKLE...

2011-09-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Any of you that have been cursed with the "Burnett Bladder" will relate to this. I have always had to use the Loo a lot more often than ... well, most people, except my siblings and pregnant ladies! Today I had to go to the laboratory for blood work. Fine, got me on the first poke which is a miracle. Got all done, then the tech says, "We need a urine sample." I must have looked at her funny cuz she then said, "You have to pee in this cup." Okay, no problem. I can pee in that milk jug if you want me to!

...deedley dee, doe dee doe, tweedle dee, is there a book in here?
...deedley dee, doe dee doe, tweedle dee, can you turn the water on for me?
...deedley dee, can't go pee...

Well that's okay miss, go eat some breakfast and drink some coffee. Oh, great idea, I fasted for 14 hours and I am hungry...

...deedley dee, doe dee doe, tweedle dee, what the hell?
...Me, Nancee, Burnett Bladder and all, still can't go pee????????

So I had to leave and bring the cup home with me. First time in my life I've had trouble peeing...how embarrassing!

WE HAVE MOVED!

2011-09-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

At last, we are in our new home. Our new "old" home. And pretty tickled to be here, too. We stayed overnight on Saturday, last weekend, and we are getting used to the sounds of this house - each house has its own little noises. And we are getting used to the sounds of the neighborhood. Yesterday the sound of the neighborhood was fighting! Two couples were at it right outside my kitchen window but across the street. I think it was about dogs. The police came and settled it, I guess. The t.v. hasn't been hooked up yet but who needs t.v. when there's action right outside? Silly, huh? Oh well. They weren't physically fighting, just verbally.

We have met four of the neighbors now. Except for last night's disagreement, the neighborhood is friendly and quiet. We can hear the freeway off in the distance when we are outside but that isn't bad at all compared to the noise around the house we just moved out of. That place was extremely noisy all the time.

The t.v. will be hooked up today and last night we got the computer all hooked up. We still haven't put the furniture on the hardwood floors. We are giving it time to set up, more time than advised even and I cannot wait to put furniture on the main floor. We have been living in the basement mostly.

My nephew has started a business called "Hire A Hubby." His name is Mandan, he is licensed and can do all kinds of "honey-dos" for you. If you are interested in hiring him locally, make a comment and I'll give you the phone no. etc. I am proud of him and hope his business works out well.

We are on baby watch...anytime now our 16th grandbaby, Tatum, should arrive. I'll let you know when she does. We will be notified to go take care of Tatum's big sister and brother.

Ta ta for now. Here are some recent photos from family members:

Melanie, holding Koen. Kooper is behind her head and Ajay has his arm around Koen.

THE HEAT IS ON...

2011-09-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

I think its time to move! Not to put furniture on the hardwood floors yet but we can move into the kitchen and the basement rooms. Yippee! So this is short...I'm working on sorting and packing my clothes and that is a chore. Funny how I only wear the same few pieces of clothing and the closet is overflowing. There is a yard sale box already full to the brim with clothes and a second one with miscellaneous crapola.

We had our usual get-together with Dad (Hubby's) and the local siblings last night. Did I mention that he loves to go to the fast food place that serves Hershey's Chocolate Pies? Every time he orders the same things: senior coffee, junior whopper and a chocolate pie!

Back to work, just wanted to say hi - the weekend is almost here and the weather is to be much cooler, PTL! Easier to move than when its in the upper 90s.

TTFN,
Nancy

WORDY WEDNESDAY

2011-09-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

I do crossword puzzles and am really not that great at them but I've been a word-a-holic for a lonnnggg time. One thing about crossword puzzles is that you never know if they clue is a verb or a noun or something else entirely until you figure out the words around it. So thinking about words and the perm I had last week, this word popped into my head. Kinky. See? Is it a noun or an adjective? I don't prescribe to it for my hair, nor my hmmm, delicately Nancy, this is, after all, a general audience blog, kids might read it... Well, I think you can guess what I don't prescribe to in this (kinky) manner, LOL!!

So I'm going back for another perm this morning. I had one on Friday but it didn't really take. The bottom edges are straight as a stick. The rest of it isn't too pretty either. I could gel it all up and look like an aged rock star, but along with kinky, that's not my style!! At least on the outside!

With that, I will leave for the grueling two hours of trying to look like...me!

ON MY MIND...

2011-09-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hubby says the floor isn't drying fast enough and we probably won't be able to move next weekend...

I feel like baking oatmeal cookies but I'd eat too many of them and not make my first goal with the scale...

All the packing I have yet to do...

Haven't had a chance to read my book lately...

9-11...today is the anniversary of that horrible day. I remember being glued to the television, horrified at the devastation...

Wondering how many bath towels we have because there are some in storage at the beach...some at the Fifth Wheel at the beach...and some here...and wondering if I can dye towels. Anyone know?

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

2011-09-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

Not really! Its still hot and dry. I just needed a catchy post title, LOL!

Guess what? The hardwood floors are finished except for a few places that need to be touched up. Its still pretty stinky in there and the floors are not quite dry yet so one more week and we will be able to move in. Hopefully. I'm not going to say that is carved in stone because of the way things have been going thus far with the new house!

We picked up the shelving units for my craft room today! I am excited about that! Once they get put together I can start unpacking my boxes. But really I am not finished packing here at the old house so tomorrow I'll work on doing that.

We drove the old El Camino to Yakima to pick up wood for two work benches and the shelving units for my craft room. I love that El Camino and wish we could keep it. We might, we haven't really decided yet. We have four cars right now and we only need two. Deciding which to keep and which to sell isn't happening too quickly! We have other things on our mind, I guess. But the El Camino can haul stuff so its kind of handy to have. And I don't mind driving it either. It needs a little help and some spiffing up and it would be awesome!

Ta ta for now. I'm reallllllllyyyyyyy tired tonight so I'm off to bed. Hope your weekend is going well.

~Nancy~

READING CHALLENGE

2011-09-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

Prizes for the reading challenge are shown on the sidebar. To enter, choose a book in a genre you don't normally read. Post the title and why you chose that book on a comment here on my blog. Make comments now and then if you wish, telling about the book, but when you are finished you need to make another comment and tell why you liked or didn't like the book and whether or not you will read that genre again in the future. Choose a book, make a comment, read the book, make another comment. Then your name will be placed in a drawing for the prizes. Questions? I like comments so feel free to ask anything!

TRUE COLORS

2011-09-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

I've been painting at the new house. First I painted the window trim in the guest room but it was the wrong color. No problem, it needed two coats anyway so I painted the true color yesterday.

The day before I had started to paint the kitchen. It is yellow and I am not liking it that much. It would do in a pinch, but why not paint it a color I like. So I continued painting it yesterday after I was done with the windows. Phew it was a hot day to be climbing around countertops and wielding a paint brush but I persevered and worked til I started being too messy, which was a good time to quit! I managed to paint all day and live to tell about it!

I am not nearly finished so I'm going back today. And good news, our A/C at the mobile home is fixed, yippee! And we have now found more product for Hubby to finish working on the hardwood floors at the new house. But, he can't work on them until Friday, holy smokes, that's tomorrow! I gotta get out of here and get to painting!!

TTFN!
~Nancy~

I'VE BEEN THINKING...

2011-09-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

About the book I am reading; it is so good. Would be glad to share it when finished.
Pioneer Women of the Kansas Frontier. Wow. They had so much to contend with compared to us in the here and now. A good reminder of just how easy we have it.

About all my crafting stuff all packed up in boxes and wondering when I'm going to be able to unpack it and eventually use it again! We did find some awesome shelves yesterday that we will use in my craft room rather than Hubby building some. He has too much to do as it is and was telling me he would build me shelves. I don't want to sound mean but I don't think he'd get to them for quite awhile! (We didn't buy the shelves yet though.)

We have managed to keep this house pretty cool without the aid of an air conditioner! I keep the lights out as much as possible, keep all the shades closed and open windows in the early morning hours to bring in the cool. It has cooled down at night so that helps. Oh, and no using the oven!

Hubby went to a family reunion for his side of the family but I stayed home. Ten hours in the car in one day is not my idea of fun!! It actually puts me out of commission for several days so we thought it best I stay home.

Tomorrow we will go to our son's house for a BBQ and that will be our celebration of the Labor Day weekend. Matt and Jess are getting ready for baby Tatum who should arrive sometime this month, towards the end of the month. Soleil and Autry will soon have a baby sister.

Melanie, daughter #3, has taken her two eldest sons (Ajay & Kooper) to San Diego for the weekend, to the zoo, etc., with a couple of her friends and their children. How fun for all of them!

Audra and John have taken the children (5) to his parents' home and while visiting them and other friends they will also do school shopping.

Hope you are having a relaxing and fun weekend too.

HOT AUGUST NIGHTS

2011-09-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

The air conditioner still doesn't work. We had a repairman out two weeks ago because the system was making a loud noise. But it made cool air. The repairman put in a new motor for $400+ and told us we would probably need a new system for the nominal sum of $3700. This is in the "old" house. We had not moved into the new house yet. Then came the weekend and the system quit putting out cool air. The fan would work, in fact, it didn't turn off ever. But no cool air. Call another repairman. He found the problem, said he'd order a part and have it fixed on Friday. On Thursday the part came in so they asked if they could come in a day early! But of course! Coolness sounded good since it was nearly 100 degrees outside. And we live in a mobile home. So they came, they saw, the part didn't fit. No fixee this time. Have to order another part.

And meanwhile, back at the new house. Hubby was putting the 2nd coat of polyurethane on. Fabulon. But he knew he'd need more and the store where he got it didn't have more. He asked if I could track some down. So onto the Internet looking for same. In the midst of that, Hubby called saying the last two gallons of the Fabulon were not the same as the rest of them. They were cloudy, had big gobs of goo in them. Can't use them. So, where can we find Fabulon? On the Internet. But maybe three weeks would go by before it arrived. So lots of calls were made to lots of paint stores, etc. Still can't find Fabulon. Sheesh. Can we use another Brand? We don't know. Lots of research later (on the Internet) and we still don't have an answer.

Are we ever going to get to move into our new house? Stay tuned...

(And wouldn't it be nice to be able to stay there where the A/C works?)

I CHANGED MY MIND...

2011-08-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

I'm changing my mind again. I had forgotten how many other blogs I'm linked to and don't want to lose those connections so I'm staying here with Sweet Peas & Chickadees and leaving the other blog (From Our Home on Harrison Hill) alone.

Today was a great day! My sisters and I got together and we had lots of laughs and lots of fun. We wore our matching pink tee shirts that read, "What Happens With The Sisters Stays With The Sisters." And bling. Lots of bling. And Kritter and I had matching hats, same style but she had purple and I have pink. We met at a casino about 2 hrs. away from sister Patti and 2 hrs. from us in the other direction. Sister Edie kindly drove way out of her way to come and get me since my eyes are causing me problems and I've not been driving much at all. We had lunch first and lingered over that, talking and catching up with each other and the family news. I am almost convinced to start doing Facebook...I am trying to resist but I miss so much. Our siblings and our cousins all do it and a lot of nieces and nephews, too. I am not committing yet. I need to think about it some more. Like until after we get all moved into the new house.

Speaking of the new house...DH has been working hard on the hardwood floors. You know if we just moved in on top of the floors it would have been fine - the house has character, its 60 years old so the wood floors would have been wood floors. Old ones. But, DH wanted to spif them up a bit and did a lot of research. Many steps later the floors have one coat of polyurethane on them. WOW! What a difference! The floors are absolutely beautiful now! They still have darker places and dings here and there so they don't lack character but they are so pretty. He had some help from two of the sons and myself, too. But yesterday I went to see the floors and the fumes about knocked me over. DH has been using a respirator, thank goodness, but it was so strong I couldn't stay inside. Its been two days now and they are much better so I'm planning on painting on Wednesday with the help of DH's two wonderful sisters, Diana and Deb.

Meanwhile back at our mfg. home, we have a discombobulated heating/air conditioning system. Last week it was making a terrible noise and not working properly. We had a repairman come in - needed a new motor. $412 for that. Then he told us we might be replacing the whole unit as there were other problems. So over the weekend it quit working period. The fan would come on but no A/C. Tomorrow another repairman is coming over. Today was a good day for me to be gone with 100 degree weather and no A/C. Thank goodness for fans.

Have a great week!

NEW BLOG READING CHALLENGE WITH PRIZES

2011-08-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

I'm hosting a reading challenge on my new blog. If you haven't visited the new blog yet, here is your chance to read it and to enter a fun contest. Click here to go there:

From Our Home on Harrison Hill

Anyone can enter the challenge and anyone can win the prizes.

CONTEST AND CHALLENGE

2011-08-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

On my new blog I have posted a challenge contest. Click here to go there:

http://homeonharrisonhill.blogspot.com/

MOVING SALE

2011-08-06T01:35:00.000-07:00

Ha ha! The new blog is up and running. Click this link to go there:

From Our Home on Harrison Hill

OY VEY

2011-08-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

One of my dear sisters, Edie, is in the hospital. All of us (sisters) get migraines, three of us more regularly and I don't really know if Marcy does because she can't tell us. But since she seems happy most of the time I doubt she gets them. Some of our brothers get them, too. Neither our mother nor our father got them. Anyway, Edie has a migraine with a name I can't remember but it means that it doesn't respond to normal medication. They did do an MRI but it showed nothing. Edie is a diabetic and her blood sugar is too low, too. I texted her to ask the nurses for a banana split. Edie is a nurse at the hospital where she is now a patient. Edie, get well soon! I hate it when you hurt...

The sisters were to have a get-together tomorrow in Pendleton so we could meet sister Patti halfway. Or part of the way. I don't know if it is halfway or not because she lives way the heck and gone out in the boonies of eastern Oregon. But we have canceled those plans. Or postponed them anyway.

Tonight DH and I had a nice dinner with this two sisters, Deb and Diana, and their hubbies and Dad. (DH's Dad but I call him Dad now too.) Deb recently retired and she is enjoying her time - says that she was made for this! She baked a delicious Bumbleberry Pie for our dessert. That is something I cannot do well, i.e., bake a pie. Even with cheater crusts I manage to mess it up somehow! In fact, I don't do well at any of the food prep and baking anymore and that used to be one of my strong suits. (Yes it was!) Hmph. I baked oatmeal cookie bars the other night. Dry as sawdust. And yes, I followed the directions in the recipe. Might have to quit cooking all together and believe me I don't cook often at all anymore.

I've been working on the new blog. I have to go between the two computers for photos and today I had trouble being online with the newer computer. The new blog is called, From Our Home on Harrison Hill. We haven't moved in yet, but we will be soon. If you want a sneak preview, just click the link.

Hope you are having a nice week! Tomorrow is supposed to be our warmest day of this streak. So far we haven't had any days over 100 degrees which is unusual.

Don't forget the sunscreen and be sure to drink lots of liquids in this heat.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2011-08-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

I have decided to combine my three blogs into one. I will be changing the name and the URL but for now, you can still access this one and the other two (links on sidebar). Once I have designed my new blog I'll put links on the old blogs so you don't have to hunt around for the address.

Why are you changing your blog, Nancy?

Because I can.
Because we are moving and getting a fresh new start with lots of room in new house so I'll be doing more artsy stuff
The two other blogs were started to promote my Etsy and ArtFire online shops which I no longer have.
It will be easier for me to keep up with just one blog.
I didn't like my name being "out there" so I've assigned a new one that doesn't include my name on the URL.
I want one really good blog instead of three that are hit and miss.
Its Tuesday.
Hahahahahaha!!

Can you tell I'm feeling better? Yep.

On my mind:

new blog, of course
my nose is healing nicely
I get to spend Thursday with my Sisters and we are wearing our "Sisters" shirts (What happens with the Sisters stays with the Sisters)
We are moving to our new house soon, need to pack more boxes
Wondering why my stomach is feeling weird now - started in the wee hours of Friday when we got home from the long beach trip
My nephew Jacy proposed to a nice young lady (says his dad) and they've set a wedding date for October
My other nephew, different brother, is getting married this month (Jeston)
The Hoefers are having a family reunion on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend
Granddaughter Gabby is in a community play which has shows beginning this weekend. Can't wait to go see!

AUGUST? WHERE'D JULY GO?

2011-08-02T00:07:00.000-07:00

Good question, eh? Truly it was just yesterday I had that cast on my arm/hand, surgeries on my eyes...but really its been over 7 months! My grandmother used to say the days were soooo long. Not here. Days go by in the blink of an eye!

We had a whirlwind trip to the beach last Thursday. We ended up coming home the same day. Well, part of it was Thursday and part of it was Friday. It was just weird and when we got home and heard the message from the title company we knew why we were steered homeward. An error had been made and we needed to present the title company with more money! Had we waited until Saturday or Sunday to arrive at home, we would have had to have all the paperwork redone and sign everything all over again. And there were so many papers to sign - more than ever in our lives before when we purchased a house! I think the pen was running out of ink when I got done signing!

And possibly because of the long trip in the car (600 miles) It got sick and I've been ailing since. Today I felt quite a bit better. Not perfect. I did pack a few more boxes today, baked some bar cookies, did the dishes, filed all of my fingernails down - all this packing is hard on the hands and especially the nails.

Ta ta for now - since I'm feeling a lot better I'll get back into blogging. But don't hold your breath!!

IT IS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

2011-07-27T12:33:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly amazed re: the six degrees of separation. However, it is a term I only heard of in the past ten years or so. If you are like me, and haven't heard of it, click here Wikipedia. It will tell you all about it.

Last night we had dinner at Hubby's Dad's house. His sisters (Hubby's) cooked a nice dinner because (well that's what they do!) for Dad's two sisters who came to visit. One of the aunts brought her "new" husband. They've been married for about a year but we had never met him. We enjoyed talking around the dinner table then everyone went outside to sit and enjoy the nice weather. The new uncle and I got to talking and found out we are related, sort of! He knows one of my brothers because my brother was married to his niece! So his uncle is brother to my brother's ex-father-in-law. Does it make sense? Clear as mud, I know. But what a small world!

I've been packing and enjoying it-but talk to me in a week or so and I'll bet I won't say it is still fun, LOL! I'm actually being thoughtful about what is going to the other house. I don't want to have the problem we have had here re: not enough room. So I'm being very careful about what I think will look good, or what we will actually need there.

Time to go back to work. Have a great weekend.

Six Degrees of Separation

MOVING, MOVING, MOVING KEEP THEM DOGGIES MOVING

2011-07-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

It's time! Time to organize and pack! Time to get serious about it. We signed papers last night and the funding will be done on Friday! I'm happy as a ... well, I'm pretty darn happy! Lots to do, though. Many things are going on in addition to the moving. So this is short! I'm sending out an e-mail to family members re: address info for different ones so I can make up a current list for everyone.

Ta ta for now! I'm going to pack up my arting & crafting supplies that's how close we are to our move - yippee!

We can get our new pieces of furniture out of storage after moving!

The new kitchen has yellow walls and cobalt blue light fixtures so I'll be able to use some of my blue from the beach house.

And my "bird" things can come out and play. Vic's drawing of a squirrel, too.

My pillows from the beach house will look great in our new living room and on the new couches! (I think!)

This set is what I purchased for the new house in the guest room.

We got this dining set for the new house. It hasn't been delivered yet. We got eight chairs with it! It's really lovely. There is a drawer in each of the short ends. Each chair is padded. We will be selling our antique oak table and the chairs with it.

This room will be my studio! We will build shelves on the far wall for my supplies. I'll have my worktable and a writing desk here. I might have a second table, too, so that I can have one station for my paper crafting and another for my jewelry and wind chimes assembly. We'll see. I will probably have a computer & printer here, too.

MONDAY MONDAY

2011-07-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth. Psalm 33:14

I read this psalm this morning and it provoked my thoughts in this direction. Looking at you today, what would He see? Here is what He would see of me:

a thankful servant who enjoyed a get-together with her family the day before (that woman not complaining that there are not enough of these get-togethers but one who is very thankful for those that do materialize)
a woman anticipating life in a new/different home with room for everything
that woman joyfully packing boxes even though her back is killing her and she has to rest now and then
a woman savoring the "little things" i.e., a young grandson who stopped in the midst of the busy hubbub and stared at the sky watching an airplane fly high overhead
another grandson giggling and dancing when Nana sang a silly song to him
a woman whose heart swelled from pride - proud of the three sons and the three daughters as well as the grandchildren God blessed her with

Have a lovely and blessed week.

These are some of the bottles I've been decorating this past week.

This bottle has a little roll of music paper. A secret note could be placed inside.

I decorated two Coke bottles just for fun! Everyone has these old bottles so they aren't too "special" but with the added "foo-foo" they are special now!

HOWDEEEEEEE

2011-07-19T23:22:00.000-07:00

I'm in a giddy mood, here in my little studio, all by myself, reading my e-mail, getting close to hitting the sack. I've been with this nose bandage since last Wed. and I'm so sick of it! It begs to be ripped off but I must not ... must not ... must not. Can I be held responsible if I rip it off in my sleep? Tomorrow it gets taken off, and none to soon let me tell you. It doesn't hurt, it's just very annoying. Time to get the stitches out behind my ear and on the nose YIPPEE! I heard I've been exposed to the stomach flu. Please God, not tomorrow! I'll ask for a raincheck if I have to get it! But I'd just as soon have that flu pass me by...this time...please?

I have been arting and crafting big time the past two days. And enjoying every minute of it. Well most every minute. Cleaning up the debris won't be so fun! But after tomorrow, I'll be able to pack again so no more arting and crafting for now. I'll have to show you my creations. After I take photos.

So, the siblings found an billboard that speaks to us. Here it is:

And there are 14 bottles... (I'll take their word for it, I didn't count them.)

The paperwork is just about ready for us to sign on the new house purchase! There was a snafu but it has been taken care of finally.

Here's some pics of some of the Sweet Peas:

L to R: Kooper, Macie and Ajay

Bobby with Koen.

PEERING AT MY PROTRUDING PROBOSCIS

2011-07-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

Today Hubby and I went out and about, doing some errands and we stopped for a bite at a nearby Mickey D's. Oh, boy! I got ogled at big time. One little boy saw me, his eyes went wide and he ran to get his brother/friend and then they both stared at me. I smiled and said that I had an owie on my nose. I couldn't say it in Spanish though so they may not have understood.

Last night we went to a birthday party for Sophie who will be 2 years old on Thursday. When grandson, Noah, age 11 or is it 12, saw me he ran into the house to tell his mom that "Nana has a cast on her nose!" Too, too funny!!

So I have had a bit of a glimpse of what a developmentally disabled person goes through constantly. We teach our kids not to stare but we should really not do that because then they will really want to look! Most people try to ignore my protruding proboscis, but some just flat out ask what happened. I think I don't mind that as much as the staring.

Learn something new every day tidbit: Don't eat an ice cream cone when you have a "cast" on your nose. Especially chocolate.

BOZO IN WHITE

2011-07-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

The bandages on my nose should be red! And I guess I could wear my clown costume every day and no one would look twice at the nose! But there is a bandage behind my ear on my neck, too, from where the graft was taken.

I'm actually feeling okay. It hurts if I turn my head, or almost anything, but not badly. Tomorrow the bandages can come off the graft site but the nose must remain swathed until the stitches are removed next Wednesday.

I slept a lot today since yesterday was tiring. 7 hours in the car and all the trauma. I can't do anything anyway, doctors orders. No packing, no lifting. No nothing. They don't want the site to bleed and they don't want my blood pressure to rise. So nothing is what I'm doing. Watching t.v., doing crossword puzzles and blogging. And sleeping. Tomorrow I probably won't sleep so much and I'll have to fight myself to keep from packing!

I'm alive and well!

MOHS ON THE NOSE I SUPPOSE

2011-07-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we head to Spokane, WA (about 3-1/2 hrs. drive) for my surgery; basal cell carcinoma has landed upon my nose once again. And it has visibly grown since the biopsy so I'll be glad to have it removed. I don't look forward to the shots to numb the spot, though. Ugh, they hurt when the biopsy was taken - I need a bullet to bite on I guess.

I can't believe that Chicago had such a ferocious storm that thousands of homes and businesses have no power! Wow! And I heard that some would not get the power back until Thursday. That reminds me of the Columbus Day Storm in Oregon when I was in the 8th grade. It was October 13, 1962. The power lines were down and we had no electricity for I don't know how long. All the people in the neighborhood brought the meat from their freezers and cooked it on the brick BBQ in our back yard. My Grandmother worked at a ladies "ready-to-wear" store in Hillsboro where we lived at the time, and the roof lifted up off the building and landed behind the store where the employees parked their cars! I went to stay with her at her apartment and remember that I had to walk over downed power lines and the wind was so strong it turned my umbrella inside out!

Our house is starting to look like we might be moving! One thing that really seems weird is that the refrigerator looks so naked without all the magnets on it! I hate it! The side had all the magnets from my siblings, especially my sisters, and the front had magnets from places we've been and other miscellaneous. A couple of my favorites: "My idea of roughing it is when room service is late!" And, "Creative minds are seldom tidy!" I should have counted them as I removed them!

Hope your week is going well. I'll be back later this week to let you know how the surgery goes.

WEDDING PHOTOS

2011-07-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

Sara and Rob.

Beautiful bride and handsome groom.

Sara.

Sara and her mum, Myrtle.

More photos to come.

TODAY...

2011-07-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

My cousin-friend is getting married. Well, she is married already since the time is 8 hours later than where I am. Congratulations, Sara and Rob. Have a wonderful life together as husband and wife. You are two very special people!! Can't wait for the photos.

Today is also my eldest granddaughter's birthday - Sweet Sixteen! Happy Birthday,
Gabby! I love you!

Earlier this week my brother, David, and my brother-in-law, Greg, lost their cherished Baldwin, a Welsh Corgi. Baldwin was getting older and he had cancer. We will all miss him and I send my love to David and Greg. David made a beautiful, loving tribute for Baldwin on his blog gadb blog. Better have the Kleenex handy...

Another brother has a birthday today. (I have 9 brothers.) His name is Ryan but we have always called him Reb. Happy Birthday, Bro!! Haven't seen you in awhile...love you!

YESTERDAY:

Did some sorting and packing. Then when hubby came home from working on the tractor in the peonies I said I'd like to go out to dinner. He was game so we stopped by the house we are purchasing and told the owners that the appraisal has been done - they had already heard. Then we went to Yakima and had dinner. Afterwards we started the search for living room furniture. We had planned to buy in about a month or so, after we signed on the dotted line. Well, best laid plans...we bought a dining table with 8 chairs...and a couch and love seat! We won't take delivery until after closing, though. Since we will be having a family room and a living room we needed more furniture. We didn't really NEED a dining table...but hubby has hated ours for years now. It's an antique and I think he just got tired of it. We've had it for many years. I like the new one. It's not tall like a lot of them are these days. It's regular height and the chairs have upholstered seats. He reminded me that this is only the second time in our married life that we purchased a table and chairs that are new. The first set was way back when the colors were green and yellow (avacodo green and harvest gold-it was the seventies)and the print was floral. So actually, this is the fourth set we have ever purchased - remember on Father's Day I got him a set of chrome and yellow table and chairs off of craigslist. That set is for the basement to play games on, put puzzles together, fold laundry, etc.

We do need more "new" furniture but we'll wait on it until after we close and move into the house. We will need new bedroom furniture. What we have now will go into the guest room. We will be going from a 1100 sq. ft. house to a 2600 sq. ft. house. I can't wait!! We are still getting rid of things though because we don't want it to be cluttered like this house is. Minimize is the word of the Day. Week. Month...

Tonight dinner at hubby's sister's house and afterwards we three "girls" will give each other pedicures! Fun! Hope you are having a fun weekend, too.

Moving House

2011-07-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to share some news with you until now. We are buying a house in the next town over! I'm finally able to be happy and share the photos with people. Hubby wanted to wait until the inspection and appraisal were finished so we didn't tell a soul. Now I can climb on the roof and scream it out!! LOL!

The house was built in 1950 and has "character." There have been updates but there are still charming little things about it that new homes don't have. The main floor has been totally remodeled but the basement has not been. So there are still things for us to do that put our "mark' on it.

It's on a hill and has a beautiful southern view. The backyard is good sized and has a patio, place for a garden, etc. The front yard is smaller but has quite a few rose bushes and a pretty tree. Birch, if I remember correctly. I think the curb appeal appealed to me right away. The back yard is pretty private even though there are houses on both sides. There are no houses behind it.

Here are some photos.

Front of the house.

Back yard showing the deck and patio.

Southeast side of back yard with a bit of the view showing.

The living room.

The living room fireplace.

The kitchen with back door showing. Stairs to the finished basement are to the

right of the back door.

Eagle When She Flies

2011-07-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

I hope I am not infringing on someone's copyright in posting this song. I've been going through paperwork, sorting, tossing, etc., and came upon this given to me by one of my sisters. So for my dear sisters, my sweet girlfriends and my wonderful daughters and d's-in-law, I post this as a tribute to you:

Eagle When She Flies
She's been there, God knows she's been there.
She has seen and done it all.
She's a woman, she knows how to dish it out or take it all.
Her heart's as soft as feathers, still she weathers stormy skies.
And she's a sparrow when she's broken, but she's an eagle when she flies.

A kaleidoscope of colors you can toss her around and round,
You can keep her in your vision, but you'll never keep her down.
She's a lover, she's a mother, she's a friend and she's a wife.
And she's a sparrow when she's broken but she's an eagle when she flies.

Gentle as the sweet magnolia, strong as steel, her faith and pride.
She's an everlasting shoulder, she's the leaning post of life.
She hurts deep and when she weeps, she's just as fragile as a child.
And she's a sparrow when she's broken but she's an eagle when she flies.

She's a sparrow when she's broken,
But she's an eagle when she flies,
Oh bless her, Lord,
She's an eagle when she flies.

Koen helps mommy get ready!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

2011-07-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

God bless America! What are you up to today? Probably a picnic and maybe a parade? So far I'm just home, alone, and listening to loud music. Or listening to my music that has been turned up loud! And I have been doing laundry, dishes, cleaned a toilet, made a fruit salad in a watermelon cut to look like a basket. Unfortunately the melon was so ripe it split on one end so it is going to leak, but I put it on a vintage restaurant platter. I like vintage stuff and have pieces here, there and everywhere in our home.

Why am I home alone? Hubby went to the beach. He'd been waiting for me to feel better and it didn't happen so he decided to leave yesterday. He must have really needed a fix cuz he has to come back home today since he works tomorrow!

Later I'm going to our eldest son's house for a hot dog roast and to watch the fireworks from their back yard, the best view ever! Last year we were at the beach and the home we were renting was on the other side of a bluff from the town's fireworks display so we didn't get to really enjoy them last year.

Did I mention that I am having trouble with my eyes? I have quit driving. I'm okay at home with everything near, but I do sometimes have trouble reading the guide on the television and sometimes can't see the clues on my crossword puzzles, or the numbers on the puzzles, unless I put the book right in front of my face. But driving and riding in a car is where the real problem lies. Everything is blurry and I can't read the signs. It is scary and it is dangerous, so I'm not driving. I am going to make an appointment with an opthamologist soon. But I know already there is no remedy. It happens because I have FMS or it happens because of my medications. (Or both?) None of which I can stop taking. This computer screen is large and the print is, too, so I'm fine so far with it. I'm farsighted and this problem shouldn't be...

Have a Happy 4th of July everyone!!

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-06-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I have been watching The Voice on television. Tonight was the night they announced the winner from the group of four finalists. I had chosen the four earlier in the season and thought they were all very talented and excellent. Last night John Q. Public had to call in votes and the one who garnered the most won $100,000 and a recording contract. The winner announced tonight was Javier Colon. What a tough decision it was - so difficult that (don't tell anyone) I didn't vote. I just couldn't choose one contestant over the others. I look forward to the next season for this great show.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY

2011-06-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

I read a lot. I'm rather selective in my book choices in that I don't like to read romance novels or science fiction. There have been times in my life where I didn't want to have to figure out "whodunnit" or delve into my imperfections with self-help books and at that time I would read a romance novel or two, but never a sci-fi. For example, on a vacation I might read a book that was on the shelf in the lobby of a hotel. I can't remember how long ago but I know it has been at least ten years. The thing about romance novels, or any book for that matter, is that you always learn something. Perhaps the hero or heroine's career is one that you don't know much about. Or they live in an area you've never heard of, or been to. I can name any number of things you might learn by reading a book.

So you won't be surprised that I've learned something recently about God. I learned it by reading a book about prayer and praying. I've read hundreds of such books over my lifetime and maybe I read this before but have forgotten it. We humans always pray for things to happen in a manner of our choosing. We want the job, we want the car, we want the house, etc., or we want someone to get well. We want our own ailments to go away. We pray and pray, yet the desired result doesn't happen. Has God forsaken us? No, really He hasn't. His timing is so different than ours. But that I already knew. I always say that its hard to discern sometimes just what God wants us to do in a certain situation. He doesn't send us a fax, or put a memo under our pillow. So it seems as if the prayer has not been answered. I think I just can't figure out the answer but that God has given it to me. NOT!! He does always answer our prayers...we just don't realize that He has. We may not see the whole picture in our lifetime...we may not know the reason He didn't answer the prayer or the way the prayer was answered until we meet him in Heaven!! What a relief it was to me to finally understand that there won't always BE an answer to my prayers. I have felt so inferior for thinking in this way, that I must be flawed because I can't "hear" or "see" His answer! To realize that there won't always be an answer NOW has been a huge blessing! Does this mean I can quit praying? Absolutely not. And of course, there is much more to praying and conversing with God but I wanted to share my enthusiasm over this one point.

If you are interested in the book I'm reading it is Praying With Confidence, Renewing Your Trust and Joy in God by David Egner, published by Discovery House Publishers and produced by RBC Ministries.

WEDNESDAY

2011-06-23T01:29:00.000-07:00

Today was HOT! 90 degrees this afternoon. Thank heavens for air conditioning. Days like this make me wish we had a swimming pool. But I remember they are "high maintenance" from the times we did have a pool. I'm pretty sure I couldn't keep up with it.

Today I had lunch with my little sister, Edie, and her son, Alexander. They came to me and we went to Mickey D's - my idea, so that Alex could play. We had a great visit and last night we had a nice phone visit, too! We are both night owls so we talked from midnight til one a.m. We never run out of things to talk about either!

Then we had dinner with DH's dad tonight. DH has a standing "date" with dad every week on Wed. at a nearby Burger King cuz that's what dad likes! I wish they'd actually go out to a nice dinner sometime but they don't really care to. I've been joining them lately when I feel "up to it." Today I almost didn't feel up to it. I got a pretty bad headache this afternoon so I took something for it and took a nap. It was gone when I awoke. A blessing...

I haven't been up to blogging recently, as you've probably noticed! Maybe because nothing of interest is happening and I haven't felt well either. I did pull off a surprise Father's Day gift for hubby with the help of our eldest son, Derek. Hubby had been wanting a retro table and chairs, you know those heavy chrome and formica sets we all used to have? I found one on a "list" and bought it for him. It has four chairs which need recovering and the top of the table has been well used as one would expect for its age. Circa 1950, just like me! Anyway, it was a surprise and Hubby was pretty tickled. He is so hard to "gift." Over the years I've had to be very creative and sneaky to get a gift he didn't guess he was getting! BTW, the table is yellow and the chairs are, too. A good table for doing puzzles and playing games.

Have you seen the ad on TV with all the slinkies going down steps? I wonder how they did it. I'm sure its some graphic designer's art but I love it anyway!

TTFN and I will try to post more often...

Don't you just want to have a seat and sip on a glass of iced tea or lemonade?

The Voice

2011-06-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying "The Voice" on television. It's a bit different than "Idol" but I don't know that I like it better. I enjoy both. I've always enjoyed listening to good singers. Some of my siblings have great voices but not me! I'm one of those people who can't carry a tune in a bucket! We all have different talents. God has blessed us all differently. I'm still wondering what mine is!

It's windy here in Ea. Washington. That's nothing new. But I hate how it blows my hanging baskets around and causes the flowers to fly off! A lot of our flowering plants died but the ones that lived are just beautiful! And the one Japanese maple that remains (of three) is so big! I guess its making up for the other two!

I'm getting more items priced to take to the antique store where I've been selling my wares. It's in Wheeler, Oregon - "Old Wheeler Antiques." If you are in that neck of the woods, check it out! It's a huge store with awesome furniture, collectibles and vintage items. I love getting those checks in the mail! I had given up my Etsy and ArtFire online shops because its a lot of work and I don't have a lot of "up" time - lots of "down" time with FMS and the other maladies I have. So pricing items and dropping them off is pretty easy for me and I'm enjoying that. I am clearing out all kinds of stuff to make room here at our humble abode.

Am I missing the beach house? Not really. I don't miss the upheaval of coming and going, packing and unpacking and most especially I don't miss the 5-1/2 hr. drive which usually takes longer. I do so love the beach but I will keep enjoying it just not as often. We will still have our 5th Wheel in the RV Park to go to.

Hope you are having a great week.

SUMMER IS HERE

2011-06-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

I think its finally here, summer that is. It is actually hot outside during the day but still cools off at night. We thought it would never arrive. The peony harvest is over. It was really late this year and there were some other issues to contend with so the crop was the worst ever! But you wouldn't know it by looking at the beautiful bouquets in my house. Peonies smell so good and they are so beautiful.

I was supposed to have dinner last night with my three beautiful daughters but I couldn't go. I have been dizzy for three days now. Can't drive. Must sit still, no sudden movements, no bending over. I was really upset that I couldn't go last night. They still got together, which was nice for them.

Hope you have a great week!

Recent Photos Shared With Me

2011-06-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

Soleil & Autry at Disneyland in April.

Soleil models her new glasses and her beautiful smile!

Koen is always smiling. Except when he isn't.

Ajay in his uniform. Future Seattle Mariner.

Kooper, too! Different team.

I'm happy to feature all of my wonderful grandchildren so send me photos, okay?

Just a Reminder

2011-06-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

See that little pink and white box over to the right? That is an important little box. If you click that every day, you will help fund free mammograms for women who cannot afford them. It's so easy and means so much. Just click it everyday, once a day. Simple enough, right?

Do you want to know what Mohs Surgery is? That is what I'll be having on the skin cancer on my nose. Here's a link for you if you want to know more about Mohs Surgery: Mohs Surgery . I've had this surgery twice. Once on my nose and once in my left ear. So this will be my third time and I'm glad the doctor recommended it for me. It's much better than all the alternatives.

Nothing much going on here. I'm just busy paying bills - UGH. It involves sorting the mail basket, listing out the bills, then writing the checks or paying them online. And I forgot, it also means reconciling DH's checking account. It is never up-to-date. He forgets to write things down, writes things down wrong, etc. So it is a two day job, really, ending with a trip to the post office. I'm just about there.

The weekend is here and I hope you have a great one.

CHAPTER ENDS...NEW ONE BEGINS?

2011-06-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

One year of our lives we spent coming and going to the ocean shore. We feel blessed to have been able to do that and we enjoyed almost every minute of it. Moving out wasn't so fun, but its over now and we can "move on." Well, kind of! We are a bit tired and sore from the marathon packing, moving and cleaning! Now we have another mini-storage to take care of "someday." We still have one in this area that we need to deal with at some point in time. I'm certain there is nothing of value there...sad, isn't it? We accumulate so much "stuff" that we have to have two storage units. And we still have way too much in this house we live in.

Our eldest son, Derek, and his youngest, Jonah, came to help us and we couldn't have done it without them. Thank you so much, Derek & Jonah! We appreciate all of your hard work.

I finally heard from the dermatologist. When I didn't have a message on the phone when we got home I called them. They returned the call today saying that I do have basal cell carcinoma and that they are referring me to another dermatologist for Moh's Surgery. I am happy about that. The PA had told me he probably would just do the surgery himself and put a flap on it. I didn't like the sounds of that - the cancer is on the end of my nose and I would really like to keep my nose. I've grown accustomed to it over the years! So now I wait again for the Moh's Surgery office to call me and set up an appointment. Good thing I've done this before and I'm not all stressed out about how long its taking. I know from past experience that this is how it goes.

Hope you are having a good week. Can you believe it is June already? My Grandpa Dillon was born on this day but off the top of my head I can't remember the year. Sometime in the 1890s. Grandmother (Edith Burnett) was born on May 31, 1899 so 112 years ago yesterday she was born. Do you think 40 years from now someone will be mentioning my name? I hope someone thinks enough of me to remember me then! DH's Dad's birthday was May 30th - 83 years old - and our grandson, Ajay, had his 8th birthday the same day! Happy Birthday to All You Special People!

Ta ta for now...

JUST A MOMENT

2011-05-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

I'm taking just a moment away from my packing to bring to you this awesome photo of my children when they were little. The eldest and the youngest aren't pictured. Don't know where Derek was but Zach wasn't born yet. Enjoy!!

I scanned it and it was a polaroid so it turned out kind of funky. If you double click on the photo it will enlarge and you can see it better.

YIKES!

2011-05-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

I woke up with a sore throat and a runny nose! Darnitallanyway! I'd better be able to "work hard" this weekend! Gotta get that stuff of ours out of that other house!

Hubby is going to the doctor today and I didn't even have to nag him a bit! It was his idea, even. That means he really isn't feeling well. Which I knew, but in my new efforts not to worry so much (and give it to God) I didn't even mention it to him until after he said it last night. Then I politely wrote him a note and reminded him and gave him the phone no. of the doctor's office! (I'm so nice!) We don't see each other from about 7 p.m. til 5:30 the next afternoon, so notes work great. Although we do talk to each other every day at his lunchtime when he calls me or if something comes up and I need to call him.

So here comes the big weekend - what are your plans? Hope you have fun no matter what they are.

STUFF AND SUCH

2011-05-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

Melanie just returned from a trip to Savannah, GA where she visited her friend, Jen, and her family. Judging from the photos the weather was nice and she had a great time. I hope. That's one of my favorite places to go but its been awhile since I was there. *Sigh.*

Zachary has hurt himself and it isn't looking good. He dislocated his shoulder at work and has to wear a thing around his middle which his arm is attached to to stabilize his arm. He went to an orthopedic doctor today and it looks like surgery might be in Zach's future. First he has to have an MRI and an "ink" test to determine how bad the wound is and what it would take to fix it. Ouch! Zach we'll be praying for you and hoping things go well. (And Mom will be there if'n you do have surgery, of course!)

I haven't heard from the dermatologist about my nose yet. The biopsy was a week ago today. It hasn't healed yet but that doesn't surprise me. I heal slowly.

DH is still stumbling along after his heart episodes and his pneumonia. He is "draggin' butt" let me tell you. He comes home from work, eats dinner and goes to bed! He did work in the peony fields last weekend, which is too bad. It would have been nice if he could have rested. The peony harvest isn't looking good at all this year. Very few flowers and a lot of the plants are dead. They won't be hiring a crew this year. The peony people (his Dad, sister, brother-in-law) and him plan to do it themselves since there are so few flowers.

But, we will be busy this coming weekend as we move the remainder of our things from the beach house and bid it adieu. We will do so with a tear in our eye, for sure. It's been a great year there! We feel blessed to have been able to have the use of the house for a year in our life. It's a beautiful, comfortable home and we enjoyed it. We especially enjoyed when our children and grandchildren came to visit. Looking at that magnificent view will remain in our memories forever!

I have been draggin' butt, too, lately. I had a headache/migraine that lasted from last Wednesday through Sunday. Yesterday I awoke without one which was wonderful! Also, my FMS is just wreaking havoc with my body. So many painful muscles and joints all at once. And the unmentionable symptom is keeping me close to home, too. Grumble, grumble. There's so much to do and my body can't do it...my mind says yes, body says no. I did do some laundry and kitchen work yesterday and today I cleaned out my closet!! Which I've been wanting to do for two years at least! I had to make room for the clothes that will come home from the beach. Goodwill or some other charity will be getting a large donation! I might even clean out my purse bins. Notice the "s" on the end of that word? Bins, not bin. Which is probably why I should clean them out. I have a purse/bag/tote fetish. Well, not in the true sense of the word but I do enjoy purses, bags, tote bags, wallets, etc. DH finds it comical. And you know what the great part is? I don't mind second hand! I'll buy a purse if I like it no matter where it is, but I'm frugal, too. I prefer to find things second hand or purchase them on sale. Mama taught me well to make the best of my hard earned cash!

Well, that's it for today. My shoulders actually hurt from typing this. Sheesh. It's not enough that I have medical issues but I'm old, too. Sometimes the line is blurred between being old and having medical problems.

MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: Detection

2011-05-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

If you have a mole that is asymmetrical, you need to have it checked by a doctor. This type of mole is probably skin cancer, melanoma to be exact-the worst type of skin cancer.

My first bout of skin cancer appeared on the top of my nose, near the tip. It seemed to me that it was just a pore that had a little bit of blood now and then and I thought nothing of it. But it never went away. If I washed my face, the little spot started to bleed. If someone thought I had food on my nose and tried to flick it off, it started to bleed. After three months I had an epiphany: what if this is skin cancer and that is why it doesn't ever heal? So I did some Internet research and what I read confirmed my suspicions, there were photos and info that told me I needed to go to the doctor.

My MD sent me to another doctor (not a dermatologist) who did a punch biopsy on the lesion. He sent it in and it was diagnosed, basal cell carcinoma. The doctor offered me two options: Mohs Surgery or radiation. After reading the literature, I decided on Mohs Surgery which was done in Portland, Oregon at OHSU. Mohs Surgery is where the surgeon takes a bit of the lesion, marking the parameters of the section he takes, takes the bit to the lab to see if all the edges of the piece are still cancerous, and if so, keeps taking more and more of the lesion until all the bits are free of cancer. Then the raw spot is grafted with skin from your body. In my case, another part of my nose. I knew a lady who had the same kind of cancer on her nose and she chose radiation. Her nose turned black and dark blue and she had to make a trip to the Tri-Cities (40-45 miles from our town) every day for a month. My surgery removed my lesion, had a bandaid on it for a few days and then it was normal. I doubt I will ever choose radiation after that experience. (For skin cancer.)

My second bout of skin cancer was inside my ear. While cleaning my ear the swab came out with a bit of blood on it and I could feel a lump. Back to the doctor. Biopsy, sent to a surgeon in Spokane, Mohs Surgery. Over with in a few days.

So today I went to a dermatologist and had a "shave" biopsy done. This lesion had no blood, it was just a pearly, shiny lump on the end of my nose. Oh my goodness the shots hurt so bad!! I don't remember that from the last episodes! Anyway, the biopsy has been taken and I'll get a report in about a week and a half. I think it is basal cell carcinoma after looking at the websites again, and that is what the doc said he thinks it is, too.

I had been told ten years ago when I had the other skin cancers that I should use a cream on my face every day that has SPF 15. And I have. Today I was told that I need to use protection that contains Zinc and Titanium. I purchased a cream there that I can use on my face and hands every day. It is SPF 40.

If you have a sore that doesn't heal, a spot that has changed in appearance or grown in size, or have moles, you should go to the doctor and have them checked. Its better to have them say it isn't anything to worry about than to ignore it and have it turn into a very ugly and large lesion. Get it while it is small and it is much easier to take care of.

MAY IS SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: Prevention

2011-05-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

And unfortunately, I believe I have another lesion of skin cancer. I have had two kinds of skin cancer. There are three. The first one I had was on my nose and was basal cell carcinoma. The second one I had was inside my ear and was squamous cell. The least serious, although it still causes 2,300 deaths per year is the basal cell carinoma. The second serious is the squamous cell carcinoma. The third serious and the one that causes a multitude of deaths annually is melanoma.

I do not know what kind might be on my nose again. I have an appointment with a dermatologist next week. I have refreshed my memory by looking at a number of photos online. I have to tell you it scared me. The photos of people with skin cancer are just so graphic and awful. I won't publish any of those photos here.

However, I do want to stress the importance of protecting your skin and the skin of your children from UV rays. Always wear at least an SPF 15 sunblocker when outside. Wear hats, wear sunglasses. Do not expose yourself or your children to the hottest sun of the day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you do, please be sure to reapply the sunblocker.

I had several burns when I was a young girl and I'm certain that is why I am now dealing with skin cancer. I didn't purposely burn, my skin is fair and I burn easily. Even with sunblocker I burn. Therefore, I stay out of the sun now. I wear a hat and often long sleeves if I am going to be outside during the day.

Another way to damage your skin and possibly cause skin cancer later on is by TANNING in booths. Don't do it. Don't get a tan now to look great and then later on look awful with skin cancer lesions all over your body. It is not worth it. Especially discourage your children from tanning. I suggest you type in a search engine "skin cancer photos." You'll be amazed at the damage that has been done by skin cancer.

Animals can also get skin cancer. If you have pets it would be good for you to learn about prevention.

Some of the places that can get skin cancer that I did not know about are the eyes and fingernails.

This is one of the subjects I get on my soap box about every year. Please inform yourself and prevent skin cancer for yourself and your family.

ON THE MEND!

2011-05-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

We are both feeling much better! Today, Mother's Day, was grand! We had visits from three of our children so far and heard at least one more is on the way. We went out to eat lunch and then out for ice cream with two children and four grandchildren. I received some lovely gifts, too. Most of all I'm glad we were both feeling better so we could enjoy the visits! Children and grandchildren, the best!!

Happy Mother's Day to you, too, if'n yer a Mom!

REALLY?

2011-05-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hubby isn't doing so well. He got sick while we were at the beach. Wednesday he started feeling super bad and ended up spending most of the night on the bathroom floor near the terlet. I told him I'd take him to the hospital. He felt so hot and was obviously very sick. He didn't want me to. Then yesterday morning he asked me to take him home to our Washington home. You know he is sick when he chooses anything over the beach! So, I did. I drove him straight to the hospital when we got home. Long story short, he has bronchitis and pneumonia.

We've both spent today sleeping and after I check my e-mail I'm headed back there and so is he.

My little sister, Marcy, the one with cerebral palsy who just turned 50, is in the hospital too. She has a fever and they need to find out why. Usually she has pneumonia but I heard that her lungs are clear so they have to determine what is causing the fever. Then they can figure out what kind of antibiotics to give her.

So I hope next time I check in here I will have some good news and everyone will be well again!

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

2011-05-04T18:15:00.000-07:00

We are at the Beach House. One of our last weeks/days here. We will be moving soon and the house has been put up for sale. Sigh. We've had a year of fun and relaxation here and we will miss it. Especially the days like today! It is a sunny and warm (kind of) day with a few clouds. The rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom as are the flowering trees. The ground cover flowers are all over the place in a riot of purples and whites. The most vibrant red is on the rhododendrons. We saw one azalea bush that had been trimmed into a neat rounded ball - in beautiful red blooms! Of course my camera is at the Eastern WA home! We (I) drove around looking at all the pretties as we did our errands and even saw a mommy deer. She was so pretty! It's been awhile since my friends came to visit here at the Beach House.

I was driving because Hubby can't yet. We were both pretty worn out when we got here yesterday. Some of my FMS symptoms were causing problems and it took 8 hours to get here yesterday. I was making frequent stops...if you get my drift!

Today we didn't go out for too long. We went to lunch at a restaurant we'd been to before but it now has new owners. Not so sure I'd go back. Pretty average food for above average cost. Anyway, we wore ourselves out again and now we are just lazing, feeling the warmth of the sun through the windows and the fresh air from the slider in the open position. Fresh air, Times Square, darling I love you but give me Park Avenue...Just kidding, its a perfect day here at the beach! Now if only I had a chef to fix dinner for us...And a maid and a butler to help pack up our stuff and do the laundry. Dream on, right?

Hope your week started out well and that you have had a perfectly beautiful day where ever you are.

ALL IS WELL ON THE HOME FRONT

2011-05-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hubby had his heart procedure yesterday and WOW! We are so happy with the results. He did not have to have another stents (or stents) put in! Sometime during the past six years one of the stents closed off but his heart made another vessel around that! Isn't the human body an amazing machine? The new vessel is a little narrower than the original but it couldn't be fixed yesterday. It doesn't need to be fixed, really. Someday, maybe, but not likely, there is a possibility that it would need to be fixed and the only way to do so is by open heart surgery. But now, and maybe forever, he is fine! He will continue to have some chest pains but he knows now why and that the there is no mortality involved with this particular area. Isn't that wonderful news? I'd say all those prayers worked, wouldn't you? God is Good!!

If the pains change, or become worse, of course it could happen that there are other problems, but now there is not. They told him to pay attention - if the pain is different or happens upon exertion, that is something different. He is to continue using Nitro as needed, etc., etc.

Yesterday was a very long day. We had to arrive at 9:15 a.m. but things weren't happening quickly. Then a heart attack victim came in and they had to pre-empt the heart cath patients because they only have one bed, one lab. (They are remodeling and adding on to the heart cath lab.) So he didn't go in until 2:15 p.m. So we sat, and sat, and sat. It was 4:45 and I was getting very nervous. My heart was starting to beat faster and faster and I was about to hyperventilate when I saw him being wheeled out through the corridor. Hurray! He looked great, my goodness! Rosy cheeks, not sleepy... Then we found out that he had been out of the heart cath lab for hours. The procedure took 15 minutes. No one came to tell us. No doctor came to talk to us. Let me say this about that: THEY WILL BE GETTING A LETTER. That is no way to treat a patient's family.

Hubby got to come home last night! I am so thankful. And I'm thankful to our children who sat with me and supported their daddy-o! Derek, Katie and Macie and Melanie spent the day there and I appreciate it so much. Its good to have someone to talk to to keep your mind off of the "what ifs!"

Thank you to all who prayed and have kept us in your thoughts! As soon as we feel up to it we are going to the beach to recuperate. I will be driving, of course, and I'm not quite up to it this morning.

Have a great week!

BAPTISM, HOSPITAL, UH OH

2011-05-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

Today our daughter, Melanie, was Baptized by immersion along with 28 others from her church. We were there along with her three sons, Ajay, Kooper and Koen and our daughter, Katie, and Macie, her daughter. It took place at a church member's beautiful home along the Columbia River but in the swimming pool. It was a perfectly beautiful day. There were tears. Congratulations, Melanie! We are so happy for you.

Tomorrow is the day for Hubby's heart cath (angiogram) and whatever else they do while they are in his heart. Past experience has dictated that at least one stent might be added. We shall see.

The uh oh is me. Teary eyed (happy tears) for Melanie, and teary eyed that my dear sweet spouse has to go through this procedure yet another time. I would rather he go through this one more time, or more, than the alternative, believe me. But I just feel sad for him. It must be scary to walk around having chest pains all the time wondering if the big one is going to come along, or maybe not "if" but "when." And I hope you don't think I'm unfeeling (au contrare) to write about this in my blog, but I can't say these things outloud to him. I must be strong!! To me its scary when he comes home late, even 10 minutes. Its scary when he doesn't phone at the usual time - I worry until the call comes and if it is taking too long, I call him. I don't like him to go anyplace without me. "Just in case." One morning he wasn't up yet at 4:10 a.m. and he usually gets up at 3:30 a.m. (on nights before he works the next day I sleep in another room so he can get undisturbed sleep). My heart dropped when I woke up and his door was still shut. He had just overslept. And he hates these procedures because he has to lie still for 6 hours afterwards. I'm sure he hates them for more reasons than that, actually.

Have a good week...and please say a prayer for Hubby! Thanks so much...

Heart Matters Continued

2011-04-26T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hubby took it easy over the weekend, doctors orders. We were supposed to hear yesterday when the heart cath would occur but we haven't heard yet. Guess it wasn't an emergency! (To those of us who know and love him, it's an emergency. Get him fixed up quick, please.) Supposedly, we will get the info today.

We have a few major problems right now. Every year we think we will have a better year and every year seems worse! At least we have each other and our beautiful, loving family. And we know that God doesn't test us beyond our endurance, i.e., that He only gives us what we can handle. Sometimes I feel like I don't handle things well. I know I worry too much and don't "give it to God" often enough. And sometimes, yes sometimes, I give it to Him and then I take it back! (I guess that's cuz I'm human!)

The sun is shining today and the phone hasn't been ringing off the hook with new problems to deal with! The tulips are bright and pretty, the yellow daffodils have gone and been replaced with little yellow mini-irises. Trees are blooming in pinks, purples and whites. I have a lovely pink hydrangea, a purple pansy and a white stock to admire before I plant them in the ground. Just the beginnings of our plantings and hanging baskets. Some of the plants we thought died from the early freeze have started showing green and that's nice. Not the roses, though. We lost quite a few of them. But we will still have pretties to cheer us through the spring and summer months.

Just got some news re: heart cath for Hubby. Next Monday, May 2nd at 9:15 a.m. Glad they don't think its urgent...I'm being sarcastic. Seems like it would be an emergency when someone is having chest pains and taking nitro frequently. *sigh*

MATTERS OF THE HEART

2011-04-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hubby had a nuclear stress test yesterday. It was a long drawn out ordeal because it had to repeated when the first one had glitches. The day before he spent at the cardiologists and the plan was to have the nuclear stress test and then go right to the hospital to have a heart cath, or angiogram/angioplasty and possibly another stent (or more). After the stress test the nurse dismissed him so we wondered if we should leave town thinking that maybe if we got all the way home and they called we would have to drive back. So we stayed in town and had lunch, went plant shopping and then to Costco.

By then we were both draggin' so we decided to go on home. The doctor did call once we were home but said his office would schedule the heart cath on Monday. Schedule it for sometime next week.

Hubby was pretty pleased that he did not have to go to the hospital yet. He bought me a beautiful pink hydrangea for Easter. I love hydrangeas, who doesn't, right? We have not had luck with them in this desert climate in the past, but I'll try real hard to keep it alive. I bought myself a few bedding plants which I won't plant yet. I'm sure it will still freeze at night so I'll put them out in the daytime and bring them back in at night. There was a petunia I'd never seen before so I had to have one. It was called "Phantom" and is such a dark purple it is almost black, hence the name. We didn't get hanging baskets yet although they were offered and beautiful. We will wait until there are no more freezing nights to purchase those.

We had the company of two of our daughters yesterday and three of the grandsons. Katie spent the day with us and Melanie and her three sons were there as well. It helped to keep me from worrying too much!

Wishing you all a HAPPY AND BLESSED EASTER.

PRAYERS PLEASE & HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN

2011-04-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

DH has been having chest pains and extreme tiredness. Therefore he is seeing his heart doc today. He had been released from the doc's care about a year ago because he was doing well. After encouragement (sometimes considered nagging) he finally went to his MD Tuesday who sent him to the heart doc but the appt. wasn't til next Tuesday. We all mumbled and grumbled, preferring for him to go sooner than later, but it was what it was. Then yesterday the heart doc happened to see DH's chart or name or something and said he wanted to see him ASAP!! So we are going to Yakima Heart Center in a little while. The heart doc is on call so he has to see DH afterwards. They told us to bring a book, so we are doing so. I'm taking my knitting, too. Anyway, I believe it was Divine Intervention because normally doctors don't see the name of the patient until just before they walk in the examine room! So I thank the Lord for the intervention - I would have worried all the time til next Tuesday! I'm sure that's not why God put DH's name in front of Dr. Kim, but I'm thankful anyway!!

I had not been feeling well all last week so I've been absent from blogging and e-mailing, dear friends and readers. I'll let you know what we find out. Meanwhile, if you're praying around could you add a little prayer for my dear husband? Thank you...

Happy 85th Birthday to the Queen!!

She's adorable!

DRUG SAFETY

2011-04-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

I received a letter from my insurance company telling me that any prescription drugs which include propoxyphene have been pulled from the market. The date of the letter was November 19, 2010. I didn't really pay much attention to it and put it in a pile "to read."

Today I "read." The medicines which contain propoxyphene are Darvon and Darvocet. The letter didn't tell me the names of the prescription drugs but I went to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website and looked it up. There is a lot of information on why propoxyphene has been pulled. Mainly, the risks of using the drug outweigh the benefits. I would say so since it could cause heart cessation. I'm really wondering why a bigger "stink" wasn't made of this issue. And why Darvon and Darvocet are still available. It seems I took it after my hand surgery in December! That was after the date of the letter from my insurance company! And after the date the FDA issued the market withdrawal of products that contain propoxyphene! That date was November 19, 2010!

Here is a link where you can read for yourself the problems with propoxyphene and why it was pulled from the market (supposedly):

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm234337.htm

GIVE A MAN A FISH...

2011-04-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend with three of our grandsons: Elijah, Jonah and Noah. Jonah had been with me the entire week but when Pappy (DH) came on Thursday night he brought one of Jonah's brothers, Elijah, and a cousin, Noah, who is the son of our eldest daughter, Audra. So we had boys week at the Beach House! Melanie had been there with her three boys, then three more boys came. We do have more grandsons than granddaughters but the girls are catching up!

Pappy took the boys fishing both Friday and Saturday. They caught a mess of trout so we had trout for dinner on Saturday night. Elijah caught the most but wouldn't eat the fish, he had hamburger! Noah ate trout for the first time! It was actually very good and Pappy taught the boys how to clean the fish, then how to debone them prior to eating them. I'd say they had a good time with Pappy. I stayed home and wrote in my book for The Fiction Project. Then I went to the antique store where I have some of my stuff consigned to get more price tags. I took my box of greeting cards and showed them. They liked them and we are going to give it a try. To sell them, that is. I'm tickled. I had quite a few, maybe 100, so its nice to have an outlet.

We all drove home to Washington yesterday and the kids went back to school today. Spring Break is over.

FISHING AND WRITING

2011-04-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

So far Jonah has not had a bite and I've taken him fishing three times! Maybe he'll have better luck when Pappy gets here. I've taken him to Lake Lytle and another pond/lake in the Nedonna area. The youngsters there were catching trout but Jonah couldn't get a bite using the same bait. While he fishes, I write. I didn't bring my book, instead I am writing in a spiral notebook and then will transfer it. That way I can scribble words out, change sentences, draw arrows, etc. (And I won't get pop on the book - or rain!) Actually, we have had good luck with no rain while he fishes! Today is a beautiful day, though we did have a few raindrops, not even enough for the wipers in the car to come on, though.

This morning when he was on the deck Jonah heard the leaves crinkling and looked down to see two fawns playing! They were playing just like dogs, or little kids, do! Running and jumping and chasing one another! It was so cool! I'm glad he's been able to see my friends while he is here. (Melanie's boys got to see deer while they were here, too.)

I have more photos but I'll upload them another time. For some reason this Nana is pooped out!

Ciao!

JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL

2011-04-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

We had a visitor yesterday; Jonathan Livingston Seagull appeared on the railing of the deck. He stayed for about 45 minutes. Jonah and I walked right up to the sliding door and he stayed right there, not a bit afraid of us. I took several photos of him, he didn't flinch at all. We have never seen a gull here at the Beach House. We can see them down below, flying around, and of course we can see them on roofs around town and on the beach.

Yesterday we just stayed around the house after Melanie and the boys left. Jonah made dinner, mac and cheese.

Today we went thrifting. We went to four thrift shops and had lunch out. I was on the lookout for paperback books and anything else that caught my eye. I was tickled to find straw wreaths for a craft project. I had been looking for awhile and I actually found three today - and the prices were great! I did find a few books but not as many as I would have liked.

Then we went to Freddies for some basics - milk, eggs, etc. We were gone quite awhile and now we are home watching the rain come down. It did rain off and on today which is why we went shopping. Our first nice day I'll take Jonah to one of the lakes so he can go fishing. Maybe tomorrow...

I started my project with the straw wreaths. If you are interested, pop on over to my blog about arts and crafts, HANDMADE HEAVEN for photos and a how-to.

I've been working on my book for The Fiction Project, too. I am finally in the swing of it and feel more comfortable with it. I bought some colored gel pens today which I will use on some of the pages. My goal is to do something in it every day. The finished book has to be postmarked by May 1st so I need to work on it daily.

The black item is the book. The back cover has a sticker on it with a bar code and my name. There is a business card from the Brooklyn Art Library on the book and a flyer as well, telling about the project.

A few of the things I'll use in my booklet. I've made the first page the green and white checkered paper. The little dark envelope is purple and it is the size to hold a business card. I'll put something in it and affix it to one of the pages somewhere in the book. The pink colored item is a little pad of paper. I'll use some of it to write on and adhere it to a page inside the book as well.

RAINING CRABS & CLAMS

2011-04-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

Again. Actually we have had a very nice weekend with no rain except at night. Melanie and boys left this morning. Jonah is still here, he is spending the week! Fun for Nana and I hope for him, too.

I have baby pix! Of course though of you who do Facebook have already seen them. I have to wait for e-mail ... but that's okay. I don't want to Tweet or do Facebook, too much to do. I prefer the blogging way!

Audra and Lily. Both mommy and baby are beautiful!

Another beautiful daughter, Melanie, with Koen, the youngest.

Koen loves his cousin, Jonah.

Ajay watching Nana's least favorite cartoon, Sponge Bob Squarepants.

The first accident didn't happen until Sunday night! Kooper ran into the edge of the couch! Then Koen did the same thing right after Kooper did! Then this morning Koen ran right into the corner of the table. He is probably going to be black and blue by the time they get home!

Cookie Monsters

2011-04-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

Today is Sunday and DH went home, sniff, sniff. Before he left he took Jonah fishing but they didn't catch anything. I'll take Jonah again this week.

Baby Lily is doing better. She's been moved from NICU to the Pediatrics ward. She will be weaned off the sugar water and she's been nursing. Good news for all!

Melanie took the older boys down to the beach earlier and I stayed at the house with Koen. He plays very well by himself but as I mentioned in a previous post, he is a chatterbox! He makes car noises with vehicles, and says, "Here you go," when he hands you something. I tried (in vain) to get him to say Nana...

Today's activity was making Scrabble tile name signs on driftwood the boys found on the beach yesterday. We put the driftwood in the oven when we got it home yesterday to dry it out. We glued the Scrabble tiles on with Arlene's Tacky Glue. (Love that stuff.) I'll take photos and post them tomorrow. I forgot to take photos during the activity.

This ol' Nana is getting tired! Loving it though! Tonight we are going out to dinner, Sweet!

Enjoy these photos and I'll be back tomorrow.

Licking the beaters and the knives is the best part of making the cookies and decorating them, right? Here is Jonah with his creations.

Ajay in the blue shirt and Kooper in the yellow. Very intent on making their cookies the most beautiful!

Kooper's creations.

Jonah does a great job, too.

Look at the clouds through the window! Beautiful!

Melanie and Koen.

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES

2011-04-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

Today Pappy took the boys, except the baby, Koen, to the beach to find treasures. They came back with just the right pieces of driftwood to do tomorrow's activities. More on that later. It was windy and cold but they had a good time anyway. Melanie and I stayed home. She prepared burritos for our dinner and put them in the refrigerator. Then we both got our books and enjoyed the peaceful time when baby took his nap.

After lunch we did one of the activities I had planned and that was weaving. We wove pieces of yarn into a mug mat, or coaster. I had mentioned placemats and mug mats but I'm glad we went with the mug mats because the attention span was about that long! They did very well, though, and enjoyed the activity.

Another of today's activities, after they got back from church and ate dinner (the burritos) was to bake and decorate cookies. We didn't have a rolling pin so Melanie just rolled the dough into balls and flattened them with a glass. We each had several to decorate and were able to eat a yummy cookie with marshmallow bunnies and sprinkles. The boys had great fun with this, of course!

While DH, Melanie, Ajay and Kooper were at church Jonah and I played with Koen. He has the cutest laugh! We know now that once he begins to talk he will be just like his mommy because he is always chattering now, we just can't understand all of his words!

So here are some photos of the things we have been doing this weekend.

This is the poster we colored with markers yesterday but we haven't finished it yet.

The yarn and "stuff" we used on our mug mats.

Kooper and his mat.

Ajay and his mug mat, not quite finished yet.

Jonah shows his mug mat. He made his differently than we did ours. Very artistic!

Kooper and Melanie.

The boys love cousin Jonah!

Koen keeps very busy!

I can't find the other photos even though I just imported them so I'll add those tomorrow.

BABY GIRL HAS ARRIVED

2011-04-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

On April Fools' Day Lily Michele decided to arrive. She was 3 weeks early but that's okay because she weighed in at 9 lbs. 10.7 ounces and is 21-1/2" long! Whoa! She's having some blood sugar problems and breathing problems because even though she is a big baby, since she is early her little lungs weren't quite ready. So, if you could say a prayer for her we would really appreciate it.

We are at the Beach House so we haven't seen her yet. We may not have been able to see her yet even if we were there because she is in the NICU ward. Mommy, our daughter, Audra, is doing well. Lily joins Daddy John, Mommy Audra, sisters, Gabby, Emily and Sophia and brother, Noah.

We have our daughter, Melanie and her three sons, Ajay, Kooper and Koen with us at the beach and another grandson, Jonah. They arrived late yesterday afternoon. We arrived late Thursday night. The weather is nice, so far, though it did rain crabs and clams during the night and you could hear their pinchers hitting the windows and skylights!

Yesterday we colored a black velvet picture with markers, put together a puzzle, fixed individual pizzas for dinner and just enjoyed each other's company. I don't know what we are doing today. Here at the beach you have to see what the weather is doing before you make plans for the day, LOL!

DH and I went grocery shopping, had lunch and shopped at one of my favorite places, The Frugal Crow in Rockaway Beach before our guests arrived.

It was a fun and full day and we all were happy to hit the sack at the end of the day.

STORYBOOK

2011-03-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

I started writing my story for THE FICTION PROJECT. I am writing it on paper other than the book furnished so I can tweek it and also so I can see if its the story I really want to submit. At least I have put pen to paper and have started. That is the hardest step. I have several books that I started and have not finished yet and I thought about using one of them but I intend for those to be longer than this assignment.

When I was in the first grade, my first year of school, my teacher made me a little blank book out of construction paper and lined paper and titled it "Nancy Lee's Stories." I guess I've been a writer for a long time! I remember it being so special to me because the rest of the kids in class didn't get one. I still have this little book although I can't put my hands on it right at this moment. I saw it a few weeks ago so I'm thinking I packed it away. It would be fun to write a current version of the stories written in the little book.

Our weather has changed and I do believe we can now call it SPRING! It's supposed to be in the 70's this weekend. We won't be here, of course!

Hope you aren't deluged with winter weather, storms and floods like so much of the country. Wishing you some nice days and flowers to cheer you, too.