Monday, Sept. 30

Today is the last day of September, already. It was beginning to feel like autumn here. I've been wearing a sweater when going outside in the evening, but this week it's suppose to be back up into the 80's. One part of the weather that's been right on time.... the fog! Every year at this time, school's just back in session, but the mornings are too foggy to get the buses on the roads. Often times school has to be cancelled because the fog hasn't lifted by 10:00 am. Today is one of those days. The 2 little boys next door were outside early this morning, screaming and fighting. It's going to be a good day.

We didn't do much over the weekend. We had our grandson Joe's graduation party on Sat. evening. Our daughter has a big house but it was still SRO (standing room only) shoulder to shoulder. So many friends and family there to congratulate him. Our daughter Lori and grandson Dylan drove down from Michigan to be at the party. It was great. We all had a good time.

Joe works for a man that travels all over the US doing shows in the schools to teach the kids about the rain forests, "Understanding Wildlife". Plus he does several public shows. He has all sorts of animals and reptiles in his shows and Joe helps handling the animals, taking care of them. His boss and his wife came to the party, so we got a chance to talk with them for quite awhile. Very interesting man. Today was their first day of the season. They all left early this morning on their way to Missouri.

We didn't make it to church yesterday. Friday evening we went uptown for Chinese food and Hubby was sick the whole weekend. We had both forgotten what happened the last time he ate it. I don't know what they put in the food but it's not agreeing with either of us. I also love Mexican food, but it gives me horrible heartburn. I told him we'll just have to stick with "American" food. Oh, to go back to the days when we could eat anything.

Well, since it's Monday, that means I have chores to do. I never liked that word when my mother used it on me and I still don't! But since I don't have a magic fairy, I have to do it all myself. :(

I hope you have a good week ahead.
Until next time.....................

Random Thoughts for Friday 9-27

Today I managed to..... get a small load of laundry done, practiced for about half hour and that's about all. 

Today I talked to..... my sister-in-law Pam. I haven't seen her in a long time. 

I am thinking..... I wish I had a social life. 

I am thankful..... for my health. 

From the kitchen..... comes nothing today. We went out and had Chinese. Of course, I ate way too much. 

Around the house..... it's quiet as usual. I'm in my office and hubby is in his recliner watching his Outdoor Channel. 

I read..... in the newspaper today, our mayor is really pushing his newest pet project - a water park. I don't think we need to spend all that money, and tax us some more, so the kids in town can swim maybe 3 months out of the year. It's going on the ballot in Nov. 

I am hoping...... to find my energy, and very soon. 

I heard..... when we were up at the restaurant, that an old acquaintance of ours died this morning. So sad. He'd been failing for the last several years but it still hurts. We'll be going to the funeral to see his wife. She's such a sweet lady.  

Short term plans...... the graduation party tomorrow. Our grandson #1 got his GED certificate so we're all going to show our support. No matter what, family sticks together. We don't always like the things they do, or some of their decisions, but we love them and support them. 

Todays' weather...... was another beautiful day. Blue sky. 79°. Very low humidity. Light breeze. Perfect. 

Picture thought.....  

Hope you've had a good one. 

Thurs. Sept. 26, 2013

It's a beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly and the air is just right... not too warm and not humid. After the sun came up this morning, however, the fog rolled in. It was so thick we could hardly see the house across the street. One of those fogs where you feel you're the only one left on the planet. All the schools went on a 3 hr. delay. By then, it was safe to get the buses out on the roads and the kids into school.

Yesterday, Hubby and I worked on my ailing computer. We had to run out to Radio Shack to get the necessary part. When we got home, he tore it apart and replaced the part. Then I had to go through the internal settings, updated the clock and make sure everything was set right. We had some trouble when it first booted up, but I kept at it and I'm happy to say my computer is well again. AND I have my camera and microphone working again.

While we were out running errands, we stopped at the meat market. It's a new business that opened not too long ago. We talked to him for quite awhile. Our youngest daughter went to school with him. We talked about the road construction out front hurting his new business. He'd been open for just a short time when the city crew, doing the street construction project, tore it up right in front of his store. It's hurt him some but he says he's hanging in there. There is access to his door from the side street. It always amazes me, tho', how people will have just one path to get to where they want to go and that's all they seem to know. We've had people ask us how to get there with the street tore up. Amazing.

When our daughter got off work last evening, I went to WalMart with her. She had some groceries to get and lots of those taxable items that we seem to always run out of at the same time -- laundry soap, t-paper, etc. But I had also forgotten how the 2 of us can be in there so long. It was 2 hrs. by the time we got what we needed, got through the one open check-out lane and out to the car.

Every year at this time, our church starts their Operation Christmas Child. Anyone who wants to participate has to get one of the plastic shoe boxes in which there's a designated age and gender to each one. I got one Sunday for a 10-14 yr. old girl. We don't know who will be getting our boxes, but I'm anxious to shop for this little girl somewhere and know that I may put a smile on her face for Christmas.

Hope you've had a good day.
Until later...........

Hodgepodge Wed. 9-25-2013

Today is Wednesday, so that means it's time for:  

1. What's one thing that's still the same about you as when you were young?
I'm still short! hahaha

2. What's more important- history or science? Why?
I think they go hand in hand. History is important, because as the saying goes, "those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Also, science has played a big part in our  history, so it cannot be less important.

3. Lima, kidney, string, garbanzo, black or pinto- your favorite bean?
Oh, my... it would be easier to say .... I'm not fond of black beans. I like beans. They just don't like me anymore.

4. What's something people come to your town to do?
Our annual Peony Festival. That's just one weekend a year but it draws a lot of people from all over the world. There's also the annual highway garage sales, US 127 and US 30. People will travel the different highways for hundreds of miles just to stop at the numerous houses having their garage sales, in the hopes of finding those important treasures they can take back home. Since both highways cross in the center of our little town, the traffic is horrible.

5. When was the last time you were in a meeting? Sum it up for us in five words or less.
I can't remember one. (4 words)

6. What special event would you like a VIP pass to attend?
This old woman doesn't care to go to events with large crowds, so a VIP pass would be wasted on me.

7. What's one piece of advice you'd give a writer?
Don't linger on and on with lots of minor details. When I'm into a good story line, I don't care whether the sky was cloudy or what the character was wearing, unless it's relevant to the story.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
This too will be short and sweet.... I hope I can get my computer problem fixed so I can resume my online piano lessons.

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Oh, what a day!!

 I should have stayed in bed. Hubby said the same thing. Nothing has been right... everything we tried to use - open - fix - turn on - cook, it all went wrong. By 4:00 this afternoon, I just wanted to go to bed and try it all again tomorrow.

Hubby was going to mow and the mower wouldn't start. Thankfully he had the other one. Then the string trimmer wouldn't start. The grass blower wouldn't start. Then the "check engine" light came on in his car. He went out to the Chevy dealer and got a new gas cap. That's what his mechanic had told him to try.

As for me, I couldn't have a piano lesson because my microphone wouldn't work. I've been doing research all evening and may know what the problem is. This isn't the first time this has happened. Hopefully I'll get it to working tomorrow. Got to run out to Radio Shack in the morning.

Even our dinner didn't turn out right. I tried a new recipe -- not a good day to do that, for sure. Oh, it was edible but not what I was hoping for.

I'm done! It's after 10:00 pm and I'm going to call it a (crazy) day and go to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Until then..........

I hope I dream of kittens and not monsters  :)  ♥ 

Sunday, Sept. 22

This computer is running so slow today, not sure if I'll be able to post this after it's written. But we'll see. I must remember to copy it all before I hit 'publish'.

Today has been a day of tears. No, I'm not sad, I've just seen and heard things that have turned on the spigot, starting with church this morning to the movie I watched this afternoon. A young mother gave her testimony in church of how God has walked with her through her troubles and hardships, the miracle of her 2 children's birth when the doctors told her there would be no babies, then her husband's battle with cancer and his death. I teared up through her whole story.

When we're having troubles, we tend to forget there are other's who have more or worse troubles than we do. Her testimony went along with Pastor's message today. He's been doing a study on "Facing our Fears". The verse today was from John 16:33. The principles for our times of trouble are to 1) grasp what we're told in God's word, 2) rely on Jesus and 3) know that we will receive healing -- in time. Because Jesus has overcome the world, He brings us the 2 things we need when we're hurting: peace to deal with our present and courage to deal with our future.

Our weather today was a beautiful autumn day. The sun is shining; the leaves are starting to turn color because of the chilly nights. The high today was only 64° and going down to 41° tonight.

We didn't go up to our favorite eatery after church this morning. We decided to go up later on for an early supper. No crowd that way. It's so nice to have someone else cook a meal for me once in awhile and it seems my only chance anymore comes just once a week, but that's what makes it special. When we were both working, it was a common thing. Now that we're retired and poor, it a treat.

Having worked in the real estate business for several years, whenever my son-in-law wants to know more about a house that's listed for sale, he comes to me. He and our daughter are still looking for a house to buy, preferably in the country. They saw one today so they were here to get more information. I have access to several local government offices with real estate data bases. After what I found out, they're making some phone calls tomorrow.

One of my favorite quotes: “Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome.”
Sandra Bullock, 1998, from "Hope Floats" the movie

Hope you've had a good day.
Until later......

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013

Autumn 2013!
Today is the official last day of the summer and outside on the back deck it feels like it. It's turned very cool. We had some more of the much needed rain fall yesterday and continued all night. Our crunchy grass has turned green again and Hubby's thinking he will no doubt be mowing this week. Right now it's 66° with sunshine and down to 45° tonight.

Daughter #1 came over last evening to get help with her homework. She's in her last year of college, getting her 4-year degree in April. We're all so proud of her. Last night's assignment had to do with the stock market. I was absolutely no help to her and her dad wasn't much better. The stock market is a foreign land to me. I don't understand any of the terminology or how to calculate the figures.

What did I do today? I got into a cleaning mood. I started out by mopping the kitchen and bathroom floors, then I washed the shower curtain, hung up a new liner, washed the bath mat and throw rug. Let's just say... If I walked past it, I cleaned it. Now it's time to relax and play for awhile. Bob's going to eat left-overs for supper. I'm not cooking!

I know there's been several of the following emails circulating, but with different states being the subject, but I love this one about my home state. I deleted a few of them and kept those that speak to me.... the ones I complain about.   :)

What Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Ohio...

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you may live in Ohio. 

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't even work there, you may live in Ohio. 

If you've worn shorts and a jacket at the same time, you may live in Ohio. 

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Ohio. 

If "vacation" means going anywhere south of Dayton for the weekend, you may live in Ohio. 

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Ohio. 

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you may live in Ohio. 

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Ohio. 

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you may live in Ohio. 

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in Ohio. 

If you actually understand these jokes, you definitely do live - or have lived - in OHIO!

Hope you're having a great weekend.
Until later.............. 

Friday, Sept. 20, 2013

It's going to be another very warm day for us. The temperature isn't too bad, High of 82° but the humidity is awful.

I'd like to turn the A/C back on but for just one day, it's not worth it. Tomorrow we'll drop back down into the low 70's and Sunday, the high will be only 66° and going down to 49° during the night. That's more comfortable.

We have some storms, possibly severe, moving our way. We got such a nice steady shower yesterday afternoon that I thought I saw the brittle grass stand up and sigh. :)

We have no plans for today. Again we're just playing it by ear. I'm going to get in some more practice and hope I can do the lessons a little better than yesterday.

Another good thing about the piano lessons, besides learning to play after all these years, it's also a good diet. When I'm bored, I look for something to eat. Now, instead of the kitchen cabinets, I head for the keyboard.

I should run over to the meat market and get some hamburger. I want to make spaghetti tomorrow.

My "little" brother has always teased me and he hasn't stopped. All in good fun. It doesn't bother me. He loves to pick on me because I'm the only blonde in the family. So when he finds things like this, he can't help himself. He sends them to me. I had to admit I like this one. 

This is the weekend for the annual Johnny Appleseed festival in nearby Fort Wayne. They estimate nearly 250,000 visitors from around the world will be there. The festival is to commemorate John Chapman, often called Johnny Appleseed, an American missionary and pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois during the early 1800's. He once said he'd traveled over 4,000 miles in this country, on foot, and never met an unfriendly person. Wherever he went, he planted nurseries, not orchards, built fences around them to protect them from livestock, left the nurseries in the care of a neighbor who then sold trees on shares, and John returned every year or two to tend the nursery. He died March 11, 1845 in Fort Wayne at the age of 71. 

Until next time.... 

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013

"If we concentrated on the really important stuff in life,

there'd be a shortage of fishing poles"  By Junius P. Long

Our brains are so full of activities and worries, it can all be very over-whelming.  As the old saying goes... we need to stop and smell the roses. Or grab a fishing pole and head for the lake.... where we can be alone without all the distractions of our lives, where we can be quiet, a place to clear our heads and calm our nerves, where we can clear out the 'junk' and concentrate on only the important stuff. Do you have a special place or some way that you calm your restlessness? 

I've had an emotionally bad week but I'm beginning to feel better. Thank you to my wonderful friends who said a prayer for me. The meds I'm on for my migraine has a bad side-effect.... I'm losing my hair. It's had me so worried I could cry. I talked to my doctor and according to what she knows about the drug from her "little book of drugs", hair loss is not listed. But according to all the research I've done, I know better. I tried cutting back on the dosage, in hopes of stopping it or at least slow down the loss, but that only created a worse side-effect. I became depressed and angry. Hubby and I had a horrible fight the other day. We haven't had one like that in a long, long time. I knew what was wrong so I went back on my normal dosage. I guess I'll just have to be a bald woman, but I'll be happy, able to think clearly (at times) and be able to stand up straight. 

Our newspaper carrier must be a ball player. Hubby couldn't find the paper this morning, until he looked UP. It's on the roof! He had to get out the long ladder and that scared me. He's not too steady anymore. I watched him and he got down ok. I wouldn't mind getting old IF we could keep doing the things that we always did, when we never thought twice about climbing a ladder. 

Joseph, grandson #1 went up to stay a week with his aunt, our daughter Lori, in Michigan. When he came home, she sent back a gift for us. She finally has a nice home she's always wanted with a big yard for a garden. She's now been spending her time cooking, canning and loving it. She sent us a jar of her carmel apple butter. It's very good on warm toast. She did good. 

I feel so sorry for all those folks in Colorado who have been flooded out. One thing I never thought of that they talked about on the weather channel this morning... the rivers have re-routed themselves. Some of those people have no home anymore because what's left is sitting in the middle of the river. Other homes that were far back from the river are now water-front properties. Roads are completely gone and the natural gas lines are uncovered. And now, since water runs downhill, Nebraska will be facing the same next week. Does anyone else see the natural disasters getting worse, and more often? 

I'm going to end this and get back to some constructive activities I need to take care of. 

Until later.............

Hodgepodge Wed. 9/18

1. When did you last sing happy birthday to someone? When were you last sung to? Does that embarrass you or do you enjoy being the center of attention on your special day?

We all sang to Grandson #5 on Aug. 12th on his 9th birthday. His face always turns red when everyone sings to him. He's like his grandma. As for my birthday, we don't sing... I don't want them to do that. I'm not in favor of being the center of attention because it's no longer "my special day". On my 24th birthday, I gave birth to twin girls. That was the day I quit celebrating my birthday and it became their special day. We still spend the day together, if their schedules permit, and I always feel sad when they can't be here. 

2.  Name a famous or 'infamous' person (living or deceased) who shares your birth day and month. Is that someone you'd like to meet in person if it were possible?

There are several well-known people that share/shared my birthday, Dec. 21. As for meeting any of them, there's no one. There are athletes like Chris Evert, Olympic champion Florence Griffith and Joseph Stalin the Russian dictator. There's also Jane Fonda. Now I might like talking to her, but only to ask her why she did what she did in Viet Nam.  

3. Someone hands you a box tied up in a lovely bow...what are you hoping to find inside?

That would depend on the size of the box. If it's a tiny little box, jewelry perhaps. If it's a large box, a new car! LOL  But actually I'm not one to hope for anything anymore. 

4. What can you guarantee about yourself?

I'll be on time, if nothing prevents me from being there. I hate walking in late anywhere and it's always frustrated me when some people are habitually late. It's like they don't care or they're wanting to get the attention.   

5. Talking art and beautiful cities here...'The Last Supper' in the Santa Maria della Grazie Abbey in Milan Italy or 'The Mona Lisa' in The Louvre, Paris... which would you most like to see up close and in person? Why?

This is a tough question. I'd love to see both paintings and the cities but if I have to choose one, it would be "The Last Supper". All the pictures and copies of the painting I've seen gives me a stirring in my spirit. I know it's only da Vinci's interpretation of what it could have been like on that day, but my faith makes it special to me. 

6. Your favorite dessert?

This one is easy.... pie! Any kind. A fruit pie, warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, cream pies like butterscotch or old fashion cream. I love pie. 

7. This coming weekend marks the official start of autumn (in the Northern hemisphere)... what is something you do to get ready for fall? What is one thing you're looking forward to on your fall calendar? Spring or fall-which do you prefer?

I like spring as we watch the temperatures rise after the cold winter, but it also brings the tornado season. Autumn is my favorite with its comfortable sunny days and cool nights. It's the time of year when you can smell a campfire from miles away and think of hot dogs and marshmallows. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My own random thought? I'm afraid the only things I have today are personal stuff that you wouldn't be thrilled to read about. I've been going through a bit of depression this week, so all my thoughts are negative. On that note, I'll close this and wish everyone a good day.  

Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013

It's a beautiful Sunday (so far) with lots of sunshine, blue sky and cool breezes. By 4:00 this afternoon the rain is suppose to move in and rain all evening. That's ok. We need it.

We made it to church this morning and I"m so glad. It was a good service, but then they always are. The lady that has been here all week for the women & tween's conference sang this morning. She's good.

Yesterday we got up and drove 30 miles to watch our 5 yr. old grandson in one of his soccer games. I love to watch the little ones play their heart out. I tried twice to get a picture but the sun was so bright, I couldn't see the screen on my camera and got 2 nice shots of my thumb. hehehe

Bryan is the smallest on his team, but he knows how to run after that ball. This day his coach had him play goalie for the last half of the game. We thought he was just playing and dancing around the end of the field, but actually he had his eye on the ball and stayed in front of it. He blocked 2 kicks! They lost 3-2, but they played well. After the game, when I went to kiss him 'goodbye' he laughed and said "you kissed my sweat". That I did.

Yesterday Ohio State beat CA Golden Bears 52-34. Quarter-back Kenny Guiton started for injured Braxton Miller who hurt his knee again last week. Guiton threw for 276 yards and 4 TD's. I think he's better than Miller. This put Ohio State 3 and 0. I'm hoping they come back from their loss in the polls after the troubles they had last year. We'll see.

Until next time.....

Friday the 13th

I'm not a superstitious person so this date means nothing to me. How about you?

While I had all my card stock and papers out on the card table, I decided to make some more greeting cards for my family. I hadn't made any for quite a long time, so I'd forgotten how much fun it was. I made this one last evening for my sister-in-law's birthday next week. She's an odd woman so I can only hope she appreciates it -- even just a little bit.

In less than 12 hours we have gone from shorts and air conditioning to jeans, sweatshirts and open windows. This was our temperature this morning and it's suppose to drop down to 39° tonight!!! I may sleep with the windows open but I'll need another blanket. Welcome to Ohio....

Question........ let's say you write a blog - a friend reads it and leaves a comment with a question to you. You read their comment and you see they asked you a question. If you reply to their comment with an answer to their question, how are they going to see it? How will they know you answered their question?

On the news today.... Walmart/Sam's Club have ordered their suppliers of cleaning products to remove all harmful chemicals and use 'green friendly' products instead. I have a cupboard full of green friendly cleaning supplies that don't work. Is there any general household cleaner that you like, that works?

I cook almost every day for us so every few days is called a "left-over" day. Today was one of those days. Most things get 'nuked' in the microwave and when it's all heated up and set on the table, it can look like a smorgasbord. I did heat up some vegetable soup to go with all that meat.

Well, I guess that does it for today.
Until next time.................

Thursday, Sept 12, 2013

I hope everyone is well. What if I pointed out to you that the month of September is almost half over? Now I feel depressed because I know the white stuff isn't too far away. I hate winter.

I got out my card stock, papers, scissors, glue, etc. last evening to see if I could still make a decent home-made greeting card. It's been a very long time.

It's an anniversary card for my sister and her husband. I still have to put the verse on the inside, written especially for them. What do you think?

Good news: we got a little bit of rain over-night. Not nearly enough tho'. Our brown grass crunches when we step on it.

Grandson #2 was here twice yesterday! I love it when I see him come through the back door. I think he's a bit taller every time. He was all over town applying for jobs. He had to come home from OSU last month and he's so disappointed. We all are. The money ran out. He was there 3 weeks this quarter, taking classes and trying to work out some things to pay for this semester, but when they told him there wasn't enough in his account, he left but not before they told him he owes $700 for tuition, the dorm room and food for the 3 weeks he was there. This just is not fair! He's a straight A student that can't afford to go to college. I wish I knew of some way to get him some help. I need to win the lottery.

Yesterday I watched the news clips, pictures and videos of the 2 Million Bikers to DC. It was amazing to see all the bikers coming from all over to join the rally. But of course, none of the mainline media covered it. I knew they wouldn't. I did read where one reporter from "The Blaze" was there to cover the Muslim March. She was all over the area, asking people if they'd seen the Muslim rally. No one had, but one biker invited her to ride on the back of his bike. He told her there was a "greater story here". So she did. It was a good article.  Read her news article here

I hope you have a great day.
Until next time...............

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

Another Wednesday, already. That means Hodgepodge questions to answer. It's also 9/11/2013 and that means lots of memories of what took place 12 years ago today. It was the day that changed the world. My heart still breaks for all those who died that day and for their loved ones who still grieve.
May we NEVER FORGET.............

1. What's the best thing about growing older?

The wisdom I've been able to garner in my 66 years.

2. When did you first feel like a grown up?

When my 'best friend' proposed marriage.... as he and I planned our wedding, I think that was when I finally realized I was going to have a house of my own, someone to take care of, and all the responsibilities that went along with it, I was now a grown-up.

3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?

Actually it is white cake with white icing, but I'll take the chocolate cake too. :)

4. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

This is awful to say but I can't think of a thing. People have gotten so self-centered, they forget the little things that everyone used to do to be kind for a stranger. I'm shocked when someone under the age of 50 holds the door open for me. On occasion a fellow driver will let me pull out into traffic, but that too is rare anymore. It's sad.

5. What's something you learned from your grandparents?

Love.... and that was from my great-grandmother. Both grandfathers died when I was young so I never really knew them. And this too is sad, but my maternal grandmother and paternal grandmother were the meanest women I ever knew. It was my great-grandmother that taught me there was a thing called love. She taught me how to be a gentle, comforting yet strong woman.

6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11...what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?

I'm the peace-maker in our family. I've grown up knowing the value of the family and when an argument threatens to divide it, I'll be the one to deal with the riff and soothe the tempers.

7. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace.

"Peace begins with a smile." -- Mother Teresa
Philippians 4:6&7.... "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My 18 year old grandson was just here and he was complaining about the cold he caught. That got me to thinking about the colds we can get during the summer and why they're so much harder to get over.
Is the summer cold actually worse than the winter-time cold? According to the specialists, it is. It's even worse. When we catch a cold in the summertime, it can last for weeks, at times seeming to go away then it returns with a vengeance; whereas the winter cold is gone in a few days. Summer colds are caused by different viruses than during the winter and when we're more physically active, being outside more, then back indoors into air-conditioning, it tends to prolong the symptoms. Plus we could "blame the sneezing and coughing on allergies, when it's actually a cold virus and we need to take time, in bed, to recover"... ok, like everyone can do that? 

A record breaker

We did it. We turned the a/c back on. Our weather today is a record breaker. I knew the beautiful temperatures of last week were going to be just teasers. Summer has returned with a vengeance. The high today here in Ohio will be 93° with lots of hot sunshine. The heat index is suppose to be 100° by late this afternoon. But look at the forecast for Friday........... we're still on that roller coaster.

Bob is back out in the garage today putting that riding mower back together. His brother just left. They've gone through a whole process of elimination, working on this for weeks now, and have completely rebuilt the whole engine. But it's running now.

I had a piano lesson this afternoon and I still seem to have a brain-block. That's similar to a road block that sends you on a detour. Mine leads me to a dead-end. But I'm determined to get this.

Yesterday I had a hair appointment. I told her "the usual" but she cut it very short. Oh, well, in this weather, it feels good. No hair sticking to my forehead.

I've got nothing else to write about tonight, so I will leave you with this ......
♥

Another lazy Sunday

I don't know what happened to me last evening, but I just couldn't handle the party. I wish I hadn't even gone. I felt like an out-sider and distanced myself from the group, half of which I didn't know. After I nibbled a bit on the food while Bob was cleaning up his plate full, we left and came home. It was not a good experience. I haven't felt that way in a very long time.

My brother-in-law, Mike, had a good time though, and I'm glad. That's what it was all about. His wife and kids pulled it off and he was totally surprised. When he came walking around to the backyard, everyone yelled surprise! Then he turned to my sister to ask if she knew about this. Her face said it all....

Mike is such a good sport. He let the kids dress him up in a costume then his grandkids wanted a picture with him. The glasses were shaped in a big "60" and that's his "cane" that Keira is holding for him. It was funny.

It's a dark, gloomy day today. It looks like it could rain any minute, but the weatherman says no rain in sight. Tonight will be another cool one ... 55°! We turned the a/c off again, but we'll no doubt turn it back on tomorrow or Tuesday. Our weather has been a real roller coaster ride this season.

I'm back after a short break. I washed up the dirty dishes, put a chicken in the oven and got out the things to start shredding up some zucchini my daughter brought down, a bag full. A client brought them in to her. I'm going to do them up into individual bags, 2 cups each, and put them in the freezer. We'll be able to bake zucchini bread all winter.

I hope everyone has a good week ahead.

Until later................

Surprise Party

Another busy day today. We have a surprise birthday party this evening for my brother-in-law (my sister's husband). They love surprise parties. I've never been successful at that. Have you ever thrown a successful surprise party?

I'll be finishing up my potato salad in a little bit so it has time to chill before we leave. Hubby's making another pot of iced tea to take alone in the cooler. It's going to be a backyard gathering, under the shade trees. Isn't it funny, when families plan a get-together, several are famous for one dish they make and are always asked to make it again? For me, it's always my potato salad. For my daughter Lori, it's her salad. For my sister, it's her pies. For my niece, her mac and cheese. Are you famous for any one dish?

I was so hoping the weather today would be like it was yesterday. It was beautiful, sunshine, 76° with a north breeze. Today is hot and humid again.

Yesterday was the start of our town's annual hot air balloon festival. The town was full of cars last evening. The first launch was at 5:30 and luck would have it, the winds were coming out of south, so all the balloons came our way from the fairgrounds. At $10 per person to get in, we just enjoyed them from our yard. These were the first to get airborne.

It's not a very good picture, but this balloon was the head of a teddy bear. I was hoping he would come closer, but the wind started carrying him east.

This one was "The Ohio Caverns" balloon. He came so close it looked like he was having some trouble. I think he got into an air pocket and wasn't moving. He was using his burner a lot, trying to get altitude. I've had a close encounter with a balloon that had the same problem and he did come down, almost laying it over a neighbor's house. :) Finally he got to moving again. The little dot on the right above the trees was another balloon way out in the lead. I don't know how many balloons there were, but it was so much fun watching them all.

I stole this picture from a friend. They were at the football game last night when the balloons went over.

After all the balloons took off, they started with the helicopter rides. I tried to get a picture of him but I couldn't. Too far away. I don't know how many times he went over our house. There was another early morning launch today, but I was still snoozing. I have heard the helicopter several times though.

Well, I better get back to the kitchen. I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Until next time.................

"Time"

Riddle me this: What is one thing that everyone in the world has the same amount; many people crave more of it, but it cannot be created; you cannot touch it, but you can give it away?

The last wishes of Alexander the Great:

On his death bed, Alexander summoned his generals and told them his three ultimate wishes:
1. The best doctors should carry his coffin;
2. The wealth he has accumulated (money, gold, precious stones.) should be scattered along the procession to the cemetery.
3. His hands should be let loose, hanging outside the coffin for all to see!!
One of his generals, who was surprised by these unusual requests, asked Alexander to explain.

Here is what Alexander the Great had to say:
1. I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that, in the face of death, even the best doctors in the world have no power to heal;
2. I want the road to be covered with my treasure so that everybody sees that material wealth acquired on earth, stays on earth...
3. I want my hands to swing in the wind, so that people understand that we come to this world empty handed and we leave this world empty handed after the most precious treasure of all is exhausted, and that is TIME.
We do not take to our grave any material wealth . TIME is our most precious treasure because it is LIMITED.

We can produce more wealth, but we cannot produce more time.
When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life that we will never take back. Our time is our life!

The best present you can give to your family and friends is your TIME.

May God grant you plenty of TIME and may you have the wisdom to give it away. ♥ 

My Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, everyone! Can you believe the first week of September is almost past? It has been flying by way too fast. I think I'm getting a little sad, thinking summer is almost over weather-wise and before long the snow will be falling on us. It's possible it could happen any day now. In 2003 our first measurable snowfall was on Oct. 2. 

I'm thankful ........... The sun is shining brightly again today and the temperature will be around 77° but down to 57° tonight. That makes for a nice sleep with the fresh air coming into the room.

I'm thankful ........... Yesterday was a busy day. I was able to do laundry so we had clean clothes. I started as soon as I got dressed, then I had breakfast and that all important first cup of coffee. I put the laundry in the dryer, started another load and had another cup of coffee. 

I'm thankful ............Our youngest daughter came in on her lunch break, fixed herself a sandwich and we sat at the table talking until she had to go back.

I'm thankful ........... Bob and I were able to then run out to the grocery to pick up some much needed items and a few for our daughter. She gave me her list while she was here. :)

I'm thankful ........... I was able to then cook a nice meal for the 2 of us. Daughter came in when she got off work to pick up her groceries and she ate with us. Hubby then had to leave to go to a meeting out at the rifle range.

I'm thankful ........... I could practice for a short time on my piano lessons last evening.  I wasn't able to have a lesson Tuesday because my microphone wasn't working. It's hard to play for my teacher if she can't hear me. ;)  We rescheduled for next week. 

I'm thankful .......... I finally got Hubby to wash the bird doo-doo off the window in the utility room. That was on the outside of the window, of course. hehehe Sometimes it's the little things that mean the most. 

I'm thankful .......... so VERY THANKFUL I was able to pay our bills this morning.

I hope you're having a wonderful day, full of blessings.
Until next time....................

Hodgepodge for Sept. 4, 2013

Today is another Hodgepodge Wednesday... already. Here's my answers to Joyce's questions this week. If you would like to join the fun, here is  how to join Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What's something you're never too young or too old to enjoy?
This question is easy ................  Music! From the headphones my daughters laid on their bellies when pregnant to Great-Grandma humming a tune while she worked in the kitchen, we are never to young or too old to enjoy the music.

2. Share one happy memory from your high school years.
When I was in high school, we had an hour for lunch but didn't have a cafeteria so several of us would walk the 2 blocks to downtown for lunch. We had a few different places we loved to go, but the drug store was our favorite. We'd get a bologna sandwich or cheese sandwich and a cherry or vanilla coke. A friend of ours that always went with us would order a sandwich and a cup of hot water. Then she'd put ketchup on her sandwich plus in her cup of water. Whallla! Tomato soup! Those were the highlight of my days in high school, being with my BFF's, laughing and having a good time.

3. A nationwide strike of fast food employees took place in the U. S. last week...they're calling for higher wages and the right to unionize? Your thoughts?
Oh, my.... this one I have to think about. I'm torn both ways. I believe in 'equal pay for equal work'. The fast food joints are everywhere, employing so many including my grandkids (at one time). I know if, and that's a big IF, the employee actually does the work, they deserve better pay. What Micky D's pays their employees is ridiculous. He would just be able to put gas in his car to get to work, with nothing left-over. But I don't think they need a union. There are too many teenagers working in fast food that won't do the work to deserve a better pay. There's no work ethics in younger people. A union would only make matters worse. 

4. September is National Honey Month...what's a favorite dish you make or eat that calls for honey?
I don't use much honey, but I will put some on an English muffin.

5.  If you notice someone with a tag sticking out, a button unbuttoned, a shirt on inside-out, or some leftover lunch stuck between their teeth do you say something or do you keep quiet?
That depends on who it is and where we are. If it's another female I'm close to, I'll put the tag down where it belongs, but on a man, NO, only for my husband. As for the other items (the button or the teeth) I just can't do it, unless it's a family member. 

6. What movie always makes you cry?  Or at least makes you feel like crying?
THE NOTEBOOK. I've seen it many times and I know how it ends, but I always cry. Can't help it. It's such a beautiful story. 

7.   'Mary Had a Little Lamb' was written in May of 1830, and published in Juvenile Miscellany in September of that same year.  Now for the fun part...create your own four line rhyme using that same tune.
This one I'm afraid I'll have to pass. I'm not good at improvising.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 
It's been on the news the last few days about the CDC "advising" us to get our flu shots early. I have gotten one before but I'm not going to anymore. There are too many studies that's released information about the dangers of the vaccine. It contains mercury levels that are higher than the maximum allowed exposure limit. This can cause memory loss, depression, ADD, oral health problems, digestive imbalances, respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases and more. And for the elderly, evidence is mounting that it can cause Alzheimer's disease and weakens the immune system with makes us more susceptible to infections. In the 1976 swine flu outbreak, many who got the flu shots developed permanent nerve damage. Flu vaccines contain many harmful materials besides the mercury, which I've already mentioned, like detergent, formaldehyde, and strains of live flu virus. That's not something I want to put in my body ever again. That's just my opinion.  

Back to the old routine....

After a 3 day weekend, it's back to our normal routines. To all those that had to report back to work this morning, I'm thinking of you. ♥

Our weather today is a big change from just 2 days ago. We've had the A/C running constantly the last couple weeks (80-90°), but 5:00 yesterday afternoon we turned it off and opened the windows. I stepped outside last evening around 9:00 and almost needed a sweatshirt. By 5:00 this morning the temp was only 40° and the kids wore light jackets to school. I think fall is approaching fast.

I think I wrote a few days ago about having computer problems. Well, I'm worried what's going on. I have a desktop with a big new flat screen monitor. I love it and the thoughts of the mother board going out on it has me scared. I can't afford to put anymore money into it, nor buy a new computer. Today's problem prevented me from having a piano lesson with my favorite teacher 800 miles away (via Google Hangout). I am happy to report, as of this moment, it's working again. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Our county fair ended last evening. We didn't go out. Sunday was enough for us. Our daughter had to work the booth again, but the boys stayed home with their big brother. She did have a good evening. Dr. Raney came looking for her. He said he'd heard so many good things about her and was hoping to meet her. He told her that he was working toward getting a bigger office of his own and when that happened he would call her. He wants her to work with him. She was so excited, she sent me a text after he walked away.

We have another big event coming this weekend. The annual Hot Air Affair! We have people coming from all over. We've had teams from Australia and England. For me, it's so exciting to watch these huge balloons inflate and lift off the ground. I love it. One year I took photos, back in the day of the SLR film cameras, entered a few in the camera club's contest and won a year's membership in the club plus my photo was on display at the county fair the following year. I hope they have good weather this year. Last year we had rain and thunderstorms most of the weekend that prevented them from lifting off. That was such a disappointment for all. There's 3 different launch times: Friday evening, Sat. morning and Sat. evening. On Sat. night after dark they have the balloon glow where they turn on the burners, inflate the balloons, but don't lift off. It's beautiful.

 

From a local newspaper..... The Sky’s the Limit Balloon Festival, expected to give a lift to one county’s economy ... Posted: Friday, August 30, 2013 12:00 am | By Linda Lipp
"Hot-air balloons are the centerpiece of Van Wert County’s Hot Air Festival Sept. 6-8, but there will be just as much activity on the ground as in the air. Jerry Mazur, who’s heading the organization of the festival for the second year, expects it to attract 30,000 or more visitors to partake of food, fireworks, concerts, craft fairs, garage sales, a nighttime motorcycle trek and of course, balloon launches and rides."

Until next time.......

Happy Labor Day

 

 I hope everyone is enjoying our last summer holiday weekend. I'm not in favor of thinking about this, but Halloween is coming, then Thanksgiving and Christmas right behind that. No matter what store I go into today, they have Halloween costumes and candy on display already.

Yesterday was a good day, even tho' I'm tired today. We took the 2 youngest grandsons, along with a friend of theirs, to the fair. The day had it's ups and downs as most days with the boys, but we all had a good time. Not sure about Grandpa tho'. I think we must have walked 10 miles.

 

We went out early so the crowd wasn't too bad. But as the evening wore on, it got difficult to get around all the people. 

The boys spent most of the evening playing games. 

We finally found their older brother to play putt-putt golf with them. Curtis is a golfer, played on the school team, but his little brother almost beat him at this. Almost. :) 

 

 I didn't take very many pictures. I was kept busy trying to keep an eye on those 3 little boys in the crowd. Too old to hold their hands, but too young to lose them. This is daughter #1 with her family and grand-daughter.

 

 Our daughter Teresa had to work in the Commercial Building last night. Her boss at the shop had a booth in there this year to attract more people in this area to the benefits of massage therapy (it's still a growing business here). Teresa wasn't happy having to sit there, in the hot building, for 4 hours waiting to talk to people. We were surprised tho'. More people were interested than she thought. Several took her business card and promised to call her. There were even some that booked an appointment with her next week.  

Today we have the boys again while Teresa works the last night of the fair. I don't know if we'll be going back out. I know the boys will want to, but Grandpa doesn't. Now I'll have to deal with 2 disappointed little boys. Oh, well. 

Until next time.......................

Anniversary party

Yesterday was the party for my daughter and her husband on their first anniversary. Since they didn't have a wedding reception last year due to schedule conflicts, they decided to have a party this year with family and friends. Mike wanted to do a cook-out at his mother's house in the country. We all had a great time. 

 

There was approximately 30 adults and I lost count of how many children.

The food table was packed with all kinds of goodies.

For dessert, a wedding cake. His mother wanted them to have one to remember. It was beautiful and so good.

Of course Lori and Mike did the first bite tradition, including the icing on the nose. They didn't get too messy but being the 'mother' I am, I was so worried they would get it on Barb's carpet. They did good and had fun with it.









The weather wasn't too bad. We did watch a storm pass by to the south, but it missed us. 

This picture shows 2/3 of my grandchildren. The 2 younger boys were running around the yard.  I always feel so old when I look at these teenagers, wondering who these people are. lol

Several of us stayed outside most of the afternoon, even though her house was air conditioned... just too many people for that. It did get very humid before the storm passed by, but the breeze picked up after that and felt much cooler and dryer. It wasn't bad.

As for today, our plans include taking our 2 youngest grandsons to the county fair. There will be games and rides, of course. We'll be going out for supper, having that good ol' fair food -- corn dogs, french fries with vinegar on them, elephant ears, cherry ice cream, sausage sandwiches, sugar waffles, and the list goes on and on. Let' see who comes home with a belly ache tonight. Probably Grandma.  I know she'll also have the sore feet and tired legs. lol Hopefully they'll have fun. They are so excited right now.

I took this picture last year. Hopefully I'll get some new ones tonight.

Until later................