Another stormy weekend

Life around here has been quiet, nothing happening. I'm finally over that horrible bug I had and my voice is back in full force. Just ask Bob. lol

Today is the last day of January already! It's hard to believe. I hope your fleeting month was a good one.

Again, the topic of conversation here is the approaching winter snow storm. The prediction for us is lots and lots of snow, possibly 12" or more. Today we have the calm before the storm, 36° and sunshine. It's suppose to start snowing around 6:00 and continue non-stop until Monday afternoon. Bob got out his list of guys with now plows to call to take care of getting us out of the driveway. He's definitely not able to do it himself. He's hurt his back again and not moving around very well.

Do you remember seeing these several years ago?

Back in 1970, these were advertised on TV and I ordered the complete set. Last night I found them in the bottom of a bag of yarn. They're called the K-Tell Knitter. Needless to say, they were hard to work with, for me anyways, and I never was able to make anything with them. Now, 45 years later, they are in demand again. The internet is full of requests, "where can I find one?" From what I've been reading, the company no longer exists, which is normal.

Our grandson Ian has made it to the bowling tournament which is tomorrow afternoon at our bowling alley. There's a lot of people coming from out of town. There's a good possibility they may have to postpone it. It depends on the storm.

Our great-grandson, Skye, continues to grow right before our eyes. He is such a joy, so precious. My heart melts just looking at him.

Until next time........... be safe and well.

Hodgepodge Wednesday

Our hostess, Joyce, on her blog HERE, is having a 'little' snow event on the east coast, hope everything is ok at her place, so she thinks the weather may have influenced this week's Hodgepodge questions. I think she's right.

1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?

I wanted so bad to tell my Hubby that the last time he got on the subject of our President with our son-in-law. Needless to say, Hubby is not a fan and has some strong feelings about it.

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt? 

Last night my grand-daughter sent me a photo of my great-grandson the moment he first found his feet. I totally melted. He is such a doll baby.

3. "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience? Does it feel the same in hindsight?

I hardly have any adventures anymore. Unexpected things will happen, but they're usually an inconvenience to me. Then in hindsight, they're never as bad as I thought at the time.

4. A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake... of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?

The frosted chocolate cupcake.... any day, any time. However, if it was the middle of summer, hot outside, I'd go for the Frosty.

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.

So far this year, being just 3 weeks so far, I'm thankful it's been a mellow, soft symphony. I hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly.

6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?

Having grown up in the 60's, the first song that came to my mind was "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues. I still love that song. 

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?

That's a hard one. I've lived in this little town my whole life and actually I can't think of anything in town, except the people, that I would miss if I had to leave. I went to school with so many of these people, worked with some of them, went to church with some, and I would definitely miss that. It's not necessarily the people, because I can go for weeks and not see someone I know. It's mainly that feeling of "being home".  

8. Insert your own random thought here.

In my last post I mentioned that I had dug my yarn and crochet hooks out of the closet and got back into doing something creative instead of always being on Facebook. In my inventory I found something I forgot I had.

They are called Tunisian crochet hooks or afghan hooks. They come in different sizes. Mine is 14" long. It's so different from what I'm used to doing, the last few days I've been trying to learn how to handle them and the different stitches. Not sure if I like it. It can be very difficult, but I'm having a good time learning something new.

Until next time............ be safe and well.

Sat. Jan. 24

Update: yesterday I contacted some prayer partners, asking for prayers for Chris Adams, worship leader at Lifehouse Church. Very early this morning, Chris lost his battle with the flu and is now singing with Jesus. He was a good man and he'll be missed by so many people.

This year's flu has been horrible. They've found out the vaccine everyone has gotten will not protect you from this strain that is killing people. And now it's touched home. We've never had a fatality in our county due to the flu, until this year.

I've been absent from blogland lately but busy with all sorts of little things. Life goes on. I tore into my closet the other day, I was bored, and dug out all my yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks. It's been so long since I've done anything, I had to take a couple days to refresh my memory. But I managed to make a little hat for my great-grandson. Of course, I had to tear it out a couple times to correct mistakes I'd made, but it finally came out to my satisfaction. Now I'm looking for something else to make. Don't know what I'm going to try next. A friend of mine in Florida is always in need of little hats for 3 and 4 yr. olds for her daughter's preschool for underprivileged children. I may make a few and send to her. 

Our weather has been fairly mild lately, in the high 20's to mid 30's. That's not bad. I can tolerate that. However, they are now predicting a winter storm for us starting early tomorrow morning, with a possibility of 1-3 inches of snow. They're saying the worst of this storm is going north. 

That's all I have for today. Until next time........... 

Prayer request

Sorry for my absence lately. Today's blog is going to be very small. I've been busy with little things, nothing worth talking about.

Today I have a request for all my prayer warriors. A friend of mine has posted on Facebook asking for prayer for the worship leader, Chris Adams, at her church. He is in ICU with the flu and pneumonia.  He's in critical condition. Her post just now had an update on his condition. They have just called in his whole family to his bedside.

My heart is breaking for him and his young family. If you feel like it, would you pray for him?

God bless you

Wed. Hodgepodge for Jan. 14, 2015

We're back to our regular Hodgepodge schedule after our host had her time off. It's good to see her back in Blogland.

1. What's your best piece of advice for a newly married couple? I'm asking for a friend.

Keep the communication open and never forget those feelings you had for your spouse on your wedding day.

2. Before we're too far into the new year I wanted to post a question Teresa submitted during the December giveaway. Teresa blogs over at Being Refined As Silver, so everyone go say hi.

Teresa asks, "What were you doing on December 31st, 1999?"and "Did you or your family make preparations for Y2K?"

The only thing I can remember doing that day was finishing the job of backing up all the information I had on my computer at home and on the ones at work. The experts had predicted all computers would crash and since we weren't sure whether that would happen or not, we didn't want to take the chance of losing all that information. It took me weeks to get it done, but better to be safe than sorry. On Jan. first, even though nothing happened, it was still good to have everything safe.

3. According to Global Language Monitor, the most used word of 2014 isn't a word. It's the heart emoji. Huh? How can something that's not a word be the most used word, but I digress. What do you think was your most used word in 2014?

"What" --- What did you say? What was that? What did he say? etc. etc. My hearing is getting bad. But actually I think the word I used more was "love". I've made it a point to tell everyone in my family that I love them. Plus it's the last thing my Hubby hears from me before I go to sleep or leave the house. 

4. Speaking of words, it's that time again. Time for Lake Superior University to present a list of words they'd like to see banished (for over-use, mis-use, and general uselessness) in 2015. You can read more about the decision making process here, but this year's top vote getters are-

bae (before anyone else), polar vortex, hack, skill set, swag, foodie, curate/curated, friend-raising, enhanced interrogation, cra-cra (as in crazy), takeaway, and -nation (a suffering sports suffix).

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Is there a word not on the list you'd like to add?

I have to agree on the word and usage of "hack". I see and hear it everywhere. Life Hacks, for instance. when they mean hints on everyday chores to make them easier. Our precious English language is being torn apart and forgotten. The word I'd like to add to the list (maybe it was on last year's list) and that is "twerking". I'm sick of hearing it. 

5. January is National Hot Tea month? Are you a fan? Do you like flavored teas? How do you take your tea? Have a favorite cup or teapot? How many cups of tea do you consume in a given day?

I do like tea. My favorites are orange pekoe, the green tea I get at the Chinese Restaurant and my chamomile that I drink in the evenings. I do have a favorite cup I drink it out of and in some I'll put in a little sugar, but mostly I drink it plain.

6. Whatever happened to  _________________? 
Oh, there it is ---------> 

7. What is one book on your must-read list this winter?

I read a lot and I have a couple hundred titles on my Kindle that I hope to read, but I don't have that one "must read" book, unless I count my Bible. That's a given.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Baby, it's COLD out! I know a great majority of the country is experiencing cold temperatures, but excuse me if I feel like whining a little. This is what the weather channel is saying for us right now. And the wind chill is currently at MINUS-12!!! 

Our streets have been either snow covered or icy the last couple weeks, so I don't get out of the house. I'm already dealing with the cabin fever. The walls are closing in. I'm starting to make plans for this coming summer. My app is telling me I have 65 days till the first day of spring. I don't think that made me feel any better. 

Until next time...... 

Wed. Hodgepodge 12-31-2014

Happy New Year!!

This is our last Hodgepodge for the year. Thank you, Joyce, over at From This Side of the Pond
2014 will soon be history and 2015 holds all sorts of promises. I wish you all a happy, healthy new year ahead.

1. Share a favorite moment from your Christmas holiday celebration.

My favorite moment from each Christmas holiday celebration is when my children and grandchildren come through my back door. That moment always comes with lots of hugs, kisses and smiles. I love it.

2. What would you say has been the biggest news event during your life so far?

At my age, I have seen and heard so many big news events, but I would have to say the biggest was the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. No, maybe the biggest was 9/11. I can remember each one as if it was yesterday.

3. The Pantone Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala. What say you - like or no like? Would I find this color anywhere in your home or wardrobe? Will you add something in this shade to either? 

I like. It's a beautiful color we always called 'wine' colored, hence the wine with the same name. I used to have a blouse that color that I got many compliments, each saying it was a good color on me. I loved it and wore it often. Yes, I would add another one to my wardrobe.

4. Would you rather meet your ancestors or your great grandchildren? Explain why.

I would love to meet my ancestors. I have so many questions for them that only they could answer. But when it comes to my great-grandchildren, I feel blessed that I'm here to meet my first and pray for him each day that he has a happy life. Now, since I plan to be here another 30-40 years, I will no doubt meet them all plus the first of my great-great-grandchildren. I would love to see what kind of adults they become and what they do with their lives.

5. Share one life lesson learned in 2014?

Never take anything for granted. I learned this long ago, but this past year I was reminded that people can be very unpredictable and we should never assume anything. It can lead to hurt feelings.

6. What was your best or favorite purchase made in 2014?

I didn't make any major purchases this year, only groceries and necessities. I guess that could be my favorite because I didn't go hungry.

7. What is one thing you're looking forward to in the new year?

Being more active (for my health) and possibly getting back a social life.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We have no plans for New Year's eve, except to do what we've been doing the last several years --- stay home where we're safe and warm, and watch the ball drop in Times Square. I'm not even sure I'll stay up that late. I'm often in bed before midnight. Then on New Year's Day we'll probably take down all the Christmas decorations, get the house cleaned and everything back to normal.

Whatever your plans are, may you be safe and warm. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas 2014

Another Christmas has come and gone with a new year beginning in a few short days. I can't believe it. I feel like I slept through most of it. It's such a blur now. 

Our Christmas was very nice. Even tho' I'm still not up to par, I did manage to bake 2 pies and a cake, cooked 3 kinds of meat, plus my famous baked beans and a few other miscellaneous items for our party. Last evening I fed a total of 16 people, and still with no voice. But I'm getting better.

After we all ate and had the first load of dishes washed and put away, we played "Battle of the Sexes" and sampled each one of the desserts. The game is fun and we enjoy playing it, but when it was my turn to read a card, the room got quiet so they could all hear my squeak. I still laugh about it. 

Our tiny great-grandson Skye was being passed around to almost everyone, poor little guy. But he's such a good baby, he never complained. I didn't hold him, stayed away from him and pretty much everyone, didn't want to breathe in their faces. I don't think I'm contagious, but I wasn't taking any chances. 

Momma Hollie (Lori's daughter) holding Skye with Aunt Teresa talking to him

Grandson Dylan (Lori's youngest) is over 6½ ft. tall

but when I snapped this picture of him, I didn't notice it almost looked as if he was leaning on the top of the refrigerator. 

All in all, it was a fun evening. It's been quite awhile since we had everyone here. Daughter #2 and her husband headed back to Michigan this morning, so they're now home safe and sound. Daughter #1 is hosting her husband's family for dinner this evening. I helped furnish a couple items for her meal. And daughter #3 has spent most of her day alone. The boys are in Columbus with their dad. They called her last night and even tho' it was good to talk to them, she cried hard after hanging up. It's her first Christmas without them. Divorce! It's hard on everyone, but mostly on the kids. They wanted to come home. And Grandma -- I missed them so much, not being here. 

Our weather has been very mild this Christmas. We didn't have a white one, it was a liquid one. But thank goodness the temperature stayed in the 50's so we didn't have to worry about icy roads. 

We've had some bad news and some good news in the last few days. My cousin who has been fighting prostate cancer is doing very well and finally got to come home for the holidays. Then we find out our niece had a mild heart attack the other day. She's doing well and was able to go home. That news was a little late coming because she lives in Switzerland. 

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and may God bless you richly in the coming new year.