Beyond Words

Sunday morning The Hubby and I were watching the show Sunday Morning and a clip came on from Steve Hartman, On The Road.  It was called Beyond Words and absolutely brought tears to my eyes and heart.  Amazing story.  You must, must watch this story!

Book Club...

Recently I started a book club.  We've had exactly one meeting and this week will be number two.  Our first book was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.  It has been on best seller lists everywhere and it was one of a few books that we had NOT read.  This group of ladies seem to be very well read so finding one we had NOT read was a challenge.  It is a good thing.  This very first meeting, since we did not have a specific book to read, I decided to discuss Fifty Shades of Grey.  You need not have read that book to have an opinion, and opinions we had.  It was a great discussion group and got the ladies interacting when most of them did not know each other.  I have grouped a few ladies that are my friends but are not acquainted with each other, until now.  It's exciting and I'm hopeful we will continue for a very long time.

Back to Fifty...I have read the first two books in the series and have stumbled through the first third of the third book.  I have stopped, finally.  I am DONE!  They are not worth my time to read them, even for a discussion group.  I know, I know I am beating a dead horse here and this is my final say!

What-da Ya Call It?

I'm in a bit of a quandary and probably making a mountain out of a molehill.  It's also a bit early to be worrying about it but I do.  What-da ya call it?  That is my question and I am in need of an answer, maybe.  The time is drawing very near for little granddaughter to make her sweet appearance into this world and I thought I knew what I wanted to be called, but last night I started questioning that in my head.  I know FOR SURE that I don't want to be called MiMi!  That belongs to my mother-in-law.  I do not want to be called grandma as that has an old image in my head that I do not like!  I'll tell you the history of grandparent naming in my family.  There is actually a kind of theme to it.  On my mother's side of the family the trend is:  Granny and Greatgranny and so on.  On my father's side, it goes Grandma and Grandmother, etc.  I really thought I would follow the Granny trend, and besides that side of the family has the best memories for me.  Grandmother or Grandma is stuffy and old and I don't want to be called Gran as that is my sister-in-law's name and GiGi seem's to be everyone's name and I don't like it.  Oh, I'm in a pickle with this.  Do you just let the little babe decide or do you start the process by instilling the name over and over and over again?  What is the process?  Can anyone give me some help PLEASE!  I mean I could push the Granny thing but I might end up as Gran or Nee or G or I DON'T KNOW!!!!!  Suggestions!

Downtown Abbey

Downtown Abbey Season 3 Trailer...

I CAN'T WAIT!

Organization Or Not

Last night I dozed off to sleep watching the news about 10:15.  About 12:53 p.m. the phone started ringing...no it was not B calling to say it's time.  I jumped up, grabbed the phone as The Hubby sat up.  Our phone is tied to the front doorbell and the ring was the front door.  The Hubby rushed to the door as I realized in my haze that apparently the power glitched and set off the phone and we both recognized the sound of his computer restarting.  He stumbled back to bed and I asked him if Clayton was in his doggie bed.  He mumbled, "I don't know," and plopped back in bed.  It wasn't long before I could hear the familiar sound of his dog tags shaking and his tippy-tap of nails on the floor as he made his way to our bed.  I scooped him up and put him under the blankets, his favorite place to sleep and then it was time for me to settle back down.  As usual, my problem is that when I am forced awake like that I have a hard time going back to sleep.  It was after 2:30 before I finally drifted back down.  My mind would not shut down.  For some reason I was thinking about organization.  Hmmm, not sure why I went there but you know my bachelors is Organizational Leadership.  Many, many years ago I was obsessed with trying to get myself organized.  I bought books and books on it.  I had tons of file folders, colored index cards, pens, anything to try and get myself organized.  Contrary to popular belief I was known by many to be an extremely organized person, at one time.  I organized our office and kept it running.  I organized my kiddos and their schedules with the household.  I went to school while working, and really was a SAHM in the sense that my kids went to work with me and in the beginning the office was in the house.  I sat on boards from church to Camp Fire.    I also organized our high school reunions for many years too.  I was an organizational type person, WAS.  I don't know what happened but I seem to have fallen behind in that area, probably because I don't have to do most of that stuff anymore and I don't want too.  I have come to a period in my life where I don't see the need to be that rigid.  Now if I had little ones again, then yes organization is a must.  I like some things kind of mess and I know my ROOM (studio, computer, collection room) is a mess but it is my tiny room and I like it.  I clean it sometimes, when I feel I can't stand it anymore.  My pantry is a mess but I will organize it again, sometime.  I just don't have the need or want to right now.  I have to do it before it gets away from me and I will.  Oh my mind...shut down please.

Sorry that is just what was on my mind last night and I had to get it out.

Polishing The Pearl

This and That

This morning I was finally back to workout with my friend Wade....EEK...I can hardly lift my arms, not from pain but they just don't want to work.  We did TONS of push-ups on the bar and I can't imagine the pain they are going to be in tomorrow.  I thought I had better write while I can this morning because by this afternoon the ole' arms are going to be useless noodles, wait, they already are!  It's all good!  

Yesterday my wonderful guy spent the afternoon working in the office, trying to get invoicing ready for me to type today.  When he came home he brought a bundle of flowers for me, just because.  I love it when he is spontaneous like that.  I love that man of mine!

I finally went to see Daddy.  I've felt like a bad daughter because it had been about 3 weeks since I had been at his house.  My time has just not let me get away with all the construction and meetings and such but yesterday was the day.  The first thing he said was, "I was beginning to think I didn't have any kids."  Great, my head hung low.  

After having a headache on Thursday, a migraine on Sunday and then last night going to bed with a sinus headache and waking up with it, I'm about done.  It has been a long time since I had a headache.  Not fun for sure.  Finally better this morning after Zyrtec and Advil!

Art class starts up again today!  Next Monday the portrait drawing class starts.  YEAH!

Labor Day...

I have taken a break from my year long quest to post everyday.  The past couple of days the mind was a blank so I just went with it.  In fact, I may not post everyday for the rest of the year.  I have given eight solid months of blogging and I'm giving in to the break.

The Hubby and I rushed out of town Friday afternoon for the cabin.

Along the way we encountered some lovely rain clouds. 

It had been awhile since we have had rain of any kind and I was totally amazed by the beauty. 

I told The Hubby that there was a time when one tiny dark cloud would send me into shakes and shivers.  I had so many fears when young.  Living in tornado alley will do that to a person!  Now I love it and embrace the beauty of nature. 

The cabin area was very quiet and relaxing.  Not much water over the waterfall so more rain is needed. 

At least there was enough rain the past week that my hibiscus were in full bloom and the vines of passion flower and clematis were going crazy. 

Waiting for the cool down and a great fire in the fire pit.

Maternity Photo

Time is ticking away...just four weeks out from a most beautiful event to take place...

Bedroom Life

Today's writing prompt from Mama's Losin'It! is What do you remember most about your childhood bedroom.  Wow there is a lot to remember about my bedroom but first I have to narrow it down to which one I wish to talk about.  We moved several times.  Tap, tap, tap to my temple as I contemplate my answer.  The most important memory of all the rooms was that I shared it with my little sister.  I was the oldest, then Bro and then Sis.  I got the immense treat to share a room with my sister (I'm being tacky...more in a later post.)  I think I will share our last bedroom together.  

It was awesome and I don't think I have even one picture of it.  Wait...I do have a picture but it is after The Hubby and I redecorated Daddy's house...

do you see how small that room was.  The bed in this picture is a twin bed, we had a full size bed that we shared.  One time we had two twin beds and absolutely no room to move.  TINY!  Bro will say it was a palace, and it was to him.  He was stuck on the back porch room that used to be an outdoor patio.  When they enclosed it the damn roof leaked every, single time it rained, over his bed.  

My mother was a great supporter of letting you express yourself as a child.  She also did not clean our room for us, that was our job, which sometimes we didn't do.  What was amazing was we girls were allowed to paint the walls any color we wanted, and I mean we painted!  One wall was bright yellow, one neon orange, one bright green and one soft blue.  We also painted our huge desk the blue color and the shelves were painted the neon orange.  It was the 70's for goodness sake and I was a wannabe Hippy!  It was AWESOME!  Sadly for me I married a guy that believed that all walls should be Spanish White for resale value.  Drove me crazy, and the girls.  He was always prepared to sell even though we stayed in every house 10 years.  B's house has colorful walls and finally after 36 years of marriage I have color on my walls.  I wore him down!  

Those brightly colored walls were also covered with posters of Davy Jones, Peter Dolenz, David Cassidy, "Greg Brady", The Cowsills...I could go on.  I also had magazine art from Peter Max that I loved and lots of quotes.  It was such an awesome room and I loved it.  It expressed me!  

Thanks Mama's Losin' It, this was an awesome question.  I had fun walking down memory lane.

Doggie Down

Yesterday was a sick doggie day.  Poor little Clayton was up and down all night long on Monday night and of course so was I.  He kept having to go outside and do his business, over and over and the licking....EEK! It was horrible, plus throw in my inability to sleep sometimes and it makes for a sick little dog the next morning and a very grouchy me!  Of course i missed work out because I flat slept in but when up I immediately called the vet and got the little guy in.  Something was not right.  

I took him to the clinic and left him to be evaluated and wait for a phone call.  Back home I thought I could go back to sleep and try and catch up but that was not the case, and believe me I tried.  I ate a bit of lunch and then The Hubby told me the audio visual guy was coming to see if he could fix our IPOD jack that allow us to play music to play in any room we want.  It's broken.  So wait for him.  Then the back yard counter top guy showed up and one or our electrical employees to work on the stuff outside.  Then the driveway guy showed up to power wash and then seal the drive and front walk again.  Finally, the house was empty of workers while the outside ones were still hard at it.  I ran to my bed to snooze a bit.  I also canceled an appointment to take advantage of some snore time.  Thirty minutes into a very deep sleep I was pulled out of the deep from my cell phone ringing.  I grabbed it thinking it might be the vet but no.  It was a guy from our high school reunion committee trying to set up a meeting.  Gosh, I wanted to sleep.  I was having a hard time making sense of my world I was so sleepy.  Back to sleep I got an hour of sleep time when the phone rang again, junk phone call.  So up I got and waited to hear from the vet.  

She called to let me know that his white blood cells were high indicating an infection.  He was vomiting and had uncontrollable diarrhea but they gave him some anti-nausea medicine and an antibiotic shot.  They did some blood work to check his kidneys and liver.  She said that she would call back when the blood work was done, about 5.  Wait, wait, wait.  That is what I do best.  I finally called, several times to check up on him. 

The vet kept calling me Mom and was very nice, a little too nice, but nice.  5:30 the phone had not rung so of course I called, again and talked to her.  His blood work came out fine and they were going to send him home, the explosive stuff was over...thank goodness.  I picked him up just in time for dinner, which he was quite happy, an antibiotic and a special can of food.  Our little guy was very happy to be home and I hoped to goodness he would sleep.  

Fountain Time

Yesterday The Hubby came home as I was finishing up make myself presentable for the world to see!  He does this quite often now that our humble abode is so much closer to the office and a lot of the jobs the business is doing.  Also, he is so excited to finish the patio/driveway/etc. that he can hardly stay away.  Which means I NEVER have time, quiet time alone at the house anymore.  Anyway, back to my day.  I tried to paint a bit before I cleaned up but was just not in the mood with the power washer going on out front and the drill and saw out back as the concrete counter top guy was working.  Then The Hubby comes in and I just gave up.  I was all prepped and ready for the afternoon, planning on a visit with my Daddy when The Hubby wanted to go to Southwood Nursery to look at fountains.  Best laid plans, my best laid plans always seem to get mucked up as they did yesterday.  It was all good though as he was after a water feature that I have ALWAYS wanted in my back yard.  

We arrived at Southwood and entered to find this sweet little girl sacked out in a birdbath display.  I petted and she just stretched and splayed her paws in utter joy of her life.  What a precious sight.

Out the doors I saw these lovely sunflowers and just had to snap a picture.  I'm always on the hunt for flowers to paint! 

Towards the back we found the fountains and found this little beauty that we purchased with a bit of discussion of "NO BLUE."  For some reason he had the ugly blue ones in his head for color and I like blue but it was just not going to work for me.  I won, we won, to have this softly gurgling thing soothe away the tensions of the day!   

Week(end) Wrap-up

Last week was full of go-go-go.  Mostly go with the car to the end of the street.  This morning I can hear the crew cleaning up broken concrete debris and pulling up the forms from the new driveway.  There is still yellow tape in front of the drive so we still do not have the all clear to drive on the driveway!  WAH!  I'm getting tired of climbing the tiered yard to my car and front door, especially with piles of groceries!  Yes, I know it will end, soon!  The Hubby spent the weekend wiring more lights in the new patio and yesterday cleaned out his pretty garage.  He's very proud of it and likes it spic-n-span!  

Last week I had a wonderful lunch with my friend Christine for her birthday.  We usually always spend our birthday lunches at Wild Fork at Utica Square.  It has become a tradition for us.   

While waiting for her this pesky, but cute little squirrel guy was persistent on trying to come to my table and my purse sitting at the side.  I tried shooing and waving my white napkin but he would not be deterred.  I decided I would snap his picture and that seemed to work.  He was not happy with that and fled.  

Today I will get my (I don't do The Hubby's, he's on his own) laundry done and a bit more painting.  I'm excited because class will begin soon as will  my portrait class!   

Lots of noise outside yet again.  The clean up crew plus the lawn guys and hopefully today the power washer guy!  I look forward to having it quiet by my house again, someday!

Sunday Cooking

B and I planned for weeks now to do a cooking marathon to fill her freezer.  She wanted to get some meals stored in preparation for the arrival of the baby and I said I would help.  We decided to hit the grocery store early to beat the church crowd and came home with all of this. 

Her plan was chicken enchiladas, beef enchiladas, 3-way (our special recipe), breakfast burritos, and bathtub chicken.  She had recipes but we hardly used them and definitely didn't measure but we cooked and cooked!

breakfast burritos...

scrambled eggs, green onions, black beans, salsa, cheddar cheese and tortillas...

bathtub chicken - spaghetti, chicken, cheese, onion, green pepper, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth...(I always used Velveeta cheese and red pimentos)

3-way:  ground beef, browned, tomato sauce, canned diced tomatoes, canned pinto beans, chilli seasoning - my kids grew up on the stuff

chicken and beef enchiladas -

chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese, green onion, tortilla, cream (brushed on inside of tortilla)

beef, enchilada sauce, cheese, green onion, tortilla

I know that is kind of a brief explanation of the ingredients but really it was that simple.  All of the stuff freezes and the casseroles you thaw and reheat at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  The 3-way you microwave thaw and re-heat or you can thaw and put in pan to reheat.  This picture shows the haul she made off with for her deep freeze.  Prepared she is for the birth!

Oh my aching feet!

Welcome to My World

Welcome to our world of construction and concrete!

Clayton says, "Come on in and stay awhile!"

Thursday and Friday, after a week of no driveway Thursday morning started like this...

then this arrived...

and began it's job of releasing that wonderful CONCRETE! 

Worker bees started the process of smoothing and raking and grabbing and shoveling... 

Hopefully I will have the DONE pictures but today it is RAINING!!!!

Fortune Cookie Friday

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled.  The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.  Ray Bradbury

This may not be a fortune cookie saying, but I like it and Choose to use it because I like it.  How beautiful is this saying.  Have a great weekend to one and all and let some beautiful stuff out!

Addicted

I am addicted.  Yes, sadly I am addicted to buying books.  I thought getting my Kindle my addiction would slow down, I was wrong.  When the two local Border Bookstores closed down I just knew that would be the end of the addiction, I was so very, very wrong.  I seem to be buying more actual books and e-books on Amazon.  I don't know if I will ever be able to read all that I am buying.  

I love, love, love books.  I love real books but I love my Kindle too.  It's a scary addiction.  I'm reading as fast as I can but they publish so many books every, single day that I'm afraid I will miss out on something good.

I'm going to try,TRY very hard to stop, or at least stop unless I need to get one for my book club.  I can't borrow or check out at the library because I don't like to give them back.  I know it's a sickness.  I'm addicted to paper and words that are printed on it.  

One good thing is I actually took a huge pile to a used book store and sold them and I still have a pile in the garage that I'm offering to my book club members and the ones left will go to Goodwill.  That's good isn't it.  Maybe the addiction isn't too bad...

Birthday Week

Yes we are ALL getting older!  This week several of my loved friends and family are doing the birthday thing.

Monday was my dearest oldest best friend Sharon's birthday!  Happy Birthday my friend.  It has been so many years since I've been able to tell her that.  I had remembered the day for many years and always knew it was in August but for the life of me this year I could not remember the exact day, but now, it is permanently on the calendar, never to be forgotten again!

Friday is my other sweet bestie's birthday!  Hopefully we will be able to do lunch as is our usual thing to do.  She has been very busy with her oldest, her son and his wife in town from Saudi Arabia.  They were teachers there and now are doing, well, something else I can't remember.  Christine has three kiddos and is very happy when all her chicks are in town at once, which is the case now.  Happy Birthday my friend!!!

Finally, tomorrow is The Hubby's big day.  I just love this photo...yum!  He will be 57 years old and I love growing old with him.  Oh yes, he can drive me a bit CRAZY but I love the crazy.  We've been doing this thing called marriage for 36 years now and I can't wait for the next 30+ years!  

Happy Birthday my love...

Bullying

I had a thought last night as the news was going on and on about the upcoming presidential election.  They were talking about the back and forth of "He said.....well he said.....and he said...."  You know the garbage that goes on and suddenly it made me think that it was a form of bullying.  Do you see it?  It's a grown up kind of bullying and name calling.  Do we ever grow up and get away from our youth?  Why can't we play nice on the playground and quit the name calling and verbal shoving that is going on.  Every four years, no wait every year it goes on and on.  We are trying to teach our children not to bully, not to shove, not to be mean to other people, yet here we are everyday on the television a reminder that we are not doing what we preach.  How will we ever change?  How will we ever make an impression on our children to be better people when we NEVER change.  I don't care if it's the name of the game in politics, STOP IT!

Stepping down from the soapbox.

Week Past and Present

Yesterday I was able to do a lot of painting and finished this lovely little piece.  I put it on Facebook and got a ton of comments and likes and withing 2 minutes an interest in buying it.  WOW!  Talk about boosting my painting ego.  It's not even dry!  

The weekend was nice with The Hubby and I running off to the cabin for one night.  Not much going on there as school is about to start for a lot of kiddos and families are getting ready.  

Much needed rain also happened Saturday afternoon and last evening.  We needed the air to be cleaned as my allergies are driving me a bit crazy.  While The Hubby spent yesterday working on some of the wiring on the new patio and driveway (heat tape) I painted and then took some time in the garden.  I had forgotten that we bought a new electric tiller and it was still sitting in storage unused.  I was not about to use the thing with our backyard full of workers everyday this summer.  So yesterday I broke it out.  I also forgot about mosquito's!  There I was tilling away (which was AWESOME) and my mind was not thinking West Nile Virus.  I finished, put the thing away and went to sit with a cool glass if iced tea when my leg starting itching!  YIKES!!!!!  My legs were covered with at least ten mosquito bites.  GOOD GRIEF!  Luckily, when my body gets a mosquito bite it lasts about an hour and then totally goes away.  Let's just hope none of the dang things was "ONE OF THOSE" mosquito's.  

This week I will be spending a bit of time at the office while B does some of her "other" job things.  I don't mind at all and will be there a LOT this fall when our little girl arrives.  In just a few short weeks we will be holding that sweet little bundle and I can hardly stand the wait.  I just got an email from the other lovely in California with her airline flight info, timed, HOPEFULLY for the arrival of said wee one.  She is coming in two days before the due date.  

Tomorrow the new driveway should be poured so we, I plan on being able to drive into my garage but the weeks end.  At least the porta-potty is gone and I'm quite happy about that.  I'm hoping to be able to have the rest of the outdoor furniture delivered next week!  (Need to talk to The Hubby about that.)

Okay, I guess that's all the chit-chat I'm-a doing here for now.  Later gators, until I write again...tomorrow!

Carla