Seeing the sun through the rain.............a happy post.

Yesterday getting out of the house helped in many ways.  Not saying that it was all good, but while these pictures were taken it was pretty amazing.

This where Mabel loves.  It's hard to explain but they have a very steep drive down to their house.  Then there house sits at the top of a big hill.  There is a flat area and the rest is steep, very steep.  They have been told that one of these trees was planted by Johnny Appleseed.  I know he was in this part of the country.  We have no idea which tree it could be.  There is also no proof of this as far as I know.  But it doesn't matter.  I was afraid since I had been cooped up at home that I would miss the beauty on this hill.  I watch Mabel and her brother M. after school on Tuesdays this year.  Which is pretty amazing that with the new fitness studio and my son's job that you never know what will come up, that I am only needed one night.  But things still happen.  Last night my son called to tell me that M. had basketball practice.  M. said no that it was on the calendar for tomorrow.  But my son said, that was a mistake.  He needs to go there at 5:45 and that means that you need to leave right this minute.  "Sorry, Mom."  Getting M. ready to go anywhere is like moving a turtle.  He always forgets everything.  (I am hearing that our other 2- 8 year old grandchildren,  are all like this, too)  Well, Miss Mabel will tell you or him what he is forgetting.  "M. your water bottle".  He was combing his hair in the bathroom when he should have been getting his shoes on.  Then Mabel stuck her head in the bathroom and told him at lunch she was telling all her friends that he always is combing his hair and how funny they thought that was.  Can you imagine five years olds laughing about that.  Well, Mabel asked if she could wear her flip flops, and of course, I said she could.  So off we go.  We get there and both of them think I should go into the school to watch.  I went in for awhile and talked to my friend in the SACC program where I used to work.  I peeked in on M. and there no other adults there.  Mabel went in the gym and did a couple perfect cartwheels and soon we were back in the car.  When we got home I grabbed my camera that had no media card.  Luckily it has an internal memory.  It was beginning to rain. It was just beautiful out.  Mabel wanted to swing so we walked around a little bit.  I was snapping pictures and all of a sudden we knew something was coming.  Three deer raced by us.  The one stood behind a tree and just stared at me.  I think he thought I couldn't see him. 
Now these pictures make Mabel's hair look all fluffy.  I sent one to her aunt in Colorado.  She replied,
" Put her on a plane, please."

This is at the corner of their driveway.  The steep part starts right there.

Miss Mabel.  Oh and by the way she has been getting purple at school.  That's the highest.  Her brother said in the car yesterday that he was well behaved at school (true) but that Mabel was "unbehaved"

 

Here she is singing and swinging.  There is a house right to the side of her that I would love to see the inside.  I think it's a newer home and is somewhat a saltbox style.

Just enjoying God's beauty.

We were looking for a rainbow since it was raining.  We couldn't find one.

We have several of these.  It looks like she has a lot of hair but she doesn't.

 

If you look closely you can see the deer.  See the one behind the tree looking at me.

 

The old castle next door.

The side of Mabel's house.  I love there screened in porch. See the pillars.  It looks a lot like ours in the front.

And then the sun set.  It was so beautiful.  You could see more than what would show up.

Mabel wants me to come to her school for her Halloween party. She always wants me to come to their house when all the families and the kids come before trick or treat and after.  They are in town and parking will be hard to find.  They will all walk from there.
Mabel never left my side the whole time I was with her.  She missed me and I missed her.  That girl has my heart as the others do as well.
I stopped to see my 11 year old granddaughter yesterday for a few minutes.  She wasn't feeling well.  She is still a little girl and not ready to be a pre teen.  She said, "Grammy, what are you dressing up as this year."  Isn't that a hoot.
The day ended by Hubby trying to cheer me up at our favorite Mexican place in the village.  We totally avoided the sad issues.  Just knowing he knows that just being together is enough.

(See, I didn't make you sad this time)

Happy Haunting.

My sweet little Halloween friends want to wish you a Happy Halloween.  We are having our last beautiful fall day.  Rain is on its way and it's going to be getting colder.  The trees are actually still beautiful.  I hadn't been anywhere since I was not feeling well, so today going to the doctor I was excited to still see the beauty.

About my last post, I was seriously trying to be funny.  That's what I do when things get to be overwhelming.  I really am fine. 
I had blood work done today to see why I am so worn out.  So far it's just asthma.  It's not chronic just comes once in a while with respiratory viruses.  I am also to see a specialist as the doctor thinks I might have a tear in the tendon in my arm.  Two years ago two of my friends had to have surgery on their shoulders while selling their homes.  It takes a toll on you for sure. 
I usually handle stress pretty well.  Humor, laughter and just talking about it helps.   Prayers and lots of them help.
Be back soon.
I accidently hit the publish button earlier today before this post was finished.  I looked at the clock and I had to hurry to meet the littles bus. 

The cute pumpkin was a giveaway from Rusty Thimble.  She has such generous giveaways every month.

Advice for 5 Cents (That's about all it's worth)

If anyone needs advice on how to sit and do nothing, I'm your gal.  This may or not be a whine session.  Well, the inhaler I started using, makes it easier to breathe.  I still feel the same other than that.  Not sick enough to even call the doctor.  But not well enough to do anything.

My poor doggies.  They are sunning themselves.  I know they love me being home with them and they will be crushed when I return to normal.  Poor Piper (the springer) had his ears layered at his last groom.  I really don't like what they did to those ears.  He has such nice long ears but layered, just not the best look.  Now Miss Izzy (the yorkie), short for Izabella, she just had a hair cut.  It's already getting long. 
Our days have consisted of non-stop barking at the resident squirrel.  This comes on top of all the non-stop truck running and the beep beep beep of backing trucks going on outside.   Our neighbor took down trees, removed the stumps, had a new driveway poured, and new brick walks, and now the yeard graded. I actually walked to the mail box yesterday and saw the neighbor.  I told her I can't stand it anymore, yep, I did.  She loves me anyway.  I also told her one of the men working there peed on my shrub.  I saw him.  Well, I didn't actually see the ----------, I knew what he was doing.  She called the company and told them.  There response was, "Well they usually open the truck door."  I told her with that comment, things won't be achanging soon.  The owner wanted my phone number and she told them that she didn't think I wanted to hear from them at this time.  Told you, she loves me.  (They are wonderful neighbors and  we love them back.)  All I need is some other company to fear that they are coming after me.
Our neighbor, that we don't ever see, has gotten annoyed with the buzzards trying to return.  HE is shooting at them and setting off fireworks.  Now that gives the dogs something else to bark at.  But you go neighbor.
Do you like it when someone mows the grass and the cuttings go on the road.  That irritates me.  Sorry, that was just random.
Now, if I wasn't grumpy enough........I went to roll over in bed last night and extended my arm.  Something happens in my upper arm.  Oh my goodness, the pain.  I got up to put ice on it.  Then when I tried to get out of the recliner, I couldn't.  I couldn't use the arm.  I can move my arm from the elbow but that's it.  I still can let the dogs in and out so they can scare the squirrel.  That would be a big problem if I couldn't.  So, I cancelled a lunch date and a dinner date.  Friends, of course.  There is pain now radiating down my neck and shoulder but mild compared to the rest of my arm..  Please tell me this isn't a rotary cuff injury.  Okay, the rest of my Halloween stays in the box.  And I don't even care.
I did want to start my things for the next mini swap but I need my arm for that.
We are running out of groceries.  we need dog food and honey.  The honey is for my Sleepy Time Tea in the evenings.  I am out of two of my meds.  Hubby is going to the store after work.  He also has to work tomorrow, which is rare.
I made some pumpkin pasta this week.  Hubby didn't like it.  It was so good.  It was a Kroger brand of Pumpkin pasta sauce.  I know Kroger is King Super, or Souper, or Sooper (whatever) in Colorado.  I finished it today.

Here is where the dogs have been all week.  This is my lap.  No the gray white thing is not my hair but Izzy's.  She got my genes.  (Which reminds me, when Doodle was little whenever she say a picture of Einstein on his baby videos she would point and say, "Nanny, Nanny".  Yep, that's true.
I am really bad, I do proof read my posts but I don't edit my pictures.  They are straight from the ole point n shoot.  If I was to ask Santa for a really good point and shoot, what would you suggest. 

See that thing in the middle of this picture.  It's my sock.  My feet have been ice cold all week.

Who knew that tea bags could be used as a marinade or for a bee sting.   Thanks Dr. Oz.   Oh, please don't tell him about the root beer and the jelly beans. I am watching too much TV but it drowns out the beep, beep, beep.  Dr. Phil is my favorite right now.  Where does he find these people.  They are so far out there, that it's my comedy time.  Yeah, they have cancelled Honey Boo Boo.  They need intervention.  Well, maybe I need that as well.

I did get dressed today......that's my tie dyed clown shirt in the rainbow colors.

I said that I was out of groceries.  Hubby brought this root beer home......its not diet but better than boring water.  And those jelly beans.....they were to be mailed to my Disney best friend for her birthday.......2 1/2 weeks ago.  Mabel and I collected leaves and acorns to send her in Florida, in case she misses them down there.  Since the jellybeans were sitting there, I decided to have some.  Now, I told Mr. Cozy that he couldn't eat them last night.  Did you know 35 beans are a serving which is 120 calories.  Now to break this down for you.....4 calories for each bean.  These are the teeny beans.  (They gave some free samples out at the Country Living Fair)  I didn't eat 35.  Not telling what I did eat, but not that much.  Yes, I will share with him now.  But, he doesn't get the white ones.  Mmmmm, they are yummy.
Would you believe that I am getting sleepy.  With all that sugar.  Could it be what I took for the pain. 
Now I don't want you all to be worried about me, this I a minor set back.  But maybe you could pray for my sanity.  I know that has you all worried.  I think the furry ones and I will take a snooze before the shooting starts.

I ran across this picture , so I took a pic of the pic.  This was our little cottage.  The picture is about 10 years old.  The other side is cuter as it had some gingerbread trim and a screened in porch.  The cottage was on 2 lots, the one on the right that you can't see was the yard and drive.  We were a short walk from our boat dock.  We had a new wonderful boat.  Having the cottage and the boat were so much fun.  It got so the last year we just didn't get to go there.  It was only a few minutes from our home.  At the time our youngest was still living with us.   The neighborhood close to the cottage wasn't the best of places for him to find friends.  The lake there is dirty, shallow but pretty.  It was a one bedroom.  Only 700 square feet but oh so cute.  A bay window in the bedroom.  Beautiful woodwork in kitchen and family room and with a fireplace.  It had been redone soon before we bought it.  The utility bills were so high in the winter even with very little heat on.  The cottage was 100 years old and needed better insulation.  I don't think I was sad when we sold it but have been ever since.  The new people redid everything and it doesn't look like it did before.  So there it is, the cottage we used to have.

I thought I better get these pictures posted as the fall sports have ended and we are going into basketball. 


This is our little football star.  He's the little orange guy closest to the camera.  Do you know what he is doing.  He is watching the quarterback to see where he is throwing the ball so he can catch it.  He was really good at interceptions.  He made the last couple of games pretty exciting.

These guys are my sons.

And these darlings are their kids, except for the tallest.  She is our K. Bug's best friend.  So funny because I was her big sister's pre-school teacher and I took care of her in Kindy.  Her mom and are are good friends.  She is a lot younger than I am but just the sweetest person ever.

 

And here they are again.  Oh to be 11 again.  Such nice young girls.

 

 

 

Let's see where I left off from the last post.  if you are in a hurry maybe you should skip this.
Sunday as a birthday present my DIL was going to take me shopping.  She had to cancel and then I had to cancel our rescheduled date today.  (I have this bug that is just hanging on and it doesn't get better or worse.  I have been getting dizzy.  My chest feels tight.  It's not a cold maybe bronchial asthma.  I found my inhaler that hadn't expired,  so I am trying that.  Maybe I will call the doctor if that doesn't work.)  Okay my DIL, the fitness nutrition one , wants me to get new shoes (what, no crocs), a fitted bra (hmmm, no sports bra, but they are so comfortable) and a new outfit.(I'm sure she means something that isn't comfortable)  Anywhooooo.......I wanted to go to see the movie (I know, 2 in a month) "The Best of Me".   As we are waiting to see if the Ebola virus spreads,  if it does, I won't be going to the movies.  We heard how sad it was.  We didn't cry. But I did scream outloud and jumped out of my seat.  Hubby said I was the only one acting like that.  I doubt that.  I have only done this one other time at the movie "Wait until Dark", many moons ago.  But you have to factor in that I don't go to scary movies.   That might be the reason why.  It was a really good movie........not really scary, just one part.
After we returned home and were just about to go to bed, I get a phone call.  Talk about a shock.  It was my son's birth sister.  This has nothing to do with him just finding his birth mom.  He actually found this sister a couple years ago.  She was told she didn't have a brother.  I think I may have told you this story before.  She was upset and wanting to know what I knew about her and her adoption.  Her adopted mother said she didn't even know where she was born.  Well K. (his sister) found the birth certificate and knew that was another lie.  The lies went on and on.  These all coming to her the past few years because didn't know before.  She certainly was told things about our son that weren't the truth.  I didn't say things about her mother just stated the facts.  It was an hour long conversation, with her crying the entire time.  I wanted to reach through that phone and love the little girl we had known and loved.  She was promised to be a part of our lives.  As soon as her parents adopted her we were not allowed to see her.  Also about three years ago her adoptive father was murdered.  I have mentioned that before as well.  K. knows how to reach me but I don't know how to get ahold of her.  She doesn't remember that we were close to her and probably not looking for a relationship.  Once again, I see a little three year old that I want to protect.  If she never calls again, I will be okay.  I'd love to see her but she has to make that move.  I don't get why educated people don't realize that this is 2014 and they can find things out easily.  I might just be a tad bit afraid of what her mother might say or do to me.  I am not joking.
Also, not joking, I am a little worried about another thing that happened.  Not sure how to explain this.  Someone that was sent to our house to do services by another company is under investigation.  He was so nice.  He also came back to see if everything was okay just a couple weeks ago when he was at the neighbor's house.  That is the scary part.  So since I haven't left the house all week, I am locking my doors.
Geez Louise.  I don't have to even leave the house to get myself in trouble.
So sorry for what has happened in Canada.  Another tragedy.  So sad.
This is a long post for someone that never left the house, isn't it?

A beautiful fall n

I really thought this fall wouldn't have the colors as years past.  It seemed everything turned so quickly, like just a week ago.  The colors are amazing.  I heard on the radio that because of the cooler  temps that it is more colorful this year.  It may only last a couple of week's but it really is breathtaking.  I tried getting pictures but  today was dark and rainy and they just didn't turn out well.

I saw this dog and thought he was a statue.  He stayed in this position the whole time I was taking his picture.  Isn't he handsome.

 

 

 

Here it looks like most of the leaves have fallen, but they haven't.

 

We have mostly pines and spruce trees but this is our backyard.

My favorite road in the fall.  Wish the picture was better.

 

 

I tore down the fairy gardens.  These little goodies were a birthday gift.  See the witches legs.

Most of my plants have seen better days.  It's too cold now for them to grow.  The chair, little bench and plant stand were all "finds".

 

If I had a better camera, my pictures would look better.  Not my photo.

 

Just a little bit of my porch.  I will add some Halloween soon.
I have been hearing a lot about Christmas lately.  Geez, it is getting closer.  I sure would love to hear ideas on homemade gift ideas.
Our Hobby Lobby took over our Michaels' store.  It has doubled in size.  Neither store was ever very busy, but you should have seen the people there today.  I miss Michaels'.   The new HL was nice but pretty much the same as the other one.

I imagine most of you are following the Ebola crisis.  It is scary.  I think we will know in a couple of weeks how contagious it is.  If no more cases come up or if those exposed come down with it.  I can't believe how many were exposed when the nurse flew from Texas to Ohio and then back again.  So far all you hear about is Ohio and Texas.  Yep, I am from Ohio.  Then when I heard about the guy on the cruise ship.  Are you kidding me.  That would spread it all over the world.  I was just looking online for tickets to go see our family in Colorado at Christmas.  I'm holding off booking til we know more.

Well, I think I will start my Christmas list........only kidding.

Last week in pictures

I celebrated another year.  Another year older, I have had many.  But I am thankful for all of the years.  Some definetly were better than others. 
The above picture was taken on the big day, lol.  My son and DIL fixed a nice dinner for my Hubby and I   While Mommy and Daddy made the meal, these two served it.  They were as quiet as a couple of mice.  Now, Rudy, the puppy, he wasn't.  He stole all our napkins off our laps.  He was relocated to the laundry room.  Poor little fellow he can't stay out of trouble.  Instead of cake we had gluten free apple crisp.  It was so good.  Making dinner during the week wasn't easy as this little family is a busy one.
I also heard from all of my kids.  That's always nice to be remembered.
Hubby got me flowers.  I met my mother the next day for lunch and she gave me some presents.  The softest ever night shirt and some little thing.
I think my favorite gift of all was from my grandson, pictured above.  He wrote this long sweet note how much he loved me and gave me $40.  Hah, he is 8 years old.  I said, "Oh, I can't take this money from you."  His parents said I had to take it.  They didn't want him to think that if he gave someone something that they would just give it back.  Then he would do this all of the time.  That's hard to explain and I know I didn't explain it right.  Any whoooo, I compromised .  I took half of it and said I would spend it by taking them somewhere.  I think we all agreed that was okay.
My husband took the day off so we could do something special on my birthday.  We have had a gift card for dinner and movie.  One of those while you view the movie they take your order and bring it to you.  We have never done this before.  It was nice.  Nice comfy seats and not very crowded.  We saw, "This is where I leave you."  It was a good movie.  We didn't get to go on my birthday because we had two showings.  One at 10:00 a.m and another at 5:30 p.m.  Because of the later showing we couldn't take off to do the movie.  WELL, you probably guessed it.  The first one came but the second was a no show.  (I spy so I know) 24 hours later the person says he still wants to look at the house but had been in a meeting.  So he came Friday evening.  When he left he messed up our landscaping.  We have heard that neither thought the house would work for them.  Back to square one.  It is what it is. 
I will leave you with some pictures of the Pumpkin Patch that Baby O. and I went to yesterday.  It looked like it was going to rain so we weren't there long.  Also, all of a sudden large wooden things like scarecrows really scare her.  Nothing like a Pumpkin Patch to cheer you up.  Storms are coming our way today.  I am headed out to see what I can find to make for the Christmas mini swap.  Yep, I signed up again. 

Yes, she is standing in the wagon.  That's how Little O does everything, on the edge.

Mini Club Swap Items

These goodies were in the latest mini swap sponsored by Mary Bell.  I think there were 23 people that participated in this swap.  I had so much fun opening each little package.  I wrapped each item back in their packaging.  Mabel had so much fun reopening each item.  Of course she wanted to take them all home with her.  I made mini banners, no pictures, but in an older post.  This was fun to do and I love everything.

 

 

No, they aren't going in the FP dollhouse.  Mabel has a doll house that her mother got years ago and it never was assembled.   Can you spy with your little eyes......lots of mini pumpkins, cactus, pillow, framed pictures, little books, Harry Potter items, a basket of produce, a cheese tray, checkers game, scary octopus, Halloween signs, a witch's hat, a teeny doll in a little case, a basket of rolls, bowls made from the tops of acorns, a table runner, pumpkin juice, bottles of witches brew, bundt cake, and a tiny front door key.  There was some material for carpeting .  I hope I mentioned everything, if not, I'm sorry.  If you are interested in joining this group, let me know.  I can direct you to the right person.

I will be back soon to tell you about my birthday.  It has been a crazy week.  I hope you are all enjoying this fall weather.  I had to laugh at the weather lady today.  She said to make sure to keep your eyes on the sky, esp. at night.  I don't know about you but I can't see much in the sky when it is dark.
HUGS

 

Just a few

Just a few words and a few pictures.  I know, blurry.  The restaurant person took it with my camera.  She took one on hers and we have that one that isn't blurry.

 Cousins

Miss Mabel and her mommy and grammy.

Miss Goose doing a photo bomb.

Pops and Chris

Miss Mabel with Uncle B.  Would believe Uncle B. and his lovely wife are turning 40. 

Uncle Chris.

 

 

Our birthday celebration  Three of us have birthdays in October. The 1, 8, 18th.   Pops (Hubby) took us all out to eat at the Japanese restaurant.  We didn't go til 7:30 p.m. and these pictures were taken around 9:30 pm.  Those little ones help up well.  We were missing our Colorado kids for sure.  I just love having family time.

 

Oh, and it SNOWED yesterday.  Yep, in Ohio.  I don't ever remember it snowing so early.  We did have a major snowstorm in October when I was in high school.  No accumulations just big beautiful flakes.

Like I said, just a few.....................HUGS