Rain, Sleet, and Snow

   We have had it all starting  yesterday with rain, then during the night it went to sleet, then to snow. We aren't as bad as though to the north of us. My heart goes out to those who suffered in the tornadoes, floods, and blizzard conditions. I had an appointment today, but I cancelled it for a week. I really didn't want my daughter to get out in this mess. They treated the streets making them slushy. It was a good day to work on my new pillowcase for some little boy or girl. I will post a picture when I get it done.

    We picked up our oldest son at the airport on Christmas Eve in the afternoon. It was so good to see him and have him home until the 3rd of January when he flies back home. Thank goodness he wasn't in the mess at the airport today or he would probably be having a severe asthma attack with all of the perfumes, and etc. I use all unscented cleaning supplies here at home. 

   We did make it up to see his dad yesterday. We took him lunch and Christmas. It wasn't a long visit. He stayed as long as he could until the cleaning supplies and etc started causing a problem. He has very sensitive lungs thanks to the Persian Gulf War. They don't want to admit the boys came home with problems.  The weather cooperated and we made a few stops before they brought me home. 

   All of the kids and grandkids being together was the best Christmas present that I could ask for.  It was so much fun watching them open their packages. My middle grandson thought he had clothes in one box and it turned out to be match box cars. It made it special for me. We didn't have the traditional Christmas with turkey and ham. Instead on Christmas Eve we had home made Chicken Noodle Soup, sandwiches, and chips. Then the day after Christmas, we had brisket cooked on the  grill, veggies, potato casserole, broccoli and rice plus desserts. We have picky eaters with some. So to get certain things, they have to try something that they say they don't like. It is amazing what you can get them to try. 

   The family will be together on New Year's Eve before our oldest flies home. I don't know what the menu is for it. It is another of mom just has to be there. It makes it rather nice. I still don't have a car as of yet nor have I got everything I need from the insurance company as of yet. 

   I miss my independence, but then I wouldn't go in  bad weather. I spent time looking at the pictures of the flood water in Branson, Missouri. When I look how high the water was at the Landing. It is wow. Plus they had all of the flood gates opened on the dam. Finding a way to come home would be a big problem with all of the flooding. It would make a bit of problem to get around down there. 

   I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I am saying prayers for all of those in need. Take care and Happy New Year.

  

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

    Merry Christmas to all of my blogging Friends. It is quickly approaching and in two more days I get to go with my daughter and grandson to pick up my oldest at the airport.  It is that special time of the year for family which I realize not everyone is lucky to have that. If you know someone alone, then take the time to wish them a Merry Christmas. Pick up the phone, call, talk to them. Some even include them in a family meal.

    Loosing family during the month of December can be hard on a family. I know that from my own experience.  It makes it even harder if it is on Christmas Day. You keep your spirits as high as possible for the rest of the family and enjoy the time with them. It is not about what you get as a present but it is the family time.  Talk with one and another, it really isn't that hard to do if you set your mind to it. 

   Please say a prayer for my oldest brother who is losing his eyesight plus having blisters on his legs due to diabetes. You can see them go down hill and it does take a toll on people even when you are trying to do the best you can. He is like the head of the family and took that responsibility after my parents passed away.  

    I didn't get to watch the basketball game on Saturday. I was finishing my shopping with my daughter and youngest grandson. We lost her in our Kohl's store. She was on the phone so we went looking at what I was wanting for my hubby. She went one way and we went the opposite way to find her.  Cell phones work great to find people to see if they are ready to go or not. It was funny. My grandson was to keep track of me. He did. He went right along with me.

   Then we went to the nursing home to see hubby. I had got a box of candy for the girls to share  who takes care of him. He set and watch the birds with our grandson for awhile before we left. They have finches there in a glass enclosure. They usually sing when they have the church services.  We went to lunch  before they brought me home after we went to pet store. He thought grandma needed a pet. I told him I didn't think so. 

   Car shopping will wait until after the first of the year. It just doesn't fit anyone's schedule right now, but I have been looking on line. The insurance company hasn't settled yet. They want their money, but they take their time when they owe you. 

   Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I will be popping in and out for the next few days because I want to spend as much time as possible with my family while my oldest is home.  If you travel, please be safe on the road. Take care.

   

Countdown

  Have you started your count down to Christmas? Days are being marked off the calendar until Christmas Eve at our family houses. The boys are excited that their uncle will be home. I just want to set and listen to the kids talk and watch the boys with their uncle. 

   We haven't had any snow but we had rain, thunder, lightening, and pea size hail last night. I thought I was hearing things when the rain started pouring down. It didn't last long was just one of those pop up storms that normally happens during the summer months. There is some roads closed in the counties because of high water. You normally have snow this time of the year.

   The menu is planned for Christmas Eve. Not your traditional meal but soup and sandwiches. Our big family dinner will be on Sunday. The menu will consist of smoked brisket for the meat instead of turkey and ham. Menu's get changed to things that big brother likes and can't get in Louisiana. 

   The title has been sent to the people who have my totaled car so we can take another step closer to get me another car. I keep thinking about the accident wondering where the other vehicle came from because he wasn't there when I started my turn. He just suddenly appeared and we hit. The soreness is still there, but getting better with each passing day. The bruises are changing colors. I won't be getting another car until after the first of the year because of everything that has to be done yet still. 

   Kids have been taking me grocery shopping and my daughter and I will go Christmas shopping one night before the weekend. We have to have a present for Santa to deliver to hubby at the nursing home. My oldest grandson and I was up there yesterday. I needed his signature on the car title so I could put it in the mail.

   My grandson told me he is getting to pay me back for taking him all the times he needed to go somewhere before he got his drivers license by taking me where I need to go now.  I tell him I am riding in style when I ride in his 88 Ford pickup. As long as it gets him where he needs to go that is the main thing.

   We were talking about how we use to coast on our street when the kids were little. We would park cars on two hills and away we would go. You sure couldn't do it now. They talked about when the snow was deep how they started in the corn field came over the fence down into our yard. The corn field is full of houses. When we built our home many years ago, it was like living in the country and still in the city. It was farm land all around us. That has changed over the years. We knew our neighbors, but you don't anymore. 

  I am sending hugs and prayers to those who are in need. You can never have to many prayers. It has helped us with hubby still being with us. Take care. 

  

Shopping Done Yet?

     Good Morning to all of you here in Blog land. We are at 47 degrees this cloudy morning with the possibilities of rain this afternoon and during the weekend. Just what we want going into the weekend, but as the saying goes you take what you get. 

   I feel for those on the West Coast. Mother Nature hasn't cared where she caused problems for people this year with all of the storms, floods, and etc. Sometimes I think that we take everything for granite that it is not going to happen to us in our area. You just never know. 

   I know now what it is like to lose my independence and have to rely on other ways of transportation to get a

 round until I can find another car to replace the one that was totaled. I hated to see it go because it was equipped the way I like it. Oh well I didn't have any broken bones still sore and was told it would be a while because it takes longer for it heal. I still know when I move the wrong way it hurts. Coughing and sneezing is really noticeable.
   My Ho Ho Ho Santa tea towel that I made this year. I have several in my etsy shop and I thought I would also show you the center of a table cloth that I embroidered. I was going to keep it for myself, but instead it will be sold. The hands have been keeping busy right now also a lot of time spent on the phone with the insurance company. I just wish everything was done and over with.
    The boys have started counting days until their uncle will be home. The best Christmas present you can have is the time spent with family and enjoy watching the grandchildren in whatever they are involved in right now. 
   I can remember walking on top of snowdrifts to make it home for Christmas. The things that we done when we were growing up, we get looked up like we were nuts. The stockings always had an orange and Christmas candy in them. I wish that I could find some of the Christmas candy that we had when we were growing up. How many remember snow ice cream? We couldn't wait for that first snow for that. The snowball fights, building forts, and of course, coasting. Lots of fun. 
   Hopefully everyone is getting their Christmas shopping done, baking, and making Christmas candy. Divinity, Taffy, and fudge. Remember making home made taffy when I was a child. How we would pull it and mom would cut  it after it reached a certain point. Did you ever string popcorn for your Christmas Tree. 
   Well need to go finish some more paper work . Take care.
  

PAPER WORK

  I didn't know there would be so much paper work to be filled out when you totaled a vehicle. Every time I think that I have everything covered, I get told that I have to have something else. I have started me a file to put everything in. I have made copies of everything so I know what I did. It almost makes me think I am working again.

   The worse part is  I have lost my independence until I can get another vehicle.  I miss that not being able to go whenever and wherever I wanted to go. I have been talking with hubby on the phone because I haven't been up to see him for a few days. He doesn't know that I also check with the nurses as to what is going on. I try not to infringe on the kids because everybody works and I know they have things that they need to do also. My kids are great in the respect that they take care of me. For example, yesterday I needed to put a custom order in the mail to California. My grandson goes to the Technical School here in town so he came by and took me before he went home. He told me about the excitement that they had at their school that involved the school being put on lock down. There was a threatening note left in the girl's bathroom that morning. It makes you wonder what is going on with kids now days. Why the person did what they did? Was it involving bullying? So many questions. You just hope that you have taught the kids right from wrong and they do the right thing. He said that they had a lot of law enforcement people at school. 

   The Christmas parties have started and I am trying not to interfere with any of their plans. I try to let them do what I need on their schedule. We have started looking at cars, but I don't know what kind of a car I am going to get. I get told I need to think affordability so that I am not in over my head. I just want to try to find one that has some factory warranty left on it and low mileage. I don't want a model car that has issues as some of them do.  

   I am still sore and my bruises are changing all different colors. I count my blessings every day that I didn't break something. I talked to my oldest last night for about a hour. He called home to check on mom and to tell me he finally had a doctor that said he did have a problem. He has chemical asthma that some have tried to say it was in his head. They don't want to admit those serving in first gulf war came home with problems. Why can't they give the veterans the care that they deserve for the sacrifices that they made to give us our freedom?  

   The sun is not shining as bright today as yesterday but it is warming up. We are at 48 degrees. I will take every day that we get that we don't have bad weather. I keep saying I want a white Christmas but only on the grass and trees not the sidewalks, streets, and highways. We all want that Right. 

   I went to my first basketball game this last Saturday. They won. After the ballgame we went to the shopping center for a while to see mom who missed the first game because other commitments. We went home to take care of the horses and dogs. We ended up going out for supper before they brought me home. 

   Just a little to what I have been up to lately. Have a wonderful rest of the week.

    

   

Checkin In

  We might actually get some sunshine today. It might make me feel better. I am still dealing with a very sore chest and rib cage. I was suppose to get my mammogram, but that is going to be postponed. I don't think I can tolerate it and I don't want a false picture making it look like something is wrong. I am still dealing with the insurance company. I found out I don't have vehicle rental on my policy so I don't know what I am going to do. They gave me a couple of places that should give me discount prices to rent a vehicle, but you have to pay for it. It don't fit a fixed income very well When it rains, it pours that is for sure. I am just not use to relying on other people. I did come home and am sleeping in my own bed.  I might be slow moving, but I can do things at my speed.

   The maddest I have gotten was being asked if I had permission to drive the car and it is in both names. They said it was a computer glitch. Yeah! right. Why can't people admit when they made a mistake instead of trying to cover  up their mistakes.

   My oldest grandson called to see if I needed anything before he went home from school the other afternoon. He brought me a few things. I am not use to have rely on other people for my transportation. The kids do take care of me and when they decide what they are going to do about my car if it is fixable or totaled.  If I have to get a different one then family will go with me. My middle grandson said I killed it.He was with his brother and mom when they picked me up.

  Christmas is approaching and my shopping is put on hold for right at the moment. The pain med works like a sleeping pill so I try not to take it because I want to be awake instead of sleeping. I got my fruit basket that I buy from my grandson as a fun raiser. It has red, yellow apples, pears, and oranges. I had a yellow apple right after he delivered it last night. By the time he got through he had it all delivered excepting for one which would be delivered tonight. They live several miles outside of town, but she was going to be town tonight because she had to work. 

   We will be spending quite a bit of time together when my oldest gets home. They have several things planned. We are having soup and sandwiches Christmas eve after he gets in and having a big dinner the day after Christmas for one thing. Of course there are three boys who are anxious to see them. I know my Christmas is having them all home. 

   Hubby is feeling neglected right at the moment, but it can't be helped. He doesn't think I should stay by myself. I know my limitations. 

   The boys are wanting some snow so that they can go coasting. The fun we had growing up coasting, snow ball fights, walking on snow drifts as we walked to our one room school house, getting out in fresh air. We didn't have television or all of the electronics. We listen to the radio and I still like some of the oldies that come on Sunday evenings. It is better than some of the television programs. Some definitely needs to be banned. 

    Take care and be careful when you are out. 

DID YOU EAT TO MUCH

   I would much sooner had this instead of the freezing rain, but for Thanksgiving all we had was rain during the daytime and then it changed to freezing rain. My care package was sent home for me for the next few days as I don't have a car at the moment. The day before Thanksgiving wasn't a good day. I was in an accident. My car is a mess, but at least I have no broken bones, just badly bruised  body. My two oldest grandsons and their mom came to my rescue. I didn't get an option, they just took me to the hospital to be checked out. I spent that night with my daughter and her family. My youngest grandson took very good care of me. They said we can replace the car, but they can't replace me. I spent the day with family and have done quite a bit of sleeping. That is what pain medication does for me. My grandson took pictures of my car and the other vehicle. 
   The two oldest and their mom went to the nursing home and told hubby and showed him pictures of my car. He took it better then I thought and said the same as the boys. 
   I am glad that all of my craft shows were over. I had toyed with the idea to do one this weekend, but that wouldn't have been possible because I don't travel on ice. 
  I know that I ate too much, the girls plan the menu and I basically just get to go. I know that when I laugh or cough my rib cage hurts. They are badly bruised. 
The boys had planned on playing outside, but that didn't happen. I lost my electricity last night. I didn't even know it until I looked at the clock this morning and it was blinking at me. 
   My daughter in law made sweet potato rolls that are yummy. They don't really have that sweet potato taste. We had turkey and ham, potato casserole, green beans, corn, relishes, apple, pumpkin, and chocolate pie, combination salad, jello salads. If anyone went away hungry it was their own fault. I just thought I would check in with you all. Take care. Be careful on the roads. 
 

ARE YOU READY

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?  Do have tradition that you always do? Or are you just thankful to spend the time with family?

   I will spend time with my three grandsons and family plus a stop later in the day at the nursing home to see hubby. He has been sick with pneumonia. They are trying to figure out what they are going to do because he coughs so much. It is loose, but he doesn't cough it up nor can he blow it out. 

    The only way they found out he had pneumonia was from the chest x-ray. I will probably go check on him after I run errands today. 

   Tomorrow is the day I get to spend with my oldest grandson. We do a craft show together, whether we sell much  or not it is always an enjoyable day. He is making another of his boxes for a lady out of walnut it is going to be so pretty  He just has to finish his lid. . He was so proud of it so far. I haven't seen anything that he can't make.  He showed me a picture of one of his Christmas ornaments that he cut out.

   I don't have a picture of my Christmas bells and candles table topper to show to you all. I sold it before I got a picture of it. I was really surprised how quick that it went, but needless to say it made me happy. The fingers have been very busy. I have made 5 Christmas tea towels since I started one at the juried craft show. I would do that show again if the opportunity is available. They had a total of 123 vendors, but what I liked was where homemade was in one room, direct sales such as pamper chef, scentsy, and etc. were in another room. 

   They keep talking like we are going to have rain and possibly snow later today. So far it looks like it is to the north of us. We  had two days of rain this week. The loud clap of thunder and lightening woke me up one morning. The wind was bad with tree limbs down along with power lines. I was lucky  I didn't have any limbs down nor did I lose my electricity. 

   Basketball practice started last night for my middle grandson so he is all happy. 

They were having a problem finding a place to practice and he was worried they wouldn't find one. He loves playing basketball.  So grandma will have to fit that into my schedule. I love watching what ever the kids are involved in.

   Are you ready for the colder weather? I can handle it as long as we don't have ice. Of course the kids love the snow so they can go coasting. We loved the coasting parties when I was growing up. Mom would have hot chocolate and cookies for us when we came in. We all had our friends, but mom and dad never seemed to mind how many kids were at the house. We got in trouble when we used mom's wash tub and dad's scoop shovel to slide on, but boy that was fun. We took our sleds to school and went out at lunch time to coast. Of course we didn't want to go back in.  The one room school house I started in is still standing.

    To think about making cookies, taffy, stringing popcorn for the Christmas tree that dad would go cut. The bubble lights, homemade garland out of red and green construction paper. Kids wouldn't probably  think it was fun today with all of the electronics they have instead of doing other things. . 

   I get my Christmas wish. My oldest boy will be flying home on Christmas Eve for a visit .

Those long distance hugs will be real and in person. I will spend as much time as possible with him while he is home.  I am looking forward to it. 

    I thought I better let you know I wasn't lost just busy. Have a great day. 

Fall Color

Fall color in my back yard

   The fall color that I can look out my back door and see. I have a group of trees that are about the middle of our property that we have raised from babies. We moved some of them to other places to give shade around the house and needless say I love the trees. 
   We use to go for drives just to look at the color before my hubby went to the nursing home. Who would have thought back then that he will never walk again nor get to come home.  He requires more help then I can give him and our house is not handicap accessible. You never thought about that when we built our home almost 50 years ago.

Our  packer Matt

    When you can't reach the back of your the back of your car to pack the luggage in you get someone like this one to help you. He fits rather well, don't you think. He is priceless and you always know when he is going to be onery because his blue eyes just sparkle. He takes very good care of grandma and he is the one that I hung out with this summer. I had so much fun in Branson with him and his family. He still thought I should have tried a zipline. That is not for me .

 This chandelier was in the building where we went to the cooking class. It was awesome and made by one of the craftsman that comes to Silver Dollar City. They have so many different things that you could watch plus the entertainment. The train ride is more my speed. I definitely don't do roller coasters because I would turn every shade of green there is and that would be the end of my day. Christmas is another time of the year I would love to go. 

   My youngest grandson at his music concert.  They have to do it at the mall because they don't have a big enough room to accommodate the kids and parents, grandparents, and whoever else wants to come. He is almost as tall as grandma and he is only in the fourth grade. He is taller than the one in the trunk, but you love them anyway. 

   We are celebrating my car packer and his dad's birthdays this Saturday evening. We are going to have home made soup and sandwiches because that is what they wanted. In our family we let the birthday people chose their menu's and cake. It can be a surprise. 

    Just think the first week of November is almost gone. The time is really flying and the year will be gone before we really know it. I don't know about you all, but it seems like it gets faster every day. 

    Well I need to get busy so I had better bring this to a close. Have a wonderful weekend. Take care. 

I'm Back

  I have been missing for a few days. I took a  trip to Branson, Missouri with my son, daughter-in-law, and the two oldest grandsons that you read so much about. We left as soon as they got home from school. The car was loaded with luggage and food being we were staying in a cabin called Trapper's Den. I would stay there again if I had the opportunity. The people who own it keeps it well supply to where you don't have to take any utensils to cook with, they have a washer dryer, soap,  you name it and you would probably find it there. It has an enclosed deck on the back of it that you could sit in if you wanted to do so.  First stop of the trip had to be Lambert's ,

The boys getting ready to enter the park

  the home of thrown rolls. We had about a 30 minute wait to get inside, but it was well worth the wait. The food was so good and the rolls were
awesome. Matt had been asking if we were going to get to stop and dad just kept saying we would see. We were celebrating his birthday while we were gone. They usually stop  there if possible.
    Friday morning we were off to Silver Dollar City where we spent six hours. My daughter-in-law and I went to the cooking show where they made chutney and pumpkin rolls. I enjoyed it because we sit around where the cooking was being done. The lady who did the demonstration was from Platte City. It was a small world. They thought the boys were playing hooky, but they weren't. Parent teacher conference time.
      

My son's family

Dad and the boys were at the demonstration of how they tamed wild mustangs. It was also about breaking horses. They are working with a three year old so they thought maybe they would pick up a few tricks of the trade. We set with them until it was time for our show. Of course we got to sample what they were making. It is a recipes that can be diabetic friendly with a little changing. 

My Matt

    Our little criminal who had to go on Fire In the Hole I don't know how many times. We went into the mine ride. He hit more targets then I did. The first time I could actually hit something. They loved picking one me. 
    For those of you who are familiar with Silver Dollar City have probably seen the great big chair in the park. The boys and I's picture was taken there. The only problem was getting grandma out of the chair. I couldn't reach the end of the arm to pull myself out. They pulled me out one on each side until I could get a hold of the end of the arm. 
     These were the two that i spent my summer with especially the youngest because brother worked putting up hay. We of course made it down to the Branson Landing. They had a zip line that took you up over the lake and brought you back. There is no way that you would get me to do that. I don't do roller coasters either.  We had dinner at  Famous Dave's for Matt's birthday. His dad told him we were eating at Buffalo Wild Wings. You could tell he really didn't want to do that. When he found out what we were really going to do and he got to chose off of the adult menu he was thrilled. 
   The trip was my treat to for helping out whenever they needed it. I furnished the car and the only other expense I had was if I saw something I wanted for myself. Now you know what i have been up to and I enjoyed it so very much. We had so much fun. Hope all is well with you all We have had rain all day and it has been on the cool side.  Take care. 
    

CRAZY THINGS HAPPENING

 This has really been a week for things happening in our town. We had a woman kidnapped from where she worked and taken to a motel and held hostage for over ll hours in a standoff with the police. 

  It caused a major highway to be shut down and rerouted through town. I knew something was wrong when I got to the light and saw all of the semi's. Then they had another street closed and I thought that was strange. When the highway is shut down you always think it was a bad accident. We have had so many of those on I-29 this year. The same day we had a stabbing and they locked down schools and closed some more streets. Thankfully everything ended peacefully with both who committed the crimes being arrested. 

    What do you do about bullying that is in our schools? There was a case of a fight involving 11-12 year old girls on a school playground that went viral on fb. It happened on school property while school was not in session. The one girl was arrested for it. What kind of punishment should happen? Would you be embarrassed if that was your child? Being it is involving a juvenile we probably won't know the outcome, but her name was on fb. What the mother said makes you wonder what kind of life she has at home.  Do you feel the schools should be addressing the bullying that happens at school  more?  Do you think kids should fight back or what kind of punishment if the parent refuses to address the issue?  

     It really makes you wonder where the parents are and if they really care about their child or did they encourage it. It also makes you wonder when people are going to take responsibility for their actions.

    I was close to where the standoff was happening without realizing it. I would have changed my route had I known that it was happening. Ever since the two robbery attempts at our Mall's one area parking lot, I am very aware of my surroundings and observant of what is going on around me. I want to know why we are having all of these problems. Is it because of all of the violence shows on tv or people don't want to work and take the easy way out. 

    The sun is shining, but it hasn't warmed up that much. Hopefully it warms up more this afternoon. Some areas not to far off had almost freezing temperatures. I would like to see the first frost so that it would help people with allergies,but then warm back up. 

    Just got a phone call to take care of so I will bring this to a close. Take care.

 

BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND ALMOST OVER

  The fall color is starting and I am hoping that  when I take my road trip it will look similar to the picture that I posted.  The maples are turning a pretty red now.

    Yesterday was the annual car show at the nursing home that they have every year. The car was of one last year because I forgot and left my camera at home. I had a busy morning with my grandson and his friend who helped me take chemicals, paint and such to where we could get rid of it. It needed to be got out of the basement and it was free. Afterwards my grandson went with me to push his grandpa outside in his wheelchair to see all of the cars. Hubby favorite was a 56 turquoise and white t-bird. 

    It was fun and our grandson was looking over all of the engines. He is  taking a class in mechanics this year and his senior year. It makes me feel old .  In the afternoon  I went with my daughter in law and  another grandson went running around. My oldest stayed with his dad to cut wood for the fire so that supper could be cooked out over the open fire in the dutch oven. Needless to say there was nothing left and then they made smores. Food always taste better cooked outside. I made a comment on Friday when I was running around with my son grocery shopping about hamburgers and we had hamburgers cooked on the grill. Then they made a bonfire and we all sat outside for a while.

 

   A his and hers out house which was a lot fancier then what I used during my childhood. How many of you remember using them? Oh the memories of growing up back then. The games made on big pieces of cardboard and using mom's buttons as our markers. We didn't have a tv until I was a senior in high school. You can't really miss what you didn't have. We played outside a lot more then they do now. When it rained, we used the mud like it was our modeling clay making whatever we dreamed up.  A lot of fun and spending time with family. 
    I came across the picture that I took of my daugher and her race car. She raced against her hubby in the background. I knew she wouldn't win, but she still had fun doing it. 
    My custom order will go in the mail Tuesday and then I will start something else. I am doing my first juried show in November.  That will be a new experience for me and should be fun. My daughter in law will be going with me.
    Prayers to all of those in need. Have a wonderful week and stay safe.
    

Summer is over

   My favorite time of the year is here. I don't know where the summer has gone, but I am glad that it is over and the cooler weather has arrived. I am looking forward to maybe seeing scenery like the picture later this month. It has been a busy summer in more ways then one. 
   We have to be thankful for every day that we are given because you never know what tomorrow will bring. I have been missing in action for a few days because of minor surgery requiring stitches. It just means that I am limited to what I can do until the stitches comes out. I hate not being able to be my independent self. I like doing things for myself without having to ask for help. My oldest grandson is great in helping with what I needed after he got out of school such as taking out the trash for the trash man. He was Johnny Frye and he and Cleo got to lead off the Pony Express 5 K Run and lead the little ones and their run around the park.

  The boxes are for a craft show coming up this           next month made by my grandson and daughter in law.. It is a bigger one then we have ever done before so it will be a new experience. It is my first of having to send pictures of my embroidery Just venturing a little out of my comfort zone. Two of my new Halloween tea towels along with another horse tea towel have already gone to a new home. . I am about to finish my third one this week. Thankfully I can still do that while I am recuperating. The hands have to stay busy. The kids are already talking about Halloween and the month just got started. Later this month my hubby and I will celebrate our 53rd wedding anniversary. We never thought we would make it this far, but with God's help and prayers we will. Prayers always seem to help get you through some of the toughest things that you have to face.  We have been in the 40's in the morning and then warm up nicely in the afternoon. I am hoping for a mild winter, but they say it won't be. We will just have to wait and see what happens. 

   I pray for those on the East Coast that the hurricane won't be as bad as they have predicted. Mother Nature hasn't been to kind to us this summer. Take care and I promise to be back.

Garden Chair

   My garden chair lap quilt is finished and listed in my etsy shop at http://www.shirleystitches.etsy.com
It was fun to do and the more colors that I added the more it came to life. I have been making Halloween Tea Towels which I have several in my etsy shop. 
   My embroidery travels wherever I go. I am looking forward to next month as I am going on a road trip. I won't have to do the driving which is always enjoyable for me. It will be toward the end of the month so hopefully there will be some fall color.
    I get to spend Friday with my middle grandson while they have a day out of school. My oldest has to go in the afternoon. His schedule is around two schools. So there is times that little brother has to go and he doesn't.
   This will be a busy weekend for him. On Saturday he portrays Johnny Frye and leads off the Pony Express 5 K Run on his horse Cleo. Then the ranch rodeo is that evening, He will be helping with the cattle that evening and doing whatever else they want him to do. Him and his buddy help set the cattle panels for the holding pens yesterday being they were out of school.
   I feel better from my sinus infection, but I am still not completely over it. At least the cough is lose which helps and I don't cough at night like I use to do it. I don't know if they are going to continue the antibiotics as strong as they were I imagine they won't. 
   It was a nice weekend after the storms and rain. We have been lucky so far with the way the storms pop up. There will be nothing one minute and the next it will be raining. We had a lot of things to choose from to do. The South Side Festival, a wine festival, Irish music down town just to name a few of the things.
   Have you ever had what is call a slab pie? I was at my son's the other evening for dinner and my daughter in law made one. You have your pie crust only it is on a cookie sheet with the filling on top of it with a lattice top. I know her crust had 4 sticks of butter in it. My Middle grandson helped her make it. They made peach. It was yummy while it was still warm. 
     He still wants to go to Branson and Silver Dollar City for his birthday. He is planning what to do while he is there. It is a done deal in his mind. Oh How it is to be young and think that whatever you want will just automatic happen. It doesn't, but you need to have your dreams. 
     I need to run some errands so I had better bring this to a close. Have a wonderful  week Take care..

Beautiful Fall Day

     The sun going down the other evening as I was coming home. I had to stop and take a picture of it. The temperature outside reminds me of fall. You need a jacket or sweater of a morning and in the afternoon with the sun shining you don't.  I don't know about you, but I am ready for the cooler weather. I want the first hard frost so that the allergies will go away for another year. It is not fun having allergies and a sinus infection at the same time. It makes you feel miserable.  My next project going on the needle will be my Halloween tea towels. I am just about through with my latest project which is a new lap quilt. Pictures will be coming as soon as it is finished. My hands have been kept busy when I have felt like doing nothing else. I got put on a 1000 milligrams of antibiotics a day to try to get rid of the sinus infection for ten days. I cough so much at night that it makes it miserable to try to sleep. I didn't go see hubby because when I talk to much I get a coughing spell. It is one way for me to be quiet, but hard to keep still at times. School is back in session. It makes you wonder where did the summer go. We have one last event at our horse arena. We are going to have a ranch rodeo the 24th of September. Some people call it where want  Be's try to be cowboys. I know they would be walking an awful lot because their horses head for the gate when they get off them. It will be fun to watch and we are planning on having pulled pork sandwiches, with real french fries in the cook shack. With some cobbler made in the dutch oven along with some other goodies.

    An up date on my grandson, he is doing o.k.. Still doesn't remember being thrown or what took place before or after it. The doctor said that he may never remember that part. He is back to throwing hay and doing some of the things he did before. Of course, we always worry about him. His best friend got thrown the last show of the season. She went one way and her horse went the opposite. She just got skinned up on her shoulder and was very lucky nothing broke.  

    My middle grandson is in trouble. He left gum in his pocket and it went through the wash machine. Thankful it had not gone into the dryer yet. His punishment was help get the gum off the clothes that it got on. I bet he also heard it from not only his mom but dad too. 

    Fergie is being used for therapeutic kids to ride this fall. She will be very good with them because their horses have to be walked when the kids ride. She is earning her keep instead of just eating. The boys have won several things on her including high point buckles. Of course, the other horses miss her.

     Well I hope you all are enjoying a beautiful day wherever you are at. I just wish I was outside, but I am being good and staying in taking my medicine and resting. Have a great day. 

     

Catching Up

 The sun was trying to peak through the fog last Saturday morning. Our horse show was late getting started because of the fog. We said prayers that morning at cowboy church that all of the competitors would have a safe ride and nobody would get hurt. Other then having a couple of horses that didn't want to load the day went rather well for a change. The weather made a nice day to be outside and enjoy the fresh air. This week has been something else with the heat coming back . The schools in town are letting out early. We voted to have all of the schools to have air, but they don't as of yet. They put solar panels on schools that we definitely didn't vote for. Even putting them on one that they closed.

   My middle grandson has enjoyed showing this horse all summer. It is kinda sad that it is coming to an end, but that is the way that it goes. He is counting days until his birthday. He wants to take a trip, but I am not sure where he wants to go. They may go to Branson just to get away from everything. He has looked mighty handsome with his dress shirt, tie, and hat on. They will think more about showing with helmets after brother's accident.

   She is a young horse and for some reason she was throwing her head. They thought maybe she had a bug in her ear or something. He had been riding her without any problems and now they are back to square one starting over. I don't know which one is more afraid and normally my grandson isn't bothered. She just got spooked during western pleasure. He had placed first with her in halter and showed her in showmanship. I can still see him getting thrown. He is back in school and doing good considering everything. He came last night to put on the new mower blades and mowed on my yard. He didn't get it finished. It has rained some this morning won't get to finish it today because my car won't start. The battery cable that I can see has this blue foaming looking stuff around where the cable attaches to the battery. Just what I need at the present time. 
   The last picture is after my oldest got thrown from his horse. That day is still fuzzy as to what he remembers happening. I just know I was scared along with everybody else. 
    Have you got big plans for the Holiday weekend? Just be careful if you are traveling. I know when I went down to the doctors the traffic was really heavy and some drive like idiots. 

   I am sorry for the long post, but thought I needed to let you know I was still here. Take care. 

UPDATE ON MY GRANDSON

   My grandson has a moderate concussion and has to remain quiet for two to three days. No tv, cell phone, or computer and preferably stay in  a dark room with someone to staying with him checking on him every little while. They did a scan at the hospital, but there is another test that needs to be ran He has to go to the doctor on Monday. I know my heart felt like it was in my stomach. They had just started his western pleasure class when it happened.
    It was windy today and a chair blew into the metal fence that is around the arena, just as he was starting to put her into a lope. Needless to say she took off bucking and running. He stayed with her until his foot came out of his stirrup and that is when he went off landing on the side of his head and shoulder. He will have a black eye when he goes back to school. No broken bones but he will be sore. He almost had her back under control until his foot came out of his stirrup. I have to give him credit for the awesome job of trying. He had won first with her in halter showmanship so his day had started well at the show.   
    Of course little brother was worried about him. He told me that he couldn't even tell him what month or what day  it was.That really bothered all of us so the decision was made to take him to ER. I stayed at their house with little brother and dad until they got home and I saw him for myself. 
    It is getting late and I need to try to get some sleep, but I thought I would let you know what I know now. I will let you know more when I do. Take care.