This morning I have discovered a new use for our Christmas tree...it is great at defusing the bright sunshine and the beams coming through the branches makes a lovely design on the floor. Once again this year we used the ornaments my mom made for us, a few beloved and long time ornaments, a few new ones and the added small stocking red and white gingham checked gift bags. I really like the simplicity of our tree and the emotional warmth to my heart it brings. The addition of the little sheep family under the tree is really nice.
When Roy and I were up around the high country last Monday, the Christmas tree farms were open, decorated and ready for people to come, pick, cut and purchase their tree for the season. Coming back from Charlotte on Friday, the other side of the highway was filled with cars and trucks that had been to those tree farms and most of these vehicles had two trees tied to the roof. I love a real tree but don't love the mess so several years ago we found a pre-lit tree and that has been a good choice for us.
Saturday morning I headed out to the grocery store and to support small business Saturday. I had just loaded the truck at Ingles when a man approached the truck. He had on a shirt a mechanic or service business would wear. He was trying to approach making sure I knew he was not there to cause harm or trouble. So I rolled down the window...I would never do that in Houston or Charlotte. And he said, I just have to ask you, what is a Baylor? That morning I wore a green Baylor t shirt with a Baylor sweatshirt over it. So, I told him what a Baylor is...named after Judge Baylor and the largest Baptist university in the country. He then told me his sister had worked at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas as a heart transplant nurse, she was now semi-retired in east TN now and worked as a traveling nurse. We had the nicest conversation. He was from Barnardsville and he asked if I was familiar with that town. Yes, we considered a house there when we were looking but it was too far from medical facilities. Side note, Roy and I talked about this very thing last week and decided the optimal time to live a distance from medical facilities was in your late 30's to mid 40's. So now, he knows what a Baylor is. On the way to The Fresh Market I stopped at The Pink House and found a few handmade goodies. On the way back I stopped at Reynolds Park where a vintage market has opened for the holiday season. It was fun looking around but nothing came home with me. I also stopped in at a very busy Sanctuary of Stuff. The rest of the afternoon I worked around here and also discovered a mamma cat and her three older kittens have set up a playground area underneath the butterfly bushes and ground cover. They are so cute. Of course, they have to stay just what they are, outdoor cats. They look like they might have belonged to someone or are outdoor cats of a nearby family....but I think that is wishful thinking on my part. They have come down into the yard for water and two of the kittens went under the deck...which no one knows what lives under there. So in hopes of scaring them back up to their playground, I went outside. Yep, did the trick. I will admit that Saturday around dusk, I put an old blanket out there because the nights are cold. When I checked on them Sunday afternoon, I could tell they have used the blanket to additional warmth. Their presence has certainly cut down on squirrel visits to the bird feeder and as far as I can tell, they haven't been able to get to the birds. That is a high priority on my list.
Saturday night the Aggie vs LSU game was on the SEC channel. It was a great game to watch....if you are a LSU fan. Being on Eastern time it is difficult to stay up and watch a whole game but we made it through to the end and even watched a few interviews. Sunday I went to SS and church and game home to have a lovely lunch of Fresh Market chicken pot pie. Then I worked on things for Friday night. When I took out the trash our neighbor was mowing his lawn. Roy has met Josh but I haven't. I tried to wave but he was focused on the job at hand but then as I went up the road, I heard the sound of the mower getting closer and there was Josh. We had a very nice conversation and he wanted to let us know that his barn-like shed was going to be moved over to the ground he had leveled and prepared in the spring. He hoped it wouldn't hamper our view. It won't and he said that he is going to paint the shed to match the house and maybe plant some apple trees. Very nice young man. Brenda came over for a quick visit and some early Christmas gifts....love love love them because they are all sheep and lamb related to the holidays even...and then I went to choir practice. Love the Christmas music we are doing! On the way home I saw a coyote on the side of the road, not as road kill, but looking like something on the prowl. It was a moment that's for sure. I try to remember to watch for deer but never think about a coyote...now I will.
Taylor texted me last night to let me know he is ill and wouldn't be able to have our workout time today. So, I am having an ease into the day kind of morning but there is plenty to be done and things to check off the list. First off, going up to check on the cats. Saw them stirring about earlier.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Thursday, November 23, 2017
So Thankful, So Grateful
Ours feels like a glitter filled world right now with all the decorations arranged and put into place. When this Christmas season is over, I need to really go through things and get some stuff go. We took a lot of stuff over to Salvation Army yesterday. They no longer take any kind of paper product or books. The man told us the internet has killed any market for books these days. There were quite a few Christmas decorations that we had used in Katy but just don't fit the design here.
I made reservations at The Fireplace last month for Thanksgiving. We were about seven minutes early and people were seated and already eating. I had chosen 11:00 because it kind of knocks out breakfast time wise. The food was delicious. I mainly ate veggies but did have a chicken leg and some ham and I had seconds on sweet potato casserole. Of course banana pudding for dessert. Yum! I didn't really eat very much traditional today.
We have hung around the house today getting a few more things done and fine tuning the Christmas lights. We welcomed three new additions to the Christmas decor. I found a family of sheep, mom, dad and baby at The Pink House on Saturday. They adorn the tree. We found a couple of "wrapped" gifts at Big Lots, my first visit ever, that does with our decorating theme this year.
This time last year, well, it was the worst day in rehab. The nurses were contract nurses and the PT guy was trying to be hired full time, so he was pushing me too hard and this without any pain meds cause the nurse thought I had been given my meds earlier than usual. It was a very hard morning but once Roy arrived the day got better. I am so thankful to be a year out from that time and I appreciate the year I have had.
Roy wants to work on his pictorial calendar so I better relinquish the lap top but again, Happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
A Little Mountain Catch Up
Thanksgiving Eve. We have worked around here all week getting the house ready for Christmas. We have installed lights, hung garland, wreaths and stars. A few things moved here and there and lots of tape to cover up all the cords running to and fro throughout the porch, deck and driveway. Truly it has been a lot of work but it has been fun. Inside, we have the tree up and decorated, battery operated candles in the windows. I've put things around the downstairs mainly. We have some storage bins to put up in the garage, which by the way has been newly de-garbaged as we took so much stuff to The Salvation Army today. We have been to Lowe's so many times in the last twenty four hours that we are on a first name basis with many and have become best friends with others. Buddy has not been a fan of the constant movement and changing of things. She's not very good with change, but then who is? Even in all this hustle and bustle there has been rest for Roy as he catches up with his programs on Netflix and Hulu.
So here is a little recap of the week so far.
Sunday evening....we had lots of wind and a hard downpour of rain yesterday and the morning began overcast and cold, but it has been certainly a very wonderful day. Roy and I played sabbatical today from church. He had such a busy week before getting in on Thursday night, late. Then we hit the ground running on Friday morning. Saturday was busy too and we realized we could not go to the LSU vs TN game as planned and still be able to get things done around here. Thankfully, we were able to give the tickets to friends and they sent pics of everything in creation blowing around and then the deluge that hit after halftime....
Roy made some of his famous gumbo for our lunch. He worked on his camera and I continued working on Christmas decorations. We discovered that our ladder had a warped leg and although he was able to pull some Christmas things out of the attic, we decided to wait until we get a new ladder for him to get the rest of the stuff down. It has been a little bit of a sentimental journey because my mom gave us Christmas ornaments every year and I have so many that she made for me. Then I found the Christmas stockings she had made us and the little one for our dog Tiff, which now is Buddy's stocking. Good thing Buddy can't read. I also have a little stocking she made me from fabric that were her dresses when she was a little girl. I had to sit a minute and compose myself.
We had such a good time at our church's Thanksgiving meal Sunday night. A veritable feast for sure! Our class was in charge of decorating and coordinating. Karon did such a beautiful job with the decorations and Judy W and Lois N were fabulous in the turkey, ham and gravy prep. Brenda and Marie did dressing and our teacher Gayle...well...she made the mashed potatoes. Then members brought side dishes and desserts. Oh my goodness, everything was so good! Roy brought his camera and took pics. It has been so fun looking through them this evening.
Monday we headed over to Micaville and then went onto Valle Crusis to have lunch at Over Yonder. The food there is so good. We stopped in at Mast General and then headed over to Grandfather Mountain. It was rather cool....no plain old cold on top of that mountain by the swinging bridge. We both went across but only one of us stopped to take pictures...no, it was not me. If there are very few people, I will go across, lots of people, ain't going to go. We could hear the cries of a child not wanting to go across...for a moment I thought it was Lisa P. No.....it wasn't her. The sun was rather blinding as we drove home but it made the mountains into such a beautiful silhouette.
There is so much we are thankful for, things easy to remember and then those things we have to dig a little to find our gratitude. I know I keep going back and looking at last year recovering from knee replacements. Last Thanksgiving was a hard and difficult day....and I am glad to be a year out. I am certainly hopeful that tomorrow, Thanksgiving this year, will prove to be a good day.
So here is a little recap of the week so far.
Sunday evening....we had lots of wind and a hard downpour of rain yesterday and the morning began overcast and cold, but it has been certainly a very wonderful day. Roy and I played sabbatical today from church. He had such a busy week before getting in on Thursday night, late. Then we hit the ground running on Friday morning. Saturday was busy too and we realized we could not go to the LSU vs TN game as planned and still be able to get things done around here. Thankfully, we were able to give the tickets to friends and they sent pics of everything in creation blowing around and then the deluge that hit after halftime....
Roy made some of his famous gumbo for our lunch. He worked on his camera and I continued working on Christmas decorations. We discovered that our ladder had a warped leg and although he was able to pull some Christmas things out of the attic, we decided to wait until we get a new ladder for him to get the rest of the stuff down. It has been a little bit of a sentimental journey because my mom gave us Christmas ornaments every year and I have so many that she made for me. Then I found the Christmas stockings she had made us and the little one for our dog Tiff, which now is Buddy's stocking. Good thing Buddy can't read. I also have a little stocking she made me from fabric that were her dresses when she was a little girl. I had to sit a minute and compose myself.
We had such a good time at our church's Thanksgiving meal Sunday night. A veritable feast for sure! Our class was in charge of decorating and coordinating. Karon did such a beautiful job with the decorations and Judy W and Lois N were fabulous in the turkey, ham and gravy prep. Brenda and Marie did dressing and our teacher Gayle...well...she made the mashed potatoes. Then members brought side dishes and desserts. Oh my goodness, everything was so good! Roy brought his camera and took pics. It has been so fun looking through them this evening.
Monday we headed over to Micaville and then went onto Valle Crusis to have lunch at Over Yonder. The food there is so good. We stopped in at Mast General and then headed over to Grandfather Mountain. It was rather cool....no plain old cold on top of that mountain by the swinging bridge. We both went across but only one of us stopped to take pictures...no, it was not me. If there are very few people, I will go across, lots of people, ain't going to go. We could hear the cries of a child not wanting to go across...for a moment I thought it was Lisa P. No.....it wasn't her. The sun was rather blinding as we drove home but it made the mountains into such a beautiful silhouette.
There is so much we are thankful for, things easy to remember and then those things we have to dig a little to find our gratitude. I know I keep going back and looking at last year recovering from knee replacements. Last Thanksgiving was a hard and difficult day....and I am glad to be a year out. I am certainly hopeful that tomorrow, Thanksgiving this year, will prove to be a good day.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Our Little Corner Of The World
This has been an exciting twenty four hours. When we last left the girl with the Waste Pro problem it seemed like some resolve had begun. As I pulled onto my road to go on down to the main road, I saw this little glint of silver reflecting from across the street and down in the ditch. My friends the cows doing a neighborhood watch duty informed me the wear abouts of said trash can...yes, it had been thrown, rather emphatically, across the way, down in the ditch. I got out of the truck and waited for the traffic to die down a bit...and why did Nancy cross the road? Yes, to get to the other side. It was a miracle to have that few minutes of quiet and no traffic to get the trash can and bring it back. I finagled it into the backseat and headed back home with it and place it safely in the garage. Then it was second try to leave without a distraction. Monday will be interesting with Waste Pro to see if there is once again a problem with them picking up the trash. What an ordeal.
I made a quick stop at The Fresh Market and Target before heading on over to Charlotte, with a Cracker Barrel stop along the way. It was dusk when I hit the Queen City and my first stop after being in so much going home traffic was Barnes and Noble. Last time I was there I hit pay dirt with bookish finds, this time, not so much. I did use my free drink coupon for a lemonade ice tea and with that I headed over to Nordstrom thinking I would do some shopping and have dinner. It was such a disappointing experience. Nordstrom seemed to change when they took the pianos out of the stores. I had soup and pizza at the Marketplace Bistro. It is usually such a joy to eat in the Bistro, even in Charlotte, but poor service, dirty tables and all kinds of yelling going on in the kitchen. I looked in a lot of departments and not one person spoke to me. Everyone that worked there was on their phones. Didn't seem to be anyone in the shoe area either....and then when you can walk through the makeup and fragrance area and not be asked by at least two people if you need help....it was a miracle, not one person spoke to me about any products I might be interested in. I would have tried on shoes if I could have found someone to help. These days I really enjoy my Nord experience to be online. I got my private shopping experience invitation but it is still for Houston. I had thought about changing to Charlotte but nah, not worth it...oh the ten points per dollar spent is and I hope they offer that on other days besides the big Christmas shin dig they throw.
So Google Girl took me back to the hotel a very interesting way...I know know where all the exotic clubs are in Charlotte. Oh my....Happy to get to the hotel and settle in till Mr Precious Cargo arrived. There is a new system in place for pick ups at the airport and he said it is not any better than what they had before.
This morning we opted for brunch at CB and then made a stop at Publix for a few things. We got started on Christmas decorating and pulled out several trees and bigger type decorations. It felt good to make a small dent in the task ahead. We dropped off LSU vs Tenn tickets at Noel's and headed over to Turkey Creek Cafe for supper. Now, we are home. Buddy is sleeping, Roy is watching TV and I am writing this post and taking care of a few things in between paragraphs. I had my first sugar free Russian tea of the season and it tastes so good. It is a cool night and will be turning colder by Sunday.
I love our conversations in the car because the subject matter is all over the place. Helps my ADD. Anyway, we got to discussing the matters at hand in the world. I am really not a very political person but I watched all the cable news last night and I am glad it is not a habit. In our talking I said something to the effect of not being political and Roy disagreed with me, because he thinks my political is more about church matters and he is right on that. There are things that bother me tremendously. Then Roy said something brilliant, in my opinion anyway, he said we need to remember we are not to act like the disciples but to be more like Jesus. We act like the disciples all the time...that might not be a good thing. You know, not being in unity, not walking in love, taking pot shots, making sure everyone knows what we have done...of course for the Lord...talking only of ourselves, you know...falling short of the glory of God.
Well, before write too much and then have to apologize, I will stop....for now. Buddy has moved back onto the arm of the chair, Roy just came downstairs to check on me....it is all good in our little corner tonight.
I made a quick stop at The Fresh Market and Target before heading on over to Charlotte, with a Cracker Barrel stop along the way. It was dusk when I hit the Queen City and my first stop after being in so much going home traffic was Barnes and Noble. Last time I was there I hit pay dirt with bookish finds, this time, not so much. I did use my free drink coupon for a lemonade ice tea and with that I headed over to Nordstrom thinking I would do some shopping and have dinner. It was such a disappointing experience. Nordstrom seemed to change when they took the pianos out of the stores. I had soup and pizza at the Marketplace Bistro. It is usually such a joy to eat in the Bistro, even in Charlotte, but poor service, dirty tables and all kinds of yelling going on in the kitchen. I looked in a lot of departments and not one person spoke to me. Everyone that worked there was on their phones. Didn't seem to be anyone in the shoe area either....and then when you can walk through the makeup and fragrance area and not be asked by at least two people if you need help....it was a miracle, not one person spoke to me about any products I might be interested in. I would have tried on shoes if I could have found someone to help. These days I really enjoy my Nord experience to be online. I got my private shopping experience invitation but it is still for Houston. I had thought about changing to Charlotte but nah, not worth it...oh the ten points per dollar spent is and I hope they offer that on other days besides the big Christmas shin dig they throw.
So Google Girl took me back to the hotel a very interesting way...I know know where all the exotic clubs are in Charlotte. Oh my....Happy to get to the hotel and settle in till Mr Precious Cargo arrived. There is a new system in place for pick ups at the airport and he said it is not any better than what they had before.
This morning we opted for brunch at CB and then made a stop at Publix for a few things. We got started on Christmas decorating and pulled out several trees and bigger type decorations. It felt good to make a small dent in the task ahead. We dropped off LSU vs Tenn tickets at Noel's and headed over to Turkey Creek Cafe for supper. Now, we are home. Buddy is sleeping, Roy is watching TV and I am writing this post and taking care of a few things in between paragraphs. I had my first sugar free Russian tea of the season and it tastes so good. It is a cool night and will be turning colder by Sunday.
I love our conversations in the car because the subject matter is all over the place. Helps my ADD. Anyway, we got to discussing the matters at hand in the world. I am really not a very political person but I watched all the cable news last night and I am glad it is not a habit. In our talking I said something to the effect of not being political and Roy disagreed with me, because he thinks my political is more about church matters and he is right on that. There are things that bother me tremendously. Then Roy said something brilliant, in my opinion anyway, he said we need to remember we are not to act like the disciples but to be more like Jesus. We act like the disciples all the time...that might not be a good thing. You know, not being in unity, not walking in love, taking pot shots, making sure everyone knows what we have done...of course for the Lord...talking only of ourselves, you know...falling short of the glory of God.
Well, before write too much and then have to apologize, I will stop....for now. Buddy has moved back onto the arm of the chair, Roy just came downstairs to check on me....it is all good in our little corner tonight.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Not Worth It
So yesterday, I lost my composure just a bit knowing that I really cannot afford to do that. Over little things...nothing worth my health but I didn't "nip it in the bud" as Barney Fife used to say. We have never had a problem with Waste Pro until this week. With our neighbors we have about three to four trash cans waiting on the road every Monday morning. Only one trash can was emptied. I called on Tuesday and they said the truck was having problems on Monday, they would be out within twenty four hours to pick up the trash. Yesterday, the other trash can was empty, ours was still full. I called again, had to leave a message, then I filled out the email form and called again, this time answered by Haley. I should say rude Haley. She took the info and hung up on me. Y'all I was pretty steamed before talking to her but when I called, I was pleasant, not confrontational. Late yesterday afternoon Waste Pro called responding to the message I had left. We will see if the trash is picked up today. I could really use the trash can because I have been cleaning things out in the garage. This in itself is not loosing composure but then you couple it with, the attempted delivery of a package by the USPS. They leave packages here all the time, barely on the porch or against the garage door and sometimes they even cram a package into the mailbox which is hard to get out because I'm fighting the rim on the inside of the mailbox. Plus, living on a busy road, one doesn't always get a lot of time to work on removal of packages because you are dodging passing cars. This same USPS says Amazon packages have been delivered on the weekends, when they have not and show up on Monday or Tuesday. Amazon had texted about the attempted delivery. I went outside, no attempted delivery notice had been left. Great! Thirdly, I realized on Tuesday evening that not all my bags had made it home from Lowe's the week before. Missing bag contained Christmas lights and a few decorations. I knew the odds were against me, but I was going to Lowe's to see if anyone had turned in the bag....not hopeful at all....
Eureka! The bag had been turned in at customer service there at the Lowe's. It took a bit of the edge off my non composed emotions. Ran a couple of more errands but here's a funny thing in the midst of all this junk. On the way to Lowe's a small Dodge turquoise truck was in front of me, with only one tail light working and he had to be the slowest driver, ever...in the history of the world...hyperbole anyone? For the most part this doesn't bother me around here but read above paragraph to know why this was getting on my nerves. Here is the kicker, God has such a sense of humor. I turned he went onto wherever he was going. Do you know on my return trip home, yes once again he was in front of me. I thought if he turns onto the bridge over the French Broad, I am going to Marshall...cause there are a few things there I need to pick up. He turned, I drove onto Marshall. For the beauty of the earth calmed me down...but in Marshall there wasn't one parking space to be had, so I began the drive back. Roy called and I took the chance because he is in work mode, told him everything that was happening. He gave me back my own advice, pray and ask for favor with these people. Went to the post office, the package was there as well as another package I have been waiting on. The late afternoon call from Waste Pro at least assuaged my concern with the lack of trash pickup. Then of course the Lowe's miracle.
Years ago when I first saw my cardiologist, he asked me what is stressing you out? I jokingly responded, my hair. He said, your hair isn't worth dying over. I think about that most ti
mes when I get stressed over little things and medium to big things. Yep, especially since I had the freak episodes with afib this weekend. I take such precautions after they happen. Not worth it at all and if worse come to worse, we can take the bags to the landfill, cancel Waste Pro and I'll schedule in that weekly trip down the river road...
My therapist used to remind me that emotions take energy and because of my limited energy, I need to choose wisely when it came to emotions. Sometimes, she said this after I hadn't used my emotions and energy wisely and I would respond....well, it amused me, it was worth the expenditure. Even sometimes I had used that energy going to my fearless zone...which is not a good thing. Nothing yesterday was amusing or fearless...it was just dumb of me to do because I needed the energy to finish putting away fall decor and moving toward Christmas.
On a related seasonal note, the call I have been dreading came this morning...CourtneyS heard Merry Christmas Darling first this year....second year in a row. Note to self, must break streak...
Eureka! The bag had been turned in at customer service there at the Lowe's. It took a bit of the edge off my non composed emotions. Ran a couple of more errands but here's a funny thing in the midst of all this junk. On the way to Lowe's a small Dodge turquoise truck was in front of me, with only one tail light working and he had to be the slowest driver, ever...in the history of the world...hyperbole anyone? For the most part this doesn't bother me around here but read above paragraph to know why this was getting on my nerves. Here is the kicker, God has such a sense of humor. I turned he went onto wherever he was going. Do you know on my return trip home, yes once again he was in front of me. I thought if he turns onto the bridge over the French Broad, I am going to Marshall...cause there are a few things there I need to pick up. He turned, I drove onto Marshall. For the beauty of the earth calmed me down...but in Marshall there wasn't one parking space to be had, so I began the drive back. Roy called and I took the chance because he is in work mode, told him everything that was happening. He gave me back my own advice, pray and ask for favor with these people. Went to the post office, the package was there as well as another package I have been waiting on. The late afternoon call from Waste Pro at least assuaged my concern with the lack of trash pickup. Then of course the Lowe's miracle.
Years ago when I first saw my cardiologist, he asked me what is stressing you out? I jokingly responded, my hair. He said, your hair isn't worth dying over. I think about that most ti
mes when I get stressed over little things and medium to big things. Yep, especially since I had the freak episodes with afib this weekend. I take such precautions after they happen. Not worth it at all and if worse come to worse, we can take the bags to the landfill, cancel Waste Pro and I'll schedule in that weekly trip down the river road...
My therapist used to remind me that emotions take energy and because of my limited energy, I need to choose wisely when it came to emotions. Sometimes, she said this after I hadn't used my emotions and energy wisely and I would respond....well, it amused me, it was worth the expenditure. Even sometimes I had used that energy going to my fearless zone...which is not a good thing. Nothing yesterday was amusing or fearless...it was just dumb of me to do because I needed the energy to finish putting away fall decor and moving toward Christmas.
On a related seasonal note, the call I have been dreading came this morning...CourtneyS heard Merry Christmas Darling first this year....second year in a row. Note to self, must break streak...
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Happy Kneeversary!
The other night looking through last years printed version of Monablog once again such an overwhelming sense of gratitude because the Lord answered my prayers of arranging to have the right people in place for the best recovery and to be like the little girl that Jesus raised from the dead. Believe me after all the years of struggling with knee pain, life seemed dead. He took her hand, she stood up and walked, people were amazed and then....give her something to eat. The food was really bad at Methodist Katy, but they started me out on solid food. None of this broth and Jello diet. Also, don't let people's opinions of your recovery written in the official notes determine the outcome. The hospital PT wrote me off the minute they stood me up and I fainted...see needed two units of blood reference. Her notes affected the future PT's attitudes. I am telling them I am motivated, very motivated and they are reading notes that might say otherwise. Even overcoming that situation was such a God thing because after reading the notes and talking with me, the interviewing PT person at the at rehab hospital placed me with the PT person who got all the tough recovery and unmotivated people. That was fortuitous for me because she believed me over the notes written about me and Jasmine and I hit it off from the first workout.
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At least I am consistent in that it seems to take a day or two to write a post these days. Buddy just came downstairs for her early morning snack and has headed back upstairs for another nap. I had thought about going several places today but opted to stick close around here. It's not like I don't have things to get done around here. Last night I made a huge dent into getting small Christmas items up in the house. In the midst of this I realized I did not come home with all my stuff I bought from Lowe's. Maybe someone turned the bag in but somehow I doubt it. At least I got home with most of the the things I bought.
So, happy kneeversary to my two knee replacements. So happy to be here rather than there last year. Once you get past the surgery pain it gets easier and just like so many told me, every three months you see marked improvement. I'm also happy to have found Taylor and he has helped me so much with functional fitness. My balance has improved as well as getting a natural walking gait back. And as a serendipity, my left shoulder soreness and pain is pretty much gone. Taylor knew exactly what was causing it and the stretches he helps me with has improved my rotator cuff immensely.
The day beckons and I am sure the birds out back would like a refill in the feeder.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Fall Away With Christmas On The Horizon
The sun beaming through the front window is almost blinding when it hits the sheen of the hardwood floor this morning. Seems like in the summer the sun's beams are the most radiant from the stairway window. It is so wonderful to experience four seasons. It might have been the coldest night so far last night, well coldest for the fall season.
My workout with Taylor yesterday was very good and my muscles are telling me this morning that they might not be agreeing with my brains assessment. My triceps and shoulder muscles got quite a good workout on the TRX. My balance work seemed very improved too. So, I was a happy camper leaving workout and going to the grocery store. Since we've had cool temps this week it seemed like a taco soup kind of night. So, while I was there I got everything to make the soup. In fact, when I got home I immediately started fixing it so it would have a good amount of time to simmer. I used my new stock pot to make it in. I really got this big stock pot to make tortilla soup in which I will probably make sometime next week.
While I have the impetus to go through and clean out closets, I am going with it. My closet is looking about the neatest, well ever, here. Still some work to be done but the space is becoming more manageable. It is a small closet. The linen closet got a rework done as well.
Roy has CLE today, where he gets all his ethic requirements in. It will be quite the adventure with several events happening downtown today. His plan, park and walk the majority of the distance to the courthouse. Oh, I just found out he doesn't have to go to the courthouse, the Harvey rain kind of shut that down. CLE will be close to his office building.
I am glad that so many put positive things on Twitter because it helps with all the negative things going on in the world today. It seems odd so many are shocked by all this revealed bad and criminal behavior. I am not shocked but I am saddened over it. It is just not Hollywood or politics that has a corner on this behavior, it is across the board. We all have stories to tell, sadly this is the truth of abuse and/or harassment from family members or friends or strangers. I read something the other day written by a female seminary student and she discussed the men's ministry class she was taking...how the stereotypes of behavior justified what was being taught. Years ago while working in Married Young Adult Ministry while on staff, I remember a retreat we did. A well known couple in marriage ministry, whose name I can't even remember now, were the speakers. It was so clear that the woman had a greater spiritual understanding than her husband. There was a session where they divided the men and women and the husband to demonstrate a point to the men, had them laugh for a prolonged time knowing that his wife would come find out what was going on. (the room had those folding dividers in it so you could hear anything that was above a normal noise level) I had to leave the session early to set up for the next thing and I found Roy sitting outside in the hall. Before I could even ask if everything was okay, he said, I cannot in good conscience listen to that man because he is really teaching on how to manipulate situations to get the end result you want and I don't believe a husband should manipulate his wife or a father his family. Wow! Yep, I got a keeper for sure. There are good men among us.
*****************************
Well, it is Tuesday morning and I was writing the above on Saturday. Originally, I had included a story about something that had happened to me while working at church and I let the blog sit until now because I had qualms about sharing...never said a name but I tried to make this person unrecognizable but it seems a daunting challenge. The story was just an aside to make the bigger point but for now it will remain dormant. I have saved what I wrote. This is not a stay tuned for big news paragraph or trying to increase readership on my blog because that doesn't matter to me. In the past when I tackled more edgy or dicey subject matter I had many responses that what had been written had been so helpful to another. So for now it stays in the draft file.
So Saturday, I went to the Open House at a local store and had a blast. I was able to find locally made gifts that are so cute. Then I went to The Fresh Market. I forgot it was Thanksgiving meal sample day and the parking lot was almost full. I got what I came for and didn't sample a thing. It was such a beautiful day I decided to drive around a bit and ended up in Johnson City. I really do miss being living near an Academy.
I had a freak afib situation early Sunday morning. A really hard coughing jag put me into afib. I took the meds that have never worked before and this time they worked. Guess I caught it early enough but the hour and a half I was awake took a lot out of me. I made it for Sunday School but did want to chance another episode happening in the choir loft. It gets really hot up there even with new A/C.
Seems like a good day to work on getting more of the house ready for Christmas. So last night a bunch of fall decor got put into storage bags, ready to be put away in storage containers and then next week when Roy is off we can get the Christmas decorations up. I am one of the entree houses for our Women's Ministry Christmas Progressive Dinner.
My workout with Taylor yesterday was very good and my muscles are telling me this morning that they might not be agreeing with my brains assessment. My triceps and shoulder muscles got quite a good workout on the TRX. My balance work seemed very improved too. So, I was a happy camper leaving workout and going to the grocery store. Since we've had cool temps this week it seemed like a taco soup kind of night. So, while I was there I got everything to make the soup. In fact, when I got home I immediately started fixing it so it would have a good amount of time to simmer. I used my new stock pot to make it in. I really got this big stock pot to make tortilla soup in which I will probably make sometime next week.
While I have the impetus to go through and clean out closets, I am going with it. My closet is looking about the neatest, well ever, here. Still some work to be done but the space is becoming more manageable. It is a small closet. The linen closet got a rework done as well.
Roy has CLE today, where he gets all his ethic requirements in. It will be quite the adventure with several events happening downtown today. His plan, park and walk the majority of the distance to the courthouse. Oh, I just found out he doesn't have to go to the courthouse, the Harvey rain kind of shut that down. CLE will be close to his office building.
I am glad that so many put positive things on Twitter because it helps with all the negative things going on in the world today. It seems odd so many are shocked by all this revealed bad and criminal behavior. I am not shocked but I am saddened over it. It is just not Hollywood or politics that has a corner on this behavior, it is across the board. We all have stories to tell, sadly this is the truth of abuse and/or harassment from family members or friends or strangers. I read something the other day written by a female seminary student and she discussed the men's ministry class she was taking...how the stereotypes of behavior justified what was being taught. Years ago while working in Married Young Adult Ministry while on staff, I remember a retreat we did. A well known couple in marriage ministry, whose name I can't even remember now, were the speakers. It was so clear that the woman had a greater spiritual understanding than her husband. There was a session where they divided the men and women and the husband to demonstrate a point to the men, had them laugh for a prolonged time knowing that his wife would come find out what was going on. (the room had those folding dividers in it so you could hear anything that was above a normal noise level) I had to leave the session early to set up for the next thing and I found Roy sitting outside in the hall. Before I could even ask if everything was okay, he said, I cannot in good conscience listen to that man because he is really teaching on how to manipulate situations to get the end result you want and I don't believe a husband should manipulate his wife or a father his family. Wow! Yep, I got a keeper for sure. There are good men among us.
*****************************
Well, it is Tuesday morning and I was writing the above on Saturday. Originally, I had included a story about something that had happened to me while working at church and I let the blog sit until now because I had qualms about sharing...never said a name but I tried to make this person unrecognizable but it seems a daunting challenge. The story was just an aside to make the bigger point but for now it will remain dormant. I have saved what I wrote. This is not a stay tuned for big news paragraph or trying to increase readership on my blog because that doesn't matter to me. In the past when I tackled more edgy or dicey subject matter I had many responses that what had been written had been so helpful to another. So for now it stays in the draft file.
So Saturday, I went to the Open House at a local store and had a blast. I was able to find locally made gifts that are so cute. Then I went to The Fresh Market. I forgot it was Thanksgiving meal sample day and the parking lot was almost full. I got what I came for and didn't sample a thing. It was such a beautiful day I decided to drive around a bit and ended up in Johnson City. I really do miss being living near an Academy.
I had a freak afib situation early Sunday morning. A really hard coughing jag put me into afib. I took the meds that have never worked before and this time they worked. Guess I caught it early enough but the hour and a half I was awake took a lot out of me. I made it for Sunday School but did want to chance another episode happening in the choir loft. It gets really hot up there even with new A/C.
Seems like a good day to work on getting more of the house ready for Christmas. So last night a bunch of fall decor got put into storage bags, ready to be put away in storage containers and then next week when Roy is off we can get the Christmas decorations up. I am one of the entree houses for our Women's Ministry Christmas Progressive Dinner.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Adventure Awaits...Or Adventure Can Wait
Good morning! The not usual sound of sirens awoke me this morning. Usual for Texas living, not so much around here. The view from the front bedroom today is one of my favorites in that the mist lies low in the valley but not covering the whole landscape. The neighbors trees are changing rapidly from faint autumnal colors to a vibrant display before they simply release themselves from the tree and fall to the ground. It is such a joy to experience an actual fall.
Yesterday, I decided to go to Micaville and visit the One of a Kind Gallery. It is one of my favorites. The goal, to buy Christmas gifts and I'll admit...I found something for me too. The drive was kind of a misty then rainy back to misty kind of drive. But...there was about a mile or two that was totally socked in and foggy. It was so dense and thick that the only guide to keep me going was watching the white line on the side of the road and hope that anyone ahead of me had turned on their lights. So thankful it was just a short span on the road. I stopped in downtown Burnsville on the way home to peruse a little antique shop I like and then going to what used to be an antique shop that had an enormous amount of books. The owner has downsized her space doing away with the antique portion and she has come to the decision to sell or just close down the store by the end of the year. The owners sister has a cute line of sheep cards that I have purchased over the years...I'll be sad to see them go. I happened to go there because at the previous antique shop mentioned in the above paragraph I found a Gail Godwin book as well as a signed copy of a Wilma Dykeman book. In the great book purge of 2011 I let several books written by Gail Godwin go and now I wish I hadn't done that. Funny, I had been talking to Peggy and had said I wasn't buying anymore books for a while. So, guess this has to be looked as a serendipity. I headed on to the jewelers to pick up watches that needed new batteries. Think about five had bit the dust over a good bit of time. Then I came on home to fix breakfast for a late lunch and I began going through books and sorting the keepers and the ones I'm sending onto good homes. I hate to admit that a basket of books and such that had gone and returned with me from last year to keep me entertained while recouping from bilateral knee replacements hadn't been touched since returning in February.
Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of my mother's homegoing. Out of the pain and despair of Alzheimer's but I miss her. She would have loved NC and all the colors and plants and trees. Oh my goodness, she would have loved watching the birds in the backyard.
Last night while going through books I found my bound copy of Monablog 2016. I thumbed through it a bit and relived those rehabbing moments from November 15th and on. I didn't write too much but when there were moments that I was awake enough to do so, I had written those things that had made an impact. Those words of fear but knowing the Lord was with me and those moments of frustration that only encouraged me to keep working so hard. And reading and remembering those long dark nights....glad that is all behind me and I have enjoyed the joys of pain free knees.
Well the rest of the morning and afternoon have been spent on worthwhile projects. A closet is neater and the linen closet is better organized. There are several more bags of things ready for Salvation Army, if they are open after the remodel or the nearest charity. I had my first Sprite Zero with Cranberry today and we have officially entered the flannel sheet season.
Yep, last night I had great plans to get up and get going out of the house but I needed today after the fun and adventures of the open road yesterday. I have also stopped by the welcome center of NC recently and I have a few more places to visit...weather permitting before next spring...if not spring road adventures await.
Yesterday, I decided to go to Micaville and visit the One of a Kind Gallery. It is one of my favorites. The goal, to buy Christmas gifts and I'll admit...I found something for me too. The drive was kind of a misty then rainy back to misty kind of drive. But...there was about a mile or two that was totally socked in and foggy. It was so dense and thick that the only guide to keep me going was watching the white line on the side of the road and hope that anyone ahead of me had turned on their lights. So thankful it was just a short span on the road. I stopped in downtown Burnsville on the way home to peruse a little antique shop I like and then going to what used to be an antique shop that had an enormous amount of books. The owner has downsized her space doing away with the antique portion and she has come to the decision to sell or just close down the store by the end of the year. The owners sister has a cute line of sheep cards that I have purchased over the years...I'll be sad to see them go. I happened to go there because at the previous antique shop mentioned in the above paragraph I found a Gail Godwin book as well as a signed copy of a Wilma Dykeman book. In the great book purge of 2011 I let several books written by Gail Godwin go and now I wish I hadn't done that. Funny, I had been talking to Peggy and had said I wasn't buying anymore books for a while. So, guess this has to be looked as a serendipity. I headed on to the jewelers to pick up watches that needed new batteries. Think about five had bit the dust over a good bit of time. Then I came on home to fix breakfast for a late lunch and I began going through books and sorting the keepers and the ones I'm sending onto good homes. I hate to admit that a basket of books and such that had gone and returned with me from last year to keep me entertained while recouping from bilateral knee replacements hadn't been touched since returning in February.
Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of my mother's homegoing. Out of the pain and despair of Alzheimer's but I miss her. She would have loved NC and all the colors and plants and trees. Oh my goodness, she would have loved watching the birds in the backyard.
Last night while going through books I found my bound copy of Monablog 2016. I thumbed through it a bit and relived those rehabbing moments from November 15th and on. I didn't write too much but when there were moments that I was awake enough to do so, I had written those things that had made an impact. Those words of fear but knowing the Lord was with me and those moments of frustration that only encouraged me to keep working so hard. And reading and remembering those long dark nights....glad that is all behind me and I have enjoyed the joys of pain free knees.
Well the rest of the morning and afternoon have been spent on worthwhile projects. A closet is neater and the linen closet is better organized. There are several more bags of things ready for Salvation Army, if they are open after the remodel or the nearest charity. I had my first Sprite Zero with Cranberry today and we have officially entered the flannel sheet season.
Yep, last night I had great plans to get up and get going out of the house but I needed today after the fun and adventures of the open road yesterday. I have also stopped by the welcome center of NC recently and I have a few more places to visit...weather permitting before next spring...if not spring road adventures await.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
The Value Of Leaves And Flannel Shirts
On this rainy Tuesday morning with the background noise of traffic alerts messaged from my phone, the sound of distant thunder breaks through. I just heard a low rumbling of thunder but not five minutes ago, Buddy and I saw the light flash from lightning. Lightning that my weather alert just told me was about a mile away. The mist so heavy no discernible silhouettes of the mountains can be traced. The low valley fog covers everything. It is simply beautiful.
I am glad I took a quick pic of our maple tree the other morning because most of those red leaves are lying on the ground. When I took the trash can down to the road Sunday evening the fragrance of pine filled the air. The pine trees across the road are beginning to lose their needles or as it is called around the south, pine straw. The hint of pine straw invited me into remembering the Christmas season is not too far away. Thankfully, it did not throw me into a panic...Christmas coming soon. I am also glad that the fragrance of wild onions did not instill a sense of panic for me the day Mike the Mower Man cut the grass. Guess, the panic would have been overcooking a roast or something. Our plumb trees and Bradford Pear Tree, which we should really have cut down according to gardeners in the area, is just now beginning the Baylor part of their season...where the leaves are both green and yellow.
Last Wednesday on the way to get SequishShawn new shoes, a beautiful buck stood along the side of the road. Behind him, trees and before him, a large pasture of green, green grass. He wavered almost deciding to cross the road. Both the car coming towards me and I stopped to let this beautiful deer decide what to do. He chose to go back into the trees. Good choice... One the Sunday that Beth was here we saw about five or six deer playing in the front yard of a home along the way. Such a special thing to see.
The Farmer's Almanac online today has an article, The Value of Leaves. Interesting because Roy and I had a conversation about leaves this past week. Yes, friends, our conversations are that edgy and real. He wants to bag up the leaves, I want to use them in flower beds and on the tier in the backyard. FA says use those leaves and even tells how to compost them for better usage. And that's where my brain kicks in and thinks, just another potential home for vermin...so no composting for me. Yesterday, I noticed yards covered to the exclusion of seeing grass with leaves and FA says too many leaves can smother your lawn. So basically, it seems like most things in life...it is all about moderation. It is also about burning yard waste as several fires were being watched with care, I hope, with people clearing all the limbs and leaves. These past few days of yellows and browns of the scenic landscape almost convinces me that these few days of autumn might be more spectacular than those coveted days of October color here in the lower elevations.
This past week was also monumental, at least for this child, in finding out how long 75% of propane in a tank lasts. Without even having to do math! Friday afternoon the generator guys came out to check on the generator, add oil, clean the elements and update the software. Who knew all those components are needed? Well, the generator guys. So that is when I asked about the propane to electrical factor after hearing that the propane tank is at 75%....which I have learned in propanage language is nearly capacity...that means that the electricity provided by generator could be used for two weeks. That there is some good news and news that I can use.
I have got to stop this cute flannel shirt obsession...maybe this spring. At Robin Blu yesterday they had the cutest flannel shirts but sized L/XL which usually means in the real world that is a medium. I was looked at it just for the cuteness sake. The clerk came up and made conversation about the shirt and I said this will not fit me...and she responded because you are so tall...I said no because I am so deep and wide. Oh no she exclaimed but I saved her by saying at least I am not as deep and wide as I used to be. So, when I went to Mast General Store afterwards, I found some of the cutest flannel shirts with good color combos and little details that make them different from farmer brown type flannel shirts...which I love wearing around the house. So yes, I bought two when back in the day I would have bought four. So as we bid a fond farewell to produce stand season, we welcome with open arms flannel shirt season.
I am glad I took a quick pic of our maple tree the other morning because most of those red leaves are lying on the ground. When I took the trash can down to the road Sunday evening the fragrance of pine filled the air. The pine trees across the road are beginning to lose their needles or as it is called around the south, pine straw. The hint of pine straw invited me into remembering the Christmas season is not too far away. Thankfully, it did not throw me into a panic...Christmas coming soon. I am also glad that the fragrance of wild onions did not instill a sense of panic for me the day Mike the Mower Man cut the grass. Guess, the panic would have been overcooking a roast or something. Our plumb trees and Bradford Pear Tree, which we should really have cut down according to gardeners in the area, is just now beginning the Baylor part of their season...where the leaves are both green and yellow.
Last Wednesday on the way to get SequishShawn new shoes, a beautiful buck stood along the side of the road. Behind him, trees and before him, a large pasture of green, green grass. He wavered almost deciding to cross the road. Both the car coming towards me and I stopped to let this beautiful deer decide what to do. He chose to go back into the trees. Good choice... One the Sunday that Beth was here we saw about five or six deer playing in the front yard of a home along the way. Such a special thing to see.
The Farmer's Almanac online today has an article, The Value of Leaves. Interesting because Roy and I had a conversation about leaves this past week. Yes, friends, our conversations are that edgy and real. He wants to bag up the leaves, I want to use them in flower beds and on the tier in the backyard. FA says use those leaves and even tells how to compost them for better usage. And that's where my brain kicks in and thinks, just another potential home for vermin...so no composting for me. Yesterday, I noticed yards covered to the exclusion of seeing grass with leaves and FA says too many leaves can smother your lawn. So basically, it seems like most things in life...it is all about moderation. It is also about burning yard waste as several fires were being watched with care, I hope, with people clearing all the limbs and leaves. These past few days of yellows and browns of the scenic landscape almost convinces me that these few days of autumn might be more spectacular than those coveted days of October color here in the lower elevations.
This past week was also monumental, at least for this child, in finding out how long 75% of propane in a tank lasts. Without even having to do math! Friday afternoon the generator guys came out to check on the generator, add oil, clean the elements and update the software. Who knew all those components are needed? Well, the generator guys. So that is when I asked about the propane to electrical factor after hearing that the propane tank is at 75%....which I have learned in propanage language is nearly capacity...that means that the electricity provided by generator could be used for two weeks. That there is some good news and news that I can use.
I have got to stop this cute flannel shirt obsession...maybe this spring. At Robin Blu yesterday they had the cutest flannel shirts but sized L/XL which usually means in the real world that is a medium. I was looked at it just for the cuteness sake. The clerk came up and made conversation about the shirt and I said this will not fit me...and she responded because you are so tall...I said no because I am so deep and wide. Oh no she exclaimed but I saved her by saying at least I am not as deep and wide as I used to be. So, when I went to Mast General Store afterwards, I found some of the cutest flannel shirts with good color combos and little details that make them different from farmer brown type flannel shirts...which I love wearing around the house. So yes, I bought two when back in the day I would have bought four. So as we bid a fond farewell to produce stand season, we welcome with open arms flannel shirt season.
Monday, November 6, 2017
That's About It
After spraying for all the Japanese beetles that had waged an assault on our front porch, the scene this morning was reminiscent of the scene from Gone With The Wind. The front porch was covered with dead and dying beetles. I didn't want Buddy to mess with them so this beautiful Saturday morning, I vacuumed up the beetles for her front porch enjoyment. She has been meowing for the front porch lately but it has been too cold or rainy or buggy for her to be out there.
With the door open for her entrances and exits off the porch, the morning is filled with the sounds of cars and trucks and the occasional logging or dump truck. Sometimes the calls and songs of birds make it through the mechanical noise but I love both sounds in the mornings. Two different ways of hearing life.
This morning the light seems a bit different in the back, probably due to overcast skies with a promise of sun, but I also think the light seems different because the background colors have changed. With rain last evening the leaves are turning into that last bit of autumnal brown which casts a back lighting for the remaining yellows and reds. Last night at our Embrace Women event, Tonya spoke of this very thing...showing our colors, showing Christ in our lives. She said even the mossy browns play a pivotal part in the brilliant colors of fall. The grass and some trees are newly amber, cinnamon, terra cotta and ginger but they're not dull or boring or plain...they are a mixture of palettes letting the reds, purples and yellows display their last bit of glory before the beauty of leafless and dormant trees become the landscape for winter.
It was such fun watching online the Astros parade in downtown Houston yesterday. Since Roy's building was in the thick of things, the company gave the option of working from home. Roy took them up on that offer because he needed to be at the house for the A/C heater check up and didn't think if he went into the office that he could arrive home on time. What a parade though! The city thinks there were close to a million people crammed into every available spot to catch a glimpse of the champions riding in on huge firetrucks. Of course the dang politicians have to hang out with the team as well. I watched the parade and the introductions of the team at the rally, but stopped watching after that. So happy for the city. Peggy called yesterday and said the vibe of the city is so happy. Man, Houston needed that lift after enduring all the rain from Harvey.
*****************************
Well, it has taken till Monday evening to get back to the good ol blog. We have had the fall back happen and LSU, though looking kind of good, lost to Alabama. Sunday was the kickoff to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and today was friends and family discount day at Mast General Store.
Yes, today I went over Waynesville way after working out with Taylor. decided to stop at Blue Rooster for some lunch and then headed over toward Belk's and then a stop in the Hazelwood area to do some Christmas shopping and I hit pay dirt. Then I went over to Mast. I found a parking space, that SequishShawn could fit in and headed over to the store. It was busy but nothing like it is in full blown leaf time of October. So if you had the coupon, you could buy four items and get 25% off each one. I found some shirts and two long sleeved t-shirts. I had fun looking around but was ready to hit the road and head back home. We've had mainly an overcast day with little bits of sunshine. The ride to and from was particularly beautiful with the sun hitting the golden leaves with just the right touch to create a dazzling and radiant light off those leaves. It is difficult to keep your eyes on the road seeing so much beauty.
Even with the extra hour of sleep, I did not sleep well on Saturday night. Buddy was too active for me to settle with any amount of deep sleep. It was a struggle to get up for church but I am glad I did. I cannot help but think of that church in Texas that had such devastation hit it in what sounds like a family incident that provoked this man to go off the deep end. It is so hard to comprehend and Twitter is a buzz with sides facing off on heated debates.
That's about it for today...
With the door open for her entrances and exits off the porch, the morning is filled with the sounds of cars and trucks and the occasional logging or dump truck. Sometimes the calls and songs of birds make it through the mechanical noise but I love both sounds in the mornings. Two different ways of hearing life.
This morning the light seems a bit different in the back, probably due to overcast skies with a promise of sun, but I also think the light seems different because the background colors have changed. With rain last evening the leaves are turning into that last bit of autumnal brown which casts a back lighting for the remaining yellows and reds. Last night at our Embrace Women event, Tonya spoke of this very thing...showing our colors, showing Christ in our lives. She said even the mossy browns play a pivotal part in the brilliant colors of fall. The grass and some trees are newly amber, cinnamon, terra cotta and ginger but they're not dull or boring or plain...they are a mixture of palettes letting the reds, purples and yellows display their last bit of glory before the beauty of leafless and dormant trees become the landscape for winter.
It was such fun watching online the Astros parade in downtown Houston yesterday. Since Roy's building was in the thick of things, the company gave the option of working from home. Roy took them up on that offer because he needed to be at the house for the A/C heater check up and didn't think if he went into the office that he could arrive home on time. What a parade though! The city thinks there were close to a million people crammed into every available spot to catch a glimpse of the champions riding in on huge firetrucks. Of course the dang politicians have to hang out with the team as well. I watched the parade and the introductions of the team at the rally, but stopped watching after that. So happy for the city. Peggy called yesterday and said the vibe of the city is so happy. Man, Houston needed that lift after enduring all the rain from Harvey.
*****************************
Well, it has taken till Monday evening to get back to the good ol blog. We have had the fall back happen and LSU, though looking kind of good, lost to Alabama. Sunday was the kickoff to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and today was friends and family discount day at Mast General Store.
Yes, today I went over Waynesville way after working out with Taylor. decided to stop at Blue Rooster for some lunch and then headed over toward Belk's and then a stop in the Hazelwood area to do some Christmas shopping and I hit pay dirt. Then I went over to Mast. I found a parking space, that SequishShawn could fit in and headed over to the store. It was busy but nothing like it is in full blown leaf time of October. So if you had the coupon, you could buy four items and get 25% off each one. I found some shirts and two long sleeved t-shirts. I had fun looking around but was ready to hit the road and head back home. We've had mainly an overcast day with little bits of sunshine. The ride to and from was particularly beautiful with the sun hitting the golden leaves with just the right touch to create a dazzling and radiant light off those leaves. It is difficult to keep your eyes on the road seeing so much beauty.
Even with the extra hour of sleep, I did not sleep well on Saturday night. Buddy was too active for me to settle with any amount of deep sleep. It was a struggle to get up for church but I am glad I did. I cannot help but think of that church in Texas that had such devastation hit it in what sounds like a family incident that provoked this man to go off the deep end. It is so hard to comprehend and Twitter is a buzz with sides facing off on heated debates.
That's about it for today...
Thursday, November 2, 2017
What A Day November 1st!
I am so tired but so happily tired. Last night Newfound Baptist Church had its Fall Festival. I signed up for Trunk or Treat after having so much fun doing that several years ago. I had been thinking about the theme for the back of the truck and I had some good ideas but as I am wont to do, I waited till the last minute...but eureka, the last minute theme that came together was a rather cute one. I took some of my sheep, a lighted trellis, battery operated lanterns, a bale of hay, a bucket and basket, red gingham checked table cloth and some metal pumpkins and came up with the sheep herder, rancher or farmer theme. Add a lawn chair to that and you have trunk or treat. Roy and I had bought a bunch of candy at Walmart and I just about went through it all plus a bag of candy from the church supply. Such cuties in costumes and then there were costumes I didn't understand...at all. That's ok. Just like in 2015 the children were so well mannered and almost to a t, didn't forget their thank you as they moved along to the next trunk. We finished up about 8:00 pm. It was easy getting all the sheep stuff stowed away in the truck and although temp wise it was a pleasant fall evening, it took a while for me to warm up upon arriving home. I heard 800 hot dogs were prepared and I had one...it was good.
Once I arrived home it was unload trunk or treat and load up oil change stuff for the truck appointment this morning. ShequishShawn had a 8:00 am appointment. Got there, filled out the paperwork and then hopped into Brenda's car to go eat breakfast. We tried CA in Weaverville. Good food and great prices. Then Brenda took me over to Harris Teeter because I hadn't been there before. Great store and there is a Duck Donuts nearby. We bought some of their made to order donuts for later. We then made a stop at Sanctuary of Stuff and I found a couple more of the cute flannel shirts, alpaca wool socks and a picture of a bear, in the top of a tree painted on burlap. It says Leaf Peeper Bed and Breakfast. Too cute to pass up, that is for sure. I hung it in the living room and all the colors go perfectly. We made a quick stop at The Cottage Door and the gift shop at Reems Creek Nursery. Over to the mechanics and SequishShawn was ready with his new dancing/driving shoes. We finished out the day with lunch at Turkey Creek. I learned a lot of new places to visit this morning. Who knew a day with your truck being serviced could be such a fun day. Of course all the fun from last night and this morning caught up with me and I zoned out once I came home. Grabbed a little nap and contemplated getting a few more things done...so far it has been all contemplation.
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The Giants win the pennant, the Giants win the pennant... No, the ASTROS won the World Series last night!!!!! Please excuse the over usage of exclamation points but it seems well deserved for a city and a team that has waited 56 years for this to happen! If you grew up in Houston the usual in sports, except for the two years the Rockets won the NBA championship, was to prepare the, "we'll get them next time" mantra. More disappointment and heartbreak when it has come to our hometown sports team doing well but that all changed last night with the Game 7 win of the Astros vs Dodgers. I teased I did my part by only following on Twitter till they made the second out in the bottom of the 9th. Only then did I feel like it was safe for me to watch the last out. YES! They did it! I was clapping and screaming and scaring Buddy, but I didn't care. This lifetime lover of baseball was so happy last night. Before going to sleep I thought about all the hours of time I spent in the backyard as a child with my father's flat baseball glove throwing a ball into the air and catching it time after time...even sometimes throwing the ball onto the slanted roof to practice catching. That lasted until one of my parents came outside, telling me not to do that. It would harm the shingles. I watched the Cardinals play with my grandfather on TV during the summers I spent in Illinois. Then of course when the Astrodome came into being, dressing up to go to a baseball game and the must see tour of the Astrodome when family came to town. Roy has always been more of a college baseball fan, but he would go to games with me at MMP and watch the occasional game on TV. I cried tears of joy last night! Feeling all the happiness and joy of #earnhistory. I told Roy this morning I am going to need a t-shirt.
Do you remember the 1st night of November? Party on, say do you remember...Astros won it all on the 1st day of November...
Once I arrived home it was unload trunk or treat and load up oil change stuff for the truck appointment this morning. ShequishShawn had a 8:00 am appointment. Got there, filled out the paperwork and then hopped into Brenda's car to go eat breakfast. We tried CA in Weaverville. Good food and great prices. Then Brenda took me over to Harris Teeter because I hadn't been there before. Great store and there is a Duck Donuts nearby. We bought some of their made to order donuts for later. We then made a stop at Sanctuary of Stuff and I found a couple more of the cute flannel shirts, alpaca wool socks and a picture of a bear, in the top of a tree painted on burlap. It says Leaf Peeper Bed and Breakfast. Too cute to pass up, that is for sure. I hung it in the living room and all the colors go perfectly. We made a quick stop at The Cottage Door and the gift shop at Reems Creek Nursery. Over to the mechanics and SequishShawn was ready with his new dancing/driving shoes. We finished out the day with lunch at Turkey Creek. I learned a lot of new places to visit this morning. Who knew a day with your truck being serviced could be such a fun day. Of course all the fun from last night and this morning caught up with me and I zoned out once I came home. Grabbed a little nap and contemplated getting a few more things done...so far it has been all contemplation.
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Do you remember the 1st night of November? Party on, say do you remember...Astros won it all on the 1st day of November...
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