A visit with my personal physician today resulted in a change in antibiotics.  I still have some infection in that left foot but doctor said we will check it again in a couple of weeks.  He also scheduled the physical that I missed last August due to surgery.  That is coming up in March.  I was given a sheet with a list of tests to be taken tomorrow so it is nothing to eat after nine pm tonight. 

This afternoon I got to play tractor rescue woman again . 

This the second time in the last few days that Jay has gotten his toy stuck in the snow.  Every time he does he says, “Well I just just learn something else about the tractor”. 

Well the plant on the right side of my window sill has decided to bloom.

It is only two days away from February and my Christmas Cactus finally decides to grace us with their beauty. 

Tomorrow is daughter-in-law Anne’s birthday so here is an early Happy Birthday wish to her!!!!!

Good Morning.  This is my third attempt at posting on this machine.  Starting last night, when two errors closed down my machine before I could send I disgustedly manually shut it down.  I will see how far I get today before I trying pitching it out the window.

It has been four snow less days since we visited.  This morning however it is falling again and if Jay is feeling better he will be out there with the new tractor blowing white stuff into the wind till his heart is content.  He did post a message on his blog about the new machine but as usual the details were sparse.  I believe he is going to elaberate on them later. 

My latest project is another ugly afghan.  Crocheted in Lion’s brand Homespun yarn from my stash with a few purchased skeins, for added color, thrown in.  It will be quite large so I plan on it being an ongoing project for the next few months. 

In the meantime the regular domestic chores have to be kept up.  I have four shirts to iron (resolution # 2 on my list) and the usual mopping duties to do.  Yesterday was recycling day for trash pickup so the cardboard from the basement got boxed up and tied to go out also.  Exciting reading—right—but so goes my life!  Along with that the cages were cleaned, the litter box redone for the fifth time in a week, the bird feeders refilled, and the carpets were vacuumed.  Is it any wonder that planning and fixing supper is a pain.  One that is going to get bigger because the powers that be want Jay’s diet tightened up.  Another exciting thing to look forward to but I’ll do my best. 

Meanwhile I’m searching for a brave soul who can climb my stepladder higher than the second rung.  I bought the acorn nuts and new screws to repair the entry door light.  The stepladder has sat on the porch for roughly two weeks.  I have tried climbing it but the damn ankle won’t let me get past the second rung. 
Jay is feeling a little under the weather and my neighbor’s hubby has had surgery on his arm so my hunt will continue.  New smoke alarms , purchased last Saturday to replace the ones that came with the dome nine years ago are waiting to go up also.  Like everyone else we are watching the pennies so hiring these things done is not in the budget.  Oh well such is life when you hit the “golden years”

A call from my Sis-in-law in Florida last night informed us that my brother was finally off the ventilator and breathing on his own.  He has been hospitalized since December 15th so that was great news.

Well I got through this post so maybe my machine just needed a rest.  We will see!

I discovered today that the left side of my bay window thinks it is Christmas and cactus on the right side is still wondering if it wants to bloom or not.  Last year every thing was in full bloom at holiday time but this year it is a bit mixed up. 

This will be short because we went out on another grocery shopping trip today and I always end up tired out with feet and ankles screaming.  True to form that is my condition at this moment.  So I’m off for a short siesta until the pain pill kicks in.  Take care everyone! 

It is 20 degrees out side with a high of 26 expected for today.  No snow last night but about tonight who knows because it is Michigan. 
Something I do know however is that the new tractor, with snow blower and mower deck, will be delivered this afternoon.  So hop on over to Jay’s Jammin’  to see pictures and his excitement later this evening.  That is if I can get him off the new toy long enough to post!

January 21st and we welcome a new President of the United States into our calamity.  Knowing that it may take years for President Obama to turn this Nation around let us be patient and co-operative. 

The 21st is also my Mother’s birthday. A brief remembrance for Gertrude Catherine Waggoner 1-21-16 to 3-24-92. 

Today I plan to pick up the lap robe to sew for a while, do the normal household chores, and later in front of the TV I will crochet some more on the afghan I started.

Remember to keep warm, wear you hat and gloves if you go out, and if you live in one of the warm States stifle your snickers please! 

We had company yesterday!  Cindy and David came up and brought Tyler with them.  It seems he has been a little apprehensive when they leave him so he got to ‘go for a ride’ as we say.  So Brandy met her nephew who is a few years older than her.  They got along fine but kept their distance from one another.  On the other hand Molly headed upstairs to avoid the whole situation

The next picture was taken in low light so in trying to make it visible I came up with this.

For dinner we had Jay’s excellent Pork Tenderloin with Peach glaze which he sliced just right.  Cindy mashed the potatoes.  I made a vegetable dish with broccoli and celery that was surprisingly tasty.  I had french bread and mixed fruit from Dole.  Of course I had made the Deviled Ham and Cream Cheese chip dip for snacking.  A favorite with everyone and the bowl showed it.  I had Mini Creme Puffs from Gordon Foods but we were pretty filled up by serving time for them.

David and Cindy cleared away the dishes after our meal and started the old dishwasher running.

Then David took Jay to the drugstore to replace his reading glasses that were broken. 

We talked about playing some cards when they got back but David spotted the box with the second nightstand in it.

In no time flat he had it together and in the bedroom.  So now I have both of them in place and they sure beat a wooden file cabinet, an upturned dog cage under a tablecloth or living room side table all to pieces!

As always we enjoyed our time together and as usual it wasn’t long enough. 

Today with snow blowing all over and roads getting a little slick I went out to do some serious grocery shopping.  I broke down and bought a six muffin baking tin because we never bake over six at a time with the Jiffy mix.  After having crossed every thing off my list I checked out and with the help of a tall blond young lady got everything quickly into the truck.  It wasn’t until I was halfway home that it dawned on me that I was going to have to unload it in the snow storm.  Oh well such is life!

While I was out I did stop at two more places in search of a flower pot, some fake flowers and some dirt (potting soil).  I finally found all three with the following results. 

The boot was a delayed get well gift from Darlene and Michael.  They had bought a plant to go in it but there was a hole in the bottom of the planter so I opted to buy some fake flowers for it instead.  I kinda like the results. 

The plant they bought to go with it was a holly bush.

It now resides in the new pot with the potting soil until it will be planted in the yard.  So just a little effort and very little money there are two new things to brighten the living room.

It is Swiss steak tonight, with potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts, and bread pudding for dessert.  I’m really to tired to think of anything else.   

Every one ‘lucky’ enough to live in the frozen land of the mid west please remember your hat and gloves during this delightful season because “Baby It’s Cold Outside”!

With the temperatures hovering around zero to 15 degrees I have spent most of the last four days near or in the house.

I was working on collecting all my yarn from all over the house to place in plastic containers.  So I gathered from all three floors and pour it out on the bed a little at a time to sort it out.  It took me a couple of days because I was doings chores and working on another project too. 

The results were two containers with a large cardboard box for things like plastic mesh, projects already started, and misc.  The yarn containers now sit in the back of my walk in closet and make it easier to check on the colors and quantities I have on hand.

The other project was to start assembling my nightstands.

When I opened the box I found pieces of ‘wood’, screws, cams, nails, and cardboard I almost gave up.  I have put things together before but I was younger and had more patience.  But I dove in and after three days of working, reworking, correcting mistakes, and walking away from it when the stress built up it was finally done. 

Now the drawer fits a little tight and it may be a tiny bit out of square but by golly I did it and it is done.  Now I must confess I have all ready enlisted Jay’s experise for the other one on Saturday because I don’t want to rework a whole bunch of stuff again. 

Checking the snowfall through the french doors I discovered a feeding station needing attention.  The Thistle was down, regular seed almost gone and the suet cake non existent.  Upon opening the door I was greeted with roughly two inches of snow up against the glass. 

It had been snowing when I got up and was still at it.  Jay had been out and cleared the driveway some time after 8 am so the Your Ride bus could come up and get him.  Looking in the blue seed box I as I filled the feeders I noted that it was getting empty of containers.  So one thing led to another and I ended up going into town and getting gas because the low fuel light was on.  Across the street was the hardware where I bought my seed so I took care of that at the same time.  I know is it not good to let the gas tank get low and the forecast was for the snow to continue through Wednesday afternoon.  So that in my mind justified the trip. 

Now when I left there were clothes on the table to be folded.  I had started rearranging the bedroom with plans to clear off my dresser which has two plastic doll holder boxes and a very large basket of yarn on it. I wanted to clear it so I could put a humidifier on it because Jay and I are congested at night and Brandy is snorting in her sleep.  The Vet said that the air in the room was too dry so I figure if it too dry for her it could also be our problem. 

I had another reason to rearrange.  I purchased my first set of night stands in I can’t remember how long.  If fact I don’t ever remember having honest to goodness night stands ever.  I have for years refused to buy them because of the price.  I found them at a K mart for $29. and change which fit my criteria of nothing over $30.  I missed getting them a few weeks back and was upset with myself about it.  But when I picked up the paper Sunday they were on sale again I knew I was going to buy them.  Now hubby isn’t happy with my purchasing them because he couldn’t see the need.  But I bought them anyway.  When he asked why I bought them I said because I wanted them and I couldn’t ever remember owning any.

I guess I was a little mean about it even though he had made two excellent meals the last two days.  It was Polynesian Chicken with Basmati rice and pineapple slices for our supper.  Then for breakfast the next morning it was Asparagus, Onion and cheese omelet. I guess I’m spoiled! 

Now it is time to fold the clothes, stash the yarn in a box, remove the big basket from the dresser, find a place for the doll boxes an start putting my night stands together!

When I check outside a little after noon the snow has stopped falling and the sun is shining.  What the heck!  Oh well I won’t complain.  Talk at you later!!!!!

I slept in this morning.  Woke up with a painful foot, a leg that hurt if you touched where it is swollen, achy shoulders, and a headache to boot.  I thought I wasn’t just under the weather but I was buried and all you could see was my top knot—that is if I had one!  But that all changed when I opened the refrigerator door. 

Did you ever peek in the fridge expecting to see the usual array of bottles, cartons and containers that get opened daily.  But instead of a clean, white, back wall you see something that has run all the way from the top shelf to the bottom of the unit and then puddled under the bottom drawer to coagulate into a ‘shitty’ mess that is almost impossible to get out.  This little stream could be blue, green, yellow or any other color but mine was red.  The Cranberry/Maple chutney had got knocked over. 

Amazingly all the aches and pains disappeared because they were replaced by anger.  So I sat, had a cup of coffee, some toast with peanut butter, and a very deep breath.  It had to be cleaned and clean I did.  I threw out almost empty bottles and things that were opened that there were two of.  I finally finished about a half hour ago—almost pain free and quite satisfied with myself!!!

So if you get up feeling bad just find a mess that doesn’t get cleaned every week and go at it.  I guarantee you will find you feel better and be very proud of yourself for a job well done!

Subject: Walking
  Sent to me from Kathleen.  Thank you for sharing it with me and now I will share it others!

        The Importance of Walking

        Walking can add minutes to your life.
            This enables you at 85 years old
            to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
            home at $7000 per month.

            My grandpa started walking
            five miles a day when he was 60.
            Now he’s 97 years old
            and we don’t know where he is.
           
            I like long walks,
            especially when they are taken
            by people who annoy me.
           
            The only reason I would take up walking
            is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
           
            I have to walk early in the morning,
            before my brain figures out what I’m doing..
           
            I joined a health club last year,
            spent about 400 bucks.
            Haven’t lost a pound.
            Apparently you have to go there.
           
            Every time I hear the dirty word ‘exercise’,
            I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
           
            I do have flabby thighs,
            but fortunately my stomach covers them.

            The advantage of exercising every day
            is so when you die, they’ll say,
            ‘Well, she looks good doesn’t she.’
           
            If you are going to try cross-country skiing,
            start with a small country.
           
            I know I got a lot of exercise
            the last few years,……
            just getting over the hill.
         
            We all get heavier as we get older,
            because there’s a lot more information in our heads.
            That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
           
            AND

            Every time I start thinking too much
            about how I look,
            I just find a Happy Hour
            and by the time I leave,
            I look just fine.
           
            You could run this over to your friends
            But just e-mail it to them!