Today is the day!  Another year has passed and I still haven’t found a replacement for my favorite pumpkin.

Every year I pull this picture from the archives and share it with you.  Molly is still with me but the pumpkin broke a few years ago.  But I’ll keep looking and someday I’ll succeed in my search.  But for now——

HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND DON’T LET THE GOBLINS GET YOU!

Up date:  Jay’s Jammin’ .  Jay’s Site has a new look—go see. 

After working next to this charming fellow for the past few weeks you would think the other fellow would stop warning me of the dark one’s location.

But no he just keeps on pointing with that all knowing look on his face. Oh well just one more day after today and the blue plastic container will come up and all my lovely scary creatures will disappear into the basement for another year. 

I only have good bits and pieces today, so here goes. 

A kindness that we were able to repay.  Jay was in the Honey Baked Ham store the other day looking for a small package of ham to use for a breakfast.  Now this is not the cheapest purchase you can make but sometimes you want something special for a change.  When he returned to the truck he asked if I had another dollar.  It seems the person behind the counter took a dollar out of her tip money so Jay could purchase the package of ham.  Of course he returned with the dollar and thank her for her thoughtfulness.  What a wonderful thing for this person to do. 

I got a call this morning from the doctor’s office and when Charlotte announced herself I told her I’m not coming back in.  She just laughed and said I didn’t have to the test was negative.  That was good news to start the day. 

Just like Mrs. Dof, in Normal, IL I also have a gray, rainy, depressing day going on right now.  But that is alright because I have to get out the coal shovel and the giant dustpan and do some cleaning today.  We expect some company on Sunday over to Monday and I really need to polish up the place a little.

Cindy and David were up on Wednesday to pick the chips for their Trick or Treaters so we had dinner and a pinochle game that was called early when Jay started having trouble seeing the cards.  We girls won by default!  Slip on over to Cindyisms and visit for a minute.  Eventually she will be back on line all the time. 

Yesterday it was another visit to Dr. Ross and the report on his eye was good.  Jay’s drops have been cut some more so we only have one once a day and the other three times a day.

Last night marked the 10th year I have laid this old body down to rest in this dome.  Kinda makes you stop for a moment at how fast the years fly when you reach a certain age!

Well it is time to put the Moody Blues, Mark Knopfler,  Bob Seger, and Eric Clapton on the Bose and start movin’.  Talk to you later

Another square started last night.  This one is Windsor blue and is the first of four in that color. 

Yesterday, as Maria so aptly put it, I got pissed off again for the fourth time.  Not angry mind you but filled a jar again.  I asked the nurse for a donor card because I figured I should get some recognition for my continuing contribution!  I didn’t see the doctor but he and my hubby had a conversation.  Jay said that doctor said there is a complete physical in my future shortly due to the loss of my two brothers in the last couple of years.  My first thought was wonderful more tests and more medicine!  Then I thought maybe this is a good thing, so I’ll wait to hear more about this.  But I wonder if the conversation about me was a diversionary tactic to avoid hearing what sweet hubby should be doing. 

I slept in an extra two hours this morning so I’m haven’t a little trouble getting up to speed today.  I sat and read a magazine with my Strawberry Special K this morning and a quote by Jim Eason caught my eye.  ‘If you want to look young and thin, hang around old fat people’.  But I then thought I don’t know any one who is both older and fatter than me!!!

It will be scalloped potatoes with ham, roasted broccoli, corn bread muffins (by Jiffy Mix) and sliced fresh Bosch pears for dessert.  I like to make a white sauce instead of placing flour, salt, and pepper between the layers of meat and potatoes because then there are no pockets of unmixed flour in the dish. 

Here is another reminder of the coming celebration.

This happy fellow sits on top the entertainment center facing the living/dining area holding court over all he sees.  There are still three more reminders to visit here in the next few days.

Well Brandy is up and wants out so I’ll close for now.  Have a great Day! 

Red sails in the morning
Sailors take warning!

But not living near the sea I guess we have nothing to fear here in our little spot on Michigan’s landscape.  But when I looked out the window this morning I could not help but wonder at the beauty of this sunrise.  The driveway alarm awoke me this morning and I knew if I laid back down I would wake up with some sort of ache or pain that I didn’t have at that moment.  So I opted to making some coffee and possibly viewing a little TV. But when I walked into the living room the beautiful light through the window caused me to grab my camera and go out on the deck. 

It was starting to get light out then so I walk to the kitchen door to check the temperature outside and spotted the Sunday paper laying in the driveway.  As I went out to retrieve it I spotted one of the bunnies watching from across the driveway.  But at least now I knew why the alarm had sounded.

I spent the next hour or so perusing the paper and drinking coffee at the kitchen table. 

Jay got up a little later so the eye drop routine started and a cereal breakfast was consumed.  Since then I have read my E-mail, my every day blogs, and recorded Jay’s daily result for the trip to the doctor’s tomorrow.  I also managed to get the zipper in my jacket but boy it does look Sh****!  Oh well we will see how it holds up. 

At lunchtime Jay made ham and grated cheese sandwiches and he has a pork roast thawing for supper so I don’t have to cook until tomorrow.  I now have square number 16 sitting on the coffee table waiting for me.  I will take the Deaver book with me to the doctor’s office tomorrow while I wait for Jay’s appointment to finish.  Oh yes and while I’m there I can fill another jar.  It seems that the last one was accidentally dump out.  It is a good thing it isn’t blood or I’d start asking for credit on my donor’s card! 

Have a good week this week and stay in touch!

The reminders of the coming holiday are still showing up all over the dome.  This little fellow just pops up from behind the couch to say hi every day and at night he glows in the dark. 

But enough of my goblins.  My news from the visit to Dr. Robbin’s office was great.  He assured me my brains had not leaked out and everything inside the ear looked good so I couldn’t blame my behavior on being empty headed!  But he said the sweetest words you could hear from a doctor when he said see you next year!!!!

My report from Dr. Hukill hasn’t come back yet but I’m not fretting over that one. 

I have started reading Jeffrey Deaver’s The Bodies Left Behind when I have to wait somewhere IE doctor’s office, at the grocery store, and anywhere there is a delay in accomplishing what I’m there to do. 

Square number 14 is laying, over half done, on the coffee table and will be finished this evening.  I find that I can watch TV and crochet at the same time.  I do however have to start work on Cindy’s Apple design kitchen towels again.  Also I need to make an honest effort to get the projects in my closet done. 

The weather is in the forties and fifties but no mowing yet because it seems every day there is rain.  Which is what it is doing outside this afternoon. 

I have seen two things that I have either never seen or haven’t in a long time.  The first was a brown and black furry caterpillar on the porch.  I remember them from years back but this is the first one I’ve seen up here.  Jay said there is something about the size of the bands but he didn’t remember what.  Anybody know? 
The other was a salamander out by the shed.  It was all black and shiny and I confess I didn’t know what it was at first.  I had never seen one before and Jay identified it for me.  I attempted to get my camera for a picture but it was gone when I got back down to the shed! 

Like SEB I have a whole bunch of ladybugs trying to invade me also.  I can’t wait for the cold to hit because the bugs and also the honey bees are a real pain in the butt right now!

While we were out yesterday we stopped at WENDY’S to try their new bacon burger for lunch.  I had enough of it to determine that it was very tasty before it slipped out of my hand and rolled off my lap and down my leg to the floor.  Darn—and it really was good! 

Yesterday we got the potato chips from Sam’s Club for Cindy to hand out on trick or treat night.  I have a membership and she doesn’t. 

I have nothing on the agenda for this afternoon except lunch for Jay when he gets in from dialysis.  Later it will be time to cook supper.  Unfortunately I haven’t the slightest idea of what I will fix for either but there is plenty to choose from.

Of course I could finish taking the zipper out of my jacket and putting the new one in but I really dislike that project.  Oh well it won’t fix itself so here goes.

Remember to hug someone and if it a stranger laugh out loud!

This little ghost is guarding the laundry room door.  I don’t know why because I don’t want to go in there until I absolutely have to.  Today it was back down to the doctor’s office to fill the jar again.  I don’t know what the problem is but I’m sure I will be enlightened soon. 

While I was out I did a little grocery shopping because the doctor’s office is right in front of the grocery store. 

At the drugstore on that same trip I found the correct tape for holding the guard in place on Jay’s eye and pick up my prescription.  I guess it is blood pressure medicine for me for a while.  I didn’t want to start it but that is the way it goes.

I got home in time to put lunch out for Jay after he came in from dialysis. 

I still haven’t pulled the old zipper out of my jacket yet but I do have the new one to put in.  I did however finish the second Wally Lamb book and another square so something is getting done. 

Today was turn things in to be fixed day.  I put my ring in the jewelry shop to have another prong replaced.  I haven’t worn it since the first of last month so it is time.  I’m also waiting for someone to come and pick up my tractor.  I may have to move it back into the garage until tomorrow.  I don’t think I’ll be doing much mowing this week. 

Supper still has to go on but it is just open the can, cook some rice, put the salad on the table and done.  Jay is still sleeping so I don’t know when I’ll start that. 

Tomorrow I see my old buddy Dr. Robbins for the yearly check on my right ear.  Then it looks like we won’t have anything until this following Monday.  This getting old business is for the birds. 

Well my friend it is time to hit the off icon on the screen so I’ll see you soon!

Update:

I just went down to put the tractor away for the night and much to my surprise there was a little cardboard box with four empty jam jars sitting on the seat.  They had come while I was gone, fix to problem, and left the jars.  I’m certainly going to have to take some full ones back to them when I go into Millington next time.  Keane’s Small Engine Repair, they are good people and wonderful to deal with!

With the canning equipment down in the food room and the kitchen floor finally ‘unstickied’ I turned my attention to something a little more relaxing.  This is picture of my unfinished 13th square of the 25 I plan to make. Also of the book that I am over half way through is Wally Lamb’s Couldn’t Keep It To Myself.  As volunteer facilitator of a writing workshop at a woman’s correctional facility he has compiled a group of stories written by the inmates past and present of that institution. 

A chilling 22 degrees outside made my brow wrinkle and my shoulders hunch this morning as I let Molly outside for a few minutes.  Of the two large plants I just moved in the house this last week one was definitely hit by the frost so I have to be alert to dead leaves on the floor because Brandy wants to chew on them.

Another visit to Dr. Hukill’s office Friday for another blood pressure check and to (excuse the description) pee in the bottle has brought about some thought provoking results.  Doctor has placed me on blood pressure medicine and my bottle contents have been sent on for further testing.  But I have decided that being 74 years old I guess I’m due for some physical changes.  But to add stress to the equation is not a wise thing to do so I guess I’ll crochet my squares, read my books, do my domestic duties, perform my care giving commitments and not worry about what might be. 

In the pet department Brandy went to the Vet’s for a booster shot on Thursday and to Doggy Depot for a winter trim on Friday.  So she is all set for a while.  Molly seems to have picked up a little energy after about a month and a half of lethargy and the birds are fine so that is good. 

I just let Brandy out and I find myself so angry I can’t seem to lighten up.  Brandy, bless her heart, has done nothing wrong but I resent the interruption deeply.  I find throughout the day that I slam doors, resent being bothered by things like phones ringing, oven timers,  and requests for items that could be found with a little bit of effort.  I realize this is not fair to the hubby or the pets but I can’t seem to shake it.  I’m sure this is a contributor to the blood pressure thing.  I am just going to have to adjust my attitude, think before I react, and accept the situations.  It is going to get better because that is what I need!

A change of pace.

Please help me wish some dear acquaintances a very Happy Anniversary today.  George and Diane aka Mr.and Mrs. DoF of Decrepted Old Fool and Mrs Dofs Dear Ones  May they have many, many more!

Have a good week ahead because I know I’m going to try to and don’t forget to laugh!

It was 24 eight ounce jars of Dutch Apple Pie Jam and 52 ounces of Tomato Chutney when I finished at a little after 1:30 this afternoon.  I did lose an 8 ounce jar of chutney in the canning kettle.  The bottom broke out of the jar so I had to fish out the broken glass and change the water after cleaning out the mess.  But things like that happen once in a while.  I do have to perform a good mopping on the kitchen floor now.  It will get done within the next two days.

Tomorrow it is back over to Dr. Ross’ office for another check on that eye.  So far Jay has had little or no pain with it so that is good news. 

Our mornings here in Otisville have been in the 25 to 30 degree area so I got my plants in in time. 

Hope your week goes well and I’ll be back to visit.

The post I lost yesterday mentioned two sandwiches that Jay had made for our lunches last week.  One was shaved ham, smoked cheddar, and home made apple/rhubarb chutney on pumpernickel bread.  The second was thin sliced smoked turkey. cream cheese. the chutney and white bread.  Both were excellent.  Much like the sandwiches we buy at Oliver T’s, an upscale deli/wine, bakery, and confectioner in Grand Blanc.  But this prompted me to check the food room for Tomato Chutney which we use on grilled cheese sandwiches.  Finding none down there I decided that I would do up a batch of that.  I thought as long as I was going to be canning anyway I would add to the Dutch Apple Pie jam also because it is a favorite with several people. 

So it was off to McDaniel’s Farm Market this evening.  I’ll start that project tomorrow while Jay is in dialysis. 

I must say that having to sit through a surgery and a couple of doctor visits with Jay help me get a big jump on the novel I was reading. 

This evening I finished Wally Lamb’s 740 some page—The Hour I First Believe.  It seemed I would never get through it at first but it turned out to be a very good story.  I’ll be loaning to Cindy next when I see her. 

Well Jay is resting and I must start my supper so I’ll you adieu until the next time. 

When I started my post a little after 6 am this morning this was my lead picture. 

I explained that it was 26 degrees outside and the big plants that had been on the deck all summer were still out there.  The frost on the pickup sounded a warning alarm and since then I have used a dolly to move my file cabinets around and bring the plants indoors. 

Granted the sunlight won’t be as good in that corner but at least my plants won’t freeze. 

After losing the post twice, once to stupidity and the second time to a power failure I chose to wait until now to try again. 

In the meantime I have started removing items from the deck to go into the shed and the basement but that job won’t be done before tomorrow some time.  I have put my third tub of laundry into the dryer, have bath mats and a rug on the deck railing, have unloaded and loaded the dishwasher with Jay’s assist, stripped and remade the bed.  I have laundry to fold on the dining room table but I think a siesta may be in order first. 

I must tell you that Cindy and David came up yesterday afternoon and she and I laughed and exchanged ideas for a good morale session for us both.  Jay made an Applesauce cake for an early birthday cake for David.  The recipe is on Jay’s Jammin’.  It was delicious.

The surgery on Jay’s left eye went well on Friday and the post-op appointment on Saturday was also good news.  I told Jay that he was going to have to get a new wife soon because this getting up a 3:30 am to get to the hospital for surgery is killing me. 

Now for my good friend Maria.

Not yet but very soon Dear heart!