Happy Birthday

This is my #3's day...he turned 20. Bless him.....he has had a hard time this little one, now 20. Asperger's, one can NEVER put them in the same box, each one reacts differently. He is my sweet me, always surprising me with the vast knowledge base he has! Bless him! Oh, in the bottom picture...my PF only told me recently he was giving a talk and #3 ran off somewhere in the park. Big swallow hard there...everyone went looking for him, after an hour or so out he walks. He was looking for Lucky. Here Lucky, Lucky ....remember the fisher price movie from the late 80's? He was looking for THAT Lucky! Bless him!!!

Walking/Merry HO HO/and Aboricide

Yes....I had my fat self out walking on Christmas day! I made my PF walk in front of me..he is my carrot...and quite a carrot at that! I snapped a picture of the trees that were "arboricide"...not pretty. Please, don't do this to your trees..they are not bushes!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday! We are going to get an apple computer, that is our Christmas present to the family. Our #2 is leaving to spend the next 3 weeks in New Orleans, wish I could go with her. I do love to build, all the tips I could pick up! We had a rather warm Christmas Day....I was sooooo hoping for the white stuff! With that I'll end.

Hooked chair pads and update on house click on picture

I have added more before and after pictures of the house. If you click on the money pit it will take you there. I have always loved the Tree on my table. My grandmother won it in the 60's playing bridge. As a small child I use to beg her for it, she remembered! The lights still work! The chair pads I hooked in the late 90's...I have two more but they are in the kitchen. Forgot to get a picture.....

I'm pathetic

I have gotten really lax (and that is probably spelled wrong) at posting. Time is always flying by. Of course laziness comes to mind too. "We" won't go into that discussion. I need to get my fat arse up and walk, I'll prolong it for 30 minutes just for this. After my walk thing I'll feel so alive and invigorated.....are you kidding? I'll be sweaty and stinky, oh, and my ankles will hurt. Then I have to get the place cleaned, touch up my trim with paint, clean the kitchen, do the unrelenting piles of laundry. Take a shower, get in car, pretend I'm going far far away on an adventure. In reality, it will just be the grocery store.
When the kids were much younger and their brains very gullible....I would always tell them we are going to Hawaii. Of course they believed me...the grocery store was to get our needed supplies. Poor children!
My diarrhea of the mouth is over. I will post an update on my small rug I'm hooking later. I will have to stop and start making another baby quilt.....I'm actually looking forward to that! Walking now .... do you see me? I'm the sexy one with the paint and bleach stained hand print pants, wearing my husbands white socks for gloves...that's me out there..wave.....or not....

Flowers

I decided to delete my previous post and put up the flower thing.....don't ask.....lets just say it was a very bad day at the OK corral....(work place)

The fake tree is up!!!

I finally put the ornament boxes up. I am slowly decorating the rest of the house. If you look close you'll see paint I have to keep in due to the cold. Also, if you click on my money pit house picture I have put before and after pictures. I am trying to update but am busy! Now I have to get my butt in gear and finish cleaning the bedrooms! Next week I'll put down the tree skirt...it is basically a penny rug..........

Christmas.....it's a coming

This is from 2 years ago, but it is where I put one tree. It's fake, PF and the children hate me for that! I collect antique Christmas ornaments, actually have many from my Grandmother's tree. I also collect Christopher Radko ornaments, only certain ones...I'm afraid I definitely have a sickness! Hopefully I can post a picture next week..........

The ART Show Of #2 child

The first picture...the cardboard thing with the hole..NO, she did not create...BUT... it gave me pause .....One must remember I was extremely sick with a head cold (brain pickled in The Night Time NyQuil ) and on my second bottle of said NyQuil...in two days....lets just say I was drinking from the bottle ....the hell with the cap/measuring thing...if a small amount works..more will really work.....I really don't remember the trip. .........OK? (click on pictures they will get bigger...promise) She had more but I was lost in a sea of pickled protoplasmic brain dodo..........

Leaving on a car ride...............

Nothing like leaving on a car trip with your brain full of snot! I have my NyQuil in one hand and a big box of tissues. I feel dizzy and crappy and generally like a blob of protoplasm saturated in an alcohol based medium. OK? Get the picture? Not a pretty one....oh, no washy the hair since Saturday either. I am seriously thinking of going in my nightgown/sweatpants. Now that presents a rather sexy picture......
Happy Turkey day! I'll be cooking with my latex free gloves......No spreading of those damn cold germs!

Going on a trip

We're getting ready to go on a quick jaunt to pick up #2 at Bard College. Nothing like a road trip to chase the blues away! Have to work the weekend and will leave late afternoon on Monday. Something to look forward to!!!!!!! I should say, this is a picture of one of the dorms.

Happy Birthday

We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So glad you moderated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very small mat/rug I'm hooking

I always wondered whatever happened to Jen of Ballyhoo...remember her? Anyway, she sent me this pattern for my valentine exchange on snippets about 5 years ago. I finally decided to hook it. I just adored the pattern, plus it was also my birthday the next day....it was special. Miss Jacque sent me the pink colored wool also. I have always intended to incorporate it into this mat. On a side note this is the same rug I was hooking when the scissors fell into my thigh..lesson learned...do NOT stick your thigh out to catch scissors!

I'm afraid it is taking me forever to complete! As usual my time comes in spits and spurts! I want to finish a large fine cut of my Golden's I started MANY years back. I also have to start on another baby quilt after Christmas or before if possible.

Now, off to walk this rather dreary morning...then work.....................

update on porch

Slow but sure progress! The weather needs to stay warm just a few more weeks, that's all I ask for!

Stupid is as stupid does

I had a few hours to kill so I decided to do some hooking. I have been using The Hasty frame for so long I forgot how slanted the puritan frame is. Anyway guess what I just did??? Oh yea baby I am stupid.......I stabbed myself with my very pointed scissors. It was sticking out of my thigh. I would say went in about one inch and about an inch wide. Damn me! I cleaned it up and put steri strips on and antibiotic ointment. I probably should have sutures...no time!!!!! Good as new..nearly. I am a walking time bomb. Now off to work...feel sorry for me?! My fat thigh HURTS!

wellllllllllllllllllll

It seems we will not be heading out this weekend to Bard. Due to circumstances beyond my control it will now be the 24Th. So we will see #2's art display and pick her up for Thanksgiving Break to come home. I kind of wanted to go earlier as PF HAS to listen to me in the car ,where would he hide? Under the steering wheel? Sometimes I have diarrhea of the mouth and just talk and talk aimlessly. Kind of what I'm doing right now. Child #2 your Birthday cake will come in mail.... you don't have much longer..............

I thought I would throw in a picture of #3's sword thing for Kendo.

Now I have to get my butt out to do the walk thing...I just love to do my walk....it makes me feel sooooooo young. Not really, I just think of all the things I could be doing while walking and sweating. Of course then there is work tonight...I just love that too...............

This N that

Life has been on the busy side here in the "valley". My #3 got a part time job in a family owned book store. Life is getting better for him! He is still taking 7 credits at our local community college. Next semester we are thinking he might be able to handle 9 credits!

My PF has had a go with the damn kidney stones again! He can go for months then boom.... Poor thing! I will tell a "secret" (no one tell) once a long time ago...well about 2 years ago...he had to have stents placed. Those that go down that path...it is painful..either way! OK, OK, get back on track..... WELLLLLLLL...he went back into the urologist office and (I am evil at times...forgive me please.....plus I couldn't resist) You women out there, you know those damn stirrups on the table...are you starting to get the picture? NO? Well, I told him he had to put his feet in them, for the procedure. when said physician came in Mr. PF put feet in stirrups and all hell broke loose...thee doctor looked at me and cracked up, Mr PF turned bright red and well I nearly peed on myself. Sometimes I kill myself...............Remember don't tell....................

I have joined/started a cleaning focus group, only I belong to it. The house on the outside is getting better. It has taken nearly 4 years and all the windows have been replaced. The porch floor is also getting replaced with tong and groove fir (spelling is not my forte).

We go to Bard College on the 10Th or late very late November 9Th to see #2's art display. Yes, pictures will be taken...............until the next odd moment...............
Oh, I am working on a small rug for a table top...will post later..

The view

This is our view from the upstairs bathroom......I suppose it fits the meditative quality one needs...............

The cows can also help in that regard too......................

For child #2

Your friends...Chauncey (cardigan corgi) was being held captive by #3 so he was not at my side when cooking. He does love the crumbs!

COOKIES

These cookies were made with real homemade butter and local free range eggs. They are also extremely fattening!

It Is COLD and I like it!!!!!!!

I downloaded these pictures,unfortunately they don't get bigger when you click on them.
I am getting ready to make my very own recipe for chocolate, chocolate chips and dried cherry cookies. I'll take a picture of the very fattening things when they are done....#2 child get ready..I'll be sending em to you.......

TA DA NEW TOILET

I put a new water line in along with the toilet. It will save on water but can flush a bucket of golf balls. With 3 young men and an old man it is needed!

toilet

old one removed..... next year I hope to gut this room! As one can see this was the bathroom my MIL had...

sorry I've been busy

I did not have to take #2 back to union station ALONE! PF went with us. As usual, I forgot to bring my camera...no pictures.

Next...I made Creamy Herbed Potatoes from http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/
I was using my mandoline and I took a big hunk of tissue, yes tissue out of my middle finger. It hurt but I continued making the dish. I did remove said tissue from the mandoline. No one wants to really eat that! The recipe was wonderful...I tasted only a wee bit as it was made for a potluck. Now because I am a nurse and do get around some gross germs I was constantly re wrapping my finger. Do you feel sorry for me or do you think...s t u p i d old woman!!!!! Life.....

Monday morning I will be installing a new toilet in the downstairs bathroom. I will post before and after pictures. I have not gutted this bathroom yet. The toilet's seal needs to be replaced. Also, it is not a water saver so I decided what the heck I'll just change the whole thing. So think of me with a gimp middle right finger changing an old bacterial filled toilet...I will be in my glory.................

Getting child #2

The Gatehouse

I could live here, unfortunately, the students practice music there.

It is a beautiful campus situated on the Hudson River.

We always look forward to these trips...I think when she graduates next year we shall continue the trek....

I love all the walking paths.

Everyone had gone home...empty...lonely......

I liked the sky, so took it's picture. The sky thanked me.....

We are traveling down the road to get our child #2.....

Roadtrip

After a very bad, horrible, unrelenting day at work on Sunday I came home to a surprise. (procedures from 0800 to 1645 or 1745 can't remember) Mr. PF had cleaned the only two carpeted rooms with the rug doctor. (I am hoping to put wood down in a year or two) Trouble happened when I hit the upstairs....ASTHMA attack. I haven't had one of those babies in years...it was BAD. Finally got breathing under control, had to sleep downstairs. Now we know he must do this not 2 hours before I come home, but two days...... My chest was still tight this AM, so hope to walk this evening.
Getting back to the title, yes, road trip! Mr. P and I our heading north to pick up #2 from fall break at college. Trouble is, she is sick, sick sick!!! What is it with all the sickness? I can't get my homemade chicken soup in her as she is a vegan. Plus we need to do the "girl thing" shopping, trying to help our economic crisis get back on track. I miss that #2 and plan to spoil her rotten for the next few days....lots of cooking...vegan style!!

Funny picture of The retro apron

OK, it is a rather strange photo! Son 3# was game...plus I begged him. He would only put it on backwards as "I was taking his manliness from him"...SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO child #2 this is your apron modeled by your loving brother.............

Retro apron

My daughter (#2 ) wanted a retro apron...well I am in the process of sewing it. She had picked out the material earlier. I have got to get it done before the 8th, which doesn't leave me much time. Not to worry #2 it will happen......
Sweet PF comes home Friday night, thank heavens, as I have missed him! He saw alot of destruction with the trees in Baton Rouge. For those wondering his job title, State Urban and Community Forest Coordinator as well as task specialist and team leader for the urban forest strike team (which is what he is doing now)..............in other words he is a tree hugging, environmental lover. OK I said it...not much in the way of salary, we can thank the present party in office as they do not believe in environmental issues.......I'll get off my soapbox now.

Tree teams work to save South's storm-hit canopies
By GARRY MITCHELL
In the wake of Katrina, which brought down 1,800 trees in Mobile alone in 2005, foresters across the South decided to do something about the threat.
They formed "urban forest strike teams" in most Southern states to help communities evaluate and save damaged trees after a storm. They also provide guidance on what kind of trees to plant and how to prune them to reduce wind damage.
"We're right now talking about Baton Rouge, where a large area got hammered" by Hurricane Gustav on Sept. 1, said Eric A. Kuehler, a technology specialist with Athens, Ga.-based Urban Forestry South, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The teams will "look at hazard trees that didn't completely fail, but have cracks."
While debris removal begins almost immediately after a storm passes through, the urban foresters try to keep that cleanup from extending to trees that can be saved.
"After a storm people get chain-saw happy and cut everything down," Kuehler said

It's late, home from work/diaper bag done

I am too tired to show more but it does have "elephant ears". It was made from the material that was left over from quilt. It will stand up by self...I put pockets in it for the bottles. I have huge headache and must go to bed to get up again in 5 hours. So goodnight all..............

just filler

I think I may have finally gotten the creeping crud. I have been fighting it for four days and will continue. I hate to worship the porcelain toilet! I am eating ginger like candy....it is suppose to settle stomachs. We will see......

My sweet PF left on an airplane for nearly 2 weeks....to save the trees.........I miss him already.......

I'm still forcing myself to walk.......even though I feel like puke...are you reading this #2 child?!

windows

We finally had the last two windows installed for our money pit / retirement home............. I will have to post pictures later (Monday) as I have to get child #4 then hit the road...........

cleaning

It seems I spend a great deal of my free time cleaning. Why is that?? I believe it is the OCD coming out. I am now doing the annual fall cleaning. Save me now from myself, as I clean the windows, bleach (yes, I bleach) the window sills, wash curtains, wash the walls, the trim etc... I HAVE to do this, it is in my genetic makeup. I have tried to sit it out, but I just can't. The dogs look at me and whine, "why are you doing this?" The "young adults" go not now, can't you wait, why?

I think I will blame my mother, she did this with her traditional fall and spring cleaning. She was worse than I have ever aspired to be......I can remember her cleaning the corners with a toothbrush....gesh! I remember after having my first baby she came to "visit" and actually took her fingers and went across the door tops to check for dust. I always wondered if she "checks" from heaven? You never know...........Hopefully I will past inspection.

So, that is my sickness, I am a clean freak! I feel better getting that off my chest.

My office/sewing/rug hooking room..is cleaned once a week...the least of the other rooms.......that keeps me from going over the edge....

The bathrooms, another story....whenever I am in one of them I am cleaning. More than likely that is because 3 young men and one "old" man, by the name of PF can't hit the toilet. What is it with that?????????

So, I will end for now....think of me often...I'll be cleaning............................

Mr. Chauncey

This is our cardigan corgi...Chauncey.

I have to get off this computer and get ready for the weekend, plus try to finish the diaper bag. The shower is this weekend but I don't think I'm going to make it!

great deal

Since I try to be a spend thrift shopper...oh brother...I do try!

I found this wonderful stainless steel table (with shelf underneath) used at a restaurant supply store. I got it for 100 dollars verses the 600 dollar one. Not bad, huh? I make my bread and well everything on it. Sometimes I want to hug it.....it is a dream to roll dough on!!!!!!!

pictures of my "junk"

My grandmother started me down the road of these 1920 motto's......

My mother got me started down this road