Today is beautiful. Lots of sun and warm temperatures. It’s already 60 degrees. Can you believe it?
We’ll go see if our trash can has been emptied soon, get our mail, scoot to get some groceries, and then tie the trash can back up to the pole beside the driveway when we get back. That’s it for errands today. I’m hoping we can get the mailbox decoration changed.
My husband took the new/used computer out to the shop yesterday, thinking he had it working. It’s acting wonky, though, so he is back at it today.
A day to be outside, drinking in all the sunshine. Enjoy your Tuesday.
I received a Jacquie Lawson Valentine’s Day card from one of my long-time close friends this morning. It was a really nice way to start the day. My husband showed his romantic self yesterday while we were at the local grocery, asking, ‘You want flowers or something?” I swoon. :0)
I’ve always thought that Valentine’s Day, at least the way it’s celebrated, is awful. People all over the world, I guess, are pressured into getting ‘something’ for their significant other on a particular day of the year. I think that if you love someone, EVERY day is the time to show how you feel, with a smile, a kiss, a hug, or maybe even a nice gift if you find something you think they will like. When it’s NOT the ‘official’ time to show it, it’s REAL. Happily, my husband and I share this belief and we show each other often – when we’re not contemplating digging a hole in the back yard to stash the body….
It’s raining today, so I’m not looking forward to having to go out in it this morning. My husband has a haircut. I sold some earrings last night on my Etsy site, and so will mail them to my customer today. When we get back, hopefully, our huge trash can will have been emptied and we can pull it partially up the driveway to re-tether it to the pole.
We’ll spend time today with our truck in our shop. It’s making a grinding noise when we put on the brake. When we put the snow tires on, we checked the brake pads as we always do, and all was good. When the grinding noise started, we put the truck in the shop and took the back tires off again to see what problems we could find. We didn’t find anything. Today we’ll check the front again.
I hope that you have a happy Valentine’s Day with the one you love.
It’s a nice Tuesday here. We’re actually having ‘spring’ this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon before a cold front brings winter back Wednesday night. It’s sunny and 36 now and is supposed to reach 72 this afternoon – in JANUARY! :0)
Since my Lunch Bunch friend Kay hadn’t answered my phone calls, and my email to her was returned, I got concerned and we stopped at her house at the end of our errands yesterday. She answered the door, thank goodness. She and her husband have been sick, but are finally doing better, she said. When I was sure she was all right, I asked her to please check her phone once a day, just in case someone was trying to reach her. She answered that her phone didn’t work right, but didn’t want to take it anywhere to be looked at. She told me she had stopped using her email address. I pointed out that this left carrier pigeons as the only other way to reach her and she smiled. The important thing is that she’s okay. She may, or may not, remember to call me if she’s not coming to Lunch Bunch in the future…
We really enjoyed a brunch/lunch yesterday at The Waffle House. We tried a Sausage, Egg & Cheese Hashbrown Bowl. I enjoyed watching the chef cook our food. I almost felt we were at Benihana. When we were served, I complimented him. The meal was delicious and a real treat. We’ve only eaten there once before since they opened in Greenwood. (They are pretty expensive and we eat too much.)
I’ve been enjoying watching some demonstration videos of various painting techniques. They are getting me excited about trying something new in my art room. Maybe today.
We only have regular stuff to do today. We’ll leave soon to get our mail, get a haircut for my husband, and pick up our trash can on the way back up the driveway.
We did our errands – checking the mailbox, going to Walmart and Harps to stock up on supplies in case we’re snowed or iced in, then stopping at the restaurant to see if our waitress, Mikey, was there. (She isn’t going to be there for our Lunch Bunch celebration tomorrow and I wanted to give her the present I made for her.) She was there, but said she was planning to stop at the restaurant tomorrow, even though she wasn’t working, to bring presents. I made her PROMISE she would do that, and then gave her a hug and left. We put our humongous, empty trash can in the back of the truck when we got back home and brought it back up to the garage.
We indulged in fish dinners from the grocery deli. They were delicious, as usual, and then we both took naps. We checked around outside when we woke up, making sure all was ready for the bad weather. We’ll also watch the low temperatures and drip water overnight from two faucets inside that have given us problems in the past. All is good for tomorrow, but the bad stuff is supposed to come Thursday and beyond.
It’s 51 and sunny right now -starting to get dark. It’s hard to believe we’ll have such a change in weather.
lifestyle.livemint.com
Today is DAY 158 on my daily yoga practice. I held the plank for a count of 20 four times today. I probably could have done one more, but I’ve learned the hard way that ‘one more time’ sometimes does me in for a day or two afterwards. Better to be able to practice EVERY day.
I’ve finally lost a couple of pounds over the last few days. My scales are still smirking at me, but not so widely.
I’m fasting from dinner until lunch the next day. Typical lunches are a slice of turkey or ham, a piece of cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and some fruit. Sometimes we also eat a very small ramekin of potato salad.
Dinner is a frozen dinner or individual portions of leftovers from meals I’ve cooked, a side veggie or salad, and a roll.
steve cole images-Getty Images
My yoga practice is going well. I even forgot to give myself a glittery silver star on my desk calendar for yesterday until this morning. (I’m on DAY 137 of daily yoga practice, but I’m getting to the point I almost don’t need to keep track anymore. Yesterday, since my back was sore from working outside, I held the plank pose four times at a count of 15 each. I don’t know if that’s equivalent to one longer session, but I do what I can do each day and don’t worry about it.
123RF.com
I also worked in the yard, and that gave me more exercise for the day. I finally got the deck planters cleaned out for the winter. Since we have 8 or so planters out there, that was a good amount of work for the day. Today I plan to cut the rose bushes way back. I’m not sure what else I’ll do, but the weather will be 75 and quite breezy with lots of sun this afternoon.
We’ll leave for errands in a couple of minutes. We have our Christmas mailbox decoration in the back of the truck, ready for us to put it up as we leave. On the way back, we’ll put our trash can in the back to drive it back up.
“Foggy Morning Sun Rise” – photo by Warren Birge – FineArtAmerica.com
Fog lay like ribbons between the ridge lines when I looked out the window while dressing this morning. Surreal. Magical. It’s supposed to get WARM this afternoon – 65 degrees F. – and I should be able to get some things done outside. :0)
Yesterday was a lazy day for me, since the weather was yucky. About the only thing I did of any note was my yoga session and holding the plank pose for a quick count of 45. Today we have several errands, plus laundry, gathering and putting out the trash – all kinds of exciting stuff. As I rest between chores, I’ll enjoy more of my book.
Nice way to spend a Monday. I hope yours is good, too.
Good morning! We’re actually having ‘fall’ here for one of the only times I can remember. I’m shocked and delighted. Usually, it’s hot, in the 90s, followed by a big storm, followed by 3 days or so of wonderful weather, followed by winter. I couldn’t be happier that Mother Nature is smiling on us right now.
ERRANDS
We’re going to run some errands soon, getting my husband’s hair cut, etc. We actually left our trash can out yesterday MORNING at my husband’s suggestion, so I’m hoping that the trash will have, indeed, been picked up early this morning, leaving no mess. The trash people have done really well for two weeks in a row. I’m still anxious as we head down the driveway on Tuesdays.
YARD WORK
Work is continuing on the trio of brick planters that separate our front yard from the top of our driveway. Cleaning them out is a huge job this time, as the super-hot summer and unusual weather we had resulted in my not getting out to maintain them the way I should. Now I’m paying the price. I’m starting by cutting everything way back. I won’t even start weeding until that is done. Hopefully, I can get that done this week.
We’ll leave in a bit to take our trash down, get our mail, and do some errands. Not sure what this beautiful day will hold, but I’m optimistic that I can make it a good one.
For the past week or so, I’ve been jumping through hoops trying to get a medicine that will help my husband. Our doctor is helpful on prescribing several things, but there is the issue of insurance coverage to deal with. We’ve been going back and forth. I finally figured out that going through ‘chat’ with our insurance people is a much better way to actually get answers than trying to get them on the phone. We MAY have an answer now. Fingers crossed.
Good morning! I’m hoping my coffee will perk me up. For some reason I’m still feeling groggy. I’ve never been the type of person who comes bounding cheerfully out of the bed dispensing smiles and laughter, but I’m not usually quite so sluggish. Writing to you is a great way to make me embrace the day.
123RF.com
We’ll leave in a bit to run our errands for the day. Since we’re still in the middle of our big heat wave (105 actual temperature today) we’ll be IN for the rest of the day when we get back. We’re supposed to get some rain starting Wednesday the MAY cool things off a bit. If we do, THAT will bring a smile or six from me!
Sawyer
I finished painting my Christmas presents yesterday! I’ll share pics of them with you before I store them for later. I’ve had a truly wonderful time working on them. I’m planning to clean up the art room, then scheme on what to tackle next.
Crossing all of my appendages – including my eyes – worked! We finally got a bit of rain yesterday evening! It was mostly gusty wind and bluster, but the dining area windows finally had water on them. I don’t know how much rain we actually got, but we’ll take it. The high is only supposed to be 97 this afternoon. I may take my coat! :0)
Shutterstock
We’ll get our mail, go to Lunch Bunch to catch up with our friends, then drive to Ft. Smith to return my “too-large!” tops to the UPS Store, and finally hit Walmart on the way back.
I’m starting to see the end of my project to make Christmas gifts in my art room for my friends. I think I’ll finish in the next day or two. It’s been a wonderful time with lots of happy thoughts.
Tenor
Today will be DAY 6 on my daily yoga practice. My sweet SIL pointed out that building a new habit MIGHT take as little as 18 days. That sounds a lot less intimidating. I’ll still just keep my head down and do one day at a time until it becomes ‘automatic,’ – assuming I live that long…
I hope that you have an enjoyable Friday and a fabulous weekend.
Holly Kildreth Photography-Juan Carlos Rodri On Twitter
We’re about to leave for lots of errands this morning. Our news and weather website reported that we should expect it to be 2 degrees cooler today due to a ‘cold front.’ Oh, the relief!!!! Only 101 plus heat index today. Be still, my heart!
I’m hoping we’ll have more ripe tomatoes for me to gather when we get back. We ate the last one yesterday and may go into withdrawal if we don’t have more…
I’m having a truly wonderful time working in my art room on the Christmas presents I’m making for friends. Each day brings a bit more progress. Yesterday my husband came up to say, “Hi,” and remarked that I was smiling while I was painting. YEP.
No exciting news today – just deep down happiness that things are going nicely here.
Good morning! I’m up and mostly functional, though I’m feeling a bit blurry this morning.
Our doors are open again, taking advantage of another day of low humidity and ONLY hot temperatures by mid afternoon, rather than the breath-sucking, slap-you-in-the-face heat advisory and excessive heat warning weather we have been ‘enjoying’ lately. This is due to continue until Friday, when we have several days of rainy, humid weather again and rising temperatures. Good things can’t last forever. I’ll take it and grin while I can.
Our first ripe tomato of the season!
Our first ripe tomato of the season last night was cut up with great ceremony and enjoyed with our dinner. It was a pretty tomato with no blemishes or bad spots, and was delicious! :0)
We will leave for errands in about 45 minutes, but we have no big plans for the day. The most ‘exciting’ thing is that the water department folks will leave the sample bottle on the porch sometime today. I have a note beside my computer about it so I don’t forget. I get the sample tomorrow morning and they pick the bottle back up sometime tomorrow.
iStock
I plan to spend some time outside today, doing something constructive in the yard, if possible.
I’m feeling a bit frazzled this morning – not sure why.
Our son left us a URL to a video featuring Peter Green. He was playing a really soulful guitar and singing, “Fool No More.” I don’t remember ever hearing him before. I think he’s amazing.
Our day is pretty today – lots of sunshine and plenty of cold temperatures. It’s 24 right now. I haven’t switched gears to having winter yet. When we’re home and relaxing in our recliners, I’ve turned on my heat pad to warm my bones. :0) We have several errands to run, and a pretty day to run them in.
We have no evidence yet of more raccoons, but I don’t think we have EVER had just one…
bizwaremagic.com
On my list of ‘things-to-do” today is exercise. I will do my yoga stretches this afternoon and see if I can actually build a habit this time.
Yesterday I had a glorious massage after SEVERAL days of mixing and spraying 2-gallon containers of weed killer, and then switching to 6 hours of using the power washer a couple of days ago, cleaning outdoor furniture, our deck, and the back sidewalk. My body was really anticipating the miracle that is Lynn Moody, my massage therapist. 479-629-7601. I spent the rest of the day reading, resting, and sleeping. AHHHHHH! I capped it off by getting a good night’s sleep last night.
Not even the fact that today is supposed to be very rainy can dampen my spirits.
We’ll go to Lunch Bunch in about an hour, catch up with our friends while enjoying chicken fingers, and then hit the local grocery store for supplies before coming back home.
Weather permitting, I’m hoping to gather the first harvest of the season from my veggie garden! My mouth is watering for a salad made with lettuce and spinach from our own garden.
I hope that you are safe and well. Enjoy your Friday.
I just melted when I saw this wonderful photo. :0)
Mother Nature provide a lovely sight this morning – the brightest sunshine on a really dense fog in the valley behind the house! I really tried to get pictures of it to share with you, but I couldn’t. :0(
Our weather is really starting to cool off now. I put the electric blanket on our bed when I changed the sheets today. It’s NICE to be able to set it to high while getting ready for bed so it’s toasty warm when we get in.
We did our errands awhile ago – after having to drive out to our shop to air up a low tire on the truck – getting our order from REAL FOOD so we could finish stocking the freezer, mailing books we sold at the post office, stopping at a couple of other places for supplies. Then we fixed lunch when we got things put away and my husband is napping now.
The main thing remaining on my list, other than finishing the laundry, is cleaning out the aquarium.
I hope that you are having a wonderful Monday, and that you have a beautiful Thanksgiving, if I don’t see you again before then.
I am hoping for a quiet day. My husband has a haircut and we have other errands to do in a bit.
Our weather is lovely – sunshine-y and 61 degrees F. Yesterday we finally got the irrigation system control thingie for my garden removed from the agricultural faucet. For some reason, it was almost like it was frozen on there – hard to get the attachment parts to turn, but we managed. We’ll leave the main irrigation system for the yard up and running until it looks like we’ll get some freezes.
DINGER Justin E
I think I told you that a crew working on fiber optic lines came yesterday and did some work. We are delighted that our electric company is partnering with another company to eventually supply us with Internet speed that will bring us into this century! We have changed over the years, each time able to improve things a bit, but we are rural, and so aren’t in the forefront on anything significant. It will be exciting when it finally comes.
The guy told us that he needed to cut some branches in a tree that were encroaching on the lines, so I said ‘sure.’ It ended up that it looks like the tree was struck by lightning, with big broken branches hanging down. They are supposed to be back Monday. I will ask if he can do more, cutting the broken branches and stashing them out of sight a bit more. Fingers crossed.
Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families
Yesterday I played in my art room, starting on an idea for Christmas presents for my friends. I’m having a great time. My sister-in-law made a great suggestion for a small thing I can add to each gift to make it more special. I love when that happens. :0) I’ll work on them more today.
I’ll get the makings for beef stew in the slow cooker for us when we get back. I feel the need for comfort food lately with all that is going on in our world.
And that’s it for us. I hope YOUR day is full of fun and laughter.
We have several errands this morning, and more this afternoon, so I might not get ANYTHING else done today.
In about an hour, we’ll leave 4 leaf bags of trash at the bottom of our driveway for pickup. (I made my goal of finding 2 extra bags of things that SHOULD have been thrown away a long time ago. I’m hoping to continue this each week.) We will also get our mail.
We have been experiencing serial failures of our fluorescent light fixtures this year. We have changed out the ballast transformers on many of them. Now we are replacing the switches that control them. We will pick up those at Yeagers. We will stop at our co-op to see if they have lettuce plants. (I’m hoping to pull out the spent tomato plants in the long brick planter by the house and put in lettuce plants.) Then we will stop and check the new Real Food store on the way home, hoping to find some frozen meals to buy and try.) Later, we’ll go back for my husband’s hair cut and a quick trip to the clinic for a shot for him.
I got lazy yesterday and didn’t do anything outside. This afternoon I’m planning to mix up EIGHT bug killer and will hose down my raised bed, square foot garden planters before I even THINK about trying to harvest the rest of our onions. I am finally healed up from the attack of the fire ants that I discovered living among my onions, so I’m ready to wage war. If I’m successful on getting the lettuce plants, I’ll take some pics for you.
I finally got an email from Amazon Handmade, confirming that I have been accepted to list my work there, and giving me some directions on how to get to a place I can register. When I have a calm space of time, I’ll try to follow them. Fingers crossed!
I hope you had an enjoyable Labor Day and that you make today a great day, too.
The sun is trying to come out, but it’s mostly smothered by lots and lots of gray clouds. The temperature is 49 and it’s NOT raining, so I’m declaring it’s a nice day. My husband and I are getting ready to leave for errands, and I’ll try to get pics of my garden to share with you when we get back.
Things are getting back to normal around here after my lovely multi-day birthday celebration. I’m on the verge of having a big head and becoming insufferable, so it’s a good thing that I have a chores list as long as my arm today. :0)
I’ve told you before that our son lives and works in Thailand. He is looking now to change from renting an apartment in town to finding a house in the country. He wants to be able to create music loudly without bothering anyone. Trying to play with earphones on all the time wears on your soul, so I’m hoping he finds a good place soon. He would like to find one by the end of April. Fingers crossed.
We’re having a stellar day here in Greenwood, Arkansas today. It’s 55 degrees and sunshiny right now. We were just out to run errands, and I find it hard to believe it’s January.
We mailed my order of stationery and note cards today. I cleaned up my art room (surprise, surprise!) and it’s now set up for me to play with my ideas for Christmas cards and wooden ornaments. I’m excited about FINALLY getting the ideas rattling around in my brain down on paper and wood!
I’m planning to try Practice # 4 on my new “Gentle Yoga Flows”DVD from Sixty & Me this afternoon, plus we’re going bowling with friends tonight. It’s hard to think of a nicer way to spend a beautiful day.
By the way, we discovered a TV show that’s new to us, called, “Outsiders.” We found it is starting Season 2 tomorrow night. We were able to DVR a marathon showing of the whole Season 1. We – like idiots – stayed up ’til all hours for two nights (3 a.m. this morning) watching the episodes. For us, it’s reminiscent of “Sons of Anarchy” with strong characters and lots of action. I’m impressed with the acting. We look forward to starting Season 2 tomorrow. You might want to check it out.
creativeartworksblog 