Alice D's Thoughts

2010-12-21T11:12:00.003-05:00

I did not get any post in after we left Virginia.

it is now 4 days till Christmas and here are some pics to show that we are

in wet, cool southern California.

Hiding under the blanket.
Can we say "what can I think of next?"

I like my cousin's hair.

I like Albie. So much that I follow him around with my mouth open going "AAHHH" hoping for a doggie french kiss. My mother is not amused.

On the floor, looking cute.

Yes I am alive.

2010-08-04T09:36:00.001-04:00

But much like Marilee, I have not posted because I've been afarid that the only thing I would be saying was
Sell this house.
Unlike her, I do not have a good reason yet to resume blogging. House stilling sitting here with me and Albie in it!
But not for the next week. We are leaving today to go to the Great Westie Gathering in Virginia.
Back next week. So until then, if you haven't keeled over in shock yet, Maybe I'll post more then!

Take that Flu!!

2010-02-28T20:25:00.000-05:00

I did it. I did it. I did it!!!
Even taking three days out of the last five to fight flu, both myself
and the rest
of the family, I got it done.
My Olympic knitting is finished. Bound off and everything. Well, ok it isn't blocked but
I can do that tomorrow. After all the challange was to get it KNITTED!
And I did.
here it is!

Finished at 8:09 Eastern time while NBC was still showing us the highlights and the closing
ceremonies haven't even started!!
YYYEEAAAA!

last from Colorado - Wesley

2010-02-25T15:12:00.002-05:00

ok, this is all out of order but first a picture

Help, I'm being held by a daddy!!

And now for the text that should have been above the picture!

Well, when I said that the circus had come to town I didn't have any idea of just how it would go.
Last night would best be called HORRIBLE! Sarah and Reid both stated upchucking in the middle
of the night. As I type this, they are at the urgent care being seen.
So far, Jay is ok, just stuffed up from airplane time and coming to the high altitude. I'm ok but then I was
sick on Tues. Raley and Wes are fine. Raley was the sick one a couple of nights ago! So it
has just been a fun fun time. and We leave tomorrow morning as soon as we can get it all packed up
and then Sarah and Raley are due to leave Sat. morning, hopefully she will be up to it!
So a few last pictures. I may have just a few more by the time I get home but this is it from out here since I will be
packing up the computer this evening.

OH, so YOUR what a Grandpa is!

Random sleep picuture.

That flying flower frog sure is interesting.

Raley's post

2010-02-23T22:11:00.000-05:00

She got a new farm for her birthday. A few days early!

with all the animals out.

Ah, comfort and ease when being read to.

She thinks the cage is as much for her as the dogs. It's really Albies but Winston will go
in when he get the chance to check if Albie left any cookie crumbs.

Wesley post

2010-02-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

Alright everyone, it's time for our exercises!!
Ready??

One!

Two!

ok,enough of that, time to rest!

the circus has arrived.

2010-02-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

Sarah and Raley got here yesterday.

Kilroy is here.

Sarah meets her new nephew.

And Raley meets Wesley.

ok, I told you Annie. that is his little finger laying on mine. it is half as long as my adult finger.

Knitting update

2010-02-20T21:58:00.000-05:00

Well, it is starting to look like the pattern!!
I am exactly where I should be on the pattern in terms of number of rows for each day!
However, I am beginning to fear for the yarn yardage! I am working
off the outside so I have used more then half to get to here.
keep your fingers crossed for me.

And on a side note,
here are a few things that I have learned while knitting for this Olympics.

#1. Catch up is no fun! I am very very glad I am where I am, caught up.. Now to stay that way.
#2. It would seem that 4 ozs. of Dr.Pepper and a cup of coffee are too much
caffine for me early in the morning. Affects my tension!
#3. I seem to get more done if I keep my feet on the floor instead up on the foot stool.
Who knows why.
#4. Knitting is supposed to be calming!! Well, not if your reading a chart and have too
much caffine in you system! Not even being in the middle of the pattern where it repeats
is helping me get in a zone.
#5. Like my quilting, I like to have music. Here that means the CD player and ear
phones.
#6. I still have to quit knitting when my hands get too sweaty!

four more

2010-02-20T21:36:00.000-05:00

Look Ma, no hands. There is a baby in that sling.

Nap time for all.

UM, Mom, I'm not sure I'm ready for Internet Explorer.

Tater checking out the contents of the basinete.

And for today's offering we have

2010-02-19T10:47:00.000-05:00

I think that Mom is looking pretty good. Of course this was after a nap and a shower! LOL

See we do reach out for them. Kind of early for it but this little boy wants his hands SOOOO BAD! Wants to get
his thumb into his mouth. Think he's going to get that contral faster then most!

Ah, progressive, 21st Century mothering! Baby and computer!

Ah, ain't I cute. You can see the bump. he's getting the ultrasound on it as I type this up!
hopefully by next week we will know more about it.

five days into knitting

2010-02-17T16:25:00.000-05:00

and this is all I have! I can still make it but have to pick up the pace a little.
I didn't get any knitting at all done yesterday since the little man was being a
bit of a turkey! he had had mommy up all night and was awake and
wanting to nurse almost every hour!
but I got three rows done this morning and hope to get five more before the day is done!

more pictures.

2010-02-17T16:19:00.000-05:00

We have discovered our parrot and starfish! He will lay and look at these for as long as 10 mintues!

looking at the parrot.

relaxed he does really really well when he does it.

BLEECH!!

olympic's knitting project, try 2.

2010-02-14T15:01:00.000-05:00

New needles. Size 4, DPNs, bought at a little shop in Monte Vista
called WildThyme arts. Not a lot of yarn but she had the needles I needed.

Ok, one row done.

And here we are. Four rows in and right where I should have been by LAST NIGHT!
I have to say that I like this yarn. I wish the needles were a little pointier, more like the Harmony
since getting then through a K2T is a bit of a trial. But the yarn is not splitting
and it has a really nice hand to it.

A Valentine of pics.

2010-02-14T14:43:00.000-05:00

Don't you wish you knew what he was thinking???

Pretty sure that here he is thinking "Bored"! Get off the computer.

A little padawan! (did I spell that right?)

Not baby but baby related. One dog, two boppies!
He's on one half of one under the other half of it and then had the second one on his head!

Parts

2010-02-13T17:17:00.000-05:00

Here we have part one of a sleeping baby, starting to wake up.

and here we see how part 2 still likes to wrap around in our sleep.

And finally the whole baby!

Second of the day.

2010-02-13T17:14:00.003-05:00

If I swing my feet WAY up high, maybe they won't try to wash them!

ERRR, that tickles!!!

Mother and son.

relaxing for the afternoon. Just hanging out, you know!

Bummer!

2010-02-12T20:55:00.002-05:00

I cast on my 118 stitches, only to discover that they would not go around the circular, (even though it was only a 16 inch!) so I have uncaston and will be heading into Alamosa tomorrow to see if the knit shop has some size 4 DPNs. If not, I'm screwed for the Pretty thing. not too sure where I'll go from there!!!!

Ready for the starting gun

2010-02-12T11:47:00.001-05:00

or perhaps more accurately, for the lighting of the flame.
I am using Classic Elite Yarns, Fresco in Saxony blue.
Needles will be Knitpicks Harmony interchangable wood, 16 inche circular, # 4.
Since guage is not as critical as for a fitted sweater I'm just going to go with it.

And today's offering.

2010-02-12T11:42:00.001-05:00

totally relaxed and at peace.

Remember those things lurking on Jenna's blog?? Here they are, fully out for all to see.

Nursing mother and son.

There seems to be a fascination with his feet around here. actually here it is the full stretch of his legs!

more wesley

2010-02-11T17:55:00.000-05:00

Taken on the 8th, the little family.

You are NEVER too young to learn to play war games.

Peek-a-boo. I see you.

It takes pillows to deal with a baby. And for dogs to sleep on.

I'm in for the 2010 Yarn Harlot Knitting Olympics

2010-02-10T20:58:00.003-05:00

I am going to try to knit "Pretty Thing" a cowl designed by Stephanie.

(credit: this picture was lifted from Stephanie's blog to show what I hope to knit.)
Since I have never tried to knit from a chart this should be a challenge. And if you look at the other pictures on this blog you will see additionally that Wesley will be all of 13 days old when the torch is lit. I think the two items combined should make finishing by the extinguishing

of the torch quite a challenge. AND add in that I will be leaving Colorado and heading back east durning the last three days, hopefully getting home in time to see the closing ceremonies.

Here's hoping I can find a lot of events streaming on line since I don't have tv access!

Wens.' four

2010-02-10T14:34:00.000-05:00

That same giaraffe tried to eat my cousin Raley's hair too!

Here you go Annie. this is your OTHER job~

Never too early to start on a computer.

that would be our thumb in our mouth. And it was there for about 15 minutes before he "lost" it.

Four for today

2010-02-09T17:20:00.000-05:00

please note the cargo pants, with pocket! Must have pockets for our stuff.

No pocket. No hand, no feet, just a Wesley Burrito.

Twenty minutes later, hands and feet have escaped.

Here you go Annie, your future job.

today's excitment. (not baby)

2010-02-08T23:07:00.000-05:00

and it had nothing to do with the baby and very little to do with the dogs. when I took the dogs out right before their supper at 5, I looked to the side of the house and this is what I saw.

Yes, that is a snake in the snow. A very dumb snake in the snow. the sun was warm enough that he had come out to sun but then got too cold to get back in. I had to really work Winston with my "Grandma is going to get you" voice to keep him from going after it.
I came in and told Reid that he needed to go out and do something with it to keep the dogs from going after it.
i did not expect him to do this.

Yes, that is a snake on the floor of the kitchen under the heater so he could "warm up".
When Reid went out to see it, the body was stiff but it was moving it's head around and he wanted to see if it would revive. It did!
He took it back out and put it back under the house.
So next spring they will have a whole nest of dumb snakes! LOL

this afternoon

2010-02-08T16:22:00.000-05:00

when it is this tempature (that big bottom number)

at this time of the day

this is how you can sleep. In a Onsie in the mountains of Colorado!

Feb. 6 one week old.

2010-02-06T22:02:00.000-05:00

Baby central! Mom, computer, baby, rocker, bassinet, dog toys, CHECK!
Oh Grandma belongs over there in the corner of the sofa where you see the pillow.

SAY WHAT???????

As the little Pharaoh sleeps.

at rest with the world.
and he could be in those short sleeves with arms out
because at 1:49 this afternoon the tempature in the living room was 84 degrees. the sun can do powerful things!

Day 6 update

2010-02-05T16:00:00.000-05:00

Such a self satisfied young man.

He does like to curl up still.

Leave a Boppie, it gets sat on!

Check out the feet! and TOES!

bath time

2010-02-04T19:33:00.004-05:00

He really didn't seem to mind the water too much. It was the getting naked he hated!

getting ready for our bath. I don't know why this one is upside down. Getting naked.

Wrapped in a towel.

Ok, mom what is this we're doing??

I don't like it!

That's WET!

Dad, why do I have a wash cloth on my head??

dry and dressing.

some random pictures from the last two days

2010-02-04T19:20:00.000-05:00

Let me think about that for a while.

Baby Power!

One Wesleyilto.

He was placed in the bassinette on his back. He did this turning to his side all by himself!

one last one.

2010-02-03T14:12:00.003-05:00

Wesley said he was hungary!! HUNGARY!!

a second video for the grands

2010-02-03T13:47:00.002-05:00

Here you go, Legs Neilsen! (ok, turn your head sideways! LOL)

video for the grands

2010-02-03T13:06:00.002-05:00

Here's Reid and Wesley.

second day home

2010-02-02T21:00:00.003-05:00

Dad and son, taking a rest!

Sleeping where we like it best, on Mom. As I said, favorite place to sleep.

HUMMMM.... Let me see, should I make them dance???

What is she doing to me??? Sitting up, burping?? What is this??

Wesley comes home.

2010-02-01T22:00:00.001-05:00

ey
Home on a bright sunny day.

Wearing the hat that Grandma Doty made him to come home in.

A handful of hair can be so comforting.

Here's where we slept while the big people had supper. Right in the middle of it all.

Hoarfrost

2010-01-08T21:25:00.000-05:00

We got up this morning to a heavy coat of frost on everything. As the sun came up it was so so pretty. Here's a few shots.

More Christmas

2009-12-28T10:41:00.003-05:00

Here Raley is looking at hot air balloon pictures with her Grandpa.

She found out that she could climb over the back of thesofa and stand on the window ledge.

Both Raley and Albie are looking for the horses that are in the field outside the window.

See, climbing is easy! Albie isn't as good up there are Tater and Winston, but he's learning.

Christmas 3

2009-12-27T12:38:00.000-05:00

She got a dolly for Christmas. It seems to like to be naked.

Cute kid with adorning audience

I wrap presents in reusuable cloth bags. it didn't take her long to learn how to pull the strings on the bows!

We did have often breaks as Raley found other things to to. Her and Albie were looking for horses!

Christmas, take two

2009-12-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

She started off the day just pulling little bits paper at a time. this was the stocking presents before breakfast. she was opening her socks. In out house, Santa always puts a pair of socks in your Christmas stocking.

Here she is seeing her presents for the first time.

She got a Kitty cat and the book If you give a Cat a cupcake.

Albie didn't have any problems with Christmas morning. Any port in a storm and Dan worked just fine.

First of Christmas

2009-12-26T11:11:00.000-05:00

there are going to be quite a few post to get pictures up from Christmas.
There actually are Christmas eve and the first from opening presents.

we have a future musician.

Winston was helping his mommy make a pie. he kind of got into flour.

Dog toys squeek real nice1!

She got an inch worm that rattles!

Seeing Raley

2009-11-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, I do exist! It's just been a while. Short update, house off market to do "Updating". Holidays coming and we didn't want it showing then so that helped the decison.
Friday and Sat., Nov. 20 and 21, we got to see Raley. The reason was a bit sad. Dan's grandfather died and we went over to Mahomet, IL for the funeral. Voyle was a World War 2 vet and ex POW. We had a pretty day for the graveyard service.

Here's a few pics of the red headed one.

Not so sure what she's thinking but she sure knows!

Again, looking right at ya!

Not spoiled, oh no. Anyone can dance on the coffee table!
Behind her are Peter, her grandfather, Ruth, her Great grandmother and Jay, grandpa.
Hiding right behind
Raley is Judy, grandmother.
(Grandma Alice is taking all the pictures!)

At the park. Once down with parental help and then it was "Katie bar the door" because she would go down any of
three slides that were there!
As you can see, Albie didn't like the idea of going down a slide!

OK, everyone, who is this??

2009-08-15T17:15:00.001-04:00

Anyone what to guess who this is in the picture?? I'll wait till Jenna gets home to guess before I tell you all!

OK, so it's been a while.

2009-07-18T20:30:00.002-04:00

I do hope however that the following three pictures will win me some forgivness.

anyone what a stick??? It's a nice stick. I think you should take the stick. I said TAKE THE STICK!!!

Yum. Blackberry muffins. I think I'll have two for breakfast!!

(this child can pack in a breakfast that would do justice to a member of the Tour De France!)

Wow. Look. Different sizes that fit into different pans. I can have a lot of fun here!!

And in house news. The realtor was here today. Looks like we are going to be replacing the carpeting in the dining and tv rooms. We pretty much knew we might have to, not so much because it is going to give us any return but because if we don't we aren't going to get any offers. Also, if I can ever get a phone number for the painter that he recommened we may be painting the basement. Well, having it painted. I am NOT going to do that myself. however, the paint is sitting here for in the morning. since we are going to redo the carpet, we decided we might as will give the walls in the dinning room a coat of paint and spiff that room up too!

time to catch up

2009-05-23T17:31:00.003-04:00

OK, it's been a while.
The make over for the basement is starting to move. The only things down there now are the pool table (not going anywhere! LOL) the tv, a recliner another tv and the poker table. They are supposed to start the work on Thurs. However, they were going to come on Friday too but now I have a conflict. Haven't talked to you girls so I'll tell you then!
I have also decided that the only way I am going to get a lot done is if I have to report it. So, here is what has been done today.
Everything is off the walls. I have the shelves over the sink cleaned off but still need to work on the other set. Jay got the grill working again. I went to the grocery store and came home and make Albie Stew, slaw, and three bean salad and iced tea. Brats for supper.
Got all the 4-H plaques off the wall packed and have another box started.
Since nothing got done last week due to the muscle spasms in my back, I have some catching up to do. But I'll get there.
Wens. I think your Daddy will be driving back up here and I will meet him at the funeral home. Joe Swaynie died last week. they are having the memorial service for him Wens. It will be a lot of driving for him but he really feels that he needs to come. So I already know that that will take up part of the day.
I'll post updates on what I get done. Part of that may depend on the back.

The flood

2009-04-25T17:34:00.002-04:00

For those of you who do not know, On Wens. the 22nd, I went down into the basement to get a cooler to pack up Albie's food so we could go south to Bloomfield and spend the end of the week down there. However, I got to the bottom of the stairs and saw this. Water. Lots and lots of water. You can see the waves coming off my boot where I stepped into the water. ( I had come back up to put on the boots and get the camera! LOL) This was at the bottom of the stairs in the finished part of the basement. the water was about an 1 or so.

Here's a pic of the cleaning brush and you can see just how deep the water is on the bristles. This was over near the sump pump hole which is where it was the deepest. The water there was up to the bottom of my ankle.

And finally a box of books was on the floor, in the 1 to 2 inches of water. They didn't get out of the basement until today, Sat. and by then they were horrible. Smelly and just plain gross. Also a total loss. Of course these where Sarah's good hardback Tolkien!

Now Jay is carring stuff up that is dry and I am packing up here since if I packed down stairs the boxes are either heavy or I can't carry them. So far about six or seven got done this afternoon but I need to stop and make the corn bread to go with the ham and beans. Those went into the crock pot this morning since I knew I would not want to do much cooking by supper time.

Also, the temps today are pushing mid 80s. I have nothing to wear for those tempatures. So, I stopped at a garage sale and now have two new tops and three new pairs (at least to me) of shorts for 75 cents. Not bad to my way of thinking. Still going to need some other tops though. I can't deal with fabric right up at my neck anymore like most tee shirts are. So I guess a trip to Goodwill or Value World is in my immediate future.

Here she comes

2009-04-01T23:44:00.002-04:00

Just a little tidbit from my last morning in CA.

Here she is on the morning on March 20.

going to be gone for a few days

2009-03-29T12:09:00.002-04:00

Jay starts work at Crane tomorrow. So we are going down tonight to Bloomfield. Since there is no internet, I will be offline for about three days I think. I plan to come back up here Wens. but that isn't definate yet.
We are going to Allison Porterfield's baptisim yet this afternoon before we head south. We are all packed but I'll have to pack Albie when we get back. He's in for a shock. With nothing but knitting, reading and a dog to comb while I'm at the apartment, guess who is going to get a good combing????

I'm home

2009-03-22T14:06:00.003-04:00

Got home about 1:30 a.m. Sat. morning. had a pretty long delay in Denver that had me sitting in the airport for over four and a half hours. but I'm home, I've actually gone through the mail yesterday and today Jay and I got some work done in the back yard. Not a lot more that can be done till we are sure it's ok to put out some plants so it's back inside to work today. That is after we watch some more basketball on t.v.!

where am I again??

2009-03-19T17:42:00.002-04:00

Just a quick check list!

Blue skies. Check.

Palm Trees. Check.

Pretty flowers. Check.

and check.

Spanish mission. Check.

Blue ocean and beach. check.

I think that means that I have been in southern California!!!

Santa Barbara to be excat.

near the end of the pictures

2009-03-19T17:27:00.003-04:00

ok, these are in backwards order of how they were taken but since the subject is what matters I don't think our readers will care! LOL

This was taken near the end of yesterday after baby and I had spent about four and a half hours at this point wandering the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Nice museum but not for five and a half hours. We had a hour left by the time I took this picture before Sarah was going to be done with her conference. As you can see, Raley was ready NOW!!

She did get about 30 minutes of sleep on the park bench under the trees and by the creek which meant that it was nice and cool. If the bench had been softer we both would have been happier I think!

At play in the hotel room. For about two and a half days this was our world. I enjoyed it because it was her and me and a very limited space which meant that we were together. She kind of went through a personality shift while we were there. We didn't have a dare devil when we drove up to Santa Barabara. By the time we came home there was a definate attitude on her part of starting to test bounderies!!!

At our party. The last of the cupcake has just been taken!

Pretty much got all of this cake she was going to get!!

I will try to get a few more picture tonight but it will probably be late Sat. or maybe even Sunday before I get the up!

And I do have one more video I will put on once I get home and can let this thing sit for the forever that it takes for a video to load!!

pics tomorrow

2009-03-19T01:01:00.002-04:00

I spent the last three days with Raley and Sarah up in Santa Barbara and Raley and I spent a lot of it in the hotel room. which was fine with both of us.We had a good time. and I do have a few pictures but it is late and I am tired and the buggle is yelling in the other room she is so tired so you will all have to wait a few more hours for me to get my pics down loaded. And besides. there are a few that are just pretty flowers!!

today Raley had a party

2009-03-14T21:23:00.003-04:00

I only got a few pictures on my camera because it decided that the memory card was full! Those videos eat it up. but here are three pics to keep the masses happy!

I can pull stuff out of the bag!!!

Hi everyone. Can you tell that I am teething and drooling???

I like this box from Aunt Jenna. It's big enough to climb on!!

the evening of March 11

2009-03-12T00:50:00.002-04:00

Sarah and I ran to the grocery store when she got home from work. Dan stayed to give Raley her supper. when Sarah and I walked through the door this is what we saw.

On very tired buggle!!

two hours later, this is what was sitting on Daddy's chest after a short nap, half a bottle of juice and time to wake up and play!

dishwasher helper

2009-03-11T16:45:00.002-04:00

Raley's first cupcake

2009-03-11T16:06:00.002-04:00

this was so much fun to watch. She had said she was full and didn't want the rest of her dinner but when the chocolate icing hit her mouth she seemed to find room for it with not problems! LOL

Cupcake!!

2009-03-11T14:09:00.004-04:00

Ok, these are the stills. I have one video but Blogspot is being stinky today not taking any of my videos. However, at least you get these!

what is this??

She reached out and touched it first with her right hand. After that she never moved that hand again and did it all with her left hand!!

Hum, taste's kind of nice.

Yes, yes, I think I like it!

I really really liked it.

All that is left of one cupcake!

I'm a Big girl now I can help

2009-03-11T13:56:00.004-04:00

When we got home from Disneyland Raley decided that now that she is a big girl, she can help in the kitchen.

. What you doing daddy??
Oh, it will be much easier for me to reach now.

Yes, this is much much better.

Disneyland part 1

2009-03-11T13:49:00.004-04:00

Just inside the gate with Grandma and Mickey and the Disneyland train station.

My very first ride on ANYTHING. The horse went up and down and there was music and mirrors and it was fun.

I really enjoyed It's a Small World. That's it behind my head. When we went for the ride my head just turned and turned and by the end I was singing and dancing with all those pretty dolls!

And now I'd like to be alone for a few moments!

(actually, I just want this hat OFF!)

Getting ready to get on the submarine and see if we can find Nemo!

Disneyland part 2

2009-03-11T13:43:00.003-04:00

This jungle cruise stuff is fun!!

See my birthday button?? Grandma had one too. So did lots of people. Lots more people said Happy Birthday to us because it was our birthday!!

This was Marie. She had on a birthday button too. She said that she was 91. That makes her 90 years older then ME!

Who needs rides when you have a Mommy???

Can we please go home now?? These ears are the last straw!

these will have to hold you till birthday pics.

2009-03-10T11:18:00.002-04:00

Isn't she a cutie??

Don't think Daddy likes her do you??

Piggy puppet is funnyyyyyyy!

I love nap time!!

Ok, what's on for today??

and now a short video that isn't

2009-03-08T00:03:00.001-05:00

I am not sure why. this is supposted to be a video. However, the pic is cute, isn't it??

As requested, Pictures

2009-03-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

First, let me say that the hold up in getting these posted was the fact that Dan was moving the router from the back of the house to the front and we had to eat supper and then he had to go to Walmart and THEN he got the internet back on! So with no further adu, here she is!

Cookie time!

Crawling is now a speed event!

There is hair there, you just have to look for it!

We are helping Mommy sort her yarn. Raley liked the big cones and the cottons that came unraveled very fast!

Oh to be my dog.

2009-03-01T16:04:00.004-05:00

Ok, this first pic is just the cutest Grandkid. then we get to the dog I want to be.

This might have been back at Christmas but I LOVE that tongue! LOL

Albie has started getting up with Jay most evenings. we are not too sure why since he has never been one for lap sitting. We think it might have something to do with a cold floor since he likes that Boilermakers throw which is so warm!

AHHH, to just RELAX! LOL

Yes, my dog likes to sleep with his head on a pillow!

I am better

2009-02-11T16:19:00.002-05:00

Now to see how long it lasts. The Z-pac of antibiotics the dr. prescribed seems to have done the trick as far as the major congestion. but boy the second and third day of taking them I was so tired I could barely move. It felt like my body was burning all it's energy helping the antibiotic do it's job!
The weather today hasn't really helped the feeling good. Rain. And lots of it. We had a lake the whole lenght of the fence out back. We got all of 20 minutes of sun between bands of rain and Albie and Jay did a quick walk out somewhere because I really didn't want to let him out to splash around in the back yard. At least on the sidewalk he was on a leash and Jay had some control over how wet he got!

Ok, How I'm feeling

2009-02-04T14:52:00.002-05:00

I have been sick and coughing since the 20th of Dec. The visit to the dr. in Colorado only helped for a few days and then I was bad again. I finally broke down yesterday and called my dr. here. I'm not sure yet how I feel about it since he didn't come to see me, just called in a prescription based on the symtoms I described. This isn't the first time he has done that and it is beginning to get to me. However, I also have to admit that that saves me the money for a visit and I am kind of glad about that! I'm taking the antibiotic and admit after just one day of the puppy I'm feeling a little better. Of course as I write this I am starting to cough!
But I'll take it and see how I feel. And then I think if I have to stay here much longer I am going to be looking for a new dr. Ideally, a woman. I've never really liked dealing with his nurse anyway.
So for now, I have hopes of finally being better soon.

"Two" says the count, TWO

2009-02-02T10:27:00.002-05:00

I finished up a second knitty gift last night while watching the tape of the Men's Final at the Australian Open. Boy that was some good tennis!!
I am almost afraid to say that I also feel better today. might jinx it. but my head is a little clearer and the cought is not as over powering by far. Guess my body is a two year old. Threaten it with a dr. visit and it finally starts to get better.
Snow is melted down a bit. but since we got back well below freezing last night it iced over and now Albie can walk on top most of the time. he doesn't like it when he falls in though! LOL
And I slept through the super bowl. I decided if my body was going to let me sleep, I would sleep. Saw maybe ten plays. The tennis was a lot more fun.

As the Count on Sesame Street would say

2009-01-23T16:03:00.002-05:00

"That's ONE done. ONE Christmas gift done. Hahaha".
Aint saying what I got done but there is one thing off the knitting needles and a second one started. I'm having fun, they are easy to do while watching the Tennis down under in the first major of the season and something is just telling me to make them so I am.
We had two fairly pretty days here with themps in the high 40s. Just enough to get rid of the snow and make mud for Albie to play in. Now we are heading back to the deep freeze they say with a storm brewing far enough west that they don't know what we will get out of it, just that the weather will change again in the middle of the week!

It's been a while

2009-01-19T13:48:00.003-05:00

But it didn't seem to make much sense to post when I was with the three or four people who are most likely to read this anyway.
Obviously, we are home. I still have the cold that had me knocked down at Christmas. I've looked at all the pictures from Christmas day and I look terrible! Felt that way too. Jay is still job hunting. found three today to apply for but we are hoping that job at Crane will get posted this week.
I'm knitting and have even been in the sewing room working on quilting a quilt! GASP!! LOL
Ok, not much but enough for now. At least I have put something up. Now it is someone else's turn!! Go for it family.
And why don't the boys, i.e. Dan and Reid, have blogs?? HUUUMMMMMM. Enquiring minds want to know! ask them wives!

A lousy two days

2008-12-11T23:12:00.002-05:00

Well, Jay and I are finally feeling better and it was one duzy of a flu. and it was FLU!
We got word Wens. that Jay will not be offered the position he was hoping for in Co. then today, we learned that his brother David has cancer in his throat. We don't know more then that, they are still doing tests.
So, we are "escaping". Heading west to be exact. Going to Jenna's and then on to see Sarah and Dan's new house. Then we will all be back in Monte Vista for Christmas and have about a week together, then Dan and Sarah go back do CA and the rest of us head back to Indiana so Reid can see his folks.
More went I get the energy!

Just creeping along

2008-12-03T22:20:00.002-05:00

Jay is still not feeling good. He has already gone to bed and it is only 10:00. I'm doing ok but still don't seem to have a lot of energy. However, I did do the dishes, get laundry done and manage to squeeze a shower out of the hot water tank! And give Albie a bath since he went out and played in the mud this morning. I was reading and he was happy and I wasn't paying attention so he needed a bath by the time he wanted to come back in! But at least now he is a clean dog again!
And there you have it. Our not exciting day!

The four day weekend

2008-12-01T21:53:00.003-05:00

We had a good holiday, well until the end.
Enjoyed the time at David's. Sheba didn't seem to like Albie any better but they didn't really get into it. The food was good and we had a lot of time to talk.
Friday we drove down south to KY. We stopped at the grave yard in Linton and put flowers out first. The weather was pretty and so was the scenery when we were driving. When we got to Dave Dotys' Hudson and Rhea were there but not Dave and Teresa. Their new dog decided that Albie was a threat and really took off after him. Once Dave got there and introduced them correctly they started playing. Looking back I think she was thinking that she was protecting "her kids".
Sat. saw about 17 of us there for dinner. 4 KY Dotys, 2 Carmel Dotys. Granddad and Loretta, Eldonna, Derek, Candy, Little Stephen and Matthew, Lorraine, Charlie, Susan, Shiela and Austin! Teresa took me up to show me where they have thier work stuff at and in the process we were gone for a couple of hours. Then late in the afternoon Jay and I left for Ohio. Got there about 8:00 p.m. We had eaten at an Arby's and when I got sick in the night I blamed it on the sandwhich. However, after last night and today I'm not so sure. Jay has been feeling a bit worse then horrible. He keeps moaning. I will admit a bit of a desire to put him out of his misery! Hopefully he will be felling better tomorrow.

another good day.

2008-11-26T20:54:00.002-05:00

well, I slept in late again but did get stuff done today. We are packed for the most part to head out for the four day weekend. tomorrow night is at David Garwoods. then on Friday we head down and spend the night at David Dotys. Sat. we are going to head back up to Ohio to David Fouts. See any thing in common??? LOL
I did get some work done in the sewing room today. I was working on some premie quilts just get some orphan blocks used up. We also went over to Jamies and took home some of her stuff that has been sitting on the top of the china cabinet and since Dave and Karen are over here for Thanksgiving we took the two pair of pants that have been sitting here waiting for him for ages!
Also, we moved some stuff in the garage and got out the big ladder so Jay could check the gutters and I worked on all the flower beds and they are now ready for winter. I'm tired and so is Jay I think but maybe we'll sleep tonight.
Like I said, things got done today. the sun was shinning!

a better day

2008-11-25T23:01:00.002-05:00

Of course, that might be because I did finally get some sleep, from 2:30 a.m. to almost 10:30, and the sun was shining.
I was in the sewing room for a while. Then I was in the kitchen for a while. Making the three bean salad and pickeled beets to take with us this weekend. And as the topper for the evening, the couple who I have been voting for for the last ten weeks on dancing with the stars, Brooke and Derek, WON!! there is justice in the world!

Not such a good day

2008-11-24T22:56:00.002-05:00

Because it was not such a good night. I couldn't sleep and was up for about two and a half hours reading. then I slept too late and I have not felt good all day. The major achievement of the day was getting a shower in! Jay did get the hole in the balloon fixed by Ruthie. And that's it. Watched Dancing with the Stars and now I'm going to bed. Nite.

no video no pictures

2008-11-23T22:51:00.002-05:00

I have spent 20 mintues futsing with this thing trying to get the video up of Trixie and Albie and no go! So I guess your'll all get to see it when we come out to visit and I bring the computer with me!
Didnt' do much to day but go to the grocery store and get the stuff I need to make food to take to all the Turkey day meals.
We didnt' get to bed till after midnight last night and I didn't get up till almost 11! But it felt good!

Video tomorrow

2008-11-22T23:01:00.003-05:00

Well, today was lazy day. I heard my guest leave the house about 5:30 a.m. but I didnt' see them off. Jay and Albie did that. Of course when Trixie got to go out Mr. Me too Iguana had to go out. Then Jay and I went back to sleep and got up late. watched a lot of football. I did go to the book store and buy "Free Range Knitter" and also to Petco and got dog food. Then Jay went to the balloon (can't spell those French brother's names) and I stayed home and watched two shows on Nat Geo about dinosaures. All told, a nice quiet evening.

Friday is slow too

2008-11-21T21:35:00.001-05:00

Didn't do much today. got up and saw Susan off and then I went back to sleep. Spent the afternoon in the sewing room and now Jen and Wally are here with Trixie. Albie and Trixie are having a lot of fun! LOL Neither of them can breath right now they have been running so much!

going to be short tonight.

2008-11-20T23:35:00.001-05:00

I want to keep my record for getting post in so here it is. Susan Edmondson is over tonight and we have sat up talking for five hours. It is now getting pretty late and I am heading for bed. All in all a good day, even with the snow flurries!!

Pictures someday

2008-11-19T21:50:00.002-05:00

Today was getting the guest room ready for company. Susan Edmondson is coming tomorrow night and then Jen, Wally and Trixie are going to be here Friday. It's been cold and I haven'g been any farther out of the house then the back yard. Can't say I've done much today. did get a nap in. But sssllloooowwwwllllyyyy we ae getting things done. Down to two rooms upstairs to worry about and then there is the basement. (Jenna you will not be looking there when you come, ok??)

Bee was here

2008-11-18T23:12:00.003-05:00

Had a very nice day. Spent the first part of it getting ready for the evening. I iced the brownies and then mulled the apple juice. Also made the sausage and cheese balls. the juice and cheese balls must have been a hit since there are NONE of either of them left!! We all sit and talk and show each other what we are working on and then talk some more.
Every one seemed to like the new look of the kitchen and family room. And it is now bed time and I am headed that way!

Monday getting ready for Tuesday.

2008-11-17T22:22:00.002-05:00

I spent the morning at Walmart and the grocery. Quilt bee is here tomorrow and I needed to buy a lamp shade and get some things to make cookies for tomorrow.
Came home to find the whole downstairs vacumned. Took a short nap and then baked cookies had Chinese for supper and then watched Dancing with the Stars and talked to Sarah. just an ordinary day!

sunday update

2008-11-16T19:51:00.002-05:00

Jay slept in. I got up. but to let him sleep in I try to keep it pretty quiet downstairs so most of the morning was spent on the computer. However, once the husband did get up we got the family room cleaned and rearranged. I think I like it but it still has too much furniture in it. Also did two loads of rugs through the washer and the dishwasher ran once.
We had a wonderful baked chicken for supper with garlic mashed potatoes and carrots.
Football was this afternoon. Watched the Colts win. Well, actually they were not doing that well till I fell asleep and then they came back and scored so I'm sure that my not watching was part of that. Now we are waiting for Amazing Race to come on and then I think I'll spend some time in the hot tub!

More then one way to chase a squirrel.

2008-11-15T21:13:00.002-05:00

Here's the link to my blog with the video.

http://picasaweb.google.com/AAD2698/SquirrelChase#
Cut and paste.

Sat. doings.

2008-11-15T18:48:00.001-05:00

I didn't leave the house today. Jay got all the way to the post office. Albie got to chase a squirrel. I have a video but can't seem to get it to load on here!
I'll try again later.
And there you have it. Football, Purdue lost, reading and trying to stay warm as it didn't get over 45 today! And it rained. Just blah!

Friday's news

2008-11-14T22:16:00.002-05:00

Well, I did get to go to the fabric store today. and Jay went with me. Of course he sat on the "husband" sofa and looked bored for most of the time but he went! Then we went to Walmart and we were going to get a $1.00 squeeze bottle. $53.00 later we left the store but I have a lamp shade on my lamp and curtains for the guest bedroom and we have food so it's not all bad.
And I think I should tell the story of what happened to us Sunday as we were driving home from Jen's wedding.
We came through the hills of southern Indiana on the back roads and stopped in Loogootee to get gas AND for me to get the dog out of the car since he had just thrown up two blocks before we stopped!! I'm walking the dog and Jay is waiting in the car to pull up to the pump. The station only had two pumps but there were lines on both sides of them! When I got back to the car I found out why.
When was the last time that you pulled into a gas station and SOMEONE CAME OUT TO PUMP THE GAS FOR YOU????? It was a pretty novel experience! LOL

another day of sameness

2008-11-13T20:43:00.002-05:00

Today saw a little more happening. I went to water aerobics and the grocery store. Home for lunch and then we did some house cleaning and some time in the sewing room and we started the laundary.
It sounds like the last few days but that's ok with me. I need the sameness right now. It's in the "sameness" that things are settleing as much as they can until we can move to the next stage of making plans. Doing just the everyday things is what I need to do right now.

And today again we did little.

2008-11-12T19:57:00.001-05:00

I spent time on the computer, cleaned kitchen and spent time in the sewing room just organizing. And gave the dog a bath after he went out and played in the rain. I didn't know it was that wet out when I let him out and I was reading so I kind of lost track of time till I looked down to see Mr. Mudball at my feet! but he's all white and clean now.
There it is, the excitment of the day.!

If yesterday was slow

2008-11-11T23:24:00.001-05:00

Today was a snail! I was up by 7:30 to let the dog out and then time just kind of drifted away. I wasn't feeling too good.
Spent time on the computer, Jay got up and an hour later was ready to go back to sleep and then while he was up I was asleep again from 12 to 2.
Went to the library and post office and then Jay went to play poker this evening and I watched the result show for Dancing with the stars!
Oh, and read a little. As I said, a snail!

Today was slow

2008-11-10T19:04:00.002-05:00

We were up early enough but at 8:15 Jay came down and told me we were going to the dentist at 10:00! He had work done last week and one tooth had a sharp edge on it and they ground it down for him. but he took one of his pills and when we got home at 11:00 he fell alseep and didn't wake up till 3:30. So I spent most of the day trying to keep quiet. I did get some bins sorted in the sewing room and even consolidated enough stuff to get rid of one little one! I am trying to get projects lined up so I know where they are and what I want to work on. I'm finding treasures! LOL
and that's it. It is now 7:06 and I am waiting for Dancing with the Stars to come on. May do a little hot tubbing since my shoulders hurt for some reason and then I get to go to bed!!

I went to a wedding

2008-11-09T20:04:00.001-05:00

We are home from Louisville and Jen and Wally's wedding. It was beautiful as was the bride and if Wally smiles any wider his face just might split in two! LOL

The happy couple.

The cake. which Karen had picked up at the barkers and I then took to the reception room and then added some decorations like the tuile bow and greenery.

this shot was too good not to post. They both look good, even if James was getting tired.

The four Fout women, of whom only two are still Fouts now!

Friday

2008-11-07T19:37:00.002-05:00

And that means I've made every day this week. However, I will not be posting tomorrow since we are leaving in the morning to go to Louisville for Jen Fout's wedding. We will stay there overnight and then head home on Sunday. Albie goes with us since the hotel takes pets! I'm looking forward to it. She is so happy!
I've been playing with the web site Playlist. Still learning how to use it but nice to listen to my kind of music as I type.
Didn't get a lot done today. In fact, I'm not real sure what I did do today. That happens every once in a while. I did get my painted fabric stretched and now Jay just has to get the frame on it. It is going up in the bedroom. Picture once it is there.
And I'm back to reading a friend. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon.
Nothing new on the job market but that is also pretty much the status quo!
So, till sunday. See ya.

Thursday's everydayness

2008-11-06T18:49:00.003-05:00

I spent the morning skipping water aerobics. I don't think I will be signing up for the next session since I am pretty sure now that whatever is in the water is making my rash a LOT worse. It isn't worth the itchings.
So I went the the sewing room and worked on a Christmas project but that's all I'll say about that.
After lunch Jay and I worked at packing more in Jenna's room and got a good bit done but not all that it needs. But Christmas in all sorted and ready to head west.
then we went to the basement and watched some of the bonus features on the second CD of the Narnia set. For anyone who reads this and is looking for a Christmas gift for me, the FOUR DVD set is only $14.00 on Amazon!!
Then supper and now I'm posting. It's only 7 but dark out and we've had a little rain which I am sure was the front passing through so it will start to cool down now. I need to take the movie back to the library.

I think I'll let the pictures talk tonight

2008-11-05T21:45:00.000-05:00

Enjoy the fall color in the back yard.

Nov. 4

2008-11-04T22:33:00.002-05:00

The day started with me going to vote. I had about a 30 minute wait to get in but at least the line wasn't out the door like I saw at other places later in the day.
Jay went at 9:30.
I came home and did 20 minutes work on the sewing room and then went to my water aerobics class. I am now pretty sure that something in that water is making my ezcema worse. I got in and started itching!
Came home and just had time to eat before I took Jay to the dentist. He was really relaxed with the drugs this time!! VBG While he was in the chair I went to the dollar store and good will.
Then home and Jay went to sleep off the the drugs and I try to keep quiet while he does that.
This evening was movie night. (we'll hear all about the election for days so why worry about it tonight??LOL) We watched Narnia - The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. It's the second time I have seen it and I still enjoyed it. I want to watch part of the second disc with all the extra features before I take it back to the library.
And now we are watching Big Break 10. And I am getting my post in for today!

What I did today

2008-11-03T21:45:00.003-05:00

and it isn't exciting! LOL
I did more on getting Christmas ready for Dec. And that is about it.
So guess I'll talk about yesterday and getting all the windows washed. Now I know, that's not exciting either but it sure is nice to have clean windows. And I once again learned the validity of my father's opinion that if you are going to do a job, do it with the tools that make it easy. They may cost you when you get them for the first job but after that they are there when you need them! After watching the pro, I went and bought one of the mico cloths to put the water on with and a squeegie to take it off. If you have both of those, it really doesn't take that long, nor is it that hard to wash windowns. Also used a water, vingar and Dawn mixture. Don't think I will every again use Windex and a paper towel. Lot less streakes with the squeegie!

I'm a day late

2008-11-02T10:40:00.002-05:00

Ok, I had not hear about NaBloPoMo until I read it in Sarah's new update. which by the way I love that post. Raley is so proud of herself at the end. Almost like a performance, Started on cue and ended with a bang!! LOL (sound like anyone else we know Jenna????)
So here I am one day late on starting but that's ok. We'll see if I have enough news to get on here every day.
Today we are working on cleaning the last of the windows.
And as of 10:30 (feels like 11:30 for some reason VBG) I have all the Fout and Holtry Christmas sorted out AND WRAPPED!! yep, ready for their trees so I know where it is and what it is and it doesn't get packed or end up in the wrong box.
I am also listening to Christmas CD's that I got out of the library but I think I may have to get into the four boxes of CDs in the garage and find my own! It's time to work on gifts in the sewing room and that needs music!
Ok, enough for today.

A quiet weekend

2008-10-28T22:14:00.002-04:00

Sunday made 34 years of happy marriage for Jay and I! And we did NOTHING special to celebrate it! LOL I got up feeling all stuffed up and achey. So I went back to bed and slept till 1:30. Then it was watch sports and Amazing Race.
Today Jay had another dentist appointment and that means drugs. He slept most of the afternoon after we got home. I however, did some Goodwill Christmas shopping and am quite pleased with my finds. One is for me. A china bank that is blue and white and looks like a wind mill. The bottom says "hand painted Delft." Thought it should come home with me for $1.99!!

Pear butter 1

2008-10-19T13:49:00.001-04:00

Ok, here's one of the activities I got done this week. It took longer then I had thought it would because of going north but I'm sure happy with the finished product. Dick, the neighbor next door, gave me the pears so other then buying three container for the freezer this was free pear butter and you can't find that to buy anyway!!
Jenna, you inspired me.

Here they are. the pears from Dick's over achieving tree. I only got about a peck but it was enough to get them ready! My hand didn't like that much time with the knife!

Here they all are, cut and seeds out ready to be cooked down.

I only had about an inch of water when I started. All the rest of the juice is from the pears.

I had help with the sieving. We kept alternating bowls and in the next post you'll see just how much we got.
I also added some sugar, clove, all spice, nutmeg to the mix so it is a spiced butter.

Pear butter 2

2008-10-19T13:44:00.000-04:00

Here is the crock pot, full of the pulp, ready to cook down. Little did I know just how long that was going to take!

Out of everything in the pot when we started cooking the pears, this is all that was left when we got it all sieved. Pretty good idea of why they went to the work of doing all this if you really got that much out of the fruit!

Here it is starting to cookdown. We started this on Wens. and let it cook all night. It didn't get very far so we ended up putting it in the fridge while we went north for Poppa D's birthday. Came home and let it cook all night on high.

And this is what we got! That's it. that's all the pear butter but boy is it good. the little one is in the fridge just to be eaten adn the other two are in the freezer for later!

Bonus pics from the garage.

2008-09-24T20:14:00.000-04:00

Ok, three in one day. Just don't get use to it! LOL

The box pile from the door into the house.

The box pile if you are standing on the driveway looking back in.

ready for what I'm not sure! LOL

He was going to be sanding off paint and later found out he really didn't need the mask.

more pics.

2008-09-24T20:12:00.000-04:00

Ok, here's a few more pictures for you to enjoy.

The kitchen with dirty dishes and the valence and blinds on the window. Also the new clock.

Albie found the neck pillow very much to his likeing!

Here is the dinning area. I really like it. I do need to take out the extra in the blinds.