I don't think it ever got up to 60 today for the wind chill is devastating. Will went out the gun range to do some shooting and I stayed in were it is nice and warm and worked on my glass. I got the house all copper stained and waxed and it is out in the front room on the table with the rest of the houses I have managed to keep. I then made a little gazebo to match the house. It has a blue roof and white floring and a little fence around the bottom to match the fencing on the upper story of the house. I put a red flat beed at the top for a topper for the roof. It turned out really cute and was fast to make. Now my fingers feel like parchment paper. I don't wear gloves all the time and the chemicals eat all the oil out of my fingers. My very next project will be that small cottage house with the outhouse. I have the pattern all copied and now I will cut it out when I finish here. I may cut the glass out tomorrow between chruch services ~ we will see. At least I will have the patterns cut out and the glass picked that I want to build with. My WW leader friend out in CA sent me an envelope full of free coupons to use and beleive me I will be using them. They are for items I usually buy anyway.
JEAN I don't like driving on ice at all. Nothing else bothers me llike that about driving ~ slick roads are dangerous. Good thing you turned around and headed from home after talking with that officer. I am so glad you got home safely. I love peanut brittle and haven't had any in years. My Mom used to make it around the holidays but I have never tried making it. The only candy I make is around this holiday and it is fudge. I still haven't decided on if I will make it this year or not. Yes Cecil tries to climp up our pant legs. We are so looking forward to January to have his front paws de-clawed. In fact I have some holes in my pants where his claws landed. Good thing they are an old pair I use when I solder. I have holes in them from soder around my thighs and holes around my calf from the cat. He is a smart little thing ~ when I say "ouch" loudly he quits that climbing behavior.
Everyone have a lovely evening. Type at y'all later.
Good morning ladies! I woke up having to go to the bathroom at 3 AM and couldn't go back to sleep as I was in pain again so took some Advil, sat in a chair with a heating pad and feel better, but then decided to finish my cookies so got them out of the fridge and baked them. Here are the crunchtime cookies. They came out great and I would suggest making sure you follow here directions for them to come out well. They are loaded and I mean loaded with calories and sugar so make them for your family and send them home with them. I finished the boys cookies too and I liked them, Jack didn't said they tasted like sand, but DUH they are rolled in sugar! Anyway, cookies are now all done. I sampled both to see what they tasted like, but am bagging them all up and in the freezer they go for the trip no more for me. These really are a terrific cookie to include in your holiday desserts or if you do cookie exchanges. The little chocolate marshmallow ones are soft of like cakey brownies with gooey marshmallow inside so I can't see how the boys won't like them but he is full of bologna.
Did my Monday weigh in today because I am going to be so busy in the morning I might forget. I am down 3 lbs for the week! Little by little it is coming off.
I got my beads yesterday, YEAH!!! I went ahead and put them on my bracelet. I decided to make a new bracelet, one that is pink with heart beads and pink beads, and heart themed, etc for my weight loss. If I am starting from scratch then I can make it totally themed in that way and I am making a sweater in pink for the cruise so hopefully will have a lot of lbs off by then that the bracelet is pretty full.
The post office was a nightmare. They had no change so you had to have exact change or use your credit or debit card or you were out of luck, no change of address packets, so 2 people left without those, no custom sheets so two of the Mexicans left without sending their packages to Mexico, she found 1 hold card so I could put my mail on hold so we shall see if they actually stop it come Monday. They cut their hours and don't open until 10 now so the line was backed up the wazoo. We then went to Super Target and I got all my baking supplies so didn't have to go into Walmart thank goodness, had a hot dog for lunch at the Target, then went out to Petsmart and paid $9 for a crummy little tag we had printed for Fortune with our current cell phone numbers and his name and our address in case something happens in Indiana God forbid. We went and got the car washed and vacuumed out then came home and I started cookies and Jack watched football, naturally. I finished the chocolate ones, bagged them and froze them and mixed up the other ones and put them in the fridge then baked them this morning and will bag them as soon as I finish here and clean up the mess. (thankfully we have no plans to leave the house today we are having a big thunderstorm at the moment and our clean car would have been a waste! )
Maggie: What a nice thing to get free coupons. I know you will put them to good use. Sounds like you are coming along with your glass projects. I am buzzing right along with my first sweater. I have the back done and included a picture of it and a close up of the lace pattern. It has been a fun knit and goes pretty fast once you memorize the pattern. It is horseshoe lace and one of the easiest lace patterns to work with I think. You should take a picture of your little outhouse and post it. I would love to see it.
Jean: Oh man, I am glad you guys are ok and made it back home safe and sound. I hate driving on ice or riding in a car when it is icy roads. Guess that why we live in the south it doesn't happen too frequently. I find that a lot, they say they have shipped but then it takes 4 days before they have the shipping info available or I like it when the stuff arrives before you can even get the info. Grrrr! I am glad I am all done with the shopping and the baking now. I just have to get the boys their Arch cards, but will do that on Wednesday when we get up there. I will start gathering stuff to pack tomorrow and we will pack on Tuesday since Jack has the day off and we are planning on leaving around midnight.
Well gals, I need to clean up my cookie mess and bag up those cookies before I snack on them anymore. Have a grand day today and stay warm and dry! Faye
I am going to do the rest of the laundry up today and get it put away and then put color on my hair. I decided I could go another week or so without a haircut so will just get my nails done tomorrow and take Fortune to the groomers. He sure does need it.
Good Afternoon, Flowers! The sun is shining and it has warmed up to 23 from 10 earlier this morning. We spent the morning at church. There was a nice crowd for one service although not as many as there could have been. The brunch was catered and delicious! We are $200,000+ short on the estimated giving for next year so hope more pledges will come in this week. Some people don't pledge but still give, which makes it really hard to plan a budget. I've read the Sunday papers and could do some laundry as well as the never ending ironing.
"Gma" -- on losing another 3#s! You are doing GREAT! I'm so glad your beads arrived before you leave for IN. This mail situation is going to be a nightmare, and I don't look for it to get any better. My grandma had a neighbor who would bake cookies in the middle of the night when she couldn't sleep. The cookie in the photo looks so good! The sweater pattern, and color, is so attractive; thanks for sharing the pictures.
I need to make a couple phone calls so had better do that before I forget. Enjoy the rest of your day!
It is a chilly day in the hgh 30's here in the Heartland this day with only a slight breeze. We had lunch today with the local museum director and got to talking about my glass houses. Will had told him that I wanted a picture of the museum so I could make a pattern. I won't be surpirsed if he wants me to make him one after he sees the start of my village that I have so far when he cones for Thanksgiving dinner here on Thursday. I have one photo of the museum but need more for this one is on an angle and I want one showing the front better so I can make a pattern. I can see from the picture and know why it was taken from an angle. There is a lamp post sitting to the right of the sidewalk that would block part of the building if the picture was taken square on. But . . . Now I know that I still want one taken straight on so I can better see the door and window above it at the top of the many stairs. Lots of stairs because the basement is above ground on this building. I won't make it exact like the building but as close as I can. This one will be a challenge and I am up for a good challenge.
DONNA FAYE Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row and are ready to depart for the Thanksgiving festives with your loved ones. Just a few more things to do and you are off on your way. Your sweater will be so lovely when it is all finished and you are sporting it. for another 3 pounds down. You go girlfriend and you will be at goal before you know it. I am so happy for you.
JEAN People are scared with the econemy taking a dump so are hesitant to make a pledge it would seem. Times are rough for a lot of folks and they don't want to pledge then not be able to keep their word so they don't pledge and give as they are able.
Maggie -- You will be busy making a glass museum, but I know director will enjoy it. Do you put lights in all of your buildings? Church members are told they can change their pledges by calling the church office. Some just don't like the way the powers-to-be run the conference. For instance, we eliminated the associate pastor's position trying to save some money, and our apportionment amount went up. Many years ago some bad decisions were made involving pastor retirement benefits; one being we continue to pay for their health care after they retire, and we have many retired pastors in poor health. We furnish housing until they retire, plus mileage, plus a salary.
We ended up attending the church pot luck with our neighbors tonight. The speaker was good, but it was more of a "finding God" type of sermon than the actual experience itself.
I am just about to go to bed this night and decided to check in before beddy by. I cut out the little cottage and out house. I used pale yellow with brown roofs and red doors. I put to gether the outhouse first and it is so cute. It isn't quite 2 inches tall and the door is hinged and works so you can see inside at the little step up to the one hole. I will figure out how to transfer pictures from my Blackberry to this computer so I can send you some pictures if you wish. I am sure I have all the cords and thingies I need to do that but just never have done it before. Tomorrow I will put together the cabin that goes with the outhouse that is in the same color theme.
JEAN I put lights in all of my buildings except the small gazebo and outhouse for they aren't big enough nor is there a place for it to be put. I even have christmas lights around the roofs on a few that also plug in. It will be so nice when Will gets the shelves put up with the extensioncords hidden behind channel wood so all the buildings can be up and out of the way. I can plug in several buildings on one of those long thingies which can be hidden behind the buildings.
Nightey Night Magnolias. I am heading to bed to cut some well needed zzzzz's. Type at y'all on the morrow.
Good morning flowers! We have thunderstorms going and it is quite humid in the house this morning as we have had rain on and off all day yesterday and I woke up to thunder and lightening this morning. I hate to drive in inclement weather around here as people are such nuts and during rush hour traffic too. We don't catch too much taking him to work, but I get it coming back home.
Taking Fortune to the groomers this morning and I am going to go and get my nails done, then come back and start pulling clothing together to pack and start organizing stuff to pack the car tomorrow.
We watched the NASCAR race last night and our Indiana favorite Tony Stewart pulled it out and won the championship last night. One of the best races I have ever seen. We had meat loaf for dinner that I threw together last night and I think I may make a slice of ham for dinner tonight. I want something quick so I can get to work on the traveling plans.
I am coming along on the front of the sweater and it is going pretty fast now. I have that wrap on the needles and I want to put a shell on the needles. I need to buy this pattern for the other shell and order the yarn for it, but it can wait for awhile. I have enough to keep me busy.
Maggie: Sounds like you are wrapping things up with your projects. You know, I think it is sadder than that about the money for church. Church tithing and pledging is no longer a priority for people. It isn't just about what God expects, it is also about the fact that if you want somewhere to meet, somewhere to socialize, etc, you need a building, lights, utilities, etc and all that costs money to do. You have roofs to fix, carpets to replace, plumbing problems and all cost money and I don't think people think about the practical side of it either. The current generation is much more church phobic I think and don't want anything to do with church. They want to live their life and have fun and think church is not part of that. Sad, but true.
Jean: Wow, I can imagine it would really cost a church a lot to fund health insurance for pastors that have retired, especially in this day and age where you have so many baby boomers. Hope you enjoyed the pot luck. Is everyone coming to your house this year or are you traveling to one of the kids??? At least the worst weather we are going to get is rain. Temps will be up in the 40's and 50's during the day and not below freezing at night, which is good for us.
Jack should be up in about half an hour so I think I will just sit and knit until then and then grab some clothes and dress and run him out to the plant and come back and shower and such then take Fortch to the groomers down the street. I wished he worked tomorrow, but it is the groomers day off tomorrow.
Good Morning, Flowers! It's a damp, COLD, foggy morning in my neighborhood! It's really "soupy" driving around the lake this morning. I've been to church and balanced first time around. I had to go early and help count as one of the counters has left until the middle of May. I'm not used to being out the door so early! I stopped and picked up gift shop money so that is my next project after I start the washer.
Maggie -- You were up late . . . or, maybe early! I had been fast asleep for hours by the time you went to bed.
"Gma" -- We are going to my stepsister's home for Thanksgiving. Both Jason and Beth go to their other side, so it works out well. Everyone will be here for Christmas and usually my stepmom, stepsister, and her dh come too. I keep hoping the kids will volunteer to host a holiday but don't see that happening anytime soon. You are on the countdown now! Have a wonderful safe trip!
I need to round up my laptop and get to counting $$ again. Have a marvelous Monday and enjoy! :
It is currently 32 here in the Hartland and fixin' to get up in the low 40's before the day is spent. I heard this high screeching sound that I couldn't figure out what was and asked him what in the world that noise was and he said it was his stud finder. OH ~ that is a good thing for it means I am getting shelving this day for my glass buildings. I am down 2 pounds this day and have been a yo-yo with those same two pounds for a few weeks now and have to stop that behavior. I am going to finish up the little cabin house this day. Then decide on which building I want to make next. Probably a ranch style house to go with the barn I made awhile back.
DONNA FAYE We do have to kinda march to the dog groomers beat don't we because they need to take time off and have things to do for the holidays. It is good that we know ahead of time so we can do our scheduling. It is sad how the younger generation has put church out of their lives for the most part to their own detriment. We have a few high school and collage kids that attend chruch here that are the cream of the crop type kids. They truly appear to have their salvation in mind.
JEAN It is good that you are the money lady getting everything to balance. What fun at Christmas time to have all the fmily gather at your place. It is at the holiday times that I miss my relatives mostly for they are way out on the west coast. They don't come here for the holidays and we can't go there. Such is our life and we make the most of it here with our church family. Yep, I do stay up late and sleep in. I am retired and my inner clock was set with all those years of working the 2 to 10 shift. I got to choose which shift I wanted because I was the "lead staff." I got to bed late back then and still do. I am not a morning person and it was a hard day when I worked a 6 to 2 shift added to my 2 to 10 for a double but the money was good. We were only allowed to do that 3 days a week. I had a partner that saved his time and a half and double time money and bought a Jaguire. I went to the gold market. Some folks got more overtime money than their regular check was. Back in the good ole' days. Now I am retired and these are the good new days. Yikes ~ I have been retired now for 26 years and lovin' it.
I need to go to the front room now and help Will with the shelving. Yipekio. type at y'all later.
Maggie -- on losing another 2#s! I know you will enjoy having the extra shelf space that Will is installing for you. I am a morning person in that I like to get things done early in the day so I can do as I want later. Heck, I do as I want any time! I think I would rather have gold than a car of any kind. I had lousy cards tonight but the company was fun. I am heading off to bed.
Good Morning, Flowers! It's another gloomy, foggy morning with a temp of 32 degrees right now. The sun is supposed to come out this afternoon. I'm going to check with Nelda and see if I need to vacuum for her and/or pick up anything at the store. She is able to drive now but said she needs a nap after any excursion out of the house.
At card club last night, I found out about a gal who has had trouble swallowing. She is probably in the 55 year old range, but her daughter played ball with Beth when they were little. Anyhow, she has a tumor between the esophagus and stomach, then is full of cancer spots from under her collar bones to her groin area, and spots on her liver. Radiation and surgery are not an option, but she can enter a trial chemo treatment down in Dallas where half get a placebo drug. The Mayo doctors told her this cancer (big long name) probably had been there for years and just exploded. They have given her a year at the most. Count your blessings!
I need to get my day going with another load of laundry, then my chore list is waiting. Have a terrific Tuesday and enjoy!
Morning ladies. Swamped with getting things done to get ready to leave so short post. I will talk to you again sometime early next week. I hope you all have a marvelous Thanksgiving with friends and loved ones!
I just finished eating lunch and it is 3:45. I got up and did my usual things then started cutting out a house and didn't stop till I was finished. Will was gone to the hospital meeting our friend doctor to show him around for he is becoming a chaplain there. When he came home he said she wanted me to build her a house. He told her what I was doing and she got very interested. I'll make her one like I made all the other ladies at church a couple of years ago. If she wants to buy anything I make then she can choose what she wants me to build. This house I am currently working on is orange with a motley grenesh borwnish roof. The floor of the walkway is brown. It will be pretty when it is all put together. I will do a bit of grinding the edges today and that is about it for this day. No work on it tomorrow because of baking and preparing for Thanksgiving. I probably won't get back to work on it till Friday. First of the month I have got to order some light fixtures for I am out of them.
DONNA FAYE You have a good trip and totally enjoy yourseves. Give us a full report when you get back.
JEAN That is sad about that lady that is riddled with cancer. I count my blessings every day but not because of other folks misery.
Later In The Day
GOOD LATE AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS
I then made a little gazebo to match the house. It has a blue roof and white floring and a little fence around the bottom to match the fencing on the upper story of the house. I put a red flat beed at the top for a topper for the roof. It turned out really cute and was fast to make. Now my fingers feel like parchment paper. I don't wear gloves all the time and the chemicals eat all the oil out of my fingers. My very next project will be that small cottage house with the outhouse. I have the pattern all copied and now I will cut it out when I finish here. I may cut the glass out tomorrow between chruch services ~ we will see. At least I will have the patterns cut out and the glass picked that I want to build with. My WW leader friend out in CA sent me an envelope full of free coupons to use and beleive me I will be using them.
Anyway, cookies are now all done. I sampled both to see what they tasted like, but am bagging them all up and in the freezer they go for the trip no more for me. These really are a terrific cookie to include in your holiday desserts or if you do cookie exchanges. The little chocolate marshmallow ones are soft of like cakey brownies with gooey marshmallow inside so I can't see how the boys won't like them but he is full of bologna.
Little by little it is coming off. 
on losing another 3#s! 
You are doing GREAT! I'm so glad your beads arrived before you leave for IN. This mail situation is going to be a nightmare, and I don't look for it to get any better. My grandma had a neighbor who would bake cookies in the middle of the night when she couldn't sleep. The cookie in the photo looks so good! 
The sweater pattern, and color, is so attractive; thanks for sharing the pictures.
I am so happy for you.
Many years ago some bad decisions were made involving pastor retirement benefits; one being we continue to pay for their health care after they retire, and we have many retired pastors in poor health. We furnish housing until they retire, plus mileage, plus a salary.
I had to go early and help count as one of the counters has left until the middle of May. I'm not used to being out the door so early! 
You are on the countdown now! Have a wonderful safe trip! 
I think I would rather have gold than a car of any kind. I had lousy cards tonight but the company was fun. I am heading off to bed. 
The sun is supposed to come out this afternoon. I'm going to check with Nelda and see if I need to vacuum for her and/or pick up anything at the store. She is able to drive now but said she needs a nap after any excursion out of the house. 
maggie on your loss!!!
