Sunday Retreat

 

Sunday, my wonderful husband took me out to our favorite Italian restaurant.  The photo is the current bruschetta.  When I say "current" it's the new way they are making it.  Third time for them to change the way they make it.  We told them it was good, but the original was the best.

We dressed up for the outing, and had a bit of fun too.  Visited a few smaller towns, but really didn't find items great for Christmas gifting.  Nor did I find the coffee I was searching for, but was glad to get out of the house.

Chicken food - restocked,

Cat and dog food - restocked.

Fresh fruit - restocked

I need to restock fresh greens and veggies, but we really had a good time.  

Positive Mojo ~ Joy ~ Happiness

A lot has been downhill and downright frustrating, mentally exhausting . . .2020.

I need to post this for a reminder to myself.  Hope you enjoy it.

What gives me joy and what was good about 2020.

We got the privilege to go to Daytona Bike Week in Florida (first time for us).  Good friends of ours trailered our motorcycles (things started to shut down the day we left FL).

We got 3 trips to our favorite island (talk about isolation in a good way).

We got many motorcycle rides in.

We (husband and I) got to take a trip to the Thumb of MI, and take a boat ride to see turnip rock etc.

I love snail mail.  It makes me smile and gives me happiness. A mug rug I received from Mama Pea one year (and still use it year round). I have received many other items as well.  I love to send surprise snail mail too, just to make someone's day.

Handwriting letters or getting hand written letters gives me joy, but lately it's been just quicker (gulp) to use the computer and print letters out.  Especially if I have a lot to talk about.

(don't worry about that email being on there, it's a very old one and gone)

I love to write, but haven't been doing it this year.  I found a copy of the newsletter I used to write way back in the day.  You may have to big-a-fy-it to read it.  Finding it gave me joy, as it was a time I looked forward to writing it each month and taking it to places where I was permitted to.

Baking.  Baking gives me joy.  I took this photo a few days ago, just before it went into the oven.  I haven't made them in many years.  Guess you forgot to add the cinnamon?  He he!  So I made pecan rolls as Hubby said.  They were still good, but I must make them again.  Just a long process, longer than I remember.

Handmade crafting.  Handmade Christmas ornaments were a yearly project I looked forward to.  I typically made them each January and had them done way before Christmas.  I love to research a new project to sell too.  I keep a list of what might be a good item to make and sell.

Reading gives me joy.  I've had a tough time at being in the "right" mood to read this year.  I have started back with reading my daily devotionals.

Dressing up for a date night with my husband. 

Working alongside my husband.  Seriously.  We work well together.  Whether cutting wood, building something, or gardening.  

There is probably a lot more I am just not clearly thinking of right now, but there was a few goodies that happened this year.  Praying for a better year next year.  The negative obviously outweighed the good this year, but there was some good. Just writing this out, I was back to working on ornaments yesterday, and reading a few of my herbal books.

I guess I better get a planner ordered.  I need to start planning for 2021.  Stay well friends.  Mentally and physically.

Random Tidbits

I placed another book order.  I also ordered a few western movies for my husband for Christmas.  We are not really exchanging gifts this year, but it gives us something to watch Christmas day too.  We still plan to buy for two younger ones. We've just had too many car repairs expenses, and one daughter we co-signed for and moved out of state, stiffed us with 3 months of car payments then blocked us on social media.  I can't make this stuff up.

I just don't go to the library anymore.  First, without the car, had a horrible time getting help getting them picked up and dropped off.  Second, you can't just go and browse.  You have to make an appt, ring a doorbell and they come let you in.  I just caved and bought the book I need.

I heard back on the dehydrator part.  It's not in stock right now, but they suggested another door - $30.00 and no answer yet if it will work for my model.  So frustrating, considering this is not a cheap dehydrator.  I'm now told that my part will not be in until 2021.  For now, duct tape it is.  At least unless my husband can do anything else for me to rig it.

I've been successful at tackling (deep cleaning) one kitchen corner at a time.  One longer counter I keep my recipe boxes on was the one I dreaded.  I have a huge stack of papers to sort - recipes tried, recipes to try, receipts, patterns for crochet....just keeping busy, considering all that is going on in our homestead.

I added new recipes to this binder, but will re-print the cover and leave the year off of it.

Thanksgiving will be just the 4 of us.  Three of the older kids don't come around anymore, and we told our other daughter it was best she stayed home with her family and the grandkids this year.  Hubby's family invited us, but we declined.  Taking it safe and praying we all get our lives back to normal next year at the holidays.

I really don't have the mojo to stay busy today, nor focus on reading or crocheting, nor anything much.

Thank you all for your prayers, kind words and thoughts, and well wishes yesterday.  It's hard for me, as my Dad babysat my kids, mowed my yard when I was at work, built things for me, supported me when I was single raising 3 kids and working full-time, and even babysat until 1am one night so I could help stain trim that was going into my first house. I'm just happy that he was able to live his life out, while living in his own place.  I'll probably go through photo albums today and put something together for my family to see.  Those photos are precious and not loaded to the computer nor on a device - printed the old-fashioned way.

Today I am thankful for my husband's support.  He knew I was mentally suffering and brought us all dinner home last night.  He is even working all weekend and did that for me, so I wouldn't have to cook or do the dishes.  I just love that man!

Weekend Getaway

While I should have been canning, my husband and I took off for a getaway, and took a boat tour.  Well worth it.  

I am up early to wash dishes that were left on last Friday, and the one daughter who was home and on vacation, left more.  Everything I need to can was still dirty.  My mental health vacation needs another one.  All I can say at this point, is that I am pretty sure my husband is on board with the lack of help and respect around here.  He finally sees what I have been dealing with.

It's been a long day already. Yesterday was the one year mark we lost our 4 month old grandson, so we made a quick trip over to see them before retiring for the night last night.

Oh, while out on our getaway, I scored canning jars.  There were no lids to be had, but I got myself jars with lids (which I needed, as I am down to my last 9 jars or so of half-pints).  I also finished a crochet project during our drive.  I hope to have a handiwork update soon.

Christmas Gift for the Girls ~ Honey Roasted Caramel Corn ~ Sanity Saver Ride

The moon early this morning.

Breakfast yesterday morning.  First time to eat healthy in about 5-6 days.  Hubby's famous omelets, and this time he put jalapenos in them.


When I can remember....I am scanning any good family favorite handwritten recipe when I use it.  I'm printing it on cardstock and will cut to size for a recipe box for my younger two girls.  The recipe boxes I want to buy them are no longer sold.  The general store that sold them closed.  I may see if my husband (hate to even ask him) will build me two wooden recipe boxes.

One day when we had lucky leftovers, and I didn't have to cook dinner, I made this!  Honey roasted caramel corn.  It is the best I have ever tasted.  No kidding.  My Mom's taste test approved this as the best too.  It's not my recipe.  I found it online from the Stay at Home Chef.  She has a video on making it.  It uses butter, brown sugar, honey, salt, baking soda and vanilla.  Of course I popped my corn in my stovetop whirley popper.

Hubby had Saturday off, but works double shift today sadly.  I am back in the kitchen with garden stuff.  

Considering he had Saturday off, we took advantage of it and go the chicken fencing (temporary fencing until we officially move it) up. We used a dog gate to make a gate for the fencing, and need to add more t-posts, but for now they can get out and about.  I had to laugh.  The two older hens came outside right away.  All day long the newbies kept popping their heads out the door and then back inside.  They'll figure it out eventually.

I also dug this old elementary desk out of the barn.  It's being given to our granddaughter.  She is being home-schooled this year.  In their area, the kids were divided between two school districts, and there was no room for her in either school, and is forced to home school.  I hosed it off, and it needs cleaned up, but so glad I could help them out and clean out at the same time.

How did we get the desk and chair?  Way back in the day when our elemetary schools were torn down, Junior high torn down, to build an all in one school, one teacher of one of our kids bought every desk and chair.  She sold them back to each family for $1.00 each.  

After that we took off on a motorcycle ride, which I badly needed.  Our 21 year old worked all day, so youngest hooked up with another sister and went swimming at a nearby beach area (at the lake).

It'll be a long day today, but the pantry is being restocked, and we are very grateful for that.  It's a struggle, and we haven't had a good garden year for the last 3 years, but it's more than last year for sure.

Now, if the Rain Gods could bless us again today, and plump up those root veggies and tomatoes, I'll be a happy gal.

Sun Fun ~ Garden Plants ~ Garage Clean Out ~ Ride

My daffodils are blooming like crazy!

Yesterday I noticed the hyacinths are starting to bloom too.


To update on yesterday, we never saw the person we heard, but it was dark out when we did.  However, when I took one dog out (with my husband) we could smell a campfire in the woods behind the house.  We are going to mow down a path out along the woods to walk all the dogs now.

The sun was out all day Monday.  So thankful for that. I had to stay home for a Fed Ex delivery, so my wonderful husband went to the greenhouse and picked up flats of tomato plants etc.

We chose to go and get them early this year, as we both have a feeling so many more people will now be planting a vegetable/fruit garden.  I called the greenhouse ahead of time, and she said people were already coming in and buying plants.  Her supplier has warned her she may sell out quickly as May approaches.

I'm not sure I'll be getting a rosemary plant or not.  They do not survive here in winter and I cannot for the life of me keep it alive all winter indoors.  I have a plan, but we'll see.

I enjoyed a cup of nettle, mullein and plantain early yesterday.  MRH is closed again, so I will be checking my stinging nettle patch soon.

The garage cleaning is finally underway.  Hubby is ready full force to get things cleaned up and I'm taking advantage of him being home.

Oh, and I got my ride yesterday and I slept like a baby last night.  My first ride on our new bike.  I miss the old one, but love the new one.

Valentine's Day Gift on a Budget

My Valentine's day gift to Hubby.  He can't have sweets, our trip was canceled, and I came up with this.  I purchased a small photo album, and have printed photos of him with me or just me, and I'm using scrap paper and stickers to decorate every other page.  I'll be writing personal notes on them as well.  I hope he likes it.

Random Tidbits

Nothing wakes you up faster than a cold house, because you both fell asleep and forgot to stoke the fire.  It's going again now, but it's 4am.  Every school is either delayed or closed but our district.  Roads are ice covered and there is a level 1 road emergency out.  It's 27°F this morning, but we had sleet, and you could hear it pelting the house.

I had planned a one night getaway for a late Anniversary/early Valentine's sneak away, but canceled it to work on the car this coming weekend.  It's probably a good thing, as more snow (2-4 inches in the area we would have been going) is coming and roads may not be that great.  We need the car fixed anyway.  It was the only thing I could come up with that wasn't a sweet treat, considering he can't have sugar right now.  I'll re-book it when I can, as we do need to get out of the house for fun.

Along with regular housework (dishes, laundry, watering plants, cleaning the fridge out etc.), I finished up washing down the kitchen cabinets, purged and organized the medicinal cabinet, and washed a flour sack towel curtain.

Luckily, I had some pineapple juice on hand, so I made homemade teriyaki sauce for dinner.  I had not thought ahead on ingredients when I meal planned (as far as the sauce), but it worked out.  I had most of the veggies already in the freezer thankfully.  The sauce contains honey and corn syrup, but a small amount (organic/non gmo), and it's so flavorful with fresh garlic and ginger root, that we only need a tiny bit to flavor the dish.  

We'll be moving stuff around in the garage, but not necessarily "cleaning it."  We need room to pull in the car, but man oh man it's cold out there.  Or, if we are lucky, we'll find extended family with an available garage.

We officially have zero home canned tomato sauce left in the pantry.  Unless I incorrectly kept track in my canning journal, we are out.  Poo.  Carrots are gone in the freezer too.

Daughter's report card arrives - GPA 4.250 right now.  So proud of her.  Out of 6 kids, she is the last to graduate/move out.  I doubt she'll move out too quickly, as she's seen her siblings struggle with the reality of expenses.  Anyway, we are so proud.  She's in the school musical, so she's practicing at night, and still maintaining grades.  We learned early, that we'd not let our kids get jobs during high school - grades plummeted with all of them that did get jobs.

The last of the clothespins are getting painted, but I will need a trip to town for supplies to finish them (ornaments).  It's my "on-going" project right now.

I put in the last 6 rows in the XL hot pad and finished it.  Now, the question is, will she still buy it or not?  It's overcast, which was meant to match the hot pad set, but this one is edged in white.  

Happy New Year!

I'll admit 2019 brought much sadness, tribulations, and frustrations (especially the gardens), but it also had good memories like our huge 20th wedding anniversary party, as well as celebrating our 21st (with plans for a 2020 getaway for that).

I used to be a resolution type gal, but not anymore.  I would say it's about moving on in the season, and adjusting.  I am looking forward to new memories, new experiences, possibly getting some jobs checked off the list, a better attitude (regardless of what Mother Nature may bring us this year), and a few more sanity saver getaways.  

I am a proud mother to at least two of the girls, who we were able to share the experience of going off grid in 2019. The island experience for them was incredible.  I am so glad we could do that, and hope to take them again in the future.  They talk about their trips, and when life gets complicated and hectic, the talk about their "off grid" time and how it rejuvenated their souls (and look forward to going back).  With today's technology, it's so important to teach kids to get off their phones/electronics and disconnect.

Porch time has always been somewhere we all chat, revive, relax, and enjoy good memories too.  I captured many beautiful sunrises from the front porch.  

Whatever your plans are for the New Year, I wish you all well.  Let's pray the Weather Gods give us all a break this year and may your gardens be bountiful and your plans be prosperous.  Just don't be so busy (note to self), that you miss out on living "life."

Happy Homemaker Monday

I apologize in advance.  This post is long today.  Grab a cup of java or tea.  Maybe grab your breakfast too?

I'm not the only one organizing and purging.  Daughter is making the spare bedroom upstairs into her "study" room.  It would have made a wonderful craft room, had it not been "upstairs."  

Game day we made a new recipe.  I've been wanting to try it for a while now, and it's a crockpot recipe - Spinach-Artichoke Dip.  It was good, and mostly spinach, but it lacked garlic.  I think it's because I'm buying it, and our homegrown (more flavorful) is gone.  I'm keeping the recipe, but will tweak the garlic for more flavor.  It's perfect for get togethers or parties.

We successfully cut the remaining piece of the tree.  It wasn't fun either - so many knots in the last piece.  It's ash too.  It took wood stacking to a whole new level.  The pieces split into all sorts of shapes and sizes.  It will still heat the same though.  Now there is a mess of sawdust, bits of wood that I'll save for kindling, and lots of bark to toss in the burn pile.  Oh, and holes in the yard we need to fill where the tree fell.  We'll cut one more ring off the stump, then burn it out.

Sunday we dressed up and stole away, walked through a very large antique store, then had dinner at an upscale Italian restaurant.

I had my first old fashioned.  The food was amazing! We were so tired after that meal, ha ha!

My only antique score, and I love it.  Romeo loves it too, ha ha!  The antique mall is larger than it was before, and took a while to walk through.  I only found 2 tea towels, which were boring looking and expensive - $15 /each.  I'm keep looking for them elsewhere.

This morning I am sleep deprived.  I was woken up by a dog pouncing on me at midnight, then precisely at 3:43am by the cat who was wanting out (who was shut in the bedroom by mistake), then again at 5:15am, by the cat wanting back in and fed.  There was a bangity, bangity, bangity going on by sticking his paw under our bedroom door.  I tried to go back to sleep, but the wicked wind outside kept me up (see cloud photo below).

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I missed out joining last Monday due to our daughter's birthday and Christmas prep.

The weather outside is . . .
High of 51°F/low 32°F.  Cloudy/windy.  Winds in neighboring towns have been up to 50-60mph, with blown transformers and power outages.  About an hour north, near the lake shore, they reported winds at 64mph.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Nothing at the time of posting this yet.  I needed to down a pot of coffee and get a "power shower" before breakfast.


As I look outside my window . . .
It looks nasty.  Raining as well.


Right now I am . . .
Getting ready to check the hours at the Humane Society.  I need them to trap the stray cats, and we now have a 3rd stray (which needs to leave, as it fights with our barn cat). 

I'm also updating my "Christmas" binder.  I'm writing down items to buy early for the holiday.  This year I noticed organic cream cheese sold out very early.


As I look around the house . . .
I'm writing a "home" wish list.  Sounds like I have too many "lists" going on, but I want to update some things in the house for next year.  Like a new ceiling fan for one.  Those may even be in clearance right now.  Just thinking ahead, pre-planning and shopping out of season could save us some cash.  The kitchen needs cleaned up.  Daughter did the dishes, but they need put away, and there is much to put back in their "homes."


On the to-do list . . .
-laundry
-clean master bathroom
-vacuum carpets
-sweep/mop kitchen
-clean entire kitchen, put things away
-possible trip to the "Big City"  - all depends if one of the girls comes over for a visit.



On this week's to-do list . . .
-purge 3 items from the garage (so I stay on track)
-purge/organize bedroom closet (almost done)

-take whatever I purge and donate to the thrift store (the kids have been told to come get their stuff, and if they didn't - it all goes.  I'm not a storage unit, and sadly they have not come to fetch their "stuff" in my garage). I'm also getting rid of an antique typewriter.  I bought it years ago to go in my "writing" room, but it's a dust collector.  I have no idea what I was thinking.  I'l replace it with a houseplant.

-trip to the library for pick ups and returns

On the menu . . .

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans

Chicken noodle soup

Sweet potato Chili

Currently reading . . .
Craft books from the library (to finish off UFO's)

On the TV this week . . .

Oh my, a lot.  Maybe too much.  We purchased a gizmo, sort of like a fire stick, but not.  A family friend set us up, and now we get all sorts of channels.  

What I am creating . . .

A newborn baby blanket - using up some yarn stash.  When it's finished I'm tackling this project:

I started making them for gifts in December of 2014 (gulp).  I put them in a shoe box and it was labeled (Our Tree).  I always put one of any new ornament in a box for our own tree, but this box contained not only unfinished ornaments, but a half finished crocheted bookmark too  (double gulp).  

Oh man, I'm so glad I'm getting the closet organized.  The ornament in the photo went onto our tree, but there are a few to finish and this year, I have a correctly labeled box. It'll contain only finished gift items.  By the way, the "how to" on this ornament is on my S.C.R.A.P. blogspot.  I found the embroidery pattern in a library book, hunted down the embroidery paper and used scrap fabric for the yo-yo's.

Now that I think about it.  You could use wine corks to make a similar ornament (note to self - write it down, and do NOT start another project).


Favorite photo from the camera . . .

A new coffee mug, gifted to me by my 20 year-old daughter.  It came in a gift bag with a camper on it too.   Just love it!

This was the first time to see this type of cloud.  First the news called it a "stretch cloud" but later called it a "roll" cloud.  It's a sign that the next storm would be worse, and they were right.  The photos were taken in front of our house Sunday evening.  That cloud stretched for miles.


Prayers . . .
Continued prayers for my mother.  She has her first appt. set up for early next year.   Prayers for my Dad, as he's not hearing very well, and some days refuses to put his hearing aids in. My good friend who recently lost her mother, and is now having to go through her mother's belongings to auction the house.  Us.  We always seem to have something get in the way of getting things done around here.  We need to remove one pellet stove and install a newer one (smaller) so we can turn off this expensive electric heat.  It was on the list Saturday, but football got in the way (rolling my eyes).

Filling up the Planner ~ UFO's

I dove in.  Again.  Although overwhelmed due to lack of space, I worked in my bedroom and closest all Friday.  If I didn't devote the entire day to get a good start, it wasn't going to happen.

Daughter was finally home all day, so I didn't have dog duty either.  When I came across something that required more work, I wrote it down and went back to focus on the re-organization/purge.  I can get so off track in that closet.  Like a bunch of bags with half finished projects.  

Oh my gosh, you would not believe (or you would if your yarn space is small and cluttered), how many UFO's I found.  Sigh.  I found a Christmas project I started several years ago and never finished it.  I'm writing them all down to get them out of the closet before the end of March.  

I found a book I bought for a Christmas present, and totally forgot about.  It was for our youngest daughter.  Sigh...hence the binder and writing down where it is, ha ha!

Our plans to celebrate our anniversary won't be happening today.  Rain is coming tonight, so we'll be cutting wood.  Looks like we'll be celebrating sometime in January depending on weather.

Christmas Shopping ~ Friday Finishes

Even though Hubby didn't want to exchange gifts, I took advantage of a 50% off sale and got him some joggers for the gym, a new pair of slippers with rubber soles (he wanted some to take the dog out), and half price snow boots.   He hasn't had a pair for a few years.  I got them half off and another $10 off that.  A very good deal.  I already gave him the snow boots.  All things he's needed, but never took the time to get himself.

Hubby asked me to write up a list of things to get me. I told him "I have no idea."  

Finished the double wrap infinity scarf.  It's ready for delivery.  She previously ordered the headband, and wanted a scarf to match.

Finished Hubby's hat.  Got it wrapped too.  He has no idea.  I've been working on it while he's at work.  Very warm too.

Garden ~ Trips Canceled ~ Update

The tomatoes are a complete and total loss this year.  Not really surprised with our weather struggles this year.  We may get 10 to pick to eat and that is it from the 50-some plants.  Not sure about jalapenos and green peppers yet.  Tomato plants will be getting yanked when someone can volunteer for me.  We've gotten some rain here and there, so I'm hoping for the peppers, carrots and beets yet.  Thankfully, we are to get rain mid-week (one more thing I don't have to ask someone to do).

We've had to cancel another camping trip (last weekend, weather would have been absolutely perfect too).  We've also canceled attending a bike fest we were going to (motorcycle event next weekend).  These cancellations were no surprise to us.  

Most importantly, you all want to know the update at the consultation with the surgeon, right?  

I was pretty anxious to get a plan in place, but squeamish about which way we'd go. I mean, my regular doctor was hinting about skin graphs earlier...and it's been a worry wart on my brain since then.  I was however happy to get in so quickly, because I am also the Queen of Gauze.  The rolled gauze is expensive and I have been going through it like crazy.

Okay, okay....here's what the surgeon said.

As of right now, no surgery.  Woohoo!  Thanks to modern technology.  I have to get a vascular sonogram this week (before the funeral), then once they determine the veins that need attention, they'll do an in-office procedure and I should be back on my feet after that.  Thank you for all your prayers.

I'll be back when I can, and most likely have more handiwork "finished" projects to share.  Hmpf.  I do hate sitting like this.  It's driving me insane. Good gravy, I'm gonna lose my mind until this is all over with, and then I'm probably be complaining of not enough handiwork time, ha ha!

In the meantime, I've ordered my garlic for fall planting, already have the grow bags to plant them in, and have broccoli seeds ordered to grow as sprouts for better healthy intake.  I've also been really good at making list for things I need to clean, make and stock up on.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good Morning Monday!

I'm joining up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Lots to do today.

We literally went "off grid" over the weekend. We stole away to the island and took two of the girls.  Oh my gosh they loved it. Their first time there.  There is no cell service there on most of the island and it's spotty in one area.   By the way, we have to go back since we didn't get our traditional margaritas this trip.  They now have a hippie store there, and the girls fell in love.  One came home with tye-dye crocs and pink heart shaped sunglasses, ha ha!

We got a flat tire on our golf cart, so we were sitting at an outside bar/restaurant. Oh darn, had to order a long island iced tea.

We got help, but had to wait about an hour.  In that time I got a text message.  Had we not gotten the flat tire, I would not have gotten the text that said if someone didn't pick him up on Friday (we had already left), that the person was taking him to the Humane Society that day).  Our daughter got someone to go get him via social media.

Guess what we picked up when we got home?  Yep.  Our youngest daughter now has her own dog.  His name is Romeo. He's a pitt-mix.  He is the most adorable puppy you could have too.  So loving.  By the way Romeo LOVES Jesse, but Jesse is scared of him, and avoids all contact, ha ha ha!  Oh my gosh, he tries to play with Jesse all the time.

Speaking of Jesse, thanks to our son, he now has steps that go up to our bed.  Poor ol' guy just can't jump up anymore.  He also has a step stool to get into our son's car when we need him to watch him. 

We came home to a fully mowed lawn, weed whacked and some of the trees cut down!  So, so, so thankful for that.  I'll be heading to the bank for some cash for our biker friend.  So thankful for the help.  His lack of presence was simply lack of communication.  He'll be back to finish the trees, but not until this heat wave ends.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no clue.  Daughter ate all the eggs but one, and didn't bring in any of the ones from the coop over the weekend (double grr).  Gonna hire someone else next time.


The weather outside . . .
Woke up to 67°F, high of 90 and a good chance of rain.  They are predicting a high of 113° later this week.  Yeah, not looking forward to that at all.  I will have to ice the chickens several times.


Right now I am . . . 
Procrastinating.


On my bedside table . . .
The same.  Never cleaned it off.


On my reading pile . . .

Movies I watched . . .
The Holy Grail, Indiana Jones - only thing we could get on the island, lol!


On the TV . . .
Whatever service we could get on the island.


On the menu . . .
Have no clue.  Just getting adjusted to being back out of our "island" mode.


On my to-do list . . .
Dishes
Laundry
Floors
Trash and clean out fridge
Pick radishes
Weed
Run to town for errands
Water everything
Go thru mail that came while gone
Order more beads for bracelets - got more orders
Clean up computer desk area
Take a trip unsupervised somewhere (oh yeah)



What I am creating . . . 

I spent a short bit of quiet time at the island, crocheting a kitchen hand towel.  I was an island hooker, ha ha!


Looking forward to . . .
Our first camping trip, and we are in the midst of planning our next island trip (most likely our last for the year).


Looking around the house . . .
It's a total mess.  We had our 21 year-old here while gone, and she didn't clean anything, not even the dishes (Grrr!).  I'm not happy with her right now.  She has been late getting her dog his meds and hasn't made effort to see her own dog. He may be staying.  We'll be seeing about that. If she is that busy, he deserves to be here with us.


From the camera  . . .
I didn't take my camera to the island, but I took my cell phone.  I'll be honest I didn't take many, and it was the most and best way to retreat - no connection, no service, just us and the peace and quiet and relaxation.


What I am wearing today . . .
My new silky summer robe that says "Wifey" on the back.  I finally replaced it. Summer PJ's and my Harley Davidison slippers.  I'm just not ready to start this day and I am finally, finally back on my normal sleep schedule.  No more 4am mornings.  Hubby is back on days and 8 hours.  Woohoo!


One of my simple pleasures . . .
Unsupervised shopping.  He he!


Praying . . .
No special requests right now