It's Beginning to look a Lot like Christmas

Well, Randy and Nicks birthdays have come and gone, they are 11and 15, oh how time does fly. Christmas cookies are almost finished, I made 22 kinds already, neighbors will be thrilled. My decorating inside and outside is finished, the shopping almost completed.  We are making hard tack candy and fudge Sunday at Jan's with all 5 boys, should be interesting. Next week I will just clean and have some time to sit and do nothing (Yeah!! Right!!)

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by, soon it will be time to go to Fl. and when we come home it will be almost spring.  Miss sitting on my deck but at these temps with the snow forgettaboutit.

November 1, What happened?

November 1, Wow!! What happened to the year? Got home from Fl. last Sunday, shoulda stayed, freezer broke on Thurs., furnace quit on Fri. and glue gun blew up on Sunday, hmmmmmmmm somebody trying to tell us something? Have been w/o furnace all weekend, supposedly furnace and freezer are getting fixed today. Made a trip to Calcutta with a bunch of stuff Sat. and am trying to get a ton more done in the next two weeks for the open house. But I'm scattered and I have to stop that, need to work on one thing and finish it. Got too many ideas rattling in my head.  Boys won football Fri. night 35 to 6, now to the playoffs. Anthony went to Penn State this weekend and loved it. Trick or Treat was Sat. night and we only had about half what we did last year, but wasn't disappointed cause Veronica and John brought David Robert and Dominic and I was sure glad to see them. They are coming to Rob's party on Sunday. Lots to do this week. Christmas is 55 days away, geez, I'm depressing myself, think I need a nap.

Yesterday was our Rob's 18th birthday, how did that happen? The years have flown by, just yesterday he was that little boy crying "I jus wanna be wif you", Jill would be so very proud as I'm sure she is watching over him. He has grown into such a wonderful young man despite losing his momma  at such an early age. We have tried to keep her memory alive. We are still in Fl. and starting home this weekend. Got my cupboards finished painted, scrubbed furniture, and new stove is in and shed is up, so now it's home to try and finish a bunch of stuff for the shop for Christmas. Started a lot, now just to hurry and get them done. Weather here is still hot and kind of looking forward to some cooler weather, I work much better when it's not so hot. Spoiled everyone here with brownies, stuffed pepper soup, cupcakes, pumpkin pie, and boston cream pie, so it's time to go home and spoil my peeps there. Going to have a BD party for Rob on Nov. 7.

Here we are sunny Florida

We made it to Fl. Sat. night, 15 hours straight and were we ever beat. Got here, golf cart a mildew mess, weeds like a forest, but two days later, and some elbow grease, and it is starting to look like we live here again.
Worked on kitchen for two days, with some great helpers, its pretty much ready for inspection next wk. will call inspector on Mon.
My new stove came today and I am right now painting behind it, what a filty mess that was, but it was probably never moved the whole time it was here.
Ordered new shed and it will come on Mon. Randy has been working to clean out the old one.
The weather here is just beautiful, 85 all the time and no rain, nice breeze. Have done no crafting just reading.  Other starting to come in, Patty on way today.
Well, it's back to painting so it can be done and move the stove where it belongs, not a lot of room to move around this place, when I go home I feel like I'm in a mansion.

Some of my machines

September 25

Yesterday was my baby sisters birthday, Lord, she was 58. Hope she had a nice one.
Just posted a picture of that Susan Jill Hall boot, this was in the process, just finished it today, and I antiqued it, looks great. Love that book, so I'm going to do a few more things. This summer I found that bunch of cupboard doors that are unfinished and routed on the edge, looks like a frame around a picture. So I'm doing a couple of those and I based two old wood ironing boards, probably won't get them done just yet, but it's a start.  Howland won last night 48 - 0, now that makes them 5 - 0, good for them. Got the garden cleaned off and a lot of the perinnials cut back, seems like they were just sprouting. Morning glories are about done, where did summer go. Nick got bit by a bee in his sock yesterday at gym and it swelled up pretty bad. Jan went to check on him and gave him some Benadryl so he marched last night. He was here for breakfast this morning (mickey d's of course) and it still was swollen and red, said it was starting to itch so that's good.  Rob got his first check on Wed. it was 2 pays cause they screwed up his withholding papers so he was happy. Steve called today and asked us over for Carole's birthday tomorrow, she will be tickled. Little Rand is in some tournaments for soccer today and his papa went. Guess I better get back to work, my horoscope said I could take a break today but not for too long so I can meet my goal. Don't believe in that stuff but amazing how on the money it is sometimes.

Friday Night Football

Howland won their game tonight, 16 - 0 against Canfield, that makes them 4 and 0. Great Job!! I listened on the radio and the announcer said Anthony was a Jr. and the other guy said I think he's the whole junior class. I'm so glad for the kids, they get so excited. Did some more painting tonight. Found Beaulas Basement book by Susan Jill Hall, wondered where it was, here I had it tucked inside a folder with her patterns. Just yesterday I was trying to close my wallet and looked in the inside pockets to see what was keeping it from closing and I found a fifty I didn't know I had. Hmmmmmm must be old age. Rob said he is going to Homecoming tomorrow night by himself, good for him. Hope Rick takes a nice picture.

Today is our boys day. We get Rob and Joe this afternoon. Julie asked me to make the extra six lbs. of spaghetti for the football team this afternoon, so I will do that and I have a tray of barbecue ribs in the oven.  Painted a little this morning, trying to get at least some things based before Fl. that gives me a head start when I come home cause it's hectic.  Last night was Joe's band night, Nick went with us and Joe did such a great job. His momma is surely proud of her Jojo.  Raining somewhat here today, supposed to be storms but as I look out now the sun is shining but that could be a bad thing.
Randy is at his moms and I did get one of the six books read, think I will start another today. 

Hump Day

Went to pick up pay check stopped at bank and came home. Ok, is that enough for today? Oh yea washed a load of clothes, now can I read? I need to make mega calls today for Cole Valley, want to be ahead by the time we leave here.  Looking forward to doing nothing but what I want, don't care if it's hot or not, I'll just stay inside. Taking my crochet back, didn't get any of it done here, too much other stuff to do, will just leave it there and work on it when we are down there. Tried to call Ritchie and Patty but no answer, talked to BF this morning, but had trouble w/ the connection, don't know if it's her phone or mine. Time will tell. Making some kind of chicken for supper, probably w/ mashed potatoes. Need to get pictures of my studio. (hehe)

Another Beautiful Fall Day

Today I think we will get our flu shots, Yuk~ Last night was a really nice evening for drum night, Nick made us proud.  Anthony was there and asked a girl to Homecoming and she accepted. He was sooo excited. On the news last night one sports reporter said he was the best Offensive Lineman in the state. Wow!! Don't care just want him to do what he loves. I finally cut out those curtains I have been wanting to make for the dining room, probably won't get them done before Christmas but it's a start. Working on some ice skates for Christmas and at least I can get them based before we leave for Kitzyland.  I'm excited cause I bought a new stove and it will be delivered when we get there.  I want to finish painting the cupboards and it will be fairly quiet so I might be able to get it done.

Wow, wonder if I can keep this up!

It's Monday and a beautiful fall day. Tonight is Night of Drums and must go watch Nicky D. hope to get some painting and sewing done today. Wednesday is Joey's Band Night at Mathews and plan on being there. Started some pork in crock pot yesterday but it didn't get done, will finish it today and maybe run to the store. Fall is in the air, crisp and sunny. Started a prim blog also and now have two to keep up, but would like to use that one for selling if I can figure all this out. Seems to be the way to go anymore. Have a bunch of tablecloths I need to put on eBay and a bit of vintage Christmas. Don't know whether to do it now or after I come home. Decisions, decisions.

The End of Summer 2010

Fall is in the air, can't believe summer is over, the porch has pumpkins and mums, and I've painted Halloween things for the shop. Where oh where did the time go. Yesterday was the anniversary of 9/11. Oh how many memories that day brings back, not good ones. Jill and Randy were preparing to go to Cleveland for her treatment and I was so afraid for them to travel. Worried what might happen. I remember seeing the plane that was diverted from Cleveland and eventually crashed in Shanksville, and wondered why it was up there when all air traffic had been stopped. Those poor courageous people who gave their lives by crashing in a field. All my worries that day and little did we know our greatest fear would come true a few months later losing Jill to her battle with Liposarcoma. Nine years, unbelievable, time has helped but our lives will never be the same. One day at a time is all we can do. Boys are growing, Rob will graduate in the spring, Joe is 14. Jill must be so very proud, just as we are.

Catching up

It's been way too long since I posted, but life has a way of keeping us busy can't believe it's been since last Sept. , went to Fl. for Biketoberfest, got through Christmas and went back to Fl. for six weeks for Bike Week, all were successful and lots of work.
Now back to crafting, spring is here, Easter is over, and so much yard work to be done. Got 40 bags of mulch yesterday, already did rocks around back to keep Ranjr from eating mulch. Jill's garden is beginning to grow and it's time to transplant some things.
I am making signs for the shop and also doing quite a bit of Americana.
Anthony has his license and a job at the Buffet. Rob has a permit and is practicing.
Randy's mom broke her femur last fall and is home doing good, my mother passed away in Dec. just before Christmas and my poor Carole has been diagnosed with a mild form of lymphoma.
Jan is busy working at her medical transcriptionist job home and at the office and boys doing well.
We had a lovely Easter and Mom was able to be here, she seemed to enjoy herself.
I am posting a picture of my lovely perfect coconut cream pie that I made for Easter along with much too much more food.