SU SALEBRATION!!

Just a little reminder if order $50 worth of products from the 08 Spring/Summer catalog, you will receive a FREE set or FREE rub-ons from the SALEBRATION brochure.
HURRY!!!
The Salebration is over 3/17.
Click the ::HERE:: to view....search the links to find the online catalog.
Email me your order ASAP!

A New Earth

I've been hearing Oprah talk about this book thing she's doing, so, I ordered the book last week. Dang! I can't believe it took Walmart.com so long to deliver! It took one whole week....impatient or what?
I ran to the Post Office before they closed this afternoon and it was there, thank goodness. I wanted to read the first chapter before the webinar started this evening. *What a joke! I finally turned it off, it kept cutting out so much, I hope I can get to watch it online tomorrow.* I sat outside, in the last remnants of the warm sunshine of the day, with a glass of wine, some chocolates and read the first chapter. WOW!!!! I felt blown away within the first 2-3 pages! What a great concept! That whole flower and stone/precious metal and bird thing got me good! I am at a place in my life *it sucks* where I am searching for the happiness and meaning of my life. I believe in God and pray and have faith, but, I know I'm missing something.....I hope this book helps me to understand more.

Well, I am really surprised at how my Dad's death has hit me. I find myself in tears often. I think of things all the time, that I wish I would have asked him. I get mad at him, I get mad at myself and I cry.... Most of my thoughts are good ones, tho. There is just soooo much 'stuff' going on in my world right now. I think I'm having a hard time maintaining on any level, these days. I feel pretty close to losing it...ALOT. I'm hoping that the words in the book will help me to see what the hell it is I'm here to do. I can't believe at this stage in my life that I am so confused. I hate it! Is it menopause? Is it what happens when we get older? Or, is it just ME? I know I've been on a horrendous level of stress for the past 5 years.....HORRIBLE!!! I think it's getting to me.

I guess I better get my shower and crochet for a bit before I go to bed. I may re-read the first chapter again, too. I'm pretty tired tonight, tho, so, I might not do anything but crash!

count your blessings...

*sigh*

I'm back...been back since Tuesday evening, just haven't felt like writing this all out. I'm going to bring this up to date, but, first, I want to say thank you to all of you that have responded to me, extending your thoughts and prayers. I so appreciate that!!!

Mom wanted to know if I wanted to view Dad's body on Friday, with her and my two younger brothers. I didn't. I wanted to remember Dad from the nice visit we all had in October. He hadn't been showering or shaving and I chose not to go get in the way when he was sick. It's a good thing I chose to stay home that day, because I ended up calling the Red Cross to a request through to the Air Force, that I wanted my son home for this funeral....and finally, at the last minute on Friday, they granted his leave. Then, I found a flight for him and got to save $73 for military discount...thank you US Airways!
I got to Moms about 5 p.m. Saturday, not knowing what I was going to get into since, we've had a family 'mess' for the past 3 or 4 years. It turned out to be just my mom and 2 brothers all evening. And, it turned out alright.
Sunday, was a real busy day. I took mom to the grocery store early, to get stuff for a huge batch of green chili we made that afternoon, for our supper and for the potluck the next evening. I ended up getting enough flowers for 3 arragements, since no flower shop in town to speak of and it wasn't even open. I did a white daisy and daffodil one from the Grandkids, a red rose and white lily one from us kids and a peach rose with mixed oranges and purples from mom. (I am so glad I did them, because there were few flowers or plants. Mom had requested donations to Hospice and she also received alot of checks from people.)
I took her out to the cemetary to see how the boys had weeded and cleaned the family plots where my younger brother, a great uncle and my maternal grandparents are, so, she knew it would look nice for the burial service the next day.
Later that afternoon, her brother from El Paso got there, as well as my sister-in-law and 2 kids. Bishop had left home for Phoenix that morning, to get Jeffrey at the airport and they arrived about 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, we were busy again, getting the photo collages all ready, as well as breakfast and a light sandwich lunch. The service was at 2 at the mortuary, but, we went before noon to drop off the flowers. When I went into the seating area, I almost lost it when I saw the urn for Dad....it was real to me, at that point. I'm glad the mortician's wife grabbed the flowers from me.
When we came back for the service, the room was packed! The Hospice pastor did a great job speaking, then, he had people that wanted to, stand up and share a memory or anything about Dad. When that was over, my oldest younger brother read a paper of thoughts/rememberances of Dad...his wit kept it upbeat. I think the whole place lost it though, when our youngest son, Jeffrey, who was dressed in his Air Force dress blues, was called to the front where he was handed the folded US flag that he walked over and presented to his Grandma.....it tears me up everything I remember....it was a very sweet, special moment to remember always.
We had a short service at the cemetary and then, we all met up at the CattleRest just outside of town. It's a small bar, that friends of my mom and dads own. The parking lot was so full, I thought they had something going on inside, but, it was all for Dad....
It was a great turnout and just a special time. Mom did very well through it all. She was so afraid of making a mess of herself, but, she handled it all well. We all got home about 6:30/7 p.m. and just spent the evening all together at home. It was all good.
Tuesday, everyone left sporadically. My oldest younger brother, had just moved back to town in December and was staying with them until he could get a house bought...it's a blessing that he never bought a house yet.
Jeffrey and I left arounc 12:30. I took him to Phoenix to meet up with his buddy, where he would spend the night with him and then, get to the airport the next day. It sucked! I always hate saying goodbye and I was a weepy mess, and you know how hard it is to keep it bottled up... I do not drive in Phoenix EVER and I was worried sick about that, too! And, rush hour at that! He is so impatient with me sometimes (I hope it's just his age) and that wasn't helping at all. We parted about 4:30. Do you know how crappy it was crying my eyes out and 'trying' to drive in rush hour traffic? UGH I got in the wrong lane twice and it took about 45 minutes to finally get to the edge of town, where I could finally breath! 16 lanes of traffic sucks!!! I finally got home about 8:30 p.m.
I will post some pics and say goodbye...

































count your blessings...

.....dad passed away today

How do you say it? There's no nice way of putting it.
We knew it was coming and he was ready to go. He'd pretty much 'quit' many years ago.
He'd been sick since about the first of the year...that anyone knew about or that he let on about. He was adamantly against any doctoring, so, he was at home the whole time. Mom finally took his keys away the first of the week and cajoled him into going for a ride....and took him up to the dr. office. A friend of my moms and my mom went to see if the doctor made house visits, and a CNP came out and talked to dad and took his non-existant oxygen level with the finger thingy....evidentally she could tell he was sick enough that that little 'visit' in the parking lot was enough to be able to get hospice involved.
They started coming in Wednesday and surprisingly Dad was very co-operative with them. Yesterday, she bathed and shaved him and clipped his toenails, and changed his bedsheets. She told mom he was getting 'markings' meaning he was showing signs of his body shutting down. They had gotten him on oxygen Tuesday or Wednesday, but, it wasn't staying in with his sleeping positions.
Mom checked on him this morning at 8 a.m. and he had tried to get up to go potty and just couldn't. His feet were on the floor, but, he just flopped back onto the bed. She called the hospice ladies right away and one of them was there within 5 minutes. The last thing he said to mom was 'I won't be here much longer'...he slipped away about 11 a.m., peacefully, in no pain and he had been in control of his own situation. So, there are blessings there.....
Now, to get through the rest of it...
I ask for your prayers.

count your blessings...

a day for emotions

Another week has flown by! Amazing! I will start by saying that today is/was my Grammas birthday. I never forget it. I'm pretty good with stuff like that, but, I don't remember all the older relatives birthdays, 'cept Grammas...
My maternal Grandmother, her name was Hazel Mae. (That's my Grandpa with her here. They had a real story to tell about their getting together.)I have great memories of her and think she is the kind of Grandma you are supposed to have. My paternal Grandma was pretty old and not in good health, I don't recall much of her, and I find that really sad. My Gramma has given me a role I would like to follow, as far as how she was with me. We moved to Arizona, where she lived, when I was 12. We used to come to Arizona once if not twice a year to visit until we finally moved here. So, most of my memories are of when I was older. I loved to spend the night at my grandparents house. It was always a treat to get away from the turmoil of a house with 3 younger brothers. I loved sleeping in the extra bedroom (they were the first in town to buy a triple-wide trailer) and I LOVED feeling spoiled in the morning, when I got to have toast with REAL butter *well, from the store..but, it wasn't O L E O !!! LOL* I used to go clean for her---a ploy, I'm sure---and she would always give me $20!!! That was ALOT of money to me back then! When my cousins, that lived about 30 miles away (or the rest of the family from Iowa that came at least once a year) came to town, the trailer was huge enough for ALL OF US!! My girl cousins and I would have a sleepover and we played Canasta for HOURS! Good memories.....they are so nice to have, since, I really don't have a ton of them.
~~~I had a fun day Friday. I got to babysit our local scrapbook store from 1-5 for store credit! WOO HOO!!! The owners are out-of-town for a big industry show until the 15th, so, I'll also work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! The kicker on this, is this store is in my old flower shop building! LOL What memories there, altho, they've redone the whole place.
~~~On a really sad note, the week ended pretty crappy. I got a call from my mom yesterday about my dad. He's basically on his deathbed, pretty much willing himself to die. He's been relatively healthy and active for an 80 year old. He did sort of turned things off about 20 years ago when he 'retired', when they closed the El Taco...our family owned version of the beginning franchise that eventually became Taco Bell...after 20 years of owning/running that. He had a good friend that passed away not long after that and he was just 'ready' all these years....it's so sad, really. Anyway, about 3 weeks ago, he started not doing his usual daily routine of 'checking in at the office' 2, 3, 4 or 5 times a day for his one glass of beer. Not showering or shaving. He was getting weak and not himself...other than being ornery and stubborn enough to not go to a doctor. Anyway, mom told me dad has been in the bed since Thursday, not eating, not drinking and even getting sick in the bed. He is barely able to get up for the bathroom, but, tells her he is just pooped, when she asks him about getting up and about. Being a smoker for a L O N G time, she thinks he probably needs oxygen among other things
I would have liked for him to go to the doctor and just see what they do have to say...he's probably expecting the worst, anyway. But, if he knew what it is, then, he could decide to take medicine or not. (He doesn't take any kind of medicine at all and hasn't been to a dr. since 1991. He did have a scare with tongue cancer in the 80's.) He's already signed all papers that are needed with his signatures for DO NOT RESUSCITATE, etc.
What are you supposed to do with a person that just wants to die?
I had a bad night, last night, thinking all kinds of things, including that they were 'killing' him *my oldest younger brother moved in with them after the first of the year when he moved back from Boise---a blessing the deal on his house fell through, so, he is there with them for right now.
I talked to Dad about 10 days ago and he sounded pretty good, just dad. I've thought about going down to see him/them, but, with all that was going on, even then, I decided I wanted to remember him in a good way, and, I didn't want to 'get in the way'. Things are not 'good' with my two brothers and I. This impending funeral is going to be a mess, I just know it.
So, I've been on pins and needles all day waiting for that dreaded phone call. I will call in the morning, when my brother is at work, and just play it by ear.
anyway...

This is what I do when I'm stressed, so, I guess you could say I am stressed....
















count your blessings...

SNOW BABY SNOW!!

WooHoo! We got 8+ inches of snow today!!! I am lovin' it! The picture was taken before noon, but, it snowed til about 4:30. Snow just makes me happy! Growing up in Iowa, I've always loved it.
Hubby and I went to Show Low to get a couple of faucets we needed to replace, on Saturday. We went 'over the mountain' *elevation 9210*, and we were surprised to see so much snow! I don't think we've ever seen so much snow piled that high along the highway, and we've lived here for over 18 years. It was almost as high as my van in a couple areas...it looked like a couple of feet on the ground. LOVE IT! I just kept thinking how nice it's going to be for picinking in the spring.....it will be so green and the streams and creeks will all be running.

As far as the MONEY DIET goes....the faucets were an exempt expenditure. We did stop at Walmart for gas and groceries that I had already had a list for the next trip to Walmart. And, we did stop at my favorite Mexican food restaurant for dinner. We hadn't ate out since we were at the trailer in Safford, for Thanksgiving. I did buy milk Sunday, 2 for $4. So, I'm doing alright, no worries.

Sunday, I watched the commercial show....lol....the Super Bowl. I don't watch football, but, once a year I like to watch the SB. It was a good game, I'll admit. LOVED the commercials...my favorite was the Planters nut, Tide talking stain, Pepsi Max, E-trade baby and of course, the training Clydesdale. You can go to ::HERE:: to watch all the commercials.

I am going to cut this short so I can get a couple snowflakes done for 'Snowflake Monday', before I hit the sack.

count your blessings.....

Money Diet.....

Ok, I've been contemplating this for awhile. I've read on others blogs about them doing it, so, I decided to try it, too.
As I clean and such around the house, I see I have wasted ALOT of money *thank God hubby doesn't read blogs* ALOT on stuff I/we don't really need. The older I get, the more I am becoming aware of the fact, that when I am gone, no one is gonna give a crap about my/our 'stuff'. So, I have been making a major effort for about the past year of not buying on a whim, like I usually do. Alot of times, I will stand with the item in my hands or basket, considering if I want or NEED it. Sometimes, I will even go around the store with it 'in my possession' like I DO own it. Then, when I've made the final want/need decision, I either take it back or buy it. More and more, I'm finding I just put it back immediately. It has gotten easier and easier to walk away and I do feel better about it all.
SO.....this month, I am going to REALLY bite the bullet and NOT BUY. I will buy an occasional few groceries like produce, bread and milk, but, no sale shopping or unnecessary 'stuff'. I do have a few things I am already committed to, but, overall NO SPENDING other than normal bills. I'll see how it goes. This will really be a new concept for me.
Today, I spent -0-. I did go to the store, but, I put back what I had in my hand. One 75¢ bag of chocolate chips. I 'really' don't need more and they wouldn't take a coupon for it anyway, because it was a store 'thing'. (Oh, I remembered I did stop by the scrap store and picked up an order I had already placed and didn't get it in January. I don't consider that a February expenditure, tho.)
....wish me luck! I'm gonna need it.

Catch Up

I've been missing again......I just can't believe how fast the week flew by! I had every intention of posting..even taking pics, but, I am so tired after supper, that I just read a few emails and shut the puter off.....last night I was in bed before 10 and slept soundly all night....without a midnight potty run even....until 8:15. I didn't hear hubby come to bed or get up this morning.

Anyway, here's some pics from the week.....
Beautiful, red tulips! They splayed open and looked like daisies or something. I will plant the bulbs in my front flower bed.
My hyacinths!!! OH, how wonderful they smell! And, I love to see how fast they grow! ...more bulbs for the flower bed, too!
I finished another afghan. I just LOVE this pattern, it's so quick and easy. I like the no-brainer, repetious type of patterns, so, I can do them without looking at a pattern all the time. I have enough of this same yarn to do another one, but, I'm holding off on that for a bit. I want to start a rose square one next. In the meantime, I'm doing some little doilies with some #30 crochet thread, which is about like sewing thread. They turn out so cute and delicate. I like to give them away and send alot in the mail, too. I also found a fun thing online...Snowflake Monday. So, on Mondays, I'll be making 2 or 3 snowflakes, so, at the holiday season, I'll have lots of them ready to give.
Tuesday, I picked up my window advertisement....you can't see how cute the lips are in this pic. I'll have to take another one to show up better. Don't mind my dirty van, I knew the storm was coming and there would be no sense in washing it. *Notice my red, white and blue license plate. I bought that at the MVD. I love it! AND, now that I think of it, I haven't seen another one like it yet!
Wednesday, we got SNOW! I was beginning to get bummed out, thinking the snow missed us again. But, about 12:30, it started snowing hard and sticking. We ended up with about 5" on the ground. I had Avon to deliver, so, I did until the roads got TOO bad. Yucky, slick, and scary, plus, it was like a whiteout, all snowy and foggy. So, I came home and made some YUMMY Cinnamon Rolls....DE-licious!!! I have only made homemade cinnamon rolls twice before, so, I was really proud of these! I don't think I'll wait so long to make them again. I've been baking and cooking alot since hubby came home. I am loving it!

Yesterday, when I went to Safeway, they had Nestle's Chocolate Chip bags marked down to 75¢, so, picked up 8 bags of them....I couldn't pass that bargain up. Today, I made chocolate chip cookies. They were delicious AND soft...when they were warm! #1 son got one out of the cookie jar an hour after I had made them and said they were hard as a rock!!!! CRAP!!!! Please someone, send me a recipe for SOFT chocolate chip cookies!!! I thought these would be great! They were a new recipe from the Blue Bonnet margarine box, they stayed nice and puffy, so, I thought they would be soft, but, nope...they are dunkers for sure!
I have another post to share, but, for now I'll leave my
TIP OF THE DAY
When cutting cinnamon rolls into slices to bake, use dental floss. Slide it underneath and pull it though. Clean as a whistle! Using a knife to slice the dough will cause it to squish and flatten the slice.
count your blessings...

the listening man

You'll love this lil video.....I promise! It made me smile first thing this morning...

The Listening Man

MoonPie, anyone?

A blast from the past! OK, so, when was the last time YOU had one? LOL I think it's been a year or better since I last had one. They are definitely not my favorite......I'd prefer a Suzy Q or Ding Dong for a sugar treat along that line.
I've been trying to use up lots of the food stuff from hubby's trailer. The MoonPies were something for hubbys lunches. Yuck!

Holy Moly! It's been C-O-L-D here! *grin* Ya know I am lovin' it, too! When I got up BEFORE the crack of dawn, it was 3°. Thank goodness hubby threw a nice piece of oak in the woodstove before he went to bed last night. Lots of nice coals for me to get the fire going again. mmmmmmmmm I LOVE wood heat!

I've been sleeping like crap the past couple nights again. UGH I had been having some 'good' sleep nights and thought maybe the worst was behind me, but, they are baaaack.... I've been in bed around 11:00, the past 2 nights, and WIDE awake at 4:30-ish. My body starts aching around noon.....ha! Old age was NOT supposed to get ME!

I made a huge crockpot full of soup for supper. Mmmmmm, and nice and warm in the tummy! I pulled some sliced ham out of the freezer the other day and put in a pot of navy beans, with onions, celery and carrots bits. Not bad. I made cornbread to go with it. And, we had some leftover dessert from last night. I made a Jiffy mix of lemon/cream cheese cake, from the recipe on the side of the box. I just love those lil Jiffy mixes....of ANYthing.

I just put up a music Playlist....the songs are quite a mix, eh? I love all kinds of music...just be glad I didn't find any Zamfir music! ROFL.....I do have a CD of Zamfir music...it's my 'most embarrassing CD. LOL

Hubby got a call last night to be to work Monday, instead of Tuesday. Is it mean to say WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!? LOL I'm just ready to have my 'space' back! After him not being here for so long, it's been a bit of an adjustment. hehehe #1 son should be going to work soon, too. Thank GOD!

Welp, time for me to get my shower and find my spot on the loveseat with my laptop, so, I can go blog-hoppin'. I don't have a tip of the day (well, I do, but, I'm saving it! phfft) but, I found this neat quote yesterday. I sent it to both of my boys, too.

"Winners make things happen...
Losers let things happen..."

count your blessings...

Tomorrow is TULIP DAY!

And, lookie what I got! It's a gift from ::Ela::! Oh my! She's so sweet to me! You have to go see her website. She does some awesome knitting projects, too!

Whew! I was MIA for a few days...Always something going on! Found out my dad's not doing too good. Almost 81, peeing blood, and wanting no part of doctoring. What do ya do? He's been 'ready' to go for a long time, tho....*sigh*

Hubby and I left Friday afternoon, and we brought the big trailer (32 foot) home Saturday. What a day! We finally got home after 10:30. Hubby had a scary incident, when he hit a patch of ice in the road and the truck AND trailer started fish-tailing...luckily he was able to get it under control and straightened out. Thank GOD, I was far enough behind him in the Honda Civic, that I didn't see any of it! I did notice him hit the brakes, as I was rounding a corner *very curvy mountain road*, and then, I saw his wet tire tracks on the wrong side of the road. I figured something was amiss; then, he called me on the cell and asked me if I'd seen that? WHEW I was more worried about elk running out in front of him....they are SO BAD along that road. ~~ Lots of snow, too....some places had close to 3 feet, looked like. I LOVE that! Maybe I can talk hubby into taking me for a drive, so, we can play in the snow a bit! I LOVE SNOW!!!

Got some good news today! Hubby will be starting a new job here at home, next Tuesday! He'll have about a 30+ minute drive to the jobsite, which isn't too bad. We won't know how to act with him home for a change! Hopefully, this job will last for at least a year or more. They are doing some expansion work on two seperate power plants here. 5/10's for now and 6/10's just around the corner.

Don't forget tomorrow is TULIP DAY!!! I plan on getting me some pink ones at the store. We have to go to the bank in Show Low tomorrow for a new home equity line paperwork signing. Hopefully, Walmart will have some. Then, maybe I can talk hubby into a nice sitdown dinner somewhere. I've always wanted to try the Japanese steakhouse there, we'll see.

count your blessings...

This'll make ya smile!!!

::SMILE::
Please leave a comment!

Would you????

Own one of these???
The Tata Nano car....$2500, 54 mph, Indian made....
Too bad the American technology won't let lose on a version of this....perfect for city people ..... and AVON ladies! LOL

Now this was a surprise!

I was cleaning out some of my kitchen cupboards, this morning. I only did the bottom half of the upper ones. LOL I didn't want to wear myself out, ya know~~HA! I found 5 packs of yeast, hmmmm, expiration date 07/04, hmmmmm, wonder if it's any good? Hmmmmm, maybe I'll make this here recipe on the back of the package, to see if they will ALL be good. WELL, butter my biscuits, if they didn't turn out! I was really surprised! They didn't seem to be raising right, but, they sure ended up doing their thing! They turned out to be the best yeast rolls I've ever made! LOL Thank goodness, too, because the double batch made 24 perfect rolls! I think I'll try making some cinnamon rolls with some of the other packs.
I also found a couple packages of Fudge Pie mix. ROFL Let me see.....these I KNOW are from 1999! When we moved my flower shop (dang! I miss that thing!), I started making fudge, and I had ordered these packs to sell, too....I think I sold ONE in 3 1/2 years. They are wrapped in a heavy plastic, with no signs of bug holes, so, I figured they would be OK. mmmmmm, CHOCOLATEY!!! *I think I've got a box of them stored in the garage, too!*
hmmmmm, I know I've got some REALLY old raisins in my breadbox, too! hehehe, those will be my next experiment! ROFL Actually, I know old raisins are OK, you just 'plump' 'em in hot water....there must be a technical cooking term for that, but, I don't know it! LOL

Not much going on around here, at the moment. Thank God! My stress level doesn't even handle 'normal' day to day stuff, anymore. Seems like the least lil 'upset' and I'm heading to the drawer with the valerian root! But, that's ok, I don't like the alternative.
It's been cold enough for the snow to still be on the ground, but, I think it will be gone by tomorrow and the weather man says, thanks to El Nina, it's gonna be warm and dry....drats! But, all is not lost! It ain't over, til JUNE! We've had 14 inches of snow in May, before. And, freezing weather til mid-June. Oldtimers, say it's even snowed on the 4th of July here before.

I posted some more of my finished craft pictures in the slideshow. Enjoy!

I'm really excited! I'm FAMOUS! LOL, well, kinda sorta...at least I'll see my name in print! As some of you may have seen on TV, Suze Orman has partnered with AVON, to share her money expertise with us! I am VERRY happy about that! Well, I had sent an email asking her a question. This evening, I got a reply from her people, that my question was going to be used on AVON's website. They just wanted my approval/release! LOL gee....is that my moment of fame? I think I still have 14 minutes left!

I need to work on my AVON order, so, I'll leave you with the....
TIP OF THE DAY
Don't throw out those old bananas! Throw them in the freezer...peel and all! When thawed out (just throw them in the sink to thaw), they make the best Banana Bread! Or ::Banana Oatmeal Cookies::, which are great for breakfast...but, for mommies only! LOL

count your blessings...

It finally got here!

LOL...we DID get some snow! Not alot, but, the mountains around us did---FEET of snow, so, that's just as good. We got about 4 inches that stuck on the ground. It was a really WET snow, so, it was pretty beneficial. Thank goodness, hubby got the new gravel laid out in the driveway last week. We won't have as much mud this time

WHAT'S FOR SUPPER AT YOUR HOUSE?
--background...I started this yahoo group several years ago. Go here to read the beginnings of it.
I think I'll start posting it here on TUESDAYS, too.
We'll be having:

BBQ Ribeye steak
Baked Potato (or twice baked, haven't decided)
Bush's Baked Beans
Garlic Toast
Iced Tea with Lemon slice
Leftover Lemon Meringue Pie

I'm heading out the door for some AVON deliveries and errands, but, before I go, here's my....
TIP OF THE DAY
Short on workspace in your kitchen?
Try laying a cookie sheet over an open drawer....
for more work area instantly!

count your blessings...

mmmmmmmmm

Supper time!
Green Chile Quiche and Lemon Meringue Pie.
One of Jeffrey's favorite pies. I make it from the Jell-O box. And, here's my quiche recipe for ya:

Green Chile Quiche
3 Eggs
1 1/2 C. shredded cheese
1 1/2 C. milk
1 small can of chopped green chiles (or you could use aspargus or broccoli)
3 slices bacon--cooked and crumbled (optional)
salt/pepper
mace sprinkled on top (optional)

Pour into a pie shell *I cheat and use Jiffy--50¢ a box at Walmart and they turn out PERFECT everytime!*
Bake at 375° for 1/2 an hour or til it's not runny looking. Don't let your piecrust burn....keep turning it while it's in the oven.
Let it set on the counter for 1/2 an hour to 'set'.
I serve it with fresh veggies. Yummy and I think I could eat the whole thing myself! LOL

STILL no snow. I guess I'll quit worrying about it. *sigh*
Gonna start making weekly menus, since, hubby is home--hopefully, for awhile! I have canned goods and things in my freezer that REALLY need to be used up, so, hopefully, I can use them up before they get too old. I have started writing the date on stuff with a marker, before I put it in my cupboard, in the laundry room. That way, I can see what needs to be used first.
Oh, yeah....I am kinda/sorta off strike---but, don't say anything! LOL

One of my yahoo groups, Bellaholics Anonymous, has been sharing pictures of their craft rooms. So, I spent 1/2 an hour in mine this afternoon....it's all I could stand! LOL The goal is 1/2 hour a day....if it works out and is longer, that's a good thing! I think I might start putting things up for sale. I've seen some people do it on their blogs and I might try that. Might be fun.

Guess I'll see if there's anything on tv. Altho, for about the past week, I've been reading the archives of The Pioneer Woman, every night! I just love reading her blog!
Stay warm and toasty!

still waiting......

Well, I got all excited around 9:30 this morning.....it looked like the snow was just over the mountain...then, it started raining. No snow yet, maybe just rain? Dunno. Our weather is always a surprise! LOL

I'll be back later on, but, here's a tip.

TIP OF THE DAY
There's nothing worse than smelling onions on your hands, especially all night! EWWW
So, what I do when I'm cutting up onions, is when I am washing my hands, I grab the faucet with my wet hands and rub. The chemical reaction is instant! No more onion smell on hands!

count your blessings.......

Ok.....who's got all my snow???

Still patiently waiting for the snow.....looks like 'someone' has it all in Maine...LOL Or possibly, California......I better have some within 24 hours, or it's gonna get ugly! HA!

WATCH THIS!!!!

I took an nasty fall---right into the dishwasher, thankfully, it was closed---last night, when my knee went out on me....this is getting ridiculous! Then, 5 minutes later, it did it again. Thankfully, I had a doorframe to grab for! I've got it pinned down, tho. Now, I can kinda 'tell' when it's coming. Looks like I'll have to start counting how many steps I have between these stupid knee give-outs. I had been taking some Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM with Joint Lubicrant and thought it was feeling and doing much better...better think again.

I sat in my favoritest spot, the loveseat, and watched "Flags of Our Fathers" on HBO last night. OHMYGOSH! I watched, I hid my eyes, I cried, I got pissed! I can NOT believe how that all happened! grrrrrr I had no idea that was the story behind the raising of that flag on Iwo Jima. I hated history (and math, and science----ENGLISH, I aced!) during high school. I sure wish I would have paid more attention back then. I guess at least now, I can learn and fully appreciate more of our history in my old age. hmmpf When I was out delivering AVON today, one of my ladies gave me a 2-part VHS video on WWII of hers to watch. I think I will!

I LOVEY my AVON 'ladies'!!! Sometimes, it's a drag---just my attitude, I know---driving around on my deliveries. But, this lady today...the one that gave me the movies to borrow...was SO appreciative of my visit with her! It must blessed my heart to hear her voice that to me. After thinking about it for awhile, as I drove off from her place, I realized that the majority of my customers feel that way. I give good customer service, which makes me pull my hair out sometimes, but, I know why, now... they like me! They REALLY like me~ HA~! I take alot of time visiting with most of them. I love to hear peoples 'stories' of life and such. I think some of these wonderful ladies just need to talk to someone once in awhile. And, I like to drop them lil goodies in their bags occassionally. *sigh* I love my 'job'!

Not much going on around here. But, I kinda like it that way. Got supper in the oven.....frozen chicken Cordon Bleu, Green Gian Veggie Medley, grilled sourdough bread, cottage cheese and baby carrots. Got enough for me on a Saturday night.....how 'bout you?
What's for supper at YOUR house????

TIP FOR THE DAY
When I clean the glass door on my woodstove, when it's cooled off some, I use a moist paper towel dipped in the ashes in the stove. Cleans the glass lickety-split! Gotta love those beautiful dancing flames!

...count your blessings

mmmmmm.....

Dough-Nuts! Not too bad....I think it's been about a year since the last time I made them....guess we're good for another year! LOL

waiting for the snow!

Weatherman is saying we could be getting SNOW, Thursday til Sunday. Possibly up to a FOOT of the stuff over 6000 feet....that's us! YEAH RIGHT! I'll believe it when I see it! We usually get opposite what the weatherman says! I want his job! I can tell ya what the weather is gonna do.....I go outside and look, and now, the past couple of years, my knee is a good weather forecaster, too! LOL We usually get the 'surprise effect' here. But, that's ok, too, just as long as I get some of that white stuff....ours is all but gone...only in the shaded spots now.

I've been on 'strike' the past 3 weeks or so...don't ask...but, I'm tired of depriving MYSELF! LOL Guess I will get up and make me some of those chef-favorite breakfast rolls! LOL Canned Biscuit Donuts! I thought about putting together some Monkey Bread last night, but, I was still on strike. Do ya want my Monkey Bread recipe?

MONKEY BREAD
4 cans Refrigerated Biscuits
1 C. Sugar
2 T. Cinnamon
1/2 C. Margarine
3/4 C. Brown Sugar
1 C. Chopped Nuts

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray Bundt Pan with oil or wipe down with Crisco.
Sprinkle part of the nuts in the bottom of pan.
Mix sugar and cinnamon together in low, shallow bowl. Cut or pull apart each individual biscuit into 4 pieces. Drop the dough several pieces at a time into the cinnamon/sugar mixture to coat well. Place into bundt pan as you go, adding nuts here and there.
When complete, sprinkle top with a few more of the nuts.
---At this point, you can refrigerate the pan over night.---
Melt margarine slowly and add brown sugar. Pour over biscuits. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, let set a few minutes, then invert onto plate.

I haven't left the house for 2 days, so, I guess I will go deliver some AVON and do 'stuff' today. I've been toying with the idea of getting a 'real' job --slap my face--! For the insurance.....and, it sucks! I've also thought about going back into business, just to get rid of all my STUFF!!! *I could have my flower shop open in 2 weeks or less, with all the inventory I still have in the shed* The answer just isn't coming to me, tho. What to do, what to do.....




This is how I'm feeling right now......
Hope you are having a g r e a t day, wherever you are!

...count your blessings

Welcome 2008!

Hard to even say Two Thousand EIGHT!!! WOW!
Have you ever come across an old paper form with the 19__ printed on it? That always boggles my brain! A new century.....and another new year!

I stayed up way too late, slept way too late and felt useless all day! hmmpf
I watched the fireworks at midnight from my kitchen window, I didn't know they would even have any, since, the 4th of July fireworks were canceled due to 'insurance issues'. Maybe the rodeo grounds, where they did them, was cool with it, since, it's in the other 'sister city'. I dunno---hafta find that out. Lots of different looking fireworks this time...or new to me, anyway.

I did *am still doing* lots of laundry...I always do the complete bed ensemble on the first of the year, and every six months. *I always do the mattresspad the first of each month, as well as spin my pillowtop around, the sheets get washed weekly. No mites for me, please!*
I also finished up the loose ends-----not my most favorite-est thing to do-----on the big, burgundy afghan. I think it measures about 6 feet wide and at least 7 or 8 high! Big enough so your toes don't hang out! I HATE that! LOL
Been puttering around all day, between washing and drying, going through papers and stuff. bleck! Nothing on tv worth watching, so, papers, it is. My tax appointment is for the 12th of February. YUCK! I'll be glad when that is over! I have a bad feeling we'll be paying this year....which would be a first. My tax lady is really good, tho, so, hopefully, we can pull out a ton of deductions!
Hubby took the dog out for a ride, I opted to stay home. I can feel the house starting to chill, so, I better get the fire built. I can feel my crocheting calling to me, too.......I love this time of day/night.
count your blessings.....

Resolutions??? NOT me!

Well, I'm an 'old' lady now, and I've seen how resolutions work......none of that for me.....I always set myself up for a big, fat failure! hehehe I did sit this afternoon and wrote a list of 'things'....not resolutions....things, and in no particular order.

1) I want to keep my nails (and toenails) polished and kept up every week.
I know this is really kinda dumb, but, it makes me feel good.
2) I am going to eat more dark chocolate...I know it's supposed to be good for you,
so, that is my 'healthy' thing!
3) I will drink more red wine---another healthy 'thing', right? *I'm such a bum! I
stole those two off of Whistle Stop Cafe Cookins blog!
4) I will travel to at least THREE new places/sites that I've never been to before.
5) I am going to 'rescue' my MIL's cast iron skillets and use them faithfully. *I've
never owned/used a cast iron skillet, that I recall.
6) I will MAKE time for 30 minutes a day reading my bible and talking with God.
7) Organize/Prioritize/Throw out!
8) Get a start on having my digital pictures made into prints -- the ones that I really need to keep!
9) Mail more cards/snail mail!!! It's becoming a lost art! I LOVE making cards, too!
10) Spend less/Save more

I know I'll go and read others lists and wish I would have done that, too! I'm so wishy/washy about that kind of thing.

It's been a very laid back kinda day......I hated it! I miss my kids so stinkin' bad! We've got to get out of the rut we've gotten ourselves into and GET OUT THERE!!! It makes it tough doing that with hubby's jobs, tho. When he isn't working, he wants to come HOME. But, we are way too big of homebodies!

I took the lights/garland/bows off the fence out front and undecoraed the house...which meant I took the Christmas cards off the back of the front door. HA!
I delivered some Avon, cashed some checks and deposited Avon money to get my account all balanced out for the end of the year....that feels great!
Bought a roll of stamps at the Post Office, for that last yearly deduction!
HA! Helped hubby move the lil camp trailer and the 4-wheelers trailer (duh, I stood there), so, he could make room to bring the big trailer home. That is, IF, he gets on out here.
So, now, I guess, I'll hit the shower and find my spot on the loveseat and read blogs til the ball drops! Yep! Sounds like another exciting New Years Eve!

See ya NEXT YEAR!

count your blessings.....

oh.my.gosh

Well, I think we all have our skeletons in the closet......
my my my.....

::Check this out::

What do you think....? Leave me a comment.

count your blessings.....

The Evil Eye

HA HA!!!! Funny Stuff!

CLICK Video of The Day: The Evil Eye HERE

Ahhhhh, WINTER!!!

I LOVE Winter!!!! I am just cold-natured, I guess! Growing up in Iowa, I loved snow and winter. Moving to Arizona, when I was 12, was a MAJOR shock to me. We used to visit my grandparents here all the time, but, living in the heat SUCKED!!!!! And, believe this or not...the first year we were in Arizona, 1967, it SNOWED and they closed school! LOL 2 inches of snow will do that in the desert! HA! I get tired of the sun shining all the time...I love the cloudy days and rainy days and SNOWY days!

Yesterday, I went to Show Low. I had to go to Walmart and pick up my DVDs I had made of about 25 8mm rolls of film--dating back to 1962. OH MY! ~~~ This is a picture along the way. Can you see the rolling hills to drive up and down? Just a dusting of snow, I thought it was beautiful! This particular section reminds me of when we lived in Nebraska. The rolling hills, I guess. This is along the 'low road'. But, I think the summit is about 8500 feet. I had planned on coming back over the mountain, and getting some REAL snowy shots and one of the ski runs at Sunrise Ski Resort, but, I forgot when I left to go that way....duh! I was tired by the time I got out of the store. I was worried I would chinger my knee up and fall, so, I paid very close attention to my walking and held on to the shopping basket!!! LOL Oh, it sucks to get old! I was VERY surprised at how well stocked, with Christmas 'leftovers' ALL of the stores were that I was in there *and here in town* are. They almost looked as well stocked as BEFORE Christmas--if I'd have needed any Christmas stuff, I'd have had a field day! I think people are just not 'in the mood' for the Christmas we have gotten used to and are making changes in our outlooks of the holiday. Maybe, we all will start going back to the basics and what the season truly IS all about. Should be interesting next year.
When I got home around 4, I unloaded, got everything put away and sat down to watch part of the dvds while I was in the house by myself. oh.my.gosh .....I had to turn it off. Too sad. That surprised me. We used to watch those things faithfully, when we were growing up. I guess it HAS been a long time..... When I saw my grandma, I had to turn it off...... this morning, I was the first one up at 6:30, so, I creeped into the living room with my mocha coffee *I'll give you the mix recipe* and put a dvd in. Oh, what a sight to see. So many relatives I haven't seen in years....so many of them now gone on....everyone SO young!
I didn't specify any particular sorting of the films, but, they were 'sorta' in order--I did indicate 3 different bunches together. It did kinda jump arond, but, all in all, it was good. One of them is 195 minutes and I only watched about 3/4 of that one. They put music to them and they really are quite enjoyable. I can't find the words to how they make me feel or how to describe them.
There is some 'stigma' attached to them now, tho, because they *the movies* played a 'part' in a major family falling-out, or whatever. They had been bounced around in the family for a few years and had been in my possession twice, so, I finally just DID IT and had them put on dvd. At one point, my mom had said to 'just throw them away'. OH MY GOSH!!!! There are scenes of one of my brothers 1st birthday, family that is gone, and on and on.....they won't mean anything to some, but, to others they will. The quality of them is pretty poor for the most part, but, still..... I thought I would be getting 4 copies of them each, but, now maybe I can do that myself. I dunno.

I finished up the maroon afghan for the travel trailer last night. I always make my afghans BIG, and that thing is a MONSTER! LOL I did get a great deal at BIG LOTS on the pounders of yarn, so, I bought 7 skeins of a country blue, at $4 each, to do two more afghans....one for a friend and another for one of my boys. I hope to make each of them one for Christmas this year, and my friends birthday is in March, so, I will crocheting for a long time! LOL


As I was sorting my AVON order this evening, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, the sunset out front. I grabbed my camera and caught this, with our tree in the foreground. I love it.

Here's my Mocha Coffee Recipe for you:

MOCHA COFFEE MIX
1 C. dry milk powder
3/4 C. sugar
2/3 C. powdered coffee creamer
1/2 C. cocoa, unsweetened
1/3 C. instant coffee *pressed til fine*
1/4 C. brown sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Press to make fine or you can run small amounts through a food processor.
I usually triple this recipe! It makes a great jar gift.
To make a mug of it, add about 4-5 heaping teaspoons to a mug of hot water, to your taste. Enjoy!

Today is the 3rd anniversary of when we took #2 son to the airport in Phoenix, on his way to his first AirBase in N. California.....what a sad day that was! I cried so hard when we got out of the car. I hugged him and told him, I couldn't teach him anymore, he didn't need me, now. He hugged tighter and told me he'd always need me......wahhhhhhhhhh, where's the dang tissue!?

Well, I'm offa here, gonna grab me a piece of pumpkin pie, and then, get my shower, THEN, I'm gonna sit on the loveseat, with my laptop and read 'The Confessions of a Pioneer Woman'. You HAVE to go to her blog!!!! I found her a week or so ago, and I've been reading through her archives.....only made it through her first month! I laughed til I pee'ed at a couple of her posts!
Leave me a comment if you agree with me about her site! LOL
count your blessings....

Tiny House

Oh, my! I think I could handle this! Hubbys work trailer is about this size!
LITTLE HOUSE

ME SPREE!

mmmm-K, Christmas is o-vah!
Time for something just for YOU!
A ME SPREE!!!!

Please take a look! I've been selling AVON for 6 years, come January 26, and I STILL am impressed with what they come up with to sell! I LOVE their jewelry! Oh, and their slippers and flip flops, and purses, and TOMORROW perfume, and, and, and, well, you GO LOOK!!!!!

Please register at my site, so, I get credit if you were to ever order from there.
Thank YOU SO MUCH! PLUS, we've got a promo going on, so, if ANYONE orders from my site, I get it FREE for a 2 week period!

December 26...

Well, I am glad today is the day AFTER Christmas! I'm just glad the day is over. With everything that's been going on in my world, I just wasn't into the holiday spirit at all. I didn't do ANY decorating *which says alot...I have TONS of Christmas decorations and the house swells with Christmas*, no Christmas tree, the only baking I did was some fudge and sugar cookies (that I screwed up royally). The goodies were only made so I would have something to send to my FlyBoy with his gifts I mailed out. I had no intentions of any Christmas meal or pies, either.
Until......
My FLYBOY walked in the door Monday around 4:30 p.m.! To say it was a surprise is an understatement! I was speechless! He could only stay til 4 Christmas day and his dad drove him to the Phoenix airport for his 9:12 p.m. flight home. What a blessing to have him home.
Needless to say, I did have to scramble to the store for turkey breast and the fixin's! LOL
This was the third time this year that he's been home. How nice that is! He usually is on the go, trying to see as many people as he can when he is home, that we don't see a whole lot of him, but, just knowing he will be popping in and out is enough for me!
This trip, he left Friday evening with an Air Force gal driving to Texas. She took him as far as Phoenix and then, he caught a ride with a cousin of his best bud that just happened to be coming up this way Monday. He had to be back to work today, Wednesday. What a sweetheart he is!

---Don't know what I'm gonna do...we definitely need some health insurance. Hubby was supposed to have his health, dental and vision insurance start on January 1, but.....since the job was over, there went the insurance. I've got several health issues I NEED to go in for and I surely don't want to go in until we have insurance.
One issue is with my knee(s). My right one keeps going out on me. Very Skeery! I think it's went out/made me flat-out fall about 3 or 4 times a week lately. Including Christmas day! I got up from the loveseat to go into the kitchen to start peeling potatoes.....coffee in hand. I got half way and BAM!--straight down....no way to stop those kind of falls. What worries me is what is holding it all together. How much can it take....ugh, gives me the creeps! So, I'm going to have to start planning my AVON deliveries and any shopping very carefully, to do the least amount of walking as possible. AND, I walk v e w w y v e w w y slowly in the house or out and about. Two weeks ago, I did fall in public....once again, straight down! Not a fun thing to do or to worry about happening again. The weird thing is, it doesn't hurt. It will hurt for a bit after I fall or twist it or knock it off the kneepad or whatever, but, in just a short while, it's not sore, but, it does tend to make my calf and below feel kinda strange/numby. If anyone reading this has any experience with bad knees, please, leave me a comment with any advice!

Oh, my! It's been SO C O L D around here! But, you KNOW I LOVE it!!! LOL Last night when I went to bed, it was about 4°, don't know what the windchill was. Put a lil piece of oak in the woodstove and it was nice and warm in here, and even had a nice bed of coals to get a fire started first thing in the morning. This cute lil woodstove is all we use for heat in the house. We LOVE it! We've had snow on the ground now for three weeks, it's starting to melt off pretty good, but, I think we are supposed to get a bit this weekend. As a matter of fact, it did snow yesterday! What a nice Christmas day, with #2 son home AND snow!

I've been working on a large burgundy (Red Heart calls it claret) afghan for hubby's work trailer....I'm on the LAST row of the border and I was looking at it in the bright sunlight of the living room. THE SKEINS WERE DIFFERENT LOTS AND I CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN I CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES!!!!! Holy Crap! I dug in the garbage to find a skein wrapper to see the coloring.....it's the same, but a different dye lot AND it states no DYE LOTS~~~~~ grrrrrr! I'm just glad it was for us and not a gift. Maybe anyone else wouldn't notice, but I'm pissed! It wouldn't have been so bad if I had known it and not mixed them. I could have at least used the different ones at the end instead of mixing them in! I always make my afghans bigger than the patterns call for so, I never know how many skeins to buy in the beginning. Lesson learned, I guess.....

count your blessings...

THANK YOU

Oh, my!
It's gonna be a post here and a post there!

You HAVE to check this link out....DO IT and pass it on!
Click below:
THANK YOU

count your blessings...

SNOW!!!

I LOVE it!
We got at least 5 inches Tuesday and it's been so cold, it never melted. Today, out of the blue, we got at least another 3 inches! WOOHOO! It's C O L D, too. As I write this, it's 17°, 6° with the windchill. I'm loving my woodstove!

I know, I know....I suck at blogging. When things aren't going so great, I hesitate to post anything for fear of who might be reading AND, because I just hate airing too much dirty laundry. All I know is.....I'm about to the end of my wits....not good. Not good at all.

Hubby got the Christmas decorations out last Sunday, and they are still in the boxes in the living room. BAH HUMBUG! I had to MAKE myself put the garland, lights and bows on the fence.....all 238 feet of it...well, all except for the last 25 feet or so. I had to redo a strand of lights and then, the garland ran short. I have more garland, but, it's in the big totes in the garage. Did I say BAH HUMBUG???
I had hoped that I would get into the Christmas spirit, but, not yet. At least not for all the WORK involved.

I do need to try and get some fudge and cookies made this weekend, so, I can get a box sent to my Flyboy in CA.
#1 son is at home, again.
Oh, and hubby got laid off today. hmpf, Merry Christmas, right? BAH HUMBUG

Is it Monday again?

I just can't believe how fast time goes by anymore. It just boggles my brain!

Hubby got off early Saturday, so, we put FRED in the shop! -again- Nothing serious, but a good thing hubby noticed he was leaking brake fluid. The shop owner was nice enough to work on it right away, knowing how badly hubby was going to be needing him for work. *so unlike the other shop we've had do some work on Fred* So, Sunday, we picked him up after $485. Later, we went to Home Depot and Walmart for a few things, and then, had supper at PIZZA HUT--we love their house pizza! I tell ya I get spoiled when I'm with hubby. I feel guilty tho, cause I feel like I should be making good home cooked meals for him when I am here. Altho, that's easier said than done, in a lil trailer! LOL

Today, is the start of their 12-day no-late-no-miss holiday overtime. I laughed at hubby. He is usually SO laid back and never worries about ANYTHING *man, does that piss me off sometimes.....I guess he knows I'll do the worrying, so, why should he!*
But, he had TWO alarm clocks set...he's never late and rarely ever misses a day of work, but, I think he was worried about Murphy's Law.
I toyed with the idea of going home this morning, but, decided to stay and do his laundry and make taco salad for supper. He was supposed to be home at 5, but, called and said they asked him to work 12 hours....and of course, he never says no. They are talking layoffs, and all kinds of crap. So, he will work all he can and hope he gets to go to Globe instead of Bagdad (Arizona), if they move him. He's too good of a worker/welder for them to get rid of him. Globe would be 2 1/2 hours from home, versus 6 hours if he has to go to Bagdad. Bagdad is like NOWHERE! Nothing there. And, HOT!
The other reason I was mixed about going home, is because hubby's foreman had invited us to his mothers for Thanksgiving supper after work Thursday. Don't know what will happen now. I didn't know if the dog would have enough water til Friday, but, I think he will. I guess I'll stay and if nothing else, I'll put a turkey breast in my crock pot for us. Looks like I'll get alot of shopping and crocheting done this week! LOL
I'm also toying with the idea of going to the salon in Walmart and have them do something with my hair. Hubby doesn't want me to cut it, but, I wear it up in a clippy all the time, and am sick of that. I'm really amazed that my long hair bugs me nowdays. When I was young, actually, until about 30, I wore it long and straight. But, as I got older, I just felt like I 'outgrew' it. I'd love to get it done like Marie Osmonds.
I'm so surprised right now, that the laptop has a connection! It won't download email, but, it let's me update this and go to a few other websites....weird!
Gonna get off here and take some Advil, my back is really bothering me...partly because I haven't been sleeping good again, I think.

...count your blessings.

Snow and Road Rage

....this was written Saturday a.m.
I am at the trailer and it dawned on me, that maybe, I could write a post in Notepad and upload it when I could get a connection. *CRS, maybe Lynne told me that!*
I will try it and see if I can get it to co-operate with me.

I left Friday, about 1:45, after I had gotten my big AVON order keyed in. I was amazed to see SNOW in Alpine, but, only on one side of town! LOL I had to look serveral times to be sure that was what I was seeing! First snow of the year. I suppose it shouldn't have surprised me, really. Alpine is at 8500+' elevation and it was 42 degrees!
It's been so dry! But, we did have a lil bit of rain Thursday night....can you count .02"? LOL
~~~I've never really dealt with 'road rage' before, but, I guess I did driving here. I was following a red Ford *some kind of lil pickup*. He was going under the speed limit and we were about 2 miles out of a little hamlet town of Glenwood. Double lines due to the nature of the road, so, I was just mosying along. I noticed he had a black license plate--something I've never seen--thinking maybe he had been a POW vet. He put his arm out the window and motioned for me to go around or something. I thought he was pointing to the double lines...I dunno. He did that 3 times. No way, was I going to pass. I got a ticket on that road, just inside the New Mexico border, so, I'm pretty cautious on that part of the road *even in the 50mph section, where I got my ticket. What a speed trap!* I figured he would pull off or move over, or even get off the road in Glenwood. I wasn't concerned about anything in particular.
We reached the first place in town where he could pull off and he did, in a hurry with dust flying. And, as I went past him, he FLIPPED ME OFF!!! GRRRRR I pulled off the road, right in front of him... I think I half intended in getting out, which could have been Stoopid. I turned around to look at him, and he pulled up beside me. I only saw the passenger, an older guy with a graying beard. I hollered, "You expect me to pass on a double line?" and they pulled off. I don't know what pissed me off more. Him flipping me off, or me not getting the chance to tell him off about flipping me off! How freaking rude!
I had to follow him a bit longer, after we got out of town. I wondered if he was driving slower on purpose. I finally, got to a point where I could pass him. I made myself feel a lil better when I flipped him off as big and HARD as I could! LOL
My blood boiled for quite awhile after that...GRRRRR I am one that doesn't cuss much, or say the 'F' word or flip people off. If I ever say the F-Bomb, you better take cover! And, I think I've only flipped a bird less than a handful of times in my life. ~~~ my bad ~~~
I did keep hoping he had noticed my Red/White/Blue flag license plate *that I had to buy at the MVD* with my PROUD AIR FORCE MOM license plate holder! GRRRR

I finished the rest of my 2 hour drive singing off-key, at the top of my lungs! hehehe ahhhhh! Nothing like road trips! *yeah, right!*

I got to Safford right at 5, so, hubby and I met at Golden Corral for supper. It was really great food, I was impressed. So impressed that I made a pig of myself! lol But, not as bad as hubby! I don't know how he eats so much for him being so skinny! I know he burns a TON of calories everyday, tho. I was miserable all night long. Bad combination of eating SO much, SO late! And, I knew better. It's 9:45 the next morning and I still feel stuffed...it's just not moving. When I'm at home by myself, I try to eat my biggest 'meal' as early as possible, sometimes, that's at lunch. I've found I feel alot better that way, PLUS, I dropped about 5 pounds last week when I was home doing that!
Hubby gets off early today and has tomorrow off. I'd like to take a drive up into the Graham mountains where they have an obseratory. They had a bad fire there about 4 years ago.
I've got stuff to make tacos for supper tonight, so, it should be a RELAXING evening together for once.

I just turned in my first STAMPIN' UP order Thursday. I'm really excited to get my stuff back! I love creating cards with all that stuff and I am hoping to make my Christmas cards with some of what I ordered.

I guess that's all for today. I think I'll do some cleaning and go for a walk.

count your blessings...

shameless plug

Does anyone need any AVON?
I need some online sales for my AVON website to be FREE this campaign.
Go to ::HERE:: and you can shop from there. AVON is offering $3 shipping, too. Send your gifts to someone far away. Lots of Military Moms send stuff to their kids with AVON doing all the work.
Can't beat CHEAP SHIPPING.
Contact me if you have questions.
Thanks.....

counting my blessings.....

catching up....

I've got some pictures to share from when I was AWOL...
Moving the trailer.....

We left here:
And got here:
With this:

When hubby finished up his job, we had went to Willcox for Rex Allen Days for 3 days, then, back to the trailer. He took the week off to get things done and to get the trailer moved, and to recuperate! But, hubby does NOT know how to enjoy a DAY OFF!! He loaded stuff up and brought home, we were home for a few days and he went to see his Mom. Friday night--LATE, we went back to Clifton to get the trailer moved on Saturday.
Beings that it was the first time to pull this trailer, we decided to go the low road instead of over the mountain, to see how the truck handled this trailer and such. It was about 20 miles farther, around 65 total mileage. All was good -- we thought -- until hubby was pulling into the trailer park. A guy yelled at him to STOP! The tire was making a terrible racket! When we FINALLY got it pulled into our space, we were down to ONE lugnut on one of the tires! OH MY GOSH!!!! And, this was basically a brand new trailer! SKEERY! Could have been worse......

We really like the spot we have now! Take a look at those trees! Hubby's luck he'll be out of there by summer or something! LOL We are paying $275 plus our own electric, compared to $140 and electric at the old spot. Hubby is only 10 miles from the jobsite, tho. The town we are in now, Safford, is much bigger--compared to what we are used to. Lots of good places to eat and some good, fun places to shop. It's a BIG, SMALL town! LOL The BIGGEST downside to being in this spot is: NO INTERNET!!!!! Holy Crap! How am I gonna survive!?! We are seriously talking about getting a broadband card, but, I HATE the idea of another $60 a month for technology, not to mention a TWO YEAR CONTRACT! YUCK!!! I made myself sick for about 3 days TRYING to see what other options we would have. So, the only thing that works is to sit along the side of the road in front of the trailer park, or go sit in the parking lot of the motel/restaurants in town...and it's TOO HOT STILL to be doing that! decisions, decisions.....


One of our most favorite restaurants has this in the entrance. It's the inside of a Saguaro cactus! It's wood!

FRED threw a lil temper tamprum and had to have a transmission line replaced. Hubby lost 2 days of work because of that! Big drawback to having to depend on a truck for your livlihood. Hubby couldn't locate the part, so, we loaded up to Phoenix to get what he needed.



We saw various cactus all along the way, but, this lil mountain was just LOADED with saguaros....it looked like they were just sprinkled onto it! Most of these were very healthy, too. It's sad to see the ones that are almost ready to topple over because of the decay at their base. Occassionally, you'll see one with many arms, but, the majority of them are not too full. Still, they are majestic, to me.

The next day, hubby was still waiting for FRED to be ready at the shop. We were there at 5 to pick it up and THEY HADN'T EVEN STARTED ON IT!!!! Boy, hubby was pissed, so, he ended up having to repair it in THEIR SHOP YARD!!! Brother! Time for a new mechanic! NOW, FRED has a brake line leak! Talk about tempermental! Hubby has it all lined up for a different shop to work on it Saturday after he gets off work. Little things here and there....we are just keeping our fingers crossed that FRED holds up his end of the bargain for the 12 days of OT through Thanksgiving.
I'm off for awhile to work on my Stampin' Up and AVON orders.

...count your blessings

ok....ok...

I am back....it's been awhile and so much has happened! I think my mind is just too overwhelmed to recall all of it, so, I might just start from TODAY!

FIRST OF ALL-----can someone PLEASE tell me how to get the music to be deleted from my rock you slide show? I don't know about you, but, I'm sick of that song now! LOL
I hope to add a playlist soon.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, I have wanted to put this recipe up!
Hubby and I LOVED it! And, I will be making it again for sure! As we were eating it, I asked hubby how long it had been since we had anything with that MAPLE taste! Awesome!


Pumpkin and Maple Turnover

Makes: 8 servings



Turnover
1 pie crust (from box or homemade--I used a Jiffy Pie Crust mis, I LOVE those!!!)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon maple flavor
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Dash salt
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon maple flavor
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted*

1 . Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll crust on ungreased large cookie sheet. In medium bowl, mix pumpkin, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon maple flavor, the pumpkin pie spice and salt until smooth.

2 . Spread pumpkin mixture over half of pie crust to within 3/4 inch of edge. Brush edge with water; fold crust over filling. Carefully move turnover to center of cookie sheet. With fork, press edge to seal; prick top several times.
3 . Bake 23 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.

4 . In small bowl, mix powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon maple flavor and the milk until smooth and desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm turnover. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Let stand 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool.

I'm at home for a few days...I've been back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth!!! Each time I come home, I have to just drag myself here. I hate coming home alone. When I do get here (which is now a 3+ hour drive, since we moved the trailer) I'm happy to be in my own home. I stay real busy and that helps. We can't get internet connection on the laptop in the trailer, so, I'd have to go sit along the side of the road to pick up my emails and do any AVON stuff I needed to do. I just hate the idea of paying another $60 a month for an aircard, when we already pay so stinkin' much for all the technology stuffs! Home phone, satelitte, internet package and then, the cell phones. UGH I wish it was easier and cheaper!!! Maybe hubby and I will decide to do that for our Christmas gift to each other---but, then, the 2 year contract sucks, too!

Found out hubby will be working Thanksgiving..that's a first. But, all is well, since we had no plans, anyway. They are trying to get the mine up and going to be producing copper from the new location by December 1st. They gave them a deal they can't refuse. Double time PLUS holiday pay PLUS double per diem! $1050 for one day, can't turn that down. Plus, they will get that for the other 3 days--Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The only catch is they can't miss a day for 12 days or be late~!
I just hope FRED doens't have a temper tamprum! Hubby's had a few ittle things with him, here and there, so, I just hope he earns his money that week! I'm still trying to convince hubby he needs a new truck and keep FRED for backup...wish me luck! He'll need the tax deduction by next year for sure, tho!

Well, I have more to say, but, I gotta get off here and go get a girl hired for AVON. Hope to be able to post more later.

count your blessings....