Yay!!! September!!!!

I'm so excited for Fall!!!  Yesterday I found a red leaf....only one but it's a start!  Its raining so there was no walking this morning.  There has been a little cooling off but it's so humid now it doesn't really make a difference.  I'm still waiting for the "cold front".

I got a convection oven! It's an Oster 10 in 1 and it does everything.  Lefty Crafter got one awhile ago and loves hers so since my wall oven was having a hard time pre-heating I decided to go for it.  I found a place for it on top of my antique gas oven.  I used it this morning to air fry some hash brown patties and it worked slick.  It cooks much faster than the regular oven and I'll have to decrease the cook times on things.  But I love it!

I was praying it would be fine and I wouldn't have to return it as I had enough trouble getting it in the house, unboxed, and lifted onto it's resting place....me with the fractured spine! LOL!  But I managed thanks to the good Lord up above and the saying "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".....at my age, I say that many times during the day.   

I've been mostly cleaning in the kitchen this past week and several garbage bags got filled so progress is being made.  While cleaning I've been listening to "old" music from the 30's and 40's mostly on You Tube.....

I finished another Halloween ornament except for the beads which I hope to put on this afternoon....you can see where the beads and sequins will go by the black holes....

I finally finished reading The Distant Hours by Kate Morton.  I slogged through it and I usually love her books but I think I put it aside too many times.....
 

right now I'm reading The Tannenbaum Christmas Quilt #3 in the Door County series..........these are easy enjoyable  reads with great characters and kind people..............

I also started another series that is supposed to be similar to the Mitford books by Jan Karon which are one of my favorite series.......so far this one is good.......

That's all the news that's fit to print here.  I'm just continuing to clear out and keep my car packed to drop off at the thrift store and the garbage filled with...wait for it.........garbage.

Oh, it's FOOTBALL SEASON too!!! I listened to the Iowa Hawkeyes "skunk" Illinois State 40-0.....that had to hurt (Illinois that is).  Plus, those types of games are boring.  Next week the NFL starts too.  Another sign of Fall!

Yippee!!!  

Happy Trails!!!

Is it Fall yet???

 Last week was so nice and I was just sure the temps were dropping but then this coming week we are back in the 90's!  How can that be?  Also, I saw some leaves changing color until I realized the tree was dead....so disappointing!  But on the bright side, all the Fall flowers are flowering!  

So, hope is not lost!  I've heard there are rumblings of Fall up North so it's just a matter of time.  Meanwhile I am busy Fall cleaning and getting everything ready for Fall dishes, cozy fires, and decorating for the beloved season.  Tomorrow, I'm roasting a chicken and some acorn squash and maybe this week I'll make some molasses cookies.

This past week was busy with my daily walks, grocery shopping, pharmacy, doctor appointment and cleaning.  I did start making the Halloween ornaments and I have one finished except for the backing and the hanger for it .    These are from Satsuma House and they are done on perforated paper.  This is the first time I've done beading and it was fun!

I've been cleaning and organizing some shelving and cupboards and realized most of my jars of things are too tall for my cupboards so I purchased 2 of these containers that will fit.  In my farmhouse, I had the old farm kitchen with tall cupboards and the shelves were tall...not 7" high.  I used tall Ball canning jars for storing pasta, cereals, flour etc. but they won't fit in these "modern" cupboards.  So, I need to change things around.  I find the modern day kitchens to be very inefficient when it comes to storage space.  Hopefully these containers will help so I don't have bags of things sitting out and on top of  the fridge.  Any other helpful hints would be appreciated....

I've also been reading Susan Branch's blog archives and I love her decorating as she likes old things like I do.  Her blogs are a true joy to read with lots of info on old music, old movies, books, recipes, and just lots of inspiration.

                 

Happy Trails and pray for Fall to hurry up and get here!!!

  

Where does the time go???

 I am a terrible blogger.  It's been 2 weeks but here I am finally.  I have been busy and lots of out of the ordinary tasks and events.  First of all I had to send the alert medical monitor back but I found a better one.  It is Medical Guardian.  It cost more but it has a backup watch for when the device is charging.  The watch has to be fairly close in order to work with the primary but my primary is charging in the bathroom right around the corner from my bed.  I charge it at night and that's when I wear the watch.

Their support is excellent and there is so much more to it than the first one.

I have been walking every day except for yesterday when we had 4 inches of rain and flash flood warnings.  I'm taking the Fosomax for osteoporosis and I'm on my 3rd week with no ill effects so far.

I had other things to deal with as my insurance changed and there was new paperwork to fill out, also my financial people to change to paperless and also sign up for a "portal" for updates.  There was also AAA renewal.  Just a bunch of time consuming things that I wasn't expecting.  But I did get some windows washed and curtains.  I packed more thrift and loaded it in the car.  I'm still working on the porch too. 

I did manage to finish the Patriotic Chickens!!!  So cute..........I should have ironed it....I will before I final finish it....not sure how I will finish it.........

I also finished the Bluebird.............Melissa, please send me your address so I can send you the pattern that I promised you!  Email your address to saminil104@gmail.com and I will send it right out to you!

There is a border but I am not stitching it because I will be framing it and it is harder to get it straight if there is a border..... 

Still working on March AOTH and it is August!!!  It will take me 5 years at this rate!
 

I was way behind in my Good Reads challenge so I have been making a concerted effort to read some during the day to catch up and it's working!  I was like 12 books behind and now I am only 7 behind schedule and my goal is 52 books this year.
I have read 2 of the 3 book series by Susan Branch and they were both wonderful and will get reread for sure and I rarely do that.............

 The 3rd book in the Susan Branch series is about England and it is on it's way here!

I also finished the Ann Hazelton, Colebridge series of books....I think there were 7.....I thoroughly enjoy her books.   I'm now reading  the Door County series and just finished the first book...

I'm not sure if you are aware of this but if you like a particular book or series, you can Google to find books similar to them....I just did that and I have a few new books coming after doing that.  I shall see and report back.  I did check them on Amazon too for ratings and story line.

That's all for now.  I just spray painted a basket outside and it is heating up out there!  There is a heat advisory as it is going to be 95!  Ick!  Fall can't come soon enough for me! 

This made me laugh as I used to keep a spray bottle of water handy when Miss Peeps was younger and misbehaved A LOT!!! 

Happy Trails!!!

A new month!!!

I'm starting to get excited for Fall!!!  Walmart has all their Fall decorations in, my hardy mum has a few blossoms and lots of buds, and my Fall clematis is getting ready to bloom also!  Bring it on!!!

Meanwhile, I'm still cleaning my porch but I have lots of boxes ready to go to the thrift store.  The porch is looking good but unfortunately now my kitchen table and the living room are a mess.  Why can't I clean like a normal person?  I cleared off this wicker rocker and now it is Miss Peeps favorite napping spot.....

I haven't done much craft wise this week.  I did get my "Connected Caregiver" monitor and I am wearing it now.........I talked to them and they are very nice and I tested it and it is a computer that answers but she knew my name and wanted to know if I needed help.  They know where I am at all times using GPS and it has a fall detector so even if I don't answer they know where I am and to send help.  They call the nearest ambulance/fire department.  That's great because where I walk there are no people or even houses.  It's very reassuring. 

My rotation piece this week was stamped cross stitch from back in the day but I really like it.......

It is not easy though because it is stamped on linen and the "Xs" don't always match with the linen holes plus they stamped in an  orange/brown which shows under the green for sure.  Oh well, I'm sure when it's all done it will look fine and I am truly enjoying working on it.  I've done some of the green lettering and part of the gold in the word Lord......... 

I've also been working on my March Anniversaries of the Heart......

and I can't forget the  Patriotic Chickens which only get love on the weekend and then in short supply...

In cleaning I discovered some granny squares...not sure what they were or are destined for....we shall see when I herd them altogether........

My grandson, Sam, returned from Puerto Rico and he had a grand time, they visited old San Juan, they went surfing, snorkeling, zip lining, volunteered helping a sea turtle organization, stayed at a coast guard station and went on their ship and ate lots of great food.  This weekend Sam is participating in a fishing competition and this morning he won a kayak!  Grayson is in Washington D.C. having a great time. These boys "earned" their trips by volunteering....a lot!  Amy has been enjoying some child-free time to herself for the first time in years!!! LOL!  It will be short lived once school starts for all of them.   The boys aunt has moved back to Iowa from Florida.  She is a math teacher and will be teaching at Grayson's school and might be his teacher.  What a great summer the grands have had!

I have been walking every day except I took today off.  I worked in the yard this week trimming and getting rid of the trimmings.  Watering as it is hot here.  I started taking the Fosomax once a week and working on the porch/Arkansas/Florida room?  This next week will be more of the same but no appointments thank goodness!  Hopefully, I 'll get more work done.  What have you all been up to?

Here's a funny for today.......lol!

Happy Trails!!!

It's worse than I thought!!!

 I am a curious person and I definitely want to know details.  So, I went to the pharmacy to pick up my Fosomax and I had a  talk with Frank, my pharmacist.  Pharmacists stay on top of medicines more than doctors do.  He had all the scoop too.  I told him I was Stage 3 osteoporosis and he told me I HAD to take the medicine.  He said the bit about the medicine causing fractures is just a warning they put on the medicine because of lawsuits.  He said some people get a fracture after not taking it very long or not taking it properly.  He did print out a sheet of facts for me and highlighted the things I need to watch for.   I told him the doc said if I fall I could break my hip.  Frank said..."Sam, you don't have to fall.  If it's brittle enough it can break when you're just standing there."  See, it is worse than I thought!  Whoa Nellie!!!

So, I start the medicine tomorrow morning....once a week and I pray I don't break anything.  I also decided to order one of those "life alert" type monitors.  It cost $50 and then it's $40 a month but well worth it since I live alone and I don't carry my phone with me around the house.  This monitor even detects falls like if I would break my hip I wouldn't be able to get to the phone.  They check up on you and if necessary call for help.  I used to joke about the ads that would say  "help, I've fallen and I can't get up".....now I know why....they probably broke their hip!  I could lay there for hours or more before anyone would find me.  It arrives Friday....I can't wait!

I did walk this morning, and I did some trimming outside before it got hot.  I did some laundry, packed up stuff for the thrift store and got the garbage out to the street.  I worked on the porch this afternoon.

Yesterday I worked on Patriotic Chickens and I am still organizing floss.  I thought I'd be done with both by now but I am a very slow person and I take a lot of breaks when the back starts hurting.

This is Melissa's design (PinkerandPunkin) and it is free on her website....she is so generous and her designs are the cutest!  A few more chickens and flags and she will be done.

I don't mean to go on about my health issues I just feel that by sharing someone else might benefit from the information.  Hopefully, that's all for awhile...I pray!

Happy Trails!!!

Movin' and groovin'!!!

 Well , the pity party is over and I got to work!  I started cleaning my  porch which has become a catch all for everything from gardening equipment, pots for plants, books, boxes, and picture hanging tools, and more.  I usually start in one corner and just go around the room.  I worked on it yesterday and today and filled 2 garbage bags and the rest was taken to it's original destination.  I unearthed my wicker rocking chair and Miss Peeps has been napping in it ever since.

What I didn't show you were the treasures I got last week.  New shoes which are really comfortable and good for my walking...........Asics....my favorite shoes of all time!  My original pair is over 20 years old and I still use them for yard work and they are still my favorite pair despite the way they look.

Here is the new pair............

I can't recommend them highly enough and there are lots of colors for men and women......

I also got a rechargeable rope light which I use in my bedroom as the lamp doesn't shine on my handwork or book when I''m reading...this works slick and there are three brightness levels and you can direct the light where you want it....

Plus, more containers of the smaller size that I can lift and tote......

As for cross stitch....I worked on the Star for my 5 day rotation this past week......I ran out of one color of floss so I need to order it...this is the second to the last row when finished there will be 16 stars total......

I worked on the March Anniversaries of the Heart and finally finished the beast of a house........there's still more to go but I am glad to be done with the house........

Today I'm working on the Patriotic Chickens which I will show you tomorrow.  It's going to be a hot one this coming week here in Arkansas.  They already have a heat warning out for tomorrow.

Have you been watching the Olympics?  I love them and especially the equestrian events.  When I rode I was learning dressage and hoping to get to jumping and eventing but unfortunately I got RA and that put a kabosh on those plans.  I was a little late to the party anyway plus it's an expensive hobby but at least I got to experience it for awhile.

Happy Trails!!!

Pity Party!!!

I'm sorry I didn't invite you to the pity party.  Yesterday was my doctor appointment for the results of my tests that I had.

The good news is that the kidney stones are gone and they weren't that bad for me but the bad news is I have severe osteoporosis and if  I fall I would break my hip and basically it's a downward spiral from there.  I told him I don't DO downward spirals!  Wow, he really made my day.  I was happy as a lark when I went in thinking I feel great and the ailments I have had are not bothering me but he broke that bubble!  He wants me to take Fosomax which  I took years ago after being on steroids (strong ones) for my RA but then you have to get off of them after awhile which  I was glad to do.  I don't like their ads because they warn that you might get fractures...huh?  Isn't that what it is supposed to prevent?  I will talk to the pharmacist as they are more up to date on meds than doctors.  So, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself but then I reminded myself that I have fallen several times in the last few years and not broken anything.  That doesn't mean I can't, but I can't be afraid of falling either.   What really bothered me is he thought I should get one of those 3 legged canes to use....HUH?  I walk fine, I do not limp, I do not get dizzy or off balance!  I mean really? There  may come a day when I need something like that but it won't be today!  I know he is concerned and he is a very caring doctor.  I think he worries because he knows I have an attitude of invincibility but so far that has worked really well for me!    Today I am back on track and feeling positive and invincible again.  It's raining today and tomorrow which is good because I didn't feel like walking after he put the fear of God in me.  But, I will be back walking on Monday.

Do any of you take Fosomax?  Do any of  you have osteoporosis?  I've had it for years and even falling I've never broken anything but  I've heard people on it get fractures...that's the part that scares me.  It may all be a conspiracy...lol!  Like my cousin Kay stated...."Old age is not for sissies"!

With all the rain we've had the flowers are doing great........I took these pictures one day when the sun was out....

These are water lilies across the street on the lake............

 and a little bit of something to make you  smile....

Happy Trails!!!