For Today - November 30, 2009 - Monday

Outside My Window. . . it's chilly & rainy; a very overcast day with a predicted high of 56. Blech!

I am hearing. . . my tummy growl.

I am thinking . . . I have lots & lots to pack!

I am wondering . . . how well packing decorative items by color family is going to work. I "think" in color; so theoretically speaking it all makes sense to me. I guess I won't know until we get moved & I start unpacking!

From the kitchen . . . Special K cereal.

I am going . . . to make guest bed; sweep floors & pack, pack, pack!

I am wearing . . . navy wind pants & navy/white t-shirt hoodie.

I am reading . . . paint chips! I keep going through the fan of 1800 paint colors!

I am hoping . . . to pack for 3 hours today.

Around the house . . . nice colorful piles!!!

One of my favorite things . . . "COLOR"!! I love color! I also love black & white photography - - - but I'm so glad the world is in color. I see color all the time. I won't know the make/model of a vehicle but I can tell you what color it is! I remember colors from my childhood. I know the color of my grandpa's house, even though I haven't been in it for decades! I love color. Funny thing? I seldom wear a lot of color. I'm usually sporting something very neutral!

Something you may not know about me . . . We didn't make it to Lake Livingston on Saturday. Hubby wanted to work on dismantling the greenhouse until about noon, then get ready & leave about 1 PM. I knew if we did this we most likely wouldn't make it as tearing down the greenhouse is a monumental job! It includes pulling up those native roses I'm always writing about. You know the ones, the ones with hundreds of birds in them? Well, not any more as he successfully dug up the ones on the north side of the greenhouse. I suggested we wait for youngest son to show up & use his monster truck to pull them up. We could wrap a chain around the bush & have the truck pull them out. But no, he had to do it on Saturday. And by the time he was through with one side of the greenhouse he was too exhausted to do anything else, so we didn't go to Livingston to visit with some out of state relatives of his.

About Today's Photo...Hubby & oldest son getting ready to deep fry that turkey!

For Today - November 28, 2009 - Saturday

Outside My Window. . . it's cloudy & a wee bit chilly. There wasn't frost on the ground, but still a bit chilly.

I am hearing. . . the heater heating! I love that sound! And geese flying overhead . . . I love that sound, too!

I am thinking . . . I have lots to do before heading to Lake Livingston. I rested a lot yesterday, & there's much housework to get done this morning.

I am wondering . . . if we're going to be moving the same time as our daughter?! That would be the pits!

From the kitchen . . . some leftovers. I sent lots of leftovers home with people, but there's still more than enough for the two of us.

I am going . . . to finish laundry, scrub down the kitchen & pack the crock pots! There's no sense putting them away, is there? I'm sure I won't be using all of them before the move!

I am wearing . . . khaki cargo pants, eggplant colored t-shirt; black fleece vest. Toasty!

I am reading . . . catching up on email & Facebook.

I am hoping . . . to pack for at least 3 hours a day. Every day. Even Saturdays & Sundays.

Around the house . . . tablecloths needing to be washed, & general housework to be done! I didn't do much yesterday because Kevin was still here & I'd much rather visit with him!

One of my favorite things . . . Being together with family. And the sad thing is this: we didn't get a single picture of ALL OF UStogether!

Something you may not know about me . . . Even though we'll be moving December or January, I rearranged some wall hangings the other day!!! I think I'll pack most things by color families. I've never packed that way before & it may not work. But hopefully this is the last time I move & I might as well try it!

About Today's Photo...oldest son getting ready to deep fry the turkey (it was very yummy!), TB & JDS on guitar! Yes, I'm going to miss the lake when we're gone!

For Today - November 23, 2009 - Monday

Outside My Window. . . it's still dark, as it's early Monday morning. Today is the first day of a very busy week...probably the start of a very busy month or so as we'll start packing up the house in earnest once the week is over. Blog entries will become fewer as we get deeper into the move.

I am hearing. . . silence, except for the occasional stomach growl! I guess I better start my oatmeal!

I am thinking . . . I'm like a little kid when it comes to the holidays! I barely slept last night in anticipation of the kids' arrivals today!

I am wondering . . .if we're completely foregoing Christmas this year. We might be moving. Or getting ready to move. Or have just recently moved. It will be nice to know the exact closing date!

From the kitchen . . . the same as last night!

I am going . . . bathe, tidy house, eat my morning oatmeal & remove boxes from the living room. There's a bunch of them in one corner, along with some other "moving" essentials. I don't think they look very festive!

Oh - & wash the bedding!

I am wearing . . . those same flannel pj's from last night!

I am reading . . . emails & Facebook updates.

I am hoping . . . to get a lot done before taking Mama to the doctor. Amanda & David should be here before I get back. Tim & Christiy won't be here until this evening.

Around the house . . . is anticipation & I <3 <3 <3 it!

One of my favorite things . . . Anticipation!

Something you may not know about me . . . I like rugged & refined. I think it's a perfect combination that I like to live in!

About Today's Photo... the back of the little red dogtrot. The door to the right goes into the kitchen. Wouldn't it be nice to have some type of deck/porch there?

For Today - November 22, 2009 - Sunday

Outside My Window. . . it's dark & the roses are blooming. The "Belinda's Dream" is really pretty this time of year. It's a delicate pink rose. And the lantana & red salvia are doing their thing - which is attract butterflies! Indigo Salvia is blooming too & the nandina has gorgeous berries!

I am hearing. . . a football game on TV!

I am thinking . . . I am truly blessed! Daughter & her husband are coming tomorrow as well as two young friends, Tim & Christiy. I get to visit with them all for a couple of days before the Thanksgiving celebration! I'm always amazed that T & C are willing to spend part of their vacation time with us! And overjoyed! It will be fun having all 4 of them here. This will be the last time for this to happen as we'll be moved before there's another chance. A bittersweet time.

I am wondering . . .how people survive so much sorrow as Mary L has experienced. I can't fathom it.

From the kitchen . . . there's potatoes & yams, & a ham & boxes of cereal & a refrigerator full of food!

I am going . . . to bed in a little while. I'm planning to get up early & wash sheets & clean house before the young folks arrive. I'm taking mama to the doctor tomorrow afternoon. She not sick, we just want to visit with him before she needs him.

I am wearing . . . navy blue flannel jammies with snowflakes on them :)


I am reading . . . Marcy's blog! Marcy is a friend from long ago & far away & I think she now lives in Florida, but I may be wrong. I'll find out more as I read & reconnect with her.

I am hoping . . . to really treasure this Thanksgiving week. This house has lots of Thanksgiving memories & I'm going to miss them. Of course we'll make new memories at the new house - - - but for now I'm going to enjoy making 2009 memories here!

Around the house . . . is a bustling busyness in anticipation of an exciting week!

One of my favorite things . . . is having my kids home....the ones I gave birth to & the ones I've adopted!

Something you may not know about me . . . I never cook/prepare/fix a Sunday evening meal. Almost never. Not even when we have guests! They're welcome to scrounge through the refrigerator, but I never fix anything for anyone & seldom for myself!

About Today's Photo...This is the little red dogtrot that we'll soon be calling home. The door to the far right goes to the guest room & 2nd bathroom. The light beige rectangles contain signatures of past visitors, going far back in time. I think we may take photos of them, then repaint the whole thing!

For Today - November 20, 2009 - Friday

Outside My Window. . . it's threatening to rain.

I am hearing. . . same as every other morning!

I am thinking . . . my husband doesn't know the difference between a "dog run" & a "dog trot"! He emailed an American citizen who was born in Pakistan that we're buying a house with a dog run between the two bedrooms. I wonder what Aqeel thinks we're buying?!

I am wondering . . .how Mary is doing. A couple of years she battled breast cancer. Her hubby of 50+ years died this past summer. And her daughter died last night. I prayed for her when I woke in the middle of the night.

I can't imagine what she's going through & when I do try to imagine I start crying. I wouldn't want to try to live without my husband or my daughter. I'm sure she doesn't want to either. I'm sure no one asked if she is willing to go through this.

Please pray for Mary L.

From the kitchen . . . lots of sausage kolaches in the freezer! I had a blast baking with mama yesterday. I followed her directions, tips, hints & movements to a "T"! Her's are still much prettier than mine but she assures me after 60 years of practice mine will be just as pretty! ;)

I am going . . . ??? I really don't have big plans for today. I don't know what I'm going to do. Tidy house? Dig up plants? Probably was a load of jeans....& maybe clean out the 4-drawer file cabinet so it will be ready to go to son-in-laws office. We think we can do with something much smaller.

And maybe make pecan tarts for Thanksgiving. I don't think we have many desserts. Not that we really need them!

I am wearing . . . jeans & t-shirt.

I am reading . . . my Bible.

I am hoping . . . to remember Mary as I go through my day. And pray for her. And pray for some family members who are going through a trying time.

Around the house . . . boxes waiting to be filled!

One of my favorite things . . . is have some of the Thanksgiving preparations in the freezer!

Something you may not know about me . . . I'm a wimp. When it comes to my family suffering, I'm a wimp & I fall apart.

About Today's Photo...Mama & her famous kolaches!

For Today - November 18, 2009 - Wednesday

Outside My Window. . . it's another glorious sunny autumn day!

I am hearing. . . the same thing I hear every morning: birds, TV in background, printer humming. I really ought to start blogging in the afternoon or evening!

I am thinking . . . that there may be a real art to down-sizing one's home and I may be a little deficient in that special talent!

There's lots of internet information & they all say the same thing: measure rooms & storage in new house & make a floor plan. Measure furniture & place on floor-plan. I've instinctively done this all my adult life; in fact I just threw out AME & KMS' "beds" since they've both left home since our last move! I'm guessing I'm not having as much trouble with the big stuff as I am having with the smaller stuff, although I've already given away lots & lots of books, games & puzzles.

Actually, on second thought, I really have done a great job of downsizing. The problem is that I've already gotten rid of lots of stuff & I'm thinking I still have too much & I'm not certain I want/can get rid of more.

Yep - that's the problem. I've down-sized all I want & I still have too much!

I am wondering . . .why hubby doesn't call me before he stops off at the store on his way home from work or church, etc.? It would be so easy to call & ask if I need anything. But NO - he comes home with bags of groceries that i don't need & I still have to go out the next day to buy the Crisco to make corn bread, etc.

I think I may know how to fix this, since asking him hasn't worked! I get the weekly household money (we used to call it the grocery money, but toilet paper & shampoo ain't groceries!) Once home from shopping, he leaves the receipts on the counter for me to reimburse him from the household budget. I think I'll just throw away the receipt if he didn't call before going shopping. Yep! That ought to fix it!

From the kitchen . . . the same as yesterday minus the toast.

I am going . . . to drop off donation to Good Sam & make a quick trip into the grocery store to by just a handful of items. Then I'll bake cornbread for next week's Thanksgiving stuffing & put into freezer. I learned from my mom to do all you can the week before so it's not so overwhelming on the special day & one can actually enjoy their guests!


I am wearing . . . navy pants, white turtle neck & red fleece vest.


I am reading . . . about downsizing ones home.


I am hoping . . . to host this type of Thanksgiving next year! Love it! http://www.myhomeideas.com/holidays/thanksgiving-at-lake-10000001862088/all/

Around the house . . . boxes & cooking aromas!


One of my favorite things . . . anticipation!

Something you may not know about me . . . Even though I'm doing a bit of complaining about down sizing I really, really want to! Because it is such a big desire, I know I'll be successful!

About Today's Photo: It's not mine - it's from myhomeideas.com This is how I want to host Thanksgiving next year at the new house!

For Today - November 17, 2009 - Tuesday

Outside My Window. . . it's about 40 degrees, low humidity & bright sun! Perfect November morning!

I am hearing. . . birds, TV in background, printer humming & keyboard clicking away!

I am thinking . . . it's a very small, small world. I was talking to an 85 year old lady at a recent baby shower & when I asked where she grew up she replied, "Flatonia". I told her my family was from down the road in Moulton & Shiner & then we really started yakking it up! Since Flatonia didn't have a high school, she was bussed to Moulton High. I told her my family's last name & she smiled really big & said she had a big crush on one of those boys . . . & it ended up being Uncle C!

A few days later I talked with Uncle C's son, who is the snake expert, and when we were through talking about how to deter snakes, I told him about the conversation. He was taking Uncle C to Moulton for Veterans' Day & started relaying my conversation with him. I said her first name was "Martha" but I'd have to spell her last name because I couldn't pronounce it, "O - K..." & Uncle C finished spelling it and exclaimed, "Boy! I was crazy about her!" Small world, huh? You need to realize Moulton has a population of about 690 . . . small, small, world!

Anyway - to make it even smaller, This Martha, who by the way is 85, wears her blouse tucked into her jeans, tosses a fabulous scarf around her neck & does her own yard-word & drives wherever she needs to go, is also friends with Mama's newest friend at the assisted living facility. Her name also is Martha. She's 91, wears 2 1/2 - 3" heels (has a bright red pair!), has perfect posture & drives herself to church & Wal-Mart! When I commented about her heels she smiled & said since no one told her she couldn't wear them . . . she wore them! Small, small world & lots of spry senior citizens in east Texas!

I am grateful . . . I got to go to grandson's 18 birthday party. I'm sure he would have had just as good a time without the grandparents there, but we had a blast! Hubby stayed all night, helping chaperon the boys. Since the alarm was set, hubby & son tried to get a little bit of sleep. Unfortunately they didn't realize the motion detector was on so about 5 AM, when some of the boys went down the hall to shoot pool, the alarm went off! It startled all of them, including Shiloh who spent the night with the boys! He started howling & carrying on! Which is kinda' funny because he seldom makes any noise at all!

I am wondering . . . Why they don't sell turkey wings all by themselves. I need them to make turkey broth for the Thanksgiving stuffing. Oldest son is going to deep fry a turkey & we're going to supply the ham. I'm also making the stuffing & need turkey broth for it. I guess I'll just stew up a bunch of chicken wings instead.

From the kitchen . . . oatmeal with almonds & cinnamon, toast & Earl Gray tea.

I am going . . . to sautee' veggies for next week's stuffing. I'll just freeze them for when they're needed.


I am wearing . . . you're never going to believe this: pale pink flannel pajamas with
dark pink hearts! I am not a pink person . . . I pretty much detest the color. That & lavender! Blech! They were a very, very good buy & since I don't see myself in them, it's alright!

I am reading . . . everything I can about color. Designers said that "brown" is the new "black". Now they're saying "gray" is the new "brown". My hallway & bath are gray. . . . & have been thinking of painting some of rooms in the new house gray. We use lots of photos in our decorating & I've noticed that museums are always pale yellow or gray. I don't do too well with pale colors, so our "hall of frames" is gray & so is the bathroom.
So - we may continue with gray. Then again - - - maybe not!

I am hoping . . . to really clean house so I'm not messing with it next week, which is going to be busy. Daughter & hubby are coming Monday (YAY!), mama has a doctor's appointment on Monday (nothing wrong, just want to meet the doc before really needing him); Tuesday we get haircuts; Thursday is Thanksgiving! Yay!!!! Planning on mama coming over this Thursday to help with kolaches. I make some pretty good ones but she makes the BEST!

Around the house . . . floors need sweeping.

One of my favorite things . . . cold nights & warm days! Invigorating!

Something you may not know about me . . . even though we'll be moving farther away from town, we'll have high speed internet available to us because we'll have a different phone company who offers it.

For Today - November 13, 2009 - Friday

Outside My Window. . . it's chilly, and the sun is burning off the fog.


I am hearing. . . tractors & birds.

I am thinking . . . that I will be glad when we no longer need to board Shiloh or take him with us. DD is moving to east TX & I'm looking forward to her keeping our dog when we travel!

I am grateful . . . that I slept most of yesterday. Yes, there were things I had planned to do, but I was overcome with sleep. After months of sleep deprivation (years?) it was good to finally sleep! The timing seems a bit "off" to me. . . but when is it ever a good time to sleep all day long?

I am wondering . . . how long it will take me to get used to living in a house with a metal roof. I like the look of a metal roof & they come with a 50 year warranty & other good things about them. They are the perfect roofing material for living in the woods. But how long will it take for me to get used to the Sweet Gum balls falling on the roof? And I bet it's rather awesome to be out on the porch during a hail storm! I'm looking forward to all these changes . . . but am aware it will take some adjustments.

From the kitchen . . . Crisp green lettuce; fat, juicy grapes; almost ripe bananas; red-ripe tomatoes; yummy apples; cool celery; onions; avocado; gorgeous eggplant; carrots; cabbage; butternut squash; acorn squash & a whole lot more! Yes - yesterday was organic produce day!

Oh - oatmeal with cinnamon & almonds, & Earl Gray Tea already made their morning appearance!

I am going . . . to try to do a lot of things I didn't get done yesterday!

I am wearing . . . plaid pajama pants & a long sleeve gray t-shirt. I'm very, very comfy!

I am reading . . . that book by Elaine Whats-her-name. I don't remember & don't wanna' get up to find out 'cause I just got up to get another cup of tea & I want to finish this blog!

I am hoping . . . it's alright to take our big old dog to son's house. It's just an overnight trip & I hate to pay nearly $20 a night for THREE nights, when all we need is one night. The vet no longer is open on Saturdays. They figure after 14 years of working 6 days a week they deserve to have weekends off. I guess they're right, but I hate to spend nearly $60 instead of $20!

Around the house . . . pretty much the same as yesterday as I did very blessed little!

One of my favorite things . . . is being with family! Almost any time I'm with family, I'm a very happy camper!

Something you may not know about me . . . I have an 18 year old grandson! Yay for me! Yay for Job!!!!

About Today's Photo . . . from the archives. Location: my home.

For Today - November 12, 2009 - Thursday

Outside My Window. . . sunny & the fog is lifting. Really pretty with a predicted high of 73.


I am hearing. . . geese flying overhead.

I am thinking . . . that it's fun being almost 60 years old. And I keep getting confirmation that life is really, really good until about 80. 60's are still full of activities; 70's, I hear, is when we hit our stride, & then the 80's. Then the body really slows down. Of course, I'm hearing this from women 85-92 who still do yard-work, drive & have a life. But they know the time is coming when they can't do these things because of poor vision or slowed reflexes & I keep hearing, "but what will I do then?" None of thme are opposed to living to 100 - - - they just want to know what they're going to do once they get there. Good question!

I am grateful . . . for another day I don't have to leave the house. It's been go, go, go, for several days - ahem, make that weeks- that I've been going somewhere or the other & yesterday & today I get to stay home.

I am wondering . . . how much of my current stuff I'm willing to get rid of. Or more importantly am wilingl to take with me? Here's hoping the kids don't think we have a death wish, with getting rid of so much stuff! Don't worry, just take a look outside at all the plants I'm digging up to move with us - - - that is not the work of a person hoping to soon cross over to the other side!

From the kitchen . . . Earl Gray tea & graet big, fat, giant, juicy dark purple grapes. Mmmm.

I am going . . . to sweep/vacuum floors & dig up more plants. I've already dug a bunch of Aztec Gold day-lilies that originated in my mother's yard. And white irises, although I don't know where they're from. Today I hope to dig up some of the other day-lilies, all the Philippine & Easter lilies & some of the purple irises.

I am wearing . . . plaid pajama pants & a long sleeve gray t-shirt. I'm very, very comfy!

I am reading . . . "Color Your Life" by Elaine Ryan. Actually, I'm re-reading it. She has a fascinating theory about living with color in our homes.

She says we'll never really be comfortable in a room painted in a non-food color. If we'd be willing to put it in our mouth, we'll be happy living with it.

For example, she points out there's never been a paint color named, "Mousy Brown", but the same, exact color, called "Mushroom Taupe" will sell, if we like mushrooms. We're repulsed by the thought of eating a rat or a mouse, but if you simply adore mushrooms, you'd be happy living in a room painted that color.

I really do like bananas & I guess that's why I'm so fond of yellow? Grapes & pomegranates are also favorites of mine, as well as apples. . . . maybe that's why I'm so at ease with my red kitchen & kitchen den?

Not to mention that I absolutely LOVED a red dress I had as a little girl. It is one of the few dresses that was store-bought & it had a chiffon-type of layer & cute buttons & a big bow.

Mama made most of my clothes & she did a real bang-up job! She was an excellent seamstress & spent almost every summer sewing new clothes for school. But they were "school" clothes, which means they were very practical. Which is how things were back then: no silly (or vulgar) t-shirt slogans, no flip-flops, no tattoos or pretend tattoos, in fact no pants/slacks/jeans for girls back then. . . . not until I was in high school, & then only paint suits were allowed.

Anyway - grade school was starched & ironed cotton dresses & saddle oxfords. But there was a time before grade school that Mama bought me a pretty, red, dress with black piping around the Peter Pan collar. I need to ask her what the occasion was. Compared to everything else that I wore, it seems rather frivolous.

We were not raised on frivolity. No, not even a little bit. My good, hard-working parents would never be defined as frivolous people. Maybe that's why I like red . . . it represents frivolity to me? I guess I better hurry up with this post & call & ask mama about that dress!

I am hoping . . . that cedar mulch keeps snakes away. That's what we use in our flower beds here & we've never seen a snake in them...in other areas of the yard, but not in the beds. The Cabin in the Woods has snakes, I'm certain of that! It also has two cedar trees that can come down, seeing as they BOTH are in the middle of two separate parking areas! I think we might rent a chipper & make our own mulch!

Oh - just as a side note, my cousin who is the the snake man in Texas http://texassnakes.net/, says there are 5 poisonous snakes in the United States . . . & all five live in east Texas. :(

Around the house . . . the floors need sweeping. Yesterday I wore cargo pants rolled up while outside digging in the yard & when I unrolled them to change into something else, a bunch of dirt fell out in the bathroom. I really do need to sweep!

One of my favorite things . . . understanding how things work. I don't always ask "why", but oftentimes wonder "how"?

Something you may not know about me . . . I'm scared of two things: Outliving my beloved husband of 40 years & snakes. In that order. And not too very much more!

About Today's Photo . . . a beautiful autumn day in east TX...taken last year. I think I'll have just as beautiful a walking trail at the new place.

For Today - November 11, 2009 - Wednesday

Outside My Window. . . it's cloudy & breezy.

I am hearing. . . a power saw in the distance. Someone is doing a remodel nearby? It's a little bit high pitched. . . can't tell for certain what it is. Oh - and the dishwasher is doing its thing!

I am thinking . . . that we really, really do have to sell our leather furniture. The exterior door is only 2'8". . .the ones here are 3' & we could barely get the furniture in!

I am grateful . . . for the guy who did the inspection on the house yesterday. He spent almost 5 hours going over it! With parts of it almost 100 years old, it does have some issues. But none that are a deal breaker.

I am wondering . . . if it is possible to have birds, butterflies and cats?

From the kitchen . . . the dishwasher is running & there is order & neatness.

I am going . . . to dig up some plants & re-pot them, in preparation for the move.

I am wearing . . . my weekday "uniform": khaki cargo pants; brown 3/4 sleeved t-shirt; black fleece vest; khaki socks.

I am reading . . . a new blog colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful blog about designing with color. And it's just as I thought: painting a dark room a light color will not bring it to life!

I am hoping . . . hmmm - what am I hoping for? I can't think of anything special . . . just to enjoy a day at home without drama or stress.

Around the house . . . a bunch of stuff that will need to find a new home!

One of my favorite things . . . Simplicity. I know I've mentioned it before, but it is how I function best. I talked to Ms. Ruby, the homeowner, about her tiny kitchen & she finds it very efficient & cozy. She's 85 years old & only lived in the house for 4 years before her husband died & she, being a city girl at heart, is very lonely out there without any neighbors. At all. No not one. Anyway - she said she cooks & bakes & it works well for her. There were other aspects of the house she was unhappy with, but the kitchen wasn't one of them!

I explained that hubby & I spend most of our time together in the kitchen & the kitchen den. She said she & Glenn spent that time together out on the porch. I can believe that, as that's where I spent most of my time yesterday - either on the porch or walking in the yard. Of course this is my favorite time of year, so I would especially enjoy the leaves falling, diving, swirling down from the trees.

I don't know if it's good or bad, but I'm not a real fan of raking leaves. My attitude is since God leaves them on the ground in every forest & woods, it's good enough for me. Of course I realize that snakes might find that particularly attractive & I am no fan of snakes. I think a couple of neutered feral cats are in my future. So the question is: will I still have my songbirds & butterflies, if I have cats?

Something you may not know about me . . .We are seriously considering living in a place where the raccoons, possums & skunks wander up on the porch at night!

About Today's Photo . . . another day w/o pix.

For Today - November 8, 2009 - Monday

Outside My Window. . . it is damp & muggy.

I am hearing. . . the A/C humming. Yes, it's November 9 & warm enough this morning to have the A/C on. Maybe it's needed because it's so muggy. Yeah - that's the reason.

I am thinking . . . that the house we're wanting to get is not a cottage, like I first thought...it's more like a cabin. Not a log cabin, but a cabin nonetheless. In the woods. Youngest grandson was correct when he called it a 'retreat'. He's exactly right!

I am grateful . . . for color. How boring life would be in a black & white world. God could have done that, you know. He could have made it all black & white & gray & kept all the great colors for Himself. I'm glad He shares.

I am wondering . . . what kind of medical report dear hubby will get. He had his annual blood work, & other tests done last week & goes today for the annual report. I'm going with him. He seldom asks questions & I usually have some!

From the kitchen . . . bananas, grapes, apples, spinach, onions, potatoes, etc. Lots of fresh produce to make smoothies & soups. I need to get more veggies & fruits in my diet...smoothies are an easy way for me to do so.

I am going . . . to resume laundry; meet hubby later in the morning to go to the doctor. Pray for my grandchildren.

I am wearing . . . pink nightgown.

I am reading . . . my Bible.

I am hoping . . . to find a good color scheme that works for the cabin in the woods. The living room has lots of windows, so doesn't need a very reflective color. On the other hand the other living area & our bedroom won't be getting lots of light due to position, trees & covered porch, so they'll need paint that reflects more light. This is fun. I love the planning. . . a lot more than the actual painting :)

Around the house . . . orderliness & tidiness. I got that taken care of the other day!

One of my favorite things . . . Color!

Something you may not know about me . . .well - what was I going to write? Almost every time I post a blog, I think of something you may not know about me...but when I come back to the blog I don't remember what it was. I guess I'll have to start writing them down.

About Today's Photo . . . another day w/o pix.

For Today - November 7, 2009 - Saturday

Outside My Window. . . it's a very foggy morning. It look really cool earlier when the moon was out. If I'd thought of it, I should have set up the tripod & tried to photograph it.

I am hearing. . . birds chirping in the fog.

I am thinking . . . I need to spend more time at home. I went out every day last week. . . today, tomorrow & Monday I'll be gone too. How can I pack if I'm not here?

I am grateful . . . That another room has become available for my mom. She wants a room on the front side of the building so she can see the street activity, but when she first moved in (3 weeks ago today) there was only the room next to the kitchen. Because of her deafness in one ear we thought it might work. Nope - - - it doesn't. She told my daughter about it, who in turn told me. I checked with the Director on Thursday about mama needing to move to another room & they do have a vacancy on the front of the building! On Friday they replaced the carpet & now they need to repaint & rehang the fluorescent lights in there & we'll be all set to move mama again. It's just two doors down & shouldn't be too big a deal . . . but I hope not to move her again any time soon!

I am wondering . . . how much packing I will get done today before heading out to the baby shower?

From the kitchen . . . Onions, potatoes & carrots. I'm making Mrs. Ringles Brisket (from the Once a Month cookbook) for tomorrow's after church lunch. DAE & mama will hopefully be joining us.

I am going . . . to resume laundry; pack up stuff that's I won't need the next month or two; go to a baby shower.

I am wearing . . . that old worn out chenille robe.

I am reading . . . my Bible.

I am hoping . . . to decorate the cottage in cottage style without all the frills & frou frous. Maybe I'm thinking more of a "camp" style design. Or Texas farmhouse? I don't know for certain...

Around the house . . . a good, thorough cleaning is in order!

One of my favorite things . . . a good night's sleep!

Something you may not know about me . . .I'm a big Tyler Perry fan. You just gotta' love Madea!

About Today's Photo . . . another day w/o pix.

For Today - November 4, 2009 - Wednesday

Outside My Window. . . it is another bright, sunshiny day with cool nights & warm days...perfect weather if you ask me! It must be perfect weather for the butterflies 'cause they are still out in force! Dozens & dozens flying around the lantana & other flowers.

I am hearing. . . a tractor cutting hay in a nearby field & birds chirping up a storm in the wild rose bushes.

I am thinking . . . that the economy is NOT getting any better. We are registering up to 9 new families per week at Good Samaritan. These are people who have never signed up for any assistance with us. Remember, we are a small town of about 5,000, so 18 - 25 new families per month is HUGE!

I am grateful (continued from yesterday's blog). . .that the "Cedar Cottage" (our name of the new place - at least for now)is not half the size of the current house. In fact it's 420 square feet smaller. I don't think we'll much miss the 81 SF that the hall now takes up. . . so in reality the new place is 339 square feet smaller. But I have to admit that the large dining room with 4 tables in it will be missed. It's great for large gatherings & it's perfect for scrap booking!

Anyway - back to the house. It ends up that we're acquaintances with the seller & friends with her grand daughter & her husband! The grand daughter is also one of the sellers!

They said they would prefer for us to be in it than a stranger & would be willing to take less to insure we get the house!

So we had the kids come down to look at it because like I said before they're the ones who are going to come out & take care of broken tree branches, etc., & have to sell it when we're unable to live by ourselves, etc.

So at 10 AM we all went to look at it ant they all loved it! JSS said it looks like a retreat! Isn't that a wonderful way to think of grandma's house?

EOS was busy making suggestions about how to make the kitchen more workable without spending a ton of money.

AME sat on the porch swing with AMS, chatting up a storm.

Men crawled beneath the house (which was dry, even though we recently had 7 - 10" of rain) to report that there is new plumbing & water pipes are wrapped & all looks fine.

Hubby measured rooms to draw out a floor plan for me.

DAE made suggestions how we could open up the dining area.

SLS played with Elanor in the yard & visited with the neighboring cows who came to see what was going on.

The house & yard was alive with activity & excitement & exclamations about how it was so very much us! And it was unanimous: sign the contract & let's seal the deal!

AME & her hubby went pick up my mom & bring her home for lunch, while the rest of us went home to put the finishing touches on lunch when we got the call: The Houston couple who looked at it at 9 AM submitted a contract!

Oh my! We were devastated! This was *our* house! We knew it! All of us knew it! It just felt so right! How could this be? TWO contracts in eight days? Who would have guessed?

Hubby called Ronnie & he said he'd talk to grandma & get back in touch with us.

At EOS suggestion we all gathered together & prayed for God's will to be done. And I was praying for Him to slam the door on my heart as I was more in love with Cedar Cottage than with the white house with black shutters!

It was without a doubt one of the longest 45 minutes I have ever endured! I'll always, always, always remember where I was when the call came: in my bedroom w/SLS & EOS, talking, surmising, & wondering what was going to happen.

In came my dear hubby of 40 years saying, "Ronnie says to 'be blessed', they're accepting our offer, even though the Houston couple offered more money". MLS asked if we needed to match it & he said "no - - - just be blessed". What an honorable man. A man whose "yes is yes, & no is no". What a wonderful object lesson for all of us.

He didn't offer & we didn't ask how much more they offered. Since it took more than 45 minutes for them to discuss it, I'm thinking maybe more than 1K? We'll never know . . . & we don't need to know. . . God is able to bless them much more than we ever could!

Closing should be on or before December 12 & we are ecstatic! We are also very humbled. But most of all we are grateful.

I am wondering . . . why people have voice recordings on their phones that always include, "...leave your name & number & I'll get back to you" & then they don't return the phone call? Exactly what part of "thou shalt not lie" do they not understand? :)

From the kitchen . . . Onions, bananas, pears, apples & dirty dishes waiting to be washed. I'm out of dishwasher soap.

I am going . . . do some more GS paperwork, clean kitchen & continue purging stuff!

I am wearing . . . khaki cargo pants (Academy); orange v-neck 3/4 length sleeved t-shirt (JCP)& black fleece vest (Old Navy).

I am reading . . . my Bible.

I am hoping . . . we can make some of the kitchen changes before moving in.

Around the house . . . tablecloths to be folded; stuff to be taken to car to drop off at our church garage sale tomorrow; GS paperwork.

One of my favorite things . . . is my storybook life!

Something you may not know about me . . .

About Today's Photo . . . nope - no pix today!

For Today - November 3, 2009 - Tuesday

Outside My Window. . . is bright & sunny with coolness in the air. Butterflies are everywhere. roses, Mexican Leucantha, Blue Indigo Sage, Duranta, & yellow mums are blooming like crazy.

I am hearing. . . birds chirping, geese flying overhead & computer performing scandisk :)

I am thinking . . . about getting rid of furniture. There, I said it. Two 1950 type office desks, each with the cool typewriter turn around, will most likely have to go. And those fabulously comfortable blue leather reclining couch & love-seat are so darn big!

I am grateful (continued from yesterday's blog). . .

So, back to the house hunting drawing board! I got up the next Saturday & plugged our zip code into Realtors.com & there it was! A new listing! It said it was a real wife pleaser! The first thought in my mind was, "We may be an answer to someone's prayer". This thought was very quickly followed by, "This may be an answer to our prayer"!

We got in touch with the listing agent & later in the day drove out to see it. It's on a little more than 3/4 wooded acres but surrounded by pastures, without a neighbor in sight, unless you consider cows as neighbors! It's an old dogtrot house & at least 65 years old. The Realtor knows the 65 year old man who was born there!

You say you're not familiar with a dogtrot style home? Well, they were primarily built in Texas & Louisiana. A dogtrot has one room completely detached from the main house, separated by a porch, & sharing a common roof. I'm thinking a more modern version of it would be a breezeway. Anyway - in this house, the 2nd bedroom & bathroom our away from the main house. We're thinking that it originally was the kitchen because the current kitchen is added on & is very, very "quirky". I'll tell more about it later.

The main house has two living areas, one being very small), a very small dining room, bedroom & tiny, very quirky little kitchen! All the rooms, except the kitchen, have 10 foot ceilings with lots of closets & cupboards that go to the top of those 10 foot ceilings! Lots of double-paned windows, and more than a few built-ins. Only one is guaranteed to stay!

It comes with a wonderful porch, a deck, 2 car carport, storage shed & metal roof. And it's in the woods!

There are several negatives about this house: mainly the tiny, inefficient kitchen (I think the designer must have been hitting the moonshine!); and the fact that it does not have central air & heat. :( If you go back through my past blogs you will find several references made to my wonderful central air & heat. I am very fond of it & am not a big fan of window units.

In spite of the negatives, there are many more positive things about this house. As soon as we left I texted the kids, "We found the one!"

Remember I said we've been wanting to down-size? Well down-size we will do! I'm not for certain, but I'm thinking it's close to being half the size of our current home. It really doesn't matter because I don't want to spend my time house cleaning as I'd rather spend my time scrap-booking, quilting, gardening or taking photographs. Since I'm not a particular fan of house cleaning, the less house I have the less house I need tot clean!

In theory I love the idea of down-sizing. I've help move many people once across country) & I've helped clean out a house after the residents passed away. I've packed *stuff*, & I've hauled off so much *stuff* that the local thrift store asked me to please bring no more. I do not want my children to have to deal with an inordinate amount of *stuff*. I do not want to deal with an inordinate amount of *stuff* either!

So, in theory, I'm ecstatic about a small cottage in the woods! I'm not at all certain how well I will do in the practical application of this latest endeavor!

I'll write more tomorrow about why I'm grateful about this little house in the woods & how God showed Himself to us through circumstances. In the meantime, I need to go to Good Samaritan & pick up some produce to take to a young mom of 3 children. Her car isn't running & her hard-working husband is at work.

BTW - the 2005 HGTV Dream House in Tyler, TX was a dog trot, with the master bedroom completely detached from the house!

To find out more about dog-trot houses you can go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogtrot_house

I am wondering . . . how long I'll have to stand in line for her produce.


From the kitchen . . . On the counter is a floor plan of new house & little cutouts of our furniture. We've moved around furniture on a floor plan in every house we've ever lived in. Hopefully this will be the last time I need to do this.

I am going . . . to quickly tidy up before calling mom & heading out, but before that daughter & I need to work out the car situation!

I am wearing . . . black fleece pants with brown v-neck t-shirt.

I am reading . . . my Bible.

I am hoping . . . our big leather couch & love-seat will fit well in new home. I'm not too hopeful.

Around the house . . . a huge bouquet of roses, Mexican Leucantha, Blue Indigo Sage, & Duranta.

One of my favorite things . . . This attitude: "It's perfect! And if not it'll be just fine"!

Something you may not know about me . . . I may be moving the same time as daughter! Youngest son may regret coming to visit mid/end December - January! :)

About Today's Photo . . . the one built-in that is sure to stay!

For Today - November 2, 2009 - Monday

Outside My Window. . . currently it's dark because it's 5:19 AM & even with the time change it's not yet light out there! But once the sun is up & the day warms up there will be the sweetest smell of roses & sweet almond blossoms, & dozens upon dozens of butterflies. Autumn is most definitely butterfly season here!

I am hearing. . . DIL & daughter's alarm going off. They set it earlier than they need to & repeatedly hit the snooze button. I don't know how they can keep track of how many times they hit the snooze button & when it's really time to get up?!

I am thinking . . . about the events of this past weekend. It has been a real roller coaster!

I am grateful . . . that it appears we will soon be moving! Hubby & I have been looking off and on for the past several years but really got serious Labor Day weekend. We called in the kids to get their opinion about this move, because hopefully it will be the last one until we either die or become infirm! And it will be up to them to sell the house, etc., so we wanted their opinion about what they were & were not willing to do.

We were first interested in a piece of property 10 miles farther out of town: 11 acres with a creek & a house with only 2 closets & one bathroom, but had GREAT porches, hardwood floors, & a lot of 60 year old charm & those charming 11 acres of woods - - - with a creek! But then we realized we didn't want to live 10 minutes farther from my mom & daughter & what were we going to do with 11 acres anyway? So after the sellers accepted the offer, we started over with our search.

We looked in nearby towns; we looked at lake property; we looked & looked & finally realized we don't want to live in town unless it's our town. I was sharing this revelation to another volunteer at Good Samaritan & asked her about the house next to her that had been on the market but the for sale sign was now gone. No, she didn't think they had sold it.

Later that day I drove by it to find the address to contact the previous listing agent & lo & behold my friend was out mowing her yard & home owner was there moving stuff out! Friend introduced us, home owner said the contract with the Realtor had expired, but yes, she thought they were still interested in selling. In the meantime she & her family were living on 64 acres not too far away.

After calls & visits, etc., we were all set to buy the house! It's 6/10 of a mile from town, a huge lot with w/a fishing pond in the back & we had visions of walking to/from town, etc.

We saw God's fingerprints all over this. . . nice house (again with lots of 60 year old charm!), fishing pond, no neighbors super close, not Realtor fees to pay so they were able to come down on the price, etc., etc., etc. But in spite of all His fingerprints I prayed if this wasn't His best for us than please slam shut the door. . . no quietly, slowly creaking closed! Just slam it shut, please!?

Then it happened! The fingerprints started to get all smudged up. What was happening? It's a darling white house with black shutters & a front porch & had two bathrooms & closets! It was perfect! Perfect for us. What was that sound? Was it, could it be the door slamming shut?

It is now time to insert the Music Man quote " Well, ya got trouble, my friend. Right here, I say trouble right here in River City"! The husband called & said he was divorcing the wife & she & the children would be living in the white house with black shutters just 6/10 mile from our favorite little town in the whole world! No sale. No deal. Just like that it had slipped through our fingers!

I was devastated & indeed wouldn't believe it until I had spoken with the wife. Sure enough, it was true . . . the door had slammed shut. A might loud slam! Unfortunately my heart didn't get the message & I was in a real funk for a couple of days until I begged God to please slam shut the door on my heart. And He mercifully did!

So, back to the house hunting drawing board! I got up the next Saturday & plugged our zip code into Realtors.com & there it was! A new listing! It said it was a real wife pleaser! The first thought in my mind was, "We may be an answer to someone's prayer. This thought was very quickly followed by, "This may be an answer to our prayer"!

OK - that's all for now! I'll have to finish the post about gratefulness tomorrow because I need to fix breakfast for the kids who eventually will get up & take a photo of son-in-law. . . . it's for his job at the seminary.

I am wondering . . . how late hubby will be for his doctor appointment? He left the house 45 minutes late!

From the kitchen . . . Oatmeal, toast & tea. There's also cold cereal & milk.

I am going . . . to wash tablecloths, & either continue packing or go mess around in the yard. The butterflies may enjoy my company! I know I'll enjoy theirs.

I am wearing . . . navy blue flannel pajamas & socks.

I am reading . . . just my daily Bible reading.

I am hoping . . . it today is all that it's intended to be!

Around the house . . . a bunch of boxes gone as daughter-in-law took lots of books, puzzles & games! Dear daughter nabbed some too, but they're staying here until they get moved in December there's no need to move them to DFW only to bring them back to east TX in December!

One of my favorite things . . . is when God shows us glimpses of Him working in our lives. Of course He is always working - - - but He doesn't always give me eyes to see. But it's way cool when He does. And super way cool when He gives all of us, hubby, kids & grandkids, the eyes to see Him & His mercy, love & generosity!

Something you may not know about me . . . My wish list for a house isn't very long. One nonnegotiable was that it either comes with two potties or else a second bathroom add-on is in the near future. The second really important aspect was that it has good windows with great views & beautiful lighting. I want most of the windows facing south & east. . . I just love that light.

One can always remodel a home but even with the best of landscaping, it's hard to improve a dismal view from ones window!

About Today's Photo . . . no photo today as I really need to get busy with breakfast & set up a makeshift photo studio in the living room. Oh, how I love the early morning lighting in that room.