Bid Farewell To 2020

December 31, 2020 

Good morning.  It's early, so it's still bleary looking outside my door.  Today is the last day of this most challenging year.  Tomorrow will begin, I hope, a new year that is much kinder to all of us.  

Yesterday I did not post.  Sorry.  Some days there is just nothing to say.  Yesterday I was just tired and not in the mood to do much of anything.  Deanne says I need more Potassium and Vitamin D, so she went to the store and bought some for me and will bring them by after work today.  

Today is a very popular day for birthdays.  Six of my friends have a birthday today.  So, Happy Birthday to all of them.  I hope your day is filled with laughter and love.

I've decided that in this New Year, I will make changes to my blogging habit.  I will be skipping a day of posting here and there.  So if you don't find me here one day, most likely I will be here the next day.  

Has anyone heard whether or not any of the packages that are hung up at the New Jersey USPS facility have started being delivered?  Has the Post Office put on enough temporary employees to get the job at least started?  I haven't hear of any packages being delivered.  Only envelopes.  And not the big envelopes.

Do you know what is really strange?  The Post Office hasn't been having any trouble bringing the bills  that arrive in the daily mail.  It's just the packages that they can't seem to move.  Maybe they should call Amazon drivers in to get the job done?  Maybe with this new year, some of the Christmas packages will make it to their destinations?

I found an interesting image on the web and thought I would share it.  

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all pull together to create a peaceful life for each of us?  And while we're at it, couldn't we each do our part to make sure that our animals are protected and cared for too?  

Pogo and I wish you a peaceful, healthy and Happy New Year.  May God Bless you..

Hugs, Edna B.

Cable Woes

December 29, 2020

Good morning.  It's cold, but the sun is shining.  It always seems a speck warmer when the sun is shining.  Now if only the sunshine could bring back all my old TV programs.  Comcast has changed the lineup of all the programs that I watch, and they've taken a lot of the fun out of them.  For me, anyway.

I'm seriously contemplating getting rid of cable.  It's way too expensive and I only watch a few channels anyway.  Last night I was watching the Kids Baking Championship.  Part way in, the sound went out.  I waited a while, but it did not come back.  I tried changing channels but still no sound.  

I shut the TV off for a while and tried to look up on Google to see if Comcast was having troubles.  I did not find anything, and after a while I put the TV back on.  The sound came back on too.  But it was out long enough for me to lose a lot of my program.  

Since Comcast has started its new program packages, there's all sorts of problems with regular cable.  It's sort of like they make it unpleasant, maybe we'll all switch over to their newer packages.  It won't work with me.  I'll just get rid of the cable.  Deanne found a service that carries almost all the programs that I watch.  I'm going to look into that.

Last night I started using the new yarn and put a few more rows on my pocket wrap.  I think I only have about twenty more rows to go to finish it.   Then I'll try it on to make sure it is long enough before I sew the other pocket on it.  Woo Hoo!

Today I thought I'd give you a couple coloring pages from Dover Publishing.  Something fun to do while waiting for the New Year to ring in.  Enjoy.

Now I'm just waiting for the mailman to come.  I put a batch of bills and cards out for him to pick up.  I just checked on my missing packages again and it looks like the smallest package just might get delivered soon.  I hope the other two packages get delivered soon too.  They have all the gifts for my great granddaughter Alena and everyone at Audrey's house.  I'm at the "this is not funny" point.

I guess in the future all packages will have to be shipped via UPS.   They have a very good delivery record.  Lesson learned the hard way.

Now I'm off to do some blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Only Eighty Two Days Till Spring

December 28, 2020

Good morning.  It's gray and cold, but the mailman just brought a package that brightened up my day.  A big bag of yarn!  This bag of yarn was due tomorrow, so it's a day early.  Thank you, thank you. Now I can finish my pocket wrap.

I'm still chasing packages that never got delivered.  Two of them are floating somewhere in New Jersey and the other one is hung up somewhere in Maryland.  Considering that my package today came from Wisconsin, I'm thinking that the delivery problems with the postal service seem to be on the East Coast between New York, New Jersey and Maryland.  Well, at least with my packages.

My daughter Deanne has asked me to post this note on my blog so that Kyra (my friend in Holland) will see it.  

Did you know that it is only eighty two days till Spring?  I hope the days go by quickly to get to the warmer temps.  First, though, we have to get through tax season.  Yuk, yuk! I suppose I should get started on that soon.  For me, it's in a class with housework.  Not my funnest stuff to do.

Today, I have calls to make, bills to pay and cards to write.  I meant to do a lot of this yesterday, but I rested instead.  Afterwards, I think I'll have me a nice nap.  Gray days are great days to have a nap.  Tonight I can crochet with my new yarn.  

Other than that, it's very quiet here so I'm going to do some blog reading  now.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Joy And Sorrow

December 27, 2020

Good morning.  Well, Christmas is over for another year.  I hope everyone had an awesome day.  Pogo and I had a wonderful time.   Thanks to my Portal, I was able to share in the festivities at both of my daughters' homes.

I got so many wonderful presents.  Here's one that I just have to share with you.  It's a slipper.  Yup, a great big fuzzy slipper!  When I'm sitting, I can slide both my tootsies in it and they will be nice and warm.  Isn't this just the cutest?  Thank you Kyra.  I love it!

I also got two new books, one of which I've already finished reading.  That chain dangling is part of my bookmark which was a birthday gift.

Today I've started on the other new book,  It's about the life of Marilyn Monroe.  The photos inside are just wonderful.  I'll share a photo of it another day.

SIL Eddie came by and picked up my "Ring" and took it home to figure out what he will need to hook it up.  Then my DIL Janet came by with a big bag of Christmas goodies.  On the very top of the bag is a big pan of home made cookies.  Yum!  

Along with the joys of the Christmas holiday comes sadness too.  Yesterday my cousin Dickie passed away.  We're all in our eighties; and I know we'll all be heading home soon, but still the sadness sets in.  Rest In Peace Dickie.

It's late (I started my post very late today) and I want to do some blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2020

Good morning, Happy Birthday Jesus, and a Merry Christmas to everyone.  There's no post today, but Pogo and I wanted to share our Christmas card with all of you.  

While everyone is enjoying the day with friends and family, please remember the animals.  (I know, I sound like a broken record)  They are God's children too.

Have an awesome day,

Hugs, Edna B.

Here Comes Santa Claus

December 24, 2020

Good morning.  It's early, not quite 6:30 a.m.  Today will be cloudy with possible rain, and temps in the low fifties.  Pogo has been trying to wake me.  Pretty soon I'll go to the kitchen and make us some breakfast.  

Sad to say, one of the new dwarfs moved out yesterday.  It seems his father is sick and he needs to go take care of him.  We wish him well, and his father a speedy healing.

This morning on the Create TV channel, they are making a windchime, using pieces of driftwood , beads, wire and bells.  It's quite easy, and rather pretty to look at.  When you hang these in your trees, it is said that fairies climb up them at night and sprinkle love in your trees.  Hmm, that's a lovely thought.

Last night, I dug out some "Slate" yarn and started a new pocket wrap.  I use safety pins to mark my rows, and I place a pin every twenty rows.  

 I wrote the pattern down in case anyone would like to try making a pocket wrap.  The length (number of rows) and amount of yarn will depend on how long you make your wrap.  I suggest that once you reach one hundred rows, measure your wrap to yourself.   Have fun with it.  If you try it and need help, just let me know.

Do you remember how exciting Christmas Eve was when you were a child?  Did you ever spend hours sitting by your bedroom window watching to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and his reindeer?  Or maybe you sat out on the door steps to watch for them?  Somehow, we always seemed to fall asleep just before Santa Claus got to our house.  (image borrowed from the web)

Let's all be children again and Believe.  

Hugs, Edna B.

Santa Claus Comes Tomorrow Night!!!

December 23, 2020

Good morning.  Tis sunny with temps in the mid thirties today.  It's supposed to warm up the next two days, but of course we'll be expecting rain with those nice temps.

Can you believe it?  Santa Claus comes tomorrow night.  Is everybody ready?  I'll have to check my supply of carrots and apples.  The reindeer love them!  

Well, last evening, I put a few more rows on my pocket wrap and used up the remaining Sandstone yarn.  Then, with the variegated yarn, I made a second pocket to put on the other end of the wrap when it is finished.  I've already been checking the list of my yarn stash in order to stave off yarn withdrawal.  

Definition of "stave off."  transitive verb - to fend off - to ward off - forestall.

Don't you just love these uncommon, not often used words?  I do.  Many years ago, I was an executive secretary  to a man who just loved long, seldom used words.  I had to study the dictionary every night and learn new words in order to keep up with him.

How about some fun?  Yesterday was Ugly Sweater day at Amazon, so Deanne sent me photos of the sweater she made and wore to work.  Great job Deanne!  Gosh, we never had fun like this back when I was working.

Today, I'm still trying to track down two packages that I mailed out on December 14.  All I could find out is that they are both floating around somewhere in transit.  I even called the Post Office, but they hung up on me after saying that everyone is having the same problems.

It's really sad, this Postal delivery system.  It started out as a darn good system.  But over the years, paychecks and benefits got bigger and fatter, and service started costing much more for less service.  Don't get me wrong, I know that a lot of the mail carriers do work hard.  But I also know that a lot of the employees work hard at working the system, costing both money and service.

The Post Office says that they have a lot of employees out because of Covid.  Does that mean almost the whole work force?  The Post Office could have recalled a lot of their employees who are out on leave or temporarily let go.  I don't envy the working conditions for the Postal workers, but I do think the system could be run a lot more efficiently. Don't be mad at me.  I'm just stating my opinion.

Deanne is stopping by today and I want to do my blog reading now before she gets here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

So, What's A Doohickey?

December 22, 2020

Good morning.  Today will be sunny with temps in the mid to upper thirties.  A good day to be out getting some fresh air.  Just be sure to wear your mask and keep your distance from other folks.  With the new vaccines and all of us doing our part, we can lick this Covid thing.

I got a letter from the facility where my daughter Laura Jean lives.  It contained a lot of information about the new vaccines and asked for permission from each parent for their loved one to be vacinated.  The new vaccine shots will be given out there on January 8, with a booster shot on January 29.  

This facility has done an outstanding job of caring for our loved ones and making sure that none of them has got the Covid virus.  I called them right away to give my permission.  

I came across an image on the web that reminded me of all the funny words and phrases that we've used and enjoyed over the years.  Ever think about them?  A person called "adgrayvisions" has put together this list of these words.

These words are awesome!  Although a lot of them have gone by, some of them are still being tossed around these days.  Thank goodness.  We need fun words like this to liven things up.  

I got an email from the yarn company, and my order should be getting here by next Tuesday.  Gosh, that's another whole week!  I'll be in yarn withdrawal by then!  Hmmm, maybe I'll have to grab some more yarn from my stash and start another new project to keep me busy.  Hmmm?

I know I'm like a broken record folks, but it's cold outside and our animals are freezing.  Please bring them in and make warm shelters for the feral ones.  Please.

What do you say when your kids ask you what you want for Christmas?  When you are eighty one years old, that's a tough question.  My best answer this year was "some seek a word puzzle books and a six pack of Sam Adams light."   I borrowed this image from the web, and it says it all.

These things are time.  A phone call now and then, or a visit even if it's via the media.  A greeting card or a note or a text message.  A photo.  A little bit of you means the world to me.  Time is such a precious commodity.

Now I'm off to do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

p.s.  A doohickey is what you call something when you can't think of the right word.  

A Restful Day

December 21, 2020

Good morning.  Tis cloudy with temps in the low to mid thirties today.  A typical winter day.  I'm late posting today.  Sorry, I'm just having a "tired" day.  I just did not want to get up today but of course I did.  I made breakfast for Pogo and me, then decided to "rest" for a while.  

I guess it's because the night was not a sleepful night.  At one point, I got up and crocheted for a while on my pocket wrap.  I made a pocket and sewed it on to one end.  I'm going to run out of yarn soon and will have to wait for the new yarn order to get here so that I can finish this wrap.

Here's a photo of the pocket sewn on to the end of the wrap.  I thought using the variegated yarn would be a nice touch.  

When I finish this wrap, I'll post the pattern here in case anyone wants to make one.  I would post it now, but I've made adjustments to the pattern and I'm not done yet.  So far, I've given away just about everything I've ever made.  This pocket wrap is for me.  Yup, I'm keeping this one.  And I can't wait to be able to wear it so I hope that yarn order gets here soon.

I've been checking the tracking on some of the packages that I mailed out.  Did you know that to send a package from here (just south of Boston) to Pennsylvania, the package first goes to Connecticut, then it is sent on to New Jersey.  After that, hopefully, it heads for Pennsylvania.  I mailed the package seven days ago.  It was supposed to have arrived at its destination on Friday, December 18.  I hope it gets there before Christmas.

Joe talked to all the dwarfs to find out who will be home for Christmas Day and dinner.  It looks like most everyone will be home so Joe will go shopping for a ham and all the fixings for Christmas dinner.  We've agreed, I'll pay for the food and he will cook it.  That's a good deal.

I have a couple images to share with you that I borrowed from the web.  This first one is just so funny, and true!

This next image is more serious, yet also very true.  I am very Blessed.  And very thankful.

Now I'm off to do some blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

My Friend, Mary Ellen

December 20, 2020

Good morning.  It's cloudy and cold outside, and I'm leaving it out there.  Tomorrow is the official first day of Winter.  Someone needs to have a chat with Old Man Winter.  Let him know that he really doesn't have to come so early.  It's okay for him to wait for his official day to open Winter. 

I was going through some photos a while back and came across a photo of a friend from my childhood.  This is Mary Ellen Canniff.  She was younger than me, closer to my brother's age.  We lived next door to a granite monument company owned by her dad.  She, her brother and sister, and my brother and I were always together.  I have so many wonderful memories from those carefree days.  Sadly, when we moved away, we lost contact with our childhood friends.

Recently I got an email advertisement for a product and noticed that the sender's last name was the same as Mary Ellen's.  I wrote to him and sent him a photo of Mary Ellen, just in case they were related.  I got a reply from his mother, saying that her son and Mary Ellen were cousins.  I was also sent a link about Mary Ellen that explained what an exciting (although too short) life she'd had.  

https://www.vaildaily.com/news/remembering-mary-ellen-canniff/

This photo of Mary Ellen is taken from her memorial link.  I wish I'd been able to locate her earlier, but I'm happy to know how loved she was by so many people.  RIP my friend.

I share this because I want to tell you that if you have any family or friends missing in your life, don't wait to try to locate them.  You may get lucky and find them.  

On a happy note, yesterday was Crazy Socks day at Amazon.  Here's a photo that Deanne sent me of the wicked crazy socks that she made to wear to work.  Wowzie!  Snazzy!

Are you trying to be extra good these days?  Don't bother.  Santa already knows if you've been bad all during the year.  Kissing up to him this last week before Christmas won't work.  You'll still get a stocking full of coal.  

Now I'm off to do some blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Everything Is Covered With Snow!

December 18, 2020

Good morning.  Well, the snow is done snowing.  At least for now.  It stopped yesterday afternoon.  It took Joe most of the day to clear most of it away using both the shovel and the snow blower.  It never stops amazing me how there are seven dwarfs  (all male) in the house (five of them have an automobile parked in the yard) and Joe is the only one outside clearing away the snow.  I'll have to ask Santa to bring him an extra present.

There's not much happening here.  The wrapping is done, and I've been catching up on phone calls.  I've also been researching to find out when my fashion programs might be on again.  They are so vague about when they might start.  I did find out that a couple fashion programs will be on paid media, but I don't subscribe to any of them.  

I'm thinking that I'll make a pot of meat sauce today, and of course a pot of pasta.  Then I'll have to talk to Joe about what to do about dinner on Christmas day.  If the dwarfs are going to be home, then I think we should have a nice dinner for everyone.  I'll pay for it and Joe can cook it. 

I just took a break and started an order from WalMart for delivery on Sunday.  I think I'll have Joe pick up the items for Christmas dinner in person so that nothing will be out of stock.  If the Chinese restaurant were open on Christmas, I'd order Chinese take out for all of us.  Just a thought.

Here is an image that I borrowed from the web to share with you.  Every animal deserves a forever home.  

And here's another image that I borrowed from the web to share with you.  

Now it's time for me to do some blog reading.  So, till Sunday, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.  

Hugs, Edna B.

Quincy, Massachusetts

December 17, 2020

Good morning.  Gosh, I realize that Christmas is not far off, but I looked at my calendar this morning and realized that it's only ONE WEEK away.  Just one week!  Wow, that happened really fast!

Did any of you get much snow from this latest storm?  We got lots of it.  When I look out my door, it looks like at least ten or twelve inches.  But, I really don't know for sure.  There could be more, it's still snowing.  Joe is out there trying to move a lot of the snow somewhere out of the way.  

Today I thought I'd share some information about a man who was born and grew up in the same city as I did.  Quincy, Massachusetts.  His name is John Quincy Adams, and he was our sixth president.

He was born in 1767, and believed in God, hard work, education, honor and American prominence.  He was perhaps our greatest secretary of state, and as a US representative from Massachusetts, his willingness to speak up and oppose the expansion of slavery helped pave the way for the emergence of Lincoln and the Republican Party.

Adams went on his first oversea government mission with his father, John Adams, at age eleven.  At age fourteen, partially due to his foreign language fluency, Adams received his first official government posting and was sent as a secretary on a mission to Russia.  He eventually mastered at least six languages.  In his lifetime, he served many political posts, as well as President of the United States.  

In 1830, Adams ran for the House of Representatives, becoming the only former President to serve there.  During this House tenure, one Virginia congressman referred to Adams as "the acutest, the astutest, the archest enemy of Southern slavery that ever existed."

In 1848, Adams collapsed on the floor of the House, dying two days later.  Present when he collapsed and serving on the committee of arrangement for Adams's funeral was a freshman representative from Illinois.  His name was Abraham Lincoln.

(information from AMAC magazine)

John Quincy Adams life was very interesting and worth researching if you'd like to know more about him.  His father, President John Adams, (second President of the United States) was also born in this same city of Quincy, Massachusetts.  

I hope you enjoyed this.  Now I'm off to do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

The Best Laid Plans

December 16, 2020

Good morning.  It's nippy outside this morning.  Here's what my phone says.

And, tonight and tomorrow we should be getting lots of snow.  Let's hope the forecasters are wrong.  I really don't want a lot of snow.  Of course, I don't think it much matters what I do or don't want.  Old Man Winter does his own thing.

How about the title for today's post?  Nothing went the way I planned yesterday.  Everything I touched seemed to get me more side tracked than I already was.  Ever have days like that?  Well, to be fair, one thing got done.  One of the dwarfs picked up some milk and a gift card at the market for me when he went to do his shopping.  Thank you Mikey.

A fellow from the oxygen supply company came by to put new columns (parts) in my portable concentrator.  According to him, these should be replaced twice a year.  Really?  This is the first time they've replaced them.  Hmmmm.

The nice guy at the computer repair store called me and overhauled my laptop remotely to find out why it is so slow.  The call lasted about thirty minutes and it does seem to be working much better now.  The main culprit is Photoshop Cloud.  It's a big program and it uses a lot of energy.  We decided to have an appointment twice a year to clean up whatever things might be slowing down my laptop.  Excellent idea!

Afterwards, I sat down with my checkbook and paid a batch of bills to go out in this morning's mail.  I never did get to sit down with my shredder machine.  The best laid plans of mice and men!  Actually, the mice are doing well for themselves.  When it gets cold, they find their way into the house and drive me crazy.  If I don't put my newly bagged trash out as soon as I tie up the bag, the mice attack it and leave bits of plastic all over the place.  Then I have to re-bag the trash.  Not mention clean up the mess they made.

Add to this, Pogo has the weirdest talent.  He's the only doggie I've ever known who can pee under his pee pads and not get anything on top of them.  Can you imagine?  Even when the pads look clean, I have to lift them up to see if they are floating on a puddle of pee.  I have yet to figure out how he does this.  You just gotta love this little guy!

Here's an item I borrowed from the web to help those of you who are planning to build shelter for the outdoor animals.  It says to use straw, not blankets to keep the animals warm.  This is good to know.

Now I'm going to do some blog reading while I finish my coffee.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's Wicked Cold. Please Bring in The Animals!

December 15, 2020

Good morning.  Gosh, do you realize that Christmas is only ten days away? And Chanukah is almost over? (12/10 - 12/18)  That means that in just seventeen days, we'll be celebrating a brand new year.  I can only hope and pray that 2021 will be a much better year for all of us than this year has been.  

My grandson Kevin took all my Christmas packages/boxes to the Post Office yesterday.  Then we filled his car with bundles going to his house.  (Deanne's)  There is one last bag of things going to Deanne's house as soon as one last gift that I had ordered arrives in the mail.  Once I wrap it, and put it in the gift bag, I am done!  

Last night, I grabbed a skein of yarn from my stash and started a new pocket scarf for me.  I think the color is called sandstone, and I used it earlier this year to make a poncho for a friend.  I just have to have a crochet hook in my hands and some yarn.

The sun is shining now, and temps won't get above freezing.  It's time to start my countdown to Spring.  In a little while, the computer repair shop is going to call me and try to find out why my laptop is so slow.  Hopefully, they can find the problem with the remote program.  I really don't want to have to send them my laptop.  

I'm going to re-post an image as a reminder to everyone that it is too cold to leave our animals outdoors.  We wouldn't put our children outside to live, so bring the animals indoors too.  Please.

Remember, Santa Claus is watching to see if you are taking care of the animals!  And I'm hoping that there are angels out there watching over all the animals.

Today I'll see about sewing the buttons on the blue pocket scarf so that I can take a photo of it.  (I know, I am soooooo slow!)  Then I am going to move my shredder machine closer to where I'm sitting and attack some of the junk mail.  I have enough of that to keep me busy for a while. 

Now I'm going to do some blog reading before I get my phone call.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

I'm Just About Done. Woo Hoo!

December 14, 2020

Good morning.  It's cloudy and the temperature is 33F degrees.  Today is probably the warmest day we're going to see for quite a while now.  Temps today won't get out of the thirties.  And there's some yucky weather on its way here.  Snow and rain, oh goody, goody.   We'll probably get a bunch of snow from the storm that's headed here.

Well, I had me a busy afternoon yesterday.  I finished wrapping the rest of the Christmas gifts.  Except for a couple gifts that haven't come in the mail yet.  I filled boxes, taped them up and put mailing labels on them.  I put everything going out (not mailed) into two big trash bags to be delivered later.  

Then I got out my last purse and fingerless gloves set.  I had made this set for myself, but where do I go?  And I knew of one very nice person who might really like to have it, so I wrapped it up and put a bow on it.  

This person's birthday is Christmas.  Who is she?  I don't know her.  But she sent me a birthday gift when she found out that it was Deanne's mother's birthday.  (last month)  So, Happy Birthday, Ma'am.  I hope you like this set that I made, and you use it in good health.

I got up very early this morning, and started putting the finishing touches on the blue pocket scarf.  I sewed up the second pocket sides and put the button trims on one of the pockets.  I'll finish the rest of it later.  When that is done, I'll take a photo to share.

I've been watching the news on TV about the arrival of the first shipments of the new Covid 19 vaccine to the different states today.  This is a historical moment folks.  Let's hope it helps to stomp out the virus.

Right now, I'm getting hungry and Pogo has been sending me little hints that he would like his breakfast.  It's time for me to head for the kitchen.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Almost Done With All The Packages

December 13, 2020

Good morning.  The sun is shining and temps are at 47F degrees and headed for the mid fifties.  Woo Hoo!  We need to enjoy today because the colder temps and maybe some not so nice weather is headed back to us.

Well, Friday Deanne and I had submarine sandwiches for our "take out" lunch.  I had the steak, green pepper and cheese.  Oh my, yum yum!  I ate the whole thing!  Actually, I shared a lot of it with Pogo.  He really enjoyed it!  I should do something like this once a month.  

I still have my cold.  I'll probably have it all winter.  Arghhhhhhhh!   It hasn't gotten better, but at least it is not worse.  I'm keeping a good supply of cough drops on hand, some of them are from Vicks and they taste like Vicks!  They numb the whole mouth!

Today, let me share something fun I borrowed from the latest issue of the  AMAC magazine.  Do you remember this?

Mr. Potato Head was introduced in America on May 1, 1952.  The first Mr. Potato Head cost $0.98 and was sold without a plastic potato body.  Instead, you used a real potato as a base in which to insert body parts.  This, of course, eventually evolved into the plastic potato shaped figure that we know today.  Mr. Potato Head was the first children's toy to be advertised on television.

While watching one of the shopping channels on TV, I came across a very interesting item that was being showcased.  It's a bag to carry your medicine around in.  Really?  They showed someone carrying this case everywhere they went.  Why?  Why do we need to take a whole pharmacy with us?  

I think the bag is nice to store the meds in, but I just don't understand carrying it everywhere we go.  Of course, I don't take this many meds so maybe there's a lot I need to learn?

Today, I need to finish packing up the last of the packages that I need to mail out for Christmas.  My grandson Kevin is coming by tomorrow to pick them up and take them to the Post Office for me.  What would I do without that young man?  He's awesome!

After that, I just have to send a bunch of bundles over to Deanne's house and I'll be done.  Except for Christmas Eve when Santa gets here.  I can't believe I actually got it all done in time.  It feels really good.

Meanwhile I'm ignoring the junk mail that is piling up.  I guess that can keep me busy after all the packages are gone.  Hmm, there's always something.  Ah well.  What would I do without all this wonderful junk mail to keep me busy?

Now I'm off to get started on that packing stuff.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Having Take Out Today!

December 11, 2020

Good morning.  The sun is shining and temps should reach the mid forties today.  Not bad!  Deanne is coming by after work and we're going to have lunch together.  In a little while, I'll check to see what is available for take out food.  Maybe a sub sandwich?    Mmmm, I haven't had one of these for months.

Speaking of Deanne, today is Elf Day at work, so here she is in her Elf outfit.  Note the shoes, she made them out of Christmas hats.  Sorry the photo isn't as clear as I'd like, but it's what I was sent.  Deanne, you make an adorable Elf.

I've been looking online for a dish pan.  It's not easy to buy just one pan.  All the inexpensive pans come in lots of three and four pans.  I just want one pan.  What would I do with the other two or three pans?

Here's a picture I borrowed from the web of a kitchen stove from the past, and it brought back a lot of memories.  I used to have a stove very similar to this one in my first kitchen.  My stove was all black and had a stand next to it to hold the large oil jug.  I would have to take the oil jug down three floors to the back yard to fill it with oil, then carry it back up all those stairs to my kitchen.  Thankfully, I only fell down once while doing this.   

When I was very young, my mother had a black stove like this too.  We would sit in front of it in the evening with the oven door open (keeping the room warm) and listen to our favorite programs on the radio.  Now that was fun!  

I had planned to have the last of my boxes ready for mailing by today, but I got a bit behind.  I'll work on them later today and make sure they get out of here no later than Monday.  I don't dare wait any longer than that.  After that, I'll send a batch of bundles over to Deanne's house.  Then I'll be done.  Except to wrap the Santa things for the dwarfs.  

I found an interesting story on the web about the Christmas Spider.  I had never heard this one before, so I thought I'd share it with you.  Click on the picture to make it larger and easier to read.

Now I'm off to make a cup of coffee and do a bit of blog reading.  So, till Sunday, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous weekend.  

Hugs, Edna B.

Yesterday Was A Busy Day

December 10, 2020

Good morning.  The sun is shining and today we may get up to forty two degrees.  A warming trend for a few days.  I'll take it!  

I've been fighting off a cold for a while now.  (and losing the battle)  My poor nose runs constantly and I have to buy the tissues with lotion in them so my nose won't turn bright red.  You know, sometimes I think dealing with a broken bone is a lot easier than dealing with a head cold.  

First, let me share that a reader informed me yesterday that the drain cleaner that I mentioned does not work.  Thank you.  I found an item on Amazon that does work.  It's called The Green Gobbler Drain Clog Dissolver.  I don't like using chemicals, but I can't have a drain that does not clear.  So last night I used this and voila!  My drain finally cleared.  

I spent some time yesterday on the phone trying to find a better rate for my car insurance.  I finally went to The Hartford, an AARP company, and they saved me at least $500.  So I switched over to them.  Now my car is all set for next year.

Then I came across an article titled "Is it worth getting my PhD?  Or should I just settle for my Masters degree?"  This was interesting because for many years, I wanted to pursue a PhD degree.  The thing that stopped me was whether or not I really needed it or did I just want it.  

I came to the conclusion that I did not need the degree, I enjoy learning and wanted it to see if I could do it.  I guess a lot of other folks feel the same way.  However, statistics show that the folks who got their PhD degree made a lot more money in their lifetime than the folks with just the Masters degree.  Hmmm, food for thought.

Today I thought I'd show you the book that I did not order, but kept and paid for.  I'm always interested in natural medicine and healing herbs.  Here's a picture of the cover of the book and a page from inside.

I've looked up "colds" in the index.  There are nineteen pages listed, so I'll be busy looking them all up this afternoon.  

Now I'm off to do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

More Oldies But Goodies

 December 9, 2020

Good morning.  Tis cold, only 23F degrees, and we may get a sprinkle of rain or snow later today.  Goodie, goodie.  Tomorrow is supposed to warm up a bit though, into the forties.  

I was toodling around the internet this morning and came across an interesting article.  Have you ever wondered how many of our companies are owned by China?  I clicked on the article and was flabbergasted at how many of our companies are on this list.  Big companies, little companies.  It makes me wonder which companies are the Americans spending their money on.  Hmmm, food for thought.  (you can check it out on Google)

Then I read an article on how to unclog your drains with hydrogen peroxide.  You pour it down the drain, let it settle for an hour, then pour several cups of hot water down the drain.  This destroys organic matter that builds up in the drain, and also keeps pipes free of mildew and mold growth.  Interesting.

On the news this morning, they mentioned that a couple of health care workers in the UK that had the new vaccination for Covid 19 had severe reactions to the shot.  They both had severe food or medicine allergies.  With severe allergies, I wonder why they even got the shot in the first place.  Just something to think about.

Here's another memory from the fifties and early sixties.  We could actually afford to take our children to dine at McDonalds in those days.  

Would you look at these prices?  Even with a car full of little kids, you could feed them all for a little more than a dollar.  Not now, nope, not now.

I found another "oldie but goodie" on the web to share.  This is a picture of the gym suit that we girls were required to wear for Physical Ed back when I went to school.  Not too many of us liked these suits.  Especially when we had to wear them outside and all the boys could see us.  Gosh, I had almost forgotten about these suits.

Yesterday, my grocery order arrived on time.  Alas, it was missing a couple items that were not out of stock.  I had to call the store and speak to a manager about it.  Within thirty minutes, he had the missing items delivered to my porch.  I appreciated that, but the items should not have been missing in the first place.  (they were a case of spring water and a large pack of toilet paper)

Today I need to make some calls about my car insurance.  It's wicked how the price of it keeps going up and my car hardly ever gets driven.  The new bill came in for $1600.  This is just too much for an elderly person to have to pay when they hardly ever drive.  

Also, they had the year that I first got my license wrong on my policy.  They had 1956, and I got my license in 1955.  The lady on the phone fixed that for me and then told me that this would make my bill even higher.  Every extra year of driving (for senior citizens) adds more money to their bill.  Even if they have a clean driving record.  (like I do, no accidents, tickets, nothing)  This is just not fair.

Enough of my babble.  Now I'm off to wash some dishes.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Remember The Bright Yellow Dot?

December 8, 2020

Good morning.  It's early, gray and twenty nine degrees outside.  We may get up to thirty three later today, and we may get a sprinkling of snow.  We'll just have to wait and see.  

I'm watching a program about painting a scene with acrylic paints.  The painter is Roger Bansemer, and I have to tell you, so far I'm not very impressed.  He starts out by coloring big blocks on his canvas with a piece of charcoal to show where all the large pieces should be.  Then he pencils in some lines.  

Now he's spreading globs of dull color on these charcoal parts.  He doesn't really paint objects, just splotches that sort of look like they could be something.  Not my type of painting.  I suppose though, different strokes for different folks.  Now he's using white chalk to draw some rough details on the dark colors.  Really?

I used to have a ceramics shop and we did a lot of painting there with acrylics.  And we never painted the way this fellow is painting.  However, once this fellow's painting is close to being finished, it doesn't look all that bad.  Hmmm, we learn something new every day!

Today I want to share a beautiful photo that my son in law, Mac, took from his front porch a few nights ago.  Mac, this is gorgeous.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

How about a blast from the past?  How many of you got to knead the oleo to make the butter yellow?  This comes from back in the forties.  My brother and I got to take turns doing this when we were little.  (image borrowed from the web)

Ain't progress grand?

I have a grocery order being delivered today, so I need to wash some dishes, etc. first before the groceries get here.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Only 3 Days Till Hanukkah, 18 Days Till Christmas

December 7, 2020

Good morning.  Tis nippy today.  It's still in the twenties, though we should get up into the thirties later today.  The sun is shining so that's a plus.  

Today I'm going to try to get the remainder of the Christmas packages done up and ready to leave the house.  I want to have it all out and in the mail before the end of the week.  After that, I'll do battle with more junk mail.  

Can you believe the amount of junk mail that comes in the mail now?  I can fill a couple shopping bags every week.  Some companies are even sending things that have not been ordered.  Like books.  One company has already sent me two of them.  One was put back in the mail to be returned to sender, and the other one I'll keep and pay for.  Is this a new way of selling?  

I haven't been crocheting these past two days.  Every now and then my hands need a little break.  Oh yuk!  They just had a commercial on the TV for Spam.  Do you remember Spam from your childhood?  It really did taste pretty good back then,  Nowadays, it's not so tasty.  I bought some a few months back and it was awful.  It's amazing how our taste buds change over the years.

With these wicked cold temps we're having, please don't forget our animals.  If it's too cold for you to stay outside with no coat and shoes, then it's too cold for the animals.  They are family members.  Please keep them indoors where it's warm.

Think about putting a couple sheltered beds in your yard for the feral animals.  These are easy to make from coolers, with straw for insulation and old blankets for warmth.  And don't forget food and water.  Folks, it really doesn't cost much to save lives.

This morning I put in an order for water and paper goods to be delivered tomorrow.  I'm hoping that nothing is "out of stock" when tomorrow comes.  These home deliveries are very helpful for those of use who cannot get out, but only if everything we order is delivered.  The water and paper goods were out of stock the last two times I ordered them.  

Now I'm going to see if the mail has come, then settle down to some blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Ever Seen A Snow Cat?

December 6, 2020

Good morning.  The sun is shining and the temperature is 32F degrees.  We may get up to 37 degrees by noontime.  Overnight temps will be in the twenties.   Brrr.   

I've been keeping busy doing who knows what.  For the life of me, I can never remember what took me all day to do.  As long as I'm doing it though, it does not matter.  Yesterday we got a lot of rain with batches of frisky wind.  In the afternoon, the rain switched over to fat snow flakes.  They didn't really amount to much though.  Then it rained a bit more.

Deanne got enough snow to make a snowcat on her front porch.  Isn't this just the cutest snow kitty you ever saw?  It looks like it lights up, but it doesn't.  She used Skittle candy so it just looks like it is lit up.

I got up early but alas, there wasn't anything good to watch on TV.  So I put on the Home Shopping Channel to see what their Today's Special Value is.  Well, I'll be!  It is a Ring Security Video Doorbell 3.  And it's on sale for $131.99, with free shipping.  I watched it for a while, then called up and ordered it.  I've been thinking about getting this for quite a while, so today is the day.

I have until the end of January to return it if I don't like it.  I'd like to be able to see who is in my yard when my door is closed.  That's what I'm hoping to accomplish with this new gadget.  This one is battery operated.  (you can hard wire it if you want to)  I bought a spare battery to have when it is time to charge the battery that is in the unit.  

Last evening I called my cousin Anita and we gabbed for three hours.  We have a lifetime of catching up to do so time just slips away when we are chatting.  We have such fun.  I wish I had found her sooner.  But, I'm ever so glad that I found her at all.

Now I'm going to drink my coffee and do a bit of blog reading.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

So Much To Do, So Few Hours In A Day

December 4, 2020

Good morning.  Today is sunny, and temps will reach fifty one.  Or thereabouts.  Later this afternoon, the rain will get here and hang around all night and throughout tomorrow.  This is according to my phone app which sometimes tells the truth.

Well, I have one more orange scrubby dishcloth to make and I'll have two of each color done.  They are so pretty.  

Hmmm, I may have to get some other colors of the scrubby yarn and make a few more of these.  What a great reason to do some yarn shopping again!  hahaha.  If I make these in pastels, they would make nice bath scrubbies.  Oooh, that's sounds like a great idea!  My brain is getting excited.

I never did get to paint my rocks, so maybe once I'm done getting all the Christmas stuff out I can give it a try.   I've been keeping the pattern book handy, just in case.  There just aren't enough hours in the day for me to do all the things that I'd love to do.  

My kids always ask me for ideas of things they can get for me.  I am at a loss for words.  I don't need anything and I'm not collecting things anymore.  I came across an image on the web that explains what us parents want most.  You, just you.

Now I'm going to do a bit of blog reading.  So, till Sunday, Y'all stay safe and have a fantabulous weekend.

Hugs, Edna B.