Happy Birthday Laura Jean

November 4, 2016

Good morning.  The sun is shining, but it is still a bit nippy.  Temps will only be making it into the low 50's today, then dip down into the 30's for tonight.  Alas, the cooler temps are here to stay.  I must say though that I have thoroughly enjoyed the warmer temps of the last couple of days.

Yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time on the phone trying to locate a repairman for our refrigerator.  (one of the ones in the main house)  I tell them what is broken, and they try to give me an appointment for someone to come out and figure out what the problem is.  Then they will give me another appointment for someone to actually come out to fix the problem. 

This is amazing, since I began my chat with them by telling them that the temperature knob in the freezer is broken.  I even tried to locate a part number for that know, figuring that I could try to fix it myself, but that number seems to be a secret.  I'm thinking it might be cheaper to just buy another refrigerator.  groan, groan.

I promised you a photo of my beautiful big maples that are at the entrance to my driveway.  Here's a shot of one of them.  See how the green is changing over to a beautiful golden yellow.

Yesterday's mail finally brought me some of the medical insurance information that I've been waiting for.  This company has six different plans for folks on medicare, and I do believe that one of them may be just right for me.  I would not bother, but should I ever need to go to the hospital, this insurance would help me pay the bill.  (not that I'm planning on spending time at the hospital any day soon!)

Well, it's that day of the year again.  My baby turned fifty one today.  Happy Birthday Laura Jean.  May your day be as beautiful and sunny as you are.  It's also my day to age another year.  However, the great part is that come next April, Pogo and I will finally be the same age, seventy seven.  We'll have to celebrate that day!  I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful birthday greetings these past two days.  They certainly kept a big smile on my face and made my days brighter.

Here's a photo of some beautiful flowers from my photo archives.  I just love the colors.  They are so happy and bright.  The colors are just perfect for this time of year.

Later today, I'll take a look around my yard to see which plants are still flowering, and take a few photos.  My grandson Kevin (and maybe a friend of his) will be coming by after lunch to do a it of yard work for me.  Recently, I bought new floor mats for my car, so maybe the boys will put these into my car for me.  That would really be nice.

Last evening, I decided to crochet a bit on the turquoise afghan while I watched some TV.  I probably should have never picked it up.  Before I set it down for the night, I had finally finished four and a half new rows.  But only after ripping out about six rows!  Gosh, I wonder why I don't see these mistakes until a couple rows too late?  Actually, they are not mistakes.  They are stitches where the yarn splits as the hook is going through a stitch.  It's not always noticeable right away, and it's not pretty so you really have to rip rows out and fix this.

Well, time is slipping by, and I really should get dressed.  Pogo is looking forward to going outside in the yard.  Goodness knows, there's always new stuff to sniff, and Pogo is a very good sniffer!  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

What A Difference A Day Makes

November 3, 2016

Good afternoon.  Sorry for being so late but I had a doctor appointment this morning.  Just a check up, no worry.  However, I got there and was told that the doctor was not in.  He had called in sick today.  Seems mysterious why there was no other doctor on call taking my doctor's appointments.  Hmmm, strange. 

Just two days ago, I got a phone call from the doctor's office reminding me of my appointment, and letting me know that if I did not show up I would be billed anyway.  I was not notified in  advance about the doctor's "no show" for today, so I wonder if it would be appropriate for me to bill him?

 I'm wondering if this morning's no show has anything to do with the fact that I am having to either find me a new insurance plan or a new doctor for January 1st.  (I was recently notified that my doctor will no longer be accepting my current insurance plan after 12/31.) 

In finding a new insurance plan, I have to make sure that my other doctor accepts the new company.  If not, I need to keep looking.  To be honest, none of the insurance plans pays any more for the meds than the regular medicare.  They do, however, help with hospital costs.  I've been lucky so far, and have not had to be hospitalized for many years.  So maybe I can wait another year before taking on a new plan.  I'll have to think on this some more. 

Yesterday, I tried hiring someone to come here and do yard work.  Unfortunately, no one can come before sometime next week.  So my grandson Kevin will be coming by tomorrow after class to do some of the yard work.  Have I mentioned just how awesome this young man is? 

As I sit here, and look out my door, the colors on my trees is changing wicked fast.  Just two days ago, my big maples out front were mostly all green.  Today, they are mostly all yellow.  I'll have to get outside and take some new photos.  Nature is so amazing, changing from green to gold in only a day or so. 

I have a new quick page for you today.  This one embraces the beautiful gold colors of Autumn.

Here is your download link:
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Now I must get busy here and rustle up some lunch for Pogo and me.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Strange Dreams

November 2, 2016

Good morning.  The sun is shining, and according to the weather app on my phone, the temperature is supposed to get up into the 60's today and stay in the 50's tonight.  Sounds like a gorgeous day to me.  Now if only I could figure out how to make it last until Spring begins.  Hmmm.

Yesterday was not a great day for napping.  I got a lot of rest, but the sleep part would not happen.  Overnight though, I did get lots of sleep.  I even had dreams.  I can't remember what I dreamed about, except for the one just before I woke up this morning. 

For some reason, we had a doggie crib, and in it I found two teeny tiny kittens and two teeny tiny yellow chicks (or birds).  I picked one of the tiny chicks up on my finger, and it just sat there looking at me.  I felt that it trusted me.  Then it fell off my finger, and ran across the floor to it's tiny yellow sibling.  They both hugged, and then I woke up.  Now that's strange!

I must confess, last night I needed a break from working on the turquoise afghan, so I took out a pattern and the new yarn that I bought recently, and started a new project.  For some reason, the pattern just was not coming out right, so I ripped it all out and started a new afghan.  groan, groan, groan. 

Just what I need.  Another afghan.  However, my hands like doing this so that's that.  Here's a photo of the new afghan.  The colors are called "Flamingo" and "Lovey," a deep coral paired with pastels. 

I will get back to the turquoise afghan because it has to be finished soon, but the colors on this new afghan make my eyes happy, so it will ne fun working on it. 

Yesterday afternoon, I thought I would check out our local senior center (on-line) to see if they might be having anyone there to explain all the medicare insurance options.  It took quite a while to find it, and I was rather let down by its calendar of events.  For the month of November, it read: pickleball, pool and darts - on seventeen days, paint your pet or anything else - on two days, and computer help - on two days (for one hour and for one and a half hours, respectively).

December was much the same.  Pickleball, pool and darts on eighteen days.  That's all.  Whatever happened to the Bingo games and the outings?  What about all the informational meetings with knowledgeable speakers?  I did look for a phone number for the center, but so far have not found one.  I may have to call the Town Hall to see if they have it.

When Pogo and I went to the Town Hall yesterday to pay the taxes, the early voting room was open, so we went in and voted.  I must say I've never seen it done this way before.  A clerk checks your name on the list, gives you an envelope that you have to sign your name on, and then hands you a ballot. 

The voting booth has no privacy.  Just a standing open booth with sides about twelve inches deep.  No curtain.  You mark your ballot, place it in the envelope that you signed, and seal the envelope.  The glue on the envelope does not stick very well, but I saw a glue stick on the nearby table so I glued my envelope shut before putting it in the ballot box. 

In a way it's good that my voting is done because I signed up for a class at the library for next Tuesday evening. (voting day)  The class is being taught by a photographer who is going to show us how to take better photos with our cell phones.  I thought it might be a fun class.

Mother Nature has been busy lately, and my trees are beginning to get their Fall colors.  The tall maples out front have lots of yellow scattered throughout them, and my Japanese Red Maple is beginning to brighten up.  In another week or two, I'll be able to get some new photos of them.  In the meanwhile, I dug a couple photos from my archives to show what the Japanese Red Maple will look like soon.

We may be getting ready for the colder weather, but oh my these Fall colors are soooo beautiful!  Most all the trees around here are sporting gorgeous oranges, yellows, reds and greens.  Alas, some are beginning to lose their leaves too. 

I guess I'll have to call Cliff (Eddie's friend) to see if he can come by and mow the lawns and vacuum up all the leaves that are all over the yard.  This weekend I'll have to see about what to do to cover the porch screens for the winter.  This hasn't been decided yet. 

Now I think I'll put in a load of laundry.  Then maybe I'll start making a pot of corn chowder for tonight's supper.  Mmmm, sounds tasty.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It Was A Fabulous Night For A Ride!

November 1, 2016

Good morning, and a Happy November to you.  Yup, it's already November.  We are quickly running out of this year.  Just sixty more days, and we'll leave this year behind and start a new one.  Lest I forget, here's the November page from my calendar.

So, did any of you manage to catch a glimpse of Pogo and me last night as we flew by in the dark of the night?   We got off to a late start, but we did meet up with everyone else.  Oh what a night we had!!  Before we all headed out into the night, we toasted the New Year with a hot cup of toddy.  This helped to keep us nice and warm on our long ride.  I must say though, toddy isn't on Pogo's favorite list of drinks.  hee hee.

The skies were clear most everywhere, and we were able to pick out many of our friends' and families' homes.  One of our elders was not able to come ride with us, so we did swoop down at her home to visit for a few minutes.  She's a lovely old gal, and it was so good to see her again.

Pogo and I got home this morning just before daybreak. My goodness, but I am rather tired now.  I tried to take a short nap before making breakfast, but Pogo was hungry and wanted his food first.  In a little while, we will go to the Town Hall to pay another tax bill, and then a quick trip to the Post Office to mail Laura Jean's birthday gift.  Then it will be back home and bedtime for us.  Here's a photo of the hat and scarf set that I made for Laura Jean.  These will look nice with the new outfit that I got for her.

Yesterday when the mailman came by, his arms were loaded down with mail and one package.  Oh boy, my Aunty Acid mug is here!!  Aunty Acid is such a sweet, cranky old lady that one can't help but love her.   She says exactly what's on her mind, and doesn't mince her words.  Her honesty is refreshing.

Now I think I really should get going before I fall asleep.  Today is the deadline for paying the taxes, so I can't put that off for another day.  The sun is shining and the air is crisp, so the ride to the Town Hall should be invigorating.  On this happy note, I'll take my leave.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Halloween!!

October 31, 2016

Good morning.  Goodness, it feels like I've been up for hours, but I've really only been up for a couple of hours.  Pogo decided at 4:30 this morning that he wanted his breakfast.  I decided that I did not want to get up so I said "no, not now" and went back to sleep.  He wasn't very happy with me but he crawled back onto his chair and went to sleep too. 

I wasn't really able to get back into a nice sleep, so at six o'clock I decided to get up and make breakfast.  Then I had time to play on my computer for a while.  This afternoon though, I really do have to take a nice nap because tonight Pogo and I will be riding through the night with lots of our friends. 

It's Halloween, a time for all our young trick or treaters to go haunting for candy, and for us gals to gather for our annual ride.

I've put a nice warm fleece lining into Pogo's Halloween sweater so that he will be nice and cozy.  He also has a heater pad inside his car seat.  Hee hee hee, all the comforts for my little Pogo.  For myself, I have nice warm snuggies beneath my dress to keep me warm.  My trusty broom is rested and ready to go. 

This year we'll be meeting up with everyone in the George Washington & Jefferson Forest in West Virginia, in a beautiful clearing not far from the Virginia state line.  We'll have time to visit and chat with everyone before we all ride off into the night.  So keep a watchful eye tonight, you just may get a glimpse of Pogo and me.

Pogo and I have a busy morning ahead of us.  We'll be going out in a while to do a couple errands. Then I have to do a load of laundry and maybe give the vacuum a turn around the floor.  After that, it will be nap time.  Woo Hoo!!

On that happy note, I'll take my leave.  So, till tomorrow, Happy Halloween everybody.  Y'all have a splendid day!  (and night!)

Hugs, Edna B.

p.s. Minion image courtesy of the web (Google)

Learning Can Be Such Fun

October 30, 2016

Good morning.  I've been up for a couple hours, but I've been catching up on email.  Pogo and I have had breakfast, and he has had his turkey treat.  In a little while, I think I'll go do a bit of grocery shopping. 

Deanne and I went to the shooting range on Friday afternoon, and this time I managed to get my three shots in the bull's eye.  Of course, this came with a price.  I did not get all my numbers done.  Ah well, I'll get better as time goes by.  I'm having a good time learning.  Here's my cricket card from Friday.

Yesterday was a quiet day.  Aside from taking a nap, I spent a little time on the computer.  When I'm working on quick pages, I lose track of time, and the next thing I knew, it was time to start making supper. 

I did get to put the new plant shelf together and set it up in front of the pantry window.  Now it has five plants on it, and it really does look nice.  I took a photo of the spider plant that we hung by the kitchen window.  It's not the greatest photo, but you can see how much the plant has grown.

This afternoon, I'll have to go through a couple new piles of magazines and junk mail.  Mostly it's all junk mail.  Gosh, this stuff adds up so fast!  It seems like every few days, there's two or three new piles to go through.  In the old days, I could just put all of this stuff out in the trash.  Nowadays, we first have to go through everything and cut off all our identification information first. 

Oh gee.  I've been watching the TV, and they seem to be running the same commercial over and over.  It's the one where a grown man is talking to his food, and then he "spanks" it.  This is sad.  I mean I can understand talking to an inanimate object, but please.... spanking it?

It's time for another Halloween quick page.  This one is rather simple.  I was intrigued with the background paper.  (see the TOU for the creator of the paper)  Have fun with it.

Here is your download link:
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Now it's time for me to get dressed and go grocery shopping.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Going to play Cricket Again Today. Woo Hoo!

October 28, 2016

Good morning.  Have you noticed that we're running out of October?  Gosh, the time is flying by!  It seems that the only time of year that does not rush on by is the winter.  Winter weather seems to drag on and on. 

Think about it.  From April 15 to October 15, the weather is split among three seasons, Spring, Summer and Autumn.  From October 15 to April 15, we have the colder weather of Winter.  Hmmm, somehow this doesn't seem quite right.  Or maybe it's just the way an aging body might perceive it.  You think so?

It's been quiet here.  I have a list of things that I hope to do each day, and somehow I don't quite ever get to even the first item on the list.  Well, to be fair, lots of times I do accomplish at least one thing on the list.

Yesterday I crocheted for a while.  Now I have only twenty four more rows to go to finish the afghan.  Interesting, but for some reason I'm not enjoying making this particular afghan.  It's pretty, so that's not the reason.  Ah well, I'll like it once it is finished.  Then I can move on to something different.

Later this afternoon, I'm meeting Deanne at the shooting range for another go at Cricket.  Hopefully today I will be able to hit the bull's eye three times.  Now that would really make my day!  I had thought that I would stop by the bank on the way to the range, but I think I'll wait and go the bank tomorrow so that Pogo can go with me.  He enjoys going to the bank, and the folks there enjoy seeing him too. 

Today, I think I'll put the new plant shelf together and get it set up in the kitchen pantry.  Then I have some calls to make to figure out what to do about the refrigerator.  You know, I bought my refrigerator in 1997, and it is still working just fine.  On the hand, neither of the refrigerators out in the main house are older than six or seven years.  Makes me wonder why some folks are so careless.

Tomorrow I have to buckle down and get creative on my computer.  I have a card to finish, and another quick page to make.  Then I really must get serious about working on my calendar.  I also have to wrap and package my daughter Laura Jean's birthday gifts and get it to the post office.

I found a beautiful crochet jacket pattern on line, but I was not able to copy the pattern.  Once I finish a couple projects this weekend, I'll look again for the pattern.  However, I did find a cute pattern for a retro pin-up headband that I would like to try.

The morning is flying by, and it's time for me to rustle up something tasty for brunch.  (I did not have breakfast this morning, so I'll have an early lunch.)  Tuna salad is sounding pretty good.  On that note I'll take my leave.  So, till Sunday, Y'all have a fantabulous weekend. 

Hugs, Edna B.