Surprise Yourself Saturday

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Dee: 24 legs confirmed, another 4 legs pending acceptance of invitation! Greta is a long haired, miniature (I think - I haven't seen her in years), dachshund. She used to be part of pastoral care visits when he was my minister so I think she'll be find in an apartment. Since he lives an hour away, leaving her for a long time isn't really fair to her and I didn't want him to rush the visit.

I'm dressed now. Last load of laundry is started and I put up my new shower curtain which I love. Happy about that!

I just realized that I have to fly out on Wednesday morning early (after a late Tuesday night Presbytery meeting) so I have to start thinking about laundry and packing for that as well. Just a 4 day trip, though. Hotel and car rental are arranged so at this point, I just have to get the packing done on Tuesday morning.

[DeeClutter]

Can you say where you're flying to? By the time you fly, I'll be on my last legs of getting ready! I'm really almost ready now. Just need to get this stuff in the car.

Dh said he'll be here at 4:30 sharp to get ready to go to dgs15's race and is taking 3 boys with him. Hope they get down there in time for the feature. They're starting at 2 today -normal time is 5 or 6 and last week (when it got 'snowed' out) was 3pm. It keeps getting cloudy and then sunny -so hope it holds out for them. But the temp is dipping pretty quickly -63 a while ago and 59 now. At least it isn't as windy as it's been.

Dh's new wallet came in about a day & a half. I just finished cleaning out his old one (and instantly dumped all his cards on the floor from the old one -one reason I wanted him to have a new one. This had more card slots and zips up all the way around. Have a feeling he's going to like it. I did finally talk him out of (about a year or two ago) carrying his wallet on him all the time here. The draw back, sometimes, is that he leaves to go to town WITHOUT his wallet. This will be much more compact for him. I took out stuff he really doesn't need. Some of that I've put in a snack size baggie and will put it in the glove compartment. The only time he'd ever need most of it is on the road.

[Nancy]

I was surprised to see h back so quickly they are going to check out the jeep to get it up to his expectations not heating up so I'm much, anitfreeze level should not be liw...so he is heading back to do that,
? Not sure how long it's going 2 take.

Harriet the albertsons stores take groc. out to the car
here love that with kids or an injured wrist arm etc. Love that!

Raining here today making outside stuff not so fun.
Got to show dson the Jeep.

[DeeClutter]

Guess I'd better get dh's shower bag ready -sure he won't shower till he comes back from the races -wouldn't make sense. Have his clothes ready to throw on when he comes -at 4:30 so he says. He will if someone doesn't stop him. Other than the camp owner and camp manager he's probably the best known person here. There's been a great amount of moving around (of campers) this week/weekend. Then I saw them bringing the new washers/dryers to the laundry room (like they probably didn't have anything else to do today.) They also got permission to 'close the beach'. You think? Temps are in the 30's and 40's every night. Saw his helper bringing oars from the row boats up too. Guess they'll take in the rope with markers for the swimming part on Monday or Tuesday -they'll need pressure washing. Know dh was going to ask about working Mon - Fri after this weekend. A good share of the campers are here, cleaning out and winterizing. Know DS-R and ddil#2 plan on doing theirs tomorrow and Monday (they and dgs9 are all off on Monday for Columbus Day). That would give him weekends clear after I leave.

I've been compiling a comparative list sheet for dh's winterizations. Thought I was listing all of them from 2013 but it turns out it was 2012. Wonder if I have last year's around yet. Now I'm putting in the ones he's done this year. By glancing he can tell if there's some he needs to pin down for a date. He did tell me the other day he's changed his charging format. He's always said, "Whatever it's worth to you". However for most of them he's buying the antifreeze and some are only giving him $30 or $40. So his new reply will be: I'm getting $40 if you provide the anti-freeze and $50 if I do. Sounds fair to me. Most would rather pay someone to do it and he's got it down to a system and built a 'help' that blows out the lines first and pumps in the anti-freeze. Some have issues that are particular to that camper -like an ice maker, dishwasher, washer. And he has to take those into consideration.

Ok, off to get his bag ready. Maybe I'll even put it in the trunk for him.

[Lady Maverick]

Today has been a relaxed and slow paced Saturday. Just what we needed!

I followed my hourly schedule perfectly (rarely happens) for the first 3 hours. Then I took LO to get hair cut, visited church clothes closet to take pictures for the website, visited DMom, left LO at MPB with DH while I came home to prepare chicken fried steak, potatoes and salad for lunch. We watched first half of college football game then took a nap together. DH and LO are now both piled into the same rocking chair giving it a good workout.

[FelineFriend]

I logged a short story, a bit over 3,000 words, and finished it in 1 hour and 40 minutes. I submitted it. It's January story #3, and I have #4 to log.

I received a letter from a retired teacher-principal. She wrote an article at the end of her computer letter, which I found to be nice. It reads:

* Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snugly, because it means you have enough to eat.
* Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends.
* Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means that you are employed.
* Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home.
* Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.
* Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.
* Be thankful for the space at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk.
* Be thankful for the person who sings off key at church, because it means you can hear.
* Be thankful people complain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.
* Be thankful that the alarm goes off in the early morning, because it means you are alive.

I really liked it and wanted to share it with you all today. Many times we complain, but there is always a more positive flip side to be thankful for.

I'm tired from working today, then walking 1/2-hour, so think I'll take a break to smell the roses for a little while. DKitty is asleep in my recliner, so I'll use my chair and ottoman, do more journal writing and reading.

Have a wonderful afternoon, Everyone! This is a quick C. I.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Dee: Just down to Nova Scotia for my uncle's 102nd birthday.

Feline: I talk about the Zen of doing dishes which is along the same line: I have food, I have someone to share it with, I have hot water, I have a home in which to eat. All these are blessings so washing dishes is a blessing.

Finally finished my sermon and service)

The surprise of the day was ds calling for help to move the last of his possessions to his apartment. He was surprised that there was so much at The Third Amigo's house. I didn't go (still was writing the sermon) and that was a good thing because both cars were filled the top. But it is all at his home now.

We all had a nice dinner together at home (surprise, another day where I didn't eat out!)

I blew a fuse cooking dinner so we'll have to get a new one tomorrow and figure out a new plug for the microwave. The kitchen wiring isn't strong enough to microwave something while the toaster oven is on. We had things on a fused power bar so the breaker on the power bar would blow instead of the fuse on the panel but today that fail-safe failed. The kitchen has lots of outlet but none are split like modern kitchens (upper and lower are on different fuses or breakers) and I can only have one item per outlet. Not sure how to solve the issue. Best guess is to string *another* extension cord from the dining room to the kitchen for the microwave. But then the door between the two rooms won't close. For now, that's what's running the toaster oven (and the microwave is unplugged.)

I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow. I'm leaving things a bit late but that's the best I can do at the moment.

[lucylee]

On the way home -- wet and sad (we lost and it POURED down rain for over half the game) but it's okay. At least dh and I had our ponchos. Dbil left his very nice rain suit in the car, bc it was so sunny when we arrived.

Haven't heard from ds/ddil today... But I guess he won't stay mad forever.

[DeeClutter]

Amazing that your duncle is still doing as well as he is at 102, Kathryn...Amazing. Glad you're able to go. I can't run both the toaster and the microwave at the same time -other than that we're good. Actually we have very good power and a lot more circuits in this RV than is anywhere near normal. This campground is extremely well wired -this from my electronic engineer dh. Unfortunately we do pay our own electric and it's based on a commercial rate since it's through dcampowner's business. So we pay more per kwh. But it's still nowhere near what we were paying in our house.

Dh went to dgs15's last race of the season. This was the 100 lapper rained out last week. He only had to start to lock up third place. He finished 8th out of 19 tonight -which for a 15 year old in this class is phenomenal. He's a good kid and seems to have racing in his blood. Grandma just can't go.

Harriet, I got most of the day/night shades pulled down. Managed to get them low enough that I could reach & the window behind the 2 recliners -I was able to squeeze between them and reach it. The only one I couldn't get down is the one next to this table. I'll have to ask dh not to put it up quite so high and I could at least get them down. Can't push them up however.

[Harriet]

Dee, I thought later about how it is likely much easier to find ways to pull down than to take them up after they are down. Also if they have an accordion look they are different than they were in my mind's eye.

Not a single son contacted me today. Oh well, no pouting. The sunshine stayed when it was not expected, and that changes things for them, plus I know they felt as though plans were up in the air with dd's family not arriving after all.

Dd16 went to a birthday party this evening and enjoyed it very much. It was at a nearby housing area alongside a golf course and was mostly outside. They roasted marshmallows. The only problem is that she really got smoke in her eyes. Bitten twice by mosquitoes before the smoke made them leave, but the mother had Benadryl topical and that is the ideal. I think she had a ball.

I've showered and washed my hair, have it up in a scrunchie now. So I'm ready for early church stuff tomorrow, even if I sleep in until 7:30. Got an email about a song choice and found it on the net and printed out large since I believe they will find the tune is familiar and they really just need the unusual words very clearly printed.

I made pudding and watched a new-to-me episode of How Clean Is Your House. So I have been a happy camper.

Compliment today from HRH right in front of friend. They were discussing their worries about various of their kinfolk who are having health concerns because of smoking, and the subject of faces came up. HRH said, "look at Harriet. Anybody could tell she never smoked, she has no wrinkles at all." Now, this is partially because he still has an image of me in his mind from years back and probably has not mentally corrected it. But it was very nice to hear. I do have "smile lines" definitely, which probably will not be helped with weight loss, which I need otherwise. And if he looks too closely at my forehead he may have to change his opinion.