Tuesday Triumphs

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

At a highway rest stop with internet. I used the first part of the trip to get my travelogue written for the past 3.5 days. Then I used the internet here to send it. I'm caught up again with that!

Elly reminded me that I'm behind on devotions. Eight days behind. Dh was shocked when I told him.

[Nancy]

Walk x
laundry x
No granny duty today after all.
It's nice and cool here today so I opened up the windows to let the breeze in.
52*-74* today's temp. range here.

[helia]

I'm still moving slowly. I guess I'm having a relaxing summer day!

I have done more emails - got all the info. I needed to send out mass email regarding moms group leadership team's dinner out together on Thursday evening. That is done. I'm now working on amassing supplies for church Sr. Celebration on July 13. I get back into town July 12th. Apparently, we have 23 graduating high school seniors in our church, but some of them don't attend regularly. I've also s2s-ed and reclaimed the kitchen. Dfriend S is here now making crepes with dd14. Friend R should be arriving soon. S and R are just going to hang out, mostly with my girls.

Next:
-tidy MBR
-brush teeth
-see if I need to start a lol
-get my WF errand done: wine for book club tonight, raw brats for tomorrow, and beer to cook them in

[Twins' Mom]

I finished up another temple worksheet that needed to get done. Also called and made an appt w pest control guy on Thurs. to move the squirrels out. Two more phone calls and then I'm going to work on a.m. routine. Haven't packed a single box yet or gone to drugstore and cleaners either.

Two phone calls, then a.m. routine including s2s (see Helia, I'm way behind you!) then out to run those two errands. Both are on the mountain.

[Elizabeth]

My progress so far:

x Get flight printouts
x copy instructions (decided just to take the book instead)
x check message on phone
x check auto reply for email
x look up airport parking

- pack dCat18 (meds, pill pockets, pill popper, blanket)
? get glasses adjusted
- drop dCat18 at boarding
- get mail
- get cash

- charge phoone
- pick up DD10 for Girls Night Out
- child support check
- get neck pillow from friend
- last items for carryon (yarn, hooks, instructions)

- transfer money to cover check
- nightly cat care and me care

I am about to leave payroll and get started on some of the other stuff. First up will be lunch, then pack and deliver the cat. So much to do, so little sanity left. Relaxation can commence when I am in London and have regrouped with my friends!

[ellyphant]

Took movies back to the library and picked up DH's refill meds. Library has a shelf of free books. I have brought home about 20 so far. Good thing DD will take home about half of these when she visits. Her apartment is very cute and loaded with books. Definitely takes after her mother!

Enjoyed my country music in the car. Was just thinking that there isn't a better song right now than Jason Aldean's "Fly Over States." But then I liked "Dirt Road Anthem", too. DH and I disagree on music--he is more of an old rock and roller. He would probably object to the "old" part of that description!

Kathryn--I get behind on devotions too when we travel.

[Cowinkie]

Was going to say Morning ya'll, but just looked at the clock and realized I missed it.

I was up at 6 this morning and out working on my front yard by 6:15. It was actually sprinkling, but that last a minute or so and then stopped. It was stormy to the west of me and I thought for a while Mother Nature might help me with my watering. But alas she must have gotten sidetracked. Finished my yard work around 8 or so. Used plenty of sunscreen and drank lots of water. Willis met me out in the back and he swam for an hour...remember a tired dog is a happy dog. I sit on the edge of the pool, throw the ball in and if I'm lucky he swims back to me. Otherwise he jumps out of the pool and chews on the ball for a while. In the meantime I sit, clear out my mind and plan my day.

I've been working on my trip to NJ and was able to use my credit card points to pay for my flight. In total, the round trip ticket will cost me $12.32. Now there's a price I can live with. Will be there for 9 days...but 2 of my days will be spent traveling. I have some fun things planned and I know my mom will be glad to have the company. I can tell since her df had her stroke and can't "play" with my mom any more that my mom is really depressed. Her df has been moved down to the lower part of the state which makes it impossible to see her friend.

My foot procedure has been scheduled for the middle of Aug. Not much to do, but stick that big needle in my foot...but remember after that last time I refuse to be awake when the dr. does it. He tells me I am a great candidate for a toe joint replacement, but if these shots work, I'll continue to do this for as long as I can.

I keep my A/C set at 79. But ya got to remember the outside temps are in the 109-115 range. I was using my overhead fan at night, but Sweetie kept complaining that it dried out his eyes so I'm now using a floor fan. Some nights if I'm really uncomfortable and can't sleep, I turn the a/c down to 77.

Sweetie can whistle like a professional. In fact he made me a cd with him whistling a love song. I swear everyone that's heard it thought I bought the cd from somewhere. This morning I wondered why he was whistling the Mayberry song ...then I heard about Andy.

Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip Elizabeth. I'm so glad you're going. Wanted to tell Elly...btw your comments about your DH made me laugh...that I am a great lover of country music old and new. And, one of my two family nicknames is Elly. If I ever have grandchildren, that's what I'm gonna have them call me.

Blueberies, blueberries, blueberries...my new favorite berry or fruit for that matter. I eat them every day and use them in everything; even salads. I made the best blueberry cobbler the other day...the cobbler was the best I've ever made..new recipe. Not too sweet or crumbly. I mix up blueberries and walnuts in a bowl and eat them with my fingers for a treat. My favorite is blueberry pie with crumble topping, but I can't afford to make it too often. Bad for my health, as in I would end up eating the whole thing

Off to run errands...got to feed the puppies, and myself for that matter, find my hat and hope that I don't burn myself with my seat belt buckle. Looking for some clouds to cover my head...cy'all later. Hope you are having a great day.

[OKay]

***VBSigh**** DSon and family aren't going to visit here this week. They finally gave up trying to fit it in and admitted they are overwhelmed with all they have going on. Since they signed papers on new house last Friday they have spun into overdrive on getting things done so they can move in. Plumbers replacing lines and 5 toilets, HVAC fellas replacing 2 central a/c, floor people working to tear out ceramic tile and carpet through out house in preparation of installing wood flooring. OH and also putting their own home on the market and having it show ready at all times. OH and also DSon went another step up the corporate ladder and starts a different job (same company) that requires him traveling all next week. Yup! I do believe they are just a tad bit busy right now.

Sooooooo- that leave me with a clean home and plenty of food for the next few days.

Turning a/c back up to our normal temp. Burrrr it was down to 75 degrees indoors and I am huddling underneath a down blanket.

[helia]

It is raining!!!! Woohoo!

I dumped water on some of my flowers and my rhododendron bush last night in an effort to revive them.

--Oh, it just stopped raining. Darn!!!

S is here. Book club may be cancelled tonight. It sounds like not many women can make it.

Off to Whole Foods.

[BookSaver]

Hello, villagers ~

Oh my, 3 pages so far today! Will cuop soon.

I will be in turtle mode the rest of the week, as we are under high heat advisory through Saturday. Each day the actual temps will be upper 90s, so add humidity and heat index will be around 110ish. This is not particulary unusual for Iowa. However, in previous years, I was more inclined to go out and look for cool places to hang out. This summer I'm trying to stay home and make progress on projects and decluttering.

So I'm adjusting my activity level to deal with the heat. No vacuuming or heavy lifting. Dishes & laundry yes, but not in a hurry. I had thought about going back to hanging clothes on the line this summer, but before I can start that I need to replace the lines ... so that won't happen for awhile. An excuse for more time watching TV since that room has a ceiling fan. Definitely a nap each day with the bedroom a/c unit running.

Keeping my goal for more cooking at home, but searching out quick & easy recipes that don't involve hovering over a hot stove.

Tonight we're having brats that are precooked and just need reheating, and a can of baked beans that ditto. Carrot sticks. I have a green pepper that I was going to fry with onion, but now I think I'll keep the pepper raw and forget the onion. Frozen fruit juice pops for dessert.

2 things I need to figure out this week:

1) My sewing group is having another 3-day retreat next week (day camp). This time I want to sew for myself. What projects to take? Finish a light jacket to wear to a meeting in a room with a/c. A summer top or dress? A new tote bag with lots of pockets?

2) DH is going to a family picnic on the Saturday I'll be at the sewing event. Other people are bringing plenty of meat -- beef brisket, hot dogs & brats. I need to find a salad - either veg or fruit - to meet the criteria:
* Able to travel an hour and then sit out on the food table for a couple of hours without melting or poisoning anyone,
* Quick to fix ahead because I'll have to do it the night before, and
* In a disposable dish with a disposable spoon because DH won't remember to bring them back home.