Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Count Down to Happy...And Just What Have I Been Doing?

Good evening, peeps and peepettes!!

Can you hear it?  Far, far away?  In Iowa?  It's the plane taking off to bring my baby boy home!! Yay, more yay, more yay, and as much yay as you can handle!!  (Can you tell I'm a wee bit excited?  LOL) He really doesn't leave until Friday, but I'm starting the celebration now.  I pick him up from the Bay Area next Tuesday, but just to know that he's in California.  Big Mom Sigh....

So, I know that all of you are just on the edge of your seat, waiting to hear what I've been up to this last week.

Christmas day was very quiet.  Dinner for four, soup for Dad. I got up early to start the prime rib. Last Thanksgiving, I had a little accident with the lid to my roaster and broke the handle.  Very sad.  I ask hubby if he could find me a new handle.  Hmmm, no.  But, he could make me one!  Okay.

Here is a picture of the finished product.  Oak with tung oil.  Isn't it pretty?




And since baby boy is on his way, here it the scarf that I've been working on for many months.  I'm sure you will remember when I pulled out quite a bit of knitting since it was curling so badly:




And now:



It's still curling, but I think if I block it, it should be good.  It's a wool blend, so he'll be able to use it in Iowa. LOL  A lot.

And for my piece de resistiance....here is the latest update on my second giant granny square afghan. I love the purples and greens.  It is much more vibrant than the picture shows.



Continuing with Christmas news...My baby sister decided that I needed a new tv.  Honestly, tv is tv. I enjoy documentaries and crime shows, but I'm not really picky about the picture.  I bought my tv in 1995.  It is about 30 inches, in a wood cabinet.  I like it.  But baby sister is all about technology. Came in with a flat screen 50 inch tv.  Really?  The only thing I can think it will be good for is to watch YouTube videos of crocheting.  LOL  She has now spent two days, loading all the programs that SHE thinks I just NEED to have. I put my foot down on syncing my phone with the tv.  I love baby sister, so I just sit quietly on the couch, head down, working on my knitting.  There was only one glitch...as baby sister is opening the various boxes and bags, I glance over and see that she is using my embroidery scissors to do all this opening and cutting.  After I regained my senses, and grabbed the scissors as if my life depended upon it, she looked at me.  In a completely innocent voice, she comments that they are the sharpest scissors that she has ever used.   What a surprise...

The next day, she sends me this picture on Facebook:


I told her that I thought it was an excellent idea...LOL

Okay, I'm off like a herd of turtles.  I think I left a load of laundry in the dryer...yesterday.  LOL Have a great night, be kind to one another.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Merry Christmas Eve




Merry Christmas Eve from the rancho!

I hope that each of you spend the holiday with those you love and are blessed and happy in the new year.  


Perform random acts of kindness.  Smile more, frown less. Slow down the journey, enjoy the scenery. Pick the wildflowers.  Hug your friends whenever you get the chance, tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.  Eat that extra piece of fudge really slow....savor life!

Be kind to one another.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Happy Dancing in the Rain!

Good morning, peeps and peepettes.

We've got rain!  The weatherman says only half of an inch, but I don't care.  Rain is life for our area, I will be glad to take it.

It was a long, long week.  I had a great Sunday, found some amazing yarn in a yarn shop at the coast. My husband saw a beautiful scarf and hinted that I should make it for him.  It is a simple knit/purl, so I can do it!  It is a mix of merino wool and brushtail possum.  Yes, possum.  I did some research.  In New Zealand these animals are not native and considered a pest.  They cull thousands a year.  I'm sure that some people will be offended, but I feel that it is like cows....you raise them to use them. Can't get around it.  All you can do is give them the best life you can and be as humane as possible. Here is a picture of the yarn. It is so soft...



The rest of the week went like this...

Drove to work on Monday, behind an accident on a bridge.  Black ice.  It's California, we don't know how to drive.

Drove to work on Tuesday, accident at the end of my road.   More ice, car drove through stop sign, hit rail, all bad.  I stopped to offer help, no injuries.  

Drove to work on Wednesday, accident on highway, wrong way drunk driver.  So incredibly sad, the fatality was the person that got hit, not the drunk driver.  It had been several hours earlier, so took the detour.

Drove to work on Thursday, no accident, but did see a huge wooden wire reel on the road, missed it. Coming home, my truck started making crunchy noises in the front tire.  Got hubby to look at it.  We were both up until 10 pm changing the bearings and rotor.  I was only his gopher, but felt bad about leaving him outside to do it alone.  Since he is such a hoarder, we couldn't fit my truck in the barn. Worked outside in 35 degree weather.  By the time I got in the house and showered, I had to put two down comforters on the bed to try and get warm.

Drove to work on Friday, no problems.  Wheel worked fine.  Work was good until the sewer system plugged and the prison dumped 85,000 gallons of raw sewage in a creek.  All water was shut down with rumors that we would have no water for three days.  It took me and my staff two hours to plan meals for three days, for 2,200 people, with no water.  We did it!  Of course after we got everything planned and the canned food into the kitchen, they got the plug cleared.  LOL  I'll just think of this as an emergency exercise.  But I was so tired!  Came home, had dinner, and fell asleep in the chair at 7 pm. Of course, I did get up and go to bed at 11 pm, but still slept until 7 am.  Feeling pretty good this morning!  I should, I got at least 11 good hours of sleep.  LOL

The only thing I got done for Christmas this week was to make six batches of fudge.  Lots of different kinds:  Coconut, Heath Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Candy Cane Peppermint, Peanut Butter.

This is a picture of the coconut.  I brown the coconut and then add it to the fudge.  A little extra on top.  Tasty!


And here is a group picture.  LOL

                                                 

I've used the same recipe for over 20 years.  Always creamy, not grainy.  And no marshmallow fluff. I hate to use that stuff, so messy.  Here's the recipe I use:

My Fudge

Mixture One:
½ cup butter
1 cup nuts
3 cups of chips
1 tsp vanilla

Measure all items and cube butter into small cubes.  Allow to soften.  Set aside.

Mixture Two:
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup heavy liquid whipping cream
10-12 large marshmallows

Stir and cook Mixture Two over medium heat until bubbly, about 7 ½ minutes.  I use a wire whip.
When Mixture Two bubbles for about 30 seconds, remove from heat and add Mixture One, stirring until chips and butter melts completely.  Pour into buttered pan and cool.  I use a 9x13. 

This recipe works well with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, mint chips, etc.  I have also added Heath Chips, Peppermint Chips, etc, as part of the original 3 cups.  Be careful to not add too many chips, it will cause the fudge to “seize” and separate.  I've added coconut, crushed candy canes as an extra, not part of the original three cups.  I'm thinking of trying a pumpkin recipe, but haven't got around to it yet.  I hate walnuts and never add them, but some people do, so I leave them in the recipe.

When a friend gave me the recipe, it was called See's Fudge.  I don't want to step on anyone's toes, so I just call it My Fudge.  LOL

Okay, off to start my day.  I really, really need to get some shopping done.  And I definitely need to get out of my jammies, it's a little chilly this morning.   LOL  Have a wonderful week, be kind to one another.

                                

Saturday, December 12, 2015

This One's For You....Jocelyn...

Good morning to all my peeps and peepettes out in blogland!

Here's a little background on my title....Jocelyn over at Canadian Needle Nana was reminiscing about Christmas and  trees and ornaments.  I mentioned that my family had an aluminum tree with a color wheel. She hadn't seen a color wheel before...so let's begin our trip down memory lane!

A color wheel.  They can still be purchased...but beware, anything that begins with the word "vintage" usually comes with a high price tag.  LOL


This is exactly how our tree looked.


And if it was set up correctly, this was the final result...


For those with a yearning for the vintage, for the low, low price of $300, this could still be yours! LOL LOL  LOL

My parents had one of the latest Polaroid cameras, the type that the picture popped out of the camera. You would shake the picture and it would develop in your hand.  Unfortunately, the pictures don't last forever. Baby Sis has taken quite a few of them and had them put on photo paper.

Here is one of my favorites.  Me, Baby Sis, and Baby Brother in front of our Christmas tree.  The color has faded, but you can still see the sparkle of the tree.


I look at this picture and realize how little we have changed.  My brother still has the crooked smile, Baby Sis still squints her eyes when she laughs, and my chubby cheeks are still chubby when I smile. LOL

So I leave you with memories of times past, love of family, and the excitement of children at Christmas.  I hope that everyone has an amazing weekend.  Be kind to one another.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Happy Sunday From The Rancho!

Happy Sunday morning from the Rancho!


                                               


I have started with a little Christmas decorating.  My big box of ornaments has been MIA for about five years, so a couple of years ago, I picked up a little tree and small ornaments.  Now, I use it for the kitchen table.  This year, I went with red and white.  I found the place mats at the dollar store.

Christmas is not my husband's favorite holiday.  His father passed away during the Christmas season back in the 90's and it has never been the same for him. It was okay when we still had a little person at home, he put on the holiday face and stuck it out.  After my son moved out of town for school, for a few years, I didn't even put up a tree. Since my sister is here, I'm feeling more festive, so I started in the kitchen.   Husband seems okay with it...so I'll put up the "plug and glow" tree in the living room in the next couple of days.  It's only 4 feet tall, but with little ornaments and candy canes, it's pretty cute!

My baby sis was on a photo hunt yesterday.  Somehow she seems to think that it is always open season on pictures of me. LOL  She took this one while I was doing something on the computer...probably looking for yarn or fabric, I seem to be pretty intent.  LOL  I changed it to black and white since that color scheme seems to hide the wrinkles better.



I am still working on various projects, but not staying with one long enough to actually get anything finished.  LOL  Focus, focus, focus!  I keep saying I will do this, or this, or maybe this.  And what do I do? That, and that, and that!  LOL  I did all the housework yesterday, so once I get grocery shopping out of the way, I will have the afternoon for ME!

Short update on Dad...things are about the same.  He seems to sound a bit louder when he breathes, but the Hospice nurse says that it's in his throat, not his lungs.  Friday night was pretty bad.  I really thought that it was time.  I was surprised at myself.  After two and a half years on Hospice, you would think I was ready....nope.  Still scares me to my soul.  His breathing is quieter today...

Hug the ones you love, be kind to one another.


Monday, November 30, 2015

It's A Wrap...Well, Not Really...It's An Afghan!

Good evening from the rancho!!

It's a wrap.  Well, not really a "wrap", more like an afghan.  LOL  I am not claiming to be a crocheter, but I now have a teeny, tiny bit of crocheting experience.  I put the afghan on a king size bed, so that gives you an idea of the size.


If you look really close, you can see that I finished with a "shell" pattern.  My dad's caregiver was in last Friday, working on a new project.  It was done all in shells and she gave me a quick lesson.  I think it is the perfect edge.   I'm very happy with my first project.  Smile....


I hope that all had a special Thanksgiving.  We went to our friend's as planned...53 people!!  I think that the group has outgrown me.  There were 15 children under the age of 10, and honestly, not a lot of parental supervision.  After I told one of the older kids to leave the cat alone (for the third time) and it wouldn't bite her again, I decided to head home.  Too many little ones in one place.  It was almost like work!!  I talked to another friend with no family in the area.  We will gather all the "family challenged" people we know and have them to my house next year.  We will keep it around 20.  That would be better for me.

My baby sister and I had lunch in town on Friday.  We had no plans on shopping, but since my "favorite" quilt shop was having their Small Business Saturday on Friday AND Saturday, I stopped by...I know, I know, what was I thinking...I figured that it was important to support small businesses and a quilter can never have too much fabric.  Right? Right.  All ends of bolts were 30% off.  I was very careful and chose all end of bolts. However, I kind of lost count.  Too much chatting with the very nice ladies that work at the store and trying to teach my sister the difference between cotton and blends.  LOL  When I got home, I think I got between 10 and 11 yards. Oh my.  Glad there's no expiration date on fabric...

Saturday night, Baby Sis stayed with Dad so hubby and I could run into town.  Stopped by Home Depot to find something for hubby, but instead, I found this for me....


I spend a lot of time feeding cows, chasing cows, tightening fence, etc, etc, etc.  I always have to borrow hubby's Leatherman.  This one is ALL mine.  I already keep a knife in my purse to cut hay bales open, but now I have this little pretty!  And...it was 60% off.  Win, win!

And my search for the perfect scone continues...I think I may be a bit closer.  I decided to make pumpkin scones this weekend.  I was out of regular milk, but did have a can of evaporated milk in the cupboard.  Couldn't hurt, right?  Well, these were the most tender and moist of all that I have made.  I was very careful to not over mix or over cook.  Between that and the pumpkin, yummy!


And here is tonight's creation for work tomorrow...pumpkin scones with maple glaze.  Thank you so much to Jocelyn over at Canadian Needle Nana.  Without you, I would have never tried to make scones!


I am off and running to finish up my night chores.  Good night to my peeps and peepettes.  Be kind to one another.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

I Am Thankful


I hope that your day is spent exactly how you would like...alone or with family and friends.  With a special meal or a sack lunch.  Festively dressed or in sweatpants.  Enjoy life!

Here's a few things that I am thankful for...

I am thankful that I am loved...by family and friends.

I am thankful that I have a home to live in...and a job to pay for it.  There are some that have neither.

I am thankful that I am healthy...even with the advance of my age, I am able to move freely and think clearly.

I am thankful that my father is not in pain...Hospice is an ugly time, but it would be so much worse with constant pain.

I am thankful for this blog...it has given me a place to chat, to worry, to share (and sometimes overshare). I've met amazing people that are supportive and kind and thoughtful.   On my darkest days, you were here to help me get through another day.

I understand that those of you not in the United States are not celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, but I hope that you take a moment or two to think of how special you are to others.

Enjoy the life you are given.  Be kind to one another.


Monday, November 16, 2015

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Back to Work I Go....

Good evening, peeps and peepettes!

It was back to the grindstone for me this morning.  It is so dark at 4 am.  It was all I could do to crawl out of bed and go make that first pot of coffee. If the dog hadn't been woofing to go outside, I probably would have hid under the covers for an extra 10 minutes.  LOL

We had rain yesterday, almost one third of an inch!  I got a beautiful picture of one of my last roses, covered with rain drops...


One of the few chores I got done was tiding up my craft area.  I really need to finish a quilt and couldn't even get to the sewing machine!!  I had a stack of fabric here, a couple of hoops there, several boxes hidden behind my machine.   And then, I went a little crazy with fabric purchases on my vacation.  I needed to reorganize my entire shelving unit.  But...but...but it was all on sale!  Really.  LOL

I made more scones tonight.  I realized that last week, I used WHITE WHOLE WHEAT flour. Could that be why they were a bit dry?  Tried it with regular white flour, didn't seem to be much of a difference.  So, based on the fact that the whole wheat flour has more fiber, I will use that again next time. I need something healthy to off-set the butter and sugar.  LOL

I'm still working on my giant granny square.  I did a couple of rounds of black to give more depth to the throw.  I will do about 10 more rounds of the multi-color, then an outside border of black.  I think the black will be a nice frame for the throw.


Last Friday was my 55th birthday, so I decided I should take an awesome selfie.  Well, I took a selfie, but I don't know about awesome.  LOL  It took four tries, I just couldn't figure out where to look.


Wishing all a good week. If you are inclined, please pray for Paris.  Be kind to one another.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

What I Did On The First Half of My Vacation....

Good morning, peeps and peepettes!!  Happy Thursday!

Though my vacation is only half over, I thought I'd give a quick update.

Last weekend, hubby and I headed up to Alameda to visit Needle In a Haystack.  The store has recently moved and I was a little disappointed in the new layout.  It was hard to find patterns, but I persevered and managed to find a few things.  LOL.  They still have an amazing thread selection and lots and lots of fabric.  I picked up Olga from Plum Street Samplers (one of my favorite designers) and Peace on Earth from La D Da (another favorite).  The skeins are beautiful silk and the fabric is Pampas from Picture This Plus.  I don't have any plans for the fabric, but it was just too pretty to leave alone on that shelf!   LOL




Since my baby sister had volunteered to stay overnight with Dad, hubby and I headed over to Dublin to spend the night.  Next morning, stopped in at a Bass Pro Shop.  All I can say, this store is a tourist destination.  LOL  I didn't find a single thing to buy, but had fun checking out the fish and watching the people!

It seems that every day has been filled with "stuff to do".  I've had lunch with a friend, shopped for quilt fabric (just because, LOL), did a little de-cluttering.  Then last night, I made scones.  I am almost 55 years old and never, ever, made scones.  I always thought there was some secret until I read a recipe from Jocelyn over at http://canadianneedlenana.blogspot.com.  It didn't seem too hard and Jocelyn said they were very tasty.  English scones, from a Canadian blog, made by an American. 
LOL  Here is the result...


Not too bad, a little dry, but add a giant cup of coffee and JUST RIGHT!  I think I will get better with practice.  LOL

I've kept up on my giant granny square...


I've got 5 more skeins to use.  I don't think it is going to be enough, but maybe I'm just overthinking it. Worst case scenario, I finish up with black yarn in the same brand.  I've been looking at some "straight granny stitching". Maybe my next project?  Once again, I'm planning more projects and I haven't finished the first. Sigh.

Off to get my day started.  I've got care for Dad today, so I will get a bit of housework done and then work on some projects.  I am looking forward to the down-time.  

Have a great day and be kind to one another.


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Friday, November 6, 2015

I'm Happy, Happy, Happy...Did I Say Happy?

Thank goodness it's Friday....And, it is the beginning of my vacation.  Please excuse me while I step outside and do a wild happy dance!

My last "official" vacation was in June.  I counted (on my fingers, thank you) and that was five months ago. I am so ready for a few days off.  And what am I looking forward to?  Why, that would be sleep!  LOL Hubby wants to at least take one overnight trip.  Baby Sis said she would take care of Dad, so we are off tomorrow morning.  We have two choices....Alameda to shop at Needle in a Haystack, or to Angel's Camp (in the Sierras) to visit one of hubby's relatives.  Take a wild guess which way I am leaning...LOL  LOL  LOL  Of course, if we head to Angel's Camp, I do know of a few quilt shops on the way!

It's been a long week.  Work, work, and more work.  Hubby has been home for the past week, but it seems that he has forgotten how to run a vacuum cleaner.  LOL  He has done laundry, so I suppose that I shouldn't whine.

Last night, we did a quick trip out to do the Cow Patrol.  This is my sweet baby...if you look closely, you can see our brand, V/J.  Notice all the brown in the background? Welcome to drought stricken California.  This is why we are feeding hay four days a week.


And here my baby's momma!  LOL  My heifer is definitely a throw-back to her great, great grandcow.



When we first got to the lease, we only had three cows and three calves come to the feeder.  That means that you head on over the hills to find the missing cows.


We found them over in a little valley.  Gave a couple of cow calls and they headed over to the truck. Up the hill to the hay...Ah, the joy of dinner.





Sat for a few minutes watching the cows and then looked over my shoulder to find this sunset...beautiful...


Over at the rancho, the half inch of rain we got last week really perked up my roses.  On the left is Brandy, on the right is Sunset.  


Here is the lavender that I planted in a pot earlier in the summer.  It has really taken off.  Isn't that light green delicate looking?


And because I'm sure that everyone is wondering how my giant granny square is coming along...


Only ten more skeins to go.  LOL

I'm off and running for the evening.  A few things to pack and final instructions to Baby Sis.  She's sure that she can do this.  We've got back-up coming later Saturday, so she should be okay.  I will take lots of pictures to share...never know what I will find.  LOL

Have a great weekend and be kind to one another.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Weekend Winding Down

Here it is at the end of a long weekend.  Hubby's surgery went well on Friday, much less manipulation needed than planned and no cutting.  He is already out of the sling and washing dishes!! He can't help with Dad, but I'll give him a few more days to recover.  LOL

My brother is out of town, so we were on cow patrol this weekend.  Here is a picture of part of our herd:



Notice that they are doing what they do best...EATING!!  LOL  Tried to get a picture of our little white heifer, but she was hiding behind momma cow.  My husband loves the red cows, so there are quite a few with our brand.  Brother doesn't care, a cow is a cow.   No personal relationships there. LOL

Warning:  If you don't care for large spiders, skip the next picture.

Here is a little friend that we saw crawling our way.


Can you see the hairy little legs?  Mr. or Ms. Tarantula was in a big hurry to get under the haystack. Thank goodness we had already fed.  I don't mind watching them, but I don't like when they sneak up on me.  Can you imagine if I had picked up the bale and found THAT?  LOL

The property that we lease is part of a vineyard.  Only about half of their 600 acres are in grapes, so we lease about  200 acres per year.  I don't drink wine and I'm very annoyed with the vineyards that have taken up all the dry farming and ranching land. I try to find the beauty in all and I did get a great picture of the grape leaves changing color.  Very pretty.


I haven't done any work on my stitching, but....one of Dad's caregivers is a crocheter.  I was talking (whining) about how I was just not able to "get" crocheting.  She laughed, said anyone could do it.  I assured her that I was of the few in the world that was definitely crocheting challenged.  Well, Friday afternoon, she proved me wrong!  This is my amazing granny square.  I am just going to keep going, and going, round after round.  I should end up with a king size granny square by the time I get done. LOL  I've been stalking Pinterest, but most of the sites use all those fancy abbreviations when they talk about crocheting.  Guess I'll only be doing granny squares for a while.


So I'm off to finish my Dad chores and get ready for tomorrow.  It has been tough doing everything by myself, but it has made me more appreciative of what hubby does with Dad everyday.  

Have a great week and be kind to one another.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Roll That Beautiful Fish Footage

Good Friday morning to all from the rancho....

Up early, not for work, but taking hubby to the surgery center for a "manipulation" of his shoulder to break down scar tissue from his February surgery.  I'm pretty sure it's going to be a long weekend. He is not a happy patient.  Since he can't eat or drink...all the coffee for ME this morning.  LOL  And I've got one thing to say...Pumpkin Spice Creamer and fresh ground coffee. Wait, is that two things? Hmmm, not sure, but it is ALL MINE!

The reason for my title?  It comes with a bit of background information...

As my son was growing up, we were the zoo of the neighborhood.  We had fish, turtles, guinea pigs, snakes, mice, cats, dogs, horses, and cows.  It starts innocently enough.  Mom, can I have a snake? No, here's some fish.  Mom, can I have a snake?  No, here's a turtle.  Mom, can I have snake?  Oh, I don't care.  Even I can be broken down...LOL

Unfortunately, when my son moved from home, I became the zookeeper.  Over the years, the pets have passed peacefully and the various cages and tanks found their way out to the barn.  Except for one, the biggest fish tank.  I still have two VERY large plecostomus (algae eaters).  All the other fish had been gone for a couple of years and I was getting really tired of cleaning the tank for just a couple of fish.  A few of weeks ago, I went to the pet store and was told that they would take my two plecos. Not to put up for sale, but to put into their community tank.  I just couldn't.  I seem to be emotionally attached.  Sigh.  My other choice?  I might as well get a few more fish to make the tank pretty.  Here is a picture that gives you an idea how big these guys are:






This tank is about 4 feet long, 50 gallons.  The little orange spots are my new platys.  And this morning, I checked the tank...I got babies!  I know that all of them won't make it, but even if I can get a few to survive every  couple of months, I won't have to stock my tank.  I've got plenty of hiding places, so I am ever hopeful.

My other news?  I got a new Ottlite.  I've had a small one for over a year that I take when I go out of town, but have just lived with what I had at home.  I would use one of those "daylight" bulbs in my regular lamp. Finally decided to give in and get a 24-watt light to help me see.  Gee, can you see the difference?  LOL

                         

Have I used the lamp?  Nope.  I would need to stay awake for that!  LOL  I am AGAIN hoping that I will get in some weekend stitching.

I am off like a herd a turtles.  One more cup of coffee and I will be caffeined up for the day.  LOL

Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend.  Be kind to one another.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Warm and Cozy Sleep In

Good morning and happy Sunday to my peeps.

Up early this morning to do the potty run with my puppy dog.  But it was nice and cool outside and my blankets so warm, I crawled back into bed to enjoy a few more minutes of quiet time.  George was happy to lay down on his doggie bed and wait a bit for breakfast.  I love my dog, he can be so cooperative when he wants. LOL

I walked in a Making Strides 5K yesterday with two of my friends, one who is a breast cancer survivor.  I have never done one of these walks before, and had a great time.  I was a little sad when I first got there. You can write down the name of who you are walking for and it was very difficult to write down my boss' wife.  She fought so hard for her family.

Here is the starting line...


Me and Gracie.  This is as much of a smile that we could get out of her.

                                              

Do you like my boa?  LOL

And last, here is Gracie and Eva.  Eva is a three year survivor.  Yay!  Eva tried to get me to wear the tutu. Maybe next year.  LOL


At the walk, they announced that 15 teams had raised more than $1000 each.  Wonderful!

So my big plans for today?  Grocery shopping, a stop at RiteAid, and maybe, just maybe(!) I will get in some stitching time.  

Have a wonderful Sunday and be kind to one another.