Early, Early, EARLY Saturday Morning

Happy EARLY Saturday morning from the Rancho.

4:44 am, Moto Kitty not-so-gently wakes me up...it's time for him to eat.  4:45 am, George jumps on the bandwagon.  Time for him to eat, too.  I drag myself out of bed, head towards the kitchen and get the food bowls taken care of.  Well, well, well...now, they are both back in their beds and I am left awake at 5 am on a Saturday morning.  Definitely see a nap in my future...Sigh...

Christmas was very quiet this year.  Only me and hubby, but, I did get a few pictures!!

Me and my Christmas bow...I'm so pretty, so pretty...LOL  LOL  I think that my pink jammies definitely put this outfit on a new level.

Here we are...being silly...

I was impressed with the light that morning, definitely evened out my wrinkles.  LOL

I have learned a new medical term...sciatica.  And not in a good way...

After making fudge the week before Christmas, I felt a little twinge in my hip. Not unusual, I was standing on a cement floor for about 4 hours, in my slippers.  Very. Bad. Idea.  Then, the pain went from my hip, to my thigh, to my knee.  It has been two weeks and I'm still trying to find the right combination of stretches and OTC painkillers to keep me going.  I believe that giving birth to quintuplets would have been less painful.  I have never, ever had back pain.  Now, walking hurts, sitting hurts, standing hurts, laying down hurts.  Does that cover every position?  Pretty much.  I'm giving myself until next week and if I'm not better, I'll head to the doctor.  I know what she'll say,..lose weight, exercise more...I'll get right on that. LOL

Another quiet weekend planned.  Baby Boy heads this way on January 4th, so I need to get his friend's scarf finished.  I think I've got about another 15 inches left.  No problem, I can do that.  I would say I could do that with my eyes closed...but knitting and closed eyes do not go together.  LOL

I leave you with my favorite Christmas picture.  Back story...

Baby Sister came over to visit.  She was taking selfies and "sissy" pictures with Snapchat.  I don't know what filters she used, but I love this picture.  I look about 25 years younger!  And the flowers? She added those later.  Makes me feel special.  LOL

I promise, my next post will have less pictures of me.  LOL

Wishing each of you a Happy New Year.  May your life be filled with love, laughter and joy.  And all your dreams come true...

Be kind to one another.

Merry Christmas to All

Good morning and Merry Christmas to all!

My Christmas wish for each of you is to find joy in every day, see smiles on the faces of strangers, time to show kindness in your actions, and love in your heart.

I want to say how grateful I am for each and every one of you.  Over the past four years, you have been here for the very best of the good times and the very worst of the dark.   I have built friendships with people that I may never meet, but hold me in their thoughts and prayers.  In this world, you cannot ask for more.

Again, thank you to all for being YOU...

Be kind to one another. 

A Little Chillier Than Usual....

Happy Saturday from chilly California.  I had to put on a sweat shirt, long pants, and shoes today...oh my poor, tiny, cold toes...

This morning, I took a walk out to the garbage cans.  Here are a couple pictures of my car:

Snow you ask?  Oh no, just frost.  I'll be honest, I don't like cold.  Anything under 40 degrees is really unacceptable.  It was down to 28 degrees last night and has stayed around 43 degrees most of the day. It rained on Thursday and Friday, so I should be glad that it wasn't cold then!  We got one and three quarters of an inch of rain.  Yay!

Less than 50 feet away, you will find my flower pots and rose bushes.  Really?  Really-really? LOL

These plants are next to the house, so I know that's why they are still blooming.  But, it seems wrong. LOL

Meanwhile, my son sent me a video of him in Iowa City...yes, it is snowing and holding at about 17 degrees.  I don't complain to him.

It's been a long week.  Asleep on the couch last night at 8 pm, but did move to bed at midnight and up at 5 am.  At least it wasn't another 13 hour power sleep.

I've tried to work for at least an hour every night on my current project scarf.  I think I made it 3 out of 5 nights.  LOL  The grey stripe at the top will be 7 inches wide, but then there will be more and smaller stripes going towards the end.  Very uneven color changes, but I think that will add to its charm. I wanted to send it to Iowa for my son's friend before Christmas, but I don't think I'm going to make it.  LOL

I starting my countdown to Baby Boy's visit...only 17 days left until his arrival in California.  I sure do love that kid.  I call him almost every day.  We are making plans. 

Dad is a bit congested.  He is still eating, but not with the same gusto that he usually shows. Sigh...His 84th birthday is January 24th.  Will that be the end?  I guess that no one really knows.  I am trying to keep up the Christmas spirit.  Hubby is doing better than I expected, though he keeps asking what I want for Christmas.  I feel like I have everything that I need.  And as for "want"...I am wanting less and less these days.  I have my family, my health, and enough money to pay my bills and still have some for crafts. Again I ask myself, when is enough, enough?  I think that time is now...

Have a wonderful weekend.  Be kind to one another.

It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas...Not Really...

Another Saturday night at the rancho.  I am trying really hard to promote the Christmas happy at my house.  My husband's father died many years ago between Christmas and New Year's, so it is always a tough time for him.  With no children at home, it almost seems like a waste to put up a tree...

But, I put on my big girl bloomers and got started.  Here is my table tree.  It is only a few feet tall and this year I went blue and white.  The little snowman is cute.  And sparkly.

This is the tree in my living room.  A four foot "plug and glow"...easy to handle.  I have little Santas, with red, white, and green bulbs.  Not bad.  And it is pretty with the room lights shut off.

In six years, I have never found my handmade ornaments.  I only think about it at Christmas and then I just don't have the time or energy to empty the garage and find them.  I am pretty sure that they are in a box, under my dad's and my son's stuff.  With how I feel about cleaning garages, they may never be seen again.

While I was in the house putting up the trees, nature was outside acting very unnatural.  It was a bit rainy today, but still about 60 degrees.  I trimmed some of my rose bushes, but the ones next to the house were so sparse, I didn't do much to them.  Between the rain and the warm days, I have lots of new growth and buds.  Really?

This cymbidium is on the back porch next to the house.  December to May is the blooming time.   I will need to move this plant into the garage in the next week or so.

I finished my blanket for Dad's caregiver.  She said that it is now her favorite blanket.  She had seen it a few weeks ago and commented that she loved the colors, so I already knew that she liked it. I am happy that she was happy.  The blue is a beautiful peacock color.  The second picture shows the shell edging.

It is a tough time.  Dad is not as good as he was even a month ago.  He is sounding a little congested and has a runny nose.  Is it just a cold?  I don't know.  His eating is slowing down, one of the things that they said would come at the end.  We've put him on a muscle relaxant to help with the muscle contractions, but it doesn't seem to be helping.  There are times when he groans, not in a painful way...but those sounds tear at my heart.  I am so afraid that he will hurt at the end. That would be wrong.  We've been going through this for three years, Dad deserves a quiet and peaceful end.

Enough sad.  The weather has been crazy.  I hope that each are you are safe and warm.  Be kind to one another.

Old People Get Really Tired

Happy Saturday evening from the rancho.

Oh. My. Goodness.  Old people should not take three weeks of vacation at a time.  LOL  It was so incredibly difficult to go back and work for an entire week.  I came home yesterday afternoon, got Dad's dinner ready, set hubby up to serve Dad, and laid down "for just a moment".  Three hours LATER, I woke up.  Folded two loads of laundry and then went bed.  Ten hours later, I woke up to Saturday morning. I think I was tired. LOL  Thank goodness for hubby, he picked up the slack...

I did get some knitting and crocheting done this past week.  Only an hour a night, but better than nothing.

I have three and a half skeins left on my blanket.  I'm hoping to have it done this weekend.

My baby boy picked the colors and pattern for this scarf.  I will continue knitting a large stripe of black, then go to different sized stripes in random patterns until the end.

When my sister stayed with us earlier this year, she brought a Christmas cactus that she had ignored for several years.  I tried to send it with her when she moved, but she really wasn't interested.  It was left outside all summer, watered once in a while.  Last week, I noticed a bunch of buds!!  So....I moved it into the house for the holidays.  Isn't it pretty?  I have two plants of my own that never bloom like they should. I think that I will move them outside with this one and see how next year goes.

Not much else going on.  I spent most of today doing chores, and did get my car washed and waxed. Of course, my arms are tired now, but I'm sure I can get in a couple of hours of crocheting. LOL

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

Boy, It Sure Is Dark At 4 AM....

Howdy from the rancho, peeps and peepettes.

Back to work this morning.  Hmmmm.  It is really dark at 4 am.  I'll be honest, I was somewhat confused when the alarm went off.  What was that noise?  As for getting out of bed, getting dressed and putting on make-up before 5 am?  No, not really working for me after three weeks of vacation. LOL  LOL  LOL Retirement is starting to look pretty good.  I told my clerks that I was used to napping between 1 pm and 2 pm...so no talking during that time.  They tried to be good, but they chatter more than I do. And honestly, I was just too darn busy to even breathe, never mind nap. LOL  (No, I don't really nap in prison!)

I FINALLY did a tiny cross stitch project.  I seriously had to think about how to start.  I think it was too long between projects. I need to get a few projects done if I want to attend the finishing retreat next year.  LOL

Found a couple of more cows for the Parade.

I found two at the Madonna Inn.  This is a tourist destination in San Luis Obispo.  Mr. Madonna passed away several years ago, but his wife and family still run the restaurant and hotel.  And yes, its colors are pink and white. LOL  That is part of the charm.  At night, the wheels on the wagon and the horses' legs are outlined in neon and "run and turn".  Very cool.

See the pink "M"s?

Lady Madonna Cow...

In one of their garden areas, Monarch Cow.

Back towards home, at one of the businesses in our town, the John Cowe Cow.  I thought this one was pretty special.  Must be the farmer in me.  

I've seen a few more cows, but I don't think that slamming on the brakes in the middle of the road is the best way to make new friends.  LOL  I will get pictures in a safe manner, I promise.

I've started on the scarf for my son's friend, but need to get a bit more done before showing you.  I want to make sure that the pattern makes sense.

So, off to get dinner on the table.  Dad has eaten and the day is slowing down.  I wish each of you a week filled with joy and happiness.  Be kind to one another.

Happy Thanksgiving to the US Peeps

Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving!  

Happy Thanksgiving...wishing each of you a peaceful heart. I am so thankful for all that I have...family that I love, a clear mind, the ability to work at a job I enjoy, a home filled with things that make me happy...Please spend a moment thinking about what you are really thankful for....Have a wonderful day....

This and That...and More Cows

Happy evening from the rancho!!

I am having such a good time on my vacation.  I am doing what I want, when I want, for as long as I want. At first I thought I was being selfish, but I am starting to feel rested, so I must be doing the right thing.

On Friday, I had Dad duty, and just puttered around the house, cleaning bathrooms and such.

Not much going on here Saturday.  Just working on projects.  Here is a picture taken Saturday night, waiting for the rain...

Since I took a little nap Saturday (two hours, LOL), I was up until midnight.  BUT, I finished my teal scarf. YAY!  Got it washed and started the blocking process on Sunday.  Of course, due to the humidity, it is still drying.  LOL  The color in the first picture is the true color.  You will notice my blocking pads...those would be children's play mats.  Work just as same as the blocking pads and only half the cost.  LOL

So...that left me with no "hurry up" projects for Sunday.  Crocheted one skein on my blanket and then started a small cross stitch project.  I wasn't really ready to make a commitment on my barn project, so thought this would be a nice break.  It's been so long, I almost forgot how to start!  LOL  I'll post a picture next post.

And, we GOT rain!  Only half an inch, but I can already see another burst of green on the hills.

My son has a dear friend in Iowa that is in need of a knitted scarf.  I told him that I would be happy to work on one.  I'd like to have it done before Christmas, at the latest mid-January.  My son said that black and grey would be perfect.  Odd, I have no black yarn in my stash. Gee, guess I need to go to the yarn shop. LOL

At one of my favorite shops, I found these...a merino black, a grey, and a cream.  Baby Boy said that a ribbed pattern would be best and thinks that the color blocks would be a great idea.  I'm a little excited to get started!

And for the cow lovers in the crowd, I found a couple more cows for the SLO Cow Parade...

Representing the "Coastal Cow"...

This is the "Charity Cow".  It was sponsored by a non-profit organization that works with our county fair.

And last, the "Cow-cu-lations Cow"...

Been working on my kindness goals...definitely smiled at a stranger, gave a compliment to the USPS person for looking for a missing package, threw away someone's trash at the grocery store, and am thankful for the rain.  Not bad...four out of five.  LOL

Wishing each of you an amazing week.  For my US peeps, Happy Thanksgiving!  Be kind to one another.

SCORE: Me-0 Chores-Too Many To Count

Happy Friday afternoon from the rancho!

I am now 14 days into my vacation.  Last week was all about me and visiting friends and loved ones. This week is all about chores.  I have filled my second green waste barrel and have at least two more worth in piles.  It seems that I raked, and raked, and raked, until everything hurt.  LOL

Then I started on my potted irises.  Not too bad.  Finished them in about an hour.  I just need to pick up some dirt to even out the pots.

As for the irises in front of the house...oh my.  Not my favorite job, but had to be done.  You will notice one missing fence board.  That would be a gift from our neighbors.  LOL  At least they didn't knock the entire fence down.

Before and after.  If you look carefully, you can see the pile of dead leaves at the end.  I'm sure that everyone driving down the road is glad I'm done...I spent an hour bent over with my behind up in the air.  I'm sure that was not a pretty sight!  LOL  No picture of THAT!  You can say thank you later. LOL

And my special grape irises from Sweet Vickie...new growth! Yay!!

I've been busy with my knitting and crocheting, too.

Scarf...only 1/2 of a skein left to knit.

Blanket...only 10 more skeins to crochet.  LOL

I hope to finish my scarf by the weekend, the blanket by the end of the month.  Dad and I are on our own today, so after I get done with his snack, I should have  a few hours to stitch.

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

Essay 102...More Vacation To Share And A Thought on Growing Older

Happy Monday to all my peeps and peepettes!

Hubby decided last Friday that we were taking a birthday/anniversary weekend away.  Gave a call to Baby Sister, reminded her that we watched her dog while she was on vacation for two weeks (LOL), asked if she would take care of Dad...and we were off!

One of my favorite places to visit is the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  The air is so crisp and clear...just beautiful.  It's only a four hour drive, so not too far from home.

We stayed in Sonora, California.  This was the view from our motel room.  So quiet and peaceful.

We took a drive over to Murphy.  Murphy is an old gold mining town about 15 miles off Highway 49. It has reinvented itself by becoming a tourist destination...and have done a fine job. This is the town's hotel from the 1800's...and it's still open!!  The shutters are the original metal.  Most brick buildings in the area have metal shutters...they were used to slow down the damage during fires.  The weather was gorgeous. You can see a slice of the sky, the perfect shade of blue.

The foothills of the Sierras...look at that sky!

If you look closely, you can see an old rock wall...

It is still dry, but after last week's rain, there is green peeking out!

This was our pre-anniversary dinner.  I know pizza...but it is the best pizza in the world!  LOL  We go to the same pizza place every time we go to the Sierras.  Yummy!

Our official portrait.  Taken in the car, but not bad.  This is me at 56.  Oh, and our 36th anniversary.

As we were kicking around the old towns, I received a FB message from a childhood friend that lives in the area.  We counted and realized that the last time we saw each other was 40 years ago!!  Our parents were close friends and we were born two days apart in the same hospital.  Life got in the way and our families drew apart...

She and her husband invited us over for dinner and chatting.  It was WONDERFUL!  It was like the years fell away. We decided that we were not going to wait another 40 years to meet up again.  

Here is a picture of happy times.  I would be the little curly-headed girl on the horse's butt end.  LOL

I had a wonderful week.  Two trips, visits with friends, time with my husband...you can't really ask for more.

And here is a thought on growing older and how I want to live my life....

I read a FB post that said that you should do five things: smile at a stranger, give a true compliment, pick up a piece of trash that isn't your's, connect with an old friend, and be thankful for what you have.  I managed to do all of them in the last week and have decided that I should do this each and every day. The world is so sad and full of strife.  Every person deserves to be treated with kindness and love.  It starts with each of us.

Be kind to one another.

Essay 101...How I Spent My Vacation

Happy Fourth Day of My Vacation to you!  LOL

Spent a couple of days down in the Los Angeles area, specifically Rancho Cucamonga.  I had a wonderful visit with my friend and his family.  I am sort of a mom figure...I've known him since he was 17...so he is like one of my own.  He is a good dad, a good husband.  I am very proud of him.

Of course, after I finished checking my hotel's address, it was on to find any yarn, cross stitch, or fabric shops in the area.  I hit the jackpot!!

Well, well, well.  Yarn and cross stitch.  Okay...  OH.  MY.  GOODNESS.  This place was packed full of surprises.  Much more than I expected and the couple that own the shop were very nice.  Oh, and since it is my birthday month, 20% off.  LOL  I was happy to show my driver's license.

I showed restraint.  Only four patterns and two skeins of yarn.  Really.  LOL  Somehow I picked all autumn-type patterns.  I love pumpkins and blackbirds...

Then on to the next shop.

This was a different type of shop.  Airy and fun...

And on the back wall....somewhat inappropriate....but SO funny!!  LOL

I found some pink mixed, bumpy, lumpy variegated skeins.  I figured I could add them into different projects for eye-appeal.  The other yarn is merino/alpaca blends.  Pretty and squishy!!  LOL

While I wasn't visiting or shopping, I worked on my projects.  Moving fast on my teal scarf.

Here's my blankie, now on my third skein.  Oh, more teal...LOL

I've still got about two and a half weeks left of vacation.  Hubby wants to do something this weekend. I am willing to go just about anywhere since I've already got my yarn and cross stitch fix.  LOL

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