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.

Give Me A V...Give Me An A...Give Me A C...

Oh, just give me a VACATION!  LOL

Today is the first official day of my vacation.  Three weeks of limited responsibility.  It has been six months since my last real time off...can you tell that I am excited?  Hubby is staying with Dad.  He knows that I need a break and is good about taking care of him.

I don't have a lot of plans, though I have a list of projects that really need to be done. All the way from the mundane...wash the car and get the oil changed...to the risky...finish a quilt that I've been working on for three years.  Big plans, I say, big plans.

I am off to visit a friend for a couple of days.  We've been friends for about 15 years and try to see each other at least once a year.  It will be nice...and I get to stay in a hotel.  No cleaning, no preparing meals. Ah, almost heaven.  LOL

I got quite a bit done on both my retirement scarf and my granny square.  I don't have the updated pictures on the computer, so I will post them next time.

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