Chocolate dessert

Kindra took muffin liners and coated the inside with melted chocolate chips then into freezer. She peeled the liner off and then we could eat the whole thing. You can fill the cups with anything. She is a good cook.
Today was very windy! I went with Bud to Sam's and I had energy for that. Putting things away was tiring. My cough is a little worse from being in the wind even for a short time. I bought some orange juice, some more cold medicine. I put the oatmeal in the crockpot so it will be ready in the morning. I am going to be like you with the TV. I am going to start a good routine. Mainly eating better and doing things. I can't seem to get to bed very early any more. But then I don't have to get up for anything but the latest I've stayed in bed is 7:30. So I don't worry about that very much.
How was Rod's therapy today? Is it 15 minutes or 30? You must be pretty busy getting ready for another open house! I still think it is amazing that you are going to New York in the spring.
As I said, it is late again!

old church in Tiburon near SanFrancisco

today was a slow day. I didn't want to deal with Christmas decorations today. I worked out in the yard some. It has been cold and foggy. Tomorrow no fog, just strong wind and colder.
I liked Becky's makeover best out of the biggest loser. Did Braden watch it with you? Robin came over.
It is late again but I am not very tired or sleepy. I should call it quits tho.

Turkey is almost gone! November is almost gone ! Where has the time gone. Cat scan is over, I did my walk. Marisa is coming over tomorrow afternoon and Robin tomorrow night with the biggest loser. Now is the time to think about Christmas. (I still have some cleanup after this weekend.)It is late again. I need to get my beauty rest!

Getting ready for Black Friday

I hope your sunday was as restful as you had hoped for. I was so busy trying to find all the Christmas decorations. I found them but the dining room table is piled high with stuff so she can vacum. I hope that I can get up in time to do eveything that I want to get done. I have gotten use to sleeping again.
I also worry about Terry and Lori Jo. Terry has always been a strong and hard worker and it has worked. But now he has a problem he hasn't been able to take care of right away. I know what Lori Jo is going through. Bud is a lot like Terry. He wants it and wants it now but it doesn't always work that way, then depression sets in. I have a lot of upbeat friends and sisters and brothers. Tennis and walking was also great. The good quotes are also great. "When One door closes, another one opens," " Live one Day At a Time" and faith is always good. I feel Terry will come out of this and be a much stronger person. In the meantime, Lori Jo stay strong!

Thanksgiving food with the grandaughters

FOOD, FOOD! I am still full! We divided up the leftovers and I think we just about finished it.
I am working on Christmas decorations. I didn't want to start this early, but Norm is tall and got some of the tall stuff taken care of before he left.Kris said there is a lot of stuff but hopefully I can give some away. I am already thinking about having to put away what I get out. It took a lot of years to accumulate all this stuff!
It is great you had a few fun nights with the grandkids. That will be in their memories for the rest of their lives. I feel very fortunate to have mine close by and we have lots of memories.

MANUEL AND TONY BEING FUNNY

TONY AND MANUEL being funny. I need sleep and I know after all your shopping, you do also. Good night.

Lots of cooks

Thanksgiving is over BUT thanks keeps giving. It was good to have family here, bad that I felt stuffed but food was so good!
We have added more people to the family. All men and they like to cook. Can you believe that! Everyone helped.
I even went for a walk in between light rains. I hope you all enjoyed the day, the rest of the month, the rest of the year and All of next year.

Old turkey blessings

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! These are some of our old thankful turkeys. We are not artists but we have our thanks on the feathers.
It has been another long and late day and I am ready for bed! Kris amd Kindra came over and did some of the pre dinner for tomorrow. Norm came too.
have a great turkey day and be thankful for all your blessings.

Back yard

This has to be quick! Tonight was biggest Loser. Robin comes over. She stayed later than usual. Plus Kris and Kindra came over from the airport. Kris didn't want to watch biggest loser so they stayed a short time. Be back tomorrow.
Lori Jo, I agree you have an amazing mother-in-law. Mother- in laws aren't usually like that. Only sisters are that way. Joyce you are amazing! You have worked hard with Avon and you get rewarded. That is the way it should be! Plus you enjoy it. This is way past my new bed time but you deserve all the good things happening to you.

Maple tree and hammock

Today is a slightly warmer day but it is going to be time to take the hammock down soon. I love the maple at this time of the year.
I am thankful that I could get my catscan scheduled for next week. I also am thankful for reconnection with friends that I haven't heard from in years.I have heard from 3 old coworkers in the last month that I haven't seen in 10 years. I am also Robin got her car issues resolved.Not cheapely but now everyone can get where they need to be. A no-frills car. Everything is manuel except transmission. I am glad Marisa can accept the basic. It's easier too when she is paying for it.

more

More that was in the box! Do I dare ask Dioni to help me with the puzzle???Today is a dreary day cloudy and looked like rain all day. It rained last night. I took the sleeping pill last night and I have been nauseated most of the day. I don't know if it is from that or not/ It took me forever to find my anti nausea pills. I didn't think I would ever need them again. I am thankful for 2 great sisters to look over me even tho they aren't here
Lori Jo, you have a very nice temple but without it, your home(house ) can be your temple. Allysa looks like you in that picture. Will your sisters be spending thanksgiving with you?

Box #3 from Joyce and Norma

I couldn't get everything in in one picture. I will send the other picture next. Thank you both. Inside this box was also candy, foot and hand cream.
I missed the blog last night. I guess I need to blog earlier. I never know how I am going to feel at night. It was cold last night and I had the joint and muscle aches that start about the 3rd day after chemo. As usual, I haven't been sleeping good so they prescribed a sleeping pill. I have hesitated taking it. Last night, I thought I would try it about 10:30 and I got a good 4 hours sleep. I am so thankful for that!
Joyce, Sounds like you and Rod are really being sucessful at your jobs. I hope Terry hears pretty soon about his interview. Everything seems to work in it's own time. Waiting is so hard! We get used to this fast forward stuff. ( Sorts like Rod's stitches, you wait and wait and nothing happens)
Marisa's car conked out after they already put so much time and money in it. College is 4 days a week and at least 30 minutes away so Robin and Manuel had to spend this week end finding a reliable car that was dependable and affordable and that Marisa would like it( She is not pickey tho) She works both weekend days. That is why Robin couldn't spend the night this chemo session.
Lori Jo, I love your flower photos, I love spring, I love fall, I love color! God did a good job with nature. When I get down, I look outside and say Thank You God!

wild turkey

Turkey on our driveway. A family comes through about once a week.
Chemo 3 is over. A catscan should be coming up in a few weeks. I hope it shows good results.
Joyce, I hope you and Rod are enjoying your much needed night out.
Lori Jo, Animals are certainly a part of the more we family. I enjoyed our dogs while we had them.The more we traveled, the more we decided we were better off not to have animals. I used to walk my neighbor's dog but it died of old age a few months ago.
Have a good weekend.

This is my second time around so this blog may be short. I said save, then went back and it was gone!!
This was a fun trip! Such a pretty site and a good driver.
I was so tired after the Biggest Loser last night, I didn't blog. I had my blood work done and very thankful that it was in the acceptable range. So tomorrow is the big day....doctor and chemo. I am anxious to find out more about the breast cancer. It is itchy and painful.
Lori Jo, I enjoy the pictures of the kids. It is great that both you and Alyssa are into music. Music is very soothing. She will be able to pay her way through college with music lessons if not a scholarship. Still praying for Terry and hope the waiting game is over soon.
Bud has a fire going in the other room. Much warmer there than here.
Joyce, I know you really work hard in Avon.You make it look so easy. You have really done good1

Sunrise in Nevada

It seems that the only time that I can get up early enough for sunrise pictures is if I am camping. Especially with this leader. He won't go to public campgrounds. No bathrooms ! So you have to get up early to find a private BUSH! A time of the past.
Joyce, I also had a thankful day....my house is clean, I felt like doing some things in the yard, my book came in the mail that I was waiting for, my friends from Fresno stopped by for a visit and everything else that happened today. A bigee is that I have already had 2 hours sleep.
Also on Lori Jo's 12 days of Thanksgiving. A great ideal. On thanksgiving day at dinner, we pass out paper turkey feathers to put on our defeathered paper turkey. Everyone writes what they have been thankful for that year. We pull out the old turkeys and try to guess who wrote what. This comes fom when they were little and the old folks were younger. Now the kids are in their upper teens and twentys. We often had non family for dinner also. Interesting!!

Thanksgiving is approaching

I liked your pumpkin still life. I remembered that I had taken one similar while in Santa Cruz. Kris and I went one time and took Marcus and Marisa. It wasn't very relaxing. Those 2 together especially younger were always a handful. Seperately, they were ok. It was still a good trip.
I did not sleep very good last night. My new Kohl's pajamas were warmer than what I usually wear plus I went to bed very early. That never works. I have not done much today. We are having company at 10:00 tomorrow and the new house cleaner is coming at 12:00. That means I have to clean some before she comes. My company is Ms. Clean.
I had a meeting tomorrow night at the house but one person came down with a cold, so we have to reschedule.
I always thought of both you and Rod were good speakers. Even through pain! I am glad you and Andrew had fun. You were teaching him and he didn't know it. He was probably ready for a one on one.

Time

A birthday card I made for daddy. TRUE! time does move on. A very busy day. I went to a Christmas boutique with Robin. Then we went to Kohl's to spend my 30%. I needed clothes badly----ones that fit! AND some Christmas presents! A very productive day. Now I am a little tired and think I will go to bed.

girl readina book

I was up until 2:30 last night finishing reading my book. I wouldn't have been able to sleep anyway. Today was another slow day, It rained off and on. How was Andrew? I hope he sleeps good at other people's house. I am sorry to hear about Paula's husband Hope his headaches quit soon.
Lori Jo, I didn't know your family was military. That must have been fun and scary to live abroad.
I hope everything gets back to normal with your family, work and everything else going on.I got my 30% off at Kohls. I think Robin is going to take me shopping tomorrow. I need to get to bed and get some rest.

tree frog

The little noisy tree frogs.

Today was ok. Nothing great! I did nap some, cancelled my airline tickets to Vegas, sent my thank you emails, and the TV repair man came. Boring! I realize there are up days, down days and nothing days. I am going to bed soon and read my Nicholas Sparks book. Tomorrow my goal is to catch up on my journal. I will think of you while you are running around.

More mums. They came in a pretty pot.
Lori Jo, we went to Hawaii about 30 years ago. We spent the night at Hana on the Black Sand Beach. It was great. I heard the road to Hana was a lot of curves so I didn't want to make that drive twice in one day. we hiked through the bamboo forest, went to the 7? pools. At that time there was a ranch in the area. We stayed in Maui the rest of the week. I haven't been back since. Another time we went to Molaki rode horses down to the used to be Leper colony which was very interesting. Hawaii is nice.
Prayers are still out for Terry's job. Waiting is so hard.
Joyce, I liked the Knot's prayer. There are always so many nots .
Rod must feel pretty good to be working and sucessful with it.to sell a Sprinter Van when you are not feeling good, he needs a medal!

my garden friends

A busy day! Therapy at the hospital for my arm at 9 am. My friends came a few hours later. This is not a good picture. I got Bud to take the picture and he didn't have his shoes on so we stayed on the patio I can't believe all they got done and how nice it looks. They brought their own tools and worked independently of each other. One lady stopped at the nursery and got some blooming plants and they planted them where I could see them while in the house. I stayed outside today longer than I had planned. I was pooped. Thank goodness for the soup someone had made for dinner. Bud wanted to watch a movie after dinner. I fell asleep during the movie.
How are you and Rod doing? I hope you both can get some rest, ignore the pain and take one day at a time.
Lori Jo, how many days do you get off for thanksgiving? We were going to Vegas for thanksgiving, but too many problems to get away. I need to cancel those airline tickets tomorrow.

Fall Colors

Have I ever said that I like Fall?? I feel the plants give their best before taking that long winter's nap.
I love the picture of Terry as a kid. He is happy and you can't help being happy with him. How did the interview go? My prayers are with him. When will he know the outcome?
How is Rod doing? How are you coping Joyce? You know, I am going to do prayers for the whole family! How is the body plumbing going? Think about last year, You had 2 great sisters come to see you and then you and Rod got to go to this great warm expensive placeand enjoy yourselves. Can you believe that was only a year ago?
I have therapy tomorrow and then 4 of my friends are coming over and plant some pretty flowers and spruce up in the garden. I was tired today.Daylight savings time sure messes up my sleep. Plus I forgot to use my oxygen.
Blessings to everyone, hopefully we all sleep good.

Mission at San Miguel in CA

I love the old missions of California. This one was built in 1797. I love the architecture, the grounds and history. Many of them are somewhat different from the others. I would like to visit all of them. I had a good day today. Robin came over for a little while. I roasted some butternut squash, added a few herbs to it. We had chicken from Costco. First dinner that I've done in awhile. Fortunately, Bud cleaned up. We still have a lot of food in the refrig and freezer.
How is Rod doing tonight? I feel for his pain! I am still taking pain pills. Joyce, take care of yourself. KEEP THOSE PILLS GOING!!!
Lori Jo, how are things going with your work? You seem to be a very organized person. I need some of those skills.

Bears from my sistere

Look at my cute bears from my sisters! Since I didn't take pictures of the boxes, I will do portions at times. They will be my treasures.
Joyce, I am glad your Christmas party was good. I guess Rod did ok while you were gone.
I had a good day today, more productive but a little tiring. It was 32 degrees this morning and rained some during the early evening. At least it wasn't snowing!! I am not ready for WINTER!
Lori Jo, I like looking at old pictures also because they make you happy. Most pictures are of good times. The camera seldom comes out in bad times. In landscape pictures, I usually find something I really like in it.I don't know about the future with digital. Bad ones get deleted right away. I have seen a lot of changes in photography. I was taking a class in HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY this past semester. I was enjoying it for the content. I hate memorizing dates tho.

peek a boo

I found out what a peek a boo hair do is. Maarisa came over after sh go her hair colored. I didn't see any difference.Her hair is real thick. But she showed me tye bottom layer that she has 2-3 streaks of wide bands of blond. She could cover completely or show little or lots.
How are you feeling tonight? Tomorrow should be good. How is Rod? Norma told me he is doing daddy talk. Since my arm bothers me, I am managing my problem with codine, stool softner with laxative mixed in it.If that doesn't work then it is milk of magnesia. My arm still bothers me. But I have been sleeping good.
Today was good day. Lots of company! It always makes the day go faster. I still don't get much done.
I liked looking at the pictures when we were young (not long ago). We all felt good, in a pretty place. That was very nice. Lori Jo's pictures went back much farther.I love looking at old pictures.
Enjoy tomorrow with whatever it brings.

Savannah, Georgia

I enjoyed Savannah even tho I had to go by myself.It was elderhostel and Bud got sick a t the last minute. He thought he would be ok at home and he was.
Being a caregiver is very stressful! Especially when you can't make them better. I hope Rod is feeling a little better. Be sure to take care of yourself. I never heard of the block. But I was there when Gabe had his problem.also, you need the courage to keep everything else going. I know you hear this a lot " You are strong, you can do it"
I hear it a lot, I want to say "NO, NO I AM NOT STRONG" but I don't. Mother and Daddy used to say " You are the oldest, you can do it." Is that just a Vaughn thing? I am still surviving, I guess it is ok.
My nutritionalist friend is coming over after she picks up her son. She has chickens, used to bring egg. She is bringing some chicken soup from her chicken. She said we took the chicken, her husband chopped the head off. They prepared it. She was sure she wouldn't be able to eat it because it was HER chicken. She did and it was good. She now believes that chickens are very good sources.
Lori Jo, I like the kids in costume. That gives them a chance to be someone else for a night.I don't think I ever went trick or treating. Living out in the country wasn't a good place for that.
Even where we live now, is not good---being on a court, long driveway,no sidewalks or street lightsdoes not give kids high sugar production. We didn't have any trick or treators. I like fall color pictures tho or any change of season.

Mom and babies

How did the night go? I hope both of you are getting rest. I got up to go to the bathroom. I have had such a good night. I couldn't get warm yesterday. Last night I put on 2 down blankets on the bed. It was great! I got some good sleep in! I plan on going back to sleep and sleep in until 7:00. Marisa came over for a visit yesterday. Robin came last night to watch Biggest Loser. Today, I have the house cleaners to come in and I give them the news that I don't them any longer.
I have both of you in my prayers. At times, time seem to stand still but when you look back, it went fast. Like now, I can't believe it is already November. Take care!

kris and robin

I hope you get some rest tonight and Rod has some powerful pain medicine. TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME!