My weekend has started

I was really hoping for a quick workday today, and it was. But, since it's been a cloudy, rainy day I think that helped things along quite a bit to. My temp lady invests in stocks. I think she does a lot of it in the evenings, but today she was glued to the tv and making lots of phone calls. I myself, know nothing about the stock market, but I just might start asking her questions. She has been doing this since she was a little girl. Everyone she knows does it, and she seems to be more than willing to explain things to you. She said something to me the other day. You work hard for your money, so why not make your money work hard for you. Makes sense to me. Maybe if I did that, I wouldn't have to work anymore. Ha! However, a little more info and understanding on my part, and I might be able to convince hubby.

I can't believe it's raining again today. I listened to the weather report last night and the prediction was for only scattered showers in the morning. Well, we got rain all day and not just showers, downpours! I know, I was out in it doing errands for my temp lady. Came home to an irritated son, lol. He's frustrated there's so much housework all the time! I asked him how it feels to be me. He wasn't impressed! He has been keeping up with the laundry rather well. Yesterday nothing got done because he had to work with hubby. Don't know what the kid did all morning, but that made today's laundry double. Plus the oldest put all his clothes in with ours. I've told him and told him and told him to keep his clothes separate. He's been doing construction work and some days the kid comes home covered in dirt. His jeans are just black, his arms, his shirts. I really don't want to be washing his clothes with ours. The youngest said he has been so I told him not to if he realizes it's the oldest clothes, but if it gets in the washer by accident to let it soak, for 30 minutes and then use the second rinse. Lord only knows what's on that kids clothes and he can wash his own stuff on the weekends.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny so I want to do a few errands in town. Might go looking for some jeans for the youngest for school. Other than that I need to seriously hit the books this weekend. I've only worked on my class one day this week. I need to devote more time than that. I started a new Beverly Lewis book that I've been reading before bed. That's good for relaxation, but I need to stay out of bed longer and do my work. Lately I've been crawling in bed early and have been asleep by 9 pm. That's early for me, but then I've been really tired every night to. Not tired today though, maybe my body has adjusted to this new schedule.

Water, water everywhere!

Boy, did we get the rain yesterday and last night! I was pouring when I was driving home. You couldn't see a thing, but I made it home ok.

When I got up this morning to take the oldest to work I noticed the side of my yard was flooded. I should have taken pics this morning, but I had to be at work an hour earlier, hubby forgot to bring me something for lunch, so I was just to rushed. I did get pics after I got home tonight.


This is the side of the yard. Where the white lattice is I have, or maybe had, morning glory's planted there. This morning the water was covering all the grass, no dry spots so it has gone down quite a bit.

This morning the water was under the swing to.

This is around the deck. It shows all the water laying in there still.

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm really glad. Every night when I get home from work, I come home exhausted! I got so lazy just doing whatever while I was off. This week everything has gone back to normal. The oldest is back to work, hubby is back to work doing his 12 hour shifts, and I'm back to work. My body needs to adjust to this, to much so soon, lol.

Tonight is knitting and I'm staying home. I had to work earlier and then had to go to the office for an in service. It wasn't as long as I expected it to be, and I actually got home only 45 minutes later than normal. But I'm more tired than normal to. There was so much traffic in town! But then again, I never get into town during the week usually. There was one girl at the in service who is in the same position as me, just filling in for people when needed. So I know I'm not alone in this and maybe they really don't have the work.

Still working on class, just a lot slower. This next chapter is incredibly long to so I'm just taking my time with it. No rush.

Hubby had a follow up with the doc yesterday. She wanted to make sure his lungs were clear. They are so that's good, although he's still coughing, but not as much. He made an appt to get his blood work done on Monday. We'll see if he actually does this. He didn't want to go to the doc yesterday unless I went with him. He made the blood work appt during my working hours. He says he will go himself. Ha!

The other day I had given a friend of mine into about a book that was recommended to me. I haven't read it yet, but it looks interesting. I told her she could request a copy online. It's a religious based book. She was asking me if maybe she could get it at the library. I really didn't know, but it's worth a try. Then she went on to tell me that the library closest to her recently was selling/giving away all their religious books because they weren't allowed to keep them in the library! Can you imagine? It's a library for crying out loud! They can keep all other kinds of books except religious. I had no idea so I don't know if this is something recent or not. I'll have to check at my local library and see if they have the same thing and ask them why.

The oldest is home so time to make dinner. I'm really hungry tonight!

Another Monday

Today was one of those hit the floor running days. The oldest had to work. He has to be at work at 8:30 am. He woke me up at 8:20 am. It takes 10 minutes to get there. ggggggrrrrrrr My alarm was going off, but I kept hitting the snooze button. I'm not one of those people who can just jump right out of bed and go. I'm slow and pokie and need time to wake up. Lots and lots of time. It was close to 9 am when I got back home so I had an hour in a half to get myself ready for work. Since I thought I had a lot of "time" I decided to wash 2 loads of laundry, do the dishes and sweep and wet mop the floors. By the time I did all this and looked at the clock, it was 10:15. Now, I'm running late! Had to be out the door by 10:30 because works now a 30 minute drive. So I had to rush.





Note to self:


will get up shortly after the alarm goes off.


will leave a chore list for the youngest


will have tea ready to take with me when I drop the oldest off


will make lunch the night before


will start ONE load of laundry


will not do any cleaning before work, isn't that why I have kids, lol??????





Yeah right, now all I have to do is follow through!

Easy day

Had to take a pic of the cone flowers. It seemed to take them quite a while to bloom this year. Usually, they are one of the first flowers I have that bloom. Must be the lack of humidity we've had so far.

This is one of my favorite plants. I think it's called a Hosta. We have 2 of these planted on the side of the shed that gets the least sun. One side of the shed gets sun all day and the other half the day. We went this year and got some more like this to plant on the one side of the house that doesn't get much sun and for a few spots around the deck. Hubby just loves these plants now that he knows they bloom, lol.

Got up and went to church this morning. I really was/ still am dragging my butt, but I went anyway because we are working on the book of Daniel. As usual it was a good message, but the church was so muggy, even with the fans on. Nobody has put screens in the windows so we can't open them. Guess because the church is being painted they decided to not do that this year. There are 2 ceiling fans in the center of the church, but they always turn them down on low. Last week, the one ceiling fan in the front was turned low and the one in the back, that I conveniently sit under, was left on high. Not this week, both put on low. They do have oscillating fans on the end isles they had turned on. One at the front of the pews and one towards the back. It was ok, but, I was rather warm. Then my back started to ache and I was just fidgeting like crazy. Felt like a kid again, lol. To top it off, the service itself ran rather long. Not a good thing for a crampy, achy back. Hubby stayed home and slept. He promised he would go next week though. I try to get him there every other week because I do know how hard it is to work until early morning and then have to get up earlier. And with his being sick I want him to take it easy for now. He worked his normal shift last night and tonight he will be totally alone. Today is the last day for the festival so hopefully everyone is making the mad dash during daylight hours for home.

This is my last day off. Back to work tomorrow. In the heat and humidity. Figures it would start to get humid when I have to work. The office has been keeping me informed about the developments in this case. I knew this woman's husband was sick, and she was really upset over it. I got a call on Friday that her husband passed so not sure what kind of shape she's going to be n the next few days. I do know her daughter will be with her for a few days so that should help some. At least I'm aware. I pulled out all my cotton tops and got them ironed for the week. When it gets really warm I hate to wear anything knit. Just to warm. I like cotton better but cotton can be hard to find. As I was ironing a few of my tops for the week I noticed that some of them are beginning to show some wear. Time to start keeping my eyes open for new ones I guess. My work bag is packed, clothes ready, new id badge, planner for the week almost done. All I have left is to listen to my class online and then decide how many pages I can read during the week.

I spent yesterday afternoon doing just what I wanted to do. Finished the reading for class on Friday and did the study guide. Took a short break after that. Was in the mood to knit so that's what I did. Been working on my top, which I started way back in June, lol. I'm right at the part where it's just mindless knitting so I can do it and watch tv at the same time. The season will be over by the time I get this thing knitted up, lol. Then it will be time to work on the front of hubby's vest again. Maybe, just maybe if I work real hard on it he will be able to wear it when it gets cooler. Maybe, lol!!

Not much going on

Not sure if you can see, but the flowers are blooming around the lilac bush. They are almost as tall as the lilac, lol. I did see new growth on the lilac to while I was taking this pic. Sometimes it's hard to take pics in the bright sun. I can't see what I'm getting because of the glare, lol.

This is one of the flower boxes on the deck. I posted a pic earlier, but just the white flowers were blooming. Now there are purple and pink. Have now clue as to what these flowers are though.

My lilies are blooming! These are the Easter lilies I plant outside every year. I tell hubby and the boys to buy me white Easter lilies. Love the white ones. The other lilies are full of buds and almost ready to bloom. I'll take pics when they are blooming.

This is an impatient, I think. I planted 2 of them at the ends of the youngest shade garden. We have a fence behind there and the neighbors pine trees hang over the fence into our yard. This makes the perfect spot for my houseplants in the summer. Lots of light, but not to much sun.

This plant I rescued from near death, lol. It was marked down and very dry when I bought it. It's called a dragons wing. I have it sitting in the center of a bushie plant. Makes it look like that plant is blooming, but really isn't. It's under the pine trees to and has been blooming nonstop since I brought it home and put it there.
.

This isn't a flower, lol! But, every time I go to turn the computer on, this "hairy attachment" comes and lays on my desk!

The gladiolas are in the center. Can't get that pic out of there! Anyway, I'm surprised they are standing like they are. We got had such severe storms move through here last night. Called hubby at work and they had no electric at the station. The youngster's girlfriend called and she had no electric at her house to. She lives about 40 minutes from us. Our lights flickered a few times, but the electric didn't go out. We had candles lit though, just in case. Nothing worse than trying to walk around your house in the pitch black.

TGIF

I have to say, I'm really glad today is Friday and I have no real plans for the weekend, except church. I have spent most of today doing all kinds of errands and well, I'm exhausted!!

The youngest had a eye appt today, so that was first on the list. Since hubby wanted

me to stop by the Verizon store and pay the Internet bill, we left early. Hubby's working for a few hours tonight so I had to be back by a certain time to have him to work. So, we leave and I decide since I'll be in town I need to go check where the house is for my new case on Monday. We get to the eye docs about 20 minutes early so we hit Dollar Tree first. I was going to go there while the youngest was at his appt, but it's right across the street and we had time. The youngest was a little upset about the fact that I was going to be leaving while he was there anyway. So, we get in there and he's the first appt so I stayed. It really took him no time at all. In and out. So after, we went to my office since when I was there earlier in the week I had forgotten to get a new name tag. Remembered everything else I had to do but that. Then we did a little food shopping. Actually I wanted to get some stuff to make the spaghetti dinner hubby and I watched on tv last night. Boy, it made me hungry! Hubby to, lol. Then off to the Verizon store. By the time we got home it was after 3:30. Took hubby to work and went to the local market for what I couldn't get at the other store in town. Now that I sat down, I'm really tired. I so wanted spaghetti, but I think that's going to be dinner for tomorrow. I need a nap, lol!

Hubby worked for about 2 hours yesterday, came home put his pj's back on and parked it on the sofa in the sun room and stayed put until bedtime. He even watched a movie with me on lifetime! He never does that. He always takes the remote and turns the Indian channels on. How rude, lol! The movie was pretty good, but it ran long. It was 3 hours so again I didn't get to bed until later than I wanted to. Since my reading was done I worked on some more tawashies. Got 2 done and another one on the knitting needles. I love those things! They work great on the dishes, knit/crochet up fast and just toss them in the wash and get a new one every day.

The more I think about it the more I think tonight is going to be get what you want for dinner night . I have a little salad left that I think I want. I'll put some chicken on it and maybe bake a potato for myself. The boys won't eat any of that, but I missed lunch and I'm really not all that hungry right now. I'll probably be starving about 11 tonight and then all I'll be able to have is a glass of milk. I'm thinking I need to add snacks in, especially after dinner, but when it gets warmer and humid, I just don't get hungry. I'm trying to teach myself not to eat if I'm not hungry. This weather and lack of a schedule is just workin for me.
I was reading someones blog the other day and she was talking about only counting non fruit and veggies in her total calories for the day. I thought about this and I like that because there was a time when I counted every bite of food I ate. It got to be real tedious when I would make a chicken sandwich and add a few slices of onion, tomato, and spinach leaves. I found it to be a real hassle. Besides, just how many calories are actually in 2 tomato slices???? My whole goal is to ear more fruits and veggies anyway and the mentality of this works for me. I tried it for a few days and it really made me want to eat more fruits and veggies, because in my mind, they don't count. I'm not saying every fruit and veggie is going to count as nothing, because there are some that I just have to count, but if I want that big salad for dinner, it's ok, I just have to count the non veggie stuff I add to it, like egg, cheese, or chicken. How many calories are in a cup of lettuce???? I really don't think enough to throw my calorie count off for the day. I also find at night when I'm starving, I'll go more for something like fruit, without the syrup, or even an apple. If I have the apple, I'll add the peanut butter that I had with it. The fruit counts as nothing, unless I add cottage cheese to the fruit. It's the mentality of it that works for me. Who doesn't want to eat something and have it not count? Now today, I've blown it. All I've had so far is cereal for breakfast and no fruit since we don't have any in the house and a cookie for lunch. There will be no loss this week because of the skipped meals. That really sucks. I used to be able to miss meals and lose weight, not anymore.

Well, I'm hungry now, all that talking about food! Going to have that salad with a potato and the boys are on their own for dinner, lol.

Thursday already

Finally made it to Bible study last night. Always interesting, but it was so stuffy in there! Only the front and back doors to the building were open. No windows! I made sure I sat by the open door to the room hoping for a little air circulation. I like that church but I think with all the heat they insist on keeping in the buildings I'm beginning to wonder if they are trying to sweat the weight off me, lol. By the end of the night the woman sitting next to me was fanning herself, but she had jeans on and sandals with socks on to. Just looking at her made me hot.

Hubby worked for about an hour and a half yesterday just doing an order and he was beat when he got home. I figured he would be. His fever has finally broken so that's good. He has to work this afternoon because of it being grocery day. They get groceries in once a week and it all has to be put out on the same day. Makes it rough if it's a big order, so they will take all the help they can get.

We put the window ac's in yesterday so now my house is nice and cool. Hubby gave me a little bit of a hard time about it but he keeps saying the ac guy is coming to fix the ac and I've yet to see the man so.................................... I go back to work on Monday, really don't want to, lol. I'm likin staying home and doing whatever. Lately, with hubby being home at night now, he's gotten me into staying up late with him. I was trying to get myself back on some kind of schedule of going to bed at a certain time and getting up at the same time every day. This way I can at least get the laundry washed and hung out before I go to work and a few odds and ends. Going to bed later than normal just throws everything off and I don't want to get up until around 10 or so. Not good come next week when I'll have to be at work by 11 am with a 30 minute drive. I got almost all of my reading done yesterday. All I have left is the conclusion to read and I'm done. Right on track. Tonight is knitting, debating on going. I should go since it's been a while, but for some reason today I just feel kind of out of it. I think I've gotten used to being home a lot now.

The oldest went to work at the station this morning since his boss called last night and said he wasn't working today either. The fool has been opening in the morning but having the kid, who is working nights for hubby, come in at 9 am and work until 11am to make the chicken and help with lunch. Then he goes back upstairs and sleeps until he has to be back to work at 5 pm and work until closing at 2:30 am. What a crappie schedule all because the fool is lazy. I know this kid can't wait until hubby comes back to work.

Well, guess I need to do something productive today :) For some reason the cat is glued to my ankles this morning. She has been pestering me all morning long. Don't know what she wants since I fed her, watered her, gave her a treat and held her for a while. Right now she's laying between my feet and the legs on my chair. Sure hope her tail is out of the way when I go to roll the chair back!

Summer like weather

It's beginning to feel like July around here! The humidity is moving in. UGH!! I'm hoping it won't be around for to long. It was very damp, cool and rainy all day yesterday. It got no higher than 68 yesterday. Today it's warm, humid, sunny and in the low 80's. What a huge change in a 24 hour period. I had the boys put the window ac's in because I was already getting warm early this morning. Then hubby decided he wanted his hair cut so I had to go outside, in the sun, and do his hair. He wanted it all buzzed off so it was a fast job on my part. Way to hot in the sun for me.

Hubby is starting to feel better. He's getting up and moving around more. I think his fever is starting to finally break. He was all clammy feeling this morning. He said he didn't have much of a fever last night, so that's good. I know he gets tired really easily though because he just sits/lays around. That is not like hubby, he has to always be moving or doing something. He has been home since Monday so he's getting the rest he needs. He still hasn't found his ins card so we can't get the chest x-ray done. I guess I could get a copy sent from doc but she won't be back in the office until Friday I think. I called for a new one, but it will be 7 to 10 days before that one comes. So, he might need it anyway for another time. He doesn't want to get the x-ray done but I keep trying to make him understand this will tell just what it is he has. He still says if he feels better then he doesn't need it. I tired.

Work has been calling him every day. The kid actually since he's the one who has to work nights for hubby. The fool actually called today whining about being so tired from having to open at 4 am and work all day alone. I have no sympathy for this man. He wants to be the boss and when you are the boss, it's your responsibility to cover, or find someone to cover, for an employee who can't work. Quit your whining and grow up. He called hubby back and told him he had to go to the station to do an order and he has to work tomorrow because of it being grocery day and the folk festival starts tomorrow. I know they get kind of busy during the festivals, but since they know this and this is a yearly thing, I think the fool should schedule accordingly. But what do I know?? Anyway, I really don't see hubby working a 12 hour shift just yet. He did go to the station to do the order and took the oldest with him. He said he wouldn't be long but he's been gone an hour already. The oldest isn't working today because his boss hasn't felt well for about a week now. Seems to be complaining of the same things we all have had some form of. So today, he calls and says he's not doing nothing and his wife is now sick to. Think someone should go to the doc in that house?? I don't like going to the doc but if I had a fever for over a week, I would take myself.

On my short trip outside today I happened to notice the cherry tomatoes are starting to turn red. Cool beans. And I have some rather large zucchini that need to be picked but that will be done later today. Once the sun goes down.

Me and the cat were enjoying a nice quiet house, and in walks the youngest. So much for out 10 minutes of peace. I was working on my reading and then the phone rang. Of course, it's for me. So that ended my reading for now. Decided to check the weather since I was interrupted and already up. So here I am, lol. I know as soon as I get settled again hubby and the oldest will be home.

Getting it together................

At least I hope I am, lol. Had a very hard time getting out of bed yesterday. Finally got up about 10 am. I don't like getting up that late because then half the morning is gone and I don't get much done. Felt really tired all day. Hubby went to work the night before and I picked him up around 1 am because I just couldn't sleep. That and the man had a temp of 102 when he went to work. I was so angry that he went and the fool made him go. Had that been me I would have said I wasn't going and nothing, nothing would have changed my mind about that! But, not hubby. So, since the oldest didn't have to work yesterday I sent him with hubby to do the cleaning, stocking of the coolers, etc. I told hubby to sit and do nothing but run the register. Not sure if he did or not, but he didn't go to work yesterday, so I know even working 4 hours the other night was to much for him.


Yesterday we got him to the doc. Our regular doc is on vacation until Friday so we had to go see the covering doc. One thing I really didn't like was the fact that since hubby wasn't a regular patient of this guy, hubby had to wait until all the regular patients were seen before he was. Two hours later we are finally out of the doc office, and he was the last appt. Nothing irritates me more than having to wait, especially in a waiting room. They guy gave him a script for an antibiotic and something for the cough. Same cough stuff I had. He must think hubby has bronchitis, or something because he wants him to get a chest x-ray to. So, it's not just a cold. I asked hubby what the doc said he thinks he has and hubby couldn't remember, lol. Well you don't get an antibiotic for the cold or the flu so................ If hubby can find his ins card we will get the x-ray done today, if not then another time. He was searching for his card before we went to the docs yesterday and couldn't find it. He accused me of having it in my wallet. Um, no I gave you your cards thinking you could be responsible for them. Guess I thought wrong :) I don't know where he put it and I'm not looking for it. I have enough to do as it is.


After some errands, laundry and waiting for the doc to return my call, I only got about 2 pages read yesterday. It was late when we finally got home and I was hungry! Yesterday was a bad, bad eating day. I had my tea when I got up and out the door I went. No breakfast, not good for me. By the time I got home and settled I had a sandwich around 1:30. For some reason that thing just hit my stomach like a brick. And I didn't even eat all of it. By 4:00 when we left for hubby's doc appt I was still feeling full so I didn't even bring anything with me. Not even a bottle of water, which is unusual. We got home around 7:45 and I was hungry then. I stopped for a bottle of water and hubby needed something to take his pills with. I was going to have a salad and the leftover zucchini for dinner but wanted hard boiled eggs for the salad so I ate the zucchini while I was waiting for the eggs. The zucchini filled me up so I didn't have the salad. I do know better and I knew I was headed for trouble later. Around midnight my stomach was growling so bad I had to get up. I had a glass of chocolate milk and 2 graham crackers. I was fine after that. I was really craving that salad then, but I knew I would never sleep if I did that. By the time I crawled back into bed, after 1 am, I slept really well. The alarm went off at 7:30 but I got up around 8 am. Right on schedule.


Dropped the oldest off to work. I don't think they are working but the boss said something about going around the county. Fine, anything to get that kid out of my hair, lol! I need to head to the office today and while in town I have to get the youngest glasses fixed. The boys were fighting on opposite sides of a door and well.............someone got the door shoved in his face and his glasses broken. So glad I got the lifetime warranty on them and the shatter free lenses. He has 2 pairs, but the one pair he's wearing are a little bent. Wearable, but................ So, one pair to be tweaked and the other need to be totally replaced because they are in pieces. I'm going to try to get everything done this morning so I have the afternoon to work on my reading. That's the plan anyway, lol!

Productive weekend

This has been one of those strange and busy weekends. On Friday I got all my sewing done. It went so smoothly, I was surprised at no problems. Guess that happens when I'm actually in the mood to do something. Finished up the last chapter for class on Thursday. Missed knitting to do it, but it was important that it get done. Since Friday went so well, I had no actual plans for the weekend. So, Saturday I started the translations for the next chapter. Today I finished them. Cool beans! Now, I can plan my week since this next chapter is one of the longer ones. It will probably take me all week to do the reading, I'm thinking. I've given myself until Thursday to have the reading done. I want to be able to listen to the class and take notes on Friday, after work. That way I can do the study sheet and get ready for the next chapter over the weekend.


Hubby has a really, really bad chest cold. He came home Thursday night and woke me up complaining he had a fever. My initial response was to tell him to go and get a cool cloth and put is on his head, instead of waking me up, but I was the good wife and did it for him. He went to work yesterday, against my wishes. He really looks bad. I called him before I went to bed last night and he was complaining of having a temp and feeling cold. I told him the temp would get worse over night, but he did close up earlier than normal. He crawls in bed, shivering so bad his teeth were chattering and scoots as close as he could get to get warm. Then he pulls out that fuzzy, heavy blanket. So glad the man kept that thing to himself, is wasn't exactly cold last night, even with the fan in the window. At some point during the night I woke up because I'm hot and where he was laying against me, my night gown is all damp. That's what woke my up. I felt his forehead, but he was rather cool. Guess so, he sweated all over me! At some point he got up and turned the ceiling fan on so he must have cooled down during the night. He's still in bed, don't think he's going to work. Sure hope not, he needs rest right now. Nobody has called either so I'm not asking. I've been keeping a cool cloth on his forehead, but he feels pretty cool right now. We'll see what happens tonight though.


I've decided that this week I have to get myself back on some kind of schedule. No more lazing around. I have to go to the office one day this week and get info on the case I'm subbing on, need a new name tag and want to make it to both Bible study and knitting this week. The oldest has been off work since Monday. As it stands now, he will be going to work Tuesday unless his boss calls and says otherwise. They were working a job for the bosses family. There were 2 guys and the boss doing the job. Well, the family didn't want to pay 3 people, they just wanted the boss (their son) to do the job. So................this guy has been working this job all week alone. I feel bad for the guy, but that's family for ya. Made the oldest call his boss on Saturday just to see the status of the job. Seems like it's almost done. The guy has 2 other jobs waiting.


It's been really nice weather wise lately. But, this week the humidity is supposed to increase and the temps get into the 80's. Normal July weather. Guess it had to happen sometime, lol. I just hope this case has fans or ac or some way of keeping cool. The heat just makes me want to be lazy.


A few days ago the oldest and hubby weeded the garden. All but the onions and chives. It looks really good. Can't find any radishes though. I know there were some growing earlier, I'm wondering if they pulled them out when they were weeding. There are some green beans starting, but the hot peppers look really small, like they aren't going to do anything this year. Maybe all those weeds stunted their growth, lol! I saw a few tiny cucumbers starting and the tomato's are hanging full. The potatoes have really taken off and I can find my kale again. I even saw carrots, but they are really small yet. Got 4 more zucchini and a few green beans out of the garden today. Going to saute the zucchini to put over spaghetti. The boys will only eat zucchini that way. Maybe hubby will be up to having some zucchini. He's not crazy about spaghetti, but I'll give him some chicken noodle soup with the zucchini if he wants it. I don't think he has the flu because he's not nauseated or running to the bathroom every few minutes. Hopefully, things stay that way and he's back on his feet in a few days.


Speaking of hubby time to check on him and start dinner.

First pickin of the season!

Guess what's for dinner tonight!


So, while I was on my "break" I ventured outside to get some veggies out of the garden. First of the season. I only saw one hot pepper ready for pickin and thought for sure hubby would grab that but it's still here. I picked some fresh herbs so we will have the zucchini sauteed with onions and the fresh herbs. Hubby wants some of the zucchini so I will send the hot pepper along with his food tonight. Unless it's storming really bad, then he will get it tomorrow. Predictions are for strong storms tonight since it's quite humid outside now and there's a cold front moving in.

I've spent most of my day with my nose in a book. Trying to get this next chapter done. It's done, I just have to do the study sheet that goes with it now. The new books I ordered came in the mail today, so had to sit down and browse through them for a while. Of course, they sent a new catalog. Temptation, temptation! I only got half way through one of the catalogs and had to stop. I could be going through those catalogs all day, and I just don't have the time for that today. I want to finish this chapter so I can work on my shorts over the weekend. Sadly, my time off is coming to an end. I go back to work Friday of next week :( I've really enjoyed this time off. Just getting started on enjoying my days, but it's only until August 31, then I may be off for a while again. Or not, who knows. I know hubby's enjoying having me home more, I asked him if I had to go back to work. Just feeling him out on this because I know what he's going to say. He still thinks I'll be bored staying home! All he said was everybody has to work. Ok, didn't tell me how much I have to work :) I did tell him I really want to use this time for school, so I'll let him think about this for a while and question him
later.

Not going knitting tonight. Really feel I should, but the class is more important. Finishing this chapter means a free weekend. I like that better, lol.

Scavenger hunt

Lately I've been reading a lot about the stimulus bill and how going back to school is supposed to be more affordable. Especially with financial aid. So, I've decided to check into it and see how much help I might be able to get. A loan, of any kind, is still my last resort, no matter how low the percentage is. I printed out all the paperwork to do a paper form first thinking I can spread this out if I get interrupted and after I get everything filled in, I'll have a copy for myself and can just email the copy I do online. Well, I printed out the list of paperwork I'll need to fill out the form. Good grief, days and days of hunting this stuff simple because my filing system right now leaves a lot to be desired. I hate to file. Anything. So mainly after I pay a bill it just gets shoved in the closest drawer. I have 3 of those kinds of drawers, plus two folding file folders bulging at the seams. All need to be cleaned out and put in the filing cabinet. I actually do own one, lol. Problem is, it's shoved in a closet and it's much easier to just open a drawer and drop something in that it is to dig through the closet. But now, that I'm faced with this task, I might just move the file cabinet out into the room with the computers. That's where I pay my bills and stuff anyway, and the oldest is home for the next few days. That way I will actually have a whole closet floor of usable space! Like for winter shoes and boots, lol! I'm way to crammed in my closet now and I have the whole floor for my shoes and purses! I always keep the boxes my shoes come in. I think it keeps the shoes nicer than just piling them on top of each other. I do have some that came without boxes, but I've been known to snag the boys shoe boxes, lol.

I've done very little knitting over the past few weeks. Just tired and not in the mood. I have done a few small things. This is what I've accomplished so far. These are called Tawashis. I found the directions online at craftylish.com/how-to-crochet-a-tawashi for the crochet one and the knitted one, I can't seem to find the directions for, but I'm sure if you google it you can find it, or maybe different kinds. It is a Japanese name. They are made out of scraps of acrylic yarn in 2 or more colors and are used for washing dishes. The center one is crocheted and the two end ones are knitted. I like the knitted ones simply for the look of them, but the crocheted one is much bigger. But, the changing of the yarn on every row is a bit much for me. But, I might tackle another one since I do like the size of it. I've used all of them and they are great for washing the dishes. I have directions for a crocheted flower Tawashi I've yet to try. When done just toss in the washer and dryer since the yarn is acrylic you don't have to worry about shrinking or anything! I'm going to put mine in a basket after I get a few more finished. Just what I need in my kitchen, another basket, lol!

Took a trip to my favorite store. I was mainly looking for walking shorts. Cheap. I had seen some in Walmart, lots and in Fashion Bug, but for the price, well....................I'm not working right now and they were a bit much. I decided if I went to the thrift shop and found long pants that fit nice and are lose in the thigh/knee area that I could cut them off and make walking shorts out of them. I found two pairs that should work well, a navy pair and a khaki pair. They both have a little stretch to them, and are lose where I need them to be. I don't know why I never thought of doing this before. I have such a hard time finding dress pants to fit because they are never long enough in the leg part. I'm doing well if they reach anywhere close to my ankle. But, now I can make walking shorts out of them, still be cool and look nice for work. The youngest hates the khaki pair, but they are a neutral color. I'll have to do before and after pics.

The first gladiolas of the season. I'm so glad. They are my favorite flowers and I usually have to wait until August, but they are opening early!And, as you can see, my mums are blooming. Don't know when that happened. I didn't see any buds appearing on them, then I got sick, and now look at them! I'll have to go out one cloudy day and get all the flowers off so they actually bloom in the Fall like they're supposed to.


These are pics of the tomatoes. This one is of the cherry tomatoes. If you look really close you can see some green ones.

This is a pic of the regular tomatoes. So thrilled I have green ones hanging. If only a few :)

This is what the oldest worked on all day yesterday. If you look really close you can see some tiny carrots starting to grow. Now that the weeds are all gone, hopefully they will grow faster, lol. If you look on both sides, they are mostly weeds that need to go. On the left is supposed to be radishes and on the right hubby planted okra. Not that you can find anything for the weeds! See what happens when I'm not after the "males" in the house.

This is the youngest first attempt at laying stones. In the center is a lilac tree we have nurtured from basically just a twig. We kept a fence around it so hubby wouldn't weed whack it down but this year he put the stones around it. He also planted zinnias and marigolds around the outside of it. Looks like the flowers might get bigger than the lilac tree, lol.

Well, I've spent way to much time on here and it's not looking like we are going to make it to Bible study. We haven't had dinner yet, so time for me to go.

Nice day

Today I've done exactly what I wanted to do. And a whole bunch of nothing, lol. I got up early and got the laundry on the line since it's been such a nice day. Lots of sun, cool breeze and not to hot. I'm afraid days like this are numbered since it's the middle of July and it's not typical July weather. Yet. Personally, I would be happy if the rest of this month and August stayed like this. This is my kind of weather! Since the oldest has a few days off this week, I've had him and the youngest out in the garden weeding. The weeds are so bad that I can't see where the veggies are! He's been good about working on the carrots and is going to start the radishes tomorrow. I would show a pic, but I'm ashamed of how bad the garden looks this year :( That and the fact that the groundhog is just having a feast in there. I saw today that the leaves and the tops of the green beans are gone. I have a few beans hanging, but not sure how much we're going to get this year. I've already told hubby that next year we are sinking fencing into the ground, 3 feet, like everyone has told me so maybe this won't happen next year. It looks like the only thing that is safe is the tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes, onions, and chives. But on the bright side, there are some zucchini that should be ready in the next day or so and I saw some tomatoes hanging on the vines. Hubby picked a hot pepper yesterday and made a chutney with it. Some green watery stuff with the pepper and onions. Haven't seen anything going on much with the cucumbers yet. The peas are climbing all over themselves. We have to string something for them to climb on tomorrow.

All day today I've wanted to take myself shopping. But, I was good and stayed home. Kept myself busy reading most of the day. Took advantage of the nice day and have been on the swing outside most of the afternoon. Until the mosquito's started chewing on me! So, I think tomorrow I will take myself to my favorite store, since it's half price day. I've been really good, I haven't been there since hubby got back from India. So a treat is in order for me.

I was planning on grilling outside, but it's clouding up outside. Not supposed to rain, but who knows. Maybe I'll cook everything inside and we can go outside to eat. That might be nice. Have to light a citronella candle while we're out there though. Not going to have anything fancy, just chicken, mashed potatoes with chives from the garden and a veggie, since it's cool. I'll save the quick meals for when it's really warm outside. I was looking at the herb garden and that seem to really have taken off to. Well, what the groundhog hasn't eaten, lol. Went shopping today and hit a really good meat sale, so I stocked up. We're set for a while now. Forgot tomatoes when I was out. I was wanting tomatoes and onions with fresh basil. Have to remember to get them tomorrow so I can make that tomorrow night. Tomorrow is Bible study and we are going. I haven't been in 3 weeks, have to get back into the routine. Knitting is Thursday, going to that to even though I've only made a few things for the dishes. Oh well, something is better than nothing!

Confusion, confusion, and more confusion

Today was a child free day, and what did I get to do today? Hubby and his friend drug my butt through 3 different stores! Now normally,I don't mind, but I was just tired today. Last night was the first night I slept all night without having to get up because of coughing like crazy. But, had to get the oldest to work, so I was up early. The youngest went to a friends house so I had to drop him off an hour later. Since I was half way to town anyway, I decided to go ahead into town and food shop. Loaded and unloaded the groceries from the car all by myself because hubby was still sleeping. Put everything away and cleaned the fridge out. It was in some serious need of a good cleaning, but I got all the food that was becoming science experiments in the trash and wiped the shelves down some. Tomorrow I will take them out and give them a good cleaning. What ever possessed me to get a fridge with glass shelves I'll never know. Seems like they spend more time dirty than they do clean! By the time I got that done, hubby was up and it was time to put the wash in the dryer. I'm still waiting for that person to invent a washer and dryer system that just automatically transfers the wet laundry into the dryer all by itself! And turns it on, lol.

So hubby informs me that we are going into town and the kid he works with is going with us. OK. So we go back to Staples for the rebate for his security software. I had looked online before we left thinking maybe I could do the rebate that way. It wasn't online. Check in the store and yea, there's one. Go through the process of returning and re buying, only to realize the rebate wasn't printing out. Check the box on the shelf, which I had already done and here I realize that the rebate form is in the box! gggrrrrrrr The kid, just didn't understand and we went there for nothing. Ok, now I know. Next was walmart. Hubby and the kid want a cell phone plan. Walmart doesn't have the deals that the Verizon store has. Did manage to get the one thing in Walmart I needed though. But, while in walmart we had to wait about 10 minutes for the phone person to come back from lunch. They wanted some kind of two for one deal and walmart didn't have that. Again, time wasted had someone actually taken the time to explain to me what they were after! So, to the phone store. Then they couldn't decide on what they wanted and hubby said one of the boys told him they could get the family plan online for much cheaper than the store had. Then he's asking me why some people don't pay as much as the plans he's looking at. I told him it all depends on the kind of sale they are having at the time. This sale was on some phones, buy one get one or two free. We did end up with the kid getting Internet service for his notebook. I grabbed a pricing plan from the store and will go online and compare plans. Then on the way home I picked up the youngest and him and the kid were talking and they decided the kid didn't need his wireless router that he has and were talking about returning that. gggrrrrrr Just came from Staples, for the second time this week! I'm thinking I just might keep it, that way we can get out iPods on and the printer is set up for wireless to. That way, all we would need is a stick for the laptop for the youngest and we should be all set. For now, lol!

I have successfully gotten nothing around the house done. No class work either. And I'm tired. Not sure if I'm going to sit down with the book tonight or not. If I don't then I have double the work to do tomorrow. I'll decide after dinner I think. I have no plans to go anywhere tomorrow, lol. There are things I need to do, like tackle 2 rebates, class, cleaning, and the never ending laundry. Mostly, I'm tired. I just want to stay home and do what needs to be done. Today is the most I've been out since I got sick. And then of course, work called about that month long case, so have to return that call. Not that I want to, but I should make some sort of an effort and it is 4 weeks of steady work. I just might have all of September off, who knows. Gonna throw dinner in and make plans for the rest of the week. Need to get myself back on some kind of schedule!