The End of It All

I would suppose this is the end of one of my best years and one of my worst years, all wrapped up in one. This year has been an eight ticket ride.

My new WiFi hot spot (called a Jetpack) is actually not an improvement. I don't know if it's the towers, or sunspots, or just plain lousy service. "They" told me that we would be getting another tower up here in January - not holding my breath.

My DIL has the flu, so it looks like I will not be having my fun day with Sky this vacation. Bleep!

House hunting... it really isn't going very well. I did fall in love with one house when I saw the listing. It cost too much, but Stan took me over to look at it anyway, to get it out of my system. I could just see Julia and Edward putting up their Christmas tree for Anna in the front window. After I looked it over closer, I realized it would not be workable at my age and the bedroom had an outside door... I didn't like that or the layout of the kitchen. I went up the stairs. The turn on them was too tight, it would not be safe. We continue looking. One house would have been perfect IF the basement hadn't recently been pumped out and was still soaked. The hole in the roof didn't turn me on either. It had a lot of roof. I suppose I need to look at newer homes... We'll be going out again tomorrow, there are several more on my list with that extra bathroom. I would have preferred a vintage home though. Oh, well.

My teeth are making sores on my gums. I can't even eat noodles without pain. Could kill for a steak and a nice crunchy salad! (Or some of that lovely fruitcake, cookies, or my baklava!)

The weather keeps bouncing around. I am already anxious for spring. I am not a winter person. I know there are many who enjoy the snow, it is so pretty and it does cover-up the bleakness out there and that awful brown yard. (But I am content with the brown yard)

My last post of 2013, hard to believe it! I will not be staying up tomorrow night to see the New Year in. My late nights are over.

Wishing you and yours a prosperous and healthy New Year!

I'd like to chew the fat...

Well, I would like to chew anything, actually. Still can't. Those that know tell me it shouldn't be long, but the waiting is adding pounds where I don't need them. I seem to be eating something constantly, pudding, ice cream, yogurt - and most of it has chocolate sauce on it. I think my brain thinks I am not eating because I am not chewing and I'm always hungry. I have already gained 5 pounds, some could be water weight, because all of that stuff has salt. I can hope so anyway. A lovely steak and a salad would be so good about now... I can't even eat cookies. Will be going to see the dentist again on Friday for another "adjustment".

So! I imagine you are all busy prepping for your festivities. We went shopping today, the husband wants to cook some soup for tomorrow.  The big dinner Wednesday will was supposed to be... wine soaked baked ham, sweet potato casserole, twice baked potatoes w/cheese, green bean casserole and I will be having beer/cheese soup. Naturally I will TRY to eat the other stuff, haha. It has trailed through my mind about baking some homemade dinner rolls, drizzled with butter and Parmesan cheese. He bought a red velvet cake and a Dutch apple pie for dessert. We will eat leftovers for the duration, as it will just be the two of us.

Jack and Jill scored new beds for Christmas. Jill's new bed is about half the size of a twin mattress and about six inches thick. It really doesn't fit in her 'room' (the closet floor) and she is kind of put out about it, but this one will be so much better for her long legs. Jack's bed is perfect for him to curl up in and so much thicker - he sleeps in the bathroom and that tile floor is so cold. I think this one will be better for him as well. They rated doggy cookies too.

I got a brand new mifi, but it works no better than the old one before it died. Also a mouse scanner that I haven't tried to figure out yet. Our old scanner doesn't scan anymore, I thought I would give this one a try. (As soon as I can wade through the instructions) I have boxes of old photos that I would like to go through.

The boss is on vacation until the sixth of January, it's too bad that it is so cold right now. Sigh...

Well, Y'all have a Merry, Merry and a Happy, Happy! Stay warm or cool (whatever the case may be). 

12/25/13 - Post Script: You know the story about making plans... 

Save your teeth!

Just sayin', this is not fun.

Straight from "Frustration Road"

I'm on - kinda sorta. Managed to get Chapter 2 up on my link. Blogger hates me, the battery wasn't the problem, think it's the gizmo itself. I am about batty here with no real internet. (I did get the laundry taken care of and watched a few movies, but not being able to get online and have it stay has me losing my hair.

This has got to be the crappiest beginning of December since I moved down here. I'm looking at warmer places... What the heck has happened in TX and CA? The whole country is cold... Hmm... Florida... Mexico?

My teeth come out Friday. He did another impression and managed to break the broken tooth even more. I feel so dang glamorous, you have no idea. I did take a picture, but nobody is going to see it. Yep, it's that bad.

I hope everyone is staying safe and not sliding into the ditches. Have patience... Things will get better - come April.

Not the whole tooth...

9 a.m. fog is just beginning to thin

Piece of tooth I lost, compared to ladybug.

Good morning folks, foggy morning out there, but getting better. I had thought to go to Verizon today and see about a battery for my wifi or if it is something wrong with the gadget itself. I've had it 2 1/2 years now, but seems no matter what you pay - everything is disposable now.

Saturday, I broke off part of one of my front teeth. It may be small, but it feels like the Grand Canyon. I think I mentioned they were falling apart and the reason they had to go. The edge is sharp and tearing at my lip. Air hurts this one too. Well, in 10 days I will really be miserable, so no sense griping too much... right now, or I will be the boy that cried wolf... I will say that I look like a scary old witch, about now.

Tuesday's chapter is up. I tried scheduling it. HAH! Why do they offer it if it isn't going to happen?

Have a great day, if you can!

 

Almost back

Okay, my Nano quest is over. I am done writing for a while. I tried to make an adult content link... can't figure it out. I am tired...

Biggest thing on my mind right now is having my top teeth all yanked out on (get this) Friday the 13th! They are killing me...
So far my grocery list has yogurt, jello and pudding on it - I won't want any lumps, that's for sure!

Man, it is so cold for TN! Yesterday the temp here was the same as St. Paul, MN. That is just plain unreal!

My wifi thingy lasts about half an hour now, I need a new battery really bad, but I am not going out to have the cold wind whistling through my teeth... That rock and hard place are squashing me pretty darn hard.

Catch Ya later!

Autumn Lace

Autumn Lace Evening Gown

I'm still plugging away on my WIP. Hope Y'all are doin' fine.

Ladybug Football

As you know, I am deep in the trenches of NaNoWriMo. I started out cold on day #1, watching the curser pulse on the blank page for at least 10 minutes, before a crumb of an idea hit me. I have been plugging along, ever since.

My story is about a woman, an army widow of nearly twenty years, dealing with her spoiled wayward daughter. Oh, there is a whole lot more happening... You know how I write. It's coming right along, although, my characters seem to have minds of their own and are trying to race me to the end. Hopefully, I will make the halfway mark tomorrow.

Sometimes, I try to think of the right word and I get distracted. I clip my nails or play ladybug football with the bugs that fall on the keyboard. Naturally, I am thinking all the time, thinking about the dang bugs, what I'm going to eat for lunch, and I actually think about my story. It's all about the process. I am watching my favorite tree in the back yard, as the leaves are turning yellow then brown, and then spiral down in the wind. It will be bare before my story ends. It is a bit sad watching it go to sleep for the winter, but I enjoy the yawns as it becomes drowsy.

I think about you guys, every day, read your blogs when I can, and hope for the best. Take care, Y'all, I'll see you on the other side! (Of NaNo, that is)

It's NaNo Time!

Head Stand?

 I am getting ready to head back down into the rabbit hole to see what my brain can come up with for NaNo this year. For the moment, all thoughts of moving and looking at houses is on hold for this great event. Yep, I am going to find out if I can still write or if Julia was just a fun fluke. I don't have any word prompts this year for the Who? What? Where? When? game. So if you have any to challenge me with... leave them in the comments. I start writing in the morning. I'm worried about being a year older and none the wiser. Hmm...

Jill was actually sleeping like this. The camera woke her up.

Out of Order

Taking a break

Paranoid or What?

Being alone most of the time makes me a tad edgy sometimes. I don't get my mail everyday, maybe two or three times a week. I went for the mail on Tuesday. This wasn't there then. Because of the soggy weather for a couple days, I didn't go down there until I mailed some bills this morning. This bothers me, has the house been marked for some reason? If it were kids out to have fun, they would have gotten them all. Right?

The stuff does not wash off. I am not a happy camper...

Furniture and Dogs

Why they don't mix...

A Real Challenge

I probably have bitten off more than I can chew, but I have once again signed up for the Nanowrimo November challenge. It's not as if I have the time on my hands... I haven't written much of anything since the "Julia" series and The Kindness Of Strangers. I feel it is time to get back to my writing even if I have too much going on. If anyone is interested in taking the challenge, feel free to leave a comment with your email address if I don't have it. I will delete your comment after I foreword the link.

Not a typist? I'm not and I managed. I watch my keyboard as I type and I made it. Of course, it will take up some of your time, but if you have ever said, "I could write a book," now is the time to get motivated, even if it's just your life history and memories for your grandchildren. You will get a wonderful sense of accomplishment!

I seem to have "lost" my badge for last year, or I would show it to you. I will try to find it, if I can.

Have a most wonderful day!

Going...

Sorry Cathy, I know I need to update, but so much is going on and yet nothing is "happening".

Shopping - I hate it with a passion. Nobody has what I want, and anything close - is too expensive for my 1970 mindset. I still haven't found a basket for the dirty clothes, DH and I had a misunderstanding about the size of the cabinet, so the one I thought would fit - won't. Have you priced a standing toilet paper holder? WOW, and I have yet to find one in white! A black one would stick out like a sore thumb, shiny metal, um, no, I do not want that. We want a standing towel rack or a towel warmer and cannot agree on just what kind, so the damp towel is slung over the shower curtain rod. I will say that the men that did the job on the bathroom did a great job and the tile people were wonderful, I would recommend them to everyone, it turned out beautifully!

Sorting and packing is going extremely slow. With him out of town, I don't know what he wants to keep or throw. I don't know what I want to keep or throw either. Not knowing how much room I will have, makes it harder. When we moved here, it was such a jumbled mess. I can't handle that mess again. If only we had a place to move into, we could just take our "extra stuff" there in order to stage this one. I mean, well... nobody has two china cabinets AND a buffet in one room. I did tell you that my husband is a certified "shopper", didn't I?

The poor dogs have no idea what is going on. We had so many people here while the work was going on and now there is just us again. They do love "company" and the attention they get. Not everyone is crazy about dogs and I have found that Jill senses it. She has been growling at new people now, that is good and bad at the same time. She comes into their space slowly, sniffing and checking them out.

I found the perfect house - but it was sold already. I am really not all that picky, but I really never, ever, want just one bathroom again!

Do you remember that we had to get new telephones, not long ago? I was talking to my cousin, Janet, last week and we heard this snap, crackle, and pop - then she couldn't hear me anymore. I couldn't get her back. It would call her number and it would go back to the dial tone. I went shopping for a single cheap one, because the corded phone worked. No receipt, no idea where DH bought them...

The scuppernongs are ready, big, beautiful and bountiful! I am trying to get somebody to pick them before they rot on the vine again this year! The one new vine that we planted three years ago, would probably make five gallon of wine, there are so many on it!

I finally found someone to mow the yard! I guess we were godsends to each other. I needed the lawn mowed and he needed the cash! The place looks better now!

All for now, have a wonderful weekend. I hope it's beautiful for you!

Two Long Weeks

Two long weeks and around $5K... It is basically finished. Just a few simple additions left to do. He just left and the smell of stain, paint and varnish lingers. Argh!

I am a dreamer of impossibilities

Today is Wednesday, I had hopes that I would be able to post the before and after pictures of the bathroom remodel, for wordless Wednesday. What was I thinking? Maybe next week - IF all goes well. So far they haven't, but I was able to go potty by 3:00 this afternoon.

He finally got the tub pipes to a non-leaking state, last night at 8:45. Famous lost words - "I will only have the water shut off a couple of hours." Try 10:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.... He will be coming back an hour or so every day to get all the mudding done on the sheet rock. He can't put the vanity in until the mudding is done and I think maybe the painting. I really don't know.

I will get to take a relaxing bath this evening, it has been ages! I have decided showers are a necessary item, but a bath is too. Next time shopping, I am going to but some tub items, for sure!

I sold the golf cart. It is no longer a lawn ornament. Pretty nice, not to see it parked out there in the front. The buyer said he would be back in a couple of weeks - I offered him some of my figs. They are mighty tasty, but I don't have the time or energy to mess with them this year. The next house will have a couple of fig trees too. ;-)

All for now, it is almost time to luxuriate in that tub!

Took a break...

I got about half way through emptying out the bathroom cabinets, when the plumber (Yes, an honest to God, plumber) came to evaluate the disaster we call the bathroom. He promised to show up on Monday morning, and he would be done in less than a week. By the time he left though, so did my energy to pack up ‘stuff’.

I took a quick shower, after calling for back up (my grandson), and I got ready to head shopping. I picked him up on my way. Armed with my o2 tank and full of all three of my breathing medicines, I resolved to have a good time.

First, we went for my glasses, as they were ready. Then we went to Target for dog food and treats for J n J. I hadn’t eaten lunch, so we headed for the mall. The food court has the best sesame chicken and Lo-Mein and cream cheese wonton too! We perused Romancing the Stone, we both love that place. When I suggested we walk over to Spencer’s, he said something about my not being like his other grandmother. I took it as a compliment. On the way home, we made a stop at the Dollar Store for a couple more totes.

When we arrived at his house, his family was getting ready to leave for Mexican food. Golly, I hope he had room! They asked me along – I, however, did not have space to eat anything else and I would be driving home in the dark. (Headlights are still a problem, since my cataract surgery, I cannot drive after dusk)

All in all, I had a great time. I needed that outing so bad, well, you know. I did enjoy my time with my grandson. I may not be able to move tomorrow, but it was worth it!

Slow Progress

You’ll have to excuse my absence, we are busy and I am trying to sort out my hobbies and get like items together. Today, when I was gathering my costume jewelry and parts for crafts, I remembered my rocks. I had to hunt them down. Somehow, things have a habit of being taken out for someone to scrounge around in and the space the item had been, closes up. A new space must be found. If you don’t have McGee’s  closet, you probably have no idea what I am talking about. Sorry, about that.

Half empty or half-full?

I did find the box of rocks in the hall closet under some boxes of space saver bags. I am always fascinated when I look at my polished rocks. I am a rock person, from diamonds to fossils and everything in between.  I noticed that the box is half-full, or is it half empty? It was full when it first arrived about seven years ago. I have since given away half of the pretty stones for various planters, bamboo vases, and jewelry projects.

Considering how many things I have given away, donated, or thrown away, one would think there wouldn’t be so much “stuff” for me to pack. It seems like my things have been procreating while I wasn’t looking. The house has not been put on the market yet. I am looking, it all takes time. DH has someone coming to work on the bathroom before we list. Well, back to filling that tote, and then on to the next.

More fun...

Sorting, packing, trying to simplify for 'showing' the house. HAH! I stashed a lot of things in the closet because he said we weren't going to re-do the bathroom. Today, he is shopping for things to re-do the bathroom and I have had to haul out the stuff again! You see... the pipes for the shower/tub are inside the wall between the tub and the closet and he will have to access them. Water will have to be cleaned up immediately, as it spreads quickly on a level surface. The closet is rather small, but it held a load of stuff! I am not the happiest of campers...

May your weekend be blessed with peace and tranquility.

Overlap-overload

The Old Pear Tree

Transition time, it seems too soon, but the leaves are turning and falling already. It was 59 this morning as I let Jill out to do her thing, the mists are rising from the low spots and the not so faint odor of a visit from Pepe` Le Phew fills the air.

Have given up looking for a house for now. The bank says he has to be actually working to acquire a loan. We will have to wait until he gets another work order. (When we won't have time to go house hunting because he's working, sigh...) The bargains are being snapped up faster than anything.

I am still working on the sorting and packing, so that we can get this one on the market before the snow flies. I am exhausted, we have way too much stuff. We have only been in the house about eight years, how could we have acquired so much extra baggage? Of course, I have attachments to all of my old hobbies. What if I decide to paint again or make some stained glass stepping stones for the new house?

I still want to write, but it's difficult to even think with so much going on. I thought I killed the dishwasher last night, my mind is so busy that I couldn't see that I had a lid in front of the latch! I am feeling like a chicken with her head cut off and running wildly in every direction. It isn't fun. Never thought that would ever move from here, I would die first. One never knows, it could still happen.

Y'all have a great day now and enjoy the last (or first) of the transition into changing weather patterns.

Upsidedown

Living life upsidedown... Comments off, but still alive.

I will be back as soon as I can. {{{HUGS}}}

Just give me a while to get myself together.

Comments are off.

Not today...

DC

I am whooped... I called the agent and cancelled on the cute house and decided to wait until next week. The house had a gas fireplace - period. No A/C or furnace and the house, though cute as a bug's ear, was built in 1920. I would almost bet there is no insulation or real sheet rock under the wallpaper. Have looked at so many "flip" houses, that all I see is lipstick on pigs... pretty, but still pigs and so many that people tried to flip and ran out of money or time. I think I am going to check out some other areas, no kids in school, it doesn't matter where a person hangs their hat.

DH is going to go to an auction in the morning, but I think he is tiring of the hunting as well.

Sad day, it has been coming for such a long time. He took DC to the vet for her final visit and didn't bring her back this time. Jack and Jill seem to notice that she's gone and Jack just keeps looking at us - accusingly or maybe he's afraid he will be next. It will be healthier for me because I am allergic, but it still hurts. She peed on the floor in front of the refrigerator and I knew it was time. I tried so hard to re-home her, but nobody wanted an old, senile cat that this last year couldn't find her way into the box every time.

I'm tired and really low, so I will say good night and go to bed for the first time in twenty-seven years without a cat wandering around the house. I hope I can sleep.

House Hunting Part 3

Well..... Today was not our lucky day. The main place we were looking at stunk, literally. Not sure we would ever get the cigarette (or Mary Jane) smell out of the place. Then there was a bigger let down - no bathtub! Talk about insult to injury! Also three very old fashioned windows were broken, not easy to match.

We also went to look at this darling two story, two bedroom home that just needed flooring in the upstairs. We pulled in, I saw the fascia was messed up... fixable, no problem. Walked on the porch and noticed the trim holding the oval cut-glass panel in the front door was missing... one push and it would be a goner. He carefully opened the door to shout "Hello?" and I smelled the mildew and saw the POOL of water in the middle of the dip in the living room floor, kiddie sized and at least 1" deep in the middle. I said, "Let's go." It didn't look so 'darling' any more.

Another house was very tiny, it was neat, clean, and quite tidy looking. Brand new carpeting except in the kitchen and bathroom. UGLY brand new smelly carpeting. No fence for the kids, no central unit... sigh...

Another house we looked at, wasn't much different from the house here, but not nearly as cute and not much in quantity of neighbors. There were two near by. Broken window, for obviously a long time, the second panel was about to fall out and the wood was fuzzy green. (We have all new windows here BTW) Obviously the elements have had their way into the house. Tennessee is one damp, moldy place.

Last, but not least, the realtor had told me that the house I had wanted in the first place had been sold, but we could probably buy it from the guy who bought it. A very charming, old style traditional home with character. We went to look. I shouldn't have, it was such a disappointment. The roof leaked, the walls were warped something... it wasn't sheet rock or paneling, they had papered over it and then painted that in gaudy colors. The living room floor rippled. Ruined my day.

The absolute frosting on the cake - went to our favorite Chinese place for a late lunch and it's not our favorite any more. It was all really bad, will never go back. The cook must have quit.

My breathing medicine makes it difficult to get to sleep. Three days of Spiriva and I am wound tighter than a spring. 4:15 a.m. and I am wide awake - even after taking a Xanax. I will be dragging... The realtor bugged a neighbor in the neighborhood into selling her house and we will look at it in about 9 hours... If I can keep my eyelids open. I am already tired of looking at houses, almost ready to make the stinky house guy and offer and hire painters and a plumber for a tub and try to order windows.............

House Hunting Part 2

Going to see a couple more today, I am always surprised at what I find. This is day 3 and I am already tired of looking. Saw the one in the picture on Monday, best I've seen so far and has a hole in the roof. If it wasn't so much work - I could easily slide into this one and add a couple of sky lights!

This one is really "Cool". (note hole in ceiling in the corner)

 

House Hunting...

Curb appeal, that's what the house we looked at today, was all about. A darling little home with hardwood floors and new vinyl siding. I saw the picture and fell in love. Room in the backyard for a fenced-in area for the dogs. Nice quiet neighborhood with real live neighbors, hopefully the visiting kind.

While we were waiting for the agent to come and let us see the inside, we decided to check out the back yard to see how hard it would be to make a nice sized yard for Jack and Jill.

It seems they only sided 2 sides and then not all the way up to the peak of the roof (that would have to be replaced). You can imagine my disappointment when I saw the back... with the "partial" basement.

EEEEEEEEE!

 Rusty batteries, and broken glass and heaven only knows what was hidden behind the curb appeal. Cracked foundation walls, insulation hanging and I do believe the water supply was a lead pipe. Run, Sharon, Run!

I Had to Ask

Roses never hurt!

DH went shopping this morning. He came back with these roses. Of course, I was leery... I mean, I am not taking pictures, it's not a "special" day, so I had to ask... Why? You know what he said?
"I don't need to have a reason to buy you flowers." I thought that was pretty nice. (But the devil in my head wonders, what he did or what he wants, LOL)

Naked Ladies in the Rain

More than last year!

It looks like I will have blooms for several days. It was raining and I was afraid to get my camera wet, so these are long distance flowers. They have come right about on schedule this year. (BTW - the rain was just enough to settle the dust, but the thunder was awesome!)

Not Dead... Editing

The bush

The cat

The moon

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Today would have been my sister's birthday. Gloria would be 78 now. It's odd how I always got her birthday mixed up with my brother's, his is the 22nd. Since I found a fondness for the moon, I can keep it straight now. We celebrated her birthday in '69!

She's gone 24 years now, but I still think of her often and hope I dream of her. It's always good to see her, if only in my dreams. 

Yes, I realize that it's late and I belong in bed, I'm heading there shortly. You have to know that I am a bit beside myself without my characters from "Julia".

Well, Happy Birthday, Gloria, I hope to 'see you' soon!

Have a great weekend Y'all!

I did it!

And now I am going to sleep all day!

The cover was a BEAR!

 

Chillaxing (sort of)

I'm sure you are looking for pictures. Sorry... The Dell, the photo program, the camera, and I have agreed to disagree. Again, sorry.

I wrapped up Julia today, finished the series and have sent "The Rose Garden" off to be formatted. The story insinuated an end, but I never figure a story is over until the characters all end up dead in a fifty car pile up.

I guess I have about 5 quarts of blueberries in the freezer now. Still more to come and I may let the bugs or whatever eats them have at it. Kills my back and it is so HOT out there! They do look pretty in the freezer bags. ;-)

Well, now that I have (basically) nothing on the fire, I suppose it's time to clean my womb. But I think I will catch up with my movies first - the ones I have been saving for months because I didn't want to spend that much time away from Julia. Talk about obsessed.

My signal keeps bouncing, bleep - last day on my 5Gs and I could watch you tube till midnight, if I would be so inclined. Too bad that the signal isn't.

Y'all have a pleasant evening!

Letter From Home 07/12/13

It has been a week! 

I did get most of my numbers into the new phone. It is amazing and I love it! If it is one of those irritating 'non-calls' the pleasant female voice just says, "Call from" and then a string of numbers. I have the ring set on 7 rings, they usually hang up before it goes that long. The ring is not unpleasant or jarring. I am now a happy camper.

Chiggers are a nearly invisible parasite or bug that love tight warm places on our bodies. A search will give you more info. They are not fun and really itch.

Someone I know, is getting his wish for a natural yard. DH has no time to mow it, but it is just thick and only some yellow spindly flowers are growing out there. Not glamorous. DH said that if someone comes by with an offer to mow it that I should have them do it. Yah, like that is going to happen out here in the boonies. More likely, I need to keep the shotgun handy because the place looks deserted.

I finally got my 'Premium' status on Lincoln Avenue. I heard that it was harder now. Hmm. I lack a cover for 'Bad Things' and a blurb, it is ready to send as soon as I have that. Cannot put pretty flowers on that cover... My brain is getting overworked. I am proofing the last one, sigh... Then I will be finished with 'Julia'. I hate to see it end. I was my goal - to get them all out there before my mushy brain cells gave up the ghost entirely. I hope I can do that.

Lastly, my grandson told me he has joined the marines. He will do training throughout his senior year and go in when he graduates. I hope everything goes well for him, there is nothing more that I can say. I get too emotional...

A New Toy to Confuse Me!

DH came home last night after work. Oh, wait a minute... he was not the new toy. He had a dental appointment today and as long as he was down there, I asked him to pick up a new telephone.

It is charging now. I figured out that it will be bedtime before they are charged enough so I can program them. It's a set, one for him, so he doesn't have to get up off his chair to answer it when it rings and one in the hall for the rest of us. :-) Of course, I will be too tired to mess with it tonight, except to call myself to hear my choice of 5 rings.

What modern technology comes up with! The main base can be set up with family and friend's names and the thing is supposed to speak their name. ("Ingrid is calling" etc) OMG, how cool is that? No rush to answer when it is an unknown caller! There is even a slip-proof pad on the back for those ear/shoulder holds.

This had better work as they say... I have the receipt and (for a change) an owner's manual. It will be a delight to get off that short cord. More than likely, I will spend most of the day figuring out how to put in the people and numbers that I have. I do not know how to text, shameful, I know. Hmm, if I have lost your number, please send it to me again via email. You know who you are. ;-)

Have a nice evening and a good day!

Blueberry Summer

Someone wrote a book by that name. I believe I read it, haven't the foggiest notion what it was about though.

My blueberries are really going to town. I took a bowl out to pick the ripe ones and I should have taken a larger bowl. I think this one is 2 quarts. By the time I was done picking (half the time sitting in the grass), the bowl was heavy and full. I left a good bit as I was too hot and tired to come inside for another bowl. I did get more than my daily need of vitamin D.

Of course, just picking berries isn't all that is involved. I came inside and stripped to take a shower. You don't sit in the grass here and NOT take a shower. Chiggers, don't you know. My skin is fragile enough, I do not need chiggers!

The dogs enjoyed my time outside with them and Attacky thought that I was playing with her. I don't know how many berries I lost because she attacked the little branches that I was picking from. She is one playful cat!

Letter from home... 07/05/13

Hi Everyone!

I worried as the rain and thunder moved off after supper last night. I took the dogs outside and told them it might be a while before they felt like going out again. Low and behold, the neighbors did not shoot off any fireworks and the dogs didn't have "Fright Night" this year! Of course, we are having rain and thunder again today... The forecast says for every day coming. Argh! I hope the thunder holds off long enough for me to charge my computer battery.

My telephone finally rang last night. I am going to have to get new ones. I had to sit on the floor because the short wire and the short cord wouldn't let me sit anywhere else. I heard my puckity (oxygen concentrator) in my left ear and was hard pressed to hear anything of my call. The dogs thought it was fun time as I was on the floor. This situation will have to be remedied soon.

I have Lincoln Avenue at Smashwords now, but it hasn't been okayed for the premium catalog yet. Only I would work myself to death to put it up the night before a holiday. I hope it won't take too long until someone there goes through it.

I found a book that I hadn't read yet, a person has to have something to do while waiting for each storm to pass. Right? I have no idea if the author is famous or anything. Of course, it's a detective book... I kind of lean that way. How odd that I wrote Julia, isn't it?

Have a lovely weekend... I will be reading, I hope you will be too!