Ma's stuff

Already a day ahead of myself for the weekend---went out to eat last night and to the Michael Jackson movie with Keith and Becky. It was a fun evening---good company, great meal, and a wonderful movie. What a talent and brilliant man. Was also really impressed by Orianthi, the 24 year old Australian guitarist. Back to earth today.


Spencer was favoring his left upper extremity when I got home last night, today more pronounced, would now call it limping as opposed to favoring----suspect there was a "boy" bash here while I was gone last night. Gave him a non steroidal anti inflammatory med early this AM but he is still limping-----so he and I are off to the Vet at 2:00pm today. He is such a sweet little guy---but kind of an agitator---the "boys" never fight but they do have wrestle at times and get a little rough with one another. Just want to make sure he is alright.

Back from Mass, cool outside (in the 40's), will wait until it warms up to work out in the yard. Planning on putting away the sprinklers, hose carts, garden tools, etc. Thinking Keith may have another load of leaves---may add leaf spreading to the weekend.

Hope your weekend is peaceful, healthy, safe, and do keep in touch.

Love,
Mom

Just Today

Flying by the seat of my pants today/weekend. (The ones of you who have seen the size of my pants probably think there are big plans in the works---contrare (sp)). No set plan except going to Mass and starting the cleanup on the Chapel so the other crews can complete their work. Is winter over yet?

Plan to lay low in the family room with the "boys" on Saturday evening. The trick or treaters are too much for them, they bark up a storm and frighten the little ones who come to the door. Might go see the Michael Jackson movie this weekend. There is supposed to be a young outstanding Australian girl guitarist in the film. Have heard her one time and would like to see/hear her again.

As you complete your week, please stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Raining and Thunder

Raining/thunder and I'm not talking hockey. Had some real impressive thunder and lightning early this AM so decided to go to Mass, paint some more in the Chapel and blog later when things quieted down. (Ceiling/walls in Chapel are now painted, will touch up tomorrow and begin cleanup so carpets can be shampooed/pews/lighting put back into place and tile entryway installed.)

Plan to shower and get back out in the rain to grocery shop. Have a cookie recipe I want to try and am short on supplies and staples. Hope your weather is calm, you remain healthy, safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Talk about a beautiful Fall

Take a look at these Chinese Pistache trees. Told Allison the other day while on a car ride to cherish the site of the the trees and to remember this year as one of the most beautiful fall seasons her grandmother has ever seen. She assured me she would tell her children and grandchildren the story.

Off to Mass this AM, volunteer at the rectory, and then possibly start painting the walls of the Chapel. Completed painting the ceiling yesterday, taped the woodwork to make ready for the texturing of walls. We are moving right along with the project.

Came home yesterday, spread more leaves and only have 6 more bag remaining. Make a note to myself do another drive by at Keith and Becky's to see how the leaves are dropping, possibly even stop and shake a few trees to hasten the progress. Heard of tree huggers--might start a new trend---tree shakers.

As for you, it is mid week and hoping you remain healthy, stay safe and keep in touch.

Love,
Mom

Pray and Paint

Early, short note this AM--off to Mass, painting clothes in one hand/Missal in the other. Calling it a combination praying/painting day since we are prepping and painting the ceiling of the chapel. Should be warmer outside this afternoon. Will look forward to getting painting done and spending the rest of the day outdoors spreading the bagged/shredded leaves in the flower beds. In the meantime, the "boys" sit, and wait vigilantly for my return.

Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love, Mom

3 Dog Night

Spent a "3 Dog Night" here last night.----Went to bed too early last night (7:00pm) and 3 dogs decided they wanted out in the yard twice--2:30 and 3:40am and they were not hunting Jeremiah the bullfrog. Finally got them settled back in, awake at 6:00am for Mass and have worked their little tails off this afternoon helping me spread out leaves in the flower beds. They love to be outside but am determined I will win---they will be outside during the day and not in the dark of the early morning hours. (Maybe the "boys" were out looking at this Red Tip Fotinia (sp) last night.)

Helped tear wall paper off the Adoration Chapel at St Patrick's Church today. The plan is to renovate the entire chapel, pews, lighting, walls, etc. Should look very nice when it is completed. There are a lot of wonderful talented person, who have volunteered to do painting, wood finishing, tile work, upholstery work, etc. Should be done in a week to 10 days.

Hope your day has been a good one. Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Sunny Day

Back from Mass, eating breakfast, planning the day----thinking about baking, raking, spreading leaves (Keith and Becky have an abundance of leaves in their yard---bagged and unbagged.) Did a drive-by this AM to check it out----will try to sweet talk Jake into loading up his truck and bringing me all the bagged leaves. (Sharing some of my fall foilage)

Wanted to let you know about some upcoming Masses offered at 8:00am at St Patrick's Church for Kelli, Ken, and Pop--on 11/23/2009, 12/2/2009, 02/07/2010, 03/06/2010, 03/22/2010.

Hope the rest of your weekend is wonderful--stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love,

Mom

Nuggets lots of nuggets

Went to Mass, stopped by a garden center, loaded up the HHR (all seats down except driver's seat) w/850 liters/30 cubic feet=10bags of medium sized wood bark nuggets, already spread them on the shade pathway, and got the inside of the HRR swept and cleaned. Looks like everything I transplanted is holding its own.

The weather is great----started out at 32 degrees and is now 60, sun out, clear blue sky, w/slight breeze. The "boys" are loving being outside.

Hope your weekend is great---stay healthy, safe, and in touch.
Love,
Mom

Fall Pics

Forty degrees, misty, breezy-----Brrrr! Back from Mass, stopped by the rectory, and plan to return to help with a funeral dinner today at 11:30am. Nothing planned the rest of the day except trying to stay warm, picking up the house---and of course hangin w/my "boys". Have nothing planned for the weekend----will work on thinking of some winter projects----just need to stay busy. Thought I would share some of the fall pics I took this week while out and about in the yard.

Hope your day goes fast so you can begin your weekend. Stay healthy, be safe, and stay in touch.

Love, Mom

Ma's Bored

Lazy day yesterday---misty most of the day, took a few pics (check out the facing on the steps--they are now painted---double click Kat) between dry periods, read, napped in afternoon, and wiped up wet "boys" paw marks from the tile most of the day----Gee, wish I had about 5 more dogs on those wet, muddy, rainy, days. Ya got any extras?-----Wait until it rains to bring them over to run through the flower beds and into the house----just makes my day. Sure took the boredom out of the day. I NEED TO GET A LIFE!!!!!!

As for today---Mass this AM, stop by the rectory to get some Masses said for our family, going by Vicki's to visit, cover a Holy Hour at 10:00am, run some groceries by a friends' house, before the rains start and the temp drops. Off to a good start----Just may not be bored today.

Hope your day is not boring--stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Road Trip

Since it was so windy----Took a little road trip to Augusta and El Dorado yesterday to look at their hardware stores for seasonal sales on shears, pruners, gardening supplies, etc. Did get a couple of things--nice little metal hand rake, set of 3 different types of pruners, rachet Corona pruner, retractable handle soil release bulb planter (than I use to plant most small plants--not bulbs). Hardly ever go anywhere just to look around and shop---usually have a list and go to buy and come home. Must say it was kind of enjoyable----not for everyday---just on inclimate windy days. Rain in the forecast today---We'll see.

Mass at the Cathedral again this AM, home to pick up the house, mess w/the " boys" and possibly read----blah, blah, blah...Hope your day is more exciting than mine---just keep healthy, stay safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Adendum

Call me a "weather ranter"(never happy w/the weather)---It is 75 degrees and wind blowing enough to bend tree trunks and pull the leaves off the branches. I wanted to get some pics of the layout of shade area---got just a few, thought I might have to tie an anchor to my belt loop to keep me from becoming airborne---that should tell you how strong the wind is blowing. This will have to do for now----keep in mind---it is a work in progress and if the weather would cooperate the progress would improve.

Ta Dah !!

Ta Dah!!-----Rocks (most) and soil (all) moved as well as trellis painted---Now have the pathway established in the shade garden. Still pondering on the type of surface for the path---am sure of one piece just haven't got the rest figured out. Plan an outing to look at some river rock places and garden centers to look at types of bark. Just have to see it/walk on it----cannot visualize it. Should be warm today---will finish cleaning/hosing out pots/planters for winter storage. Cold front expected to move in starting tomorrow.

Going to Mass at the Cathedral this AM. All of the parish priests are at a 3 day Bishop's Conference. Love the quietness and beauty of the Cathedral---plan to go early and just sit in the silence.

Please keep your day safe, stay healthy, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Beauty of Fall

Yea----got all the plants moved yesterday to the shade garden. Now to move the rocks/dirt to the right places. It is looking better. Too windy to paint yesterday---will try again today. It is already 52 degrees. Will be a nice day to work in the yard. Plan to go to Mass, volunteer at rectory, then come home and do outside chores (paint trellis, hose out/clean planters/pots, and find room to store them in the third garage.) Otherwise quiet week.

Hope your week is productive, peaceful, safe, healthy, and keep in touch. Love, Mom

Messin' with the "boys"

Wonderful sunny, crisp morning--very light breeze, 39 degrees with hopes of reaching 67 before the day is over. Went to Mass yesterday evening, so slept in til 6:20am, picked up a newspaper, and trying to train the "boys" to let me sit alone in a chair to read. Four in a chair is not enjoyable and I am almost crippled when I get up from sitting in a contorted position to a allow them to comfortably stretch out. I kept them at bay--even carried them to their usual resting places--they finally gave up (won out)--went on their own to their napping places and now I am sitting on the bench in the kitchen blogging, haven't read the paper yet, but enjoying coffee, and sitting alone.

Plan to work in the yard today---really can't be classed as work since I enjoy it so much. Still moving dirt and rocks. Might even paint a trellis or two. Hope your day is peaceful, stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Chilly

Forty-one degrees, chill in the air, overcast morning... Back from Mass, thinking about picking up the house, then sitting by the fire place and watching college football. Got to get used to leisure days---will sort through magazines and file some paperwork during these chilly days.

Pic of the tulip tree taken several years ago. Find the foliage as beautiful in the Summer as in the Fall.

Hope your weekend is restful, productive---just stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Something new--the SUN!!!!!

Was startled this AM---Came out of Mass to sunshine---What a wonderful surprise. The temp is 39 degrees. Plan to bundle up and finish the rock and dirt adventure today. Am real excited to get the pathway in place and more Fall cleanup completed.

Have been cooking up a storm lately especially different soups. Made a 2 bean (black and cannellini) kale soup yesterday. It was wonderful, plan to have more this evening--possibly tomorrow evening and into the next few days. How can a recipe say it serves 6 and yet add 7 cups of kale----know the kale reduces but come on Jewels use your head. Vicki just called--they are out and about, stopping by and guess what I am sending home with them?----You guessed it some of the delicious 2 bean/6 serving/kale soup.

Please stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Sweet Pea

Back from Mass, volunteering at rectory, took a sick grandchild home from school, ate breakfast, and now getting ready to go to the Lord's Diner to help with prep for tonight's meal. The menus are absolutely remarkable. Makes me thankful that I have a roof over my head---I am truly blessed to be able to help.

Thought from the Mass this AM: Let nothing disturb you, nothing alarm you; while all things fade away God is unchanging. Be patient, and you will gain everything, for with God in your heart nothing is lacking, God meets every need. Amen. — St. Teresa of Avila

Just got back home from the Lord's Diner (2:30pm)--the meal for this evening is mushroom gravy over beef patties, green beans, Au-gratin potatoes, choice of green tossed or potato salad, iced tea/coffee, dinner rolls and lots of dessert treats.

Use my flower photos as a slide show on my lap top. Remember when I promised to share them during the winter months? Will give it a trial run today--double click and enjoy. Wish I had a sweet pea pic like LJ to send you but this will have to do. Stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Just Cloudy

Brrrr/Grrrr---wet, cool, overcast---just not my kind of day. Back from Mass, ran some errands, finishing my oatmeal and planning my day. Plan to grocery shop, clean house, and read---possibly take a nap if time allows. Retirement has really proved to be a non issue----if I don't get any or everything done on my list ---it just doesn't matter---it is not an issue. WOW, I may be growing up. Now will have to decide what I want to be when that occurs.

Hope your day is not overcast--just stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love,
Mom

Lots of Nothing

Back from Mass, 45 degrees, breezy, overcast, moist air----this is the weather---not me.

Yesterday, got all but 2 of east side of the house plants transferred to the shade garden. Some are fair sized and may be able to separate a few of them next Spring. This is a great time of year to work in the soil. Can hardly wait to get the shredded leaves in place to bed the soil down for the winter.Will put some shrubs around the pathway on the east side in the Spring. Winter project (or call it Keep Mom off the Streets Project) start catalog/Internet shopping for different shrubs. They will definitely have to be drought tolerant and low maintenance.

Hope your day is not overcast--wish you well with good health, stay safe, and keep in touch.
Love, Mom

Just here

Fall has definitely hit the plains. The trees are glorious, like a fashion show of colors, hope they keep their leaves until the colors fade away. Chilly wet morning here. Usual day, Mass, volunteered at the rectory, doing laundry, planning a short trip out in search of the perfect dog food for the 2 finicky eaters and be back in time to meet the Pella man for the annual window adjustments.

Quiet week ahead--Volunteering at Lord's Diner on Thursday and playing the rest of the week---taking it as it comes.

Keep healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.
Love, Mom

Ma's Blah

Cooool here---34 degrees. The wind picked up yesterday so time outside was short. The wind is brutal when the temp is down and the ground was also too wet to work in. Read, did the laundry, picked up the house, built a nice fire and began catching up on all my magazine reading. Boy, was that nice.

Going to Mass at the Cathedral today and Keith and Becky's for chili later in the day. Plan on more of the above-kind of same song, 2nd verse---though am glad the magazine pile is dwindling. Looking forward to watching some football and sitting by the fireplace. It is supposed to warm up by mid/end of week---hoping to get the shade garden done.

Hope your weekend is going well---stay healthy, be safe, and stay in touch.

Love,

Mom

Weather and Ma Report

Weather report: Colder than heck, chill in the air, no wind, dry, and 36 degrees----Brrrr and wah, wah, wah. Back from Mass, finishing breakfast, planning on fixing some chili, working out in the yard to uproot, transplant, and move more of the rocks. Have just a few plants left to transplant to the shade garden. Will be good to have them all "tucked in" before winter hits.

The "boys" are sure enjoying the cool weather----they rip through the yard chasing each other. Would be lost without them. We are all real tight---cannot do much without having them underfoot---they luv their Ma.

Gotta get busy---Have a great weekend--stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Just Stuff

Forty-one degrees, no rain, beginning to see some light and hoping for a dry day---still have more rocks and plants to move. Keith has promised me all of his mulched leaves. Hoping to get my part done here so I can help him bag them up for my flower beds.

Trying to get through some magazine reading. Have just let them stack up this summer (see Buster's picture yesterday, top left magazine pile) as I spent most evenings outside with yard work. Figure I'll have some great barbecue, patio, outside, non seasonal info to read through. I really do read them cover to cover. Have other reading I would like to do.

Pretty much same old, same old for me. Off to Mass, volunteer at rectory, run an errand or two, go to the grocery store---yada...If you were to plot my travels on a GPS---your head would spin (lol).

Hope your day goes well--stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Dogs on Guard

Just so you know---the dogs are worthless!!!! The camera flash did stir them a bit. No Barking--just lounging while the rain continues. Hopefully, no one will break into the house---I really hate to have them disturbed. (Kat, Be sure and double click).

Love, Mom

Rain, flowers, and dogs

Slept in (6:30am)---Woke up to rain, thunder, lightning----pretty much the whole sha-bang this AM. Decided would go to Mass at noon at the Cathedral today. Lots of crazy drivers (self included) and do not need to add weather to the mix. The dogs are liked it--we all snuggled in my recliner--I read/they slept---they barked/I scolded (to no avail)---they wore me down so I am up now drinking more coffee and blogging---they are now all sleeping/quiet on the couch---Grrrr.

Really enjoyed walking through Botanica yesterday. The roses are breath taking--still in bloom and so fragrant, butterflies still active in the butterfly house---everything was still so green and yet the trees and shrubs were turning colors. What a great site.

Plan to kick back and busy myself w/house tasks today. Going to make some homemade fresh tomato basil soup with salad for supper---thanks to Faye. She sent home tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and habenera peppers.

Please stay healthy, be safe and keep in touch,
Love, Mom

Brrrr

Thirty-nine degrees this AM. Let the "boys" out to do their busness and they all came back in looking like fluff ball dogs.

Spent a wonderful day w/Faye yesterday. Seems much too early to be up this AM but have a lot of things planned today and need to hit the road early to get all of it done. Dropping off newspapers at re-cycle place, stopping off at store to pick up more Cool Whip (still have more pumpkin pie to devour), going to Mass, volunteering at rectory for an hour, loading up all the paint cans (both full and empty) to take to the local HazMat disposal plant, meeting friend at Botanica at 11:00am for lunch and 12:15pm to 1:00pm meeting on "Autumn Wild flower and Grasses." May even move a few more plant and rocks. It is still a work in progress but will take pics of the lay out when it looks a bit more polished.

Please keep your day healthy, safe and keep in touch.

Love, Mom

Okay today

In better form today---foresee no butt kicking (mine or anyone else's) in the horizon---because I can see the horizon---it is not overcast nor rainy.

Had a nice time at the Fall altar society meeting last night. Short visit, short meeting, nice potluck meal, clean up the hall and then OTD and DTR. What a grand group of ladies---think I may have been among the youngest attending. Felt Pop's presence as most of the conversation was "what did they say?, I can't hear what anyone is saying, would you repeat that?"

Mass this AM, volunteered at the rectory, coffee and oatmeal for breakfast and off to Augusta to take my plant for wintering in Faye's greenhouse---Yes I said "plant." Am starting over next year and will hunt for different plants.

Have a healthy, safe, and keep in touch day.

Love, Mom

Blah

Supposed to rain today--Cool and overcast. Usual stuff--Mass, volunteered at rectory, home to work in the yard, going to Fall potluck altar society get together this evening...Finding I am not liking the long evenings and short days. Seems there are a lot of things I am not liking but cannot change---Add pity party to the above list of things to do today--Will not expect any attendees---no invitations sent--no tickets for sale---will just wallow through this party on my own---Suppose it is the overcast day to blame for this. If my legs were not so short--I would kick myself in the butt and move on to a better space. Just keeping it real---real weird---but real!!!

Do stay healthy, safe, and keep in touch!
Love,
Mom

More of Days

More pie, more plants/rocks to move---almost done with all of it----yes, also the pie. Will begin again tomorrow. Plan a quiet day today---reading, blah...

Enjoy your weekend!!!

Love, Mom

Pumpkin Pie and Ma

Forty Degrees, no wind, clear skies, sun shining---thinking October is here. Back from Mass, finished off favorite breakfast (piece of pumpkin pie slathered in cool whip), plan a store run and then work in the yard all day---moving more plants and rocks---emptying the rest of the potted plants. May need to have another piece of pie by noon.

Rowdy played watch dog most of the night--got up with him 2 times to let him out so he could bark and chase something out of the yard. Pop used to play this game w/him. I assure you--there will be no re-play of last night. The moon was so bright, didn't even to turn the back light on for him.

Hope your weather/weekend is great, keep healthy, be safe, and stay in touch.

Love,

Mom

Breezy Day

Sunny , breezy cool morning. Back from Mass, exterminator here, dogs BARKING!!!!! Just doesn't get much better than that. Love the sound of the wind to deafen the barking, nervous coughing/sneezing, and whining. Buster is stressed, acting like an animal, and the other two could care less. Have them cordoned off in the kitchen with me while the spraying is going on. These are the days when I question the attributes of these little creatures.

Have a busy day planned, grocery shopping, doing laundry, cleaning the house, yada, yada, yada.
Hope your day is safe, keeping healthy, and in touch.
Love,
Mom

Ma's Trivia

Returned from Mass and cooking up some oatmeal. Real cool here this AM--even though it is 65. It is breezy, overcast, and low humidity. Plan to work inside until it warms up.

The "boys" sure like the cool weather----I wake up with 3 of them plastered to me in the mornings. We are all symbiotic---sort of "feed" off one another---I provde them with food, attention, warmth, and shelter---they provide me great distraction and I am glad to have the little yappers--at least that is how it rolls here today.

So that's it for me---for you the usual mantra to stay healthy, be safe, and keep in touch.

Love, Mom