An Early Fall Evening

Just as the sun was setting last night, I happened to be outside and took these pictures.  It was beautiful out.  If winter didn't follow fall, it would be my favorite season. 

                                                        The top of the tree behind our house

                                                             Not a full moon, but still pretty

                                                  The sunset with jet-stream trails

Little Irritations

Lest I sound like I'm whining, I am not.  These are just little things that bug ME and sometimes I think they are kind of funny. 

*A slow computer
*Spots on my glasses (they must be clean, so I clean them a lot)
*Food in my teeth; a big problem as I get older.  (I floss and brush several times a day)
*Stickers on new plastic that are hard to take off
*Hard to open packages, such as pull here and NOTHING happens
*My neighbor's high powered lawn mower just as we are eating dinner
*Long lines or waiting for the doctor too long.  I am not a very patient person.  My Kindle has helped a lot in these situations. 
*Socks that don't stay up
*Pants that fall down below my belly (You might have to be a close female relative to understand this situation :)
*Medicine bottles that ADULTS have a hard time opening
*800 numbers or "unknown caller" ID'S; I am sure they have something to do with the election
*When my cell phone drops a call
*Books that don't have happy endings
*Grocery bags that are too heavy
*Broken Fingernails
*Leaving somethiing in the locker room at the Rec. Ctr because you never see it again.
*When my purse gets too heavy
*Being put on hold on the phone
*When I can't find something

On the other hand, I love:

*Letters and packages in the mail
*A manicure and pedicure
*A suprise gift
*Ordering on-line (when my computer isn't too slow)
*Taking pictures of my yard
*Fall colors
*Keyless entry for my car
*My Kindle
*My hair cut when it needs it
*Getting a postcard
*Surprising someone
*Books
*My Bible
*A quiet day at home
*White bean chicken chili (dinner tonight)
*Watching the birds
*A book you can't put down
*Sitting on my deck
*A soak in the hot tub
*A good day-yeah for me today;  four pretty good days in a row!!



What do you like or dislike?

Fall

You know it's the first day of fall when

*you have your L.L. Bean slippers on
*you are thinking about chili for dinner
*you have to wear long pants
*you look longingly at your capri jammy bottoms and grab the flannel long ones
*you wear socks
*you wear darker or rust colored shirts
*you think "oatmeal" for breakfast
*the trees change just a little bit every day
*you have hot tea instead of cold tea
*you catch every last ray of sun that you can
*beautiful mum plants burst with color
*warm milk sounds good when you can't sleep
*you start worrying about frost and start protecting your plants at night
*you decorate your house with pumpkins and gourds and other fall things
*you wonder how summer went by so fast
*you refuse to think about winter

Happy Fall Ya'all!

Friday's List

It is kind of hard to be cute and clever when you are making a list.  It comes off sometimes as just a plain old "to do" list....or a "here's what's happening" list.  

*My depression has been kind of up and down this week.  It seems I don't have as many good days as I would like.  The hardest thing for me to do is go places and socialize. I don't know what I am going to be like any given day of the week which for me is the hardest thing to deal with.  I can't make plans too far ahead; I am learning I have to be more spontaneous which doesn't always work in life.  I understand that. My emotions are worn on my sleeve; I was always that kind of person-just more so now.  

*It seems like fall just moved in and shoved summer right out of the way.  The trees are changing just a little bit and the temps look like they are only going to be in the 60's all week with a soggy weekend.  You know it's coming; but it is just a shock when it does come.

*I am still swimming three or four days a week; more like every other day. Today was a swimming day.

*The one really good day I had this week I went shopping at my favorite store-Parisian.  I haven't been there since spring.  I had a bunch of 25% off coupons because they are having their "Goodwill" sale now.  You get a coupon off for every used item of clothing you bring in. As I looked at the piles of bags people brought in, I thought of Capri K who would LOVE to go through those bags of clothes.  I am sure she could find some great clothes. 

*I am finishing up the book "Sarai: A Novel" (Wives of the Patriarchs) by Jill Eileen Smith.  I had just finished the three books about the Wives of David.  I would highly recommend these books; they are really good.  They should be read in order.  The Wives of the Patriarchs is a new series with the next book coming out in February.  It will be hard to wait that long. You can get them at the library as both my daughters did.  

*My sister-in-law's mother died this week and we will be going to the visitation today and the funeral tomorrow along with the cemetery in Royal Oak and the luncheon at a restaurant after. I am hoping I can make all that. It is always a hard thing to lose anyone, but especially your mother.  My sister-in-law took very good care of her mother and dad (her dad died 3 years ago). I know she will really miss her sweet mom.

*Cleaning the house beckons me; somehow I manage to put it off everyday.  Don does most of the hard stuff, but I dust and do all the little things like the kitchen counters and piles of this and that. I realize I am very lucky that the chef cleans as well as cooks.  Although I did make my famous "chicken packets" the other night.

That's the end of my list; hope you're not yawning with crossed eyes.  

Way Back Wednesday

The last time ever!  Really, I mean it. Back in August, starting on a Wednesday, we had our LAST GARAGE SALE EVER!  I can't begin to explain my feelings on this subject.  The work of it is only half the battle.  It's the people....interesting....strange....rude....nice...people wanted something for nothing.  And after four days of it you are done with it. D-O-N-E.  We made some decent bucks, and I guess in the end I would say it was worth it. We sold a lot of toys and baby things. But all the petty annoyances...people parking all over your street, almost hitting your mailbox and smoking a cigar in your face...all that, is what makes me say never again. This old garage has seen many sales, dating back to the first one when my mom sold my tiny tears doll.  However, never say never.  I have said it before and the signs are back in the attic of the garage.  But don't get any ideas!

 

                                             Setting up; Karen didn't leave me much room here :)

                            Now Magnolia, don't be enlarging these pictures to see what you missed :)

                                                                      Lot's of jewelry

                                                     ....And lots of books

                                                               Let's look like we're having fun

                                                    A multitude of toys to be had!

                                                    Luckily, Karen was the cashier

                                    I think all these old cabbage patch dolls and stuffed animals sold

Cleaning up the left-overs

Fall Day

Well, isn't today just like a fall day!  I can't remember the last time it was in the 60's.  This afternoon I was craving a hot treat and thought right away of a pumpkin latte from Starbucks.  But alas, I have found that coffee is one of the things I have sensitivity too.  No wonder it always bothers my stomach.  My next thought was Chai Tea. I turned the cupboards and supply central down under the stairs for some chai tea and none was to be had.  How did that happen?  What I really want is the kind my friend Capri K buys; DaVinci Sugar Free Chai Tea.  I might have to order myself some-since driving around looking for it doesn't appeal to me.  That girl is the queen of bargains and finding stuff. So I settled for some Peach Green Tea to go with my gluten-free cookie my husband found for me at Westborn. I know it wasn't sugar-free!
You will all be happy to know I have put some of the weight on that I lost, but now I am at a good weight and want to stay there.  Swimming in the morning should help that.  
I took the coolest picture the other day.  I was looking out the window and the sun was shining in just the perfect spot to see this marvel of nature.  I grabbed my camera and took several shots; it is still there as far as I know.  

                             
                              

Prime Time

Well, here it is September already and the good news is that I think I am on the road to recovery because I am feeling better.  I still have to watch what I eat, but my stomach is a lot better.  
The doctor has added an "off label" medication for the depression and it seems to be working.  An off label medication is one whose primary function is to treat something else, but sometimes they find it helps treat another condition.  I am on Neurontin which is an anti-seizure medication, but they find it improves the mood for some people.  It is also used for shingles.  I used it once about 2 years ago when I had a shingles-like reaction to a procedure they did in my neck for my headaches.  I used it for a year and I remember telling Don that I felt better; not that I felt bad at that point.  I gradually went off of it and I honestly think that is when my mood problems first started.  
The Lord has led me down a long winding path for reasons He only knows. But I am hoping to be able to help others with the lessons I have learned.
I am not quite ready for "Prime Time" activities yet.  As much as I would like to get back into the swing of things, I must take it slow and rest.  The medication makes me kind of sleepy for now, that will get better as time goes on.  
Meanwhile I will set smaller goals and enjoy God's peace.  I am so thankful for an understanding husband and friends and family. And I am so happy to be feeling better.