Nightmare Sunday

When I peeked out my front door this morning and saw this tree branch I knew it was not good.

Then I looked to my left and there was No roof on my little porch????????????????????????? I really wanted to just cry. Pieces of metal were in the pasture and all over the yard and in the trees?????? Those 55mph gusts of wind had ripped the metal right off????????????????????????????????????

Now I cannot get my phone to transfer pictures to the blog because of my wifi connection.
Then just at bedtime I started to smell smoke so I headed to the living room to see it filled with smoke? As I turned the corner the entire wall was engulfed in flames so I grabbed a bowl of water and hit it hard -then grabbed the phone and called my daughter . She and Tim came sprinting and she went to work on the wall. She kept throwing water on it until it was just smoldering and starting grabbing the insulation in the wall that was on fire. I grabbed the tub and dosed it and ran it outdoors. Tim took the little saw I found and cut the hole in the wall bigger so we could get to the insulation. The fire has spread beyond the insulation into the frame of the wall. They got a water hose in the house and doused the inside of the wall. It is down to the siding on the house now. The electrical got included and looked like a bomb went off in the wall. Crystal heard it first and yelled run as fire shot out of the wall and now there is no electrical working in that side of the house. Finally the smoldering has stopped as everything is either wet or gone. They sat with me for the next hour watching to make for sure it did not start up again?

The stupid wind is still whipping and I am wondering how we will ever pull this mess off????????????I know we will but the next week will be rough. I get so tired of fighting one challenge after another? I do not know if I could have saved the house if not for Crystal's bravery ?
There are two monster aquariums that need to be moved to be able to get to the wall and I am so scared they will crack moving them??But , it has to be done,some how????????????
I am so tired andit is almost 2:30am and Crystal has to get up at 4Am to go to work?

Blow Me Away Saturday

I had to take Rosie (in the picture)back to the vet this morning because she had started her throwing up problem that she has.  The vet checked and this last shot has lasted a year , so he was satisfied with her treatment and I am thrilled to get her the shot so I won't get puked on while I sleep again for a while! Yea!!!!! I love Miss Rosie , the sewing kitty to death , even through she has her own distinct personality.This is the first time I have ever seen her share a nap time On the couch with a pup! Normally she never comes out of the sewing room but since I have been locking poor Callie in her bedroom at night Rosie has been coming out to spend time with me.

While I was coming home the wind started to pick up and they were calling for rain and dropping temperatures-which I hate. I grabbed my two little chickens that I had out in a corral getting some sun and put them back in the building. Then Crystal took me to town to order my new glasses which they say will improve my vision. This time I also got the built in protection for using your computer and the blue rays that damage your sight! I am anxious to get the new glasses - but will have to wait until the end of the month. At least now, maybe there will be no more running for a while and I can get some more gifts accomplished.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - I did have One Big ADVENTURE today. After we left the eye place we stopped and got some super dooper oil for my car as I wanted to get the oil changed and be ready for all of this horrible weather.  When we got home I asked Crystal to park the car on the incline that She normally uses to change my oil. As soon as she was out of sight I changed into my old work clothes and gathered up the tools that I had heard her say it took.

I peeked up under the car and shivered in dread and decided to pull it forward a little for more clearance-then put on the emergency brake and put a cinder block under my wheel.
I slithered up under the front of the vehicle and got my sockets and tested until I found one that would go on. Crystal had thought a 15 but it turned out to be a 11 in my set? I hesitatingly placed it on the oil plug and tugged -and tugged and really tugged with all my might and it finally came loose. I screwed and screwed the plug until it popped loose and warm oil shot out into the container I had down and ran all down my arm and under my watch and I gurgled -YUCK! Thank goodness it was not hot or I would have got burned. After the oil drained out I eased the container out from under the car being careful not to spill too much of it and placed it in a bottle .

I tried to ease back up under the car and put the plug back in and when I did this time I banged my head under the frame and got a good headache for my efforts.I laid there for a few seconds doing some deep breathings to make the pain go away and ease my  claustrophobia fears. I replaced the socket and gave it my best pull until I could pull no more.

I still had the oil filter to go and I was really dreading that so I raised the hood to see IF I could get to it from there and NO- no way there . I was forced to slither back up under the car and gradually ease myself back further under the front of the vehicle . It seemed to take forever to even find the filter and there was only ONE little path to follow to even reach the silly thing-but reach it I did  and gradually turned and turned and turned until it gave way and MORE OIL poured all down my face and neck and down into my shirt. I sure was glad it was not a freezing temperature outdoors yet or I would have had a hizzy fit!!!!!!!!!!! I got the new filter and poured new oil into it so there would be no dry start for the motor and then had to slither all the way back up under the front of the vehicle which is parked on this incline so it was a fight to get into position AGAIN. It took me some finagling to get it back in the position where I could start screwing it back on -I had to use wee little turns as you could not get your hand on it to get a good grip. Then my strengthen gave way and I had to pull my hand down to rest . But then back up and I turned and turned until I could turn no more. I was so excited that I almost forgot to even put the new oil in the motor!!!!!!!!!!!

I had changed my own oil -all by myself -without having to bother anybody and could not feel that my car was protected with new oil. My car is 16 years old and I love her dearly and try to keep her going the best I can and I Hate to bother my kids. I hate to see my daughter up under my vehicle changing oil for me but now that I have done it - I Hate it even more . lol  I had to fight my claustrophobia fears of being up under the vehicle -plus not great strength to do the job.  I hope I got everything the right tightness.

I came in and took a shower to get all the oil off of me. I had to laugh because the oil that had shot across my lips sure did make a good lip moisturizer !!!!!!!!!!   The funny part was after I had got out of the shower -Tim popped in and asked me where the oil was - that he was going to change the oil in my car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  LOL - Jeepers I love this guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The wind is so bad here now that it has blown part of my front porch metal loose and it is flopping wildly in the wind. I can hear it down on the barn too. I am wondering what it will look like in the morning ?

Hump Day

My hard working daughter loves a particular brand of jeans but she wanted a pair with a particular design on the back pocket. She said they were almost impossible to find so I went on a search and she was right -they were NOWHERE to be found . So, I got the bright idea to order the brand of jeans she likes and take off the pockets and put on the design that she desires.

                                                                           

I could not BELIEVE how time consuming that job would become!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took me 4 hours just to get those pockets off of those jeans and then remove the ugly design that was already on the pockets . Then it took an additional 4 hours of research to locate the type of design that she wanted and sew them out and trim everything??????????????????  I was so Terrified when I started to sew the designs as I have learned the hard way that the embroidery machine can bit holes in your project before you even know what has happened and I did not have any way of replacing those pockets????????????? I was so very grateful when it did not happen this time .

I still have yet to attach them back onto the jeans and I am not looking forward to that job either?????? So, I will be holding my breath for that adventure also. With my floundering eyesight -it is a challenge.

Tues. Nov. 15

Sometimes I have to remind myself what day it is as they escape from me so quickly.

It was a nice day -the weather was very pleasant and the wood stove was very cozy.

I managed to take my neighbor some eggs and even got to visit with her and her two pups for a little while. It was very sweet. Her two pups are poms and one is a standard size and one is a toy size. They are both beautiful and so sweet. The one was locked in a crate all of his life and the toy one was locked outdoors until she took him. They are both so precious and love to play with their toys.

There were lots of things to accomplish and the day just flew away from me .I did manage to pull off another ruffled scarf -so thank goodness for that.

Monday flys by

Time just absolutely flies by . I got up and got the chores accomplished  and headed to town to a doc visit only to discover that the visit was canceled. I hated that and it took me all day long to finally get that call on my phone? Too late to help me any but I did not waste my trip as I got re-certified for another year at this clinic I like.

They also rescheduled two of my appointments for this coming Friday so I can accomplish two things at one time and that will help.

I asked about my friend who is not eating right and meals on wheels and they said it is still ongoing so they gave me the papers with the information for it. So, while I was running errands I dropped the information off at his house and told him I hope he will call about it because he is eligible and that way he can have a hot meal Mon. through Friday and it would help him on his grocery bill???? I am hoping he will carry through.

I ran around and did what seemed like a million errands and picked up my thyroid medicine too - so I am good to go with that for a month. Yea.

This is another scarf that I completed for another Christmas gift. Well, gotta go crank up that little wood stove !

New Week - Brrrr.

It got down in the 20's last night and I got up twice to put wood in the stove.Brr. I guess it is here to stay and I am already dreaming of summer?????

While I was hugging the stove today I managed to pull off two crocheted ruffled scarves for Christmas presents.

Then at dark a young friend brought us a big truck load of wood-what a treat that was -the wood and to see them too.

Friday

Last night was the Sewing Guild meeting and I grabbed some pictures of the dolls that were dressed by the Guild members to be donated to the Salvation Army.

It was really amazing to see all of the different styles and colors  that the members came up with.

This little Amish outfit was a cute hit.

I truly loved them all.

They also had a fundraiser table with these hurricane lamps and cinnamon candles.  If the candles could have been any floral fragrance I would have loved some but the cinnamon always sets my eyes on fire.

Then there was a demonstration on putting together a tote bag using 21/2 inch squares but with my bad eyes that was out of the question for me-but interesting to see the hints for putting it together.

next month there will be no meeting but there will be a Guild lunch and we all bring canned goods to donate to a charity this year.  Last year it was a woman's shelter but I did not hear what it is this year.

My camera gave out so I am in the process of learning how to use this camera on my phone. There is always something new to learn. Boy, I was so tired I came home and went straight to bed after I put wood in the stove last night.

Today I had a project in mind but I have looked ALL Day long and not found what I did with it! Isn't that just the way it is?????

Got my usual day's worth of chores completed and carried the firewood ready for tonight and put a log in my daughter's tiny house stove. I just want to keep it going so it would be warm for her when she comes home . Plus, Gabby the manx who hates my Rosie has decided she wants to live with Crystal as a One House Cat. She really loves sleeping on Crystal's bed - keeping it warm for her . lol

I completed another one of these peeking cat butt coasters for another Christmas gifts. I just keep running out of time - where does it go to?

Tonight is the Sewing Guild meeting and Lynne is picking me up for the hour drive. We are wondering If we will run into bad traffic again on 81 -which has delayed us 3 times now by an hour? That interstate is so undependable - between wrecks and road work as they have plans for road work for the next several years.

Another beautiful day except for the 30 mph wind gusts???  I had to run to the grocery after I finished the chores and then back home where I dived into this little cat hat? It is suppose to be for 12 to 16 months of age and I have a young friend who has a little girl who will be a year old at Christmas.

The pattern comes from repeatcrafterme.com

Tuesday crochet

This was my project for the day It was a lovely day - it just went by much too fast. I cooked the turnips my neighbor gave me and they were delicious. I fixed some cornbread to go with them. I wish time could slow down a wee bit.

It is election day here -so today will change history for all of us in the US.

A Perfectly Beautiful Monday

It was such a beautiful day after the Heavy Frost that blanketed the land. I have this dilemma that If I am in the house I do not want to go Out of the house - BUT- If I am outside the house then I do not want to go back Inside the house??????????????? Absolutely crazy, isn't it?

I was feeling pretty spiffy this morning so I put the chickies back out in their little corrals so they could get so greens and fresh air. I got two loads of laundry accomplished and then my dryer went kaaaapoot!  It won't even grunt at me. I checked the fuse box and pulled the breaker and put it back in but still no go?????  Darn it - I have tried my best to "baby it" all summer long? I am suspicious it might need a new breaker but with money tight anything is a problem.

I got two different bills from my land taxes today so I called them to ask them to explain and they gave me an even different amount ???? I got a lot of housecleaning accomplished today but you know how it is - it is ever ongoing as long as we are breathing.

I only squeaked out time for one more Christmas gift. There just never seems to be enough time in a day.

Saturday Wood cutting and horses???

It was a beautiful day today and Crystal wanted to cut some wood . Give my daughter a chairsaw and let her go to town.  

She kept Tim and I busy just loading the truck.

This beautiful fungus was growing on one of the logs so I just had to have a picture. It looked like a giant white flower growing ?Wish I had a better camera.

Since the truck was almost full I walked down to the spot that I had been cutting in a year ago . Boy was it hard walking . It had grown up so much with all kinds of briars it was rough.

I eventually found my spot and a small wood pile I had left behing but was now almost impossible to get the truck too.

This was part of the view looking back Up the hill that I had stumbled my way down. 

We made our way back down to the house and all 3 of us busted the wood and Crystal and Tim stacked it all nice and neat on the front sidewalk. I am thrilled to death with it and they ended up with quiet a load to use in the little wood-stove in their Tiny House.  I had fixed some soup and it was quiet tasty and we were all pooped.

Then a friend of mine called to chat and he had been sick today. The only thing he had eaten was a gravy biscuit this morning and an ice cream sandwich this afternoon but was sick at his stomach. He has diabetics and does not realize what a poor diet that is -just junk food with no strength to it so I called Crystal and asked her if she would take me to town to buy him some Ensure so I would know he had some calories in him for strength.

 it turned out crystal had 17 cans of it so we took it to him and I took him some of the soup I had made today. 

On our way a horse had got out of the field and we stopped to help. I put my jacket around his neck and was leading him down the bank to his field when the other horses in the field took off and he took off up the highway. Tim followed him in his truck and the farmer came out from his place and I told him what had happened so he want back to the house to get a halter. He came back and we walked up the road to where Tim was standing with the horse and the man put a halter on him. I lead them back down the road to where the fence was gone and the man could hardly believe it so he said he was going to walk him down to the barn so the other horses would follow and he could lock them up.

Tim had a bucket in his truck with some odd nails and hammer so I held pieces of the fence up while he nailed  them up enough if the horses were to get away from him they might not be able to get right out in the road again. A policeman showed up and we told him what had happened and he thanked us for helping.  Everybody was very nice and the animals were not harmed. The big one stepped on my foot and it is sore but as long as those beautiful animals did not get hit by a car - I am a happy camper!

Now, I am good and pooped! lol

It is a beautiful day here today but tonight is it suppose to be down to freezing and I hate that! I think my bear has decided to go visit somebody else for a while now that almost all of the chard roots are dug up . Then last night I stepped out to grab the bowel of cat food so a bear would not start coming for a midnight snack and low and behold one of the biggest rats I have ever seen darted under the building?????????? OOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO - rats are BAD  NEWS. They got in my building a couple of years ago and killed a Lot of my birds and broke my heart. I could hardly sleep last night for worrying about my baby chicks that are under the lights for heat?  But they were all good this morning -so I am counting my blessings.

Then the first year that my DH and I had moved here I had purchased two bushel of apples and two bushel of potatoes and put them in the basement. Cold weather came and I went down to get some for supper and the entire basement was devastated. It was a horrible stinky mess as the people on the lake had all closed up their cabins and the rats needed food and had found my stash. What they had not chewed up -they had urinated and pooped all over and it had rotted . It was horrible. So yea, rat means something bad to me as I hate to feel that way.

I ran across this link today and thought some of you might like to take a gander as some of the projects:
https://madmimi.com/p/1ca0f8?fe=1&pact=2214659-135177660-6923450254-a5e330cedbb8c74e38b5ebdc829028a75530d4b1

Also I made this Crust-less Cranberry Pie yesterday and it was really good so I just wanted to share it with you:

Gluten-Free Crustless Cranberry Pie

Print

Author: Mama Z

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt
• 2 cups cranberries
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 3-6 drops Orange Essential Oil
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Grease one 9 inch pie pan.
3. Combine the flour, coconut sugar, and sea salt.
4. Stir in the cranberries and the walnuts, and toss to coat.
5. Stir in the butter, beaten eggs, and almond extract.
6. If you are using frozen cranberries, the mixture will be very thick.
7. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
8. Bake at 350ºF for 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Peeking cat butt coasters

I decided to make a quick run to the store this morning as the pups needed their hamburger. I stopped at a Dollar General store because I had purchased a little chicken rug last week but the other Dollar General only had One rug and I need 1-3 more for the kitchen. My rugs are in sad shape. While I was there checking out the lady told me that Walmart had a bomb threat and she wondered if they were open??? She told me that was the 3rd one in the past month????? Hum? That was where I was headed??

Everything turned out fine and dandy and I came home and worked on a new project:

This is my latest for my Christmas gift list.  ~smile~

Can You Believe That November is Here

I am enjoying drooling over the fabric that Lynne shared with me. Something that I treasure this much I always take the time to just Enjoy. To me they are works of art and I wish I could have peeked over the shoulder of the artist who created them. Wouldn't that be so much fun.

I got out early and got right on the chores. It was SO Foggy this morning you could hardly see very far in front of you. I cleaned out one of my bird runs and moved the little diamond quail into the house . I then moved one group of 5 black and white D u'ccles into that run and cleaned out their run and Finally moved my family of fantail pigeons into there . Now they have plenty of room to stretch their wings.

Then I brought the car up and unloaded 600 pounds of critter feeds that went in all different directions. I was plum POOPED when I finished. So, I took my shower, fixed some sweet potato fries in the oven with some honey and mustard mixed up to dip them in and settled into my chair to watch a show and relax my poor whipped back.

Crystal and Tim arrived home so they asked me to show them what had been going on in my garden and I was pleased to get another opinion. Tim said yep-it was a young bear. ?????????????????????? I had NEVER thought about Fencing a Bear out of my garden before?????? HUMMMM????????????

Another Christmas present completed. I am going to have to start wrapping these things so I will know what all I have completed and what else I need to do -pretty soon.