Scurrying around

We are scurrying around here this morning like little mice preparing for a cold winter....
Things are warming back up around here though :-( yes I am sad.

As a transplant from N.E. Illinois the thing I miss the most is Autumn...the cool crisp mornings when the sun seems to shine brighter than it has all year. When you can hear birds & small animals rustle through the leaves looking for those last few seeds & nuts to hide away for when the snow flies and food is scarce.
The quiet of sitting on the back porch bundled up with a hot cup of coffee just enjoying the peace and wondering what secrets my house could tell about the doctors that lived there for 140 years before me, about the children and their friends as they played under the 250 year old Silver Maple Tree.

Here you can wear an extra layer for an hour then the warm sun is heating things back up and those layers come right off.
While I hoped it would be cool for our camping trip this weekend and packed warm clothes it seems that I need to pack some shorts and typical Florida Fall attire too. Maybe Brooksville will hold true to her usual self and stay 5 degrees colder than any where else in Central Florida...at least for this weekend! Who knows maybe I will see the elusive Skunk Ape.

The morning started with our family tradition of Breakfast in Bed for the Birthday Boy, another card & a small gift for now. We are racing around to finish up before Larry arrives home, he had to work 1/2 a day and get tags for the vehicles....seems they expired the beginning of September, on his Birthday.

I am packing the laptop & camera as I hope to have wonderful photo's to share with you.


Blessings 2 U Friends

Game 5 Revisited....lol

Not to be your everyday run of the mill Fall Classic, in true Rays Fashion from WORST TO FIRST , for the first time in the history of the World Series, Monday nights game was suspended in the 6th inning right after the Rays tied it up 2 to 2 due to torrential down-pouring rain.

The game resumes tonight ...will they pull it out bringing the series back to Tampa?

I will be hooking away on Santa's beard hoping to finish it tonight so I can start needle-felting tomorrow before babysitting Gavin and packing for this weekends camping trip to Brooksville to attend JOURNEYFEST... no not the band Journey.

We are going to see......insert drumroll......NEWSBOYS Your surprised aren't you?!!!

Well I am excited...last week I was kinda quiet because of a few things...it was Grandma's Birthday, she would have been 96 years old, our Grandson Gavin is still having problems holding down formula & I threw out one of my mid-back vertebrae.

I need a weekend of worship! Friday will be my youngest sons 16th Birthday and in all honesty we needed to do something different this year!


Blessings 2 U Friends

Thursday Game 2 ....

We were there an hour before the doors opened

Tonights lineup
Sahara & Raymond

The National Anthem sung by Los Lonely BoysThe first ball was thrown out by General Petraeus
If you look straight up from the officer's head on the field, to the cat walk across the field you will see where our seats were last Saturday for the ACLS game against the Red Sox.

Look closer up above the Pepsi sign .... see the first row of bleachers???

The Phillies fans next to us were fun & very friendly joking with us & the two guys sitting behind us we had a great time
THE RAYS WON so the game ended half an inning early & got home before 2 am YEAH!

Blessings 2 U Friends

What a difference a day makes!

Too much going on the last 5 days to post all at once so I will start with photo's from Game 1 of the World Series between the Rays & the Phillies. We sent all four of them to the Game as their Christmas Gift.




Opening Ceremony & Back Street Boys singing the national anthem on the big screen in back

Phillies fans sure wear weird outfits!

Gabe strangling their mascot...reminds me of the alien guys on Sesame Street.

Gabe, Jess, Tim & Brittany after the game

Jess & Brittany with Brian Littrell of The Backstreet Boys


I will add our Photos from Thursday nights game a little later as they are on another computer...


Blessings 2 U Friends

THE WORLD SERIES STARTS TONIGHT....GO RAYS!

We were fortunate enough to be drawn in the pre-sales ticket drawing for World Series Tickets, Games 1 & 2 Monday morning.
So we decided this would be our Christmas gift for the family this year.
Tim, Jess, Brittany & Gabe (we found out he was still around remember) are attending tonight's game while I babysit Gavin.
Watch for them on the third-base line behind the Corona Beach Bar.

Larry told the to take pictures so they can enjoy the game again Christmas morning!
Tomorrow night Larry & I will be going with Sahara & Tyler.

GO RAYS!!!
From Worst to First!

Tag YOU'RE IT

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!! Nothing like it to make you come out of your shell!

Angie from Hickory Nut Hollow Primitives tagged me yesterday.

The rules are:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links. Then let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I am sure most of my readers will tell you they know more about me than they might like!
Here are 7 random facts about me.
1. I LOVE ALL Species of Animals
2. I love meeting new people (even if only online sometimes)
3. I take lots of photos of clouds & sunsets/full moons
4. I want to own a farm in the Smokey Mountains
5. I LOVE mysteries and solving them.
6. I HATE when people LIE!
7. I LOVE all things vintage especially architecture & graveyards.

Now I must tag 7 lucky people!! Ok sorry if you have been tagged already but hey....... it's the rule!!
1. Kim - http://the-artful-attic.blogspot.com/
2. Marietta - http://sweetoldvintage.blogspot.com/
3. Susan - http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
4. Anna - http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/
5. Jenn- http://www.sweeteyecandycreations.typepad.com/
6. BJ - http://daughternatureprimitivefolkart.blogspot.com/
7. Libby - http://libneas.blogspot.com/
There your Tagged!!!

Rays, Red Sox Game

Well it finally arrived last night after the Rays lost to the Red Sox, Autumn is here. We walked outside at 12:45 to wonderfully cool temperatures. Today the high temp was 80 degrees, it has been picture perfect.

I have photos from the nosebleed section of last nights game...while we had tickets for tonight's game we are not attending & will be watching from home later. Last night during the games we got a phone call that my husband's father & step-mother were in a terrible accident...a lady t-boned them while en route home from Illinois. They were in Jacksonville Hospital but were released and spent the night in a hotel until Larry arrived this morning. They had to wait until after church when the impound gentleman could open his lot & they could remove their belongings from their new car, it is TOTALED. Larry just arrived back home a few minutes after we did, we took the tickets to Lori who found a couple of folks that will be attending the game in much better seats than she & I had last night.

I promise to update the photos a little later tonight or tomorrow morning. I feel hung over from not getting home until 2:30 this morning so bear with me!

Blessings 2 U Friends.
Heading into Tropicana

Sahara & Gavin in their Rays attire

The main entrance of Tropicana Field

Fans coming in early

Sahara playing in the kids zone

Found this rich guy hiding in back

Gavin spinning the wheel

An interesting Cats Head

Dinner at Centerfield

Our seats only 14 from the top of the stadium

Mr. Mohawk

A fan waiting to climb down from his seat after the Rays lost.

GO RAYS!!!

Well after getting to The Primitive Rug Hooking Group a few minutes early I tried to help fix her email (it wasn't sending) well I found out they changed providers & the new provider password was not working and the gentleman didn't tell them their password...GREAT.
We then found out their voicemail had never been set up. Messages have been going into limbo for over 3 years...lol

Finally got started hooking my Santa about 10 just after Susan arrived with her Turkey.

There were some great rugs & a felted tree I took photo's of but my iphoto program keeps crashing so I will have to transfer them tomorrow to my laptop & mail them to my desktop. Or I could figure out how to mobile blog one of these days...BUT NOT TODAY!
This is Melanies Snowfolks Rug aren't they adorable

Melanie is now starting her stained glass Dragonflies (I love this rug & her color choices)

Maggie started this rug after the last class in September, she chose a beautiful bright green backing for this rug, I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I have to get cleaned up & change clothes to meet up with friends to head to the RAYS GAME. We are in the nosebleed section on the third baseline, but we are going to be at playoff game 6 and it better be their final game before the World Series. I have a theory that they throw the games so they can sell more tickets & merchandise by dragging these things out to 6 or 7 games.
If they clinch it early both teams loose out on revenue from ticket sales & all the food/merchandise, parking, etc.

Larry, Tyler, Jess & Gabe (apparently he is still alive) are heading to the Lightening Game tonight. So the critters have the run of the house.

PLEASE PRAY this doesn't go into extra innings I am too old stay out late & drive another 60 minutes home.

Blessings 2 U Friends!

Mr. Peanut, Mr. Piggy, Mr. Gabe, MAC, RAYS, RED SOX, Found Money....random thoughts & ramblin's

Saturday afternoon I watched Gavin, we took a walk up the hill with Sahara so she could go play with Madison boy was it HOT!
I have heard rumors fall arrived but I have not seen it here!

Mr. Peanut after our walk
He is constantly moving so this is the only semi clear shot I got of him..

Has anyone seen this guy? ..He is getting old like the rest of us and while diving to catch a ball during a softball game he broke his shoulder just days before they left on a cruise. I think Jess threw him overboard because I haven't seen him since. If you have just remind him he's not a spring chicken.

I have seen so many posts/newsletters & blogs posting on ways to save money it is great that people are thinking and not just throwing their money away. What creative ways have you found to pinch a few pennies? Last night we tweaked our budget so that we could start paying off some of our debt and found our Grocery bill is higher than we would like it to be however with the prices of EVERYTHING having gone up it will require some serious coupon clipping & smart shopping to trim that down a little more.

The kids & I raided all the change banks while the Rays BEAT DOWN the RED SOX!!!! GO RAYS
Larry was at the Homeowners Meeting so he missed the fun and found an empty change jar upon his return.
Everyone has a piggy bank that they put their change in and we have change holders in each car, along with our Table Manners Piggy Bank on the china hutch. Each time the kids talk with food in their mouth they are fined and have to put a quarter in the PIG. We figured by the time they learned not to do that we could take the money & go out to eat in public with their good manners.
My empty change jar My empty piggy bank

After rolling up the change we found $42.00 just sitting in containers around the house. Yes that isn't a huge amount but we did this last year too. However that is $42.00 not earning interest so we are taking it off to the bank today and putting it in the Emergency Savings Account.

There are some weird things going on in the MAC world this morning, I have had two reports of the new iPhones randomly dialing people in the contacts...and my iPhoto program keeps crashing when I try to open it?
Maybe not just the Apple/Mac world our house phone just rang once & said Imcomplete Data...what is up?

Okay I am off to finish a little offering for the launch tomorrow & start Gail's Custom Ordered Table Runner!

Check your couch, car, purse & piggy bank today find some money you didn't know you had!


Blessings 2 U Friends!

Saturday Morning

As I was leaving the house this morning, before dawn, locking the front door I heard my name being called softly.
I looked around & thought maybe Sahara woke up & wanted to come with me...no....I hear it again as I turned to head down the driveway I saw my friend Dorenda on the street.
She was already out walking, seriously! So she walked with me down the street to take care of Bogie & Birdie, it was nice to have company and someone to chat with for a little while. She continued on her walk as I took care of the pups.



On the way back I was thinking of my other friend Leslie whose husband passed away yesterday of a heart attack at a young 55 years. We just never know when our time is up and when we will be called to Heaven or Hell. Praying that Leslie's husband Dale knew Christ as his personal Savior. Please keep her in your prayers this weekend.
Give your loved ones a hug & tell them you love them today!

Here is a photo of sunrise earlier this week

This morning after the fog rolled in at 9am



Blessings 2 U Friends

The choice is yours

You have been given today...what will you do with it?

You have a choice you can be hopeful or fearful...if you listen to the news we should be fearful however I choose hopeful.
I know there are things I can do to tighten our belts a little more. Choices may be uncomfortable for some or downright painful for others but it is your choice.

I am so thankful for a Grandmother who lived through the depression, she taught me to hang my laundry to dry and not use electricity or gas for something GOD gives us FREE each day.

Patch a pair of Jeans instead of tossing them in the trash
OH by the way when did Jeans get so darn expensive? Who in their right mind pays more than $30 for a new pair of jeans?
Their isn't a pair on the market that can make you look 19 yrs old again TRUST ME!!! If there was every other jean company would be out of business.

Hey when they are too ratty to even wear out to do yard work (yes yard work just think of the money you will save by caring for your own yard?!! Not to mention the money you will save working out at home & not the gym or the Y.....)

Take those jeans & patch another pair of jeans or tear them into strips & braid a rug, make one of those outrageously high priced 'booty bags' yourself.

Shop at the consignment stores you know some of these folks are going to have to sell off those name brand expensive items!

Don't wash the clothes unless you have a FULL load the same goes for the dishwasher, if you need something & can not wait then wash it by hand.

As a single mother for many years those lessons came in real handy when we didn't have money to pay for the things.
Even later we did things to keep our money, we turned the thermostat down and wore another layer of clothing in the winter. Blankets kept the drafts out by covering the windows and tucked under doors, leftovers became a brand new meal the next day. In the summer a box fan brought up cool air from the cellar because we didn't have central air-conditioning.
Playing outside instead of sitting in front of the television required imagination and social skills.


When we needed to re-roof our old home my husbands family & friends came & helped tear off the 140 yrs of roofing and put on a new roof and we gladly cooked for and fed them! It may have taken a few days longer than a company but we all spent that time together working and having fun.

Jessica & Tyler Supervising Grandpa & Uncle Scoot


Me 3 months pregnant & BIL Lance threatening to toss me off the roof while BIL Scoot decides who to help

There are thousands of ways to save a few bucks each day & month. Implement one and make it a habit.
Our foremothers & forefathers called it making due, make due with what you have or find a creative way to do without.

So Choose, this day, who you will serve...

Blessings 2 U Friends

CROPTOBERFEST Festivities

What a beautiful start to Saturday Morning, cooler than normal temps, sun shining, birds chirping and coffee brewing.
Even though I gave up coffee and only have a cup occasionally that smell just wakes my brain up!

Erin was the first to arrive our first time meeting, her sister attends my church but she was referred by my neighbor Jan, the mystery shopper & the neighbor for whom I dog sit.
Second to arrive was Adele Allison, who Erin & Kristen had as a teacher in high school.
Not far behind was Patti & Twinkle and Twinkles friend Veronica.
In true Crop fashion the first door prize was won by someone who was not here....Jaye. . .
Usually at Celebrate events Twinkle is the 1st to win the door prize out of 1000 women and she isn't at the event yet!

Veronica finishing her first page


Erin & Twinkle


Twinkle winning a door prize


Ms. Adele working hard to get her photo's cropped!


Ann Patti Mary, Patti Mary Ann & Jaye


After our lunch break we made some Halloween Tags



More food, Pumpkin Cake & door prizes...

Twinkle left to officiate a wedding...


Even after answering calls from work all day Jaye caught on, if you want to win a prize don't be in the room, so she left to the washroom for the Grand Prize Drawing .....

GUESS WHO WON!~?~!


I have a feeling I will be calling the next Grand Prize number in an empty room!

Blessings 2 U Friends!