I couldn't think of a better photo to show you from Sarah on Halloween weekend.
I was asked last week if Sarah has a blog. No, she doesn't. She is a single mother of two adorable children and works long hours in a dental office. I don't know how she has time to breathe let alone take photos. I am so happy that I am able to share her work with you.
Kathy
I so needed to stay home today and get things done and instead I ended up running all over the place.
The first place we went was to church. I needed to do a few things and Joe tagged along.
Then we headed to Home Depot. We wanted to get some lights for out in the yard. It is so dark out there now with the fence up. We found what we were looking for and then picked up a few other things also. Mostly there was Christmas stuff out, but I did see these Halloween dragons. They were bigger than life. How cool.
We were hungry so headed over to Chick-fil-A for lunch. Then drove next door to Lowe's. We had not been able to find a bird feeder at Home Depot. Our other one that we loved fell apart. Lowe's had the perfect feeder. And we got a few other things there as well. While there I took some pictures of the holiday things they had out.
I wanted to get a scarecrow to put in the yard but they were too expensive. So I looked at these lovely flower arrangements. I picked one up to get it and then looked at the price. $50! Nice, but not that nice.
There's really not much fall stuff left. It's almost all Christmas. Here's some of the things I liked. I especially liked the huge "Joy" when I first came in.
When we got home we filled the bird feeder and hung it in the tree. We hung around at the table for a bit to see if any birds would show up but none did. There were a lot in the tree top, but none came down. Hopefully they will discover it soon. It's fun to watch the birds in the winter.
And now it's very late and I'm very tired. I'm going to bed. See you all later.
Kathy
These little scarecrows are so cute! I've always liked this picture. Halloween is less than a week away and I can hardly believe that October is almost over!
First of all, I want to thank my brother, Larry, for his beautiful picture of Valley Forge in the fall that I am using for my header. Pop on over to his blog at explorationphotography.blogspot.com to see his amazing work.
I have been carrying on with my cleaning. It has been hard. Some days I have so much energy and just go at it and get so much done. Other days it is all I can do to walk to the kitchen and get something to eat. I wish I could be more consistent, but that's what the body is doing these days. At least I have SOME days that I can do things. It used to be I had none and that is how my house got in the horrible state it is.
I am proud of myself, however, for doing the things I did. And I thought I would show you. I have been working on the kitchen. One thing I wanted to tackle was the outside of the refrigerator. It was filthy around the handles and there was so much hanging on it.
Look how nice it looks now. I am so happy.
I didn't take a picture of the table before I cleaned it (with a little help from Joe). Take my word for it that it was cluttered. So much I could throw out. Look at it now, all set for fall.
I'm hoping I have energy today to set some things done. There is so much to do. And I will take pictures to show you. Maybe not the before, but certainly the after. It makes me accountable for getting SOMETHING done.
Kathy
The posts for our new fence went up a couple of days ago. I knew they wouldn't be back for a few days for the concrete to cure.
Then this morning there was a knock on my back door and Frank and the FTK guys were there. They asked to plug in their extension cord and went to work putting up the fence. Most of this post is going to be pictures, so here goes. Please excuse the bad images. I was sitting by the kitchen window taking these.
They did a beautiful job and were so careful of my things. Frank wants to come back in the spring and re-sod the yard. He wants to give me raised flower beds also. We will see. I don't know if I could afford it.
After they left I moved my bench to the back of the yard under the tree.
Here is the side fence with my plants and garden flag in place.
It looks very different and I think makes the yard look smaller. It does, however, give us a lot of privacy. I noticed tonight, though, that the yard is now very dark. We are going to go to Lowe's or Home Depot and see if we can find caps for the posts that are solar lights so that we can have some light in our yard.
After looking at it for awhile, I think I am really going to like our new fence.
Kathy
It was a windy and rainy day today, but still warm. According to the weather report this is the last hurrah for the warm weather and by this time next week it will be cold. (sigh) It was good while it lasted. I am still running out of the house without a jacket or sweater and not really needing it. Not so next week. Well, I knew it couldn't last forever and I'm very thankful for the time I have had with these temperatures.
I got very little sleep last night. We had to get up very early to get Joe to the surgical center. We ended up getting there before the place actually opened so sat in the car listening to the radio for a half an hour before we went in.
Once inside things went quickly. Joe got checked in, signed some paperwork, and sat for only about 15 minutes before they took him back for the surgery. I sat there knitting. I am working so hard on getting this baby blanket finished that I promised to my girlfriend for her to give as a gift. I still have a ways to go, but I am over half done and that helps.
After two hours a nurse came to get me and took me back to where Joe was. He did really well and says he had no idea what he was missing. He says the colors he sees are so vivid. He's doing so well and is amazed at what he can see. He has a clear plastic patch he has to wear for two weeks and I have to give him eyedrops every four hours, but that's only for a short time. He sees the doctor tomorrow to make sure everything is OK.
Last night knowing he couldn't lift or carry anything for a few weeks, Joe took out the air conditioner from the front window. With everything now closed up, I finished getting out my Halloween decorations. I can't find some of them. Everything in the basement was moved when we got the new washer and dryer and so I have to go through boxes and bags to find anything. I'm happy with what I did find.
We always put the A/C under the window, add a box on top and a tablecloth to make a little extra table for the winter. I put all my Halloween things there. Finally I have a place for my Jack-o-Lantern that I bought at Lowe's. I love that it lights up by plugging it in and I don't have to be concerned about a candle. The little wooden black cat was made by my dad.
Then I moved my "Harvest" sign to the front door and put all pumpkins on my shelf.
The pumpkins will stay out for Thanksgiving and the ones I can't fit now will come out when Halloween goes away. Now to get the rest of the room cleaned up so it looks nice. It's getting there, just not yet. So much to do. How did I ever have time to work? So glad I'm retired.
Kathy
How gorgeous is this! We don't have a lot of color here this year. It has been so warm. And although I miss the color on the trees, I am loving the warmth. I know winter will come and with it the cold temperatures, ice, snow and lots of pain for me with my arthritis. So I am enjoying this while I can. It was so warm on Sunday that Joe and I ate lunch outside with a friend who came home with us. That was nice. As Joe said, not so many bugs around this time of year.
We were able to eat outside because on Saturday I finally got the patio cleaned up.
And not just straightened, but I started cleaning the furniture. I was ready to throw these chairs out because I didn't think I'd ever get the mildew off.
On an off chance I grabbed my Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaner and some paper towels. Imagine my surprise when it all started coming off. Wow! I've never seen anything like this. I had heard Mrs. Meyers was good but... Wow!
There is more to go to make it perfect but I am very happy. Joe saw what I had done and started going to it himself. He did a lot too.
When I was at Target the other day I saw these autumn plates and just had to get them. They were $2 each. I can put them in the dishwasher but not the microwave. No problem. I really don't need more dishes, but I figure I will use these 3 months of the year and then put them away. They are so pretty.
The lawn guys came over yesterday and started to put up our new fence. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but I really do. I thought I would feel too closed in, but in reality it gives me more privacy. They will finish it later this week. Today it's supposed to pour rain so I know they won't be here.
I will be leaving shortly to take Joe for his cataract surgery. We have to be there by 7:15. He's the first one because he is the only diabetic. I couldn't decide whether to take a book or my knitting so I am taking both and see which I want to do as I wait the 2 1/2 hours for him. I'm sure everything will be fine and I know Joe is excited to be able to see clearly again although naturally a little nervous to be going through it. I tell him he is very brave because I don't think I could do it.
So off we go. I will be sure to let you know how it turns out. Until later...
Kathy
I've gotten through another book. I am really on a roll. So glad I am back into reading. For about a year and a half after I retired, I didn't even pick up a book. But I really love it and it's a great way to relax and go to another place. I'm reading a lot of fiction right now, but hope to mix it up with some non-fiction soon.
I enjoyed Emma Miller's book "A Love for Leah" so much that when I saw this one in the library I had to get it. "A Groom for Ruby" continues on with the same characters in the other one.
After arriving from Lancaster County in hopes of finding a husband, Ruby Plank stumbles -- literally -- into the arms of one of Seven Poplar's most eligible bachelors. To her amazement, Joseph Brenneman doesn't care if Ruby is clumsy or outspoken. The shy, handsome mason thinks that she is wonderful exactly as she is. If only others felt the same! Though Joseph's mother hired the matchmaker to find her son a wife, she insists Ruby isn't good enough. When Ruby's family secret is revealed, it could divide the couple forever... unless pride gives way to love and trust.
Knowing the characters already helped this story move along for me. Not knowing Ruby's secret drove me nuts. It is revealed in the next to last chapter so I had the entire book wondering what it was. And I didn't even guess it! To top it off, I thought about the characters and where they might go in the future for about half a day after I finished the book. I'm going to look for more of her books. On to the next one.
Kathy
Did you ever see a pumpkin tree? Well now you have.
Have a great Sunday.
Kathy
The colors of fall -- so pretty.
I have been busy so haven't been able to watch a lot of movies lately. But I have been catching up today. At any rate, I thought I would share with you the next four movies that I have watched.
For Better or Worse (2014)
Opposites attract when Wendy (Lisa Whelchel), a wedding coordinator,
and Marco (Antonio Cupo), a divorce attorney, find their lives suddenly
intertwined. Wendy is finally settling into the single life after
struggling with the death of her husband. After a difficult season of
grief, she's taken over the family business of coordinating the town's
most beautiful and memorable weddings with the help of her friend and
co-worker Roseanne (Kim Fields). Wendy's business and values are
challenged, however, when the charming and incredibly irritating Marco
opens shop as a divorce attorney right next to her wedding chapel.
Although Wendy will stop at nothing to promote her marriage business
over Marco's divorce business, she must form an alliance with Marco
after her son Collin (Edward Ruttle) announces his unexpected engagement
to Marco's daughter Sophia (Alicia Josipovic).
"For Better or For Worse" is based on the novel of the same name, by best-selling author Diann Hunt.
It was cool seeing Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields acting together again. Remember them from the old TV show "The Facts of Life"?
Love By Chance (2016)
Claire, the owner of a new restaurant, is too busy to focus on
relationships. Her mother decides to fix this by finding Claire the
perfect man -- without telling Claire. Starring Ben Ayres, Beau Garrett and Brenda Strong.
Yes, another food one. I just can't get away from them. What would you do if your mom went behind your back to find you the "perfect man"?
A Dash of Love (2017)
When an aspiring chef lands a dream job at her idol's restaurant,
she befriends the handsome executive chef. After they are wrongly fired,
the duo open their own eatery to prove their food is better. Starring Jen Lilley and Brendan Penny.
I've seen this before, knew what was going to happen, and still enjoyed it. It makes me wonder if the people I admire on TV are really all they're portrayed as.
Appetite for Love (2016)
Sparks fly when a woman (Taylor Cole) returns to her hometown in
Tennessee to convince her stubborn ex-boyfriend (Andrew Walker) to sell
his restaurant.
I can hear you all now. Three out of four of these movies are about food. I'm a foodie. What can I say? I had seen this before too. Parts of this were kind of slow, and a lot of it was predictable, but the story is good. Not sure if I would watch it for a third time although I do like the ending.
I have been busy getting the house and yard ready for fall and then the upcoming winter. I am feeling better these days, having more energy, so I am thinking I should listen to my doctor more often. She actually knows what she is talking about giving me vitamins to offset the medication I am taking for my thyroid condition.
Lots more fall fun coming next week, so stay tuned.
Kathy
