WHAT I'M READING

THE PIONEER WOMAN: BLACK HEELS TO TRACTOR WHEELS; A LOVE STORY BY REE DRUMMOND

About the book:
"That's when I saw him -- the cowboy -- across the smoky room."

I'll never forget that night.  It was like a romance novel, an old Broadway musical, and a John Wayne western rolled into one.  Out for a quick drink with friends, I wasn't looking to meet anyone, let alone a tall, rugged cowboy who lived on a cattle ranch miles away from my cultured, corporate hometown.  But before I knew it, I'd been struck with a lightning bolt... and I was completely powerless to stop it.

Read along as I recount the rip-roaring details of my unlikely romance with a chaps-wearing cowboy, from the early days of our courtship (complete with cows, horses, prairie fire, and passion) all the way through the first year of our marriage, which would be filled with more challenge and strife -- and manure -- than I ever could have expected.

This isn't just my love story; it's a universal tale of passion, romance, and all-encompassing love that sweeps us off our feet.

It's the story of a cowboy.

And Wranglers.

And chaps.

And the girl who fell in love with them.

My thoughts:
I loved this book.  Can I say it again?  I LOVED it.  I've been reading thepioneerwoman.com blog site for over a year.  I have her cookbook.  And so I wanted to read her book, some of which is on her blog.  It was amazing.  As I was reading I felt the thrill of meeting my husband all over again.  There were funny parts, sad parts, real life.  But the best part was knowing it was all true.  I highly recommend this book.

I HATE BEING SICK

It's been a long time, but sickness has finally caught up with me.  For several days now I have had swollen gums on the right side.  I thought, "Oh no.  Now I have to find a dentist quickly."  My dentist died last year and finding one I like is a daunting task.  I know I have to, but I hate dentists to begin with and finding one that doesn't hurt and understands my fears is not easy.

A couple of days after the gums, my right ear started hurting.  I washed it out with peroxide and when it got hot I figured I had an ear infection and that was affecting my gums.  Then last night it was my sinuses and I started running a fever.

Today I gave in and went to the doctor.  He said my glands are also swollen and I have a major infection in my head.  He gave me a flu shot and a prescription for antibiotics.  I took one when I got home from the pharmacy, ate lunch and laid down on the sofa.  Five hours later I woke up and I feel much better.  I'm not completely wonderful, but so much better.

It's back to work for me tomorrow, but I really did the best thing for myself staying home today and sleeping.

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Pooh Thought for the Day:
Don't try too hard; let the hums get you.

"Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you.  And all you can do is to go where they can find you."

SUNDAY DRIVE

We didn't get to Farm Days yesterday.  Joe is having difficulty adjusting to his new medication and all he wanted to do was sleep.  As for me, I'm fighting an ear infection which has moved into my sinuses and my gums are all swollen and sore.  When I get sick, I really get sick.

But we did get something accomplished.  It has been awhile since we tackled cleaning the refrigerator.  If I did it more often I wouldn't need Joe's help.  But it was pretty bad.  We got the whole thing done and Joe washed all the shelves and drawers.  It really looks nice now.  Empty, but nice.  I hate doing the fridge.

We also did three loads of wash and then took it to the Laundromat to dry.  Our dryer broke awhile back and we haven't had the money to get another one.  So we wash them, then take them to dry.

While we were waiting, I sat at a table and cut out coupons.  I just found out about a place where I can send my expired coupons and they send them to our troops and their families.  They are able to use them for up to 6 months after the expiration.  If anyone is interested in doing this, let me know and I will give you the information.  I am going to be able to send an envelope to them on Tuesday.

Today after church we decided to go on a road trip to get lunch.  (Otherwise known in our household as a lunch date.)  Can you guess where we went?  Here's a hint:

Still don't know?  Here's another hint that will really give it away.

Yep, it's Cracker Barrel.  We have been to several Cracker Barrels, but never the one in Bucks County.  It took us a little over a half hour to get there, but it really wasn't hard.  We used the GPS and it led us right there.  Joe had a country fried steak and I had a chicken salad sandwich.  Yum, yum.  Was it ever good.  Then, of course, we had to go shopping.  I got some cute Christmas salt and pepper shakers, and two tops.  Here is the one for Halloween:

It's so cute with the little candy corn on it.  I can use it later for Thanksgiving too.  But here's the one I got for Thanksgiving:

I tried them on when I got home and they fit me perfectly.  And they were both on sale so I feel I made a good deal.

It looks as if it's going to pour any minute.  A good day to just veg out and watch some TV so that is exactly what I am going to do.

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Pooh's Thought for the Day

Find a type of exercise to suit you.

     Balancing on three legs, he began to bring his fourth leg very cautiously up to his ear.

     "I did this yesterday," he explained, as he fell down for the third time.  "It's quite easy...."