SISTERS' WEEK VACATION -- DAY SEVEN (FRIDAY)

Today was not at all as I expected.  I was going to get up early and get on my way to my sister’s house.  I got up early, but things at home did not go well.  I hadn’t done all I wanted to yesterday because I was so tired I slept most of the afternoon.  So there was lots to do before I left.  On top of it, Joe got sick all over the bathroom and I had to clean it up.  Poor guy.  He insisted I go, so I did.  At least when I talked to him tonight he was much better and had even gone out to dinner with friends of ours.

I got such a late start that I didn't get up here to northern New Jersey until early afternoon.  We left right away to go to the New Jersey State Fair.

 

Every year I take a picture of the fair as we approach it.  At least this year it was sunny and warm.  Not at all like last year.   This was the first day of the fair and we found that it wasn't all up and running.  Some of the crafters hadn't shown up and some of the commercial vendors were missing also.  But there was plenty  to see and do and eat.

We got to see the equestrian trials this year.  Last year the rain kept us from getting there and, I imagine, them from racing.

 Here's a picture of the ferris wheel.  It's what you see first when approaching the fair.

We went into the commercial tent first.  We always get good buys there.

But this year everything was so expensive.  And people were just not buying.  There were several things I absolutely loved, but I don't have $75 to spend on a carved box (even though it was gorgeous beyond belief) or $50 on a necklace.  I have bills to pay.

I did, however, buy a carved wooden picture frame for Joe for Christmas.  It has his name carved in it and I will find a picture to put in and surprise him.  I also got a bar of bug bite soap.  It's supposed to remove the itch and sting of bug bites within 1 minute.  It wasn't expensive and worth a try.  Elaine and I both got a wooden cross with the life of Christ carved into it.  The bottom shows His birth, the middle the crucifixion and the top the accension into heaven.  Beautiful!  I will try to post a picture of it when I get home.

We looked at the 4-H exhibits.  What talented young people they were.  I wish I had half the talent some of these kids have.  They can sew, grow plants, draw, you name it.

Next we went to the Richards Building where they have the art exhibit and the quilts.  Of course you can't take pictures of the art, but it was unbelievable.  Oh my!  How good these artists were.  There was all kinds of medium used -- water color, acryllic, oils, pencil, charcoal.  All beautiful.  I would pick a favorite, turn a corner and have a new favorite.  There was photography too which was so beautiful.  Same thing, you couldn't choose just one picture to like.

The quilts I did, however, take some pictures of.

And look at this quilt made out of old handkerchiefs.  How clever!

 

And look what someone did with old buttons.

There was also an exhibit on antique means of communication.  So sad that Elaine and I knew what they all were and had used most of them.  I guess we're antiques!

 

The last place we went to was the craft tent.  Here's a picture of me outside of it.

I usually buy a lot in there, but there really wasn't much I was interested in.  I did get three soy candles.  The scents were fantastic.  I got a lemon curd for Elaine and hot apple pie and rainforest for myself.

It was very hot.  I mean HOT!  I wanted to get a lemonade and Elaine treated me.  I thought the stand was really cute.

We left the fair around 5:30 p.m. and went to this place for dinner.  Recognize it?

Yes, it's Cracker Barrel.  It was so hot outside and so FREEZING inside.  We got hot tea to try to warm up.  Elaine had trout which she is still raving about.  I had a grilled pork chop.  We looked around the store a bit and I got Joe some diet Stewart's Root Beer, his favorite soda.

Then it was home to watch some TV and just relax.  The day began not so good, but ended up just fine.

SISTERS' WEEK VACATION -- DAY SIX (THURSDAY)

This was more of a running around day than a vacation day.  But as I said to Joe the nice thing was I didn't have to worry about getting to work late or having to hurry through things.

I started off with a meeting with my pastor about the Harvest America Crusade follow-up.  It was very profitable and I'm feeling much better about how things are going to go.

Joe was with me because we went right from there to his doctor's appointment.  Because he has been having a lot of seizures I insisted he see our family doctor.  So Joe got some blood work done and an appointment with a new neurologist.  Hurray!  Actually, the doctor he is going to see is his old doctor from the Veterans' Hospital.  This doctor was a resident there so was there for only a year, but he was the first one who recognized Joe's problems and gave him medication that helped him.  We are very hopeful that "Dr. K" can help Joe.

It was going to be a half-hour before Joe could get his medications from the pharmacy so we went to the deli and got lunch meat and then to Rite Aid to get water.  We ended up back at Olde Philly Pharmacy to pick up the meds.  So it was a productive day.

I didn't sleep well last night so I ended up taking a nap this afternoon.  I am loving this not working thing and can't wait till I can do this full time.  What does that retirement ticker say?  Four years and four months?

So another day down.  I am planning (unless Joe gets worse) to go to my sister's tomorrow and come home on Saturday afternoon.  I really want to get away for awhile, but I'm still concerned about Joe.  So we will see just how long I stay.

The sun is setting.  Good night, folks.

HOUSEWORK

Even though I'm still on vacation this is the first day of the month and time to show you my new calendar page.  Housework!  Can't someone find me some way to just think about a clean house and have it happen?  That would be so nice.  I can see my house clean, freshly painted and the furniture rearranged in my mind.  But when I open my eyes and look around, it's just not real.  *Sigh!*


I have never been a housekeeper.  I do try.  Very hard.  But it never seems to happen.  My sister, however, is a great housekeeper.  And she always has been.  When we were kids I used to pay her to clean off my desk.  I would gladly pay her now to clean my house.  If only she didn't have a full time job, her own house and live 100 miles away.


I have tried various ways to keep up with things.  I make lists.  I try to give myself rewards.  I even tried to follow the flylady.com  where you clean for only 15 minutes a day.  All of them work for awhile, but then after awhile they don't.


But I have been reading my friend Angie's blog Life of a housewife and she is using a plan that might work for me.  We'll see.  I am determined to try again after vacation is over.  I'd love to have the house all fixed up by the time the holidays roll around.


And they are coming!  Can you believe it is August already?


As for Sisters' Week vacation, today Elaine is with her friend Donna.  She and Donna became friends in first grade and are still best friends. They don't see each other very often, so take advantage of every chance they get to get together.

I am home with Joe today.  He had a seizure last night and another one tonight.  I am glad he has a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning.


We met our friends Walt and Carole and went to Chick-fil-A tonight.  It was crowded, but the servers were still patient, nice, and helpful.  So nice to support them in this way.


And believe it or not, I did do housework today.  I started cleaning out the bedroom.  I have so many clothes.  No one needs the amount of clothes that I have.  Another task for after vacation -- go through everything and get rid of those things that don't fit or I don't like anymore.


Another day done.  More housework for tomorrow.  Housework. . . the job that never ends.