Happy Thanksgiving

Yep, that is a wild turkey proudly perched up there. It's a good picture to remind everyone that as you are giving thanks for all you have and family, give thanks for the ones who keep your freedom to gather and give thanks to God.
We are all gathering at Mom's house. Kim and I will meet Matt, Chris, Casey, Brooklyn, my sister Deb and her hubby Robert there. There will also be a gathering at my house on friday for some target shooting.
Everyone stay safe and healthy! God Bless Everyone.

Trash to Treasure Day

Once upon a time, many years ago, a friend and I went to Kerrville to see what we could find. In one shop, I discovered an old rolltop desk for $120. The tambour was broken and it was in sad shape, but it was sturdy built and very heavy.
The summer before last, Kim and I installed vertical cut bamboo flooring in most of our house. While the desk was outside, I took the opportunity to redo it. I sanded it down....it looked like Old English scratch cover had been used on the raw wood.....then I primed and painted it. The top was sanded and repaired, then about 6 coats of poly put on it. Then I turned my attention to the old rolltop part. The parts that jutted out were cut off, then the whole thing painted to match the desk.


When we went to mount it, we realized it worked best turned upside down. I drug out some fancy scrollwork shelf mounts I had stashed and called it done.

It is mounted in my computer area and holds my paper, disks, computer books, and all manner of stuff. In the picture above, you can see the plain wood desktop. I am very pleased with the outcome. You can also see the new flooring. We absolutely love it.

Happy Birthday Lucy

Lucy turns 7 today. Happy Birthday Princess.




Lucy's baby picture.

When you live on rock

When you live on rock, doing anything takes longer and more creativity to accomplish it. I had this uploaded in order, but blogger shuffled things.

This is a picture of the finished iron plate bolted to the rock. This happened when Kim decided to put an extension on the carport to house his pickup and welder. He and his dad dug and dug and found edges of this boulder. But when they tried to move the boulder, it didn't.....but the boulder next to it moved. Seeing a hopeless situation, he decided to drill holes in the rock and bolt the pipe post to the rock.

This is the finished extension. The post with the ladder in front of it is the one bolted to the boulder. You can see the surface boulder that moved when they tried to pry up the one under the post. It is the light colored spot on the ground. The rock on the surface is huge, so it astounds me how big the one under the post must be.

This is a closer shot of the iron plate bolted to the boulder. I guess if a tornado came for me, I should hide under the carport and tie myself to this post....cuz it ain't going anywhere!

This pic shows the bolted on plate, and part of the rock that moved when they pried at the other boulder. Told you it was big.

Imagine me trying to garden on this stuff. There are plenty of spots where I have dug for hours, trying to find the end of a rock, hoping to be able to remove it. Only to find it the size of a Volkswagon and trying to figure out how to garden around it or on top of it. In my world, there is no such thing as just digging a flower bed and sticking a plant in.
Also, my house is anchored in this stuff.....don't expect it to go anywhere.
Yesterday I put the flannel sheets and big quilted spread on my bed. Cold weather is officially here now. This weekend I will be dragging out all my winter clothes that is in storage and packing away my warm weather gear.

oops, forgot

I meant to post a pic proving that there really was a dog under the afghan pile on the sofa. Here it is....yep, there was a Beanie Weanie under there. She doesn't just burrow under blankets....she is also burrowing into the family quite snuggly.




I have been busy trying to weed out my sewing room. I have thrown out over 8 bags of stuff and still have a ways to go. I had bought some storage drawers from Target. I put them together the other day, only to find one of them had been packaged with 4 left drawer sides. So, I am waiting for the replacements to be shipped to me so I can get on with the major organization. Right now I am using them to store my yarn stash. If they work out well, I may get more and use them to store other things. I like the clean look of them.
I rummaged through a tote of wool fabrics I had gathered the past few years. I want to use them for felted wool applique projects. Last week I went through them, tossing out any that had had a label saying they weren't wool since most were old skirts and pants. The remainded I put through a hot wash and dry. I tossed out any that didn't show signs of felting. That thinned the herd down a bit. There is a more managable stash now. I have a lot of things like that to go through. Projects that I just stored until I could get to them. Now is the time I am getting to them.
When not doing that, I am knitting away on gifts I hope to have done for Christmas. I get bored easily, so have a lot of things started. Some I can work on while waiting for pages to load up on my slow dial up connection, or while reading mail or blogs. Some I work on in my chair watching tv, one is easier done at the sunroom table in the morning so I can keep the pattern in front of me, and others are easily toted around and get worked on anywhere. I could be dangerous.....I discovered I could knit while driving. This is only possible because I live in a part of the world that has extremely boring, straight roads. I just finished a row I was working on while at the doctor's office and it was just straight stockinette stitch. I wouldn't try a big project or complicated stitches. But it was an intriguing experiment.

This and That

While visiting a friend this summer, I noticed she had a birdcage hanging from a tree in the front yard and birds clustering around and in it. Turns out, she had snipped some bars off the cage, put seed inside, and made it into a birdfeeder. Bingo! I had access to a couple of cages and needed a way to keep the birdseed off the ground where it kept sprouting and making a lot of work. So, the two cages have been a hit. One on the front porch, one on the patio.
Well, a week ago, a cactus wren decided it would make a bang up house. She has been steadily working on the nest since. This pic was taken last week. I need to take another pic this week because she seems determined to fill the cage up with nest!


Before the frost last night, I snipped the last of the roses that were blooming. There were 4 big Belinda's Dreeam and one red Oklahoma. I am enjoying them opening up on my kitchen sink.

It was 30 degrees when the sun peeked enough for me to see the thermometer this morning. It is supposed to get lower tonight.
Lost took an interesting turn tonight. Don't worry Kim....I taped it. Also called Matt to let him know it was coming on. It should prove quite interesting with the new people and story lines. Can't figure out how this just keeps getting better.

First Freeze

We had a cold front blow down today. At 10pm it was still up to 40 degrees, but the wind was much colder. I spent the day bringing in tender plants and trying to find places to put them. The plants I left outside were moved to the backyard against the rock south facing part of the house and covered with blankets.
The cold caused the pets to seek warm spots. The Beanie Weanie picked the afghan on the sofa. I promise, there is a dog under that mound.


Mimi chose the trunk in the south window with the sun shining in. Mouse picked a sunbeam on the floor. Luv was on the rug in the dining room.

Jack chose Kim's recliner.

Missy says......I found a pillow on the floor....and chose to block the door.

Tigger parked on the bed, curled up in a furry wad. I looked, but never found Lucy. Guess she picked a warm hidey hole somewhere. I have a feeling I may have a full bed tonight.

Catching Up

I have had Halloween pictures of the grandies for a couple of weeks and keep forgetting to put them up to show everyone. I had them in order of age, but blogspot decided to shuffle them differently. So, on with the show.
First is Brooklyn, the strawberry. I knit the little cap which Casey and Chris attached leaves to. She looks yummy enough to eat.


Next is Princess Autumn. I am sure she is a certain princess...but I wasn't told which one.

Then there is Hannah Cat in the Hat. Notice the missing front tooth. They had lots of fun and got lots of goodies.


Today I went to visit Dr Di for the results of my bloodtests. My liver panel is back to normal now. I don't want to go on cholesterol meds to mess things up again. One time in the hospital for that was more than enough for me. Di didn't like the high cholesterol numbers until I had her compare it to the ones taken in August. Then she understood my happiness that it had gone down. It is still high, but so much better than it was. I have been getting a suppliment from my chiropractor that has factored tremendously in the numbers being down. But Di talked me into a med that doesn't go through the liver to eliminate cholesterol. It is supposed to bind it in the intestines before it makes it into your bloodstream and into the liver. I am going to try it for a month or so and see what happens. I have blood work done again in January. So we'll see.
After the doc visit, I went to my chiropractor to pick up the suppliments I take that has turned my world around with FMS. He found out that if he ordered it at a professional discount, he could pass it on to me. So now I order from him and it is cheaper. While there, I told him about my headaches that start at my neck and split my head. He adjusted my neck, then went on down my spine while he was there. It was like wrangling a wad of the popping packaging. But I can't tell you how much better I feel this evening.
While at Dr Di's, I got a pneumonia shot. That along with the flu shot I got last week should keep me on my feet this winter.
Okay, meds are hitting and it is 1am....so off to bed.

Trash to Treasure

I promised a friend months ago that I would post a picture of my chicken feeders. Sorry it took so long, Sam. I dug around in the Saddlehouse one afternoon and found some old chicken feeders. The short one was perfect for holding spices. So, I spray painted it blue, then hit it with a spritz of cream and screwed it to the wall. It has worked out wonderfully and goes nicely with my kitchen chickens.


Then there was the very long feeder. It had a screening on top of it that really didn't work, so I took it off. I spray painted this one almond and mounted it beside my bathroom sink.. It works great for perfumes, nail polishes, lotions and potions. Below it is some cute painted tin containers I bought at our local rodeo/craft days. I painted an old wood tray, decopaged some pretty fabric on the bottom and it corrals my most used things. The hatbox on the far right holds scented soaps.

This isn't a trash to treasure. It is a little cardigan I knitted for Brooklyn. It is the Haiku pattern from knitty.com. I used regular old Lily Sugar and Cream cotton yarn. It was a quick knit. I used some buttons from my late grandmothers stash. Casey said it fits just fine. When I finished it, I tossed it in the washer and dryer to make sure it was wash and wear. Turned out great.

It wanted to throttle a dog this evening. Jack cornered Arnie the armadillo under the Truck Farm. The constant barking was driving me nuts. I could tell by his bark that it was Arnie. I grabbed my flashlight and headed out in the backyard. On the way by the faucet, I grabbed the hose and turned the water on. Jack got a good spraying and quit for a while. But as soon as I came back in the house, he started back up. So I went back out. This time I chased him around a bit to let him know I meant business. Well that did the trick, except that he came in and plopped down under my chair to lick the water off of himself. He needs a bath badly as it is.....but wet dog was very unpleasant. Guess dog baths needs to be added to the long list.
Tomorrow I have to start getting plants inside, and the rest of them ready for the possiblity of our first killing frost. This means that my new cart will get a good workout. I am so very pleased with my new cart. Thanks Cheree!!!!!
Okay, off to bed. Have to get going early tomorrow. Have an appointment with Dr. Di to get my bloodwork results.

Meet the new girl

Meet Miss Beanie Weanie. Her real name is Roxie, but she doesn't seem to respond well to that name. When I came up with Beanie Weanie, she acts like she likes it. Since he is part dachsie and part chihuahua....and the color of red beans, the name just came to me one day. She is quite affectionate and gets along well with the other dogs. She supposedly lives with Mimi, but they really live at my house. She has one bad habit, besides housebreaking....when she gets cold, she burrows. Most of the time, that is under the afghan on the sofa. But at night, she jumps on a bed and burrows under the covers. It amazes me that she can jump up on my high bed that none of the other dogs can. Maybe I should knit her a little sweater. She also likes to talk. I already have a dog that talks, so it can get quite vocal around here when something exciting happens and everyone has something to say about it.

Sounds like me

Your Birthdate: January 4

You have an extraordinary character - moral, responsible, and disciplined.Your sincerely and honesty shine through in almost every situation.Driven and focused, you rarely let your emotions get the better of you.You're level headed and rational. People count on your to look at things objectively. Your strength: Your unwavering loyalty and ethics Your weakness: Your rock solid stubbornness Your power color: Navy blue Your power symbol: Shield Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

I guess being a January 4th baby ain't so bad!

Not for the weak of stomach

Consider yourself warned! The following picture could cause moans of stomach upset, or uncontrollable gails of laughter (Chris). This is the picture of me in my pink kitty hat and riding goggles. Now if Kim doesn't like the goggles....then maybe he will gift me with Lasik surgery. My sincere apologies for the Permian Panther sweatshirt. I bought it as a joke and never meant for it to be for public viewing.
And no....I didn't go out riding in that get up. My dear husband's total embarrassment is cause for me to be sweet and not humiliate him in public.
So, there you have it.....the ultimate riding gear. And don't say you weren't warned!

Finally an update

My apologies to my readers. There has been so much going on and my brain is drained by evening, so haven't had the energy to post. But had to put up a pic or two of last weekend. Kim finally got to meet Casey and Brooklyn. This is a picture of Kim and Brooklyn in my Mom's backyard, hunting flowers. They got along quite well. But then, Kim gets along with babies anytime.
And here is Casey and Chris after they realized Mom was taking pictures of them smooching in the backyard. The girls also got to meet Matt and be regaled with stories from the oilfield by Kim. I think everyone had a good time and we are all looking forward to Casey and Brooklyn joining the family. In fact, Chris just got a job in San Antonio and will be moving in with Casey in a couple of weeks.
In other news....we had a warm spell. It is supposed to be fall, but we have been nearly 90 for the past week. A cool front blew in last night and made it pleasant today. I have two vases of mums that I brought in the house. A couple of years ago, I planted a purple mum plant. It hides behind the Mexican Petunia's, so I have to remember to hunt for them when bloom time comes. But as a result of competing for sun....they end up with nice long stems.
I have been weeding through my sewing room the past week. I think there has been over 8 sacks of stuff thrown out. I am starting to see some order taking place in there. It's going to get rough going when it gets down to having to finish some projects to get the room clean.
Kim won't be going to Russia after all. He needs to stay where he can be gotten hold of at least by cell phone and there is no phone or internet access on the job site there. So on Sunday he heads to a job in East Texas.
Meanwhile, I have been knitting away. Working on a couple of gifts, so can't detail them out here. Just hope they work out as it is something I have never done before. I have been really expanding my knowledge in knitting lately.
I haven't been sleeping very well lately,so I am off for a nap. Maybe I will post some pet pictures later. We have a new neighbor dog that I call Beanie Weanie. I got a picture of her the other day so will put that one up.