Working on Christmas Tags - And Sunday Musings

Today's Playtime - ink, stencils, paints

The challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Blog is to make a Christmas Tag. I am waiting for these babies to dry so I can add more layers and turn them into fun projects. The top two I used paint with the stencil.  It spreads underneath.  the bottom four I used ink instead of paint over the stencils.  

 We had our first snow this morning, so transitioning into Christmas seemed just fine.  However, I will go back to my Thanksgiving projects.  Geeze.  Less than 3 weeks! This is when time zooms by.

Anyway, I meant to have more crafty time but have been sidetracked by so many other things this weekend.

Leaf Patrol
Cooking.  Cooking. Cooking.
More Leaf Patrol
And some funky cleaning. You know, that out of the ordinary stuff that doesn't get done often, like cleaning the kitchen utensil container that sits on the counter, wiping down the entry way door, replacing the scentsy burner wax, putting out Thanksgiving stuff, and taking down Halloween stuff.

Back to the cooking. You would think, with no one else at home, I would give up on the cooking thing, but alas, it is my weekend habit to food prep for the week.

Here is what I made:
Yesterday: Egg, spinach and mushroom casserole.  Yum.  Two breakfasts so far.
Today: Oatmeal - to go with over easy eggs for my breakfast that I take to work. I made the mistake of making a beautiful bowl this am with some of my frozen raspberries and bananas.  Then I ruined it by putting honey (from one of those sticks) on it.  It tasted horrible. A weird flavor.  Darn waste of precious raspberries!
Yesterday: Cooked up two spaghetti squash, cleaned out the goods, and froze most of it.
Yesterday: Cooked up spaghetti sauce with ground turkey to go with the squash.  Which was last night's dinner. Froze most of it.
Today: Cooked up potato and bacon soup - soon to go in the freezer as well. This was today's lunch.

 And, at least there is stuff in the freezer for 'I don't want to cook' nights.
 
Thanks for stopping by. 

Super Moon Set - And Thoughts.

For some reason I popped out of bed around 4:30 am, went to start my dishes and coffee routine,  and while standing in front of the kitchen window, I saw the moon. There it was.  Just getting ready to set. I wish I could of captured the sight I saw in that perfect moment.  Right above the mountains, but here is what I was able to get.  I grabbed my camera and caught these few shots before it went to bed.  I felt lucky to start my day this way.  You can click on the photos to make them bigger.  I think my lense was fogging up from going from the nice warm house out into the 32 degree cold.

Thoughts on this week: 
The low lights: 
First there was the time change - which really messed me up - even though I am a morning person.  The only thing I can figure is I have this habit of waking around 2 or 3 am, and usually I go back to bed, and wake at 5.  This week? I just stayed up. I was off. Then the election results which truly were a shock.  Like an unexpected death.  This was followed by ugly words of others on social media, protests, fear and violence.  Then? The death of Leonard Cohen and his song Hallelujah played over and over, with the best (and very emotional) version being sung last night on Saturday Night Live (btw the Shrek version plays on repeat in my head).  

It didn't end there.  On Friday morning I contacted a local dealership via their website, even 'chatted' with someone about a car I wanted to test drive.  I never heard a word via the phone or email.  I am guessing I spoke with an autobot of some sort. But crap!  I filled out an inquiry sheet with all my info and sent it!  I feel like I am selling myself my own car with the effort I am taking versus the effort the salesmen are taking.  There are three cars that I 'see' between two dealerships.  Are they making the effort?  Hell no. This really pisses me off. I mean, the cars are in the 20 to 30 thousand range. Come on, put some work into this!  I feel like I just need to show up, ask for the keys, drive the car, and collect the commission myself.

And then.... I tried calling my mother, my birth mother, yesterday.  I called at a decent hour. Ten am.  Her birthday is Monday.  I sent two gifts to her, and I wanted to give her a heads up they were on their way, and personally wish her a happy birthday.  I left a message with her roommate.  I never heard back from her.  I am hoping it's because he forgot.  Not that she is blowing me off. This is that back and forth thing we do.  Its frustrating.  Its heart breaking (what she is enduring in this stage of her cancer).  I try to let it go. I try to be understanding and forgiving.  I do try.

And.... then?  My landlord texted last night.  Nice head's up, eh? Well, 4:30 pm.  He said he was coming over today, Sunday, at 8 am or 9 am to work on the eaves.  First.  Why the eaves?  Why not the electrical issue I reported months ago?  Or the roof that has about 10 or so missing shingles?  No Shit. Eaves.  He is coming today, on Sunday. My 'stay at home' in my jammies day.  Not any of my workdays, Monday through Friday when I am gone 12 hours of the day.  Pisses me off.  Only because I am very protective of my personal time. It's 8:30 am right now.  I am doing my own little protest.  I am still in my jammies and refuse to accommodate the poor planning of others.  

So that was the majority of the Super Moon shift. 

Now for the highlights:
My daughter sent a 'GUESS WHAT' text during the week.  It appears she has more scholarship money than she thought, and her expenses have been reduced dramatically.
Hallelujah. 
Friday was a beautiful, warm, sunny, magnificent day.  I stayed home and worked in the yard.  Hallelujah. 
Saturday?  A little more sunshine and beauty.  A little more yard work and a whole lot of craft time and book time (A Man Called Ove).
Hallelujah.
This morning?  A very sweet love note from my man.  Very sweet!
Hallelujah.
And, an 'I love you' from my son on his way out the door at 7am.
Hallelujah.
And of course, that beautiful moon.  Just sitting there.  On top of the mountain ridge.  Before setting.
Hallelujah.

Sigh... Peace.  Peace to us all.

Sunday Musings, September 12, 2015.

Monday's hike to the top of Coyote Peak

Eagle Caps Behind Me - Monday Hike

Waiting Room Find-  During Tuesday's Girly Doc Visit  (still recovering)

Rosie In the Window One Fine Evening

Now We Are Three People With  Three Gas Guzzling 4WD Rigs - Needed in this Country

Flowers From My Guy - With a great 45 Day Countdown love note

Fall Decor

More Fall Decor

And, Yes, More Fall Decor!

Loving This View - September 11th

Feeling Blessed to Have This View - September 11th

Attended A Wedding On Saturday - 9/12

Closer Look At My Flowers.  Love the Larkspur. Love the asters or mums.  Yes, Love it all.

Creepy Guy Hitting the Road. Yes, I feel like the crazy neighbor lady looking between the shades!

Part 1 of Thursday Night's Shenanigans

Thank God it's Sunday.
I am still in my jammies.  And it is close to 2pm.  It was a busy, action filled work week.  Lots of meetings and then two big events Thursday night. After logging an 11 hour work day, I rushed home to change and took off again to get to town to attend a fundraiser event. Oy.  I got home at 11:30 pm and was wired from the combo of iced tea slugged earlier in the evening (which spilled in my tote bag on the way home - don't ask.  I was packing up our booth and stashed it so I could have two hands to carry crap), along with 2 very tasty celebratory beers, and being wired from listening/dancing to great music.  Thank you Channel Cats and Addeson Collard.

Needless to say, I hit the wall Friday - plus I was hurting from a lunch hour PIYO class I took also on Thursday (it was a rough day!), and still hurting from Tuesday's doc visit.

This too shall pass. 

Saturday I took Sami to La Grande to shop for things her Dad just can't buy; like a trip to the beauty section of a store, skirt shopping for an upcoming FFA trip to Lousville, KY and Nashville, TN (yes, you heard that right) and then trips to the Farmers Market, and Starbucks (yes, more sugar). After returning home for a quick nap, I hit the road at 2pm for an outdoor wedding. Which did not start until close to 5pm.  We were sitting out in the 90 degree or more heat.  Alas. Sun went down, DJ fired up the tunes, and after celebrating until what felt like midnight, but was only 9:30 pm, I got home late, again. The wedding was an hour from my home. 

So here I am.  In my jammies.  Which really means I am too lazy to take a shower but still motivated enough to do chores and get things done. 

Here's the things done list:

1. Vacuumed four years worth of dust bunnies from under and behind the refrigerator.  GROSS!
2. Currently on my fourth load of laundry.  Had to run Sami's towel through a vinegar wash 2x.  Stanky.
3. Fixed a wonky curtain rod - thank you youtube video for drywall anchor screw stuff! 
4. Speaking of laundry, tried washing her soccer shoes 2x yesterday.  She left them in her gym bag after the rainy soccer game. the smell of her gym back - which also got washed, curled my nose hairs on Wednesday night.  Need to do the vinegar trick on her soccer shoes, too.
5. Cleaned out the vacuum dirt chamber and filter.  Outside.
6. Watering the lawn in various spots - when I noticed a creepy guy walking behind my house.
7. Spot cleaned the kitchen floor
8. Cleaned the dust and crevices off the bathroom cabinet doors
9. Made a pot of chili - and ate chili for breakfast
10. Found lots of fun 'salad in a mason jar' recipes to try this week
11. Got lost in inspiration blog land - hence the mason jar recipes
12. Stalked creepy guy for about an hour or so - also called the landlord and neighborhood watch lady to give them a recap of my surveillance heads up.  He walked across my 'lot' area to the neighbors (young couple who have been suspected of growing pot in their home and have all sorts of strange people hanging with them)  and sat on the bumper of their camper while he just hung out.  Neighbors never came out.  I suspect they aren't home.  Don't know if he knows the neighbors or what.  Obviously a transient.  Backpack and on foot.  But he left.  Hopefully for good.

So, rest of the day?  Hope to cram in some crafty time.  Along with a trip to Phil's to check on sassy cat, and maybe, a bike ride. 

But a nap really sounds good!

Happy Sunday to all of you.