Healthy Choices 07/02/2009

Good morning all! It's been a very early morning for me today. Think I drank my last Diet Coke too close to bedtime.    Did not sleep well at all.

Today is going to be an interesting day.   I'm going out to the pony farm & help with some little 3-4 year olds coming out to see the ponies.    I think they're going to harness up a couple to give them a ride in a wagon and show them how to groom them & clean hooves.    We just had our 3rd baby born on Monday morning.    This one is going to take after her mommy, long legs.   We now have a Dolly, a Jammer and a Princess.    Dolly's mommy is named Molly,   Jammer's mommy is Strawberry, and Princess's mom is Queenie.   All 3 are excellent mommy's.   This last one is so friendly, she even let people hug her the first day she was here.   The other 2 are much smaller and Dolly is just a living doll.  

Viny, glad to see you check in.   How are your berrie plants growing?   Keep away from that fence, it's not for you to get zapped with.... 

Hope you all have a great weekend.    We hope the weather cooperates so we can ride the motorcycle to an airport about an hour from here for breakfast.   We do it every year we can...

Till later!    Pat A

Good morning Viny, Pat and all .

It's going to be in the 90s again today so will get my outside stuff started soon.  I'm a bit late this morning, as far as going out because, although we aren't allowed to do open burning now, the neighbors lit a pile of stuff on fire and since there is now wind to blow it away, it's hovering over top of us.  And, the orchard guys are spraying right by the house.  I've already had to use my inhaler this morning so don't want to spend too much time out there right now. 

For those of you who don't live in an orchard, let me tell you how they keep the birds out of the trees.  They have propane bottles that they set to go off and it sounds like a gun shot.  These go off all day long.  Well, someone forgot about them I guess because they went off all night long too .  I can tell you from listening experience that they go off every 2 min.  That is according to the digital clock by my bed. 

Maureen, yes, I did say I was done at 3.  I figured a 10 hr. shift was enough.  Of course, I wasn't actually "Done".  It was only wishful thinking.  But I didn't do much more work outside.

Viny, I know you are enjoying your vacation.  Doesn't it make you want to retire and do this all the time ?

Pat, I can just imagine how much fun it is with the horses.  I know the kids will be excited.   Have fun !

Ok gang, I'm getting off here.  I hope to be back later.

Good morning all.

Viny, I guess that fence shocked a "dear" instead of a "deer", LOL At least it seems to be working.

Pat, those ponies sound adorable. I'm sure the kids will love them. I had trouble sleeping too, woke up about 2 or 3am with a headache, got up & took Tylenol, finally fell asleep around 4:30 and overslept until 6:35am, yikes! I would love to go back to bed, or leave work and see the ponies!

I am mailing shut off letters (925 of them) today and turn off is 7/14/09. I hope it isn't a bad one. The letters have to be stuffed by hand which takes hours so I'll be busy today. We hope to leave tonight for Wis, I hope it doesn't rain Saturday.

Got to go, have a good day, Sue

Barb, Hi! You snuck that post in there. We used to go to a blueberry farm that also had those things that sound like a gunshot to keep the birds away. Kind of startling when you first hear it. I miss going there, DH and I have to take a day off to go or go on Saturday when it is so crowded.

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday was a long day, but a fun one.  Gabi seemed to feel better as the day went on and when we went to pick up the boys, after their field trip, I just unpluged my crock pot full of chili, packed it up with the bread for dipping  and the cheese and Fritos to sprinkle on top, and took it with me and plugged it at their house.  The boys loved the chili with shredded cheddar  and crunched up Fritos on top of it, so I left all of the left overs there for Ken and them to finish.

Adam and Dominic carry their Dad's old cell phones with them, they aren't in service, but they like to have them anyway.  LOL   The camera works on Donminic's phone, so, Dominic took pictures of their ice skating field trip, on the cell phone to bring home to show evryone.  What a good idea.  lol  He took a picture of Adam ice skating and pictures of othr friends that I don't know from summer camp.  I wish there was some way for him to save the pictures, they were so cute.

We ended up at the baseball game, that wasn't rained out after all.  It was a really cold night, but the kids didn't seem to mind at all.  This was the last game of the season and the last time up at bat, Dominic hit a single, so got on base, Adam was walked, so they ended up on 1st and 2nd, when the next batter hit a long one and they both came sliding into home plate,  Adam on top of Dominic.  LOL  It was a fun way for them to end the season and I'm so glad we were there to see it. It was Dairy Queen night for the team, so we said our goodbyes and went  home to warm up with a cup of hot tea.  brrrrrr

Viny, hope hour hip is better for all the fun ahead for you on the 4th.     I know you'll be playing all weekend with the GKs., so be careful on that trampoline, now.  LOL

Pat, those mini horses sound so cute.  I told Gabi about them, and she asked if any of them were Falabella Miniatures.  I asked her what she does all day at Horseback riding camp and she said half the day is spent with riding lessons, the other half is  cleaning out the stables, and grooming the horses.  The second half of the day doesn't sound like great fun to me, but I guess she loves it. lol She spends about two weeks there in the summer, at  day camp.    I'm sure the kids will have a great time with you this afternoon.  Those little newvborns sound so adorable.

Barb, what a night that must have been for you........every two minutes!   Hope you can catch up on some rest today.   I didn't remember that you used an inhaler.  Be careful with that smoke hovering in the air and no real wind to blow it away.  Hopefully a nice breeze will come in and clear that up for you.

Sue, good luck with turn off day.  Sorry to hear you had a bad night too.  It must be in the air.  I was up again last night with shoulder pain and couldn't sleep either.  Do you sleep better when you're away for the weekend?  Enjoy your weekend in Wis. We're supposed to have sunny, warm  weather for Friday and Saturday, so hopecully you'll be having nice weather too.We usually end up getting what you have.

Well, lots to do.  Mom is coming back after all.  LOL  She's spending the night here Friday and we're taking her to Dsis's for her 4th of July party on Saturday.  I'm trying to think of someplace she would like to go to for dinnr on Friday. I have things to get ready for Saturday's party, won't have to cook and I know Mom loves going out to eat. 

Hope everyone has a nice day today.  We're having another wet and cold one.  I can't wait till it warms up a little.  Take care and God bless. Jo Ann

Good morning everyone.  Up and out early to take Molly for her annual check-up and get her scheduled for teeth cleaning...her teeth are nasty...she won't let me brush them.  She also has a little skin tag under her eye that the vet will clip off while she's asleep for her teeth cleaning.  She wasn't a happy camper...she does not like to go to the vet....and he's the nicest fellow (cute too!) but Molly just ignores him.

Brought her home and went out for breakfast at Jo Lynn's mon's favorite place...IHOP.  Had those yummy harvest grain pancakes along with eggs and bacon....I should be good til dinnertime.

The ever present laundry is calling my name again so I'd better get on it.  I'll be back later.  Did anyone call and check on Marti?

Maureen, I know you all are glad Kim's ordeal is nearly over.  I hope Rog buys her out....if not and they sell the house, it sounds like there is much to be done to get it ready for the market...and I'd be willing to bet he won't want to pay nor will he make the repairs himself in a timely manner....I can see this part dragging on and on.  Keeping  you all in my prayers.

OK...off to be busy.

vammie

HI Viny...nice to have you pop in.  Find some time to rest....y'hear??

Good morning....

Viny, its good to see you pop in this morning. Did you ever get your skunk problem taken care of? I hope you don’t wear the gks out too much this weekend.

Jo Ann, it sounds like you had a great day yesterday. What a good ending for the boys’ baseball season and one they (and you) will remember for a long time. Last weekend must not have been too bad for your mom since she decided to come back again this weekend. Is she staying both Friday and Saturday nights? I hope the weather is good for your dsis’ pool party.

Sue, I’m sure you will be glad to get to WI and enjoy a nice, quiet long weekend. It sounds like a lot of letters to have to stuff by hand. Do you have any help when you do it? Or, is a one-person job? Did you have time to get your nails done before you leave?

PatA, I know you are so looking forward to going out and being with the ponies today. It will be fun to hear what the children’s reactions to them are. I was wondering the other day if you and your Dh still rode your motorcycle. I hope the weather cooperates so that you can go for your ride.

Verna, the next time I take dm to IHOP and I’m going to try those pancakes. Do you have any special plans for the 4^th? No, I didn’t get Marti called yesterday; hopefully, today I will have a chance. I had to make some food for the funeral when I got home from work last night.

Maureen, I got your email. I hope and pray that things work out for Kim & Ava. I know you are not looking forward to the situation but, as you say, if you set the ground rules out before, things should be okay. You are right about needing your own space.

Barb, at least you know that the shots you heard were cannons - the night before last, I heard shots, too. Only these shots were from a real gun! The neighbors have been having trouble with racoons and he was trying to scare them off by shooting into the air. Of course, we sleep with our windows open and I was laying in bed reading when I heard them (Dh, of course, slept right through it). At first I was a little concerned because usually their dog barks whenever they are having trouble with critters; but, this time she didn’t. What are you fixing for the 4^th when the kids come over?

Well gang, I must get back to work; I have to take some time off this afternoon to go to a funeral. A good friend of the family who used to be our banker and is still one of our landlords passed away over the weekend.

Until later...

Time for a break and to do a little catching up on old posts. 

Verna, your breakfast makes me hungry for bacon and eggs.  I think I'll treat us to that this weekend some time.  My cholesterol is high and I don't indulge in that too often, but if I could, would eat it evry day.  lol  DH wouldn't mind, as long as he could have his oatmeal too.

I'm devoting most of the day to the, ever present,  laundry too.  There are those things that I put aside and never get to, well, today's the day to include those.  I have a load of towels to dry right now, after that jeans, and then the table cloth and napkins that have been waiting for a long time,  and if I still have time I have a blanket that's also in the "on hold" bin. 

Maureen, it's almost at an end or hopefully, for Kim and Ava a new beginning.  I'm sure things will work out temporarily with the new living arrangements.  It won't be easy or ideal for anyone, but knowing you, and from what I know about Kim, evreryone will work things out well.  How thankful Kim must be to have you and DH there for her and Ava right now.  Keeping all of you in my prayers and especially Kim that it is settled fairly for her and Ava and soon.

JoLynn, you must be right about Mom.  lol  I can just hear her now, saying, "I'mmm....... baaaacckk.......", when she walks in.  LOL   We'll see if she wants to stay both nights, but she's usually ready for the comforts of her own home after one night.  If the weather forecast is correct, and who knows when it will be, we should have a nice day tomorrow and also on Saturday. 

Well, time to get the towels into the dryer. ....Jo Ann

Hi!   I was reading the posts and hearing the thunder getting louder and louder.   I think it's telling me something.   We are in for a round of rain this afternoon, but it's not cool - somewhere in the 80's, supposed to go to 90, but don't think it will make it.

Getting darker, so I will have to return later.

Back again.  It's too hot to be outside now.  DD and Heather wanted me to go to a movie with them but I decided to stay home where it's cool.

So, what did I do outside this morning ?  I painted.  DH has decided we are going to paint the house.  He is starting with the railing on the deck.  It has always just had clear stain on it but now he wants it painted.  So we are painting it kind of an almond color....the same as the new screen.  Mind you, we haven't picked out the color for the house  and no one starts with the railings but....he is a different breed of horse, for sure.  Anyway, he started putting primer on yesterday....and somehow, he conned me into it this morning.  The next thing I know, he's off to town to get a haircut !!   There's no doubt in my mind that he is management material. 

It soon got much too hot for that job so I came inside.

My neighbor is gone for 3 weeks and brought over a couple plants for me to care for while she is gone.  One I am worried about.  It's a lemon tree that she's had for years.  It needs lots of sun but no wind so I've been moving it around on the deck.  I noticed the leaves are turning yellow and dropping off so I'm thinking she is overwatering it.  Last time I took care of it at her house and I will go over and water her flowers there but not daily.  I hope I don't kill the things she brought here. 

Jo Lynn, for the 4th I think I'll make that cornbread salad.  I can only make it when there is a group because it makes so much.  And we are having Brats and Burgers. We usually have potato salad but we had that last time they were all here.   I have watermelon and will get some other kind of fruit.  DD wanted to know what to bring and I may just have her pick up some pound cake and serve strawberries with that. 

It's way too hot to bake.  It will be close to 100 for the next few days and then we cool back down.  That's why I love the NW.  We get very little really hot weather and it only lasts a few days and then we cool down and may even get a bit of rain. 

Jo Anne, I do use an inhaler.  Not often.  But this last week I've had to use it a couple times.  I guess from  all the spraying and stuff they are doing around here. It's crazy about those inhalers.  I used to get Albuterol.  It was cheap as I remember.  I so seldom use it that one last forever.  Anyway, they have changed it and raised the price way up.  They decided that whatever was in the Albuterol is not good for the environment so they took that part out and raised the price and it doesn't work nearly as well.  And, it just seems strange to think that stuff might harm air quality.  What about my lungs ??? 

Sue, we have blueberries in our flower bed.  Lots of people around here grow them.  But I want some raspberries and I told my DH I'm planting some.  I used to have them and then it seems we had so many and couldn't get anyone to take them so he tore the bushes out .   A friend of ours has some so I will get starts from him.  I had the best Rasp. freezer Jam at a resturaunt a couple months ago.  We met DH's aunt who was visiting form Mt. for breakfast in a town about 45 min. from here.  We ate at this little local place and they had homemade freezer jam.  That was the best jam I've had in a long time.  So now I want to make some.  I see signs up all over so guess I'll stop and get some if they last until next week. 

Verna, I brush these pups teeth and they are pretty good about it but I forget and only do it about once a week.  Zoe's teeth look  better than Rosie's. 

I'm doing laundry again too.  I have been hanging it out on the line.  It dries almost immediately. 

Maureen, I hope your storm wasn't too bad.  I was thinking about Rog doing repairs....if I remember right, it was you and Richard who did most of the stuff at their house when he and Kim bought it.  You should send him a bill .  

Well, back to my laundry.

Good evening all!   It's been a wonderful day off today.   Got out to my friend's house, met up with his friends daughter, Jennifer, she's about 13 now.   I took her some donuts, as I promised and she enjoyed them all morning.   Thought a pony or 2 might just rip them out of her hand but she kept them away from them.

There were about 6, four year old kids that came off the little bus.   One little girl was scared to death, she was trembling and hanging onto the aids hands..  The aid thought the girl was going to start bawling, but didin't.    They fed carrots to some of the ponies, brushed one other one.   Even the little scared girl finally brushed the pony and loved it.   They had a ride in a cart, pulled by 2 ponys, Buster & Custer.  The little girl did go on the last ride but not the first one.   It was a good day for all of them.   One little guy did get his hand nipped while feeding a carrot but NO tears or blood.   Jennifer & I had a surprise while we were feeding carrots this morning.   Nancy had a new colt hidden in a corner.    She was dry so she'd been born for awhile.   Nice little girl that let us pet on her and mommy was wonderful to us and all we did with her.   The kids loved it that we had such a new one.   Wayne got Dolly ( born a couple weeks ago) out & let the kids touch her.   Glad I went.

Got a haircut this afternoon, I needed it.   Went to Aldi's for veggies & fruit afterward.   And tonight I cooked up pork country ribs to mix with sauerkraut & potatoes tomorrow or Sat.

No big plans for the weekend.   May go out to Waynes to see how the hitch looks.   He's driving a hitch & wagon with 6 miniatures at the Milwaukee Circus Parade on July 11th.   I can't go as I'm working on Saturdays but hope they take some pictures...

Sleep tight everyone!    Pat A