Birthday Party and......

 Sunday was the twins 4th birthday party!! And boy was it a party!! Look at the slide and bouncy unit!! (I can never remember what they call them!!) There were kids galore!! So many friends and family!! There were friends, grandmothers, grandfathers, and great grandmothers...aunts and uncles and cousins!! Oh my what a wonderful time everyone was having!! 

 

Did I mention clowns?? Oh yes, there were clowns...they were so fun! They made so many hats, flowers (for us great grandmothers), swords for the boys and little doggies!!

 

There was an amazing lunch!! Their daddy smoked chicken the day/night before. And mommy made salads and cupcakes that she frosted so pretty. Plus there were other treats!! They had punch, it was really good, I think it might have had some ice cream in it. Yummm

       

 

I used to think I was the only one who had a birthday in January...but I noticed that some of the families had to leave to attend other parties! Here was Lorelai ready to head out to go to her friend Mason's party. I'm sure they were all ready for bed when they got home that night.. (I know I was tired, just from watching them....lol)

 

Today I had to go to the foot doctor and get my toenails cut. My original appointment was 3 weeks ago! First the weather was pretty nasty and I chose not to get out in it. My next appointment the following week, we had a snow storm!!!! Then a week later, it was canceled due to the ice storm.. I told them they probably didn't want to make an appointment again for me...lol But they did and today was very nice (for January). Randy took me and we got lots of things done. Other than my feet, one of the most important things was getting some more bird seed! It was on sale, so I stocked up on it!! The other thing was getting Rusty some dog food. Then guess what, when I got home there was a $5 off coupon from Petco in the mail for his food! Uggggg.. It is good till March 5th so I'll note that in my calendar and set a reminder to use it!! Do you ever have that happen to you??? Sometimes a person can go back to the store and get the coupon amount taken off. I've done that too...

 

Time for bed...must try to get up early tomorrow..

A New Day A New Year

 

How are your 'new' days?? I was texting my friend in Pennsylvania on New Years Day and she said the sun was up out there. While we were sitting in the dark here in the Midwest. Finally, I told her I had to go and get a picture of the first sunrise of 2015!! I thought it was pretty as the sun was rising, you could still see the house lights along with the Christmas lights..smile.. 

 

 

I tried to capture a different photo as the sun rose on 2015! Beautiful day!!

 

This has been a busy weekend. We made Chicken noodle soup and vegetable soup. I will be putting the recipes up for all the stuff we made. It all tasted so good!! Today I froze lots of those soups! It will be nice to have them available on days when we don't want to cook! smile.. (or go to the Senior Center..lol)  However, the banana crunch muffins went over so well that there wasn't any left to freeze...smile...

 

 

Don't they look yummy?? Well, they are. I found this recipe on line. (I put this recipe on my recipe page! You should try it if you ever have extra bananas!) It's so easy, I've been trying to make these for several days. First time I tried, my eggs weren't any good. (bummer) Friday, we bought some and made them yesterday.

 

Friday, we did lots of running around. Tom got his hair cut, we stopped at Taco Johns and had a taco, (I had a coupon to get one free!!) Then to Petco, we had gotten Rusty some (recommended) kangaroo jerky which he had a terrible time chewing and swallowing...so they always give you your money or in store credit back. (whether they have eaten some of them or not!), then to a store to replenish our paper goods and then the grocery store (which were in the same shopping center.) It was a little chilly (temps in the 30's), but I told Tom instead of him getting my scooter out and back in and back out, I'd just 'scoot' down the sidewalks (a little over a block) and he could meet me there. Well, it turned out it was pretty chilly... but I survived...lol Oh, and I got my drivers license renewed for another 4 years. (I didn't realize how busy they would be!) I had 11 people ahead of me...when it was finally my turn, the girl was so nice and yet she had been under pressure all day. She said it had been non stop all day and was going to be that way the next day! (Poor thing...)

 

We woke to the sound of scraping outside our window in our driveway this morning. We have someone doing our snow removal this year. And our temperatures were deadly cold! Bad temps and high winds produce terrible wind chills. And tomorrow we're suppose to get more snow (4-6" inches...sad..) and high winds again. I'm not looking forward to this kind of weather. But I guess it is winter in Iowa...smile..

 

Hope you're having some nice weather and not sharing ours..smile.. 

 

Busy Day and Surgery Went Well

 

Brenda's surgery went well this morning. (Thank you for your prayers)  The girls were there with her and are keeping her comfortable tonight.  They are so sweet.

 

(I have a picture of her waiting to go into surgery with the girls, but I couldn't seem to be able to post it!! Eeeeks... computers!)

 

 

We headed out this morning to run some errands and get some groceries for Tom's sister. First thing we saw...was a turkey meandering across the street. Well, this little guy was stuck on the other side of the fence. He was trying to run away from us. ha..ha...

 

When I saw the price of gas, I said to Tom, I think we need to fill up!! smile.. I was talking to my son on the phone and told him we were getting gas as it was only $2.29, he said 'sure...I just filled up yesterday!'  That is usually how it goes!!

 

 

Funny, we stopped at the bank to get some money  for gifts. I asked them if they had the money holders to go with the money. She graciously said, 'yes, she'd get some for me.' smile... [Why buy those envelopes when you can get them 'free'?] As we were waiting for her to return, I noticed a letter posted on their window. I assumed it was a message that would say, " We close  Christmas Eve at a certain time." But NO it said, we're having our Christmas  Open House December 12th from 9 till 4. I looked at my phone and 'yes' it was December 12th and the time frame was right!!! So I asked her about it and she said come on in and have some treats. Of course we went in. Look at all these goodies! The lime punch was really yummy!!! And of course all those cookies and treats were hard to choose from. They also had a drawing for a box of candy.  Plus there were calendar give aways!

 

Then we had a couple other stops before heading to the grocery store!! It was warm (temperature wise) but really over cast. The store was busy, but we did get to visit with a couple people we knew. Seems you always see someone you know. (I love it!) Have you ever shopped for two people at one time??? I kind of knew what I wanted, and went off of her list. There were things that I didn't know what they were. ha...ha.. So just guessed... I figured we could always take them back. Then there is the 'check out'....this is ours...that is hers....finally, I thought forget about it.. I believe we got them divided properly.

 

It felt so good when we got home, put everything away and settled in. I sat here and watched another Christmas Hallmark  movie!!!! I will do dishes and clean up the kitchen tomorrow!!

Beautiful Sunrise.



 

 

When we got up early this morning, I noticed the sun was just rising! I went in and grabbed my camera and took several shots. smile.. I guess what made it so pretty was the way the light bounced off the clouds so beautifully.

 

 

Even though I had taken my shot last night, I was feeling really good today! Yeah!! We had a few errands to run, then did some shopping. Now, the Dollar Store didn't have hardly anyone in there, but the grocery store was full!!! I thought where have all these people come from..lol However, everyone was very courteous. I was sitting there trying to decide which Ritz crackers to buy, and a lady stood in the aisle waiting for me to stop gazing. (She was so sweet and I felt so bad.) But..there are plain Ritz, (which I got) and snowflake, low sodium, this and that ones. I bet there are 5 or 6 different kinds..all in the same box, just different wording on the outside..ha..ha.. And actually the ones I really wanted they didn't have. (they have one, that has about 10 crackers in each tube..smart idea, so they stay fresh longer!) 

 

We stopped at the Senior Center for lunch. They had meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, spinach and a cherry crumble for dessert. I normally like spinach, but just didn't care for it today. However, the meatloaf and potatoes were amazing! This was the cardinal Christmas tree they had in the cafeteria.

 

It was nice to get out and see some friends at the Senior Center. The weather was nice, for winter...whoops its not officially winter yet! smile...  Actually, Tom just let Rusty out and it's snowing:( The joys!! Hope it's nice where you are. Night....

 

Fall is Fast Approaching...



 

The other day when we were out shopping, and went in the store I saw this basket of mums! Then we walked into the doors of the store and saw this pumpkin! Tom said do you want one?? Of course I said "yes"! When we checked out, I told the check out lady I wanted one of those baskets of mums outside. She said you have to bring them in...sad... So I went ahead and checked out. Then I zipped outside (on my scooter) and checked out the twenty some dollar price tag (marked down from $40) and zipped back in and said "Yes I want one." She was so sweet, she went out and got it for me. Isn't it pretty?? I just love it all...

 

Yesterday, it seemed so funny when I looked out the window, it seemed like all the trees had just turned a very much lighter color overnight. Today, it was much worse and I thought oh my, I've got to photograph this before all the leaves are gone.

 

Another patio mystery....I looked out the window and spotted this yellow flower. Tom went out and took a picture of it for me.  Could it be a volunteer pansy?? If so, how cool is that? If not what do you think it is? (still cool!)

 

Hope you're having a good weekend... we had a very late start to our day. sad...  I swear it takes us longer all the time to do anything. I had a few items to return from our shopping spree the other day. Tom got my scooter out and away we went....but...when I was on the incline going into the store I didn't think it was going to make it...lol My battery was almost in the yellow. (bad) Of course all the stuff on my list was from one end of the store to the other... I was so afraid it would die. I'd go, but had Tom kind of behind me pushing...helping the battery..ha..ha.. We did make it to the van...and it's on the charger right now.  What did you do today?

Day filled with Sunshine....

 

 

Today was a glorious one!! Blue skies...with loads of sunshine!! A perfect day to go shopping.  (Right??) And when you go shopping you have to eat out! smile... Well, that's what we started with...lunch at Perkins! yummm... Then off we started our running. We headed to the post office to mail a package. (note: normally I do this at home and print the label myself, set up to have it picked up right here at my front door.. But I think the new IE 11 has issues. So, our IT guy will fix it next week! I'm not crazy about going to the post office..)

 

Then we went shopping, I had three things on my list...smile... I think we walked out with quite a few more things then I thought we'd get...lol

 

 

 

As we were driving to and from we spotted  lots of construction... this actually is suppose to be a Hard Rock Casino when it's all finished. But there is quite a legal battle going on! I'm sure though that the workers are enjoying these wonderful temperatures! smile...

 

As we were heading down the street to get gas, I said to Tom, we should get the van washed... which we did. Then when we pulled into the gas station, I spotted this sign (not the car wash we went to)...I thought 'yep, we do look good being in a clean car!' lol

 

Finally we went to the grocery store and once again bought more than was on my list...smile.. I thought  poor Tom, his job is only half done. Once we get home he'd have to unload the van. smile.. 

 

So, we finally are all settled in for the evening, and I remembered we 'forgot' to get Rusty some little treats at Petco...darn... Tom, was feeding Rusty his supper and realized he was almost out of dog food. So, since the weather is going to be bad tomorrow. Snow and cold temps we went back out and got him his food.. So, here we are...already for winter again...... smile..

 

How about you? Is your weather good or bad??

 

Blessings,

Gert

 

*Thank you for all your prayers for Steve. He didn't have his surgery, instead he will be going to the Mayo Clinic, (which I think is a very smart thing...) your continued prayers are so appreciated..

 

more as it happens here in the city........................

The Widow's Suitor

I got a copy of my friends new book "The Widow's Suitor"... and as soon as I got it, I was wanting to start reading the story! I had read the preview on Amazon.com and it had me hooked..smile.. I knew I had to have it!!

We had got up early...I mean early for us smile.. one morning and Rusty had went back to sleep, the house was quiet, so I was busy...busy reading away. I thought 'please' keep this quietness in the house.. It's not to often that way in our house!!! So, I got through several chapters before we had to get busy with our day!

 

We headed off, (as it was a beautiful day!) to go out and eat lunch at a restaurant where we'd had mixed reviews on... 

It was a Chinese buffet. They had lots of items to choose from and none of it contained MSG! Yeah..for that! But, turned out we weren't crazy about it. But, that is how you learn, I guess. We did see some old neighbors there though! smile.. Always fun to visit with old friends...

Then Karen and I decided we'd stop over to Hobby Lobby and see what we could find to buy.. ha...ha... That really was a funny statement. Of course we both found something to buy...Tom was just along for the ride...I guess..hee...hee..

We then headed to the Cancer Center. Karen had good news, her numbers were all good!!! I tried to read the book while we waited etc... but I didn't get much more read.

Then today, was busy...busy...busy also. Rusty had an appointment to go to the groomers. So there we were off and running again. We dropped him off and had to go to Walgreens for a few items. When we got home Karen had made spaghetti for dinner! Lucky us!! Then, soon the phone rang and it was time to pick our boy up! Looks cute doesn't he??? I know he feels much better.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! We feel blessed to have some decent weather these last couple days, before the deep freeze sets in Monday...single digit highs and wind chills...and we 'have' to get out and go to the doctor...brrr Not crazy about that one!

What's going on in your little corner of the world??

Blessings,

Gert

more as it happens here in the city............................

Post about Squirrels....

 

This little guy was trying his best to get to our feeder... but soon realized it wouldn't work..smile... (isn't he cute??)

 

So, down on the flower pot (which will be going to the dump this weekend...)..and again he realized he couldn't get to the bird feeder...

 

Funny...look at him...don't you think he has a very long tail??? It just seems different this year...longer than normal. (Tom thought maybe we have a new breed...lol)

 

And another shot..look at that...long...long..long tail.. smile...

 

Here he is climbing up the feeder...then realizes..he can't get past the cone (Tom made) so he heads back down.

 

He also climbed up one of the flower holders, thinking he'd jump to the feeder. And chickened out when he figured it was too far to jump..smile.. So, he just went back on the patio and ate the droppings from the block of bird seed.

 

Hope you're in for a nice weekend.. We will rest tomorrow, as this last week has been so busy..something almost every day. Wednesday was our monthly potluck..everything was amazing as always. Good food, good friends. We decided on our Christmas meal which will be quite a celebration as always. Thursday, we went to the Cancer Center with Tom's sister, then to lunch at the Senior Center (broasted chicken..yummm) and did a little shopping. Tom needed a new electric shaver and a few other things. I had seen on FB if you buy one of Starbucks holiday latte's you get the other one free! (and remember we had a sample in the store the other day) So we got a couple of them. They were delish!! I've also been busy this week, trying to get some photos scanned for the next newsletter.

 

I told my daughter today, our calendars seem to be empty..and then it's full..something every day...but I guess that is good.

 

more as it happens here in the city..................... 

Hey...Look...

 

Aren't they the most adorable little girls you've ever seen?? Their Mama (Wendy) is coming to pick them up from her Dad's (see her reflection in between the twins?) their Grandpa.. Perfect picture..as their dog "Crue" is lined up beside them...sweet... 

 

 

We headed off to the doctor this afternoon and spotted these beautiful bushes along the roadside! We came out of there all stuck...ha.. with B-12 and Flu shots!! (I hope I don't have a 'bad' reaction to that one...) I'm going out to lunch with my girlfriend tomorrow, so I must feel good...ha...ha..

 

After the Doctor's visit, we headed off to shop, we drove by this house..it is so pretty!!! We had a few items to pick up, so we went to a couple stores and then to the grocery store!! So it was a busy day, I bet we'll sleep good tonight!!

 

Hope you day was special also...

 

more as it happens here in the city......

In the Good Ole Summertime...

Remember my cousin Glendena and her husband who came to visit us last year?? Her and I spent many a summer together when we were teenagers at her home in Missouri! Her husband restored this John Deere tractor and they drive it in their  hometown parade every year! As hot as it was this year, I'm sure they really appreciated the umbrella! smile.... Have any of you been in a parade?? I think it would be so fun!! I was suppose to be in our local one, when one of our ladies had a Red Hat convertible...but it was way to "hot" for this Red Hatter who has MS...sad.... 

Do you remember this beautiful flower that he made for me?? Glendena told him he needed Red Hat colors...red and purple! smile... Isn't it just the neatest lawn ornament you've ever seen??

Yesterday, it took us awhile to get up and get going, but finally around noon we headed out in our opressive heat. We went to Chilies for lunch as I had a free coupon for this dessert!! (Sorry I forgot to take a before picture....but it was amazing!!) I love Chilies...we usually get the Bottomless Soup and Salad, they also give you chips and dip. So....you never go away hungry...lol

Next we went to a store to get Rusty some new treats. We finally found some that are made in the USA instead of China, so we like to give him one of those every day. Then off to WalMart to get Tom some treats (lol) peppermint candies! However, when we came in the door...there were some Hostess Twinkies and Cup Cakes! My favorite are the cupcakes, so I got my 'treat' too...smile... 

Then off to Sam's Club...to restock our supplies! Boy, I'm not sure how Tom got everything into the van...especially in the heat! And we have to remember, every time (expect for the restaurant)  he had to get my scooter in and out of the van! Bless his heart! But for me it was so nice to get out and about, it's been a long time! smile...

Today was just kind of  a laid back one...which was good since it was another 90 degree day!! Summer is definitely here! My prayers are with all those suffering from this heat throughout the country.....

more as it happens here in the city.................

Fun Day....

Look at these gorgeous flowers! When we were at this (high end) nursery today...and as you'll see below I felt like we stole them @$19.99 (plus we had a $10.00 off coupon!) sigh...

When we walked into the nursery, I had to pull out my camera and snap these pictures. I love all those statues, but was afraid to look at the price tag...lol Then into the room with all the flowers and plants. Look at those adorable heart cactus....I'm kicking myself for not buying one.... 

Another view of all those lovely plants! Isn't that basket just beautiful?? Well, all those hanging plants and the  basket were $39.99....yikes!! So after Tom picked out his green pepper plants and basil...I asked the worker if they had any hanging plants that were less then $39.99...smile.. She showed me this gorgeous purple hanging planter for $19.99...I said 'yes, we'll take it!' And as we were walking up to the check out, I spotted another one, only it was pink...and I said...'I want that one too...' smile... Tom's like where am I going to put all of these?? Then he said, "we'll leave your scooter here and take them home and come back and get it." So that is what we did...

We also went down to the Farmers Market today!!! It was so great to see our friends again!! I bought a few  things including...cookies for Rusty... He was so happy to see them! smile...

Last night I spotted this baby squirrel..he is so little (compared to their parents...lol)

And I took this one also. Before I got my camera out, the Papa cardinal was flittering and fluttering around her... So, this picture looks like she's wondering where 'he' went...ha..ha... But I'm sure she found him later on...out of the view of the camera..

more as it happens here in the city................