Littlesister

 Miki 

The things we learn to accomplish.  Good job Jeepers. I have one somewhere and can't find it. Must be buried in the garage somewhere. That pumpkin spice drink looks good. Now I will have to go get me one. Just not as large. 

Did a bit of cleaning up in house this afternoon. Tired from working outside this morning and then coming in and working on house. Might be an early to bed night. 

Yes, it is very interesting. I also would love to hear more. 

 for Miki for all to go well tomorrow. 

Jeepers, hope you are able to find out if the inspection passed or not today. Hoping all went well. 

Went outside early this morning and pulled up the main garden. Too hot to do anymore out there now. It hopefully will be a bit cooler next week. Hot all this week from what they are saying. But at least I can get the main garden area ready for next year. The other one is still producing a little so will keep that going for a bit longer. Otherwise, will be working in house for rest of week. Need to load up car for Goodwill drop. 

I am itching all over from pulling up squash and cucumber plants. Need to get a shower to stop the itch. Needed to sit down and drink water first. 

Wow! Jeepers. I haven't been to JoAnne fabrics in a while. I will be in Newport News on Saturday so will need to stop by there on my way home from GD's house. 

Gotta love the city. Tell you one thing and do another. I hope it all passed.

Went to bank first thing this morning then came home and got busy. Hot outside today though. So will try to work in yard tomorrow if it is a bit cooler. 

Got clothes washed and main bathroom cleaned up but just need to mop the floor. Cleaned kitchen and then went into the front bedroom trying to decide should I go ahead and paint that room. Nothing is in there now so it would be much easier to do it now than to put everything in there and have to move it all around to paint later. Decisions, decisions. I just want my house back together like yesterday. Might go get the paint tomorrow. I have everything else to paint with. Was looking at the ceiling and that looked good so just a dusting and I think that will be fine. 

Miki, hope all goes well on Thursday. Will be praying for a fast recovery and the stone will pass with no issues. 

Becca Anne, sorry to hear about the chickens.  Hopefully you can figure out the issue and fix it so raccoons can't get in there again. 

Jeepers, I would love to know about that camera. Been thinking about getting a new one as my old one is worn out and beyond updated. Doesn't do well any longer. 

Today, I went to bank to deposit a check and then home to wash clothes. Not going to work in flower beds today as it is already getting very hot outside. So will work in house today. Going through all of my canning supplies to organized them better than before. They are into many boxes. So, need to figure out a better solution. The jars are all set now on shelve in garage but will need to clean off a second shelf for the ones still in shed. Don't think there are too many more out there so should have room for all the extra rings and things. Will only keep a few in pantry to use. Then if I need more, I can get them off garage shelf. That way I am not cluttering up the pantry with all of it. 

Mt. Rider hoping you and your DH are feeling much better. 

Miki, I hope you didn't do any more damage to that arm. 

Was up and out the door at 6am this morning to clean out the flower beds. Pulled up 3 tomato plants also. Will work on them again tomorrow if not too hot. GS came over to wash clothes after work. This was his first day working a part time job. He said it went so fast he ended up working till 3:30. He was supposed to get off at 2pm. So, he is going to have to set his alarm on his cell phone to make sure he takes off to his full-time job. He has to be off at 2pm to get to his other job at 3:30. Though today being a holiday, he was off today for the full-time job. 

Talked with GD today and my DD and SIL are not coming down to help her with baby's room. So, I am going over this weekend to help her out. Her DH is painting the room this week and then I will help her with everything else. GS said he will also come over and help GD's DH put crib together and anything else that he can help with. So, we will make a day of it next Saturday. I had dinner waiting for GS when he got here this afternoon. So, we just sat around and talked about a lot of stuff. He almost has his apartment together. Just a few things his mother gave him that he said is probably more junk. Said all those curtain rods she took over there are no good along with a few other things. So, he trashed them. So, we might be going on a shopping trip in the next couple of weeks. He hasn't unboxed the curtains his mother took over there yet so doesn't know if they will fit the windows or not. He has blinds up so that will do for right now. 

Easy day today other than yard work.

I hope you can get one going soon. I want to try making it again. Been a long time since I have done it. Will try after I get house back together again.

Working in house today. Paid bills as well. Just need to remember to get them in mailbox on Tuesday. But at least that is out of the way. 

Jeepers, I hope you get relieve from the UTI soon. They are no fun. 

Got a call from next-door neighbor just as I was leaving to go to store and fill up gas tank. She wanted me to come have dinner with them. But I passed on it this time. 

Then while in the store, my other neighbor wanted me on dog duty again today. I didn't answer cell phone as I was in line checking out at store. Got home and put groceries away and then looked to see who texted me. Yep, again she's asking me to let dog out but waited till this afternoon to say something. She has done this stuff before and it keeps me from going anywhere on weekends. Need to break that up again. I don't mind doing it but please how about letting me know in advance. Not at the last second. That poor dog had been in house by herself since early this morning.

GS is coming over right after his new job tomorrow. He's off Monday for his full-time job for the holiday. So, we will have a cookout and he plans on helping me with the flower beds. 

I picked tomatoes today as more did ripening but thinking of pulling everything out now. Just use what's left for fried green tomatoes or something else. Maybe green tomato relish to can up or something if I have enough to do it. Rest of garden other than the tromboncino is done. Will take GS to either Home Depot or Lowe's for lime, mulch and some other things I will need for both flower beds and garden for next year. Thinking I better get fertilizer now while I still can as well. He can do the lifting for me. 

Been pulling weeds that are now up to my knees. Mainly it is not weeds but grass. I watched the guy cutting my grass earlier this morning and he is facing the flower beds with the grass blowing right into the flower beds. So, I am going to talk to him before he cuts it again. He needs to either bag it or face the part of mower toward the street side. I got some of it pulled up but have aggravated my knee. These beds have never been like this before. It won't be easy to get it done. So might take up the flower bulbs and spray the grass. It would be easier than what I am doing but I don't like using weed killer. I could hire someone but right now I need to build up my emergency fund again. So, for me that just isn't an option right now. GS hasn't been over today as he is working on getting the rest of apartment together and washing clothes. If he comes over tomorrow, I know he will help me get it done. He likes doing yard work and gardening. I would rather pay him than hire someone to do it. My yard guy only cuts grass, edges and blows everything off. Might think about next year checking prices on a full-time yard man to do all of it. Going to work on the bigger garden area as soon as I pull up all the plants. Didn't get the squash plants pulled up yet as I started in the flower beds first. They are the worst. Need to get some mulch as well to put down. Just too much to get done both inside house and outside. Not easy when you have to do it all by yourself. DD and SIL will be down next weekend, but they won't be helping me. They will be helping GD and her DH set up the baby's room. Don't even know if she is coming by here or not. But she already told me the weeds will die eventually. Yes, they will and will just come back up early next spring for me to deal with. So, either way I need to get it done. Let the dog out again an hour ago. Not letting her back in for another hour. It's much cooler today. So, it will do her some good to get fresh air. Going to rest a bit and then work on inside of house. Need to get the blinds down in front bedroom and washed. Then wash windows and clean down the walls. I decided not to paint this year. Just too much going on. Next year is another season to get things finished up. I need the break. 

Halloween Raspberry Pie. That looks really good. 

I'm on dog duty today. So went over to let dog out. Then came back and was going to work on yard, but here comes the yard man. So will wait till he is done. Then I am going back out to finish up out there. Pulling weeds. Checked the garden as well. Picked more cucumbers and okra and a couple of tromboncino squash. I will be pulling up the other squash plants and such as those are done. Haven't checked the tomatoes yet, but they are slowing down a lot now. Will probably have a few green tomatoes soon. Yard is a mess right now. Lots to do out there. 

Next week I will start moving the furniture back into the front bedroom and get sewing machine and things hooked back up. Then go through the craft things and get that organized and put away. Then go out to shed and move things to get to that material and bring it in. Need to get hold of Euphrosyne to get a lot of the material I will never use. I haven't seen her on here in a long while. 

Becca Anne that is great that you are finally getting eggs. Things are coming along really well for you now. I need to get outside knee or no knee and start taking care of garden and flower beds. Time to pull up the squash plants and such. Going to try do some of that tomorrow morning. If my knee holds out, I will be outside most of the day playing catch up. I just have to remember to pull my cart out of garden shed so I can use it to pull up on. The knee makes it hard to get up from the yard. 

Has anyone heard from Kappy about the storm. I hope she and Mary came through it ok. 

Love the car. That is just too funny. Yes, the Zombies are coming. For Halloween at least.  Glad to see progress finally starting on your house. Things should start moving better after the electrical and plumbing city inspections are done.

GS got a part time job. He starts Monday. That will help him a lot to get his act together and learn to balance his bank account. He is at least trying now. He came over here again today before going to work at about 1pm. I fixed us some lunch and he stayed till time to go to work. More than likely he will be here over weekend as well. State police pulled him over for his expired license. He said the police asked if he knew why he was pulled over and he said yes but for him to tell him why. Police told him his license was expired and GS showed his Washington License and said he just moved and hasn't had a chance to take care of it. Not really, he's had 2 years to take care of it and was too lazy to go do it. Anyway, police just told him to take care of it as soon as possible and let him go. No ticket. He got caught on the interstate in Norfolk. He had to go around because the tunnel was backed up. 

So not a lot done today. Knee is about the same as yesterday. Just emptied dishwasher, maid bed and that has been about it. Other than fixing lunch for both me and GS. He has left for work a little while ago. But once he starts his part time job he won't be coming here before going to his full-time job, as he will be working from 11am till 2pm. Then off to work which starts at 4pm but he likes to start at 3:30 for a little extra pay each week. I think he might be starting to get the idea that he must pay his bills on time. 

Becca Anne, I also was thinking you were talking about your son Ben. Not your older son. I do think it is great that you are helping him with home business plans and such. I do hope that helps him with a great job. You have done great with homeschooling those children. 

My GS is also a bit autistic. But he is also one who hates reading and will not listen to anything. He is mostly ADHD. He is a smart child but his refusing to listen and pay attention has messed him up in his ability to learn how to handle money, and he is not a people person which doesn't help either. But he is now learning that he has to deal with people to work a good job. As for money, he is working on it. Seems his only goal in life is to be a computer game designer. He needs schooling for that, and he hates school, Is not college material. He just won't sit down to study for something like that. Let alone anything else. He tried less than one year of college and dropped out within 6 months. He is not going to sit still long enough to study. 

Just can't sleep. Been up and down out of bed all night. So, here I am up but not really ready to do anything yet this morning. I have nights like that sometimes but at least it isn't often. Just a lot on my mind with getting things done around the house. I did get the den fully cleaned up but still need to clean the patio window. Will get that done sometime this morning before the sun hits back of house. Not sure what else I will do today as it will depend on how my knee is doing. I might next week try to just call an orthopedic doctor to see if I can get in without a referral.  

Jeepers, I do have the gliders to move furniture. They work really well. But the desk I can only move down the hall so far and then I have to lift it up on end onto an old rug and pull it around the corner into the room. That is because the desk is deep and wide. But it will go through there as I also took it. out. I am waiting till knee is better as I have the desk, sewing machine table and 2 other bookcases. Plus, a dresser and a small 2 drawer cabinet that I put material in. That is a lot to move with a bad knee. GS may be over this weekend, and I might get him to help me. One thing about him. Over the past 2 years with all I have gone through to get him in the right mind set and delt with his mess, he will help me. He came by house today before going to work. He was heading out for an interview for a parttime job and the roads all the way around the area was closed due to flooding. So, he called them to let them know he couldn't get through. Of course, they knew it was blocked so they are setting up another interview when things clear up. He did have his rent money all along and was just testing us to see if me or his mom would help pay the rent. Glad we both said no. So, he is now thinking things through and looking to get a part time job. At least now he is seeing that your wants do not come before your bills. He will learn the hard way, but he will learn. Said he is coming over Friday after work also. But After work for him is just after 1am. I am usually in bed. So, guess I won't be going to bed early tomorrow night. He is also thinking about changing from working nights to going to the day shift. But not sure if he will do that or not. Only time will tell. 

Knee is still sore, but I am able to walk on it more normally now. The side of it hurts a bit to walk and I have noticed I need to be careful how I turn as it feels like something is trying to twist in the side of the knee, if that makes any since. 

Jeepers, from what you are saying that could be very true. Age will play out and not to the good.  But the lawyers are always the ones who win anyway. I never realized you would have to go down the whole chain to get the house fixed. Not worth that. And at least now they are starting on the house to get somethings done. I just hope it all goes smoothly and fast. 

Becca Anne the mosquitos have gotten bad here as well. All the rain we have gotten hasn't help that situation. Rained here all-night last night into this morning. The mosquitos are really bad around here. Can't go outside early morning without getting bit nor in the early evening without getting bit. 

Not sure about being proactive, I just know what needs to be done. DH taught me a lot of things I never would have thought about. He was very good at stuff like that. Always seemed to know the right answers when things popped up. I am just trying to follow that. 

Green praying mantis live in bushes, flowers and such. The brown ones live on the tree trunks which are brown. That is the reason for the difference in colors. Though there are 25 different species of them.  Never had one to bite me though.

I am taking it easy today. Right now, my knee is not hurting. Only when I first get up from sitting. And that is localized to the side of my knee. I am thinking I may have a torn meniscus.  Will just rest it and hope it will heal.  I started taking Aleve over Advil and that seems to be helping better. 

Just doing small things around house today. Not taking any more chances on moving heavy things till I'm sure it has healed.

You are right Jeepers, nothing worse than stepping in puppy pee in your bare feet. Been there done that.  I love cats but can't do the little box thing anymore either. 

MidNightMom, yes just like that but a bit bigger than that picture. I have handled those things for years. Had one on the back porch baking in the sun and I put my hand down to it and it climbed right up on my hand, and I took it over the bushes in shade and let it jump off onto those. Many years ago, I had an ice plant I bought from the Williamsburg pottery. It had something on it and didn't know what it was. It sat on my kitchen counter for months. I came home from work one day and DD and DH had jars trying to catch baby praying mantis. Yep, that brown thing on the plant was a nest. We caught 100's of praying mantis and put them outside in bushes all over the place. I still see them at certain times of the year. And now I know what the nest looks like when I see them again. 

Got the den fully cleaned up, need to finish up in kitchen though. I did more than I should have with my knee. It is killing me again. Used heating pad for a while and that helped. Will take some Advil in a bit. Holding out on that till closer to bedtime. 

Will see how tomorrow goes. Lots of things around here to get done but thinking about moving the desk back to the bedroom in the morning. 

I have certain things that are going to each grandchild.  DD said she doesn't want anything. That's her choice but I am sure there will be a few things she will take. I have pictures of what goes to who and it is all documented in my Trust. There might be some things I change over the course of a couple of years but for now it stands as is. DH and I both had a trust for a long time and now with him gone I had to go see a trust lawyer to have everything set up that works for me. So, everything is pretty much in order other than if I get down to where I can't do anything for myself. I will be working on that in a few months. Just need to check out my options. 

Jeepers, at least you do have your son to help you when he can. I have no one. My DD is in her own little world and only helps when she feels like it. I gave GS the loveseat and his father won't even help him to get it to his apartment. DD is coming back down in a couple of weeks to help GD with the baby's room but that is something she wants to do. Helping me paint or moving my desk and things back to the front bedroom is not something she wants to help me with. She calls that work. So, I will be moving that furniture by myself. I moved it out of that room to the living room to turn that bedroom into a guest room. But that didn't work out like I planned. Seems that room was a que for moving in on me. Fixed that issue. I don't mind them coming to visit but if they are coming to live then they need to learn that I am not the chief cook and bottlewasher. Nor the maid. I am working on cleaning up behind GS now. He left a mess and even found some of his clothes behind the couch when I moved it. Still have the main bathroom to scrub down as well GS is a messy child.

From what I heard both of these hurricanes might back track and hit Florida again from the Atlantic side. From what I can tell for where I am, it might just be heavy rain and wind but even with that the low laying areas can flood. I am still going to be prepared as hurricanes are not always predictable. 

I'm watching the hurricane in Florida now. It has already slammed Florida as a cat 4. There might be a 16 ft. storm surge. That is bad. I pray that Kappy and Mary will be ok as well as everyone in the area of this storm. 

Miki so sorry the Dr. appt. didn't go well. It was nice of them to tell you the consult had expired after you sat there for 2 hours. These doctors are getting to be really bad for things. I hope the 3 new ones will work out better for me. Still waiting for them to call for the appointments. Will call them the first of week if I don't hear from them. 

Didn't mess with that front bedroom today. Instead, I decided to deep clean den and kitchen first. After having GS here for so long it was hard to get it all done. So, I have been moving furniture around and other things. Mopping floor and rearranged the furniture to work better for me. Still have some things to do but right now I need to rest my knee. I think I have stirred it up enough for one day. 

GS has interviews for a part time job. I knew he would figure it out sooner or later.

Swept the front porch off and my praying mantis is still there. It was on the front porch. It has been hanging around for a couple of years now. It likes the rosemary bush and the Japanese maple trees. I think there is a nest in one of the maple trees. So, there should be baby praying mantis next year. Now that I am on a different computer, I am going to try to get pictures on here when I have more time. I just hope it works.