Harbor Lady Cruise

Today I went on a cruise in the Door County harbor with some friends. The day started out very cloudy with a few sprinkles on the way. We took a school bus and arrived at our destination early so we went into a neat little coffee shop and had coffee and sat in the garden in the back...way cute...waterfall and all. I am wearing the teal jacket, which I took off later. The sun came out and it was quite nice. The captain wasn't very good at explaining what we were seeing and we had to stay in the middle of the harbor so weren't able to see any of the few homes that are next to the bay. Mostly we saw trees and a few islands in the distance. We all decided that we wanted to lunch on the boat and then lounge on the deck every day.

We had lunch inside: BBQ chicken or hot beef sandwiches, Waldorf salad, potato salad, chips with cherry salsa (yum) and a warm cookie for dessert. I thought it was a good lunch.

The lighthouse.

View from where I was sitting.

Our 'cruise ship': the Harbor Lady out of Sturgeon Bay.

On the way back we stopped for ice cream..........like we needed any. The small cones were not small at all, but we enjoyed 'em.

I'm trying to squeeze as many summer activities into these last few days of summer as I can and I am glad that I was able to go today.

Cheap Fun

Saturday morning I had to run to Walgreen's and I stopped at a couple of garage sales on the way. I hit the jackpot big at this one: Old Navy fleece jacket (never worn) for $1, it fits me like a dream. Nice Nike basketball shorts for my nephew for $1. and.....drum roll........child's golf bag containing a wood, driver, and putter (all in excellent condition)............for...........$3. I was so excited for my grandsons. Grandson J said "not interested, not interested at all", but his brother was so happy. He was hitting balls right away, we even went across the street so he could practice. So much joy for $3, I am happy!!!

Why

Why? Why? Why?
Miriam Webster on line dictionary defines WHY -"for what cause, reason, purpose". Kinda lame if ya ask me, but...............

....but how can why be defined?

I find myself asking "why?" quite often....just the other day I asked my friend why she asked her co-worker to give her a book back. Why did I even care? It was of no concern to/didn't affect me at all. It was nothing to gossip about. I asked my grandsons why they went to the Wizards Kingdom the other day. I asked my friend why she wants to go on a mission trip. Is it on your 'bucket list'? I asked hubby why one of his co-workers quit. I don't even know the guy, it won't affect hubby. I asked my SIL why the mother of her son's friend is not around most of the time and only the dad is. I don't even know the people. I've asked my boss why he doesn't like to do inspections at one certain location. I asked another, retired, friend why he wants to move back to WI from AZ. Why won't my BIL 'allow' his wife to leave her lawn chair on their front porch?

Am I really nosey or what??? If/when I get the answer I don't discuss it with anyone. I think I just like to know what makes people 'tick'. What do you think? Am I just a 'butinsky'? Do you ask 'why?' too or are you like most of my friends to whom it never occurs to ask 'why?'. Why do you feel that way????

the Weekend So Far

First I have to tell you that today seemed like Sunday..........because I had the boys overnight last night and grandson J usually stays on Saturday night. I was off on Friday so that added to the confusion. Hubby and I were scheduled to have our photos taken for our church directory late in the afternoon. I was sooooo stressed about it all day.......if it would have been something I could have canceled I would have, I was all worked up about it. I didn't know what to wear, the guidelines said a solid color is best and long sleeves........I don't have anything that looks NICE that is long sleeved and a solid color. The previous day I had a good hair day, yesterday I did not. I am the heaviest I have ever been....and old, the old doesn't bother me as much as the fat. Why do I have to like (and eat) everything, why can't I be the way I was as a kid???? (I was a picky eater, ate very little, and was skinny before skinny was cool). I think I 'forget' that I am not thin any more and can NOT eat whatever I want without putting on weight. I finally chose a multi color top because I like it and think the colors are good on me. I even kept my glasses on because I always wear them now. We were in and out of the photo shoot in less time than you can say "I don't wanna be here" 3 times. They didn't even ask us if we wanted to purchase any photos.....Hubby isn't a member of the church and doesn't like his photo taken anyway so he never said a word....and I don't like the way I looked so I just picked out the one for the directory and we were off!

Brotherly love.............they got along really good this morning, no squabbling at all. Pig Joe Pig (named by grandson J) watches in the background).

This game isn't going quite the way he wants it to.

Now he's happy! Grandson J definitely has personality plus. Do you know people who seem to be even tempered and not very emotional? My hubby is like that, but not our grandson (me neither-although I am much better as I get more 'mature'). This kid can be so personable (he'll come into my bedroom after we've said our prayers and good nights) just to say "I love you". He can be so thoughtful and helpful....but then if something doesn't go his way he can throw a royal fit, just like his dad. There's not much a grandparent can do, except to love, pray, and enjoy them.

Today was another perfect late summer day, so after mom picked up the boys and hubby left for golf I grabbed my book and ice tea and plopped myself into my lounge chair on the deck for a couple of hours. I LOVE those kind of afternoons. I also baked 2 loaves of chocolate zucchini bread and made another 7 layer salad for a cookout we're going to tomorrow afternoon. After hubby got home from golf a friend of his brought over a pizza for us and the guys watched the baseball game while my SIL and I went for a walk. I need to do that more often!

Hope your weekend is going as well as mine!

Good Friday Morning! & the Friday 56- ANGEL SISTER

It's a beautiful Friday morning as I sit here in my jammies having a piece of my homemade zucchini bread and look out at the sunny/clear blue sky and watch the birds at my feeder. Couldn't be more perfect.........oh yes, it could have been if the phone wouldn't have rung before I was ready to get up.

My Stampin' UP party was a success, I had 7 guests (which is about all I can fit around my tables), we made 3 cards, and earned lots of free stuff. :-) I got the house straightened up and bought some snacks (no time to bake). My demonstrator/friend stayed until 10 getting the paperwork done & visiting. Then I was getting my 2nd wind and couldn't sleep so I was up until midnight watching TV and fooling around on my Nookcolor. That's not late for you??? I'm usually asleep by 10:30, I need my sleep!

Now it's time for Freda's Friday 56 http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/

I just finished reading Angel Sister by Ann H Gabhart.

p. 56

"Even when the newspaper reported the German foreign minister Zimmerman's telegram to Mexico proposing an alliance against the US most men in Rosey Corner still thought the war would stay overseas and never touch any of them."

A very touching story about a family in the south. Here's one review:

"It is 1936 and Kate Merritt, the middle child of Victor and Nadine, works hard to keep her family together. Her father slowly slips into alcoholism and his business suffers during the Great Depression. As her mother tries to come to grips with their situation and her sisters seem to remain blissfully oblivious to any problems, it is Kate who must shoulder the emotional load. Who could imagine that a dirty, abandoned little girl named Lorena Birdsong would be just what the Merritts need?"

Stampin' Up

In honor of my upcoming Stampin' Up party tonight I decided to post more cards. I think this would be appropriate for a child's birthday card. The triangular punches are one punch...not sure if I 'need' that one or not.

Here's another cute kids card.....or for those young at heart. The face is hand drawn (by me) so that is why he is cock-eyed :-( We used all Stampin' Up punches.


This one stands up for an adorable display.

I LOVE my punches! I have to keep track of what I have so I don't buy doubles. I use to check off every punch I had when the new (Stampin' Up) catalog came out but tired of that. This year I just ripped out the pages of last years catalog and tucked them into the new one. And since I am very fond of organizing I also punch out each punch and have them in a clear protector sheet in my catalog too.....you know stampers/scrapbookers don't just have one brand of punch!

Gotta go now! Time to clean and get some snacks ready for tonight's workshop. They are always fun...my demonstrator/friend lets us make at least 2 cards.

It's That Time of Year

My favorite thing about this time of year is all of the fresh vegetables........I do love 'em....even though when I was a kid they were 'nasty'. Sunday I took a 7 Layer Salad to my son's. I have one recipe that I like...I found some on Allrecipes but I prefer mine. Those had sugar in the dressing on top, mine is more tangy with just Miracle Whip as the dressing. It tastes MUCH better than it looks in this photo....a food photographer I am not. 7 Layer Salad


1 head of lettuce, shredded (you can buy bags that already shredded, saves a lot of time- I used iceberg)
1/4 to 1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 cup onion, chopped
shredded carrots (you can find this bagged and shredded too)
1 pkg frozen peas ( just let mine come to room temperature, although the recipe says to cook)
2 cups Miracle Whip
2 to 4 oz of grated cheese, I used cheddar
8 oz of cooked & crumbled bacon

Layer into an 8 X 11" pan and refrigerate. It's best made the day ahead. I was going to garnish with some of my cherry tomatoes....but forgot.

Tonight for supper I had this delicious salad of home grown cukes (courtesy of my boss's wife) and my cherry tomatoes. I need a good creamy cucumber recipe.....I'll keep trying.

Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach and I have such an over abundance of veggies: sweet corn, kohlrabi, squash, cukes, zucchini, tomatoes....... I gotta eat 'em though, b/c hubby will not.

More Birthday Cake

Yesterday after noon we celebrated my grandson's 8th birthday. My bff & I took my 2 grandsons that leave near us. Grandson T lives 85 miles away.
A new soccer ball. T is like his dad..........this is the biggest smile you'll see 95% of the time.

The 3 boys eyeing up the cake.

The girls, Granddaughter T (soon to be 11) is on the left.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh...........the cake!

Guess she got the nearsightedness from her dad.........she looks cute tho! She's my oldest granddaughter.



Granddaughter T made a scrapbook this summer...........I am so glad she's a scrapbooker...when we are able to get together we can create some new pages.

Caption This!

Every one's seen those cute cards with the old photos of people and a funny caption, right? Well, I am scanning a bunch of old photos and this one needs a caption. It's my mom, her mom, and ??? If you'd put this on a card front what would it say????

Patty Janes's House of Curl

p.56
"Hank, this guy gave Suzanne and me money NOT to do our strip act".

A Day For Myself

This week I took off as vacation, as you know I didn't go anywhere special. I have cleaned, shopped, spend time with my grandson & friends. But today I decided to do something that I really want to.....I kinda wanted to clean (not that I love cleaning but I do like it when it's done - then I can 'reward' myself with time to craft or read). I had a scrapbook page in my head that I wanted to do for my upcoming Washington DC trip (next month) and I decided to get it done today. Here it is:

I think you can click on it to enlarge. My scrapbook pages are not fit for a magazine...they are simple. I used the brochure that caught my eye about the trip. The Iwo Jima flag raisers is from a post card album that I found at the thrift store.........brand new with 30 9" x 4-1/4" postcards. The 'page from my diary' in the upper left tells how I am feeling about the upcoming trip (being an introvert I like to explain how I am feeling and not just what I saw/did). I crumpled it so give it some texture and interest. The star buttons across the top were all the same....until I decided to add something and had to remove one..... When it came time to put it on again I could not find it....I needed 5 buttons, 4 would not do. I looked all over and decided that I'd have to change 2 buttons b/c one odd button would look stupid. After I put the 2 new buttons on I found the missing button...........stuck to my pinkie finger. I knew it was stuck onto something. **smile**

Now it's time for lunch and maybe some time to read outside on the deck???? I think so! It's a beautiful, sunny, not too hot day and I'm gonna embrace it!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Huge pumpkin plant (from a jack-o-lantern seed) that grew in my compost bin.

Today is National Thrift Shop Day

August 17 is National Thrift shop Day, isn't it great that there is a special day for us and our addiction (for some of us)??? Since I am on vacation today I should really celebrate by stopping at as many thrift shops as possible, eh? Actually my day is pretty booked up. This afternoon is the 'carnival'/end of summer party at the library and I am taking the boys. In the evening our book club is meeting for pizza and lots of fun conversation. :-)

A P..EEEK!!! at My Day

I have this week off :-) so I am trying to do whatever I want. Yesterday I had some errands to run. My day started early this morning, I couldn't sleep and my back hurt so I was up before 5. Hubby was still home. He was getting ready for work and called me to come downstairs with a serious voice, I wondered what was broken now.....I follow him into the bathroom and he lifts up the lid on the toilet, there on the side of the bowl sits a mouse....just looking. OMG! I am not 'freaked out' by mice but I certainly don't like them, especially in my house, in my toilet. He flushed twice and I used a 3rd flush. Guess what? I haven't used the downstairs bathroom at all today. I did clean it...but no sitting down on the job, get my drift??? I seldom get up at night to use the bathroom but if I do I never turn on the light and look into the toilet bowl......I think I will from now on....or else nothing to drink for me after supper. We have never had a mouse problem. I really want a cat now! Since I was up so early and got my computer time in I was able to bake 4 small loaves of zucchini bread (2 were chocolate, of course) and get some cleaning done. I was suppose to attend a Ladies Night Out for church but was cleaning/baking so opted to stay home. I think I'd like to be a 'stay at home grandma'....I'd have time to clean, cook, craft, read, hit the thrift stores, and take a day for grandkids (every week). That will have to wait a few years though.

This past weekend I went with some friends to see the movie "The Help". I really liked and it and recommend it to all. I live in WI and in small towns, I don't think I saw a Black/Negro (not sure what is politically correct here) until I was an adult. It really made me see how they were treated. I laughed at some scenes and cried other time. I haven't read the book yet, I prefer to read the book before I see the movie but that wasn't possible.

One of the fashion bloggers I follow said that tonight is the start of the new What Not To Wear season, not sure if I will watch it.........it's too nice to be inside, so I am going to sit outside and read for a bit tonight.

Foolproofing Your Life

Since I am on my soapbox I may as well stay on for a while. I listen to Midday at Moody (radio program) during the noon hour as much as possible. They do have interesting, informative Christan programs. Last week was the final installment of "Fool-Proofing Your Life". I haven't read the book but I think it does contain some useful tips for dealing with those who can be a royal pain the the bottom sometimes. Three characteristics of a fool:

1) A fool aways thinks he is right.
2) A fool uses anger to control.
3) A fool trusts in his own heart.


If you have someone in your life who may be a fool this book might be worth checking out....or maybe you are a fool..... Let me know if you've read it and what you think.

Communication

Communication rates right up there, along with honesty, in the top 3 good relationship necessities (in my opinion).

I'm not well educated, I am not an eloquent speaker, nor do I have a powerful career....all I have is my life experiences and the DNA I was born with. But I have learned that talking to people is good for all kinds of things: making friends, getting a job, finding an apartment, locating an item you wish to purchase, maintaining a successful relationship, and so much more. Listening goes hand in hand with talking.

We communicate in so many non verbal ways too:
1) body language (leaving the room when a person walks in is only one example or sitting with a person-just to BE there), we all know the ways a person shows dislike of someone or something, and the way a warm welcome is given to someone we care about. I detest when a person rolls their eyes. Our actions speak loudly: ever hear the saying "Actions speak louder than words"? I think it is so true. A hug, touch on the arm or shoulder, reaching out for some one's hand can show much love/care. In like, pulling away from a hug or kiss speaks volumes too.
2) words- the most common way, how they are spoken often can mean more than the actual words. Tone of voice plays a great part in conveying meaning. Sarcasm is something I have used and am trying not to do so b/c I don't like it, but have learned it from hubby. Shouting often occurs with anger. The person wants control and feels that the louder they are the more control they have...doesn't work that way. People who know a lot more than me say a whisper is better used to get a hold on the situation. And don't forget the lack of words............silence is not always golden. Written words are a great way to say something if you are timid about saying it face to face or of you are not nearby. It isn't as popular as it once was but writing it down is good for your soul and for the other person's heart. I still try to send a card to my grandkids and a friend now and then. I need to do that more. It's so much nicer to hold something in your hand and read it over and over than to pull up an email.
3) tears - I know several people who communicate with tears. Young children can bring on the tears to attempt to get what they want (some adults may have the same mindset) or sometimes it's the only way they can get across just how they feel. Some people are just extremely emotional and the tears happen. There are lots of ways people cry too, some sob and others just let the tears fall quietly. Most of the time tears are involuntary....so why do 'fools' try to control by shouting at a person (child specifically) and saying "stop crying right now!"????? Every time I have seen/heard this tactic used it just makes the crying person cry harder, can you stop crying on demand???? Why don't men get it??? Fortunately I am learning, at my 'older' age that calm, quiet talk and listening works much better at calming tears. I only wish 'the twins' could come to that conclusion.

One thing I have learned from 2 marriages and seeing/having broken relationships is that we need to communicate; share dreams, fears, happy times, just simple things. Any good relationship is built from the bottom up with and it takes a lot of small things to make a big thing.

Share a smile with someone and they will pass it on............When I waitressed (many years ago) I learned that if I smiled at work when I was unhappy that smile soon became real!

Day Trip to Algoma Shanty Days

My bff & I decided to make our annual trek to Algoma Shanty days on Saturday in spite of possible light rain. The afternoon turned out pretty nice. Some dark clouds formed overhead but not a drop of rain fell. On the way we saw a beautiful field of sunflowers.

We watched a very long and candy filled parade for the terrace of Caffé Tlazo. The parade included the usual firetrucks and marching bands...........and some unusual entries.

The Red Hatters float was really cute.

The official Shanty days float.

The chamber maids band...........all men dressed up as women...good for some laughs....brave men!
And now for some of the MANY 'craft' booths:

I loved these glass plate garden stake flowers!!!!



Yard art - colored gravel glued on to the forms.

This is a butterfly chair, there were smaller ones that could be used to hold plants....unique.

This is one of my favorite booths.........recycled art.....I especially love the the chocolate chip bag purse. I did buy a juice bag notebook & pen holder for one of my granddaughters.

We looked at a lot of jewelry....always in abundance at Shanty days. We each got a couple of loose glass enhancers to put on a chain. We had a nice lunch at the Caffe Tlazo, walked around and looked at a lot of things. By early afternoon we were tired and I had a splitting headache. I dozed in my recliner for a while before my grandson came over to spend the night. I was delighted to see he was himself (told me he forgot to take the meds...whatever....he was full of life). We had supper at McDonalds and then stopped at my sister in laws so the kids could play for a bit. It was a nice day!!!!!

The Handmaids Tale

I am almost finished with The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood.....It's a strange, scary book....frightening to read....if the woman is fertile should could become a 'stand in' for a wife who is barren....marriage is not what it use to be...women do not lead the lives they use to....could this possible happen in the future??? I pray not.


Now for the Friday 56 with Freda:

p. 56 "Things, the word she used when whatever it stood for was too distasteful or filthy or horrible to pass her lips".
Have you read this book? What did you think? I really like it and am 3/4 of the way through and can't wait to see how it ends.

I know I'm Helpless

I was really sickened to see my 6 yr old grandson's condition yesterday afternoon, and there's not a d** thing I can do or even say. I just keep praying that the DR will open her eyes and find out what the real problem is.........but if a person is persistent enough with THEIR diagnosis and the treatment THEY want is the DR talked into it????

I am not a DR nor am I the parent, but I have spent enough time with the boy to know him. I can see 'something' .....he is EXTREMELY scared to try new foods, he has the same personality as his dad (when things don't go his way he throws a fit and/or walks away). He was diagnosed with ADHD, mom thinks he is bipolar (like her and her mom), they've tried different medications and nothing is working. In my opinion I think it's just a personality trait (or some Aspergers) that would be best dealt with by family counseling, not drugs. I had one thought and when I mentioned it to the parents I was accused of trying to be his dr. I believe DRs are NOT gods and you have to do some thinking on your own, get a 2nd opinion, & there's nothing wrong with challenging their 'expertise'. I know I ranted about this before, but it is on my heart again after yesterday afternoon.

The boys spent the afternoon with me and I could see J was not himself, he was really subdued and quiet, never said a word to me in the car. Our first stop was the library (where I paid off the collection charges for one boy after he returned some LONG lost books- did it for the kid, NOT for the parents - mom seemed to think that it didn't pay to return the books after all these months. huh ???). On the way home J fell asleep (3 mile drive at the most). Thank goodness grandpa was home to carry him in the house.....J never moved a muscle and slept for almost 2 hours (3:15 - 5PM). He ate a little for supper and was up for 45 minutes and was back to sleeping for over an hour. When he got up he didn't want to play with his brother and the boys across the street so we worked on a craft. He's usually so full of life and fun loving but yesterday he was so bland...it really hurts my heart.

When mom picked him up she said he slept all of last evening at his other grandparents house too, but he never does that with her and she's more boring. I told her that I could see by looking at him that he wasn't himself....she said to J "see, you gotta change your attitude" ???? To my comment about him not being himself she just replied "I don't know".

My first husband was diagnosed with schizophrenia many years ago....right or wrong? (wrong now that I think about it).....no mental illness in his family and I never saw any signs of it. Anyway, I saw him on some pretty strong drugs to depress his 'disorder'.....I hated seeing him then and I hate seeing my grandson like this.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post.

Stamp a Long Cards

Two of the cards I made a the stamp a long: This first one didn't scan real well b/c the button didn't allow the cover of my scanner to lay flat. It really is a cute card.

This is the 'Red Hat' card. The purse opens and I have "HI" stamped inside. Simple & cute cards...that's what I like.

She's 3!!!

Our youngest granddaughter is 3 today, her party was on Saturday in her parents backyard. The day was perfect, the food good, and the joy - priceless. It was a nice, relaxing, enjoyable afternoon. Mom & dad had a cookout with just family and a few friends. One of the things we gave her was a sprinkler that the kids enjoyed.

Her kiddy pool looked like a perfect place for me to lay and read a book on a hot summer day. I didn't realize the 'pillow rest' is actually a slide.

The boys like to help the birthday girl open gifts.

My cake!!!

I can't wait any longer!




More ugly clouds on the way home......we missed the storm. We had 2 of our grandsons with us. Both slept on the way back (1-1/2 hr drive).