Pumpkin Making Day

Two men returned to work on the deck. They still aren't done, but it isn't their fault. It was raining and the manufacturer of the system messed up a couple times and they had to make them fit. It's coming along, though. I hope they will finish tomorrow.

I did a lot of this and that, then when Jessie woke up from a couch nap, the 3 of us began making sweater pumpkins. Jessie had difficulty stuffing the "pumpkins" because of her being tactile sensitive. She did great with the glue gun, though.

 The pumpkin looks orange in the picture, but it's PINK.

I had a Secretary of State appointment at 3:30 pm for a new driver's license. Nothing like waiting until the last minute since tomorrow it would have expired. I tried making an appointment and the earliest one was January 21, 2021. I've been trying to get a next day appointment and finally got one yesterday at noon. 

While I was gone, Jessie vacuumed the carpets downstairs. Good job, Jess!

Deck Remodel Begins

The men began to arrive at 7:20 a.m. along with their trailers filled with materials. There were 6 men, some VERY good looking. Not that I AM looking, but, you know. They had hoped to complete the job today but they weren't that lucky. Some men will be back tomorrow to finish. Jessie enjoyed sitting by the window looking at the picture of the men we received from the company, and saying their names. She even wanted to eat her breakfast on the floor.

Rachel was with Jessie today and they had a quiet morning then went and picked up Pita Pit for lunch and took it to Stoney Creek for a picnic and a short walk.

They also went to Target to get me a birthday present.

Then they made and frosted sugar cookies. 

I sure wish I could get these pictures to do what I want them to do.

 

Fall Decorations

I have decorated my home for each season since I was married in 1983. Bill enjoyed the decorations and I enjoyed putting them up. Jessie really likes them. I'm still decorating. Yesterday I completed my Harvest Village:

Today I got a lot of this and that done around the house. It was dark and dreary and rainy all day. I even took a short nap. Jessie, too. Not much else to report.

I WENT To Church !!

Chris offered to be with Jessie in our van at church while I went inside for service. This was my first time back since churches were closed 6 months ago. It was good to be back. Thank you so much, Chris! 

After church Jess and I went to Times Square for a pizza lunch. After we ordered I noticed George and Mary in the foyer waiting to come in so I hailed them over and they ate with us. They had just come from church and ordered breakfast. Unfortunately, the place was packed and super noisy, along with a squealing baby. Jessie did very well in the restaurant, but was quite agitated for several hours after.  

When we got home Chris came over and the 3 of us went to Michael's. I had wanted more covering to go under my harvest scene that I put up today. I'll post the finished product tomorrow. Jessie was uncontrollable at Michael's. I made her walk and she was pushing her basket every where and grabbing everything she "needed". She was SO LOUD, too, which got on my nerves. I finished and left as quick as I could. Her behavior was because of the restaurant ordeal. 

She showed Aunt Chris the stuff she bought today then began going through her drawers of toys and separating them into 2 piles ... "Jessie's toys" and "cute kids" toys. The family room was trashed for a while. Thankfully, she did clean it up. Sort of. 

I am very tired. It was a great day but not restful. 
 

Preparing Food For Winter

 I had a terrible physical morning. The pain in my lower back was intense. Thankfully, after relaxing, using a cold wrap and taking pain medicine, it was much better by afternoon. Jess and I went to the bank, got a drive thru lunch at Wendy's then went and ate with the goats. When we arrived, there wasn't anyone else there. While there, several families came and fed to goats. A busy place.

This afternoon I prepared 6 large pork steaks for the freezer and 5# of chicken tenders. I cooked and cut corn off 9 ears of corn, ready to be frozen and sealed in bags. Then I cleaned 10# of chicken leg quarters and baked them. We had some for dinner and the rest will be frozen for future meals. To say that I'm tired of being in the kitchen is an understatement! BUT, the freezer is getting ready for winter. We are blessed. 

Thursday and Friday ... September 24 and 25

 I neglected to post last night because I wasn't feeling that great. I had a shot in my upper back in the afternoon. Those shots always stress me out prior to going, and I just don't feel great after. Last night wasn't any different. I spent the afternoon and evening with an ice pack on my back. This is the first time I had one there. The shots I've received before have been for the lower spine. In 4 weeks I'll be able to have one in the lower back again. This afternoon the pain got worse so I took medicine and sat with the ice pack again. I'm glad Jon was able to go with me yesterday and drive me home. Rachel came and took care of Jess while we were gone.

More paperwork today, as well as starting to get the harvest decorations put out. Jessie had a great day with Jennifer. Lots of laughter.

A Check Book Day

It was such a wonderful, warm and sunny day, Bible Study was cancelled, so I set up a work station on my unfinished deck and began working on my checkbook. Jon turned on his water fountain and I enjoyed the rippling of the water. 

Unfortunately, about 15 minutes after I got set, the lawn company arrived a day early and cut the lawn. Large ride-on lawn mower, weed wacker and blower was not the sounds I had wanted to hear. They left and I had quiet for about 10 minutes when my neighbor began on his riding mower. Really?

I worked out there for hours and, unfortunately, I'm still not done. It'll have to wait until tomorrow.

This was my view while I worked.

Jessie wasn't in a very good mood today. She slept for almost 2 hours right after breakfast, then spent the rest of the day refusing to do what she was told to do. There wasn't any art work done, no homework. It took her a long time to dust because she wanted to do it laying down. A very frustrating day. She's still crabby and it's 8:40 pm. A lot of yelling. I hope tomorrow is MUCH better.

 

Harvest Time

Jon harvested his sweet potatoes this afternoon and they filled a 14-gallon Rubbermaid! Last year they didn't yield very many. This year there are more sweet potatoes than potatoes. That's OK with us. We LOVE sweet potatoes. Onions were plentiful, as well as his garlic. There is plenty for the fall and winter months.
 

We didn't pick up mail for several days, so when I went to empty the mail box I needed a bag to carry all of it. Jessie enjoys sorting the mail and putting them in piles. Today she wanted to help me open my mail. I showed her how to tear the "File 13" mail in half. She thought it was a lot of fun and kept laughing when we tore them in half.

 

Friday through Monday ... September 18 - 21

Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. I left with 2 other ladies from my "Wednesday At 10" Bible Study girls. We met 3 others at Cracker Barrel on Wilder Road off I75 for lunch. Around 2:30 we all met at Joyce's house in Johannesburg, along with Rox who now lives in Johannesburg. That began a fun-filled weekend of lots of food, games, laughter, kayaking (not me that's for sure!) and dinner out at the Redwood Steakhouse in Lewiston. I got back home at 5:30 p.m. then took Jon and Jessie out to dinner so that I wouldn't have to cook. 

Today Jennifer was here with Jessie and they spent quite a bit of time painting. Jessie LOVES to paint. Jess had a dermatologist's appointment in the afternoon. 

Jon worked in his garden then began cleaning out the shed to make room for some of our deck furniture since the deck won't be available this winter for storage. 

I did numerous loads of wash, and began straightening up the house. I still have quite a bit to put away from the weekend. I also took a 45-minute nap. I needed that.

My "Would Have Been 37th Anniversary" Today

September 17, 1983 was the date of our wedding. We had 28 1/2 years together before Bill went to Heaven. It's hard to imagine that if he were alive, we would have been married 37 years today! To "celebrate" the kids and I went to Marcus Grill for lunch. I spent the rest of the day packing and getting things ready for me to leave in the morning. Our "Wednesday at 10" Bible Study group is heading north for the weekend. A shout out to Jon for not minding taking care of Jessie while I have a girls time away.

A Three-day Vacation

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ... September 14, 15 and 16

We left Monday morning and returned yesterday afternoon. We just went an hour up the road and stayed at the "old Thomas Edison Inn" now the Doubletree by Hilton. Here's the view from our room:

Monday was a nice, relaxing day. We began with breakfast at Leo's Coney Island, dropped off a few things at my cousin's house in Memphis, then ate lunch overlooking the river with a Wendy's drive thru lunch. We were able to check in early and go to our room where Jess did her favorite thing: lay on the bed, play with her cards and watch her iPad. Jon was on his iPad and I read. (I read a book and a half while we were gone!) We went downstairs for dinner at The Freighters. Again, a delicious dinner. I shopped at the hotel's store then we just did our own thing till bed time.

Tuesday we had breakfast at Cracker Barrell and then shopped before we took a drive up the thumb. We were going to go to Port Austin, but after an hours driving, we decided Harbor Beach was the farthest north we wanted to go. We had a picnic lunch in the van at the Bathing Beach Park. Thankfully, their restrooms were open. I had a good laugh when I went into the stall and saw the wall of toilet paper. I wonder how often they need to change it? HA HA.

Dinner Tuesday night was back downstairs again at The Freighters. We sure like that restaurant. 

Because of COVID 19 and the fact that The Freighters are only open for breakfast on the weekend now, the hotel provided Grab Bags for breakfast. There were bottles of juice, a granola bar and a muffin. That's what we had. 

We left around 11:00 and drove down to Cabella's. Jessie calls it the "small zoo". Then we ate lunch at Bob Evans. We were home by a little after 2:00. 

I spent the rest of the day washing clothes and putting stuff away that we used for vacation. A very nice 3-day vacation.
 

 

A Quiet Sunday

Jess and I listened to Pastor Mick in Kentwood, MI this morning while we ate breakfast. It was a really good sermon. I went to ACE hardware to get more paint for the deck then picked up Little Caesar's for lunch. Jess had a melt down when her iPad went out (which happens every day). I told her to take a nap. "NO!" was her answer. However, within seconds she was out for over an hour. I read and closed my eyes for awhile. That's about it for today. 

Friday and Saturday

Friday

While Jennifer took Jessie to Leo's Coney Island for breakfast, Jon and I went to the Country Inn. I was hoping for their crunchy French toast, but it didn't happen. Oh, well. Their plain French toast was really good. We shopped at the ACE Hardware around the corner, got drinks at Tim Horton's and headed home. 

Jon worked outside in his garden. I washed clothes and did odds and ends around the house. Jessie painted and did homework. My friend began painting the wood on the deck. It looks really good. The color we picked almost perfectly matches the color Bill put on it ten years ago. Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to spruce up the wood.

Saturday

Rachel came for a couple hours this morning so I could help Jon weed in his garden. We were going to work in the shed, too, but he just wasn't feeling well enough. Another bad physical day for him. I had to stop working after about an hour because I was getting dizzy. Wonder what's up with that? I probably worked too much since my back was hurting a lot. I had to take pain medicine and rest for about an hour. I felt great after that.

Rachel took Jessie to McDonald's drive thru and took it to Stoney Creek for a picnic and short walk. Jon and I had sandwiches at Marcus Grill for lunch. More painting on the deck got done. Woo hoo!

I witnessed something today that was very interesting. A large spider had a flying ant in his web and was running circles around the catch. Every once in a while he'd peck at the fly but then kept circling. It went on for quite awhile until the ant was covered in web. After watching it for awhile, I had Jon kill it because it was a brown recluse spider. However, it got away! Not good.

 

Another Busy Day

Jess spent happy time on her iPad, until we left to get our hair cut. From that appointment she had her "speech" class then I picked up our mail from the post office. Jon isn't having a good physical day. With the weather as its been the past several days, he's been in quite a bit of pain. I can see it in his eyes, and he's very quiet. I wish I could take it from him. He has very few good days in all. 

What did I do? A couple loads of wash and froze pork steak then sealed them in bags for later. I cleaned 2 bags of grapes and froze half for me and the other half is ready to eat in the fridge. I did some computer work and have much more to do. I wonder how much work is enough to justify reading my book for the rest of the evening. 

Back Tracking

This is Thursday morning with my Wednesday blog. What a busy day it was.

Jon's on vacation until September 26. He worked in his garden in the morning. Then rested.

Jennifer was here for Jessie. Jess took a morning nap then they grabbed a salad take-out and went to Brent's house for an art "class", only they didn't do art. Oh, well.

I had Bible Study then I went through McDonald's for a quick drive thru lunch of a chicken wrap, only it wasn't on the menu. Jennifer even mentioned later that they no longer have salads either! I ate a small hamburger while getting my prescription at Walgreens. Kohn's was my next stop. I haven't shopped there since before March. I've picked up stuff, but not shopped. I need new capris with pockets only they didn't have any. I'm getting frustrated trying to buy clothes.

She Went Shopping Again

Despite the crappy, rainy weather Jon and I went out to breakfast at Leo's Coney Island then shopped at Walmart. Off to Sam's Club next for a few needed things and some not-so-needed items. Lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings then the post office before arriving home and getting everything in the house. Thankfully, it didn't rain while we unloaded.

Jane was with Jessie today and at lunch time drove through Wendy's for lunch. They went and ate with the goats before they went shopping. Jane asked Jessie if she wanted to go to Debby's Dollar. "NO", exclaimed Jessie. "Target!!!!". Ok then. She brought home several fall crafts, a unicorn that poops (gross) and I got her a pink unicorn back pack to carry her items in when we go on vacation. Whenever that might be. She really likes it. Let's just hope that she'll put it on and carry it and I won't have to.

Third Day of Labor Day Weekend

It's over !!!  Yup. Gone.

Jon worked today so Jess and I were "alone". She did her usual stuff on her iPad, plus she helped me in the front hall closet looking for my fall table runners. We store our extra boxes of staples in there, along with 3 rubbermaids of seasonal runners, placemats and cup holders. At least that job is done and the table runners have been changed.

When Jon got home we had an early dinner: BBQ country style ribs, homemade potato salad, corn off the cob, pickles and tomatoes. It was nice having a longer evening to watch a few of Jon's programs, read and play on my iPad. Jessie's been sleeping for almost 2 hours on the couch. Her iPad ran out of battery, I plugged it in and she began on her old one but then fell asleep. She's like me. She can go to sleep in an instant. She'll also sleep all night long, too!

Beginning tomorrow, Jon has almost 3 weeks off of work! He's been needing this vacation and I hope he can really rest. 

Second Day of Labor Day Weekend

 A pretty dull day, except for the visit with Chris. Jess and I watched church on my iPad, then she spent the rest of her day on her iPad. Jon weeded his garden, went grocery shopping, then was on his iPad. I'm finishing a book I began yesterday. That's it!

First Day of Labor Day Weekend

Jon has the weekend off, so the 3 of us went to Leo's Coney Island for breakfast. Jon wanted to buy some protein bars he hasn't tried yet and they were sold in Rochester. We stopped there then went across the street to Barnes and Noble. Of course, Jessie bought books. I did, too, but it was a Christmas present, not for me! It was a great morning out for us.

My next door neighbor, Derrick, power washed the deck for us. It's never been done in the 10 years it's been up. It has been washed, not power washed. It looks great and it is now ready to be painted. It's moving right along.

The rest of the day was spent doing wash, reading and cleaning up the house. Jon was on his iPad and Jessie was on hers. 

"May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father."
Col. 1:11-12

                                            

 

At The Farm

Jon worked, I had a pedicure and a Pain Clinic appointment and Jess had a great time at the farm! Brent, Diane and Tom met Jessie and Jennifer at Wolcott Mill Farm for a picnic and feeding the animals. Jess had a bit of difficulty with the wind and walking, but she did it. She LOVED feeding the goats, as you can see from these pictures:

A Day Out

Jess and I had a good day together. It began with her Speech class from 10:30 - 11:30. We came home for about 45 minutes, then met the Glory Girls (and husbands) for a birthday lunch for 2 of our gang at 1:00 pm. Jess and I had to order and eat early, as she had a Rheumatologist appointment at 2:40. When the appointment was finished, we shopped at Joann's and Jess purchased a lot of painting stuff. She LOVES to paint. We dropped off a container at Rachel's then she had a vanilla shake at McDonald's before we finally got home at 5:00 pm! Whew! A very fast day when things have to be timed just right. 

Art Class

No, the Adaptive Art Class that Jess and Brent attend didn't start up again. It probably won't until winter. So, Jennifer has taken it upon herself to prepare an art project for Jess and Brent every Wednesday like they are used to. Today they met at Brent's house because it was too hot and humid to do at a park. Great job, Jennifer! Brent made the flower for Jessie.

Bible Study this morning then I met with Julie for lunch. We bought lunch then ate in the van and talked for almost 3 hours in a parking lot. We need to do this more often. Get together, that is. Not sit in a parking lot.

Jessie's Busy Day

Rachel had a going-out surprise for Jessie this morning. She took her to Panera bread for a drive-thru bagel breakfast, took her to Michael's to see the Halloween stuff and Bath and Body to look around. Rachel said Jessie was so happy and good in the stores. She had a great time.

Jon and I went out to breakfast, picked up another 12 ears of corn to freeze and got our mail from the post office. I did a couple loads of wash then did paperwork on the computer. 

Jessie and Rachel also made some chocolate chip no-bake cookie balls, vacuumed her area, did homework pages and watched a couple of "Full House" episodes. Another great day for Jess. A happy Jessie makes for a happy Mom!

Jessie frosting the cookie balls.