I AM ON A MISSION (re: spider)

Only saw Mr. Spider one time this week.  I think he is hiding from me because I bought some spray that I plan to use on him.  I have not been able to squash him with a shoe because he is too fast.  He comes out of hiding from one corner of the room and zips across to another corner.  He is hiding under furniture where I cannot get to him.  I have not given up though!
 

I typed and filed my notes from the home school meeting.  There will be one more meeting next week for those who were not able to attend the first one.  I plan to be there at the second meeting so I can meet the rest of our parents.  I also want to be sure I understood everything that was said, and that my notes are correct.

 

Friday night I worked with the Prime Timers to get everything ready for Saturday’s yard sale.  I am amazed at the donations we received of items to sell.  Friday we sorted and priced the items.  It was a much bigger job than I expected.  Last year we had a lot of baby and children’s clothes along with toys.  This year it’s mostly adult clothes, and, of course, knick knacks and other odds and ends.  Not as many books this year as last either.  Had a few people stop by and purchase a few items. 

 

Saturday was a really busy day.  The yard sale was great!  The first crew that arrived at 6:00 said there were people waiting when they arrived.  I worked the second shift from 10:00 a.m. through clean up.  Everything left was donated to the Teen Challenge Thrift Shop.  The yard sale was over at 1:00 and they arrive at the designated time of 1:30 with their truck.  After they left a group of us went to Zaxby’s for lunch.  All of us were tired after such a busy day.  I don’t know how much money we made.  I am sure we did well.

 

Other than that the week went pretty much as usual; laundry, grocery, cleaning, etc.  I did decorate a little bit for fall.  Monday I ordered topsoil.  It is supposed to come on Wednesday.

 

During our last big storm we had a bolt of lightning hit that we all felt.  We knew it was close.  Kevin was in our woods in the back this week and found the tree that it hit.  It was a sycamore tree and was split in half.  The tree is/was next to the creek in the back yard.

 

Monday I received a call from Jana that she took David to the hospital.  They had gone to the campground and when they arrived David could not walk.  He has been admitted and they are running numerous tests.  The doctors are not sure what is going on.  The walking seems to come and go. 

 

Yesterday I mowed the grass.  Hopefully, we are getting close to not cutting it for a while.  Our nights have been in the 50’s this week with the highs during the day in the low 80’s.  Maybe fall has arrived.

Something New

The church I belong to has started something new.  Several families wanted to do home schooling so they set up Landmark Academy.  This is the umbrella organization under which families can join so they can home school.  I have found out that home schooling is a little more complicated than I thought. 
 

Anyway, I have volunteered to help our Administrator with the paperwork, etc.  I will not be doing any home schooling.  Parents actually are the teachers, but they have to file quite a bit of paperwork.  Our administrator has to keep track of it and file it with the school board. 

 

I attended my first meeting last night and it was very interesting.  I am really looking forward to becoming involved.

 

Catching up on this past week, last Wednesday I started weed wacking until the batteries went dead.  While the batteries were charging, and while I was at church, Kevin finished for me. I really do appreciate that because I hate weed wacking.

 

Thursday and Friday I just did routine stuff; i.e. laundry, groceries, etc.  Exciting, right? Same for Saturday and Sunday.  I cleaned and filled all the bird feeders.  Haven’t had many birds around lately.  In fact, I am down to just three hummingbirds.  Guess it is getting close to the time when a lot of them will be heading south. 

 

Saturday night I had supper with Kevin and Renea.  LeNora, Ricky and Philip also were there.  Kevin fixed a brisket in the smoker.  It was really good.  Of course, we watched the Alabama football game.  Folks here in the south are really big on college football.

 

Monday was time to start cutting grass again. I finished about half of it and then took a break for lunch. After lunch went back out to finish cutting grass, made a few swipes and had to quit.  The belt came off, so I parked it in the shed and quit for the day.  I didn’t get the grass finished until Tuesday morning.  I used the mower that Kevin and Renea usually use.  It’s a riding mower, but bigger than mine.  Now we have to decide what to do with my mower – fix it or get rid of it.  It’s going to be expensive to fix because there are more problems than the belt. 

 

…..and then there is this spider!

Several Busy Days

Finally finished weeding my rock gardens. They look really good. Lost a few of my plants between the rain and heat.  However, some of the others look fantastic.  The lantanas are huge and I have a lot of butterflies stopping by.  The hummingbird bush that Brian planted for me on the side of my deck looks great.  Not sure any hummingbirds are feeding there, but there are a lot of flowers.

 

I filled the hummingbird feeders today, and I had so many hummingbirds flying around and feeding that one of them flew into my storm door and knocked himself out. He hit so hard and it was so loud (for a little bird) that I thought someone had knocked on the door.  Anyway, he laid on the deck for a few minutes then got up, stopped at the feeder to eat, and then continued on apparently okay.

 

I also finished one of four plastic canvas projects today.  I know I am not as good as mom was, but I’m trying.  She was always able to do these projects without a pattern.  As for me, I need to follow instructions.  The ones I do without a pattern come out okay, but I always feel they could be better.  Maybe I’ll get better with practice.

 

Wednesday I took my car to the Honda service center to have the oil and filter changed. They also rotated the tires.  I should be good, according to them, for about another year. Stopped at WalMart on the way home.

 

When I came home from church, Wednesday night is bible study, (I am really enjoying this.  I am learning a lot, remembering a lot, and making new friends.)  I found ants everywhere both inside and outside the house.  I sprayed everything!   Found ants everywhere in and outside the house.  It’s that time of year and we just have to keep after them.  Kevin is going to spray outside with some special solution we purchased.

 

Thursday morning I cleaned up the dead ants and washed down the inside of the house where I sprayed.  Didn’t find any live ones.  SUCCESS!  Later I fed the azaleas and used Bayer 1-2-3 on my weeping cherry tree.  This was recommended to me by Rita because the leaves were looking really bad.  

 

We had a really bad storm Thursday night into Friday morning with a lot of thunder and lightning.  When I checked the rain gauge it registered 3 ½ inches. Actually made the house rattle.  Started my fall cleaning since I couldn’t do anything outside.

 

Saturday and Sunday we had more rain! In fact, they have been storms not just your average rain.  After church I started my next plastic canvas project and watched football.

 

All of these storms have really stirred up the fibromyalgia and arthritis.  I spent Monday just laying around. 

 

Tuesday I felt better so I decided to cut the grass.  I was almost finished and I ran out of gas.  The grass was so tall I had to go over some places more than once.  I had to leave the mower sitting in the front yard waiting for Kevin to fill it with gas.  The gas cans are so big I cannot lift them, and besides he tightens the lids so tight I can’t open them either.  After Kevin got home from work and filled the mower I finished cutting the grass. Yard is a mess with clippings. I figure it will take a couple of mowing to get it back into shape.

 

However, I did find several pecan tree seedlings and marked them with flags so I don’t run over them the next time I mow the grass.  Maybe we will get lucky and have one or two actually grow into trees. 

Another Day Inside

I know that the weather people are saying upper 90’s, but my thermometer is saying 118 and it’s only 11 o’clock in the morning.  No letup in sight.  It was 15 degrees hotter on Labor Day than it was on the 4^th of July.  I am not going outside at least until this evening.  And, then I will have to think about it first.
 

Bringing you up-to-date, Ryan is back in Japan.  He left on Thursday, 8/28, and will be gone about one more year.  Then he is coming home and going to college. He decided not to re-enlist in the Navy.  Wednesday we all went out to dinner and spent a few hours together.  Since Kevin, Renea and Ryan had to get up at 3:00 a.m. to take him to the airport it was an early evening. 

 

Stephanie is dog sitting this weekend.  Kevin and Renea went camping in Dahlonega, GA.  I was going to dog sit, but Steph had to have her car worked on so she spent the weekend here.  I spent the weekend inside watching NASCAR, some other programs and working on my plastic canvas.

 

Steven is leaving on September 16 for San Antonio, TX.  He has joined the Air Force.  I plan on attending his graduation in November.  Samantha is a senior in high school this year.  Bradley and Brianna are doing just fine.  They are both back in school at UC.

 

I have not been outside except to go to church and a few other quick trips all week.  It has just been too darn hot!  Early last week (Monday and Tuesday) I did get the grass mowed and some weeding accomplished, but I still have a lot to do – if it ever cools down just a little. 

 

I’m still working on my ancestry.  This past weekend ancestry.com had free access to their world records, and I took advantage of that.  I did find a few things.  I found my great grandfather’s parents and brother who lived in Germany.  I think I also found a few other relatives, but I have to do more research.  I also found the parents of a great great grandfather on the Althoefer side.  However, when I tried to find my great grandfather Henry Althoefer there were many!  Apparently, Althoefer in Germany was like Smith or Jones here.  Much more research is needed. I’m sure he is there someplace.  I also found some other bits and pieces of information that need more research.

 

As you can tell, it’s been quiet around here.  Too hot to do much of anything. 

What A Month!

First of all Brian came for a visit and he fixed my computer!  Yeah!!!!  So now you get to read about me mowing my grass again.  J  He also hung a few of my pictures for me, fixed my front door and cut both mine and Kevin’s back grass.  That was on Thursday.  Friday he and I took the day off and went shopping, out to lunch and spent the day visiting until Kevin came home from work.  Then we had supper, Kevin and Brian got in the pool and we had a nice evening.  Saturday it was time for him to head home.
 

Samantha came with him to visit.  It was good to see her.  She even came over on Thursday while Brian was cutting grass and spent some one-on-one time with me.  It was great because we don’t get to do that very often.

 

I don’t remember exactly where I left off on my last blog, and I’m too lazy to go back and check, so I will just continue from wherever.  It has been extremely hot.  In fact, we have been under a heat advisory most of this month.  The official weather report said upper 90’s, but my thermometer has said over 100 ever day.  Plus it has been extremely humid.  Therefore, I only mowed the grass once this month.  As of yesterday the temperature has cooled down to the upper 80’s and low 90’s with very low humidity and a nice breeze.  Sooooo, yesterday I cut my front grass and watered all my flowers and bushed.  Some of my flowers have died even though I have been watering them.  Today I am using the weed wacker – in small increments.  It’s nice again today but I don’t want to overdue.

 

Ryan has been home on leave his month.  It has been really good to see him.  Of course, he is not around much because he is busy visiting his friends.  He heads back to Japan on Thursday.  He will be gone for a year and then he is going to leave the Navy and go to college.

 

I am still working on and researching my family tree on all sides.  I am learning so much.  I find it extremely fascinating.  It’s been much easier since Brian got my computer working like it is supposed to.  I am printing everything I learn and putting the information in binders.

 

I haven’t been outside much because of the heat.  So I have been working inside; cleaning drawers, cupboards and catching up on my filing.  I am not finished with all of that yet, and it is time to start fall house cleaning.  Never any rest. I’m getting tired just typing this. Maybe I need to take a nap????

 

Okay, my break is over and it’s back to weed wacking.  I have also filled all the bird feeders and put fresh water in the birdbath. 

It's either raining or sooo hot!!!

Yesterday it took all three of us to cut the grass.  I did my front and side yards, Renea did her front yard, Kevin did inside the fence and cleaned up the garden.  Then all three of us worked on the back yard.  Afterwards we all collapsed.  What a day!!!!
 

Today Kevin is helping Patrick with a tree that fell and took out two of his fences.  Not sure what Renea is doing.  I have filled the bird feeders, fed the plants, did some weeding, emptied some supplies I had in the back of my car and next on the agenda is weed eating.    All of my bushes and plants seem to be doing okay.  We have had so much rain and then heat that I have been worried about them.

 

I am amazed at the amount of butterflies I have coming to my plants, especially the lantanas.  I bought a book so I can, hopefully, learn the names of some of them.  They are really pretty.

 

Still having problems with my computer so I haven’t been doing too much with my family tree.  Just a few bits and pieces.  Brian is coming down in mid August and hopefully we will get some of the problems solved then.  Whether we do or not it will be good to see him.  Don’t know if anyone will be coming with him.

 

Thursday night I went to dinner with the Prime Timers group from church.  We went to Cheddars in Columbus.  It was the first time I had been there, and I really enjoyed the food.  Great selection.  Good prices.  And plenty to eat.  The only drawback was the noise.  I have never been in a restaurant where the noise level was so high.  Left with a headache! 

 

Been cleaning out drawers and cupboards to get ready for the Prime Timers yard sale.  Not sure how much I will have to donate, but I am coming up with a few things.  The yard sale is in September so I have time to get stuff together. Last year we did real well.  Hopefully, we will do as well this year.

 

Time to get back to work.  The grass should be dry enough now to use the weedeater.  

Gonna Give It A Try!

I know I haven’t posted anything for quite a while.  My computer has been acting up and I am having all kinds of problems with it; including my blog, email, etc.  However, I refuse to buy a new one with Windows 8, and my computer tech is 600 miles north of where I live.  When he gets a chance we are going to see if we can resolve the problems via telephone.
 

Meanwhile, to bring y’all up to date the grass is mowed.  I have planted plenty of flowers.  Since it has been so hot some of them have died.  I am trying my best though.  A couple of my favorites did not make it this year – especially the sunpatients.  My new crape myrtles seem to be doing just fine.  I would like to post pictures on here, but that is one of my problems.

 

Haven’t seen or heard any coyotes lately.  Nor have I seen any wild turkey or deer.  The most exciting animal was one that Kevin had in his backyard in the middle of the night.  Roscoe was barking and getting really upset so Kevin let him out.  There was a four foot diamondback rattle snake in their backyard next to the back of their house.  Kevin woke up the neighborhood with a couple of loud gunshots.  Needless to say, that took care of the snake.  Luckily he was able to keep Roscoe back so he didn’t get bit. 

 

I’ve been a little depressed lately.  Of course, most of you know that my Mom passed away the last part of April.  Sure do miss her.  Also, my Uncle Bill, her brother, passed away one week to the day after Mom.  He had been really sick and having a lot of problems so it wasn’t too surprising.  I have been having some tests run because I am having a few health problems again.  Just keep me in your prayers. 

 

I am doing my best to get things back to normal.  Working in the yard when I can.  I have a few projects I would like to do regarding plastic canvas.  I also brought back some items Mom had started to embroider which I hope to finish.

 

Fourth of July was a lot of fun.  Renea’s brother, Mark, and his wife, Sandy, and their two granddaughters, one of the granddaughters brother, a teenage neighbor and their three dogs came to visit for a week.  They were here for the fourth so Kevin had a cookout and invited a few other friends and neighbors.  We even had a fireworks show that was great!  They also have had Copper, Stephanie’s dog, for about two weeks.  Stephanie went to New York to visit friends and now she is in Savannah visiting friends.  This meant there were six dogs.  They all got along just fine. 

 

Haven’t been working on my family tree lately.  I need to get back to that.  If I ever get my computer working right again.  I also need to get back to my To Do List!

 

Hope everyone is having a great summer.  I will try to do better with the blog.  Unless you are tired of hearing about me cutting grass J